Schools soon required to teach web safety - eSchool News

Students will be required to learn about internet safety, appropriate online behavior, and cyber bullying. Schools receiving e-Rate discounts on their telecommunications services and internet access soon will have to educate their students about online safety, sexual predators, and cyber bullying, thanks to federal legislation passed in both the Senate and the House.

The Broadband Data Improvement Act (S.1492), sponsored by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, requires the Federal Trade Commission to carry out a national public awareness program focused on educating children how to use the internet in safe and responsible ways. The legislation also establishes an "Online Safety and Technology Working Group" charged with evaluating online safety education efforts, parental control technologies, filtering and blocking software, and more.

Green Chemistry

Green chemistry, also called sustainable chemistry, is a chemical philosophy encouraging the design of products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Whereas environmental chemistry is the chemistry of the natural environment, and of pollutant chemicals in nature, green chemistry seeks to reduce and prevent pollution at its source. In 1990 the Pollution Prevention Act was passed in the United States. This act helped create a modus operandi for dealing with pollution in an original and innovative way. It aims to avoid problems before they happen.

As a chemical philosophy, green chemistry derives from organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and even physical chemistry. However, the philosophy of green chemistry tends to focus on industrial applications. Click chemistry is often cited as a style of chemical synthesis that is consistent with the goals of green chemistry. The focus is on minimizing the hazard and maximizing the efficiency of any chemical choice. It is distinct from environmental chemistry which focuses on chemical phenomena in the environment.

In 2005 Ryoji Noyori identified three key developments in green chemistry: use of supercritical carbon dioxide as green solvent, aqueous hydrogen peroxide for clean oxidations and the use of hydrogen in asymmetric synthesis.[1] Examples of applied green chemistry are supercritical water oxidation, on water reactions and dry media reactions..

Bioengineering is also seen as a promising technique for achieving green chemistry goals. A number of important process chemicals can be synthesized in engineered organisms, such as shikimate, a Tamiflu precursor which is fermented by Roche in bacteria.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_chemistry

Education

Education encompasses both the teaching and learning of knowledge, proper conduct, and technical competency. It thus focuses on the cultivation of skills, trades or professions, as well as mental, moral and aesthetic development.[1] Formal education consists of systematic instruction, teaching and training by professional teachers. This consists of the application of pedagogy and the development of curricula. In a liberal education tradition, teachers draw on many different disciplines for their lessons, including psychology, philosophy, linguistics, biology, and sociology. Teachers in specialized professions such as astrophysics, law, or zoology may teach only in a narrow area, usually as professors at institutions of higher learning. There is much specialist instruction in fields of trade for those who want specific skills, such as required to be a pilot, for example. Finally, there is an array of educational opportunity in the informal sphere- for this reason; society subsidizes institutions such as museums and libraries. Informal education also includes knowledge and skills learned and refined during the course of life, including education that comes from experience in practicing a profession.

The right to education has been described as a fundamental human right: since 1952, Article 2 of the first Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights obliges all signatory parties to guarantee the right to education. At world level, the United Nations' International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 guarantees this right under its Article 13.

From : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education

Computer Education

Our Vision: "To make young minds successful by imparting quality education through technology", and our use of computers to teach, has enabled school students to experience a new way of learning. We invented the concept of SMART SCHOOLS, which fully leverage the benefits of Information Technology. The concept aims to use computer education to build a computer literate India by creating Smart Students, Smart Teachers and a Smart Society.

The Advantages
The Computer Education packages from NIIT are truly low cost products, which are ideally suited for schools that want to introduce computer education in their curriculum. Since it offers an IT literacy program that covers the fundamentals of computer education at a minimum investment, this package is ideal for new schools that haven't yet introduced computer education.


We have discovered that different schools have different needs in terms of infrastructure, investment and methodology. For that reason we have tailored our computer education program into three distinct packages:

* The Board Package
This is a higher-end IT education program, specifically designed to match the CBSE curriculum. It is ideally suited for schools that have to teach computer science, but are not fully equipped to do so. The package contains lessons as per Board specifications, ensuring that each student gets the stipulated amount of computer education on a weekly basis. The program helps schools meet the timetables set by the board syllabus.

* The Classic Package
This comprehensive IT integration program is tailor-made for upcoming schools that plan to initiate computer education and computer-aided education into their curriculum. This package uses an extensive curriculum and provides students with adequate lab facilities and machine time. This is an affordable package, ideally suited for schools that have yet to build up a strong financial base

* The IT Pro Pacakge
This is a comprehensive IT integration program that is designed for schools that have already started computer education, but are in need of an advanced program that can be added to the one that is already running. This is a much more evolved package, designed to create a technically superior student.


From :http://www.niit.com/Schools/Schools_Index.asp?section=School&L1=Products&L2=Computer%20Education

Computer-aided assessment and learning design

Computer-aided Assessment (also but less commonly referred to as E-assessment), ranging from automated multiple-choice tests to more sophisticated systems is becoming increasingly common. With some systems, feedback can be geared towards a student's specific mistakes or the computer can navigate the student through a series of questions adapting to what the student appears to have learned or not learned.


The best examples follow a Formative Assessment structure and are called "Online Formative Assessment". This involves making an initial formative assessment by sifting out the incorrect answers. The author/teacher will then explain what the pupil should have done with each question. It will then give the pupil at least one practice at each slight variation of sifted out questions. This is the formative learning stage. The next stage is to make a Summative Assessment by a new set of questions only covering the topics previously taught. Some will take this even further and repeat the cycle such as BOFA [6]which is aimed at the Eleven plus exam set in the UK.

The term learning design has sometimes come to refer to the type of activity enabled by software such as the open-source system LAMS [7] which supports sequences of activities that can be both adaptive and collaborative. The IMS Learning Design specification is intended as a standard format for learning designs, and IMS LD Level A is supported in LAMS V2.

From : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-learning

Commotion Google,Microsoft Buy Yahoo?

Rumor that Microsoft will buy Yahoo may be not true,but that Microsoft and Yahoo feel need make cooperative for dominate Google at market internet advertisement is true issue.Both of them yet continue discussion for decide cooperative type is can they to for sit at giant search engine it.Option is appear between is possibility that Microsoft will recognize side Yahoo fully or Yahoo will sell a part share’s to Microsoft.

It issue even have a chance make Yahoo share rise sharply,although more party mention the possibility small enough,remember fusion culture and technology between both of company mentioned will difficult.Other option is that both of them will fusion they advertisement network for make increase web traffic.Cooperative between Yahoo and Microsoft ready happen on fiture ‘Instant Messaging’.IM unit own Yahoo (Yahoo Messenger)can to use by customer Microsoft fiture Live Messenger, and on the contrary.

Whatever the type,cooperative Microsoft and Yahoo in internet advertisement certainly will create a strength is same,can make they defence about Google attack.Nielsen/NetRatings data March month indicate that 54% online search at AS are using Google,where as Yahoo only 22%.So Google market rise continue, Yahoo inclined constant, temporary while Microsoft down continue.

Copyright by : http://jokestreets.blogspot.com/2007/07/commotion-googlemicrosoft-buy-yahoo.html

Chromatography

* Principles and Practice of Chromatography

Chromatography, although primarily a separation technique, is mostly employed in chemical analysis. Nevertheless, to a limited extent, it is also used for preparative purposes, particularly for the isolation of relatively small amounts of materials that have comparatively high intrinsic value. Chromatography is probably the most powerful and versatile technique available to the modern analyst. In a single step process it can separate a mixture into its individual components and simultaneously provide an quantitative estimate of each constituent. Samples may be gaseous, liquid or solid in nature and can range in complexity from a simple blend of two entantiomers to a multi component mixture containing widely differing chemical species. Furthermore, the analysis can be carried out, at one extreme, on a very costly and complex instrument, and at the other, on a simple, inexpensive thin layer plate.

*Preparative Chromatography

The loading of preparative columns is considered both practically and theoretically including the maximum column loading capacity, the maximum sample volume, volume overload, and mass overload. Preparative chromatography apparatus is then described including, solvent reservoirs, pumps, sample valves and the preparative columns themselves. The special requirements of preparative column detectors are also discussed together with the use of fraction collectors. The special packing techniques necessary for both preparative gas chromatography and liquid chromatography columns are described including both the radial and axial compression techniques. Procedures such as recycling, together with the moving bed and simulated moving bed systems are discussed in detail and some examples of the use of the moving bed system included.

copyright: http://www.chromatography-online.org/

Gas Chromatography

*Gas Chromatography

The modern gas chromatography is described and includes gas supplies (air tanks, pure air generators, nitrogen and hydrogen generators), pressure controllers, flow controllers and flow programmers, together with injection devices for both packed and capillary columns. Special sampling techniques are discussed including retention gap sampling and solute focusing. The supports used in packed columns are given together with different packing procedures. The static and dynamic methods of coating capillary columns are also given, including the deposition of chiral stationary phases. The design and function of the four most common GC detectors are described, (the flame ionization detector, the nitrogen phosphorus detector, the electron capture detector and the katharometer). The basic design of the modern data acquisition and data processing systems are discussed including the scaling amplifier and the A/D convertor. General GC quantitative analysis is considered including derivatization procedures. Finally quantitative preparative GC is discussed and a series of application examples included.
*Gas Chromatography Detectors

Detector specifications are described including sensitivity, noise, response, pressure sensitivity, flow sensitivity, temperature sensitivity, dynamic range and linearity. Methods for the experimental determination of many of the specifications are included. The early gas chromatography detectors are mentioned and their history given. The detectors described in detail include the katharometer, the gas density balance, the flame ionization detector (with a detailed discussion on its design and fabrication), the nitrogen phosphorous detector, ionization detectors (includion different argon and helium ionization detectors) and the radioactivity detector. In addition, a further nine less common detectors are also described.

*Capillary Chromatography

The book starts with a short history of capillary columns and then discusses the essential apparatus for their use including, gas supplies, injection systems and column ovens. The preparation of capillary columns is then described including dynamic coating, static coating and capillary column connecting.techniques. Detector requirements for capillary columns are considered and the two commonly used detectors, the flame ionization detector and the nitrogen phosphorus detector discussed in detail. Capillary column theory is presented and such important parameters as optimum velocity and the column variance per unit length considered in detail and equations given. Practical aspects of the technique are described including back flushing techniques and heart cutting together with the apparatus necessary for these procedures. A number of applications of capillary columns are given, including the use chiral stationary phases, drug analysis and the use of high temperature stationary phases such as carborane.

copyright: http://www.chromatography-online.org/

A small lesson on technology writing

Today I’m giving a presentation at the National Association of Science Writers about technology writing, and one of the basic points I’ll be making is that it’s almost impossible to characterize what “tech writing” is when our daily lives are pervaded with everything from computers to biotech gadgets.Tech writing can be, as a result, focused on almost anything. This makes tech writing quite different from science writing, which is often (though certainly not always) focused narrowly on pure research, as well as publications in scientific journals.

In that spirit, I offer to you a list of articles that could be categorized as technology writing despite the fact that they are also just as focused on other topics, such as parenting and consumer decision-making. All of these stories are chosen to reflect recent examples of tech journalism.

from : http://www.techsploitation.com/2008/10/25/a-small-lesson-on-technology-writing/

Chromatography Theory

* Plate Theory and Extensions

The plate theory is developed and equations for the retention volume of a solute, the capacity ratio of a solute, the separation ratio of two solutes and the conditions for chromatographic separation derived. The different volumes that make up the dead volume are discussed and experimental methods for measuring the different dead volume components given. The Gaussian form of the elution equation is derived and methods of measuring the retention volume of closely eluting peaks discussed. The concept of column efficiency is introduced and a method for measuring column efficiency described. The points of inflection of a peak are defined together with effective plate number and the resolving power of a column. The concept of the summation of variances is introduced and used to calculate the maximum volume of sample that can be placed on a column. The technique of vacancy chromatography is considered and an equation for the peak capacity of a column developed. Finally the temperature changes that take place on the passage of a solute through a theoretical plate are examined in detail both theoretically and experimentally.


*The Mechanism of Chromatographic Retention

Solutes are retained in a chromatographic column because the solute molecules interact more strongly with the molecules of the stationary phase than those of the mobile phase. The different types of molecular interaction are described which include dispersive interactions, polar interactions (which include both dipole-dipole interactions and dipole-induced dipole interactions) and ionic interactions. Molecular interactions with mixed phases are also discussed and it is shown that interaction occurs as though each component of the phase is a separate phase and its contribution is proportional to its concentration in the mixed phase. Retention by surface adsorption is also discussed and the theory of monolayer and bi-layer adsorption developed. The sorption and displacement adsorption processes are considered including retention by exclusion. The preparation of silica gel is described and the preparation of silica gel mixtures having different exclusion properties outlined. Chiral interactions and chiral phases are also discussed.

*The Thermodynamics of Chromatography

The basic thermodynamic equations pertinent to chromatography are introduced and the method of distribution analysis using the standard energy of distribution discussed. Thermodynamic analysis is demonstrated by analyzing the energy difference between the dispersive interactions of the methyl and methylene groups with an alkane stationary phase. Using the distribution data for the substituted methanes the energies involved in the dispersive interactions of carbon, hydrogen chlorine and bromine with an alkane stationary phase are also examined. Other types of molecular interaction are considered and the thermodynamic explanation of complex formation also examined. Thermodynamic argument is also used to identify the optimum operating conditions for chiral separations and the effect of solvent composition enantiomeric separations.

*Dispersion in Chromatography Columns

The principal of the summation of variances is first discussed and the alternative axis of the chromatogram introduced, namely curves relating sample concentration to either time, volume flow of mobile phase through the column or distance moved along the column. The Random Walk model for obtaining an expression for the variance of a dispersion process is explained and used to derive expressions for multipath dispersion, longitudinal diffusion and dispersion due to the resistance to mass transfer in the two phases. The effect of the compressibility of the mobile phase in a gas chromatography column on the variance equation is theoretically examined and the Van Deemmter equation discussed. The alternative dispersion equations developed by Giddings, Huber, Knox, Horvath for packed columns and by Golay for capillary columns are described and discussed.. Strong experimental evidence is given to indicate that the Van Deemter equation best explains the variance in a packed column over practical range of operating variable used in both gas and liquid chromatography.

*Extra Column Dispersion

Dispersion of an eluted solute in the chromatographic apparatus other than the column can be extremely important and in the worst case seriously impair the performance of the column. This book examines quantitatively and qualitatively the dispersion that can take place in sample valves, connecting conduits, unions, frits and in the sensing volume of the detector. The dispersion that takes place in the column is first considered and from that the limiting value of the extra column dispersion can be determined and an expression giving this limiting dispersion is included. Low dispersion tubing is discussed and the special case of low dispersion serpentine tubing considered in detail. The design of low dispersion gradient elution apparatus is also described and the special case of microbore columns examined.

copyright: http://www.chromatography-online.org/