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Insatiable curiosity is one quality the human spirit shares with almost no other creatures on Earth. Perhaps only a handful of the most intelligent mammals share our sense of curiosity but humanity is almost completely immersed in seeking answers to the most abstract of questions. Do dolphins and chimpanzees wonder if there is life on worlds circling other stars? This and other questions are bound up with the quest for an explanation of why our ancestors migrated out of Africa thousands of years ago.

Drawing upon scientific articles published over the past few years, writer Michael Martinez has proposed a chronology for what he calls the Age of Adam, a time dating to about 60,000 years ago. “Adam” is the biological male ancestor of all known modern peoples around the world, with possibly a very small handful of exceptions in the Andamanese islands off the coast of India. Drawing on major sources like Discovery Channel’s archaeology news and Science Daily, Martinez postulates a period of conflict may have arisen among the successful male descendants of Adam in southern Africa, leading to an expulsion of clans and wanderers who found their way to other parts of the Earth.

Competition for resources may have become intense after a super-volcano erupted, but more recent history teaches us that men also compete for women. Displaced males might have been forced to trek thousands of miles to find mates. Small clans may have fled deeper into the rain forests to hide from aggressive clans seeking new wives. Archaeologists have uncovered many pieces of the puzzle and it may be many years before we can form a truly reliable picture.

Science has established that people began using tools and language long, long ago. Now recent studies are suggesting that sophisticated culture including a belief in the afterlife and supernatural, artistic expression, trade and communication between distant groups, and possibly even primitive architecture may have arisen in Africa as much as 100,000 to 120,000 years ago. Science still has much to learn about the past but one thing is clear: we have to abandon our stereotypes and rethink how we look at our ancient ancestors.

The Pocket Gopher
Article by Matt Oliver
Copyright © 2003 by ProGardenBiz
ProGardenBiz, an online magazine
http://www.progardenbiz.com

Pocket gophers (Tomomys spp.), so named for their fur lined
cheek pouches located outside the mouth on each side of the
face, are burrowing rodents. They are a serious and difficult
to control pest for both the Agricultural and Landscape
Industries, as well as the homeowner. They destroy vegetation,
damage machinery (such as mowers), damage irrigation systems
and underground wiring, and lower the aesthetic value of the
landscape. In addition, their burrowing activity on slopes
causes erosion and can be a major factor in slope weakening
and instability that may ultimately lead to a slope failure.
Pocket gophers were identified as a major contributing factor
to slope failure in a number of recent litigation cases in
California.

Biology

A thorough understanding of gopher biology and habits is
helpful, if not necessary, to a successful control program.
They are medium sized rodents with the head and body ranging
in size from 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long. They have a powerfully
built upper body, short neck and legs, long clawed forefeet,
and two pairs of large incisors protruding beyond the mouth.
These fossorial features are tremendous adaptations for their
underground existence. They have a keen sense of touch, thanks
to their tail (short and sparsely haired) and vibrissae
(whiskers), which serve as sensory organs helping to guide the
gopher throughout its burrow system. Fur color is highly
variable, ranging from dark brown to very light tan.

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Pocket gophers do not hibernate and are thought to be active
year round even with snow on the ground, but do noticeably
decrease surface feeding and mounding in very hot weather.
Females produce 1-3 litters per year with an average size
surviving brood of 5-6. In unirrigated natural areas breeding
season is after the rains begin — which may mean only one
litter per year. In irrigated, landscaped areas the continual
source of green foliage allows the female to raise 3 litters
per year.

They are territorial, anti-social, and live solitary except
during breeding periods and when the young are being raised.
Gophers live almost exclusively underground, venturing above
only to push excavated dirt from the burrow system, graze on
vegetation near burrow openings, or for the purpose of
migrating into new territory. Migration occurs both by adults
– usually as a result of unfavorable environmental conditions
and/or habitat destruction (e.g. construction projects), and
young which the mother expels from her burrow system when they
are about half grown.

Burrow systems consist of a main tunnel, lateral runs, pop
holes, and various other functional tunnels and enlargements
which are used for nesting, storage (food caches), resting,
eating, etc. The main burrow is usually 2-4 inches in diameter
(averaging 2 1/2″) and is 2-18 inches below and parallel to
the ground surface. Burrows of young may be small, covering
only one or two hundred square feet while those of older pocket
gophers may cover an area as large as three thousand square
feet. Lateral runs branch off the main run and are used
primarily to push excavated soil to the surface. The mounds
from these laterals are crescent shaped because the soil is
pushed with the forefeet out of the angled lateral to the front
and sides of the opening. Pop holes usually lead straight from
the surface to the main run and are used as an access for
feeding on nearby vegetation. All runs leading to the surface
end in a soil mound or plug which keeps the system completely
enclosed — allowing no light to enter, and stabilizing burrow
temperature and humidity as much as possible. If a gopher dies,
irrigation or rain washes the loose soil plugs from lateral runs
and pop holes leaving open tunnels. Drainage tunnels are used
for water run-off, thus making it difficult to drown a gopher in
a well established system.

The rate of mound building varies with the season, tempurature,
and soil condition, but averages 1-3 mounds per day, during
active periods. The depth of active burrows is usually deeper
under hot conditions, especially in non-irrigated or
infrequently irrigated areas. Mounding often sharply decreases
in the heat of Summer followed by intensive mounding in the
Fall. This renewed Fall activity has often been blamed on
reinvasion of areas thought to have been controlled in the
early Summer.

Control

Although many different techniques have been used in gopher
control the most successful programs usually utilize one or
more of the following methods: trapping, fumigation, and
poison baits.

Trapping is an effective method in small areas such as a
homeowner situation, or as a follow up to fumigation or
baiting, but is time consuming and thus not very cost effective
in a large scale program. The most commonly used traps are the
Macabee trap and the box trap. Traps should always be placed in
the main burrow.

To locate the main burrow, look for the freshest mounds since
they indicate an area of recent gopher activity. You will
usually see a small circle or depression representing the
plugged lateral tunnel. This plug is generally surrounded on
one side by soil, making the mound form a crescent shape. The
main tunnel is usually found 3-1/2 inches from the plug side of
the mound, and is most often between two mounds. Locating the
main burrow usually requires practice, but your skill will
improve with experience.

After locating the main tunnel, open it with a shovel or garden
trowel and set the traps in pairs facing the opposite
directions. This is necessary in order to intercept the gopher
coming from either end of the burrow. The box type is easier
for most inexperienced trappers to set, but requires more
excavation. Box traps are useful when the diameter of the
gopher’s main burrow is small (less than 2 1/2 inches) since
small burrows will need to be enlarged to accomodate the box
traps. All traps should be wired to stakes to prevent loss.
After setting the traps, exclude light from the burrow by
covering the opening with dirt clods, sod, cardboard, or some
other material. Fine soil can be sifted through the edges to
ensure a tight seal. If light enters, the gopher may plug the
burrow with soil, filling the traps in and making them
ineffective. Check traps often and reset when necessary. If no
gopher is caught within 3 days, reset the traps in a different
location.

Poison baits offer the quickest and most effective method of
controlling a large gopher infestation. The most commonly used
toxicants are chloraphacinone, strychnine, and zinc phosphide
pelleted bait. Chloraphacinone, the lesser used of the
toxicants, is a multiple dose anti-coagulant that prevents the
normal process of blood coagulation ultimately causing death
from internal bleeding. It has limited field use because of the
necessity of making multiple applications in the same burrow
system, but may be useful where an extra margin of safety is
desired. The acute toxicants, strychnine and zinc phosphide,
are the most used and most effective. Most baits are prepared on
hulled wheat, barley, or milo grains, with wheat seeming to be
the most preferred by the common Battae (T. bottae) gopher. Zinc
phosphide baits are only accepted adequately in blended pelleted
bait. Strychnine alkaloid bait comes in various formulations
ranging from .25% to 3.0%. In instances where a tractor pulled
mechanical bait applicator is used, formulations from 1.8% to as
high as 3.0% can be utilized. The burrower building mechanical
bait applicator is seldom used in urban situations. Zinc
phosphide can be obtained in 1.0% to 2.0% formulations.

One registered burrow fumigant, aluminum phosphide, is very
effective when used under ideal conditions. Soil should be moist
to accomodate gas formation and to provide a good soil seal.
Even though the gopher often detects burrow fumigation efforts
and trys to plug the system, the use of aluminum phosphide can
still be very effective if at least 2 points within the burrow
system are treated at the same time. The material is used in
pellet form with the pellets being placed into the runway using
a 5/8 to 3/4 inch probe to open the system and a gloved hand to
drop them in. A dirt clod, rock, or plant material is then
placed over the probe hole. This product can be very hazardous
and must be used according to label directions, as with all
pesticides, and requires a restricted materials permit.

Note: Use of strychnine and zinc phophide baits and the fumigant
aluminum phosphide require restricted material permits and user certification.

Many factors influence the success of a baiting program; proper
bait placement within the gopher system, environmental factors
such as soil type, soil moisture, and availablity of green
forage. All can enhance or hinder bait acceptance, and control
results. For instance, dry sandy soils often will collapse when
probed, preventing any bait application, while overly wet soils
may cause the bait to become soggy, muddy, and quickly mold,
thus making it unacceptable to the gopher.

The types of available plants affect how quickly gophers accept
bait. For example, gophers are controlled more easily in turf
than in O’Connor’s Legume as the latter is the preferred host.

Finally, gophers may become “bait shy” if they ingest sublethal
amounts of a bait and become sick. Because the animal
associates the sickness with the taste of the bait, it will no
longer feed on it. Once this occurs, another type of bait or
alternative control method should be used.

Any gopher population can be controlled and in many situations
even eliminated. Succesful programs in large scale situations
generally require an initial clean-out of intensified treatment
to bring the existing population to a maintainable level (90%
or better). Once control is achieved a continuous maintenance
program will most often be required to prevent reinfestation
problems from developing as a result of migration from heavily
infested surrounding areas.
__________________________________________

About the Author:

Matt Oliver is General Manager at Agricultural Pest Control
Services, Inc., a company that specializes in controlling
vertebrate pest problems. Matt is a Contributing Editor for
ProGardenBiz Magazine, an online magazine for professional
gardeners and landscape contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to
find out how you can get a free subscription, start-up
guidance, business ideas and inspiration at
http://www.progardenbiz.com.
__________________________________________

You have permission to publish this article electronically or
in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included.
Must be published complete with no changes.
A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

About the Author

Matt Oliver is General Manager at Agricultural Pest Control
Services, Inc., a company that specializes in controlling
vertebrate pest problems. Matt is a Contributing Editor for
ProGardenBiz Magazine, an online magazine for professional
gardeners and landscape contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to
find out how you can get a free subscription, start-up
guidance, business ideas and inspiration at
http://www.progardenbiz.com.

Whether the differentiations between the high groupings termed Classes and Sub-kingdoms might be accounted for in the same way is a much more difficult question. The differences that distinguish the mammals, birds, reptiles, and fishes from each other, though immense, nonetheless appear to be of a similar nature as those that describe a mouse from an elephant or a swallow from a pheasant. But the vertebrate animals and the insects are so largely diverse in their form and structure and in the very design of their body structure, that protesters may not unreasonably question whether it true that the creatures can all have been derived from a single common ascendant by way of the very same natural laws that explicate the distinction of the various species of birds or of reptiles.

In the pre-Darwin era, the broad majority of natural scientists held firmly to the belief that species were ontologically produced, and had not been derived from other species by any action perceivable to us. There was, then, no inquiry relating to the origination of families, orders, and classes, because the “origin of species” was thought to be an unsolvable problem. Today all transformed. The general scientific and literary world assumes, as a matter of general knowledge, the origin of species from other related species by the ordinary process of natural birth.

What we may expect a trusted theory will allow us to grasp and follow out in some detail those changes in the form, structure, and relations of animals and plants that are transformed in short periods of time, geologically speaking, and which we can observe now at present time. We may expect our theory to explain adequately most of the lesser and superficial differences which separate one species from another. And, in conclusion, we may expect that it describe many troubles and to harmonize many incongruities in the overly complex affinities and relations of living things. Darwin’s theory acheives these demands. It establishes how, by way of some of the most universal and ever-acting laws in nature, new species are needfully produced, while the old species become extinct. Evolution theory also enables us to understand how the constant processes of these laws during the long periods is calculated to bring about those greater divergences represented by the distinct genera, families, and orders into which all living things are classified by naturalists.

Fortunately the weightiness of this matter has been lightened with a good dose of evolution humor, popping up on web sites and office doors. See some of this evolution humor here.

Here roam I with my cubs in the Arctic
feasting on seals by ice packs
away from human predators.
We are content in this harsh world
with our double furs and blubber,
invisible to spying cameras.

But now our safety is no more;
for we awake and our beloved ice is gone.
Marooned on ice packs we famish and expire,
because I cannot swim with my pups.
And we marvel to behold late winter and early summer
as we chance upon unforeseen bodies of water.

I do not pity you, man,
when the seas eat your land;
for did you not turn on the heat
that now melts the ice?
Nor do I bewail the walruses, the reindeer, and the caribou.
Methink those neighbors of mine will tarry longer.

But mourn for me, the perishing polar bear;
or write me a book or script me a movie.
For soon I will be gone forever
like dodo the bird or the great dinosaur.
And no homo sapient dare trace the remains
of “Ursus maritimus”the king of the north!

(EXCERPTED FROM “BEAUTIFUL,” A POETRY COLLECTION BY ARTHUR ZULU, TO BE PUBLISHED SOON. IF YOU ENJOYED READING THE POEM AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TOWARD ITS PUBLICATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE AUTHOR.)

ARTHUR ZULU is an editor, book reviewer, playwright, and published author. He also writes short stories, scripts, essays, and poems.
For his works and FREE helps for writers, goto:
http://controversialwriter.tripod.com
mailto: controversialwriter@yahoo.com
Web search: Arthur Zulu

About the Author

Arthur Zulu is an editor, book reviewer, playwright, and published author. He also writes short stories, scripts, essays, and poems.

The cost of these do it yourself projects has significantly decreased while the number of people trying to build small wind generators for the first time increased says Alternative Energy News. This makes sense, but at the same time, the success rate has remained very high. This article is about how you can be successful with your project and save big. The success is attributed to the teachers. The small wind generators that dominated the last decades were needlessly complicated and as a result expensive. It’s just the matter of time. However, you will be able to safe quite a lot of cash. So you better read on. Buy Wind Power GeneratorI believe you don’t have knowledge about how to build this kit, that’s why you want to purchase it. However, do you realize how much more you are going to pay, if you get it from shops? I don’t know the exact costs, but this kit is not cheap, and I’ve heard people paid for it like few thousand dollars. Are you ready to waste that much cash, when you can make your system for less than $300 bucks?Seriously, don’t buy wind power generator. Wind turbines will have out put if the wind power is over 7 to 10 miles per hour if not then the power that the house needs is purchased by the utility. If the wind turbine puts out more electricity than is needed for the houses supply, then the rest of the electricity is sold to the utility. A small wind turbine can lower you bill significantly. In this way, we can still save our environment from the sufferings that it is experiencing right now as well as we can still make it a better place to live in for the next generations. It is undeniable that we can have free electricity by using the renewable forms of energy. The earth 4 energy allows us to create a power and energy system which is renewable. A renewable energy system can truly help us to make a lot of savings. This is due to the fact that we can have a particular power system with just $200 in our hands. Indeed, earth 4 energy is the only solution left for us to have free electricity to power up our home appliances.

An comprehensive research carried out to figure out the reasons behind school dropouts shows that many individuals look at algebra as the culprit. It is well said, that just the knowledge of the instructor is not alone enough to raise interest in the subject for the pupils. It’s the method; the subject matter is delivered to its recipient which contributes a lot for developing interest in the contents.

What is Algebra?

A shortened introduction of Algebra would be a arm of mathematics which substitutes letters for numbers; algebraic equation is a scale. Algebra includes real numbers, complex numbers, matrices and vectors.

The Different Spheres

Algebra in general spreads over a lot of areas. Some that are worth mentioning are Multiplying exponents, dividing exponents , Solving complex inequalities, Finding Greatest common factor or GCM, Multiplying, Adding, Subtracting fractions and many more.

If the above mentioned domains are already making you nervous, I hope that the definitions to follow will relieve your anxiety and give real insight in to the subject matter.

Exponents are just shorthand for referring multiplication of identical factors. Fractions on the other hand are used for showing numbers that are pieces of a whole. Many such similar areas in algebra may sound awful at first, but once you comprehend the simple concept behind it, you will be delighted by its purpose. To state a few more – Mixed numbers, Quadratic formula, Graphing linear inequalities, solving compound in equalities, Factoring binomials, and Factoring polynomials; are all algebraic expressions.

I am sure it will be confusing to understand mixed numbers, you may be startled to find out that they are a type of fractions. Graphing linear inequalities states its purpose pretty clearly by its name. Similarly there are many other algebraic areas which are really interesting to work with.

How to Find a Tutor

If you are curious in understanding the domain of algebraic expressions but do not have a private teacher to help you in the process, do not worry since online tutorials will come for your rescue. These tutorials emphasize the practical ways instead of theory, demonstrating time-tested techniques. The algebra solver software systems can guide you step by step in solving your maths problems and it can also provide explanations of all steps.

Malignant mesotheliomahas a few major symptoms. Pleural mesotheliomas primary symptom is having trouble breathing caused by pleural effusion ” the buildup of fluid in the pleura, or membrane, surrounding the lung. The second most common symptomis chest pain because the chest wall is being attacked by the tumor. Symptoms may also include fatigue, loss of weight and night sweats

The main indicator of patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, which originates in the abdomen, is abdominal swelling due to fluid buildup in the abdomen (a condition called ascites), abdominal pain, and bowel obstruction.

Its vital to know that many of these symptoms may be caused by other conditions. But if you have experienced any of these symptoms and have had asbestos exposure, you should see your doctor.

Malignant mesothelioma is hard to identify, because less serious conditions also cause similar symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest or lower back pains due to accumulated fluid in the pleura
• Running a temperature
• Nausea
• Raspy voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Coughing blood

Self-diagnosis should never be attempted. People suffering from the above symptoms should remain calm and consult a doctor. The standard way to confirm the condition is with a biopsy. A pathologist takes a sample of tissue from the region that cancer is suspected and performs an examination that will result in a very accurate diagnosis. Usually, biopsies do not hurt.

CT scans (Computed Tomography) are an option to avoid a biopsy. This is an X-ray procedure where a scanner is moved around the body to snap cross-sectional pictures. Once in a while, a dye is ingested by the patient to help define the images. CT scans have an advantage over biopsies by being easier and non-invasive, and they are considered an effective way of diagnosing the disease. Opinions vary whether a CT scan or biopsy is cheaper. If irregularities are detected, a biopsy may also be ordered to determine if a tumor exists, and if thats the case, if its malignant or benign. Pleural mesothelioma can also be diagnosed by looking for cancer cells in a sample of fluid from the pleura.

These methods can also diagnose and screen patients for mesothelioma. Patients are screened when they suspect they may be at risk but do not have typical symptoms, to make sure they are not in danger or to catch the cancer as early as possible. Patients who have in their past inhaled asbestos, should be screened for mesothelioma.

After an exclusive research over the causes behind the maximum school dropouts, a consistency was found in the answers of the majority of the participants pointing towards Algebra. It is well said, that just the knowledge of the instructor is not alone sufficient to raise interest in the discipline for the pupils. It’s the way; the subject matter is explained to its recipient which gives a lot for developing interest in the topics.

What is Algebra?

In short, algebra is a branch of math that deal with letters in place of numbers in order to solve equations; therefore, algebraic equations can be viewed as a scale. Algebra includes real numbers, complex numbers, matrices and vectors.

The Different Arenas

Generally, algebra spreads across many domains of mathematics. for example; Multiplying exponents, dividing exponents, Solving linear equations, Finding Greatest common factor or GCM, Multiplying, Adding, Subtracting fractions and many more.

If the above mentioned domains are already making you nervous, I hope that the definitions to follow will alleviate your anxiousness and give real insight in to the subject area.

Exponents is a notion that indicates multiplication of identical factors. Fractions on the other hand are used for showing numbers that are pieces of a whole. Many such similar areas in algebra may sound threatening at first, but once you comprehend the simple concept behind it, you will be captured by its purpose. To put down a few more items – Mixed numbers, Quadratic formula, Graphing linear inequalities , solving compound in equalities , Factoring binomials, and Factoring polynomials; are all algebraic expressions.

Although you may find it confusing to comprehend mixed numbers, but it will really interest you to note that they are none other than a form of fractions. Graphing linear inequalities states its purpose pretty distinctly by its name. Similarly there are many other algebraic areas which are really interesting to work with.

Finding a Private Teacher

If you are interested in understanding the domain of algebraic expressions but do not have a tutor to help you in the procedure, leave your worries behind since online lessons will come for your rescue. These tutorials stress the practicalities instead of theory, presenting safe techniques. Algebraic helper software systems can assist you in the process of understanding and working through math problems in a systematic, step by step fashion while providing examples and explanations for all steps involved.