Wednesday, May 6, 2015

@3:00, 5/5/15

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1
World

Nepal’s Helter-Skelter Urbanization and Lax Enforcement Contribute to Quake’s Toll

By CHRIS BUCKLEY | May 1st 2015
Many structures that collapsed in Katmandu were part of a building boom in recent decades aided by government indifference and corruption.
Earthquakes; Buildings (Structures); Urban Areas 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurkha

2
World

Papua New Guinea: Fourth Earthquake

By MICHELLE INNIS | May 5th 2015
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea’s New Britain Province on Tuesday, but early reports said the quake caused only minor damage to buildings.
Earthquakes 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokopo

3
Health

Tracking Worms Troubles to Monitor a Country’s Health

By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr. | May 4th 2015
The index, which compares the world’s 25 most populous countries by how big a problem they have with three types of worms, had some surprises.
Worms; Lymphatic Filariasis; Medicine and Health; Third World and Developing Countries 

Yes.

4
Science

African Diet May Lead Away From Colon Cancer

By SINDYA N. BHANOO | May 4th 2015
To study the effects, researchers asked African-American and South African volunteers to swap diets for two weeks. Guess who benefited.
Colon and Colorectal Cancer; Diet and Nutrition; Fast Food Industry; Blacks 

Yes

5
Food

How the Experts Brew Tea

By SUSAN CHIRA | May 4th 2015
The biggest mistake made in serving tea is water temperature, one expert says. Water that is too hot can burn the leaves and spoil the flavor.
Tea; Cooking and Cookbooks 

Bookmarked.

An interesting pot.

6
N.Y. / Region

Brooklyn Tenants Receive a Judgment in a Heating Dispute

By JOHN LELAND | May 2nd 2015
After a year, a Housing Court judge fined Crown Heights landlord Seth Miller for not providing essential services.
Real Estate and Housing (Residential); Landlords 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highest_and_best_use
The property tax authorities use the principle.

7
Science

Fracking Chemicals Detected in Pennsylvania Drinking Water

By NICHOLAS ST. FLEUR | May 4th 2015
The study, which has been criticized by the industry, noted that the contamination at three houses may have stemmed from faulty drill wells.
Water Pollution; Hydraulic Fracturing; Natural Gas; Environment 

The boom is over.  
It is time to regulate the gas drillers.
Gas is fossil carbon.

8
Health

E.P.A. Emissions Plan Will Save Thousands of Lives, Study Finds

By SABRINA TAVERNISE and CORAL DAVENPORT | May 4th 2015
The carbon emissions standards, proposed last year for the nation’s coal-fired power plants, could prevent more than 3,000 premature deaths per year, according to a new study.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Global Warming; Coal; Air Pollution; Carbon Dioxide 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_of_life

"

Life Value in the US

The following estimates have been applied to the value of life. The estimates are either for one year of additional life or for the statistical value of a single life.
The income elasticity of the value of statistical life has been estimated at 0.5 to 0.6.[2] Developing markets have smaller statistical value of life.[2] The statistical value of life also decreases with age.[2]

Life value in Russia

According to different estimates life value in Russia varies from $90,000 up to $4 million. On the results of opinion poll life value (as the cost of financial compensation for the death) in the beginning of 2013 was $118,900. In comparing with 2012 life value increased by 2%.[7]"

3,500 lives X $9,400,000. per life =  $32,900,000,000. saved

Mitch McConnell does not have a leg to stand on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitch_McConnell

9
The Upshot

An Atlas of Upward Mobility Shows Paths Out of Poverty

By DAVID LEONHARDT, AMANDA COX and CLAIRE CAIN MILLER | May 4th 2015
A decades-old effort found that moving poor families to better neighborhoods did little to help them. A new look at the data suggests the opposite.
Income Inequality; Poverty; Children and Childhood; Vouchers; Race and Ethnicity; Real Estate and Housing (Residential); United States Economy; Blacks; Income 

10
World

Video: In Nepal, a Dangerous Journey Home

Rajneesh Bhandari | May 4th 2015
Trapped by an earthquake hundreds of miles from home, 28 Nepalese workers hiked for days braving landslides and collapsed roads to reach family members.
Earthquakes; Landslides and Mudslides 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/05/world/asia/nepal-already-stripped-of-young-men-faces-a-darker-problem.html

"The countryside was largely stripped of its healthy young men even before the quake, as they migrated in great waves — 1,500 a day by some estimates — to work as laborers in India, Malaysia or one of the gulf nations, leaving many small communities populated only by elderly parents, women and children. Economists say that at some times of the year, one-quarter of Nepal’s population is working outside the country."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyandry

11
Travel

Hotel Review: Vault Karakoy in Istanbul

By SETH SHERWOOD | May 5th 2015
In a former 19th-century Ottoman-era bank, the 63-room hotel brims with period details and has an elegant interior.
Travel and Vacations; Hotels and Travel Lodgings 

I would like to visit Turkey.  
I have not done the homework.

12
Science

Trying to Stay Ahead of Earthquake Disasters

By KENNETH CHANG | May 4th 2015
A nonprofit, Geohazards, helps developing countries understand how to prepare for earthquakes and save lives in places like Kathmandu.
Earthquakes; Accidents and Safety; Geology; Tidal Waves and Tsunamis; Third World and Developing Countries 

The best way to survive a disaster is to be elsewhere when one strikes.
Earthquake survivable structures are possible.  
They are not massive unless they are buried. 

Tsunamis kill those caught in them.  Escape upward is possible but limited by the warning time.

13
Opinion

Our Students’ Below-Average Math Abilities

May 4th 2015
Readers respond to a column by Nicholas Kristof on the importance of numeracy.
Education (K-12); Mathematics; Teachers and School Employees 

Reasoning is learned by doing.
Our curricula are designed to prevent reasoning.

14
World

Espresso? Now the International Space Station Is Fully Equipped

By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO | May 4th 2015
Samantha Cristoforetti, the first Italian woman in orbit, used a special “ISSpresso” machine and an antigravity cup to satisfy a thirst and curiosity.
International Space Station 

Time in orbit is so expensive that leisure is programmed out.

15
World

South Sudan: World’s Youngest Nation Is ‘at Grave Risk,’ Kerry Warns

By RICK GLADSTONE | May 4th 2015
Secretary of State John Kerry warned Monday that the violent civil conflict, mass displacement and deepening food crisis roiling South Sudan was threatening its future.
Refugees and Displaced Persons; United States International Relations 

Secretary of State John Kerry is correct.

16
Food

Calphalon’s Knife Block Hones the Blade

By FLORENCE FABRICANT | May 4th 2015
A knife caddy that sharpens the blade for each task; California stone crabs claw their way east; butter with more fat from Finland; and more.
Cooking and Cookbooks; Knives; Crabs 

I have not seen a sharpener that does better than a "stone" in skilled hands.
I will look for the butter.
The “Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets” is better than diabetes.
I was not impressed with Stone Crab.  
I like fresh lobster in season and prefer oysters to clams. Muscles are good.

17
Opinion

DNA and the F.B.I.

May 5th 2015
Jason Flom of the Innocence Project writes that “everyone suffers when the wrong people are convicted.”
Forensic Science; DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid); False Arrests, Convictions and Imprisonments 

Yes.

18
The Upshot

Why the New Research on Mobility Matters: An Economist’s View

By JUSTIN WOLFERS | May 4th 2015
There’s a compelling case that good neighborhoods nurture success.
Income Inequality; Children and Childhood; Families and Family Life; Sociology; Public and Subsidized Housing; Vouchers 

They have a solid result.

19
Science

Letters to the Editor and Online Comments

May 4th 2015
Readers respond to articles in Science Times.
Tumors; Brain Cancer 

The training of a surgeon to work without the support available in western Europe, North America and Japan must be different.  Country doctors can be taught. their level of skill must be greater as they will be working alone with willing but unskilled help and limited supplies.  Triage skills must be included.

The American medical establishment has not considered long term care part of their business.  Shelter for the children and the disabled has been a community project.  
The present American culture actively opposes community. 

20
N.Y. / Region

Video: U.S. Attorney on Charges Against Skelos

Reuters | May 4th 2015
Preet Bharara, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced on Monday the charges against State Senator Dean G. Skelos and his son, Adam B. Skelos.
United States Attorneys; State Legislatures; Corruption (Institutional) 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/05/nyregion/dean-skelos-new-york-senate-leader-and-son-are-arrested-on-corruption-charges.html

Sit back and watch the drama.
Albany has accomplished little in the last years and is set to accomplish less.


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