Wikipedia 101 For MDR

[niecy]

I have read many many books in my life, yet I seem to always be coming upon a word on this forum that I have never heard. Knowing what they mean can make a huge difference in our understanding of what we read.

I thought it would be nice to have a thread where we could post definitions of these words. This is my first one........I always knew the difinition, I just didn't know the WORD!!!

Here's my pick for the day:

Obfuscation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Obfuscation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For the term as used in computer science, see Obfuscated code.
Look up Obfuscation in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Obfuscation is the concealment of meaning in communication, making it confusing and harder to interpret.

Obfuscation may be used for many purposes. Doctors have been accused of using jargon to conceal unpleasant facts from a patient. American author Michael Crichton has claimed that medical writing is a "highly skilled, calculated attempt to confuse the reader".[1] B. F. Skinner, noted psychologist, commented on medical notation as a form of multiple audience control which allows the doctor to communicate to the pharmacist things which might be opposed by the patient if they could understand it.[2] Similarly text-based language, like gyaru-moji and some forms of leet are obfuscated to make them incomprehensible to outsiders.

In cryptography, obfuscation refers to encoding the input data before it is sent to a hash function or other encryption scheme. This technique helps to make brute force attacks unfeasible, as it is difficult to determine the correct cleartext.

In network security, obfuscation refers to methods used to obscure an attack payload from inspection by network protection systems.

[niecy]

Leptospirosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leptospirosis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Leptospirosis
Classification and external resources

Leptospirose magnified 200 times with dark-field microscope ICD-10 A27. DiseasesDB 7403 MedlinePlus 001376 eMedicine med/1283 emerg/856 ped/1298 MeSH C01.252.400.511 Leptospirosis (also known as Weil's disease, canicola fever, canefield fever, nanukayami fever, 7-day fever and many more[1]) is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira that affects humans and a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles. It was first described by Adolf Weil in 1886 when he reported an "acute infectious disease with enlargement of spleen, jaundice and nephritis". Leptospira was first observed in 1907 from a post mortem renal tissue slice.[2]
Though being recognised among the world's most common zoonoses, leptospirosis is a relatively rare bacterial infection in humans. The infection is commonly transmitted to humans by allowing fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin, eyes or with the mucous membranes. Outside of tropical areas, leptospirosis cases have a relatively distinct seasonality with most of them occurring August-September/February-March.

[jonsi]

Onomatopoeia (also spelled onomatopœia, from Greek ονοματοποιία) is a word or a grouping of words that imitates the sound it is describing, suggesting its source object, such as "click," "bunk", "clang," "buzz," "bang," or animal noises such as "oink", "slurp", or "meow". The word is a synthesis of the Greek words όνομα (onoma, = "name") and ποιέω (poieō, = "I make" or "I create") thus it essentially means "name creation", although it makes more sense combining "name" and "I do", meaning it is named (and spelled) as it sounds (e.g. quack, bang, etc.).

This is one of my favorite words!

Itwl,
~jonsi

[2manyfibers]

Here's one of my favorites:

paradigm

pronounced "pair-a-dig-em" - 2 (a pair) of the little frogs that used to advertise honey smacks cereal

Honey Smacks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

or maybe this one is correct (actually pronounced "par-a-dime"):

Since the late 1960s, the word paradigm(Greek:παράδειγμα (paradigma),composite from para- and the verb δείχνυμι "to show", as a whole -roughly- meaning "example") (IPA: /ˈpærədaɪm/) has referred to thought pattern in any scientific discipline or other epistemological context.

Paradigm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[jonsi]

A play on meaning in words:

Obfuscation is the concealment of meaning in communication, making it confusing and harder to interpret.

Onomatopoeia (also spelled onomatopœia, from Greek ονοματοποιία) is a word or a grouping of words that imitates the sound it is describing, suggesting its source object.

These words are direct opposites.

Paradigm, honey smacks? sweet heroin? Not too clear on that word "paradign", 2many. more examples. altho ex ain't your favorite word is it?

This is a stimulating brain working thread niecy... I don't think the chat boxers will find us here!

Always peace & love to my dear friends here.
In the white light,
~jonsi

[niecy]

This is a bit long, but it might help us to understand some people a little better. I had to edit most of this, so you may want to go to the link for the whole article.

Niecy
P.S. Have any of you ever just "googled" a name to see what comes up? I have, you should try it some time.



Walden Two - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Walden Two
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Walden Two (194 is a fictional utopian novel by behavioral psychologist B.F. Skinner [1].
Walden Two describes a small 1,000 person planned rural community in which the members are happy, productive and creative. The community is governed by Managers, six Planners, and supports a small number of Scientists. It promotes the arts and leisure, requiring only four hours of work per member daily. The members subscribe to a Code of conduct which is based on, and supported by, a science of human behavior which resembles Skinner's own conception of human behavior[2].
Walden Two challenges a host of social conventions including the value of modern education, the effectiveness of professors and the problems of excessive work. It argues for a planned economy, and against Capitalism. The governing structure is not democratic in the conventional sense. Children are raised largely outside of the nuclear family and are encouraged to be loyal to the community over their own parents. Members are encouraged to have children 'as soon as possible' and the community pursues a high growth policy. The book alludes to the acquisition of political power, and to an expansive strategy of replication. It flirts with eugenics, and suggests that it might be able to create a Golden Age.
Walden Two controversies include the rejection of democracy, the perceived narrow range of emotional expression, its possible appeal to dictators, the attraction to it by people who seek to emulate T.E. Frazier, the emotionally unstable protagonist[3], the socialistic nature of the economic system, and the essentially atheistic bent of the secular community.
Contents






[edit] Genetics and Eugenics

Frazier suggests that the community may be able to implement a policy of eugenics, where parenthood and marriage are effectively separated. Marriage would be by choice, although with the guidance of the community, and parenthood would be by plan. This policy is not in effect at the time of Burris' visit, nor is it mentioned in Skinner's follow up News from Nowhere, 1984.
Interestingly, in Walden Two Skinner speculates on the role of genetics playing a role in many areas of human behavior. This runs counter to the many accusations that his analysis rejects genetics, something he has refuted more than once.[7]


[edit] Socialism

The community practices total income sharing, with the members earning their living through a community accounting system-cum-currency called the labor credit. Although the labor credit is roughly one hour of work its value is adjusted up or down based on the value of the work. The value is determined in part by the popularity of the work, with unpopular work being worth more and popular work being worth less. A community member may work up to 8 hours a day if they choose only easy, popular work. If they choose unpopular work they may work less than the community 4 hour average.

[edit] Thoreau's Walden

Walden Two's title is a reference to Henry David Thoreau's book Walden. In the novel, the Walden Community is mentioned as having the benefits of living in a place like Thoreau's Walden, but "with company". It is, as the book says, 'Walden for two' - meaning a community and not a place of solitude. Originally, Skinner indicated that he wanted to title it The Sun is but a Morning Star, a clear reference to Thoreau's Walden, but the publishers suggested the current title as an alternative[8].
In reality, Thoreau's Walden experiment and the Walden Two experiment were far different in theory, outcome, and ideology. Thoreau's Walden espouses the virtues of self-reliance, while Walden Two is more collectivist in thought.

[niecy]

Sarcoidosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

excerpt:

Sarcoidosis, also called sarcoid (from the Greek sarx, meaning "flesh&quote or Besnier-Boeck disease, is an immune system disorder characterized by non-caseating granulomas (small inflammatory nodules) that most commonly arises in young adults. The cause of the disease is still unknown. Virtually any organ can be affected; however, granulomas most often appear in the lungs or the lymph nodes. Symptoms can occasionally appear suddenly but usually appear gradually. The clinical course generally varies and ranges from asymptomatic disease to a debilitating chronic condition that may lead to death.

Epidemiology Sarcoidosis most commonly affects young adults of both sexes, with a slight preponderance for women having been reported by most studies. Incidence is highest for individuals younger than 40 and peaks in the age-group from 20 to 29 years, a second peak is observed for women over 50[1] [2] . Sarcoidosis occurs throughout the world in all races with an average incidence of 16.5/100,000 in men and 19/100,000 in women.

The disease is most prevalent in Northern European countries, and the highest annual incidence of 60 per 100,000 is found in Sweden and Iceland. In the United States, sarcoidosis is more common in people of African descent than Caucasians, with annual incidence reported as 35.5 and 10.9 per 100,000, respectively.[3] Sarcoidosis is less commonly reported in South America, Spain and India.

The differing incidence across the world may be at least partially attributable to the lack of screening programs in certain regions of the world and the overshadowing presence of other granulomatous diseases such as tuberculosis, that may interfere with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis where they are prevalent.[1] There may also be racial differences in the severity of the disease.

Several studies suggest that the presentation in people of African origin may be more severe and disseminated than for Caucasians, who are more likely to have asymptomatic disease.[4] Manifestation appears to be slightly different according to race and gender, erythema nodosum is far more common in men than women and Caucasians than other races. In Japanese opthalmologic and cardiac involvement is more common than in other races[2]. Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease that can affect any organ.

Common symptoms are vague, such as fatigue unchanged by sleep, lack of energy, weight loss, aches and pains, arthralgia, dry eyes, blurry vision, shortness of breath, a dry hacking cough or skin lesions. The cutaneous symptoms vary, and range from rashes and noduli (small bumps) to erythema nodosum or lupus pernio. It is often asymptomatic. The combination of erythema nodosum, bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and arthralgia is called Löfgren syndrome.

This syndrome has a relatively good prognosis. Renal, liver (including portal hypertension), heart[5] or brain involvement may cause further symptoms and altered functioning. Manifestations in the eye include uveitis, uveoparotitis, and retinal inflammation, which may result in loss of visual acuity or blindness. Sarcoidosis affecting the brain or nerves is known as neurosarcoidosis. The combination of anterior uveitis, parotitis and fever is called uveoparotitis, and is associated with Heerfordt-Waldenstrom syndrome.

Investigations Hypercalcemia (high calcium levels) and its symptoms may be the result of excessive conversion of vitamin D to its active form by epitheliod macrophages. Sarcoidosis most often manifests as a restrictive disease of the lungs, causing a decrease in lung volume and decreased compliance (the ability to stretch). The disease typically limits the amount of air drawn into the lungs, but produces higher than normal expiratory flow ratios. The vital capacity (full breath in, to full breath out) is decreased, and most of this air can be blown out in the first second. This means the FEV1/FVC ratio is increased from the normal of about 80%, to 90%. Obstructive lung changes, causing a decrease in the amount of air that can be exhaled, may occur when enlarged lymph nodes in the chest compress airways or when internal inflammation or nodules impede airflow. Chest X-ray changes are divided into four stages * Stage 1 bihilar lymphadenopathy * Stage 2 bihilar lymphadenopathy and reticulonodular infiltrates * Stage 3 bilateral infiltrates * Stage 4 fibrocystic sarcoidosis typically with upward hilar retraction, cystic & bullous changes Because sarcoidosis can affect multiple organ systems, follow-up on a patient with sarcoidosis should always include an electrocardiogram, ocular examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, liver function tests, serum calcium and 24-hour urine calcium. s[19].

also see: Chronic granulomatous disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[niecy]

Kuru: DEMON, GENE OR VIRUS?

I was reading TCM's first post here: Soup may help build immune system and raise white blood count naturally

and googled muscle wasting disease, and I ran across this. I thought it was rather disgusting, but very interesting never the less.

Niecy

KURU: DEMON, GENE OR VIRUS

KURU:
DEMON, GENE OR VIRUS?

(Investigator 86, 2002 September)
A FATAL CONDITION

Kuru is a rare fatal condition occurring in the New Guinea Highlands and first observed in the early 20th century. The first symptom is an unsteady gait. Then — during about six months — it progresses to slurred speech, perpetual trembling, muscle jerks, outbursts of laughter, loss of balance and coordination, inability to stand or eat, and finally incontinence, difficulty in swallowing, ulcerations, coma and death.

Kuru occurs among the Fore people who inhabit 1000 square miles around Okapa, Goroka and Kainantu. Of a total population of 28,000 some 1,448 natives died of Kuru from 1957 to 1964. Kuru cases elsewhere in New Guinea were apparently all linked to previous residence in the endemic area.

THE DEMONISM/SORCERY HYPOTHESIS

ONE hypothesis was that KURU is a symptom of "demon possession" or a manifestation of sorcery. This is what indigenous people believed and some Christian missionaries accepted this. They observed that as Christianity spread and discouraged indigenous rituals, cases of Kuru declined.

The following is from a 1972 letter by a sectarian missionary named Mike F. It advances the "demon" hypothesis:
__________________________________________________ ______

ON "KURUKURU" — OR ‘THE LAUGHING DEATH'

First some facts:

a) It in only found in the Fore area of Okapa
b) It is one-hundred-percent fatal.
c) 80% of all known cases have been women and children.
d) The entire process of dying is painless with death actually resulting to starvation.

Scientists from all over the world have come over the years trying to find a mysterious virus that affects only the genes of a person, since they have been unable to find any other causes of the 'disease'.


What the natives think (know) it is:

They think it is the local medicine man up to no good. He is known locally as the Sangumma. 'He’ could also be a ‘she’. Both are equally as powerful and highly feared and respected. On realizing that one has contracted kurukuru (the first sign being not being able to stand on one leg) one would buy off the Sangumma man who in turn would repay the man who had put up the Sangumma to put the 'hex' on the victim. However, should three months elapse before the Sangumma is paid off then even the Sangumma cannot call off the 'hex'. In that case the victim will surely die.

_______________________________
Jennifer Cooke in Cannibals, Cows & The CJD Catastrophe (199 gives a similar account of the demon or "sorcery" hypothesis:

Belief in sorcery was intrinsic to the culture of these people of the Highlands… A kuru sorcerer bent on revenge supposedly took something intimate belonging the intended victim — like excrement, hair, bits of clothing or discarded food. This was added to a magic bundle made from bark, sweet potato leaves, grass, a twig and a sorcery stone tied up with cane and vines. The bundle was named and beaten with a stick then placed in a watery, muddy area while a spell was recited. The idea was that as the bundle deteriorated, so did the health of the victim. (p. 10)



SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH — GENES AND VIRUSES

The first to study Kuru scientifically was Dr. Vincent Zigas who arrived in New Guinea in 1955 and was alerted to Kuru’s existence by Patrol Officer MacArthur.

In 1957 Zigas interested Dr. D C Gajdusek who had come to research child development and disease patterns. In March a Research centre, constructed initially of native materials, was set up west of Okapa. Primitive at first, the research facilities improved during the next 10 years after which the place was closed down.

The first researchers into Kuru noticed it seemed to run in families. They therefore postulated a genetic disorder — a mutation passed to offpsring. This explanation lost credibility because Kuru was common yet always fatal. A lethal genetic disorder should decrease in incidence as victims die and the proportion of genes responsible for it decreases in the gene pool.

The next hypothesis was a slow-acting virus. In 1963 Dr. Gajdusec inoculated 8 chimps with brain extract of Kuru victims. 1½ to 2½ years later 7 of the chimps had Kuru-like symptoms. (New England J. of Medicine, 1967, pp. 276, 392) This suggested a slow virus.

However, a virus could not account for the sex-ratio of victims. In 1957 Kuru claimed over 200 lives of whom 30% were children under 15. The sex ratio of child victims was 1:1. Among adults, however, females outnumbered males 25 to 1.

What almost all victims had in common was having engaged in the ritual eating of the dead including eating previous victims of Kuru. Eating of the dead was done mainly by women and children. Therefore, if cannibalism transmitted Kuru, it seemed to explain why so few adult males had the disease.

Cannibalism was suppressed in New Guinea in the 1950s but continued in remote areas until the late 1960s. If the cannibalism hypothesis is correct then Kuru should decline from the 1960s onward — which it has done.

Regarding the hypothesis that cannibalism, including eating of brains of previous Kuru victims, accounts for transmission of Kuru Zigas concluded: "this hypothesis...should be advanced with much hesitation." (The Medical Journal of Australia, 1975, Sep. 20, p.485)

His reasons were:

1. He doubted that brains were often eaten along with the flesh.
2. He had handled internal organs of victims, at times with scratched hands, without catching the disease.


Subsequent research suggested that Kuru along with certain other degenerative diseases are both "infectious and inherited". (New Scientist, 1989, April 8 p. 28; Nature, Vol 338, p. 342)

In other words susceptibleness to Kuru might be transmitted via genes, but actual infection is by eating the brains of previous Kuru sufferers.



THE PROBABLE ANSWER

Kuru is now considered a member of a class of diseases referred to as "transmissible spongiform encephalopathies" (TSEs) known also as prion disease. Other TSEs include Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease in humans, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad-cow’s disease) in cattle, scrapie in sheep and goats, and chronic wasting disease in deer.

Prion disease was identified by an American, Stanley B Prusiner, in 1982. Prions are infectious particles, composed of protein, which build up in the cells of the central nervous system and slowly kill them. This was a new theory in biology. Unlike viruses and bacteria prions lacked genetic material (DNA) yet could replicate without it. They replicated by converting normal protein they came into contact with into a different configuration. The process is a chain reaction that progressively damages the brain.

If Kuru is a prion disease the symptoms are due to chronic brain and central nervous system degeneration. And the reason for the puzzling age and sex distribution of victims is:

It was women and children who ate the infective brain and not the men… The practice of endocannibalism meant only relatives were consumed, which explained why the disease appeared familial in its distribution. (Cooke, p. 17)


TSEs, including Kuru, have a long incubation period — symptoms may take several decades to appear. Kuru effects the base of the brain responsible for coordination which accounts for the initial symptoms of unsteady gait, slurred speech and tremors.

Recent research suggests that prions sometimes also result from mutations in the human PrP gene that codes for PrPC protein. Cells then produce an altered version of this protein. This means that DNA mutation accounts for some cases of "prion disease" possibly also Kuru. The "gene hypothesis" is therefore partly back.


In conclusion, whenever something can’t be explained we should not immediately implicate the supernatural. To do so may be premature.



REFERENCES:

Cooke, J. (199 Cannibis, Cows & The CJD Catastrophe. Random House. Australia.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Prusiner, S.B. (1995) Prion diseases. Scientific American, Volume 272, No. 1, pp. 48-56.

(S)

Hundreds of mysteries solved on this website:
COMPOSER MAIN PAGE INVESTIGATOR