Earth, the third planet from the Sun, is our home planet. Its surface is mostly water (about 70 percent) and it has a moderately dense nitrogen-and-oxygen atmosphere that supports life—the only known life in the universe. From space, Earth appears as a shining blue ball with white swirling clouds covering vast oceans and irregular-shaped landmasses that are varying shades of green, yellow, brown, and white.
Earth orbits the Sun at a distance of about 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 kilometers), taking 365. 25 days to complete one elliptical (oval-shaped) revolution. The planet rotates once about its axis almost every 24 hours. It is not truly spherical, but bulges slightly at its equator. Earth’s diameter at the equator is roughly 7,926 miles (12,760 kilometers), while its diameter at the poles is 7,900 miles (12,720 kilometers). The circumference of Earth at its equator is about 24,830 miles (40,000 kilometers). Earth’s only natural satellite, the Moon, orbits the planet at an average distance of about 240,000 miles (385,000 kilometers). Some scientists believe that Earth and the Moon should properly be considered a double planet, since the Moon is larger relative to our planet than the moons of most other planets.
Unlike the outer planets, which are composed mainly of light gases, Earth is made of heavy elements such as iron and nickel, and is therefore much denser. Hot at first due to the collisions that formed it about 4. 5 million years ago, Earth began to cool. Its components began to separate themselves according to their density. Heavy abundant elements, iron and nickel, formed Earth’s core. Outside the core numerous elements were compressed into a dense but pliable (bendable) substance called the mantle. Finally, a thin shell of cool, silicon-rich rock formed at Earth’s surface, called the crust or lithosphere. Formation of the crust from the initial molten blob took half a billion years.
Earth’s atmosphere is the only planetary atmosphere in the solar system capable of sustaining life. It is made of 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, and a 1 percent mixture of gases dominated by argon. Various theories have been proposed as to the origin of these gases. One theory states that when Earth was formed, the gases were trapped in layers of rock beneath the surface. They eventually escaped, primarily through volcanic eruptions, to form the atmosphere. Water vapor was the most plentiful substance spewed out, and condensed (change from a gas to a liquid) to form the oceans. Carbon dioxide was second in terms of quantity, but most of it dissolved in the ocean waters or was altered chemically through reactions with other substances in the rocks. Nitrogen came out in smaller amounts, but always remained in its present form because it never underwent reactions or condensation. It is believed that for that reason, nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere today.
Oxygen only became a part of Earth’s atmosphere when green plants came into being. Through the process called photosynthesis, green plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. Oxygen is also removed from the atmosphere when green plants, as well as animals, die. As they decay, they oxidize (a process that uses up oxygen). Another more recent theory regarding the development of Earth’s atmosphere states that the elements found in it were deposited there by comets. Debris from comets has been shown to have carbon and nitrogen in roughly the same proportion as the atmosphere. During its early development, Earth was the site of repeated comet collisions.
Ninety-nine percent of the atmosphere’s mass is contained in the first 40 to 50 miles (65 to 80 kilometers) above Earth’s surface. This relatively thin atmosphere insulates the planet by allowing the Sun’s visible light to pass through the atmosphere and warm the surface. The resulting heat (infrared radiation) is reradiated from the surface, but is prevented from totally escaping back into space by carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor in the atmosphere. These so-called greenhouse gases absorb most of this energy and re-emit back to the surface, keeping the planet at relatively stable, warm temperatures. The average surface temperature is 59°F (15°C). While keeping in necessary heat radiation, components in the atmosphere block dangerous forms of radiation from reaching the surface. These include X-rays and ultraviolet radiation, which is absorbed by the ozone layer located at about 15 miles (24 kilometers) above Earth’s surface.
The surface of Earth is divided into dry landmasses and oceans. Landmasses occupy roughly 57. 5 million square miles (148. 9 million square kilometers) of the planet’s surface, while oceans cover roughly 139. 5 million square miles (361. 3 square kilometers). Landmasses are in a constant, though slow, state of change. They move, collide, and break apart according to a process called plate tectonics. The lithosphere is not one huge shell of rock; it is composed of several large pieces called plates. These pieces are constantly in motion, because Earth’s interior is dynamic, with its core still molten (liquid) and with large-scale convective (circulating) currents in the upper mantle. This resulting giant furnace beneath the surface moves land no more than a few centimeters a year, but this is enough to have profound consequences. The unending cycle of mountain building (caused by movement of the crustal plates) and erosion (by wind and water) has formed every part of Earth’s surface today.
Earth is mostly covered with water. The mighty Pacific Ocean covers nearly half of the globe. The existence of oceans implies that there are large areas of the lithosphere that are lower than others, which form huge basins. Early in the planet’s history these basins filled with water condensing (raining) out of the primordial (primitive) atmosphere. Additional water was brought to Earth by impacting comets, whose nuclei were made of water and ice.
The atmosphere has large circulation patterns, and so do the oceans. Massive streams of warm and cold water flow through them. Circulation patterns in the oceans and in the atmosphere are driven by temperature differences between adjacent areas and by the rotation of Earth, which helps create circular flows. Oceans play a critical role in the overall weather patterns of our planet. Storms are ultimately generated by moisture in the atmosphere, and evaporation from the oceans is the prime source of such moisture. Oceans respond less dramatically to changes in solar energy than land does, so the temperature over a given patch of ocean is far more stable than one on land.
The presence of life on Earth is, as far as we know, unique. The origin of life on Earth is not fully understood, but scientists believe amino acids, the essential building blocks of life, formed in the primordial oceans billions of years ago. Over eons, these building blocks combined and evolved into higher and higher life-forms. Life has existed on dry land only for the most recent 10 percent of Earth’s history, since about 385 million years ago. Once life got a foothold beyond the oceans, however, it spread rapidly. Within 200 million years, forests spread across the continents and the first amphibians evolved into dinosaurs. Mammals became dominant after the demise of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Only in the last 2 million years, that is, 0. 05 percent of Earth’s history, have humans appeared.
Dr. Badruddin Khan teaches Chemistry in the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
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Bayfield High School Dean jumps to UNLV
BAYFIELD – The color scheme is changing for Myra Dean of Bayfield High School. The familiar purple, gold and black of the BHS Wolverines is about to be replaced by the scarlet and gray of the Runnin’ Rebels of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
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I received a notice about unemployment
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it also came with work search and everything, about being on a claim BUT right at the bottom of the determination it stated you can not be paid benefits until you have earned at least $— in insured work
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2005 Overview:
In 2005, the NL West Champion San Diego Padres managed to accomplish more with less. Despite a new ballpark, the offense for the team was spotty all season. Ryan Klesko (. 248 18 58) led the team with 18 homeruns while Mark Sweeney (. 284 8 40), Brian Giles (. 301 15 83), shortstop Khalil Greene (. 250 15 70) and catcher Ramon Hernandez (. 290 12 58) completed the better parts of the lineup.
The Padres pitching was the most solid aspect of the team led by rookie Clay Hensley (1-1 1. 70 in 47. 2 innings pitched). Hensley was called up in July and helped starters Jake Peavy (13-7 2. 88), Woody Williams (9-12 4. 85) and reliever Akinori Otsuka (2-8 3. 59) post an 82-80 final record which was good enough to clinch the NL West.
Off Season Moves:
Padres GM Kevin Towers made sure to re-sign Brian Giles then moved on to strengthen the already solid bullpen by re-signing closer Trevor Hoffman (1-6 2. 97 42 saves). Towers also traded third baseman Sean Burroughs to the Devil Rays in exchange for pitcher Dewon Brazelton (1-8 7. 61), then upgraded their offense at third by trading pitcher Brian Lawrence to the Nationals for Vinny Castilla (. 253 12 66). The Padres also improved their outfield defense, and added some offense, by trading Xavier Nady for the Mets’ Mike Cameron (. 273 12 39 13 stolen bases). Second baseman Mark Loretta was also moved to the Red Sox for catcher Doug Mirabelli (. 228 6 18) which became necessary with the loss of free-agent catcher Ramon Hernandez who signed with Baltimore. Starter Adam Eaton and reliever Akinori Otsuka were also traded to the Rangers in a 6-player deal for starter Chris Young (12-7 4. 36) and backup outfielder Terrmel Sledge (. 243 in 20 games). Catcher Mike Piazza (. 251 19 62) and pitcher Shawn Estes (7-8 4. 80) also joined the team as free agents in January.
2006 Analysis:
The Padres had a busy off season looking to keep their team strong for another playoff run in 2006. The rotation, the best part of the team in 2005, may be a bit shakier in 2006 without Eaton and Lawrence. Newcomers Young and free-agent pickup Shawn Estes (from Arizona) aren’t quite on the same level. The ace of the staff Jake Peavy will be expected to shoulder much of the load again. The bullpen will be without Otsuka, Chris Hammond and Rudy Seanez, but the addition of Hoffman was solid pickup for the team. The weak offense has improved, with Castilla and former Mets Cameron and Piazza added. The Padres gave up very little to pickup Cameron who missed all of August and September due to devastating collision with centerfielder Carlos Beltran. Cameron will return to his natural position in centerfield in 2006. Piazza is also a good pickup. When rested he can still provide decent power numbers although he still remains a defensive liability when it comes to throwing. If he is used carefully there is no reason why he can’t make a positive contribution.
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In Uganda questions remain over whether a fire that destroyed a world heritage site near the capital, Kampala, was deliberate. The blaze at the royal tombs of the Buganda kingdom has increased tension between Uganda’s president and the influential Baganda tribe.
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One of the first steps in implementing electronic health records is to find a system that supports all the needs of a particular practice. While the ability of electronic health records software is the key may be some systems offer scheduling, billing, and patient education software. Understanding of what is needed is critical to narrowing the choice of a large number of possibilities.
Once some packages are identified, they can discuss the practicecosts. This usually leads to a discussion about the number of user licenses required, some vendors offer discounts for additional licenses after the purchase the first license. Another question to ask when beginning to determine which electronic health record system to implement, is a type of computer operating system that supports them. Most of the electronic health record systems are compatible with Windows operating systems. Some are also compatible with Macintosh, Novell, Linuxand Unix. Since the operating system software can be costly, may be most economical to buy software that can run on current practice in the operating system.
Given the increasing complexity of electronic health records software, you must train all personnel who will use them. This will help ensure the system is correctly applied, and will also help the practice of using the full potential. The practice would also ask the seller of the cost and type of technical support,hours, this support is available, the time needed to reach someone in case of a problem, and typical response. This may be especially important for practice with no staff of information technology. Employees also must understand and fully implement policies aimed at protecting the confidentiality of electronic health records.
Although it requires some effort to reorganize and implement electronic health records, the benefits are well worth it. Reduced errorsentering or interpreting records may lead to better patient care. Electronic medical records do not take place, and can help you save time and costs associated with filing paper-based records.
House rejects expansion of ‘homestead’ rights
Bankers have beaten back efforts to give Arizonans more protection from losing their homes in cases of bankruptcy.
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(Do you think Tiger had an affair? Get rewarded for your opinion! $1000 in gas or $500 best buy, your choice! Go here to vote, and GET PAID!)You would have to have been living under a rock for the past week to not know about this whole “Tiger Woods Scandal”. It all started when Tiger mysteriously crashed his car at 2 in the morning outside his $2. 5 million Orlando mansion. Sources said that he had been fighting with his wife over Tiger Woods Mistress Rachel Uchitel when she chased him out of the house with a golf club, scratched up his face, smashed in his windshield, and caused him to crash and burn. Now, another woman is coming forward saying she did have a relationship with Tiger: Jamie Lee Grubbs, and she has voicemail audio to prove it. She got paid $150,000 by US Weekly for the information, which is probably nothing compared to what Tiger would have paid her to keep her mouth shut. Here’s the alleged Tiger Woods voicemail transcript: Hey it’s Tiger, I need you to do me a huge favor. Can you please take your name off your phone? My wife went through my phone and may be calling you. So if you can, please take your name off that. Just have it as a number on the voicemail. You got to do this for me. Huge. Quickly. Bye. As you can see, Tiger is begging Jamie Lee to take her name off her own outgoing voicemail because his wife Elin Woods (or Elin Nordegrin) has been going through his phone, and I assume that means she found dirty text messages from that phone number. I assume she must have complied with this request because the only way this information got out was after the whole Rachel Uchitel thing, Tiger was thrust into the limelight. I think it’s pretty sad that this woman would do something like this to Tiger, but I suppose for $150,000 it would be mighty tempting. We want to hear from you! Do you think Tiger Woods had an affair with mistress Jamie Lee Grubbs or Rachel Uchitel? We don’t think he would do such a thing, but we’re offering $1000 in gas or $500 to best buy for offering your opinion. Do you think Tiger Woods cheated on his wife? Get rewarded for answering. More to come on this story as it unfolds. UPDATE, Tiger Woods has apologized for his transgressions, here’s the transcript:” I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone. Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect. But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don’t share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one’s own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn’t have to mean public confessions. Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it’s difficult. I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology. ”
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