Tracing Social Networks of the Asian Elephant

Some social Asian elephants with many companions face the same difficulty, a new study reports. Other elephants are more reserved and instead maintain a few strong relationships.

Shermin de Silva and her colleagues tracked the behavior of nearly 300 female elephants in Uda Walawe National Park in Sri Lanka for about two years and found that elephant social networks are complex, and that behavior varies quite a bit.

Their work appears in the current issue of the journal BMC Ecology.

“There’s a lot of individual variation,” said Dr. de Silva, who conducted the research as part of her doctoral thesis at the University of Pennsylvania. “Each individual is free to choose their own companions.”

Most elephants gathered in groups of three, although a group could be as large as 16. And while certain elephants stuck to the same companions for long periods, others moved around.

One group of five elephants seemed to always stay together. About 16 percent of the observed elephants completely changed their top five friends during the study period.

“If you think about it, the amount of time you can devote to a friendship decreases with the number of friends you have,” Dr. de Silva said. “The fewer friends you have, the more strongly bonded you are with those few friends.”

It is not clear why the elephants choose to move from one social circle to another, said Dr. de Silva, who now runs the Elephant, Forest and Environment Conservation Trust, an organization she founded in Sri Lanka.

Birdlike Dinosaur Fossil May Shake Up the Avian Family Tree

In the 150 years since its discovery in Germany, Archaeopteryx has perched high on the avian family tree as the earliest and most primitive bird, somewhere near the evolutionary moment when some dinosaurs gave rise to birds. But recent fossil finds cast doubt on this interpretation: Archaeopteryx may be only a birdlike dinosaur rather than a dinosaurlike true bird.

Chinese paleontologists reported in the current issue of the journal Nature that a previously unknown chicken-size 155-million-year-old dinosaur with feathers, named Xiaotingia zhengi, “challenges the centrality of Archaeopteryx in the transition to birds.”

Like so many fossil dinosaurs and other life from the late Jurassic period, Xiaotingia was found in Liaoning Province, a happy hunting ground for paleontologists. The skeleton was embedded in shale, along with the clear impressions of feathers. Scientists who studied the specimen said it was not as striking in appearance as several of the 10 known Archaeopteryx remains, but good enough apparently to contradict conventional wisdom about proto-birds.

The discovery team and other scientists emphasized that the new findings, if confirmed by additional research, would not undermine the prevailing theory that modern birds descended from dinosaurs. The question now is, if not Archaeopteryx, which of many feathered dinosaurs or dinosaurlike birds being found is closest to the first bird? Other assumptions about the early evolution of birds, they said, would also need to be re-evaluated.

Xing Xu and his colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing said that their examination of Xiaotingia, in comparison with more recognizably bird skeletons from the same period as well as the 150-million-year-old Archaeopteryx, showed that the new fossils fell short of a place in the avian family. Several of its anatomical traits, like the long and robust forelimbs once thought to be diagnostic of birds, were actually common to a group of dinosaurs known as deinonychosaurs.

Dr. Xu’s team concluded that “the most important result of our analysis” is that the anatomies of the Chinese specimen and Archaeopteryx were remarkably similar, meaning that both belonged to the lineage of the meat-eating deinonychosaurs, not the plant-eating early birds. In short, Archaeopteryx presumably was not an ancestral bird. The recent discovery of a tenth Archaeopteryx specimen “greatly improved our knowledge” of its similarities to the dinosaur group and its differences from birds, the paleontologists said.

Several scientists who were not involved in the research said they were not especially surprised by the findings.

“It may seem heretical to say that Archaeopteryx isn’t a bird, but this idea has surfaced occasionally since as far back as the 1940s,” Lawrence M. Witmer, a paleontologist at Ohio University, wrote in a commentary accompanying the journal article. “Moreover, there has been growing unease about the avian status of Archaeopteryx as, one by one, its ‘avian’ attributes (feathers, wishbone, three-fingered hand) started showing up in non-avian dinosaurs.”

Nor was this report likely to be the last word on the subject. The researchers themselves, among the leading dinosaur specialists in China, acknowledged that their interpretation was sure to be controversial. They conceded that some of their conclusions are “only weakly supported by the available data.” At such an early stage in the dinosaur-bird transition, distinctions among species were often subtle, or “rather messy affairs,” as Dr. Witmer said.

Scientists are expected to take another, deeper look at many feathered fossil animals that have been uncovered in China in the last 15 years. Several of these avian dinosaur species, including Epidexipteryx, Jeholornis and Sapeornis, may then take wing as the new early birds. And relentless fossil hunters are certain to turn up new species.

“This will be frustrating and exciting,” Dr. Witmer said in an interview, noting that — who knows? — the next discovery might tempt scientists to restore Archaeopteryx to its place in the proto-bird flock. “Some of these things may never be entirely conclusive,” he said. “It drives us nuts.”

Since “virtually all our notions about early avian evolution have previously been viewed through the lens of Archaeopteryx,” Dr. Witmer said, “the impact of losing Archaeopteryx from the avian clan is likely to rock the paleontological community for years to come.”

genie bra ~ The Good, The Bad, & The Facts..

Infomercials titled the Miracle Bra, Best Ever Bra!, Genie Bra, have been airing on several TV networks, and this bra has caused quite an uproar among many women. Some actually do consider it the best bra ever, while many others consider it nothing less than a horrible scam on unsuspecting women everywhere.The infomercial begins with scenes of several women struggling with obvious misfitted bras. We are told that "you just know that most bras were invented by men", and we are then introduced to the show host, Jane Denoble, who looks pretty good in her blue dress under which she proclaims to be wearing a genie bra. Ms. Denoble then introduces Stella Riches.. 'fashion trend launcher', who tells us that the woven extra support comfort band eliminates band roll up. She also assures us that the everlast stretch fabric is intricately woven so that it moves with your body, provides support, eliminates unsightly top bulge, underarm spillage, back fat, and concern about uncomfortable wrong cup sizes. They also tell us that if one wears a size small shirt, she'd wear a small genie bra, a size medium shirt equals a medium genie bra, etc.. Wow! this does sound like a miracle bra.. and each of the several models of various body structures sure do look great in their new genie bras. We'reoffered not 3, but 6 bras for the price of 3.. just $59.99 + shipping for 6 bras.So, after checking what few reviews we could find back in early April, we went online to order this miracle, and met up with our first delay.. the site didn't recognize our zip code.. ugh. OK, probably best to call them anyway.. We want to accommodate 36ddd (e-girls), and though the infomercial continuously emphasized this custom conforming bra is for women of all sizes, and showed a few 36/38dd girls, they did not specify any 'e-girls'. Neither did they show an actual size chart on the broadcast, so maybe it'd best to ask a real person about the size anyway.

The representative was very nice, and was fluently English speaking.. looking good so far. So she says that size large would be perfect for the 36e girls, and on April 4, 2011 we proceed with the order, after which she makes an un-refusable offer to sell us 3 of the 'lace-trimmed' bras, tells us that our order should arrive within 2-3 weeks, sends an order verification to our email.. and we began to wait.. and wait, and track, and wait, and finally checked reviews again. OMG! after reading more recent reviews, a cloud of buyers remorse settles in like a dark storm cloud.. then on May 18th another email arrives, stating that the order had shipped; see following..

Dear genie customer,

Thank you for your order with geniebra.com. Your order number is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Follow this link to check the status of your order. We are pleased to inform you that your order has shipped.

Shipping Date: 05/18/11

Order Date: 04/04/11

Quantity

Ordered UPC Code Product Description ........... Unit Price Qty/Shpd Amt

1 4-00202-40 SEAMLESS 3PC MULTI/L W/PADS........... $59.99 1 $59.99

1 4-00204-40 SEAMLESS LACE W/PADS 3PC L/MUL... $29.97 1 $29.97

Merchandise Subtotal: ................................................................... $89.96

Processing and Handling:.............................................................. $31.97

Sales Tax Total:................................................................................ $0.00

...................................................................................Order Total: $121.93

Hmm.. that's odd. There was no mention of 'pads' in the infomercial, though I saw reviews that remarked about pads; wonder what that's about??

Finally, after another 10 days the miracle genie bras finally arrived on 5/28/2011.. Am I wrong in thinking the pony express would have been faster? am I wrong in thinking that for $31.97, shipping could have been faster than 10 days? ..am I wrong in wondering why it took more than 7 weeks to toss 3 pre-packaged bra sets into another bag? Maybe I'm just paranoid after reading those horrible reviews just one day before the bras finally arrived.

Skeptically the package is opened, and inside the tyvek envelope are 3 separate sets of 3 bras.. 3 each in white, black, and nude.. one set lace trimmed. A rather nice looking white bra that does look like the ones seen in the TV ad is removed from a bag. Yep, there are little 'pads' hidden within tiny pockets that open to the side of each 'cup', and again I wonder why these pads weren't mentioned in the ad.. but they do seem to ad shape. Having taped the infomercials, we watch it again; Nope, no mention of any pads.. and somehow, the bras don't look exactly the same either. The straps and band appear wider in the infomercial, and these cups look small, but let's see if they can accommodate the girls.. Immediately, the e-girls are struggling to find space within the genie bra cups, and the thin fabric also indicates the obvious reason for the pads.. whoa! everything shows through, especially on the white bra, and yes, these little pads definitely ad some shape.. And now we're wondering if XL might have been a wiser choice, but no.. the straps on this bra are a bit loose actually, so XL would be too big. Darn! we're also noting a slight 'uni-boob' look going on too... ugh, and some underarm spillage too.. but the back is smooth. OK, let's put a shirt on..

Well, not as bad as dreaded; not uncomfortable; too much jiggle though.. definitely won't be exercising, speed walking, or running in these bras!! What to do, what to do??? ~ let's put another bra on over the first one.. OK, this is better, but wait.. take the pad out of the inner bra, and leave the pad inside of the outer bra.. now this looks & feels better.. pull the inner bra up in front a bit to avoid front and side spillover.. feels a bit tight, but still smooth in back. Wearing two genie bras definately provides more support.

The bottom line.. I think this just might be a miracle bra for up to 36D girls.. maybe even the DD's, but no miracles here for the bigger 'girls' though. You'll need to wear 2 bras at once if you want any support, and worn alone these are casual sleep bras only..

As far as the genie bra claims, on a scale of 1-10, here's the marks..

For comfort, it rates a 9.

For support, it rates a 3-4.. sorry, just not enough lift!

For style, it rates a 6/7.. not bad looking, but lots of room for improvement.

Best Way To Wear Plaid Mini Skirt

Plaid print is the favorite print for clothing like skirts, blouses, coats etc. Some people felt plaid print is meant for vintage clothing; however certain people offended plaid print is the perfect print for modern outfit. As far as concern, we get to see many plaids print outfit in the market now; therefore it is proven than plaid print outfit will never be disregarded by time. Among all plaid print garments, plaid mini skirt is one of the signature plaid print garments which loved by girls. The skirt is the favorite for young girl indeed.Types of Plaid Mini Skirt

The plaid mini skirt is come with different patterns and colors. Moreover the plaid print for each skirt is also different from one to another. For example a plaid pleated mini skirt is different from a flat plaid mini skirts. Furthermore, the skirt is also different from its cutting. For example a tube plaid mini skirt and an A-line plaid mini skirt is different from its cutting which A-line skirt suits all but tube mini plaid skirt is suits for slim girls. Most the time, the skirts are come short which is above knee length. Thus it usually comes with waist band, which the waist band also is made with the same material as the body of the skirt. Other than that, the plaid mini skirts are differing from its colors too.

The great color series of plaid mini skirts red plaid mini skirt, blue plaid mini skirt and green plaid mini skirt.By the way, what is the role play for mini plaid skirt? Actually the skirt is not only a usual garment for casual fashion style. They also are needed for other purposes.As Part Of UniformA plaid mini skirt is part of uniform for schools and bodies. As far as concern, some countries like Japan and Korea, plaid mini skirt is part of the uniform for their female students. Indeed these skirts are the bottom uniform garment for spring and summer season. Different schools are using different color series of mini plaid skirts. The skirt normally will be pair with nice white blouses with sailor collar type. In some nursery, plaid mini skirt like green plaid mini skirt and red plaid mini skirt is the uniform for their students. Some schools are engaging two versions of these skirts, in different colors, which can be interchange for different seasons. Some of these skirts are come with dress pant feature, which is easier for movement. Plaid print is recognized formal and presentable for making uniform outfits.

As Casual OutfitLike I mentioned earlier, plaid mini skirt like plaid pleated mini skirt is the great garment for casual fashion style. You can pair it with different varieties of tops, blouses and outerwear. Moreover it also goes align with many foot garments and fashion accessories. For example a green plaid mini skirt is looking great with white tops and green plaid scarf. Then the outfit is completed with a pair of cool leather boots as well as silver hoop earrings. Then, the plaid mini skirts like tube plaid mini skirt and fitted one is suits for smart casual style which you can wear it to office when you pair it with formal blouses and outerwear, like long sleeve white blouse and cotton cardigan. However this smart casual fashion style is only available once in a while; if not you will get fire by your boss. Hence some plaid mini skirts are come with interesting ornamental like beads, pearland crystals. These pieces are either crafted on the pocket or on the waist belt of these skirts. Nonetheless lesserornamental is applied as plaid print itself is already sophisticated enough to present your skirt.

Literary Tattoo Ideas: Poem Tattoos

The first poem I ever wrote, at the tender age of nine, was about a man and a woman standing in the darkness of their living room late at night, unable to sleep for reasons unknown, and the final sentence went something like: Look at them, their faces mild, for in her arms, there sleeps a child. I had woken up in the middle of the night that evening, with that final sentence implanted in my brain, and for the first time in my life I reached into my nightstand in the darkness, found a pencil and a piece of paper, scribbled down the words and crafted a poem around it. I remember it being pretty impressive for a nine-year old. So impressive, in fact, that when I rushed to show it to my mom in the morning she looked at me weird and asked, "Did you really write this?" I love poetry because it can be so powerfully evocative in just a few short lines, whether it rhymes or just has it's own natural flow.Among people who choose to get an entire poem, or an excerpt from a poem, tattooed on their skin, there are certain classics that seem to be particularly favored.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening (1923)

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep

ROBERT FROST Tattoos

Robert Frost was an American poet and playwright from New England who is best known for works such as Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, The Road Not Taken, Nothing Gold Can Stay and Fire and Ice. Between the sale of his first poem, My Butterfly: An Elegy in 1894, and his death at age 88 in 1963, he won four Pulitzer Prize awards for poetry and was honored to be chosen to read one of his poems at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy in 1961. The epitaph on his headstone, located in Old Bennington Cemetery in Vermont, quotes a line from one of his poems: "I had a lover's quarrel with the world."

Team India confident of turning the tables on England Despite trailing 0-2 and their world number one Test ranking at stake, India are quiet confident of turning the tables on a rampant England in the remaining two Tests of the four-match Test series. Even as the injuries and batting failures have hit India hard, Dhoni's men are not overlooking a few positives from the two defeats at Lord's and Trent Bridge. "Bhai sahib, yahan match to jeetna hai (we have to win matches)," Praveen Kumar, who has so far taken 13 wickets from two Tests at an average of 26.53, said. Indians are not ready to get caught in the swirl of negatives floating around them and are working on strengthening their belief in themselves, which alone could help them turn the tide in their favour. They are keen to draw confidence from the fact that Sachin Tendulkar was not well at Lord's, Gautam Gambhir was laid low by an elbow injury, while Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman did little wrong in the last two Tests. Even Suresh Raina showed a glimpse of his ability. There is not a single pacer one can find fault with, even though off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has failed miserably and "Bhajji bashing" started almost immediately. Harbhajan, who is now ruled out of the Test series due to an abdominal strain, was being viewed as an unimaginative bowler and as somebody who wouldn't mind being injured at this stage of his career. The off-spinner bowled just 13.4 overs in the second Test and has been woefully out of form in the series. The tweaker grabbed one for 69 in the second Test after his one for 218 in the first at Lord's. But the fact that even Graeme Swann equally struggled on seamers' strip, has conveniently been brushed under the carpet. ... contd. Posted by New life at 11:22 AM Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Google Buzz Labels: Science Technology 0 comments: Post a Comment Newer Post Older Post Home Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) Followers Search This Blog powered by

Test ranking at stake, India are quiet confident of turning the tables on a rampant England in the remaining two Tests of the four-match Test series.

Even as the injuries and batting failures have hit India hard, Dhoni's men are not overlooking a few positives from the two defeats at Lord's and Trent Bridge.

"Bhai sahib, yahan match to jeetna hai (we have to win matches)," Praveen Kumar, who has so far taken 13 wickets from two Tests at an average of 26.53, said.

Indians are not ready to get caught in the swirl of negatives floating around them and are working on strengthening their belief in themselves, which alone could help them turn the tide in their favour.

They are keen to draw confidence from the fact that Sachin Tendulkar was not well at Lord's, Gautam Gambhir was laid low by an elbow injury, while Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman did little wrong in the last two Tests. Even Suresh Raina showed a glimpse of his ability.

There is not a single pacer one can find fault with, even though off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has failed miserably and "Bhajji bashing" started almost immediately.

Harbhajan, who is now ruled out of the Test series due to an abdominal strain, was being viewed as an unimaginative bowler and as somebody who wouldn't mind being injured at this stage of his career.

The off-spinner bowled just 13.4 overs in the second Test and has been woefully out of form in the series. The tweaker grabbed one for 69 in the second Test after his one for 218 in the first at Lord's. But the fact that even Graeme Swann equally struggled on seamers' strip, has conveniently been brushed under the carpet.