IdeaWazaWiki - User contributions [en]

Arrays

2008-07-01T16:28:18Z

72.224.115.168:

[[Sorting array in ascending and descending order]] 
[[Standard Deviation]] 
[[Matrix multiplication]] 
[[Transpose of a Matrix]] 
[[To count the number of vowels in a word]] 

[[Category:C source code examples]]
[[Category:Programming]]
[[Category:Computer science]]

Archive:Basics

2008-07-01T16:26:22Z

72.224.115.168:

[[Area and Circumference of Circle]] 
[[Area of Triangle]] 
[[To find the Greatest number from 3 integers]] 
[[Median & Mean]] 
[[To find minimum of three numbers using ternary (conditional) operator]] 
[[Roots of an Equation]] 
[[Sum and reverse of entered two nos]] 

==See also==
* [[:Category:Basics]]

[[Category:C source code examples]]

More on environmental studies

2008-03-07T01:09:51Z

72.224.238.41: /* Active participants */

Welcome to the school of '''{{PAGENAME}}'''!

== Introduction ==

Welcome to the school of Environmental Studies, which aims to provide a multidisciplinary education that promotes and instills a sense of care and responsibility towards the natural world, exploring both scientific, social and practical subjects.

==Courses==
In order for students to gain a good grounding in environmental studies, it is recommended that the following courses are taken

'''classes'''

* [[introduction to sustainability]]
* [[ENVS 200: Introduction to Environmental Studies]]

==Active participants==
If you are an active participant in this school, you can list your name here
* user:eliza {{unsigned|202.166.197.30|06:31, 13 November 2007}}
* [[User:Seditionarypunk|seditionarypunk]] - Founder: Environmental Studies
* [[User:SunnyIndia|SunnyIndia]]
* [[User:Chocoman|Chocoman]]
* [[User:xTHExONEx1|xTHExONEx1]]
* [[User:D1SGRUNTL3D|D1SGRUNTL3D]]
* [[User:jolt_34500|jolt_34500]]

==School news==
* February 25, 2007 - School founded!

'''Connecting Communities, Neighbourhoods and Nature'''
* also interesting: [[Northern Arizona University: Environmental Ethics]]

== Wikibooks ==

== Related news ==
* '''May 5, 2007''' - [http://www.physorg.com/news97555427.html After more than 100 years, bald eagles hatch in Wisconsin...]
* '''March 18, 2007''' - [http://www.physorg.com/news93424886.html Bison again inhabit Eastern Colorado after 100+ year break.]
* '''March 17, 2007''' - [http://www.physorg.com/news93340371.html First bald eagle found nesting in Philadelphia since 200 years ago.]

[[Category:Wikiversity schools]]
[[Category:Environmental studies]]

[[es:Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales]]
[[fr:Faculté:Environnement]]

Archive:Aquamarine

2008-02-15T04:32:41Z

72.224.102.122: /* Locations of deposits */

{{otheruses1|the mineral}}
{{Infobox mineral
| name = Aquamarine
| category = [[beryl]] variety
| boxwidth =
| boxbgcolor =
| image = Aquamarin cut.jpg
| imagesize = 250px
| caption = Aquamarine
| formula = Be3Al2Si6O18<ref name="GRG"/>
| molweight =
| color = transparent (or can be translucent if included), greenish blue to blue green, typically light in tone<ref name="GRG">[[Gemological Institute of America]], ''GIA Gem Reference Guide'' 1995, ISBN:0-87311-019-6</ref>
| habit =
| system = [[hexagonal]]<ref name="GRG"/>
| twinning =
| cleavage = very difficult in one direction, almost never seen<ref name="GRG"/>
| fracture = [[conchoidal]]<ref name="GRG"/>
| mohs = 7.5 - 8<ref name="GRG"/>
| luster = [[vitreous]] to resinous<ref name="GRG"/>
| polish = [[vitreous]] <ref name="GRG"/>
| refractive = 1.577 - 1.583 (+/- .017)<ref name="GRG"/>
| opticalprop = Double refractive, uniaxial negative<ref name="GRG"/>
| birefringence = .005 - .009<ref name="GRG"/>
| dispersion = .014<ref name="GRG"/>
| pleochroism = weak to moderate, blue and greenish blue; or different tones of blue with lighter tones associated with the optic axis direction <ref name="GRG"/>
| fluorescence= inert<ref name="GRG"/>
| absorption = indistinct lines at 537 and 456nm. Depending on the depth of color, there is a strong line at 427nm.<ref name="GRG"/>
| streak =
| gravity = 2.72 (+.18, -.05)<ref name="GRG"/>
| density =
| melt =
| fusibility =
| diagnostic =
| solubility =
| diaphaneity =
| other =
}}
'''Aquamarine''' (Lat. ''aqua marinā'', "water of the sea") is a [[gemstone]]-quality transparent variety of [[beryl]], having a delicate blue or [[turquoise]] color, suggestive of the tint of [[seawater]]. It's closely related to the gem [[emerald]]. Colors vary and yellow beryl ([[heliodor]]), rose pink beryl ([[morganite]]), and white beryl ([[goshenite]]) are known.

==Composition==
Aquamarine is a beryl with a [[Hexagonal (crystal system)|hexagonal]] [[crystal structure]] and a [[chemical formula]] of Be3Al2Si6O18, a [[beryllium]] [[aluminium]] [[Silicate minerals|silicate mineral]]. It has a [[specific gravity]] of 2.68 to 2.74 and a [[Mohs hardness]] of from 7.5 to 8. Aquamarine typically is on the low end of the specific gravity range, normally at less than 2.7. The pink variety exhibits a high specific gravity of around 2.8. [[Refractive index|Refractive indices]] range around 1.57 to 1.58.

==Locations of deposits==
It occurs at most localities which yield ordinary beryl, some of the finest coming from [[Russia]]. The gem-gravel [[Placer mining|placer]] deposits of [[Sri Lanka]] contain aquamarine. Clear yellow beryl, such as occurs in [[Brazil]], is sometimes called aquamarine chrysolite. When [[corundum]] presents the bluish tint of typical aquamarine, it is often termed Oriental aquamarine.

In the [[United States]], aquamarines can be found at the summit of [[Mount Antero|Mt. Antero]] in the [[Sawatch Range]] in central [[Colorado]]. In [[Brazil]], there are mines in the states of [[Minas Gerais]], [[Espírito Santo]] and [[Bahia]]. Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya also produce aquamarine.

The biggest aquamarine ever mined was found at the city of Marambaia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1910. It weighed over 110 kg, and its dimensions were 48.5 cm long and 42 cm in diameter.

Aquamarine is the [[List of U.S. state minerals, rocks, stones and gemstones|official state gem]] of Colorado.

Aquamarine leaves a white streak when scraped against a streak plate.

==Culture and historical/mythical usage==
*Aquamarine (along with [[bloodstone]]) is the [[birthstone]] associated with [[March (month)|March]]. It is also the gemstone for the 19th Anniversary.
*People in the [[Middle Ages]] thought that aquamarine could magically overcome the effects of [[poison]].
*Ancient sailors traveled with aquamarine crystals, believing that it would ensure a safe passage, and guarantee a safe return; they often slept with the stones under their pillow to ensure sound sleep. They believed the siren’s ([[mermaid]]) fish-like lower body was made of aquamarine.

== See also ==
[[Image:Beryl09.jpg|thumb|left|Three Beryl Crystals - Aquamarine rough crystal in the center]]
{{commonscat|Aquamarine}}
* [[List of minerals]]

== References ==
<references/>
* Weinstein, Michael, 1958, ''The World of Jewel Stones'' Sheriden House, New York, pp 104-107
* Diamond Bug. [http://diamondbug.blogspot.com/2006/03/flawless-aquamarine-march-birthstone.html "Flawless Aquamarine: March Birthstone"]. Retrieved March 16, 2006.
*http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/aquamarine.html
*http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/gemstone/aquamari/aquamari.htm
*http://www.mindat.org/min-289.html

{{Jewellery Materials}}
{{Gems & Crystals}}
[[Category:Silicate minerals]]
[[Category:Gemstones]]

[[bg:Аквамарин]]
[[cs:Akvamarín]]
[[da:Akvamarin]]
[[de:Aquamarin]]
[[et:Akvamariin]]
[[es:Aguamarina]]
[[fr:Aigue-marine]]
[[gl:Augamariña]]
[[he:תרשיש (אבן חן)]]
[[lv:Akvamarīns]]
[[lt:Akvamarinas]]
[[nl:Aquamarijn]]
[[ja:アクアマリン]]
[[no:Akvamarin]]
[[pl:Akwamaryn]]
[[pt:Água-marinha]]
[[ro:Acvamarin]]
[[ru:Аквамарин]]
[[sl:Akvamarin (kamen)]]
[[sr:Аквамарин]]
[[fi:Akvamariini]]
[[sv:Akvamarin]]
[[vi:Ngọc berin]]
[[tr:Akuamarin]]
[[uk:Аквамарин]]

Lifeboat Foundation

2007-06-09T23:25:45Z

72.224.97.185:

{{COI|date=May 2007}}

{{Unreferenced|date=May 2007}}

{{advertising}}

[[Image:Lifeboatfoundation.jpg|thumb|350px|right|The Lifeboat Foundation advocates the creation of space colonies to serve as 'backup drives' for the human race.]]

'''The Lifeboat Foundation''' is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping humanity survive [[existential risk]]s and possible misuse of increasingly powerful technologies, including [[genetic engineering]], [[nanotechnology]], and [[AI|robotics/AI]], in the event of a [[technological singularity]].

The Lifeboat Foundation is pursuing a variety of options, including helping to accelerate the development of technologies to defend humanity, new methods to combat viruses (such as RNA interference and new vaccine methods), effective nanotechnological defensive strategies, and even self-sustaining [[space colonies]] in case the other defensive strategies fail.

The Lifeboat Foundation was formed with the ethical premise that decreasing the likelihood of human extinction is the activity with the most positive [[utility]] on the planet today. In recent years, several prominent public figures have stepped forward strongly in favor of mitigating extinction risks. Oxford philosopher [[Nick Bostrom]] writes, “For standard utilitarians, priority number one, two, three and four should consequently be to reduce [[existential risk]]. The utilitarian imperative “Maximize expected aggregate utility!” can be simplified to the maxim “Minimize existential risk!”. [http://www.nickbostrom.com/astronomical/waste.html]

==Administration and advisory board==

The President and Founder of the Lifeboat Foundation is Eric Klien, its International Spokesperson is Philippe van Nedervelde, its Fundraising Director is Michael Anissimov, and its Director of Long-term Strategy is Michael Vassar. The Lifeboat Foundation is [[tax exemption|tax exempt]] under [[501(c)(3)|Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code]].

The organization also has a very large Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), composed of 221 members as of October 2006. This includes philosophers, economists, biologists, nanotechnologists, AI researchers, educators, policy experts, engineers, lawyers, ethicists, futurists, neuroscientists, physicists, and space experts. The SAB includes [[Ray Kurzweil]] and [[Nobel Prize]] winners [[Clive Granger]] and [[Wole Soyinka]].

==Lifeboat Foundation Programs==

The Lifeboat Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board is working on a number of programs to assess risks, negate them ("shields"), and survive catastrophic events ("preservers"):

*[http://lifeboat.com/ex/asteroid.shield AsteroidShield]
*[http://lifeboat.com/ex/bio.shield BioShield]
*[http://lifeboat.com/ex/nano.shield NanoShield]
*[http://lifeboat.com/ex/security.preserver Security Preserver]
*[http://lifeboat.com/ex/space.habitats Space Habitats]

Many future programs are in the works, including programs to prevent risks from AI, particle accelerator mishaps, and to maintain communications networks in case of disaster.

==See also==

Related topics:
*[[existential risk]]
*[[molecular nanotechnology]]
*[[utility fog]]
*[[seed AI]]
*[[space colonization]]
*[[space and survival]]
*[[biosecurity]]
*[[technological singularity]]

==External links==

*[http://lifeboat.com/ex/main Lifeboat Foundation]
*[http://www.nickbostrom.com/existential/risks.html Existential Risks: Analyzing Human Extinction Scenarios] by Nick Bostrom
*[http://www.nickbostrom.com/astronomical/waste.html Astronomical Waste: The Opportunity Cost of Delayed Technological Development] by Nick Bostrom
*[http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AtjblpXOSMXPaKrJ2N9lui8jzKIX?qid=20060704195516AAnrdOD How can the human race survive the next hundred years?] - question on Yahoo Answers by Stephen Hawking
*[http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy.html Why the future doesn't need us] by Bill Joy
*[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E6D9163FF93BA25756C0A9659C8B63 It Was Fun While It Lasted] by Martin Rees
*[http://paulboutin.weblogger.com/stories/storyReader$1439 Biowar for Dummies] by Paul Boutin
*[http://www.acceleratingfuture.com/michael/blog/?cat=21&paged=2 Accelerating Future] - regularly updated blog that discusses existential risks

[[Category:Space colonization]]

Lifeboat Foundation

2006-09-24T14:56:00Z

72.224.97.185:

'''The Lifeboat Foundation''' is a nonprofit organization, devoted to researching the possibilities of [[existential risk]] from powerful modern technologies, such as those based on [[genetics]], [[nanotechnology]], and [[robotics]], and proposing policy options to avert or minimise the risks. It has taken the position of pursuing a variety of options, including relinquishment of some technologies when feasible, and helping to accelerate the development of defensive technologies — including anti-biological virus technologies, nanotechnological defensive strategies, and self-sustaining [[space colonies]] in case all else fails. Its work is supported by a scientific advisory board, which contains a large number of notable scientists, futurists, philosophers and other thinkers who are concerned about the possibilities and risks of advanced technologies.

[http://lifeboat.com/ex/main Main website]

{{org-stub}}