The toilet seat problem has been the subject of much controversey. In this paper we consider a simplified model of the toilet seat problem. We shall show that for this model there is an inherent conflict of interest which can be resolved by a equity solution. Consider a bathroom with one omnipurpose toilet (also known as a WC) which is used for two toilet operations which we shall designate as #1 and #2. The toilet has an attachment which we shall refer to as the seat (but see remark 1 below) which may be in either of two positions which…
The Science Creative Quarterly
From December, 2005
GOLDEN RICE: BACK ON THE BOIL?
The genetically modified golden rice that was going to save the world in 2000, has yet to leave Louisiana, where it is being tested. Despite not having reached the countries it was expected to help, the rice with added vitamin A has been making waves among consumers and scientists alike. Farmers and research centers in the developing world want to see it, environmental groups are up in arms, and the debate rages as to whether this product will in fact help solve the problem of malnutrition in the developing world. Five years on, the creator of the controversial rice, Dr…
HIPPOPOTAMUS
Many years ago, a hippopotamus decided to learn typing. As you may imagine, the task was difficult and discouraging. The hippopotamus however was unusually persistant. First she learned the parts of the typewriter, then she studied all available typing manuals, (even one for an antique which had neither name nor function in any western language; It could best be likened to a linotype machine which set type for haiku poetry in Japanese.) and finally she enrolled in a good secretarial school. In spite of her diligence, there were some practical difficulties; in fact so many that the best of her…
OF EVOLUTION AND THE BIBLE
In the Beginning… Many people believe that there is a conflict between science and religion when it comes to the question of how life began on Earth. While only a minority of people situate themselves squarely on one side of this debate, the topic tends to draw the attention of everyone. This is because the answer to the question of where we came from serves as the jumping off point for defining our morality and our purpose here on Earth. Quite simply, once we know what brought us into being, we know where to ask for instructions. Consequently, any explanation…
EUPHEMISMS THAT ALSO SOUND LIKE STRANGE TISSUE ENGINEERING PROJECTS.
Banjo On My Knee Bleeding Heart Foot In Mouth Dick Head Shit for Brains Get this Monkey off my Back He’s a Leg Man Space Between The Ears Baby Snacks White Meat Only Biggest Asshole * * * (REPRINTED FROM ISSUE ONE, MAY 9th, 2005)
LEARNING BY PURE OBSERVATION.
Simply observing a person in the act of learning to move in a new environment is enough to help you unconsciously learn those movements, says new research by Canadian scientists. More specifically, Andrew Mattar and Paul Gribble, from the University of Western Ontario (UWO), recently found that individuals who watched a video of a person learning to move a robotic arm, performed this same task better than those who didn’t observe the learning process. This may not come as a surprise to anyone who has learned by watching a professional athlete or expert craftsman. However, what is unexpected is that…
THE HOLIDAYS ARE NOT REALLY ABOUT SCIENCE
CHRISTMAS 1970. by Spike Milligan A little girl called Sile Javotte Said ‘Look at the lovely presents I’ve got’ While a little girl in Biafra said ‘Oh what a lovely slice of bread’. – – – – – Please enjoy this year’s holiday flavoured pieces. “Older” material will begin running again on December 26th, and the new? … Well, the new will return in the New Year. A Bio-Christmas Carol (by Vince LiCata) Is There a Santa? (by Paul Clarkson) Rant from a Glacier – Concerned, Bitter, and Somehwere Near the North Pole (By David Ng)
IS THERE A SANTA?
Being a scientific investigation of a cultural conundrum Soon it will be Christmas Eve, and once more children will be divided into distinct factions. Here, Cyr [1] described younger children (<7 years) who believe in Santa Claus, and older children (>12 years) who have ditched this ‘childish’ belief. But he fails, by excluding from his questionnaire, to describe a third group who aren’t really sure – the undecided voters if you like. And as the eldest child, I have spent a large part of my life in this group. Moreover, being scientifically minded even at the age 7, I of…
A BIO-CHRISTMAS CAROL
Characters: Dr. Scrooge Young Scrooge Teen Scrooge Scrooge’s mother Dr. Jacob Marley Graduate Student Bob Cratchett Bob Cratchett’s wife Tiny Tina The Spirit of Christmas Past, a Developmental Biologist The Spirit of Christmas Present, a Biochemist The Spirit of Christmas Future, an Evolutionary Biologist Faculty member #1 Faculty member #2 A boy (14 characters if singly cast. Several parts could be double cast. Scrooge can be either male or female. The Spirits and Faculty Members can also be either gender). – – – – – Scene 1. “Scrooge’s Office” Scrooge and Cratchett are sitting working at their desks. Cratchett is…