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Submitted by DB Larson on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 20:48
The Reciprocal System
As explained in Chapter 2, modern physical theory has abandoned the traditional methods and practices of science, and has reverted to the use of what the present-day theorists call invention, or ad hoc assumptions, but which are simply the demons of earlier days equipped with new names. The results of such a policy could easily be predicted, but since the activities of the front line theorists are behind the scenes, so far as the general public or ordinary scientists are concerned, it will be advisable, before we begin a description of the major features of the Reciprocal System of theory, to point out that the results of this policy have been right in line with expectations. Those who turned to demons to solve their problems are now calling for something new to get them out of the morass into which they have been led by the demons.
To most laymen, and to the rank and file of the scientific profession as well, it will probably come as quite a surprise to find that the world picture painted by so-called "modern physics" is far from being either complete or accurate, and makes no pretense of being reasonable or rational. Spectacular practical achievements in the application of physical knowledge, much of it gained only very recently and still quite mysterious to the man-in-the-street, have raised the present-day physicist to a pinnacle of prestige and have surrounded him with an aura of omniscience that makes any questioning of his pronouncements practically a case of lese majeste. It must be conceded, of course, that the physicists have indeed achieved a great deal (mainly by the use of the traditional scientific methods and principles that have been discarded by the modern theorists) and they are entitled to view their record with pride and self-satisfaction. In recent years, however, serious theoretical difficulties have been encountered in one major physical field after another, and the theorists, finding their most strenuous efforts frustrated, have abandoned the search for a truly scientific basic theory, branding it as unattainable, and have reverted to the methods of the non-scientific disciplines, as discussed in the preceding chapter. But even the help of a multitude of demons has not solved the problems and, as W. F. G. Swann points out, "theoretical physics is at present in a rather messy state."44 Warren Weaver describes the situation in this manner:
With the extremely small or the extremely large, with inconceivably brief or extended phenomena, science has a difficult time. It is by no means clear that our present concepts or even our existing language is suitable for these ranges.38
The principal theories of "modern" physical science, the nuclear theory of the atom, relativity, and the quantum theories, in the words of E. N. da C. Andrade, "admittedly are makeshifts."45 Dirac is merely saying the same thing in milder language when he calls them "steppingstones to the better theories of the future."46 In order to maintain some semblance of legitimacy for these theories, so that they can continue to be presented to the rank and file as the equivalent of established facts, extraordinary measures have to be taken. Toulmin and Goodfield express this caution against attributing any permanence to current ideas:
As an emergency measure, physicists have resorted to mathematical fudges of an arbitrary kind ... to accept them with any complacency, and call off the search for a more satisfactory physical explanation would be going against the principles of strategy on which the whole scientific tradition has been built up.47
Almost all of the qualified observers who have studied this situation in detail—even some of those who have played an important part in the construction of the theories that will be superseded by the new, more satisfactory, developments—agree with this assessment of the problem and concede that major changes must and will take place. Here are some typical statements:
Let us hope that in a decade or two, or, at least, just before the beginning of the twenty-first century, the present meager years of theoretical physics will come to an end in a burst of entirely new revolutionary ideas similar to those which heralded the beginning of the twentieth century.48 (George Gamow)
We await a big theoretical advance which will clarify our understanding of the many puzzling features which have been revealed in recent years.49 (Sir Harrie Massey)
What we badly need is a greater synthesis.50 (Abraham Pais)
There will have to be some new development that is quite unexpected, that we cannot even make a guess about.46 (P.A.M. Dirac)
We hope that the present fluctuations of thinking are only indications of an upheaval of old beliefs which in the end will lead to something better than the mess of formulas which today surrounds our subject.51 (Erwin Schrodinger)
For the last ten years it has been clear to most physicists that a basic conceptual innovation will be needed in order to come to grips with the properties of elementary particles.52 (Freeman J. Dyson)
Physics is due for a breakthrough. The conditions are there: a large number of well-ordered facts, with no present way of explaining them, and a large body of frustrated scientists. (Science News, Feb. 17, 1968)
The development of the Reciprocal System of theory has now fulfilled these predictions (even though the scientific community is still only dimly beginning to recognize that fact). It has produced the "basic conceptual innovation" that Dyson saw was needed, and this innovation, a totally new concept of the nature of space and time, a modification of existing thought that, as Dirac predicted, was "quite unexpected," has brought unity and coherence to physical science. This new system of theory is just the kind of product that the theorists tried for centuries to construct, until they finally lost heart and gave up the effort. It is not a model; it is a complete and comprehensive theory applicable to the entire universe: the "greater synthesis" that Pais asked for. It is not work-in-progress; the details can be developed much farther, of course, but those portions of the theory that have already been developed, including the basic phenomena and relations of the major fields of physical science, have been verified by the standard scientific methods and are now part of the permanent store of scientific knowledge. As expressed on page one of New Light on Space and Time:
In all essential respects this new theory is just the kind of a product that the scientific world would like to have. It is a unified theory; all of the principles governing all sub-divisions of physical activity are deduced from the same premises: two fundamental postulates as to the nature of space and time. It is a self-consistent theory; there are no internal contradictions or inconsistencies. It is an accurate theory; all of the deductions from the postulates are in full agreement with the results of observation and measurement, within the margin of accuracy of the latter or, at least, are not inconsistent with any of these results. It is an unequivocal theory; the consequences of the postulates are specific and definite and at no point is there any recourse to a "postulate of impotence" or other evasive device to avoid admitting a discrepancy. It is a rational theory; it provides definite and specific explanations for everything that happens, without calling upon ad hoc forces or transcendental agencies. It is a complete theory; the logical and unavoidable consequences of the postulates describe, both qualitatively and quantitatively, a complete theoretical universe, and it is not necessary to utilize any supplementary or auxiliary assumptions, nor is it necessary to introduce the results of observation as a foundation for the theoretical structure, because the theoretical deductions from the postulates provide for the existence of the various physical phenomena—matter, radiation, electrical and magnetic phenomena, gravitation, etc.—as well as establishing the relations between these entities.53
Development of this new theoretical structure was carried out strictly in accordance with the standard scientific procedure described in Chapter 2. It began with a careful, critical, and systematic reexamination of basic physical relations, a project extending over a long period of years (Step 1). Although originally undertaken with a much more limited objective in mind, this study ultimately culminated in the formulation of a general theory of the universe, expressed in the form of two postulates as to the nature and properties of space and time—45 words in all (Step 2). Another long period of years was then spent in developing the consequences of the postulates in great detail (Step 3), and finally verifying the theory by comparing these consequences with the corresponding results of observation and measurement (Step 4).
In order to formulate this complete and correct theoretical system, it was, of course, necessary to identify the basic error in previous thought and to make the required correction. The careful and critical reexamination of basic physical theory which constituted the initial phase of the present investigation located this basic error in the prevailing concept of the fundamental nature of the universe. To our earliest ancestors, the world in which they lived was a world of spirits. As they saw the situation, the ultimate realities were the spirits that inhabited and controlled the various physical objects, and the observable events and phenomena were merely the outward manifestations of the actions and emotions of these spirits. This view is not entirely dead even yet—the more primitive people of the earth still hold to it as tenaciously as ever—but over the last three thousand years or so, it has gradually been replaced by the concept of a universe of matter: one in which the basic entities are elementary units of matter existing in a framework provided by space and time. Prior to the development of the Reciprocal System, all modern physical theory was based on the "matter" concept.
It is obvious, however, that recent discoveries have completely demolished this concept. The finding that matter could be converted to radiation is enough, in itself, to show that matter cannot be the basic constituent of the universe. The demonstrated interconvertibility clearly indicates that there must be some common denominator underlying both matter and non-matter. Some of the leading scientific investigators have recognized this point and have tried to identify the true basic entity. Werner Heisenberg, for instance, suggested that it might be energy. "One might say that the elementary particles are simply different forms which energy can assume in order to become matter."54 But he conceded that he was unable to explain how energy could take these different forms. The truth is that since energy is a scalar quantity it is totally incapable of assuming the variety of forms that are required; the basic entity must be something that has the property of direction. What the development of the Reciprocal System has accomplished is to demonstrate that the common denominator of matter and non-matter is motion. The universe in which we live is a universe of motion.
This "motion" concept itself is by no means new. It has been clear for hundreds of years that motion would have some very definite advantages over matter as the basis of a physical theory, and a great many scientists and philosophers, including such prominent men as Eddington, Descartes, and Hobbes, have tried to construct a theory on this basis. All of these attempts ended in failure, and so the matter stood until the present studies revealed the nature of the obstacle that blocked the path. The reason for the failure of the previous investigators to reach their goal, we now find, was a lack of recognition of the fact that switching from the concept of a universe of matter to that of a universe of motion requires a redefinition of space and time.
For more than three thousand years, ever since man first began to speculate systematically about the nature of the entities that surround him, space has been regarded as a kind of setting in which the action of the universe takes place: a container for the material objects that participate in this action. Many differences of opinion have arisen with respect to the details—whether or not space is absolute and immovable, whether such a thing as empty space is possible, whether or not space and time are interconnected, and so on—but throughout all of the development of thought, the basic concept of space as a setting or container has remained intact. J. D. North summarizes the "setting" or "container" concept of space in this manner:
Most people would accept the following: Space is that in which material objects are situated and through which they move. It is a background for objects of which it is independent. Any measure of the distances between objects within it may be regarded as a measure of the distances between its corresponding parts.55
Here matters stood until the beginning of the great expansion of scientific knowledge in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In this era, many new discoveries were made that were incompatible with the existing structure of theory, and it therefore became necessary to modify the ideas inherited from the Greek thinkers. The proposal that won general approval at the time was to postulate that the container space of the Greek atomists was filled with a substance having the properties of a connecting medium, through which the various influences originating at one spatial location could be transmitted to distant locations. But in 1887, an experiment by Michelson and Morley produced seemingly conclusive proof that this hypothetical substance, the "ether," was non-existent, and the scientific world was thrown into confusion.
Some twenty years later, Einstein offered a way out of this awkward situation by proposing a theory in which the assumed properties of the ether were assigned to space itself, thus investing space with the ability to act as a transmitting medium. Einstein's hypothesis, the basis of his relativity theory, involves a drastic change in the idea of the nature of space, one which gives space a far more active role in physical phenomena than had ever been attributed to it before. But his space is still a container, a much more flexible container than the space of the Greeks, to be sure, but definitely a container, nevertheless.
Nor was the container concept disturbed by the further development of the relativity theories which led to the conclusion that space is one component of a combination space-time structure, in which time plays a similar role. Time has always been more elusive than space, and the theorists have encountered great difficulty in formulating any clear-cut concept of its essential nature. It has been taken for granted, however, that time, as well as space, is a part of the setting in which the action of the universe takes place; that is, physical phenomena exist in space and in time. But just wherein time differs from space has been difficult to specify. In fact, the distinction between the two has become increasingly blurred and indefinite during the last half century, and as matters now stand, time is generally regarded as a sort of quasi-space, the boundary between space and time being indefinite and dependent upon the circumstances under which it is observed. The modern physicist has thus added another dimension to the spatial setting, and instead of visualizing physical phenomena as being located in a three-dimensional spatial container, he places them in a four-dimensional space-time container.
In all of this ebb and flow of scientific thought, the basic concept has remained unchanged: space and time, it is assumed, are the containers, or the container, in which physical entities exist, the setting in which the drama of the universe unfolds—"a vast world-room, a perfection of emptiness, within which all the world-show plays itself away forever."56 This is the way in which scientists, and laymen as well, now think, and this is the way in which they have always thought. It is probably correct to say that this is the only way in which many of them can think.
Whatever changes are proposed from time to time in the theories of space and time, they are expressed in, and considered in, "container" terms. Thus, Einstein's "space" is not regarded as something new that replaces Democritus' "space," the container in which physical activity occurs, but rather as a modification of the earlier concept in which space is assigned the properties that were formerly attributed to the hypothetical "ether." When an explanation of Einstein's theory of gravitation refers to space as being "warped" or "distorted" in the vicinity of a massive aggregate of matter, it is the container that is visualized as being distorted.
Similarly, Minkowski's concept of a four-dimensional space-time continuum, which Einstein accepted and utilized in his general theory, is simple three-dimensional container space joined to an additional space-like dimension. Thus the entire Einstein-Minkowski development can easily be fitted into the previously existing conceptual framework without difficulty. Some individuals may—and indeed do—refuse to accept the idea that space is curved or subject to distortion, or the idea that time is a dimension of a combination space-time structure, but it is not difficult for them to understand what is meant by these ideas. In fact, it is understanding that leads to their rejection of the theories. Detailed development of the consequences of the Einstein theories has led to mathematical and conceptual complications that are nearly, if not totally, incomprehensible, and the arguments that are used to justify these theories are admittedly difficult to follow, but the meaning of the basic concepts upon which they have been erected can easily be understood in terms of existing patterns of thought with no more than a few minor adjustments.
In the Reciprocal System, for the first time in scientific history, a totally new concept of the nature of space and time makes its appearance, one in which space is not a setting or a container, or anything resembling a container. The change of viewpoint here was not an arbitrary one. On the contrary, the significant conceptual advance that overcame the obstacle which blocked all previous attempts to construct a theory of a universe of motion was a recognition of the fact that space and time cannot be defined arbitrarily in such a universe because a specific definition of space and time is implicit in the concept of a universe composed entirely of motion.
Motion is defined as a relation between space and time, and is measured as speed or velocity. In its simplest form, the equation of motion, the mathematical representation of the phenomenon, is v = sit. As this equation shows, in motion, space and time are the two reciprocal aspects of that motion, and nothing else. In a universe of matter, the fact that space and time have only this limited significance in motion would not preclude them from having some other significance elsewhere, but in a universe composed entirely of motion, where everything that exists is a manifestation of motion, space and time cannot have any significance anywhere that they do not have in motion. The basic concept underlying the new theoretical system, the only concept of the nature of space and time that is consistent with a universe of motion, and hence replaces all of the hypotheses that have heretofore been proposed, all of the numerous variations of the "setting" or "container" concept, can be expressed as follows:
Space and time are simply the two reciprocal aspects of motion. They have no other significance.
Space is not the Euclidean setting for physical phenomena that is most commonly visualized by the layman; neither is it the modified type of container subject to distortion by various forces and highly dependent on the location and movement of the observer, as seen by the present-day physicist. In fact, it is not even a physical entity in its own right at all; it is simply and solely an aspect of motion. Time is not an order of succession, or a dimension of a quasi-space; neither is it a physical entity in its own right. It, too, is simply and solely an aspect of motion, similar in all respects to space, except that it is the reciprocal aspect.
The simplest way of defining the status of space and time is to say that space is the numerator in the expression sit, which is the speed or velocity, the measure of motion, and time is the denominator. If there is no fraction, there is no numerator or denominator; where there is no motion there is no space or time. Space does not exist alone, nor does time exist alone; neither exists except in association with the other as motion. A very rough analogy would compare motion to a box, and space and time to the inside and outside of the box. We cannot have either an inside or an outside unless we have a box, but if the box exists then we have both an inside and an outside, never just one alone. Similarly, we do not have either space or time unless there is motion, but if there is motion then both space and time exist in association with each other to constitute the motion.
We can, of course, focus our attention on the space aspect and deal with it as if the time aspect, the denominator of the fraction, remains constant. This is the familiar process known as abstraction, one of the useful tools of scientific inquiry. But any results obtained in this manner are valid only where the time aspect does, in fact, remain constant, or where the proper adjustment is made for whatever changes in this factor do take place.
One of the very important consequences that follows directly from the new space-time concept is that the reciprocal relation between space and time expressed by the equation of motion is a general relation; that is, space and time are reciprocally related everywhere in the physical universe. This is the kind of a thing that is totally incomprehensible on the basis of previous thinking. As long as space is looked upon as a container, the idea of the reciprocal of space is an absurdity, too ridiculous to be given any serious consideration. We might as well talk about the reciprocal of an apple or the reciprocal of a load of hay. But the new theory does not suggest anything of this nature. On the contrary, it says specifically that space is not a container, or anything resembling a container. In fact, it is not a physical entity at all; it has no existence other than as the numerator in the expression sit, which is the magnitude of the motion. The gist of the reciprocal statement is therefore an assertion that the denominator of a particular fractional expression stands in a reciprocal relation to the numerator: an assertion which is not only logical and rational, but is obviously correct.
In setting up any theory or theoretical system, it is necessary to begin with certain assumptions or postulates. The details of the theory are then derived by developing the consequences of the postulates. The new space-time concept is expressed in the Reciprocal System by postulating the general reciprocal relation between space and time. This is the only innovation that the new system of theory introduces into scientific thought. A few other assumptions must be made to complete the foundations of the theoretical structure, but these are familiar items. None of them is at all new, and they are all obtained by extrapolation of empirical findings, one of the standard inductive methods.
Even the one real innovation in the new system, the reciprocal postulate, can be obtained by a simple extrapolation of observed facts. The only relation between space and time of which we have any direct knowledge is motion, and in motion, space and time are already known to be reciprocally related from the scalar standpoint; that is, more time has exactly the same effect on the speed, the scalar measure of the motion, as less space, and vice versa. It makes no difference whether we go twice as far in the same time or cover the same distance in half the time; the speed doubles in either case. All that the reciprocal postulate does is to generalize this observed relation and to say that it is universally valid. Combining the reciprocal relation with the other assumptions derived by extrapolation, we arrive at the following basic postulates:
FIRST FUNDAMENTAL POSTULATE: The physical universe is composed entirely of one component, motion, existing in three dimensions, in discrete units, and with two reciprocal aspects, space and time.
SECOND FUNDAMENTAL POSTULATE: The physical universe conforms to the relations of ordinary commutative mathematics, its magnitudes are absolute and its geometry is Euclidean.
Most of the assumptions included in these postulates have been generally accepted throughout scientific history, and are still regarded as valid by almost all laymen and by the rank-and-file scientists as well, although their validity is denied by present-day physical theorists, who have found it necessary to resort to some bizarre substitutes to accommodate aspects of their theories that could not be fitted into the traditional framework. Included are Euclidean geometry, three-dimensional space, absolute magnitudes, and ordinary commutative mathematics. In all probability, these assumptions would never have been questioned by anyone if the difficulties encountered by the theorists had not become so serious that they were practically desperate for some way of escape.
Extension of three-dimensionality to time as well as space may cause some lifting of eyebrows, but this extension is obviously required by the reciprocal postulate, which implies that all properties of either space or time are properties of both space and time. It should also be noted that there is no actual evidence to support the prevailing belief that time is one-dimensional. To be sure, we have a vague impression that we are traveling along a path that leads unidirectionally from the past to the present and on into the future, but this is not the kind of a thing on which we can base scientific reasoning. The physicists do not draw their conclusions from this, but from the behavior of time in the mathematical equations that represent physical processes.
In the velocity equation, v = sit, for example, the quantities v and s are vectorial, that is, they have direction as well as magnitude. But the quantity t is scalar; it has magnitude only. From this it has been concluded that time is one-dimensional. But the investigations carried out during the development of the Reciprocal System of theory have disclosed that this conclusion does not follow from the observed facts. What has been overlooked is that "direction" in the context of the velocity equation means "direction in space," and time has no spatial direction. The time term in a space-velocity equation is scalar not because it is one-dimensional but because it has no spatial dimensions at all. Whatever dimensions it may have are dimensions of time, not dimensions of space. Thus the status of the time terms in the various physical equations tells us nothing at all about the dimensions of time. There is no physical evidence to contradict the assertion of the Reciprocal System that time is three-dimensional.
Because of the nature of the scientific enterprise, the scientist must necessarily accept certain assumptions of a philosophical nature in order that his activities may be meaningful. If what is learned today is inapplicable tomorrow, attempts to accumulate a store of scientific knowledge are futile; if the course of physical events, and the results thereof, are haphazard, there is nothing to be gained by attempts to formulate laws and principles governing those events; and so on. As a condition of becoming a scientist, it is therefore necessary to assume that the universe is logical, orderly, and rational. Since acceptance of these premises is a prerequisite for scientific activity, they are not ordinarily mentioned in scientific discourse. In effect, they constitute the starting point from which scientific work begins. But when we undertake an exploration of a hitherto unknown area, as we are now intending to do, we must recognize that, in addition to the two postulates that are set forth in the published accounts of the Reciprocal System of theory and were reproduced earlier in this chapter, there is an implied third postulate incorporating the assumption that the universe is logical, orderly, and rational.
All of the conclusions of the Reciprocal System, from broad general principles down to the most minute detail, have been derived entirely by developing the consequences of the fundamental postulates, without making any supplementary or subsidiary assumptions and without introducing anything from observation or from any other source outside the postulates. The mere existence of space and time with the postulated properties gives rise to certain primary consequences. Interaction of these consequences with each other and with the postulates then results in a large number and variety of secondary consequences, which, in turn, involve further consequences, and so on until a whole theoretical universe has been defined. Because of the nature of this process by which the theoretical universe of the Reciprocal System has been derived, it is possible to prove that the theoretical structure is an accurate representation of the actual physical universe.
Two general methods of verifying a theory are available. Both involve making a large number of comparisons between the assertions of the theory and the corresponding observed facts, so that the probability of the existence of any error can be reduced to the negligible level that is required in order that the theory may qualify as scientific knowledge, but the procedures and the results of the two methods are quite different. In the first method of verification, the only one that is usually available, and hence the one with which scientists are most familiar, verification of the whole is merely a summation of verification of the individual items. Here an individual agreement is a step toward proof, an inconclusive result means nothing at all, and a disagreement invalidates the theory in its existing form. This disagreement is not necessarily fatal, however, as the theory can usually be modified to secure agreement in the recalcitrant case. The verification process can then be resumed on the new basis until adequate verification is secured or until a new disagreement arises, in which case further modifications of the theory may be made. Long series of modifications of this kind are not at all exceptional. The quantum theories, for instance, have experienced an almost continuous series of modifications ever since Niels Bohr formulated the first crude form of this kind of theory in 1913.
The second method of verification is applicable only where no modifications of the theory are possible; that is, where all theoretical conclusions are derived from the same basic premises, without the use of supplementary assumptions, and the entire structure is therefore one unit which must stand or fall as a whole. An analogy that was used in the original presentation of the Reciprocal System compares the construction of a physical theory to the preparation of a map, the usual process of theory construction being compared to the traditional method of map making, and the development of a fully integrated system being compared to the production of a map by aerial photography. In testing a product of either the traditional map making or the usual theory construction process, we must employ the first of the methods of verification discussed in the preceding paragraph, verifying each and every feature of the map or theory individually, as there is little or no connection between the individual features, and with relatively few exceptions, verification of any one feature does not guarantee the accuracy of any other. But in testing an aerial map or an analogous theoretical product such as the Reciprocal System, where the entire map or theory is produced in one operation by a single process, every test that is made by comparing the product with the observed facts is a test of the process itself, verification of the individual features selected for the test being merely incidental.
In this case, if anything that can definitely be seen on the map conflicts with anything that is positively known from direct observation of the terrain, then the map-making process itself is not accurate, and the map is not reliable. Likewise, if any of the consequences of a completely integrated theory conflict with facts that are definitely known, then the theory as a whole is invalid. Here no modifications to fit the recalcitrant facts—ad hoc modifications, in the jargon of science—are possible. The basic postulates of the theory can be changed, of course, but a major change of this kind can hardly be considered a modification; it leaves us with an entirely new theory. The original theory must be verified or disproved as a unit.
Since each check against the observed facts is a test of the theory as a whole, every additional test that is made without finding a discrepancy reduces the mathematical probability that any discrepancy exists anywhere. By making a sufficiently large number of such correlations in many different areas, this probability can be reduced to any specified level. The theoretical conclusions of the Reciprocal System have been checked against the results of observation and measurement in thousands of different applications throughout an extremely wide range of physical phenomena, and no contradiction or inconsistency has been found. This means, then, that the mathematical probability of any error in the basic structure of the system has been reduced to the point where it is negligible. The validity of this system of theory is thus a physical certainty. The Reciprocal System provides a true and accurate representation of the physical facts.
An important point in this connection is that proof of the validity of the theoretical structure as a whole carries with it a proof of the validity of every pan of that structure. Many of the individual conclusions of the theory cannot be confirmed by direct observation, as matters now stand, but the status of the unconfirmed conclusions is identical with that of the conclusions that can be tested against experience. If we confirm the accuracy of our aerial map in the areas where we are able to check it against direct observation and measurement, then we know that it is also accurate in the areas that are not accessible to direct observation. In total, the conclusions derived from the basic postulates of the Reciprocal System constitute a theoretical universe, and our proof of the validity of the system as a whole proves that each and every feature of the physical universe exists exactly as portrayed by the theoretical development.
A recognition of this point is particularly important as we move outward from the well-known phenomena of our everyday environment into the less familiar fields. Most of the theoretical conclusions pertaining to the local environment can be verified individually by direct observation. As we proceed outward, we encounter areas where many of the intermediate steps are unobservable and only the ultimate results are available for check. Finally we reach the outlying regions where nothing is observable except an isolated fact here and there. But the status of the theoretical conclusions is the same everywhere. Whether it can be individually verified or not, each of these conclusions participates in the proof of the validity of the system as a whole.
This is the factor that has made the present investigation of the metaphysical region possible. No longer are we limited to exploring the regions that are clearly visible, and leaving all else to speculation and fantasy. By extending the development of a theoretical system whose validity we have already verified as a whole, we are able to explore not only the regions that are dimly visible but also regions that are totally invisible. The demonstrated identity of the theoretical and actual physical universes has enabled us to make our inquiries in the clear light of the theoretical system, and then, when the appropriate answers have been obtained, to apply these to the actual universe with full confidence in their validity. By this means, we have arrived at a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the physical universe.
Now we propose to utilize these findings of the Reciprocal System with respect to the physical universe as a base, and to extend the same procedure and the same investigative policies to a region hitherto beyond the reach of scientific methods, one in which demons have thus far held full sway. In so doing, we are following the great tradition of science, focusing the light of factual inquiry on whatever we can bring within its reach without regard to conventional lines of demarcation between disciplines. Margenau appropriately defines the policy governing this untrammeled course of inquiry in his "creed for scientists":
I recognize no subjects and no facts which are alleged to be forever closed to inquiry or understanding: a mystery is but a challenge.57
‹ 02 The Nature of Science up 04 Reaching Outward ›


Welcome to first grade! My name is Monica Hope and I will be your child's teacher this year! I am from Moberly and am excited to be a Spartan! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling. I graduated from Columbia College in 2016 and this is my second year teaching! I look forward to working with your child this year!


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Ursodeoxycholic acid or clofibrate in the treatment of non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis: A pilot study
Jacqueline Laurin, Keith D. Lindor, Jeffrey S. Crippin, Andrea Gossard, Gregory J. Gores, Jurgen Ludwig, Jorge Rakela, Douglas B. McGill
Non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by elevated serum aminotransferase activities with hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and occasionally fibrosis that may progress to cirrhosis. No established treatment exists for this potentially serious disorder. Our aim was to conduct a pilot study to evaluate the safety and estimate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and clofibrate in the treatment of NASH. Forty patients were diagnosed with NASH based on a compatible liver biopsy with other causes of liver disease, including alcohol abuse, excluded by history, serum tests, and use of ultrasound. Twenty-four patients received 13 to 15 mg/kg/d of UDCA for 12 months. Sixteen patients with hypertriglyceridemia were placed on clofibrate, 2 g/day for 12 months. Twenty-five women and 15 men entered the study. Six of 40 patients (15%) withdrew because of side effects. Four additional patients were withdrawn because of noncompliance; one of them later required liver transplantation. In the UDCA group, the decreases in mean serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) as well as histological grade of steatosis were significant. Among the patients treated with clofibrate, no change from baseline was found in mean ALT, aspartate transaminase (AST), GGT, bilirubin, triglycerides, and cholesterol, or in histological grade of steatosis, inflammation, or fibrosis after 12 months of treatment as compared with entry. Alkaline phosphatase activities decreased significantly from baseline. Despite the known lipid-lowering effects of clofibrate, it did not appear to be of clinical benefit in the treatment of NASH in this 1-year pilot study. However, treatment of NASH with UDCA for 12 months resulted in significant improvement in alkaline phosphatase, ALT, GGT, and hepatic steatosis. The possible benefit of UDCA therapy should be further investigated in the context of a randomized, controlled trial.
https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.510230624
10.1002/hep.510230624
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Clofibrate Medicine & Life Sciences
Ursodeoxycholic Acid Medicine & Life Sciences
Fatty Liver Medicine & Life Sciences
Alanine Transaminase Medicine & Life Sciences
Alkaline Phosphatase Medicine & Life Sciences
Fibrosis Medicine & Life Sciences
Liver Medicine & Life Sciences
Serum Medicine & Life Sciences
Laurin, J., Lindor, K. D., Crippin, J. S., Gossard, A., Gores, G. J., Ludwig, J., Rakela, J., & McGill, D. B. (1996). Ursodeoxycholic acid or clofibrate in the treatment of non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis: A pilot study. Hepatology, 23(6), 1464-1467. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.510230624
Ursodeoxycholic acid or clofibrate in the treatment of non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis : A pilot study. / Laurin, Jacqueline; Lindor, Keith D.; Crippin, Jeffrey S.; Gossard, Andrea; Gores, Gregory J.; Ludwig, Jurgen; Rakela, Jorge; McGill, Douglas B.
In: Hepatology, Vol. 23, No. 6, 1996, p. 1464-1467.
Laurin, J, Lindor, KD, Crippin, JS, Gossard, A, Gores, GJ, Ludwig, J, Rakela, J & McGill, DB 1996, 'Ursodeoxycholic acid or clofibrate in the treatment of non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis: A pilot study', Hepatology, vol. 23, no. 6, pp. 1464-1467. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.510230624
Laurin J, Lindor KD, Crippin JS, Gossard A, Gores GJ, Ludwig J et al. Ursodeoxycholic acid or clofibrate in the treatment of non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis: A pilot study. Hepatology. 1996;23(6):1464-1467. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.510230624
Laurin, Jacqueline ; Lindor, Keith D. ; Crippin, Jeffrey S. ; Gossard, Andrea ; Gores, Gregory J. ; Ludwig, Jurgen ; Rakela, Jorge ; McGill, Douglas B. / Ursodeoxycholic acid or clofibrate in the treatment of non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis : A pilot study. In: Hepatology. 1996 ; Vol. 23, No. 6. pp. 1464-1467.
@article{fbf9b24a634d4c12ba2f8f5f4b36c51f,
title = "Ursodeoxycholic acid or clofibrate in the treatment of non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis: A pilot study",
abstract = "Non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by elevated serum aminotransferase activities with hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and occasionally fibrosis that may progress to cirrhosis. No established treatment exists for this potentially serious disorder. Our aim was to conduct a pilot study to evaluate the safety and estimate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and clofibrate in the treatment of NASH. Forty patients were diagnosed with NASH based on a compatible liver biopsy with other causes of liver disease, including alcohol abuse, excluded by history, serum tests, and use of ultrasound. Twenty-four patients received 13 to 15 mg/kg/d of UDCA for 12 months. Sixteen patients with hypertriglyceridemia were placed on clofibrate, 2 g/day for 12 months. Twenty-five women and 15 men entered the study. Six of 40 patients (15%) withdrew because of side effects. Four additional patients were withdrawn because of noncompliance; one of them later required liver transplantation. In the UDCA group, the decreases in mean serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) as well as histological grade of steatosis were significant. Among the patients treated with clofibrate, no change from baseline was found in mean ALT, aspartate transaminase (AST), GGT, bilirubin, triglycerides, and cholesterol, or in histological grade of steatosis, inflammation, or fibrosis after 12 months of treatment as compared with entry. Alkaline phosphatase activities decreased significantly from baseline. Despite the known lipid-lowering effects of clofibrate, it did not appear to be of clinical benefit in the treatment of NASH in this 1-year pilot study. However, treatment of NASH with UDCA for 12 months resulted in significant improvement in alkaline phosphatase, ALT, GGT, and hepatic steatosis. The possible benefit of UDCA therapy should be further investigated in the context of a randomized, controlled trial.",
author = "Jacqueline Laurin and Lindor, {Keith D.} and Crippin, {Jeffrey S.} and Andrea Gossard and Gores, {Gregory J.} and Jurgen Ludwig and Jorge Rakela and McGill, {Douglas B.}",
doi = "10.1002/hep.510230624",
journal = "Hepatology",
T1 - Ursodeoxycholic acid or clofibrate in the treatment of non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis
AU - Laurin, Jacqueline
AU - Lindor, Keith D.
AU - Crippin, Jeffrey S.
AU - Gossard, Andrea
AU - Gores, Gregory J.
AU - Ludwig, Jurgen
AU - Rakela, Jorge
AU - McGill, Douglas B.
N2 - Non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by elevated serum aminotransferase activities with hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and occasionally fibrosis that may progress to cirrhosis. No established treatment exists for this potentially serious disorder. Our aim was to conduct a pilot study to evaluate the safety and estimate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and clofibrate in the treatment of NASH. Forty patients were diagnosed with NASH based on a compatible liver biopsy with other causes of liver disease, including alcohol abuse, excluded by history, serum tests, and use of ultrasound. Twenty-four patients received 13 to 15 mg/kg/d of UDCA for 12 months. Sixteen patients with hypertriglyceridemia were placed on clofibrate, 2 g/day for 12 months. Twenty-five women and 15 men entered the study. Six of 40 patients (15%) withdrew because of side effects. Four additional patients were withdrawn because of noncompliance; one of them later required liver transplantation. In the UDCA group, the decreases in mean serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) as well as histological grade of steatosis were significant. Among the patients treated with clofibrate, no change from baseline was found in mean ALT, aspartate transaminase (AST), GGT, bilirubin, triglycerides, and cholesterol, or in histological grade of steatosis, inflammation, or fibrosis after 12 months of treatment as compared with entry. Alkaline phosphatase activities decreased significantly from baseline. Despite the known lipid-lowering effects of clofibrate, it did not appear to be of clinical benefit in the treatment of NASH in this 1-year pilot study. However, treatment of NASH with UDCA for 12 months resulted in significant improvement in alkaline phosphatase, ALT, GGT, and hepatic steatosis. The possible benefit of UDCA therapy should be further investigated in the context of a randomized, controlled trial.
AB - Non-alcohol-induced steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by elevated serum aminotransferase activities with hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and occasionally fibrosis that may progress to cirrhosis. No established treatment exists for this potentially serious disorder. Our aim was to conduct a pilot study to evaluate the safety and estimate the efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and clofibrate in the treatment of NASH. Forty patients were diagnosed with NASH based on a compatible liver biopsy with other causes of liver disease, including alcohol abuse, excluded by history, serum tests, and use of ultrasound. Twenty-four patients received 13 to 15 mg/kg/d of UDCA for 12 months. Sixteen patients with hypertriglyceridemia were placed on clofibrate, 2 g/day for 12 months. Twenty-five women and 15 men entered the study. Six of 40 patients (15%) withdrew because of side effects. Four additional patients were withdrawn because of noncompliance; one of them later required liver transplantation. In the UDCA group, the decreases in mean serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) as well as histological grade of steatosis were significant. Among the patients treated with clofibrate, no change from baseline was found in mean ALT, aspartate transaminase (AST), GGT, bilirubin, triglycerides, and cholesterol, or in histological grade of steatosis, inflammation, or fibrosis after 12 months of treatment as compared with entry. Alkaline phosphatase activities decreased significantly from baseline. Despite the known lipid-lowering effects of clofibrate, it did not appear to be of clinical benefit in the treatment of NASH in this 1-year pilot study. However, treatment of NASH with UDCA for 12 months resulted in significant improvement in alkaline phosphatase, ALT, GGT, and hepatic steatosis. The possible benefit of UDCA therapy should be further investigated in the context of a randomized, controlled trial.
U2 - 10.1002/hep.510230624
DO - 10.1002/hep.510230624
JO - Hepatology
JF - Hepatology

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) are currently the most popular form of retirement income. While you do not contribute directly to a RRIF, funds can be transferred from an RRSP, another RRIF, a Registered Pension Plan, or a commuted RRSP annuity. At age 71, all RRSP investments must be converted to a RRIF or annuity, or cashed.
RRIFs are similar to an RRSP with the exception that planholders are required to take taxable payments from the RRIF on an annual basis. You choose the payment level as long as it meets the minimum levels set out by the government.
interest compounds on each anniversary date and notices are provided prior to maturity.
Click here for more information on RRIFs and our member-friendly RRIF calculator.


MCL were contracted to construct a large water feature within the landscape grounds of Cloncaird Castle. The work included diversion and realignment of the existing field drainage system, new surface water drainage, M&E services and the construction of natural stone walls and slabs over two levels to form.
MCL are in the process of constructing 21 bespoke individual houses on a development at Dalbeattie.
MCL has completed a number of surfacing projects to both residential & commercial driveways/access roads.


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Q: JavaScript: How to get name of the constant? I want to get the name of constant :
const MY_CONSTANT = 1;

I want to show the name of my constant (MY_CONSTANT) not value (1).

A: You cannot get the name of the constant or a variable in JavaScript. The closest thing to what you want to do would be setting a property inside an object. Then, you can get the names of all keys.
var obj = { myFirstName: 'John' };
obj.foo = 'Another name';
for(key in obj)
    alert(key + ': ' + obj[key]);

See karim79's answer here

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


From doing this diet analysis, I have learned a lot about nutrition and how I can improve my nutrition. I also noticed a few areas where I did well on and others where I need to improve upon. I analyzed what I ate on 2/3/16 and based on the pie chart in the infographic, my diet consisted of 35.2% fat, 20.7% protein, and 45.5% carbs. My goal was 20% intake of fat and I went over my target. In my infographic, I included ways I can improve this, which I can purchase and consume organic walnuts and almonds from Wholes/Trader Joe's. I can also use natural cooking oils such as olive oil and coconut oil. For protein, my goal was 35% and I went a little less. I can purchase and consume organic meats and fish from Whole Foods. For carbs, my goal was 45% and I was actually in the average range of 45-65% intake of carbs for an average person. I can maintain this by continue eating brown rice and whole wheat pasta and oats.
According to the infographic, I mostly did not meet my target for a few of the food groups and all of the minerals/vitamins. I tend to drink a lot of milk on a daily basis, however it is not enough. I can improve my calcium level by eating yogurt with fruits and granola. This way, I can maintain my dairy target and improve in grains, calcium, potassium and fruits. In the infographic, I also wrote about ways I can improve my nutrition overall. But, besides consuming healthier foods, I can also improve my health by exercising more outside. I usually go to a gym to exercise, but I can go on a run outside, therefore I can obtain vitamin D from the sun.


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Enhanced prenatal case management for low income smokers
Smoke free families project brief
Patricia Dolan-Mullena,
Carlo C DiClementeb,
Mary M Velasquezc,
Sandra C Timpsona,
Janet Y Groffa,
Joseph P Carbonaric,
Laurel Nicola
aCenter for Health Promotion Research and Prevention, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, School of Public Health, Houston, Texas, USA, bDepartment of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, cDepartment of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston
Patricia Dolan-Mullen, DrPH, Center for Health Promotion Research and Prevention, School of Public Health, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, Box 20186, Houston, TX 77030, USA;pdmullen{at}sph.uth.tmc.edu
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/tc.9.suppl_3.iii75
Smoking during pregnancy is highly prevalent in populations of white, low socioeconomic status women who are more addicted to nicotine than most other groups within their social class. Qualitative and quantitative assessments conducted by this research team suggested that effective pregnancy smoking interventions should be offered in the context of high risk counselling that also addressed sources of stress, depression, negative family support, and the various problems associated with poverty.1-3 Because many of these women are in early stages of change for smoking cessation, they need an approach focused on motivation and decision making rather than advice or quitting guides. Motivational interviewing is an approach that addresses the motivational enhancement needs of these women, meets them at their stage of change, and therefore seemed particularly appropriate for these women.4
This project proposed using the existing prenatal high risk case management delivery system for motivational enhancement based smoking cessation counselling. The case manager's role is to give support and marshal resources to address emotional and environmental stressors for high risk pregnancies, a role supported by Medicaid in most states. In addition, we believed that the interaction style and counselling skills of case managers in the cooperating clinic network were compatible with the demands of an individualised, comprehensive, motivational approach to pregnancy smoking cessation.
The effectiveness of enhanced case management was to be tested using a single blind, historical comparison cohort (comparison group) and an intervention cohort (intervention group) recruited from the same 10 clinics in East Texas. The comparison group was recruited first and received the existing case management care that mentioned but did not focus on smoking cessation. After a brief washout and training period, the intervention group was recruited and scheduled to receive our enhanced case management protocol that was initiated in the clinics as a new standard care protocol delivered by the same case managers. Both groups were measured at the first prenatal visit and in late pregnancy. Inclusion criteria included > 15 years of age, gestational age < 27 weeks, English speaker, receiving case management services, and smoked < 8 days ago. Smoking levels were determined by questionnaire and urine cotinine samples at baseline and late pregnancy.
Enhanced case management was planned to integrate a unique combination of clinic based intervention strategies aimed at individual and family levels of change: (1) individually tailored feedback delivered by the case manager at the second prenatal care visit, using brief transtheoretical model measures developed in another Smoke Free Families (SSF) grant (JP Carbonari, et al,personal communication) and collected at the first prenatal visit; (2) motivational interviewing counselling at the feedback session and at 2–4 follow up visits to promote smoking cessation during pregnancy; and (3) reinforcing take home materials, including materials to promote family change.
Case managers were nurses and social workers in 10 urban and rural perinatal care clinics throughout East Texas. Our protocol required them to understand the process of change and the measures that were used to assess and provide feedback for their intervention group clients. A two day training program with continuing education credit was organised to teach the protocol, motivational interviewing strategies for engaging the client, how to deliver the feedback and how to keep smoking cessation as a topic in future visits.
Both groups were recruited to the "Pregnancy, stress, and smoking study," for measurement only. Standard and enhanced case management represented "usual care" during the time periods their respective groups received prenatal care. Thus, we decided, and the respective institutional review boards concurred, that the trial did not need to be described as an intervention study.
The intervention program was fully developed, and all 20 clinic case managers were trained. Both groups were recruited, although not at the projected levels. In all, 154 women were recruited to the comparison group and 142 to the intervention group—72% and 85% consent rates, respectively. The historical cohort design was successful in that the two groups did not differ significantly on the baseline measures (table 1). The average score on the mental health measure (MHI-5)5 was 53 (SD = 22), almost exactly equal to the score of a national sample of women aged 25–34 years seeing mental health providers, and below the average score of women aged 25–34 years in a general US sample (m = 72, SD = 19).6
Baseline variables by study group
The proportions lost to follow up before the end of pregnancy were similar—42% of the comparison group and 37% of the intervention group (after reducing the denominators for one maternal and three fetal deaths in the comparison group and three fetal deaths in the intervention group). The main reasons for these rates differed: two thirds of those lost to follow up in the comparison group left the clinic (versus 85% in the intervention group) and almost one third were missed by the clinic for their eighth month measure (versus 10% in the intervention group). Women lost to follow up did not differ from those with eighth month measures, except that completers were more likely to be precontemplators (31% v 20%) and less likely to be in preparation (26% v35%) for pregnancy cessation (p = 0.05).
Exposure to the intervention was limited. Based on clinic visits with and without case management, of those with an eighth month measure, no more than 38% could have received the criterion > 2 motivational interviewing sessions; 44%, 1 session; and 17% no session. Further, observations of the case managers indicated that performance often did not meet our criteria for the motivational interviewing style.7 Thus, no between-group differences were expected at the eighth month, and none were found. Comparing the 55 women in the comparison group and 36 in the intervention group who had both urine samples and questionnaires at the eighth month, and including the 35 in the comparison group and 54 in the intervention group who had not left the clinic but who did not have a urine sample (classified as smokers, regardless of self report), the two groups had the same percentage of cessation—2.2% (both 2/90). The criterion cotinine value was < 80 ng/ml.
Development of the intervention components and training was our most significant accomplishment. Systemic barriers and changing health care policies made delivery of the intervention problematic, however. With 25% of the recruited population in the precontemplation stage and in view of the low level of cessation, we believe that the intensive enhanced case management intervention developed for this trial is appropriate and should be tested in an efficacystudy where intervention delivery is assured.
In our enthusiasm to contribute to the SFF initiative and confidence in the perinatal outreach clinic system, we did not foresee how turbulent the transition to managed care for Medicaid beneficiaries would become during the pilot test. We proceeded based on a best case scenario, with insufficient project time for developmental testing of the delivery system and insufficient financial resources to maintain control over implementation when the clinics were forced to reduce case management activities in favour of medical services. On the day the grant was awarded, the medical school based clinic network was given many small rural clinics previously under the direction of the state health department. These additional clinics had to be incorporated without additional funding or personnel, creating a serious burden for clinic staff and budgets. This proved to be a difficult and chaotic period, resulting in high staff turnover.
Another event in the external environment also disrupted clinic operations. Start-up of a Medicaid managed care pilot study in the area gave many clinic patients unprecedented access to private care. In some clinics half of those who initiated prenatal care transferred to a private physician. The clinics responded by reducing the maximum time spent waiting for or receiving services. This made the intervention time unwelcome. Case managers, most of whom are nurses, were reassigned to medical services. In short, the clinics were beset with changes and problems that had a major impact on our ability to recontact and follow recruited women and importantly, on intervention delivery.
Provision of small personal monetary incentives to case managers to recruit study participants and provide the intervention was not effective in the face of major system changes. This intervention should be tested in an efficacy study, with intervention delivery assured by using case managers who are selected, supervised, and paid by the project.
Lastly, from qualitative data we learned that saliva rather than urine is a better choice for a biologic measure to keep the samples from being thrown out in the clinic laboratory and to avoid the suspicion by study participants that urine might be tested for illegal drugs.
This grant was funded under the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Smoke Free Families Program. We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of Gaye Cummins, MA (project director), Karen Cheng, MPH and Donna White, MPH (research assistants) of the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center School of Public Health; Katherine Golden Beck, RN, MS (director, case management), Carolyn Nelson-Becker, MSN, CNM (director), and the clinic directors and case managers of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Regional Perinatal Care Program.
Ershoff DH,
Mullen PD,
Quinn VP
(1989) A randomized trial of a serialized self-help smoking cessation program for pregnant women in an HMO. Am J Public Health 79:182–187.
Hartmann KE,
Thorp JM,
Pahel-Short L,
Koch MA
(1996) A randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation intervention in pregnancy in an academic clinic. Obstet Gynecol 87:621–626.
Pollak KI,
Groff JY,
DiClemente CC
(March 1999) Relations among psychosocial variables, addiction, and self-efficacy in lower and higher income pregnant smokers. Presented at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, , San Diego..
Miller WR,
Rollnick S
(1991) Motivational interviewing: preparing people to change addictive behavior. (Guilford Press, New York).
Berwick DM,
Murphy JM,
Goldman PA,
Ware JE,
Barsky AJ,
Weinstein MC
(1991) Performance of a five-item mental health screening test. Med Care 29:169–176.
Snow KK,
Kosinski M,
(1993) SF-36 health survey manual and interpretation guide. (New England Medical Center, Boston).
Velasquez MM,
Hecht J,
Quinn V,
Emmons K,
DiClemente CC,
Dolan-Mullen P
(2000) Application of motivational interviewing to prenatal smoking cessation: training and implementation issues. Tobacco Control 9 (suppl III) iii36–iii40.
By WR Spence and V Herschberger, reprinted with permission of HEALTH EDCO, INC, Waco, Texas, USA.


Attorney Janet E. Spence is an experienced trial Lawyer who began her law career as An Assistant Public Defender at the Miami-Dade County Public Defender's Office in 1996. As an Assistant Public Defender, Attorney Spence represented, juveniles and adults charged with law violations ranging from Petty Larceny; Probation Violation; Burglary; Robbery; Simple Batteries; Aggravated Batteries; DUI's; Battery on Law Enforcement; Resisting With and Without Violence and other types of crimes.
Attorney Spence left the Public Defenders office in January 2000 and continued her Career in law as a Solo Practitioner, providing legal services in various areas of law. Once in Private Practice, she continued representing criminal defendants in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties who were charged with crimes such as Sexual Battery; Armed Robbery with a Mask; Burglary; Robbery; Battery on Law Enforcement Officer Resisting Arrest With and Without Violence and other types of crimes.
She also represented individuals in Divorce case, simple and contested divorce, Time Sharing and Shared Parental Responsibility, and other Custody issues, Child Support and paternity proceedings and Child Support Guideline Calculations.
With the collapse of the Real Estate market Attorney Spence, understanding the importance of home ownership to many Americans, began representing families caught in the foreclosure crisis in an attempt to help them keep their homes by assisting them in their foreclosure proceedings and loan modifications.
Attorney Spence now focuses her practice primarily in the area of Personal Injury Law. She represents individuals who have been seriously injured or have died as a result of someone else's negligence. That includes Wrongful Death; Auto Accidents; Slip and Fall; Product Liability; Strict Liability and Consumer Fraud.


text:
When they're not hanging out at their favorite hot dog stand pontificating on what they'd go through to enjoy a night with their favorite female celebrities, Jared Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Peter Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) are chasing down their latest clients...sometimes literally. With business cards in hand, they're ready to nab a client within seconds after a car accident, arrest for solicitation or any other incident where their legal services may be needed. Once in the courtroom, they show their flair for the dramatic and the shocking.
Franklin & Bash, Season 4
© 2014 Sony Pictures Television Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Bad Judge, Season 1
Royal Pains, Season 8
Friends With Better Lives, Season 1
The Millers, Season 2
About a Boy, Season 2
Last Man Standing, Season 8
Top Comedy Shows
The Office: The Complete Series
Schitt's Creek, Season 6 (Uncensored)
Curb Your Enthusiasm, Season 9
Rick and Morty, Season 4 (Uncensored)


Super simple, healthy and delicious Korean Tuna Power Bowl. Brown rice, a rainbow of veggies, and Korean tuna salad, drizzled with a yummy sesame dressing. The perfect healthy lunch ready in 5 minutes!
This post is sponsored by Blue Harbor Fish Co. I only work with companies and products that I love and use in my own kitchen. The opinions are always my own.
I have been on a serious bowl kick lately. It is truly my favorite way to whip up a quick, healthy, and delicious meal. Loaded with a variety of textures and flavors and best of all, I can use what I have handy in my fridge and pantry!
What is a Power Bowl?
Sometimes called a Buddha bowl, bliss bowl, nourishment bowl, or a detox bowl, or just a "bowl", it simply refers to a healthy assortment of ingredients served in a… yeah you guessed it, a bowl.
Veggies are the star – Sometimes I like a combination of cooked and raw veggies, sometimes I just want raw. I always try to shoot for at least 3 different vegetables.
High-quality fat – this is essential. Typically it's in the form of avocado. Because… avocado, but sometimes it will be in the form of nuts or seeds.
High-quality protein – Sometimes this is a vegan protein (like in my bbq tempeh bowl) or an animal protein (like in my za'atar spiced chicken detox bowl). Most often it is a quick clean protein from my pantry like my favorite tuna.
Whole grain/complex carbohydrate/starchy vegetable – this part is optional, but I find adding either a whole grain like brown rice or a starchy veggie like sweet potato helps me feel full for hours and hours and hours!
Pickled/fermented food – In addition to the gut health benefits of fermented food I absolutely LOVE the flavor kick! In this recipe, I used kimchi, in other recipes I've used quick pickled onions or a quick beet relish.
A crazy delicious dressing – Don't skip this part, trust me it's essential.
I kicked up the deliciousness an extra 20 notches or so with this Korean Tuna Power Bowl! I have been all about the Korean flavors lately (Olympics obsessed!) and always have some basic Korean condiments in my pantry like; gochujang sauce, sesame oil, and soy sauce (or coconut aminos or tamari if you are soy and/or gluten-free). Gochujang sauce it's a spicy red pepper and garlic paste, when mixed with mayo, soy, Blue Harbor Wild Albacore Tuna, and celery it creates seriously the most delicious tuna salad you have ever had!
O to the M to the G! Delicious!
Healthy fat – thank you avocado. No, really. THANK YOU avocado.
You see why this is potentially the worlds most perfect meal?
This bowl is all about the spicy Korean fresh albacore tuna salad surrounded by a party of healthy crunchy veggies.
You will always, always find tuna packets in my pantry. Quick and easy protein solutions are a must in my kitchen. When life gets chaotic and crazy I know I can whip up a quick, healthy, protein-packed meal.
Blue Harbor sustainably caught, wild albacore tuna is packed in convenient pouches with just a bit of water and sea salt or simply water (no salt added). Simple, clean ingredients. The flavor is mild, fresh, and delicious without any of that canned food taste.
Convenience – Perfectly portioned protein, without having to drain anything. These packets would be perfect to travel with!
Taste – I am extremely finicky when it comes to tuna. I absolutely LOVE The taste of Blue Harbor. It is clean, light, and fresh, and mixes so well with a variety of flavors.
BPA Free – This is a really important point for me. BPA is a known endocrine disrupter and is often found in the internal lining of cans and foil pouches. Blue Harbor cans and pouches are BPA free.
MSC Certified – The Marine Stewardship Council is an international nonprofit that addresses the problems of unsustainable fishing. The MSC label recognizes sustainable fishing practices and ensures that MSC-certified tuna is traceable from ocean to plate.
Wild, line-caught premium quality fish – For nutritional/health purposes, I only eat wild fish, never farmed. Line-caught is an important distinction regarding the environmental impact of fisheries.
Soy free, gluten-free – This seems as if it should be a given, but it isn't always. I appreciate a brand that is conscious of fillers or additives that may contain soy or gluten. Blue Harbor has only 2 or 3 super clean, simple ingredients.
Overal, I love feeling good about the food I am eating and love knowing that Blue Harbor is a clean-living, sustainability conscious brand.
If you live in the northeast, like me, you can find Blue Harbor at Shoprite, KTM supermarkets, or Fresh Grocer.
Oh yeah. This looks like a power bowl for a mid-day power up. Full of all the nutrients a person needs and packed with flavor.
I love LOVE LOVE tuna! And Korean food so this recipe is right down my alley. In fact, I have an opened tub of gochujang paste in my fridge and I have been meaning to google some recipes so that I can finally use it up. Perfect recipe at the perfect time. Thanks so much.
Yay!! I'm so glad Kiki, I love finding more uses for gochujang sauce!
This looks SO, so good! I love pickled things, and that colorful assortment of toppings is just perfect here.
Pickled things are the best!!
This looks incredible and would make a wonderful dinner in our home. Love sesame dressing so definitely going to try this. Saving this for later.
This would make a perfect lunch and we have brown rice in the fridge waiting for a good recipe. Well, looks like I just found it. Very nutritious and packed full of flavor.
I love that you broke down the elements of the bowl! I never thought to put a fermented food in there but that sounds like such a good kick and pop of flavor. This bowl sounds delicious!
Thanks, Lauren, yes the fermented add-in really bumps up the flavor and nutrients!
I love that bowl – full of veggies and deliciousness, and that dressing – yum! I'm going to give this a try real soon.
I love your step by step tutorial in making your own power bowl. I don't make them often because I feel like they're always missing "something" but this post is super helpful! Your bowl looks delicious and jam packed with nutrients!
This looks so good! I've only had a Buddha bowl at PF changs and it was amazing but I really need to learn how to make my own bowls so I dont have to go out for this kind of yumminess! Can't wait to try this! Your pictures look amazing!
Looks like a great lunch bowl! I have everything for it besides gochajung sauce. I'm going to get it and make this recipe asap!
The gochajung is necessary, but one of my favorite pantry staples now 🙂 Hope you love it Elena!
What wonderful healthy lunch idea! The tuna packets make it sooo easy too. I love it!
I just need a word to describe this, I just love it. Very healthy and full of nutrition lunch, like a package. Thanks for sharing this tona fish idea. keep blogging.


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A very brief overview.
At the start of the 15th century, we find Austria with a similar division as Bavaria; an Upper and Lower Austria, each of two duchies. Unlike Bavaria, the Austrian domains were a result of political unification and a last will of a dying Duchess.
During the war against Hungary, Ottokar II of Bohemia managed to unite Styria with Austria in 1261 and later added Carinthia and Carniola in 1269. After his defeat by Rudolph I of Germany in 1278, the House of Hapsburg reigned until WWI.
In the 14th and 15th century, lands in the vicinity were acquired, the most significant being Tyrol, bequeathed to Rudolph IV of Austria in 1363. Following the reign of Rudolph IV, the domains, under the Treaty of Neuberg 1379, were distributed between his brothers Albert III and Leopold III to what is known as Upper and Lower Austria.
Schloss - Tirol (Wiki).
Upper Austria included Salzburg and later Tyrol (Albert III)
Arch Duchy of Austria, Vienna (residence),
Country of Tyrol, Brixen (residence),
Lower Austria included Styria, Karnthen and Carniola (Leopold III)
County of Karinthia, Klagenfurth (residence),
County of Carniola, Lubach (residence),
Austria in the Campaign.
At the campaign opening, Austria has little interaction with Bavaria other than utilizing the water and land corridors en route to Switzerland. During Bavaria's internal squabbles, Austria can intermediate on their behalf. As the game progresses, Austria's attention will be directed to the political changes taking place in the east, the rise of the Ottomans.
Austrian Army list
IV/13b Medieval German army 1151-1439 AD:
1 x General (Kn),
3 x knights (Kn),
1 x knights (Kn) or crossbowmen, either mounted (Cv) or on foot (Cb),
1 x crossbowmen (Cb),
2 x city guards (Bd),
2 x mercenaries (Bd or Pk) or city militia (Sp) or retainers (Hd),
2 x archers (Ps).
Terrain Type: Arable. Aggression: 2 Like Bavaria, the geography of Austria overlaps several types; Arable, Hilly and Forest.
A Time of Superstition
Months back, when I create a list of topics as background research for this campaign, I added Superstition. A player could always lay their misfortune as a result of a superstition overlooked, but other than black cats, witches and walking under ladders, my knowledge was very limited.
This past weekend I painted 16 Wolves from Coppelstone Castings and like most painting projects where my knowledge is limited, I screen the Internet for ideas. Along with the required details for wolf pelts, hunting patterns and the like, nuggets of useful information regarding superstitions and fables were uncovered.
Wolves (from Wikipedia)
"... in Roman mythology, the Capitoline Wolf nurses Romulus and Remus, the future founders of Rome. In the mythology of the Turks, Mongols and Ainu, wolves were believed to be the ancestors of their people, while the Dena'ina believed wolves were once men, and viewed them as brothers."
"It appeared in the seventh century edition of the Physiologus, which infused pagan tales with the spirit of Christian moral and mystical teaching. The Physiologus portrays wolves as being able to strike men dumb on sight, and of having only one cervical vertebra. Dante included a she-wolf, representing greed and fraud, in the first canto of the Inferno."
The Malleus Maleficarum, first published in 1487, states that wolves are either agents of God sent to punish the wicked, or agents of Satan, sent with God's blessing to test the faith of believers.
Witches (from Wikipedia)
"Folk belief in reality of witchcraft had been denied by the church in earlier centuries; Charlemagne had specifically outlawed the old practice of witch burning "in the manner of the pagans" since witchcraft was originally viewed by many early medieval Christians as a pagan superstition.
By the 15th century, belief in witches was once again openly accepted in European society, but they typically suffered penalties no more harsh than public penances such as a day in the stocks. Persecution of witches became more brutal following the publication of the Malleus, with witchcraft being accepted as a real and dangerous phenomenon."
"In 1484 Kramer made one of the first attempts at a systematic persecution of witches in the region of Tyrol. It was not a success: Kramer was thrown out of the territory, and dismissed by the local bishop as a "senile old man". According to Diarmaid MacCulloch, writing the book was Kramer's act of self-justification and revenge. Some scholars have suggested that following the failed efforts in Tyrol, Kramer and Sprenger requested and received a papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus in 1484. It allegedly gave full papal approval for the Inquisition to prosecute witchcraft in general and for Kramer and Sprenger specifically. Malleus Maleficarum was written in 1486 and the papal bull was included as part of the preface. "
Middel Alder Centre (belief and superstition)
MedievalBeastiary
Medieval Superstitions
Mistress of the Magic Mountain
The Politics of Witchcraft Studies
Application within the campaign
This is a tricky topic to bring to the game table without a medieval DBA game becoming a fantasy HOTT battle. The early WRG Ancient rule sets allowed for sacred items to lift a flagging morale; the Ark of the Covenant, the Raven banner, and the Oriflamme, to name a few. In one manner, the hesitancy, uncertainty or fear could result in a reduction of movement, such as would be brought on with a thick mist or no movement due to an eclipse of the sun as examples.
After some thought, this item would have a better place at the strategic level. If an area were known to be inhabited by wolves, witches or other demons one would normally give the area a pass.
Questionable areas can be marked on a map, that any player wishing to pass through would require an extra incentive (extra pip) to do so.
You could view the + 1 requirement to cover the time necessary to find the local "priest/wizard or astrologer" who could bless, conjure or divine the propitious moment to move.
DBA 3.0 Battle: Hungarians and Wallachians
This was a slight detour from the usual medieval test of two similar formed armies. The Hungarians fielded equally as many knights as light horse and equal numbers of solid and fast foot types; in retrospect, a nicely balanced army. The Wallachians by contrast could match the Hungarians with light horse but the cavalry were somewhat outclassed. With the exception of two archer units, the majority of Wallachian foot were skirmishers.
As defenders, the Wallachians brought a maximum number of forest and a gentle hill to the board. Their deployment placed a majority of skirmishers on the left flank, while archers and light horse made use of the gentle hill on the right. The remaining cavalry were positioned in the center.
The Hungarians formed up in two wings. All the cavalry formed up in two lines on the left, while the infantry made a solid front of foot with skirmishers formed up on the right flank.
Both sides were plagued with poor die roll, so both armies placed their opening effort with their right flanks. Wallachian skirmishers supported by light horse seized the small woods outflanking the Hungarian knights. Bow fire had the effect of Hungarian knights recoiling. Nonetheless, the Hungarians for their effort were rewarded with a quick skirmish and first kill of the game. 1 – 0, Hungarians.
Bound three, the Wallachians took advantage and attacked the recoiling Hungarian knights while a small group of skirmishers attacked Hungarian crossbow at the other end of the valley. The Hungarians knights in their turn followed up the recoiling light horse, crossbow stood their ground to keep a steady fire on the skirmishers and both spear and billmen moved toward the waiting Wallachian cavalry. The Wallachian light horse succumbed to the knight's pursuit. 2 – 0, Hungarians.
With a low pip score, the Wallachians could only reposition an element in anticipation of a counter attack, while archer fire had no effect. The Hungarians in response moved on the awaiting cavalry with the spearmen leading the assault. This set the Wallachian cavalry to recoil leaving the General exposed. Close, but no brass ring for the blade, the command element fell back in line.
Bound five, the Wallachians needed to eliminate the immediate threat by the infantry to front before they could deal with the Hungarian knights. A renewed charge and one flank enveloped, the spearmen were eliminated, but the blade still held their ground.
2 – 1, Hungarians
By now, the Wallachians seemed to be stabilizing the battle line, so the Hungarians launched their reserve light horse to maneuver around the woods and seize the hill from behind. It was at this moment the Hungarian knights, led by their general charged forward to crush a lone archer element. 3 -1 to the Hungarians.
Bound six and despite a dismal die roll, the Wallachians pounded the billmen to dust and secured their point. The Hungarians on the other hand with their high die roll were presented with a laden buffet of choices. Together, the light horse and knights sealed off two Wallachian units. The archer unit remained slippery and beat back enemy cavalry to front and flank. The Wallachian light horse was not as fortunate. 4 – 2, Hungary.
This is certainly worth refighting as both sides were plagued with bad die rolls, which meant the light horse potential for long sweeping flank moves had to take a back bench to more urgent moves directed from the center position. This favoured the Hungarian knights and infantry.
Regarding terrain, I had overlooked the marsh as this is a better option to replace one of the larger woods. I will make this a mental note for next time.
The Hungarian infantry occupied the Wallachian cavalry long enough that the Hungarians could develop their battle around the flank. The march around the battle line to seize the hill behind the Wallachians was well timed.
Campaign participant - Swiss Confederation
The Swiss Confederation began as an alliance between communities with a common interest in free trade and the maintenance of peace along trade routes crossing her boundaries. Granted reichsfrei status, the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden came under direct authority of the emperor. By the end of the 14th century, the cantons of Bern, Zurich and Lucerne became part of the confederation.
An idyllic situation it was not, as the rise of the House of Habsburg meant the dissolution of reichsfrei status, thus bringing confederation into direct conflict with the Empire.
The Appenzell Wars
Lasting from 1401 to 1429, this successful uprising was between the farmers and craftsmen of Appenzell and St. Gallen against the House of Habsburg and the Prince-Abbot of the Abbey of St. Gall.
The Battle of Arbedo was fought on June 30, 1422 between the Duchy of Milan and the Swiss Confederation. The victory secured Bellinzona and the Leventina to the Duchy. In addition the Duchy gained the Val d'Ossola, thus the Swiss losing all the territorial gains they had made. The defeat discouraged the Swiss expansionist intentions towards Lake Maggiore for a long time. It was the defeat at Arbedo that made the Swiss increase the number of pikemen.
In the campaign
Looking at the two army lists in the current DBA 2.2 book, our Swiss army falls in the transition period of weapons choice; from halberd to pike. As our campaign starts at the year 1400 AD, it would not seem unreasonable to field half pike, half halberd as the Battle of Arbedo proved a decisive point to increase the number of pike. With this in mind, the list is modified for our purpose.
IV/79 Late Swiss 1400 – 1522 AD:
1 x General (Bd)
3 x Halberdiers Bd)
6 x Pikemen (Pk)
1 x Handgunners (Ps) or crossbow (LH)
1 x Handgunners (Ps) or artillery
Illustration at top with thanks from Jiri Gajdorus (CH).
Campaign participants - Bavaria (the four duchies)
The campaign, Storm Within the Empire opens at the start of the 15th century. Bavaria as we know it is split into minor duchies, each held by the sons and families of the then Emperor Louis.
Game map 1 shows the four duchies are colour-coded. Further, München and Ingolstadt are known as Upper Bavaria, while Landshut and Straubing make up Lower Bavaria. This is important, as the division reflects different geography which in DBA terms are Arable, Hilly, and Forest. As the campaign extends further to Bavarian holdings in the Lowlands, the geography around Frisia and Seeland can be classed as "Littoral".
The below list are the residence (capital) and cities of each Duchy. If at first sight, some have a distinct advantage in size, historically, this fluctuated by further internal conflicts (family feuds) and alliances.
Upper Bavaria
– München (residence), Landsberg, Tölz, Rosenheim, Wolfratshausen, Mainburg, Burglengenfeld, and Schwandorf. (8)
- Ingolstadt (residence), Friedberg, Aichach, Schrobenhausen, Rain, Neuburg, Höchstädt, Hilpolstein, Freystadt, Lauf, Hersbruck, Weiden, Floss, Vhonestrauss, Ebersberg, Wasserburg, Kufstein, Rattenberg, and Kitzbühel. (19)
Lower Bavaria
– Landshut (residence), Moosburg, Erding, Müldorf, Eggenfelden, Braunau, Burghausen, and Mondsee, (8)
- Straubing (residence), Kelheim, Pfaffenber, Malersdorf, Dingolfing, Landau, Vilshofan, Deggendorf, Regen, Viechtach, Charn, Furth, Waldmünchen and Schärding. (14)
Outside the Duchy of Bavaria, are the following Free Cities:
- Garmisch, Partenkirchen, Innsbruck, Amberg, , Berchtesgaden, , Passau.
and Imperial Cities = in bold type.
-Augsburg, Nürnberg, Salzburg, Regensburg. (10)
All four duchies draw their forces from the same lists, IV/13b. As the campaign reaches the year 1440, option IV/13c can then be used until that time. Knights are not double based despite the references in the DBM(M) lists. The deployment of the wedge was not as widespread throughout the Empire and actually was a late 15th century ideal falling outside our campaign period.
Terrain Type: Arable. Aggression: 2