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Know your Garden Microbes : Nostoc

  Know your Garden Microbes : Nostoc  As gardeners, we often focus on the macro aspects of our garden such as the plants, trees, and shrubs. But, what about the tiny microbes that play a vital role in the health of our gardens? Today, we are going to focus on a particular type of bacteria that is often overlooked: Nostoc. What is Nostoc? N ostoc is  a jelly-like microorganism commonly found growing on soggy lawns. While the discovery of the creature might be frightening for some gardeners, it poses no threat to plants or animals in the environment. Because the Nostoc grows in places where grass does not, it is likely to fill in any gaps left by the grass. Evidence of an imbalance in the ratio of fungus to bacteria can be easily identified.  Figure 1: Nostoc Growing in the Garden. It was once believed that these strange-looking masses of matter came from the dust of shooting stars, which gave rise to the nicknames star jelly, star shot, and star slime beca...

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The Two Sides of Wokeism: A Complex Social Phenomenon

Wokeism, a term that gained prominence in the 2010s, refers to a heightened awareness of social, cultural, and political issues, with a particular focus on combating racism and promoting social justice. This concept has become a focal point of both praise and criticism, dividing public opinion along ideological lines. In this article, we explore the two sides of wokeism and delve into the complexities of this social phenomenon. The Positive Side: Wokeism has undoubtedly played a crucial role in raising awareness about systemic inequalities and injustices that have long plagued society. By alerting people to racial prejudice, discrimination, and other forms of social disparity, it has fostered a deeper understanding of marginalized communities' struggles. Many proponents argue that being woke is a step towards progress, as it encourages individuals to empathize, listen, and take meaningful action to address societal imbalances. One of the significant achievements of Wokeism is its a...

The Eco-Friendly Way to Build: Making Cow Dung Bricks with Biochar and Lime

Build a greener future with biochar and lime-infused cow dung bricks If you're looking for an eco-friendly and sustainable way to build, consider making cow dung bricks. Not only are they a low-cost alternative to traditional fired clay bricks, but they also use waste materials like cow dung and biochar. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance that is made by burning organic materials in the absence of oxygen. It is a byproduct of biomass pyrolysis, a process that turns plant waste into energy. Biochar is known for its high carbon content, which makes it an excellent soil amendment and a potential solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To make cow dung bricks with biochar, you will need the following materials: 1)   Cow dung 2)   Biochar 3)   Lime or Chona  4)   Methi water (Water fermented with fenugreek seeds) Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make cow dung bricks using these materials: Mix the cow dung with biochar and lime in a 2...

How to Measure the Quality of Images When You Don't Have Gold Standard Images

What to do When You Don't Have Gold Standard Images to Compare Your Processed Images How to Measure the Quality of Images When You Don't Have Gold Standard Images to Compare In the realm of image analysis and processing, quantifying image quality forms a crucial cornerstone of various methodologies. This is especially true when there's a lack of gold standard images or ground truth to set the benchmark. In such scenarios, we're often left asking: how can we measure image quality objectively or subjectively? Let's delve into this topic with an emphasis on establishing robust and reliable metrics for image quality analysis. Objective Measurement of Image Quality Without Ground Truth Objective quality metrics quantify the difference between two images based on numerical methods. But, how do we assess image quality objectivel...