Computer graphics is evolving into something that could very well replace human actors in the near future.? The CG world has a huge group of people focused on achieveing photorealistic outcomes with their technology.? Anyone who has gone to the movies lately has seen the tremendous level of detail that can be created within a computer.? Alias corporation has a quiz online that you can try out and see if you can tell the difference between a CG object and a real photo of an object.? I took the quiz and scored 60%.? I must admit, I had to guess on several of the items.? Nothing was really clear or stood out and said “Hey, I’m fake.”

Obviously, it is far easier to create an inanimate object that achieves a realistic visual image in CG,? than an organic, living object.? This is because organic objects move, change color, and have almost an infinite diversity of textures.? Creating a human face that is challenging, but not impossible.? A very good job is done by Luiz Amaral and his team for TV Globo in Brazil.? They created a human character that is very photorealistic.? The character is female and does the job of a news anchor on television.? They actually ran the spot called Eva Byte for some time.? Although this is experimental, the implications of this are astounding.

Imagine a new film in 2010 starring John Wayne.? Sounds crazy?? Many people in the CG industry have talked about doing this.? It is more likely, you will see Charlie Chaplin in CG first, but there will definitely? be the ability to create this illusion for? most audiences in the very near future.? Many in the industry would even say it could be done now, given enough budget.? This is really bad news for the members of the screen actors guild.? Actors and actresses are not all million dollar earners.? The vast majority, make very low wages and work very hard.? However, it could feasibly be cost effective to implement technology and do away with many of these personnel.? This would be even more imperitive and desperate with actors and actresses being paid? tens of millions of dollars for a few months work.? This just has the tendancy to eat up the producers profits very rapidly.

Would an actor or actresses screen popularity make them immune to this situation?? Or, would they succumb to their own popularity?? How many more box office blunders will be made that lose money when an actor or actors are walking away with millions??? Why not just build a Steve McQueen CG character and make the film around him?? I don’t think anyone will be surprised to learn that, many of us would love to see a new film with John Wayne, Steve McQueen, or even a younger version of an existing actor.? When is it cost-effective to bring in CG and tell the actor goodbye?? When that “cost-effective day” comes, you can say goodbye to most of the actors and actresses.? If the movie going public accepts this,? and CG substitution ends up being a bargain to the producers, then movie stars will become as endangered as the eight track.

This has already happened, to a large percentage of the stunt people and the VFX coordinators.? Now, many of those effects are carried out on a computer screen.? This makes it more cost-effective to actually “do” the effects, and it makes the movies much more realistic and exciting.? I think the movie actors better practice their voice over work.? It may be all they have left soon.

In general, tigers tend to avoid each other rather than fight. When tigers do fight, they seldom fight to the death, but injuries may occur that later cause death. Both male and female tigers will fight other tigers if necessary to defend, expand, or acquire a territory. Male tigers may fight another male if both are attracted to the same breeding female. Male tigers may occasionally attack and kill young tiger cubs. Conversely, female tigers will attack male tigers and other predators to protect their young.

Tigers are essentially solitary animals, except for courting pairs and females with young. Tigers with adjoining ranges may have friendly relationships, but even individuals with overlapping ranges usually keep 2 to 5 km (1-3 mi.) apart. Though they hunt alone, tigers sometimes share their kills with other tigers. Female tigers regularly share kills with their young dependent cubs. Sibling tigers, when learning how to hunt independently in their mother’s range, occasionally share kills. Male and female tigers may share a kill during courtship.

Groups of two or more tigers, of various ages and sexes, may share a kill if food is plentiful. These aggregations are most often observed at manmade feeding stations where prey is regularly provided (to attract tigers). When young tiger cubs share a kill with each other and/or their mother, they often feed simultaneously. When adult tigers share a kill, usually only one tiger feeds at a time.

Tigers are essentially nocturnal. Most tigers are active and moving primarily at night (sunset to sunrise). Night activities include hunting (a tiger’s prey is also active at night), patrolling and marking home ranges, courting mates, and tending to young. These same activities may also occur during the day, but less frequently. If hunting is unsuccessful during the night, a hungry tiger will hunt during the day. Mother tigers will also hunt during the day to provide enough food for their cubs.

Tigers are least active from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Activity steadily decreases after sunrise, reaching its lowest point at mid-day. Movement gradually increases again until the hour before sunset, when the majority of tigers are active. Mid-morning to mid-afternoon is the hottest part of the day. To stay cool, tigers often rest in dense vegetation, or lie along, and in, streams and rivers. Most daily movements take place on land, but tigers are also good swimmers. Tigers can easily cross rivers 6 to 8 km (4-5 mi.) wide, and have been known to swim distances of up to 29 km (18 mi.).

The Anglican Bishop of Manchester, Nigel McCullough, wrote, “We will, unless there is a turn in the tide, be a church that gradually disappears from the land.” Those prophetic words are becoming a reality in Europe and especially England. There are in fact more practicing Muslim in England than Anglicans. And it’s getting worse for the Anglicans by the month.?

Christianity in Europe is no more the glue of society; but rather, Christianity has become the veneer and the varnish that’s quickly wearing off. Catholicism is no longer the biggest religion of Europe- Islam is. Callum Brown wrote in 2006, “It took several centuries to convert Britain to Christianity, but it has taken less than forty years for the country to forsake it.”

Don’t look now, but American Christianity is looking like those big red and or yellow stars that cave inward on themselves and explode. Amazingly the star gets brighter just before it becomes a black hole. Many say that the American mega-churches are an indication of that brightness principle before the implosion happens.

Why is this happening?

My answer is because of the incestuous nature of the church which has pulled WITHIN, told the world and all others that they’re going to hell if they don’t accept Jesus, fallen into bibliolatry, and staked out indefensible territory that makes one look like a heretic- while calling all those who don’t believe as they do- heretics!? Go figure!

There is GOOD NEWS though.

Christianity may be departing from Europe and the West; however, it is finding a home in the South and in the East where Jesus is seen as a mystic and the Bible is seen as more metaphorical. As Leonard Sweet wrote, “The language of Christianity today is Spanish; the color of Christianity is not white but brown. There are more Christian churches in India today than in the United States. The West is deconstructing, and Christianity is dying in the West.”

As I’ve said before, we need to “Go EAST, young man, go EAST” and that’s not a geographical statement but a metaphysical-philosophical one. The library of sixty six books, known as the Bible, is of Eastern, oriental origins, not occidental! We’ve rationalized that which can’t be, we’ve denied the contradictions which can’t be, and we’ve stumbled on the spiritual truths in hopes of maintaining our false beliefs.

It’s not working!

We must get back to LIVING the LOVE and being the LIGHT! No one is transformed by religious intellectualism, nor threats of eternal hell; but, by loving and compassionate GOOD NEWS. What do you want to hear? What do you want to be? Do you want to defend you prejudices and bias or do you want to die to your old self and let your new LIGHT SHINE??

As if flooding, famine and rising sea-levels weren’t threatening enough, it appears climate change is also set to claim another victim; beer.

The latest news from scientists suggests that climate change is starting to degrade the quality of beer and that “even with the modest warming so far experienced, [hop] yields have stagnated and quality declined”.

Could this be the motivational quote that finally inspires action on climate change?

New research from the Czech Hydrometerological Institute reveals that the quality of Saaz hops, the variety used in making famous Pilsner lager, is decreasing.

Climatologist Martin Mozny, along with his research team, analysed the relationship between crop yield, hop quality and weather patterns from 1954 to 2006 in an attempt to estimate the way in which the changing environment was affecting the quality of hops.

Their research found that the concentration of alpha acid, a compound found in Saaz hops and which gives Pilsner lagers their particular taste, had been falling each year. Based on future global warming predictions, Mozny and his colleagues found that the problem was set to get worse as they estimated the concentration would continue to fall.

Pilsner lager is not the only beer which risks joining the endangered species list. Francesco Tubiello, a crop specialist at the European Commission warns that the sustainability of beers looks like a global issue, with hop-growing regions in Central Slovakia and East Germany also under threat Their research found that the concentration of alpha acid, a compound found in Saaz hops and which gives Pilsner lagers their particular taste, had been falling each year. Based on future global warming predictions, Mozny and his colleagues found that the problem was set to get worse as they estimated the concentration would continue to fall.

Emerging cryopreservation techniques are increasing hope of restoring fertility for women after diseases such as ovarian cancer that lead to destruction of reproductive tissue. The same techniques can also be used to maintain stocks of farm animals, and protect against extinction of endangered animal species by maintaining banks of ovarian tissue or even nascent embryos that can used to produce offspring at some point in the future.

Until now these clearly related fields of research concerning preservation of animal and human ovarian tissue have been largely separate, but are now coming together to reinforce each other, following a highly successful workshop on cryopreservation of ovarian tissue, organised by the European Science Foundation (ESF). The human and animals cryopreservation fields have much to teach each other, and progress in both is likely to be accelerated as a result of growing collaboration, according to the ESF workshop’s convenor Claus Yding Andersen.

Both parties can learn from each other,” said Andersen. “Experiments which cannot be performed in women can be done in animal species,” he noted, pointing out that much of the progress in humans has come as a result of animal experiments. But it is in humans where most successful transplantations of frozen ovarian tissue after thawing have been carried out, and where greatest experience in the field has been gained. Therefore the ESF conference considered how this could be applied to conservation of endangered species. “The vast experience in women, with several children born as a result of transplantation of frozen/thawed ovarian tissue, can be applied in endangered species to know where to implant and how to obtain pregnancies,” said Andersen. The techniques will also be valuable in agriculture, for preserving ovaries of farm animals in tissue banks with the potential for subsequent re-creation.

The conference highlighted recent progress in human ovarian cryopreservation, which has led so far to 25 women worldwide having ovarian tissue transplanted. Of these 25, five have given birth to babies following the successful transplantation of the frozen/thawed ovarian tissue, including two in Belgium, one in Israel, and two in Denmark. “We are likely to see a lot more of this coming in the coming years, including development of techniques for fertility preservation using different approaches,” said Andersen. Most of these women had lost fertility following treatment for various forms of cancer. Currently more than a thousand women globally have had their tissue cryopreserved in an attempt to preserve fertility. This number is likely to increase in future as the transplantation technology becomes more mature and widely available.

The approach used most widely so far for cryopreservation involves slow freezing, whiching the individual oocytes (eggs). However a new approach based on vitrification may achieve e minimises the damage caused by forming ice crystals to the follicles, the reproductive units containven better results, with both methods discussed at the ESF conference. Vitrification involves the conversion of ovarian tissue into a glass-like form without the damaging ice crystals, and can be achieved by very rapid freezing, for example by dowsing in liquid nitrogen. This supercools the water in the tissue, achieving a semi-solid form without formation of the crystals that destroy individual cells.arch by unifying the human and animal sectors and applying common expertise and tools.” I beli The ESF workshop will help give Europe a healthy base to expand cryopreservation reseeve that we had a very good interaction between all participants and the workshop has already established new collaborations and interactions,” said Andersen.

T-shirts are great, as an article of clothing they not only are more comfortable than any other clothing but they also help you to look stylish and casual at the same time. There are many types of t-shirt available in the market to cater the taste of all age groups and people. From plain t-shirts to printed ones all explain the taste of the wearer. However they all mean to look stylish some of them also help to express your ideas and feelings. Accessible, comfortable, timeless, affordable, and iconic articles of clothing they reflect your individual choice and give you a unique and exquisite look.

T-shirts are durable, versatile garments with mass appeal. They come in many colors, fabrics, patterns, and styles, such as the standard crew neck and V-neck, as well as tank tops and scoop necks. They are also popular garments to display one’s interests, tastes, and affiliations using customized screen prints or heat transfers. With the advent of print on demand websites, not only can you find literally millions of designs to reflect your every mood and personality trait, it is also possible to design your very own individual garment, that can say anything you want it to, or within certain boundaries any image.

However with the power of beautifully designed printed t-shirts you are able to express any emotion but it is great if you use this power for a meaningful cause. There are many issues facing our planet, including climate change, rising populations, and decreasing biodiversity (decreasing the number of species through introductions or extinctions).

Biodiversity is the diversity of life on earth, on which we depend for our survival. There is a need to protect endangered species and plants to maintain this diversity for a better future. For which the involvement of every individual is essential. You can also support nature protection by purchasing an endangered species t-shirt. They are great shirts for a great future.

People are proud to wear something that attracts attention to them and nicely designed endangered species shirts will do that. They will help to show your commitment and enthusiasm to protect the planet in a more meaningful way. These shirts are available in many prints and fabrics. You can choose organic cotton, hemp or bamboo tees for more environmental causes. Bamboo is incredibly soft fiber. It is featured with high tenacity and stability, strong durability and good spinnability. Bamboo clothing is also anti static, so it sits very well next to your skin, not clinging to it. Its extraordinary natural breathability keeps you comfortable and dry for longer.

As bamboo is an environmental friendly textile raw material, which can be completely biodegraded in soil, it causes no harm to the environment and animals. Bamboo clothing is a good choice if you want to protect your planet in a more efficient way. Looking good and dressing nicely is one thing that everyone wants but with the choice of proper clothing which also reflects your inner personality you can achieve more inner satisfaction beyond the limits. Womens bamboo t-shirts are more comfortable than any other clothing. Women feel comfort, freedom of movement, lasting recovery and a great fit in bamboo t-shirts.

Purchasing inspirational t-shirts is little more than just buying any t-shirt and wearing these shirts is a very good way to get your message across many people. Protecting endangered animals is not just critical for their own survival, but often for the survival of many other species as well. To return the World to a state of balance, we must as a species, learn to share with each other and with other creatures. So, let’s buy a right tee to share this planet in a more responsible way.

The Irrawaddy dolphin is a not quite a River dolphin as its normal habitat lies near the coast and delta areas, it is found in river such as the Ganges, the Mekong and the Ayeyarwady River (Irrawaddy River) from where it gets its name. The Irrawaddy Dolphin has a lifespan of about 30 years and can reach about 130kg in weight and about 2.5m in length. It has a rounded head and a flat nose and is classified as a critically endangered species with only about 100 left in total. There are a few clusters of dolphins around the Laos / Cambodian border on the Lower Mekong, which can be seen by taking a kayaking tour.
Xplore-Asia runs a one day kayaking tour through the wetlands of Si Pan Don in Laos, around the Mekong Fault Line. It is possible to spot a few dolphins whilst on the trip as they reside just below the waterfalls on the Cambodian side of the river. The trip starts from Don Det or Don Khone and you kayak to the old French railway bridge, before leaving your kayaks and walking to see Liphi waterfall.
The waterfalls in this region are all part of the Mekong Fault line and are were formed due to the different types of rock beds that exist. The upper basin is made of harder limestone where as the lower basin is a softer sandstone formation. This results in erosion of the basin downstream, creating some magnificent waterfalls to see. Some are small rapids but others are extremely powerful, with Khon Pha Peng waterfall being the largest and is sometimes referred to as the Niagara of South East Asia. The waterfalls span the entire width of the Mekong which in the rainy season could be as much as 13km wide.
After visiting the Liphi waterfall walk a little further downstream to where the put in is and start kayaking in the calmer water towards the Cambodian border. To see the dolphins you actually cross onto the Cambodian side of the river. The Cambodian immigration has even set up a nice dolphin spotting area where you can buy drinks and sit in the shade. They do however charge a dollar for the privilege of dolphin spotting on their side of the border, but no visa is necessary.
Whilst sitting in Cambodia lunch is arranged and you can take a short break to relax and take in this mighty river. The dolphins don?t seem to mind the kayak?s and swim about normally. There are about 10 dolphins left in this area and a few more further down stream in Kratie (Cambodia). The best time to see them is in the morning or afternoon due to the heat and they seem to surface more in cooler temperatures.
After lunch continue kayaking back across the river to the Laos side and from there it is another 4km further to the Laos village of Veun Kham; a border town. Whilst kayaking you will see the Laos Island of Don Khone the southern tip of this Island is known as Han Khone. At Han Khone the French built a ferry terminal to receive goods carried past the waterfall by train, they also built a ferry dock on Don Det and the idea was that the boats would dock above the waterfall and the goods would be transported below the waterfall by train where another ferry would pick them up. This way the French could have a river route all the way to China, the idea was good in theory but didn?t work for very long.
On arrival in Veun Kham, transportation will be waiting to tack you back to Mekong’s largest waterfall, Khon Pha Pheng, after seeing this waterfall travel by car and then a short boat trip back to the Islands or on request you can continue into Cambodia.

More information on travel and tours can be found at http://www.xplore-asia.com

DODOES have become a symbol of extinction. The last of these flightless birds died about 1680 on the island of Mauritius. Many of the species presently at risk live on islands too. In the last 400 years, 85 out of 94 species of birds known to have disappeared have been island birds.

Animals on vast continents are also in danger of extinction. Consider the tigers that once roamed throughout Russia. Now only the Amur subspecies remains in Siberia, and its numbers have dwindled to a mere 180 to 200. The tigers of southern China reportedly number only 30 to 80. In Indochina these animals face extinction ?within ten years,? reports The Times of London. Likewise, in India, home to some two thirds of the world?s tigers, authorities estimate that these majestic creatures could be extinct in a decade.

Rhinoceroses and cheetahs are on the decline. Only about a thousand giant pandas are now found in the wild. Pine marten are nearly extinct in Wales, and red squirrels ?may disappear from mainland England and Wales in the next ten to 20 years,? claims The Times. Across the Atlantic in the United States, bats are the most endangered land mammal.

The outlook in the world?s oceans is no less bleak. The Atlas of Endangered Species labels marine turtles as ?perhaps the most endangered group? of sea creatures. Amphibians appear to fare better; however, according to New Scientist magazine, 89 species of amphibians have come to be ?at risk of extinction? in the last 25 years. Some 11 percent of the world?s bird species face extinction too.

But what of smaller creatures, such as butterflies? The picture is similar. Over a quarter of Europe?s 400 butterfly species are in danger 19 being threatened by imminent extinction. Britain?s large tortoiseshell butterfly joined the dodo on the list of extinct species in 1993.

Growing Concern

How many species of creatures become extinct every year? The answer depends on which expert you ask. Though scientists disagree, all accept the fact that many species are in danger of becoming extinct. Ecologist Stuart Pimm observes: ?The controversy about how fast we are losing [species] is fundamentally a debate about our future.? He adds: ?Over the past centuries, we have accelerated the rate of extinction of species far beyond the natural rate. Our future is poorer as a consequence.?

Our planet, Earth, is like a house. Some people who care about endangered species study ecology, a term coined in the latter part of the 19th century from the Greek word oi’kos, ?a house.? This field of interest focuses on relationships between living things and their environment. The 19th century saw a growing interest in conservation, heightened no doubt by reports of extinctions. In the United States, this led to the establishment of national parks and protected areas that offer creatures sanctuary. Presently, there are an estimated 8,000 internationally recognized wildlife protection areas worldwide. Together with a further 40,000 sites that help maintain habitat, they constitute nearly 10?percent of the world?s land area.

Many concerned people now espouse so-called green causes, either through movements that publicize the threats of extinction or those that simply educate people about the interdependency of life. And since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, a greater awareness of environmental issues generally characterizes government thinking.

The problem of endangered species is global and growing. But why? Are any attempts to prevent the extinction of species currently successful? And what of the future? How are you involved? Our next articles offer answers.