Wikipedia Article-of-the-Day

[saxitoxin]

Here you can post a short excerpt and link to a Wikipedia article you saw today and found interesting. No more than two articles per person, per week.

[Dukasaur]

Here's one I found interesting. Before today, I never knew that one of my favourite songs was a heavily-bowdlerized version of the original.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasons_in_the_Sun

The original French-language song is a sardonic ballad, in which the speaker gives backhanded farewells to his adulterous wife and her lover and the priest he disagreed with while sarcastically expressing his wish that there should be singing and dancing when he is buried.

Although prior English language versions had attempted to retain the sarcastic tone of the original French song, Jacks opted to make it more sentimental. In each verse, the protagonist bids farewell to someone important in his life:

• The first verse refers to "a trusted friend" that he had known since he was "9 or 10". The original specifically names the friend as "Émile", which Jacks's versions does not.
  
• The second verse refers to the protagonist's father (who unsuccessfully tried to warn him of his lifestyle); this verse differed from the original as it was sung in a manner which downplayed the original's bitter tone of regret.
  
• The third verse refers to "Michelle, my little one" (implied to be his daughter, who will now grow up without her father). This verse completely replaced the third and fourth verses referring to infidelity in the French original.

[saxitoxin]

Anibal Escalante (1909 – 11 August 1977)[1] was a Cuban communist and political organizer. An early leader within the Popular Socialist Party (PSP), he briefly held national office in Cuba following the Cuban revolution but was purged due, in part, to his "old-line" Marxist orthodoxy. He was later imprisoned over allegations he was plotting with the Soviet Union to orchestrate the overthrow of the Fidel Castro-led Cuban government.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anibal_Escalante

[Metsfanmax]

The Khufu ship is one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved vessels from antiquity. It measures 43.6 m (143 ft) long and 5.9 m (19.5 ft) wide.

It was thus identified as the worlds oldest intact ship and has been described as "a masterpiece of woodcraft" that could sail today if put into water, lake and river.[1] However, the vessel may not have been designed for sailing (no rigging) or paddling (no room).

...

The history and function of the ship are not precisely known. It is of the type known as a "solar barge", a ritual vessel to carry the resurrected king with the sun god Ra across the heavens. However, it bears some signs of having been used in water, and it is possible that the ship was either a funerary "barge" used to carry the king's embalmed body from Memphis to Giza, or even that Khufu himself used it as a "pilgrimage ship" to visit holy places and that it was then buried for him to use in the afterlife.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khufu_ship

[saxitoxin]

Walter Howard Loving (December 17, 1872 – 1945) was an African American soldier and musician most noted for his leadership of the Philippine Constabulary Band. The son of a former slave, Loving led the band during the 1909 U.S. presidential inaugural parade, where it formed the official musical escort to President of the United States William Howard Taft, the first time a band other than the U.S. Marine Band had been assigned that duty. He is also believed to have been the first African American to conduct a musical performance in the White House.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Loving

QUOTA REACHED - SAXI OUT

[TA1LGUNN3R]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naked_mole-rat

The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber), also known as the sand puppy[2] or desert mole rat, is a burrowing blesmol native to parts of East Africa and is the only species currently classified in the genus Heterocephalus.[3] The naked mole-rat and the Damaraland mole-rat are the only known eusocial mammals.[4] It has a highly unusual set of physical traits that enable it to thrive in an otherwise harsh underground environment; it is the only mammalian thermoconformer.[5] (A thermoconforming organism adopts the surrounding temperature as its own body temperature, thus avoiding the need for internal thermoregulation).

The mole rat also lacks pain sensitivity in its skin, and has very low metabolic and respiratory rates. It is also remarkable for its resistance to cancer and its longevity. While traditionally considered to belong to the same family as other African mole-rats, the Bathyergidae, more recent investigation suggests that the naked mole-rat is sufficiently divergent to be placed in a new, separate family, Heterocephalidae.[6]

Resistance to cancer Edit
Naked mole-rats appear to have a high resistance to tumours; there are no known cases of cancer-infected naked mole rats.[12] A potential mechanism that averts cancer is an "over-crowding" gene, p16, which prevents cell division once individual cells come into contact (known as "contact inhibition"). The cells of most mammals, including naked mole-rats, undergo contact inhibition via the gene p27 which prevents cellular reproduction at a much higher cell density than p16 does. The combination of p16 and p27 in naked mole-rat cells is a double barrier to uncontrolled cell proliferation, one of the hallmarks of cancer.[13]

On June 19, 2013, scientists reported that the reason naked mole-rats do not get cancer may be because they produce an "extremely high-molecular-mass hyaluronan" (HMW-HA) (a natural sugary substance), which is over "five times larger" than that in cancer-prone humans and cancer-susceptible laboratory animals.[14][15][16] The breakthrough scientific report was published a month later as the cover story of the journal Nature.[17] A few months later, the same University of Rochester research team announced that naked mole-rats have ribosomes that produce extremely error-free proteins.[18] Because of both of these discoveries, the journal Science named the naked mole-rat "Vertebrate of the Year" for 2013.[19]

Blind mole-rats Spalax golani and Spalax judaei also appear to be immune to cancer but by a different mechanism.[20]

Longevity Edit
The naked mole-rat is also of interest because it is extraordinarily long-lived for a rodent of its size (up to 31 years[21]) and holds the record for the longest living rodent.[22] Naked mole-rats are highly resistant to cancer[12] and maintain healthy vascular function longer in their lifespan than shorter-living rats.[23] The reason for their longevity is debated, but is thought to be related to their ability to substantially reduce their metabolism during hard times, and so prevent aging-induced damage from oxidative stress. This has been referred to as "living their life in pulses".[24] Their longevity has also been attributed to “protein stability.”[25] Because of their extraordinary longevity, an international effort was put into place to sequence the genome of the naked mole-rat.[26] A draft genome was made available in 2011[27][28][29] with an improved version released in 2014.[30] Further transcriptome sequencing revealed genes related to mitochondria and oxidation reduction processes to have high expression levels in the naked mole-rat when compared to mice, which may contribute to their longevity.[31]

No cancer and about 10x the lifespan of other rats.

-TG

[warmonger1981]

Americas first third party.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Masonic_Party

The Anti-Masonic Party (also known as the Anti-Masonic Movement) was the first "third party" in the United States.[1] It strongly opposed Freemasonry as a single-issue party, and later aspired to become a major party by expanding its platform and positions on other issues. After the negative views of Freemasonry among a large segment of the public began to wane in the late 1830s, most members of the Anti-Masonic Party joined the Whigs, the party most in line with its views on other issues. Although lasting only a decade, the Anti-Masonic Party introduced important innovations to American politics, such as nominating conventions and the adoption of party platforms.

Opposition to Masonry was taken up by some churches as a religious crusade, particularly in what became known as the Burned-over district.[23] Many churches passed resolutions condemning ministers and lay leaders who were Masons, and several denominations condemned Freemasonry, including the Presbyterian, Congregational, Methodist, and Baptist churches, as well as several others.[24]

Anti-Masonry also became a political issue in Western New York, where in early in 1827 many mass meetings resolved to support no Mason for public office.[25]

In New York at this time the supporters of President John Quincy Adams, called Adams men, or Anti-Jacksonians, or National Republicans, were a feeble organization. Shrewd Adams supporters determined to use the strong anti-Masonic feeling to create a new party in opposition to the rising Jacksonian Democracy nationally, and the Albany Regency political organization of Martin Van Buren in New York.[26] In this effort they were aided by the fact that Andrew Jackson was a high-ranking Mason and frequently spoke in praise of the organization.[27] The alleged remark of political organizer Thurlow Weed (which Weed denied), that an unidentified corpse found in the Niagara River was "a good enough Morgan" until after the 1828 elections, summarized the value of the Morgan disappearance for the opponents of Jackson.[28]

In the elections of 1828 the new party proved unexpectedly strong. Though its candidate for Governor of New York, Solomon Southwick was defeated, the Anti-Masonic Party became the main opposition party in New York.[29] In 1829 it broadened its issues base when it became a champion of internal improvements and the protective tariff.[30]

Anti-Masonic Party members expanded the use of party-affiliated newspapers for political organizing by publishing over 100, including Southwick's National Observer, and Weed's Anti-Masonic Enquirer. By 1829 Weed's Albany Journal had become the preeminent Anti-Masonic paper, and it later became the leading Whig newspaper.[31][32][33] The newspapers of the time reveled in partisanship. One brief Albany Journal paragraph in an article opposing Martin Van Buren included the words "dangerous," "demagogue," "corrupt," "degrade," "pervert," "prostitute," "debauch" and "cursed."[34]

[Metsfanmax]

Good thread, saxi.

No cancer and about 10x the lifespan of other rats.

-TG

Can we use things we learn about the naked mole-rat to help prevent/treat cancer in humans?

[notyou2]

Later in his life, Gödel suffered periods of mental instability and illness. He had an obsessive fear of being poisoned; he would eat only food that his wife, Adele, prepared for him. Late in 1977, she was hospitalized for six months and could no longer prepare her husband's food. In her absence, he refused to eat, eventually starving to death.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_G%C3%B6del

[TA1LGUNN3R]

Good thread, saxi.

No cancer and about 10x the lifespan of other rats.

-TG

Can we use things we learn about the naked mole-rat to help prevent/treat cancer in humans?

There's some research into it, yeah. I know there was a project at my university that was looking into it, especially the high-density hyaluronic acid they posess.

-TG

[Georgije]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Prokudin-Gorsky


The guy was travelling around the Russian Empire in about 1910 and took hundreds of color photos of it.

[saxitoxin]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Prokudin-Gorsky

Click image to enlarge.

The guy was travelling around the Russian Empire in about 1910 and took hundreds of color photos of it.

best one so far

[/]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunamitism

Shunamitism is the practice of an old man sleeping with, but not necessarily having sex with, a young virgin to preserve his youth. The rationale was that the heat and moisture of the young woman would transfer to the old man and revitalize him.[1]

[notyou2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunamitism

Shunamitism is the practice of an old man sleeping with, but not necessarily having sex with, a young virgin to preserve his youth. The rationale was that the heat and moisture of the young woman would transfer to the old man and revitalize him.[1]

Oh.

Apparently I've been doing it wrong.










my bad.

[Army of GOD]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunamitism

Shunamitism is the practice of an old man sleeping with, but not necessarily having sex with, a young virgin to preserve his youth. The rationale was that the heat and moisture of the young woman would transfer to the old man and revitalize him.[1]

Oh.

Apparently I've been doing it wrong.










my bad.

Yep


No way mrswdk is a virgn

[saxitoxin]

best one so far

admit it, you played marry, f*ck, kill

IRL

[notyou2]

Until 1986 he worked for military intelligence.

He died of a gunshot wound under unclear circumstances

It was ruled a suicide by local police.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Kangas

[saxitoxin]

My first article this week is dedicated to Dukasaur ....

Down Among the Dead Men (song)

"Down Among the Dead Men" is an English drinking song first published in 1728, but possibly of greater antiquity.

The song begins with a toast to "the King" and continues with obeisances to the god Bacchus which become increasingly less subtle descriptions of the benefits of alcohol in procuring opportunities for sexual intercourse.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_Amon ... %28song%29

[saxitoxin]

My second article this week is dedicated to warmonger ....

United States Capitol cornerstone laying

At 10:00 a.m. on September 18, President of the United States George Washington and his entourage crossed the Potomac River to arrive in the city of Washington, which had been named for him two years earlier. There, they were joined by an escort consisting of the Alexandria Volunteer Artillery, and members of Masonic lodges from Virginia and Maryland, and proceeded to the construction grounds approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away. At the site of the Capitol, Washington was received by Joseph Clark, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maryland. A silver plaque, fashioned by Georgetown silver smith Caleb Bentley, was handed to Washington, who stepped into the foundation trench and placed the plaque, whereupon the cornerstone was lowered. The plaque was inscribed with a brief tribute to the "military valor and prudence" of Washington, and dedicated the building in the "first year, of the second term, of the presidency of George Washington ... and in the year of Masonry 5,793."

Washington, accompanied by three Worshipful Masters carrying sacrifices of corn, wine, and oil, then struck the stone three times with a gavel, as prescribed by Masonic custom. Washington exited the trench to ritual chanting by the assembled Masons and a 15-gun salute (one gun for each U.S. state) from the Alexandria Volunteer Artillery. Clark then delivered a short invocation, after which a 500 pounds (230 kg) ox was slaughtered.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_St ... one_laying

[riskllama]

slaughtered, and roasted. jackass.

[Phatscotty]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Prokudin-Gorsky


The guy was travelling around the Russian Empire in about 1910 and took hundreds of color photos of it.

best one so far

If it weren't for America inventing asking the photographee to say CHEESE! this is how Neitze's sig would look

expanded upon from the flat earth/niel Degraase Tyson thread

Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE (28 April 1948 – 12 March 2015) was an English author of fantasy novels, especially comical works.[2] He is best known for his Discworld series of 41 novels. Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971; after the first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, he wrote two books a year on average. His 2011 Discworld novel Snuff was at the time of its release the third-fastest-selling hardback adult-readership novel since records began in the UK, selling 55,000 copies in the first three days.[3] His final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.

Pratchett, with more than 85 million books sold worldwide in 37 languages,[4][5] was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s.[6][7] He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours.[8][9] In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children.[10][11] He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.

In December 2007, Pratchett announced that he was suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's disease.[12] He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust[13] (now Alzheimer's Research UK), filmed a television programme chronicling his experiences with the disease for the BBC, and also became a patron for Alzheimer's Research UK.[14] Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, aged 66.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Pratchett

[notyou2]

Fromen.

[saxitoxin]

Elizabeth Jaffray

Elizabeth Jaffray was an American employed as a servant at the White House in the early 20th century.

Jaffray was retained as White House head housekeeper in 1909, a position then equivalent to that of a majordomo. Recruited from an "exclusive New York employment bureau", she became the first female chief servant in White House history. One of Jaffray's first, and most controversial, moves was to order the segregation of dining among White House staff. Prior to Jaffray, caucasian and African-American butlers and valets would dine together, while lower-ranked servants such as maids and footmen would dine separately, though also at a racially integrated table. Jaffrey ordered that the two dining tables be arranged by race, instead of rank. When servants rebelled against the move she threatened mass firings, gaining their ultimate obedience. During her time at the White House she came to be regarded by employees as "a real terror".

According to Major Archibald Butt, the aide de camp to President William Howard Taft, Jaffray claimed to have "seen and felt" the ghost of a child she believed was William Wallace Lincoln on several occasions in 1912, around the fiftieth anniversary of his death. The same year she would scold the corpulent Taft over his eating habits, prompting him to promise to go on a diet.

Jaffray used horses as a means of transport longer than anyone else at the White House, continuing to be chauffeured in a brougham for her daily shopping excursions into the mid 1920s.

Jaffray remained at the White House for 17 years and left in 1926 during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge. Jaffray had reportedly become disgusted by Coolidge's austere spending on White House entertaining; Coolidge, in turn, referred to Jaffray by the nickname "queenie". Grace Coolidge expressed relief at Jaffray's departure, musing that "she has come to consider herself the permanent resident and the President and his family transients". Following her departure Jaffray wrote Secrets of the White House. Published by Cosmopolitan, the book was a tell-all about her time at the executive mansion.[

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Jaffray

[TA1LGUNN3R]

I think that's been your worst one so far. Who gives a shit about an old serving marm? BORING.

-TG