Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2007 January 5

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[edit] January 5

[edit] Soft Aerogel

Can Aerogel be made from a soft rather than a ridgid material? Barringa 00:00, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

The qualification of Aerogel having friability implies that it would have to be based on a rigid material, although in the world of science I am sure there are many strange exceptions. V-Man737 23:58, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] using Wikipedia to advertise a business

what are the rules for a store like ShopRite being mentioned in an article for example in the Perth Amboy NJ article --Javierbaires1 02:34, 5 January 2007 (UTC)Javierbaires1

The mention in Perth Amboy, New Jersey looks fairly gratuitous / unnecessary / superfluous to me. --Tagishsimon (talk)

I agree. Removed. SWAdair | Talk 04:54, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Coca Cola arsenic

Hi all!

I read somewhere that a few years ago a law was passed in USA that prohibited excessive amounts of arsenic, lead, uranium and others in food. As the story goes, Coca Cola was forced to change its formula. Is this true? Is it probable? Is it posible?

Thanks all! --Thor Waldsen 03:32, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Doubtful, improbable but possible. I think arsenic & lead are more likely to be things found in drinks because they were in the water, rather than in the formula. Snopes has nothing on this in its cokelore section, fwiw. --Tagishsimon (talk)

I seem to recall there was discussion a few years ago in the US of changing the maximum allowed level of arsenic in ground water, which would also end up in anything made from that water, like Coca Cola. I don't remember the outcome of those discussions, however. StuRat 03:53, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

In 2002, the EPA lowered the maximum acceptable level of As from 50μg/L (or parts per billion, if you prefer) to 10μg/L, effective mid-2006. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 16:35, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

There is poison (cyanide it think) in apples, so there could be poisons in other things. Apparently some vegetables in america are sprayed with carcinogenic chemicals to make them taste better.Hidden secret 7 21:27, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Not to make them taste better, but to prevent insects, bacteria, fungi, etc. from attacking them. StuRat 15:03, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

They say the mafia had to bribe people so they could use these chemicals.172.200.70.64 20:43, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

They say a lot of things... V-Man737 20:44, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Why "Wikipedia"?

How did Wikipedia get its name? It sounds vaguely Australian. I've been sent in circles trying to find an answer to this seemingly simple question.207.69.139.6 04:00, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

"Wiki-wiki" is Hawaiian for "quick", and "pedia" is from "encyclopedia". Although, judging from the number of Brits here, perhaps it should be Wikipǣdia. StuRat 04:04, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Luxury commodities by country

I'm putting together a piece on luxury commodities, and in associating certain luxury goods with certain countries, Persian rugs from Iran come quickly to mind, while maybe Swarovski crystal from Austria not so quickly, and Laguiole knives from France even less so. Can someone help me out with some other suggestions, preferably along the line of the knives, i.e. not as well-known or obvious as the rugs? I'd appreciate any help. Wolfgangus 04:42, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Luxury good and Category:Luxury brands may be a good starting point. SWAdair | Talk 05:18, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Anyone who is anybody simply must have a Sub-Zero Refrigerator from the US and several Ming dynasty vases from China. StuRat 05:17, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Single malt whiskey and tweed from Scotland(hotclaws**== 19:48, 6 January 2007 (UTC)) ~~

[edit] scientists

I am a third grade teacher with students from diverse backgrounds in my class. I am looking for American scientists that I can hold up as inspiration. I am looking for both male and female from these backgrounds in particular: black, hispanic, Asian Indian, Somali, and European. My problem is that I can't figure out the background of the scientists. Pictures/photos are a must-have.

Thanks for your help. Suzanne

Try this for black Americans scientists (I don't know if any are of Somali origin): [1]. StuRat 04:54, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

If you allow social scientists then Abdi Kusow is a Somali with a picture here. JMiall 18:25, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Another Somali scientist and some Somali doctors. JMiall 18:38, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Unfortunately, I don't see any Americans scientists which appear to be from India here: [2]. StuRat 04:59, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Most of the American scientists listed here, both male and female, are of European ancestry: [3]. StuRat 05:00, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Just guessing from their names, I would say these two might have ancestry from India: Ramesh Jain, ~~Geerat J. Vermeij~~ and this one might be Hispanic: Robert Remez. StuRat 05:11, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Vermeij is Dutch-born.[4][5][6] He can be held up as inspiration as an American scientist with a European background. --Lambiam ^Talk 13:03, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

OK, thanks, I've struck out his name from my list. StuRat 05:35, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

Among Indian scientists who became American citizens, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, E. C. George Sudarshan and Hargobind Khorana are probably the most famous. Tintin (talk) 06:25, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

There is a list of Indian-Americans at Category:Indian Americans. I can't say if any of them are scientists without actually reading the articles. But if you include engineers, there are some big some big names there. Tintin (talk) 06:34, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

The following names occur both in Category:Indian Americans and subcategories thereof, and in Category:Indian scientists with subcategories: Category:Indian Americans: Aravind Joshi, Arvind Rajaraman, C. Kumar N. Patel, Gaurav Raja, George Sudarshan, Har Gobind Khorana, Harish-Chandra, K. G. Karthikeyan, Kannan Soundararajan, Madhu Sudan, Manjul Bhargava, Narendra Karmarkar, Sarvadaman Chowla, Sharmila Bhattacharya (scientist), Shreeram Shankar Abhyankar, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Thomas Anantharaman, Thomas Kailath, Vinod Dham. --Lambiam ^Talk 13:27, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Well it's not exactly what you ordered, but astronauts have science degrees. Anchoress 05:19, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Geerat J Vermeij looks rather Dutch to me. JackofOz 05:40, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

As alluded to by Anchoress, here's somebody that holds a BS in Physical Science, is of Indian descent, and since she's currently in orbit as part of the ISS crew, your students can't help but to "look up" to her. ;-) --Maelwys 14:15, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

I'd have thought Einstein would be good for a European-American scientist; he was born in Germany, but moved around Europe, settling in the US (although he actually held dual US and Swiss citizenship, making him literally European-American!), and everyone knows who he is. Laïka 16:52, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

If you really wish to inspire them, you could go for Sanjay Nigam. An Indian born American who is both a distinguished scientist and an accomplished writer of fiction. [7]. Talk about overachieving. As for Hispanic/European Americans, you could try Nobel prize winners: Severo Ochoa (images) or Luis Walter Alvarez (images), or Latino/Hispanic American Mario Molina (images). Rockpocket 20:48, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Family History

I'm having a hard time looking up my Family History on my Mother's side, her madan name was Herzog. Her Dads name was Raymond Benjamin Herzog (1908-1966), his Dads name was Benedict Nicholas Herzog and Mothers madan name was Gertrude Richter. If anybody can help me, I would be very thankful to the people who helps me.

Signed GLRasmussen(Herzog)

The names appear to be German. Could you tell us some more about them, like in which country and town they were born, etc? (1908-1966 sounds quite recent, surely there must be sources...) 惑乱分からん 12:38, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Without country info, no telling if this is the person, but Ancestry.com shows: Polk's Albany City Directory, 1957 City Information , p176. Polk's Albany (Albany County, N.Y.) City Directory 1957 Including Rensselaer. Boston MA: R. L. Polk & Co., 1957: "Herzog, Nicholas and Leahy, 11 N. Pearl rm 906." But Herzog is a fairly common name. Edison 16:07, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

You might try Rootsweb.com as well. ++Lar: t/c 21:40, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

"Herzog" is German for "duke", Richter is German for "judge", so both names are quite common.

--62.143.9.33 16:14, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Identification number

i want to find out my natiive american identification number, im from the pueblo of acoma tribe and i know that there is some sort of government assistants out there. I also cannot find out what the officical term for those numbers. pleases help me i would greatly appericate it thank you!—Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.247.23.67 (talk • contribs)

If you are in the USA, you probably want to read Social Security number. --Shantavira 13:15, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

I think it would be the Bureau of Indian Affairs Card Number, Tribal Treaty Card Number, or Tribal Enrollment Number, where the last is the most commonly used identification number. Have you been enrolled, or are you trying to find out how to get enrolled? In the latter case, follow this link. Otherwise, try contacting your tribal representatives. I have found the following contact information:

Jason Johnson, Governor

Pueblo of Acoma

P.O. Box 309, Acoma, NM 87034

Phone No: (505) 552-6604

Fax No: (505) 552-7204

Melissa Gordon, TEWA Social Worker

P.O. Box 309, Acoma, NM 87034

Phone: (505) 552–5151; (505) 552–7522.

These may be out of date but should give you a starting point. --Lambiam ^Talk 16:13, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Libyan Dinars Banknotes

To whom it may concern:

I have old Libyan Dinars Banknotes, around 5 years, and I would like to know if they are still in use.

Thanks—Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.204.114.143 (talk • contribs)

According to Libyan dinar, they should be fine. Just take them along to a bureau de change.--Shantavira 13:05, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Internet VS Travel agents

Can you please find out how many people use internet to book a vacation as opposed to using a travel agent?

thank you =)—Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.151.119.66 (talk • contribs)

No, I am sorry, I don't think the Wikipedia Reference Desk volunteers can answer your question. For a start, we would need to know which country or region you are interested in - the answer is going to very different depending on which part of the world you are looking at. Even then, I think it would be very difficult to find any useful and reliable statistics on this. Gandalf61 14:09, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] What percentage of media has political bias

What percentage of media is shown to be controlled by one political party or another per your WP:RS rules? TruthInMedia 14:29, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

I think 100% of media is biased, politically or otherwise. Some is biased toward 'fluffiness', i.e. conscientiouly shying away from political commentary. So to answer your question, the answer will vary with the person you ask, and I don't know, and I don't think anyone does. Vranak

But that wasn't the question, though it was the title. What percentage is controlled by one political party or another? Very few. Now, if you mean biased toward the views of one political party or another, that's a different question entirely. --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 16:40, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

It is usually simple to say the 'red top' newspapers (those with a red badge) have traditionally supported Labour governments and the broadsheets have broadly been in favour of Conservative governments. This obviously isn't a rule as The Guardian is a left-leaning newspaper with columnists that show outright disgust for previous Tory parties and The Sun has supported a variety of political parties over the course of many elections. Percentage wise it would be difficult to say. I don't know about 'controlled', but MPs have to declare their income and certain rules exist about what they can and cannot do. I think Hansard (should be a site link in there) will explain in more detail. ny156uk 17:13, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

The response is very British-centric. Otherwise, the question would need thorough research, and would probably be difficult to answer sufficiently. 惑乱分からん 17:58, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

In any case, the original question was in relation to the Wikipedia:Reliable sources guideline — there are almost no publications which are direct organs of political parties; those which are usually have to state that they are official publications. As for questions of leanings, there are probably no exact numbers, and as for whether a given source would violate its use as anything but a primary source per WP:RS, it is probably best decided on a case-by-case basis. --24.147.86.187 23:14, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

All media has some kind of bias becuase it was written by a human, by human nature everything we do , say and think is biased in some way. One of the biggest controlling factors is the person or company at the top of the media organisation in question. E.G. The Sun news paper is now owned by Ruper Murdoch's Newscorp and thus has become a Labour paper when previously it was staunchly right wing. I think you name is rather wishful thinking Truth In Media - dream on.AMX 19:57, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Copyrighted Images

Hi there,

I want to ask you a question. Is it okay if I upload images copied from other websites, such as town logos, as long as I include the copyright tag, stating it is a logo, and provide the website's name?

--Smcafirst or Nick • Sign Here • Chit-Chat • Contribs at 15:56, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

I don't believe it is. From Special:Upload: "Most images on the internet are copyrighted under terms intended to prevent them from being freely used on other sites, making it inappropriate and/or illegal to upload them to Wikipedia." BTW, this question would have been better asked at the help desk. --Richardrj ^talk ^email 16:01, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

No, it could be fine. In that case it would be used under the copyright exemption of fair use, which is the only way we could have any sort of logos here (see Wikipedia:Logos). There are specific criteria that must be followed for all fair use images here, though. -- Consumed Crustacean (talk) 21:23, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] MBA Ranking in the UK

Does anyone know where I can find a trustworthy ranking of MBAs in the UK? For instance, there's the US News & World Report which lists all schools in the US. I was wondering if there's something similar for the UK (again, something reliable)? Thanks, V

There are a few well respected University guides in the UK - most notatably published by The Times and The Guardian - though most tend to focus on undergraduate courses. This site links to the relevent information. Rockpocket 20:25, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

On further review, it would appear the Financial Times Global MBA guide might be better, as it compares the actual programmes rather than the University. This seems to rank specialist business schools higher than traditional Universities in the UK. Rockpocket 20:30, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Many thanks, Rockpock!http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Miscellaneous&action=edit&section=91 V

Be aware that these kinds of rankings aren't the be-all and end-all. What is important to you, and what is important to the rankers, may be quite different things. --Robert Merkel 02:17, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] berklee boston

is it a good school? My friend is going and he both plays acoustic and electric. any crime trouble on campus?

--Backgroundmusic 18:08, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

The Berklee College of Music doesn't actually have a campus, per se. But it's located in a well-traveled commercial area of Boston which I think of as pretty average for Boston, being neither especially crime-plagued nor exceptionally quiet and safe.

Atlant 18:41, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

I have a similar problem. Apparently Portsmouth, where I want to go to university, is very bad for crime. Is it? (Portsmouth in England)Hidden secret 7 21:30, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

You can usually look up crime statistics online, though I don't know about England. As for Berklee, it is definitely a good school for music, one of the best. --24.147.86.187 23:09, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

As Frank Zappa wrote [8]:

“

You have made it, you are cool

You have been to the Berklee School

”

Skarioffszky 11:24, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

Portsmouth is not bad at all as the UK goes, which is to say, better than most countries. Proto::► 13:59, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] nude photographer

what is the name of the nude photographer who tells people in montreal to get naked and lie down on the streets?

Sounds like Spencer Tunick. ~~Though I don't have a direct source linking him to Montreal, he has done similar in countless other cities~~. I lie, the article states he did it in Montreal also. Rockpocket 20:15, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Help needed with corporate grant application

I am in the process of writing a business plan and filling out the applications to receive a government grant for a product in which we have a patent pending status on. We would like to get it manufactured and marketed. My question is: On the grant application I have to tell how much money we need and break it down into categories and tell how much we will need for each categorey. I need to know how to go about finding these estimates. Any information you can give me will be deeply appreciated.

Sincerely, Deborah L. Holloway (E-Mail address removed)

Hi Deborah, congratulations with your company and product. Typically, the source for information for all grants is a business plan (which you're already working on), including a budget. Your budget should cover the production schedule (12-36 months, depending). In order to come up with the numbers you may need to do some leg work, such as getting estimates from vendors, producers and consultants in the different fields. You also need to be clear on what exactly the grant will cover. Is it for all operating and production costs during the startup period? Is it just for elements relating to the development of the new product? Is it a 'matching' grant that covers a portion?

I suggest you contact your local Chamber of Commerce and ask them if they have any entrepreneurial mentorship programmes where you could get guidance from experienced businesspeople. Furthermore, many governmental grantors have officers who are happy to provide guidance to applicants. Have you asked them? They also often have examples of successful applications on their websites.

I have some experience in this area; feel free to post to my talkpage if you wish. Anchoress 21:28, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

I have duel degrees in accounting and business finance. If you have any specific questions relating to these topics, please post them on my talkpage; I'd be happy to help. Rangermike 02:50, 10 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Number of food service establishments in the US?

Dear Sir or Madam, my name is Paul Faguet, and I just wondered if you could help me find out how many restaurants, bars, and cafeterias are there approximately in total in the USA. I would appreciate you r help! Thanks!

Perhaps you could check an almanac? Яussiaп F 03:04, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

A search at [9] Google maps for category:restaurant says there are about 6,362,116 for category: Restaurants near the United States . (I excluded motels, which Google wanted to include with restaurants when I searched for "restaurants in United States.") It also says there are 14,337 Cocktail Bars & Lounges and 600 Restaurant cafeterias. The U.S. Department of Commerce might have additional information. I would have expected more cafeterias, given the number found in schools and office buildings. Ones lacking Yellow Page listings may have been omitted. Edison 05:24, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Courtroom: Attack Dogs

I am in Mock Trial and I need some help.

In the case, Chris Matthews (the defendant) bought an attack dog after a fight with Danny Jones (victim) at a pool party, which supposedly involved Danny's ex-wife chatting with Chris. You see, Danny and Chris were high-school rivals, the typical geek vs. jock set-up. So, years later, at this pool party, Danny and Chris got into a battle in which Danny attacked Chris and Chris got a No Contact order that said Danny was not to go with-in 300 ft. of his house and not with-in 100 ft. of Chris himself.

Now, Chris, on the other hand, did something wise/stupid, depending on your point of view. He bought a big rottwieller attack dog to protect himself, and he bought it from a lady named Jo Foltz, who owns a kennel. The kennel was suspected of selling dogs to a dog fighting ring, but charges were not pressed. This particular dog was particularly aggressive, but by the time Chris bought it, it was supposed to be a good dog. It may or may not have been trained to be more aggressive with drug-users.

Anyway, Danny eventually tresspassed on Chris's property, while hyped up on steriods (Performance Enhancing Drugs) and Chris and Danny got into a fight in Chris's garden. Danny was NOT intending to see Matthews. Danny may or may not have been about to attack Chris, and Chris may or may not have given the order to his dog, which was sitting nearby, to attack Danny. Danny and Chris had not actually touched each other, though. Either way, the dog sprang up, jumped on Danny, and started ripping apart his throat. At that point, Matthews says that he first tried to stop the dog with the command "Foos", and then, when the dog refused to stop and bit at Chris, Chris claims he went inside and called 9-1-1. He didn't actually do that, as Police records show.

Two witnesses say that they heard Matthews say something like "Blitz" when the dog attacked Danny, even though one witness could hear too well. The command to attack is "Blitz".

So... What do you think? I am trying to prosecute Matthews for having his dog attack Danny. What would be my best way to go? If you need more info, just ask.

Also, I almost forgot... This has absolutely nothing to do with actual law. All Mock Trial requires is acting and manipulating the jury to go your way. So please,... help me!!!

If it were me, and I certainly not a lawayer I cannot see how you could prove Matthews had his dog attack. The witnesses are not sure. I'd go at failing to call 911. Why didn't he do that? Theresa Knott | Taste the Korn 02:31, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

What jurisdiction is this in? Do you have to convince a judge or a jury? --Lambiam ^Talk 05:07, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

I would try to look at the difference in the dog's behavior when Danny was present and when other visitors are present, for example the postman. Show that the dog acted aggressively to Danny and not the postman, and then attribute the difference to Matthews' commands. -anonymous6494 06:57, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for all the help so far! In response to Lambiam's question, I am appealing to a jury made up of my peers, who also have the case and the fact patterns, and many of them are... shall we say, not easily impressed. Some are just plain stubborn. The themes suggested here so far, though, are very helpful, so thank you!

[edit] French Land Registry for Paris

I'm trying to find the ownership and other property details of a particular property in France, in the district of Chatou 78400, a suburb just outside Paris.

The information seems to be held at the French equivalent of the Land Registry, which I believe is called a Cadastre (or Cadastral) in France, but I can't find the actual office dealing with Paris, or for that area, or the official French website for them.

I'm assuming that once I find that, I can apply for information on the property concerned, either online or by surface mail. But first I have to know who to ask - ideally a French official website, or failing which, some kind of contact details.

Can anyone help? FT2 ^{(Talk | email)} 22:25, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

Although I do not have any expertise in this area, I've taken a stab at it; hopefully someone will correct me if I am wrong. I looked up the French article on cadastre, which seems to be more like a geological survey, perhaps combined with a property registry used by the government for tax purposes. I am not sure that its records are open to the public. However, it seems that some of the functions of a registry of deeds in English-speaking countries are handled by the offices of Conservation des Hypothèques. Chatou is in the department of Yvelines, and there are five offices of Conservation des Hypothèques in Yvelines. I'm not sure which has responsibility for Chatou, but the closest are the ones in Versailles. Here are their websites:

Contact the mairie (Town Hall) for the commune within which the property is situated. They are the key to all property info.petitmichel86.211.239.138 16:43, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

Here is another page on these offices from the Yvelines departmental government.

Marco polo 04:05, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] "I can see you from a mile away"

"I can see you from a mile away" is a line featured prominently in several North American rap/Hip-Hop songs that I've heard. I was wondering of the origin of this line and what song was the first song to use this in their lyrics. I know "Draped Up" by Bun B has this line in it. The Ayatollah 23:44, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

I don't think this line originated in Hip Hop music... 惑乱分からん 01:16, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

Yes, it's an old expression. StuRat 05:06, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

...meaning "You've put on some weight"?--Shantavira 10:01, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

Well, that some feature is prominently visible, like if they were wearing a yellow jumpsuit. StuRat 14:57, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

Or perhaps that the persons's true intentions are blatently visible despite attempts to hide them. --Maxamegalon2000 06:10, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Or that their intention to wear a yellow jumpsuit (with baby blue stripes!) is obvious, despite attempts to hide it. V-Man737 20:46, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

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