Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Helsinki

2007-08-23T05:22:04Z

Marklindstrom:

'''Helsinki''' is the capital and largest city of [[Finland]]. It is located on the [[Gulf of Finland]].

It has a population of over 500,000, and combined with the neigbouring municipalities of Porvoo, Kirkkonummi and Sipoo, the population exceeds 800 000. In addition to being the centre of administration, the main industries in the area include refining, mining and plastics industry. The city itself is becoming increasingly popular with the tourists. The main sights include the Näsinneula observation tower, the historic castle and the neo-gothic catholic cathedral. The lord mayor of Helsinki is currently the conservative Pekka Sauri.

== References ==
[http://www.helsinki.fi/en/index.html Helsinki Site in English]
[[category:Capital Cities]]

Adelaide

2007-08-23T05:16:59Z

Marklindstrom:

'''Adelaide''' is the capital city of [[South Australia]]. The layout of the city was designed by Colonel William Light, the colony's original surveyor. Adelaide's central district is surrounded by a ring of park lands and is divided by the Torrens River.

The city has a population of over 1,000,000 people, two thirds of the state population. It is situated on the plains between Gulf Saint Vincent on the west and the [[Mount Lofty Ranges]] on the east. The result is an urban area that is barely 20 km wide, but almost 100 km from Gawler in the north to Sellicks Beach in the south.

Adelaide was the first colonial settlement in the new colony of South Australia in 1836. Before that, the area was occupied by the Kaurna [[Australian Aborigines|Aborigine]]s. The major sights in the city include the Everidge Centre of Aboriginal Arts and Crafts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Wilkinson Maritime Park.

[[Category:Australian cities and towns]]
[[Category:Australia]]

Pantheon, Rome

2007-08-22T05:28:12Z

Marklindstrom:

'''The Pantheon''' is a temple in Rome dedicated to the seven planetary gods: [[Jupiter]], Neptune, Pluto, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn.

== History ==

It was first designed and erected by emperor Agrippa between 27 and 25 BC. In 80 AD, it was destroyed in a fire, and was restored immediatly by an architect named Domitian. It burned down again in another fire in 110 AD, and this time it was restored and completely rebuilt by Hadrian, who made the building as it is known today, from 118 to 128 AD. In 609, Brizantine emperor Phocas donated the building to then-Pope Boniface IV, who made it into a [[Catholicism|Roman Catholic church]], ''Santa Maria ad Martyres'', or ''The Church of Saint Mary and all the Martyres.'' This action preserved the building throughout the ages. It is still in use as a Catholic Church and holds service on all major Catholic holidays. King [[Vittorio XVI]] of Italy is buried in the church, along with several leading Italian statesmen, artists and scientists.

== The Architecture ==

The building is composed of two parts: The porch, a standard Roman feature with front stairs going up to a platform surrounded by pillars with a door to the dome, and the dome, which was a huge circular room with a dome overhead. The dome room had a maximum height of 43.3 meters, and the diameter of the circle was exactly 43.3 meters. Because of this, a perfect sphere could fit into the room, with a diameter of 43.3 meters.

[[Category:Architecture]]
[[Category:Ancient Rome]]

The Lord of the Rings

2007-08-22T05:17:56Z

Marklindstrom: /* Languages */

[[Image:Mhjfjfr7.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Cover for the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.]]

'''The Lord of the Rings''' is the best-selling fantasy novel of the twentieth century. It written by British professor [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. Conceived by the author as a 6-book work (with compendious appendices and an index), it was released by the publisher in three volumes:

#''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' 
#''[[The Two Towers]]'' 
#''[[The Return of the King]]'' 

''The Lord of the Rings'' was published in hardbound in 1954 and 1955, but was known only to a small audience of aficionados until 1965. At that time, J. R. R. Tolkien himself was known primarily to scholars for his work on [[Beowulf]]. This changed when an American paperback publisher released a "pirated" paperback edition, {{Fact}} paying Tolkien nothing, in the belief that Tolkien's copyright in the U. S. was defective because of a technicality. Tolkien reached a legal settlement with this publisher, and another publisher released an authorized edition for which Tolkien was paid royalties. The book was an instant success, particularly among college students.

== Story ==
''The Lord of the Rings'' is set in [[Middle-earth]], a vastly expanded version of the fictional world presented in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Silmarillion]]''. It continues the story that ''The Hobbit'' began, but while ''The Hobbit'' was intended for children, ''The Lord of the Rings'' was written for all ages.

The story takes place at a time when the [[Elves]], who immortal, good, and fairest of all beings in the world, are leaving the war-weary world to sail to the blessed realm of Valinor. With the departure of the Elves, the Age of Men has come, but they are opposed by the Dark Lord, [[Sauron]]. Although Sauron is a formidable foe, most of his powers are bound to a magic [[Ring (Middle Earth)|Ring]] which was cut from his finger in a battle thousands of year ago. This Ring fell by chance into the hands of a [[hobbit]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] who in turn left it to his nephew and heir, [[Frodo Baggins]]. If this Ring is destroyed, it will strip Sauron of his power and free Middle-earth from his threat. The only way the Ring can be destroyed, however is by casting it into the fires of [[Mount Doom]], a volcano in the heart of Sauron's realm. The Lord of the Rings follows Frodo's adventures as he journeys to destroy Sauron's Ring.

Frodo's journey is interwoven with other themes as he joins a [[Fellowship of the Ring]], pledged to take it to Mount Doom where it can be destroyed. The ranger [[Aragorn|Strider]] and the wizard [[Gandalf]] are foremost among his companions.

== Languages ==
Though Tolkien was an excellent writer, his primary interest was [[The Languages of Tolkien|languages]]. Tolkien originally came up with Middle-earth as a world in which his languages could be spoken. {{Fact}} In an interview with the BBC in 1972, shortly before his death, Tolkien said that he came up with the concept of a hobbit in part because he had been embarrassed about his own below-average height in his early childhood, and liked to imagine a world where he could be "normal" or even possibly "a hero". {{Fact}} Tolkien based his fictional languages largely in the [[Norse mythology]] and languages. His fictional languages bear resemblances to Old Norse and other non-indoeuropean languages. Other strong linguistic influences include Basque and Russian.

== Christianity ==
J. R. R. Tolkien was a [[Roman Catholic]], and many readers see [[Christian]] undertones in ''The Lord of the Rings.'' <ref>"Much as it is possible to identify allegories of the Second World war into ''The Lord of the Rings'', it is possible to identify any number of Christian allegories as well" in Smith, J. and Matthews, J.C. ''The Lord of the Rings:the Films, the books, the radio series'' (Virgin Books 2004), p.116.</ref> The subtext is subtle, and altogether unintentional. Tolkien himself discounts the belief that he wrote the book as a direct Christian allegory, in contrast with the overt and acknowledged allegory in the works of Tolkien's friend, [[C.S. Lewis]].<ref>Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, # 129</ref>

==Film Version==
New Line Cinema has produced three films all of which have names which are derived from the three books in The Lord of the Rings. They were released from 2001 to 2003. Several Special Extended Editions have also been released each including four discs. All were directed by [[Peter Jackson]]. <ref> [[The Fellowship of the Ring]], Directed by Peter Jackson, Produced by Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson 2001. </ref>

== References ==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lord of the Rings, The}}
[[Category:Book]]
[[Category:Middle-Earth]]

Protein

2007-08-22T05:13:38Z

Marklindstrom: synthesis

'''Proteins''' are complex organic compounds whose basic structure is a primary chain of amino acids folded into a certain shape. This tertiary fold dictates the function of the protein within the organism. They can take on many forms and perform distinct functions including (but certainly not limited to) structural, enzymatic, information storage and transportation roles. In terms of structure, proteins are important in the construction and integrity of different body tissues including connective and muscular, as well as endocrine/exocrine glands. <ref> http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/protein.html </ref>

The proteins are made in subcellular compartments. Structures called ribosomes transcribe information coded in [[gene]]s with the help of [[spliceosome]]s to form a complex 3-D web structure of the protein. This nascent protein is then further edited by addition of [[phelypropanoid]]s, [[coenzyme]]s or organic zwitterions. The protein is then transported through the cell membrane to its final destination.

Adult humans need a minimum of 1 gram of protein for every kilogram of body weight per day to keep from slowly breaking down their own tissues. Failure to receive enough protein can cause stunted growth, loss of muscle mass, decreased immunity, weakening of the heart and respiratory system, and eventually death. <ref> http://www.usda.gov/ </ref>

There are two types of amino acids: ''essential'' and ''non-essential''.

There are 13 amino acids the body can manufacture on it's own. Essential amino acids are those which cannot be made by the body and can only be obtained from the diet. There are 9 amino acids the human body cannot produce on it's own. <ref> http://www.nutrition.gov/ </ref>

Protein is also classified as ''complete'' or ''incomplete''.

Complete protein foods supply all of the essential amino acids the body needs to build new proteins. Incomplete protein foods do not supply all the essential amino acids.

Complete protein food sources tend to come from meat and other animal products, fish, eggs, and milk products. Incomplete proteins come from plant sources, fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. Plant proteins can be combined to include all of the essential amino acids and form a complete protein, such as eating rice and beans together. Protein is only one component of a healthy diet. <ref> http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002467.htm </ref>

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Biochemistry]]

Polypeptides

2007-08-11T04:03:47Z

Marklindstrom:

A polypeptide is a molecule made up of multiple [[amino acid]]s connected by [[peptide bond]]s. Polypeptides are made through [[transcription]] and [[translation]]. In transcription, an [[enzyme]] forces the [[double helix]] of the DNA to unwind, and split in half. Then, the [[base]]s of the [[DNA]] are paired with their opposite, free floating bases. This creates a new helix, and it splits in half, leaving the original DNA, and a new half string, called messenger [[RNA]], or [[mRNA]]. The mRNA leaves the [[nucleus]], and binds with [[ribosomes]]. These ribosomes "read" the mRNA, and every three bases, it connects an amino acid, building a polypeptide chain. The nascent chain then enters the [[mitochondrion]] where it is further modified by enzymatic cleavage, addition of fatty acids or removal of amino acid side chains.

[[category:genetics]]

Buckminsterfullerene

2007-08-11T03:57:34Z

Marklindstrom:

[[Buckminsterfullerene]] is an [[allotrope]] of [[carbon]]; it is the only molecular form, at C60It was jointly discovered by Sir Harold Kroto, Richard E. Smalley and Robert F. Curl who received the 1996 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their work. It was named after the [[geodesic]] architecture of [[Richard Buckminster Fuller]], which it resembled. It is commonly referred to as a "buckyball", in reference to its [[soccer]]-ball-like structure.

Interesting in these molecules is that they can fit other atoms into their hollow structure. This can have important applications. For example, introducing a [[led]] or [[iron]] atom to the center will make the substance paramagnetic. A sugar in the center makes the fullerene soluble in water. A cluster of [[sulphur]] atoms makes it expolosive. Also toxic molecules can be trapped there for safe introduction into the human body. The two principal centres for producing these compounds are Umeå in [[Sweden]] and Bachelburg in [[Germany]].

[[category:chemistry]]

Acid

2007-08-11T03:50:06Z

Marklindstrom:

An Acid is a [[molecule]] that donates <math>H^+</math> [[ions]] in a chemical reaction. Acids taste sour (although, in a laboratory, '''never''' taste an acid; they can be highly corrosive) and turn blue litmus paper red. Acids are covalent compounds, but when dissolved in [[water]], they will conduct electricity. The majority of acids have [[Hydrogen|H]] as their first molecule, although some may also have carbon or oxygen. When an acid is put into water, it will loose its H, a process called aqueous dissonance. The H may then react further.

[[Category:Chemistry]]

Finland

2007-08-09T22:48:46Z

Marklindstrom:

[[Image:Finland map.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Map of Finland]]
'''Finland''' (''Suomi'' in Finnish) is a country of northern [[Europe]] known for its largely [[social democracy|social democratic]] economic system. The Finnish [[conservative]] party, the [[National Coalition]] led by [[Jyrki Katainen]], is its principal conservative organization.

The state capital is [[Helsinki]] and the principal exports are machines, electronics (for example mobile phones) and lumber. [[Finnish]] is the principal language spoken, a [[Finno-Urgic]] language, it is difficult for speakers of English and Romance languages to learn, so many Finns speak English to facilitate communication with other countries. Finland is known as "the land of lakes and poets."

== History ==

The Finns have in the past resisted [[communism]], first declaring independence after the [[Russian Revolution]] in 1917, and then inflicting very heavy and humiliating losses on the [[Soviet Union]] in the [[Winter War]] of 1939-40. Because of many Soviet miscalculations, including using troops from the [[Caucasus]] who were not habituated to the cold (it was one of the coldest winters on record, too), and because the Finns were able to adopt tactics centered around fast-moving guerrilla units, the Finnish army was able to kill some 120,000 Soviets while only losing 25,000 of their own men. This has been considered by many as a sign that [[Stalin's]] purges had weakened the Red Army high command, and that guerrilla warfare could be very effective against even modern mechanized forces. The defensive line built to protect Finland was known as the [[Mannerheim]] Line, after Marshal Mannerheim, the Finnish President. Eventually, the line was breached and Finland was made to cede territory in [[Karelia]]. In 1941, Finland joined the [[Axis]] powers in attacking the Soviet Union, but its forces didn't participate in the [[Siege of Leningrad]]. Mannerheim also refused to cut the Murmansk railway, which the citizens of Leningrad, nowadays St.Petersburg, remember even today. In 1944 Finland made a separate peace with the Soviet Union, ceding the Arctic Ocean port of [[Petsamo]], and undertaking to maintain a policy of strict neutrality in the post-war years (the so-called [[Finlandisation]] policy).

== Geography ==

The area of Finland is approximately 440 000 square kilometers, with a nort-south axis of 890 kilometers. Most of the landscape is covered with lakes, glaciers and forests. Finland is often called the "Land of Thousands of Lakes", which is true, because the number of lakes in the country exceeds 11 000. In the sea there are more than 3000 islands. In the North there are many glaciers, the most famous of which is [[Saana]]. Cultivated land and habitation only account for 17% of the land area, rest being mainly [[Norway spruce]] forests.

Finland is bound by [[Norway]] in the North, [[Russia]] in the East,[[ Estonia]] in the South and the [[Gulf of Finland]] is the West.

[[Category:Finland]]
[[Category:European Countries]]
[[Category:EU Members]]
[[Category:Nordic Countries]]

Cellulose

2007-08-09T22:40:28Z

Marklindstrom: Biochemical data

'''Cellulose''' is a substance made of [[sugar|sugars]], mainly [[glucose]] and [[fructose]]. Unlike most other [[oligosaccharide]]s, it is digested only partially when eaten, but it still plays a major role in human activities, notably construction, paper making, [[silk]] production and timber industry. It is common in the [[cell wall|cell walls]] of many [[organism|organisms]]<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Biology''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1998</ref>, most notably in the wood of trees, and other [[vegetal]]s. It is therefore one of the main component of [[paper]]. In [[wood]] cellulose is the main component, along with [[lignin]], a polymeric product of the [[pentose phosphate]] reaction chain.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Biology]]

Mouse

2007-08-09T22:31:26Z

Marklindstrom: Genome sequencing

<blockquote>
''This article is about the small mammal. See [[computer mouse|mouse]] for the computer pointing device.''
</blockquote>

Mice (the plural of '''mouse''') are small herbivorous rodent mammals. There are many species of mice including non related [[mammal]]s such as [[dormice]]. The common house mouse ''Mus musculus'' is widely distributed worldwide, having accompanied human travelers to many countries beyond its natural range. Typically mice will feed on seeds and other plant material, though mousetraps for the house mouse are usually baited with [[cheese]].

== Mice and Mankind ==

*Mice are often mistakenly identified as [[rat]]s. a serious [[agriculture|agricultural]] pest, damaging growing crops and stealing stored grain.
*Again, mice are often blamed as a [[disease vector]] for certain diseases including [[bubonic plague]] better attributed to [[rats]].
*The laboratory mouse is widely used as an experimental organism in biomedical research. There are many specialised breeds, such as the nude mouse, a hairless [[mutant]] strain used in [[cancer]] research and the Onken mouse, a mouse bred to have cancerous cells from birth. The [[genome]] of the mouse has been sequenced and contains 655 million base pairs and 47 000 [[gene]]s.
*Mice are commonly kept as pets, and are also bred as food items for other, carnivorous pet animals.

== Mice in the Bible ==

Mice are mentioned several times in the Bible; [[Leviticus]] 11:29 declares them unclean. In 1 Samuel, after the [[Philistines]] captured the [[Ark of the Covenant]], they were afflicted by God with plagues of mice and of [[hemmorhoids]], until they returned the Ark with a tribute of five golden hemmorhoids and five golden mice:

<blockquote>
''Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords. Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.'' 1 Samuel 6, 4-5 (KJV)
</blockquote>

== Mice in popular culture ==

*[[Mickey Mouse]], the [[Walt Disney|Disney]] animated character.
*[[Mighty Mouse]], the animated mouse superhero.
*Jerry, of [[Tom and Jerry]], the animated cat-and-mouse duo.
*Itchy, of [[Itchy and Scratchy]], from [[the Simpsons]].

[[Category:Domestic animals]]
[[Category:Rodents]]
[[Category:Biblical animals]]

European Union

2007-08-09T22:28:27Z

Marklindstrom: Accession talks

[[Image:567rugyhj.png|right|thumb|300px|Flag of the European Union.]]
The '''European Union (EU)''' is a legal and economic union of 27 [[Europe|European]] nations. It was formed in 1993 with the ratification of the [[Maastricht Treaty]], though its predecessor, the European Economic Community, was founded in 1957.

As an institution, the EU has more powers over its member states and their citizens than is the case with most international bodies; 13 of its member states also use a common [[currency]], the [[Euro]]. It is not, however, generally regarded as a federation or state in its own right. Rather, it stands somewhere between these two points.

==Structure==

The EU, technically speaking, consists of three separate "pillars" - the '''European Communities''', the '''Common Foreign and Security Policy''', and '''Police and Judicial Co-Operation in Criminal Matters'''. The most important of these "pillars" is the European Communities, and the term "European Union" is often used as a synonym for the European Communities.

The EU is governed primarily by three institutions: the '''Council''', the '''European Commission''' and the '''European Parliament'''.

The Council consists of representatives of each member state. These representatives change depending on what the purpose of the Council's meeting is and what is being discussed (for example, the ministers of finance of each country may attend a meeting on fiscal policy).

The Commission functions roughly as the EU's executive branch. It consists of 27 Commissioners, one nominated by each member state, though on taking office the Commissioners are required to put aside their allegiance to their own countries and to act in the interests of the EU as a whole. The President of the Commission acts to some extent as a figurehead for the EU, and is the nearest thing there is to a "President of Europe". The current Commission President is [[José Manuel Barroso]], a conservative and a former Prime Minister of Portugal. Perhaps the best known Commission President was [[Jacques Delors]] (1985-1995), a French socialist who passionately favoured European integration. A personal enemy of Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]], he was famously attacked by the conservative British tabloid newspaper ''The Sun'' with the slogan "Up yours, Delors".

The European Parliament consists of 785 members directly elected by the citizens of the member states. National parties sit in broad Europe-wide groupings: for example, most members of left-wing parties sit together as the "Party of European Socialists". No party grouping currently has an overall majority, but the main conservative grouping (the European People's Party) currently has the largest number of seats (277).

The EU has its own judicial apparatus, consisting most notably of the '''Court of First Instance''' and the '''European Court of Justice''', the latter being the supreme judicial authority of the Union. It should not be confused with the [[European Court of Human Rights]], which is entirely separate from the EU and its institutions.

==Sovereignty==

The member states of the European Union fall under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. Similar to Federal Law trumping State Law in United States politics, the EU member states are obligated to follow the laws set forth by the European Court of Justice. This system of government takes sovereignty from the nation, and rests it in the EU court of Justice. Some political theorists argue that the EU is thus the death of the Nation. By the rules of The Treaty of Westphalia, nations are defined by their rite of Self-Sovereignty.

==Criticism==

A significant number of Europeans on the political right of centre are opposed to the EU on the grounds that it undermines national sovereignty and identity. Such people are known in British English as "Eurosceptics", and they include such people as the former British Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] (although, while in power, she committed Britain to the 1986 [[Single European Act]], a major integrationist measure) and the members of the [[UK Independence Party]]. They also, however, include less well-respected politicians belonging to far right or [[nationalism|nationalist]] parties, such as France's [[Jean-Marie Le Pen]]. There are also extreme left-wing opponents of the European Union, such as ''Die Linke'' in Germany, who regard it as constituting an anti-progressive "Fortress Europe", and claim that EU membership impedes countries from following socialist policies.{{fact}}

==Candidates for membership==

There are three official candidates being considered for membership, [[Turkey]], [[Croatia]] and [[The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia]]. Typically a country that is considered will have to make some economic or social changes to bring it in line with other member states. Accession talks are due to start with [[Moldova]] and [[Albania]] in March 1st, 2008.

There is some conflict between current EU member states over possible candidates for membership. For example, The United Kingdom is in favor of adding Turkey to the EU, while France is strongly against Turkey's possible membership.

Here is a map of the European Union as of January 2007, including countries seeking to join: [[Image:European_Union.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Member states of the European Union.]]

Gateway to the European Union (EU official website) [http://europa.eu/]

[[Category:Europe]]
[[category:politics]]