2000 Vs. 2010: How The World Has Changed [Infographic]

2000 Vs. 2010: How The World Has Changed [Infographic]


It’s hard to imagine how much the world has changed in the past decade — but this infographic tells you the whole story. So, what’s changed? Technology has gotten unimaginably smaller and better — just look at the differences between an iMac in 2000 and an iPad in 2010. The world’s population has grown, and for the first time more people live in cities than in rural areas. China’s electricity consumption has quadrupled. And the costs of technology are becoming more apparent than before. But really, the data speaks for itself, so, check the infographic below.


Click on below image to view clear.

How the Heart Works

How the Heart Works

I know what you’re thinking; I hope by the end of this article I can find out if it really is true that I can MacGyver an electrical cord together and shock my heart into restarting should it stop!  Quick answer….. maybe, if you’re an electrical engineer with all the appropriate gear, or go buy an automatic external defibrillator  (they’re really not that expensive).  Before you budding electricians all rush on out to RadioShack for all the equipment, let’s find out how this beast of an organ works.

The heart is a two part pump, one part mechanical and one part electrical.  The mechanical function of the heart is governed by the electrical system within the heart.  That electrical system, in turn, can be affected by neurotransmitters from the brain (or fancy pacemakers created by the Dr. Frankenstein-like minds of the world).  But since we’re only talking about the heart today, we will only focus on the ability of the electrical system of the heart.  Should you want to know how the brain governs it, I direct you to the many medical schools around the country!

THE MECHNICAL

The heart is a four chambered pump.  The top two chambers are called Atria, the bottom two are called Ventricles. They are separated from top to bottom by valves; the right and left sides are separated by a septum.  So what makes the pump squeeze?  Well the heart is a muscle, and like all muscles, when it gets shocked by electricity, it contracts.  If you don’t believe me, just stick a fork in the nearest electrical socket and see if anything tenses up! (DISCLAIMER: Due to our lawyers incessant need to justify themselves, they advised us to say, “Don’t do that. It could cause you harm”). When the hearts muscle gets “shocked”, they contract and force the blood down its path.  The valves I just spoke of are one way, and will not allow blood to flow back through the system.  If it does, see your nearest physician cause death could be imminent!

The blood’s path through the heart starts in a vein called the Superior Vena Cava.  Then it enters the right atrium, flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.  From there it travels through the pulmonic valve into pulmonary arteries, then the lungs.  Take a deep breath. Awe…… the sweet feeling of oxygen entering the blood! Now let it out, OOUU….. the halitosis laden Co2 leaving the body!  Now back to the heart and into the left atrium, through the mitral valve and Walla!  The blood is now in the “strongest” chamber of the heart, the left ventricle.  From there it gets pumped through the aortic valve and into the aorta and out to the rest of the body!

THE ELECTRICAL

So what causes that infamous electric shock the heart receives, approximately 60-100 times a minute?  Short answer: chemistry.  Long answer: The exchange of electrolytes across specialized cells within the heart build up a differing electrical potential on either side of the cell.  When this electrical potential reaches a certain amount, it discharges and sends a shock down another unique set of cells within the heart, causing a shock and thus the contraction.

The specific set of cells that regulates the heart rate (in most people) are called the Sinoatrial node or SA node for short.  The SA node (pacemaker of the heart) sits in the upper portion of the R atria near the entrance of the superior vena cava.

When the SA node sends out and electrical shock, it immediately shocks the atria.  The pulse then gets “held up” in another set of cells called the Atrioventricular node, or AV node for short.  This then transmits the impulse down to the bundle of His (no, not the bundle of hers, sorry ladies) and then to two pathways called the right and left bundle branches.  Then it’s transmitted to the rest of the Ventricles through what are called Purkinje fibers.  All together this “shock” causes the atria to contract, then the ventricles.  The wonder of a pulse!!

So what and how do these electrolytes cause this shock?  In an attempt not to give a physiology lecture of ungodly like proportion, I will simply say; the main two electrolytes involved are sodium and potassium.  Potassium normally sits inside the cell, and sodium outside.  Potassium slowly leaks outside of the cell and sodium then goes inside the cell.  This creates the differing electrical potential that builds up until the point of discharge.  Other electrolytes also help in creating this differential, and they are calcium and magnesium.  For how exactly all these electrolytes actually cross the cells membrane I will only say that it would take way too long to explain in this article, so trust me, they do.  All together the harmony created by this yin and yang system of electrical and mechanical systems come together to make that wonderfully thumping thing inside your chest!

Shocking

So let’s talk about this infamous “shocking” business. When the SA node becomes damaged, or simply isn’t working properly, other parts of the heart start to take over to create the heart beat.  There are millions of foci in the heart that can make this beat happen.  The reason why they normally don’t is that the SA node “overrides” them and they accept the impulse from it, instead of trying to create one on their own.

When these foci start to beat on their own, they can create an electrical impulse that simply doesn’t create the mechanical squeeze necessary for blood flow, thus no pulse.  When this happens if you “shock”, known as defibrillation, all of these foci, you get them all to depolarize at the same time.  Then the hope is that the SA node, or some other foci, will take over and create a pulse producing rhythm on its own.

So should there be no electrical impulse at all, like say when someone is “flat-lined”, called asystole, then shocking is pointless, since you would need an electrical impulse to create a beat.  So when you see those heroes on the television shocking someone with a flat-line, be assured that their license to practice medicine will be reviewed after the taping of their show.  Unless of course, they just say it looked like a fine V-fib!  (don’t ask, electrical physiologists go to school for a long time, and this article shouldn’t go that in depth)

Bonus Factoids

• The pulmonary arteries are the only arteries in the body that carry de-oxygenated blood.  Conversely, the pulmonary veins are the only veins in the body that carry oxygenated blood.
• The most common rhythm in sudden cardiac death (no pulse) is Ventricular Fibrillation.  This rhythm is one in which all the foci in the heart are sending out impulses at the same time causing the heart to quiver like a seizure laden steak.
• Like most of the body, the heart does not receive blood flow when it contracts, called systole.  The heart receives its blood flow when it relaxes, called diastole.  This is why when someone has an extremely fast heart rate, like say 180-?,  the person could feel light headed due to the fact that their blood pressure will be low.  This is because there isn’t enough time between contractions for the heart to receive enough oxygenated blood.
• The highest heart rate I have personally seen was 302.  Yes the person was conscious, and yes I did keep the “rhythm strip” to prove it!  And yes the person did eventually receive a pacemaker after several surgical attempts to “rewire” their heart.  No I have not just broken any HIPPA laws by telling you that! (note the very non-identifiable way I wrote that factoid)
• The slowest heart rate I have seen, in a conscious person, was 28.  And yes, they also received a pacemaker.
• A person can have a completely normal looking electrical rhythm on a monitor and still have no pulse and be declared dead.  Known as pulseless electrical activity or PEA, it is treated, medically, the same as someone who has no electrical impulse, “flat-lined”.
• Mechanically, should the heart stop contracting, the only way to move blood through the body is with CPR compressions.

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Most Famous National Costumes in the World : Top 10

What is a national Costume?

It is normally a dress which we associate with a country and its residents. It is something that they may wear everyday or only on formal occasions, but it is part of their unique identity and is usually symbolic of their culture. Most national costumes have been a part of the heritage of that nation and have been handed down from generation to generation, and are based on the kinds of fabrics available and are suited to the climate of that country.

1. Saree – India:

This is one of the most recognised costumes in the world. The prevalence of sarees as a daily wear is decreasing among the young and the affluent, as they are opting for western wear such as skirts and trousers. However in the smaller urban areas and in villages these are still the preferred outfit. In various parts of India sarees are worn in different manners and styles and the fabrics can range from cotton to silk and synthetic fabrics.

2. Kimono – Japan:

Kimono is a traditional outfit worn by men, women and children in Japan. These are traditionally made with a single bolt of fabric called the tan. Often these are hand-made and had-decorated and the materials commonly used are silk crepes, satin weaves, silk and silk brocade. It is a long, heavily patterned robe, which is held together at the waistline by a broad fabric belt known as the obi.

3. Sweden:

The Swedish national costume is very unique. It consists of a white winged hat, a long skirt with a traditional apron, a white long-sleeved blouse which is covered with a beautifully embroidered vest. Introduced in 1778 it was originally meant for the nobility of the country. Even today for formal occasions, Swedish ladies-in-waiting wear this traditional costume.

4. Deel – Mongolia:

A Deel is the traditional costume worn for centuries by the Mongols and other nomadic tribes of Central Asia. The fabric may be satin or silk or brocade, and the styling is similar to that of a kaftan . Shaped like a long overcoat, it is not buttoned in front of the body but is drawn tightly across the chest and clasped on the side with decorative clasps. A large fabric belt is the tied over the Deel.

5. Salwar Kameez – Pakistan:

The salwar kameez is a traditional outfit worn by both men and women of Punjab in India and Pakistan. The men in Pakistan wear a loose pajama and “kurta ” set  often known as the “pathan suit”. The women wear long trousers which are gathered at the waist and are narrow at the bottom. The kameez is accompanied by the  “chuni”or the  “odhni “which is wrapped across  the shoulders.

6. Jellabiya – Egypt:

This is a traditional Arab garment native to the Persian Gulf region, worn by women as a casual dress. For formal occasions they wear more elaborate ones embellished with beautiful embroidery and patterns. For the men a similar outfit is also worn, but it is much simpler in design. One of the world’s oldest national costumes, during weddings the bride wears a heavily embroidered and patterned Jellabiya.

7. Baju Melayu & Naju Kurung – Malaysia:

This is a traditional costume worn by the Malays and has its origins in many centuries of Malaysian history. Worn in different styles through the different regions, it basically consists of a skirt and blouse, worn as a full length dress.

8. Croatian National Costume:

Since most Croatians have adopted Western dresses as their daily wear, the Croatian National Dress is worn only on formal occasions. For the ladies it basically has a plain white dress and a blouse and underskirt, which have other accessories attached to them such as jacket, apron, kerchiefs or shawls. Their hair is interwoven into braids and has white or red ribbons.

9. Kaftan – Senegal:

The Senegalese kaftan is an ankle length garment with long bell sleeves. Worn with a kufi cap, these are the common attire for most men in the Western African region. They can be made of cotton or silk or even of lace and synthetic fabrics.

10. Thai National Costume:

Known as chut Thai phra ratcha niyom, literally translated as Thai dress of royal endorsement, it is of relatively recent origin, since it has only been popularised in the mid twentieth century by the Royal family. Based on traditional and ancient dresses, they have now become very popular.