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coaster , n : A person who originates from or inhabits a coastal area. (slang, dated) A prostitute, especially a white woman, plying her trade in Chinese port towns. (nautical) A sailor (especially the master or pilot of a vessel) who travels only in coastal waters. A merchant vessel that stays in coastal waters, especially one that travels between ports of the same country. (Canada, US) Short for coaster trout (“the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Lake Superior and Maine”). [...] Agent noun of coast: one who coasts. (Australia, slang) An itinerant person who shirks work but still seeks food and lodging; a loafer, a sundowner. (US, winter sports) A person who uses a sled or toboggan to slide down a slope covered with ice or snow; a sledder, a tobogganist. Something that coasts or is used to coast. (dated) A small stand or tray, sometimes with wheels, used to pass something such as a decanter or wine bottle around a tabletop. (by extension) A small, flat or tray-like object on which a bottle, cup, glass, mug, etc., is placed to protect a table surface from drink spills, heat, or water condensation. (computing, slang) A useless compact disc or DVD, such as one that was burned incorrectly or has become corrupted. (US, informal) Short for rollercoaster. (US, winter sports) A sled or toboggan. Today, the last Thursday of September in 2021, is World Maritime Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to highlight the work of the International Maritime Organization and emphasize the importance of shipping and other maritime activities.

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The Wikipedia article of the day for September 30, 2021 is Killing of Muhammad al-Durrah. The killing of Muhammad al-Durrah took place in the Gaza Strip on 30 September 2000, during the widespread protests and riots of the Second Intifada. Jamal al-Durrah and his 12-year-old son Muhammad were filmed by Talal Abu Rahma, a Palestinian television cameraman freelancing for France 2, as the two were caught in crossfire between Israeli and Palestinian forces. The footage shows the pair crouching behind a concrete cylinder, the boy crying and the father waving, then a burst of gunfire and dust, with the boy slumping over. Some of the footage was broadcast in France with a voiceover from Charles Enderlin, who told viewers that the al-Durrahs had been the target of Israeli fire, killing the boy. This interpretation has been questioned by critics and by the Israel Defense Forces, which retracted an initial apology. After an emotional public funeral, Muhammad was hailed throughout the Muslim world as a martyr, with the scene appearing on postage stamps.

#wikipedia #article of the day #Killing of Muhammad al-Durrah

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Wikipedia picture of the day on September 30, 2021: Wrocław, Młyński Bridge (Northern) over the River Oder, built in 1885, before the sunrise. https://ift.tt/39S85B8

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ischemia , n : (cardiology, pathology) Local disturbance in blood circulation due to mechanical obstruction of the blood supply (for example, embolism, thrombosis, or vasoconstriction). Today is World Heart Day, which was established by the World Heart Federation to highlight the fact that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death, and the importance of heart health.

#wiktionary #wordoftheday #ischemia

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The Wikipedia article of the day for September 29, 2021 is U-1-class submarine (Austria-Hungary). The two submarines of the U-1 class, U-1 and U-2, were built for the Austro-Hungarian Navy. Constructed according to an American design, they were launched in 1909. A diving chamber, wheels for traveling along the seabed, and other experimental features were tested extensively in sea trials. Their gasoline engines were replaced around the start of World War I over safety and efficiency concerns. The boats have been described by naval historians as obsolete by the time they were commissioned in 1911. Both submarines were mobilized briefly during the Balkan Wars, and otherwise served as training boats before 1915. From 1915 to 1918 they conducted reconnaissance cruises out of Trieste and Pola, though neither sank any enemy vessels during the war. Facing defeat in October 1918, the Austro-Hungarian government transferred the bulk of its fleet, including these submarines, to the newly formed State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs to avoid having to hand its ships over to the Allied Powers.

#wikipedia #article of the day #U-1-class submarine (Austria-Hungary)

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Wikipedia picture of the day on September 29, 2021: Shrub of Euphorbia caducifolia in Kirthar National Park, Pakistan https://ift.tt/39IzB4d

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infobesity , n : (informal) Synonym of information overload (“the availability or supply of too much information, or a state of stress which results from it”) Today is the International Day for Universal Access to Information, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize the importance of public access to information.

#wiktionary #wordoftheday #infobesity

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The Wikipedia article of the day for September 28, 2021 is Lettuce. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an annual plant of the daisy family, Asteraceae, often grown as a leaf vegetable, and sometimes for its stem or seeds. Often used for salads, lettuce is also seen in other kinds of food, such as soups, sandwiches and wraps. In addition to its use as a leafy green, it has religious and medicinal significance. World production of lettuce and chicory for 2017 was 27 million tonnes, 56 percent of which came from China. Generally grown as a hardy annual, lettuce is easily cultivated, although it requires relatively low temperatures to prevent it from flowering quickly. It can be plagued by numerous nutrient deficiencies, as well as insect and mammal pests, and fungal and bacterial diseases. Lettuce is a rich source of vitamin K and vitamin A, and a moderate source of folate and iron. Contaminated lettuce can be a source of bacterial, viral, and parasitic outbreaks in humans, including E. coli and Salmonella.

#wikipedia #article of the day #Lettuce

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Wikipedia picture of the day on September 28, 2021: Piece of chocolate cake, sprinkled with cocoa powder, on a white plate decorated with chocolate sauce. https://ift.tt/3CUEaVl

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psychocentric , adj : (philosophy) Primarily focused on the mind or spirit, especially as opposed to the body. (psychology, tourism) Of a tourist: tending to avoid adventures and risks, preferring the familiar; self-inhibiting. psychocentric n (psychology, tourism) A tourist who tends to avoid adventures and risks, preferring the familiar. Today is World Tourism Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to raise awareness about tourism’s role in the international community and to demonstrate how it affects cultural, political, social, and economic values worldwide.

#wiktionary #wordoftheday #psychocentric

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The Wikipedia article of the day for September 27, 2021 is Transandinomys. Transandinomys is a genus of rodents in the tribe Oryzomyini of the family Cricetidae—a grouping of medium-sized, soft-furred rice rats. It includes two species—T. bolivaris and T. talamancae—found in forests from Honduras in Central America to southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Venezuela in South America. The upperparts—brownish in T. bolivaris and reddish in T. talamancae—are much darker than the whitish underparts. Both species are characterized by very long vibrissae (whiskers), but those of T. bolivaris are particularly long. In addition, several other morphological differences distinguish the two, including wider first upper molars in T. bolivaris. Both species live on the ground, are active during the night, eat both plant and animal matter, and construct nests of vegetation. They are hosts to various external parasites. They are in no apparent danger of extinction and have been assessed as least-concern species on the IUCN Red List.

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gravamen , n : A grievance complained of. (Anglicanism) A document sent by the Lower House of Convocation to the Upper House to inform the latter of certain grievances in the church. The essence or ground of a complaint. (by extension) The essence or most important aspect of a piece of writing, a point of argument, etc; the gist. (obsolete) A formal charge or complaint.

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The Wikipedia article of the day for September 26, 2021 is British nuclear tests at Maralinga. British nuclear tests were conducted at Maralinga in the Woomera Prohibited Area in South Australia between 1956 and 1963. A total of seven major nuclear tests took place at Maralinga, with explosive yields ranging from approximately 1 to 27 kilotonnes of TNT (4 to 110 terajoules). Two major test series were conducted: Operation Buffalo (final test pictured) in 1956 and Operation Antler the following year. One bomb used cobalt pellets as a tracer for determining yield, resulting in rumours that Britain was developing a cobalt bomb. The site was also used for trials of neutron initiators and tests on the compression of nuclear weapon cores and the effects of fire on atomic weapons. It was left contaminated with radioactive waste, and a clean-up was attempted in 1967. A further clean-up was completed in 2000. In 1994, the Australian government paid $13.5 million in compensation to the traditional owners, the Maralinga Tjarutja people. The land was restored to them in 2014.

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Wikipedia picture of the day on September 26, 2021: A JR East 205-600 series 4-car EMU on the Nikko Line. https://ift.tt/3AKCUn4

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unloose , v : (transitive) (also figuratively) To loosen or undo (something that entangles, fastens, holds, or interlocks). (also figuratively) To relax or slacken (something that clasps or grips, such as the arms or hands). To free (someone or something) from a constraint; (figuratively) to release (something which has been suppressed, such as emotions or objectionable things). (archaic) To remove or take off (especially something undesirable). (intransitive) To become loose or come off. (also figuratively) To free from a constraint.

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The Wikipedia article of the day for September 25, 2021 is Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots. Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots is an 1832 book by Edward Lear containing 42 hand-coloured lithographs (example pictured). Lear started painting parrots for the book in 1830 when he was 18 years old, and to get material for his book he studied live birds at the London Zoo and in private collections. Although the book was a financial failure, Lear's paintings of parrots established his reputation as one of the best natural history artists of his time. It found him work with leading contemporary naturalists, and the young Queen Victoria engaged him to help her with her painting technique. Lear's works influenced children's illustrators such as Beatrix Potter and Maurice Sendak. He continued with his nature painting for some years, but from about 1835 he became concerned about his failing eyesight, and increasingly concentrated on his nonsense works and landscape painting. He may have contributed to the illustrations for Charles Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle.

#wikipedia #article of the day #Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae #or Parrots

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Wikipedia picture of the day on September 25, 2021: Zea mays 'Ottofile giallo Tortonese' , seeds. https://ift.tt/3AIcrGL

#wikipedia #picture of the day