Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 15, 2011

16

THE WORLD AROUND US

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 15, 2011 


Subtly Shaded Map of Moon Reveals Titanium Treasure Troves

A map of the Moon combining observations 
in visible and ultraviolet wavelengths shows a 
treasure trove of areas rich in titanium ore. Not 
only is titanium an extremely valuable element 
(a metal used extensively in aircraft due to its 
strength and light weight), it is key to helping 
scientists unravel the mysteries of the Moon’s 
interior. 

“Looking up at the Moon, its surface appears 
painted with shades of grey—at least to the human 
eye. But with the right instruments, the Moon can 
appear colorful,” said Arizona State University’s 
Mark Robinson “The maria appear reddish in 
some places and blue in others. Although subtle, 
these color variations tell us important things 
about the chemistry and evolution of the lunar 
surface. They indicate the titanium and iron 
abundance, as well as the maturity of a lunar soil.”

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter’s Wide 
Angle Camera is imaging the Moon’s surface 
from lunar orbit in seven different wavelengths. 
Specific minerals strongly reflect or absorb 
certain parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, 
so the wavelengths detected by this instrument 
help scientists better understand the chemical 
composition of the lunar surface.

The multi-wavelength mapping technique also 
shed light on how space weather changes the lunar 
surface. Over time, the lunar surface materials are 
altered by the impact of charged particles from 
the solar wind and high-velocity micrometeorite 
impacts. Together these processes work to 
pulverize rock into a fine powder and alter the 
surface’s chemical composition and hence its color. 
Recently exposed rocks, such as the rays that are 
thrown out around impact craters, appear bluer 
and have higher reflectance than more mature 
soil. Over time this ‘young’ material darkens and 
reddens, disappearing into the background after 
about 500 million years.

COMPARISON WITH MOON-ROCK 
SAMPLES

Robinson and his team previously developed a 
technique using Hubble Space Telescope images 
to map titanium abundances around a small area 
centered on the Apollo 17 landing site. Samples 
around the site spanned a broad range of titanium 
levels. By comparing the titanium in the Apollo 
moon-rock samples with the Hubble images, the 
team found that the measured titanium levels 
corresponded to the ratio of ultraviolet to visible 
light reflected by the lunar soils—the more 
titanium, the more ultraviolet was reflected.

The highest titanium abundances in similar 
kinds of rocks on Earth are around one percent 
or less. The new map shows that in the Moon’s 
maria (the dark areas called ‘seas’), titanium 
abundances range from about one percent to a 
little more than ten percent.

“We still don’t really understand why we 
find much higher abundances of titanium on 
the Moon compared to similar types of rocks 
on Earth,” said Robinson. “What the lunar-
titanium richness does tell us is something about 
the conditions inside the Moon shortly after it 
formed, knowledge that geochemists value for 
understanding the evolution of the Moon.”

Lunar titanium is mostly found in the mineral 
ilmenite, a compound containing iron, titanium 
and oxygen. Future miners living and working on 
the Moon could break down ilmenite to liberate 
these elements. 

“The new map is a valuable tool for lunar 
exploration planning,” said Robinson. “Astronauts 
will want to visit places with both high scientific 
value and a high potential for resources that can 
be used to support exploration activities. Areas 
with high titanium provide both—a pathway 
to understanding the interior of the Moon and 
potential mining resources.”

You can contact Bob Eklund at: b.eklund@
MtnViewsNews.com.


Ask jai……


Ask jai is a weekly column that will strive to honestly answer your job search questions relating to job 
searching techniques, networking skills, resume writing and interviewing. The employment situation is getting 
better, however, it is still a challenge finding were the jobs are located and how to get pass the “gate-keepers”. 
As an Executive Recruiter I was privy to working directly with Corporate Recruiters and understanding 
their process in selecting which candidates to interview and hire. I will candidly answer your questions, 
possibly bluntly answering your questions, but I will be totally honest. My objective is to help you achieve 
your employment goal.

REAL TECHNOLOGY, REAL PROBLEMS

In Superman III, Richard Pryor played the role of a slightly warped computer programmer 
with a certain prowess at using computers to develop financial programming schemes. His 
morally-compromised employer plotted to use this ability to develop a computer system whose 
ultimate function would be the control of financial markets world-wide. Fast-forward to 1987 
and the very real stock market crash now known as “Black Monday” can be traced to the stock 
trading computers and software in use at the time all beginning to dump assets in unison in 
response to a unusual set of input data. By the time the closing bell rang, the Dow had lost almost 
23 percent of its value in just one trading day. Fast-forward to today and the massively powerful 
computer software and hardware used to run our modern stock markets are far more advanced 
than any machines imagined in either of the two previously mentioned scenarios. On the modern 
financial battlefield cutting-edge computer systems running complex mathematical formulae 
trawl through mountains of data looking for patterns indicative of movement in areas of interest 
so that one system can gain a millisecond jump on other similar systems in placing buy or sell 
orders. Other machines engage in semi-secret data-gathering and still other systems poll each 
other for pricing information about various commodities and financial derivatives and complete 
the transactions in fractions of a second. The profit on these deals is often only cents or fractions 
of a cent per trade but multiply those razor-thin gains against the thousands of transactions 
completed daily and these small numbers add up to big numbers in little to no time. No small 
amount of time, effort and often pure genius goes into the development of the computer systems 
that control the financial fates of world markets but the real question remains as to what have we 
might be missing when we look at the big picture. Often the technology we see may be masking a 
flawed system of conducting business. After the most recent stock market troubles there was no 
shortage of factors that could be assigned blame for the various meltdowns but even as the dust 
still settles it has become quite evident that many of the processes and methodologies in use made 
it very difficult for those who had the most to be concerned about to get a clear view as to what 
was really happening before their very eyes. 

In the very best of circumstances our use of technology advances knowledge of ourselves and the 
world around us beyond what was thought possible just a few short years ago. In the worst cases, it 
enables us to do bad things or stupid things faster and on a larger scale than ever before possible. 
With the exception of movie plots, people rarely set out to do evil using advanced technology and 
more often than not where real harm has been done, it has often been the result of unintended 
consequences or unattended operation. Those charged with monitoring the system were either 
not doing so or paying attention to the wrong things. With any system sufficiently advanced most 
external analysis quickly devolves into guesstimation and post-mortem commentary because 
there may be simply too many variables to account for in the equation. 

Technology remains first and foremost a tool to be used with a definite purpose in mind and in 
the pursuit of a definite goal. In the best cases this tool can make existing systems more efficient 
but there is always the chance that the pursuit of efficiency can cause us to miss the fact that 
sometimes the underlying processes of a system may be in need of drastic repair and reform 
before the application of layers of complex technology that would in effect enable us to make bad 
business models bigger and big mistakes faster. 

How do I get motivated to search for a job? I’ve been unemployed for a long time. I did finish High School and I have 
completed a medical billing program from a private trade school. I have never worked for more than a couple of months in 
a medical setting yet I would like to get a job doing what I was trained to do. Where do I go? Myra

 Myra, 

The words ‘money’ and ‘survival’ have always been great motivators for me. I am making an assumption you are surviving 
financially and therefore not in a desperate need for a job ... at least not yet. And I hope you will never be in a desperate 
situation, either financially or to survive. To say all that … I am guessing you really want to find work in the field you love 
and for which you paid for an education. Fortunately for you, the medical and healthcare fields are the key areas to find 
employment. You did not indicate why you have only worked a few months, and how long you have been unemployed. 

 I would strongly suggest you contact the school where you completed the medical billing program and ask for their 
assistance in finding a position. Trade schools are constantly contacted by employers searching for people to hire. Go on-
line and do some research for jobs in your local area. Type in the browser Medical Biller and Healthcare as a few of your 
keywords. Contact all the hospitals and medical facilities in your area. Then contact Doctor, Dentist and other medical 
offices. Don’t forget to look for medical billing positions with Insurance companies (that could be another infinite number). 
Use the telephone to call and make contact with key decision/hiring makers. Send your resume and cover via e-mail. 
Register with all temporary agencies. I am sure Work-At-Home is possible as long as you have the technical equipment. 
Your resources and employment (how about the word “potential”) as a Medical Biller should be never-ending. To further 
encourage and motivate you I have reprinted statistical information from the U.S. Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor 
Statistics www.bls.gov :

Current and Projected Employment for Medical Billers:

2008 Employment 528,800

2018 Employment 609,600

Employment Change (Increase) 80,000

Growth Rate 15%

Employment is expected to grow faster than average. Automated and electronic billing processes have streamlined billing 
departments, but job growth is expected due to an increasing number of transactions, especially in the rapidly growing 
healthcare industry. 

The following websites should be useful in further assisting you in your job search: Medical Biller Associations websites: 
www.ambanet.net, www.pmbausa.com, www.physicians.com, and www.aapc.com . A Medical Biller is a secure profession 
and obviously an excellent career path and job security. 

Everything you ever wanted to know about how to get a job ….. but did not know who to ask. ASK jai! Send your questions 
to: jai@resumeandcareerservices.com or visit the website at www.resumeandcareerservices.com .


KATIE Tse..........This and That


Professional Development

Gee, can you guess what I did this week? Yes, I attended another 
“Professional Development” meeting. I don’t routinely follow 
Dilbert, but from what I’ve read, it seems creator Scott Adams and 
I share similar views regarding meetings. There are many kinds 
of meetings. Some are “staff meetings,” or “workshops,” and or 
“professional development.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for person-
to-person communication, but most of the meetings I’ve attended 
have contaminated this interplay with a lot of wasted time.

Parked and waiting for my carpool buddy, I called my mom on the morning of 
this most recent meeting. She asked what the topic of the meeting was, and I told her 
the staff didn’t know yet. (Ooh! The suspense!) “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “First 
they’ll break you into groups. There’ll be bottled 
water and Halloween candy at each table, with a 
box of markers.” “I don’t think we’ll have candy,” I 
interrupted; “our budget is shot.” “Okay, just water 
then. In your groups, you’ll have to choose someone 
to be a recorder, and a spokesperson. They’ll have big 
chart papers...” She went on to list other elements of 
the many teachers’ meetings she’d attended. As a new 
retiree, her chipper descriptions had the slightest bit 
of teasing. It was only the appearance of my carpool 
buddy that broke her flawless prediction of the day 
ahead of me.

As I’ve mentioned, there are many kinds of 
meetings. Sometimes our company hires someone to 
speak to us. This person is usually highly confident 
and gives the impression of a salesman delivering a hard pitch, seeing as they’ve honed 
their performance over their numerous gigs. Occasionally they have the scary ability 
to recall everyone’s name (from the nametags --a meeting staple), and single out 
individuals at random. You can’t doze off in those meetings. But if you write your name 
real small or messy, they might not be able to identify you. (That’s what I do, anyway.) 
Hired presenters sometimes pass out pens (while the teachers just pass out) or other 
trinkets bearing their company’s logo. These gifts don’t come close to compensating 
for my day-long fear of being summoned to speak. Then there are the meetings for 
which the company uses its own employees. You can always measure these folks’ level 
of nervousness by the amount of audience participation they require. Some presenters 
even laughingly admit to their fear before beginning their speech. “We’re going to have 
a lot of getting up and moving around to brainstorm with your coworkers today. I’m 
not going to stand up here and do all the talking!” To which we silently ask ourselves, 
“Why not?”

This time, our presenter, Susan, was one of the company’s people. She did not appear 
intimidating (as some can), and she flashed brilliantly white teeth in a big smile as we 
filed in. I thought I detected a twitch in her eye. But it was morning and I hadn’t 
finished my coffee, so my perception wasn’t at its peak. As my mom predicted, there 
was bottled water to greet us, and the chairs were ominously arranged around five 
tables. The Halloween candy was absent, but the markers were present. I sleepily looked 
around for the oversized paper. Apparently she was hiding it until later.

Once we’d all entered the room, Susan encouraged us to get seated quickly so that 
we could “start early and leave early.” You said it, sister, I thought. She began reading 
a literary passage vaguely relating to our topic (the mystery solved!) She spoke in slow, 
measured tones. I imagined she thought this could eat up some time, although it was 
just the start of a very, very long day. Too long, in fact, to be covered in one installment. 
Tune in next week to discover the riveting topic and other thrilling professional 
development activities!

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc.

Canyon Canine Dog 

Walking & Pet Sitting Services

Molly’s Miracle

 I will never forget the day I first met “Molly“. She 
had just been adopted by my dear friend and neighbor 
Frederick, who fell in love with her the very moment he 
saw her. I had asked Fred to call me when she arrived, 
so I could meet her and be the first to welcome her to 
the neighborhood. Somehow, I already knew that Molly 
was going to play a very important part in Frederick’s 
life, but I had no idea that she would have such a positive 
impact on mine.

If you have never visited an SPCA facility, I highly 
recommend it, even if you are not ready to adopt a pet. 
Although it can be an emotional and somewhat sad 
experience, if you are an animal lover one thing is for 
sure, it will prompt you to do whatever you can to play 
a part in saving homeless animals in your community. 
Frederick’s visit to the San Gabriel Valley Humane 
Society last year proved to be a life-changing experience 
for him. It had been a few months since he had said good-
bye to his beloved four-legged friend of many years, 
“Chelsea” who died of bone cancer, and Fred was finally 
ready to adopt a new companion. After a walk down 
the isle between the fenced kennels housing numerous 
adult dogs waiting to be claimed, he asked the caretaker 
if there were any puppies available for adoption. He 
was taken to the puppy department, where he stepped 
through the doorway and immediately locked eyes with 
a brown-eyed babe who looked up at him as if to say, 
“We were made for each other”! Frederick didn’t even 
bother to walk over and take a closer look at her before 
he told the lady at the desk, “I definitely want that one”. 
He later confided in me that he felt as though Chelsea 
was there, telling him to take that little girl home; “She 
is the one for you”. Chelsea had played such a big part 
in Frederick’s life over the past several years, and that 
would be a tough act to follow for sure, but his instincts 
told him he had made the right choice.

My first impression of Molly was that she had the 
most darling, honest face and an amazing ability to 
show her appreciation for having been invited to live in 
such a cozy home, with a big yard where she could romp 
and play freely. I remember thinking that she somehow 
knew she would be loved unconditionally for the rest of 
her life!

Within a couple of days after her arrival home, Molly 
became quite ill. The veterinarian diagnosed her with 
kennel cough, and treated her accordingly. This was 
not great news, but with the proper treatment, we knew 
Molly would recover and grow strong and healthy. 
Unfortunately, Molly did not respond to treatment 
as expected, and soon it became clear that there was 
something radically wrong with her. She was re-
evaluated and re-diagnosed with a much more serious 
disease … Molly had distemper. Canine distemper is a 
contagious, very serious viral disease with technically 
no known cure. The disease affects dogs, and certain 
species of wildlife such as raccoons, wolves, foxes, 
skunks and ferrets. Young, unvaccinated puppies and 
non-immunized older dogs tend to be more susceptible 
to the disease. Molly had been vaccinated by the SPCA 
after being rescued, but unfortunately it was too late. 
She had already been infected with the disease before 
she received the vaccination.

This news broke Frederick’s heart. After the trauma 
of loosing Chelsea earlier that year, he was just not ready 
to let go of his new-found friend. When I got the news 
about Molly’s real diagnosis, it was all I could do to hold 
back the tears. I have always been a praying person, 
believing that God listens and answers our prayers. 
However, it had been quite some time since I had prayed 
to God, and I was way over-due for a good long talk with 
Him. I guess sometimes it takes a traumatic experience 
to drive us to our knees. I did get on my knees that 
day and I prayed that God would grant a miracle for 
Molly. I thanked Him for people like Frederick who are 
willing to care for the animals he created. I asked God 
to let Molly live, mostly for Frederick’s sake, because he 
clearly needed her in his life. 

Things got worse before they got better. There were 
moments when it seemed Molly would die, then she 
would get stronger and show signs of recovery. This 
went on for several weeks, but with continued medical 
attention and consistent tender loving care, Molly did 
indeed recover. She now lives a full, very happy healthy 
life and she brings smiles to the faces of all of the 
neighbors who greet her during our daily walks together. 
I don’t know what I would do without seeing that open, 
honest little face with those perky ears peering up at me 
each morning before our walks. I believe that God did 
indeed grant Molly a miracle, not the least part of which 
is manifested in the joy that little girl brings to Frederick 
and to me, as well as so many others who know and love 
her! Thank God for “small” miracles!