Though largely unknown, vitamin K is critical for our health. It is needed for the normal clotting of blood and for the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. Although vitamin K2-- also called menaquinone--is naturally produced by some of our intestinal bacteria, only a limited amount of this essential vitamin is stored in our bodies. A lack of this vitamin, which can be caused by a poor diet and the regular use of certain drugs such as antibiotics, is not uncommon. Now, a new supplemental form of vitamin K, specifically vitamin K2--menaquinone-7 (MK-7)--is becoming more widely available to health consumers. It is showing great promise as a natural treatment for heart disease and bone loss. Available in soy products and as a nutritional supplement, MK-7 is clinically proven to be safe and effective. It may also be helpful for lowering cholesterol levels, preventing Alzheimer's disease, and treating some forms of cancer. And MK-7 is a powerful antioxidant without side effects.

Spectral radiation measurements were made in the range of 200 to 900 nm across a section of the plenum of an arc jet wind tunnel using a series of optical fibers. The spectra contained line radiation from Oxygen and Nitrogen atoms and molecular radiation from N2(+), N2, and NO. Abel inversion technique is used to obtain radial distribution of the spectra. The analysis yielded radial profiles of the electronic excitation, vibrational and rotational temperatures of the flow field. Spectral fitting yielded branching ratios for different vibrational and rotational bands. Relatively mild flow conditions, i.e. enthalpy and mass flow rate, were used for prolonged measurements of up to and over two hours to establish the best experimental methods of temperature determinations. Signal to noise was improved by at least an order of magnitude enabling the molecular vibrational band heads of N2(+) (first negative system), N2 (second positive system), and NO (beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon systems) to be resolved in the lower ultraviolet wavelength regions. The increased signal to noise ratio also enabled partial resolution of the rotational lines of N2(+) and N2 in certain regions of minimal overlap. Comparison of the spectra with theoretical models such as the NEQAIR2 code are presented and show potential for fitting the spectra when reliable calibration is performed for the complete wavelength range.

Here's a gripping techno-thriller, laced with political intrigue, in the finest tradition of Tom Clancy and Michael Crichton. Iranian scientists develop an ingenious plan which is destroying America's petroleum supply. A coup is underway to overthrow the Iranian government. The leader of this group has murdered the President of Iran. China is testing the first of twenty of the largest mobile machines ever built. These huge moving factories will convert China's vast soft coal fields into synthetic crude oil. This will double the carbon dioxide content of the world's air, dooming millions to death by asphyxiation or drowning. A deaf, crippled Israeli teenager invents a process to make automotive-grade ethanol from the air we breathe as its source of raw materials. The CEO of the world's largest agrichemical corporation enlists the support of the Deputy Secretary of Energy to help her convince the President of the United States to commit to developing this Israeli process to provide fuel for America's vehicles. Follow President Thomas Garner as he maneuvers his way through these challenges and opportunities. His solution is brilliant. The geopolitics of the world will never be the same. ... "Its daring is immediate..". Kirkus Review ... "A tough satisfying read that will please devotees of the blockbuster political thriller... Kirkus Review

The irreversible onslaught by a type of bacteria that feeds on crude oil and thrives in an environment without air is destroying America's oil. It has been ingeniously introduced into our oil fields by agents of the government of Iran.The CEO of the world's largest agrichemical corporation creates a research team whose mission is to find a new way to produce automotive grade ethanol. They discover a newly issued patent, pore over its process description and make a flying visit to a working pilot plant. The unit makes ethanol using only the carbon dioxide and water present in the air we are breathing as its raw material.The Chinese are ready to test the first of twenty enormous moving factories built to produce synthetic crude oil from their vast fields of soft coal. Their full implementation of this project will double the world's level of carbon dioxide with disastrous effect on global warming.It is in this maelstrom of chaos and opportunity that President Thomas Garner finds himself.Follow the President as he maneuvers his way through this nightmare of challenge and opportunity, changing the economics and geopolitics of our world forever