Why don’t cell phones have a dial tone? — Ask Your Science Teacher

Science and Health

Question: Why don’t cell phones have a dial tone?

Scheckel

Steve Rundio

Answer: The dial tone is used to let the telephone user know that a signal is available, and that the system is working. If no dial tone, no call can be placed.Most cell phones have those little bars that informs the owner of the signal strength. If the cell phone is out of range of a cell tower, the cell phones usually display something like “network unavailable” or “no service” on the screen.Keep in mind that even when you are not using your cell phone, it remains “on.”The cell phone is a receiver, just like a radio receiver, but with the volume turned down.The cell phone is listening for any calls that might come in. A cell phone is “off” only when a person turns the power off.

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Early telephone systems all had a telephone operator, a live person. Remember those Andy Griffin shows. Sheriff Andy Taylor would take the earpiece off the hook, and say into the separate mouthpiece, “Sarah, get me Mt. Pilot” or Barney Fife would say, “Sarah, ring me Juanita at the Bluebird Diner.”When telephone operations were automated, the automatic tone indicated the system was ready to be used. The British were the first to use a dial tone. The tone indicated that the telephone exchange was working, the receiver had been taken off the hook, and the telephone receiver is ready to talk into. The dial tone quit when the first number was dialed.The U.S. started using dial tones in the late 1940s. Widespread use came in the 1950s. There is a story about President Dwight Eisenhower leaving the White House in 1961. He retired to his farm a tad south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. When he picked up his house phone, he didn’t know what that strange noise was. One of his aides had to explain the dial tone to the former president, and also how to use a rotary phone.Modern dial tones in the U.S. are a blend of two frequencies, tones, or pitches. One is 350 Hz and the other is 440 Hz. In Europe it is a single tone of 425 Hz.That 440 Hz dial tone has been used by stringed concert musicians to tune their instruments. In music, the A above middle C is written as A440.Touch tone dialing, the current standard in the industry, started in 1963. Each number from 0 to 9, plus the star, pound, and A, B, C, and D buttons use two tones out of a possible eight. The lowest is 697 Hz and the highest is 1209 Hz. For example, when you hit the 6 button, you hear a combination of 770 Hz and 1477 Hz.
Larry Scheckel taught science at Tomah High School for 38 years and was named Tomah Teacher of the Year three times. Send comments and questions to [email protected].

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NP View: Close the tax loophole that allows foreign tech giants to bleed Canadian media dry

Technology

Breadcrumb Trail LinksNP CommentIt’s time to revisit the advertising tax deductibility provisions of the Income Tax ActPublished Nov 02, 2024  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  4 minute readPhoto by Getty ImagesArticle contentYou would be hard pressed to think of an industry that is struggling more than the Canadian news industry. It’s a business in which success is measured by survival — and there are fewer and fewer survivors with each passing year.Our parliamentarians have rightly recognized that the rapid decline of the fourth estate is an existential threat to the very foundation of our democracy. And there has been an honest effort from Canadian governments to provide support to an industry at risk of implosion.Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERSEnjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLESEnjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsDon’t have an account? Create AccountorSign in without password New , a new way to loginArticle contentEarlier this week, for example, it was announced that Google will soon be signing over a $100-million cheque to Canadian media organizations as part of a deal allowing the company to post news stories to its platform. “This is good news for the sustainability of the news ecosystem in Canada,” a spokesman for Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge was quoted as saying.The help is certainly welcome and needed, but this measure — and others like it — will not ensure the longevity of the news business. Drastic action is needed. Which brings us to an interesting little loophole in the Income Tax Act.Starting in the 1960s, U.S. media companies realized they could sell Canadian companies advertising space on their radio and television broadcasts, as well as in magazines and newspapers. The idea was pretty simple. You create a thinly veiled Canadian edition of your product and sell Canadian companies cheap ads. It was easy money that required little-to-no additional investment on the part of the U.S. behemoths. The impact on Canadian media, however, was significant.To address the issue, the Income Tax Act was amended so Canadian companies would no longer get a tax deduction if they advertised in foreign media. It was a powerful tool, which arguably helped to ensure the survival of Canadian media — until the advent of the internet, that is.PlatformedThis newsletter tackles hot topics with boldness, verve and wit. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentUnfortunately, the act as it stands now is old and toothless, as it was drafted long before Mark Zuckerberg was accepted to Harvard. It was simply never properly amended to address the rapid shift of advertising revenue from traditional print and broadcast models to digital platforms.As it stands now, an ad placed on Facebook is as deductible as one that is placed on a Canadian news platform. In short, the Canada Revenue Agency allows companies to deduct the full amount of any advertising purchases they make on the internet.A lot of money is at stake here. By the end of this year, the total Internet advertising spend in this country could reach $17 billion, according to the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada. But very little of that is going to support Canadian companies and their media operations.In 2021, Google and Meta alone gobbled up 79 per cent of the country’s online advertising revenue. Once you add in the money going to TikTok, LinkedIn and X, there isn’t much left. And the trend is only going to get worse.Canadian news operations have been squeezed out of their own market and starved of revenue as they go toe-to-toe with the largest companies in the world, which spend a fraction of the money they earn from their Canadian operations on staffing and infrastructure. Some might call it dumping.Advertisement 4Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Article contentIf the Canadian news industry is going to survive, we believe that serious and immediate action must be taken. And in this country, there is no institution as feared as the Canada Revenue Agency, and the Income Tax Act that it administers. As Peter Miller and David Keeble argue in their exhaustive paper written for the Friends of Canadian Media in March, “Advertising purchased on foreign Internet-delivered media that act as, or akin to, broadcast and newspaper services should not be deemed to be a deductible expense.” We couldn’t agree more.It’s time to revisit the advertising tax deductibility provisions of the Income Tax Act and make the necessary changes to ensure the long-term viability of Canada’s news industry. Depending on how the act is revised, Miller and Keeble estimate that between 15 and 90 per cent of current internet advertising expenditures could be deemed partially or fully non-deductible.A large percentage of that money, possibly hundreds of millions in incremental revenue, would flow back to Canadian media. It’s a revenue boost that the industry desperately needs. What’s more, the money that continued to be spent with the internet goliaths would now be subject to tax — funds that could help to offset existing government programs that support Canadian news operations.Of course, when billions of dollars are at stake, we fully expect significant pushback on the mere mention of any change to the status quo, especially on the trade front with the United States. It won’t be easy. But that’s the price of a functioning and independent fourth estate.Recommended from Editorial Paul Deegan: National Newspaper Week is about supporting local journalism Dean Ridings: The price we pay for ‘Googling it’ Article contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation Featured Local Savings

Mirror platform for science experiments on China’s space station now operational

Science and Health

The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)According to the National Space Science Center (NSSC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the scientific experiment mirror platform of the China Space Station has recently entered operation phase, providing critical support for scientific research conducted on the station.The mirror platform is equipped with 14 scientific experiment cabinets, as well as corresponding information, power distribution, fluid cooling and other public support equipment inside and outside the cabin. It is a scientific experiment system on the ground that operates in parallel with the China Space Station. The matching and verification experiments of a large number of scientific experiments that are about to be carried out by the crew members of the Shenzhou 19 spacecraft have already been done there before its launch.As a critical component of the national space laboratory’s ground infrastructure, the mirror platform serves three primary purposes. First, final testing of scientific payloads destined for the Shenzhou and Tianzhou spacecrafts is conducted here before launch, and astronauts can also conduct operational training for scientific experiments. Second, scientific experiments scheduled for the China Space Station can be simulated in advance. Last, in the event of an in-orbit fault, troubleshooting and solution verification can be carried out here, and space-to-ground comparison experiments are supported.On October 30, China Space Station welcomed the new Shenzhou 19 crew. The three taikonauts on Shenzhou 19 spaceflight mission entered the Tiangong Space Station and met with the other taikonaut trio stationed there. The primary goals of Shenzhou 19 are to reside on the space station for about six months, conduct space science and application experiments, perform extravehicular activities (EVAs), manage cargo entry and exit, install and recover space debris protection devices and other external equipment on the space station. The scheduled experiments during the mission include an unprecedented exposure experiment involving bricks made from simulated lunar soil — a potential building material for future habitats on the moon. The mission carries great importance for the country’s development of future manned lunar projects. Global Times

MEMA awards contract for emergency technology

Technology

The County of Maui Emergency Management Agency announced Friday that it has awarded a four-year contract to Genasys Inc. to provide two advanced public safety and emergency management software platforms.
Genasys EVAC and
TRAFFIC AI by Ladris Technologies will be implemented countywide, offering features like flexible evacuation planning, AI-powered traffic modeling and an emergency alert mobile app. The systems will provide tools for efficient multithreat planning and enhance communication during crises.
This milestone in emergency preparedness comes after the devastating wildfires that swept through Lahaina and Upcountry areas in August 2023. The new technology is intended to bolster Maui County’s ability to respond to disasters and keep the public informed and safe.
“MEMA’s contract award to Genasys marks a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance disaster preparedness and emergency management in Maui County,” Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said. “These
advanced planning and communication tools will allow us to respond more effectively to future emergencies, including making data-
driven evacuation decisions.”
The importance of timely and targeted emergency alert systems has been underscored by recent disasters in Lahaina and globally, including in Florida, North Carolina and Spain. The EVAC system addresses this need by providing real-time, location-based alerts and
using intelligent zoning
to precisely manage
evacuations.
With the Genasys Protect mobile app, the public will receive clear notifications, including evacuation orders and shelter-in-place updates. During emergencies, the platform will enable agencies to collaborate and share information instantly, ensuring a coordinated
response.

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Mission: Impossible 8 to be the final film in the Tom Cruise franchise?

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

The fact that legacy franchises are now reaching their end after spending decades on the big screen is heartbreaking. For a generation that has grown up with them, it feels like a part of their existence is about to be lost. One such franchise that is a core memory for many is the Tom Cruise-led Mission: Impossible. For most of us, the introduction to the lore of a man who does his own stunts—even if it means suspending himself mid-air thousands of feet above the ground on a plane—began with this franchise. So now, as we brace ourselves for the eighth film, one of the most anticipated movies across the world, there is an upsetting possibility that it may be the last installment in the franchise. Mission: Impossible 8 To Be the Last MI Film?Yes, you read that right. Tom Cruise fans have been on the edge of their seats as the star has promised an action-packed drama like no other with Mission: Impossible 8. Even though Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One did not perform as expected at the box office, the fans still have hope and are clearly not abandoning their superstar. However, it seems like Tom might be considering an end for the franchise and may make the eighth film his swan song. Read on to learn more.Started in 1996, the Mission: Impossible franchise has flourished over the years. However, the eighth film has been the talk of the town for a while and has been in the making for a long time. A Hollywood Reporter report now suggests that the studio and the leading man might end up making this the last film in the franchise after almost 30 years. It’s being said that it’s Tom Cruise’s decision to make this his final film in the franchise. There is no clarity or confirmation on this as we are yet to see the trailer or any promotional material to confirm it.Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One StillThe report also says that Tom Cruise is in discussions with Paramount to revive Days of Thunder and possibly bring a third Top Gun movie. “He’s talking [to Paramount] about Top Gun and Days of Thunder,” says a studio insider familiar with the discussions. “It’s going to be what comes together first in terms of a script. It depends on the idea and, ultimately, the script.”Mission: Impossible 8 Trailer To Release Soon?Simon Pegg recently revealed that Mission: Impossible 8 is nearing the finish line and that the trailer may be released quite soon. “Yes, it is. There will be a trailer for Mission: Impossible quite soon. Probably attached to a large release coming up. That’s all I’ll say.” So, maybe the announcement might be made with the trailer, or this could just be a hoax.You can watch the first six Mission: Impossible films on JioCinema with your OTTplay Premium subscription too. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One Still

Pani box office collection Day 8: Joju George’s film is a clear winner

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Pani box office collection Day 8: Joju George, the popular actor made his directorial debut recently, with the action thriller film. The movie, which also features former Bigg Boss Malayalam contestants Sagar Surya and Junaiz in pivotal roles, has been receiving positive reviews from both the audiences and critics. As per the latest updates, Pani has now crossed the Rs. 25 crore mark at the worldwide box office, within the first 8 days of its release.Pani box office collection Day 8Joju George, Prashanth Alexander and Bobby Kurian in PaniAccording to the latest updates from the trade experts, Pani has emerged as a clear winner at the box office, by earning over Rs. 25 crore in just 8 days. The Joju George directorial collected over Rs. 13.90 crore from the Kerala box office alone, when it completed the first weekend of its release. In that case, it is also confirmed that the movie has touched the Rs. 15 crore mark with its 8-day collection from the state.
The total collection from the rest of India and overseas box office stands at Rs. 10 crore. This is indeed a massive achievement for the Joju George directorial, which was made with a budget of less than Rs. 15 crore. If things proceed at the same rate, the action thriller has a high chance of crossing the Rs. 30 crore mark within its second weekend at the theatres. On the other hand, the total lifetime collection is expected to exceed Rs. 40 crore.
All about PaniSagar Surya and Junaiz in a still from PaniAs you may know, Joju George, who made his directorial debut with Pani, has also played the lead role in the film. Along with Joju, Sagar Surya, and Junaiz, the movie features a massive star cast including Abhinaya, veteran actress Seema, Sujith Shankar, Prashanth Alexander, Ranjith Velayudhan, Bobby Kurian, Rinosh George, Jayashanker, actress-singer Abhaya Hiranmayi, and others in pivotal roles. Venu ISC and Jinto George handled the cinematography of the film. Vishnu Vijay composed the songs and Sam CS handled the background score. Manu Antony handled the editing.

Paithani OTT Release date: Here’s when and where to watch Mrinal Kulkarni’s film

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

ZEE5 (OTTPlay Premium) is bringing a new heartwarming movie, titled, Paithani. The film stars Mrinal Kulkarni and Eisha Singh in the lead roles. The makers shared the poster along with the release date details on their social media accounts. Paithani OTT release dateOn November 2, ZEE5 took to their official Instagram handle and announced that a new film, Paithani will be available for streaming on the OTT platform from November 15. 
In the poster, we can see Mrinal Kulkarni and Eisha Singh. While Mrinal sitting with a saree sewing machine in front of her, Eisha is holding a helmet, standing beside her. From the poster, it is clear that Mrinal and Eisha will be playing a mother-daughter duo in Paithani.
Have a look: Sharing the poster, they captioned it, “A heartwarming tale of a mother’s legacy and a daughter’s mission. Presenting #Paithani—where tradition meets love, and legacy finds a voice. Paithani premieres 15th November, only on #ZEE5.”
Reacting to the annoucement, one Instagram user wrote, “Super excited for beautiful one.” Another commented, “Proud of you.” About Mrinal KulkarniThe actress and director is known for her work in several films and television productions. She is best known for her role as Mirabai in Doordarshan’s Mirabai and as an angel on Star Plus’s Son Pari. Mrinal made her acting debut at the age of 16 in the Marathi TV serial Swami as Ramabai Peshawe, the wife of Peshawe Madhavrao. She starred in Bollywood films such as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000), Veer Savarkar (2001), Quest (2006), and Made In China (2009).
Mrinal Kulkarni made her directorial debut with the Marathi film Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta. She also directed the Marathi historical drama Rama Madhav.
Apart from these, Mrinal also did web series such as Indian Police Force and Jeet Ki Zid.About Eisha SinghMeanwhile, Eisha Singh is a well-known Indian actress who works in Hindi television. She made her acting debut with Colors TV’s daily soap drama Ishq Ka Rang Safed in 2015. She also did romantic dramas Ishq Subhan Allah and Sirf Tum. Her other Television works are Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, Pyar Tune Kya Kiya, and Bekaboo. Eisha did a web series called Jab Mila Tu. 
Singh made special appearances in Kundali Bhagya, Sasural Simar Ka 2, Naagin 6, and others. 
Are you excited for Mrinal Kulkarni and Eisha Singh’s Paithani? Share your thoughts on X by tagging us @ottplayapp! 

Voronezh scientists have optimized the technology for obtaining high-quality collagen from fish skin

Science and Health

AK&M 02 November 2024 11:38

Specialists of the Faculty of Medicine and Biology of Voronezh State University have developed a new method for extracting collagen from the skin of freshwater fish – a valuable substance for cosmetics, medicine and the food industry. Scientists have received a patent for the invention.

Collagen is the main protein of connective tissue. With age, its level in the body decreases, the skin becomes drier and less elastic, wrinkles begin to appear. Therefore, it is believed that collagen-containing cosmetics can resist age-related changes. The results of scientific research confirm the potential use of collagen in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. For example, in case of damage to joints or skin, soft tissue injuries or burns, it promotes accelerated recovery. Collagen is also widely used in the production of meat and fish products to improve their texture and stability.

The VSU Scientific group is led by a professor of the Department of Biophysics and Biotechnology Sergey Antipov is engaged in the development of collagen-based biomaterials for wound healing, tissue replacement and repair in surgery, as well as the production of functional peptides based on fish collagen for special and specialized nutrition products.

The new method presented by the authors differs from existing technologies in speed (production time is reduced from seven days to several hours), efficiency (high collagen yield) and the quality of the final product. The process includes several stages, each of which is aimed at achieving high purity of collagen and minimizing damage to protein molecules. As a result, the product retains the original fibrillar structure of collagen and contains fewer impurities, which makes it more suitable for use in medical and cosmetic preparations.

The method has been experimentally tested in laboratory conditions. In the future, scientists will continue to work on the creation of collagen-based materials using the most modern research approaches, including using megascience-class installations.

The research was conducted within the framework of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Synchrotron and Neutron Research of the national project “Science and Universities”.
Please note that this press release is based on materials provided by the company. AK&M Information Agency shall not be held liable for its contents, nor for the legal and other consequences of its publication.

Oyo to establish business district in Ibadan

Business News

The Oyo State Government is set to establish a business district in Ibadan, the state capital, creating a commercial corridor that will become a hub of economic activity.
The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Williams Funmilayo, announced this through a statement on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, during a sensitisation meeting with relevant stakeholders in the Akinyele area of Ibadan.
He said, “The project will be situated in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.
“3,149 hectares of land have been delineated for the project, with 598.613 hectares earmarked as a resettlement scheme for some of the affected villages.”

He further revealed that 833.853 hectares had been identified as a developed area, which will be excised from the acquisition, while the remaining 1,717.235 hectares will be designated as the Ilu-tuntun Business District. Related News
The commissioner added that the enumeration and valuation of structures would commence on Monday, 4 November 2024, to provide a clearer perspective of the affected areas within the Ilu-tuntun Business District corridor.
Funmilayo urged the organised private sector to partner with the state government to grow the economy and improve residents’ living conditions.
The commissioner also appealed to Akinyele residents to cooperate with officials conducting the enumeration and valuation of affected properties, scheduled to begin on Monday, 4 November 2024.
Also speaking, the council chairman, Wole Akinleye, thanked the government for initiating the project in the area, noting that residents of remote villages welcomed the measures taken by the government.