Parlor trick

One of the approaches in evaluating the permeability of an aquifer system is to perform an aquifer test by pumping a well and observing the water-level decline with time in nearby observation wells. In systems of low permeability, sufficient water for a pumping test is generally prima facie evidence that it is unacceptable as a disposal site. Consequently, a new set of "parlor tricks" is needed to define the permeability of those types of media. 

Unfortunately, the laughing gas parties and parlor tricks of the early 1800s have evolved into abuse, and nitrous oxide is one of many commonly abused inhalants in the United States. The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition reports that one in five American children have used an inhalant by eighth grade. 

Anet et al. [73] have cited a French parlor trick called la coupe du roi—the royal section—in which an apple is bisected into two homochiral halves, as shown in Figure 2-46. An apple can be easily bisected into two achiral halves. On the other hand, it is impossible to bisect an apple into two heterochiral halves. Two heterochiral halves, however, can be obtained from two apples, both cut into two homochiral halves in the opposite sense. According to la coupe du roi two vertical half cuts are made through the apple. One cut goes from the top to the equator, and another, perpendicularly, from the bottom to the equator. In addition, two nonadjacent quarter cuts are made along the equator. If all this is properly done, the apple should separate into two homochiral halves. 

Figure 2-46. The French parlor trick la coupe du roi An apple can be cut into two homochiral halves in two ways which are enantiomorphous to each other. (An apple cannot be cut into two heterochiral halves. Two heterochiral halves originating from two different apples cannot be combined into one apple).

Is this just a parlor trick that has no lasting effect If you do it just that one time, yes. But if you make it a habit to take several little mini-vacations a day of deep breathing, eventually you ll see a lasting benefit. You ll eventually reach a point where you breathe fewer times per minute throughout the entire day. How many times per minute do you breathe now You probably have no idea unless you make it a point to count your breaths. Do so now. Note the number. Then make an effort to breathe fewer times per minute but more fully and deeply. Studies have proven that people who do this will have lower blood pressure levels. 

Henderson pointed out another property of water its high surface tension, which is substantially higher than that of any other common liquid except mercury. This curious property allows water striders to walk across the surface of ponds or, as a parlor trick, partyers to float a double-edged razor blade in a bowl of water. More important, this property helps water to flow upward, against the force of gravity, in the tiny veins of even tall plants. 

If both the modified and the unmodified fibers are put into a dye bath containing a mixture of disperse and cat dyes, they will emerge with two different colors. This is not only a good parlor trick, but is useful in the creation of specialty fabrics when the two different yarns are woven into fabrics with a predetermined pattern. The multicolored pattern emerges upon dyeing. 

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