Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2014 August 6

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August 6

From today's featured article

please ask this, or better, don't, at the feature article talk page. We deal here with requests for references, or links to relevant articles. μηδείς (talk) 02:42, 6 August 2014 (UTC)
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
Are you so-o-o liberal that every "From today's featured article" has to be to your political leanings? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.227.239.49 (talk) 01:04, 6 August 2014 (UTC) What, specifically, are you talking about? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 01:11, 6 August 2014 (UTC) @96.227...: That is a typical bias: from a rightist position, everything seems leftist, or "liberal" (which by the way doesn’t mean what you think it does). Rgds -- ᛟ hugarheimur 01:27, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

I should point out that you should not raise such issues on the article talk page. If you have an issue with the article, sure. If you have an issue with the way TFAs are chosen, you should raise that at an appropriate place like Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article or Wikipedia talk:Today's featured article/requests or may be WP:VPP if you wanted to raise the issue somewhere. Nil Einne (talk) 16:38, 11 August 2014 (UTC)

Game development in Japan - what engines do they use?

Japan makes most video games so they must have their own game development software. What game development software do they use over there that is not available over here? I'm not looking for info about using Unity or Unreal in Japanese, I'm asking what native to Japan and not available in the US game dev stuff studios and indies use over there. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2602:306:8051:4D60:580F:B9B0:57ED:A845 (talk) 01:25, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Are you sure about your first assumption? This article suggests there isn't much difference, aside from the language. InedibleHulk (talk) 03:14, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Seconded. I lived in Japan for ten years, and I am a professional Japanese/English translator. One of my main specalisms is IT localization, which includes gaming. The Japanese use the same software as in the West. If the software already exists, there would be no point in a gaming company using up resources to create a specialist team for the purpose of making software for game development which could only be used in Japan. There is too little demand for it, so they wouldn't make their money back. KägeTorä - (^影_虎) (Chin Wag) 03:43, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

If I could ask for some brief unpaid work, what exactly does the Japanese text on my userpage say? I get the gist of it (ineffective) and get the feeling it makes me unwelcome on Wikipedia, but that's about it. InedibleHulk (talk) 04:19, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Nevermind that, I realized I could just read the English userbox. Jibes with the French one, so I assume it's standard across Wikipedia. InedibleHulk (talk) 11:06, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

"...jives jibes..." Sorry, one of my peeves. --Trovatore (talk) 00:20, 9 August 2014 (UTC)

Nothing to be sorry about. When you're right, you're right. I've been wrong a long time on this. I can't promise it'll never happen again, but I'll try to remember the difference. InedibleHulk (talk) 21:37, 11 August 2014 (UTC)

It just says "This user does not understand Japanese." Pretty useless userbox, really. I wonder if someone could make a "This user does not have a dog" for me....? My invoice is in the post. KägeTorä - (^影_虎) (Chin Wag) 19:27, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

The uselessness was the appealing part. Not sure of a neutral "no dog" box, but there's this in-depth anti-dog one. Thanks for clearing that up. InedibleHulk (talk) 13:15, 7 August 2014 (UTC)

What is the purpose of escort jet fighters

Yesterday, (Aug 5 2014), a flight from Dohar into Manchester Airport was escorted to the airport by RAF jet fighters after the pilot received what he believed was a credible threat from a passenger. (see here. Can anyone offer me a credible purpose for this escort. What would they do if the plane exploded or targeted something on the ground? As it happened all ended well. Richard Avery (talk) 07:58, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

This Channel 4 article may shed some light on the situation in question. In general it's to make sure there's a visual tracking of the aircraft. The Rambling Man (talk) 08:22, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

That's fine, now I can see what they are about. Thanks RM. Richard Avery (talk) 08:50, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

I would have said that these days with radar everywhere, there's no need to visually track planes, but the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 makes it apparent that if they fly between radar stations, and turn off their transponders, they can evade detection. StuRat (talk) 22:48, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

I would bet that if the hijackers tried to pull a 9/11 stunt and crash the plane into the Houses of Parliament or something, the fighter pilots would have orders to shoot it down. That's certainly the case in the USA, and has been the case in the UK in the past (see, for example: [1]). SteveBaker (talk) 16:47, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

In addition to the above, I think I read somewhere that having an escort that can precision fly and has much greater airspeed (like a combat aircraft to a passenger jet) means it can do repeated passes of the target plane to observe for visible damage etc to the exterior, though I'm not sure how often that's actually a useful factor in real life. --Dweller (talk) 11:46, 11 August 2014 (UTC)

A lot of what the military and police do is "just in case". 99.999% of the time they will not be needed, but if something happens and they aren't there to deal with it there is going to be an uproar. Also, any time something out-of-the-ordinary happens with an airliner it is going to draw a great deal of attention. Sending a jet pilot up to take a look might tell you something you would not otherwise know. Pergelator. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 50.43.11.252 (talk) 18:16, 11 August 2014 (UTC)

A non listing

Frank Arthur Kasala Regular US Army #19063506 Infantry, Combat veteran; Blue Combat Infantry Badge. 3 battle stars Europe.WW2

?? Why not listed? Frank A. Kasala — Preceding unsigned comment added by 27.141.30.148 (talk) 08:30, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Because we don't list every soldier who ever served. See WP:SOLDIER for the general military requirements. Clarityfiend (talk) 08:59, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

WP:WHAAOE, except most people, and sundry other topics. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 09:02, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Abbreviation

Resolved

In Tinsley, near Sheffield, there's an industrial building at 53°24′16″N 1°23′31″W (currently owned by Aggregate Industries, according to Google). On a map I have from the early 80's (presumably before the current structure was built), the site is labeled "BSC SPACE". "BSC" is presumably the British Steel Corporation. Does anyone know what "SPACE" means in this context? Tevildo (talk) 12:26, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

I can't answer your question, however the label "BSC SPACE" is still used. See http://raildar.co.uk/depart/SHPCLPS It's a TIPLOC (Timing point location). TIPLOCs are used by train planners to identify what time trains should arrive at, depart or pass a particular point. --TrogWoolley (talk) 13:42, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Thanks for the information. The site still appears to have a railhead, although I don't know if it's currently in use. Tevildo (talk) 14:22, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

According to TIPLOC's downloadable Excel file here "BSC SPACE (SHEPCOTE LANE)" is the NLC description (the NLC is 668119, the TIPLOC is "SHPCLPS"). See also Open Rail Data Wiki. (Still don't know what SPACE stands for, it's not used in any of the other NLC descriptions listed in that xls file). ---Sluzzelin talk 14:26, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Some prodding with that information has yielded the name of the site under BSC ownership, "Coil Products Sheffield" (see Outokumpu#United Kingdom). I'm sure we'll find the full text soon. Thanks again! Tevildo (talk) 16:09, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Got it! "Stainless Plate And Coil Expansion". See this article from 1979. Tevildo (talk) 16:30, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

:Oh you've taken me back to the 1990s when my husband used to work for British Rail out of Tinsley Yard, and they used to run trains of steel between something called SMAK and SPACE. However, at some stage the process was outsourced, so the steel used to leave SMAK and go abroad, be processed and return to SPACE. How wasteful of resources. --TammyMoet (talk) 19:02, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

That sounds like an idea for a children's action movie: 'Thomas - The Train Of Steel' KägeTorä - (^影_虎) (Chin Wag) 20:03, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

SMACC is "Stainless Metals And Continuous Casting". On my map it's just down as "Tinsley Park Works". Processing was transferred to Tornio in 2005. Tevildo (talk) 19:22, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Purple Injection

After a bicycle crash today, I was taken to hospital, and amongst other things, had to have a CT scan done. During the process, I was given what was described to me as a purple liquid by injection. The radiographer did not tell me what the name of the liquid was. It produces a very warm feeling in the body (especially 'between the legs' for some reason) and a strange taste in the mouth. Does anyone know what it is? KägeTorä - (^影_虎) (Chin Wag) 19:41, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

See Radiocontrast agent. There are several types of agent listed there - as yours was purple, it's reasonable to assume it's based on iodine rather than barium. It'll probably be on your medical notes; I believe we have a right to see them in the UK. I know I always get reams of paperwork to take away with me whenever I go to hospital. Hope you recover from the crash soon, of course. Tevildo (talk) 20:18, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Thanks! And thanks! I was looking to see if there were any other side-effects, because I am severely itchy all over, and related articles say that itchiness is a side effect of the iodine-based ones. I don't know which one she used, though, it seems they all have the same side-effects. KägeTorä - (^影_虎) (Chin Wag) 21:57, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Without wishing to cross the line, I'm sure that a person who had been injected with such an agent would have been advised about going back to A&E if they were to have a serious allergic reaction to it. Or to press their buzzer if they were still on the ward. But confidence can be had that the RD regulars are sensible. ;) Tevildo (talk) 22:21, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

I should mention that there should be a Patient's Bill of Rights which entitles you to know everything they inject into you, and for you to approve or reject it. If somebody told me they were going to inject "purple liquid" into me and refused to tell me what I was, there's no way I would allow it. StuRat (talk) 22:43, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

It's not likely that she refused to tell him. People who are about to get a CT to check for broken bones are usually not in a frame of mind to listen to detailed explanations, and unless the patient asks questions, most medical assistants will just say something like, "this is something we use to make the scan work better". Looie496 (talk) 03:20, 7 August 2014 (UTC)

The relevant UK legislation is the Health Act 2009, the NHS Constitution, and the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The right to refuse treatment and the right of access to medical records are in Section 3a of the NHS Constitution. I'm not sure about the exact legal status of this document, though. Tevildo (talk) 23:20, 6 August 2014 (UTC)

Pure personal research, but I had a kidney contrast radiograph some years ago and was injected with an iodine based contrast medium. I also experienced those warm feelings in patches all over my body with some slight itching for a couple of days afterwards. Based on the similarity of our experiences I think it very likely that you had an iodine based injection. Richard Avery (talk) 05:48, 7 August 2014 (UTC)

I hope you are feeling better KT. Two anecdotes to offer. Firstly, someone I know was given a dye before a scan and got very itchy and was told that it contained a dye made from shellfish - something she was allergic to. Secondly, another friend udergoing chemo was warned that the particular concoction she was on that week would give her a similar 'warm tingly between the legs' effect. She quite enjoyed it! 83.104.128.107 (talk) 13:01, 7 August 2014 (UTC)

Thanks, I am fine now. Just on painkillers, and hoping my bruising will go down soon. As for the itchiness, I have asked a few friends who have also had it, and it seems to be the norm. Regarding the tingly feeling between the legs, the first thing I said out (very) loud when it happened was "WTF?!?!" It was quite surprising. KägeTorä - (^影_虎) (Chin Wag) 23:38, 8 August 2014 (UTC)