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Prospective meta-analysis
A prospective meta-analysis uses only trials that have been identified and selected before their results are known. This avoids some of the problems of meta-analyses.
Usually, meta-analyses are performed when individual trials have finished. However, collecting studies after their completion can lead to statistical problems. For example, if a meta-analysis is carried out because of knowledge of a particular positive trial result, this can influence how other studies are chosen for the meta-analysis and cause bias in the analysis. This is why prospective meta-analyses are performed.
» Glossary
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Coding, Sorting and Sifting of Qualitative Data Analysis | MyPaperHub
Qualitative data analysis encompasses the most basic initiatives by researchers trying to understand and develop given assumptions with regard to a particular topic or life situation. The process is different from other statistical approaches of collecting and analyzing data, in the sense that it largely relies on information obtained from the targeted group. Qualitative research approaches include; coding, which entails the sorting and arranging of data and information from research through the use of codes or labelling (Chowdhury 2015, p. 1138). Coding is quite essential in planning for the analysis of the information and serves to enable the understanding of what is occurring to the different components of the whole research data. Use of words to represent a particular situation and the employing of different signs to imply a given event, are some of the techniques used in coding of information in qualitative data analysis.
Sorting on the hand incorporates the placing of similar objects or entities together to facilitate easier analysis and assessment of the data. Sorting is an important step in data analysis since it largely reduces the work due to the fact that components bearing similarity are placed at the right areas. Sifting involves the picking and generation of the most essential data from the sorted items. The process of sifting establishes the foundation for the qualitative analysis by researchers since the acquisition of the useful information is completed (Chowdhury 2015, p. 1140). Therefore, this article will delve into offering a criticisms into the approaches in qualitative data analysis. Reasons why some researchers regard the approach as inconsequential and non-effective in data collection and subsequent interpretation shall be fronted. Further, critic as to why the methodology is an important tool in analysis of life situation from peoples’ perspectives and ideologies shall also be countered. In addition, postulations of different researchers on matters related to qualitative data research shall be examined and reviewed.
Problem Significance
Qualitative data analysis provides researchers with an avenue and an opportunity to understand and give meaning to opinions and beliefs they acquire form the field interactions with people. Proponents of the qualitative data analysis, argue that, the process enables an individual identify and get a taste of the behavioral and cultural aspect of given people. Unlike other statistical methodologies that aim at acquiring tangible and solid data, qualitative data analysis promotes the comprehension of the specific data or information at various dimensions and angles (Chowdhury 2015, p. 1136). Based on the direct interviews conducted by the respective researcher, a correlation with what is taking place at the field can be attested to. The abovementioned aspect of qualitative data analysis establishes a superiority of the approach to the others.
Tremendous efforts and personal commitment is recommended on part of the researchers in attempts to acquire information either through observations or an interaction with the target group. The ability to identify with the issues of concern to the research is also extremely important to ensure the final research report clearly reflects the individual’s opinions and inferences (Chowdhury 2015, p. 1138). Qualitative aims and gives due attention to the third party involved in the research in trying to gauge and measure their perceptions with regard to a particular phenomenon. Therefore, the approach is regarded as to represent the common issues surrounding the lives of the respondents.
The capacity of the researcher to embrace and incorporate other techniques such as self-management and awareness in identifying and realizing the issues such as the surrounding nature or the external environment that governs the respondents’ behaviors. Integration of qualitative research with other approaches to data analysis and assessment enables a deeper comprehension of matters of contention on research. The particular emphasis given on the need to assure for human touch on the data provided, further strengthens the methodology and distinguishes it from other approaches as noted by most scientists. Solid explanations and discussions can be formulated showing the reasons as to why particular life events take a given course or path. On such basis, qualitative research offers deeper and easier interpretive data on the concepts of interest.
The methodology of research facilitates the ability to understand the sociocultural activities and practices of a particular group. Of great importance to the methodology, is the capacity to incorporate and assume human tendencies and feature. As opposed to other research methods, clarity can be established that, understanding of the human traits is far much more essential that the acquisition of huge sets of data meant to define a particular circumstance. Through the use of coding and sorting of data, tabulations and conclusions can easily be derived from the data sections offered (Chowdhury 2015, p. 1139). The capacity to freely give personal ideas with regard to a particular scenario is not compromised as evident from the other statistical methods such as quantitative analysis. Use of questionnaire and other initiatives in the latter method, limits the ability to acquire a personalized response. Comprehensive and adequate reactions are aroused from the groups interviewed due to the direct contact and the ability to question and discuss critical issues during the interview.
Furthermore, qualitative research alleviates the challenge of forming an opinion or ideology about a given phenomenon until sufficient convincing evidence is attained from the observation process. Any possible bias due to association with the particular object does not compromise the integrity of the results achieved from the exercise. With controversial issues, qualitative research approaches can be embraced to assess the reasons or conditions that are attributed to given behavior. The reasoning and the beliefs of the people can be monitored during the process in order to adequately form a conclusion with regard to a particular practice or activity. However, despite the aforementioned benefits of qualitative data analysis, negative criticism has been postulated on many occasions.
Critics of the qualitative research approaches have developed some postulations and opinions to indicate that, the approach yields inconsequential and insignificant results. Evidence on this has been the allegations that qualitative data analysis majorly focuses on a small entity where easier acquisition of data is possible. Such statements imply that, a conclusive and adequate results defining the area cannot be achieved (Chowdhury 2015, p. 1137). On this basis, findings of qualitative data analysis have been disregarded by most proponents of the quantitative approach to analysis. In addition, reliability and credibility of the estimated results has also been compromised. The geographical area of coverage cannot easily be assessed based on opinions derived from other people participating in the interviews as seen in the qualitative analysis.
Biasness of the corresponding researchers has also been questionable where displaying and composition of individualistic opinions without the conducting of any substantial research to find the underlying issues has been done. Such bias has been an issue of debate, where proponents of quantitative approach believe that accuracy of data should be maintained by gathering the necessary data from the fields (Chowdhury 2015, p. 1142). The approaches of sorting and coding have also been viewed to offer personal beliefs and judgments which are entirely limited and construed to that particular individual. Therefore, assumptions have been made that, such researchers feed people with their own convictions as opposed to following the right measures to the development research information.
Personal differences that arise during interactions in the efforts to acquire information on a given research may render the qualitative approach ineffective. Moreover, the method is limited to the willingness of the particular respondents to share and exchange information on given topic of concern (Chowdhury 2015, p. 1140). Thus, bearing such difficulties, different researchers have been fully convicted that the qualitative research relies so much on external factors that are incontrollable thereby risking the quality of the research. Further, judging and determination of how true and accuracy of the given data provided by an individual based on their own opinions is quite challenging. Principles of research dictate that a data set must bear some level of truth and bear a correlation to the factor being investigated in theory. However, due to the small area samples achieved using this particular analytical approach, acquisition of average data values that represent a wholesome entity is compromised.
Implications for Software Development
With the continued advancement in technology, embracing of the recent trends in both research and other areas of life is quite paramount. Technology has over times acted as possible substitute for the human effort if changes to correspond to the imminent extinction are not established. Previously, coding and sorting activities were solely conducted through human effort where clear thinking and reasoning was possible before taking a decision. However, with the rise of technology, software have been generated that seek to eliminate some of the elongated research methodologies (Chowdhury 2015, p. 1135). The essence of such advancements is to create an improvement on the research criterion by providing for faster research initiatives. The analysis of the data functions using the software for qualitative data analysis is quite challenging since the systems cannot generate individual reasoning approach. The underlying consequences of software development are the inability to evoke the human mind in the analysis process. However, assisting in approaches to qualitative research through coding and sorting quite faster using the advanced software.
Based on the above discussion, conclusion can be made that, qualitative research cannot be dismissed at whatever cost. Integration of the process with the various aspects of data collection such as the ability to assess individual’s character and understand their feelings gives a deeper meaning to research (Chowdhury 2015, p. 1136). Despite the negative critic, proposition is advocated for the adoption of qualitative data analysis, as measure to determine different components of research simultaneously. In addition, the possibility of biasness is greatly reduced due to the fact that respondents are given the opportunity to share their opinions without any opinion being formed about them. Any prior judgment of a given life situation is avoided to establish for the accuracy of the results desired. Moreover, qualitative research offers an opportunity to incorporate the coding parameter as well as sorting as the preparation foundations for the analysis by allocating elements of similarity together.
Chowdhury, M. F., 2015. Coding, sorting and sifting of qualitative analysis: debates and
discussions. Quality & Quantity, 49(3), pp. 1135-1143.
Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
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debunking vegan myths
Debunking vegetarianism myths with Louise and Nikita
This week we celebrate International Vegetarian Week with a range of blogs, interviews and recipes. Why not take the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of vegetarian and vegan diets, and how to create nutrient-dense meals? A great place to start is the interview below, where our Naturya Ambassadors Louise and plant-based influencer Nikita, who are both qualified nutritionists, set the record straight on two common myths about not consuming meat.
Myth 1- Does a vegetarian diet provide enough protein to maintain a healthy lifestyle and reach your fitness goals?
Nikita: There are many misconceptions surrounding veganism, building muscle and the effects on athletic performance. Firstly, it’s important to point out that the human body’s primary source of fuel is glucose. Complex carbohydrates, which are naturally found in all plant foods and broken down into glucose, are my favourite fuel. They are usually high in dietary fibre, which is essential for maintaining good gut health.
A vegan/vegetarian diet often contains more carbohydrates compared to an omnivorous diet, making energy more readily available for use. Therefore, with richer energy stores, you will be able to utilise the energy more efficiently to push yourself further and perform better.
It is also believed that animal protein is superior to plant protein for building muscle. Animal protein is considered a complete protein as it provides the full range of essential amino acids, whereas most plant proteins are incomplete as individually they do not provide all the nine essential amino acids the body cannot produce itself. However, there are several delicious complete plant protein sources you can still include in your diet such as buckwheat, hemp, quinoa and soy.
To make a complete protein from diverse plant sources, which is also effective in building muscle, a combination of different plant proteins such as nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes is required.
Another misconception is that a vegan/vegetarian diet does not provide enough protein to build muscle. Depending on the individual’s fitness goals and/or genetics, one should consume between 0.8-1.2g of protein per kg of bodyweight. For the average adult weighing 80kg, one would need to consume 0.8 x 80kg = 64g of protein per day. Fortunately, plant foods are a rich source of protein and can be found in grains, soy, nuts, seeds, beans and legumes and also provide many other nutrients that are associated with several improved health outcomes compared to traditional meat diets.
Louise: There are indeed so many good sources of protein for vegetarians and vegans to choose from:
• Lentils, chickpeas, and beans
• Cereals (wheat, oats and rice)
• Soya products (tofu, soya drinks and textured soy protein, such as soya mince)
• Nuts and seeds
• Natural, plant-based protein blends such as Naturya’s Plant Superprotein which comes in 3 delicious flavours and is enriched with superfoods to help boost your vitamins and minerals intake
For those on a vegetarian diet, I also recommend consuming organic eggs and lower-fat dairy products (milk, cheese and yoghurt).
Try Naturya NEW organic Coconana Chia or Cacao Maca Overnight Oats combining the highest quality gluten free oats and hemp protein to create a delicious high protein porridge perfect for any time of the day.
Myth 2- Can you get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs from non-animal sources?
If your diet isn't planned properly, you could miss out on essential nutrients on any type of diet. Vegetarians need to make sure they get enough iron and vitamin B12, and vegans enough calcium, iron and vitamin B12. Women are thought to be at particular risk of iron deficiency, including those on a vegetarian or vegan diet. So, here’s how to boost your intake of these nutrients:
Although meat is the best source of iron, other good sources include:
• Pulses - beans, lentils and peas
• Nuts and seeds including almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds.
• Dried apricots
• Dark-green vegetables like watercress, broccoli and spring greens
• Wholegrains like brown rice and quinoa
• Cereals fortified with iron
• Superfoods like Maca, Mulberries, Goji berriesLucuma powder or try Naturya Spirulina & Chlorella tablets for an incredibly convenient source of iron and vitamin B12.
As long as you remember to regularly include these foods in your diet, you should be getting enough iron.
This vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal products, so it can be difficult to get enough B-12 on a vegan diet. Vitamin B-12 deficiency may go undetected in people who eat a vegan diet. This is because the vegan diet is rich in a vitamin called folate, which may mask a deficiency in vitamin B-12 until severe problems occur. For this reason, vegans need to consider vitamin supplements, vitamin-enriched cereals and fortified soy products. A fantastic vegan source of B-12 to try is organic Chlorella.
Try Chlorella powder or our NEW Chlorella & Spirulina tablets.
Sources of omega-3 fatty acids suitable for vegetarians and vegans include:
Do you want to know more?
Keep an eye on this space and our recipe section to get more vegetarian/vegan inspiration!
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Tree Crown
August 25, 2021
Tree Crown - \ ˈtrē ˈkrau̇n/ - noun
The top part of the tree, above the main trunk, containing all of the branches and leaves.
Tree Crowns in the Forest Garden:
After four years in the Forest Garden Program, farmers have an average of over 2000 trees growing in their plot. While this is an abundant amount of vegetation, there is still a limited amount of space available so it is extremely important that farmers are intentional with the species they select to fill their Forest Garden as some trees will take up more space than others. As the trees develop, their crowns will begin to extend over more ground. If a farmer selects species that have very wide crowns, the crops growing beneath may eventually suffer due to a lack of sunlight.
Alemayehu Markos - 21 Oct 2021
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Temporary Road Building
Building in Sensitive Natural Environments: 4 Examples
In areas of great natural beauty and sensitive natural environments, special care has to be taken in the construction of any required structures – and this often poses a challenge for engineers and developers. But with the right technology, forethought and consideration, it can be done! Here are some shining examples of projects that delivered the infrastructure needed without negatively impacting the environment.
1. Building a temporary road to construct a wind farm in a Scottish nature reserve
When an access road to transport a wind turbine generator to a remote area in a Scottish nature reserve was required, engineers were faced with several unique challenges. Not only was the terrain mountainous and covered in large parts by soft peat bogs, the protected status of the reserve required minimal environmental disturbance. In addition, the road had to ‘disappear’ once the project had been completed – again, with minimal impact to the environment.
Temporary Road Building
How do you build a temporary road that’s strong and stable enough to allow access for heavy vehicles over soft peat, and can also be easily dismantled? It turned out that geocell technology was the answer. Constructed from a polymeric alloy called Neoloy, which is welded into a honeycomb structure and then filled with soil or aggregate, geocells create what is referred to as a ‘cellular confinement system’.
Interlocking forces between the soil and cell walls give the resulting layer enhanced physical and mechanical properties. This means they could utilize weak soils from locally available borrow pits for structural infill – making its removal and disposal on site that much easier.
Whilst a normal gravel road would have required a much greater volume of granular infill, this solution reduced the amount required by some 120,000 cubic meters, as well as significantly shortening the project timetable. Overall, project costs were reduced by a whopping 72%, whilst minimizing the environmental footprint at the same time. Once the project was complete, the road was easily dismantled, and the land quickly returned to its natural state.
2. Eco-friendly apartment living in Maine, USA
Creating affordable housing while also making minimal intrusion on the natural environment is a growing global challenge, and it’s not always easy to find room for both people and open, natural spaces. In Maine, the Ledgewood Court Apartments in Damariscotta won themselves the Friends of Midcoast Maine Award for managing to do just this.
ecofriendly apartment
They did this by constructing 24 affordable housing units over just 3.5 acres of the total available 10.5, preserving all the remaining land for open space. In addition, they handle all stormwater on-site, so that local water bodies are protected from pollutants from runoff.
3. Duma Manzi Eco-Lodge & Spa, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Another method for causing the least disturbance to a pristine natural environment is to limit new building to areas where old but unused infrastructure already exists. Duma Manzi Eco-Lodge in South Africa, which is situated in a delicate game reserve environment, accomplished this by only constructing new sites on land which had previously been settled by farm laborers or used for campsites. This meant that no new areas were used for building, preserving as much of the African wilderness as possible in its original form.
eco lodge south africa
They also used recycled bricks and grass thatching for construction wherever possible, as well as timber from removed alien vegetation to construct benches, tables and bar furniture. Greywater is collected and used for irrigation, solar panels augment electricity supply, several water saving mechanisms are in place, all refuse is recycled, and only biodegradable cleaning detergents are used throughout.
4. Pixel – the wacky, carbon-neutral, water-neutral office building in Melbourne, Australia
While not itself in what you would call a sensitive environmental area, this one of a kind building perfectly demonstrates a principle which can be applied to virtually any new building in such an environment – the ability to generate its own water and electricity and manage its own waste. The four story building managed not just to score a perfect 105 points on the Australian Green Star rating system, but went even further with a vacuum toilet system and anaerobic digestion system to deal with its own waste.
water neutral office building
A native-planted green roof harvests all the water required by the building, solar panels and wind turbines on the roof generate enough energy to power it, and that slightly bizarre-looking façade helps make the structure more energy efficient. It is an excellent example of how a building can become totally self-sustaining – and therefore makes a great model for environmentally sensitive natural areas where minimal impact on the environment is desired.
2 thoughts on “Building in Sensitive Natural Environments: 4 Examples
1. For areas where you experience poor or unstable soil, BaseCore™ geocells eliminates further erosion and allows for immediate foot, horse or vehicle traffic mobility. It acts like rebar to reinforce the ground.
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Explain Windows Runtime app?
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Explain Windows Runtime app?
posted Feb 20, 2015 by Karthi Kumar
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Windows Runtime, or WinRT, is a platform-homogeneous application architecture on the Windows 8 operating system. WinRT supports development in C++/CX (Component Extensions, a language based on C++) and the managed languages C# and VB.NET, as well as JavaScript and TypeScript.
Let's start with Windows Runtime apps. A Windows Runtime app is an app that uses the Windows Runtime and runs on a Windows device (such as a PC or tablet) or a Windows Phone. We call a Windows Runtime app that runs on PCs, laptops, and tablets a Windows Store app. We call a Windows Runtime app that runs on the Windows Phone a Windows Phone Store app.
answer Feb 24, 2015 by Jdk
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Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Swiss Scientists May Destroy Earth!
The CERN lab near Geneva, Switzerland, is currently building the world's largest particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider. Some scientists believe that when operational (next year), the collider may actually create miniature black holes.
Sounds intriguing!
However, the Lifeboat Foundation, a group "dedicated to helping humanity survive existential risks and possible misuse of increasingly powerful technologies," is concerned that those gravity wells could actually consume the entire planet!
Doh! That would be bad.
Ah, but fear not, as a LiveScience article explains:
...the chance of planetary annihilation by this means "is totally miniscule," experimental physicist Greg Landsberg at Brown University....
...any fears that such black holes will consume the Earth are groundless, Landsberg said.
Well, that's certainly a relief. I hope they're right.
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Chapter 11
Example 11.1. Power input to a laboratory bioreactor
In a study of yeast physiology, a 1-L {liquid volume, 800 mL) laboratory bioreactor is used. It is equipped
with one Rushton turbine with
= 47 mm. The density and the viscosity of the medium containing yeast
cells are approximately the same as for water, i.e. 997 kg m'3
and 10'3
kg m s !, respectively. With a stirring
speed of 1200 rpm, the stirrer Reynolds number is therefore (at 25 °C):
Re, =44047
This is well within the turbulent regime, and a power number of
= 5.2 can be used. The power input is
= 5.2 997 kg rri3
(20 s 1)3
(47 10’3
m)5 = 9.51 W
For gassed conditions, we assume that the power input is 50% of the power input at ungassed conditions, and
therefore the power input per volume of medium is
= 5.95 W L l
This is a typical figure for laboratory bioreactors. When the bioreactor is used for aerobic yeast fermentation,
it is sparged with air at 1 wm, i.e., 800 mL miri*. The tank diameter is 106 mm, and the superficial gas
velocity is therefore
_ 13.33-10^
~~ ;r*0.1062/4
1.5M 0 “3
m s1
Assuming that the medium is noncoalescing, we can calculate the volumetric mass transfer coefficient for the
bioreactor using Eq. (10.27) and the parameter values listed in Table 10.4 (try also to calculate
using the
parameter sets specified for noncoalescing media in Table 10.4);
= 0.0018 (1.51 10'3
m s'1)03 (5.95 1 03
Wm’3)07 = 0.113 s 1
In Example 10.1 it was found that the oxygen requirement of a rapidly respiring yeast culture is
approximately 79.3 mmoles of 02 L 1
. With the calculated volumetric mass transfer coefficient above, we
therefore find that under steady-state conditions the dissolved oxygen concentration in the medium is
s0 ~ s*0 +
=0.26 mmoles L 1
- 79.3 mmoles L'1
h'‘/(406.8 h 1) = 0.065 mmoles L'1
which corresponds to 25% of the saturation value. This will normally not result in oxygen limitation.
However, if the dissolved oxygen concentration is to be maintained at a higher level it is necessary to modify
the bioreactor setup. This is probably done most easily by mounting an additional Rushton turbine on the
impeller shaft. Thereby the power input increases by a factor of approximately 2. This leads to an increase of
approximately 62% in the
value, and the dissolved oxygen concentration can be maintained at around
55% of the saturation value.
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While reading a book or watching a movie, you’ve probably come across some detail of the story that made you so sure what the outcome would be. But when you reached the end, your theory turned out to be wrong. The guy you thought guilty is actually innocent, and the real culprit is the last character you expected.
That is an example of a red herring. Most common in mysteries and thrillers, these details are used to purposely distract you from what’s really going on until the very last minute.
What Is a Red Herring?
red herring image
A favorite trope in detective fiction, red herrings are false clues that lead readers to an incorrect conclusion. Remember how, in Harry Potter, Severus Snape is portrayed as a villain throughout the series? And then, at the very last part, we learn the true nature of his character.
The red herring is a writer’s equivalent of a magic trick. Just as magicians bedazzle their audiences with fancy hand waves while setting up their deception, writers use red herrings to distract the reader while preparing the real conclusion of their story.
Writers often use this literary device to create surprising twists in their stories. To create more unique and less predictable mysteries, they throw in a few deceptive details to confuse readers.
It’s a powerful way to engage a reader and make them believe they’re onto something. When authors use red herrings effectively, readers are rewarded with the realization that they’ve been tricked all along, and the ending comes as a total surprise.
Aside from thickening the plot, red herrings are also opportunities to flesh out characters, scenes, and other narrative details. By providing alternate (albeit false) trails, writers are able to pack in more details that ultimately create a more interesting story.
Origin of the Idiom
First off, there’s actually no such fish as a “red herring.” Rather, it’s a name given to a type of dried fish (typically herring) that is either smoked or brined. The process turns the fish’s flesh dark red and gives it a powerfully pungent smell.
Originally, scholars thought that this idiom originated from a 1697 reference that talked about how to organize a hunt. It mentions training hounds by dragging red herrings across the ground, leaving an easy scent for them to follow. It turns out that this reference was misunderstood, though.
The actual animals being trained were horses, and what was being dragged across the ground were dead foxes or cats. While the term “red herring” was mentioned, it was only as a possible replacement when foxes or cats weren’t available. It wasn’t used in the context that it’s known by today.
Researchers finally linked this idiom to a radical journalist named William Cobbet who first used it in 1807. In his Weekly Political Register, he wrote a presumably fictional story about how, as a boy, he once used a red herring to draw hounds away from hunting a hare.
The story was meant to illustrate how foolish the English press was for being led astray by false information about Napoleon’s supposed defeat, leading them to focus on an inaccurate story rather than more important domestic topics.
This story, and his frequent repetition of it, was enough to leave a strong impression of red herring’s figurative use on the public.
Examples of Red Herrings in Literature
Red herrings are popular across all genres of literature, especially in mystery and thriller fiction. Some of them are obvious (sometimes to the point of being tongue-in-cheek), while others are subtle and hard to detect. Below are some of the best examples that literature has to offer.
Spoiler Alert! Because red herrings are tied to big narrative reveals, the following examples will include important details about their respective stories.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
A group of ten strangers, each with their own dark pasts, are invited to a remote island. But their mysterious host never appears, and strange things begin to happen all around the island.
As the guests begin dying one by one, the survivors band together to search for clues about what’s happening and who’s behind the murders. When one of them disappears, the others assume him to be the killer, only to be proved wrong when his body washes up ashore later on.
Buy the book here.
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A family is being haunted by a supernatural hound. To solve the mystery and prevent another death, a local doctor enlists the aid of Sherlock Holmes.
Throughout the story, the butler is presented as the obvious suspect, since one of the key clues is that the culprit has a beard. Not only does the butler have a beard, but he also had a strange habit of skulking around at night. In the end, it’s revealed that the butler is innocent and his behavior is unconnected to the mystery.
Buy the book here.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
An orphan boy named Pip discovers he has a mysterious benefactor. All signs lead to Miss Havisham, an eccentric and wealthy old woman who has recently taken him in.
Later on in the story, it’s revealed that his benefactor is actually an escaped convict that he treated well when he was a boy. It turns out Miss Havisham only took him in as part of a twisted plot to take revenge against the man who left her waiting at the altar.
Buy the book here.
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
In the sixth book of the series, Demandred, an antagonistic character with the ability to disguise themselves, is introduced. At the start of the book, the main antagonist gives Demandred a secret mission.
Coincidentally, a new character named Mazrim Taim makes himself known to the protagonist, offering his services to the hero. This timing of introduction led many to believe that Taim is Demandred in disguise. It’s later confirmed in the last book of the series that while he was recruited by Demandred, Taim is a completely separate person.
Buy the series here.
Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
The paralyzed director of CERN, Maximillian Kohler is shown to hate the Church because his parents, for religious reasons, refused the treatment that would have prevented his condition.
This hate for the church and accessibility to the anti-matter bomb currently threatening the Vatican makes him the most likely suspect—until it’s proven he’s innocent, but by then it’s too late and he’s already dead.
Buy the book here.
Red Herrings as an Informal Fallacy
It’s important to know that apart from being a literary device, a red herring can also be an informal fallacy—a type of fallacy that has flaws in reasoning rather than in logic.
As an informal fallacy, a red herring attempts to redirect an argument to a subject that only has surface relevance to the main subject. It’s mostly used to divert the argument to something that the person doing the diversion can better respond to.
It may or may not be intentional and may happen even without a conscious decision to mislead. Here is an example of this particular fallacy:
Journalist: What do you have to say about the recent accusations of corruption against you?
Politician: All I have to say is that my team and I are hard at work. Just look at the new program we've launched for the homeless.
In the conversation above, the reporter raises a concern about a politician’s alleged corruption and specifically asks the politician to comment on it. Instead, the politician attempts to shift the discussion toward a subject that’s safer for them to answer.
The red herring fallacy is considered a fallacy of relevance, as it involves information that is irrelevant to the main subject. It’s also sometimes called a diversion or digression fallacy due to its intent to divert a topic to another topic instead.
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Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA
Infinitely possible Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA final, sorry, not
The level (volume) of a track (such as Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA instrument or voice Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA does not stay level throughout the song.
Different instruments typically take center stage at different moments FDDA the song would be boring. And because most instruments are dynamic themselves, some leveling is necessary to ensure that they are heard even if they sound too soft Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA loud in certain parts relative to other instruments.
Panning involves choosing where on the stereo spectrum tracks play. Since most music today is listened in stereo, individual instruments can be placed on the far left, smack in the middle, far rough throat, or somewhere in between.
Panning is used creatively, to create Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA feeling of width Tableets sometimes motion. EQ is used to manipulate (raise or lower) certain frequencies. Sometimes EQs are used to manipulate groups of instruments or even the whole mix. Engineers can make instruments brighter or Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA, more bass heavy or thinner in very particular ways to make them sit better with other instruments and make sure they all have room in the Tioprojin.
They both may sound great on their own, but together sound muddy. EQing can be used to bring out the best of a track or hide problem frequencies in specific tracks. To make instruments poke out of the mix or to feel softer, to get more FFDA or increase or decrease the perceived warmth or weight of a track. Compression is used in two ways. Imagine a waveform that has big spikes and deep valleys and ironing it out, so the soft parts become bit louder and the loud parts become Esomeprazole Sodium (Nexium I.V.)- Multum bit softer.
A good example is the human voice - a very dynamic instrument. Twblets sentences or even single words there are big volume changes.
Since we Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA to pop music on small speakers or ear buds, often in noisy environments, hearing all the nuances of dynamic instruments is difficult, especially if we hear them alongside a dozen other teen very young. This is key for being able to enjoy Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA recording without having your hand on the volume knob, as well as Tiopronnin understanding all the lyrics Tiopronih in the context of a busy mix and a noisy environment.
Compressors are magical sonic manipulation tools, and when used correctly, can add character. This is why engineers love them so much. Reverbs, delays, distortion, Twblets, chorus, flangers are all popular creative effects. Reverbs and delays are probably the most popular of the bunch and are used to add space and depth to mixes. Adding reverb or delay Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA instruments makes them sound like they are in a physical space.
Since most tracks these days are recorded with the microphone very close to (Thiolla)- source, Tabldts end up sounding up very close and dry when played back. Reverbs and delays address this problem and psychoacoustically place that same dry recording in a lush space. Too much or the wrong type of reverb or delay will quickly make a mix sound Tableets or amateurish.
When used well, they can be beautiful and moving. You can use short and Tioprpnin reverbs for an intimate sound, or big ones for a dreamy or FD effect. Reverbs and delays are sometimes used to soften particular tracks that otherwise sound harsh and dry, and other times to (Thila)- instruments together and make them sound like they were recorded in the same room when they were (Thiolla).
Some popular uses Valbenazine Capsules (Ingrezza)- FDA delay include slap delays (think Elvis or John Lennon vocals) or echo repeats synched to the song rhythm (as you can hear in many pop Tiopronln. These echoes can be made to sound washy or well defined. Mixing is about skill, taste and knowing to serve the song. The same song can be mixed in many different ways.
There are many mixing Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA out there with varying styles, experience, expertise and levels of customer service.
Tioprobin are questions to ask and things to look for that will help you make a decision about whether a mixing engineer is the right partner for you. A sound sample can speak a thousand words and you should trust your ears. One thing to keep in mind is Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA tracks Tiopronin Tablets (Thiola)- FDA worked on might be different than yours in style or recording quality and that can make a big difference.
At that Tablrts they should have enough information to tell you if you can expect your mix to be in the ballpark of the samples in their reel. This is no different than musicians who are more connected with and (have more experience in) a particular genre. There are engineers who are eclectic and work on a wide range of genres, but finding a specialist is often helpful.
If an engineer really connects with your genre of music, that will make a huge difference. The approach for EQing a kick drum or bass for a Jazz track is totally different than for a rock song.
04.04.2019 in 09:39 Каролина:
Бесподобный топик, мне очень нравится ))))
06.04.2019 in 14:58 Анастасия:
Великолепный пост, не часто встретишь такое глубокое понимание сути вопроса, постарайтесь писать почаще
08.04.2019 in 11:00 Лилия:
Я думаю, что Вы не правы.
09.04.2019 in 12:40 Мирон:
Совершенно верно! Я думаю, что это хорошая идея.
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The memoir was originally written in Czech and publiched in Canada in 1973 under the title ''Na vlastni kuzi'' by 68 Publishers, a well-known publishing house for Czech expatriates in Toronto.
An English translation appeared the same year as the first part of the book The Victors and the Vanquished published by Horizion Press in New York.
A British edition of the book excluded the second treatise and was published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson uder the title ''I Do Not Want to Remember'' in 1973.
The book is also available in Chinese, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Romanian, Spanish and the original Czech edition.
Kovaly was born in Prague. Of Jewish ancestry, she spent the years of the Second World War in the Lodz Ghetto and then in concentration camps Auschwitz and Gross Rosen sub-camps including Christianstadt.
After her camp was ecacuated, she escaped from a death march and made her way back to Prague, where many od her friends refused to take her in due to the Nazis' harsh punishments for those sheltering camp escapees.
Kovaly took part in the Prague uprising against the Nazis in May 1045. The only member of her family to survive the war was her husband,Rudolf Margolius.
Kovaly's memoir describes in detail the continuing anti-Semitism that Jews returning from concentration camps faced.
It also depicts the growing interest in communism among many Czechoslovaks, including her husnand, who later became Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade.
In January 1052, her husband was arrested and in November 1952, he was convicted in the Soviet-staged Slansky trial and executed on December 3, 1952.
In the wake of her husband's trial, Kovaly became a social pariah, barely able to survive and stay out of imprisonment as few would hire her for work, as at that time unemployment was illegal under the Czechoslovak constitution.
The book ends with the Warsaw Pact armies invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968 as a response to the Prague Spring. After the invasion, Kovaly immigrated to the United States.
Source:Tehran Times
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National flag - Flag of Libya
National flag > Flag of Libya
Flag of Libya
The flag of the Kingdom of Libya was adopted when Libya gained full independence in 1951. It consisted of a white star and crescent on a triband red-black-green design, with the central black band being twice the width of the outer bands. The design was based on the banner of the Senussi dynasty from Cyrenaica, which consisted of a black field and star and crescent design, and was later used as the flag of the region.
Omar Faiek Shennib, Chief of the Royal Diwans, Vice President of the National Assembly and Minister of Defense under King Idris Al Senussi is credited in the memoirs of Adrian Pelt, UN commissioner for Libya (1949 to 1951) for the design of the original flag of Libya. According to Pelt: "during deliberations of the Libyan National Constitutional Convention, a paper drawing of a proposed national flag was presented to the convention by Omar Faiek Shennib [distinguished member of the delegation from Cyrenaica]. The design was composed of three colors; red, black and green, with a white Crescent and Star centered in the middle black stripe. Mr. Shennib informed the delegates that this design had met the approval of His Highness Emir of Cyrenaica, King Idris Al Senussi [later to become King of Libya]. The assembly subsequently approved that design."
This flag represented Libya from its independence in 1951 until the 1969 Libyan coup d'état. The symbolism of the star and crescent in the flag of the Kingdom of Libya was explained in an English language booklet, The Libyan Flag & The National Anthem, issued by the Ministry of Information and Guidance of the Kingdom of Libya (year unknown) as follows: "The crescent is symbolic of the beginning of the lunar month according to the Muslim calendar. It brings back to our minds the story of Hijra [migration] of our Prophet Mohammed from his home in order to spread Islam and teach the principles of right and virtue. The Star represents our smiling hope, the beauty of aim and object and the light of our belief in God, in our country, its dignity and honour which illuminate our way and puts an end to darkness." In 2011, interviews with Ibtisam Shennib and Amal Omar Shennib, Omar Faeik Shennib's only two remaining children, were cited as confirming Pelt's account of the origin of the flag. Ibtisam Shennib recalled the morning her father brought a draft of the flag to the breakfast table and showed it to her and her siblings, explaining the original intent behind the selection of the flag's colours and symbols. According to Omar Faiek Shennib, "red was selected for the blood sacrificed for the freedom of Libya, black to remember the dark days that Libyans lived under the occupation of the Italians and green to represent its primary wealth, agriculture, [Libya once being referred to as the 'agricultural basket' or 'breadbasket' of the Ottoman Empire] and the future prosperity of the country. The star and crescent were placed within the black central strip of the flag as a reference to the Senussi flag and the role of King Idris in leading the country to independence".
During the Libyan Civil War against the rule of Muammar Gaddafi, the 1951–69 flag — as well as various makeshift versions without the crescent and star symbol, or without the green stripe — came back into use in areas held by the Libyan opposition and by protesters at several Libyan diplomatic missions abroad. The National Transitional Council, formed on 27 February 2011, adopted the flag previously used in the Kingdom of Libya between 1951 and 1969 as the "emblem of the Libyan Republic". The flag was officially defined in article three of the Libyan Draft Constitutional Charter for the Transitional Stage:
The national flag shall have the following shape and dimensions:
Its length shall be double its width, its shall be divided into three parallel coloured stripes, the uppermost being red, the centre black and lowest green, the black stripe shall be equal in area to the other two stripes together and shall bear in its centre a white crescent, between the two extremities of which there shall be a five‑pointed white star.
On 10 March 2011, France was the first country to recognise the council as the official government of Libya, as well as the first to allow the Libyan embassy staff to raise the flag. On 21 March, the flag was flown by the Permanent Mission of Libya to the United Nations and appeared on their official website, and thereafter in late August by the Arab League and by Libya's own telecommunications authority, the Libya Telecom & Technology, on its own website. In the following months many other Libyan embassies replaced the green flag of Gaddafi with the tricolour flag.
This original flag of Libya is now the only flag used by the United Nations to represent Libya, according to the following UN statement: "Following the adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 66/1, the Permanent Mission of Libya to the United Nations formally notified the United Nations of a Declaration by the National Transitional Council of 3 August 2011 changing the official name of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to 'Libya' as well as a decision to change Libya's national flag to the original." All Libyan diplomatic posts, such as embassies and consulates, use the original flag of Libya.
National flag
Flag of Libya
Country - Libya
Libya (ليبيا, ), officially the State of Libya, is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. The sovereign state is made of three historical regions: Tripolitania, Fezzan and Cyrenaica. With an area of almost 1.8 e6km2, Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa, and is the 16th largest country in the world. Libya has the 10th-largest proven oil reserves of any country in the world. The largest city and capital, Tripoli, is located in western Libya and contains over one million of Libya's six million people. The second-largest city is Benghazi, which is located in eastern Libya.
Libya has been inhabited by Berbers since the late Bronze Age. The Phoenicians established trading posts in western Libya, and ancient Greek colonists established city-states in eastern Libya. Libya was variously ruled by Carthaginians, Persians, Egyptians and Greeks before becoming a part of the Roman Empire. Libya was an early centre of Christianity. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area of Libya was mostly occupied by the Vandals until the 7th century, when invasions brought Islam to the region. In the 16th century, the Spanish Empire and the Knights of St John occupied Tripoli, until Ottoman rule began in 1551. Libya was involved in the Barbary Wars of the 18th and 19th centuries. Ottoman rule continued until the Italian occupation of Libya resulted in the temporary Italian Libya colony from 1911 to 1947. During the Second World War, Libya was an important area of warfare in the North African Campaign. The Italian population then went into decline.
Neighbourhood - Country
• Algeria
• Chad
• Niger
• Sudan
• Tunisia
• United Arab Republic
Flag of Libya (English) Bandiera della Libia (Italiano) Vlag van Libië (Nederlands) Drapeau de la Libye (Français) Flagge Libyens (Deutsch) Bandeira da Líbia (Português) Флаг Ливии (Русский) Bandera de Libia (Español) Flaga Libii (Polski) 利比亚国旗 (中文) Libyens flagga (Svenska) Drapelul Libiei (Română) リビアの国旗 (日本語) Прапор Лівії (Українська) Национално знаме на Либия (Български) 리비아의 국기 (한국어) Libyan lippu (Suomi) Bendera Libya (Bahasa Indonesia) Libijos vėliava (Lietuvių) Libyens flag (Dansk) Libyjská vlajka (Česky) Libya bayrağı (Türkçe) Застава Либије (Српски / Srpski) Liibüa lipp (Eesti) Vlajka Líbye (Slovenčina) Líbia zászlaja (Magyar) Zastava Libije (Hrvatski) ธงชาติลิเบีย (ไทย) Zastava Libije (Slovenščina) Σημαία της Λιβύης (Ελληνικά) Quốc kỳ Libya (Tiếng Việt)
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How To Make Your Immune System Stronger
COVID was originally thought to be nearing an end but in the United States, many states are seeing a resurgence in the number of cases. Taking measures to protect ourselves from COVID will go a long way toward ensuring your health and safety while helping to eliminate the disease. One of the best ways we can do this is to boost our immune systems. Let’s take a deeper dive into that and how we can boost our immune systems.
What is the Immune System Meaning?
The immune system is kind of a confusing term, it isn’t a system that is specifically set aside by the body to protect it against viruses or other attacks. Instead, the immune system is a collection of organs and parts of the body that contribute to the cleansing and health of the body. The majority of these organs and parts have other functions but also contribute to the immune system. Some of the important parts of the immune system include lymph nodes, bone marrow, the spleen, intestine, appendix, and more.
All of these parts that make up the immune system work together to purify the body and to fight off unwanted substances. For the most part, when the layman talks about the immune system, they are referring to the ability for the body to fight off viruses, infections, and other conditions. This is the function of the system but it does more than just fight against the obvious, it fights against any intruders in the body, including fungi, toxins, and bacteria, as well as the things mentioned above.
Why the Immune System and COVID Go Together
COVID-19 is caused by a virus, the Coronavirus, that is part of a group of viruses called Coronaviridae. In order to fight off viruses and to avoid catching them in the first place, we need to have a strong immune system. During what people have dubbed COVID Times, we all need to do what we can to maximize our immune systems so that we can prevent catching the virus. A strong immune system will also help you to get over COVID faster if you do catch it.
Many people have compromised immune systems due to conditions such as diabetes or cancer. For these people, it is even more important to boost their immune systems however they can. That is why we are going to take a look at some of the ways that you can boost your immune system.
Methods to Boost Your Immune System
Get Regular Exercise
Getting regular exercise can be a great way to boost your immune system but it does a more important job than that. One of the things that your immune system does is that it works to keep your body functioning at optimal levels and reduces the chance of contracting diseases that may weaken your immune system. It also helps you to maintain a healthy weight, which works to reduce the toll on your body from carrying excess weight.
Exercise works to promote a healthy immune system by helping the body continue its normal functions such as flushing out what it takes in. It also helps to moderate antibodies and white blood cells, the levels of both change during and after exercise. Additionally, the activity in your airway helps to flush out any bacteria that may be hiding in it.
CBD Products
CBD is one of the most popular natural compounds on the market today. You can find CBD products at a wide variety of stores around the world, from your local pharmacy to chain grocery stores. The way that CBD works with the body is through interacting with the endocannabinoid system. One of the receptors in this system is responsible for controlling the immune system. You can use this to help calm the immune system and also to help promote proper targeting of things trying to invade the body.
Another one of CBD’s properties is that it is an anti-inflammatory, when the immune system starts working, one of the body's reactions is to start inflaming. CBD can help to reduce inflammation in the body.
Get Regular Sleep
Sleep is very closely tied to the immune system. During sleep, our body is allowed to work at lower levels which gives it the time it needs to recharge. Our systems are able to establish proper chemical levels and get rest too. This allows our immune system to work without having to focus on anything else. Those who get poor sleep are actually more likely to get sick. In order to keep our immune system strong to prevent COVID and to get over it, we need to get the required amount of sleep. Every night you should aim to get eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. At the minimum, though you need to get over six hours of sleep.
Many of the things we do every day can hinder our sleep and thus weaken our immune system. Drinking, too much screen time, exposure to light, and more harm your sleep. Try to limit these things before sleep.
Properly Fuel The Body
Nutrients play a role in every part of the body’s function. Green plants, meats, and other natural foods contain the nutrients we need. We need to be making sure that we get the nutrients our body needs to power the immune system. If you are not able to get enough nutrients, you will want to consider getting them through supplements. Some supplements are built specifically as immune system boosters. Going to a doctor and having a blood draw can help you to determine what vitamins you are lacking.
In addition to eating healthy and getting all of your nutrients, you will want to make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. Water helps us to function properly and we need to be drinking a minimum of 2.7 liters a day for women and 3.7 liters a day for men. Try to drink this in water or water with fruit added to it, do not count sugary water drinks or other compounds that might give the body added difficulty to process.
Limit Negative Foods
Negative foods, especially added sugars, can make it hard for your body to process. When your body is working to process these sugars, dealing with the tolls of added body fat, and trying to fight off everything that it is exposed to it will have a real hard time. Just carrying excess amounts of weight can work against your immune system. There are many wonderful foods out there that have wholesome ingredients that can contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
Further, reducing sugar and other negative foods reduces your chance of developing a chronic health problem that may further weaken your immune system, such as diabetes.
CBD For Immune System Boosting
If you want to truly boost your immune system you will want to look for quality CBD. Botanima Organics offers CBD that is both high-quality and independently tested to ensure that. When looking for immune system boosters you will want to look for CBD that comes in either tincture or softgel form, Botanima Organics offers a variety of options for both. Just like you add vitamins to your daily list of supplements, research suggests that CBD taken daily can also contribute to a healthy body.
Living in the time of COVID-19 isn’t easy, many different aspects of the fight against the virus are taking their toll on our society. One of the things that you need to ensure is that you are getting plenty of rest and relaxation. Too much stress will hinder the effectiveness of your immune system. Combining stress reduction with the tips here you will be able to better prepare your body to fight off COVID and other viruses.
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Roman culture | Classical Wisdom Weekly
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Tag Archives: Roman culture
Wine and Roman Poets
By Visnja Bojovic, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom When we think of wine in the ancient world, the first thing that comes to mind is the Romans and their luxurious banquets. We know that wine was an important part of the Roman culture; there were even precise rules for the way and quantity in which it
How the Ancient Romans Used to Eat: Everything You Need to Know
Written by Jason Dunlap, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom Everyone likes to eat out at a nice restaurant. Indeed, modern fancymeals are considered a classic way to enjoy a special night. Have you ever wondered what the people of ancient civilizations used to eat? What was considered lavish and luxury dining in ancient Rome? Well then,
Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December?
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Finding the maximum and minimum gaps between a squares arranged in a grid
I’m working on a panel which will have laser cut punctures. The fabrication shop is saying that the gaps between the squares should not exceed 1.2 millimeters otherwise the material will be burnt in those areas.
How can I measure the gaps between all the squares?
I want to see the list of maximum and minimum gap between the edges of the squares, for the entire panel, and eventually sort them into horizontal and vertical distances. I have the idea that the gaps will be measured between 0th and 2nd edges for vertical , 1st and 3rd for horizontal, but not able to proceed further.
After I see the max and min distances, I want to change the domain of the graph mapper accordingly by changing sliders. How can do it?
Instead of trying to check and correct the data after creating your design, perhaps it’s possible to include the minimum distance between the squares as an input parameter instead?
I don’t know how to do that.
Have a look at this and see if it could work.
1 Like
That’s what I would do too. Use the inputs to your Domain.
You’ve got your size and can calculate the minimum scale factor to get the smallest distance.
on the same way you can controll the minimum size of your output too - thats important for the laser as well.
For example if your size is 100 and your minimum distance is 10, you need a maximum of 95. The result depends on the distance of your center point.
1 Like
Thanks a ton! :+1:t2::+1:t2: This works. I’ll go through the script multiple times to see how the math and logic of it is working.
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Gender Gap In Medicine – How?
(Credit: Unsplash)
This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Seemab Mehmood,a first year medical student studying at Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.
The Tag, you read, is not much familiar to every-one as it is concerned. We all know that Gender-Equality is one of the hot topics in the current scenario. But in my opinion, it is not truly understood by anyone. You know, even if I am talking about my own land, Pakistan.
So, let’s start to understand what is so called Gender-Equality particularly in medicine.
The Common Belief held about it that women should be equal to men without considering the natural and social facts. And this belief is not only blind but it is fatal. Because:
“A little learning leads to civil strife.”
~Hazrat ALI(R.A), a doorway to wisdom
Now, it is turn of those who are aware but not as deep-rooted as it is needed. These people think that men deprived the rights of women by dominating his role in society. So, in order to again the equal glory we have to stand and start protesting. This again makes the term Gender-Equality incomplete and senseless as the purpose of gender-equality is not to arouse a fire among the opposing notions but a peace and serene environment to live male as male and female as female.
This becomes clear with an example particularly in medical arena. In medical field, Gender equality turns out to be “Gender Pay Gap in Medicine”.
First of all, we should understand that how that gap was created? It was not because of the males. You know, it is due to the interest that is naturally inherited to two different sexes. This is not the division humans create but it is created by nature itself so that rain should have water for quenching and fire should have heat for arising the thirst. We are incapable, actually it is inappropriate, to make the rain and fire equal to each other but we can say, we can provide them the optimum conditions to have their best. Basically, male and female are exactly like this.
Moving ahead to Gender pay gap, how can we close the gender pay gap in medicine? It can’t be eliminated, unless or until, we encourage and motivated our girls to believe yourself and have your active participation in the long run rather than transitory rides. This point can be clear by stating the fact that girls mostly choose gynecology rather than neurology. Again, this difference of interest turns out a pay gap of male and female doctors.
Secondly, the reason I must say regarding the pay gap, particularly in Asian countries, is that mostly girls did not opt the medical field into practice after graduation. So, Men service towards humanity and medical field increases and eventually, they deserved to be paid higher. But again, in order to close that pay gap, myself as future female doctor, should have to work steadily and heartily. Because:
“The size of your body is of little account,
The size of your brain is of much account,
The size of your heart is the most account of all.”
About the author
A first year medical student, Seemab Mehmood, studying at Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan. She is one of the selected delegates of AYIMUN 2020 and AAIMUN 2021. Currently, she has joined IFMSA and aimed to take part in this association enthusiastically. Being inquisitive, she loves to write, imagine things in a new prespective to fit them in her own horizon. A curious mind that always strives for change within a ever-changing world. As a medical graduate, she aspires to bring a healthy environment to every sick-ill breathing body.
1. Aiman Mehmood says:
Well said …. Men and women are created differently from each other. They have different fields to excel.
Gender equality does not mean that both genders should work together in a same office…. But rather the services of both the sexes should be acknowledged equally.
Stay saggregated (from free mixing)
Stay safe
Well done dear 👍… Carry on….
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Medication Management for People with Heart Failure
Medicines and lifestyle changes will be part of your heart failure (HF) treatment plan.1 Medication can improve your heart function, delay the progression of your heart failure, and/or prevent a future cardiac event. Both patients and caregivers should understand what drugs are being taken and why.1
Heart failure is a chronic condition that affects nearly 6 million people, creating substantial medical costs.2 Medication adherence, taking your medications as prescribed, can mean fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits, and lower health care costs.2,3 Reasons people may not take their medications can include an absence of symptoms, high costs, side effects, cognitive decline, too many medications, and difficulty swallowing large pills.2
It is always important to tell your healthcare team about any drugs you are already taking, including over-the-counter products, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.1 Keep a comprehensive medication list. Carry a copy with you and give one to your caregiver and your healthcare team.4 Your doctor may provide you with one or you can find medication lists online.
Medication Tracking
Information typically tracked includes:1,3
• Medication name
• Dose
• Frequency
• Time
Other information that can be useful:1,3
• Pill appearance
• Purpose of medication
• Prescribing doctor
• Pharmacy information
• Special instructions
The importance of education
Drug therapy is the most common treatment for heart failure. Treatment can involve taking multiple medications at different times and the regimen can be complex. Your health care team should stress the importance of taking all medications as prescribed.2 Medication adherence can reduce hospitalizations and improve survival.
Medication adherence
Reports show that people who take their medications regularly go more consecutive days without adverse events.2 They spend less time in the hospital and more time enjoying life. Some people have difficulty keeping to their medication schedule. They may forget or not like the way they feel after they take the medications. Others stop taking them because they feel well and do not think they need them.
Unintentional non-adherence is more often related to factors like age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status; or treatment/provider factors like dosing frequency, number of medications, and poor provider communication.2 As drug costs and co-payments increase, medication adherence rates decrease.2 Some people reduce their dose to make their prescriptions last longer. If cost is an issue, talk to your provider about medication assistance plans or whether there are lower-cost options available.
Take medicines safely and effectively
It is key for patients and caregivers to have a basic understanding of all medications currently being taken. Share a list of current medications with all your healthcare providers, including all non-prescription products. This will aid the healthcare team in making prescribing decisions that avoid drug interactions. When not used as prescribed or not taken effectively and safely, people can develop medication-related problems.
Caregivers can help to identify real or possible medication issues.4 Any side effects that develop should be reported. There may be alternatives available.3 Each person needs to find a system that works for them because medications need to be taken at a particular dosage, at specified times, and for a specific period of time.4 Medications may work more effectively when taken correctly and combined with lifestyle changes.2
Caregiver involvement
Many caregivers are involved in the management of medications.4 They have taken the time to understand the intended use, dosing directions, side effects, and possible interactions.
Patients and caregivers alike should know:3-4
• The reason for each medicine and how it works
• How to know if the medication is working
• Side effects or interactions with other medications
• Any restrictions on foods or activities
• What happens if a dose is missed
• If the medicine has to be swallowed whole or if it can be chewed, crushed, dissolved, or mixed with other medicines.
How to track medications
Scheduling many different medications throughout the day can be hard to manage. Some people keep a log, others use pillboxes that can help you sort pills by day and time of taking. Caregivers can sort pills at the beginning of each week to ease the process. Some pharmacies can deliver pill packs that are presorted for each day and time. Alarms can be used to sound at the time for each dose.3-4
Research has shown that the more medications a person takes, the greater the risk of experiencing a medication-related problem. Questions to consider are: Is the medication needed and is it the most appropriate one? Is it the right dose? Can it interact with other medications? Are there new or additional medications that should be considered? Are any current medications unnecessary, or are there any old medications you take on the list that should be discontinued or discarded?4
These questions should be directed to the healthcare team. Medications should be stored together in a cool dry place unless refrigeration is required. This will make it easier to sort and track medications and help if there is an emergency.4
Written by: Linda Minton | Last reviewed: November 2019
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Editing test cases
The test case editor enables you to visually design test cases associated with your source code and to create variable checks.
About this task
The test case editor is made of two panes:
• The Activity diagram displays a flow chart describing the blocks that are required in the test case. If necessary, you can add and remove blocks, conditions and arrow lines to edit the activity diagram. The test case criteria are contained in one or several Check blocks.
• The Details pane contains information about the selected block. For example, click the Inits & Stubs block to edit the initialization parameters, headers, and stubs required to run the test case.
Tip: You can find where the edited file is located by clicking on the title of editor or on the header and selecting Navigate > Show In > Project Explorer . The explorer selects the current test case and expands automatically all parent nodes.
The main objective of editing a test case is to define the variable and structure checks in the Check block.
1. In the project explorer, open a test case.
2. In the Activity diagram, create the necessary blocks for the test case and connect them with connector lines.
The default flow chart contains an Init. & Stubs block, followed by a Code block, followed by a Check block.
1. Click Create Code Block Create Code Block button or Create Check Block Create Check Block button buttons to create new blocks.
Code blocks can be used to run portions of C code inside the test case. Check blocks contain the test criteria for the variables under test.
2. Click Create Decision Block Create Decision Block button to make the execution of other blocks conditional.
You can combine code blocks and decision blocks to create loops.
3. Click Create ConnectorCreate Connector button to connect new blocks in the diagram.
Ensure that all blocks are properly connected.
3. On the Requirements page, document requirements that are specific to your program or quality process. You can enter the name, a comment, and if a web page exists in your requirement management tools, enter the link to the web page that displays the requirement. You can also add requirements that come from a .cvs file.
1. To add a requirement, click Add requirement and enter a name for the requirement. You can modify the name. The table is editable, you can modify the name of the requirement, add a comment and add a link to a web page that is used as requirement in the table.
2. Click Duplicate a requirement to duplicate a requirement in the table.
3. Click View requirement in a browser to view the requirement in a browser.
4. Click Add a requirement from a list to add a requirement from a list. This button is available only if you previously set the preferences to retrieve the requirements from a .cvs, .xml, or .reqif file. For more information, see Link Tests to Requirements. The requirements are filtered by name and comment. In the test reports, you can find the list of tests associated with the list of requirements.
4. In the Activity diagram, select a check block.
The Checked Variables table displays the variables and structures contained in the function under test.
5. For each variable or structure, specify an initial value and an expected value.
These values can be simple values, multiple values (ranges, series) or C structures.
1. In the Checked Variables table, select a variable Initial Expression cell that you want to set and click the menu button (Menu button) to specify a single Value, Multiple values, a Series, whether to Use Structure Fields, or to apply No Change to the initial value. You can also choose constructor in the list, which means that you choose a constructor other than the default one. A constructor is a set of methods that has the same name as the class it belongs to. It is used to initialize the current instance and it is available only for a variable which is an instance of C ++ class.
See Variable initial expressions for more information.
2. To edit single values, multiple values, or series, type the values in the quick edition area line above the table. To specify structure values, edit the individual fields of the structure. To select a new constructor, click the menu button (Menu button) and select a value in the drop-down list.
The quick editor area adapts to the selected data type or entry mode.
3. In the Checked Variables table, select a variable Expected Expression cell that you want to set and click the menu button Create Connector button to specify an expected value or range.
See Variable expected value expressions for more information.
Note: By default, the Obtained Value column displays the actual value for the variable obtained during the last run. Use the Available Runs list, located at the top of the test case editor, to display the actual values obtained during a specific run.
6. When you have finished editing the test case, click Save and close the test case.
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Electronics Components, Power & Connectors
Electrical, Automation & Cables
Mechanical Products & Tools
IT, Test & Safety Equipment
RF Terminators
RF terminators are devices used to electrically terminate coaxial RF (radio frequency) ports. They are usually placed at the end of the transmission line to prevent an RF signal from being reflected.
RF terminators are designed to match the surge impedance (ratio of current and voltage) of the cable to help minimise signal reflections and power losses. Unused tap ports or coaxial faceplates in a home, for example, can create entry and exit paths, which affect performance.
How do RF terminators work?
RF terminators absorb the electrical energy of the signal as it reaches the cable ends and prevents the signal from being reflected so it doesn't become noise. They ensure that current flows smoothly from one device to another.
What are RF terminators used for?
RF terminators play a critical role in high-frequency systems and circuits, especially when managing high-power signals. They can also be used to close open terminations that might otherwise allow parasitic signals to enter the circuit, such as at a T-junction.
RF terminators are available in many form factors with power ratings to match their sizes.
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London Korean Links
Covering things Korean in London and beyond since 2006
LKL book database logo
From Kim Jong Il to Kim Jong Un: How the Hardliners Prevailed: On the Political History of North Korea (2007 – 2020)
In the summer of 2008, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il suffered a stroke. That same year he named his youngest son, Kim Jong Un, as his successor and began to promote him among the North Korean elite. At the same time, the military gained influence. Foreign, domestic, and economic policy hardened. It was obvious that the succession plan, the power shift, and the change of direction were related.After Kim Jong Il’s death in late 2011, the power struggle in the leadership circle intensified. The opponents of economic reform and opening-up policies prevailed again. Military spending and population control took precedence over economic development. Kim Jong Un’s 2012 pledge that the population would never have to tighten its belt again was rescinded only one year later. Timid attempts at economic reforms were stalled or rolled back. By 2016, the hardliners had consolidated their position, marking the end of the transition period that had started with Kim Jong Il’s stroke in 2008. The country’s nuclear program was declared complete in 2018.To whom the real power has passed, however, is not as clear as it seems. Nominally, Kim Jong Un is the successor, and without a doubt he has a share of power. However, he is not the sole ruler. Rather, the country is governed by a precarious collective, the composition of which varies and whose members sometimes have weaker, sometimes stronger influence. Since Kim Jong Il’s death, the hawks have largely prevailed in this leadership circle. As a result, life has become even harder for most of the North Korean population, and the task of pushing Pyongyang towards peaceful coexistence has become even more difficult for the international community. For eight years, from 2007 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2018, Thomas Schäfer was German Ambassador to North Korea. He has gathered more experience there than many others who have only got to know the country during short stays. He has had thousands of short and long conversations, has occasionally received information that went beyond or contradicted the official version, and he has traveled quite a lot. Based on these conversations and the exegesis of publicly available sources, such as the North Korean media, Schäfer outlines how the discussion on some political issues has evolved since 2007 and how it has affected the lives of the population. To what extent is there a consensus in the leadership on important objectives such as regime security, reunification, nuclear armament, and economic development? How reformable is the regime? Is deterrence the only objective of nuclear weapons? Under what conditions is North Korea prepared to receive foreign investment? Are further power struggles over the political direction to be expected? Who holds the power in North Korea? How should the international community deal with the country? These are some of the questions that the author tries to answer by presenting existing evidence. Chapters of the book discuss, among other topics, the surveillance and manipulation of foreigners, the last years of Kim Jong Il’s reign, North Korea’s economic, domestic, South Korean and security policy in the Kim Jong Un era, the international efforts to influence Pyongyang’s thinking, the course of the power struggle within the leadership circle, and the limited role played by Kim Jong Un.
Entry on here.
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Little-Known History
The Republic of the Rio Grande
riogrande1In the small town of Guerrero in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, a rather unassuming man issued a proclamation. He was tired of the controlling central authority in Mexico City headed by dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna and claimed that his family’s vast land holdings in the northern part of the country had been taken over by Mexican centralists, who, like Santa Anna, had no respect for the 1824 Constitution of Mexico which guaranteed states’ rights and more local autonomy in a more federalist system. The man making the proclamation was Antonio Canales Rosillo and the date was November 3, 1838. Little did he know that the simple declaration, which roused the independent-minded people who heard it, would lead Canales to play an important role in a new national experiment named in honor of the river flowing less than 20 miles from that speech. In 13 months’ time, Canales would be the commander-in-chief and one of the founding fathers of the new Republic of the Rio Grande, or in Spanish, La República del Río Grande, carrying the bold red, white and black flag emblazoned with three stars which stood for three breakaway states: Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.
Historian Milton Lindheim in his 1964 book The Republic of the Rio Grande: Texans in Mexico, 1839-40, the author writes this about commander-in-chief Antonio Canales. He was, “lawyer by profession, a rebel leader by preference, had prowled the borderlands from Boca Chica westward, strewing seditious doctrines. He was a strange, erratic person: not handsome, but strong of body, passions, and mind; adventurous and skilled in horsemanship; cowing weaker men and yielding to stronger; entrancing the masses with glib talk, apparent recklessness, and masterly propaganda.” Like many people on the fringes of empires, or those who were born and bred in areas devoid of formalized central political control, Canales and his compatriots just wanted to be left alone to live independent lives. His messages against Santa Anna’s highly centralized government found many riogrande2sympathetic ears in the remote north of Mexico and people were further energized by the success of rebel province of Texas in its attempts to break away from Mexico City. While Canales was good at stirring up the feelings of discontent, he knew that something needed to be formalized if the people in his region would ever be like Texas. Two months after his proclamation, in January of 1839, Antonio Canales called for a convention at the building of the Justice of the Peace in Laredo to figure out how to organize against the central powers in Mexico City. The Mexican federalist constitution of 1824 was recognized at this convention and Canales volunteered to raise an army to help defend the 1824 constitution against the centralists and to ensure autonomy of the northern areas of Mexico. The Laredo convention of January 1839 did not go so far as to declare the independence of a new nation, but did lay the foundations for one. Canales got busy immediately and had no trouble finding new recruits for his new army: Mexican cowboys, Indian warriors and an assortment of Anglo and Mexican Texans made up the new federalist fighting force. Beyond political concerns, all men participating in the new army would receive $22.00 a month pay and any share of any loot. Commander-in-Chief Canales, who had abhorred all central authority, even that of the Catholic Church, had intended to use the property from churches and convents to pay what he promised the soldiers. Canales, seasoned in battle during the Apache Wars of his early adulthood, was no stranger to war and his troops looked up to him as an excellent officer. By the fall of 1839 he had amassed a large force and it was ready for its first battle against the Mexican centralists.
On October 3, 1839, exactly 11 months after his proclamation in Guerrero that started it all, Canales and his men laid siege to the centralist stronghold at Estancia de Mier, located on what is now the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. During the battle, the Mexican centralists were holed up in a hacienda and eventually surrendered to two Anglo-Texans who had led the charge, Reuben Ross and Samuel Jordan, two men who had been recruited to the cause by Canales while he was drumming up support among Texans and enlisting men in San Antonio. Known in history as The Battle of Mier, the showdown at the hacienda eventually led to a surrender and prisoners of war quickly converted into federalists. Canales’ force thus gained 60 new men and 4 heavy cannons. After this battle, Canales, who was then being called “General Canales,” was seen as a hero in the North and as a result of his victory at Estancia de Mier, money, material support and fresh recruits poured in.
riogrande9Canales’ next move was a tactical error. Instead of using his momentum to propel himself to further victories, Canales camped out at Estancia de Mier for 40 days. Many of his men were eager to fight and when Canales gave no indication that he would be moving after a few weeks, 50 Texans deserted him and went back across the Rio Grande to Texas. In the middle of November of 1839, Antonio Canales decided to attack the town of Matamoros where a garrison loyal to Santa Anna and the centralists had dug themselves in. It took weeks for him to get there with his army and when he arrived he found that he was outmanned and outgunned. Instead of risking certain defeat, Canales decided to march on Monterrey as he had heard that centralist General Mariano Arista did not have the same numbers as the force at Matamoros and perhaps it would be easy to capture the city of Monterrey. General Arista proved to be a formidable foe and defended Monterrey better than Canales anticipated. On the night of December 27, 1839, Arista sent spies into the Canales camp and successfully bribed 160 of the federalists to switch sides and abandon the camp. In the morning, when he had found a big chunk of his fighting force gone, Canales decided to cross the Rio Grande in retreat. Many more people deserted him, especially the Anglo Texans who grew to see Canales as an inept military leader.
On January 17, 1840 a new convention was held at Rancho de Oreveña just outside of Laredo. Many members of the northern Mexican families of influence were there along with others who were interested in creating a new nation out of the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas. At that time, the territories of the Mexican states of Coahuila and Tamaulipas had spanned the Rio Grande and bordered with the Republic of Texas at the Nueces River. Because the Rio Grande ran through the territory of this new political entity, the country would be called The Republic of the Rio Grande. There were no representatives from the official governments of the three breakaway states at the convention and the new country was not immediately recognized by anyone other than the people at the convention and some sympathetic Mexican citizens. The convention riogrande3participants knew that they had to formalize things as quickly as they could, so they immediately named to the position of President of the Republic of the Rio Grande a man named Jesús Cárdenas, a lawyer and former low-level politician from the state of Tamaulipas whose nickname was El Tecolote, or “The Owl,” because of his enormous eyeglasses. The Secretary of State of the new republic was José Carbajal, a Tejano born in San Antonio who, as a teenage boy, was mentored by Stephen F. Austin – the so-called “Father of Texas” – and even spent some of his early adulthood in Kentucky and Virginia converting to Protestantism in the process. In addition to President and Secretary of State, the new republic had three councilors representing each of the breakaway states. There was a role for Antonio Canales to play in the new country as well. He was made Secretary of War and was given the title Commander-in-Chief of the Rio Grande military. Ten days after the convention at the ranch outside of Laredo everything was formalized at the town of Guerrero with official oath swearing and an inauguration ceremony. The motto of the Republic of the Rio Grande would be “Dios, Libertad y Convención,” in English, “God, Liberty, and Convention.” In addition to the red, white and black flag with the three stars, the new nation also had an official newspaper, Correo del Rio Bravo del Norte. It seemed like the young republic was off to a great start, but with all new countries formed out of breakaway territories, there were many battles to be fought to insure the country’s survival.
The new nation’s president Jesús Cárdenas, in a letter to Antonio Navarro of San Antonio, admitted that victory and survival rested, not on home-grown efforts, but “upon the support which we ought to expect to receive from the Government of Texas.” The political elites in the relatively young Republic of Texas had watched this all unfold with more than a mild dose of curiosity. In 1840 the president of Texas was Mirabeau B. Lamar. In the early days of the Rio Grande Republic, Commander-in-Chief Antonio Canales met with Lamar in San Antonio to discuss official support for their cause. The President of Texas balked. Lamar unofficially encouraged Texan support of the new Republic of the Rio Grande and quietly urged Texans to aid the new country with money, arms and through volunteering, either in the military or in some other way. Lamar saw Texas as being caught between a rock and a hard place with regard to formal recognition of the new republic. On one hand he thought it helpful to have a buffer state in between Texas and Mexico just in case Mexico decided to invade Texas again to try to take it back. On the other hand President Lamar knew that if Texas formally recognized the Republic of the Rio Grande, the Mexican government would be angered and would never fully recognize Texas’ independence from Mexico. Texas took a “sit back and wait” attitude to see what would ultimately become of the new nation on its western border.
riogrande4As mentioned earlier, the new nation’s independence from Mexico had to be earned. The first major battle of the forces of the new republic under Canales occurred at Santa Rita de Morelos in late March of 1840. On the Mexican side was Canales’ former foe from Monterrey, General Mariano Arista. Arista had eighteen hundred men, Canales had barely four hundred. One of Canales’ commanders, a man named Antonio Zapata, was captured, tortured and executed after refusing to swear an oath of allegiance to Mexico. The defeat at Santa Rita was a major blow to the new nation’s army and caused Canales to retreat back to the town of San Fernando where he ultimately engaged with Mexican General Arista again and was heartily defeated, losing almost 250 men. With the 150 men remaining, Canales retreated again, crossed the Rio Grande and headed for Texas where he would regroup. At this time, the administrative branch of the government of the Republic of the Rio Grande had moved out of Laredo and operated “in exile” in Victoria, Texas.
While in Texas, Canales met up again with Colonel Samuel Jordan who had fought with him in October of the previous year at Estancia de Mier. In the town of San Patricio, Jordan assembled a contingent of nearly 800 men, almost half of them Anglo Texans and about 10% of them Native Americans. Emboldened and refreshed, the new army of the Republic of the Rio Grande crossed its namesake river and had several small victories. Canales and Jordan were able to recapture Laredo and Guerrero and sacked Ciudad Victoria, installing military administrators in every town they wrested from the Mexicans. After the sacking of Ciudad Victoria, Canales set his sights on Saltillo where a Mexican general by the name of Montoya had quartered his troops. In the famous Battle of Saltillo on October 25th 1840, the Mexican troops surrounded Colonel Jordan who was holed up in a hacienda with his men, mostly Anglo Texans. During the daylong siege of the hacienda, the Mexicans lost almost 400 men while the Republic of the Rio Grande lost only 5. The forces under Canales and Jordan retreated once again in defeat. Jordan would return to Texas and in June the next year would commit suicide.
After the defeat at Saltillo, Commander-in-Chief Antonio Canales saw the handwriting on the wall. In November of 1840, Canales entered into secret negotiations with his recurring adversary, General Mariano Arista, for his surrender and to accept a commission in Santa Anna’s army as an officer. Days after Canales’ surrender, President Cárdenas and all of the other officials of the new nation surrendered to the Mexican authorities at Laredo. In exchange for an oath of allegiance to Mexico, clemency was granted to all participants in what was seen as a mere rebel movement and no property was confiscated or reparations paid under the conditions of the surrender. It was all over rather quickly and cleanly. Within the span of a mere 11 months, the fledgling Republic of the Rio Grande was born, lived and died.
REFERENCES (This is not a formal bibliography)
The Republic of the Rio Grande: Texans in Mexico, 1839-40 by Milton Lindheim
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Annotation: The Hidden Words
I’m not exactly sure how to define The Hidden Words. They aren’t prayers (though you could use them as such), nor are they stories, or rules (per se — some feel like they come close). I suppose they could be considered meditations or explorations, and that would come closest to defining where they fit as a collection of writing.
I’m going to have to do some digging to see if this is the complete “Hidden Words,” or if it’s a selection from them: the title is a little ambiguous, in my opinion. The book is fairly small, with a small but readable typeface, and really trims away anything extraneous: the introduction/preface is one page, most of which is taken up by explaining how the book is arranged, and it doesn’t bother with an actual table of contents. The first half is a collection of Hidden Words translated from Arabic. The second half is a collection of Hidden Words translated from Persian. A few pages at the end discuss the basic principles of the Baha’i Faith and the rules we live by, and a brief biography of who Baha’u’llah was.
Of the two collections, I far prefer the Persian translations. The Arabic seems more terse, and almost accusatory compared to the Persian Words. I am not sure if this is because they were written at different times, or if it is just part of the nature of the differences between the two languages. Despite the Persian Writings being longer and more complex, I found them easier to read and understand by a significant margin. While I suppose part of this is perhaps the quality of translation, I think there is something more to it as well. I felt less like I was getting admonished and more like I was getting informed, which is a pretty significant difference, in my opinion.
Allusions to the past seem to interest me in particular, so it should be no surprise that the selection that most caught my eye was one Baha’u’llah wrote reflecting in the covenant made on Mount Paran when Muhammad gathered his army of 10,000 men to take back Mecca. It reads:
After reading this passage, I became curious as to what exactly he was talking about, finally managing to track down that Mount Paran is a mountain in Pakistan, and is a key holy place in Islamic scripture (though they are not necessarily the same mountains… it is a source of great debate, according to The gist of the quoted passage, as far as I can tell, is a rather directed indictment of the Imams and other religious leaders of Islam, stating that the true intent and nature of Islam has become corrupted and changed. I am definitely intrigued by the concept of searching through other comments such as these and discovering more and more back story as to what exactly Baha’u’llah was referencing.
I may be jumping the gun in saying this, but I do expect that I’ll be returning to the Hidden Words on more than one occasion, as my depth of understanding grows, reassessing what I’ve already read. I do strongly suspect that there is a lot more buried under the surface of these writings that is worth examining.
Baha’u’llah. The Hidden Words: Selected Writings of Baha’u’llah. Baha’i Publishing Trust.
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HMGN (High Mobility Group Nucleosome-binding) proteins are members of the broader class of high mobility group (HMG) chromosomal proteins that are involved in regulation of transcription, replication, recombination, and DNA repair.
HMGN1 and HMGN2 (initially designated HMG-14 and HMG-17 respectively) were discovered by E.W. Johns research group in the early 1970s.
HMGN3, HMGN4, and HMGN5 were discovered later and are less abundant.
HMGNs are nucleosome binding proteins that help in transcription, replication, recombination, and DNA repair.
They can also alter the chromatin epigenetic landscape, helping to stabilize cell identity.
There is still relatively little known about their structure and function. HMGN proteins are found in all vertebrates, and play a role in chromatin structure and histone modification.
HMGNs come in long chains of amino acids, containing around 100 for HMGN1-4, and roughly 200 in HMGN5.
Recent research on the HMGN family is focused on their effect on cell identity, and how reduction of HMGNs relates to induced reprogramming of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs).
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Acne is the most common type of skin condition; About 80% of people aged 11 to 30 will have at least one form of acne (mild to severe).
If you suffer from acne, you may have heard that drinking more water can help get rid of it, but there are no scientific studies to back up that claim. However, there are studies that prove the benefits of moisturizing your skin from the outside.
Photographer Francesco Carta / Getty Images
What causes acne?
Acne is a very common skin condition that causes breakouts mainly on the face, forehead, chest, shoulders, and upper back. Acne involves pores in the skin becoming clogged with hair, oil (called sebum), bacteria, and dead skin cells. Blackheads, whiteheads, nodules and many other types of acne are formed due to clogged pores.
Acne is thought to be caused and/or aggravated by many different factors, including:
• Genetics
• Changes in hormone levels (that’s why acne often appears in adolescence, when hormone levels fluctuate)
• Stress (increases cortisol levels)
• Using skin care products that clog pores (such as those with a lot of oil or grease)
• Using greasy personal care products (such as hair gels and waxes)
• Certain medications (such as prednisone)
• Foods with a high glycemic index (a measure of how well specific foods, such as carbohydrates, raise blood sugar) and dairy products
• Environmental factors (such as working around certain industrial products)
• Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation
• Wear hats, helmets and other headgear
• Cut acne
• Air pollution
• High humidity
• Working in certain environments (such as at a restaurant, around fried, greasy food)
How does water affect the skin?
The skin is not always recognized for what it is, namely the largest organ of the body. Just like any other organ, the skin is made up of cells and the cells are made up mostly of water.
When the skin is well-moisturized from the outside, it helps to fight dry skin. When skin is dry, it is less resilient and more prone to wrinkling.
In addition, dry skin makes pores prone to breakage; This allows acne-causing bacteria to go deeper into the skin, making acne worse.
Keeping skin moist, not applying pore-clogging, oily products on the skin is an important step in the acne treatment process.
An interesting fact about water and skin is that the body will supply the water we drink to all other organs before it can hydrate the skin, so applying moisturizers to the skin can help to Add moisture from the outside.
Today there are many cosmetic products that help to keep skin hydrated without clogging pores, such as:
• Ceramide cream: One study compared ceramide creams with three different moisturizers; After one use, the ceramide cream resulted in a significant increase in skin hydration and improved barrier function, making it a good choice to use for dry skin. It has also been found to be harmless to the eyes and skin in adults and children.
• hyaluronic acid: This should be applied before skin moisturizer. It holds 1,000 times its weight in water, promoting the attraction of water to the skin and keeping it there.
Commercial skin moisturizer
Many commercial moisturizers, such as topical vitamin formulations, products with antioxidants, and skin humectants (such as beeswax products), do not have sufficient clinical data to proven their effectiveness in moisturizing the skin.
Tips for applying moisturizer properly and improving skin moisture include:
• Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp (such as within two minutes of bathing). This allows for better absorption as the skin remains porous.
• Some products (such as those containing hyaluronic acid) should be applied before moisturizer to help absorb water. Hydrating B5 Gel is an example of such a product containing hyaluronic acid.
Does Drinking Water Help Acne?
Studies show that staying hydrated improves the body’s overall immune cell response.
The immune system fights off harmful bacteria that contribute to acne and pimples. More specifically, a strain of bacteria called C. acnes (cutibacterium acnes, formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes) is thought to play a role in the development of acne. Acne is the most common type of acne; It is related to hormone fluctuations.
There are no solid studies to support the claim that drinking water clears acne.
A very good word
Keep in mind that many products known to help hydrate skin offer a specific product designed to treat acne. But be sure to talk to your dermatologist before using any type of skin care product to treat acne.
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Which of the following metals has the lowest electrical resistivity?
This question was previously asked in
DFCCIL Junior Executive S&T 2018 Official Paper
View all DFCCIL Junior Executive Papers >
1. Silver
2. Copper
3. Tungsten
4. Aluminum
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 1 : Silver
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDF
Concept -
• Electrical resistivity (also known as specific electrical resistance ) is a material property that determines how strongly it is opposing the flow of current.
• The Greek letter 'ρ' is widely used to signify resistance (rho).
• Ohm-meter is the SI unit for electrical resistivity.
• The electrical resistivity can be calculated with the help of -
\(\rho =\frac{R L}{A}\)
• R = electrical resistance of the material
• l = length of the material
• A = the cross-section of the given material
Explanation -
• Silver is the best conductor of electricity which means that its electrical resistivity will be the least.
Hence the correct answer is - Silver
• Copper and aluminium also have a low electrical resistivity but in comparison with silver, it is slightly high. Although both of them are also fine conductors of electricity.
• Tungston has high electrical resistivity hence it is not a good conductor of electricity.
Important Points
• Electrical resistivity helps us to know how well a material will allow the current to pass through.
• If the electrical resistivity of the material is high then it will oppose the flow of current within it which means it is not a good conductor of electricity.
• If the electrical resistivity of the material is low then the opposition to the flow of current will be less, hence the material will be a good conductor of electricity.
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Tag Archives: plural letters and numbers
exes and x’s
When referring to letters of the alphabet as letters (e.g., the i in italics), an apostrophe is often used to form the plural:
Impeccable is spelled with two c‘s.”
For capital letters, an apostrophe is not always needed:
“Jay has been learning his ABCs.”
Thus, the following sentence can be written with or without apostrophes:
For my final grades, I received three As and two Bs.
For my final grades, I received three A’s and two B’s.
Neither style is “incorrect,” but be consistent! (Don’t write: For my final grades, I received three A’s and two Bs.)
Check with the style guide your employer or publisher uses, or, if you are writing about people or organizations—or teams—follow their preference:
The Oakland Coliseum is home to the Oakland A’s. (not the Oakland As.)
As with letters, an apostrophe may or may not be needed when forming the plural of numerals; the choice, again, depends on which style guide is followed. (The style used for newspapers and magazines may differ from book publishing, for example.)
I counted six 1s and five 2s.
I counted six 1’s and five 2’s.
Just as numbers can be written as numerals (1, 2, 3) or spelled out as words (one, two, three), the names of letters are sometimes spelled out:
The ex should be printed in red. (The x should be printed in red.)
The Brits prefer zed to zee.
(Oh, however, would refer to zero: “We beat them, six–oh.”)
The plural of o is o’s or os.
Recording artist and album title
In general, apostrophes are not used when forming the plural of words or acronyms:
I counted six ones and five twos.
The store sells used CDs and DVDs.
The boos drowned out the cheers.
My exes are all remarried now.
I was surrounded by oohs and aahs as I set up my tripod to photograph the fireworks.
Entrepreneurs (and record companies) don’t always get the punctuation right when choosing the names of their businesses (and albums). Compare:
The second, Oohs and Aahs, is correct—no apostrophe required.
But what if Ooh and Aah are the names of the owners?
Then the correct punctuation would be:
“I’ll meet you at Ooh and Aah’s.”
(See my previous post about compound possession.)
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Explainer: Compulsory acquisition
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You’ve probably seen the classic Aussie film ‘The Castle’ in which the government tries to forcibly purchase a man’s house to make way for an airport. Well, that’s a real thing.
Legislation exists that empowers local councils, state and federal governments to compulsorily acquire privately owned land on just terms for things like infrastructure development.
Governments need these powers to do things like build roads, train lines and…airports.
In Penrith, we are witnessing a real-life production of ‘The Castle’ with the construction of the Badgery’s Creek Airport and unprecedented infrastructure investment in the area.
Local examples include:
• Parcels of land being snapped up in areas like Luddenham and Bringelly to enable construction of the “new” Northern Road
• Properties being acquired in Badgery’s Creek to make way for the airport
• Land acquisitions along Mulgoa Road to enable it to be widened
• Orchard Hills properties near the Kent St interchange being swallowed up to make way for a new Metro Station
While these types of acquisitions can be devastating for property owners who have their dream homes pulled out from underneath them, this piece of law is necessary to make sure that governments can provide for the needs of a growing population.
The key to the legislation is the term “on just terms”, which means that governments can only acquire properties on terms that are fair. The main way to measure fairness is price i.e. the government paying fair market value for the property, however other factors also come into play like what effect the relevant infrastructure will have on a property when only some, but not all, of the property is being acquired.
The process is quite complex, but it can be broken in to two parts:
1. A government representative contacts a landowner to inform them of their intention to acquire their land following which they provide a valuation which is used to determine the price that will be offered to purchase the property. The landowner has the opportunity to obtain their own valuation from a valuer of their choosing to compare to the government’s valuation. If there is a difference between the two valuations, the parties engage to try to reach agreement as to price. If agreement is reached, the paperwork is completed to give effect to the sale.
2. If agreement can’t be reached in the manner set out above, the government commences a formal compulsory acquisition process and any argument about valuation and/or price is ultimately determined by a court.
Option 1 is always the preferred route because it is much quicker (meaning money in your hands sooner) and avoids the stress of litigation. Court action is quite taxing on lawyers, let alone people who are not used to the rigours of litigation. What starts out as a passionate exercise of a person’s rights under law often ends in emotional, exhausted parties to proceedings where the outcome is often not worth the mental toll.
One of the great things about the legislation is that the government has to cover your reasonable legal and valuation costs, so for the most part, you can have independent representation and it won’t cost you anything.
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Aubrey Beardsley was an intensely talented, risqué artist who stunned his late-Victorian audience. Loved by many for his depiction of the underside of London life, Beardsley was not afraid to draw what went unspoken with unparalleled detail and humour. He died of tuberculosis at just 25, but despite his short career, his work created such a powerful impact that the 1890s became known as the ‘Beardsley Period’.
The Tate Britain’s current exhibition of Beardsley’s work spans his 7-year career with over 200 pieces. It is currently available to explore on the Tate’s website, although it is more of a taster of what the exhibition has to offer than a substitute for a real visit. It left my appetite whetted for a possible visit in the future, in the hopes that the exhibition length will be extended in light of its current closure.
Starting with the ‘Beginnings’ section, the exhibition outlines Beardsley’s meeting with Pre-Raphaelite painter Edward Burne-Jones and the encouragement he received from the famed artist. We are also told about Beardsley’s interest in sexual freedom and gender fluidity, themes which recur throughout his career, repeatedly shocking viewers.
As the exhibition progresses, we trace Beardsley’s rise, fall, and rise again, in and out of public favour. The images Beardsley produced are refreshing in their stark black and white lines, which have a simplicity of form that also allows him to create complex compositions; many have hidden features and humorous repeating motifs (the angry foetus being my personal favourite, see Enter Herodias and Incipit Vita Nova). The popularity of his style gave Beardsley the opportunity to illustrate famous works such as Oscar Wilde’s Salomé, and the controversial The Yellow Book, an avant-garde magazine first released in 1894. The association with Wilde, however, would prove to drag Beardsley down following his propulsion skyward. In 1895 when Wilde was prosecuted for “gross indecency”, Beardsley’s close association with the writer in the public’s mind’s eye was near fatal for his career. The exhibition goes on to document Beardsley’s attempt to rise again. The drawings he produces in this time are beautiful, perhaps out of a desire to prove oneself and redeem the fame that seemed lost.
But what is Beardsley most famous for today? Surely it is his eroticism. As I said earlier, this exhibition is clear to highlight his attitudes towards sex and gender for viewers right at the beginning, before Beardsley’s work has even been encountered.
Some of Beardsley’s pieces reference sexuality in subtle ways. Black Coffee, which shows two women sitting beside each other in a café. One woman’s hand reaches under the table towards the lap of her companion, who has brought both of her own hands beneath the table too. The surreptitious sideways glances and the hair pins denoting devil-horns suggest there might be more beneath the surface of this relationship (and beneath the table) than meets the eye.
Other pieces are more explicit. The Impatient Adulterer, for example, shows a man naked from the waist down, holding his penis and peeking between curtains at something we cannot see. A lot of Beardsley’s starkly explicit pieces were not advertised, instead being made available only to a small group of collectors. The “indecency” made the images unpublishable. The Impatient Adulterer did not even make it into Beardsley’s first retrospective show, held at the V&A in 1966. It was deemed too explicit. The world was still not ready for the drawing 70 years after it was created.
Interestingly, this exhibition in 2020 has separated the illustrations deemed most explicit, showcasing them in a separate room. Although on display, their erotic nature makes them distinct from Beardsley’s other works, this perception being emphasised by their physical separation within the exhibition space. Perhaps the world is still not quite ready for Beardsley in all his inky glory.
Thank you!
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Eliphaz Tells Job to Listen to His Great Wisdom
A man, who was known to like liquor, explained that he drank only to drown his troubles. “After you drown them, why do you continue to drink?” he was asked. “You don’t know my troubles,” he sighed. “My troubles are excellent swimmers. I try to drow … More
Eliphaz brings up as a reminder of the fate of the wicked (vv. 17-20). He points out how suffering is in store each day for those who sin. Eliphaz portrays the idea that Job was a tyrant who struck fear into other people. It seems that this friend hoped to force Job to repent, as he lists the terrible troubles that befall a sinner (vv. 21-35).
1. Terrifying sounds are heard (v. 21). Job had certainly heard terrifying news (1:14-19).
2. He will be attacked (v. 21). The Sabeans and Chaldeans did this to Job (1:15, 17).
3. Darkness haunts him (v. 22). This is possibly a reference to the darkness of death.
4. He is destined to be a victim of violence (v. 22).
5. He wanders aimlessly, trying to escape his attackers (v. 23).
6. Anguish hounds him (v. 24). Eliphaz points out that our own anguish destroys us.
These first six calamities (vv. 21-24) are followed by an explanation of the reasons for such punishment (vv. 25-27). Then Eliphaz continues with his list:
1. He is forced to live in abandoned houses and crumbling residences (v 28).
2. He Loses his wealth (v. 29).This certainly happened to Job (Job 1:13-17).
3. Darkness overtakes him (v. 30).
4. Fire destroys his crops (v. 30).
5. He will vanish (v. 30).
6. Though gaining nothing materially he will be paid with punishment for his sin (v. 31).
7. Tents are burned (v. 34).
8. They are parents of vicious lies, (v. 35).
Eliphaz did not have all of his facts straight, and his attempt to jolt Job into repentance failed. If I try to deal with people in my own wisdom, my efforts will also fail.
Job 15:17-35 (English Standard Version)
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
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Tamer and tiger in a circus
Suffering on tour: wild animals in Circuses
Animal abuse for entertainment is still happening throughout the world
Thousands of wild animals are still suffering in European circuses. Animals used in circuses and for performing live a very unnatural life that has no correlation to their natural ecology. A travelling circus cannot take the needs of the animals into consideration. The business constantly moves from location to location, cages have to be transported and therefore need to take up as little space as possible and be able to be assembled and disassembled as fast as possible. And so, the animals spend most of their time in transport wagons that are far too small. Their requirements with regard to climate, nutrition and need for physical movement cannot be fulfilled. There is no room for climbing, digging, running, bathing or swimming.
Furthermore, performance and circus animals often live in extremely confined spaces and usually in unnatural social structures or in solitary confinement. The training of wild animals often takes place in direct contact. Therefore, animals are routinely deprived of their natural social companions and even taken away from their mothers (social and maternal deprivation). This lack of social competence and the inability to satisfy basic social needs leads to both acute and chronic suffering. The training regimes can be rigorous and cruel, using punishment or negative reinforcement, such as withdrawal of food.
Species-adverse accommodation, constant changes of the location for the shows, uncontrolled breeding and trade with circus animals, animal training and questionable presentation in front of an audience are substantial components in the keeping of animals in the circus. Tigers, lions, elephants, bears, giraffes, even hippos and other wild animals are very sensitive species whose needs no circus can meet. Having never been domesticated, these species do not have similar traits as domesticated species, making them less suitable to live amongst and interact with people. Wild animals in circuses have been kept by humans for just a few generations and most circus elephants have even been taken from the wild.
From FOUR PAWS’ point of view, it is impossible to keep wild animals in circuses according to their welfare requirements in a way that is appropriate to the natural behaviour and ecology of the species.
Luckily more and more countries worldwide understand this and have restricted or banned the use of wild animals in circuses.
Who has banned the use of wild animals in circuses?
FOUR PAWS demands:
• A ban on wild animals in circuses.
• A ban on the breeding and replacement of wild animals in the short term.
• The confiscation and adequate re-housing of animals subjected to bad keeping conditions.
• Domesticated animals should only be permitted in circuses if appropriate keeping conditions can be guaranteed. Only an approved positive list of specified animals should be allowed.
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What is the difference between a DC glass laser and an RF metal laser?
by：Lxshow 2021-07-20
The first CO2 lasers invented in the early 1960s were DC glass lasers. Since the 1960s, there has been no progress in DC laser technology, mainly because the development of laser technology has turned to radio frequency and all-metal laser designs.
The DC glass laser consists of a long and fragile blown glass container, which contains a laser gas mixture. The laser optics is directly connected to the glass to seal the laser mixture and form a laser resonator. The high-voltage direct current discharge ionizes the gas inside the glass container to generate a laser beam.
Due to the poor heat transfer of glass and the low efficiency of high-voltage DC discharge, DC lasers require special water-cooled equipment to achieve continuous operation. The correct way to cool a DC glass laser is to use a chiller. The cooler is essentially a combination of refrigeration equipment and a pump. The pump recirculates the water around the glass laser to keep the laser at a constant temperature. Since the DC glass laser uses a very high DC voltage, if water comes into contact with high-voltage electronic equipment, it will be very dangerous, even fatal, especially when used in combination with cooling water.
Over time, the use of glass as a gas tank and the DC discharge between the electrodes will contaminate the electrode mixture. These by-products are the byproducts of electrode corrosion and exhaustion of the gas mixture. The contamination of the gas mixture and the consumption of helium escaping through the glass wall and the sealing layer reduce the efficiency of the laser and severely shorten the service life of the laser.
The characteristic of the DC glass laser is that the modulation speed is very low. Due to the limitation of continuously turning on and off the high-voltage DC power supply, it cannot be quickly modulated. This greatly limits the speed of laser processing and reduces throughput, especially in imaging applications that require high-quality laser pulses.
In addition, glass lasers may be damaged by thermal shock due to daily handling or interruption of water cooling. If no cooling flow is provided to the laser, the glass container will break, causing the laser to fail to work properly. This makes the service life of DC glass lasers very limited, usually measured in months of work.
DC glass lasers are precision equipment. When integrated into a laser material processing system, they require additional cooling equipment for operation. Compared with other lasers, the output quality is lower and the laser processing speed is very limited. , And the service life is very short.
The radio frequency metal laser has a closed metal chamber containing a laser gas mixture. The precisely controlled radio frequency energy is used to generate ionized gas plasma for the laser to generate the laser beam. The design of the RF metal laser is compact, durable, and integrated with air cooling. RF metal lasers were originally developed for high-demand military applications. Today, the development of RF metal lasers continues.
Radio frequency metal lasers are the lasers of choice that are widely used in many industries today. These lasers can operate in almost any environment without high pressure and water cooling.
The radio frequency metal laser has low cost, its design is durable, provides the highest performance with the highest laser beam quality, provides unlimited service life, and can ensure the safety of the operator.
So, when considering purchasing a laser system, you should ask the laser system supplier which type of laser is used in the system it provides.
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A colostomy bag is a plastic bag that collects fecal matter from the digestive tract through an opening in the abdominal wall called a stoma. Doctors attach a bag to the stoma following a colostomy operation.
During a colostomy, a surgeon will bring out a portion of a person’s large intestine through the stoma. The colostomy bag can then collect stool as it passes through the gut.
A person often needs a colostomy due to injury, disease, or another issue with the lower bowels. In some cases, the colostomy is temporary. In other situations, such as the removal of the colon due to colon cancer, the colostomy may be permanent.
Keep reading for more information about colostomy bags, the types, uses, and how to live with one.
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A healthcare professional will attach a colostomy bag following a colostomy operation.
Following a colostomy, a person will have some choice about what type of bag they want to use. People often refer to each option as a pouching system. Pouching systems come in a variety of different styles and sizes.
Not every system works for all people. An individual must find the pouching system that performs best for them and their circumstances.
Useful things to look for when picking a pouching system include:
• odor resistance
• a bag that is easy to put on and take off
• a leakproof seal that lasts for up to 3 days
• a bag that is hard or impossible to see under clothes
• a bag that is gentle on skin around the stoma
A pouching system consists of:
• A flange, wafer, or skin barrier that attaches to the skin around the stoma.
• A pouch that attaches to the flange and collects the stool as it passes through the stoma.
Pouching systems come in two basic types:
• A one piece system where the bag attaches directly to the skin around the stoma.
• A two piece system where the flange attaches to the skin around the stoma and the bag attaches to the flange.
The type that a person selects is largely up to them. They should choose the style and size that best fits their needs.
For example, a person can choose between a reusable or single use bag. Also, a person may want some larger bags for overnight and smaller ones for the daytime.
A person should talk to their doctor about potential choices and what their recommendations are for pouch systems.
There are also other products a person may want that can help better protect the skin or help keep the bag in position. These products include:
• stoma paste to help the bag stick
• stoma powder to help absorb moisture and help the bag stay in place
• wipes to help keep the area clean
• belts to help keep the bag securely attached
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A colostomy bag should not prevent a person from doing most regular activities.
A person with a colostomy bag will be able to continue with many of the same activities that they did before their surgery. Most other people will be unaware that someone uses a colostomy bag unless that person tells them.
People with a colostomy bag will need to avoid lifting heavy items and may need to visit the bathroom more frequently to manage their pouching system. Otherwise, a colostomy bag should not impact too much on someone’s daily routine.
If a pouch is in position securely, an individual with a colostomy bag should be able to take part in most sports and physical activities, including running and swimming. Although people should be careful if taking part in contact sports, they may wish to wear a belt or guard for protection.
Some things a person has to consider when living with a colostomy bag include the following:
• Carrying extra bags and spare supplies when traveling.
• Taking care when using a seat belt, so it does not lie across the stoma.
• Thinking about maybe avoiding foods that cause flatulence.
• Taking extra care with children and pets to avoid damaging the bag.
• Leaving the bag in place or removing it when showering and covering the stoma if removing.
• Looking for high waisted clothes and underwear or considering buying specialty clothes.
Having a colostomy bag should not affect a person’s sexual activity or pregnancy.
The American College of Surgeons recommend changing the bag when it is between one-third and one-half full. This precaution can help prevent the bag from pulling away from the skin and leaking.
How often a person needs to change their bag largely depends on the size of the bag itself. A smaller bag will need to be emptied more frequently and is the best type to use during the day. A larger bag can last more time without emptying and is often good for overnight or sleeping hours.
Some bags are reusable while others are disposable after a single use.
To change a colostomy bag, a person:
1. First, washes their hands with antibacterial soap and warm water.
2. Next, gently peels the bag from the stoma.
3. Removes or cuts the bottom of the bag and empties it into the toilet or puts it into a disposal bag.
4. Cleans the stoma using warm water and gentle soap.
5. Dries the stoma thoroughly.
6. Prepares the next bag (and flange if using a two piece system).
7. Attaches the bag with adhesive to the outside of the stoma.
A person may want to have wipes or other products around in case of accidental spills.
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A person can talk to their doctor about the type of colostomy bag that best suits their lifestyle.
Whether a colostomy is permanent or not depends on the condition that is affecting the colon.
A colostomy can be temporary in some cases. However, according to the American Cancer Society, a temporary colostomy may last weeks, months, or even years. Once the area below the colostomy heals, a surgeon can often reverse the colostomy, allowing the person’s bowels to work as they did before.
In other cases, the colostomy will be permanent, and the individual will need to live with a colostomy bag for the rest of their life. Some conditions that typically result in the colostomy becoming permanent include:
People use colostomy bags when they have a permanent or temporary colostomy. Colostomies are required when something injures, infects, or otherwise damages a person’s lower bowels.
Colostomy bags are widespread and do not interfere with most daily activities. Most people will not know that a person is using a colostomy bag unless that person tells them.
People should discuss their colostomy bag options with their healthcare team to find the system that works best for their needs. Many different types and sizes are available, so a person should be able to find one that fits the demands of their current lifestyle.
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Africa is now feeling the full force of the extractive industries, as world attention shifts to this continent that until now has been relatively untouched in this regard. As technology becomes more sophisticated it brings within reach previously unreachable minerals.
Oil is being found everywhere it seems, with the oil companies suspiciously undaunted by climate change discussions. And these discussions seem to be going nowhere, while the impact of climate change is being increasingly felt across the continent. Though more attention is being paid to renewables it remains a mystery why this attention is not far greater, given the potential of renewables to mitigate climate change. One can only assume that this relates to the economic and political power of the extractive industries.
Many African governments have tied their ‘new growth’ strategies to these extractive industries. This, in turn, is leading to a fast increase in demand for energy across the continent. Resistance to the onslaught of the extractive industries is still minimal in Africa, especially compared to what is happening elsewhere in the world.
The multinational corporations’ drive to move fully into Africa continues in the field of Agriculture too. ‘Investment’ in large plantations, also referred to as land grabbing, seems to be continuing apace. Furthermore, the MNCs are very much behind the push for green revolution farming for small-scale farmers in Africa, willingly offering funds to Obama’s G8 food and nutrition initiative, which in turn is twisting African Governments’ arms in various ways. One example of this is the push for laws and protocols related to seed via the regional economic blocks such as ECOWAS, SADC and COMESA. These laws and protocols put plant breeders’ rights at the forefront and largely ignore community-based seed systems.
Land grabbing continues to intensify. Governments, and traditional authorities shirking their responsibilities as custodians of customary and ancestral rights to land, thereby dispossessing communities’ access to land and other natural resources required for productive activities. Women are being particularly hard hit by this.
The new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at least give more recognition to the importance of biodiversity and moving towards a healthier planet (SDGs 2, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 and 15) and are an improvement on the old Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, as long as the same economic development framework and the mindset that goes with it remain, they are unlikely to be effective. It is this economic model of non-stop economic growth that gives license and support to the activities outlined in the paragraphs above.
Along with all this, and very relevant to the work of NAPE, is the ongoing disconnection of young people from their roots and culture as they adopt a western mindset.
Another worrying trend is the growing intolerance of some religions towards traditions and culture. At the same time, while there is more recognition of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in Uganda, the slow-to-change mainstream education set-ups still demean and belittle IKS and the traditions and culture that go with it. There is also the danger that academic interest in IKS will distort and highjack this source of knowledge.
NOTE:Thomas Berry’quotation on sustainability of cultural distortion
Turning to donor funding, most bilateral support seems to be continuing or shifting to support of industrial land-use practices. At the same time the greater emphasis on accountability, while apparently a good thing at face value, means that it is becoming more difficult to get funding for process-oriented work as opposed to ‘project’ funding. This is also affecting independent funders such as Church organizations who now get more of their funding from Governments. While there is greater recognition for sustainable land-use approaches such as Agro ecology, there is little funding allocated to this sector. The above background forms the rationale for NAPE’s program called the Community Ecological Governance (CEG)
Definition of Community Ecological Governance
Community Ecological Governance is a term used to describe customary governance systems rooted in the laws of Earth. Elders play a vital role in upholding the ecological knowledge and customs, practiced over generations, which sustain the wellbeing of sacred natural sites, ecosystems, territories and communities. CEG contributes to the emerging philosophy and practice known as Earth Jurisprudence or Earth Law underpinning customary governance systems in Africa.
NAPE’s unique approach and methods bring the depth of connection that leads to the strong sense of caring for, and connection to, the land that is necessary if whole communities are going to galvanize effectively towards management of their ecosystems. Without this depth of concern and connection, the tendency will be to continue treating symptoms in isolation
To promote revival of African indigenous cultural knowledge and thinking to address the increasing loss of Biodiversity and African food Sovereignty and reduce climate change in Uganda.
As the push for plant breeders’ rights intensifies, so does the recognition of community-based seed systems. This is especially so given the high levels of malnutrition in many places. Community-based seed systems emphasize diversity, which in turn strengthens nutrition. This area is focused on researching, identifying, reviving, improving and popularizing African indigenous seeds.
The broader meaning of the SEED in this context is the entire production, storage, and distribution systems of indigenous crops and animals with associated African norms, customs and practices.
Communities are encouraged to understand and priorities the indigenous SEED against the so-much-marketed modern seeds promoted by foreign companies. NAPE and its partners build each others’ capacity around their seed work in communities.
NAPE will facilitate communities involved in seed-related work to organize and hold seed and food fairs, as platforms for sharing indigenous seed and associated knowledge. The experience of these will be continually documented and shared between partners. A bigger emphasis is put on women’s role as the main custodians of indigenous seed.
There is growing recognition of the need to transition our governance systems e.g. laws and policies from being human-centred to Earth-centred, which comply with the laws of our planet Earth to maintain the health and integrity of the whole. Inspired by the wisdom of indigenous peoples and Earth, cultural historian Thomas Berry referred to this philosophy and way of living as Earth Jurisprudence. Earth Jurisprudence principles include respecting:
Communities in Hoima and Bullisa districts of Bunyoro region, Uganda, are reviving their traditional practices and customary governance systems for the protection of sacred natural sites around Lake Albert.
Accompanied by NAPE, these communities are defending their ancestral lands from mining, commercial fishing, a game reserve and other activities which directly impact on and restrict access to the sacred sites, undermining their cultural and spiritual practices.
A published report, by NAPE, on opportunities within Uganda’s legal framework for the recognition of sacred natural sites also calls for their declaration as no-go areas for mining and other commercial projects.
Work is underway to develop a legal precedent that will secure recognition of the rights of local custodian communities to govern and protect Lake Albert as a sacred lake. This would be another first in Africa, affording legal protection to an ecosystem based upon recognition of the customary governance systems of local communities.
Below is a quotation from a statement by an African net work of custodians to The African Commission on the rights of indigenous Peoples.
The whole Earth is sacred. Within the body of our Earth there are places which are especially sensitive, because of the special role they play in our ancestral lands. We call these places sacred natural sites. Each sacred natural site plays a different but important role, like the organs in our body. All of life is infused with spirit.
Sacred natural sites are embedded in territories, which relate to the horizontal, vertical and energetic domains. A territory includes plants, animals, the ancestors’ spirits, all life in the land, including humans, and reaches deep into the Earth including and beyond the subsoil, rocks and minerals, and up into the celestial constellations in the sky.
Sacred natural sites and territories exist everywhere, including in Africa. They are spiritual places created by God at the time of the Creation of our Earth, where our custodian communities have been praying and giving offerings since time immemorial. Our responsibility is to protect God’s Creation, and to ensure that these especially sacred places are not disturbed in any way. Their role and significance cannot be replaced.
Sacred natural sites and territories are sources of law. They are centers of knowledge and inter-generational learning. Our customary governance systems are established through our relationship with and responsibility for sacred natural sites and territories. Our customary laws are derived from the laws of the Earth, as interpreted from and applied at our sacred natural sites and territories. As custodians, we have a responsibility to ensure that our governance systems comply with the laws of the Earth, the laws that govern life.”
This theme is about engaging both School & out of school Youth and elders to engage in dialogues. The dialogues involve deliberate intergenerational learning, especially traditional and functional education. The elders explain the traditional culture and values to the youth. They try to instill discipline, morals and acceptable behavior for girls and boys.
The biodiversity bit of knowledge /education looks at nature appreciation and conservation.
The objective of the YCB theme is to have men and women well brought up in the traditional cultures that inculcate good morals and values for a better society that respects nature.
3.1 Conducting community based research on indigenous seeds and associated knowledge.
3.2 Popularizing Earth Jurisprudence as a complementally form of law based on Customary law to protection of nature and society values
3.3 Facilitating dialogues for Custodians of Sacred Natural Sites (SNS) to revive traditional practices for conservation of Nature.
3.4 Engaging Government and other stakeholders to influence policy on nature conservation using traditional community practices.
3.5 Empowering communities to revive their traditional food production systems and regain their food sovereignty.
NAPE employs unique approaches and methodologies that present traditional environment and bring back the African memory of social cohesion. The approaches include;
Community dialogues;
Community dialogues are meetings that are held amongst community members of same or different age groups. They are of the following characteristics;
Eco-mapping and seasonal calendars.
The communities, especially clan leaders and Custodians of Sacred Natural Sites live in specific areas and the SNS are also located in specific areas known as Territories. There are natural land forms ,rivers, forests, lakes ,animals, birds and other forms of life which are nonhuman (ecosystems and biodiversity) in these territories.
In order for communities to revive the traditional customs and practices, after a series of dialogues where they discuss and analyze their past, present and future ecological and socio-economical situation, they draw the ecological maps of their territories, which show what was done where, when and by whom. The ecological maps are a mental picture translated in physical drawings on the ground by the communities.
The maps are followed by seasonal calendars, usually the months, the associated seasons and activities carried out in those seasons are written in their language. This exercise is done in a participatory manner, ensuring that the knowledgeable elders are present to provide particular information on what used to be done so many years ago.
The maps visually help the communities to see what the situation used to be, what it is and what is desirable. What is desirable is what the community is advocating for and is a quest for revival and restoration of the ecology and community governance systems that can sustain the situation.
Nature appreciation;
Community Ecological Governance asserts that the earth is a dynamic living whole whose complex processes have maintained the conditions for all life over millions of years. It requires us, as humans, to understand our place with the complex web of life as interconnected and interdependent with millions of species and to develop our personal and collective Earth –centered thinking and practice.
During the community dialogue, participants take time to appreciate nature by sitting, meditating and reflecting. By this they connect with nature and their souls
NAPE are completing the project on” strengthening African Civil society Net works to address the rapid growth of extractive industry “
The project is a 3-YR project Funded by the European Commission (EC) which started in 2013 and is ending in 2016 Feb. It is jointly implemented by 5 Partners of ABN in Africa.
We have started a 2-yr Project funded by OSIEA through our UK Partner Gaia “Promoting People and Women centered approaches to protecting Lake Albert Ecosystems and Peoples Livelihoods. The project is jointly implemented by Gaia, ANERD and NAPE in the Districts of Hoima and Buliisa.
We are popularizing the Earth Jurisprudence as a wider aspect of African Customary law and a complementary law in conservation of Nature.
We will be mobilizing communities and doing studies on indigenous food production systems.
See below some of the work done in previous period.
1. A report of accomplished activities on CEG
3. Report of the legal Training
4. Press release on custodian petition
5. Report of the paralegal training
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Judge and Gavel
Restorative Justice
This is a practise which brings together the victim and the offender involved with a particular crime. The aim is to deal with the aftermath of a crime and the effects that the crime has had on those involved.
Restorative Justice (RJ) can take place in a number of ways. The first is through a victim - offender mediation and the second is via third parties.
The aim of RJ is for the offender to atone for their crime by way of 'paying back' to the victim. It can also have the benefit of giving answers to the victim and why they were targeted in a particular offence. This is an extremely helpful tool in youth offending and offences involving 'hate' and race related crime.
Restorative Justice in schools
I am fully qualified to facilitate restorative justice in schools. The aim is to prevent exclusions and address confrontation between students.
Having parents, teachers, class mates and students involved can focus discussion around challenging behaviour and can lead all parties to a deeper understanding of why a child is displaying certain behaviour.
After School
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Disaster risk reduction in Dhaka city: from urban landscape analysis to opportunities for DRR integration
The geographical location of Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal leaves the country susceptible to significant climate change impacts that exacerbate environmental hazards. In the urban context, disasters and hazards are posed by flood and waterlogging, earthquakes and fires. The residents of informal settlements, or slums, can be understood as most at risk due to the existing social, physical and economic vulnerabilities inherent to their environment. Increasing exposure to disaster hazards in Dhaka heightens the need for positive developments in urban Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The rapidly expanding rate of the city’s slums as a result of both growing population and rural-urban migration, means resources are increasingly strained, and hence lives and livelihoods are ever more vulnerable to the risks posed by urban hazards.
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Friday, December 18, 2020
"Tears" - a bookwrap
A tender, affirming book about why we cry―and why it’s okay.
Interesting fact: According to the Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), you make 15 to 30 gallons of tears every year. Your tears are produced by lacrimal glands located above your eyes. You will never run out of them.
by Sibylle Delacroix
* Ages: 3-8
* Grade Level: PS-3
* Length: 32 pages
* Publisher: Owlkids
* Pub. Date: March 15, 2021
* Language: English
Unwrapping Some Illustrations for You
The Book
Crying is a universal emotion response that shows what you are feeling. Some tears taste salty and others make your eyes red and puffy. Tears cultivate a special garden within you and help you to grow.
This wonderful book validates crying and erases the shame of doing so. It highlights scenarios where emotions evoke a waterfall that flows from your eyes and tumbles down your cheeks. Some tears fall gently and slowly while others gush like a tsunami accentuating acute feelings of anger and frustration. Crying washes your inside feelings out into the open and liquidly accentuates how you feel. Tears certainly can be an important part of the healing process.
The illustrations are extremely well done and kid-friendly, ones that kids can relate to I'm sure. This would be a lovely addition to a classroom or school library and is a perfect catalyst to spark a conversation about when and why we cry. I highly recommend this book.
Storywraps Rating - 5 HUGS!
Meet the Author/Illustrator
SIBYLLE DELACROIX is the author/illustrator of Grains of Sand, Prickly Jenny, and Blanche Hates the Night. She graduated from the ERG (Ecole de recherche graphique) in Brussels and worked by day as a graphic designer in several agencies while illustrating at night. She lives in the Midi-Pyrenees in France, where she now tries to draw in the day and sleep at night!
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Here's why that second coronavirus shot can be such a doozy
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Here's why that second coronavirus shot can be such a doozy
Members of the West Virginia National Guard conduct and participate in a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Joint Forces Headquarters, Charleston, West Virginia, Jan. 13, 2021.
So you finally got your coronavirus vaccine. It took weeks of waiting, maybe a few calls before hitting the jackpot with a drive-through vaccination clinic. Or maybe you're a health care worker who got the shot at work.
Now comes the hard part -- making sure you get that second dose on time. It means another appointment, and keeping a close eye on the calendar. Plus, perhaps, a little bit of anxiety.
"Grade 3 solicited local adverse reactions were more frequently reported after Dose 2 than Dose 1," Moderna's statement reads. Grade 3 adverse reactions include swelling, pain, body aches, headache and fever.
But why?
"The first time someone sees that peeping Tom, they might be quite creeped out. They might go the police station and report this person and someone will draw a sketch and that goes to all the police stations," says evolutionary biology professor Michael Worobey of the University of Arizona.
A few weeks later, you hear a noise, look out the window, and see the same face. You are more likely to react strongly this time, knowing you've seen this face before. Your heart pounds, your hands get clammy and your mind races. You may even call 911. And the police will be ready to come grab the guy.
"The next time that person tries to do something, there is likely to be a much bigger response because there are more people who are familiar with that face now," Worobey explains.
The first dose of vaccine is like that first look at the stranger -- the body's immune system takes notice and takes some precautions, but the second time it's even more primed to recognize and respond to that prompt.
This is how vaccines work in general, of course. They're meant to be like a wanted poster, educating the immune system to be on the lookout.
So-called prime-boost vaccines -- those that work better with two or more doses -- draw out this response.
"With the first dose, you are having to generate an immune response from the ground up," Worobey said.
The body produces antibodies, but also starts to generate immune cells called B cells to make targeted antibodies. This takes time -- a process known as maturing.
"You end up with a finely-tuned B-cell population," Worobey said. "Then the second time you give a person the shot, those cells are sitting around like a clone army and can immediately start producing a very big immune response, which is what is happening when people feel like they have been kicked in the teeth."
"Your immune system is already jacked up from the first dose," he said. So with a second dose, "You tend to build up a longer and more durable response."
The flu-like symptoms that come with any viral infection are not caused by the virus itself. They are caused by the body's response. The fever and muscle aches come from inflammation, which in turn is a sign that immune cells called T cells are sending out an alarm in the form of signaling chemicals called cytokines.
"You get swelling at the injection site," said Geisbert. "People can have chills or aches and pains, or they are feeling off or feeling tired."
That bodes well for predicting whether the vaccines will provide better protection than natural immunity. "These symptoms mean that your immune system is revving up and the vaccine is actually working," US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told a White House briefing last month.
Studies indicate that immunity to coronavirus lasts for months anyway -- six months, nine months or even longer.
That's not 100% of the population -- immunity varies a lot from one person to another, and a few cases have been documented of people being infected twice with coronavirus. But they seem to be uncommon instances.
These studies also take snapshots of people's immune systems over time and they show that right after infection, two types of antibody spike in number and then crash, while a third type builds up more slowly. And then B cells that have been "trained" to recognize the virus start producing specific antibodies that build up in the blood.
Vaccination may speed up this process -- providing people quicker protection but also perhaps providing a broader level of protection that a natural infection would.
"Because this is all going so fast, the studies and the key data are not there yet," Geisbert said.
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Kiyohara no Iehira
In this Japanese name, the family name is Kiyohara.
Kiyohara no Iehira (清原家衡) (died 1087) was a member of the Kiyohara clan, which wielded significant power in the Tohoku region from around 1063 to 1089, during Japan's Heian period; he was also a key participant in the Gosannen War which grew out of conflicts within the clan.
In the early 1080s, a conflict developed between Iehira and his relatives Narihira and Masahira, who were each head of one branch of the family; each desired to head the honke (main family line). By 1083, this conflict had erupted into outright violence. Minamoto no Yoshiie traveled to the region in hopes of settling the conflict and restoring peace and order.
Yoshiie allied himself to Iehira, and attempted to settle the issue diplomatically. When that failed, he went into battle, alongside Iehira and Fujiwara no Kiyohira, a cousin of the Kiyohara, against Kiyohara no Sanehira. After Sanehira's defeat, however, Iehira saw the possibility of his own rise to power improving; Yoshiie and Iehira turned on one another. The battles between the two would prove to be the main action of the war.
Iehira first made a stand in 1086 at a stockade called Numa. The Minamoto suffered heavy losses besieging this stockade, due primarily to the cold and snow, and had to withdraw. Iehira, with his uncle Takahira, then established a camp near Yoshiie's fortress at Kanezawa. Yoshiie, allied with his brother Yoshimitsu and Fujiwara Kiyohira, laid siege to the Kiyowara position from August to November 1087. The Kiyowara were defeated and both Iyehira and Takahira killed.[1]
According to the Kokon Chomonjū, Yoshiie saw a flock of birds emerge from the forest when he was on his way to attack the Kiyohara camp; this told him that an ambush had been set up, since the Kiyohara ambushers disturbed the birds, and thus Yoshiie was able to avoid the attack.[2]
1. Sansom, George (1958). A history of Japan to 1334. Stanford University Press. p. 251-252. ISBN 0804705232.
2. Sato, Hiroaki (1995). Legends of the Samurai. Overlook Duckworth. p. 105-106. ISBN 9781590207307.
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Gut health
How does alcohol affect your gut health?
Before you read this article, you should know that I am not anti-alcohol. Yes, I choose not to drink now but I drank for years and had many enjoyable occasions under the influence. Alcohol is viewed in many cultures as a tonic for relaxation and relieving stress, to celebrate and to commiserate. In this article, I look at what alcohol is and how our bodies detoxify it. We'll check on the risks to drinking alcohol and provide tips to stay healthier if you choose to drink.
What is alcohol?
Wine, beer, spirits are made through a process of fermentation which creates ethanol (alcohol). Grains, fruits and vegetables are put through this process. Yeast and bacteria react with the sugars in the food. As a by-product, ethanol and carbon dioxide are produced. 1 As well as drinks, ethanol is used in solvents, perfumes, toiletries, disinfectants, preservatives, polishes, fuel additives and in the manufacture of plastic, rubber and drugs. If we have had one too many drinks, the side effects of ingesting ethanol can be mood changes, slower reaction times, uncoordinated movements, slurred speech and nausea. If we expose ourselves to higher amounts the list includes blurred vision, vomiting, coma, low temperature and fitting.2
Health risks?
A combined review in 2016 of 87 studies on alcohol with all causes of death3 concluded that drinking in low volumes was as harmless as not drinking. So, does this mean we can drink small amounts safely? What is classified a low volume drinker? In the review, a low volume drinker was someone who consumed less than 30g of alcohol per day. Although difficult to be specific,4 this is roughly equivalent to two 5% beers of 12 fl oz (340ml) or two glasses of 12% wine of 5 fl oz (147ml) or two 1.5 fl oz (44ml) shots of 40% spirits.5 However, in contrast, a larger review in 2012 of 222 articles concluded that light drinking, up to one drink per day, increases the risk of cancer of oral cavity and pharynx, oesophagus and female breast.6 The UK government published a paper in 20157 concluding that drinking alcohol has been shown to increase the risk (or chance) of getting some types of cancer. With regards to heavier drinking, risk increases significantly. Binge drinking is classified by the NHS as drinking more than 6 units for women or 8 units of alcohol for men in one sitting. For context, 6 units is equivalent to 2 pints of strong beer or 2 large glasses of wine. The World Health Organisation8 recognises that alcohol contributes to 3 million annual deaths worldwide and is responsible for the poor health of millions worldwide. It causes significant disease including alcoholic fatty liver; alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis.9
Alcohol and the gut
There have been many studies examining the effects of heavy drinking on gut health, showing changes in the gut bacteria and induction of gut inflammation and leaky gut.10, 11 In particular changes in the gut bacteria induced by alcohol seem to promote leaky gut12 and increases the fungus, Candida, have been seen in heavy drinkers.13 The imbalance in gut bacteria induced by alcohol results in an increase in toxins, body-wide inflammation and tissue damage outside of the gut10 and these effects have been theorised to contribute to the link between cancers and other diseases and over-consumption of alcohol. However, it may not be all bad news, the plant chemicals (phytonutrients) found in wine and beer have been suggested to have beneficial effects when drinking is kept to a low volume,14, 15 such as in the much-vaunted Mediterranean diet.
In summary, is it risk-free to drink a low volume of alcohol? Probably not. Are there things we can do to support our bodies to cope with alcohol? Definitely yes.
Detoxifying alcohol
Detoxification is a multi-stage process of turning fat soluble toxins and xenobiotics (external chemicals such as pesticides) into water soluble compounds that can be excreted. For this article, I am concentrating on the two middle phases of detoxification. Phase 1 is where the toxin reaches the liver. There are a number of reactions that take place here using enzymes (catalysts) produced by the liver. Firstly, ethanol permeates through virtually all tissues in the body.16 When we detoxify ethanol in phase 1, our bodies produce a substance called acetaldehyde.17 This substance is toxic to the body and is associated with swelling of the liver.18 Phase 1 can easily become overloaded due to high toxic loads. Therefore, we need to quickly get acetaldehyde into the next phase of detoxification. We don’t want it to be hanging around unchecked inside the body as it can cause damage to our cells. Phase 2 is a series of reactions that bind the phase 1 products to make them water soluble ready for excretion. If you find that you feel the effects of alcohol very quickly then it maybe that your phase 2 pathway needs some support to remove the toxins more effectively. Other signs of impaired detoxification may include dry skin; itching; dark circles under eyes; poor concentration and brain fog; constipation; tiredness.
Supporting our bodies with alcohol
1. Ensure adequate water intake of at least 2 litres filtered water daily to help with excretion.
2. Increase soluble fibre (beans, avocado, root vegetable etc) to support elimination from the body.
3. Remove unnecessary toxins to slow down Phase 1. This could include harsh cleaning products and smoking.
4. Go organic with foods as this will minimise pesticides and other xenobiotics.
5. Foods high in B vitamins are great for Phase 1 enzyme production: include liver and organ meats, salmon, and leafy greens.
6. Eat a rainbow of colours with your fruit and vegetables. This will provide antioxidant support to mop up the damage of Phase 1 compounds.
7. Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage etc) are great to support Phase 2.
8. Sulphur rich foods, such as onions support Phase 2.
9. Asparagus increases the activity of detoxification enzymes.19
10. Red beetroot supports detoxification in Phase 2.
11. Support a healthy range of gut bacteria by following our tips. Some gut bacteria can help to detoxify alcohol. 20
Last Orders
If you do choose to drink alcohol, there are many things you can do to balance some of the side-effects.
If you have more questions about your diet or gut health symptoms; click on our chat icon and ask us anything.
1., [Online]. Available: [Accessed February 2021].
2. Public Health England, [Online]. Available: [Accessed January 2021].
3. Stockwell, T., Zhao, J., Panwar, S., Roemer, A., Naimi, T., & Chikritzhs, T. "Do "moderate" drinkers have reduced mortality risk? A systematic review and meta-analysis of alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality.," Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 185-198, 2016.
4. Ferner, R., & Chambers, J., "Alcohol intake. Measure for measure," BMJ, vol. 323, no. 7327, pp. 1439-1440, 2001.
5. National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism, [Online]. Available: [Accessed January 2021].
6. Bagnardi, V., Rota, M., Botteri, E., Tramacere, I., Islami, F., Fedirko, V., & La Vecchia, C. "Light alcohol drinking and cancer: a meta-analysis.," Annals of Oncology, vol. 24, no. 2, p. 301–308, 2012.
7. Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the environment (COC). , [Online]. Available: [Accessed January 2021].
8. World Health Organisation, [Online]. Available: [Accessed January 2021].
9. National Health Service, [Online]. Available: [Accessed January 2021].
10. Engen, P. A., Green, S. J., Voigt, R. M., Forsythe, C. B., & Keshavarzian, A. "The Gastrointestinal Microbiome: Alcohol Effects on the Composition of Intestinal Microbiota," Alcohol Research, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 223-236, 2015.
11. Bishehsari, F., Magno, E., Swanson, G., Desai, V., Voigt, R., Forsyth, C., & Keshavarzian, A. "Alcohol and Gut-Derived Inflammation.," Alcohol Research, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 163-171, 2017.
12. Grander, C., Adolph, T. E., Wieser, V., Lowe, P., Wrzosek, L., Gyongyosi, B., et al. "Recovery of ethanol-induced Akkermansia muciniphila depletion ameliorates alcoholic liver disease.," Gut, vol. 67, no. 5, pp. 891-901, 2018.
13. Yang, A. M., Inamine, T., Hochrath, K., Chen, P., Wang, L., Llorente, C., et al "Intestinal fungi contribute to development of alcoholic liver disease.," The Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol. 127, no. 7, pp. 2829-2841, 2017.
14. Quesada-Molina, M., Muñoz-Garach, A., Tinahones, F. J., & Moreno-Indias, I. "A New Perspective on the Health Benefits of Moderate Beer Consumption: Involvement of the Gut Microbiota.," Metabolites, vol. 9, no. 11, p. 272, 2019.
15. Zorraquín-Peña, I., Esteban-Fernández, A., González de Llano, D., Bartolomé, B., & Moreno-Arribas, M. "Wine-Derived Phenolic Metabolites in the Digestive and Brain Function.," Beverages, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 7, 2019.
16. Molina, P & Nelson, S. "Binge drinking’s effects on the body.," Alcohol Research, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 99-109, 2018.
17. Wilson D.F. & Matschinsky F. M., "Ethanol metabolism: The good, the bad, and the ugly.," Medical Hypotheses, vol. 140, no. 7, p. 109638, 2020.
18. Lieber, S. "Metabolic effects of acetaldehyde.," Biochemical Society Transactions, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 241-247, 1988.
19. Lee, D. Y., Choo, B. K., Yoon, T., Cheon, M. S., Lee, H. W., Lee, A. Y., & Kim, H. K. "Anti-inflammatory effects of Asparagus cochinchinensis extract in acute and chronic cutaneous inflammation.," Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 121, no. 1, pp. 28-34, 2009.
20. Kirpich, I. A., Solovieva, N. V., Leikhter, S. N., Shidakova, N. A., Lebedeva, O. V., Sidorov, P. I. et al. "Probiotics restore bowel flora and improve liver enzymes in human alcohol-induced liver injury: a pilot study.," Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.), vol. 42, no. 8, pp. 675-682, 2008.
Nicholas Williams
Nicholas Williams
Nicholas Williams is a BANT qualified Nutritional Therapist, has been an elite performance coach for over 25 years and runs
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5 Common Nutrients Your Baby Might Not Be Getting Enough Of
There are a few key nutrients that babies typically don’t get enough of.
When feeding your mini, it is important that you expose them to a variety of foods that boast different nutritional properties. Every nutrient plays an important role in your baby’s growth and development, but there are a few important nutrients that babies typically don’t get enough of. When transitioning to solid foods, these are a few that you may want to pay special attention to!
Omega 3 Fats
Omega-3 fats are a nutrient superstar—they’re incredibly anti-inflammatory and therefore essential in helping to build a strong immune system. Additionally, omega-3s are crucial for healthy development of the eyes, brain, and the entire nervous system.
Pro tip: Try swapping your mini’s chicken with salmon. Make sure to give it some extra delicious flavor by using ingredients like lemon, pepper and rosemary (babies like flavor!). Even if your babe doesn’t like it at first, keep trying different prep methods—it’s all about repeat exposure. It can take ten tastes to find enjoyment in a new flavor, so I encourage you to keep at it!
If your babe is still in the puree phase or you haven’t introduced animal proteins yet, avocado and flax oil are both great sources of omega-3. Little Spoon’s Avocado Green Apple Broccoli Spirulina and Carrot Apple Buckwheat Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed Flax Oil are both great, nutrient-packed options.
You may also see DHA highlighted on omega-3 supplements. There are three types of omega-3 fats: EPA, DHA and ALA. EPA and DHA are found in seafood, while ALA is found in vegetarian foods like flaxseed. DHA is the one most important for eye and brain development.
Introducing (and re-introducing) a variety of fruits and vegetables from a young age is key to helping your baby enjoy a well-balanced diet. Not only do we as humans innately like sweet foods, but we begin life by drinking sweet liquids (aka breastmilk or formula), so that is, of course, your mini’s preference. That’s why it’s particularly important to introduce a variety of healthy foods as you help your babe build a balanced palate.
If your little one is not eating veggies and fruits, they may not be getting in enough fiber. Fiber is key for healthy digestion and blood sugar, feeling satisfied, and certain types of fiber even strengthen immunity. Not to mention, fruits and veggies are packed with other important nutrients to support immunity like vitamin C (munch on bell peppers, oranges, and broccoli) and vitamin A (think deep green or orange produce like sweet potato, carrots, and green leafy veggies).
Pro tip: Aim to include some sort of fiber at every meal and snack. So if your baby is having yogurt as a snack, mash in some raspberries too! I love Little Spoon’s fiber-rich Kale Avocado Green Apple Chia and Strawberry Basil Beet Pear Chia blends—both are great specifically designed to aid your babe’s digestion.
Iron is a critical nutrient for everyone, babies and children included. We need iron so that our body can transport nutrients and oxygen to organs and muscles throughout the body. Not to mention that it’s key for brain development. Your pediatrician should have scheduled times to check on baby’s iron levels, including at the one-year appointment. Signs of iron deficiency include pale skin, no appetite, frequent fatigue, and slowed weight gain.
There are two main types of iron: heme iron and non-heme iron in food. Heme iron is found in animal sources, like chicken, fish, beef and eggs. This type of iron is easiest for the body to absorb. Non-heme iron comes from plant-based sources like beans, green leafy veggies, and fortified cereal.
Pro tip: Non-heme iron is harder for your body to absorb than heme iron, but there’s ways you can help with absorption. Iron absorption is improved with vitamin C-rich foods. So, for instance, if you are giving your mini some steamed broccoli, add a little lemon for vitamin C (and olive oil to help absorb that vitamin A too!). Little Spoon’s Broccoli Spinach blend is almost exactly that (iron + vitamin C), pureed as a great option if your little one is just starting on solids.
Iron deficiencies are super common among toddlers—about 25% of preschool children have an iron deficiency—so it’s important to make sure your babe is getting enough iron-rich foods. While I always recommend dietary shifts as a first line of defense, some pediatricians may suggest the introduction of supplements. Little Spoon’s Wiz Kid is a great option if you’re going the supplement route as it’s made from clean, natural ingredients and comes in a tasteless powder that’s easy to mix into Babyblends or yogurt.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is super hard to get from food. The only real food sources of vitamin D are fatty fish and some mushrooms, plus milk that is fortified with vitamin D. However, it is really hard to get enough of this vitamin solely based on what baby eats. The sun is a great way to get vitamin D, but we have to be careful about sun damage and sunscreen blocks absorption of vitamin D. Therefore, the most reliable way to get it is through supplements.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the recommendation for infants up to 12 months is 400 international units (IU) daily. For children one year or older, the recommendation is 600 IU/day.
Pro tip: If you are breastfeeding, speak with your doctor about using a vitamin D supplement as your little one won’t get it through breastmilk. Once baby turns one, many parents switch from breastmilk or formula to a couple of glasses of cow’s milk daily. Note that not all cow’s milk has vitamin D added, so it’s best to speak with your doctor about supplementation. If you’re not big on dairy, sometimes alternative milks like hemp or almond can be fortified with vitamin D as well. Overall, the only reliable food source of vitamin D is fatty fish, and sometimes that isn’t even adequate depending on portion and fish, so supplements are worth exploring.
Zinc is a key nutrient for growth and strengthening immunity—that’s why it’s often found in over-the-counter cold remedies. Because zinc is not stored in the body, it is recommended to eat foods with this nutrient daily. Zinc can be found in many foods including meat like beef and chicken, shellfish, eggs, nuts and seeds, beans, whole grains, and dairy. Phytates – found in whole grains and beans–make it harder for the body to absorb zinc from these foods. Nevertheless, both animal and plant-based sources are great!
Pro tip: Aim to include a form of protein at all of your mini’s meals and snacks as these are some of the foods richest in zinc. For example, an egg with breakfast, chicken with lunch, yogurt as a snack, and lentils with dinner. You can also turn to natural remedies to keep those sick days at bay. Little Spoon’s Sniffle Shield is a great option—it’s made with clean, all-natural ingredients like zinc, vitamins C and E, prebiotics and organic elderberry and can be easily stirred into one of their Babyblends or your little’s favorite yogurt.
It is generally recommended that we all (babies included!) consume a well-balanced diet, rich in veggies and fruit and inclusive of protein and healthy fat. Remember, we’re all different, so please speak to your baby’s pediatrician before adding in any supplements or if you have concerns about your little one’s diet.
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A lawn or garden can produce a positive or negative atmosphere in a residential or commercial setting. A lovely lawn or garden, especially when accompanied by an expertly designed landscape, can give folks a sense of serenity. A beautiful and healthy garden can endure the devastation of dangerous weeds, pests, and illnesses, and it can even be beneficial to the environment. There is no such thing as a long-term, quick-fix lawn or garden problem that pesticides can remedy. A beautiful and practical lawn or garden takes careful planning, execution, and maintenance.
When designing a beautiful lawn or garden, there are several factors to consider. It is necessary to cultivate nutritious soil with the proper pH balance, nutrients, and texture. Use grass that is suited to your growing circumstances, weather, and location. If, for example, your area receives a lot of rain most of the year, growing grass that requires a lot of water will be helpful. It’s also worth noting that a thicker lawn will help to keep weeds at bay. A good yard with longer grasses, roughly three inches long, can make it harder for weeds to root and thrive while only producing mild pest disruption. Longer grass has stronger roots and may be able to hold more water. Water your lawn or garden in the morning, especially between 6 and 9 a.m., for a brief time to allow the soil to absorb the water. Water and nutrients must reach the grass’s roots if the necessary thickness of thatch is not created in the grass. Never use too much inorganic fertiliser because it can generate very thick layers of thatch, and be careful of the grasses prone to thatch growth. You must use pesticides in line with the instructions on the label.
Allow some grass cuttings to remain after mowing the lawn since the soil will absorb them as nutrients. Allow your lawn to breathe by removing modest amounts of soil once a year. The grassroots will be aerated as a result of this.
When operating the gas lawnmower, ensure that the gasoline bottle is not dripping. These containers might likewise give off ecologically damaging hydrocarbons. You must make use of the correct containers. Fuel the maker on a concrete or asphalt surface area, and use a funnel to prevent gas from dripping or sprinkling on the equipment or the yard. To spread out the vapours, find a well-ventilated area where you might fuel. Store the fuel in a well-sealed container in a cold, dry location. Do not place it in the sunshine, on top of a cabinet, or inside your trunk, as that may trigger accidents and spill food. Make sure there is no fuel spillage on the ground or around the wells. Garbage needs to be disposed of effectively, and if required, request support from your municipality’s garbage disposal service. When trying to handle a lawn or garden, we should constantly prioritise environmental duty. Or you can select to use an electrical lawnmower instead.
Fencing your lawn or garden is also an essential factor to consider. It not only keeps strangers out of your yard, but it also adds an aesthetic aspect to the rest of your landscaping. There are many different types of fences to choose from: chain-link fences split rail fences and white picket fences.
Building a garden fountain or a small pond is another fantastic method to brighten up your yard. The sound of running water is quite soothing and produces a quiet atmosphere, which is why ponds and minor waterfalls are becoming increasingly popular.
Maintaining a beautiful and healthy lawn or garden is a relaxing and joyful task, and the result is well worth the effort, time, and money invested.
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Ellen G. White in Europe 1885-1887
Tramelan and the Roth Family
That night they slept at the Crown Hotel in Moutier, and Friday at dinnertime reached the pleasant home of the Roth family in Tramelan. The Roths were in many ways an exceptional Adventist family. They had ten children—seven boys and three girls—but unlike most Adventists of the time they were not exactly poor. The father and oldest son were merchant tailors, and the next son, Oscar, had been a successful baker, but was now working as a colporteur. The building in which the family lived contained their bakery, two tailor shops, and a general store where they handled hats, shoes, and groceries, as well. Two of the Roth children worked in the publishing house at Basel. EGWE 188.2
For the meeting that Friday evening the Roths’ large family room had been cleared, and benches and boards brought in. Besides the believers in Tramelan, a dozen had come from Chaux-de-Fonds to hear Ellen White speak. That night after the meeting she could not sleep until about midnight. This often happened when she spoke at an evening meeting. “When before the people I feel so deeply in earnest that they should come up to the holy standard erected by our Lord that I am unable to lay off the burden,” she explained (Manuscript 64, 1886). EGWE 188.3
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The Dangers of not recycling fluorescent lamps
In the event you use fluorescent light bulbs, there will come a time for you to retire them. Perceive the importance of fluorescent lamp recycling will allow you to to make sound, maintainable choices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and basically anyplace you set your ecological footprint.
Relating to lighting up your house and office, fluorescent lamps are the really useful alternative for its superior efficiency. While a typical incandescent bulb lasts between 750 to 1,000 hours earlier than burning out, a fluorescent bulb can easily final 10 to 15 instances longer and only devour one-quarter to one-third of the energy. In response to the Environmental Safety Company, fluorescent lamps are four to 6 occasions more efficient than their incandescent counterparts. They reduce “the demand for electricity, which in flip reduces mercury and green house gas (GHG) emissions from utility boilers, notably coal-fired boilers.”
The Importance of Fluorescent Lamp Recycling
Once your fluorescent bulb reached the end of its life cycle, it might be tempting so that you can discard it in your waste basket or recycling bin. Nonetheless, fluorescent tubes comprise a small quantity of mercury that warrant correct handling to mitigate any real hazard to both you and the environment. As OSHA points out, improperly recycling your fluorescent light bulbs may cause harmful mercury exposure. The hazardous metal mercury can hurt unborn children, impair memory, cause skin irritation, and the list goes on.
Environmental Impacts
In addition to its adverse effects to human health, improper fluorescent light bulb recycling can threaten the atmosphere as well. If bulbs are damaged, burned, or landfilled, metals and other poisonous substances could be released into the environment. Mercury in the air might settle into soil and water our bodies, and through microbial exercise, be switchred to methylmercury. This dangerous element not only contaminates water supplies but also impacts fish and those who eat them.
Financial Impact: EPA Fines
The health and environmental hazards caused by improper fluorescent bulb disposal has incurred authorities actions. In line with SFGate, the Digital Waste Recycling Act has made it illegal for individuals to easily discard fluorescent lamps in the trash. In actual fact, companies that fail to take authorized precautions in the disposal process can face up to $25,000 per day per violation. While each state has its own manner of handling fluorescent lamp recycling, most have implement the federal Common Waste Rule (UWR), which defines the the vast majority of mercury-containing lamps as a hazardous waste. Because the EPA explains, “If you don’t test your mercury-containing lamps and prove them non-hazardous, it’s essential to assume they are hazardous waste and handle them accordingly.”
Proper Fluorescent Lamp Recycling Process
Because mercury will be harmful to human health, it is very important correctly eliminate fluorescent tubes. When gathering your used fluorescent light bulbs, the federal Universal Waste Rule (UWR) recommends you to store and bundle them in ways that can minimize lamp breakage. Do your research to search out the insurance policies governing recycling used fluorescent lamp and discover a drop-off location that accepts them.
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An asteroid is hurtling through space. A spacecraft blasts off from earth with a mission of changing the course of that big rock.
That has been subject of a number of movies over the years, but this time its for real.
But first, the fictional asteroid disaster movies.
There was 1999's Armegeddon
Deep Impact in 1998
And then, there was this year's Asteroid
All of that said, we ran across a story of a mission whose goal is to make sure that life does not imitate art.
Very early Wednesday morning, a rocket is scheduled to take off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
This will be the first real test of something developed by NASA that could someday be used to protect earth from being hit by a comet, asteroid or some other large space rock.
The over-simplified version of what's going to happen is that this spacecraft, about the size of a golf cart, will head for an asteroid about six million miles away that doesn't pose any threat, and ram into it. Not to destroy it, just to change its course.
It's called the DART mission - Double Asteroid Redirection Test.
In it's information about DART are assurances from NASA that they are constantly tracking rocks big enough to do catastrophic damage if they hit Earth, but there could be smaller asteroids that could go undetected, and avoiding those kinds of surprises is apparently what this mission is about.
LOOK: Stunning animal photos from around the world
$1+ Million Dollar Mansion on Bluff Overlooking Mississippi
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All About Nitric Oxide
Many may believe that nitric oxide is nothing more than “laughing gas” given at the dentists office. Other people associate it with the gas the race car drivers put in their cars to give them an extra boost of speed. However, in reality, nitric oxide is neither of those things. It is a molecular compound made in our bodies. Through signals transmitted through the body It allows for intercellular communication.
Nitric oxide has demonstrated importance in the cellular activities listed below:
• All About Nitric Oxideassist the immune system at fighting off bacteria and defending against tumors
• help behavior and memory by sending information within the brain
• reduce inflammation
• regulate blood pressure by dilating arteries
• improve your recognition of various physical senses
• improve sleep quality
• assist in gastric motility
• increase endurance and strength
Increasing the nitric oxide in your body
Body Builders
Raising nitric oxide levels has become a tool for both bodybuilders and athletes.
Athletes often take supplements with L-arginine and L-citrulline to help the flow of blood and oxygen to the muscles. They also use them to aid with the removal of lactic acid which gets build up from exercise.
Erectile dysfunction
Viagra and other impotence medications work due to their action on the nitric oxide pathway. One cause of impotence is unhealthy and aged arteries that feed blood to the sexual organs. Viagra works by influencing enzymes in the nitric oxide pathway, causing a cascade of enzymatic reactions that enhance nitric oxide, causing more blood flow and better erections.
Heart disease
Nitric oxide has gotten the most attention due to its heart health benefits. Nitroglycerin acts by releasing nitric oxide which relaxes narrowed blood vessels, increasing oxygen and blood flow.The interior surface (endothelium) of your arteries produce nitric oxide. When plaque builds up in your arteries, called atherosclerosis, you reduce your capacity to produce nitric oxide, which is why physicians prescribe nitroglycerin for heart and stroke patients.
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If you have an eye exam and are told you have 20/20 vision, does this mean you have perfect eyesight? Is it possible to achieve even better than 20/20 vision? And what is “perfect vision” anyway?
To answer these questions, let’s take a closer look at vision-related terminology to fully understand how eye doctors measure the quality of your vision.
Visual acuity, eyesight and vision: What’s the difference?
Visual acuity. This, literally, is the sharpness of your vision. Visual acuity is measured by your ability to identify letters or numbers on a standardized eye chart from a specific viewing distance.
Visual acuity is tested one eye at a time, with the help of a standardized Snellen eye chart.
Although visual acuity testing is very useful to determine the relative clarity of your eyesight in standardized conditions, it isn’t predictive of the quality of your vision in all situations. For example, it can’t predict how well you would see:
Three major physical and neurological factors determine visual acuity:
1. How accurately the cornea and lens of the eye focus light onto the retina
2. The sensitivity of the nerves in the retina and vision centers in the brain
3. The ability of the brain to interpret information received from the eyes
Visual acuity typically is quantified with Snellen fractions (see “What is 20/20 Vision?” below).
Vision. This is a broader term than visual acuity or eyesight. In addition to sharpness of sight or simply a description of the ability to see, the term “vision” usually includes a wider range of visual abilities and skills. These include contrast sensitivity, the ability to track moving objects with smooth and accurate eye movements, color vision, depth perception, focusing speed and accuracy, and more.
If this more inclusive (and accurate) definition of “vision” is used, what most people call “20/20 vision” should really be called “20/20 visual acuity.” Realistically, that probably won’t happen. For better or worse, the term “20/20 vision” is likely here to stay.
What is 20/20 vision?
The term “20/20” and similar fractions (such as 20/40, 20/60, etc.) are visual acuity measurements. They also are called Snellen fractions, named after Herman Snellen, the Dutch ophthalmologist who developed this measurement system in 1862.
In the Snellen visual acuity system, the top number of the Snellen fraction is the viewing distance between the patient and the eye chart. In the United States, this distance typically is 20 feet; in other countries, it is 6 meters.
At this testing distance, the size of the letters on one of the smaller lines near the bottom of the eye chart has been standardized to correspond to “normal” visual acuity; this is the “20/20” line. If you can identify the letters on this line but none smaller, you have normal (20/20) visual acuity.
The increasingly larger letter sizes on the lines on the Snellen chart above the 20/20 line correspond to worse visual acuity measurements (20/40, 20/60, etc.); the lines with smaller letters below the 20/20 line on the chart correspond to visual acuity measurements that are even better than 20/20 vision (e.g., 20/15, 20/12, 20/10).
The single big “E” at the top of most Snellen eye charts corresponds to 20/200 visual acuity. If this is the smallest letter size you can discern with your best corrective lenses in front of your eyes, you are legally blind.
On most Snellen charts, the smallest letters correspond to 20/10 visual acuity. If you have 20/10 visual acuity, your eyesight is twice as sharp as that of a person with normal (20/20) vision.
Is it possible to see better than 20/20?
Yes, it’s indeed possible to have sharper than 20/20 vision. In fact, most people with young, healthy eyes are capable of identifying at least some of the letters on the 20/15 line or even smaller letters on the Snellen chart.
Your eye doctor or an assistant will use an instrument to show you choices of lenses to sharpen your eyesight.
This may be due in part to better printing methods available today vs. those in the 19th century when Snellen was determining the smallest letters a person with normal vision should be able to discern. So a case could be made that “normal” visual acuity today is an ability to identify letters that are a bit smaller than those on the 20/20 line of a traditional Snellen eye chart.
On the other hand, people are living longer today than they did in Snellen’s era. Normal aging changes in the eye, such as early cataracts, could justify considering somewhat larger letters than those on the 20/20 line as being indicative of “normal” vision among adults in their 60s or older.
Regardless of these considerations, let’s say your eye doctor says you have 20/20 vision (or, more accurately, 20/20 visual acuity), and you want sharper eyesight. What can you do?
If your 20/20 vision doesn’t seem sharp enough, it could be that your eyes have higher-order aberrations (HOAs) that cannot be corrected with regular eyeglasses or soft contact lenses.
If HOAs are caused by small irregularities in the shape of the front surface of your eyes, being fitted with gas permeable contact lenses (GP lenses) often can improve your visual acuity better than eyeglasses or soft contact lenses. This is because GP lenses are rigid and essentially replace the eye’s irregular front surface with a perfectly smooth, curved surface to focus light more accurately.
Another option might be custom wavefront LASIK. This personalized laser vision correction surgery can provide the vision that is comparable to wearing rigid gas permeable contact lenses (which often is sharper than the visual acuity provided by glasses or soft contact lenses), without the hassle of daily contact lens care.
If you prefer to wear eyeglasses to correct your refractive errors, glasses with special lenses might give you sharper vision than regular eyeglass lenses.
What is “perfect” vision?
It’s nearly impossible to quantify what a “perfect” vision is. A more interesting question is, “Perfect for what?”
For example, if you are driving on a sunny day, excellent Snellen visual acuity might be the main factor in your satisfaction with your vision. But your traveling companion, who has worse visual acuity than yours, might be happier with her vision in the same circumstances because she is wearing polarized sunglasses with anti-reflective coating that enhance contrast and block glare.
Or an athlete who has better than 20/20 vision might struggle with his performance because he doesn’t have certain dynamic visual skills that allow him to react to moving objects as quickly as a teammate whose static visual acuity isn’t as sharp as his.
See your eye doctor
The first step to maximizing the clarity and comfort of your eyesight in all situations is to see a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam and vision evaluation.
If you are interested in finding out if laser vision correction could sharpen your vision better than glasses or contacts, ask for a free LASIK consultation.
$700 OFF LASIK! With free consultation.
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The fall of the Afghan city of Kunduz, astride the road from Kabul to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, signals a major milestone in the resurgence of the Pakistan-backed Afghan Taliban. It raises several questions about the future of the country and the region, but perhaps the most valid one is this: what will happen in Afghanistan after the Americans lose interest and cut off their engagement with the country?
The Russians officially withdrew from Afghanistan when they signed a peace accord in Geneva on April 14, 1988, with the Afghan government, Pakistan and the United States. Till the final collapse of the USSR in December 1991, the Russians continued to pour in money and material amounting to almost $300 million a month. With these resources, President Mohammad Najibullah’s government kept fighting, beating back onslaughts on Jalalabad, Herat and Kandahar. After Mikhail Gorbachev resigned on Christmas Day in 1991, Russian funding of Najibullah ceased almost immediately. On April 15, 1992, he was stopped at Kabul airport as he tried to flee the country.
The point is that as long money kept flowing in – and $300 million a month is an amazing burn rate even by today’s standards – Najibullah was able to retain control over the government in Kabul. Once the money dried up, the hold was lost.
How long will current President Ashraf Ghani keep going after the US withdraws its residual presence in the country really depends on how long the purse strings remain open? There are some things even America cannot afford these days. Besides, the Americans shift priorities with great alacrity. In the mid-1960s, Vietnam seemed to most Americans to be of vital national interest. A decade later, few thought it had been one. One can be fairly sure that in time Afghanistan too will recede into the farthest corner of the United States’ collective memory. There will be other battles and each generation will be suitably blooded in one.
As things stand, the Afghan Taliban effectively controls large swathes of territory in the traditional Pashtun homelands west of the Durand Line, the 2,250-kilometre border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. As far as one can see now, it seems inevitable that the Taliban will once again rule the Pashtun territories of Afghanistan with its capital in Kabul. But after that?
Caught between two empires
History, however much we may try to deny or distort it, has a way of repeating itself. One lesson from recent history is the assertion of nationality as a unifying theme. Religion, history shows, is not enough of a glue to hold diverse nations together. Pakistan should know. Religion did not prevent it from splitting once before. Communism, that great dogma of the modern era, too could not hold countries together. The USSR and Yugoslavia do not exist anymore. What does hold countries together are shared aspirations, a common perception of history, and the liberal freedoms of a modern democracy.
Shared histories, combined with current dynamics, may revive an old demand in the region: for the Pashtun nation.
In 1886, Russia occupied the Panjdeh Oasis near Herat. It was the time of The Great Game, the strategic conflict between the British and Russian empires for supremacy in Central Asia. Britain immediately warned Russia that any further advance towards Herat would be considered as inimical to British Indian interests. As a consequence of the May 1879 Treaty of Gandamak after the Second Afghan War, Britain had taken control of Afghanistan’s foreign affairs. This treaty also gave Britain control over traditional Pashtun territory west of the Indus, including Peshawar and the Khyber Pass.
After the Panjdeh incident, a joint Anglo-Russian boundary commission, without any Afghan participation, fixed the Afghan border with Turkestan, which was the whole of Russian Central Asia, now Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Thus, as a result of the rivalry between Britain and Russia, a new country, the Afghanistan we know today, was created to serve as the buffer between empires.
In 1893, Sir Mortimer Durand, a British diplomat, began work on delineating Afghanistan’s eastern border with India. In 1901, the British created the North-West Frontier Province, now Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, de-linking Pathan lands from Afghanistan and Punjab. They further divided NWFP into the settled districts, which were directly administered by the British, and five autonomous Tribal Agency areas, which were ruled by local chieftains but with British agents keeping an eye on them (like in the Indian princely states).
From the very beginning, the Durand Line was not an international border but a line of control. The Simon Commission Report of 1930 stated quite explicitly: “British India stopped at the boundary of the administered area.”
Despite this candid assertion, the British handed over the five autonomous Tribal Agencies in 1947 to Pakistan after sponsoring an acquiescing tribal loya jirga (grand assembly). The Afghan government immediately objected to this, saying that the five Tribal Agencies belonged to the same category as the 562 Indian princely states which were each given three options: join India, join Pakistan or remain independent. Pakistan continued the tradition of allowing the Tribal Agencies to administer themselves and did not send any administrators or police or military into the area. That is, until it dispatched its military, in conjunction with American forces, in pursuit of Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists.
The Pashtunistan issue
Centralised rule over the peoples in this area, first established by Ahmad Shah Abdali or Durrani, devolved upon Amir Abdur Rahman (1880-1901) when it was created as a buffer state between the Russian and British empires. Abdur Rahman was Bismarckian in his methods and used the most ruthless methods to forge a new nation. Over his 20-year rule of almost continuous warfare, he managed to create an Afghan nation, albeit somewhat truncated, bound by one law and one rule. Helping him govern was an annual subsidy of Rs 1.2 million from the British, which was raised to Rs 1.8 million in 1893.
In May 1919, Abdur Rahman’s grandson, Amanullah, began what the Afghans called their “War of Independence”, now generally referred to as the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Afghan forces crossed the Durand Line into the NWFP, and tribesmen on both sides of the Durand Line rallied to the Afghan cause. But the Afghans ran into a new weapon – fighter aircraft. Planes dropped bombs on Kabul and Jalalabad and soon the Afghan appetite for war was somewhat squelched. The Treaty of Rawalpindi that followed gave the Afghans control over their foreign affairs but the NWFP and the Tribal Agencies remained in British India.
In the civil war that resulted from Amanullah’s attempt to hurriedly modernise Afghanistan, the British supported Gen. Nadir Khan who quickly seized Kabul and proclaimed himself the ruler in 1929. Nadir Khan did not live long, though. He was assassinated in 1933 by a former student of the Amania School, which was the hotbed of the nationalist movement in Afghanistan. The main objective of this movement was the recovery of the territory across the Durand Line. Zahir Shah took over next and ruled till 1973, when his cousin and brother-in-law, the former Prime Minister Sardar Daoud Khan, ousted him.
Daoud Khan was a nationalist as committed to the recovery of lost territory as he was to modernising Afghanistan. His arrival coincided with the advent of John Foster Dulles, who was no less committed to the single-minded pursuit of the “containment” of the Soviet Union, as Daoud was to the Pashtunistan issue.
In 1954, Pakistan joined the SEATO and CENTO (Baghdad Pact) military alliances, more to gain military and political support against India than out of any commitment to US policy of containment. Daoud too had sought military and economic assistance from the United States. But with Pakistan as its chosen ally, the US turned its back on Afghanistan. Daoud then turned to Russia for assistance.
The Cold War in this part of the world became a confrontation for the recovery of lost Afghan territories as a result of unequal treaties imposed by Britain. In September 1960 the irritations manifested into a crisis when Afghanistan and Pakistan went to war, and a year later the Afghan government snapped diplomatic ties with Pakistan and closed the border with it.
A divided people
The disastrous economic effects of the closed border cost Daoud his job in 1963. It was 10 years before Daoud came to power again by deposing Zahir Shah. Once again Daoud revived the Pashtunistan issue. The 1971 break-up of Pakistan created stirrings for separation in Baluchistan as well and a training camp for Baluchi fighters was set up in Kandahar. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto retaliated with bomb blasts in Kabul and Jalalabad. But Daoud fell out with Russia’s Leonid Brezhnev in 1977 and the Communists toppled him the following year.
In 1979 the new Afghan government formally repudiated the Durand Line. But the Cold War lines were already drawn, and modern history’s longest period of continuous war ensued. For 35 years since Afghanistan has been beset by a cruel and callous war, the like of which the modern age has not seen. Afghans are now seeking to determine their own future. But the Pashtuns still remain a divided people by an arbitrary Line of Control scratched across the heart of their nation.
It is now only a question of time before the demand for the reunification of all their people becomes a rallying call for the Pashtun nation. Even the internal dynamics within Afghanistan now demand it. There is much unfinished business here.
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Scientists continue to research the environmental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as the world prepares to celebrate Earth Day.
UC Riverside Assistant Professor Cesunica Ivey told "In Focus SoCal" host Tanya McRae that the pandemic shutdown and slowdown in human activity helped reduce air pollution in Southern California last spring.
"We saw an abrupt decline in traffic-related pollutants in March, later in March and April, and we saw a steady increase in pollution as people returned to their normal activities toward June, July and later into the summer," Ivey said. "I would like to say that we did not return to normal traffic volumes, and therefore, those traffic-related pollutants also did not return to normal levels."
The surge in takeout during the pandemic made Huntington Beach encourage businesses to use eco-friendly packaging, Mayor Kim Carr explained. She detailed how the city has been keeping its streets safe amid the pandemic.
"We also ramped up our cleaning crews to make sure that we didn't have any trash on the ground or that our trash bins were not overflowing because we know whatever lands on the ground is going to end up on the beach," Carr said.
A visit to the Burbank Recycling Center with Amy Hammes, the city's recycling specialist, reveals the items that have been arriving in bulk since the pandemic started and as online shopping soared.
"Cardboard, definitely, then you'll have lots of plastic, what we call plastic film, but things like your grocery bags, your overlays for products, and the shipping contents as well, is something that's been huge," Hammes said.
And finally, Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez discusses an upcoming Earth Day tech drive in Oxnard.
Send us your thoughts at and watch at 9 a.m. and noon Sundays.
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Know More About Emf And Dementia
Dementia is a frightening word. It conjures up images of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or some other progressive form of senility. What many people don’t know is that dementia can also be caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields.
What you can do to protect yourself from these harmful fields?
Have you ever gone to the doctor’s office and it feels like your brain is being fried? You can’t stop thinking about how much it hurts. This feeling may be caused by electromagnetic fields, or EMFs. The symptoms of emf and dementia, which means in order to prevent one from happening, you have to avoid the other. When you’re around an EMF field for too long, your body reacts with increased heart rate, anxiety levels that skyrocket out of control, headaches that won’t go away no matter what kind of painkillers you take- all these things happen because our bodies are trying their best to protect themselves against something they perceive as a threat.
emf and dementia,
Learn more about how you can help ourselves
There is a growing body of research that suggests there may be a link between exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and an increased risk for developing dementia. There is a growing body of research that suggests a possible link between electromagnetic fields emf and dementia. While more work is needed to confirm this association, the findings are concerning and warrant further exploration. The effects of emf on the brain are not yet fully understood. This is partly because there are so many different types of emf that it is difficult to study them all.
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TOWING HOTLINE019 929 9339
What is a Tire Pressure Monitoring System?
What is a Tire Pressure Monitoring System?
22 November, 2021
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is an electronic system designed to monitor the air pressure inside the pneumatic tires on your vehicle. The system reports current tire pressure information to the driver on each tire; an amber warning light will light up on your dash if there is a problem in the system, or if a tire is low.
The benefits of TPMS are:
• Fuel economy —10 percent under-inflation of one tire can cause a reduction in fuel economy of 1 percent.
• Extended tire life — Under-inflated tires are the No. 1 cause of tire failure and contribute to tire disintegration, heat build-up, ply separation and sidewall/casing breakdowns.
• Decreased downtime and maintenance — Under-inflated tires lead to costly hours of downtime and maintenance.
• Improved safety — Statistics show that the measurable consequences of under-inflated tires are 40,000 accidents, 33,000 injuries and 650 deaths each year.
Properly inflated tires add greater stability, increased handling and braking efficiency, leading to greater safety for the drivers, passengers, vehicles and others on the road. We recommend keeping this system in good working order and responding to any warning indicators before there is a problem.
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The Philippines
In collaboration with the National Museum, IEASM/FEFNA conducts archaeological missions in the Philippines. The main focus of this work is the research, discovery and study of the wrecks of ships sunk on the reefs off the archipelago.
Initiated by textual and/or oral testimonies as well as archaeological discoveries from previous years, underwater surveys are systematically continued using geophysical detection devices in order to deepen research leads and verify working hypotheses.
Because the discovery of wrecks is of "archaeological, historical or artistic" interest - as identified by French legislation - the IEASM/FEFNA and the National Museum of the Philippines have defined a research project to study the history of the archipelago through trade, from the 8th-9th century to the 18th century. The scientific approach takes into account the study of junks found during systematic searches for wrecks of European origin or following indications provided by fishermen who have brought archaeological material ashore. Mapped, archaeologically assessed and sometimes excavated, the wrecks are named after the reef near the place of their discovery. The cargoes of these merchant ships offer a broad view of Asian production and make it possible to understand and retrace the different stages of trade between the Middle Kingdom and the countries of South-East Asia - the "Nanhai trade" -, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East over more than six centuries.
Until recently, only the final, European phase of trade with the Far East was known, which began with the arrival of the Portuguese in Asia in the 16th century. However, the excavations reveal the forms and intensity of exchanges between China and the riparian countries in the earlier periods, from the 11th to the 15th century. In this way, the cross-fertilisation of the objects found contributes to the historical interpretation of the wreck as a site; it provides information on the activities, behaviour and needs of a human group, and even on the cultural and commercial relations that this group may have had with other groups.
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Advantages and disadvantages of wheat peeling and flour making
1. Principle of wheat peeling and flour milling technology
According to the structural characteristics of wheat grains, wheat peeling and flour milling is to peel off the cortex, which accounts for 70% of the total amount of wheat outside the groin before grinding, leaving a relatively pure "refined wheat", and then grinding and processing it into flour. Because most of the wheat husks have been stripped, and then the wheat skin and endocarp in the wheat groin are separated from the endosperm, which greatly reduces the task of stripping and scraping, reduces the possibility of wheat husks mixed into wheat flour, and provides conditions for maximizing the quality of wheat flour.
Wheat grains
2. Cleaning technology and equipment for wheat peeling and flour milling
The cleaning process of wheat peeling and milling is as follows: raw wheat, sifting, gravity grading destoner, selection, moisture, sifting, spraying, moisture bin, magnetic separator,peeling,air selection,vibrating dampener, magnetic separation, net wheat bin, and IB mill.
Flow sheet of wheat cleaning and flour processing
The equipment of wheat peeling and flour milling: 1. Vibrating moisture dampener. After adding water, the wheat is stirred slowly in the vibrating machine body, and is fed from the inlet port to the outlet port. Because vibration destroys the surface tension of water, water can be absorbed quickly, and correspondingly reduces the moistening time. (2) wheat peeler. Under the action of high-speed airflow, wheat grains rotate and roll in three-dimensional, which makes the cortex peel off the wheat grains more completely. The whole peeling process consists of magnetic separation, constant temperature, atomizing water, rapid conditioning, air separation, peeling and screening.
Wheat and the husk
3. Advantages and disadvantages of wheat peeling and flour making
Compared with traditional flour milling technology, wheat peeling and flour milling technology has obvious advantages. With the help of machinery, it strips and scrapes wheat, removes several layers of wheat skin with low toughness and strength, and then grinds and extracts wheat flour after stripping and scraping, so as to achieve the purpose of rational and economic utilization of wheat resources. The use of wheat peeling technology and improved flour milling technology can improve the flour-making efficiency. The yield of low ash wheat flour and crude flour in the centrifugal grinding system can be increased by 2%. At the same time, the sand impurities mixed in the outer skin can be removed, and the service life of the tooth roll of the mill can be greatly improved. Since 70% of the wheat husk has been removed in the cleaning stage, the back road flow can be enlarged appropriately and the production capacity can be increased by about 10%.
Because the bran source mixed with wheat flour can be reduced by 60%~70% by stripping wheat husk ahead of time, the ash content of wheat flour can be reduced, and the color of wheat flour can be improved, which lays a foundation for improving the quality of wheat flour. By peeling, wheat not only removes a lot of dust, but also removes bacteria and fungi, and reduces the pollution of wheat flour such as pesticide residues. Using peeler instead of wheat washing, wheat beating, wheat scrubbing and surface treatment simplifies the cleaning process, saves about 80% of water and over 20% of equipment investment. In the process of flour milling, because the wheat cortex has been grinded off before entering the mill, the grinded materials can be classified and sifted to put forward more pure residue and wheat core. Therefore, the slag grinding system can be simplified, and the cleaning facilities with large volume, complex structure and large exhaust volume can be omitted.
After peeling, wheat cracks due to endosperm structure, loosening and holding waste heat, which is conducive to accelerating the penetration rate of water in endosperm. After adding water for 2 to 4 hours, the purpose of moistening wheat can be achieved. It can effectively adopt the advanced technology of multi-export single-wheel dynamic moistening. The storage capacity of the dynamic wheat is only about 25% of the traditional process, and the wheat spray water process before grinding can be omitted. Peeling off the cortex and retaining the paste layer to the maximum extent is the unique feature of peeling and flour making process. The aleurone layer contains albumin and globulin. When dough is fermented, they have the properties of enzyme coagulation. Therefore, wheat flour produced by peeling and flouring process is not only nutritious, but also has a larger volume of bread. According to the determination of alpha-amylase by experts concerned, the ratio of damaged starch content of the same raw material after peeling and traditional flour milling is 4:9, which shows that the starch damage caused by peeling is far less than that of traditional flour milling, thus greatly increasing the dough stability time and improving the baking performance of wheat flour.
Because of the special structure of wheat grains, it is impossible to completely peel and process the flour, and the drawbacks of wheat peeling and flour making technology are more prominent. Firstly, there is no obvious separation layer between cortex and endosperm, on the contrary, there is a close combination between them, which obviously can not peel off the cortex like the rice hulling method. At the same time, because wheat grain has a groin which contains 1/4-1/3 of the whole epidermal tissue and irregularity of its shape, it is difficult to peel off the cortex including the groin without breaking the endosperm. Secondly, because of the uneven peeling, the wheat bark still retains seed coat, especially about 30% of the bran in the wheat groin needs to be removed in the flour road.
Because the exocarp with high fibre content is peeled off, the bran entering the flour is thin and fragile, the Endosperm on the bran is difficult to scrape, and the seed coat with pigments is not peeled off. It is more difficult to separate from wheat flour than the traditional method. Mixing into wheat flour affects the color and ash. Thirdly, peeling and moistening part of the endosperm starch exposed, high viscosity, in case of power failure, public rest, wheat arching and caking which will result difficulties in inter-flour processing. Because of the short road and strong grinding, the processing accuracy is low. When the Powder yield is less than 4% than that of foreign advanced traditional technology, the total ash content is higher than 0.1%. Because of the distinct structure of wheat and brown rice, it is easy to strip the outer skin of wheat grain, excluding wheat furrows. It is difficult to strip the outer skin completely without harming the endosperm. The control of watering and moistening before peeling still needs to be improved. Some peeling machines will inevitably block the screen, reduce the rate of leaking wheat or peeling, and arching of storage barn. All of these need to be improved by automatic control technology. The change of wheat grain properties after peeling and the subsequent research on the technical characteristics and technological settings of grinding rollers need to be further improved.
For more technology or information of wheat cleaning and wheat flour processing,please contact us technicians by email:
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Keppler’s Vault 25: Light Value Scale
One of the thrills of shooting old cameras is stepping back in time and experiencing what a photographer likely experienced years ago before the widespread use of plastics, LCD screens, and microprocessors. Cameras were made of metal and glass, and used springs, gears, and levers to accomplish the same task of capturing a photograph, just like today’s advanced mirrorless and DSLR cameras.
The Kodak Retina IIc has one of the more frustrating implementations of the LVS.
Yet, for all of the fun and interesting characteristics that many old cameras share, sometimes there are things that just aren’t quite so memorable. If you’re a frequent reader of my site, you’ll hear me regularly complain about a feature called the Light Value Scale, or LVS for short.
Like many Japanese companies, the LVS on the Ricoh 519M is easier to override.
Credited to F. Deckel, creator of the Compur leaf shutter, the LVS system first debuted in the Synchro-Compur shutter at the 1954 Photokina. The first appearance of the LVS system was on the AGFA Super Solinette and it’s American cousin, the ANSCO Super Regent, both from 1955.
Now, before I continue, I must clarify that I completely understand why the LVS was created. In fact, when it first debuted, it was quite an exciting new feature. Although still entirely mechanical, LVS was the first major step towards automatic exposure.
In a nutshell, how it worked was by using an established set of numbers (usually from 2-18) that were universal between camera brands and external light meters. It wouldn’t matter what brand camera or meter you were using, you would just set your chosen film speed on the meter, point it at a light source, and whatever light value number it gave you, you would set your camera to that same number and that would get you correct exposure. For the beginner who struggled to understand shutter speeds and f/stops, it was a great idea and worked well.
Cameras with LVS were not limited to just German and Japanese companies as the Czech made Meopta Flexaret VII has it as well.
Cameras with LVS were primarily made between the mid to late 1950s and mostly had disappeared by the early 1960s. Advancements like fully coupled light meters and automatic exposure rendered them obsolete, so while the system wasn’t around for long, a huge number of cameras had them. Nearly every German or Japanese rangefinder, TLR, and leaf shutter SLR came with the LVS system during this point.
The Minolta Autocord has a unique “additive LVS” that makes sense on paper, but in practice didn’t work too well.
The biggest flaw in the LVS for me, is in the execution of how it coupled shutter speeds and f/stops together. Many German cameras like the Kodak Retina series and the Voigtländer Vitessa L used a small lever that would lock into position semi-permanently linking the shutter speeds and f/stops together. So for example, if a LV of 12 was needed, the camera would predetermine which shutter speeds and f/stops you could use. If you wanted to increase or decrease the shutter speed, the f/stop value would always change in the opposite direction to compensate. This is fine if you want to make quick adjustments for depth of field, or to freeze a moving object, but when the lighting situation changed, for example stepping into shade, or under cloud cover, you would need to manually change the LV number first, which on both the Retina and Vitessa were near in a cramped location near the bottom of the shutter. This would prove to be a problem if you needed to adjust shutter speed to a number beyond what the camera was physically capable of, given a set LV number.
The Fujica 35-ML was typical of Japanese rangefinders with LVS in that if you wanted to change the LV number, you could do so both with it’s dedicated ring or by choosing a different f/stop manually.
Most Japanese companies like Yashica and Fujica, employed a similar system, but would allow you to override the chosen LV number by simply turning the shutter speed or f/stop setting to whatever value you wanted to override it to. The Germans seemed to be more adamant that available shutter speeds and f/stops followed the set LV number with no compromise, whereas the Japanese felt the photographer should be able to easily override it if they so wished.
The article below is from the July 1957 issue of Modern Photography and came right at the peak of popularity for the LVS. It explains much of the same info as I summarized above but goes a little more into the history and why it was implemented. It explains some of the history, along with a full chart of every possible shutter and f/stop combination available on most cameras for each LV number 2 – 18.
The Voigtländer Vitessa L uses a system similar to the Retina which wouldn’t have been so bad if the location of the pin was in a better location.
For as much grief as I give the LVS, it did have one pretty significant side benefit, which was that prior to it’s existence, there was not set standard for which shutter speeds should be on a camera. Speeds of 1/10, 1/75, and 1/100 were common on many leaf and focal plane shutter cameras prior to the mid 1950s. Since LVS requires that each speed be mathematically double that of the previous setting, a modern standard of 2. 4. 6. 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, and 1000 became the norm on nearly every camera, regardless if it had LVS or not.
What I find the most interesting about the article below is the universal praise for it. It would seem that the target customer for cameras with LVS would never have a need to override it’s settings. The only mention of a Japanese maker is the additive LVS system on the Minolta Autocord. I wonder if people simply had different expectations back then than we do today and having to reset the LVS each time your lighting changed was less of an issue.
All scans used with permission by Marc Bergman, 2018.
1. One of my favourite cameras is my Minolta SRT 101 the match needle meter effectively shows the LV and the required combination of aperture and shutter speed lines a target up with the needle. No electronics in sight a system of bits of string and pulleys does all the calculating.
1. Hi Dean, glad you enjoyed the article, but every Kepplers Vault article has the images scanned in at 3000 dpi. Each page of the article can be enlargened in your browser by clicking on the page to more easily see the text!
2. I think the problem may lie more in the implementation of the system in the camera. I have little experience, but in my Ricoh Caddy it is super simple and super fast. A single turn to change the LVS value, either with speed or with the aperture, or to obtain an equivalent LVS combination.
1. It’s definitely implementation. I’ve used probably 30 or so cameras with LVS, and I can tell you that it varies greatly. Some camera companies did it in a way that’s easy to override with the camera to your eye, and others, you feel like you have to get into an argument with the camera each time your lighting changes and you want to change shutter speed or aperture, but not both.
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As cannabis products are legalized state-by-state, we have seen a significant rise in health issues associated with compounds that many once thought were relatively harmless – in fact, some proponents have touted cannabis as a miracle cure.
However, a recent evaluation of CDC data1 has given credence to the concerns surrounding cannabis. After following younger adults (45 years old and younger) in the 30 days after taking a cannabis product, the risk for a heart attack increased by 50%. The results are a reminder that we still do not know enough about the effects of cannabis on our health.
What Could Be The Issue?
There are many potential concerns surrounding cannabis usage in young people today. First, new strains of cannabis have been grown to provide greater potency. Certain strains of cannabis are many times stronger than what would’ve been grown and used just a few years ago. The delivery method makes a difference too. Vaping oils versus smoking the plant makes a big difference in how much THC is introduced into the body with each puff. Also, while legal cannabis products are regulated, there is still the potential for poor manufacturing processes allowing contaminants to enter the product.
Our Take
While there may be some truth in cannabis products and derivatives possibly having health benefits, we still haven’t fully understood how the proliferation of cannabis products is going to affect our collective health. Clearly, not all cannabis products are created equal, and we must do our research. It is also important to understand how common these heart attacks were in the study cohort. .8% of non-cannabis users had heart attacks vs 1.3% of cannabis users. So, while it is a significant relative increase, the overall incidence remains rather low.
Taking a wider look at the issue of heart health: There is a distinct worsening of peoples’ physical and mental health, which has contributed to a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease. This is especially true during the coronavirus pandemic, where many have suffered from mental health concerns, or have put off their care due to worries about contracting the virus.
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What Is Lower Back Pain?
Struggling with Low Back Pain?
Watch this video on how back pain forms and how to avoid it.
Lower Back Anatomy
Five bones stacked on top of each other with a shock-absorbing disk between each stage make up your "lumbar spine" or low back. For protection, your lower back depends on muscles and ligaments. The effect of these tissues being stretched too hard or too far is "sprains" and "strains".
These are created much like a rope that frays when it is stretched beyond its normal capacity. The word "sprain" means that it has weakened the tough, strong ligaments that keep your bones together, while "strain" means that the muscles or tendons that drive your trunk have been partially broken apart.
How We Can Help
Therapeutic streching to restore your flexibility and ease pain.
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Objective or target, usually driven by specific future financial needs. Some common financial goals for an individual are: saving for a comfortable retirement, saving to send children to college, managing finances to enable a home purchase, minimizing taxes, maximizing return on investments given a certain risk tolerance, and estate or trust planning.
Given a person's goals, he/she decides on a pattern of expenses and suitable investments that will enable those goals to be achieved. Institutions also have financial goals, for example making certain pension contributions at specific times, or retiring a certain amount of debt by a certain date. Often, both people and institutions find it useful to employ a professional to help them in setting up a financial plan that will enable their goals to be met.
Related Terms
asset allocation, planning, financial planner, confidence level, fiscal policy, strategy, investment strategy, milestone, project, quota, tactics, target
Source: Investorwords.com
Author's Bio:
This definition is part of a series that covers the topic of Personal Finance. The Official Guide to Personal Finance is Leo J. Quinn. Leo J. Quinn, Jr. has been teaching and motivating people all around the world to get out of debt as quickly as possible. His best-selling book, “How To Own Your Paycheck Again”, has transformed literally thousands of financial lives. He also authors a lively weekly newsletter and is a much sought-after speaker for self-help and marketing seminars. One of Leo's most important goals is to help people improve their overall attitude about money or their "Moneytude" as he calls it.
Additonal Resources covering Personal Finance can be found at:
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These are flashcards an notes made by students on topics like 'winter', 'canada' and 'winters', originating from:
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Study Cards on winter, canada, winters
What is the climate in Canada?
Canada has a cool continental climate with very cold harsh winters and hot summers and a shorter growing season. Temperatures from -20 C to 30 C
Most Canadian vineyards are planted close to lakes why is that?
1. During winter the lake effect reduces the risk of winter freeze
2. During spring the water heats up slowly delaying budbreak
3. In Autumn it retains summer warmth extending the growing season
During winter moisture from the lakes evaporates and meets the ambient cold air to produce snow. What sort of aid does snow give the vines during winter?
Snow covers and protects the vines and insulate them from the cold air in the winter season.
At which latitude vineyards are situated in Canada?
Canada's vineyards are located between 41 and 51 N
What are the key hazards for vineyard management in Canada?
1. In very cool winters winter freeze is still a concern
2. Climate change is causing increasingly unpredictable winters --> minimal protective snow cover
3. The lakes also causes higher levels of humidity raising riks of fungal diseases
4. Drought is a regular concern in the inland regions.
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Vegetable Crop rotation
Crop rotation is important; it quickly becomes obvious when growing vegetables, disease and pests are the enemy. Crop rotation seeks to prevent a buildup in the soil of diseases and pests which commonly attack that type of vegetable by not growing the same vegetable in the same soil each year. In addition, some vegetables, the pea and bean family, fix nitrogen in the soil and so the next crop should be one that thrives with the extra nitrogen. There are good reasons to organise crop rotation, which does its bit to help keep disease at bay.
Traditionally crops fall into 4 groups
Legumes →
All the Peas and Beans, including Brocolli,
Runner, Broad French Beans and Brussels sprout
Kohl Rabi
Turnips and Radish
Alliums →
Onions, Spring onions
Leeks and Garlic
Roots →
Potatoes Tomatoes Beetroot
Aubergines, Celery, Celeriac
Sweet Potatoes and Peppers
Parsnip and Carrots
Brassicas →
Kale Cabbage
Pak Choi
Each year, if you are planting a veg from one of above groups, it needs to be planted in a different bed from the previous year. The best way is to draw a plan/take photos and compare it with last year to make sure the crops are rotated. Salad vegetables should also be planted in a different bed each year. A plan helps to decide how many of each veg to grow and track the crop rotation from year to year. By moving the crops around you will reduce the incidence of disease, which can be a problem when growing vegetables, particularly in wet summers.
When planning the veg plot, don't discount last year's seeds. Seed is increasingly expensive and for some vegetables such as courgettes, a couple of plants are often enough, and often last year's seeds will be viable and it is always worth trying to germinate from the previous year's seed. It varies from seed type to see type. Ideally if you are storing seed over the winter put in a cool place in airtight tin, the fridge is ideal if not a cool garage.
Last updated 15.12.2021
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Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift
SARS-CoV-2 in humans
SARS-CoV-2 beim Menschen
Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 134, 1-13
DOI: 10.2376/1439-0299-2020-28
Publiziert: 04/2021
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 became pandemic at the beginning of 2020, and caused about 80 million cases and more than 1.8 million deaths by the end of the year. As its relatives MERS- and SARS-CoV, but in contrast to the four human coronaviruses circulating worldwide, SARS-CoV-2 in a sizeable fraction of cases leads to a severe and potentially life-threatening disease, called COVID-19. Since in addition this virus is very contagious, particularly prior to onset or in absence of symptoms, and pre-existing immunity appears to be largely absent or at least of very little relevance, it is spreading rapidly in the population. A hallmark of COVID-19 is an at least partially detrimental immune response that not only can lead to serious lung damage, but may also damage organs outside the respiratory tract such as the heart and kidneys. This review summarizes current knowledge about the virus and the disease it causes, and outlines open questions in the different research fields.
molecular biology
Das neuartige Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 wurde Anfang 2020 zur Pandemie und verursachte bis Ende des Jahres etwa 80 Millionen Fälle und mehr als 1,8 Millionen Todesfälle. Wie seine Verwandten MERS- und SARS-CoV, aber im Gegensatz zu den weltweit zirkulierenden vier menschlichen Coronaviren, führt SARS-CoV-2 in einem beträchtlichen Teil der Fälle zu einer schweren und potenziell lebensbedrohlichen Krankheit: COVID-19. Da dieses Virus zudem schon vor Ausbruch bzw. auch ohne Symptome sehr ansteckend ist und möglicherweise vorexistierende Immunität sehr begrenzt zu sein scheint, breitet es sich in der Bevölkerung rasch aus. Ein Kennzeichen von COVID-19 ist eine zumindest teilweise fehlgeleitete Immunantwort, die nicht nur zu schweren Lungenschäden führen, sondern auch Organe außerhalb des Respirationstraktes wie Herz und Nieren schädigen kann. Dieser Übersichtsartikel fasst den aktuellen Wissensstand über das Virus und die von ihm verursachte Krankheit zusammen und skizziert offene Fragen in verschiedenen biomedizinischen Forschungsbereichen.
The first human Coronaviruses (hCoVs) have been isolated some 50 years ago from individuals suffering from mild respiratory infections. Four such “common cold” coronaviruses are known to circulate worldwide in humans, namely hCoV-NL63, -HKU1, -229E, and -OC43 (Almeida and Tyrrell 1967, Fehr and Perlman 2015, Masters and Perlman 2013). In stark contrast, two zoonotic coronaviruses infecting humans and capable of spreading in the human population have been described to cause severe to life-threatening diseases: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), first emerging in 2002 and rapidly spreading to several countries around the globe (covered in detail by A. Osterhaus in this volume); and middle-east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), first described in 2012 (covered in detail by Asisa Volz in this volume). While circulation of SARS-CoV could be successfully contained by globally implemented public health measures, cases of MERS-CoV infection are still regularly reported, mainly on the Arabian peninsula (World Health Organization 2020a).
In December 2019, cases of severe pneumonia of unknown – but likely infectious – etiology in the city of Wuhan, China, have been reported to the WHO (World Health Organization 2020c), which were shortly after linked to a newly isolated coronavirus, first termed 2019-nCoV (World Health Organization 2020b). Due to its high similarity to SARS-CoV, the virus was later renamed SARS-CoV-2. However, as highlighted in other articles within this volume, coronaviruses have been identified and isolated from a large range of other mammalian species, particularly bats. In fact, RaTG13, a coronavirus found in a horseshoe bat in Yunnan province, China, exhibits an even higher degree of similarity than SARS-CoV to the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 with approximately 96% of sequence identity at the nucleotide level throughout most genomic regions. It therefore appears likely that SARS-CoV-2 originated from a zoonotic event, either directly from bat or via an intermediate host (Andersen et al. 2020; Boni et al. 2020). Backing this hypothesis, the virus’ potential to readily cross species barriers was demonstrated by documented cases of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from humans to household animals (Shi et al. 2020; Sit et al. 2020) and from humans to farmed mink and back to humans (Oude Munnink et al. 2020). From lab experiments, it is known that particularly changes in the spike protein on the surface of the virions can lead to interspecies adaption in coronaviruses (Baric et al. 1997).
While the exact origin of SARS-CoV-2 still is under investigation, its impact on the human population has been dramatic. Since its first outbreak in Wuhan, it has spread with remarkable pace around the world, causing upwards of 80 million reported cases by the end of 2020, with more than 1.8 million deaths (World Health Organization 2021), and still raging. With SARS-CoV-2 and the associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), human society thus faces a pandemic unbeknownst to living generations, with a broad spectrum of challenges for all disciplines of science. This article covers some of the key questions from the various branches of biomedical research.
Molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Decades of research into the other coronaviruses have set the stage for fast progress in investigating SARS-CoV-2. As the general organization of the genes, detailed below, is conserved among all coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 was rapidly deciphered and viral protein coding genes were quickly defined. Furthermore, most aspects of the viral molecular lifecycle are shared with other coronaviruses (comprehensively reviewed in (V’Kovski et al. 2020)). As a plus-strand RNA virus, its genome constitutes a messenger RNA for the direct translation of viral proteins. Released from incoming virions into the cytosol right after cell entry, the viral genome serves as the message to produce viral proteins, which are translated as two long polypeptide precursors pp1a and pp1ab. The two polyproteins are then proteolytically cleaved by the viral cysteine proteases, non-structural protein nsp3 (PLpro) and nsp5 (3CLpro), giving rise to the 16 nsps of the virus. These provide a multitude of enzymatic activities required for viral genome replication and the modulation of host cellular processes. One essential enzymatic function not present in the human genome is the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), comprising nsp12, nsp8 and nsp7, which is also the target of the direct acting antiviral (DAA) remdesivir (Sheahan et al. 2020). The RdRP then, through negative-strand intermediates, generates copies of the full-length genomic RNA as well as eight species of subgenomic mRNAs (sgmRNAs). Those sgmRNAs code for structural proteins including nucleocapsid (N), spike (S), envelope (E) and membrane (M), as well as numerous auxiliary proteins. From other coronaviruses, in particular SARS-CoV, it is known that some of them antagonize host cellular antiviral defense pathways, most prominently the induction of and signaling by type I and III interferons (Park and Iwasaki 2020). Also, SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to encode an ample variety of activities targeting the host interferon and cytokine system (Hayn et al. 2020, Lei et al. 2020), believed to play a central role in dysregulating the immune response to infection and thereby crucially contributing to the development of COVID-19 (Acharya et al. 2020, Mathew et al. 2020, McKechnie and Blish 2020).
From the structural proteins together with genomic RNA, new virions are formed by budding into membranous structures at the interface between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus, likely representing the ER-Golgi-intermediate compartment (ERGIC), coherent with previous reports on other coronaviruses (Cortese et al. 2020, Fehr and Perlman 2015, Masters and Perlman 2013). Offspring virus particles are then released through exocytic processes, not strictly requiring cell lysis.
Released viral particles will then infect neighboring cells. Again owing to the close similarity to related viruses, including SARS-CoV, angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which plays a major role in regulating electrolyte and fluid balance as well as blood pressure (Verano-Braga et al. 2020), was readily identified as the major receptor for cell entry (Hoffmann et al. 2020). Alternative entry receptors, such as CD147 or NRP1, are currently under discussion (Cantuti-Castelvetri et al. 2020, Daly et al. 2020, Shilts and Wright 2020, Wang et al. 2020a). It was further confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein requires proteolytic processing (“priming”) to mediate entry, and that this priming can be efficiently mediated by the cellular membrane-bound TMPRSS2 protease (Hoffmann et al. 2020). TMPRSS2 as well as further cellular proteases shown to play alternative or redundant roles, including furin and cathepsin L, can be pharmacologically targeted to prevent infection (Hoffmann et al. 2020, Pislar et al. 2020, Shang et al. 2020).
Transmission and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2
In contrast to many animal coronaviruses, all known hCoVs primarily infect and replicate in cells of the respiratory tract, and SARS-CoV-2 is no exception in this regard (Fehr and Perlman 2015, Masters and Perlman 2013, Salzberger et al. 2020). In contrast to SARS-CoV, mostly replicating in epithelial cells of the lower respiratory tract, SARS-CoV-2 was found to infect and efficiently replicate also in cells of the upper respiratory tract, with nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs but also saliva containing high amounts of viral RNA and infectious virus (Cevik et al. 2020a, Wolfel et al. 2020, Wyllie et al. 2020). As a consequence, SARS-CoV-2 can easily transmit upon coughing, sneezing, singing and even talking. These activities produce a spray of droplets ranging from visible, large droplets, which will fall to the ground relatively quickly compared to microscopic (< 100 µM) (Prather et al. 2020) droplet nuclei lingering in the air as aerosols (Fennelly 2020, Klompas et al. 2020, van Doremalen et al. 2020). While transmission by larger droplets appears more prevalent, long distance transmission by aerosols may, at least in part, explain so-called “superspreading events”, in which a small number of index patients, or even only a single infected person, transmit the virus to large numbers of people in the same confined space (Cevik et al. 2020a), for example in large open-plan offices (Park et al. 2020b), festivities (Ghinai et al. 2020), churches (James et al. 2020), meat processing facilities (Guenther et al. 2020) or choirs (Hamner et al. 2020). Similar to SARS-CoV, but different from most seasonal respiratory viral infections, the higher propensity of SARS-CoV-2 to transmit via such one-to-many “superspreading events” needs to be taken into account for epidemiological modelling. The number of secondary cases caused by single patients is generally very low, between zero and one for most patients, but follows a negative binomial distribution with a very long tail, corresponding to an average R0 between 2 and 3 with a small (much less than 1) dispersion parameter (Adam et al. 2020, Althouse et al. 2020, Kupferschmidt 2020, Li et al. 2020a, Liu et al. 2020b, Park et al. 2020a).
Another feature of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is pre-symptomatic contagiousness, and possibly transmission by infectees who remain fully asymptomatic. While the extent of the contribution of truly asymptomatic carriers to the overall epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 is still debated, transmission one to two days prior to the onset of symptoms likely plays a decisive role in rapid community spread (Cevik et al. 2020a, Kasper et al. 2020). In general, transmissibility is highest around the onset of symptoms and quickly declining thereafter (Cevik et al. 2020b).
Taking those basic epidemiological characteristics into account, policy responses at the beginning of the pandemic early on prohibited large gatherings and especially indoor events with large numbers of attendees, and in a second step, many countries promoted the use of face masks to curb virus spread (Flaxman et al. 2020). By and large, these public health measures were shown to be actually effective (Chu et al. 2020, Dehning et al. 2020). However, epidemiological analyses are still ongoing, as the situation is highly complex and differs between regions, countries and continents. In general, human respiratory viruses and in particular the endemic hCoVs exhibit clear seasonal profiles (Moriyama et al. 2020). In fact, Europe experienced a low-incidence situation throughout summer, but suffered from steeply increasing case numbers from September/October on, reaching multiples of the numbers recorded in spring (Cacciapaglia et al. 2020, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control 2020, Looi 2020).
The use of high-throughput RNA sequencing to determine the entire sequence of patient isolates, although varying between countries, has identified a myriad of sequence variants, which are deposited and available through database platforms such as NextStrain (Hadfield et al. 2018). Phylogenetic analyses of viral sequences enable close tracking of the mutational course of the virus. This not only permits the precise reconstruction of transmission chains and epidemiologic events (Popa et al. 2020), but also allows for worldwide monitoring of the genomic landscape of SARS-CoV-2 and the identification of mutations that got fixed in the viral genome. Mutations within the S protein of circulating viruses are particularly in focus, as it is both the major determinant for efficient cell entry and the major antigen for neutralizing antibody responses. Also mutations in other parts of the genome might confer increased virulence. Of note, coronaviruses generally have relatively low mutation rates as they uniquely bear a proofreading replication mechanism, likely due to their genomes being amongst the largest (~30,000 bases) of all RNA viruses (Fehr and Perlman 2015, Masters and Perlman 2013).
An early spike protein mutation, D614G, emerged within the first weeks of the pandemic and quickly took over (Korber et al. 2020). In fact, it could be demonstrated that the D614G variant shifts the S protein conformation towards higher ACE2-binding and fusogenicity, leading to increased infectivity of the virus in vitro (Korber et al. 2020, Yurkovetskiy et al. 2020). Recently, it was confirmed that also in vivo transmissibility in animal models was significantly enhanced in the D614G variant, however, pathogenicity was not (Hou et al. 2020a). In December 2020, a new variant (B1.1.7) bearing several mutations in the S protein was identified in the United Kingdom, which was spreading rapidly, again indicating significantly higher transmissibility (Davies et al. 2020).
Clinical characteristics of COVID-19
Respiratory viruses are very common. Rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses and of course influenza- and coronaviruses, cause a range of illnesses, including the very frequent common cold. SARS-CoV-2 was initially described to cause severe viral pneumonia, resembling the clinical picture of SARS and MERS, displaying typical ground-glass-opacities in chest radiography and leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in a sizeable proportion of patients (Huang et al. 2020). As sensitive and specific molecular testing became more readily available (Corman et al. 2020), it was found that SARS-CoV-2 infection in fact presents a broad outcome, from asymptomatic to life-threatening (Docherty et al. 2020). Whereas initially up to four out of five infections were thought to occur with no or very mild symptoms (Keeley et al. 2020), this number dropped to currently about one in six (Cevik et al. 2021). Approximately 20% of cases require hospitalization (Kasper et al. 2020, Pollan et al. 2020), 5–10% are admitted to intensive care (Phua et al. 2020) and 0.1%–2% are dying. This “infection fatality rate” shows substantial variation between different reports, which could be due to underlying, e.g. geographical or social, differences (Levin et al. 2020, O’Driscoll et al. 2020, Pastor-Barriuso et al, 2020, Stadlbauer et al. 2020). Severity of the disease, and in particular mortality increases significantly with male sex and drastically with the infectee’s age, reaching infection fatality rates of up to 10% in those aged above 80 (O’Driscoll 2020). Besides sex and age, pre-existing conditions strongly affect the risk of severe COVD-19, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, COPD and diabetes (Cevik et al. 2020a, Cevik et al. 2020b, Liang et al. 2020, Trump et al. 2020, Williamson et al. 2020). Apart from severe acute disease and death, even for less severe course of COVID-19, long-term complications such as fatigue, impaired physical fitness, or mental health probles, are receiving increasing attention (Carfi et al. 2020, Huang et al. 2021, Mitrani et al. 2020, Nature Medicine Editorial 2020). Such long-term effects are also known to occur following influenza infections (Wang et al. 2020b), however causes and virus-specific aspects remain to be elucidated.
Among the most frequently reported symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are headache, non-productive cough and a unique impairment of the sense of smell and taste (Kasper et al. 2020, Makaronidis et al. 2020). In contrast to initial reports, which were somewhat biased towards hospitalized cases, fever is reported in a significantly smaller fraction of cases (Kasper et al. 2020). In more severe courses of COVID-19, these initial, flu-like symptoms are then followed by generalized weakness, chest pressure or pain and a shortness of breath (Hall et al. 2020). Although classical signs of atypical pneumonia can already be appreciated in chest radiography, the general condition of the patient may remain stable, with acute pulmonary symptoms going along with a rapid decline in oxygen saturation only setting in with significant delay (Herrmann et al. 2020, Rubin et al. 2020, Tobin et al. 2020). A sizeable fraction of patients requiring intensive care deteriorate significantly developing ARDS and requiring mechanical ventilation or even extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which is the only life-saving measure left in the most critical cases (Barbaro et al. 2020). Still, respiratory failure due to ARDS is the leading cause of COVID-19 related deaths, accounting for approximately 70% of fatal cases (Zhang et al. 2020a).
An increasing body of literature further suggests other organs in the human body to be affected. In particular the loss of smell and taste was speculated to be due to direct viral infection of cells of the olfactory system (Bilinska and Butowt 2020, Butowt and von Bartheld 2020, Meinhardt et al. 2020). Further reported extra-pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19 include (but are not limited to) diarrhea, gastrointestinal and liver injury (Lamers et al. 2020, Zhong et al. 2020), myocarditis (Puntmann et al. 2020), renal failure (Gabarre et al. 2020) as well as severe endothelial damage and increased blood clotting (Perico et al. 2021). Whether those symptoms are caused by direct viral infections is still under investigation. ACE2, the main entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2, is expressed on cells of various organs (Ziegler et al. 2020). Indeed, in vitro infections were efficient on a range of models including cardiomyocytes, brain organoids, pancreatic cells, gut and liver organoids to name a few (Yang et al. 2020a). However, presence of infectious viral particles in the bloodstream would be assumed to be required for infection of distal organs, but is only scarcely detected (Walsh et al. 2020).
COVID-19 pathogenesis and treatment options
The pathomechanisms underlying this very broad spectrum of symptoms are only begun to be understood. An emerging general view is that the disease proceeds in two phases (Li et al. 2020b, Tay et al. 2020). In the first phase, the virus infects and replicates in epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract. It then spreads and descends until it reaches cells in the lung, likely alveolar epithelial cells. During this phase, viral infection induces innate immune responses, recruiting macrophages and monocytes, but also cytotoxic cells to the sites of infection. It is likely that in the majority of patients suffering no or only mild symptoms, this regular immune response is sufficient to effectively control the virus.
However, in moderate to critical courses of the disease, a second phase with potentially life-threatening consequences initiates. The currently prevalent hypothesis focuses on the hyperactivation of immune cells and a massive secretion of cytokines, sometimes termed “cytokine storm” (Li et al. 2020b, Mangalmurti and Hunter 2020, Moore and June 2020, Tay et al. 2020). Albeit not fully understood, it appears likely that following infection, the cellular response is shifted away from antiviral interferons towards pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion (Acharya et al. 2020, Galani et al. 2021, Neufeldt et al. 2020).
Broadly speaking, the research on the causes of severe COVID-19 can be divided in two areas. First, there is the question of where and how does this detrimental response to the infection initiates. Second, factors that contain or amplify and worsen the outcome shall be identified.
To answer the first question, experiments are conducted in a range of model systems and combined with data from patient samples. An important limitation for the latter is that due to the lag time from infection to symptom onset and hospitalization, early stages of the infection cannot be monitored.
Initial studies in cell culture showed an induction of pro-inflammatory genes in virus-infected epithelial cells (Blanco-Melo 2020), however, as for interferon genes, only in small subsets of cells (Fiege et al. 2020, Wyler et al. 2020). Data from bronchoalveolar lavages (Liao et al. 2020), ex vivo infected human lung tissue (Hönzke et al. 2020) or Syrian hamsters (Nouailles et al. 2020) indicate that, at least in the lower airways, infection of epithelial cells is neither particularly efficient, likely also due to low levels of ACE2 expression (Hönzke et al. 2020, Hou et al. 2020b), nor elicits a strong transcriptional response. However, these studies support an important role for macrophages in triggering a potentially excessive pro-inflammatory response. Along these lines, macrophages in samples from upper airways showed higher expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with critical compared to moderate COVID-19 (Chua et al. 2020). Infiltration of lung alveolae by myeloid cells, particularly neutrophils (Potey et al. 2019), along with interstitial liquid, then leads to a significant impairment of the respiratory capacity and, hence, ARDS. The strong increase of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) may constitute an important factor for observed manifestations at distal sites, such as damage to blood vessels or the kidney and increased blood clotting (Acharya et al. 2020, Mangalmurti and Hunter 2020, Perico et al. 2021, Tay et al. 2020).
A range of aspects potentially modulating the grade of the disease are currently investigated. In one study, impaired interferon type I response was observed in severe and critical COVID-19 patients (Hadjadj et al. 2020). However, other reports presented different conclusions (Lee and Shin 2020), and a large clinical trial did not find a positive effect for the proposed treatment of COVID-19 using interferons (Consortium et al. 2020). Still, this topic will likely remain a focus, since loss-of-function polymorphisms of interferon inducing pathways and autoantibodies against type I interferons were found to be important risk factors (Bastard et al. 2020, Zhang et al. 2020b). With regard to the humoral immune response, both specific temporal profiles (Lucas et al. 2020, Zohar et al. 2020) and sugar modifications of antibodies (Chakraborty et al. 2021, Larsen et al. 2020) have been connected to disease severity. Furthermore, genome-wide association studies identified specific alleles of several genes to be significantly linked to the course of the disease (Pairo-Castineira et al. 2020, Severe Covid et al. 2020). Finally, the role of immune cells in the peripheral blood is under intense scrutiny. Different subtypes were found to be deregulated, which could also serve as prognostic markers (Chua et al. 2020, Mathew et al. 2020, Schulte-Schrepping et al. 2020, Silvin et al. 2020).
Consistent with the notion of an important role of pro-inflammatory signals in COVID-19, the immune modulatory corticosteroid dexamethasone was shown to benefit patients (Stratton et al. 2020) suffering from severe/critical disease, as were – to certain extents – the JAK/STAT inhibitor baricitinib (Kalil et al. 2020) and the IL-6 receptor antagonist tocilizumab (RECOVERY Collaborative Group et al. 2021). In further support of the notion of immune- rather than direct virus-driven pathology, compounds directly interfering with viral replication, in particular the initially promising viral RdRP inhibitor remdesivir, were tested in several trials, but eventually provided only weak support for regular use (Beigel et al. 2020, Consortium et al. 2020). Virus-directed therapeutic antibodies however showed more promising results in that they were able to reduce viral load (Chen et al. 2021, Weinreich et al. 2021).
Immunity to SARS-CoV-2
For the four common cold hCoVs, current knowledge indicates that immunity is often partial and might not last longer than several months to a few years (Edridge et al. 2020). However, due to their widespread circulation, through recurrent infections antibody serum levels can remain elevated (Edridge et al. 2020). It has been proposed that a certain degree of immunity may be cross-protective between the different endemic hCoVs and in fact, a small percentage of SARS-CoV-2-naïve sera contained anti-hCoV-IgG capable of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 (Ng et al. 2020). Along these lines, a certain cross-reactivity was also shown on the level of memory B cells (Sokal et al. 2021). A stronger and putatively longer lasting effect was seen in T-cell responses, where circulating T-lymphocytes specific to epitopes of endemic hCoVs proved to be cross-reactive to epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 (Braun et al. 2020, Le Bert et al. 2020, Mateus et al. 2020). Of note, these studies have shown cross-reactivity, however, it remains to be investigated if these responses would be protective (de Vries 2020), and even if so, it may not have substantial impact on the current epidemiological understanding of the pandemic (Lipsitch et al. 2020).
Whereas pre-existing immunity, as described above, likely has a very limited impact, a large majority of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 rapidly develops a robust and specific antibody and memory B cell response (Guo et al. 2020, Long et al. 2020, Okba et al. 2020, Sokal et al. 2021), with IgA dominating the early neutralizing activity (Sterlin et al. 2020). The induction of humoral immunity may depend on the severity of the disease (Roltgen et al. 2020), however, strong immune response were reported across all disease severities. Some reports indicate a rather quick waning of circulating antibodies (Bruni et al. 2020, Roltgen et al. 2020, Seow et al. 2020), whereas others suggest that protective antibody titers may remain robustly elevated at least for five months (Gudbjartsson et al. 2020, Wajnberg et al. 2020), and B-cell memory likely persists for even longer (Rodda et al. 2020, Sokal et al. 2020). Treatment of severe COVD-19 cases with plasma of convalescent patients has been proposed and clinically tested, but yielded mixed results (Liu et al. 2020a, Rojas et al. 2020, Simonovich et al. 2020).
Beside antibody responses, also T-cell immunity is induced upon infection with SARS-CoV-2 (Cox and Brokstad 2020). While T-cells may contribute to immunopathology in COVID-19 (Gustine and Jones 2021, Mathew et al. 2020, Yang et al. 2020b), they may also play an important role in controlling the infection and, possibly, mediating long-term protection (Chen and John Wherry 2020, Cox and Brokstad 2020, Le Bert et al. 2020, Rydyznski Moderbacher et al. 2020). As it is difficult to functionally relate reactivity to actual protection, the contributions of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes requires further investigation. Understanding their role in COVID-19 better, should further direct the development of vaccine candidates.
Owing to the unprecedented importance of controlling this novel viral threat, more than 180 vaccine candidates are currently under development [(Krammer 2020); see also the article by M. Bastian in this volume]. Preliminary reports were insofar promising as they report very strong immune responses across a range of vaccine types (Folegatti et al. 2020, Jackson et al. 2020, Keech et al. 2020, Krammer 2020, Mulligan et al. 2020, Zhu et al. 2020). Two vaccines, both first-of-their-kind mRNA-based approaches (Baden et al. 2020, Polack et al. 2020), and two adenovirus-vectored vaccine candidates showed efficacies in phase 3 clinical studies ranging up to about 90% (Logunov et al. 2020, Voysey et al. 2020). Around the globe, more and more vaccines with different methodologies (including inactivated viruses and purified antigens) are being established and approved. Broad vaccinations that likely offer a high degree of protection at least for a limited period of time, thus, appear to be in feasible reach. If necessary, regular overhauls of the vaccines due to a mutating virus, somewhat akin to the current influenza vaccination approach, is quickly possible at least with non-vectored vaccines and opens the chance for sustained control of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Summary and outlook
The year 2020 has not only seen a rapid spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, but also a massive and worldwide effort in all fields of biomedical research and beyond. Owing to substantial progress in elucidating the basic biology of virus infection and the molecular pathogenesis of severe COVID-19, possible paths to reliable treatments are only slowly clearing up. In contrast, a broad range of vaccines shown to be safe and efficacious were developed and approved with unprecedented speed. Challenges for the months and years to come include, among others, the elucidation of the frequency, causes and severity of long-term health impairments, and to translate the accumulating knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 biology into therapeutic strategies. With the prospect of a quickly increasing share of the world’s population being vaccinated, the surveillance of possibly emerging vaccine-resistant mutants will further be essential for a sustainable control of SARS-CoV-2.
Ethical Approval
Not applicable.
Conflict of interest
The authors state no conflict of interest.
Both authors are funded by their respective institutions as well as by project DFG BI1693/2-1 from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (M. B.).
Authors contribution
Both authors equally contributed to literature searches and text writing.
The authors are deeply grateful to Joseph Luna for critical reading of the manuscript.
Address for correspondence
Emanuel Wyler
Hannoversche Str. 28, 10115 Berlin
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What Are Explicit Costs?
What Are Explicit Costs?
What Are Explicit Costs?
What Are Explicit Costs?
Explicit costs are regular business costs that affect your company's profit.
Sometimes referred to as accounting costs, they have clearly defined amounts and are listed on the expenses section of your income statement. They always involve a payment of money.
Some common examples are wages/salaries, rent, stock and utility bills.
Understanding your explicit costs is important as they:
• Are used to calculate profit
• Facilitate long-term strategic planning
Explicit Costs Vs Implicit Costs
While explicit costs are easily identified and valued, implicit costs are often difficult to quantify.
For example:
A coffee shop needs new equipment. The cost of that equipment is easily identified as $30,000.
This is an explicit cost.
The implicit cost is the loss of income while the shop was closed. The shop owners can predict what they would have made based on historical data, but they won't know for certain.
Other implicit costs from the coffee shop being closed could be:
• The stock wasted from accidents, testing the equipment or being consumed by the tradespeople.
• The advertising that usually comes from social media. If the shop is closed, there is no content being generated by the owners or customers. This can cause a drop in brand value, which is often unquantifiable and very valuable.
• Training the staff to operate the new equipment, because no money is generated despite the fact they are still being paid.
Why Are Explicit Costs Important?
As a stand-alone element, explicit costs are important for three reasons:
• Calculating accounting profit
• Planning for the future
• Calculating economic profit
Calculating Profit
It is common knowledge that businesses operate according to money in and money out.
To be successful, you need more money coming in than you do going out.
This profit is also referred to as accounting profit.
Planning for the Future
When you fully understand your explicit costs, you can start making strategic changes for the future.
Some businesses experience points in their growth where they will make more money if they had more staff, but they don't currently have the funds to recruit someone.
Knowing your explicit costs allows you to see where you can make changes and free up some capital.
For example, could you find a cheaper website host or use influencer marketing instead of paid advertising for a month or two?
Likewise, explicit costs also show where you could improve or spend more.
Do you now have the funds for a better coffee machine or a more advanced printer? Could you offer a better healthcare insurance provider to your staff or offer better financial incentives?
Calculating Economic Profit
Implicit costs deducted together with explicit costs gives you your economic profit.
Economic profit is important, as it allows you to assess your company's financial performance.
To keep a company viable, you need to maintain a certain level of economic profit.
While implicit costs are not always 100% accurate, they do allow you to see where you are losing money and hopefully improve your profit.
When working with stakeholders, they will evaluate your economic profit to see if you are a reliable business owner that will bring them revenue.
Explicit Costs: Definition and Examples
Explicit Costs: Definition and Examples
Following the pandemic, many companies would have assessed the implicit cost of having their employees work from home.
From previous income statements, they know how much it costs to run their business from the office and how much income was generated during that time.
At the start of the pandemic, they might have predicted income to fall due to lower productivity while still having to pay all the office outgoings.
The economic profit would have dropped significantly in that scenario. However, some industries found that working from home improved productivity, leading to a higher income.
If you calculate the economic profit having removed the office-related explicit costs, the company's profit is much healthier and may lead to a new business model.
Examples of Explicit Costs
The most common explicit costs include:
• Salaries, wages, commission, incentives, bonuses
• Employee benefits – gym memberships, health insurance, 401K
• Taxes
• Insurance
• Legal fees
• Material costs – Anything you need to buy to make the products/service you provide
• Promotional materials and advertising/marketing costs
• Rent or mortgage – Factories, offices, stores
• Utility bills
• Purchase or leasing of essential equipment and machinery
• Maintenance and upkeep for equipment and machinery
• Depreciation
Calculating Explicit Costs
As your explicit costs are easily identified as your operating costs, overheads, or outgoings, it is easy to calculate them.
Step 1: Make a list of all your costs that ensure your business is able to function
Step 2: Add the costs together
Example of explicit costs for a bakery
Outgoings Cost
Bakery rent $1,500
Electricity $700
Water $200
Building and contents insurance $300
Staff wages – Sarah full-time $1,050
Staff wages – Melissa part-time $800
Staff wages – Karl part-time $720
Staff benefits $1,000
Taxes $3,000
Ingredients $950
Equipment maintenance $500
Website $21
Social media scheduler $10
Social media promotions/adverts $100
Total Costs $10,851
$10,851 is the minimum amount of money that that bakery needs to operate each month.
It is advised that you review your explicit costs at the end of each working day, as unexpected costs do appear. Perhaps a machine broke or you needed someone to work overtime, or you needed more ingredients than you thought.
Final Thoughts
Calculating explicit costs is already something you are aware of as one of the first steps to running a business.
Increasing your awareness of how they fit into a business plan alongside your implicit costs will improve your company's overall financial health.
During the various global lockdowns, implicit and explicit costs have been re-evaluated continuously to help companies survive.
Those who already had a good understanding of explicit and implicit costs could adapt quicker, and with more success.
Take the time to fully understand the finances of your business. It may be tempting to leave that to an accountant. But having that knowledge yourself will allow you to make faster, more informed decisions.
Read This Next
You might also be interested in these other WikiJob articles:
Or explore the Jobs & Careers / Small Business sections.
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Peeking into the Courtroom-What happens in a Court Trial?
We love to watch court cases in TV serials and movies because they are interesting and most of the time we see the “good guy” win over the “bad guy.”
However, the reality is not exactly how it is presented on the screen! And, if we were to get involved in a legal battle, it can be quite difficult to deal with!
Here are a few facts about a court trial that one can familiarize with:
What is a Court Trial?
A court trial is a structured process where the prosecutor presents the facts of the case to a jury and judge in a courtroom in an endeavor to prove the defendant in the case guilty of the charges against him/her.
The prosecutor substantiates his case with the help of evidence and witnesses to prove the defendant guilty.
The defendant is represented by an attorney who tells his side of the story and supports it with the evidence and witnesses who back the defendant.
There is a jury of 8 to 12 people comprising of local citizens. The jury decides whether the defendant is guilty or not based on the evidence presented.
The judge decides what evidence can/cannot be admitted in the courtroom. He also assesses the verdict of the jury based on legal aspects. In some cases, the judge has the power to overturn the ruling of the jury.
What Happens in a Court Trial?
• Step 1: Opening Statement
A court trial begins with opening statements by both attorneys. The prosecuting attorney makes his opening statement first where he presents the sequence of events in brief and how the defendant is responsible for the crime/wrongdoing. The lawyer of the defendant then makes his opening statement where he outlines his representation of how the crime was committed and the defendant is not guilty.
The opening statements are precise and indicate what the lawyers intend to prove during the trial. No evidence or witness is presented during the opening statement.
• Step 2: Presentation of the Case
The prosecutor calls his witnesses on the stand and begins the direct examination where he asks relevant questions that bring about answers that prove the guilt of the defendant. The defense attorney cross-examines the witnesses in an attempt to prove that they do not point to the guilt of his client.
The prosecutor may also present the documentary, video, or digital evidence to support his case. The defense lawyer can challenge any of this evidence.
After the prosecutor’s presentation, the defense attorney can present his witnesses and go for a direct examination to prove the innocence of his client. The defense attorney can cross-examine these witnesses to prove his point.
Both attorneys have the right to raise objections during the direct or cross-examinations.
• Step 3: Closing Arguments
After both lawyers have presented the case, both attorneys give their closing arguments which are more like a summary of their entire presentation. Each lawyer presents his closing statement to the jury asking them to give the verdict of guilty/not guilty.
If you need to fight a legal battle either as a plaintiff or defendant in a case, trust the lawyers at Autrey Law Firm! We have a team of experienced lawyers who can represent clients in different types of cases.
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Does Canada have extreme weather?
The weather in Canada is subject to severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, heat waves as well as severe air pollution events throughout the warmer months. From mid-autumn through to early spring, you should expect ice storms, blizzards and coastal storms and the occasional flooding.
What type of weather is in Canada?
What country has extreme weather?
According to the Germanwatch Global Climate Risk Index, Haiti, Zimbabwe as well as Fiji were at the top of the list of the most affected countries in 2016. Between 1997 and 2016, Honduras, Haiti and Myanmar were the countries most af- fected by extreme weather events.
What causes extreme weather in Canada?
The heat over western parts of Canada and the US has been caused by a dome of static high-pressure hot air stretching from California to the Arctic territories.
Is Canada is a cold or hot country?
IT\'S FUNNING: What is the Royal Canadian Air Force 12 minute exercise plan?
Is Canada is a good place to live?
Is Canada colder than Russia?
Where is it 60 70 degrees year round in the World?
San Diego, California
Another one of my favorite destinations, San Diego sits along the southernmost coast of California, not far from the Mexico border. Summer highs hover around the 80 degree mark while Winter highs are usually 60 to 70 degrees. San Diego also has an average 260 sunny days per year.
Where is the most violent weather on Earth?
8 destinations with the world’s most extreme climates
• Danakil Desert, Ethiopia. The Danakil Desert is like something from a whole other planet. …
• Death Valley, USA. …
• Atacama Desert, Chile. …
• Antarctica. …
• Mawsynram, India. …
• Hokkaido, Japan. …
• Oymyakon, Russia. …
• Kauai, Hawaii.
What country has the weirdest weather?
IT\'S FUNNING: Does Canada value human rights?
Is Canada colder than Europe?
Are Canadians friendly?
Is Canada a very cold country?
Canada is (really) cold.
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Dimensions for a Raised Bed
For homeowners who have poor soil, an uneven lawn or cramped conditions, a raised bed garden might be the perfect solution. A raised bed garden is simply a frame built directly on top of the soil to hold a bed of above-ground soil that you can amend specifically for the plants you’re planning to grow. They provide better nutrition, resistance against erosion and improve yield.
Garden Container Options
A raised bed is different from a garden container or planter. It’s built without a bottom, which allows better drainage into the natural soil and leaves room for plant roots to stretch out. In comparison, garden containers and planters have natural bottoms that contain all of the soil. This does give a garden planter the advantage of being transportable if your garden and lawn plans change. Raised beds, on the other hand, usually must be disassembled and reconstructed to be moved. In addition, raised planter box dimensions may vary widely, and they can be purchased or built to suit your exact needs. However, if you think you’ve found the ideal spot and don’t plan to move it for a few years, a raised bed is likely to be the better choice.
Why are raised beds sometimes better than a standard garden? The most obvious advantage is the ability to create your own soil bed full of the nutrients your plants will need. In addition, having the soil bed above grade keeps it warmer, so your plants enjoy a longer growing season in a raised bed, which leads to a higher yield.
The space in the raised bed can be devoted entirely to plants, since you won’t need to leave space to walk between them, keeping the soil nice and loose, which is better for plant growth. The high sides of the bed provide protection against many garden pests, and they help stop weeds from encroaching on the gardening space.
Raised Bed Dimensions
You’ll need to make two decisions when designing your raised beds: the area and the height. Most raised beds are between 3 to 4 feet wide and between 6 and 8 feet long, depending on the space available. Choose a place that allows you to access the box from all sides for planting, care and harvest. You don’t want to have to step in the box to reach anything, since doing so will compact that soil.
While, technically, you could build a bed 3 to 4 feet wide and as long as you want, with proper support, most gardeners prefer to build multiple smaller raised beds instead. This allows you to separate plants by type and to keep incompatible plants like tomatoes and peppers properly separated.
Deciding the height for the garden bed should also be given consideration. Many people end up making beds that are 11 inches high, says the team at Earth Easy. That's primarily because that’s the height of two standard 2-foot-by-6-inch boards, which are available at local hardware stores (the boards are actually 5.5 inches in width), and it's considered a convenient height. Overall, raised garden beds can range anywhere from 6 inches up to 36 inches.
Considerations for Raised Bed Heights
There are several things to consider when choosing the height of your raised bed. First, think about the state of your natural soil. If you’re building on clay, sand or even a harder surface like gravel or concrete, you probably want a deeper raised bed. If your raised bed will be more than 15 to 18 inches, look into cross supports to keep the wood from bowing under the weight of the soil, especially when wet. Even in the case of poor natural soil, turn over the soil underneath the bed; you can add in materials to try to balance the soil consistency as well.
If your natural soil is actually fairly good, and you’re building a raised bed for the other benefits, you’ll probably be OK with a shallower raised bed frame. Turn over the natural soil underneath where the bed will be installed and probably use additives to enhance the soil as much as possible. If your base soil is good, your raised bed frame can be much shorter.
More Things to Consider
Beyond just soil, you may want to do some research to determine the average root depth of the plants you plan to grow, so you can provide them with enough soil to anchor themselves and grow. For example, plants like broccoli, lettuce and cabbage have shallow roots, so they may be able to handle a raised bed 11 inches high. Plants like tomatoes or root vegetables like carrots, however, need much deeper soil to establish themselves. Most plants need about 12 to 36 inches of good soil to grow, depending on the variety. The University of Georgia Extension writers say it’s rare for plants to need any less than 10 inches.
For gardeners with disabilities or those who experience pain when bending or kneeling, a higher raised bed is much more accessible. A deeper raised bed frame can provide a place to sit while tending the garden, which reduces strain on the back. A higher bed also can be wheelchair accessible.
Aesthetics are another important consideration. Some people garden because they like home-grown fruits and vegetables; others garden to enjoy the natural beauty of the growing plants as well. Consider the aesthetics of your space and whether it would be better served by a number of raised beds, maybe at varying heights, or by a single longer bed. Consider the layout of what you want to grow and how to make it visually appealing. Then work backward to determine the height that your beds need to be.
Raised Garden Bed Materials
Raised beds can be made out of nearly any material that will contain the soil. Depending on the aesthetics of your garden, you can use wood, stone, brick or concrete, whatever you like that’s within your budget. The most popular materials for building garden beds are cedar and redwood. Both are naturally resistant to bugs, moisture, mold and rot, and each type can last over five years before showing signs of wear and tear. These woods are expensive, however, and may be difficult to find.
The team at Milorganite says that other untreated woods are also popular. While they may not last as long as other materials, they should still give you around three to five years of useful life before they will need to be replaced. You can find instructions as to how to construct a raised bed from wood on a number of gardening and woodworking sites online as well as in books and gardening magazines.
Working with rock, brick or cement block can provide more of a workout than other options and might be more expensive, but once in place, the garden bed will last almost indefinitely as long as it is well cared for. For example, if you have a leftover brick or your property contains stone, using it for a raised bed might make more sense since the materials are already available and will provide a raised bed that lasts significantly longer than other materials.
Be careful not to use treated products, like pressure-treated wood, especially if you’re raising fruit or vegetables. These products can leach harmful chemicals into the soil, tainting your plants. While some newer, more expensive types may have improved their processes, harmful chemicals can still be present. Check the manufacturer’s information to see whether the product has been approved for organic gardening, and when in doubt, go with one of the materials mentioned previously to be safe.
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Why are COVID cases in India decreasing?
Why are COVID cases in India decreasing?
COVID cases in India decreasing. The festival season, which includes Durga Puja and Diwali where large groups of Indians gather, did not lead to a surge in cases. Epidemiological modelers had earlier predicted a third wave peaking during October and November.
And while antibody tests might give us a clue as to why we cannot get complacent about vaccination rates.
Signals from recent antibody tests
The fourth national survey in July reported 67.6% of people across India had COVID antibodies present, providing them with a level of immunity against the virus. At that time 24.8% of people were immunised with a single dose of vaccine and 13% were fully vaccinated. This means a large proportion of those with antibodies had actually been infected with COVID.
Delhi reported 97% of people were positive for antibodies in October, including 80% of children. Some 95.3% of those immunised with the Indian version of the AstraZeneca vaccine Covishield had developed antibodies, as did 93% of those who received India’s own vaccine Covaxin.
The state of Haryana’s serosurvey in October found antibodies in 76.3% of adults, upwards of 70% among children, and negligible difference between urban and rural populations.
Kerala had the lowest sero-prevalence of 44.4% in the fourth national serosurvey in July, but in October it had risen to 82.6% among the general population and 85.3% among residents of urban slums.
Read Also: Coronavirus: what happens when a person is simultaneously infected with two variants?
It’s now recognized those who become naturally infected with COVID and recover before vaccination develops better immunity than those who only have antibodies from vaccination. This is referred to as “hybrid immunity” – those with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection mount unusually potent immune responses to the COVID vaccines.
Results of the most recent national serosurvey in India reflect the seroprevalence during the third week of June 2021; the Delta-led second wave had bottomed out at that time. Though about 30% of the population remained susceptible, subsequent serosurveys and an absence of any post-festival surge confirm continuing high levels of protection.
“Patchwork vaccination” areas, where there are pockets of low coverage of vaccination among areas with high levels of coverage, run the risk of small outbreaks but are unlikely to be large enough to be of any major epidemiological concern.
With high seropositivity among adults, many of the new cases can now be expected among children, particularly with the reopening of educational institutions. But high levels of immunization among teachers (upwards of 90%) and the emerging evidence that reopening schools has not been associated with significant increases in community transmission, are reassuring.
Could a new variant, such as the Delta Plus subvariant first detected in India in April 2021 threaten the current relative stability? While it has been said it might be about 10–15% more transmissible than the Delta variant, the evidence from Europe suggests it has not yet been able to establish any dominance over Delta.
Is vaccination on track?
Of India’s 1.4 billion people, 26.9% are fully vaccinated and 54.9% have received at least one dose so far. But 35 million fewer women have been vaccinated compared to men and independent analyses show tribal and rural districts continue to lag.
Delivering the billion-plus doses has convincingly demonstrated vaccine confidence. But convincing people to take a vaccine when for many it seems like the risk has passed is a difficult task. Prior infection-induced immunity protects against reinfection, but this acquired immunity wanes over time. Hence the recommendation for COVID vaccination for all eligible persons, including those who have been previously infected.
Districts with relatively low vaccine coverage require greater outreach efforts to reduce prevailing inequities. India’s immunization program has demonstrated its strengths in polio eradication and measles-rubella elimination campaigns. We need to borrow some of those techniques to ensure all Indians are protected against COVID.The Conversation
Rajib Dasgupta
Rajib Dasgupta Chairperson, Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University
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Sobering Up––Myths and Facts
drink bottlesDespite the potential dangers, myths about drinking persist, which—for some—can prove fatal. Scientific studies supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provide important information that challenges these widespread, yet incorrect, beliefs about how quickly alcohol affects the body and how long the effects of drinking last.
Intoxication and your reaction time is slowed. Plus, the sedative effects of alcohol increase your risk of nodding off or losing attention behind the wheel.
Happy New Year!
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Rituals of remembering
In Candice’s work, there are a few rituals practised to remember her father. We also can see the objects that identify our origins and specific objects that only trigger to some people’s memory. Eg. incense paper ad chocolate. Incense paper also reminds me of Qingming Festival, an important day to show respects to ancestors, also called Tomb Sweeping Day.
Chocolate is the food that triggers her to sneeze, which is the same as her father. Hence, consuming chocolate is a ritual to experience the same way her that father has experienced. The more the ritual repeats, the experience of understanding another person’s condition from their perspective is deeper.
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The Secret to Mutation Definition Biology
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febrero 15, 2019
School Assignment Essay for Dummies School Assignment Essay – the story plot
febrero 15, 2019
The Secret to Mutation Definition Biology
This type of mutation happens all of the time in living organisms, but it isn’t simple to gauge the rate. The little number of genetic variation on the island caused new species which are now endemic, meaning only found in 1 place. There are different instances, the mass would consist of biological tissues only, whilst bone mass, shell mass, or teeth mass wouldn’t be taken under consideration.
Summer temperatures aren’t as intense as arid deserts, and nighttime temperatures are usually cooler. Population dispersion is the way the density of the populace is spaced out in a specific location. In some habitats, like in coral reefs, species may not be able migrate to a more hospitable site.
Harmful gases could possibly be produced and could be carried by winds, affecting different ecosystems also. Moreover, soil stipulates a habitat for soil organisms, like worms and ants, in addition to microscopic bacteria. So, it’s very clear that various forms of bacteria obtain energy in many ways.
International warming, or the worldwide increase in temperature because of the greenhouse effect, will accelerate the metabolism rates of the majority of organisms. Each cell, to be able to function correctly, is dependent on thousands of proteins to function in the ideal places at the appropriate times. Tremendous amounts of energy start to get released.
Facilitated diffusion is another sort of passive transport that makes it possible for things to cross the cell membrane. Each cell has a lot of pathways by which enzymes recognize and repair damages in DNA. Prions are proteins or contain genetic material.
Nonetheless, the tumours did not go away completely, likely because there’s still some part of the tumour this treatment doesn’t address. Relapse is among the significant causes of mortality from cancer. Decreased fitness reduces reproductive potential and could raise susceptibility to disease and other sorts of mortality.
Each chromosome consists of two identical chromatids, called sister chromatids. At length, deleterious mutations, as its name suggests, pose a danger to the fitness of the organism, because they have harmful impacts of the overall wellness of the organism. Proteins can move by altering the charges.
This asexual reproduction does not need mitosis. They are used in other industries too. Thus the bacteria can’t reproduce.
Ruthless Mutation Definition Biology Strategies Exploited
Each chromosome includes one particular DNA molecule. Others can alter the gene that’s expressed and the phenotype of the person. For a recessive allele to supply its phenotype it needs to be homozygous recessive.
Gene transfer may happen between homologous chromosomes through the procedure of crossing over. Genes can arrive in various forms called alleles. For DNA to produce proteins, it has to be transcribed by messenger RNA (mRNA).
Every time a species exist in little populations there’s a higher risk of inbreeding and increased susceptibility to loss of diversity due to drift. Recent studies, however, show that though the protein is still the exact same, silent mutations can cause changes in the form of mRNA, leading to the interruption of its interaction with ribosomes. essay writer When an organism inherits two of exactly the same alleles for a specific trait, it’s homozygous for that trait.
Detecting a cure for those diseases due to frameshift mutations are rare. It demonstrates that the disorder is a consequence of many interactions among many various genes, instead of by a single mutation. It is caused by a recessive allele.
Natural selection occurs sometimes, obviously, because some forms of variations are much better than others, but mutation created the different kinds. Bacteria have very important roles in nature, but in addition it have some quite important work in human economy also. It is a reality, it is a reality.
The Honest to Goodness Truth on Mutation Definition Biology
Sexual reproduction is a rather intricate practice. Cancer is a good example of the way that they may be detrimental. Science canat take souls into consideration.
Computational research doesn’t have to be quite difficult to reproduce. If you don’t know how to start your essay or where to look for encouraging data we’ll be delighted to help you. The procedure of measurement of biomass depends upon the reason for which it’s being measured.
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Leadership vs. Management Essay
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Leadership vs. Management
Much has been written about the difference between management and leadership. In the past, competent management staffs ran effective companies. In light of our ever-changing world, however, most companies have come to realize that it is much more important to lead than to manage. In today's world the old ways of management no longer work. One reason is that the degree of environmental and competitive change we are experiencing is extreme. Although exciting, the world is also very unstable and confused. In an article entitled What’s the Difference between Your Hospital and the Other? Gary Campbell states that the difference between a manager and a leader is that the manager “finds himself quite willing to
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One idea for creating and maintaining a healthy organizational culture is simply to ensure that there are processes in place to select and develop the best people available. A great deal of money and resources should be devoted to carefully screen job applicants, identifying those few whose values closely match the company’s. To be selected to fill a leadership position in the company, a person would have to possess the passion and skills necessary to keep the culture alive and healthy. In addition to the resources necessary to ensure optimal staff selection, the company must be focused on continual employee development. A leader’s skills must be fed and cultivated. The leader must be given this consistent message: change is good… change is vital. According to a leadership article found on www.1000ventures.com, "The operative assumption today is that someone, somewhere, has a better idea; and the operative compulsion is to find out who has that better idea, learn it, and put it into action – fast”. I believe that Allstate attempts to abide by this theory but due to its size is probably not always successful. There are many positions to be filled on a daily basis and it is probably not practical to think that this large corporation could be selective enough to make sure that each employee selected fully embodies the company culture.
Another key area that should be considered when maintaining a healthy
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What time and weather is in Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids, Iowa is located in the CDT (Central Daylight Time) time zone, UTC/GMT -5 hours during Daylight Saving Time and UTC/GMT -6 hours during Standard Time. The sunrise is at 06:39 and the sunset at 19:28 for the moment of the beginning of September 2018. The length of the day is 12 hours 48 minutes. The time in Greenwich, London is 6 hours ahead of Gainesville, Florida.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa is located in the area of Humid Continental climate zone, that justifies the large temperature seasonal differences, with hot summers and cold winters respectively. Summers here are sweltering, humid, with the frequent thunderstorms. Winters are quite brutal with plenty of snow.
Humid Continental climate may be found in the central and northeastern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. Usually, there are at least four months with the average temperature of about 10 °C (50 °F). Precipitation in the areas with the Humid Continental area is well distributed throughout the year, and it is supplied by the Gulf of Mexico and western subtropical Atlantic.
The highest temperature recorded in the history of Cedar Rapids was 40 °C (104 °F) on July 31, 1988, the lowest temperature was filed on January 15, 2009, when it reached -34 °C (-29 °F).
The average city level of precipitation reaches about 880.50 millimeters or 34.66 inches annually. June is considered the wettest month of the year with the average 124.5 millimeters or 4.9 inches of rainfall. January is regarded as the driest month of the year with the average 22.9 millimeters or 0.9 inches of precipitation. The most rainfall is happening in May with 11.7 days of rain, while the least precipitation is happening in February with 6.6 days of rain/snow.
Meanwhile, the average snowfall level is approximately 26.80 inches or 68.07 centimeters annually. December is considered the snowiest month of the year with 19.8 centimeters or 7.8 inches of snow.
There are 193 sunny days annually in Cedar Rapids, while the average level is 205 days across the United States.
January, being the coldest month of the year, has an average temperature of about -6.5 °C (19.5 °F). Meanwhile, July, being the warmest month of the year, has an average temperature of about 22.8 °C (73.0 °F). The overall average temperature in Cedar Rapids is 9 °C (48.2 °F).
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ITDSD- 3. Overview of Distributed Software Engineering
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This is a introduction to Distributed System Design - Overview of Distributed Engineering
This is the third article on an Introduction to Distributed System Design (ITDSD). This article briefly introduces the basic concepts, history and current situation of distributed engineering in theory, as well as its future development direction. Let us understand why we learn Distributed Engineering, the status of distributed engineering in computer science and the problems to be solved in distributed engineering. You can click on the links below to find the first three articles:
Distributed engineering is a practical engineering science. So there will be the same phenomenon as other engineering projects, that is, practice will take precedence over theory. ARPANET [1], which was recognized as the first distributed system at the end of 1960, was born in the United States. From the 1950s to the 1960s, influenced by the Manhattan Project, computer theory ushered in the era of the Big Bang. In that era, most of the computer theories we use today were invented. As a new subject, most of the scientists in that year were just graduated and were in their prime. Today, most of them are old people, and some scientists have died. Here, we pay tribute to those scientists who have contributed to computer theory.
Carl Hewitt invented the actor model in 1973 [2]. This model attempts to establish virtual objects corresponding to reality in the computer network and establish relationships between them. The virtual objects in the computer network are responsible for processing the requests generated by the real scene. The actor model has a far-reaching impact on object-oriented and object-oriented databases in later languages. It is an important theoretical basis for dividing computer software modules according to product functions.
In 1979, Lamport put forward the theory of sequential consistency [3]. Consistency theory was first used in system design. It mainly plays a role in hardware and computer system. During this period, scientists tried to find a way to maintain data consistency in multiple hardware, so a variety of consistency theories were born.
Symposium on Principles of Distributed Computing (PODC) was officially established in 1982 [4]. This indicates that distributed technology has become an independent research direction.
In 1985, three scientists Fischer, Lynch and Paterson published FLP theorem [5]. It proves that it is impossible to reach an absolute consensus using asynchronous communication. But then in 1988, Lynch, Dwork and Stockmeyer published a paper entitled "Consensus in the Presence of Partial Synchrony" [6]. This makes people confused about the reliability and stability of distributed systems. If the distributed system is an unstable system, then the software system built on it is also an unstable system. Finding an algorithm to stabilize the distributed system has become a new problem. Considering the background of hardware explosion development at that time. The instability of the hardware system has really put scientists on the nerves.
In 1985, the two-stage submission protocol [7] was invented by Mohan, Bruce Lindsay. This is the earliest known protocol that uses voting to maintain consistency in distributed systems.
In 1986, an important industrial practice in distributed engineering was initiated, which was the birth of Erlang language [8]. Obviously, Ericsson can't wait for scientists to debate whether the distributed system is stable. A large number of telephone exchanges all over the world are in urgent need of a large distributed system for processing. It was developed by Joe Armstrong, Robert Virding, and Mike Williams. Joe Armstrong died last month, April 20, 2019, to pay my respects.
In 1989, Lamport proposed the controversial Paxos protocol [9]. Named after the fictional legislative system used on the Greek island of Paxos. The paper was rejected because it was more like a story. It was not until 1998 that the paper was officially published.
The term consistency hash [10] was first used in Karger's paper published in 1997. Although Teradata has used this technology in distributed data developed in 1986.
In 1998, Eric Brewer proposed the CAP theorem to describe the relationship between consistency and availability and partitioning [11]. But in his article [12], he tries to describe it as a software design criterion. And there seems to be no operational way to implement this principle.
In 2001, DHT technology driven by P2P software such as Freenet, gnutella, BitTorrent and Napster was widely used [13]. It originally came from papers that Ian Clarke did not publish in any Journal [14]. DHT technology plays an important role in P2P and distributed memory database.
Lambert's improved Paxos algorithm fast Paxos was invented in 2005. This is the first time that Paxos algorithm has been used as a version of application code.
In 2013, RAFT algorithm was invented with reference to Paxos algorithm [15]. Before 2011, a ZAB algorithm similar to RAFT algorithm was published. ZAB algorithm is used in ZooKeeper. ZooKeeper is a node used to provide system configuration information in distributed systems. Because ZooKeeper is widely used in distributed systems. So RAFT algorithm has become popular.
In 2019, I invented the AP&RP method to solve the problem of boundary demarcation of multitasking systems. The paper [16] was published in April.
Distributed database has a tortuous history. Here, we will focus on [17]. In the early 1960s, DBMS was a hard disk-based key-value database. And this database quickly evolved a distributed architecture. After the rise of relational DBMS in 1970, database technology has changed from distributed architecture to centralized architecture [18]. During this period, there is a deep relationship with the rapid development of hardware. After 2000, with the beginning of NOSQL movement, database began to develop into key-value distributed system.
In 1999, Google Inc. Engineers such as Sanjay Ghemawat [19] and Jeff Dean [20] have promoted a series of distributed engineering practices. Including MapReduce, Google File System, Bigtable, etc. It directly promotes the industrialization of distributed technologies such as big data, memory database and micro services. It has made great contributions to the industrialization of distributed engineering.
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Distributed Problems to Be Solved
We can see that there are many problems in distributed research. What is the core issue of distributed engineering? I agree with the statement in Borowsky, Elizabeth, Gafni, Eli's paper [21] in 1993, ”Demarcation of the border between solvable and unsolvable distributed tasks under various models is the holy grail of the theory of distributed computing.
That is to say, the core problem to be solved in distributed Software Engineering is: can any software system be distributed, how to distribute and distribute the results? There is no answer to this question before this article. That is to say, distributed is only a research direction before that. In the past, there was no known way to solve the core problem of distributed engineering. Only the methodology to solve the core problem is given in this paper. Distribution has changed from a research direction to a engineering.
The answer is whether any software system can be distributed, how to distribute and distribute the results. First of all, software systems should be classified. We classify software systems into four categories. They are Single-Sask-Computing, Multitask-Computing, Single-Task-Computing&Sharing-Data-Sets, Multitask-Computing&sharing-Data-Sets. This classification involves three concepts. The first task is the program logic expressed in discrete mathematics. It consists of one or more steps of calculation process. Computing means that the calculation unit completes the operation of program logic. Shared data sets refer to the data generated after each task is completed, whether it is reserved for the next execution or other tasks to use together. For these four situations, we analyse as follows.
1. Single-Task-Computing. It's easiest to understand, for example, the calculation of generating π. Whether this algorithm can be distributed is a mathematical concept. It is known that only a few mathematical algorithms can be further refined into distributed ones.
2. Multitask-Computing. It can be understood as the simultaneous execution of multiple mathematical algorithms. That is, we traditionally separate computer processes from each other. This completely isolated computer process can be distributed. For example, a computer system on two hardware can be understood as a generalized distributed system.
3. Single-Task-Computing&Sharing-Data-Sets. This is more common in integrated circuits or controllers. For example, vehicle speed sensors collect speed data and use speed data to modify the display screen. This situation cannot be further refined into distributed. But broadly speaking, this situation is the same as the second one. It can also be considered as a generalized distributed system for scenarios where multiple Single-Task-Computing&Sharing-Data-Sets work together.
4. For the last case, Multitasking-Computing&Sharing-Data-Sets is what we often call software systems in asynchronous networks. Using AP&RP method, we can clearly point out whether this situation can be distributed, how to distribute and how to distribute the results. The actor model is also the object-oriented model or the method of product function partition. They do not have the ability to judge whether they can be distributed or not. Different partitioning schemes need to be constantly tried to determine whether they will lead to data conflicts. Until a partitioning scheme with fewer errors is found, it is also impossible to give distributed results. The same consistency hash table does not give any answers. Consistency hashing usually uses the maximum redundancy method to attempt to cover all possible segmentation results.
So far we know that class 1 and 3 of any given software system cannot be distributed or can be distributed in a few specific cases. The second category is naturally distributed architecture. Finally, the fourth class can solve the distributed problem by AP&RP. At this point, we give the methodology to solve the core problem.
Stability in Distributed Systems
The stability of distributed systems is often referred to as availability. FLP theorem first points out that distributed system is a very unstable system. This includes the famous Halting problem [22] which has been plaguing scientists.
Through further observation, which is divided into hardware and software problems, here we first from the hardware point of view. Whether the hardware is stable or not follows another rule: the bathtub curve [23]. Every hardware has a process from instability to stability to aging. Suppose there are n hardware components in a distributed system. The average damage probability of each hardware is x, which is determined by the basic probability formula. The probability of damage to any server in the cluster is x1*x2*x3…*xn. So we get Theorem 1.
Theorem 1. The Overall Instability Of Distributed Systems Increases With the Increase of Hardware.
That is to say, the probability of damage increases with the increase of distributed cluster. From another point of view, with the increase of distributed cluster, any hardware damage will lead to the reduction of the total damaged area of the cluster, that is, the damaged area of the cluster will be reduced to 1/n. So we get Theorem 2.
Theorem 2. The Damage Area of Distributed System Decreases With the Increase of Hardware.
So don't worry about distributed cluster stability anymore! And why instability has increased. Because they translate into a reduction in the damaged area. So what we need to do is to reduce the Sequential dependency in the cluster, that is, irreplaceable hierarchical relationships. Avoid any single point of service stopping leading to further expansion of the damaged area. Interestingly, it is very similar to the modern management system of enterprises. So we get Theorem 3.
Theorem 3. Hierarchical Relations and Their Irreplaceability Expand the Damage Area.
Software and hardware problems are very similar. In order to improve the reusability of code, software introduces a lot of hierarchical relationships in software engineering. This hierarchical relationship is also projected into the distributed system along with the distribution of software. The same hardware distribution rules apply to software. So we can get the theorem that distributed systems are damaged.
Theorem 4: The Hierarchical Relationship of Any Single Point in a Distributed System, Irreplaceability and Ultimately Affected Area Determine the Damaged Area.
In order to reduce any single point of damage in distributed systems, more damage is caused. We need to reduce the hierarchical relationships in distributed systems and the irreplaceability of any single point. But we know that system services that receive messages cannot be replaced. Otherwise, new atomic relations will be created. That is to say, different processing results from receiving two identical messages will not be reconciled in the system. So the smallest damage area is the same as the smallest service unit that receives messages in the distributed system.
Consistency in Distributed Systems
FLP theorem has proved that there is no absolute consistency in the distributed. I think this is a simple inference based on the conservation of energy. That is, the dissemination of information has direction and energy consumption. Information transmission from any source to any destination requires energy consumption and abides by the law of conservation of energy. Therefore, the time of information dissemination cannot be zero. So the description of this propagation process includes sequence consistency and consistency based on time t [24]. They all describe the same situation. Based on the simple probability principle, the less hardware involved in this propagation, the less energy and the less time, the lower the probability of damage. On the contrary, the more unreliable it is, that is, inconsistency is prone to occur. That is to say, there is no absolute consistency in terms of energy conservation. The evaluation of consistency in any system is based on the comparison results in its coordinate system. For example, WAN is more unstable than LAN, and LAN is more unstable than hardware. Therefore, it is more meaningful to establish a distributed accuracy evaluation system.
Distributed engineering in computer theory is a very young subject. As Moore's Law enters the deceleration period, the development of hardware slows down. As well as the outbreak of the Internet industry, software systems are becoming more and more complex. Distributed engineering ushered in a rare historical opportunity. At present, due to the confusion between product logic and distributed architecture of software system, the cost of software system development, secondary development and maintenance is very high. Enterprises need to employ a large number of developers to maintain control over software systems. I estimate that with the decoupling of product logic and architecture, the development workload will initially be reduced by about half. And greatly reduce the workload and maintenance costs of secondary development. Generally speaking, the development cost of enterprises can be reduced by about 95% compared with that of now. This will greatly reduce the threshold for traditional enterprises to enter the Internet, and release a large number of developers from the heavy maintenance work. It can be predicted that in the near future, the Internet industry will once again usher in an explosive period. A large number of tools have been developed for the development of distributed software. And the real distributed operating system came into being. Distributed engineering is still very weak at present. There are eight universities in mainland China that are still doing distributed research. With the development of distributed engineering practicality. The popularization and standardization of distributed technology still need a lot of work. I hope to see more scholars, more developers, more companies and organizations invest in distributed engineering.
6. Dwork, Cynthia; Lynch, Nancy; Stockmeyer, Larry (April 1988). "Consensus in the Presence of Partial Synchrony" (PDF). Journal of the ACM. 35 (2): 288–323. CiteSeerX doi:10.1145/42282.42283.
14. Ian Clarke. A distributed decentralised information storage and retrieval system. Unpublished report, Division of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, 1999.
16. Sun shuo.”Distributed Method of Web Services”.
18. R.A. Davenport. Distributed database technology−asurvey. Computer Networks, 2(3):155–167, 1978.
21. Borowsky, Elizabeth; Gafni, Eli (1993). "Generalized FLP impossibility result for t-resilient asynchronous computations". P 25th Annual ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing. ACM. pp. 91–100.
24. Seth Gilbert, Nancy Lynch. "Brewer's conjecture and the feasibility of consistent, available, partition-tolerant web services". ACM SIGACT News, v.33 n.2, June 2002 [doi>10.1145/564585.564601]
About the Author
Distributed Technology Professional
Comments and Discussions
QuestionAcronyms Pin
Rick York21-May-19 6:41
mveRick York21-May-19 6:41
AnswerRe: Acronyms Pin
[email protected] 9:42
[email protected] 9:42
Yes, I'm also worried that the title is too long Frown | :( .The meaning of BITDSD is Beginner's Introduction to Distributed System Design.
modified 21-May-19 14:54pm.
GeneralRe: Acronyms Pin
Rick York21-May-19 10:54
mveRick York21-May-19 10:54
GeneralRe: Acronyms Pin
[email protected] 12:11
[email protected] 12:11
GeneralRe: Acronyms Pin
Rick York22-May-19 12:59
mveRick York22-May-19 12:59
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Flag of American Samoa
Flag of American Samoa
The Flag of American Samoa was adopted in April 1960, replacing the United States of America, as the official flag of the territory. The Flag of American Samoa consists of a red-edged white triangle pointing towards the hoist charged with a bald eagle clutching a war club and fly-whisk, and dark blue upper and lower triangles.
The eagle holding a fly-whisk and a war club are the traditional symbols of the Samoan chiefs. The Bald Eagle and Blue, White and Red Colours symbolise the countries ties to the United Sates of America.
American Samoa holds a Flag Day celebration on April 17 each year.
Flag of American Samoa
Flag of American Samoa
Flag of American Samoa Design and Colour Scheme
The flag consists of a large white triangle, pointed towards the hoist, bordered in red and charged with an eagle, all on a blue field. The U.S. national bird holds a yellow uatogi, a war club, in its claws.
• The symbols are a uatog: a war club, epitomizing the government’s power, and a fue, a fly-whisk, representing the wisdom of traditional Samoan leaders.
• The red, white and blue represent the colours traditionally utilized by both the United States and Samoa.
Brief History about the Flag of American Samoa
The islands were contested by Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States at the turn of the century; the three countries resolved the dispute by dividing Samoa amongst themselves during the Tripartite Convention in 1899.
As a result of an agreement with the high chiefs of the island of Tutuila, the United States took control over easternmost Samoa on April 17, 1900, and raised their flag that same day.
The flag was officially adopted April 17, 1960, sixty years to the day the U.S. first raised the American flag over Samoa.
Flag of American Samoa
Flag of American Samoa
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• MindMate Team
What’s the Difference between Normal Aging and Dementia?
by Ambra Giuliano
We all know that many things change as we age. When we’re young, we don’t tend to pay much attention in case we misplace our keys or forget a phone number, but as we grow older, sometimes we worry about the real meaning of these lapses. We need to remember thatmemory loss is not an inevitable part of the ageing process, and it’s important to know the difference between normal age-related forgetfulness and the symptoms that may indicate a developing cognitive problem.
In normal aging, our bodies and brains slow down, and it is completely normal. Our intelligence, though, remains stable. We are less physically and mentally flexible, and we take more time to process information. Memory changes occur as well, and it’s common to have greater difficulty remembering names of people, places and other things as we age. Memory lapses can be frustrating, but most of the time they aren’t cause for concern. Age-related memory changes are not the same thing as dementia.
Is memory loss normal?
• Occasionally forgetting where you left things you use regularly, such as glasses or keys.
• Occasionally forgetting an appointment.
• Walking into a room and forgetting why you entered.
• Becoming easily distracted.
Whatever your age, there are many ways you can improve your cognitive skills, prevent memory loss, and protect your grey matter. When memory loss becomes so pervasive and severe that it disrupts your work, hobbies, social activities, and family relationships, you may be experiencing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, or another disorder that causes dementia, or a condition that mimics dementia. Dementia is not a disease. It is a general term that describes a set of symptoms that may be caused by a number of different brain disorders.
How can I tell if my memory problems are serious?
It might be a warning sign if you notice you have trouble remembering how to do things you've done many times before, getting to a place you've been too often, or doing things that use steps, like following a recipe. The primary difference between age-related memory loss and dementia is that the former isn’t disabling. The memory lapses have little impact on your daily performance and ability to do what you want to do. Another difference between normal memory problems and dementia is that normal memory loss doesn't get much worse over time. Dementia gets much worse over several months to several years. To find out more about the most common signs that might be symptoms of dementia, you can read our previous blog post 10 early signs of dementia. It may be hard to figure out on your own if you have a serious problem. Talk to your family doctor about any concerns you have, and remember there’s always someone ready to support you.
References Memory Loss with Aging: What's normal, what's not?, Dementia, http://www.dementia.com/memory-loss.htmlAge-Related Memory Loss, HelpGuide.org, http://www.helpguide.org/articles/memory/age-related-memory-loss.htm
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登録は簡単！. 無料です
1. What I thought it was!
1.1. Simply:
1.1.1. Technology is simply the mobiles, laptops and all other similar gadgets.
1.2. Evolution of mobile phones
2.1. What is a technology and some of its advantages and disadvantages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CWsLR5SuyU Engineers Forum. (2013, November 6). The Evolution of the Mobile Phone. http://www.ef.org.vt.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/mobilephone1.pngkidswhobank. (n.d.). Kids who Bank. Kids Who Bank. Retrieved May 30, 2021, from http://www.kidswhobank.com/devicedetaching/ SULEman, F. A. R. H. A. N. (2019, August 16). easons that Demonstrate the Importance of Technology in Business. Readwrite. https://readwrite.com/2019/08/16/10-reasons-that-demonstrate-the-importance-of-technology-in-business/
3. Technology is the skills, methods and the techniques used in the scientific world for practical purposes as well as functional areas.
3.1. Two primary components
3.1.1. Physical components Includes products, tooling, equipments, blueprints, techniques, and processes
3.1.2. Informative components consists of know-how in management, marketing, production, quality control, reliability, skilled labor and functional areas."
4. Advantages and disadvantages
5. "Human’s use of technology involves not only machines and instrucments"(Isman, 2012, 208)
6. Why Technology?
6.1. Technology Helps Improve Communication
6.2. Technology Improves Efficiency
6.3. Employees Need Technology to Work Efficiently
6.4. Unlimited Supply of Knowledge
6.5. Explore New Markets for Growth
7. Conclusions
7.1. Technology have a wide meaning other than mobiles and laptops
7.2. They are in everywhere, even in our daily lives
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Learn Digital Skills In This New Norm: Coding & Digital Marketing
Benefits of listening to music while coding
Music, it seems like it could be distracting when you are coding. All those different sounds and voices running through your head. It might not seem logical, but there are a lot of benefits when you listen to music while coding.
Home - Coding - Benefits of listening to music while coding
Here are some of the benefits of listening to music while coding
Music helps you focus
When you listen to music, you will get in the zone. The focus will only be on the code you are writing. Nothing else around you will matter.When you have headphones on, people also are less likely to talk to you. The headphones are like a barrier. People will only pass this barrier if they need to talk to you.
Music can motivate you
With the different sounds in the background. Your brain will notice the rhythms changing and tracks ending. With this difference in background sound, your brain will be alert.
a man listening to music while working in front of a laptop
Music reduces stress and anxiety
When you listen to music, you can lower down your stress hormones. The brain also stimulates the formation of dopamine; a molecule that makes you happy. When you listen to your favourite song, you will produce extra dopamine. This way the music helps in reducing stress.The mind also becomes clear when you listen to music. A clear mind will help to clear your anxiety away. You forget about all the ‘what if’ scenarios.Your mind will clear because music helps your blood flow. This way more oxygen will come to your brain. With extra oxygen, you have fewer distracting thoughts.
Music increases the ability to collect thoughts
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits of listening to music while coding. In the video down below, you can see what kind of impact music has on your mind.
But what kind of music should you listen to?
Limit the vocals
Listen to familiar music
If you listen to new music, you tend to focus on the music. Unknowingly your mind will wander off for a bit. When you listen to familiar music, your brain will recognize the music. The focus will not be on the music then, but on the coding.
Listen to music with a good beat and pace
Here is a good example of a playlist you can listen to while coding:
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Australian scientists make graphene production breakthrough
A team of scientists from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have discovered a new approach to producing graphene.
The CSIRO team discovered a way to break down soybean oil into a number of different carbon structures from which graphene could be easily synthesized.
This process, which has just one step, is vastly more efficient and economical than pre-existing methods used to produce the material.
In the past, chemicals scientists would need to use explosively compressed gasses in a highly controlled environment, maintaining specific temperatures and pressures for hours at a time.
By contrast, the new process developed by CSIRO, which they are calling ‘GraphAir’, can be undertaken in ambient air pressures.
“This ambient-air process for graphene fabrication is fast, simple, safe, potentially scalable, and integration-friendly,” said CSIRO scientist Dr Zhao Jun Han.
Another advantage of the GraphAir process is that it can use a number of different ‘waste’ materials to synthesize graphene from.
“We can now recycle waste oils that would have otherwise been discarded and transform them into something useful,” said CSIRO scientist Dr Dong Han Seo.
Graphene itself is a form of carbon in a crystalline lattice that is just one atom thick. This structure gives it a number of unique and highly useful properties include superior electrical and thermal conductivity.
These properties would allow for the production of massively improved batteries, computers, and solar panels, but until now the high cost of producing the material has stifled its commercialization.
Now, however, CSIRO hopes that GraphAir will scalable in such a way that large-scale graphene production can become commercially viable.
Should this happen, then a great number of revolutionary graphene-powered devices become possible.
“Our unique technology is expected to reduce the cost of graphene production and improve the uptake in new applications,” says Dr Zhao.
With this in mind, CSIRO has stated that it is looking to partner with industry in order to make this a reality.
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ACT English : Other Adjective and Adverb Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT English
Example Questions
1 2 3 4 5 7 Next →
Example Question #2551 : Act English
Margaret Mitchell the writer was having a horrible day. She just completed her latest novel when the tornado sirens went off. Fast, she rushed down into the basement, barricaded the door, and she sat in a corner of the dank dusty room to wait for the storm to pass. The winds howled noisy and increased in intensity until it sounded like the tornado was right above her. Suddenly, a gigantic bang echoed throughout the basement and Margaret dropped to the floor in terror. Then just as suddenly the noise vanished. Margaret got up and dusted her off before moving hesitantly toward the basement door. She opened it, and found the house above her was completely gone. Despite the horror of the site, she sighed and muttered, "Oh, well." A neighbor came running up to her and said, "Margaret! Thank goodness your alive! But what happened to your house, and what about your new book?" Margaret gave a rueful smile and replied, "Oh, that's Gone With The Wind."
Choose the answer that best corrects the underlined portion of the passage. If the underlined portion is correct as written, choose "NO CHANGE."
Possible Answers:
Correct answer:
"Fast" is an adjective, but in the passage as written, it is being used to describe how Mitchell "rushed." Adjectives cannot describe verbs, but adverbs describe verbs, so changing "Fast" to "Quickly" would correct the error.
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Bent Finger Due to Mallet Finger or Fracture
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A finger that won't straighten out is called a mallet finger or a mallet fracture. If your finger is bent at the last joint and won't straighten all the way out, there could be several reasons why.
Maybe you tried to put on a pair of gloves that were too small and once you took them off, you couldn't straighten your finger all the way. Or perhaps your bent finger is a result of getting it caught in a door. In any case, how do you determine the severity of the damage and seek treatment?
Causes of Bent Finger
In most cases, the reason a finger won't straighten out is that the tendon that does the work is stretched or torn. Sometimes, it's because the bone where the tendon is attached has broken off, which is known as an avulsion fracture.
There are three ways the tendon can be damaged:
• Stretched out. The tendon is still attached but now it's too long.
• Torn or cut. The tendon is torn or it has been cut and now it can't pull like it's supposed to.
• Avulsion fracture. The tendon is all there and not necessarily stretched out, but the bone where it's supposed to be attached (called the insertion point) is broken. It is reminiscent of a picture falling down because the hook it was on ripped out of the wall.
Tendons are like cables attached to muscles on one end and bones on the other. When muscles contract, they pull the tendon and move the bone. It's very similar to the way hand brakes work on a bicycle or the way flight controls work on an airplane.
Fingers are special because many of the muscles that move them are pretty far away, on the forearm. Some of the tendons for the fingers run past the wrist all the way to the tips.
There are tendons on the palm side of each finger to make it close and tendons on the back side (dorsal) of each finger to extend it (make it straighten). If you tear or stretch the tendons on the dorsal side of the fingers, they won't properly straighten out.
The bones of your fingers are called phalanges and there are three for each finger (two for each thumb). The one at the tip has only one tendon to pull it out straight. If that tendon is damaged, it won't straighten all the way (the tip will stay bent).
First Aid
First aid for a mallet finger is similar to any other type of fracture. It needs to be rested and immobilized in the proper position. Initial treatment (right when it happens) should cover the usual basics of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE):
1. Protect it from further injury
2. Ice it to reduce swelling
3. Elevate it to reduce swelling
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you injure your finger and it won't straighten out within three days, you should see a healthcare provider. If it happens at a weekend football game, you can wait until Monday, for example.
This isn't something that needs to go to the emergency room unless you see blood under the fingernail or the fingernail is coming off. Blood under the nail or damage to it could indicate a severe cut or severe fracture under there.
Kids especially need to see a healthcare provider if they get a mallet fracture. In kids, the part of the bone that controls growth could be affected, which might result in a deformed finger if not treated appropriately.
Continue to ice the finger a few times a day until you can get to the healthcare provider. The medical professional will likely give you a special finger splint that keeps your finger straight. If the tendon is just stretched, keeping it straight will allow it to heal. If it's torn or if the bone is fractured, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery in order for the injury to heal correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
• How long does it take a mallet finger to heal?
Recovery depends on the type of mallet finger injury. In cases where the tendon is stretched but not torn, the finger should heal in four to six weeks if you wear a splint all the time. When the tendon is torn, it may take six to eight weeks to heal with a splint. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary if there's a serious injury.
• Can crooked fingers caused by arthritis be straightened?
Yes, but there's a downside. Surgery can fuse the the joints, straighten the finger, and alleviate pain, but you’ll lose mobility once the finger is permanently straightened.
• What is trigger finger?
Trigger finger is a condition in which a finger gets stuck in a bent position and cannot easily be straightened. There may be popping or snapping sounds along with significant pain when the finger joint does move. Trigger finger may be caused by ligament injuries, conditions such as diabetes and arthritis, or trauma to the hand.
Was this page helpful?
5 Sources
1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Mallet Finger (Baseball Finger).
2. Pingel C, McDowell C. Subungual hematoma drainage. StatPearls
3. Mount Sinai. Mallet finger - aftercare.
4. Spies CK, Langer M, Hahn P, Müller LP, Unglaub F. The treatment of primary arthritis of the finger and thumb joint. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018;115(16):269-275. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0269
5. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Trigger finger.
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Thyroid Cancer Rates Triple and Scientists Look for Cause
The thyroid is a tiny, butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of your throat and below the cartilage known as the Adam’s Apple. You can develop thyroid cancer when small tumors invade the tissue of the thyroid gland. Your thyroid gland produces several hormones that control numerous bodily functions. Some of these include body weight, body temperature, heart rate, and energy level. Cancerous tumors interfere with hormonal production and can cause several uncomfortable symptoms. The most common ones include:
• Swelling in the neck caused by a lump or nodule
• Neck pain that typically starts in the front and may spread to the ears
• Difficulty swallowing due to the presence of the lump or nodule
• Persistent cough unrelated to having a cold
• Difficulty breathing
• Hoarseness and other changes in the voice that don’t go away
Women receive a diagnosis of thyroid cancer three times as often as men. Common risk factors include a genetic predisposition, previous exposure to radiation, and a diet low in iodine. However, this doesn’t fully explain the threefold increase in the number of people doctors have diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the last 40 years.
Is It a Simple Case of Doctors Catching More Cases?
Thanks to improvements in medical technology, thyroid cancer is detected much earlier than in the past by using fine-needle biopsies and ultrasound. In fact, that’ the reason that some researchers give for the huge increase in diagnosed cases of thyroid cancer.
The threefold increase since 1975 includes slow-growing cases that typically would cause few or no symptoms over the course of a person’s lifespan. These people fall into a category that some doctors refer to as over-diagnosis. Other scientists and medical researchers argue that this explanation for the increase in thyroid cancer is far too simplistic.
What is Behind the Increase in Thyroid Cancer Rates?
In 2013, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) studied the results of 77,000 patients who received a thyroid cancer diagnosis since 1975. The biggest finding from the study was the tripling of people diagnosed with the disease in the 38-year period that the NCI studied. Another major finding that troubled the NCI was the fact that advanced cases of thyroid cancer increased by three percent every year after 1994.
Additionally, the death rate from people diagnosed in the later stages went up each year by one percent.
In terms of the number of people, diagnosed cases of thyroid cancer increased from 4.6 people per 100,000 in the mid-1970s to an average of 14.4 people per 100,000 for each year between 2010 and 2013.
Approximately 75 percent of these cases involved women, with the majority being white women.
The results of the NCI study alarmed researchers and doctors alike. Despite thyroid cancer being one of the least lethal and most treatable forms of cancer, it is killing record numbers of people each year. This is in stark contrast to other types of cancer where researchers are gaining ground and lowering fatalities.
What is Behind the Increase in Thyroid Cancer Rates?
The NCI isolated the growing obesity epidemic as one reason for the increase in thyroid cancer rates. It’s likely no coincidence that the obesity rate also tripled during the nearly 40 years that the NCI investigated. The higher your body mass index (BMI), the more likely you are to develop thyroid cancer as well as several other types of cancer.
If the trend continues unchecked, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) predicts that papillary thyroid cancer will become the third most frequent type of cancer diagnosed in American women. According to ATA and several other sources, one-third of adults in the United States have a BMI greater than 30. This is the clinical definition of obesity.
One of the most surprising findings of the NCI study was that the decrease in the number of adults who smoke has lead to an increase in thyroid cancer rates. Those who smoke have up to a 40 percent less chance of developing thyroid cancer as non-smokers do. However, researchers caution this is no reason to take up smoking as it greatly increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other types of cancer.
Over the past 40 years, exposure to pollutants and pesticides has grown at a rate faster than any other time in history. The environment, private homes and businesses, and some foods contain large amounts of chemicals that greatly increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Flammable-resistant chemicals contained in furniture, clothing, and plastics may also contain specific chemicals that are reported to link to thyroid cancer. The reason that these specific pollutants and pesticides pose danger is that they interfere with how the thyroid produces hormones, as well as other functions of the endocrine system.
As with all types of cancer, it’s important to reduce the risks you can control and receive regular check-ups if you have risk factors outside of your control. You can find award-winning preventive care and treatment for thyroid cancer right here at UPMC Western Maryland.
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• Thu. Jan 27th, 2022
World Observer
Your Wide Network
Mini Brains With Complex Neural Activity
BySam Brad
Aug 28, 2021
Brain organoids that display organized waves of electrical activity similar to those found in living human brains have been developed by specialists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The new mini-brains would allow neurological disorders to be analyzed in a model derived from stem cells.
While studying organoids grown from stem cells derived from patients with the neurological disorder known as Rett syndrome, the scientists were even able to observe patterns of electrical activity that resemble seizures, a hallmark of the disease.
According to a press release , this discovery increases the value of these human cell-based models for investigating underlying causes of disease and testing potential therapies . The new research was recently published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Generally speaking, brain organoids or laboratory mini-brains are brain-like 3D structures that are grown from human stem cells. Advances in genetics have led to the possibility of using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), which, in addition to having the potential to generate practically any other human cell, are capable of organizing in a three-dimensional way and forming structures similar to real organs.
The progress related to iPS cells has been based on various advances made in the last decade. How are they obtained? Basically, the researchers discovered how to take cells from a person’s body or from the biological substances it produces, such as skin cells or blood cells, and then genetically “transform” them in the laboratory.
Once the modification process is complete, these “normal” human cells become induced pluripotent stem cells. Subsequently, they can be directed to create any type of cell found in the body , including of course neurons, and from there develop complex organ-like structures.
According to the scientists, this work shows that it is possible to create brain organoids or mini-brains that resemble real human brain tissue, which can be used to accurately replicate certain characteristics of brain functions and also those abnormalities that lead to disease.
However, brain organoids pose an extra challenge compared to creating laboratory models of other human organs. It is that the structural complexity of the brain is unique and even many of the phenomena involved have not even been fully understood.
In addition to getting cells to organize themselves as they would in a human brain, scientists must get neurons to connect with each other, form synapses, and function as they would in a real brain. It is essential to replicate the electrical activity and the dynamics of brain waves , which are associated with specific tasks such as learning, remembering or sleeping and that when they do not show logical patterns may be indicating the emergence of some pathology.
Precisely here is the main innovation of this study: having achieved that minbrains develop complex neural activity and electrical patterns that even resemble seizures. With these organoids it will be possible to model not only the structure of the brain but also its function , something vital if we consider that many neurological diseases do not manifest themselves at a structural level.
Sam Brad
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Double negatives in english
Discussion in 'Grammar & Pronunciation' started by Alexx, Apr 25, 2008.
1. Eleshar
Eleshar Well-Known Member
The double negative in English dats back to the ancient time of proto-indoeuropean language where it was a current way of expression. So in fact it is an archaism, the way it was originally, although a little bit differently than in today's slavic languages.
Originally, double negation was allowed only if the negated verb preceeded the negative pronoun/adverb/whatever, but not vice versa (when the negative pronoun preceded the verb, the verb itself was not negated).
This priciple functions in Ancient Greek:
úk'oida údena
(I haven't seen) (no one) = "I haven't seen anyone"/"I have seen no one"
údena oida
(no one) (I have seen) = "I haven't seen anyone"/"I have seen no one"
If the verb in the second phrase is negated, the meaning is reversed:
údena úk'oida
(no one) (I haven't seen) = "I haven't seen *no one*"/"I did actually see someone"
Just like in today's English, but only with proper intonation... there has to be an accent on "no one" in order to consider it to be negated negation and not simply bad grammar.
In Czech, the negation is always double without relation to the word order (if there is not double negation, the meaning is different).
2. wer
wer Well-Known Member
Not always, actually.
Both single and double negation works with "žádný" and it has identical meaning. That's because the original positive adjective "žádný" evolved into negative pronoun and the double negation was thus non-productive.
And there are other irregularities related to non-productive negations (compare "nebýt ve sváru" and "nebýt v nesváru") or to negations hidden in conjuctions (consider "ani" which unlike "aniž" calls for double negation).
3. Eleshar
Eleshar Well-Known Member
I am not aware of any single negation with word "žádný". Enlighten me...
And yes, negative conjuctions are a very good remark :twisted:
4. wer
wer Well-Known Member
The most basic construction with "žádný" is not proper double negation because the pronoun "žádný" itself is an improper negation. To form the proper double negation you have to use the form "nižádný".
"Žádný" by its original meaning stays for "desired", so the phrase "není tam žádný" actually means "the desired one is not there" (~ t. d. o. is missing) which is a single negation.
In modern Czech both "není tam žádný" and "není tam nižádný" could be used in place of English "there is none", but the later is rarely used because the proper double negation is not productive.
Formerly, when the original meaning of "žádný" was still in use, the double negation was productive and thus in common use. Old Czech differenciated (the example is in terms of modern Czech):
nemá nižádného muže = she has no man/husband
nemá žádného muže = she has no desired man = she has no lover
5. Eleshar
Eleshar Well-Known Member
Ok, I understand what you mean now, but still "žádný" today does not have but negative meaning, so it can be considered double negation (the word does not occur in any non-negative sentence as far as I am aware).
6. Sova
Sova Well-Known Member
Interesting discussion, wer and Eleshar, on the word "žadný." Interestingly enough, the Russian equivalent "жадный" typically is used to mean "greedy." Still, I can see the corruption of the original meaning in the common root. Thanks for the etymology lesson!
7. wer
wer Well-Known Member
Cognate indeed, both come from Old Slavic “жѧдати” (= to desire, to thirst) which evolved into Czech “žádat” (= to demand) and Russian “жаждать” (= to thirst). But the proper morphological equivalent of Czech “žádný” is missing in Russian:
Czech | Polish | Ukrainian | Russian | meaning
žádný | żaden | жоден/жодний | (N/A) | none/neither
(N/A)¹| żądny | (N/A)¹ | жадный | greedy/thirsty
¹ As for the meaning there exists Czech equivalent “žádostivý” and Ukrainian “жадібний” and it is cognate indeed, but morphologically it is different.
Compare also with Czech “žádaný” (= demanded).
8. Alexx
Alexx Well-Known Member
Yesterday I unintentionally created nice example of "double" negative in czech:
Nikdo to nikdy nijak neověřuje.
(Nobody ever verifies it in any way, lit. Nobody never doesn't verify if in no way).
It might look strange but it is perfectly correct czech sentence.
9. Sova
Sova Well-Known Member
Nikdo nic nikdy nijak neověřuje. :D
10. wer
wer Well-Known Member
Nikdo nic nikde nikomu nikdy nijak neověřuje. :D
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Mappō (a.k.a mòfǎ, mạt pháp) is a term used by the majority of Mahayana Buddhism branches in East and Southeast Asia. It was mentioned in the Mahayana Mahaparinirvaṇa Sutra, signalling the declination of Buddhism and corruption of society as a whole. The sutra painted a grim picture of Buddhism's future, where monks violate the precepts and preach a perverted version of the Buddha's teaching.
Most of the times where this concept is mentioned, it is to achieve political purposes, e.g to gain legitimacy by demonising other people or sects. This has happened since more than a thousand years ago, in ancient China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and is still going on.
Personally, I found the concept and its details unhelpful since it gives practitioners (especially beginners) the feeling that the world is falling apart. I'd like know why such description is necessary for Buddhists to know, and what is the optimal way to address it?
First - though it my be a bit of an aside — I don't see mappõ as a 'singular' age. Mappõ is part of the cycles of the karmic world: the metaphorical winter before the spring of the path's perennial rediscovery. Until that long-off day when all beings reach enlightenment, the teachings will degenerate, and from that degeneration they will be discovered again, over and again.
That being said, I think it's wise for anyone on the path to recognize that the teachings are offered within the world, framed by the ignorance and attachments that people in the world bring with them. This is as true of teachers as of students; as I see it, the conflicts born of such inevitable cravings and misunderstandings within different sects and schools bring this degeneration about, as they confront each other over the 'truth' of the teachings. The least awake among us might use the concept of mappõ as a charge to be leveled against other sects or the world at large, with the best intentions, or without. But if we take it instead as an observation into the nature of the world we live in — the collective karma that we are all born into — it can make us more diligent and circumspect in our practice.
• 1
I'll mark this as the best answer. It addressed mappō, sectarianism and the attitude we should have towards them. Other answers were helpful, but vague or did not touch the political issues in Buddhism. Aug 23 '21 at 7:17
The purpose of the teaching of the degenerate age of Buddhism, is to remind monks and students of the Dhamma that they should be cautious not to be enchanted by the elegant words of contemporary unenlightened self-proclaimed gurus, teachers and prophets, while neglecting the true Dhamma, the teachings of the Buddha.
SN 20.7
• Would this make beginners more doubtful? Maybe I'm underestimating them, but I've always assumed that it requires advanced knowledge in Buddhism to distinguish good teachers from bad ones, given that quite a lot of bad (or unskilled) teachers hold privileged status. Aug 23 '21 at 2:12
• @viptrongproz98 Well, I expect beginners to be reading about the four noble truths or the biography of the Buddha, rather than digging deep into the suttas.
– ruben2020
Aug 23 '21 at 2:48
• Dhamma Talks in Vietnam are mostly for beginners and laymen. A teacher will eventually cite suttas somewhere in a talk. Even the four noble truths or the biography of the Buddha is most likely discussed here. I do appreciate the academic approach to Buddhism in the West, but this is not the norm here. Aug 23 '21 at 3:54
• With regard to your first paragraph, I find it to be a great sadness that one feels they must adhere to a stringent set of principles in these ways. One becomes concretized and encased in iron and reconcile with themselves by calling it a version of Buddhism. I guess this way of doing things might work, I don't know. The reality is much more fluid, malleable and creative, and brings forth a way to demonstrate dhamma in other ways through the unique nature of that person. This is the truest love.
– Max
Aug 23 '21 at 11:37
• @Max There are a lot of New Age enthusiasts who are interested in Buddhism, but when they go deep into it, they find that the Buddha didn't really teach the opening up of chakras or fine tuning of auras or quantum healing or meditation with scented candles plus music of ocean waves.
– ruben2020
Aug 23 '21 at 13:39
Tough times are inevitable:
DN26:19.1: There will come a time, mendicants, when these people will have children who live for ten years.
DN26:21.2: During that time they will see each other as beasts.
DN26:21.3: Sharp swords will appear in their hands,
DN26:21.4: with which they’ll take each other’s life, crying, ‘It’s a beast! It’s a beast!’
Yet for some, just as inexorably, prudence and conscience will provide an escape from tough times:
DN26:21.5: But then some of those beings will think,
DN26:21.6: ‘Let us neither be perpetrators nor victims! Why don’t we hide in thick grass, thick jungle, thick trees, inaccessible riverlands, or rugged mountains and survive on forest roots and fruits?’
From that narrow escape will spring hope, faith and skill:
DN26:21.10.0: 6. The Period of Growth
DN26:21.11: Then those beings will think,
DN26:21.12: ‘It’s because we undertook unskillful things that we suffered such an extensive loss of our relatives.
DN26:21.13: We’d better do what’s skillful.
Today we see signs that remind us of that very perilous decline. Seeing those signs, should we give up and roll down the cliff?
Or should we attend to what we can skillfully do?
DN26:22.1: Then those beings will think,
DN26:22.2: ‘Because of undertaking this skillful thing, our lifespan and beauty are growing.
DN26:22.3: Why don’t we do even more skillful things?
Should we read the full sutta or just stop at the horror?
"it gives practitioners (especially beginners) the feeling that the world is falling apart", that's totally straight to point: urgency, since it soon breaks for one appart. If a fool nevertheless does not go after right effort, what else could the great Teacher have left behind for him... so what is good householder waiting for not to seek for going forth, now if aware of the danger around?
Fear of the world (of senses), seeing it's hoples bound to corruption, saṃvega, is the very prequisite for Refuge into the Gems, Awakening, and so most skillful if one is able to ser, confirm the 1. Noble Truth in all aspects: Affirming the Truths of the Heart: The Buddhist Teachings on Samvega & Pasada
See also 'future' dangers, and more detail, urgency reasons.
The destruction of society represents the turmoil of the samsaric cycle. I think it can be helpful, not unhelpful, for practitioners to see the unwholesomeness in the world or, to use your words, the grim picture. We come to understand maturity and immaturity and this sets a marker from which one can study the behaviour of humankind and how that behaviour influences our thoughts, speech and actions. After some time, we discover that we no longer want to look at the world in such ways, we discover that we don't like what we see in the world, and we may feel bad towards them - but this is helpful. It is a kind of strange grief that, if embraced, leads to a great opening imbued with great wisdom alongside the unmanifested.
Now, here's the thing: With all the world's stories put on pause, what is actually happening within the various dualities of the world is an affectionate gyration of love in all its many guises, and that those seeming individual manifestations (the ten thousand things) are the innocence of that love.
The optimal way to address, and to discuss it skilfully, is to recognize this love in the way the Buddha phrases in the Lotus sutra...
According to how all the living beings
In previous lives put down good roots,
They have knowledge of the mature
And of those who are immature,
They take it all into account,
Articulate it in their understanding,
And following the way of the one vehicle
They appropriately expound the three.’
We are in the Latter Day of the law. There are three periods of time that the Buddha said would take place after his death. The first period is named the Former Day of the Law. During this time, many people attained the way and were able to adhere to the precepts. During the middle Day of the Law, Buddhism began to deteriorate and not many people attained Buddhahood as the amount of people who did in the Former Day of the Law. During the Latter Day of the Law, almost everyone is tainted by greed anger and Foolishness. That is not a joke. This is a scary time we are in. Almost, zero people will gain enlightenment. Just look at the world today. The Buddha saw all of this coming. If the Buddha told his disciples about the Latter Day of the Law, then ordinary teachers of the present time should do the same. Here is a Sutra to support what I have said.
The Nirvana Sutra says: “There are icchantikas, or persons of incorrigible disbelief. They pretend to be arhats, living in deserted places and speaking slanderously of the correct and equal sutras of the great vehicle. When ordinary people see them, they all suppose that they are true arhats and speak of them as great bodhisattvas.” It also says: “After the Former Day of the Law has ended and the Middle Day of the Law has begun, there will be monks who will give the appearance of abiding by the rules of monastic discipline. But they will scarcely ever read or recite the sutras, and instead will crave all kinds of food and drink to nourish their bodies. . . . Though they wear the clothes of a monk, they will go about searching for alms like so many huntsmen who, narrowing their eyes, stalk softly. They will be like a cat on the prowl for mice.” The Parinirvāna Sutra states, “There are also icchantikas who resemble arhats but who commit evil deeds.”
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What Makes Alcohol So Addictive?
Much of the treatment community for alcoholism supports an abstinence-based zero tolerance approach; however, some prefer a harm-reduction approach. Due to medical problems that can occur during withdrawal, alcohol cessation should be controlled carefully. One common method involves the use of benzodiazepine medications, such as diazepam. These can be taken while admitted to a health care institution or individually. The medications acamprosate, disulfiram or naltrexone may also be used to help prevent further drinking.Not everyone who abuses alcohol will develop an addiction, but as use continues, the risk grows. We know the struggle, which is why we’re uniquely qualified to help. Addiction can result from the psychological triggers of drinking alcohol. Learn about the factors that lead to alcoholism and why alcohol is addictive. Adults who first used alcohol before they turned 15 are 7 times more likely to develop alcoholism than adults who first used alcohol at the age of 21. A 2009 New York Times article estimated that as many as half of all alcoholics are high-functioning alcoholics. Lawyers, professors, and doctors make up a large portion of these individuals.
what makes alcohol so addictive?
Unlike alcoholics, alcohol abusers have some ability to set limits on their drinking. However, their alcohol use is still self-destructive and dangerous to themselves or others. Much previous addiction research has relied on models in which rodents learn to self-administer addictive substances, but without other options that could compete with drug use. It was French neuroscientist Serge Ahmed who recognized this as a major limitation to understanding addition biology given that, in reality, only a minority of humans develops addiction to a particular substance. By offering an alternative reward , his team showed only a minority of rats develop a harmful preference for drug use—a finding that has now been confirmed with several other commonly abused drugs. BRC stands for “Bringing Real Change,” and is an industry-leading provider of treatment services designed to meet the needs of an ever-changing landscape of substance use disorder. BRC Healthcare and its family of programs have a rich history of providing treatment that is structured to ensure personal attention.
Alcohol Withdrawals Make It Difficult To Stop Drinking
• This group, however, showed fewer initial symptoms of dependency.
• Not everyone who abuses alcohol will develop an addiction, but as use continues, the risk grows.
Lastly, all teenagers undergo significant life transitions from the changes that happen to their bodies and minds during puberty. Our focus at BlueCrest is on solutions to addiction and mental health challenges, not living in the problem. Our therapeutic approach is grounded in the most reliable clinical practices for substance abuse recovery. Maybe you can find a group of people who enjoy the same activities but don’t need to be drinking to do them. Or, if you realize that you’re only doing these things because you’re drunk, this shows you that they’re not really that important to you. If you think that you or a loved one are addicted to alcohol, don’t worry.Some symptoms, like anxiety and poor sleep, can last for six months or more. Though this may be discouraging, people in recovery from alcohol use can establish a happy and fulfilling life with time and patience. Learn about the dangers of alcohol abuse and how to get help for alcoholism. If you or a loved one are addicted to alcohol, take a look at yourtreatment optionsat The Recovery Village. Because it is so common in today’s culture, alcohol is often abused alongside other drugs. As a CNS Depressant, alcohol poses a serious risk when mixed with other drugs of the same class like Benzodiazepines and some Painkillers.
Emotional And Behavioural Symptoms
The anti-smoking drug varenicline significantly reduced alcohol consumption and craving among people with AUD. Ideally, health professionals would be able to identify which AUD treatment is most effective for each person. NIAAA and other organizations are conducting research to identify genes and other factors that can predict how well someone will respond to a particular treatment. These advances could optimize how treatment decisions are made in the future. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved three medications for treating alcohol dependence, and others are being tested to determine whether they are effective. Brief Interventionsare short, one-on-one or small-group counseling sessions that are time limited. The counselor provides information about the individual’s drinking pattern and potential risks.A subset of the study’s respondents (47.1%) qualified as heavy alcohol users. Research shows that people who drink before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become addicted to alcohol later in life. Once the effects of alcohol wear off, so does the feeling of happiness, pleasure and satisfaction caused by the neurotransmitters. A person can experience these feelings again if they drink alcohol again.
Signs And Symptoms Of Alcoholism Alcohol Dependence
Dependence is a physical process, while addiction is a form of psychological dependence. Alcohol addiction’s psychological signs can either mask a mental health condition by covering up its symptoms or intensify symptoms of a co-occurring disorder. Accurately identifying all present psychological disorders is extremely challenging when alcohol abuse is still happening. Despite the fact that alcohol is one of the most popular and commonly-used drugs on the planet, it remains one of the most dangerous and addictive. Alcohol can create serious physical and psychological dependence and the withdrawal symptoms can be extremely dangerous. Alcohol withdrawal is the term used to describe the symptoms that someone experiences when they stop drinking after developing a dependece.After all, drinking alcohol incites the release of “feel good” chemicals within the brain such as endorphins and dopamine. Those problems could includedepression, an inability to manage stress, an unresolved trauma from your childhood, or any number of mental health issues. Such problems may become more prominent when you’re no longer using alcohol to cover them up.
what makes alcohol so addictive?
Shame is one of the most difficult emotions for many to cope with, and it is also one of the most traumatic. Many people drink because they don’t feel adequately connected to others. They believe that alcohol will either feel the void or possibly make it easier for them to forge new bonds. In the United States, 18 million adults have an alcohol use disorder .We can help you explore treatment options, find the right rehab center, and design a plan that meets your needs. Endorphins lead to feelings of relaxation, pleasure, and satisfaction. Remember that changing deep habits is hard, takes time, and requires repeated efforts.We usually experience failures along the way, learn from them, and then keep going. Overcoming alcohol use disorder is an ongoing process, one which can include setbacks.Drugs or alcohol can hijack the pleasure/reward circuits in your brain and hook you into wanting more and more. Addiction can also send your emotional danger-sensing circuits into overdrive, making you feel anxious and stressed when you’re not using the drugs or alcohol. At this stage, people often use drugs or alcohol to keep from feeling bad rather than for their pleasurable effects. People with a substance use disorder, like alcoholism, will likely always be tempted to consume more and, if left unchecked, way too much of it. In 2015, 66.7 million people in the United States reported binge drinking in the past month. Friends and family members of people who have an alcohol addiction can benefit from professional support or by joining programs like Al-Anon.
what makes alcohol so addictive?
Whether a person drinks alcohol in their teens, twenties, or as an adult, alcohol is a popular and easily obtained substance. It may also cause fetal alcohol syndrome, resulting in giving birth to a child who has physical and developmental problems that last a lifetime.Alcohol does increase the likelihood of other drug use, including the other gateway drugs . They refuse to discuss their drinking or become angry when it is mentioned. More than 10% of American children live in a household where at least one parent has a drinking problem. If you suspect someone is experiencing alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately. If you do not have access to a phone contact Web Poison Control Services for online assistance. People develop a tolerance for alcohol, making the “high” more difficult to achieve.In a small number of individuals, prolonged, severe alcohol misuse ultimately leads to cognitive impairment and frank dementia. If a person stops drinking suddenly, they could experience dangerous withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can be both physical and psychological and can include tremors, sweating, seizures, or severe anxiety. The safest way to withdraw from alcohol is with the help of a medical detox program. Alcohol is a legal controlled substance that lowers anxiety and inhibitions with a broad range of side effects, such as loss of coordination to slurred speech. Not everyone who drinks is an alcoholic; but when a person has no control over their drinking, they likely have an alcohol use disorder . In the US, over 14 million adults struggle with an addiction to alcohol.Furthermore, many people with anxiety or depression aren’t even aware that they have these issues. They may simply believe that it’s normal to feel this way, or that life is just unfair, and rationalize having a drink so that they feel better. Rather than opting to permanently deal with their anxiety or depression, many people turn to alcohol in hopes of numbing these feelings. If you are using alcohol to numb some sort of emotion rather than processing it, this is a good way to start a psychological addiction. This becomes a problem when you continue to abuse a substance or behavior so much that your dopamine system becomes overloaded. It becomes reliant on this behavior in order to release a normal amount of dopamine.
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RAE working on country’s long-term energy plan, due by end of year
RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, backed by environment and energy ministry, is working on delivering a long-term energy plan for Greece by the end of this year.
The plan will include initiatives to help Greece reach climate change targets the country agreed to, for 2030, at the COP21 climate conference in Paris late in 2015, and also detail energy market revisions, including pricing issues.
The European Commission’s recent winter package, announced in November, requires all EU member states to prepare national energy and climate plans, based on 2030 targets, within 2017.
RAE has assumed the task of preparing a plan based on new conditions and needs. It will provide proposals for revisions to the country’s energy portfolio, detailing necessary investments and infrastructrure, all in line with EU directives.
Besides ensuring a gradual expansion of the renewable energy sector, the RAE plan will also aim to achieve a balanced mix of energy-generating technologies, improve energy efficiency, and further diversify conventional energy sources through the development of new pipelines, refineries, natural gas and oil storage facilities, electicity network interconnection projects, and smart meters capable of handling renewable energy output fluctuations.
The RAE plan will also provide prerequisites needed for the establishment of a modern energy market for electricity and gas. Its framework will include features such as a secondary market.
Lessons learnt from the energy supply crisis last winter will help shape the long-term energy plan.
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How to Spread Compost on the Lawn
Compost for lawns can be made from grass clippings, fruit and vegetable waste or even coffee grounds. You can also include things like dead twigs and leaves along with some water for extra moisture.
After the materials that have been composted break down, the material turns into rich, organic matter that helps gardens to grow. It is often mixed into soil and used as garden mulch, but can compost be used on lawns? If so, how is spreading it on your lawn best achieved?
Compost for Lawns
Adding compost to an existing lawn or garden is called “top-dressing,” according to The Grounds Guys. Composting lawns will bulk up sandy soil and help with moisture retention. The compost can also break up heavy clay soil, which helps the roots of trees, shrubs and other plants to get established. It also helps the ground sustain beneficial microorganisms, like helpful bacteria and fungi.
Top-dressing a lawn with compost can be achieved in a few ways. Put the compost in a wheelbarrow and find a shovel. You don’t have to spread the compost perfectly, but do try to spread it as evenly as possible. If there are clumps, use a rake to spread the compost out some more.
According to Savvy Gardening, you can also use a compost spreader or rolling peat moss spreader, which may require less effort. These tools have openings at the bottom, but damp compost may clog them. Both are more expensive than wheelbarrows, but the amount of time saved may be well worth it depending on your budget.
Compost, Grass Seed and Vegetables
Adding grass seed to your lawn can be time-consuming and expensive, so you’ll certainly want to do it properly. If you’re wondering about using topsoil or compost for grass seed, you can add compost to the soil first to promote growth. Multiply the length and width of the seeding area and then multiply that total by a third this is how much compost you will need. The lawn also should be well-tilled.
Spread the compost right on top of the tilled soil and rake it evenly over the lawn. You should be left with a layer that is about 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle the grass seed evenly on top with a spreader, covering the lawn once one way and then make a second pass going the other way. Water the lawn using a soft sprayer rather than something heavier, as using a heavy tool can disturb the grass seed.
Are you considering top-dressing vegetable gardens with compost? Amy Pennington likes using compost in newly planted vegetable gardens. You can add a few layers of store-bought compost when planting in the spring, but she suggests adding homemade compost in autumn because it takes longer to degrade. Pennington suggests the “side-dressing” method for vegetable gardens (placing the compost a few inches to the side of each plant) since these plants are more established. This protects the plant stems, and it also helps to retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing.
Homemade Compost for Lawns
In addition to the organic materials, you can add bread, young weeds, newspaper and even cooked pasta to your compost pile. Avoid tossing in diseased weeds, perennial weeds and any weeds or plants that have been treated with chemicals, however. This is especially important if you’ll be using your compost to grow fruits or vegetables or if you have pets or young children who will be playing on your composted lawn.
Store the compost in a large bin in the sun, as this speeds the degrading process. You can add water if it starts to dry out.
Turning the compost from time to time also hastens the process, and you can do this with a shovel. Homemade compost can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to be ready for use. Wait until it turns a deep, rich brown color and resembles dirt. If you do not want to wait that long, opt for bagged compost.
Things You Will Need
• Compost
• Wheelbarrow
• Shovel
• Rake
• Compost spreader or rolling peat moss spreader
• Grass seed
• Tiller
• Soft sprayer
• Composting bin
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The Differences Between Diving with Nitrox or Air
a man swimming in the water
The Differences Between Diving with Nitrox or Air
Nitrox is a combination of gases, used in scuba diving, different from the air we commonly breathe. It’s composed of oxygen and nitrogen of 21% and 79% respectively. While Nitrox or enriched air, contains a higher proportion of oxygen than atmospheric air. This proportion may vary, although the most used in diving is from 32% to 36% of oxygen, and 68% to 63% of nitrogen.
Benefits of Nitrox
The air enriched with more oxygen, allows us to dive longer without decompression, and reduces the waiting time between dives. In addition, breathing more oxygen makes us less tired, fresher and more agile during and after the dive. Another advantage is the lower risk of nitrogen absorption in the body, so the probability of nitrogen narcosis is reduced.
All of them, make technical or recreational diving much more interesting because we can spend more time in the water.
Nitrox Problems
However there are some disadvantages of nitrox, which make it not the standard air combination in diving. It reduces the maximum depth of the dive, because oxygen becomes toxic after increasing the pressure. We must know the Maximum Operating Depth MPO, when the partial pressure of oxygen reaches 1.4 bar (140 kPa), and not exceed it because we would be putting our life at risk. Also oxygen intoxication has not previous alarm symptoms, such as nitrogen narcosis. So it’s more difficult to note and we can die drowned by beginning to convulse, spit out the regulator and become unconscious.
Another problem is that bottles and valves compatible with the use of oxygen are required, because it can generate combustion on contact with certain organic compounds. For all of that, a previous technical course is necesary before to use enriched air instead of standard air, in addition a good buoyancy control. Take the course in Cancun with us.
In summary, despite its advantages, the use of nitrox limits depth, requires more tank maintenance, and does not prevent decompression.
If you want to learn more about nitrox and oxygen intoxication check here
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Reasons why Mathematics is the key
Mathematics is the key in all aspects so life in different ways as given below.
Mathematics gives a scope in logical reasoning in trying to get solutions to respective problems.
Mathematics enables one to think broad and analyse issues before they get into real life.
Enables predictions and future plans.
Enhances creativity and innovations.
Mathematics enables one to balance things in life.
Enables organisations to prioritize and implement plans.
How do you vote?
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All You Need to Know about Bonafide Certificate
Bonafide is simply a term to define if someone is genuine or not. So, a bona fide certificate is something that certifies you are from a particular organization or institution. Take the Aadhar card as an example that proves our identity. The bonafide certificate is also proof of identity but works differently. It works as proof which details one’s most necessary material like the name of the issuer, name of the organization or institution, class, or position. If you are confused about the process of making bona fide, then this article will come in handy. Here’s all you need to know about the bonafide certificate.
First, let me point out where we use this. A bonafide certificate is valuable in many scenarios. Either you are a student or an employee, it solves your issues within minutes.
Uses of Bonafide Certificate
1. It can be used for many purposes like passport, visa, study abroad scholarship, new job application.
2. When applying for concession like bus, train or metro fare from a student’s side, a bona fide certificate is valuable there.
3. If a student applies for a loan, a concession may be available after producing a bonafide certificate.
4. Some corporates may provide this certificate to the employees so that they can avail themselves of the concession when travelling.
So, you see there are many facilities if you have this certificate. Now, let’s know the structure of the certificate.
Structure of Bonafide Certificate
Different organizations or institutions have different formats. But some particular points are inevitable to mention.
1. A bonafide certificate must be addressed to the head of the organization.
2. The name of the issuer.
3. What is the position, class or department?
4. The important point is to mention the purpose.
5. Ensure to attest the certificate by the head of the organization.
Here I am attaching the most accepted format. Though this defines a student’s perspective, the same format will be applied to an employee also.
Now, the article has made you curious to know about its application process, which is the ultimate motive of this article to provide you with the solution. And I think we all want to know how the reader can get that one. Here’s how you can avail a bonafide certificate.
1. One can get the application form from offline or online mode through the organization or institution’s portal.
2. You can register your necessary details in the form and submit them for the certificate.
3. If there is no option to avail a prescribed form online or offline mode, you can write a letter also by following the same format, which will take a few minutes to make it. Fill out the necessary details and submit them to the authority.
Some colleges or institution may take a small amount of processing fees to obtain the certificate. One has to fill out the form and pay the fees in the end. And finally, the bonafide certificate will be in your hand.
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Is an LLC a Corporation or Sole Proprietorship?
Business woman looking at her work tablet.
A limited liability company (LLC) is neither a corporation nor is it a sole proprietorship. Instead, an LLC is a hybrid business structure that combines the limited liability of a corporation with the simplicity of a partnership or sole proprietorship.
Keep reading to learn about each business structure and whether a sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation is right for your business.
What Are Sole Proprietorships, Corporations, and LLCs?
Sole proprietorships, corporations, and LLCs are three different types of business structures. Each has its own list of pros and cons, and the best structure will depend on your business’s needs.
Sole Proprietorships
A sole proprietorship is a business that is owned by one person and is not registered with the state. This is an informal business structure that does not have any formation requirements.
Sole proprietorships experience pass-through taxation, which means that all of the business’s profits and losses “pass through” to its owner to be declared on their personal tax return. All of the sole proprietorship’s profits are taxed once at the individual tax rate.
While sole proprietorships are simple in structure, they do not provide any limited liability protection. If someone sues your business, your personal assets (e.g., your home, your car, etc.) are at risk. Sole proprietorships may also appear less credible because of their informal structure.
A corporation is a formal business structure that is legally separate from its owners, which consist of shareholders. . Corporations benefit from limited liability protection in the event that the company gets sued, meaning that owners won’t be held personally liable in the event of a company-related lawsuit or bankruptcy.
C corporations pay taxes on their profits; then they distribute the profits to shareholders, who then pay taxes on the dividends.This is commonly referred to as “double taxation,” and can be appealing to investors because C corp shareholders only have to pay taxes on the corporation’s profits if they receive a distribution.
Corporations can also elect to be taxed as an S corporation, which allows the corporation’s profits to “pass through” to the owners’ individual income tax returns without being taxed the corporate tax rate. Instead, shareholders report their share of the profits as salaries on their personal tax returns and pay personal income tax on that.
A downside of the corporate business structure is that it is a complex structure. Corporations require more paperwork, more overhead, and more compliance requirements (e.g., board of directors, bylaws, recordkeeping, annual meetings, etc.) than other formal business structures like LLCs.
An LLC is a type of business organization that is a hybrid between a corporation and a sole proprietorship. Like a corporation, LLCs provide limited liability protection to its owners. Unlike a corporation, LLCs are simple to form and simple to maintain. Instead of bylaws, a board of directors, and shareholders, LLCs have operating agreements, members, and/or managers.
Because of their hybrid structure, LLCs have the ability to customize their tax structures. By default, LLCs are taxed as and considered by the IRS as “disregarded entities” (i.e., sole proprietorships for single-member LLCs and partnerships for multi-member LLCs). This means that LLCs can benefit from pass-through taxation.
However, LLCs can also elect to be taxed as a C corp or an S corp. This may prove beneficial to single-member LLC owners that may find it harder to keep themselves separate from their company.
Single-Member LLC vs. Multi-Member LLC
A single-member LLC is one person who is the only owner of the LLC. A multi-member LLC has more than one person with ownership.
A single-member LLC is owned by one person, who has the right to manage the company. A single-member LLC is not recognized in all states.
A single-member LLC is not subject to the same rules as a multi-member LLC. A single-member LLC has one owner and does not have any managers.
A multi-member LLC is owned by more than one person and has at least one manager.
Why Does the Right Business Entity Matter?
Choosing your business structure is extremely important. From taxes to how the business is run, your structure is almost like a rule book.
If you need to change your business structure, don’t worry. You can always change business structures. However, it may be a bit more difficult. You may have to deal with a lot of paperwork or even hire a lawyer.
LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is a business owned and run by one person. The owner has the complete authority to manage the company as he or she sees fit, without any legal requirements for consultation with other stakeholders.
A limited liability company, on the other hand, is a business entity that can provide personal protection to its owners. This means according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that an LLC's owners have limited liability for the debts of the company, provided that all of the company's members are also members of the LLC.
LLC vs. Corporation
Corporations and LLCs are both formal business structures that provide limited liability to their owners, making them good business structures for companies with higher risks.
However, corporations are complex entities that require more recordkeeping and oversight than LLCs do. The C corp tax structure may also be unappealing to small business owners due to the risk of double taxation.
LLCs, on the other hand, are relatively simple to form and maintain, and businesses can choose whether to be taxed as a corporation or not. However, the LLC structure may make finding outside investments difficult, as investors typically prefer the ease of working with C corporations.
Final Thoughts
Rest assured that no matter what business type you land on, you will be able to operate. However, if you are a one-man show or if you are freelancing, you may want to file a sole proprietorship. With this structure, you may not need to file a separate tax return, but these business owners are personally liable. However, if you have multiple people within your company, and you do not want that personal liability, an LLC may be your route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is business income treated differently for a sole proprietorship vs. an LLC or corporation?
The only difference is the type of taxes that may be owed on the money. Sole proprietorships and LLCs must pay taxes on income at their individual tax rates, while corporations must pay taxes on income at the corporate level and then distribute profits to shareholders.
Can a sole proprietorship have multiple owners?
No. A sole proprietorship only has one owner.
What personal liability protection does an LLC have?
An LLC has a shield against personal liability known as the “corporate veil.”
The corporate veil protects members of an LLC from personal liability for business debts and obligations. That is, if the LLC gets sued, the owners’ personal assets (e.g., home, car, personal accounts, etc.) are not at risk.
However, LLCs must also work to maintain their personal liability protection in order to avoid “piercing” the corporate veil. Keeping personal and business finances separate as well as maintaining compliance will help protect the corporate veil.
What is the right business structure for a small business?
For most small business owners, we recommend starting an LLC. LLCs provide personal liability protection, which can protect its owners’ personal assets in the event that the business is sued, and they also provide a simple structure to form and maintain.
However, the best business structure ultimately depends on a business’s needs. Read our guide to choosing a business structure to learn more.
Can a sole proprietorship deduct business expenses?
Yes, a sole proprietorship can deduct business expenses, provided that they meet the IRS definition of “ordinary and necessary” business expenses. Sole proprietors can deduct these expenses on Schedule C of their individual Form 1040 return.
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Quick Answer: Can you use GDB with Python?
A set of GDB macros with Python is distributed to help troubleshoot Python processing. You can install them by adding miscellaneous content/gdbinit in the Python sources after ~/. gdbinit – or copy it from Subversion. Make sure you’re using the correct version for your version of Python; otherwise some functions will not work.
What Python uses GDB?
23.3 Extending GDB with Python GDB can be built with Python 2 or Python 3; you have depends on this option at configuration time. Python scripts used by GDB must be installed in the data/python directory, where data directory is the data directory specified when starting GDB (see Data Files).
How do I run a Python program in GDB?
Use the File command. Do you have a pending breakpoint of future shared library loading? (jo [n]) and breakpoint 1 (test.py:3) waiting. (gdb) run test.py launcher: /usr/bin/python test.py … and while the entire python script is running in gdb, the breakpoint is simply never hit.
How do I import GDB into Python?
1. GDB embeds the Python interpreter so that Python can be used as an extension language.
2. You just can’t import gdb from /usr/bin/python like a normal Python library, because GDB isn’t structured like a library.
3. What you can do is get MY-SCRIPT.py from gdb (equivalent to running gdb -x MY-SCRIPT.py).
What is GDB in Python?
GDB provides two commands to access the Python interpreter and a related configuration: python-interactive [ command ] Pi [ command ] Without any arguments, the python-interactive command can be used to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to GDB, type the EOF character (for example, Ctrl-D at an empty prompt).
Is GDB written in Python?
It was written for GDB using the Python API and is maintained by the libstdc++ library developers. The API used and implemented is the GDB Python Pretty Printer interface.
Where is Python GDB PY?
The script at `Tools/gdb/libpython.py` has helper functions for troubleshooting Python processes in gdb. If it is installed in `{exe} -gdb.py`, gdb will load it automatically whenever it is in safe mode.
How do I troubleshoot a Python run?
To start the debugger in the interactive Python console, use run() or runeval(). To continue debugging, at the command prompt (Pdb), type Continue and press Enter. If you want to know what options we can use when doing this, double click on the tab after the command line (Pdb).
What is Python symbol debugging?
A debug symbol is a special type of symbol that adds additional information to an object file’s symbol table, such as: B. a shared library or executable file.
How does the GDB work?
How to troubleshoot a C program with gdb in 6 easy steps
1. Write a sample C program with errors to troubleshoot.
2. Compile the C program with the -g debug option.
3. start gdb.
4. Set a breakpoint in the C program.
5. Run the C program in the gdb troubleshooter.
6. Printing variable values in the gdb debugger.
How to add a breakpoint in GDB?
Setting breakpoints A breakpoint is like a break in your code: whenever gdb encounters a breakpoint, it stops executing the program and allows you to examine it. To set breakpoints, type break [filename]:[linenumber]„. For example, if you want to set a breakpoint at line 55 of the main.
How do I stop GDB debugging?
Quit GDB To quit GDB, use the quit command (abbreviated q) or type an end-of-file character (usually Cd). If you don’t specify an expression, GDB exits normally; otherwise it exits with the result of the expression as an error code.
Where is Gdbinite?
gdbinit: put it in your home directory. Now gdb executes the commands in this file every time it starts. „. gdbinit is a file you can put in your home directory that is scanned by gdb when gdb is started from the command line or Xcode.
How do I print a Python version?
Check the Python version of the command line/script
1. Check the version of Python on the command line: –version, -V, -VV.
2. Check the version of Python in the script: sys, platform. Various strings of information, including the version number: sys.version. Tuple version numbers: sys.version_info.
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What is "gasless"?
Gasless is a collective name for techniques in which heat is produced using electricity. Where possible, electricity is generated on or around the building, for example with solar panels on the roof. Many new homes are already very energy efficient and use all electric systems.
National electricity grid
Sometimes too little electricity is generated to heat the house or the building. For example at night or during winter cold. In those cases, all-electric systems use power from the national electricity grid. If too much power is generated, it will be fed back into the national electricity grid. Zero-on-the-meter (NOM)
Everything in your home on electric? Quite a crazy thought that you no longer need gas as a source of energy. But the reality is that gas heating has had its longest time. Stick to your old (read expensive) energy source or make the switch to the new way of heating.
Sun and wind, free energy sources
Use the sun and wind as an energy source and you have the cleanest way of generating energy. Generating electricity yourself is becoming cheaper and simpler and is also very suitable for home use.
Generate energy yourself
Solar panels: already a well-known phenomenon. Small-scale wind energy: is already possible nowadays. Windmill: buying a share in a windmill provides free electricity.
The disadvantages of gas
Gas is no longer the most economical way of heating. Gas is a fossil fuel. Once it runs out. Gas extraction is the cause of subsidence and earthquakes. The import of gas makes us dependent on foreign countries and therefore vulnerable.
The advantages of gasless
You only need 1 utility connection. You save 1 x the costs of standing fees and network. If you live in a low-energy house, the proportion of standing costs is disproportionately high compared to gas consumption.
The benefits of your own energy source
Optimal yield of your self generated electricity. With your own power plant, you will no longer be bothered by annual price increases.
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Engine Failure during Takeoff
Aircraft Nerds Store
Engine failure during take off
On 29th March 2018, a Swearingen SA-227 DC was hit by a bird during the takeoff run, the crew decided to abort the takeoff but this decision caused runway overrun which caused severe damage to the aircraft and minor injuries to some passengers. So why was the decision of the crew to abort the takeoff not correct? The concept of whether or not to abort the takeoff in case of an engine failure would be discussed in this article.
Swearingen SA227-DC Metro 23
Swearingen SA227-DC Metro 23
Introduction to different takeoff speeds:
To understand the behavior of an aircraft if its engine fails during takeoff, we should initially look at different speeds involved during takeoff of an aircraft. There are three speeds which play an important role during the takeoff roll, these are V1, Vr, and V2. The speed definition remains the same for all airplanes, no matter whether it is a twin-engine Cessna or a Boeing 747. V1 is the speed at which the pilot either aborts the takeoff and stays on the ground or continues to takeoff and lift off even if he loses an engine. V1 is also called the takeoff decision speed, as below V1 the takeoff must be aborted and above V1 takeoff must not be aborted. Vr is the speed at which pilot begins to apply the pitch up control. The speed at which the main gear of the aircraft is lifted is called liftoff speed. V2 is the takeoff safety speed at which the aircraft could safely climb with one engine inoperative.
Calculating the value of V1:
The value of V1 is mainly dependent upon accelerate Stop and accelerate Go distances. Accelerate Stop distance is the total distance required to stop the plane on the runway in a case of engine failure after gaining the certain speed using idle thrust, brakes, and spoilers. Accelerate Go distance is the total distance aircraft required to continue the take-off at 50 ft in a case of engine failure after gaining the certain speed. Accelerate Stop and Go distances are calculated using the speed, weight, and environmental conditions. In some aircraft, the crew sends the departure information to ACAR (Aircraft communications addressing and reporting system) which returns the values of different aircraft takeoff speeds including V1, based on different runway settings. Some operators use paper charts and FMS (Flight management system) to calculate V1.
Taking the decision to takeoff or abort it:
Decision to take off or abort
If the engine fails before V1 the pilot should immediately abort the takeoff and apply all necessary matters to bring the aircraft to a stop. Full reverse thrust can’t be added to calculate the braking capacity of an aircraft because, in case of an engine failure, one of the reversers would be inoperative. V1 needs to be calculated prior to every takeoff taking into account: runway length, aircraft weight, wing flaps setting, runway surface contamination, engine thrust, environmental factors and even the aircraft brakes because it is the fundamental step to make the go or no-go decision as it assures that if an engine fails prior to it, there would be enough runway leftover to come to a complete stop.
Even when there is a serious malfunction after V1, the pilot must commit to takeoff. Otherwise, a takeoff abort will lead to a runway overrun and could severely damage the aircraft. The pilot must take the corrective measure for the malfunction occurred after V1 in the air and then land the aircraft. The height of the aircraft above the end of the runway is known as screen height.
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The steps which are to be followed if an engine fails are: the pilot needs to maintain the speed of V2 in order to leave the runway at a screen height of 35 feet or higher and maintain the climb rate at V2 to be clear of obstacles and he should be able to maintain that speed and climb rate until reaching “one engine out acceleration altitude” where he would then increase the speed of aircraft and retract the slats and flaps and continue with the emergency procedures. So this is what could be the possible decisions if an aircraft engine fails at a particular speed.
Thanks for reading!
Suggested article: Why do we board a plane from left?
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A Mystery In History: When God Made Burning Sulfur Destroy Sodom And Gomorrah
Sodom and Gomorrah were two ancient cities that, according to the Old Testament, were destroyed in ancient times by supernatural means.
The cities are described as two of the cities that were part of the biblical Pentapolis, located on the shores of the Dead Sea. Gomorrah was situated in the valley of Siddim next to the Dead Sea and was one of the five cities of the plain, along with Sodom, Adma, Zoar, and Zeboim.
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah takes place primarily in Genesis 19, where it is reported that God sentenced the destruction to these cities by the abject perversion of its inhabitants.
YHWH rained on Sodom, and Gomorrah brimstone and fire destroyed these cities and all the men in them.
“(Gn 19: 27-28) God decides to take the life he gave them, but before executing his sentence sends two angels to the city of Sodom with the mission of rescuing Lot and his people.
In this part of the scriptures, Gomorrah is not mentioned as part of the visits of the angels or that Lot had any connection with this neighboring city of Sodom.
John Martin Sodom and Gomorrah
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, John Martin, 1832. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Moses referred to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Deuteronomy 29:22–23:
A wealth of information is available about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in various religious texts, including the Koran, where we find details of accounts that are a mixture of facts and myths.
The legends of Sodom and Gomorrah speak of peculiar personalities, angels and other deities who literally warned people to leave these doomed cities whose catastrophic fate was inevitable. These stories are a mixture of different accounts.
Many Biblical scholars would agree that Sodom and Gomorrah are probably two of the most infamous cities that may have existed on planet Earth.
These cities have been lost for millennia, and only in recent years, have the sites been tentatively identified by experts who have proposed dozens of different theories about these mystical cities and their fate.
But what really happened here and what do the stories tell? What has been written down?
Here are some of the things we have to know when talking about Sodom and Gomorrah
The Bible tells the story of what happened:
(Genesis 18:20; 19: 24-26.28)
800px Lucas van Leyden Lot and his Daughters WGA12932
Sodom and Gomorrah being destroyed in the background of Lucas van Leyden’s 1520 painting Lot and his Daughters. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Their Geographical location remains disrupted. However, some experts believe that the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are Bab edh-Dhra and Numeira, two adjacent archeological sites said by some to be the two cities’ locations.
Bab edh-Dhra is the site of an Early Bronze Age settlement located near the Dead Sea, on the south bank of Wadi Kerak. Some biblical scholars argue that this was the ancient city of “Sodom”. Other archaeologists disagree.
The archaeological site of Numeira is, according to some scholars, the location of the city of Gomorra.
It has been argued that Numeira approximates the alleged biblical city of Gomorrah, although other several scholars have countered these claims, arguing that it is in the wrong geographical area, and is not within the designated timeframe.
And while the location of these two important historic cities remains a mystery for experts, ancient astronaut theorists suggest that Sodom and Gomorrah are the Hiroshima and Nagasaki of the distant past, 4000 years ago.
Some ancient astronaut theorists believe that these ancient accounts, described in the Bible and other religious texts indicate the presence of supernatural beings present on Earth, and how these two cities were destroyed, not by God’s wrath, but by the use of extremely advanced weaponry, brought to Earth by beings, not from Earth.
The Area where Sodom And Gomorra were allegedly located is also particularly interesting.
The Dead Sea’s surface and shores are 429 meters (1,407 ft) below sea level, representing Earth’s lowest elevation on land.
The Dead Sea is 304 m (997 ft) deep, which makes it the deepest hypersaline lake in the world.
With 34.2% salinity, The Dead Sea also happens to be one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water, though Lake Vanda in Antarctica (35%), Lake Assal in Djibouti (34.8%) in Jordan and many smaller rivers flow into the Dead Sea.
The Jordan river has a major importance in Judaism and Christianity and, to a more moderate degree, Islam. It is said to be the site where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and where John the Baptist baptized Jesus of Nazareth.
Interestingly, according to scientific measurements, evaporation under the burning sun occurs on the surface of the Dead Sea at a speed of more than 230 million cubic feet per day.
As noted by Arab tradition, there are many poisonous gases evaporating from the lake that are so hazardous that birds cannot fly over it.
Featured image credit: Wikimedia Commons
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1. Those who know and understand the ancient Hebrew language and the derivation and history of it will recognise that the term “salt” as mentioned in the Biblical story regarding Lot’s wife, will know that this word can also be used in the context of “vapour”. If considered in this way, it may be that a catastrophic reaction such as that caused by a nuclear bomb or something similar (atomic bomb) also causes vapour (salt as in the Biblical story) to occur. It is interesting to read the Bible as a historical document of the times of the area as well as to acknowledge it as a religious document.
2. To me, the destruction of those two cities has all the earmarks of a nuclear explosion. Basing on the alien master/human slave theory, the cities could have been the hub of rebellion against the masters. The destruction of the cities would be to wipe out all of the rebel instigators at one time. Aliens would have access to advanced weapons that could achieve widespread and nearly permanent destruction as that which is described. That’s my theory….and I’m sticking with it. 🙂
3. I have just been reading The Book That Will Forever Change Our Ideas About the Bible by Mauro Biglino. It’s a real eye-opener. the whole old testament is totally a story of alien intervention. I never even realised how much. So much has been lost in translation. In this book, you will get the original literal meaning of the Hebrew original texts and it is quite obvious it all refers to technological extraterrestrials, and multiple beings. NOT a singular supernatural “God” in any way. The church has done a good job brainwashing the entire population for hundreds of years and made us totally forget our true beginnings.
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Fiscal vs Monetary Policies
Fiscal vs Monetary Policies
What is economic policy
Policy Decisions, Trading, and the Pandemic
The government enacts economic policies to achieve strategic objectives such as economic growth, full employment, and inflation stabilisation. This is primarily done through a combination of carefully balanced fiscal and monetary policies.
Fiscal policies include taxation, budgeting, and spending, while monetary policy is undertaken by the Reserve Bank, vis-a-vis the money supply and the rate of interest. Growth-oriented policies aim to make it easier for stakeholders in the economy to access credit, start businesses, and offer employment to qualified individuals.
As the caretaker of economic growth and prosperity, the government must enact a legal framework within which the government, corporate and private sector operate. The tone for macroeconomic policies is set by the government, including ministers, and parliamentarians. Governments are always trying to balance policy-related decisions vis-a-vis their impact on the business sector and the private sector.
If the corporate sector is taxed too heavily, it invariably furloughs employees and economic activity contracts. If the corporate sector is taxed too lightly, government receipts dwindle and important infrastructure building, social welfare plans, societal development initiatives suffer.
In terms of trading activity, interest rates, inflation rates, unemployment rates, productivity, and access to capital are all impacted by fiscal and monetary policy. During 2020, the pandemic ravaged the global economy.
Demand plummeted, supply dwindled, and multinational enterprises scaled back operations on an unprecedented level. Economic policy decisions were twofold: monetary and fiscal in nature. In the United States, massive stimulus policies were rolled out, one after the other, to the tune of trillions of dollars.
In 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank slashed the federal funds rate twice, the first time by 0.5%, and the next by 1.00%. The federal funds rate dropped from 1.50% – 1.75% down to 0.00% – 0.25%. The Fed also cut its discount rate down to 0.25%.
An additional government-brokered loans program known as the MMLF (Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility) was also launched. The Cares Act and the associated Paycheck Protection Program launched in April 2020. These measures were designed to provide financial assistance to businesses hit by the Coronavirus.
What to expect in this 2021?
The Trump administration worked feverishly with Congress to enact two stimulus packages, for businesses and individuals. Then in January 2021, under the executive leadership of President Biden, Congress began drafting proposals for an additional stimulus.
In February 2021, the house gave final approval to a budget bill allowing the president to sign into law a new stimulus proposal. The vote passed along party lines with a slim margin of 219-209. The size of this next stimulus is $1.9 trillion, which was passed by the Senate by a vote of 51-50, with VP Kamala Harris casting the deciding vote.
In the United Kingdom, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme enables employers to keep employees on the payroll, and get payment from the government. It is capped at £2500 per month. For self-employed individuals, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) was passed, with grants at £7500 for three months in 2020.
The second grant was limited to £6570. Other options include the Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) for smaller businesses, and various Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes (CBILS and CLBILS). VAT (Value Added Tax) reductions were also enacted for the hospitality industry, and remained at 5%, as opposed to 20%, until it was phased out on January 12, 2021.
Policies: Fiscal VS Monetary
What is Economic Policy?
• Fiscal Policy: taxation, spending, and budgeting
• Monetary Policy: money supply and interest rates
What is Fiscal Policy?
Types of Fiscal Policies
How Fiscal Policy Affects the Economy?
What is Monetary Policy?
Types of Monetary Policies
How Monetary Policy Affects the Economy?
Fiscal Policy vs Monetary Policy
Active and Passive Fiscal and Monetary Policies
Supply Shocks
Demand Shocks
• Negative Demand Shock: decreased demand and decreasing prices
• Positive Demand Shock: increased demand and increasing price
Fiscal policy vs. Monetary polic main FAQs
• Is fiscal policy or monetary policy better?
Both fiscal policy and monetary policy have the goals of growing the economy while keeping inflation and unemployment low. In that respect neither one is better than the other. However, in practice it has been found that certain situations will respond better to one form of policy over the other. For example, in a recession there has been evidence that fiscal policy can be more effective in supporting an economic recovery than monetary policy. In that case lowered taxes and increased spending would be used. However, when lawmakers need to slow growth it is often monetary policy that is used since public opinion is typically strongly against higher taxes and decreased spending, even though this course can also help lower a countries budget deficit.
• Is there a link between monetary policy and fiscal policy?
Monetary policy is implemented by the central banks, while fiscal policy is implemented by government lawmakers. Based on this you might think there is no connection between the two, but you would be mistaken. In truth monetary and fiscal policies are far from independent. Anytime there is a change in monetary policy it impacts fiscal policy and vice versa. This means that tensions can arise in the economy when monetary policy and fiscal policy aren’t aligned. In order to avoid these tensions lawmakers and central banks do their best to align monetary policy with fiscal policy so that the two are working together towards the same goals.
• What is the goal of fiscal and monetary policy?
Both fiscal policy and monetary policy have the same goals. Those are three-fold. To encourage full employment, to keep inflation low (most countries target 2% inflation), and to support economic growth. Both also seek to maintain a stable economy that avoids the cyclical boom and bust that has been so common throughout history. Both fiscal and monetary policy were developed in the 20th century as the proper tools for stabilizing the economy and have undergone several changes in their implementation as economic theory and the actual problems faced by economies change with the times.
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India and Her Neighbours:
1. SAARC:- India is situated in the southern part of Asia. South Asian”Association for Regional C.ooperation (SAARC) has been formed in 1985 in Dhaka. SAARC comprises of seven countries namely, India, Nepal, SriLanka, Maldiv, Pakistan, Bhutan & Bangla Desh. Its head office is in Kathmandu (Nepal).
2. India and China:- China has not been a colony of any foreign power. Communist Revolution in 1949 happened in China. Conflict over northern boundary took place and china invaded India in 1962. The name of boundary line between China and India is “MacMohan” line.
3. India and Bhutan:- Bhutan is a Buffer State. Its foreign and defence policy depends upon India.
4. India and Pakistan:- In 1947 Pakistan was created as a result of partition. Till now Pakistan has invaded India in 1948, 1965 and 1971. Pakistan has occupied a part of Kashmir. A Pakistan citizen ‘Khan Abdul Gfiaffar Khan’ played a key role in Indian freedom struggle. He is also called ‘Frontier Gandhi.’ He was rightly honoured with India’s Highest Civic award ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 1987. This honour was awarded then first time to any foreigner but after him another foreigner, the president of South Africa Dr. Nelson Mandela also has been honoured with this prize.
‘Taskand Agreement’ between Lai Bahadur Shastri and then Pakistan Prime Minister Ayub Khan took place in Russia inJanuary 1966 and the War of 1965 ended. Due to ‘Shimla Agreement’ in . 1972 between Smt. Indira Gandhi and the then Pakistan Prime Minister Bhutto brought the end of 1971 war.
5. India and SriLanka:- SriLanka is predominantly a Buddhist country. Mahendra and Sanghamitra, the son and daughter of Emperor Ashoka had gone to SriLanka to spread the message of Buddha there. Plenty of Indian origin Tamils live, in Sri Lanka which want a separate country. India provided her good offices to arrive at a solution under an agreement between the two countries in July 1987. Rajiv Gandhi and the then Sri Lankan Prime Minister Julias JaiVerdhne signed this agreement. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was sent to Sri Lanka to resolve the ethnic problem. The Liberation Tamil Tiger Eelam (LTTE) is a terrorist group in Sri Lanka led by V. Prabhakaran.
6. India and Bangladesh:- Before the Independence of Bangladesh in 1973, and before Indo-Pak war of 1971 Bangladesh was the part of Pakistan (East Pakistan). Muziber Rehman became the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh. He was assassinated.
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Clear CTET - Coaching Institute for CTET, DSSSB and KVS: India and Her Neighbours
India and Her Neighbours
Clear CTET - Coaching Institute for CTET, DSSSB and KVS
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Ready to experience better health?
Internationally Acclaimed Nutritional Biochemist, Author & Speaker
Ask Dr Libby: Why does my stomach make such loud gurgling noises?
Many people feel concerned or embarrassed about any sounds coming from their gut, however some sounds—such as a little bit of gurgling—can be completely normal and nothing to be concerned about. Gurgling can occur as the muscles of the gut contract to move food, liquids and gasses through the small intestine. This movement is a normal part of the digestive process, however the noise that can arise from it may be louder if more gas is present or if the bowel is overstimulated (which can also lead to diarrhoea).
A growling noise may also be heard when significant time has passed between meals and so people often notice this when they are feeling hungry. This noise can happen because of something called the migrating motor complex (MMC). You can think of this as your gut doing some housekeeping—once the party is over (the food you ate previously has been digested), the MMC springs into action to ‘sweep’ the gut. This process helps to maintain healthy gut function and plays a role in preventing an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine.
So, as you now understand, some sounds are a normal part of healthy digestion. However, if you are experiencing very loud or excessive gurgling and/or if there are other gut symptoms occurring alongside this, it could be an indication of an underlying issue and may warrant further exploration.
Here are some things to consider if this is something you are concerned about.
Tune in to your body’s messages
Your body will let you know if it is happy or not, so consider if you are experiencing any other symptoms alongside the gurgling, such as tummy pain, loose stools or diarrhoea, constipation, reflux, excess flatulence or flatulence that is newly highly odourous, and/or bloating. I also encourage you to reflect on when this started happening for you. For example, was it after a tummy bug or during a time where you were experiencing a lot of stress? Or has it only started occurring since you made some dietary changes? This may provide some clues about what might be contributing to this for you.
Consider potential triggers
In some cases, excessive gurgling can occur when an individual is having challenges digesting certain foods or drinks. For example, you may like to consider your tolerance of caffeine, especially coffee, as this leads some people to experience some gurgling and/or diarrhoea. You may also like to consider whether lactose could be an issue for you, as lactose intolerance is quite common and leads some people to experience loud gurgling. If you suspect this, you can test it out by omitting lactose-containing foods and drinks and/or switching to lactose-free options for a period of time to see if the symptoms resolve or not. Other people benefit from omitting all foods that contain casein (a protein in dairy foods). Some also find it helpful to keep a food and symptom diary for a week or so to see if they notice any patterns.
Focus on the foundations for healthy digestion
To support your digestive system, avoid drinking water 30 minutes either side of eating. Instead drink water between meals, rather than with meals. Slow down to ensure you chew each mouthful very well and do your best to eat in a calm, relaxed state. This sounds simple but it truly can make a big difference to our overall digestion. Sometimes it is more about how we are eating, rather than what we are eating.
Seek support from your healthcare practitioner
If you are experiencing ongoing digestive symptoms or new symptoms you are concerned about, please consult with your GP. Gut symptoms can occur for a variety of reasons and it’s important to rule out any underlying conditions that may require treatment.
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Many of us are taught that any ‘negative’ feeling is wrong. We aren’t taught this with actual words, but through observing how other people
An assertion I have heard many times in my work – which has its roots in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland – is that
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Frozen Embryo Transfer
What is a frozen embryo transfer?
A frozen embryo transfer (FET) is a cycle where a frozen embryo from a previous fresh IVF cycle is thawed and transferred back into a woman's uterus. This means you won't have to undergo another cycle of hormone stimulation and an egg collection. Frozen embryo cycles can be undertaken on your natural cycle or using hormone preparation, or ovulation induction.
Why do we freeze embryos?
Sometimes during an IVF cycle, we’ll be able to create more than one embryo. We’ll usually recommend transferring one, and freezing the others. This is due to the serious risks associated with multiple pregnancies if you transfer more than one embryo at a time.
Benefits of a frozen embryo transfer
Embryo freezing gives you more opportunities for a pregnancy for each hormone stimulation cycle and egg collection. If you do not become pregnant from the first transfer from that cycle, we can transfer a frozen embryo during a frozen embryo transfer cycle.
This means you won’t have to undergo another hormone stimulation cycle and egg collection.
Success rates with frozen embryos
The pregnancy success rate of frozen embryos is equal to the pregnancy success rate for fresh embryos. However individual factors can affect every patient’s prospect of success. Read more about IVF success rates…
How much does a frozen embryo transfer cost?
When you decide to use your frozen embryos, a frozen embryo transfer cycle is eligible for a Medicare rebate and you can find the estimated out of pocket cost on our IVF treatment costs page. Please note there is also a cost to freeze and store your embryos.
Where are the frozen embryos stored?
Any frozen embryos will be stored at an IVFAustralia facility, where they will be kept frozen in cryostorage until you decide to either use, donate or discard them.
How are embryos frozen?
They then go into a freezing machine, where the temperature rapidly drops to -150° Celsius, a process called vitrification. The straws are then placed in goblets, and put into tanks filled with liquid nitrogen, which keeps the temperature at -196° Celsius.
What to do with any remaining frozen embryos?
Once you feel that your family is complete, and you have no further personal use for your frozen embryos, you may decide to thaw them and let them regress naturally, donate them to scientific research or donate them to someone who is unable to conceive. Your specialist can discuss all your options with you. Find out more about embryo donation
Freezing embryos for fertility preservation
If you are undergoing fertility treatment for a serious illness or cancer you might consider freezing embryos for future pregnancy attempts. Find out more about fertility preservation....
Want more information?
To find out more about embryo freezing or frozen embryo transfers, please call 1800 111 483 or book an appointment with a fertility specialist.
What is IVF?
How much does a frozen embryo transfer cost?
Find out about fertility preservation...
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Beginners JAVASCRIPT - Part 2
November 25th, 2003 : by Stefan Mischook
This is only the 2nd installment of a series of articles designed to teach total beginners how to program, providing a foundation to learning many of today's most prominent languages that include JavaScript, PHP, Java and several others.
The eventual goal is to teach you how to program using the DOM. I move fairly slowly in the articles, attempting to cover any stumbling blocks that may hinder people.
When learning something new, things may not be clear at first. You just need to push on because sooner than you think, things will 'snap' into place for you. Soon you will be wondering why you thought it was hard in the first place!
One of the reasons people find programming so challenging is that they do not get a good enough grasp of the basics. In my own process of learning to program (have picked up 8 languages so far) I have always found that every time I got confused was because there was some basic concept I did not grasp. The solution is always to go back to the basics, because once you have them, everything else is easy! Why did I mention all this? I wanted to explain the reasoning behind my approach to teaching programming in these articles. The first two articles are theory heavy and I take my time to slowly introduce these core concepts of programming. There are some actual programming examples but they are short. Once the basic concepts are understood, we will jump into practical usable programming examples, which by that time will be much easier for you than if I would have jumped in right away.
Our eventual goal: to use the DOM
The DOM (stands for: Document Object Model ) is a framework that allows you to have total control over your web pages using JavaScript. What do I mean by 'total control'? I am talking about being able to add, remove, and edit text, images, and tables and any other element on the page on the fly.
Easily build dynamic menus, change the font size of a paragraph on your page when someone clicks a link or image etc. I won't go on, but you can do all this and much more and it will work with all the modern browsers since the DOM is a standard that the browsers adhere to well.
Introduction to Object Oriented Programming
Object-oriented programming is the 'in way' to write software and is the foundation of many languages including JavaScript. To truly understand how to use JavaScript you must understand some of the basic concepts of object-oriented programming.
I will only be teaching you what you need to work with JavaScript so don't worry! But what you will learn about object-oriented programming is applicable to every object-oriented programming language out there, and that's a good thing.
OOP (OOP is short for: O bject O riented P rogramming) is a style of programming that is used in many of today's most prominent languages that include Java, PHP, C++, JavaScript and several others. In a nutshell, OOP attempts to build programs by conceptually breaking it up into a series of individual objects (programmed objects) that interact with each other to create a program. In a sense, these objects are like mini-programs inside one big program.
Another way you can think of it, is as a business (like Microsoft or McDonalds) where the business is the program and the objects are the people who work at this business and with each other to get the work done.
So for example, let's say at a McDonalds we have Wang who works the cash, Tyrone who makes the burgers and John who washes the floors. These three guys are in of themselves individual objects (a little insulting I know, but hey this is just an example!) and each of these guys (objects) have their own function (things that they do) and together they make that McDonalds work. Of course there are several others working at McDonalds, but the point is that all these individuals work together to do the job of running the restaurant.
1. What are the other ways of programming?
The most prominent of the old styles of programming is procedural programming where software was designed based on processes. Ok what does that mean? It means that we just built programs in the order that they would do things. I don't want to go into details because it would only serve to confuse you, and today you want to learn OOP anyway! The bottom line is that this old style of programming got messy really fast and made for buggy software that was (and still is) hard to maintain.
1. Why would you program the OOP way?
You build software in the OOP style to save time and money; OOP based software is easier to build and easier to maintain. Humans like to put things in box's or categories to help them organize them; OOP is essentially doing that.
Since this is a website about building websites we are going to concentrate on programming with web pages using JavaScript. In web pages there are many objects that we can manipulate with JavaScript. One of the base objects is the window object. This object represents the browser window and as such provides ways to affect changes to browsers' windows with JavaScript.
As I mentioned above, each of these objects (inside the program) have things that they do. These 'things' in programming talk are called 'functions'. So basically a function is a thing that an object can do. Objects can potentially do many things; as such you will often find objects that have many functions.
Ok, I don't want to confuse you, but I need to clarify something: functions can also be called 'methods'. So why call them functions or methods when they have the same meaning, why not just call them functions? The reason is simple and rather nerdy: functions are just slightly different from methods! For our purposes, it is sufficient to say that when a function exists inside an object, it is called a method. I will not go beyond that explanation because to know the ultra-nerd details will have no impact on your ability to program. The only reason I mention it is because when you start reading about JavaScript (and other OOP languages) your will see the word 'method' used a lot.
An example of a built in method/function:
One function (technically a method) of the window object is 'alert'. Here is a simple example of how to actually use the alert function:
window.alert("This is an alert box!");
Since we are programming for use in the web browser (like Internet Explorer for example) all of our programming code is being written to 'talk' to the browser and tell it what to do. In the line of code above we are first telling the browser that we want to use the built in window object. We do this by starting with the keyword 'window'. Ok fine, the browser knows now that we are using it's built in object 'window'. Like most objects, the window object has built in functions/methods. So to tell the browser what method we want to use (that the window object has), we do this by naming it. In this case we want to use the 'alert' method so we type in a period after the keyword 'window' and then the name of the method that we want to use, in this case it is 'alert':
The period in-between the words 'window' and 'alert' acts like pointer for the browser to use and understand. Essentially by inserted the period between the words, the browser knows that the second word (in this case 'alert') is a method inside of the window object. If you were to do this:
window alert
The browser would have no idea what 'alert' was about. So in other words the period (.) in-between the words, joins them together. This is called dot notation and is used a lot.
("This is an alert box!");
Taken from this:
window.alert("This is an alert box!");
All methods can be fed information that the method can do something with it, hold on to that thought. You feed the method this information by placing it inside the brackets () that sits in front of the method name. In the above example we are feeding the alert method the text:
"This is an alert box!"
The browser knows it is text because the text: 'This is an alert box!' is sitting in-between quotes (""). In programming, anything in-between quotes tells the computer that it is plain text and that there are no special key words telling it to do something.
When you are feeding a method/function information this way, it is called 'passing arguments'. In this example the 'argument' is the text "This is an alert box!" and you are 'passing' it by placing it in-between the double brackets at the end of the method name:
window.alert("This is an alert box!");
More details about the double brackets:
So with the alert method we do this:
So for example, the following are all methods of the window object or in other words, they are methods contained in the window object. Some programmers will say the same thing by saying: 'alert () belongs to the window object.':
There are several other methods that I have not listed. I want you to understand that objects can have several built in methods, and that methods are identified by placing a couple of round brackets '()' in front of them.
We are just about finished except for one little thing!
So in our example we have this completed line:
window.alert("This is an alert box!");
<script language='javaScript'>
function callAlert() {
window.alert("This is an alert box!");
<h3>Our first function</h3>
<a href='#' onClick='callAlert(); return false';>Click here to call the function</a>
There are other things happening in this page that I haven't spoken about yet, but do it anyway. The more you look at programming code and the more you write it the easier it becomes, so I would strongly suggest that you type it out by hand and get it to work then change things and see how it breaks.
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Why nature was the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
‘There is something to be wondered at in all of Nature’ - Aristotle
In the first lockdown, I called an elderly friend. She lives alone and had recently had a fall. Separated from her community, she had lost all in-person contact. When I asked her how she had got through it, she told me it was taking daily comfort from watching the birds sing to each other on the fence and the flowers re-emerge from the frosts of winter.
Nature and our mental health
During Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, we pulled together the evidence that demonstrates the powerful benefits of nature for our mental health. We looked at nature’s unique ability to not only bring consolation in times of stress, but also increase our creativity, empathy and a sense of wonder. It turns out that it is not just being in nature but how we open ourselves up and interact with nature that counts. We showed that even small contacts with nature can reduce feelings of social isolation and be effective in protecting our mental health, and preventing distress.
Nature is our great untapped resource for a mentally healthy future.
What were the goals for the week?
We had two clear aims. Firstly, to inspire more people to connect with nature in new ways, noticing the impact that this connection can have for their mental health. Secondly, to convince decision makers at all levels that access to and quality of nature is a mental health and social justice issue as well as an environmental one.
What you can do
Stories are the best tools we have to influence change. Unless we can demonstrate nature’s role in bringing solace and joy to our lives, it will remain under-valued and under-utilised.
We heard your stories of how nature has supported your mental health. This might be as a simple as tending to a house plant, listening to the birds, touching the bark of trees, smelling flowers or writing a poem about our favourite nature spot.
Whatever it is for you, we invited you to #ConnectWithNature and share what this means for you.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, we asked you to do three things:
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BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:Data::ICal 0.22 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:J. Elkins\, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\n\n Since 1987\, almost all countries have signed the Montreal Protocol to con trol substances that cause depletion of the ozone layer. One of the succe sses of the Protocol has been the dramatic decrease in emissions of methyl chloroform\, a metal degreaser that has been responsible for the decline of total equivalent chlorine in the atmosphere. However\, chlorofluorocar bon (CFC-12)\, a common refrigerant\, and the halons\, fast-acting fire e xtinguishing agents\, are still increasing in the atmosphere even though p roduction ceased for the developed countries in 1996. This research talk will discuss ground-based and airborne measurements and their implication for the future ozone depletion. Preliminary results from a recent field c ampaign operated on the Trans-Siberian Railway will also be presented. DTSTART:20010907T200000Z LOCATION:Physics Building\, Room 204 SUMMARY:A Problem in Atmospheric physics: Stratospheric ozone depletion END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR
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Study Guide
The Whipping Loud Noise
By Robert Hayden
Loud Noise
This is a very noisy poem, from the woman shouting in the first stanza so loud that the entire neighborhood can hear, to the boy crashing through bushes and plants as he tries to escape the woman's wrath. The noise in this poem works to make the violent scene described seem more chaotic, crazy, and scary. In some ways, the woman is like an angry, frothing predator chasing a boy who is her whimpering, screaming prey. "The Whipping" isn't just some depiction of a mother or baby sitter disciplining a child, but rather a depiction of domestic warfare.
• Lines 3-4: The woman screams at the boy as she whips him. She probably needs to shout about his "wrongs" so that she can convince herself that he deserves to be whipped.
• Line 5: The boy crashes through elephant ears. The crashing here makes the scene chaotic, while the huge leaves symbolize the fact that the whipping is a wild, primitive, chaotic event.
• Line 9: The boy is circling the woman "shrilly," which means he is shrieking in a high-pitched voice. This little detail makes us pity the boy and makes him seem like some whimpering, screeching animal being pursued by a violent, angry predator.
• Line 20: Sobbing is a form of loud crying. This line recalls the shouting of the first stanza and also highlights the boy's pain, frustration, and fear.
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