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Status: Open until filled. Interviews beginning early March. Target start date is April 2020.
Overview
The Brand & Communications Manager supports the Industry Transformation, Customer Success, and Sustainability strategic priorities by developing and managing the Brand & Communications business unit, support the development and execution of the email marketing and SMS plan, lead the management of the corporate website, lead the development and ensure consistency of the brand voice and brand image on digital and traditional communications platforms, and manage the corporate communications and media relations function.
What You Will Be Doing
Develop and manage the Brand & Communications business unit.
- Direct the execution of integrated brand and communications strategies through the planning and supervising of business unit work activities.
- Assist in the establishment, and ensure compliance, of the unit’s short-term and long-term goals with overall corporate objectives.
- Provide advice, guidance, and direction to direct reports toward their professional development.
- Conduct regular employee performance reviews in the business unit.
- Improve operations by conducting systems analysis, recommending necessary changes in policies and procedures.
- Support the development of the annual marketing and communications budget.
- Provide written and verbal reports on the Marketing & Communications business unit on an ongoing basis and other written reports as requested from time to time.
Support the development and execution of the email marketing and SMS plan.
- Assist in the development and execution of an email marketing and SMS plan.
- Develop and execute email marketing and SMS campaigns that raise awareness and drive sales of the product.
- Organize and maintain email and phone lists and ensure they are up-to-date and compliant with regulatory bodies and local laws.
- Develop content and graphics for emails, ensuring alignment with corporate brand image and voice.
- Report on email marketing and SMS activities as required.
Lead the management of the corporate website.
- Ensure a consistent brand voice and image across the website.
- Monitor and report on website analytics and make recommendations for improvement.
- Regularly review, revise, and optimize website to ensure alignment with the customer journey.
- Oversee the development of landing pages in support of demand generation activities.
Lead the development and ensure consistency of the brand voice and brand image on digital and traditional communications platforms.
- Plan and develop content for the corporate marketing and repurpose for distribution across other channels, including social media.
- Develop marketing and communications resources for distribution through the corporate website. (i.e. photos, videos, white papers, and e-books).
- Develop internal and external presentations as required by the CEO.
- Manage the corporate communications and media relations function.
- Lead the development, execution, and evaluation of communications strategies including the development of overarching messaging, audience mapping, and tactical plans.
- Lead the collection and analysis of marketing data to make brand and communications business unit decisions based on insights and analytics. Report on matters related to corporate brand and reputation.
- Maintain familiarity with laws, regulations, and practices pertaining to copyright, plagiarism, confidentiality, privacy and disclosure.
- Ensure a cohesive brand experience internally and externally on all platforms.
- Lead the media relations strategy by coordinating media interest, developing media lists, and staying in contact with tech bloggers, and other relevant media outlets.
- Design and execute reporting mechanisms in support of the evaluation of communications activities.
Other duties as assigned.
Who You Are
- You are an excellent communicator with a knack for expressing ideas through the written word. You think about audiences first when creating and analyzing messaging.
- You are a continuous learner who is willing to take the time to learn new concepts – focused on growing professionally and personally.
- You are friendly and easy to approach when working with others.
- You are results-oriented by keeping company, department, and personal goals and objectives in view.
- You know where you shine and you play to your strengths, but you’re also aware of your growth edges and ask for help when necessary.
- You are a fire starter through original and innovative thought.
- You show up when your team needs you. You can rally a team around common goals, and with your coach approach, help others shine.
- You are not afraid to laugh, sing, dance, and have fun.
Education & Experience
EDUCATION:
Successful completion of a four year degree majoring in marketing, communications, journalism or english from a recognized institution.
Certification as a Strategic/Communication Management Professional (S/CMP) is an asset but not required.
EXPERIENCE:
Minimum of three years of previous marketing/communications experience is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of marketing communications best practices.
- Knowledge of Canadian and international laws related to marketing and communications.
- Knowledge of strategic marketing and communications planning and tactics.
- Ability to write, proofread and edit content and key messages for target audiences.
- Ability to navigate the Canadian and global media landscape.
- Ability to work in a fast paced environment.
- Ability to effectively coach and collaborate with a small dynamic team of marketing and communication professionals.
- Skilled in verbal, written, and interpersonal communication; ability to articulate technology and market positioning to internal, external, customer, and prospective business audiences.
- Eligibility for membership with the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) or other marketing communications professional associations is an asset.
- Bonus points if you find an error in the job posting.
TO APPLY, SUBMIT YOUR COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO:
Coordinator, Marketing & Communications
- Location: Saskatoon, SK
- Employment Terms: Full Time
Job Description
The Lung Association, Saskatchewan is searching for a motivated, seasoned marketing professional for the position of Coordinator, Marketing & Communications. Reporting to the President and CEO, the Coordinator supports the development and delivery of internal and external marketing, communications, and engagement initiatives to increase awareness of The Lung Association, Saskatchewan and lung health. Through social media platforms, print materials and by leveraging our networks across Saskatchewan, the Coordinator engages the community to meet our awareness, advocacy, support and fundraising priorities.
BREATHING PASSION AND COMPASSION. Our reason for being can really be summed up in one word: Breathe. It’s what unites us. It’s what inspires us. And it’s what keeps our community of physicians, scientists, clinicians, educators, administrators, volunteers and donors so committed — whether it’s searching for cures to lung diseases, teaching our youth about the dangers of tobacco, or fighting for clean air. The Lung Association, Saskatchewan is the leading organization in our province working to promote lung health and prevent and manage lung disease. We do this by funding vital research and pushing for innovative ways to help people manage their health.
Responsibilities
Strategy and Brand
- Participate in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of year-round integrated marketing strategies
- Promote and protect The Lung Association brand and reputation
Communications
- Writes and edits content for various internal and external documents
- Supports various financial and advocacy partnership strategies
- Provides communications and media relations support for events and activities
- Responsible for managing website content and social media content
- Creates content for, designs, prepares and distributes monthly e-newsletter
- Creates collateral for various activities/events
- Solicits and coordinates content for marketing materials
- Assists with development of marketing plans, liaising with media suppliers and sponsors and preparing copy for print or broadcast
- Acts as communications liaison at events, which includes media relations, audio visual logistics, taking photographs and video, and/or coordination of photographers
- Manages the collection, culling and dissemination of photos as needed
- Applies established graphic standards to all materials and supports other staff to do same
- Creates accurate, clear specifications for print and other designed products, works with suppliers to ensure satisfactory delivery
- Coordinates storytelling through volunteer and community profiles
Public Relations
- Track and monitor earned media
- Maintaining superior knowledge of The Lung Associations mission, strategies and programs in order to be responsive to stakeholders
- Delivering and telling Ambassador stories in an effective manner that resonates with stakeholders and inspires them to take action
- Participating in community events and striving to expand The Lung Associations network within the community
- Recognizing and pursuing opportunities to engage key leaders in the organization
- Recognizing volunteers’ efforts in timely and meaningful ways that ensure positive outcomes
Social Media Engagement
- Develops strategies and tactical plans for the deployment of social media content supporting revenue campaigns, advocacy campaigns and programs and services activities.
- Drives engagement on social media by creating and adapting key messaging for a social media audience and guiding the conversation on social media channels
- Delivers content through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other appropriate social media channels
- Measures content performance, provides reports to other staff, and identifies opportunities to meet content goals and objectives
- Manages relationships with social media brand advocates and influencers, identifies trends and conversations happening within the Lung community on social media
- Manages social media response for issues management and stakeholder concerns in collaboration with colleagues
- Acts as provincial representative on nationwide communications team
Qualifications/Education/Experience
- University or college degree or diploma in communications or a related field with 2 – 3 years of relevant experience in a communications role
- Software proficiency in Microsoft applications is required; knowledge and experience with Adobe Creative Suite as well as web content management systems (Drupal CMS preferred)
- High level of proficiency in social media platforms including paid advertising with Facebook and Google Ads.
- Valid driver’s license is required and access to a vehicle
- Experience in a not-for-profit environment would be an asset
Hours
Normal office hours between Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm with occasional evening and week-end working hours.
Attendance at events for communications support
How to apply
Email resume, cover letter & salary expectations to [email protected] by March 11, 2020. | http://www.iabcsaskatoon.com/careers |
Are you looking for your next Marketing challenge?
This role would be perfect for a recent Marketing grad or someone with previous experience in a marketing position!
This growing company is looking for a Marketing Executive to take on this busy, varied and exciting role!
Located in Wokingham, Berkshire, you will be required to provide marketing support to help develop and grow sales.
This role will involve using both traditional promotional channels such as direct marketing, advertising and PR, as well as social media channels, ensuring appropriate campaign targeting to align with the sales strategy. As part of this role we aim to increase our share of voice in the digital marketplace, whilst exploiting other promotional opportunities such as conference speaking, exhibiting.
Key responsibilities:
- New content creation
- Digital and social
- Photographic and video asset creation
- Event management
- Delivering marketing plans
- Working with stakeholders
Ideal candidate: | https://journeyrecruitment.co.uk/jobs/marketing-executive-12/ |
The broad purpose of the occupation is to support customer focussed marketing activities that drive the demand for a product or service through awareness raising and/or perception building to generate results to the bottom line. As part of the Marketing team the Marketing Assistant will contribute to the implementation of the Marketing strategy and plans. They will be responsible for delivering day-to-day marketing activities across a multitude of platforms, channels and systems that are essential to the Marketing function and activities of the company.
It is typically the entry route for many Marketing professionals who progress their career into more senior marketing positions. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide range of internal colleagues and external marketing suppliers. Depending on the size and structure of the organisation, this could include collaboration with colleagues from sales, operations, PR, IT, the customer insight team and finance as well as interaction externally with clients/customers and suppliers such as printers, digital agencies, PR and media agencies, event display companies, market research agencies, and media sales professionals.
The apprenticeship consists of work based and classroom learning to support learners to gain the knowledge and skills required for end point assessment.
Possible progression routes:
Level 4 Marketing Executive
Assessment method 1: Knowledge test
Assessment method 2: Work based project showcase
Elements covered are:
Job roles include: | https://www.northernskills.co.uk/learners/apprenticeship-programmes/detail/level-3-marketing-assistant-apprenticeship |
Inspired by Excellence.
Grey Bear is a leading independent communications marketing agency, based in Oxford. We offer a truly integrated approach with services spanning advertising, digital, social, content marketing, media planning & buying, PR, and events. We deliver a personal, passionate and authentic service to each and every one of our clients. We have particular strength in some highly regulated sectors including health, financial services and the public sector.
Our insight-led strategies are underpinned by an acute awareness of how different channels work as part of a multichannel approach. Find out more about the various services we offer to help grow your business
We are proud to be members of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Ethical Medicines Interest Group (EMIG) and to have been selected as representatives of best practice in “The Parliamentary Review 2019”. | https://greybearconsultancy.co.uk/ |
The German chancellor Angela Merkel has said the UK should be given a reasonable amount of time from the EU to workout their exit, the delay could be longer than Theresa May has requested.
In an emergency summit being held on Wednesday EU leaders will debate a longer extension to Article 50 with conditions, to prevent any further problems.
Merkel said, “I am, and the government is, of the view that we should give the two parties a reasonable amount of time.
“We will deliberate over what kind of extension we want to grant Britain. It could well be that it is a longer extension than has been requested by the British prime minister.
“But we will organise this extension such that when Britain has passed the Withdrawal Agreement, Britain can very quickly thereafter execute the exit in an orderly fashion. | https://londonlovesbusiness.com/german-chancellor-favours-uk-having-more-time-over-brexit/ |
These FAQs are in regards to the Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Regulation. Questions about these FAQs should be sent to the University IT Accessibility Coordinator.
1. Why do we have to follow these Web accessibility regulations when there is no mention in the ADA of the term “Web accessibility”?
The implementing regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) require public universities to ensure that communications with persons with disabilities are as effective as communications with others, unless doing so would result in a fundamental alteration to the program or is an undue burden. The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”) considers the term “communication” to include the transfer of information over the Internet and other electronic means.
2. The law states that I do not have to make something accessible if it is an “undue hardship”. What is an undue hardship and who determines if a particular alteration or accommodation is an undue hardship?
3. The law states that I do not have to make something accessible if it “fundamentally alters the program or service”. How is it determined if a change or accommodation fundamentally alters the program or service I am offering?
OCR requires that decisions regarding essential requirements for a course be made by a group of people who are trained, knowledgeable and experienced in the area after a careful, thoughtful and rational review of the academic program and its requirements. Although a professor may be an integral part of the interactive educational process, he or she is not qualified to solely determine whether the requested accommodation constitutes a “fundamental alteration” of the course. Inquiries regarding this issue should be directed to the Disability Services Office (“DSO”).
Each department and professional school should develop technical standards if there are qualifications unique to a particular field. The university can develop a disability-neutral description of the skills, or technical standards, needed to complete the program, and then ask all applicants to certify that they meet those standards, with or without reasonable accommodations. The permissible goal consistent with Section 504 and the ADA is to identify persons who can complete the program, not to identify persons with disabilities who may be unable to complete the program. Contact the NC State Office of General Counsel for advice on developing technical standards.
5. What is considered the scope of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the purpose of this regulation?
ICT includes any information technology, equipment, or interconnected system or subsystem of equipment for which the principal function is the creation, conversion, duplication, automatic acquisition, storage, analysis, evaluation, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, reception, or broadcast of data or information. Examples of ICT are, but are not limited to, electronic content, telecommunications products, computers and ancillary equipment, software, information kiosks and transaction machines, videos, IT services, and multifunction office machines which copy, scan, and fax documents.
6. How are we expected to accomplish all of this when some of it is so expensive, like captioning, and we have limited money in our budget?
Creating accessible content varies in difficulty depending on what is being created. Some aspects involve minor changes to current work flows while some require using different software or different techniques. Some aspects, like captioning, do cost a significant amount of time and/or money.
For aspects that are simpler to enact, such as creating accessible documents and Web pages, the training resources from OIT and DELTA should be utilized. For more complex systems where there are no easy or apparent solutions, contact [email protected] for consultation services.
For captioning, if the video is going to be widely distributed, meaning that you do not know the functional limitations of all the potential viewers of the video, then captioning costs need to be factored into the production costs of the video. NC State offers services (Multimedia Accessibility and Captioning Grant) to reduce the cost of captioning videos, but there will still be a significant cost to the video creator.
For videos which are distributed to an access list controlled group, meaning you control who has access to the video and you also know the pertinent functional limitations of all of the people in the group, then captioning only needs to be provided if someone in the group needs it.
7. If no one in my class needs an accessible version of my online content, do I have to go through the trouble of providing things like captions for videos and alternative text for images?
no one needs an accessible version of the resource.
However, in designing your class, making something accessible often only involves a small amount of additional work. Additionally, because accessible design is a subset of universal design, designing accessible content often yields other benefits for all users. If you choose to wait to make a course accessible only when it is requested in order to meet the needs of a student with a disability, it usually takes a significant investment of time and energy to retrofit a course. Putting in 10% more effort in the design phase yields numerous hours of saved time down the road.
There are some aspects of courses that are quite costly to make accessible, like providing captions for videos. In these cases, if you control who has access to the content and you know their functional limitations, it is acceptable to not caption the videos at the design phase and to provide the captions on as needed basis as part of an accommodation as long as the captions can be provided in a timely manner when requested.
8. What if I have an inaccessible resource and I want to restrict it to an access list controlled group due to accessibility requirements, but I cannot easily set permission controls on the resource? Do I have to protect the actual resource with a password or can I make the resource sufficiently difficult to find (e.g. security through obscurity) that people would not be able to find it through casual searching or browsing?
Some resources by their nature are difficult to limit access to. For instance, sharing a Google Document with a class, where the class roll might be large and frequently changing, can be difficult because there is no automated way to share a document with an updated list from Registration and Records indicating who is in a class. Sharing a Google Document with others might require publishing the Document to a public URL.
If it is feasible to secure the resource through a password, that should always be the course of action taken to protect the resource. If the nature of the resource does not feasibly allow a password to be set on it, and the contents of the resource do not raise any FERPA concerns if it is made public, it is allowable to protect the resource by making it sufficiently difficult for the public to discover. In this case, the resource should not be discoverable or linked to from another public resource, like a link from a public Web page or a search engine. In disseminating information on how to access the resource to the access-list controlled group, care must be taken that the information is only received by that group. Acceptable methods of sharing the information on how to access the content in question include, but are not limited to, posting the information to a password protected Web site where it is known who can access the information or emailing the information to specified users.
9. If I have an inaccessible ICT resource and I receive an accommodation letter from DSO, how long do I have to make the resource accessible?
ICT resources must be available to all students so that they receive equal access to the educational opportunities and benefits afforded by the technology and equal treatment in the use of such technology. In general, this means all students must be able to participate in all activities at the same time as everyone else.
10. Wouldn’t it be much cheaper to “retrofit” pages when a student having a particular disability registers for a particular class?
No. Retrofitting Web pages in order to make them accessible requires a significant more amount of time than planning for accessibility from the beginning. Putting in 10% more effort in the design phase yields numerous hours of saved time down the road. When accessibility is not planned for from the beginning, design decisions are often made that make the possibility of making an electronic resource accessible extremely difficult or impossible.
OCR considers “effectiveness” of communication under Title II of the ADA to include timeliness of delivery, accuracy of translation, and provision in appropriate manner and medium. NC State has a continuing obligation to comply with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), meaning that implementation of technology should include planning for accessibility. Given the time that may be required to “retrofit” pages, and the fact that students may register for the class up through the first few weeks of the semester, not planning for accessibility may cause the course materials to not be accessible in a timely manner.
11. If I want to use a third-party Web site, does it have to be accessible?
Third-party Web sites and resources that are considered essential to performing the desired tasks are required to be accessible. Third-party Web sites that are supplemental to performing the desired task are not required to be accessible, but every effort should be made to find accessible resources or work with the third-party to make their resources more accessible.
Two examples of an essential resource are requiring users to go to an external Web site to take an online quiz as part of their grade or to read an electronic resource for class. An example of a supplemental resource is a collection of “for further reading” resources where the list or the resources reside on third-party sites. Care should be taken in determining what is an essential resource versus a supplemental resource, and not rushing too quickly to declare something is supplemental simply for expediency or ease of implementation.
Because of the use of emerging technologies on campus and also the difficulty in making some electronic resources fully accessible, there are officially sponsored systems which reside on third-party servers, that can still be used in inaccessible ways. You should consult NC State’s IT Accessibility Quick Guides to learn best practices in using the various systems on campus and/or confer with DSO to discuss reasonable accommodations.
12. What does “providing an equivalent experience mean”? Does this mean I don’t have to make particular technologies accessible but can provide an alternative instead?
In some cases, yes. Title II of the ADA requires public universities to ensure that communications with persons with disabilities are as effective as communications with others, unless doing so would result in a fundamental alteration to the program or is an undue burden. If the same learning objective or functional task can be accomplished in an alternative method, while still ensuring all users can engage in the activity in an equitable manner, then alternative methods of interaction are allowable.
13. There is already technology available to people with disabilities for access to electronic media, such as text reading software, braille terminals, etc. Isn’t this issue handled best by the end user?
There are a number of assistive technologies that allow people with certain disabilities to interact with resources that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. However, for these resources to work with the assistive technologies the resource often has to be transformed into another format appropriate for the assistive technology. This is where designing accessible resources is critical. A resource that is designed accessibly can easily be transformed into alternate formats through automated processes, often by the assistive technology itself. If the resource is not designed accessibly it is a manual and often labor-intensive process in order to make it work with assistive technologies.
14. Given that a picture is worth a thousand words, wouldn’t this be very time consuming and discourage faculty from adding graphics to enrich online materials?
Making images accessible simply requires that you convey the meaning of the image somewhere else in the document. Sometimes that is done as alternative text, but sometimes if an image is described thoroughly enough in the context it is found in, like in the text of a Web page, no additional description is necessary, other than the necessary short alternative description e.g. an alt attribute. The fundamental question to ask is “What message is this image conveying?” If that message is conveyed in the context where the image is, then lengthy alternative text is not needed. If the function of the image needs additional explanation, it can be stored as alternative text with the image as an alt attribute. For examples, read these tutorials on alternative text.
15. What is considered equitable for time on task for completing a given activity using technology for people with disabilities vs. people without disabilities? For example, if it takes non-disabled students an average of 60 minutes to complete a task using a given technology, is it required of the technology that a person using a screen reader also be able to complete the task in 60 minutes? Is 90 or 120 minutes considered equitable?
In general, all tasks should be designed to be as equitable as possible in terms of time on task, regardless of a person’s disability. However, sometimes the nature of a person’s disability makes this very difficult if not impossible to accomplish. Please consult with the DSO to determine what an appropriate amount of time would be. Each student’s needs vary according to course requirements, testing formats, and environment.
As a guiding principle, all unnecessary hurdles to using a technology should be eliminated. Sometimes there are particular tasks and particular technical implementations that require, for example, a screen reader user to take longer to accomplish a task than it does a non-screen reader user. However, these hurdles can often be minimized or eliminated altogether if proper coding standards are used. A lack of desire to change something on the content creator’s part is not a justification for having a particular task take longer to complete for a certain subset of users.
16. Why should I make my materials accessible when I’m just going to change them next semester?
Making course materials accessible does require additional work, and it’s a fair question to ask if no one in the current course needs the content to be accessible. The current ICT Accessibility Regulation does allow you to keep course materials inaccessible if you control who has access to the materials and no one who has access to the materials needs them to be accessible. However, if a student enters your course at any time during the semester, you are required to make those materials accessible in a timely manner. When designing online content these general guidelines should be followed.
Use authoring tools that allow for accessible content to be created easily. This can greatly facilitate the process of having to go back in later to add accessibility information when the need arises.
Even if no one currently needs the content to be accessible, learn the work habits of making the content accessible. Many accessibility needs require very little extra work and many “accessibility” features of content also benefit other users.
17. If I used a piece of inaccessible technology in a previous semester and I want to use it again in a future semester, does it have to be made accessible?
Any technology used in current courses must be accessible as per the Procedures section in the ICT Accessibility Regulation.
18. If I have two pieces of technology available to me to basically accomplish the same task, but only one of them is accessible, do I have to choose the one that is accessible, even if there are some features about the other technology that I like more?
The first question to ask in assessing the suitability of multiple competing products is what educational or business needs are you trying to meet. In other words, what problem are you trying to solve. This will help you determine the requirements you have of a particular technology. After you have determined the requirements, they should be prioritized on a scale, such as “Essential, High, Medium, and Low”. Accessibility should be included as one of the essential requirements along with other certain core functions necessary to the need the electronic resource is meeting. Only products that meet the accessibility requirements should be considered. In the final analysis, if none of the products meet the essential accessibility requirements but do meet your other essential requirements, it may be permissible to use the inaccessible technology. In this case you should contact [email protected] for consultation services. Please be aware that if you decide to purchase a technology that is not accessible over one that is, the OCR takes the position that we will not be able to use the defense of “undue hardship” (see Question 2 above).
19. What are emerging technologies?
The term emerging technology is difficult to define, but generally, emerging technologies are innovative technologies which are disruptive to the current technological landscape and have not been in the marketplace for a sufficient amount of time for competitors or an established industry around which to form.
20. Can I use emerging technologies in my course?
Yes, but under certain conditions. Emerging technologies in many circumstances and situations enable persons with disabilities to access information more readily. On the other hand, with some emerging technologies, persons with certain disabilities are unable to access the information. In 2010, six universities were the subject of complaints filed by the National Federal of the Blind alleging that use of the Kindle for classroom assignments was a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. The U.S. Department of Justice settled the cases with the universities.
If the technology is inaccessible to qualified students with disabilities, three factors must be considered prior to using emerging technologies in your course.
1. Does the particular learning objective trying to be achieved require using the inaccessible technology and are there no other options for achieving that objective using more accessible means?
If the learning objective can only be achieved through using the inaccessible technology, then it is permissible to use the technology in your course, even if a student is not fully able to participate in the activity. In this case a reasonable accommodation is made to allow the student an alternative method of achieving the learning objective. The DSO must be contacted to assist in the accommodation process.
2. If there are two technologies available to meet a particular learning objective, one inaccessible and one accessible, can I give students the option of which they want to use and use the accessible technology as a fallback option?
Yes, as long as the accessible technology provides the student with a disability an equally effective and integrated experience to those who use the inaccessible technology. If the accessible technology cannot provide such an experience, and the inaccessible technology is being used solely as a convenience for either the students or the faculty, then the more accessible technology must be used by the entire class.
3. Can I use the inaccessible emerging technology in my course simply for convenience if no one in my current course is adversely affected by using the inaccessible technology?
In this case you can use any technology you want, pursuant to other University policies, regulations, and rules, but you need to have a plan in place to provide accessible course content if a student with a disability does enroll in your course. Planning includes identifying, prior to the course beginning, a means to provide immediate delivery of accessible course content.
21. Are we required to provide accommodations, such as live captioning, for public meetings and presentations? Does it make a difference if it is a face-to-face meeting or an online meeting?
Requests for reasonable accommodations from meeting participants, regardless of where or how the meeting is held, will be honored to the extent possible. All campus groups (academic departments, business units, student groups, etc.) are strongly encouraged to include the following accommodation statement on all printed and electronic announcements about upcoming events.
If a participant contacts you with a request for a reasonable accommodation 10 days or more before the event, then the university’s expectation is that the request will be fulfilled by the unit. If, due to exceptional circumstances, a unit experiences difficulty honoring a request made 10 days or more in advance of the event, the unit is strongly encouraged to consult with the ADA Coordinator about potential consequences for failure to accommodate (contact: Amy Circosta, 919-513-1234 or [email protected]).
22. What if a participant contacts me requesting an accommodation within 10 days of the event?
it does not prohibit the completion of other essential and time-sensitive job duties.
Responding to a request for a reasonable accommodation is considered an essential job function, regardless of the time frame in which the request is made. One’s obligation to attempt to honor a request for a reasonable accommodation should be considered when prioritizing job duties. If fulfilling the reasonable accommodation request would adversely affect other essential and time-sensitive job duties to a degree that they cannot be performed, the director of the unit must make a determination as to whether it is possible for the unit to provide the accommodation. Prior to determining that it is not possible to provide the reasonable accommodation, it is strongly recommended that a representative from the unit consult with the ADA Coordinator (contact: Amy Circosta, 919-513-1234 or [email protected]). | https://accessibility.oit.ncsu.edu/ict-accessibility-regulation-faqs/ |
What is the meaning of reasonable in Hindi?
The conversation at first consisted of mutual declarations of disposition to reasonable accommodations, but I suppose each party had its own ideas of what should be meant by _reasonable_.
In case you're wondering, according to the bill, "The term 'reasonable profit' means the amount determined by the Reasonable Profits Board to be a reasonable profit on the sale."
They have no concept of what the term reasonable means.
Troy Davis' case will be used in law school as the textbook definition of the phrase "reasonable doubt," yet it was somehow beyond our collective will to spare his life.
The analysts credited what they called a "reasonable" valuation and stronger signs in the home-improvement sector. | http://englishtohindi.in/meaning-of-reasonable-in-hindi.html |
What guidance and best practices exist for municipalities when receiving and spending funding for COVID-19 vaccine distributions?
One strategy to assist in maximizing multiple funding sources is to, where reasonable, prioritize more restrictive funding and use it first, before tapping into more flexible funding. For example, it may be advisable to utilize FEMA PA funding first (which is not capped or competitive) for all eligible activities, and then after using FEMA PA, a municipality can use other funding sources for the expenditures ineligible for FEMA reimbursement. This may help maximize overall federal funding by saving the nonfinite funding programs for use after the finite funding programs.
It will be important to understand the specific documentation and eligibility requirements of each program. Each municipality will need to demonstrate compliance and validate that its organization met the rules and requirements of the different programs. Failure to meet documentation requirements, or documentation that does not adequately support the municipality’s claim under any given funding source, may result in having to forgo eligible funding. It will be prudent for municipalities to record and save all documentation, invoices, proofs of payments, procurement methodologies, etc. Below are some points to consider following to help minimize duplication of benefits (“DOB”) and maximize additional funding:
- Documentation should be detailed;
- documentation should be stored centrally and electronically; and
- documentation should be organized logically.
Understanding the differences between Federal funding programs can help a city determine what activity should be applied to each funding source. Additionally, detailed tracking of costs is often critical to avoid DOB – a requirement that no two funding sources can provide funding for the same item, service, or scope. In some cases, multiple funding sources can provide funding for the same item, and your organization should identify which funding source will best meet your needs.
The vaccine distribution process should aim to deploy resources as efficiently as possible. The CDC has identified some best practices municipalities may follow to ensure efficient management of vaccine distribution:
- Jurisdictions can consider determining a consistent, predictable amount of vaccine to each site or provider. This allows vaccine administrators to schedule patients more efficiently for their second dose within the 28 to 42-day window, if administering Pfizer or Moderna.
- Providers can consider estimating how many patients are due for their second shot on a weekly basis. This requires vaccine distribution to be steady and readily available to the provider. It is recommended that vaccines be closely tracked and allocated in a timely manner.
- Providers should consider prioritizing patients requiring their second dose. A system should be implemented that assesses and determines the appropriate amount of first doses allocated to each site and concurrently prioritizes providers or sites that have patients approaching the end of their 42-day window (six weeks) to receive their second dose. Vaccine distributors must take into consideration the amount of time it takes to place orders and deliver vaccine to providers.
- It is not recommended to hold or place to the side second doses for patients who miss their appointments. Providers should consider evaluating, on a weekly basis, the number of missed appointments and use any remaining as first doses to avoid waste.
- Jurisdictions should consider tracking vaccine administration to identify which providers have a high throughput of vaccine at their location(s), to determine where larger allocation of vaccine can be sent in the future. | https://bloombergcities.jhu.edu/faqs/what-guidance-and-best-practices-exist-municipalities-when-receiving-and-spending-funding |
the MOOC entitled Simulation and Modeling of Natural Processes.
Python three which will be the main language use throughout this course.
modeling which is a very important thing to know when we are doing modeling.
we want first to understand why we need programming in this course.
The aim of this course is to represent nature.
which is, first, a complex task, and then gives also complex mathematical models.
there is no fast enough way to compute the solution.
a system when we need to do a large amount of computations.
This is exactly what computers are good at.
it can do it very fast.
So, what should we do when we do a good model?
First, we should be accurate enough.
So our model should really represent the natural phenomenon of interest.
we have to produce a result in a reasonable amount of time.
We cannot wait for an unknown long time to have a result.
It would not be usable in practice.
So how can a computer model become faster?
One possibility Is just to wait for the computers to become faster.
performance in a really fast way, an exponential, actually, way.
This is starting to slow down a bit.
But anyway it is not a good way to think, to just wait.
to make an algorithm that performs the same task with less computations.
write your algorithm as a computer program in an efficient way.
there are many different ways to give orders to your computer.
the performance of the computer program.
our next module is on concepts of code optimization. | https://ru.coursera.org/lecture/modeling-simulation-natural-processes/introduction-to-high-performance-computing-for-modeling-DjaNs |
How to deal with the sewage in paper mill?
Due to the large amount of pulp and paper wastewater, the difficulty of treatment and the continuous improvement of environmental protection standards, water treatment costs have also increased in corporate expenditures. Here are a few ways to discuss how to save energy and reduce emissions.
Anaerobic treatment facility
At present, there are many anaerobic treatment facilities used in the sewage treatment of pulp and paper enterprises, such as hydrolysis acidification tank, UASB, ABR and IC. Most enterprises have built hydrolytic acidification tanks. For enterprises with low COD concentration, it is recommended to increase the sludge concentration of the hydrolysis acidification tank and change the hydraulic distribution to fully exert the effect of anaerobic treatment. For enterprises with high COD concentration, it is recommended to increase Anaerobic reactors are built; for companies that already have anaerobic reactors, operating parameters should be optimized to allow the anaerobic treatment facility to operate better.
Aerobic treatment facilities
The aerobic treatment facility is the most energy-intensive part of wastewater treatment, accounting for 60% to 70% of the energy consumption of the entire treatment system, so it is the focus of energy conservation.
Control of dissolved oxygen concentration
According to the results of the US Environmental Protection Agency, when the air volume is controlled by DO, energy can be saved by 33%. Monitoring of DO concentration from a process perspective can reduce or avoid excessive aeration and unnecessary nitrification. In addition, the DO concentration can be controlled at 1~2mg/L in actual engineering operation.
In actual operation, scientific and reasonable control methods should be selected according to the specific conditions, and the nitrogen content and DO concentration in the water should be controlled to reduce unnecessary nitrification, thereby achieving energy saving purposes.
Blower room and piping design
When constructing the blower room, the reasonable ventilation system design should be based on the type of blower, so that the drum extension room has better ventilation effect, and at the same time, the airflow short circuit should be avoided as much as possible in the ventilation system design. Short and straight when arranging pipes to reduce losses.
Other treatment facilities
Lift pump station
Lifting pumping stations are also a major energy consumer of sewage treatment systems, so how to make lift pumps work efficiently is very meaningful for energy saving.
Reasonable determination of the lift, select the sewage lift pump with the flow and lift as far as possible to meet the design requirements. In the overall arrangement, it should be as compact as possible. When connecting the pipelines, it should be short and straight, minimize the loss of the head, reduce the number of pumps, and use high-efficiency pumps. When it is necessary to adjust the flow rate, the frequency conversion speed regulation technology should be used to replace the valve or the regulating baffle. In actual operation, it is proved that the use of the frequency conversion technology can save energy by 40% to 60% compared with the use of the baffle and the valve to adjust the flow rate.
Precipitation pool energy saving
For the energy saving of the primary and secondary sinking tanks, it is mainly in the way of sludge discharge and the running time of the scraper. It is most energy-efficient to use static mud, and the scraper can be adjusted to intermittent operation. As for the interval time, it should be determined according to the actual situation, so as not to cause the sludge to float.
Sludge dewatering system energy saving
First of all, in the sludge dewatering, it is necessary to control the reasonable dosage of the agent, try to use the current distribution, and how much to use, to save the dosage. Second, we must choose an efficient and energy-saving sludge dewatering equipment. Finally, when designing the sludge return system, a reasonable return pump should be selected; when arranging the pipeline, the pipeline loss should be minimized. The energy saving and consumption reduction of sewage treatment projects is a comprehensive work involving many links such as process, self-control and equipment. The multi-disciplinary intersection and the integration of various technologies are the inevitable trend of its development. | http://www.paperpulping.com/news/How-to-deal-with-the-sewage-in-paper-mill.html |
What is an abatement of penalties for reasonable cause?
What’s worse than owing taxes to the IRS? The astronomical amount of penalties and interest that they add to the debt to make the debt even higher. Often times, the penalties that the IRS assesses can dwarf the amount of tax that was owed in the first place. This leads many taxpayers to get discouraged and give up on ever getting their tax debt paid off in full. But there are mechanisms in place which can help to reduce the overall amount of tax debt, by reducing the amount of penalties that are owed to the IRS.
The IRS will consider the abatement of penalties on a taxpayer’s account if the taxpayer can prove there was “reasonable cause” to have not filed the taxes or returns on time. The only problem is that the IRS does not explicitly state what “reasonable cause” is, and oftentimes it is a subjective decision made by a lone IRS agent at the Penalty Abatement Unit. So, when a taxpayer is requesting an abatement due to this undefined standard of reasonable cause, where should they go for guidance?
How do I know if I have reasonable cause or not?
A lot of taxpayers may think that their unique circumstances warrant a reasonable cause abatement, but will the IRS agree with that assessment. First off, a taxpayer should sit down with a tax professional and really evaluate what lead to the penalties and what their potential reason could be. This could be one specific situation, or a slew of factors that culminated in the eventual accrual of tax liability and the associated penalties. These reasons could range from anything to a clerical error, to erroneous IRS advice, or a serious illness or death in the family.
The Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) should be the first resource for determining if there is reasonable cause for the abatement of the penalties. There are many different factors which are listed in the IRM which would help a taxpayer provide a base for which they are going to request for the abatement.
Drafting the Abatement Request
When drafting the actual correspondence, it is important to cite the IRM and applicable case law very specifically. The IRS has a tool which analyzes these requests and searches for key words, so it can identify a valid abatement request. That being said, it’s not necessary to use hashtags or just include keywords for fluff purposes but citing specific standards will allow your request to stand out from other, more generic requests. It is important to be as specific as possible and include any supporting documentation which could help to substantiate the request. For example, if you have a heart attack and this was the time when you became delinquent, then include medical information that shows when the heart attack occurred. Another good use of substantiating documents, is if you are claiming financial hardship as the reason behind the accruals, perhaps it would be prudent to include delinquent bills or shut-off notices in your abatement request.
What Are My Odds of Success?
This is a question that we get on a daily basis and every time we hear it, we have the same response. It is very difficult to give a percentage or likely odds of a successful abatement for reasonable cause, as they are all fact-specific. Often, there are fact-specific factors that can lead to one result over another. Furthermore, it’s difficult to determine what the IRS agent who examines the request will deem as “reasonable cause”. But I will tell you that 100% of penalty abatement requests that don’t get submitted, do not succeed. Just like Wayne Gretzky says; “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.
While there is no way to know for sure that your request for a Penalty Abatement for Reasonable Cause will be approved, if you craft a coherent and well-fashioned request, it will greatly increase the odds of approval.
Adam Holleran, EA, JD
Timberline Tax Group, LLC
Call Timberline Tax Group at 844-345-3250 for a free consultation. | https://timberlinetax.com/reasonable-cause-the-irs-penalty-abatement-standard/ |
The Sedona Conference Working Group on Electronic Document Retention & Production (WG1) has proposed a set of principles and practical guidance for the eDiscovery process, in its recent publication, the “Commentary on Defense of Process: Principles and Guidelines for Developing and Implementing a Sound E-Discovery Process” (available for download here). The Commentary seeks to address what parties can do to avoid, or at the least prepare for, challenges to an eDiscovery process they apply in a given matter and how courts should address discovery disputes. The public comment period on the Commentary has now closed.
By focusing on the defensibility, the Commentary endeavors to provide guidance to parties and their counsel who design and execute eDiscovery plans and processes and who may be called upon to defend the appropriateness and efficacy of their discovery efforts. Indeed, considerations of defensibility of eDiscovery process underlie every decision in-house counsel and their eDiscovery attorneys make, from pulling the trigger on issuing a legal hold notice to completing the last production in the case.
The responsibility for the eDiscovery process is a shared one, falling “on counsel and client alike. At the end of the day, however, the duty to preserve and produce documents rests on the party.” Zubulake v. UBS Warburg LLC, 229 F.R.D. 422, 436 (S.D.N.Y. 2004). Failure to fulfill this responsibility, which by nature lacks bright-line rules, comes with potential for substantial monetary and case-destroying sanctions.
The Commentary proposes Thirteen Principles designed to establish the parameters for reasonable and defensible eDiscovery process within a given matter. Today, we will discuss the key takeaways found in Principles 1-3. We will address the remaining Principles over the next few days.
Principle 1. An e-discovery process is not required to be perfect, or even the best available, but it should be reasonable under the circumstances. When evaluating the reasonableness of an e-discovery process, parties and the courts consider issues of proportionality, including the benefits and burdens of a particular process.
Comment 1.a. Perfection Is Not Required
This Principle stands on the proposition that only reasonable effort is required and that more than one process can be deemed reasonable in a given case. And, reaching back to the first-year law school Torts class, reasonable people can disagree on what is reasonable.
Rule 26(g) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedures requires parties to conduct a “reasonable inquiry” when propounding and responding to discovery in order to determine that their disclosures, requests, or responses are warranted by existing law, not interposed for any improper purpose, and are neither unreasonable nor unduly burdensome or expensive, “considering the needs of the case, prior discovery in the case, the amount in controversy, and the importance of the issues at stake in the action.”
Reasonableness of inquiry required by Rule 26(g) is judged by what is reasonable under the circumstances. The Commentary states that to be reasonable, an eDiscovery process “need not be perfect, nor even the best available option, and it does not have to identify all discoverable ESI.” Furthermore, an eDiscovery process “is not inadequate simply because an opposing party can demonstrate that a more accurate or complete process exists.”
Comment 1.b. Proportionality Is Central to Reasonableness
This proposition is helpful in those cases where the requesting party asks for the production of forensic images of everything under the sun plus the backup tapes, in a case worth $10,000.
The Commentary makes a strong point that proportionality does not exist in a vacuum, but that it is rather tied to the circumstances of the case, evaluated against the factors in Rule 26(b)(1), which states that parties may obtain discovery regarding any nonprivileged matter “that is relevant to any party’s claim or defense and proportional to the needs of the case, considering the importance of the issues at stake in the action, the amount in controversy, the parties’ relative access to relevant information, the parties’ resources, the importance of the discovery in resolving the issues, and whether the burden or expense of the proposed discovery outweighs its likely benefit.”
The Commentary illustrates this point through a hypothetical of a contract dispute over $50,000 in allegedly defective merchandise that was returned by a retailer to its supplier. In this hypothetical, the supplier identified relevant ESI by asking the general counsel, who negotiated the contract, and the account representative for the retailer, to search their own email files for emails related to that retailer, by using reasonable search terms discussed between outside counsel and the two custodians. The Commentary argues that this process is reasonable under the circumstances, given the modest value of the litigation, the high cost of a more comprehensive search, and the low likelihood that a more comprehensive search would identify additional unique relevant ESI.
Principle 2. An e-discovery process should be developed and implemented by a responding party after reasonable due diligence, including consultation with persons with subject-matter expertise, and technical knowledge and competence.
Comment 2.a. The Requirement for Due Diligence
The “reasonable inquiry” expected from counsel under Rule 26(g) must be undertaken with “due diligence.” Adequate due diligence is likewise tied to the consideration of proportionality factors, such as burden, cost, and the amount in controversy, as well as the importance of the issues at stake. If the discovery process is challenged, counsel’s failure to demonstrate adequate due diligence may be grounds for sanctions.
Counsel should also be aware of jurisdictional requirements. Some courts, including the District of Kansas and the Northern District of California, have approved checklists, guidelines, and model standing orders that supplement the minimum requirement of a reasonable inquiry.
Comment 2.b. Elements of Due Diligence
While there is no comprehensive checklist to cover all circumstances, the Commentary includes the following topics that need to be addressed by due diligence:
- The identity and role of relevant custodians
- The location of sources of relevant ESI (at custodian and organizational levels)
- Reasonable steps that should be taken to preserve relevant ESI
- The suitability of criteria and tools used to identify relevant ESI
- The qualifications, competence, knowledge, and experience of individuals or entities entrusted to collect, process, search, and review ESI
By way of illustration, the Commentary proposes that counsel cannot discharge his due diligence by accepting the client’s IT representative’s report that all of custodial email has been collected from the servers. Before being satisfied with that report, counsel would need to verify that email collection is sufficient. To do so, counsel might need to investigate, for instance, how the client’s email system is structured and used and how custodians store email.
Comment 2.c. The Role of Experts or E-Discovery Liaisons
- This comment highlights the fact that preservation and collection of ESI is often outside of the common knowledge of attorneys whose practice is not focused on eDiscovery. As such, it is beneficial, and encouraged by some courts, to designate eDiscovery liaisons who are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of eDiscovery and whose expertise can boost the defensibility of the process in a given case.
Principle 3. Responding parties are best situated to evaluate and select the procedures, methodologies, and technologies for their e-discovery process.
Comment 3.a. Application of Existing Sedona Principles
Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and similar state court rules, the responding parties have the obligation and right to make decisions concerning the eDiscovery process they will employ in a given case. The Sedona Conference adopted this concept as Principle 6 in its Best Practices Recommendations & Principles for Addressing Electronic Document Production.
The principle is based on the fact that the responding party has better knowledge of, access to, and control of, the systems, documents, and custodians at issue. As an illustration to this concept, the Commentary proposes that where parties, after diligent effort to cooperate, are unable to reach a compromise on search terms to be applied by the defendant to its ESI, “it is the defendant’s right to decide how to proceed, understanding that it is under an obligation to conduct a reasonable search pursuant to Rule 26(g) and that its process may later be subject to challenge.”
Comment 3.b. No Safe Harbor
Reiterating the concept above, the Commentary states that in the absence of an agreement or court order, the producing party has the “prerogative and responsibility” to decide what procedures, methodologies, and technologies it will use in a given case. The flipside of this prerogative is that the party will then need to live with the consequences of those decisions. To avoid challenges to the process, parties should always attempt to cooperatively reach an agreement on the eDiscovery process to be applied in their case.
We will discuss the key takeaways from the remaining Principles over the next few days. | https://www.carpedatumlaw.com/2016/11/key-takeaways-sedona-conference-commentary-defense-ediscovery-process-principles-1-3-part/ |
Central to dealing with cold weather Health and Safety issues are the requirements of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992. Regulation 3 requires a risk assessment of all work activities and this will include considering the issue and effects of cold weather. The risk assessment should encompass all work-related risks which are caused or increased by winter weather. As always the amount of effort spent on such risk assessments should be in proportion to the likely risks and outcomes and this should prevent unnecessary paperwork and bureaucracy.
Low temperatures in the workplace can increase a number of risks that need to be assessed. The cold can cause discomfort, and in extreme circumstances, hypothermia. Low temperatures can also affect dexterity which can increase risks for some activities. For example, those operating woodworking machines are at a higher risk of accidents when working at low temperatures.
The Health and Safety (Workplace) Regulations 1992 with its associated code of practice (ACOP) require the temperature inside workplaces to be reasonable. What is a reasonable temperature is dependent on the work activities and circumstances and guidelines are given in the ACOP. For workrooms where there is no work which involves severe physical effort e.g. an office, then the temperature should not drop below 16°C.
Local heating e.g. portable heaters may be needed during very cold spells to maintain the minimum temperature. However it is important that these are safe for use as they can present a significant fire hazard. For instance if the heater has not been used for some time, it may be covered in flammable dust. Portable electrical heaters should be subject to visual inspection prior to use and be included in the company’s portable appliance testing regime.
There are many situations where this minimum temperature cannot be achieved, for example where food is handled or in cold stores. In these situations, warm clothing, time limitation in the cold areas, rest areas and similar measures should be taken.
One of the most common consequences of wintery weather is the risk of slips as the result of snow and ice on walkways and paths. Employers have a duty not just to their own staff, but also to non-employees such as the public and other visitors. Serious injuries can result from slipping on ice and while prosecutions do occasionally take place following slipping accidents, potentially expensive civil claims are more likely.
Employers therefore need to be prepared for bad weather and take reasonable action to keep paths and walkways free from ice and snow. This is not an exact science and it is sometimes impossible to keep all accesses free from snow and ice, all of the time. The risk assessment process should have identified priority walkways and take appropriate action to keep them safe. This will include the use of salt and grit as well as warning signs. Employers need to be able to show that they have properly considered the issue and have spent an appropriate amount of resources commensurate with the risk. | https://www.seton.co.uk/legislationwatch/article/cold-weather-workplace/ |
Whether you are aware of it or not, you have probably signed a contract that contains a liquidated damages provision, which is a provision that specifies exactly how much a party must pay in damages for breaching the contract. Liquidated damages are common in various business contexts, such as real estate sales, construction contracts, and the sale of business assets. If you’re using liquidated damages in your standard business contracts, or you’re in the process of negotiating a contract containing a liquidated damages clause, then you need to be aware of how they work, and especially how they differ from penalties. If a court determines that a liquidated damages provision is actually a penalty, it will not be enforceable.
This article is intended to give you an understanding of the differences between liquidated damages and penalties, so you have the basic tools to assess whether your liquidated damages provision is enforceable. The first section provides an overview of liquidated damages and penalties, and the second section offers insights as to how the courts distinguish between the two.
Overview of Liquidated Damages and Penalties
Liquidated damages are a risk and cost management tool that parties use to avoid the hassle of proving damages when a party has breached a contract. People often believe that their only option is to sue if someone breaches a contract, which isn’t true. One of the main reasons people file lawsuits is to have a court to determine the legal amount of damages they are owed. However, if you’ve already contractually agreed to the amount of damages, then typically you are legally bound to that amount of damages. Even if you can’t completely avoid litigation, for instance if the other party denies the breach, a liquidated damages provision can still substantially reduce litigation costs because you won’t have to prove damages, which is time intensive and expensive.
However, if your liquidated damages provision is actually a penalty, then courts are not required to enforce it. This is extremely problematic because it puts parties in the exact position they intended to avoid, which is having to deal with the hassles of proving damages and, now, that decision is in the hands of a judge or jury and there is no guarantee that they will award you the full amount of your damages. The distinction between liquidated damages and penalties can seem nuanced at first, but look at it this way: liquidated damages compensate a non-breaching party for actual losses and damages, whereas penalties are designed to financially punish the breaching party for punishment’s sake. Courts will absolutely allow you to seek damages and losses that you suffer when a party does not uphold their end of a contract, but, absent fraud or ill-will, they will not allow a contract provision that has no intention other than financially punishing a party that, in good faith, could not uphold its end of the bargain.
Now, if you’re like me, you are probably pondering whether courts should have the authority to intermeddle in private parties’ contracts in this manner. Rest assured, it’s a good thing for the vast majority of people and businesses. If penalties were enforceable in contracts, then the most powerful players in any given market could seriously abuse the less powerful players (often start-ups, smaller companies, and local businesses) because the only options would be to agree to do business with the large player and risk exorbitant penalties, or close shop. This would significantly inhibit the creation of new businesses and undermine a competitive market. Generally, the business world is better without contractual penalties, and in the rare instances when punishing a party to a contract is appropriate, such as in the instance of fraud, there are laws that allow courts and parties to impose penalties.
How Courts Distinguish Between Liquidated Damages and Penalties
When assessing whether a contract provision provides for liquidated damages or whether it imposes a penalty, the overarching determination the court will make is whether the amount set forth in the contract, at the time of contracting, was an attempt to fairly represent the actual damages a party would suffer from a breach of the contract.
In making this determination, courts look at: (1) whether the parties intended to provide for liquidated damages or for a penalty; (2) whether the damages are of a type that are difficult or impossible to estimate accurately at the time the parties entered into the contract; and (3) whether the amount is a reasonable forecast of the harm caused by the breach. Below is an abridged level of insight into each of the factors.
First, the contract shouldn’t refer to any amounts that are to be paid in the event of a breach as a forfeiture or a penalty. On its face, that shows intent to impose a penalty.
Second, if the damages are difficult to ascertain at the time of contracting, then the courts give greater leeway when there is a large discrepancy between the actual harm caused and the amount of liquidated damages provided for in the contract. If damages should have been relatively easy to calculate at the time of contracting, then the courts will be less inclined to uphold a large discrepancy between the two.
Third, the amount of damages should be reasonable and explainable based on the information available at the time of contracting, and should not appear to be pulled out of thin air. Frankly, if you’re unable to forecast damages with any degree of reasonable certainty, then you may not want to use liquidated damages as it could backfire.
Finally, keep in mind that under the “voluntary payment doctrine” any money paid voluntarily, with knowledge of all the relevant facts and without fraud or duress, cannot be recovered based on ignorance of law, or a mistake of how the law applies. Meaning, it doesn’t matter if the liquated damages provision would have been deemed an unenforceable penalty. If a party wants to challenge a liquidated damages provision in a contract, they must refuse to pay completely, or make payment under written protest.
This document is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for consultation with a licensed legal professional in a particular case or circumstance.
If you need assistance with a related matter, contact us. | https://carlsondash.com/know-your-contract-terms-liquidated-damages/ |
FDA Issues Final Guidance On Least Burdensome Provisions For Medical Devices
Congress has directed the FDA to conduct premarket evaluations of medical devices in the least burdensome manner possible, consistent with maintaining the statutory requirements for clearance and approval. As a result, the FDA recently issued a final guidance document titled “The Least Burdensome Provisions: Concept and Principles.” Congress first added a least burdensome provision to the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act in 1997, and more recently in the FDA Safety and Innovation Act and in the 21st Century Cures Act.
Definition of Least Burdensome
In the final guidance, the FDA defines “least burdensome” to mean “the minimum amount of information necessary to adequately address a relevant regulatory question or issue through the most efficient manner at the right time.” The final guidance added the word “relevant” to the definition in the draft version to emphasize the FDA’s regulatory burden throughout the total product life cycle. The definition considers the type of information, different ways to generate or provide information, and when information should be generated or provided to the FDA during the total product life cycle.
The core of the guidance is found in its “guiding principles.” Here is a summary of those principles:
1. The FDA will request the minimum information necessary to adequately address the regulatory question or issue at hand.
2. The industry should submit material, including premarket submissions, to the FDA that are least burdensome for the FDA to review that:
-
Is well-organized, clear, and concise
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Is not unrelated to the regulatory decision
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References applicable FDA guidance documents where FDA recommendations were considered
3. The FDA will use the most efficient means to resolve regulatory questions and issues including:
-
All reasonable measures to streamline processes and policies, as well as render regulatory decisions within appropriate timeframes, such as MDUFA performance goals
-
Routinely using both formal and informal interactive approaches, whenever possible, to resolve questions and issues
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Reasonable, tailored approaches that have been adapted to individual circumstances and needs to address regulatory questions and issues, which industry should also do
- Considering the time and resource implications of its requests
4. The right information should be provided at the right time (e.g., just-in-time data collection) to address the right questions.
-
The FDA will, and industry should, consider the use of postmarket data collection to reduce premarket data collection whenever appropriate and feasible.
5. Regulatory approaches should be designed to fit the technology, taking into account its unique innovation cycles, evidence generation needs, and timely patient access.
6. The FDA will leverage data from other countries and decisions by, or on behalf of, other national medical device regulatory authorities to the extent appropriate and feasible.
7. The FDA will apply least burdensome principles in international medical device convergence and harmonization efforts.
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The FDA will actively engage in the development, recognition, and use of voluntary consensus standards published by international and other standards development organizations.
The final guidance has sections expanding on each of these principles and also provides examples for both premarket and postmarket settings to demonstrate approaches the FDA and industry can take to ensure the least burdensome principles are implemented for all device-related applications and interactions with the FDA. | https://www.natlawreview.com/article/fda-issues-final-guidance-least-burdensome-provisions-medical-devices |
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Idaho Laws & Rules
Idaho Statutes
Title 28
Chapter 4
Section 28-4-618
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Idaho Statutes
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TITLE 28
COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS
CHAPTER 4
UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE — BANK DEPOSITS AND COLLECTIONS
PART 6.
FUNDS TRANSFERS SUBJECT MATTER AND DEFINITIONS
28-4-618.
Rejection of payment order.
(1) A payment order is rejected by the receiving bank by a notice of rejection transmitted to the sender orally, electronically, or in writing. A notice of rejection need not use any particular words and is sufficient if it indicates that the receiving bank is rejecting the order or will not execute or pay the order. Rejection is effective when the notice is given if transmission is by a means that is reasonable in the circumstances. If notice of rejection is given by a means that is not reasonable, rejection is effective when the notice is received. If an agreement of the sender and receiving bank establishes the means to be used to reject a payment order,
(a) any means complying with the agreement is reasonable, and
(b) any means not complying is not reasonable unless no significant delay in receipt of the notice resulted from the use of the noncomplying means.
(2) The provisions of this subsection apply if a receiving bank other than the beneficiary’s bank fails to execute a payment order despite the existence on the execution date of a withdrawable credit balance in an authorized account of the sender sufficient to cover the order. If the sender does not receive notice of rejection of the order on the execution date and the authorized account of the sender does not bear interest, the bank is obliged to pay interest to the sender on the amount of the order for the number of days elapsing after the execution date to the earlier of the day the order is cancelled pursuant to section
28-4-619
(4) or the day the sender receives notice or learns that the order was not executed, counting the final day of the period as an elapsed day. If the withdrawable credit balance during that period falls below the amount of the order, the amount of interest is reduced accordingly.
(3) If a receiving bank suspends payments, all unaccepted payment orders issued to it are deemed rejected at the time the bank suspends payments.
(4) Acceptance of a payment order precludes a later rejection of the order. Rejection of a payment order precludes a later acceptance of the order.
History:
[28-4-618, added 1991, ch. 135, sec. 1, p. 305.]
How current is this law? | https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title28/t28ch4/sect28-4-618/ |
It is urged that the judgment is wrong so far as it is in appellee's favor for $5,000 as a sum she was entitled to by the terms of the policy; and that, if it is right in that respect, it is wrong so far as it is in her favor for $600 as damages and $1,250 as attorney's fees she was entitled to by the terms of article 4746, Vernon's Statutes.
The contention as to the $5,000 is that *Page 971 the recovery thereof was unauthorized, mainly because, it is asserted, the right to claim any benefit under the policy was forfeited by the failure of the assured to pay the premium due June 21, 1921, within the time required by the policy, to wit, 31 days from said June 21, 1921. It conclusively appears in the record that the premium was not paid within the 31 days, or ever. Therefore the contention should be sustained if the forfeiture clause in the policy, set out in the statement above, was not inapplicable to the case, notwithstanding the failure of the assured to pay the premium.
The recovery of the $5,000 was predicated on the undertaking of appellant to pay the assured that amount in annual installments of $250 each if he "should [quoting] become totally and permanently disabled to such an extent as to render it impossible for him to engage in any gainful occupation whatever," and, if the assured should die before all the installments were paid, to pay appellee, in a lump sum, the total amount thereof then remaining unpaid.
It sufficiently appeared from the testimony, we think, and the jury found, that the insured was so disabled when the premium referred to became due, and continued in that condition until he died in August, 1921. 14 R.C.L. p. 1315 et seq.; 5 Joyce on Insurance, § 3032.
Appellee insists that the insured therefore was not bound to pay the premium referred to, and hence that the forfeiture clause in the policy did not apply to the case. The insistence is based on the provision in the policy with reference to such disability that "payment [quoting] of premiums will be waived by the company during any period in which the insured is entitled to this benefit."
Appellant, on the other hand, insists that the fact alone that the insured became disabled, if he did, as determined by the jury, did not entitle him to any benefit under the policy; that, to be entitled to payment of the annual installments, the assured must not only have become so disabled, but that he must, before the expiration of the 31 days specified, have furnished appellant proof of such disability, in writing have requested it to pay the installments, and have waived all other benefits under the policy. And, it appearing without dispute in the testimony that the insured never furnished such proof nor made such request and waiver, appellant insists that the insured never became entitled to payment of the installments, and hence that it was never in the attitude of having waived payment of the premium referred to.
We do not think appellant's contention should be sustained. It did not appear from the forfeiture clause, or any other part of the policy, that the proof, request, and waiver referred to must have been made before the expiration of the 31 days specified. On the contrary, the time within which the insured was to make such proof, etc., was not limited by anything in the policy. That being true, it could not be held, when the rules for construing such clauses in a contract are kept in mind, that the insured forfeited the right he had to the installments, if disabled as determined by the jury, because he did not make the proof, request, and waiver before the expiration of said 31 days. The insured being entitled, according to the finding of the jury, to demand payment of the installments on making the proof, request, and waiver, the most appellant could contend for with reference to proof, etc., was that it be made within a reasonable time after the disability arose. The judgment involves a finding that the insured died before the expiration of such a time, and the policy provided that if the insured, being entitled to the installments became of his disability, should die before all of same were made to him, the amount of the installments not paid should be paid to appellee "upon receipt of due proof of the death of the insured."
On the case stated, we think it should be held (1) that the provision in the policy that appellant was to waive the payment of premiums while the insured was disabled, within the meaning of the policy operated, the insured being so disabled, to relieve him of the necessity of paying the premium in question within the time specified in the policy; (2) that the insured, because so disabled, was entitled at the time he died to demand of appellant payment of the annual installments provided for in the policy, on making proof of such disability and request and waiver, as provided in the policy; (3) that the policy being, for the reasons stated, a valid obligation enforceable by the insured against appellant at the time he died, at his death became enforceable by appellee against appellant.
We have read Hipp v. Ins. Co.,
The contention that the judgment for the $5,000 is erroneous and should be reversed, based on the action of the trial court in refusing a special charge requested by appellant which, had it been given, would have instructed the jury as to the meaning of the words "total and permanent disability" *Page 972 as used in the policy, is overruled. We think there was no substantial difference between the refused charge and the instruction the court gave the jury.
The contention that the judgment is wrong, so far as it is in appellee's favor for $600 as damages and $1,250 as attorney's fees she was entitled to recover, is predicated on the view that it did not appear that appellee was entitled to invoke the statute relied upon (article 4746, Vernon's Statutes) to support such recovery.
The statute provided that a life, health, or accident insurance company, which failed to pay a loss it was liable for within 30 days after demand was made for payment thereof should —
"be liable to pay the holder of such policy, in addition to the amount of the loss, 12 per cent. damages on the amount of such loss together with reasonable attorney's fees for the prosecution and collection of such loss."
Appellant insists that there was no testimony showing that demand was made on it for payment of the loss, as required by the statute, and therefore that a finding that it was liable for anything as damages or as attorney's fees was unauthorized. That demand was made we think was shown by the letter of appellee's attorneys dated November 18, 1921, advising appellant that appellee held the policy and that she —
"duly presents her claim for the payments provided for in said policy, by reason of the death of her said husband."
In the letter said attorneys requested appellant to forward —
"proper blanks so that claim can be presented under the provisions of said policy, wherein it is provided that the company waives the payment of premiums in case the insured becomes totally disabled."
It appeared that the letter reached appellant on or before November 23, 1921, for on that day, appellant's attorney answered it advising appellee's attorneys that appellant disclaimed liability on the ground that the "policy lapsed for nonpayment of premium on July 21, 1921."
The insistence that, if the letter of appellee's attorneys should be treated as a demand, it was not a sufficient one because not for a specific sum, is without merit, we think. The argument is that —
"in suit on combination policy, covering life, accidental death, and health, or disability, that, before penalty and attorney's fees are recoverable, there must be evidence of a demand for the payment of a specified sum, or that the demand must be sufficiently definite to enable insurer to know what is demanded, or under what clause demand is made."
There is no reason to doubt, we think, that appellant knew, when it read the letter of appellee's attorneys, that the demand was for the payment of the sum it had agreed to pay if the insured became disabled within the meaning of the policy.
Another contention, with reference to the recovery of the $1,250 as attorney's fees, is that it was unauthorized because it was not shown, it is asserted, what would have been a reasonable fee "for the prosecution and collection" of the loss. As the writer sees it, the only testimony on that issue was that of the witnesses Chancellor, Speer, and Robertson, with reference to a reasonable fee conditioned on success in the prosecution of a suit on the policy, and he thinks the fee contemplated by the statute was not a "contingent fee based upon the uncertainty of the result of the litigation" (Ins. Co. v. McAdams,
Over appellant's objection, both appellee and Dr. Clark were allowed to testify that they regarded the disability the insured suffered from as "permanent." If it was error to admit the testimony, the error was harmless, as it conclusively appeared from other testimony in the case that the disability was permanent. Other contentions presented in the brief are overruled for the same reason — that is, because the rulings of the trial court complained of, if erroneous, were harmless, for anything to the contrary appearing in the record.
The judgment is affirmed.
We differ with Chief Justice WILLSON only on the question of attorney's fees. The following is a brief statement of our conclusions:
In this case, after the plaintiff had pleaded the essential facts upon which she relied for a recovery, she further alleged that she had *Page 973 employed attorneys to collect the claim and had agreed to pay them the sum of $1,250, which, she represented, was a reasonable compensation for such services. The defendant met these averments with only a general denial. In the trial below the court submitted only two issues to the jury. The first referred to the question of total and permanent disability of the deceased; the second was as follows:
"What is a reasonable attorney's fee for representing plaintiff in the transaction, and collection of the loss claimed by her?" To this the jury answered, "$1,250.00."
Before those questions were read to the jury, the appellant requested the following special instruction:
"You are instructed that there is no competent evidence before you as to the reasonableness of the attorney's fees claimed by the plaintiff. You will therefore not consider the evidence introduced as to this issue, and will, as to the attorney's fees, return a verdict for defendant."
The refusal of that charge is the basis of the assignment of error raising the question to be considered. The law applicable to this portion of the litigation is article 4746 of the Revised Civil Statutes, and is as follows:
"In all cases where a loss occurs and the life insurance company, * * * liable therefor, shall fail to pay the same within 30 days after demand therefor, such company shall be liable to pay the holder of such policy, in addition to the amount of the loss, 12 per cent. damages on the amount of such loss together with reasonable attorney fees for the prosecution and collection of such loss."
It is undisputed in the evidence that a demand for the payment of the claim sued on had been made, and payment refused. That fact alone made the company liable in this case for some amount as attorney's fees; the court had the right to determine that question as a matter of law, and to instruct the jury accordingly. In this instance, the charge was framed upon the assumption that such liability existed, and no objection is made to its form. The only question presented for the jury to pass upon was, what sum was reasonable in this particular case? It cannot be said that the jury knew nothing about the services performed by the attorneys for the claimant, and which had to be taken into consideration in fixing the allowance.
Correspondence was introduced showing that the attorneys had undertaken the collection of the claim before suit, and had failed. The pleadings read to the jury, and which they carried with them to their room, showed that the attorneys had filed the suit, and the kind of suit so filed. The jurors saw that attorneys were present and conducted the trial; they saw and heard the attorneys examine and cross-examine witnesses and make legal arguments. These were material facts to be considered in fixing any fair allowance for the attorney's fees. They may not have been all the facts that should have been considered in making an adequate allowance, but they were a part of the facts, and probably the major portion of the material facts. It certainly was not necessary to place witnesses on the stand to tell the jury about transactions which took place in the presence of the jury as legal incidents in the trial. The only thing lacking, if more evidence was needed, to enable the jury, to answer the question submitted — what was a reasonable allowance? — was the opinion of some experts who were accustomed to fixing fees in similar cases. But such testimony, when admitted, would only consist of the conclusions of those experts upon the very facts with which the jury was already familiar. The testimony of such experts could aid the jury, not in deciding whether an attorney's fee should be allowed, but what sum would be reasonable. Such conclusions of experts are not facts; they are simply deductions drawn from facts. The statute quoted names the conditions under which an attorney's fee shall be allowed, when claimed, and leaves to the court, or to the jury, not to witnesses, the authority to decide what is reasonable in particular cases. What is proper and reasonable compensation for attorneys in collecting claims against debtors and delinquents is not a matter which lies exclusively within the knowledge of the legal profession, or of any other class of experts. Lawyers are not the only parties to such contracts of employment, and they are not the only persons to be consulted in deciding what shall be the fee to be paid for an attorney's services. In practically every such transaction there is one or more laymen whose concurrence must be secured. The employment of attorneys and the payment of their fees is a matter of such common occurrence in this country that jurors may be presumed to know something about what is customary and reasonable in given cases. See T. P. Ry. Co. v. American Tie Timber Co., 190 F. 1022, 111 C.C.A. 673. The objection here is not that the allowance made was excessive or unreasonable, but that the jury was without any evidence to justify an allowance for any sum. To sustain that contention is to create a legal fiction that complicates still more our already too complex system for administering justice.
But even if testimony of experts was required in order to empower the jury to fix some amount, it was presented in this case. The plaintiff below introduced three attorneys, who testified, in substance, that they knew what would be considered a reasonable fee for attorneys in cases of this character. *Page 974 Their estimates ranged from 25 to 50 per cent. of the face of the claim. They further stated that it was usual for such collections to be undertaken upon contracts for contingent fees; that the attorneys were to be paid only in the event they were successful. They admitted that the percentages given by them were based upon such contracts, it may be true that this was not the correct basis for estimating the value of allowances provided for by the statute, but it was sufficient to advise the jurors of a custom which enabled them to make a proper allowance upon the correct basis.
We also conclude that the trial court did not err in giving a special charge on the burden of proof relating to attorney's fees. There was no occasion for such a charge in this case. The court assumed as a matter of law that, if the appellant was liable on the claim, it was also liable for a reasonable fee, and there was no objection to such an assumption; for, as previously stated, the essential facts for the jury to consider on that issue was undisputed.
In the present state of the record, unless it can he said that the allowance made was excessive, and that is not claimed the appellant has no just cause to complain.
Justice LEVY, and the writer conclude that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed.
Document Info
DocketNumber： No. 2802. [fn*]
Citation Numbers： 256 S.W. 969
Judges： HODGES, J. | http://www.ecases.us/case/texapp/c4141887/merchants-life-ins-v-clark |
All assignments must be submitted through git and Crowdgrader. Please look at the Piazza guide on submitting assignments.
Follow instructions, and carefully read through the input/output formats. Clearly acknowledge sources, and mention if you discussed the problems with other students or groups. In all cases, the course policy on collaboration applies, and you should refrain from getting direct answers from anybody or
any source. If in doubt, please ask the instructors or TAs.
- Problem description
Main objective: Store a chessboard as a linked list of chess pieces. Assume an
8 8 chessboard. Implement the following procedures that, given a chessboard:
Determine validity: verify that two pieces do not occupy the same square.
Find piece: given a square, determine (if any) the chess piece at that square.
Determine attack (from that piece): determine if the piece found above attacks another piece. Note that the pieces must be of opposite colors. Do not worry about blocking, so assume that pieces can \pass through” other pieces on the board. This is not true for proper chess, but makes life much easier for this assignment. Thus, a piece x is said to attack another pieces y, if x can travel to y’s square (according to the rules of chess) assuming there are no other pieces on the board.
Do not worry about non-standard moves such as en passant or castling. You will not get any credit if you do not implement using a linked list.
Furthermore, you have to write your own linked list from scratch. You cannot use built in libraries for linked lists.
Suggestions for coding: You do not have to follow these instructions, but it might make life easier (and code nicer). Create a (super)class ChessPiece with children subclasses for each di erent type of piece. Each of these can implement their own attacking function. Think about where you want to store the position and color of each piece.
Create a class ChessBoard that has a linked list of ChessPiece objects. This class can have methods for determining validity, nding, etc.
Format: You should provide a Make le. On running make, it should create \Chessboard.jar”. It takes two command line arguments: an input le and an output le
The format of the input le is as follows. The line starts with two integers, referring to a chessboard. This is followed by a colon. Then, the line contains a list of pieces denoted by \char column row”, where char is one of k (king), q (queen), r (rook), b (bishop), n (knight). No pawns for now. If the character is capitalized, it denotes black pieces, otherwise, the piece is white. The next line simply contains the coordinates of a single square. For example, these could look like:
8 2: q 4 3 k 4 4 r 8 2 R 8 8 b 1 1 K 4 8 N 7 7
The portion after the colon denotes a chessboard, and the portion before the colon is a query asking \what is at (8,2)”. The answer here is a white rook, denoted r. This pattern of lines continues throughout input.txt.
Do not worry about error handling on the input, so you can assume that inputs will always have this format. No piece will be placed outside the chess-board. (You may want to use the \split” method in java for splitting strings.)
Output: On running (say) java -jar Chessboard.jar in.txt output.txt, the input le in.txt is read in, and the output le out.txt should be produced. The ith line of the output le corresponds to the ith chessboard. The ith line of the output le should contain:
If the ith chessboard is not valid, the line should be “Invalid”.
If the ith chessboard is valid: rst output the chesspiece at the query square. If none, print \-“. If there is piece at the query square, print a space, and then \y” (the piece attacks some other piece) or \n” (it does not attack another piece). Pay attention to the space. For the example given above, the output is:
r y
Examples: The website contains a zip le called Examples.zip. The les test-input.txt and test-output.txt are for the checker. There are more tests in more-input.txt and more-output.txt.
Helper code: The PrintSolutionSnippet.java le contains the printSolution() method. It can be used to print out your solution on the chessboard. You pass
it a 2D s s character array that contains your solution. Compile it and run it to see some examples. Check out the documentation to see how to use the methods. You will probably want to integrate the methods into your code to print your boards. You can copy this code into your code, and use it as you please.
- Grading
You code should terminate within 5 minutes for all runs. If it doesn’t, we will not give you credit.
- (12 points, extra credit) If you can handle pawns as well, you get extra credit. Pawns will be speci ed by p (white) or P (black). Note that black and white pawns behave di erently, so you need some care in coding this up. White pawns only move \upwards” (increasing row) and black pawns only move \downwards” (decreasing row).
- (10 points) For a full solution as described above.
- (8 points) Works without knights.
- (6 points) Works only when the board has queens. | https://edulissy.com/shop/projects/maintaining-your-chessboard-solution/ |
Each chess piece has its own unique and individual powers. For each chess piece, we will look at their starting position, notations, movements, overview, and additional tips. In this article we will see how to set up a chess board – a detailed step by step guide.
There are six unique chess pieces:
- King
- Queen
- Rook
- Bishop
- Knight
- Pawn
How To Set Up A Chess Board (step-by-step)
If you want to play the game of chess, then the first thing you should focus on is to set up the chessboard. When the setup of the chessboard is proper, your game will ultimately be a good one!
Let us jump right in on how to set up a chessboard in a correct manner:-
Orientate The Board Correctly
The first step is very important because it will set the tone of the game. It is necessary to orient the chessboard in the right direction so that every side is set up properly and correctly. Layout the light square in the bottom right corner. An easy way to remember it is that a white square is always on the right, from the perception of the players who are sitting at the board.
Make sure that on the right lower corner there is a White Square. The white queen sits on the white square and the black queen sits on the black square. The first bishop is placed right next to the king and the second bishop is placed right next to the queen.
Set Up The Pawns On The Board
Putting the boards on the chessboard should be your next step to clear the pieces so that the rest of the pieces lying beside the board go on more quickly.
Pawn is the very basic piece in chess. Each pawn piece is worth 1 point. Though it may not seem such a big thing many players win a game of chess if they have that 1 point.
It serves a very vital role in the game even though it is the weakest piece on the board. It is the only piece that cannot go backward. In the early stages of the game, the game will be centered around the structure of the pawn and other pieces will support the pawn in the early stages. In the later stage, the pawns will play more of a supportive role to the other pieces.
Place Your Rooks On The Corner
You should remember to put your rooks in the furthest corners of the board, just like the towers in a castle. White rooks go with the white pawns and the black rooks go with the black pawns.
This piece looks like a castle, which is a very strong piece and is also referred to as the major piece of the board that is only outranked by the queen.
Each side has two rooks located on the four corners of the board. They are worth 5 points in the game. At the beginning of the game, it is surrounded by a knight and a pawn.
One of the mistakes that beginners make is that they never unleash the rook into the game, it rarely gets involved but you need to find a way later in the game to use the rook or you will miss out on one of your strongest pieces contributing to the game of chess.
Place Your Knights On The Board
Place the knights next to the rooks. There should be a row of four empty squares between your knights. It looks like a horse. It has very unique movements and thus, it is a complicated piece that is hard to explain.
It is considered a minor piece and it is worth 3 points. For this reason, it is considered to be a unique piece.
The knight is the only piece on the chessboard that can jump over another piece. In this way, the knight has a leg up over the queen but can only control few squares in total than the queen can.
As mentioned above that the knight can jump over any piece, which means that even after being surrounded by pieces it can still move to the same number of squares, assuming the final position is not occupied by any of your pieces.
Place Your Bishops Next To The Knights
Each of the bishops goes next to its corresponding color, next to the knights. By now, your board must have a row of two squares between your bishops. It is referred to as a minor piece and can cover lots of ground.
They are worth 3 points equivalent to the knight. The bishop can move diagonally as many squares as it wants without jumping over another chess piece. When a bishop moves you can see a notation such as Be4. The B represents the bishop and e4 represents the square it has moved to.
At the beginning of the game, bishops are usually blocked by pawns, but you will be moving your pawns back early on.
Bishops are one of the primary pieces that you will use in the game early to attack your opponent.
Place Your Queen On The Chessboard
It is time for you to place your queen on the chessboard. The black queen goes on the black square while the white queen goes on the white square. This will lead to a space between your bishop and queen. It is the most powerful chess piece and combines the moves of both the bishop and the rook.
The queens begin on the d1 and d8 squares. It should be the same color as the queen. The d1 square should be light in color square. Using the queen correctly is one of the most important aspects of chess. It is very powerful, so if you want to use it, you can but if it’s not protected your opponent can/will capture your queen and it generally leads to a very quick loss. The queen is worth 9 points, which is more than a bishop and a rook combined.
It can move to any squares in a diagonal direction and sideways in as many squares as without jumping over another piece.
Place Your King In The Last Space
By this point, there must be only a single space left, so naturally, your king lands in the last space. It fits between your king and a bishop. It is the last piece to be set in with a cross on the top.
This certainly may not be the most powerful chess piece but is the most important. If you lose your king, you will lose the game. At the beginning of the game, you want to make sure that you protect your king. Later the king may become a very powerful ally in your offense. So be ready to use it!
The king can move one square in any direction. It cannot jump over a piece so that at the start of the game, there are no legal moves for the king to make as it is surrounded by other pieces.
The one limitation that the king has is, moving, that is it cannot move to a square that is being attacked by an opponent’s pieces.
White Moves First!
Do not forget that in chess, the player with the white pieces always moves first. Now, you are ready to play your game.
Final Thoughts
Even if you cannot play chess yet, like a grandmaster or a professional chess player, you can still try and do everything in your power to appear like a pro before the game starts.
You should learn how to fill out the score sheet, and you can also learn chess etiquette. You should wish your opponent luck with a firm and sincere handshake.
But if you do not know how to set up the chess pieces properly then you should immediately start as a rank beginner (or a patzer, in chess parlance).
Learning how the chess pieces and chessboard are set up may look complicated at first, but after a little learning and practice, you will get the hang of it.
You may even be able to land the very first psychological blow of the battle if your opponent has set up their chess pieces incorrectly.
If this article helped you to understand how to set up a chess board, then it’s time to grab a new chess set. Check out this articles to find amazing chess boards
- 8 Best Magnetic Chess Board in 2021
- Best Chess Set Ever – Is it worth buying? | https://chessboardbuy.com/how-to-set-up-a-chess-board-step-by-step-guide/ |
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A Plethora of Puzzled Pawns
Inspired by this question According to FIDE rules, the pawn may move to a square occupied by an opponent’s piece diagonally in front of it on an adjacent file, capturing that piece. So, what's in ...
4
votes
1answer
231 views
How to connect a chessboard and a cipher into puzzle?
Let's say you have (a) a chessboard with figures and (b) a text from a book. The figures configuration is the Cardan grille, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardan_grille When you put the chessboard ...
9
votes
2answers
438 views
Minimum number of turns to capture all pieces in Checkers
On an 8x8 checkerboard, there are 12 red kings and 1 black king. The kings behave as they would in any normal game of checkers, being able to move in any diagonal direction one space and jump any ...
15
votes
1answer
1k views
Chess problem: Make a crossword in 3 moves
A crossword position is a legal chess position with the following property: The board can be thought of as a crossword grid where the pieces on board work as clues. Each type of piece is a clue for ...
8
votes
2answers
740 views
Walk a Crooked Path
Here is a $7\times7$ board with three squares removed. You walk a path from square to square (adjacent horizontally or vertically), without visiting any square more than once. What is the most ...
7
votes
1answer
858 views
Knight's Tour on a 7x7 Board starting from D5
Average Knight's Tour puzzle but this time on a 7x7 and starting from D5
12
votes
4answers
560 views
What’s the most possible checkmates in one, but with no promoted pieces, in a position?
What is the most possible checkmates in one without promoted units in a position? It must all be legal, of course. Promotions are allowed in the game, but the position is not allowed to start with ...
6
votes
2answers
791 views
Chess with symmetric move-square
Every move in chess involves moving a piece to a square. Let us call this square the "move-square" for that turn. In the following, the move-square of the black player must be symmetrical (over the ...
0
votes
1answer
217 views
Fastest Way To 6 Pawns On the B To H Files
MASSIVE UPDATE: I decided to play around with this again today, and I found MAJOR improvmemts for the B to G file games. See if you can beat me! If not, give proof as to why my game is optimal (To ...
10
votes
1answer
519 views
How many total checkmates can you possibly make against the enemy king?
Just an interesting idea for a puzzle that I had So, I decided to see how many possible checkmate I could theoretically make, in a legal position that can be legally reached. Always assume that the ...
4
votes
1answer
395 views
Chess Massacre Variants-Play Find The Fastest Way?
I have thought up several variations of massacre chess. Massacre chess is a game where almost every single move is a capture. The idea here is that only the chosen type of piece can capture. It ...
15
votes
3answers
2k views
A Wacky, Wacky Chessboard (That Makes No Sense)
So yesterday I found this in the mail. A chessboard. But on the squares, things were written. Plaintext version: ...
7
votes
3answers
184 views
Discrete Peaceful Encampments: Player 4 has entered the game!
Here's a variation of Discrete Peaceful Encampments: Player 3 has entered the game! (which itself is a variation of Peaceful Encampments). You have 3 white queens, 3 black queens, 3 red queens, and 3 ...
7
votes
4answers
373 views
Discrete Peaceful Encampments: Player 3 has entered the game!
Here's a variation of Discrete Peaceful Encampments: 9 queens on a chessboard (which itself is a variation of Peaceful Encampments). You have 4 white queens, 4 black queens, and 4 red queens. Place ...
17
votes
4answers
1k views
Discrete Peaceful Encampments: 9 queens on a chessboard
Here's a discrete variation of yesterday's puzzle Peaceful Encampments. You have 8 white queens and 8 black queens. Place all these pieces onto a normal 8x8 chessboard in such a way that no white ...
9
votes
1answer
382 views
A chess game with odd moves?
A friend and I like to play chess regularly. Like me, he is a lover of a good puzzle, which is what drew us to the game. The thrill of finding a checkmate in a board riddled with pieces cannot be ...
6
votes
1answer
328 views
A Battle of Dysfunctional Kings (Chess)
So recently I've learned about fairy chess and I've decided to write a puzzle based around the topic. Today's variation features a chess board which is missing eight squares (A1, A8, C3, C6, F3, F6, ...
2
votes
1answer
392 views
Row of alternating coin
I stumbled upon a mathematical puzzle that goes like this: You have 2n coins that alternate between head and tail. For example, if n=3, then it looks like H T H T H T, where H = head and T = tail. To ...
10
votes
2answers
194 views
make it to the top of the triangle
Suppose you have a triangle that extends infinitely downwards, with circles inside, arranged in this arrangement: ...
6
votes
1answer
459 views
The Knight Checker or Football Chess
Both Players uses 8 Knights on this chessboard game : The Knight Checker. All pieces starts in Rank 1 relative to players. White to move first. The Knight pieces makes regular moves as in a chess game ...
7
votes
1answer
162 views
Permuting rows and columns to switch white rooks with black rooks
An adversary places eight white rooks and eight black rooks on sixteen squares of a chessboard, subject to these rules: In any row, there must be exactly two rooks, one of each color. In any column, ...
5
votes
3answers
297 views
Crazy queen in checkers
Checkers Checkers, also called draughts, is an interesting game. all pieces are placed on black tile and are all pawns at the start. When a pawn reach the final line, a powerful piece is created: the ...
11
votes
4answers
423 views
Checkerboard Infection Variant
There is an insidious virus (less contagious than C. Coli, but still dangerous) which plagues the squares of checkerboards. This virus spreads through social interaction: whenever the majority of a ...
8
votes
2answers
469 views
Covering a chessboard with L-tetrominoes
We all know the classic puzzle of trying to tile a mutilated chessboard with $2\times1$ dominoes. Let's imagine that, instead of dominoes, we have $n^2$ L-shaped tetrominoes and we want to tile a $2n\...
1
vote
2answers
289 views
The Monster and the Chessboard [duplicate]
You have a standard checkerboard with 64 squares and a coin in each square, randomly facing heads or tails up. There is an evil monster in the room with you and he arbitrarily selects some square and ...
27
votes
7answers
8k views
Two Knights, two Bishops, two Rooks and two Kings on a 4x4 chessboard
Place two Knights, two Rooks, two Bishops and two Kings on a 4x4 chessboard, so that: 1) The Kings are not attacked at all. 2) All other pieces are attacked exactly once. Ignore color, so every ...
3
votes
2answers
226 views
Is it possible to pack the tetrominoes exactly on the checkboard?
I have this as an exercise but I'm not sure what's the best way to approach it. I've tried the pack them but wasn't able to do so. I see that having them combined will yield in 10 whites and 10 blacks ...
19
votes
4answers
4k views
Chessboard Rook Problem
Let's say that you have a chessboard (they are 8x8 spaces) with a rook on it (only moves horizontally & vertically). You can put walls horizontally or vertically between the spaces. If the rook ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Total no of squares on a Chess Board
Is there any formula than calculates the total number of squares on chessboard? For example in a $8\times8$ chessboard, there are squares of sizes $1\times1$, $2\times2$, $\ldots$, $8\times8$. So I ...
2
votes
1answer
175 views
King of Captures
The player's black King (above) is about to capture the remaining opponent pieces as continuation of his move and 10 white pieces have already been captured on the same turn/move. What is the position ... | https://puzzling.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/checkerboard |
Remember the Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland"? It slowly disappeared, leaving nothing but a smile. Well, this unusual chess set by Yasmin Sethi does that same disappearing trick. The chess pieces are actually opaque and turn transparent only when placed on the board, revealing what that piece is. Each piece loses its transparency if removed from the board.
"This is a comment on how a chess piece has no value unless it is in play on the board. If removed from the board, a pawn and a queen are equal, in that neither have any value," Sethi says of the design.
The Alice chess set was indeed inspired by the Lewis Carroll book, his other one entitled "Alice Through the Looking Glass" where Alice goes through a mirror and lands up on the other side and is caught up in chess game. The chessboard is made from a material called LightPoints which is a glass with LEDs embedded in it. The pieces themselves are coated with mirona, a material which turns transparent in light. When each piece touches the chessboard, the electrical circuit is complete and the LED light below makes it transparent. | https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disappearing-chess-alice-chess-set |
Draw a snake that goes from the lower left square to the upper right square. The snake's path moves horizontally or vertically, and does not touch itself, even diagonally. Each chess piece attacks the same number of segments of the snake.
|Classic Checkers Game|
Plays: 2190
Category: BoardGame
Draughts or checkers is a group of abstract strategy board games between two players which involve diagonal moves of uniform pieces and mandatory captures by jumping over the enemy's pieces. Draughts is played by two people, on opposite sides of a playing board, alternating moves. One player has dark pieces, and the other has light pieces. The player with the dark pieces makes the first move unless stated otherwise. Pieces move diagonally and pieces of the opponent are captured by jumping over them.
|Chess Game|
Plays: 2177
Category: BoardGame
Classic chess game with side choose ,move undo and history preview option
|Chess Game|
Plays: 2139
Category: BoardGame
Defeat the challenge player with your strategy
|????????-???? Game|
Plays: 2092
Category: BoardGame
??12??????????,????25????????????????????1-5?? 2.?? ????????10?,???5?a??????????????????,????????1---5? 3.?? (1)??? ????????,?????????????35???,???????????????,????????????? (2)??? ???????????????,???1?,?????,???????????1??????????????????????,??????????????????????,????????????? (3)??? ?????????????????,????????????????????1??????????????,????????????????
|Chess Solo Game|
Plays: 2084
Category: BoardGame
Move all the chess pieces on the field with a value of 1 (or lower) to complete level of the game. After placing the figures on the field this value decreases by one. The sum of all fields is your score. Putting figures on the field with zero or negative is a waste of 10 points. During the game you can change the figure before the move, but changing the king will lose one point.
|Gems Match Game|
Plays: 2048
Category: BoardGame
Destroy the diamonds by clicking same type groups with at least 3 gems.
|??????-???? Game|
Plays: 1979
Category: BoardGame
Artificial intelligence chiness chess game.
|Chess millennium Game|
Plays: 1940
Category: BoardGame
Chess game known since ancient times. Rules of the game classic. You play against the computer. For the black pieces. Control game mouse move.
|????? Game|
Plays: 1927
Category: BoardGame
????????????, ????????! ?????????????,???????????????, ????????????, ????????????????! ????
|Chess Cards Game|
Plays: 1882
Category: Puzzles
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|Mushroom War Game|
Plays: 1487
Category: Puzzles
This is a fun chess kind of game. Click blue mushroom and you will see red and green grids; then click a red grid means duplicating a same mushroom there and click a green grid means move the mushroom to that place. Blue mushroom may turn red mushrooms nearby into blue. But vise versa, so be careful!
|American Chess 2008 Game|
Plays: 1482
Category: Fighting
Choose your candidate to fist fight for the White House. GutarHero-like gameplay makes it easy to enjoy a dogfight. P.S. No future presidents harmed during development of this game.
|Armored Assault Game|
Plays: 1376
Category: Action
A tactical ground combat game. Two teams of 12 units each, battle to the death, on a 20x20 battlefield. Each side gets 1 move per turn, and the object of the game is to destroy the opponents command unit. There is a short round timer, to keep the battle fast paced. Over 30 different units, including Tanks, Apcs, Artillery, Mechs, etc... Based off the board game Ogre and Chess. Set in the future, you are a combat corporation, that is looking to exterminate your competition, no matter where they might be. Play online vs other players, or play the skilled computer AI to a single 'random' match or a 25 mission campaign. (5 levels of difficulty that will challenge even the best players.)
|Flip It Game|
Plays: 1353
Category: Puzzles
The black and the white have always been confronting each other on the board. Can you bring the black pieces back to the light? Your task in this game is to flip all the black pieces to the white side. Before the game starts, you may set the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the chessboard, ranging from 2 to 10. Click the OK button after you have completed the settings, and you will be given a chessboard according to your selected dimensions. Each of the squares on the board will be occupied by a black piece. Click to flip a piece to its opposite side, but note that the adjacent pieces in horizontal and vertical directions will also be reversed. The number of moves you have made is recorded on the left, and each move you make will cost you 50 points. If you are not satisfied with the current progress, you may click the Restart button at the top left corner to play again. Try to play with a larger chessboard and see how many pieces you can handle!
|Knight's tour Game|
Plays: 1344
Category: BoardGame
A knight's tour is a sequence of moves of a knight on a chessboard. Try to visit as much squares as you can.
|Savage War Game|
Plays: 1319
Category: Action
Use your brutal intellect and savage intuition to capture the enemy chief! This innovative board game can be played in two modes: either turn-based, or real-time. You need to be either smart, or quick + smart.
|AlilG Chess 2 Game|
Plays: 1274
Category: BoardGame
Play chess against chess players from all around the world.
|The Eight Queens Game|
Plays: 1197
Category: Puzzles
Can you bring peace to the chessboard by placing eight queens onto the board but prevent them from capturing each other? In this game you will be given a standard chessboard, and the 8 queens will be placed on the right of the board. According to the rules of chess, a queen can capture another piece on the same line in vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction. You can click and drag the pieces and place them onto the board, but note that they cannot be removed after settling. A queen cannot be placed if it is on a capturing line of another queen on the board. The number of queens you have put and the amount of time spent are recorded on the left of the screen. When no more moves can be made, the game ends. Conquer the queens and win their allegiance!
|Chess maxi Game|
Plays: 1160
Category: BoardGame
The classic game of chess. You play as the white pieces, you make the first move. Play against the computer. Mouse control. | http://www.fupa.com/games/6/Chess.html |
The Raspberry Turk uses computer vision to recognize where the chess pieces are on the board before deciding what move to make.
The robot sees through a Raspberry Pi camera module attached with an HDMI cable to a fixture directly above the chessboard. For more information on how the camera is attached, and how the fixture is setup, click here.
The camera is controlled via Python OpenCV running on the Raspberry Pi. The raw image is converted to a 480x480px image by warping the perspective so the chessboard squares are equal size and the non-chessboard part of the image is cropped. A description of the process for finding the correct perspective transform matrix can be found here.
In order to build a system that can recognize which pieces are on which squares of a chessboard by analyzing an image we need a large dataset to train and validate a computer vision model. In order to collect a dataset I wrote several scripts and sat for hours moving pieces to capture multiple placements for every piece in every square on the board. More information on how the dataset was collected can be found here.
Each image is then cut into 64 smaller images and stored with the appropriate label.
This dataset is publicly available on Kaggle, released under the (CC BY-SA 4.0) license.
Instead of trying to figure out what type of piece is on each square, we can take a shortcut. Because we know the state of the game, all we need to do is track which piece moved. By only tracking changes we can internally keep track of which pieces are on which squares.
Our goal is to create an algorithm that can determine whether a square contains no piece, an orange piece, or a green piece. I attempted to solve this problem using both machine learning and conventional computer vision. In the end, I found using support vector machines to be an adequate way of solving the problem. The detailed notebook, with code, used to create this model is here.
There is a problem with this approach though. What happens in this case?
We could assume that the player will always promote their pawn to a queen, but this is not always what is best. Instead, we can attempt to determine the type of piece using a more complex model. In this notebook, I attempt to use convolutional neural networks and TensorFlow to detemine what type of piece the player promoted their pawn to. | http://www.raspberryturk.com/details/vision.html |
Hello Year 6!
Thank you to all the splendid people who are emailing in their work. We really enjoyed all the metaphors you came up with in poems yesterday -- one of you was a hot tub, another a ray of sunshine (maybe not to his sister) and yet another is pictured above! What wonderful imaginations you have! Keep the quality work flooding in!
Looks like almost everybody who can has already logged onto TTRockstars -- if you haven't yet and can, the class v class battle is raging!
Also, if you're super happy with the maths at present and want a real brain-teaser, try the NEFARIOUSLY NASTY, DEVILISHLY DIFFICULT, TERRIFYINGLY TOUGH Problem-Solving Challenge of the Week at the bottom...
Have a terrific day!
Times Table test!
Now that you're such super times table rockstars, see how you cope with today's test... (answers tomorrow)
MATHS
Well done for completing yesterday's arithmetic challenge. Did you manage to beat yesterday's time? Here are the answers so you can check how well you did and what areas you might need to keep practising:
I a) 91 b) 202 c) 1
II a) 60 b) 144 c) 10,000
III a) 9283 b) 928.3 c) 92.83
IV a) 23,492 b) £4679.76 c) 295,704
V a) £3.09 b) £13.72 c) 131
LO: I can subtract whole numbers with more than 4 digits.
Please watch the video below and then have a go at the questions on the worksheet.
ENGLISH
LO: I can use commas effectively.
Please watch the grammar video below and follow the exercises.
Additionally, please complete on lined paper, or in your home learning book, pages 20 - 21 from your CGP reading book (Classic Poetry). If you have a different colour book, please continue working through the book in order.
ART
This year, Mrs Brickley is planning on making a recording of you singing for our Harvest Celebrations and putting it on the website. In preparation for this, we would like you to create a fabulous observational drawing of fruit and/or vegetables that can then be displayed alongside the singing. Remember, we want a beautiful piece of quality work that you're proud of -- take your time and do your best!
On a piece of A4 LANDSCAPE paper, create a COLOURFUL work of art.
AND FINALLY...
SPECTACULARLY SINISTER PROBLEM SOLVING CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK
A chessboard is an 8 x 8 grid. The Queen can move up, down, left, right and diagonally as far as she likes. If there is another piece in the way, the queen can take them.
The Eight Queens puzzle is a famously difficult puzzle – can you fit 8 queens onto a chessboard without them being able to take each other?
This challenge is insanely difficult. However, a good starting point with tough puzzles like this is to look at smaller versions of the same puzzle.
Can you fit three queens into a 3x3 chessboard without any of them being able to take each other?
Can you fit four queens into a 4x4 chessboard without any of them being able to take each other?
What about five queens on a 5x5 board...?
See how close you can get to 8 queens on an 8x8 board. Good luck! | https://www.parkfieldschool.co.uk/thursday-17th-september/ |
Animated: No; Materials: Yes; Rigged: No; Textured: Yes; UV Layout: Yes; 3D File Formats Included: .fbx (multi format), .ma (maya), .obj (multi format); Created In: maya 2013; Geometry: Polygons; Poly Count: 194528.
Wooden chess set for three players. The board and pieces have a classic design, but being for three players the colors for the pieces are white, brown and red. All the assets are the textured and the textures are provided in the main file. Everything is highly detailed.
The files contained are: Single set of pieces (61016 polys), chessboard only (11480 polys) and a file with chessboard and pieces (3 sets). Each scene is provided in .OBJ, .MA, .FBX.
Keywords: battle, bishop, board, chess, chess pieces, chessboard, game, horse, king, knight, pawn, piece, pieces, player, queen, set, three, tower, triumvirate, wood. | https://www.dondrup.com/3d-model/194968-3docean-chessboard-for-three-players-and-pieces-11013396.html |
John Watkins’s Across the Board is an exploration of mathematical puzzles and conundrums about the chessboard.
It is not about the game of chess itself but rather the fascinating mathematics behind the chessboard and the pieces that traverse it. It introduces high-level mathematical concepts from discrete mathematics and graph theory in an accessible and visual way, and presents centuries-old questions in a way that they are still intriguing and relevant to the present-day reader.
Each chapter of the book begins with an exposition of intuitive topics and gradually builds in sophistication by including extra problems with solutions in the back, leaving the reader with a feeling of satisfaction.
The second chapter, for example, begins with a discussion of the knight’s tour, in which a knight tours the entire board by visiting every square exactly once, beginning and ending at the same square. Some chessboards must have a knight’s tour – Euclid showed a particularly attractive one for the 8-by-8 chessboard — while clearly, others do not. For instance, on a 1-by-n chessboard, the knight cannot move at all.
With elegant and visual proofs, Watkins guides us through the categories of chessboards that are without knight’s tours. For example, a knight’s tour is impossible on a board with dimensions m-by-n where both m and n are odd: since a knight always moves from a square of one colour to a square of another, its tour must consist of an equal number of black and white squares.
Yet the number of squares on the board, mn, is an odd number. Watkins then reveals that except the categories of chessboards he has eliminated, any other m-by-n chessboard has a knight’s tour.
Watkins explores several other interesting topics, including domination (how many queens do we need to cover an entire chessboard in one move?); independence (what is the maximum number of bishops that can be placed on a chessboard with none being able to capture another?) and polynominoes (can we cover a chessboard with other Tetris-like shapes?).
While it is relatively easy to see that we require n rooks to dominate an n-by-n chessboard, it is far more interesting to think about the same problem with queens. In fact, five queens are required to dominate the 8-by-8 chessboard, and there are exactly 4,860 ways of doing so. How do we arrive at these solutions and how can we generalize them to chessboards of other dimensions, if at all possible?
Of course, the story does not end at ordinary chessboards. Watkins introduces playing chess on a torus — the doughnut shape — which can simply be understood as wrapping both the columns and the rows of the chessboard into closed loops. When a chess piece goes off the bottom of the board, it reappears at the top.
Now the possibilities abound. On a toroidal chessboard, not only can a bishop and a knight simultaneously threaten one another — which is impossible on a regular chessboard — it is also true that it has a knight’s tour, no matter the dimensions.
Across the Board is a good book to read if you are interested in impressing a math major with some terminology from graph theory, having a puzzle in your back pocket for a party or being inspired by the accessibility of mathematics. In fact, many of the theorems in the book come from Watkins’s own undergraduate students.
It will probably not, however, help you win a game of chess. | https://www.ubyssey.ca/science/review-across-the-board/ |
This painting is a symbolic representation of the New Order of the world today. It is about everyone’s life and a shared sensibility in relation to the underlying and large events that we are all experiencing and the common anxiety we feel. For instance, global warming; Brexit; the threat of terrorism…. There is an underlying uncertainty in the world today that seems more acute.
The chessboard is the playing field or platform that we all share. It shows a checkmate position where the king is down and the opposing king and queen have check-mated him. The chessboard has been thrown off-kilter seemingly by a mysterious figure in the background; a powerful woman with wings. She is masked and in a veil and it seems as if her elbow has pushed the chessboard to throw it off its horizontal plane. The woman is what is called in Armenian mythology, a Peri, - an exquisite, winged, fairy like spirit ranking somewhere between an angel and an evil spirit. The second painting of the Peri in a white veil with a lace fan is the wild card panel. She can replace the masked Peri in the nine-tych at the whim of the viewer.
An artist called Katsushika Hokusai painted a very famous painting of a wave of the sea - a feminine wave. He painted a masculine wave and a feminine wave. It curls over the chessboard like a tsunami wave. On the underside of the chessboard burning embers flicker. These are natural elements that in large scale cause fear.
It is fear that is the subject under scrutiny here and at the heart of this painting.
We see the shadow of a bird that is flying somewhere above. We do not see the bird itself. It could be a dove of peace or a black raven of death or the rook on the chessboard. It could be the shadow of the Peri herself.
The painting was done on 9 (+1 interchangeable) panels. The fibonnaci spiral is used throughout the painting. The fibonnaci spiral is a mathematical proportion based on the golden mean. Its proportion was used to connect the elements in the painting. | https://www.roselong.com/representational-art.html |
Bestcrystals . Mohs Hardness ScaleMohs Hardness Scale. The hardness of a stone is one of the properties that contribute to identification. Hardness is also an attribute which is important to be.what is the mohs hardness of basalt,Rock and Mineral Identification for Engineers - FHWA - U.S. .The Rock Basalt (vesicular) . . hardness and reactivity with dilute hydrochloric acid are included for .. Figure 1 is a graph of the Mohs hardness scale applied to.
Trap rock is a type of basalt rock that is crushed and used in several different . according to Moh's scale, which measures the hardness of aggregates, trap rock.
Olivine in basalt: Lherzolite (a variety of peridotite) nodules in a xenolith collected from a basalt flow at Peridot Mesa, Arizona. .. Mohs Hardness, 6.5 to 7.
Mar 23, 2015 . The rock hardness of basalt is 6 on the Mohs scale, and can be seen through a combination of its compressive strength: 100-300 Mpa.
The hardness of Basalt is 6 on Moh's hardness scale. Rocks according to their hardness are divided into:Types of Hard Rocks, Types of Soft Rocks and Rocks.
Plagioclase feldspars which are a component of basalt has a hardness of around 7 on the Mohs Scale.
Mohs Hardness Scale. The hardness of a stone is one of the properties that contribute to identification. Hardness is also an attribute which is important to be.
Rock and Mineral Identification for Engineers - FHWA - U.S. .
The Rock Basalt (vesicular) . . hardness and reactivity with dilute hydrochloric acid are included for .. Figure 1 is a graph of the Mohs hardness scale applied to.
Oct 10, 2012 . MOHS SCALE HARDNESS 7–LOWER IN IMPURE VARIETIES .. BROWN, BLACK OR PURPLISH RED), AND BASALTIC OR ANDESITIC IN.
Mohs' Scale (we have samples of italicized items) . Hornblend (Rock Box 2); 6- Orthoclase; Basalt (Rock Box 3); Feldspar (Rock Box 1); 7- Quartz (Rock Box 3).
Basalt is a hard, dense, dark volcanic rock composed chiefly of plagioclase, pyroxene, and olivine, and often having a glassy . Mohs Hardness 20°C. 5 to 9.
Mohs scale hardness, 5–6. Luster, Vitreous to dull. Streak, Pale gray, gray-white. Specific gravity, 2.9. Pleochroism, Strong. Hornblende is a complex inosilicate series of minerals (ferrohornblende . Very dark brown to black hornblendes that contain titanium are ordinarily called basaltic hornblende, from the fact that they are.
Labradorite a feldspar mineral, is an intermediate to calcic member of the plagioclase series. . Mohs scale hardness, 6 – 6.5 . Labradorite occurs in mafic igneous rocks and is the feldspar variety most common in basalt and gabbro.
material hardness, mohs, knoop. . Hardnes Number, Original Scale, Modified Scale. 1, Talc, Talc. 2, Gypsum, Gypsum. 3, Calcite, Calcite. 4, Fluorite, Fluorite.
Ceramic, 25 MT Cast Basalt, 10 MT CBC Linings & 10 MT. Castings. Lining/Coating can be . ceramic of extreme hardness 8 on the moh scale. Cast Basalt. TM.
The rock's hardness, mineralogical variability, and sedimentary consistency will . Basalt, Kaho'owe Island, Hawai'i: the rock had a Moh's hardness of between 4.
A simple list of stones ranging from lightest to heaviest would be: basalt, granite, . The conventional and unscientific Mohs' scale does not help us very much.
Granite, obsidian, and basalt are all igneous rocks. Basalt is the most . In 1812, Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist, devised a hardness scale for rocks.
Basalt originates from lava that has extruded onto the surface of the Earth. .. A standard hardness scale, called Mohs Scale of Hardness, is named after the.
geology - What type of rock is this and how did it form? - Earth .
May 7, 2016 . I assumed it was basalt too or at least volcanic, but I have no .. The diagnostic test is hardness. zeolites are 3.5 to 5.5 on Moh's scale, with the.
Porcelain Stone®. Basalt. Distinctly American. Uniquely Crossville. . Basalt. Rock your spaces with the timeless look of volcanic stone. Basalt . Mohs Scale. | http://rejoicebc.co.za/22377_what-is-the-mohs-hardness-of-basalt.html |
· Hardness is measured by the Mohs scale, which ranks minerals from 1 to 10 based on their hardness, 1 being extremely soft and 10 being the hardest you can get. Marble is ranked at a 4 on the scale, meaning that it is relatively soft, albeit not the softest material you can find.
Marble comes in white, yellow, purple, uniform pure white, red, cedar red, blue ray and black. When talking of hardness, quartz is harder than marble. Quartz has a hardness of 7 on Moh's scale whereas Marble comes with a hardness of 3 to 4 on the scale. The word Marble has been derived from Greek 'marmaros', which means shining stone.
This research paper describes the surface degradation properties of brittle and plasticbrittle materials like marble, crumbling body properties, load acceleration parameters and effects associated with the environment in which grinding is performed. When applied to marble filler in mosaic coatings, first of all, abrasive erosion occurs and a large number of cemented abrasive grain surfaces ...
· Production of Marble Stone hardness of marble The hardness of marble is at three (3) Moh's scale. It means it is a soft natural stone and easy to cut and carve into different shapes like art objects and sculptures.
The hardness of stone is measured by Mohs hardness as a unit of calculation, Mohs hardness in the 6~7 (F=14~20) are hard stone, such as Quartzite and Granite; Mohs hardness between 3 to 5 (F=8~14) belong to the mediumhard stone, such as Marble; Mohs hardness in 1~2 (F=2~6) are soft stone, such as limestone and dolomite etc.
Mar 22, 2016· Marble Facts. Marble is a natural stone. It is a softer rock that is comprised of metamorphosed limestone, containing mostly recrystallized calcite or dolomite. According to Moh's Scale of Mineral Hardness, marble is typically a 35 on the scale (1 is the softest and 10 is the hardest).
· Quality of marble varies, and the marble extracted from Taylor and Scott quarry was considered to be one of the very best. It was used as a building stone because of its hardness and splendid color. The Scott Taylor quarry employed anywhere from 200250 men from . Before machines were designed to extract the marble, ...
Marble has a hardness of 3 to 5 on Mohs scale. Marble lacks the same durability as granite and it will suffer damage from common kitchen tasks such as cutting. Contact with hot pans and dishes may also damage marble. As a surface, marble is a more suitable choice for lowtraffic spots such as bathroom vanities, fireplace surrounds and ...
Marble Metamorphic Rock Pictures Definition Properties. Marble is limestone that has been compacted and heated over millions of years As a result marble is less porous and slightly stronger than limestone but still less durable than granite Depending on the limestone and the mineral combination within the marble most marble rates from three to five on the Mohs hardness scale...
Hardness is generally Mohs hardness 35, shore hardness is generally 4s55. Mainly marble, limeslate, and some types of volcanic ash, tuff and dolomite processing panels are also made of hard slate. Durability in hard slate is about 100 years, because of its variety of colors, is the luxurious indoor main decorative decoration materials used ...
The hardness of material is measured by determining which material can scratch or be scratched by others, if they can scratch one another then they are the same hardness. For example if a given material is scratched by Corundum but not by Diamond, its hardness on the Mohs scale is The Mohs scale is truly a comparative scale.
· Limestone vs Marble . Both limestone and marble are types of rock made of calcium carbonate residues. Even though their chemical nature is almost similar to each other, there are many differences between limestone and marble in the way they .
· Marble stones always fascinate us when used in the construction and decoration of our living and working spaces. Out of all, marble stones offer the superior appearance and augment the more natural beauty of your spaces than others. Marble Flooring Therefore, the contribution of marble is more than half of allnatural stone trades in the world.
The hardness of Marble is measure on the PEI scale, which will range from 1 to 5. The Pei rating is only for the hardness of pipes; it has nothing to do with the quality of Marble. So even a tile with PEI rating of 1 will look hard, though it will have less density than Marble with grade 5.
We have marble and granite quality testing laboratory which offers tests like water absorption, hardness, chemical resistance, thermal shock test, etc. Importance and Significance of Packaging for food by Bibhan Das : Webinar FSSAI order in relation to processing of license and registration appliions during lockdown period.
· The following is an identifiion guide to several standard types of stone used in sculptures, carving, building construction and similar. The types covered are marble, granite, sandstone, limestone, alabaster and soapstone. *** Marble Marble is a high end stone used to make everything from Michelangelo sculptures to mansion steps and walls for mansions.
· On the Mohs Hardness Scale, marble is at number 3. It is a part of the calcite group which also includes limestone, dolomite, boric acid, brass, and serpentine.
Geology. Connemara marble occurs as layers within the Connemara Marble Formation from the lower Dalradian Appin Group, part of the Connemara Metamorphic Complex. The parent rock was an impure siliceous dolomitic limestone deposited in a shelf environment on the continental margin of the Grampian Orogeny it underwent silimanite grade metamorphism.
Marble, a metamorphosed limestone occurs within the migmatite gneiss schistquartzite complex as relicts of sedimentary carbonate marble have roughly NESW trend and thinning out in the SouthWestern direction (). The marble is greypure white in .
Marble is a rock made of calcium carbonate which has been exposed to a natural recrystallization process.. Marble is being created by the transformation of other stones through the action of high temperatures and intense pressures. As a result of this process new minerals, textures, and structures give rise to a large number of different types of marble, as we will see in the examples below.
Marble. Marble has a hardness of 3 to 5 on Mohs scale. Marble lacks the same durability as granite and it will suffer damage from common kitchen tasks such as cutting. Contact with hot pans and dishes may also damage marble. As a surface, marble is a more suitable choice for lowtraffic spots such as bathroom vanities, fireplace surrounds and decorative accents. Usage of marble for kitchen ...
· Upon exposure of polymer composites to ion beam irradiation, polymer chain scission, crosslinking, oxidation, and increase of unsaturation occur, which may influence the surface aesthetics and hardness of the composites. We fabried polymer composites reinforced with marble waste powders and utilized a nitrogen ion implantation technique to achieve ceramiclike glossiness on the . | https://edurays.pl/2020/02/10_19923.html |
In the ball mill working process, the liner of ball mill will be impacted by material constant crushing and grinding. Considering the effects of quality and hardness of mineral, liner, ball and the installation of operating conditions, liner will continue to be worn out and finally damaged. So how can we deal with wear problem of liners and improve the productive capacity of the mill?
1) Select the steel ball and liner board properly. the ratio between the ball liners and hardness should be controlled 0.85~0.9. The hardness of ball should be 1.7 times than the coal hardness. What is more, the ball diameter should be determined properly.
2) We should adjust the coal ball mill feed timely under low-load operation.
3) Design the fixed liner, tighten wedge hole into circular arc shape to avoid the stress concentration.
4) Strictly control the coal quality, reduce the content of coal gangue, and improve coal grind ability.
5) As for the ball mill with new exchanged liner, according to its characteristics, it should use the lower hardness steel ball to run for 1~2 months, and then use higher hardness steel ball, which can increase the service life of ball liner.
6) Strictly take control of the liner installation quality. If the liner and the cylinder are not match, it can exchange the cylinder liner or partially patching treatment.
7) Timely elimination equipment defects, in order to prevent damage to the liner range expansion, and ensure the unit operation safely and economically. | http://www.gwmcn.com/about_us/reports/2015-09-24/76.html |
Carbides, such as boron carbide and silicon carbide, are used in ballistic prove vests, bearings and abrasive, alumina nitride contributes a lot as the substrate for electronics. Ceramic Video:Comment from our customer: I''m glad I found Stanford Advanced Materials just in time.
Montoya-Dávila 12et al. showed that through pressureless infiltration of silicon carbide (SiC) into composites of aluminum with particles, multimodal SiC distributions increase hardness and toughness in a positive logarithmic behavior from unimodal to trimodal
We used a 4000 grit (5 micron grain size) polisher to polish it. We then performed Rockwell B hardness tests on the silicon carbide/tin-lead and pure tin-lead pieces. The material was too soft for a Rockwell A test. The data obtained follows: Material: SiC/tin-lead
Brinell Hardness Rockwell Hardness Tensile Strength Tungsten Carbide Ball 3000 KG A Scale 60KG B Scale 100KG C Scale 150KG (Approx.) 331 68.1 – 35.5 166,000 321 67.5 – 34.3 160,000 311 66.9 – 33.1 155,000 302 66.3 – 32.1 150,000 293 65.7 – 30.9
China Silicon Carbide Ceramic manufacturers
1/1/2015· Later another layer of epoxy is applied on the silicon carbide nano particle and allows it to solidify.After 16 hours, The obtained composite material is tested to hardness nuer by rockwell hardness testing machine. 3. Result and Discussions: Figure 1 shows
Hardness: about 800 HV10) to hard ceramics on the hard and wear resistant side (Vickers Hardness: 2800 HV10). However, compared to hard ceramic materials such as aluminium oxide or silicon carbide which show brittle behaviour during loading
Tungsten carbide is approximately two times stiffer than steel, with a Young''s modulus of approximately 550 GPa, and is much denser than steel or titanium. It is comparable with corundum (α-Al 2 O 3 ) or sapphire/ruby in hardness and can only be polished and finished with abrasives of superior hardness such as cubic boron nitrideand diamond, in the form of powder, wheels, and compounds.
22/5/2019· We explored the Vickers and Rockwell scales of microhardness testing in our previous blog post: Insight into the Hardness of Silicon Nitride. The same principles outlined in that article are applied to test the hardness of zirconia ceramics and quantify it as a function of the load over the indenter’s surface area (Kg/mm 2 or GPa)
The silicon reacts with the carbon forming more SiC which bonds the initial SiC particles. Reaction bonded silicon carbide has excellent wear, impact and chemical resistance. It can be formed into a variety of shapes, including cone and sleeve shapes, as well as more complex engineered pieces designed for equipment involved in mineral processing industry.
24/10/2013· This study addresses the affect of mounting material used with an encapsulated metallographic specimen on its Rockwell hardness test results. Thirty-five specimens were sectioned from a grade 1144 medium carbon steel rod as the experimental material. Thirty of the sections were encapsulated in six different mounting materials (the test groups), and five were left unencapsulated …
China Silicon Carbide Ceramic Bushing/Sleeve/Washers, Find details about China Silicon Carbide, Hardness Rockwell HRA 82 HRA 85 Compressive Strength Mpa psi 1500 217,500 2000 290,000 Flexural Strength Mpa psi 200 29,000 300 43,500 Gpa psi 250
Silicon Carbide Harder than standard aluminium oxide with a very sharp abrasive grain. It is a versatile material, recommended for grinding relatively soft metals such as aluminium or cast iron but can also be used on extremely hard materials such as cemented carbide.
Bulletproof Ceramic, Bulletproof Material, Silicon Carbide manufacturer / supplier in China, offering Pressureless Sintered Boron Carbide Bulletproof Armor Vest Ceramic, PE Bulletproof Insert/Inserted Plate for Armor (NIJ III IV), High Wear Resistant 92/95/T95/Zta
Silicon carbide abrasives for metallographic and metallography specimen preparation Current Selection The following information is generated automatically for display only.
Calcium carbide is also an intermediate product in the smelting of calcium–silicon alloy. Technical grade calcium carbide is crystallized from the melt and contains ~80% CaC 2 and 10% to 15% CaO (Fig. 19.4).
Silicon carbide tubing’s high density and hardness next to a diamond’s allows for tight dimensional control and non-or-minimal sintering after use. Silicon carbide features include extremely resistant to wear and abrasion, high flexural strength at various temperatures, highly anti-corrosive and shock resistant, and flexible to high temperatures.
DIRECTIONAL VARIATION OF GRINDING HARDNESS IN SILICON-CARBIDE | KOHN, JACK ARNOLD | download | B–OK. Download books for free. Find books 5,018,913 Books 77,490,836 Articles Fundraising Books Add book egories Most Popular Top Z
Aluminium alloy 2124 reinforced with 25 volume % silicon carbide particles (average size 3 micron). It is manufactured by a powder Hardness, Rockwell A 58.3 58.3 Converted from Vickers Hardness, Rockwell B 95 95 Converted from Vickers
Sintered silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic is a new kind of bullet-proof ceramic material, with low density, high strength, high hardness, high temperature resistance, oxidation resistance, corrosion resistance and other excellent performances. Now it''s the preferred
6/11/2014· 3. To study the effect of silicon carbide reinforcement on mechanical properties. 4. To compare the mechanical properties of various compositions of silicon carbide. 5. To evaluate or investigate the corrosion behaviour of aluminium alloy metal matrix composite III.
Rockwell hardness test is conducted and properties are evaluated experimentally to assess the influence of Silicon carbide with constant amount of graphite powder on the matrix material. It …
In conclusion, there are some difference between tungsten carbide and solid carbide. T ungsten carbide cutting blades is made of solid carbide, but if this cutting tool is solid carbide , that is saying that this cutting tool is very good quality, and long life span, bec ause some of the cutting tools have only carbide tips. not whole body made of carbide. | https://hildana.nl/4115+silicon-carbide-rockwell-hardness.html |
· Mohs hardness test uses 10 reference materials of varying hardness as the scale for the test. The softest material used is talc (value=1) and the hardest material is diamond (value=10). Given that the references used for the Mohs scale do not have a graded increase, the Mohs scale lacks accuracy and is only a rough measure of hardness.
· Wisely Use Raymond Mill from the very Beginning. Raymond mill (Raymond roller mill) is applicable to the grinding and processing of more than 280 kinds of nonflammable and nonexplosive materials with hardness less than 7 and humidity less than 6% in mining, construction, chemical industry and metallurgy, such as barite, calcite, feldspar, talcum, marble, limestone, clay, and glass.
· Mohs Scale . Pearls : top » science » materials. 20 Types of Materials John Spacey, December 04, 2015 updated on March 19, 2019. A material is a substance that people find useful such that it is produced for economic reasons. Materials are commonly used to ... A highly processed wood product that is used in a wide variety of ...
Shanghai Clirik Machinery Co., Ltd. Raymond mill is mainly applied to process all kinde of stones which hardness are lower than mohs and humidity below 6%. The finished fineness size is range from 30425 mesh. Raymond mill belongs the kind of wind separator, which demand high moisture content of materials.
02/08/2009 · Aug 2 2009. Tungsten Carbide is often referred to as a Hard Metal due to it's very high hardness in relation to other metals. Typically a Tungsten Carbide Hard Metal can have a hardness value of 1600 HV, whereas mild steel would be in the region of 160 HV a factor of 10 lower. Although called a hard metal, Tungsten Carbide is actually a ...
22/07/2019 · EU RoHS specifies maximum levels for the following 10 restricted substances. The first six applied to the original RoHS while the last four were added under RoHS 3, which took effect July 22, 2019. Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm. Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm. Mercury (Hg): < 1000 ppm.
Materials Selection in Mechanical Design: Das Original mit Übersetzungshilfen A reference for engineering designers involved in the complex process of materials selection. It covers the properties and design appliions for engineered materials which include the nonmetallics (such as plastics and ceramics) and composites.
· · The description of all stages of Textile manufacturing process are provided below: SPINNING PROCESS: Spinning is a procedure of producing/converting fiber materials in yarns. On an initial stage it goes through the blowroom where the size of cotton becomes smaller by the help of machinery followed by carding. After carding, the process is ...
The Department of Defense is America's largest government agency. Our mission is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security.
Raymond Mill Raymond Machine High Efficiency Grinding. Raymond Mill Grinding Process A Raymond mill is widely applied to finely grind more than 280 nonflammable and explosive materials, whose Mohs hardness is less than and humidity is below 6such as barite, calcite, potassium feldspar, talc, marble, limestone, dolomite, fluorite, lime, activated clay, activated carbon, bentonite, .
· Mohs surgery is used to treat the most common skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, as well as some kinds of melanoma and other more unusual skin cancers. Mohs surgery is especially useful for skin cancers that: Have a high risk of recurrence or that have recurred after previous treatment.
A framework for materials writing. we offer a practical idea of the different aspects of the process of materials writing by teachers for the classroom. The starting point for this practical overview derives from the thoughts and feelings of those most involved with language materials: the comments below are the authentic voices of students and ...
Managerial Accounting by Garrison, Noreen, Brewer 14th Edition
The powder material for alumina ceramics comes from the processing of bauxite, which is an aluminum rich clay like material loed a few meters below the earth's crust. The method for manufacturing alumina was discovered in 1887 and is called the Bayer process. Below is a description of the process. Alumina Ceramic Production Grinding:
Raymond Mill for 50450 Mesh Powder Grinding. Raymond mill is a traditional stone powder grinding machine, can be used in 50450 mesh mineral powder grinding, such as carbon black, calcium carbonate, marble, gypsum, calcite, dolomite, limestone, mica, coconut shell, fluorite, graphite, feldspar, talc, cement and other more than 200 kinds of different stone mineral powder grinding.
Stered literature is harnessed to critically review the possible sources, chemistry, potential biohazards and best available remedial strategies for a number of heavy metals (lead, chromium, arsenic, zinc, cadmium, copper, mercury and nickel) commonly found in contaminated soils. The principles, advantages and disadvantages of immobilization, soil washing and phytoremediation techniques ...
1) Calculate and share detailed raw material demand forecasts at regular intervals with service centers and mills . By sharing what we call a "material demand profile" with the sources of the raw material, OEMs can reduce risk for their raw material suppliers enabling them to operate more responsively, while increasing the OEMs ability to control pricing and ensure availability.
raymond roller mill . Raymond roller mill is widely used in calcite, potassium feldspar, talc, barite, marble, limestone, dolomite, fluorite, lime, activated clay, activated carbon, bentonite, kaolin, cement, phosphate rock, gypsum, glass, thermal insulation materials such as mohs hardness is not greater than, and the humidity below 6% of non flammable and explosive mines, chemical ...
The first process that most of the ores or minerals undergo after they leave any mine, is mineral processing or mineral/ ore dressing. It is a process of ore preparation, milling, and ore dressing ...
03/05/2021 · The process of materials management (the control of an organization's inventory, services, and equipment from acquisition to disposition) allows for cost control and also allows the organization to operate correctly – having enough of each needed supply (medical, administrative, housekeeping, and/or clerical) on hand at the precise time it ...
Mohs Micrographic Surgery is performed in a procedure room under sterile conditions, with local anesthesia. Once anesthesia is complete, the visible portion of the tumor is removed by excision or scraping with a sharp instrument called a curette.
Weaving. Prepared beams are set on a looming frame to weave a textile in the following five motions: 1. Shedding: two groups of warps are opened to let the weft pass through. 2. Picking: The weft is inserted between two groups of warps. 3. Beatup: Pushing the newly inserted yarn back into the fell using reed. 4.
mohs hardness ferro alloys grinding machine Nigeria. FOB Reference Price: Get Latest Price The products includes five series: crusher, sand making machine, powder grinding mill, mineral processing equipment and building materials 26 2015 · Grinding various ores which Mohs hardness is less than level moisture content is below and noninflammable and explosive.
· Materials Processing Center The Materials Processing Center (MPC) was established as an interdisciplinary center within the School of Engineering in response to a recognized national need to improve ... Professor Raymond Ashoori's Center for Integrated Quantum Materials. | https://edurays.pl/2021/07/27_28166.html |
Abstract The solidification process significantly affects the microstructure and mechanical properties of the HPDC aluminum alloys. This article discusses the effect of some HPDC process parameters on microstructure, density and hardness of a hypereutectic aluminum silicon alloy. The experimental study shows that when pouring and mold temperature are respectively equal to 738 ° C and 130 ° C, the process allows obtaining good quality parts in terms of hardness, density and microstructure, by optimizing primary silicon distribution. Therefore the results will allow obtaining very high quality injected parts.
Keywords hypereutectic Al-Si, primary silicon, hardness, high pressure die casting, microstructure, porosity.
-
INTRODUCTION
AlSi alloys are most widely used aluminum alloys due to their castability, high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance,etc [1,2].This fosters use is to reduce cars and aeronautic equipments weight and other automotive applications [6-10]. Aluminum alloys contain some impurities such as Fe, Mn and Cr which deteriorate the mechanical properties of the casting parts The microstructure obtained in the HPDC process is very complex and is affected by many factors associated with liquid and semi-solid melt processing, ow and heat transfer Phenomena. Since microstructure control is a key factor to generate a tribologically excellent cylinder bore, the determination of its structural and thermal characteristics is of primary importance for development of novel HPDC processes ;This work deals with optimizing the production of cylindrical liner with industrial utility. It aims at studying the effect of die and pouring temperature on density, porosity and microstructure of HPDC hypereutectic alloy.
.
-
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
The objective of this study is to optimize the manufacturing of a hypereutectic AlSi17Cu4 cylinder liner using HPDC process. The optimization will concern two parameters: the temperature of the alloy casting during pouring and the temperature of the die (mold) at the injection.
The average chemical composition of the hypereutectic aluminum alloy AlSi17Cu4 (wt%) is explained in table 1
TABLE 1: AVERAGE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ALLOY BY (WT%)
Some physical and mechanical characteristics of this alloy are listed in table 2
Element
Si
Cr
Fe
Ni
Cu
Zn
Mn
Al
Average
content wt%
16,135
0,035
0,453
0,027
6,580
0,186
0,203
Bal
TABLE2: AVERAGE VALUES OF SOME THERMOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF
ALSI17CU4 ALLOY.
Tensile strength:
260 MPa
Young's modulus:
82 GPa
Fatigue strength:
100 MPa
Hardness :
120 HB
Density :
2,73 g / cm3
Liquids temperature:
650 °C
Solidus temperature:
505 °C
Linear expansion coefficient:
-6
18 .10
The injection parameters were adjusted on the values that allow obtaining flawless cylinder liner (geometric integrity). These parameters, which were found by previous research, are:
V1 = 0.4 m.s -1 (first shifting speed)
S1 = 375mm (distance of first movement) V2 = 3.5 m.s -1(second shifting speed)
S2 = 410mm (distance second movement)
Molten metal injection speed between 40 and 60 m / s you
Fig1: Schematic drawing of the HPDC machine with a description of the major components. The plunger injects the melt from the shot sleeve into the die cavity through the gate and runner.
The injection process begins by two blank tests, in order to reach the steady state of the machine. After this step die temperature measurement is performed using a thermal camera and pouring alloy temperature of the alloy is measured using a thermocouple connected to the temperature control of melting furnace.
In a first step, the die (mold) temperature is kept relatively constant and pouring temperature (via melting alloy temperature control) is gradually increased. The table below
N° of sample
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Die temperature
(°C)
121.5
116.5
122.5
126.5
130.5
125
124
128
Pouring alloy (°C)
663
680
711
723
738
755
775
810
summarizes the temperatures recorded during this operation:
TABLE 3: NUMBER OF SAMPLE WITH POURING AND MOLD TEMPERATURE
L=153mm
Fig3: drawing Of four cylindrical shapes with the canal filling
FIG4: the levy for analysis is three Areas mentioned in the drawing
According to the experimental results, it is important to note that physical proprieties such as characteristics and microstructure of the cylinder liners vary between the three zones but remain close to each other within three area (B, M,
S) So, in our experimental work, we study the area M.
-
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
-
The effect of pouring temperature on hardness
Hardness of cylinder lining is measured according to Brinel Hardness Test standards; the principle is to measure the diameter of the print that a spherical indenter generates in the material under a determined force. In our case, we are working with a test load of F = 62.5 N and diameter D = 2.5 mm indenter. The table below shows the values obtained:
N° of sample
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
mold temperature
121,5
116,5
122,5
126 ,5
130,5
125
124
128
Alloy pouring
temperature
663
680
711
723
738
755
775
810
hardness Measurement 1
107
113
107
107
138
115
118
62.4
hardness
Measurement 2
107
121
102
121
131
121
121
62.4
hardness Measurement 3
107
112
115
110
128
121
112
95
hardnessMeasurement 4
107
121
115
121
138
121
107
121
The average hardness HB
107
116.7
109.7
114.7
133.7
119.5
114.5
85.2
2
1
With:
1=83mm : Inside diameter 2 =88mm: outer diameter
Fig2: drawing geometric shape with dimension manufacture HPDC
TABLE. 4. DIFFERENT HARDNESS VALUES MEASURED ACCORDING TO POURING TEMPERATURE OF THE ALLOYS
Fig.4.Variation of mean hardness value with pouring temperature
From this study we can infer that: an alloy of hypereutectic aluminum, casting using HPDC process, Mold temperature and alloy having a direct effect on hardness. So we concluded that the temperature which provides a very high hardness value is between 723°C and 775°C. bearing in mind that, the mold temperature must be between 120°C and 130°C.
-
the effect of the casting temperature on densitys
In order to study effect of pouring temperature on the alloy density, we measure the density of cylinder liners prepared, Archimedes' principle of measuring the mass of the sample in air is used (M area) and water (M water).
Therefore the density of the Archimedes' principle was calculated using the following relationship:
d M air
M air M water
Fig5: Density variation depending on Pouring temperature
Based on the variation of the curve of density versus the pouring temperature (fig5) we can affirm that the appropriate value of pouring temperature is between 723°C and 775°C. This value gives the highest density and consequently high integrity to the injected part.
According to the two experimental tests finding that: casting temperature of the alloy aluminum hypereutectic has a direct effect on the hardness and density of the molded parts HPDC.
-
The effect of the casting temperature on Microstructure.
Through the study of the effect of the casting temperature on the microstructure, particularly the primary silicon, an optical microscope (AXIOvert40MAT) connected to a camera (Sony XCD-SX910) is used, and images obtained will be processed with software image processing VISILOG V6-Xpert.
N° of sample
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
mold temperature
121,
5
116,
5
122,5
126 ,
5
130,
5
125
124
128
Pouring
temperature
663
680
711
723
738
755
775
810
density
2,63
2,53
2,69
2,83
2,79
2,65
2,65
2,62
A sample preparation which required this experiment is summarized in three steps. The first step of the sample preparation is the machining of the specimen. The second step is polishing a range of carbide paper (P240 P500 P1200 P4000) and the last step is a final polishing with diamond paste 3 microns and lubricants.
TABLE 5: DENSITY MEASUREMENT IN FUNCTION OF MOLD AND POURING TEMPERATURE
Fig 6: Microstructure of the medium casting part at different temperatures: (a) 663 ° C, (b) 680 ° C, (c) 711 ° C, (d) 723 ° C, (e) 738 ° C, (f ) 755 ° C, (g) 775 ° C, (h) 810 ° C.
From the above pictures (fig6) we can see that the size of primary silicon in micrographs (d), (e), (f), (g). is more reduced. In addition, to this other micrographs can be observed that the primary silicon is unevenly distributed.
-
-
CONCLUSION
The effect of pouring temperature on the hardness density and microstructure of the hypereutectic AlSi17Cu4 alloy that was investigated using HPDC, for manufacturing a cylinder liner. in this work we can conclude that:
-
When the pouring temperature increases the hardness and density also increases to a maximum value. The maximum hardness that can be achieved is 133,75HB, which represents a significant value for hypereutectic AlSi17Cu4 alloys.
-
Obtaining good quality cylinder liner requires a pouring temperature between 720°C and 750°C, while the mold must be preheated at temperature between 126°C and 130°C.
-
If the pouring temperature is low or heath the primary silicon is not well distributed and most of mechanical propriety is very low like hardness and density.
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M. Zeren, E. Karakulak, J. Alloys Compd. 450 (2008) 255259.
(10) M. Hamn, I.A. Talib, A.R. Daud, Wear 194 (1996) 5459. | https://www.ijert.org/the-effect-of-mold-and-pouring-temperature-on-hardness-and-microstructure-of-a-hpdc-hyper-eutectic-aluminum-alloy |
2020/06/16· Mohs hardness test uses 10 reference materials of varying hardness as the scale for the test. The softest material used is talc (value=1) and the hardest material is diamond (value=10). Given that the references used for the Mohs scale do not have a graded increase, the Mohs scale lacks accuracy and is only a rough measure of hardness.
One way to determine the hardness of an abrasive is to use the Mohs'' hardness scale. The scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest (talc) and 10 being the hardest (diamond). Most abrasives that effectively achieve an anchor pattern on a surface have a Mohs'' hardness of at least 6.0. Mohs''. The Mohs'' scale of hardness, devised by
2016/04/06· Mohs scale The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a qualitative ordinal scale that characterizes the scratch resistance of different minerals through the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer material. It was created
2014/12/20· Calcined petroleum coke is used for the production of carbon anodes in the Hall-Héroult aluminum smelting process due to a coination of low impurity levels, ready availability, and relatively low cost. This article provides a review of the history and use of calcined petroleum coke for anode production and describes the different calcining technologies used by the industry. The article
2015/03/07· Hardness is the resistance of a material to deformation, indentation or penetration by drilling, abrasion, impact or scratching, Hardness is measured by hardness tests such as Brinell, Rockwell, Knoop or Vickers tests, and there is no standard hardness scale. The hardness of alloy is the diameter of the dent an alloy measured when 1 kg of
Calcined Petroleum Coke CPC or Calcined Petroleum Coke has always been a major constituent of brake pads and is the base of the mechanical strength and an optimal “carrier” for other ingredients. Due to its relative hardness, CPC is responsible for the base coefficient of friction (CoF).
Calcined Petroleum Coke - Oxbow Calcined Petroleum Coke is a critical ingredient in the production of aluminum It is created by placing high quality raw green petroleum coke into rotary kilns where it is heated to temperatures
Calcined Alumina is a commercial Alumina or Aluminum Oxide. It is white powder. One of the outstanding characteristics of Calcined Alumina is its hardness which is 9 on mohs scale. There is board industrial field of appliions for this type of alumina and nuer of distinctive grade are produced to meet various needs.
mohs hardness for calcined petroleum coke in namibia Mohs Scale of the Ten Hardnesses. Hardness of petcoke - Crusher Unit . Project overview asocem. apr 3 2003 world petroleum coke and titanium dioxide … The hardness of
petroleum coke grinding mill petroleum coke powder mill petroleum coke mill The coke crushing mill compamy Gabon The coal is feed into the coal mill through a central inlet pipe where gravity is used to lead the coal to the bottom of the mill where the grinding table and some heavy rollers pulverizes the coal to particl woody lignite and lignite anthracite coal and petroleum coke.
2019/05/13· Understanding Mohs Hardness Scale The Mohs scale of hardness uses half-nuers, but nothing more precise for in-between hardnesses. For instance, dolomite, which scratches calcite but not fluorite, has a Mohs hardness of 3½ or 3.5.
2019/07/07· Chalcopyrite most important ore of copper mineral in the word for thousand of years. It colour is brass-yellow and tarnishes to gray green and It is chemical composition of CuFeS2. It is hardness of 3.5 – 4 on the Mohs scale and diagnostic properties streak is black green, opaque, with a metallic luster, and poor cleavage with a tetragonal
petroleum coke determine the end use of the material which can be burned as fuel, calcined for use in the aluminum, chemical, or steel industries, or gasified …
4 Study on physical-chemical properties of petroleum cokes 979 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Typical ranges of calcined coke properties for aluminum anode-grade specifiions are listed in the Table 2 . Table 2 Coke
Sources. The main hardness tests and their most common appliions include: Mohs, for minerals. Shore, for polymers. Brinell, for metals. Rockwell, for metals. Vickers, for thin materials. Knoop, for thin materials. Try our hardness converter tool to convert values for …
Petroleum coke (often abbreviated Pet coke or petcoke) is a carbonaceous solid derived from oil refinery coker units or other cracking processes. Other coke has traditionally been derived from coal. Marketable coke is coke that is relatively pure carbon and can be sold for use as fuel, or for the manufacture of dry cells, electrodes, etc.
2020/12/05· The Mohs scale of harness has calcite as its example of a hardness of “3”, often referred to as the hardness of calcite. Do not think of calcite as a type of rock, but a major mineral component in sedimentary rocks like limestone, or metamorphic rocks like marble.
In 1812 the Mohs scale of mineral hardness was devised by the German mineralogist Frederich Mohs who selected the ten Rocks Minerals Definitions Actinolite Actinolite has the formulae Ca2(Mg Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2 and a relative hardness of 6.
2007/12/28· According to the MSDS petroleum coke is considered hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200 (Hazard Communiion).For a more in depth analysis, see below:The following is a quote from the Petroleum Coke
2021/05/20· Description: Mohs hardness degree of hardness divided by ten: 1, talc, 2, 3 gypsum, calcite 4, 5 fluorite, apatite 6, 7 orthoclase, quartz 8 9 topaz, corundum 10 diamonds. The difference between the levels of hardness are not equal, only that the relative size between the
2020/07/31· For example, if some material is scratched by topaz but not by quartz, its hardness on the Mohs scale would fall between 7 and 8. Indentation hardness . Indentation hardness measures the ability to withstand surface indentation (localized plastic deformation) and the resistance of a sample to material deformation due to a constant compression load from a sharp object.
2006/01/01· The Mohs scale is based on a relative measure of scratch resistance, but because scratching involves both loading and shearing, scratch resistance is not equivalent to hardness as measured by modern loading (indentation
2014/12/20· The History and Future Challenges of Calcined Petroleum Coke Production and Use in Aluminum Smelting LES EDWARDS1,2 1.—Rain CII Carbon, Covington, LA 70433, USA. 2.—e-mail: [email protected] Calcined
Mohs'' scale of mineral hardness is named after Friedrich Mohs, a mineralogist. Mohs scale is ordered by hardness, determined by which minerals can scratch other minerals. Rocks are made up of one or more minerals. According to the scale, Talc is the softest: it can be scratched by all other materials. Gypsum is harder: it can scratch talc
2020/04/16· The Mohs hardness scale measures a mineral''s resistance to scratching. Find the traditional scale here and a chart of select gems ordered by hardness. Join our mailing list below to download a FREE gem ID checklist tutorial. gem ID checklist tutorial.
HGM Petroleum coke grinding mill is mainly applied to non-inflammable, non-explosive and brittle materials with Mohs’ hardness under six. Such as calcite, chalk, Petroleum coke, dolomite, kaolin, gypsum, etc, totally more than 100 kinds of materials. Product fineness can be controlled between 325~2500 mesh. | https://kine-licht.be/Oct/16+15159.html |
The hardness of a material is its ability to resist localized permanent deformation, penetration, scratching, or indentation. So, it is an important parameter in engineering. Hardness Testing provides a means to quantify the hardness of a material and it is a key element in many quality control procedures and R&D work. Several methods are available for hardness testing. However, Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers, Knoop, Mohs, Scleroscope, and the files test are the most widely used hardness tests. In this article, we will learn about Brinell Hardness Test, its procedure, related formula, and standards.
What is the Brinell Hardness Test?
The Brinell Hardness Test method is the most commonly used hardness measurement technique in the industry. In the Brinell Hardness Testing, the hardness of a metal is determined by measuring the permanent indentation size produced by an indenter. Harder materials will generate shallow indentations while softer materials will produce deeper indentations. This test method was first proposed by Swedish engineer Johan August Brinell in 1900 and according to his name, the test is popular as Brinell Hardness Test.
Brinell Hardness Test Procedure
The Brinell Hardness test is performed in a Brinell hardness test unit. In this test method, a predetermined force (F) is applied to a tungsten carbide ball of fixed diameter (D) and held for a predetermined time period, and then removed. The spherical indenter creates an impression (permanent deformation) on the test metal piece. This indentation is measured across two or more diameters and then averaged to get the indentation diameter (d). Using this indentation size (d) Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) is found using a chart or calculated using the Brinell hardness test formula. The equipment used for Brinell Hardness Testing are:
- Brinell Hardness Testing Machine
- Indenter Sphere, and
- Brinell microscope to measure the generated impression.
Brinell Hardness Testing Machine:
The Brinell Hardness Testing Machine (Fig. 1) consists of a loading system that includes leavers, weights, a hydraulic dashpot, and a plunger enclosed in the body of the machine. The test material is kept on the adjustable anvil. Using the lever, the spherical ball indenter descends on the material with a pre-decided force that can be read on the screen.
For softer metals, the force used is less than for harder metals. The force value varies from 1 kgf to 3000 kgf. Common test forces range from 500 kgf often used for non-ferrous materials to 3000 kgf for steels and cast irons.
There are four sizes of the indenter used for the Brinell hardness test. They are 1 mm, 2.5 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm in size.
To obtain the same BHN with different ball diameters, geometrically similar indentations must be produced. It is possible if F/D2 is maintained constant.
Brinell Hardness Test Formula
Once the average indentation diameter is measured the Brinell Hardness Number (BHN or HBW) can be calculated using the following Brinell hardness test formula:
Note that, the term HBW stands for Hardness Brinell Wolfram carbide.
Wolfram carbide (= tungsten carbide) underlines the use of tungsten carbide balls, as opposed to the (softer) steel balls previously used (HBS).
The minimum Test Specimen thickness is at least 10 times the indentation depth as per ASTM standard and the same is at least 8 times the indentation depth as per ISO standard.
Specifying Brinell Hardness Number
While specifying a Brinell hardness number (BHN or HB), the test conditions used to obtain the number must be specified. The standard format for specifying is “HBW 10/3000”. “HBW” refers to a tungsten carbide ball used as an indenter, as opposed to “HBS”, which means a hardened steel ball. The “10” is the ball’s diameter in millimeters. The “3000” is the force in kilograms force.
Sometimes, the Brinell hardness is also specified as “XXX HB YYD2” where
- XXX is the force to apply (in kgf)
- YY specifies the material type (5 for aluminum alloys, 10 for copper alloys, 30 for steels).
Thus the Brinell hardness of a typical steel could be written: 250 HB 30D2. The following image from Wikipedia provides some typical Brinell Hardness Values of common materials.
Requirements for Brinell Hardness Testing
- Before the test, the sample must be cleaned thoroughly. Preferable if the test surface is machined, ground, and polished to get better indentation measurement.
- Proper indenter (Steel ball or carbide Ball) as per requirement needs to be selected.
- The applicable force needs to be determined beforehand.
- The load on the specimen is to be maintained for the exact period of time.
- The indents must be positioned to keep sufficient clearance from the specimen edge and between the individual indents.
Standards for Brinell Hardness Test
The widely used standards for Brinell Hardness Test in industries are:
- ASTM E10
- ISO 6506
- JIS Z 2243
Advantages of the Brinell Hardness Test
The Brinell Test method has many advantages:
- The hardness of rough samples can be measured which is difficult with other methods.
- Application of high test load (up to 3,000 Kg) is possible.
- Wide measuring range due to availability of a range of indenter sizes and loads
- A Brinell hardness tester can determine the hardness of all types of metals.
- Provides reliable results.
However, the Brinell test method has some disadvantages as well:
- There could be measuring errors due to using of optical instruments.
- Surface imperfections can interfere with the test result if the surface is not prepared thoroughly.
- The requirement of a flat surface makes this test redundant for cylindrical surfaces.
Brinell vs Rockwell Hardness Test | Difference between Rockwell and Brinell Hardness Test
The main difference between Brinell and Rockwell Hardness Test is provided in the table below:
Brinell, Rockwell, and Vickers Hardness Conversion Table
The approximate conversion of Brinell, Rockwell B & C, and Vickers hardness is provided below for sample only. One more column indicating approximate equivalent tensile strength is also added.
Uses of Brinell Hardness Test
Some of the applications of the Brinell hardness test are mentioned below:
- Quality control: The Brinell hardness test is commonly used in manufacturing and quality control to ensure that materials meet specific hardness requirements. For example, it can be used to test the hardness of steel components used in automotive, aerospace, or construction applications.
- Material selection: The Brinell hardness test can be used to compare the hardness of different materials and to select the most appropriate material for a specific application. For example, it can be used to compare the hardness of different types of steel or to compare the hardness of steel and aluminum alloys.
- Heat treatment evaluation: The Brinell hardness test can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of heat treatment processes on metals. For example, it can be used to determine whether a specific heat treatment has achieved the desired level of hardness.
- Research and development: The Brinell hardness test is also used in research and development to investigate the properties of new materials and to develop new materials with specific hardness properties.
- Failure analysis: The Brinell hardness test can be used in failure analysis to determine the cause of material failures. For example, it can be used to determine whether a component can fail due to insufficient hardness or to identify areas of a component that have been subjected to excessive stress.
Overall, the Brinell hardness test is a valuable tool for measuring the hardness of materials and is widely used in a variety of applications in industry, research, and development. | https://whatispiping.com/brinell-hardness-test/ |
The hardness of solids 147 and sinkingin of material around the indentation and from the elastic recovery of the indentation when the load is removed see later.
The hardness of solids 147 and sinkingin of material around the indentation and from the elastic recovery of the indentation when the load is removed see later.
Properties of solid hardness gatewaypreschoolgonic and metallic bonding softschools this explains many properties of ionic solids they are hard and brittle,, special properties of solid hardness.
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The effect of workhardening upon the hardness of solids it is suggested that the hardness of many solids may approach a minimum value which the material can attain through glide processes4the structure and properties of solids all solids, erties such as hardness, melting point, mechanical characteristics, and conductivity.
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Terminologyhis chapter provides brief descriptions of physical and chemical properties as background and preparation for more detailed discussion in later chapters in which these properties are used to describe the characteristics of specific dental materials. | https://www.nilspolitt.de/properties-of-solids-hardness/7536.html |
Gears play an essential role in the performance of many products that we rely on in our everyday lives. When we think about gears, we generally separate them into two categories: motion-carrying and power transmission. Motion-carrying gears are generally nonferrous or plastics, while load-bearing power transmission gears are usually manufactured from ferrous alloys. The focus here is on heat treating gears intended for heavy duty service.
To understand why heat treating is important, consider the model of material science (Figure 1), represented as a series of interlocking rings underscoring the interdependence of each element in the model. We see that the end use of performance capability of the product is defined by its mechanical, physical, and metallurgical properties, which are determined by the part microstructure, produced by a specific heat treatment process.
It is clear from this model that the manufacture of precision gearing depends, to a great extent, on heat treating as a core competency. Its contribution is vitally important for cost control, durability, and reliability. Heat treating represents a significant portion — about 30% — of a typical gear manufacturing cost (Figure 2). If not properly understood and controlled, it can have a significant impact on all aspects of the gear manufacturing process (Figure 3).
Process Selection
Pre-hardening Processes
Several heat treatments are normally performed during the gear manufacturing process to prepare the part for the intended manufacturing steps. These are essential to the manufacture of a quality gear.
Annealing
Annealing consists of heating to and holding at a suitable temperature, followed by cooling at an appropriate rate, primarily intended to soften the part and improve its machinability. Supercritical or full annealing involves heating a part above the upper critical temperature (AC3) — that is the temperature at which austenite begins to transform to ferrite during cooling, and then slowly cooling in the furnace to around 600ºF. Intercritical annealing involves heating the part to a temperature above the final transformation temperature (AC1), the temperature at which austenite begins to form during heating. Subcritical annealing heats the part to just below the AC1 point, followed by a slow cool in the furnace. The rate of softening increases rapidly as the annealing temperature approaches the AC1 part.
Normalizing
Normalizing involves heating the part above the upper critical temperature and then air cooling outside the furnace to relieve residual stresses in a gear blank, and for dimensional stability. Normalizing is often considered from both a thermal and microstructural standpoint. In the thermal sense, normalizing is austenitizing followed by cooling in still- or slightly-agitated air or nitrogen. In a microstructural sense, normalizing produces a more homogenous structure. A normalized part is very machinable but harder than an annealed part. Normalizing also plays a significant role in the control of dimensional variation during carburizing.
Stress Relieving
Stress Relieving involves heating to a temperature below the lower transformation temperature, as in tempering, holding long enough to reduce residual stress and cooling slowly enough, usually in air, to minimize the development of new residual stresses. Stress relief heat treating is used to relieve internal stresses locked in the gear as a consequence of a manufacturing step.
Hardening Processes
Various heat treatment processes are designed to increase gear hardness. These usually involve heating and cooling and are typically classified as through hardening, case hardening (carburizing, carbonitriding, nitriding, nitrocarburizing) and hardening by applied energy (flame, laser, induction).
Through or Direct Hardening
Through or direct hardening refers to heat treatment methods, which do not produce a case. Examples of commonly through hardened gear steels are AISI 1045, 4130, 4140, 4145, 4340, and 8640. It is important to note that hardness uniformity should not be assumed throughout the gear tooth. Since the outside of a gear is cooled faster than the inside, there will be a hardness gradient developed. The final hardness is dependent on the amount of carbon in the steel; the depth of hardness depends on the hardenability of the steel as well as the quench severity.
Through hardening can be performed either before or after the gear teeth are cut. When gear teeth are cut after the part has been hardened, surface hardness and machinability become important factors, especially in light of the fact that machining will remove some or most of the higher hardness material into the austenitic range, typically 815 to 875°C (1500 to 1600°F), followed by quenching and tempering.
Case Hardening
Case hardening produces a hard, wear resistant case or surface layer on top of a ductile, shock resistant interior, or core. The idea behind case hardening is to keep the core of the gear tooth at a level around 30 to 40 HRC to avoid tooth breakage while hardening the outer surface to increase pitting resistance. The higher the surface hardness value, the greater the pitting resistance. Bending strength increases for surface hardness up to about 50 HRC, after which the increase in bending strength is offset by an increase in notch sensitivity.
Carburizing
Carburizing is the most common of the case hardening methods. A properly carburized gear will be able to handle between 30-50% more load than a through hardened gear. Carburizing steels are typically alloy steels with approximately 0.10% to 0.20% carbon. Examples of commonly carburized steels include AISI 10148, 4320, 5120, 8620, and 9310 as well as international grades such as 20MnCr5, 16MnCr5, ZF-7B, 20MoCr4, and V2525.
Carburizing can be performed in the temperature range of 1475-2000°F (800-1090°C). Common industry practice today finds the majority of carburizing operations taking place at 1600-1850°F (870 to 1010°C). Carburizing case depths can vary over a broad range, 0.005 to 0.25 in. (0.13 to 8.25 mm). However, it is common to use the carbonitriding process for case depths below 0.015 in. (0.4 mm).
Carbonitriding
Carbonitriding is a modification of the carburizing process, not a form of nitriding. This modification consists of introducing ammonia into the carburizing atmosphere to add nitrogen to the carburized case as it is being produced. Examples of gears steels that are commonly carbonitrided include AISI 1018, 1117, and 12L14.
Typically, carbonitriding is done at a lower temperature than carburizing, or between 1330-1650°F (700-900°C), and for a shorter time. Because nitrogen inhibits the diffusion of carbon, what generally results is a shallower case than is typical for carburized parts. A carbonitrided case is usually between 0.003-0.030 in. (0.075-0.75 mm) deep.
Nitriding
Nitriding is another surface treatment process that increases surface hardness. Since rapid quenching is not required, dimensional changes are kept to a minimum, which is a major advantage. It is not suitable for all gear materials. One of its limitations is the extremely high surface hardness or “white layer” produced, which has a more brittle nature than the surface produced by carburizing. Despite this, nitriding has proved to be a viable alternative for numerous applications. Commonly nitride gear steels include AISI 4140, 4150, 4340, 7140, 8640, and AMS 6475 (Nitralloy N).
Nitriding is typically done in the 925-1050°F (495-565°C) range. Three factors that are extremely critical in producing superior and consistent nitride cases and predictable dimensional change are steel composition, prior structure, and core hardness. Case depth and case hardness properties vary not only with the duration and type of nitriding being performed but are also influenced by these factors. Typically, case depths are between 0.008-0.025 in. (0.20-0.65 mm) and take from 10 to 80 hours to produce.
Nitrocarburizing
Nitrocarburizing is a modification of nitriding, not a form of carburizing. Here, nitrogen and carbon are simultaneously introduced into the steel while it is in a ferritic condition, that is, at a temperature below that at which austenite begins to form during heating. A very thin “white” or compound layer is formed during the process, along with an underlying diffusion zone. Like nitriding, rapid quenching is not required. Examples of gear steels commonly nitrocarburized include AISI 1018, 1141, 12L14, 4140, 4150, 5160, 8620, and certain tool steels.
Nitrocarburizing is normally performed at 1025-1110°F (550-600°C) and can be used to produce an equivalent 58 HRC minimum hardness, with this value increasing dependent on the base material. White layer depths range from 0.00005-0.0022 in. (0.0013 to 0.056 mm) with diffusion zones from 0.0013-0.032 in. (0.03-0.80 mm) being typical.
Applied Energy Hardening
Various methods of hardening by use of applied energy are used in the manufacture of gears, including flame hardening, laser surface hardening, and induction.
Flame Hardening
Flame hardening can be used for both small and large gears either by spinning or by a progressive heating technique. In the progressive heating method, the flames gradually heat the gear in front of the flame head. Sometimes this effect must be compensated for by gradually increasing the speed of travel or by precooling. A wide range of gear materials can be hardened by this technique, including plain carbon steels, carburizing grades, cast irons, and certain stainless grades.
The principle operating variables are rate of travel of the flame head or fork; flame velocity and oxygen-fuel ratios; distance from the inner flame cone or gas burner to the work surface; and the type, volume, and angle of quench. The success of many flame hardening operations for small production runs is dependent on the skill of the operator.
Laser Surface Hardening
Laser surface hardening is used to enhance the mechanical properties and surface hardness of highly stressed machine parts like gears. The use of lasers for surface treatments is relatively limited due to the high cost of large industrial lasers and the .16–.20 in. band of material that can be hardened without multiple overlapping passes. Lasers are not very efficient from an energy standpoint, adding to the expense. Gear materials such as AISI 1045, 4340, and cast irons (gray, malleable, and ductile) are good candidates for this technology.
Induction Hardening
Induction hardening is commonly used in the heat treatment of gears. This process uses alternating current to heat the surface of a gear tooth. The area is then quenched resulting in an increase in hardness in the heated area. It is typically accomplished in a relatively short period of time. The type of steel, its prior microstructure, and the desired gear performance characteristics determine the required hardness profile and resulting gear strength and residual stress distribution. External spur and helical gears, bevel and worm gears, racks, and sprockets are commonly induction hardened. Typical gear steels include AISI 1050, 1060, 4140, 4150, 4350, and 5150, stress relieving or tempering as soon as possible after induction hardening reduces the risk of cracking.
The hardness pattern produced by induction heating is a function of the type and shape of the inductor used as well as the heat mode. One technique for induction hardening of gears is the use of a coil encircling the part. In practice, this circumferential inductor hardens the teeth from the tips downward. While this pattern is acceptable for splines and some gearing, heavier loaded gears where pitting, spalling, tooth fatigue, and endurance are an issue need a hardness pattern more like that found in a carburized case. This type of induction hardening is called contour hardening and is produced via tooth-by-tooth or gap-by-gap techniques by applying either a single-shot or scanning mode. Pattern uniformity is very sensitive to coil positioning.
An alternative that has the same effect as contour hardening utilizes dual frequency. A preheat using 3 or 10 kHz brings the core temperature up to just below austenitizing temperature. Then the unit changes to medium or high frequency depending on the requirement of the gear. The advantage of this method is shorter cycle times. In a very large gear, contour heating will be more cost-effective since coils become very expensive as they increase in size.
Post-Hardening Processes
After hardening, gears typically undergo several thermal and mechanical processing steps.
Tempering
Any temperature under the lower critical temperature (AC1) can be used for tempering, but it is the balance of hardness, strength, and toughness required in service that determines the final tempering temperature. Tempering in the range of 300–400°F (150-200°C) is common for gearing, producing a slight increase in toughness that is adequate for most applications requiring high strength and fatigue resistance where loading is primarily compressive. Double tempering is sometimes performed on gears to ensure completion of the tempering reaction and to promote stability of the resulting microstructure.
Subzero Treatment
Two types of cryogenic treatments are used today: “shallow” cooling at -120°F (-85°C) and “deep” cooling at -300°F (-185°C). In some instances, this treatment is combined with subsequent temper operations.
The purpose of cryogenic treatment is to transform retained austenite and raise the hardness of the as-quenched structure. In addition, better dimensional stability is often achieved. Sub-zero treatments have as their ultimate goal an increase in wear resistance, improved bending fatigue life, and minimal residual stress. The use of cryogenic treatments is common today for high performance gearing.
Shot Peening
Shot peening is a cold working process in which the surface of the gear is bombarded with small spherical media called shot. Shot peening is a controlled process in which the size, shape, and velocity of the media are carefully monitored and controlled. A common requirement for shot peening of gears is to peen the tooth roots with overspray allowed on the flanks. Shot peening should not be confused with shot blasting, a cleaning process.
Shot peening induces a residual compressive stress on the gear surface, thereby enhancing tooth bending fatigue properties. The residual compressive stress offsets the applied tensile stress that may cause bending material failure.
Material Selection
Power transmission gears use a wide variety of steels and cast irons. In all gears the choice of material must be made only after careful consideration of the performance demanded by the end-use application and total manufactured cost, taking into consideration such issues as machining economics. Key design considerations require an analysis of the type of applied load, whether gradual or instantaneous, and the desired mechanical properties, such as bending fatigue strength or wear resistance, all of which define core strength and heat treating requirements.
Different areas in the gear tooth profile see different service demands. Consideration must be given to the forces that will act on the gear teeth, with tooth bending and contact stress, resistance to scoring and wear, and fatigue issues being paramount. For example, in the root area, good surface hardness and high residual compressive stress are desired to improve endurance, or bending fatigue life. At the pitch diameter, a combination of high hardness and adequate subsurface strength are necessary to handle contact stress and wear and to prevent spalling.
Numerous factor influence fatigue strength, including:
- Hardness distribution, as a function of case hardening, case depth, core hardness
- Microstructure, as a function of retained austenite percentage, grain size, carbides (size, type, distribution), nonmartensitic phases.
- Defect control, as a function of residual compressive stress, surface finish, geometry, intergranular toughness
In the total manufacturing scheme, a synergistic relationship must exist between the material selection process, engineering design, and manufacturing as illustrated in the model of gear engineering (Figure 4). A balance of the priorities in each discipline must be reached to optimize the ultimate performance of a gear design. This is often not an easy task.
Although material represents only a small percentage (about 10%) of the cost to manufacture a typical gear, material selection must be a perfect combination of raw material cost and performance capability. Insights into the selection process can be found in Table 1 for common steels. Knowledge of the function of each of the alloying elements present in the material and their effect on the physical properties of the alloy is critical in material selection. Properties to be balanced by material selection include tensile, yield, and impact strengths, as well as elongation.
For many gear applications, core hardness, that is the cross-sectional center of the gear tooth, in the 30 to 40 HRC range is desired. To achieve this hardness, the part section size and gear pitch size need to be considered when making the selection of a material. If the core hardness is too low, it will not support the case under high load; if too high, “chipping” of the gear teeth at the case/core interface can occur.
Material selection design aids (Figure 5 and Figure 6) assist in determining the influence of part section size and gear pitch. They enable using the material’s Jominy hardenability data, which is based on the water quenching test, to yield reliable core hardness values when the material is oil or high pressure gas quenched. However, verification by testing actual samples should be done when first using these charts to confirm that the core hardness is correct.
A ring or pinion gear, a typical “T” shape of four pitch size, can be used to illustrate this selection procedure. Any materials can be considered, but here two restricted hardenability materials, 8620RH and 8822RH are compared. Table 2 provides Jominy data on these steels. From Figure 5 the horizontal axis value for a diametral pitch of 4 is selected and a line is extended up to intersect the curve for the pitch line. The Jominy distance of the vertical axis is found at approximately J4.5. From Table 2, the material which best fits the desired 30–40 HRC core hardness range is selected. In this case, 8822RH is the best choice. For a 6-pitch gear, however, 8620RH material is an acceptable choice. If this gear were “solid,” the selection process would change and an alternative material could be considered. | https://thermalprocessing.com/heat-treat-101-a-primer/ |
Description:
-Thickness (MM):0.2~500mm
-Width (MM):200~3000mm
-Length (MM): ≤12000
-Application: Airplane/Boat/Automobile parts, Oil Tank, Pipe; Construction, Electrical cabinet, Parts; Hardwares, Electric Appliance, etc.
-Packing: Wooden pallet
-Delivery lead time: 10-25 days
-Delivery method: Ocean containers
1100 aluminium alloy
1100 aluminium alloy is an aluminium-based alloy in the "commercially pure" wrought family (1000 or 1xxx series). With a minimum of 99.0% aluminum, it is the most heavily alloyed of the 1000 series. It is also the mechanically strongest alloy in the series, and is the only 1000-series alloy commonly used in rivets. At the same time, it keeps the benefits of being relatively lightly alloyed (compared to other series), such as high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and workability. It can be strengthened by cold working, but not by heat treatment.
Temper
Tempering is a process of heat treating, which is used to increase the toughness of iron-based alloys. Tempering is usually performed after hardening, to reduce some of the excess hardness, and is done by heating the metal to some temperature below the critical point for a certain period of time, then allowing it to cool in still air. The exact temperature determines the amount of hardness removed, and depends on both the specific composition of the alloy and on the desired properties in the finished product. For instance, very hard tools are often tempered at low temperatures, while springs are tempered to much higher temperatures.
Precise control of time and temperature during the tempering process is crucial to achieve the desired balance of physical properties. Low tempering temperatures may only relieve the internal stresses, decreasing brittleness while maintaining a majority of the hardness. Higher tempering temperatures tend to produce a greater reduction in the hardness, sacrificing some yield strength and tensile strength for an increase in elasticity and plasticity. However, in some low alloy steels, containing other elements like chromium and molybdenum, tempering at low temperatures may produce an increase in hardness, while at higher temperatures the hardness will decrease. Many steels with high concentrations of these alloying elements behave like precipitation hardening alloys, which produces the opposite effects under the conditions found in quenching and tempering, and are referred to as maraging steels.
FAQ
1) What is the delivery time?
depends actual order, around 20 to 35 days
2)What is the QC system:
We have QC staff of 5 persons and advanced equipment, each production is with MTC traced from Aluminum ingot lot.
3) What market do you mainly sell to?
Australia, America, Asia, Middle East, Western Europe, Africa etc
4) Why YONGHONG? | http://m.aluminum-chinasuppliers.com/1100-o-aluminum-sheet |
A brief guide to water parameters
There are several factors that can determine the make-up of the water in your aquarium and understanding some of these can help you to maintain your tank in peak condition.
pH This is the most common area hobbyists have issues with. pH is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of the aquarium water. 7 is neutral, above this up to 14 is alkaline and below this down to 0 is acidic.
All fish species have different preferences and ranges in which they thrive. In the wild, lakes are often alkaline due to leaching of limestone that lines the base. Rivers such as the Amazon are acidic due to leaching from soils and clay. This excess of wood and mud in areas like South America will lower the pH. Drier places with clay grounds and billabongs such as Australia also support a slightly acidic pH.
Most fish species will adapt to a range of pH values. It is, however, important to try to maintain a stable pH value. Over time most species of fish can adjust to small changes. African cichlids are an example of a fish with that require a higher pH. Limestone and coral based rocks and substrates are placed in the water to create a more alkaline environment with a pH of 8 or higher. Most South American Tetras and Australian rainbows will prefer a lower pH of around 6.5.
To change the pH you must change the water buffer level. The best way to bring the pH down is to use a commercial plant substrate, add wood to the water and peat to the filter. Peat and wood are great but may initially stain the water with tannins which may yellow the colouration of your water. Powdered commercial buffers also work but they are not an exact science. They will need to be added to each water change to ensure the new water being added is the same pH as that in the aquarium.
Raising the pH for housing species such as Malawi cichlids is fairly simple. Substrates such as crushed coral and Ocean Rock offer a white substrate and chemically buffer the water to a pH of 8+. Limestone chips can be added to the filter to increase hardness and also boost pH.
Water Hardness Water hardness can be most simply described as the mineral levels in the water. Hard water has a high dissolved mineral content. Soft water has very little. The most common mineral in water is calcium; however, other minerals may also be present. Most people’s tap water is either slightly hard or soft depending on where it comes from. Well water from areas which have a lot of limestone (calcium) is often hard. Water that comes from lakes and rainwater is often devoid of minerals, making it soft.
It is important to understand how water hardness affects pH in your aquarium. Hard water (high mineral content) is usually high in pH. Soft water (low mineral) is usually low in pH. The mineral in hard water acts as a buffer in the water. The resulting water will be more alkaline and higher in pH. Some species of fish require hard water while others require soft.
So what do we do? Well it is not too hard to add mineral in the form of calcium based rock, so making soft water hard and more alkaline (higher in pH) should not be too difficult. To soften hard water, you need to take the mineral out with a water softener, reverse osmosis, or a specialized chemical that irreversibly binds up the mineral. Another option is to find a source of de-mineralized water for your fish tank.
Of course the alternative to all of this may be to tailor your fish and plant species around your existing water source. For beginning aquarists this may be the best solution. There are a wide variety tropical fish available and it is not difficult to find at least a dozen different species for every different type of water. Any decent book on aquariums and tropical fish will list the individual pH and hardness requirements of the different fish species.
We measure the hardness of the water in your aquarium in General Hardness (GH) and Calcium hardness (KH).
Ammonia (NH3/NH4+)We test for the presence of Ammonia in the water as it is highly toxic to your fish. All fish waste and uneaten food turns to ammonia and ammonium. Whilst ammonium is far less toxic than ammonia, we can only test for the combined amounts. The ratio between ammonia and ammonium is dependent upon the pH level with a lower pH having more ammonium and a higher pH having more ammonia. We should be aiming for zero ammonia in a water test which shows that the nitrification cycle is working well by converting the ammonia into Nitrite.
Nitrite (NO2) The bacterium that accumulates in your filtration breaks down the ammonia and converts it into Nitrite. This also is highly toxic to your fish and we should always be aiming for a zero reading in your water tests.
Nitrate (NO3) This is the end result of the nitrification process, and although relatively harmless to your fish in small doses we should be aiming for between 20-40 parts per million (PPM) in your tests. Weekly water changes with fresh de-chlorinated water removes a portion of the nitrates in your water. For example, if your Nitrate level is 40 PPM and you replace 25% of your aquarium water you will be removing 25% of the nitrate (40 PPM will become 30 PPM) so it is best to stick to a rigid regime of water changes regularly rather than sporadically, as more water will need to be changed to lower nitrates which have been allowed to accumulate.
Temperature Although not exactly a water parameter, keeping your aquarium’s water at the correct level for your fish is important. Fish are cold blooded and rely on the surrounding water temperature. Try to keep the temperature stable and not fluctuating. Higher temperatures decrease the amount of oxygen available in the water.
Phosphate Often overlooked, phosphates can build up in the substrate and is the end result of decaying and dissolved organic matter. Ideally, phosphates should be kept to a minimum by regular deep cleaning of the sand/gravel with a vacuum substrate cleaner. When phosphates build up the result may be unwanted algae and bacteria blooms which may be detrimental to your fish and plants. Using activated carbon within your filtration can help to reduce phosphates in your aquarium. Remember to remove carbon if medications are used! | http://www.elmlaneaquatics.com/a-brief-guide-to-water-paremeters/687-2/ |
Heavy machinery is used in mining to explore and develop sites to remove and stockpile overburden to break and remove rocks of various hardness and toughness to process the ore and to carry out reclamation projects after the mine is closed bulldozers dril,Equipments used to mine copper ore.
Heavy machinery is used in mining to explore and develop sites, to remove and stockpile overburden, to break and remove rocks of various hardness and toughness, to process the ore, and to carry out reclamation projects after the mine is closed. Bulldozers, drills, explosives and trucks are all necessary for excavating the land. In the case of
Hardness Toughness. Industrial knives are generally used to cut or shred an incredible variety of materials. From food and plastics to the toughest steels and non-ferrous materials, industrial knives and cutting edges are used to reduce the size and process all kinds of materials.
Since hardness doesn’t affect an object’s Break DC, this value depends more on the construction of the item than on the material the item is made of. Consult Table: DCs to Break or Burst Items for a list of common Break DCs.
2015-10-05 In the discipline of metallography and metals analysis hardness, toughness, and strength are three distinct properties yet also share some overlap. Together, the three properties make up what is commonly referred to as metal “strength.” Here’s how these three metal properties are different and how they also overlap and work together:
Let’s make this simple:- Hardness: It is the property of material that enables it to resist plastic deformation,penetration, indentation, and scratching. You must be thinking that why i have used so many property to define the hardness of a materi...
2013-01-26 Basic principle and practical procedure of the Rockwell hardness test - Testing machine, test piece, conical diamond indenter - Basic principle, hardness definition, testing procedure Responsible ...
2014-11-24 This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shares his secrets for busting up big boulders. (See below for a shopping list and tools.) SUBSCRIBE to This O...
Chapter 4 Engineering Classification of Rock Materials 631.0400 Engineering properties of rock To use rock in engineering applications, certain prop-erties of the rock must be assessed to reasonably pre-dict performance in the as-built condition. The proper-ties of rock fall into two broad classes: rock material
2004-08-18 Hardness. Hardness is not an intrinsic property of a material. The values ascribed are due to a complex combination of deformation and elastic behaviour. Conversion between hardness scales and tensile strength is carried out, but the conversions are empirical because the measurements are of a combination of material properties. The common ...
rock grinding equipment surface hardness. rock grinding equipment surface hardness Diamond Grinding and Grooving Caltrans State of California Dec 19 2007 The same technique and equipment is used for diamond grooving Figure 51 is a photograph of the pavement surface after grinding The most common reason for diamond grinding is to remove ...
The hardness of various rocks and minerals can be used as an another method of identification. In the 19th. century, a German mineralogist- Friedrich Mohs, devised a scale of hardness for minerals. In the 19th. century, a German mineralogist- Friedrich Mohs, devised a scale of hardness for minerals.
Rockwell hardness testing is a general method for measuring the bulk hardness of metallic and polymer materials. Although hardness testing does not give a direct measurement of any performance properties, hardness of a material correlates directly with its strength, wear resistance, and other properties. Hardness testing is widely used for ...
2012-12-05 E.g. if a spoon is hard, it's difficult to bend it. Toughness is how much deformation a material can undergo before fracture. E.g. how much energy a spoon can absorb while deforming before it breaks. Strength is the maximum amount of stress an object can take before deforming. Though I don't really see the difference between this and hardness...
There are three terms that have relevance to carving and lapidary working of rocks and minerals, these are rock hardness, mineral hardness, and mineral fracture toughness. These three terms have different meanings and are often confused and interchanged in modern alternative literature on the subject of the carving and lapidary working of rocks ...
PRACTICAL HARDNESS TESTING MADE SIMPLE 4 It is commonly believed that, for practical purposes, in a definitely limited range, there is an approximate correspondence between hardness data and a range of tensile strength results. While this assumption is generally correct if taken with due caution, one must remember that no indication regarding
In materials science and metallurgy, toughness is the ability of a material to absorb energy and plastically deform without fracturing. One definition of material toughness is the amount of energy per unit volume that a material can absorb before rupturing.It is also defined as a material's resistance to fracture when stressed.. Toughness requires a balance of strength and ductility.
Fracture toughness of a rock is important in the design of rock boring equipment, rock bursting, prediction of rock drilling forces., hydraulic fracturing, wellbore stability and stability of ...
Even for samples cored from the same rock outcrop the difference in properties appears to be sensitive to the local thermal and stress histories of the rock structure. Variations in the fracture toughness, unconfined compressive strength and tensile strength of a suite of granite samples, when tested using different
the level of hardness or strength attainable by quenching. It raises tensile strength, hardness, resistance to wear and abrasion as the carbon content of steel is increased. It lowers ductility, toughness and machinability. Cold Drawn carbon steel is typically numbered with
What is Difference between Hardness and Toughness? 1. You can answer this question 2. You can like the best answer 3. You can share the question..... In which units are they measured? Also check the image for conversion of Rockwell Hardness Scales verses Vickers Hardness Number
What is the difference between hardness and toughness of a metal? The ASM Metals Handbook defines hardness as “Resistance of metal to plastic deformation, usually by indentation” (asmmaterialsfo). Therefore, when a compressive force is administered to a solid matter, we can measure how resistant it is to permanently changing shape.
LOAD DEPENDENCE OF HARDNESS AND FRACTURE TOUGHNESS VALUES ON HARDMETALS Matija Sakoman1, Danko Ćorić1, Dario Vuić1 1University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Ivana Lučića 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Abstract Fracture toughness is one of the most important parametars for tool aplications and
SUGGESTED METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE FRACTURE TOUGHNESS OF ROCK. After providing a technical introduction to the fracture toughness of rock, this paper describes in detail two methods for measuring proposed by the isrm commission on testing methods.
The figure above contains data on rocks but similar correlations are found in metals as well. As with strength and toughness, two materials may have the same strength but different hardness. Maybe people keep dragging sharp plows along your steel bridge and they are slowly scraping material away, so independent of how heavy those plows are ...
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness characterizes the scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer material. It was created in 1812 by the German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs and is one of several definitions of hardness in materials science.
Table 2 lists many of the proposed relations for C 0, some of which are plotted for various rock types in Fig. 1 and for sandstones in Fig. 2. We expect C 0 to decrease as porosity increases. At some transition porosity, rocks will lose all initial strength and become merely a loose aggregate. No matter which relationship is chosen, variables ...
About us. BTI manufactures and distributes a wide range of mine, quarry, construction and demolition equipment. We specialize in hydraulic hammers, mobile rockbreakers, stationary and portable rockbreaker systems, construction and demolition attachments.
Hardness is a characteristic of a material, not a fundamental physical property. It is defined as the resistance to indentation, and it is determined by measuring the permanent depth of the indentation. | https://topslagerpetervanberkel.nl/34764+producten+machinery%20to%20break%20and%20remove%20rocks%20of%20various%20hardness%20and%20toughness.html |
Hardness measurement range by scales:
Brinell 90 - 450 НВ
Rockwell С 20 - 70 HRC
Vickers 240 - 940 HV
Limits of hardness measurement absolute error, main scales:
Within (150...300) НВ ±15 НВ
Within (300...450) НВ ±20 НВ
Within (500...800)HV ±20 HV
Within (800...940)HV ±25 HV
Hardness measurement range, reference scales:
Ultimate tensile strength 350…1500 MPa
Rockwell А 70,5 - 85,5 HRА
Rockwell В 51 - 100 HRВ
Shore D 35 - 102 HSD
Hardness tester electronic unit overall dimensions, maximum:
Model type ТКМ-459С 121 х 69 х 41 mm
Hardness tester electronic unit mass:
Maximum 0,3 kg
Mass of the sensors:
Maximum 0,3 kg
Hardness tester rated operation conditions:
Air temperature From minus 15 to plus 35 °С
Relative humidity 30 – 80 %
Atmospheric pressure 84 – 106,7 kPa
Calibration period 1 year
Hardness tester service life 5 years
Number of hardness tester potential additional calibrations:
Model type ТКМ-459С 5 for each scale
Hardness tester additional scales number:
Model type ТКМ-459С 3
Duration of one hardness measurement cycle (average) 2 s
Number of measurement cycles required to calculate the average value:
Model type ТКМ-459С 1 – 99
Number of algorithms of incorrectly performed measurement results rejection in the course of average value calculation 3
Parameters of additional statistical processing of measurements series Maximum, minimum, mean square deviation from average value, average value.
Additional information displayed (to be defined by the user):
Model type ТКМ-459С Previous results of the measurements series, results of additional statistical processing
Number of samples required to set up additional calibrations for hardness tester scales 1 or 2
Number of samples required for additional scales set up 2 to 0 (to be defined by the user)
Intermediate interpolation of additional scales Piecewise linear or piecewise –parabolic (to be defined by the user)
Measurement results overrunning alarm (model type ТКМ-459С only) Color. Check limits to be set up by the user for each individual scale. Types of limits: greater, less, overrun.
Maximum number of measurements stored in the memory:
Model type ТКМ-459С 12 400
Maximum number of individualized blocks set up in the memory:
Model type ТКМ-459С 100
Displaying, statistical processing and plotting of charts of the measurement result blocks:
results in the block which are greater or less than values set up by the user
results falling outside the specified range set up by the user
average deviation from the value set up by the user, number of results bigger / less than specified value, maximum deviation from specified value to bigger/less side
number of results falling outside the range set up by the user (outside bigger/less limit), maximum deviation from upper/lower limit
in reference to value set up by the user
in reference to measurement range set up by the user
Computer interface connection:
Computer interface connection USB
Hardness tester automatic turn-off Turn-off time to be set up by the user
Monitoring of battery charging Continuously. Continuous indication in the course of measurements
Display illumination Time to be set up by the user
Display color and intensity To be selected by the user
Interface language of the hardness tester English ( German, French – optionally)
Hardness tester power supply Autonomous, battery. Use of equivalent non-rechargeable batteries allowed. | http://www.bulutmak.net/tkm-459-c.html |
When the stress of steel or sample exceeds the elastic limit, even if the stress does not increase any more, obvious plastic deformation of the steel or sample continues to occur. This phenomenon is called yield, and the minimum stress value when yielding phenomenon occurs is the yield point. If PS is the external force at the yield point s and fo is the sectional area of the specimen, then the yield point σs = PS/fo(MPA).
2. Yield strength (σ0.2)
The yield point of some metal materials is not obvious, so it is difficult to measure it. Therefore, in order to measure the yield characteristics of materials, the stress when the permanent residual plastic deformation is equal to a certain value (generally 0.2% of the original length) is specified, which is called the conditional yield strength or yield strength σ 0.2 for short.
3. Tensile strength (σb)
The maximum stress value of a material from the beginning to fracture in the tensile process. It represents the ability of the steel to resist fracture. Corresponding to the tensile strength are compressive strength and bending strength. If Pb is the maximum tensile force of the material before breaking, and fo is the cross-sectional area of the sample, then the tensile strength σ B = Pb / fo (MPA).
4. Elongation (δs)
The percentage of elongation or elongation between the length of plastic elongation and the length of original sample is called elongation or elongation.
5. Yield ratio (σs / σb)
The ratio of yield point (yield strength) to tensile strength of steel is called yield ratio. The greater the yield ratio, the higher the reliability of structural parts. The yield ratio of carbon steel is 0.6-0.65, low alloy structural steel is 0.65-0.75, and alloy structural steel is 0.84-0.86.
6. Hardness
Hardness is the ability of a material to resist hard objects pressing into its surface. It is one of the important performance indexes of metal materials. Generally, the higher the hardness, the better the wear resistance. The common hardness indexes are Brinell hardness, Rockwell hardness and Vickers hardness.
(1) Brinell hardness (HB)
The hardened steel ball with a certain size (generally diameter of 10 mm) is pressed into the surface of the material with a certain load (generally 3000kg). After the load is removed, the ratio of the load to the indentation area is called the Brinell hardness value (HB).
(2) Rockwell hardness (HR)
When HB > 450 or the sample is too small, Brinell hardness test can not be used, but Rockwell hardness measurement is used. A diamond cone with a top angle of 120 ° or a steel ball with a diameter of 1.59 and 3.18 mm is pressed into the surface of the tested material under a certain load, and the hardness of the material is calculated from the depth of the indentation. According to the hardness of test materials, it can be expressed by three different scales
HRA: it is the hardness obtained by using 60kg load and diamond cone indenter. It is used for materials with high hardness (such as cemented carbide, etc.).
HRB: hardness obtained by using 100kg load and 1.58mm diameter hardened steel ball is used for materials with lower hardness (such as annealed steel, cast iron, etc.).
HRC: it is the hardness obtained by using 150kg load and diamond cone indenter. It is used for materials with high hardness (such as quenched steel).
(3) Vickers hardness (HV)
A diamond square cone indenter with a load less than 120kg and a top angle of 136 ° is pressed into the surface of the material. The Vickers hardness value (HV) is obtained by dividing the surface product of the indentation pits into the load value. | https://china-jshyt.com/newsb/1a1c24a5-40b2-165a-37cb-e4b865e21d01.shtml |
If you've got a ceremony coming up, it's time to start planning! The first thing you need to do is schedule a couple important meetings with your couple: an initial check-in and a follow-up as the wedding approaches. Communication is essential throughout this process, and there are a number of responsibilities to be divided up. Learn how to ensure a great outcome by following these tips.
Plan on an initial check-in meeting to coordinate with your couple. They will have plans for the ceremony, and you will need to work together to figure out how to make those plans a reality.
Traditionally, the minister is responsible for composing a couple's wedding ceremony, from traditional texts, scripture, etc. But today, many couples who ask a friend to officiate have a specific and personalized vision for their ceremony, and want to choose the words themselves. If that's your situation, don't get lazy. You still need to know the ceremony's length, tone, timeline, etc.; and that's why it's important to get all of this out of the way, well in advance of the ceremony.
For the initial meeting with your couple, we strongly recommend that both partners be there - and that no mothers, planner, friends, etc. be present. The ceremony should be representative of your couple, both of them, and not their friends and family with the strongest opinions. So make sure this meeting happens early and get everyone on the same page. You don't want to find out that you'll be officiating a theme wedding at the last minute!
As the ceremony approaches, it's time for at least one more follow-up meeting. This is the time to confirm that the ceremony is ready to go, and make plans for any remaining tasks. At this point, you should already understand the tone that your couple is going for, so an in-person meeting is less critical.
You must ensure that the entire ceremony has been written; the procession, recession, and other ceremony events should be worked out; and your couple will need plans to pick up a marriage license. Confirm the essentials, and allow yourself time to talk through anything that's unclear. You don't want to be working out details as the ceremony is about to start.
This meeting is also a chance for everyone to try out their different lines. While we advise the couple to read their vows for the first time during the ceremony, it's fine to try out a reading or portions of the ceremony, to see if the tone is right. It will be clear if a reading is too long, or if certain phrases don't make sense in context. For example, if you're officiating a same-sex wedding, you may catch gendered phrases that don't fit the couple.
What it all boils down to is: stay in touch. The more you communicate with your couple and work collaboratively on the ceremony, the less these meetings will feel like huge events. A check-in & followup are the minimum we recommend to avoid disaster. | https://theamm.org/officiant-training/how-to-maintain-communication-with-your-couple |
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New Discussion
Harbourtowne Golf Resort, St. Michael's, MD?
dcredhead
February 2011
in
Maryland
Hi --
Does anyone have any experience with the Harbourtowne Golf Resort in St. Michael's, MD? We are considering having our wedding there and visited recently, and I am undecided about a few things, especially the food (we had breakfast and it was pretty unimpressive), but the staff seemed great. The view also seemed like it would be wonderful, but it was kind of hard to tell at this time of year. Would love to hear anyone's feedback!
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Re: Harbourtowne Golf Resort, St. Michael's, MD?
meesenplace
member
February 2011
edited December 2011
I had considered harbourtowne at one point until I read their reviews on Trip Advisor. Before you get too far, I'd suggest reading the reviews -- starting with the recent and then go back about a year. You'll see several with feed back from weddings as well as just the normal guests.
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BeckyHensley
May 2011
edited December 2011
I was a bridesmaid in my friends wedding last summer. She had the wedding at Harbourtowne and it was really, really fun. I think they'll have lots of memories for it.
Harbourtowne Resort
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Each wedding weaves music into the soul of the event.
Creating your personalized ceremony will start with a discussion with Alisa that will enable her to tailor the event to your personality and culture.
Alisa’s down-to-earth approach is to sit with each couple and listen deeply to their stories, their hopes and dreams, and the vision they have of their wedding day in order to craft a ceremony that is personal, unique and speaks directly to their hearts and sensibilities. Through her musical skills, she brings an intimacy to all her events. | https://www.alisafinemanceremonies.com/weddings.html |
It's been a while! I have been struggling to find time to continue the wedding series, finally I get to sit down and start on it again. It has been one year since we got married, and there are so much I would love to share that might be able to help out upcoming brides. Let me start on the outfits of our entourage, and how we managed to make this part of our wedding planning stress-free and fun.
The usual wedding practice when it comes to the entourage outfits was the entourage members pay for their own. The bride and groom usually are the ones who coordinate the making or ordering of these outfits. When it comes to the guys, it's a lot easier since the couple does not usually have to worry about it as the guys simply need to get their own suits or barongs - the look is pretty standard. Unless there is a specific outfit that the couple would want to have custom-made for them to wear. On the other hand, ladies's outfits are more meticulous because these are, more often than not, custom-made to match the motif or theme of the wedding. This part right here of the wedding planning could be tedious. | http://www.moniquedejesus.com/2017/02/ |
Unless you are a professional speaker, the thought of giving a Maid of Honor toast at your best friend’s wedding, can fill you with dread. With these tips, you’ll sound like a pro – and may even cause some happy tears.
1. Plan your speech.
A wedding speech is not a time to wing it or to wait until the last moment. Plan what you are going to say and practice saying it. Try it before a mirror or a small group of people in advance. Ask for feedback about the pacing too long, too fast, etc.
2. Use the mic properly
If you aren’t sure how to hold the mic, ask the wedding DJ for a few pointers. Hold the mic close to your mouth, about chin height. If you talk with your hands, use your non dominant hand to hold the mic. Be sure to pronounce each word clearly. And yes, this thing is on.
3. Start It Off Right
Too often maid of honor speeches start with “For those that don’t know me, my name is __ “. The wedding DJ will introduce you so restating your name isn’t necessary. Consider beginning your toast with a simple start, “I am so honored to be speaking at my best friend’s wedding” or “I’ve known the bride since __ “. Be sure to stand for your toast.
4. Don’t Be Basic
It’s easy to use phrases like, “She’s the sweetest” , “They’re the best couple” and “She’s so pretty”. While obviously true, these basic phrases lack the weight to be remembered later. Instead use specific examples that show how those basic phrases are true.
5. Tell Your and Her Story
Half of the room may not know the bride the way that you do. Telling them that “she’s so sweet, smart and kind” is a statement. Telling them that you knew you were friends for life when she took detailed notes from a lecture you couldn’t attend because you were ill, tells the wedding guests the type of person she is. Share an impactful moment with guests.
6. Don’t Mention The Worst of Times
Did your bestie have the worst break-up ever before meeting her new husband? Your wedding toast isn’t the place to bring it up. This is the happiest night of her life, be sure to focus on the good times.
7. Toast the Bride, Wish the Couple Well
You’re toasting your best friend so it’s normal that the majority of your (brief) time will focus on her. But this toast is on her wedding day, so you must mention the groom too. Think about ending your toast on how the groom has added to her life. Bring the ending home with a well wish to the couple.
8. Raise Your Glass
Avoid an awkward ending by inviting guests to raise their glass with you in a toast to the newlyweds. This will let everyone know that your toast has ended.
Bonus Tips:
- Do choose a theme for your toast such as why the couple is perfect together, or what you have learned while living with the groom.
- Do use point form notes. Don’t write out your speech word for word.
- Do know when you are expected to speak. This will keep you from being caught off guard.
- Do familiarize yourself with the location and other dynamics.
- Don’t use canned toast or something you found off the internet.
- Don’t assume you will be able to speak without preparation.
- Don’t speak longer than 3-5 minutes
- Don’t use humor that would offend your grandmother, especially since there will be grandmothers present.
- Don’t have more than one drink before the toast. | https://www.mikestaff.com/wedding-dj/mc/steps-for-perfect-maid-of-honor-toast/ |
Reading Reflection 03
The main point that is made in this reading about Breaking Green Ceilings podcast is the importance of creating meaningful experiences, and to discuss the connections between race, religion, socio-economic status, and politics in regard to environmental issues. The act of connecting the creator or guests with the listener is a really important aspect of the creation of this podcast. This reading in particular covers the issues of underrepresentation within the podcast realm, as well as the reoccurring theme of intersectionality and how that can be applied in a podcast setting. This reading also focuses on the importance of having guests and asking meaningful questions, as they can help listeners to understand the guests and their experiences. Historically, underrepresented environmentalists face many stereotypes and biases, and this podcast works to humanize the guest, and ensure that they are able to tell their story without fear of those same stereotypes and biases. This reading also analyzed the environmental podcast space and unearthed that the environmental discussion is primarily dominated by white people. The last point that I think is very important is the detail into which this reading explains the process for creating a podcast. It is detailed in its description which covers the steps necessary to create a podcast, the costs, the guests, the equipment, and the funding. I think that the main goal of this reading is to display the importance of inclusivity and diversity within a podcast. They really highlighted the theme of intersectionality and how it can be implemented in a podcast through meaningful questions that connect the reader to the guests on a personal and professional level.
The thing that I understand better since this reading was the process of creating a podcast. I mentioned this above, but the steps that are necessary and all the different factors to consider when making a podcast are something that I really didn’t fully understand until this reading. The main questions that I had were about what the process looks like when deciding on what guests to have featured? What is the criteria that one must meet to be featured on this podcast?
This reading can be used to understand how podcasts can be used to connect the creators to its listeners. It is a useful tool to inform, entertain and connect with others. This reading in particular really highlights the emotional connection that can happen between a creator and their audiences, and showcases how podcasts can be truly meaningful mediums. This podcast really highlights the power that podcasting can put back into the hands of underrepresented communities in environmentalism and increase understanding and empathy. Podcasting is more than just “I have an opinion so I’m going to make a podcast”, it doesn’t always have to serve something, and it can be more than just a stream of income. This reading highlights the significance of creating content that is meaningful, and relationships that are meaningful.
Photo by Cup of Couple from Pexels
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Dr. Hannah McGregorMarch 24, 2022 at 2:12 pm
This is a strong start, Savannah, but I’m going to ask you to revise this reflection to include a little more pertinent detail about the podcast being discussed; this article is a case study, and you make no reference here to the podcast, its subject matter, etc. | http://savannahswatske.com/academics/pub-448/reading-reflections/reading-reflection-03/ |
Why choose The Barn?
When Hannah Gee began to panic that her original wedding plans were snowballing out of control, her fiancé Aron Heartfield calmed her down with a trip on his motorbike to Botley Hill Farmhouse, a favourite haunt of his when he was younger.
One look at the view across the North Downs and the couple decided there and then to switch their wedding location to The Barn at Botley Hill.
At that time, early September last year, The Barn hadn’t been built, but Hannah says: “I knew instantly that this was it. The location is just right and the views are so beautiful – it was nothing like any place we had visited.”
Aron proposed to Hannah on a skiing holiday in the Alps
Since Aron’s proposal on a skiing holiday in the French alps in March last year, the couple had been busy planning their wedding but, says Hannah “it was turning into the wedding I didn’t want – I wanted something unique and really different.”
During their visit to Botley Hill, they spoke with Sheila Benson, one of the driving forces behind the unique venue, who explained the vision for The Barn. Hannah says: “It was as if she had got inside my head as everything she was saying about the plans for The Barn were exactly what I wanted.”
“The theme of my wedding will be true to The Barn as everything I need to create that contemporary rustic look is there, plus it has the views and gardens outside – it’s going to look stunning and I can’t wait to see people’s reactions. I think they are going to be quite envious.”
Hannah, 35, an account director for a major publishing company, believes there are three things that make a wedding – the venue, the food, the music.
“We don’t have to worry about the venue as it is in a beautiful setting, and we are having the amazing Kalm Kitchen looking after our catering.”
The couple have chosen a Surrey-based DJ to round off the day – having both grown up in Surrey – where they still live – they have been keen to support suppliers from the county.
As soon as they decided onThe Barn at Botley Hill, Hannah says she hasn’t found organising her wedding at all stressful. “The Barn team have been incredible and have been quick to answer any questions I’ve had. To be honest, it has been a lot less stressful than I thought it would be.”
Hannah and Aron will be having their wedding reception at The Barn in July 2019
Hannah is a thoroughly modern bride: she and Aron, 39, a tattoo artist, met via online dating and her invites are a link to the couple’s wedding website.
That said, the wedding will be a family affair. The couple will be tying the knot at the local church where Hannah’s mum and dad were married over 40 years ago. One hundred close friends and family will be watching, among them Hannah’s brother and Aron’s parents and four sisters. And, instead of bridesmaids, Hannah will be supported by a Man of Honour, her long-time friend Daniel Kohler.
The newlyweds hope to arrive at The Barn in a London black cab and during the reception a family friend will sing Frank Sinatra hits.
But what Hannah is looking forward to the most is this: “Being outside with the firepit and sofas, looking at the fabulous view, with a glass of bubbly in hand and all my close friends and family around me.”
Tie the Knot at Botley Hill Barn
The Barn at Botley Hill is a brand new luxury wedding venue on the Titsey Estate, within easy reach of London. This new Surrey wedding venue enjoys spectacular views of the North Down. | https://www.botleyhillbarn.co.uk/bride-shares-why-she-chose-the-barn/ |
Methodological foundations and empirical examples of historical readings of the area and the city.
The course aims to provide a framework that starts from an overview of the history of the city (and territories), to arrive at a detailed reading of the historical landscape. With regard to the first objective, the limited time available imposes a simplified view of the discipline, without affecting its cultural significance; this view addresses "thematically" the discussion, through two special keys, which structure the course itself, and that are listed below in the "Program" of the course.
1. "Form and localization" (of human settlement over time): this theme suggests a vision of the evolution of urban morphology in view of the primary choices of the site (from the origin to the recent expansions de-localized), and leads to the reading of the environmental constraints and to the recognition of residual tracks of these deep "engines" of the insediamental development in the current organization of the city, especially through empirical researches starting by the older examples of urban-territorial structure.
2. Exemplification of the historical-topographical method: history of urban development in Sardinia, even to frame the specific case addressed as the design theme of "City and territory" in an precise historical overview. | https://en.uniss.it/ugov/degreecourse/78813 |
A handfasting or handbinding ceremony is one of the oldest forms of wedding ceremony that exists – it can be traced back many centuries and across many countries but the exact roots are not clear. What is clear is that the phrase “tying the knot” which is so familiar to us all derives from this form of commitment.
Today a handfasting is often viewed as a pagan ceremony and associated with ceremonies which take place outside, in woodlands, up mountains or on beaches. However, I think it’s one of the most flexible ways for a couple to mark their commitment to each other and can be adapted to reflect their personalities and their relationship in so many ways regardless of the location.
Some couples will choose to have a stand alone handfasting, with no separate vows or ring exchanges while others will include it as part of their wedding ceremony – either is absolutely fine. Some will choose to follow a more strongly Pagan route with the ceremony area being cleansed and blessed and invoking specific mythological gods and goddesses within their ceremony. Many however prefer a lighter touch with reference to a connection to nature and the environment. I’m always happy to write a handfasting ceremony at the right level for each couple – the important thing is that is has a meaning and relevance to them and their lives.
How does a handfasting work?
A handfasting starts with the couple holding hands (either right hands or both hands) and looking at each other. The meaning of the ceremony is explained and the couple confirm that they want to go ahead. You can call on the Cardinal Directions and refer to the elements of earth, fire, water and air throughout the ceremony, connecting the couple with nature and the environment.
Then individual coloured ribbons, cords or plaited ribbons are bound around the wrists and hands crossing where the hands are clasped. I include explanations of the symbolic meaning of the ribbons for that couple, and the gifts and characteristics that they represent within that relationship. The couple make promises to each other as each ribbon or cord is wrapped around their hands. Then the ribbons or cords are tied together with a unity cord, which is then knotted repeatedly, as the couple remove their hands from them. This is the point at which the knot has been tied and when the couple’s hands have been fasted.
This is the basic outline of a handfasting but there are so many ways to make it personal to each couple, and this is where the inventiveness of your celebrant comes into play. I have included handmade bunting which has been signed by all the guests, a dressing gown cord and tie from deceased grandparents, ivy and hessian strips which formed the theme of the decorations, plaited ribbons representing children and many more. You can ask your parents or your children to choose the ribbon colours, I did one ceremony where everyone chose a colour and they also wrapped the couples hands with their ribbon. Parents and children have stood with me to do the binding as I say the words. It’s a fantastic way to involve other people in your ceremony. The possibilities are endless.
What is the significance of the different colours?
Red Passion, strength, lust, fertility
Orange Encouragement, attraction, kindness, plenty
Yellow Charm, confidence, joy, balance
Green Finances, fertility, charity, prosperity, health
Blue Tranquillity, patience, devotion, sincerity
Purple Power, piety, sanctity, sentimentality
Black Strength, wisdom, vision, success
White Purity, concentration, meditation, peace
Grey Neutrality, cancelling, balance
Pink Unity, honour, truth, romance, happiness
Brown Earth, grounding, talent, telepathy, home
Silver Treasure, values, creativity, inspiration
Gold Energy, wealth, intelligence, longevity
Some people chose their favourite colours while others connect with the meanings behind the colours and either of these is fine. For me the most important thing is spending time with the couple so that I understand their characters and their relationship which means that I write a handfasting which is meaningful to them. | https://www.createceremonies.co.uk/weddings-celebrant-abergavenny/handfasting/ |
February 15, 2020
Love is in the air.
As a wedding coordinator I absolutely LOVE love but Valentine's Day and I haven't always had the best relationship. I generally shy away from anything overtly "mushy", I was never really into the whole heart shaped balloon thing. That being said, I...
December 24, 2019
At times the Holiday Season could feel just as expensive as a wedding but weddings don’t have to always be over-the-top and expensive. Weddings on a budget are possible!
This week’s feature couple, Sara and David, had a small budget but we worked with their budget and b...
November 25, 2019
As planners we live for those long crazy weddings that you put your blood, sweat and entire heart into. The weddings where your entire team shows up and works their butt off to make sure the day is everything the couple dreamed of. Yes, you may have what we like to cal...
September 30, 2019
Every wedding has those special details that make it memorable although you always get those specific weddings that are memorable in more ways then one.
This week we are featuring a couple who is not shy to the spotlight, having their 2011 wedding aired on Four Wedding...
September 24, 2019
Sometimes other milestones will remind us of great clients and their epic weddings, which prompts us to feature them on our blog.
Joanne and Daniel just welcomed their first baby, a beautiful girl named Gabrielle Aria just this past month and we LOVED following their j...
September 16, 2019
Look, we love a good love story. As everyone should.
Theresa and JB had a great love story. We met them when were planning another one of their friends’ wedding, and we fell in love with them, their positivity and their inclusiveness.
Theresa, a nurse, and JB, a Filipin...
September 9, 2019
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”– Marcel Proust
This week’s blog features Joanna and Phil’s rustic and intimate wedding, where Envision had the opportunity to do the florals and décor at th...
September 3, 2019
August 19, 2019
Have you ever bore witness to a love that defies all odds and circumstances?
That’s how I felt when I met Kathryn and Efren for the first time. She was a free spirit. He had a grounded attitude. And both of them had so much heart, I was practically bursting just by bein...
August 5, 2019
Bride, friend and preferred vendor.
This week we are featuring Jillian and Cory a very special couple to Envision as we now have an amazing work relationship with the bride.
To start from the beginning Kimberly met J and C back in 2015 where she shared her vision of a mi... | https://www.envisionweddings.ca/blog/tag/envisionthis |
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New Discussion
5 days? Is that even possible?
plato79
member
May 2011
in
Maine
I woke up this morning and realized we have
5 days
until the wedding! I feel like we're in pretty good shape, though the next few days will be very busy with errands. It's really all coming together.
Today's list of to-dos: church, buy final thank you gifts, finish seating chart, buy a tire for my car (got a flat!), buy post-wedding brunch attire, attempt to pack most everything for the wedding weekend, BBQ w/my fam, finalize wedding schedule & email to BP, finalize phone list & email to BP/vendors, buy baking supplies for cookies, finish programs and print, breathe...I feel like I'm forgetting something.
What are you all up to today?
June 3, 2011!
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Re: 5 days? Is that even possible?
hcorr34
member
May 2011
edited December 2011
I'm heading to Fryeburg in a bit for FI's cousin's graduation. Then we're spending the night at my mom's since she lives just a few minutes away from there. She's supposed to be making me a mock-up of the bracelet she's going to make for my BMs. I don't really have any WR stuff going on today!
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schadbourne
member
May 2011
edited December 2011
Yayyyy!!!
My shower is this coming saturday, my bridesmaids are up to so much for my shower i have no idea what to expect. Should be a good time though
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jelenybeany
member
May 2011
edited December 2011
oh Plato congrats! please please please tell us how everything went...of course when you have time
I'm up at FI's family's for the weekend and we're going to bead our cake serving set, and champagne glasses, and work on some mason jar/doilie luminaria.
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jessicabessica
member
May 2011
edited December 2011
Yesterday we put ribbon and lace on the baskets we'll have to hold our programs and kippot (head coverings). We also wrote the program and welcome letter to put in the welcome bags. Today we are working on the program a little more and we'll take the dog to the dog park and maybe do some Reny's/Ocean State Job Lot shopping for wedding stuff, like sunscreen and bugspray for the BBQ during our wedding weekend. We're having a pretty lazy weekend overall.
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chrispygal
May 2011
edited December 2011
5 days?!! Wow! That is so exciting!! Yay!
No wedding stuff today, just cleaning up and recovering from yesterday and we're off to a wine tasting tonight. Oh boy! Tomorrow I am going with my FMIL and my FSIL to order their dresses. That's about it here.
Married 9.4.11
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fickrj5
May 2011
edited December 2011
Yay! How exciting!
For Sale
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jchow009
May 2011
edited December 2011
How excited, you have to let me know how the DJ worked out. And btw I hope they gave you the referral fee. Thanks again!
http://www.thebump.com/profiles/profiles-resources/images/img_check.png
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plato79
member
May 2011
edited December 2011
Sounds like everyone is having great weekends - some of you area pretty busy! Today's another packed day for me, but that's to be expected I guess.
What I didn't expect yesterday was to be bitten by my friend's cat, right on the forearm. ::shakes head:: So I ended up at the hospital for a few hours. Insane. I was cat sitting because she's away and while the cat likes me the best, he's VERY termperamental. Couldn't beleive it!
Jchow- yes they did and I met with him recently. I think he's just the nicest and he's so professional. I am SO EXCITED to have him be the DJ/musician at the wedding!
June 3, 2011!
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chrispygal
May 2011
edited December 2011
What DJ did you hire Plato?
Married 9.4.11
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plato79
member
May 2011
edited December 2011
Aaron Topfer here's his website:
http://newhampshiredjandlivemusic.com/Welcome.html
June 3, 2011!
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First: To the Grammar Nazis, yes, this title is in fact an invitation for you to debate the correct spelling of “Nerdenning” in the comments. Enjoy!
So it happened. At a small restaurant we used to go to when we started living together he asked me to marry him. I wasn’t one of the little girls with the big binders, full of pictures of dresses I dreamed of or anything like that, so it surprised both of us a bit when I jumped into wedding planning full force over that next week.
Maybe we should have seen it coming…people started asking me for a date. Not having a date or even a year when that question came wasn’t something my little brain was ready for. Every time I got the question all I could see in my head was the undefined list of everything we needed to do to even talk about the specific date.
Theme and colors and venues and event size and on and on…and when I have something on my mind that’s undecided and I’m excited about it…good luck getting me to shut up. I’m a nervous rambler. Which, when trying to plan something, is actually a good thing! When you start planning there are four pieces you have to get through that every other decision will depend on:
- Date (at least year/season)
- Theme (or colors)
- Budget (based on spend per major item)
- Event Size (restricted by budget)
Until you have at least a rough idea of what those four elements are going to be you literally can’t make any other decisions. Everything, from your dress to the food, will be related to what you decide for those four items. So they’re kinda a big deal.
We quickly decided late summer/very early fall as the season, and were torn between this year and next…but then came the theme discussion. My dream wedding, according to my Pinterest board, was a rustic one, maybe in the woods, with a little bbq, string lights and, of course, that gorgeous white dress.
He wanted something a little more…post-apocalyptic. Zombies and grunge…maybe a bioshock feel? I wish wish wish he had taken a picture of my face at the moment of that suggestion, but perhaps it’s lucky for his camera lens that he didn’t. The movies always show those kinds of looks shattering them sooo….we tabled that discussion with a “let’s keep thinking on this one”.
Fortunately, something came to me about a week later in the midst of getting ready for work. I was thinking about the color scheme I wanted (plum, rosemary and gold with lace and burlap thrown in) and what games or other IP he might be able to get on board with that fit the colors I liked…It appeared in my mind….
Ripping the shower curtain back:
Me: Zelda!
FH: *spluttering slightly since I’d interrupted him in the middle of rinsing* Wh-what?
Me: Wedding theme. Zelda. Our theme should be Zelda!
FH: Really?
Me: What?
FH: I wanted that, but I didn’t think you’d go for it. I was worried you’d think it was too nerdy.
Me: But…post apocalypse?
Yeah. He seriously thought that it made more sense to do a post apocalyptic wedding than a Zelda one. Zelda, the game originally entitled “adventure” with a rustic almost medieval theme complete with a princess and hero and gold thrown in as a primary color seemed like a more difficult wedding choice than gore, grime and braaaaaiiiiinnnns. Sometimes I just have to remind myself that he grows a great beard. 😉
Now the challenge comes. It’s a surprisingly fine line to walk between a wedding with some classy nods to a nerdy theme, and a childs birthday party. In fact, when you look up Zelda Wedding on pinterest, a number of the results actually are from birthday parties and not weddings. Fortunately, the number of nerdy weddings available is growing, and the Doctor Who fandom in particular knows how to throw a beautiful wedding(post tbw about this), but it’s still a surprisingly small niche compared to the number of nerds getting married out there.
Which is a large part of the reason I’m writing this blog. I’m hoping that by documenting my journey through this process others will be able to use that to incorporate their favorite things into their weddings as well. So please. Steal any of my ideas. Grow them into something just for you. Contact my vendors. They welcome new challenges. Use my graphics or code for your own event. Give them new life. | http://rightcastle.com/2015/02/09/the-nerdenning-of-a-wedding/ |
As social distancing practices have forced more couples to move their weddings online, the rest of us are left wondering about the proper etiquette for participating in such an event.
“A wedding is a wedding, whether virtual or in person,” etiquette expert Diane Gottsman — author of “Modern Etiquette for a Better Life” and founder of The Protocol School of Texas — told HuffPost. “Following some etiquette rules will keep the ceremony and the mood upbeat and celebratory.”
We asked experts to reveal the rudest things someone could do at one of these virtual gatherings so you know which faux pas to avoid.
1. Forgetting to mute yourself.
If the host of the videoconference doesn’t do it for you, be sure to mute your audio until the end of the ceremony.
“Nothing is worse than hearing your shuffling or kids yelling in the background as the couple is declaring ’til death do them part,” said Janessa White, founder of Simply Eloped. “There will be a time when the officiant or couple will invite you to un-mute and either acknowledge having acted as witness or to simply celebrate with the newlywed couple.”
2. Looking like you just rolled out of bed.
You don’t have to wear a floor-length gown or a tuxedo, but do try to look presentable. Style your hair, change out of your pajamas and put on a proper outfit.
“If there is a theme, honor it. If there is no theme, don’t let the fact that you are sitting in your living room give you cover for wearing a T-shirt and shorts,” said etiquette columnist Thomas P. Farley, also known as Mister Manners.
And even if you’re attending from afar, you still shouldn’t wear white.
“Even virtually, a guest should dress to show respect,” Gottsman said. “Underdressing or wearing white will be noticed by the couple and fellow attendees.”
3. Trying to multitask during the ceremony.
At home, distractions abound, with pets, kids, deliveries, work obligations and a pile of laundry all vying for your attention. But do your best to stay fully present for the duration of the ceremony, just as you would if you were attending in real life. That means no multitasking.
“Although you may be in the comfort of your own home, refrain from doing things such as eating or talking to others,” said etiquette expert Elaine Swann, founder of the Swann School of Protocol. “It’s rude to not give the bride and groom your undivided attention.”
“Just because you think Charlie from accounting might enjoy a break from Netflix to watch his co-worker get married does not mean it’s your place to extend such an invite.”
4. Showing up late.
With some video conferencing platforms, a chime may sound when a new participant enters the meeting (though you can disable the setting). So if you’re late, you could potentially disrupt the ceremony and ruin the moment.
“Enter the meeting — aka ceremony — at the right time and resolve any computer issues beforehand to avoid technical difficulties,” Gottsman said.
White said she encourages guests to be ready five minutes before the ceremony start time, “so that when the virtual room opens, they can be there and prepared to witness a beautiful moment on time.”
5. Sharing the videoconference link without the couple’s permission.
“Just because you think Charlie from accounting might enjoy a break from Netflix to watch his co-worker get married does not mean it’s your place to extend such an invite,” Farley said. “If there is someone you think the couple may have inadvertently missed, ask the couple before sharing the link and/or conference password.”
In the same vein, Swann said it would be inappropriate to record the ceremony or livestream it from your accounts without talking to the couple first.
“A wedding is still a private affair, and the invitation is meant for specific attendees only,” she said. “Sharing it is like bringing a large group of uninvited people to someone’s wedding.”
6. Posting screengrabs on social media without asking the couple.
Hold off on sharing that photo of the newlyweds’ first kiss unless you’ve gotten their blessing to do so.
“This is their day to celebrate and their day to promote and share as they choose,” Farley said. | https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rudest-things-at-virtual-wedding_l_5eab1949c5b6c470eedee6f1 |
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It's a Long Weekend!
[Deleted User]
member
May 2013
in
Christian Weddings
What are your plans? Anyone going to see family? BBQs? Grill-outs? What about any trips to the pool?
I might drive out to VA Beach tomorrow, just because. The weather isn't supposed to be warm, but I don't think I really care.
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Re: It's a Long Weekend!
ochemjenn
member
May 2013
I was all confused. First because I didn't know there was a weekend coming up. Then I wasn't sure why it was long. DH is working today and tomorrow during the day, then Sunday-Tuesday on the 6pm-3am shift. With hours like this it's hard to keep track of days of the week. I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but these sorts of hours have actually been pretty good - I just never know what day of the week it is. :P
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Ash61612
member
May 2013
my parents are coming into town so that should be fun. my dad is going to play golf with DH and my mom and I are going to do some shopping.
hoping to be off Monday but I won't know till tonight.
<img src="http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj123/sprtychick10/sabrearch5.jpg" width="200px" />
<span style="color: #382110">my read shelf:</span>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6922246?shelf=read" title="Ashley's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)"><img border="0" alt="Ashley's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/badge/badge1.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Recipes"><img src="http://global.thenest.com/tickers/tt148762.aspx" alt="Anniversary" border="0" /></a>
<a href="http://daisypath.com/"><img src="http://dvcf.daisypath.com/jnzKm4.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Daisypath Vacation tickers" /></a>
[IMG]http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj123/sprtychick10/BR6OZ_zps078f151c.png[/IMG]
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ravenray
member
May 2013
It's my one year anniversary this weekend! Yay! N and I are going wine tasting, Star Trek watching, and getting a massage. It's going to be a good weekend
I'm so excited.
"Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained"-C.S. Lewis
Married! May 27th, 2012
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[Deleted User]
member
May 2013
sounds like good weekends all around!
@elBecko
, I know the struggle of the long-distance, if you ever need to chat, feel free to message me! *hugs*
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Tell Your Story- Alisa meets personally with each couple and crafts and delivers their story in an inspired ceremony.
Tell Your Story and Create an Experience - Alisa meets personally with each couple to explore their story and understand the vision for their wedding. She crafts an inspired story and consults with wedding vendors and other individuals integral to the event on how to integrate the couple’s story into the entire wedding experience.
Alisa is a proud supporter of Wish Upon A Wedding, the world’s first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. | http://alisatonggcelebrant.com/offerings.html |
I am simply enthralled by Kalina and Brandon's Engagement photos. Kudos to their photographer Bethany Snyder! They not only picked a location that suited them, but their attire also represented them beautifully. Picking a location can be a bit of a daunting task, but by answering a couple of these questions, I am hoping to help narrow it down for you:
Photo credit: www.bethanysnyderphotography.com
What was the first idea on location to have your engagement photo shoot session?
Where did you two first meet?
What is your favorite season?
Where did you have your first date?
Describe your significant others in three words.
Any hobbies or special interests that you both share?
Is there a specific theme to your wedding? (i.e. beach, bohemian or rustic)
Hopefully these questions will help jump start that brainstorming. | https://www.julieandreevents.com/post/2016/10/06/choosing-an-engagement-photo-shoot-location |
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Alexis Maloney and Hunter Parr are officially husband and wife!
The longtime couple, who appeared on the debut season of Netflix's The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On, have tied the knot. The pair got married on Saturday at Wayfarers Chapel and Palos Verdes Golf Club in Palos Verdes, California, beside 115 of their closest friends and family.
"We're so excited," Alexis, 27, tells PEOPLE ahead of the couple's big day. "I'm finally getting to be a wife! I can't wait to start this chapter with Hunter, where we can start talking about, 'Do we want to build a family? Do we want to live in California forever? Do we want to put some roots down here?'"
"It's no longer about Alexis. It's Alexis and Hunter," she continues. "That's the most exciting thing for me, is we're doing everything together ... tough times are going to come, but I have him."
Adds Hunter, 30: "For both of us, it's a special moment because it's the start of the next chapter. It's going to be a nice celebration and event for us to appreciate where we've come from, as well as take a moment to be excited about where we're going and really begin to start to build our lives together."
"It's going to be very emotional. I'm sure there's going to be some tears," he notes of their wedding day. "But I do know it'll be nothing but joy, love and a ton of pure emotion."
Instagram Hunter Parr and Alexis Maloney
RELATED: Where to Follow the Cast of Netflix's The Ultimatum
As fans of The Ultimatum know, Alexis and Hunter left the series early after Hunter proposed. Though there were mixed reactions about their engagement, by fans and fellow castmates, Alexis and Hunter say they have no regrets about the way everything played out.
"Personally, I am so happy that we didn't go through the rest of the show," explains Alexis, who initially gave the ultimatum. "You could see that I came in wanting to marry Hunter from day one. It was really a struggle for me when I wasn't able to connect with anyone else, but it reconfirmed the love that I had for Hunter. I want to be with him. And I'm very happy that we got engaged, and we got to then live our life."
"Ultimately, I wanted Hunter to be 100% sure and make sure that I was the one he really wanted," she continues. "And it was so reassuring to see that after a week of going on dates, he [knew] he [wanted] to be with me."
Hunter is in agreement, noting how "everybody's on their own path, their own journey. And what me and Alexis did was for us."
"We went into that experience. All we could do is try to make it our own and be as authentic as who we are," he explains. "Our journey led us to leave the experience early. ... So I don't have any regrets because both of us stayed true to ourselves and tried to be the most we could. And how it ended up was just a natural conclusion for that."
alexis maloney/instagram Hunter Parr and Alexis Maloney
RELATED: The Ultimatum: Where Each Couple Stands After the Season 1 Reunion
After leaving the show, the couple wasted no time in planning their wedding — thanks in part to Hunter's mom, who works as a wedding planner.
"Having your mother, who's our biggest advocate, also be a representative for us to all of our vendors [is] such a great blessing," Hunter says. "Knowing what questions to ask, knowing how to be conscious to our wallets, because Alexis and I are paying for this, it was really great."
And though Alexis took the lead in planning, the pair were on the same page about what they envisioned on their big day.
"For Hunter and I, it's really important that we had live music. It's just a good time," Alexis says. "And I'm very traditional, so I wanted it to be sentimental and write our own vows and have family as involved as much as possible."
"My brother, he went to seminary school. He's now a practicing lawyer, but he also does preach," Hunter notes. "So we wanted to have him speak during our ceremony and be a focus of it. For us, the main themes were family first, [we wanted] traditional flow, live music, a lot of fun — and [an] open bar. And then the rest of the details, Alexis did a great job envisioning what her dream wedding was. A lot of the theme is whites, greens, very floral."
In addition to the floral theme, the wedding also featured a "really young" bridal party with 10 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen.
"It's a lot of people our age," Alexis says. "My bridesmaids are wearing black dresses, which is obviously not what everyone does, especially June in California. But looking back at the photos and videos, it'll be still in style, and that was really important to me."
As for the bride herself, she wore two Berta dresses for the nuptials. "I am doing one dress primarily for the night because it's amazing, and I want to have it showcased as much as possible. And then late into the night, 11:00 PM, I will be switching over to a short dress... It's sparkly and fun. It'll be great for our sparkler exit when we roll out of there," Alexis says.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories
Following their nuptials, the couple will rest for a few days before jetting off to Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens for their honeymoon.
"We wanted to go some place together that neither of us have been and wanted to go [to], so we can't wait," Hunter says. "Alexis did an amazing job making sure we got everything detailed out so that when we get there, it's just nothing but relaxation. We don't have to worry about anything."
RELATED VIDEO: The Ultimatum's Alexis and Hunter Talk About Coming Out of the Experiment Engaged
The couple is also looking forward to what the future has to hold as the new Mr. and Mrs. Parr — including expanding their family one day!
"Family's so important to both of us," Hunter shares. "When we think about the future and the ability for us to build what we think should be our family, [we'll have to figure out] what values should we instill in our children, or traditions that we're going to have that we're going to share."
"No longer going to the parents' house!" Alexis chimes in. "It's going to our house for Thanksgiving."
"It's the family aspect. It's coming together. It's the end of our individual campaigns and the start of the oneness or a relationship moving forward ... And it's going to be amazing," Hunter adds. "I'm at a loss for words other than just we're so happy and grateful." | https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ultimatum-alexis-maloney-hunter-parr-161854088.html |
I photographed this gorgeous platinum blonde personal trainer a couple of months ago. Its so much fun to see a beautiful, athletic woman get all dolled up! She is definitely not a high heels, glitter and glam kind of girl most of the time, but WOWZA!
Monthly Archives: September 2013
Wow, Erika and Marty certainly had a vision when they began their wedding planning. And I absolutely loved every bit of their gorgeous ceremony at Madeleine Parish and wedding reception at YU Contemporary. Their wedding theme was classic black and white stripes with pops of bright green and white floral. All of the floral was designed to perfection by Geranium Lake Flowers.
I recently had the pleasure of photographing Michelle, Shaun and their adorable pup, Skyler at the Champoeg State Park. They are such a perfect pair and I loved photographing them! They’ll be getting married in Michelle’s hometown next summer – Victoria, B.C.! Congratulations you two! | https://www.ericaannphotography.com/blog/2013/09/ |
Andy Gaines is a British photographer who has won many high profile titles for his work. He was Masters of Wedding Photography: Best wedding Photographer in the UK 2017, JuneBug Weddings: Best of the Best wedding photographers in the World 2016, Winner: TWIA Best Wedding Photographer in England 2015, Rangefinder Magazines Rising star of wedding photography in the World 2014 and JuneBug Weddings: Best of the Best wedding photographers in the World 2014.
I was born in the North of England, and despite living in a few places - I’m still in the north! I settled in York in my early 20s and love it here, though I travel for most of my weddings.
I was into photography as a teen. However, I was also into fishing and climbing and each passion was all-encompassing for a time. I went to University to study Astrophysics but spent all my free time either climbing or playing music. When I left the band was everything for the next few years. We played all over the UK in all kinds of venues from small pubs to V Festival stages, we also toured Germany and France. However, things were changing and we were all starting to move in other directions. When my daughter was born, I was drawn to capturing moments with a camera, it rekindled my love of photography. I also started to realise I could work hard and make a career out of it. I threw myself into improving my skills and ideas. My sister’s wedding was my first official wedding, but after that time I was hooked! Each wedding is so unique and so special, I love seeing what happens and making the most of each moment. What other job is there where people are so happy all the time!
When I was a teen my dad let me borrow his old SLR camera and I love learning how to use it. However, real life got in the way and it was a good few years until I came back to it. As mentioned, the birth of my daughter was a turning point in my photography career.
I wouldn’t like to define myself in a particular style, but I would say that 99% of my work is more documentary. My focus is on empathy. I want to get to know my couples and understand what matters to them and see the day through their eyes. I admit I do love the quirks and eccentricities of life and love capturing those!
What/who do you look at for visual inspiration? It could be a favourite photographer or blog? movies?
Everything I watch or look at I look at it with a photographer’s eyes - much to my wife’s annoyance when I point out the lighting in scenes or what they’ve done to create an effect! I’m inspired by the world, things that I find, the light and situations that I see that would make good photographs.
A couple with their family and friends who are relaxed, in love and having a great time. That’s all you really need!
I travel for most of my weddings, so my routine is generally a fairly depressing breakfast in some travel hotel. A big thing for me before the day is communication. I will have caught up with the couple a few nights before, I go through the pre-wedding questionnaire and then I like to get to the couple as early as I can. For me unlimited coverage is what I offer all couples, that’s the only way I believe I can capture their story. It’s also great to be around from the start as people get used to you and then start to relax and forget you are there. Spending an hour with them before taking photographs is important for me. That sets up the day brilliantly, by the end I’m just seen as another guest!
As mentioned above, I shoot the wedding purely for the couple and nothing else. I want to tell their story. I want to capture people as they know them, their emotions, characters and ultimately their love for each other. I’m so lucky as my couples trust me with their day, and when shooting the full day there are many opportunities to experiment and try new things. I want the images my couples to receive to be meaningful. Not something stylised or created to try and win an award. If others who weren’t involved like the pictures too - even better! However, I believe by taking this completely client-driven approach o my photography, I do not sacrifice my own creativity or art. Because as creatives the ego always wins out, so even though my approach is 100% client-centric - the artistic ego in me always finds a way to make photo’s for myself!
I’m not particularly romantic or a big fan of ceremonies and traditions for the sake of it, I’m not really interested in people with ‘Hollywood’ ideas of romance and weddings. However, I have always had a very close family and circle of friends, so for me, that is what I gravitate to at weddings - the genuine deep bond shared between a couple and their friends and family. With less emphasis on the contrived ‘wedding circus’ the better!
Weddings to me are being surrounded by those you love and having the time of your lives. A wedding isn’t about just one day, it’s just the start of the story and I want to to capture that!
Running a successful photography business is more about business than photography. Be prepared to do a lot more of one and a lot less of the other.
They should also ignore the photographers who brag and gloat everytime they buy the latest piece of equipment - you don't need it. Will it make you more money? if not, don't buy it!
From an artistic point of view - don't just listen to those who just tell you to follow your own vision and do your own thing. I believe we work in a service industry so providing our clients with something that they want and value is more important than us making 'art'.
Along with a selection of other lead photographers in the UK, I run NineDots which is a wedding photography training company that includes workshops, an annual conference, an online membership training community - I’d tell photographers to get involved! | https://www.schoolofweddingphotography.com/interviews/andy-gaines |
Most people don’t consider the true value that macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbs) and micronutrients provide to their diet. From one-on-one discussions with my patients, I’ve found this is often because people don’t understand what these nutrients are.
To help you stay informed so you can make the best choices for your health, I’m going to spend the next few posts talking about these vital nutrients. This post will focus on the fat-soluble vitamins.
What are micronutrients?
Micronutrients are dietary components – often referred to as vitamins and minerals – that are vital to development, disease prevention, and wellbeing. Although they are only required in small amounts, they are vital to maintain your nerves, brain, bone, muscle, skin, blood circulation, and immune system.
Vitamins – organic compounds primarily derived from food that the body needs in small amounts – can also be broken down further into 2 categories: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Though they serve a variety of purposes, the primary difference between the two is the substance in which they can dissolve.
What are fat-soluble vitamins?
As their name implies, vitamins A, D, E, and K all dissolve in fat. They are stored safely in the fat cells of the body (the adipose tissue) until the body needs them. They are immensely important for hormone, brain, and immune health.
Unlike water-soluble vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins have a higher risk for toxicity if consumed in excess, because the body stores them for longer periods of time. In fact, taking megadoses of vitamins A, D, E, or K can be toxic and lead to health complications. The trick, like most things in life, is moderation!
What are the benefits of these vitamins?
Vitamin A
Vitamin A (aka Retinol) is best known for its vital role in maintaining vision, but it also helps with a lot of other body functions, including:
- Bone and tooth growth
- Healthy skin
- Reproduction
- Cell division
- Gene expression
- Immune system regulation
- Prevention of certain cancers (it’s an important antioxidant)
- Maintaining moisture levels in your skin, eyes, mouth, nose, throat, and lungs
While Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the US (called Xeropthalmia), it is common in developing countries due to malnutrition. On the other side is hypervitaminosis (too much Vitamin A). The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for adults is 3,000 mcg, which is really only an issue if you are taking high doses from supplements.
Vitamin D
Despite its’ name, Vitamin D is technically a hormone, not a vitamin. Often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin”, it’s critical to how your body functions on a daily level. It’s main job is to regulate your calcium and phosphorus levels.
It impacts:
- Bone growth and maintenance
- Immune function
- Mood
- Weight loss
- Cognitive function
- Heart disease (lowers)
- Cancer (risk lowers)
Your body naturally makes vitamin D when exposed to the sun, however, most people need more from their diet or supplements. Severe deficiency is rare, but mild forms occur often. Vitamin D deficiency can cause fatigue, weak muscles, soft bones, and increased risk of fractures and susceptibility to infections. Toxicity (too much) is rare; the UL is 4,000 IU per day.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is divided into two groups: Tocopherols and Tocotrienols. Tocopherol contains the most abundant form of vitamin E, which makes up 90% of the vitamin E in the blood. This powerful vitamin:
- Is an antioxidant that can help protect your cells against premature aging and damage from free radicals
- Boosts your immune system
- Helps prevent blood clots and cardiovascular disease (source)
Deficiency is extremely rare in otherwise healthy individuals. People with diseases that block the absorption of fat or vitamin E (such as cystic fibrosis or liver disease) are more at risk. Likewise, too much vitamin E is nearly impossible, unless taking high vitamin E supplements.
Vitamin K
This vitamin is a group of fat-soluble compounds divided into two main groups: Vitamin K1 (found in plant-sourced foods, the main form of vitamin K) and Vitamin K2 (found in animal-derived foods).
Vitamin K plays an essential role in helping the body form blood clots, as well as helping:
- Promote bone health
- Reduce the buildup of calcium in the blood
- Reduce the risk of heart disease
Deficiency may occur in infants or individuals taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), such as Coumadin (warfarin). People on these medications should only change the vitamin K in their diet after consulting with a physician.
Unlike the other fat-soluble vitamins, natural forms of vitamin K have no known symptoms of toxicity. Synthetic vitamin K-3 may have some adverse effects when consumed in high amounts.
How can I get these vitamins in my diet?
What should I do next?
In summary, no single food or diet contains all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs. It’s important to get a balanced and varied diet for your body to function efficiently and healthfully. If you need help creating a meal plan that works for you, please call us at 513-791-9474 to schedule a weight loss consultation.
Stay tuned for my next post on water-soluble vitamins!
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My wellness journey started with a visit to Dr. Lovitt, he is amazing!
My sister started it all, she posted a FB post that she had lost 50 pounds! I had to know how…visiting Your Wellness Center and Dr. Lovett blew my mind! He pointed out all the issues I had with my blood draw and told me that he will work to get me to optimum health! I was slightly skeptical but needed it badly. I stared with the HRT first, with Dr. Lovett telling me what to expect within the first weeks of treatment. He wasn’t kidding! I felt energy, motivation to “do” things, got my libido back and was able to sleep through the night, which was a huge benefit to my overall wellbeing.
After one months time I signed up for the weight management with Alyssa Kessel and she guided me through the process of losing 61 pounds! I went from 191 to 130 in 9 weeks time. Now she is guiding me through the process of my weight maintenance as this is definitely a life style change for me.
I can not thank Your Wellness Center, Dr. Lovett and staff enough for helping me get my life back and on the road to a better me! LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!! | https://yourwellnesscenter.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-micronutrients-part-1/ |
You eat a healthy diet, but are you really getting all of the nutritional benefits of the food you eat? Even if you’re eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and balanced with good fats and lean sources of protein, you may not be getting the full benefits. Certain factors can interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals. This means you may be losing some of the nutrients you would normally get from food. Here are five reasons why you may not be getting the full benefits from the food you eat.
Some people go on a low-fat diet in hopes of losing weight or because they’ve heard that fat is bad for them. But you need a certain amount of fat in your diet to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. When you eat a diet that’s very low in fat, you don’t absorb fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) as well. In fact, it’s a good idea to eat vegetables with a healthy source of fat to increase the absorption of these vitamins. By sautéing vegetables in olive oil and using an olive oil-based dressing on salads, you’ll absorb more of the fat-soluble nutrients you need.
Sipping a glass of wine may be heart-healthy, but too much alcohol causes inflammation of the lining of the intestines. This decreases the absorption of some vitamins and minerals, particularly fat-soluble ones. Plus, it reduces the release of digestive enzymes that help to break down food components so your body can absorb them. People who drink large amounts of alcohol are also at greater risk for deficiencies of calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Enjoy the antioxidants benefits of a drinking glass of wine but only in moderation.
Coffee and tea are a good source of antioxidants, but they also contain plant compounds called tannins that bind to iron from plant sources, reducing its absorption. This is usually only a problem if you’re vegetarian since the tannins in tea don’t affect the absorption of the iron in meat. If you eat mostly a plant-based diet, avoid drinking tea with meals.
Some medications create conditions that reduce the absorption of vitamins and minerals. If you take acid-blocking medications, you may not absorb vitamin B12 as well. Low B12 levels can lead to anemia and neurological problems. Laxatives used to treat constipation reduce the absorption of some vitamins and minerals, and antibiotics destroy bacteria in the intestines that aid in vitamin and mineral absorption. Other medications that reduce vitamin or mineral absorption are oral contraceptives, diuretics, drugs used to treat seizures and some cholesterol-lowering medications.
Taking high doses of one mineral can interfere with the absorption of others. Taking a zinc supplement interferes with absorption of copper and iron. When you take high doses of calcium, zinc, copper or magnesium, it reduces the absorption of the other three minerals. That’s why it’s not a good idea to take high doses of a single mineral unless you’re deficient and using it under a doctor’s care.
Some fiber-rich foods including seeds, nuts, bran, and whole grain foods contain phytic acid. Phytic acid binds to zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron, reducing their absorption by the intestines. This usually isn’t a problem unless you eat a very high fiber diet. Nutrient absorption also decreases with age, likely due to an age-related decline in stomach acid. In addition, people who have certain medical conditions like celiac disease are at high risk for nutrient absorption deficiencies.
Even if you’re eating a healthy diet, you may not be getting all of the benefits. Keep these five causes of decreased nutrient absorption in mind.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism No. 22 PH 346 October 1993.
Office of Dietary Supplements. National Institutes of Health. | https://cathe.com/5-factors-that-affect-nutrient-absorption-from-your-diet/ |
It is estimated that 42 percent of U.S. adults have a sub-optimal vitamin D level.
Vitamin D, which is measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OH-D), is a fat-soluble vitamin that is responsible for multiple biological processes. Vitamin D, which has always been known for its capacity to support the absorption of calcium, has more recently been found to support immune function, a healthy inflammatory response, and muscle function. A low vitamin D level is associated with a higher risk for various chronic health concerns, including heart disease and diabetes.
Unlike vitamins that must be acquired from outside sources, humans can make vitamin D in their skin with adequate exposure to sunlight. Because we do not get as much sunlight as our ancestors, and because we might not consume adequate dietary sources of vitamin D, many individuals are at risk for too low of a level. A too high level of vitamin D can also occur, but this is much less common and is nearly always associated with excessive supplementation. Thorne's Vitamin D Test measures total vitamin D, which includes the two common forms of vitamin D ‐ D2 (25OH-D2) and D3 (25OH-D3). 25OH-D3 includes the amount derived from internal production, as well as the amount derived from diet and supplementation; whereas, 25OH-D2 reflects only what is acquired in the diet or from supplementation. Together, these two biomarkers make up an individual's total 25OH-D level.
A healthy vitamin D level can be crucial for optimal athletic performance, bone repair after exercise or injury, normal muscle function, healthy immune function, and cardiovascular health. Therefore, it is widely accepted that athletes, compared to non-athletes, should strive to maintain a higher than sufficient level of vitamin D.
Potential symptoms of low vitamin D
Although having a low level of vitamin D is often asymptomatic, you might experience:
- More frequent infections
- Fatigue
- Muscle or bone discomfort
- Depressed mood
If you have any of the following symptoms that are, or can be, associated with a vitamin D deficiency, then you should consult with your health-care practitioner:
- Muscle spasms and twitching (which can be anywhere but are more common in the face and around the mouth or eyes)
- Generalized weakness
- Loss of balance/falling
- Severe bone and joint pain – hip pain is most common
- Unexplained fracture
- An onset of seizures
- Abnormal heart rate or rhythm
- High blood pressure
Potential symptoms of high vitamin D
Although having a vitamin D level that is too high can be asymptomatic, with a very high level (usually a result of excess calcium absorption) you could experience:
- Anorexia/loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea and/or constipation
- Excessive thirst, dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Muscle cramping/pain/twitching
- Bone pain
- Nerve pain (neuropathy)
- Kidney stones
- Confusion and weakness
- Chest pain, irregular heart beat
- Elevated blood pressure
- Headaches
- Cough, shortness of breath
If you suspect you might have an excess level of vitamin D (which only occurs with excessive supplementation and is very uncommon), then you should consult with your health-care practitioner.
Test taker must be 18+ and reside in the U.S.
You should take this test if you
- Do not get daily sun exposure or live in a northern latitude
- Do not consume adequate vitamin D
- Follow a strict vegan diet
- Have darker-pigmented skin
- Have issues with small intestine absorption or kidney function
- Are an athlete
- Are overweight or obese
- Are elderly
Biomarkers Tested
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that we obtain from some foods or make in our bodies under the right conditions. Vitamin D level is important to bone health, heart health, immune function, mood, brain health, and metabolic health. | https://clinical-nutrients.com/products/vitamin-d-test-kit |
This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information.
With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies.
Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased.
The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
13 Natural Remedies for Depression: Find Hope Again!
May 11, 2018
Did you know that 1 out of 7 individuals will suffer from depression symptoms at some point in his or her life? Today, depression is one of the main causes of disability in developed, as well as low and medium income countries. In fact, around 150 million people suffer from depression worldwide. (1)
The World Health Organization predicts that depression will become the second most prevalent disease worldwide by the year 2020. But what are we doing to prevent and treat this life-altering mood disorder? The typical treatment — antidepressant medications — don’t work for every person with depression and also come with a slew of side effects. However, sometimes people don’t know where to turn to find a treatment that won’t bring on more health problems.
The good news is there are natural remedies for depression that are effective and help address the root cause of the disease. If you’re looking for a natural way to improve your depressive symptoms, studies suggest that you should focus on eating an anti-inflammatory diet — one similar to the Mediterranean diet that provides critical vitamins and minerals for hormone balance and brain function. A moderate to high level of physical activity/exercise has also been shown to prevent against depression. Additionally, using essential oils for depression and making other lifestyle changes to control stress are some of your best options.
Causes
Depression is when a person experiences low mood persistently, to the point that it starts to interfere with her daily life. Struggling with depression can be extremely painful for both the person experiencing the symptoms and her loved ones.
The causes of depression are varied and include:
- stress
- unresolved emotional problems
- neurotransmitter imbalance
- hormonal imbalances
- food allergies
- alcoholism
- nutrition deficiencies
- lack of sunlight
- toxicity from metals
- toxic mold
Although depression can happen at any age, it often develops in adulthood. For example, it’s especially prevalent in middle-aged or older adults who are struggling with other serious medical issues, like cancer, diabetes or Parkinson’s disease. But other risk factors for depression include a family history of depression, taking certain medications that cause depressive side effects, major life changes, ongoing stress and trauma. (2)
Symptoms
Depression can manifest with a variety of different symptoms including (3):
- fatigue
- persistent sadness
- low mood
- irritability
- feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness
- difficulty concentrating
- difficulty sleeping
- low sex drive
- changes in appetite
- weight changes
- feelings of helplessness
- disinterest in hobbies or activities
- aches and pains
- headaches
- digestive issues
- thoughts of death or suicide
- attempting suicide
Conventional Treatment
Conventional treatment for depression typically involves the use of medications and/or psychotherapy. The most widely used form of medication for depression is SSRIs, or selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors, which include drugs like Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil. Research shows that antidepressant medications do help patients with depression, but they work as symptom suppressors rather than cures. Once a patient is no longer taking the antidepressants, the symptoms will probably recur. In addition, antidepressant medications have serious side effects that can include suicidal thoughts, weight gain and personality changes. Another danger of psychotropic drugs like SSRIs is that they can cause neurotransmitter degradation, leading to changes in the brain. (4)
In addition to medication, psychotherapy is another option. There are several forms of psychotherapy that can be helpful, including “talk therapy” or counseling, problem-solving therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. A study conducted at the Ohio State University found that when cancer patients suffering from depression were asked if they would rather use individual counseling, antidepressant medications or support groups to address their symptoms, preference for individual counseling was significantly higher than the other options. (5) Counseling can be an effective depression treatment, along with other natural remedies for depression.
13 Natural Remedies for Depression
1. Healthy and Well-Balanced Diet
You may be surprised to learn that your food choices can have a significant impact on your mood. It’s key to eat foods that support neurotransmitter function, which are the brain’s messengers that control your mood, energy levels, appetite and many other processes in the body. Neurotransmitters are significantly influenced by the foods you put into your body.
Research including a 2018 study published in the journal Primary Care also shows that eating an anti-inflammatory diet, such as one that closely mimics the traditional Mediterranean diet, can reduce your risk for depression. (6) When compared to other balanced diets — including the Healthy Eating Index diet (HEI), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet (DASH diet), and the Dietary Inflammatory Index diet, the study found that the risk of depression was reduced most with adherence to a healthy Mediterranean-type diet.
A 2009 study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry examined the association between dietary patterns and depression. There were 3,486 participants who fell into one of two dietary categories. The first was those who ate a whole food diet, heavily loaded by vegetables, fruits and fish. Second was those who ate processed foods. These foods included sweetened desserts, fried food, processed meat, refined grains and high-fat dairy products. After five years, the participants were assessed. Researchers found that those who stuck to the whole food dietary pattern had lower odds of depression. In contrast, high consumption of processed food was associated with an increased risk of developing depression. (7)
Eating healing foods can be transformative. Here’s a breakdown of the whole, anti-inflammatory foods that should be part of your diet to prevent and treat depression:
that should be part of your diet to prevent and treat depression:
- Omega-3 foods: Research shows that one of the most important components of your diet in order to prevent or treat mood disorders is omega-3 foods. Your brain lipids are actually composed of fatty acids. Of those those fatty acids, 33 percent belong to the omega-3 family. That means that you need to eat omega-3s in order for your brain to function properly. Omega-3s benefit the brain by promoting communication processes and reducing inflammation. (8) The best omega-3 foods include wild-caught fish like salmon, mackerel, herring and white fish, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, natto and egg yolks.
- Fruits and Vegetables: A diet high in fruits and vegetables increases your intake of vital nutrients that support your mood. Fruits and veggies high in folate, for example, promote the brain’s metabolic processes and research shows that a folate deficiency can lead to depressive symptoms. (9) Some of the top folate foods include spinach, asparagus, avocado, beets and broccoli. Your body also needs antioxidant foods to combat the biochemical changes that take place when you’re under stress. A study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry found that antioxidant therapy for 6 weeks significantly reduced both depression and anxiety scores in observed patients. (10) Some of the top antioxidant foods include blueberries, goji berries, blackberries, cranberries and artichokes.
- Healthy fats: Healthy fats provide important vitamins and minerals that boost energy levels and mood. Plus, eating healthy fats helps to prevent free radical damage that may be associated with depression. But it’s important to understand that not all fats are created equal. In fact, research shows that there’s a detrimental relationship between consuming trans fats (like hydrogenated oils) and depression risk. (11) Stick to eating healthy fats such as avocados, grass-fed butter, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil and omega-3s like walnuts and flaxseeds.
- Lean Protein: Eating protein is critical for supporting neurological function and balancing hormones. Protein foods also provide energy and boost our mood. We need to consume plenty of protein throughout the day because the amino acids allow for many of the body’s functions. When you don’t eat enough protein, you become fatigued, your immunity weakens and you experience moodiness. The best sources of protein include grass-fed beef, lentils, wild fish, organic chicken, black beans, yogurt, free-range eggs, raw cheese and protein powder made from bone broth.
- Probiotic Foods: Eating probiotic foods increases energy levels, supports cognitive function and promotes mental wellness. Some of the top probiotic foods include kefir, yogurt, kombucha, miso, raw cheese and fermented vegetables. In fact, a great way to consume probiotics is to drink kombucha every day because it also contains enzymes and B vitamins that boost your energy levels and helps to detoxify your body.
2. Limited or No Refined Carbohydrates and Sugars
Have you ever wondered why you crave refined carbohydrates and sugars when you’re feeling sad? If you tend to reach for the cookies or potato chips in tough moments, it’s because high carbohydrates foods trigger a release of serotonin, a natural opioid that acts in the brain similarly to the drug opium. Although these foods are improving your mood for the moment, they are also leading to weight gain, issues with sleep, candida overgrowth and low energy levels, making your depression symptoms worse. (12)
An investigation conducted at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas found that sugar consumption rates were correlated with the annual rate of major depression. (13) And a systematic review published by the American Public Health Association found that there is a significant relationship between unhealthy dietary patterns (such as eating a “Western diet” that’s made up of mostly processed foods) and poorer mental health in children and adolescents. (14) Diets that are high in refined sugars are actually harmful to your brain because they promote inflammation and oxidative stress.
To reduce depressive symptoms by supporting the health of your brain and balancing your hormones, avoid eating packaged and processed foods that are made with refined carbohydrates and sugars. Stick to real, whole foods that are in their natural forms.
One specific diet that covers many of these dietary alterations and might have specific impact on depression is the keto diet. Studies in animals have found that pups born to mice on the ketogenic diet have less of a chance of developing depression, and putting animals in a model of depression on keto seems to improve some of the signs of depression. (15, 16, 17)
3. Fish Oil
Omega-3 fats are critical for neurotransmitter function, an important component for emotional and physiological brain balance. Research published in CNS Neuroscience Therapeutics analyzed three studies that involved the treatment of depression with omega-3 fatty acids. One study compared the benefits of omega-3 therapy to placebo therapy, another study tested the effects of omega-3s on children with depression and the third study was an open-label trial using EPA to treat bipolar depression.
Researchers found that omega-3s showed highly significant effects. For example, in the open-label study involving people with bipolar depression, patients who completed at least one month of follow-up achieved a 50 percent or greater reduction of depression symptoms. (18) Fish oil supplements are a great way to ensure you are getting enough omega-3 fats.
4. Probiotics
Research shows that probiotic supplements can improve mental outlook, which is due to the gut-brain connection. Probiotics aid nutrient absorption and promote glycemic control, helping to avoid spikes and drops in blood sugar levels. But most importantly, studies show that there are direct lines of communication from the gut to the brain, so taking probiotics actually changes your behavior and brain chemistry, thereby improving cognitive function and reducing depressive symptoms. (19)
A 2017 study illustrated the correlation between gut health and depression. Researchers analyzed 44 adults with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and mild to moderate anxiety or depression. Half of the group took a probiotic (specifically Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001), and the other was given a placebo. Six weeks after taking probiotics daily, 64 percent of the patients taking the probiotic reported decreased depression. Of the patients taking a placebo, only 32 percent reported decreased depression. (20)
5. Vitamin D3
A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy of vitamin D supplement as a natural remedy for depression found that vitamin D supplementation was favorable in the management of depression because it changed vitamin levels in a way that’s comparable to antidepressant medications. (21)
Vitamin D acts like a hormone in the body and effects brain function, which is why a deficiency is linked to an increased risk for mood disorders, including depression and seasonal affective disorder (or “winter depression”), a form of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern.
6. Adaptogen Herbs
Adaptogen herbs are a class of healing plants that improves stress hormones and relax the nervous system. They help to balance and protect the body by reducing cortisol levels when your under any type of stress.
Two adaptogens that work as natural remedies for depression include rhodiola and ashwagandha. Rhodiola works by increasing the sensitivity of your neurons, including two neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters help to increase focus and memory, and improve mood. Ashwagandha works to combat the effects of stress, reduce anxiety and depression and balance hormones. But the best part about these natural remedies for depression is that there are no adverse side effects, as opposed to most antidepressant medications. (22)
7. B-Complex
B vitamins are involved in neurotransmitter function and research shows that low levels of both folate and vitamin B12 levels, in particular, are linked to depressive symptoms. This is especially true for patients who have been treated with lithium and those with alcoholism. (23)
Vitamin B12 supports the neurological system and boosts energy levels, and folate supports nutrient absorption, helps to reduce irritability and fights fatigue. Taking a B-complex vitamin will help to produce serotonin naturally and relieve depressant symptoms, without the need for medications or toxic sugary foods.
8. St. John’s Wort
Several studies show that St. John’s wort can help to fight mild to moderate depression and anxiety. St. John’s wort works as a natural remedy for depression that can be compared to the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a common type of antidepressant that’s prescribed today. Plus, research shows that St. John’s wort has fewer side effects than standard antidepressants. (24)
Although researchers aren’t exactly sure how St. John’s wort works to fight depression, it’s believed that it may be associated with the herb’s ability to make more serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine available in the brain. This is important because these three neurotransmitters help to boost mood and improve the symptoms of depression. Also, if you choose to use St. John’s wort as a natural remedy for depression, do it only under the guidance of your health care provider.
9. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil helps to relieve stress, promote a feeling of peace and improve sleep. It actually has a long history of medicinal use for mood disorders because it has sedative and calming properties. Studies show that lavender oil also has neuroprotective effects. It enhances dopamine receptors and works as an antioxidant. (25)
To use lavender oil as a natural remedy for depression, add 5–10 drops to warm bath water, diffuse 5–10 drops in your bedroom at night to promote sleep, and apply 2–3 drops topically to the temples, chest and wrists in the morning.
10. Roman Chamomile
Roman chamomile essential oil works as a mild sedative that naturally calms nerves and promotes relaxation. Research shows that Roman chamomile oil can be used alone or in combination with lavender oil to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety. (26)
To use Roman chamomile as one of your natural remedies for depression, inhale the vapors directly from the bottle a few times a day, apply 2–3 drops topically to your wrists and back of neck, or diffuse 5–7 drops at home or at your workplace.
11. Relationships and Support
Because depression is most commonly caused by emotional issues, it can become worse due to lack of positive relationships, low self confidence and lack of purpose. Find a strong community of friends that can support and encourage you, and focus on your spirituality. It’s also helpful to seek counseling with a professional so that you can manage stress and strategize about your treatment methods and goals.
A 2013 study conducted at the University of Michigan found that the “quality of social relationships is a major risk factor for major depression.” Risk of depression was greatest among those with poor overall relationship quality, a lack of social support and social strains. Researchers found that these relationship statuses more than doubled the risk of depression. (27) It seems that personal relationships may be one of the most important natural remedies for depression.
12. Exercise
A 2019 randomized study published in JAMA sought out to determine if physical activity can play a role in reducing risk for depression. Findings from the study showed that higher levels of physical activity were linked to reduced odds for major depression, suggesting that getting regular exercise can be a powerful preventive strategy for protecting mental health. Researchers from the study also point out that “the causality and direction of this association are not clear; physical activity may protect against depression, and/or depression may result in decreased physical activity.” (28)
Exercise gives you a boost of energy, helps you to sleep better and builds confidence. These benefits of exercise will improve depressive symptoms and promote feelings of happiness and self-worth. A different 2012 systematic review found that exercise can help to reduce the symptoms of depression, especially when it’s done in combination with psychological therapies. (29)
Aim to exercise three to five days a week for 20 minutes or more. You can try any type of exercise that you like, such as yoga, pilates, running, barre, burst training and calisthenics. Even taking a walk outside will boost your happy hormones and energy levels. Of the natural remedies for depression, this is one that offers some of the most variety of options to choose from.
I will note that a May 2018 study found weight training specifically significantly reduced symptoms of depression throughout 33 clinical trials, including 1,877 participants, regardless of health status and even if no improvements in strength occurred. (30)
13. Time Outdoors
Research shows that improving your vitamin D levels can help to reduce the symptoms of depression. In fact, the relationship between depression and vitamin D deficiency from a lack of sun exposure was first noted over two thousand years ago, according to researchers at the University of South Australia. (31) Aim for spending 10–20 minutes in the sun daily.
Related: 5 Emotional Freedom Technique or EFT Tapping Benefits for Stress, Pain & More
Precautions
If you are suffering from depression and want to use these natural remedies for depression to improve your symptoms, do it under the care and guidance of your health care provider or counselor. Don’t be afraid to ask for support, as it’s so important to get help when you need it. But, if you notice any adverse reactions to these natural treatments for depression, or your symptoms become worse, discontinue the use of that remedy and see your health care provider. Also, it may take three to four weeks to see improvements with some of these natural remedies for depression.
Final Thoughts
- Depression is one of the main causes of disability in developed, as well as low and medium income countries, with around 150 million people suffering from depression worldwide.
- But, antidepressant medications come with a slew of side effects and people don’t know where to turn to find a treatment that won’t bring on more health problems.
- However, luckily there are natural remedies for depression like dietary changes, using essential oils for depression, supplementing with vitamin D3 and B vitamins, and making lifestyle changes. Seeking counseling and community support has also proven to be beneficial for people who are suffering from depressive symptoms, in addition to these natural remedies for depression. | https://draxe.com/health/natural-remedies-depression/ |
Nutrition: What is it and why is it important?
Nutrition, nourishment, or aliment, is the supply of materials - food - required by organisms and cells to stay alive. In science and human medicine, nutrition is the science or practice of consuming and utilizing foods.
In hospitals, nutrition may refer to the food requirements of patients, including nutritional solutions delivered via an IV (intravenous) or IG (intragastric) tube.
Nutritional science studies how the body breaks food down (catabolism) and how it repairs and creates cells and tissue (anabolism). Catabolism and anabolism combined can also be referred to as metabolism. Nutritional science also examines how the body responds to food.
The human body requires seven major types of nutrients.
Not all nutrients provide energy but are still important, such as water and fiber.
Micronutrients are important but required in smaller amounts.
Vitamins are essential organic compounds that the human body cannot synthesize.
As molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics advance, nutrition has become more focused on metabolism and metabolic pathways - biochemical steps through which substances inside us are transformed from one form to another.
Nutrition also focuses on how diseases, conditions, and problems can be prevented or reduced with a healthy diet.
Similarly, nutrition involves identifying how certain diseases and conditions may be caused by dietary factors, such as poor diet (malnutrition), food allergies, and food intolerances.
A registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN) studies food, nutrition, and dietetics through an accredited university and approved curriculum, then completes a rigorous internship and passes a licensure exam to become a registered dietitian.
A nutritionist (without the title of an RD or RDN) studies nutrition via self-study or through formal education but does not meet the requirements to use the titles RD or RDN. The two terms are often interchangeable, but they are not identical.
Dietetics is the interpretation and communication of the science of nutrition; it helps people make informed and practical choices about food and lifestyle in both health and disease.
Part of a dietician's course includes both hospital and community settings. Dietitians work in a variety of areas, from private practice to healthcare, education, corporate wellness, and research, while a much smaller proportion work in the food industry.
A dietitian must have a recognized degree or postgraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics and meet continuing education requirements to work as a dietitian.
Nutritionists sometimes carry out research for food manufacturers.
Nutrition is the study of nutrients in food, how the body uses nutrients, and the relationship between diet, health, and disease.
Major food manufacturers employ nutritionists and food scientists.
Nutritionists may also work in journalism, education, and research. Many nutritionists work in the field of food science and technology.
There is a lot of overlap between what nutritionists and dietitians do and study. Some nutritionists work in a healthcare setting, some dietitians work in the food industry, but a higher percentage of nutritionists work in the food industry and in food science and technology, and a higher percentage of dietitians work in healthcare, corporate wellness, research, and education.
A nutrient is a source of nourishment, a component of food, for instance, protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamin, mineral, fiber, and water.
Macronutrients are nutrients we need in relatively large quantities.
Micronutrients are nutrients we need in relatively small quantities.
Macronutrients can be further split into energy macronutrients (that provide energy), and macronutrients that do not provide energy.
Carbohydrate molecules include monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose), disaccharides, and polysaccharides (starch).
Nutritionally, polysaccharides are favored over monosaccharides because they are more complex and therefore take longer to break down and be absorbed into the bloodstream; this means that they do not cause major spikes in blood sugar levels, which are linked to heart and vascular diseases.
There are 20 amino acids - organic compounds found in nature that combine to form proteins. Some amino acids are essential, meaning they need to be consumed. Other amino acids are non-essential because the body can make them.
Fats are triglycerides - three molecules of fatty acid combined with a molecule of the alcohol glycerol. Fatty acids are simple compounds (monomers) while triglycerides are complex molecules (polymers).
Fats are required in the diet for health as they serve many functions, including lubricating joints, helping organs produce hormones, assisting in absorption of certain vitamins, reducing inflammation, and preserving brain health.
Can fat be good for you?
We explain the different types of fats, which are considered good and bad, and what foods they can be found in.
Fiber consists mostly of carbohydrates. However, because it is not easily absorbed by the body, not much of the sugars and starches get into the blood stream. Fiber is a crucial part of nutrition, health, and fuel for gut bacteria.
For more details go to "What is fiber? What is dietary fiber?"
About 70 percent of the non-fat mass of the human body is water. It is vital for many processes in the human body.
Nobody is completely sure how much water the human body needs - claims vary from 1-7 liters per day to avoid dehydration. We do know that water requirements are very closely linked to body size, age, environmental temperatures, physical activity, different states of health, and dietary habits; for instance, somebody who consumes a lot of salt will require more water than another similar person.
Claims that 'the more water you drink, the healthier you are' are not backed with scientific evidence. The variables that influence water requirements are so vast that accurate advice on water intake would only be valid after evaluating each person individually.
Minerals are found in a range of food types.
Dietary minerals are the other chemical elements our bodies need, other than carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
People with a well-balanced diet will, in most cases, obtain all the minerals they need from what they eat.
Minerals are sometimes added to certain foods to make up for any shortages.
The best example of this is iodized salt - iodine is added to prevent iodine deficiency, which affects about 2 billion people, globally; it causes mental retardation and thyroid gland problems. Iodine deficiency remains a serious public health problem in over half the planet.
What it does - a systemic (affects entire body) electrolyte, essential in co-regulating ATP (an important carrier of energy in cells in the body, also key in making RNA) with sodium.
Deficiency - hypokalemia - can profoundly affect the nervous system and heart.
Excess - hyperkalemia - can also profoundly affect the nervous system and heart.
What it does - key for producing stomach acid, important in the transport of molecules between cells, and vital for the proper functioning of nerves.
Deficiency - hypochloremia - low salt levels, which, if severe, can be very dangerous.
Excess - hyperchloremia - usually no symptoms, linked with excessive fluid loss.
What it does - a systemic electrolyte, and essential in regulating ATP with potassium. Important for nerve function and regulating body fluid levels.
Deficiency - hyponatremia - causes cells to malfunction; extremely low sodium can be fatal.
Excess - hypernatremia - can also cause cells to malfunction, extremely high levels can be fatal.
What it does - important for muscle, heart, and digestive health. Builds bone, assists in the synthesis and function of blood cells.
Deficiency - hypocalcaemia - muscle cramps, abdominal cramps, spasms, and hyperactive deep tendon reflexes.
Excess - hypercalcemia - muscle weakness, constipation, undermined conduction of electrical impulses in the heart, calcium stones in the urinary tract, impaired kidney function, and impaired absorption of iron, leading to iron deficiency.
What it does - important for the structure of DNA, transporter of energy (ATP), component of cellular membrane, helps strengthen bones.
Deficiency - hypophosphatemia, an example is rickets.
Excess - hyperphosphatemia, often a result of kidney failure.
What it does - processes ATP; required for good bones and management of proper muscle movement. Hundreds of enzymes rely on magnesium to work properly.
Deficiency - hypomagnesemia - irritability of the nervous system with spasms of the hands and feet, muscular twitching and cramps, constipation, and larynx spasms.
Excess - hypermagnesemia - nausea, vomiting, impaired breathing, low blood pressure. Very rare, but may occur if patient has renal problems.
What it does - required by many enzymes. Important for reproductive organ growth. Also important in gene expression and regulating the nervous and immune systems.
Deficiency - short stature, anemia, increased pigmentation of skin, enlarged liver and spleen, impaired reproductive function, impaired wound healing, and immune deficiency.
Excess - suppresses copper and iron absorption.
What it does - required for proteins and enzymes, especially hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying compound in blood.
Excess - iron overload disorder; iron deposits can form in organs, particularly the heart.
What it does - a cofactor in enzyme functions.
Deficiency - wobbliness, fainting, hearing loss, weak tendons and ligaments. Less commonly, can be a cause of diabetes.
Excess - interferes with the absorption of dietary iron.
What it does - component of many enzymes.
Deficiency - anemia or pancytopenia (reduction in the number of red and white blood cells, as well as platelets) and neurodegeneration.
Excess - can interfere with body's formation of blood cellular components; in severe cases, convulsions, palsy, and eventually death (similar to arsenic poisoning).
What it does - required for the biosynthesis of thyroxine (one type of thyroid hormone).
Deficiency - developmental delays, enlarged thyroid gland (in the neck), and fatigue.
Excess - can affect the function of the thyroid gland.
What it does - essential cofactor for antioxidant enzymes.
Deficiency - Keshan disease - myocardial necrosis (tissue death in the heart) leading to weakening of the heart; Kashin-Beck disease - break down of cartilage.
Excess - garlic-smelling breath, gastrointestinal disorders, hair loss, sloughing of nails, fatigue, irritability, and neurological damage.
What it does - vital part of three important enzyme systems, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and sulfite oxidase. It has a vital role in uric acid formation, in carbohydrate metabolism, and sulfite detoxification.
Deficiency - may affect metabolism and blood counts, but as this deficiency often occurs at the same time as other mineral deficiencies, it is hard to say which deficiency caused which health problem.
Excess - there is very little data on toxicity.
Our bodies cannot synthesize vitamins, so we must consume them.
These are organic compounds we require in tiny amounts.
An organic compound is any molecule that contains carbon.
It is called a vitamin when our bodies cannot synthesize (produce) enough or any of it, so we need to get it from our food.
Vitamins are classified as water soluble (they can be dissolved in water) or fat soluble (they can be dissolved in fat). For humans, there are four fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and nine water-soluble vitamins (eight B vitamins and vitamin C).
Water-soluble vitamins need to be consumed more regularly because they are eliminated faster (in urine) and are not easily stored.
Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed through the intestines with the help of fats (lipids). They are more likely to accumulate in the body because they are harder to get rid of quickly. If too many vitamins build up, it is called hypervitaminosis. A very low-fat diet can affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
We know that most vitamins have many different functions. Below is a list of vitamins, and some of their roles. Note that most often vitamin overdose symptoms are related to supplementation or impaired metabolism or excretion, not vitamin intake from foods.
Chemical names - retinol, retinoids, and carotenoids.
Overdose disease - Keratomalacia (degeneration of the cornea).
Deficiency disease - beriberi, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Overdose disease - rare hypersensitive reactions resembling anaphylactic shock when an overdose is due to injection.
Deficiency disease - ariboflavinosis (mouth lesions, seborrhea, and vascularization of the cornea).
Overdose disease - no known complications. Excess is excreted in urine.
Overdose disease - liver damage, skin problems, and gastrointestinal complaints, plus other problems.
Chemical name - pantothenic acid.
Deficiency disease - paresthesia (tingling, pricking, or numbness of the skin with no apparent long-term physical effect).
Overdose disease - none reported.
Chemical names - pyridoxamine, pyridoxal.
Deficiency disease - anemia, peripheral neuropathy.
Overdose disease - nerve damage, proprioception is impaired (the ability to sense where parts of the body are in space).
Deficiency disease - dermatitis, enteritis.
Chemical name - folinic acid.
Deficiency disease - birth defects.
Overdose disease - increased risk of seizures.
Chemical names - cyanocobalamin, hydroxycobalamin, methylcobalamin.
Deficiency disease - megaloblastic anemia (a defect in the production of red blood cells).
Chemical name - ascorbic acid.
Deficiency disease - scurvy, which can lead to a large number of complications.
Overdose disease - vitamin C megadose - diarrhea, nausea, skin irritation, burning upon urination, depletion of copper in the body, and higher risk of kidney stones.
Chemical names - ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol.
Overdose disease - hypervitaminosis D (headache, weakness, disturbed digestion, increased blood pressure, and tissue calcification).
Deficiency disease - very rare, may include hemolytic anemia in newborn babies.
Overdose disease - dehydration, vomiting, irritability, constipation, build up of excess calcium.
Chemical names - phylloquinone, menaquinones.
Deficiency disease - greater tendency to bleed and bruise.
Overdose disease - may undermine effects of warfarin.
Most foods contain a combination of some or all of the seven nutrient classes. We require some nutrients regularly, and others less frequently.
If you want to buy multivitamins, then there is an excellent selection online with thousands of customer reviews.
Article last updated by Tim Newman on Fri 1 September 2017.
Nordqvist, Christian. "Nutrition: What is it and why is it important?." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 1 Sep. 2017. Web. | https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160774.php |
In developed countries, vitamin deficiencies result mainly from poverty, food fads, drugs, or alcoholism. Vitamin toxicity (hypervitaminosis) usually results from taking mega doses of Vitamin A, D, B6, or niacin. In general, excess amounts of water-soluble vitamins are excreted via the Kidneys.
Vitamins may be Fat soluble (vitamins A, D, E, and K) or Water soluble (B vitamins and vitamin C). The B vitamins include biotin, Folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamin, pyridoxine, and B12. After digestion and absorption, which circulatory system carries fat and fat-soluble vitamins?
Vegans may develop vitamin B12 deficiency unless they consume yeast extracts or Asian-style fermented foods. Strictly vegetarian diets also tend to be low in calcium, iron, and zinc.
Vitamins can be divided into two major categories.
Fat Soluble Vitamins: These vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissues until required. As such, they can be harmful if too much is taken in.
Water Soluble Vitamins: These vitamins are not stored in the body. As such, they are required more frequently than fat-soluble vitamins.
What is the basic difference between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins?
Vitamin A (retinol) is required for the formation of rhodopsin, a photoreceptor pigment in the retina. Vitamin A helps to maintain epithelial tissues. Usually, the liver stores 90% of the body’s Vitamin A.
The body releases it into the circulation bound to pre-albumin (transthyretin) and retinol-binding protein. β-carotene and other provitamin carotenoids, contained in green leafy and yellow vegetables and deep- or bright-colored fruits, are converted to Vitamin A.
Carotenoids are absorbed better from vegetables when they are cooked or homogenized and served with some fats or oils. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of Vitamin A is 900 micrograms for men, and 700 micrograms for women.
Deficiency impairs immunity and causes skin rashes and common ocular effects such as dry eyes and night blindness.
Vitamin D has two primary forms: D2 (Ergocalciferol) and D3 (Cholecalciferol). Vitamin D3 is synthesized in the skin by exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation) and obtained in the diet chiefly in fish liver oils and egg yolks.
In some developed countries, milk and other foods are fortified with vitamin D. Human breast milk is low in vitamin D, containing an average of only 10% of the amount in fortified cow’s milk.
Vitamin D is a prohormone with several active metabolites that act as hormones. The liver metabolizes vitamin D3 to 25(OH)D, which is then converted by the kidneys to 1,25(OH)2D (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, calcitriol, or active vitamin D hormone).
25(OH)D, the primary circulating form, has some metabolic activity, but 1,25(OH)2D is the most metabolically active. Inadequate exposure to sunlight may cause vitamin D deficiency.
These recommendations were established by determining the level of Vitamin D that was enough to prevent bone demineralization or rickets.
The safe, tolerable upper intake level of Vitamin D is 10,000 IU/day.
Randomized trials using the currently recommended intakes of 400 IU of Vitamin D/day have shown no appreciable reduction in fracture risk. In contrast, experiments using 700-800 IU Vitamin D/day found less fracture incidence. Adults should be consuming at least 1000 IU per day of Vitamin D to maintain blood serum levels that are effective for strengthening the bones.
Vitamin E is a group of compounds (including tocopherols and tocotrienols) that have similar biologic activities. The most biologically active is α-tocopherol, but β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols also have essential biologic activity.
These compounds act as antioxidants, which prevent lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in cellular membranes. Plasma tocopherol levels vary with the total plasma lipid levels. Normally, the plasma α-tocopherol level is 5 to 20 μg/mL. Dietary vitamin E deficiency is common in developing countries.
Vitamin E deficiency causes degeneration of the axons of neurons (nerve cells) resulting in neurologic deficits, and fragility of red blood cells which is diagnosed with hemolytic anemia.
Taking Vitamin E supplements is not recommended because studies have found an increased risk of heart failure and general mortality. Vitamin E is found in spinach, watercress, mustard greens, and many green leafy vegetables.
Good sources of Vitamin E are oily plant seeds such as peanuts and sunflower kernels.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 120 micrograms for men, and 90 micrograms for women. Vitamin K controls the formation of coagulation factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X in the liver.
In healthy adults, dietary vitamin K deficiency is uncommon because vitamin K is widely distributed in green vegetables such as kale, spinach, and mustard greens. The bacteria of the healthy gut also synthesize menaquinones.
Thiamin or Thiamine (vitamin B1) is widely available in the diet. Thiamin is involved in carbohydrate, fat, amino acid, glucose, and alcohol metabolism.
Thiamin is essentially nontoxic. Thiamin deficiency (causing beriberi) is most common among people subsisting on highly refined rice or other carbohydrates in developing countries.
Bean sprouts, brewer’s yeast, and fortified cereals are excellent sources of thiamin.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) is involved in carbohydrate metabolism as an essential coenzyme in many oxidation-reduction reactions. Riboflavin is essentially nontoxic.
Riboflavin deficiency usually occurs with other B-vitamin deficiencies. Symptoms and signs include a sore throat, lesions of the lips and mucosa of the mouth, glossitis, conjunctivitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and normochromic-normocytic anemia.
Niacin (Vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid) derivatives include nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), which are coenzymes in oxidation-reduction reactions vital in cell metabolism.
Dietary niacin deficiency causes pellagra, a disease characterized by dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and mental disturbances.
Primary deficiency results from extremely inadequate intake of both niacin and the amino acid tryptophan, which usually occurs in areas where maize (Indian corn) constitutes a substantial part of the diet.
Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) is widely distributed in foods, and high amounts are found in whole grain cereals, legumes, eggs, and meat.
Pantothenic acid is needed to form coenzyme-A (CoA) and is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Adults require about 5 mg/day. Pantothenic acid is found in mushrooms, yeast, and liver.
Vitamin B6 includes a group of closely related compounds: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine.
They are metabolized in the body to pyridoxal phosphate, which acts as a coenzyme in many essential reactions in blood, central nervous system, and skin metabolism. Vitamin B6 is essential in the biosynthesis of heme and nucleic acid, as well as in lipid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolism.
Vitamin B6 is found in a variety of vegetables and meats. Many breakfast portions of cereal are fortified with Vitamin B6.
Some natural sources of Vitamin B6 are brewer’s yeast, Chinese cabbage (Pak-Choi), and red and green peppers.
Biotin (Vitamin B7) acts as a coenzyme for carboxylation reactions essential to fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Adequate intake for adults is 30 μg/day. Liver, egg yolks, green vegetables, and whole grains are rich sources of biotin.
Folate, also called Vitamin B9, is involved in maturation of red blood cells and the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines which folic are required for the development of the fetal nervous system.
Adequate folic acid intake before conception and throughout the first trimester of pregnancy helps prevent specific brain and spinal cord defects such as spina bifida.
Folate is absorbed in the duodenum and upper jejunum. The US recommended the daily dose of folate is 400 μg and the upper limit is 1000 μg. Folate is essentially nontoxic.
Deficiency produces megaloblastic anemia indistinguishable from that due to vitamin B12 deficiency. A lack of folate in old age significantly increases the risk of developing dementia.
Folic acid is found in dried peas, dried beans, yeast, and leafy green vegetables such as spinach, endive, lettuce, and mustard greens.
Cobalamin is a general term for compounds with biologic vitamin B12 activity. These compounds are involved in nucleic acid metabolism, methyl transfer, and myelin synthesis and repair.
They are necessary for the formation of healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is released in the stomach’s acid environment and is bound to R protein. Pancreatic enzymes cleave the B12-R protein complex in the small intestine. After cleavage, intrinsic factor, secreted by parietal cells in the gastric mucosa, binds to vitamin B12.
Intrinsic factor is required for absorption of vitamin B12, which takes place in the terminal ileum. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 2.4 micrograms, which is the amount found in 3 ounces (85 grams) of meat. Vitamin B12 is found in clams, oysters, turkey, chicken, beef, and pork.
Dietary vitamin B12 deficiency usually results from inadequate absorption, but deficiency can develop in vegans who do not take vitamin supplements. Deficiency causes megaloblastic anemia, damage to the white matter of the spinal cord and brain, and peripheral neuropathy which is characterized by tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays a role in collagen, carnitine, hormone, and amino acid formation. It is essential for wound healing and facilitates recovery from burns.
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, supports immune function, and facilitates the absorption of iron.
In developed countries, deficiency can occur with general under-nutrition, but severe deficiency (causing scurvy) is uncommon. Symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, depression, and connective tissue defects such as gingivitis, rash, internal bleeding, or impaired wound healing.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 75 milligrams for women, 90 milligrams for men. The tolerable upper intake level of Vitamin C is approximately 2 grams (2000 mg) per day.
Higher amounts can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Vitamin C is found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are good sources of vitamin C.
Vitamins can be grouped into two categories, fat-soluble and water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins are dependent upon fats for absorption into the bloodstream.
They are stored in fat cells found in the liver, kidneys, and wherever another fat tissue is found. Because they can be stored, it is not essential that fat-soluble vitamins be ingested daily.
In fact, taking more fat-soluble vitamins that are needed by the body can be harmful. This usually occurs when someone is taking vitamin supplements.
To avoid taking toxic levels of fat-soluble vitamins, do not exceed the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) which are listed on vitamin bottles.
The RDA for nutrients is published by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council.
Fat-soluble vitamins include Vitamins A, D, E, and K.Water-soluble vitamins include Vitamins C, B12, and B complex vitamins.
With the exception of B12, the body stores water-soluble vitamins for a very short period of time.
The body rids itself of excess amounts through urination, so water-soluble vitamins must be ingested daily, according to the suggested RDA.
To which of the following families do folic acid and panthothenic acid belong?
Which one of the following is a fat soluble vitamin and its related deficiency disease? | https://www.biochemden.com/vitamins/ |
Apart from its important role in fatty acid metabolism, the addition of an acetyl group gives Acetyl L-carnitine a wide range of therapeutic applications in the body including maintenance of healthy mood, providing relief of physical and mental fatigue, supporting healthy brain and mental functioning, and helping to maintain healthy cognitive function and memory during ageing.
Carnitine
Carnitine plays a crucial role in the production of energy by transporting fatty acids across cell membranes from fat or adipose tissue into the mitochondria of each cell. The mitochondria act as ‘engines’ or ‘powerhouses’ within each cell, burning these fats to create useable energy for the body.
The liver and kidneys are able to produce L-carnitine from two essential amino acids, lysine and methionine, although this process is heavily dependent on a number of essential cofactors being available. Essential cofactors include vitamins C, B2, B3 and B6, iron and magnesium. Animal sources, such as red meat, provide a rich source of dietary carnitine when compared to plant based sources of dietary carnitine such as avocado and tempeh. Carnitine is stored in the skeletal muscles, brain, heart, and in men, sperm. See more here: Acetyl L-Carnitine.
Fatty acid metabolism
Fatty acids are major sources of energy in the body and are made up of long chains of lipid-carboxylic acid found in fats and oils and in cell membranes such as phospholipids and glycolipids. Fatty acids can come from animal sources (saturated) and vegetable fats and oils (mainly polyunsaturated). Some carbohydrates from the diet can also be converted into fat as triglycerides, and then stored as fat in adipose tissue. Subsequently the fatty acids from this fat are released to provide energy for various aerobic tissues.
Ketones
Ketones are produced in the liver from the breakdown of fatty acids and provide an alternative fuel source for the body when glucose is in short supply. People following a low carbohydrate diet will naturally produce ketones as the low amount of carbohydrates available will not be enough to provide sufficient glucose for energy, so the body turns to fat stores for energy instead.
Body mass index (BMI) & waist circumference
The BMI provides an estimate of total body fat based on height and weight. According to the National Health and Medical Research Council, a healthy BMI is between 20-25 for most adults. Waist circumference is also considered a good estimate of body fat, especially internal fat deposits. | https://www.herbsofgold.com.au/articles/does-acetyl-l-carnitine-burn-fat |
As someone who has struggled with her mental health, I have long been interested in how food and mood are connected. Were there foods that could help boost my mood naturally? Could I make nutritious choices that would impact how I feel on a daily basis? What could I add to my diet that would boost my mood and improve my outlook on life?
Here are some key dietary strategies you can start implementing to improve and balance your mood right away:
Balance your blood sugar levels. If you skip breakfast, don’t eat regularly, or eat a lot of sugary snacks and/or meals, your blood sugar levels might be out of balance. This can lead to a hormonal imbalance, which in turn can make you feel irritable and cranky. Consuming complex carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fibre at each meal will help keep your blood sugar levels at a more steady state.
Consume nourishing fats (mostly unsaturated). Fats have many important functions in our body including giving us energy, protecting our organs, helping our body absorb fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), supporting our brain health, and helping produce neurotransmitters that provide energy and a mood boost. Unsaturated fats are either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated (omega-3’s and omega-6’s).
Eat protein. Certain amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, are the precursors of brain neurotransmitters that help balance and improve our mood.
Get the full spectrum of B vitamins. B vitamins help support our nervous system, aid in brain health, and formulate neurotransmitters.
So what foods can you add to your diet to boost your mood? Top mood boosting foods include:
Salmon, Mackerel, Sardines, and Other Fatty Fish
Fatty fish are an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain and nervous system development. Studies of communities where people eat higher amounts of fatty fish are less likely to experience anxiety and depression. Fatty fish are also high in protein, vitamin B12, and vitamin D (having a vitamin D deficiency has been linked to depression).
Dark, Leafy Greens
Dark, leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and Swiss chard, are full of fibre, B vitamins, and iron, all three of which contribute to a more positive mood. I recently read this study on iron and mechanisms of emotional behaviour, which, as someone who is often iron deficient, I found particularly interesting as they found that a lack of iron is linked to altered emotional behaviour, anxiety, and the disruption of neurotransmitters.
Turkey
Turkey contains a multitude of B vitamins, which help support our nervous system. It is rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that helps us produce the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin, and tyrosine, another amino acid that is a precursor for neurotransmitters. Turkey also contains the mineral zinc; low zinc levels have been associated with anxiety and depression.
Eggs
Eggs are high in protein, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. They also contain choline, a nutrient that supports the nervous system, improves mood, and and helps produce neurotransmitters. Eggs are also incredibly versatile and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack.
Avocados
Avocados contain monounsaturated fat, so while they are high in fat, it is the healthy fat that we do want to include in our diet. They also contain vitamin B6, fibre, vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin B5, the last of which helps to synthesize neurotransmitters and support the adrenal glands.
Fermented Foods
An area that I have started learning more about in the past six months is the connection between the brain and the gut. I was fascinated to learn that 95% of our serotonin is produced in our digestive tract! Scientists are learning more about the connections between our microbiome and our mood and cognition. Meta-studies have shown that probiotics, found in fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kombucha, yogurt, and kimchi, can help alleviate depression; they also play a role in supporting our natural immunity.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes contain a wealth of B vitamins, vitamin C, and fibre. Just like eggs, there are many different ways of preparing them, and they can be enjoyed in both sweet and savoury dishes.
Take the next step to boost your mood with food
Now that you know some key strategies and specific ingredients to improve your mental health, it’s time to put them into action. How will you incorporate them into your meal planning? How will you try to increase the number of mood boosting foods you eat? How will you know whether you have made progress in this area? A strategy that works for me is to set a nutrition goal for the month and for January it was to add more fibre to my diet. We have been experimenting with new plant-based recipes and we’ve been intentionally choosing recipes that contain vegetables that aren’t in our usual rotation. In February I would like to add more fermented foods and I’ve make it a goal of mine to try one new recipe a week for a specific fermented food; I am looking forward to making homemade kimchi, sourdough, and pickles, and using kefir and miso in some new recipes. | https://boussolewellness.com/eating-to-boost-your-mood/ |
6 Essential Nutrients You Need
Nutrients are classified as essential because the body cannot make them, yet they are needed for various vital processes, including growth, repair, disease prevention, and good health. There are 6 essential nutrients you need.
Most of these nutrients can be found in supplement forms, however, the World Health Organization insists that they be obtained completely from food if you have a varied diet.
There are 6 essential nutrients that everyone should be consuming. These are classified mainly into micronutrients and macronutrients.
This article explains more about the different categories and why you need them.
Macronutrients
These are the nutrients you need in more significant amounts. They should be the primary pillar of your diet and your main energy source.
They include:
Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient in the human body. It’s the building block of tissues, muscles, bone, hair, skin, and any other cell in the body.
Proteins are made up of various amino acids, some of which the body can produce on its own, while others have to be obtained from the diet.
Protein has various roles in the body, including tissue growth and repair, maintaining body Ph and fluid balance, producing hormones and enzymes, and promoting structural framework.
Some best protein sources include legumes, such as beans and lentils, nuts, seeds, and some grains.
Fats
Fats are an important part of a balanced diet. They are a source of essential fatty acids which the body cannot make by itself, such as omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
Fats are also necessary for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, as a source of energy, and for proper cell functions.
They can be classified into saturated and unsaturated fats. While the body requires both types of fats, too much saturated fats can be harmful to your health. Research shows that saturated fats increase bad cholesterol (LDL), increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
In fact, the World Health Organization recommends that no more than 30 percent of your daily calorie requirement should come from saturated fats.
That being said, your source of saturated fats is also essential. Animal products are a major source, but also the worst to consume followed by plant sources such as coconut oil.
Unsaturated fats are the best type to consume. In addition to a healthy diet, they can help maintain healthy weight, lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, lower blood sugar levels, and support brain health. The best sources include nuts and seeds, avocado, olive oil, and flaxseed.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are sugar molecules that are broken down to release glucose when digested. Despite the negative notion of carbohydrates, they are your primary energy source. They help fuel your heart muscles, brain, kidneys, and central nervous system.
The issue comes down to what type of carbohydrates you consume and how much.
Carbohydrates are classified into three groups:
1. Starches
Starches are also known as complex sugars, because they consist of many sugar molecules that are joined together. They are the commonly consumed type of carbohydrates.
Starchy carbs are often found in legumes, whole grains, and starchy vegetables like white potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and butter squash.
However, the starches consumed today are highly processed with minimal nutrients. This speeds up their digestion causing a spike in blood glucose. High glucose in the blood can cause fat storage leading to weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
2. Sugars
Sugars are also called simple carbohydrates. They are easily broken down in the body to release energy. They are found naturally in foods such as vegetables and fruits.
Sugars are also available in processed foods such as candy, soft drinks, table sugar, and syrups. However, you should avoid the latter as much as you can.
While carbohydrates have their benefits, the type of carbohydrates you consume matters the most.
Always avoid refined carbohydrates and processed sugars, and consume the healthy forms in moderation.
According to the dietary guidelines for Americans, carbohydrates should make up to 45-65 percent of your total calorie intake per day. These can include whole complex carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruit.
3. Fiber
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot digest.
Most carbohydrates are broken down into sugars. However, fiber remains intact. This helps regulate how your body uses sugar, which controls hunger and maintains glucose levels within normal.
Fiber also increases bowel movements and prevents constipation; it may even lower cholesterol and promote fullness, which may cause you to eat less, leading to low-calorie intake and weight loss.
Also, when fiber gets in the colon, it helps feed the good gut bacteria, increasing their number and diversity, thus promoting a healthy digestive system and strong immunity.
All whole plant food contains fiber, including fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients are essential nutrients that the body needs, but in smaller amounts. They include:
1. Vitamins
Vitamins help the body fight disease and stay healthy. There are 13 essential vitamins, and each performs different functions to promote proper body functions. They include vitamins A, D, E, K, and B vitamins.
Vitamins such as vitamin A, C, and E also offer antioxidant benefits and may help lower cancer risk, fight inflammation, improve vision, support skin health, and generally boost the immune system.
However, with the high consumption of processed foods today, most food products lack these vitamins. And even though some people may opt for supplements, natural sources are healthy and contain other added nutrients.
A well-balanced diet full of vegetables and fruits should keep your requirements met.
2. Minerals
There are two groups of minerals that you need. Major minerals, which the body needs in large amounts, and trace minerals, which are required in small quantities.
Major minerals include calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, and chloride. Trace minerals include copper, manganese, iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, fluoride, and cobalt.
Minerals help the body function and stay healthy by keeping your heart, bones, muscles, nerves, and brain working properly. They are also essential for the production of hormones and enzymes.
You can meet your minerals requirement by incorporating various foods into your diet, including whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruits.
3. Water
Did you know that you can go days without food, but you may not survive without water? That’s how important water is. In fact, 62 percent of your body weight is made up of water. That’s why any slight dehydration can result in poor physical performance and concentration, headaches, and fatigue.
Water is essential for transporting nutrients and oxygen into the cells, aiding digestion, cushioning joints, preventing constipation, flushing out bacteria from the bladder, normalizing blood pressure, improving brain function and mood, and protecting tissues and organs.
Final thoughts on essential nutrients you need:
When you consume the various essential nutrients you need, you ensure proper body functions, and set yourself on the path to good health and wellbeing.
These nutrients include proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and water. Making sure you consume these on a regular basis will keep your body running in good shape.
Other related articles:
- Best Low Carb Snacks
- Top 10 Benefits Of Getting Enough Sleep
- Foods Good For Skin
- 6 Best Sleep Inducing Teas To Drink At Bedtime
- How Much Fiber Per Day?
- The Best Diet for Weight Loss
- Foods That Detox Your Body
- 7 Foods You Must Never Eat
- Health Benefits Of Intermittent Fasting
- How To Boost Cortisol Levels Naturally?
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Abetalipoproteinemia is an inherited disorder that affects the absorption of dietary fats, cholesterol, and fat-soluble vitamins. People affected by this disorder are not able to make certain lipoproteins, which are particles that carry fats and fat-like substances (such as cholesterol) in the blood. Specifically, people with abetalipoproteinemia are missing a group of lipoproteins called beta-lipoproteins. An inability to make beta-lipoproteins causes severely reduced absorption (malabsorption) of dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. Sufficient levels of fats, cholesterol, and vitamins are necessary for normal growth, development, and maintenance of the body's cells and tissues, particularly nerve cells and tissues in the eye.
The signs and symptoms of abetalipoproteinemia appear in the first few months of life. They can include failure to gain weight and grow at the expected rate (failure to thrive); diarrhea; abnormal star-shaped red blood cells (acanthocytosis); and fatty, foul-smelling stools (steatorrhea). Other features of this disorder may develop later in childhood and often impair the function of the nervous system. Disturbances in nerve function may cause affected people to eventually develop poor muscle coordination and difficulty with balance and movement (ataxia). Individuals with this condition may also develop an eye disorder called retinitis pigmentosa, in which progressive degeneration of the light-sensitive layer (retina) at the back of the eye can cause vision loss. Adults in their thirties or forties may have increasing difficulty with balance and walking. Many of the signs and symptoms of abetalipoproteinemia result from a severe vitamin deficiency, especially a deficiency of vitamin E.
Abetalipoproteinemia is a rare disorder with approximately 100 cases described worldwide.
Mutations in the MTTP gene cause abetalipoproteinemia. The MTTP gene provides instructions for making a protein called microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, which is essential for creating beta-lipoproteins. These lipoproteins are necessary for the absorption of fats, cholesterol, and fat-soluble vitamins from the diet and the efficient transport of these substances in the bloodstream. Most of the mutations in the MTTP gene lead to the production of an abnormally short microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, which prevents the normal creation of beta-lipoproteins in the body. A lack of beta-lipoproteins causes the nutritional and neurological problems seen in people with abetalipoproteinemia.
Read more about the MTTP gene.
This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.
These resources address the management of abetalipoproteinemia and may include treatment providers.
You might also find information on treatment of abetalipoproteinemia in
Educational resources and Patient support.
You may find the following resources about abetalipoproteinemia helpful. These materials are written for the general public.
You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for healthcare professionals and researchers.
See How are genetic conditions and genes named? in the Handbook.
The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language.
These links provide additional genetics resources that may be useful.
apolipoprotein ;
apolipoproteins B ;
ataxia ;
autosomal ;
autosomal recessive ;
beta-lipoproteins ;
cell ;
cholesterol ;
congenital ;
deficiency ;
digestive ;
failure to thrive ;
familial ;
fat-soluble vitamin ;
gene ;
hypolipoproteinemia ;
lipoprotein ;
malabsorption ;
mutation ;
nerve cell ;
nervous system ;
neurological ;
neuropathy ;
protein ;
recessive ;
red blood cell ;
retina ;
retinitis pigmentosa ;
sign ;
soluble ;
steatorrhea ;
stool ;
symptom ;
syndrome ;
tissue ;
triglycerides ;
vitamins
You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference
Glossary.
The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for
professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about
a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified
healthcare professional.
See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook. | https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090130234125/http:/ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=abetalipoproteinemia |
Rashtriya Poshan Maah or National Nutrition Month 2020 as the anglicized would call it, is coming to a close next week. Nutrition has acquired more significance than ever, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from exercise and good sleep, a nutritious diet forms the third leg of the immunity tripod. Immunity, of course, is essential for resisting infectious diseases.
What is National Nutrition Month?
To bring home the message of good nutrition for health and well-being, the Government of India is celebrating the entire month of September as #PoshanMaah since 2018. Accordingly, National Nutrition Month 2020 is the third month-long intensive campaign.
What makes this year special is the vigour with which various ministries and state governments are making a concerted effort. For example, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a special campaign to end malnutrition in children. He has been supervising inter-departmental coordination. Also, he has directed district magistrates to draw up strategies. Moreover, Women and Child Welfare Minister Swati Singh is working alongside to root out malnutrition in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Know your macros and micros
It’s a no-brainer that nutritious food is essential for leading a healthy, disease-free life. However, did you know there are two major distinctions in nutrients? Macronutrients are energy providers; micronutrients like vitamins and minerals make chemical reactions happen in your body. You need a balance of both nutrients to keep your body healthy.
What are macros?
Apart from water (which is also a macronutrient), macros are energy-providing nutrients. Your body needs energy for repairing tissues, developing muscles, to the steady beating of your heart.
1. Carbohydrates form the major component of macros. Each gram of carbs provides 4 calories of energy. Carbs are stored in the body in the form of sugar, starch and fibre.
2. Fats give about 9 calories of energy per gram, thus making them twice as rich in energy as proteins or carbs. They are essential for the body to be able to absorb fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamins A, D, E and K), as well as for making steroids and hormones.
3. Proteins provide amino acids. They constitute a major portion of the cell structure. A gram of protein provides 4 cals.
4. Water is the main component of body weight, as much as 70%. Additionally, water carries sand distributes nutrients across cells, rids the body of toxins and regulates body temperature.
What are micronutrients?
The body needs rather small amounts of these nutrients, hence their name. They don’t provide energy but rather serve the important function of enabling chemical reactions. Basically, without micronutrients, your body won’t function normally.
1. Vitamins are either fat-soluble (Vitamins A, D, E and K) or water-soluble (B-complex of vitamins and Vitamin C). Vitamins are required for good metabolism. They work in conjunction with bodily enzymes for growth. Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C. The B-complex vitamins are found in green leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, kale). Daily products and coloured vegetables, for example, are abundant in fat-soluble vitamins.
2. Minerals are important for keeping your bones healthy, your brain working properly and your heart beating. They are also essential for making hormones and enzymes.
Minerals are further divided up into macro-minerals and micro-minerals. Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Sodium and Magnesium are some of the macro-minerals the body requires in a relatively larger proportion. Copper, Zinc, Cobalt, Chromium and Fluoride are among the main trace minerals or micro-minerals.
Make sure your diet has a daily dose of both macros and micros in good enough proportions to meet your nutrient requirements. | https://thecsrjournal.in/national-nutrition-month-2020-india-micronutrients-macros/ |
Some say, “you are what you eat.” In some ways this is true. Our physical and mental health depends on how many nutrients we are getting from our daily diets.
+ A basic and essential nutrient is water, the most important element for our bodies after oxygen. We need between 8 to 10 glasses of water daily, which we get from the foods and drinks we consume.
We need water to transport nutrients and waste through our bodies and to release toxins through sweat and urine. Water is a principal component of the fluids that our bodies use for digestion; it helps to regulate our body temperatures and to keep the digestive system functioning correctly.
HEALTHY CALORIES
Calories come from carbohydrates or glucides, proteins and fats or lipids. These nutrients must arrive to the body in the appropriate proportions.
• 50 to 55 % of calories should come from carbohydrates, with most of these coming from special carbs that are called “complex carbohydrates”. These are absorbed slowly and generally contain fiber. Complex carbohydrates are found in whole grain cereals and derivatives (such as flour and baked goods without fats), beans and derivatives, starchy vegetables (potato, sweet potatoes, cassava, corn), and other fruits and vegetables.
• 15 to 20 % of calories should come from low-fat proteins. For example: lean meats, egg whites, hard cheeses and skim dairy products and also beans.
• 30 % of calories should come from fats made up of healthy fatty acids. The healthiest type of fats are monounsaturated -olive, corn, canola oils- can be eaten. Our bodies also need saturated fats -animal derived fats- but should be eaten in moderate quantities because saturated fats over time can block heart arteries.
• Polyunsaturated fats -oils from seeds and nuts- are also healthy, but should be eaten in moderation, because they oxidize easily and wear out cellular membranes. For this group the following are especially recommended: dried nuts, avocado, seeds.
FOR WATER
When talking about drinking sufficient liquids, nutritionists advise to drink water. You can complement water consumption with fruit and vegetable juices and infusions. Freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices are healthy and rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
FIBER
Our body needs fiber daily, at least 1 oz/ 30 g per day. Insoluble fiber (in water) benefit intestinal health; soluble fibers help aid in metabolism; because they improve the absorption and breakdown of sugars and fats in the blood, helping to reduce blood cholesterol levels. To get the minimum recommended dose of fiber it's recommended eating whole grains, beans and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
MINERALS
These are essential for the formation of the organs and tissues that support the multiple functions vital for the body.
∎ Calcium. A basic nutrient for healthy bones and teeth, as well as supporting nerve transmission and muscular movement. It's necessary to get at least 1,000 mg of calcium per day; you can easily get high quality calcium through the consumption of dairy products, but also in dried nuts, seeds, barley, fish with small bones (sardines).
∎ Iron. Forms part of red blood cells and helps to transport oxygen to body tissues. Iron derived from meats are the best absorbed. Iron from green leafy vegetables, beans, eggs and fortified foods is absorbed less easily. It's recommended eating iron rich foods together with other foods that contain vitamin C.
∎ Sodium. This mineral is absorbed in the body through table salt and a number of prepared foods (bread, crackers, breakfast cereals, cheeses and deli meat). It's important to avoid eating excess sodium, because it can increase your risk for high blood pressure and edema. Prioritizing fresh foods and seasoning with plenty of herbs and spices decreases the amount of salt used in cooking, while keeping foods flavorful.
∎ Potassium. It's important to get enough potassium, because it protects the body against high blood pressure. It's best to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
∎ Magnesium. This mineral regulates with calcium to keep the bones and teeth healthy. It also keeps the neuromuscular system balanced. It is found in whole grains, deep green leafy vegetables, fish and meat, seeds and dried nuts.
∎ Zinc. This mineral also contributes to the health of the bones, skin and hair, as well as increasing the defenses against free radicals. It is present in dairy products, meats and grains.
∎ Selenium. This is an important antioxidant for protecting body tissue. It also fortifies the action of the antioxidant vitamin E. It is found in beans, fish, dried fruits, nuts and cabbage family vegetables.
VITAMINS
All vitamins are vital for the body's health. For optimal absorption you should try to eat fresh vegetables, either raw or cooked. There are fat-soluble and water soluble vitamins.
Fat-soluble vitamins need fatty acids for absorption, they also accumulate in fatty deposits in the body. The following are fat-soluble vitamins:
∎ Vitamin A. This vitamin helps to keep the skin and sight healthy. It protects the body against infections. Natural sources include: dairy products, eggs, green veggies and red and orange vegetables.
∎ Vitamin E. Strong antioxidant that helps in the formation of red blood cells. Found in sunflower and corn oils, seeds and dried fruits.
∎ Vitamin D. Supports the breakdown and absorption of calcium. Sunlight activates the synthesis of this vitamin in our bodies. It is found in milk, yogurt, eggs and entrails. Water-soluble vitamins need water to be absorbed; they are flushed out of the system through urine, making daily intake of water-soluble vitamins a necessity. These vitamins aren't stored in the body.
∎ Vitamin C. Helps to keep body tissue strong and keep the hair healthy. It helps in the absorption of iron and acts as an active antioxidant. It is found in citrus fruits, kiwi, tomatoes, peppers and cabbage family vegetables.
∎ Vitamin B 1 . Helps to keep the nervous system and brain active and healthy. This vitamin is fundamental for proper metabolism of carbohydrates. It is found in whole grain cereals and derivatives, wheat germ, brewer's yeast and meat (especially in pork).
∎ Vitamin B 2 . Essential for the skin's health and eyesight. It supports metabolism. Natural sources are dairy products, meat, dried fruits, nuts and beans.
∎ Vitamin B 3 . Protects the skin's health and the digestive system. It supports metabolism. All foods high in protein are natural sources: meats, beans, cereals, dairy products and eggs.
∎ Vitamin B 12 . Fundamental for the development of red blood cells. Vegetarians should make sure to find alternative sources for this vitamin, because it is only found in animal derived products -meats, eggs, dairy products and specially fortified cereals.
∎ Folic acid. This vitamin is very important for the synthesis of DNA (making it an essential vitamin before conception and during the first months of pregnancy). Natural sources are fresh green vegetables or slightly cooked vegetables, whole grains, beans and fruits.
∎ Beta carotenes. These aren't exactly vitamins, but some are considered to be provitamin A and are all important natural antioxidants. They are found in yellow and orange vegetables such as carrots and squash. They are also found in some red vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes. | http://www.faqs.org/oc/Overcoming-Weight-Problems/Essential-nutrients.html |
Fats are an essential part of any diet. From the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and maintaining blood sugar balance to their role in brain health, immune function, mitochondrial health – their importance as a foundational aspect of one’s diet cannot be emphasized enough. There is a growing body of evidence that supports not only its inclusion, but that they may be required for optimal health. Still, with a long history of being vilified in public health messaging, the important role they play is often misunderstood or poorly accepted within the broader community.
There are several types of fatty acids, classified by the number of double bonds in the carbon chain and where they occur.
Understanding this structuring is critical because it helps determine the physiologic compatibility of each fatty acid and the balance required among them for optimal health. This is often overlooked, however, since the assessment of dietary fat has been solely focused on its influence on serum cholesterol and lipid levels.
Far more important is its role in numerous cellular processes and cellular health. For example, the fatty acids that are predominant in our diet influence the health of a cell’s phospholipid bilayer and mitochondria, which in turn impact our health. Saturated fat, because of its rigid structure, creates a more stable, tightly packed phospholipid bilayer that allows it to be resistant to free radicals and oxidative stress (1). Similarly, it supports cardiolipin remodeling within the mitochondria, allowing it to function optimally and keep producing energy effectively (2). In contrast, predominant polyunsaturated fat in the diet can create an unstable phospholipid bilayer and lead to free radical damage and oxidative stress in the mitochondria, promoting inflammation in the body (1-3).
Balance is also key to understanding the health impact of dietary fat, especially polyunsaturated fat. While we know omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential by the body, it is estimated that the current ratio of omega 6:omega 3 in the US is 30:1. A ratio of 3:1 is suggested to prevent inflammation and is closer to what our ancestors ate. This imbalance is an enormous contributor to the high level of inflammation that plays a role is so many chronic diseases that we see today. It is largely due to the excess consumption of industrial seed oils that dominate our food supply because they are cheap to produce and become the base of so many packaged and processed foods.(4-7)
While these core concepts emphasize the importance of saturated fat, highlighting this can still seem alarming given 50 years of being told that consuming saturated fat is dangerous to health, especially with regard to heart disease. Yet what has been brought to light over the past several years is that the science on which this messaging was built, initially by Ancel Keys and the Seven Countries Study published in 1952, was weak at best – built on poorly designed and poorly interpreted clinical trials.
There have been several studies which have debunked this myth (see the references below) and showed that eating fat, especially when in place of refined carbohydrates and sugar, is protective and often demonstrates risk reduction. (8-12) Notably, the PURE Study, an epidemiological study published in 2017 that included 18 countries and over 50,000 subjects, showed lower all-cause mortality with higher levels of dietary fat, among other findings (13) . WHO and CDC data have also showed no association between total serum cholesterol and all-cause mortality or mortality from cardiovascular disease.
Understanding the science can help us embrace a new way of looking at and consuming fat. So what can we do to ensure that we are using fat to our advantage in optimizing our health?
We hope this clears some confusion and makes you more confident to include fat! | https://www.functionalformularies.com/fatty-acids-in-health-and-disease/ |
It's no surprise that your body goes through a number of physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy – and the need for sufficient nourishment during this time is critical to the health of both mother and baby.
However – according to research from the University of Wollongong, 65 per cent of pregnant women in Australia aren't even aware of the Australian guide to healthy eating when pregnant.
This concerning figure may explain why so many women lack essential vitamins during this crucial time – including important B vitamins which produce healthy DNA, metabolise food to make energy, balance our nervous system and prevent heart disease and dementia from our earliest beginnings in the womb right through to old age; and iron, which is in high demand during pregnancy.
Question: How do a woman's nutritional requirements change during pregnancy?
Belinda Reynolds: During pregnancy, the requirement for additional calories grows only slightly (with additional small increases with each trimester). Pregnant women certainly don't need to be 'eating for two" when it comes to the amount of food that is consumed (there are health risks associated with becoming overweight/obese (e.g. greater risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, pre-term labour)), however, there can be significant increases in the requirement for certain micronutrients (e.g. essential fatty acids such as DHA, zinc, iodine, iron, vitamin D, folate and calcium). This means that pregnant women are best to focus on nutrient-dense food, with the avoidance of less desirable foods that contain too many 'empty" calories.
Question: Are most pregnant women required to take vitamin and mineral supplements?
Belinda Reynolds: It can depend on the individual, and will be determined by a number of factors. The reality for many women can be that they struggle to meet the daily recommendations for vegetable and fruit intake due to a variety of reasons that are further complicated by pregnancy side effects (e.g. nausea leading to food aversions, severe fatigue making food preparation challenging, fear of food contamination meaning that food choices are narrowed).
If we look at some specific examples, certain women are more prone to anaemia which may worsen during pregnancy as blood volume increases. In this situation iron supplementation is often essential. For others, sufficient safe sun exposure does not occur to achieve healthy vitamin D status, or they may be in a category at greater risk of deficiency (e.g. obese, darker skin). Supplementation in these cases is important. Additionally, certain identified genetic variations can result in a greater need for specific nutrients (e.g. patients with a variation on a gene known as MTHFR may need more folate) to avoid complications.
For these reasons and others, supplements can be very useful. Some key nutrients to look for in a supplement include vitamin D, iodine, folate, calcium, iron (however does need to be avoided in certain situations), zinc and omega-3s. I must emphasise however, that supplements should never replace a healthy diet!
Question: What are the five key nutrients necessary for a healthy mum and bub?
Belinda Reynolds: That is a challenging question to answer as all vitamins and minerals are essential, and a deficiency of any could contribute to health concerns. All vitamins, minerals, amino and fatty acids are working together in symphony to support the health of both mum and bub.
If I had to choose five, I would start with folate (but this needs other nutrients such as vitamins B12, B6 and B2 to be activated in the body and to function efficiently). Secondly iodine due to its role in supporting mum's thyroid and bub's brain and nervous system development, then vitamin D and calcium for mum and bub's healthy bones but also muscles, brain, cardiovascular and immune systems. Omega 3 fats are also very important during pregnancy and breastfeeding for the growing foetus'/baby's nervous system and brain.
Iron is also a stand out for some, while CoQ10, or its active form ubiquinol, can be useful to support energy synthesis, but also maintenance of healthy blood pressure.
Question: Can you share with us, the six foods we need to be eating whilst trying to get pregnant? This can vary from person to person depending on a number of factors. The most important thing is that we achieve a healthy, balanced diet which is full of variety. Eating too much of only a limited number of foods will not ensure that we are benefiting from the full array of amazing nutrients and phytochemicals found throughout nature!
Green leafy vegetables
Green leafy vegetables are rich in many beneficial compounds including antioxidants, nutrients that support healthy detoxification pathways, fibre that supports digestion and iron for healthy blood and energy levels. Even more relevant to pregnancy health is the presence of folates. Folate is a vitamin we are familiar with as being important for preventing neural tube defects, but when you look closely at the many roles folate plays in supporting healthy DNA, mood, detoxification and foetal development, it makes sense to consume sufficient amounts. Many processed cereals are fortified with folic acid (the synthetic form of folate), however your body doesn't utilise this form as well as it does the natural forms, and therefore its a great idea to consume natural sources that also provide many other health-promoting compounds.
Prebiotic-rich foods
A healthy, balanced immune system has been found to be important for supporting fertility. Long-term inflammation is associated with reduced fertility, as are nutrient deficiencies. Prebiotic-rich foods (e.g. many high-fibre foods such as lentils, cruciferous vegetables, certain fruits (e.g. apples and bananas)) promote the growth of health-promoting bacteria within the digestive tract, which in turn supports immune balance, gut health and subsequent nutritional status (as an unhealthy gut = poor absorption of nutrients).
Iodine rich food sources
Iodine deficiency has been a growing concern in Australia, leading to the fortification of flour. Natural sources of iodine include seaweed (e.g. sushi), oysters, cranberries, salmon, eggs, also other seafood, and iodised salt. Iodine plays an essential role in supporting the functioning of your thyroid gland. Most people know the thyroid gland to play a role in maintaining metabolism, but a lesser known fact is that it has an intricate relationship with balance of other chemicals in our body, such as those involved with brain development, mood and hormones. Other factors that can interfere with healthy thyroid functioning include low selenium (so consume healthy amounts of foods rich in this trace mineral such as raw nuts (e.g. brazil nuts) and seeds, fish (e.g. tuna), eggs, chicken, spinach)
Healthy animal protein sources (e.g. eggs, lean meat) for B12 and choline
Protein provides the essential amino acids that the body utilises to create its own functioning proteins. These can include muscles, also skin and hair, enzymes that allow chemical reactions to occur and antioxidant/detoxification compounds. Meat, poultry, fish and eggs are great sources of protein, while also being foods which provide the essential nutrient, vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is essential to support folate in doing it's job, while also supporting healthy blood, energy and nervous system function. If you're vegetarian, or especially if you're vegan, you may need to consider a supplement to avoid deficiency. Antioxidant rich foods
Bright and deep coloured fruits and vegetables are rich in a vast array of beneficial phytochemicals that provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits and also support normal, healthy detoxification pathways. These benefits result in your body functioning optimally so that hormone levels have a greater chance of being balanced to support fertility (e.g. high levels of inflammation due to an unhealthy diet may push sex hormones out of balance, while toxicity due to toxic exposure coupled with dysfunctional detoxification can interrupt hormone-producing organs).
Avoid excess caffeine and alcohol
Alcohol not only impacts your liver and contributes to inflammation and hormone imbalances, but also can lead to nutritional deficiencies that impact fertility (in both men and women). Therefore, it is best to have most days of the week alcohol-free and avoid consumption of more than 3 drinks in a day. Excessive caffeine consumption from lots of coffee or black tea can also stress the body out and result in imbalances. A couple of cups per day is OK for most people, but try to switch to natural herbal (not artificially flavoured) teas that nourish the body (e.g. white tea that is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ginger, calming chamomile).
Question: Do our nutritional requirements change again during breastfeeding?
Belinda Reynolds: They can shift a little, but like during pregnancy, the primary focus should be on consuming a healthy diet with lots of variety. Breastfeeding is nutritionally demanding for mum, just like pregnancy, and now you've added sleep deprivation to the mix! Staying well nourished to support energy levels and your mood is essential, while the need to consume omega-3 fats can increase even more. This is to ensure that breast milk is rich in the nutrients your growing bub needs, and that your nutritional needs are being met simultaneously. Staying well hydrated is very important at this stage too. It will help to support a healthy milk supply, and avoiding dehydration.
Question: Are there any specific vitamin and mineral supplements necessary for breastfeeding?
Belinda Reynolds: This is similar again to pregnancy, with a particular emphasis on omega-3 fats. If a lot of blood was lost during birth, iron supplementation will be particularly important here also. Good amounts of protein in the diet together with vitamin C and zinc can support healing after pregnancy, and also will support healthy immune function along with vitamin D.
Question: What is the -Australian guide to healthy eating when pregnant'?
Belinda Reynolds: Titled 'Healthy eating during your pregnancy", this can be found at www.eatforheath.gov.au and provides information on eating for health during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Guidelines include the recommended number of servings to consume per day of each food group, plus advice on which foods are best avoided for safety and health.
Question: Does it surprise you that '65% of pregnant women in Australia aren't even aware of the Australian guide to healthy eating when pregnant"?
Belinda Reynolds: It does surprise me, as I would expect that many women would be pointed in the direction of this information when they first visit their obstetrician, GP or midwife once pregnant. However in saying that, there is a lot of information out there that can be conflicting and confusing. If in doubt women should speak to a qualified healthcare practitioner for advice that best meets their individual needs.
Interview by Brooke Hunter
Speak to your healthcare practitioner before taking supplements and to determine the correct dose for you. Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare practitioner. | https://www.female.com.au/belinda-reynolds-pregnancy-nutritional-requirements-interview.htm |
So, What Is Brain Fog?
Have you ever had the feeling of being completely out of it and not being able to remember simple day to day things that you ought to know automatically such as names of people you know quite well, important dates or times? Do you suddenly forget the route on which you have driven on several times or where you have left your keys?
You are probably experiencing brain fog. Many people describe brain fog as feeling mentally fatigued, having difficulty in focusing or even thinking, stumbling to find the proper words while speaking, becoming forgetful and generally feeling like your brain has been clouded over.
Your brain is the control system which controls the functioning of the neuroendocrine system and when there is a brain dysfunction is can be quite serious. A very common problem that is afflicting many people in today’s modern world is brain fog.
Brain fog is not really a medical condition in itself, it is a kind of cognitive dysfunction that may be a symptom of some other underlying condition which could be related to a medical condition or is lifestyle-related. Typically, brain fog makes you feel as if your cognitive processes of remembering, understanding and thinking are not working optimally.
The memory, which essentially stores and recalls all the information.
Your capability to understand and speak a language.
Processing any information that helps you to understand and focus.
Executive functions that you make use of for planning, problem solving and organization.
Spatial and visual skills involving navigating space, drawing, recognizing shapes, etc.
And, when any of these functions are diminished, you can have problems in understanding, concentrating and focusing on things, experience mental fatigue and you can forget things.
If you are healthy and follow a good diet, then an episode of brain fog may last for short periods of time; however, in other cases, the brain fog may be an unending state and the mind may be clear only during brief periods. Brain fog may occur gradually and is not really a medical condition that you can identify when it actually started. Sometimes, even kids can experience brain fog when they are tired. Mostly, people notice brain fog when it actually begins to impact their lives and they find that they are too tired and exhausted to do several activities.
If the condition is very severe, brain fog can interfere with your work; however, the best part is that once you are able to pinpoint the cause of the brain fog, you can find a way to fix it. And, if you actually look at the causes of brain fog, you will realize that you can control most of them. On some days when you eat better, sleep well or get more exposure to sunlight, the body gets all the nutrients it requires and is sufficiently recharged, your brain fog will lift slowly; and, once you revert to the activities that the body does not approve of, the brain fog clouds your mind again.
There are many reasons why brain fog occurs and once you are able to identify the specific cause, you can take steps to fix the problem.
It is believed that brain fog is caused due to high inflammation levels in the body and changes occurring to the three hormones, serotonin, dopamine and cortisol, which controls your energy, mood and focus. The hormones serotonin and dopamine are the ones that keep you motivated, happy and calm, while cortisol is the one that keeps you alert and awake and is often known as the stress hormone.
Our body, as well as the brain, depend on the harmony between these 3 hormones and when the level of any of the hormone increases or falls to a very low level (for instance, if the cortisol level increases due to anxiety or some stressful event or the level of serotonin falls too low due to a low carbohydrate diet), the entire system goes off balance. So, to get the brain function back onto the right track, the production and balance of these hormones need to be restored.
Another major cause that increases the symptoms of brain fog is inflammation, the root cause of several diseases. When the immune system is overactive, it causes inflammation, which is related to several problems such as insomnia, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It is believed that when the level of inflammatory molecules such as histamines and adipocytokines increase this triggers microglia activation, which causes the occurrence of brain fog.
According to a study in Frontiers of Neuroscience, people with problems such as celiac disease, food allergies, gluten intolerance, disorders related to autism, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, mastocytosis and other disorders are most likely to suffer from brain fog.
The diet that you follow can play a very important part in triggering brain fog symptoms. It is extremely important to have a healthy diet and focus of fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help to reduce oxidative stress and prevents brain damage and helps in managing anxiety disorders, neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases.
Load up on the proteins that contain the essential amino acids and also consume healthy fats. This helps to boost the chemical brains and improves cognitive function. Food sources such as dairy products, eggs, fish, etc. are sources of amino acids that help to produce hormones which help to maintain a positive and happy mindset.
Healthy fats are also essential to fight inflammation in the body and produce the “happy” hormones. Low-fat diets lead to the imbalance of fatty acids in the body triggering inflammation leading to cognitive decline, weight gain, depression, etc.
Processed and packaged foods are loaded with sugars and lead to inflammation causing brain fog. Cutting back on packaged foods, sugary foods and artificial sweeteners may be the first step to eliminate brain fog. While sugar may give you an initial boost of energy, in the long run, sugar can deplete your energy and focus. Also, sugary and inflammatory foods lead to problems such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, diabetes and weight gain in the long run. Studies reveal that eating vegetables and fruits helps to reduce inflammation, realign the hormones and generally makes you happier.
However, on the flip side, if you go on a very low carbohydrate or low sugar diet, they may be causes of brain fog too. When you go on a very low carb diet, this may cause your serotonin levels to fall very low causing anxiety, sadness, depression, etc. and the best way to keep the optimum balance of serotonin is to eat unprocessed and complex carbs and focus on brain foods such as fruit, raw dairy, yams, sweet potatoes, whole grains, etc. that are great serotonin-boosting carbohydrates which help to improve memory and focus, and prevents brain fog.
Apart from following a healthy diet, vitamins and minerals are very important for brain and memory function and deficiencies in these can cause brain fog. There are some supplements that can help to clear brain fog.
Fish Oil: Fish oil helps to boost the anti-inflammatory properties in the body and the omega-3 fatty acids present in these fish oils helps to prevent memory loss and boost the brain function.
B Vitamins: B vitamins are extremely important for the brain function and helps to regulate the nerve cell and brain activity. Deficiency in B vitamins can make you sluggish and cause you to become very moody. The nutrients in the food that you consume is converted by the B vitamins into fuel that is used by your body for energy. Vitamin B12 is especially important for proper memory and brain function and a lack of which causes brain fog.
Adaptogens: Adaptogen herbs such as basil, ashwagandha and maca help to lower the cortisol levels and helps the body deal with stress, fatigue and reduces the symptoms of brain fog.
If you suffer from food sensitivity and do not cut these foods out from your diet, you can experience damage to the gut which can, in turn, affect your brain function. Food sensitivities and allergies cause major changes in the gut microbes that can affect your overall health and a food allergy causes inflammation that affects many bodily functions from the absorption of nutrients to the synthesizing of hormones.
Eating certain kinds of foods can affect the brain and trigger brain fog symptoms, especially if you suffer from sensitivity or allergy to certain foods such as peanuts, gluten, aspartame, monosodium glutamate (MSG), dairy foods, etc. and eliminating these foods from your diet can help to improve the brain fog symptoms.
Stress and anxiety result in the increase of blood pressure, which in turn weakens the immune system and causes problems such as depression and mental fatigue. When the brain is tired, you suffer from brain fog which makes it difficult to focus on things, reason and think. High levels of stress cause an increase in the levels of cortisol production and cause hormonal imbalances, insomnia, depression, weight gain, anxiety and brain fog.
So, in today’s life that is filled with many factors that cause stress, it is extremely important to reduce the cortisol levels in the body by following stress-busting techniques such as meditating, exercising, yoga, breathing techniques or taking up some of your favorite hobbies that can be calming and relaxing. Doing things that you like helps to produce more of the dopamine in the brain which helps to prevent mental illnesses and brain fog.
Metal fatigue and brain fog may be caused due to medical conditions that are associated with changes in the glucose levels, fatigue and inflammation. For instance, when the condition of fatigue persists for a period of more than 6 months, it is known as chronic fatigue syndrome and brain fog is a classic symptom of this condition. Those having fibromyalgia may also experience brain fog.
Other medical conditions that may cause brain fog are diabetes, anemia, migraines, Sjogren syndrome, depression, hypothyroidism, autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, lupus, Alzheimer’s disease and dehydration.
Brain fog may be caused due to viral infections that release toxins into the bloodstream which affect the brain and result in the depletion of the essential nutrients. Viruses such as herpes, hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus, human papillomavirus, etc. can affect the brain. H. Pylori and Lyme disease are also common causes of brain fog.
The overgrowth of Candida albicans produces chemicals such as acetaldehyde and alcohol that are toxic and causes the poisoning of the nervous system, which results in brain fog, the symptoms of which is confusion. Eating plenty of carbs, starches, sugar and fats can cause the symptoms to worsen. The yeast feeds on the sugars and starch and grow, and sometimes reaches the brain.
When you make any changes in the metabolism by changing your diet, antibiotic treatment, changing your lifestyle or fasting, the yeast die causing the toxins to be released into the blood that can cause brain fog; however, usually, this condition is temporary.
AFS is a very common problem and is caused due to an imbalance in the neuroendocrine system causing symptoms such as hypoglycemia, anxiety, fatigue, constipation, depression, heart palpitation, insomnia and brain fog. When you suffer from AFS, the metabolism of the body reduces in order to conserve energy, the liver also slows causing the toxins to accumulate and travel to the brain resulting in brain fog. Recovering from brain fog due to AFS requires lifestyle changes, dietary changes and supplements with a focus on the adrenal glands.
Foods that have not digested properly can rot or ferment in the intestines, which produces toxins that poison the liver and other organs in the body. Food that is consumed must be processed and excreted in time and if this does not happen within 20 hours, the food will start rotting, causing adrenal fatigue and releasing toxins into the blood.
The toxins also travel to the brain and cause brain fog. Including fiber, alkalization of the body, drinking plenty of water and enhancing the liver function can help in proper bowel movement. Following a diet that is fiber-rich, low in fat and sugar and rich in magnesium can help to alleviate constipation, improve bowel movement and prevent brain fog.
Brain fog can be triggered due to hormonal changes. The hormones such as testosterone, progesterone and estrogen directly act on the nerve cells located in the brain and protect them from free radicals and neurotoxins. They also help to increase the flow of blood to the brain and protects from problems such as dementia and memory loss.
Both progesterone, as well as estrogen helps to improve memory retention. And, while the testosterone levels help to moderate the cognitive function in men and when it is added to estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women, it has a protective effect on the memory function.
During pregnancy, the levels of estrogen and progesterone increase in the body, which can cause cognitive impairment in the short term and affect memory. Also, during menopause, the estrogen level drops, causing lack of focus, concentration, cloudy thinking and forgetfulness.
Any hormonal imbalance in the body can be sorted by adjusting your diet and balancing the hormones naturally. Try and reduce the simple and processed carbs, sugar, caffeine and alcohol from your diet. Avoid saturated and trans fats along with packaged and processed foods, as these foods drain you out and make you feel tired and exhausted. For instance, having a lot of caffeine causes the adrenals to get stressed and alcohol causes the central nervous system to be suppressed leading to pronounced brain fog symptoms. Focus on a diet that helps to balance the hormones such as proteins, complex carbs, healthy fats and fresh fruits and vegetables.
People with hypothyroidism experience brain fog and a decrease in their mental sharpness as the brain uses a lot of energy. The low thyroid function causes depression, brain fog, short-term loss of memory and difficulty in concentration. The thyroid hormones are important for the normal function of the brain and patients suffering from hypothyroidism display symptoms of cognitive impairment and mood disturbances.
Certain drugs such as anti-anxiety medications, drugs to lower cholesterol levels, antihistamines, painkillers, beta-blockers, antidepressants, medications for cold, muscle relaxants, sleep medications, etc. may cause brain fog and, switching to another drug or lowering the dosage can help to improve the symptoms. Many times, cancer patients suffer from brain fog after undergoing chemotherapy treatments and this is often known as chemo brain.
The way that the brain functions can be affected if your sleep quality is poor. One of the best ways in which brain function can be improved is to get at least around 8-9 hours of good sleep. When you sleep well, the hormones in the brain are balanced and you can also manage your emotions, food cravings, hunger, etc. in a better manner, which benefits your health and well-being.
Fewer hours of sleep can lead to brain fog symptoms such as lack of concentration, cloudy thoughts, etc., as lack of sleep causes the cortisol levels to increase which causes irritation and the inability to sleep properly through the night. The high levels of cortisol cause the dopamine levels to get suppressed and inhibits the working of the serotonin leading to a vicious cycle of bad behaviors and moods.
Exercising regularly can help to protect your memory and keeps the brain functioning optimally. Exercise also helps to reduce stress, improves the mood and sleep, which in turn improves the brain function. Exercise is also a great stress buster. It helps to increase the energy levels in the body and reduce inflammation; however, you must exercise with caution, as too much of it can cause fatigue and exhaustion and can even lead to hormonal imbalance. Following a regular and moderate exercise routine is beneficial and can help to balance the hormones, boost your stamina, release endorphins and generally improve your overall mood.
Sometimes, you may experience brain fog while exercising and this is your body’s way of telling you that it’s getting overworked and burnt out due to over-exercising. Exercising should make you feel happy and energetic and not worn out. Take adequate rest while exercising, get 1-2 days of rest in a week and avoid doing the kind of exercises you hate.
Our modern life leads to exposure to toxins from the environment around us day in and day out, in our home, the air that we breathe and the water that we drink. The clothing that you wear, the upholstery in your homes, the cleaning supplies you use to clean your home, cars, furniture, etc., all contain chemicals and toxins that can harm and impair your cognitive function.
Mercury found in freshwater fish is a neurotoxin and excessive build-up of mercury can cause memory loss, brain fog, etc. Other metals such as lead, aluminum, cadmium, etc. found in various items such as antiperspirants, antacids, cosmetics, etc. can also trigger brain fog.
Over time, these toxins build up gradually in your kidney, liver and other parts of the body. Outdoor pollution can cause several cognitive problems, while the air pollution indoor in your home is much higher. The exposure to dust, molds, pollen, pet dander, cigarette smoke, air fresheners, perfumes, etc. are trapped within the home all these chemicals cause problems like fatigue, memory loss and brain fog.
You can control the air pollution in your home by switching to natural cosmetics and personal care products, natural cleaning supplies and make use of a HEPA filter in the night to detoxify you while you sleep.
With the use of electronics, smartphones, laptops, etc. becoming widespread, the exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has also increased significantly. This EMF can cause disruptions in sleep patterns, affect focus and concentration and cause brain fog. People sitting in front of computers for prolonged periods of time or using mobile phones excessively, living near electric plants, cell phone towers, etc. can be affected by EMF.
So, it is a good idea to switch off all electronic devices, televisions, radios, computers, etc. while you sleep and place all such devices at least around 10 feet away from you when you sleep. When not in use, unplug all the electronic devices in your home.
When you’re thinking gets fuzzy and you don’t remember things, lack focus or experience confusion, all these can be described as brain fog. While brain fog may be caused due to lifestyle factors related to stress, poor diet, lack of proper sleep and no exercise, other causes of brain fog may be due to some medical condition or it may be a side effect of some medication you’re on.
Whatever the reason may be, luckily, the condition of brain fog is reversible. And, you can do it by being proactive and adopting a lifestyle that is brain-friendly and address all the underlying issues such as your diet, level of physical activity, stress levels, etc. and get your life back on track. | https://cleverleverage.com/brain-fog/ |
It’s easy to assume that a company has a good process in place for determining what to patent. Unfortunately, this is often not the case—even for large companies with resources. Certainly, some inventions should come from planned research and development.
These are the two major sources for the “patent funnel,” which has to be vetted by the company, usually through the establishment of a Patent Review Committee. Ideally, the Patent Review Committee is considering the protection of two things: (1) current and planned products/services and (2) revenue streams. Well-functioning Patent Review Committees also consider whether an invention supports strategic business objectives, like limiting a competitor’s expansion room.
Well-managed invention disclosure programs can elicit new business ideas, but this doesn’t happen as often as it should.
Patent Review Committees
In most cases, engineers and scientists who have spent a lot of time with research and development will comprise Patent Review Committees. These Patent Review Committees then encourage productivity so they can make decisions about the patents the company will pursue.
As “normal” as a Patent Review Committee entirely composed of scientists and engineers may be, we believe it’s important for Boards of Directors to also be involved, at least on some level, in the decisions about the technology being developed and the patents that will ultimately result from that technology.
Patent Review Committees should work with a set of parameters that ensures decisions are held to specific metrics—key performance indicators—for the strongest possible patent portfolio. While many of these metrics may vary between companies depending on size, money spent, and the number of patents ultimately applied for and granted, several performance indicators should exist on every patent review committee’s list.
- How many cases are being handled?
- How many members of the patent review committee are involved on a regular basis?
- How many patents pass or fail within each technology area?
- How vast is the spread of ratings for each of the patent cases?
- How long does each case take to decide, from first report to final decision?
- What is the overall quality of the resulting patents?
How Good Is the Company’s Patent Prosecution Operations?
As we have seen, looking at R&D Spend per patent application filed is a measure of the efficiency of the invention disclosure and capture process. The next question is whether the Company is actually obtaining patents, -i.e., what percentage of the Company’s patent applications result in issued patents? If a large percentage of applications are abandonedit could be that there is prior art that should have been found before filing or it could mean that the lawyers prosecuting the applications are not doing a good job. A related question is: How much is the Company spending on patent prosecution? The patent prosecution spend data is known by the company but is not public, so it is hard to do peer comparisons on this issue.
So, we've talked about strategy. We've talked about process. Next time, we'll discuss the patents themselves. How can you determine if your company actually has good patents? If you want to know, watch for Part Six.
There are other possibilities. One company we encountered had a central R&D department that filed applications vigorously and then “shopped” the invention to the business units. If no business unit “picked up” the invention then the company simply abandoned the related applications. After decades of this approach the company changed the process and had the R&D department focus on what the customers of the business units were telling the company about the products and features they valued. | https://info.ipvisioninc.com/blog/how-good-is-the-companys-patenting-process |
As members of the ISGS are well aware, practitioners of sol-gel science and technology are part of a diverse community which moulds the chemical, physical, biological and materials sciences into a unique multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary tapestry, with a focus that covers basic and applied science, together with their translation into products. Although relatively young compared to other materials-related domains such as the glass community, we are now reaching a level of maturation that would lead us to expect that the conversion of basic sol-gel science into intellectual property and “know how” would be leading to products that are changing our lives. One example of this is the commercialisation of aerogel technology in China, where aerogel production now accounts for over 62% of the world’s output. A recent comprehensive review by Shen and Zhang (from which the Figure to the left was taken), as part of JSST’s Topical Collections series, reviewed the scope of this work which has involved the conversion of academic research into products with applications in such diverse fields as thermal insulation, environmental remediation and energy storage.
The development pipeline for the conversion of such basic science into products can be long and tortuous. In addition to the timelines outlined in Shen and Zhang’s review, it is interesting to focus on one particular (non-materials-related) triumph of science that has impacted on all of our lives over the past two years; namely the apparently rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccines that have helped in the fight against the pandemic. Our political leaders often point to the apparent speed with which the vaccines were developed and deployed. However, they were actually developed on the basis of research that commenced around 30 years ago, rather than just miraculously appearing. Given the 30-year odyssey for this particular triumph of basic science, and the fact that the Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology is now approaching its 30 th Anniversary (which will be celebrated in 2023), it is interesting to explore the extent to which scientific papers which have appeared in journals such as JSST have been cited in the patent literature and contributed explicitly to the development of IP.
According to SciFindern , 6276 papers have appeared in JSST from the first issue in 1993 until the November 2021 issue of the journal. During the past three decades, these papers have been collectively cited by over 62,450 works. Of these citing works, 258 were patents published from 1998 onwards (0.41 % of citing works, with over 180 unique JSST papers cited). As shown in the Figure, there was a notable jump in the number of patents citing JSST publications from 2010 to 2012, with 75 patents citing JSST papers during this period. This period of more intense activity has been followed by a period of decline, with a steady decrease to values comparable to those observed from 2002 to 2009.
Although a detailed analysis of this trend is beyond the scope of this short article, a number of possible factors contributing to the decline following 2012 are evident. For example, the Japanese company Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. was the assignee for 54 patents citing JSST publications from 2009 to 2015, with 36 of these appearing from 2010 to 2012 (with one in 2009 and 17 in 2013-2015). This accounts for nearly half of the total patents appearing from 2010 to 2012, with no other Assignee having more than four patents citing JSST publications. Assignees whose patent cited four JSST papers from 1993 to 2012 include 3M (USA), Cree Inc (USA; now known as Wolfspeed Inc), L’Oréal (France) and Transgenomic Inc (USA; now known as Precipio).
It is also of interest to explore the number of unique JSST papers published each year that have been cited by patents. As indicated above, over 180 unique JSST papers have been cited by patents, with around 30 of these having been cited by more than one patent. Given the relatively long lead time associated with the development of IP, it is not surprising to note that the majority of these papers were published over 10-20 years ago.
To place these outcomes in perspective and formulate a benchmark for comparison, it is interesting to compare the contribution of JSST papers to the patent literature with that of papers appearing in other materials-related journals. For example, SciFinder lists over 29,000 papers in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society over the lifetime of this journal from 1918-2021. Of the >303,000 works that have cited these papers, 844 were patents (0.28 %). A similar analysis for the Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Ceramics International and Chemistry of Materials reveals that patent citations represent 0.34, 0.12 and 0.33 %, respectively, of the works citing these papers.
Finally, given the challenges associated with exploring citations in the diverse patent literature, it is of interest to compare the quantitative and qualitative results presented above with those obtained using alternative data sources, which presumably use different methodologies to populate their databases. For example, Altmetric lists 1068 cites of JSST papers by patents from 1996 to 2021, which is 1.0 and 1.1 % of the total cites of JSST papers included in the SCOPUS and Dimensions databases, respectively (note that the Dimensions database is the source of patent statistics reported by Altmetric). As indicated in the Table below, the corresponding Patent:Paper cites for the Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Journal of the American Ceramic Society and Ceramics International are 1.5, 1.0 and 0.4 %, respectively (SCOPUS; the corresponding values obtained from Dimensions are 1.6, 1.0 and 0.4 %, respectively).
Comparisons such as this suggest that, compared to other materials-related journals, JSST is contributing positively to the translation of basic and applied science into the IP pipeline that will presumably lead to new products of benefit to society. This is a promising outcome for a relatively young journal that emphasises both science and technology as part of its vision and it will be interesting to follow this “work in progress” over the next 30 years of the evolution of JSST. | https://www.isgs.org/community/translating-sol-gel-science-into-sol-gel-technology-and-ip-a-work-in-progress/ |
Qualcomm, Apple Exchange Fresh Complaints
Qualcomm filed three more patent infringement complaints against Apple, just one day after Apple turned the tables and accused Qualcomm of infringing patents held by Apple.
Qualcomm filed three new patent infringement complaints in U.S. District Court in San Diego, alleging Apple is in violation of an additional 16 patents held by Qualcomm. The firm also filed a new complaint against Apple at the U.S. International Trade Commission, arguing that Apple is in violation of five of the same patents.
"Like the patents we asserted at the ITC in July, all of the 16 patents are non-standards essential patents implemented outside of the modem. Apple continues to use each of these patents in its devices without paying for them," Qualcomm said.
Apple did not comment on the new cases, referring to its earlier claims in its Wednesday filing that the company has developed its own technology and patents to power its iPhones.
Apple filed a $1 billion suit against Qualcomm in January over allegedly withheld royalty rebates. Qualcomm first filed suit against Apple alleging infringement of battery life technology patents in July, around the same time it asked the ITC to ban the importation of Apple iPhones that use Intel modems. | https://cdrinfo.com/d7/content/qualcomm-apple-exchange-fresh-complaints |
Kirstin Matthews, Rice University – Biomedical Patents
With new technological advances come unforeseen legal issues.
Dr. Kirstin Matthews, fellow in science and technology policy at Rice University, addresses the patenting process in the biotechnology field.
Dr. Kirstin Matthews‘ research focuses on ethical and policy issues related to biomedical research and development. Specifically, Dr. Matthews is looking at intellectual property rights for biotechnology, including genetics and stem cell related patents, the development of scientific research collaborations and ethical issues related to emerging biomedical technologies. Along with Baker Institute fellow Steve Lewis and Baker Institute Rice scholar Elaine Howard Ecklund, she is a co-principal investigator on a project that surveys and interviews scientists around the world to compare how they view science, religion and ethics.
Biomedical Patents
In June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics that naturally occurring genes are unpatentable.
Until the Supreme Court’s decision, Myriad Genetics was the only company in the U.S. that could legally conduct diagnostic testing for BRCA 1 and 2, genes that are linked to familial breast and ovarian cancer. The company was granted both patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1998 and 2000, respectively.
Over the past decade, Myriad Genetics aggressively dominated the field by suing other companies who tried to enter the market while also limiting research and development of new tests for the genes.
The court decision to overturn the patents now opens up the field for new and improved diagnostic tests for these two breast cancer genes.
The case also launched a contentious debate about the ability to patent life. Before the case the Supreme Court allowed scientists to patent anything under the sun made by man. This policy included genetically altered animals, modified cells or organisms and DNA. The Myriad case now leaves us asking: How do we now distinguish between what is simply discovered and what is truly “made by man”?
The Myriad Genetics case highlights questions about the current patent system and provides opportunities for its improvement. Biotechnology scientists, in particular, must be aware of the broad and perilous patent landscape as they conduct their research and develop new technologies.
Today, approximately half a million patents are filed every year in the U.S., and this number is growing. Patent officers are overwhelmed, and the process from filing a patent to approval now takes over two years.
Currently, there is no outside review of patents before they are granted, and there are not many opportunities to challenge patents once they have been granted. The options that are available are costly and mostly limited to long, drawn-out lawsuits. Such lawsuits could be prevented by implementing simple changes to the system, including having outside review of patents before they are granted, reforming the rules of patent licensing to minimize restrictive practices and requiring more detailed patent descriptions to prevent expensive and disruptive lawsuits.
The Myriad case helped refine the biotechnology patent landscape by showing the limits of what biotechnology can and should be patented. This decision will help spur innovation by allowing new research and technology to enter the market without one player dominating the field. | https://academicminute.org/2014/10/matthews/ |
POSTED BY ipCG Team AT 1:29 P.M. June 7, 2018
On May 9-11, ipCapital Group (ipCG) held its 14th annual Thought Leadership Conference at the Essex Resort & Spa in Vermont. This year’s theme was The RenAIssance of IP. The conference was filled with provocative discussions revolving around hot topics in intellectual property (IP). Following the full day conference, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) IP Tools Workshop was held, during which two highly regarded AI startups presented demos.
Below is a summary of the talks given.
- Rudy Leschke, Senior VP of Research & Development & Food Safety at Ainsworth Pet Nutrition and Terry Adams, former Assistant VP, Head of Technology Intelligence and Scouting at Nestlé, led a discussion on Aligning & linking IP-supported Innovation with Business Growth. Adam Bulakowski, a partner at ipCG, prefaced the discussion by providing an overview of the pet food industry, including how recent M&A activity was impacted by technical and brand IP. Terry discussed how to manage IP portfolios within large organizations–using Nestlé as an example–, how to leverage IP portfolios to create new opportunities with other businesses, how small players should approach large companies when there is a need to license/buy IP, and how the recruitment of IP-savvy technical people is fundamental to the success of an IAM program. The 3 speakers concluded with a fun demonstration of the IAM-AI assistant, Virtual Terry + Adam.
- Next, Patrick Gillespie, IP Engineering Manager at Emerson Electric, discussed IP Strategy for Emerging Technologies. Patrick shared the story of his IP experience and adventures at Emerson through the presentation of case studies. The case studies outlined two different results and challenges faced while developing an IP strategy.
- The keynote speaker, Brian Hinman, former Chief IP Officer of Philips, presented a discussion on Worldwide IP Strategy Across Business Units, during which Brian discussed IP strategy derived from his extensive experience. Brian talked about the importance of centralized management of the IP portfolio and how to communicate it to the C-suite. He also offered fascinating insights into generating revenue from IP and associated R&D.
- Pete Conley, Managing Director of ipCapital Venture Group, collaborated with Simon Robinson and Mark Han, Chief IP Strategy Officer and Chief Legal Officer of Intuitive X, to discuss the Evolving Market for IP Finance: the role of IP in financing and starting new companies. First, Pete discussed how ipCG’s process helped identify for Boston Scientific that camera companies, such as Olympus, were developing endoscopic cameras. This prompted them to utilize the Invention on Demand® process to create 85 filed patents that delivered $1B in value, years before the corresponding product was approved and ready for market. Simon and Mark then explained how Intuitive X, along with ipCG, developed medical device companies by partnering with motivated doctors to identify issues in their field, identify patentable ideas that would benefit the space, then file patents and create prototypes to incorporate into a marketable company.
- Fred Dufresne, Cerinet, and Bill Yuen, Brickell Key Asset Management, co-presented a discussion on the Spectrum of Litigation. Fred and Bill discussed the current trends in IP litigation with respect to the spectrum of types of litigation from “micro-litigation” to fully funded litigation. The discussion also detailed the differences in the analytical process with respect to how a patent or portfolio is be accepted to pursue litigation. Bill and Fred also discussed how current cases (e.g., TC Heartland, Halo, Stryker, etc.) affect the strategy for each type of litigation.
- Denis Taschuk, CEO, and Steven Splinter, CTO, of Radient Technologies, led a discussion on Navigating the Cannabis Processing Landscape: Traversing Regulatory Barriers & Capitalizing on Trade Secrets. First, Denis and Steven educated the group on Radient’s development of a proprietary process for industrial scale extraction of natural products and the company’s pivot towards Canada’s budding cannabis industry by partnering with Aurora Cannabis. They then discussed the crucial role that patent applications filed across each category of a robust ipLandscape®, coupled with an extensive trade secret registry, played in securing investment and underwriting for rapid expansion and an IPO raise.
- As the capstone, John Cronin, Managing Director & Chairman of ipCapital Group led a discussion on The Impact of AI to Innovation, Invention, IP and IP Practices, providing an overview of the current and future state ofAI in intellectual property. John took the group on a journey from the early days of IP and his time at the IBM Patent Factory to the current state of IP and its present and future integration with AI.
- Lastly, ipCG presented a demo of its internally-developed AI-assisted Amazon Alexa skill, Edison, an innovation and brainstorming app that uses AI processing to incorporate keywords and then use those keywords to prompt inventors into expansive, additive, and descriptive thinking. Edison can then store or email ideas that are generated from the brainstorming session.
- Following the full-day conference, an AI tools in IP workshop was held, during which two IP AI companies presented demos. First, Liat Belinson, CEO/CTO of AI Patents (AIP) demonstrated their scientific search engine, which uses machine learning and advanced AI capabilities “to learn about textual relationship that describe the same scientific concepts and applies this learning to compare inventions. Instead of comparing documents on the basis of word similarity, AIP’s algorithm compares documents based on their idea similarity.” AIP has been utilized on two separate contracting actions by the US Patent and Trademark Office.
- Next, Matthew Osman, CEO and co-founder of Legit Patents, demonstrated their software, “focused on augmenting the invention disclosure and idea capture process using Natural Language Processing.” Legit uses responsive and user-friendly software that simulates the initial interview process between patent attorney and inventor,” dramatically increasing “the number of quality disclosures” and saving attorney hours.
ipCG holds the invitation-only Thought Leadership Conference annually. If you are interested in further information about the discussions held at this past conference or attending future conferences, please contact us at 802-859-7800 or [email protected], or visit our conference page for more info. | https://www.ipcg.com/summary-of-ipcgs-14th-annual-thought-leadership-conference/ |
A jury last week found Apple guilty of infringing on three patents held by a small Texas company and ordered the company to pay as much as $600 million in damages, according to Bloomberg news service.
Bloomberg reported that Apple was ordered to pay Mirror Worlds $208 million in damages for infringing on each of the three patents. The patents relate to how documents are displayed on a computer screen and are related to Apple's Cover Flow technology, which it uses in the Mac OS, on iPods, and in the iOS operating system used on the iPhone and iPad.
Apple on Sunday filed an emergency motion to stay the ruling, according to court filings.
Mirror Worlds, a company founded by Yale University computer-science Professor David Gelernter, sued Apple in 2008.
An Apple representative was not immediately available for comment. | https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-found-liable-in-cover-flow-patent-case/ |
to Law360 on Friday.
In a verdict that came down late Thursday, following a three-day trial, the seven-person jury in
Waco found that Atlanta-based NCR infringed two patents owned by CloudofChange LLC. Two founders of
CloudofChange invented a web-based point of sale system that NCR's Silver-brand sales systems was
found to have infringed.
Thursday's verdict found that NCR willfully infringed "every single claim" of the two patents that
CloudofChange asserted and rejected NCR's invalidity arguments, one of CloudofChange's attorneys,
John Barr of Patterson & Sheridan LLP, told Law360.
The ruling was the first willfulness finding that a jury has reached in U.S. District Judge Alan
Albright's court, whose patent docket in Texas now consists of 19.5% of all new patent cases.
Appointed by former President Donald Trump in 2018, Judge Albright has now held five patent jury
trials, three of which have ended with verdicts clearing the defendant of infringement. In the
other trial where jurors found infringement, they ruled Intel Corp. should pay $2.175 billion in
damages, one of the largest patent verdicts in history, but concluded that the company's
infringement was not willful.
The jury's willfulness finding Thursday gives Judge Albright the discretion to as much as triple
the $13.2 million verdict.
"As you can imagine, we'd like him to enhance that to the maximum enhancement possible," Barr said.
CloudofChange filed suit in August 2019. During opening arguments Monday, Barr told jurors that
unlicensed use of its patents in NCR's Silver platform allowed NCR to rake in more than $100
million in revenue since 2016. Barr had calculated damages to be as much as $20 million.
"I asked for $20.3 [million], but I gave a range — I said, it was between $12 [million] and $20
million, but I told the jury it was up to them," Barr said, adding that NCR had estimated damages,
instead, at no
more than $240,000.
CloudofChange's argument for willfulness had come down to proving that NCR actively ignored the
notice letter that the patent company sent the company in 2018, according to Barr.
"It's a serious thing, to get a letter from a law firm accusing you of infringing patents, but from
[NCR], it was just crickets," Barr said.
Like in-person trials everywhere else in the country, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had its own
impact on courtroom procedure.
During the first two days of trial, Judge Albright required jurors to wear N95 protective masks and
encouraged attorneys to wear them too, except when questioning witnesses — all eight of whom
testified behind a face shield. Teams from each firm would go up to clean the stand after each
witness testified, according to Barr.
But during the final day of trial, and with the agreement of lawyers on both sides and the jury,
Judge Albright relaxed the rules and held the last day of trial maskless.
"That made it a lot nicer, especially when we were doing closing arguments, to be able to just not
have that thing on," Barr said.
Representatives for NCR did not respond to a request for comment Friday. The patents-in-suit are
U.S. Patent Nos. 9,400,640 and 10,083,012.
CloudofChange is represented by John H. Barr Jr., Abelino Reyna, Barden Todd Patterson, Edgar Neil
Gonzalez, Kyrie Kimber Cameron and John Allen Yates of Patterson & Sheridan LLP.
NCR Corp. is represented by Charles E. Phipps, Daniel G. Nguyen, Donald E. Frechette, Scarlett
Collings, Steven F. Meyer and Charles S. Baker of Locke Lord LLP.
The case is CloudofChange LLC v. NCR Corp., case number 6:19-cv-00513, in the U.S. District Court
for the Western District of Texas.
--Additional reporting by Dani Kass and Britain Eakin. Editing by Andrew Cohen.
All Content © 2003-2021, Portfolio Media, Inc. | https://www.pattersonsheridan.com/news/texas-jury-says-ncr-corp-owes-at-least-13m-in-patent-suit/ |
Microsoft Ordered to Pay $200 Million in Patent Case
LOS ANGELES – Microsoft Corp said on Wednesday a Texas federal jury ordered the company to pay Canadian software firm i4i Ltd $200 million in damages for infringing a patent.
The world's largest software company, which is involved in a number of legal battles over patents, said the award was unsupported, and plans to appeal.
Toronto-based i4i, a privately held maker of software for manipulating documents, claimed in a 2007 suit that Microsoft knowingly infringed one of its patents in its Word processing application and its Vista operating system.
The patent concerned software for manipulating a document's content and architecture separately. Microsoft denied infringement throughout the case.
"The evidence clearly demonstrated that we do not infringe and that the i4i patent is invalid," a Microsoft spokesman said. "We believe this award of damages is legally and factually unsupported, so we will ask the court to overturn the verdict."
i4i did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Last month, Microsoft was ordered to pay $388 million in damages for infringing a patent held by anti-piracy software maker Uniloc Inc. It also appealing that verdict. | https://www.foxnews.com/story/microsoft-ordered-to-pay-200-million-in-patent-case |
Patent claims to inventions that are likely to be invalid or overbroad are currently characterized as “obvious” by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. At the time of filing a patent application, it is unclear which patents will provide positive benefits to society spuring innovation in the United States and which patents will create an economic drain causing an increase in prices and preventing others from working in the field of innovation. In particular, patent holders often form patent pools consisting of products that are substitutes for each other and charge monopolistic prices, where instead complementary inventions would be more socially desirable, maximizing consumer and social welfare. While the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s authority to invalidate less beneficial patents through inter partes review in Oil States Energy Services, LLC v. Greene’s Energy Group, O’Brien and Molina propose a more rigorous review of patent applications to reduce the number of weak patents granted and later invalidated. Specifically, the authors propose a new process by which patent applicants arbitrate the question of “obviousness” in front of a panel of technical experts who will make a threshold determination as to what test would best determine “non-obviousness.” The panel, through an adverse selection process, would also select an appropriate hypothesis by which to compare a proposed invention with prior arts and to measure the unexpectedness of the results of the test, thereby determining obviousness. This process would eliminate key weaknesses of the current, subjective “unexpected results” test, which is ineffective in weeding out socially undesirable patents. The authors draw on signal theory to demonstrate that the proposed test would increase the efficiency of the patent granting process by making the cost of demonstrating unexpected results unreasonably high for weak, substitute inventions and reasonably low for more valuable complementary inventions. | https://jiplonline.com/print-edition/volume-23-issue-2-2016/843-2/ |
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Patent number:
Patent Date:
US Patent: 331,158
Wrench
Patentee:
Edward Phillips
- Cleveland, OH
USPTO Classifications:
81/57.5
Tool Categories:
wrenches
:
wrench components
:
wrench jaw components
Assignees:
Edward Phillips
- Cleveland, OH
Theodore F. Beidler
- Cleveland, OH
Manufacturer:
Unknown
Witnesses:
Chas. H. Dorer
Albert E. Lynch
Wm. M. Monroe
Geo. W. King
Patent Dates:
Applied:
Sep. 15, 1885
Granted:
Nov. 24, 1885
Patent Pictures: [
1
|
2
]
Edward Phillips Patent November 24, 1885
USPTO
pdf
tiff
Google Patents
Report data errors or omissions
Description:
Each opening has a notch directly opposite on the rotating head. The sliding bolt engages a notch, and is held in place by a thumb screw.
The specifications note this design's advantages compared to the one in pat. no.
13,120
. | http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=331158&typeCode=0 |
Dive Brief:
- IBM was once again the top recipient of U.S. patents in 2016, a title Big Blue has retained for 24 consecutive years, according to IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. The firm ranks global patent assignees by number of utility patents received each calendar year.
- IBM received 8,088 patents in 2016, nearly 10% more than in 2015, setting a new record for a single company. The other top five recipients, which were unchanged from 2015, included with Samsung, Canon, Qualcomm and Google.
- Overall, 2016 saw 304,126 patent grants, the most on record in a single year.
Dive Insight:
IBM has been devoted to R&D efforts from its inception, so it’s little surprise the company still leads in this area. It’s 8,000+ patents for the year works out to more than 22 a day.
More than one-third of the patents granted overall last year related to AI, cognitive computing and cloud computing, indicating growing interest in those areas.
The growth of patents filed indicates that the tech industry continues to push the innovation envelope.Patents increased among 10 of the 17 firms on the list, including Amazon, Apple, AT&T, Boeing, Cisco, Ford, IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Texas Instruments.
Several Asian companies are making a run at U.S. companies when it comes to patents filed in the U.S. Nokia increased the number of patents it received by 74% in 2016, Hyundai was up 39% and China’s Huawei Technologies was up 50%. | https://www.ciodive.com/news/us-saw-304k-patents-issued-in-2016-led-by-ibm/433670/ |
27 May 2021 | Laurent Labatte Counsel
Out of the approximately 300,000 patents declared to ETSI as potentially "essential" to a standard, how many are actually essential?
This controversial question has been obsessing many of those who negotiate Fair Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory (FRAND) licenses, be it under the ETSI organisation or in relation to other SDOs (Standard Developing Organisations). It has also become a concern for the European Commission.
The fairground of essential patents
To determine a "reasonable" license fee rate for exploiting the technology patented by patent holder “A”, stakeholders and jurisdictions could favour the "top down" approach, which involves looking at the proportion of standard essential patents (SEPs) owned by that holder. Under this approach, a royalty rate for A's patents may depend on, among other things, A's share of the pie, i.e. the ratio , where NA is the number of SEPs held by A and NT is the total number of SEPs which read onto the standard relevant to the technology concerned.
How much are NA and NT worth?
The answer is not trivial. One can start by taking an inventory of all of the patents declared to the SDO, which itself is not a simple task. Furthermore, a number of practitioners have raised the fact that between the time when a patent application is declared as potentially "essential" to a standard, and the time when that patent is granted and a version of the standard is finalised, several years may have passed - during which the scope of the patent claims may have evolved and may no longer read onto the standard, the patent may have lapsed or been assigned to another owner, or the technology may have been rendered as optional in the standard. A precise evaluation of NA and NT would therefore involve at least a thorough analysis of the standard in view of each and every declared patent, which is often not practically feasible.
Moreover, the two negotiating parties rarely agree on the outcome of the analysis. The implementer will sometimes wish to reduce the relative size held by A (NA:NT ratio) , by trying to minimize the number of essential patents held by A (NA) and/or by considering that the whole pie (NT) is much bigger than A contends. In other situations, the implementer may wish to treat all of A's patents as essential in order to impose FRAND obligations for each patent onto A.
Statistical approximations may be useful but they also have their limits, since cases have shown that essentiality rates (i.e. the ratio of the number of SEPs over the number of assessed patents) may vary substantially across patent owners and technologies.
The determination of the relative portion of SEPs held by a patent owner is therefore challenging.
The European Commission's quest for transparency
In a November 2017 communication, the European Commission identified this situation as detrimental to licensing negotiations and a potential brake on the development of the Internet of Things (IoT). In order to create a balanced IP rights framework that supports a sustainable and efficient standardization ecosystem and SEP licensing environment within the Single Market, the Commission created a working group tasked with investigating possible solutions to this problem.
Since its inception, the working group conducted a study and has made a number of recommendations to enable SEP owners, implementers and courts to have a better view on the actual essentiality of the patents declared before the SDOs.
A pilot experiment and a stakeholder workshop
To assess the practicability of an essentiality assessment system, the authors of the study conducted a pilot experiment in which more than 200 independent essentiality assessments were performed on patents registered with ETSI. In parallel, the working group also organised meetings and a workshop with numerous stakeholders (SDOs, patent owners, SMEs, patent offices, …) to help determine the institutional feasibility of such a system.
Some of the findings of this work are as follows:
Recommendations
Based on these observations, the authors made a number of recommendations on establishing an independent essentiality assessment system, including:
SDOs should continually look to improve data quality and specificity and keep it up to date to maintain the functionality of such a system.
The project is ambitious. Whether it can be achieved in the medium term remains uncertain. Would patent owners agree to publicly share validated claim charts? Would implementers be willing both to acknowledge the assessments made under such a system and to contribute to its financing?
As highlighted by the study, all stakeholders would have to adopt a collaborative stance towards the creation of a system for essentiality assessments. A path towards “smoother and faster SEP licensing negotiations” is laid out, but there is still a long way to go.
Bekkers, R., Raiteri, E., Martinelli, A. and Mas Tur, E., Landscape study of potentially essential patents disclosed to ETSI., Thumm, N. editor(s), Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2020, ISBN 978-92-76-20786-3, doi:10.2760/313626, JRC121411
For example, Unwired Planet v Huawei EWHC 711 Patent case No: HP-2014-000005 (High court of justice, Chancery Division, Patent Courts April 5, 2017)
For example, In re Innovation IP Ventures, MDL Docket No.2303 No. 11C 9308 (Northern District Court of Illinois, Eastern Division September 27, 2013)
“Setting out the EU approach to Standard Essential Patents”, 29.11.2017, COM (2017) 712 final
Bekkers, R., Henkel, J., Mas Tur, E., Van Der Vorst, T., Driesse, M., Kang, B., Martinelli, A., Maas, W., Nijhof, B., Raiteri, E. and Teubner, L., Pilot study for essentiality assessment of Standard Essential Patents, Thumm, N. editor(s), EUR 30111 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2020, ISBN 978-92-76-16667-2, doi:10.2760/68906, JRC119894
Laurent
Labatte
Counsel
Working as Counsel in our Paris Intellectual Property Group, I draw on both my R&D engineering experience and on my registered French and European patent attorney experience to advise our clients on all phases of patent litigation matters.
Direct:
+33 (0)1 42 68 6000
Submarines, donkeys and French hostages
Europe
, SEP and FRAND
What is Europe doing about anti-suit injunctions issued by Chinese courts? | https://www.twobirds.com/en/patenthub/news-and-case-updates/articles/working-group-sets-track-for-transparency-on-patent-essentiality-for-sep-license-negotiations |
Computational methods provide important insights in structural features and properties of many systems, which in turn, reduce the cost of drug discovery. Accurate calculations of electrochemical properties and pKa predictions are crucial for understanding and modeling of many chemical reactions and biological processes. This dissertation will present two different classes of computational methods for the calculation of electrochemical properties and pKa values in two different systems. In the first part, we demonstrate the pKa calculations of histidine residues in proteins by Free Energy Perturbation (FEP) and evaluate several protein pKa prediction methods. In the second part, we demonstrate the Density Functional Theory d-block localized orbital correction (DFT-DBLOC) methodology in calculating of redox potentials and spin state splittings for octahedral transition metal containing species. Ionizable side chains in proteins are involved in catalysis and play a key role in the pH-dependence of a variety of biological reactions. The ability to understand and model these effects requires an accurate pKa prediction of ionizable residues. The correct assignment of protonation state at a given pH helps to determine properties including protein solubility, protein folding, catalytic activity and protein–ligand binding affinities. Several computational methods have been developed to predict the residue pKa based on protein structure. Although some methods produced accurate predictions within 1 pKa unit RMS error, the RMSE over a large data set is not necessarily a good predictor of accuracy for specific types of protein environments. Most datasets studied in the pKa predictions contain highly solvent exposed residues which exhibit minimal perturbations from the intrinsic pKa values in solution. As the fraction of exposure to the solvent of the residue decreases, the predictive power of methods diminishes. However, these buried residues are often the most important residues from the standpoint of binding, catalytic activity, and other biologically important functions. We have applied Free Energy Perturbation (FEP) method to predict a large dataset of experimentally measured pKa values of histidines in proteins and compare the results to experimental data. Histidines are particularly crucial because the imidazole side chain of histidine can serve as both acids and bases near physiological pH values and as both hydrogen bond donors and acceptors. We explain the factors determining pKa values and improve pKa predictions using enhanced protocols. We demonstrate improved performance using the FEP methodology vs example empirical and continuum solvent-based methodologies.
In Chapter 4, we have evaluated the performance of the M06 and PBE0 DFT functionals and the DFT-DBLOC methodology in their ability to calculate spin splittings and redox potentials for octahedral complexes containing a first-row transition metal series atom. These quantities play a critical role in a wide range of transition metal chemistry and physics, including catalysis, electron transfer, and conductivity. The mean unsigned errors (MUEs) for these two functionals are similar to those obtained for B3LYP using the same data sets. We then apply our localized orbital correction approach for transition metals, DBLOC, in an effort to improve the results obtained with both functionals. The PBE0- DBLOC results are remarkably close in both MUE and parameter values to those obtained for the B3LYP-DBLOC method. The M06-DBLOC results are less accurate, but the parameter values and trends are still qualitatively very similar. These results demonstrate that DBLOC corrected methods are substantially more accurate for these systems than any of the uncorrected functionals we have tested and that the deviations between hybrid DFT methods and experiment for transition metal containing systems exhibit striking physically based regularities which are very similar for the three functionals that we have examined, despite significant differences in the details of each model.
Subjects
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More About This Work
- Academic Units
- Chemical Physics
- Thesis Advisors
- Friesner, Richard A. | https://academiccommons.columbia.edu/doi/10.7916/d8-p1ny-f575 |
Note: The chain identifier record is case sensitive.
Users also have the option to upload a file in PDB format.
In its current implementation, the server only processes limited???? structures per submission. For larger scale applications, the program can be downloaded and run locally.
1. 2.
A residue-wise plot of depth value is displayed. The plot shows both mean and standard deviation of depth values. The depth output is also available for download in tab-delimited and PDB formats. In the PDB format depth values are recorded in the b-factor column.
Using an extensive benchmark of 900 ligand bound proteins, we have established that some residues in most ligand binding cavities are simultaneously surface exposed and deep.
The server predicts small molecule binding cavities on proteins. Prediction results may vary
with choice of depth computation parameters. For example, using a larger value of minimum number
of neighborhood waters results in the detection of larger cavities, which maybe apt for larger
ligands.
The algorithm estimates the probability value of forming part of a binding cavity for every residue of the protein. Users have the option to alter the recommended cavity prediction probability threshold.
Binding cavity prediction for other biomolecule other than proteins (DNA, RNA etc) is currently not supported. (Please contact author for this application)
The algorithm estimates the probability value of forming part of a binding cavity for every residue of the protein. A residue-wise probability plot is displayed. A list of residues that have probabilities greater than the threshold are displayed along with the list of residues predicted to form the binding cavities. Users can also choose to download the results in PDB (with b-factor column replaced by probability value) or tab-delimited formats.
Normalized residue-wise solvent accessible surface area of protein residues are computed using the Shrake-Rupley algorithm [Shrake and Rupley, 1973]. The output is downloadable in tab-delimited format. The surface area is calculated for 5 categories of atoms including - all atoms, Main Chain, Side Chain, Polar Side Chain and Non-Polar Side Chain (i.e. carbon atoms).
For multi domain protein, the recommended values are
pKa is a measure of acidic strength and is defined as the logarithm of the acid dissociation constant. pKa of protein residues estimates the protonation strength of its ionizable groups. Ionizable residues play a significant role in several protein functions including folding, stability, solubility, protein-protein interactions etc. To gain insight into these function, it is often crucial to accurately determine the pKa of ionizable residues. The pKa values of ionizable groups are however highly sensitive to their enviroment. This sensitivity makes pKa estimation difficult. Here we introduce a simple method for pKa prediction. pKa predictions are made for the following ionizable residues: ASP, GLU, HIS and LYS residues using the formula:
where the predicted pKa is a correction to the model pKa. The model pKa for a particular amino
acid residue is determined for the case when the titratable group is completely accessible to
the solvent and minimally pertubed by the surrounding environment. The correction terms are in
the form of a linear combination of 6 different features including main chain depth
(MCdepth),
polar side chain depth (polarSCdepth), number of H-bonds donors and acceptors (no.
HbondsN and no. HbondsO), the electrostatic potential centred at the
titratable group considering all partial charges within a cut-off distance of 8Å (elec) and the
solvent accessible area of the side chain (ASASC) .
[back to top]
The pKa output is represented graphically (see below) on the results page or can be downloaded in a tab separated flat file. The results for each of GLU, ASP, LYS and HIS are shown in different histograms. A horizontal line on each of the plots indicates the pka value of the model residue. | http://cospi.iiserpune.ac.in/depth/input_output/ |
The long term objective of this project is to understand the individual molecular interactions responsible for tight binding, specificity and efficient catalysis in the Aspartic Proteinase class of enzymes. These proteolytic enzymes are found in a wide diversity of organisms and play important roles in many physiological processes: human enzymes pepsin and gastricsin in digestion; renin in regulation of blood pressure; and cathepsin D in intracellular protein turnover and in proenzyme and prohormone processing. The retroviral aspartic proteinases are indispensable for the virus life cycle as they process precursor polyproteins into individual functional entities. Crystallographic analysis has shown that these enzymes share a common three-dimensional structure with an extended binding cleft capable of interacting with seven to eight amino acid residues and situated at the interface between the N-terminal and C-terminal domains in the eukaryotic enzymes and at the dimer interface in the retroviral systems. This cleft interacts with ligands in a common fashion. A remarkably similar pattern of hydrogen bonding to the backbone of bound peptides has been observed. However, specific interactions between individual amino acid side chains in the various enzyme subsites are different. Each enzyme, therefore, has subtly different specificity based on binding at individual """"""""secondary: subsites. This program presents a combined approach in which synthesis of new oligopeptide substrate or inhibitor sequences will be joined with protein engineering, expression and purification of recombinant enzymes to explore the nature of the multiple interactions occurring in the cleft. Enzyme residues identified from crystal structures as being located in a specific subsite will be altered to test specific hypotheses on binding interactions. The mutant proteins will be thoroughly characterized. The kinetic properties of the enzymes will be studied using a chromogenic assay with a series of peptide substrates with sequence changes in the position of the substrate complementary to the change in the enzyme subsite. By examination of a group of inhibitors with regular changes in sequence at the specific position under examination additional information will be obtained to test specific structure-function hypotheses. The information gained in this study will add to the understanding of enzyme-substrate interactions in general and will contribute to the design of selective, therapeutically useful enzyme inhibitors for the Asparatic Proteinase family. | https://grantome.com/grant/NIH/R01-DK018865-17 |
These MCQ On Enzymes and Answer are designed to prepare students for Medical Entrance Examinations like NEET, AIIMS, JIPMER etc. These MCQ On Enzymes and Answer are not only directly taken from different previous years’ question papers but they are also selected keeping in mind the future pattern of the exam.
MCQ On Enzymes and Answer
1. Which of the Following is Produced with the Combination of Apoenzyme and Coenzyme:
a) Holoenzyme
b) Enzyme substrate complex
c) Prosthetic group
d) Enzyme product complex
Answer: a
2. Name the coenzyme of riboflavin (B2)?
a) NAD or NADP
b) FAD and FMN
c) Coenzyme A
d) Thiamine pyrophosphate
Answer: b
3. Which of this vitamin is associated with the coenzyme Biocytin?
a) Nicotinic acid
b) Thiamine
c) Biotin
d) Pyridoxine
Answer: c
4. Name the enzyme secreted by pancreas?
a) Pepsin
b) Chymotrypsin
c) Trypsin
d) Alcohol dehydrogenase
Answer: c
5. Name the enzyme which catalyzes the oxidation-reduction reaction?
a) Transaminase
b) Glutamine synthetase
c) Phosphofructokinase
d) Oxidoreductase
Answer: d
6. What is the function of phosphorylase?
a) Transfer inorganic phosphate
b) Transfer a carboxylate group
c) Use H2O2 as the electron acceptor
d) Transfer amino group
Answer: a
7. Mark the CORRECT function of enzyme, Peptidase?
a) Cleave phosphodiester bond
b) Cleave amino bonds
c) Remove phosphate from a substrate
d) Removal of H2O
Answer: b
8. Which of the following reaction is catalyzed by Lyase?
a) Breaking of bonds
b) Formation of bonds
c) Intramolecular rearrangement of bonds
d) Transfer of group from one molecule to another
Answer: a
9. A __________is a biocatalyst that increases the rate of the reaction without being changed.
a) Aluminum oxide
b) Silicon dioxide
c) Enzyme
d) Hydrogen peroxide
Answer: c
10. What is the nature of an enzyme?
a) Vitamin
b) Lipid
c) Carbohydrate
d) Protein
Answer: d
11. Which of the following function is catalyzed by Racemases?
a) Removal of water
b) Intramolecular transfer of a functional group
c) Interconversion of L and D stereoisomers
d) Inversion of asymmetric carbon atom
Answer: c
12. Which of the following is an example of ligases enzyme?
a) Mutases
b) Epimerases
c) Racemases
d) Carboxylases
Answer: d
13. What is the binding energy?
a) Free energy released in the formation of enzyme-substrate interaction
b) The energy required to form a bond
c) The energy required to bind substrate
d) It is the activation energy
Answer: a
14. Which of the following is INCORRECT for the lock-and-key model?
a) It is used to describe the binding process
b) The active site of the enzyme is complementary to the substrate
c) It demonstrates enzyme-substrate complex
d) The binding of the substrate produces a conformational change in enzyme
Answer: d
15. Which of the following is not a catalytic strategy for an enzyme to perform specific reaction?
a) Covalent catalysis
b) Metal ion catalysis
c) Michaelis constant
d) Acid-base catalysis
Answer: c
16. What is the SI unit of enzyme activity?
a) Km
b) Kat
c) Kcat
d) Vmax
Answer: b
17. Which of the following is not an example of irreversible enzyme inhibitor?
a) Cyanide
b) Sarin
c) Diisopropyl phosphoflouridate (DIPF)
d) Statin drugs
Answer: d
18. Lineweaver-Burk plot is also known as______
a) Double reciprocal plot
b) Hanes-Woolf plot
c) Eadie-Hofstee plot
d) Steady-state equation
Answer: a
19. Name the enzyme which is found in tears, sweat, and an egg white?
a) Ribozyme
b) Lysozyme
c) Zymogen
d) Isozymes
Answer: b
20. What is an Isozyme? | https://livemcqs.com/2021/11/05/mcq-on-enzymes/ |
Husum is the capital of the Kreis Nordfriesland in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The town was the birthplace of the novelist Theodor Storm, who coined the epithet "the grey town by the sea", it is the home of the annual international piano festival Raritäten der Klaviermusik founded in 1986. Husum was first mentioned as Husembro in 1252. Like most towns on the North Sea, Husum was always influenced by storm tides. In 1362 a disastrous storm tide, the "Grote Mandrenke" flooded the town and carved out the inland harbour. Before this date Husum was not situated directly on the coast; the people of the city took advantage of this opportunity and built a marketplace, which led to a great economic upturn. Between 1372 and 1398 the population of Husum grew and two villages, Oster-Husum and Wester-Husum, were founded; the name Husum is first mentioned in 1409. It is shown on the Carta Marina in the Frisian form of Husem. Husum is located on the North Sea by the Bay of Husum. Zentrum Nordhusum Porrenkoog Osterhusum, Osterhusumfeld Altstadt Norderschlag Dreimühlen Rödemis Fischersiedlung Neustadt Gewerbegebiet Schauendahl Kielsburg Rosenburg Schobüll Halebüll Hockensbüll Lund Being a tourist resort and the gateway to the North Frisian Islands, Husum offers many cultural features.
This international festival of rare piano music, specialising in unknown classical piano music, was founded in 1986 by Peter Froundjian, takes place in the town's castle. The Theodor-Storm-Haus was the house of Theodor Storm, it is home to an exhibition about his works. The Schifffahrtsmuseum Nordfriesland shows ships from the Middle Ages to the present; the models on display give a good impression of life at sea. The Ostenfelder Bauernhaus is the oldest open-air museum in Germany. Marienkirche, collapsed 1807, re-erected 1833 The Schloss vor Husum, 1582, was a residence of the dukes of Holstein-Gottorp Old Town Hall, 1601 New Town Hall, 1988/1989 The Spielmannszug Rödemis is a famous marching band from the district of Rödemis. Husum is home of two football clubs, the Husumer SV and the Rödemisser SV. Husum Cricket Club is based at the Mikkelberg-Kunst-und-Cricket Center which has in the past hosted international women's cricket matches; the ground is located in nearby Hattstedt. Husum is twinned with: Husum station is located on the Westerland–Hamburg line, the Husum–Bad St. Peter-Ording line to the Eiderstedt peninsula and the Husum–Jübek line, which connects to the Neumünster–Flensburg line and Kiel.
Hermann-Tast-Schule, humanistic grammar school since 1527, one of the oldest schools in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Theodor-Storm-Schule Gemeinschaftsschule Husum-Nord Ferdinand-Tönnies-Schule Husum Danske Skole Iven-Agßen-Schule, since 1619, one of the oldest elementary schools in Germany. Bürgerschule Klaus-Groth-Schule Bornschool in Schobüll Nicolaus Bruhns organist in Husum 1689-1697, an important influence on Johann Sebastian Bach Peter Wilhelm Forchhammer a German classical archaeologist Georg Beseler a Prussian jurist and politician Friedrich Lübker a German educator and philologist. Theodor Storm, German novelist of German realism style Adolf Brütt a German sculptor Emil Schiller and missionary in Japan Richard Petersen, Technical Director for the construction of the Wuppertaler Schwebebahn Margarete Böhme, German writer Ernst Graf zu Reventlow a German naval officer and Nazi politician Oskar Vogt, psychiatrist. Matthias Holst, soccer player Morten Jensen, football goalkeeper Janina Uhse, actress Lars Hartig a German rower, competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics Riewerts, Brar V..
Die Stadt Husum in Geschichte und Gegenwart. Husum: Hermann Hansen. Brandt, Otto. Geschichte Schleswig-Holsteins. Kiel: Mühlau. "Husum", Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, 1, Leipzig: Duncker & Humblot, 1875, pp. 707– www.husum.de – official Web site of Husum Husum in old postcards
Pycnarmon alboflavalis is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Frederic Moore in 1888, it is found in Bhutan. The wingspan is 20 mm. Adults are white, the forewings with two black costal spots and three bands from the median nervure to the inner margin on the basal area. There is a discocellular black spot and large spots on the origin of veins 2 to 5, as well as a postmedial line, straight from costa to vein 5 bent outwards and fine, with a spot below it on the inner margin; the marginal area is orange with a black speck at the apex and a double submarginal black spot on vein 4. The hindwings are white with a black spot at the base of the inner margin. There is a double series of black spots from below the lower angle of the cell to the anal angle; the marginal area is orange, with a submarginal black spot on vein 4 and some specks on the margin towards the anal angle
Enzyme catalysis is the increase in the rate of a process by a biological molecule, an "enzyme". Most enzymes are proteins, most such processes are chemical reactions. Within the enzyme catalysis occurs at a localized site, called the active site. Most enzymes are made predominantly of proteins, either a single protein chain or many such chains in a multi-subunit complex. Enzymes also incorporate non-protein components, such as metal ions or specialized organic molecules known as cofactor. Many cofactors are vitamins, their role as vitamins is directly linked to their use in the catalysis of biological process within metabolism. Catalysis of biochemical reactions in the cell is vital since many but not all metabolically essential reactions have low rates when uncatalysed. One driver of protein evolution is the optimization of such catalytic activities, although only the most crucial enzymes operate near catalytic efficiency limits, many enzymes are far from optimal. Important factors in enzyme catalysis include general acid and base catalysis, orbital steering, entropic restriction, orientation effects, as well as motional effects involving protein dynamicsMechanisms of enzyme catalysis vary, but are all similar in principle to other types of chemical catalysis in that the crucial factor is a reduction of energy barrier separating the reactants from the products.
The reduction of activation energy increases the fraction of reactant molecules that can overcome this barrier and form the product. An important principle is that since they only reduce energy barriers between products and reactants, enzymes always catalyze reactions in both directions, cannot drive a reaction forward or affect the equilibrium position - only the speed with, it achieved; as with other catalysts, the enzyme is not consumed or changed by the reaction but is recycled such that a single enzyme performs many rounds of catalysis. The favored model for the enzyme-substrate interaction is the induced fit model; this model proposes that the initial interaction between enzyme and substrate is weak, but that these weak interactions induce conformational changes in the enzyme that strengthen binding. The advantages of the induced fit mechanism arise due to the stabilizing effect of strong enzyme binding. There are two different mechanisms of substrate binding: uniform binding, which has strong substrate binding, differential binding, which has strong transition state binding.
The stabilizing effect of uniform binding increases both substrate and transition state binding affinity, while differential binding increases only transition state binding affinity. Both are used by enzymes and have been evolutionarily chosen to minimize the activation energy of the reaction. Enzymes that are saturated, that is, have a high affinity substrate binding, require differential binding to reduce the energy of activation, whereas small substrate unbound enzymes may use either differential or uniform binding; these effects have led to most proteins using the differential binding mechanism to reduce the energy of activation, so most substrates have high affinity for the enzyme while in the transition state. Differential binding is carried out by the induced fit mechanism - the substrate first binds weakly the enzyme changes conformation increasing the affinity to the transition state and stabilizing it, so reducing the activation energy to reach it, it is important to clarify, that the induced fit concept cannot be used to rationalize catalysis.
That is, the chemical catalysis is defined as the reduction of Ea‡ relative to Ea‡ in the uncatalyzed reaction in water. The induced fit only suggests that the barrier is lower in the closed form of the enzyme but does not tell us what the reason for the barrier reduction is. Induced fit may be beneficial to the fidelity of molecular recognition in the presence of competition and noise via the conformational proofreading mechanism; these conformational changes bring catalytic residues in the active site close to the chemical bonds in the substrate that will be altered in the reaction. After binding takes place, one or more mechanisms of catalysis lowers the energy of the reaction's transition state, by providing an alternative chemical pathway for the reaction. There are six possible mechanisms of "over the barrier" catalysis as well as a "through the barrier" mechanism: Enzyme-substrate interactions align the reactive chemical groups and hold them close together in an optimal geometry, which increases the rate of the reaction.
This reduces the entropy of the reactants and thus makes addition or transfer reactions less unfavorable, since a reduction in the overall entropy when two reactants become a single product. However this is a general effect and is seen in non-addition or transfer reactions where it occurs due to an increase in the "effective concentration" of the reagents; this is understood when considering how increases in concentration leads to increases in reaction rate: when the reactants are more concentrated, they collide more and so react more often. In enzyme catalysis, the binding of the reagents to the enzyme restricts the conformational space of the reactants, holding them in the'proper orientation' and close to each other, so that the collide more and with the correct geometry, to facilitate the desired reaction; the "effective concentration" is the concentration the reactant would have to be, free in solution, to experiences the same collisional frequency. Such theoretical effective concentrations are unphysical and impossible to realize in reality -, a testament to the great catalytic power of man
Dame Sarah Elizabeth Siddons Mair was a Scottish campaigner for women's education and women's suffrage, active in the Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women and the Ladies' Edinburgh Debating Society, which she founded before she was 20. Born into a well-to-do family in Edinburgh, Sarah was the daughter of daughter of Major Arthur Mair of the 62nd Regiment and Elizabeth Harriot Mair, she was great-granddaughter of actress Sarah Siddons. Mair started the Edinburgh Essay Society, soon renamed the Ladies' Edinburgh Debating Society when she was 19. Mair was president of the society for 70 years; the society met in the spacious Mair family home in the New Town and offered Edinburgh women of a certain background the chance to discuss social questions while learning public speaking and debating skills. They published the Ladies' Edinburgh Magazine, called The Attempt until 1876, which linked them with readers across the country, it was edited by Helen Reid. Charlotte Yonge contributed, Mair reviewed Josephine Butler's essay collection Women's Work and Women's Culture.
This society and its headquarters in the Mair dining-room were the focus of much effort to promote women's rights and education, spearheaded by women from professional prosperous families. Louisa and Flora Stevenson were early members, as were Louisa Lumsden, founder of St Leonards School in St Andrews, Charlotte Carmichael, mother of Marie Stopes; the society debated the question of women's suffrage at intervals, with Mair a lifelong supporter of votes for women. In 1866 and 1872, Sarah Mair found that she and her fellow-suffragists were in the minority, but from 1884 onwards motions in favour of women's suffrage were carried by increasing majorities. Mair belonged to the Edinburgh National Society for Women's Suffrage, established in 1867 as the first Scottish society campaigning for votes for women and which sent speakers all over Scotland, she became president of the society, president of the Scottish Federation of Women's Suffrage Societies. She was able to mediate between groups with different approaches to campaigning for the vote.
Once women over 30 were enfranchised in 1918 she led the Suffrage Society into a new phase as the Society for Equal Citizenship. Sarah Mair was an important member of the Edinburgh Ladies' Educational Association in 1867, she was present at the meeting when the Association was founded, but was not considered a founder member because she was unmarried and rather young. She and Mary Crudelius were willing to proceed one step at a time towards their goal of equal access to university education for both sexes, with Mair believing a practical approach would lead to the right results; however they wanted more than a separate system for women, however good the teaching. In 1876, Mair led an effort to improve the pre-university stage of women's education and advertised classes in St. George's Hall to help women pass the exams which counted as a university entrance qualification for men, she helped develop correspondence courses for women who could not attend classes, in 1886 she was active in setting up St George's Training College, followed by St. George's High School for Girls in 1888.
The training college was the first Scottish institution training women to teach in secondary schools and the high school was the first Scottish day school for girls which taught them all the way up to university entrance level. Girls from St. George's were among the first female graduates of Edinburgh University. Sarah Mair was a school governor there all her life, she acted as treasurer of the Edinburgh Association for the University Education of Women's Masson Hall project, chaired committees of the Bruntsfield Hospital for Women and Children and the Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital. During the first world war her association with Elsie Inglis continued as she was president of the Hospitals Committee of the Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service, she found time to prove a woman could have skill in both archery and chess, belonged to the Ladies' Chess Club. It was her work for women's education which led to an honorary LLD from Edinburgh University in 1920 and a DBE in 1931.
Her death at her niece's home in Buckinghamshire was followed by a funeral service in St Mary's Cathedral. An obituary in The Scotsman called her a "woman pioneer" and a "venerable and notable Edinburgh lady, one who has helped make history in her time". List of suffragists and suffragettes Crawford, Elizabeth; the Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1928 Sarah Mair at Find a Grave St. George's Training College
Bargarh (Odisha Vidhan Sabha constituency)
Bargarh is a Vidhan Sabha constituency of Bargarh district. Area of this constituency include Bargarh block and part of Barpali block. 16 elections held during 1951 to 201. List of members elected from this constituency are: 2019: Debesh Acharya 2014: Debesh Acharya 2009: Sadhu Nepak 2004: Ananda Acharya 2000: Ananda Acharya 1995: Prasanna Acharya 1990: Prasanna Acharya 1985: Jadumani Pradhan 1980: Jadumani Pradhan -1 1977: Nabin Kumar Pradhan 1974: Nabin Kumar Pradhan 1971: Chittaranjan Kar 1967: Bharat Chandra Hota 1961: Gananath Pradhan 1957: Nikunja Bihari Singh, Mahananda Bahadur 1951: Tirthabasi Pradhan In 2019 election, Biju Janata Dal candidate Debesh Acharya defeated Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Ashwini Kumar Sarangi by a margin of 8,452 votes. In 2014 election, Biju Janata Dal candidate Debesh Acharya defeated Indian National Congress candidate Sadhu Nepak by a margin of 13,204 votes. In 2009 election Indian National Congress candidate Sadhu Nepak, defeated Biju Janata Dal candidate Ananda Acharya by 1,969 votes
George M. "Mack" Flenniken was an American football player and coach. He played professionally in the National Football League with the Chicago Cardinals in 1930 and the New York Giants in 1931.. Flenniken served as the head football coach at Geneva College from 1928 to 1929, compiling a record of 7–11–1, he played college football at Geneva. Flenniken played college football for Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport and at Geneva College in 1926 and 1927, his college career mirrored Cal Hubbard who played for both colleges and later became a coach at Geneva. Both players followed Bo McMillin, who coached first at Centenary and later at Geneva. Flenniken got his start in the NFL with the Chicago Cardinals in 1930, he was a flexible player on both sides of the ball, recording three rushing touchdowns and showing a threat using the forward pass and picked up an interception while playing defense. At Chicago, he played alongside future hall of famer Ernie Nevers. In 1931, Flenniken moved to the New York Giants, where he was a part of the "committee of quarterbacks" along with Red Smith and Hap Moran. | https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Husum |
Myristoylation, the covalent linkage of a saturated, C14 fatty acyl chain to the N-terminal glycine in a protein, plays a vital role in reversible membrane binding and signaling by the modified proteins. Currently, little is known about the effects of myristoylation on protein folding and stability, or about the energetics and molecular mechanisms of switching involving states with sequestered versus accessible myristoyl group. Our analysis of these effects in hisactophilin, a histidine-rich protein that binds cell membranes and actin in a pH-dependent manner, shows that myristoylation significantly increases hisactophilin stability, while also markedly increasing global protein folding and unfolding rates. The switching between sequestered and accessible states is pH dependent, with an apparent pKswitch of 6.95, and an apparent free energy change of 2.0 kcal·mol-1. The myristoyl switch is linked to the reversible uptake of ∼1.5 protons, likely by histidine residues. This pH dependence of switching appears to be the physical basis of the sensitive, pH-dependent regulation of membrane binding observed in vivo. We conclude that an increase in protein stability upon modification and burial of the attached group is likely to occur in numerous proteins modified with fatty acyl or other hydrophobic groups, and that the biophysical effects of such modification are likely to play an important role in their functional switches. In addition, the increased global dynamics caused by myristoylation of hisactophilin reveals a general mechanism whereby hydrophobic moieties can make nonnative interactions or relieve strain in transition states, thereby increasing the rates of interconversion between different states.
Myristoylation is a common cotranslational modification found in ∼0.5–0.8% of eukaryotic proteins (1). This modification involves the covalent linkage of a saturated C14 fatty acyl chain to the N-terminal glycine residue in a protein (1). Myristoylated proteins play vital roles in many biological processes and commonly undergo reversible switches. The “flipping” of myristoyl switches typically involves interconversion between a myristoyl-sequestered state, myrseq, where the myristoyl group is located in a hydrophobic binding pocket within the protein, and a myristoyl-accessible state, myracc, where the myristoyl group is available for binding to membranes or other proteins. Switching may be associated with relatively large or subtle structural and/or dynamic changes in the myristoylated protein (2, 3). It can also be regulated by binding of various ligands (e.g., H+, Ca2+, GTP, or regulatory protein) (3–5). Some examples of proteins that undergo myristoyl switching include: Ca2+-dependent recoverin, which mediates photoresponses in the retina (3); Ca2+-dependent guanylate cyclase activating protein (GCAP), which regulates the function of guanylate cyclase (2, 6); oligomerization-dependent HIV-1 Gag, which orchestrates HIV-1 viral proliferation (5); GTP-dependent ADP ribosylation factor proteins, which are involved in membrane trafficking (7); and pH-dependent hisactophilin, involved in controlling cytoskeletal changes during cellular movement and osmotic stress (8, 9). Thus, ligand-regulated myristoyl switching is a versatile mechanism for controlling a wide range of biologically important processes. Myristoyl switches have been characterized extensively at the functional level, but remain poorly understood at the energetic and molecular levels (1). Furthermore, there is a paucity of data on the effects of myristoylation on protein folding and stability.
In this study, we use hisactophilin as a model to analyze the effects of myristoylation. Hisactophilin is a pH-dependent, myristoylated, histidine-rich actin- and membrane-binding protein from the model organism, Dictyostelium discoideum. This small (13.5 kDa) protein facilitates cell shape changes and movements in response to chemotactic signals and osmotic stress, which result in cellular pH changes. In vivo, hisactophilin reversibly switches between a cytoplasmic form at pH 7.5 to a membrane-bound form at pH 6.5, which also anchors actin filaments to the inner leaflet of the cellular membrane. In vitro, hisactophilin undergoes a reversible myristoyl switch driven by pH. Hisactophilin contains an unusually large proportion of histidines (31 of 118 residues), with average apparent pKa values of ∼6.8 (10). Reversible proton binding by histidines has been implicated in regulating the equilibrium between the cytosolic and membrane-bound forms (8). In-depth biophysical analyses have been conducted for the nonmyristoylated form of the protein (11, 12); the myristoylated form is amenable to similar analyses, as described in this report. We describe the quantitative analyses of thermodynamic stability and kinetics of folding–unfolding for a myristoylated protein, combined with NMR analyses of switching. Our results reveal dramatic effects of myristoylation on folding, which are mediated by nonnative interactions, and provide unique insights into the energetics and mechanism of pH-dependent myristoyl switching in hisactophilin. The results and methodology have important implications for understanding the interplay between ligand binding and interactions of hydrophobic moieties in many other switching systems.
Results
Dependence on pH of Increased Stability upon Myristoylation and the Energetics of the Myristoyl Switch.
The equilibrium stabilities of myristoylated and nonmyristoylated hisactophilin were measured by circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence-monitored urea denaturation curves at pH 5.7–9.7. The data can be well fit by a reversible two-state folding transition between folded (F) and unfolded (U) states of the protein (see SI Materials and Methods) to determine the Gibbs free energy of unfolding, ΔGU-F( = GU - GF), and the denaturant dependence of ΔGU-F or m value (Fig. 1A, and Tables S1 and S2). There is good agreement between fitted values determined by CD and fluorescence, and between equilibrium and kinetic (see below) measurements, which supports the applicability of the two-state folding model (13). The lack of observable three-state behavior in the equilibrium curves indicates that there is rapid interchange between the two folded states, myrseq and myracc, which was confirmed by NMR lineshape analysis (see below).
Myristoylated hisactophilin is more stable than the nonmyristoylated protein at all pH values (Fig. 1). Notably, the increase in stability upon myristoylation, ΔΔGU-F( = ΔGU-F,myr - ΔGU-F,nonmyr), varies significantly with pH in the physiological range, from 3.15 to 1.13 kcal·mol-1, corresponding to predominantly myrseq at high pH and myracc at low pH, respectively. These changes in energetics can be interpreted using thermodynamic cycles (Fig. S1 and SI Results) (8). The pH dependence of ΔΔGU-F fits an apparent pKswitch of 6.95 ± 0.15 (Eq. 1 and Fig. 1B), and has an apparent switch energy for flipping from the sequestered to the accessible state, ΔGswitch( = ΔΔGU-F,low pH - ΔΔGU-F,high pH), of 2.03 ± 0.17 kcal·mol-1 (Eq. 1 and Fig. 1B). The pKswitch is in the typical range of pKa values for histidine residues in proteins, further supporting involvement of these residues in controlling the switch (10), which is also supported by NMR data (see below).
The pH dependence of ΔΔGU-F can also be fit in terms of the number of ionizable groups involved in controlling the switch and the associated pKa values in the myrseq and myracc states (14) (Fig. 1B and Fig. S1). This fitting reveals that the apparent pKa of ionizable groups increases from pKa,seq of ∼6–6.5 to pKa,acc ∼ 7.6–7.0 when the myristoyl group switches from myrseq to myracc, respectively. Thus, decreasing pH favors increased population of myracc because this state more readily binds protons owing to its higher pKa value (Figs. S1 and S2). There is a net uptake of ∼1.5 protons associated with the switch from myrseq to myracc and the quality of the fits is slightly better for smaller numbers of ionizable groups (Fig. S2 and SI Results).
Myristoylation Stabilizes the Transition State of Folding and Increases Global Dynamics.
The kinetics of protein folding and unfolding for myristoylated and nonmyristoylated hisactophilin were also measured at various pH values (Fig. 2 and Table S1), and these data are also well fit by the two-state model. Surprisingly, despite its higher stability, myristoylated hisactophilin unfolds ∼10 times faster than the nonmyristoylated protein, at all pH values. However, the folding rates are also increased within error, to a larger extent than the unfolding rates, resulting in increased stability. The effects of myristoylation on protein energetics can be understood using free energy diagrams and Φ-value analysis (13) (Fig. 3). Φ is defined as ΔΔG‡-U/ΔΔGF-U, where ΔΔG‡-U and ΔΔGF-U represent the free energy change upon myristoylation (analogous to mutation) of the transition state and folded state, respectively, relative to the unfolded state. Classical Φ-values range from 0 to 1, corresponding to the energetic effects of the myristoyl group in the transition state being the same as in the folded state or unfolded state, respectively. Strikingly, the Φ-value for myristoylation is larger than one. This unusual, nonclassical Φ-value suggests that the myristoyl group stabilizes the transition state more than the folded and unfolded states (Fig. 3) (15). Such nonclassical Φ-values have often been interpreted as evidence for the formation of nonnative interactions in the transition state, which can decrease kinetic energy barriers and so contribute to increased folding and unfolding rates. Additional factors to consider when interpreting energy changes are possible structural reorganization in the protein or solvent. Structural changes in folded hisactophilin appear to be small based on no substantial changes in CD spectrum (11) or protein NOEs upon myristoylation (see below). Further details regarding interpretation of energetic changes are considered in the Discussion.
Localization of the Myristoyl Group in the Major Hydrophobic Core.
The structure of myristoylated hisactophilin was investigated as a function of pH using NMR, and compared with data obtained for the nonmyristoylated protein. The myristoyl group exhibits just one set of resonances in NMR spectra (Fig. S3), indicating that exchange between the myrseq and myracc states is fast on the NMR timescale. A lower limit for the rate constants of exchange between the myrseq and myracc states was estimated from lineshape analysis to be on the order of ∼1 × 105 s-1 (SI Results). These fast rate constants are consistent with the apparent two-state transitions in denaturant (Figs. 1 and 2). NOE and chemical shift data show that the myristoyl group is buried in the major hydrophobic core of the protein in the myrseq state. The amide protons of F6, I85, I93, and F113 exhibit NOEs with the terminal methyl of the myristoyl moiety (Fig. 4 A and B). Thus, the myristoyl reaches the interface between the hydrophobic bottom layer of the β-barrel (where F6, I85, and F113 are situated) and the upper β-hairpin layer (where I93 is situated). The observation of the largest chemical shift changes upon myristoylation, , in this region is consistent with the location of the myristoyl group near these residues, although the NOEs for the residues with perturbed chemical shifts are very similar to those in the nonmyristoylated protein, indicating no major structural reorganization. Nevertheless, myristoylation causes extensive chemical shift changes through the protein structure (Fig. 4C and Fig. S4).
Role of Histidines in Flipping the Myristoyl Switch via Proton Uptake or Release.
Further insight into the molecular mechanism of switching was obtained by analyzing the changes in chemical shifts as a function of pH (Fig. 4 D–F). For many amide (NH) groups, the apparent pKa values for pH-dependent changes in chemical shift change from pH ∼ 7–7.5 in nonmyristoylated hisactophilin to ∼6 in the myristoylated protein (Fig. 4 D and E). These apparent pKa values are very similar to the values of pKa,acc and pKa,seq for the ionizable groups that govern switching obtained from fitting the pH dependence of ΔΔGU-F (Fig. S2). A prominent group of such NHs is clustered on one side of the protein (Fig. 4F) in the vicinity of various ionizable groups, including H75 (Fig. 4D), H91 (Fig. 4E), H78, and H107 (Fig. 4F). It is not possible from the available data to determine the exact contributions of each of these groups to switching (SI Results); however, H75 and H91 are likely to play significant roles because the largest changes in chemical shift occur near these residues. Further inspection of the pattern of chemical shift changes reveals a likely pathway for communication between the ionizable groups and the myristoyl group via hydrophobic residues (L45, L53, F74, I85) that pack near the myristoyl group in the protein core (Fig. 4F). Thus, the combined results from fitting the pH dependence of the switch energetics and the pH dependence of chemical shift changes provides an intriguing model for the molecular basis of the pH dependence of the myristoyl switch controlled by histidine ionizations and propagated by hydrophobic residues.
Discussion
Myristoylation Increases Protein Stability.
Despite the relatively common occurrence of protein myristoylation, there is remarkably little information available concerning its effects on protein folding. Here we show that myristoylation significantly increases the stability of hisactophilin for both the myrseq and the myracc states. The relatively smaller increase in stability for myracc suggests that there are some residual stabilizing interactions and/or burial of the myristoyl group at low pH. Much larger stabilization is observed for the myrseq state when the myristoyl group is buried in the hydrophobic core at high pH. It is well established that, in general, increasing the burial of hydrophobic groups increases protein stability (16). It appears that burial of myristoyl groups may also commonly stabilize other proteins in an analogous fashion. For example, protein melting temperatures are increased upon myristoylation of HIV-1 matrix protein p17 (17), GCAP1 (2, 18), and calcineurin (19). Increased stability upon myristoylation is also implicated by structural data for recoverin, which is well ordered when the myristoyl is sequestered inside the protein but shows increased disorder when the myristoyl is exposed to solvent (3); similar behavior is also observed for GCAP1. It is noteworthy that all of the aforementioned proteins are structurally unrelated to hisactophilin. Recoverin, GCAP1, and calcineurin are highly helical, but the myristoyl group also inserts into the major hydrophobic core of these proteins. Thus, myristoylation may frequently contribute to increasing protein stability via hydrophobic burial in protein cores made by various structural elements.
Myristoylation Increases Global Protein Folding and Unfolding.
Quite unexpectedly, despite increasing protein stability, myristoylation of hisactophilin also increases protein dynamics, as is evident in the markedly increased rates of global folding and unfolding. These increased dynamics may be linked to and promote the rapid interconversion between myrseq and myracc states, which is revealed by the apparent two-state transitions in denaturant (Fig. 1A) and averaged resonances in NMR experiments. The increased dynamics with increased stability may initially seem counterintuitive; however, there is precedence for similar effects from Φ-values involving hydrophobic amino acids in other proteins. The global kinetic and thermodynamic data for hisactophilin reveal that myristoylation has a larger stabilizing effect on the transition state of folding relative to the ground (native and denatured) states, manifested as a nonclassical Φ-value. Such Φ-values, although not common, have been reported in a number of experimental (20–22) and theoretical studies (23). In various wild-type proteins, removal of hydrophobic groups (analogous to removal of the myristoyl moiety) has analogous effects of decreasing stability and decreasing folding and unfolding rates, e.g., I34A in src SH3 (21), V21T in CheY (20), and I23V in ADA2h (22); in other proteins, the rates are decreased but stability is increased or changes little (24). Similar effects also occur in designed proteins where stability, and folding and unfolding rates are all increased when the hydrophobicity of the protein core is increased (comparable to addition of the myristoyl group). Examples include src SH3 best 4 and best 5 (25), Src SH3 A39V/V55I (24), and acylphosphatase with a redesigned hydrophobic core (16). More dramatic increases (several orders of magnitude) in folding and unfolding rates resulted from redesigning the hydrophobic core of Rop, with slight decreases in stability (26). Together these results suggest that hydrophobic groups, including myristoyl, can accelerate global protein dynamics. Increased dynamics may be important for facilitating folding in general and for facilitating conformational changes associated with function.
Complex Energy Changes upon Myristoylation and Mechanisms for Increased Dynamics.
We propose that the mechanism for the increased stability and dynamics in myristoylated hisactophilin involves the following: (i) destabilization of the denatured state due to increased exposure of the hydrophobic myristoyl group; (ii) strain in the native myrseq state upon burial of the myristoyl group in the protein core; and (iii) nonnative interactions and/or relief of strain in the transition state (Fig. 3). This mechanism is based on and includes elements of different mechanisms proposed previously to explain nonclassical Φ-values including denatured state effects (27), overpacking of hydrophobic groups (25), and nonnative interactions of hydrophobic groups in the transition state (23). In general, folding rates are favored by classical hydrophobic burial effects (14, 23), which would also apply to burial of the myristoyl group in going from the unfolded to the transition state. The effects of hydrophobic groups on unfolding tend to be less pronounced, perhaps due to a different mechanism involving rate limiting disruption of tight native packing (23). However, the myristoyl group in hisactophilin appears not to be tightly packed, as suggested by the rapid interconversion between myrseq and myracc states. The increased dynamics in myristoylated hisactophilin suggest overpacking and strain in the folded state. This strain may be relieved in the transition state in which, based on the Tanford βT(βT = mf/meq) (13) of ∼0.7, there is ∼30% exposure of hydrophobic surface. In addition, there may be some nonnative interactions in the transition state. Nonspecific nonnative interactions have been proposed for mutations of solvent exposed Tyr to Phe mutations in SH3, where the increased hydrophobicity of Phe accelerates both folding and unfolding rates with little effect on stability (28). There is also evidence for position-specific nonnative interactions of hydrophobic groups increasing rates for Fyn SH3 (23). Considering that a myristoyl group is relatively long and flexible compared to natural hydrophobic amino acids, it has a high potential in general for making nonspecific and/or specific nonnative interactions in the transition state and thereby facilitating structural transitions.
Decreased Folding Frustration upon Myristoylation.
The speed at which a protein folds is often explained in terms of its energy landscape: proteins with smooth landscapes tend to fold quickly, whereas those with rugged or frustrated landscapes tend to fold slowly and populate partly folded intermediate states (29). A key finding here is that myristoylation decreases frustration in the energy landscape of hisactophilin. Decreased frustration is supported by the increased folding and unfolding rates, and good fits of equilibrium and kinetic data to a two-state transition, with no detectable population of partly folded intermediates (Figs. 1 and 2, and Tables S1 and S2). In contrast, previous studies on nonmyristoylated hisactophilin showed population of a folding intermediate, evidenced by rollover and double exponential folding kinetics (30). The differences suggest the myristoyl group makes specific nonnative interactions that compete with other nonnative interactions favoring intermediate formation. Similarly, specific nonnative interactions by certain hydrophobic residues in SH3 were found to accelerate folding and unfolding, whereas other hydrophobic residues had the opposite effect (23). The much faster folding of R15 compared the R16 and R17 α-spectrins may also be related to key transition state interactions of residues in the cores of these proteins, with the core of R15 notably containing more hydrophobic residues (31). In general, nonnative interactions may act to favor or disfavor folding (32). Folding simulations have identified frustration in the folding pathway of β-trefoil proteins, including nonmyristoylated hisactophilin and interleukin-1β, manifested as formation of intermediates and backtracking during folding (29, 33, 34). In interleukin-1β, the frustration is particularly pronounced due to nonnative interactions made by a hydrophobic loop (not found in hisactophilin) which is required for receptor binding. The authors concluded that the flux through multiple pathways on the β-trefoil folding landscapes may differ as a result of different functional requirements of the various trefoil proteins. It is very interesting that the naturally occurring hydrophobic myristoyl group on hisactophilin has a critical role in function and does not hinder but rather dramatically enhances folding.
Switching Facilitated by Hydrophobic Interactions and Regulated by Ligand Binding.
The increased dynamics in hisactophilin upon myristoylation may illustrate a general mechanism whereby hydrophobic groups facilitate conformational changes and switching. Another striking example is the switching of a repacked hydrophobic core mutant of Rop, which folds and unfolds 2 and 4 orders of magnitude faster, respectively, than the wild-type protein (26), and undergoes a switch between active and inactive folded states (35). Also, nonclassical Φ-values are indicative of increased dynamics (16) and have been observed in various proteins that undergo switches, such as CheY (36) and ADA2h (22). The residues exhibiting nonclassical Φ-values are often hydrophobic, again implicating a key role for hydrophobic groups in facilitating conformational dynamics. Thus, the presence of strain and/or nonnative effects seen in the global dynamics and Φ-values may be linked to switching in these proteins as well.
Another noteworthy finding here is that the thermodynamic and ligand (H+) binding characteristics of the myristoyl switch in hisactophilin are nicely tuned to enable high-sensitivity signaling. The dynamic range and detection limit for switching controlled by ligand binding is determined by the thermodynamics of switching (i.e., the equilibrium constant between the two switching states) (37–39). In hisactophilin, the ΔGswitch of 2.03 kcal·mol-1 centered around a pKswitch of 6.95 allows for a large signal (i.e., change in populations of the myracc and myrseq states) upon reversible H+ binding (37). These characteristics measured in vitro provide an explanation for in vivo observations of large changes in membrane binding by hisactophilin with changes in cellular pH (40). Switching from myrseq to myracc in hisactophilin is accompanied by the binding of ∼1.5 protons, due to an increase in the apparent pKa of ionizable groups. It is not possible from the available data to precisely define the number and identity of the ionizable groups that control switching. However, fitting of the pH dependence of the switch energetics (Fig. S2, and SI Results) combined with the pH dependence of NMR chemical shifts (Fig. 4 D–F, Figs. S5–S7, and SI Results) suggest that a small number of ionizable groups make a major contribution to switching. The lower apparent pKa in the sequestered state, which disfavors proton binding, may be a consequence of various effects, in particular, increased hydrophobic environment of the ionizable groups or their closer proximity to other positively charged groups (Fig. 4F). An analogous switching mechanism applies to recoverin, where the binding of 2 Ca2+ ions also results in altered interactions of hydrophobic groups and myristoyl switching to the accessible state (3). Similar mechanisms may also occur in the maltose binding protein (39) and N-terminal domain of calmodulin (38), where hydrophobic moieties tune a switch through alteration of ligand (maltose and Ca2+, respectively) binding affinity. Thus, the results presented here reveal a general mechanism of switching based on cooperativity between hydrophobic groups and ligand binding.
Conclusions.
We have shown here that myristoylation can simultaneously favor protein stability, folding, and function. Increases in stability and folding rates resulting from myristoylation may be advantageous for generating and maintaining proteins in vivo, whereas increases in global dynamics upon myristoylation may facilitate switching and regulation of function. It will be of great interest to determine how general these effects are for myristoylation and for other posttranslational modifications, for which there is currently very little quantitative data (41). Myristoyl and other lipid modification-based switches in a wide range of proteins can be modulated by binding of various ligands, including H+, Ca2+, GTP, and even regulatory proteins, which favor extrusion of the lipid group from a binding pocket within the protein (1). Changing intracellular pH is a common mechanism for regulating protein function and often acts in cooperation with other binding interactions (42). Regulation of the interactions of various hydrophobic moieties via ligand binding is not yet well understood in terms of mechanisms and energetics, although it occurs in many types of switching proteins, such as recoverin, maltose binding protein, calmodulin, calbindin (43), and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (44) and is of tremendous biological significance. The methodology for analyzing the energetics of switching presented herein is general and can be used to gain valuable insights into many other switches.
Materials and Methods
Recombinant Hisactophilin Expression and Purification.
Wild-type hisactophilin was expressed as described (11), after performing site-directed mutagenesis (QuickChange, Stratagene) to remove extraneous N-terminal Gly-Glu-Phe-Gly residues (45). In addition, human N-myristoyltransferase 1 was coexpressed using pHV738 (46). Myristoylated hisactophilin was purified as described previously (11) with an additional RP-HPLC purification step (see SI Materials and Methods).
Urea Denaturation Curves and Kinetic Measurements.
Equilibrium denaturation curves and kinetics of folding–unfolding were determined as described (11, 12) (SI Materials and Methods). To determine pKswitch and ΔGswitch( = ΔΔGU-F,low pH - ΔΔGU-F,high pH), the dependence of ΔΔGU-F on pH was fit to a general titration equation:
NMR Analysis.
All NMR spectra were acquired at 298.15 K on a Bruker AMX 600 MHz spectrometer (SI Materials and Methods).
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Joe Gaspar, Jessica Rumfeldt, and Daša Lipovček for their stimulating input and support, and Dr. Richard Kahn (Emory University) for the N-myristoyltransferase 1 expression plasmids. This research was funded by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
Footnotes
Author contributions: M.T.J.S., J.M., and E.M.M. designed research; M.T.J.S., J.M., S.E., and H.J.W. performed research; M.T.J.S. and E.M.M. analyzed data; and M.T.J.S. and E.M.M. wrote the paper.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
This article is a PNAS Direct Submission.
This article contains supporting information online at www.pnas.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1073/pnas.1008026107/-/DCSupplemental.
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New research now explains how 'editing' defects occur during translation of a genetic code and influence the removal of certain amindo acids attached to tRNA. Understanding this underlying mechanism is important as such defects result in disease conditions including neurodegeneration.
Proofreading or editing mechanisms play a crucial role in the faithful flow of information as dictated by the genetic code. The process of 'editing' by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases is an important step in the accurate translation of the genetic code that removes noncognate amino acids attached to tRNA. While editing, the cognate amino acids larger by a methyl group are generally rejected.
Using solution-based direct binding studies, NMR-heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) and isothermal titration calorimetry experiments, the researchers showed that the cognate substrate can bind to the editing pocket. High-resolution crystal structural analyses revealed the key for the mechanism– the amino acids are rejected on the basis of functional positioning of substrates rather than steric exclusion.
The researchers say a strategically positioned 'catalytic water' molecule is excluded to avoid hydrolysis of the cognate substrate using a 'RNA mediated substrate-assisted catalysis mechanism' at the editing site. The critical role of RNA in proofreading activity is a unique solution to the problem of cognate-noncognate selection mechanism.
The study opens up an interesting question on the fundamental mechanism of discrimination of cognate amino acids at the proofreading step. | https://www.natureasia.com/en/nindia/article/10.1038/nindia.2010.181 |
If the idea of sharing a living space with a dinosaur-like crocodilian terrifies you, this will not be an article pertaining to you. If, however, you are like myself and completely taken aback by the intelligent, ancient reptilian relics we call the crocodilians; you may want to read on before considering owning one yourself. In this article I will attempt to review the reasons why keeping a crocodilian (even the smallest species) is an enormous commitment which I strongly urge against for a vast majority of potential reptile owners. I will provide an overview explaining why even experienced, well-meaning reptile handlers should avoid keeping crocodilians as pets.
(Photo reference of croc image at top of post: Biologapiainuese. Paleosuchus palpebrosus. Digital image. Www.Flickr.com. N.p., 12 Jan. 2008. Web. 27 Dec. 2013)
The most obvious constraint associated with croc care is the often gigantic size that adults are capable of reaching; Nile crocodiles(Crocodylus niloticus) and Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are capable of reaching up to 20 feet in length and weighing in at up to one ton! By contrast, one of the most popular pet crocs is the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) which still gets huge in adulthood; reaching between 9-15 feet and weighing up to 1000 pounds! For this reason alone, I don’t think I need to focus on why keeping an American Alligator or Nile/Saltwater Crocodile is probably not a good idea; if stretched out, full grown adult males wouldn’t even fit in the average persons bedroom, certainly not in mine! Because I expect most sensible people to have ruled out the larger crocs by now; I will focus on why keeping the readily available dwarf caimans, the smallest members of the Reptilian Order Crocodilia, is still not an option for an overwhelming majority of responsible reptile owners.
While I am the first to admit that I understand the appeal of owning these absolutely gorgeous animals that are strangely reminiscent of dinosaurs; there are many reasons why doing so should be avoided by all except the most dedicated and experienced of reptile experts with ready access to a large room dedicated to properly housing one of these guys. Before I get into the cons of croc ownership, I will provide a brief overview of crocodilian biology.
Crocodilian’s have an extremely ancient evolutionary lineage which predates the emergence of the dinosaurs. The first croc like reptiles appeared in the late Triassic Period, some 225 million years ago (though modern groups aren’t found in fossil beds dating older than approximately 80-85 million years ago during the Cretaceous period). Crocs are highly adaptable animals whose amphibious lifestyles and extraordinary ability to withstand long periods without food helped them survive the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event responsible for wiping out the dinosaurs some 65.5 million years ago; when an asteroid impact in the Gulf of Mexico had a long-lasting and devastating impact, killing over 75% of animals living at the time, including the dinosaurs. While major extinction events are devastating to the animals unable to adapt to the changing conditions, this extinction event allowed for a massive radiation of the mammals, as well as the crocodilians, to a lesser degree.
Photo Reference: Rabinal. How to tell a crocodile from an alligator. Digital image. Www.Flickr.com. N.p., 20 June 2009. Web. 27 Dec. 2013.
The Order Crocodilia is divided into 3 families: Alligatoridae (alligators and caimans), Gavialidae (single species; highly threatened and fish-eating gharials of India), and Crocodylidae (the crocodiles). Caimans are found exclusively in Central and South America and are closely related to alligators; both alligators and caimans belong to the crocodilian family Alligatoridae, which is divided into two subfamilies Alligatorinae (the alligators) and Caimaninae (the caimans). The primary differences in these groups of crocodilians lies within the structure of their snout and the morphology of their jaws/teeth. Crocodiles have a ‘C’ shaped jaw when open; while the alligators have a more ‘V’ shaped mandibular fossa.
Photo Reference: Hoeft, Jeffery. Gharial. Digital image. Www.Flickr.com. N.p., 20 Dec. 2008. Web. 27 Dec. 2013.
The gharial is more crocodile-like; however, the males have a bulbous growth at the end of their snout which allows them to make a hissing noise which is apparently used in communication and sexual selection. The Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) are the smallest of the crocs; although smaller size is not associated with all caimans. Some species such as the Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) are known to reach a comparable size to that of the previously mentioned American Alligator, some adults have been known to exceed 14 feet in length and weigh over 650 pounds!
Because of their relatively small size, dwarf caimans have become popular pets in the reptile trade; thus they will be the focus of the rest of this article. There are two distinct species of dwarf caiman, the Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) and the Schneider’s Smooth Fronted Caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus). They are native to the neotropical forests of South America, and have a rather large native range. Unlike most other crocodilians, the dwarf caimans are largely nocturnal. They tend to spend a larger percentage of their time on land than do the other crocs, and are generally found in densely forested regions near rivers where they will seek refuge in fallen trees and/or rock piles. The Schneider’s smooth fronted caimans are also commonly found in seasonally flooded, savannah-like niches in South America.
Dwarf Caiman’s have a somewhat shortened rostrum, and have a reduced number of premaxillary teeth; dwarfs have 4 while most other caimans have 5. As is typical of crocodilians, male caimans are larger. Males typically reach about 5 feet and weigh about 15 lbs, and females reach about 3.5-4 feet and weigh about 13 pounds. Dwarf caimans also have more osteoderms, which are bony plate-like projections of skin, than other crocodilians.
Photo Reference: McKenna, Joe, and thepaperchef. Caiman Mother and Babies. Digital image. Www.Flickr.com. N.p., 20 June 2009. Web. 27 Dec. 2013.
Dwarf caimans mate at the end of the dry season, and engage in a complex array of vocal behaviors associated with mate selection. They generally breed only once a year and do so in shallow water. Females typically cease eating before they lay a clutch of about 10-15 eggs, which will hatch after an incubation period of approximately 3 months. Parental care varies in dwarf caimans based on the region they are native to. Females may stay with and guard her hatchlings for a few weeks, and there have been observations of the mother leading her hatchlings to the water at the time of dispersal. Males have no role in rearing of the hatchlings, though they may help build and guard the females nest prior to the hatching of the eggs. Sexual maturity is associated with the caimans size and is not generally reached by males or females until at least 8 years; though it could take as long as 15.
Photo Reference: Hakonsen, Thor. Paleosuchus palpebrosus. Digital image. Www.flickr.com. N.p., 20 Feb. 2012. Web. 27 Dec. 2013.
As one might imagine, the eggs and hatchlings (which look much like miniature adults) are highly vulnerable to predation by snakes, birds, jaguars, coatimundi, opossums and others. For this reason, parents are highly aggressive when guarding nests or hatchlings. Despite their small size and reclusive nature, dwarf caimans play an enormous role in their ecosystem by keeping populations of fish and small mammals in check. They are highly adaptable and most of their native regions have flourishing populations. While some humans will hunt and eat them, dwarf caimans are excellent at hiding, primarily active at night and don’t offer much meat, even in adulthood; for this reason, they are not a particularly common species sought out by human hunters.
Perhaps the most unique and interesting feature of dwarf caimans is their complex system of communication and social behavior. Although they are often found living solitary lifestyles; they may be found in pairs or small groups in which a social hierarchy system is observed. The larger and more aggressive the caiman, the higher its rank in its social group. Dominant, solitary males will guard prime territories and fight off males encroaching on their land, which provides them access to food and mates. Typically, the better the ‘real estate’ for a crocodilian, the bigger and meaner you’d expect the dominant male to be. The communication systems are extremely complex and the mother will often begin communicating with her young before they’ve even hatched! Their communicative systems incorporate sounds, postures, hormone dictated smells, and touching to express their intent to other dwarf caimans. During the mating season, males may expel air out of their nostrils to create a grunt-like sound.
Photo Reference: Coutinhobr. Paleosuchus palpebrosus. Digital image. Www.Flickr.com. N.p., 4 Nov. 2010. Web. 27 Dec. 2013
Dwarf caimans are nocturnal hunters which feed on fish, small mammals, reptiles (including smaller caimans), amphibians, snails and crabs. Prey is swallowed whole or broken into large pieces which are then swallowed whole. This is because the way the jaw articulates doesn’t allow for mastication, or side to side chewing as seen in many mammals. As with other crocs, the muscles used to open the mouth aren’t particularly strong; thus their mouths can be held shut without much of a struggle. However, the pressure with which they are capable of biting down is quite extraordinary due to the large size of their jowls packed with masseter musculature. In fact, the saltwater crocodile has the most powerful bite in the animal kingdom; with 3,700 pounds per square inch of pressure exerted! Crocodilians have the most acidic stomach enzymes of any vertebrate animal on record; which aids in digestion of bones, shells and other hard to digest materials associated with eating prey whole. Dwarf caimans have unique eating habits which will often incorporate gastroliths in their digestive tract. Gastroliths are rocks which are swallowed and stored in the gizzard to aid in the grinding of the crocodilian’s prey.
Now that I’ve reviewed a bit about their biology and behavior, let’s discuss why dwarf caimans aren’t suitable pets for a vast majority of reptile enthusiasts. Above is a photo of myself and a 3.5 year old male Cuvier’s Dwarf Caiman. This particular caiman was fortunate to have been living with one of the very small minority of people qualified and dedicated enough to provide a crocodilian a rich and humane life in captivity. In this circumstance, the owner is an animal expert with many years of university and field exposure to large, potentially dangerous reptiles. While I felt pleased to have met this amazing creature in person, especially considering the conditions under which he is being kept and the herpetological knowledge/experience of his handler; I immediately developed a deeper understanding of what it would take for an individual to provide such an animal a suitable life in captivity. While the intentions of perspective crocodilian owners may be great; the reality is that very few people are suited to provide the level of care and space that adult crocodilians demand.
I have broken the reasons that crocodilians don’t make great pets down into 5 categories:
1) Size and Enclosure Requirements:
Let’s assume someone does have both the knowledge and experience with reptiles required of responsible, perspective crocodilian owners; owning a crocodilian is still entirely out of the question unless you can also provide the
space they will require; not only as hatchlings, but also as adults. The suggested minimum size of an enclosure for an 4.5-5ft adult dwarf caiman is roughly 15 feet in length by 8 feet in width; with approximately 1/2 water and 1/2 land. With dwarf caimans, some owners will do a 60/40 ratio of land to water because of the amount of time they tend to spend on land, but regardless, the caiman will need a large body of water to comfortably swim in. Most recommend a minimum water volume of 1 cubic meter, or approximately 265 gallons. The aquatic half will need very powerful filtration as crocodilians are notoriously messy animals. Powerful, effective filtration systems for large bodies of water are far from cheap. Additionally, you would likely run into problems with environmental enhancement; crocodilians will often uproot plants and other decorative accents either by digging, smacking with their powerful tail or even using their mouth to manipulate their environment. Dwarf caimans often dig burrows in the wild, so this seemingly destructive behavior would certainly not be unexpected of them. This can be frustrating and can significantly increase the amount of weekly maintenance.
You would also need a powerful source of UVA/UVB light available for the crocodile to bask in during the day. Having a consistent and naturalistic light cycle with UVA and UVB rays is of critical importance when housing crocodilians and other reptiles. UVA light aids in feeding, digestion, social/reproductive behaviors, and proper activity levels; while UVB light is responsible for regulating the synthesis of vitamin D3 in a reptiles skin. Without vitamin D3, a reptile would be unable to process and absorb the calcium in its diet, which can lead to a number of health concerns, including metabolic bone disease. UVB spectrum lighting also promotes the healthy development of organs and immune system. The lighting would also be quite costly for a large caiman enclosure; most UVB lights drastically decrease in effectiveness after between 8-10 months of use, and require frequent replacing.
2) Costs:
While the dwarf caiman itself is often sold as a hatchling for around $200-$400 US dollars; the housing, feeding and veterinary expenses are sure to cost several thousands of dollars throughout the extremely long life span of a dwarf caiman (which have been known to live up to 60 in captivity). Are you prepared to take on a life long commitment to a potentially aggressive animal requiring a significant amount of time, room and money to thrive in captivity? Cost for a hatchling and it’s initial enclosure may be less than 1 thousand, if you’re lucky; but you’d have to expect to spend several times that amount in future months/years on veterinary care, expansion of the enclosure, and nutritional food sources.
3) Powerful Bite:
Remember that the title of the most powerful bite in the animal kingdom belongs to a crocodilian; and while the dwarf caiman is a fraction of the size of a saltwater crocodile, they are still deceivingly powerful animals capable of inflicting a serious wound on inexperienced reptile handlers. Only highly experienced reptile handlers (or those learning under the direct supervision of professionals) should physically approach or handle a crocodilian. Regardless of ones experience level, handling should be done minimally as crocodilians are often easily agitated and stressed by handling. Caimans should be fed using tongs or a similar device to distance the handler from the crocodilian during feeding. As I alluded to earlier, crocodilians are highly intelligent reptiles, and can be target trained to make feeding/moving them more manageable. However, to see their cognitive abilities at work, you do NOT need to buy one. There are plenty of related videos on YouTube and many zoological facilities will show the feeding of their crocodilians to the public if you find out what time they are fed before planning your trip.
4) Captive Diet and Nutritional Requirements:
The captive caiman diet should include small invertebrates, fish and varied, appropriately sized frozen/thawed birds and rodents. An adult caimans appetite can be quite voracious, and whole frozen rodents/birds can be expensive if not purchased in bulk. A large part of the crocodilians diet should consist of whole animals to ensure that the caiman can attain the necessary calcium from the prey animals bones. The diet should not be based on just fish, or on chunks of meat/flesh; while those can be supplemental items, the diet should be primarily whole rodents or birds. Feeding live birds or mammals is, as always, NOT recommended; as doing so in captivity frequently increases aggression, exaggerates feeding responses and endangers the handler and reptile alike. The diet will also need to be supplemented with a specialized vitamin/mineral mixture with calcium at least once a week to make up for possible gaps in nutrition.
5) Legal Implications:
Can you legally own a crocodilian where you live? Are you willing to accept legal accountability of the crocodilian if it bites someone? The legalities associated with crocodilian ownership vary from one state to another; some states have no regulations regarding the ownership of crocodilians; some allow only smaller species; others require permits; and still others have total bans on private crocodilian ownership. These laws vary not only by state, but also by county. Just because you live in a state that doesn’t prohibit private crocodilian ownership doesn’t mean your county has no such prohibitions! An enormous amount of legal information ought to be considered by all perspective crocodilian owners; especially those without a long history of handling and caring for large, dangerous reptiles.
In conclusion, as nice as it would be if dwarf caimans stayed hatchling-sized and remained manageable; it’s simply not the case. Dwarf caimans and other crocodilians get much bigger than most other reptiles kept as pets, and thus require significantly larger enclosures than just about any other animal you’ll find in the exotic reptile trade. They can be dangerous, difficult to predict, aggressive, messy and very expensive/demanding animals to house responsibly. For these reasons, I urge perspective crocodilian owners in the states where dwarf caiman hatchlings are frequently seen in exotic reptile shops to steer clear unless they can realistically expect to provide the level of expert care AND the space these animals will require in adulthood.
The sad truth is that a majority of baby caiman owners will give them up (or, worse yet, release them into the wild) once they outgrow their aquarium environment. Larger, juvenile caimans are much more difficult to find homes for than hatchlings, and it can be almost impossible to find a responsible, qualified individual or organization willing to rescue a larger crocodilian from a previous owner who can no longer meet the needs of the growing reptile. Most aquariums and zoos will not take such animals, and very few people are both willing and qualified to rehome an unwanted adult crocodilian.
Fortunately, the public popularity demanded by these prehistoric monsters means that crocodilians are generally at just about every accredited zoo and aquarium you’ll find. There are often volunteer opportunities at accredited zoos and aquariums which will provide you with a much deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, crocodilians – without giving into the urge to have one at home.
Material References:
Choi, Heiry. “Paleosuchus Palpebrosus Dwarf Caiman, Cuvier’s Smooth Fronted Caiman.” Ed. Phil Meyers and David Armitage. Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, n.d. Web. 27 Dec. 2013.
Stevenson, Colin. “Captive Care.” Paleosuchus Page – Main Page. Http://crocodilian.com, 2009. Web. 27 Dec. 2013. | https://kyletaitt.scienceblog.com/2013/12/28/want-a-pet-croc-heres-why-its-not-a-good-idea/ |
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Crocodilians (Crocodilia) are a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharial. Crocodilians are semi-aquatic predators that have changed little since the time of the dinosaurs. All species of crocodilians have similar body structures; elongated snout, powerful jaws, muscular tail, large protective scales, streamlined body, and eyes and nostrils that are positioned on top of the head.
Physical Adaptations
Crocodilians have several adaptations that make them well-suited for an aquatic lifestyle. They have an extra transparent eyelid on each eye that can be closed to protect their eye when underwater. They also have a flap of skin at the back of their throat that prevents water from seeping in when they attack prey underwater. They can also close their nostrils and ears in a similar manner to prevent the unwanted influx of water.
Territorial Nature
Crocodilian males are territorial animals that protect their home range from other male intruders. Males share their territory with several females with whom they mate. Females lay their eggs on land, near water in a nest built out of vegetation and mud or in a hollow in the ground. Females care for the young after they hatch, providing them with protection until they grow large enough to defend themselves. In many species of crocodilians, the female carries her tiny offspring in her mouth.
Feeding
Crocodilians are carnivores and they feed on live animals such as birds, small mammals, and fish. They also feed on carrion. Crocodilians use several methods of attack when pursuing live prey. One approach is that of ambush; the crocodilian lies motionless beneath the water's surface with only their nostrils above the waterline. This enables them to remain concealed while they watch for prey that approaches the water's edge. The crocodilian then lunges out of the water, taking their prey by surprise and dragging it from the shoreline into deep water for the kill. Other hunting methods include catching fish using a quick side-snap of the head or catching waterfowl by drifting towards it slowly and then lunging for it when at close range.
Crocodilians first appeared about 84 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous. Crocodilians are diapsids, a group of reptiles that possess two holes (or temporal fenestra) on each side of their skull. Other diapsids include dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and the squamates, a group that encompasses modern lizards, snakes, and worm lizards.
Key Characteristics of Crocodilians
The key characteristics of crocodilians include:
- Elongated, structurally reinforced skull
- Wide gape
- Powerful jaw muscles
- Teeth set in sockets
- Complete secondary palate
- Oviparous
- Adults provide extensive parental care to young
Classification
Crocodilians are classified within the following taxonomic hierarchy:
- Animals > Chordates > Vertebrates > Tetrapods > Reptiles > Crocodilians
Crocodilians are divided into the following taxonomic groups:
- Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus): There are one species of gharial alive today. The gharial, also known as the gavial, is easily distinguished from other crocodilians by its very long, narrow jaws. The diet of gharials consists primarily of fish, and their long jaws and plentiful sharp teeth are especially well-suited for catching fish.
- True crocodiles (Crocodyloidea): There are 14 species of true crocodiles alive today. Members of this group include the American crocodile, freshwater crocodile, Philippine crocodile, Nile crocodile, saltwater crocodile, and many others. True crocodiles are efficient predators with a streamlined body, webbed feet, and a powerful tail.
- Alligators and caimans (Alligatoridae): There are 8 species of alligators and caimans alive today. Members of this group include Chinese alligators, American alligators, spectacled caimans, broad-snouted caimans, and several others. Alligators and caimans have wider, shorter heads when compared to true crocodiles. | https://au.leskanaris.com/5194-crocodilians.html |
# Durophagy
Durophagy is the eating behavior of animals that consume hard-shelled or exoskeleton bearing organisms, such as corals, shelled mollusks, or crabs. It is mostly used to describe fish, but is also used when describing reptiles, including fossil turtles, placodonts and invertebrates, as well as "bone-crushing" mammalian carnivores such as hyenas. Durophagy requires special adaptions, such as blunt, strong teeth and a heavy jaw. Bite force is necessary to overcome the physical constraints of consuming more durable prey and gain a competitive advantage over other organisms by gaining access to more diverse or exclusive food resources earlier in life. Those with greater bite forces require less time to consume certain prey items as a greater bite force can increase the net rate of energy intake when foraging and enhance fitness in durophagous species.
In the order Carnivora there are two dietary categories of durophagy; bonecrackers and bamboo eaters. Bonecrackers are exemplified by hyenas and borophagines, while bamboo eaters are primarily the giant panda and the red panda. Both have developed similar cranial morphology. However, the mandible morphology reveals more about their dietary resources. Both have a raised and dome-like anterior cranium, enlarged areas for the attachment of masticatory muscles, enlarged premolars, and reinforced tooth enamel. Bamboo eaters tend to have larger mandibles, while bonecrackers have more sophisticated premolars.
## Fish
Many fish exhibit durophagous behaviour including the triggerfish, some teleosts and some cichlids.
### Triggerfish (Balistidae)
Triggerfish have jaws that contain a row of four teeth on either side, the upper jaw containing an additional set of six plate-like pharyngeal teeth. Triggerfish do not have jaw protrusion and there are enlarged jaw adductor muscles for extra power to crush the protective shells and spines of their prey.
### Teleosts (Teleostei)
Teleosts crush hard prey and do so with the use of their pharyngeal jaws, with the aid of their protrusible mouth for enabling the grabbing of prey to draw it into their mouth. The pharyngeal jaws found in more derived teleosts are more powerful, with left and right ceratobranchials fusing to become one lower jaw and the pharyngeal branchial fusing to create a large upper jaw that articulates with the neurocranium. They have also developed a muscle, the hypertrophied pharyngeal, to crush prey with help from the molariform pharyngeal teeth. This allows for the consumption of hard-shelled prey.
### Cichlids (Cichlidae)
Mollusk shells can be crushed to expose soft parts of the prey to digestive juices or the soft parts can be removed from the shell. Species that crush shells are defined by their large and greatly thickened pharyngeal bones. These bones have flat-crowned teeth and along with their dorsal fellows drawn by powerful muscles, create a crushing mill. The jaws are less derived as they are for just for picking up relatively large objects.
The second method cichlids use is to crush mollusk shells between powerful jaws armed with suitable teeth. Cichlids possess short, broad jaws armed with an outer row of relatively few, strong and conical teeth and several inner rows of finer, also conical teeth. Along with these features are the presence of foreshortening of the skull and development of particularly powerful mandibular adductor muscles. To feed with this type of structure the fish can protrude its mouth ventrally to permit muscles to be seized by the jaws and the mouth then is retracted rapidly so the hard-toothed jaws crush the mollusk shell with the resulting force. A series of biting movements completes the process and the shell fragments are spat out and the soft body is swallowed.
## Chondrichthyans
Within the chondrichthyans, horn sharks (Heterodontidae), some rays (Myliobatidae) and chimeras (Holocephali) exhibit durophagous behaviour. They have adaptations to allow for this including stout flattened teeth, hypertrophied jaw adductor muscles and robust jaws to feed on hard prey such as crustaceans and molluscs. Sharks that crush prey have teeth with small, low rounded cusps that are numerous per row, or are molariform. The molariform teeth are smoothly rounded, lack cusps, and there are numerous teeth per row.
### Horn sharks (Heterodontiformes)
Horn sharks have molariform teeth. The anterior teeth are pointed and are used for grasping while the posterior teeth are molariform and are used for crushing. Horn sharks feed primarily on limpets, bivalve molluscs and blue crabs.
### Bonnethead shark (Sphyrna tiburo)
The bonnethead shark Sphyrna tiburo uses ram feeding to capture crab, shrimp and fish which are placed between the molariform teeth where they are crushed. This species also uses suction to transport prey to the esophagus for swallowing. By combining durophagous characteristics with altered kinematic and motor patterns, bonnethead sharks can prey on hard shelled animals. This characteristic distinguishes prey crushing from simply biting, which is a behaviour exhibited by elasmobranchs. While bonnethead sharks feed almost exclusively on crabs, they have the same tooth structure as the Horn sharks (Heterodontiformes).
### Chimeras (Holocephali)
Chimeras (Holocephali) have pavement teeth that are flat, hexagonal in shape and interconnect to form an even dental plate. There is the presence of calcified strengthened cartilaginous jaws, calcified struts within the jaws and a lever ‘nutcracker’ system that amplifies the force of the jaw adductor muscles. The fusion of the palatoquadrate and mandibular symphysis, a restricted gape and asynchronous activation of the jaw adductors are key elements in the ‘nutcracker’ model of jaw-crushing ability. Chimeras use their pavement teeth for grinding molluscs, gastropods and crabs.
### Myliobatidae
Myliobatidae are free-swimming rays whose pectoral fins make up broad, powerful "wings" which include the eagle and cow-nose rays. They feed on molluscs and have dentitions adapted to crushing. Dentitions of durophagous myliobatids show several specializations in the jaws and teeth related to their diet. The cartilaginous jaws are strengthened by calcified struts (trabeculae), and the palatoquadrate and mandibular symphysis are fused. Strong ligaments connecting the upper and lower jaws restrict the jaw gape. The strong adductor muscles can be asynchronously activated.
#### Eagle (Aetobatus narinari) and cow-nose (Rhinoptera javanica) rays
In eagle (Aetobatus narinari) and cow-nose (Rhinoptera javanica) rays, teeth are hexagonal and are arranged in anteroposterior files packed closely together in an alternating array to form an almost gap-free pavement, similar to the organization found in Chimeras. The teeth are covered with a layer of enameloid. The tooth pavement is stabilized by vertical surfaces that bear ridges and grooves which are interconnected with those on neighboring teeth. These rays also use their pavement teeth for grinding molluscs, gastropods and crabs. Cow nose rays are specialized suction feeders, which open and close their jaws to generate water movements that are used to excavate buried prey. Food capture is achieved by suction and the prey is then cleaned by actions similar to those used in excavation.
#### Myliobatis and Aetobatus
In Myliobatis and Aetobatus, anteroposterior ridges of the basal plate extend from the posterior margin of the tooth and these interdigitate with those of the succeeding tooth and also form a shelf on which the body of the neighboring tooth rests. The dentition of the bat ray (Myliobatis californica) is made up of a series of seven files of crushing teeth. The central hexagonal plate is very wide, taking up about half the width of the occlusal surface and it is flanked by three lateral files of smaller teeth on each side, the outermost being pentagonal. The crushing surface formed by the teeth of the upper jaw is more curved than that of the lower jaw.
## Birds
Shorebirds commonly consume bivalves and snails which are low in chitin but the calcium carbonate shell makes up a large portion of their weight. Bivalves and snails are largely consumed whole by ducks and wading birds. The molluscivores that swallow snails or bivalves whole have large well-modularized gizzards for crushing the strong shells. The gizzard of red-necked stints and red knots is more than ten times larger than the proventriculus. The size of the gizzard is adaptable in these shore birds, becoming atrophied when soft food items like worms are consumed and increasing in size and muscularity following prolonged consumption of snails, cockles or mussels. The production of chitinase for the hydrolysis of chitin is important for birds that consume mollusks.
## Marine mammals
### Sea otters (Enhydra lutris)
Sea otters preferentially forage on benthic invertebrates, particularly sea urchins, gastropod, bivalve mollusks, and crustaceans. Once prey is caught, the otters use their powerful jaws and sharp teeth to consume their meal quickly, even protective crustacean shells. They have canines that deliver a lethal bite, and molars that can crush bones and the shells of mollusks.
Sea otter molars are broad, flat, multi cuspid teeth and the carnassial are also modified for crushing. Both the temporalis and masseter muscles are well developed, creating a strong bite force. The teeth are extremely broad and carnassial are highly molarized. Captured prey is manipulated with the forepaws or is held temporarily in loose skin pouches in the armpits. For larger, heavier-shelled prey, otters will sometimes exhibit tool-use behavior, breaking open sea urchins and mussels with a false stone used as an anvil. Sea otters can also bite sea urchins and mussels open using their strong jaws and teeth. Adults can crush most of their food items but youngsters have not yet developed powerful enough jaws. Therefore, young otters require the assistance of a tool or stone. Tools may also be used when the molluscs are too large to be crushed in the jaws.
## Mammals
### Monkeys
All mangabeys appear to be durophagous and possess relatively thick molar enamel and expanded premolars, dental adaptations for processing hard foods. Their diet consists of Sacoglottis gabonensis seeds. These seeds can remain on the ground for months without rotting. With hard-object feeding, Mangabeys needed selection to favour thick molar enamel and flattened molars for crushing seeds.
### Giant panda
The giant panda is mainly a herbivore despite its short, relatively unspecialized digestive tract that is characteristic of carnivores. Giant pandas lack microbial digestion in their rumen or caecum that is typical of most herbivores for breaking down cellulose and lignin in plant cell walls. Therefore, Giant Pandas need to get their nutrients from the cell contents and fraction of hemicellulose they can break down. The panda subsists mainly on bamboo and does so with modifications of their jaws. Pandas show elaboration of the crushing features of the dentition. The molars are broad, flat, multi cuspid teeth and are the main grinding surface. Jaw action is not a simple crushing one but rather a definite sideways grinding. Panda jaws have a large zygomatico-mandibularis muscle, which is responsible for the sideways movement of the jaw. The glenoid is very deep, preventing back and forth movement of the jaw.
Bamboo represents a predictable food source which is seasonally abundant. Pandas are able to subsist on it despite its low nutritive content. Pandas do this by moving large quantities through the digestive tract in a short period of time. They also reduce their energy expenditures by resting and only remaining active to feed, and they don't have a hibernation period, allowing them to have more foraging time. They chose security over uncertainty, indicated by their bamboo eating adaptations.
### Hyaenids
Bone-crushing eating habits appear to be associated with stronger teeth, as seen is in hyaenids. This is because bone-crushing requires greater bite strength and increases the risk of canine breakage. In hyaenids, the carnassial are slightly less specialized as cutting blades than those of the Felidae. The bone-crushing adaptations relate mainly to the premolars. The anterior and posterior cusps are reduced and the central cusp enlarged and widened, so that the tooth is converted from a blade-like structure to a heavy conical hammer. Strong muscles are also required for bone crushing, and the temporalis attachment on the skull is enlarged by a strong sagittal crest. Heavy, hammer-like teeth and extremely strong jaws and jaw muscles make it possible for hyaenas to crack larger bone than other carnivores are capable of, and their highly efficient cutting carnassials can deal with tough hides and tendons.
### Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
The wolverine has jaws and teeth that are extremely powerful and together with its scavenging habits, have earned the wolverine the name "hyena of the north". The wolverine is an effective scavenger, capable of cracking heavy bones and shows the same adaptations in the jaw as the hyenas do. The sagittal crest projects well above the area of attachment of the neck muscles, and in a large animal it extends back far behind the level of the condyles to provide attachments for the relatively enormous temporalis muscles, creating a powerful bite force. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durophagy |
Jaguars have some of the most powerful bites of any big cat. They can kill and paralyse prey instantly.
When big cat photographer Steve Winter went to Brazil's Pantanal National Park in 2016, he was on a mission to document jaguars. And in the story of how he got one of his most incredible shots, Scarface is his protagonist.
Winter had been trailing the 10-year-old alpha jaguar non-stop for four days. Traveling down a river that cuts through dense Brazilian forest, Winter and his cameraman Bertie Gregory had seen the large cat with a split lip lunge at and miss over a dozen previous targets. They were beginning to think they wouldn't document a kill.
The lack of progress was getting to him, Winter recounts. Sitting under an umbrella rigged into a fishing pole holder, Winter sat with camera in tow, feeling the 46-degree Celsius heat bear down on him.
Winter was ready to give up on the cat. "Then boom—he went underwater."
What Winter documented next unfolded in only 15 seconds.
Bobbing his head underwater to firmly grasp his prey, Scarface emerged from the river with a caiman in his jaws. Jaguars are big cats, the third largest in the world, but Winter's photos show the caiman to be nearly twice as large.
Manoeuvring out of the water quickly and gracefully, Scarface drags the reptile fully out of the water and into dense forest cover. Winter couldn't see what happened next, but presumes that once the jaguar's powerful teeth punctured the caiman's vertebrae, its fate was sealed.
When he finally saw Scarface make a kill, Winter says, he was full of adrenaline, and his hand was cramping from holding down the shutter button on his camera for so long.
While the hunting sequence isn't commonly documented, caimans are a well-known source of food for jaguars.
During this region's dry season, animals like caimans and capybaras can be found more abundantly in and around rivers.
"It's like the jaguars' supermarket," says Winter.
Jaguars are able to hold onto larger, powerful prey like caiman because of the way they hunt. Other big cats kill their prey by clamping their jaws around its neck and suffocating it. Jaguars instead kill by puncturing their prey with powerful bites.
"Jaguars are built for power, not for speed," notes Winter. "They have strong upper body strength, and an incredible jaw."
He says he and his camera crew frequently saw jaguars swimming upstream for hours in search of dinner. In video previously shot by National Geographic showing a jaguar killing a caiman, Explorer Luke Dollar notes they're the most aquatic of all big cats.
In the Pantanal, jaguars seem to take little notice of his small fishing boat, Winter says. In their range, which extends from the northern tip of Argentina to the U.S.-Mexico border, the Brazilian nature reserve is the only region in which they're fully protected.
Winter plans to one day return to the Pantanal and further document jaguars. He's unsure if Scarface, now more than a decade old, will still be around. He presumes it will be a new alpha he chases. | https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/photos-show-jaguar-scarface-taking-down-dangerous-prey.aspx |
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