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A video shows the violent arrest of indigenous Chief Allan Adam, who was beaten by two Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers. Survival’s 2019 calendar celebrates 50 years of protecting indigenous peoples The photos featured in Survival International’s 2019 calendar show us the value of indigenous cultural diversity. Unique pictures in occasion of the 50th anniversary of the movement that fights alongside and in defence of indigenous peoples. “From the Siberian mountains to the Amazon rainforest, tribal peoples aren’t primitive relics of a remote past. They are our contemporaries and the best guardians of the natural world”. Indigenous peoples, who have always lived in harmony with the environment carrying out sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyles, have a profound respect and knowledge of the world they live in. A comprehension and consciousness that contribute to safeguarding 80 per cent of the Planet’s biodiversity, and that our culture can only admire, and protect. This is the idea emerging from We, the people, the annual calendar of Survival International, the movement fighting for the protection of the world’s indigenous peoples. We, the people. Survival’s 2019 calendar This year’s calendar comes as a special edition to celebrate the 50 years of activities, campaigns and fights of the association. To do so, Survival has picked unique images and portraits by renowned international photographers and photojournalists, including Brent Stirton (winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017), James Morgan, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, and Steve McCurry. From the Mindima men in New Guinea, a country that gave life to one in six languages spoken in the world, the uncontacted tribe in Brazil, to the nomads of the sea and the Mongolian taiga, the photographs featured in the calendar are a journey into the human and cultural preciousness, and magnificence, of our world. And, at the same time, a journey into the challenges and battles these populations face today. “Powerful images have always been at the heart of our fight for tribal peoples’ survival,” commented Stephen Corry, Director of Survival. “We are delighted to have gathered so many beautiful images to reflect the past 50 years of Survival’s vital work, and I hope that they will energize people to get behind our cause”. It is in fact since 1969, when an article published in the Sunday Times featuring powerful photos of the genocide of Amazon Indians tribe led to the establishment of Survival International, that tribal peoples have a valuable ally on their side. Read also: 2019 is the International Year of Indigenous Languages. In defence of those fighting for their identity Survival International’s 2019 calendar can be purchased online and is part of a series of products that help the organisation to be self-financing and to carry on with its campaigns in defence of the indigenous world. This year, each calendar comes with a free desk calendar with a beautiful image by photographer Sebastião Salgado that features Brazil’s Awa gatherer-hunters, an iconic image of Survival’s campaigns that led the Brazilian government to act to protect these populations from extinction. Featured image: Boy from the Suri Tribe. Omo Valley, Ethiopia, 2014. Survival Calendar 2019 © Steve McCurry A historic win for the Ashaninka of Brazil as they receive compensation for deforestation on their land On top of a 2.4 million dollar compensation, the indigenous Ashaninka people will receive an official apology from the companies who deforested their lands in the 1980s. Covid-19 could have dramatic consequences in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Abandoned by the government, the indigenous Waorani people are organising to combat the pandemic on their own. A federal court in Washington, D.C. has struck down the Dakota Access Pipeline, following years of campaigning by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. The tribes of the Lower Omo Valley in Ethiopia live in close contact with nature and the river they depend on. We explore how their ancestral ways of life are being threatened by the impacts of a mega-dam, climate change and a booming tourism industry, in this exclusive reportage. Kivalina is located on a small island once guarded by sea ice, which is now melting due to global warming. While the sea threatens to wipe the village off the face of the Earth, its inhabitants refuse to give up their lives and traditions. We, the people is Survival’s 2020 calendar, which features the winners of the photography contest showcasing images of the world’s indigenous peoples. As Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed collects the Nobel Peace Prize, abuses in the Lower Omo Valley must be addressed Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for reaching peace with Eritrea. Yet, Indigenous groups in Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley have been abused by security forces, a fact that the prime minister must address, says the Oakland Institute. There are more than 5,000 communities around the world commonly defined as “indigenous”. The UN celebrates this diversity as a world heritage that must be preserved.	https://www.lifegate.com/survival-international-2019-calendar
TOKYO, September 11 – Let's call it a shock discovery: DNA research has discovered two completely new types of Electroaal in the Amazon basin, including one that can deliver a record burst. According to the researchers, the findings prove the incredible diversity of the Amazon rainforest – much of it is still unknown to scientists – and illustrate why protecting an endangered habitat from deforestation, logging and fires is so important. "Despite all the human impacts on the Amazon rainforest over the past 50 years, we can still spot giant fish like the two new types of electric eels," said senior researcher C. David de Santana, a zoologist with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The research "shows that a tremendous amount of species are waiting to be discovered in the Amazon rainforest, many of which can be cures for diseases or stimulate technological innovation." he told AFP. The electric eel, in fact a species of fish and not an eel, inspired the design of the first electric battery. For centuries, it was believed that there was one single species in the entire region known as the Greater Amazonia, which includes parts of countries such as Brazil, Suriname and Guyana. As part of a project to better understand eels and map wildlife in remote parts of South America, de Santana and his team decided to test this conventional wisdom. At first glance, they found barely visible differences between creatures that come from different parts of the Amazon Basin, suggesting that the fish actually belong to a single species. Centuries of conjecture turned upside down and three different species revealed: the previously known Electrophorus electricus, along with Electrophorus voltai and Electrophorus varii. And their research also uncovered Another amazing result: E. Voltai can deliver a jolt of 860 volts – much more than the 650 volts previously recorded by electric eels – making it the "strongest known bioelectricity generator". "Hidden" Functions The results, which were published yesterday in the journal Nature Communications state that the three species formed millions of years ago from a common ancestor have clearly defined habitat, with E. electricus occurring in the Guyana Shield area, E. voltai in the Brazilian Shield, a highland further south, and E. varii in the slow-flowing lowland of the Amazon basin. A strong electric shock that E. Voltai can trigger could be an adaptation to life in highland waters where conductivity is less effective. Electric eels use their shock tactics for a variety of reasons, including making hu prey, defending themselves, and navigating. They generate electricity from three specialized electrical organs that can deliver charges of different strengths for different purposes. The discovery of the new species, however, increases the likelihood of different types of eels. De Santana may have developed different types of power generation that may be better suited to their different environments. De Santana hopes to be able to compare the genomes of the three species in order to look for clues that could provide useful insights for a variety of areas. The physiology of the electric eel inspired the design of Volta's first electric battery, provided a foundation for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, and recently promoted the advancement of hydrogel batteries that power medical implants.	https://newsbeezer.com/a-shocking-find-new-high-voltage-eels-discovered-life/
Languages of the world are becoming extinct at an alarming rate, and with them, entire cultures, histories and cognitive habits – and possibilities – are disappearing forever. Yet, there is a surprising lack of awareness and concern over this epic loss. Nitasha Kaul brings into focus the issues involved. Language houses the memory of a people. We exist, to a great extent, within the thought categories we structure through the words we use, and how they reﬂect the histories of our way of living and understanding the world around us. Language is an immensely signiﬁcant marker of identity. It is not surprising, then, that those who are not seen to share our identity have been called ‘barbarian’ by many different groups since antiquity. Etymologically, a ‘barbarian’ was not only foreign, but also someone whose unintelligible language and/or stammering speech was alien to our own. Similarly, the use of shibboleths in various cases (ranging from the Hebrew Bible’s mention of the killing of Ephraimites thousands of years ago to the Dominican Parsley Massacre of Haitians in 1937) meant that many thousands have been killed because they failed the identity test which required them to prove their belonging by pronouncing a word correctly. Language has thus often been a proxy for culture, and shared across national borders (in this context, the relationship of language and the dominant political entity of the nation- state has been peculiarly vexed in modern times, as exempliﬁed by ethnic exclusion and irredentism). And like peoples, languages too have grown, died, moved around, and evolved throughout history. The world has about 7000 languages and just 4% of these are spoken by 96% of the world’s population. It is estimated that over the next 100 years, 90% of the world’s languages will die. When a language dies, a unique slice of human history is lost. Humanity’s past is littered with dead languages. Academics like Mark Janse point to Asia Minor as a known “linguistic killing-ﬁeld”, where almost all indigenous languages became extinct under the pressures of Hellenization. And, while languages have always died, in our times, there is an especially accelerated rate of language death. The statistics, from linguist David Crystal, are sobering. Currently, 8 languages over 100 million (Mandarin, Spanish, English, Bengali, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese) have 2.4 billion speakers, and top 20 languages are spoken by 3.2 billion people. The world has about 7000 languages and just 4% of these are spoken by 96% of the world’s population. It is estimated that over the next 100 years, 90% of the world’s languages will die. On an average, that means one language dies on the planet every two weeks. Analysts tell us that 96% of the world’s languages are spoken by just 4% of the global population (reversing the statistic above), that a quarter of world’s languages are spoken by less than 1000 people, over half by less than 10000, and that almost 500 languages have less than 100 speakers, 51 with just one speaker. Languages die in many ways – gradually due to evolution, change and mixing, or suddenly due to natural phenomena. And, this linguicide – literally, the killing of language – is also a deliberate result of government political prohibitions on the use of language (curtailing people’s linguistic rights) as a component of assimmilation or genocide. Recent histories of Soviet policies in Ukraine in the twentieth century reveal the potent effects of documents titled “Nationalist Threats on the Language Front” and “Register of Repressed Words”. And, among others, the experiences of Native Americans, aboriginal peoples in Australia, the ﬁrst nation peoples in Canada are other examples of how entire populations have lost their languages, histories and a sense of their indigenous culture. Native languages have often been seen as as a nationalist threat to unjustiﬁed centralising powers, from the Ems Ukase of 1876 (decree of Alexander II, Tsar of Russia, forbidding use of Ukranian language), to Thatcher’s ban on broadcasting of the voice of Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams in the 1980s and 1990s UK, to the continued language suppression issues faced by the Kurdish people in Turkey (an inspiration for Harold Pinter’s play Mountain Language about the universal suppression of language as a part of injustice). Many post-colonial children of a certain generation in South Asia (an experience shared in much of Africa) will recall the educational drive towards the language of the erstwhile colonisers, whereby punishments or ﬁnes were handed out to children in ‘good’ schools for using native languages. And so, English has come to be the currency of contemporary global expression. The massive processes of colonialisation (both in its earlier and then modern European versions) and globalisation have largely led to a drive towards this monolingualism (though now there are many ‘world-englishes’). And, this is how (to quote John Sutherland writing in The Independent, UK, 10 March 2002) “a dialect, spoken by a backward, semi-literate tribe in the south-eastern corner of a small island in the North Sea spread, like some malign pandemic virus, across the globe”. Since the 1990s especially, there has been an explosion of literature on linguicide from several cognate disciplines. Vastly improved language data is also available online through resources such as the UNESCO Atlas of the world’s languages in danger (http:// www.unesco.org/culture/languages-atlas/index.php) or the earlier Ethnolgue (http:// www.ethnologue.com). However, recent decades have also been witness to debate about the course of future action concerning linguicide. At one extreme are those who take the view of commentators such as Kenan Malik who writes: “What if half the world’s languages are on the verge of extinction? Let them die in peace”. This view stresses merely the communicative function of language, and imagines that attempts to save dying languages have romantic aims which do not help the people who would be better served by speaking the more dominant languages. A more nuanced academic version of this view is that taken by the Congo-born Chicago linguist Salikoko Mufwene who claims to focus on the ecology of language evolution by questioning the usual accounts of language death and arguing that it has not been uniformaly catastrophic. He writes that “languages and cultures at any given point in time are commodities with ‘market values’…which are subject to competition and selection”. Like the tenets of neoclassical economics, this economically determinist perspective emphasises the ‘choice’ aspect as opposed to the constraints faced by speaking communities. Such focus on the socioeconomic interests of language speakers stops us from considering why and how the conﬂuence of powerful economic interests lead to the attrition of some languages, and what this means in the long run. The contrary, and to my mind, more relevant position (for instance, arguments of linguists such as Louis- Jean Calvet, Joshua Fishman, Michael Krauss) is the one which treats language as not merely communicative, but also as a repository of numerous other functions including emotive, poetic, and referential. Attempts to preserve and maintain dying languages also have a link with strengthening the human rights of the endangered speaking communities involved. The disciplinary ﬁeld of ‘revival linguistics’ includes taking steps to make endangered languages sustainable, reviving speech and reversing language death. In contrast to the ancient story of the Tower of Babel, the multiplicity of the human tongues is a reminder of human power, imagination, otherness, reciprocal understanding and ethics. To quote Goethe: “those who know nothing of foreign languages, know nothing of their own”. Look at the lists of many untranslatable words from other languages that keep circulating on the web, and you cannot contest that they reflect, at a minimum, a certain perception that may not be exactly translatable into other languages. The point being that when we lose languages, we lose something of the beauty and acuity of their distinct and special expression. We are many. Many are our names. And many histories. Akin to the biodiversity of the planet (where the recognition of loss is easier to recognise), losing languages is also an irreplaceable loss of unique ways of thinking. Whatever speciﬁc version of linguistic relativity (the misnamed Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis which, roughly speaking, stands for the determination, or at least, inﬂuence, of languages upon structures of thinking) one agrees with, it cannot be denied that a speciﬁc language has some effect upon thinking. Look at the lists of many untranslatable words from other languages that keep circulating on the web, and you cannot contest that they reﬂect, at a minimum, a certain perception that may not be exactly translatable into other languages. The point being that when we lose languages, we lose something of the beauty and acuity of their distinct and special expression. Additionally, from a gender perspective, it isn’t just that men and women use the same language differently (a point taken further by the linguist and science ﬁction writer Suzette Elgin when she created a new constructed language in the 1980s, called Ládaan, to reﬂect women’s views), it is also that there are historical languages that express social communication between speciﬁc sub-groups such as women. An example is Nüshu, the women-only Chinese language of the women of the Yao ethnic group in the Jiangyong county in Hunan province in southern China. This language, which could date back a thousand years, is now almost extinct. It was a language that allowed an expression of a social bond between women in a Laotong relationship (kindred sisters for eternity). Between the ﬁrst time I saw a BBC report about the dying of Nüshu (and Chinese attempts to preserve it in a new museum) in 2002, and 2011 when a movie (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan) dramatised the laotong relationship on screen, the last woman (among the 2.9 million ethnic Yao people) who could write in this script has died. The unquantiﬁable history, memory, and culture we lose with the death of a language cannot be reﬂected in an economic calculus alone. More recently, in 2010, the last known speaker of Bo, an ancient language of the Andamans, died. There is a long list of many other last known speakers of a language. Could you dare imagine how it is to think and feel in a language that once was shared but now only you know, and you know too that those unspoken words and thoughts will die with you?	http://kindlemag.in/words-worlds-linguicide/
As I pondered the question, it occurred to me that there is something even deeper and more precious to me than the goals I work toward as the director of City Lore, New York’s center for urban folklore. Founded in 1985, we work to preserve places that matter, highlight the work of traditional artists, document stories, bring folk and community-based artists into schools, project poems from the POEMobile, and operate a gallery. Our mission is to further New York City’s—and America’s—living cultural heritage. Yet my hope for the future goes beyond this: it is that every soul, whose existence happens to manifest itself on the planet, continues through the generations to bring something new into the world, retains their individuality, develops their own sense of humor, and tells their own unique story in a distinctive way. Indeed, I was inspired to become a folklorist because of the expressions and humor I shared with my brothers. That was our language. As human beings, we rely on our language—the language we live in and in which we feel at home—to fully express ourselves. For each of us to live fully as sentient and distinctive individuals, we need to emerge from a diversity of dialects, languages, and cultures. To explore these ideas more deeply, City Lore has held exhibits such as What We Bring: New Immigrant Gifts and Mother Tongues: Endangered Languages in New York and Beyond. Yuri Marder’s photographs from the latter are featured in this article. The dissolution of a language diminishes each speaker’s ability to be oneself. Half the languages in the world today will disappear in this century. In New York City alone, the Endangered Language Alliance suggests that many of the more than 600 languages spoken are endangered. The Slovenian and Germanic endangered language, Gottscheerisch, is holding on in Ridgewood, Queens; Himalayan languages are still spoken in parts of Brooklyn and Queens; and the Arawakan Garifuna language can still be heard in the Bronx. For me, there is a global imperative to preserve endangered languages—no matter the scale—whether within a nation, a tribe, or village. As Joseph Albert Elie Joubert from the Abenaki tribe in Quebec province put it, “the secrets of our culture lie hidden within our language.” But why is preserving endangered languages and cultural diversity as important as, say, climate change, or income inequality? Clearly, they are different issues, but they stem from some of the same causes and harbor the same potential solutions.	https://novalanguages.com/language-rights-are-human-rights-a-hope-for-a-future-of-linguistic-diversity/
The voice box in primates such as gorillas and chimpanzees may have evolved more rapidly compared with other mammals, scientists believe. In a study published in PLOS Biology, researchers found that when compared with meat-eating mammals such as tigers or foxes, the voice box, or larynx, of primates is “significantly larger” in relation to their body size. They also found that, within primates, voice boxes were diverse in function and more variable in size. Although the findings do not specifically shed light on how humans, who also belong to this group of mammals, developed speech, the researchers believe their work demonstrates an “evolutionary flexibility” among primates which could help in understanding more about vocal communication. Read more about the evolution of language: - Origins of human language stretch back 25 million years - Secrets of orangutan ‘language’ uncovered - ‘Evolutionary history’ of sign language uncovered Dr Jacob Dunn, reader in evolutionary biology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), who was one of the lead authors on the study, said: “Humans, as primates, live within a group of mammals in which there has been a quite interesting evolution of the larynx. “You’ve got gibbons that sing like soprano singers, you’ve got howler monkeys that roar and have incredibly low frequencies, you’ve got tarsiers (small primates found in Southeast Asia) that produce ultrasound, and you have got humans who speak. “So, within this primate group you’ve got a really amazing diversity of the uses of the larynx – and one of those is speech. “There is an exciting opportunity to try and frame what we learn about this to help us better understand vocal communication amongst primates – including our own.” The larynx is located in the neck and performs many important functions which involve swallowing, breathing, and voice production, which is why scientists believe this crucial organ to be a key area of evolution. A team of researchers from Anglia Ruskin University worked with colleagues from Stanford University in the US, and the University of Vienna in Austria, on what is thought to be the first large-scale study into the evolution of the larynx. They looked at scans of voice box specimens of 55 different species and developed 3D computer models to study the organs in detail. The scientists found that the voice box of primates is on average 38 per cent larger, after taking into account individual body length. They also found that the sizes of these organs varied relative to body size among primates, whereas carnivorans followed more of a “fixed larynx-size to body-size ratio”. Dr Dunn said: “This study demonstrates clear differences in the evolution of the larynx between groups of mammals. “Specifically, we have shown for the first time that the primate larynx is larger, less closely linked to body size, and under faster rates of evolution than the carnivoran larynx.” As part of the next steps, the researchers are keen to understand more about the human voice box. Dr Dunn said: “Ultimately, we are interested in trying to better understand the evolution of language and that’s one of our key research areas. “One thing I am particularly interested in is the evolution of the human voice box, where we are looking at the hyoid bone (a horse-shaped bone in the neck) – which can provide clues about the evolution of speech.” Reader Q&A: How did languages evolve? Asked by: Tanya Sebastian, by email Slowly at first, possibly beginning with simple sounds made by our ancestors Homo heidelbergenis, and then increasingly rapidly until there were thousands of languages spoken around the planet. But this has been fiercely debated and much is still not understood. Some experts think there was one original ‘Proto-Human’ language from which all others evolved. This might have been spoken by Mitochondrial Eve about 150,000 years ago, before our ancestors left Africa. Others believe that, since some human populations have been isolated for as long as 40,000 years, language evolved independently many times. What we do know is that languages evolve much as organisms do, with isolated populations diverging in vocabulary, words changing to suit different functions, and some languages ultimately going extinct. Of the nearly 7,000 languages spoken on Earth today, 90 per cent are expected to be gone by the middle of this century. Sad, but that’s evolution for you. Read more: - What was the first-ever language? - Do deaf people do sign language in their sleep? - I’d like to learn a language, which is the easiest one to pick up?	https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/primate-evolution-biology-larynx-mammal/
We have been fortunate enough to take several trips to Central and South America, including Bolivia, Ecuador, and Panama. During each of the trips, we specifically made a point of getting into the jungle and seeing different wildlife and plants. Each of them was unique in their own ways and we stayed in eco lodges in both Bolivia and Ecuador. Many of these experiences were quite unique and we have many wonderful memories. Here are some of our favorite rainforest adventures that we’ve had during our travels. - Monkey Islands in Panama – One of the most interesting things that we did during our time in Panama was to take a boat passed the famous locks and going to the Monkey Islands. Our boat would pull up to the islands and the monkeys would climb down from the trees to take grapes and bananas from our hands. Under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t do that, but since the monkeys rely on humans for the survival, we felt okay with the experience. - Visiting Carrasco National Park in Bolivia – Our first Amazon experience was during our trip to Cochabamba when we stayed at an eco lodge and spent a day hiking through Carrasco National Park. We climbed into caves with different varieties of bats, blind birds called Guacharos, poisonous frogs, as well as snakes. It was definitely an interesting way to get introduced to the Amazon Jungle. - Staying at the Napo Wildlife Center in Ecuador – After our experiences in Bolivia, we chose to go even deeper into the jungle during our trip to Ecuador. We spent several days at the Napo Wildlife Center, which is an eco lodge sitting on a lake with caiman, birds, monkeys, and giant river otters. Every day, we would get up early and go into the rainforest to experience different wildlife. - Traveling on the Amazon River – We spent time on a motor boat as well as canoe on the tributaries of the Amazon river. After flying into the tiny town of Coca, Ecuador, we took a boat down the Amazon River where we then got out and hiked to get to our canoes. To say that it was a fascinating experience would certainly be an understatement. - Visiting Indigenous Villages – We went to indigenous villages in both Panama as well as Ecuador and each was a truly special experience. The local tribes are very friendly and happy to welcome you into their village where they share their traditions, art, and lifestyles. We even danced with the local Emberá tribe members during our time in Panama, which was something we will forever treasure. We know that these types of opportunities are dwindling over time, so it is important to take advantage of any chance that you happen to get. - Bird Watching in the Rainforest – With over a thousand species of birds in the Amazon Rainforest, the opportunities to see birds a quite diverse. We climbed to the top of the forest canopy in Ecuador to see different colorful birds including macaws, toucans, and parrots. Going the parrot clay licks and seeing so many different parrots feeding on the mineral rich soil was absolutely amazing. - Fort San Lorenzo in Panama – Going the fort that was captured by the famous Captain Morgan, which is located in the jungles of Panama was a truly educational experience. Whether imagining swash-buckling pirates, canons blasting off of the cliffs, or picturing the ships traveling down the Chagres River, it is something worth making the effort to see when planning a trip to Panama. Obviously we hope to spend more time in different rainforests in other parts of the world. There is such a diversity in the biology of the jungle that it really takes several days to truly get an understanding of everything that there is to see. If you ever get a chance to spend a few nights in the rainforest, we’d highly recommend it as it allows you to see it both during the day, but also at dawn and dusk when the animals are the most active.	https://livingtheqlife.co/tag/amazon/
A land with staggering contrasts, the diverse landscape of Bolivia is truly amazing. Right from snow-clad peaks to rivers, to remote expanses and beautiful valleys, to picturesque lagoons and the lush Amazon rainforest, Bolivia does not fail to baffle. Located smack inside the heart of South America, Bolivia is a landlocked country bordered by Paraguay and Argentina on its south, Chile to its southwest, Peru to its west, and Brazil to its north and east. The Spanish arrived and took control of Bolivia in the 16th century, defeating the Incas, who were the inhabitants of the regions. The Spanish ruled for over 300 years. Independence fighter, Simon Bolivar (Bolivia was named after him), initiated a battle for independence, with Bolivia finally gaining its freedom on August 06, 1825. Though democratic rule was truly established in the 1980s, but the country has been tied by the shackles of poverty, drugs issues and social unrest. Almost 95% of Bolivians are Roman Catholics, with the rest being Protestants. Though, Spanish is the most spoken official language in Bolivia, the country recognises almost 37 official languages, with the main ones being Quechua, Aymara and Guarani. Due to Bolivia’s contrasting terrains, the climate drastically varies from one region to another, usually ranging from humid and tropical to cold and semiarid. Bolivia is a heaven for nature lovers, owing to the landscapes, views, and the sheer biological diversity the country has to offer. Take a bus journey along the rugged mountain passes, including one of the world’s most dangerous road – the Death Road, or explore the quaint villages and provinces, trek through the jungles and the mountain peaks. Bolivia is a beautiful land that has plenty to offer for an offbeat holiday.	https://www.holidayme.com/Bolivia-tourism-CO8472/?intid=Explore_10%20Fake%20but%20Real%20Places
Peru officially the Republic of Peru is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. Peru is a megadiverse country with habitats ranging from the arid plains of the Pacific coastal region in the west to the peaks of the Andes mountains extending from the north to the southeast of the country to the tropical Amazon basin rainforest in the east with the Amazon River. Peru has a population of 34 million, and its capital and largest city is Lima. At 1.28 million km2 (0.5 million mi2), Peru is the 19th largest country in the world and the third-largest in South America. The sovereign state of Peru is a representative democratic republic divided into 25 regions. Peru has a high level of human development with an upper-middle-income level ranking 82nd on the Human Development Index. It is one of the region's most prosperous economies with an average growth rate of 5.9% and it has one of the world's fastest industrial growth rates at an average of 9.6%. Its main economic activities include mining, manufacturing, agriculture and fishing, along with other growing sectors such as telecommunications and biotechnology. The country forms part of The Pacific Pumas, a political and economic grouping of countries along Latin America's Pacific coast that share common trends of positive growth, stable macroeconomic foundations, improved governance, and an openness to global integration. Peru ranks high in social freedom; it is an active member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Pacific Alliance, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the World Trade Organization; and is considered as a middle power. Peru has a population that includes Mestizos, Amerindians, Europeans, Africans, and Asians. The main spoken language is Spanish, although a significant number of Peruvians speak Quechuan languages, Aymara, or other Indigenous languages. This mixture of cultural traditions has resulted in a wide diversity of expressions in fields such as art, cuisine, literature, and music.	https://www.walkbrazil4k.com/2022/05/beautiful-peruvian-cities.html
The Dravidian language family consists of about 80 varieties (Hammarstrom H. 2016 Glottolog 2.7) spoken by 220 million people across southern and central India and surrounding countries (Steever SB. 1998 Tn The Dravidian languages (ed. SB Steever), pp. 1-39: 1). Neither the geographical origin of the Dravidian language homeland nor its exact dispersal through time are known. The history of these languages is crucial for understanding prehistory in Eurasia, because despite their current restricted range, these languages played a significant role in influencing other language groups including IndoAryan (Indo-European) and Munda (Austroasiatic) speakers. Here, we report the results of a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of cognate -coded lexical data, elicited first hand from native speakers, to investigate the subgrouping of the Dravidian language family, and provide dates for the major points of diversification. Our results indicate that the Dravidian language family is approximately 4500 years old, a finding that corresponds well with earlier linguistic and archaeological studies. The main branches of the Dravidian language family (North, Central, South I, South II) are recovered, although the placement of languages within these main branches diverges from previous classifications. We find considerable uncertainty with regard to the relationships between the main branches. A major argument against the feasibility of reconstructing syntax for proto-stages is the widely discussed lack of directionality of syntactic change. In a recent typology of changes in argument structure constructions based on Germanic (Barodal 2015), several different, yet opposing, changes are reported. These include, among others, processes sometimes called dative sickness, nominative sickness, and accusative sickness. In order to tease apart the roles of the different processes, we have carried out a phylogenetic trait analysis on a predefined data set of twelve predicates found across the Germanic phyla using the MULTISTATE method. This is, as far as we are aware, the first application of the MULTISTATE method (Pagel et al. 2004) in historical syntax. The results clearly favor one of the models, the dative sickness model, over any other model, as this model is the only one that can accurately account for both the observed diversity of case frames and the independently proposed philological reconstructions. Methods of evolutionary trait analysis can be used to model evolutionary paths of argument structure constructions, and they provide the perfect testing ground for hypotheses arrived at through philological reconstruction, based on classical historical-comparative methods. Understanding how and why language subsystems differ in their evolutionary dynamics is a fundamental question for historical and comparative linguistics. One key dynamic is the rate of language change. While it is commonly thought that the rapid rate of change hampers the reconstruction of deep language relationships beyond 6,000-10,000 y, there are suggestions that grammatical structures might retainmore signal over time than other subsystems, such as basic vocabulary. In this study, we use a Dirichlet process mixture model to infer the rates of change in lexical and grammatical data from 81 Austronesian languages. We show that, on average, most grammatical features actually change faster than items of basic vocabulary. The grammatical data show less schismogenesis, higher rates of homoplasy, and more bursts of contact-induced change than the basic vocabulary data. However, there is a core of grammatical and lexical features that are highly stable. These findings suggest that different subsystems of language have differing dynamics and that careful, nuanced models of language change will be needed to extract deeper signal from the noise of parallel evolution, areal readaptation, and contact. AimTwo fundamental questions about human language demand answers: why are so many languages spoken today and why is their geographical distribution so uneven? Although hypotheses have been proposed for centuries, the processes that determine patterns of linguistic and cultural diversity remain poorly understood. Previous studies, which relied on correlative, curve-fitting approaches, have produced contradictory results. Here we present the first application of process-based simulation modelling, derived from macroecology, to examine the distribution of human groups and their languages. LocationThe Australian continent is used as a case study to demonstrate the power of simulation modelling for identifying processes shaping the diversity and distribution of human languages. MethodsProcess-based simulation models allow investigators to hold certain factors constant in order to isolate and assess the impact of modelled processes. We tested the extent to which a minimal set of processes determines the number and spatial distribution of languages on the Australian continent. Our model made three basic assumptions based on previously proposed, but untested, hypotheses: groups fill unoccupied spaces, rainfall limits population density and groups divide after reaching a maximum population. ResultsRemarkably, this simple model accurately predicted the total number of languages (average estimate 406, observed 407), and explained 56% of spatial variation in language richness on the Australian continent. Main conclusionsOur results present strong evidence that current climatic conditions and limits to group size are important processes shaping language diversity patterns in Australia. Our study also demonstrates how simulation models from macroecology can be used to understand the processes that have shaped human cultural diversity across the globe. The Chapacuran language family, with three extant members and nine historically attested lects, has yet to be classified following modern standards in historical linguistics. This paper presents an internal classification of these languages by combining both the traditional comparative method (CM) and Bayesian phylogenetic inference (BPI). We identify multiple systematic sound correspondences and 285 cognate sets of basic vocabulary using the available documentation. These allow us to reconstruct a large portion of the Proto-Chapacuran phonemic inventory and identify tentative major subgroupings. The cognate sets form the input for the BPI analysis, which uses a stochastic Continuous-Time Markov Chain to model the change of these cognate sets over time. We test various models of lexical substitution and evolutionary clocks, and use ethnohistorical information and data collection dates to calibrate the resulting trees. The CM and BPI analyses produce largely congruent results, suggesting a division of the family into three different clades. The consequences of the Neolithic transition in Europe-one of the most important cultural changes in human prehistory-is a subject of great interest. However, its effect on prehistoric and modern-day people in Iberia, the westernmost frontier of the European continent, remains unresolved. We present, to our knowledge, the first genome-wide sequence data from eight human remains, dated to between 5,500 and 3,500 years before present, excavated in the El Portalon cave at Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain. We show that these individuals emerged from the same ancestral gene pool as early farmers in other parts of Europe, suggesting that migration was the dominant mode of transferring farming practices throughout western Eurasia. In contrast to central and northern early European farmers, the Chalcolithic El Portalon individuals additionally mixed with local southwestern hunter-gatherers. The proportion of hunter-gatherer-related admixture into early farmers also increased over the course of two millennia. The Chalcolithic El Portalon individuals showed greatest genetic affinity to modern-day Basques, who have long been considered linguistic and genetic isolates linked to the Mesolithic whereas all other European early farmers show greater genetic similarity to modern-day Sardinians. These genetic links suggest that Basques and their language may be linked with the spread of agriculture during the Neolithic. Furthermore, all modern-day Iberian groups except the Basques display distinct admixture with Caucasus/Central Asian and North African groups, possibly related to historical migration events. The El Portalon genomes uncover important pieces of the demographic history of Iberia and Europe and reveal how prehistoric groups relate to modern-day people.	http://uu.diva-portal.org/smash/person.jsf?pid=authority-person%3A21735
Love painting beaches and all types of seascapes with water. This one calms me so soothing. Love using Gesso to create textures on the Rocks. Artwork Size & Ink Base: 30”x30” 1-3/8 Depth Gallery wrap canvas, acrylic Select an Artwork Style: Abstract Animalistic Expressionism Figurative Impressionism Landscape Minimalism Mixed Media \| Pop Art Realism Select an Artwork Size: Less than 50cm Up to 1m50 More than 1m50 Select a Painting Technique:	https://plogix.com/listings/1426589-seascapes-blues
Home › Forums › Games and Other Creations › Low Life Miniatures › Let the Painting Begin! This topic contains 0 replies, has 0 voices, and was last updated by Thom.Shartle 5 years, 11 months ago. Oh. They’re not saying that anymore, huh. I was about to say the same thing, Crudeboy. I’m sorry, I just realized that could have been construed as being snarky. I had pictures of the minis basecoated in mind when I wrote that, as I’m curious to see others’ color schemes and such. Are you planning on painting them as they’re illustrated, Thom, or something different? No worries mate! I will prolly go for as illustrated-ish! I’m really excited to see the painted minis. I haven’t had time to paint any myself. I almost wrote, “I haven’t had time to paint myself”, but that would just be a lie. I paint myself all the time. I paint myself all the time. Looking forward to seeing some painted minis! Mine should be done sometime after the Great Flush…. So what’s your prime base coat going to be? I’m debating grey so that I can go up or down on paint colors. I’ve recently gone back to priming in grey simply because it’s a good middle ground for pretty much anything and, y’know, effort. Brighter paint jobs benefit from white priming, darker with black, etc. It takes a lot more work to get good bright colors on darker primer. More highlights of gradually lighter paint and such. If you really want to get kooky you can start doing this “zenithal priming” thing all of the superfreaks are into these days. Also, I’m sick of rattle cans. It’s time to invest in a cheap airbrush and to rig up a halfway decent spray box even if it’s just for priming. zenithal priming? I’ll have to look for it (as I’ve not heard of that), but I’m thinking greys for most will work best for me. I use Citadel Chaos Black or White depending on the intent. They are not primers per se – they apply a much thinner coat. Primers are meant to fill in cracks which I don’t want. I’m hoping this weekend to have a few minutes to at least prime and get these bad boys ready to paint. Zenithal priming is where you… I suppose you could say, “hard prime” the shadows and highlights, if that makes any sense. The simplest way to do it is just to hold the figure upside down, prime black to get all the dirty dirty underbits, then turn it upright and prime white straight down onto the mini. You’re supposedly then left with the most exposed and light-catching parts with a brighter prime, and the recesses darker. I haven’t tried it myself, but I figure I’ll end up giving it a shot one of these days. Most likely after a few beers and the acquisition of a wild follicle up my backside. Primers are used to provide a good “tooth” on a smooth surface for the paint to adhere, however a halfway decent brand of spray paint (I use Krylon) will often work just fine. I’ve also used plain ol’ brush-on artist’s gesso to decent effect, despite it drying to a slightly rubbery, unsettlingly fleshy texture. yeah, i love gesso in that it isnt as finicky about temperature and humidity as spray primer, but do i trust it? heck no…. if you like brush on primer, i really must recommend the GW Imperial Primer. like all things GW, it’s expensive and annoying that it only comes in black, but it has a ridiculously smooth finish and sticks to plastic and resin like nobody’s business. metal not so much, but better than their sprays anyways. Reaper’s brush-on isn’t too bad. I’ll mainly use it for touch ups and such. Yeah, Duplicolor is great stuff. I’ve never really been a fan of brush on primers. I tend to use armory’s (or did back in the day); I’m HOPING to be able to get to the local gaming store (Gamma Ray Games) and see what they have for spray primers.	http://muthaoithcreations.com/gabcentralforum/topic/let-the-painting-begin/
These fantastic wood painting panels are constructed of birch. The smooth sanded edges allow your painting to flow beyond the face of your work. The braced back ensures no warping and makes for easy hanging. These wood painting panels do not need priming, however you can use any gesso to prime the surface. Smaller sizes are single braced and larger sizes are cross braced on the reverse for greater strength. Suitable for all media.	https://www.artstoreonline.com.au/products/wooden-panels-23mm-profile
Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven fabric used for making sails, tents, marquees, backpacks, and other items for which sturdiness is required. It is also popularly used by artists as a painting surface, typically stretched across a wooden frame. It is also used in such fashion objects as handbags, electronic device cases and shoes. Contents Etymology The word "canvas" is derived from the 13th century Anglo-French canevaz and the Old French canevas. Both may be derivatives of the Vulgar Latin cannapaceus for "made of hemp," originating from the Greek κάνναβις (cannabis). Physical characteristics Modern canvas is usually made of cotton or linen, although historically it was made from hemp. It differs from other heavy cotton fabrics, such as denim, in being plain weave rather than twill weave. Canvas comes in two basic types: plain and duck. The threads in duck canvas are more tightly woven. The term duck comes from the Dutch word for cloth, doek. In the United States, canvas is classified in two ways: by weight (ounces per square yard) and by a graded number system. The numbers run in reverse of the weight so a number 10 canvas is lighter than number 4. For painting Canvas has become the most common support medium for oil painting, replacing wooden panels. One of the earliest surviving oils on canvas is a French Madonna with angels from around 1410 in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin. However, panel painting remained more common until the 16th century in Italy and the 17th century in Northern Europe. Mantegna and Venetian artists were among those leading the change; Venetian sail canvas was readily available and regarded as the best quality. Canvas is typically stretched across a wooden frame called a stretcher, and may be coated with gesso before it is to be used; this is to prevent oil paint from coming into direct contact with the canvas fibres, which will eventually cause the canvas to decay. A traditional and flexible chalk gesso is composed of lead carbonate and linseed oil, applied over a rabbit skin glue ground; a variation using titanium white pigment and calcium carbonate is rather brittle and susceptible to cracking. As lead-based paint is poisonous, care has to be taken in using it. Various alternative and more flexible canvas primers are commercially available, the most popular being a synthetic latex paint composed of titanium dioxide and calcium carbonate, bound with a thermo-plastic emulsion. Many artists have painted onto unprimed canvas, such as Jackson Pollock, Kenneth Noland, Francis Bacon, Helen Frankenthaler, Dan Christensen, Larry Zox, Ronnie Landfield, Color Field painters, Lyrical Abstractionists and others. Early canvas was made of linen, a sturdy brownish fabric of considerable strength. Linen is particularly suitable for the use of oil paint. In the early 20th century, cotton canvas, often referred to as "cotton duck," came into use. Linen is composed of higher quality material, and remains popular with many professional artists, especially those who work with oil paint. Cotton duck, which stretches more fully and has an even, mechanical weave, offers a more economical alternative. The advent of acrylic paint has greatly increased the popularity and use of cotton duck canvas. Linen and cotton derive from two entirely different plants, the flax plant and the cotton plant. Gessoed canvases on stretchers are also available. They are available in a variety of weights: light-weight is about 4 oz (110 g) or 5 oz (140 g); medium-weight is about 7 oz (200 g) or 8 oz (230 g); heavy-weight is about 10 oz (280 g) or 12 oz (340 g). They are prepared with two or three coats of gesso and are ready for use straight away. Artists desiring greater control of their painting surface may add a coat or two of their preferred gesso. Professional artists who wish to work on canvas may prepare their own canvas in the traditional manner. One of the most outstanding differences between modern painting techniques and those of the Flemish and Dutch Masters is in the preparation of the canvas. "Modern" techniques take advantage of both the canvas texture as well as those of the paint itself. Renaissance masters took extreme measures to ensure that none of the texture of the canvas came through. This required a painstaking, months-long process of layering the raw canvas with (usually) lead-white paint, then polishing the surface, and then repeating. The final product had little resemblance to fabric, but instead had a glossy, enamel-like finish. This flat surface was crucial in attaining photographic realism. With a properly prepared canvas, the painter will find that each subsequent layer of color glides on in a "buttery" manner, and that with the proper consistency of application (fat over lean technique), a painting entirely devoid of brushstrokes can be achieved. A warm iron is applied over a piece of wet cotton to flatten the wrinkles. Canvas can also be printed on using offset or specialist digital printers to create canvas prints. This process of digital inkjet printing is popularly referred to as Giclée. After printing, the canvas can be wrapped around a stretcher and displayed. For embroidery Canvas is a popular base fabric for embroidery such as cross-stitch and Berlin wool work. Some specific types of embroidery canvases are Aida cloth (also called Java canvas), Penelope canvas, Chess canvas, and Binca canvas. Plastic canvas is a stiffer form of Binca canvas. As a compound agent From the 13th century onward, canvas was used as a covering layer on Pavise shields. The canvas was applied to the wooden surface of the Pavise, covered with multiple layers of gesso and often richly painted in tempera technique. Finally, the surface was sealed with a transparent varnish. While the gessoed canvas was a perfect painting surface, the primary purpose of the canvas application may have been the strengthening of the wooden shield corpus in a manner similar to modern glass-reinforced plastic. Splined canvas, stretched canvas and canvas boards Splined canvases differ from traditional side-stapled canvas in that canvas is attached with a spline at the rear of the frame. This allows the artist to incorporate painted edges into the artwork itself without staples at the sides, and the artwork can be displayed without a frame. Splined canvas can be restretched by adjusting the spline. Stapled canvases stay stretched tighter over a longer period of time, but are more difficult to re-stretch when the need arises. Canvas boards are made of cardboard with canvas stretched over and glued to a cardboard backing, and sealed on the backside. The canvas is typically linen primed for a certain type of paint. They are primarily used by artists for quick studies. Types - Dyed canvas - Fire-proof canvas - Printed canvas - Stripe canvas - Water-resistant canvas - Waterproof canvas - Waxed canvas Products - Wood (Cedar) Canvas canoes - Canvas bags - Coated Canvas bags (e.g. Goyard) - Canvas covers - Canvas shoes (e.g. Converse, Vans, Keds) - Canvas tarpaulins - Canvas tent (e.g. Armbruster Manufacturing Co.) - Martial arts uniforms (e.g. Tokaido, Shureido, Judogi) See also References \|Look up canvas in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.\| \|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Canvas.\| - ↑ "The Online Etymology Dictionary". Etymonline.com. Retrieved 2012-05-05.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles> - ↑ "Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2014-03-01.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles> - ↑ "National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe)". www.warsawtour.pl. Retrieved 20 October 2013. the largest Polish painting "Battle of Grunwald" by Jan Matejko (426 x 987 cm).<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles> - ↑ "Jackson Pollock - A Life". Theblurb.com.au. 2002-10-04. Retrieved 2012-05-05.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles> - ↑ "Classical Oil Painting Technique". Cartage.org.lb. Retrieved 2012-05-05.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles> - ↑ Cluckie, Linda (2008). The Rise and Fall of Art Needlework: Its Socio-Economic and Cultural Aspects. Arena. p. 60. ISBN 0955605571.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles> - ↑ Saward, Blanche C. (1887). Encyclopedia of Victorian needlework: Dictionary of needlework, Volume 1. Dover Publications.	https://infogalactic.com/info/Canvas
In December I wrote, “Five Things To Do When You’ve Got Paper That’s Just Too Bad To Work With.” In that post I wrote about gessoing over paper that you don’t enjoy working on so that you can still use the paper, but not feel limited by the paper in its manufactured state. I also mentioned that I frequently gesso leftover scraps of book board and then use those boards for watercolor or gouache paintings. Several people wrote and asked me how I prep my board. Prepping your boards is something you can do in a half hour before you leave for work, or before you go to bed, or while you are waiting for diner to cook…you get the idea. This is an action you can fit into your otherwise busy day so that you’ll have painting surface ready to use when you want it. Note: Be sure to trim your scraps before you gesso them. It’s easier to cut straight edges with the nude board. Also, uneven edges can catch gesso in lumpy layers which might make fitting the pieces into a frame difficult. And of course if you have usual frame sizes that you like to use, it’s great to pre-trim the scraps so they will fit those frames. How To Coat Your Boards - Put some newspaper or a plastic sheet on the floor (or table) and lay the boards out. - Use a large foam brush if you want an even texture. A foam roller will also help you create an even application of gesso. If you want something that shows the strokes more boldly try using a 2- or 3-inch painter’s brush (inexpensive and available at any hardware store). - If you want a smooth texture sand between applications of gesso so that you are building on a smooth layer. After sanding a layer be sure to clean the surface by wiping the gessoed board with a tack cloth, or brushing away the residue from sanding with a dry brush, or using a vacuum. (I like to use a tack cloth.) For sanding I use a 3M sanding block and some fine grit sand paper. Those are also available at any hardware. I sand uniformly in one direction, then in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and then return to the first direction. Sometimes I sand in a circular motion (which imparts texture to the finished surface). Experiment. Remember not to sand the gesso until a layer is completely dry. On your final layer go crazy with your gesso strokes if you want them to be visible. Watercolor will puddle and pool in the strokes and make interesting effects. How Many Layers Of Gesso Do You Need To Use? One layer, if it completely covers the board, is probably sufficient, but sometimes we don’t realize that we are leaving small open areas. The point of using gesso on the board it to isolated our painting from the board so that nothing from the board migrates into the painting’s surface, and nothing from the painting seeps down into the board and degrades it. I like to use three layers of gesso. Using Other Surface Products As A Final Layer On Top Of Gesso Once you have gessoed your board you have a wide range of additional products you can use as your final surface. It is important to gesso the board before applying these final working surfaces because the gesso provides a barrier between your board and your work as explained above. Pastel Primer If you are working with pastels make your final layer a pastel primer product. It’s essentially a tinted gesso with tooth to catch the pastels. Art Spectrum makes a wonderful pastel primer: ColourFix Primer. It’s available in a bunch of colors. I love the Burgundy and the Deep Ultra (as in Ultramarine blue). (I’m not connected to Blick or Art Spectrum, this is just the first link that came up.) I apply two layers of regular gesso, sanded as described above before I add my final layer of pastel primer. You can see a color pencil sketch of an English Blue Cock I did on such a primed surface here. This board was primed and sketched on as class demo so the surface is not as even as you can make it if you work at it. (Note: disregard the caption this work is not available.) Here is another work of color pencil on a piece of pastel primed paper: a heron. I have used pastel primer on artist’s books as in the back book “Natural Law” in this image. In the last 10 years I’ve found that I rarely make the more detailed color pencil drawings I did in the 1980s and 1990s. I have focused instead on ink and watercolor work. I still use color pencil in my mixed media work and do layering demonstrations for students, but I haven’t kept track of the products you’ll need to use to protect your pastel or color pencil work on this primer material. You are going to need to protect it unless it’s going to be framed behind glass. If you are going to use the pastel primer for smudge-able media on a surface that will be handled (like an artist’s book) I recommend that you spray the work with several layers of a quality non-yellowing resin finish or varnish to protect it. (Always test a scrap to see how it reacts with the materials you’re using and how it alters the colors of your work. And test that the coated piece has the smudge resistance you desired.) The pastel primer is a great product for preparing surfaces for mixed media involving acrylic paint, acrylic medium, and dry media. (Framing such works will eliminate the need to use spray finishes.) Other Acrylic Media Once you’ve prepared a board with acrylic gesso you can of course turn to other acrylic media for dimensional effects. I enjoy using Golden’s Light Molding Paste applied through stencils. (When the stencil is lifted off the stencil design is left in a dimensional state, which when dried will influence how you paint or work over it). Everywhere you put another medium you’ll change the tooth of the primer’s surface, but with a bit of preplanning you can work out how to combine all the media you wish to incorporate. You might elect to put down two layers of gesso, add your molding paste textures, and then apply the pastel primer so that you retain your pastel primer texture over your entire surface. Be sure to adjust the depth of your molding paste application so that it doesn’t become clogged with primer, causing you to lose that texture. Absorbent Ground If painting on gesso seems too slick and fast—the paint doesn’t sink into the gesso and is great for wet, drippy approaches—you can always coat your scrap boards with two layers of regular gesso and then finish off the final painting surface by adding a layer of Absorbent Ground. I wrote about this product in my December post as well. It creates a coating on the surface that reacts to watercolor more like watercolor paper would. Final Thoughts Be sure if you’re painting on gesso or another acrylic primer/medium surface to use artist quality products with a high pigment load or you will find it difficult to get final works that have vibrancy and contrast. I like to use Daniel Smith tube watercolors or Schmincke Horadam pan watercolors. For gouache I use Schmincke Horadam Gouache which is an artist’s quality paint without added opacifiers which means it will have a clean look when used in more translucent washes on a prepared board that I’m writing about today. You’ll see differences in texture between the watercolor and gouache, and you’ll develop preferences for which pigments and paints give you the effects you enjoy. Try to minimize the stroking and rework you do on gesso. Yes it’s easy to lift off watercolor or gouache from a gessoed board— that’s one of the fun things about working on this surface. However, if you keep going into your washes they will become muddy and dull, just as they can do on paper. Have fun experimenting.	https://rozwoundup.com/2018/01/having-fun-with-book-board-scraps.html
In this post, I cover the top 90 art terms that are most relevant to drawing, painting, and photography. There are many terms that are unique to art. You’ll encounter new words and phrases when learning about art through books, magazines, and workshops. If you don’t understand what they mean, it will be difficult to follow the discussion. Some of the lingo may seem intimidating at first, but the actual concepts are often very simple. Many art terms are Italian or French words that have easy to understand translations. Common words such as “value” or “ground” can take on a different meaning when discussing art. While they’re not in alphabetically order, I grouped related terms together. I wrote it so that you can read straight through it as if it’s a small book. Or you can use the table of contents below to jump around to the definitions you’re interested in. If you click on a link in the table of contents, it will take you to the exact location of the definition. To get back to the table of contents, simply click on the “back” button in your browser. Table of Contents GENERAL ART TERMS: Plein Air • Pochade Box • Archival • Lightfast • Fugitive Pigments • Tinting Strength • Viscosity • Inorganic & Organic pigments • Binder • Medium • Support • Ground • Gesso • Hue • Hue Colors • Saturation / Chroma • Value • Value Study • Notan • Primary Colors • Secondary Colors • Tertiary Colors • Complimentary Colors • Mixing Complements • Warm and Cool Colors • Mahlstick • Ferrule • Gouache • Acrylic Gouache • Impasto • Glazing • Alla Prima • Dry Brushing • Painterly • Nocturne DRAWING: Contour Drawing • Hatching and Cross Hatching • Stippling • Pointillism • Perspective • Vanishing Point • One Point Perspective • Foreshortening • Atmospheric Perspective • Negative Space / Negative Shapes • Composition • Rule of Thirds • Symmetrical • Asymmetrical WATERCOLOR: Tooth • Sizing • Cold Press, Hot Press, Rough • Wash • Graded Wash / Gradient Wash • Blooms • Wet Into Wet • Granulating vs Staining Pigments PHOTOGRAPHY: Aspect Ratio • Color Gamut • Keystoning • CRI • SLR & DSLR • JPEG or JPG • RAW • ISO • Shutter / Shutter Speed • Aperture / F-Stop / Iris • Depth of Field (DOF) • Shallow Depth of Field • Extended Depth of Field • Bokeh • Overexposure • Underexposure • AWB • White Balance / Color Balance • Color Temperature • Exposure Compensation • Exposure Meter • Barrel Distortion • Prime Lens • Zoom Lens • Pixel • AEL Auto Exposure Lock • AEB Auto Exposure Bracketing • High Key Image / Low Key Image • RGB • RYB • CMYK GENERAL ART TERMS Plein Air Plein air is French for “open air” and it refers to painting outside. It’s pronounced “plain air” or “plen air.” I’ve heard artists pronounce it both ways. There are arguments about which way is correct. Plein air painters generally finish a painting in one session, although some artists will return to the same location repeatedly. This is more common among artists who paint large canvases because it’s difficult to complete a large piece in an afternoon. Painting outdoors offers many challenges to the artist. There are many frustrations that you have to deal with compared to working indoors. The light is constantly changing. You have to contend with insects, poison ivy, poor weather, and the sun. There’s a higher level of urgency when painting outdoors. You have to capture the scene before the conditions change too much. This gives plein air paintings a more spontaneous and direct appearance compared to paintings completed from photographs in the studio. Some artists consider plein air paintings to be studies that they’ll use to make larger works from. Other artists frame them and present them as finished works of art. Painting outside will definitely attract onlookers if you paint in a public space. Very few people get to see artists at work in their studios so it piques their interest. They’ll often stop by to see what you’re up to and offer a bit of encouragement. This is a nice change to working on a painting by yourself indoors. Pochade Box Pochade box is pronounced “po shod.” Shod is pronounced the same as it is in the word “slipshod.” It’s a French word that roughly translates to “pocket.” So “pochade box” loosely translates to “pocket box.” A pochade box is a small wooden box for painting outdoors, it makes the tools of painting more portable. They’re useful for storing and transporting supplies such as brushes and tubes of paint. The lid of the box is opens up to an angle that supports a canvas or wood panel. You can can make your own from an empty cigar box. Commercial pochade boxes are well thought out and offer more features than the improvised cigar boxes. For example, my favorite pochade box has tripod mount on the bottom so that I can mount it on a tripod. This allows the box to be set up anywhere I want. If the box doesn’t have a tripod mount, you’ll have to use it a table or in your lap. Pochade boxes often include a wood palette for mixing colors. Stiff oil paints can be left on the palette if you plan on working on another painting within the next few days. Otherwise, you should clean them off the palette before they dry. Paint that has a thin consistency will run, so you’ll have to clean it off the palette before you pack up. Archival When shopping for art supplies, you may notice that some products are labeled as being “archival.” Archival products are expected to last a long time without any noticeable changes in appearance. For example, “archival paper” is typically acid free which means that it shouldn’t yellow or become brittle as it ages. Archival drawing inks shouldn’t fade or change colors as they age. Something to keep in mind is that these products are archival when stored under museum conditions. Museums are climate controlled, and the artwork isn’t exposed to direct sunlight. You can still damage archival artwork by displaying them in harsh conditions. Displaying art in a humid environment can lead to mold growth and water damage. Acid Free Art materials that have a neutral pH are advertised as being “Acid Free.” Papers that are acidic will turn yellow and become brittle with age. If you want your artwork to last a long time then you should strive to use acid free paper and adhesives in your work. Lightfast Many colorants will fade over time. Certain fabrics can fade if they receive enough direct sunlight. It’s the UV light that causes these dyes to fade. Lightfastness is the materials ability to resist fading. The lightfastness of art supplies is a concern for artists who want their work to last for years. Many art supplies have lightfastness ratings. Artists paints have ratings of excellent, good, and fair. Some pigments aren’t rated so their lightfastness is unknown. Testing lighfastness involves exposing paint samples to excessive amounts of UV light. This is a way to simulate the amount of UV it would receive over a longer period of time, 100 years for example. The lightfastness rating is usually found on the tube of paint or in the color charts. Some pigments are more susceptible to fading than others. The ones that fade easily will have a poor rating. See “fugitive pigments” below. Fugitive Pigments Pigments that fade in time are often referred to as being fugitive. Most professional paint manufacturers avoid pigments that are fugitive. I’ve noticed that there are some watercolors and gouache that are fugitive. I believe this is because some commercial art only has to last long enough to be photographed and printed. The fact that it may fade in the future may be disappointing, but the illustration serves a purpose. Tinting Strength Tinting strength refers to the extent that a pigment will tint a color mixture. A pigment with a high tinting strength would only require a small amount of paint to alter the color. An example of a paint that has high tinting strength is Phthalo Blue. A small touch of Phthalo Blue will tint a much larger proportion of Titanium White. Some artists refuse to use Phthalo Blue because it can overpower the other colors in a painting. Zinc White has a low tinting strength. You have to add more of it to lighten a color than Titanium White, which has a higher tinting strength. Some manufacturers list the tinting strength on the label or in their color charts. However, most artists develop a feel for how potent a color is through experience. Organic pigments tend to have more tinting strength than inorganic pigments. Viscosity Viscosity refers to the consistency of the paint. Heavy body acrylic paint has a high viscosity. It has a thick, frosting like consistency similar to oil paint. Low viscosity paint has a thin consistency. Golden High Flow acrylics is a low viscosity acrylic that has a consistency similar to ink. You can change the viscosity of paint by adding various mediums or additives to it. For example, you can add water to thin acrylic paint. Acrylic gels have a high viscosity so you can add it to acrylic paint to thicken it. In fact, there are gels available that are thicker than the standard heavy body acrylics. The technique that you’re using often dictates the viscosity of the paint that you should use. Since low viscosity acrylics have an ink like consistency, they’re suitable for achieving watercolor effects with acrylics. On the other hand, if you’re trying to achieve very thick texture in your paintings it’s best to use a paint with high viscosity so that the paint can be built up on the canvas. High viscosity paint will retain the marks that are made by the bristles of the brush. Palette knife paintings that have thick frosting like textures also require a thick, high viscosity paint. Oil paint tends to only be available as thick paint in tubes. Oil painters use mediums and solvents to adjust the viscosity of the paint to their liking. Organic vs Inorganic Pigments Pigments fall into one of two categories: organic or inorganic. Inorganic pigments are the traditional pigments that artists have been using since the beginning of art history. These pigments are naturally occurring and are mined from the Earth. They’re opaque so they have good covering power. Some examples of inorganic pigments are Burnt Umber, Raw Sienna, Cadmium Red Medium, and Titanium White. Organic pigments are manufactured through chemistry. These pigments are typically transparent, and are more saturated than the natural inorganic pigments. Hansa Yellow Medium, Phthalo Blue, Phthalo Green, and Quinacridone Magenta are examples of organic pigments. In watercolor painting, organic pigments are known as staining pigments because they stain the paper. When you try to lift them they leave a little bit of color on the paper. They also tend to have more tinting strength than inorganic pigments. Binder You can think of binder as the glue that makes the pigment stick to the canvas. It holds the tiny particles of pigment together and creates a solid paint film as it dries. A good analogy is the binder is similar to the cement that holds the gravel together in concrete. It’s generally the binder that gives paint certain characteristics. Linseed oil is the binder in oil paints. Oil paints dry slowly because linseed oil dries slowly. Acrylic paint is flexible because the acrylic plastic is flexible. Acrylics use a liquid acrylic emulsion as the binder. The picture at the left is a small puddle of acrylic gloss medium, which is essentially acrylic paint without the pigment. Acrylic medium has a cloudy appearance when wet but it dries crystal clear. This is the reason why acrylic paint dries darker. Gum arabic is the medium found in watercolors. Medium There are two meanings to the word “medium.” The first meaning is a reference to the different types of paint that are available for artists to paint with. For example, I might say that “Acrylics are my favorite painting medium.” Other examples of painting mediums are watercolor, gouache, oils, and casein. The second definition of medium is more specific. A medium is a substance that you can use to alter the properties of the paint. For example, acrylic gel is a medium that you can add to acrylics to make them thicker and more transparent. Acrylic mediums contain binder so that you can use as much of it without affecting the strength of the paint film. You can add oil painting mediums to make oil paint dry faster, thin it out, or change the surface sheen. Support A painting support is the substrate that you paint on. Examples of supports include paper, canvas, fabric, metal, and wood panels. Artists use different supports for the advantages they offer. Canvas has a nice texture that readily accepts paint. You can accentuate the texture of the canvas by using techniques such as dry brushing. Wood panels are smoother and allow for more detail. Wood panels don’t flex or stretch like canvas so the paint is less likely to crack when you use a wood support. A ground can also help the paint adhere better to the support. Oil painting requires a ground to protect the canvas from the linseed oil in the paint. Acrylics can be painted directly onto the canvas, although there are some advantages to using gesso as a ground. Ground The ground is the primer that’s applied to a painting support. Gesso is the most common ground that artists use to prepare canvas and wood panels. In the past, rabbit skin glue was used to prepare canvases. Some artists still use it but most artists use gesso. As the name implies, rabbit skin is made from the collagen from the hides of rabbits. An alternative would be to use acrylic matte medium which dries to a transparent and matte surface similar to rabbit skin glue. There are oil painting grounds available which are made from linseed oil and marble dust. However, you still need to coat the canvas with rabbit skin glue or an acrylic medium to protect the canvas from the linseed oil. You also shouldn’t paint with acrylics over oil painting grounds. In general, painting with acrylics over oils is not a sound practice. Grounds can be tinted with a color. The bright white canvas can make it difficult to judge colors against, so artists often tint the gesso with a color. I sometimes like to work on a neutral gray ground. If you’re using acrylic gesso, I’ve found that fluid acrylics mix more readily into the gesso than the thicker heavy body acrylics. You can paint acrylics directly onto canvas without first applying a ground. Gesso Gesso is a ground that you can use to prime a support such as canvas or paper. Modern gesso is a combination of acrylic emulsion and marble dust. It creates a matte and absorbent surface that’s suitable for drawing and painting. Priming a canvas with gesso is necessary with oil painting. The gesso will help protect the canvas from the linseed oil, which will eventually break down the fibers of the canvas. Applying a few coats of gesso will also make the canvas a little sturdier than raw canvas. Acrylics don’t require gesso, but many artists use it because it offers many advantages. Hue Hue is another word for color. It’s more of a general term for a family of colors. For example, Cadmium Red and Napthol Red Light are Red hues. Hue Colors Another use of the word “hue” in painting is in the names of colors. When you see the word “hue” in the name of a color on a tube of paint, it means that it uses a substitute pigment. It may be a mix of multiple pigments that approximate the original color. For example, Liquitex “Cadmium Orange Hue” is made from Perinone Orange, Titanium Dioxide, and Diarylide Yellow. There’s no cadmium in it at all. Manufacturers make hue colors for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the original color is fugitive, which means it will fade. Manufacturers then look to make a close approximation of the original color that’s more permanent. “Alizerin Crimson Hue” is an example of such a pigment. Some pigments are expensive and hue colors offer artists an affordable alternative. Hue colors are often replacements for pigments that are toxic. The cadmium pigments are toxic so you’ll see alternative hue colors such as “Cadmium Red Light Hue.” Artists often avoid hue colors thinking they’re inferior but that’s not always the case. It’s true that a hue color may have different characteristics than the original pigment. Cadmium Orange Hue is a good example, the hue color might not be as opaque as the original Cadmium version. However, Liquitex recently introduced Cadmium Free versions of all of their Cadmium colors. They behave exactly like the originals. This is a good example of an alternative pigment that’s just as good as the original. Whether or not these colors are made from multiple pigments is unknown because they don’t disclose which pigments they contain. Saturation / Chroma Saturation and chroma both refer to the intensity of a color. A bright red fire truck has high saturation. Light pink cotton candy has low saturation. Many beginners increase the saturation of every color they use in a painting. This is often a mistake because if all of the colors have a high saturation then it may become distraction. A painting with high saturation can work, it just requires some discernment. If you observe your surroundings, you’ll notice that most of the objects in the natural world aren’t highly saturated. There are many neutral colors found in nature. Being able to accurately mix neutral colors will make your paintings look more realistic and natural. What appears to be a gray to a beginner may actually contain subtle colors. Value You’ll often hear artists referring to the value of a color. Value is the lightness or darkness of a color. A black and white photograph doesn’t capture color. What the black and white photograph captures is the value. If you take a black and white photo of an red apple, the apple would turn out as a dark gray. A banana would turn out as light gray because yellow has a light value. Value is independent of the color. Two different colors can have the same value. Some of the objects in a black and white photograph may be the same shade of gray even though they’re two different colors. This is the challenge of black and white photography. It’s often the contrasting colors in the subject that captures our attention but none of this shows up in the photograph. Artists often stress the importance of value in painting because it plays the most important role in regards to defining the shapes in a painting. It’s the way the shapes vary in value that creates contrast and makes them stand out. If all of the colors in a painting had the same value, it would look dull and flat. The shapes would be difficult to distinguish from each other. Being able to perceive the value of a color can be difficult. Some artists use a black and white value scale to judge the value of a color. Value Study A value study is a black and white or monochromatic sketch usually done in preparation for completing a larger painting. Value is often as important in painting as color. You can sometimes improve a painting by altering the values in a painting to make parts of it stand out more. Value studies allow you to explore what your options are. Although the subject may contain numerous values, a value study is often done with just a few tones. Some of my value studies are in black and two shades of gray. The white of the paper is another value. Working through a few value studies can help you to determine if a subject is worth painting. If the image works in a value study, it’s more likely to be successful as a painting. Notan A Notan is a black and white design that captures the essence of an object. By reducing the subject into pure black and white shapes, it creates an abstract design. Simplifying complex shapes is a skill that will help you with your painting. It can help you to determine what the essential shapes of the painting are. For example, it’s more effective to group trees into one large shape rather than painting every single leaf or branch. In the sketch above, there were details in the black fabric that makes up the background. In this Notan sketch, it’s a solid mass of black.	https://drawandpaintforfun.com/art-terms/
- The first step is to prepare the surface of the plastic. - The first thing you need to do is give the item a comprehensive cleaning, which can be done with nothing more than some soap and water. - Let it dry completely before proceeding. - After the plastic has had enough time to cure, you will need to roughen its surface so that paint may attach to it. - Sandpaper with a grit rating of between 180 and 220 is the best choice for this particular task. Instructions - Remove any dirt or debris from the plastic’s surface. Put some liquid dish soap and warm water in a bucket, then fill the bucket with water. - Smooth Out Glossy Surfaces With Sand. Paint sticks to plastics with a rougher, matte surface far better than it does to plastics with a glossy surface - Apply Mineral Spirits on a Cloth and Wipe Down the Plastic - Apply the Initial Coat of Paint using the Spray Gun - Use additional coats of paint as necessary What kind of paint do you use on plastic? Spray paint is one option for painting plastic, but you may also use acrylic, enamel, or model paint. Spray paint works especially well for plastic. It would be ideal if the paint were designed specifically for use on plastic. Check the label and check for words like ″Plastic″ or ″Multi-Surface″ to see if the product is suitable for your needs. If it’s necessary, get the paint ready. Can you spray paint plastic with a primer? Wait until the paint is totally dry before go on to the next step after priming. When applying spray paint, make sure the nozzle is aimed directly at the plastic surface and that you are approximately 12 to 18 inches away from the surface. In order to get coverage that is uniform throughout the item’s surfaces, the spray nozzle should be held at the same distance throughout the process. Does paint stick to plastic? - Plastic, unlike wood, is not porous, therefore there is little for the paint to adhere to when it is applied. - However, if you put in the necessary amount of preparation, painting plastic may be accomplished successfully. - Keep in mind, however, that the paint can ultimately peel off, especially after heavy or frequent usage, depending on the type of paint and plastic that you are dealing with. - This is something to keep in mind. Do you need to prep plastic before painting? - Before you paint on plastic, you will need to prepare the surface in the same manner that you would when painting on glass, wood, or any other non-traditional (or at the very least, non-canvas) surface. - Put some mild dish soap in some hot water, then fill a container with the water. - Scrub the entire piece of plastic with a clean rag to remove any dirt or other remnants of debris that may be present. What kind of paint will stick to plastic? Make use of paints that have been developed expressly for the purpose of adhering to plastics. There are a few different brands that are available for purchase, including Krylon Fusion for Plastic®, Valspar® Plastic Spray Paint, and Rust-Oleum Specialty Paint For Plastic Spray, to name a few. Do I need to sand plastic before priming? The Top Layer Should Be Sanded Down In order to ensure that the primer and paint adhere well to the surface, this will need to be partially removed before the spraying can begin. Sand down the plastic using a block of fine-grit sandpaper and little pressure to remove the sheen and create a surface with a roughness that will allow adhesives to adhere to it. Is mineral spirits good for paint prep on plastic? - However, because to its potency, it should always be tested on a small area before being used to remove stains or spills. - Additionally, you should never use it on plastics since it can cause them to melt. - It is also not recommended that you use it as a paint thinner because mineral spirits are a more appropriate medium for this purpose. - Mineral Spirits are known to be toxic; what are some safe alternatives to using them? What’s the best primer for plastic? 1. Rust-Oleum Zinsser Bulls Eye Primer. This primer from Rust-Oleum is great for preparing metal and plastic, and it will also seal porous surfaces such as drywall, concrete, wood, and masonry. It is available in a variety of colors. Can you use acetone to clean plastic before painting? Acetone is a powerful chemical solvent that can quickly remove impurities from plastic surfaces. It is widely used in nail polish remover, which is whence it gets its name. Acetone is a versatile solvent that may be used to remove a wide variety of stains; however, it is especially useful for removing paint and adhesive stains from plastic. How do you sandpaper plastic? Sandpaper with a coarse grain should be avoided while working with plastic since it scratches readily. The most effective method is to start wet sanding with sandpaper that has a grain size of 220, and then to continue making passes with paper that is gradually finer in grit size until the desired look is achieved. Does acrylic paint stay on plastic? - Acrylic paint is most effective when applied to porous surfaces such as wood; nevertheless, it is possible to paint on plastic with the proper amount of preparation, including the use of a primer and a sealer. - Primers are essential when working with acrylic paints; however, there are some paints that have been specifically prepared for use on plastic and do not need to be used in conjunction with a primer. Is primer necessary for painting? Absolutely. The painting surface is prepared with a primer, which also seals any stains, to ensure that the paint will adhere effectively and that the finish will be as smooth and clean as is feasible. How long do you leave plastic primer on before painting? Apply many light coats of PLASTIC PRIMER using a sweeping motion with the spray can. At least five minutes should pass between each coat being let to dry. After three hours, it is possible to paint over it. Adding further coats of different compounds might necessitate a drying period of at least twenty-four hours, depending on the manner in which they were applied. How do you get acrylic paint to stick to plastic? - How exactly does one go about making acrylic paint adhere to plastic? - In order to get acrylic paint to adhere to plastic, you must first prepare the surface with a base coat that dries in a hurry. - The paint will have an easier time adhering to the plastic, and the surface will be smoother as a result. - The primer absolutely must be tailor-made for plastic surfaces in order to be used on them.	https://nationwideplastics.net/product/how-to-prep-plastic-for-painting.html
This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 42,658 times. Learn more... There are lots of creative ways to update a mirror that you already own. You can paint your own design with acrylic paint directly onto the glass surface. Another option is to simply spray paint the frame around the mirror to give an older piece a facelift. You could also do both! Regardless of the artistic approach you want to take, you only need a few basic art supplies and a nice flat surface to set up on. Steps Part 1 of 3: Preparing a Mirrored Surface for Painting - 1Clean the mirror thoroughly with a dampened microfiber cloth. Mirror glass must be completely clean before you begin, otherwise the paint may not adhere to the surface well. Start by dampening a microfiber cloth with water and wiping the surface to remove any dust. Use a separate microfiber cloth to thoroughly dry the surface. X Research source - If your mirror is quite dirty, use a mild soap solution to wipe it down. Follow up with plain water, and then dry the surface with the cloth. - To get rid of fingerprints and greasy residue, dip the cloth in a small amount of rubbing alcohol and wipe down the surface. - 2Sketch your design onto the mirror with a water-soluble pencil. You don’t have to create a highly detailed sketch. Instead, use a white water-soluble pencil to outline the main design elements onto the mirror’s surface. This sketch helps you with placement and acts as a guide when you start painting. X Research source - Purchase water-soluble pencils at any art supply store. - It’s important to use a water-soluble pencil so you can easily remove any remaining lines once you finish your painting. You don’t have to use white, specifically, white shows up best on a mirrored surface. - 3Choose areas of your sketch that won’t be painted. One of the coolest things about painting on mirrors is that the areas you leave unpainted are just as important as the painted ones. The unpainted areas will remain reflective, acting as an ever-changing back drop to your painted piece. X Research source - For example, if you are painting koi onto a mirror, don’t paint the entire water backdrop blue. Leave a few unpainted areas in the water, which will create interesting effects once the painting is finished. - If you are painting a portrait, sketch in the form of the person, but leave the backdrop unpainted. Once the painting is complete, the background behind the portrait will be reflective and ever-changing. - 4Apply a thin coat of white gesso to all areas you plan to paint. Gesso will give your acrylic paint something to stick to on your mirror. Use a small paint brush to fill in all areas you plan to paint with one coat of white gesso. Do not apply gesso on the areas of the mirror you plan to leave reflective – only put it where your design will be painted. Paint right over your penciled lines; the gesso goes on opaque, but becomes much more transparent once it dries. X Research source Advertisement - Leave the gesso to dry for 24 hours before proceeding. - Liquid gesso can be purchased at any art supply store. Part 2 of 3: Applying Acrylic Paint to a Mirrored Surface - 1Apply a thin coat of white acrylic paint to all areas you plan to paint. This white base coat will allow your final painted colors to appear far more vivid. If you paint your design without the white base, the colors won’t look as vibrant. Use a paintbrush to carefully fill in the areas you plan to paint with white acrylic. X Research source - Make sure you carefully go over all of the gessoed areas with white paint. You don’t want any gesso peeking out after you’ve finished your piece. - Allow the white acrylic paint to dry for 30 to 60 minutes. - 2Squeeze a dollop of each paint color onto your palette. Acrylic paint is best for this, since it dries quickly and doesn’t require that you work with toxic solvents like turpentine. However, if you prefer oil paint, you can use that. Squeeze a dollop of each color onto your palette. If you plan to mix any colors to create new ones, use your palette knife to do that now. X Research source - For example, if you want to lighten any color, add a small amount of white paint. Use the knife to completely blend the two colors together. If you want it lighter, add more white and mix again. - If you need to make brown paint, combine equal quantities of complementary colors. Complementary color pairings you can try: yellow and purple, green and red, or blue and orange. X Research source - 3Paint the darkest areas first. Using a regular paint brush, apply the darkest color in your design first. After you brush it on, give the surface a few minutes to dry. If you still see a bit of white peeking through from underneath the dark paint, apply a thin second layer right over it. X Research source - Keep clean Q-tips nearby. If you accidentally get paint in an area you want to remain reflective, quickly wipe it away using the cotton swab. If you have a pretty severe paint smear, grab some glass cleaner and dunk the Q-tip in that before wiping it away. - 4Fill in the rest of your painting with the other colors. You can loosely block in all the base colors first, then go back to add detail over the top once the base has dried. You can also fully complete one section of the painting at a time until it’s finished. There’s no “correct” approach, so do what feels natural for you. X Research source - Use a fresh paintbrush for each paint color you work with. Use the size that makes sense for the area you’re painting. For example, use a small brush for detail work. For larger areas, use a flat brush or rounded brush. - 5Let the painting dry completely. If you used acrylic paint, this will take about an hour. If you used oil paint, the drying process can take several days, depending on how many layers of paint you brushed on. Once it’s completely dry, your painted mirror is ready to display! X Research sourceAdvertisement Part 3 of 3: Spray Painting a Mirror Frame - 1Set up your workspace outside or in a well-ventilated area. Spray paint fumes are pretty overpowering, so set up your workspace in an area with plenty of ventilation. Lay down newspaper or a tarp on a completely flat surface. Lay the mirror and its frame down in the center of the covered surface. Make sure the frame is also perfectly flat. - It’s important to work on a perfectly flat surface because the spray paint could drip and run otherwise. - To be safe, you should wear a face mask and eye protection when spray painting in a well-ventilated area. If you're spray painting in an enclosed space, upgrade the dust mask to a face mask with a respirator. - 2Wipe down the surface of the frame to remove dust and debris. Before you start painting, thoroughly wipe down the surface of the mirror frame with a dampened microfiber cloth. If you don’t do this, dust and debris on the frame’s surface may show through the paint once you’ve finished. Make sure the frame’s surface is clean and dry before proceeding. X Research source - If your frame was previously painted, it’s completely fine to spray paint right over that. The only exception is if the paint is flaking or chipping. If it is, use a wire brush to remove the flakes, then sand the surface until it’s smooth. - 3Mask off the mirror and any areas that you don’t want to spray paint. Use painter’s tape to protect areas that you don’t want to paint, such as the mirrored surface and any detail work on the frame that you want to preserve. For a large mirrored surface, cover it with heavy cardstock first, then secure the edges of the cardstock down with painter’s tape. X Research source - 4Apply the first coat of spray paint in short bursts. Hold your chosen color of spray paint about 12 in (30 cm) to 18 in (46 cm) away from the mirror frame for best results. Working systematically around the frame, apply a thin coat of spray paint using short, light bursts. Use a steady back-and-forth motion and slightly overlap each stroke with the next one. - Allow the first coat of spray paint to dry for 1-2 hours. X Research source - Don’t try to cover the frame in one coat – this will likely lead to dripping and running. Do several thin coats. - 5Apply another light coat of spray paint. Work systematically, just as you did before. Apply another coat of your chosen paint and allow it to dry for another 1-2 hours. If you feel it still needs another coat, go ahead and apply it. Always give the last coat time to dry before proceeding with the next one. X Research source - 6Spray paint the backside of the frame, if desired. You don’t have to do this, but many people prefer to. Once the front side is completely dry, flip the frame over and repeat the same technique to spray paint the back. Give each coat an hour to dry before applying another one. - 7Wait 24 hours for the mirror frame to cure completely. Once all the spray paint coats have been applied, give the frame about 24 hours to fully cure. Remove the painter’s tape and cardstock after 24 hours have passed. Your mirror frame is now ready to be displayed!Advertisement Community Q&A - QuestionWhat kind of paint can I use to paint on a mirror and make my own mosaic mirror tiles?Ammara MalikCommunity AnswerEnamel craft paints should do the job. They stick well and are easily removable if needed. - QuestionHow do you make a mirror matte?Community AnswerYou can buy matte spray paints or even stick on films to make a mirror matte. Be aware that if you do this, you will no longer be able to see a clear reflection in the mirror. - Questionis a #2 pencil considered a "water soluble" pencil?SingingAlaskaCommunity AnswerNo, because when water gets on the #2 pencil led, it goes everywhere, so it is not water soluble. Instead, try using the #1 pencil, because its lead does not immediately spread. - QuestionCan oil paint be used to paint pictures on a mirror?SingingAlaskaCommunity AnswerYes, but you should paint it again about once a month, to keep it from peeling. If you do not have time to repaint it every month, try painting it with acrylic paint. - QuestionIs acrylic paint removable on mirrors?PerpetuaCommunity AnswerAcrylic and water-based enamel craft paints stick to mirrors and provide a similar look once the paint dries. Acrylic paint is easy to scrape off glass when dry, but on a mirror, this should not be an issue.	https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-a-Mirror
In the summer 2016 issue of Acrylic Artist we feature Donne Bitner and take a look at her watercolor-like paintings of invented landscapes and seascapes. We caught up with Bitner to take a closer look at her work New Day Dawning. Here’s what she had to say. Acrylic Artist: You’ve mastered the ability of creating watercolor-like washes with acrylic. Tell us about your technique. Donne Bitner: I like to thin the paint with water rather than acrylic medium. After years of painting with watercolor it’s what I gravitate to apparently. That’s what gives my acrylic work a softer, more watercolor-like appearance. AA: Your acrylic work painted using watercolor techniques has depth and great texture. How do you achieve this? DB: My treatment of acrylic would look rather flat on a wood surface, so I spend time building a unique surface with depth, before I begin my painting. This acrylic painting on wood has a subsurface of spackling. I am also keen on using gesso, molding paste or joint compound. These materials lend a texture that gives the final work a 3-dimensional quality. I like the rough quality of the final texture. AA: Do you have to prepare the wood before you can apply the gesso, spackling or compound? DB: There is no preparation of the wood for these textures; they can be applied straight on the surface. For the joint compound I like to apply it, let it dry and then sand for a soft, smooth surface that still has some texture. Once the texture dries the paint is applied straight away. I think the texture gives the painting another layer of surprise. AA: Are there special tools you use for applying the subsurface? DB: No, no special tools are needed. A simple paint spatula will work. It’s like icing a cake. The more raised areas the more texture. AA: Any words of wisdom you can share with an artist experimenting with gesso, spackling or gesso on wood for the first time? DB: These materials are fragile and will chip so be sure to clean off edges in the wood. Acrylic medium can be added to make the spackling stiffer, although I never have used it thus far. Every medium has its peculiarities and you need to take the time to work with them and get to know them. This approach, with spackling, is not as indestructible as molding paste but there is a beauty to the paint over the texture that makes the extra care worth it to me. To read the full feature article on Donne Bitner in Acrylic Artist, visit Norhtlightshop.com to order a copy of the Summer 2016 issue now.	https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-mediums/acrylic/talking-texture-with-acrylic-artist-donne-bitner/
Recently, we had a question about SID effecting the paint on the panel edges. An artist was concerned about paint on the edges of the untreated panel, not cradle, and how that might effect his work long term. Below, Dana Brown answers the question. “The condition of SID is one of acrylic paint and acrylic dispersion ground (acrylic gesso). We make broad recommendations to sealing the painting surfaces of wood, as a separate step from priming, primarily due to the common use of acrylic gesso as a primer, but also to maintain a painting surface that is as acid-free as possible. It is also based on an understanding that proper habits can become good practice when using various materials. We know that sometimes artists will pick up a piece of wood to use as a substrate, not knowing its density or acid-level, and sealing the panel will give the painting a ‘fighting chance,’ of lasting. Acrylics dripped over the edge (that thin, 1/8” thickness) will encounter some level of acids. It will also take on a level of discoloration. Support Induced Discoloration (SID) is not a dark blackening or even a dark browning of the paint film, and it is generally only noticeable in areas of white and generally only in the wettest of applications. This is why it is commonly associated with the applications of acrylic gesso, applied directly onto a wooden support. Areas of color mixtures or darker colors, especially when applied undiluted or more thickly, will not display noticeable discoloration in the same sense. If the entire acrylic painting is done onto an unsealed wooden surface, the levels of acids in the wood (which vary greatly from wood species and type) can cause damage to the artwork. The amount of acid or discoloration from a 1/8” edge is very small and will not put the painting in jeopardy of lasting or any continuous damage. The acid level in our hardboards is nearly neutral at that, and it is one of the reasons that we selected aspen as the overlay for our product. To sum up in reference to acrylic paint, if the drips or painted edge are white, applied quite wet, or thinly, discoloration may be noticeable. To prevent this, you can apply GAC 100 or PVA Size to the edges to create a barrier seal to the exposed, cut edges. For most painters’ practices, the effect of a few drips over the edge of a 1/8” thick panel is not damaging to the artwork or its appearance, and its durability is not at risk. -Dana Brown Artist & Customer Support at Ampersand Click here to explore the full selection of Ampersand panels and tools.	https://ampersandart.com/blog/category/dana-brown/
Artwork description: Hope II is the second mixed media painting in the my latest series.. Bold and expressive abstract with layers of washes and mark making. It was done with acrylic and mixed media on a standard canvas. The painting is translucent in some areas, using light washes of colour. The painting was done during the lockdown and is meant to aspire much needed hope. This painting is 100cmx100cm. It can be hang as it is with sides painted in white. Ideally, will look better framed. A note to International Buyers Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. Materials used: Mixed media, acrylic, gesso Tags:	https://www.artfinder.com/product/hope-ii-5cac0/
You can easily update your kitchen cabinets by painting them. However, a good paint job depends on a great prep job. Prepare the surface properly so the paint will adhere and not peel or chip over time. While you can paint cabinets with a brush, a sprayer is faster and leaves a smoother surface. Preparing the Surface Before you can start painting the kitchen cabinets, you need to prepare the surface. Prepping usually is the longest part of the job, and it’s the most important part to ensure the finishing coats properly cover the cabinets. 1. Remove doors and drawers: Take the doors and hardware off the cabinet boxes and remove drawers and hardware from the cabinets. You will paint the doors and drawers separately.	https://australie-australie.info/2021/05/11/
Search for: Search Category: Painting technique Painting a forest in acrylic with patterns : Discovery Walk June 20, 2016 Clear gesso or gel medium for making your life drawings paper waterproof? June 6, 2016 Dry pastels, alternative ways of using them in mixed media May 9, 2016 Customizing your sketchbook into an Art Journal April 11, 2016 Is using a lightbox cheating? The controversy about using a projector or a lightbox for your paintings March 14, 2016 A yupo paper alternative for life drawings: Gel medium on regular paper. February 29, 2016 The importance of scale in painting: Small and Large paintings February 15, 2016 How to use oil pastels, what you can do with this under-estimated medium. February 1, 2016 Painting flowers from imagination for the Anonymous Art Show, a step by step painting tutorial December 7, 2015 Step by step tutorial: Intuitive semi abstract landscape with acrylics on canvas October 12, 2015 Watercolor and fluid acrylic: similarities and differences September 14, 2015 How to paint a portrait from a reference picture: What to watch for? August 17, 2015 Preparatory sketches: What are they for? July 20, 2015 Add impact to your paintings with India Ink June 8, 2015 Prev 1 2 3 4 … 12 Next Search this blog: Search for: Search Learn from the comfort of your home: En Français Recent posts Make your own origami paper with patterns and short meditation Papier mâché alcohol ink flower bowls Online art class: Painting Flowers from imagination in mixed media 26 weeks of intensive explorations Patterned figures coloring book Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.	https://paintingdemos.com/category/painting-technique/page/3/
1. To prepare your background, use a glue stick to adhere two dictionary pages on opposite sheets of a Stillman & Birn Mixed Media Art Journal. 2. Secure the pages with clips to prevent the journal from closing. Allow to dry. 3. Use a paintbrush to apply a thin coat of white gesso over the dictionary pages. 4. Create stenciled layers by smudging Ranger Distress and Oxide inks onto a Gelli Plate and spritzing with water. 5. Place the Hexagon Stencil over the inked plate. Then place a vintage dictionary page or ledger paper over the stencil. Apply firm, even pressure and pull the print. 6. To create additional interest, stamp any ink remaining on the back of the Hexagon Stencil on both journal pages. 7. Use a blending tool or sponge to apply brown ink to the Thatch Stencil for an additional design element. 8. Cut out your hexagon prints. Apply brown ink to the edges for a highlight. 9. Arrange and glue the hexagon prints in a pleasing pattern across your dictionary pages. 10. Using a sponge, daub black gesso or acrylic paint through the Stencil1 Tiger Stencil on a vintage receipt or craft paper. Allow to dry, and cut out the tiger. 11. Drip Phthalo Green fluid acrylic paint over the glued hexagon pattern. 12. Add some splatters using Transparent Red Iron Oxide and Phthalo Green fluid acrylic colors. 13. Position the Industrial Font stencil. Use a sponge to apply Clear Embossing Ink over the pattern. 14. Remove the stencil and sprinkle Copper Embossing Powder over the clear inked pattern. Set with heat. Once dry, glue down your stenciled tiger collage. 15. Select the Brick Stencil from the Stencil1 Patterns, Set of 8. Sponge Distress Ink under the Tiger. If desired, add additional design elements in a light blue color. 16. Add details by gluing red hole-punched circles where desired, inking edges, and lettering or gluing an inspirational quote to your collage.	https://www.dickblick.com/project-ideas/art-journaling-stencils/
Interview with artist Robert L. Canaga Robert L. Canaga is a painter, photographer, and printmaker. His concentration is on earth, landscape, and growth, but not in a classical "normal" way. He wants to see the elements and forces that go to making wines, growing foods, and replenishing the world. His artwork is done on linen, using oils, wax, driers, and raw pigments to develop his images. We have conducted an interview with Robert. What kind of painting do you concentrate on creating? Abstract land forms, cross sections of the earth, and the roots growing down to find nutrients are my focus, though I often leap back to impressionist landscapes (my 15-minute paintings) Why do you like the 'growth' elements in your artwork? I live in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, the center for wines in the region. I have worked with wineries for years and watched the grapes affected by climate, by soils, and by people caring for them. All this shows up in my work. How special is working on linen as compared to cotton? What kind of effects can you achieve?I use tools like bowl scrapers, painting knives, scrapers, spatulas, and just about anything else that will move paint they way I want. Linen holds up while cotton sags and stretches. This allows me to create thin passages and fill areas I have scraped back with color. I also use the finest gesso, Lascaux. I use oil and cold wax and mix paints, raw pigments, and metallic dust so I can lay in thin layers and mix the colors on the linen. I have control over how fast or slow it drys, how much pigment I add, and how the layers present visually. What is your favorite media/medium? Which kind of images best suits for your usage and creativity? When did you first discovered amalgamated photography and begin incorporating it into your art?Land scape. But for the photography, I use stacked rock, rock cliffs, and tree bark as a base to overlay my figurative photos. I shoot in the studio in bright light, look for matches that place the model in the background so that each exists independently but work as a pairing. More info:Website: http://art.robertcanaga.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobertCanaga Blog: https://opus6ixart.blogspot.com Google+: https://plus.google.com/117258683264519523212 Interview with artist Robert L. Canaga Reviewed by JaamZIN on 6:08:00 PM Rating:	https://www.thecrazymind.com/2017/09/interview-with-artist-robert-l-canaga.html
ASTR 1030 Astronomy Lab 27 Celestial Coordinates CELESTIAL COORDINATES GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES The Earth's geographic coordinate system is familiar to everyone - the north and south poles are defined by the Earth's axis of rotation; equidistant between them is the equator. North-south latitude is measured in degrees from the equator, ranging from -90° at the south pole, 0° at the equator, to +90° at the north pole. East-west distances are also measured in degrees, but there is no "naturally-defined" starting point - all longitudes are equivalent to all others. Humanity has arbitrarily defined the prime meridian (0° longitude) to be that of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, England (alternately called the Greenwich meridian). Each degree (°) of a 360° circle can be further subdivided into 60 equal minutes of arc ('), and each arc-minute may be divided into 60 seconds of arc ("). The 24-inch telescope at Sommers-Bausch Observatory is located at a latitude 40°0'13" North of the equator and at a longitude 105°15'45" West of the Greenwich meridian. North Pole +90° Latitude Greenwich 0° Longitude Boulder +40° 0' 13" Latitude +105° 15' 45" Longitude Equator 0° Latitude The Earth's Latitude - Longitude Coordinate System Parallels or Small Circles Meridians ALT-AZIMUTH COORDINATES The alt-azimuth (altitude - azimuth) coordinate system, also called the horizon system, is a useful and convenient system for pointing out a celestial object. One first specifies the azimuth angle, which is the compass heading towards the horizon point lying directly below the object. Azimuth angles are measured eastward from North (0° azimuth) to East (90°), South (180°), West (270°), and back to North again (360° = 0°). The four principle directions are called the cardinal points. ASTR 1030 Astronomy Lab 28 Celestial Coordinates Next, the altitude is measured in degrees upward from the horizon to the object. The point directly overhead at 90° altitude is called the zenith. The nadir is "down", or opposite the zenith. We sometimes use zenith distance instead of altitude, which is 90° - altitude. Every observer on Earth has his own separate alt-azimuth system; thus, the coordinates of the same object will differ for two different observers. Furthermore, because the Earth rotates, the altitude and azimuth of an object are constantly changing with time as seen from a given location. Hence, this system can identify celestial objects at a given time and location, but is not useful for specifying their permanent (more or less) direction in space. In order to specify a direction by angular measure, you need to know just how “big” angles are. Here’s a convenient “yardstick” to use that you carry with you at all times: the hand, held at arm's length, is a convenient tool for estimating angles subtended at the eye: 3° 2° 4° Index Finger 8° 1° 18° Hand 10° Fist EQUATORIAL COORDINATES Standing outside on a clear night, it appears that the sky is a giant celestial sphere of indefinite radius with us at its center, and upon which stars are affixed to its inner surface. It is extremely useful for us to treat this imaginary sphere as an actual, tangible surface, and to attach a coordinate system to it. ASTR 1030 Astronomy Lab 29 Celestial Coordinates The system used is based on an extension of the Earth's axis of rotation, hence the name equatorial coordinate system. If we extend the Earth's axis outward into space, its intersection with the celestial sphere defines the north and south celestial poles; equidistant between them, and lying directly over the Earth's equator, is the celestial equator. Measurement of "celestial latitude" is given the name declination (DEC), but is otherwise identical to the measurement of latitude on the Earth: the declination at the celestial equator is 0° and extends to ±90° at the celestial poles. The east-west measure is called right ascension (RA) rather than "celestial longitude", and differs from geographic longitude in two respects. First, the longitude lines, or hour circles, remain fixed with respect to the sky and do not rotate with the Earth. Second, the right ascension circle is divided into time units of 24 hours rather than in degrees; each hour of angle is equivalent to 15° of arc. The following conversions are useful: 24 h = 360° 1m = 15' 1h = 15° 4s = 1' 4m = 1° 1s = 15" The Earth orbits the Sun in a plane called the ecliptic. From our vantage point, however, it appears that the Sun circles us once a year in that same plane; hence, the ecliptic may be alternately defined as "the apparent path of the Sun on the celestial sphere". The Earth's equator is tilted 23.5° from the plane of its orbital motion, or in terms of the celestial sphere, the ecliptic is inclined 23.5° from the celestial equator. The ecliptic crosses the equator at two points; the first, called the vernal (spring) equinox, is crossed by the Sun moving from south to north on about March 21st, and sets the moment when spring begins. The second crossing is from north to south, and marks the autumnal equinox six months later. Halfway between these two points, the ecliptic rises to its maximum declination of +23.5° (summer solstice), or drops to a minimum declination of -23.5° (winter solstice). As with longitude, there is no obvious starting point for right ascension, so astronomers have assigned one: the point of the vernal equinox. Starting from the vernal equinox, right ascension increases in an eastward direction until it returns to the vernal equinox again at 24 h = 0 h. North Celestial Pole +90° DEC Hour Circles 4h 16h 2h 18h Celestial Equator 0° DEC 20h RA 22h 24h = 0h Vernal Equinox 0h RA, 0° DEC Earth 23.5° Ecliptic Winter Solstice 18h RA, -23.5° DEC Sun (March 21) ASTR 1030 Astronomy Lab 30 Celestial Coordinates The Earth precesses, or wobbles on its axis, once every 26,000 years. Unfortunately, this means that the Sun crosses the celestial equator at a slightly different point every year, so that our "fixed" starting point changes slowly - about 40 arc-seconds per year. Although small, the shift is cumulative, so that it is important when referring to the right ascension and declination of an object to also specify the epoch, or year in which the coordinates are valid. TIME AND HOUR ANGLE The fundamental purpose of all timekeeping is, very simply, to enable us to keep track of certain objects in the sky. Our foremost interest, of course, is with the location of the Sun, which is the basis for the various types of solar time by which we schedule our lives. Time is determined by the hour angle of the celestial object of interest, which is the angular distance from the observer's meridian (north-south line passing overhead) to the object, measured in time units east or west along the equatorial grid. The hour angle is negative if we measure from the meridian eastward to the object, and positive if the object is west of the meridian. For example, our local apparent solar time is determined by the hour angle of the Sun, which tells us how long it has been since the Sun was last on the meridian (positive hour angle), or how long we must wait until noon occurs again (negative hour angle). If solar time gives us the hour angle of the Sun, then sidereal time (literally, "star time") must be related to the hour angles of the stars: the general expression for sidereal time is Sidereal Time = Right Ascension + Hour Angle which holds true for any object or point on the celestial sphere. It’s important to realize that if the hour angle is negative, we add this negative number, which is equivalent to subtracting the positive number. For example, the vernal equinox is defined to have a right ascension of 0 hours; thus the equation becomes Sidereal time = Hour angle of the vernal equinox Another special case is that for an object on the meridian, for which the hour angle is zero by definition. Hence the equation states that Sidereal time = Right ascension crossing the meridian Your current sidereal time, coupled with a knowledge of your latitude, uniquely defines the appearance of the celestial sphere; furthermore, if you know any two of the variables in the expression ST = RA + HA , you can determine the third. The following illustration shows the appearance of the southern sky as seen from Boulder at a particular instant in time. Note how the sky serves as a clock - except that the clock face (celestial sphere) moves while the clock "hand" (meridian) stays fixed. The clock face numbering increases towards the east, while the sky rotates towards the west; hence, sidereal time always increases, just as we would expect. Since the left side of the ST equation increases with time, then so must the right side; thus, if we follow an object at a given right ascension (such Saturn or Uranus), its hour angle must constantly increase (or become less negative). ASTR 1030 Astronomy Lab 31 Celestial Coordinates Sidereal Time = Right Ascension on Meridian = 21 hrs 43 min Vernal Equinox 23h 20m 0 h 0m 22h 40m 22h 0m 21h 20m 20h 40m 20h 0m 19h 20m Ecliptic Saturn RA = 21h 59m Sidereal Time = Right Ascension + Hour Angle Hour Angle - 0h 16m Saturn: 21h 59m RA + (- 0h 16m) HA = 21h 43m ST Hour Angle + 2h 21m Uranus RA = 19h 22m Hour Angle of Vernal Equinox = - 2h 17m = 21h 43m = Sidereal Time Uranus: 19h 22m RA + 2h 21m HA = 21h 43m ST 1:50 am MDT 20 August 1993 SOLAR VERSUS SIDEREAL TIME Every year the Earth actually makes 366 1/4 complete rotations with respect to the stars (sidereal days). Each day the Earth also revolves about 1° about the Sun, so that after one year, it has "unwound" one of those rotations with respect to the Sun; on the average, we observe 365 1/4 solar passages across the meridian (solar days) in a year. Since both sidereal and solar time use 24hour days, the two clocks must run at different rates. The following compares (approximate) time measures in each system: SOLAR 365.25 days 1 day 0.99727 d SIDEREAL 366.25 days 1.00274 d 1 day SOLAR 24 hours 23h 56m 4s 6 minutes SIDEREAL 24h 3m 56s 24 hours 6m 1s The difference between solar and sidereal time is one way of expressing the fact that we observe different stars in the evening sky during the course of a year. The easiest way to predict what the sky will look like (i.e., determine the sidereal time) at a given date and time is to use a planisphere, or star wheel. However, it is possible to estimate the sidereal time to within a half-hour or so with just a little mental arithmetic. At noontime on the date of the vernal equinox, the solar time is 12h (since we begin our solar day at midnight) while the sidereal time is 0h (since the Sun is at 0h RA, and is on our meridian). Hence, the two clocks are exactly 12 hours out of synchronization (for the moment, we will ignore the complication of "daylight savings"). Six months later, on the date of the autumnal equinox (about September 22) the two clocks will agree exactly for a brief instant before beginning to drift apart, with sidereal time gaining about 1 second every six minutes. ASTR 1030 Astronomy Lab 32 Celestial Coordinates For every month since the last fall equinox, sidereal time gains 2 hours over solar time. We simply count the number of elapsed months, multiply by 2, and add the time to our watch (converting to a 24-hour system as needed). If daylight savings time is in effect, we subtract 1 hour from the result to get the sidereal time. For example, suppose we wish to estimate the sidereal time at 10:50 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on August the 19th. About 11 months have elapsed since fall began, so sidereal time is ahead of standard solar time by 22 hours - or 21 hours ahead of daylight savings time. Equivalently, we can say that sidereal time lags behind daylight time by 3 hours. 10:50 p.m. on our watch is 22h 50 m on a 24-hour clock, so the sidereal time is 3 hours less: ST = 19h 50m (approximately). ENVISIONING THE CELESTIAL SPHERE With time and practice, you will begin to "see" the imaginary grid lines of the alt-azimuth and equatorial coordinate systems in the sky. Such an ability is very useful in planning observing sessions and in understanding the apparent motions of the sky. To help you in this quest, we’ve included four scenes of the celestial sphere showing both alt-azimuth and equatorial coordinates. Each view is from the same location (Boulder) and at the same time and date used above (10:50 p.m. MDT on August 19th, 1993). As we comment on each, we'll mention some important relationships between the coordinate systems and the observer's latitude. Looking North From Boulder, the altitude of the north celestial pole directly above the North cardinal point is 40°, exactly equal to Boulder's latitude. This is true for all observing locations: Altitude of the pole = Latitude of observer The +50° declination circle just touches our northern horizon. Any star more northerly than this will be circumpolar - that is, it will never set below the horizon. Declination of northern circumpolar stars > 90° - Latitude Most of the Big Dipper is circumpolar. The two pointer stars of the dipper are useful in finding Polaris, which lies only about 1/2° from the north celestial pole. Because these two stars always point towards the pole, they must both lie approximately on the same hour circle, or equivalently, both must have approximately the same right ascension (11 hours RA). ASTR 1030 Astronomy Lab 33 Celestial Coordinates Looking South If you were standing at the north pole, the celestial equator would coincide with your local horizon. As you travel the 50° southward to Boulder, the celestial equator will appear to tilt up by an identical angle; that is, the altitude of the celestial equator above the South cardinal point is 50° from the latitude of Boulder. Your local meridian is the line passing directly overhead from the north to south celestial poles, and hence coincides with 180° azimuth. Generally speaking, then, Altitude of the intersection of the celestial equator with the meridian = 90° - Latitude Since the celestial equator is 50° above our southern horizon, any star with a declination less than 50° is circumpolar around the south pole, and will never be seen from Boulder. Declination of southern circumpolar stars < Latitude - 90° The sidereal time (right ascension on the meridian) is 19h 43m - only 7 minutes different from our estimate. Looking East The celestial equator meets the observer's local horizon exactly at an azimuth of 90°; this is always true, regardless of the observer's latitude: The celestial equator always intersects the east and west cardinal points ASTR 1030 Astronomy Lab 34 Celestial Coordinates At the intersection point, the celestial equator makes an angle of 50° with the local horizon; in general, The intersection angle between celestial equator and horizon = 90° - Latitude Our view of the eastern horizon at this particular time includes the Great Square of Pegasus, which is useful for locating the point of the vernal equinox. The two easternmost stars of the Great Square both lie on approximately 0 hours of right ascension. The vernal equinox lies in the constellation of Pisces about 15° south of the Square. Looking Up From a latitude of 40°, an object with a declination of +40° will, at some point in time during the day or night, pass directly overhead through the zenith. In general Declination at zenith = Latitude of observer The 24 Ephemeris Stars in the SBO Catalog of Astronomical Objects have Object Numbers ranging from #401 to #424. Each of these moderately-bright stars passes near the zenith (within 10° or so) over the course of 24 hours. At any time, the ephemeris star nearest the zenith will usually be the star whose last two digits equals the sidereal time (rounded to the nearest hour). For example, at the current sidereal time (19h 43m), the zenith ephemeris star is #420 (d Cygni). At the time of the year assumed in this example (late summer), and at this time of night (midevening), the three prominent stars of the Summer Triangle are high in the sky: Vega (in Lyra the lyre), Deneb (at the tail of Cygnus the swan), and Altair (in Aquila the eagle). However, the Summer Triangle is not only high in the sky in summer, but at any period during the year when the sidereal time equals roughly 20 hours: just after sunset in October, just before sunrise in May, and even around noontime in January (though it won't be visible because of the Sun).	https://studyres.com/doc/7746274/celestial-coordinates
Locating things in the Sky Instead of using metres or even kilometers, we use the Astronomical Unit (AU), the Parsec (pc) and the light year (ly). Questions: 1. How many AU is Jupiter from the Earth? 2. How many parsecs is it to the edge of the solar system? 3. How far is a light year in AU and pc? We also have a need for a different co-ordinate system in astronomy to describe where things are in the sky... We use a system called Right Ascention (RA) and Declination (dec). RA is like longitute and describes how far round an object is, and declination is like latitude and describes how far up or down an object is. We can use these measurements to determine the location of all things in the sky. Example: Use sky globe to find the coordinates of the galaxy 'Andromeda'. Now find a pretty picture of Andromeda using Google Sky, and it's coordinates in RA and dec. Exercise: Repeat the above example for 5 important objects in the night sky. For each record the co-ordinates, date of observation, and any other information you can find out about it which you think is relevant. Why do you think each is considered important in astronomy? Object RA Dec Date of observation Information about the object (e.g.: how big is it, what is it made of, how far away is it, why is it considered important in Astronomy?) Extension Tasks: Try and find a bright star (magnitude 3 or above), find out its name, which constellation it is in, what is it's age, chemical composition, distance from Earth, etc. Now do the same thing for a prominent galaxy. What is the difference between a constellation and a galaxy? Aren't they both collections of stars? Why do the stars look different when we use the infra-red or microwave functions in Google Sky?	https://studyres.com/doc/6189104/locating-things-in-the-sky
Musca(redirected from Musca (constellation)) Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical. Related to Musca (constellation): Octans constellation, Apus constellation Musca(mus -kă) (Fly) A small constellation in the southern hemisphere near Crux, lying in the Milky Way, the brightest stars being of 2nd and 3rd magnitude. It contains the 7th-magnitude globular clusters NGC 4833 and NGC 4372. Abbrev.: Mus; genitive form: Muscae; approx. position: RA 13h, dec –70°; area: 138 sq deg. Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006 Musca[′məs·kə] (astronomy) A southern constellation, right ascension 12 hours, declination 70°S. Also known as Fly. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.	https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Musca+(constellation)
Apus(redirected from Apodis) Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical. Apus(ay -pŭs) (Bird of Paradise) A small inconspicuous constellation in the southern hemisphere near Crux, the brightest stars being just above 4th magnitude. It contains the faint and slightly irregular globular cluster NGC 6101, visible as a misty patch through a small telescope. Abbrev.: Aps; genitive form: Apodis; approx. position: RA 16h, dec –75°; area: 206 sq deg. Apus[′ā·pəs] (astronomy) A constellation with a right ascension of 16 hours and declination of 75°S. Abbreviated Aps. (vertebrate zoology) A genus of birds comprising the Old World swifts.	http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Apodis
Hydrus(redirected from Hyi) Also found in: Dictionary, Acronyms. Hydrus(hÿ -drŭs) (Water Snake) A small constellation in the southern hemisphere lying between the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. Its brightest star, Beta (β) Hydri, is of magnitude 2.8 and is the nearest conspicuous star to the south pole. Abbrev.: Hyi; genitive form: Hydri; approx. position: RA 2h, dec –70°; area: 243 sq deg. Hydrus (the Water Snake), a constellation of the southern hemisphere; its brightest stars have visual stellar magnitudes of 2.9 and 2.8. It is not visible from the USSR. (SeeSTELLAR SKY.) Hydrus[′hī·drəs] (astronomy) A southern constellation, right ascension 2 hours, declination 75°S. Also known as Water Snake.	https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/HYI
The similar age of the stars in star cluster system makes them interesting objects for the study of stellar evolution. However, for such studies, it is essential to reduce the field star contamination. Proper motion of the stars in the region of star clusters provides a unique possibility of getting membership information of the stars. The mean absolute proper motion of the globular cluster NGC 4590 is derived as -2.95 ± 0.54 mas yr-1 and 2.03 ± 0.52 mas yr-1 along right ascension (RA) and declination (DEC) respectively using, 111,000 stars having an error less than 7 mas yr-1. We propose a similar study of globular clusters with the CCD imager mounted on the 3.6m Devasthal Optical telescope (DOT).	https://popups.uliege.be/0037-9565/index.php?id=7669
# List of common astronomy symbols This is a compilation of symbols commonly used in astronomy, particularly professional astronomy. ## Age (stellar) τ - age ## Astrometry parameters Astrometry parameters Rv - radial velocity cz - apparent radial velocity z - Redshift μ - proper motion π - parallax J - epoch α - Right Ascension δ - Declination λ - Ecliptic longitude β - Ecliptic latitude l - Galactic longitude b - Galactic latitude ## Cosmological parameters Cosmological parameters h - dimensionless Hubble parameter H0 - Hubble constant Λ - cosmological constant Ω - density parameter ρ - density ρc - critical density z - redshift ## Distance description Distance description for orbital and non-orbital parameters: d - distance d - in km = kilometer d - inhttps://academia.stackexchange.com/a/29113 mi = mile d - in AU = astronomical unit d - in ly = light-year d - in pc = parsec d - in kpc = kiloparsec (1000 pc) DL - luminosity distance, obtaining an objects distance using only visual aspects ## Galaxy comparison Galaxy type and spectral comparison: see galaxy morphological classification ## Luminosity comparison Luminosity comparison: LS, L☉ - luminosity of the Sun (Sol) Luminosity of certain object: Lacc - accretion luminosity Lbol - bolometric luminosity ## Mass comparison Mass comparison: ME, MEarth - mass of Earth MJ, M♃ - mass of Jupiter MS, M☉ - mass of the Sun (Sol) Mass of certain object: M● - mass of black hole Macc - mass of accretion disc ## Metallicity comparison Metallicity comparison: - Ratio of Iron to Hydrogen. This is not an exact ratio, but rather a logarithmic representation of the ratio of a star's iron abundance compared to that of the Sun. for a given star ( ∗ {\displaystyle } ) : = l o g ∗ − l o g ⊙ {\displaystyle =log_{}-log_{\odot }} , where the values represent the number densities of the given element. - Metallicity ratio. Z - Metallicity Z☉, ZS - Metallicity of the Sun (Sol) ## Orbital parameters Orbital Parameters of a Cosmic Object: α - RA, right ascension, if the Greek letter does not appear, á letter will appear. δ - Dec, declination, if the Greek letter does not appear, ä letter will appear. P or Porb or T - orbital period a - semi-major axis b - semi-minor axis q - periapsis, the minimum distance Q - apoapsis, the maximum distance e - eccentricity i - inclination Ω - longitude of ascending node ω - argument of periapsis RL - Roche lobe M - Mean anomaly Mo - Mean anomaly at epoch ## Radius comparison Radius comparison: RE, REarth - Radius compared to Earth RJ, R♃ - Radius compared to Jupiter RS, R☉ - Radius compared to The Sun (Sol) ## Spectral comparison Spectral comparison: see Stellar classification m(object) - Apparent magnitude M(object) - Absolute magnitude, for galaxies and stars H(object) - Absolute magnitude, for planets and nonstellar objects ## Temperature description Temperature description: Teff - Temperature Effect, usually associated with luminous object Tmax - Temperature Maximum, usually associated with non-luminous object Tavg - Temperature Average, usually associated with non-luminous object Tmin - Temperature Minimum, usually associated with non-luminous object K - Kelvin	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_astronomy_symbols
- found: Work cat.: 2005274017: Westin, L. Beyond the solstice by declination, c1999. - found: Britannica online, Feb. 15, 2007(declination; in astronomy, the angular distance of a body north or south of the celestial equator. Declination and right ascension, an east-west coordinate, together define the position of an object in the sky. North declination is considered positive and south, negative. Thus, +90⁰ declination marks the north celestial pole, 0⁰ the celestial equator, and -90° the south celestial pole. The usual symbol for declination is the lowercase Greek letter [delta]) - found: Facts of File dict. astronomy(declination; a coordinate used with right ascension in the equatorial coordinate system) - found: Oxford dict. astronomy(declination; a coordinate on the celestial sphere, the equivalent of latitude on Earth ... It is an equatorial coordinate) - Change Notes - 2007-02-15: new - 2007-03-17: revised - Alternate Formats Suggest terminology The LC Linked Data Service welcomes any suggestions you might have about terminology used for a given heading or concept. Would you like to suggest a change to this heading? Please provide your name, email, and your suggestion so that we can begin assessing any terminology changes. Fields denoted with an asterisk (*) are required.	https://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2007000989.html
Saturn live position and data. Right Ascension: 19.909783 Declination: -21.099788 (J2000) Magnitude: 1.02 (Estimated: JPL) Constellation: Sagittarius Sun Distance: 1497087588 km [ km/s] Earth Distance: 1359602626 km [ km/s] This page shows Saturn location and other relevant astronomical data in real time. The celestial coordinates, magnitude, distances and speed are updated in real time and are computed using high quality data sets provided by the JPL Horizons ephemeris service (see acknowledgements for details). The sky map shown below represents a rectangular portion of the sky 60x40 arcminutes wide. By comparison the diameter of the full Moon is about 30 arcmins, so the full horizontal extent of the map is approximately 2 full Moons wide. Depending on the device you are using, the map can be dragged horizondally or vertically using the mouse or touchscreen. The deep sky image in the background is provided by the Digitized Sky Survey (acknowledgements). List of bright objects (stars brighter than magnitude 9.0 and galaxies brighter than magmitude 14.0) close to Saturn (less than 1.5 degrees): \|Type\|\|Name\|\|Magnitude\|\|Ar\|\|Dec\| \|Star\|\|HIP 98237\|\|0\|\|19h 57m 47s\|\|-21° 31’ 34”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 98050\|\|8.5592\|\|19h 55m 31s\|\|-21° 30’ 30”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 97417\|\|6.5864\|\|19h 47m 59s\|\|-20° 57’ 27”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 97427\|\|8.946\|\|19h 48m 04s\|\|-21° 07’ 51”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 98477\|\|8.9288\|\|20h 00m 22s\|\|-20° 51’ 25”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 97836\|\|8.4254\|\|19h 52m 52s\|\|-21° 03’ 59”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 97610\|\|8.6378\|\|19h 50m 20s\|\|-21° 38’ 32”\| This online sky chart is created using the following astronomy databases and services:	https://theskylive.com/saturn-tracker
284P/McNaught live position and data. Right Ascension: 16.144637 Declination: -5.960295 (J2000) Magnitude: 21.44 (Estimated: JPL) Constellation: Ophiucus Sun Distance: 568347117 km [ km/s] Earth Distance: 457535660 km [ km/s] Perihelion: 30 Aug 2014 18:38 UTC This page shows Comet 284P/McNaught location and other relevant astronomical data in real time. The celestial coordinates, magnitude, distances and speed are updated in real time and are computed using high quality data sets provided by the JPL Horizons ephemeris service (see acknowledgements for details). The sky map shown below represents a rectangular portion of the sky 60x40 arcminutes wide. By comparison the diameter of the full Moon is about 30 arcmins, so the full horizontal extent of the map is approximately 2 full Moons wide. Depending on the device you are using, the map can be dragged horizondally or vertically using the mouse or touchscreen. The deep sky image in the background is provided by the Digitized Sky Survey (acknowledgements). List of bright objects (stars brighter than magnitude 9.0 and galaxies brighter than magmitude 14.0) close to Comet 284P/McNaught (less than 1.5 degrees): \|Type\|\|Name\|\|Magnitude\|\|Ar\|\|Dec\| \|Star\|\|HIP 78870\|\|6.2958\|\|16h 05m 59s\|\|-06° 08’ 23”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 79545\|\|8.222\|\|16h 13m 53s\|\|-06° 54’ 30”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 79174\|\|8.2564\|\|16h 09m 32s\|\|-06° 43’ 39”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 78822\|\|7.8108\|\|16h 05m 27s\|\|-06° 17’ 25”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 78849\|\|6.3308\|\|16h 05m 44s\|\|-06° 17’ 28”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 78850\|\|8.1566\|\|16h 05m 44s\|\|-07° 05’ 05”\| This online sky chart is created using the following astronomy databases and services:	https://theskylive.com/284p-tracker
18 Melpomene live position and data. Right Ascension: 14.565082 Declination: -1.469091 (J2000) Magnitude: 11.13 (Estimated: JPL) Constellation: Virgo Sun Distance: 393521056 km [ km/s] Earth Distance: 308853988 km [ km/s] Perihelion: 11 Sep 2023 16:02 UTC This page shows Asteroid 18 Melpomene location and other relevant astronomical data in real time. The celestial coordinates, magnitude, distances and speed are updated in real time and are computed using high quality data sets provided by the JPL Horizons ephemeris service (see acknowledgements for details). The sky map shown below represents a rectangular portion of the sky 60x40 arcminutes wide. By comparison the diameter of the full Moon is about 30 arcmins, so the full horizontal extent of the map is approximately 2 full Moons wide. Depending on the device you are using, the map can be dragged horizondally or vertically using the mouse or touchscreen. The deep sky image in the background is provided by the Digitized Sky Survey (acknowledgements). List of bright objects (stars brighter than magnitude 9.0 and galaxies brighter than magmitude 14.0) close to Asteroid 18 Melpomene (less than 1.5 degrees): \|Type\|\|Name\|\|Magnitude\|\|Ar\|\|Dec\| \|Star\|\|HIP 71021\|\|0\|\|14h 31m 31s\|\|-00° 42’ 16”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 71210\|\|8.9228\|\|14h 33m 46s\|\|-02° 38’ 25”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 71241\|\|8.999\|\|14h 34m 08s\|\|-01° 28’ 56”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 71292\|\|8.7318\|\|14h 34m 48s\|\|-01° 24’ 44”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 71073\|\|8.2872\|\|14h 32m 03s\|\|-01° 47’ 20”\| \|Galaxy\|\|NGC 5691\|\|12.3\|\|14h 37m 53s\|\|-00° 23’ 49”\| This online sky chart is created using the following astronomy databases and services:	https://theskylive.com/melpomene-tracker
46P/Wirtanen live position and data. Right Ascension: 15.978415 Declination: -12.531627 (J2000) Magnitude: 27.80 (Estimated: JPL) Constellation: Libra Sun Distance: 608515169 km [ km/s] Earth Distance: 505861414 km [ km/s] Perihelion: 21 May 2024 12:15 UTC This page shows Comet 46P/Wirtanen location and other relevant astronomical data in real time. The celestial coordinates, magnitude, distances and speed are updated in real time and are computed using high quality data sets provided by the JPL Horizons ephemeris service (see acknowledgements for details). The sky map shown below represents a rectangular portion of the sky 60x40 arcminutes wide. By comparison the diameter of the full Moon is about 30 arcmins, so the full horizontal extent of the map is approximately 2 full Moons wide. Depending on the device you are using, the map can be dragged horizondally or vertically using the mouse or touchscreen. The deep sky image in the background is provided by the Digitized Sky Survey (acknowledgements). List of bright objects (stars brighter than magnitude 9.0 and galaxies brighter than magmitude 14.0) close to Comet 46P/Wirtanen (less than 1.5 degrees): \|Type\|\|Name\|\|Magnitude\|\|Ar\|\|Dec\| \|Star\|\|HIP 78736\|\|7.4002\|\|16h 04m 25s\|\|-11° 51’ 26”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 78228\|\|6.949\|\|15h 58m 26s\|\|-13° 26’ 33”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 78271\|\|8.2654\|\|15h 58m 56s\|\|-13° 10’ 10”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 78096\|\|7.6074\|\|15h 56m 45s\|\|-13° 34’ 32”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 78453\|\|8.636\|\|16h 00m 58s\|\|-12° 20’ 13”\| This online sky chart is created using the following astronomy databases and services:	https://theskylive.com/46p-tracker
This week at Lister Community School one of our UCL astronomers visited! The students were learning about asteroids and how to spot them in the telescope images. They were learning about right ascension and declination to locate celestial objects. The students quickly got to grips with this and were able to locate the asteroid using its pixel position and linking it to the catalogue to find the RA and DEC to determine it’s celestial coordinate. The students really enjoyed this experience of real life research. They were all confident in locating the asteroid in the series of images. The astronomer commented on their enthusiasm and quick learning! Well done Lister!	https://www.mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/becoming-researchers/
327P/Van Ness live position and data. Right Ascension: 15.040554 Declination: 20.314174 (J2000) Magnitude: 28.21 (Estimated: JPL) Constellation: Bootes Sun Distance: 597156358 km [ km/s] Earth Distance: 469801407 km [ km/s] Perihelion: 6 Dec 2015 23:06 UTC This page shows Comet 327P/Van Ness location and other relevant astronomical data in real time. The celestial coordinates, magnitude, distances and speed are updated in real time and are computed using high quality data sets provided by the JPL Horizons ephemeris service (see acknowledgements for details). The sky map shown below represents a rectangular portion of the sky 60x40 arcminutes wide. By comparison the diameter of the full Moon is about 30 arcmins, so the full horizontal extent of the map is approximately 2 full Moons wide. Depending on the device you are using, the map can be dragged horizondally or vertically using the mouse or touchscreen. The deep sky image in the background is provided by the Digitized Sky Survey (acknowledgements). List of bright objects (stars brighter than magnitude 9.0 and galaxies brighter than magmitude 14.0) close to Comet 327P/Van Ness (less than 1.5 degrees): \|Type\|\|Name\|\|Magnitude\|\|Ar\|\|Dec\| \|Star\|\|HIP 73858\|\|8.4662\|\|15h 05m 40s\|\|+20° 23’ 35”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 73997\|\|8.8084\|\|15h 07m 19s\|\|+19° 51’ 38”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 73355\|\|8.4282\|\|14h 59m 27s\|\|+20° 22’ 16”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 73632\|\|8.666\|\|15h 03m 05s\|\|+19° 05’ 21”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 73610\|\|8.7714\|\|15h 02m 45s\|\|+20° 26’ 27”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 73577\|\|8.696\|\|15h 02m 19s\|\|+19° 23’ 26”\| \|Star\|\|HIP 73748\|\|7.533\|\|15h 04m 29s\|\|+19° 50’ 28”\| \|Galaxy\|\|UGC 9622\|\|14.0\|\|14h 57m 21s\|\|+19° 40’ 15”\| \|Galaxy\|\|NGC 5859\|\|13.3\|\|15h 07m 35s\|\|+19° 34’ 55”\| \|Galaxy\|\|NGC 5857\|\|13.8\|\|15h 07m 27s\|\|+19° 35’ 57”\| This online sky chart is created using the following astronomy databases and services:	https://theskylive.com/327p-tracker
Blood clot vs bruise produces skin darkening from blood vessel issues. The skin’s discoloration may result from blood vessel issues and clots. Bruises form when blood leaks from broken capillaries into the skin—a clot forms when blood collects in an artery or vein. A blood clot is less likely to manifest visually than a bruise. Contusions, often known as bruises, are the visible result of blood leaking into surrounding tissue due to the rupture of microscopic blood vessels called capillaries. The skin becomes discolored as a result of the blood loss. Even if there are no outward signs of injury, a person’s muscles, bones, and organs may bruise. In this article, we will discuss more blood clot vs bruise. Difference between blood clot vs bruise: Bruises have the potential to be misdiagnosed as hematomas or other types of blood clots according to the symptoms they exhibit. Blushes often begin with red, but they may transform into different colors like blue, black, or purple as they heal. Most bruises are originally green or yellow, but they become brown with time. Following are the difference between blood clots vs bruises. Ensure deep-body oxygenation: Clots in the blood usually form within an artery or a vein, the two most extensive blood veins in the body. In medical terms, a blood clot is called a thrombus. Hematomas are formed when blood leaks into surrounding tissue after blood vessel damage. The coagulated blood might then solidify and cling together. Clots in the bloodstream don’t always manifest outwardly. However, if blood clots form close to the skin’s surface or impede blood flow deeply in an extremity, symptoms may become apparent or palpable. How does blood Clot vs. bruises appear? The naked eye cannot see most clots in the blood. And in the case of certain blood clots, the swelling might occur even in the absence of any noticeable blood pooling. Deep vein thrombosis is an example of this, and it often manifests as a bluish discoloration and swelling of the legs. There is an imminent need for medical assistance. However, discoloration of the skin may also be caused by bruising and superficial hematomas. DVT causes edema: In addition, the appearance of a bruise may vary greatly depending on the person’s skin tone. A hematoma, the medical word for blood collected above the skin’s surface, often appears as a dark blue, purple, or black spot. Hematoma is also the medical term for a bruise. The area around a hematoma can expand, and the person affected may see a change in the tone of their skin at the same time. Why is anyone susceptible to getting bruises? Bruises are marks left on the skin after injury, such as falling, colliding with something, or breaking a bone. The rupture of the capillaries is a typical complication of these wounds. Bruises are a common sign of skin trauma and may appear anywhere on the body. When blood vessels are damaged, the body produces bruises and clots. However, the underlying causes of these conditions and the symptoms they present in a person might vary considerably. Clot formation reasons: In the aftermath of trauma, blood clots are a common and necessary element of the body’s reparative process. Platelets, coagulants in the blood, gather at the site of an injury and clump together to staunch the bleeding. Potentially harmless blood clots of a minor kind may dissolve on their own. However, in other cases, blood clots grow beyond their standard size or develop in areas without trauma. Signs and symptoms of a bruise: Most bruises leave a lasting discoloration on the skin that gradually fades. It may hurt to touch a bruise while it heals. The discomfort from a bruise usually subsides as it heals. Arterial thrombus describes a blood clot that has formed in an artery. Even while the symptoms of a blood clot may be comparable to those of a bruise, the implications of having one might be considerably more severe. Blood clot: Blood clots, unlike most bruises, tend not to heal uniformly and may produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on their location and the organs or tissues they impact. Large hematomas or clots inside muscles or organs almost always need medical attention. A venous thrombus is a blood clot that forms within a vein and obstructs blood flow to an organ or other body portion. Stroke and DVT: A blood clot may form in any deep vein, although it is most prevalent in the leg veins. Stroke symptoms, such as slurred speech and paralysis or numbness on one side of the body, may be caused by a thrombus; however, these symptoms can vary depending on the organ or tissue the thrombus has lodged in. Variables of Uncertainty: Some risk factors for bruising and blood clots are under the control of the individual. Drugs like aspirin, fish oil supplements, and prescription medications like warfarin may have this effect. It is also wise for those at a greater risk of developing a thrombus to see a medical professional for preventative measures. The symptoms of deep vein thrombosis might include tenderness or swelling in the legs. Increased bruising risk: Most people will get at least one bruise at some point. Sometimes a person will not recall what caused the bruise, especially if it was not very severe. Everyone will inevitably develop a bruise at some time, but a few things might enhance your risk of getting one. Drugs, such as blood thinners, may enhance post-injury bleeding and bruising. Clot formation predisposing factors: Creating a blood clot is a normal part of the healing process for certain wounds. However, clots may develop in blood arteries due to various risk factors. Abnormal clotting of the blood might have a genetic component. Excessive blood clotting may occur in those with a history of severe blood clots in their family or who have experienced them. Anyone suffering from what could be thrombus symptoms should contact a doctor very once. Medical for blood clot vs bruise: A doctor should be seen by anybody experiencing acute pain at the location of an accident. It’s not usually necessary to see a doctor about a bruise, but you should if it’s very large or persistent. The occurrence of bruises, bleeding, or blood clots that defy the explanation may be a symptom of a more serious underlying health issue. Any bruises that remain more than a few days or that develop with other symptoms like pain or swelling should be discussed with a medical professional. Conclusion: Blood vessel injury is a common cause of bruises, hematomas, and clots. The production of tiny blood clots in response to wounds or injuries is a natural component of the body’s healing process. This is why bruises often heal without any medical intervention. However, blood clots and hematomas in deep tissues may need further assessment and treatment, depending on their location. Due to the disruption of blood and oxygen flow, health professionals consider blood clots in major blood arteries a medical emergency. FAQs: Do bruises ever result in blood clots? When blood vessels are broken, bruising occurs because of blood clots at the injury site. Blood clots are a serious medical problem, but bruising is not one of the causes. Bruises, hematomas, and blood clots may develop separately in the event of severe trauma. Why can bruises happen to anyone? The clot may be felt as a hard mass just beneath the surface of the skin. A lump may cause the skin around it to get red, sensitive, and hot to the touch. Clots that form in superficial skin veins are often harmless and easy to cure at home.	https://bigbraintimes.com/blood-clot-vs-bruise/
Understanding Post-Thrombotic Syndrome Up to 40 percent of people diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis or DVT will develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), and the symptoms of PTS usually occur within the first six months to two years after experiencing the clot. PTS is a long-term complication of a blood clot. When the body tries to heal from a DVT, blood flow is sometimes not restored, and the valves in the veins are often damaged, causing leaks or blood to flow the wrong way. The resulting congestion can cause chronic pain, swelling, and fatigue. If the swelling is severe, skin breakdown may occur and can cause ulcers or open sores, which some people find difficult to heal. Risk Factors for Post-Thrombotic Syndrome - Recurrent clotting episodes in the same leg - Persistent leg symptoms 1 month after a DVT - Obesity - Older age - Location and size of clot — larger clots in the thigh or pelvic veins are riskier for PTS Symptoms of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome - Leg pain - Swelling that gets worse after walking or standing for a long time - Leg heaviness or fatigue - Redness - Spider veins - New varicose veins - Skin discoloration or thickening - Leg ulcers or open sores Simple Steps to Address PTS Symptoms - Leg elevation may help with pain and swelling. - Elastic compression stockings may help to alleviate symptoms of leg pain and swelling by improving blood flow in your legs. They have not been shown to reduce the occurrence of PTS, but they may be helpful to manage some PTS symptoms. - Aerobic exercise and leg strengthening might be helpful for people who are cleared by their healthcare provider for this type of activity and can tolerate the physical exertion.	https://www.stoptheclot.org/understanding-post-thrombotic-syndrome/
Millions of people of all walks of life suffer from chronic open sores that may become seriously infected or cause significant pain or discomfort. Ulcers may occur on any part of the foot or leg. These ulcerations often may become gangrenous and some may lead to amputation. Chronic wounds are often due to limited blood flow which can slow the body's own healing process but may be caused by a variety of factors including: Diabetes, Arterial disease, Venous disease, Neuropathy, Pressure sores, Surgical wound breakdown, and Chemical or Thermal Burns. Diabetic Skin Sores Diabetes causes damage to blood vessels so that blood flow to the skin is diminished. Oxygen and nutrients are not delivered and the affected tissue dies (or becomes gangrenous). Poor blood flow might initially be identified by calf or foot pain with exercise or while at rest at night. The feet may feel cool or cold. Ulcers like these often begin as a discoloration or sore on the tip of a toe. Only 15-20% of diabetic ulcers however are due to poor circulation. The majority of diabetic ulcers are due to damage to peripheral nerves (neuropathy). Neuropathy results in decreased sweating which leads to dry, cracked skin, that may become a source of ulceration. Neuropathy will also cause a loss of appropriate sensation of the skin which leads to abnormal pressure and breakdown of skin especially over areas of foot deformity such as hammertoes, bunions and other bony deformities. Pressure over these areas causes blisters or calluses which may also lead to ulceration. At first glance, all of these sores may appear to be of minor consequence. However, the presence of an ulcer taxes circulation, and with less than adequate flow, healing becomes problematic. The prospect of limb loss without appropriate care can be totally unpredictable and devastating for individuals with diabetes who started with what seemed to be a relatively benign injury. Arterial Ulcers Arterial ulcers (ischemic ulcers) result from partial or complete blockage of arteries to a part of the body. This leads to tissue necrosis ulceration and gangrene. Signs of arterial insufficiency include: lack of pulses in the extremity, cool or cold skin, prolonged blanching of the skin with mild pressure, and shiny thin dry skin. Often pain in the back of the leg while walking (claudication) progressing to pain in a toe, foot or leg while at rest (ischemic pain) are the initial signs. Arterial ulcers often begin on the end of a toe or the back of the heel but may be found anywhere on an extremity where prolonged pressure combined with arterial insufficiency exists. Arterial ulcers are painful and begin as small sores with well circumscribed edges. There is little drainage from the wound. Tissue immediately surrounding the ulcer may be warm and reddened but the remainder of the surrounding skin will be cool or cold. Arterial ulcers may progress slowly or rapidly depending on the size of the underlying arterial blockage with increasing tissue necrosis within. Venous Ulcerations Venous ulcerations result from the failure of the veins in our legs to properly move the blood back to the heart (venous insufficiency). This backflow of blood causes venous congestion, swelling (edema) and hardness in the legs. Often a brownish discoloration occurs on the inside of the lower leg and in extreme cases redness and a weeping discharge from the leg may be seen. The typical venous ulcer appears on the inside of the leg just above the ankle but may occur anywhere on the lower leg. The wound is shallow with irregular borders and not very painful. There is often a significant discharge from the wound as well. Neuropathic Ulcers Loss of sensation in the feet (neuropathy) may result in minor injuries that often go unnoticed. Most of these injuries are likely to occur on the sole of the foot but may be found wherever the neuropathy exists. Those that occur on the toes or soles of the feet often begin as a blister which may be caused by tight shoes. Those suffering from neuropathy also may not be able to detect sharp objects or areas of extreme heat accidentally encountered if barefoot. This may cause unnoticed open cuts or puncture wounds, or moderate to severe blisters or burns from sun or heating pads. Neuropathic ulcers are irregular in shape with a deep center and necrotic edges. These ulcers are easily infected resulting in surrounding swelling redness and drainage. Pressure Sores Pressure ulcers arise due to a combination of situations and factors. On a cellular level ischemia occurs to the tissue when too much pressure is applied to one area for a prolonged period of time. The pressure is usually from a bony prominence on one side and a hard surface, such as a shoe or bed, on the other side. Common foot deformities including hammertoes, bunions and prominences of the ball of the foot cause corns and calluses which when severe may lead to ulceration. Those confined to bed or seated in one position for long periods of time may form pressure sores (decubiti) on the heels or sacrum. Soft tissue between these two surfaces is subject to abnormal pressure which leads to tissue necrosis. Initial signs of ulceration include redness and swelling and in some instances blister formation. Pressure ulcers appear as shallow breaks in the skin with irregular borders and surrounding redness extending beyond the wound. Surgical Wound Breakdown Ulcerations due to surgical wounds occur from a variety of factors. Wounds may become infected postoperatively, vascular supply may be compromised at the time of surgery, abnormal tension may be placed on skin edges from improper surgical closure or excessive swelling may occur causing tissue ischemia. Surgical wounds appear as openings in part of the area of previous surgical closure. These ulcerations are usually deep with moderate drainage. Chemical and Thermal Burns Caustic chemicals or extreme heat will cause necrosis of tissue. This leads to ulceration of the affected area. Burns have been classified traditionally according to degree. A first-degree burn involves a reddening of the skin area. In a second-degree burn the skin is blistered. A third-degree burn is the most serious type, involving damage to the deeper layers of the skin with necrosis through the entire skin. In some cases the growth cells of the tissues in the burned area may be destroyed. Partial thickness wounds reveal some skin elements remain intact such as hair follicles. Full-thickness wounds in which all of the skin elements and those lining the sweat glands, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands are destroyed. Full-thickness burn often have a white, waxy appearance. Diagnosis The sooner intervention occurs, the better the chances for healing. It is far easier to manage a superficial ulcer than it is to treat a deeper chronic ulceration. Wound healing is a complex process and may involve the knowledge and skill of multiple specialists including the podiatrist, wound care specialist, primary physician, vascular surgeon, endocrinologists nutritionist, orthotist and infectious disease physician. The approach must address the factors that caused the ulcer as well as those that complicate the wound healing; infection, blood flow, nutrition, swelling or pressure. To adequately assess the underlying causative factors additional testing is often necessary. This may include; blood tests, x-rays, wound culture to identify infection, noninvasive vascular studies such as Doppler and ultrasound to evaluate both arterial and venous flow, as well as more advanced studies such as tissue perfusion studies(TCPO2), bone scans or MRI. General health, skin texture and turgor, patient's mobility and nutritional status must all be evaluated. Treatment Diabetic wounds may first require control of blood sugar and/or adequate nutrition. Arterial ulcerations require increased blood flow to the area or revascularization of the limb. This may be accomplished surgically (with angioplasty or bypass) or medically (with oral pills). Venous ulcers require reduction and control of swelling and venous insufficiency. This is accomplished with medication, specialized compression bandages mechanical compression devices, gradient compression stockings and by promoting activity of the patient. Neuropathic and pressure sores may require avoidance of weight bearing activities, redistribution of weight bearing areas while standing, sitting or lying for long periods of time or possibly correction of bony abnormalities. When the use of crutches, a wheelchair, or rest is not feasible, plaster casts (total contact casting), braces healing sandals, or orthoses (special shoe inserts) can be used to protect the area while it heals. Infected wounds require antibiotic therapy which may be topical, oral or intravenous (IV) depending on the severity of the infection. Once the causative factors have been identified and addressed for the specific type of wound, general wound care principles should be followed. Promotion and maintenance of an infection free environment is paramount . Removal of unhealthy tissue (wound debridement) inside the wound and hyperkeratotic tissue on the rim should be carried out on a regular basis as needed. Avoiding excessive discharge while maintaining a moist wound base and dry wound edges is accomplished with appropriate selection of wound dressing products. In some cases more advanced wound care techniques may be necessary including the use of; growth factor medication, advanced wound dressings (genetically engineered grafting materials), Hyperbaric (high-pressure) oxygen treatment, and surgical intervention including, surgical debridement, skin grafting and plastic surgical techniques (skin flaps). Appropriate wound management is best carried out by a certified wound specialist. The goal of any wound care specialist in treating chronic wounds should be the fastest possible healing achieved through appropriate treatment programs.	http://sunrisefamilyfootcare.com/resources_chronic_wounds.html
From 2006 to 2017, Finnair’s daily service from Copenhagen to Helsinki was designated as Flight 666 to HEL. more... \| \| June 18 , 1981 : Medical professionals officially recognize the AIDS epidemic. more... Learn something new every day More Info... by email Polycythemia is a condition in which the volume of red blood cells in the blood is abnormally high. It may be due to excess red blood cells, in which case it is known as absolute polycythemia, or to a decreased blood plasma volume, a condition called relative polycythemia. Absolute polycythemia may be further classified as primary, secondary, or Chuvash polycythemia. Polycythemia symptoms vary depending upon the cause of the condition. In primary polycythemia, also called polycythemia vera, the bone marrow overproduces red blood cells. It may also produce too many white blood cells and platelets. Primary polycythemia symptoms, when they occur, include itching, especially after exposure to warm water, joint pain, headache, fatigue, and an inability to concentrate. Less common symptoms are thrombosis or blood clots, gouty arthritis, ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, and erythromelalgia, in which excess platelets cause burning and skin discoloration in the hands and feet. However, polycythemia vera is often asymptomatic. Secondary polycythemia is caused by excess production of erythropoietin, the hormone that controls red blood cell production. Secondary polycythemia can be a complication of hypoxic disease, in which oxygen levels in the blood are low, or of genetic mutations or kidney or liver tumors. It can also result from bloodletting or from high altitudes. Secondary polycythemia symptoms caused by high altitudes include nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia or drowsiness, a tingling sensation, shortness of breath, nosebleed, rapid pulse, and edema or swelling of the hands and feet. In more severe cases, edema can affect the lungs or brain. When associated with low oxygen levels caused by lung disease, secondary polycythemia symptoms include sleep apnea and chronic cough. Polycythemia induced by cancer of the liver or kidney may present with weight loss, abdominal pain, or jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes. Chuvash polycythemia is a hereditary form of the disorder. It can cause blood clots and other cardiovascular disturbances, especially later in life. Other symptoms are similar to those of polycythemia vera. Relative polycythemia is often caused by a loss of bodily fluids through dehydration, burns, or stress. However, it can also be caused by apparent polycythemia, a condition associated with cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption, and high blood pressure. A common symptom of relative polycythemia is high blood pressure, and symptoms similar to those of polycythemia vera may also be present. One of our editors will review your suggestion and make changes if warranted. Note that depending on the number of suggestions we receive, this can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Thank you for helping to improve wiseGEEK!	http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-polycythemia-symptoms.htm
A venous leg ulcer is the most common type of leg ulcer, accounting for more than 90% of all cases. Venous leg ulcers can develop after a minor injury, where persistently high pressure in the veins of the legs has damaged the skin. This constant high pressure can gradually damage the tiny blood vessels in your skin and make it fragile. As a result, your skin can easily break and form an ulcer after a knock or scratch. A venous skin ulcer is usually very slow to heal, usually because of weak blood circulation in the limb. They can last anywhere from a few weeks to years. If left untreated, they can often lead to a more serious form of venous disease called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Chronic Venous Insufficiency If CVI is left untreated, legs can sometimes develop painful sores or wounds on the skin’s surface called ulcers. Normally ulcers appear near the ankles or lower leg and are brought on from the increased build-up of fluid and blood pressure from veins affected by CVI. SYMPTOMS There are many factors that can increase risk of venous leg ulcer. Some factors include: - swollen ankles (oedema) - discoloration and darkening of the skin around the ulcer - hardened skin around the ulcer, which may make your leg feel hard - a heavy feeling in your legs - aching or swelling in your legs - red, flaky, scaly and itchy skin on your legs (varicose eczema) - swollen and enlarged veins on your legs (varicose veins) - an unpleasant and foul-smelling discharge from the ulcer MOST AT RISK There are many factors that can increase risk of venous leg ulcer. Some factors include: - Obesity - Previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clots - varicose veins - Previous injury to leg - increasing age YOU ARE NOT ALONE CVI and venous leg ulcers are more common than you think - More than 190 million people around suffer from CVI. - More than 1 million people in the U.S. suffer from venous leg ulcers. - 70-90% of all ulcers below the knee are venous (caused by diseased veins). - More than half of venous ulcers treated are recurrent ulcerations Due to pain, mobility limitations and other consequences, venous leg ulcers have been associated with increased rates of depression and substantial decreases in patient quality of life EARLIER TREATMENT LEADS TO BETTER OUTCOMES Don’t wait to find treatment for your venous leg ulcers A recent study showed that patients who received early vein closure treatment along with compression stocking therapy for venous leg ulcers experienced: - Significantly shorter time to healing - Extended time free from ulcers Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.	https://ourheartdr.com/vein-clinic/vein-diseases/venous-leg-ulcers/
How Can Diabetes Affect My Feet? Chronically high blood sugar (glucose) levels can be associated with serious complications in people who have diabetes. The feet are especially at risk. Two conditions called diabetic neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease can damage the feet (and other areas of the body) in people who have diabetes. What is diabetic neuropathy? Chronically high sugar levels associated with uncontrolled diabetes can cause nerve damage that interferes with the ability to sense pain and temperature. This so-called "sensory diabetic neuropathy" increases the risk a person with diabetes will not notice problems with his or her feet. Nearly 10% of people with diabetes develop foot ulcers due to peripheral vascular disease and nerve damage. People with diabetes may not notice sores or cuts on the feet, which in turn can lead to an infection. Nerve damage can also affect the function of foot muscles, leading to improper alignment and injury. What is peripheral vascular disease? Diabetes is associated with poor circulation (blood flow). Inadequate blood flow increases the healing time for cuts and sores. Peripheral vascular disease refers to compromised blood flow in the arms and legs. Poor blood flow increases the risk that infections will not heal. This, in turn, increases the risk of ulcers and gangrene, which is tissue death that occurs in a localized area when there is an inadequate blood supply. What are common foot problems of people with diabetes? The following images show common foot problems that anyone can get; however, those with diabetes are at increased risk for serious complications associated with these conditions, including infection and even amputation. Athlete's foot Fungal infection of the feet is called athlete's foot. Cracked skin, itching, and redness are associated w Continue reading >> Diabetes-related Foot And Ankle Problems EndocrineWeb spoke with Dr. Nere Onosode about diabetes-related foot and ankle problems. Dr. Onosode is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and board-qualified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Here, he answers the many questions of interest to people with diabetes. What are some of the common types of foot problems you see in patients with diabetes? Dr. Onosode: I tend to see underlying structural bony and soft tissue problems. These include digital contractures commonly known as hammertoe deformities. Another is hallus abducto valgus deformities—commonly called bunions. A bunion affects shoe fit and comfort when walking, and causes soft tissue problems. Frankly, anything (eg, irritation) that causes bony or soft tissue enlargement of the front part of the foot (called the forefoot) can be problematic in the diabetic population. Is there a difference in the prevalence of foot and/or ankle problems in patients with Type 1 versus Type 2 diabetes? Dr. Onosode: In my practice, Type 2 definitely tends to be more prominent than Type 1. I believe this is because patients with Type 2 diabetes are diagnosed later in life, tend to be more overweight, and have developed complications by the time they see me. The onset of Type 1 diabetes occurs in children and teenagers, and they are usually diagnosed and managed early. Do people with diabetes tend to have more foot problems than people who do not have the disease? Dr. Onosode: People whose diabetes is not properly controlled tend to have more foot problems than nondiabetics. However, having diabetes is not a sentence to developing problems with the feet! I tell patients, if you are controlling your diabetes well, checking your feet daily, seeing the right specialist—whether that is your endocrinologist, primary care Continue reading >> What Causes Discoloration And Swelling In The Legs Of Diabetics? If the swelling and discoloration looks like this: Then you're probably thinking of the stasis dermatitis associated with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). In this disease, the valves in the veins stop working. These valves usually make sure that blood continues to move back to the heart. When they become incompetent, blood pools in the lower legs. The red blood cells sit around and eventually die. When they do, they release iron. The iron deposits in the skin and gives it the brown color. There seems to be a loose association between diabetes and CVI (Elsevier). I'm not convinced that diabetes causes this discoloration--more likely that those with diabetes may also have CVI for a host of other reasons (advancing age, increased weight, male). On the other hand, you could be talking about necrobiosis lipoidica, which is associated with diabetes: Only this doesn't come with swelling. It's more defined by atrophy--the skin actually gets thinner over these lesions. Continue reading >> Itchy Ankles: Causes, Rash, And Treatment The medical community refers to an itching feeling anywhere on the body as pruritus. Itchy ankles are often the sign of an underlying skin condition, though the feeling may signal other, more severe issues. Irritation may be made worse by excessive scratching. In these cases, treating the cause of the itch may resolve accompanying symptoms. Itchy ankles may cause rashes or lesions. Or, itchiness may be a result of these issues. When itchy ankles are not associated with rashes or lesions, the condition is called essential pruritus. These cases are often characterized by rapid onset of symptoms and interference with daily activities. It is important to discover the cause of itchy ankles. When in doubt, or when the itch lasts longer than a few days, a person should seek medical attention. They are often accompanied by a rash or other irritations. It is not always possible to prevent the itchy feeling. Most people can find relief, using topical anti-itch cream. Allergic reactions and skin conditions are common causes of itchy ankles. There are several underlying causes of itchy ankles. These range in severity from simple allergic reactions to much more serious concerns that require medical treatment. Some of the most common causes of itchy ankles are: The most common symptom of contact dermatitis is an itchy red rash. However, it may also appear with symptoms such as: Treatment for contact dermatitis typically involves identifying the cause and avoiding future contact. Over-the-counter creams alone may provide itch relief. Hives are a common type of rash, characterized by the appearance of raised, swollen welts. They are often the result of: Hives may be caused by an allergic reaction. It is often a good idea to seek medical attention, to ensure that this reaction is not c Continue reading >> Diabetic Foot Problems What foot problems can be caused by diabetes? Diabetes mellitus can cause serious foot problems. These conditions include diabetic neuropathy (loss of normal nerve function) and peripheral vascular disease (loss of normal circulation). These two conditions can lead to: Diabetic foot ulcers: wounds that do not heal or become infected Infections: skin infections (cellulitis), bone infections (osteomyelitis) and pus collections (abscesses) Gangrene: dead tissue resulting from complete loss of circulation Charcot arthropathy: fractures and dislocations that may result in severe deformities Amputation: partial foot, whole foot or below-knee amputation What are the symptoms of a diabetic foot problem? Symptoms of neuropathy may include the loss of protective sensation or pain and tingling sensations. Patients may develop a blister, abrasion or wound but may not feel any pain. Decreased circulation may cause skin discoloration, skin temperature changes or pain. Depending on the specific problem that develops, patients may notice swelling, discoloration (red, blue, gray or white skin), red streaks, increased warmth or coolness, injury with no or minimal pain, a wound with or without drainage, staining on socks, tingling pain or deformity. Patients with infection may have fever, chills, shakes, redness, drainage, loss of blood sugar control or shock (unstable blood pressure, confusion and delirium). How do some of these complications develop? Neuropathy is associated with the metabolic abnormalities of diabetes. Vascular disease is present in many patients at the time of diagnosis of diabetes. Ulcers may be caused by external pressure or rubbing from a poorly fitting shoe, an injury from walking barefoot, or a foreign object in the shoe (rough seam, stone or tack). Infecti Continue reading >> Discoloration Of Ankles?	https://diabetestalk.net/diabetes/ankle-discoloration-diabetes
In the medical sciences, leg swelling or edema is usually caused by the presence of a buildup of fluid in the body, in the distance. Swelling of the feet are affected by the health condition of the person. Kidney and heart disease sufferers generally will experience swelling of the feet. Here are a few things that cause leg swelling: Limfedema. Medical conditions due to disorders of the lymph vessels which impede the circulation of fluid in the legs. As a result fluid accumulates and makes the leg swelling. Injury. Swelling in the feet can occur due to an injury to the foot and ankle. When an ankle injury or wrong step, ligaments (a flexible tape linking bone with bone) will go beyond the normal limits of stretchable. It also results in swollen feet. Pregnancy. Feet swollen in pregnant women is a normal thing. This happens because major blood vessels in the groin received pressure from the baby in the womb that her body is getting enlarged. That’s why in the last months of pregnancy will generally be swelling of the feet. However, leg swelling in pregnant women still have to watch out for, especially if the calves also swelled and left a dent when pressed. If this condition occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, it is likely you are experiencing preeclampsia. In addition, you also need to be wary if swelling occurs only on one foot and calf blush. This could be a symptom of the presence of blood clots in the blood vessels. The infection. Leg swelling due to infection is more commonly experienced by people with diabetes and nerve problems in the feet. So, if you are suffering from the disease, you need to really look at the condition of the feet, especially when there are blisters and sores. Blood clotting. Blood clots in the blood vessels in the feet will result in blood flow from the feet to the heart are blocked. Frozen blood buildup can trigger swelling of the feet. Contracted the disease. Swollen feet can be indicated that a person suffering from kidney disease, heart or liver. When the kidneys are compromised or could not function well, the fluid can accumulate in the legs that lead to swelling. Venous insufficiency. Foot swelling can be early symptoms of venous insufficiency, you experience that is the condition when the blood cannot move up from blood vessels in the legs to the heart. This results in swelling of the feet. If left untreated, this condition can cause skin ulcers, infection, and skin changes. Side effects of the drug. Some medications can cause leg swelling in whom drug diabetes drug, a bitter taste, non-steroidal drugs antidepressants, steroids, drug medication for blood pressure, and the use of oral contraceptives. Other causes. Women who are in their menstrual cycle may be experiencing a swollen foot. In addition, standing too long, drive a car or travel by plane for a long time can also be a trigger factor for swelling in the feet. Tips Overcoming Swollen Feet There are several easy ways that you can do to reduce the risk of swelling in the feet. Lose weight if it is excessive. Compress with ice cubes which are wrapped with towels. You can lie down and lift the leg up. Reduce your intake of salt. Use compression stockings. Avoid standing too long. Do sports a light that drives away. Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight, especially on the part of the thigh. If the cause of swollen feet due to the side effects of drugs, do not immediately stop mengonsumsinya without permission from the doctor. You can see a doctor again to ask for alternative medicine.	https://javatren.com/articles/swollen-ankles-and-feet-10-known-causes-and-how-to-treatmen.html
Skin conditions associated with Coronavirus Over the past two years, Covid -19 virus has never failed to surprise us with the different symptoms of each new variant. Coronavirus impact extends to many organs of the body, starting with the respiratory system (lungs) and some others, such as: - Its impact on the heart. - Its impact on blood vessels throughout the body including the brain. - Its impact on the kidneys. - Its impact on the digestive system. - Its impact on muscles and joints. - Its impact on metabolism and exposing the patient to the dangers of diabetes. - Its impact on the nervous system. - Its impact on blood clotting and stroke. - Its impact on mental health causes depression and anxiety. - Its impact on the patient's life in general, like causing sudden death of some patients. - Its impact on the skin, which we will discuss in a little while. Possible impacts of covid-19 on the skin: 1- Morbilliform: It is a measles-like rash, where red lesions begin to appear in the skin with covid-19. 2- Urticaria: It is the appearance of swollen red spots which cause the patient an itching sensation and discomfort. This rash can appear in any part of the body and appear as swelling that can be observed in the throat, lips, or eyelids, and these symptoms have been common in Covid-19 patients. 3- Maculopapular rash: Flat red patches of the skin and their shape are characterized by papules and bumps. This rash is now likely to appear in Covid-19 patients. 4- Chilblains: It is an inflammation of the small blood vessels found in the skin of the fingers, resulting in red itchy patches, and the color of the skin tends to darken and may cause swellings or ulcers of the fingers or toes, these symptoms became common in covid19 patients, and it's called Covid-19 toes. 5- Livedo: It is a common skin disease, its symptoms appear in the form of lace-like or a web of purplish discoloration of the skin and may cause fading or loss of the skin's color. These symptoms are caused by the swelling of the small blood vessels as a result of blood clots, which has been observed in some Covid-19 patients.	https://saudigermanhealth.com/en/medical-blog/skin-conditions-associated-coronavirus%C2%A0%C2%A0
The term "ischemic foot" refers to a lack of adequate arterial blood flow from the heart to the foot. There are a wide variety of possible causes for poor arterial circulation into the foot including arterial blockage from cholesterol deposits, arterial blood clots, arterial spasm, or arterial injury. The ischemic foot is also referred to as having arterial insufficiency, meaning there is not enough blood reaching the foot to provide the oxygen and nutrient needs required for the cells to continue to function. Diagnosis The result of insufficient blood supply to the foot can manifest itself in a variety of ways depending upon how severe the impairment to circulation. Early symptoms may include cold feet, purple or red discoloration of the toes, or muscle cramping after walking short distances (intermittent claudication). Later findings may include a sore that won't heal (ischemic ulcer), pain at night while resting in bed, or tissue death to part of the foot (gangrene). The diagnosis of ischemia is made by reviewing the patient's symptoms, examination of the foot, and special testing to evaluate the circulation. The examination should reveal cold skin temperature, and skin atrophy that causes the skin to appear shiny or paper thin with loss of normal hair on tops of the toes and on the lower leg. There is often a color change associated with ischemic feet. This may show as a purple discoloration of the toes, white blanching of the toes when the foot is elevated, and red discoloration when the foot is hanging down. Additionally the two arterial pulses in the foot will not be as strong as normal, or may be entirely absent. Certainly the presence of a pale looking ulcer, or black gangrenous toes would be an ominous sign of poor circulation. When these findings are present further testing is usually required. This will often includearterial Doppler testing. This test uses sound waves to listen to the blood flow through the arteries and is able to record the quality of the blood flow and also the blood pressure. If the quality of blood flow is poor and the pressure is greatly diminished, this would indicate a lack of adequate blood flow. A second test may be required to further determine where the arterial blockage is located and how much blood is able to squeeze past the blockage. This test is known as an arteriogram. The arteriogram requires the injection of a special dye into the artery so that the artery will be visible when an x-ray is taken. This x-ray can then show where the artery is blocked and how much blood can flow past the blockage. Treatment In the early stages of ischemia of the foot, the doctor will often recommend a program of walking exercises to increase blood flow, protective shoes and insoles if necessary, to protect the skin from rubbing producing irritations which may lead to ulcerations. Medications are also available to help improve the blood flow into the feet. In more advanced stages of ischemia, a referral to a vascular specialist is appropriate for further evaluation. Oftentimes, if the patient is in otherwise good general health, a surgery may be recommended to bypass the blocked artery or to clean out the area of blockage. This can be major surgery, however in these cases, failure to improve the circulation into the foot may result in gangrene, which may ultimately require amputation of part of the foot or leg. The surgery is an attempt to save the foot and leg from the impending amputation. The surgery has improved over the years and the chances for success are now greater than ever before. However, each individual needs to be evaluated as to the potential risks and possible benefits from this type of surgery.	https://www.bestfootdoc.com/library/the-ischemic-foot.cfm
Medical conditions such as diabetes, vascular diseases that restrict blood flow such as Peripheral Arterial Disease and any disorder that compromises the immune system can contribute to a non healing chronic wound. In addition infections, skin cancers, burns, and trauma to the feet and ankles can contribute to a non-healing chronic wound. Being immobile can cause a pressure ulcer as a result of localized restriction of blood flow and even a surgical incision can become chronic from infection. Other factors that can contribute to a slow healing process are hemorrhaging, dead skin or necrosis, poor diet, age, certain medications, smoking, varicose veins, and excessive dryness. The types of wounds that are prone to become non healing chronic wounds are: Venous ulcers: occurs when the valves that prevent backflow in the veins become faulty resulting in venous congestion and tissue breakdown. Venous ulcerations are the most common type of ulcer affecting the lower extremities. Pressure ulcers: occur when compression of soft tissue, usually by a bony prominence and another hard surface such as a poorly fitting shoe, impairs circulation resulting in the death of the tissue. Arterial ulcers: occur due to compromised arterial blood flow as a result of hardening of the arteries or a buildup of plaques and fats in the arteries. These types of ulcers are typically located on the lower leg, foot, or toes. Neuropathic ulcers: are caused by the decreased sensation in the nerves from peripheral nerve damage, usually from diabetes. Undetected pressure to the plantar surface of the foot can result in an ulcer. If you suspect that a wound on your feet or ankles has become a chronic wound you need to contact your podiatrist immediately. At your appointment the podiatrist will conduct a comprehensive medical examination, discuss your medical history, and take a biopsy or culture of the wound to detect any pathogens. Be sure to discuss any concerns or questions with you podiatrist. Patients with medical conditions that predispose them to a chronic wound should monitor their feet and ankles closely and report any and all problems they may have to insure the health and wellness of their lower extremities.	http://toppodiatrist.com/Common-Causes-and-Types-of-Wounds.php
WHAT IS A WOUND A wound is an injury that causes a break in the skin. Chronic wounds are wounds that do not heal completely within 6 weeks. There are three (3) types of wounds, Infectious Wounds, Surgical Wounds, and Ulcers. Ulcers are the most common type of chronic wound and there are several kinds of chronic ulcers. 1). ARTERIAL TYPE ULCERS are often caused by hypertension, clotting or hard plaques of substances such as cholesterol or calcium that deposits within the arteries causing narrowing or blockages of the blood vessels which limits or disrupts blood flow to affected areas. This causes open sores or ulcers due to the lack of blood and nutrients being supplied to a particular area of the skin. They often develop on the legs and feet. Long term uncontrolled elevated blood Glucose from Diabetes, Smoking, Heart Disease, Kidney Disease, Hypertension and Lung Disease are just a few common conditions. 2). VENOUS ULCERS are foot and leg ulcers caused by problems with blood flow in your veins. They most commonly develop on the inside of the leg, just above the ankle, however, they are not limited to this location. Venous Ulcers are commonly associated with long term or Chronic Edema (swelling) of the feet and/ or legs. The Edema is commonly caused by weakness or “malfunctioning” of tiny vessels within the veins. For example, imagine a garden hose that has doors throughout the length of the hose that opens and closes at the same beat of the heart. As blood is forced up through the hose toward the heart, they open then immediately close to not allow the blood to seep backdown the hose. When the tiny valves with our vessels (the garden hose) become weakened, they do not totally close allowing the fluid to seep down causing Edema (swelling). This constant high pressure can gradually damage the tiny blood vessels in your skin and make it fragile. As a result, your skin can easily break and form an ulcer after a knock or scratch. If you have a Venous Ulcer, you may also have: • Swollen Ankles • Discoloration and darkening of the skin around the Ulcer • Hardened skin around the Ulcer • A heavy feeling in your legs • Aching or swelling in your legs • Red flaky, scaly and itchy skin at your legs • Swollen Veins 3). PRESSURE ULCERS develop when constant weight and friction on a specific area for a long duration of time causes the skin to tear. This type of Chronic Ulcer is especially common on the back, ankles, and feet. The pressure ulcer is commonly associated with the same predetermined factors as the Arterial Ulcer which is a limited blood supply or available oxygen to the affected area which does not enable the skin to heal timely or at all. There are two additional factors worth mentioning that lead to Chronic Wounds by slowing the healing process. 1). An infected wound will surely slow or stop the healing of a wound. In addition, it could cause more advanced conditions such as Sepsis, which is when infection enters your blood and tissues and could then cause a fever and eventually death. Long term infections at the feet, legs and other areas of the body also are responsible for required amputation of the infected area(s). An infection occurs when bacteria enters into a wound. Diseases such as diabetes can also increase your risk of infection. 2). A weak immune system may also lead to a chronic wound. Radiation treatments, Poor nutrition, and certain medications such as Steroids, weaken the immune system. Diseases such as Cancer and Diabetes, can weaken your immune system and make it hard to fight an infection. Those who are Diabetic are often prone to any of the Ulcers noted below: 1.) Arterial 2.) Venous 3.) Pressure 4.) Neuropathic –NEUROPATHY is the cause which is a condition where the nerves in your skin is unable to feel the normally associated pain with blisters, break down and tearing of the skin, cuts, punctures, abrasions and more. A wound (Ulcer) then develops at the area many times without an individual with neuropathy knowing the wound exists.	https://footpaindoctorsofjax.com/chronic-wounds-2/
Skin changes can occur during many stages of venous disease. Brown discoloration that appears as a stain on the skin is a sign of an advanced stage of venous disease. This occurs as a result of blood leaking from the blood vessels and into the skin tissue. This staining can lead to white spots and are a precursor to an ulcer. Other skin changes include lipodermosclerosis, a disease that causes the skin to thicken, and eczema, which causes the skin to become red/scaly. Venous Ulcers Venous stasis ulcers in the leg are often an indication that venous disease has reached an advanced stage. Because venous disease is progressive, venous reflux can often lead to additional valve failure. As a result, the pooling of blood can affect a larger area. When blood pools in the lower leg over a long period of time, the condition is referred to as venous stasis. When blood leaks into the tissue of the skin, it can cause swelling and damage to the tissue. Tissue damage can result in wounds, or ulcers, that are chronic and do not heal if the condition is left untreated. Ulcers may be painful or itchy and often require constant care and dressing. Because ulcers typically do not heal on their own, they can have a significant impact on quality of life. Often, because of a poor understanding of options for treatment, people can be plagued with ulcers for years, assuming there is no alternative. While treating the source of venous disorders early can prevent ulcers, those who are already experiencing this late-stage symptom can have excellent success with treatment. In many cases, people with ulcers are able to enjoy complete healing and recovery.	https://www.locastroveincenter.com/skin-changes-venous-stasis-ulcers/
Remember back in high school anatomy class, where the teacher explained how your body worked, and you were like, “yeah, yeah, yeah. What’s on the test?” Don’t you wish you’d paid more attention? Maybe you do, or perhaps you don’t. But as you head into your 30s and beyond, your body needs a lot more of your attention and your understanding. Your body is made up of a number of pretty complex systems. And it can be confusing to know what’s what. Since our specialty is veins, that’s what we’re going to focus on in this article—your veins, venous disorders, what they do, and what happens when they get sick. So, Just What is a Vein? A vein is a blood vessel. It’s a flexible, hollow tube that carries blood around the body. It’s smaller than an artery, which is also a blood vessel. And its job is to take deoxygenated blood back to the heart. This is crucial – deoxygenated blood also carries cellular waste, and you don’t want that hanging around in your body. You want your veins to deliver it back up to your heart, which will then return it to your lungs, and then your lungs will exhale all that waste out of your body. Think about it- after you exhale, then you inhale fresh oxygen that goes to your blood supply and gets carried by your arteries to all of those hungry cells to start the cycle over again. How Does Blood Move Against Gravity? Veins have a one-way valve, which makes your blood flow upward against gravity. When your muscles contract, the valve opens up and allows blood to move through the veins. When your muscles relax, the valve closes and keeps them from flowing backward. The valves and leg and arm muscles contract to help keep the blood moving towards the heart. As they get closer and closer to the heart, veins become larger and larger. The superior vena cava brings blood from the head and arms to the heart. The inferior vena cava brings blood from the abdomen and legs into the heart. When the valves inside any vein become damaged as a result of venous disease, they may not close completely, which will allow blood to leak backward or flow in both directions. What are Venous Diseases? Venous diseases can really muck up the circulatory system and your body as a whole. Vein disease can range from mild cosmetic issues to severe health risks. Let’s take a look at the most common veinous diseases in order of severity. Spider Veins Spider veins are small, damaged veins that can spread like spider webs on the surface of the legs or face. They can be blue, purple, or red. Typically they are not painful or harmful, but some people treat them for cosmetic reasons. They are caused by weakened valves or increased pressure on weakened vein walls. Varicose Veins Varicose veins are large, twisted veins that push up under the skin. They can occur in any superficial vein but the veins most commonly affected are those in your legs. For many people, varicose veins are mild and merely a cosmetic concern that can be fixed with vein removal treatment. But others may experience symptoms of aching pain, swelling, and discomfort. A doctor should check varicose veins to make sure there are no underlying causes or other concerns. Superficial Venous Thrombosis or Phlebitis These blood clots develop in veins that are close to the surface of the skin. They do not usually travel to the lungs unless they move from the superficial system into the deep venous system first. They are, however, typically painful. Ulcers These open wounds or sores are caused by static blood flow or venous stasis ulcers. Ulcers are defined by their resistance to healing or continual recurrence. Venous stasis ulcers are located below the knee, usually on the inner part of the leg and just above the ankle. Chronic Venous Insufficiency This condition is characterized by chronic leg swelling, blood pools, increased pressure, increased pigmentation or discoloration of the skin, and leg ulcers (venous stasis ulcer.) Blood Clots These can be found in veins just about anywhere: - Legs - Arms - Internal organs (kidney, spleen, intestines, liver, pelvic organs) - Brain (cerebral vein thrombosis) - Kidneys (renal vein thrombosis) - Lungs (pulmonary embolism) Blood clotting disorders can be life-threatening and should be diagnosed and treated may a doctor. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Although not life-threatening in itself, DVT can be deadly. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot grows in a deep vein of your upper extremity (arms) or lower extremity (legs). If the blood clot breaks free and travels through the bloodstream, it can become lodged in the lung’s blood vessels. This will cause a pulmonary embolism, which can be a life-threatening condition. When Your Veins Get Sick, What Can You Do? It depends on risk factors and which condition you’ve got. Some can be treated holistically at home, while others require non-surgical or surgical options. The goals of treatment are to reduce the symptoms of venous diseases and reduce the risk of complications. Working with a health care provider is the key to determine the best course of treatment. How Can We Help? Dr. Norton started Denver Vein Center in 2004 after many years of treating patients for venous disease in a hospital setting. Her research shows that the efficacy of treating patients in the office for venous diseases is something to warrant and also shows higher patient satisfaction. At Denver Vein Center, Dr. Norton specializes in treating varicose and spider veins of the legs, body, hands, and face using standard of care, clinically proven safe and effective techniques. Dr. Norton is a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation as well as a Registered Vascular Technologist. This allows her to do all of her own ultrasounds, giving patients the most accurate treatment plan at the time of their visit. If you’re ready to help your veins get back to optimal health, contact us for a consultation!	https://denvervein.com/lets-talk-about-veins-and-venous-diseases/
Larry Geni (pronounced JEE-nee) is a career-long, passionate educator and founder of Geni Consulting, a firm dedicated to transforming classrooms into dynamic communities of self-directed learners. In his more than 25 years as a high school science teacher, he developed a unique approach to education that teaches students to take ownership of the learning process and creates a classroom culture grounded in the personal growth and academic success for every student. (For more on the philosophical basis of this approach, see Credo, below.) This approach has proven successful in a wide range of disciplines and academic levels, from Title I Algebra to Advanced Placement Psychology. After retiring from the classroom in 2010, Larry has dedicated himself to disseminating this approach as widely as possible. He has worked as an educational consultant supporting teachers, running workshops, and giving presentations at national education conferences, school in-service sessions and other groups of teachers. You can see his resume below. He has also written two books on the subject, both of which are available in their entirety on this website. The first, Agency: A Teacher's Guide to Self-directed Learning, serves as a guide for teachers on implementing the philosophy and strategies Larry developed in his own classroom. The second, This Changes Everything, describes his experiences with his students and with the teachers he has worked with as a consultant. Larry lives and works in Evanston, Illinois with his wife, Nancy. He is inordinately proud of his daughter Abby, his son Joe, his son-in-law Scott, and especially, his grandson Milo, who is only 5 and doesn't have a website yet. In addition to his educational work, Larry is a visual artist, specializing in oil on canvas landscapes, drawings, photography and theatrical set design. You can view his artistic work at www.larrygeni.com. CREDO The purpose of school is to prepare students to live satisfying, productive, and engaged lives. We must focus not just on what students should know and be able to do, but in who they become in school. As important as thoughtful curriculum and excellent teaching are, we have to remember they are both means to an end. The focus must remain on the learner and how she can become a responsible, self-reliant agent who steers her own learning process. Ideally, schools should foster creativity, grit, self-directedness, the willingness to make mistakes and to learn from them, and skill at collaborating with others. These traits are essential to learning effectively; more importantly, they are essential to living well. Focusing these traits helps fulfill the human potential of students and teachers alike. Nurturing these attributes requires a shift in the role of students in school, and therefore a shift in the role of teachers. It requires a classroom culture dedicated to genuine learning and personal growth, one in which the all-too-common student posture of going through the motions of “doing school” is relentlessly challenged. Participating in a community of learners dramatically improves the depth and breadth of learning taking place. It also generates a sense of trust and belonging that are the basis for personal growth. Great education is a realistic goal. It works with students as they are, not as they should be. It is responsive to the needs of each student and therefore optimally enhances every student's intellectual and personal growth. It can be accomplished in existing schools, with existing teachers and students. It won’t require billions of dollars or high-stakes testing. Instead, it simply requires a change in the way we think about school. I deeply loved being a classroom teacher, in large part because the ideas described in these books liberated me and my students from many of the commonplace struggles and problems. We came to find school more meaningful, more exciting, and more effective than we thought it could be. It is my hope that the words you read here will help you redefine your practice and give you and your students some of the life-altering experiences that I shared with my students.	https://larry-geni-dc64.squarespace.com/bio/
Most creators struggle to build an audience because they approach it the wrong way. They try to build an audience from scratch, when they’d be better served to connect to an existing one. The fastest way to grow your audience is to connect to a community. I’m going to break down a couple ways to do that in this post, but first there’s a key concept you need to wrap your head around… Your Audience Already Exists Your job is not to “invent” your audience. You may assume your goal is to attract people interested in what you do and build your audience from the ground up. That’s not necessarily true. You don’t need to build an audience from scratch – you need to find and connect to an audience that already exists and is looking for someone like you to connect and lead them! This concept comes from the excellent Seth Godin book Tribes. Godin suggests there are “tribes” of people with shared interests, beliefs, and desires. But those people are often disconnected from each other…until someone creates an opportunity for them to connect. Members of any tribe are looking for someone to step forward with their work, raise their hand, and essentially say, “Hey, we’re gathering over here if you’re interested!” When you adopt this approach, you realize your goal isn’t to build an audience around your creations, but to use your creations to create a space for a community that already exists to connect with each other. Put another way: Your job isn’t to connect an audience to you – it’s to connect a community to itself. This is a massive shift in thinking for most creators. But the irony of this approach is when you embrace it you wind up at the center of a community and that’s a powerful place to be. When you connect and serve a community, you wind up attracting a powerful audience for yourself and your work. The Beatles And Teenagers To illustrate this concept of pre-existing audiences and how creators generate opportunities for them to connect, Godin points to The Beatles. He suggests their rabid fanbase stemmed in part from their ability to speak to an existing audience who was hungry to be connected. “The Beatles did not invent teenagers — they merely decided to lead them,” he said. You can see similar scenarios in just about every massive, loyal audience. Lady Gaga is talented, but plenty of other singers are just as talented. Yet, her audience is much larger and passionate than most. Her devoted “Little Monsters” fanbase didn’t just rally around her because of her music — she tapped into an existing community with shared beliefs and struggles and created a space for them to connect with each other around her and her music. Howard Stern fans may love the King of All Media, but they’re bonded by more than just his talent. He connects a community of people who value certain things and feel a certain way about the world. Once you wrap your head around the power of this concept, it leads to an obvious question: How do you find a community to connect and lead? There are two paths to consider… How To Connect To An Existing Community The internet makes this so easy. For just about any interest, viewpoint, or niche you can imagine, there’s a community somewhere online you can join — and in most cases, that community is free. Think about who “your people” are or who you’d like them to be and go find where they’re already hanging out online. It might be a Facebook group, subreddit, Slack group, message board, hashtag, or even the comment or reply sections of popular publications, social accounts or websites. Once you find one — or more — of these communities, join and start to participate in a genuine way. But don’t do what most creators trying to build an audience do. Don’t jump in and spam people with your latest video or ask them to follow you on Twitter. Your goal is connect with this community and provide value to its members in whatever way you can. It’s not about promotion – it’s about connection. With that in mind, you’ll discover it’s much easier to get noticed in these communities than you may imagine and it’s certainly easier to get noticed than when you just post on your own social channels. Here’s an example of how it can work. Reaching 500 vs. 50,000 Let’s say you’re a parent who writes funny children’s stories. Most people in that scenario would try to build their audience by sharing their work and funny observations about kids on their social media accounts. Those posts would reach their 500 followers and maybe a handful more if they got shared. That’s fine, but it will take a LONG time at that rate to grow a significant audience. But here’s what might happen if you employ a community-first approach to audience building. Let’s say you decide your primary audience is parents looking for funny stories to read to their kids. You find a Facebook group with 50,000 members — all of whom are parents swapping war stories about the funny experiences they have with their kids. They’re your audience, they’re already gathered, and all you have to do is join. Once you do, you share your same funny observations about kids that you were posting to your own social followers, but they now reach a much larger audience. Plus, you regularly reply to comments from other people in the group, start to build actual relationships, and become a genuine member of that community. Because you’re “professionally” funny, your posts get noticed and perform better than the average parent in the group who thinks they’re hilarious but probably isn’t. SIDE NOTE: None of this works if you’re not actually good, so you’ve got to get good. Over time, your consistent participation in the group starts to stand out, gets you noticed, and group members look into who you are and what you do. They now know you — and more importantly, they CARE about you. And there’s a lot of them. Thousands of people now have a vested interest in your success because they see you as one of them! Your true, meaningful audience has grown because you’ve connected with a community of people and built actual relationships with them. You didn’t try to make them to come to you — you went to them. And it worked. This is a hypothetical happily-ever-after scenario, but hopefully you can see how it can work with just about any niche or target audience. But it also leads to another question: What if there’s not an existing community around your interests? Well, that creates another opportunity… How To Create A Community Let’s say you can’t find a community online that meets your specific interests because you’re so unique. I’ve got good and bad news for you. The bad news is it’s going to take you more time and effort to find people to connect with than if you can find an existing community. But the good news is it creates an opportunity for you to put yourself immediately in the center of that community and build an even more valuable resource for yourself down the road. Here’s an example of how you can do so… How I Built A Community From Scratch It started because I wanted to connect to other newsletter creators. I publish a newsletter to help creators better produce, promote, and profit from their creations and help clients grow their own newsletters, so I saw value and opportunity in connecting with others who were passionate about the format. I knew this audience was out there, but I didn’t see a whole lot of communities for newsletter creators online at the time. I found one Facebook group, but it skewed more toward people working on newsletters for major media publications and I was more interested in individual creators. So, I launched the Newsletter Creators Facebook group. It was my version of raising my hand and saying, “Hey! People like us are gathering over here!” At first, not a lot of people gathered. It started slowly with a trickle of people, but I consistently put time and effort into serving that small community. Not only did I share information of value to newsletter creators and prompt conversations, but I also helped creators connect to each other. My goal was not to have them rally around me — it was to create a space for community members to connect to each other. That’s exactly what happened and why the group has grown to more than 2,000 members from around the world. It’s now the largest newsletter creators community online (I think). That wouldn’t have happened if it was the “Josh Spector group” or if I had posted the same stuff about newsletters on my personal social channels in an attempt to build my audience that way. It took off because it was a true community. And…then it grew my audience because I was at the center of it. Not only have many of the group’s members followed me, lots have hired me and purchased my Newsletter Accelerator course as well. It turns out the fastest way for me to build an audience of newsletter creators wasn’t to try to attract them to me – it was to create a community that connects them to each other. You’ll find the same thing if you shift your mindset and join an existing community or launch a new one. There’s nothing wrong with using your own social channels and trying to build your audience — it’s good to do and I still do it every day. But if you want to know the fastest way to grow your audience? Go connect a community.	https://joshspector.com/dont-build-an-audience/
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local dance teacher is offering parents a much-needed break with online dance classes. Normally, Danielle Terrell’s Zeal for Life dance studios in Matthews and University City are filled with loud music and young performers. >Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE. But, like so many other teachers right now, Terrell is making the best use of her time with weekly classes. Parents have shared videos online highlighting the positive impact the classes are creating during such an uncertain time. “The parents were real receptive to the online classes because it gives them a break. They’re homeschooling, they’re cooking, they’re cleaning and they’re entertaining,” she said. >> We’ll bring you LIVE updates on Channel 9 Eyewitness News. Get extended coverage on the free WSOC Now app on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV. Terrell believes her students are able to express themselves in a way that makes memories and also creates a sense of normalcy. She hopes when they get back to class, they can pick up right where they left off. “You cannot lose your passion just because you can’t be in the studio together,” she said.	https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/local-dance-teacher-offers-online-dance-classes-kids-during-pandemic/F6IMTNAYEJG3DBOXRI5JZXJ24E/
Though the human brain is (naturally) developed to think negative but we at the same point we can programme our mind to be a positive person. The most effective tool for attaining a positive mindset is- Thoughtfulness! Thoughtfulness is also termed as mindfulness and is the psychological procedure to withdraw your attention towards the experiences which are happening to you in the current situation. In a simple language, it is an art of living in present rather than sulking or worrying about the past and future. Here are some quick tips on how to keep mind positive no matter what the situation is – - Study Your Thought Process: As mentioned earlier, the human brain is programmed to think negative. Nothing can deter negative thoughts coming to your mind. But you can keep a tap on your thoughts. Be mindful and see what’s occurring inside your mind. As soon as you experience some negative thoughts, prompt yourself that your thought process is heading in the wrong way. But yes, you should force your mind to think positive. Just stay firm and focus on the things occurring in your mind in the current situation. So, a simple reminder is all you need to give your brain a signal towards the right direction. - Don’t Be Judgemental: Never ever judge yourself on the basis of your thoughts. The brain is having a distinctive system that never sits idle. It keeps on making series of thoughts one after another. But, you should understand those temporary thoughts that come to and fro like the bubbles of water. Be watchful and try to motivate yourself that you’re bigger, better and stronger than your thoughts. Pick the positive in your actions despite the negative. From now on, the next time your mind creates a negative thought like ‘I’m not worthy’, tell your mind it is only a random thought and stay unbothered! - Meditation: One of the best techniques to keep your mind away from the negative thoughts is meditation. Invest some minutes of the day into meditation practice. Though there are so many distractions both internally and externally and make it difficult to focus; once you start following a meditation routine, you’ll understand the art of being in present. Yes, it’s not a habit you create easily instead it demands a lot of dedication and effort. Start with less time to master it gradually. - Shift Your Mind: When you start realizing your thoughts, learn to separate yourself from the bad thoughts. This shift in your attention brings a new ray in your life and nurtures positivity all around. When you find a negative thought, command your brain to stop right away and discard the specific thought. Conclusion: Follow this step-guide and you’ll master an art of developing positive thoughts and imagination in your mindset. The ways may get time to execute so don’t frustrate. Let the process go slow and maintain the consistency to see positive results. Remember, only a positive mind leads to a positive life.	http://www.digitalhealthap.com/make-sure-to-have-powerful-and-positive-thoughts/
Since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic we were forced to retreat into our homes causing a series of significant shifts in our psyche. We started living with uncertainty and longing for clarity, but as we disconnected from society, we also started disengaging with ourselves. Organizational psychologist and author Adam Grant points out that people began to experience feeling aimless and joyless, and no longer feeling excited. The term for this feeling is languishing, a term that was coined by a sociologist named Corey Keyes. Grant points out “[Keyes] was struck that many people who weren’t depressed also weren’t thriving and describes languishing as a sense of emptiness and stagnation. When you’re languishing, it feels like you’re muddling through your days looking through your life through a foggy windshield.” By that definition a resounding familiarity may have sparked in your thoughts, whether you’ve personally felt it or observed it in the behaviour of someone close to you. If you continued working or learning from home or online, or used to pandemic to change paths, start over and reinvent yourself, there was an undeniable shift in our level of motivation and focus, and we became further isolated from reality without even realizing it. We looked for ways to spend our time, keep our minds full, and our hands busy. From engaging in home renovations, binge watching television shows, or experimenting with new culinary creations, we were in search of temporary solutions to keep us motivated and focused, but underneath, is it possible that we may not have noticed a much larger reveal? Grant delves deeper into this, noting “In the early days of COVID-19 a lot of us were struggling with fear, grief and isolation. But as the pandemic dragged on with no end in sight, our acute anguish gave way to chronic languish. Languishing is not unique to the pandemic. It’s part of the human condition. It can disrupt your focus and dampen your motivation and it’s a risk factor for depression because languishing often lurks beneath the surface. You’re indifferent to your own indifference which means you don’t seek help or might not do anything to help yourself.” So how do we escape the deep undercurrent of languishing and resurface? Grant breaks this down for us. “The best predictor of well-being was not optimism but flow. Flow is that feeling of being in the zone, that state of total absorption in activity. Where you lose track of time and maybe of yourself. It’s a temporary escape. Peak flow depends on active participation in the real world. If languishing is stagnation, then flow involves momentum. Peak flow has three conditions – mastery, mindfulness and mattering. Mastery doesn’t have to be a big accomplishment it can be small wins. Mastery depends on a second condition for flow – mindfulness, which is focusing your full attention on a single task. Switching tasks creates time confetti where we take what could be meaningful moments of our lives and shred them. If we need to find flow, we needs better boundaries. We need to treat uninterrupted blocks of time as treasures to guard. We can find solace in experiences that capture our full attention. Mastery and mindfulness will get you to flow but a third condition turns it into a peak experience to get it to flow – mattering. Mattering is knowing that you make a difference to other people and being absorbed in a meaningful purpose. Our peak moments of flow are having fun with the people we love.” CONNECTION Higher education institutions and leaders are undoubtedly experiencing languishing. They are seeing their teams and their students feeling helpless, unmotivated and lacking focus. And they are likely feeling it themselves as well. Think about the organizational structure, all of the countless policies and procedures and academic plans put in place, the planning of physical spaces, with countless hours put in so that the operations of the institution run smoothly and that the students get the most out of what they have to offer. But throw in isolation, adopting and imparting new learning structures and mediums, and taking away the human connection and it’s easy to suddenly feel helpless. Grant addressed mattering through the people in our lives and poses the question “who are the people that make your work matter?” In higher education it is the leaders and administrators we work with but also the students affected by the work we do and the decisions we make. For those in leadership positions, it is the people carrying out the tasks and the people benefitting from the overall productivity and accomplishments needed to make those leaders feel a sense of pride, that they have been influential, and that they have been supportive, that they have created safe and inclusive learning spaces while creating positive and lasting effects on the students they serve and the institutional reputation they are responsible for. And how are the students affected? Grant notes that “even if you’re not languishing, you probably know people who are. Understanding it better can help you help them.” Students look to their higher education institutions to prepare them for their future careers. But that preparation also relies on being nurtured through social and emotional leadership. There has to be a level of empathy and care from those we look to for guidance in our higher learning institutions. Our leaders need to take bold action to embrace mastery, mindfulness and mattering into campus life. And creating understanding and care within the shared spaces will help students realize all of the conditions Grant outlined to reach their peak flow. Giving opportunities to demonstrate their mastery, tasks and activities to focus their attention on, and recognizing them as individuals that matter all contribute to the well-being of the students and a positive academic culture and experience. More than ever higher education and the leaders within play a critical role in pulling students out of their state of languishing to return and apply themselves as their best selves. CANDOUR To be positive, hopeful, and more than okay pre pandemic would have been a huge ask. Throw in isolation, take away access to shared space, and mix it with uncertainty. This can only result in a decline of our well-being. People are constantly searching to matter and belong and creating the spaces to connect with other people and reconnect with ourselves is just as vital in our inner most personal road to recovery.	https://www.campusassets.ca/languishing/
Our thoughts change the structure of our brains. Everything we do creates connections within the network of our brain, and the more you repeat something, the stronger that connection gets. These connections control our reactions, emotions, and behaviors, and affect our overall well-being. PNP is The Science of Changing Your Brain for the Better A 6-Part experiential journey into strengthening the positive connections for lasting happiness, resilience, peace, and inner strength. Course Outline: The Essence of Positive Neuroplasticity • Use your mind to change your brain • Use mindfulness to let be, let go, and let in • Overcome the brain’s negativity bias • Use HEAL to turn experiences into inner resources Having, Enriching, and Absorbing Beneficial Experiences • Create beneficial, useful experiences • Intensify positive thoughts and feelings • Have a strong sense of being on your own side • See and believe in the good inside you Linking Positive and Negative Material • Recognize and honor your deep needs • Grow the inner resources you need most • Stay in the “Green Zone” • Use positive experiences to heal wounds and empty places inside Growing Strengths for Feeling Safer • Get the benefits of self-compassion • Manage threats with calm strength • Be less anxious • Rest in a sense of peace, contentment, and love Growing Strengths for Feeling More Satisfied • Feel authentically successful at more things • Stay motivated • Pursue big goals without stress • Feel more thankfulness and joy Growing Strengths for Feeling More Connected • Increase a genuine sense of self-worth • Release envy and resentment • Heal deep levels of old pain • Combine compassion and assertiveness This Training Includes:	https://www.mindfulnest.global/pnp
We think everyone would agree that the world feels a little different post covid. Maybe people are feeling the impact of being so disconnected for such a long time, maybe we’re emotionally tired from carrying around so much stress and caution for so long. Certainly most every segment of our society is seeing increased rates of anxiety and depression, whether it’s in the schools, workplaces, and even at home. And nowhere do we see it more than in online forums. While we are so lucky to continually hear from past students about the happiness and awesome lives they are now living, recently we’ve also seen an increase in negative online reviews about the different CERTS Programs. We are also seeing and hearing about the recent increase in negative reviews from our colleagues that work at other schools and programs across the country. We acknowledge that and how scary that can be as a parent, student and even for our employees. This has been disheartening at times, given that everyone who works at any CERTS Program does so to truly try and help others, and to be a positive contributor to the lives of teens who are all working on challenging issues. So to occasionally hear that some prior students did not appreciate the help or worse yet, claim that it was intentionally harmful, is heartbreaking. Reports have been made that students and families who have had a positive experience have chosen not to share their experiences on certain social media forums out of fear of retaliation. Often previous students and parents post positive comments that are quickly attacked or their comments are removed. There is also a typical and a healthy response to mental health treatment which is the desire to move on to the next chapter of your life. We often experience that students and families want to focus on the next steps of their lives and not focus on their previous treatment. Therefore, their positive experiences are not always reflected in online reviews. Being away from home is hard and healing is painful, no matter what. It makes sense that some students might look back and denounce the efforts to help them. We carefully make sure the care and treatment at the CERTS Programs is compassionate, ethical and transparent, but we also know we can’t control how a person opts to experience it or reflect back on it. Mental health is a tricky science. Mental health professionals and programs can create a structure and opportunities for people to heal. Still, it is in the student’s control how they use that structure and opportunities and how they sustain what they learn in therapy throughout their lives. We are a group of professionals, many of whom have licenses and educational backgrounds that have taught us to recognize the signs of abuse, neglect, and trauma. We would never knowingly let our students, who are here to heal, experience those things at our hands. We are here to heal, not harm. CERTS comprises many wonderful people who have dedicated their careers to helping our students and their families. People who grow with us, learn with us, and lead with us to create an environment where families can learn, heal, grow, and connect. We are strongly dedicated to hearing feedback both positive and negative, to try to remove defensiveness, and evaluate it to see if there is anything in it that we can use to improve. Improvement only comes by having an open mind and heart and a willingness to shift where needed. We have been (and continue to be) open to inviting and evaluating feedback about our schools, and we review them in our Directors and Team Meetings with an open hearted question to ourselves: “Is this true? Even if it isn’t, could it have been experienced as true? Is there something for us to look at here? And, what can we do with this?” From feedback we are continually making intentional shifts in different departments and approaches at the different CERTS Programs. We want to continue to amplify the things our past students have loved and appreciated about CERTS, and also see what we can do to improve the parts they didn’t.	https://certsgroup.com/certs-responds-to-negativity-about-the-treatment-industry/
Motionless In White is one of the most successful and popular metal bands of the decade. The Pennsylvania based group has undergone numerous changes over the years from a metalcore band to a blend of numerous genres including alternative and industrial metal. Along the way Motionless In White has built a dedicated fan-base as strong as any other band in the metalcore scene. We'll take a look at how the band has transformed over the years both musically and aesthetically. Lets take a brief look at the evolution of the band. Motionless In White was founded by lead singer and songwriter, Chris Cerulli, in 2005 and the band released their first demo shortly thereafter. After settling on a lineup the group put out their first EP "The Whorror" in 2007 and started to build a following through touring and MySpace. In 2009 Ryan Sitowksi was added to the band to fill the guitarist role and the band proceeded to release their second EP "When Love Met Destruction". It was at this time MIW began to gain a much wider reaching buzz and the foundation of a dedicated fan-base was built. Due to the success of their sophomore EP, Motionless In White was signed to Fearless Records for their debut LP. Shortly before the recording of their first album Cerulli recruited guitarist Ricky Olson to join the band initially at the bass position. The LP entitled "Creatures" was released in October of 2010 to much newly found fanfare as well a hit music video for the song "Immaculate Misconception". The band quickly gained notoriety for being the very few metalcore band to make use of elements such as makeup and other gothic themes. While the album was widely considered a smash success, rhythm guitarist was removed from the group after he abandoned the bands tour to fill in for Escape The Fate. Olson now moved to bass and Devin Sola was swiftly brought it as bassist. Despite some lineup changes, this era put Motionless In White on the map and Creatures is still revered by many as the bands best album. Having now settled on their guitarist positions, Motionless In White began embarking on their second album in 2012, this time with much higher hype surrounding the release. The band chose to record the album with two separate producers to give it a wider array of sounds and textures. "Infamous" was released on November 13th, 2012 to nearly universal positive reviews with many noting the varying styles calling it a blend of the best elements of Marilyn Manson and Bleeding Through. This success however did not stop further band-mate departures from occurring as drummer, Angelo Parento left the band in March of 2013 having cited tour exhaustion. This did not hamper the bands further ascent however, as they charted at number 53 on the Billboard Chart and were able to have a music video for "America" directed by Slipknot mega-star, Shawn "Clown" Crahan. At this time many felt that Motionless In White possessed the potential to become the next metal band to break into the mainstream. On September 15th 2014, Motionless In White unveiled what would go on to become their biggest album to date in the form of Reincarnate. Stunning many in the music industry, the album dropped at number 9 on the US Billboard Chart and sold 31,000 physical copies in it's first week, something not many metal bands of the 2010's have been able to accomplish. Stylistically Reincarnate saw the group shift much more towards a industrial style with the album being compared to Marilyn Manson and Cradle Of Filth in many reviews. This is the time where the groups fan-base started to splinter into different segments that either perfected the older more metalcore style or the newer alternative direction. Reincarnate would also notable be the last bands release on Fearless Records as it's massive success brought them a major label deal with Roadrunner Records, home of Slipknot. The sky seemed to be the limit for the band and many were wondering what heights they could achieve with major label support. Motionless In White's major label debut, "Graveyard Shift" dropped on May 5th, 2017. The album contained the bands biggest radio hit to this day with the single "Voices" and the band was once again off to the races with the album debuting at number 27."Voices" is also on track to soon be the bands first and only song to break 25 million views on YouTube. The record would display a continued shift away from metalcore and further inclusion of industrial, gothic, and nu-metal influences.While many stilled loved this record, some of the core fans that strongly prefer started to dwindle in their support of the group. At the same time the band found thousands of new listeners due to their close connections with the massively successful In This Moment. Also worth noting, this would be Motionless In Whites final release with both bassist Devin Sola and keyboardist Josh Balz, who both departed under hushed circumstances. After many years of using touring and studio drummers, the band decided on Vinny Mauro to hold the reigns as a full-time member and replaced Sola with former Ice Nine Kills bassist, Josh Morrow. Having finally decided on what has the makings of a cohesive consistent lineup, the band embarked on creating their 5th studio album in 2019. "Disguise" would be released on June 7th of 2019, charting once again at number 27, which is very impressive given the declining state of music sales. The album placed a further emphasis on nu-metal influences which can be heard in several tracks, leading to some mixed reviews from critics. To the delight of many original fans the record contained nods to the bands more metalcore influenced past and even included a part two of a "Creatures" song with the track "Undead Ahead 2" The band also began to display a more stripped back looked than on previous album cycles with noticeably less makeup being worn by the group as well has a lyrical shift away from their usual tongue-in-cheek style to more personal lyrics. Overall "Disguise" was considered a success by many, having nearly matched the sales of Graveyard Shift. In conclusion, Motionless In White has gone through many member changes, nearly with each record cycle, but they have been able to secure one of the most dedicated fan bases in the metalcore scene. I believe this in large part due to the likability and charisma of lead vocalist, Chris Motionless. While not all their fans like each of the bands albums, they do feel like the band is being genuine with them and putting out music they are genuine about. The band has always stayed true to themselves and made their fans feel like family to them. This will ensure that Motionless In White has a legacy and following that will last for all of their existence. From humble beggings, MIW has become undoubtedly one of the most important bands in the heavy music scene of the past decade and have helped blur the lines between the metalcore audience and fans of several other sub-genres thus helping to bring together people who never before have shared a bond over another band, proving their significant place in heavy music history.	https://www.themetalbuzz.com/post/the-evolution-of-motionless-in-white
Every day Resource Consultants receive questions about behaviour. Here is one of the challenging situations an RECE has shared. Please remember prior to implementing any new behavioural strategy always ensure it is in accordance with your centre’s Behavioural Management Policy and approved by your supervisor. An RECE working with a group of preschoolers shared her concerns as to the lack of positive interactions between the children during the playroom routine. She has observed that most of the children are engaged in parallel play. Attempts made to initiate play are often negative and physical in nature. Structuring the play opportunities based on the children’s interests and organizing some interactive activities has not seemed to have an impact. Promoting strong social relationships between preschoolers can be challenging. However, supporting the shift from parallel to interactive experiences can assist children in feeling more comfortable in initiating and sustaining play with their peers and as a result reduce the amount of behavioural issues during playroom routine. Spend some time on specific activities that will assist the children in getting to learn more about their peers. Help them become aware of their peers, likes and dislikes, strengths and things they want to work on. It is amazing how little they know about each other even though they spend the majority of their day together. Once you have strengthened their relationships, focus on the play skills. Remember that play involves three important steps: entering play, sustaining play and exiting play. Concentrate on building the children’s capacity to enter play first. Until this skill is achieved, it is difficult to develop sustainable functional and positive play experiences. Increase their awareness of their body when they enter a play area; how fast are you moving, and is there room in the area? Ensure they have a job or a role; what are you going to do? Once they master entering, shift your focus to the next aspect of play. It’s a process, but the positive results you will notice will be worth all the effort. Try Some of These Relationship Building Activities This section is dedicated to all of you who have questions. Feel free to send your questions to [email protected]. The Keeping In Touch Newsletter Committee will review your questions and attempt to provide you with information and ideas. In order to protect the sender no names or child care centres will be mentioned.	https://citywidetraining.ca/resources/ask-an-rt-winter-2015.html
Decentering Curricula: Questions for Re-evaluating Diversity and Inclusiveness in HMEIs On the importance of continuous self-reflection – why this publication? This publication is grounded on the knowledge and understanding we have been building through several years of collaborative and dialogic work within the Diversity, Identity and Inclusiveness Working Group (DWG) of the AEC’s Strengthening Music in Society (SMS) project. Similar to the first publication of the DWG – How Are Diverse Cultures Integrated in the Education of Musicians across Europe? – this publication evolved from our personal experiences and reflections, continuous discussions and insights gained through the vast body of scholarly knowledge. At the same time, it was enriched in myriad ways by reaching out to different Higher Music Education Institutions (HMEIs) in search of existing practices and reflective actions on challenges posed by the wide area covered by our Working Group under the SMS project – that is, issues of identity, diversity and inclusiveness. Acknowledging different histories and legacies, and thus also different contexts in which individual HMEIs across Europe operate, we wish to offer a framework of common questions that allow an institution to consider a wide range of factors according to their own unique circumstances. This compendium of self-reflective questions is aimed to challenge the ways of thinking of curricula and institutional culture from a diversity perspective. These questions are meant to be used as a self-assessment tool for you, the reader, and your institution. Our aim is not only to challenge perceived dogmas, but also to raise some issues with which our field and institutions have not yet actively engaged. “Diversity can enrich as well as challenge the educational experience, and HME institutions play a critical role in this effort by strengthening the focus on promoting access and inclusivity.” HMEIs can define what is meant by quality and success when different genres and musical traditions coexist and influence each other through teaching, performance and research; both within institutions and through outreach work. As a Working Group engaging with our topic and compiling this document, we have not only been influenced by our own experiences working in higher music education, but also by recent broader movements like #metoo and Black Lives Matter. These movements have highlighted many difficult questions that have been acknowledged before, but have at times been brushed aside. We are also aware that these issues have been received and are being discussed in a variety of ways by different institutions, and that they have also led to uncertainty on how to deal with many of the topics they raise. Institutions are dealing with questions about artistic and pedagogical content, code(s) of conduct, and about the responsibilities of staff and students; many of these issues overlap. While there may be several shared aims for equality and respectful behaviour, there are also voices that call for a substantial shift in conservatoires’ core activities. These discussions evoke strong responses, reflecting the professional integrity and passion music professionals carry for the field. For instance: should we start decolonising our curriculum by replacing the ‘bro-triad’ of Haydn-Mozart-Beethoven with composers of colour like Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Chiquinha Gonzaga and Nora Holt? Should we call for a one-year moratorium on performing Beethoven, and instead focus on works by current composers neglected due to their race, ethnicity, gender, class or genre? The latter was proposed in an episode of the podcast Switched on Pop dedicated to Beethoven’s 5th symphony (accessed 02.10.2020). These are issues on which we as a Working Group do not have a common opinion. But what we agree on is that we want to start a reflective process through our questions which will hopefully lead to a more inclusive and diverse institutional culture by decentering current paradigms. While this process is intended to improve access to and inclusivity within our institutions and a greater recognition of artistic plurality, we are also aware of the fact that other omissions will emerge. We acknowledge therefore that re-examining our institutions is an ongoing process that will never be completed. Posing the questions – how to use this publication? We have structured this document in four sections highlighting the four pairs of fundamental questions. Please click on the links below to find out: Each section, bringing further questions aimed at highlighting different aspects of the overarching pair of questions, is preceded by a brief introductory paragraph explaining the main aim behind the section. A useful addition to our document is the AEC handbook on Learning Outcomes. Although the questions in this document could be used in surveys open to students, teaching staff and administration making the community of HMEIs, followed by analytical process and re-evaluation, we strongly encourage institutions and individuals to use them in the more participatory ways – in different kinds of forums and discussion groups that allow for dialogic and collaborative exchange of experiences, knowledges and ideas and open the safe space for different voices to be heard and acknowledged. Bearing in mind that diversity labour is a never-ending effort, and that exclusionary practices are not always immediately perceptible, but often persistent and elusive, the questions this document brings should not be considered exhaustive. We hope, nevertheless, that they will provide a good starting point to be further developed by productive discussions bringing change to institutional practices across the field of HME in the future.	https://sms.aec-music.eu/diversity-identity-inclusiveness/decentering-curricula-questions-for-re-evaluating-diversity-and-inclusiveness-in-hmeis/
"Who are you?" Who indeed ... I once dreamt I was an Elk watching the world from the highest hill, overlooking all, with stamina to outlast time. Then I awoke as me, merely human. Am I that magnificent Elk or this person? What does an Elk dream of? Our unawareness keeps us believing we are absolute. Separate individuals, each independently forging a life with so many other individuals. Am I my job, my family, or a conglomerate of all those personas, which can be put on and taken off as needed? At times we feel like a pillar in the middle of a hurricane, with humanity's madness swirling around us. It is then that we are quietly reminded: “Be the Pillar.” To be the pillar requires a shift, a change in focus, a review of sorts. Try to examine from a greater perspective. Looking for the wonder, the miracle unfolding. It may not be easy, but being the pillar sometimes reveals the clues to finding a direction or future path of empowerment that reflects our true being. No matter what our life experiences are, or how we feel about ourselves, we are all divine with amazing gifts and abilities to share with the universe. We share the responsibilities of sculpting our personalities into loving Light. In the Light we are all the Elk, attentive sentries outlasting time. Accept yourself to yourself. Acceptance of the past can free us from it. As you come to understand your imperfection, you learn to accept it with the intention of improving yourself. Know this is where we are at this moment and we can step out in the Light of Divine Love where there is no imperfection, there is only simplicity in Being. The freeing quality of acceptance allows us to soar as our True Being. It can be difficult when seeing yourself clearly for the first time through acceptance, so be gentle with yourself. Know that your true nature cannot be taken away or diminished by others, because your strength lies within it. Continue with this practice until you feel the release of your self-imposed confinement. This may take many days or months, yet developing the practice of acceptance will eventually become a way of being. Now liberated, flow forward with loving intention and heart-centered actions and life will begin to grow brighter tomorrows. Always know yourself with gratitude and acceptance. This is who you are at this moment, and you are developing this moment with positive intentions. Change is the nature of life. Grasping and holding on to something is not the usual way of nature. A covetous nature will distract and knock us off our path. If taken too far coveting makes us frustrated and miserable. Let Love, with gratitude and acceptance, show you where you are at this moment. Focus on what is really important and let the rest go through its changes. Once that focus is attained a window appears letting in the Light, illuminating our True Nature. How beautiful... Trying to become something outside of your loving intention is a problematic. We should let the mud settle before the next wave hits and with a clear mind use our positive energy to focus on this moment. Allow the future to unfold and become. Let go of worry, concern, and anxiety by breathing in the freedom of this moment. Life is a rolling wave; ever-moving with incredible force and it’s constantly changing. We all have connection to the universal infinite living mind. Let it be the rose in our hearts, constantly reminding us to be mindful, present, and to shine our Light. Positive attitudes build positive lives and create a more purpose-filled life. When we expand our idea of who we are and broaden the scope of our awareness, it leads us to challenge other limitations. The Divine within is ever alert, expanding our awareness so that we see clearly. Expansion creates flashes and peaks of insight linking our conscious with our unconscious. Stay true to yourself by knowing what is needed and important in life. Avoid being drawn in by undesired bargains and services you do not need. Instead focus on your unlimited potential, your spiritual connection, and your true daily needs. Stay grounded with a connection to your higher self. Do not underestimate yourself—put everything you have into this life. The lesson is there with every breath. Every breath holds the possibility for all our futures. Every breath is an opportunity to share and teach. With every breath celebrate the joy of living in this moment of ever-expanding change. We have all the creative power of the universe in our hands, so dare to be all that is within you. Accept you are a magnificent Being with the empowering stamina to outlast time and acknowledge your True Nature is interconnected to the universe. David Bennett enjoys the retired life of a public speaker, author, teacher, energetic healer, and transformational life coach. He’s appeared on radio and television, including on Dr Oz, Angels Among Us, NBC national news, and PBS. A Findhorn Press author, of Voyage of Purpose and A Voice as Old as Time scheduled August 2015.	http://community.omtimes.com/profiles/blogs/it-s-time-for-acceptance-of-oneself
In one sentence, what was your focus for the year? Our focus this year was to increase motivation to succeed through several growth mindset initiatives and experiences. Scanning: Students were selected to participate in various self esteem-building outdoor activities and adventures that pushed them outside of their comfort zone in terms of themselves, their trust in others and their environment. The four questions guided our scanning process as they provided a basis for where to begin from and a framework for how to design our opportunities for learning. Each major outdoor experience involved multiple days spent away from the school and outside of the city, two full-time educators, a small group of students, and activities to challenge student limitations set on themselves. Through informal discussion with each student, students reported a stronger connection and trust in both adults involved. The students mostly attributed this to the reason that the educators shared in the experience as well, participating in the activities alongside the students. After each experience, the students indicated a high level of interest in improving their skills, a sense of belonging to a group and the school culture, enthusiasm in sharing their experience with others, and showed desire to set future goals for themselves. Focus: As a staff, we believed that our students needed experiential learning to shift their views about themselves and their education plan. We saw opportunity to help shift students out of a fixed mindset and change their perspective about themselves. Our team integrated several growth mindset strategies and our hope was to create a safe environment for students to take risks and teach them about the value of challenge. Hunch: At Learning Alternatives, a great deal of time and energy is placed in supporting our students to find academic success to reach their goal of graduation. The graduation path can be long and arduous, restricting students from creating vision for their lives after its all done. Although several tactics and skills are implemented for employment and career building, the growth mindset of how to get there was often overlooked. We found that many of our students lacked insight into what their ‘next steps’ were simply because they believed that they would only ever become as good as they were at the time. New Professional Learning: Learning Alternatives staff took the growth mindset inquiry to new heights, expanding well beyond the classroom, and explored the vast opportunities and benefits of outdoor education. Leaning on the guidance of Carol Dweck and her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, teaching staff participated in a monthly book club to share in the goal. Our belief was that if we could change our language and philosophy to a growth mindset, as an entire school, that we would see more sustainable and measurable long-term results in our students. Taking Action: As a staff, we discussed our growth mindset focus monthly, as part of the regular school staff meetings. During this time, ideas were shared and discussion was held as to what was working and what areas of growth mindset strategy needed adjustment. The monthly book club also offered itself as opportunity to explore new ideas for expanding beyond the classroom and into the community with our students., such as volunteering opportunities, various outdoor activities, school culture-building experiences and student led initiatives. Checking: The shift from fixed mindset to growth mindset amongst our students was a measurable success. By shifting the language of the entire teaching staff to a more positive context yielded more open conversation with a large portion of students about what their future goals were and how they were going to challenge themselves further in life. Specifically, those students selected to participate in the leadership experiences outside of the school reported significant changes in their self-esteem and belief in their ability to always make themselves better. Reflections/Advice: From this inquiry, we have learned a tremendous amount. Through persistence, culture can be shifted. We have learned that to reach our fullest potential as educators, we must first feel comfortable to take risks, before we can promote it to our students. Academics are such a small snapshot in education that our students experience and more emphasis needs to put on preparing students for what lies ahead. Openly expressing your affection towards students will create a more open line of communication and potentially build their confidence in building positive peer and mentor relationships in the future. As a school, Learning Alternatives hopes to expand the growth mindset approach to our parent population through several parent information sessions and orientations about the operations and teaching philosophy of our school.	https://noiie.ca/learning-alternatives-sd68-nanaimo-ladysmith/
by Suzee Connole Grow, change, adapt. As a college student, Howard Martin realized that a heart-filled life should reflect those three themes. “Whatever is gained in growth should be shared with others,” says Howard. The author, speaker and business executive argues that anyone can discover what they are meant to share once they form a genuine connection with their heart’s intelligence and engage their own intuitive guidance. One of Howard’s main teaching points, which he will be presenting at the Embodied Positive Psychology Summit, focuses on the heart as a source of both intelligence and guidance. “Intuition is a direct knowingness,” he says. “It manifests into thoughts and feelings and allows a sense of knowing what is right and not right.” Once we understand the process within ourselves, we can extend it to our larger community. At the Summit, Howard will share breakthrough research on human health and performance, and speak on the power of positive emotion, practical intuition, and how to increase your ability to catalyze global change. “The heart demonstrates compassion, appreciation, kindness, and patience,” says Howard. When those emotions are engaged, personal and community purpose is activated and change happens. A question that appears during this change phase: What will I leave behind? What can we do to make a lasting impact for the greater good? Howard teaches that by being uniquely you, you can aid others in being their best self. Understanding this heart-head connection allows people to access their intuitive guidance and helps to unfold our real, deeper selves. After acknowledging your heart intelligence, how can you express it in a way that invites reciprocal efforts? “By approaching life through eyes of appreciation instead of judgment, you open up a magnetic emotional state,” says Howard. He believes that appreciation is drawn back to us when we express it. “When we are around someone who is genuinely appreciative, we feel that, embody that, and see things in a different way.” Acts of kindness are another way to exhibit your growth and willingness to initiate adapting. Howard clarifies that this does not mean that you have to pay for someone’s meal—it’s about how you walk in the world and approach others. How we talk to others, show respect, and offer a willingness to help instead of judge becomes catching. “Doing these things casually creates a contagion of positive psychology momentum,” says Howard. He insists that the most important emotional quality that develops in this three-step process is self-compassion. Especially during challenging times, we need to recognize that we are doing okay. When you’re confused or frustrated with your environment, reconnect with your heart. Constantly revisiting the heart-head connection and our intuitive guidance centers us amid chaos and renews our spirit. Suzee Connole is the Marketing Assistant for Wholebeing Institute. Part of her role at WBI involves highlighting how alumni, faculty, and guest speakers are taking positive psychology principles and applying them in the communities where they live and work. Howard Martin helped Doc Childre found HeartMath in 1991, and serves as a key spokesperson and executive for the organization. He is coauthor of The HeartMath Solutionand a contributing author for Heart Intelligence: Connecting with the Intuitive Guidance of the Heart. Howard played a key role in launching the Global Coherence Initiative (GCI), a science-based, co-creative project to unite people in heart-focused care and intention, and serves on GCI’s steering committee. He has been instrumental in delivering programs to tens of thousands of people worldwide, and has conducted keynote presentations and trainings for Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, the US Military, school systems, ecumenical organizations, and events in more than 50 cities on four continents.	https://wholebeinginstitute.com/heart-intelligence/
Some thoughts on how Learning Sciences could be an unifying theme for shaping research and practice at TIFRH - STEM education: The core focal areas in LS are: - Design of learning environments: Invention and design of new technologies, platforms, pedagogies, spaces, activity systems to support learning within, across and beyond disciplines; studies focus on both the process of design as well as experiences of learners and teachers; a deep connection with and understanding of disciplinary cultures and practices separates this dimension of work from Ed Tech (as a field). Bad questions: how can laptops help learning? Good questions: what forms of emergent cultures of making can be supported through use of technology-X in the context of discipline-X? - Cultural and critical historical studies of contexts of learning and teaching: A deep understanding of how peoples’ identities and voices are shaped through their learning experiences; connection to both critical theoretical perspectives and cultural studies and social theories are essential; methodologically this requires a deep commitment to discourse analysis, ethnographic studies and participant observations, and qualitative analysis broadly construed; the focus is on “who” not only “what” is being learnt; and how micro and macro contexts and historical and political contexts also shape (often invisibly) learning and teaching and tech design - Fundamental studies of cognition in-context: Foci include studies of conceptual change, embodied cognition, longitudinal studies of learning and teaching -in-context (months long, years long). NOT cognitive science or cognitive psychology, but can draw from these disciplines; studies MUST be carried out in-context. A very clear and decided departure from Cog Psych in terms of break with positivism (ie., emphasis is not on controlled studies, rather meaningful comparisons across cases). - Research-practice partnerships: This is a cross-cutting theme - requires a clear commitment to work together with teachers and practitioners throughout all phases of the research project. So, “design” becomes “co-design”, and practitioners’ voices must lead the design and implementation of tech and pedagogies. So, keeping in tune with the core commitments of TIFR-H (Cross-cutting and fundamental scholarship), each of these four dimensions are areas where “fundamental” research can happen. What makes this work overall MUCH more complex is the “in-context” part, which creates complexity of n-dimensions. While I recognize the framing of outreach is common and even helpful for getting things going, a focus on LS could shift the conversation toward creating TIFR-H as a place for fundamental discoveries in the Learning Sciences. No place like this exists in the world. LS departments are typically part of education schools in big universities. TIFR-H and even HBCSE stand on a unique position to lead the global conversation and create model institute dedicated to fundamental discoveries in LS with a focus on STEM education. In the Indian context, the complexities stemming from our colonial past, the pre-colonial histories, the religious and linguistic diversities, the caste problems - we stand in a truly unique position among these complex and intersectional inequalities to create new theories, new methodologies, new technologies that can FUNDAMENTALLY shift the center of scholarship in LS away from the global north. Happy to keep thinking together.	https://x.metastudio.org/t/learning-sciences-tifr-h/249
Crafting hazy hits from her bedroom, Leeds based singer-songwriter Mollie Coddled’s latest tune ‘Wavelength’ is a blissed out bop. She had a quick chat with us about Spotify, the new single and living her best life… The Indiependent: How have your experiences of the last year been and what have you been up to recently? Mollie: I’ve been chilling! Honestly, the past year has been really great for my productivity because I usually just want to spend all of my time hanging with my friends, haha! The Indiependent: How has COVID-19 impacted your work? Mollie: It was really unfortunate that live shows were unable to continue as soon as I got myself on the local scene; not being able to get my music out there through gigging has made it a lot harder to build a fanbase locally. The Indiependent: Your EP The Halo Effect recently broke 250,000 streams on Spotify! What do you think about the large streaming platforms and the impact on artists? Mollie: I personally think streaming services are doing amazing things for music exposure of new artists like myself, especially in the current climate. It’s been hard to get myself out there any other way the past year so I have a lot of gratitude for the Spotify UK team and the exposure they’ve been giving me. The Indiependent: You cite Still Woozy, Remi Wolf and Easy Life as influences, could you explain what draws you to these artists in particular? Mollie: I personally just love listening to music that makes me feel good and these artists just emit positive energy that makes me ooze serotonin haha! The Indiependent: For someone who may not have heard your sound before, how would you describe it to them? Mollie: I never know what to say because my music is such an amalgamation! But if I had to… it would probably be dreamy alt-pop. The Indiependent: Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind your new single ‘Wavelength’? Mollie: ‘Wavelength’ explores a positive outlook on feeling lost and out of place, whilst growing up in the melancholy and dystopian reality of a technology obsessed generation. The Indiependent: ‘Wavelength’ is all about living your best life. How are you doing this for yourself? Mollie: Every day I do what makes me happy! Meditation, yoga, positive affirmations, reading books that stimulate my mind and listening to music that makes me feel good. Follow your passions and you can’t go wrong! The Indiependent: You say that you sometimes find yourself wishing you were born in a different generation, why is that? Mollie: I like exploring nature and being outside — I’m a bit of a tree hugger if I’m honest! I think the only way to live my life fully is to be present in all of it, so I stray away from technology and social media as much as I can. The Indiependent: As one of Amazing Radio’s Ones To Watch 2021, what advice do you have for other artists trying to get themselves noticed? Mollie: Be yourself, be genuine and put passion into all that you do! As long as you’re enjoying yourself that’s all that matters in my opinion. The Indiependent: Where and when can our readers see you perform live? Mollie: I will be performing a headline show at Headrow House, Leeds on 11 September and playing a gig with Lime Garden, Blackaby and Famous at YES, Manchester on 23 September! You can get tickets to Mollie Coddled’s gigs on Dice.fm and while she does try to avoid social media, you can still catch updates from her over on Instagram. Read more: Track Review: Wavelength // Mollie Coddled Interview conducted by Ella McLaren Support The Indiependent We’re trying to raise £200 a month to help cover our operational costs. This includes our ‘Writer of the Month’ awards, where we recognise the amazing work produced by our contributor team. If you’ve enjoyed reading our site, we’d really appreciate it if you could donate to The Indiependent. Whether you can give £1 or £10, you’d be making a huge difference to our small team.	https://www.indiependent.co.uk/interview-mollie-coddled/
Just what is the purpose of purpose? Activate! Featuring Chris Teague - 8 mins Introduction Welcome to the third of our Activate! articles, in which we take a look at purpose. Seen as de-rigueur for businesses seeking to engage and retain the future workforce, we scrutinise the actual purpose of purpose and ask: can employees genuinely share the same aspirations as a corporation or has 'purpose' just become empty branding? The Search for Meaning The concept of work is changing. The binary transaction that exchanges work for money is being questioned - by employers and employees alike. Research shows that people are increasingly seeking meaning from their work; 90% are willing to earn an average of 23% less over their career in return for greater meaning at work. In this new world, people are exploring how a role aligns with their own personal attitudes and motivations. The result is a belief amongst businesses that latter day millennials and Generation-Zs will only join a business with a clear 'purpose'. Lynda Gratton, Professor of Management Practice at London Business School explains the shift in the relationship between employer and employee: "The old contract looked like this: 'I work to buy stuff that makes me happy'. The new contract will be: 'I work to make me happy'. We have to think about work as the thing (we gain happiness from), not the money you get from it." But it seems that this shift is evading the attention of some employers. Gratton says: "I don't see many companies realising how profound that change will be." This is reflected in business leaders paying lip-service to the IDEA of purpose, with only 27% saying they actually help employees to connect their personal purpose to that of the company. Professor Dan Cable, author of 'Alive at Work: The Neuroscience of Helping Your People Love What They Do', says: "Most leaders agree that employees don't 'get' their organisation's purpose. This is because purpose is personal and emotional. It is often managed poorly by transactional leaders…” As such, a lot of organisations have reduced the concept of 'purpose' to an extension of their branding - and responsibility for it falls through the cracks somewhere between the board, marketing and internal comms. People need purpose The need for purpose is a fundamental human characteristic. Not only do we crave meaning in what we do, psychologists tell us that a lack of purpose makes us susceptible to boredom, anxiety, and depression. Conversely, having a strong sense of purpose can have a powerful, positive effect. Having a clear reason to get out of bed every day makes life more focused. The sense of meaningful accomplishment boosts our self-esteem, making us less susceptible to negativity and doubt. Not only does that give us a feeling of achievement, research shows that the feeling of working towards a clear goal increases belief that the goal is achievable. No surprise then, that the collective sense of shared purpose is considered the most important source of meaning in supportive work cultures. It makes us less self-centred; makes us feel part of something bigger. But still, on average, people say that their work is only half as meaningful as it could be. This is a huge missed opportunity; research tells us that companies who create an atmosphere of shared purpose see considerable benefits. And we agree. We believe that by activating and harnessing a sense of shared purpose, it can become a transformative force. But how do you create that connection between personal motivation and the profit motive? And how do you go beyond simply communicating the purpose of the organisation to motivating employees to live and breathe it? This is a consistent challenge we hear from internal comms professionals who are frustrated that excellent engagement scores aren't reflected in improved delivery of their business strategy. Live activation experiences are a powerful solution. By taking people out of their everyday environment, you can deliver a shared experience that creates excitement, provides a fresh perspective and helps people understand exactly how they contribute to business success. And the ongoing workplace 'buzz' about the experience amplifies its effect. Making purpose personal The $64,000 question is: Can businesses genuinely expect people to adopt corporate purpose as their own personal purpose? Purpose and meaning are increasingly considered the emotional keys to unlock individuals' sense of personal fulfilment. But whose idea of fulfilment is that? It doesn't take a great leap of imagination to consider how the purpose of a business, allied to a strategy decided by the C-Suite, may differ from the personal motivations of those most detached from the decision-making. Indeed, the fact that only 20 percent of senior managers say they are 'passionate about their work' is an indication that deeply-felt purpose doesn't permeate very far down from the boardroom. Dan Cable recognises the difficulty in instilling purpose in others : "It takes more than motivational talks, lofty speeches or mission statements to spread purpose... purpose is meant to elicit an emotional reaction. Purpose needs to be FELT. You can't just talk about purpose." For people to feel the difference they can make, you have to bring them together to create shared moments of meaning. I fervently believe that such these moments have to be experienced in person because the presence of others creates a 'collective reality' where everyone feels connected in a common purpose. I recently witnessed a powerful example of this at a live activation we delivered in Lisbon. Our challenge was to actively engage more than 200 senior leaders of a global organisation in its corporate purpose – to drive better business performance. Over the four-day event, I saw the mood shift from a cynical, ‘arms folded’ reticence to people enthusiastically throwing themselves into activities that had been carefully constructed to connect their everyday working lives and personal motivations with the organisational purpose. It was an inspirational sight to witness. Creating connections Working with purpose is an act of commitment that takes consideration and enthusiasm. But to deliver that, people have to FEEL the connection between what they do and what the company wants to achieve. Experience also tells us that top-down edicts don't engage those responsible for delivering the strategy at ground-level. That’s why I believe that a sense of purpose can’t simply be imposed, it requires consensus and a personal connection across the business. I strongly believe that, where purpose exists, it has a powerful draw for people. And, while it's a stretch to expect people detached from the decision-making to adopt the purpose of a corporation as their own, people can still feel pride in being associated with that purpose. And this is where the power of live activation lies. It’s a way to engender that understanding and shared meaning: a way of generating a positive intent amongst employees, whereby they are able to think 'this is a belief that I can get behind and feel happy being associated with'. How? Because live activations create a unique space to talk about purpose in a way that's understood by everyone. Immersive, hands-on experiences don't only get your message across in a focused, inspiring context, they also give people a deeper understanding of how their individual and collective contributions are instrumental in creating a more purposeful culture. Conclusion So, what was the purpose of all this? In their concern for how purpose can boost innovation and brand value, it’s easy for transactional business leaders to reduce this important concept to a purely commercial driver. What they often neglect is how employees see purpose as a human desire to bring meaning to their daily work – and how they interpret the contribution they make. Indeed, leaders who choose to focus solely on market value will miss out on the opportunity to really transform their businesses by harnessing the values of their people. To get employees to buy-in to your business purpose you need to ignite their innate desire for meaning and help them explore how that links to the overall business purpose: to provide that vital spark of inspiration and instil pride in the purpose. Activation shakes people out of their routine. It delivers a shared experience that provides the time, the stimulus and the encouragement to understand how their actions contribute to the bigger picture. And I see strong evidence from our own work that the result is not just a ‘buzz’ on the day – but a clear shift from passivity to action, with employees actively engaging with their organisation’s purpose and building that into their everyday working lives. And that in itself is a very worthy purpose.	https://peopleactivation.com/resources/activate-what-is-the-purpose-of-purpose
After a lapse of a few months, I found this morning a slot to share at all-school meeting a TED talk– and when I announced this, the room broke out into genuine applause. This is a very charming and sweet connection I am sharing with my St. Gregory students, one I will miss greatly: our shared “fandom” for TED talks. After viewing, we had a great ten minute all-school conversation. First we focused upon the content– what is the relationship of happiness and productivity, how do we “filter” our experience, what are the five techniques for developing a positive outlook and happiness attitude, and do we agree with these five? The five techniques to shift your attitude, enhance your happiness, lift up your filter, and strengthen your productivity: - Express gratitude daily; deliberately choose to write or say thank you and express appreciation for what you have. - Journal. - Meditate. - Exercise. - Practice random acts of kindness. Then we shifted to form: what made this talk so effective. Humor of course was the most important element, but we also discussed the way the presenter himself modeled a positive affect, and the way he used a personal story at the outset to build a sense of connection with his audience. Take the twelve minutes for viewing this one: It is a very funny talk with a very meaningful message.	https://21k12blog.net/2012/02/08/best-ted-talk-ever-shawn-achor-on-happiness-and-productivity/
Making The Shift To A Holistic Customer Experience As a member of the Marketing Executive Roundtable group, I led the May 2019 session on the topic of Customer Experience (CX). The group consisted of senior level marketing professionals who represented a wide array of industries including: legal, market research, SaaS for healthcare, retail, telecommunications, aviation, commercial general contracting, electronics manufacturing, and professional consulting services for IT and marketing strategy. As someone who has always held a deeply rooted belief in the value of customer centricity, I do feel that data driven marketing, layers of technology, and transactional mindsets have distracted us from the focus and prioritization of placing customers first. Preparing for this session I was invigorated by the research and CX movements I read about, and hopeful by the positivity of the marketing professionals in this group discussion. This article shares a snapshot of what I learned about the state of CX within this sample set of marketers, plus insights for what I believe are the foundational elements to be an experience-led business. The Game Changing Mental Shift to Customer-Centric Point of View At the start of the discussion I asked everyone to write down how they define CX. Here are some of the responses: It has to do with life cycle management from intro to customer – getting them the right info at right time to get them to the next level. —— CX is engaging customers in a way that delights them and promotes customer loyalty. —— You take care of employees, and they take care of customers. It’s all about making customers want to come back based on how we make them feel. —— CX includes the feelings and results clients receive, and how quickly we adapt to their needs. There is no right or wrong response, and as you can see each of the statements provide a different angle to how the participants view CX in relation to their own perspective and company goals. I did however offer a twist, or rather an opportunity to re-frame CX, and I did this by sharing Forrester’s definition which is: “CX is how customers perceive their interactions with your company.” Being presented with this definition was a game changer for me because while I thought that I was approaching CX from a customer centric point of view, the words I was using suggested otherwise – they were more centered on the brand. It was interesting to observe that each of the participants who shared their CX definition were also using words such as “we” and “them” which indicate a brand point of view. I believe the shift to a customer-centric POV – adjusting how you think and communicate – is the first step towards truly delivering on the brand promise and providing exceptional customer experiences. The journey towards becoming an experience-driven business requires an investment in the customer experience across people, processes, and technology. The customer should be at the center of every team and business unit including direct correlation to what matters most to executives (e.g. their performance metrics and intrinsic motivations). Holistic Versus Patch-Work Approach Next we shifted the conversation of how to approach CX within various business models. I asked the group if they thought of CX as digital first, how they incorporated it into their social strategy and contact centers, how did it show up in retail stores? Here’s what they said: We are primarily a retail business and our goal is to have a holistic customer experience. My responsibility is in digital channels where I focus on capturing new and returning customers. Some of our people approach it pretty exclusively from an in-person vantage point – starting when the customer enters the store and ends when they leave. Our mission involves being a partner to neighbors, customers & the community and we take this seriously throughout whole customer life cycle. We try to make it seamless between digital and in-person experiences. —— Our model is digital and entirely B2B. We use social media with sponsored ads on LinkedIn and organic content on Twitter. We have tried some retargeting through Facebook, but it hasn’t been very successful. These channels are used to introduce new products and to create awareness about lower costs or increased efficiencies. Ultimately we want our customers to engage with a person as part of the experience and our social channels are just one part of the process to get them to the point of contact. —— For our retail stores we take care of employees and teach them how to care for customers. Metrics should involve ratings from customers regarding their in-store experience. Whatever touch point you’re focusing on at any given point, you should adopt a holistic posture in terms of the type of experience the customer has across all touch points with the organization. It was interesting that the word ‘holistic’ was used by multiple people throughout the conversation, however there was an underlying current which indicated that silos within organizations were the biggest obstacle in creating and executing a cohesive CX strategy. Salesforce conducted a survey of over 6,000 consumers and found that 75% of them expect consistent experiences across multiple channels (web, mobile, in-person, social), with 73% likely to switch brands if they don’t get it. Customer loyalty — and attrition — is determined by every experience. It would seem logical then that companies would invest in dedicated CX resources, however according to Temkin Group assessment, CX Management remains immature with only 9% of organizations indicating that they have clear CX governance in place with the organization starting to redesign cross functional processes. Recognizing that in the marketing ecosystem there seems to be a strong focus on customer acquisition, I called on Rod Putney to draw on his experiences in customer lifecycle marketing at AT&T. He asked a thought provoking question – “Are your customers treated better before or after becoming a customer?” This certainly gave the room of marketers pause, with reflections back to the problem of siloed organizations. Rod went on to share some questions that he used to inspire the teams at AT&T to align on Customer Experience: - How do you define your best customers? - For regular communication to customers, are you using your acquisition messaging and vehicles, or are you changing up the messaging to be personalized and relevant to the products or services of your customer? - How are you incorporating data from surveys, purchase/POS data, service usage, etc. to inform and adjust marketing activities and messaging? Is this information shared across groups so that teams are dipping into the same “truth”? He explained that alignment between internal teams is critical in ensuring a consistent customer experience. One simple example is how the AT&T team discovered that they were using a variety of shipping related terms – express, expedited, 2-day – and through a journey mapping exercise they were able to align on one term and use it across channels to alleviate confusion and set customer expectations. Journey mapping is a foundational practice that creates a visual representation of all of the touch points and interactions a customer has with your brand. Done right, it can transform the customer experience and even have a positive impact on company culture. The Connection Between Culture & Customer experience One of the member’s definition of CX was “You take care of employees, and they take care of customers. It’s all about making customers want to come back based on how we make them feel.” There is a definite connection between a company’s culture and customer experience. Companies such as Zappos, Southwest Airlines and USAA all have celebrated cultures and these brands tend to also be associated with providing great customer experiences. On the other hand Comcast and Uber have suffered from the negative impact their culture has had on how their customers perceive their interactions with these brands. Another meeting participant shared how his HR department actively encouraged interviewees to leave feedback about their interview experience on Glassdoor. The company then made changes to their interview process based on these reviews, like including more time between loop interviews, and scheduling a lunch period so that the person being interviewed could re-charge and prepare for the afternoon. The correlation was the belief that the experience with the brand was seamless and that by listening to the needs of prospective employees they could attract and retain great talent who would likely provide great service. In our discussion only one participant shared that she was in the process of creating a internal CX team, starting with one full time person with hopes of scaling to two people within the year. She indicated that due to the traditional model of her organization these CX roles would be positioned as marketing roles and slowly transitioned to client management roles, stating that this was a safer approach for internal adoption. Although evidence and research supports the ROI of fully integrated CX strategies, it can be a slow process to get senior leaders on board. One approach for fostering CX conversations and adoption in your organization is to create a Customer Center of Excellence and a Customer Advisory Board. These two groups create a hub from which you can learn and begin building your CX strategy from the inside out. Building the Business Case for CX Transformation Making the shift to becoming an experience-led business sounds like a no-brainer, but unfortunately many CX advocates struggle to get executive buy-in because they do not build a strong business case for CX transformation. The Forrester report The ROI of CX Transformation(subscription or purchase required) shows CX transformation leaders how to build an ROI model that can power a business case, including where to look for benefits, how to quantify them, and how to estimate CX transformation costs. It also provides this one-sentence business case that follows a time-tested formula for winning support: We intend to transform our customer experience to increase customer-generated revenue while reducing customer-related expense, which will bring $X of incremental benefit, at a cost of $Y, for an ROI of Z%. The report also demonstrates the quantifiable benefits of CX transformation, such as survey analysis that showed that from 2011 to 2015, a group of CX leaders’ revenue outgrew the revenue from a group of their CX laggard competitors by more than 5 to 1. For more excellent CX content, research and training I recommend checking out the Customer Experience section of Forrester’s website. Customer experience should be a seamless and thoughtful way of interacting with a brand. From the feedback I received while leading the Marketing Executive Roundtable discussion, to my own work as an entrepreneur and marketing leader, I believe that with intention and commitment this can be achieved. It’s time to stop the lip service and make a true commitment to placing customers at the center of how and why you operate.	https://sharmanghio.com/holistic-customer-experience/
In our recent Sustainability Edition of Ora Health & Wellness, we sat down for a chat with Hannah Crerar, founder of Hannah Yoga and Soul, and passionate about helping Kiwis heal their mind and body through yoga and other soulfill practices. “The underlying purpose of all my work is healing – and healing from a very holistic perspective. Since day one, I’ve been fascinated by (and passionate about) the connection between body, mind and soul. Yoga facilitates this connection really well, but I’m personally working to find new ways to work with the body and mind for a holistic healing experience.” She shares with us a few of the core principles for keeping positive on the daily… 1: POSTURE – A straight spine creates instant mental clarity, free flow of breath and energy. 2: SMILING – Causes a release of neuropeptides, dopamine, endorphins and serotonin which work to fight off stress. 3: DEEP BREATHING – Calms and activates the parasympathetic nervous system. When the body is calm it can do all the healing it needs to do. 4: MOVEMENT – To shift something mentally, a physical shift is very useful. 5: THE SENSES – One of the quickest ways to get present is to tune into the five senses. 6: CONNECTION – We’re hardwired to connect – to see and be seen, to listen and be heard, to feel and be felt. Connection with others is so important and the more personal contact, the better. 7: GRATITUDE – An attitude of gratitude will automatically give you something to feel joyful about – no matter how small. 8: AFFIRMATIONS – Repetition of positive statements and thoughts help train the brain and re-programme belief systems. You truly are worthy and loveable so repeat this to yourself until believe it. 9: GIVING – There are people out there who need exactly what you have to offer. Giving is certainly not limited to money and material objects. Give your time, your concern and your stories. 10: RECEIVING – Sometimes this can be tricky, particularly if you’ve grown up learning to block compliments, praise or help from others. Receiving allows the giver to feel they’ve fulfilled a purpose, and allows you to recognise you’re worthy of receiving. 11: MEDITATION – Getting centred or into a meditative/flow state is incredibly healing. If you can find some creative outlet to become so involved, you’ll find the outside noise and ego falls away, and you’re able to touch base with the most authentic part of yourself. 12: REFLECTION – Take time to focus on how you’ve evolved overtime. Sometimes we have to pause and take stock of everything to get clear on how to show up in the next phase of our life. For our full interview with Hannah, check out our Sustainability Issue available now.	https://www.oramagazine.co.nz/the-happiness-hacks-and-positivity/
Along the walls of the Du Bois College house, a dormitory at The University of Pennsylvania, a photo gallery created by Sandra Andino, Ph.D., illustrates through audio storytelling and black and white portraits experiences of Afro Latinos living in Philadelphia. Highlighting the importance and beauty of being Afro Latino is a focus and personal mission of Andino. Andino’s gallery at the University of Pennsylvania showcased ten individuals. For those who missed the exhibit (November 11, 2016 to December 12, 2016), the interviews can be heard and portraits viewed at Andino’s Negraluz site. It is a blog dedicated to showcasing visuals of Latinos of African descent, their heritage, and positive aspects of their ancestry as well as their contributions as change agents throughout the world. Last December, the University of Pennsylvania was the third stop for the photo exhibit, “The Afro-Latinx Experience: Philadelphia Stories,” curated at North Philadelphia’s Taller Puertorriqueño and South Philadelphia’s Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial. Attendees walked through and listened to the audio interviews through their phones hosted at Andino’s Negraluz site. As portrait subjects speak their stories, attendees gaze at snapshots, possibly imagining the thoughts and experiences of each subject. The project was originally inspired by a conversation with Andino’s good friend, who is also a subject in the exhibit, Evelyne Laurent-Perrault. As the two shared their experiences as Afro Latinas, Andino realized her story wasn’t unique. From that seed, she interviewed more of her friends about their experiences as Afro Latinos in an effort to highlight the similarities and complexities among Afro Latinos in Philadelphia. According to Pew research a quarter of Hispanics in the U.S. identify as Afro Latino. Of the 1.5 million people living in Philadelphia 14% are Hispanic according to the U.S. Census. That means there are close to 53 thousand Afro Latinos experiences, providing Andino with a vast pool of untold stories to showcase, which are likely not to be told elsewhere. By claiming and highlighting being Afro Latino, Andino hopes to break some of the stereotypes and people’s preconceived notions about not only Afro Latinos but also of the humanity of the entire African Diaspora, especially in the Americas (a number totaling 165 million with Latin America, North America and the Caribbean according to the World Bank projections.) Andino speaks with optimism and authority, When people see the exhibit she wants them to appreciate and understand the breath of the Afro Latino experience. “There are so many different aspects about being Afro Latino. Each one of these stories has something different to say about culture, about being identified as black in the U.S, and also identifying as Latino. I think that’s a great feeling when you feel like part of what you’ve gone through in your life is validated because you see there are others that think or feel the same way.	https://losafrolatinos.com/2017/03/17/philadelphias-afro-latino-compilations-by-sandra-andino-ph-d/
DescriptionVashta: What is the nature of your and mine connection? BlanZeerHaar: They are shared through an Oversoul pathway. There's an Oversoul division, as you understand, there are several densities within each Oversoul, and within ours there is what you call a twin soul as well. The Oversoul divides itself before the very first human experience, so that it might have ample opportunities to create parallel existences, and in this dividing of the soul is called, perhaps, a twin soul. This does not mean as most call twin flames, as most call soulmates, this is truly two halves of the same soul! And as this Oversoul divides, mine and your lineage is from the same half of this twin Oversoul, while a counterpart or a future version of both of us remain in the other half as well. So in the other half I am able to tap into the experiences of your own shift to negativity, as well as my shift from being a positive to a negative entity, and I am able to see the mirror in reversal. It is a very brilliant mirror to see, but also shows the connection of the trickling down of the specific Oversoul connecting one branch to the other as we connect. V: So basically the other half of the soul is going the opposite way, and then when you put it together you have the whole experience? B: Yes, absolutely! But it is not as black and white as this, it is very similar. In this specific case yes, it is very black and white, it is the extreme opposites.	https://www.vashta.com/my-product/blanzeerhaar/
Such heavy times we live in, and so paradoxical, for while we have enormous material prosperity, light-speed digital connection, and fingertip access to nearly the entire history of human knowledge, we are strategically divided and frightened, force fed by a propagandized media and entertainment complex, and under the influence of a cultural sickness that values death above life. In a reality such as this, planet earth is too often viewed as an arena of conflict rather than a sea of possibility, and in this age, the gravity of lower consciousness is mighty heavy. An upward shift in consciousness is the only way for the human race to survive this dilemma. But the shift is not something that happens once, then is complete forever. It is more akin to sailing the high seas in a one-man sloop, where constant attention must be given to the tautness of its sails, or else the vessel sets aimlessly adrift. Whichever direction the human race chooses to go is always the direct result of the level of consciousness in which individuals and the collective move from. If we make decisions and take action when fear, anxiety, scarcity, stress, and anger are at the helm, then we are certainly doomed. Should we, however, approach our burgeoning problems with care, creativity and respect for life, then any righteous outcome is possible. And likely. The catch is, though, while we can direct the power of intention to elevate the spirit and experience firsthand the rewards of higher consciousness, the downward pressures of society tend to draw us into disremembrance, leading to unwitting abdication of our personal power, and hence spiritual depletion. In this way we are too easily swept along with the prevailing winds of popular hysteria, mindlessly indulging in lower frequency mindsets. Consciousness is eternally dynamic. Often a mere passing glance at the right idea is enough to rekindle the desire to see the manifestation of the higher self. For this, consider the following requisites for avoiding today’s traps of lower consciousness. 1.) Breakaway From the Popular Narrative and Create Your Own So much energy is lost in the pursuit of the popular narrative of reality. They call it current events because the ever-evolving story is intended to carry you, your thoughts, and your focus away, toward some frivolous destination. The juicy stream of drama and detail that surfaces in media is formulated to commandeer your attention and direct it onto the destructive and consumptive qualities of the human experience. Attention is a most valuable commodity today, too valuable to give away, in fact. Abandon the mainline script, jump ship, and direct your focus onto the story you are creating about your own life. Turn off, tune out and reject that which does not serve you well, and in this way you may retain ownership of your conscious self, avoiding the pitfalls of the reptilian and hive minds. 2.) Disengage in Confusion and Conflict for the Pursuit of Clarity So much of public discourse today is a mindless exercise in chaos, and argumentation has supplanted thoughtfulness and respectful conversation. Confusion is the order of the day. When the waters of the mind are agitated and disturbed by meritless conflict it is impossible to maintain a course toward the higher self. Clarity is a prize, and any activities, or non-activities, which serve to narrow your focus onto the truly important aspects of life, like self-development, are essential to spiritual growth and happiness. If it does not directly affect you, let others fight about it if they choose, while you practice laughter. 3.) Cultivate Meaning and Mythology in Your Life What gives purpose to your daily actions? What is your ruling myth? Are you following the archetype of the hero, the caregiver, the rebel? What stirs your heart and kindles your passion? Do you even know? So much of the noise in our culture confuses our daily purpose, distracting us from our personal path, and unless we stay aware of and continually assimilate our experiences and attitudes, always striving to maintain a genuine reason for our actions, we we sink along with the mundane into frustration and apathy. A day lost is like a year lost, you can’t retrieve them again. Life is much more rich, and happiness comes much more naturally when accept the challenge of creating purpose for ourselves. Without myth and meaning in life, we a free-floating in the void, and anything flashy that comes along will automagically fill the empty space, for better or for worse. Final Thoughts Such divisive, brutal, and uncertain times demand that we take ownership of our own hearts and minds. When we do this, we naturally experience the joys of higher consciousness, and then, only then, are we able to be effective in the greater struggle to achieve balance and equity in our ailing world. To be a change-maker, you must first and foremost make positive and lasting changes in yourself.	https://twospiritsonesoul.com/blog/3-things-you-need-to-know-to-avoid-the-trap-of-lower-consciousness/
Many Black parents recognize the importance of talking to their children about race, especially during the current racially charged climate filled with police brutality, divisive rhetoric, and hate crimes. However, despite understanding its significance, you may have questions regarding how to talk to your children about race, especially when your children are very young. This is due to a common misbelief that children this age, say three to eight years old, are too young or not emotionally prepared to handle the complexities of race. Studies have found that racial-ethnic socialization (RES), the messages that Black parents provide their children to foster their sense of identity, self-esteem, and to prepare them for discrimination experiences or threats to their safety and wellbeing, have been positively related to academic and behavioral outcomes AND should be used with very young children (Reynolds, 2017). Here is why it is important to talk to your young children about race, along with some tips on how to do so. 1. Talk About Racial Differences Sorry to break it to you, but we do not live in a color-blind world. Not only do our young children recognize racial differences, but studies have found that children as young as two-years-old begin to form preferences for those individuals of their same race and that they experience discrimination through experiences such as being excluded from playgroups (Hirschfield, 2008). You can begin preparing your children to live in a diverse society in developmentally appropriate ways such as: - Providing the appropriate vocabulary for racial or ethnic differences - Modeling the use of inclusive and culturally sensitive language - Being intentional about providing teachable moments while in public Shades of Black: A Celebration of Our Children by Sandra L. Pinkney is a children’s book that you can use to help begin this important conversation: 2. They have questions. Answer them. Have you counted the number of questions your child asks daily? It can be overwhelming and many times a simple “hush” is the only thing we can stomach. However, answering your children’s questions about racial differences not only creates positive, open communication between you and your child, but it also demonstrates that you are comfortable tackling tough questions. Your children need to know that they can come to you with questions like “why is my skin dark?” or make statements such as “I wish I was white.” No more avoiding or telling them to “wait until you are older,” sit down, roll up your sleeves and engage with their questions in open, honest, and developmentally appropriate ways. 3. Focus on positivity and self-esteem Studies have found that the RES messages that specifically focus on culture, heritage, and racial pride are associated with more positive child outcomes (Reynolds & Gonzales, 2017). So… - If you have the means to do so, take them to see Michelle Obama’s portrait at the Smithsonian - Visit Black Panther in Wakanda - Read books with Black people as the protagonist such as I Know I Can by Veronica Chapman - Expose them to their culture and heritage through food, music, artwork in your home, and family stories These activities will begin to foster a sense of belonging and connection to positive representations of their racial and ethnic group, which is invaluable during this malleable developmental stage. 4. Don’t shy away from talking about hardships I know it is tempting to avoid the hard conversation about the harsh realities of life as a Black person, but don’t shy away from these conversations! It’s important for your children to know that they can come to you with questions if their friend at school says “I can’t play with you because you are Black”, or if someone yells “go back to your country” on the playground. If you are having trouble navigating this conversation, check out the following scripts and find what works for your family. What methods/resources do you use to talk to your young children about race? Comment below! References: Hirschfeld, L. A. (2008). Children’s developing conceptions of race. In S. M. Quintana & C. McKown (Eds.), Handbook of race, racism, and the developing child (pp. 37–54). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Reynolds, J. E., & Gonzales-Backen, M. A. (2017). Ethnic-racial socialization and the mental health of African Americans: A critical review. Journal of Family Theory and Review. doi: 10.1111/jftr.12192. Reynolds, J. E. (2017). Predictors of ethnic-racial socialization in early childhood among African American Parents. The Florida State University, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2017. 10258625. This article is re-posted with permission from the American Psychological Association’s RESilience Initiative, which provides resources to parents and caregivers for promoting the strength, health, and well-being of children and youth of color. Learn more at www.apa.org/res.	https://successfulblackparenting.com/children-are-not-colorblind-4-ways-to-talk-to-young-children-about-race/
4 Ways to Create a Supportive Environment There’s a connecting thread that runs through all of my experiences in music. Basically, it is MUCH more fun to be a part of a group that’s filled with positivity. However, a lot of musicians, instead of building each other up, become a little catty about people they don’t like. I wrote about this recently, in a post about what NOT to do at rehearsals, and I’ve been noticing the difference more and more over the course of the semester. The groups that make it a point to have a supportive environment are more fun, more professional, and more musical as a whole. If you suspect that your program or musical organization could use a little more positivity, here’s some ways to start building it yourself! Disengage from gossip. This is honestly the most important thing for me. I have never felt good after shit-talking a group or a person. At best I feel bad because that was a dumb, gross thing to do. At worst, I feel either smugly superior or righteously annoyed with the group or person for half an hour before feeling even WORSE because I can feel myself becoming a negative person. If people are talking negatively about an ensemble, an organization or a person, I’m making it a goal to either mention a positive aspect or change the subject. It doesn’t just help me, it cuts that negativity out of the lives of everyone within hearing range. Make a point to give genuine compliments. I try to compliment someone someone and really mean it at least once a day. There’s science to show that staying positive improves your outlook on life as a whole. By looking around for things that you’d really like to compliment, you shift your focus to positive things. Plus, the compliments make the other person’s day brighter, too! Always offer to help. If someone is struggling with something heavy, offer to help them move it. If they need homework help for something you’ve taken, look over their work. Just take every opportunity you can to help others, within reason. It sets a good example and helpful environments are so much more pleasant than the alternative! Know when to be professional. Always be friendly, of course! Just remember that the quickest way to kill a supportive environment is by allowing negative people free reign. This can mean anything from ignoring people who talk over the director to kicking a person out of an ensemble. Supportive environments aren’t enabling. They don’t allow someone with a major attitude problem (or hey, a drug problem!) to continue dragging the group down. So if all else fails, politely and professionally talk with people in your immediate influence about some of their negativity. You’ll be surprised at how effective it is for making your surroundings as a whole nicer. Music is such a great concept as a whole, the places where it is made should be equally great. Let’s help make every music institution a more supportive environment. We got this! First seen on my Patreon!	https://www.gabriellehass.com/post/4-ways-to-create-a-supportive-environment
The advent of positive psychology Judging by the focus of people’s thoughts and conversations, knowing what works seems to be harder to know than what doesn’t work. The newly emerging field of positive psychology was formally birthed in the 1990’s, highlighting that more than 90 percent of published articles in psychology were of something not working, with only a small percentage of articles focusing on something positive. Whether an individual is working on something in his or her life or organization, it is going to take a conscious disciplined effort to shift from the tendency to focus on the problem to focusing on the solution. A number of books and other resources exist to assist individuals to shift what their mind focuses on and to follow your intuition to find the right way for you, if you are interested in shifting from a problem focused pattern of thinking, to a solution focused pattern of thinking. In my explorations, I was interested in discovering whether such a shift in viewpoint to riding the wave of solution rather than staying fixed in the problem energy is possible for the collective that make up an organization to achieve. I was interested in the emergence of theories in the 1990’s to do with critical mass thinking and the percentage of people required in a system in order to achieve a shift in the whole group. Various researchers found that even if ten percent of a group shifted their thinking and behaviors, then the whole group could shift. The one significant proviso was that the group that made up the ten percent had to be representative of a maximum mixture of the organization. The same shift did not take place with only ten percent if that ten percent were all within one layer or grouping in the organization. Critical mass thinking became a foundation for the emergence of a new stream of organizational development practice sometimes referred to as Whole System Meetings and sometimes referred to as Large Group Interventions. OST was accepted as a credible, reliable method for leading meetings of the whole system and was considered to be the most open, and in my eighteen year history with frequent use of OST, the most effective, of this new way of working to create shifts in organizations/collectives using the meeting as a catalyst. A shift from problem focus to solution focus in a collective was possible in a collective using OST and other whole system meeting methods. In my quest to assist organizations in benefiting from the wisdom of collective intelligence, it was important to be able to work with the collective in a way that the collective intelligence for solutions could be accessed quickly, even in a single meeting. We have the opportunity to work with extraordinary leaders around the world. Extraordinary leaders are able to do non-ordinary thinking and are willing to expand their perspectives. When we suggest to them that collective intelligence is a resource that they might want to pay more attention to, they understand the old adage ‘the whole is greater than the sum of the parts’ and they want to know how to make use of the collective intelligence of their organization so that their organizations have better results. We encourage these leaders to lead their organizations from a perspective that includes the development of a life nurturing operating platform for their organizations including a liberating structure and a participatory architecture if they want to maximize the opportunities of working with the collective intelligence present in the organization. The operating platform is usually the physical manifestation of the key formal leader’s belief system of the organization regarding how much freedom she is willing and able to give her staff to develop their own solutions and make their own decisions, and the framework she chooses to allow this freedom. How liberating can the structure be, so that people can actually get their work done efficiently based on their personal empowerment? She would need to be willing to command, but not control. Command would include being very clear what her own non-negotiables or ‘givens’ are and what the degrees of freedom are for people in the organization to be innovative and to make decisions. In other words, she creates her own rules of engagement for the operations in the organization. It is amazingly wonderful to watch the improvements in the organization when the rules of engagement, the operating platform, are explicitly stated rather than having staff walk through a mine field of making assumptions about what is implicit in the operating platform. The beliefs of the leader and the liberating structure are two key ingredients of the operating platform. Another key ingredient is to create the time and space for highly participative meetings to access the collective intelligence of those gathered for the meeting. We refer to this as the development of a participatory architecture within the liberating structure. Just as the individual needs to discipline her mind towards a solution focus – avoiding getting locked onto a problem focus – the organization needs to develop its own discipline to do so. Within this discipline, there must be a pattern of using meetings and other forums to find solutions by benefiting from this often overlooked capacity of the organization’s collective intelligence. In 1992 I began experimenting with frequent use of OST meetings to tap into the collective intelligence of the organization that I was responsible for. We had highly participatory meetings with good solutions emerging. In that respect, our use of OST meetings was highly successful for tapping into the collective intelligence. Our challenges were that the solutions kept running into barriers in our daily reality as an organization and that the energy for participating in the meetings started to wane as people discovered the problems in implementing their solutions. Fortunately, the staff size was about eighty and we thus had the luxury to observe ourselves, our organization, and to look at this situation together and make adjustments. One of the applications of our knowledge of tapping into collective wisdom, and positive psychology is Strategic Planning the Genuine Contact Way…a way of strategic planning that focuses on successfully implementing the plan. To find out more, please join us for our upcoming Strategic Planning workshop.	https://www.dalarinternational.com/collective-intelligence-part-6/
Erika is a Licensed Independent Social Worker based out of our Cedar Falls office who is passionate about working with individuals, couples, and groups experiencing several different stressors. Using a myriad of therapeutic techniques, Erika focuses on your strengths, resilience, past successes, and insight to create a preferred future that feels attainable. She firmly believes that the therapeutic process is a collaborative one, with focus on the client as the expert on their internal experiences. Erika utilizes humor and empathy to create a sense of safety and rapport, as it is often the genuine and personal connection that creates the vehicle for change. The modalities Erika uses in session are geared toward the presenting concern and preference of each client and include components from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy, Attachment Theory, and Schema Therapy. Erika realizes that reaching out for mental health help can be one of the most daunting experiences a person can have. Together, you will work to instill lasting coping and management skills to achieve the life you deserve.	https://www.greencounselingservice.com/erika-bandilla
A study published by the Royal Society Open Science Journal on Jan. 26 found that cats’ brain size has shrunk over the past 10,000 years due to their dependence on humans. Previous studies only compared the brain size of modern cats and European wildcats (Felis silvestris), which are not a direct ancestor of the modern cat and indicated that there has been a noticeable decrease in skull size over the years. Studies that were conducted afterward included the African (Felis lybica) cat in the study, as genetic testing showed that it is the closest wild ancestor. The research team concluded that the skull size, which is an indication of the brain size, of the domesticated cat has decreased significantly in comparison with their wild ancestors. This does not necessarily mean that modern domestic cats are “dumber” than their wild cousins, as some hypotheses claim that taming and domesticating cats can in fact affect the development of cats’ brains. The study suggested that these changes begin when the cat is an embryo, where (Neural crest) starts to form. These cells are exclusive to vertebrates and play an instrumental role in the development of the nervous system. "Selection for tameness in the domestication of animals may have caused a downregulation in the migration and proliferation of neural crest cells, leading to decreased excitability and fear," the researchers found, adding that this inhibition affects stress response and brain size. Experts noticed a 25 percent decrease in skull size, which is consistent with what previous studies had concluded, they also examined several domesticated and wild hybrid cat species. They determined that the skull size of hybrids is in the middle of the domestic/wild spectrum. Domestication has dramatically impacted the evolution of cats for thousands of years, and it is not unique to felines as different animals like sheep, rabbits, and dogs have changed due to human intervention. This study is not a mere observation as it raises concerns regarding the further domestication of other species.	https://en.royanews.tv/news/34232/2022-02-13
A group of researchers claims that domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, can also be infected by coronaviruses, although they are studying whether the British variant (B.1.1.7) can infect some animals more easily. In the study presented by the journal ‘bioRvix’, the first cases of animals (dogs and cats) infected by the British variant of the COVID-19 virus were reported. The animals presented severe cardiac abnormalities or myocarditis. The owners of the animals had also tested positive in the PCR test. The researchers note that given the increased transmissibility of the British variant to humans, these studies “highlight more than ever the risk that companion animals may play a greater role in the dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak than previously thought.” The journal ‘Science’ has published a study on coronavirus infection in animals conducted on eight cats and three dogs. They state that none had a history of heart disease, but tests concluded that the animals suffered from cardiac abnormalities, including irregular heartbeats and fluid in the lungs, symptoms that have also been observed in cases of people who have had coronaviruses. The scientists tested seven of the animals for COVID-19, and three of them tested positive for the British variant. Antibodies were also recorded in four of the other animals, showing that two of them had been infected with coronavirus. Another study conducted in Italy by the Animal Health Research Institute of Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta also reported a case of a cat infected with coronavirus with the British variant. The animal had respiratory symptoms 10 days after its caretakers tested positive. In the United States there has also been a similar case, reported last March 15, in which a dog and a cat living in the same house tested positive for the British variant of the coronavirus. And what to do with animals during the pandemic? For example, disinfect the animal’s food bowls and utensils if the owner or someone living with the animal has COVID-19. It is also advisable – if you have coronavirus – to avoid contact with the animal as much as possible. The Italian health and veterinary authorities have also offered a series of recommendations on the evidence of the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus among animals such as rabbits, dogs, cats and mink. And they have sent a message of reassurance saying that domestic animals can be infected as well as wild animals. To this end, they have recommended that precautions should be taken if the animal does not live in the same household. And in case the owner is positive, avoid contact with the animal.	https://www.theallineed.com/news/20210324/british-variant-of-coronavirus-also-affects-dogs-and-cats/
Do childhood pets affect allergy risk? “Having a pet in the house during the first year of a child's life could halve the risk of them becoming allergic to the animals, a study suggests,” reported the Daily Mail . This story is based on a study that followed 566 children from birth up to the age of 18 years. It found that exposure to a cat in the first year of life was associated with a halved risk of having an immune system that was sensitised to cat allergens. The findings for dogs were more complicated, with the link between exposure and reduced risk of later sensitisation found in boys only. This study used an appropriate design for investigating the link, but it also has some limitations that make it difficult to state conclusively that childhood pet exposure reduces the risk of allergies later. Only about half of those eligible participated, and the numbers analysed were relatively small. The way the researchers did their analyses also made it difficult to assess whether other factors might be influencing the results. Although the results of this study are not conclusive, they do suggest that early childhood exposure to a dog or cat is not likely to make a person more allergic to these animals as an adult. However, much larger studies will be needed to confirm the findings. The study was carried out by researchers from the Henry Ford Hospital and the Medical College of Georgia in the US. The work was funded by the Fund for Henry Ford Hospital and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The study was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy . The Daily Mail has reported this story in an appropriate way. This prospective cohort study assessed whether there was a link between having a cat or dog in early life and the risk of allergies to cats or dogs in adulthood. The researchers say that most studies that have investigated whether there is a link between having pets in childhood and allergies have just looked at the allergies found in childhood, not those identified in adults. This type of study is ideal for looking at this sort of question about whether a particular exposure might increase or decrease the risk of a later outcome. The researchers recruited pregnant women from one area of Michigan who were due to give birth between April 15 1987 and August 31 1989. The mothers reported whether they kept pets in the house up to when the children were age six, and at age 18 the children were tested for pet allergies. Of the 1,194 pregnant women who were eligible to participate, 835 were enrolled and filled in annual questionnaires about their children’s health until they were age six. This included reporting the number and type of any current household pets, and whether they were kept mostly indoors or outdoors. At age 18 the children were asked to complete a telephone interview and to attend a clinic where they would provide a blood sample for allergy testing. Of the 835 eligible teenagers, 671 agreed to participate. They were asked about past pet keeping, whether pets had ever been removed from the home because of allergies or other reasons, family history of allergies and other factors. Blood samples were tested for levels of dog- and cat-specific antibodies (IgE), and those with levels at or above 0.35kU/L were considered to have been “sensitised” to dogs or cats. They carried out overall analyses first, and then looked at the results by gender, parental allergy history, whether the child was a firstborn and delivery type (vaginal birth or Caesarean) to see if the effects were different in any of these groups. About a third of the 18-year-olds (32.5%) had had an indoor dog and 19.4% an indoor cat in the first year of their life. The researchers found that 17.8% of the 18-year-olds were sensitised to dogs and 20.5% to cats. The study did not present what proportion of teens exposed to an indoor cat or dog in the first year of life was sensitised. Overall, teens who had been exposed to an indoor dog in the first year of life were similarly likely to have a dog sensitivity at age 18 as those who did not have this early dog exposure. This was the case regardless of whether the teen’s parents had a history of allergies. When analysed by gender, boys who had been exposed to an indoor dog in the first year of life were half as likely to have a dog sensitivity at age 18 compared with those who had not (relative risk [RR] 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27 to 0.92). This difference was not found in girls. Overall, teens who had been exposed to an indoor cat in the first year of life were about half as likely to have a cat sensitivity at age 18 (relative risk [RR] 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31 to 0.90). This link almost reached significance in those with a parental history of allergy, but not those with no parental history of allergy. Exposure at other ages (one to five, six to twelve, and thirteen or older) and total exposure to indoor dogs or cats were not associated with sensitisation to dogs or cats at age 18. The researchers conclude that “the ﬁrst year of life is the critical period during childhood when indoor exposure to dogs or cats inﬂuences sensitization to these animals”. They say that “exposure to a dog or cat in the ﬁrst year of life was associated with a decreased likelihood of sensitization to the allergens of that animal”. They add that the effect for dogs appears to be restricted to boys. Less than half of the offspring from the 1,194 eligible pregnancies were included in the final analyses. The results might have been different if all offspring had been followed up. The number of individuals analysed was relatively small. Studies in larger samples of people will be needed to confirm the results. The study relied on mothers and children to report parental allergies, and on teens to recall pet exposure from age six to 18 years. These reports may have some inaccuracies. The researchers carried out separate analyses for offspring with and without a parental history of allergy, but this did not have to be specifically a dog or cat allergy. Homes where parents had a cat or dog allergy might have been less likely to have a pet, and this could influence the results, particularly if a tendency to have allergies is to some extent inherited. As with all studies of this type, there may be some unknown or unmeasured factors that may be influencing results. The study did not directly take into account in the analyses the factors that might influence results, such as parental allergy. Instead, the researchers repeated the analyses in different subgroups of people to see if they found different effects. This makes it difficult to know whether the links found would still be significant if these factors were taken into account. Although the results of this study are not conclusive, they suggest that early childhood exposure to a dog or cat is not likely to make a person more allergic to these animals as an adult. Much larger studies will be needed to confirm this finding. How to beat pet allergy: A cat or dog at home could halve risk.	https://www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/do-childhood-pets-affect-allergy-risk/
Breeding Like Rabbits It turns out that dogs can be incredibly prolific breeders, as this fact makes clear. In only six years, a pair of male and female dogs and their offspring can birth a total of 66,000 dogs or more. Much of that is due to the relatively short gestation period that dogs have, which is only about 58 to 68 days. As we know, humans take about nine months to fully develop a new baby. That means that it takes us about four times longer than dogs to meet our offspring. Now that you know that, are you so surprised that there are so many puppies up for adoption all the time?	https://petsreporter.com/curious-pets-facts-is/2/
These are nationwide estimates; individual state values may differ. Every year, around 6.3 million companion animals are surrendered to animal shelters throughout the United States. There are around 3.1 million dogs and 3.2 million cats among them. Similarly, How many pets are abandoned by their owners each year? Every year, roughly 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters throughout the country, including 3.1 million dogs and 3.2 million cats. Also, it is asked, What pet gets abandoned the most? Domestic rabbits are one of the most abandoned pets in the United States due to widespread misconception. Shelters and rescue organizations in the United States and across the globe are reporting a heightened need for people to foster or adopt domestic pets, especially rabbits, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Secondly, How many pets go missing each year? ten million animals Also, Is it cruel to abandon a cat? Leaving a cat outside for an extended period of time when she has never been there before puts the cat in a risky and unfavorable scenario. It’s brutal, and it’s cruelty to animals. This misconception may be corrected by include an abandonment component in your Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) teaching. People also ask, Do more cats or dogs go missing? Notes: In the last five years, 14 percent (11-16 percent) of dogs and 15 percent (12-18 percent) of cats had gone missing at least once. In the research, 93 percent of dogs (86-97 percent in the US population) and 75 percent of cats (63-84 percent in the US population) were discovered. There was no established meaning for “lost”; owners were free to define it as they wanted. Related Questions and Answers What percentage of stolen dogs are found? According to the statistics, an estimated 2,438 dogs were reported stolen last year, a 19% rise from 2019 – and regrettably, just 22% of stolen pets were returned with their owners. Can a dog feel abandoned? How individual pets are affected by abandonment Humans are generally unaware that animals, particularly domesticated dogs, cats, and other small animals, may experience a wide range of emotions comparable to those felt by humans. Fear, pain, abandonment, and desire are among emotions that dogs may go through. What state has most stray dogs? In 2019, New Mexico had the highest rate, with almost 3,200 animals surrendered per 100,000 residents. Idaho, Colorado, Montana, and Nevada came in second and third, respectively, with over 2,000 animals taken in per 100,000 persons, according to the Shelter Animals Count. At what age are most dogs given up? The bulk of the abandoned dogs (47.7%) and cats (40.3%), according to the survey, were between the ages of 5 months and 3 years. Between seven months and one year, the majority of dogs (37.1%) and cats (30.2%) were owned. Why don’t people adopt old dogs? The most common justification for avoiding adopting an older dog is that they will not live as long as a puppy. “Many people assume, ‘Oh, it’s an elderly dog.’ They’ll die in two years, and it’ll break my heart,’ says Amy Sciarretto, a volunteer at the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood, New Jersey. What are 3 of the main reasons animals end up in shelters? What Causes Animals to End Up in Shelters? Moving. Pets are not permitted by the landlord. There are too many animals in the home. The cost of keeping a pet. Owner is dealing with personal issues, sickness, or death. There aren’t enough facilities. There are no available homes for litter mates. I don’t have time for my pet. Do cats cry when abandoned? While you’re gone, your cat won’t bark or utterly wreck the place as a dog might. However, when you prepare to go, cats may begin to meow excessively, get clingy, or go into hiding. An worried cat may also display signals of anxiety, such as urinating or defecating outside the litter box. Is it a sin to abandon a dog? Your pets are a member of your family. “Leaving a distressed animal in an empty apartment, for example, is a criminal offense and so unlawful.” What is the most abandoned dog? Top 10 Dog Breeds Most Frequently Seen at Animal Shelters Jack Russell Terrier is a breed of dog. Pit Bull is a breed of dog. Boxer. Dachshund. German Shepherd is a breed of dog. Chihuahua. Beagle. Labrador Retriever is a breed of dog. Yes, the Labrador Retriever is America’s most popular dog, but it’s also one of the most regularly seen dog breeds at shelters around the country. Why do black animals get adopted less? Aside from the negative connotations of ill luck and witchcraft, black animals have a difficult time finding homes since their dark coats make for awful photographs. Because they are less photogenic, prospective adopters are more likely to ignore them. What is the #1 dog breed 2021? The Labrador Retriever is a breed of dog that was developed in the United States Where do most lost dogs go? It will like visiting neighbors’ yards and public parks. It will hide if it is a timid or senior pet who is not trusting of strangers. Bushes and beneath automobiles are also suitable hiding places. Your pet will very certainly have attempted, but failed, to return home. What percentage of cats go missing? Cats have a reported reclaim proportion of 2–4% of stray animals entering shelters in the United States and Australia, compared to dogs, which has a reported reclaim percentage of 26–40%, but may go as high as 90% [6,7,8]. Cats are 13 times more likely to return to their owners via methods other than a shelter visit . How many dogs run away? In truth, you’re a long way off. Peeva, a pet microchip manufacturer, estimates that one out of every three pets will go missing at some time throughout their lives. That implies that almost 10 million dogs and cats flee each year. It can happen to even the most responsible pet owners, even if they take all reasonable precautions. How far will a lost kitten travel? Cats will normally remain within a three-to-four-house radius of where they went out as long as they can locate a spot to hide. How long can a cat stay lost? Cats are known to go absent for up to 24 hours, particularly if they spend a lot of time outside. Cats have been known to remain away from home for up to ten days at a time. Is dog theft still high? During the epidemic, dog theft has risen drastically, as the country’s lockdowns resulted in a surge in demand for pups. The Kennel Club (KC) recorded a 161% increase in puppy searches on its website between March and August 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, and the price of sought-after breeds has risen. How many dogs get kidnapped a year? 1. Every year, two million pets are stolen in the United States. Dogs are stolen for a variety of reasons, but the majority are motivated by greed. How many dogs get stolen a day? Every day, the equivalent of seven pets are reported stolen. Dog thefts have increased by 31% in the last five years, from 1,774 in 2016. . During lockdown, dog theft jumps by 20%. BreedBulldog202027 Change in percentage +23% Change of position +1 In 2020, 6% of all identified stolen breeds will be found. There are ten more columns. Will a dog miss you if you give it away? Is your dog, on the other hand, missing you? Dogs create good connections with their favorite individuals, according to studies, and they don’t enjoy being apart from you for lengthy periods of time. Dogs can cope with being alone, but they miss you when you’re not around. How long does it take for a dog to forget its owner? According to experts, it only takes your dog 70 seconds to forget what occurred. While their short-term memory may need some work, their long-term memory is remarkable. Even after extended separations, dogs know and remember their owners. Conclusion The “how many dogs are abandoned each year” is a question that has been asked before. The answer to the question is not known, but it is estimated that over 400,000 dogs are abandoned in the United States every year. This Video Should Help: The “how many dogs are homeless in the world” is a question that has been asked for a while. The answer to this question varies depending on who you ask, but it’s safe to say that millions of dogs are abandoned each year.	https://forpawshospice.org/how-many-pets-are-abandoned-each-year/
Export of Fur-bearing animals, Rabbits, Dogs and Cats to the Customs Territory of Eurasian Economic Union (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia) This page is part of the Guidance Document Repository (GDR). Looking for related documents? Search for related documents in the Guidance Document Repository Please note that the Eurasian Economic Union (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia) has changed its import requirements as of May 1, 2015. The Canadian International Health Certificate is no longer accepted and has been replaced by a Veterinary Health Certificate for fur-bearing animals, rabbits, dogs and cats exported from Canada to the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union – PDF (612 kb) Notes on completing the Veterinary Health Certificate: Article 1.4 - If importing not more than 2 dogs and cats in total for personal needs as pets, an import permit and quarantine are not required. - If the import is for more than 2 animals for personal needs, a commercial shipment or for the import of another fur-bearing animal such as a rabbit, a 21-day quarantine is required and a clinical examination must be performed by a private veterinarian within 5 days of departure. Article 2.2 - Testing for dermatophytoses (ringworm) is required using methods recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Due to the absence of OIE standards for dermatophytoses (and Aleutian mink disease virus) testing, the Eurasian Economic Union (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia) will accept testing methods currently used in Canada. Not all species of Microsporum canis strains (the most common species of dermatophytes causing ringworm in dogs and cats) respond to a Wood's lamp test. Unless the client gets derogation or an exemption from Russian authorities, fungal culture or molecular tests (e.g. PCR) are required for export purposes. The test needs to be conducted either at a university lab or a private laboratory. Testing done at a private vet clinic is not acceptable for export purposes. Coronavirus (viral enteritis) vaccination is required for dogs. Article 2.3 - Treatments (deworming, antibiotics etc.) are not mandatory, however any treatment administered prior to export must be recorded. Article 2.4 - Identification is not defined by the Eurasian Economic Union but it is recommended to use an ISO microchip or tattoo and to have that number recorded and cross-referenced by a private veterinarian. The Veterinary Health Certificate for the Eurasian Economic Union contains only a signature block for the official (CFIA) veterinarian. A private veterinarian is recommended to: - issue 2 certificates, - initial the strike-outs (ie. the statements that do not apply) on one certificate and sign the document, and - leave the second certificate blank. Both certificates should be brought and endorsed at the CFIA District Office. The CFIA District Veterinarian will complete the second certificate based on the document signed by the private veterinarian. If only one certificate is prepared, a fee may be applied to issue and sign the official export certificate. - Date modified:	https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/exports/pets/eurasian-economic-union/eng/1444172486303/1444172487319
Alltech recently completed its 30th annual symposium, titled “What if,” with a focus on the future of agriculture and livestock production. During the symposium, Alex Evans, PhD, a reproductive physiologist from University College, Dublin, Ireland, discussed the critical issue of fertility in cattle, saying poor fertility is the largest issue facing beef-cattle producers. Evans and his colleagues have studied the role of maternal nutrition and fetal development, and specifically how ovaries develop in the female fetus. Human studies, he says, have shown these relationships and his research has revealed similar effects in cattle. In a report titled “Maternal Undernutrition in Cows Impairs Ovarian and Cardiovascular Systems in Their Offspring,” published in the journal Biology of Reproduction, the researchers note that severe prenatal undernutrition is usually associated with low birth weights in offspring and disorders including hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Little was known, however, about the effects of poor maternal nutrition on the cardiovascular, metabolic or reproductive systems. The researchers used the bovine model, which has a gestational length and birth rate similar to humans. In their study, offspring from nutritionally restricted dams, during the first trimester, were born with identical birth weights and had similar post-natal growth rates (to 95 weeks of age), puberty, glucose metabolism, and responses to stress compared to offspring from control mothers. However, they also found an increase in maternal testosterone concentrations during dietary restriction, and the nutritionally restricted cows had offspring with a diminished ovarian reserve, enlarged aorta, and increased arterial blood pressure compared with controls. The study linked maternal malnutrition and enhanced maternal androgen production with a diminished ovarian reserve as well as potential suboptimal fertility, enlarged aortic trunk size, and enhanced blood pressure. The researchers concluded that relatively mild transient reductions in maternal nutrition during the first trimester of pregnancy, even those that do not affect gross development, should be avoided to ensure healthy development of reproductive and cardiovascular systems in offspring. In a video recorded during the conference, Evans says livestock producers in the future will need to produce more meat and milk using less inputs and with less environmental impact. He believes those goals are achievable through better genetics, nutrition, animal husbandry and disease management. The work will require an interdisciplinary approach, he says, with scientists from several disciplines working together toward common goals. See the video and access more summaries from the conference at Alltech.com/symposium.	http://www.bovinevetonline.com/news/industry/maternal-nutrition-critical-cattle-fertility
ItemPhylogeny and virulence factor genes of canine urinary Escherichia coli in relation to clinical disease and antimicrobial resistanceTeh, Helsa Binti Hisyam ( 2018)Traditionally, urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been categorised as either uncomplicated or complicated in veterinary medicine, with treatment differing for the two categories. In human medicine, there is an additional category: asymptomatic bacteriuria, which is the presence of bacteriuria without symptoms of infection. Escherichia coli is the most common bacterial species involved in UTIs in dogs. Clinical signs can be absent in dogs with complicated UTIs, and this has been likened to asymptomatic bacteriuria in people and has been termed subclinical bacteriuria (SBU). Treatment recommendations for SBU in dogs have been adapted from human recommendations. Many E. coli strains are resistant to multiple antibiotics and uropathogenic E. coli possess virulence factor genes that facilitate overcoming host defence mechanisms. These E. coli commonly belong to phylogenetic groups B2 and D. Some studies suggest that human E. coli isolated from asymptomatic bacteriuria differ from those causing clinical UTI. While the virulence factor genes and phylogeny of canine urinary E. coli isolated from UTIs are well characterised, little is known about virulence factor genes and phylogeny in E. coli isolated from SBU. Furthermore, these genomic characteristics have not been studied in detail in multi-drug resistant (MDR) canine urinary E. coli. Thus, the pathogenic potential of canine urinary E. coli is not well described and the benefit of antibiotic therapy in SBU and MDR infections is unknown. This study used whole genome sequencing to characterise 47 E. coli isolated from dogs with SBU and 67 E.coli from dogs with clinical UTI in terms of their phylogeny and virulence factor gene profile. From those strains, the 15 MDR strains were characterised. When the phylogeny and virulence factor gene profile of E. coli isolated from dogs with SBU were compared with clinical UTIs, results showed that most clinical UTI and SBU E. coli belonged to phylogenetic group B2. The virulence factor gene profile was similar between the two groups, and no association was found between them and the 83 virulence factor genes analysed. Many of the MDR E. coli belonged to phylogenetic group B1 and these isolates possessed fewer virulence factor genes than non-MDR E. coli. Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that phylogeny and the presence of virulence factor genes do not influence the manifestation of clinical disease. Host immunity and rather than presence and the expression of or mutations of virulence factor genes may have a role in the development of clinical disease. ii MDR E. coli have fewer virulence factor genes than non-MDR isolates, with MDR isolates commonly belonging to commensal phylogenetic groups. This suggests that treatment of MDR isolates is not always indicated because they tend to have commensal bacterial phylogeny, which can have implications for reducing the development of antimicrobial resistance. While whole genome sequencing is an accurate method for determining phylogeny and the presence of virulence factors, it is unable to easily differentiate the pathogenicity potential of urinary E. coli and therefore treatment recommendations cannot be made based on this technique. - ItemAssessment of a ropivacaine ultrasound-guided Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block for peri-operative analgesia in the dog undergoing ovariohysterectomy surgeryJohnson, Emma Kate ( 2019)Advances in veterinary medicine have led to the development of further techniques to provide analgesia for our patients. Ovariohysterectomy is a commonly performed surgery in female dogs which causes significant pain. Multimodal analgesia often combining opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and local anaesthetic techniques is implemented to treat this type of pain. The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a local anaesthetic technique that provides analgesia to the afferent nerves supplying the parietal peritoneum, muscles and skin of the anterior abdominal wall. The TAP block is utilized in human anaesthesia and has been shown to reduce post-operative pain scores and opioid consumption. The TAP block has potential to provide local anaesthesia to the mid-caudal abdomen for dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. The initial pilot study was a cadaveric study carried out in 5 dogs with an ultrasound guided two-point TAP injection performed in each hemiabdomen. The study identified that a two-point TAP injection delivered consistent dye dispersion to adequately stain branches of thoracic nerve T13 and lumbar nerves L1, L2 and L3. It concluded that this technique should be assessed in vivo to evaluate the analgesic efficacy in mid to caudal abdominal surgeries. A subsequent randomized controlled trial assessed the two-point ultrasound-guided ropivacaine TAP block for dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy, with the hypothesis that dogs receiving the ropivacaine TAP block would have a lower minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) isoflurane at skin incision and a lower opioid rescue analgesic requirement post-operatively. The results concluded that the estimated population MACiso for the treatment group was lower than the control group but that this was not significant. There was also no significant difference in pain scores between the groups as measured by the Glasgow composite pain scale short form and mechanical nociceptive threshold testing. The proportion of subjects receiving rescue analgesia in the treatment group was lower than the control group, but this was not significant. The study concluded that the two-point TAP block did not provide significant MAC reduction or additional intra-operative or post-operative analgesia compared with the control for dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Multiple confounding factors such as the administration of morphine as premedication and the low concentration of local anaesthetic used, ropivacaine 0.2%, could have contributed to these findings. Although the cadaver study identified that a two-point TAP injection delivered consistent dye dispersion to thoracic nerve T13 and lumbar nerves L1, L2 and L3, the technique when performed with 0.2% ropivacaine in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy did not provide significant additional MACiso reduction or intra-operative or post-operative analgesia compared with the control for dogs. Further assessment of the toxic dose of ropivacaine in dogs and the minimum effective concentration of ropivacaine for TAP blocks in dogs needs to be evaluated in order to further develop and assess this technique. - ItemInflammation and endothelial perturbation in canine abdominal surgery: the potential modulatory effect of lidocaineDonaldson, Liam Robert ( 2019)Complication rates following emergency laparotomy surgery are high, with organ dysfunction being a commonly encountered post-operative complication. Given the endothelium acts as the interface between the systemic circulation and the organs, its function is vital to maintaining organ health. The endothelium is in a constant state of flux, impacted largely by the local environment of which it is a part. In the presence of wide-spread systemic inflammation, inflammatory mediators precipitate change to the structure of the endothelial glycocalyx. These changes result in shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx and alteration of the endothelial phenotype. The endothelium may, as a result, lose the capacity to regulate vasomotor tone, and shift toward a pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant state. This predisposes to reduced tissue oxygen delivery, and organ dysfunction may ensue. This thesis aimed to answer two key questions: does surgical trauma induced in canine patients undergoing emergent abdominal surgery invoke a systemic inflammatory response and subsequent endothelial activation? And if so, does lidocaine, a proposed immunomodulatory drug, mitigate this effect when given in the post-operative period? Chapter two provides a detailed review of endothelial structure and function, and current literature pertaining to systemic inflammation and endothelial activation in the context of abdominal surgery. Chapter two also examines the literature regarding the proposed mechanisms through which lidocaine acts as an immunomodulatory drug, and reviews publications that investigate the use of lidocaine as an anti-inflammatory drug in human patients after abdominal surgery. Chapter three is a randomized, blinded clinical trial quantifying the effect of emergency abdominal surgery on the concentration of markers of systemic inflammation and endothelial perturbation in canine patients in the post-operative period. The trial also assessed the potential use of lidocaine as a post-operative immunomodulatory therapy in dogs having undergone laparotomy. Fifty canine patients undergoing abdominal surgery were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized into two separate groups: a study group receiving lidocaine intravenously, and a control group receiving 0.9% NaCl intravenously for a twelve-hour period following abdominal surgery. Blood samples were gathered prior to surgery, followed by six and twelve hours post-operatively. Concentrations of markers of systemic inflammation (IL-6) and markers of endothelial perturbation (VEGF and HA) were quantified via means of ELISA at each time point. Results revealed a significant increase in the concentration of markers of systemic inflammation and endothelial perturbation in post-operative blood samples. No immunomodulatory or endothelial preserving effect of lidocaine was appreciated. - ItemInvestigating the inflammatory pathways involved in placental detachment in the mareRosales, Cristina Maria ( 2018)The mechanism of placental detachment in the mare has not been investigated in detail and as such remains poorly understood. Research in other species provides strong evidence that parturition and fetal membrane detachment from the endometrium requires involvement of the immune response. Research in horses has also suggested that movement of leukocytes in the umbilical vessels, and their attraction to fetal membranes at parturition, contribute to placental detachment. The aims of this study were to 1) confirm whether a leukocyte “concentration gradient” exists between the equine neonatal umbilical artery and vein, and whether this gradient was associated with fetal membrane retention time 2) to investigate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the equine endometrium and fetal membranes at parturition using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and 3) to localise pro-inflammatory cytokine proteins within the equine endometrial and fetal membrane tissues using immunohistochemistry to correlate with gene expression. Data was collected from 33 spontaneously foaling mares and their foals on a single Thoroughbred stud farm in New Zealand. Umbilical artery and vein blood, fetal membrane and endometrial biopsy tissue samples were obtained. The average fetal membrane retention time was 92 (+/-130) minutes. The median fatal membrane retention time was 47 minutes (IQR 30). There was a significantly higher number of total leukocytes, lymphocytes and neutrophils in the equine neonatal umbilical artery than the umbilical vein at parturition (p <0.001). Fetal membrane retention time tended to decrease with an increase in umbilical leukocyte concentration gradient but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.098). The mRNA expression of IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8 was significantly greater in the endometrium of foaling mares compared to control mares (p < 0.001). The mRNA expression of IL-8 was significantly higher in the fetal membranes of foaling compared to control mares (p < 0.001) whereas mRNA expression of IL-6 in fetal membranes was significantly lower between the two groups (p< 0.001). Whilst mRNA expression for IL-1 was lower in the fetal membranes of foaling mares compared to controls, the difference was not significant (p = 0.16). This study has demonstrated the presence of an innate inflammatory immune response in the placenta of spontaneously foaling mares, suggesting the role of inflammation in the detachment of the fetal membranes from the endometrium. The results from this study have highlighted the need to further investigate the mechanism of placental detachment in the mare and also understand the pathophysiology behind abnormal fetal membrane retention. - ItemInvestigation of the risk of Toxoplasma gondii to the establishment of the ‘extinct in the wild’ eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii) on Phillip Island.Adriaanse, Katherine ( 2018)The eastern barred bandicoot, Perameles gunnii, is currently considered extinct in the wild, and is extant only as intensively managed reintroduced populations. Phillip Island, in Westernport Bay, Victoria, has been proposed as a potential reintroduction site for this species. Feral cats, Felis catus, the definitive host for the coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii, are present on the island, and eastern barred bandicoots are known to be susceptible to toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of T. gondii on Phillip Island, and the potential risk to the establishment of eastern barred bandicoot populations. The prevalence of T. gondii in the feral cat population on Phillip Island was determined using real time PCR (qPCR), and seroprevalence was determined using the modified agglutination test (MAT). A total of 161 feral cats was sampled between June 2016 and November 2017. Overall prevalence by qPCR was 79.5 % (95 % confidence interval [95% CI] 72.6 - 85.0), and overall seroprevalence was 91.8 % (95% CI 84.6 – 95.8). Additionally, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of both testing methods, and the true prevalence of T. gondii in feral cats on Phillip Island, were evaluated using Bayesian modelling. The sensitivity and specificity of the MAT in cats were estimated as 96.1 % (95 % credible interval [95% CrI] 91.5 – 98.8) and 82.0 % (95% CrI 65.1 – 93.3), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the qPCR method in cats were estimated as 90.1 % (95% CrI 83.5 – 95.6) and 96.2 % (95% CrI 82.2 – 99.8), respectively. The true prevalence of T. gondii infection in feral cats on Phillip Island was estimated as 90.2 % (95% CrI 83.1 – 95.2). Environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts was assessed. Soil was collected from two sites on the island, Summerland Peninsula and Cape Woolamai, in September and October 2017. A total of 412 soil samples, from 206 sites, was tested. Soil samples were processed to isolate any protozoan organisms present and qPCR was conducted to specifically detect T. gondii DNA. Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were not detected by qPCR in any of the soil samples collected. Additionally, European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, were used as an indicator species to predict environmental exposure in eastern barred bandicoots. A total of 134 feral rabbits was sampled from August 2016 to November 2017. Overall prevalence of T. gondii in feral rabbits, as determined by qPCR on tissue, was 10.5 % (95% CI 6.3 - 16.8). Toxoplasma gondii infection was not identified in any rabbits collected from the proposed release site for eastern barred bandicoots, the Summerland Peninsula. Sixty-seven eastern barred bandicoots were released onto the Summerland Peninsula in October and November 2017 as part of an assisted colonisation trial. Sixty-one of these bandicoots were tested for prior exposure to T. gondii using the MAT. No animals were seropositive for T. gondii prior to release on to Phillip Island, and the population could be concluded to be free from disease, at a design prevalence of 6 %. Bandicoots were trapped for blood sample collection in November 2017 after approximately three weeks of habitation on the island (n = 23), and again in February 2018 after approximately four months (n = 21). No bandicoots demonstrated seroconversion to T. gondii on the MAT in either November or February. In November, this was sufficient to conclude that the population was free from infection with T. gondii, at a design prevalence of 6 %. However, in February, the sample size was too small to make this conclusion. Mortality data on the bandicoots was limited, due to difficulties associated with placing radio-transmitters on this species. However, one deceased animal was recovered. This animal had no evidence of T. gondii infection based on qPCR on tissues. These findings suggest that while prevalence of T. gondii infection is very high in feral cats on Phillip Island, other factors, such as low cat density at the site, may translate to a low toxoplasmosis risk for eastern barred bandicoots released onto the Summerland Peninsula. Further studies are required to understand the factors contributing to the observed low level of environmental contamination with oocysts. Additionally, future studies should focus on increasing the sensitivity of mortality surveillance in the eastern barred bandicoot population on the Summerland Peninsula. This will enable the collection of more robust mortality data, further elucidating the importance of toxoplasmosis in this population. - ItemEvaluating effectiveness of a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) in diabetic dogs and catsLott, Katie ( 2018)Real-time continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) measure interstitial glucose concentrations, and have been used in the management of diabetes mellitus in people, dogs and cats. The devices are used for up to 72 hours, and provide glucose measurements every 5 minutes, with 288 data points provided in a 24-hour period. This provision of a detailed insight into glycaemic control over a longer period of time than traditional methods of monitoring holds the potential for improved management of diabetes mellitus. The primary aim of this study was to determine if CGMS (using the Guardian™ system) resulted in different clinical decision making compared with monitoring serial blood glucose curves and serum fructosamine concentration in diabetic dogs and cats. Secondary aims were to determine the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia and rebound hyperglycaemia in diabetic dogs and cats. Continuous glucose monitoring and fructosamine measurement were performed in client-owned dogs and cats, both newly and previously diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. A retrospective serial glucose curve was plotted with glucose measurements every 2 hours obtained from the CGMs data. Results of the three monitoring modalities along with historical data (i.e. appetite, thirst, insulin dosage) were collated and a blinded review performed by two board certified small animal internal medicine clinicians. Statistical analysis showed a difference in clinical treatment recommendations for the management of diabetic dogs and cats when using CGMs versus both serial glucose curves and serum fructosamine. Nocturnal hypoglycaemia was seen in 14.6% of diabetic dogs and cats and the 9.8% had episodes of the Somogyi effect. - ItemEvaluation of tibiotarsal transarticular immobilization techniques and kinematic study of the gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit in dogsSugiyama, Takanori ( 2018)The common calcaneal tendon is a complex muscle-tendon system that regulates flexion/extension of the tibiotarsal joint motion as well as the phalanges. Common calcaneal tendon injury is not uncommon, and two types of injuries are recognized: acute or chronic. Acute injuries are usually related to trauma by a sharp object, transecting skin and underlying structures, including tendons. No definitive causes of chronic injury have been identified, but middle age, large-breed dogs are more predisposed to be affected. The treatment of common calcaneal tendon injury consists of debridement, anastomosis and temporary tibiotarsal joint immobilization during tendon healing. Acute traumatic common calcaneal tendon injury is managed in a very similar way for each patient. Several types of immobilization technique have been described, however, no optimal immobilization technique that neutralizes tension in the common calcaneal tendon has been identified. Numerous biomechanical studies of common calcaneal tendon repairs are reported in human and animal models. In human patients, early controlled motion minimizes various complications, resulting in better outcomes. However, there is no gold standard postoperative protocol for veterinary patients. It can be problematic in veterinary patients to control patient activity and have good client and patient compliance. In this research project, six tibiotarsal transarticular fixation methods were evaluated, and a kinematic evaluation of the gastrocnemius tendon was performed at various femorotibial and tibiotarsal joint angle combinations. These data will help inform development of an optimal immobilization method during healing of common calcaneal tendon injury in dogs. - ItemThe effect of vaccination against Campylobacter on maiden ewe reproduction in VictoriaGlanville, Elsa Jane ( 2017)Reducing reproductive wastage is important for the Australian sheep industry. Campylobacter fetus fetus and C. jejuni infections in ewes contribute to reproductive wastage through abortions, stillbirths and the birth of small, weak neonates, potentially at greater risk of starvation-mismothering-exposure (SME). A combined vaccine against C. fetus fetus and C. jejuni (Ovilis Campyvax®, MSD Animal Health) is registered in Australia to reduce reproductive wastage due to Campylobacter, but few independent field trials of the vaccine have been conducted in commercial flocks. This study described the effects of Ovilis Campyvax® on maiden ewe reproduction in a randomised controlled field trial on four winter-/spring-lambing Victorian sheep farms. Conception and lamb marking rates were compared amongst nineteen-month-old Merino and Merino-cross ewes randomly allocated to vaccination or control groups at mating on each farm (each n = 211–249/group). Ewes were grazed together from mating until immediately before lambing, when they were set-stocked in treatment groups in matched paddocks. Antibody titres to Campylobacter spp. were measured at mating, mid-gestation pregnancy diagnosis and lamb marking in a subset of ewes. A cross-sectional study of cause of neonatal lamb mortality was also conducted on each farm during lambing. Vaccination had no effect on ewe conception rate (67% to 117% depending on farm). Two of four farms had serological evidence of prior exposure to C. fetus fetus, and variable exposure to this organism occurred during gestation on all farms. Campylobacter jejuni titres were high on all farms at mating, but decreased thereafter. Despite serological evidence of a good response to C. fetus fetus vaccination on all farms, vaccination did not significantly increase lamb marking rates (63% to 100%, depending on farm). The main causes of lamb mortality were dystocia, starvation-mismothering-exposure and predation. There was a suggestion of a difference in the pattern of causes of neonatal lamb mortality between vaccinated and control ewes. The difference was not statistically significant, but corresponded with anecdotal observations made by the flock owners. Additional large scale studies into vaccination and the causes of neonatal lamb mortality are needed to further investigate these observations. Vaccination appeared to prevent Campylobacter-associated neonatal lamb mortality and morbidity on the farm with the greatest exposure to C. fetus fetus. On that farm, 55% of unvaccinated ewes that failed to rear a lamb had ‘high’ (≥ 1:80) C. fetus fetus titres, compared to 0% of ewes that successfully reared a lamb. Additionally, C. fetus fetus was only recovered from necropsied lambs born to unvaccinated ewes. The results demonstrate that ewes can be vaccinated with Ovilis Campyvax® during mating without impacting conception rates. However, the effect of Campylobacter vaccination on reproductive output is complex and multifactorial. Vaccination effects may be obscured by other causes of reproductive loss. Vaccination may reduce the contribution of Campylobacter infections to lamb loss due to SME. However, the dystocia risk in protected ewes may increase depending on ewe nutrition. If this is the case, the nutrition of vaccinated ewes could be managed more economically to obtain the full benefits of vaccination. This is an avenue for future research. - ItemInfluence of retractor type and position on thoracoscopic-assisted pulmonary surgery in dogsChambers, Brenton Andrew ( 2018)Thoracotomy is performed frequently in dogs for the purposes of exploration of the thorax, lung lobectomy, correction of vascular ring anomalies and patent ductus arteriosus, pericardiectomy, thoracic duct ligation, biopsy and resection of mediastinal and pleural masses and removal of foreign bodies from within the pleural space, intrathoracic oesophagus and the lower respiratory tract. Persistent post-thoracotomy pain is reported frequently by human patients characterised by discomfort and altered sensation in the skin adjacent to the surgical site. Multiple surgical techniques have been developed in an attempt to reduce the morbidity of these procedures. Minimally invasive surgical techniques have been a significant step towards this goal. A significant limitation of minimally invasive surgery is the loss of tactile feedback and video-assisted techniques which utilise smaller incision, permitting the introduction of the surgeon’s hand or fingers to the thorax have been developed to overcome these limitations. These techniques have recently been introduced for veterinary patients (Chambers and others 2012, Gower and Mayhew 2011a, Laksito and others 2010b, 2011, Wormser and others 2014). Both traditional and video or thoracoscopic-assisted techniques require the use of tissue retractors, typically placed in an intercostal position. Access is afforded by the forceful retraction of soft tissues such as the intercostal muscles and ribs. Studies in both animals and humans have demonstrated detrimental soft tissue changes associated with such retraction including direct and ischaemic damage to the soft tissues adjacent to the retraction device. The present study examines several aspects of thoracoscopic-assisted pulmonary surgery in dogs including the effect on blood flow in the intercostal musculature and nerve conduction in the intercostal nerves associated with two different retraction modalities. Additionally, the influence of assisted port location and thoracic conformation on access to and delivery of pulmonary tissues for the purposes of complete or partial lung lobectomy was assessed. Force, contact area and pressure were compared and related to intramuscular pressure, perfusion, oxygen indices, nerve conduction and histologic change in dogs undergoing simultaneous controlled thoracotomy incisions. The novel retractor resulted in lower pressure and improved oxygenation in adjacent tissues compared to mechanical retraction which may translate clinically into reduced post-operative morbidity. For all lobes except the accessory lung lobe, the exposure provided by the reported thoracoscopic-assisted approach was considered adequate for complete or partial lung lobectomy. The cranial and caudal portions of the left cranial lung lobe and the right middle lung lobe were best exposed with the assisted portal in the middle dorso-ventral third of the thoracic wall at the fourth intercostal space of the ipsilateral side in both breeds. The right cranial lung lobe was best exposed with the assisted portal positioned in the middle third of the fourth intercostal space in kelpies but the sixth intercostal space in greyhounds. The right caudal lung lobe was best exposed when the assisted portal was positioned in the ventral third of the fourth intercostal space in the kelpie but in the middle third of the sixth intercostal space in the greyhound. The described thoracoscopic-assisted technique is a practical method for exposure of the lobes of the lung, other than the accessory lobe, for partial lung lobectomy in the dog. The portals described also allow the introduction of a linear stapler for the purpose of complete lung lobectomy.	https://minerva-access.unimelb.edu.au/collections/f317523d-8370-5fa8-b072-fecf105f26fe?spc.page=1&view=listElement&spc.sf=dc.date.available&spc.sd=DESC&f.itemtype=Masters%20Research%20thesis,equals&
Canine elbow dysplasia is a significant health issue affecting many breeds. Unfortunately, treatments remain relatively limited, so control of this disease often falls to selectively breeding for dogs with normal elbows. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the heritability of left-sided vs. right-sided elbow dysplasia, and to assess potential differential sire and the dam influence on offspring elbow status. In a retrospective study, elbow data from 130,117 dogs over 2 years old representing 17 breeds were obtained from the database of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and included in the study. Heritability estimates for unilateral elbow dysplasia varied between breeds (ranging from 0.01 to 0.36) and were similar between the left and right elbows. The estimated genetic correlation between disease in the left and right elbow ~1 in the majority of breeds, with the exception of the hybrids, Australian Shepherds, and the Australian Cattle Dogs, likely due to low numbers of affected individuals. The sire and dam had equal impact on the offspring's elbow status. Furthermore, there was no increased risk for the sire or dam to pass on the same unilaterality of their elbow dysplasia to their offspring. However, the overall risk of elbow dysplasia in the offspring did increase when one or both parents were affected, though this also varied based on breed. Understanding of the impact that the sire and dam have on the offspring and of the overall heritability of both bilateral and unilateral elbow dysplasia is important in guiding breeding decisions to reduce the incidence in future generations of dogs. Introduction A prevalent health issue that affects many breeds, particularly young medium to large sized dogs, is that of elbow dysplasia (1). Elbow dysplasia refers to the abnormal development of the elbow joint, resulting in early development of osteoarthritis and degenerative changes. Complex primary conditions associated with elbow dysplasia include fragmented medial coronoid (FCP), ununited anconeal process (UAP), osteochondrosis dessecans (OCD), and joint incongruency (1). The significance of having a dog diagnosed with elbow dysplasia is that treatments are not curative, and long-term prognosis is often poor. Surgery may be recommended for certain cases (2), but at this time the osteoarthritis and degenerative changes can only be treated with nutritional and medical management (3, 4), including maintaining a lean body weight, regular slow steady exercise as tolerated, physical rehabilitation, joint supplements, intra-articular injections, or oral medications to improve comfort (5). Elbow dysplasia is an inherited disease, although it has been suggested that diet and exercise may influence the severity of the disease (1, 3, 6). Given that elbow dysplasia cannot be prevented in genetically predisposed dogs, and treatment is generally difficult, the primary method of controlling this disease is by attempting to eliminate elbow dysplasia through selective breeding. Several organizations throughout the world identify and record elbow dysplasia in dogs based upon radiographic evaluation and thereby provide tools to enable breeders to make informed decisions about which dogs to retain in their breeding programs. All organizations use screening protocols that comply with guidelines recommended by the International Elbow Working Group (IEWG) which grades elbows as normal (grade 0) or dysplastic, which then ranges from grade I to grade III dysplasia based on the severity of the degenerative changes. Importantly, general screening for elbow dysplasia only determines the phenotype of that particular individual dog, without predicting that dog's genetic makeup or its ability to produce unaffected puppies. Identifying the dog's phenotype significantly impacts the overall breeding value of that animal and improves the probability that the progeny also have improved phenotypes (7). Environmental or physiological factors may affect the grading. For instance, a 1997 study by Corley et al., demonstrated that the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) ratings on hips are increasingly more reliable as the dog reaches 2 years of age (8). Specifically, an assessment of normal hips for a dog between 13 and 18 months of age was 95% accurate when compared to the assessment of that dog at or over 2 years of age, leading to the determination that evaluations prior to 2 years of age are “preliminary” (8). Analogous data have not yet been studied in relation to the accuracy of diagnosing elbow dysplasia at early ages, but is suspected to be similar, especially given that previous data predicted only a slight influence of age on the presence of elbow dysplasia in dogs over 2 years of age (9). Some reports also indicate that male dogs are more frequently affected with elbow dysplasia than female dogs in certain breeds, such as in Labrador Retrievers (10). This is suspected to be correlated to hormonal differences between the sexes and a faster growth rate in male dogs. Although the OFA does not recommend breeding dogs with any abnormal elbow result, regardless of dysplasia grade, some organizations such as the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) allow the breeding of dogs that are diagnosed with grade I elbow dysplasia as long as breeders proceed with caution and full awareness of the dog's other characteristics. However, previous research has shown that the risk of elbow dysplasia approximately doubles when one parent has elbow dysplasia, increasing from roughly 10–23% averaged across all dogs, with breed variations not considered (11). The risk of puppies developing elbow dysplasia has been shown to increase with severity of the disease in the parents. This indicates that there is a moderately high component of heritability to elbow dysplasia (11, 12). Overall, reports of heritability values for elbow dysplasia have been shown to vary significantly based on breed and population size (9, 13). Within certain breeds, particularly those demonstrated to have a higher heritability, sires contribute slightly more in improving hip conformation within the population than dams do (9). This may, in part, be due to the popular sire effect in which certain males are bred widely to multiple females, but this sire impact has not been studied with consideration to individual contributions to the offspring or with consideration to elbow dysplasia. One small study involving Labrador Retrievers suggests there may be a maternal effect on the radiographic progression of elbow osteoarthritis in the offspring, but an underlying genetic component has not been evaluated (12) and the influence of the dam on elbow conformation includes factors beyond genetic contribution. The incidence of fragmented medial coronoid disease differs in prevalence between males and females, suggesting a sex-influenced component to inheritance (14). The presence of a strong maternal or paternal effect on offspring would impact breeder decisions on which dogs to continue using in breeding programs. Regardless of the genetic foundations of elbow disease, sire selection will always provide an outsized impact on breed improvement over that of dam selection, making the identification of superior sires all the more important. It is also largely accepted that both hip and elbow dysplasia are most commonly bilateral, but that they may also present as unilateral disease. Anecdotally, many breeds appear to have a higher incidence of left-sided elbow dysplasia. Previous analyses using data published by the BVA (15) have shown that there is no difference in the heritability of right vs. left-sided hip dysplasia, but this has not been examined within elbow dysplasia. It is possible, therefore, that the heritability values may differ and may explain the anecdotal increase in prevalence of left-sided elbow dysplasia. An objective of the present study was to evaluate whether differences existed between the heritability of dysplasia of the left and right elbows. An additional objective was to determine if the risk of elbow disease in offspring could be differentiated by the status of elbow disease in their sire vs. the elbow disease status in their dam. A final objective was to assess if a sire or dam with unilateral elbow dysplasia would pass on the same unilaterality of disease to their offspring, with the hypothesis that the same unilaterality would be inherited by the offspring with a higher frequency than the contralateral unilaterality. Characterizing the inheritance of elbow dysplasia will give breeders additional tools to reduce the incidence of this disease. Materials and Methods Data collected from 1970 through November 2018 on 17 breeds of dogs older than 2 years of age were obtained retrospectively from the OFA database, and included dogs whose results were within the public domain and those whose results were withheld from public posting. If there were multiple submissions entered for a single dog, only the most recent submission was included for analysis. Only breeds having more than 380 elbow dysplasia submissions were used in the analyses. Dogs were categorized as normal or dysplastic, and if dysplastic, they were sorted into bilateral disease, left-sided dysplasia, or right-sided dysplasia. There were no further classifications or distinctions made between the assigned grade of dysplasia or between any underlying pathology such as a fragmented medial coronoid, an OCD lesion, or an ununited anconeal process. Data was then analyzed to evaluate the heritability of right-sided elbow dysplasia and left-sided elbow dysplasia and the relationship between them. Because it is feasible to treat the two elbow measures as two genetically distinct traits, the heritability of each elbow trait was estimated simultaneously as well as the genetic correlation between these measures. Anecdotally, investigators have suggested that when the genetic correlation between two traits exceeds 0.95 it is reasonable to consider the two traits as repeated measures of the same phenotype. The dataset permitted examination of that supposition. Elbow dysplasia, on either lateral side, was measured as a binary characteristic (i.e., disease in the elbow is scored as 1, a normal elbow is scored as 0) and therefore, these two measures were approached as Bernoulli variables, considering the probability of disease in the j-th dog of the i-th sex as pij. This probability is commonly transformed to its log-odds, or logit (θij = log(pij/(1 − pij)), with the following representations for the left (L) and right (R) elbows: where μRis an effect common to all dogs of a given breed, βR is a regression coefficient accounting for the impact of age at screening to the risk of elbow disease, sexRiis the contribution of the i-th sex (i = M, F) to the risk of elbow disease, aRij is the additive genetic contribution to elbow disease for the j-th dog of the i-th sex and eRij is an unknown residual impacting the risk to elbow disease for the j-th dog of the i-th sex. Naturally, the subscript “R” defines those terms impacting disease of the right elbow, and those with the subscript “L” identifying the concomitant terms for the left elbow. To provide for the potential genetic correlation between elbow traits, we assume and where aR (aL)is a vector of additive genetic (breeding) values associated with disease of the right (left) elbow of all the dogs represented in the database for a given breed, A is the numerator relationship matrix constructed from the list of sires and dams extracted for each breed, () is the additive genetic variance for the right (left) elbow trait, and σgRL is the additive genetic covariance for the right and left elbow traits. Finally eR and eL are vectors representing the unknown residual values for the right and left elbow traits, respectively, parameters that are set to have null means, unit variances and no covariance (16). Of course, it is then straightforward to extract the heritability of each lateral trait and their genetic correlation on this logit scale as and Software that can accommodate the evaluation of correlated binary traits when there are underlying relationships among the recorded animals is not widely available. Fortunately, the publicly available package MCMCglmm (17) is readily adapted to this challenge using the public domain statistical platform R (18). The framework of this R package is Bayesian analysis, an approach that fits naturally with the outline of the model above. As part of the Bayesian framework, the prior distributions for the putative fixed effects (i.e., constants, sex, and age effects) were noted to have independent normal densities with null means and variances of 1010; that is, a diffuse normal prior. The prior distribution for the unknown covariance structure was assumed to be an inverse-Wishart density, provided by the package with parameters V, the scale matrix, and n, the degrees of freedom. Values for the genetic covariance matrix, which we set at the outset, were for V as an identity matrix (of order 2) and n = 3, a value which represents a flat prior across the interval [−1, 1] for the genetic correlation (17). The residual variance structure was fixed, as outlined in the model above, with the identity matrix of order 2 (16). Estimates of the unknown parameters (i.e., sex effects, age effects, additive genetic values, variances, and covariances), and their transformation to heritabilities and the genetic correlation, are arrived at through a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) process. After a series of preliminary analyses, we based our parameter estimates on a sample of 1,500 values from a single chain for each breed. The total number of samples generated was 200,000 with a “warm-up” period of 50,000 and a thinning rate of every 100-th sample [i.e., 1,500 = (200,000 – 50,000)/100]. The resulting chain was examined visually through trace and density plots for consistency, and autocorrelations were evaluated to insure that consecutive samples had a correlation <0.03 with the R package coda (19). In addition to the estimation of these unknown genetic parameters, the number of matings between affected and unaffected males and females represented in this multi-breed database were counted. That is, all dogs were counted into one of four mutually exclusive categories: normal elbows, affected in left elbow only, affected in right elbow only and affected in both elbows. Similarly, when known, the sire and dam of each dog was counted into one of the same four mutually exclusive categories. With these counts, the frequency of each mating type along with the offspring outcomes from each mating type can be evaluated. Predictions of the probability for each of the four offspring phenotypic outcomes in each of the 16-possible mating types was facilitated with the multinom command, fitting a log-linear model to these nominal categories, available in the R package nnet (20). Results A total of 130,117 dogs were included in the study, ranging from 24 to 190 months old. The mean age was 31.8 months old. Table 1 lists the breeds included along with their respective breed acronym codes, number of dogs evaluated, and prevalence of any elbow dysplasia. The breeds were then aggregated based upon number of dogs: the small population included breeds with fewer than 2,000 dogs (ACD, BMF, CC, EN, ES, and HY), a medium population included 2,000–10,000 dogs (AS, BF, MF, NF, RR, RO, and SMD), and a large population included more than 10,000 dogs (BMD, GR, GS, and LR). Table 1. Breeds analyzed, total number of dogs submitted for evaluation, categorization of the population size, and prevalence of any recorded elbow dysplasia within these dogs, presented alphabetically by breed name. The heritability of unilateral elbow dysplasia, varied substantially with each breed as shown in Table 2. The lowest heritabilities were noted in Australian Cattle Dogs, Australian Shepherds, and Hybrids. The highest heritabilities for unilateral elbow dysplasia were observed in Chow Chows, English Setters, and Rottweilers. Table 2. Heritability estimates + standard deviation of the MCMC sample of left and right elbow dysplasia by breed, shown alphabetically by breed code. There was no statistically significant correlation between population size and heritability value. The genetic correlation between left and right elbow dysplasia varied based on breed, but was close to 1 in the majority of breeds examined. The relationship in genetic correlation between right and left elbows for each breed is displayed in Figure 1. This indicates that the heritability estimates for the left and the right elbow were not significantly different. The range was from 0.13 in hybrid dogs to 0.99 in Bernese Mountain Dogs. Figure 1. Genetic Correlation between left and right elbow by breed. The colors reflect the population size category based upon the number of dogs of a given breed evaluated: large (L), medium (M), or small (S). Values are presented as mean (dot) and the 95% confidence interval (line). Displayed in Figure 2 are the average probabilities of progeny to have either normal or dysplastic elbows for all possible sire and dam combinations, across the four possible offspring elbow phenotypes. These values were computed from the complete database, across all breeds, to visualize the possibility that sires and dams may have an unequal impact on progeny phenotypes. Figure 2. Probability that male (M) and female (F) progeny will have normal (N), left (L), right (R), or bilateral (B) elbow dysplasia as a function of elbow status of sire and dam indicated by the breeding combinations on the left. n, number of breeding combinations in each category. Interestingly, there were also certain breeds for which there has been a continued high proportion of matings that included dysplastic dogs over the years. Figure 3, including only dogs with known elbow phenotypes, represents the trend over time of breeders' willingness to exclude dogs with elbow dysplasia from breeding programs in different breeds over time. The Chow Chow, for example, recorded an average of only 31.7% of the known mating pairs as involving two normal dogs throughout the years. That percentage further decreased when dogs of unknown or untested elbow status were included in the analyses. Only 5.3% of all total recorded breedings for the Chow Chow breed were between two normal dogs. A total of 45.5% of recorded breedings for Chow Chows were between two dogs with unknown elbow status. While the Chow Chows consisted of a small population within this study, similar findings were noted within the Rottweiler breed. Of those matings with known sire and dam elbow grades for Rottweilers, only 51.4% were between two normal dogs. When including dogs with unknown elbow phenotypes, recorded matings between two normal Rottweilers decreased to only 14.4% while 39.9% of all breedings were between two dogs with an unknown elbow status, and 3.1% of all breedings were between two dysplastic dogs. Figure 3. Mating proportions of different breeds (AS, BMF, CC, NF, RO, and RR) over time, recorded at the time of offspring birth. The blue line represents recorded matings of normal-normal dogs. The orange line represents recorded matings of normal-affected dogs. Note, the axes' scales differ. In contrast, the Australian Shepherd breed has consistently retained only a low proportion of matings over the years involving dysplastic dogs, with no known breedings to any dogs with elbow dysplasia recorded in the most recent years. Rhodesian Ridgebacks have similar statistics, with 96% of the known, recorded breedings being between two normal dogs. If mating pairs with unknown elbow status were included in the calculations, 47% were determined to be between two normal dogs and 22% between two dogs of unknown status. This is a considerably higher proportion of normal-to-normal matings than what is observed in the breeds such as the Chow Chow or Rottweiler. Hybrid dogs were excluded from this analysis due to a low percentage of recorded parent data. The prevalence of disease seen in the offspring of the different combinations of matings was also calculated and is presented in Table 3. While this is a less accurate method of evaluating the inheritance pattern of elbow dysplasia than by using heritability values, it does confirm and reflect the calculated heritabilities and the risks associated with breeding affected dogs. In Rottweilers, for example, the prevalence of disease seen when breeding two normal parents was 25.2%. This increased dramatically, to 41.6%, when one parent was affected and even more so when both parents were affected (56.1%). In Labrador Retrievers, normal parents were observed to produce affected offspring 8.3% of the time. The proportion of affected offspring increased to 16.1% when one parent was also dysplastic, and increased further to 30% when both parents were dysplastic. This is repeated in the majority of the breeds evaluated, with the exception of those whose affected population was low. Bullmastiffs, for example, only had one reported pairing of two dysplastic parents, and the single offspring screened for elbow dysplasia was reported as normal. Several breeds, such as the Australian Cattle Dogs, Australian Shepherds, and Bouvier de Flanders had no reported pairings of two dysplastic dogs, and therefore the prevalence of elbow dysplasia in offspring of these pairings were falsely reported as 0%. For Golden and Labrador Retrievers, the average estimated breeding values associated with elbow dysplasia exhibited a negative trend (Figure 4).providing evidence that these breed populations are improving elbow conformation, albeit slowly when compared to changes seen for hips in these same breeds (7). Figure 4. Estimated breeding values standardized for the genetic standard deviation, over time for elbow dysplasia in Golden and Labrador Retrievers. Discussion Though there have been suggestions that there may be differences, the heritability estimates of left vs. right-sided elbow dysplasia were comparable as were the impacts of the sire or the dam on the elbow scores of the offspring. There was also no relationship between population size and heritability observed, though the heritability values varied significantly based on breed. This study yielded either similar or slightly lower heritability estimates than have previously been reported for elbow dysplasia (9, 13). This is likely due to the heritability values being divided into left-sided and right-sided heritability rather than indicating bilateral disease or generally being categorized into elbow dysplasia. However, it is also possible that these values may have decreased, and may continue to decrease, as more breeding dogs are being health tested, and as selection pressure is applied in the majority of breed. Some breeds, as demonstrated in Tables 2, 3, have a much greater estimated heritability and prevalence of elbow dysplasia than others. The Chow Chow and Rottweiler, for example, have a much greater risk of producing affected puppies from normal parents than does the Australian Shepherd. This may be due to the overall genetics or conformation of the breed. However, it is also possible that this reflects the diligence of the breeders themselves. It is interesting to note that those breeds with higher heritability estimates (BMD, CC, ES, GS, NF, RO, and SMD) are the same breeds that have a continued higher prevalence of elbow dysplasia. These are also the breeds that have higher proportions of affected dogs included in breeding pairs, or those that have an increased number of pairings between dogs with unknown sire and/or dam elbow status. Chow Chows, for example, have a high proportion of breeding pairs that include a dog with elbow dysplasia. It is unclear if this trend is due to the poor compliance or culture within the Chow breeders, or if the proportion of affected dogs is so high among within this breed that eliminating all of these dogs from the breeding pool would be detrimental to the sustainability of the breed itself. Given the higher heritability values in these breeds, it is reasonable to conclude that the prevalence of elbow dysplasia could be decreased with more widespread screening of the parents and more careful selection of breeding normal dogs. Considering the number of affected dogs within these populations, strictly limiting breeding pairs to only unaffected dogs would severely limiting the genetic pool, which is undesirable. However, if breeders continue to breed affected dogs, even those with grade I elbow dysplasia, then the prevalence of elbow dysplasia within the breed is unlikely to decrease substantively and elbow dysplasia will continue to be an issue within these breeds. Additionally, for those breeds with a higher proportion of normal to normal matings, it is unclear if this was due to the overall low incidence of elbow dysplasia in these breeds, or if the low incidence and lower heritability values of elbow dysplasia are because of the continued compliance in breeding dogs with normal elbows. Rhodesian Ridgebacks similarly have had a historically low proportion of affected dogs being bred, and have a relatively low heritability value for elbow dysplasia. Improvements in the incidence of both hip and elbow dysplasia over time have been noted, despite the screening process and compliance to selective breeding being entirely voluntary (9). The BVA has also reported similar findings within the population of dogs submitted for evaluation. The overall percentage of dogs in the UK with normal elbows has increased steadily from 70.0% in 1999 to 84.4% in 2016. The number of overall submissions has also increased dramatically from 583 in 1999 to 4,176 dogs in 2016 (21). The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) reported small but favorable genetic trends in reducing elbow dysplasia in German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Golden Retrievers between 1992 and 2013 (13) as was seen in a Swedish population (22). Unfortunately, eliminating dogs with grade II or grade III elbow dysplasia from the breeding pool only excludes ~4–8% of dogs, which does not exert a high selection pressure to rapidly improve elbow conformation (7, 15). This is in contrast to hip dysplasia statistics, where approximately 18% of dogs are eliminated from breeding programs due to inadequate hip formation (7). The improvement in elbow dysplasia has all been achieved by selecting phenotypically normal dogs for use in breeding. However, elbow dysplasia is a complex, multi-factorial disease, and even with two normal parents there is no guarantee for disease-free puppies. To overcome this limitation, estimated breeding values (EBV), based upon familial expression of the disease, can be used to improve the predictability that a given dog may pass on a disease/condition to its offspring. The EBV of a dog factors in the quality of both the individual dog's parents, their relatives and offspring produced, which is considered a more accurate representation of the dog's genetic quality than an individual record (23). EBVs may increase the rate of improvement in elbow or hip dysplasia within the population. However, EBVs are just starting to become more available in many countries through kennel clubs and are not yet commonly used among the majority of breeders in the USA (24). For the two breeds in this report with sufficient numbers of elbow evaluations to assess the genetic propensity contributing to elbow dysplasia, EBVs decreased over time and the genetic progress for Labrador retrievers was of a similar magnitude seen in that breed assessed in the United Kingdom (7). Implementation of more widespread diagnostics and/or EBVs could substantially reduce the prevalence of elbow dysplasia. This study confirmed the importance of ensuring both the sire and the dam have appropriate elbow clearances prior to breeding. In this study, the calculations performed did not subdivide the dysplastic dogs into their respective grade of elbow dysplasia or primary disease process, largely out of concern for losing analytical power because of low numbers of affected dogs in each group. Therefore, the heritability values calculated were an average of all abnormal grades. It has previously been shown that the percentage of affected offspring increase with the severity of disease in the parent (25), so it is suspected that there may be additional genetic factors that influence inheritance or expression of these traits in the offspring of more severely affected dogs. This also may have precluded the detection of any maternal or paternal effects, as a maternal effect has been suggested in the inheritance of fragmented medial coronoid disease. The lack of a distinct maternal effect on the risk of the progeny inheriting elbow dysplasia within this study is in contrast to a previous study (12). No overall maternal or paternal effects were observed in this study when grouping all abnormalities into elbow dysplasia. Any further analyses on individual subcategories would require a larger population of affected dogs for more accurate heritability values and further study of parental effects. The low genetic correlation value seen between the left and right side estimates in the Hybrids (0.13), Australian Shepherds (0.31), and Australian Cattle Dogs (0.59) was most likely due to the smaller sample size and the limited number of affected dogs in these breeds. For example, out of 3,346 Australian Shepherds, only 53 elbows were graded as unilaterally dysplastic. Additional research with a larger affected population size would be necessary to determine if the findings were reflective of true differences within these breeds. There were limitations to the study in that it was a retrospective study, and planned breedings between different elbow phenotypes with subsequent follow-up of all progeny were not done. As a retrospective study, there was no control for factors in image acquisition (such as increasing age or positioning) or for environmental factors such as the dog's activity or nutrition. Utilizing a large number of dogs with over a number of years and generations was done to counteract that those limitations. Also, it is likely that data used in the study were biased to a degree, as some owners will not submit radiographs if it is obvious that the dog is dysplastic. However, this study utilized the abnormal elbow grades that were not made available to the public, and therefore the bias was minimized. Furthermore, a substantial number of dogs were investigated in this study, and the trends remain consistent with those of previous studies. Additionally, the diagnosis of elbow dysplasia is based upon the presence of one of several conditions (FCP, UAP, OCD, joint incongruity). These conditions reflect different developmental anomalies, but are all classified more generally as elbow dysplasia. The complexity of the multiple possible disease processes grouped together under the category of elbow dysplasia contributes to low heritabilities and slower genetic progress in reducing the overall incidence of elbow dysplasia. These separate disease complexes were not considered individually during this study. The use of varying diagnostic methods to diagnose elbow dysplasia was not differentiated in this study, and the diagnosis of the final grade these dogs received was based on a minimum of a single flexed lateral radiograph of each elbow. The use of radiographs provides owners and breeders with a feasible and overall well-accepted method of phenotypic screening. However, it is widely accepted that computed tomography and arthroscopy are of higher diagnostic quality and are considered the gold standard for diagnosing elbow dysplasia (26, 27). This poses an ethical and political conflict, as computed tomography (CT) requires anesthesia and is more costly to the owners than is a radiographic exam, which may be taken awake or with varying degrees of sedation. The IEWG currently does not recognize a standardized method of obtaining CTs of the elbow to be used in the screening process, as joint congruency may still be affected by positioning and slice thickness of the CT used. Thus, in the absence of standardization, at this time the OFA, the FCI, and the BVA do not accept the use of CT to diagnose elbow dysplasia (26). With only one or two radiographic views required for screening, it is possible that some lesions may have been present but were not visible on radiographs (particularly only on a single lateral view). This would result in a small proportion of dogs rated as normal that perhaps should not have received a passing grade, and therefore are not eliminated from breeding programs. A standardized protocol for elbow CTs would be required in the future in order to use CT imaging as an alternative in health screening programs, particularly if the dog is borderline or questionable on elbow radiographs (27, 28). In conclusion, as evidenced by the point estimates of heritability and the associated credible intervals that can be generated by the variability of these estimates, there were no substantive differences between the heritability of the left vs. right elbow, or of the sire vs. dam influence. Dogs with a particular unilaterality did not have a higher risk of passing down the same laterality to their offspring, although the risk of elbow dysplasia itself increased in the offspring when one or both parents were affected. While there have been some improvements in reducing the incidence of elbow dysplasia across many breeds since the initiation of phenotypic screening tools, the progression is significantly slower than the improvements seen in other diseases. Employment of widespread screening, judicious use of dogs in breeding programs, and the development and incorporation of EBVs may accelerate improvement. Elbow dysplasia can be a significant health concern for the affected dog and treatments are largely ineffective, which leads to control of this disease being based on selectively breeding for normal dogs. Therefore, control of the disease falls to the breeder's responsibility to have dogs tested and to make appropriate decisions on the suitability of their individual dogs for breeding in order to promote healthier generations of puppies. Data Availability Statement The datasets generated for this study are available on request to the corresponding author. Ethics Statement Ethical review and approval was not required for the animal study because the manuscript assessed only owner-submitted data without identifiers. No animals were directly involved with the study, only data. Written informed consent for participation was not obtained from the owners because no consent was necessary as the owners freely submitted the data to the health registry knowing that the data can be used for evaluative purposes. Author Contributions Experimental design by GB, GK, and AO. Data analyses by GB, TF, and AO. Manuscript drafting by GB and AO with editing by all authors. Conflict of Interest GK is the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. GB is a radiologist resident working at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. AO is on the board of directors for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. This relationship did not influence the interpretation or presentation of the data in the manuscript. The remaining author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References 1. How K. Clinical signs of Elbow Dysplasia. 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Genetic variation and genetic trends in hip and elbow dysplasia in Swedish Rottweiler and Bernese Mountain Dog. J Anim Breed Genet. (2008) 125:403–12. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2008.00725.x 23. Alves-Pimenta S, Colaço B, Silvestre A, Ginja M. Prevalence and breeding values of elbow dysplasia in the Estrela mountain dog. Vet. Med. 58:484–490. doi: 10.17221/7033-VETMED 24. Wilson BJ, Nicholas FW, James JW, Wade CM, Thomson PC. Estimated breeding values for canine hip dysplasia radiographic traits in a cohort of Australian German Shepherd dogs. PLoS ONE. (2013) 8:e77470. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077470 25. Keller GG, Dziuk E, Bell JS. How the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is tackling inherited disorders in the USA: using hip and elbow dysplasia as examples. Vet J. (2011) 189:197–202. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.06.019 26. Cook CR, Cook JL. Diagnostic imaging of canine elbow dysplasia: a review. Vet Surg. (2009) 38:144–53. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2008.00481.x 27. Gaschen L. Radiological investigation of dogs suspect of elbow dysplasia. In: 33rd Annual Meeting of the International Elbow Working Group. Singapore (2018). 28. Hazelwinkel H. Screening for elbow dysplasia, grading according to the IWEG. In: 33rd Annual Meeting of the International Elbow Working Group. Singapore (2018). Keywords: elbow dysplasia, heritability, dog, sire effect, breeds Citation: Baers G, Keller GG, Famula TR and Oberbauer AM (2019) Heritability of Unilateral Elbow Dysplasia in the Dog: A Retrospective Study of Sire and Dam Influence. Front. Vet. Sci. 6:422. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00422 Received: 03 September 2019; Accepted: 08 November 2019; Published: 22 November 2019. Edited by:Mário Ginja, Universidade de Trás os Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal Reviewed by:Erling Strandberg, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden Shizhi Wang, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom Copyright © 2019 Baers, Keller, Famula and Oberbauer. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.	https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00422/full
What animal has the shortest pregnancy? The shortest known gestation is that of the Virginian opossum, about 12 days, and the longest that of the Indian elephant, about 22 months. In the course of evolution the duration of gestation has become adapted to the needs of the species. How long is a monkey’s pregnancy? Even within the species of apes and monkeys gestation period seem to be a matter of size. For Rhesus monkeys it is 164 days and baboons 187 days. For small animals such as rabbits the period is about 33 days and for mice about 20 days. Why are elephants pregnant for so long? One of the reasons elephant pregnancies are so long is because elephants are big. Due to their size, the development of elephants in the womb is slow. Elephants are also highly intelligent. The long elephant gestation period allows the baby elephant’s brain to properly develop. Which is the animal that never sleeps? Bullfrogs… No rest for the Bullfrog. The bullfrog was chosen as an animal that doesn’t sleep because when tested for responsiveness by being shocked, it had the same reaction whether awake or resting. However, there were some problems with how the bullfrogs were tested. Whats the longest someone has been pregnant? But other doctors at Los Angeles’ Methodist Hospital found it incredible that Mrs. Hunter had been pregnant 375 days (instead of the normal 280) before her baby was born there last week; 375 days would be the longest pregnancy on record, topping the runner-up by about 58 days. Which animal gives birth only once in lifetime? For some, of course, it’s normal to only have one or a couple of offspring in a lifetime. But swamp wallabies, small hopping marsupials found throughout eastern Australia, are far outside the norm: New research suggests that most adult females are always pregnant. How many babies can an elephant have in its lifetime? Although elephants can live for 60-70 years, they typically only have about four or five babies during their lives. How do you tell if an elephant is pregnant? One sure-fire way to know if an elephant is pregnant if by tracking her hormone levels. As with humans, female elephants’ reproductive hormones go up and down. The Zoo’s Endocrinology Lab tracks our female elephants’ hormone levels every week, even before they mate with our male, Raja. How many babies can a monkey have in a lifetime? Most monkeys only have one baby at a time. On occasion, monkeys do have twins, but this is more rare. Monkeys normally give birth only once every 2 to 3 years. Similar to humans, monkeys immediately bond with their offspring and devote a lot of time to mothering the baby. Do finger monkeys bite? Normally finger monkeys get angry easily and will even bite if it goes long. However, that’s not highly painful or harmful to children. It’s normal for them to be the hassle with different animals as they’re mischievous naturally. How long is a dog pregnant? 58 – 68 days Do dogs feel pain when giving birth? BE PREPARED. Giving birth can be a frightening, confusing and painful experience for both the dog and the owner. Can elephants have twins? While there are few records of twins among Asian elephants, several such documented cases exist among African elephants. Researchers in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park have been continuously monitoring the park’s elephant population for nearly 50 years. Researchers there recorded the births of four sets of twins. Can elephants delay birth? Elephants have the longest gestation period of all mammals, carrying their young for 18 to 22 months before giving birth. Long developmental periods are common among highly intelligent animals.	https://doulaorangecounty.com/i-am-pregnant/what-animal-has-the-longest-pregnancy.html
By Jennifer Copley (Last Updated 2 January 2019) Are dogs smarter than cats, or are cats more intelligent than dogs? Recent studies provide some insights. Information processing capacity Dogs have bigger brains than cats (Schultz & Dunbar, 2010), but brain size is not a good indicator of intelligence (Purves et al., 2001), which is evident in the fact that Neanderthals actually had larger brains than modern humans (Braun, 2008). However, the number of neurons in the brain is correlated with intelligence. One study found that cats have 300 million neurons compared to 160 million for dogs (Roth & Dicke, 2005). Another study found that dogs have between 429 million and 530 million cortical neurons compared to 250 million for cats (Jardim-Messeder et al., 2014). Counts may change again with subsequent studies. For comparison, a human has around 16 billion cortical neurons (Herculano-Houzel, 2009) and a long-finned pilot whale has 37.2 billion (Mortensen et al., 2014). Although information processing capacity is important, it’s not the only indicator of intelligence. Comprehension Smart dogs can show an impressive level of understanding, and they are able to follow pointing gestures made by humans and use their own gazes to bring objects or situations to the attention of their owners (Douglas, 2009). Although evidence suggests that cats are cognitively similar to dogs (for example, they are equally capable of using human pointing gestures as a cue to locate food), because most cats are neither motivated nor compliant when participating in research, it’s difficult to gauge their understanding (Miklósi et al., 2005). However, cats performed similarly to dogs in a recent study of responses to human facial expressions, gestures, and emotions (Briggs, 2017). Problem solving ability Dogs have been studied far more than cats, and cats don’t make good research subjects, given their lack of motivation to please, so not much is known about their problem-solving abilities. However, the problem-solving abilities of dogs may also be difficult to determine because they tend to rely on their owners to take a leadership role. Canines often look to their owners to solve logistical problems rather than taking the initiative, which may cause them to perform poorly on problem-solving tasks unless their owners encourage them (Douglas, 2009). Research has shown that a subordinate dog will usually perform better after witnessing another dog engaging in the desired problem-solving behaviour, and that both subordinate and dominant dogs do better after watching a human solve the problem. This illustrates the importance of the dominance hierarchy in canine learning and performance (Pongrácz et al., 2007). Communication Given that cats don’t usually meow to other cats and adult wolves rarely bark, it’s likely that companion animal vocalizations evolved as a way to communicate with humans, so they may be a reflection of social intelligence. Canines have more vocal flexibility when it comes to pitch, frequency, range, length, tonality, and other factors, so they are better able to communicate their feelings and intentions (Douglas, 2005), but studies have shown that cat vocalizations have some interesting and unusual features. New evidence suggests that cats are capable of purring with a frequency that has a subliminal effect similar to that of a human baby’s cry. This purr, known as the “solicitation purr,” is slightly different from the regular purr, and is used to ask for food (McComb et al., 2009). There is also evidence that purring provides pain relief and speeds the healing process (Lyons, 2006). Memory Japanese researchers who conducted memory tests with cats and dogs found no significant differences in their abilities (Briggs, 2017). Perception Both cats and dogs have far better senses of hearing and smell than humans, but a cat can hear sounds ranging from 45-64,000 hertz, whereas a dog can only hear within a range of 67-45,000. Also, the average cat has more smell receptors than the average dog (some dog breeds, such as the bloodhound, are exceptions to this rule). In addition, cats have an edge over dogs when it comes to night vision, though dogs can see better in low light than humans (Douglas, 2005). The well-developed senses of cats may explain why they often appear to see, hear, or smell things that people (and even dogs) can’t perceive. Intelligence varies among individual animals It’s difficult to determine how intelligent cats and dogs are because in natural settings, they apply their intelligence to problems that are important to cats and dogs, rather than those of interest to humans. In addition, people who have spent time with many cats or dogs will have noticed that some are more intelligent than others. Each species has its geniuses and its duller members. The smartest dog is probably far more intelligent than the dullest cat and vice versa because individual animals vary widely based on genetics, experience, and other factors For more cat articles, see the main Cats page. For more dog articles, see the main Dogs page. References - Braun, D. (9 September 2008). “Neanderthal Brain Size at Birth Sheds Light on Human Evolution.” Newswatch.National Geographic.com. - Briggs, H. (2017). “Cats May Be as Intelligent as Dogs, Say Scientists.” BBC News, January 25. - Douglas, K. (9 December 2009). “Dogs vs. Cats: The Great Pet Showdown.” New Scientist. - Herculano-Houzel, S. (2009). “The Human Brain in Numbers: A Linearly Scaled-Up Primate Brain.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 3, 31 - Jardim-Messeder, D., et al. (2017). “Dogs Have the Most Neurons, Though Not the Largest Brain: Trade-Off Between Body Mass and Number of Neurons in the Cerebral Cortex of Large Carnivoran Species.” Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 11, 118. - Knapton, S. (2017). “The Truth About Cats and Dogs – Dogs Are Smarter, Say Scientists.” The Guardian, Nov. 30. - Lyons, L. (3 April 2006). “Why Do Cats Purr.” Scientific American, ScientificAmerican.com. - McComb, K., et al. (2009). “The Cry Embedded Within the Purr.” Current Biology, 19(13). - Miklósi, Á., et al. (2005). “A Comparative Study of the Use of Visual Communicative Signals in Interactions Between Dogs (Canis Familiaris) and Humans and Cats (Felis Catus) and Humans.” Journal of Comparative Psychology, 119(2), 179-186. - Mortensen, H. S., et al. “Quantitative Relationships in Delphinid Neocortex.” Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 8, 132. - Pongrácz, P., et al. (2008). “How Does Dominance Rank Status Affect Individual and Social Learning Performance in the Dog (Canis Familiaris)?” Animal Cognition, 11: 75-82. - Purves, D., et al. (2001). “‘Planning Neurons’ in the Monkey Frontal Cortex.” Neuroscience, 2nd Ed. - Roth, G., & Dicke, U. (2005). “Evolution of the Brain and Intelligence.” Trends in Cognitive Science, 9(5): 250-257 - Shultz, S., & Dunbar, R. (2010). “Encephalization Is Not a Universal Macroevolutionary Phenomenon in Mammals But Is Associated with Sociality.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2010.	http://www.metaphoricalplatypus.com/articles/animals/cats/cat-facts/which-are-more-intelligent-cats-or-dogs/
You cannot keep wildlife in captivity without approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources. However, a person may possess a wild animal for up to 24 hours to transport it to a wildlife custodian or a veterinarian. Some species leave their offspring alone temporarily, especially during the day. For example, deer and cottontail rabbits spend much of the day away from their well-camouflaged offspring to minimize the chance of predators finding them. * Check the animal periodically for 24 to 48 hours to see if it is still around, but keep your distance. * Keep cats and dogs away from the area inhabited by the young animal; the adult will not return if it is noisy or if predators or people are close by. * Contact a wildlife custodian who can help you assess the situation and provide advice on what action to take. * If specialized and immediate care is necessary to help the animal, take it to a wildlife custodian or a veterinarian within 24 hours of capture. * If you must handle the animal, follow the instructions provided by the wildlife custodian on how to minimize risk of injury to yourself and to the animal. * Wear protective clothing and equipment, such as leather gloves, to avoid bites or scratches, and wash hands well after handling the animal. It is important to recognize that many of the volunteer-operated organizations have limited capacity to accept animals, especially during the spring. For dead animals at the side of the road, depending on the area, call Animal Control or either the Municipal or County roads department. Rabies is fatal for humans and animals if not treated. If you or a family member is unfortunate enough to be bitten by an animal, wash the wound right away with soap and water. Clean the wound thoroughly and then contact your doctor. You should also ensure the health unit is notified of the incident so that it can be investigated and assessed for potential rabies risk. Based on this assessment, post-exposure rabies immunization may be recommended. Symptoms of rabies and several other diseases in animals can include tremors, aggressive behaviour, partial paralysis, convulsions, and loss of fear of humans.	https://centraleastontario.cioc.ca/record/CWD7615?Number=85
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? Post traumatic stress disorder (or PTSD) is a condition that can develop in a person who has been exposed to a traumatic event that has posed a real or perceived threat to their safety, or the safety of others around them. PTSD is characterised by feelings of intense fear, distress and helplessness, and these feelings interfere with normal functioning. Traumatic experiences include things like car accidents, physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, terrorism and war, and these events can be directly experienced or witnessed by the person, or they may learn that the event has happened to a friend or family member. What are the symptoms of PTSD? The symptoms of PTSD are likely to be the same as those experienced by anyone who goes through a traumatic event. Most people who experience a trauma will feel these symptoms subside within several days or weeks. For others however, these symptoms persist and develop into PTSD. Anywhere between 5-40% of those who experience a trauma will develop PTSD, and these people are likely to benefit from professional support. Whether or not a person will develop PTSD will depend on a number of factors including: - What the person was like before the trauma (e.g. their personality, values, beliefs) - Their experience of previous traumatic events - The severity of the trauma they experienced - What else is happening in their lives at the time of the trauma - How well supported they are after the trauma A person with PTSD may experience a combination of physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms such as: - Difficulty sleeping and relaxing, and feeling on edge - Rapid heartbeat or tightness in the chest - Feeling dizzy and/or upset stomach - Feeling anxious, sad and/or angry - Difficulty concentrating and making decisions - Feeling confused - Feeling shame or guilt - Experiencing flashbacks to the traumatic event - Avoiding people, places or objects that are a reminder of the event - Avoiding thinking about the traumatic event - Withdrawal from social activities and feelings of isolation - Lack of motivation - Increased use of alcohol or drugs to cope - An inability to go to work Treating PTSD Psychological therapy and/or medications are the most supported treatments for PTSD. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective treatment approach supported by research, and it includes exposure therapy and cognitive therapy. Exposure therapy involves confronting traumatic memories and avoided situations in a gradual and controlled manner. Cognitive therapy involves identifying and modifying unhelpful and distorted thoughts about the traumatic experience. Practising mindfulness and increasing exercise is also effective. Here at myLife Psychologists we understand how important it is to feel safe and supported by your therapist. Our psychologists are trained in treating PTSD, and they will work with you to overcome what you’ve been through. To find out more or to make an appointment, contact us.	https://mylifepsychologists.com.au/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/
People who experience a traumatic event sometimes have trouble dealing with the physical or psychological toll of what happened. In some cases, they can develop other mental health illnesses that hinder their quality of life – ASD and PTSD. What is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s caused by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms are presented as flashbacks, bad dreams, and intense anxiety, plus overpowering thoughts about the event. Most people who survive a trauma may have short-term problems adjusting and coping, but time and good self-care often leads to them getting better. If the symptoms worsen, persisting for months or longer, and interfere with your quality of life, you may have PTSD. What is Acute Stress Disorder? Someone with acute stress disorder (ASD) has been exposed to a frightening event, either directly or indirectly. In all cases, the exposure is serious enough for the person to be harmed in some way, or to feel as if they are in extreme danger. The cause of the disorder may also be accompanied by painful memories of the event. People with this disorder may have dissociative symptoms, like being emotionally numb or feeling disconnected from themselves. How are PTSD & ASD Different or Similar? ASD is intimately related to post-traumatic stress disorder; however, the biggest difference between the two is that symptoms can manifest within a month of a traumatic event “but you must have them for longer than one month to have PTSD,” according to the National Center for PTSD. Dissociative symptoms are also a key differentiator. PTSD Symptoms Someone with PTSD has symptoms that are broken down into four categories: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative fluctuations in mood and thinking, and variations in physical and emotional reactions. They can include things like unwanted, distressing memories of what happened; intense flashbacks; avoidance of any reminder of what happened; and many other symptoms. PTSD Causes PTSD can be caused by any significant trauma where someone is either physically or psychologically harmed or witnesses another person being threatened, harmed, or worse. This includes events such as war, natural disasters, a crash of some sort, being physically or verbally assaulted, long-term exposure to stressful situations, and other forms of abuse. ASD Symptoms There are specific examples in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) of ASD symptoms: exposure to a traumatic event, intrusion symptoms, negative moods, dissociative symptoms, and avoidance and arousal symptoms. As is the case with PTSD, the effects of many symptoms can be treated with psychotherapy, certain medicine, and ketamine infusion. ASD Causes A person who has experienced or witnessed a life-threatening, terrifying or otherwise deeply traumatic event may, in some cases, develop acute stress disorder. Specific examples of events that may trigger ASD include natural disasters, like floods, fires, or earthquakes; some manner of assault; the sudden death of a loved one; and a sudden, life-threatening medical diagnosis. ASD & PTSD share similar risk factors Many mental health illnesses share comparable traits which sometimes make them hard to diagnose and effectively treat. ASD and PTSD are similar in this regard, particularly when it comes to risk factors. People who share certain experiences or personal health profiles could be more susceptible to either condition: - Experiencing or witnessing an extremely traumatic event, or having done so in the past, means that someone is at a higher risk of developing either with a new exposure. - There’s a history of previous stress disorders. - You’ve been diagnosed with another psychiatric disorder or have symptoms of another disorder, including dissociative symptoms during a traumatic incident. Diagnosis & Treatment In either case, PTSD and ASD can be effectively treated once there has been a formal diagnosis, which includes: - A physical examination to root out the potential medical problem causing the symptoms. If you have symptoms of either condition, it’s expected that you’ll see a primary care doctor. In some cases, an underlying condition can be treated to relieve the effects of the symptoms. - A psychiatric assessment. The goal is to explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors as triggers for your symptoms, and whether there is a personal or family history of mental illness. - Compare your symptoms to the criteria in the DSM-5. Once your healthcare provider has arrived at a diagnosis, either ASD or PTSD can be treated with ongoing talk therapy, depressants or other medicine, diet and lifestyle changes, and possibly ketamine infusion therapy.	https://thriveketamine.com/ptsd-vs-acute-stress-disorder/
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can debilitate someone emotionally, causing them uncontrollable painful memories, extreme anxiety, and terrifying flashbacks that border on nightmarish. Left untreated, this disorder can completely disrupt a person’s life. How Often Do PTSD and Addiction Co-Occur? Many people with PTSD turn to intoxicating substances – particularly alcohol – in an attempt to self-medicate, as a means of relief from the overwhelming mental anguish. When this self-medication develops into a substance abuse disorder such as alcoholism, the misuse of prescription medications, or addiction to an illicit street drug, it creates a complicated dual diagnosis that requires the services of a specially-trained mental health/addiction recovery specialist who can treat both illnesses. - Among males with PTSD, 52% will meet the criteria for an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), and 35% will abuse drugs. - Among females with PTSD, 28% will meet that lifetime diagnosis, and 27% will abuse drugs. - Three out of four survivors of abusive or violent trauma have an AUD. - One-third of survivors of traumatic illnesses, disasters, or accidents self-report an AUD. - Veterans are especially vulnerable to PTSD – more than one-fourth of all veterans with PTSD also have a substance abuse disorder, while one-third of all veterans with substance use disorders also have symptoms of PTSD. What is PTSD? PTSD is a mental condition in which a person will continue to experience overwhelming, debilitating anxiety or stress after experiencing or witnessing some traumatic event. The associated trauma can be psychological or physical –any experience that causes a person to feel victimized, powerless, or weak – - Abuse during childhood - Sexual assault - National disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes - Violent physical assault - Accidents– especially those that leave the victim with lingering health conditions, pain, or scars - Serious illness - Combat service Typically, PTSD develops from a past trauma when there are unresolved issues within the mind of the victim– they may blame themselves for the incident, or they may be terrified that it will happen again, for example. What Are Some Symptoms of PTSD? Symptoms of PTSD can strike develop years after the fact and can happen at any time, completely unexpected. Some typical symptoms of PTSD include: - Severe anxiety or fear, sometimes to the point of hysteria - Mentally reliving the traumatic event - Avoiding anything that is related to or reminiscent of the traumatic event - Insomnia - Aggression - Irritability - Crying - Angry outbursts - Nightmares Why Are PTSD and Substance Abuse So Closely Linked? When a person experiences or relives a traumatic event, the brain produces endorphins – neurotransmitters that create a sense of well-being and reduce pain– in order to cope with the stress. However, when the traumatic event is over, endorphin levels drop the person experiences endorphin withdrawal. Endorphin withdrawal produces many of the same symptoms as alcohol or drug withdrawal: - Depression - Emotional distress - Anxiety - Bodily pain/aches - Drug and alcohol craving Many people with PTSD use alcohol or drugs to replace the sensations brought on by the body’s own naturally-occurring endorphins. The problem occurs when a person develops a tolerance for their drug of choice, meaning it takes more and more of the substance to achieve the same desired effect. Tolerance is one of the initial signs of developing an addiction. And, along with addiction and worsening consequences comes a heightened risk of other traumatic events –violence, accidents, arrest, sexual assault, and illness. How to Get Help for Dual Diagnosis of PTSD and Addiction Either diagnosis is serious enough, but when there is a dual diagnosis of a substance abuse disorder and PTSD, the situation calls for an intensive plan of support from mental health professionals, friends, and family members, and even peers who understand the unique challenges you are facing. Often, a professionally-directed intervention is needed to spur the individual into seeking treatment. Many people with PTSD grapple with shame and guilt because of the traumatic event, making it difficult for them to have an honest conversation about their need for help. Even when the check into a treatment facility, not just any program will work for someone with this type of dual diagnosis. Most addiction recovery programs are not able to address the severe psychological/emotional problems that can be associated with PTSD. Conversely, most mental health therapists are ill-equipped to handle addictive disorders –detox, monitoring, medication-assisted therapy, etc. Without the support of a professional recovery team that has the necessary experience and expertise to deal with the dual issues of substance abuse AND PTSD, then any treatment is doomed to fail. However, when the person can check into a program of integrative care where both disorders can be addressed simultaneously, then that person stands a much better chance of a successful, long-lasting recovery. Past exposure to trauma doesn’t have to mean a lifetime of misery and addiction. Recovery IS possible with early intervention and proper care. A person CAN move beyond a traumatic past to have a healthy and happy future.	https://www.northpointrecovery.com/blog/link-ptsd-addiction/
The U.S. Postal Service announced a new stamp, the “Healing PTSD Stamp,” to bring attention to a spectrum of psychological disorders that affect millions of Americans, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An image of a vibrant, green plant growing through dark, fallen leaves is meant to symbolize a new beginning as healing begins to take root. “Today, with the issuances of this stamp, the nation renews its commitment to raise funds to help treat soldiers, veterans, first responders, health care providers and other individuals dealing with this condition,” David C. Williams, the vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service, said at the dedication. Who Experiences PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorders generally manifest in people who have either survived or witnessed an extremely terrifying event. These events can include things like the effects of war, combat or forced displacement from one’s home. They may also be the consequence of sexual abuse, domestic violence, a car crash, serious injury or any other experience that leaves lasting trauma on a person’s mental wellbeing. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that around 8 million adults will suffer from an episode of PTSD in a given year, though the number is likely higher because symptoms of the condition can take time to manifest and be accurately diagnosed. Not everyone that’s exposed to or experiences trauma will develop the disorder. What are the Symptoms of PTSD? Difficulty coping, anxiety, nightmares or the inability to stop thinking about the event typically subside with time. But for some people, especially those who are or were repeatedly subjected to trauma, their memories and lived experiences can cause great psychological damage in the form of PTSD that lasts for years, if not treated. The symptoms of PTSD, according to the Mayo Clinic, can include some of the following: - Intense physical reactions and emotional stress to situations or sounds that remind the person of a traumatic event - Difficulty, or an inability to stop thinking about the event - Flashbacks of the trauma that feel as if the event is actually happening again - Avoiding people, places, or conversations that remind them of trauma - Depression, anxiety and isolation - Severe mood swings, irritability and anger - Difficulty sleeping and concentrating - Overwhelming feelings of guilt and shame Another common problem is self-medicating the difficult symptoms with alcohol and drugs to numb the psychological and, in some cases, physical pain. A 2017 study found that nearly 50 percent of adults diagnosed with PTSD also struggled with an alcohol or drug use disorder. Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder The presence of both a mental health condition and a substance abuse disorder is known as a dual diagnosis. The symptoms of each condition worsen the other and both issues must be treated individually for a person to make a full recovery. Treatment for PTSD often combines both medication, like antidepressants, as well therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a skill-based approach to adapting new and healthier patterns of thought and behavior. In the case of a dual diagnosis, addiction treatment can be effective, along with one-on-one counseling or group therapy as way of dealing with trauma and the underlying drivers of substance abuse. Though anyone can develop PTSD after a traumatic event, soldiers and veterans are at an increased risk because of the frequency with which they may have experienced trauma. Sadly, research conducted by the VA found that around 20 veterans a day a take their own life. Many of these unnecessary deaths are the result of untreated or undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder. Healing PTSD Stamp Goals and Purchase Information The Healing PTSD stamp, which the USPS is selling for $.65, will not just raise funds for research and treatment, but it will also shine a bright light on an often misunderstood and misdiagnosed mental health condition that is treatable and should never be a death a sentence. The Healing PTSD stamps can be purchased online or at any post office.	https://www.addict-help.com/healing-ptsd-stamp-us-postal-service-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/
When people hear the term post-traumatic stress disorder, they often think of war veterans, or service members in the military who have been in active combat. Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is certainly common in fields like law enforcement or military service, but can happen to anyone. PTSD is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a dangerous, traumatic, scary or shocking event or situation. Every human being has the chance to experience a situation like this in their lifetimes, so every human is at risk for PTSD—but only some people develop it. What is PTSD and how is it different than other types of mental illness? PTSD can develop after a traumatic event that is beyond a typical, everyday annoyance or bad day. Events that may trigger PTSD are: • Violent assaults • Natural disasters • Accidents • Combat • All forms of violence Because exposure to these events is common, about half of American adults will experience one of these traumatic events in their lifetime, but only 3.6% of them will develop PTSD. It’s human nature to feel fear when witnessing or being a victim of one of these traumatic events. The feeling of fear in the human body triggers a special psychological response known as “fight or flight.” This response is meant to help protect us from danger or enemies. When faced with a dangerous situation, the body responds in one of two ways: standing ground and fighting the situation, or fleeing the situation for safety. Following a traumatic event, most people recover from symptoms over time. People who have gotten into car accidents eventually feel comfortable getting behind the wheel once more. PTSD sufferers feel the immediate emotions of a traumatic event long after the event has passed—almost like the event just happened. PTSD is different than other mental health conditions because it is triggered by a specific event or situation. How is PTSD recognized and diagnosed? Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event develops PTSD, and not everyone with PTSD has been through a dangerous event—it all depends on the brain’s interpretation of people, places and things that may seem dangerous, or were once dangerous in the past. Symptoms of PTSD usually begin between three months and one year of a traumatic incident and may include: • Flashbacks—reliving the traumatic event over and over, including physical symptoms • Bad dreams • Frightening or stressful thoughts • Staying away from places or objects that are reminders of the traumatic event • Avoiding thinking about the traumatic event • Being easily startled • Feeling tense or on edge • Having difficulty sleeping • Being prone to angry outbursts • Trouble remembering the key features of the traumatic event in question • Negative thoughts about themselves or the world • Feeling guilty or blaming themselves • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed • Constantly looking for possible threats A mental health medical professional is the only one that can diagnose PTSD, as an official diagnosis of PTSD means that the patient has at least one re-experiencing symptom, one avoidance symptom, two reactivity symptoms and two mood symptoms for at least one consecutive month. Do you have to experience a really horrific event to have PTSD? To put it simply, PTSD is a condition that essentially proves how your brain processes dangerous information. Because only three to six percent of the American population will develop PTSD, but almost 80% of the American population witnesses or is involved in a traumatic event, not all people who experience a horrific or traumatic event develop PTSD—and not all people who develop PTSD experience a horrific or traumatic event. Essentially it comes down to what is traumatic for you specifically, and how your brain chooses to process that information and how it uses its “flight or fight” response. Can only adults get PTSD? Every human is at risk for PTSD because every human is at risk for traumatic events, including children. All children may experience stressful events that effect how they feel, though most of the time they recover quickly. Some children who witness or experience severe stress, like the death of a close family member or friend, can be affected long-term by PTSD. For the most part, the symptoms of PTSD in children are the same as PTSD in adults, with the addition of behavior disorders. Children who have experienced a traumatic event may seem fidgety, restless, or have trouble paying attention, and are often misdiagnosed as having attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. How do you treat PTSD? Like any mental illness, PTSD can be treated with either cognitive behavioral therapy, carefully selected medication, or a combination of both. A mental health professional can help PTSD patients decide what road to wellness is best for them. Cognitive therapy can be in a group or individual setting, and can teach the patient to reframe negative thoughts about the trauma to process and make sense of the incident. This may be used in conjunction with SSRI/SNRI medications, which restores the balance of naturally occurring chemicals in the brain. PTSD does not have to be a lifelong sentence of trauma and misery. With help from mental health professionals, PTSD can be managed and patients can learn skills to cope with future traumatic events in a way that prevents an occurrence of the condition. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.	https://www.oakbendmedcenter.org/2019/04/30/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/
It is said that after a war or severe accidents the lucky ones are those who are dead. This is because the psychological scars which those and many other traumatic event leaves in the survivors are worse than death. In severe cases, the victim acts like a zombie unable to go through daily life. This is a severe illness, which psychologists have referred to as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and it is experienced by many people after a very traumatic event. Nowadays, with the incidences of vehicular accidents, terrorist strikes, and natural disaster on the rise, more and more people are suffering from this dreaded disorder. However, this is in no way a recent phenomenon. This disorder was first described by the Greek historian, Herodotus, in the year 490 BC. He described the case of a soldier during the Battle of Marathon, who became blind after witnessing the death of a fellow soldier, though that particular soldier did not receive any injury during the war. Then, as early as 1800s doctors began diagnosing soldiers with mental shutdown, as a result of trauma and stress, suffered during battle. No wonder, even now soldiers are the most common sufferers of this disease, and for obvious reasons. To know more read below for the causes, symptoms and treatment of PTSD. Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Of PTSD Causes Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Of PTSD Causes - People who were a victim of violence or even if they see violence that leaves a traumatic effect can suffer from this illness. - In some cases, the death of a loved one can also cause this disorder. Even a life threatening illness of a loved one can lead to it. - Witnessing or being in any life threatening accidents like car or plane crashes is another cause of PTSD. - If the person witnesses or is the victim of any violent crimes then he or she can develop this disorder. Most often victims of kidnapping also suffer from it. - Even natural disasters like massive landslides, hurricanes, etc can lead to this disorder in the victim. - Sexual and physical abuse can also cause PTSD. - Sometimes kids undergoing medical procedures can also develop PTSD. - Some studies have also shown that susceptibility to PTSD has a genetic link. This is especially true in the case of twins. - The person has recurrent flashbacks of the event. S/he also experiences recurring nightmares. - The person also develops a certain kind of phobia of all the places, people, and situations that can remind him or her of the trauma. The phobia leads to a numbing of emotional responsiveness like lack of interest in doing all those activities that the person used to enjoy before the traumatic event. - When a person with PTSD remembers the trauma a feeling of intense distress sets in along with rapid breathing, pounding heart, nausea, sweating and muscle tension. - PTSD also causes sleep problems. Because of recurring thoughts of the trauma, the person has trouble going to sleep or wakes up frequently during sleep. - Loss of focus, irritability, anger, unable to concentrate, difficulty in remembering things, blackouts, getting startled easily are some of the other symptoms. - The person doesn’t show any ability to plan for the future and there is a sense that he or she may not live long. This can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. - The person with PTSD stays on constant alert (hyper-vigilance). - People suffering of this disorder are also more prone to substance abuse. They also suffer from guilt and self-blame, and a sense of being alienated. - Cognitive behavioral therapy is especially effective as it is trauma focused. The victim is slowly and carefully exposed to the feelings and situations that remind him or her of the trauma. In this therapy all those thoughts that distress the person regarding the trauma are also identified. Most often, these thoughts are distorted and irrational and so this therapy seeks to replace them with balanced images. - Another treatment method is the use of a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy with rhythmic, left-right stimulation like eye movements or hand taps. In extreme stress, the brain’s information processing system is disrupted so the eye movements or other forms of stimulation unlocks it. - Medication can only be used to treat the secondary symptoms of depression or anxiety. It cannot cure the disorder.	https://www.unp.me/threads/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd.88700/
Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed a shocking event, whether it's a car accident, a death or injury on the battlefield, or a life-threatening fall while hiking. Often, PTSD coexists with other mental health conditions that you should be aware of. For instance, about 80 percent of people who have PTSD will experience a co-occurring psychiatric disorder over the course of their lifetime. These conditions can include substance use disorders and depression, among other illnesses. Emrani explains. A lot of times, these conditions can go together. Svetlana. Age: 27. I am a total nymphomaniac. Very open-minded and a total sex fiend who will do anything that you want as long as you ask me nicely! If you are ready for a truly unique and sexually exhilarating experience then call today. Expect a wild ride from start to finish. Sex and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Gentle Path At The Meadows Complex post-traumatic stress disorder C-PTSD ; also known as complex trauma disorder is a psychological disorder that can develop in response to prolonged, repeated experience of interpersonal trauma in a context in which the individual has little or no chance of escape. Some researchers believe that C-PTSD is distinct from, but similar to, PTSD , somatization disorder , dissociative identity disorder , and borderline personality disorder. The diagnosis of PTSD was originally developed for adults who had suffered from a single-event trauma, such as rape, or a traumatic experience during a war. Children can suffer chronic trauma such as maltreatment, family violence, dysfunction, and or a disruption in attachment to their primary caregiver. Bessel van der Kolk explains DTD as numerous encounters with interpersonal trauma such as physical assault, sexual assault, violence or death. Thais. Age: 26. Treat yourself with a touch of class and make your night an unforgettable pleasure. I would like to be your companion to official engagements, cultural events as well as personal intimate friend for pleasurable and hedonistic hours in private atmosphere. Sexual dysfunction may accompany PTSD Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD is a common mental disorder that can develop after a person experiences trauma. Although PTSD is most commonly associated with war or military experience, PTSD can also develop following a natural disaster, accident, sexual assault , or other traumatic or life-threatening event. Symptoms of PTSD typically begin within three months of experiencing trauma; however, in some cases, symptoms do not become present until years after the traumatic event. A person diagnosed with PTSD may experience these symptoms for months or even years following a traumatic experience. I am a private person, and sex is a decidedly personal issue for many people, so I've put this topic off many times. However, the problems that PTSD can bring to partners don't go away on their own, so let's explore the potential difficulties that PTSD symptoms can bring to a sexual relationship. Even within loving, successful, long-term relationships, individuals with PTSD can experience significant fluctuations in their sex drive. I am not referring to a physical inability to perform sexually , but a cognitive barrier to engaging in sex. Video details Added: 1 month ago Views: 622 Category: Drunken Tags: ptsd+and+sex Your comments (0) No comments yet. Be the first! Comment on the video:	https://aservis.info/drunken/ptsd-and-sex-71409.php
What is post-traumatic stress disorder? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can cause significant disruption to a person's life. It is a biological response of the human brain to stress from an intense event or period, in which a person's life or safety (or those of their loved ones) was in danger. The symptoms of PTSD were originally recognised and studied in soldiers. The definition has expanded in recent times to include the many people influenced by other traumatising events. PTSD is a condition shared by millions of people worldwide, with 5-10% of the population estimated to experience PTSD at some point in their lives.1 PTSD can happen to anyone, including children. The duration of PTSD varies between people. For some, it will be a temporary condition, the effects of which will wane and pass within weeks or months. For others, PTSD may carry on for years, or be a lifelong challenge. Causes The trigger for PTSD is a traumatic event experienced by the person. Events that can cause PTSD can include: - Rape and sexual abuse; - Wartime and combat experiences (for both soldiers and civilians); - Natural disasters; - Violent assault, terrorist attacks, hostage situations, domestic violence; - Accidents (car accidents, plane crashes, industrial accidents); - Imprisonment and torture, experiences in detention camps or concentration camps; - Severe neglect in childhood, and; - The sudden, unexpected death of a loved one. In some cases, a person can develop PTSD despite not having experienced the trauma directly, but through learning of a horrific event happening to a loved one. Risk factors About 10-25% of people undergoing a traumatic event can develop PTSD.2 We do not yet have a good understanding of what causes PTSD. However, there are some recognised factors that increase a person's chances of developing PTSD. They can include: - Repeats of the incident (such as prolonged combat, long-term sexual assault); - Genetic factors; - Certain biological disorders that affect cognitive function; - Social isolation, lack of social support networks (family, friends, health professionals), lack of sympathy; - A history of mental illness; - A history of early-life adversity and stress (for example, abuse during childhood); - Past PTSD; - Poor education; - Low socio-economic status, and; - Perception of the threat – the more threatening a person perceives the event they experienced to have been, the more likely it is to cause PTSD. Workers in occupations or roles that involve a high chance of exposure to traumatic situations (for example, firefighters, police, rescue workers, emergency medical personnel) are also at risk of developing PTSD. Types PTSD is currently divided into three categories, based on when it appears: - Acute PTSD (sometimes known as acute stress disorder) occurs less than three months after the event; - Chronic PTSD occurs more than three months after the event, and; - Delayed expression PTSD symptoms begin more than six months after the event. Signs and symptoms Nearly every person who has gone through an intense, stressful event will experience a short-term stress response to it. This will often pass within days or a few weeks. PTSD is diagnosed when the stress response to the event carries on beyond that initial period. PTSD shows up differently in different people. Some will be moody and withdrawn, others may be more outwardly emotional; still others will become detached and emotionally numb. Symptoms can be divided into four categories: Persistent re-experiencing of the event - Intrusive flashbacks, often with physical signs of stress (racing pulse, sweating); - Distressing memories, and; - Recurring nightmares related to the event. Mood and cognitive problems - Experiencing negative moods and guilt; - Dissociation – shutting down emotionally, feeling emotionally numb, becoming incapable of exhibiting or accepting affection or tenderness, not enjoying activities that were enjoyable before the event; - Loss of memory about the event, or parts of it; - Developing depression or anxiety, and; - New, negative thoughts or beliefs about oneself, others, or the world. Post-traumatic stress disorder can cause feelings of dissociation, depression and guilt. Persistent avoidance of stimuli - Avoiding physical locations and situations related to the traumatic event; - Avoiding people, conversations and social situations related to the traumatic event, and; - An increase in alcohol and/or drug consumption. Persistent hypervigilance and hyperarousal - Sleep problems such as insomnia; - Being constantly alert to the possibility of threat; - Concentration problems; - Being angry, irritable, hostile and aggressive, and; - Being reckless or self-destructive. Many people with PTSD may not recognise their condition, or may be unwilling to receive help. Methods for diagnosis The doctor may diagnose PTSD based on a description of the person's history and symptoms. They will attempt to ascertain whether the person is suffering from PTSD, or from a similar anxiety disorder. The doctor may refer the person to a specialist (psychiatrist) for formal diagnosis. Types of treatment A person with PTSD may not ask for treatment, or want it when offered. It is not helpful to pressure a PTSD sufferer into receiving treatment against their will. Treatment can take a long time and there is a danger of the person dropping out due to lack of improvement over time. Treatment is different for every person. Psychotherapy is the preferred treatment for PTSD. Medications can also be used in the short-term with symptoms, while individuals receive psychotherapy. Psychotherapy There are several psychotherapeutic approaches and techniques for treating PTSD. They include: Exposure therapy Exposure therapy helps the person re-live their experience in a safe way and learn to control their response to the memory. Cognitive therapy This type of therapy is directed at changing how a person thinks about their condition and how they respond to it. Types of cognitive therapy include: - Cognitive behavioural therapy – guiding the person through their memories of the traumatic event and helping them to challenge their existing perception of the event, make sense of what happened and reshape their memories in a way that will not trigger anxiety; - Stress reduction techniques – helping a person manage their anxiety through relaxation techniques, and; - Cognitive processing therapy – a type of therapy developed especially for treating PTSD. It helps people with PTSD identify and overcome the sticking points in their thoughts and memories of the traumatic event. Psychodynamic therapy Psychodynamic therapy focuses on relating the person's past and present experiences to their PTSD symptoms. The act of bringing past life events and present situations to the surface is meant to help in dealing with PTSD. Psychological first aid This psychological intervention is employed a short time after the traumatising event, usually after large-scale disasters or violent attacks. First-response mental health workers go out to survivors of these events, assess their mental condition and offer information, support and compassion. They try to give a sense of safety and security, help with immediate needs and reduce or prevent PTSD symptoms. Debriefing A technique wherein the person experiencing a traumatic event is asked, shortly after the event, to describe and relive it in detail. Psychotherapy provides many techniques for coping with a trauma. Medication Antidepressants Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are the preferred medication for treating PTSD symptoms in adults. They help treat depression, anxiety and irritability in people with PTSD. Sertraline, paroxetine and fluoxetine are examples of antidepressants used in the treatment of PTSD. Anti-anxiety Anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines, can help people with PTSD in the short-term with their anxiety and sleep problems. They cannot cure PTSD. Mood stabilisers These are medications that can counter the negative moods experienced by PTSD sufferers and help them function in their daily lives. Potential complications PTSD can have a significant effect on a person's well-being, and interfere with their daily lives. Complications associated with PTSD include: - Depression; - Personality disorders; - Substance abuse (alcohol, prescription drugs, illegal drugs), and; - Heart disease. Prognosis The outlook for PTSD is different for every person. PTSD can, in many people, gradually fade. In about half of PTSD sufferers, the condition goes away within three months. For others, treatment can help reduce the impact of PTSD or cure it completely. Some PTSD sufferers may have to live with the condition long-term. However, for them too, treatment and support can also make a significant difference. Prevention PTSD cannot be completely prevented. Effective treatment, support and counselling in the time after the traumatic event can help reduce the chance of PTSD and its length and severity. Family, friends, support groups and healthcare professionals can all be sources of support. A person who has a supportive social environment and a trusting relationship with their healthcare professionals is at less risk of developing serious, long-term PTSD. For people whose occupations put them at risk of PTSD, factors that can help lower the risk of PTSD include: - A general level of professional training, preparedness and physical fitness; - Stress management training; - A solid, supportive work environment, and; - An organisational response plan that can identify and help workers who need it.	https://www.mydr.com.au/health-and-videos/video-ptsd
“Everybody breaks,” Kiera Knightly said. “It is part of life and what you have to do at that point is acknowledge it and ask for help – if you’re lucky enough to be able to get that help.” The 37-year-old added: “There are moments when I haven’t been able to cope, and I’ve been really lucky in that I can afford the help I needed when I got it.” In the telling interview with Glamour, back in March 2019, Knightly thanked her “family who were really, really supportive”. On the Awards Chatter podcast, the mother-of-two revealed she had a mental breakdown of some sorts when she was 22. Following the successes of Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Love Actually (2003), and Pirates Of The Caribbean (2003), Knightly struggled with fame. “I did take a year off there and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder because of all of that stuff [e.g. the paparazzi presence],” she said on air. “I felt pretty much, like actually, I didn’t exist and I was this weird creature with this weird face that people seemed to respond to in quite an extreme way, and I couldn’t quite figure any way of it out.” Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) The NHS says PTSD is “an anxiety disorder” that can lead to nightmares, feelings of isolation, irritability, and guilt. People who suffer from PTSD might also experience insomnia (i.e. difficulty sleeping) and have difficulties with concentration. “These symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person’s day-to-day life,” the NHS clarifies. Possible symptoms of PTSD - Flashbacks - Nightmares - Repetitive and distressing images or sensations - Physical sensations, such as pain, sweating, feeling sick or trembling - Avoiding triggering environments - Hyperarousal. What causes PTSD? The NHS says: “Any situation that a person finds traumatic can cause PTSD.” Incidents that may lead to PTSD include: - Serious road accidents - Violent personal assaults, such as sexual assault, mugging or robbery - Serious health problems - Childbirth experiences. “PTSD can develop immediately after someone experiences a disturbing event, or it can occur weeks, months or even years later,” the health body adds. It is estimated that one in three people who have a traumatic experience develop PTSD. “It’s not clear exactly why some people develop the condition and others do not,” the health body says. If troublesome symptoms occur four weeks after a traumatic experience, it’s recommended to seek support from your doctor. “If necessary, your GP can refer you to mental health specialists for further assessment and treatment,” the NHS adds. “Before having treatment for PTSD, a detailed assessment of your symptoms will be carried out to ensure treatment is tailored to your individual needs.” Medical intervention can include antidepressants, such as paroxetine or sertraline. Psychological therapies could also be helpful, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy. “A combination of a psychological therapy and medicine may be recommended if you have severe or persistent PTSD,” the NHS says. Kiera Knightly starred in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, which is showcasing on Sunday, November 27, Channel 4 at 11.05pm.	https://uwinhealth.com/health-news/kiera-knightly-felt-like-a-weird-creature-when-she-had-ptsd/
Most of us will experience multiple traumatic events throughout the course of our lives. It goes without saying that it’s totally normal and expected that these experiences can rock your mental and physical health. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ National Center for PTSD reports that, following a traumatic experience, 6 to 33 percent of trauma survivors develop acute stress disorder (ASD): a mental health condition that lasts three days to one month after a traumatic incident. Though Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD have long been associated with combat veterans, anyone can develop PTSD from life-threatening or scary situations. Much like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), people experiencing Acute Stress Disorder have almost identical symptoms, including dissociation, anxiety, reliving the traumatic event, insomnia, and more. How a traumatic experience turns into PTSD, however, is when these symptoms continue. “The symptoms of both PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder are the same. The only difference is how long the symptoms last," Dr. Danielle Forshee, a psychologist and LCSW, tells Bustle. "For example, when someone is exposed to an actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation, the individual should always be diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder first in the event they have symptoms. If the symptom pattern in Acute Stress Disorder does not resolve within one month, the diagnosis has changed to PTSD.” Of course, it’s important to understand that everyone will have a different emotional reaction and stress response to trauma. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that risk factors for PTSD — such as childhood trauma, having a history of mental illness, getting injured, and witnessing extreme violence or death — can make you more likely to develop PTSD than other people who are exposed to trauma. While dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic experience is difficult for everyone, there are therapist-approved steps you can take to stop a traumatic experience from becoming PTSD. Even if you aren't a combat veteran, you can experience trauma — and you deserve to get help for it. If you have just been exposed to a traumatic experience, Dr. Forshee suggests you should first and foremost seek out any kind of crisis intervention services. “The function of crisis intervention is to help restore a balance to their psychological, emotional functioning and to minimize the potential for long-term psychological trauma. Typically, when it comes to experiencing a significant trauma, such as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, your local police departments, hospitals, and mental health agencies have access to crisis intervention specialists that can be contacted 24/7, and provide a phone or in person response to assist the individual exposed to the trauma,” says Dr. Forshee. If you are unsure how to access your local services, try calling a 24-hour phone service like the National Sexual Assault Hotline or the Disaster Distress Helpline to connect you with a trained staff member and the resources you need. “You can expect to meet with a crisis intervention specialist within a few hours of exposure to the trauma. This is typically a one on one meeting between you and the specialist and you can expect to meet with this person one to two times total,” Dr. Forshee explains. “The purpose of the crisis intervention specialist is to deal with only the crisis that is going on. They are not people you will be seeing for ongoing counseling. Research does support that crisis intervention can help minimize and prevent long term psychological trauma.” Moreover, Dr. Nick Hobson, PhD, the Science Director at PsychologyCompass.com, tells Bustle it's important for people experiencing acute stress disorder to address their emotions upfront. "Do not avoid reliving the pain and traumatic experience. For many people, the default response is to distract, suppress, push away, etc. But, research finds that these avoidance type behaviors only amplifies the acute anxiety down the road. It’s a paradoxical rebound effect," he explains. Instead of avoiding your feelings, Dr. Hobson says to "create a designated time and space for the negative emotions to arise and be felt." He adds, "Welcoming the pain is important as your brain begins to reprocess the traumatic event. As you open up for these emotional 'office hours,' be aware of all the feelings, sensations, thoughts, etc. without judgment. For five to ten minutes, simply notice and accept them." Additionally, Dr. Forshee suggests to connect with your close family, friends, and peers as soon as possible — and consider having loved ones stay with you while you emotionally and/or physically recover. “After you have met with the crisis intervention specialist immediately after the traumatic event and after you get home, it is important to surround yourself with your support network,” she explains. “In the days following exposure to a traumatic event, you may have thoughts and memories that re-create the experience of the trauma which will cause you to feel anxious or depressed, and make it difficult for you to sleep, have an appetite or take care of yourself in ways that you were able to before the trauma. Having your support network around you, and taking shifts in spending time with you, will help.” Lastly, it is super important to get in touch with a mental health professional to schedule follow-up appointments with. If you are already seeing a trusted therapist, that may help make this step a little easier. However, Dr. Forshee says to “contact mental health providers in your area who specialize in the treatment of trauma.” She adds that, “Receiving ongoing professional help shortly after exposure to a trauma, compared to waiting a while, will help in preventing longer-term symptoms. How? The professional will provide education about symptoms of trauma as well as multiple methods and interventions to manage the symptoms you are already experiencing.” According to the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), research has showed going to at least six cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions in the weeks following a nonsexual assault, car accident, or industrial accident helped prevent acute stress disorder from developing into chronic PTSD. In addition to therapeutic intervention, Dr. Hobson says pharmacological interventions can be used to ease symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder, and PTSD, but that "any drug related interventions should be first discussed with your doctor or healthcare provider." Everyone is unique, and your emotional response to a traumatic experience can completely differ than someone else’s — even if they went through a similar experience. However, taking immediate action after a trauma, and reaching out to both personal and professional supports will help you better overcome the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder, and prevent it from impacting you in the long run.	https://www.bustle.com/p/how-to-stop-a-traumatic-experience-from-impacting-you-down-the-road-according-to-experts-8662154
Dual Diagnosis: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Addiction This is the third article in our series on Dual Diagnosis. Through history, many great literature pieces have been written under the shadow of the author’s addiction or mental condition. J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of The Rings was an English Word War I veteran, who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. During the war, Tolkien was a victim of the war’s loss and suffering. Fortunately, he was brave enough to grow from the condition and deal with it by writing fiction. The Lord of the Rings is a masterpiece and a result of the author’s efforts in making personal progress by finding a way to deal with the past. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious psychological condition that affects the person’s emotions and psychological well-being. Because of the severeness of the symptoms the individual experiences, post-traumatic stress disorder interferes with his or hers daily life having them turn to drug or alcohol just to gain control over their lives. As a result, substance abuse is very common with people suffering from PTSD. It helps them numb their pain from the trauma. The person can be diagnosed with PTSD after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Related: The connection between Anxiety and Addiction Which Traumas Usually Cause PTSD? One of the myths on this condition says that every person experiencing heavy trauma develops post-traumatic stress disorder. Luckily, that’s just a myth. For a person to be diagnosed with this condition, the trauma needs to be life-threatening (significant), and even then the person might not develop the symptoms of PTSD. There are multiple examples of people that have experienced the same situation, at the same time (for example, in a military) and some of them developed the condition and some didn’t. Meaning, developing PTSD depends on the person’s genetic predispositions and environmental factors. It’s a complex situation as a response to the trauma. There are several serious traumatic experiences that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, including: - Military combat – experiencing or witnessing battles during war - Sexual assault during childhood or adulthood - Severe physical assault during childhood or adulthood - Natural disasters - Witnessing or experiencing the act of terrorism - The death of a loved person - Serious accidents that cause life-threatening injuries 1. Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder was known as an anxiety disorder because of the feelings of fear and constant anxiety that the person deals with. From recently, the disorder qualifies in the category of “Trauma and Stress-related Disorders”. The symptoms of the disease show after the occurrence of the trauma or traumatic event. So, this illness can develop at any age. It’s unknown what causes this condition and the symptoms can persist for months, even years after the event. Learn more: The connection between Mental Conditions and Addiction Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) can be an initial response to the traumatic event and the symptoms can last for 4 weeks or less. If the symptoms extend for more than a month, the person can be diagnosed with PTSD. Studies show that an estimated 8% of Americans – that’s 24.4 million people – have PTSD at any given time. The symptoms of ASD include: - Emotional unresponsiveness - Depersonalization - Derealization - Reduction in mental presence in the surrounding - Amnesia associated with the events - The person re-experiences the event through recurrent images, dreams, thoughts, flashbacks or when exposed to reminders. - Symptoms of anxiety - Poor concentration - Irritability - All of the above has a negative meaning on the person’s life and well-being because it makes them detach from their family and lose interest in every activity they used to like. Learn more: Tips to Help You get Through Rehab When speaking of the disease’s symptoms, there are four sets of symptom clusters and two subtypes, including: - Criterion A: Experiencing or witnessing an actual traumatic event. The event can be a big trauma including death, serious injury, sexual violence, or a little trauma, like grief and emotional abuse. The person might not experience strong emotional response during the event. - Criterion B: Re-experiencing. In this phase, the person has intense symptoms that look like they’re re-experiencing the event. For example, having flashbacks and nightmares related to the event, constant memories, thoughts connected to the traumatic event and a psychological and physical reaction to reminders of the traumatic event. - Criterion C: Avoidance. The person avoids feelings, people or situations connected to the traumatic event. - Criterion D: Mood alterations. Negative mood alterations are very common with people struggling with PTSD. They can’t remember some things about the event and have constant negative thoughts about the world and themselves. In addition, they experience sadness, shame, and blame, all related to the event. So, you can notice that the person isolates, disconnects and detaches from you and other people. - Criterion E: Increased arousal symptoms, as the person becomes cautious from other threats. They can’t concentrate, can’t normally fall asleep and sleep, are easily scared, become irritable, angry and hyper vigilant. - Criteria F, G, and H: The symptoms have to last more than a month and affect the person’s functioning without being a result of substance abuse. - Dissociation – it’s a subtype that’s characterized by depersonalization and derealization of the person. 2. The Connection Between PTSD and Addiction When dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, you want to escape reality instead of confronting the situation and seek help. So, you start self-medicating. That’s the point when substance abuse comes along. Experiencing the symptoms of PTSD and having to remember the traumatic event over and over again puts a lot of pressure on you. Sometimes, you think there is no other way, no other escape from those emotions and memories than with the help of drugs and alcohol. And sometimes, you just want it all gone. You want the old you, the happy you back. However, as with every other mental condition, substances like alcohol and drugs won’t help you feel better. Consequently, if you don’t look for help, the problem only deepens and the substance abuse issue becomes worse. The negative thoughts and emotions can lead to many destructive thoughts, including suicidal ones. Therefore, it’s crucial for you or any other person you know to look for help. If you know that your loved one experienced a traumatic situation or witnessed one, and afterward shows these symptoms, it might be PTSD. The relationship between PTSD and addiction is strong. Studies show that more than 2 of 10 Veterans with PTSD also have SUD (substance use disorder). Almost 1 out of every 3 Veterans seeking treatment for SUD also has PTSD. The problem with these conditions is the popular belief that alcohol helps you relax and drugs help you sleep. However, you get the opposite effect. Drugs and alcohol influence your sleep quality. At times, you want to feel “numb” and forget about everything that happened. You want to avoid the memories and reminders of the event by consuming alcohol or drugs, without realizing that makes the situation worse. Therefore, forgetfulness might be the initial effect of the substance, but on the long run you’ll only feel miserable and trap in the disease of the addiction. Related: How to Help Someone Who’s in Denial? When we go through a traumatic event, our brains produce endorphins, which are natural pain and stress fighters, a body’s way of dealing with the stressful situation. After the event is over, the endorphins withdraw from the body causing the same symptoms as drug and alcohol withdrawal, including anxiety, depression, physical pain, emotional distress, and increased cravings. Consequently, when using substances, our bodies produce endorphins that replace the feelings of PTSD, but only temporary. 3. Diagnose and Treatment If you or your loved one went through some of the described situations, or recognize some of the symptoms, you need to advise with an addiction counselor or psychiatric professional that will make an evaluation and recommend therapy. The therapy should be individual and includes the support from friends and family members. - Inpatient treatment. You should enter a facility that treats dual diagnosis. Related: Inpatient vs Outpatient Rehab - Detox. You need to treat both conditions at the same time. So, it’s recommended to enter a facility where you can detox. - Individual therapy. One on one psychotherapy teaches the person how to deal with triggers and reminders that lead to substance abuse. - Group therapy. Counseling sessions with other patients suffering from dual diagnosis. - Medication therapy. - 12-Step Groups participation. Helps you understand that you’re not alone. - Family therapy. You need family support and your family needs education on the conditions. So, rely on family as much as you can. It’s the right approach to recovery. For more information please call our Addiction Treatment Helpline at (844) 439-4765. This is a Free and completely confidential call. We are available 24/7. In many cases, your health insurance company will cover 100% of the treatment cost. So please call now.	https://call-for-addiction-treatment.com/2017/03/01/dual-diagnosis-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-addiction/

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