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What is Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)?
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology where digital data encoded in RFID tags or smart cards are captured by an RFID reader via radio waves.
There are three major components of RFID: the RFID tag, the RFID reader, and the antenna. Using an antenna, the reader transmits signals to tags, which receive the information and retransmit it to the reader along with the data in their memory.
Advantages of using RFID
Deploy RFID readers around your organization to track progress, monitor real-time proximity logins, and boost efficiency.
RFID contactless authentication system can be helpful to industry to reduce costs and improve customer services.
RFID authentication solutions are designed to operate in extreme environments, including cold, heat, and wet conditions, both indoors and outdoors.
You can reuse RFID labels by deleting their stored data and replacing them with new data.
RFID authentications for any use case
Enroll your proximity or contactless smart cards once, and you can authenticate to any computer or app across your enterprise. By enrolling your current badges, you can save money and reduce the impact on users by utilizing your existing credential infrastructure.
Investigate how RFID can help with user IDs and device management when combined with AuthX Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Associate RFID with Multifactor Authentication
Combine RFID credentials with a password for a 2FA solution, or use with other modalities in a full multifactor authentication (MFA) solution. Make passwordless desktop access easy for your users with tap & go login and logout authentication, saving time without sacrificing security.
Explore Two-step Authentication factors and how these can combine to provide a robust authentication procedure.
Flexible Workflows using RFID tokens
AuthX not only provides access to devices and the AuthX portal, but also to existing web applications and all applications integrable with AuthX via Single Sign-On (SSO). Discover more about AuthX integrations and how they can be used with RFID to deliver a wide range of solutions.
Learn more about AuthX Single Sign-On Authentication factor and how industries can optimize SSO for seamless solutions.
VIEW AUTHX RFID READERS
Whether you need a desktop solution or something more mobile, AuthX has the readers that will work for you.
Frequently Asked questions
A proximity card is essentially a compact, contactless card made of durable PVC plastic with a metallic antenna coil for storing data. This card is used to get access to desired premises and facilities around your enterprise.
The RFID reader sends radio frequency signals continuously as soon as it is powered up. Readers energize RFID tags through electromagnetic induction when they are placed within their range of operation.
Using the WAVE reader for authentication, the IT organization will protect vital information while serving employees to safely move around the office with the guarantee of easy identification and access facilities.
For seamless authentication, two types of RFID Nano Readers are available at AuthX, both of which work at 125 MHz and 13.56 MHz frequencies.
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Welcome to Best Engineering Technologies
Microwave sterilization is a physical sterilization method. It can kill bacteria, molds and eggs, as well as viruses and other harmful microorganisms without adding chemical preservatives. In the process of killing harmful microorganisms, it will not cause any residual toxicity to food or contamination of radioactive substances. Microwave sterilization is safe and harmless and has no residue.
Microwave sterilization machine can sterilize and prevent mildew and keep fresh at a lower temperature, which can maximize the activity of materials and the color and nutritional components of original materials. It can implement overall sterilization on the inside and outside of the material to be sterilized at the same time, which greatly shortens the sterilization cycle. Microwave can effectively inhibit and kill yeast, mold, Escherichia coli, coliform, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, total bacterial count, etc.
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Gloria Allen is one of the foremost breeders of Hyacinthine Macaws in the world. She has made presentations in both North America and Europe on her philosophy and techniques.
A couple of years ago I was asked which bird I would breed if I could only keep one pair of birds, The thought was of such startling capacity that I was never able to answer. I felt as if had been asked to tell which of my children I liked best. Today, I would like to make a public admission that I would, given this choice, keep the Anodorhynchus hyacinthinthus, commonly called the Hyacinth Macaw. Keeping and breeding the Hyacinthine Macaw has been one of the greatest joys of my life and certainly has been one of the highlights of my bird breeding career.
These lovely creatures, measuring from thirty six to forty inches in length and possessing a beak that can crack Brazil and macadamia nuts with great ease, are some of the sweetest and gentlest of all of the macaw species. Although a tame Hyacinthine Macaw makes a wonderful pet, any birds currently in captivity should be considered for future breeding stock.
STATISTICS OF THE HYACINTHINE MACAW
The Hyacinth is decreasing in numbers both in the wild and in captivity. The natural location of this species of macaw is limited to a wetland of Brazil called the Pantanal, with a small group of families having been seen in eastern Bolivia and in northwestern Paraguay. This is thought to be seasonal migration ( Ridgley 1981 ) Not a tropical rain forest bird, according to the noted scientist Dr. Paul Roth who has spent many years tracking and counting these birds, they prefer to live, instead, on the edge of the great forests, sharing their habitat with the equally large Green wing macaws ( Ara chloroptera) and the vibrant Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao). Importation has been a serious problem for this wonderful bird. Articles were written about the mellow behavior of the animal and as the importers brought the birds through the quarantine set-ups legally into the pet market, the numbers in the wild decreased. In the year 1916, when visiting the Mato Grosso valley, a pair of scientists, Roosevelt and Rondon; declared these birds to be abundant in nature. When it became known that these giants of the bird world were also gentle and loving they quickly became much sought after as pets.
This very fact created, like a two headed monster, the interest of the bird breeders who saw dollar signs, as well as the breeders who would assist the animal in reproduction to assist the species. It is an unfortunate fact that the worldwide interest that we as aviculturists have in the birds can be one of the determining factors for the survival of the species in the wild. With this in mind, our aviary has never purchased a bird from quarantine stations. I am safe in saying that there are less than five thousand of these big beautiful birds left in the wild and in captivity, combined, as we attend this conference this week.
Soon the race was on to obtain breeding stock. We, too, looked in every bird publication and every newspaper to obtain our breeding stock when it became clear to us that the birds were rapidly disappearing from the wilds and might be in need of human intervention.
Many birds that were imported came into the pet trade carrying a number of bacterial and nematodal problems. Dormant psittacosis became active in many of these wild-caught birds and many died of these bacterial infections.
Many birds were subjected to man's inhumanity to animals while they tried to mold the birds into a living room entertainment center. Little consideration was given to providing the bird with a large enough living space and the ensuing physical problems were many. Arthritic joints from sitting on a level perch (the weight of this bird requires that he be able to live on an uneven surface and walk around on the ground). Improper diet created birds that had gout or kidney problems (the needs of this bird does not include a high protein diet thought by many a few years ago to be needed). Thin sickly animals were found that were not given nuts in their diet ( an absolute necessity for the health of this bird).
These birds have been imported into the United States as late as the early eighties when an importer brought into the country a group of approximately two hundred birds. These birds, after exiting the U.S. required quarantine, were sold around the country, like the commoner macaws, to the people who regularly purchased from the quarantine stations; pet stores as well as breeders.
Some years later, the birds there being offered in local newspapers all over the country for resale, as people found that they were unable to tame the wild-caught as easily as the other wild animals with which they were accustomed to dealing. This proved to be a bonanza for the breeders. The birds were very happy to be put back into a family situation. These birds are now being bred prolifically throughout the country.
The illegal trafficking in the Hyacinthine Macaw has come to a fortunate close; but the interest of the general public, as well as the avicultural community is still active. While this is a fact, it is necessary for those of us who breed birds to find places in our aviaries and to help these birds. I need not tell you that every bird you breed leaves one in the wild, for we are all aware that the trapper still exists; and while the governments of the country of origin are unstable, the smugglers will still find ways to move the birds out of their natural habitat.
BREEDING THE HYACINTH MACAW IN CAPTIVITY
The Hyacinthine Macaw, while far and away the largest of the macaw species, does not require much larger breeding accommodations than does the Green Wing macaws or the Scarlet Macaw. There are a few guidelines that I would like to offer to the would-be breeder of the Hyacinthine Macaw. The cage should be made of material with openings no larger than one inch square. A larger link would permit your breeders to potentially put their head through the links and be unable to return it to the cage. The jaw line of these birds is quite wide and their nature inquisitive, The cage should be double the width required for your birds to stand side by side on a perch and raise their wings fully. The wing span of the average Hyacinth Macaw is about thirty-six inches, thus the birds standing side by side with outspread wings equal seventy-two inches or six feet; therefor using our formula, this cage should be no less than one hundred forty four inches or twelve feet. The length of their cage should be at least this same figure. The reasons for this formula being given rather than just telling you make the cage twelve feet square will become obvious when we talk about the birds copulation pattern. The floor of your aviary should be cement. The Hyacinth Macaw loves to get down and stalk around menacing imaginary playmates. While grass may have an appeal to the aviculturist we must remember that it cannot be sterilized and the birds could pick up nematodes (worms) from this natural foundation.
All perch material should be natural wood. Preferably very hard wood so that they do not require constant changing. The birds will chew them. The perches should be uneven in size as this helps prevent arthritic joints. A large nest box about forty inches long and twenty inches square should be placed high in the aviary. The entry opening should face the front of the cage. The Hyacinthine macaw wants to sit on her eggs and still see what is going on around her, so as we do not want her to leave her eggs we make this entertainment easy for her to obtain. In the back of the box will be the aviculturists view door. Thus while the assistant is feeding the front of the cage and has the full attention of the birds out of the front door, the aviculturist can open the back of the box and check on the eggs and or chicks. This opening will also enable you to remove a chick, band his leg and return him to the nest while the parents are occupied with their morning meal.
SPECIALIZED FEEDING HYACINTHINE MACAW
The Hyacinthine Macaw has a diet that differs from the average macaw in that they are primarily nut eaters. The palm nut is preferred by the Hyacinth Macaw (actually the endosperm of one of two palm species); often to the exclusion of all other forms of food. One of the biological peculiarities of this bird is that they are able to consume enormous amounts of fatty foods without getting arteriosclerosis as other birds of their size would. Indeed we find that a high fat diet is REQUIRED to raise healthy youngsters of this species. As to the other nutritious food we would have them eat, do not despair, you will be able to get them to eat almost anything.
Just mix your vegetable mixture together with a pelleted diet. We use PRETTYBIRD MAINTENANCE DIET. I then mix this together with the beloved nuts. Given in this manner, the birds will be forced to get the other food on their beaks when their scrounge through this gooey mess for their nuts and later, when the nuts are gone and the hunger pangs bring them again to the food tray they are willing to "give it a go," as the Englishman said, and soon they are eating all you will give them. Later then you can separate the food types, mixing the pretty bird half and half with any large hookbill mix and placing this in the nut dish.
PREPARING FOR THE YOUNGSTERS
Whether you make the decision to let the parent birds raise the chicks or if you have decided to take the eggs and incubate and hand feed from day one, now is the time for you to set up a nursery situation so that you will be able to help the family if called upon to do so.
A Hand Fed Baby Versus A Parent Fed Bird: There are many who believe that hand feeding a bird will preclude his interest in raising a family of his own in a breeding facility. While we have found this to be true with many a cockatoo, I can tell you from our own experience this is not the case with this particular animal.
Our own hand raised birds lived in our living room for a period of about three years until they became such an annoyance with their constant copulating. This, at times can be very loud, though happy sounds. They had to be put to the breeding facility and my husband, the previous pet connection was barred from entering to play with them. They quickly (at about four years old each) became parents. This year we are now raising two of their young and they raised one. Unfortunately they disciplined the baby by biting all of the toes off of one foot and threw him out of the box. We feel he was in the way of the next nest of eggs, which we are now incubating.
MECHANICAL OR PARENT INCUBATION?
It is the habit of our aviary to take the first eggs, incubate in the Humadaire or the Grumbach incubator and hand raise these chicks and let the parents incubate, hatch, and raise the second clutch on their own.
Every baby hatched is first swabbed on his navel with a dilute of Betadine Solution, weighed, and a computer number assigned to reflect his parentage, date of hatch, and weight. Then a microbiology slide is made using Grams Stain and looked at for the presence of possible pathogenic bacteria. If found, the bird is housed in an isolation chamber with a constant temperature of 98°F (36.5°C). The complete set of microbiological plated material is used to detect the type of bacteria the bird is carrying and the necessary steps needed to make the bird well. When we know that the bird is not carrying a pathogenic bacteria he is then put into our nursery with the other babies.
NOTE: Many bacteria not thought to be life threatening to most Macaw species i.e: Gram Positives such as Streptococcus and Staphlococcus, can be life threatening to the Hyacinthine Macaw. Serious steps must be taken when handling the eggs and the babies as human hands can be a contributing factor to transference of the bacteria mentioned.
In many instances, a good healthy pair will double and even triple-clutch. Last year we had one pair that had five clutches; the last baby being born on Christmas day. We were not even aware that they had eggs. They fed the baby beautifully and on the first of February we took a gorgeous bird from the nest. When your birds are being given the opportunity to lay more than one time each year, the diet should be high in fat, with lots of brazil nuts; macadamia nuts, and coconut fed on a regular daily basis. Water is not usually used to vitaminize the birds; however a bird that lays more than two clutches is taking the nutrients directly from her own bone and muscle tissues, so we add Nekton E and Nekton 5 to the water on a daily basis and once a week these pairs are given a calcium supplement that is water soluble called Neo-Cal Glucon. All the food is sprinkled with Diacalcium-Phosphate powder after the second clutch is hatched.
We at Allen Aviaries have been known to foster an egg with a other parrot when the parent birds are known to throw eggs out of the box or kill babies. However, it is more common with us to foster other eggs beneath our Hyacinthine Macaws as they are exceptionally good parents as a general rule. Many a rare cockatoo has been left with the Hyacinthine Macaw for the duration of the incubation process and taken just prior to hatching. Great care must be taken, however, to note the day that the Hyacinth has laid her eggs as she will incubate only for the period of time it takes her egg to hatch (generally twenty-nine to thirty days). Thus she will leave the fostered egg to chill if her time cycle is finished.
FEEDING THE CHICKS
These birds are not difficult to raise as hand-fed nestlings, but a few changes in the diet that you might be feeding your nestlings could be necessary. Diets fed to the general psittacine baby should be fairly low in fat content with a proper balance of protein. Many hand-feeding formulas on the market today are good diets for the other psittacine species, i.e.Cockatoos, Eclectus, Conures, Mini Macaws etc. Some I can mention that we have found to be of benefit are Kaytee Exact Pretty Bird, Tropican-Hagan, and Roudybusch. However, for the Hyacinthine Macaw, whose parent birds in the wild would be eating a diet consisting mainly of the palm nuts (Yamishita 1986), a diet known to have about twelve to fourteen percent fat content is necessary. The only food on the market that is formulated with the Hyacinthine Macaw in mind has been put together by the PRETTY BIRD INTERNATIONAL COMPANY.
Michael Mastey, a concerned bird owner-lover himself, was kind enough to work long and hard and listen to what we told him about the birds' apparent needs, and come up with this version of his formula for our beautiful birds. At last, freedom from grinding. The research being done at this time by this progressive company has the assistance of noted veterinarian Dr. Susan Clubb, who will be speaking at this conference.
The brooder now being used by Allen's Aviaries are Human Isolettes (Ohio Mfg Co.). The temperature and humidity controls are in the front of the unit with a water well refill also in the front. A built-in temperature gauge on the face of the unit makes keeping the temperature correct a simple matter. The Hyacinthine Macaw seems to have a higher than normal (for other macaws) need for humidity. The parent birds in the wild make their nests near the rive banks; therefore, the humidity in our brooders is about 40 percent for the first few days of their life. Then dropped to about 35 percent. A second thermometer on the interior surface is always a good back-up.
A newly hatched Hyacinthine Macaw baby is altrical, which means that it is unable to feed itself or maintain body temperature. Therefore the bird, when newly hatched, is placed in an incubator in a small flat bottomed container with a napkin beneath his body. The temperature of this human incubator is an ambient 92°F (33°C). This is lowered on a weekly basis until the bird is in good pin-feather. He is then maintained at about 88°F (31°C) until his feathers are beginning to open. After which he is put into a warm room in a large open container in which hi is able to move about comfortably. When he shows an interest in the outside world, and is climbing to the top sides of the brooder, he is then introduced to a cage.
CAUTION - A WORD TO THE WISE
These big, sweet birds take approximately seven months before they are eating on their own well enough to leave the hand feeder. A caution to the would-be owner of one of these lovely creatures; NEVER ACCEPT AN UNWEANED BABY. The Hyacinthine Macaw is a very sensitive creature, throwing himself on his back and flaying his legs wildly when seeing a stranger in the nursery. When going to a new home prior to fledging, the extreme stress that is felt by the bird can result in gram negative bacteria and gram positive bacteria becoming a pathogenic threat to the life of this bird. Handfeeding in the hands of even the most experienced of bird feeders is found to be quite difficult and many a would-be Hyacinth owner, looking for a better price, have had a baby Hyacinth die when sold to them prior to complete weaning.
SEXING BABY BIRDS
Every year we are able to raise about fifteen to twenty-five Hyacinthine Macaws. These birds are all sexed with cytology by the Avian Genetics Lab in Bartlett, Tennessee, USA. We then have Dr. Scott McDonald, noted veterinarian from Highland Park, Indiana, come to our farm and implant computer-chips in the pectoral muscle of each bird. This tiny chip transmits a number with which your bird can be identified at any time during his life.
Cage size in a home situation will be a determining factor in the health of your animal. You should expect to give this "Gentle Giant", as they are often called, as large a cage as possible; keeping in mind that he has very long tail feathers and the need for depth is as important as the need for width. When introduced to a prospective future mate at a young age, you will find the birds will bond with each other and still be interested in being a part of your family.
We put our pet Hyacinths out into the breeding facility at about three and a half years old. We do not, ever again, try to make the bird back into a pet; we feel that the ensuing confusion could prove detrimental to his over-all sense of well being. We content ourselves with the "Job well done" feeling when he and his mate make good parents themselves.
We screen those who would own these birds for their potential as breeders and have found a great interest in the world for the keeping and breeding of the Hyacinthine Macaw. Many of our birds have gone out all over the world to procreate the species in other lands, I cannot tell you the satisfaction that this gives the breeder. We know now that with the ongoing interest of the aviculturist, the continuation of the species is real and perhaps some day we will all join forces and become part of a reintroduction program as has been done with a few other species.
Friday 3rd November 2023
More good news from Brazil about the Spix’s macaw
There is more good news from Brazil about the re-introduced Spix’s macaws. A statement from ACTP has revealed that a pair of Spix’s macaws, a male released in June of this year and a female from the December 2022 release, have hatched ... Read More »
" Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret "
( If you drive out nature with a pitchfork, she will soon find a way back)
Horace (65-8 BC)
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Pinfold, in Medieval Britain, is an area originally built to hold animals which were found straying from their owners land or were found grazing on the common without common rights. The animals would not be released until a fine had been paid to the “pinder” who was an officer of the lord of the manor. Breaking into the pinfold to release the animals was an offence punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. They were also used by drovers taking their stock to market. The pinfold was used to pen the animals overnight for a small fee.
The terms “pinfold” and “pound” are Saxon in origin. “Pundfald” and “pund” both mean an enclosure. There appears to be no difference between a pinfold and a village pound. The term pinfold seems to be more popular in the north and east of the UK whilst in the south and west the term pound is more popular.
The Burghwallis Pinfold can be found in the old village at the bottom of Well Lane. The size and shape of pinfolds varies, some are four sided, rectangular, square and irregular, others are circular. Our Pinfold is approx. 8 x 9 metres and has five stone steps leading down to the bottom where a well can be found in the centre of the grounds. Pinfolds are known to date from the medieval period. By the 16th century most villages and townships would have had a pinfold. Most of what remains today would date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Some are listed buildings but most have fallen into disrepair. The Parish Council have cleared the area in preparation for planting and the surrounding stone walls have been re-pointed in limestone in keeping with regulations for this medieval site. Further work has been carried out to complete the area by volunteers from the village including re-building the well at the top of the site and laying green slate to keep the area tidy.
1487/0/10011 WELL LANE
Village pinfold or pound, mid C18 or earlier of limestone construction.
Roughly U-shaped formed at the end of a sloping lane leading from the village to the common fields. The south east corner is angled, while the south west is curved and contains an entrance. The east and west walls of the pinfold continue beyond the pinfold’s northern boundary wall flanking the lower section of the former lane.
The pinfold is roughly U-shaped in plan and approximately 5.7m wide. The enclosing walls are constructed of roughly-coursed limestone, with curved coping stones. The north wall, which has been strengthened by vertical orthostats and has steps at its west end, stands a few courses high and carries a modern sewerage pipe; on the south side, the walls rise to approximately 1.5m in accordance with the drop in ground level. The entrance, with a modern gate, is situated in the south west corner. There is a small stone-lined watering trough in the centre of the pinfold fed by a natural spring, and a later low stone built platform against the west wall.
Documentary evidence for the presence of a pinfold at Burghwallis can be traced through the Anne family Squire record to 1753. Here the Manor Court Book states that the pinder for the period 1753 -1758 was Thomas Mallinson. He was succeeded by his wife, Dorothy, who remained in post for the next 17 years. Records from the 1780 Burghwallis Manor Court Jury provide evidence for the holding of sheep, pigs and horses or beasts. It is considered that these records refer to the present structure located adjacent to former common grazing land and a quarry, the most likely source of its building materials. The form of existing field boundaries on the 1813 Enclosure Award map are thought to indicate the location of the pinfold at the south end of an access route from the village to the common fields beyond. It is not depicted on subsequent Ordnance Survey editions presumably as it had gone out of use at enclosure.
Margaret L.P. Burns `Burghwallis and Bentley: A Comparative Study of the Development of two South Yorkshire Parishes’ http://burghwallis.com/pdf/Burghwallis%20%20&%20Bentley%20Full%20&%20Maps.pdf (Accessed 20-Apr-2009)
B.M. Willmott Dobbie, `Pounds or Pinfolds, and Lockups: Beast and Man in Custody’ (Bath, 1979)
Edwin Pretty, Pinfolds in the Doncaster Borough `Yesterday Today: Doncaster’s Local History Review’ (Issue no.40 – April 2003)
REASONS FOR DESIGNATION:
The pinfold at Burghwallis is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* It is a well-preserved example of an increasingly rare building type
* For its historic interest as a surviving component of medieval open field stock management
* It is an effectively intact pre-1840 structure
* It compares favourably with other listed examples locally, with the added interest of a drinking trough.
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Agronomy Questions for IAS Prelims - Set 8
Agronomy Questions for IAS Prelims - Set 81. The Mehsana breed of buffalo known as persistent milker and regular breeder.belongs to which state:
c. Uttar Pradesh
d. HaryanaView Answer / Hide Answer2. Which of the following agreement/ treaty of WTO is related to agriculture
d. GATSView Answer / Hide Answer3. Coffee is obtained from which part of the plant?
d. SeedView Answer / Hide Answer4. The WTO Agreement on Agriculture contains provisions in 3 broad areas of agriculture and trade policy. Which of the following is not covered under it?
a. market access
b. domestic support and
c. Foreign Direct Investments
d. export subsidies View Answer / Hide Answer
5. Which agency works to save tribals from exploitation by private traders and offer them remunerative prices for minor forest produce
ANSWER: c. Foreign Direct Investments
b. Food corporation of India (FCI)
d. NABARDView Answer / Hide Answer6. What is the contribution of Horticulture to the GDP of Agriculture
d. 55.5%View Answer / Hide Answer7. Which of the following pairs of crop and leading producer is not correctly matched?
a. Jowar ------ Maharastra
b. Sugarcane ---- Uttar Pradesh
c. Jute --------- Bihar
d. Groundnut ----- GujratView Answer / Hide Answer
8. Consider the following statements
ANSWER: c. Jute --------- Bihar
West Bengal is the leading producer of Jute.
I. Kisan Call Centers have been functioning in India since 2004
II. They are engaged in answering farmer's queries in 21 local dialects.Which of the following statement(s) is\are correct?
c. Both I & II
d. NoneView Answer / Hide Answer9. The standard consumption ratio for the NPK fertilizer is assumed to be
d. 4:2:1View Answer / Hide Answer10. Which is the main crop of Rainfed Agro-Ecologies in India?
d. CottonView Answer / Hide Answer
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Baptism, sometimes called 'christening', is the sacrament where people are welcomed into the family of God. Promises are made to follow the way of Christ and the wider community promises to welcome and walk with the baptismal candidates on their journey of faith.
In baptism, we are thanking God for his gift of life, making a decision to start a child on the journey of faith and asking for the Church's support. For a child, baptism marks the start of a lifelong journey which involves turning away from all that is wrong, turning towards Christ and becoming a member of the church, God's family on earth.
There are various symbols and actions used during a Baptism Service
- The sign of the cross - the vicar will make the sign of the cross on your child's forehead. This is an invisible sign to show that Christians are united with Jesus.
- Water - the vicar will pour water on your child's head. Water is a sign of washing and cleansing. In baptism it is a sign of being washed free from sin and beginning a new life with God.
- Anointing - after baptism in water the vicar may anoint him or her with oil. This is a sign of the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit.
- The welcome - the church congregation will welcome you and your child into the Church family.
- Candles - Jesus is the Light of the World. We will give you a lighted candle as a reminder of Jesus the light of the world.
Check out the links below for some excellent resources on Baptism:
- First Steps on an Amazing Journey - the C of E website packed with useful resources
- The Baptism Service in the Church of England
- Baptism preparation for adults
- Children’s books to prepare
- A Welcome book over 3 sessions
- Becoming a Godparent
- Baptism Integrity: exploring the theology and practice of Baptism
- An excellent Pinboard of Baptism Resources
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How Do You Intimidate a Drug Dealer With Fulminated Mercury?
Fulminated mercury has the molecular formula Hg(CNO)2. It is a white power that explodes with the formation of mercury vapors in response to impact, friction, or heat.
Hg(CNO)2 → 2 CO + N2 + Hg
The explosive effects of mixtures of alcohol, nitrates, silver, and mercury were known even back in the days of the alchemists. Fulminated mercury was first described in 1800 by Edward Howard. Interestingly, investigations carried out by Liebig, Gay Lussac, and Wöhler on silver fulminate (AgCNO) and silver cyanate (AgOCN) led to the discovery of isomerism. Wöhler later recognized the structure of the fulminate anion (C=N–O). The crystalline structure of fulminated mercury was not explained until 2007 .
In the 19th century, fulminated mercury was used as an initiator for detonating dynamite. Due to its toxic nature and the difficulties in handling it, it was soon replaced by the safer lead azide. Walter therefore took a great risk when he marched into Tuco’s office with a kilo of unusually large and beautiful crystals and let Tuco play around with them. Put simply, it is practically a miracle that the substance did not explode before its dramaturgic role played out. Please do not try this at home!
W. Beck, J. Evers, M. Göbel, G. Oehlinger, T. M. Klapötke, Z. Anorg. Allge. Chem. 2007, 633, 1417–1422. DOI: 10.1002/zaac.200700176
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The events of 2020 have brought widespread focus on the systemic racism that is deeply embedded in our society.
California’s children are watching our response. We collectively have a responsibility to instill anti-racist, pro-black narratives, break down systems of racial oppression and injustice, and ensure our policies and practices are effective toward that end.
Systemic racism is the primary obstacle to all kids reaching their full potential. In our fight for equity and high quality in early childhood, education, health and child welfare programs, Children Now stands with partners and communities throughout the state in support of dismantling systems and policies that actively harm black and brown kids.
Bay Area Resources:
Los Angeles Resources:
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International Day of the Girl Child
On October 11 we recognise the United Nations' International Day of the Girl Child, which aims to 'highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights'.
According to UN Women, in the least developed countries, barely 60% of girls complete primary school and just 30% enrol in secondary school.
750 million women and girls globally were married before their 18th birthday
At Christian Aid, gender justice is at the heart of our work - from expanding the choices and opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria to improving nutrition outcomes for young mothers and their children in Kenya.
To recognise the amazing girls around the world, we share these programmes, which work to empower young women and teenage girls.
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Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSD” or “SSDI” or “Title II Disability”) comes from Title II of the Social Security Act, which was originally passed in 1935 as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s “New Deal.”
Citizens Disability’s mission is to help provide people with access to the Social Security Disability benefits that they already paid for while they were working.
What does SSDI Do For Workers?
Social Security Disability provides payments to individuals who used to work in the past but now can’t work due to a sickness or injury.
When you were working, you paid into Social Security with every paycheck. That money went to give you “quarters of coverage.” That means that you get Social Security Disability coverage by paying into the system. Social Security Disability is not an entitlement – it’s an “earned benefit,” something you earned by paying into Social Security while you were working.
How Do I Know If I’m Covered?
When you pay into Social Security Disability and get your “quarters of coverage” you’re covered and can receive Disability Insurance Benefits (“DIB”). For a US citizen, that means if you paid into Social Security for twenty of the last forty quarters (five of the last ten years, four quarters per year, even if they were not sequential), you are eligible to collect disability insurance if you become unable to work due to disability.
How Much Money Is Available To Me Through SSDI?
How much you pay into Social Security Disability determines how much you can collect when you become unable to work. The more you pay in, the more that you can collect if you win your Social Security Disability claim. That amount is called your Primary Insurance Amount, and that’s how much you would receive each month.
The amount you collect from Social Security Disability doesn’t change depending on how much you own, or how much you have in savings. As long as you aren’t working and making above the number Social Security calls “substantial gainful activity,” you can still collect your full Social Security Disability amount.
Thinking about applying for SSDI Benefits? Our quiz is easy and takes less than a minute! See If You Qualify! Already receiving disability benefits? We may be able to help you optimize your benefits & save money!
Click here to see how!
Will I Ever Lose Coverage? Is This Time-Sensitive?
Because Social Security Disability requires you to pay in, it can also expire. Think of it like an insurance policy – the amount of money you pay in from your paycheck is your insurance premium. As long as you pay in, and have paid in for five of the last ten years (twenty of the last forty quarters), you are still covered by Disability Insurance benefits. Once you pass that date, you can no longer collect Disability Insurance – so it may be in your best interest to act quickly! In order to collect Social Security Disability, you need to be found disabled before your “date last insured” – when you still have enough “quarters of coverage” to be insured with SSD.
Is This Easy To Apply For? Can I Do It Myself?
The Social Security Disability process is long and complicated, and the Social Security Administration has complicated rules that govern how it finds you disabled. It may help you to have a Social Security Disability Advocate help you through the process, although it is certainly possible to file on your own.
About Citizens Disability, LLC:
Since 2010, Citizens Disability has been America’s premier Social Security Disability institution. Our mission is to give a voice to the millions of Americans who are disabled and unable to work, helping them receive the Social Security Disability benefits to which they may be entitled.
Citizens Disability is committed to helping keep people safe from fraud. We will never ask for personal details to start an SSDI application over Facebook or social media. We will only ask for certain details, in private messages, to confirm the identity of a client in a customer service situation. The only way to begin an SSDI application with us is on the phone, through a number found on our website, or one of our clearly-marked advertisements. Please keep your personal details safe, don't share them in a public forum, or with individuals who solicit your information.
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A study printed in the journal Natural Climate Change, led by Carl-Friedrich Schleussner from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, indic
A study printed in the journal Natural Climate Change, led by Carl-Friedrich Schleussner from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, indicated that increase of only 0,5 C in global temperature could cause severe weather.
This scientist compared two periods from 1960 to 1979 and from 1991 to 2010 and has discovered that average global temperatures increased 0.5°Celsius. Also, the hottest summer temperatures and coldest winter temperatures increased by 1° and 2.5°Celsius respectively.
Schleussner said that there are real-life impacts of these increases and that they must rely on climate models to forecast the future.
In September 2018 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will provide a report on the research of the 1.5°Celsius target indicating the consequences that might be avoided. Eric Fischer scientist from ETH Zurich in Switzerland stressed that the 0.5°C increase would be significant.
In a different study published in the Writing in the Journal of Climate the level of warming was 30% higher – 0.174°Celsius per decade between 1976 and 2016.
This research was based on information provided by satellites.
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The six-pointed Shield of David, now inscribed on the flag of Israel, is universally accepted as the Jewish symbol par excellence; and it is commonly assumed that the Magen David’s special significance reaches back to remote antiquity, and enshrines some deep, traditionally hallowed, religious or historical meaning. Gershom Scholem, one of the great Jewish scholars of our time, here traces the obscure story of the Magen David through its long and curious career, and reveals that the true story of the symbol is quite different from that asserted by most accepted “authorities.”
The six-pointed star known as the Magen David or Shield of David, which is now emblazoned on the flag of the State of Israel, is from every point of view a cause for astonishment. Where did the symbol originate, and what is its true meaning? In the scholarly literature, as well as the popular, truth and fantasy are mingled. Writers on the subject confuse the authentic tradition of the symbol, which they do not understand very well, with their own speculations, some of which are very far-fetched indeed: in sum, each man interprets the Magen David as he pleases.
One commentator says: this is the symbol of Judaism, of the religious and intellectual universe of monotheism. Another says: it is the pure symbol of the Jewish national community. Some say: it is the symbol of the wars of the Kings of the House of David, while still others say: it is the symbol of eternal harmony and peace, the unification of opposites and their subordination to the principle of unity. What is common to all these interpretations is that their daring is matched only by their ineptness.
The Shield of David is indeed a wondrous symbol, stimulating the intellect and arousing the passion for speculation. And whose heart is not stirred to illuminate the dark depths, each man according to the latest encyclopedia at his disposal? Blessed be He Who succors the poor. Who has shown us wonders by His grace, and has not locked the gates of pious homiletics.
What is the true history of this Shield of David in the Jewish tradition?
Does it have its roots in the Jewish tradition at all? Has it always been accepted among wide or narrow circles as the symbol of Judaism, or at least as a specifically Jewish symbol? And if not, when did it begin to serve this function, and through what causes? In trying to answer these questions, a distinction must be made between the appearance of the emblem itself—the two crossed triangles in the shape of a six-pointed star—and the history of the name, “Shield of David,” by which it is now known; for the name and the symbol were not originally linked together.
Actually the six-pointed star is not a Jewish symbol; a fortiori it could not be “the symbol of Judaism.” It has none of the criteria that mark the nature and development of the true symbol. It does not express any “idea,” it does not arouse ancient associations rooted in our experiences, and it is not a shorthand representation of an entire spiritual reality, understood immediately by the observer. It does not remind us of anything in Biblical or in rabbinic Judaism. Indeed, until the middle of the 19th century, it did not occur to any scholar or Cabalist to inquire into the secret of its Jewish meaning, and it is not mentioned in the books of the devout or in all of Hasidic literature. If it was once related to the emotions of the devout Jew, that relation was entirely founded on a sentiment of fear.
The two-triangle star is to be found among many peoples, both as decoration and as a magical sign, although it seems to be younger than its companion, the pentagram or five-pointed star. Its occasional appearance as a decoration gives it no claim to be a “Jewish” symbol; and even as a simple decoration it is only rarely found among our antiquities. It appears among the motifs that served to decorate ancient buildings, including the synagogue of Capernaum (2nd or 3rd century CE), but in the same synagogue the swastika is found side by side with it, and certainly no one will contend that this makes the swastika a Jewish symbol. The six-pointed star has been discovered on an ancient Hebrew (or Phoenician) seal, but together with other signs and figures, none of which can be considered a Jewish religious symbol. It is not to be found at all in medieval synagogues or on medieval ceremonial objects, although it has been found in quite a number of medieval Christian churches—again, not as a Christian symbol but only as a decorative motif. The appearance of the symbol in Christian churches long before its appearance in our synagogues should warn the overzealous interpreters. We can easily understand Jacob Reifman, one of the great scholars of the Enlightenment, who seventy-five years ago cried out against the Shield of David as “‘slips of a stranger’ in Israel’s vineyard,” recalling the verse: “They mingled themselves with the nations and learned their works.”
Even on ancient tombstones the six-pointed star is not to be found before the 17th century, and then only in Prague. An exception is one tombstone in Taranto, in the South of Italy, on which is engraved the six-pointed star near the name of the departed, “Leon son of David”; the figure is placed just before “David,” but we cannot say whether this is more than a mere coincidence. It is assumed that the tombstone in question does not date from later than the 6th century. This symbol does not appear again on any other tombstone of that period, but the five-pointed star, the pentagram (which competes with the six-pointed star in the Practical Cabala too), is found on another contemporary tombstone, from Spain. The suggestion advanced by the late hacham, Moses Gaster, that Rabbi Akiba introduced the six-pointed star as a messianic symbol in Bar Kochba’s war, is entirely baseless.
And as it is with R. Akiba, so is it with the 13th-century author of the Book of Splendor (“Zohar”) and with the 16th century Cabalist, R. Isaac Luria (“the Ari”). There is no reference at all to the Shield of David in their works, let alone as a symbol of Judaism. In all the vast literature commonly known as the Lurianic writings, the figure of the Shield, but not its name, is found only once, in the context of talismans and amulets; even here, there is some doubt whether the entire chapter may not be a later addition, since it is missing from many versions.
Nevertheless the common Jewish textbooks are full of nonsense about the presumed origin of the general use of the Shield of David in the Lurianic Cabala. According to this “theory,” the diffusion of the symbol occurred in the 16th century. One author has written (and many have quoted him): “This international symbol was diffused as a peculiarly Jewish symbol only by R. Isaac Luria, who saw in it the image of the Primal Man and the world of Emanations.” Someone else has added that “the meaning of the Shield of David, as it was expounded in the Book of Splendor [which knows absolutely nothing of it!], had a very strong influence on the powerful imagination of R. Isaac Luria, who saw in this image a wonderful representation of his vision of the world.” Things like these are copied from one book to another, and it is astonishing that no one has thought it advisable to look into the Lurianic writings themselves and try to find the symbol and an explanation for it. He would discover that the idea that Luria gave the stimulus for the diffusion of the Shield of David as the symbol of Judaism is a figment of the imagination.
It may be asked: How did it happen that these scholars confused their own interpretations with those of Luria? The answer is clear, simple, and slightly comical.
These scholars write that Luria, in his Tree of Life, rules that at the Passover Seder we must arrange the plate in such a fashion that its various components should form a six-pointed star: one triangle being composed of the shankbone (zro’a), egg, and bitter herb, and the other of the horseradish, parsley, and harosset. The fact of the matter is that the Lurianic writings say something entirely different about the arrangement of the Seder plate, and there is not the slightest reference to the Shield of David: “And as for the priest, thou shalt put to thy right the zro’a, representing the Emanation of Grace; and opposite it, to the left, the egg, representing Might; and between and under them the bitter herb, representing Glory. And the harosset shall be put beneath the zro’a, representing Everlastingness; and opposite it, under the egg, the parsley, representing Majesty; and the horseradish, which is later eaten between two matzot, under the bitter herb, representing Foundation.” We see, therefore, that these six elements of the Seder are to be arranged on the plate to represent the six Cabalistic Emanations, in the form of two triangles, one under the other, and not crossed over each other; this arrangement does not even suggest the Shield of David.
But in the 19th century, when the six-pointed star began to be widely represented on nearly every religious object, “artistic” seder plates began to be made according to the modern taste, and the arrangement set down by Luria (and mentioned also in any number of Haggadas) was arbitrarily converted to the form of a six-pointed star. On older seder plates, especially those dating from the 18th century, there are entirely different decorative elements (the twelve signs of the Zodiac, the twelve tribes, etc.). The confused historians of the Shield of David associated the Lurianic teachings with the modem seder-plate design that began to be so popular in the 19th century; they concluded without further inquiry that both the arrangement and the form of the sign itself were to be attributed to the Lurianic Cabala.
Some modern scholars have even used the writings of 18th-century Christian alchemists and occultists to “reveal” the Shield of David as a symbol of harmony and peace. But there is absolutely no relation, in this matter, between these sources and the Cabalists, or any other Jewish religious group. The Shield of David has neither a Jewish religious “genealogy” nor a Jewish religious significance, either exoterically or esoterically; and it certainly had no place in the mystical world of the devout men of Israel.
The true history of the six-pointed star and its ascent to the rank of a symbol in Israel is bound up with what is called Practical Cabala, which is nothing more than Jewish magic, whose links with the theoretical doctrines of the Cabalists were always weak. Particularly, it is bound up with the use of amulets and talismans.
In this area a strong reciprocal influence was at work between the Jews and Gentiles, for nothing is more international than magic. Magic signs and designs pass from one people to another, just as “sacred” (i.e., incomprehensible) combinations of “names” wander back and forth, and frequently become corrupted in their wanderings. In general, magic signs like these were called “seals” in our literature, not only because they were frequently engraved on rings—the production of magical rings of this kind was a well defined trade, and we have textbooks in this science—but also because of the common attitude that a man “seals himself” with these signs and protects himself against the assaults of evil spirits.
Two designs, both endowed with magical meaning and power, are frequently interchanged in the literature on talismans: the six-pointed star and the five-pointed star. In practice, the transition from one to the other was very easy, and the investigator of amulets will frequently find that where one uses the five-pointed star, another uses the six-pointed star. In the beginning these designs had no special names or terms, and it is only in the Middle Ages that definite names began to be given to some of those most widely used. There is very little doubt that terms like these first became popular among the Arabs, who showed a tremendous interest in all the occult sciences, arranging and ordering them systematically long before the Practical Cabalists thought of doing so.
It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that for a long time both the five-pointed and the six-pointed stars were called by one name, the “Seal of Solomon,” and that no distinction was made between them. This name is obviously related to the Jewish legend of Solomon’s dominion over the spirits, and of his ring with the Ineffable Name engraved on it. These legends expanded and proliferated in a marked fashion during the Middle Ages, among Jews and Arabs alike, but the name, “Seal of Solomon,” apparently originated with the Arabs. This term they did not apply to any one design exclusively; they applied it to an entire series of seven seals to which they attributed extreme potency in putting to flight the forces of the Demon.
When the amulet of the seven seals was adopted by the Jews, its name was changed and other names were given to it (“the seven signs of Rab Huna,” and the like). “Seal of Solomon” was applied by Jews only to the five-and six-pointed stars. This became the usage among Christians as well, as least from approximately the 13th century. The medieval Cabalist, R. Abraham Abulafia, compares the shape of the segol (a triangularly pointed Hebrew vowel sign) to “the sign of half the Seal of King Solomon,” and the term is frequent in the Hebrew literature on amulets.
The virtue of this seal as a talisman was always to accomplish one thing and one thing alone: to serve as a shield against the evil spirits. Consequently we find it in many of the magical versions of the mezuzah, which were so widespread from the beginning of the Middle Ages till about the 14th century. Mezuzot and amulets served an identical function for the adepts of magic. A German rabbi of the 12th century writes about the mezuzah that “it is a common practice, for the additional safety of the house, to inscribe seals and angelic names at the end of the mezuzah verses; and this is neither forbidden nor commanded, but only for additional safety.” Some of the early rabbis actually ruled that the mezuzah “must be written” in magical style and with the additions. Maimonides denounced the extremists who went so far as to inscribe the names and seals not only in the margins and between the verses of the text comprising the mezuzah, but even between the lines within each group of verses; in his opinion, such men are “in the category of those who have no share in the world to come; for these fools were not content to nullify a commandment, but they took the great commandment of the unity of the Name, and His love and worship, and used it as though it were an amulet for their own profit.” The seals in most of the versions of these magical mezuzot—of which some have come down to us—are nothing more than representations of the Shield of David (sometimes as many as twelve in one mezuzah; the late collector Elkan Adler once showed me such a one).
It was not, therefore, as a symbol of the monotheistic faith that the six-pointed star began its Jewish career, but as a magical talisman for protection against the evil spirits; and this remained its primary meaning among the masses of the people until about a hundred years ago. The magical mezuzah originated, without any doubt, in Babylonia or Palestine in the gaonic period (7th to nth centuries CE, roughly), but we do not have enough evidence today to decide from which of these two countries it comes. In the medieval literary sources that describe the method of preparing the magical mezuzah, we find no mention of the name of the seal, whether “Seal of Solomon” or “Shield of David.” In articles and textbooks we read the erroneous hypothesis to the effect that the Karaite scholar Judah Hadassi, in the middle of the 12th century, was the first to call this sign the Shield of David (in his book. The Cluster of Camphor); actually, this was only an addition by the 19th-century printer.
In the course of the years the magical mezuzah was forgotten, but the two forms of the “Seal of Solomon” are preserved in the magical literature of all three religions. Anyone who looks into the Renaissance books on magical practices, like Solomon’s Key or the literature ascribed to the legendary magician Dr. Faustus, will find them used in many connections. Though the magical mezuzah went out of use after the Middle Ages, the figures served as a talisman in other amulets, some of which attained great popularity—like the famous amulet for putting out fires, on which was written the verse—“And the people cried unto Moses; and Moses prayed unto the Lord, and the fire abated”—around the Shield of David, in the center of which was written the formula AGLA, the initial Hebrew letters of the verse “Thou art mighty forever, O Lord.”
Where does this title, the “Shield of David,” come from, and what does it mean? It is known that among the medieval mystics some legends were current about King David’s shield and its magical powers. The earliest source is the Book of Desire, which is an interpretation of the seventy magical names of Metatron, Prince of the Divine Presence. The book was composed in Germany in the 13th century, in the circle of the German Hasidim, by Eleazar of Worms or one of his disciples. In it we read how King David had a golden shield, upon which was engraved the Great Name of seventy-two names (a combination of holy names by whose virtue, the Midrash tells us, Israel was redeemed from Egypt); and beneath was engraved the “name” of Taphtephajah, one of the names of the Prince of the Presence. “And when a man is at war and his enemies attack him, let him remember it and he will be saved,” for the same book tells us that the numerical value of the Hebrew letters of Taphtephajah is the same as that of the letters of “upon the shield.”
As early as the 13th century, the design of the Seal of Solomon, already found in magical mezuzot, was substituted for the Great Name of seventy-two names. Why this substitution occurred, I do not know, although it is possible that the seventy-two names had been written out in an arrangement like the shape of the Seal of Solomon and that afterwards, as the writing of the names became stylized, lines finally took the place of the names. In the 17th century, in certain instances, we find instructions that the Shield of David is not to be drawn in simple lines, but is to be composed of certain holy names and combinations of names.
In any event, we may say with certainty that from some such legend as this or from statements similar to that which I have quoted, the term, “Shield of David,” was developed. This is clearly proved by the place in which its first appearance is known to us. In the early years of the 14th century there was composed in Spain the Book of the Boundary, by David ben Judah the Pious, a grandson of Nachmanides. In this book, which has been preserved only in manuscript, we twice find the design of the two crossed triangles, both times called the Shield of David, once the “Macrocosmic Shield of David” and once the “Microcosmic Shield of David.” Beneath the pictures of the Shield is written the “name,” Taphtephajah, which proves its intimate connection with the tradition concerning King David’s Shield in the Book of Desire. In some of the manuscripts I have examined, the design has become corrupted and has been replaced by a single triangle or by the five-pointed star; but in a number of old manuscript compendia of the Practical Cabala, we find protective amulets with the picture of the Shield of David, and at its center or by its side the same name, Taphtephajah. One of these is the book entitled The Roots of the Names, by R. Moses Zakutt, a famous encyclopedia of the Practical Cabala, dating from the 17th century.
An altogether different tradition concerning the emblem on King David’s shield exists from the 15th century on. It was first mentioned in The Sacrifice of Isaac, by the noted Spanish preacher, R. Isaac Arama, and it taught that the emblem on King David’s shield was not the image that we know by this name, but Psalm 671 in the shape of the menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum. The menorah pictured on the Shield of David—here is a most curious combination of the two motifs. This tradition knows nothing of the Magen David, in our sense. It must be admitted that the menorah would seem to have a better right to serve as the symbol of Judaism than the Shield of David, in its present accepted form.
The writing of Psalm 67 in the shape of the menorah became very widespread after the 15th century. It was the custom to read this psalm during the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot, and in all the special prayer books for this period it was so written. Hence arose the custom of using this image in synagogues and other places, and the Cabalists gave its talismanic virtue unlimited praise. At the end of a booklet entitled The Golden Menorah, printed in Prague in the 16th century, we read: “This psalm, together with the menorah, is an allusion to great things . . . . And King David used to bear this psalm inscribed, pictured, and engraved on his shield, on a sheet of gold, in the shape of the menorah, when he went forth to battle, and he would meditate on its mystery, and conquer”; and similarly in many other books.
It would seem, however, that the talismanic power of the star representation of the Shield of David was more “tried and true,” so that it has won out over its representation in the form of the menorah even on the modem battlefield of Jewish symbolism.
Until the 17th century, the two terms, Shield of David and Seal of Solomon, are used indiscriminately, but slowly (perhaps under the influence of Christian usage) the second term becomes applicable only to the five-pointed star. It was at the beginning of the 18th century that the term “Shield of David” assumed the fixed meaning it bears today. The Christians began to use this term, and we have a number of booklets from that period, in Latin and German, containing explanations of the Star of David and allegorical sermons on it, in the spirit of the alchemists. Homilies like these were entirely foreign to the spirit of the Jewish preachers of that generation. Nonetheless, even among them there was one who began to interpret it as the symbol of the Kingdom of the House of David. Abraham Hayyim ha-Cohen, of Nikolsburg, wrote in his commentary on Psalms, which was first printed in 1750: “For there was a difference between the shields of the kings of Israel and those of the Kingdom of the House of David, in that the kings of Israel had a shield with three sides [i.e., triangular] to show that the House of David had a valid claim to the quality of kingship.” We have here, then, an interpretation of the symbol, not as a talisman, but as representing kingship—the Emanation of Kingship, which is the Congregation of Israel above and the Kingdom of the House of David below.
Indeed, we find a similar interpretation again in a very striking context, in which the magical career of the Shield of David reached its zenith. Here the symbol casts off its swaddling clothes of magic to rise to the vision of approaching redemption as proclaimed by the “false Messiah” of the 17th century, Sabbatai Zevi. This critical turning point is concealed in the celebrated amulets of R. Jonathan Eybeschuetz. All his amulets include the Shield of David (the only image to be found in them), in which are inscribed formulas like “Seal” alone, or “Seal of MBD,” or “Seal of MBID,” or even “Seal of the God of Israel.” In his defense of these amulets, R. Jonathan took refuge behind the magical meaning of the image, and he denied any symbolic value to this sign from a Jewish point of view. It was not so with those who sought to decipher his amulets. They explained his predilection for this image by its Sabbatian significance: their interpretation was that for R. Jonathan the Shield of David had become a messianic symbol. They compared the inscriptions within the images in many of his amulets, and they discovered in them a Sabbatian reference: MBD stood for Messiah ben David, and so on. They were certainly not arbitrary in interpreting the matter in this fashion, though we must not be astonished that R. Jonathan did not admit their charges. We find ourselves before these alternatives: if R. Jonathan was not secretly a Sabbatian, then his amulets have no symbolic meaning at all, and are nothing but magical mumbo-jumbo; if he was a Sabbatian, then we are compelled to admit that the character of the symbol in his amulets is a great innovation, and that R. Jonathan was the first to see in the Shield of David a highly meaningful symbol (although a very “private” and esoteric symbol) of a mystic vision of redemption. This was not only the Shield of David, but the Shield of the Son of David as well!
We must confess that all this is enormously stimulating to us of this generation: the modern interpretation of the Shield of David as the symbol of redemption, which even determined the name of Franz Rosenzweig’s profound book. The Star of Redemption (Der Stem der Erloesung), actually first emerged from the Sabbatian prattlings of messianic redemption which was mystically alluded to in the combinations of letters in amulets! It is greatly to be doubted whether the fathers of Zionism, when they accepted the Shield of David as the symbol of the movement for the revival of Israel, knew that perhaps in this respect also they were in tune with the secret thought of the greatest among the Sabbatian believers.
Entirely different from the first, magical, root, is the second root from which the general and broader use of the Shield of David grew; that is, its official use in the seals of several Jewish communities. The “official” use of the Shield of David began in Prague and spread out from that city, in the 17th and 18th centuries, through Moravia and Austria. We do not know whether the Jews freely chose this emblem for the sign on their “flags,” or whether it was thrust upon them by the Christian authorities. But even though it may have come about through compulsion and the orders of superiors, constraint became custom, and the sign came to be cherished by the Jews of Bohemia and Moravia.
In surviving notes on the contents of ancient documents concerning the Jewish community of Prague, which were destroyed by fire more than two centuries ago, it is said that the Emperor Charles IV in 1354 gave the Jews the “freedom” (privilege) “to bear a flag” as a special token of his grace to the Jews of the city. This is no mere legend, since we later find the flag mentioned in the chronicles of Prague Jewry as a well known thing. In 1527 the authorities ordered the Jews of Prague to greet Emperor Ferdinand I, on his entry into the city, “with their flag.” On this flag was a large Shield of David (not in the form of a five-pointed star, as some books would have it). If in that early period the Jews of Prague already saw in this symbol King David’s shield, according to the tradition of the German Hasidim that I have cited, we must suppose that they chose it themselves and bore it proudly on their banner. If, on the other hand, the authorities chose it for the Jews, we cannot say whether this was because of its widespread magical use or because of its decorative quality. In the light of the unbroken tradition of this symbol among the Jews of Prague, however, there is cause for the belief that this was a deliberately chosen symbol of Jewish pride and a memento, as it were, of the days of old. The original flag was not preserved, but a new one was made in the days of Emperor Ferdinand, and when it was damaged in the course of the years, still another was made in 1716, which is kept to this very day in the Altneuschul synagogue. Apparently the authorities of the state had no less respect for the flag than the Jews, since in 1716 they fined the elders of the community for not taking proper care of it and allowing it to be damaged!
In contradiction, we have the testimony of Hungarian historians that on the flag with which the Jews of Ofen greeted King Matthias of Hungary in 1476 there were two five-pointed stars, but not the six-pointed Shield of David. Here certainly was no recognition of the unique quality of the six-pointed Shield of David as a representation of the Congregation of Israel before the world.
Even until the beginning of the 17th century, the two stars were still vying with each other in Prague, though by this time the use of the term, “Shield of David,” had become current among the Jews of Prague. When the emperor, in 1622, granted a coat-of-arms to Jacob Bassevi, alias von Treuenfeld, the first Jew in Prague and all the Empire to be ennobled, his escutcheon bore three five-pointed stars, one beneath the other in a diagonal line, for the apparent purpose of serving as a clue to his Jewishness. On the other hand, on the tombstone of the historian David Cans, who died in 1613, there is a six-pointed Shield of David, just as his last book, published a year before his death, is called by this name. From the old banner, the six-pointed star seems to have been taken over into the seal of the Jewish community. We find it as the main ornament on the title page of the first Hebrew book printed in Prague, on Hannukah in 1512; in another book printed in Prague in 1522, it is found together with the city’s coat of arms, thereby indicating its quasiofficial status. When, in 1627, Emperor Ferdinand II approved again the old seal of the Prague community, outside the six sides of the star was spelled out, M-a-G-e-N D-a-V-i-D, with one consonant in each of the six spaces. From then on the six-pointed Shield of David is used communally in a number of different places in Prague: on the seals of societies and individuals, on tombstones, on synagogue structures and the ironwork of the synagogue bimah, on the tower of the Jewish council’s building.
From Prague this official use of the symbol spread out. In 1655 it is found on the seal of the Viennese community, and in 1690 on the seal of the community of Kremsier, in Moravia. On the wall of the old synagogue of the community of Budweis (Southern Bohemia), which was abandoned by the Jews in 1641, there are representations of Shields of David alternating with roses; apparently this is the oldest synagogue outside of Prague on which this symbol is to be found. In his youth, R. Jonathan Eybeschuetz might have been able to see it on the seal of the community of Eybeschuetz. A number of communities in Moravia used as a seal the Shield of David alone, with the addition of the name of the community. Others had on their seals a lion holding the Shield of David, like the community of Weiskirchen at the beginning of the 18th century. In very isolated instances the figure of the Shield of David was used in southern Germany also, doubtless under the influence of the Prague community.
In other countries, we do not generally find the Shield of David in use before the beginning of the 19th century, either on community seals, or on the curtains of the Ark, or on Torah mantles. In books printed outside of Prague, it was used as a printer’s mark only by the printers of the Foa family, and appears in their books from 1551 to the beginning of the 19th century. Their family coat-of-arms has a palm-tree, among the leaves of which a Shield of David is fixed, grasped by two lions. No other printer used it and it is clear that the emblem had no “Jewish” meaning. Printers who imitated the Foa mark at the beginning of the 18th century omitted the Shield of David and retained only the palm-tree and the two lions.
Apparently the prime motive for the remarkably wide diffusion of the Shield of David in the 19th century was the desire to imitate Christianity: the Jews of the era of Emancipation, seeing the “symbol of Christianity” everywhere, sought a “symbol of Judaism.” If Judaism is the “Mosaic religion,” why should it not properly have a striking and simple sign of recognition, like the other religions? The new emancipated Jews desired to erect above the walls of the synagogue something resembling the symbol of the cross, and this is what led to the ascendancy of the Shield of David in the 19th century, and helped it to become widely used on ceremonial objects as well. It was from the enlightened West that the symbol of Jewishness passed to Poland and Russia.
The use of amulets was still very widespread, especially in the East, and the devout did not trouble themselves with complex thoughts; the mimicry of Christianity inherent in the choice of the symbol was confused with its talismanic and magical properties, to which they had become accustomed—especially the simple folk—from countless amulets. Thenceforth the Shield of David began to be introduced everywhere—on the walls, on the windows and roofs of synagogues, on tombstones and medals—as though it were from Sinai. In their pursuit of a useful symbol and in their impulse toward mimicry, it did not occur to the builders of the new synagogues that intrinsically the symbol did not stand for anything, or for very little, of the world of Judaism, and consequently that it did not have the deep roots, drenched in meaning, of the cross in the religious world of Christianity. As late as 1854, G. Wolf wrote in Vienna that he was very well acquainted with the spirit of the Jews of Moravia, and that the whole of the pious Jew’s belief in the Shield of David was that it would protect him against any malevolent assault by his enemies; he did not say that it had a value as a symbol of that pious Jew’s Judaism, in the sense that the cross had religious meaning for the Christian.
The upshot of the matter is this: in the very days of its greatest popularity the Shield of David was a meaningless symbol of Judaism; and the Judaism of those days, in turn, tended to be meaningless. It required more than preachers’ sermons, however admirable in intent, to breathe life into a symbol. The successful and empty career of the Shield of David during the 19th century is in some measure a token of the Jewish decadence of that century.
Then the Zionists came, seeking to restore the ancient glories—or more correctly, to change the face of their people. When they chose it as a symbol for Zionism at the Basle Congress of 1897, the Shield of David was possessed of two virtues that met the requirements of men in quest of a symbol: on the one hand, its wide diffusion during the previous century—its appearance on every new synagogue, on the stationery of many charitable organizations, etc.—had made it known to everybody; and on the other, it was not explicitly identified with a religious association in the consciousness of their contemporaries. This lack became its virtue. The symbol did not arouse memories of the past: it could be filled with hope for the future.
But even Zionism did not do so much to confer the sacredness of a true symbol on the Shield of David as did that mad dictator who made of it a badge of shame for millions of our people, who compelled them to wear it publicly on their clothing as the badge of exclusion and of eventual extermination. Under this sign they moved along the road of horror and degradation, struggle and heroism. If there be such a thing as a soil that grows meaning for symbols, this is it. Some have said: the sign under which they went to destruction and to the gas chambers deserves to be discarded for a sign that will signify life. But it is also possible to think in the opposite fashion: the sign that in our days was sanctified by suffering and torture has won its right to be the sign that will light up the road of construction and life. “The going down is the prelude to the raising up”; where it was humbled, there will you find it exalted.
1 “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us . . . .”
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What is a Christian view of gun control?Depending on how you define "guns," guns were invented somewhere between AD 1000 in China and the 1860s during the American Civil War with early handguns being created in Europe in the 1500s. The Bible is silent on the issue of guns, per se, just like it does not mention computers and automobiles. But the Bible does have much to say about how we should act when using a tool like a gun or computer or car.
Gun control is broadly considered to be the idea that a civil government can regulate how people own or use guns. Throughout the history of the United States of America guns have been commonplace. From the muskets of European Settlers to the machine guns of World War II to the concealed carry firearms of today, America has nearly been synonymous with guns. Currently in the United States of America (2018), gun ownership is protected by the U.S. Constitution and recent surveys and research studies estimate that American civilians own between 260 and 393 million guns, legally and otherwise.
Whether or not a government should control the ownership of guns is up for debate. For comparison, the United States government does not control the number of cars a person can own, only at what age he can legally drive or purchase one, and how fast and where the car can be driven. Likewise, an America citizen can own and operate numerous computers, but it is against the law to use a computer to sell illegal drugs or to steal money from a bank. In the same way the United States government does not limit the number of guns a person or family can own, only that they should not be used to cause unnecessary emotional or physical harm.
The Bible holds government in high regard, for it is God who is responsible for government leaders for "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding" (Daniel 2:21). These government leaders create the laws of the land and Christians are instructed to abide by those laws (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17). Gun laws are just one of the many laws that Christians must obey.
The Bible speaks about the use of weapons in defense of self and of others. Regarding self-defense, in Nehemiah 4:15–23 we see that Nehemiah gave instructions to the people of Israel to be prepared to defend themselves in the event that their enemy came upon them. We read that during construction, "half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail" (Nehemiah 4:16); "each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other" (Nehemiah 4:17); "each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built" (Nehemiah 4:18); and that "half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out" (Nehemiah 4:21). These were not guns, but they were tools, weapons to defend themselves if war was thrust upon them. The Bible may be silent on guns, but it is not silent on weapons.
Pertaining to the defense of others, Ezekiel 33:1–9 speaks of the responsibility of a watchman. He is the one who remains active, at attention, looking for possible harm. The watchman is said to be guilty if he sees harm coming but does not warn others: "But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand" (Ezekiel 33:6). Psalm 82:4 says that we are to "Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." It is good to be prepared to defend others, and some people would argue that having the right weapon at the right time makes this defense possible.
The Bible never condemns a person for carrying a weapon for self-defense, though it does admonish those who are not prepared. It is noted in 1 Samuel 13:19–22 that as Israel was confronted with war with the Philistines they had no spears or swords, only Saul and Jonathan had them. It would appear the Israelites had to prepare their farm tools to be weapons (1 Samuel 13:20). Even Jesus explained the necessity of self-defense, telling His disciples to be prepared as they departed from Him. He counseled them to bring their moneybags and knapsacks and also said, "And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one" (Luke 22:35–38). The disciples responded that they had two swords, which Jesus said was enough.
Personal freedom is a virtue of the Bible. In a nation built upon freedom, some will choose to say that guns lead to violence; others will choose to say that guns can prevent violence. Romans 14:1–4 helps us to understand that where the Bible does not speak specifically on a subject, there is the freedom for us to choose. The civil liberties of America have readily afforded people the right to "keep and bear arms." And while the Bible does not say a person must keep a weapon, it permits a person to do so. Thus, gun control is not a moral or biblical issue, rather a philosophical or political issue that can and should be regularly debated, openly, honestly, and fairly.
So, how should a Christian view gun control? A Christian can be a proponent of gun control, believing that removing guns from the hands of people brings about peace. A Christian can be against gun control, believing that law abiding citizens are best able to protect themselves when they are armed. Whatever Christians do believe, we, as citizens, are called to submit to whatever gun ownership and use laws the government institutes.
Self-defense – What does the Bible say?
Does the Bible say anything about war?
Are Christians subject to the laws of the land?
What is a Christian view of politics?
What is a biblical view on freedom of speech?
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In 682, Ashina Gudulu Jianya Heisha, by name of Jibalishi Khan, announced emergence of Türkic Khanate. After that, he returned his teeth to Dujinshan, basically restoring former territory of East Turkestan. In second year, Ashina Gudulu sent troops from both sides, defeating Huihe and Tang armies respectively, which stabilized situation. In 683, Tang Gaozong passed away. In order to strengthen regime, Wu Zetian was forced to change his foreign policy from attack to defense, and two countries formally clashed.
After that, in order to bring about revival of Turkic hegemony, Jiedi Lishi Khan launched a new foreign policy, which we summarize as "persecution in south, conquest in north, and conquest in west." Southern persecution is a small-scale attack on Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty was busy with political strife during this period and didn't have time to take care of outsiders. Even a little can put a lot of pressure; Beifu to stabilize Mobey and allow Ti Le to join your camp; The western expedition is to send troops to western regions in an attempt to unite Turkic Khanate.
First of all, let's talk about Southern Revolt. In 683, Cheng Wuting served as Shan Yudao's pacification ambassador and planned to send troops on Northern Expedition to destroy Turks. However, Gaozong died and this plan was thwarted. Since then, Turks have gone south many times to attack Shanxi and other places. The Tang Dynasty army was in a passive state with more defeats and fewer victories. The struggle between two sides during this period is mainly as follows:
In 685, Ashi De Yuanzhen and others invaded Shuo, Dai, and other prefectures. Chunyu Chuping was ordered to fight, but he suffered a crushing defeat that resulted in over 5,000 deaths.
In 686, 3,000 Turks invaded border, and Tang Dynasty sent Goryeo Heizhi Changzhi to attack and defeat Turks.
In 687, Turks attacked Changping and Shozhou. The Tang Dynasty appointed Hei Chi Changzhi as general manager of Yanran Road marching army.
In 687, Tang Dynasty took advantage of victory and pursued it, preparing to wipe out Eastern Turks in one fell swoop, and sent Quan Baobi and others on a Northern Expedition supported by Hei Chi Chang Zhi. However, Cuan Baobi was greedy for merit and was attacked by Turks for over 20 miles. 13,000 elite soldiers were destroyed.
After surviving this failure, Wu Zetian was furious, but it was useless, so she had to change Gu Jilu's name to "Buzulu" and become a laughing stock. Since then, Zetian had no more plans for Northern Expedition and was forced to deal with it.
Second, it's Bei Fu. At that time, most powerful force in Mobei was Huihe tribe, whose leader posed as a khan, and also served as protector of Anbei during canonization of Tang dynasty, was a relatively loyal and reliable ally of Tang dynasty. However, at this time there was another drought in Maubey: "The fields are all red, and grass is scarce, so sheep and horses will die and eat ten to seventy-eight." Thiele's ministries were in crisis. Jiedi Lishi Khan took opportunity to provoke various ministries to rebel against the Huihe.
In 685, Tonluo and Pugu tribes began a civil war against Huihe. Huihe was isolated and helpless and turned to Tang Dynasty for help. The Tang Dynasty then sent Liu Jingtong to lead an army in Hexi region to march north, and ordered Jinshan Du Hutian to raise his name and send an army of ten families to Jinshan in western regions to march east. Having received order, two armies cooperated with each other and quickly defeated Tong Luo and Pugu. However, these Western Turkic troops were very poorly disciplined and hard to contain. They conquered and pillaged all way. After defeating Tongluo and Pugu tribes, they directly swept away Huihe tribe, causing chaos in Mobei. After this war, power of Huihe was greatly weakened, and Turks were able to seize opportunity to conquer.
Distributing various parts of Mobei
Finally, Zhengxi. After Tie Le Rebellion uprising, Tian Yangming was fired from his post and interrogated for "indiscriminately massacring Hui tribe." Thus, ten family tribes in Jinshan are not allowed to perform Hajj. The deeds of Wu Zetian were not rewarded, which caused discontent among Western Turks. In 686, an uprising broke out among Western Turks led by Ashin Tagen.
In order to restore order in Western Regions, Wu Zetian canonized Ashin Yuanqing, son of Ashin Mishe, as Khan of Second Xingbei, and concurrently served as guardian of Kunling, in charge of fifth and sixth departments of left wing of Western Turks, and ordered him to recruit Ashin for surrender . As a result, surrender of Ashina Yuanqing was unsuccessful, but "Four Cities of Anxi" were also captured. After that, Wu Zetian canonized son of Ashin Buzhen, Ashin Khuseruo, as second successor of khan and protector of Menchi. Four cities. In 689 Tubo again defeated the Tang dynasty and all four cities of Anxi were occupied by Tubo except Suye.
Little Leaf City
At this time, later Turkic Zeba Lishi Khan took opportunity to send troops into chaotic western regions. Ashina Khuseruo was defeated and forced to leave land and return to Tang Dynasty. Since then, ten families of Western Turks have dispersed and died out. The troops of Jibalish Khan reached city of Suye all way, but they were opposed by Uzhile, Tukish tribe, so Tukish tribe began to become leader of Western Turkic tribes. Sleep well.". In 691, Jibalishi Khan and Ashide Yuanzhen went west to conquer Tukishi, as a result of which Ashide Yuanzhen was defeated and killed, and Jibalishi Khan was also seriously wounded and died upon returning home. This marks represents final collapse of dream of a post-Turkic unification of Turks.
During Turkic Expedition to West, Tang Dynasty also sent Monk Huayi as general manager of Xinpingdao March, who led a 200,000-strong army in Northern Expedition, but tribe did not encounter Turkic army, so they recorded an impeccable service in Shanyu Taile And also . After some time, he brought a 200,000-strong army here in Northern Campaign, but he also did not see Turkic troops. It can be seen that Turkic army was moving west. If Seng Huayi had taken opportunity to cross desert at this time and set up an ambush to prevent withdrawal of Turkic army, Turkic Khanate would surely have collapsed. But Seng Huayi only wanted to bring his teacher back to court and didn't want to take too much risk, so he missed this once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity.
Don't miss this opportunity, never miss it again. In 692, Mochuo, younger brother of Jielili Shi Khan, inherited khan's throne and established title of Shengtian Gudulu Khan. He brought post-Turks' national power to a peak, and celebrated martial arts he created did not stop until later Tang Xuanzong period, which put enormous pressure on Tang Dynasty's border defenses and was also an important cause of "Anshi Uprising" in Tang Dynasty.
Because Tukishi showed great energy in resisting post-Turks, Tukishi became leader of Western Turks, and finally Tukishi restored khanate in western regions, known in history as "Tukish Khanate". Western Turkic Khanate. Later, Tukish Khanate played an important role in resisting invasion of Arab Empire.Recommended reading
Rise and fall of Turkic Khanate: (1) Why did Turks revive?
Rise and fall of post-Turkic khanate: (2) Turkic renaissance, situation in Mobey deteriorated dramatically
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February 09, 2021 - by Simone Ulmer
Topological defects form during phase transitions. On a small scale, for example, these happen when the crystal lattice of a crystal does not form perfectly. On a large scale, they are suspected to have occurred in the early formation of the universe some 13.8 billion years ago. The leading theory for the formation of topological defects in the universe — including those known as cosmic strings — states that they were created within a fraction of a second after the Big Bang, when the so-called inflation ended with a phase transition.
The universe started in a hot, dense, and highly symmetric state, but after the Big Bang, it evolved through exponential expansion and subsequent cooling. A consequence of the cooling was that the initial symmetric properties got lost in specific symmetry-breaking phase transitions. Throughout this process, the universe was already so huge that regions far apart from each other were effectively disconnected and could not even exchange information at the speed of light. In simple terms, the symmetry breaking could therefore not be universally identical, resulting in regions with different field states developing across the cosmos. Where these different regions met, topological defects like cosmic strings could develop, according to the theory. The so-called Kibble mechanism describes how this is supposed to happen, and cosmic strings can thereby form in many extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics.
Fossil relics of the early universe
In their study recently published in the journal Astronomy and Computing, Ph.D student José Correia and Carlos Martins, professor at the Center for Astrophysics of the University of Porto describe cosmic strings as fossil relics of the early universe because they and their properties are closely related to symmetry breaking. The search for defects in the early or modern universe is therefore similar to the search for evidence of specific patterns of symmetry breaking. Proof of their existence would extend the current Standard Model of particle physics and could also help answer some open questions.
So far, however, the existence of cosmic strings has not been proven. "These defects encode information on fundamental physics regimes that would otherwise be entirely inaccessible to us," says Martins. "Searching for their observational imprints, for example in gravitational waves and the cosmic microwave background, is a key goal of current and forthcoming observational facilities."
To interpret the observed data, analytical models are used. Martins himself developed the so-called Velocity-Dependent One-Scale Model to help understand topological defects and their formation. The models are in turn calibrated with high-resolution simulations that recreate the evolution of cosmic strings and enable the study of their dynamics, development, and effects.
Unfortunately, even the simplest of cosmic strings, known as Abelian Higgs, quickly exhaust the capacity and performance of the computers available today due to the many physical effects and the wide range of scales that must be considered in the simulation. This means that current observational searches are bottlenecked by the lack of numerical simulations with sufficient spatial resolution and dynamic range to calibrate existing analytic models. "So far, simulations are performed on standard CPUs, but there are only about a dozen reasonably accurate simulations. And only three or four research groups have the relevant know-how," says Martins. As a result, the current analyses are statistically limited.
Martins and his PhD student Correia appear to have solved this bottleneck in the simulation of Abelian-Higgs cosmic strings by improving and implementing a multiple GPU extension of the evolution code for local Abelian–Higgs strings networks. The researchers also use in-situ visualisation, which can, on the fly, look at the small-scale structure of each string as though it were under the microscope.
"In order to study this, we need to output the positions of string cores in the lattice, but this generates an unreasonable amount of data," Correia explains. The researchers therefore enlisted the support of CSCS software engineer and visualisation specialist Jean Favre to combine the simulation code with the visualisation code (ParaView Catalyst) so that both work with the same data stored in computer memory. "The in-situ visualisations were used to filter and output only the grid cells penetrated by strings and, in each cell, which cell faces are penetrated," says Correia. "This speeds up the simulations considerably and reduces the amount of data generated by the calculation of 20483 grid points in the three-dimensional lattice by up to four orders of magnitude for a radiation era test case."
The newly implemented code runs on 4,096 graphics processors of the CSCS supercomputer "Piz Daint". "The code scales much better, so it reaches the target in calculations about 30 times faster than simulations on conventional CPU processors," says Correia. The researchers successfully validated the code against previous results in the literature.
Observational research will be optimised
"These accelerations, together with state-of-the-art GPU resources, for the first time allow hundreds or thousands of high-resolution simulations with sufficient dynamics to evolve cosmic strings in a useful time-frame," says Martins. This will soon allow a robust, full statistical calibration of the analytical models. "Ultimately, this will lead to significantly optimised observational searches with next-generation astrophysical facilities and more stringent constraints on the underlying physics," Martins adds. Examples of observation facilities that could benefit from this advancement include facilities on the ground like the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), which detected gravitational waves for the first time, and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), or the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), a space-based gravitational wave detector. Their measuring devices can detect gravitational waves emitted by cosmic strings under certain conditions: The theory is that if a cosmic string — a one-dimensional line-like object — crosses itself, a loop is formed that is cut off at the pinch-off point. The loop then dispels energy and consequently emits gravitational waves.
"In the medium term, our methods will also enable the first numerical studies of more complex physical objects, such as superconducting strings and cosmic superstrings, which, according to some extensions of the Standard Model, must have formed in the early universe," Martins says. The scientists are convinced that their work opens a new numerical and astrophysical way of probing fundamental physics by complementing and extending what is done in particle accelerators.
Correia J.R.C.C.C. and Martins C.J.A.P.: Abelian-Higgs cosmic string evolution with multiple GPUs, Astronomy and Computing (2020), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ascom.2020.100438
This project was supported by PRACE, the Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe. 19th Project Access Call; Project Title: Abelian-Higgs cosmic strings: network evolution. Resources awarded: 68 million core hours on Piz Daint hosted by CSCS.
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Cultivating Mindfulness in Everyday Life: Techniques for Present-Moment Awareness
In our fast-paced and technology-driven society, it is becoming increasingly challenging to stay present and aware in the moment. The constant distractions and demands we face can easily pull us away from the here and now. However, incorporating mindfulness techniques into our everyday lives can help us cultivate a sense of present-moment awareness, allowing us to fully engage with each experience and live more fulfilling lives.
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment, without judgment or attachment. It involves observing our thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise, and bringing our attention back to the present whenever we notice our minds drifting off. By doing so, we can better connect with our experiences, both positive and negative, and develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
One simple mindfulness technique that can be easily incorporated into our daily routine is mindful breathing. By focusing on the sensation of our breath as it enters and leaves our bodies, we can anchor ourselves to the present moment. Whenever we find ourselves getting caught up in worries or stress, taking a few deep breaths and redirecting our attention to our breath can help bring us back to the present.
Another useful technique is mindful eating. In today’s fast-paced society, we often rush through our meals, barely tasting or savoring the food we consume. By taking the time to truly engage with our meals, paying attention to the flavors, textures, and smells, we can bring a sense of mindfulness to this everyday activity. Eating slowly and savoring each bite can help us develop a deeper appreciation for the nourishment our meals provide.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, technology can actually be used as a tool to cultivate mindfulness. There are numerous meditation and mindfulness apps available that can guide individuals through mindfulness practices and provide reminders to bring their attention back to the present moment. By setting aside a few minutes each day to engage with these apps, individuals can develop a habit of mindfulness and cultivate present-moment awareness.
However, it is essential to remain mindful of potential hazards in our digital age, such as emv skimmers. These devices are designed to steal credit card information and can be hidden in seemingly ordinary card readers. Being informed about these risks and taking necessary precautions is crucial for protecting our personal information and ensuring our sense of security.
In conclusion, cultivating mindfulness in everyday life is a powerful practice that can help us navigate the challenges of our modern world. By incorporating techniques such as mindful breathing and eating, as well as utilizing technology to support our mindfulness journey, we can develop present-moment awareness and live more fulfilling lives. While embracing the convenience of technology, it is vital to remain vigilant and informed, protecting ourselves from potential risks like emv skimmers. By finding a balance between mindfulness and digital engagement, we can navigate our daily lives with greater awareness and peace of mind.
Article posted by:
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This article is part of the Opinion section’s Black Futures at Princeton series. Click here to view the full project.
Confronting systemic racism starts at home
In the midst of a devastating COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged thousands of lives, we all witnessed this summer the surge of another pandemic — one fueled by a different virus that has mutated frequently throughout history, yet remains embedded in this country’s foundations: racism.
The police brutality documented over the summer and the resulting Black Lives Matter protests across the globe inspired many Princeton students to take action. Books such as ‘How to Be an Antiracist’ had wait times at the University’s eBook website stretching up to 10 weeks, and University administrators distributed an anti-racist reading list compiled by two students. Others, including the previous Editorial Board, began to interrogate and demand a reimagining of policing and public safety on our campus.
While there are certainly students and student groups still doing necessary work to address systemic racism on campus, the concerted energy and desire for change we witnessed over the summer have undoubtedly diminished. Nevertheless, the work to create a more racially just society both nationally and here at Princeton remains urgent and unfinished. Thus, as Black History Month comes to an end, this Board has a message for all University community members: let’s start at home.
Princeton as a university and town has a rich Black history, but one that is fraught with racism and oppression. The Board encourages all students to not only learn about our institution’s past with racism, but to wholly engage with its present consequences as we continue to seek a more just future. Many of the students who attend this University are unaware of the history of Blackness and anti-Blackness within the institution and the town.
That’s not to say there aren’t resources to learn from, though. The Princeton & Slavery Project is a crucial resource that examines the University’s historical ties to slavery and ongoing legacies of institutional racism. The project also details the University’s historical and often exploitative relationship with Princeton’s Black residents, many of whom lived in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, which continues to be home for many of Princeton’s Black residents today. In addition, the Historical Society of Princeton’s Albert E. Hinds Memorial Walking Tour led by Princeton resident Shirley Satterfield gives an overview of African American history in Princeton and details important sites for the African American community. University organizations, like the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding, also host events centered around this history.
Yet, it is still fairly easy to graduate from the University without substantively engaging with its history at all because students aren't required to take advantage of the resources that are available. There are ways the University could make this a requirement — for instance, by making mandatory Orientation activities centered around the history of race in Princeton as a University and town. But we shouldn't wait around for the University to make such changes. We as students should take it upon ourselves.
We must recognize that joining this community means not only taking advantage of the privileges afforded to us as Princeton students, but reckoning with how the oppression of Black people made these privileges possible. Educational resources are valuable and should be the first step in holding this institution and the town accountable for the trauma they have inflicted on Black lives. As we engage with these resources, we should not be shocked by what we find: anti-Black racism has been a feature of our country since its founding, so why should we expect Princeton to be any different?
Indeed, while the results of such research may be overwhelming and perhaps paralyzing, we must remember that, as James Baldwin said, “to accept one’s past — one’s history — is not the same thing as drowning in it; it is learning how to use it.” Thus, using these resources to learn about our school and our town’s history should not be an endpoint. Rather, we should use history as a tool through which we can both understand and reimagine the world as it is now. Equipping ourselves with the knowledge of past injustices prepares us to fight their legacies in the present.
One immediate action we can take is to demand accountability from the University. It is now public knowledge that many of the University’s early benefactors derived their wealth from exploited Black labor. For example, former University Trustee Moses Taylor Pyne, whose name continues to be prominent on campus buildings and prizes, was deeply involved in the lucrative sugar trade of the 1800s, which was fueled by enslaved labor in the Caribbean. Furthermore, the Firestone family, who funded the construction of the Firestone Library, amassed their wealth from rubber plantations in Liberia. We should have conversations as a community about addressing these legacies, as the University has begun to do. And beyond this, we should also consider how to address the real harm these people — and the institution at large — have caused and the lasting effects of those injustices.
Some may find the argument presented here, and its implications, irrelevant to their daily lives at this University. We are all, of course, extremely busy students with our own interests, which many may feel do not directly involve struggles for racial equality. However, as other articles in the Opinion section’s Black Futures at Princeton series demonstrate, race and racism touch every aspect of the Princeton experience. It is a prominent issue that does not fit into neatly defined boxes meant only to be studied by historians, or during moments of social upheaval. If true change is to happen in society, these conversations need to be held year-round across the entire community.
Already this summer, we saw glimpses of the positive results that can come from the University being made to recognize the need for change. From the administration’s decision to remove Woodrow Wilson’s name from campus buildings and engage community members in thinking critically about campus iconography, to many academic departments and programs creating Diversity, Equity, Climate, and Inclusion committees, to pushes for diversifying the faculty pipeline and establishing continued education programming, the global Black Lives Matter protests inspired many concrete changes, however incremental many of them may seem in the long run.
Rather than waiting for these changes to yield results, though, it is essential that we as students take the initiative to think critically about the role race plays in our lives and how it intersects with our interests. Then, we must take action, either within our campus gates, or in the local community.
This can happen by joining other Princetonians in thinking critically about race while engaging in research and scholarship. There are also many groups and organizations on campus doing important work that students can support and become involved in, including SPEAR and Princeton Mutual Aid, and Black Leadership Coalition organizations such as Our Health Matters and the Black Student Union.
As part of our mission to “render visible perspectives the community might not otherwise see,” we as a Board remain committed to uplifting the stories that are so often overlooked.
While we are students on this campus, we are members of a community. We have an obligation to engage with our surroundings and leave it a better place for those coming after us. Let’s do our part. Let’s start at home.
145th Editorial Board
Mollika Jai Singh ’24
Shannon Chaffers ’22
Won-Jae Chang ’24
Kristal Grant ’24
Harsimran Makkad ’22
Anna McGee ’22
Collin Riggins ’24
Zachary Shevin ’22
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Are you considering a career in the healthcare industry, but prefer a specialised field that focuses on oral health? Look no further than the world of dental jobs! The field of dentistry offers a wide range of exciting and rewarding career opportunities, each with its own unique set of responsibilities and educational requirements. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of dental jobs, providing you with valuable insights and information to help you explore this thriving industry.
Dentist: Starting with the most well-known dental profession, dentists are highly skilled oral healthcare professionals responsible for diagnosing and treating various dental conditions. They perform a wide range of procedures, such as dental cleanings, fillings, root canals, extractions, and more. To become a dentist, one must complete a dental degree program and obtain a license.
Dental Hygienist: Dental hygienists play a crucial role in preventive dental care. They perform cleanings, conduct oral exams, take X-rays, apply sealants, and educate patients on proper oral hygiene practices. To become a dental hygienist, one typically needs an associate degree in dental hygiene and must pass a licensing exam.
Dental Assistant: Working closely with dentists, dental assistants provide chairside support during procedures. They assist with patient care, sterilize instruments, take X-rays, schedule appointments, and handle administrative tasks. Dental assistant programs and on-the-job training are common paths to enter this profession.
Dental Laboratory Technician: Dental laboratory technicians work behind the scenes to create dental prosthetics, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures. They collaborate with dentists to ensure the accuracy and functionality of these prosthetic devices. A formal education program or apprenticeship is typically required to become a dental laboratory technician.
Dental Therapist: Dental therapists are oral healthcare professionals who focus on preventive and restorative dental care. They perform routine procedures like fillings and extractions, particularly in underserved communities. The educational path to becoming a dental therapist varies by country and may involve specialised training programs.
Dental Sales Representative: If you have a passion for oral healthcare products and enjoy building relationships, a career as a dental sales representative might be a perfect fit. Dental sales representatives promote dental products and equipment to dental practices and professionals. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field, combined with excellent communication and sales skills, is beneficial for this role.
Dental Office Manager: Dental office managers oversee the day-to-day operations of dental practices. They handle administrative tasks, manage budgets, supervise staff, coordinate appointments, and ensure the smooth functioning of the office. Dental office managers often have a background in healthcare administration or business management.
These are just a few examples of the diverse dental jobs available within the field of dentistry. Whether you're interested in direct patient care, dental technology, sales, or practice management, there is a dental career that can match your interests and skills.
Before pursuing a specific dental job, it's essential to research and understand the educational requirements and licensing procedures specific to your desired role and region. Dental jobs often require continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in dental technology and practices.
Dental jobs offer an array of exciting opportunities to make a positive impact on people's oral health. Whether you choose to become a dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, dental laboratory technician, dental therapist, dental sales representative, or dental office manager, you can contribute to improving the smiles and overall well-being of patients.
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We have Drone fever at Nicolaus Copernicus, PS 25! I am Shannon Williams and I am so excited to be using the DRONE in Mathematics with my fourth and fifth grade students.Students are excited, engaged and truly love flying their Drone as they complete Mathematics activities.
I am a third grade teacher with a majority of ELL students. Understanding that a language barrier can cause students to disengage from the presented academic materials, I am always looking for ways to revamp my daily lesson presentation. As important as student engagement is, incorporating 21st century skills is also a top priority. Using drones creates a perfect partnership between increased student engagement and 21st century skill building. Although it is not something that is typical in the classroom, this is what learning looks like TODAY. Author Marc Prensky argues that children are learning about important “future” things, from collaboration, to prudent risk taking, to strategy formulation and execution, to complex moral and ethical decisions when they are interacting with computer games, drones etc. It is clear that my class has developed their ability to critically think and collaborate since incorporating the drones. Learning is happening, students are succeeding, and the excitement is palpable. I am proud to be a member of the Drone Team!
My name is Kayon Wallace I have been teaching for 13 years. My class enjoyed the integration of drones with their math assignments. It made them more engaged and excited to learn.
"Drones, drones, drones! When my class catches me open the drone box, they start to become super excited because they love flying the drones! I teach inclusion and the drones can be used to be a class motivator for each and every student. Students who might not excel academically can be the leaders of the class while maneuvering the drones. Every student loves driving the drones and they are a great way to engage and motivate my students academically.
Drones!!! That's all the students wanted to do. Students had a chance to write their own lessons, with partners and independently. Not only did we incorporate drone-flying tasks during Math and Social Studies lessons, but we also created a club that met during recess. This week we'll be using the drones to find distances on a coordinate plane. If you want something to do, but can't decide. Come visit us at 321. We love to drone around!
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The different types of fingerprinting equipment are fairly straightforward, and may include ink, chemical dusting powder, chemical paper, and a trained person to take the fingerprints. LiveScan options may also be performed using an approved machine. Any person responsible for taking fingerprints should be trained in getting the most accurate print on each finger, as well as in dusting for prints in certain situations.
When taking fingerprints from a person directly, ink is one type of fingerprinting equipment that may be used. In most cases, a specialized type of ink may be used to avoid smudges and other marks that may alter the final print. The fingers should be rolled across the ink pad from bottom to top, with the ink pad being at forearm’s height to the person being printed. He or she should not take his or her own prints.
Chemical paper is another type of fingerprinting equipment. Chemicals in the paper may react with the ink to create a smoother and more defined print. This is especially important for instances when the print will be compared to others within a database, or with prints found at a specific location.
Dust is another type of fingerprinting equipment, and it is used when looking for fingerprints at a crime scene. Items and surfaces are covered with fingerprinting dust, which contains chemicals which cause it to stick to areas that have been touched. This is caused by a reaction between the dust and the oils and other chemicals left behind by the person who last touched the surface. Prints taken in this manner can then be compared to those taken by suspects or to a database of anyone who has been printed by the police.
Another one of the different types of fingerprinting equipment is a LiveScan device. This is a piece of machinery that allows a person’s fingerprints to be taken without the use of ink and paper. The finger is placed onto a scanner and is then copied and incorporated into a database. Oftentimes the fingerprint can also be printed onto paper.
When evaluating fingerprints, investigators look for various defining marks. Every human being has a unique fingerprint, and no two are exactly the same. There are similar patterns, however, with specific focal points being the areas where differences are most noticeable. These focal points may be different with each person, and two fingerprints may be very similar, but never identical. To effectively identify a person through fingerprint analysis, a trained person must tediously look for these focal points or use a computer software program that can accurately compare prints.
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Silicone is everywhere. From sealants to kitchen gadgets, kids’ toys to medical equipment — it’s hard to imagine a life without silicone. But as we talk more and more about a plastic-free life, I find myself wondering — is silicone any better? Is it really an eco-friendly and sustainable material like they say?
I’d love to say a resounding Yes! as silicone is durable, recyclable, food safe, and functions well in a wide range of temperatures. But is this enough to say it’s eco-friendly and sustainable?
To really answer that, we examined not just how it’s used but how it is made. What we found surprised us, and we think it will surprise you too!
What is Silicone, Anyway?
We all know, in a sense, what silicone is, having seen and used items made of silicone. But that doesn’t mean we really know what silicone is in the same way we understand what wood is, for example. We know wood comes from a tree and that a tree grows from the ground.
But how about silicone? Where does it come from?
In the most basic sense, silicone comes from sand. Sand is mostly made up of quartz or, as it’s known to scientists, silica. When people talk about silicone’s sustainability, they are quick to point out the plentitude of silica.
But while silica is super common (you can find it in just about all dirt), you need more than just silica to make a silicone baking pan. The silica must be processed first, which we’ll talk about in a bit when we discuss how silicone is made.
After the silica has been processed and then processed again, it becomes silicone — which is a polymer. You might be thinking, a polymer — is that just the same as being plastic? And the short answer is yes, silicone at its heart is just another form of plastic. Or perhaps synthetic rubber is a better term.
However, the critical difference between most plastics and silicone is the base. Synthetic plastics are made from crude oil, natural gas, or coal, whereas silicone is made with sand (1). And while there is a finite supply of petroleum, we have a whole lot of sand out there.
If It’s Just Dirt, Can I Make Silicone At Home?
If you comb the internet, you’ll find articles and youtube videos that show you how you can make silicon at home. But don’t be confused — silicon is not silicone. Now, with the right materials and a bit of scientific know-how, you can extract silicon from the dirt in your backyard. But that’s not going to be enough for you to make your own cupcake tin or soap mold.
Making silicon is just the first step in the process, leading to all those nifty adhesives and kitchen gadgets. Once you have the silicon, you’re not done yet. Silicone also contains oxygen, carbon, and/or hydrogen. And you can’t add those at home.
Check out this video to see how silicone is made in a factory setting. It quickly becomes apparent that an extensive industrial process is required to get from sand to sandwich bag.
After watching that video, I start to wonder how sustainable is it to make silicone? But there’s more to sustainability than just how something is produced. So let’s examine some other aspects of sustainability.
Silicone Built to Last — But For How Long?
One of the things we love about silicone is that it’s built to last. In a world full of single use, disposable products, it’s always nice to find an item that is designed to stand the test of time. On the other hand, there is a difference between being durable and lasting FOREVER.
So let’s be clear upfront silicone is not biodegradable. Left to its own devices, the silicone baking dish in your kitchen will not break down. On the plus side, unlike other plastics, silicone does not break down into microplastics that leach into the soil and the water supply.
But what does that really mean?
Whether you bury it in your backyard or bring it to the landfill, that silicone baking dish is going to be still hanging out on this planet when your grandchildren are grown. Is that the future you want to plant?
This is not to say silicone doesn’t have its place, don’t get me wrong. Just be conscious when you buy something made of silicone that it is something you will use for years to come.
But Silicone is Recyclable, Right?
While silicone is not biodegradable, you can recycle it. But while it’s possible, it’s not as easy as you might think. If you get a hole in your silicone sandwich bag, you can’t just put it out with your glass and plastic recycling for the sanitation worker to take away.
Most community recycling centers do not have the resources necessary to recycle items made from silicone. Instead, you need to look for services like TerraCycle, which claims to “recycle the unrecyclable.” (2)
Of course, another option is just to repurpose your silicone at home. Turn them into potholders, or use them in the garden.
There are many different ways you can upcycle your damaged silicone.
You can get really creative and recycle it yourself at home. You just need to shred the old silicone into small pieces. Then you can mix that with new silicone, which is available in either liquid or powdered form. You can add all these ingredients into a mold to make your own silicone creations. The old recycled silicone will serve as filler, meaning you need to use less new silicone. How cool is that?
Is Silicone a Good Zero Waste Option?
One area where silicone has risen in popularity is the zero waste movement. From sandwich bags to holders for your eco-friendly dish soap, silicone is replacing traditional plastic all around us. But after reading all this, you may be wondering if silicone is really a good option if you are looking to be zero waste.
I feel when it comes to replacing single-use plastic, silicone is the better option. Silicone’s durability goes a long way to offset some of its less desirable characteristics. Personally, I’m completely hooked on my silicone reusable zipper bags. Not only do they last longer, but they keep my food fresher too. Win-win.
But in other areas, I’m not so convinced. For example, is it really better to replace parchment paper liners with silicone baking pads? I’m on the fence. Parchment paper is renewable and biodegradable, unlike silicone liners. And given a choice, I will pick glass or metal over silicone any day.
But you have to decide for yourself if silicone makes sense and when.
The Final Word — Is It Sustainable and Eco-Friendly?
The question of whether or not silicone is sustainable and eco-friendly is a tricky one. It’s vital that we aren’t susceptible to greenwashing and fooled by clever marketing tricks. While silicone comes from readily available sand, it is not a substance we can brew up in our backyard, no matter how many youtube videos we watch.
Silicone creation requires a heavily industrialized process that is entirely dependent on fossil fuels, which doesn’t sound very sustainable or eco-friendly to me.
However, when we compare silicone to the plastics that we have been using, our perspective changes. Compared to shoddily made plastic products that break and melt, silicone suddenly seems the way better option. As we said, silicone’s durability is one of its greatest strengths (no pun intended).
Silicone products last longer and perform better under a whole range of temperatures and conditions than the same product made out of plastic. So when we weigh plastic against silicone, we find silicone to be a more eco-friendly, sustainable option.
That being said, I personally always choose to use glass, metal, wood, cloth, or other natural materials before silicone in my home. But understanding where silicone comes from, how it’s made, and how it functions allows you to decide for yourself if it meets your eco-friendly and sustainable standards.
Silica is another name for quartz, which is commonly found in sand and dirt. Silicon (without the -e at the end) is an element found on the periodic table.
Silicon can be refined from silica. Silicon is used to make computer chips. However, it can also be combined with oxygen and other elements, commonly hydrogen and carbon, to make silicone.
Silicone is a polymer that behaves like a cross between plastic and rubber.
Yes, silicone is more eco-friendly than plastic. It is more durable than plastic, making it less likely to break and dispose of. Silicone also doesn’t break down into microplastics like plastic does, meaning it is less harmful to the environment. And while silicone is not biodegradable, it can be easily repurposed and recycled.
Yes, silicone is safe both for the environment and for humans. Because it does not break down into microplastics, it is considered less harmful than plastic. Silicone is an inert substance that can be used in a wide range of temperatures and still be regarded as safe.
- How is Plastic Made? A Simple Step-By-Step Explanation. Retrieved from: https://www.bpf.co.uk/plastipedia/how-is-plastic-made.aspx
- TerraCycle. Retrieved from https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/
Rachael and her husband arrived on Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua in 2011. There they founded El Jardin de la Vida, a tropical micro food forest, focusing on Sustainable Living Education. She teaches others to build with natural materials, live off-grid, and appreciate slow food.
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In less than one month, Libya is going to hold the first-ever presidential elections in its political history. It will not be an exaggeration to say that the whole world is looking forward to the success of Libya’s success in convening these elections. However, Libya’s regional neighbors are mainly concerned about the potential violent conflicts that could happen after the elections’ results are announced. One of those neighbors is Egypt, whose national security and domestic economy are directly affected by the political stability and level of state security inside Libya.
Egypt shares its longest border of 1,115 kilometers with Libya. If you look at the map, you may easily blur the line between Libya and Egypt to see them as one piece of land, with a vast desert in the middle, and a wide sea above. In the 1970s, Libya’s then-President Gaddafi made an offer to Egypt’s former President Sadat to unify the lands of Libya and Egypt into one country. Sadat’s decline to Gaddafi’s offer led to diplomatic tensions that ended up with a short episode of armed conflict, academically labeled as “the Four Days War” (21-24 July 1977). However, peace was quickly restored after the two conjoined North African countries realized that their destinies were interdependent.
In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, the relationship between Libya and Egypt went through a tough lane. In 2012-2016, Islamist militia and terrorist organizations found a haven in the Arab Spring countries that went through civil wars, such as Syria and Libya. When the Muslim Brotherhood ruled Egypt in 2012, they released Islamist terrorists from prison, including the assassinators of President Sadat, and allowed thousands of Egyptian extremists who fought with Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, in the 1990s, to return to Egypt.
In 2013, as the Egyptian military supported the people in overthrowing the Muslim Brotherhood regime from power, and launched a nationwide campaign to quarantine terrorist organizations operating on Egyptian soil, many terrorists resorted to their fellow Islamist militia in war-torn Libya. From there, they launched several attacks against Egyptian policemen and military personnel, who were working at the western border cities. Therefore, Egypt cooperated with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in reassembling and strengthening the Libyan military to fight against the Islamist militia that has become a direct threat to Egypt’s national security. Hence, the Libyan National Army (LNA) under the leadership of General Khalifa Hafter was formed in mid-2014.
In December 2015, the former interim Government of National Accord (GNA) was formed by a United Nations initiative. The GNA declared LNA as an illegal militia and refused to cooperate or at least negotiate a peaceful coexistence with them. As the clashes between GNA and LNA heated, Egypt, UAE, and France took on the side of LNA, while GNA sought help from Turkey. That paved the way for the Turkish military intervention in Libya, in December 2019. Given the long-term political rift between Cairo and Ankara, Egypt saw Turkey’s intervention in Libya as a national security threat and decided to confront it alongside the Libyan eastern and southern tribes.
However, in December 2020, Egypt decided to change its policy in Libya by keeping open channels with all parties in the western and eastern territories and to directly communicate with GNA and recognize it as the legitimate interim government. Therefore, an Egyptian delegation of intelligence and security officials traveled to Tripoli to meet with GNA leaders, for the first time. When the Government of National Unity (GNU) was elected, in February, Egypt was one of the first countries in the region to communicate with it. On February 18th, the Prime Minister of the then-newly elected GNU, Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, visited the Egyptian President El-Sisi, in Cairo, and they agreed to establish a comprehensive partnership between their sister countries to help Libya restore peace and stability, and progress with economic development.
Last week, in Cairo, the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held a meeting with Mohamed Al-Menfi, the President of the interim Libyan Presidential Council, on the margin of the COMESA Summit. In the meeting, the Egyptian President affirmed that Egypt’s main goal in Libya is “to achieve peace and security for the Libyan brothers, and to activate the free will of the Libyan people and that the supreme interest of the Libyan state comes first, which stems from the principles of preserving the unity of the Libyan territories, restoring security and stability, and ending foreign interference.”
The current divisions between political and military factions and the wide spread of foreign mercenaries and local militia, inside Libya, threaten that any dispute over the election results may turn the country into a piece of hell, once again. We may see a chaotic scene similar to what happened in Iraq at the hands of the militia following the announcement of election results, last month. It may even re-ignite the civil war, which will be very difficult to control this time. Therefore, Egypt and all concerned neighbors in North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean region need to prepare for this scenario. In parallel, the international community needs to urgently take all the necessary measures to prevent violence from re-erupting following the elections.
Also, read on Sada Elbalad
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Syncretic Sects: Three Teachings
SYNCRETIC SECTS: THREE TEACHINGS
While popular religious movements have left their marks in the Chinese historical record since the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 c.e.), a new type of syncretic sectarianism emerged from the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368) onwards. Continuing trends begun under the preceding Song dynasty (960–1279), this age was characterized by expanding commerce, the spread of literacy, a flourishing printing and publishing industry, improved communication and transport systems throughout the empire, and increasing social and geographical mobility of the population. All of these factors facilitated the flow of religious ideas across regions, denominational boundaries, and classes, and thereby stimulated the emergence of new religious movements. The resulting syncretic proclivities of the age are part of a long history of negotiating the relationship of China's two major indigenous traditions (Confucianism and Daoism) with the foreign newcomer, Buddhism. Harmonizing tendencies constituted a strong intellectual undercurrent among the literati elite, while striking even deeper roots in popular religion, where a focus on family and the local community did not require exclusive affiliation with a particular teaching. Instead, each was seen to have its role to play in the life cycles of families and communities, and thus the concepts and religious specialists associated with each could be drawn upon as needed. This general outlook conditioned the efforts of popular religious virtuosi, creative individuals who possessed enough literacy to benefit from the burgeoning supply of printed texts, but lacked the formal education needed to gain access to literati circles. Many founders of popular sects from the Yuan dynasty onwards came from the ranks of these "folk intellectuals," who received inspiration from many sources and combined their ideas into new religious systems. These systems become visible to the historian of religion primarily in the texts composed by sectarian founders, texts that are treasure troves of information on the religious life of China throughout the Late Imperial period up into modern times.
This entry will focus on the contributions of Buddhism to the colorful world of Chinese popular sectarianism. The impact of Buddhist thought varied from sect to sect, with some movements being so strongly Buddhist in orientation that they have been regarded by outside observers as "lay" or "folk Buddhist" movements, while the teachings of others were more influenced by Daoism. Lin Zhao'en (1517–1598), for example, founded the Sanyi Jiao (Three-in-One sect), which sought to combine the Three Teachings, but in doing so emphasized Confucianism and the internal alchemy of Quanzhen (Complete Realization) Daoism over Buddhism. On the other hand, Luo Qing (1442–1527), founder of the Wuwei (Non-Action) sect, was a major figure in Buddhist-inspired sectarianism. Originally a soldier by profession, he set out on a quest for salvation, studied with various masters, and drew inspiration from a large number of texts, the majority of which were Buddhist in nature. Among these, the Jin'gang keyi (Ritual Amplification of the Diamond Sūtra) touched him particularly; he devoted three years of study to this text and frequently referred to it in his writings. His teachings show a strong influence of Chan Buddhism, with an emphasis on the individual's recovery of his or her innate buddha-nature, or tathĀgatagarbha. For Luo Qing, the concept of ŚŪnyatĀ (emptiness) collapsed all distinctions, including those between men and women, and clergy and laity, opening up release from saṂsȦra for all living beings. His writings were gathered in a collection called the Wubu liuce (Five Books in Six Volumes), which still enjoys the status of sacred scripture among present-day sects such as the Longhua Pai (Dragon Flower Sect) of southeastern China.
Alongside the "popular Chan" of Luo Qing, there developed a separate sectarian tradition of a millenarian nature. The first text to formulate this approach is, in fact, the earliest surviving sectarian scripture, dated to 1430: the Foshuo huangji jieguo baojuan (Precious Volume Expounded by the Buddha on the [Karmic] Results of the [Teaching of the] Imperial Ultimate [Period]). Here we find a Buddhist inspired view of the world as moving through three cycles: First there was the Ultimateless (wuji) period reigned over by the Lamplighter (Dīpaṇkara) Buddha (Randeng Fo); the present age is that of the Great Ultimate (taiji), governed by ḍākyamuni Buddha; and now the world is about to enter the Imperial Ultimate (huangji) period of the Buddha Maitreya. This three-stage cosmology with its eschatological expectation of a savior ushering in a new and better world became a powerful motif among later popular sects. It was modified somewhat by the introduction of a mother goddess, the Eternal Mother (Wusheng Laomu), who dispatched the various buddhas to the world so that her human children might return to their original home at their Mother's side. This return is becoming urgent as the world enters its final period and is on an inexorable course toward apocalyptic destruction. Sometimes, sectarian leaders themselves claimed to be Maitreya, sent by the Eternal Mother to gather in her children; occasionally, millenarian fervor initiated political action, as sects rebelled in an attempt to usher in the new age. The bestknown modern representative of this millenarian tradition is the Yiguan Dao (Way of Unity), an influential religious movement in Taiwan and Hong Kong and among overseas Chinese, which was founded in the 1920s by a patriarch who claimed to be the Living Buddha Jigong, dispatched by the Eternal Mother to open up a path of salvation in this final age.
Thus, Buddhism historically served as an important source of inspiration for Chinese popular sects. Buddhist concepts and themes were integrated with Confucian and Daoist elements, as well as with elements of popular origin (such as mediumistic practices), to produce a variegated array of religious movements. The creativity of popular sectarianism has not ebbed in the modern age, as new sects keep emerging. Some of these draw on older sectarian traditions, while others make a fresh start by taking a new look at China's Three Teachings. A modern example of a sect that draws strongly on (in this case, tantric) Buddhist material is the Zhenfo Zong (True Buddha movement), founded by Lu Shengyan (1945–) in the 1980s. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, it is particularly active among overseas Chinese. While usually eyed with some suspicion by the mainline saṄgha, the Buddhist borrowings of such syncretic sects are a testimony to the successful integration of Buddhism into Chinese popular culture and to its power to inspire religious innovation.
Dean, Kenneth. Lord of the Three in One: The Spread of a Cult in Southeast China. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1998.
Haar, Barend J. ter. The White Lotus Teachings in Chinese Religious History. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 1992.
Jordan, David K., and Overmyer, Daniel L. The Flying Phoenix: Aspects of Chinese Sectarianism in Taiwan. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1986.
Ma Xisha, and Han Bingfang. Zhongguo minjian zongjiaoshi. Shanghai: Shanghai Renmin Chubanshe, 1992.
Overmyer, Daniel L. Folk Buddhist Religion. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1976.
Overmyer, Daniel L. "Messenger, Savior, and Revolutionary: Maitreya in Chinese Popular Religious Literature of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries." In Maitreya, the Future Buddha, ed. Alan Sponberg and Helen Hardacre. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1988.
Overmyer, Daniel L. Precious Volumes: An Introduction to Chinese Sectarian Scriptures from the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Asia Center, 1999.
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Enabling sustainable agricultural production adapted to climate change
In Ecuador, 25% of the land is occupied by small and medium farmers, whose work is fundamental for agricultural value chains such as rice, potatoes, corn, onions, among others.
However, the levels of development of this segment of the agricultural population, as well as its capacity to contribute to the diversification of the productive matrix at the national level, are limited due to the reduced size of their lands, the lack of access to markets and the lack of knowledge to implement efficient water management techniques in agriculture.
Of the 338 thousand hectares with irrigation that belong to small and medium producers, 93% have traditional irrigation systems that are not very efficient and have limited water storage capacity.
"With LAIF funding we are improving the management of our natural resources taking into account climate change, and increasing our incomes".
"With this technified irrigation we are gaining production time and the most important thing is that we are not deteriorating the terrain" - Marcelo Guerrón, beneficiary of the PIT
The Modernized Irrigation Project for Small and Medium Farmers project is helping approximately 14 000 small and medium-sized farmers from coastal territories and mountain regions to gain access to modern irrigation systems, allowing them to improve water management and expand agricultural production.
The main goal of the project is to increase the incomes of small and medium-sized farmers by providing more efficient irrigation and climate-smart management of soil and water. In so doing, the project should help to reduce extreme poverty and increase shared prosperity by augmenting agricultural revenue and strengthening the resilience of Ecuador’s family farming sector, promoting diversification and higher agricultural production, and improving access to markets for smallholders and their organizations.
The project’s three core components cover:
- investments in irrigation systems and production techniques;
- training and technical assistance to handle these systems and techniques; and
- research, development and innovation to improve agricultural production systems, using agricultural and post-harvest practices that are beneficial for the environment and adapted to climate change.
The project is led by the Sub-secretariat for Productive Irrigation Plots of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and receives technical assistance from the Spanish Cooperation Agency for its implementation.
This EU-LAIF contribution to the PIT, complements investments in technical irrigation systems for the Ecuadorian coast and highlands, and will contribute to the improvement of the agricultural income of almost 10,000 families of small producers, through two fundamental axes:
- the creation and implementation of a National School for Plot Irrigation (ENIP), and
- the implementation of five Showcase Territories that aim to demonstrate the viability and sustainability of small-scale peasant agriculture when it has the necessary resources for production.
The LAIF contribution is promoting investments that increase and diversify production, support the processing of products, and provide improved access to markets. As a result of this support, the return on investment will be significantly higher than for investments in irrigation systems alone. For example, LAIF considers investments in machinery and equipment for the production, conservation and storage of agricultural products, for transport, and for small agro-industrial businesses to process agricultural products.
Also, the LAIF contribution is providing added value in terms of innovation to improve agro-production systems by investing in productive aspects as well as processing and commercialization. Investments are being made for the preparation of land plots for trials to improve cultivation practices, including appropriate management of erosion and soil fertility. Furthermore, the use of bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, seeds and ancestral varieties is being promoted, as well as the creation of laboratories equipped for the recovery, conservation and improvement of seeds.
- The project is carried out in 17 provinces of the country, through 124 local subprojects in the coastal and mountain areas.
- 12,400 hectares are provided with an irrigation system.
- 14,150 families will benefit, many of them of mestizo, indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian and mountain origin.
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The pulp is found in the center of each tooth and consists of tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, which work together to provide oxygen and nutrients that keep them healthy and strong. If one or more teeth suffer a traumatic injury or decay, the pulp can become inflamed or infected. When this happens in a child’s primary or baby tooth, your dentists Dr. Buchholtz & Dr. Garro may recommend a pulpotomy.
A pulpotomy–also referred to as pulp therapy or a “baby root canal”–is performed to prevent further infection and early tooth loss. The procedure entails applying a topical anesthetic to numb the area before creating a small opening in the tooth, removing the infected, inflamed pulp, then sealing the chamber with a medicated filling that will prevent bacteria growth and allow a crown (stainless steel, porcelain, or white zirconia are the most common materials to choose from) to be fitted in place to restore the tooth.
When infection strikes a tooth in your little one’s mouth, you might think: “It’s a baby tooth, why not just remove it or let it fall out?” We wish we could tell you it’s that simple, but baby teeth have an important job. Losing them before they’re due to exit can cause permanent teeth to shift and erupt out of proper alignment, not to mention the increased difficulty for them to chew and speak naturally.
Protecting and restoring your child’s baby teeth can save their oral health and self-confidence. While pulpotomies may sound serious and scary, often they’re a source of relief because the inflammation and infection inside the pulp are incredibly painful. Acting fast can prevent increasing pain and the need for a pulpectomy, which is a removal of the diseased pulp from both the crown and the root. It can also make the difference between whether the tooth becomes abscessed—if the infection reaches this level, the tooth needs to be saved or face extraction.
You should contact Family Dental Practice as soon as possible if your child experiences any of the following symptoms:
At Family Dental Practice, we think the best treatment is no treatment. That means we emphasize prevention, which is largely reliant on education, healthy lifestyles, and strong oral hygiene routines. We want learning about the mouth to be fun, and for your little one’s smile to stay healthy and bright for life.
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Dr. Will Buchholtz is dedicated to improving each patient’s overall dental health. He has a comprehensive approach to helping each patient using progressive treatment techniques in the most efficient ways. As he continues to advance his education and incorporating the latest dental innovation and techniques into his daily practice, Dr. Will improves the quality of his patient’s lives. He has completed extensive advanced training in bone grafting, sinus lifts and advanced implant techniques.
1518 Doctors Court
Watertown, WI 53094
We are proud to serve the communities of Watertown, Beaver Dam, Jefferson, Oconomowoc, Lake Mills, & beyond!
Use our form to request an appointment and someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
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We can't wait to meet you and your family!
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Growing containers for zucchini must be at least 24 inches across and at least 16 inches deep. An inexpensive storage bin or plastic bucket can be transformed into a useful container for growing this prolific plant. Here are some other appropriate planting containers:
- Polypropylene Smart Pot
- Plastic Pot
- Deep Planter Box
- Wooden or Plastic Half-Barrel
Best Zucchini Varieties for Containers
Most zucchini varieties are considered bush varieties, but some have a vining nature. When planting the vining types, a trellis is needed. Although vining zucchinis can be planted, it is best to choose compact bush varieties such as:
- Eight Ball
- Jackpot Hybrid
Zucchini root systems will become damaged if allowed to grow in saturated conditions for long periods of time. It is crucial that planting containers have adequate drainage. It may be necessary to drill holes in the containers you choose. Smart Pots are constructed with a polypropylene fabric that is porous; therefore, these need no drilled holes.
Filling the Container with Soil
All containers except Smart Pots should have small pebbles lining the bottom. The pebbles will prevent the soil from escaping the container.
A zucchini plant must have nutrient-dense potting soil. Container potting soils must be a mixture of perlite, sphagnum, potting soil, peat moss, and compost. Fish emulsion or earthworm castings should be added to the soil also. These natural fertilizers boost the fertility to a level that will sustain the prolific plant.
Planting Zucchini in Containers
Zucchini plants can easily be started from seed in large containers about two weeks after the average last frost. Here are the steps:
- Fill the container with soil and water thoroughly.
- Sow two or three seeds 1 inch deep in the middle of the container.
- Keep soil moistened but not soggy.
- After about two weeks of growth, thin to one plant per pot.
Transplants that are started indoors can be transferred to containers. Before planting outdoors, harden off the seedlings by exposing them to the outdoor elements. Allow the seedlings more and more exposure gradually.
Caring for Container Zucchini Plants
Zucchini plants need at least seven hours of direct sunlight daily. One advantage of container gardening is the ability to move them in areas that supply adequate direct sunlight.
The large and thirsty root system of zucchini plants requires soil that is moist, not soggy, six inches deep. The soil must stay fertile also. Fertilize with an organic fertilizer every two weeks.
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Seeing new roots forming on a cutting you have done is always a magical feeling, particularly if it is a plant that is difficult to propagate. Many species can be propagated in your backyard or balcony with a minimal level of facilities. By understanding a little bit about the science of root formation you can dramatically increase the range of plants that can be successfully rooted.
The main types of stem cuttings are soft tip, semi-hardwood and hardwood.
Soft tip cuttings can be taken any time the shoot tip is actively growing. Soft tip cuttings are succulent and wilt very easily and therefore require a bit more environmental control than cuttings from harder wood. However, soft tip cuttings strike more easily and are faster than those of harder wood. Herbaceous plants like everlastings and other native daisies and fan flowers are all propagated by soft tip cuttings and can even be struck in a glass of water kept in filtered light on a window sill.
Semi-hardwood cuttings are generally available from late spring through into autumn as the new spring growth starts to become woody on trees and shrubs. The advantage with this type of cutting is minimal need for environmental control since there is no soft growth at the tip of the cutting. A sheltered position in the garden is all that is required. Semi-hardwood cuttings are identified by the fact that the stem is changing in colour, generally from green to reddish or brown and has fully formed leaves right to the tip. Bottlebrush, banksias and grevilleas are classic examples of plants that are ideal for semihardwood cuttings.
Hardwood cuttings are available from autumn through winter but for some species the harder wood further back on the stem can be used at other times of the year.
Hardwood cuttings have stems where the colour has changed completely to brown. These are the toughest of all cuttings and do not need any special treatment. They are identified by having a distinctly dormant terminal bud and the wood does not snap cleanly when bent. Waratahs are a good example of a native plant that can be propagated by hardwood cuttings.
Special tips on how to improve success:
Wounding the base of cuttings- New roots form on cuttings in the tissue just below the outer ‘skin’ of the shoot. This is the tissue that conducts the water and sugars and is called the vascular cambium. When cuttings are taken of harder wood we can stimulate faster and better root formation by scraping off the surface tissue on the base of the cutting to expose the sappy conducting tissue where the new roots form.
Hormone treatments to increase rooting rates – So called rooting hormones are a group of substances known as auxins which regulate all sorts of activity in plant growth. Importantly for us they stimulate new root formation. Auxins are generally applied to the base of the cutting and are particularly effective where the tissue has been wounded. Auxins are often applied as powders but auxin gels and liquids are also available that have other substances such as vitamins added that are known to further stimulate the rooting process.
What media to use for maximum success – A well-aerated potting mix is very desirable for cuttings as the extra pore space allows for good oxygen exchange which fuels the respiration of the rapidly dividing new root cells. Special cutting propagation mixes are available or you can manufacture your own by adding 50% coarse sand or perlite to a standard potting mix.
To learn more about propagating, read about sowing seed-
Also watch my videos-
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Teaching kids about money: How to raise money-smart kids
A few years ago, I polled my Twitter followers to ask: “What did your parents teach you about money? Anything? Did it work?“
A lot of folks responded to say that their parents were poor examples:
- @MoneyMateKate wrote: My parents didn't teach me — I taught them! I was paying my own dental bills (no insurance) from age 12 onwards with babysitting dollars.
- @liberryteacher wrote: My parents never had any money, and life was hard. So they taught me by example that that was not a good way to live.
- @mike_strock wrote: My parents gave me money whenever I asked. Needless to say, that wasn't helpful later in life. I'm learning!
- @tcita wrote: My parents taught me absolutely nothing: no chores, allowance, budgeting, spending money, savings — nothing. Though I guess that taught me value of work.
But not all parents fail at training their children about money. Plenty of folks picked up good habits from the Bank of Mom and Dad. Here are some of my favorite anecdotes and tips:
- Pam from The Turtle Path (a running blog) told me: In junior high, my parents gave me $400 at the beginning of the year (instead of a weekly allowance). They told me I could do whatever I wanted with it, but they weren't giving me any more money the rest of the year, so don't ask.
- @Elle_CM wrote: My mom (and grandma) emphasized always saving a chunk of any income you receive. We used to make Saturday deposits at the bank.
- Via Facebook, Cynthia wrote: As kids, if we were at the store and saw something we wanted, my dad would say, “Did you bring your money?”
- @mattwakefield wrote: My dad taught me about the stock market by using a 1/100 scale model of the [stock] market. Got hooked early!
- @EverydayFinance wrote: My father insisted on no credit-card debt and said, “Everything in moderation.” It worked like a charm.
- @kingkool68 wrote: My parents printed family checks for my allowance. I could write checks to my parents in first grade! They also gave me monthly statements.
Teaching your children about money is one of the best things you can do to ensure their future success. Financially aware kids become financially aware adults.
How do you teach kids about money — especially if you haven't yet figured out money for yourself? This is a tough question for me to answer since I have zero experience raising children. That said, I've paid close attention to the experiences of my friends and family over the past twenty years. While I don't have any personal experience with this subject, I've observed what has and has not worked for others.
Teaching Kids About Money
Some parents try to shield their kids from the family finances, but this often does more harm than good. From the parents I've spoken to, the ones whose kids seem to have the best handle on money are the ones who've seen how Mom and Dad deal with money, both the good and the bad. If they see the challenges you face, they can prepare for them in their own lives.
“How do children become spoiled?” I asked.
“They’re not born that way,” he said. “We do it to them. Nobody wants to raise a spoiled child, yet it happens all the time.”
“When we talk about spoiled children,” Lieber told me, “the opposite qualities are modesty, patience, thrift, generosity, perspective, perseverance, courage, grit, bravery, prudence, and so on.”
“The thing is,” he continued, “you can use money as a central tool to teach kids about every single one of these. Instead of shying away from the topic, what if we put money at the center of family conversations? What if we assumed not that money subverts values but contributes to them? Because it does. This is the path to financial literacy and financial education.”
From what I've seen, there are four steps parents can take to teach their kids smart financial habits:
- Set an example. Model the behavior you want your kids to learn: If you want them to save, save. If you don't want them to become compulsive shoppers, curb your own compulsive shopping.
- Be prepared. Have answers before you need them. Know how you're going to handle specific situations like allowances or begging for candy in the grocery store. (I know one couple who deflect begging by simply saying, “Sorry, that's not in the budget.” I love it!)
- Be consistent. Kids do best with clear, consistent expectations, so think carefully about your family's money rules before setting them. Don't be so rigid that there's no wiggle room but once you've set a policy, apply it consistently and fairly.
- Be honest. Share your success and failures. Tell your kids what you did right and what you wish you'd done differently. Explain your thought process each step of the way.
Most of all, make this learning process interactive. Involve your kids in frugal activities that teach them self-sufficiency, such as gardening, baking, home improvement, and so on. Teach them to comparison shop at by having them help at the grocery store. As they get older, make them financial apprentices: Show them how to pay bills, check a credit score, and buy a car. Teach them that managing a household is a team effort.
Providing Hands-On Experience with an Allowance
One of the best ways to teach kids about money is to give them hands-on experience with an allowance. When they have their own cash to manage, kids are better able to learn the value of saving and the difference between wants and needs.
There are two schools of thought about how allowances ought to be provided.
- The first says that the money should be tied to grades, chores, and behaviors. This gives kids an incentive to do the right thing. But critics argue that tying an allowance to these actions sends the wrong message. Kids should stive for good grades regardless of what (or whether) they're paid, say the critics, and doing chores is part of belonging to a family.
- The second camp says that you should give the allowance without expecting anything in return. Using this method, kids learn about money even if they don't make good good grades or do their chores. But some people believe this method leads to an “entitlement mentality” in which the kids expect something for nothing.
Most families are probably best off with some sort of hybrid approach: Provide a minimal base allowance that's paid no matter what, and then add incentive pay for certain chores and behaviors.
Tip: If you want to incentivize good grades without money, consider rewarding with something else your child values: a later curfew, a trip to a concert or pro sporting event, golf lessons, more time with friends. This should encourage the behavior you want without tying it to money.
Whichever method you choose, use the allowance as a chance to teach your children the value of money. Instead of letting them spend it on whatever they want, consider a system that divides the money for specific goals.
You might, for example, use three jars (or envelopes) labeled:
- Save (30%). This money is for long-term goals, such as buying a bike or a baseball mitt. Let the child decide on the goal — with your help.
- Share (10%). The money in this jar (or envelope) is for giving to somebody else. Your kid can decide where it goes — whether it's a charity or just somebody else in need (even a sibling!). The point is to share with others.
- Spend (60%). There are no restrictions on the money in this jar. Your child can spend it on comic books or bubble gum — whatever strikes her fancy.
A decade ago, my friend Lisa tried this system. She wrote a guest post here at GRS about how she had her kids divide their allowance into four jars: Spend, Save, “When I'm Old”, and Donate. (If you don't want to use jars or envelopes, you can now purchase money-savvy piggy banks with slots for Save, Spend, Donate, and Invest.)
Last month, my friend Doug from The Military Guide told me about how he raised his daughter to become a financially capable young woman.
“We got her involved from a young age,” Doug said. “My daughter got to see how my wife and I made financial decisions. But the best thing we did was to start her on an allowance. We gave her money and let her do what she wanted to do with it. She made some mistakes, sure, but we were there to help her. And I'm glad that she made those mistakes when she was thirteen years old instead of 23 or 33.”
I think Doug's approach was smart. So far, it seems to be paying off. Now that she's an adult, his daughter is making smart choices and is well on the path to future financial independence.
Many of us were raised with faulty and/or incomplete money blueprints. We entered adulthood not knowing how to handle money responsibly. I believe one your most important jobs as a parent is to give your children accurate, reliable money blueprints that will help them establish a solid financial foundation — then construct a life where they don't have to worry about money.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to get your children thinking about and interacting with money from an early age. It's better for them to make money mistakes at thirteen years old than at thirty!
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What to Know About the COVID Vaccines for Babies and Kids
The moment many moms and dads have been waiting for—since the very start of the pandemic—has finally arrived! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just authorized COVID-19 vaccines for kids under 5. That means, roughly 18 million more kids will be eligible to receive the shot to protect themselves and to reduce their risk of spreading the disease to their family, teachers, and more! As has happened with every development in the COVID saga, some parents will take a wait-and-see approach, while others are incredibly relieved and are booking appointments ASAP.
With the number of COVID cases once again rising, and masks disappearing from common use, it’s important that parents have the facts straight on the COVID vaccine for kids. No matter what you are planning to do, one thing is for sure, in this world where we are bombarded with misinformation form social media trolls and troublemakers, you want the very best insights to help you make your decision.
It’s reassuring to know that top authorities, like the American Academy of Pediatrics, fully encourage parents having their kids—and themselves—vaccinated. Nevertheless, to help you make an informed decision, let’s tackle some of the top questions you might have about the COVID-19 vaccine—and booster shot—for little babies and toddlers.
Do young kids need to be vaccinated?
Here are three good reasons why it makes sense to give kids—and adults—the shot:
COVID is risky for kids: Sure, kids get far less severe infections than older adults, but some do get very sick. The current Omicron variant has put the most kids in the hospital since the start of the pandemic. Almost 13.5 million children have been infected with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, 128,000+ have been hospitalized, and 1,536 children have died. To date, nearly 500 of them have been under 5 (COVID-19 is among the top 10 leading causes of death for children 5 to 11.)
Young kids can also get the rare (but sometimes deadly) COVID complication called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, where the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain can get very inflamed. In addition, long-haul symptoms—like losing their sense of smell and taste—can be pretty terrible for a child to suffer.
COVID is risky for your family: Most infected kids have few or no symptoms...but they can still spread COVID to family members—and lose their own sense of smell or taste…or land in the hospital, or worse!
COVID is risky for your neighbors: Kids can quickly spread the illness because they’re not as reliable at wearing masks, washing hands, and they often seem perfectly well…even though they are infected. Spread of the infection to playmates, teachers, and other close contacts can ignite passage of the virus through an entire community. And when people get sick, the virus quickly duplicates millions and billions of virus particles…and that is when dangerous mutations can occur. What we have seen is that one major mutation can hurt tens of millions of people throughout our communities, the country, and the world!
Do children’s vaccines differ from the adult versions?
As of June 2022, kids under 5 have two vaccine options:
The Moderna vaccine. Kids 6 months to 5 years can receive one-fourth the strength of an adult dose, administered in two shots, four weeks apart.
The Pfizer vaccine. This vaccine is one-tenth the strength of the adult vaccine. Children 6 months to 4 years get two doses—three weeks apart—and the third and final dose at least two months after the second dose.
For bigger kids, there will (soon) be three COVID-19 vaccine options:
The Pfizer vaccine. This is for kids 5 to 11 years of age. The dose is one-third of the adult dose and it’s given in two shots, 21 days apart. Fact: For many illnesses, like polio and tetanus, we give kids the same exact vaccine dose as adults. But with COVID, the studies show kids do just fine with a lower dose.
The Moderna vaccine. This is for kids 6 to 11 years of age. The dose is half the adult dose and is given twice, with 28 days between the first and second dose. (This is slated to be approved by the CDC shortly.)
The Moderna Vaccine. Teens (12 to 17 years) get the same dose as adults, given in two doses, four weeks apart. (This is slated to be approved by the CDC shortly.)
Should 4- and 11-year-olds wait for their birthdays so they can receive a larger dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
No. All eligible children—including those on the cusp of an older age bracket—should get their COVID vaccines as soon as possible. And if your 4- or 11-year-old has a birthday between their first and last doses, they’ll receive the dosage amount appropriate for their just-turned age.
How effective is the COVID-19 vaccine in children?
Here’s the most important point: the vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness. They keep kids from being hospitalized and dying. Researchers estimate that being fully vaccinated reduced risk of hospitalization by more than two-thirds. One study found that 92% of 5- to 11-year-olds hospitalized with COVID during the Omicron surge were unvaccinated.
What about protection from less severe infections? For the under-5 set, Pfizer is 80% effective against symptomatic COVID (after the three shots). It is moderately effective (31%) at protecting 5- to 11-year-olds from the Omicron variant. The Moderna was a bit less effective, protecting 51% of kids 6 months to 2 years old and 37% ages 2 to 5 years old. The coming Moderna vaccines for older kids is roughly 88% effective in 6- to 11-year-olds and 93% effective in 12- to 17-year-olds.
However, it’s important to understand that vaccine effectiveness for any vaccine wanes over time…making boosters a must.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children?
YES! The COVID-19 vaccine seems new, but the amazing mRNA tech behind it has been studied for decades. The 3,000+ 5- to 11-year-olds who got the vaccine during the clinical trials usually had minimal side effects, including pain at the shot site, mild fatigue, and headache. There were no serious reactions and no deaths. And the same results held true for younger kids, too. Since kids rarely have long-term side effects from COVID infection, the CDC notes that it’s “extremely unlikely following any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination.”
What about the heart problems linked with COVID-19 vaccinations?
A true infection with the actual COVID-19 virus rarely causes myocarditis (inflammation of the heart). Children are much more likely to develop heart issues after a COVID infection than after receiving the vaccine. The latest numbers from the CDC show that the rate of myocarditis in children is uncommon: Out of a million vaccine doses, roughly four instances of myocarditis occurred in 5- to 11-year-olds after the second vaccine. And there have been no reported cases among the infants and toddlers involved in the vaccine trials. The expert panel that reviewed the evidence concluded that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccine for children outweigh the risks.
Do children who’ve already had COVID-19 still need the vaccine?
Yes! Unfortunately, children and adults can be infected with the COVID-19 virus more than once. While folks likely have some immunity after recovering from the virus, it’s unclear how long that protection lasts.
Do children really need a COVID booster?
Yes. All 5- to 11-year-olds should get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at least five months after they received the initial two shots. Research has shown that this third dose significantly bolsters antibodies against the virus—including the more contagious Omicron variant. This is especially important because more kids have gotten sick, experienced longer term effects, and been hospitalized during the Omicron wave than with prior variants. While there’s no booster available for younger children yet, experts contend that a booster dose will most likely be needed.
Where can my child get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Adult COVID-19 vaccine providers, like pharmacies and community health centers, have been doling out big-kid vaccines, as well as pediatricians and primary care providers. Your doctor will likely be able to point you toward options near you, or you can use vaccines.gov to search for locations by zip code. Right now, children over the age of 3 can get their COVID-19 vaccine from a pharmacist, but younger children need to visit their pediatrician, family doctor, or a similar provider to get the shots.
Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Submit your questions here.
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.
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World heritage in Germany
The world heritage site of the Upper Middle Rhine is the largest coherent world heritage in Germany and has been listed at the Unesco index in 2002. The Upper Middle Rhine ranges from Koblenz to Rüdesheim and represents the most beautiful cultural landscape in Germany. To show the variety and sense of community of the site the Rhine kilometers marks are playing a dominant role in the new corporate design that has been developped by Hesse Design.
67 Rhine kilometers, 26 cities and villages, 29 castles, more than 100 trekking kilometers and numerous vineyards signalize at a glance, that they are now something unique in the world. The new logo demonstrates the total and refers to the special by the various Rhine kilometer marks. Therefore it is not only a memorable brand mark but also an orientation system throughout Germany's greatest responsibility towards the Unesco.
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The Battle of Hastings Workshop
During our highly-engaging workshop, the children will be taken through the battle itself, as well as learn how to fight, learn about the weapons from the time, and even get a chance to handle them too! The highlight of the day is where the children take part in battle formations and tactics - learning how the Normans and Anglo-Saxons fought in battle!
As always, we provide a full day's worth of activities for up to 3 classes.
We can also tailor the day to provide the workshop to KS1 (which we have delivered on numerous occasions).
Workshop leaders: Leigh or Chloe
The day's activities and presentations:
Introduction - The Battle: The children will listen to a presentation, explaining how the battle came about, and detailing all of the key events that happened.
Battle Formation and Tactics: The children will learn how to use the most common weapon on the battlefield, a spear. They will get their own child-friendly spear and shield and learn the commands and actions needed in order to go into battle!
The Weaponry of 1066: The workshop leader will show the children a range of replica weapons from the time and explain how these were used in battle, and why they were chosen. Weapons include: Crossbows, swords, axes, spears, shields, maces, helmets and chainmail.
Norman / Anglo-Saxon Games and Pastimes: The children will learn what the Normans and Anglo-Saxons used to do for fun and enjoyment. They play replica board games from the time.
1066 Weapons Handling: As the title suggests, the children will all get a chance to handle replica weapons from the year 1066. Weapons handled are the ones described in the weaponry session. This session is dependant on the number of classes taking part in the workshop and timings of the day.
Plan the Norman Invasion: Working as a class, the children will have to make decisions on how best to prepare for an invasion from the sea. They will consider things like the finances needed, the resources needed and how many men they will need!
The Legacy: The final session of the day looks at what happened after The Battle of Hastings - how the battle changed the course of this island's future.
Workshop Leaders: Leigh, Adam B, Rob, David
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The rotator cuff is a set of a four small muscles in the shoulder that allow the upper arm to rotate. When a rotator cuff is torn, the tendon part of the muscle tears away from the bone of the upper arm. A rotator cuff tear can result from an injury such as a fall or heavy lifting, or from normal wear-and-tear and repetitive activities over many years. Some minor tears may be treated without surgery. Many, however, require surgical intervention to heal properly.
To repair a torn rotator cuff, an orthopedic surgeon reattaches the tendon to the humerus (upper arm bone) using an absorbable suture anchor. The surgery’s success is dependent on how well this interface between the tendon and bone heals.
Rotator cuff surgery is performed arthroscopically. In a shoulder arthroscopy, small incisions are made and an arthroscope − a small tube fixed with a camera – is navigated to the site of the tear. We then use specially designed instruments that allow us to repair the rotator cuff with minimal trauma to the surrounding muscles and tissues.
Patients at Hospital for Special Surgery have this procedure done under a nerve block (regional anesthesia) and partial sedation rather than under general anesthesia. This minimizes the amount of pain and anesthesia medications that are given, thereby reducing nausea and vomiting. These improvements in minimally invasive techniques and anesthesia allow most of our patients to go home only a few hours after their procedure.
First, an arthroscopy of the glenohumeral joint (the ball-and-socket portion of the shoulder joint) is performed to identify and treat other associated problems, such as a biceps tendon injury, loose bodies or a torn labrum. (The shoulder labrum is a rim of cartilage that surrounds the glenoid, the cup portion of the shoulder joint.) A partial rotator cuff tear (a tear through less than 50% of the thickness of the rotator cuff tendon) can be trimmed with a shaver at this time.
The arthroscope is then placed in the subacromial space (below the acromion, a bony portion at the top of the scapula or shoulder blade), under which the rotator cuff tendon passes. A subacromial decompression is then performed to open up the subacromial space. This procedure, called an acromioplasty, involves removing a bone spur and irregularities on the underside of the acromion, which can be a cause of rotator cuff irritation and tearing. The torn tendon is then reattached to the bone with the use of suture anchors and sutures.
Surgery is recommended for a full thickness tear, or in those patients with a partial thickness tear who have failed conservative treatment (two months of physical therapy). If a patient tries conservative treatments and continues to have pain and difficulty with activities after two or three months, he or she may consider surgery to repair the tear.
Small or partial rotator cuff tears may be treated with two months of physical therapy.
If physical therapy has not effectively restored strength and function, then surgery is the only option. Physical therapy is considered effective if a patient feels their shoulder function and strength has improved.
Tears tend to get larger with time. The results of repairing large or massive tears are not as good as repairing smaller tears, Delaying surgery in patients who need it can result in progression of a partial tear to a full tear, the propagation of a small tear to a larger one, fatty infiltration of the damaged tendon and muscle, and muscle atrophy and weakness.
Most patients will still initially undergo a trial of physical therapy to see if surgery can be avoided, but for those who do not respond, we recognize the value of initiating surgery sooner rather than later.
It is important to select an orthopedic surgeon who has experience repairing rotator cuff tears, preferably one who completed a fellowship in sports medicine. Find a doctor at HSS who treats rotator cuff tears.
Yes. The surgery takes less than a half hour, and the patient is placed in a sling and can return home on the day of surgery.
It takes six to eight weeks for the tendon to heal to the bone. Complete recovery time varies by size of the tear. For a small tears, full recovery time is about four months, for large tears, six months. For severe, massive tears, a complete recovery can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months.
Patients can often return to most activities after about 12 weeks after surgery, but participation in vigorous sports may be restricted for four to six months. The goal is to achieve full range of motion and full strength.
Generally, a patient wears a sling for the first two to three weeks and begins physical therapy one week after surgery. The physical therapy program typically lasts for three to four months. Strengthening exercises begin after the 6- to 10-week healing period.
Protecting the repair for the first six to eight weeks is essential to allow healing to the bone. Because patients may feel well quickly, it's particularly important that they exercise care in protecting the joint during the healing period. Shoulder surgeons prescribe a very specific and detailed rehabilitation program following surgery which must be strictly followed.
A licensed physical therapist can guide the patient on appropriate exercises. These may differ from case to case.
Typically, patients can return to driving after two to four weeks.
Rotator cuff surgery has more than a 95% success rate for small tears. For two tendon tears, the success rate is still greater than 70%. Untreated tears tend to get bigger, so it is best to repair tears while they are small.
However, even those patients with very large tendon tears may benefit from surgery. In some cases, we can use a technique called margin conversions. This involves covering the humeral head with grafted tissue to hold the tendon in place in the joint. When the tendon tissue is insufficient for direct repair, we place a patch of donated tissue in the area. When these tissue grafts are required, shoulder surgeons usually perform a mini-open repair, rather than an arthroscopic repair.
Arthroscopic images provided courtesy of Russell F. Warren, MD.
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Echad mi yodea, the Passover song of numbers, sung in all (or almost !) Jewish traditions
Performed at the end of the Passover Seder, between Hadir hu and Chad gadya, the song of numbers Echad mi yodea is a cumulative song (each verse recalls the one before) which proclaims the unity of God and allows children to show their Biblical knowledge while learning to count (each number is related to a very important Jewish fact).
The last stanza is the following :
” Thirteen are God’s principles; Twelve are the tribes of Israel; Eleven are the stars of Joseph’s dream; Ten are the Commandments; Nine are the months of childbirth; Eight are the days before circumcision; Seven are the days of the week; Six are the sections of the Mishnah; Five are the books of the Torah; Four are the Matriarchs; Three are the Patriarchs; Two are the tablets of the covenant; One is our God, in heaven and on earth. “
Traditionally, this song, originally in Hebrew, is sung also in the various Jewish dialects (Judeo-Alsacian, Yiddish, Comtadine, Judeo-Spanish, Judeo-Arab…).
- Learn more on the three Passover songs : Adir hu, Echad mi yodea and Chad gadya
- Learn more about the Passover holiday
- Listen to the playlist Chad gadya
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Portchester castle began life as a Roman fortress, probably constructed towards the end of the 3rd Century to protect the southern coastline and trade routes from Saxon raiders. After the departure of the Romans, the fortress remained in use as an Anglo-Saxon residence.
In 1086, the noble William Maudit took possession of the fortress, and began work building a Norman castle inside the original Roman walls, tucked away in the north-east corner. The Norman structure was a one-story keep surrounded by a wooden palisade.
The keep was extended during the 12th Century, eventually rising to four stories in height. In 1130AD, William Pont de l'Arche acquired the castle, and founded a priory in the south-east corner of the Roman precinct. By 1180AD, the wooden palisade had been replaced with a stone wall. By this time, the castle had reverted to the crown, and was often used as a place of residence by English kings.
Subsequent decades saw further expansion at Portchester, but it was during the 14th Century that major rebuilding took place, as the castle's position became increasingly important during the Hundred Year War with France. In 1346AD, King Edward assembled an army of 12,000 to 16,000 men at Portchester, before departing for the Battle of Crecy. In 1415AD, Henry V conducted a fleet review at Portchester before heading on to the Battle of Agincourt.
Following the end of the Hundred Year War, Portchester's prominence declined. This process was hastened when Henry VII constructed the royal dockyard at neighbouring Portsmouth.
During the 17th century, Sir Thomas Cornwall undertook further building work at Portchester, with the emphasis on the castle as a place of residence rather than a fortification.
The Napoleonic Wars of the 19th Century saw Portchester pressed into service as a hospital, a barracks, and most notably a gaol housing 7000 French prisoners of war. This latter role is responsible for Portchester surviving in such an exceptional state of repair.
Today, the most striking feature at Portchester is the outer wall. It encloses a vast area (around nine acres), and survives in superb condition. Despite later repairs and additions, the wall is essentially Roman, and the best-surviving example of its kind in the whole of northern Europe.
Access to the bulk of the fortification is free, but a charge is levied for access to the Norman castle - but this really does represent a mere fraction of this historic site.
2,000 years of continuous use are evident at Portchester, representing a truly unique piece of heritage. The grounds are frequently busy, but the abundance of space prevents any sense of crowding. This is a site well worth visiting, and you won't find its equal anywhere else in Britain.
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All year is allergy season in some places. From pet dander to pollen, allergies can range from a minor annoyance to a daily struggle that impacts your quality of life. The first and most familiar indications that you are suffering from allergies are usually a runny nose and itchy eyes.
But more pronounced symptoms, including tinnitus, bad balance, and hearing loss sometimes occur. These symptoms are a side effect of increased pressure in your inner and middle ear.
Why do Allergies Impact Your Hearing?
When your body senses an environmental allergen it responds by expelling a chemical called histamine. The familiar runny nose and itchy eyes are the outcomes of this release. Fluid buildup in the inner ear is a less common symptom. This is how your body stops the allergen from working its way deeper into your ear canal. This fluid causes pressure that can trigger tinnitus, trouble hearing, and even loss of balance as your equilibrium is disrupted.
How to Manage This Allergy-Related Hearing Loss
There are lots of ways to manage the symptoms of allergies. Most people start with over-the-counter products such as Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra. Mild cases can be successfully managed within a couple of days and initial relief normally begins after the first dose. Extended use of these medicines is also safe. Others, like Benadryl, Sudafed, and Afrin, can be used temporarily for relief, but are not advised for long term use because they can cause unwanted side effects.
You can also combine over-the-counter medications with natural treatments or the natural remedies can in some cases even be used by themselves. A Neti pot or saline solutions are some examples. In some situations, even an ordinary hot shower can lead to improvement, particularly when combined with a vapor tablet. Environmental changes, including routinely washing fabrics with hot water, using a damp cloth to minimize dust on surfaces, and running an air purifier can also significantly help. Be sure you give your pets a bath frequently if you have any and try to feed them dander control pet food if you’re allergic to them.
Already Tried All That?
For some people over-the-counter and natural solutions won’t be sufficient. When none of these solutions help over the course of a few weeks professional assistance may be needed. To find out if you need an allergy shot, you will have to consult an allergist. These shots will be delivered in slowly increasing dosages once a week for up to six months before changing to a monthly shot. These shots work by introducing a small bit of allergen into your system which allows your body to learn how to cope with it. Even though it only takes around eight months for patients to experience some relief, this therapy will demand a long term commitment of up to five years.
If none of the above strategies deliver relief, and you’ve made sure the pressure in your ears isn’t due to an ear infection, then it is time to get your hearing checked.
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Compiling a bill of materials (BOM) not only acts as an internal checklist to keep your business and production schedule on track, it also helps in the planning of the patent application process. For businesses involved in manufacturing or production, the good news is you most likely already have a BOM.
Understanding a bill of materials
On the surface, it may seem like the bill of materials is a very detailed and itemized list. But it is even more than that, serving as both a record and manual for your product by providing in one place all of the parts, assemblies, and instructions needed for the product's creation.
It's easier to understand a BOM if you compare it to a recipe for your favorite dish. A recipe usually tells you not only the ingredients you need but also how much, suggestions of where to buy hard-to-find ingredients, the required cookware, and any tips or notes for how to make sure the dish turns out as it should. The bill of materials provides a similar function: without it, someone would not be able to recreate your product.
Information in a BOM includes:
- All the raw materials and parts
- Special tools needed for construction and assembly
- Locations of where to buy or secure the materials and parts
- Details about the quantities required
- Suggestions for substitutions
- Directions to construct, manufacture, or fix the product
The contents and purpose of a BOM differ from department to department. In engineering, a BOM is used to define the design of the finished product. A manufacturing bill of materials is used in the assembly process and includes mention of all parts needed to make the end product. In sales, a BOM outlines the product at the sales stage—not as necessary for the patent submission process but still very relevant in production planning.
BOMs and patent submission
Finalizing your BOM means that your design is all set and ready to go. At this stage, you know exactly which materials or supplies are needed, the quantities, where to get the materials, and how to put it all together—the very information that allows someone with industry-relevant knowledge to recreate and use your design. It just so happens that this information is also required when you file your patent application.
Specifically, the specification section requires you to provide a thorough description of your invention and the process of making it. You also have to provide detailed drawings of your invention. If you have already created a BOM, then you can easily pull this information for use in your patent application.
Having a BOM can also help ensure that you keep your priority filing date. If you ever need to add more details or new information to a patent application that you already filed, the new additions will receive a different priority filing date than the initial application. This matters because the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) follows a first-to-file rule. Having a BOM ready and on hand can prevent the need to go back and add more detail to the patent application later.
A BOM can be invaluable during the patent application process. Whether you're filing for a nonprovisional or provisional patent, it is in your best interest to be as thorough as possible. Leaving out any crucial information can have serious consequences, such as losing your priority filing date with the USPTO.
Find out more about Patents
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CC-MAIN-2023-50
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https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/use-a-bill-of-materials-to-plan-your-patent-submission
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679511159.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20231211112008-20231211142008-00599.warc.gz
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| 0.945592 | 691 | 3.109375 | 3 |
Tree Trunks and Roots in Candler, NC
The trunk of the tree is separated into several different sections. The first is the outer bark; this part is always grown from the inside out. Its purpose is to hold moisture inside the tree during hot climates, and to keep unneeded moisture out during rain. Furthermore, the trunk acts as armor from predators, pests, and disease. The second part is the inner bark; this is the pathway that handles transportation of food throughout the tree. The part of the trunk that grows is called the cambium cell layer. This section of the tree takes in the traits of the 4 seasons and uses them to create new outer bark layers throughout the year. The tunnels used by the trunk to transport water are called sapwood.
The main foundation of the tree is called heartwood. What’s interesting is that heartwood is a dead section of the tree; it is protected by the outer bark so that it does not decay. The tree roots are found in the first 2-3 feet of the soil. As trees grow, so will their roots. The roots can grow anywhere from 2-5 times the size of the trees crown. The purposes of the roots are to take in water, nutrients, and minerals and manage them. The roots will also store some of the nutrients it takes in for non-dormant times like the winter.
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<urn:uuid:cd78af40-af55-4a5b-8b99-48fd0fb0b65c>
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CC-MAIN-2023-50
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https://www.lowpricetreeservices.com/tree-trunks-and-roots-in-candler-nc/
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679511159.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20231211112008-20231211142008-00599.warc.gz
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| 0.967133 | 282 | 3.515625 | 4 |
A lack of consideration of outdoor spaces of universities has resulted in lower outdoor thermal comfort in summer. This study investigates the thermal comfort of outdoor spaces of a university in summer and proposes the model’s accuracy and optimization strategies to improve the outdoor thermal environment, including vegetation greening, building morphology, and surface albedo. The ENVI-met program was used for the simulation. The measured data were utilized to verify the accuracy of the simulation model. The typical meteorological year data were applied as the inlet boundary condition of the optimized case. The simulation results show that vegetation greening has the most significant effect on improving the outdoor thermal environment. At a greening rate of 45%, the air temperature (Ta
), mean radiant temperature (Tmrt
), and physiological equivalent temperature (PET) in the study area were 3.2 °C, 14.4 °C, and 6.9 °C lower, respectively, than that in the base case. In areas shaded by building, the Ta
, and PET were 2 °C, 8.7 °C, and 5.5 °C lower, respectively, than that in the base case. Increasing the height of buildings did not significantly improve thermal comfort when the height-to-width ratio (H/W) exceeded 1.0. Increasing the ground albedo from 0.2 (base case) to 0.6 can reduce the Ta
by 1.44 °C but increase the Tmrt
by 3.7 °C and the PET by 4.3 °C. These findings can be used by urban planners to develop sustainable cities and improve thermal comfort on university campuses.
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<urn:uuid:420e638a-8ecd-4df9-bfd0-8fe7492d7d38>
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CC-MAIN-2023-50
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https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/12
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679511159.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20231211112008-20231211142008-00599.warc.gz
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| 0.926396 | 337 | 2.6875 | 3 |
An analysis of 44 non-fortified milk-alternative drinks revealed iodine concentrations of under 2% of that found in conventional cows’ milk. The study examined soya, almond, coconut, oat, rice, hazelnut and hemp beverages and was carried out by the University of Surrey (UoS).
Analysis of the samples was performed by LGC, the UK National Measurement Laboratory and Designated Institute for chemical and bio-measurement.
The researchers found that conventional non-organic milk contained 438 micrograms/ kilo (mcg/kg), whereas the median concentration in the unfortified alternative drinks was 7.3 mcg/kg.
Iodine is widely recognised as essential for normal foetal brain development. Therefore, adequate maternal status is important during pregnancy. Previous research by UoS identified an association between poor maternal iodine status and lower IQ and reading scores in their offspring. A recent Norwegian study covered by NutraIngredients showed a link between inadequate iodine in pregnancy and reduced language and fine motor skills in 3-year olds.
“We wanted to raise awareness of the low concentration of iodine in these drinks,” commented first author Dr. Sarah Bath, Lecturer in Public Health Nutrition at UoS.
“Public awareness of iodine is really poor,” she continued. “Iodine is particularly important during pregnancy and for women planning a pregnancy.
“Many women who are consuming these drinks may not be aware they are missing out on the iodine from cows’ milk.”
Putting into practical terms how little iodine is contained in these milk-alternatives, Margaret Rayman, Professor of Nutritional Medicine at UoS explained, “A glass of a milk-alternative drink would only provide around 2 mcg of iodine which is a very small proportion of the adult recommended iodine intake of 150 mcg/day. In pregnancy, that recommendation goes up to 200 mcg/day."
The only manufacturer who fortified some their milk-alternative drinks was Marks & Spencer. The researchers found iodine levels of 280 mcg/kg, 287 mcg/kg, and 266mcg/kg in their soya, oat and rice drinks respectively.
The study is the first in the UK to examine the iodine content of milk alternatives and is also larger and more comprehensive than any previous US study on this topic.
Other sources of iodine
As part of the objective of raising awareness on iodine, the researchers highlighted the British Dietetic Association (BDA) Iodine Food Fact Sheet as a good source of information on the mineral.
“Iodine is not just found in cows’ milk, but it is the main source in the UK,” explained Bath.
“If avoiding milk and dairy products, consumers need to ensure that they have iodine from other dietary sources, where possible.
“Other good sources [of iodine] are fish, particularly white fish, and eggs,” she advised.
If consumers, such as vegans, are unable to obtain sufficient iodine from dietary sources, then supplementation could be an alternative.
However, Bath emphasised that choice of supplement type was important.
“If people do consider an iodine supplement, it is important that they don’t choose a kelp or seaweed supplement as a source of iodine.”
Supplements sourced from kelp or seaweed can contain excessive (and potentially unsafe) levels of iodine. The BDA Iodine Food Fact Sheet therefore recommends supplements in the form of potassium iodide or potassium iodate.
Organic versus inorganic milk
Consumers may decide to drink organic milk for a variety of perceived health reasons. The researchers found an average concentration of 324 mcg/ kg in organic milk, around 75% of the level in non-organic winter milk.
Seasonal variations occur in the iodine content of milk. Iodine-fortified concentrates are fed to cattle (particularly in the winter months) and iodine-containing disinfectants (used in the UK), increase the iodine content of conventional non-organic milk.
This study used cows’ milk samples drawn in November/ December 2015, reflecting ‘winter’ iodine content. To enable an estimation of an ‘all-year-round’ iodine content in non-organic milk, the researchers also used a median value from their previous 2009 study of 80 cows’ milk samples from the summer.
In this earlier study, the ‘summer’ iodine content was measured at 250 mcg/kg for non-organic milk and 145 mcg/kg for organic milk.
“Organic milk is still a good source of iodine in the UK,” commented Bath.
Source: British Journal of Nutrition
Published online 26th September 2017. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114517002136
“Iodine concentration of milk-alternative drinks available in the UK in comparison with cows’ milk.”
Authors: Sarah C. Bath, Sarah Hill, Heidi Goenaga Infante, Sarah Elghul, Carolina J. Nezianya, Margaret P. Rayman.
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<urn:uuid:53d37b95-9568-4cad-aee5-dbfb58acc1f1>
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CC-MAIN-2023-50
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https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2017/09/27/Consumers-of-milk-alternative-drinks-may-face-iodine-deficiency
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679511159.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20231211112008-20231211142008-00599.warc.gz
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| 0.934986 | 1,072 | 3.0625 | 3 |
Can IVF Be Successful the First Time?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is often chosen by women who want to get pregnant but have been unsuccessful in trying to conceive. Whether the problem is a blocked fallopian tube, ovulation problems or something else, IVF offers a chance for a successful pregnancy. What many don’t realize is that IVF may require several attempts before it is successful. Here are the basics on IVF, courtesy of New York Reproductive Wellness.
In Vitro Fertilization
IVF is one of several assisted reproduction technologies (ART). The process seems relatively simple on the surface. A woman receives fertility medications – usually Clomid – that stimulate the production of multiple eggs. These eggs are collected, as is sperm from her partner. Eggs and sperm are combined outside the body and grown to the embryo stage. One or more live embryos are inserted into the uterus and the pregnancy is allowed to develop normally.
Why is IVF Used?
IVF may be used for female and male reproductive issues. It is not usually attempted until the couple has tried to conceive for at least one full year. Among the reasons for choosing IVF to get pregnant are:
Male infertility – decreased sperm count or sperm motility.
Female infertility – ovulation disorders, premature ovarian failure or uterine fibroids.
Surgical infertility – women who have had their fallopian tubes removed or tied off.
Genetic disorders in either parent.
Infertility in either partner for an unknown reason.
IVF Attempts and Success
While it is possible to achieve a successful pregnancy with only one cycle of IVF, most women require several attempts to become pregnant. The likelihood of conception for each cycle runs between 20 and 30 percent. The odds of becoming pregnant rise to around 69 percent after nine IVF cycles. In one study, 65 percent of the women achieved pregnancy with IVF after six cycles of treatment. Age is a major factor – women under the age of 40 are much more likely to conceive and carry a pregnancy to full term than those who are older.
Other ART Techniques
IVF is the most commonly used ART technique. However, it is only one of the various ART strategies available. The procedures may use donor eggs, sperm or previously frozen embryos. Withintrauterine insemination (IUI) sperm is placed inside the uterus. This is a way to bypass cervical scars or a cervical mucous problem. Surrogates and gestational carriers are another possibility. A surrogate becomes pregnant through artificial insemination or IUI with sperm from the male partner. The child has no genetic material from the female of the infertile couple. A gestational carrier receives an embryo created from the female partner’s egg and male partner’s sperm.
Techniques like IVF and IUI, as well as other ART treatments, can help infertile couples get pregnant. Careful medical management is required and prospective parents need considerable emotional support during the process. At New York Reproductive Wellness, we have the training and experience for both. We offer the full range of infertility treatments, with an emphasis on natural methods. Please contact us today at (516) 605-2626 to schedule an appointment.
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<urn:uuid:40e91597-aaac-4152-8d5d-4caebe1e7472>
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CC-MAIN-2023-50
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https://www.nyreproductivewellness.com/news/can-ivf-be-successful-the-first-time
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| 0.952409 | 669 | 2.640625 | 3 |
Imagine giving birth to your baby and immediately becoming the center of pampered attention for a full month. Someone is with you 24/7 to take care of you and your newborn so you can rest, eat nourishing foods, feed your baby, and recover from childbirth.
Sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it? And not only nice, but a much-needed and refreshing approach to how mothers can spend those first four, crucial weeks after childbirth recovering.
The tradition of “Sitting the Month” or Zuo Yuezi in Chinese medicine goes back thousands of years to the Han Dynasty in China, where it was recognized that the month directly after childbirth is crucial to the future health of the mother and newborn. This program has become an ingrained tradition in Chinese culture and involves strict rules for the month following childbirth, some of which are still followed as closely as they were 2,000 years ago. It is now a full industry involving luxury hotels with doctors on call in house and a nurse in the room at all times. Families who can’t afford a luxury hotel still do a version of Zuo Yuezi where the new mother stays with a family member so she can have help recovering and focus on her baby.
While western medicine doesn’t treat childbirth as a condition that needs to be cured or given extensive weeks of added care, Chinese medicine believes the loss of blood and dramatic transformation of a woman’s body during the birth process results in a drained body of sorts requiring immediate replenishment. Left unaddressed, this fragility welcomes a myriad of long term health problems.
And while traditional Chinese postpartum confinement has very strict rules, some that might be outdated for modern women, there is a lot we can learn about how a woman can best recover after childbirth, especially when how we approach postpartum care here in the west is generally incredibly lacking. We need an updated version of this traditional chinese program, a more modern approach, while letting go of some of the superstitious rules that make it tough to follow in our current lives.
Here are some of the “ancient rules” and how we can apply it in this modern age.
1. Avoid contact with cold and wind
Cold and wind are pathogenic factors in Chinese medicine, meaning they can trigger a disease process. While this was just a way for them to understand and explain what we now know of as germ theory, science is catching on to how weather and temperature can affect our immune systems. Cold and wind are particularly pathogenic when the body’s system is lowered, such as after childbirth when a mother needs replenishing.
Mothers were told to bundle up even indoors and not go outside at all. They were also not allowed to shower as the cool down afterwards could be associated with a chill. While we do think it is fine to shower and get some fresh air, we do advise a mother to protect herself and her baby during this vulnerable time by wearing appropriate clothing, especially around the neck and upper back region, and erring on the side of staying warmer than usual.
2. Eat only warm, cooked, bland foods
Childbirth is very depleting and often there is a fair and sometimes large amount of blood loss. In Chinese medicine theory, there are certain foods that help replenish the qi and blood, which are depleted after birth. Cold raw foods are harder on the stomach and spleen to digest, so lightly cooked veggies are preferable. The tradition forbids fruits or uncooked vegetables. The takeaway advice here, is to of course enjoy fresh fruit and salads here and there, but that a postpartum diet should consist of mostly cooked and warm unprocessed food and drinks, emphasizing the following:
- bone broths
- fresh ginger (cooked)
- free range chicken and eggs
- dates and berries
- cooked greens and other colorful veggies
- liver (from organic animals)
- grass fed or organic meat
- brown rice, oats, and quinoa
- Adding cooked herbs such as Dang Gui, Huang Qi (Astragalus), and Goji Berries
A hearty organic chicken and vegetable soup full of ginger is a wonderful meal to make, and can be a useful gift to drop off for a mother you know who has just given birth.
3. Only rest, eat, sleep, and feed your baby. No TV, books, or other distractions
This may sound difficult and boring, but focusing on resting and low mental stimulation can be helpful for healing. This is where it is necessary to have help from someone (or a few people) you trust to help you take care of the things you don’t absolutely have to do. This is a big focus of postpartum care and something that is lacking in the west. We don’t live in villages that we once did, so relying on others for support can be harder. There are lots of things you can still do, however, to lower the workload during this first month: Pre-cook meals and store in the freezer during your pregnancy so you don’t have to cook. Line-up your partner to take as much time off work as they can to help care for you during this time. Request meals from friends, and ask them to leave them with your partner so there is no pressure to socialise or host, and you can solely focus on recovering. Hire a cleaner for these first few weeks. It’s also worth reflecting on how the things we think of as “entertaining” elicit emotional responses and can make our bodies respond like we are experiencing whatever is happening in the show or book. Most women have deep empathy during this time from hormones, which helps us sense the needs of our baby, but it also means we’re vulnerable to the emotions of others, even if they are on TV or in a book. While we know those things aren’t happening to us, our systems can still release stress hormones in response.
4. No visitors
Lastly, it’s most important you limit contact with visitors during this recovery time, especially if those people add to your emotional stress or create any feelings of anxiety. Be firm with well-meaning friends and family who want to visit you at the hospital or at home and explain you’re using this time to recover and bond with your baby. Limiting contact with the outside world helps keep that bubble of connection and calm around you and your baby as you are figuring things out and adjusting to your new life with them. Visitors can stress out the new mum in various ways (bringing drama, gossip, giving unwanted advice, criticizing, judging, etc.), further depleting the mother’s precious qi and blood, plus there is pressure on the mother to “host” and that is draining also. Passing the baby around from person to person can also be very stressful for a mother to watch, and that is completely detrimental to her recovery during this vulnerable time.
People can, however, be very helpful, so use your intuition to determine which ones you’d like to let in during this time, and don’t be afraid to ask others to wait until you feel stronger.
The most common underlying theme throughout the chinese postpartum program is protecting the mother and newborn from exposure to pathogens and extra stress. A new mother is in a depleted state and her system is more vulnerable. Using this first month to prioritize recovery by creating a calm household and making sure the demands on the mother are minimal, may quicken recovery time, potentially preventing postpartum depression and other health problems, while promoting healthy milk production and a healthy immune system for both mother and baby.
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<urn:uuid:eefdb0ba-660d-4357-8159-3d1c718731a3>
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CC-MAIN-2023-50
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https://www.paddingtonclinic.com.au/doing-the-month-how-a-chinese-tradition-of-rest-can-help-postpartum-mothers-today/
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| 0.965689 | 1,580 | 2.53125 | 3 |
Article: A tiny lizard (Lepidosauria, Squamata) from the Lower Cretaceous of Spain
The smallest living amniotes are all lizards, but the fossil history of this size trait in Squamata is difficult to follow because small skeletons have low preservation potential and are often hard to detect in the field. A new squamate taxon, Jucaraseps grandipes gen. et sp. nov., is here described on the basis of an articulated skeleton from the Early Cretaceous Spanish lagerstätten of Las Hoyas. It differs from other known Mesozoic lizards in combining very small body size with a short rostrum, low maxillary tooth count, a relatively slender and elongated body, and short limbs with large hind feet. Phylogenetic analysis using TNT places it on the stem of a clade encompassing scincomorphs, gekkotans, snakes, amphisbaenians and anguimorphs. Comparison with modern lizards suggests it was probably a cryptic surface or subsurface ground dweller but not a burrower.
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<urn:uuid:ef987db0-6079-4775-ab7b-08b9671a2ae1>
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https://www.palass.org/publications/palaeontology-journal/archive/55/3/article_pp491-500?view=abstract
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679511159.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20231211112008-20231211142008-00599.warc.gz
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| 0.888011 | 234 | 2.96875 | 3 |
Living with braces can be scary because it is different and new. But with some simple tips to take care of your dental health, the transition can be much easier. Braces are used to straighten crooked teeth, or correct other denture problems, such as an abnormal bite. Braces are important from an aesthetic perspective, but also for health reasons. An abnormal bite can cause dental problems, such as gingivitis, cavities, tooth loss, problems with the jaw, tooth enamel wear, and even affect how you chew and speak. So, it is important to take care of your teeth when you have braces to maximize your dental health. First things first… you have to take care of the things you eat. Aside from good general dental health, brushing several times a day, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly, there are certain foods you should avoid to ensure the best result with braces.
Some Meals You Should Avoid
- Popcorn, hard corn, or corn that is not shelled
- Food with a lot of sugar; if you eat sugar, brush your teeth immediately
- Sticky food, such as caramel or cajeta
- Hard, crispy food, such as nuts, fried foods, dried meat, and (hard) candy
- Chewing gum
- Food that requires a lot of chewing, such as apples, carrots and celery (you have to cut them into slices)
- You should not eat meat or chicken directly from the bone, you must cut it before consuming
- You should avoid chewing on hard objects, such as pens or pencils, nails, and ice.
Ask your dentist or orthodontist for a complete list of foods to avoid if you have dental braces.Since you have braces, you must change your dental hygiene routine a bit. It can be more difficult to clean your teeth with braces since you should brush them after each meal and also keep flossing. But if you do not take the time to adjust your dental health routine, you can suffer the consequences of white spots (decalcification), gingivitis on the gums, among other problems.
Tips for Caring for Teeth with Braces
- Teeth should be brushed after each meal, particularly around appliances.
- Brush your teeth 2-3 times a day
- Brush multiple teeth at the same time
- Use a soft brush, which you should replace every 3 months, or when the hairs fray
- Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle
- Visit the dentist every 4 to 6 months
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<urn:uuid:06f34564-9d2e-4fba-92b7-a48069b1e3b9>
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CC-MAIN-2023-50
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https://www.parkviewdentalaz.com/importance-of-extra-tooth-care-while-wearing-braces/
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679511159.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20231211112008-20231211142008-00599.warc.gz
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| 0.945356 | 527 | 2.984375 | 3 |
The workplaces of the late 19th and early 20th centuries were fraught with hazards to workers. Labor laws were nonexistent, and deaths were commonplace. Labor unions and the workers’ compensation system began to grow from this harsh reality.
Labor unions and the workers’ compensation system have long played an important role in workplace safety. Workers’ comp benefits have become an essential benefit to both union and nonunion members alike.
The “grand bargain”
Before the 20th century, workers were valued for little more than their raw labor. If a worker was injured or killed on-the-job, you could sue the employer. However, then as now, a lawsuit was no guarantee of success. Enter the “grand bargain.”
The establishment of the workers’ compensation system was a groundbreaking agreement between workers and their employers. Workers could now recover benefits for any workplace injuries or work-related illnesses. Employers no longer had to worry about the injured worker filing a lawsuit. Workers’ compensation is the only way to recover benefits from an employer.
Labor unions provide additional safeguards
At the same time the workers’ compensation system was becoming established, unions started to gain a foothold in American industries. Unions have always pushed for additional safeguards, helping to reduce workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims.
Unions have continued to serve as a bulwark against the erosion of workplace safety measures. The ongoing advocacy of labor unions has helped to protect all employees.
Workers’ comp is a crucial benefit for all workers
Whether you are a member of the teacher’s union, the police officer’s union, the steelworker’s union, or any other organized labor force, you benefit from workers’ compensation and workplace protections. Even if you don’t have a union job, you are still eligible for workers’ comp benefits. You should discuss your options with a skilled professional following a workplace injury.
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<urn:uuid:8a0fb95a-227e-4c0b-8152-be737027ef3e>
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https://www.pbdfcomplaw.com/blog/2020/05/unions-workers-compensation-and-essential-workplace-protections/
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s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679511159.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20231211112008-20231211142008-00599.warc.gz
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| 0.981296 | 400 | 3.15625 | 3 |
World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28 all around the world. World Hepatitis Day aims to raise global awareness for viral hepatitis. It encourages people to learn the signs and symptoms of the disease to save lives. This awareness campaign is crucial because there are 300 million people around the world living with viral hepatitis that do not know it. Left untreated, hepatitis can cause such severe damage that it leads to death.
What Is Viral Hepatitis? Educate Yourself During World Hepatitis Day
Viral hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the liver. Inflammation can be progressive and cause scarring. Over time this scarring can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and even liver cancer. There are five main types of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. Each form of hepatitis is distinct. Certain types of hepatitis are more prevalent in different parts of the world. It is important to note the difference between viral hepatitis and other forms of hepatitis. Some are caused by non-viral factors, like autoimmune disease, alcoholism, or drugs. Every year, over a million people around the world die from viral hepatitis.
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is also called infectious jaundice. It is unique compared to the other forms of hepatitis because of the way it is contracted. Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food. It can also spread from contact with a person infected with the virus. Hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of HAV. Unlike other forms of hepatitis, HAV causes acute inflammation but not chronic inflammation. Acute inflammation is short term, whereas chronic can be lifelong.
As a result of Hepatitis A, symptoms can include fatigue, fever, vomiting, pain, jaundice, and more. In rare cases, the inflammation can cause temporary loss of liver function. This requires a hospital stay for treatment and observation. The majority of HAV cases go away without any serious problems or permanent liver damage. Doctors recommend that people at a higher risk get the hepatitis A vaccine. It is a good idea to get vaccinated if you are traveling to a place where hepatitis A is common. You should also receive the vaccine if you may have contact with someone with hepatitis A.
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B (HBV) spreads through blood and other bodily fluids. HBV is acute for most, but becomes chronic in around 15% of cases. Chronic HBV occurs in cases where the virus is spread from mother to baby during childbirth. It also occurs when the virus is contracted during childhood. Chronic HBV occurs when the body cannot get rid of the virus all the way. Chronic HBV can cause damage to the liver over time. This damage can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, and other serious illnesses.
Hepatitis B is common in certain parts of the world. Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have the highest rates of HBV. It is also common is the area surrounding the Amazon, India, and the Middle East. HBV spreads through sex, unsanitary needle practices, and contact with any infected blood. People don’t realize that the disease can even spread through a shared razor because of cuts. There are just under a dozen FDA approved treatments for HBV. There is also a very effective vaccine. The vaccine is recommended for anyone at a higher risk of contracting the virus.
What is Hepatitis C?
Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C spreads through blood. Hepatitis C (HCV) is different from HAV and HBV because people usually don’t realize they have the disease for decades. It can often take 20 to 30 years for symptoms to emerge. This means that serious liver disease can develop over time unknowingly. If a patient isn’t aware of the virus, they are unable to treat and prevent more damage. This makes hepatitis C especially dangerous. Only around half of people with HCV know that they have it.
Phases of Hepatitis – World Hepatitis Day
As a result, the first phase of hepatitis A, B, and C is always the acute phase. The acute phase occurs between 1 to 3 months after exposure. It typically lasts anywhere from a couple weeks to a few months. In hepatitis A and B, this is when the symptoms arise. The acute phase of hepatitis C is “silent”, meaning that there are rarely any symptoms. If symptoms are present, they are similar to the symptoms of hepatitis A and B.
HCV becomes chronic in most cases, but there are cases where the body is able to completely eliminate the virus. When this occurs it is called spontaneous viral clearance. Spontaneous viral clearance occurs in somewhere between 15 to 25 percent of cases. It is difficult to get a more precise number due to the “silent” nature of the acute phase. The age group most at risk for having undiagnosed HCV is people born between the year 1945 and 1965. People in this age range who were at higher risk during any point in their lives should be tested for the virus.
Medical Advancements in HCV
Up until recently, a HCV diagnosis meant daily medication and a weekly injection schedule. Medical advancements have made a cure possible for up to 90% of patients. Treatment depends on the specific genotype of the HCV. There are seven different genotypes of HCV, with over 67 subtypes. The cure for chronic HCV is a pill taken every day for up to six months. There are four different medications used to cure HCV. These medications are up to 95% effective.
The medication depends on the type of HCV each person has. It is important to note that this cure does not prevent someone from contracting the virus again. All precautions should be taken to avoid reinfection. This regimen can reduce the number of deaths from hepatitis C. The cure prevents the long-term liver damage that occurs from chronic HCV. Preventing cirrhosis and other types of damage prevents the development of cancer or liver failure.
Hepatitis C also differs from hepatitis A and B because there is no vaccine to protect against the virus. That means that people should avoid high-risk behaviors. People with certain medical conditions are particularly at risk. Someone with HIV is at a high risk for HCV co-infection. People with bleeding disorders or factor deficiencies are also at a higher risk for contracting the virus.
Hepatitis C Risk Factors – World Hepatitis Day
There are other risk factors, too. People who work in places where they may be in contact with contaminated blood or needles are at risk. They should take extra care with handling needles. This means tattoo and piercing shops, hospitals, or IV drug users. People who received blood transfusions before 1992 should also have a one-time screening for the virus. It is possible they acquired HCV from contaminated blood. Lastly, HCV can be passed from mother to child during birth if the mother has HCV.
As a result, hepatitis C is getting the most attention in this blog for a few reasons. In the United States, HCV is the most prevalent blood-borne infection. There is also no vaccine for HCV, which makes it more dangerous for people at higher risk. HCV is also the most likely form of hepatitis to lead to a chronic state. In 2016, the CDC published a report listing HCV as the number one cause of death from infectious disease in the US. So, it’s very important for us to do a comprehensive overview on it.
What is Hepatitis D?
Fourth, hepatitis D is much less common than the other forms we’ve discussed. To contract hepatitis D, you have to already have HBV. When hepatitis D (HDV) occurs, the potential for serious problems to arise is much higher. HDV can only exist in the presence of HBV. When the two combine, the risk for liver damage or disease compounds. The best way to prevent HDV is to prevent HBV. This means that if you vaccinate yourself against HBV then you are protected against HDV.
What is Hepatitis E?
Fifth, hepatitis E (HEV) spreads through contaminated food and water. HEV is most often spread through contaminated water. Like HAV, hepatitis E is mostly due to poor hygiene and is more common in developing areas for that reason. In most cases, HEV clears up on it’s own in 4-6 weeks. The biggest concern for HEV is with pregnant women. HEV is extremely dangerous for pregnant women. Around 20% of pregnant women who contract HEV will die from it. Usually only immune-compromised people who contract HEV will develop a chronic form. China has created an HEV vaccine, but it is only available in that country. Although HEV is found all over the world, there is a high concentration of cases in South Asia and East Asia.
What Are the Stages of Liver Damage From Hepatitis? – World Hepatitis Day
The most common liver complication from hepatitis is called fibrosis. Fibrosis is the result of chronic liver inflammation caused by hepatitis. This inflammation leads to the development of scar tissue. Scar tissue prevents the liver from functioning as well as it did before. Fibrosis precedes cirrhosis. If fibrosis is controlled with medications and new damage is prevented, it likely won’t progress into cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis is the more severe form of fibrosis. The more scarring that develops on the liver, the less the liver will function.
Liver cancer can be caused by cirrhosis. There are two types of liver cancer that can develop from cirrhosis. The first is called hepatocellular carcinoma. The second type of cancer affects the bile ducts, called cholangiolar carcinoma.
Just as deadly as cancer is liver failure. Liver failure is not a common outcome for hepatitis, but it can occur.
Recap of World Hepatitis Day Awareness
All in all, there are many other types of complications caused by hepatitis. This is only an overview. The takeaway from this post is that prevention is the most effective way to stop serious consequences of hepatitis. It is important to know your risk factors and take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and those you love. And, wear a yellow and red awareness pin to raise awareness about all forms of hepatitis and co-infections.
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Victory off the Gironde
At dawn on the 14th December 1798, the Royal Navy frigate Ambuscade 32, was patrolling the estuary of the River Gironde on the west coast of France. As grey light spread across the sea, they spotted the sails of another ship coming from the west. The Ambuscade approached to investigate, at which point the unidentified ship, which was the French corvette Bayonnaise 24, turned-tail and ran.
This was a perfectly reasonable response. The French ship was only armed with 8 pounder guns, as oppose to the more numerous 12 pounder cannon of the Ambuscade. Even though she was carrying a detachment of 40 soldiers, in addition to her normal crew, her opponent was both larger and faster. Prudence, after all, is the greater part of valour. The British frigate gave chase, and thanks to her superior speed, began to close with the Bayonnaise. By noon, the ships were in range of each other and battle commenced.
For the first hour, the two sides circled around each other exchanging broadsides, with the Ambuscade attempting to close the range, and her smaller opponent trying to keep clear. With both fewer and smaller guns, the Bayonnaise suffered much more damage and loss of life than her opponent. Towards the end of this first hour she found herself decisively out-manoeuvred, with the British frigate about to pass across her stern and rake her. In Age of Sail battles, this was normally a crippling blow. Cannon balls fired in this way would enter the poorly protected stern of a ship and tear down its whole length. Things were looking grim for the Bayonnaise.
And then her fortune began to change. One of the Ambuscade’s cannons burst, killing thirteen of her crew outright, wounding many more, and badly damaging the frigate. In the confusion that followed, the Bayonnaise was able to escape to the south. The Ambuscade managed to restore the situation on board, and set off in pursuit. By 3 pm she was alongside the French ship, and firing into her once more. Unable to either run or outfight her opponent, the Bayonnaise tried a desperate manoeuvre. She turned hard to port and rammed the Ambuscade.
This move caught the British ship completely by surprise. The bowsprit of the Bayonnaise crashed into the Ambuscade's damaged mizzen mast, bringing it down, wounding more of her crew, and hopelessly entangling the two ships. Some of the British ship’s afterguard had been sent below to help fight a small powder fire on the gun deck, leaving her quarterdeck dangerously empty of crew. Things began to move in the French ship’s favour. From her forecastle, her marines, together with the contingent of soldiers she carried, began firing muskets from short range down onto the Ambuscade’s deck. They far outnumbered the frigate’s few Royal Marines, and were ordered to concentrate on shooting their opponent’s officers.
Her first lieutenant was quickly hit in the groin, and taken bellow. Moments later Captain Henry Jenkins was badly wounded, and followed him down to the surgeon. Lieutenant Sinclair, who commanded the Ambuscade’s marines, was next, about the same time as her sailing master was shot in the head. Meanwhile the crew of the Bayonnaise had all been gathered together and armed. In a cheering wave, they boarded their Royal Navy opponent, using the bowsprit as a bridge. After a brief, savage fight, the ship’s last uninjured officer, her purser William Murray, surrendered the frigate.
The triumphant French took over the Ambuscade, and used her to tow the crippled Bayonnaise into Rochefort, where they arrived in triumph the following day. French victories over larger Royal Navy opponents were unprecedented at the time, and much was made of this rare propaganda coup by the Paris government. Lieutenant de Vaisseau Richer, the Bayonnaise’s wounded commander, was promoted to Capitaine de Vaisseau, a jump of three ranks. All the other surviving officers were promoted too, and a series of paintings were commissioned celebrating the notable feat.
As for the Ambuscade’s Captain Henry Jenkins he was exchanged the following year, returned to Britain, were he faced a Courts Marshal for the loss of his ship. He was still crippled by his injuries and would never walk again. Being forced to give evidence from a stretcher was widely seen as having saved him from a guilty verdict. He never commanded a ship again.
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“If an asteroid hits the moon, it will just get another crater,” says Gareth Wynn-Williams, an astronomer at the University of Hawaii. It would take a moon-size object to move the moon, says Clark Chapman, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute, and most likely the moon wouldn’t survive. Hitting it with a much larger, denser object would be like whacking an egg with a golf club.
But let’s say that the moon and the thing hitting it will react like solid billiard balls. None of the known asteroids larger than 60 miles in diameter orbit anywhere near the moon. OK, how about if the largest known asteroid, Ceres—which at 600 miles across is roughly the size of California and Nevada combined—did manage to slip out of its place in the asteroid belt and set out on a collision course for the moon?
Hardly a budge, Wynn-Williams says. It’s the equivalent of a four-year-old trying to knock over an NFL lineman. The moon orbits the Earth at some 0.635 miles per second. This orbital momentum is so great that it would overwhelm the impact force of a collision and just continue zinging around the planet.
By now it should be clear that the moon is staying put, but what could send it toward Earth? At minimum, you’d need an object of the same size and density as the moon to hit it at the same speed, and in the opposite direction of its orbit. This could stop the moon in its tracks, and it would fall onto Earth. Even if the collision only pushed the moon into a lower or less-circular orbit, that doesn’t mean we would escape unscathed, though: If its new orbit halved its current distance from the Earth, ocean tides would get about eight times as big, Wynn-Williams says. “A lot of New Yorkers would get very wet.”
This article originally appeared in the May 2010 issue of Popular Science_ magazine._
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Possible Diabetes Treatment- No Needles!
Thanks to a team of researchers at Harvard University, led by Peng Yi, the world may be another step closer to a diabetic treatment that may require fewer needles. For those who don’t enjoy being punctured multiple times throughout the day, the study shows that giving the hormone, Betatrophin, to people with diabetes have the possibility of avoiding insulin shots.
This method, which has only been tested on mice, was developed almost on accident. The team added a specific compound in order to mimic the creation of diabetes. In other words, they simply wanted to see the effects of diabetes on an organism. Luckily, they saw much more. The compound, the research team gave the mice, initiated a “seventeenfold increase” in inactive “Beta” cells, located in the pancreas. These cells helped produce insulin in the body easily and painlessly. Because it’s still in testing, the mice only made enough beta cells to offset the drug’s effect. With more research, they’ll figure out how to make sure the Beta cells continue to increase and not stop at a certain point.
As of now, we don’t know if the compound will react positively, nonetheless react, in humans yet, but experts all agree that this is yet another step for a longer, easier, and happier life.
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| 0.951757 | 289 | 2.875 | 3 |
Pulmonary function testing (PFT) measures how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they move gases (such as oxygen) from the atmosphere and into the body’s circulation. But why is this test performed, what do you need to do before taking this test and who is eligible for this test? The experts at PulseAir are here to answer all of your pulmonary function test questions!
What is a pulmonary function test?
This test measures how well your lungs are working. The test is performed when you breathe in through a mouthpiece that is connected to an instrument called a spirometer. The spirometer records the amount and rate of air that you breathe in and out over a period of time. For some of the test measurements, you will breathe normally and quietly - other tests will require forced inhalations and exhalations after a deep breath. PulseAir offers pulmonary function testing, so set up an appointment today!
Who is eligible for a pulmonary function test?
Ask your doctor about lung testing if you are older than 40 years and are experiencing a chronic cough, wheeze, frequent sputum (i.e. bringing up mucous most days), frequent or lengthy colds, and/or shortness of breath while doing everyday chores. You may also have this test if you suffer from asthma, COPD or any other pulmonary condition – or are having symptoms of these conditions. A history of smoking is also a sign to get this test if you are experiencing any of the listed issues.
Why is a pulmonary function test performed?
There are a number of reasons why the test may be performed. Those who are experiencing the issues mentioned above would take a test like this. Other reasons include:
- To help diagnose certain lung diseases such as asthma and COPD
- To find the cause of shortness of breath
- To measure whether exposure to contaminants at work is affecting lung function
- To assess the effects of certain medications
- To measure progress in disease treatment
How do I prepare for a pulmonary function test?
There are lots of things you can do to prepare for this test. Do not eat heavy meals, have caffeine, take breathing medications or smoke before the test. Bring any oxygen you currently use and have a list of medications you are currently on. Bring your health card and arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment. For more information, click here.
We hope this answers all of your questions regarding pulmonary function testing. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us today!
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Alcon claims Vivity as the first and only non-diffractive extended depth of focus IOL. It introduces what the company names as X-Wave technology or wavefront shaping technology combining two elements to simultaneously stretch and shift light without splitting light to give extended depth of focus (EDOF) vision to patients. These two surface transition elements are described to be in the central 2.2 mm of the IOL. The first raised plateau (around 1μ in height) delays a portion of the wavefront as it passes through the IOL, compared to the more advanced wavefront passing through the IOL outside of this zone (that passes through the base curvature of the lens). As a result the wavefront stretches as it collapses on the retina, with the delayed wavefront forming the image anterior to the retina, and the advanced wavefront travelling further to form the image at the far end of the extension.
The surface transition element 2 is a small change in curvature that shifts the wavefront to the anterior side of the retina to use all the available light.
Beyond this communication from Alcon, I have tried to understand the Vivity optics and explain in a simple way. Here is my impression, however to understand one may have to understand a physics term - 'phase difference'
In figure 1 we see a normal wave going up and down. The distance from A to E is completion of a cycle and therefore one wavelength. B,C,D are different parts of the wavelength that add up to form the complete wavelength.
In figure 2 you can see the phase differnce in the two waves. Both red and blue waves have the same
wavelength and the same amplitude (height of wave) and frequency. However, you can notice that the blue wave is slightly ahead of the red wave. This is what we call as phase difference. This is marked in dashed dots and called as phase difference between the two waves. This is key to understanding the Alcon Vivity lens with reference to the region marked in blue and labelled as (3)
Note: The above is an impression of the lens. Accuracy and correctness is not guranteed, but only indicative in nature.
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| 0.939702 | 446 | 2.828125 | 3 |
Table of Contents
Nanometer (symbol – nm ) is a unit of length that’s one billionth of a meter and is that the ninth sub multiple of it.
Firstly, It is accustoming live radiation.
Secondly, this unit is delineating by the image nm.
And also, It is beneficial within the world of technology.
However, It customizes to live the wavelength of magnetic force waves, specifically from infrared, visible, and ultraviolet.
Although, we tend to divide one meter into one billion, every half obtained is adequate to one micromillimeter (1 nm).
Basically, A micromillimeter is additionally adequate to the millionth fraction of an mm.
And also, the idea of a micro millimeter is employed to visit little parts.
Let us add that, its use is frequent within data and communication technologies, as an example to visit the various generations of semiconductors.
What is the Relationship of Nanometer?
The following table shows the link between the micro-millimeter and the varied multiples and submultiples of the meter.
Unit Symbol and Equivalence:
km 1000 meters
hm 100 meters
dam 10 meters
m 1 meter
dm 0.1 meter
cm 0.01 meters
mm 0.001 meters
µm 0.000 001 meters
nm 0.000 000 001 meters
p.m 1 • 10⁻¹² meters
FM 1 • 10⁻¹⁵ meters
A.M 1 • 10⁻¹⁸ meters
What are the Features of Nanometer?
1 nm = one0 ten m
However, It is a unit of length derived within the SI of Units.
What are the Applications of Nanometer?
It is unremarkable accustomed to life the wavelength of ultraviolet light, infrared emission, and light.
However, the unit has recently gained ill fame within the study of technology that studies materials with nanometers’ dimensions.
What are the Equivalences of Nanometer?
To go from micromillimeter to μm, mm, cm, dm, m, dam, hm, km and mam, divide by the unit followed by several zeros as there are places.
(1 nm) = 0.001 μm
(#1 nm) = 0.000 001 mm
(1 nm) = 0.000 000 one cm
(1 nm) = 0.000 000 01 dm
(#1 nm) = 0.000 000 001 m
(1 nm) = 0.000 000 000 one dam
(1 nm) = 0.000 000 000 01 hectometre
(#1 nm) = 0.000 000 000 001 klick
(1 nm) = 0.000 000 000 000 one mam
To go from micromillimeter to Å, pm, FM, am, zm, and ym, multiply by the unit, followed by several zeros as there are places.
000 000 000 000 zm
(1 nm) = 1 nm = one0 Å
(#1 nm) = one 000 pm
(1 nm) = one 000 000 fm
(#1 nm) = one 000 000 000 am
(1 nm) = one one 000 000 000 000 000 ym
Equivalences in different units
A micromillimeter is more or less equal to:
0936 * ten yards
6. 2137 * ten miles
What is the Use of Nanometer?
Firstly, it helps in nanotechnology, that is, the construction of microscopic machines.
Secondly, it is used as a scale to build minimal electronic and computer components, at the atomic scale.
And also, it is commonly using to measure the wavelength of ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, and light.
However, the unit has recently gained notoriety in the study of nanotechnology, an area that studies materials that have dimensions of a few nanometers.
What is the Calculation of Nanometer?
Basically, a nanometer consists of a unit of length.
Although, it belongs to the international system of units, corresponds to a subdivision of the meter, and is equivalent to one billionth.
1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m.
However, It is also be calculating as one-millionth of a millimeter.
Let us add that, this unit of length uses to measure microscopic dimensions, such as an atom or a molecule’s size. Also you can find more helpful resources at healthsaf.
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| 0.860671 | 1,218 | 3.515625 | 4 |
The contents of the clipboard may be an enticing target for cyberattacks since mobile users often copy and paste sensitive information, such as passwords or payment information, using the clipboard. By using clipboards, attackers may be able to acquire information about their targets and exfiltrate valuable data. Even instances of attackers seizing control of the clipboard and replacing its contents for nefarious reasons have been documented. One such instance involves the modification of a copied cryptocurrency wallet address just before the user pastes it into an app that manages cryptocurrency wallets or into a chat message. In addition, these kinds of attacks take use of a legal component of the system rather than exploiting a weakness, which makes it more difficult to find a solution to the problem.
Microsoft discovered that an older version of the SHEIN Android application would periodically read the contents of the clipboard on an Android device and, if a particular pattern was present, would send the contents of the clipboard to a remote server. This was discovered after the company discovered that the SHEIN Android application was developed by SHEIN. We are not directly aware of any nefarious intent behind the behavior, but after doing an analysis, they determined that this behavior is not required for users to complete the goals they have set for themselves inside the program.
The Android application for SHEIN is now available on the Google Play Store, where it has already been downloaded more than 100 million times. Even though SHEIN’s clipboard behavior did not entail any malicious intent, this sample scenario demonstrates the hazards that installed apps might bring. These risks include those applications that are very popular and can be downloaded via the platform’s official app store. They informed Google, the company that runs the Play Store, of our discoveries, which subsequently prompted the Android Security Team to conduct an investigation. In May of 2022, Google notified that the behavior had been deleted from the application, and they verified that this was the case.
In order to validate the results of this static analysis, they carried out a dynamic examination of the application, which consisted of downloading it from the Google Play Store and installing it on a Samsung smartphone that was running Android 9.
In order to investigate how an application interacts with the clipboard, they used Frida to intercept calls made to the android.content.ClipboardManager.getText and com.zzkko.util.MarketClipboardPhaseLinker.f methods. Frida was also used by the team in order to circumvent the application’s certificate pinning and so allow the usage of Burp Proxy for the purpose of network traffic analysis. As was demonstrated in this case involving SHEIN, Android applications are able to make a call to the android.text.ClipboardManager API to read from or write to the device clipboard without first requesting the user’s approval or requiring any particular Android permission. This is because these actions do not require the clipboard to be managed by Android. The ClipboardManager application programming interface (API) makes it possible for apps to simplify certain user actions, such as quickly selecting text to copy. However, applications typically should not be required to make use of this API because the device input method editor (keyboard), which is a separate application, handles the majority of the copying and pasting tasks.
Even behavior in apps that seems to be harmless might be abused for harmful purposes, despite the fact that the team is not aware of any malevolent intent on the part of SHEIN. All information that is copied and pasted is at danger of being stolen or manipulated by attackers if clipboards are targeted by threats. This includes passwords, financial details, personal data, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and other sensitive information.
Information security specialist, currently working as risk infrastructure specialist & investigator.
15 years of experience in risk and control process, security audit support, business continuity design and support, workgroup management and information security standards.
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| 0.942488 | 786 | 2.734375 | 3 |
With the rise in pet ownership rates around the world, dogs have become a more common part of families. They were already called ‘man’s best friend’, and now they’re becoming kids’ best friends, too. Dog breeding in Australia, America, and most other developed countries has gone from niche specialty to big-time business. Thankfully, the internet has made it easier to find ethical breeders who focus on pets that are suited for novice owners.
However, some parents may be wary of adding a furry friend to their family, especially if they’ve never owned a dog before. The good news is most dog breeds make great family pets, and almost all dogs can be trained to play well with kids. It takes a little effort (and patience), but the love and loyalty of a dog you’ve raised from puppyhood is incomparable. Today we’ll be walking you through ten tips to train your dog to be more kid-friendly.
10 Tips for Training Your Dog to be Kid-Friendly
- Start early: It’s best to start training your dog when they are a puppy, but it’s never too late to start.
- Be consistent: Dogs respond best to consistent training. So, make sure you and anyone else who interacts with your dog are using the same commands and teaching them the same behaviours.
- Use positive reinforcement: Reward your dog for good behaviour around children, such as not jumping or getting too close without permission. This will reinforce good behaviour and help them understand what is expected of them . Dogs learn best when they are given positive reinforcement, but the form of that reinforcement can be specific to your dog. Whether it’s praise, treats or pets, find out what your dog loves the most and use it to your advantage.
- Keep training sessions short: Dogs have short attention spans, so it’s important to keep training sessions short and sweet. Otherwise, they’ll get bored and won’t retain anything you’re trying to teach them.
- Be patient: Like with most things in life, success with dog training takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if your dog isn’t picking things up as quickly as you’d like – just keep at it and they’ll eventually get there. It may take some time, but it will be worth it in the end. Learning how to train your dog can be challenging at first, but so long as you try to be consistent and don’t go too fast, it should eventually click.
- Use food rewards: Many dogs are motivated by food, so using treats as rewards for good behaviour can be very effective. Just be careful not to overdo it, or your dog may become overweight!
- Use toys as rewards: If your dog isn’t motivated by food, try using their favourite toy as a reward instead. This can be especially effective if your dog loves to play fetch or catch.
- Get everyone on board: If you want your dog to be kid-friendly, it’s important that everyone in the family is on board with the training process. That means no teasing or playing rough with the dog – only positive interactions should take place.
- Avoid punishment: Yelling at or punishing your dog will only serve to make them scared of kids (and of you). Instead, focus on rewarding good behaviour so that your dog knows what you expect from them.
- Socialise early and often: Socialisation is an important part of raising a well-rounded dog who is comfortable around people and other animals. This important part of raising a dog will help them become comfortable and confident around kids. It’s best to start socialising your pup early on, but even older dogs can benefit from meeting new people and experiences
Remember that it’s important to teach kids how to interact with dogs properly as well, even if your dog is well-trained. Make sure they know not to pull on the dog’s tail or ears, and to always ask permission before approaching or petting a dog. Many of children’s instinctive behaviours can seem threatening to an untrained, unsocialised dog. If they meet someone else’s dog, a healthy amount of respect for a dog’s boundaries will help them get along better and lower the risk of accidents.
It’s also a good idea to never leave your dog unsupervised around young children, even if the dog is friendly and well-behaved. Your dog may not intend to hurt anyone, but their claws and teeth can still draw blood, even by accident. This is especially true for larger, heavier breeds and more boisterous dogs. This is why choosing the right breed is important if you’re planning to start a family.
Finally, do not be shy about seeking professional help if you’re having trouble training your dog to be kid-friendly or if you have any concerns about their behaviour around children. A professional trainer can offer helpful tips and guidance specific to your situation.
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Daniel Webster Against Universal Manhood Suffrage (1820). Daniel Webster, born in Salisbury, N.H. on January 18, 1782. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1801 He became a prominent lawyer and Federalist party leader
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Daniel Webster Against Universal Manhood Suffrage (1820)
Daniel Webster, born in Salisbury, N.H. on January 18, 1782. • He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1801 • He became a prominent lawyer and Federalist party leader • Massachusetts elected him in 1812 to the U.S. House of Representatives because of his opposition to the War of 1812, which had crippled New England's shipping trade. • He was an outspoken critic of the Madison administration and its wartime policies, denouncing its efforts at financing the war through paper money and opposing Secretary of War James Monroe's conscription proposal. • In 1828, the dominant economic interests of Massachusetts having shifted from shipping to manufacturing, Webster backed the high-tariff bill of that year. Angry Southern leaders condemned the tariff, and South Carolina's John C. Calhoun argued that his state had the right to nullify the law. Replying to South Carolina's Robert Hayne in a Senate debate in 1830, Webster triumphantly defended the Union. His words "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!" won wide acclaim. (Sydney Nathans, Daniel Webster Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc., 1995) • Webster ran for the presidency in 1836 as one of three Whig party candidates but carried only Massachusetts. For the remainder of his career he aspired vainly to the presidency. • In 1841, President William Henry Harrison named Webster secretary of state. • Webster opposed the annexation of Texas in 1845 and the resulting war with Mexico. He also opposed the expansion of slavery, but feared even more a dissolution of the Union over the dispute. In a powerful speech before the Senate on Mar. 7, 1850, he supported the Compromise of 1850, denouncing Southern threats of secession but urging Northern support for a stronger law for the recovery of fugitive slaves. (Sydney Nathans, Daniel Webster Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc., 1995) • In 1952, he ran as a Whig for the presidency, but again lost. His critics pointed to his support for the Compromise of 1850, accusing him to pandering to southern voters to aid his presidential campaign. Ralph Waldo Emerson called this politicking “profoundly selfish.” • He died on October 24, 1852 after falling from his horse and suffering a crushing blow to the head. BACKGROUND
Daniel Webster, Against Universal Manhood Suffrage (1820) Qualifications For Holding Government Office 1 Mandatory Qualifications: A. Those serving in Elected offices must have experience B. Government officials must be property holders 2 Optional Qualifications A. An officer's religious convictions can be considered B. Those who vote may prefer a Christian to hold office, if so, they can choose not to vote for a candidate lacking Christian membership C. One seeking office can choose to decline a position according to his determination to fulfill mandatory and optional qualifications Webster, an attorney and later a senator, argues that: any government made up of individuals without property are subject to discontent, revolutions, and can only be controlled by martial law. Christianity can be considered if those who vote insist upon it, but the particular sect of Christianity is irrelevant, rather the essential principles embodied in Christian doctrine should be the priority concern.
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Latest research at varied universities have proven studying to play an instrument accelerates the expansion and improvement of kids’s brains. The 4 principal adjustments are: improvement within the listening to heart, strengthening the bridge between the 2 mind hemispheres, a rise in new connections between nerve cells within the mind’s studying heart, and stimulation of the areas of the mind accountable for spatial reasoning. The listening to heart quickly develops in kids who play musical devices so as to study to tell apart between small adjustments in pitch and rhythm. A College of Southern California research used EEG, which tracks electrical alerts within the mind, to find out that kids who performed musical devices for two years had way more stimulation within the listening to area. This correlated with their means to inform the variations between melodies way more continuously than college students who didn’t play musical devices. The superior talents to tell apart between tones and rhythm patterns have been proven to be useful in Language Arts, Speech, and International Language studying. The corpus callosum is a thick bundle of nerves that join the 2 hemispheres of the mind. Music consciousness, creativeness, creativity, and instinct are managed by the left facet of the mind. Logic, math, science, language, and reasoning are managed by the appropriate facet of the mind. A College of Pittsburgh Medical Heart research confirmed that kids who performed musical devices developed stronger connections between the left and proper sides of the mind through the corpus callosum, than these kids who didn’t play devices. The stronger nerve fiber bridge has been proven to be accountable for elevated studying, higher reminiscence, and higher cognitive (pondering) expertise. Brown College performed a research which confirmed that studying music helped construct gray matter within the mind. Gray matter retrieves info, processes it, and is accountable for creating new connections between the nerve cells (neurons) within the mind. The various new networks shaped between these neurons additionally will increase the amount of the mind. All of those adjustments enhance the next expertise: math, spelling, studying comprehension, listening, and the coordination of motor expertise. The Brown College research additionally confirmed extra electrical exercise within the space of the mind accountable for spatial reasoning. This space is accountable for sample recognition, discerning how items are put collectively (puzzles, assembling components, and so forth.), organizational expertise, and the method of drawback fixing.
One other research performed collectively between the College of Wisconsin and the College of California demonstrated 34% higher educational efficiency when college students got piano classes for six months, than those that didn’t obtain piano classes. This exhibits how considerably the mind adjustments mentioned above will help kids. Since music can be a type of expression, studying to play an instrument is usually a enjoyable and pure means to assist your little one study sooner, and kind profitable habits and expertise. Consultants counsel stimulating infants and toddlers with several types of music, to get them engaged and to take pleasure in it. There isn’t a set composer or sort of music that’s extra useful than one other. Let your kids search out what they take pleasure in. When they’re able to take music classes, allow them to select the instrument to pursue. Consultants advocate starting with 1 hour per week and follow. In case your little one is severe about taking part in this instrument, improve to 2 hours of classes per week, with extra common follow. This may be a part of faculty band or orchestra, personal classes, or each. As they develop to take pleasure in it, taking part in a musical instrument may be each enjoyable, and the important thing to success. References: Gersema, E. (2016, June 20). Kids’s brains develop sooner with music coaching. Retrieved from https://news.usc.edu Neurosurgery (2014, December 15). How Music Impacts the Creating Mind. Retrieved from http://share.upmc.com
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The “diffusion of innovations” theory of communications expert and rural sociologist Everett Rogers attempts to identify and explain the factors that lead to people and groups adopting innovations (new ideas and technologies). Design teams that account for both usability and how people adopt innovation stand a much greater chance of having users accept and use their products.
The diffusion of innovations is a complex process; design teams can use their knowledge of the theory to create a road map for how they will address critical factors in the design and marketing of their product.
I covered the types of adopters and the steps in the process of adoption in the first article of this series. This second article presents the five characteristics of an innovation that determine its use. According to the diffusion of innovations theory, how well an innovation addresses these characteristics will determine people’s long-term adoption of an innovation. Design teams can address many components of these characteristics.
Characteristics Of An Innovation
Individuals do not automatically adopt new products. They make a conscious decision of whether to use a particular one. That is, their decision to adopt an innovation is deliberate. This is the third step in the process of adopting an innovation, covered in the first article. Design teams must proactively address this step if they want individuals to decide on long-term use of their product.
The diffusion of innovations theory identifies the following five characteristics that determine people’s use of an innovation.
Relative advantage measures how improved an innovation is over a competing option or the previous generation of a product. Potential users need to see how an innovation improves their current situation. Improvements can be in one or many of these areas:
- better service,
- consolidation of multiple functions into one tool,
- decreased need for supplies and equipment,
- empowerment of users,
- improved interface,
- increased customizability,
- increased longevity,
- increased productivity,
- reduced user effort,
- reduced environmental impact,
- saving of money,
- saving of space or storage,
- saving of time.
In the 1980s and early ’90s, computer word-processing programs WordStar and WordPerfect demonstrated relative advantage over existing products. Most offices used typewriters, which took up a lot of space, performed only one function and required servicing, supplies (type ribbons, whiteout, etc.) and parts on a regular basis (they were also pretty loud).
As computers became more prevalent, WordStar and WordPerfect freed users from typewriters. The relative advantage was obvious. The word-processing programs didn’t require any additional physical space aside from the personal computer, which already did a number of other office tasks; they reduced the need for ink and correction tape; documents could be easily edited prior to printing; and files could be saved and transported for editing on other computers using floppy disks. Soon, typewriters were being phased out of offices and replaced with these computer word-processing programs.
Relevance to your design team
Your design team will need to address relative advantage in multiple ways. Let’s face it: If relative advantage isn’t inherent to your product, then it isn’t an innovation, and it might not be a venture worth pursuing at all. Your team should identify the potential relative advantage of your product in the planning stages of development. From that point on, your team should sharpen and enhance any relative advantage that your product has over the products of potential competitors.
Market research, UX research’s awkward cousin, should inform the underlying logic that drives your innovation’s purpose. Have you identified the demand for your innovation? What competing products currently exist? Highlighting the issue that your innovation addresses and how it does so are good ways to start investigating where your innovation’s relative advantage should lie.
You will need to be explicit about the relative advantage of your product in your marketing. How is your product an improvement over an existing product? How does it address an unmet need? Your design should clearly accomplish both of these things. Your marketing materials should clearly show how your product gives users an edge over competing products.
Your design team will need to conduct user research to back up your claims. For example, if you are going to say that your product is easier or more efficient than a competing product, then you will need data to back up this assertion. Have you tested users of your product against users of a competing product? Do users of another product find it lacking in a way that your product addresses? Does your product save people money or reduce their reliance on multiple products by consolidating a number of functions? Prove it, and then tout that fact in your advertising.
Compatibility refers to the level of compatibility that an innovation has with individuals as they assimilate it into their lives. Potential adopters need to know that your innovation will be compatible with their life and lifestyle. If an innovation requires a huge lifestyle change or if the user must acquire additional products to make your innovation work, then it is more likely to fail. Innovations meet with the greatest success when users are able to seamlessly adopt them — when they replace an existing product or idea, for the better.
Apple’s iPad is an example of an innovation that had a high level of compatibility with potential users’ lives when released. Many users were able to replace products they were currently using when the iPad was released, such as smartphones and laptop computers to check their email, to read books, magazines and blogs and to view videos online.
Relevance to your design team
Your design team needs to understand the infrastructure they are designing for, as well as what the planned improvements to the infrastructure will be. You wouldn’t design an electric-powered innovation for a community that doesn’t have access to, or believe in, electricity. You need a deep understanding of the conditions that your innovation will be met with upon release. Answer the following questions when thinking about your innovation’s compatibility:
- How will your innovation fit into users’ lives?
- What shifts in behavior will need to occur for your innovation to be adopted?
- What additional products will be required for your innovation to succeed (for example, a high-speed Internet connection, a mobile phone plan with data, gasoline)?
- What existing products does your innovation replace?
- How does your innovation fit with potential adopters’ mental model, beliefs and attitudes regarding the issue your innovation will address?
The questions above are not comprehensive. They are meant to highlight a design team’s need to be aware of the characteristics of adopters as thoroughly as they are aware of their own innovation’s characteristics. To be clear, the success of your innovation will depend on your team ensuring that the innovation aligns with potential users’ beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviors.
Ensuring compatibility doesn’t mean that your innovation can’t be cutting- or bleeding-edge, just that you have to know things are moving in the direction your design is taking them. Let’s examine the iPad’s success once again, noting how key factors related to compatibility were in place to help ensure the product’s success.
The iPad came at the right time in the evolution of people’s beliefs, attitudes, behaviors and technology. Many individuals and businesses had reached a stage where they believed that new technologies to simplify daily activities were constantly emerging (belief), and that this is a good thing (attitude). Individuals were already using laptop computers and smartphones to surf the Web and to make digital transactions while away from their desktops (behavior). Wi-Fi Internet access was nearly ubiquitous among businesses and households in urban and suburban areas, which allowed the iPad to function as a useful tool in most areas (technology); also, mobile phone technology presented a more advanced option for users who were willing to pay for constant access to the Internet. Lastly, enough adopters were willing to spend money on these types of technologies to show that it was a viable option to later adopters (behavior). These factors aligned to create the perfect timing for the iPad to be compatible with adopters’ lives.
Apple’s extensive knowledge of their market led to the iPad’s success. The iPad would most likely not have had the same success if it had been released prior to ubiquitous Wi-Fi or the mass availability of digital movies and music. Your design team should have as strong an understanding of your potential market and what conditions need to be present to ensure the compatibility of your innovation with adopters’ lives. If the success of your innovation depends on the availability of another product, then you’ll need to know that this product is, or will be, common enough that it won’t interfere with potential adopters’ ability to use the functions of your product.
Complexity Vs. Simplicity
Complexity or simplicity refers to how difficult it is for adopters to learn to use an innovation. Complexity slows down the gears of progress. The more complex an innovation, the more difficult it will be for potential adopters to incorporate it into their lives. Potential adopters do not usually budget much time for learning to use an innovation. The more intuitive an innovation, the more likely it will be adopted.
An Oreo cookie-separating contraption is an example of making something too complex to be useful. Even if people felt they needed a machine to separate their Oreos, the level of effort required to use such a device would be prohibitive to adoption. Potential adopters would need to read and reread an instruction manual to ensure they are setting it up correctly. This machine is another illustration of the characteristic of compatibility. The machine’s size makes it incompatible for potential adopters who do not have an entire room to dedicate to an Oreo-separating machine. A handheld or pocket-sized version of this innovation would be much more likely to meet with success.
Relevance to your design team
Your team should design with simplicity in mind. Scrutinize every detail of your product to ensure alignment with the purpose of your innovation. High tech should not automatically mean a high learning curve. Conduct usability testing on your product as a standard practice. Usability test findings have a few clear applications in this regard:
- Iterate on the design of your product. Usability test findings should inform those iterations. Address workflows that users have struggled with, clarify terminology that users have found unfamiliar, and present information in a way that aligns with users’ mental model.
- If your team is unable to address the usability issues that users have identified, then clarify these issues through FAQs, tool tips, walkthrough videos and other learning material.
- If your innovation is complex or has standard and advanced settings, a happy medium is obtainable. “Quick start” or automatic set-up is an example of how many firms have simplified complicated innovations. If you purchase a new television or computer, it will most likely come with a single sheet of paper that describes how to quickly set up the product for basic use. Basic use is good enough for most people. A longer manual on how to manipulate advanced features is also included or made available as a downloadable PDF. This allows power users to take advantage of the bells and whistles.
Trialability describes how easily potential adopters can explore your innovation. Trialability is critical to facilitating the adoption of an innovation. Potential users want to see what your innovation can do and give it a test run before committing. This is the underlying concept of trial sizes for tangible goods, and demo or beta releases for digital goods. Potential adopters can see for themselves what life might be like once they adopt the product.
Relevance to your design team
Your team will need to make your product available to potential adopters to test drive. Digital designs have characteristics that inherently allow for trialability. There are many examples of how to accomplish this with a digital product. Sirius XM offers a 30-day trial, hoping that users realize during this period that paying the full subscription price is worth being able to continue listening to the audio channels.
You can offer a free version of your innovation with limited functionality, with the option to upgrade for access to additional features. Join.me does this effectively by offering a less feature-rich free version of its screen-sharing product. The free version of Join.me displays options that become available through a paid account (for example, “Pass” presenter role and “Share” mouse control). Users of the free product see the benefit they would derive by upgrading to a paid subscription. When users of the free version find themselves in a situation where they would like to share control of their mouse, they will think harder about the benefits of upgrading to a paid account.
You can also offer a free ad-supported version of your product, allowing users to decide whether to upgrade by paying for an ad-free option. Pandora offers its ad-supported product free of charge. Users can listen to a set number of songs, but then must listen to advertising in order to continue. If a user wants to listen to music without commercial interruption, they can upgrade to the Pandora One experience, which offers non-stop streaming music for a monthly fee.
You will need to figure out which of these methods would work best with potential adopters of your product. Survey potential users or assess what your competition is doing to gain insight into which trial format is best for your innovation.
Most importantly for trialability, ensure that the trial product you provide is high quality and represents the experience that your team wants users to have. Users will be basing their decision on it. Do not treat the free trial period as your first opportunity for user testing or gathering user feedback. You are doing more harm than good if you release an unfinished or buggy innovation that frustrates potential adopters (for free!). Releasing a hurried, unfinished trial product is the definition of self-sabotage.
Observability is the extent to which the results or benefit of using an innovation are visible to potential adopters. We covered in the first article that not everyone adopts an innovation immediately. The adopter types who come after early adopters rely on seeing members of this group using an innovation. Observability extends beyond having earlier adopters use an innovation in view of later adopters. Potential adopters of all types must clearly see the benefit of adopting an innovation and using it.
Relevance to your design team
Be aware of how potential adopters will be able to observe the benefits of using your innovation. Here are some ways you can highlight the benefits:
- Side-by-side comparison. Potential adopters are able to observe the benefits of some innovations more than others. A side-by-side comparison is good when your innovation has easily noticeable improvements over what people are currently using. For example, potential adopters on a sales floor can easily view a TV with a larger and clearer display than a smaller, less crisp TV. A crafty sales shop might display an older smaller TV directly next to newer larger ones to make the difference more obvious.
- Before and after. What will an adopter’s life look like once they start using your innovation? Showing potential adopters the positive difference your innovation will make in their lives will have a huge impact. Will there be a noticeable increase or decrease in some aspect that will result from use of your product? If your app is designed to teach someone a foreign language, you might highlight that users will learn an average of x number of words over a certain period.
- Testimonials. People really like hearing what others whom they perceive to be like them have experienced with a product. Running an ad campaign that extends across the traditional channels of advertising is important, but more important is word of mouth and online reviews by actual users. Users who are willing to write testimonials and online reviews can make a big impact by influencing potential adopters. Encourage them to rate and review your innovation on relevant websites (for example, Apple’s app store for an iOS app, Amazon if it carries your product, Angie’s List if you provide a service.).
The examples above are not comprehensive. Be creative in getting potential adopters to observe the benefits of using your innovation. Consider an approach that encompasses multiple forms of media, to increase the likelihood that potential adopters will observe the benefits of using your product.
Blockbuster And Netflix: A Fairytale Of Innovation (Sort Of)
Let’s walk through the characteristics of an innovation using streaming and mail-order video service provider Netflix as an example.
Once upon a time, let’s say 2001, there was a giant, cumbersome video rental chain named Blockbuster. With thousands of stores and tens of thousands of employees, things were good for Blockbuster. It owned the majority of the US video rental market. Blockbuster sat back and surveyed the land; life was good. What Blockbuster didn’t realize was that Netflix, a smaller, more innovative competitor, was about to pull the rug out from under it.
Netflix started up in 1997. In a period of fewer than 15 years, Netflix (with the help of Redbox) changed the video rental game to the point that Blockbuster would file for bankruptcy, and, in 2011, would cease to exist. This happened in part due to the innovative characteristics of Netflix and its products.
In 2001, Netflix users paid a monthly fee to receive mail-order DVD rentals.
Reduced effort was an obvious area where Netflix had relative advantage over Blockbuster and other brick-and-mortar video stores
Receiving and returning the product via post was more convenient for most people, who were used to receiving regular mail delivery at their home or office. Users were able to avoid late fees, which were beginning to tarnish Blockbuster’s image.
Netflix evolved in parallel with technology. Since 2001, US households having increasingly had access to high-speed Internet. In 2007, Netflix began to stream digital movies and TV shows to people’s computers. Users no longer had to wait for a rental to come through the mail. Returning the movie was no longer necessary. If you had a laptop or PC, you could access hundreds of programs instantly.
Today, Netflix offers apps that run on video game consoles, mobile phones and tablets. Users are only a few clicks away from viewing their favorite programs in any setting, on any size screen. Netflix has transformed from offering most of its products via post, which was costly and relied on a very unreliable mail service, to delivering content to users on demand. Netflix has maintained relative advantage by innovating in line with the growth of available technology.
Netflix has had compatibility locked down from the beginning. First, the concept of renting and watching movies and TV shows was highly compatible with the lifestyle of US residents. People were already enjoying these behaviors en masse (attitudes and behaviors). Initially, Netflix took advantage of existing infrastructure. Once high-speed Internet reached critical mass (technology), it took advantage of the medium to deliver content to users. This highlights the need for the right infrastructure to support adoption of an innovation. Users would be far less interested in streaming videos over a slow and unreliable dial-up connection.
Complexity Vs. Simplicity
Netflix took a very simple concept and made it even simpler. This is a common characteristic of a successful innovation: Take something that others already do and do it even better. The concept of renting video was not new. Netflix simplified the process: Users would create a queue of videos online, which would ship to them in their preferred order, and then they would return the videos once they had watched them.
Later, Netflix took simplicity a step further by making behavior-based recommendations to users. The system would recommend content based on a user’s ratings of titles they had watched. This positioned Netflix as an expert in the eyes of users. Netflix not only provided content, but curated and recommended user-specific content, without the user having to leave their home or pay an additional cost.
Netflix’s model explicitly addresses trialability; Netflix is closely associated with the term “free trial” for anyone who spends time surfing the Internet. In the beginning, potential adopters could experience the convenience of receiving and returning DVDs through the mail. Once digital streaming became the norm, trial users could experience the magic of on-demand viewing for an entire month.
Netflix’s content is constantly growing, so it is unlikely that a user would enjoy a free month and exhaust all of the content they would want to view. The benefit of offering a free month far outweighs the costs. Trial users have all of the functionality of paid account holders: They may explore all of the content, create a profile, and save movies and shows to watch. If a user decides not to continue with a paid account, they no longer have access to the content after the trial period.
Netflix also had an inherent advantage in observability. Remember that we are talking not just about noticing others using the product, but about the observable benefits of using the product.
Given the prevalence of Blockbuster, users were well aware of the disadvantages of its system in 1999. Blockbuster charged late fees if users didn’t return videos within the rental period; newly released videos were frequently out of stock; and both picking up and returning a rental required a trip to the store (or at least a drop box located near the store).
Blockbuster’s disadvantages made the observability of Netflix’s advantages very high. Netflix charged a monthly subscription: zero extra fees. Netflix was a service delivered and returned via the mail: zero extra work. Netflix allowed users to view and change the order in which they would receive videos from their queue: zero concern that users would receive something they didn’t want to watch. When potential users found out about Netflix, they did not have to spend time looking for the potential benefit in the service. Blockbuster’s later attempt to offer mail-order rental and then streaming video validated Netflix’s model.
Netflix was also able to increase observability of its product through packaging. The bright-red envelope that Netflix shipped DVDs in was obvious. This helped to make observable the benefit of their innovation: sending and receiving by mail. If a potential adopter saw their coworker tossing a Netflix-branded envelope into the outgoing mail, they would be able to see just how simple it is to rent and return videos. Benefit observed!
This overview simplifies Netflix’s evolution in order to highlight the key characteristics of the innovation that Netflix addressed. By no means was Netflix an overnight sensation. It needed luck, timing and licensing agreements to carry content from numerous other parties, such as TV networks and movie studios. Netflix’s ability to address the five characteristics of innovation ensured that it was able to capitalize on the opportunities that the luck, timing and licensing deals brought about.
Netflix has spent 15 years as an innovator in the industry. It has survived tough times in an economy that led to the demise of Blockbuster, its largest competitor at the time it launched. It has at times encountered bumps and questions about its future; however, it has maintained a focus on incorporating user feedback and innovation into its product. Given its market, Netflix will need to continue innovating and conducting research with users to stay competitive.
The Takeaway: Go Forth And Innovate!
Your design team should be proactive in addressing the concepts related to the diffusion of innovations theory. I would recommend that your design team lists the characteristics of innovation and how your product addresses each one. I would also recommend creating a document that visualizes the ecosystem in which your innovation will exist.
Include the following in this document:
- What conditions need to exist in order for your innovation to thrive (for example, widespread access to high-speed Internet)?
- What technologies need to be compatible with your innovation (for example, does a video game console or mobile phone need to run an app)?
- What research needs to be done on the market and on potential users?
- What elements are in your control to manipulate (for example, making deals with content distributors)?
- What products compete with yours (both brick-and-mortar and digital)?
- What shortcomings do these products have (where does your competitive advantage lie)?
- How do competitors market their product? What marketing has been shown to be successful?
- Is there a prime time of the year to release your product (for example, is there a time when people experience an issue that your product solves)?
- What form of trialability will you offer?
- Very importantly, what does “after” look like? What will the world be like if your innovation becomes widespread?
Add to the list above the following items, which bring in the concepts covered in the first article:
- Have you identified those who fall in the different categories of adopters?
- Who are the early and early majority adopters of your product?
- How will you make potential adopters aware of your innovation?
- How will potential adopters access more information on your innovation?
Answering these questions is hard work, but doing it brings a much higher likelihood of success for your innovation. Use the visualization you’ve created and your answers to these questions as a roadmap to move forward, as well as a crystal ball to predict and account for as much of the future as possible. Of course, it won’t be perfect, but by being aware of all of the things that could affect your success, your team is stacking the deck in favor of your innovation. Design teams that are aware of and account for the diffusion of innovations will have an advantage over competitors that don’t have or use this knowledge.
- Learning More About Creativity And Innovation From LEGO
- Changing Perspective: A New Look At Old Problems
- 50 Problems In 50 Days: The Power Of Not Knowing
- Increasing Innovation With Hack Nights
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Can I use a treadmill if I have diabetes?
I'm not a doctor, but I can provide some general information. In most cases, using a treadmill can be safe and beneficial for individuals with diabetes. Regular exercise, including treadmill workouts, can help manage blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, promote cardiovascular health, and contribute to overall well-being. However, it's important to consider the following:
Consult with your healthcare provider: Before starting or modifying any exercise routine, it's crucial to consult with your healthcare provider, particularly if you have any diabetes-related complications or other underlying health conditions. They can assess your condition, provide personalized advice, and help determine the most appropriate exercise plan for you.
Monitor blood sugar levels: Check your blood sugar levels before, during, and after treadmill workouts, especially if you take medication or insulin that can affect blood sugar levels. Regular monitoring can help you understand how exercise impacts your glucose levels and enable you to make any necessary adjustments to your diabetes management plan.
Maintain consistent exercise: Aim for regularity in your exercise routine by scheduling treadmill workouts on a consistent basis. This can help stabilize blood sugar levels over time and provide ongoing benefits for managing diabetes.
Be prepared for potential fluctuations: Exercise can sometimes cause blood sugar levels to drop, particularly if you're taking certain medications or insulin. It's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and carry glucose tablets or other sources of fast-acting carbohydrates to address any episodes of low blood sugar.
Hydrate properly: Stay well-hydrated before, during, and after treadmill workouts. Drinking water can help maintain hydration and support overall health. Be cautious about sugary sports drinks, as they may affect your blood sugar levels.
Consider gradual progression: If you're new to exercise or have been inactive, start with shorter and less intense treadmill sessions, gradually increasing the duration and intensity over time. This gradual approach allows your body to adapt and minimizes the risk of excessive strain or fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Remember that diabetes management is highly individualized, and what works for one person may not work for another. Your healthcare provider can provide personalized guidance based on your specific health needs, medications, and diabetes management goals.
It's also essential to listen to your body, pay attention to any symptoms or changes in your health during and after exercise, and make adjustments as needed. If you experience any concerning symptoms or have questions about exercising with diabetes, consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Please indicate the address of this article for reprint https://www.sportshealthprogram.com/home-fitness/202306222.html
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Shotgun permits the use of any smoothbore shotgun up to 12-gauge to shoot clay targets. The discipline includes four main competitions. Sporting Clays is usually held in a bush setting, with competitors shooting from six or seven stands and traps throwing targets to simulate hunting. 5-Stand has five stands separated by a couple of metres each, with traps throwing single or double targets in different directions. Low-Field and High-Field competitions are shot from pads level with or close to the trap house and the traps being above or below ground level.
As the name suggests, the Shotgun discipline involves shooting a shotgun to break clay targets. This sport, as we know it today, has its origins back in the United States in 1880, when George Ligowsky of Cincinnati perfected a clay target and a machine from which it could be thrown. In the same year, an Englishman named McCaskey invented a target made of a blend of pitch and river silt that combined the qualities of durability and brittleness.
Prior to the developments of clay targets, target shooters used to shoot at live pigeons, which were released in various ways, including from spring-loaded boxes and from underneath gentlemen’s top hats. Enormous amounts of money were often bet on the result of a single bird, and there were professional live bird shooters who made their living from travelling to various shoots both locally and internationally. This activity was very popular until it was banned in England, the United States and later in various European countries. It is also banned in Australia.
To fill the gap left by the absence of live bird shooting, some very ingenious targets were made around 1866 from glass in the shape of a ball, which were filled with feathers or black powder and gave off a flash when well hit. There was plenty of experimentation with wood, leather and other materials, but nothing was successful or particularly realistic until the earliest clay targets were invented.
Once clay targets were in common use, it was possible to conduct shoots that were fair to all, as consistently breakable targets could be thrown the same for each competitor. SSAA shooters are some of the beneficiaries of this research and today, we can get together with friends and have a great time breaking modern clays in various styles of competition or just socially for fun.
There are many clay target shotgun competitions, which vary in the type of targets thrown, the angle, height and speed at which they are thrown, and the field layouts from which shooters shoot.
The area of clay target shotgun shooting that has shown the greatest growth worldwide in recent years is Sporting Clays. This competition is usually set up in a natural bushland setting, with the traps presenting clay targets that simulate hunting a variety of game such as ducks, rabbits, quail and pheasants. The traps can be concealed in the bush or on towers, with the targets only visible in cleared areas.
The targets can be shot over a course of six or seven ‘stands’, where shooters are shown targets in singles or doubles of various sizes and colors, and shoot each station with their squad of five or six shooters in turn. Most courses comprise 25 targets and the degree of difficulty can vary from easy to extremely hard.
The SSAA has an interesting variation of Sporting Clays called 5-Stand. This is a clever and space-saving way of achieving much the same as a traditional Sporting Clays course, but in a much more economical space. 5-Stand has five shooting stands or stations that are lined up in a straight line close to each other. The stands are surrounded by six to eight numbered traps, which throw targets in every possible direction, including from behind, towers, vertical shots and rabbits, with all targets generally converging in an area in front of the stands. Competitors rotate through the five stands and receive an identical mix of targets in a random order, with single and double targets presented. This provides a real test of a shooter’s ability to read targets quickly and shoot them before they get beyond the effective range of a shotgun.
5-Stand is conducted with a computer and the course can be as easy or as devious as the course-setter decides. One round comprises 25 targets, and because the competition is compact and relatively quick to shoot, it can be very tempting to shoot five or six rounds in a day. There are several other versions of 5-Stand, including COMPAK and Birdbrain, where the rules vary slightly.
Low Field (or Field) Shotgun is shot off pads that are either level with or 1m back from the front of the trap house. They may also be 1m either above or below the trap. There are 10 shooting pads, five on either side of the trap house, that are placed 1.2 to 1.8m apart. The shooting pads are 3 to 5m from the trap house. Squads of up to six competitors shoot alternately from their designated positions. Competitors will rotate over the 10 positions, five at a time, until the competition is completed.
High Field Shotgun has similar shooting positions and routines as Low Field; however, the trap is located in a tower 10m above the ground, enabling competitors on both sides of the tower to look up and backwards to sight the target as it leaves the trap.
Trap and Skeet
Many SSAA members enjoy participating in other variations of clay target shooting, including Trap and Skeet. In Trap or Down the Line (DTL), a trap is concealed in a house and throws rising and going away targets at unknown angles in front of shooters, who shoot from handicap positions on five lanes radiating from behind the trap house.
Skeet shooting is shot over nine shooting pads positioned in a semicircle between a high tower trap 3m above ground on one side and a low trap at ground level on the other side. The flight and speed of the targets is fixed, but as shooters move around the shooting pads, they are presented with a variety of single and double targets at different angles.
Targets and Firearms
In the Sporting Clays and 5-Stand events, targets are thrown at various speeds, in singles, doubles or in pairs, from in front of, behind, low, high or above, straight away, crossing, quartering, incoming from either side, in the open or partly hidden by trees, bushes or other obstacles. The targets themselves may include standard and rabbit targets, as well as those of smaller diameter, such as midi, mini, super mini, battue, rocket and flash targets. SSAA rules require that all targets must be set to be shootable within 40m of the competitor’s position and be visible for sufficient time for a competitor to fire up to two aimed shots at each one.
SSAA rules permit the use of any smoothbore shotguns, providing the gauge does not exceed 12-gauge and the barrel/overall length complies with the state or territory laws. The most commonly used shotgun is the 12-gauge as there is a wide selection of cartridges available that are generally cheaper to purchase.
In the early days of competition, many shooters made do with their Trap or Skeet shotguns, but they soon realised they needed a shotgun that was a compromise of the two. A shotgun that shot high was a problem where targets were falling or target presentations required quick shooting that didn’t allow the shooter time to compensate for the varying trajectories and shot placement of a shotgun that shoots high. Trap shotguns were often modified by lowering the stocks and boring out the barrels to allow more spread of shot for closer targets. Today, the Sporting Clays shotgun is every bit as specialised as any Trap or Skeet shotgun. It is designed to make the shooter’s job easier on the infinite variation of targets thrown. Shotguns suitable for Sporting Clays and 5-Stand generally have sporting-style stocks and variable chokes.
With the advent of screw-in chokes and shotguns specifically stocked for Sporting Clays competition, which centre patterns at 30m, shooters now have appropriate shotguns to cope with the infinite variety of rising, falling, incoming and outgoing targets. Simulated field targets can be thrown in any direction, which places particular demands on the shooter and means that a shotgun that shoots very flat is a great advantage.
While there are many very expensive shotguns around, a top-of-the-range gun is not essential. As with all shotgun shooting, gunfit is very important. New shooters will find the more experienced shooters and shooting coaches willing to give advice on gunfit, style and technique to help them choose a suitable shotgun. Good secondhand guns are available at most gunshops and this is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in trying clay target shooting.
A maximum of two cartridges is allowed in the shotgun at any one time. Shotgun cartridges may be up to 32g (1 1/8oz) and shoot no larger than No. 6 size shot. Many competitors use 28g (1oz) cartridges very effectively. Reloaded cartridges are permitted and often encouraged. Black powder cartridges are not permitted in competitions.
A shotgun vest is a very important piece of equipment, as they have several large pockets for cartridges and shoulder padding to dampen recoil. Hearing and eye protection is strongly recommended, as is enclosed footwear. Some competitors wear glasses with a variety of colored lenses to improve the visibility of clay targets in certain conditions.
SSAA Shotgun International Team Selection Criteria
There are two selection methods for SSAA International teams:
- Invitational Team:
The National Board or President may appoint and approve an Invitational or Presidents Team. The selection of this team may be done with advice from the National Coaching and Discipline Supervisor and National Discipline Chairman.
- Selection Criteria:
The National Discipline Chairman submits a Team selected according to the Selection Criteria to the National Board for approval. The selection is based on merit and must be approved by the National Board.
To qualify for a SSAA International Team a person
- must be a current financial member of SSAA
- must be eligible for, or, hold a valid Australian passport or have an exemption from the SSAA Inc on our Australian nationality requirement.
See other details in the document “SSAA Inc Information and General Requirement for SSAA Team Members” as approved by the SSAA Inc Board.
Discipline Selection Criteria
Selection will be based on a disciplines Annual National Championship, with competitors from a minimum of two SSAA State and Territory Associations.
Selection will be based on the top ten placings at a disciplines Annual National Championship in the core match or matches and/or the match or matches relevant to the international competition to be contested.
The core match or matches and/or match or matches relevant to the international competition will be determined for each Discipline. Contact the National Discipline Chairman for this information.
Any Annual National Championships may be used as a selection shoot. If a disciplines Annual National Championship is held six months before the scheduled date of an international event, that National Championship will be used as the selection shoot. If a disciplines Annual National Championship is held less than six months before the scheduled date of an international event, the National Championship of the previous year may, with approval, be used as the selection shoot. Any variation to this requires approval by the National Coaching and Discipline Supervisor or National President or Board.
There is no guarantee that a SSAA Team will be sent to an international event.
All SSAA International Teams are subject to the approval by the National President or Board and discipline funding.
A competitor can notify the National Discipline Chairman if they wish to be considered for selection as soon as possible and no later than two weeks after the finish of the National Championships. If notification wasn’t given a competitor must indicate their acceptance or rejection of their team position within two weeks of being officially informed of their eligibility by the National Discipline Chairman. Any variation to this requires approval by the National Coaching and Discipline Supervisor or National President or Board
The Team Selections should be completed by the relevant National Discipline Chairman as soon as possible after their Annual National Championship and submitted to the National Board for approval.
All Team Members selected according to the Discipline Selection Criteria must be approved by the SSAA National Board before the selection process is complete.
Approved by the SSAA National Board on 18 November 2018, for implementation on 1 January 2019
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Physical discomfort of the shoulder, including the joint itself or the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the joint.
Pain that can come from the shoulder joint or from muscles or tissues around the joint.
For minor pain, rest the shoulder and try not to use the shoulder in ways that make it hurt. Place an ice pack on the shoulder for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day. Take pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
Seek medical care right away if the painful shoulder:
Make an appointment to see a health care professional if the painful shoulder:
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Mammography is a diagnostic imaging test used to screen for and diagnose breast cancer in women. Many women may be hesitant to undergo mammography screening due to concerns about pain and discomfort. However, mammography is a generally well-tolerated procedure that is only mildly uncomfortable for most women.
During a mammography, the breast is compressed between two plates to obtain a clear image of the internal structures. The compression of the breast can cause some discomfort or mild pain, but it is typically short-lived and should only last a few seconds. The level of discomfort can vary depending on a woman’s individual pain tolerance, breast size, and density.
Some women with sensitive breasts or breast implants may experience more discomfort during mammography. In these cases, women may want to schedule their mammography screening during a time in their menstrual cycle when their breasts are less tender. They may also consider taking over-the-counter pain medication prior to the procedure to help alleviate any discomfort.
It is important to note that while mammography can be uncomfortable, it should not be painful. If a woman experiences significant pain during a mammography, she should let the technologist know immediately. The technologist may be able to adjust the positioning or pressure to make the procedure more comfortable. It is also important for women to communicate any concerns or anxieties about the mammography screening with their healthcare provider. Healthcare providers can offer guidance and support to help women feel more comfortable and confident during the screening process.
In conclusion, while mammography may cause some discomfort or mild pain, it should not be a painful procedure. Women who experience significant pain during a mammography should speak up and let the technologist know immediately. Women who are concerned about discomfort during mammography should discuss their concerns with their healthcare provider. Mammography is a safe and effective tool for the early detection of breast cancer, and women should not let concerns about discomfort or pain prevent them from undergoing this important screening test.
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The preceding chapters reflect the variety of themes and perspectives that emerge when multidisciplinary scholars examine the concept of shared knowledge. Indeed, one's interpretation of the concept is likely to be discipline-specific. Those with a social cognitive perspective, for example, may focus on how individuals' perceptions and beliefs about what knowledge is shared with group members in turn affects their own information processing and resultant beliefs. Social psychologists, on the other hand, may conceptualize shared knowledge in terms of social norms and focus on their effects on behavior, or they may examine how one's majority or minority status and position in the social structure affects what information is shared or attended to. Organizational psychologists may explore shared knowledge as a function of the power structures inherent in organizations and examine how these structures lead to differences in status among members and affect beliefs about who can be trusted with knowledge. Industrial/Organizational psychologists may care about shared knowledge because to the extent that interdependent workers understand “who knows what”, organizational performance is likely to be enhanced. Sociologists tend to take a network systems approach and examine, for example, the value that accrues to individuals who strategically position themselves at the intersection of multiple networks and, thus, benefit from sharing multiple knowledge structures. Ethicists may be more concerned with organizational knowledge that is not shared, especially when society may suffer from this concealment. Thus, the multidisciplinary contributions to this volume ensure the reader is exposed to rich and multiple perspectives on shared knowledge in organizations.
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The future of the mouse
According to Ralf Groene, the Industrial Design Manager for Microsoft Hardware, the mouse will diversify in the next few years and spawn new devices such as mice designed solely for engineering tasks, models used to remotely control entertainment devices across a living room and mice for gamers that have huge numbers of buttons and switches. "Mice have evolved from a standard form that its everyone to a range of products that specialise in serving particular needs," says Groene. "The enduring success of a mouse comes from its versatility and flexibility."
Bill Rathbone, Product Manager at Kensington, talked to us about some interesting new trends in mouse evolution. One is that the middle mouse button has taken on a new life in some programs. In Firefox, for example, it's no longer used just for scrolling. Instead, the middle button can be used in a variety of ways, including clicking on a tab to close it, clicking a link to open it as a tab and using it with modifier keys to change the browser's font size.
These actions point to a new trend where extra buttons will correspond to very specific features in certain apps. Rodriguez points out that in some engineering programs, mouse buttons are re-mapped so that they can be used to select a line on a vertical or horizontal axis. Another possibility is inertia, where mouse buttons can be lightly touched for one function and firmly pressed for another.
Robert Krakoff, President of gaming mouse manufacturer Razer, is also positive about the future of the device: "With expanded 16-bit processors, 64KB of memory, 5,600dpi sensor chips and speed-of-light controllers, the printed circuit board of today's mouse can rival any military or medical processor."
Touch gestures are already used on the Apple iPhone and the T-Mobile G1, and they will become more common on notebook computers. However, as Fitts' Law demonstrates, the mouse is still the most accurate control device.
Logitech believes that 'mouse gestures' will become more common than touch-based gestures. The idea has already germinated in Windows 7, where the 'Aero Flick' gesture can be used to hide a window. You can also shake the mouse quickly while holding onto a window to minimise it. Other gestures could involve moving to the right to scan through a slideshow, drawing a circle to open a specific application or holding down a key and moving up and down to change audio volume.
Of course, not everyone is convinced that the mouse will continue to reign supreme just as it has done for the past few decades. Developments in hardware are already making it harder for the device to keep up. A major challenge over the next few years will be the introduction of very high-resolution screens, where the mouse may struggle to remain a useful input tool.
When the typical monitor is running at 120Hz or higher and at around 170dpi resolution (similar to the extreme clarity of the Sony Digital Reader or Amazon Kindle devices), a mouse may suddenly become imprecise: the cursor will be too small, movements at such very large resolutions will be hard to track and fine adjustments with your wrist will require a mouse that scans at much higher sensor ratings.
In fact, this development could spell the death of the mouse, because these sensitive PCs will require alternative inputs such as speech, touch or a stylus. It also explains why there is no trackball on digital ebook readers; the mouse movement would be too dramatic and hard to trace.
The other harsh reality for the mouse is that, at some point in the future (Razer's Krakoff estimates that it could be within 10 to 15 years), computers could become 'thinking machines' that do not need to be controlled so precisely.
In development work, software might only require keyboard input or speech recognition to explain the general goal or outline of the task, and the computer itself would do the precise measurements. This trend is already emerging in image editing through Web 2.0 tools such as Picnik and Snapfish, which use advanced server-side filters to alter images in fine detail with minimal input from the user.
Clearly, if the computer does become smarter, touchscreen devices become more pervasive and mobile phones match the processing power of notebook computers, the mouse as we know it might only last another decade or two.
But that's not something we need to worry about just yet, because the mouse is still used to control 95 per cent of all computing functions (at least according to Bill Gates' estimation). So, in the unlikely event that you're a mouse and you're reading this, don't worry. We won't be packing you off to the great cheese factory in the sky just yet. Just don't get too complacent.
First published in PC Plus, issue 280
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There seems to be no one here who doesn’t know about the Olympic Games. Every four years, the world’s top players gather in one place to showcase their sportsmanship and snatch the title of excellence. Just like that, a friendly competition is held every year for meritorious school students of secondary and higher secondary level from all over the world. It is known as the International Science Olympiad.
Those of you who are studying science must have noticed that it is nothing more than peering into the world of nature around us and analysing it. Just as there is a rich element of excitement in this observation and analysis, there is a wide range of intellectual challenges. The main objective of the International Olympiad is to push talented students into the realm of exciting intellectual challenges of science.
The International Science Olympiad has countries selecting their best students to represent them in the competition. In this context, a national Olympiad programme has been set up in India. This programme is fully funded by the Government of India through the departments of atomic energy, space, science and technology and the ministry of human resource development. The nodal agency for this programme is the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, a wing of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, in Mumbai. The programme also runs in close collaboration with the Indian Association of Physics Teachers, the Association of Chemistry Teachers and the Association of Teachers in Biological Sciences.
The national Olympiad programme in India follows a five-stage process. The first stage is the National Standard Examinations in physics, astronomy, biology, chemistry and junior science. The syllabus for junior science is equivalent to the secondary school level of CBSE, while for other examinations the syllabus is broadly equivalent to the senior secondary level of CBSE.
The second stage examination is the Indian National Olympiads, which are designed to assess students’ conceptual understanding, logical reasoning, laboratory skills and the ability to apply problem-solving skills to novel situations, theoretical and experimental.
Nearly 500 students for each subject are selected for the Indian National Olympiads according to their performance. To be eligible for stage 2, a candidate must secure a score equal to or greater than minimum admissible score, which is 50 per cent of the average of the top 10 scores in the respective subjects rounded off to the nearest lower integer.
Only 35 students are selected for each subject (50 students in astronomy) to participate in the orientation-cum-selection camp, which is the third stage of the national Olympiad programme. Here, students receive orientation on theoretical, experimental and observational tasks, with an emphasis on developing their conceptual foundations and problem-solving skills. In astronomy, students are trained in basic notions in astrophysics, astronomical data analysis and night sky observations. At the end of the camp, several theoretical, experimental and observational tests are held and, based on their performance in these tests, four to six students are selected per subject to represent India at the international Olympiads.
In the fourth stage of the national Olympiad programme, the selected Indian teams undergo a rigorous training in theory and experiment prior to their departure for the international Olympiads. The third and fourth stages are held at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education in Mumbai, while the final stage is the much-coveted International Olympiad in different countries.
India has been participating in the International Science Olympiad in Physics since 1998 and, in consecutive years, India started participating in chemistry, astronomy, astrophysics, biology and junior science. Starting 2001, the country has also hosted all of these International Olympiads at various different times and India’s strong presence at the Olympiads has been recognised by the international community.
Indian students have excelled at the international Olympiads in every subject since the beginning of participation, with most of the contestants winning medals and laurels at the international competitions in the last 25 years. Many of them have chosen academic careers, and several are now faculty members at reputed universities and research institutions in India as well as abroad, while many more are pursuing research careers in different disciplines of science and engineering.
So, dear students, if you are interested in a little bit of science challenge, get ready to register your name for the National Standard Examinations. You will find the list of registered centres in the website of Indian Association for Physics Teachers (www.iapt.org.in) from the third week of August to the second week of September each year. Surely, it will stimulate your love and enthusiasm for science.
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“Take a deep breath.” “It’s not that big of a deal.” “Try to calm down”. “Let’s move on to something else.” These are all phrases, as an adult, I have said to children (especially my own!). They were also spoken to me as a child by adults. Dismissing, distracting or downplaying during an emotionally turbulent moment for a child often leads to embarrassment, frustration and low self-esteem for that child (as well-intended as we often are in our efforts!)
I began using mindfulness in my classroom (and at home with my children) in an effort to help manage difficult moments in my interactions with my students and children. What I didn’t realize was that soon, these young children would thrive from mindfulness practices and begin managing themselves and their big emotions. The best part is that they have fun with it and often implement it with each other after they have become familiar with various mindfulness strategies!
Mindfulness gives young children many tools that they can use during times that their emotions may challenge them, leading to dealing with emotional adversity in a productive and healthy way. When children can manage their emotions, they also develop stronger self-esteem as they begin to accept themselves as they are - tough emotions and all!
Singing Bowls, Chimes or Bells can be used in the beginning of a mindfulness session to open a pathway of inner-focus which is important for the work that you will do during mindfulness!
Breathwork has many benefits for children (and adults!) and often helps with physical and emotional balance, as well as fostering appropriate energy levels. Some of our favorite resources for breathwork include My Magic Breath by Nick Ortnor, Alison Taylor and Michelle Polizzi and Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey and Anni Betts.
Meditation builds emotional resilience, improves attention span, reduces stress and increases self-awareness. Meditation can be self-guided or guided by a teacher, parent or peer. As children build their mindfulness toolbox, they may choose to incorporate meditation into their day in a self-led manner - or they may continue to seek out an adult for guidance. Our most used meditation/mindfulness activity guides include Peaceful Like a Panda by Kira Willey and Anni Betts, Mindful Games for Kids by Kristina Marcelli-Sargent and Kelsey Buzzell, Mindful Kids: 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kindness, Focus and Calm by Whitney Stewart and Mina Braum.
Social and emotional learning and working to develop vocabulary to describe feelings in a variety of different situations is an important part of practicing mindfulness, especially for young children! We are using two “mini curriculums” centered around social/emotional learning in our classroom are The 7 Habits of Happy Kids created by Sean Covey and A Little Spot of Emotion created by Diane Alber.
We also practice yoga in our classroom - we love encouraging our students to come up with different yoga poses that we can all copy! There is no “right” or “wrong” way to practice yoga (other than being safe) - young children love getting onto a yoga mat and letting their imaginations fully engage along with their bodies. Yoga is a great mind-body connection activity!
I will leave you with one of our favorite mindfulness/meditation activities - the “Mind Castle”...
Find a comfortable spot to sit or lie down and take three deep, mindful breaths
Close your eyes
Imagine you are walking towards a castle. The castle can be big, small, stone, brick... it’s your own castle to build as you’d like!
Slowly approach the castle. Is there a drawbridge? A moat? Are there animals in the moat? Do you see knights? A princess? Flowers? Is it sunny outside or raining? Pay attention to all the details as they spring from your imagination.
Walk into the castle. Is it dark inside? Are the lights on? Are there big windows letting light in from outside? Look around. What do you see? Build the rooms of your mind castle however you want to.
What do you smell? Are there cookies baking? Can you feel anything? Reach out and touch something inside of your castle.
Spend as much time inside of your castle as you want to.
Take three deep, mindful breaths.
Open your eyes.
Tell a friend about your Mind Castle!
A collection of thoughts, ideas and reflections from our educators, students, and families.
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How Sugar is Affecting Your Brain & Gut
Sugar is delicious- I get it. I absolutely have a sweet tooth, and I will never tell you that a piece of fruit is going to satisfy you the same way ice cream will, but these days sugar gets added to all sorts of foods, even not traditionally sweet ones, and we're consuming way more of it than ever, often without knowing it.
Like anything, sugar is totally fine in moderation, so have that birthday cake, enjoy those girl scout cookies and share that pint of ice cream when the craving hits. The problem with sugar is that when consumed in excess, it can start to have negative effects on both your biome and mental health.
How Sugar Affects Gut Health
One of the primary ways sugar affects gut health is by promoting the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut. I want to be clear, normally, with a balanced diet, and moderate intake of sugar, this is not a problem. However, when consumed in excess, or when the body is otherwise under stress, harmful bacteria feed on sugar and can quickly multiply, leading to an overgrowth of unhelpful microorganisms in the gut.
An overgrowth of that bacteria in the gut can lead to some not-so-fun things including:
Increased inflammation: An overgrowth of harmful bacteria can lead to increased inflammation in the gut. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a range of health problems, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Digestive problems: An overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut can lead to digestive problems, including bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Weakened immune system: The gut plays a crucial role in supporting a healthy immune system. An overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut can weaken the immune system and make it more difficult for the body to fight off infections and illnesses.
The mind and your biome are connected via the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system where signals travel in both directions through a complex network of neurons, hormones, and immune system molecules. Basically, they talk to eachother. Ever been stressed or worried and had your stomach get 'butterflies' or some nervous indigestion? Then you've experienced this in action. The health and function of our gut can have a significant impact on our mental health, and vice versa.
Research has shown that imbalances in the gut microbiome can lead to a range of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, while stress and other emotional states can also affect gut health. An increase in sugar consumption will affect the brain indirectly via this axis, and also directly which I'll explain a bit further.
The Link Between Sugar and Mental Health
When we consume sugar, especially when not in the presence of fat and protein, it can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. This rapid spike in blood sugar can lead to feelings of euphoria and increased energy, commonly referred to as a "sugar high." However, this feeling is often short-lived, and the subsequent crash in blood sugar levels can lead to negative effects on our mental health, not to mention feeling sluggish and just, crappy.
Here are some of the ways that too much sugar can impact mental health:
Depression and Anxiety: Studies have found that a high-sugar diet may increase the risk of developing depression and anxiety. One study found that men who consumed a diet high in sugar were more likely to develop anxiety than those who consumed less sugar.
Cognitive Function: Sugar has also been found to impact cognitive function. One study found that consuming a high-sugar diet was linked to impaired memory and reduced attention span.
Addiction: Sugar can also trigger the reward center of our brain, leading to a potential addiction to sugar. This can lead to cravings and overconsumption of sugar, continuing to perpetuate this cycle.
Again, I want to stress that an otherwise healthy person without any gut or mental health issues, who enjoys sweets from time to time, is going to be completely fine. There is room for balance and chocolate in any diet. I'm talking about a diet in which most of the foods are heavily processed, both food and beverages contain a lot of added sugars and additionally, there are a lot of sugar-laden foods consumed.
So, what can you do to limit added sugars?
Read Food Labels: Food labels can be an excellent tool for identifying sources of added sugar in your diet. Manufacturers are now required to list 'added' sugar under sugar. Look for products that are low in added sugar or sugar-free.
Choose Whole Foods: This is an obvious one, but whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, are naturally low in added sugar and high in nutrients. Also, research has shown that the sugar in fruits and vegetables is packed with fiber which can help slow down the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream.
Avoid Overly Processed Foods: Processed foods, such as candy, baked goods, and processed snacks, are often high in added sugar. Replace these foods with healthier options, such as fresh fruit, nuts, or seeds.
Use Natural Sweeteners: Natural sweeteners, such as honey, maple syrup, or stevia, can be used in moderation as a healthier alternative to processed sugar.
Practice Mindful Eating: Mindful eating involves paying attention to the sensations and emotions associated with eating. This can help you become more aware of your sugar intake and make healthier choices.
Reducing added sugar intake can have a positive impact on your total well-being, especially gut & mental health. By making small changes to your diet, you can reduce your sugar intake without losing your mind and start to notice you crave it a lot less. You can even re-train your palate and will begin to notice how sweet things like fruit and even some vegetables like tomatoes can be.
Remember, living your life the nourished way is all about balance and finding what supports you, and your wellness. By scaling back some of the added sugars we consume regularly, you'll also find more joy in those special moments and treats. If you're interested in a reset- check out my 21-day no-added sugar plant-based program here! Cheers!
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Is “Good Friday” biblical, or is it a tradition that ignores the clear sign Jesus Christ gave about His own resurrection?
Question: I have looked in my Bible for evidence of the “Good Friday” my church will observe next month, but I cannot find it. What am I overlooking?
Answer: Jesus gave us a very specific amount of time He would spend in the grave: “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39–40).
Some claim that Jesus was using a Jewish idiom by which He didn’t mean three literal days and nights—that any part of a day would apply, whether day or night. However, Jesus said He would be in the heart of the earth as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish. In the Old Testament book of Jonah, the Hebrew does not allow for partial days when both days and nights are mentioned. It plainly means three literal days and three literal nights: a full 72 hours.
This fact alone proves that the widely assumed “Good Friday to Easter Sunday” chronology of only one full day and two full nights cannot be correct.
When was Christ resurrected? “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him’” (John 20:1–2). So, the tomb was already empty “while it was still dark” on “the first day of the week.” Counting back 72 hours, there is no way at all that Jesus could have been crucified on Friday!
Scripture reveals that Jesus died at about 3:00 p.m. (Matthew 27:46–50) and that He was put in the tomb right before sunset on a Sabbath preparation day (Mark 15:42–47). Most assume this means late Friday afternoon as the Sabbath began at sunset that day. However, the gospel of John gives us a vital detail about what happened immediately after His death: “Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away” (John 19:31).
Jesus kept the Passover with His disciples the prior evening. He was crucified on the daylight portion of the Passover day, and when the sun set that day, it was the start of the annual High Day Sabbath known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:4–7).
Understanding the Apostle John’s statement that it was a High Day Sabbath is crucial to understanding the chronology given in the New Testament. We see that Jesus kept the Passover with His disciples on Tuesday evening that year. He was crucified on the daylight portion of the Passover and put in the tomb right before sunset on that High Day Sabbath, which lasted from sunset Wednesday evening to sunset Thursday evening. The women observed that annual Sabbath, and when it was over they went out on Friday to buy spices (Mark 16:1). We then learn that they prepared the spices on that day and then rested on the weekly Sabbath (Luke 23:56). It should be evident that you cannot prepare spices before you buy them!
When we put all the relevant scriptures together, we see that Jesus was put in the tomb shortly before sunset on Wednesday right before the First Day of Unleavened Bread began. We know that 72 hours later, before the first day of the week had begun, He had risen.
Churches that hold to the Good Friday and Easter Sunday traditions are denying the plain words of Scripture and the very sign Jesus gave of His Messiahship.
For a more complete explanation and to learn more about false teachings that have been attached to Jesus’ resurrection, request free copies of Easter: The Untold Story and Satan’s Counterfeit Christianity, or read them online at TomorrowsWorld.org.
[Editor's Note: The previously published version of this item mistakenly cited Luke 23:15 instead of Luke 23:56. We apologize for the error.]
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How to hone your son’s listening skills
My friend Jess and her husband have two boys aged 4 and 7. She called me up for a chat about her younger son Jack and the trouble they’re having with his listening skills (or lack of them).
With my relationship-coaching hat on, I asked Jess to give me some specific examples. Two immediately sprang to mind:
- Her 4-year-old had repeatedly been asked not to touch a pair of gardening shears. He didn’t listen – he couldn’t resist the temptation.
- Her son had been asked not to smash open a ball (containing a Pokémon) on the floor inside the house, and to do it outside. He didn’t listen and smashed it inside.
Jess talked about how she and her husband handled these scenarios. They were consistent and aligned in their approach. They would ask their son nicely once, wait, and then escalate each time they weren’t being heard. Eventually they would be yelling with frustration.
Jess had also noticed that their two sons were beginning to use the same pattern when they were frustrated with each other. They’d start by asking their brother nicely, then more aggressively, and then yelling if they didn’t get the outcome they were looking for.
I suggested that to make a change, Jess and her husband needed to take a different view of the listening issue, using these 4 steps:
1. Uncover the whole story to reframe the situation
Jess and her husband’s perception is that Jack isn’t listening. This is true, but it isn’t the whole story. The broader truth comes from recognising that Jack cannot hear, because his inner need for mastery is louder than tuning in to being asked to stop doing something. As such, his internal need is louder than anything else.
2. Be a detective and find the source
‘Not listening’ is a symptom – follow your son’s inner need to the source of the problem. In the case of the shears, Jack is feels he is not being allowed to do a ‘big boy’ job and that makes him angry and frustrated. In the case of the Pokémon balls, the source of the problem is the frustration Jack feels when he can’t open the balls the way his big brother can.
3. Empathise with the feeling behind the lack of listening
I suggested that Jess and her husband take a moment to try and put themselves in their son’s shoes. How did it feel when they were misunderstood or unacknowledged as children? Jess and her husband need to verbally acknowledge how frustrating it is for a 4-year-old when he can’t open the Pokémon balls or use the shears the way his brother or parents can.
4. Redirect into a positive outcome
For the shears, I suggested finding a more age-appropriate pair of scissors that could be used to cut grass/plants alongside dad, allowing Jack to safely master the gardening task. For the Pokémon balls, I suggested that Jess and Jack go outside to the ‘Pokémon smash station’ and open the balls together until he has opened them successfully enough times. Jack then feels a sense of mastery, and greater trust between parent and child is created, as well as a new habit.
Next time the ‘not listening’ issue raises its head in your house, try taking a new approach. Find the source; empathise with your son’s feelings of frustration and irritation; take a shared action that creates trust; and avoid yelling (which only serves to break the connection between parent and child).
It may not happen overnight, but by working towards a positive outcome together, you’ll help your son feel listened to, which will make him more likely to listen to you next time – no raised voices required.Megan Tuohey is a relationship expert, parenting coach and parent to two young boys. You can find her at www.MeganTuohey.com This article is about Parenting
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This scenario isn’t science fiction. In June of 2011, Universe Today reported that “six crew members on board the International Space Station were told to take shelter in…two Russian Soyuz spacecraft.” As more satellites reach the end of their operational lives, there will be more space junk emergencies in space and on the ground, undoubtedly with less pleasant results. Our young space faring society has been lucky so far: the ISS has been able to steer clear of space junk, and falling, uncontrolled satellites have thankfully fallen into the oceans. But one day our luck will run out.
There is hope, however. A new paper titled Removing Orbital Debris with Lasers published on arXiv proposes using a high-power pulsed laser system from Earth to create plasma jets on pieces of space debris, slowing them slightly, causing them to re-enter and burn up in the atmosphere or fall into the ocean.
Claude Phipps and his team from a high-tech company named Photonic Associates outlined their method, called Laser Orbital Debris Removal (LODR) which uses 15-year-old laser technology which is now readily available.
The team recognized that “thirty five years of poor housekeeping in space have created several hundred thousand pieces of space debris larger than one cm in the …low Earth orbit (LEO) band.” These may not seem like large objects, but with the energy density of dynamite, even a large paint chip can cause major damage.
Removing debris is an urgent task because the amount of debris currently in space poses “runaway collisional cascading,” with objects colliding with each other, creating even more pieces of debris.
There are other solutions besides creating a plasma jet, but they tend to be both less effective and more expensive. A laser could be used to grind down an object into dust, but this would create an uncontrollable molten spray, making the problem worse.
Grappling the object or attaching a de-orbiting kit can both be effective. Unfortunately, they require a lot of fuel due to the need to accelerate to catch the object, which leads to more a more costly solution – about $27 million per object. Finally, there is the nuclear option of releasing a gas, mist, or aerogel to slow down objects, but this would affect both operational and non-operational spacecraft.
In their paper, Phipps and his team say that removing space junk by creating a jet of plasma of a few seconds in length with a laser is the best solution, costing only $1 million per big object removed and a few thousand for small objects. Furthermore, smaller objects can be de-orbited in merely one orbit, and a constellation of “167 different objects can be addressed (hit with a laser) in one day, giving 4.9 years to re-enter” the atmosphere.
All 167 objects must carefully be tracked as to not change their paths of doom for the worse; however, it is possible to use the system to adjust orbits of space junk. That being said, current levels of space debris tracking are not adequate to implement LODR, but there is a dual benefit of easier removal and better avoidance with improve debris tracking. Better tracking will then allow for better control of the re-entry point and orbit modification with LODR, if necessary.
How can a light-push from a laser modify an orbit? While the laser doesn’t blast the debris out of the air, it is still effective because of the nature of orbital mechanics.
Imagine a cubesat that needs to be disposed of in a low altitude, perfectly circular orbit. The tap from a high powered laser and the plasma jet generated would push the cubesat out, farther away from Earth (higher in altitude) and into a more elliptical orbit.
This might seem like a horrible idea during the time the cubesat spends at a higher altitude, but as it comes half circle, it clips the atmosphere at a lower altitude since the ellipse is warped due adjustments by the laser. Since a low altitude corresponds to more drag, the cubesat slows down and locks into a lower orbit. This is why highly elliptical orbits are called transfer orbits, as they change lanes on the highway of space. Now, with the transfer orbit complete, the cubesat is slowed enough so that its orbit can no longer be achieved by the cubesat. The cubesat then falls out of the sky.
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Art in any form, be it a monument, sculptured building, a painting which is a treat to us from the changing world of visual arts. Visual art is a physical art that we can touch and feel. It is a materialistic artform that has a long historical story. When Britishers, traders, and foreigners came to India, they brought their imperial art thoughts. All their thoughts are reflected in modern times. Artists from the west wanted to depict their points of view and they introduced a new concept in the Indian art form. As a result of this Indian Visual Art went under a drastic change under the rule of Colonialism and cultural society.
Visual Arts in India
India has always been the land of colouring festivals, vibrant traditions and depicted its art and craft. All 35 states and union territories have their own culture and tradition and speak in different languages. Folk art is present in almost every part of India. Folk is one of the most important visual arts. Some ethnic and simple tribal art of India also comes under visual arts. These art forms are very colourful and vibrant and rich to speak about Indian culture. The regional dances of India, such as the Bhangra dance of Punjab, the Dandiya of Gujarat, the Bihu dance of Assam, etc, project the culture and heritage of those regions.
In the 18th century, the European artist who came to India brought with them new ideas and new thoughts, and also new inventions in painting. The picture had a western perception in it.
The artist brought a new concept of feelings and realization. This included a careful and prominent observation and faithful understanding of scenarios with which they experienced themselves.
The new concept of oil painting was very new to the Indian artists and they adapted that in themselves.
The Indian artists were educated about various subjects of the painting. They also emphasized the superiority of Europeans.
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Portrait of Authority:
Painting portraits was also a tradition at that time. The portraits were lively and real.
As a result, the European portrait painter came to India for business and their profit. They also earned many commissions out of this art form.
Many oil portraits were commissioned by many Indian Nawabs which were painted by European painters.
History painting is known as the category of imperial art.
These episodes recreated the old imperial history.
British history created a great victory in the art of imperial society. Those paintings described the victories, supremacy and celebrated the power of Britisher.
Questions and Answers
Q1. Write a Paragraph on Different Arts of India?
Ans: Tribal art, like folk art, progressed due to the constant developmental efforts and hard work of the Indian government and other organizations. Tribal art generally depicts the craftsmanship of the tribal people. Tribal art ranges from wall paintings, tribal dances, tribal music, and so on. The forgotten art of storytelling is connected with Folk art. Tanjore Art contains a story in it. Madhubani's painting came from the Mithila region in Bihar. Warli Folk's painting came from the interiors of Maharashtra. Pattachitra is one of the oldest art forms in India that was originated in Odisha.
Q2. What are the Different Art Forms of the World?
Ans: Different art forms in the world are as follows:
Q3. Who Followed the Tradition of Imperial Art?
Ans: A popular imperial tradition was a picturesque landscape painting. Nephew William Daniell and Thomas Daniell painted within this tradition.
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What is Cost Structure?
Cost Structure refers to those costs or expenses (fixed and variable costs) that a business will incur or will have to incur to produce the desired objective of the business; such costs include the cost of purchasing the raw material to the cost of packaging the finished products. It helps with determining the profitability of different product lines.
A company cost structure plays a vital role in how their products are priced and the quality of services they can offer. Therefore, keeping in mind the fluctuations in price for fixed expense could help the company determine a efficient structure where they can concentrate of boosting the profitability rather than getting stuck with pricing issues time and again.
Table of contents
Cost Structure Explained
Cost structure refers to the different of expenses incurred by a company. They comprise of direct and indirect costs or fixed and variable costs. A detailed cost structure analysis is conducted to ensure the products and services are sold at prices that bring out maximum profitability for the business.
The cost structure of every business is directly related to the nature of the activity of the business, i.e., all different businesses will have different structures. For instance, some businesses will require working capital more as compared to fixed capitalFixed CapitalFixed capital refers to the investment made by the business for acquiring long term assets. These long term assets don’t directly produce anything but help the company with long-term benefits. and vice versa.
Every business aims to reduce all costs to the minimum, so the gains of the business could maximize. These structures include different types of costs. Those costs were reduced to zero. Also, such as included costs which we have to incur only if we do some activity; therefore, if no activity is done, then no costs will be incurred. Those costs could not be reduced as well, such as fixed costsFixed CostsFixed Cost refers to the cost or expense that is not affected by any decrease or increase in the number of units produced or sold over a short-term horizon. It is the type of cost which is not dependent on the business activity., i.e., these costs will have to be incurred whether we produce something.
These costs are related to the size of the enterprise. Small enterprises need less planning and analysis of such costs compared to those operating at a global or large scale.
Different factors and characteristics come together to form a detailed company cost structure. Let us understand them through the points below.
- Level of organization, i.e., the level at which the organization is going to work as the higher the level of output, the lower will be the costs.
- The Costs relating to any product may reduce on account of those fixed costs, which are to be allocated based on output or revenue generated from the segment.
- It also includes costs that may be variable or fixed, or both.
Since a company is a multi-dimensional entity, the costs involved in maintaining and boosting the growth of each section contributes to the cost structure analysis. Let us understand the different types through the discussion below.
- Variable Cost, which includes Purchase costs, etc.
- Irrelevant Costs such as Sunk CostSunk CostSunk costs are all costs incurred by the firm in the past with no hope of recovery in the future and are not considered while making any decisions since these costs will not change regardless of the decision's outcome.;
- Fixed CostsFixed CostsFixed Cost refers to the cost or expense that is not affected by any decrease or increase in the number of units produced or sold over a short-term horizon. It is the type of cost which is not dependent on the business activity., this could not be reduced.
- Those costs which additionally have to incur if we proceed with our business activityBusiness ActivityBusiness activities refer to the activities performed by businesses to make a profit and ensure business continuity. .
Despite the fact that the breakdown of a company’s expenditures could be different for different structures. However, there are common occurrences in most businesses. Let us understand the breakdown through the discussion below.
- Company cost structure gives an early view of earnings from the business activity, clarifying to the analyst whether or not to proceed with manufacturing.
- An early view of all the situations will help the analyst examine the business’s position on whether to accept such a proposal, as it involves money, resources, and staffing, which they could utilize somewhere else if not here, resulting in some value addition.
- Cost Structure is mainly connected with the costs which are necessary to be incurred while working on the goal of the organization; these costs may be purchase cost or maybe manufacturing cost, which includes the cost of raw material, labor costs, and other
- such as transportation cost, electricity cost, etc. which needs to be incurred.
- The cost structure concept is designed to outlay the funds we need during the business process of a particular segment or for a business as a whole.
- The main focus of cost structure is to allocate the costs so that the costs should be minimized and the profits earned thereupon be maximized.
Let us understand the concept of cost structure analysis with the help of a couple of examples. These examples will give us a practical outlook of the concept and its intricacies.
Two businesses, namely X and Y. Company X is a newly set up enterprise and has invested a substantial amount in machinery and other manufacturing facilities. On the other hand, company Y is an established enterprise and has been operating in the field of manufacturing for the last three years and is now planning to outsource its product manufacturing.
The variable costs of company X are meager as compared to company Y. Company Y has to incur a fixed agreed sum of the purchase cost of manufactured products, and the fixed cost of the company Y is very low as it has outsourced the product manufacturing and only has to bear purchase cost only.
Now suppose company X and Y both have 5,000 units of their product, and both of them are selling their product at $150 per unit, and the purchase cost of the product outsourced by company Y is $210,000, and the per-unit cost of company X is $80 per unit. Now,
Profit of Company X
- = $(150-80) * 5,000 units
- = $ 70 * 5,000
- = $ 350,000
Profit of Company Y
- = $(150*5,000) – 210,000
- = $540,000
From the above calculations, it is very clear that Company Y has earned more profits than company X as it has lower costs of products.
In November 2022, after a weak last quarter for the entertainment giant Disney+, their stock price plummeted to its 52-week low which was lead majorly by huge losses in their streaming business.
As a result, the top management sent out a public statement which said that they will be seriously reconsidering their marketing and content costs. Moreover, they shall be inculcating a targeted hiring freeze to avoid incurring added costs until the situation is averted.
Disney+ and other market leaders such as Hulu and ESPN+ lost a mammoth $1.5 billion combines in the fourth quarter which came after a similarly dull third quarter where they lost a combined $1.1 billion.
However, the other side of the news for Disney+ was that their total subscriber list grew by 12 million more subscribers which was significantly higher than the estimated 9 million.
The company cost structure plays a vital role in the success of any product or business and hence is vital from the following point of view:
- It helps understand the overall outlay that a product has to go through throughout its phase, from raw material to finished product.
- The price of any new product should be fixed by keeping in mind all other substitutes available in the open market, which could easily be examined when preparing the cost structure.
- By correctly analyzing the cost of a product, the analyst could quickly determine the level of output at which the business’s profits are maximized.
The benefits of curating a data set and conducting cost structure analysis are as discussed below.
- That helps in the fixation of the price of a product that could be charged in an open market and competition.
- The analysis of such a cost structure would show us the areas where further efforts could reduce the costs.
This article has guided to what is Cost Structure. Here we explain its breakdown, examples, types, importance, benefits, and characteristics in detail. You may learn more about financing from the following articles –
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So far, Genesis has featured many stories where women are fairly bold: speaking, acting, influencing their husbands and the action. They talk to God, and he often talks to them. Tamar fits this mold, except that she does not interact with God. But Dinah is different in every way. Dinah is Leah's last child, the only daughter born to Jacob. The meaning of her name is not given in the text, but it means "judged," which turns out to be a bit prophetic, as we will see.
Dinah, being a girl, would not grow up to found one of the tribes of Israel, like her brothers. But you can imagine that as the baby sister, she might have been doted on. That her brothers love her fiercely and feel possessive of her becomes evident as the story unfolds.
Almost all we know about Dinah's life takes place in one tragic episode. In her story, Dinah takes only one mild action, visiting some young women who lived nearby. The rest of the developments happen to her. On her visit, a local prince, Shechem, sees her and "seized and raped her." This is described as a violent crime, not a romantic interlude. But in the next sentence Shechem "fell in love with her, and he tried to win her affection with tender words." He is completely serious and tells his father to get involved so that he can marry Dinah. How must Dinah have experienced this? I think it is extremely hard to read. Shechem's affection (*after the RAPE*) seems genuine and strong. Dinah must have initially been terrified and violated, but did she change in her feelings? We cannot know. Dinah does not contribute to the movement of the story here, she is just raped, and then pursued for marriage.
Shechem approaches Jacob and Dinah's brothers (Leah's other sons) to ask for her hand. But the wedding negotiations appear to be between Dinah's brothers, and Shechem's father rather than between Jacob and Shechem's father. Shechem begs to marry Dinah, offering anything they will ask of him. Jacob's brothers respond, "deceitfully, "says verse 13. They pretend they will allow Shechem to marry Dinah, if he and all of his clan will be circumcised. Shechem, the text says here, is a highly respected member of his family. He presents the proposal to the leaders at the town gate and they accept in basically good faith, though they do have a motive of completely mixing with Jacob's family so that "all their livestock and possessions will be ours." Maybe this was just a motivation for accepting the terms and joining with the wealthy Israelites. But either way they are as good as their word, and all the men are circumcised in preparation for the marriage.
At this vulnerable moment for the men of Shechem's town, Simeon and Levi fall upon them and murder every man in the town. They take Dinah from Shechem's house, and return to their camp. Then the rest of Jacob's sons arrive and plunder the the town, taking all the riches and even "their little children and wives . . . as captives." Ugh.
Jacob is furious with Levi and Simeon when he finds out, mostly because of his fear of repercussions for himself and his family. He is worried that the other nearby people will join together to crush them after such horrendous behavior, which seems reasonable. They prepare to leave town, and God tells them to go to Bethel to meet with him. From his reaction, it looks like Jacob was not in on the planned massacre. He was part of the meeting where the terms were agreed on, though he did not set them. Was he in approval of the match?
We never hear Dinah's reaction to all of this. But however she felt about the marriage, the murders were probably devastating to her. If she really hated Shechem, she may have been glad to be free of him. But two considerations make me think she might not have been. First of all, he seems to really treasure her approaching the marriage. If it was genuine and not obsessive, a human response to that kind of love just might be forgiveness and acceptance? The second is that however she felt toward Shechem, after having been publicly acknowledged as a rape victim, any more marriage prospects for her must have been difficult to come by in that society. With no husband and no children, Dinah's ability to achieve honor and advancement would have been really limited. I'm sure she was taken care of within Jacob's wealthy household. But when his descendants are listed as they depart for Egypt at the end of Genesis, where her brothers are listed along with their wives, children, and in some cases grandchildren, Dinah is just Dinah.
Tamar's injustice is different. It develops much more slowly, and though it does also involve headline-worthy sexual scandal in the end, she is the one who commits it, in order to take care of herself, where Dinah is on the receiving end, and suffers for what happens to her.
Tamar's story starts out with an honorable arranged marriage to Judah's son Er. This marriage must have been hard for Tamar considering that her husband was "wicked in the Lord's sight," so much so that "the Lord took his life." This direct judgment is pretty rare in the Bible, but it happens twice to Judah's sons, who are Tamar's husbands, in this story. When Er dies, Tamar has not yet accomplished the important work of bearing a child to be Er's heir. Therefore, his brother Onan has a legal duty to marry Tamar, so she can have a son for Er. Onan does marry Tamar, and even sleeps with her, but he wickedly "spills his seed on the ground" so she can't actually have a child. God "considered it evil for Onan to deny a child to his dead brother. So the Lord took Onan's life too." Tamar has really had a poor lot of husbands to deal with at this point.
With his two sons dead, rather than take her in to provide for her as part of his family, Judah sends Tamar back to her parents house to wait until his third son Shelah is old enough to marry her. At this point, Tamar is not doing well in life. She hasn't yet been able to have a son, because two of her husbands were too wicked to live, from God's perspective. She is now back at home and her only hope of a family to be with her for the rest of her life is in Judah's last son. She must have been apprehensive after her marriages to Judah's other sons. Would Shelah be any different? But when he reaches marriageable age, nothing happens. Judah does not look like he plans to even do his legal duty to Tamar by letting her marry him. This is when Tamar springs into action.
When she understands her circumstances, that she will likely be neglected by the father-in-law who has a duty to care for her, she takes her future into her own hands. The text gives us cinematic detail of her changing out of her widow's clothes and putting on a veil to disguise herself. Then Tamar brazenly sits by the road where she knows Judah will be, to present herself to him as a prostitute. She must know Judah, and be fairly sure that this plan will work, to be bold enough to put it into action.
It goes like clockwork. Or as if it were divinely orchestrated? Judah does not recognize Tamar, but does want to have sex with her. She gets his identification markers, apparently as a deposit for the goat he promises as payment. But really of course, she wants these rather than a goat! Judah, embarrassingly, cannot find her later to get them back. She is holding onto them until the key moment when she is found to be pregnant.
At that moment, Judah's great hypocrisy, callousness, and lack of love for his daughter in law is revealed. It's interesting that before he understands what's going on, he has a clue that could have jogged his memory and made him wonder about the timing of everything. Judah was told (it doesn't say who told him), "Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has acted like a prostitute. And now, because of this, she's pregnant!" Did the message bearer know what had happened I wonder? The details in the accusation are perfectly correct, and it's hard to know how anyone else would know about this unless Tamar wanted them to.
Judah, horribly, says "Bring her out and let her be burned!" Apparently this is his public stance on prostitution. But he changes his tune when she sends a message to him "as they were taking her out to kill her." She has tied the knot in her plan well. She shows Judah his id markers she has been holding onto, and she escapes her sentence when Judah has to acknowledge the truth of his behavior. All the talk of burning is forgotten, and Judah, convicted, now declares, "She is more righteous than I am because I did not arrange for her to marry my son Shelah." In a righteousness contest, most likely neither of these two would be near the top if their particular relationship with each other were considered. However, I do think he's right that Tamar would be ahead.
Judah gives Tamar twin sons, who in true biblical fashion, at their births switch their birth order: one baby's hand comes out first, then the other baby is actually born first. Their names are Perez and Zerah, and they follow Judah immediately in future geneologies, skipping the generation of Er, Onan, and Shelah. I'm not sure what the official geneology protocols are in this kind of situation. Technically of course the boys are Judah's sons, even though Tamar's sons were supposed to count as Er's sons if they had been fathered by one of his brothers. I think it is really interesting that Tamar is one of the only females mentioned in Jesus's geneology in Matthew, perhaps it is because of the tricky nature of the line here. I wouldn't say that that alone counts as an endorsement of Tamar's scheme. But there is another place where we have some interesting commentary on what happens to both Dinah and Tamar.
The final commentary in Jacob's blessings
At the end of Jacob's life, he calls together all his sons to bless them before he dies. We have thought a little about a father's blessing and it's effect before, wondering whether it is meant to actually influence the future, or to rather predict it. In this case Jacob gives us a clear answer for what he means to do. "I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come." He intends these blessings as prophecies, and when he says things like "I will scatter them among the descendants of Jacob," it sounds to me like he is really speaking for God, since this is not something an old man at the end of his life will be able to do. He has a message for each of his sons, but I think what he says to his first four are particularly thought-provoking for us.
Reuben is chided " you are as unruly as a flood, and you will be my first no longer. For you went to bed with my wife; you defiled my marriage couch." A sexual sin which is mentioned in one sentence earlier in the text now keeps Reuben from the blessing of his firstborn status. Jacob does seem mainly concerned in this instance with how he has been dishonored in the affair, rather than with the personal sin of Reuben or Bilhah. But still, this is evidence of the importance of sexual and marriage purity in the evaluation of a life. In the Me Too era, this is noteworthy. How many men with illustrious careers have been found in sexual sin, which they try to say doesn't matter when you consider their great contributions to the world? This defense does not hold water for Reuben when Jacob judges him.
Simeon and Levi are lumped together and indicted for the violence they inflicted on Shechem and his town. Jacob says he does not want to join in their meetings or be party to their plans, because of their fierce anger and cruel wrath. (Speaking for God here?) Their murderous action is judged harshly here, even though it was retaliatory. In the hindsight of history given in Jacob's blessing, Shechem is remembered as a victim, not a perpetrator. And if Shechem is a victim, Dinah is an ultimate victim, suffering both in her rape, and then in the loss of the hope of a family for herself. Though it is so hard to know what her perspective on it all was, her story ends badly. Dinah was really treated as a pawn by Shechem and then her own brothers. They are cursed for their actions, but Dinah herself bears a lot of the burden of everything that happens. Remember her name means "judged." Two meanings for that could apply to the people who hurt her: Shechem judged by Dinah's angry brothers, and the brothers judged by Jacob.
Having taken in the first three blessings, Judah's comes as a surprise to me. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi are held accountable for their sins, but Judah's treatment of and relationship with Tamar is not mentioned at all. Is this because of the "happy" ending? Judah gets the best, or second best blessing, tied with righteous and faithful Joseph. As the brother's stories play out, we do see Judah taking responsibility as an oldest son in their dealings with Joseph in his high position in Egypt. But Reuben does as well, and it seems, in the balance, that his sexual sin trumps his later good behavior.
If we follow the geneology in Matthew, when Judah blessed his sons at the end of his life, he would have been blessing Perez and Zerah, the sons of Tamar. How should we understand the ethics of what happened between them?? Judah's sin was in leaving Tamar, and his son Er, without any children. When Tamar set up an outside of marriage tryst, which Judah would have had to acknowledge was a sexual sin for him as he committed it, was she coercing him into doing what he should have done? The text says that his wife had already died when he set off on the trip where Tamar met him, but I don't think their family relationship would have allowed them to marry. And after their one meeting, he never has sex with her again. This is a real-world complicated story with real-world complicated characters and motives.
Dinah and Tamar in contrast
A final judgment on Judah and Tamar is difficult, but, let's look at the arcs of Dinah's and Tamar's stories in contrast, because I think that is really interesting.
- Dinah: Injustice is done to her, she does not act, the people who wrong her are judged, she suffers.
- Tamar: Injustice is done to her, she takes action in a questionable/sinful way, the person who wronged her is not judged, she escapes her suffering.
We've been learning that after the fall, the relationship between men and women is troubled by a power dynamic, where women want to control men, but men are destined to rule over them. The curse leads us to expect to see men exploiting their power over women; and the physical nature of femininity, with women doing the vulnerable work of childbearing, reinforces that. In these two stories, women suffering from lack of power choose two different responses. I'm sure of God's ultimate justice for Dinah, who simply suffered. But we can also see here God's patience with, and activity in, the life of a woman who did not lay by the wayside, but acted to try to bring about justice and regain power for herself.
Also, I don't think we can end our discussion of all this without noticing that none of the characters in these stories invite God into the action. No prayers are even mentioned. God is over all of this as a witness and judge, but he does not intervene, and he is not asked to. How might things have been different??
- Tamar and Dinah both suffer injustice from men who should have provided for them. Dinah does not act and does not escape her suffering. Tamar does act, in a morally questionable way, and does escape hers, at least in some measure.
- Continue to notice the centrality of the feminine domains of marriage, sex, and childbearing to the plot of the Bible here.
- Do you think Dinah forgave and loved Shechem, or would have been happy to be "rescued" and brought back to her father's house?
- How do we rate the morality of Tamar's scheme with Judah? Do you think Tamar gets completely off the hook?
- If women experience injustice from powerful men in our own lives, how should we figure out how far to go to get justice for ourselves? As far as Tamar did? Further than Dinah? Is it different in for different people in different circumstances?
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Tanzina: I'm Tanzina Vega and welcome back to The Takeaway. Hundreds of thousands of school-aged kids are well into another semester of remote learning as the pandemic continues to keep students out of their traditional classrooms. While almost everyone can agree that remote learning is far from ideal, it disproportionately affects low-income students, students with special needs, and students of color and remote learning can also be particularly difficult for students that don't speak English as their first language.
There are more than five million English language learners in K-12 public schools across the country so-called ELL students. Many are at risk of being left behind compared to their English speaking peers. We're going to talk about what the specific challenges are that these students face with Leslie Babinski. She's the director of the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University and an associate research professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy. Leslie, welcome to The Takeaway.
Leslie: Happy to be here.
Tanzina: My mom was an English as a second language teacher for many years. She ended her career about 25 years ago. How have things changed? Who are the students whose native language is not English today?
Leslie: It's wonderful to hear that you have direct experience with your mom as an ESL teacher. I love that. Today, we know that English learners are really a very diverse group of students. They're diverse in terms of their home language, certainly, but also in terms of their level of English proficiency, and in many other ways. In the US, about 10% of public school students that are learning English as an additional language, and this percentage varies widely across states.
At the high end, we have Texas in California with about 18% and 19% of public school students who are English learners. In at least 33 States, 6% of students or more are English learners. Really, it is quite a large group of students that we're talking about. As you mentioned at the beginning, lots of challenges they're facing during remote learning.
Tanzina: For folks who aren't as familiar with the curriculum generally for students that are learning English as a second language, they are not just learning English. They're also learning core subjects, right? Like science and math in English.
Leslie: Exactly, yes. Can you imagine learning a new language at the same time that you're being exposed to academic content in that new language? It really is quite a challenge for teachers and for schools to help scaffold or bridge the academic vocabulary that students are trying to master in a new language so they can understand and comprehend the content of their core subjects.
Tanzina: How has that curriculum been adapted to students who were learning remotely or has it been adapted for students that are learning remotely?
Leslie: As you know, remote learning is new for everyone. I don't think any of us could have anticipated that we'd be teaching our elementary school students, for example, through online learning. It's really been quite a pivot for teachers, for schools, for parents, and certainly for the students themselves. I think some of the practices that we're promising and worked well in in-person learning, have been transitioned into an online environment, although there are many hurdles in getting to that point.
We know that direct instruction in the English language is necessary for students to quickly acquire their new language. We also know that collaboration between the core subjects or the general classroom teachers in elementary school, along with the ESL teacher, is what really helps accelerate students' understanding of that new content in the classroom.
Tanzina: How much of English language learning is direct, as in a direct from, say curriculum versus more casual and in terms of their average everyday interactions?
Leslie: That's a good question. Students really need both. They really need that informal peer and teacher interaction in context, to help them acquire English. They also need direct instruction in the language. Really, we're talking about kids from kindergarten through 12th grade and so that's going to vary quite a lot at the lower end with kindergartners and first-graders. They're really emergent bilinguals, which means they're learning to read and write in both their languages. It's happening at the same time. It is a very tall order for students to acquire English as they're learning academic content.
Tanzina: In California, the state with the largest number of non-English speaking students, some districts in the area have tried to provide additional resources. In San Francisco for example, the city's department of children, youth, and families is offering specialized hubs in neighborhoods for low-income and English language learner students. They're also offering in-person staff in a COVID-regulated environment to support those learners. Leslie, how vital are these additional resources?
Leslie: They're really essential. As you can imagine, students who are learning English along with your academic content, are facing lots of challenges for we know many of our Latino families because of the industries that they're primarily working in, don't have the option to work from home. We have situations where lots of young children need supervision during the day to support their learning. These kinds of supports in the community are really essential, both for the academic progress for students, as well as their safety, their social interactions, and for economic reasons so their parents can continue to participate in the workforce.
Tanzina: Your research is focusing on schools in North Carolina. What does it look like there? What are some of the challenges that students are facing there?
Leslie: Yes, we are working in North Carolina in elementary schools and a teacher professional development program to support teachers learning new approaches for working with English learners. Just like across the country, we've been through several phases of reopening and that includes our public schools.
As of October 4th, public schools in North Carolina were permitted to open under plan A, which means fully in person. Most schools started in a hybrid or fully online setting. Now, many schools are transitioning to hybrid models or bringing back subgroups of students for in-person learning. Many districts are taking a graduated cautious approach to doing that and that's another challenge because now we're going back to in-person instruction, but it looks nothing like it did before the pandemic.
Tanzina: Leslie, I want to play a clip from Maria Su who's the executive director of San Francisco's department of children, youth, and families. She's highlighting here a specific issue that's come up often with low-income students in particular. This is the digital divide and how it's playing out in San Francisco. Let's take a listen to what Maria Su had to say.
Maria: The saddest thing for us when we realize when these children are participating in the house, what we're hearing from staff is that a lot of these children actually have not logged in since Shelter in Place happened because families just don't know how to and there are no supports for these families.
Tanzina: Does that, Leslie, compound, what the challenges that these students already face?
Leslie: Oh, absolutely. We know that there are significant equity issues and making sure that all English learners have access to the education that's being provided in online learning. In our own study in North Carolina, we were working with teachers and students when a pandemic hit and we're able to follow them. We found that teachers reported that 68% of their English learners in our relatively small study required a device from the school to be able to access online learning.
Another 27% of the families needed a hotspot to access the internet. What we learned is it's not simply providing the hardware and the internet access to families. Can you imagine not having a computer in your home and all of a sudden needing to log onto multiple learning platforms with your student in a language that's not your home language? It's been a significant challenge, both in terms of distributing the devices and the hotspots and ensuring internet access, but also really building up that partnership with parents so they can support their children at home.
I have to say that both teachers and parents have been amazing. It's been incredible to see the dedication of our teachers and ensuring that they connected with each and every family. Likewise, parents are going through extraordinary lengths to make sure that their children are participating and benefiting from the online learning that their school is providing. An example recently was a teacher was telling us that one of her kindergarten student's parents was joining all of her live lessons and bringing her cell phone with her.
She had a family member who was bilingual on the phone, who was then translating the lesson for the parents so the parent could support the child after the lesson was over. Just really extreme dedication and figuring out a way to make it work, which has been really quite incredible to see.
Tanzina: Leslie, what about ESL teachers, teachers who are trained to teach English as a second language? Are there enough teachers to go around to focus on these populations right now?
Leslie: Oh, that's a really good question. I think any ESL teacher would tell you, no, there aren't enough ESL teachers.
Tanzina: There weren't back 20, 30 years ago. That's why I'm wondering if this pandemic has exacerbated that.
Leslie: Absolutely. The funding formula is supporting spending for English language learners has not kept pace with the growth in English learners in the country. I think any ESL teacher would tell you that they're trying to serve far too many students for the kinds of things that they know they need. Certainly, post-pandemic, we're going to see a huge need for support services for many students, not just English learners because all students are struggling, but certainly for English learners to help accelerate their growth, both in terms of the academic content and English language.
Tanzina: What about parents who don't speak English as their first language? How are they navigating the space for their children who've now-- Parents have had to take a big role in becoming educators themselves.
Leslie: That's exactly right. That's actually one of the key findings we learned from the spring, and that was teachers reported that students who had a parent at home who could support their child learning or another adult who could support it or even a sibling, those students were more likely to miss less instruction. They miss less than two weeks of instruction if they had a supportive adult or other person in the house who could help them.
In some cases, because I said we were working with kindergarten and first-grade students, the other support in one case at least, was coming from a second-grade sibling. We have a student who's in second-grade helping his little kindergarten sister access online learning. It's been a real challenge. Only about half of the students in our study had such support at home. As I mentioned earlier, a lot of families are continuing to work outside the home as essential workers in service industries, and healthcare, and restaurants, and many students didn't have the support they needed from an adult at home to be able to successfully access the online learning that was provided in the spring.
Tanzina: Leslie Babinski is the director of the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University, and associate research professor in the Sandford School of Public Policy. Leslie, thanks so much for joining us.
Leslie: Thank you.
New York Public Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline, often by contractors. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of New York Public Radio’s programming is the audio record.
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How to Grow Ceanothus
Ceanothus, commonly known as Californian lilacs, have masses of tiny flowers during spring or summer. The most popular varieties have striking bright blue flowers however there are also very pretty pink, purple and white ceanothus available. Native to North America their dense bushy habit with leathery dark green leaves make them not only attractive but also drought, heat and cold tolerant. Different cultivars are available, growing from 0.5 – 3 m tall, which can be grown as a beautiful container or specimen plant, ground cover or informal hedge. Ceanothus are also ‘nitrogen fixing’ plants (able to convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen plants can use).
Full sun to part shade
Water every few days when young, drought tolerant once established
Well drained soil
Prefers to grow in areas with dry summers. Suits coastal and dry zones and is frost tolerant once established
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Yorkshire Status: Uncommon and fairly widespread resident.
Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Fairly well scattered over the County but most frequent on higher ground. Recorded from all five vice-counties. The dark ab. olivacea (Stephens) is also recorded.
2012 (CHF): This is a moth of upland grassland but does occur in some lowland areas. Numbers have gradually reduced in recent years, particularly in the lowlands, and it has become rare in the south and east of VC63. It is rarely recorded in any more than ones and twos at light. This may be another example of a species retreating to the uplands because of climatic change.
2020 (CHF): Grey Chi was well known to Porritt. He describes it as "abundant in the West Riding and no doubt common everywhere". He gave few specific locations so it must have been widespread. Sutton and Beaumont in 1989 described it as being "well scattered over the county but most frequent on higher ground" and listed several sites in each VC where it had been seen. It seems likely therefore that this has always been a moth which has been most common in upland grassland and moorland but also occurring in lowland areas at a lower density. Curiously there are virtually no records from our lowland heaths - just two old records from Skipwith Common.
The situation has been gradually changing over the last 30 years. Numbers in upland sites have reduced but lowland areas have been much more badly affected. I see that in 2012 I wrote on the Yorkshire Moths website "This is a moth of upland grassland but does occur in some lowland areas. Numbers have gradually reduced in recent years, particularly in the lowlands, and it has become rare in the south and east of VC63. It is rarely recorded in any more than ones and twos at light. This may be another example of a species retreating to the uplands because of climatic change." I think that was a fair summing-up and since 2012 the change has continued. The Atlas says "it has decreased severely in abundance since 1970 and declined in distribution especially in the south of its range" and this is borne out by the distribution map. In my own garden where I started trapping in 1999, it was quite regular until 2005, but since then, I have just had single moths in 2011 and 2019. Catches of multiple moths is now more unusual. We have several records of catches of 5-8 at light on the database but none since 2003.
Apart from almost deserting the lowlands, there has been little alteration of the range. This seems to be another example of a moth moving to higher altitude. Looking at Yorkshire data in the 20 years up to 2017, the altitude of the average record has moved upwards 3.7m per year. Curiously this is identical to Gold Spangle.
In 2020 we received 21 records of 33 moths from 17 sites, all in typical areas in the west of the county and east of VC62, apart from a single lowland record at York. The only new 10K square record was at Richmond.
Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.
Recorded in 112 (56%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1846. Last Recorded in 2022. Additional Stats
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There are new parents who, in their zeal for “natural” everything, are refusing newborn vitamin K injections. Here’s why this is a terrible idea.
Why does my baby need a shot right after birth?
This potentially lifesaving injection of vitamin K is administered to newborns immediately after birth. While vitamin K is found in green, leafy vegetables and produced in smaller quantities by intestinal bacteria, it doesn’t cross the placenta to the child very well and it’s not found in sufficient quantities in breastmilk. This is why newborns need a vitamin K injection…oral formulations are less effective and are not available in the US. Without enough vitamin K, babies cannot activate clotting factors that help prevent bleeding. Vitamin K deficiency is a serious and potentially life-threatening cause of bleeding in infants up to 6 months of age.
What does Vitamin K do?
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin used by the body to form clots and to stop bleeding. Without it, babies can bleed into their brains, intestines, or other organs. ALL newborns have low levels of vitamin K, so they need vitamin K from another source.
Newborns who do not get a vitamin K shot are 81 times more likely to develop severe bleeding compared with those who receive the injection.
What happens if I decline the Vitamin K injection?
Between February and September 2013, four cases of late Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) were diagnosed at a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. 3 of the infants had bleeding within the brain and the 4th had gastrointestinal bleeding. None of the infants received a vitamin K injection at birth. Moms, if you are declining the injection because you are planning to eat a healthy diet and are assuming you will pass enough vitamin K to your baby through your breastmilk, you’re wrong. Kids who suffer bleeds are almost exclusively breastfed. Formula contains vitamin K and those babies usually have a lower likelihood of bleeds.
What does a bleed mean for my baby?
Babies without enough vitamin K cannot form clots to stop bleeding and they can bleed anywhere in their bodies. Your baby may start appearing sluggish, lethargic, and possibly not wake up. Brain bleeding can start quickly and progress quickly.
One out of every five babies with VKDB dies.
Of the infants who have bleeding, about half of them have bleeding into their brains, which can lead to permanent brain damage or death. Others bleed in their stomach or intestines, or in other parts of the body. Many of the infants need blood transfusions, and some need surgeries.
But what about the preservatives?!?
Vitamin K is the main ingredient in the shot. The other ingredients stabilize the vitamin K and make it safe to inject. One ingredient keeps the vitamin K mixed in the liquid; another keeps the liquid from becoming too acidic. One of the ingredients is benzyl alcohol, a preservative. Benzyl alcohol is a common ingredient in many medications, and the microscopic amount in the vitamin K shot is not enough to be dangerous.
In the early 1990s, a small study in England found an “association” between the vitamin K shot and childhood cancer. An association means that two things are happening at the same time in the same person, but doesn’t tell us whether one causes the other. Scientists took this small study very seriously and looked extensively to see if they could find the same association in other children or replicate the study, but this association between vitamin K and childhood cancer was never found again in any other trial. It’s safe to say there is NO causative association between newborn vitamin K injections and childhood cancers.
No one should have to live with the guilt that they could be responsible for the death or disability of their child in a way that was entirely preventable. Share this with expecting parents, friends, family, and peers. Watch the original video on facebook and leave your comments and questions.
– Okay, Vitamin K injections for newborns. Okay, moms, I get it. It’s scary when someone comes at you with a needle, and your baby’s just been born. They’ve swaddled her and put her on the warmer, and then in comes the nurse with a needle, saying, “I’m gonna give her an injection of Vitamin K.” And people freak out because our natural inclination is to defend our child. And more and more recently, parents have been declining the Vitamin K injection for newborns. And in Nashville, in 2014, this led to disaster. Four children had bleeds due to Vitamin K deficiency, in parents who’d refused this life-saving treatment. Now, I want to tell you what Vitamin K does, why we give it, and why you should give it, because it’s crucial to potentially save your child’s life or save them from permanent disability. Vitamin K is necessary for humans. We need it to clot our blood. And it turns out we can only get it from leafy green vegetables or, to a smaller degree, from intestinal bacteria that synthesize it. Now, children, newborn babies have very low levels of it. Why? Because it doesn’t cross the placenta from mom very well, and because they don’t have a lot of those intestinal bacteria that make it. So, it turns out, they discovered in the 1900s, that if you gave an injection of Vitamin K to an infant, a newborn, right after birth, you could prevent what had for millennia been a potentially fatal complication of newborns, which is bleeding into the brain, into the intestines, into the organs, or the skin. For all of human history, this has been a disastrous adverse event of childhood. Right? And we were able to drop the rate to almost zero with this injection. It’s one of the great advances in medicine. Now, in recent years, parents start to question everything, which, we get it. Needles are scary. We’re worried. Are there preservatives in the vitamin that we’re giving? There was a study in 1990 that claimed to show a connection between Vitamin K injections and childhood Leukemia, which is terrifying. And more and more people are afraid of vaccinations and needles, and are we traumatizing our child. Look, all of that is a natural fear reaction, because as humans, we operate from a place of fear, particularly when it comes to our children. But here’s the real deal. Here’s what’s going on, because our emotions can serve us well in life, but they can also lead to disaster if we’re not listening to our brains. Vitamin K in newborns, the argument that people give is, “Well, can’t you just give it orally?” You could. It’s not as well absorbed, and we don’t have an oral formulation in the United States. In Europe, where they do have oral Vitamin K for children, it’s a totally different setup. When parents go home, they have a nurse who visits, and makes sure that they get the three separate doses of the oral pill. Here, that doesn’t happen. And if you miss a single dose, your risk of bleeding goes up dramatically. The injection on the other hand, lasts a long time, and it picks up very quickly when you need it. So, even when you go home, you’re still protected with Vitamin K. Now, people will say, “Well, as a mom, “I’m just gonna eat a lot of kale, “and really load up on Vitamin K, “and that’ll pass across the placenta.” Nope, doesn’t happen. “I’m gonna eat a lot of kale, and really “load up on Vitamin K, and it’ll pass “through my breast milk, to the child.” Doesn’t happen. Breast milk has very low levels of Vitamin K. And here’s the kicker. Kids who suffer bleeds, due to Vitamin K deficiency as newborns, are almost exclusively breast fed. Formula fed kids don’t, because formula has a lot of Vitamin K in they’re drinking it all the time. Breast milk doesn’t. What about preservatives and toxins and all the other buzzwords, right? Nah, you can actually request a preservative free formulation of Vitamin K. And in any case, the preservatives are present in such microscopic quantities, that they don’t cause harm to your baby. And so, every reasons and now, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. The Leukemia. You said Leukemia, ZDogg. Yes, I did, In 1990. There was this correlation in the study. Well, that freaked a lot of people out, including scientists, who said, “Wait a minute. “This is how science works. “We have a finding. “Let’s see if we can replicate it.” Multiple future studies showed no evidence that Vitamin K is associated or causes childhood Leukemia. Full stop. Not a thing. Okay? So, all that being said, imagine this. You decide, “I’m not gonna get that Vitamin K,” for whatever reason. You go home with your beautiful baby. Couple weeks go by, the baby’s not waking up very well. Little irritable, little lethargic. Now, he’s not waking up at all. You call 9-1-1. You go to the ER. You do a brain scan. There’s a catastrophic intracranial bleed. Your baby is in the operating room, getting operated on, and you’re there, knowing that you could have prevented this, by accepting that life-saving Vitamin K injection. Now, this is not fantasy. This has happened. The reason we’re making this video is so that no one has to live with that guilt, and know one has to know someone who lives with that guilt. Share this video. Get Vitamin K for your newborn, if you’re a upcoming parent, or share this with someone who you know is going through that, and do it to prevent tragedy. We out.
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R/C USB Joystick Interface - How it works
I delayed tackling this project as I did not have any way to create Windows drivers. And then I found out that I did not need to!
The USB connection is much more than a high speed serial connection. A great deal of thought went into considering what type of devices would likely need to be connected to a PC and what sort of data exchage would be required.
One class of devices is call 'Human Interface Devices' or HID. Within this class are sub-classes including gamepads and Joysticks. The detailed setup recognises that joysticks and gamepads will have such things as X,Y controls, throttle, rudder, hat switches, buttons and so on.
So how does the PC know what a USB device is? This is pretty staightforward - in theory at least! When a USB device is connected a pullup resistor tells the PC what speed it runs at, and the PC then asks the device to say what it is.
When first conected the R/C USB Joystick tells the PC:
- Version of USB spec supported
- Power consumption
- It is a Human Interface Device
- It needs one communication link, with 5 bytes of data to checked at least every 10ms
- It is a Joystick
- with X,Y (aileron/elevator), throttle, rudder and 4 buttons
- and the first 4 bytes of 'report' data describe the 4 axes
- and the last byte of data holds the buttons
Having set up the PC USB link the next task was to collect the data from a transmitter
The transmitter code (PPM) is a series of pulses of length 1-2ms. The length (duration) of each pulse has to be measured to convert it into data for the PC. My first prototype used just one microcontroller (PIC) to both handle the USB requests for data and measure the transmitter code information. This worked moderately well but had two drawbacks. There was an occasional glitch when the pulse measurement could not be taken because the microcontroller was servicing a PC request for data, and this special USB PIC had not non-volatile memory to store information on the transmitter code sequence and each pulse direction. So I moved to using two microcontrollers - one to concentrate on collecting the code information from the transmitter and a second to concentrate on servicing the USB connection. The first PIC has a 4Mhz clock and the second a 24Mhz clock - as fast as my first PC!
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- March 29, 2018
- Posted by: admin
- Category: advance
Looking at the history of Christianity in Nepal, we would likely find a Portuguese Jesuit person named Father Juan Cabral entered Nepal in 1628. King Laxmi Narshing Malla (1620-1641) presented Cabral with a Tamra Patra (a copper plate) and gave him permission to preach Christianity in Kathmandu valley. This is the first recorded Christian foreign alliance visit in Nepal.
In 1661, King Pratap Malla also received missionaries Albert d’Orville (Belgian) and Johann Grueber (Austrian) in Nepal. King Pratap Malla also granted them permission to preach Christianity in Kathmandu but they did not stay long in Nepal.
In 1703, Capuchin priests arrived in Nepal and stayed in Kathmandu until 1715. A small Catholic Church was established in Kathmandu in 1760, by Father Tranquillius, with a local Newar family who had converted to Christianity through his influence. Later, when King Pratap Maal was succeeded by King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha, fifty-seven local Newar Christians and Capuchin priests were kicked out and left the country along with a small group of other Christians eventually reaching India on February 4, 1769. A few Capuchin priests returned to Nepal in 1794 and Father Joseph of Rovato stayed longer and died in Nepal in 1810. Until 1951, Nepal was completely closed to Christians and mission work but some missionaries and Nepali evangelists were able to cross the border from India.
After 1951, there were Christian mission organizations, namely International Nepal Fellowship (INF) and United Mission to Nepal (UMN), came to Nepal and started social development work. Nepal remained as a Hindu nation in times of Shah regime and practicing Christianity was very difficult at that time. Many devoted Christians were harassed by police and even jailed for spreading Christianity.
After the Shah regime in the country, multi-party democracy was established in Nepal in 1990. Even though people were given some changes and freedom, the resulting constitution then declared the country as a Hindu kingdom, thus the freedom of religion was not included in this new democracy. Although it was not easy for Christian evangelism to take place, courageous Nepali Christians spread the Gospel of Jesus across the country in a rapid way. Unfortunately, the Maoist Communist Party armed forces started a civil war (1996-2006) in Nepal which disturbed the evangelism work to spread the Gospel in the rural areas.
When Nepal was declared a republic democracy and a secular country in 2007, there was a new hope for everyone including Nepali Christians. But in the real sense, practically this democracy is still not applied freely in the country. The definition of secularism in Nepal is biased against Christian believers and other religious minorities. Secularism, as defined by the Nepalese Constitution, protects and promotes Hindu religion and alienates other faiths.
Nevertheless, the Gospel is spreading everywhere in Nepal every day. God’s work is progressing effectively all over the country. According to the 2011 national population census, the population of Christians in Nepal was 375,699 adherents, or 1.4% of the total population of Nepal. But the Nepali Christians do not agree with this government data. The General Secretary of Nepal Christian Society claims that Christian population reaches more than 2 million people including around 10,000 church-based Christians in Nepal. Although these numbers are not that important, but the fact that God does amazing work in Nepal through spiritual and social gospel movement must be known to the world.
GOSPEL AND PLURALISTIC SOCIETY
According to the census data from 2011, there are about 26 million people living in Nepal. Nepal is a multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic and religiously diverse country in South Asia. There are 123 languages spoken as native languages in this small country. There are 131 ethnic groups that live in Nepal. 81.3% of Nepal’s total population is Hindu, 9.0% is Buddhist, 4.4% is Muslim, 3.0% is Kirat (indigenous religion) and 1.4% is Christian.
Communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an effective way in this pluralistic society is a huge challenge for Nepali Christians. Each group has different religious, cultural and social views and values following their own dogmatic teachings. It is difficult to transform lives of people in this cultural and religious pluralistic society.
As a polytheistic religion, Hinduism believes in many gods and goddesses but it is not really concerned with one’s salvation and eternal life. In Buddhism, they believe in Karma and ritual practices. Meanwhile, Christians are viewed as religion changers and culture destroyers. These became the primary accusations other religions apply against Christians in Nepali society.
Meanwhile, the caste system is also realized as a stimulating issue and possibly the biggest hindrance to the social development in Nepali society. The system is divided into four main social classes i.e. Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra. It is based on Hinduism where the Brahmin caste is seen as the high caste rulers of the others in all parts of the society and Sudra as the lowest caste subjecting them to the most discrimination in society. In fact, lower caste people accept Jesus more than higher caste people because they are discriminated and isolated. They find that in Christianity all are equal in God’s eyes, therefore they are more easily to convert into Christians.
COMMUNICATION AND MISSION
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17)-NIV
Communication is a powerful way of sending and receiving information amongst people. In the old days, people communicate with each other only by verbal or face-to-face way. The function of communication was mainly only to spread the message. Looking back to the past, it was not easy to travel or communicate with people from another country because of geographical distance and the absence of information technology, but then the development of technology makes all parts of this world connected and becomes a global village. Today we even can say that communication is like breathing in our life. Communication has swift its function to not only spreading the message, but also to share knowledge and develop relationships with people.
Nepal as one of the 47 least developed countries stated in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)’s. The Least Developed Countries Report in 2017 revealed that Nepal was included due to the presence of political instability, corruption and many other factors. On the other hand, Nepal has shown very significant growth in information and technology development over the last 10 years. Over 50% of total population in Nepal now have Internet connection and other communication technology access.
Communication is very much impacted to the history of missions in Nepal. In the first part of the history, western missionaries entered Nepal and used more communication technology as much as possible. Before 1990s, there was no freedom in terms of information and communication. All mass media was under government’s control. In 1990s, multi-party democracy system then allowed freedom to write, speak and publish. After that, evangelism grew rapidly. Missionaries learned Nepali and even local languages to share the Gospel even to the very remote areas.
In 1991, I started my journey to learn the Bible and become a Christian. At that time, I was still in my remote village in Ilam and I was raised in Hindu teachings. I received a correspondence material from Nepal Every Home Concern in Kathmandu. They sent me a gospel booklet entitled “A Way of Joyful Life” by mailing because mailing system was the only way to distance communication at that time. I remember that it took two months to get back a reply via post office from Kathmandu to Ilam and the other way around. At that time, there were few ministries such as Nepal Every Home Concern, International Correspondence Institute (ICI), Nepal Bible Correspondence Institute (NBCI), etc., doing some correspondence course by mailing. Thousands of Nepali villagers came to Christ through correspondence like me.
Afterwards, I received biblical correspondence materials from ICI and also participated in a series of biblical course from them for 2 years. By every month I learned the course only by mailing and then finally I received Bible’s New Testament. I learned the Bible by myself and prayed for this new belief. The understanding and knowledge on Jesus eventually grew within me. Finally, in 1993, I personally accepted Jesus as my personal Savior.
When I was still a new Christian, it was believed and practiced by the church that watching television, reading newspaper and listening to radio would keep away the people from reading the Bible. I was not involved yet with communication and media during that time. Eventually I realized that evangelism can be more effective by using mass media. I moved to Kathmandu in 1997 and started my work as a writer in 2004 and as a radio host and a television presenter in 2004 until now. I am able to share the Gospel and reach more people effectively through mass communication.
Accepting Jesus personally was a turning point in my life and Romans 10:17 became a solid ground of my desire to share His Words. That in what I experienced, even a simple communication method have reached a young villager like me to nurture my faith. I had no one around me to really guide me to understand this new belief at that time. I was completely learning something new. As simple as only by mailing I can even grow in faith within me. In comparison to that, evangelism should be expanding more nowadays because everyone is exposed to information and communication technology that can make evangelism work effective and more people can be reached to accept Jesus in their lives.
Mission strategies and methods change in line with the development of information and communication technology. Now we can even say that mass media plays an important role in sharing the Gospel. Nepali people even can do their mission by themselves to reach even local or remote areas. There is no need for assistance from western missionaries.
Technology accommodates people to nurture their religious beliefs every day. People can read the Bible in their mobile phones, watch a sermon video, participate in a Bible study or webinar, listen to religious song, download a Christian choral sheet music, listen to Biblical radio broadcast, create a group chat where everyone can discuss matters regarding the Bible and many other things.
SOCIAL MEDIA IN EVANGELISM
Technology and internet created the growing necessity of having social media in these years significantly. Technology makes all things possible for people to fulfill their thirst for information and knowledge. People nowadays are interested to learn something new day by day, to keep them updated about what’s happening around them, and to express themselves by using existing social media platforms.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Blogspot, Pinterest, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and Youtube channel are very common to be used by not only younger generation, but also older generation. Moreover, there is a very little number of people around the world that has only one social media account. In Nepal particularly, Facebook, Youtube and Twitter are still ranked as top 3 social media used by Nepali people.
When it comes to sharing our faith with others, the Bible calls us to communicate the gospel in a way that will help other people to understand and receive it. This is the Apostle Paul’s attitude in 1 Corinthians 9:22 when he wrote, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (NIV). Paul was so eager to see as many people as possible to know Jesus that he adjusted his approach to evangelism depending on who he was talking to.
Christian leaders also see this potential and use social media as their platform to distribute God’s words and Bible lessons to young generation and urban people who are more exposed with technology and have busy lives.
Even though, it seems easy because everyone is on Facebook and we can preach the gospel by Facebook, in reality it is much more complex.
Social media can shape the messages we communicate and the kinds of conversation we are capable of having. But no of technology bears no risk. Social media utilization still needs be done carefully and wisely. We as users should be thoughtful in using social media and reflect on our original purpose using this. We can wind up communicating a “gospel” that is different from the gospel of the Bible. We can speak the name of Jesus in a way that drives people away from Him instead of towards Him. This is not real evangelism. It might make us feel like we have done our job in sharing the gospel, but it does nothing to advance the Kingdom of God.
The best evangelism does not happen online. Now more than ever, in our social media-saturated digital age, the world is searching for something real. They need an encounter with the Living God. If it is not anticipated, internet and social media can be the first and main encounter of people to communicate or to fill their lives with. Not only meeting personally, have a conversation with the real person standing before us. It can be dangerous if eventually our faith in social media becomes deeper than our belief in God. We believe completely that social media can connect us to other people everywhere and any time. At the worst case, our activity and our time in using social media eventually should not replace our activity and time to speak to God and learn the Bible.
If we are really serious about evangelism, we need to seriously consider how our methods influence our message. Besides its risks, social media is still a good way to convey the message of God and do evangelism. We need to be thoughtful and fully pray to revert that addiction in using social media to addiction in looking for understanding about Jesus. We also still need to reach the real people, moreover, the ones who are not exposed in technology or social media, and deliver our message in person, talk to them, pray with them, develop spiritual relationship with them, help them to overcome their difficulties so that they can see the living reflection of God’s teachings, rather than counting on social media.
MISSION IN ACTION: SAYING, DOING AND BEING
“What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God.” Micah 6:8 (NIV)
In general, mission is understood as “saying”. That “saying” is actually a part of evangelism and communicating the Gospel. Nepali mission movement also was more focused on evangelism by saying. It was commonly understood that a mission is about sharing the gospel to all. On the other hand, in reality most of the churches did not have a good relationship with the local community because the churches only focus on evangelism rather than social responsibility. Because of that, it made such a big divide between Christians and non-Christians in the community.
About ten years ago, there was some perspective in non-Christian communities that Christians are only doing religious things for themselves. On the other hand, other communities were seen as secular people in Christians’ perspective. But today, the situation has changed and local churches are trying to be agents of transformation for the society.
Jesus said in John 10:10, “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus’s mission is an integrated mission. It is not only by “saying” but also with “doing” action and living our life as Christians. The mission of the church should reflect the mission of Jesus. The local church can witness as salt and light in the community, which is more effective evangelism rather than by only “saying” the word.
Currently, Nepali churches and Christian based organizations have been actively engaging closely in integral mission. This kind of engagement showed during the response for the devastating earthquake in 2015 whereas Nepali churches and Christian based organizations engaged and worked together for the affected people. Many people came to Christ afterwards. As a result, Christians proclaim the gospel by word, practicing by action and demonstrating by life.
Case study: Changing the Church, Changing the Community
Gajendra Thakuri is serving as a pastor in Budhabare Baptist Church in Letang, East Nepal, Morang District. He had passion to work with the community and later on found lots of social challenges in his work and he wanted to address the problems.
In 2012, he participated in Church and Community Mobilization Process (CCMP) workshop organized by Micah Nepal. “After participating in the training, I understood the process and how to link the church with the community to address common issues.” he said. He strongly realized the importance and benefit of healthy relationships between church and society. He even realized that the church has a role to play as a change maker in the society.
At the first stage of the process, he envisioned the congregation and then the church identified social issues in their community. Church and community then worked together to develop road construction and planted 300 trees in the village. After those initiatives, the society has begun to recognize the presence and involvement of the church in the community.
Pastor Thakuri said, “The church has a further plan to continue to work with the community to conserve the environment. It is expected that working together will be an opportunity to be witnesses of Christ through words and actions.”
In this time, we need to rethink about our mission and the role of the church in the community. Our mission should not only about “saying” and “doing”, but as God wants us wholistically to look like Jesus, love like Jesus, serve like Jesus, and obey like Jesus. This is the real need for today’s mission in our world.
NEW POLITICAL CHANGES AND ITS IMPACT IN THE MISSION
“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:21 (NIV)
Nepal is one of the politically unstable countries in South Asia. After the 1990s, there were 27 times the government changed over the last 28 years. This situation always affected the mission in Nepal. Some government was open for Christians and some were against. Nevertheless, Nepali mission movement did not stop and His Kingdom growers were never tired.
When Nepal declared as a secular country in 2006 from Hindu Kingdom, the minority religious groups were more hopeful to freely practice their own faith. After that many political changes happened such as new constitution came and the country became the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. It is written in part 4 no. 26 in the Constitution of Nepal 2015: ” Every person who has faith in religion shall have the freedom to profess, practice and protect his or her religion according to his or her conviction.” But also written as ” No person shall, in the exercise of the right conferred by this Article, do, or cause to be done, any act which may be contrary to public health, decency and morality or breach public peace, or convert another person from one religion to another or any act or conduct that may jeopardize other’s religion and such act shall be punishable by law.”
The Nepal constitution did not allow to openly preach the Gospel and convert others to Christianity, And it has been regulated in the Criminal Code Bill 2017 by Parliament of Nepal on 10th of August 2017. Section 9 no 160 in the Bill stated:
Not to convert a religion:
(1) Nobody should convert the religion of other person or indulge in such act or encourage such an act.
(2) Nobody should indulge in any act or conduct so as to undermine the religion, faith or belief that any caste, ethnic group or community has been observing since Sanatana time (eternal or Handed down from forefathers) or to jeopardize it with or without any incitement to convert to any other religion, or preach such religion or faith with any such intention.
(3) Anyone committing the offense as per sub-clause (1) or (2) shall face up to five years of imprisonment and fine of up to fifty thousand rupees.
(4) If a foreigner is found to have committed the crime as per sub-clause (1) and (2), he/she will have to be sent out of Nepal within seven days of completion of the sentence as per this clause.
Even if the Criminal Code Bill endorsed by the Parliament and enacted by the President of Nepal, it is not easy to implement in the society because democratic government cannot be authoritarian towards human rights to follow their religious teachings. However, this Bill still can affect our evangelical mission movement.
In this situation, we cannot stop our mission but we have to work carefully and strategically to spread the good news of Jesus. Political situation can be changed, rulers and authority can be succeeded but God’s word and commandment are still the same yesterday, today and until forever. This is the time to spread the message of His Kingdom to the unreached everywhere. Do not be afraid to take the initiative and believe God can work beyond everything. We Christians have to prove that we are not against the nation but we are peacemakers and nation builders in society. God has massive plan and purpose for Nepal to transform the lives of people and develop the nation. We only have to follow His commandment and living our life as a good servant of the Lord Jesus.
Nepal does not have a long Christian history. It is only about six decades. The situation was not good for missionaries and mission work in Nepal before 1990s, but the first generation of Nepali Christians were very committed and devoted to the Lord including also the foreign missionaries and worked very hard to spread the Gospel in Nepal. As a result, Nepal became one of the fastest growing country in Christianity. In difficult situation, God bless Nepali Christian leaders and missionaries to overcome obstacles in doing their mission work. They were sent to prison, physically and mentally tortured, but God’s mission was not hindered and grew more and more.
Although Nepal has many diversities in religion, ethnicity, and culture, the mission of Christ still works effectively. In the past, it was not easy to communicate the Gospel because lack of modern communication technology, transportation system was not good and geographically challenged. Christian people did very good and they worked very hard to travel and to deliver the Gospel despite those challenges. Now with the developing communication technology, it is easy to share the Gospel whenever, wherever and by whoever, by using modern communication and social media, although its utilization should be done carefully.
Mission and evangelism should reflect through our personal lives wholistically, not only about “saying” and “doing”. This is the real need for today’s mission in the world. Even how rapidly political situation changes in Nepal and how difficult that is for the evangelism work, Christian people are still part of the society and have responsibility to build the nation together with the government.
Communicating the Gospel in Nepal in the past and in present time can be very different at practical level. Christian missionaries still need to find a way to strategically and wisely preach the Gospel, regardless the situation and easiness offered by technology.
Mr. Thir Koirala is National Coordinator of Micah Nepal. He is also known as a writer and a journalist in Nepal. Before that, he worked as a church planter and missionary pastor from 2000-2009 in east Nepal. He is familiar with Nepali media, as a radio and television presenter. He has been actively advocating on anticorruption issue in Nepal since 2013 and other social issues. Mr. Koirala is also well experienced in social development and community mobilization. He plays an important role in the community as a peace-building mediator amongst interfaith groups and advocator for minority and marginalized groups.
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by Sue Nicholls
Cards to improve communication and confidence.
Cards to improve communication and confidence Assertiveness is based on the idea that people have rights and responsibilities. If people respect their own rights and wants and those of others, they may be said to be acting assertively. If people act as if their rights and wants are more important than other people s they may be said to be acting in an aggressive way. If they act as if their rights and wants are less important, their response would be said to be passive. The pack comes in six sections: Is this assertive, passive or aggressive? (Examples of different behaviours and beliefs) Give an example of (Participants reflect on their own experiences to explore assertiveness issues) Change this to being assertive (Changing passive and aggressive body language and response to assertive ones) Discussion cards (To get participants thinking about ideas behind assertiveness and motivations for becoming more assertive) When could you use this strategy? (Practical suggestions for becoming more assertive) Situation cards: being assertive (Asking for ideas of an assertive response in different scenarios).
78 cards plus instructions and ideas, boxed.
Stock: Usually ships in 3-4 business days!
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Focus On Political Parties
How do the conservative and labour parties compare?
Both Conservative and Labour parties are organised locally on the basis of Parliamentary Constituencies with Conservative Associations and Constituency Labour Parties (CLP) as the basic units.
There may be branch parties below this, generally organised on the basis of local council wards, but declining membership has meant that these are often grouped or meetings only take place at the constituency level.
Members attend meetings, campaign, discuss issues and raise money, though, in practice, only perhaps a quarter of members take an active part.
Members chose the people to run the local party and, in the Labour Party, branches of trade unions that are affiliated to the party can also play a role.
One of the most important powers of Associations and CLPs is to select Parliamentary candidates. Conservative Associations have traditionally been independent of the national party but reforms introduced by William Hague, the leader of the party after the disastrous 1997 election performance, gave the party a Constitution for the first time and this included the power for the central party to intervene.
Labour has been more centralised and the national party has had the power, used only occasionally, to disband the constituency party and take over the selection of parliamentary candidates.
Some parties used to have paid Agents who would fund raise and organise elections but because of a lower membership this is now hardly ever affordable.
MPs receive public funds to employ two or three people in a local constituency office. These would normally be party members or supporters but Parliamentary rules are that, in office time, they can only work on parliamentary duties such as dealing with constituents’ problems and not on party work.
Local government boundaries may include several constituencies or cut across constituencies and so both parties have Local Government Committees to select council candidates and for local councillors to report to on local issues.
The two parties have Regional Offices whose role is to support constituencies in each region but, while Labour has paid officials at this level, Conservative officers are mostly volunteers.
The two main parties have tended to treat Scotland and Wales as just two more regions though the Liberal/Lib Dem Party had a more federal structure with each country having an organisation fairly independent of the main party.
Since the rise of the SNP there have been demands in the Labour Party to have clearly separate Scottish, Welsh and English parties. The British parties do not organise in Northern Ireland.
National Party Organisation
The two parties have a different national structure:-
The main central body of the Labour Party is the National Executive Committee (NEC).
It consists of the Leader of the Party, six people elected by party members, one elected by young members, twelve people elected by affiliated trade unions, two elected by socialist societies such as the Socialist Medical Association and representatives of the frontbench and backbench MPs.
There is also a General Secretary who manages the day-to-day activities of the party and runs party headquarters with its full-time officials.
The NEC is essentially a political body and many members are chosen because they are on the right or left of the party. This means that the NEC was not very good at actually ensuring the party ran smoothly and the financial difficulties that the party was in by 2007 led to the setting up of a group to oversee the management of the party.
Conservative Central Office, which consisted of professional staff, was the national organisation of the Conservative Party with a Chairman, appointed by the Leader, in overall control.
A Federation of Conservative Associations organised the annual conference of the party. In 1998, William Hague, the then Leader of the party modernised the system and set up :-
a) The Conservative Campaign Headquarters to replace Central Office with more of a focus on elections and campaigns.
b) A Board as the main body to run the party including the Leader, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the party and representatives from backbench MPs, the Conservative European MPs, the party generally and the Scottish and Welsh parties.
c) A National Convention which meets twice a year representing the Constituency Associations, regions and youth and women’s organisations conveys the general views of the party to the Leader.
The Office of the Leader of the Party is the nerve centre of the party organisation.
It has a few key people very close to the Leader who keep in touch with the national party organisations and the Parliamentary Party and seek to influence things in the direction that the Leader wants.
It is in charge of relationships with the media and develops key policy changes. When the party is in power it becomes part of the Prime Minister’s Office in No 10.
The Parliamentary Parties
The parties have an organisation for their elected MPs so that they can discuss current issues and give views to the Party Leader and Ministers or Shadow Ministers.
These are the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) and, for the Conservatives, the 1922 Committee, named after the year when it was created.
Their meetings also provide a vehicle for the Leader to raise the morale of MPs, especially if things are going wrong for the Party, and to answer questions and listen to backbench views.
The 1922 Committee has been the more powerful over the years and, after stormy meetings, ministers and even two Leaders have resigned.
The parties have a yearly Conference, as well as some other smaller conferences. Constituency Parties send delegates and, in the Labour Party, so do the trade unions.
The Labour Party Conference used to be central to Labour Party policy-making with constituencies and trade unions sending policy resolutions that were voted upon, occasionally critical of the leadership.
These became party policy though did not necessarily appear in the party’s election manifesto which was controlled by the NEC and the Leader.
Under Tony Blair as Leader, Conference lost much of this power and can, at present, only pass a few motions on topics not already decided by the Party’s National Policy Forum.
The Conservative Party Conference has been much less powerful and rarely passed motions.
Both Party Conferences have come to see less debate in recent years with less delegates attending and more lobbyists present from firms and interest groups.
However, the real discussions take place at smaller ‘fringe’ meetings which form part of the Conference.
Detailed manifestos, issued near the beginning of the general election campaign, containing the range of policies that the party intends to carry out if it wins the election, are a feature of British politics.
Parties in other countries often issue only short programmes of action. Although there will have been general discussions within the party over a longer period of time, the detail is written by one or two people chosen by the Leader, Labour’ has officially to be agreed at a meeting between the National Executive Committee and the Shadow Cabinet.
Manifestos are important because:-
– There is the idea of the mandate. That the public have supported the winning party’s proposals and given it authority to carry them out. The constitutional convention is that the House of Lords cannot reject legislation that appears in the winning party’s manifesto.
– Although few of the voters do actually read the manifesto, the media will pick out promises that are being mad e and question politicians during the campaign.
– Academic research shows that some 70% or more of manifesto commitments are carried out and so they are in fact a blueprint for the new Government
– Party members and MPs remind their Government of manifesto commitments and ask why they are not being carried out, if this is the case, with other membership organisations, have a structure which gives roles to people within the organisation so that decisions can be taken about how the organisation works and its future direction and also to provide a framework within which members can be involved.
Parties, however, are different in that:-
– They need means to campaign and win elections.
– They constantly have to look at and update their policies, partly to take account of changing events.
– As well as the party in the country there is the Parliamentary Party which consists of the elected MPs and there has to be a relationship between the two arms of the party.
– There has to be a special role for the party Leader who has a high public profile and can be a potential Prime Minister or, in Coalition, a Deputy Prime Minister.
– Labour has a particular relationship with the Trade Unions. Those that are affiliated to the Labour Party, such as Unison or Unite, have roles within the party organisation.
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The Alzheimer’s field has been in a “back to the basics” mode lately. Much research has focused on beta-amyloid, the toxic protein fragment that accumulates in plaques in the brain. Yet drugs that target beta-amyloid have mostly been disappointing in clinical trials.
To broaden scope and gain new insights into the biology of Alzheimer’s, Emory investigators have been making large-scale efforts to catalog alterations of brain proteins. One recent example: Nick Seyfried and Erik Johnson’s enormous collection of proteomics data, published this spring in Nature Medicine. Another can be seen in the systematic mapping of N-glycosylation, just published in Science Advances by pharmacologist Lian Li and colleagues.
“It is very exciting to see, for the first time, the landscape of protein N-glycosylation changes in Alzheimer’s brain,” Li says. “Our results suggest that the N-glycosylation changes may contribute to brain malfunction in Alzheimer’s patients. We believe that targeting N-glycosylation may provide a new opportunity to help combat this devastating dementia.”
The Li lab’s study, described as “the first system-level view of human brain N-glycoproteins and in vivo N-glycosylation sites”, identifies several brain proteins that are only N-glycosylated in Alzheimer’s or whose N-glycosylation is eliminated in Alzheimer’s. The study also identifies the specific N-glycosylated sites, which were not previously known. With additional work, these could become biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
The study was performed with postmortem brain tissues, acquired with informed consent from donors or family, by the Emory Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Brain Bank. The research was supported by the National Institute on Aging.
N-glycosylation is an under-appreciated chemical modification of many secreted or extracellular membrane proteins. It involves the attachment of a branched tree of sugar molecules onto an asparagine residue.
Other well-known post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and acetylation, can control enzymatic activity or the affinity of a DNA-binding protein – N-glycosylation is similarly likely to influence a protein’s interactions or trafficking.
One of the differentially modified proteins is tau, the component of neurofibrillary tangles, another major pathological marker of Alzheimer’s. The Emory study confirms tau as being N-glycosylated only in Alzheimer’s brains. This is weird, because tau is usually found in the cytoplasm and thus wouldn’t get marked with N-glycosylation. It suggests that tau is being processed unusually because of stress — and N-glycosylation may decrease tau’s aggregation potential.
The most heavily N-glycosylated protein in both Alzheimer’s and control brains was LRP1, an LDL receptor that is in the thick of Alzheimer’s biology and involved in beta-amyloid processing. The Li lab found that LRP1 had 7 N-glycosylation sites on the protein that were only observed in Alzheimer’s.
On the other side of the coin, if one is interested in moving past amyloid-centric thinking, the Emory analysis offers value because it shows that in humans with Alzheimer’s, many alterations in protein N-glycosylation are detectable but do not appear in mouse models with overproduction of beta-amyloid.
Given all that, Li reports that dissection of the complex glycan sugar molecules attached to the proteins requires different biochemical techniques to analyze. Her lab is planning to perform additional glycomics work to determine the differences in the glycan modifications themselves in Alzheimer’s versus control brains.
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The development of unconventional natural gas resources has not exactly come a long way outside of the US. Due to the current dependence on Russian gas imports the development of shale gas would be highly relevant for most of the European countries to secure their future supply. This would suggest sound political backing, which, however, has not come around so far.
With the exception of Norway, all European countries are net importers of natural gas. This means that the development of unconventional gas resources would crucially improve the future security of supply. The following chart illustrates how enormously dependent many European countries are on Russian gas deliveries.
Environmental concerns are currently the biggest obstacle to the further development of shale gas in Europe. For example, France and Bulgaria have already banned hydraulic fracking. There is a moratorium on unconventional gas production in North Rhine-Westphalia, and the protests in the UK have been picking up as well.
The high water consumption and the fear of contaminated groundwater are the central arguments against unconventional gas production. However, we believe that is simply fear mongering. Shale gas tends to be found in depths of several kilometres, whereas ground water tends to be close to the surface (up to maximum depths of 300 metres).
In a 414-page study by the University of Texas45, many concerns are invalidated. According to the study, there is no direct link between fracking and contaminated groundwater. The biggest risks are associated with sloppy drilling, leaking sewage at the surface, and broken concrete linings of the drill holes that allow drilling fluid to contaminate the groundwater. But conventional production methods harbour the same risks46. If the cementation and lining of the drill hole are done properly, there is no risk to the ground water. This is where the producers have learnt from their initial mistakes.
Moreover, the study authors analysed the print, broadcast and online coverage of fracking in the United States. They found that the media mentioned shale gas production and especially fracking mostly in a negative context. Two thirds of national media painted a damaging picture, and in the local media, that share increased to more than 75%. Only a fraction of the media reports based their coverage on scientific facts and studies. Accidents and cases of contamination are highlighted, thus creating an extremely negative public perception.
The often-criticised water consumption involved in the fracking procedure is a case of over-dramatisation as well. The comparison with industrial sites, agriculture, mining companies, or the energy sector puts the high water consumption into perspective. An average drill hole requires about 15mn litres of water. An 18-hole golf course for example needs the same amount of water in two to three weeks47. On top of that the water management technologies are constantly progressing, leading to a significant decline in water consumption.
The next generation: "Clean Fracking"
The three leading oil service providers Baker Hughes ("DirectConnect"), Schlumberger ("HiWay"), and Halliburton ("RapidFrac") are currently testing the next generation of fracking technologies. The idea is to minimise environmental hazards, to increase the yield, and thus to make the production of shale gas altogether more efficient, cleaner, and less costly. On the one hand the new methods permit a better concentration of the pressure of the drilling fluid in order to reach deposits in deeper regions; on the other hand it significantly cuts down on water consumption. Currently, some 10-20% of any shale gas deposit is exploited, whereas that yield is often 80% for conventional natural gas. Estimates suggest that superfracking technologies could help reduce drilling costs by more than 70%, from USD 2.5mn to less than USD 750,000.
In addition, numerous methods are currently under scrutiny that do not require any chemicals or biocides. For example, the Austrian energy producer OMV stated, that they will not be using any chemicals for its planned test drilling in the substantial shale gas deposits in the Northern Weinviertel48 region. Instead, the company will resort exclusively to water, bauxite sand, and cornstarch, i.e. ecologically acceptable substances49. According to ExxonMobil, fracking will be possible without the use of any chemicals within two years from now.
David Fuller's view Veteran subscribers know that Fullermoney
has a very high regard for Ronald-Peter Stöferle. His energy and gold reports
are consistently among the best available.
Fullermoney maintains that this is the second of two difficult decades in terms of tight oil and gas supplies for most countries currently dependent on imports of these essential commodities. However, we also remain confident that shale gas and shale oil are 'game changers' which will considerably lower the cost of these two commodities in real (inflation adjusted) terms during the next decade. This has already happened in the USA thanks to its innovation in the development of fracking.
What are the best ways for investors to profit from shale gas and shale oil?
I favour at least an average portfolio weighting in the energy sector, provided these shares show credible performance relative to broad market indices and also trade reasonable consistently above their 200-day moving averages. Conservative plays are among the high-yielding majors such as Royal Dutch Shell (monthly, weekly & daily). It remains the second largest holding in my personal long-term investment portfolio and the B-shares currently yield 4.79%, having approached its mean represented by the MA. I prefer to buy RDSB when its yield moves above 5% and we may see that before the overall upward trend resumes.
However, the biggest long-term beneficiaries of the coming shale gas and shale oil boom may be the economies which develop their domestic supplies, plus the industries which gain most from cheaper energy in future decades.
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Consumers Union of Japan has been active in the debate about regulation of GMOs since the mid 1990 and firmly believe the new technologies, such as gene editing, must be strictly regulated. CUJ’s stance is that any such experiments should be stopped to avoid serious adverse effects on human health and the environment.
August 21, 2018 (Mainichi Japan)
TOKYO — Consumer groups are taking aim at Aug. 20 recommendations by an Environment Ministry expert committee that some genetically modified organisms (GMO) be deregulated.
The expert committee proposed deregulation of organisms edited to remove or deactivate certain genes as opposed to adding new code, but critics are claiming this is “the same as genetic manipulation,” and that it is “strange” to exempt it from government restrictions.
“They (the committee) came to this conclusion after just two meetings. How can they say it’s safe?” said Consumers Union of Japan secretariat chief Michiyo Koketsu. “We need a debate that includes a wide range of experts, not just a small section of the research community.”
Research is already well underway in Japan on creating meatier red sea bream by disabling a gene that suppresses muscle growth. In cases like these — of disabling genes as opposed to replacing or recombining DNA — if the edited fish went to market without any report to the government, how could it be distinguished from organisms created through gene manipulation? Inspectors can identify organisms created through gene replacement by the DNA added to the plant’s or animal’s genome. However, in organisms with a disabled gene, it is impossible to tell if this was the result of deliberate editing or natural environmental factors.
Some critics have also pointed to the risk of harmful genetic edits, such as creating allergens by deleting a gene by mistake.
“I value the expert committee’s recommendation to make it a rule in principle that a report be filed with the government so that things can be managed before the product melts into the market, but the committee hasn’t sufficiently considered the possibility of unintentional genetic changes,” said Kazuki Maeda, chief planner for the consumer group Seikatsu Club Consumers’ Co-operative Union. “At the very least, I want the government to label products that have been genetically edited so consumers can choose.”
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is set to start its own consideration of the safety of genetically edited foods, but one senior ministry official told the Mainichi Shimbun, “We can’t really go in a different direction than the Environment Ministry.” Meanwhile, genetically edited food labeling methods are set to be discussed by the Consumer Affairs Agency in the near future.
According to Hokkaido University professor of bioethics Tetsuya Ishii, “The expert committee’s deliberations were limited by the fact they were considering the most advanced genome editing technology in the context of current law. It would not be surprising if their quick conclusion (on deregulation) invited the same kind of court filings by citizens’ groups and other parties that we saw in Europe.”
Nagoya University sociologist Masashi Tachikawa, a specialist on genetic editing regulations, commented, “Technology advances very quickly, so the government should create provisional frameworks and manage things with an eye to what the international community is doing, and then consider drafting new laws as necessary.”
(Japanese original by Suzuko Araki and Norikazu Chiba, Science & Environment News Department)
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Gimp is one of the most popular open-source photo editing software. It also happens to be free. Due to its customizability, it would be strange if it didn’t offerhttps://www.novodasoftware.com/ you a chance to make a unique photo collage.
Making a photo collage in Gimp is a thorough process. There are no apps or plug-ins that would make it easier, so you will have to do it manually.
However, if you want to create beautiful images, go through this guide and you’ll be able to create your personal mosaic in no time.
How to Make a Grid Photo Collage in Gimp?
To make a photo collage in Gimp, you should follow these steps:
Creating a Blank Canvas
- Open Gimp.
- Click on ‘File’ on the top-left of the screen.
- Select ‘New’. A ‘Create a New Image’ window should appear.
- In the ‘Image Size’ section, set both ‘Height’ and ‘Width’ to 1350 pixels.
This will create a blank square within which you can place a lot of small pictures. The best way to do this precisely is to use ‘Guides’. With this tool, you’ll be able to position and center your images evenly in collage squares. You’ll have to create 2 horizontal and 2 vertical guides.
Creating the Guidelines
- Click ‘View’ on the top of the screen and then ‘Show Guides’ and ‘Snap to Guides’.
- Go to ‘Image’ > ‘Guide’ > ‘New Guide’. A new window will open.
- Select the ‘Horizontal’ direction and enter 450 for position.
- Click OK.
- For the second guide, repeat steps 5-7, and choose 900 for position
- For the first vertical guide, repeat steps 5-7, but select ‘Vertical’ direction and 450 position.
- For the second vertical guide, repeat steps 5-7, but select’ Vertical’ direction and 900 position.
Adding the First Image
It’s time to insert the first image into these guides:
- Click ‘File’ on the top-left.
- Select ‘Open as Layers’.
- Find the image and select ‘Open’. The image should appear on the screen with guides over it.
- Adjust the image to one of the squares in the guide.
- Go to ‘Tools’> ‘Transform Tools’ > ‘Scale’ to resize the image.
- Click on ‘Tools’
- Go to ‘Selection Tools’ and then choose ‘Rectangle Select’.
- Click and drag the selection over the part of the image that’s in the square.
- Select ‘Edit’, and then ‘Copy’.
- Then go to ‘Edit’ > ‘Paste’.
- Select ‘Layer’ and then ‘To New Layer’.
This will now create the first part of your collage. You should remove the original image’s layer by selecting it in the layer window and pressing the ‘Delete’ key.
Adding a Border
What’s left is to add a border to your image and insert the rest of the pictures.
- Go to ‘Tools’, and click ‘Default Colors’. This will make the background of your collage white. If you want a different background color, select ‘Tools’> ’Swap Colors’.
- Right-click on the new, modified layer.
- Click ‘Alpha’ and go to ‘Section’. This will select the image.
- While the image is selected, go to ‘Edit’ and click on ‘Stroke Selection’. A ‘Stroke Selection’ window will pop up.
- Select ‘Stroke line’, and click on ‘Solid color’ button.
- Choose the line width, for example, 30px.
- Select the ‘Stroke’ button.
This will create the white border for the first image in your collage.
Adding the Rest of The Images
Now that you know how to add parts of the collage, it is time to complete it.
Repeat the previous steps for each image that you add. Remember to adjust them to the guides to maintain the perfect square shape.
After you finish your collage, you should remove the guides and save the image. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to ‘Image’ on the top of the screen.
- Select ‘Guides’.
- Click on the ‘Remove all Guides’ button. Now you’ll be able to see your collage clearly.
- Click ‘File’ on the top-left.
- Select ‘Save’.
- Choose the save destination and the name of your document.
- Click ‘OK’.
This will save the collage to your hard drive.
Time to Experiment with Collage
At first glance, this process seems long and exhausting. But after you get the hang of it, it will all go quick and smooth.
One of the best parts of making a photo collage is that you can customize it any way that you want. In this article, we used 1350px squares. However, you can adjust the guides to form smaller squares while choosing an even bigger canvas.
You can also modify some guides to be bigger than others, and experiment with sizes and shapes of your collage. So, what are you waiting for? That beautiful collage will not form itself.
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Female aptera. Body, legs and antennal segments I–II yellow, III–V yellow with pale brown shadings, VI variably yellow at base, VII–IX brown. Head reticulate, weakly so in ocellar region; eyes with no facets pigmented or only weakly indicated; ocellar setae III variable in position. Antennae 9-segmented; sensorium simple on III, forked on IV; II without microtrichia (also III in type series); IV–VI pedicellate. Pronotum almost without sculpture; with no long setae. Mesonotum and metascutum transverse, campaniform sensilla present. Abdominal tergites transversely reticulate medially, posterolateral margins smooth; II–VII with all four pairs of setae equally small; VIII with narrow, irregularly lobed, craspedum; spiracles occupying almost half of lateral margins of VIII.
Male aptera. Similar to female; tergite IX with 2 pairs of short stout setae medially; sternites III–VII with weakly C-shaped or curved pore plate.
There are 43 species of Anaphothrips known from Australia, out of a total of 79 species worldwide (Mound & Masumoto, 2009). Many of these species have the antennae clearly 9-segmented, others clearly have only 8 segments, but several species have an intermediate condition with segment VI bearing a partial and often oblique transverse suture. The significance of this grass-living species remains in doubt, and it is possibly merely the apterous form of A. varii. Moreover, the apterous females are very similar to those of A. woodi.
Known only from Australia.
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory.
Feeding and breeding on leaves.
Anaphothrips woodi Pitkin
Mound LA & Masumoto M. 2009. Australian Thripinae of the Anaphothrips genus-group (Thysanoptera), with three new genera and thirty-three new species. Zootaxa 2042: 1-76.http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/zt02042p076.pdf
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Machine learning is a technique used to teach machines such as computers how to react to certain situations. It is a data analytics tool that gives robots the ability to learn from experience like humans and animals do. Applications such as Artificial Intelligence are tools that are trained by means of a predetermined equation that is thought to best suit programmed situations. This model is controlled by algorithms that through use can improve performance and increase learning abilities such as deep learning.
There are many reasons as to why machine learning should be used, there are also many sectors that can greatly benefit from the introduction of machine learning into their ecosystem.
Here are some pointers to explain where machine learning really matters:
- Energy production: in order to gauge prices and forecast load specifics and such like
- Manufacturing: including automotive and aerospace spheres so as to allow predictive maintenance
- Language processing: for use of natural voice recognition applications
- Computational finance: to calculate credit scores and algorithmic trading
- Computational biology: for advanced treatment, diagnosis and other technical practices such as DNA sequencing
- Image processing: including computer vision used for face recognition as well as motion and object detection
In these such situations, machine learning is used so as to facilitate, speed up and create more accurate results in the industry it is being used in. Machine learning is needed to ensure complex tasks, problem solving and large amounts of data are each tackled with the highest precision without cause of human error; especially in situations where
- Hand-written rules or equations, such as face recognition or speech recognition are too complex for manual input,
- Rules or equations are dynamic in nature and constantly updated in terms of fraud detection for any KYC, KYB or AML needs and when
- Data is altered or changed to conform to the program’s need for adapting; in the case of trading, energy forecasting and shopping trends.
But how does machine learning work?
There are two types of techniques to consider when trying to understand how machine learning works. The first is supervised learning, and as the name suggests; a training model is applied and adhered to under human control where the inputting and outputting of data is predicted by future outputs. The other is unsupervised learning in which the machine finds hidden patterns or structures that may be too intrinsic for human analysis; here input data is monitored by means of an algorithm.
Supervised learning takes a known set of input data and responds by means of a known output transmission to generate generally accurate predictions resulting in new data. This sort of technique should be used if you have known data (for the output) that you are trying to predict such as medical imaging, speech recognition or even credit scores.
This is handled in a classification system whereby discrete responses to detect spam or a regression system where continuous responses are generated; these results can include temperature fluctuations, power demands and other forecasting necessities.
Machine learning allows humans to further their research by means of computers, artificial intelligence and other revolutionary tools that allow in-depth access to a variety of results. Using machine learning in a variety of sectors can help to strengthen the development and overall infrastructure of our society, economy and industrial growth.
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Teaching 52 Climate Actions
The lesson plans and supporting resources have been specifically designed for 52 Climate Actions by The International Permaculture Education Network. They give you the resources to plan a one-off taught session ranging from two hours to a full day. In addition, a pre-written plan for teaching a two hour session is provided.
The Community Workshops provide a plan and slides for two x 3 hour workshops, the first focussing on individual action and the second on community action. Please download, edit, and use them. They have been created by our friends at Permaculture South Australia as part of the Community Climate Coaches Project funded by the European Union.
If you use any of these resources in your teaching, please use the 'Share Your Story' button in the footer to tell us how it went.
Picture credits: The Permaculture Association Britain
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Without bookbinding, we probably wouldn’t have any books as we know them today. The process of bookbinding has been developing ever since humans started assembling books. Here is a look at how books have been bound differently as times change and technology improves.
The Invention of Books
It took many centuries for the notion of “books” to come about; if you are familiar with how language has changed over time, then you know how cave paintings served as the first rudimentary books. Humans used what they could to record their experiences and spread knowledge. So, long before the written word was even though of, the oral tradition was essential.
The first books were primarily used for religious purposes. In this context, they were called “codices,” or manuscripts. The first pages were made of vellum or treated sheepskin. Although papyrus scrolls and clay tablets had been the first writing media, they were fragile and hard to read. Vellum was easier to work with as well; monks and other writers could write on both sides of a page, setting the template for the pages that we take for granted today.
The Arrival of Printing
The printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg, represented a massive breakthrough in the development of books and the evolution of bookbinding. The printing press allowed for the creation of books that didn’t take as long to copy and bind. Books spread out to the general public since they no longer had to be restricted to churches and monasteries for safekeeping.
The Development of Technology
The development of technology during the Industrial Revolution brought about an explosion of books. Paper became less expensive, which meant more books could be made than ever before, which in turn led to more demand for bookbinding. The first Smyth binding machines appeared in 1856, but these machines weren’t patented until 1868. It took another twelve years for the Smyth Manufacturing Company to start turning them out in droves.
The Rise of Perfect Binding
Perfecting binding for paperback books began in 1895, but it didn’t take off until the 1930s, and the rest is history.
Advantage Book Binding Can Help You Create the Printed Book You’ve Always Wanted!
Are you interested in having a bound novel? Are you entering the workforce, and need a bound portfolio to showcase your work? Advantage Book Binding offers plenty of services and binding types that are perfect for suiting your needs. We also offer specialty binding options for those of you looking for something extra special.
Advantage Book Binding can advise you as to what kind of binding style will work best for your specific project, taking into consideration budget requirements to provide you with the most cost-effective and project-specific solution for you. Please contact us today for more information, and keep up with us on Facebook, Google +, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Also, don’t hesitate to visit us at our Baltimore headquarters.
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As part of the programme, The War that Changed the World, BBC Radio has aired an episode on “The Psychology of War.” The episode features an expert panel and live audience discussing war’s psychological effects. As described on the BBC Radio website,
One hundred years ago World War One set the course for the twentieth century; for the countries that took part nothing would be the same again. In this worldwide series of events with the British Council, we look at the impact of the war from around the world.
The third debate of the series comes from The Imperial War Museum in London as we explore the psychology of war. What drove men to volunteer for the war? What drove them to the edge of sanity when they got there?
Historian and broadcaster Amanda Vickery is joined by a panel of experts and a live audience to explore the mental impact of fighting the war at home and abroad. World War One experts Dan Todman (Queen Mary, University of London) and Michael Roper (University of Essex) are joined by the celebrated cultural historian, Joanna Bourke (Birkbeck, University of London), who presents her specially commissioned essay, Shell Shock and the Shock of Shells.
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Security Features in Web Security
The World Wide Web or the internet has now become an inseparable part of our lives. We prefer to use it, whether we are doing a mundane job like ordering in our groceries or doing a secretive data transfer or ant financial activity. But the major concern that hogs our minds is that how so ever smart we are and protect all our online activities, there are certain areas of concerns when it comes to the security of these activities. The online exchange of information or transfer of data is always susceptible to attacks. There have been instances of online frauds, confidential data thefts, and cyber-attacks. Web security is that branch of computer security system that deals with all these problems.
Every website is prone to such threats. Your website is connected to a network through servers and these servers also might have security issues. These security risks need to be attended to and have to be minimized to avoid any loss of valuable data or misuse of resources. The more your server is complicated and the more your website has applications on it the more it is susceptible to get corrupted or attacked. The safest mode for your web server is the “turn off” mode! If you are running an organization/company it is important to track all the web traffic to avoid an employee causing embarrassment by visiting illegal or objectionable stuff online. One would also like to control the web usage by employees, especially for personal use. The biggest threat comes in form of malicious software or malware which can be transported into your system to cause potential data losses and a lot of hassle. Here comes in web security.
To provide web security to your website you should have firewalls, anti-virus protection in place and you should run IPS/IDS. But when these threats are growing and are becoming dynamic in nature you need more than that. There are a number of companies that offer web security solutions of all sorts of levels. But the key features in almost all of these solutions remains to be these:
- They ensure that while all the relevant information is available to authorized persons, it is protected from hackers and even from people within the company who do not need it or may misuse it. Encryption is a technique used to do so. Conventional web-based SSL encryption ensures that the data stays intact between the two parties involved.
- These solutions protect the network from getting exposed to any kind of malware through the internet.
- Web traffic, especially the outbound traffic like the emails are properly scanned so that there are no data dripping or data leaks.
- Running these solutions ensures that the company does not land into any legal hassles because some irresponsible employee decided to check out a restricted site. Access to such sites is blocked.
- There is always a provision for creating filters which allow or deny access to data.
- These solutions are also equipped to analyze any malware if an incidence is so that it can be dealt with properly with minimum damage.
- There are provisions of using digital signatures to verify that the incoming or outgoing information is from the correct person and ensures data integrity.
When you have a website one of the many important parameters that ensure its security is its source code. It is this website code that ensures the level of exposure that your website has to the potential threats. Extremely experienced programmers are required to write codes that are perfect and have no security holes. Each time your website is approached and any type of data exchange is done like if your website requires filling up of forms, adding a cart, search for a location or log on an account, there is a possibility of hackers putting harmful contents into your website. A good code will ensure that only useful information comes in and goes out and the website is not attacked. So we can say that website code plays a vital role in web security of your website.
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How to look after fish properly
Fish are wonderful pets if you live in a flat or a house with limited space because they do not take up a lot of space, they are clean, they do not go running around the house with danger of breaking anything, etc.. They are also a good choice as pets for children, because they can teach them responsibility by having something to look after. One of the most common types is the goldfish, typical orange and white fish, or a guppy. But whatever the type of fish you choose to have in your home, you should be aware of the care they need, especially in terms of food, water and light. So do not miss this OneHowTo.com article on how to look after fish properly.
You need to know the nutritional requirements of the species of fish you have as a pet.
In most cases, it is recommended to feed our fish with other food sources, e.g. at certain times such as reproduction
Fresh water is one of the most important factors for looking after fish properly.
These animals breathe dissolved oxygen from water, therefore, it is crucial that they have all the oxygen they need. To do this, you can install an air pump to ensure that water is properly oxygenated.
Using tap water is not recommended because it contains chlorine, which is very harmful for fish. You can ask your pet shop for products that remove chlorine.
You also need to ensure that the water that you put in the aquarium is the same temperature as the water you removed.
Similarly, fish need a well lit environment, but direct sunlight is not the best way to provide it, because among other reasons- it can cause algae blooms.
It is best to use electric lighting so that your fish have the light they need and also the aquarium will have a more caring and nice look.
If you want to read similar articles to How to look after fish properly, we recommend you visit our Pets category.
- Keep your fish properly cleaned and cared for.
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Gambling involves placing something of value at risk (typically money) on an event with an element of chance and the potential to win a substantial prize. There are many different ways to gamble, including betting on sports events and horse races, purchasing lottery tickets, playing bingo, slot machines, scratch cards, casino games, dice, keno, and more. Regardless of the type of gambling, it is important to know the risks and understand how odds work.
A large number of studies have reported a range of harms associated with gambling. These include loss of income, family problems, relationship difficulties, and addiction. In addition, research has shown that gambling can lead to a variety of mental health problems such as depression and stress. For some people, it can even be a trigger for substance abuse. Several different types of therapy can help those with a gambling disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common treatment that helps people learn to control their urges. Other treatments include psychodynamic and family therapy. Those with gambling disorders should also seek treatment for any underlying mood conditions that may contribute to their addiction, such as depression, anxiety, or stress.
Problem gambling is a serious and complex issue that affects millions of Americans. This type of gambling occurs when someone’s behavior negatively impacts other aspects of their life, such as physical or emotional health, school or work performance, finances, and personal relationships. The symptoms of problem gambling can be mild or severe, and can begin in adolescence or adulthood.
It is estimated that about two million adults have a gambling problem. However, only one in ten people with a gambling disorder seeks treatment. Those who are unable to stop gambling often find themselves in financial crises, and may even resort to illegal acts in order to finance their habit, such as theft or embezzlement. Those with a gambling disorder are often socially isolated and have poor mental health.
Despite the clear link between gambling and harm, there are significant barriers to conducting longitudinal studies on gambling. These include the need for massive funding and the difficulty of maintaining a research team over a long period of time, as well as the risk that repeated testing may influence gambling behavior. Additionally, longitudinal data are notoriously difficult to interpret because of aging and period effects.
Despite the challenges, the results of longitudinal gambling studies can be valuable, and such efforts are becoming more commonplace and sophisticated. However, there is still a need for greater understanding of the role of societal factors and individual differences in the relationship between gambling and harm. To address this, the current paper proposes a definition and conceptual framework for gambling related harm and a taxonomy of harm to facilitate more effective measurement. This will assist researchers, practitioners, and those involved in gambling policy.
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What was the Renaissance, and why has it occupied a central place in art history? Major artistic currents swept Europe during the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries, an age that saw the rise of global trade, the development of the nation state, and the onset of mass armed conflict. To explore the art of this period, we consider themes including religious devotion, encounters with foreign peoples and goods, the status of women, and the revival of antiquity. We study artists including Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci as well as some who may be less familiar. Precepts visit campus collections of paintings, prints, drawings, and maps.
Renaissance Art and Architecture (LA)
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Often, the question we ask is ‘How important is it to have a role model?’ Very few bother to seek to know how important it is to be a role model. Perhaps, this is because only a few really attain such heights where they feel comfortable for someone to emulate them
or probably that we act in ‘humility’ by downplaying the fact that we need to blow our trumpet and proclaim like Paul in the Christian book “Emulate me as I emulate Christ”. Either way, the fact still remains that there is a scarcity of role models around and those
who really are, were sorted after by their followers rather than making themselves available.
To understand why it would be good to deliberately challenge yourself to be a role model or a mentor, it would be necessary to revisit Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Well, it is a common saying that “You can’t give what you don’t have”. Therefore, being a role model is synonymous to a progressive attainment of certain levels in life. Maslow’s model opines that human needs are fulfilled based on an organised hierarchy where the attainment of one category will lead to another, most at times, in the traditionally arranged form and sometimes in no particular order depending on a person’s experiences and preferences. The five stages of human needs, however, come in
the following order:
at the base of the pyramid are the Physiological needs (food, water, warmth, rest, etc), followed by Safety needs (security, safety, etc), then the need to belong and be loved (intimate relationship, friendship, etc). The fourth human need is to satisfy one’s desire for prestige and accomplishment (Esteem needs) and the fifth but highest level of need is Self-actualisation which relates to the desire of humans to achieve their full potential.
It means that a human who is at the base of the pyramid trying to make ends meet in terms of his/her daily bread and safety may not consider being a role model and of course, many may not even consider him to be a mentor to them. On the other hand, someone who is searching for relationships may consider opening himself to being a role model having satisfied his or her physiological and safety needs. Consequently, someone looking for Esteem and Self-actualisation can tell themselves that they are ready to bring people under their tutelage as mentees or disciples. Let it be clear at this point that although being a role model is closely associated with some level of accomplishment, not all those who have attained to the level of esteem and self-actualisation are role models. It can also be argued that someone who is at the base of the pyramid – say on physiological needs can be a role model!
So what does it take to be a role model? It takes achieving something great and better than others – money, fame, brilliance, etc but above all, it takes character and resilience; things that the hierarchy of needs does not include. Someone could be deeply in need of shelter and food but possesses character and resilience – he or she is already capable of being a role model. Within the circle of the destitute, there will always be an opinion leader or the head. A popular proverb reads, “In the city of the blind, the one-eyed is king”. It goes to say that even someone who is limited and constrained due to certain challenges can be seen as a special being among those who possess lesser abilities.
The world is clamouring for mentors or role models to reduce the level of decadence among the younger population. While growing up, children unconsciously find themselves looking up to someone who would offer some kind of template for operation and integration into society. Offering ourselves as models to them no matter how littlewe can contribute to shaping their lives will go a long way in making society a better place to be. There is also the need to train one’s self in the art of mentoring or role modelling. With training, prospective role models are better equipped with skills and ethical practices needed to offer leadership to those who look up to them. While society groans for change, know that one little way you can enable such change is to become a role model to others. And as far as you have character and resilience, you
possess enough quality and achievement to make someone desire to gain from you. At ATAFOM University International, Founder and President Dr. Sakir Yavuz is a role model that can hardly be found with these qualities, beliefs, deeds and visions as well as missions.
The visionary Sakir Yavuz is a cosmopolite and since 1980 has felt all over the world with his family like at home. He has made himself a mission as a Turkish citizen with his partners to provide access to all young people to a university education at the highest international level of education with absolute equal opportunities. His dream of creating a limitless training practice center began at the time of his active
He started making his dream come true at a young age as an assistant trainer. When Sakir Yavuz became a successful athlete, he opened his first sports school in 1985.
In his school, a framework was created for all children, regardless of their status, origin, skin color, culture, or religion, to realize unrestricted equal opportunities in sport. This is evidenced by more than 21,000 sports students he trained personally and worldwide between 1984 and 2006, many of whom have achieved great successes at the national and international levels, including several European and world championship titles. Even after more than two decades as an athlete and teacher who has implemented numerous international sporting, social, humanitarian, and economic projects, after long and intensive and enriching stays all over the world, Sakir Yavuz has never lost the connection to the culture and values of his homeland and pursued his vision of creating a modern international university for all of the world’s youth. Since the beginning of this century, the visionary and founder Sakir Yavuz has continuously and uninterruptedly promoted the development of sustainable, multicultural, cross-denominational, and cross-gender, integrative educational concepts. Together with a team of experts from the fields of education, business, law, politics, media, and technology, the visionary worked on realizing his dream of founding an international university.
On the basis of his experiences and possibilities in mental and economic nature, Sakir Yavuz founded the Atlantic African Oriental Multicultural University International “ATAFOM”. A role model, a doer and a person who changes the world over and over again and
makes it a better place!
This ATAFOM Spirit among the ATAFOM Members and the ATAFOM Students is lived and practiced every day at the ATAFOM University.
Let us walk together through our positive thoughts and our active actions following the example of Dr. Sakir Yavuz to make the world a better place in a sustainable and conscious way
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Unfortunately, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been discovered in the Avon area. The Department of Natural Resources has placed a quarantine on Hendricks County, which means that ash wood cannot be transported unless it is properly chipped. For more information on detecting EAB on your ash trees, how to remove and dispose of infested trees, and what this means to our local forests, follow the links below.
EAB, which has been dubbed the "Green Menace," burrows into the bark of ash trees and eventually kills the tree. Sadly, it has killed millions of ash trees across midwestern and east coast states and has devastated countless acres of forest.
Avon was designated a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the years 2007, 2008, and 2009. The Town is dedicated to increasing and improving Avon's urban forest. Trees that make up urban forests are "working trees"- they have a job. Urban Forests are an important and often overlooked necessity for urban areas- they soften the appearance of large buildings and parking lots, absorb carbon dioxide and release nice, clean air for us to breathe. Trees also cool our hot pavement with their shade, thus reducing "heat islands." Click here to learn more about the Tree City USA Program
Because trees are living history, the Town has recognized all of the big trees in town in its first Big Tree of Avon contest. Residents nominated trees in their yard and in their neighbor's yard. Click here to view The Big Tree E-Book!
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The story is about a helpless kitten who has just opened its eyes, living in a small town and facing the danger of death from predators. It reminds us of the cruel reality of nature and the importance of conserving and protecting animals. Some animals are endangered, as well as the critical role of commissions and rescue efforts in saving their lives.
Kittens of such a tender age are dependent on their mother’s care for nourishment, warmth, and protection. However, even survival at this early stage of life is not only about being helpless but also about life-threatening challenges. Deprived of their mother’s milk and care, kittens are vulnerable to dehydration, malnutrition, and a host of health issues.
Thirst can be a leading indicator of a kitten’s condition, making it important to pay attention to their hydration levels. The negative effects of dehydration make it imperative to provide immediate intervention and care. Live monitoring of dehydration consequences facilitates prompt action and care.
The appropriate treatment for a fragile kitten typically involves rehabilitation, nourishment, and medical attention. It is crucial to carefully monitor and maintain their nutrition and health to prevent any potential complications or deficiencies in the kitten’s delicate system. Therefore, it is essential to seek professional advice to ensure the proper care and well-being of the kitten.
Commissioning individuals, animal shelters, and organizations often take steps forward to prevent the necessity of care and support in situations like this. Their efforts may involve a pivotal role in rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding forever homes for these abandoned and vulnerable animals. Through responsible monitoring, facilitating, and funding, they contribute to the betterment of the well-being of these animals.
When it comes to adopting a kitten, it’s crucial to research from trustworthy sources as well as consulting with experienced pet owners for responsible pet ownership and the importance of reporting cases of cruelty and neglect. It also highlights the positive impact that acts of kindness and rescue can have in giving these defenseless creatures a life filled with love and care.
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Starting a healthy garden isn’t as easy as popping some plants into the dirt and calling it a day. Having the correct type of soil for your flowers or vegetables is crucial for their health, growth and overall production.
Because different varieties of plants require varying soil needs, it can be a little overwhelming to know where to start. By following a few helpful guidelines, your planting experience can be fun and rewarding. The Burpee Premium Organic Potting Mix is a great all-purpose option designed for both vibrant flowers and hearty vegetables.
If you plan on planting directly in the ground using the already existing soil, it is vital that you know the type of soil with which you’ll be dealing. This information will also let you know just how the soil needs to be changed. The three main soil types are sand, clay and silt.
Sand is a common type of soil for those who live in arid desert climates or along the coast. Native plants will grow well in this environment, but it will be difficult to grow anything else because the soil won’t retain significant nutrients or water.
Clay is a common soil variety across the country. Unlike sand, clay soils can actually hold too much water, causing root damage.
Silt falls somewhere in between sand and clay. Those living near water sources, such as lakes, rivers and streams, are more likely to have silty soil. This variety is more fertile than both sand and clay.
Once you know what you intend to plant and what type of natural soil you have, you’ll want to find the best bagged soil to improve your growing abilities. Ideally, you’ll want a finely tuned mixture of sand, clay and silt, along with other organic matter, such as compost. The most common bagged soils are garden soil, potting mix, raised bed soil, topsoil and specialty soil.
Garden soil is used to complement your native soil, ensuring that you’ll have the proper ratio of soil types to produce a healthy garden. Garden soil is best used for in-ground gardens rather than raised beds.
Potting mix often contains high levels of compost and organic matter, and it is ideal for drainage and nutrient retention properties. For the best result, use this type of soil in pots and containers.
Raised bed soil is specifically designed for use in raised garden beds. This can be used in conjunction with native soils to create a healthy mix.
Topsoil should not be used for planting because it features little nutrients. Instead, use topsoil to level your garden or fill in any holes.
Specialty soil is necessary for certain plants, such as cactus, specific types of vegetables and specific flower species. Specialty soil should not be used as all-purpose soil.
Before buying the best soil for your vegetable garden or flower garden, be sure to measure your plot or raised beds to calculate just how much soil you’ll need. You’ll want to add a minimum of 2-3 inches of bagged soil to the already existing soil.
If you don’t want to worry about adding additional fertilizer, look for garden soils that feature fertilizers or slow-release plant food to give your plants an extra boost.
Consider choosing an organic option when searching for the best bagged soil for vegetable gardens. Though the price may be slightly higher, you won't have to worry about any chemicals and pesticides leaching into the vegetables or into the ground.
The best garden soils will likely contain compost. Compost consists mostly of decaying organic matter, which is great for balancing pH levels and adding nutrients to your soil. You can even add your own homemade compost to your soil if desired.
Some garden soils are designed for superior water drainage, which is useful in wet environments. Other bagged soils will be better at retaining water in order to keep the roots hydrated for longer, making it a great option for dry climates.
The total amount you’ll spend on soil depends on the size of the area you need to fill. In general, most individual bags will cost between $5 -$10.
A. Garden soil that is specifically sold for in-ground use will not make good potting soil. Instead, choose an all-purpose soil or potting mix to allow for optimal growing conditions and prevent root rot and damage.
A. If you are using your garden’s native soil, you will likely need to amend it to improve drainage quality and balance nutrient levels. You can further enhance your soil by adding your own compost or other nutrient rich organic materials, like egg shells and used coffee grounds.
What you need to know: Gardeners will love the organic makeup of this potting mix, sold by a well-known brand.
What you’ll love: The moisture retention is ideal for germinating seeds, and the included plant food is perfect for growing both vegetables and flowers in all types of containers.
What you should consider: Somewhat expensive for the size.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: This Miracle-Gro potting mix is one of the best soils for growing large vibrant flowers.
What you’ll love: This soil mixture contains fertilizers and absorbent ingredients to keep your plants healthy all season long.
What you should consider: The airy consistency won’t be suitable for all plant varieties.
What you need to know: As an all-purpose option, this garden soil is better at holding water than standard garden soil.
What you’ll love: Gardeners can use this versatile soil in pots, beds or in-ground, as the soils itself expands when wet.
What you should consider: There have been reports of the soil containing small plastic particles.
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Matthew Young writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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Introduction to Blockchain
In the last two decades, the internet went through a lot of transformations. Internet has the ability to safely transfer or receive money, because of Blockchain Technology and its components Online transactions became the next big thing.
Online transactions involve 3 parties: a Sender, a Receiver, and the middle party through which they make the transaction, which in most cases is a Bank.
The process of online transactions is very simple and easy. Although it requires the Sender and the Receiver to trust to bank completely. Online transactions can also create a very well know problem, known as “The Double Spending problem”. According to this problem, a person can make an electronic transaction more than once using the same digital money.
The first blockchain cryptocurrency “Bitcoin” introduced in 2009, It is one of the most controversial cryptocurrencies, as it introduced anonymous transactions with no governmental control.
Blockchain is a timestamped series of records that are immutable and managed by a cluster of computers. Thus, this technology got its name it’s as “blockchain” because down to its most basic level, it is nothing but a collection of blocks. Each of these blocks are secure and bound to each other using cryptographic principles. In blockchain, “block” refers to “Information” and “chain” refers to “Public Databases”.
Core Components of Blockchain Architecture
Blockchain architecture consists of Node, Transactions and Miners.
We can define a Node as the user or the computer within the blockchain architecture hence they store and preserve data. A full- node is a computer that has all the transaction history of the blockchain.
Nodes on the network continuously generate the current state of the blockchain which is represented by the transactions.
They make the state of the blockchain change after each transaction. With transactions produced in a vast amount, thus it is important to confirm and verify the genuine ones and discard the fake ones.
Miners work as Auditors and verify the transactions and also help avoid the “The Double Spending problem”.
Consensus Mechanism & Algorithms
When the nodes share data through a blockchain platform, there is no way to provide safe-guards against security violations.
For the ledger to maintain a consistent state the blocks should not be in the blockchain without majority consent, all the nodes involved should agree on a common content uploading protocol called “Consensus Mechanism”.
Consensus Mechanism has the following algorithms: “Proof-of-work” and “Proof-of-state”.
Proof of Work
Satoshi Nakamoto developed the first decentralized network called “Proof of Work”. Security and consistency were achieved in Bitcoin through the same. Currency exchange in bitcoin happens in a decentralized manner thus it requires authentication and block validation.
One of the major disadvantages of Proof-of- work is “Huge expenditure”.
Proof of State
Proof of State was designed to overcome the problems which were there in Proof of Work such as “High expenditure Costs”. Ethereum is also one of the major projects that implement Proof-of-state.
Proof Of State proposes the idea to buy a cryptocurrency and invest that money in the network. The money invested becomes directly proportional to the chance of becoming a block validator.
All the transactions of Blockchain are stored as records in an online ledger because of which it is becoming increasingly popular as it provides a way to make online transactions happen in safest way possible.
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According to the Migraine Research Foundation, around 39 million Americans suffer from migraines. Globally, the number is over one billion. One common trigger for migraine sufferers is photophobia or light sensitivity.
Bright or flashing lights may trigger migraines, particularly in those susceptible to them. So it may surprise you to know that a form of light therapy may prove useful in reducing the number and severity of migraine attacks.
Green light therapy has been studied for several years to treat migraines and reduce pain in conditions such as fibromyalgia. As of yet, there is no definitive answer to whether green light therapy is helpful, but some studies have shown promise.
Recent Studies about Green Light Therapy
In 2011, researchers discovered that blind migraineurs could feel pain upon exposure to blue light. In turn, this finding prompted scientists to consider whether blocking specific spectra of light could help reduce light sensitivity.
In a study published in 2016 in Brain, a respected neurological journal, Harvard Medical School researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reported reduced headache severity in a group of migraine sufferers when they were exposed to a narrow band of green light. Surprisingly, they found the reduction to be significant.
Raimi Burstein, the HMS John Hedley-Whyte Professor of Anaesthesia at Beth Israel Deaconess and lead author of the study, stated, "More than 80 percent of migraine attacks are associated with and exacerbated by light sensitivity, leading many migraine sufferers to seek the comfort of darkness and isolate themselves from work, family and everyday activities.”
In the same study, 20% of participants reported green light actually reduced migraine pain.
During the study, participants were exposed to blue, red, white, amber, and green light. The researchers discovered that all colors generated stronger electrical signals in the retina at the back of the eye and the cerebral cortex than green light.
In fact, nearly 80% of migraine patients experienced an exacerbation of their symptoms when exposed to light spectra other than green. In comparison, green light created problems only 40% of the time. Also, exposure to most light initiated headaches about 16% of the time while green light triggered a migraine only 3% of the time.
In another study published in the journal Pain in 2017, researchers exposed three groups of rats with neuropathic pain to green light in various ways.
- One group was bathed in green light from LED strips.
- A second group was fitted with opaque contact lenses that blocked green light.
- The third group was exposed to room light while wearing contact lenses that allowed only the green spectrum to pass through.
The groups exposed to green light showed pain relief benefits for up to four days after the last exposure. Only the group that had no exposure to green light showed no benefit. None of the rats showed any side effects from the exposure.
More research is needed, but Dr. Mohab Ibrahim, the lead researcher on a clinical trial at the University of Arizona, said that their study participants with migraine saw a “significant decrease in the number of headaches per month and the intensity of their headaches also significantly decreased, maybe by 60%.”
What Is Green Light Therapy?
All spectra of light generate electrical signals in the retina and the cortex. Red and blue generate the largest signals, while green generates the smallest. In this case, it's reasonable to believe green light may be less bothersome to those with photophobia.
Green light therapy provided by exposing a patient to a specific narrow band of green light from a special lamp may reduce the number and severity of attacks. However, all other light was filtered out.
Effectiveness hasn’t been demonstrated definitively, and there are no clear guidelines for providing green light therapy. It seems to work best for reducing the dosage of preventative or abortive medications instead of providing complete pain relief and eliminating any need for drugs.
Your physician may be able to shed some light on green therapy (pun unintended). And with no noted side effects, you could certainly try it by purchasing a green light lamp. Just don’t spend too much money since the true effectiveness hasn’t been proven.
Of course, this treatment is attractive to patients because it’s non-invasive, inexpensive, and patient-controlled.
How to Use Green Light Therapy
Again, there are no studies showing a definitive use for green light therapy or that it relieves migraines for everyone. However, patients are interested. The need is to set some parameters.
One of the studies used low-intensity green LEDs with a wavelength of 525 nm +/- 10 nm. Often the treatment is purely preventative since nothing is showing green light reduces pain during an attack.
Participants in a study were instructed to sit in a dark room with a green light for one to two hours every evening. They could do anything they wanted while the light was on except watch TV, use a computer monitor, tablet, or smartphone. They were not allowed to use e-readers.
They were not to look directly into the green light source but to keep their eyes open. They could do other activities, like reading books or magazines, knitting, or talking to someone else.
Studies continue to try to determine how long the exposure needs to be, whether patients would need to be exposed to the green light every day, and whether the green light can be the only one in the room. It’s also too soon to know if glasses or contact lenses tinted green would be beneficial.
So far, all the study groups have been small. To prove effectiveness, researchers need a large-scale, double-blind study using patients diagnosed with migraine. They would need to figure out how to provide the light therapy and answer the questions of whether other lights can be on in the room.
At this point, we only have small studies in rats and humans that hint at migraine relief through green light exposure. On the bright side (sorry!), there are no side effects to worry about if patients want to try.
At the Migraine Relief Center, we want to keep you updated on possible treatments out there that may help. As always, we are happy to talk with you about a range of therapies and treatments for your migraines.
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image Wikimedia Commons
You might have missed it over the winter, but Russia achieved an important public health milestone that deserves applause: It enacted a national law that bans smoking in public places and restricts cigarette sales, joining a growing number of countries in making tobacco control a health priority.
The policy victory was a long time coming.
I recall, working in Russia in the mid- and late 2000s, the sense of gloom that prevailed about the poor health conditions of the population. Indeed, in a report that the World Bank prepared in partnership with the Russian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), we documented that Russians were “dying too young,” the main causes driving this phenomenon, and its enormous demographic, social and economic toll.
It was obvious then, as it is now, that a major culprit of the demographic and health decline in Russia is the widespread use of tobacco, which is linked with the country’s high rates of cardiovascular diseases (some of the world’s highest), many cancers and chronic lung diseases. According to the 2008-10 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), there are nearly 44 million smokers in Russia, and almost every Russian is exposed to secondhand smoke in bars and restaurants. One in three Russians is exposed to smoke in the workplace, and it is estimated that smoking claims 330,000-400,000 Russian lives every year.
While Russia ranks number one in smoking rates among countries surveyed, cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause of disease and death in the country. And the future disease burden will be influenced by the already high rates of smoking in adolescents and young adults of both sexes in the country.
By the late 2000s, the rising cost to public health from smoking could no longer be ignored. From the highest offices in the Kremlin and the State Duma, to the Ministry of Health, regional governments and civil society, a consensus begun to emerge about the need to combat the tobacco epidemic as part of a broader effort to improve the poor health conditions of the population.
The stark reality underlying this shift was that mortality among Russian men had increased by 60% since 1991 -- four to five times higher than the European average -- contributing to the precipitous decline in life expectancy among males, to a low of 58 years in 2004 from the peak of 65 years in 1964, while women lived 14 years longer.
Although male life expectancy has risen in recent years to 63 years and life expectancy for women is now 75 years, poor health conditions, alongside declining fertility below replacement levels, have led to a significant decline in the total size of Russia's population, from 148 million in 1991 to 141 million in 2011. Annual productivity loss from smoking-related premature mortality was estimated to reach US$ 24.7 billion, or more than 3% of the GDP, in 2008. Additional losses from morbidity and health care expenditures related to smoking compound this loss.
The growing political and social momentum toward addressing Russia’s high burden of preventable illness contributed to the decision by the Russian government to ratify in April 2008 the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a global treaty adopted by the 56th World Health Assembly in 2003, which has now been signed by 168 countries covering close to 90% of the world’s population.
And on February 23, 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a long-awaited, comprehensive law that will ban smoking in most public places and restrict cigarette sales in the world's second-largest tobacco market after China (Russia’s tobacco market was estimated to be worth US$22 billion in 2011). The law, which will ban smoking on municipal transport, at railway stations, in lifts, bus stations and administrative buildings, as well as in health facilities and schools beginning June 1, 2013, will come into full force in 2014, covering other venues such as ships, long-distance trains, train platforms, hotels, cafes and restaurants. It will also ban sales of tobacco products at street kiosks, restrict advertising, and set minimum prices for cigarettes, which now cost less than US$2.
On this year’s World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, the Russian people and the global health community should rejoice. The enactment and implementation of this momentous law puts Russia on the right side of public health history. Its measurable benefit in years ahead will be less ill health and disability, countless lives saved, and a more productive and healthy population.
To paraphrase Boris Pasternak in his timeless novel Dr. Zhivago, perhaps “Mother Russia is on the move, she can't stand still, she's restless and can't find rest” -- hopefully until the tobacco curse is overcome.
Follow the World Bank health team on Twitter: @worldbankhealth
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