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Parent: I have heard quite a lot about “piety” coming from the school recently. What is piety? Gibbs: A dictionary is apt to tell you that a pious man is “devoutly religious,” which is not a bad definition, although I typically tell my students that piety refers to holy manners. Morality is what one man gives another, but piety is what a man gives to God alone. Parent: Can you give an example? Gibbs: I can give you three: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Parent: That sounds very Catholic. Gibbs: It’s from the Sermon on the Mount. Christ gives detailed instructions to His followers on how to direct prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to God, as opposed to performing works of piety in a showy manner before men. Parent: In what way are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving “holy manners”? Gibbs: When done in the way Christ prescribes, works of piety cannot be repaid by men. “Even sinners love their own kind,” as Christ teaches, which means that even pharisees take care of one another and live in close-knit pharisee communities. Pharisee wives takes casseroles to their pharisee neighbors when they get sick. Pharisees work together, cry together, celebrate together. Any kind thing one pharisee does for another can be repaid. On the other hand, only God can repay a fast. Only God can repay the five dollars you hand a bum on the street. Works of piety are rendered directly unto God. Parent: I tend to think of pharisees as the ones who fast—they fast in public so everyone sees them. Gibbs: Is that better or worse than praying in public? Parent: But Christ prays in public. Gibbs: And He didn’t mind telling others how long He fasted, either. Parent: I suppose “piety” has a very formal quality to it that does not sit right with me. Gibbs: What is wrong with formality? Parent: You say piety is “holy manners,” which makes me think of “holy rules,” but Christianity is a religion of the heart. Christianity is not concerned with “outward conformity,” but with having an authentic relationship with Christ. Gibbs: You speak of “outward conformity” and the heart as though the two were naturally at odds with one another. Parent: They often are. There are a lot of people out there who pretend to be Christians but don’t really love God in their hearts. Gibbs: But talking incessantly about the heart strikes me as one of the most popular ways in which people pretend to be Christians. Most of the Christian celebrities who have apostatized in the last ten years made their fortunes talking about their hearts and their feelings. I bet there are fewer missionaries who change diapers and bath wounds in Calcutta who abandon the faith. Parent: You mean you’ve never met anyone who only went to church for show? Gibbs: No, I have. But I’ve met far more people who make a show of not going to church. Many modern Christians don’t like the idea of piety because “holy manners” suggests that formality and spirituality are connected, which means we’re not free to make up the rules of Christianity as we go. The longstanding traditions and practices of the church are not, as RR Reno once put it, mere resources for a spiritual journey that we can pick and choose according to our own spiritual. They are entirely necessary. Parent: That sounds very Catholic. Gibbs: Does it? Or does it just sound very old-fashioned? Parent: If it is old-fashioned, why hold to it? The concept of “piety” has a lot of baggage. Gibbs: All old things have baggage. Christianity has baggage. Marriage has baggage. Masculinity has baggage. Classical education has baggage. If you want a life free of baggage, you will have to become a secularist. Secularists love new things because new things have no baggage. Of course, new things accrue baggage rather quickly, which is why secularists aren’t particularly loyal. Secularists rarely put their stamp of approval on any book that is more than fifty years old. They cycle through “new solutions to all our problems” at an astounding rate. Parent: What is baggage, then? Parent: Aren’t we obligated to choose the option with the least baggage? Gibbs: If that were true, we would always have to pick the newest thing simply because it had the least baggage. Parent: Don’t some older things have less baggage than others? Gibbs: What do you think “baggage” is? Parent: Faulty ideas. Failed plots. Exploded theories. Sin. Embarrassments. Archaic ideas that haven’t been shed. A resistance to progress. Gibbs: Is this how you chose your wife? You found the woman with the least baggage? Parent: No, but wouldn’t you agree that a reasonable man would consider how much baggage a woman had before he proposed marriage? And vice versa? Gibbs: If a certain man wanted a wife with no tattoos, would he be better suited marrying a woman with one tattoo but who regrated it, or a woman with no tattoos who had ambitions to get thirty? Parent: Fair enough. Baggage isn’t everything. But that is my point. Desire matters, too. Ambition matters, too. We can’t despise new things just because they’re unproven. There are new expressions of Christian devotion out there which aren’t weighed down by centuries of failure. Who is to say how long these new expressions will last? They might last a long time. My point is that we don’t want to saddle our students with some outdated vision of Christianity that really has no bearing on the world today. Gibbs: That is actually not a bad description of what I want to do. Parent: You can’t be serious. Why? Gibbs: A classical Christian school is a place for people who have despaired of the unproven, painless, fashionable solutions the modern world offers to ancient problems. The appeal of secularism has always been that it has no baggage. In fact, secularism has a long and storied history of insulting tradition, dishonoring mothers and fathers, disparaging the past, and insisting that progress is possible in this world. I want to train my students to be the people whom secularists insult, dishonor, and disparage. I want my students to truly believe, “Vanity of vanity, all is vanity.” I want to graduate students who have the backbone to sign up for baggage. The defense of old things necessary involves the defense of imperfect things, which is why a classical education demands courage. Cowards are afraid to defend imperfect things, though, because such work demands humility. The coward makes grand promises about the future, about spectacular things that don’t exist yet and thus cannot be critiqued. But a classical education is for people who are tired of promises and want something real. Parent: Can’t we just get rid of the baggage? Can’t we keep everything which isn’t so dated and chuck the rest? Gibbs: Absolutely not. The baggage is what makes classical edcuation work. Everything that lasts naturally loses some baggage over the course of time, but these losses occur on subtle levels and in natural ways. They cannot be forced or hurried. The modern utopian always approaches old things with a hacksaw, though, and has intentions to lop off everything difficult, everything embarrassing, everything incomprehensible he finds. But utopians are fickle. They give up when things don’t immediately go their way. If classical education let every zeitgeisty surgeon with a machete touch our pedagogy and curriculum, there wouldn’t be anything classical left in ten years—and all the carnage and mutilation would be done in a vain attempt to “fix” something the was never broken to begin with. Besides all that, classical education’s baggage is a trial, a check against all the people who just want to send their kids to a respectable, transcript-worthy school. The baggage is a test which proves you really want it.

There are challenges to overcome to make biodevices practical for use by stakeholders. They need to be able to integrate sensors with sampling techniques, microfluidics and electronics. And they need to be produced via scalable manufacturing and microfabrication processes. Biodevices should be easy to operate by personnel with minimal training. They should be robust while also being as inexpensive and as non-invasive as possible. They also need to perform all the required signal processing and display data in a seamless way. Engagement with end users to co-design devices is key to develop fit-for-purpose biosensors. Bringing society into science early on, in a truly engaged manner, to co-create products is at the heart of the emerging Responsible Research and Innovation model for scientific research. A co-design approach to biodevices involves partners from different disciplines and different sectors (clinical, industry, NGOs, local and national level government). This collaboration represents a highly workable approach to address both specific problems and global challenges. But even more, it embodies the pathfinding mindset needed to bring scientific innovation from laboratories to communities of end users where the devices are both needed and wanted. An aspiration core to our Centre is to roll out this co-design approach to the majority of our research. By doing this we will increase research translation and impact. key areas of expertise - integration of sensors, microfluidics and electronics on microchips - lateral flow devices and lab-on-a-chip approaches (including paper-based biosensors and use of printed circuit boards for full integration) - electronic communication protocols - development of smartphone apps for point-of-use sensors

The Government of India approved the National Policy on Biofuels in December 2009. The biofuel policy encouraged the use of renewable energy resources as alternate fuels to supplement transport fuels (petrol and diesel for vehicles) and proposed a target of 20 percent biofuel blending (both biodiesel and bioethanol) by 2017. The government launched the National Biodiesel Mission (NBM) identifying Jatropha curcas as the most suitable tree-borne oilseed for biodiesel production. The Planning Commission of India had set an ambitious target covering 11.2 to 13.4 million hectares of land under Jatropha cultivation by the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan. The central government and several state governments are providing fiscal incentives for supporting plantations of Jatropha and other non-edible oilseeds. Several public institutions, state biofuel boards, state agricultural universities and cooperative sectors are also supporting the biofuel mission in different capacities. State of the Affairs The biodiesel industry in India is still in infancy despite the fact that demand for diesel is five times higher than that for petrol. The government’s ambitious plan of producing sufficient biodiesel to meet its mandate of 20 percent diesel blending by 2012 was not realized due to a lack of sufficient Jatropha seeds to produce biodiesel. Currently, Jatropha occupies only around 0.5 million hectares of low-quality wastelands across the country, of which 65-70 percent are new plantations of less than three years. Several corporations, petroleum companies and private companies have entered into a memorandum of understanding with state governments to establish and promote Jatropha plantations on government-owned wastelands or contract farming with small and medium farmers. However, only a few states have been able to actively promote Jatropha plantations despite government incentives. The non-availability of sufficient feedstock and lack of R&D to evolve high-yielding drought tolerant Jatropha seeds have been major stumbling blocks in biodiesel program in India. In addition, smaller land holdings, ownership issues with government or community-owned wastelands, lackluster progress by state governments and negligible commercial production of biodiesel have hampered the efforts and investments made by both private and public sector companies. Another major obstacle in implementing the biodiesel programme has been the difficulty in initiating large-scale cultivation of Jatropha. The Jatropha production program was started without any planned varietal improvement program, and use of low-yielding cultivars made things difficult for smallholders. The higher gestation period of biodiesel crops (3–5 years for Jatropha and 6–8 years for Pongamia) results in a longer payback period and creates additional problems for farmers where state support is not readily available. The Jatropha seed distribution channels are currently underdeveloped as sufficient numbers of processing industries are not operating. There are no specific markets for Jatropha seed supply and hence the middlemen play a major role in taking the seeds to the processing centres and this inflates the marketing margin. Biodiesel distribution channels are virtually non-existent as most of the biofuel produced is used either by the producing companies for self-use or by certain transport companies on a trial basis. Further, the cost of biodiesel depends substantially on the cost of seeds and the economy of scale at which the processing plant is operating. The lack of assured supplies of feedstock supply has hampered efforts by the private sector to set up biodiesel plants in India. In the absence of seed collection and oil extraction infrastructure, it becomes difficult to persuade entrepreneurs to install trans-esterification plants.

A network that helps people worldwide obtain rapid advice and information on crop protection, including the identification and management of plant pests. PestNet is a network that helps people worldwide obtain rapid advice and information on crop protection, including the identification and management of plant pests. It started in 1999. Anyone with an interest in plant protection is welcome to join. PestNet is free and is moderated, ensuring that messages are confined to plant protection. May 2016. A member sent a photo of his clover (Desmodium triflorium) that had dead or dying plants in a wide circle. In the early morning there was a clear wide margin to the area of decay.Could members say what was causing the problem and how can it be prevented. There were several suggestion as to what might be causing the problem: (i) Sclerotinia; this fungus produces sclerotia (ii) Rhizoctonia (iii) Atheliarolfsii; another fungus that produces sclerotia; balls of fungus, 203 mm diameter, at first white later brown. (iv) Pythium Scleotinia has not been recorded in Solomon Islands. Rhizoctonia on Desmodium species is common. As for control: either dig a trench in front of the plants with decay – but be careful not to drop soil onto healthy parts of the clover, or use a fungicide, and captan and thriam were recommended.

Volume 9, Issue 1 March, 1999 In this issue we examine a common problem found with optical coatings, and discuss the various forms and consequences that this problem exhibits as well as techniques for minimizing the effect. - Water in Coatings Thin film coatings grow with a density less than that of the bulk form of the material and consequently possess a considerable void volume. Density is dependent on the energetics of the layer growth and the incorporation of gasses during deposition. In review of earlier discussions, increased packing density is produced by high substrate temperatures, ion bombardment of various forms, or high impact energy of the primary species. Figure 1 is a SEM microphoto of a thick CdTe film grown at 60° C substrate temperature. When the temperature was raised to 200° C, the film becomes featureless and apparently amorphous. Amorphous growth, as opposed to crystalline or columnar microstructure, is required to provide a high packing density and therefore lower penetration of water vapor. - High substrate temperature assists in removing surface contamination, thereby conditioning the surface for nucleation, increases surface mobility of the arriving adatoms, and can either decrease or increase the water and other gas content of the atmosphere. Cases of increased water content can result from wall and tooling outgassing at high temperatures. Ion bombardment occurs when a plasma is present in the vicinity of the substrate as in the many forms of sputtering and plasma-assisted processes. High impact energies are produced in sputtering or in ion-assisted deposition (IAD) where the substrate is deliberately showered by high-energy argon ions. The greater arrival energy of e-beam vs resistance-heated evaporation generally results in denser films. These deposition techniques are employed to densify deposited layers, however, other means can be and are used towards this end. - As a first step, effort must be made to remove as much water from the deposition environment as possible. Chamber walls and tooling hold surface water that is continually being released to the deposition atmosphere. High rate exhaustion of this water and other gasses through baking out under vacuum, cold trapping, or pumping is required. Cryopumps, in contrast to diffusion pumps, are better at removing water. Sometimes a cold trap is placed in the coating volume to trap volatile water through condensation. - The starting material and its form and preparation are important in limiting the introduction of water. Absorbed and adsorbed water and other gases are released in going from atmosphere to vacuum. Some materials hold more water than others. Materials that have been conditioned by pre-melting, fusing, or mixing retain less water than materials that are simply sized into smaller pieces of the parent crystallized material, for example. We are all aware of the sometimes explosive showering and spitting that occurs with dust and small particles in the crucible. All pure fluoride compounds hold water, while few oxide compounds do. IR materials such as ZnS, Ge, and other semiconductors generally remain dry, as do metals. Many salts, used in far-IR coatings, are hydrophilic and even hygroscopic and require special care, for example cryopumping, to be successfully deposited with stable film properties. - When a film layer condenses with porosity instead of bulk density, water vapor can diffuse in and occupy the internal voids upon exposure of the layer to the atmosphere. The internal surfaces are highly reactive and bonding forces are high. Several phenomena can then transpire. - The effective refractive index of the layer increases with increased diffusion of water vapor, causing a spectral shift (longward). This change would be acceptable if it was permanent and could be compensated for in anticipation, but some fraction of the water bonds are weak, permitting water to escape upon evacuation of the layer. This is a consistent problem for filters and AR coatings that are intended for vacuum operation as in space missions. Oxide compounds that grow with columnar microstructure are notorious for this problem. Titania layers exhibit the effect to a greater degree than silica layers because the latter tend to grow as glassy films (amorphous). Hafnia films exhibit the water-caused shift , and it is observed with nearly all oxide compounds. The problem is especially visible with alumina films combined with silica or titania layers. Blotchiness is reported that requires the passage of days for absorption to complete and achieve uniform appearance. - An example of the shift between atmospheric humidity (~50%) and dry nitrogen purging illustrates the phenomenon . A thirty-layer stack of titania and silica quarterwaves deposited by e-beam on a 250° C substrate was examined. The startling observation was that an 8 nm shift of the spectral edge of the coating was observed to occur within 1-1.5 min, and was completely reversible. The porosity of the 30-layer stack evidently was quite high. - Another phenomenon that occurs is the appearance of spectral absorption water bands, specifically in the 2.8 to 3.2 µm and 6.0 to 7.4 µm regions of the IR. These absorptions can be troublesome for certain applications and must be minimized. The depths of the absorption bands can be used as a measure of the success of the deposition parameters in compacting the layer. Since IR coatings nearly always require a fluoride compound for the low index component, and fluorides notoriously retain water, efforts must be made to reduce the water content of the layers . These efforts take the forms of deposition by e-beam at high substrate temperatures, IAD, preconditioning the material to drive as much water off as possible, using mixed materials, and water pumping. Generally, slow heating of the starting material has a significant effect in driving the water out. Fluoride sputtering techniques are being developed, but are not as straightforward or hazard-free as sputtering oxide compounds. Therefore, starting material preparation and pre-deposition conditioning are the processes steps that should routinely become part of the deposition parameter set. - If a material is hydrophilic, small particle sizes with their greater surface area must be avoided. It is preferable to start with larger chunks. Under the shutter and in vacuum, the material is slowly heated, and, if e-beam is used, the low power beam must be swept rapidly. When outgassing stops or a fused surface is formed, the material is ready for evaporation. Some materials behave very well in terms of low outgassing and absence of particulate showering (spitting). CERAC IRX® and IRB™ are especially notable for these properties. These materials are solid solutions of mixed fluoride compounds. Silicon monoxide also behaves well because of the way it is formed as a starting material and its condensation as an amorphous microstructure. Materials that melt produce layers that absorb less water than materials that sublime. - Another effect of water absorption / desorption is changes in the nature and magnitude of layer stress. Fluoride films often develop tensile stress when exposed to atmospheric moisture. This effect is reversible to the degree that the volatile (weakly bound) component is exchanged between vacuum and air. In some cases, the sign and magnitude of the stress can move in directions that improve the integrity of the coating upon exposure to air. The coating is said to have “seasoned”. - In the case of multi-layer coatings, changes in total stress level can result in crazing, cracking, and loss of adhesion to the substrate. The change occur over hours or days depending on the diffusion rate. It has been observed that a coating that appears sound upon venting can spontaneously break up after some time of residence in normal atmosphere. The MIL-spec humidity soak is designed to detect this tendency. The preventative measure is to insure that the materials of the multi-layer grow with amorphous form to prevent moisture penetration, and form strong mutual bonds. This is not always accomplished with high substrate temperature because high temperatures promote large grain growth with accompanying larger interstitial spaces. Slow growth under high vacuum conditions can help some materials, but obviously not oxides that require reactive combination with a substantial background pressure of oxygen. IAD is useful under these deposition conditions, and has been observed to reduce stress mainly because columnar growth microstructure is discouraged in the presence of high impact energies. Laser Damage Threshold - There is evidence that the absorbed water lowers the LDT of oxide coatings for near-IR laser applications. Water has an absorption bands near 830 nm, 905 nm, 955 nm, 1.34 µm, and 1.37 µm. Heating by high-energy irradiation can cause debonding and mechanical effects that result in coating destruction. Again, densifying methods are required to increase the LDT. - 1. Samuel F. Pellicori and Herbert L. Hettich, Appl. Opt. V27, No. 15, 3061 (1988). 2. S. F. Pellicori and E. Colton, Thin Solid Films, 209, 109 (1992). 3. Fink, Yoel, Winn, Fan, Chen, Michel, Joannopolous, Thomas, Science, 282, 1679 (1998). 4. Angus Macleod, Macleod Medium, V7, No. 1 (1999).

Have you been thinking about your child’s academic future? Perhaps you know of a college or university they dream of enrolling in. You want to prepare them in advance with essential information on the ACT and the SAT , as a precondition for enrollment in most of the higher education institutions across the U.S. If your child is nearly finishing high school, you need to understand the critical elements of each of the tests, what is the difference between act and sat , the reasons why they should do such tests, and most importantly, the tips and tricks for excelling at them. Luckily, we offer all of this information in a single piece of article. Yes, this article. What Is the ACT Test? ACT stands for “American College Testing”. As its very name implies, it is an entrance test for admission to colleges and universities. It consists of four sections, including English, Reading, Maths, and Science, which are framed in multiple-choice questions and required to be completed within 2 hours and 55 minutes (40 additional minutes if you decide to take the writing section of the ACT). Furthermore, the very purpose of this test is to evaluate the high school student’s readiness for college and enable them to make the right admission decisions. The highest ACT score is 36 points. What Is the SAT Test? SAT stands for “Scholastic Aptitude Test”. Like the ACT, this is an entrance exam accepted by most colleges and universities when making their admissions decisions. Again, similar to the ACT, the SAT is a multiple-choice test. However, compared to the ACT, this test comprises two main sections, i.e., Math and evidence-based Reading and Writing, which shall be completed within three hours. Its main objective is to evaluate the readiness of high school students for college. The college will review the standardized test scores of the SAT alongside the students’ high school GPA. The highest SAT score is 1,600 points. Why Take ACT and SAT Tests? Firstly and most importantly, taking the ACT or the SAT is a precondition for your child’s acceptance into the college of his or her dreams. Both enjoy wide acceptance in most U.S. colleges and universities. Although some colleges and universities have left these tests optional, it is still recommended to have a great score in either one, as that will give the candidates a great competitive advantage and increase their chances of admission. A great score will therefore be your child’s passport to earning a scholarship and help them save thousands on tuition. Besides that, it will help them balance a lower GPA since the former is an excellent demonstration of how far they have professionally advanced throughout the years. Finally, neither the ACT nor SAT will deduct their overall score for incorrect answers, so tell them not to panic if they are unsure about specific questions. ACT vs. SAT: What Are the Differences? Knowing the difference between the ACT and the SAT will facilitate your children’s choices and allow them to make well-informed decisions. First, ACT is distinguished by its emphasis on verbal skills, which makes native English speakers or other students with a solid English background flourish. On the other hand, those who are significantly skilled in Math usually opt for SAT. Further on, these two tests differ in their score conversion. While the maximum SAT score is 1,600, with the average score in 2021 in the U.S. being 1,060, ACT uses another scoring system. The maximum score in the latter is 36, with the average of 2021 in the U.S. being 20.7. Other main differences between the two are: - Time allocated per question: Less time is given in each ACT section compared to the SAT. - Science section: It is included in ACT but not SAT. - Use of the calculator: SAT contains a section in which the candidates are not allowed to use a calculator, whereas, in the ACT, a calculator is always allowed. - Different math concepts included: The ACT contains some math concepts that SAT does not. Such concepts may include matrices, graphs, logarithmic functions, and similar. On the other hand, SAT strongly focuses on algebra and data analysis. - Importance of maths in the final score of the test: In SAT, maths plays a considerable role, accounting for half of your total score, whereas, in the ACT, it accounts for one-fourth of the total score, making maths twice as important as in the SAT. - Optional essay: The ACT has an optional essay that, in general, will ask the candidates to give their own opinion on the issues discussed within a passage. By contrast, SAT no longer contains an extra essay. As indicated earlier in this blog post, the score conversion differs between the ACT and the SAT. In contrast, the former utilizes a scoring with a maximum of 36 points, and the latter has a different scoring system, with the maximum points reaching 1,600. Regarding scoring conversion, that is best explained through official ACT/SAT Concordance Tables. Whereas the score conversion is way different between the two, timing is somewhat more similar. In SAT, candidates will have a total of three hours at their disposal for completing 154 multiple choice questions; meanwhile, in the ACT, the candidates are given 2 hours and 55 minutes, plus an extra 40 minutes if they decide to also take the written part of the test. In terms of validity, the SAT score has no expiration date, so it is technically valid forever, although many universities accept to take it valid for only five years. On the other hand, the validity of the ACT is five years. ✅ Request information on BAU's programs TODAY! These highly reputed tests have immense benefits and come with a cost. To take an ACT without the writing part, the candidates will need to pay a sum of $63.00, while for an ACT with writing, the fee is $88,00. Other additional costs may apply; to know exactly what and when, you can refer to Current ACT Fees and Services. On the other hand, to enter an SAT, the candidates will need to pay $60,00. The good news is that some students may be eligible for a fee waiver. Want to know more about that? Please read SAT Fee Waivers. How Can You Be Successful on Your ACT and SAT Tests? You might have reasonably heard that both tests are challenging. They require a considerable amount of preparation to excel with the scores. Luckily, your children are not the first ones to do them, and there are now many pieces of advice, tips, and tricks to succeed in these tests. Read on to find out some of them: - Advise them to begin by researching the critical characteristics of each of the tests to familiarize themselves with the components of each, evaluate their most vital points, and make a well-informed choice of the test they will take. - Tell them to set a test date three to six months in advance. - If possible, help them build a preparation plan, including setting a practice schedule, choosing the practicing websites, thinking of their study habits, and setting a target score. - There comes the crucial part: urge your child to practice and practice for entire months, preferably for three to six months in advance. Remember that long and consistent practice is key to any test of this kind, especially for the ACT and the SAT. - On the exam day, try to remind them to manage their time wisely and, most importantly, to try their best to manage stress and be productive. How Many Times Can the ACT and SAT Tests Be Taken? Perhaps your child is not happy with their ACT or SAT score, and they are wondering if they still have a chance to succeed; tell them not to worry; they actually have many other opportunities to show their knowledge and get the best out of these tests. Concretely, the candidates may take the ACT 12 times, while they can take the SAT 7 times. However, is it worth taking all these attempts? Not really; with each attempt, they will have to invest a lot of time, energy, and money. Moreover, some colleges and universities have asked their candidates to disclose their previous ACT attempts when applicable. So, we suggest trying their best to prepare well for their first, second, or third attempt. We began this article by promising that as a parent, you will get a lot of helpful information on both the ACT and the SAT, and we are strongly optimistic that we did it. In the article, you had the opportunity to learn key characteristics of the ACT and the SAT, compare and contrast the two, know the importance of these tests, and get some valuable tips for your child to succeed.

Lydia Hall Theory The Care, Cure, Core Theory of Nursing was developed by Lydia Hall, who used her knowledge of psychiatry and nursing experiences in the Loeb Center as a framework for formulating the theory. It contains three independent but interconnected circles: the core, the care, and the cure. The core is the patient receiving nursing care. The core has goals set by him or herself rather than by any other person, and behaves according to his or her feelings and values. The cure is the attention given to patients by medical professionals. Hall explains in the model that the cure circle is shared by the nurse with other health professionals, such as physicians or physical therapists. These are the interventions or actions geared toward treating the patient for whatever illness or disease he or she is suffering from. The care circle addresses the role of nurses, and is focused on performing the task of nurturing patients. This means the “motherly” care provided by nurses, which may include comfort measures, patient instruction, and helping the patient meet his or her needs when help is needed. In all the circles of the model, the nurse is present. The focus of the nurse’s role is on the care circle. This is where she acts as a professional in order to help the patient meet his or her needs and attain a sense of balance.

What is the purpose of an amplifier in a sound system? An amplifier boosts the low-level audio signal generated by the head unit so that it’s powerful enough to move the cones of the speakers in the system and create sound. But before the signal can be amplified, it has to be processed by a preamplifier or “preamp.” How does amplifier amplify the signal? What’s an amplifier? Quite simply, an amplifier is a very small electromagnetic or electrical device that increases an input signal – whether this is current, voltage or power – and delivers this amplified signal to an output circuit. What are the types of audio amplifiers? One Amplifier to Rule Them All? |No possibility of crossover distortion. |Relatively high efficiency. |More efficient than Class A. Relatively Inexpensive. Crossover distortion can be rendered moot. |G & H |Improved efficiency over Class A/B. Do all speakers have amplifier? The vast majority of speakers are passive. A passive speaker doesn’t have a built-in amplifier; it needs to be connected to your amplifier through normal speaker wire. Because the amplifier is an active electronic device, it needs power, and so you have to put any active speakers near a power outlet. Which amplifier is best? Best stereo amplifiers 2021: best integrated amps for every… - Marantz PM6007. One of the best stereo amplifiers we’ve ever heard at this level. - Cambridge Audio CXA81. One of the best stereo amplifiers you can buy at the money. - Rega io. - Naim Nait XS 3. - Cambridge Audio CXA61. - Rega Brio. - Rega Aethos. - Cambridge Audio Edge A. Which class audio amplifier is the best? Class “A” amplifiers are considered the best class of amplifier design due mainly to their excellent linearity, high gain and low signal distortion levels when designed correctly. Which transistor is best for audio amplifier? Best Transistors: BJTs - #1 NPN – 2N3904. You can find most often NPN Transistors in low-side switch circuits. - #2 PNP – 2N3906. For high-side switch circuits, you need a PNP style BJT. - #3 Power – TIP120. - #4 N-Channel (Logic Level) – FQP30N06L. What is the purpose of an audio amplifier? An amplifier is the second major component that every car audio system needs. While the purpose of a head unit is to provide an audio signal, the purpose of an amplifier is to increase the power of that signal. Which amplifier class is the best? The class with the most efficiency. Class D amplifiers are known to have the greatest level of efficiency due to their design. Oftentimes, they can reach around 90% efficiency and above, depending on the situation. When compared to the class A amplifier, that’s a lot more efficiency that can be offered. What is the purpose of an audio amplifier in a car? Since an amplifier is typically buried in the car, you’ll rarely see it in an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) sound system like you would a head unit and speakers. But amplifiers are integral components that provide power and volume to your car tunes, and they play an important part in the character of the music you experience in your car. What is amplifier and how does it work? An amplifier (often loosely called an “amp”) is an electromagnetic or electronic component that boosts an electric current . If you wear a hearing aid, you’ll know it uses a microphone to pick up sounds from the world around you and convert them into a fluctuating electric current (a signal) that constantly changes in strength.

Here’s the rap. Me: Can we do a little math together? Me: Here’s a triangle, right? Me: OK. You hold these pieces; I’m gonna swap these, and your job is to fill in the empty space to make the same triangle a different way. Eventually (anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes later) Us: Oh no! What happened?!? At this point, the conversation can take any number of directions. Many of these end in one or the other of us explicitly stating what’s going on, so I’ll do that for you now. There’s a lie here, of course. The lie is all the way up at the top when I ask you to acknowledge that we’re starting with a triangle. We are not; it is actually a slightly concave quadrilateral. Likewise, the ending shape is also not a triangle, but a slightly convex quadrilateral. We didn’t make the same shape made two different ways; we made two different shapes. These shapes unsurprisingly have two different areas. Here’s a more extreme example of the same phenomenon. Curry triangle generality For simplicity, let’s call those four pieces up top, and the big triangle they appear to make a “Curry triangle”. Now, we here at MathHappens are big fans of the Fibonacci numbers (numbers from the sequence, 1,1,2,3,5,8,13… and where you get each next number by adding the previous two numbers). Sure enough, the Fibonacci numbers appear in this paradox as the bases and heights of the triangular pieces: 2,3,5, and 8. In fact, any run of four numbers from that Fibonacci sequence will make a Curry triangle (try it!) But it isn’t the Fibonacci-ness that makes this work. Instead, it is the fact that the middle numbers (3 and 5) have a product that differs from the outer numbers (2 and 8) by 1. That corresponds to the area I asked you to fill in at the outset—put these 15 squares into this 16 square units of space. Now we know how to build Curry triangles backwards. Pick two composite numbers that differ by 1, say 27 and 28. These are the areas of your rectangles. Pick your favorite factor pair for each area, and you’re good to go. All that remains is to dissect that smaller rectangle in some clever way so that it leaves a satisfying 1 square inch hole when you put the other pieces in the configuration. This math brought to you by the many hours I spent with mathematicians, math graduate and undergraduate students, and various passers-by at the Math Communities table in the AIM booth at the Joint Math Meetings earlier this month.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Fluarix, an influenza vaccine for adults that contains inactivated virus. Fluarix is approved to immunize adults 18 years of age and older against influenza virus types A and B contained in the vaccine. Influenza is also commonly called the flu. “FDA”s approval of Fluarix is a big step toward providing an adequate supply of flu vaccine for the American public,” said Mike Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). “Having more manufacturers of influenza vaccine licensed in the U.S., and having more vaccine dosages, is critical to public health and I applaud FDA for taking such quick action to obtain and evaluate the data needed to license Fluarix in time for this year”s influenza season.” The approval of Fluarix breaks new ground in that it is the first vaccine approved using FDA”s accelerated approval process. Accelerated approval allows products that treat serious or life-threatening illnesses to be approved based on successfully achieving an endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict ultimate clinical benefit, usually one that can be studied more rapidly than showing protection against disease. In this case, the manufacturer demonstrated that after vaccination with Fluarix adults made levels of protective antibodies in the blood that FDA believes are likely to be effective in preventing flu. GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Fluarix, will do further clinical studies as part of the accelerated approval process to verify the clinical benefit of the vaccine. “Previous shortages highlighted the need for additional influenza vaccine manufacturers for the U.S. market,” said FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford. “Accelerated approval has allowed us to evaluate and approve Fluarix in record time so that we can make available additional safe and effective flu vaccines. I commend our Center for Biologics for taking extraordinary steps to help us be better prepared for both the upcoming and future flu seasons.” This success required close cooperation among the FDA, the National Institutes of Health, and the product manufacturer,” said Dr. Jesse Goodman, Director of FDA”s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “The dedicated staff of this Center is doing everything possible to prepare for the upcoming flu season.” FDA based the accelerated approval of Fluarix on thorough evaluation of safety and effectiveness data from four clinical studies involving approximately 1,200 adults. Other data from post-marketing reports in other countries where Fluarix is already approved were also reviewed as part of FDA”s safety assessment. In the United States it is estimated that more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu each year. Although no vaccine is 100% effective against preventing disease, vaccination is the best protection against influenza and can prevent many illnesses and deaths. Fluarix is manufactured in Dresden, Germany by S’chsisches Serumwerk (SSW), a subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, of Rixensart, Belgium. It will be distributed by GSK in Research Triangle Park, NC.

When you’re standing in the grocery store, staring through a cooler door, trying to decide whether to buy oat, soy, almond or coconut milk, there’s one thing that’s probably not on your mind: The enormous carbon footprint of commercial refrigeration. “Refrigeration is energy intensive because it takes a lot of energy to remove heat. And we don’t think about it when we’re shopping at a grocery store,” said Danielle Wright, executive director of the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council. “Those systems have to be running 24/7. The food supply chain in general is so energy intensive, and it’s so hidden from public view.” Indeed, the United Nations estimates that the refrigeration sector accounts for 17 percent of global energy consumption. In the U.S., the average commercial refrigerator gobbles up 17,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year — almost double that of an average American home, according to one estimate. Commercial freezers, meanwhile, can draw down 38,000 kilowatt-hours annually — or about quadruple the average American home. Multiply that by many, many refrigerators per grocery store, across 40,000 grocery stores in the U.S., and commercial refrigeration becomes a huge burden on the electrical grid. That’s why there’s a growing movement, led by organizations such as the NASRC, to make those big fridges and freezers more efficient and ultimately more sustainable. “It started out with simple things,” Wright said. Grocers started adding plastic curtains overtop open fruit and vegetable cases to reduce temperature loss overnight. They’ve also more broadly adopted doors for standing fridge cases, overcoming an initial hesitation that they would reduce sales (the opposite happened, according to Wright). “That’s a huge energy saver that’s kind of obvious,” she said. But a lot of the efficiency gains happened behind the scenes, in the part of fridges that shoppers never see: the mechanical components. Everything from compressors to condensers and motors have become more efficient in recent years, while the control systems have become more sophisticated, allowing the units to stay cool with less strain on the system. There’s just one problem. Unlike a fridge in your house, where you can swap in a new, Energy Star model in one fell swoop, commercial fridges are huge, custom-built behemoths that are not easily replaced. “The system is only as good as the sum of its parts, and no two systems are going to be identical,” Wright said. And it’s rare that a whole system would go down at the same time. It’s more common that parts will be upgraded and replaced as needed; a new compressor one year, a new condenser a couple of years later. “It’s never like, the whole system gets an upgrade. You kind of have this Frankenstein effect, where the different components are different ages,” Wright said. Financial incentives from local utilities can push grocers toward adopting more efficient parts when the opportunities do arise. Wright said upgrades that often start out as “premium” features — such as LED lights — soon become a new baseline, thanks in part to incentives that drive their adoption. But despite the modular nature of commercial refrigeration, the industry might soon be pushed toward a more wholesale revamp. That’s because energy use is not the only, or even the largest, climate impact of refrigeration. The chemicals used in fridges, most commonly hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants (HFCs), are a greenhouse gas 1,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide. And with supermarkets leaking out about 25 percent of those chemicals every year, HFCs are the fastest-growing greenhouse gas in the world, according to NASRC. The industry’s answer to this problem are so-called natural refrigerants: chemicals such as carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and ammonia, but with vastly smaller climate impacts. But those new chemicals can’t simply be swapped into old systems. “You can’t just drop them in. You have to replace the whole equipment,” Wright said. She sees that as a huge opportunity rather than a challenge. As supermarkets are forced to make the switch away from HFCs, by what Wright says are likely state or federal regulations, they’ll also be installing more energy-efficient modules as a byproduct. “Now there’s an opportunity not only to upgrade the system to the refrigerant that has the lowest climate impact, but at the same time optimize that system for energy,” Wright said. If you’d like to read the original source of this article please click here Visit Source

Pubalgia, also known as the athlete’s injury, is a condition that manifests with chronic pain in the groin area and that affects different muscle groups. It is a very frequent condition among football, rugby or hockey players, but pubalgia can also cause chronic pain in the groin area in persons practicing high intensity sports that include weight lifting, such as for instance crossfit. Furthermore, some specialties such as jump can provoke pubalgia, caused by the footwear or terrain. It is also linked to asymmetrical sports with lateral movements and intense adductor activity with torso flexion that generate decompensations that can lead to this type of condition. Depending on where the injuries are located, we can differentiate between 3 types of pubalgia: - Upper pubalgia: The anterior rectus muscles of the abdomen are inflamed and the pain is located in the abdominal muscles. - Lower pubalgia: The pain is located in the adductor muscles. - Intermediate pubalgia: Both the abdominal area and the adductors are affected. What causes pubalgia? The pubis consists of the articulation of the symphysis pubis of the amphiarthrosis type, in other words, both bones are connected by cartilage. The pubic rami of both hemipelvis are united by cartilage that absorbs the energy of the impact against the ground. This articulation also has two functions: absorbing the impact of walking and enabling the expulsion of the baby in pregnant women. Pubalgia is generally produced by a muscular surcharge caused by the overexertion generated by repetitive and continuous movements, frequent in the daily practice of high performance sports. This condition appears when there exists an imbalance in the pubis between the abdominal muscles and the adductor muscles, a weakness of the back wall of the inguinal region and a compression of the genitofemoral, ilioinguinal, lateral femoral cutaneous or obturator nerve. As explained before, this injury is very common in the sports world. The articulation affected by pubalgia contains different muscles that are all force vectors of opposite directions. These are the abdominal recti, the adductors and the pectineus muscles. When there is a muscular imbalance, this semi-mobile articulation suffers: it becomes inflamed and painful. In high-risk sports (football, rugby, athletics, padel, tennis, etc.), the lack of stretching of the important muscles, bad technique, excessive workload on hard surfaces and lack of hydration constitute risk factors. Although the main cause of pubalgia is dynamic osteopathy of the pubis, there are also other causes, such as pregnancy, direct traumatism, acute fibrillar rupture, complicated labour, post-traumatic oedema, pelvic dysfunction, etc. During pregnancy it is also possible to suffer from pubalgia due to the load and the shearing of the articulation, as it becomes more mobile due to the relaxin that turns the pelvis more lax and unstable, in order to be able to expel the baby during delivery. How to treat pubalgia The first step in the treatment of pubalgia is to rest and to decrease or interrupt sports activities. In some cases, where the pain is disabling, it may be necessary to turn to inflammatories to reduce the pain as well as the inflammation of the affected tendons, but always under medical prescription. Once improvement is achieved, it will be necessary to participate in a rehabilitation program carried out by a physiotherapist that includes posture and movement re-eductation and treatment with 2nd generation tecar therapy. Treating pubalgia with 2nd generation tecar therapy Capenergy’s second generation tecar therapy is of great help for the recovery of persons suffering from pubalgia. 5 benefits obtained when treating pubalgia with CAPENERGY: - Treatment of all the muscles involved in pubalgia in one session as the device has more than one channel. - Improvement of the fascial tension that generates tension in the muscles and pubic symphysis creating new collagen. - Pain relief and reduction of inflammation. - Activation of regeneration process of the affected tissues, speeding up its recovery. - Rebalancing of the body and the anatomic structures to obtain the best conditions to initiate retrofitting and get back to training. Would you like to know more about Capenergy tecar therapy and how it can help you treat pubalgia and other sports injuries? Request a free demo.

Rurals of Nevada: Inside Elko County, part 2 - Diversity (art. 10) "Noteworthy is the dominance of Latino or Hispanic contributions to growth in places that otherwise might have lost population during the 2010s." - William H. Frey, Brookings Institute, 13 August 2021 The concept of diversity has emerged as one of the most contentious issues over the last decade or so. The growing recognition of the variety and distinct experiences of American communities is, frankly, much overdue and very welcome. But the question as to the extent this diversity can be measured and then used to devise effective policies remains very much in question and will remain one of the most significant political issues for the next decade. One of the most talked about new measures from the 2020 Census, the Diversity Index attempts to capture the racial and ethnic diversity of areas. I previously discussed the idea in the second article on the Aging Rurals, concerning populations under 18 years old. As explained by the Census Bureau, the measure represents the chance that any two people met will be of different race and ethnicity groups. In some ways, this approach and its conceit of a hypothetical encounter between Americans are similar to the “Walk-in-the-Park” metric I have been having fun with the last few weeks. But what does the Diversity Index tell us? The Census Bureau’s Diversity Index The idea of the Diversity Index appears to have grown out of mid-1970s debates on the nature of inequality. The specific model used by the Census Bureau is derived from the work of sociologist Peter Blau, an important explorer of the intricacies of social interaction and group organization in his Inequality and Heterogeneity: A Primitive Theory of Social Structure (1977). The formula is given here in the footnote “Diversity Index.” It basically takes the various Census racial categories percentages (Hispanic/Latino, those listing one of the six racial categories alone but not Hispanic/Latino, and those listing two or more races but not Hispanic/Latino) to create the measure: A higher Diversity Index means one of two things: either there are multiple numbers of different racial or ethnic groups in an area with good-sized populations (most urban areas) or a single non-majority race or ethnicity is present in large numbers but not equal numbers (Mineral County, with over 20% Native American population, for instance). The Census Bureau can explain the variations better than I can. As a snapshot to get a look at our communities, the Diversity Index is rather neat. But I remain dubious about its use for addressing policy issues because I am not really sure what it says. The DI measure does not appear to be explicative in itself. Even the most significant use of racial and ethnic data, the creation of representative electoral districts, relies on the percentage of single groups rather than some combined measure of diversity. In short, does looking at the DI of a state say something definitive about some other quality, such as median age, economic status, or potential for growth for an area? That conclusion is exactly what has been done in popular media reporting following the first 2020 Census data releases. As I mentioned in the Aging Rurals article about the Population under 18 measure, a well-worn media trope is that rural America, predominantly white, is aging while urban America is more diverse and younger. Underlying this analysis is a decline in white fertility compared to the national average, as William H. Frey from the Brookings Institute explains here (this is the article the quote from the top of the page is from). Frey’s data is excellent, although given that 63% of the American population identifies as white raises the possibility that the size is skewing the results similar to how Las Vegas skews the Nevada results or Pahrump shifts Nye County demographics. More significant is the relationship noted by Frey becomes the basis for a corollary: if a white population is having fewer children than the national fertility rate, other groups must be having more children. And since more children mean a younger area, then ergo the younger the area the more diverse the population. Easy peasy and the story deadline is approaching, so run with it. A cursory glance at the Diversity Index and one of the more important measures of age, the Population under 18 percent, shows that the relationship between young, reproducing populations is a bit . . . complicated. Using some wonderful Census Bureau visualizations put out with the 2020 redistricting data releases (Population under 18 and Diversity Index), we can do a rough test between the question of age and diversity. Let’s start by looking at the five “oldest” states, defined by the lowest portion of the Population under 18: Vermont - Under 18 = 18.4%; DI = 20.2% Maine - Under 18 = 18.5%; DI = 18.5% New Hampshire - Under 18 = 18.6%; DI = 23.6% Rhode Island - Under 18 = 19.1%; DI = 49.4% Massachusetts - Under 18 = 19.4%; DI = 51.6% Pretty close parallel here between the two measures. Maine, Vermont, and West Virginia are the three least-diverse states (and West Virginia is the 8th “oldest” state with Under 18s at 20.1%). However, if we look at the bottom end of the chart, a different story emerges. Using the exact same sources as above, we have a list of the 5 states with the highest percent of Population under 18 and their Diversity Indexes: Utah - Under 18 = 29.0%; DI = 40.7% Idaho - Under 18 = 25.2%; DI = 35.9% Texas - Under 18 = 25.0%; DI = 67.0% Nebraska - Under 18 = 24.7%; DI = 35.6% South Dakota - Under 18 = 24.3%; DI = 35.6% Texas is the only one of these five with a DI above the national average of 61.1%, and the other four all have DI well under Rhode Island and Massachusetts, two of the oldest states. And the most diverse state? Hawaii, with a DI of 76.0%—but also the 13th oldest with a Population under 18 of 20.6%. Nevada, by the way, is in the solid middle of the Population under 18 list (30th, with 22.3% under 18) despite the high DI of 68.8%. At the state level, a rough correlation exists between older states and less diversity—but this diminishes sharply for younger states. At the state level, there is a rough correlation exists between older states and less diversity. But even here the relationship is not as direct. Non-diverse West Virginia is sandwiched in age between Florida and New York—both among the highest states in diversity. Of course, Florida and Hawaii have a simple explanation: both are very popular voluntary retirement destinations, which ratches up the age significantly. But New York? And I am not even including the District of Columbia, which simultaneously has the smallest population under 18 and is the most diverse place in the country. Turns out gerontocracy is as bad for data analysis as it is for anything else. But the correlation disappears among younger states almost completely. What strikes me as most significant in these two lists is not diversity but geography. Younger states tend to be more southern and western—particularly in the Plains and Intermountain West—while older states are clustering in the northeast and eastern midwest. I would read the primary dividing line as economics, not age or demographics. The expanding economies of southern and western states are attracting more people of all races and ethnicities and providing solid enough employment to encourage families. Older, more mature economies are not creating these opportunities, and the population left tends to be older and probably as a result of that aging not having children. Policies based solely on age and diversity risk underestimating the components driving both. Elko County CCDs and the Diversity Index An obvious question is whether a national and state-level focus is obfuscating the question. If we look more closely at smaller communities, is there a more pronounced effect between diversity and aging? The Census Bureau did generate the Diversity Indexes for Nevada counties, readily visualized on the America Counts: Nevada page, based on 2020 Census data. Of the five most diverse counties—in order Clark, Washoe, Mineral, Pershing, and Carson City—only Clark has a Population under 18 higher than the state and national averages. Elko County, for the record, is the 6th most diverse county in the state, with a DI of 52.7%. At the other end, the five least diverse counties—in order Lincoln, Eureka, Storey, Douglas, and Esmeralda—include the oldest counties in Nevada, but also relatively young Eureka and Lincoln (although I think Lincoln is only a temporary spike, as I explain here). The correlation between diversity and age is even less applicable to Nevada than the United States as a whole. But we can get an even closer look. Just over a week ago, I looked at the County Census Divisions (CCDs) within Elko County. Using those same CCDs and the 2020 Census Re-Districting Public Law 94-171 Re-Districting File (specifically, Table P2), I calculated the Diversity Indexes within Elko County (the county DI is 52.7%, remember). Here is the result: For the record, I tried to do the same Diversity Index calculations with the 2021 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, using Table DP05. The results were bizarre, to say the least. While the overall county DI was close (52.2% in 2021 versus 52.7% in 2020, so a bit less diverse), many of the CCDs saw swings of well over 10%. Moreover, there were some real doozies. For example, both Jarbidge and Montello CCDs listed 9.8% and 7.8% Hispanic/Latino population percentages in the 2020 Census, but no Hispanic/Latinos in the ACS data in either 2020 or 2021 5-Year Estimates. The lag in incorporating the 2020 Census data (and its new race and ethnicity categories) into the American Community Survey estimate models combined with the small sample size (both CCDs have very small populations in 200 or so range) is causing some significant data errors, I think. The lag in incorporating the 2020 Census population counts and race and ethnicity categories combined with the small sampling sizes in some CCDs makes the recent American Community Survey data rather suspect for diversity uses. Interestingly, these do not seem to create the same problems with the age numbers, which are a bit more consistent in the two data sets. This issue is one which may require revisiting in the future. For now, I am going to constrain myself to the 2020 Census data for the rest of this analysis. So, as of the 2020 Census, the two least diverse CCDs, Jarbidge and Montello, are also the two oldest (by multiple measures) in Elko County, as I discussed in the first “Inside Elko County” article. But of the four youngest CCDs—Jackpot, Mountain City, West Wendover, and Elko—only Jackpot had a DI above 50% in 2020. The Elko CCD, with the single largest share of the population in the county and one of the youngest, is one of the least diverse. On the other hand, the Wells CCD is the second most diverse, but the third oldest CCD (out of 8, remember). The correlation between diversity and age is rather fractured in Elko County. Also note the Mountain City and West Wendover CCDs, because they say something else about the Diversity Index as a measure. Both CCDs are moderately diverse, in the 45-50% range. However, they are also two of the three CCDs in Elko County with non-white majority populations. Mountain City’s population was over 85% Native American in 2020, while West Wendover was more than 67% Hispanic/Latino. So why the moderate DI? Remember that the Diversity Index does not measure the chance of meeting someone non-white, which is a popular interpretation. It is the chance of meeting someone of a different racial or ethnic group. It just happens that in most of the United States, the majority population will be white, so the “different” category will be non-white. Jackpot CCD in 2020, had both a Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino population each under 50%—which raises the DI. But if an area starts with a majority non-white population, the DI will reflect that majority as the “base” population. The formula for Diversity Index itself is, in effect, colorblind. The Diversity Index formula is not a measure of meeting someone non-white, but of meeting someone of a different race or ethnicity category. It is an important distinction in using the Diversity Index to devise policy. Here’s the issue. Recall that the popular use of diversity in connection to aging is based on a fall in white fertility rates. If a particular area has a majority non-white and minority white population, the correlation between diversity and aging may not hold because the white fertility rates at the base of the correlation do not apply. For example, both Mountain City and West Wendover CCDs have both white minorities but show some significant differences in age measures. To understand these situations, which are likely far more common at the local level (particularly in the West), we should be looking more at the dynamics of the specific groups in question than some abstract idea of diversity. The Hispanic / Latino Population in Elko County We can start with the Hispanic/Latino population. As Frey points out in the quote at the top of the article, the growth of the Hispanic/Latino population is widely considered to be replacing declining fertility (either through immigration or having children) in other populations. Capturing the dynamics of the Hispanic/Latino population in terms of race more effectively was a major concern of the 2020 Census, as detailed in this article. So what about Elko County? People of Hispanic or Latino descent represented just over a quarter of Elko County’s population per the 2020 Census, at 25.3% of the population, having seen a 21.3% increase since 2010. This is less than Nevada’s overall Hispanic/Latino population total at the same time of 28.7%, but well above the U.S. national average of 18.7%. For the record, the 2021 ACS 5-Year Estimate places the percentage at 24.9%, roughly the same. They are the largest non-white population group in the county. This population is not spread evenly in Elko County, however. Rather, it is concentrated in three CCDs: West Wendover (majority Hispanic/Latino), Jackpot (almost 50% of the population), and Elko (only 22%, but home to over 68% of the county’s Hispanic/Latino population). The map below shows the distribution between Elko CCDs: Again, the CCDs with the highest percentage of Hispanic/Latino population, West Wendover and Jackpot, are among the youngest in the county. But Mountain City has a very low percentage, so the population growth there is coming from the Shoshone-Paiute community in Duck Valley. And the Elko CCD is home to the majority of the county’s population (almost 79%), although only 22.0% are Hispanic/Latino (and represent over 68% of the Hispanic/Latino population here). To get at the question of aging, however, it is not just the population diversity which matters, but how that population is divided by age. During the 2020 Census (Table P4), Elko County had 28.4% of its Population under 18, for its Hispanic/Latino population that number was 37.0%, and 25.5% for the non-Hispanic/Latino population. Significantly all these numbers are well above the state and national averages for Under 18s. But only 32.9% of the Population under 18 was Hispanic/Latino—a higher percentage, but not by much. Over the county as a whole, the young population is not being driven exclusively by Hispanic/Latinos. Native American and the dominant non-Hispanic White population is increasing as well. This general pattern holds for the Census County Divisions as well; each one has a higher percentage of the Hispanic/Latino Under 18 population than the Hispanic/Latino population percentage as a whole. But only slightly. And in only two CCDs—Jackpot and West Wendover—do Hispanics/Latinos comprise over half the Under 18 population (53.1% and 78.0%, respectively). There is one important caveat to this, however. In general, the Hispanic/Latino population is younger in the sense that higher percentages of its population are Under 18. Only in Jackpot (28.1%) and Jarbidge (25.0%) are less than 30% of the Hispanic population under 18. Given than the economies in these are casinos and commercial ranching and the population so small, it is not too surprising for the numbers to be low. But only in the Elko and West Wendover CCDs does the percentage of Hispanic/Latino Population under 18 exceed 35% (at 36.7% and 40.0%, respectively). In all cases, it is still higher than the mid-20s percentages for Under 18 among the non-Hispanic population. In the end, the Hispanic/Latino population in Elko County is young, growing, and increasingly important, but likely not at the level to overtake other population groups in the short term. Nor do I agree in Elko County’s case that in the absence of the Hispanics/Latinos the population might not have grown or would even have to rely only on domestic or international migration. With over 70% of Elko County’s population non-Hispanic/Latino, and 63.6% of it checking “White alone” in the 2020 Census, it should not be shocking that in such a young county it is not a single racial or ethnic group responsible for all the growth. But this is largely apparent only by disaggregating the communities separately rather than relying on a single measure alone. It is not a coincidence that there is a wide discrepancy in CCDs and their racial and ethnic demographics within Elko County any more than there is between states. The young areas of Elko County are not young because their racial or ethnic makeup is different, but because the demographics are being driven by the groups attracted by the economics of these areas. The Casino CCDs (Jackpot and West Wendover) are attracting a semi-skilled relatively low-paid population—the traditional jobs that newer immigrant communities have gathered around historically (rightly or wrongly). The Elko CCD is diversifying, and attracting a more diverse population but primarily those of the majority population (whites). In both cases, the result is young communities—but for different reasons. For those areas that continue to rely on older industries, particularly commercial ranching, you have an older population. The same dynamic is occurring when comparing Vermont and Utah—only the scale is different. A separate dynamic is in play, I suspect, with the Native American population, particularly in Duck Valley. But to tackle that question some deeper discussion of the unique reporting issues with the American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) population in the Census data is needed. So I will be tackling that in the next article.

Published: 1985 | ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 91, Part 1, CH85-13 No. 1, 1985 Criteria for Human Exposure to Humidity in Occupied Buildings Sterling EM, Arundel A, Sterling TD Authors reviewed scientific literature that focused on humidity effects on biological contaminants (viruses, bacteria and fungi) causing respiratory disease, chemical interactions and the possible impacts on human health and comfort. 74 references are listed in the paper. Analysis of the selected literature revealed that preferences of viruses and bacteria for low and high humidity are known, while fungi prefer humidity’s above 80%RH for optimal survival on surfaces. For airborne microbes, literature revealed, that midrange humidity was least favourable for survival. Interventional clinical trials by use of humidifiers were analysed for rates for respiratory infections and absenteeism. While off-gassing of formaldehyde and chemical interactions increases above 40%RH, the concentration of irritating ozone decreases. The authors conclude that the optimal humidity range for minimizing risks to human health by biological contaminants and chemical interactions, is in the narrow range between 40-60%RH, at normal room temperatures.Scientific studies main menu

At Living Faith Lutheran Primary School in Brisbane, we have been engaged in developing the growth mindset of our P - 6 students over the last twelve months. Our aim was to improve student grit, resilience, engagement and achievement. Given the controversy around growth mindset, have we been wasting our time? Growth mindset is a learning theory developed by Dr Carol Dweck. It revolves around the idea that you can improve ability and performance through effort and hard work. The opposite, a fixed mindset, refers to the belief that a person’s abilities and talents are static. Dweck’s 2006 book ‘Mindset: The new psychology of success’, was a bestseller and schools around the world engaged in growth mindset lessons and programs in an attempt to strengthen the growth mindsets of their students and in turn, improve their learning and achievement. The book and subsequent TED talks claimed that years of research has shown that mindset is malleable and that if you develop a growth mindset, you can learn more effectively and efficiently. Earlier in 2019, “Robert Plomin, professor of behavioural genetics at King’s College London, dismissed the theory as a gimmick in an interview with Tes, a weekly UK education publication. He stated that “to think there is some simple cheap little thing that is going to make everybody fine, it is crazy. Good interventions are the most expensive and intensive – if it were easy, teachers would have figured it out for themselves”. Plomin is not the first or the only critic of Dweck’s work around growth mindset. Some question the findings of Dweck’s research around growth mindset and how the positive results are difficult to replicate, whereas others state that mindsets cannot be taught. Indeed, Dweck herself states that there can be a misunderstanding of the theory and that “it’s not easy for teachers to implement [the growth mindset] intuitively in the classroom. We’ve come to see how subtle and difficult it is to implement. We feel that the full impact of real growth mindset, those benefits will not be reaped until they are faithfully embedded in actual classrooms”. Despite the controversy around growth mindset, most people agree that having a growth mindset is a good thing and leads to greater achievement. A recent report applying advanced analytics to PISA data (the Program for International Student Assessment) has identified the factors that play a critical role in student achievement. PISA data is of interest given that it goes beyond the numbers, by asking students, principals, teachers and parents a series of questions about their practice, attitudes, behaviour and resources. The conclusion was that after controlling for all other factors, student mindsets are twice as predictive of students’ PISA scores than even their home environment and demographics (which are usually the two greatest factors that affect student achievement in standardised testing results). Students with a growth mindset performed up to 17 percent better than those with a fixed mindset. With educators debating whether a growth mindset can be taught, doubting the approach taken by schools and concerned that schools are investing valuable time in a pointless activity, we began to question our focus on growth mindset across our school. A 2019 Turkish study conducted a randomized field experiment with almost 3000 fourth-graders (8-10 year olds) in over 100 classrooms. The intervention focussed more on classroom practice and pedagogy than curriculum and content. “Results of the study suggest that the students in treatment schools were more likely to opt for a difficult, high-reward task. The intervention also increased math and verbal test scores by about 0.30 and 0.13 standard deviations respectively in the short term. A follow up after 2.5 years revealed that treated students’ math performance remained about 0.20 standard deviation higher than control students”. Bolstered by this independent study, we continued to embrace our growth mindset focus. We launched our Growth Mindset Week across the school in Week 1 of Term 1 this year. During this week, students learnt about growth and fixed mindsets and the benefits of a growth mindset during learning experiences and times of challenge. We encouraged our teachers to explore growth mindset using a series of curated clips and resources and to spend the week forging relationships and setting goals with students rather than focussing on curriculum. We also launched our new approach to Maths learning. Mindset Maths is an approach created by Professor Jo Boaler (a colleague of Dweck’s) and Cathy Williams from Stanford University. The three key ideas around Mindset Maths are: Anyone can learn Maths to high levels Mistakes and struggle are good for brain growth and brain strengthening Visual mathematics helps brain connections and is really important for students’ learning of mathematics We invested over 18 months engaging in a professional learning program around Mindset Maths and growth mindset, including the completion of the 30 hr Mindset Maths online course offered by Stanford University through youcubed.org. We also spent 12 months designing the units of work, assessment tasks and success criteria that would form our Mindset Maths curriculum. Our focus was to encourage our students to see mistakes, struggle and grappling as a natural and essential part of the learning process. Most importantly, we selected and embedded the ‘growth mindset’ language we would use within our classrooms on a daily basis. In essence, we not only focussed on the mindset of our students, but of our teachers, coaches and leaders as well. Being aware of the mixed messages that we could be sending within our school community, we also made the following changes in the year preceding the introduction of our growth mindset approach and Mindset Maths program. We: moved away from rewards in classrooms, instead focussing on intrinsic motivation and relationship building between students and teachers focussed on offering feedforward to every student for every assessment task they completed, enabling them to improve their work before final grading removed all timed tests and tests in general from our reporting and assessment regime (with the exception of standardised testing at the beginning and end of each year to measure the success of programs) removed any streaming or ability grouping across the school in all subject areas put a greater emphasis on learning and improvement by focussing on goals and greatest improvements and effort in students’ report cards established the consistent language we would use to describe learning and improvement within our school In November 2018, all of our students from Year 1 to Year 6 completed a growth mindset survey. The survey required students to make comments on various growth or fixed mindset scenarios and asked them to state whether they agreed, disagreed or were neutral. It also gauged the students’ reactions to questions around grit, resilience and determination. This survey was repeated in October 2019, almost one year since we began our growth mindset approach and Mindset Maths program. We have found an increase in the students who demonstrated a growth mindset in the 2019 survey, with some year levels showing a 16% increase of students who were demonstrating a growth mindset. ‘The harder you work at something, the better you will be at it’ – indicated the highest growth mindset response with 90% of students agreeing. In terms of academic achievement, we have seen the biggest improvement in reading across a 12 month period since we began standardised testing (according to PAT Reading), and we have seen more students achieve at the year level in Maths than before growth mindset was introduced (according to PAT Maths). Overall, the growth mindset student survey and standardised test results suggest that both Mindset Maths and our growth mindset approach have made a significant improvement in developing our students’ growth mindsets and this in turn has had a positive impact on student achievement. The conversations within classrooms confirm that the language and approach of growth mindset has been firmly embedded into our school culture, as we hear phrases around power of ‘yet’, grit and resilience. While we are excited by our results, it must be acknowledged that we have invested a lot of time and energy into our growth mindset approach. We ensured that the professional learning of our teachers was our focus, as was a pedagogy shift. We also ensured that our teachers had the time and resources to create the learning experiences that would support our growth mindset approach. Growth mindset is not something that can be taught in a few lessons across the year. It requires a lot of time, preparation and commitment. The evidence after a year suggests that it has all been worth it, and has not only benefited our students but our whole community. Rebecca McConnell is the Director of Learning and Innovation at Living Faith Lutheran Primary School.

This is a good question for the observation that Foch’s speculation being accurate, but not necessarily for the right reasons. But first: how did he do it? Foch joined the French Army in 1870 – the year of the Franco-Prussian War. The recurring competition between France and Germany (in one form of another) was the primary politico-military development driver for the Continent since the Middle Ages – it was the dominating feature for military thought on both sides of the frontier. It may be argued that Prussia (later Germany) was for practical purposes all Foch ever thought about. With such a dedication to a subject, and given his position in the French Army. it would have been surprising if Foch did not have an opinion on the next development of the conflict, and it is not inconceivable that such an opinion would have had an element of accuracy about it. But why is this? For the simple reason that when all these Franco-German conflicts are abstracted out, it becomes evident that nothing had changed with the First World War. The reasons for the animosity had not been altered, and in many respects, the Treaty of Versailles made things infinitely worse - but not enough. Therefore, it is possible to reason that the drivers for continental conflict were if possible, even stronger before the Second World War than before the First World War (but probably with less popular displays of such sentiments). Is this why some thought the Treaty too harsh? It may be, but the motivations for creating an opportunity for Germany to recover are diverse. It is for instance recognised that a strong European economy requires a strong German economy, and that France was ‘shooting herself in the foot’ in this respect, since her own economy would struggle to recover whilst the German economy was weak. The British strategic driver is even more complex – Britain has a long geo-political history of aligning with the Second Continental Power against the Prime Continental Power, and an even longer political history of Francophobia. At an instinctive level, Britain would probably have wanted to edge away from a solution which set the Continental Balance of Power in stone. Why did some (like Foch) feel that the Treaty was too lenient? Aspects of the economy aside, Foch knew that life for his military descendants would be substantially easier with a permanently weakened Germany. Germans used to have this terrible practice of turning a strong economy into a strong army, and of turning a strong army into misery for the French Army. It may be argued then that Foch did not represent France as the current victor, but the potential future vanquished – if there had to be any chance of a German recovery, France was sure to suffer in the extreme again in the period thereafter. As stated earlier, this clarity was due to the realisation (if only at a common-sensical level), that the drivers for the competition had not changed. Having failed to persuade the Treaty authors of this need to gut Germany completely, so to head the next round off at the pass, Foch understood that it was now given that there would be a 'next round'. It was now purely a matter of estimating the time remaining until it would start. The ‘short-hand’ for this was the amount of time Germany would require to recover her economy under the Treaty. However, there were certain events of this predicted period which had a profound impact on Germany’s economic revival that Foch could not have foreseen: the Great Depression acted as an antagonist, as did the great political instability of the Weimar Republic. Other events and developments acted again as agonists: the great technological advancements relating to mechanical and civil engineering, a resurgence of social polarisation, and the emergence of political extremism. It just so happened that these antagonists and agonists balanced one another out exactly to meet Foch’s speculation. Therefore, it is safe to argue that Foch’s prediction was accurate, but for the wrong reasons. In addition, his was in all probability an off-the-cuff comment that is only remembered for coinciding with his future. If Foch had estimated 30 years to the next war, we would not be discussing this right now. In fact, it is almost a given that Foch made other speculations which are no longer remembered for this exact reason. In this respect this snippet of history can be contextualised an example of Survival Bias.

Sinixt Nation Has Right to Lands in Canada An American Indian community in Washington state have long argued that they are descendants of the Sinixt, an Indigenous people whose territory once spanned Canada and the United States. In 1955, after the Sinixt were pushed down into Washington state, the Canadian government declared them extinct. Last month, Canada’s highest court agreed, ruling that the 4,000 members of the Colville Confederated Tribes in Washington state were successors to the Sinixt – and as a result, that they enjoy constitutionally protected Indigenous rights to hunt their traditional lands in Canada. This court decision settled longstanding questions over the status of the Sinixt, but it also has the potential to affirm hunting rights in Canada for tens of thousands of American Indians and Alaska Natives living in the U.S. dispossessed of traditional territories by an international border drawn hundreds of years ago. Lawsuit: Montana’s New Voting Laws Violate Native Americans’ Rights The American Civil Liberties Union and the Native American Rights Fund filed a lawsuit this month challenging two new election laws in Montana as unconstitutional infringements on American Indians’ right to vote. Montana legislators enacted the laws — H.B. 176, which eliminated same-day voter registration, and H.B. 530, which restricted ballot collection — this spring, amid a national Republican push to tighten voting regulations in connection with President Donald J. Trump’s false claims of election fraud. The lawsuit argues that the measures in Montana, where an estimated 6.5 percent of the population is Native and district courts struck down another ballot collection restriction last year, are “part of a broader scheme” to disenfranchise Native voters. It argues that the laws violate the right to vote, freedom of speech and equal protection under the Montana Constitution. Michigan’s Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Battle When Enbridge Line 5 was built in 1953, the notion of tribal consultation was often overlooked by states and corporations. In those days, pipeline construction was simple: The company paid the state of Michigan $2,450 for an easement for a portion of its pipeline on the lake bottom of the Straits of Mackinac. Now, however, the state of Michigan and 12 tribes are demanding more from Enbridge than money; they want accountability, meaningful consultation and the right to stop the flow of oil through the aging pipeline. Treaties — long-ignored and often drawn out in extended court fights — may be key to the dispute. After winning reaffirmation of treaty rights in federal court during the 1970s and 1980s, Michigan tribes have been actively exerting and protecting their rights to hunt and fish in unpolluted ceded territory as guaranteed by the Treaty of 1836. Now a showdown is looming over Enbridge’s continued operation of Line 5 as well as its plans to build a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac to house a segment of the pipeline. The company has ignored orders by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to stop the flow of oil through the pipeline, claiming only the federal courts can enact such an order. The state of Michigan wants the matter sent to a state court. Enbridge and the state of Michigan are engaged in court-ordered mediation talks, but no deadline has been set for the talks.

Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound is safe, noninvasive, painless and does not use ionizing radiation. It is used to help diagnose the causes of pain, swelling, heart conditions, assess damage after a heart attack and infection in the body's internal organs. Doppler ultrasound images can help your physician to see and evaluate: - blockages to blood flow (such as clots) - narrowing of vessels - tumors and congenital vascular malformations - reduced or absent blood flow to various organs - greater than normal blood flow to different areas, which is sometimes seen in infections These procedures require little to no special preparation. Our staff will instruct you on how to prepare, including whether you should refrain from eating or drinking beforehand. Leave jewelry at home and wear loose, comfortable clothing. You may be asked to wear a gown. Ultra Sounds performed in our office include: - Soft tissue - Heart and blood vessels "Echocardiogram" - Veins and Arteries - Extremity and Carotid "Doppler" - Abdominal Aorta For a more detailed description of each procedure as well as safety information, please click here

Human behavior, such as the choice not to vaccinate (or worse, actively propagate misinformation designed to stoke unsubstantiated fear), is central to the nation’s most prevalent, obstinate conditions, including heart disease and obesity. To successfully improve health outcomes, reduce costly chronic disease management, and prevent infectious disease outbreaks, it is imperative to understand the link between what drives health behavior (our thoughts) and what catalyzes behavior change (our choices). And understanding the science of human behavior means investing in it. Unfortunately, social and behavioral health scientists remain the minuscule minority in the pool of externally funded scientific investigators. Federal funding of social and behavioral science is about $2 billion, with the Department of Health and Human Services (primarily NIH) providing the lion’s share of investment. To put that number in context, the total research budget of NIH is over $40 billion. Widening the aperture to include investments in prevention and public health (of which behavioral research closely aligns), we find that the funding allocation is actually declining. In the two decades preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, preventive care spending by the government as a share of total national health expenditures dipped below 3 percent. This should be deeply concerning to the public. First, all roads of medical research inevitably require some form of behavior change on the part of individuals. From the life-saving to the banal, medical interventions require people to actually engage in choices or changes. This might mean making dietary changes, scheduling an appointment for a cancer screening, swapping out smoking for a nicotine patch, taking medication as directed, or opting to vaccinate. Short of widespread strategies such as adding fluoride to drinking water or mandating seatbelt use (which, notably, still requires human adherence), improving public health means that decision-makers in government and health care need to understand and apply the science of how to shift behavior at the population level. There are several interdisciplinary fields working fervently to maximize the impact of medical, environmental, or policy interventions through behavioral research, such as those in behavioral medicine, social epidemiology, psychology, behavioral economics, and implementation science. However, the odds of health behavioral research being funded and behavioral scientists being included at the highest levels of decision-making to promote our nation’s well-being are not in our favor. This scant investment in behavioral research may partially stem from biases in how we speak about different fields of science. We often hear distinctions such as “hard science” or “bench science” when discussing medical research and clinical trials. Conversely, studies of human behavior are routinely minimized as the “soft” side of the discipline. Like all messaging, however, inaccurate characterization drives false perceptions of value and yields real consequences that stymy progress on efforts to promote population health. The 60 million US adults who remain unvaccinated for COVID-19 in the third year of the pandemic are a prime example. Even with the COVID-19 vaccine development being nothing short of stunning — funded at historic levels and producing an efficacy rate over 90 percent, or 2 to 3 times the efficacy of a flu shot — 1 in 4 adults has refused to roll up their sleeves. Had even a portion of federal funding amplified behavioral research to understand and mitigate hesitancy, the United States may have been much closer to the success rates in other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development nations (like Norway, with nearly 90 percent of adults vaccinated). Science is science. While the content being studied may vary, the integrity and rigor of applying the scientific method should not. As we continue to grapple with the largest public health event in our lifetime, the gaps in research that led to preventable gaps in outcomes need to be questioned. How can policymakers, health care leaders, and scientific experts collaborate to facilitate uptake of successful interventions and address health inequities in real-world settings, where health care access is variable, misinformation and mistrust in medicine are pervasive, science is politicized, racism is systemic, and people make decisions based on factors beyond evidence? This kind of research is science worth the investment. Monica L. Wang is an associate professor at the Boston University School of Public Health and associate director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research.

Sleep is one of the most essential aspects of human health. It affects our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. However, many people struggle to get enough quality sleep due to various factors such as stress, lifestyle, and environment. Fortunately, technology can help us improve our sleep quality and quantity by providing us with tools to track and optimize our sleep patterns. In this article, we will discuss how sleep technology can help us monitor and enhance our sleep quality, how blue light from electronic devices can disrupt our sleep, and how we should use technology judiciously before bedtime. What We'll Cover How Sleep Technology can Help Track and Improve Sleep Quality One of the ways that technology can help us improve our sleep is by providing us with wearable devices that can track our sleep patterns and provide us with insight into our sleep quality. These devices include smartwatches and fitness trackers that can measure various parameters such as heart rate, blood oxygen level, body temperature, and movement during sleep. These devices can also sync with smartphone apps that can analyze the data and give us feedback on how well we slept, how much deep sleep we got, how many times we woke up, and how long it took us to fall asleep. Some of these apps can also provide us with personalized tips and recommendations on how to improve our sleep habits based on our sleep data. Another way that technology can help us track our sleep quality is by using smartphone apps that use the phone’s accelerometer to track our sleep movements. These apps work by placing the phone on the bed or under the pillow and detecting the vibrations caused by our body movements during sleep. These apps can then use algorithms to estimate our sleep stages and duration and provide us with a sleep report in the morning. Some of these apps can also use sound or vibration to gently wake us up at the optimal time based on our sleep cycle. The benefits of using sleep technology to track and improve our sleep quality are manifold. By having access to objective and accurate data on our sleep patterns, we can better understand how our lifestyle choices affect our sleep quality and make necessary adjustments accordingly. For example, we can see how caffeine, alcohol, exercise, diet, or stress influence our sleep quality and duration and modify them accordingly. We can also see how our sleep quality affects our mood, energy level, productivity, and performance during the day and take steps to improve them. Moreover, by using sleep technology to monitor and optimize our sleep quality, we can also prevent or reduce the risk of developing various health problems associated with poor or insufficient sleep such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, impaired immunity, and cognitive decline. Blue Light from Electronic Devices can Disrupt Sleep While technology can help us improve our sleep quality in many ways, it can also have a negative impact on our sleep if used improperly or excessively before bedtime. One of the main culprits of disrupting our sleep is blue light emitted from electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs, and LED lights. Blue light is a type of visible light that has a short wavelength and high energy. It is beneficial during the day as it helps us stay alert, focused, and energized. However, at night, it can have the opposite effect as it interferes with our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin, a hormone generated by a small gland in the brain called the pineal gland, regulates our body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin levels rise in the evening when the sun sets and decline in the morning as the sun rises. This helps us feel sleepy at night and awake during the day. However, when we are exposed to blue light from electronic devices before bedtime, it suppresses the production of melatonin and delays its release into the bloodstream. This makes it harder for us to fall asleep and reduces the quality and quantity of our sleep. Blue light's poor impact on sleep quality and quantity can have major ramifications for our health and well-being. Blue light exposure before bedtime has been proven in studies to diminish the quantity of deep sleep we experience by up to 50%.Deep sleep is the most restorative stage of sleep that helps us repair our tissues, consolidate our memories, regulate our hormones, and boost our immune system. Lack of deep sleep can impair these functions and lead to various health problems such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, impaired immunity, and cognitive decline. Moreover, exposure to blue light before bedtime can also affect our mood, energy level, productivity, performance, creativity, learning ability, concentration, and decision making during the day. Technology Should be Used Judiciously Before Bedtime Given the detrimental effects of blue light on our sleep quality and quantity, it is important that we use technology judiciously before bedtime and create a relaxing bedtime routine that excludes the use of electronic devices. One of the ways to do this is by setting a digital curfew at least an hour before bedtime and avoiding any activities that involve the use of electronic devices such as checking emails, browsing social media, watching TV, playing video games, or working on the computer. Instead, we should engage in activities that help us unwind and relax such as reading a book, listening to soothing music, meditating, doing yoga, or taking a warm bath. Another way to use technology judiciously before bedtime is by keeping electronic devices out of the bedroom and creating a sleep-conducive environment. This means removing any sources of blue light such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs, and LED lights from the bedroom and using curtains, blinds, or shades to block any external light from entering the room. We should also make sure that the temperature, humidity, noise level, and ventilation in the bedroom are comfortable and conducive to sleep. We can also use technology to enhance our sleep environment by using devices such as air purifiers, humidifiers, fans, white noise machines, or aromatherapy diffusers that can create a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom. Technology can be a powerful ally in helping us improve our sleep quality and quantity by providing us with tools to track and optimize our sleep patterns. However, technology can also be a potential enemy if used improperly or excessively before bedtime as it can disrupt our sleep by exposing us to blue light that interferes with our body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Therefore, we should use technology judiciously and create a healthy balance between using it to enhance our sleep quality and avoiding it to preserve our sleep quality. By doing so, we can reap the benefits of technology for our sleep and health without compromising them. The responses below are not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any financial entity or advertiser. It is not the advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

The state should ensure that new elementary teachers know the science of reading instruction. In its standards for elementary teacher preparation, Alabama requires teacher preparation programs to address the science of reading. Programs must provide training in the five instructional components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, as identified by the Alabama Reading Initiative. Further, Alabama has recently approved a science of reading testing requirement. As of September 1, 2012, all elementary teachers must pass the newly developed Praxis II "Teaching Reading" assessment. Monitor new Praxis II assessment to ensure rigor. Alabama is commended for its long commitment to effective reading instruction and for adding a licensure test to bolster its preparation requirements. However, the state will need to monitor this new assessment to make sure it really is rigorous and an appropriate measure of teachers' knowledge and skill of scientifically based reading instruction. The track record of Praxis assessments in this regard is mixed at best, and although the test description seems on track, the sample test questions leave some room for doubt. Alabama was helpful in providing NCTQ with the facts necessary for this analysis.

What is an electrical transformer? Well, chances are you’ve seen one before, possibly without knowing it. They come in all shapes and sizes and there’s likely one in your neighbourhood or possibly even in your toy train set. And no, we’re not referring to any type of extraterrestrial robot. Larger ones are usually grouped together and can often be found enclosed in isolated, fenced-off areas or power plants. Although at some point in time, you’ve probably been told not to get too close to one, their function might still be unclear. We get more in depth about their overall purpose below: What is an electrical transformer? Electrical transformers are electrical devices used to transfer electricity from high voltages to low voltages and vice versa. Most electrical transformers are built for the latter. Without getting too technical, the process used to transform this energy is known as electromagnetic induction which utilizes magnetic fields throughout the process. What are electrical transformers used for? There are many different types of electrical transformers that serve different purposes depending on the size of the task. Everyday uses around the household may include powering appliances, equipment and even children’s toys. The power that stems from large power plants is usually too powerful for its intended use; therefore, an electrical transformer is used to downsize the electricity into an appropriate voltage that is then transferred through coils. What are the benefits? Aside from powering our home appliances and equipment, electrical transformers have an enormous impact on our everyday lives. Many homes and businesses aren’t located within a close enough proximity to a power plant. So how do these homes and business’s get enough energy to operate? That’s where electrical transformers come in handy. The technology behind these transformers allows them to transfer energy from far away at an impressive speed. The next time you heat up a meal in the microwave or flick on the lights in your house, you’ll know exactly where that energy came from!

Learning the harmonica is not overly difficult for beginners. Most people find the basics approachable with practice. The harmonica, with its small size and relative affordability, offers a welcoming entry point for those new to music. It’s a melodious gateway to understanding rhythm, pitch, and melody. This pocket-sized instrument does not demand advanced musical knowledge, making it accessible for individuals of all backgrounds. Yet, achieving proficiency requires diligent practice, especially to master techniques like bending notes. Embracing the harmonica’s simplicity, many have taught themselves to play, enjoying its expressive range from folk tunes to blues riffs. While simple tunes may come quickly, the harmonica also presents a rich field for advanced learning and expression. Embark on a musical journey with the harmonica, a pocket-sized instrument bursting with melody. Often seen as a gateway to the music world, the harmonica’s simplicity and versatility make it a popular choice for many beginners. Its friendly size and ease of play invite people of all ages to learn. Round up your enthusiasm, because unlocking the harmonica’s potential can be straightforward and enjoyable. Choosing The Right Harmonica Beginners, take note. A vital step in your harmonica journey is selecting the right one. The two main types available are diatonic and chromatic. Each serves a different musical purpose, so it’s essential to choose wisely to match your musical aspirations. - Diatonic Harmonicas: Perfect for blues, rock, country, and folk. - Chromatic Harmonicas: Suited for jazz, classical, and complex melodies. Start with a diatonic harmonica in the key of C. It’s universally recommended for beginners. This key allows you to play many songs and is often used in tutorials and lessons. Diatonic Vs Chromatic: Starting Simple The debate of diatonic vs. chromatic is crucial for starters. Most teachers agree that diatonic harmonicas are easier for beginners. They have 10 holes that offer a range of notes adequate for numerous songs. You don’t need complex techniques to start playing. The chromatic harmonica, on the other hand, features a button-activated slide that shifts the pitch of the notes. It adds half-steps, allowing you to play in any key and access all 12 notes of the Western scale. For simplicity’s sake, start with the diatonic. Master the basics, then consider the chromatic for a broader musical expression. Basic Techniques Unveiled Embarking on the harmonica journey opens a world of musical expression that’s both gratifying and engaging. Mastering the basics is key to harnessing the full potential of this versatile instrument. Let’s unveil the basic techniques that set the foundation for becoming a proficient harmonica player. Breathing Patterns And Control The core of harmonica play lies in breath management. To start, focus on relaxed, deep breaths. Harmonica success hinges on your ability to breathe naturally and rhythmically. Practice inhale and exhale patterns—aim for steady, controlled breaths that align with the notes you play. - Use diaphragmatic breathing for power and tone stability. - Match breathing to rhythm for seamless note transitions. - Conserve breath to maintain stamina throughout your playing. Achieving Clean Notes Clarity in note play translates to more melodic tunes. Beginners should approach this with a focus on single notes. Isolate each note by practicing the ‘pucker’ or ‘lip block’ techniques. This forms the bedrock of playing crisp, clear melodies and leads. Endeavor to hit one hole at a time – precision is paramount. - Start with a gentle lip pucker. - Position the harmonica deep enough to create a full sound. - Adjust your embouchure as needed to refine each individual note. Advancing Your Skills Advancing Your Skills on the harmonica is a thrilling journey. As you move from the basics to more complex techniques, your sound takes on new depth. You will find that simple melodies evolve into rich, soulful tunes that captivate listeners. This section focuses on skills that will take your harmonica playing to the next level. Let’s dive into the keys to mastering your instrument. Mastering Bends And Vibrato Bending notes is a major skill for creating expressive music with your harmonica. It involves altering the pitch of a note by changing the shape of your mouth and the flow of air. Here’s how you can practice: - Start with a single note and focus on the control of your breath. - Gradually adjust your embouchure to hear the pitch bend. - Repeat until the bend is smooth and consistent. Vibrato, on the other hand, adds a wavering quality to your tone. This is how to add vibrato: - Use your diaphragm to pulse the airflow. - Control the speed and depth of the vibrato for different effects. Navigating Positions And Keys Harmonicas come in various keys, and playing in multiple positions allows you to play in different keys on the same harmonica. Here is a simple breakdown: |1st (Straight Harp) |Folk & Pop |2nd (Cross Harp) |Blues & Rock |3rd (Slant Harp) |Minor Blues & Jazz To navigate between these positions: - Learn the scale associated with each position. - Practice switching during songs. - Focus on the feel of each key. Self-learning Vs Formal Training Embarking on the journey to learn the harmonica can be thrilling. Two paths stand before you: self-taught or with a teacher. Both have their attractions. For some, picking up tunes by ear and practice is the preferred way. Others thrive under guided instruction. Which path to pick? Let’s dive into the specifics of each to help make your decision clearer.Resources for Self-Taught Players Resources For Self-taught Players Going solo in learning the harmonica means finding the right resources. The internet is a treasure trove for self-learners. Here’s how to start: - Online tutorials: YouTube channels offer step-by-step lessons. - Harmonica tabs: Websites feature tabs for popular songs. Ideal for visual learners! - Forums: Platforms like Reddit provide community support and tips. - Apps: Interactive apps on your mobile can make practice fun. Benefits Of A Harmonica Teacher Prefer structured learning? A harmonica teacher could be beneficial. Let’s see why: - Personal feedback: Teachers offer corrections and tailored advice. - Structured lessons: They create a learning path with clear goals. - Answering questions: Immediate answers can help you overcome challenges faster. - Motivation: Regular sessions keep your learning on track and motivating. Timeframe To Harmonica Proficiency Welcome to the harmonious journey of learning the harmonica! Many aspiring musicians often wonder about the timeframe to reach proficiency on this versatile instrument. The truth is, your journey can be as unique as the tunes you’ll play. Let’s explore realistic goals and effective practice routines to fast-track your harmonica skills!Setting Realistic Goals Setting Realistic Goals Embarking on your musical quest with the harmonica begins with setting achievable milestones. It’s essential to measure progress in manageable steps. - Month 1: Mastering basic notes and simple scales. - Month 2-3: Playing simple songs and proper breathing techniques. - Month 4-6: Exploring bending notes and riffs. - 6 Months+: Focusing on advanced techniques and styles. Practice Routines For Rapid Progress Consistent practice propels harmonica learning. Here’s a weekly routine to streamline your progress and keep practice enjoyable. |Warm-up with scales |Learn new techniques |Rest or review Remember, regular short sessions are more effective than sporadic, lengthy ones. Always engage in mindful practice, focusing on areas that need improvement. This compact yet potent routine ensures steady growth and enjoyment throughout your harmonica learning experience! Comparison With Other Instruments The harmonica sits among the pantheon of musical instruments, tempting new musicians with its allure of simplicity. Picking up a harmonica might seem far easier than grappling with a guitar or blowing into a saxophone. Yet, as with any instrument, comparing the learning curves can unveil a tapestry of challenges and ease that vary from one to another. In this section, we dive into the intricacies of the harmonica, placing it side by side with other instruments to assess its learning demands. Harmonica Vs Guitar: Ease Of Learning |Simply blow into the holes |May require tuning |Easier to produce first sounds |Requires finger dexterity |Quicker to play simple tunes |May take time to play chords When comparing the harmonica to the guitar, newcomers often notice the stark differences in approachability. The harmonica’s innate design allows for instant gratification, as breathing through the instrument produces immediate results. On the flip side, the guitar’s complexity in chord formations and strumming patterns require a bit more patience and practice to master. Why Some Consider Harmonica Difficult - Breath Control: Requires meticulous command to alter pitches. - Single Note Precision: Playing one note at a time demands practice. - Understanding Music Theory: To truly excel, theoretical knowledge is beneficial. - Advanced Techniques: Skills like bending notes for blues require time to learn. Those wondering ‘Is harmonica hard to learn’ may be surprised. While early stages invite quick success, advancing in harmonica playing involves nuanced skill development. Breath control, for example, is a subtle art that can make or break a performance. Single note precision is another hurdle, as it necessitates isolating notes in a sea of reeds, a task easier said than done. Plus, diving into music theory can be as intimidating as spelunking in uncharted caves, demanding time to understand and apply. And then, there are the advanced techniques like note bending, essential for the soulful wails of blues harmonica, which are not so much a ‘step’, but rather a ‘leap’ forward in a player’s journey. Common Challenges And Solutions Embarking on a musical journey with the harmonica is an exciting venture filled with nuances and distinctive milestones. While it stands as a relatively accessible instrument to newcomers, learners face common challenges that require strategic solutions. Recognizing these challenges early can help harmonica enthusiasts maintain their harmonious stride. Overcoming The First Hurdles Getting accustomed to breath control and mouth positioning are among the initial obstacles for new players. Here are simple tips to triumph over these early difficulties: - Practice breathing exercises to manage airflow. - Adopt a relaxed posture, preventing unnecessary tension. - Begin with simple songs to gain confidence and refine techniques. Dealing With Frustration And Plateaus As learners progress, frustration and stagnant phases, or plateaus, often arise. The following recommendations can aid in staying motivated and furthering development: - Set realistic, achievable goals to track progress. - Listen frequently to harmonica music, igniting inspiration. - Join harmonica communities or forums for support and advice. - Consider occasional lessons with a professional to introduce fresh perspectives. Musical Expressiveness And The Harmonica The harmonica, with its rich, soulful sounds, has the unique ability to capture a gamut of emotions. Often associated with blues, folk, and jazz, this small instrument can match the intensity and subtlety of the human voice. Players can produce haunting melodies, joyous riffs, and deeply expressive solos, making it a favorite for those seeking to convey their feelings through music. As one embarks on the harmonica journey, they discover an avenue of personal expression that resonates with listeners across the globe. The harmonica welcomes newcomers with open arms. Many find it easy to start but soon learn that mastery is an art. Initially, it is all about understanding the basics – breathing techniques, note bending, and rhythm. Over time, students evolve, exploring the harmonica’s expressive capabilities to tell their own musical stories. It is a fulfilling path, from playing the first notes to capturing hearts with a ballad. Developing a unique harmonica voice is akin to finding one’s identity. It involves experimentation, persistence, and inspiration. Players often integrate personal influences, experimenting with varied genres and techniques to shape their sound. This journey includes: - Mastering fundamental playing styles like cross-harp and straight-harp. - Learning how to bend notes to access emotional depths. - Embracing improvisation to weave unique musical tales. Each harmonica player’s voice grows richer with time and practice. It stands as a testament to their personality, experiences, and musical dedication. Frequently Asked Questions On Is Harmonica Hard To Learn How Long Does It Take To Learn Harmonica? Learning harmonica basics can take a few weeks, but mastering it might take years of practice. Can I Teach Myself To Play The Harmonica? Yes, you can teach yourself to play the harmonica using online tutorials, practice, and dedication. Is Harmonica Easier Than Guitar? The harmonica is generally considered easier to learn than the guitar. Is Harmonica Good For A Beginner? Yes, the harmonica is a great choice for beginners due to its simplicity and portability. How Long To Master Harmonica? Learning the basics of the harmonica can take a few weeks, but mastering it may require years of consistent practice and play. Mastering the harmonica is a unique journey, blending simplicity with deep musical potential. Whether you’re a budding musician or a seasoned instrumentalist, the harmonica offers a mix of accessibility and challenge. Remember, patience and consistent practice are your best allies in unlocking the rich, soulful tunes of this compact powerhouse. Keep blowing, keep learning, and soon the harmonica’s melodies will flow from you as effortlessly as a river’s current.

(Mackenzie Swartz/George Washington University) Community solar: Fighting climate change and income inequality Climate change poses a serious, imminent threat to the viability of our ecosystems and species populations, compromising the welfare of current and future generations. High emissions grid infrastructure is one of the leading drivers of this, emitting extremely high levels of CO2 into the atmosphere. Solar technology provides an extremely viable solution to decarbonizing the grid, while still providing the necessary energy to fuel our societies. The solar industry has a chance to shape the larger narrative on energy justice, and advance social equity by ensuring energy security for all socioeconomic levels. Industry leaders are currently building the market and have the ability to choose the norm of how and for whom it functions. In today’s market, non-profits, renters, and low-income households are being left out of the solar revolution due to financial barriers, misinformation, and lack of opportunity. The market only serves wealthier, more privileged populations, leaving the ones who need solar the most behind. With less wealth generation, these ostracized groups are often forced to live in older buildings that operate on less efficient heating and cooling systems, resulting in extremely high energy bills. With no respective income to offset this, these struggling residents have to decide whether to put food on the table or pay the bills. Further, the areas of town in which these groups live lack community infrastructure investment and proper resources, making it harder to complete everyday tasks such as commuting to work and getting fresh groceries. Often positioned next to brownfields, these communities also face health and safety risks with restricted access to medical support, poorer air quality, and higher crime rates. Community solar investment has the potential to create cost savings that reduce these financial stresses and channel wealth into the hands of residents, providing them with new jobs and self-sustaining economic revitalization. Community solar provides the benefits of renewable energy without imposing the high upfront costs and infrastructure investment necessary for construction. These facilities are built on larger, shared spaces such as an apartment complex, church, community center, or vacant field, with open subscription for renters, non-profits, and low-income residents. Through virtual net-metering, subscribers receive credits on their monthly electric bills based on their share of the overall electricity the solar system generates, allowing them to take advantage of cheaper electricity costs and cleaner energy. At the forefront of this initiative to advance community solar is the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), working with local solar contractors to design and install solar photovoltaic systems at no cost to income-qualified District homeowners. Ted Trabue, Managing Director of the DC Sustainable Energy Utility, says that the DCSEU is “making sure that our low-income community is adequately served,” by providing access to solar technology, from which these communities were originally isolated. This incredible work is possible through the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund (SETF), which is a surcharge on all electric and natural gas utility ratepayers in the District of Columbia. This fund directly finances solar installations in DC by incentivizing solar contractors to participate in such programs through monetary compensation to assist with project costs, while also allowing them to keep all Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). At the program’s inception, there were less than a dozen solar installations in Wards 7 and Ward 8, the city’s poorest neighborhoods, while the wealthier, Western side of the city had over 1000 installations. That is why the DCSEU is “installing these systems specifically on income-qualified residents, those who are earning 60% or less of area median income, absolutely free of charge to the resident,” says Mr. Trabue, to directly target this inequity. The District’s support of community solar has promoted energy efficiency, economic development, and local job creation. But most importantly, this program is helping low-income residents first. Shelley Cohen, the Director of Solar Programs for the DCSEU, comments that “Some homeowners are making decisions between critical items such as food or prescriptions and keeping the lights on. I am so glad that we can provide some relief for some homeowners from the cost of their utility bills and put more money back in their pockets.” Access to community solar is still limited, as only a number of states have passed encouraging legislation to make this a reality for their residents. However, this is changing fast, and community solar can end energy insecurity for all.

Why Do Myotonic Goats Faint? Why Do Myotonic Goats Faint? Not all goats faint. Those that do exhibit fainting behavior are members of a special breed that goes by a variety of names. Most often you’ll hear them referred to as Myotonic goats or Tennessee fainting goats. Some of the other nicknames used for this breed include Tennessee meat goats, wooden-leg goats, stiff-leg goats, nervous goats, fall-down goats, and scare goats. So what’s the deal with these goats? Are they overly dramatic and prone to fainting at the slightest provocation? Not at all! In fact, fainting goats don’t actually faint when they fall over. They remain conscious the entire time. Myotonic goats are born with a congenital condition called myotonia congenita, which is also known as Thomsen’s disease. This condition causes their muscles to seize up when they’re startled. This results in their falling over as if they fainted upon being scared. This unique condition interferes with a goat’s normal fight-or-flight reaction. If you’ve ever been startled, you’ve experienced something similar. Your natural fight-or-flight reaction kicks in and your muscles seize up suddenly. In a normal fight-or-flight reaction, your muscles will release quickly, allowing you to either defend yourself (fight) or run (flight). If you’re a fainting goat, though, your muscles don’t release quickly. They seize up and stay that way for several seconds up to a minute or more. With suddenly stiff legs that won’t release, fainting goats end up falling over as if they fainted. Fortunately, this process usually doesn’t hurt fainting goats, and they rarely experience any pain or injury from these spells. Younger goats tend to be more susceptible to falling over. As goats mature, they’re often able to learn how to remain standing on their stiff legs. Goats aren’t the only animals that can have myotonia congenita. Several other species, including mice and even human beings, can have this condition. Because of their four-legged, stocky bodies, though, goats are the only animals that tend to be prone to falling over. Moreover, goats are the only breed of animal specifically bred to maintain this condition. Classified as a meat goat as opposed to a dairy goat, it can be raised for chevon (goat meat). This breed is listed as threatened by The Livestock Conservancy, so the fainting goat is not used as often for chevon as other meat goat breeds; its rarity makes the live goat more valuable. The fainting goat is specialized for smaller production operations as they are unable to challenge fences as vigorously as larger meat goat breeds. This is due in part to their smaller size and also because of the myotonia. Their size makes them easier to care for during chores such as foot trimming and administering medication. Smaller specimens of fainting goats are frequently kept as pets. Besides the myotonia, another distinguishing feature of the fainting goat is its prominently set eyes. The eyes protrude from the eye sockets, as opposed to recessed eyes seen in other breeds. The profile is straight as opposed to the convex or “roman” profile. Even though some people breed these animals for pets or to have smaller sized meat goats, “fainting” is a disorder that producers of other breeds try to keep out of their herds’ bloodlines, unless they are purposely raising goats to have the fainting trait. Every year in October, fainting goats are honored in Marshall County, Tennessee, at the “Goats, Music and More Festival”. The festival is centered on goats but has activities including music, arts, festival games, crafts show, food vendors, and children’s activities.

United States is not following the trend followed by most of the developed countries of placing big bet on education investments. They believe that population should be educated to fill job needs in future, drive healthy economies, be a part of healthy economies and generate more income for tax receipts. Between 2010 and 2014, US has started spending 3 percent less money in elementary and high school education even when the economy is strong and there’s a 1 percent increase in student population. In the same period, 35 countries have increased 5 percent investment per student in education. Some countries have increased educational investment as much as 76 percent between 2008 and 2014. The other countries got stalled in 2008 financial crisis and couldn’t invest in education. However, there is not a clear relationship between money spent and student outcomes. Some countries spend way too less money on education than United States, and yet they consistently secure higher positions in international tests. Yes, United States’ educational investments have declined but even then it spends more per student than most of the countries. US spent $11,319 per elementary school student in 2014, while the international average is $8,773 for 2014. The reason some countries have better performance by spending less money is because they spend the money differently than US. A difference is that large classrooms are popular in Asia so that one good teacher can teach many, while in US money is spent on training more teachers rather than using current sources efficiently. Another big reason US Education system differs from others is because teachers are overworked. In US, teachers teach around 1,000 hours annually while in Japan teachers teach for 600 hours only and 550 hours in Korea. These teachers specialize in one course, like Algebra 1, and teach only for some periods of a day. The rest of their week is spent in other activities –preparing lessons, or resolving queries of students. In US teachers don’t have time for professional development, teacher collaboration, lesson preparation, working with students individually while that’s not the case in other countries. The US spends a lot of resources and time in keeping class sizes smaller and hiring more teachers for the students. National Center for Education Statistics in Washington DC has been tracking educational data. The data shows that educational investment for elementary and high school students has been falling for several years in a row from 2009 to 2013. The reason is ambiguous being a combination of federal, state and local budget cuts. Spending in education saw a sporadic increase during the 2013-14 school year, and it has been adjusting after that for inflation, yet is well below the peak of 2009. US census report shows that middle class incomes are rising. It may appear that economy is flourishing just fine even with less expenditure on schools. But education is an 18-year, long-term investment that starts from pre-K to college. Maybe the smashed economic prospects won’t be visible for many years because of this divestment.

Today in History |This Day in History |Friedrich Bessel is born, German mathematician and astronomer. Determined distance to a star & discovered unseen astronomical objects merely through their gravitational force. |William Archibald Spooner, English priest and scholar is born. Father of the spoonerism. |The first ever motor race is held in France between the cities of Paris andRouen. |“Public Enemy No. 1” John Dillinger is mortally wounded by FBI agents outside Chicago‘s Biograph Theater. |Pi Approximation Day, (22⁄7 is a common approximation of π) Yesterday in Chicago Today in Chicago |Today in History |World of Wonder |Readings and Discussion |Thank You Pictures | QuickFire Challenge |Video to End the Day |Vote on your teammates Explain It To Me videos Bring in any maker related materials you want to play with/try tomorrow during Maker Playground. Prepare lesson and materials for Teaching Demonstration. Complete the following readings and be prepared to discuss in class

Office of Strategic Services (OSS) interview with Mr. Jim Fletcher. This veteran battled the Japanese behind enemy lines during WorldWar II. The interview is courtesy of the Witness to War Foundation www.witnesstowar.org. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was a U.S. covert intelligence agency formed during World War II. It was the wartime intelligence agency, and it was the predecessor of the CIA. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a military order on 13 June 1942, to collect and analyze strategic information required by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and to conduct special operations not assigned to other agencies. From 1943-1945, the OSS played a major role in training Kuomintang troops in China and Burma, helping to arm, train and supply resistance movements, including Mao Zedong’s Red Army in China, and in other areas occupied by the Axis Powers. The men and women of the OSS provided valuable intelligence, by infiltrating the Nazi hierarchy and directly sabotaging their plans. The names of all OSS personnel and documents of their OSS service, previously a closely guarded secret, were released by the US National Archives in August 2008. Among the 24,000 names released were those of Julia Child, Moe Berg, and John Ford. For many of us those names may not ring a bell, but back then they were famous people. In 1944, The OSS purchased Soviet code and cipher material (or Finnish information on them) from a Finnish Army officer. This codebook was used as part of the Venona decryption effort, which helped uncover large-scale Soviet espionage in North America. However, the CIA and NSA archives have no surviving copies of this material. The demise of the OSS came on September 20, 1945, when President Truman signed an executive order which came into effect as of October 1, 1945. Thus the functions of the OSS were split between the Department of State and the Department of War. The State Department received the Research and Analysis Branch of OSS which was renamed the Interim Research and Intelligence Service. In January 1946, President Truman created the Central Intelligence Group (which was the direct precursor to the CIA. Next, the National Security Act of 1947 established the United States’s first permanent peacetime intelligence agency, the CIA, which then took up the functions of the OSS. Smith, Bradley F. The Shadow Warriors: OSS and the Origins of the CIA (New York: Basic, 1983) Dunlop, Richard. Donovan: America’s Master Spy (Chicago: Rand McNally, 1982) Other true Veteran stories can be found on our Stories page The Frontlines uses referral links cover the web hosting, research and gathering of stories to preserve military history and humor. The items linked to are my personal favorites of stuff or things I have read over the years. Thank you for your support!

by Lloyd E. Mulraine Proudly referred to as "Little England" by her islanders, Barbados, a small Caribbean country, is the easternmost island in the West Indies island chain, which stretches from southeast Florida to the northern coast of South America. Its nearest neighbor, St. Vincent, is due west. The island is one-sixth the size of Rhode Island, the smallest state of the United States; it is 21 miles (30 km) long and 14 miles (22 km) across at its widest point, with a surface area of 166 square miles (431 sq. km). Although relatively flat, Barbados is composed mostly of coral, rising gently from the west coast in a series of terraces to a ridge in the center. Its highest point is Mt. Hillaby, reaching 1,104 feet (336 m). According to the 1994 Caribbean Basin Commercial Profile, the population of Barbados in December 1992 was 258,000—52.1 percent of which was female, and 47.9 percent male. Ninety-two percent were of African ethnic origin, four percent white, one percent Asian Indian, and three percent of mixed race. About 70 percent live in the urban area that stretches along the sheltered Caribbean Sea side of the island from Speightstown in the north, to Oistins in the south, and St. Philip in the southeast. The remainder live in villages scattered throughout the countryside, ranging in size from 100 to 3000 persons. Population density is among the highest in the world at 1589.7 people per square mile. The official language of Barbados is English, and the capital is Bridgetown. There are over 100 denominations and religious sects in Barbados. Seventy percent of the population nominally belongs to the Anglican/Episcopal church, an important heritage of the island's long, unbroken connection with England. The rest belong to such religious groups as Methodist, Moravian, Roman Catholic, Church of God, Seventh-day Adventist, Pentecostal, and a host of others. Adult literacy is approximately 99 percent. The national flag, flown for the first time at midnight November 30, 1966, consists of three equal vertical stripes of ultramarine, gold, and ultramarine with a broken trident in the center of the gold stripe. The word Barbados (pronounced "bar- bay -dos") comes from Las Barbadas, the name given to the island by the Portuguese who landed there in the early sixteenth century. They named it after the fig tree that grew in abundance on the island, and whose branches had great mats of twisted fibrous roots looking like beards hanging to the ground. Barbados is a derivative of barbudo, the Portuguese name for one who has a thick beard. According to historical accounts, from c. 350 A.D. to the early sixteenth century, various Amerindian civilizations flourished in Barbados. The first wave of settlers, now called Barrancoid/Saladoid, occupied the island from c. 350-650 A.D. The Spaniards in the sixteenth century referred to them as Arawaks. They originated in the Orinoco basin in South America. Archeological findings reveal that they were skilled in farming, fishing, and ceramics. In about 800 A.D. a second wave of Amerindian migrants occupied the island. They were expert fishermen and grew crops of cassava, potato, and maize. They also produced cotton textile goods and ceramics. A third wave of migrants settled on the island during the mid-thirteenth century. The Spaniards called them Caribs. More materially developed and politically organized, they subdued and dominated their predecessors. In 1625, when the first English ship, the Olive Blossom, on a return visit from Brazil to England, accidentally arrived in Barbados, Captain John Powell and his crew claimed the island on behalf of King James I. They found the island uninhabited. The Amerindians had long departed. During the early sixteenth century, they were victims of the Spaniards' slave raiding missions, and were forced to work on the sugar estates and the mines of Hispaniola and elsewhere. The party of English mariners who arrived in Barbados on May 14, 1625, were the first Europeans to begin its colonization. On February 17, 1627, the William and John, bearing English settlers and ten African slaves captured from the Portuguese at sea, landed at the present site of Holetown village, and founded the second British colony in the Caribbean, the first being St. Kitts in 1623. The 80 pioneer settlers who disembarked the ship survived on subsistence farming, and exported tobacco and cotton. John Powell, Jr., served as the colony's first governor from April to July 1627. During that same year, Powell also brought 32 Indians from Guiana. They were to live as free people while teaching the English the art of tropical agriculture and regional political geography. Powell's expedition was financed by Sir William Courteen, an Englishman, but later it was argued that Courteen had no settlement rights to Barbados since he received no royal patent. On July 22, 1627, Charles I granted a patent to James Hay, the first Earl of Carlisle, for the settlement of Barbados. He assumed the status of Lord Proprietor. This Proprietary Patent of 1627 gave the Earl authority to make laws for Barbados with the consent, assent, and approbation of the freeholders. Due to an error, another royal patent was issued to the Earl of Pembroke, giving him legal ownership of Barbados but creating conflict and confusion on the island. As Carlisle and Pembroke contended for political supremacy over Barbados, the Powell faction, through bold defiance of both contenders, managed to stay in charge of the government. On April 1, 1628, a second patent was issued to Carlisle, revoking that of Pembroke, and Charles Wolverton was appointed Governor of Barbados. When he arrived there, he appointed a group of 12 men to assist him in the administration of the infant colony. In later years a ruling council was appointed by the English government, generally in accordance with the advice of the governor, and its members were usually chosen from the wealthiest and most influential planters. Barbados experienced much political turmoil and instability from 1627 to 1629. On June 30, 1629, Henry Hawley arrived on the island and assumed the governorship. He was a strong, ruthless ruler whose leadership helped to establish political and economic conditions for the development of a society dominated by a small landed elite. In 1636 Hawley issued a proclamation that henceforth all blacks and Indians brought to the island, and their offspring, were to be received as lifelong slaves, unless there existed prior agreements to the contrary. Barbados thus developed into the first successful English slave plantation society in the New World. Negroes and Indians who worked for white landowners were considered heathen brutes and were treated as chattel. At the same time, there developed a white underclass of indentured servants consisting of voluntary workers, political refugees, transported convicts, and others. By 1640 the social structure of the island consisted of masters, servants, and slaves. The slaves and their posterity were subject to their masters forever, while servants were indentured for five years. After serving their terms, most indentured servants were released from any commitment to their masters. Many were supplied with money and land to start their own farms. The population of the colony grew rapidly, and by 1640 there were 40,000 people living in Barbados, mostly English yeomen farmers and indentured servants drawn there by the opportunity to acquire cheap land and to compete in an open economic system. Fifteen percent of the population were African slaves. In 1637 sugar cane cultivation was introduced from Brazil. Production of tobacco, the island's main crop, declined as a result of competition from the American colonies, heavy duties imposed by England, and falling prices. Barbadian soil was ideal for the new crop, and the sugar industry prospered, attracting white planters and merchants from a number of European countries. By 1650 Barbados was considered the richest colony in the New World. Planters discovered that African slaves could work much harder in the tropical climate than white indentured servants. In the 1630s the island's black population was less than 800. By 1643 this number increased to slightly less than 6,000 and by 1660, a mere 20 years after the introduction of sugar cane to the island, Barbados developed into a plantation-dominated society in which slaves outnumbered whites by a two-to-one margin. It is estimated that between 1640 and 1807, the year the British Parliament abolished the slave trade in British territory, including Barbados, that some 387,000 African slaves were brought to Barbados as victims of the slave trade. Many of these African slaves were the ancestors of present day Barbadians. The history of Barbados is to a great extent a history of oppression and resistance, the toil and struggles of African Barbadians toward a just and free society. The slaves were never content under oppression, and they yearned for freedom. In the seventeenth century, several planned rebellions were aborted because of informants. For example, in 1675 two slaves planning rebellion were overheard by a slave woman named Anna, also known as Fortuna, who immediately told her master about the plan. It is recorded that she was recommended for freedom as recompense for her great service to her country, but there is no record that this freedom was ever granted. In 1692 another near rebellion was aborted. Many slaves were executed or died in prison after plots were discovered. The only actual outbreak of armed revolt was the rebellion of 1816. During the seventeenth century, a new class of Barbadians—mulattos fathered by white masters and their black slave women—began to populate the colony. They were called coloreds, and many of them were freed by their masters/fathers. By the eighteenth century a small community of free persons of mixed racial identity existed in the colony. Free-coloreds were a problem both for white Barbadians who were determined to exclude them from white society, and for the slaves whom the free-coloreds despised. Whites made every effort to attach the stigma of racial and genetic inferiority to them. As a result, discriminatory legislation was passed in 1721 that stated that only white male Christian citizens of Great Britain who owned at least ten acres of land or a house having an annual taxable value of ten pounds could vote, be elected to public office, or serve on juries. Despite exclusion by whites, free-coloreds sought to distance themselves from their slave ancestry, sometimes even from their own mothers, and took a strong pro-slavery stand when imperial legislative action at the beginning of the nineteenth century tended toward improvement of the slaves' condition. By 1831 the franchise was extended to free-colored men; however, the property-owning requirements continued to apply to all voters. Thus, only a small minority gained voting rights. With the advent of a general emancipation, the free-colored people lost their status as a separate caste. In 1833 the British Parliament passed a law that would free the slaves in the West Indies the following year. The Barbados House of Assembly was hostile to the new law, but finally passed it, and the slaves in Barbados, like the rest of the West Indies, became free on August 1, 1834. However, the emancipated people were not entirely free; they were subjected to a four-year apprenticeship period. In addition, the Contract Act was passed in 1840, which in essence gave the planters a continued hold on the emancipated slaves, a condition that lasted well into the next century. Samuel Jackman Prescod, the first colored man to hold office in Barbados, was elected to the House of Assembly in 1843. Prescod was one of the leading political figures of nineteenth-century Barbados. He became associated with the anti-slavery movement, and by 1838 he was the most popular spokesman for the emancipated people who were still denied the privileges of true freedom. He was editor of The Liberal, a radical newspaper that expressed the grievances of the disadvantaged colored people and of the black working class. He fought for franchise reform, but the country did not gain universal adult suffrage until 1950, almost a century later. In 1958, Barbados and nine other British Caribbean territories joined together to form the West Indian Federation, a separate nation within the British Commonwealth. Grantley Adams, the first premier of Barbados, became the Prime Minister of the Federation. This new nation hoped to achieve self-government, economic viability, and independence, but the Federation collapsed in 1962. Barbados finally gained its independence on November 30, 1966, under Prime Minister Errol Barrow. Presently, Barbados is a sovereign and independent state within the British Commonwealth. Barbadian connection with America dates back to the 1660s, when close links were established between Barbados and the Carolinas. Sir John Colleton, a prominent Barbadian planter, was among the first to suggest the establishment of a colony there, and in 1670 a permanent colony was established in what is known today as Charleston, South Carolina. Many prominent Barbadian merchants and planters subsequently migrated to Carolina, among them Sir John Yeamans, who became governor. These Barbadians contributed knowledge, lifestyle, and sugar economy, along with place names, and dialect to Carolina. For example, Gullah, the dialect of the Carolina coast and islands, resembles Barbadian dialect. After the nineteenth-century Emancipation, Barbadians became a part of the flow of West Indian immigrants into the United States. The first major wave of West Indian immigrants, including Barbadians, to the United States took place between 1901 and 1920, with a total of 230,972 entering the country. The majority were unskilled or semi-skilled laborers who came in search of economic opportunities. A substantial number were employed in low-paying service occupations and menial jobs that nonetheless offered higher wages than they could earn at home. Between 1931 and 1950 West Indian immigration to the United States declined, due partly to an immigration restriction law that imposed a quota system heavily weighted in favor of newcomers arriving from northern and western European countries. The Great Depression was another factor in the drop in West Indian immigration, which reached a significant low in the 1930s. A second wave began in the 1950s and peaked in the 1960s, when 470,213 immigrants arrived in the United States. More West Indians entered the United States during this decade than the total number that entered between 1891 and 1950 Between 1965 and 1976 a substantial number of immigrants from the Caribbean entered the United States, Barbados alone accounting for 17,400 of them. A large percentage of this wave of immigrants consisted of professional and technical workers forced to leave home because of limited economic opportunities in the Caribbean. Most Barbadian immigrants have settled in the New York metropolitan area. The 1990 Census of Population Report shows that over 82 percent live in the Northeast, with over 62 percent in New York. More than 11 percent live in the South, approximately four percent live in the West, and almost two percent live in the Midwest. The five states with the highest Barbadian populations are New York, with 22,298; Massachusetts, with 3,393; Florida, with 1,770; New Jersey, with 1,678; and California, with 1,160. Unlike Chinese Americans or Italian Americans, Barbadians—or West Indians, for that matter—do not occupy small enclaves in the cities of America where they live. They instead tend to settle wherever they can find jobs or affordable housing, and they strive for upward mobility and opportunities to improve their lives. Although Barbadian Americans do not necessarily choose to live in close proximity to fellow Barbadians, they share a bond no matter where they locate. That bond is their pride in, and loyalty to, Barbados—no matter how long they might live in America, they look to Barbados as home. They maintain their connection with Barbados by reading its newspapers, by keeping abreast of events at home, and by remaining actively involved in the politics of the island. Barbadians have a culture that is uniquely their own. It might be described as Euro-African, although ten years after England outlawed the slave trade, only seven percent of emancipated Barbadians were African-born, significantly less than in most of the other British Caribbean colonies. Thus the relative loss of much of the African culture perhaps accounts for the prominence of European culture on Barbados. Although vestiges of African dialects remain in the language, proverbs, tuk band, folk music, and foods such as conkie and coucou, there is a noticeable absence of African religions such as Voodoo and Shango, or Kele found on other Caribbean islands. Fewer words of African origin have become part of the Barbadian vocabulary than of those of other West Indian islands. Barbadian Americans also maintain a number of organizations that help unite them. Chief of these are the Barbados Associations, which meet annually. In addition, Barbadians belong to cricket clubs, social clubs, student clubs, and professional organizations. Unfortunately, the social class differences upheld in Barbados have been transferred to America and affect these organizations. However, one event transcends all class barriers: the annual West Indian Carnival celebrated in some large American cities. The West Indian Carnival is a celebration of national costumes, food, drink, music, and dancing in the streets as well as an occasion when all class barriers are removed, at least for the moment. Although Barbadian Americans fit well into mainstream American life and culture, they usually prefer to marry partners from Barbados. Second in choice is another West Indian, followed by an American of West Indian parentage or another foreign non-white. Most Barbadian-Americans raise their children with Barbadian values, such as respect for elders and concern for family members, especially siblings. Education is high on their list of priorities, and industry and responsibility follow close behind. Barbadians have a variety of traditions that are handed down from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth. Many traditions may be traced to Africa or Europe. For example, one Barbadian custom that was influenced by English settlers is the belief that saying "rabbit rabbit" on the first day of every month will ensure good luck for that month. Many Barbadian beliefs, however, are rooted in the country's own distinct culture. For example, a baby should be allowed to cry at times because crying is believed to help develop the voice. Children should not cry during the night though, because a duppy (ghost) might steal the infant's voice, making it hoarse the next day. It is believed that first born children, or children born on Christmas day, are destined to be stupid. There are also many customs regarding funerals. It is traditional to bury the dead without shoes so that, when the duppy is walking around, it will not be heard. It is also considered unwise to enter a graveyard if one has a sore, as this will make it very difficult for the sore to heal. After returning home from a funeral, one should enter the house backwards to stop duppies from entering the house as well. Walking backwards is effective because once the duppy walks in your footsteps, it will be facing away from the door, and will be fooled into leaving. Opening an umbrella indoors is another method for inviting duppies into the house. Therefore, an umbrella should be placed unopened in a corner to dry. The national dish of Barbados is coucou and flying fish. Coucou is a corn flour paste prepared exactly as it was done in some parts of Africa, where it was called foo-foo. Sometimes it is prepared with okra, which is allowed to boil into a slimy sauce. The corn flour is then added and stirred in, shaped into balls, and served with flying fish steamed in a rich gravy. Flying fish may also be fried in a batter or roasted. Another traditional Barbadian meal is conkie, which is a delicacy in Ghana, where it is known as kenkey. Conkie is a form of bread made of Indian corn flour with sweet potato, pumpkin, and other ingredients. The dough is wrapped in the broad leaf of the banana plant, which is singed in boiling water and allowed to steam until cooked. Although conkie can be eaten at any time of the year, it is now eaten mainly at Independence time. Pepper-pot is another Barbadian specialty. It is a concoction of hot pepper, spice, sugar, cassareep, and salted meat, such as beef and/or pork, and is eaten with rice or another starch. This dish, too, originated in Ghana. Another popular Barbadian dish is pudding and souse, traditionally a special Saturday meal. The intestines of the pig are meticulously cleaned and stuffed with such ingredients as sweet potatoes, pepper, and much seasoning and allowed to boil until cooked. Sometimes the blood of the pig is included in the ingredients. When this occurs, the dish is called black pudding. Souse is made from the head and feet of the pig pickled with breadfruit or sweet potatoes and cooked into a stew. It is usually served with the pudding. Barbados is an island rich in forms of entertainment; songs and dance are the chief forms of amusement. Some of Barbados's traditional dance forms such as the Joe and Johnny dance no longer exist on the island, but the Maypole dance can still be found there. Many modern dance groups, influenced to some extent by African culture, have sprung up across the island. Nightly entertainment at hotels and clubs consists of a floor show of limbo dancing, folk dance, and live bands. Many talented performers dressed in colorful costumes provide professional and enjoyable productions at local theaters. The Crop Over festival features costume bands, folk music, and calypso competitions. Barbadian Americans often return home for these festivities, and they carry on these traditions in America whenever they have the opportunity to do so. Barbadians refer to all of their holidays as "Bank Holidays." These include New Year's Day, January 1; Errol Barrow Day, January 21; Good Friday, late March or early April; Easter Monday; May Day, May 2; Whit Monday, usually in May; Kadooment Day, August 1; United Nations Day, October 3; Independence Day, November 30; Christmas Day, December 25; and Boxing Day, December 26. Many of these holidays are clearly religious holidays, influenced by the presence of the Anglican Church on the island. Good Friday is an especially important holiday in Barbados. Until recently, almost everyone attended church services on Good Friday, which normally lasted from noon until three o'clock in the afternoon. All secular activities, such as card playing, dominoes, and swimming were avoided on that day. Women attending church wore black, white, or purple dresses as a sign of mourning for Christ's crucifixion. There are many beliefs associated with Good Friday. One tradition holds that if the bark of a certain kind of tree is cut at noon on that day, blood oozes from the tree; another holds that before sunrise animals can be seen kneeling in prayer. Still another tradition teaches that if one breaks a fresh egg into a glass of water at noon and sets the glass in the sun for awhile, the egg white will settle into a certain formation, such as a coffin, a ship, or a church steeple. Each of these shapes is a sign of major importance for the future of the one who broke the egg: A coffin signifies death; the ship means travel; and the church indicates upcoming marriage. Perhaps one of the most festive celebrations in Barbados is Crop Over, which was most likely influenced by the Harvest Festival of the Anglican church and the Yam Festivals of West Africa. Historical evidence indicates that as early as 1798 a manager of Newton Plantation in Barbados held a dinner and dance for the slaves, in celebration of the completion of the sugar-cane harvest. It was revived in 1973 as a civic festival. Crop Over takes place during the last three weeks of June through the first week of July. The early portion of the festival is dominated by events in the rural areas: fairs, cane-cutting competitions, open-air concerts, "stick licking," native dancing, and handicraft and art displays. On the first Saturday in July, the celebration moves to Bridgetown. Sunday is known as Cohobblepot, and is marked by various cultural events and the naming of the Crop Over Queen. The finale occurs on Monday, or Kadooment, during which there are great band competitions and a march from the National Stadium to the Garrison Savannah. There Barbadians burn an effigy of a man in a black coat and hat called Mr. Harding, which symbolizes the ending of hard times. It is not practical for Barbadians living in America to observe many of these holidays, but Christmas and New Year's, which are also holidays in America, are celebrated much the same way as they are in Barbados with overeating, drinking, dancing, and the exchange of gifts. Many Barbadian Americans return to Barbados for Crop Over. It is said that at one time a Barbadian hardly spoke a dozen sentences without speaking a proverb. Barbadians still, without conscious effort, decorate their speech with proverbs. A few examples of these appear below. They were preserved by G. Addison Forde in his work De Mortar-Pestle: A Collection of Barbadian Proverbs, 1987: Duh is more in de mortar dan de pestle; If crab don' walk 'bout, crab don' get fat; Cockroach en' had no right at hen party; De higher de monkey climb, de more 'e show 'e tail; Donkey en' have no right in horse race; Don' wait till de horse get out to shut de stable door; Play wid puppy an' 'e lick yuh mout. Barbadians, known as "Bajans," have a unique dialect, and it is said that no matter how many years a Bajan spends away from Barbados, he or she never loses the dialect, which is also called "Bajan." The use of standard English depends to a great extent on the level of education of the speaker, but even many highly educated Bajans use certain colloquialisms that are not used by other speakers in the Caribbean. In ordinary social settings, Bajans prefer to speak Bajan, but when the occasion warrants it, they slip into a language that is more nearly standard English. There are also regional differences in speech on the island. Especially noticeable is the difference in speech of those who live in the parishes of St. Lucy and St. Philip. Bajan is a language much like the creole spoken in other areas of the Caribbean or in West Africa. Some creoles have an English base, while others have a French base, but each is a language. Some educators discourage the use of Bajan, but to discontinue its use is to rob Barbadians of a vital part of their cultural heritage. Even after spending many years abroad, Barbadian Americans continue to speak Bajan. Bajan has a distinctive accent whether spoken by white or black, or by educated or uneducated Barbadians. Among certain peculiarities of the language, pointed out by linguists, is the use of compounds that in standard English are redundant. Examples are "boar-hog," meaning boar; "sparrow-bird," meaning a sparrow; and "big-big," meaning very large. Although there are fewer words of African origin in the language than in some of the other creoles, such words as coucou, conkie, wunnah, and backra are definitely African in origin. Like most West Indians, Barbadians are family oriented. Any disruption to the family affects all concerned. Typically, the father is head of the home—he is the "boss." The roles of family members are clearly defined, and Barbadians follow them rigorously. There is man's work, woman's work, and children's work. Even though both parents might work outside the home, the woman is responsible for all domestic chores such as cooking, grocery shopping, laundering, and keeping the family clean. Children's chores include washing dishes, sweeping the house and yard, getting rid of garbage, and taking care of domestic animals. The father brings home the money to feed and keep the family, and he is often revered by the rest of the family. The extended family is also a vital part of family life. Often, grandparents live in the home with their children and grandchildren. Aunts, uncles, and cousins, along with godparents and even close friends, may make up a family unit. Any disruptions, problems, or family changes affect all the members of the family. For example, a family member's departure because of marriage, a family feud, or to travel abroad is an occasion of tremendous concern for everyone. Barbadians who immigrate to America do so for social, political, educational, or economic reasons. All come "to better themselves." Most Barbadian Americans leave behind spouses and/or children with promises to send for them as soon as possible. The separation puts a tremendous emotional strain on the family members, especially children who are often left behind with grandparents, other family members, or friends. Often it is the male head of the home who precedes the family, and when he arrives, he is faced with a reality that falls short of his expectations. The job he thought he would get evades him, and he must settle for one far below his abilities and qualifications, which places him in a lower wage bracket. Sometimes he finds himself doing menial jobs among disgruntled and even racist coworkers. He may become disillusioned and humiliated, and his self-esteem may sink to an extremely low level. Worst of all, the anticipated reunion of the family, instead of taking place as soon as possible, may have to be postponed indefinitely because of lack of funds and other problems. Despite these hardships, the Barbadian typically does not seek public assistance. He works hard to achieve his goal, and eventually, he is able to have his family join him. The younger members quickly adapt to their new environment and American lifestyles, while the older members maintain the values of home. Many Barbadian Americans, however, arrive professionally and technically prepared for the job market. Others enter trade-schools, colleges, universities, and professional schools to be trained, and afterwards fill many professional and technical positions in this country. Some become lawyers, physicians, university professors, accountants, nurses, and professional counselors. They make outstanding contributions to American life and culture. Barbadian Americans, like other West Indians, are friendly people. They will go out of their way to render assistance to others. They interact well with such minorities as Puerto Ricans, Haitians, Central Americans, South Americans, Asians, and Europeans. On the whole, they integrate well into mainstream American society. Most weddings in Barbados are performed in a church. Weddings are always held on Saturday because it is considered bad luck to get married on Friday. Traditionally, the bride wears a white gown and a veil. The groom, who arrives before the bride, sits in the front of the church with his best man. He is not supposed to look back until the bride arrives inside the church, at which time he stands and waits until she arrives at his side. A minister then performs the ceremony, which varies according to the wishes of the couple or the status of the family. At the end of the ceremony, the wedding party leaves the church and drives in a procession to the reception hall or house, honking their horns as they drive along. The uninvited guests usually leave their businesses and hang around the church or on the side of the road to see the bride. Several superstitions are associated with marriage. The bride must never make her own wedding dress, and it should remain unfinished until the day of the wedding; the gown's finishing touches should be done while the bride is dressing for the wedding. It is bad luck if the bridegroom sees the wedding dress before the day of the wedding; if it rains on the day of the wedding (especially if the bride gets wet); or if a cat or a dog eats any of the wedding cake. Lyle Small in 1921, cited in Ellis Island: An Illustrated History of the Immigrant Experience, edited by Ivan Chermayeff et al. (New York: Macmillan, 1991). "I left Barbados because the jobs were scarce. I decided to take a chance and come to this new country. There were a lot of us from the West Indies. We heard this was a good, new country where you had the opportunity to better your circumstances. Because there is no record of the religion of the first settlers on Barbados, the Amerindians, the first documented religion on the island was the Anglican church. It is almost certain that the early slaves brought their religions from Africa to the island, but the absence of records deprives us of this information. At the time of settlement of Barbados by the English, Anglicanism was the state religion in England. It is not surprising that this religion was brought to the island and became the dominant church in Barbados for many years. The island was divided into 11 parishes in the seventeenth century, and today these parishes still exist. There is a church in each parish, along with other meeting places. Until 1969 the church was fully endowed and established by the government, and it enjoyed the privileges of a state church, with its bishops and clergy paid from general tax receipts. In the seventeenth century, Irish indentured servants brought Roman Catholicism to Barbados, and Jews and Quakers were among other religious groups that also arrived on the island, followed by Moravians and Methodists in the late eighteenth century. In the late nineteenth century the Christian Mission and other revivalist religions appeared, and today there are over 100 Christian religions as well as Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism in Barbados. Anglicanism has lost much of its religious influence, although it still claims 70 percent of the population, most of whom are nominal members. Barbadians who emigrate do not leave their religion behind them. Like most immigrants, Barbadian Americans come to America to "better themselves" economically. At home, economic opportunities do not keep pace with population growth, and salaries and wages are deplorably low. Over 82 percent settle in the Northeast region of the United States, 76 percent in New York state alone. Some find occupation in professional and technical fields, but the vast majority work as clerical workers, operators, craftsmen, foremen, sales workers, private household workers, service workers, managers, officials, foremen, and laborers; a very few work as farm managers and laborers. To enter the job market, many accept lowpaying jobs they would consider beneath them at home. Except for the professional and technical workers, Barbadians' income is usually much lower than that of many other immigrant groups. Nevertheless, they make much more than they would at home. Because they believe in upward mobility, many Barbadians attend technical and professional schools and colleges, and they quickly qualify themselves for better paying jobs. Unlike most of the other Caribbean islands settled by Britain, for almost 350 years Barbados experienced unbroken British colonial rule. The country's government is structured after the British Parliament. The Barbadian Parliament consists of a Senate and a House of Assembly. Twenty-one senators are appointed by the Governor-general (the Queen's representative), 12 on the advice of the prime minister, two recommended by the opposition, and seven at the governor's discretion. In the House of Assembly there are a speaker and 27 members who are elected by the people. The term of office is five years. The main political parties in Barbados are the Democratic Labor Party, Barbados Labor Party, and the National Democratic Party. Associated with Barbados politics are the names of such leaders as Sir Grantley Herbert Adams (1898-1971), first premier of Barbados and Prime Minister of the Federation of the Indies; and Errol Walton Barrow (1920-1987), Premier and first prime minister of Barbados. These men influenced the politics of the island. In 1954, when a ministerial system of government was introduced, Adams became the first premier of Barbados, and the island gained internal self-government. On November 30, 1966, under Barrow, Barbados became an independent nation and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Barbadians have a passion for politics, especially Barbados politics. At home or abroad, two very important topics of discussion in which the vast majority of Barbadians engage are politics and cricket. It seems that the average Barbadian is more politically literate and involved than other West Indians. Their passionate love for their country is no doubt a major factor in their political involvement. Because of their pride in, and attachment to, their homeland, Barbadian Americans remain actively involved in the politics of Barbados. Many zealously continue to monitor changes and developments in government, and to support financially their favorite parties at home while demonstrating a passive interest in American politics. Barbadian Americans passionately love their homeland. Barbadians never truly leave home and they keep abreast of developments there by purchasing American editions of Barbadian newspapers or by having copies mailed to them from Barbados. They actively correspond with family and friends at home who inform them of the latest events on the island. They also maintain ties with relatives and friends, many of whom they financially assist, and whenever possible, they spend vacations in Barbados. Prince Hall (1735?-1807) was an important black leader in the eighteenth century. Accounts of his birth, parentage, early life, and career vary, but it is widely accepted that Hall was born in Bridgetown, Barbados, in about 1735 to an English man and a woman of African descent, and that he came to America in 1765. Prince Hall was both an abolitionist and a Masonic organizer. Because of his organizing skill, a charter for the establishment of a lodge of American Negroes was issued on April 29, 1787, authorizing the organization in Boston of African Lodge No. 459, a "regular Lodge of Free and accepted Masons, under the title or denomination of the African Lodge," with Prince Hall as master. Prince Hall was also an abolitionist and spokesman. He was one of eight Masons who signed a petition on January 13, 1777, requesting the Massachusetts state legislature to abolish slavery and declaring it as incompatible with the cause of American independence. He was later successful in urging Massachusetts to end its participation in the slave trade. He established the first school for colored children in his home in Boston in 1800. Hall ranks among the most significant black leaders in his day. As early as the 1670s, Barbadians have contributed to American government. Many prominent Barbadians immigrated to Carolina during that decade, among them was Sir John Yeamans, who became governor of the colony that is known today as South Carolina. In the twentieth century, Shirley Chisholm, born in 1924 to Barbadian parents, became a politician of great stature in America. Although Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, New York, she spent the first ten years of her life in Barbados, where she received much of her primary education under the strict eye of her maternal grandmother. She gave credit for her later educational success to the well-rounded early training she received in Barbados. In 1964 Chisholm ran for the New York State Assembly and won the election. She fought for rights and educational opportunities for women, blacks, and the poor. She served in the State Assembly until 1968, then she ran for the United States Congress. Chisholm won the election to the U.S. House of Representatives and became the first black woman ever to be elected to the House, where she served with distinction from 1969 to 1982. In 1972 Chisholm made an unprecedented bid for the Presidential nomination of the Democratic party. She was the first black and first woman to run for the presidency. She is also the founder of the chair of the National Political Congress of Black Women. Robert Clyve Maynard (1937-1993), newspaper editor and publisher, was the son of Barbadian parents who immigrated to the United States in 1919. Robert was born in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up in the Bedford-Styvesant section. Although his parents insisted on sound study habits and strong work ethic, Maynard dropped out of high school. Nevertheless, at an early age, he developed an interest in writing, which he pursued. After a series of jobs with various newspapers, he became the first black person in the United States to direct editorial operations for a major daily newspaper in 1979, when the Gannett Company appointed him editor of the Oakland Tribune. As editor, Maynard also launched a well-received morning edition of the paper. In 1983 Maynard bought the Oakland Tribune, Inc. from Gannett, becoming the first black person in the United States to own a controlling interest in a general-circulation city daily, and the first big-city editor of any race in recent times to buy out his paper. His contributions to the field of journalism in America place him in the ranks of outstanding Americans. Paule Marshall, daughter of Barbadian parents, occupies a prominent place in black literature. Shortly after the First World War, Paule Marshall's parents migrated from Barbados to Brooklyn, New York, where Paule was born in 1929. After graduating from college, she became a writer. Marshall's writing combines her West Indian and Afro-American heritages. Her novel, Brown Girl, Brownstones, is about a Barbadian girl growing up in Brooklyn. Much of her work deals with life in Barbados where, as a child, she spent time with her grandmother. In-depth weekly newspaper published for English-speaking Caribbean readers living in America. Contact: Carl Rodney, Editor. Address: 15 West 39th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10018. Telephone: (212) 944-1991. Barbadian Americans do not own radio stations in America, but a few stations broadcast programs targeted toward English-speaking Caribbean audiences. Located in New York City, this station broadcasts music, sports, and news from the Caribbean on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Telephone: (212) 447-1000. Located in Newark, New Jersey, this station broadcasts music, news, sports, and interviews with wellknown Caribbean personalities. Focuses on Caribbean audiences, Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Contact: Randy Dopwell. Address: One Riverfront Plaza, Suite 345, North Newark, New Jersey 07102. Telephone: (201) 642-8000. Also in Newark, New Jersey, WNWK broadcasts Reggae music, news, sports, and educational shows targeted to Caribbean audiences in the tristate area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, 5 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. Contact: Emil Antonoff. Address: One Riverfront Plaza, Suite 345, North Newark, New Jersey 07102. Telephone: (212) 966-1059. Barbadian Americans maintain a limited number of local organizations in the larger cities where they live, and a national Barbados Association. Cricket is the national game of Barbados, hence in many communities in America cricket clubs compete on a friendly basis. There are also professional, social, and educational clubs organized by various groups. The Barbados Association has annual activities where Barbadians celebrate their Bajan heritage. Beckles, Hilary McD. A History of Barbados: From Amerindian Settlement to Nation-State. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. Caribbean Basin Commercial Profile, edited by Susan Kholer-Reed and Sam Skogstad III. Washington, D.C.: Caribbean Publishing Company, Ltd., 1994. Frazer, Henry, et al. A-Z of Barbadian Heritage. Kingston, Jamaica: Heineman Publishers (Caribbean) Limited, 1990. Hoyos, F. A. Barbados: Our Island Home. London: Macmillan Publishers, 1984. LaBrucherie, Roger A. A Barbados Journey. Pine Valley, California: Imagenes Press, 1985. Puckrein, Gary A. Little England: Plantation Society and Anglo-Barbadian Politics, 1627-1700. New York: New York University Press, 1984.

In the realm of healthcare, urology plays a vital role in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the urinary tract and male reproductive system. From routine check-ups to more complex diagnostic procedures, urologic tests are essential tools that healthcare professionals use to assess the health and functioning of these critical systems. Urologic Tests & Exams Most appointments consist of a physical exam and other possible blood tests and imaging techniques, depending on the reason for the visit. Urologic tests are not just limited to blood tests. In some cases, urine tests or other analyses may become necessary. Here at Alliance Urology, we want to delve into the other types of urologic tests and how they can help diagnose urologic problems. Similar to physical exams administered by other doctors, this exam is typical with most visits to the urologist’s office. In a physical exam conducted by a urologist, you can expect an examination of whatever is causing the issue, whether it be the urinary tract, the testicles, or the penis. Digital Rectal Exam To examine the prostate, urologists will typically administer a digital rectal exam. This exam is a screening exam that can help identify problems in the rectum’s walls and prostate. Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) A PSA blood test can help detect the underlying cause of prostate inflammation. While these tests cannot diagnose prostate cancer, they can be indicative of high levels of inflammation associated with a risk of prostate cancer. If high levels of inflammation are found, additional tests will likely become necessary. Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) If the cause of the urologic problem is associated with the kidneys, a creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen test can help assess how the kidneys are functioning through the measurement of creatinine. High levels of creatinine are often indicative of kidney dysfunction, though depending on the ratios of creatinine to blood urea nitrogen, your urologist can likely make a diagnosis. Testosterone Blood Tests When men face issues relating to erectile dysfunction, testosterone blood tests can help reveal testosterone levels. Low testosterone levels are a common cause of erectile dysfunction, and urologic tests can help identify this. Urine tests can help urologists gather more information before a diagnosis and, in some cases, may be necessary in place of a blood test. A urinalysis is the most common urine test and is used to test for bacteria, foreign materials, and blood cells. This test can also help to determine urinary tract infections, diabetes, and early stages of diseases. While it is common to have a urinalysis at a urologist’s office, it’s also typical for general physicians to administer this test as well. Urine cultures allow for a more intensive look to determine the presence of bacteria in the urine. Not only does this test allow for a closer look, but it also allows for antibiotic testing to help determine the best treatment. 24-Hour Urine Test To help determine kidney health, you may be instructed to carry out a 24-hour urine test. In these urologic tests, you will need to collect all urine you eliminate in a 24-hour period. This collection will then be analyzed to check for normal levels of specific substances within the urine. In addition to ultrasounds, urologists may use specific types of X-rays to help check for issues in the urinary tract. For abdominal pain associated with the urinary system, a kidney, ureter, and bladder x-ray may be able to determine the cause. An intravenous pyelogram x-ray uses a dye to help pinpoint problems within the urinary tract. A voiding cystourethrogram can be used to identify problems with the bladder. A cystoscopy is the insertion of a small telescope through the urethra and into the bladder to search for and diagnose abnormalities and problems. This test is more invasive than the others and requires local anesthesia. Seminograms can help shed light on any problems associated with infertility. During this analysis, the strength of a male’s sperm, including motility and quality, can be determined. Seminograms are also used following a vasectomy to ensure the success of the procedure.If you are experiencing any urologic problems or if you have any questions about applicable urologic tests, schedule an appointment with one of our providers. At Alliance Urology, our team has years of experience treating issues relating to the urinary tract, male infertility, pelvic floor dysfunction, and more. You can call Alliance Urology Specialists in Greensboro at (336) 274-1114.

Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles in the world. These small, nocturnal lizards are easy to care for and can make great pets for both beginners and experienced reptile keepers. As with any pet, it’s important to provide leopard geckos with a balanced and nutritious diet. One common question that many leopard gecko owners have is whether or not their geckos can eat red worms. Red worms, also known as “red wigglers,” are a type of earthworm that are commonly used as live food for reptiles. They are high in protein and other nutrients, and are readily available at many pet stores and online retailers. While leopard geckos are primarily insectivorous, they can also benefit from the occasional addition of other foods to their diet. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at whether or not leopard geckos can eat red worms, and what you should consider before adding them to your gecko’s diet. Dietary Basics for Leopard Geckos Leopard geckos are insectivores, which means they primarily eat insects. In the wild, they feed on a variety of insects such as crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. As pets, they require a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain their health and well-being. When feeding leopard geckos, it is important to provide them with a variety of insects to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients. It is also essential to consider the size of the prey to avoid choking hazards. The size of the prey should be no larger than the width of the gecko’s head. In addition to insects, leopard geckos can also be fed small amounts of fruits and vegetables. However, these should only be given as treats and not as a primary source of nutrition. When it comes to feeding leopard geckos red worms, it is important to note that they can be a nutritious addition to their diet. Red worms are high in protein and low in fat, making them a healthy option for leopard geckos. However, it is important to ensure that the worms are gut-loaded, meaning they have been fed a nutritious diet before being fed to the gecko. Overall, a balanced and varied diet is essential for the health and well-being of leopard geckos. By providing them with a variety of insects and occasionally adding in some fruits and vegetables, you can ensure that they receive all the necessary nutrients to thrive. Safety and Health Considerations Risks of Feeding Red Worms When feeding leopard geckos, it is essential to consider the potential risks of the food being offered. Red worms are a common food item for leopard geckos, but they can pose some risks. Red worms have a high-fat content, which can lead to obesity in leopard geckos if overfed. Additionally, if not properly stored, red worms can become contaminated with harmful bacteria, which can lead to illness or even death in leopard geckos. Nutritional Content Analysis Red worms are a good source of protein and fat, which are essential for leopard geckos. However, they do not provide all the necessary nutrients that leopard geckos need. Therefore, it is crucial to offer a variety of food items to ensure that leopard geckos receive a balanced diet. Allergic Reactions and Parasites Leopard geckos can develop allergies to certain food items, including red worms. Therefore, it is essential to monitor your leopard gecko for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing. Additionally, red worms can carry parasites, which can be harmful to leopard geckos. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the red worms are properly sourced and stored. Proper Feeding Techniques When feeding leopard geckos red worms, it is important to follow proper feeding techniques. Red worms should be dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements before feeding to ensure that leopard geckos receive the necessary nutrients. Additionally, red worms should be offered in moderation to prevent obesity and other health issues. Finally, it is important to ensure that the red worms are properly stored to prevent contamination and the growth of harmful bacteria. In conclusion, while red worms can be a good food item for leopard geckos, it is important to consider the potential risks and follow proper feeding techniques to ensure the health and safety of your leopard gecko. Red Worms as a Food Source When it comes to feeding leopard geckos, many owners choose to include red worms in their diet. Red worms are a nutritious and protein-rich food source that can provide many benefits to your gecko’s health. Benefits of Red Worms in Diet Red worms are an excellent source of protein, which is essential for the growth and development of leopard geckos. They also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and iron, that can help support your gecko’s overall health. In addition, red worms are a great choice for geckos that may be picky eaters or have difficulty digesting other types of food. They are easy to digest and can help prevent digestive issues such as constipation. Frequency and Quantity of Feeding When feeding red worms to your leopard gecko, it is important to consider the frequency and quantity of feeding. While red worms can be a nutritious addition to your gecko’s diet, they should not be the sole source of food. We recommend feeding red worms as a supplement to a balanced diet that includes a variety of other foods. As a general rule, you should aim to feed your gecko 2-3 times per week, and provide a few red worms at each feeding. Live vs Freeze-Dried Red Worms When choosing red worms as a food source for your leopard gecko, you may have the option of purchasing live or freeze-dried worms. While both options can provide nutritional benefits, there are some differences to consider. Live red worms can be a more natural and stimulating food source for your gecko, as they can move around and provide a more interactive feeding experience. However, they can also be more difficult to store and may require more maintenance. Freeze-dried red worms are a convenient option that can be easily stored and do not require any additional maintenance. However, they may not provide the same level of stimulation or nutrition as live worms. Overall, red worms can be a nutritious and beneficial addition to your leopard gecko’s diet. By considering the frequency and quantity of feeding, as well as the type of worms you choose, you can help ensure your gecko receives a balanced and healthy diet. Alternative Food Options for Leopard Geckos As leopard geckos are insectivores, they require a diet that is high in protein and low in fat. While crickets and mealworms are the most commonly fed insects to leopard geckos, there are several alternative food options that can be added to their diet. One such option is red worms. These worms are high in protein and low in fat, making them a great addition to a leopard gecko’s diet. However, it is important to note that red worms should not be the sole food source for leopard geckos as they lack certain essential nutrients. Other alternative food options for leopard geckos include waxworms, superworms, and dubia roaches. Waxworms are high in fat and should only be fed as an occasional treat. Superworms are a good source of protein but should also be fed in moderation due to their tough exoskeletons. Dubia roaches are a great alternative to crickets as they are high in protein and low in fat, but they can be more difficult to find. It is important to vary the diet of a leopard gecko to ensure they are receiving all the necessary nutrients. We recommend rotating between different insect options and occasionally adding in alternative food sources such as red worms, waxworms, superworms, and dubia roaches. As always, be sure to provide fresh water and a calcium supplement to ensure your leopard gecko stays healthy and happy. Preparing Red Worms for Feeding When it comes to feeding leopard geckos, red worms are a popular choice due to their high nutritional value. However, it is important to properly prepare the worms before feeding them to your pet. Firstly, it is recommended to purchase live red worms from a reputable supplier. Avoid using worms that have been refrigerated or frozen, as they may have lost some of their nutritional value. Before feeding, it is important to gut-load the worms to ensure they are packed with nutrients. This can be done by feeding them a nutritious diet such as vegetables, fruits, and grains for at least 24 hours before feeding them to your gecko. To make the worms easier for your gecko to digest, it is also recommended to dust them with a calcium supplement powder before feeding. This will help to prevent calcium deficiencies in your pet. When feeding the worms to your gecko, ensure that they are appropriately sized for your pet’s mouth. As a general rule of thumb, the worms should be no larger than the width of your gecko’s head. In summary, preparing red worms for feeding involves purchasing live worms from a reputable supplier, gut-loading them with a nutritious diet, dusting them with calcium supplement powder, and ensuring they are appropriately sized for your gecko’s mouth. By following these steps, you can ensure that your pet is getting the most out of their diet and staying healthy. Monitoring Your Leopard Gecko’s Health As responsible pet owners, it is important to monitor our leopard gecko’s health regularly. Here are some tips to keep your pet healthy: 1. Regular Weighing Weighing your leopard gecko regularly can help you monitor its health. A healthy adult leopard gecko should weigh between 45-70 grams. If your gecko is losing weight, it may be a sign of illness or improper diet. 2. Checking for Signs of Illness It is important to keep an eye out for any signs of illness in your leopard gecko. Some common signs of illness include lack of appetite, lethargy, and abnormal behavior. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to consult with a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles. 3. Proper Nutrition Leopard geckos require a balanced diet to maintain their health. Their diet should consist of live insects such as crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. Additionally, leopard geckos can eat red worms as a part of their diet. However, it is important to ensure that the red worms are properly gut-loaded and dusted with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements. 4. Clean Environment A clean environment is essential for your leopard gecko’s health. Make sure to clean their enclosure regularly and provide fresh water daily. Additionally, it is important to maintain proper temperature and humidity levels in their enclosure to prevent respiratory infections. By following these tips, you can ensure that your leopard gecko stays healthy and happy. Frequently Asked Questions What types of worms are safe for leopard geckos to consume? Leopard geckos can safely consume a variety of worms, including mealworms, morio worms, and calci worms. However, it is important to note that some worms, such as red worms and earthworms, can be difficult for leopard geckos to digest and may cause digestive issues. Are calci worms a suitable part of a leopard gecko’s diet? Yes, calci worms can be a suitable part of a leopard gecko’s diet. Calci worms are high in protein and calcium, which are important nutrients for leopard geckos. However, it is important to feed calci worms in moderation as part of a balanced diet. How many morio worms can I feed my leopard gecko at one time? Leopard geckos can safely consume 1-2 morio worms per feeding. It is important to feed morio worms in moderation as they are high in fat and can lead to obesity if overfed. Is it healthy for leopard geckos to eat mealworms regularly? Mealworms can be a regular part of a leopard gecko’s diet, but they should not be the only food source. Mealworms are high in fat and low in calcium, so it is important to supplement with other foods such as crickets and calci worms. Can hornworms be included in a leopard gecko’s feeding routine? Hornworms can be included in a leopard gecko’s feeding routine as an occasional treat. Hornworms are high in moisture and low in fat, making them a good source of hydration for leopard geckos. However, they should not be fed regularly as they are not a balanced food source. Are wax worms an appropriate treat for leopard geckos? Wax worms can be given as an occasional treat for leopard geckos, but they should not be a regular part of their diet. Wax worms are high in fat and low in calcium, so they should be fed in moderation. Overfeeding wax worms can lead to obesity and other health issues.

A Cartographic Meditation Where is the Colorado River Basin? A novice attempting a cursory Google search will be surprised—and perhaps frustrated, confused, or a little of both—to find that there is no simple answer to that question. Winding through seven U.S. states and two states in Mexico—and supporting over 40 million people and 4.5 million acres of agriculture along the way—the Colorado River is one of our most geographically, historically, politically, and culturally complex waterways. As a result, creating an accurate map of the basin—the vast area of land drained by the river and its tributaries—is not a simple undertaking. Commonly used maps of the region vary widely, even on basic details like the boundaries of the basin, and most haven’t kept up with changing realities—like the fact that the overtapped waterway no longer reaches its outlet at the sea. At the Babbitt Center, we began to hear a common refrain as we worked on water and planning integration efforts with stakeholders throughout the West: people frequently pointed out the flaws in available maps and suggested that addressing them could contribute to more effective water management decisions, but no one seemed to have the capacity to fix them. So, with the help of the Lincoln Institute’s newly established Center for Geospatial Solutions, we embarked on a mapping project of our own. Our newly published peer-reviewed Colorado River Basin map seeks to correct several common errors in popular maps while providing an updated resource for water managers, tribal leaders, and others confronting critical issues related to growth, resource management, climate change, and sustainability. It is a physical and political map of the entire Colorado River Basin, including the location of the 30 federally recognized tribal nations; dams, reservoirs, transbasin diversions, and canals; federal protected areas; and natural waterways with indications of year-round or intermittent streamflow. We are making the map freely available with the hope that it will become a widely used resource, both within the basin and beyond. Challenges, Choices, and Rationale Even though they have few words, maps still speak. All maps are somewhat subjective, and they influence how people perceive and think about places and phenomena. During the peer review process for our new map, one reviewer asked whether our purpose was to show the “natural” basin or the modern, aka engineered and legally defined, basin. This seemingly simple question raised several fundamental questions about what a “natural” basin actually is or would be. This struck us as akin to a perennial question facing ecological restoration advocates: to what past condition should one try to restore a landscape? In the case of the Colorado, this question becomes: when was the basin “natural”? Before the construction of Hoover Dam in the 1930s? Before Laguna Dam, the first dam built by the U.S. government, went up in 1905? The 18th century? 500 years ago? A million years ago? In an era when the human–natural binary has evolved into a more enlightened understanding of socioecological systems, these questions are difficult to answer. We struggled with this quandary for some time. On the one hand, representing a prehuman “natural” basin is practically impossible. On the other hand, we felt an impulse to represent more of the pre-dam aspects of the basin than we typically see in conventional maps, which often privilege the boundary based on governmental contrivances of the 19th and 20th centuries. Ultimately, after multiple internal and external review sessions, we agreed on a representation that does not attempt to resolve the “natural” versus “human” tension. We included infrastructure, clearly showing the highly engineered nature of the modern basin. We also included the Salton Basin and Laguna Salada Basin, two topographical depressions that were formed by the Colorado. Both are separate from the river’s modern engineered course, and often excluded from maps of the basin. We didn’t choose to show them because we expect the Colorado River to jump its channel any time soon, nor because we presume to accurately represent how the delta looked prior to the 20th century. But from our research, we learned that the 1980s El Niño was of such magnitude that river water from the flooded lower delta reached back up into the dry bed of the Laguna Salada, making commercial fishing possible there. Environmental management of the heavily polluted Salton Sea, meanwhile, is a contested issue that has figured in recent discussions about future management of the Colorado. These areas are not hydrologically or politically irrelevant. Our map doesn’t attempt to answer every question about the basin. In many ways, our contribution to Colorado River cartography highlights the unresolved tensions that define this river system and will continue to drive the discourse around water management and conservation in the Colorado Basin. There is no simple definition of the Colorado River Basin. That might be the most important underlying message of this new map. Zachary Sugg is a senior program manager at the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy.

Thought Form I: Function That money shapes people's thinking is obvious. The necessity to get money demands ideas from everyone without pause on how he has to behave to get it, what he can turn into money, what he can be paid for, what he can afford and what he wants to afford with this money, and how he generally has to conform to a necessity that his life depends on. But the influence on thinking exerted by the necessities of money goes far, far deeper. Money requires everyone to think about the things and nearly everything in this world in the form of value Because money requires everyone to think about the things and nearly everything in this world in the form of value, in the form of exchange value and monetary value. Just for the simple act of buying, we have to see all that we buy, yes, all that we would ever be able to buy, at the same time as the value that it costs in the form of money and monetary value. And that is a very special form. It is, for one, naturally a number, a quantum. The value of a commodity, since it represents a monetary value, inherently allows itself be quantified and expressed as a number. But what’s special about this number is that it does not count anything, not apples, not pears, not any other thing. Precisely because monetary value theoretically is inherent in everything, not just in apples or pears but virtually in every conceivable thing, this number is not an amount of any one thing in particular; rather, it’s just a digit, a pure number. And it is in this form, as pure numbers, that we are compelled by money to think about everything possible in this world: we think of it purely quantitatively, in a pure quantitative form. The world and things are made calculable That people actually do this once they live in a money-mediated society is apparent in the historical emergence of a mathematics that, unlike all earlier arithmetics, deals with these pure numbers: in infinitesimal methods, number lines or coordinate axes, in the mathematical function. This mathematics appeared in 17th century Europe, as it turns into a society and an economy based primarily on money. And this mathematics shows only more pointedly in which form we also have to comprehend everyday things, so that every trait, every characteristic and all content, no matter what, is conceived as mere numerical value. The world and things are thus made calculable, for one thing: This forms the foundation of the modern natural sciences. But they become calculable in that everything is thought of as a quantifiable amount of equally empty value: as indifferent. This money requires, and this is how the things of this world are then treated: minor to the fact that they must pay off– as we say not for nothing.

Bên cạnh Phân tích bài essay về "The number of visitors in the UK" IELTS WRITING TASK 1 (table), IELTS TUTOR hướng dẫn Phân tích"Everyone should adopt a vegetarian diet because eating meat can cause serious health problems. Do you agree or disagree?" IELTS WRITING TASK 2 I. Đề bài Everyone should adopt a vegetarian diet because eating meat can cause serious health problems. Do you agree or disagree? II. Kiến thức liên quan III. Phân tích IELTS TUTOR lưu ý: - Body 1: Nêu lí do thứ 1 vì sao TOTALLY DISAGREE - Main idea: Meat is a rich source of protein which helps to build muscles and bones (IELTS TUTOR gợi ý cách diễn đạt khác: non-vegetarian diets are considerably higher in the total intake of protein, which is highly beneficial for the body) >> IELTS TUTOR hướng dẫn CÁCH DÙNG "CONSUMPTION" TIẾNG ANH - Supporting idea: As vegetarian diets hardly meet daily protein requirements, those who follow are generally more vulnerable to fatigue even when doing physically undemanding tasks, or they can be more susceptible to common diseases such as flu or cold - Example: to some professionals, such as sports-persons, a non-vegetarian diet is highly recommended - Body 2: Nêu lí do thứ 2 vì sao TOTALLY DISAGREE - Main idea: meat is also a fertile source of many nutrients, such as iron or zinc. - Supporting idea: - iron helps in producing tissues inside the body >> IELTS TUTOR hướng dẫn Cách dùng động từ "help"tiếng anh - zinc is indispensable in helping to transport oxygen to different parts of the body, thus allowing the proper functioning of all body organs.

The world of pet food is drastically conflicting, and there can be a lot of controversy about what to feed your dog, but no one talks enough about the process of how it's made and how that can affect your pet. While the pet food processing industry must follow standards, those guidelines are sadly only met at a minimum with most foods. Our pets, dogs, and cats alike, naturally would get their digestive enzymes from their food. Even the fur that their wild ancestors ate contained some of these essential enzymes. Now that our pets don't have to hunt for their own food, we as their caretakers have crafted a synthetic diet for them. While pet foods on the market contain some essential nutrients, the high heat during the cooking process kills off the essential enzymes in carb-heavy kibble. Our pets cannot naturally produce enough to maintain those diets, which can lead to an overworked pancreas and other health issues. What are digestive enzymes? Enzymes in Your Pet's Diet "For a food to maintain its natural enzymes, it must be uncooked and unpasteurized, non-irradiated, and untreated with any source of heat. To be frank, today's commercial pet foods lack healthy natural enzymes. In essence, the food is dead, over-processed and in-organic. Production of both canned food and dried kibble require very high temperatures, which destroy any live enzymes present in the food. If the manufacturer adds enzymes, they often break down when exposed to air, light, and the processing needed for the food's long shelf life. Additionally, pet food processing can cause food nutrients to become chemically trapped, which can cause them to pass through your pet's digestive system unutilized. Enzymes are needed to help unlock these food nutrients and aid in digestion." Dr. Karen Becker, DVM The dry kibble that we have been feeding our pets for years provides nutrition to sustain life, but it doesn't provide full, balanced nutrition for your pet to thrive and live their best life. Enzymes are most commonly found in fresh food, and some can only be found in particular parts of the animals, like fur, bone, and soft tissue organs. Modern processing procedures easily destroy those delicate enzymes, and chemicals used in processing can strip the food's benefits. Herbicides, colors, and added preservatives only further the breakdown, causing deficiencies in the final product. This is why feeding fresh food is better for your pet, yet it's not the only answer. It all goes back to the way the food is processed. Even fresh foods might be stripped of their enzymes in exchange for preservatives. That's why supplements are essential for your pet to live their best life. Types of Enzymes Metabolic Enzymes are defined as a class of enzymes that regulate metabolic pathways in the formation of energy. These enzymes are essential for new cell growth and the maintenance of already existing cells. Some of these enzymes include (but are not limited to) glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolisms. Digestive enzymes are the more commonly thought of enzyme. These are gastrointestinal enzymes that help to break down your pet's food. They are produced by the pancreas and are essential in your pets' diet. The four basic classes of digestive enzymes are: - Amylase - aids to break down and digest carbohydrates - Cellulase - breaks down the fiber in food - Lipase - breaks down and aids in the digestion of fats - Protease - breaks down proteins in meat and digest them Why you should give your dog digestive enzymes Adding enzyme supplements to your pet's diet means that their bodies don't have to over-manufacture their own metabolic enzymes, putting less strain on their bodies. By boosting their supply of enzymes allows for: - New cell growth support. - Supports immune function - Supports complete digestion - Cleanses tissues at a cellular level Some other benefits of adding extra enzymes to your dog's current diet include improving digestion problems like gas, bloating, and constipation, as well as better absorption of vitamins and minerals. Some dogs have seen a reduction of food sensitivities and fewer flare up's of skin irritations. It can even help reduce excessive shedding. Long term benefits of adding the extra enzymes include joint health improvement and better mobility. Improved respiratory well-being. Healthy teeth and gums. The lack of excessive strain on your pet's body also gives them an overall better quality of life and can extend their good health even into their senior years. Supplementing with Enzymes While some supplements can help, not all are made the same. Pet products are under different regulations than human-grade supplements. The manufacturing and production process is self-regulated. When you supplement your pet, you don't want to put just anything into their body. Flora BiologicVET is National Animal Supplement Certified (NASC) in the USA and Canada Veterinary Health Product (VHP) regulated. That means their raw material suppliers follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). When should I give my dog enzymes? It sounds like a broken record, but it can't be stressed enough that, in general, dog food isn't optimized for your pets’ best health. Your dry brand is a great start, but it would be like a human eating boiled chicken and rice for their entire life. Would they survive? Most likely. Would they be happy? Most likely not. Would their bodies thrive? That's a strong no. There are some cases where a dog needs a supplement, as their very life depends on it. Dogs with pancreatitis - and inflammation of the pancreas - will need the addition of the supplements because their biological system is already at a disadvantage. Other diseases like EPI or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency damages the pancreas to the point that it can no longer produce any enzymes and a supplement is needed. Outside of cases of illness where enzymes are not being made, every pet out there could benefit from a quality supplement. And while quality enzymes add to the health of your pet, if you suspect a problem with your pet's digestion, we recommend talking with your vet. Serious conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal lymphoma, or insulinoma are not in conjunction with digestive enzymes, and a supplement will not fix the problem. Natural Sources of Enzymes Flora believes that enzymes from fresh food and supplements are essential to your pet's health. Since the beginning of Flora, the company believed in this and developed Flora Udo's Choice Enzymes and probiotics back in the early 2000s. Some natural fresh options of digestive enzymes are: - Chicory root - Raw honey/Bee pollen - Raw dairy products - Coconut water Probiotic for your pets What are probiotics Considered to be "good" or "helpful" bacteria, these live microorganisms are bacteria and yeasts found in the digestive system. These bacteria are promoted with claims that they provide gut health benefits. Caution: Some probiotic species require refrigeration to survive. Be sure to follow the label for storage recommendations. - Improves aid digestion - Aids in the immune system by preventing tissue damage from excessive responses - Provides gastrointestinal benefits by producing short-chain fatty acids, which inhibit harmful bacteria - Aids in the treatment of diarrhea, irritable bowel, and intestinal inflammation - Helps prevent urinary tract infections - Reduces allergic reactions due to digestion inflammation Just like with humans, adding probiotics to your pets' supplements can really go a long way into excelling their quality of life. However, while dogs can take human-grade probiotics, they won't have the same effect as pet standard probiotics. In fact most probiotics at all won’t work due to the high acid content in your pets stomach. Naturally an animal's stomach is built to handle raw food and bone and is able to break down most bacteria. Including most probiotics. If you ask most manufactures at what pH will the strains survive, most don’t know the answer. The strain Biologic Vet uses is from a natural grass that can survive for longer at the higher acidic levels of your pets stomach. Some natural pet safe sources of probiotics are: - Other fermented vegetables These sources of probiotics tend to hold up in the lower pH levels that are in your pets stomach. In the wild a carnivore's body can break down fresh meat in 8-12 hours. Herbivores on the other hand can take 3-5 days to break down vegetable material. So the slowed down process can benefit the probiotic bacteria. Are probiotics the same as enzymes While both probiotics and enzymes aid in the digestive process, they are not the same. A digestive enzyme helps break down the foods that your pet eats, whereas a probiotic is a living microorganism. Both of these play a part in overall health, both mentally and physically. The two, however, do complement one another, and you will sometimes see the two paired together in supplements. They work well together and help optimize your pet's health. The other main difference between the two is that your pet's body doesn't produce its own probiotics, making the addition of the microorganisms a great health benefit. Are the benefits worth it? A long, happy life for your pet is always worth it. That's why it matters what supplements that you put into their bodies. Animals have different ways to show us their health, so it’s important to take a proactive measure to give them the best quality of life. We highly recommend a high-quality supplement. Sometimes they might cost more, but the quality more than makes up for it, and dosing quality product normally means needing less. How do I give my pet everything they need? There are many options out there, and some are always better than none, so do what you can. BiologicVET is proud to provide your dogs and cats with the best that nutritional science and nature’s wholeness has to offer. Flora emphasize quality, so that makes dosing your pet easier than ever. They are safe for dogs and cats of any age and can help keep them in peak condition. With BioFIBRE for optimal absorption to help maintain a healthy digestive tract and a healthy immune system. Their no-pill formula makes BioVITES the easy choice for optimal pet health. Is your pet ready to live their best life? Buy Flora BioVITES.

This article describes how to go from a table showing Column Comparisons... ...to a table that highlights cells that have a significant relationship to a particular column based on the column letters. In this example, it is highlighting based on the Female column (B): A table with Column Comparisons. 1. Select your table. 2. Go to Properties > RULES on the object inspector. 3. To apply the rule, select the Plus (+) > Significance Testing in Tables > Color Comparisons with Specific Column. 4. Enter the name of Column to compare with. 5. Select the appropriate colors from the Higher and Lower results color pickers. 6. Press OK. Please note the following: - The rule will replace the column letters with colors when comparing against the target column, but will maintain the letters for other comparisons. - This rule works within the spans of the table, so if you wish to highlight comparisons with the NET or other column within each of the spans on your table, then this is done automatically. - The Column Comparisons do not test with the NET column(s) by default, and in order to include the NET in the testing you must change the settings according to How to Include the Main NET Column in Column Comparisons. - This rule will not show the appropriate high and low results if Show Redundant Tests is enabled in Statistical Assumptions for your table.

So, you’ve probably heard some conflicting opinions about whether or not you should be filtering your tap water. Some say it’s absolutely necessary to remove harmful contaminants, while others claim it’s just a waste of time and money. But before you throw your hands up in confusion, let’s take a closer look at the topic. In this article, we’ll explore the potential risks lurking in your tap water, the benefits of using a filter, and ultimately help you make an informed decision about whether or not you really need to filter your tap water. This image is property of images.unsplash.com. The Importance of Safe Drinking Water When it comes to maintaining good health and overall well-being, safe drinking water plays a pivotal role. It is essential to ensure that the water you consume on a daily basis is free from contaminants and pollutants that can potentially harm your health. While most tap water goes through a municipal water treatment process, it is important to understand the potential risks of unfiltered tap water and the benefits of using water filtration systems. The potential risks of unfiltered tap water Tap water, although treated by municipal water treatment plants, can still contain various contaminants that pose risks to human health. Common contaminants found in tap water include bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. These contaminants can enter the water supply through various sources such as agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and aged infrastructure. Consuming water contaminated with these substances can lead to serious health issues ranging from gastrointestinal problems to long-term organ damage. The role of water filtration systems Water filtration systems play a crucial role in removing contaminants from tap water, making it safe for consumption. These systems work by using various filtration methods to capture and remove contaminants, ensuring that the water you drink is clean and free from potentially harmful substances. Water filtration systems come in different types and sizes, offering a range of options to suit individual needs and budgets. This image is property of images.unsplash.com. The importance of clean water for health and well-being Access to clean water is not only essential for maintaining good health but is also vital for various other aspects of well-being. Water is involved in countless bodily functions, including digestion, hydration, and the removal of waste products. Drinking clean water helps ensure that these processes can function optimally, supporting overall health and vitality. Additionally, clean water is crucial for cooking, maintaining personal hygiene, and reducing the risk of waterborne illnesses. Understanding Tap Water Contaminants To make an informed decision about filtering your tap water, it is important to understand the common contaminants found in tap water and their potential impact on health. Common contaminants found in tap water Tap water can contain a wide range of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, heavy metals (such as lead and mercury), pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. These contaminants can originate from various sources, including agricultural runoff, industrial pollution, and outdated infrastructures. It is important to be aware of the specific contaminants that may be present in your local water supply to determine the most appropriate filtration method. The impact of contaminants on health Consuming tap water contaminated with harmful substances can pose health risks. Bacteria and viruses can cause illnesses such as diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and even more serious infections. Heavy metals can accumulate in the body over time and lead to organ damage, impaired cognitive function, and developmental issues, particularly in young children. Pesticides, herbicides, and industrial chemicals have been linked to various health problems, including hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and certain types of cancer. The effectiveness of municipal water treatment Municipal water treatment plants are responsible for treating and disinfecting tap water to remove or reduce contaminants. The treatment process typically involves steps such as coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. While municipal water treatment is effective in reducing many contaminants, it may not eliminate or adequately address certain substances, depending on the specific infrastructure and processes in place. Therefore, additional filtration methods may be necessary to ensure the highest level of water quality. Factors to Consider When Deciding to Filter Tap Water When deciding whether to invest in a water filtration system, there are several factors to consider to determine the necessity and type of filtration method that best suits your needs. Water source and quality First and foremost, it is important to assess the source and quality of your tap water. Understanding where your water comes from and whether it meets the necessary quality standards set by regulatory authorities can help in determining the level of filtration required. Factors such as proximity to industrial areas, agricultural activities, or aging infrastructures can increase the likelihood of contaminants in the water supply. Individual health considerations Individual health considerations should also be taken into account when deciding on tap water filtration. If you have a compromised immune system, are pregnant, have young children, or suffer from specific health conditions, the need for clean and safe drinking water becomes even more critical. Certain contaminants, such as lead and bacteria, can have a more significant impact on vulnerable individuals, making filtration an essential step in providing adequate protection. Presence of specific contaminants in the area It is essential to research and understand the specific contaminants that may be present in your local water supply. Regional variations in water quality can result from factors such as geological features, industrial activities, and agricultural practices. By identifying the potential contaminants in your area, you can select a filtration system that targets those specific substances, ensuring the most effective filtration. This image is property of images.unsplash.com. Benefits of Filtering Tap Water Investing in a water filtration system offers a range of benefits, both in terms of taste and health-related advantages. Improved taste and odor One notable benefit of filtering tap water is the improvement in taste and odor. Depending on the source and treatment process, tap water can sometimes have a chlorine-like taste or an unpleasant odor. Filtration systems can effectively remove these undesirable flavors and odors, resulting in water that is more enjoyable to drink. Removal of common contaminants Water filtration systems are designed to remove or reduce a wide range of common contaminants found in tap water. These can include bacteria, viruses, cysts, heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and industrial chemicals. Removing these substances ensures that the water you consume is free from potential health risks and provides peace of mind. Protection against potential health risks Filtering tap water provides an added layer of protection against potential health risks associated with consuming contaminated water. By removing harmful substances, filtration systems can reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses, organ damage from heavy metals, reproductive issues from hormone-disrupting chemicals, and other adverse health effects. Clean water is essential for optimal health and well-being. Different Types of Water Filtration Systems There are several types of water filtration systems available, each utilizing different methods to remove contaminants and purify tap water. Activated carbon filters Activated carbon filters are one of the most common types of water filtration systems. They use a porous carbon material to trap contaminants through a process called adsorption. This method is effective in removing chlorine, some heavy metals, organic compounds, and certain pesticides. Activated carbon filters are often available in pitchers, faucet mount filters, or under-sink systems. Reverse osmosis systems Reverse osmosis (RO) systems employ a semi-permeable membrane to remove a wide range of contaminants from tap water. Through the process of osmosis, water is forced through the membrane, leaving impurities behind. RO systems can eliminate many substances, including bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and dissolved solids. These systems are typically installed under the sink and require professional installation. Ultraviolet (UV) filters UV filters use ultraviolet light to disinfect tap water by deactivating bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. These filters are often used in conjunction with other filtration methods to provide an additional layer of protection against harmful pathogens. UV filters are usually installed in a central water supply line and require periodic maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Choosing the Right Water Filtration Method Selecting the appropriate water filtration method depends on several factors, including personal preferences, budget, and specific filtration needs. Understanding the specific filtration needs Identifying the specific contaminants you want to remove from your tap water is crucial in determining the most suitable filtration method. Different filtration systems target different substances, so understanding your specific needs and conducting thorough research is essential. Consider getting your water tested to determine the contaminants present and consult with a water treatment professional, if necessary. Considering budget and maintenance Budget and maintenance requirements are important factors to consider when choosing a water filtration system. Some systems require regular filter replacements, which can incur additional costs over time. Others may require professional installation, which can add to the initial investment. Assessing your budget and understanding the ongoing maintenance requirements will help ensure that the chosen filtration method is manageable in the long run. Seeking professional advice If you are unsure about the best water filtration system for your needs, it can be beneficial to seek professional advice. Water treatment professionals possess expert knowledge and can provide guidance based on your specific requirements and water quality conditions. They can analyze your water, recommend appropriate filtration systems, and offer insights on installation and maintenance. DIY Alternatives for Filtering Tap Water While investing in a dedicated water filtration system is often the most effective method, there are some simple DIY alternatives that can provide temporary water filtration in certain situations. Boiling water is one of the oldest and simplest methods to kill bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. Bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute can effectively disinfect tap water, making it safe to consume. However, boiling only addresses microbiological contaminants and does not remove other substances such as heavy metals or chemicals. Using a pitcher with a carbon filter Pitchers equipped with activated carbon filters are a readily available and inexpensive option for filtering tap water. These pitchers are easy to use and can effectively remove chlorine, sediment, and some organic compounds, improving taste and odor. While they may not eliminate all contaminants, they provide a basic level of filtration suitable for certain situations. Adding a water distiller Water distillers work by boiling water and then collecting the condensed steam, leaving behind impurities. This method effectively removes most contaminants, including heavy metals, bacteria, and other organic compounds. However, distillation can be a time-consuming and energy-intensive process. Additionally, it removes beneficial minerals from the water, which may need to be replenished through other means. Maintenance and Replacement of Water Filters Proper maintenance and regular replacement of water filters are essential for maintaining the effectiveness of a filtration system and ensuring the quality of filtered water. Regular cleaning and filter replacements Different filtration systems have specific maintenance requirements, which typically involve regular cleaning and filter replacements. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning and replacing filters to ensure optimal performance. Neglecting maintenance can result in reduced filtration efficiency and the potential for recontamination of the filtered water. Signs of a filter requiring replacement There are several signs that indicate a water filter may need to be replaced. Reduced water flow, a change in taste or odor of filtered water, or the filter reaching its recommended lifespan are common indicators. Some filters are also equipped with electronic indicators or timers that notify users when a replacement is required. Monitoring these signs and proactively replacing filters will help maintain the quality and safety of filtered water. Long-term cost considerations It is important to consider the long-term costs associated with maintaining a water filtration system. This includes the price of replacement filters, as well as any additional costs such as professional maintenance or repairs. Evaluating these costs as part of your decision-making process will help ensure that the chosen filtration system remains affordable and sustainable in the long run. Potential Drawbacks of Filtering Tap Water While there are numerous benefits to filtering tap water, it is important to consider potential drawbacks associated with the use of water filtration systems. Expense and initial investment Investing in a high-quality water filtration system can be an initial financial burden for some individuals. The cost of purchasing the system and any installation or professional assistance required may deter people from making the investment. Additionally, ongoing expenses such as replacement filters and maintenance can add to the overall expense of filtered water. Environmental impact of filter waste Water filters require regular replacement, resulting in filter waste that needs to be disposed of properly. Depending on the type of filter, this waste may contain various materials that can have environmental implications if not disposed of correctly. Researching filter recycling options or choosing filters with recyclable components can help mitigate the environmental impact. Perceived over-reliance on filtered water Some individuals may develop a sense of over-reliance on filtered water, assuming that filtration systems completely eliminate all contaminants. While filtration systems are highly effective, they may not remove every single contaminant present in tap water. It is important to strike a balance between relying on filtration and maintaining awareness of potential risks associated with water sources, delivery pipelines, and other factors beyond filtration control. Assessing the need for tap water filtration requires considering various factors such as water source, individual health considerations, and the presence of specific contaminants in the area. The potential risks of unfiltered tap water underscore the importance of investing in water filtration systems to ensure safe and clean drinking water. Understanding tap water contaminants, the effectiveness of municipal water treatment, and the benefits of filtering tap water can guide you in making an informed decision. Whether you opt for activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, or UV filters, selecting the right water filtration method relies on understanding specific filtration needs, budget, and seeking professional advice when necessary. DIY alternatives can offer temporary solutions, but dedicated water filtration systems generally provide the highest level of purification. Maintenance, replacement, and the associated costs should also be considered when implementing a filtration system. While there are potential drawbacks to filtering tap water, the overall health benefits and improved well-being gained from consuming clean and safe drinking water make it a worthwhile investment. Balancing health concerns with practicality ensures that you can make the best decision for yourself and your loved ones.

A new paper from our group, led by Carolin Heller in the Biomarkers Lab as part of her PhD, has now been published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. It looks at two blood markers called Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein, or GFAP, and Neurofilament Light Chain, or NfL, in one of the variants of primary progressive aphasia. Semantic variant primary progressive aphasia, also known as semantic dementia, is one of the forms of frontotemporal dementia where people develop problems with their ability to understand ideas and concepts. It is a sporadic disease usually. In other words, it is not usually caused by a genetic problem. However, we do not yet understand what causes it. In semantic dementia, people lose brain cells in a specific part of the brain called the temporal lobe, usually more on the left side than the right. Some previous studies have shown that in people with semantic dementia there are problems with inflammation in the brain. We set out to look at a blood marker called GFAP which can show problems with inflammation or with a specific set of brain cells called astrocytes. We also measured a blood marker called NfL which increases when brain cells are being lost. We tested these two markers using a very sensitive machine called a Simoa which can detects very low levels of proteins in the blood. We used blood collected from one of our studies at UCL called LIFTD, or the Longitudinal Investigation of FTD. In total, 28 people with semantic dementia and 36 healthy controls were tested. We found that the levels of both GFAP and NfL were raised in semantic dementia compared with controls. Furthermore, both levels became higher as the volume of the temporal lobe decreased, suggesting that these blood markers can show how severe the disease is. We hope that these blood markers will become more widely used in the future. In the clinic it may help show what stage people are at in the disease. Whilst in future clinical trials, a decrease in the markers might help to show that a drug was working.

Fintech is a term all of us hear a lot nowadays. What is Fintech, you may ask. Fintech stands for Financial Technology. Fintech thus refers to technologies used in the financial services sector by financial institutions for their back-end operations. In a more specific sense Fintech refers to technological innovations that are coming in to disrupt traditional financial services and this includes the whole gamut of services from banking which includes mobile payments, money transfers, loans and also other products like mutual fund and insurance. So in essence Fintech is changing the way an individual spends, saves, invests and borrows money online, mostly through a mobile phone so that traditional visits to the bank and meeting with real life people is reduced or eliminated altogether. When we ask ourselves what is the meaning of Fintech, it is easy to understand it in terms of some of the latest innovation in financial services which have become a part of our lives. Let us take a look at some of them. Mobile payments: One of the most popular use of Fintech is mobile payments where people without bank accounts can instantly send and receive money from their mobile phones. This is very convenient as people can send and receive money and pay bills without using any cash. Robo advisory: This is a system where a computer uses a set of algorithms and based on available data suggests financial products to a customer without any human intervention. Going ahead this can replace a human financial advisor, though right now a blend of both is offered by most financial services firms. This is how Fintech is playing a role in the financial advisory space. Chatbots: Chatbots are computer programs that work with artificial intelligence to conduct a conversation through text or voice. Chatbots give a feel as if one is talking to a human being and has thus replaced a real human being sitting on a computer and answering user queries. A chatbot can help a customer with answering general queries, give product suggestions and even generate leads 24X7. This is an example where the use of Fintech is enhancing customer experience. Loan Apps: These loan apps use Fintech to collate data on customers and match a customer with loan products available for him or her. Technology helps to make the process faster, conduct verification checks, process an application and disburse a loan quickly. New financial technology is the reason why it is now possible to apply for a loan with a few simple clicks of the mobile phone. Peer to peer lending: Here, technology matches lenders who want to earn a higher return on their investment to borrowers who are in need of an unsecured loan without the participation of any financial institution like bank or lending agencies. Blockchain: Blockchain, which is essentially a distributed ledger, is a core Fintech technology. Since it has some specific characteristics, the use of blockchain is not only limited to cryptocurrency, but has found uses in other areas of finance. Insurance and mutual funds: Fintech companies are leveraging technology to sell insurance and mutual fund products to the end consumer. Armed with multiple data points, technology is used to match customers to a suitable product thus cutting off the time it takes to buy these products to only a few minutes. What is a Fintech company: A Fintech company is a company that develops new technology in the space of finance with the aim to disrupt existing financial products and services. So a payment start-up is a Fintech company since it brings about easy and digital modes of payments to its customers. Similarly an insurance aggregator is a Fintech company since it helps a person choose suitable insurance with the help of technology and buy it too with a few clicks. Fintech companies in the space of lending connects borrowers with lenders in a fast and efficient manner. Basically Fintech companies offer something that is better, faster or smarter to use than a traditional product or service. To stay ahead of the curve existing financial institutions like banks and insurance companies are also heavily investing in Fintech. Some of them are also nurturing or buying out Fintech startups. Total funding raised across Fintech and financial services was almost about $2billion USD in the first 11 months of 2018 and a total of 132 deals were signed. This goes to show how Fintech companies are rapidly transforming the financial landscape in India. Fintech companies are thus using technology to remove manual intervention, middleman commissions and thus bringing down transaction costs and reaching out to a section of the population which was earlier outside the ambit of financial services.

Dry Food Versus Wet Food, What’s Better? Should I use wet cat food? When you walk into the supermarket or pet store, you are bombarded with different types of cat food: wet, dry, complete, and specific for a breed or age. There is so much choice. But is it better to give your cat wet or dry food? That is a frequently asked question, and there are advantages and disadvantages to wet and dry food. The Benefits of Wet Food Cats are obligate carnivores (flesh eaters). Wet food is much closer to a cat’s natural diet than kibble. Cats are native to desert areas and respond to a low-water diet by concentrating their urine and not drinking more water. A cat’s natural food (small prey animals) has a water percentage of 60%. The water content of wet food is also 60% or more. Feeding wet food is a convenient way to ensure that cats get more moisture. Wet Food and Its’ Uses Urinary Tract Health (Kidneys and Bladder): Eating a lot of wet food causes the cat to produce more water (less concentrated urine), reducing the risk of bladder problems. Any inflammatory cells are also excreted faster; Energy regulation: Many cats cannot properly regulate their energy intake; when eating dry food, these cats quickly become too fat, with an increased risk of diabetes or cystitis. Feeding wet food can prevent this to a large extent. Lose weight: Water has no calories, so wet food always has fewer calories than dry food. On average, dry food contains 3 – 4 k cal/g, while damp food contains an average of 0.8 – 1.5 k cal/g. Because wet food is also more filling, it can ideally help prevent obesity or lose weight; Constipation (hard stools): Dehydration is often (partly) a cause of constipation in cats. By feeding wet food, the cat receives more water than if it were to eat dry food because it naturally drinks little; Cats are adapted to living in dry surroundings, and in response to eating foods with low moisture content, they produce more concentrated pee rather than drinking more water. It has been argued that giving cats wet food rather than water to drink would be a more appropriate strategy to provide them with water because prey for cats often has a moisture content greater than 60 percent. Dehydrated cats are at an increased risk for developing several ailments, including kidney disease. On the other hand, it is not apparent if consuming dry food results in inadequate hydration or poorer hydration than when consuming wet food. Several research studies have been carried out to examine the effect of feeding dry versus wet diets on the water status of cats, and the findings have been contradictory. Wet foods are beneficial for the following: Wet foods promote more dilute urine, which may result in a lower concentration of inflammatory components in the bladder. This may be beneficial for the prevention of urinary tract problems. The hypothesis is that since wet foods promote more dilute urine, this may result in a lower concentration of these components in the bladder. Weight loss: Since water does not have calories, wet foods always have a lower energy density (in the form of calories) than dry foods. Wet food has between 0.8 and 1.5 k cal per gram, and dry food has anything from 3 to 4 k cal per gram on average. Some diets contain even more calories per gram (some weight loss diets contain even less). Because of this, moist food tends to be more filling, making it a valuable component in strategies for either weight loss or weight maintenance. Constipation – Dehydration is a risk factor for constipation, and providing moist meals might be beneficial in these circumstances. Constipation can also be a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is specific advice to suggest that people with cats with this problem feed them canned food. The Benefits of Dry Food Convenience: Dry food is easy to use, you put it in a bowl, and it stays good for a long time, while wet food dries up and is no longer tasty; Unlimited feeding: Because you can quickly leave dry food, it is ideal for feeding your cat unlimited. Cats naturally eat small amounts regularly, and this way of feeding fits in perfectly with that; Feeding puzzles: Dry food is beneficial in stationary and rolling feeding puzzles; More energy: For thin cats or cats that eat little, feeding kibble is an excellent way to get all the necessary energy and nutrients. The main advantages of dry food are its ease, convenience, and low cost. Millions of cats worldwide are fed dry food (either exclusively or in combination) and live long and healthy lives. Dry food allows for free feeding and can be stored for extended periods. When wet food is used, some cats prefer to graze their food throughout the day rather than at specific mealtimes. Dry food is more convenient to use with food dispenser toys for environmental enrichment and mental stimulation. Some dry diets can have positive dental effects by either reducing tartar formation or slowing plaque accumulation, which is achieved primarily through the mechanical scraping of the tooth. However, not all dry diets will have adequate kibble texture to address plaque, and even if they do, it is possible that they will not act on all tooth surfaces. There is a scarcity of conclusive evidence supporting the superiority of dry food over wet food in terms of oral health. In any case, tooth brushing is the gold standard for promoting adequate dental health. Wet food has a lower energy density than dry food. This can be a problem in cats who are unable to self-regulate their energy intake, and the prevalence of obesity/overweight in cats is high enough to suggest that many cats are unable to do so. On the other hand, dry food will provide energy and nutrients in a concentrated, small volume, maximizing nutritional supply in thin and picky cats, which happens in some healthy cats but is also associated with the disease. Both wet food and dry food, therefore, have advantages and disadvantages. Wet food is often more expensive and less easy to use. Still, it can be a great advantage for many cats in treating, for example, cystitis, kidney problems, constipation and obesity. Dry food is easy and works well in feeding puzzles. It is also helpful for thin cats because it contains more calories per gram of food. What is best for your cat depends entirely on its health, weight, and home situation. If a cat is not used to eating wet food, it is often difficult or impossible to persuade them to eat it if necessary for a specific reason. Therefore, it’s best to feed your pet wet and dry food. This way, your cat is used to both. If it is necessary later in life for medical reasons to switch to one or the other, this switch is easy for your cat. Cats are creatures of habit! Greebles and Cats: The Origin and the Meaning You may have seen an internet sensation concerning cats labeled “greebles.” Feel out of the loop? We’re here to help you. In 2019, Reddit user /user/literallyatree commented on a Reddit post about a cat that looks like it’s trying to slap a ghost. This user commented: “My family calls things… Why Do Cats Roll Over Into Their Backs But Not Let You Touch Their Bellies? It’s common knowledge dogs love to have their tummies rubbed when they freely lay down before you and roll onto their backs. But, if you’re also familiar with cats, you know that when they roll onto their backs with their bellies exposed, rubbing the belly will most likely result in… The Odd-Eyed Cat (AKA Heterochromia) Cats are already beautiful and fascinating creatures, but people are bound to take notice when they have something as captivating as two different colored eyes. Odd-eyed cats always have one blue eye paired with either a green, yellow, or brown eye. This form of heterochromia occurs in other animals, including…

Bigan, the god of wealth, is a god of wealth in Chinese folk belief, expressing the good wishes of the working people in China to ward off evil spirits and disasters and welcome good fortune. His surname is Biganzi. Bi was born in Ganmoyi (now Weihui, Henan), the second son of Wen Ding, the Shang emperor, and the uncle of Di Xin (Shang Zhouwang), the younger brother of Di Yi. Bigan was born in the Seventh Sacrifice of Yinwuyi Bingzi (the 4th day of April in the summer calendar in 1125 BC) and died in 1063 BC. He was an important official of the Shang royal family and worshipped Shao Shi (the prime minister). He assisted two emperors all his life. At the age of 20, he assisted Di Yi, the king of Shang, with a high position as a teacher, and Di Xin (Yin Zhou Wang) was entrusted with the orphans. He assisted Wang Zhongjun, the emperor of Shang Dynasty, in patriotism, pleading for the people and daring to speak out and remonstrate, and was called "an eternal loyal minister". After Zhou Wang dug his heart, he became a careless person because his heart was hollowed out, so he was careless and impartial, and was regarded as the God of Wealth by later generations. He was the first God of Wealth worshipped by the people and widely praised and worshipped by the world. Di Yi was assisted by Di Xin, who had been in politics for more than 40 years. He advocated reducing taxes and corvees, encouraging the development of agriculture and animal husbandry, advocating smelting and casting, and enriching Qiang Bing. At the end of the Shang Dynasty, Di Xin (Zhou Wang) was tyrannical and dissolute, extorting and extorting money, sighing for the Lord, refusing to remonstrate, not being loyal, fearing death, not being brave, remonstrating, not using it, dying, and being loyal, so he went to the Star Tower to remonstrate for three days. He asked why he relied on benevolence and righteousness more than he did on dry days, so he relied on anger. He said that I heard that saints have seven minds and believe in everything. Then he killed Bigan and dissected his heart, at the age of 64. After Bigan’s death, Zhou Wang sent someone to Bigan’s home to exterminate his family. There were two pregnant concubines in Bigan’s family, and one was caught and brutally executed. Bigan’s wife, Chen, managed to escape in order to save the baby in her womb. Soldiers who sympathized with them secretly released her and four handmaids. They left the capital together to sing songs and went to live in seclusion in the mountains. Later, they gave birth to a boy, and now they call this cave "Linmu Cave". Soldiers in Zhou Wang searched the descendants of Bigan everywhere. When they found them, they asked what the child’s name was. Mrs Bigan lived in the forest, and there was a mountain spring around the forest, so they told the soldiers that the child was called Lin Quan. Later, Zhou Wuwang defeated Zhou Wang, found Mrs Bigan and her children, and named the child Lin Jian, who was the ancestor of Lin.

With the cost of fuel constantly rising, considering switching to electric cars is something many people have considered. From January to June 2022, the price of fuel has rapidly increased. The price of regular motor gasoline has risen to 49%, and the price of diesel to 55%. Due to the cost of living crisis, people are looking for more cost-effective ways to own a car. The popularity of electric cars has increased by 14.6% in 2022, with over 22,000 registrations in June alone. Clean energy, improved performance, and more cost-effective to run are driving people to make the switch to electric vehicles. First of all, what is an Electric Car? An Electric car is a vehicle that has a battery rather than a gasoline tank. It also has an electric motor, powered by a battery, instead of an internal combustion engine. The cars need to be plugged in, in order to charge the battery and use the vehicle. The Future of Petrol and Diesel Cars By 2030, the petrol and diesel ban will be put in place. The ban is being enforced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Unlike electric cars, petrol and diesel cars emit CO2, which is harmful to our environment. Britain currently has a legal target to cut greenhouse gases to net zero within 30 years time, and petrol and diesel cars are accountable for approximately 30% of these emissions. This makes electric cars a trustworthy investment, as they are becoming the future of vehicles. According to the Royal College of Physicians, traffic fumes are contributing to early deaths of approximately 40,000 people within the uk. Alongside Diesel vehicles producing astonishing levels of nitrogen oxide, which have been linked to lung cancer, heart disease and many other conditions. What are the financial benefits of an Electric Car? Initially, the upfront cost of an electric car may be higher than a petrol car – however, in the long-run electric cars offset this cost by having lower running costs. Some benefits include: - According to Energy Saving Trust, a full charge electric vehicle will give a range of over 200 miles and will cost roughly £8-12 when charging at home. Whereas driving 200 miles in a petrol or diesel car will cost approximately £26-32 in fuel, meaning it is three times more expensive to run. - Due to the fact that electric cars have less moving-parts than petrol and diesel cars, you can save a lot of money on servicing and maintenance costs as there is less to go wrong. - The road tax of a car is dictated by the CO2 tailpipe emissions of your vehicle, its list price and its year it was registered. Electric cars do not emit CO2, therefore means that fully electric cars are excluded from Road Tax costs and you get a big saving! - Electric car users in London are eligible for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount. The Cleaner Vehicle Discount is £10 to sign up, and offers 100% discount meaning that electric car users do not have to pay congestion charges. - Some places offer free parking for electric cars, providing convenient access. Thereby, you will end up saving money on parking. In short, electric cars are more cost effective and environmentally friendly to run. If you want to keep up to date about everything electric cars, check out our Twitter.

Amniocentesis isn’t exactly “new” science. The practice dates back over 100 years. Essentially, the procedure guides a long needle through the abdomen and into the amniotic sac that surrounds the growing baby, collecting a sample of the fluid, which contains cells, proteins and even a slight “urine sample” from the baby. It’s quick, painless and an efficient way to receive critical answers to tough questions and concerns when it comes to your baby’s health. What Does Amniocentesis Diagnose? When most people think about amniocentesis, one of the first health concerns that come to mind is the chromosomal disorder, Down’s Syndrome. While this is one potential culprit that can be discovered during amniocentesis, it isn’t the only one. Other potential health issues uncovered during amniocentesis include spina bifida, infections, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and even potential sex chromosome disorders. Who Needs Amniocentesis? In most instances, amniocentesis is recommended for moms-to-be over 35 years of age, because this is when chromosomal risks begin to increase. At 35, the probability of having a baby with Down’s Syndrome is 1 out of 178. By the time you reach 40, it has increased to 1 in 63 and by the time a mother-to-be is 48, the risk is 1 out of 8 – greater than 10%! For mothers under 35, amniocentesis is only recommended if there is some other known risk in the medical history. Is it Safe? The mere prospect of amniocentesis can be unsettling for pregnant families. No parent wants to worry about genetic disorders or other diseases before they even meet the new baby. While there is still some level of controversy surrounding the process, the fact remains that families welcoming a baby with genetic or other serious health concerns generally fare better with more time there is to plan and get informed. That said, the procedure does have a very limited risk of fetal loss, with a loss rate of less than 1%. Studies seem to show between a 1 in 300 and a 1 in 500 chance the amniocentesis will result in fetal damage or miscarriage. However, if you feel you are being pressured into an unnecessary procedure, don’t be afraid to discuss your fears and concerns with your doctor. If they aren’t willing to take the time to listen, you are absolutely entitled to seek a second opinion.

Effective management goes beyond decision-making and strategy; it fundamentally relies on the ability to listen. In the fast-paced dynamics of modern workplaces, the power of listening is often overshadowed by the urgency to act and respond. Yet, the art of listening remains a cornerstone for successful leadership, forming the bedrock of trust, empathy, and understanding within a team. Managers who master listening can foster a culture of open communication and gain deeper insights into their team’s needs, challenges, and ideas. This skill is critical in navigating complex team dynamics and plays a pivotal role in enhancing overall organizational health. Listening isn’t just about hearing words; it’s about understanding the message, context, and the unspoken emotions conveyed. In the following sections, we delve into the importance of listening in leadership, understand the barriers that hinder effective listening, and offer practical, actionable strategies for managers to enhance their listening skills. Significance of listening in leadership Listening is a critical component of effective leadership for several reasons. Good listening skills help leaders build trust and rapport with their team members. When leaders actively listen, they demonstrate respect and concern for the opinions and well-being of their team members, which fosters a more open and trusting workplace environment. Leaders who listen effectively are better informed and can make more comprehensive and inclusive decisions. Listening to diverse perspectives allows leaders to gather a wide range of information, which can lead to more innovative solutions and strategies. Effective listening can also help leaders resolve conflicts more efficiently. In an article from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, effective listening is described as a process that seeks first to understand, then to be understood. By understanding the viewpoints and underlying issues in conflicts, leaders can mediate effectively and find solutions that are acceptable to all parties involved. The article emphasizes that effective listening goes beyond just hearing words; it involves engaging with the entire body, including ears, eyes, heart, and brain. This type of leadership is likely to inspire excellence and dedication from employees. Modern leadership models, such as transformational and servant leadership, emphasize the importance of listening as a key component of effective leadership. These models suggest that listening helps leaders to understand and empathize with their followers, which in turn enhances their influence and effectiveness. Understanding the barriers to effective listening Effective listening is a crucial skill for leaders and managers, but various barriers can hinder their ability to listen actively and effectively. Understanding and addressing these barriers is essential for improving communication and leadership effectiveness. Personal biases and prejudices can significantly impede a leader’s ability to listen objectively. Leaders might unknowingly dismiss or undervalue input based on their preconceived notions about the person speaking or the topic of discussion. Managers leading several teams might develop biases towards certain teams or individuals based on past experiences or stereotypes. This could lead to favoritism or neglect of certain teams. For example, a manager might unconsciously pay more attention to teams that have historically performed well, while undervaluing the input of teams that have struggled, even if their current contributions are valuable. This bias can create a divide within the organization, demotivate under-heard teams, and lead to missed opportunities for improvement or innovation. In a busy work environment, especially for managers overseeing multiple teams, distractions are common and varied. These can range from constant emails and phone calls to interruptions from team members. Such distractions can lead to superficial listening or missing out on critical details during discussions. This lack of focused attention can result in misunderstandings, errors in decision-making, and a feeling among team members that their concerns are not being taken seriously. Managers of multiple teams often fall into the trap of multitasking, attempting to juggle several tasks simultaneously, such as answering emails during meetings. This divided attention means they are not fully present in conversations, leading to poor comprehension and lack of engagement with the speaker. This can result in inadequate responses to team issues, overlooking important details, and giving team members the impression that their contributions are undervalued. Culture and Language differences In diverse workplaces, cultural and language differences can be a significant barrier to effective listening. A manager might find it challenging to understand accents, colloquialisms, or cultural nuances, leading to misinterpretations or misunderstandings. This barrier requires a heightened level of sensitivity and adaptability on the part of the manager. Physical distance and Remote communication With remote work becoming more common, physical distance can be a barrier. Relying on virtual communication means missing out on non-verbal cues, which are an essential part of effective listening. This can lead to misunderstandings and a lack of connection with team members. Addressing common barriers to effective listening for managers By adopting the following strategies, managers can effectively tackle the barriers to effective listening, leading to enhanced communication, better team dynamics, and overall improved leadership effectiveness. Managers should engage in self-awareness exercises and reflection to identify and understand their own biases. Diversity and inclusion training can be instrumental in helping managers recognize and overcome unconscious biases. Additionally, implementing structured decision-making processes that require input from all teams can ensure decisions aren’t swayed by favoritism. This approach helps in creating a fair and inclusive environment where all teams feel valued. It’s crucial for managers to allocate specific times dedicated to listening to their team members without interruptions. Adjusting the physical workspace to minimize distractions and using technology tools like ‘do not disturb’ modes can also be effective. These steps help in creating an environment conducive to focused listening, ensuring that team members feel heard and understood. Managers should be encouraged to prioritize and delegate tasks effectively. This can free up their time and attention for active listening. Incorporating mindfulness practices can enhance their focus and presence, particularly before meetings. Training in active listening skills can further emphasize the importance of being fully present during conversations, enhancing communication quality. Addressing Cultural and Language differences Regular training on cultural awareness and competence is essential in diverse workplaces. Providing language training or translation services can bridge communication gaps. Creating opportunities to celebrate and learn about different cultures can enhance mutual understanding and respect among team members, facilitating better communication. Mitigating challenges of Physical distance and Remote communication Scheduling regular team meetings and one-on-ones ensures consistent communication. Encouraging informal virtual gatherings, like ‘virtual coffee breaks’, can help build rapport and compensate for the lack of physical interaction, fostering a more connected and engaged team. Lastly, utilizing high-quality video conferencing tools like a HD Camera and a clear microphone can improve the quality of virtual communication. Examples of leadership success stories based on effective listening Staya Nadella, Microsoft Since taking over as CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella has emphasized the importance of listening to both employees and customers. His leadership has transformed the company culture, making it more inclusive and innovative, which has been reflected in the company’s renewed success and market growth. Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, was known for her listening skills. She regularly spent time listening to customers and employees, which helped her lead the company through a significant transformation, focusing on healthier products and a more sustainable business model. Examples of leadership failure stories based on ineffective listening General Motors Ignition Switch Scandal A lack of effective listening contributed to the General Motors ignition switch scandal. Early warnings and concerns raised by engineers and other employees were ignored by senior management, leading to a situation that not only damaged the company’s reputation but also resulted in several fatalities. Boeing 737 Max Crisis The Boeing 737 MAX crisis is a poignant example of the consequences of leadership failing to listen. Before the tragic crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, there were several reports and concerns regarding the aircraft’s Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). However, these concerns were not adequately addressed by Boeing’s leadership. The failure to listen and respond to these critical safety concerns not only led to tragic loss of life but also resulted in a severe blow to Boeing’s reputation, significant financial losses, and a loss of trust in the company. In conclusion, the ability to listen effectively distinguishes exceptional leaders from the rest. As explored in this article, listening is not a passive activity but a dynamic process that engages the leader with their team at multiple levels. It’s about understanding not only the words but the emotions, context, and unspoken messages behind them. Leaders who excel in listening skills are better equipped to build trust, foster open communication, and create a positive work environment. They are more adept at making informed decisions, resolving conflicts, and leading with empathy. Conversely, a failure to listen can lead to missed opportunities, workplace conflicts, and even major organizational crises, as seen in the cases of General Motors and Boeing. The journey to becoming an effective listener requires overcoming various barriers, including personal biases, distractions, multitasking, cultural differences, and the challenges of remote communication. However, by addressing these challenges, leaders can significantly enhance their listening skills, ultimately leading to more effective leadership and a healthier organizational culture.

What is Tempered Glass? When it comes to building safety and security, glass windows and doors are a top concern. Since regular, annealed glass shatters so easily, it is a prime target for intruders and can be a source of danger in extreme weather circumstances when the glass may shatter, leaving sharp edges that can harm those nearby. Fortunately, there are solutions to fortify glass windows and doors and improve overall safety and security. One of the solutions often offered is tempered glass. While tempered glass is useful in some scenarios, it isn’t the best solution in others. Here, we’ll explain what is tempered glass, what is tempered glass used for, and the best alternatives to tempered glass. What is Tempered Glass? When regular, annealed glass breaks, it shatters into sharp, dangerous glass shards and leaves behind ragged edges in the window frame. The broken pieces are collectively referred to as spall. In extreme weather or bomb blasts, these sharp pieces often fly through the air and injure those nearby. Spall is one of the leading causes of injuries related to bomb blasts. To mitigate these injuries, scientists came up with a way to strengthen regular glass in the manufacturing process through intense heating, called tempering, to prevent spall. The glass is heated to extreme temperatures and then rapidly cooled via blasts of air which causes the outside layers of the glass to solidify before the inside layers do. As the inside layers cool, they pull at the outer layers, creating tension and changing the properties of the glass. Instead of shattering into dangerous pieces, when tempered glass is struck, it shatters into small, dull cubes which is much safer for those nearby. What is tempered glass used for? While tempered glass is very useful in many situations, it’s not the best solution when trying to increase security. Instead, you’re likely to find tempered glass used in other ways. It’s frequently used in mobile phones, phone screen protectors, kitchen appliances, and vehicle windows. In residential and commercial settings, here are the recommended uses of tempered glass: Tempered glass, or some form of safety glass, is recommended in commercial settings and under certain circumstances in residential settings, depending on the size of the window and its proximity to walking surfaces. Any swinging, sliding, or bifold door should use tempered glass, regardless of size. Glass in wet areas like shower doors in bathrooms and doors and windows around swimming pools and saunas should be made of tempered glass due to the increased risk of falls. Building codes require that glass near or adjacent to stairs and glass used for stair rails should use some form of safety glass, like tempered glass. Steps with glass surfaces should also be made using some form of safety glass. Disadvantages of Tempered Glass Now that you know some of the better uses of tempered glass, here are some of the disadvantages so you can better understand if tempered glass windows and doors are right for you: Intruders Easily Gain Access As we stated above, tempered glass is not the best solution to increase security in areas prone to smash and grab attempts. Although it is much stronger than conventional glass, when tempered glass does break it will completely shatter. This leaves you even more vulnerable to forced entry since criminals are so easily able to gain access by damaging just one piece of glass. Expensive to Install Tempered glass can’t be adjusted once it has undergone the tempering process, which means each piece of glass has to be custom manufactured. This makes it much more expensive to install than some other options, like security window films. Impurities in tempered glass can cause it to spontaneously explode, creating dangerous openings and raining glass on anyone nearby. Since any small injury to the window causes the entire window to break apart, it can be costly to maintain tempered glass windows since the entire window has to be replaced after any sort of impact or serious damage. Tempered Glass Window Alternatives Fortunately, there are solutions available that can both increase security and prevent dangerous shattered glass: security window films and polycarbonate security shields. Tempered Glass vs Film While tempered glass would require the replacement of the entire window, security films, sometimes known as safety films, are an option for those that are looking for a faster and more affordable solution. They are made out of multiple layers of ultra-thin plastics and adhesives which, when installed properly over the existing window, hold the glass together upon impact. This simultaneously slows criminals to prevent theft and also keeps those inside safe and protected from dangerous flying debris. Tempered Glass vs Polycarbonate Much like security films, polycarbonate security shields like DefenseLite are a retrofit solution which means they are applied over your existing windows. However, polycarbonate shields create a ventilated buffer zone to protect the original glass which saves you the hassle of a full replacement when damaged. Our engineered ventilation system protects windows from condensation, eliminating the need for costly maintenance. These smash-proof polycarbonate panels deflect energy away, slowing criminals down and causing them to flee the scene. Since the original glass is left unharmed, there are no costly replacements with polycarbonate panels. This is a permanent solution, so the glass is always protected, keeping people nearby protected from dangerous glass debris in extreme weather or bomb blasts. They also provide additional benefits like noise reduction, UV protection, and temperature regulation. Installed by certified and trained professionals, DefenseLite retrofit panels are covered under warranty. Improve Safety & Security with DefenseLite Hopefully, you’ve found some answers to your questions about tempered glass and how it should be used. If you’re looking for a way to increase both safety and security in your residential or commercial building, contact us at DefenseLite for more information about our custom engineered polycarbonate panels.

Why are we sometimes over-confident about our chances of success and sometimes not confident enough? Short permalink to this article: https://bit.ly/2V8F7qw Louis Levy-Garboua*, Muniza Askari and Marco Gazel People often underestimate their chances of succeeding in a difficult task but underestimate them when it is an easy one. Psychologists call this phenomenon the “hard-easy effect”. Is this behaviour due to a “cognitive bias” inherent in a limited rationality? Or does it reveal a temporary learning phase among rational individuals who do not know a priori their real capacities for succeeding at a new task? In this article, Lévy-Garboua, Askari and Gazel answer the question by offering a model of “intuitive rationality” that integrates the two and predicts several apparently irrational behaviours, such as the “hard-easy effect”. They also use rich experimental data that reveals these behaviours and confirms the predictions of the model. The authors developed an experiment that resembles a game of double or quits and which measures whether self-confidence grows faster or slower than understanding. The players accomplish a task - solving anagrams - whose degree of difficulty increases in three increments. The players first try to reach the first level and if they do, they are offered “double or quits”. Success at each level rewards the players with ever-greater wins. Nevertheless, a failure – more and more likely ¬ – leads to weaker gains than those that would be attained had they quit the game earlier. The data collected shows that the first, easy successes generate over-confidence in the players, and they do not learn their real level of aptitude. Too often, they do not stop in time and thus suffer great losses. To illustrate, the sample of players who continued on to play at a higher level can be divided into four categories: 47% are capable and well calibrated, 12% are well calibrated but not capable, 36% are over-confident, and 5% under-confident. However, their respective failure rates are very different: only 52% among the well calibrated and capable and 57% for the under-confident, compared with 78% among the less capable and well calibrated, and 91% among the over-confident. The explanation of these findings lies in the idea that individuals, not having an accurate idea of their chances of success at a new task, estimate them rationally – that is to say, following Bayes’ theorem, strictly according to the facts and signals they perceive. However, these signals are often subjective and fragile, and include, given the doubt that the individuals are steeped in, the objections they have to their own beliefs. Thus, an individual who is almost sure of succeeding in an easy (for her) task will lower her estimation of her chances of success after having foreseen the possibility of failure; and conversely, she who is almost sure of failing will become more optimistic after having foreseen the possibility of success. This swing triggers a “hard-easy effect” as well as other observable behaviour such as a limited power to discriminate (incapable of seeing moderate differences between two options), the tendency to overestimate the accuracy of her evaluation (another aspect of over-confidence), the tendency to under-react to signals (inertia) and systematically miscalculating the effort required (planning error). Original title of the article: Confidence Biases and Learning among Intuitive Bayesians Published in: Theory and Decision (2018) 84, 453-482 Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Louis_Levy-Garboua Photo credit: Prostock-studio (Shutterstock) * PSE Member

We live in an age of finger-pointing, where the culture of victimhood often trumps personal responsibility. Enter the concept of Radical Responsibility, a term from the Dictionary of Daily Change, which advocates for extreme ownership of one’s actions, emotions, and life circumstances. The Psychology of Radical Responsibility The term aligns with the psychological concept of the locus of control. When you possess a strong internal locus of control, you believe that your actions significantly impact the outcome of your life. This psychological perspective ties in closely with Self-Optimisation, the relentless pursuit to improve oneself across various facets of life. Radical Responsibility and Social Cohesion From a sociological perspective, the concept of Radical Responsibility can significantly impact community dynamics. When individuals take responsibility for their actions and their immediate environment, it creates a domino effect. This collective behaviour can lead to societal improvements and works hand-in-hand with Empathy Reward Recognition, another term from the Dictionary of Daily Change, which emphasises recognising and rewarding empathic actions in the community. The Philosophy of Owning Your Choices Philosophically, Radical Responsibility echoes existentialist thought, which posits that individuals are entirely responsible for what they make of themselves. By taking radical responsibility, you are engaging in Awareness Boost, becoming highly aware of your capacities and the consequential nature of your choices. The Dangers of “Dopamining” On the flip side, the absence of Radical Responsibility can lead to Dopamining, a term describing the incessant quest for dopamine hits through easy gratification methods. It’s the easy way out, requiring no responsibility but offering a dangerous escape route from facing life’s challenges head-on. Consider a work scenario where a team project fails. The team member who steps up, acknowledges the mistakes, and offers solutions is practising Radical Responsibility. This person rises in the eyes of peers and superiors alike, benefiting from a significant Empathy Reward Recognition. Daily Change Summary Radical Responsibility is a transformative concept that can impact every facet of your life. It aligns closely with other principles in the Dictionary of Daily Change such as Self-Optimisation and Empathy Reward Recognition. By taking complete ownership of your life, you not only improve your circumstances but also contribute to societal well-being.

Imagine you’re walking your horse down the trail, and you come to a hill. How does your horse respond? Do they maintain their gait and walk calmly up the hill, or do they pick up their pace and lope up the hill? The safest, most desirable response is for your horse to continue walking up a hill, but sometimes even well-trained horses like to break gait and run up hills instead. Here’s a closer look at this horseback riding problem and how the Easy Horse Fix training methods can help you solve it. The Problem: Running Up Hills At first, it may not be obvious why running up hills is an issue. You’re still getting to the top, right? While galloping up hills may help you reach your destination, it unfortunately increases your risk of accidents. For instance, you don’t always know what’s on the other side of the hill, so it’s best to still be in control of your horse when you reach the top. This way, if you need to steer around a hiker or a big rock, you can do so. Less experienced riders may also be unseated if a horse suddenly leaps forward and runs uphill. Whether or not you are experienced enough to maintain your seat, others who ride your horse may not be and could risk injury by falling off. Finally, it’s important to consider the horse’s health and well-being. Walking up hills encourages a horse to engage their hind end. Running up hills, on the other hand, mostly works your horse’s forehand. Most horses already have strong enough forehands and need more work to strengthen their hindquarters. If you teach your horse to walk calmly up hills, you can then use uphill walks to help build up their hind end. Strengthening your horse’s hips, stifles, and hocks can help prevent injuries and soreness as they age. Why Do Horses Run Up Hill? Before you attempt to solve any problem with a horse, you should seek to understand why that problem developed in the first place. Horses run up hills for a couple of reasons. - Running may be easier than walking if the horse’s hind end or back is weak - Nervous horses may rush to reach the top of the hill - A previous rider may have rewarded a horse for running uphill or may have otherwise encouraged this behavior Green horses almost always run up hills until their riders take the time to train them to walk. More experienced horses sometimes develop this habit with a nervous rider, or with a rider who encourages them to rush by leaning forward. The good news is that the Easy Horse Fix method can help you teach your horse to walk up hills regardless of why he’s running. The Easy Horse Fix Method The Easy Horse Fix method does not involve pulling back strongly on the reins or holding a lot of contact. It also does not involve any negative reinforcement, yelling, or use of a crop. Instead, we show you how to teach your horse to walk up a hill using only gentle aids and your body position. To best understand this exercise, we recommend you watch the video “Teaching Your Horse To Walk Up a Hill and Not Run.” There are a few things to keep in mind as you watch. First, we recommend that you begin practicing this exercise in a halter, not a bridle. Doing so will prevent you from catching your horse in the mouth, which only tends to make horses more nervous. With a halter, you can apply gentle pressure and maintain control of your horse with less potential for discomfort. Also, note that your body position will be really important when learning this exercise. We’ll show you how to lean back in the saddle just enough to encourage your horse to slow their gait. As such, this exercise can be good equitation practice. Make sure you have a comfortable saddle with properly adjusted stirrups before you begin. It will be difficult to sit in the required manner if your stirrups are too short or if your saddle is too small. You’ll be amazed how quickly your horse learns to walk uphill with just a few small changes to your tack and body position. We recommend practicing this exercise a few times at the beginning of every ride until it feels natural. “Teaching Your Horse to Walk Up a Hill and Not Run” is one of our more popular videos, but it’s not the only one! Consider becoming a monthly member of Easy Horse Fix. Members gain access to our full library of gentle, relationship-based horseback riding videos.

In the past few years, the word “kale” has become synonymous with health, and not without good reason. This nutrient-packed member of the cabbage family is rich in vitamins and minerals and tastes good to boot! As if that weren’t enough to make you want to fill your garden with this tasty plant, most types of kale are also relatively easy to grow thanks to their ability to withstand cooler temperatures. Like many other hearty greens, the leaves’ flavor will actually improve if exposed to cooler temperatures, so light frosts are your friend instead of foe. There are many different varieties of kale, but almost all types are either purple or green in color with broad or curly leaves. Siberian kale is a productive, hardy, and large variety, growing up to 3′ tall. The leaves are tender when young, with a bluish tint, white stems, and slightly curled leaves. This type of kale grows best in spring or fall. If grown in the fall, leaves will have a more intense peppery taste, especially if harvested after the first frost. Siberian kale does better in wet climates and heavier soils than other types. Seed Depth: 1/4″ Space Between Plants: 12–18″ Space Between Rows: 18–24″ Germination Soil Temperature: 45–90°F Days for Germination: 5–10 Sow Indoors: 4–6 weeks before the average last frost, if starting a fall crop start 4–6 weeks before the first fall frost. Sow Outdoors: 1–2 weeks before average last frost for a late spring/summer crop. For a fall crop, sow seeds in mid to late summer. You can also do successive sowing, starting in early spring and continuing every three weeks. Vegetative: Not recommended, but can be vegetatively propagated by root or stem tip cutting. Can be planted either in the spring just prior to the last frost or in the fall, leaving approximately 6 to 8 weeks before the first average frost for the plants to grow. In USDA Zones 8 and warmer, it can continue to be planted throughout the duration of the fall for harvest in the winter. Although plants will be richer in flavor when they are allowed to grow in cooler weather, they are tolerant of most climates. Natural: Full sun. Will tolerate partial shade but with the trade-off of a lower yield. Artificial: Although starts or seeds will sprout under most types of indoor lighting, kale responds particularly well to LED and fluorescent lights as they produce less heat than other sources. Soil: Prefers a loamy, fertile soil with good drainage. A pH of a 5.5 to 7.0 will keep plants healthy and nourished, but a pH of 5.5 to 6.8 is ideal. If your soil has large amounts of clay or sand, try mixing in a soilless potting mix. Soilless: Unlike other leafy greens, kale does not require a ton of nitrogen, so most standard potting mixes will suffice for getting your greens to grow. Hydorponics: Does particularly well in hydroponic systems such as NFT or rock wool and can usually be harvested within a month after starting. Aeroponics: Will thrive in aeroponic systems. Water: Requires moderate to high levels of water. Aim for 1 to 1.5″ per week but do not allow soil to get soggy as kale is susceptible to root rot. Nutrients: Unlike other leafy greens, kale is not particularly greedy for nitrogen, so applying a balanced fertilizer or organic compost when first planting outdoors and once or twice throughout the growing season should suffice. Foliar: Is particularly fond of fish emulsion and liquid seaweed foliar. Apply every 3 to 4 weeks for optimal growth. Pruning: Although not required, if you are not consistently harvesting your kale, remove older leaves near the bottom of the plant to encourage new growth from the center of the plant. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch such as straw or wood chips in the late fall to help plants overwinter. Mulch can also be applied in the warmer months to help regulate temperature, but be aware that in heavy rainfall, mulch can trap the water and cause the plants roots to become soggy. Deficiency(s): Phosphorus, potassium, and calcium are all common deficiencies you may run into. Tilling the soil before sowing or transplanting with an organic compost will help keep the soil fertile. Rotation: Avoid rotating kale with other members of the cabbage family as they tend to be susceptible to the same diseases. Companions: Grows well with onions, lettuce, chard, carrots, beets, and most herbs. Avoid planting with pole beans, tomatoes, bush beans, and strawberries. Harvest: Can be harvested when leaves are about 5″ in length, around a month and a half after planting. Pull downward on leaves as close to the main stalk as possible as any pieces of stem that are left over will continue to draw nutrients from the plant. Continue to harvest throughout the season, avoiding taking more than 1/3 of the plant at a time. Storage: Leaves can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. Fun Fact: The Siberian variety of kale is actually in the B. napus species, which also contains the cultivars of the Canola group. Sound familiar? These are the plants grown for vegetable oil production, coming in third place for the amount of vegetable oil produced in the world. Preserve: Leaves may be blanched and frozen for 8 to 12 months for optimum flavor. Kale may also be dehydrated and crushed up into a powder which can then be used in smoothies, stews, and soups. Prepare: This plant has quite tough leaves, so they will need to be de-spined and massaged before eating if you are planning on consuming them raw. To prepare, simply cut the leaves away from the center stem and chop into smaller pieces. Add some oil (or our favorite, avocado!) and massage into the leaves. Let sit for twenty minutes to a half hour and enjoy. Leaves may also be cut from the stem, chopped, and added into soups and stews. May also be steamed and stir fried. Try baking in the oven on low temperatures to make kale chips! Nutritional: This plant has been referred to as a “super food” and with good reason. It is packed with vitamin(s) A, K, C, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, protein, and fiber. Medicinal: Has been linked in some studies to lowering cholesterol levels. Like other members of the brassica family, kale has also been cited as a means to prevent certain types of cancers including prostate, breast, colon, ovary, and bladder. Fill up on this simple but satisfying Siberian Kale and Avocado Salad.

Not Worth Arguing About: FAKE CONFLICTS Share this post By Judith Lavori Keiser Suppose your child complains about something a sibling or friend said or did. How can you empower your child to solve this problem? One way is to help them understand what kind of conflict is going on, because different strategies work best with different types of conflicts. REAL OR FAKE? Conflicts can be either real or fake. What’s the difference? Real conflicts involve resources, values and needs. These include the typical fights between siblings over time, space and stuff. We’ve all heard, “you’re wearing my sweatshirt! Your stuff is on my side of the bedroom! You’re taking too much time in the bathroom!” Many strategies exist to resolve these conflicts. But there are other conflicts that can be dismissed without using valuable time and emotional energy: fake conflicts. There’s no point in arguing over those. TYPES OF FAKE CONFLICTS Misunderstandings, facts and opinions are examples of fake conflicts that aren’t worth arguing about. Misunderstandings: Suppose I hear you say something unkind I think is about me. But it was about someone else. Or suppose I say something that upsets you, but I didn’t mean it the way it sounded to you. How can you and out if someone really did or said what we believe they did? Ask! Many preventable conflicts are caused by misunderstandings. Check what you heard and thought against what the person said or meant. First, ask them what they said. Maybe you heard wrong – many words sound alike, even opposites like “can” and “can’t.” So ask: “Did you say I can or can’t borrow your charger?” What if you heard right? Then explain what you thought they meant, and ask if that’s what they really meant to say. More often than not, they didn’t actually mean to hurt your feelings. Sometimes they were talking about something completely different. Sometimes it just came out wrong. In any case, they have a chance to clarify what they meant and explain why they said it. Questions of fact: Suppose we disagree about when the Patriots last won the Super Bowl? There’s no need to fight about a fact. Just look it up! If both people want to know the truth, then all you have to do to end the fight is to nd out the answer. Google has solved many conflicts by providing answers to fact-based questions. One thing to keep in mind: Sometimes people get caught up in wanting to be right. Then they focus on “winning the argument” rather than learning the truth. It’s important to keep your eye on the prize – the common goal is to nd out the truth. The more we learn, the more we grow – and sometimes we learn more by being wrong. Questions of preference and opinion: Suppose I like PB&C sandwiches (peanut butter, banana and potato chips), and you never heard of them. You might automatically reject the idea as weird. That can translate into “wrong.” But opinions and preferences are not wrong – they’re just different. There’s a Latin saying that translates into “there’s no point in arguing about taste.” I like chocolate ice cream and you like vanilla. That’s not a problem – it’s a preference. I’m a morning person and you’re a night owl. There’s no right or wrong – it’s just the way things are. People are different, and we all have an equal right to our preferences and opinions. You’re free to love Rhythm and Blues and I’m allowed to prefer Rock and Roll. End of discussion. And who knows – if you try PB&C sandwiches you might even like them! Parents can give their children lifelong conflict resolution skills by giving them tools to recognize what kind of conflict they’re experiencing. That will help them develop strategies that t the conflict. And teaching kids how to think about conflicts gives them a better perspective so they can approach all kinds of problems collaboratively. Working together to figure out what kind of conflict you’re involved in actually improves your ability to solve the conflict. It does this by putting you and the person you’re fighting with on the same side, the side of wondering, thinking and brainstorming about what the conflict is and how to solve it. The communication and collaboration skills involved in this process are becoming more and more recognized as essential to adult success. So the next time your children squabble, surprise them by asking if they know what kind of conflict they’re in. Are they arguing over facts? Look them up! Over opinions? Both can win because there’s no right or wrong preference. Misunderstandings? Make sure they’re hearing and interpreting accurately. Ask them to work together to figure out if their conflict is real or fake. Then at least they’ll know whether it’s worth arguing about. Judith Lavori Keiser founded The Culture Company to guide children toward empathy through her multicultural peacemaking programs and developed her “Pearls” books and workshops to inspire adults to live prepared and peaceful lives. Reach Judy at email@example.com. - Lock It Up! - LOCKING UP GUNS SAVES LIVES - Being “THAT” Parent: You Are You Child’s Greatest Advocate and Don’t You Forget It - Nature’s Masterpiece Allows for Family Bonding Nature’s Masterpiece Allows for Family Bonding - Broward: Read for the Record 2021 - No More Hidden Voices – Come & Talk to Me - Great Childhoods – Healthy Minds – Successful Families - When Literacy Becomes Play! - A Mindful Broward – Building a Community-Based Model of Resilience - Helping Families Navigate Through Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities

Speech Therapy Progress: What to Expect? Speech Therapy Progress: What to Expect? When your child began speech therapy, the speech-language pathologist (SLP) would have explained an individualized treatment plan for your child. You would also have been told that you would be receiving periodic progress reports in verbal or written form. The purpose of providing speech therapy is to improve your child’s communication skills. And the most efficient way to track their progress is by conducting periodic reviews. This is required mainly because it helps the speech therapist to note which goals have been achieved and which have not. That is why documenting the progress is not just important, it is required. Before starting the treatment plan, the SLP sets goals that would be achieved in the upcoming months. The SLP will ensure that all the goals are specific to the client and personalized for the child’s requirements. The goal should also address the approximate time by which they will be achieved along with the skills being improved. The SLP will categorize the goals into long-term goals and short-term goals. Long Term Goals Long-term goals the goals that you set for a long period of time. These can be like annual goals. For example, a long-term goal would be, “Hannah will use two-word utterances for functional communication for 7/10 trials with prompts”. This goal is generic and various other smaller goals can be used from these goals. Short Term Goals Short-term goals are basically long-term goals that are broken down into smaller goals. These goals, as the name suggests are achievable in lesser time durations, usually 1-2 months. Once these goals are met, the SLP will change or modify these short-term goals. An example of the short term from the above long-term goal would be, “Hannah will use two-word utterances to communicate with her mother at the breakfast table for 7/10 trials with prompts”. Another example would be “Hannah will use two-word utterances with her class teacher for 5/10 trials with prompts.” For the best progress, your SLP will always set SMART goals. When you set these goals, it is easier to monitor the progress. So, to summarize, the long-term goals will probably not change for the whole year or even longer, but the short-term goals will change based on the progress that is achieved by your child. Setting new goals While evaluating the progress, if the goals are achieved, your child’s SLP will assign new goals for your child for the upcoming time period. If your child has not met some of the goals, the SLP will continue with those goals for some more time and add some new goals too. Setting these goals is very important as speech therapy is always goal-focused. Factors affecting progress in speech therapy It is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all therapy approach. All the therapy activities are unique and developed as per your child’s requirements. Just as every child’s therapy plan is different, so is the progress. And this progress depends on numerous factors as listed below: - Age of the child: The earlier you identify and intervene in a speech or language difficulty, the better the prognosis will be. - Severity of the speech difficulty: A child with mild speech difficulty may have better progress in comparison to a child with severe speech difficulties. However, speech therapy must be continued regardless, to ensure maximum communication development and independence. - Associated medical conditions: Children with multiple disabilities may often have slower progress compared to children with fewer disabilities. - Frequency of speech therapy sessions: The frequency depends on the type of speech & language difficulty. An SLP might suggest more frequent sessions for a child with a severe language difficulty while less frequent sessions for a child with mild speech difficulties in order for the therapy sessions to be effective and achieve progress. You can always talk to your child’s SLP regarding the optimum treatment hours per week for your child. - Type of Speech/Language difficulty: Children who have articulation difficulties may require lesser time to progress compared to children with language difficulties. - Home training: Speech therapy sessions alone cannot help with the progress. Your child’s SLP would have given some activities to be done at home. The progress would depend a lot on the quality and time invested in home training rather than the duration or frequency of the speech therapy sessions. As seen above there are various factors that would determine the progress of your child. Expect to receive progress reports with the details of the specific steps that your child is making toward reaching their goals. As said earlier, each child is different and they progress differently. If you have any concerns with your child’s progress, consult with their SLP and talk with them. Consult with us to start your speech therapy today!!

Boss of Art? The arts are very powerful. So powerful that dictators fear them and do what they can to control what people see, the stories they hear, their music, even what people wear – everything. They know the arts can change people’s feelings and even make them feel they can make a change in their government. The purpose of this discussion is to help your child recognize the reasons dictators fear artists and the messages they bring. Definition: A dictatorship is a government or a social situation where one person makes all the rules and decisions without input from anyone else. - Why do you think a dictator would want to control the arts? - What might happen if people living under a dictator wore a t-shirt that was insulting to the dictator? - In free countries we often have protest songs inspiring people to make the world – and their country – a better place. Do you think it takes courage to write and perform songs that criticize leaders in free countries? In dictatorships? - How do you think other citizens feel or react when they see risky art? Do you think they look away because they are afraid? Do you think they try to protect the artist? - Dictators are afraid that people will come together and challenge them. How do you think the arts help people come together? - Let’s try to find art in our country that might not be legal under a dictatorship. Photo: Smithsonian Magazine

The very sound of the word ‘Rajasthan‘ conjures up images of camels, endless deserts, and rolling dunes as far as the eyes can see. But Rajasthan has a lot more to offer than just deserts and camels. It’s an impressive place in India that showcases the grandeur of architectural marvels of the bygone Rajput era. This vibrant Indian state often described as the ‘Land of Maharajas‘, gleams with its architectural richness and regal heritage in the form of royal palaces, glorious monuments, and historic forts. Among them, you won’t want to miss the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur whose striking architecture, featuring pink latticed windows and balconies stuns. Constructed with stunning pink and red sandstone, it’s a true reflection of a splendid fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. In this blog, we would like to share with you some Interesting Facts About Hawa Mahal In Jaipur. Hope you will like it: The word Hawa Mahal literally translates to “Palace of Breeze” or “Palace of Wind”. The palace always remains windy inside, owing to its numerous windows (jharokhas). Hawa Mahal is named so due to this amazing ventilation that the palace enjoys. It is interesting to note that the entire palace is laid without any solid foundation. And you know, Hawa Mahal is considered to be the tallest buildings in the world without any foundations, even though it isn’t as tall as compared to the skyscrapers of the world. Even in the absence of a strong base or foundation, this five-storeys monumental palace managed to maintain upright because of its curved shape. Also Read:- UNESCO World Heritage Site – Jaipur Hawa Mahal was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 and it resembles the shape of a crown. The Maharaja was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna; hence, it is believed that the Hawa Mahal is designed in the shape of Lord Krishna’s crown. It is said that Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh who was so impressed with the beauty of the Khetri Mahal in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan had decided to build a palace modelled on it. And Hawa Mahal in Jaipur was the result of that inspiration. Hawa Mahal was built especially for Royal ladies to allow them to watch the day-to-day activities and festivities happening on the street without getting noticed by the public as they had to follow the stringent ‘purdah’ rule. Also Read:- 5 Must-Visit Forts of Rajasthan Hawa Mahal’s most striking attraction is its 953 windows which are colorful and intricately designed. The exceptional latticework on these windows enables the entry of fresh air into the palace which keeps it cool. Unlike other palaces, there is no direct front entrance to Hawa Mahal and the only way to enter is from sideways of the City Palace. This is because Hawa Mahal was built as a part of the City Palace, so there is no separate entrance from outside to make an entry into this monument. Instead of regular stairs, there are only ramps to reach the top floors of the five-storied Hawa Mahal. The reason is that carrying palanquins of Rajput royal ladies on ramps was quite easier than steps. The windows or jharokhas of the Hawa Mahal, beautified with latticework are designed in such a way that it resembles a honeycomb. Each of the five floors of the Hawa Mahal houses a temple in it. The first floor has Sharad Mandir while the Ratan Mandir with colorful glasswork is on the second floor. Vichitra Mandir, Prakash Mandir, and Hawa Mandir adorn the top three floors of Hawa Mahal. Hawa Mahal is named after Hawa Mandir, a small temple placed inside the palace. Hawa Mahal is one of the most spectacular sights in Jaipur and has become one of the most selfie-taking places in India. Also, several Indian and international films have been shot at this scenic yet historic palace. Even though the temperature rises very high during the summer season, Hawa Mahal remains cool. This is because of the presence of a great many windows that embellish the palace. The fresh air that flows through the windows keeps the palace airy, and cool even during the summers. Also Read:- Best Places to Visit in India Hawa Mahal in Jaipur is truly spectacular and eye-catching and has always been praised for its opulence and unique architecture. If you have an eye for architectural wonders, make sure you make a stop at Hawa Mahal on your Rajasthan Trip. How many of these facts about Hawa Mahal do you find interesting and how many you were aware of? We would like to hear from you. Plan for your holidays in India and communicate your doubts and choices with Indian Panorama. Travel with Indian Panorama. The most loved travel family. Indian Panorama will help you to choose destinations and our Travel Guides will guide you to experience a joyous journey throughout the vistas of India. Phone: +91 431 4226122 For more travel details and bookings, feel free to visit, www.indianpanorama.in and get a free quote for your tour itineraries.

What is a Blockchain? Blockchain is a distributed database of public information. It can be used for almost anything. A recent World Bank report estimates that there are more than two billion adults without a bank account. Most of these individuals live in developing countries where cash is the main form of payment. Using blockchain, businesses can avoid these costs and make transactions more secure. In addition to helping companies to avoid fees and allowing for more diverse payment methods, blockchains can help make the world a more open and connected place. The blockchain is similar to a bank’s balance sheet. It records every transaction that happens, and it never changes. There is no central authority or organization that manages the blockchain, so it has such powerful security features. Its distributed design and peer-to-peer network allow users to verify transactions at any time. Besides, it can even be updated outside of business hours. It has many advantages over traditional banking, including the ability to be secure, fast, and easy to use. Want to learn more about blockchain! get a copy of the Blockchain Secrets videos series The blockchain works by recording every transaction on every link. You can start from the top of the chain and go down to see the older ones. When you reach the bottom of the chain, you’ll see every single transaction that has ever taken place for that cryptocurrency. This opens up the history of any cryptocurrency, thereby providing powerful security features. As a result, a blockchain can help tens of thousands of projects. The concept of blockchains has many applications. For one, it eliminates the need for intermediaries. With the help of a blockchain, financial transactions can be completed without a third party. This reduces the costs and complexity of transactions. Another example of this is bitcoin. This system is possible because of blockchain technology. This new technology allows for the creation of digital money. It allows for transactions to be done anonymously, which is why it has been hailed as the future of the internet. Blockchains are networks of computers. Each link contains a record of each transaction. The top of the chain shows the latest transactions, while the bottom of the chain shows the oldest. In other words, a blockchain is an open, decentralized record of every transaction in a cryptocurrency. For this reason, it is essential for cryptocurrencies to be secure. This is because it allows for the transfer of money in real-time. Blockchains are a network of computers that stores the history of a currency. In a blockchain, each link contains a record of all transactions. Consequently, the top link includes the most recent transactions, and the bottom is the oldest. These are the two most significant advantages of a blockchain: it is an open record of the history of a cryptocurrency. This means that any transaction in a cryptocurrency will be verified. The most basic definition of a blockchain is a digital ledger. Its network of computers is connected to one another. If one computer is connected to the other, it will communicate with each other. As a result, a blockchain is like a massive database of information. All the data it stores is stored on the same computers. It’s open and transparent, and that’s a huge advantage. A blockchain is a digital book of transactions. Its network of computers has no central authority and is open. This makes it highly secure. It also allows users to make anonymous, instantaneous transactions. As the first-generation blockchain, the Bitcoin system was an epiphany. Now, the cryptocurrency industry claims that its blockchain will revolutionize government and society. Its advantages are significant, and there’s no denying that the cryptocurrency market is the future of global finance. A blockchain is an open database of transactions. The first block in a chain is called a Genesis Block. This block is not tied to any specific information. Over time, people add to the list, and the blockchain grows. A cryptocurrency blockchain will have transactions, while a lettuce blockchain will contain different information. It is essential to understand the blockchain to make it work. It’s an excellent tool for storing data, but it can also be a huge liability.

The concept of family has evolved tremendously over the years, reflecting the diversification of society. In line with these changes, adoption and surrogacy have become alternative methods for individuals and couples to build their families. However, the legal frameworks surrounding these practices vary across jurisdictions, often presenting challenges to those seeking to create their own families through adoption or surrogacy. Adoption is a legal process that establishes a permanent parent-child relationship between individuals who are not biologically related. The laws governing adoption differ significantly from one country to another, even within states or provinces. This disparity can make it complex for prospective parents to navigate the process successfully. One critical issue in adoption law is determining the eligibility criteria for adoptive parents. Some jurisdictions require individuals or couples to meet specific residency requirements, be of a certain age, and undergo thorough background checks. In some cases, requirements may relate to marital status, sexual orientation, or even financial stability. These criteria can create barriers for some hopeful parents who do not meet the predetermined standards. Furthermore, the adoption process itself can be lengthy and emotionally challenging. Prospective adoptive parents often need to go through extensive paperwork, home evaluations, and interviews to ensure they are suitable and prepared to offer a nurturing environment for the child. The waiting period before being matched with a child can range from a few months to several years, depending on the local adoption rates and procedures. Another prevalent modern family-building method is surrogacy, which involves a woman carrying a child for someone else with the intention of giving the child to that person or couple after birth. Surrogacy arrangements can take various forms, including traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate’s own egg is used, or gestational surrogacy, where the embryo is created using the intended parent’s or donor’s genetic material. However, surrogacy laws remain highly contentious and vary significantly between countries and even within individual states or provinces. The primary challenges surrounding surrogacy laws revolve around three main concerns: compensating surrogates, ensuring informed consent, and legal recognition of parental rights. Some jurisdictions prohibit commercial surrogacy, only allowing altruistic surrogacy where the surrogate is not financially compensated beyond the coverage of medical and other necessary expenses. This restriction can limit access to surrogacy for individuals or couples who cannot find a willing surrogate without financial incentives. Furthermore, ensuring informed consent of all parties involved, including the surrogate, intended parents, and the donor (if applicable), is crucial to protect everyone’s rights and interests. Legal recognition of parental rights is another critical issue in surrogacy laws. In some jurisdictions, intended parents must go through an adoption process following the birth of the child, even if they are the biological parents. This cumbersome procedure can result in uncertainties and delays regarding legal parentage and can create emotional distress for the intended parents. The legal complexities and challenges surrounding adoption and surrogacy laws underscore the need for comprehensive and up-to-date legal frameworks that prioritize the best interests of the child, protect the rights of all parties involved, and ensure fair access to these family-building options. Countries should aim to strike a balance between protecting the rights of potential parents and safeguarding the well-being and rights of the child and surrogates. Clear guidelines regarding eligibility criteria, standardized adoption procedures, and comprehensive surrogacy legislation can help streamline the processes and minimize discrepancies between jurisdictions. Additionally, providing educational resources, counseling services, and support networks for prospective parents can help navigate the emotional and legal complexities of these family-building methods. In conclusion, adoption and surrogacy have become vital pathways for individuals and couples aiming to build their families. However, the legal frameworks surrounding these practices present challenges and disparities globally. By addressing these challenges and promoting legislation that upholds fairness, transparency, and the best interests of all parties involved, society can ensure that modern family-building methods are accessible and provide stable and nurturing environments for children.

Exploremos México (Let's Explore Mexico) Tome un viaje a México y mira por que este país es especial. Este texto ayuda a los lectores a aprender sobre la comida, los animales y la cultura de México. Las fotografías de color y las preguntas de pensamiento crítico completan esta divertida mirada a las personas y lugares de México. Take a trip to Mexico and find out what makes this country special. Now in Spanish, this carefully leveled text helps readers learn about the food, animals, and culture of Mexico. Full-color photographs and age-appropriate critical thinking questions round out this fun look at the people and places of Mexico. |Preschool - Grade 1 |5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Traditional Nonfiction, Spanish-Language |Lerner Publishing Group |Bumba Books ® en español |Number of Pages |9 x 9 |ATOS Reading Level |Accelerated Reader® Quiz |Accelerated Reader® Points |Charts/Graphs/Diagrams, Index, Photo glossary, Table of contents, Teaching Guides, and eSource Author: Walt K. Moon Walt K. Moon writes and edits children's books. He lives with his wife and their cats in rural Minnesota. Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like! Bumba Books ® en español — Exploremos países (Let's Explore Countries) Now in Spanish, this series will help readers learn about the history and culture of various countries in an interesting and accessible format. Dynamic full-color photographs, charts and diagrams, and age-appropriate critical thinking questions help readers grasp what makes each country… View available downloads →

Paper Tube Winding Machine Winder Operation Operating a paper tube winding machine, also known as a winder, involves a series of steps to efficiently produce paper tubes. Below is a general guide to the operation of a paper tube winding machine: - Machine Preparation: Ensure that the machine is clean and free from any debris from previous operations. Confirm the availability of paper rolls, adhesives, and other materials needed for the winding process. Check the condition of the cutting blades and make any necessary adjustments or replacements. 2. Loading Paper Rolls: Load the parent paper rolls onto the unwind stand of the machine. Align the paper rolls with the machine centerline to ensure even winding. 3. Web Threading: Thread the paper web through tension control devices, guiding rollers, and into the winding section. Ensure the paper web is correctly aligned and under proper tension. 4. Set Parameters: Set the desired winding parameters on the machine’s control panel, including the diameter and length of the paper tubes. Adjust the tension control system based on the type and weight of the paper being used. 5. Start Winding: Start the winder and gradually increase the speed to the desired operating speed. Monitor the winding process to ensure that the paper tubes are being formed consistently. 6. Gluing (if applicable): If the machine has a gluing system, ensure it is functioning correctly. Apply adhesive to the paper web as needed for bonding layers during winding. 7. Tube Cutting: Set the cutting parameters for the desired length of the paper tubes. Ensure the cutting blades are sharp and properly aligned. Periodically check the cut tubes for quality and adjust the cutting mechanism as needed. 8. Quality Control: Regularly inspect the formed paper tubes for any defects, such as uneven winding or adhesive issues. Adjust parameters or make corrections to maintain high-quality tube production. 9. Unloading Finished Tubes: Once the paper tubes reach the desired length or diameter, stop the winding process. Unload the finished paper tubes from the machine and transfer them to the designated storage or packaging area. 10. Clean-Up and Maintenance: Clean the machine and surrounding area to prepare for the next production run. Perform routine maintenance tasks, such as lubricating moving parts and checking for wear and tear. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and safety protocols specific to the paper tube winding machine in use. Additionally, operators should be trained in the proper use and maintenance of the equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Today, we’re going to put aside the most technical aspect of Spanish, and we’re going to give way to something much more fun and light. I bet you’ll be excited about this list of curiosities of the Spanish language. 1) Spanish is spoken by 534 million people all over the world 2 ) The first document on record dates from the year 959, and its author is a monk. Its content is a list of supplies from the convent. 3) The most pronounced letters are E, A, O, L and S, in that order. 4 ) Where does the Ñ come from? The Ñ was born as an abbreviation of the syllable “ni”. In the Middle Ages, before the creation of the printing press, monks were in charge of patiently copying every word of a book. To save time in such an exhaustive task, the scribes began to abbreviate some syllables (such as “ni”) by designing a tilde or virgulilla above the N. Of course, the Ñ has endured to this day. 5) Formerly, in Spain the Spanish language was known as "Christian", to differentiate it from Arabic, the mother tongue of Muslims, who lived in the same territory.

Environmental and human health concerns about the endocrine disrupting antimicrobials triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) may get some traction thanks to a new study, appearing in Environmental Science & Technology, by researchers at Arizona State University. Researcher Rolf Halden, executing a deft feat of environmental detective work, has traced back these active ingredients of soaps – used as long ago as the 1960s – to their current location, the shallow sediments of New York City’s Jamaica Bay and the Chesapeake Bay. “Our group has shown that antimicrobial ingredients used a half a century ago, by our parents and grandparents, are still present today at parts-per-million concentrations in estuarine sediments underlying the brackish waters into which New York City and Baltimore discharge their treated domestic wastewater,” said Halden. “This extreme environmental persistence by itself is a concern, and it is only amplified by recent studies that show both triclosan and triclocarban to function as endocrine disruptors in mammalian cell cultures and in animal models.” In the Chesapeake Bay samples, Halden noticed a significant drop in TCC levels that corresponded to a technology upgrade in the nearby wastewater treatment plant in 1978. However, earlier work by Halden’s team had shown that enhanced removal of TCC and TCS in wastewater treatment plants leads to accumulation of the problematic antimicrobial substances in municipal sludge that is often applied to agricultural land. “Little is actually degraded during wastewater treatment and more information is needed regarding the long term consequences these chemicals may have on environmentally beneficial [soil dwelling] microorganisms,” noted co-researcher Todd Miller. On the bright side, the team also discovered a new pathway for the breakdown of antimicrobials. Deep in the muddy sediments of the Chesapeake Bay, they found evidence for the activity of anaerobic microorganisms that assist in the decontamination of their habitat by pulling chlorine atoms one-by-one off the carbon backbone of triclocarban, presumably while obtaining energy for their metabolism in the process. “This is good news,” said Halden, “but unfortunately the process does not occur in all locations and furthermore it is quite slow. If we continue to use persistent antimicrobial compounds at the current rate, we are outpacing nature’s ability to decompose these problematic compounds.” Halden believes that there is a simple solution for minimizing these persistent pollutants: limit the use of antimicrobial personal care products to situations where they improve public health and save lives. “The irony is that these compounds have no measurable benefit over the use of regular soap and water for hand washing; the contact time simply is too short,” he said, adding that the same cannot be said for bottom-dwelling marine creatures. “Here, the affected organisms are experiencing multi-generational, life-time exposures to our chemical follies.” Waterways Awash With Anti-Bacterial Chemical Environmental Factors Damaging Men’s Reproductive Health Hormones Gone Wild POP Goes The Planet Nanoparticle Laced Wastewater Could Compromise Treatment Plants

UK butterflies vanish from nearly half of the places they once flew – study Butterfly species have vanished from nearly half of the places where they once flew in the UK since 1976, according to a study. The distribution of 58 native species has fallen by 42% as butterflies disappear from cities, fields and woods. Those that are only found in particular habitats, such as wetlands or chalk grassland, have fared even worse, declining in distribution by 68%. Scientists for Butterfly Conservation, which produced its State of the UK’s Butterflies 2022 report from nearly 23m butterfly records, said there needed to be a ‘massive step-change’ to reverse what it described as disastrous declines in insect populations. The report shows that many of the most endangered species have been revived by targeted conservation action or successfully reintroduced in specific places, but butterflies and other flying insects continue to vanish from much of Britain. ‘We’ve been focused on the most threatened butterfly species, which is stopping them going extinct,’ said Richard Fox of Butterfly Conservation, the lead author of the report. ‘But there’s a massive challenge revealed by millions of pieces of data in the report, and we need a massive step change in our approach to tackle this and meet the legally binding government target that now exists for halting the decline of wildlife. This report shows we are not halting the decline of wildlife.’ The overall figure for the decline in butterfly abundance is a relatively modest 6%, but this average figure is obtained from data gathered from nature reserves and nature-rich landscapes, which masks wider population falls. Species such as the wood white, grayling, wall, white admiral and pearl-bordered fritillary have suffered precipitous declines in both distribution and abundance. The grayling fell by 92% in distribution and 72% in abundance between 1976 and 2019. There have been some successes, linked to climate change or concerted conservation action. Beneficiaries of global heating, which has facilitated their expansion further north through Britain, include strong-flying species such as the purple emperor, whose distribution is up by 58% and abundance by 110%, and the comma , whose distribution is up by 94% and abundance by 203%. Conservation triumphs include the large blue, which was reintroduced using caterpillars from Sweden after its extinction in 1979. Its abundance has risen by 1,883%. But in many cases, although targeted conservation work on certain nature reserves has increased the abundance of rare butterflies, they have continued to vanish from other places, their range shrinking and their populations losing resilience as a result. The swallowtail has increased in abundance by 51%, doing well on nature reserves which are precisely managed to meet its needs, but its distribution or presence in the wider landscape has shrunk by 27%. Chalk grassland specialists such as the silver-spotted skipper and adonis blue have increased in abundance by 596% and 130% respectively, but their distribution has fallen by 70% and 44%. This shows that they are no longer able to survive in a large proportion of their former haunts, nor are they able to colonise new areas. The biggest butterfly declines are in England. The picture looks more positive in Scotland, where species have, on average, increased in abundance by 37% and in distribution by 3%. But Fox said these figures were caused by the huge successes of a few species, such as the comma and the white-letter hairstreak, which have been able to move further north with climate change. ‘It’s not a cause for celebration,’ he said. ‘Butterflies that you might think of as iconic examples of Scotland’s natural heritage such as the mountain ringlet, Scotch argus and northern brown argus are all doing really badly. ‘UK butterflies are by far the best, most comprehensively monitored group of insects anywhere in the world. Butterflies are fulfilling that really important role as an indicator for thousands of other species and the general state of our environment. This report is very gloomy reading on that front. ‘It’s going to need bold moves by government and everyone to take responsibility. Everyone with a garden can help, but the scale of the biodiversity crisis is such that planting a few pollinator-friendly plants is not enough. We need to create habitat where butterflies and other wildlife can live and not just visit for a snack.’ Julie Williams, the chief executive of Butterfly Conservation, said- ‘This report is yet more compelling evidence of nature’s decline in the UK. We are totally dependent on the natural world for food, water and clean air. We need swift and effective action on this. The decline in butterflies we have seen in our own lifetimes is shocking and we can no longer stand by and watch the UK’s biodiversity be destroyed.’ (News Source -Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Times Of Nation staff and is published from a www.theguardian.com feed.) Read Also- Latest News | Current Affairs News | Today News | English News | World News Today TimesofNation.com offer news and information like- English newspaper today | today English news | English news live | times of India | today news in English in India | breaking news in India today | India TV news today & Hindustan times. You can Read on TimesofNation.com latest news today, breaking news headlines, Top news. Discover national and international news on economy, politics, defence, sports, world news & other relatively current affair’s news.

European Education and Culture Executive Agency The diversity of the educational landscape is increasing; however, learners from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who experience discrimination or unequal treatment disproportionately underachieve in schools. Equality, equity and inclusion are fundamental principles of the European Union. They have also become key topics of the educational science discourse and a policy priority across Europe. Promoting diversity and inclusion in schools in Europe report investigates existing national/top-level policies and measures that promote diversity and inclusion in school education in 39 European education systems including Ireland. It focuses especially on learners who are most likely to experience disadvantage and/or discrimination in schools, including students from different migrant, ethnic and religious backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ students, girls/boys and students with special educational needs or disabilities. The report highlights existing targeted policy initiatives promoting the learners’ access to quality, inclusive, mainstream education. It provides a comparative overview of policies and measures across 39 European education systems and presents many country examples, which showcase some of the most recent initiatives taken across Europe. To view and download a copy of the full report, please visit the report page on the Eurydice website Eurydice is a network whose task is to explain how education systems are organised in Europe and how they work. They publish descriptions of national education systems, comparative studies devoted to specific topics, indicators and statistics in the field of education. The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) manages funding for education, culture, audiovisual, sport, citizenship and volunteering. In Ireland, Léargas manage international and national exchange programmes in education, youth and community work, and vocational education and training. To find out more about iniatives and programme offered through Léargas, visit their School Education page here for more information: https://www.leargas.ie/explore-school-education-opportunities/

Nearly 5,000 years ago, towards the end of the stone age, hunter-gatherer and early agrarian tribes built a circle of stones. It stood here, in a grassy plain probably first cleared for their sheep and goats. This construction, originally comprising 36 standing stones plus an additional stone standing outside, “pointing in”, stood at the centre of a network of over 60 ancient burial mounds across the Windrush Valley. Its purpose is uncertain: unlike some henge monuments, the stones do not seem to have been positioned with any astrological significance. Over the millennia that followed, though, it certainly saw varied use: bronze age settlers to the area added a central plinth stone, suggesting ritual uses, and there’s evidence that the outer ring mound may have been used for burials. Unfortunately, like many of Britains’ ancient monuments, this henge did not survive intact through the ages. During the medieval period most of the stones were entirely removed, probably for use in other construction projects. In the Second World War most of the earthworks were levelled in order to establish an airfield at the site. After the war, the area was part of a quarry for gravel, and then when the pit was closed it began to be used as a landfill site: a purpose that the surrounding area still supports today, as you’ll doubtless notice as you approach! Following archaeological work, however, the stone circle was able to be reconstructed in the early 2000s, leading to the monument you’ll see today. The current monument attempts to replicate what the area might have looked like at the time of the Roman expansion into Britain. Only one of the “original” stones remains: the others are all replacements from the surrounding area. The name of the henge comes from a local legend. According to the story, a beggar and the Devil played a game of quoits (throwing a rope loop so it encircles a stone: a predecessor to games like horseshoes and hoopla). They played atop Wytham Hill, about 5.5km North-East of here. The Devil won by throwing these stones all the way here, and then casting his quoit around them despite the vast distance, and leaving the stones and the surrounding earthwork “ring” as a result. Finding this cache The coordinates will take you directly to the centre of the stone circle. Four possible trailheads are suggested, two of which (including the closest) have car parking available. For the most part, the trailheads are not well-signposted and you’ll need to do your own navigation. Please respect any signs and fences and stick to the path: some of the surrounding areas contain former quarry or current landfill operations and trespassing could be dangerous. In addition to logging the cache, you’ll need to contact the cache owner with answers to the following two questions. Logs for which answers aren’t forthcoming will be deleted: Count the stones. How many stones are standing in the circle today? Point to the outlier. One stone stands outside the circle, almost “pointing in” towards the centre – let’s call this the outlier. Stand in the centre of the circle, facing the entrance/information board. In what direction is the outlier relative to you? (Relative clock directions e.g. “7 o’clock”, “10 o’clock” etc or degrees are acceptable, but absolute directions e.g. “West” are not.) Consider including in your log a photograph of yourself at the site, but please ensure that the photograph can’t be used to answer the questions without visiting! Logging this cache You can log this geocache at any or all of the following: - GC88ZY9 [geocaching.com] - This page, by leaving a comment, trackback, or pingback to this web address

The selection of which test to execute is automatically based on the number of distinct values of the independent variable. The Mann-Whitney is used for two groups, the Kruskal-Wallis for three or more groups. A special version of the Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis test performs a separate, independent test for each independent variable, and displays the result of each test with its accompanying column name. Under the primary version of the Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis test, all independent variable value combinations are used, often forcing the Kruskal-Wallis test, since the number of value combinations exceeds two. When a variable which has more than two distinct values is included in the set of independent variables, then the Kruskal-Wallis test is performed for all variables. Since Kruskal-Wallis is a generalization of Mann-Whitney, the Kruskal-Wallis results are valid for all the variables, including two-valued ones. In the discussion below, both types of Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis are referred to as Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis tests, since the only difference is the way the independent variable is treated. The Mann-Whitney test, AKA Wilcoxon Two Sample Test, is the nonparametric analog of the 2-sample t test. It is used to compare two independent groups of sampled data, and tests whether they are from the same population or from different populations (i.e., whether the samples have the same distribution function). Unlike the parametric t-test, this non-parametric test makes no assumptions about the distribution of the data (e.g., normality). It is to be used as an alternative to the independent group t-test, when the assumption of normality or equality of variance is not met. Like many non-parametric tests, it uses the ranks of the data rather than the data itself to calculate the U statistic. But since the Mann-Whitney test makes no distribution assumption, it is less powerful than the t-test. On the other hand, the Mann-Whitney is more powerful than the t-test when parametric assumptions are not met. Another advantage is that it will provide the same results under any monotonic transformation of the data so the results of the test are more generalizable. The Mann-Whitney is used when the independent variable is nominal or ordinal and the dependent variable is ordinal (or treated as ordinal). The main assumption is that the variable on which the 2 groups are to be compared is continuously distributed. This variable may be non-numeric, and if so, is converted to a rank based on alphanumeric precedence. The null hypothesis is that both samples have the same distribution. The alternative hypotheses are that the distributions differ from each other in either direction (two-tailed test), or in a specific direction (upper-tailed or lower-tailed tests). Output is a p-value, which when compared to the user’s threshold, determines whether the null hypothesis should be rejected. Given one or more columns (independent variables) whose values define two independent groups of sampled data, and a column (dependent variable) whose distribution is of interest from the same input table, the Mann-Whitney test is performed for each set of unique values of the group-by variables (GBVs), if any. The Kruskal-Wallis test is the nonparametric analog of the one-way analysis of variance or F-test used to compare three or more independent groups of sampled data. When there are only two groups, it reduces to the Mann-Whitney test (above). The Kruskal-Wallis test tests whether multiple samples of data are from the same population or from different populations (i.e., whether the samples have the same distribution function). Unlike the parametric independent group ANOVA (one way ANOVA), this non-parametric test makes no assumptions about the distribution of the data (e.g., normality). Since this test does not make a distributional assumption, it is not as powerful as ANOVA. Given k independent samples of numeric values, a Kruskal-Wallis test is produced for each set of unique values of the GBVs, testing whether all the populations are identical. This test variable may be non-numeric, and if so, is converted to a rank based on alphanumeric precedence. The null hypothesis is that all samples have the same distribution. The alternative hypotheses are that the distributions differ from each other. Output for each unique set of values of the GBVs is a statistic H, and a p-value, which when compared to the user’s threshold, determines whether the null hypothesis should be rejected for the unique set of values of the GBVs.

More About Dental Fillings Dental fillings are typically used to 'fill' a cavity or dental caries, which are tiny holes in the teeth caused by tooth decay. After removing the decay, a filling substance is used to close the gap. Tooth decay is a result of dangerous microorganisms in the mouth. Bacteria that cause dental caries produce acids or toxins that weaken tooth enamel. Serious tooth decay can significantly damage the teeth, leading to severe infections and, in the worst situation, tooth loss. You can avoid cavities by brushing twice daily and flossing once daily. Visit the team at Frankart Family Dental to learn more details about dental fillings. Types of Filling Materials Fillings come in a wide range of options, giving you a variety of choices to select from. Examples include gold, silver amalgam, porcelain, tooth-colored, and composite resin fillings. Your dentist will recommend the appropriate filling type based on the damaged region, decay level, filling material cost, and insurance coverage. The most durable fillings are made of gold. They last up to 15 years and are resistant to chewing pressure. However, they can result in galvanic shock and are more expensive than silver fillings. Additionally, compared to other filling materials, you will need more dental appointments. Silver amalgam fillings have a 10 year lifespan. The fillings can endure a lot of chewing and are less expensive than gold. They are more noticeable since they don't have the same shade as your teeth. Around the tooth structure, a grayish hue may also manifest. Tooth-colored fillings complement your natural tooth structure and provide additional support. You can select the color you want to match your natural teeth because they come in a variety of colors. They are mainly applied to teeth that have been cracked, shattered, or otherwise damaged. Their major drawback is that they can be costly and have a short lifespan. These fillings are also more challenging to fill and are prone to chipping. Procedure for Dental Fillings Your dentist will use an anesthetic to numb the affected area around your teeth before beginning the filling process. The decayed area of your tooth will then be removed using a drill, laser, or air abrasion tool. The tool utilized is influenced by the dentist's skill, the size and location of the decay, and the tool's ease of use. The dentist will then get rid of any remaining areas of decay. They will also remove any germs or debris from the cavity. Your dentist will place a liner to protect the nerves if the decay extends into the root. The cavity will then be filled with a filling and polished by your dentist. Once the decay is removed, and the cavity is cleaned, you must go through a number of additional stages if you want tooth-colored fillings. Each layer of tooth-colored material is cured by the dentist using a specialized light. After the multi-layering procedure, the dentist polishes the filling to achieve the desired results. Visit Frankart Family Dental for a dental filling process. Call us today at (513) 809-1366 for more inquiries.

This experiment (and the next experiments) are centered around the 555 timer chip. The circuit that been built (figure 4.14 of Make:Electronics) results in the monostable mode of the 555 chip. Once triggered the 555 emits a single pulse of a fixed duration. I lacked the required 5K linear potentiometer and I used a 2.5K instead. I decreased the resistance of the potentiometer step by step and at a certain threshold the led that is connected to the pin 3 (output) emitted a pulse. At this time I measured a voltage on pin 2 (trigger) of 3V. This experiment is straightforward and I encountered no problem. Afterwards I changed the capacitor on pin 6 (the threshold pin) from 47uF to 22uF. The duration of the pulse halved as expected.

The causes and effects of VFD-supplied motor shaft and bearing currents2017-08-06 Shaft currents are induced because of the high frequency of the voltage pulses sent to the motor from the VFD. Recall that a pulse-width modulated VFD creates a synthesized sine wave by firing its output transistors many thousands of times per second. These pulses form high-frequency waves sent along the motor cable to the motor. Since impedance is inversely proportional to frequency, the capacitances of the cable and motor present little or no impedance to these high-frequency pulses. As a result, circulating currents can readily flow in the motor shaft. With sufficient magnitude, and in the absence of corrective measures, these shaft currents can pass through the bearings and races to the motor frame, causing bearing pitting or “fluting” – regular, tightly spaced grooves on the bearing races – via a process referred to as Electric Discharge Machining (EDM). Ultimately, these irregularities will cause bearing failure.

Synonyms for Significant The Meaning of “Significant” “Significant” refers to something that holds importance, meaning, or relevance, often having a notable impact or effect on a situation, context, or outcome. General Synonyms for Significant - Adjective: Important - Adjective: Noteworthy - Adjective: Meaningful - Adjective: Substantial - Adjective: Momentous - Adjective: Considerable - Adjective: Weighty - Adjective: Influential - Adjective: Remarkable Synonyms Used in Academic Writing In academic and scholarly writing, employing a diverse range of synonyms for “Significant” is crucial to convey the magnitude and relevance of findings, observations, or arguments. Synonyms, Definitions, and Examples |Carrying substantial meaning or impact. |The decision to invest in renewable energy is of important environmental significance. |Worthy of attention or notice. |The scientist’s breakthrough discovery was considered noteworthy in the field of medicine. |Holding deep or significant significance. |The artist’s painting conveyed a meaningful message about social inequality. |Having considerable size, scope, or impact. |The company reported a substantial increase in profits for the fiscal year. |Marked by great importance or significance. |The signing of the peace treaty was a momentous event in global history. Antonyms, Definitions, and Examples |Lacking importance or meaning. |The error in the data was deemed insignificant and did not affect the overall results. |Of little significance or importance. |The debate over the paint color seemed trivial in the context of the renovation project. |Having limited impact or consequence. |The changes made to the policy were minor and didn’t alter its core principles. |Lacking importance or significance. |The grammatical error in the introduction was inconsequential to the overall thesis. |Of little worth or value. |The disagreement over the meeting time felt trifling compared to the larger project goals. Expanding your vocabulary with synonyms for “Significant” empowers you to convey the weight and importance of ideas, events, and observations. Whether you’re writing a research paper, delivering a speech, or expressing yourself creatively, choosing the right synonyms enhances the impact of your communication.

Scientists have long known that temperature changes impact the incidence of heart attacks. However, most of the research done so far has been in temperate climates, where temperatures range widely. Now, a team of researchers has investigated how the narrow temperature ranges of a tropical climate impact the incidence of a specific type of myocardial infarction (the medical term for a heart attack) in Singapore. The researchers say their findings, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, could have health policy implications for populations within cosmopolitan cities in the tropics. “Using 10 years of nationally collected data, we found strong evidence that a drop of 1°C in ambient temperature increased the risk of a type of acute myocardial infarction in the population by 12 per cent,” said co-senior author Professor Marcus Ong, Director of the Health Services & Systems Research Programme and the Pre-hospital & Emergency Research Centre (PERC) at Duke-NUS Medical School. “Furthermore, people aged 65 and above appeared to be about 20 per cent more vulnerable to cooler temperatures compared to younger people,” added Prof Ong, who is also Senior Consultant at the Department of Emergency Medicine at Singapore General Hospital (SGH). The study, which was conducted in collaboration with Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA), analysed daily patient records from the Singapore Myocardial Infarction Registry. The researchers were specifically looking for people who experienced non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). This is a type of acute heart attack that happens when a blood vessel feeding the heart becomes partially blocked. When doctors examine the patient’s electrocardiogram (ECG) results, they don’t find the easily identifiable ST elevation that signifies another type of heart attack, STEMI, which occurs when the coronary artery is completely blocked. Since the 1980s, the incidence of NSTEMI has risen while that of STEMI has declined. The researchers were able to collect 60,643 reports of NSTEMI between 2009 and 2018. They then statistically analysed how the onset of NSTEMI in these patients correlated with local meteorological data obtained from weather stations across Singapore, including mean temperature and rainfall. Cooler ambient temperatures were independently associated with an increased risk of NSTEMI up to 10 days after a temperature drop. There were no gender differences relating to the effects of warmer or cooler temperatures on NSTEMI risk. Nor were changes in rainfall associated with an increased risk. “Our study found that even in a relatively warm part of the world, cooler ambient temperatures increased the risk of heart attacks,” said Dr Andrew Ho, one of the study’s first authors, who is an Assistant Professor with PERC and an Associate Consultant with SGH’s Department of Emergency Medicine. “This improves our understanding that deviations from the temperature that one is used to can lead to harmful bodily stress. Consistent with our previous studies that showed that the elderly were more susceptible to environmental stressors including air pollution, we found some evidence that this group of individuals were at greater risk of heart attacks at cooler temperatures.” “There are several individual-level risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but none are as widely experienced as weather patterns,” said Dr Joel Aik, an environmental epidemiologist and co-senior author of the study from NEA, who is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor with PERC. “Daily weather variations have the capacity to trigger cardiovascular disease events in at-risk individuals, with particular implications for Singapore’s ageing population. In the context of climate change, these findings highlight a risk factor of substantial public health concern.” Further research over a longer period is needed to confirm the results. The team also recommends research that helps to identify the biological pathways involved in increased vulnerability of the elderly to cold-related NSTEMI in the tropics. Materials provided by Duke-NUS Medical School. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

On March 13, the regions hardest hit by Colombia’s internal armed conflict will have the unprecedented opportunity to elect congressional representatives for 16 new, temporary “peace” seats in Colombia’s House of Representatives. Implementing these seats, devised in the 2016 peace accord, has been no easy feat. At the same time, the electoral process has been marred with risks and challenges that are illustrative of the entrenched dynamics of violence, racism, and political exclusion this historic mechanism was designed to overcome. The peace seats represent 16 Special Transitory Peace Districts (Circunscripciones Transitorias Especiales de Paz, CITREP) strategically located in 167 municipalities where central state and institutional presence are traditionally weak. These are regions where armed actors inflicted violence against a high number of victims, multidimensional poverty is substantial, and a dependency on producing illicit crops remains to be a prevalent need for many residents. The identified municipalities have rarely had the opportunity to elect representatives in Congress to advocate for their needs. The peace accord sought to rectify this lack of political representation by providing 16 congressional seats over two legislative terms for Colombia’s over 9 million victims, many of whom are Afro-Colombian and Indigenous. In fact, the Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Repetition Commission—a key component of Colombia’s transitional justice system—identified that 17 of the 22 corridors of violence during the conflict are resided mainly by ethnic communities. By changing the configuration in Colombia’s House of Representatives from 171 members to 187 members for the next eight years, the seats are ultimately meant to uplift the voices of these victims in the halls of power and help integrate their needs and territorial perspectives into the national political agenda. While a noble effort at reconciliation, the mechanism has encountered a series of obstacles from the government itself. In 2017, after months of debates through both congressional chambers, many representatives saw the legislation to create the peace seats as a given. However, in late November of that year, the then-President of the Senate illegitimately blocked the legislation from passing by claiming an insufficient quorum, despite the securing of an absolute majority vote. This move tabled the legislation and prevented the peace seats from operating in the 2018 legislative elections. Obstructing the legislation pushed back the legal codification of this key peace accord commitment by four years. Reviving the legislation was only made possible in May 2021 when the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of a constitutional writ (tutela). On August 26, 2021, the Iván Duque administration finally abided by the ruling and promulgated the law to create the 16 peace seats. Ironically, after having obstructed the legislation, the Duque government now presents itself as having facilitated these seats and utilizes them as an indicator to show its commitment to peace to the international community. A lack of awareness about the objectives of the seats has made bringing the mechanism to life a difficult undertaking. Delays and obstructions have meant that some of the initially registered 398 candidates had little to no time to prepare their campaigns. Many candidates have yet to receive their allotted state funding to campaign in rural areas. Skepticism around the process has even prompted some candidates to call for postponing the elections. Additionally, paramilitary groups, other criminal interests, and traditional political parties have found their way to continue sabotaging the peace process. Such is the case with Jorge Rodrigo Tovar Vélez, the son of the paramilitary leader “Jorge 40,” whose campaign for the peace seat in Valledupar was approved by the National Electorate Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral, CNE). Jorge 40 was recently deported to Colombia after serving 12 years in a U.S. prison for drug trafficking charges. Upon his return, he was sentenced in February 2022 with 40 years in prison for murder and has over 1,400 other pending investigations. Despite this conflict of interest, Tovar Vélez was named the Victims Director in the Ministry of the Interior by the Duque administration. Now, Vélez is running a campaign for a peace seat, with reports indicating that armed actors are intimidating residents to vote for him. Questionable candidates running campaigns for the peace seats raises concerns that this key commitment of the peace accord will not serve its intended purpose. Alarmingly, the moment is also plagued by a climate of increasing violence by illegal armed groups in the territories these peace seats will represent. Five years after the ratification of the peace accord, the country has broken a five-year record when it comes to the frequency of mass internal displacement. It is experiencing an increase in homicides of different kinds—from targeted killings of social leaders to the massacres of civilians. The situation is so dire that Colombia’s Electoral Observation Mission (Misión de Observación Electoral, MOE) issued an alert warning that 58 per cent of the municipalities represented by the new peace districts are at high risk for violence and electoral fraud. This electoral cycle for the peace seats has already seen the kidnapping of a candidate in Arauca department, intimidation of a candidate in North Santander department, at least 347 registered complaints of armed threats and intimidation against almost the same number candidates, and even eight contenders rescinding their candidacies because of a lack of guarantees and for fear of their safety. This violence raises major concerns for the security of the victims running campaigns for the peace seats, as threats and assassinations against political and social leaders were terrifyingly rampant throughout the 20th and early 21st century and persist in Colombia’s post-accord context. In Colombian politics today, candidates are unable to carry out political activities in many regions due to fear for their lives. There is also a lack of accountability against alleged corruption and fraud in elections. This political arena has impeded the country from further democratizing, ensuring the rule of law and social justice, and overcoming economic inequality, all of which have worsened during the ongoing pandemic and have further suffered from the lack of the 2016 peace accord’s implementation. Given the current security conditions in territories throughout Colombia, the government may arbitrarily suspend the elections for these peace seats at its own disposition for reasons related to public order. Ensuring the security and safety of the candidates running for the peace seats is vital for democracy and peace in Colombia. Evidenced by the historic difficulties for alternative political movements throughout the country to safely participate in traditional electoral structures, this violent legacy of political and social exclusion has strained Colombia’s efforts at peacebuilding. Colombia’s next Congress will have to commit to advancing peace accord implementation. After years of efforts to obstruct legislation that sought to advance peace and starving the process of adequate funding, bold steps are needed to get peace back on track. The new Congress will also need to pass a tax reform. Given how Duque’s proposed tax reform pushed the country to the brink of crisis, this will need to be done in consultation with civil society. The police repression with which the national protests were met is yet to be adequately investigated or prosecuted and should also lead to serious security sector reforms. With the introduction of these 16 new peace seats, there is hope for a legislative environment that advances progressive reforms for Colombians. While representing the diverse interests of Colombia’s victims won’t be easy—if supported by the government, the public at-large, and most importantly fellow congressional representatives—the presence of these peace seats in Congress could provide impetus for a legislative agenda centered around human rights and one that tackles Colombia’s structural problems of socioeconomic exclusion and racism—all core objectives of the 2016 peace accord. If the peace seats are able to serve their intended purpose, they ultimately represent a step forward for political participation as a means of reparation.

To get the information about the population of the city of Iravan can be come across in separate travellers’ and chronographers’ notes till XIX century and tax books compiled during the Ottoman occupation. Cameral census held after the occupation of Iravan khannet by Russian troops, statistical reports and annually published calendars give enough detailed information about the population of the city. The initial sources confirm that aboriginal population in the city of Iravan consisted of Azerbaijani Turks. Arising of distinct difference about the information of the city in some periods of time connected with the wars between the Ottomans and the Safavids. The famous Turkish chronographer and geographer Ovliyya Chalabi travelled Chukhur-Saad beylerbeyi in 1.647 and gave detailed description about Iravan fortress and the city in his book “Sayahatname” (“Travel book”). He noted that there were approximately 2.060 houses covered with clay roofs in the inner part of the city, about 3.000 guards, 3.000 Khan’s troops, 7.000 provincial soldiers in the fortress. If we make approximate calculation on the basis of this information (5-6 people in every family) we can come to a conclusion that the number of the population of Iravan city including the fortress was about 25 thousand. In his book “Travel from Paris to Isfahan”, a French traveller Juan Sharden described everything widely he saw in Iravan in 1673. Describing Iravan fortress and Khan Palace Sharden wrore that the fortress consisting of about 800 houses was bigger than a small city, and there lived only the pure-blooded Safavids. The traveller wrote that two thousand soldiers were appointed to defend the fortress. Speaking about pure-blooded Safavids, the author meant Shia believing Turkish Gizilbash population. In the book “Old Iravan” dealing with Iravan population Yervand Shahaziz once more confirmsthe information given by J.Shardaabout the Iravan fortress dwellings and writes that only the Turks lived in the fortress , but the Armenians had shops there, in the daytimes they used to trade and in the evenings close their shops and go to their homes. German traveller Kaspari Shillinger, who visited Iravan in the spring of 1700, affirmed that the Azerbaijani Turks completely dominated in number and frompolitical point of view in the city of Iravan. He writes:” Only the Iranians (i.e theAzerbaijani Turks) lived in the city of Iravan (i.e. inside of the city surrounding with fortress walls – editor),but in a relatively large settlement of the city (in Uchkilse ) and different places the Armenian merchants and masters lived for the purpose of serving the church there. They gave tax to the Iranians (i.e. theAzerbaijani Turks). To encourage the Russian troops to occupy Azerbaijan lands, Armenian Israel Ohri who found the way to the palace of the Russian Tsar, shows the ways of seizing Revan (Irevan) fortress in paragraph 7 of his memary records written by the translator for the submission to Peter I on Yuly 25, 1701 and notes that “gunpowder and other military ammunition depot of the city is in the Armenians’ hand and they mint Iranian coins there” I. Ohri writes that more than 300 Armenians live in the city and it is quite possible to strike a bargain with them to unlock the fortress gates and let the Russian armed forces capture the city with the help of sudden attack. The information about settling of the Armenians in the city of Iravan can be found in the history at different times. In 1736, after the coronation ceremony held in Mughan, Nadir Shah distributed the Armenian captives among the khans there. Catholicos of Echmiadzin Abram Kretasi crept into Nadir Shah’s favour and succeded in sending some of the captured Armenians from different places to Iravan .At the beginning of 1740 on the initiative of Catholicos Gazar Chahchesin, a lot of Armenians were moved from Rum and Kurdistan (Eastern Anadolu) and they were settled in Echmiedzin and surrounding regions. 428 married Turkish Muslims, 224 married and 9 single Christians were registered in a comprehensive book of Iravan Province compiled after the Ottomans occupation. Considering average family component size of 5 persons , it appears to be clear that 63.5% of 3369 city dwellings were the Turkic Muslims, while 36, 5% was made up of Christians. If we take into consideration that at that time there lived 100 Christian gypsy (bosha) families (approximately 14.9%) in the city, in that case it becomes clear that the Armenians were not in majority in the city as it was claimed by the Armenian chronology authors but only 21.6 % of the population.Taking into account that European travelers including Christian missionaries got the information about the population of Iravan city from Echmiedzin Cathedral, so there is no doubt about the information to be falsified deliberately in the favour of Armenians. For example, the Armenian servant Allahverdi accompanied J.Sarden from Paris to Iravan, but all the information from Iravan to Tabriz he was given by the Armenian innkeeper Arazin. However, the information was distorted in the writings by the Christian travellers, the visible view is that the Azerbaijanis were the aboriginals in the city of Iravan and its surroundings, but the influx of Armenians started much later. Massive influx of Armenians in the territory of Iravan khanate had begun since the Russian troop occupied Iravan khannet, in 1801. General Ivan Pashkevich who was awarded to the honorary title “Count Erivanski“for his contribution to capturing the fortress, invited Ivan Shopen to Iravan. I. Shopen, who was sent from St.Petersburg to Iravan, held cameral census in the newly established adminstrative- territory “Armenian Province”, in the former Iravan and Nakhchevan khanets territory and the statistical information about the Iravan city population was given under the columns “Muslims”, “Local Armenians”, “Moved from Iran”, “Moved from Turkey”. I.Sopen gave information about the population of the City, Tepebashi and Demirbulag blocks (estates), but he didn’t include anything about the population of Gala massive that the Azerbaijanis lived exclusively. He noted that 2751 families (11463 people), including 1807 Muslim families (7331 people), 567 local Armenian families (2369), 366 Armenian families(1715 people) moved from Iran and 11 Armenian families (48people) moved from Turkey, also 46 Christian gypsy (Bosha) families (195 people) were living in above mentioned three estates of the city. Most of the Armenians mentioned in the column” Local Armenians”given by I.Shopen, had settled down in the massives outside of the fortress since 1801, and it continued till the occupation of Iravan fortress. The information given about different strata of the city dwellers has particular importance. After the Russian invasion many Khan family members, wealthy families, religious figures left the city and resettled in different cities of South Azerbaijan. However, the Azerbaijanis predominated among the privileged strata of the city. At that time, in the city of Iravan there were 4 khan, 51 bay, 19 Mirza, 50 mullah, 19 mirza (scribe), 39 sayyid, 3 fakir families, but only 8 Armenian king and bay, 1 mirza, 13 priest families lived there. Thus, the 166 families out of 188 were Azerbaijanis, only 22 were Armenians. The total number of Christian population in the Iravan khanate on the eve of Russian invension was not more than 20%. Western researchers G. Bournoutian and R.Hewson write in their article “The Persian Khanate of Erevan” in the book “Encyclopedia in Iranian”: “Due to one hundred- year war in 1804, the population of Iravan decreased to 6000. In 1827, during the reign of the last khan (Husein Khan is considered) the population increased by 20,000 people. Armenians formed only 20% of the population. After the signing of Turkmenchay Treaty and immigration of the Armenians from Iran and Turkey, the number of the Armenians rose to 40%. The number of general population decreased approximately by 12 thousand people after the Persians (i.e. the Azerbaijanis) left the city.” Referring to the authors we can come to a conclusion that before the Russian invasion 20 % of 20,000 people was Azerbaijanis, i.e. 4.000 were the Armenians, 16.000 the Azerbaijanis. After the occupation, the city had a population of 12 thousand people, 40% (i.e.4, 800) was the Armenians, while the remaining 7.200 people were the Azerbaijanis. Thus, prior to the occupation there were 16.000 Azerbaijanis, but 8.800 out of it were obliged to leave the city, scattered in different places or died as a result of the war. In other words, after the Russian occupation the number of Azerbaijani population droppedby half. The information about Iravan city population in the military-statistical report on Iravan province designed by Peter Uslar, the captain of the Russian Army General Headquarters and released in 1853, shows that there lives 1.437Tatar (i.e.Azerbaijani) and 1.169 Armenian families. In other words, Azerbaijani families formed 55, 2% of the city population at that time, but 44.8 % was Armenian families. Uslar also writes that against 33 Armenian cleric and 2 melick (monarch) families there lived 42 Muslim cleric, 3 khan (noble), 48 bey (noble), 27 sayyid and 3 dervish famiies in the city. According to the information of Emperor Russian Geography Society for 1865 year, 6.900 Tatar (i.e.Azerbaijani), 5.770 Armenian families lived in the city of Iravan. In other words, Azerbaijanis made up 54.5%, Armenians 45.5 %. 14.738 people (2.968 families) were registered in the city of Iravan according to the census held in1886. 49.04 % of the urban population (7.228 people) was Azerbaijanis, 48.45 % (7.142 people) was Armenians. In 1897 All-Russian population census was held for the first time. At that time 29.006 people lived in the city of Iravan and 43.19% (12.529 people) was Azerbaijanis, the Armenians made up 43.15 % (12.516 people). Statistics shows that 59.04% (1.501 people) out of 2.542 noble-borns were the Azerbaijanis, 12.03% (306 people) were the Armenians in Iravan city. As a result of Armenian suppression in Turkey at the end of XIX century ten thousands of Armenians had to leave the country and flow to the Southern Caucasus. Majority of them settled in Iravan as refugees. To settle the refugee Armenians permanently, in 1905-1906 massacres of Azerbaijanis were committed four times, a considerable part of the Azerbaijanis either were killed or driven out of their native homes. 900 thousand Armenians lived in the South Caucasus in 1896, but their number used to be 1301 in 1908. 300 thousand more Armenians left Turkey and settled in the Southern Caucasus in 1914-1916. After settling a part of them in Iravan the situation of the Azerbaijanis living there deteriorated. İn 1918-1920 during the reign of the Dashnak government hair-raising genocide against Azerbaijanis was committed in İravan. Very few Azerbaijanis remained in the city of Iravan. After the establishment of the Soviet power in Armenia, a few Azerbaijanis could return to their homes. In 1922, the number of the Azerbaijanis living in Iravan was 5124, but the Armenians increased in number and reached 40.396. In 1926 against 4.968 Azerbaijanis 57.295 Armenians lived in Iravan, in 1931 there were 5.620 Azerbaijanis, but the number of Armenian population was 80.327. 3.3% (6569 people) out of 200 thousand population consisted of the Azerbaijanis in Iravan in 1939. On December 23, 1947, the USSR Council of Ministers ” signed a decision on “Moving of collective farmers and other Azerbaijani population from the Armenian SSR to Kura –Araz lowland in the Azerbaijan SSR “ . The decision, that served the purpose of settling of the Armenians in Armenia moved from abroad, wasn’t applied to the Azerbaijani population living in the rural areas. The Armenian authorities took advantage of the decision and achieved the realising of their disgusting plan—deporting most of Azerbaijanis living in the city of Iravan. According to the census held in 1959, only 0.7% (3.413) Azerbaijanis out of approximately half a million population living in Iravan was registered. However, over the past 20 years since 1939, the natural increase of Azerbaijanis living in Iravan should have outnumbered at least 10 thousand people. In Azerbaijan, including Baku the Armenians were living in a very good condition and their number was increasing year by year in contrast to the processes taking place in Armenia. The flow of Armenians in Baku and other regions , especially accelerated after the establishment of the Soviet power in 1920. The number of Armenian population in Baku increased to 207.5 thousand in 1970, 215.8 thousand in 1979. If there were 9.281 Armenians in Baku in 1914, respectively increase (22.3and 23.3 times ) happened comparing in the number of Armenians permenantly living there. After Armenian separatism in Nagorno-Karabakh in February 1988, the ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijanis began not only in the city of Iravan, but also in the whole territory of Armenia and it had been almost “successfully” completed by the end of the same year. The decision of official Armenia on military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh bewidered the Armenians living in Baku and eventually they were obliged gradually to leave the city. On July 18, 1988, at the meeting of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dedicated to the situation around the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of the Azerbaijan SSR, Mikhail Gorbachov, General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee asked Sergey Ambarsumyan, the rector of Yerevan State University how many percent of the Iravan population consisted of the Azerbaijanis at the beginning of XX century. The rector answered: “I find it difficult to say.” When Gorbachov heard the answer, he said: “You must know it. I’ll remind you – 43% of the population were Azerbaijanis at the beginning of the century in Iravan. What is the percentage of Azerbaijanis there now? “S.Ambarsumyan’ answer was:” Now very few, perhaps that is one percent “. Taking into account all the above mentioned we can come to a such conlusion. Though at the beginning of XIX century 80% of the Iravan city population consisted of the Azerbaijanis, at the end of the same century approximately half of the population, there remained no single Azerbaijanis as a result of the ethnic cleansing carried out at the end of 1980s in XX century. Source: “The City of Iravan”, Nazim Mustafa, Baku – 2013

The new book by Olzhas Suleimenov, “Code of the Word,” was recently presented in Almaty in an event organised by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education and Science. “Code of the Word” describes Suleimenov’s method of etymology, which he believes allows researchers to explore the older meaning of written signs based on the sun-worshipping, common faith of early humans. Suleimenov argues that this helped mankind learn to think as humans created language from sound imitation to sign imitation and to letters. Speaking about his new book, Suleimenov noted that UNESCO has launched a research project on the knowledge of human history. The initial stage of the project, “The great resettlement of humanity in prehistory and early history,” was financed by Kazakhstan, he said, and international conferences revealing the stages of research in this area are organised by the permanent mission of Kazakhstan to UNESCO. In June 2008, the first conference was held at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters. The participants – geneticists, anthropologists, archaeologists, linguists and cultural experts – discussed issues related to the study of the genesis of the human species, Homo sapiens, and how the population spread in Africa and beyond. The second conference, “Settlement of America,” was held with the participation of Columbia University in New York; the third conference, “Settlement of Southeast Asia and the Far East,” was organised at Hanyang University in Seoul. More events on the study of the settlement of Europe and Northern Eurasia are planned to be held in Spain and Russia. Through his involvement in the project, Suleimenov created a dictionary “1001 Words,” the idea of which dates back to his first book, “AZ i IA” (1975), his exploration of interethnic relations in Russian and Central Asian history. He went on to study Turko-Sumerian linguistic relations and the origin of writing and language in “Language of Writing” (1998). In “Turks in Prehistory” (2002) he reflected on the origin of ancient Turkic writing and then explored the ties between Slavic and Turkic languages in “Intersecting Parallels” (1998-2004). The author associates the future of his scientific research with young people, students and scholars involved in the study of “1001 Words.” In an emotional speech at the book’s presentation, Murat Auezov, a prominent Kazakh scholar and diplomat, stressed that the publication of the book was an outstanding social and historical event. This titanic work will have an epochal impact on the minds of millions of people in this challenging global world, he said. The event was attended by scientists from leading Kazakh research institutions and the teaching faculty of the Kazakh National Al-Farabi University and the Abai Kazakh national pedagogical university. Karlygash Buzaubagarova Ph.D. and Mariyam Kondubayeva, Ph.D. are professors of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University.

As I reflected on this turbulent year, I wondered what I had learned about preparing our children to live in this increasingly complex, unstable, polarized world. I imagined a society in which all people suddenly lost confidence in their opinions. I asked myself what would change for people in a world like that. The answer that came to me was, “almost everything.” We may have evolved to be “naive realists,” guided by a deep subconscious intuition that we perceive the world as it truly is. In practice, perhaps, our reality could be described as “augmented” with our assumptions about the world. These assumptions are acquired through our limited means of learning, distorted by cognitive and motivational biases. We shouldn’t be too harsh on our brains, though. Just imagine what it must be like for them – confined to Plato’s cave of the skull, tasked with assembling an accurate picture of the outside world from a barrage of noisy electrical signals. We often mistakenly assume that every child’s mind is a blank slate before they start formal learning. However, current research suggests that we begin to rely on underlying assumptions about the world quickly after we are born. Infants already have basic physical expectations and are surprised when the behavior of objects contradicts them. Implicit assumptions about the world, which develop during infancy and continue into adulthood, direct our basic perceptual and motor activities. You may have experienced them when picking up a milk carton you didn’t know was empty: your hand unexpectedly flew up as your brain overestimated the amount of effort required to lift the carton. Our inability to “unsee” an optical illusion – even after observing it multiple times and clearly understanding its mechanics – also suggests the resiliency of our expectations. If our beliefs are so unreliable, why do we place so much confidence in them? As it turns out, the feeling of certainty in our convictions is merely a physical sensation akin to hunger. This feeling may have evolved as a “circuit breaker” to help our ancient ancestors with instant life-and-death decisions. Any uncertainty could delay immediate action and spell disaster. As a result, we appear wired to experience discomfort in the face of uncertainty. Our intuition may suggest that our confidence must grow as we gain skills. Yet, in practice, the more we learn, the more we realize how much there is to know. The famous Dunning-Kruger chart illustrates how we start out overconfident in our understanding and then become more humble as our expertise increases. Since we are likely to be unaware of our hubris, we need to learn strategies to avoid overconfidence and identify our misconceptions. As always, it is best to start early. Ray Dalio, the founder of the world’s biggest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, and one of TIME100’s most influential people in the world, counts the ability to embrace reality and remain radically open-minded among his key principles. The more open-minded you are, observes Dalio, the less likely you are to deceive yourself— and the more likely it is that others will give you honest feedback. Recognizing and accepting our mistakes is the only way to avoid repeating them in the future. Ignoring or covering them up only makes our problems worse. Unfortunately, since parents and schools overemphasize the value of the right answers, even the “best” students may be the worst at learning from mistakes. The act of embracing our mistakes is essential for learning. If you look back on your past self and aren’t embarrassed by how dumb you were, suggests Dalio, you haven’t learned much. Looking back through the history of science, even the most established “facts,” shared by the best minds of the past, eventually became obsolete. At different times, people believed that the Earth was flat (or hollow inside), that our eyes emitted invisible tentacles of light to “touch” objects, and that flies spontaneously originated out of spoiled meat. The universally accepted modern notions that many diseases are caused by invisible organisms, that crocodiles are closer related to birds than to lizards, or that the mind is produced by the brain must have appeared preposterous back then. Many bold declarations about the future, made by some of the most respected thinkers, were proven wrong quickly thereafter. Reportedly, Albert Michelson, Nobel Prize laureate in physics, confidently stated in 1894 that the more important fundamental laws and facts of physical science had all been discovered; Charles H. Duell, the Commissioner of the U.S. Patent Office, believed back in 1899 that “everything that could be invented had already been invented”; and Ken Olsen, a co-founder of DEC, one of the earliest computer companies, concluded in 1977 that there was no reason for individuals to have computers in their homes. If even the best minds are prone to mistakes, how much confidence should the rest of us hold in our own “self-evident” assumptions? Our hope that the development of scientific thinking in children will help them recognize their erroneous assumptions later in life may be well-founded. However, rather than presenting scientific findings as “facts,” it is important to teach students that all scientific theories are provisional. In addition, exposing children to the misconceptions of great thinkers will help them readily accept their own mistakes, develop a “growth mindset,” and become dispassionate observers of their minds — like true scientists. Eventually, they will come to echo St. Augustine: “I err, therefore I am.” This realization can help replace the self-conscious anxiety that so often accompanies learning with the joy of new discoveries. Let’s collect our inaccurate assumptions throughout the year and revisit our collection regularly to appreciate how our understanding of the world changes over time. We should encourage our children to join us on this journey and then reflect, along with them, on how it felt to be right when we were in fact being wrong. Together, we will count the misconceptions that we have cheerfully discarded. And if the total turns out greater than it was in the previous year, then we will know for sure that we have grown wiser.

Zimbabwe has one of the highest rates of orphaning in the world with 25 percent of all children having lost one or both parents due to HIV and other catastrophic causes (UNICEF 2010). Many of these children lack the educational services they need for academic success and to thrive in society. This is mainly due to fractured government agencies along with lack of proper documentation of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and insufficient case management capacity. Although education provides the knowledge and skills needed for child protection and development, most OVC, particularly adolescent orphan girls in Zimbabwe are dropping out of school due to lack of transitional services that could address the challenges of poverty, HIV/AIDS, intrahousehold discrimination and psychosocial stress. The situation continues despite the availability of multisectoral responses, child-friendly policies and strategies, increased investments in education and donor-funding coordination mechanisms in Zimbabwe (Foster 2010). A study I conducted in the urban community of Mufakose, Harare, identified the major barriers faced by OVC, particularly adolescent girls, in receiving the educational services they require to navigate the challenges they encounter in school, home and the community. The study projects that at least 787 OVC in the Mufakose Community have fallen through the cracks of the social services system and that more than 124 are out of school. To ensure that OVC who now fall through the cracks instead begin to receive the education they deserve, this paper recommends service delivery reform through community transition agencies. Community transition agencies provide transitional services and support that enables OVC to meet age-appropriate education milestones and to earn high school and post-secondary school diplomas that will enable them to achieve significantly brighter outcomes as adults (Leone and Weinberg 2010). As community gatekeepers, these agencies act as buffers to protect and promote the rights of OVC who are at risk of disconnecting from the social services systems. Community transition agents are service brokers, ensuring that the educational and psychosocial needs of OVC are identified and matched to the available resources in the community, facilitating increased enrollment and school retention. Overall then, through advocacy and capacity building, transition service delivery by these agencies can bridge social services gaps fostering positive schooling experiences, academic success and psychosocial well-being. As affirmed by Atkinson (2007:15); Successful transitions build respect for individual differences, encourage understanding of the whole child, create a sense of trust and belonging, and reduce child and family anxiety toward school. Transitions that bring together the home, school, and community continue the collaborative effort and promote the common goal of providing successful school experiences for all children. Accordingly, this paper advocates a community systems framework for coordinating high-quality transitional services to enhance educational attainment for adolescent orphan girls in Zimbabwe. After the first introductory section, the paper is organized in six thematic sections. The second and third sections outline the situation of OVC in general and Zimbabwe’s educational responses for OVC. The fourth section explores transitional education needs and programs. The fifth section describes a case study conducted by the Blossoms Children Community in Mufakose to assess of OVC educational service delivery. And the sixth section highlights the solution for delivering transitional services for adolescent orphaned girls at the community systems level. The seventh section concludes.

Simple Guide to Write a Research Paper Outline A research paper outline is an important point – by – point plan, which makes writing a research paper more straightforward. Before you start your research paper, you need to: - Choose an appropriate topic - State your argument – have a thesis statement. - Define your audience – know your readers. - Conduct research - Organise your references Writing a good research paper outline A research paper outline consists of three main parts - introduction, body and conclusion. All these parts must have relevant contents, as explained below. The introduction must contain the hook, your defined audience and thesis statement. The body must contain an argument to support the thesis. Also, the conclusion must include a summary of discussions and a call to action. The introduction is the preliminary page of any academic work. It must be fascinating, arresting and informative. The intro is what determines if your audience will continue to read your paper or not. As stated earlier, an introduction must have three main parts. They are: - As its name implies, it is the part that wins your readers over. It must be arresting and fascinating. - Define your audience: know who your readers are and explain to them why they are your target audience. - Thesis statement: make your argument known. Your thesis statement must answer the questions -“What are you writing about?" “What point do you want to prove or explain?” and “Why is it important?”. All these must be simple and clearly stated in your introduction. The body is a significant part of the paper outline. It occupies the most substantial part of any research paper because it has no volume limitation. All relevant information you have gathered from various resources that are related to your topic should show up in this part. Ensure all information given in your paper are accurate. You may want to use tables, and quote some authors, ensure you provide proper references and citations according to the accepted paper format. Ensure there is a connection between the introduction and the body of your research paper when you have ordered a research paper at Mypaperdone.com. You should take into consideration the style and tone stated in the introductory part of your essay. However, do not use casual words while writing your paper. This is the final part of the research work. It must summarise the arguments discussed in the previous sections of the paper. However, the conclusion should cover the central part that will help your readers to understand your work thoroughly, yet, it must not be too long. Explained below are the parts of the conclusion: - Summary of arguments: in this concluding part, you need to restate your thesis and give a general overview of the cases used in your research paper. - Call to action: this part finally ends the research work. Ensure you give recommendations before concluding. Furthermore, give your readers a final message – it may be a call to action for future researchers to work on or a call to the discussion. Copyright © 2024 - All Rights Reserved - EuskalPen Easy Ideas For Better Writing

Problem solving example Is it essential to a data center? The reasons why a 48-V power supply is required and the challenges of power supply design (1) -Why is a 48-V power supply required?- Applications of 5G technology are accelerating daily, while processors including CPU, GPU, FPGA, ASIC, etc., used in data centers and edge AI servers, are evolving. With such evolution, problems such as load fluctuation and heat generation are created. As a solution, 48-V power feeding is getting more attention. Accordingly, this article discusses problem solutions applied to data centers with 48-V power feeding. Evolution of data centers for supporting 5G societies The next-generation high-speed communication 5G services have started recently. Over the next ten years until 2030, various convenient features not available in the past are expected to surround us with a substantial improvement in communication performance. Widespread use of mobile phone contracts with unlimited communication capacity, remote medical treatments and construction work by MR (mixed reality technology), and all the way down to general-purpose self-driving. As the infrastructure to support the availability of these services, technology evolution and deployment plans for 5G wireless base stations are updated almost daily. However, what we should not forget, at the same time, is the advancement of data centers for executing the arithmetic processing of applications in the background. (Fig. 1) The high-performance processors such as CPUs, ASICs, etc., for executing calculations have improved their performance utilizing multi-core design and higher clock operation. In addition, performance improvement is tried through an efficient combination of different types of processors (Fig. 2) The high-performance processors used in the previous data centers were primarily CPUs used for servers along with ASICs used for communication processing in switches and routers, but now high-performance processors used for performance optimization (such as GPU and ASIC for AI processing, FPGA for enabling flexible processing, and DPU for efficient data processing, etc.) are more widely used. For example, leap-frog improvement of operational performance is achieved by applying large-scale processing of a server having two CPUs combined with 8 GPUs in a separate housing. (Fig. 3) Power consumption issues of a data center One of the problems deemed difficult in recent years in the evolution of data centers is the increasing power consumption.The main reason exists in processors. In the past, power consumption was suppressed by improving processing performance through adopting a finer cutting process. However, in recent years, the power reduction effect by adopting a finer process is said to be less due to physical restrictions. (Dull-out effect of Moor’s law) Based on such background, power consumption of data centers has been increasing gradually, and without taking action now, global-scale power depletion may be produced. Therefore, the reduction of power loss by reducing wasted heat is becoming increasingly important. The leading index widely used for power efficiency in data centers is PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness). PUE is expressed, as shown in the following formula; a smaller value indicates good power efficiency. The companies offering cloud services try to suppress the PUE of each data center by applying an individual technological approach (Fig. 4) While each company actively reduces power consumption, Google LLC was the leader in adopting the 48-V DC power feeding method. This technique has gained widespread support toward optimization of components and circuits and achieving industry-wide adoption in the data-center-related businesses. Current status of 48-V DC power feeding in the data centers Advantage of 48-V DC power feeding 48-V DC power is applied to the AC/DC power source to the DC/DC power input terminal of each computation board. For example, in carrying 12-kW power, 12 V 1000 A is equivalent to 48 V 250 A, but from the viewpoint of power loss by distribution (distribution loss = I2R), a large difference is generated. By assuming the resistance of the distribution path is 0.1 mΩ, distribution loss with 12 V is 100 W, but in the case of 48 V, the loss is 6.25 W, generating a 16 times difference. (Fig. 5) As shown in this example, when the power per rack exceeds 10 kW, the power distribution loss generated by traditional 12-V DC power is said to reach an intolerable level, but a 48-V DC power supply significantly contributes to power saving for a data center. Selection of power supply sources When a 48-V DC power feeding is adopted, the power configuration of the DC/DC converter needs to be changed from the 12-V DC power supply. Briefly described, two methods are used. The single-stage method reduces the 48-V power source to the load voltage by using a single power supply. The two-stage method reduces the source voltage to an intermediate voltage and then to the load voltage. (Fig. 6) Each of single-stage method and two-stage method has advantages and disadvantages as shown below, and either method is selected according to the design requirements such as size, cost, etc. (Table 1) |Power supply circuit size can be made smaller. |Usable circuits and components are limited. = High cost |Large selection of circuits and components. = Low cost A compatible design with the existing 12-V server is possible. |The power supply circuit size gets larger. Of the two methods shown, one that would take the mainstream is the two-stage method. The reason comes from compatibility with the existing 12-V servers and stable component supply in the introduction stage of the 48-V system. The simplest method of achieving compatibility is to attach a compact 48 V - 12 V conversion board after the existing 12-V server board. The two-stage design would substantially impact power source efficiency if the existing conditions are maintained, but the ideas shown below are in progress to maintain overall efficiency. - ・Improvement of the power supply itself - Adoption of non-stabilized output, resonance switching method, etc. (1st stage) and low input voltage (2nd stage) for efficiency improvement - ・Adjustment of voltage and current path - Optimization of distribution voltage and path length in each power source for reducing the total distribution loss Importance of high-performance, high-quality bulk capacitors (*1) To achieve high reliability and stable operation of the two-stage power supply structure shown here, it is important to select the best-suited components for the 1st- and 2nd-stage DC/DC converters. For each input and output part for the 1st and 2nd stages of the 48-V power supply, appropriate Panasonic capacitors are shown below. (Fig. 2, Table 2) |Bulk capacitor standard rating 1st stage input |Supporting low cost and large capacitor (Concern exists for temperature characteristics and capacity deterioration caused by liquid electrolyte). |Supporting temperature stability, long life, and reliability with total solid material (When reliability has priority, E-cap cannot be used). |Supporting the intermediate features between E-cap and OS-CON by using semi-solid material. 1st stage output / 2nd stage input |Large capacity and high ripple current characteristics are effective for large current fluctuation backup and power source smoothing. |A component height of 2 mm is effective for high-density servers requiring back-surface component mounting and large-current fluctuation backup for accelerator cards. 2nd stage output |Large capacity and low ESR characteristics are effective for large current fluctuation backup. In addition, a component height of 2 mm is effective for enabling back-surface component mounting because the output board front surface is limited. |Compact and large capacity components are best-suited for high-density servers and accelerator cards. Panasonic’s conductive high-polymer capacitors are deemed effective as bulk capacitors (*1) important for power source stabilization. The next session will focus on more detailed points to be considered when selecting capacitors in each position of input and output units of the 1st stage and 2nd stage DC/DC converters. (*1) Bulk capacitors Capacitors that have the largest capacitance in each position of a power circuit are used with smaller capacitance capacitors in parallel. The role of these capacitors is to suppress voltage fluctuation by supplying or absorbing current at the time of current increase or reduction caused mainly by input or output.

How do we design a system for families to experience dioramas and learn about the human impact on ecosystem in a more engaging way? We observed that there was a limited parent to child engagement at the museum. Through our research and interview, we found that: Parents and children moved at different speeds throughout the exhibition. Lack of more in-depth conversation about artifacts and further learning engagement Need to increase amount of information and activities provided through the use of technology 40% of families spent 2–5 minutes in the diorama hall, which contains 26 dioramas. diorama hasn’t updated new information about the change of ecosystem A lack of engagement viewing the dioramas because: Target Users & Implementations Based on observations and discussions with museum staff and elementary school educators, we decided to focus on 5-11 years old children and their parents to utilize: Incorporate the concept of human impacts inside the ecosystems presented by the dioramas Observation and inquiry to promote conversation Use open-ended questions to provide opportunities for in-depth learning and engagement Provide a variety of entry points for different types of learners Use role-playing to further engage children with the diorama environments We applied five research methods in our primary research: interviews, expert interviews, contextual inquiry, shadowing and fly-on-the-wall. We conducted 18 families interviews when we were in the museum context. We asked child and parent separately around questions such as: What did you find interesting in the museum? Was there any exhibit that was hard to understand from the information provided? What do you wish your child gets out of visiting the museum today? Did you do anything to engage your children while going through the exhibits? We had the opportunity to speak with museum staff who worked in the Education Department. These interviews provided us insight into some of the museum's desires and concerns, such as the importance to preserve the tradition of dioramas and the desire to incorporate the concept of Anthropocene throughout other exhibitions on display at the museum. We also had the opportunity to speak with an elementary school educator to gain a better understanding of the learning process and techniques that are utilized in engaging young children. Design concept Iteration We started with a very broad idea of educating children about climate change about human impacts. However, there are too many factors to this idea. Then we iterated our concept to macro Impacts vs. micro Impacts about time. Implementing time element to the design somehow scope down our concept to specific human impacts to the ecosystem. Through our research, we found that invasive species is one of the primary human impacts that influence the ecosystem in animal's habitats. The activity allows the children to control timeline to observe how invasive species affect the environment over time and plege to help for improving the environment. After analyzing the information we gathered from research and interviews, we derived the following design principles to help guide our project: Dioramas Entry Center The users first arrive at the center station. Here they are able to select the dioramas they would like to visit and receive the items they will need to complete Wildlife Adventure. They are introduced to Ranger Joe, Wildlife Adventure's mascot, and given basic instructions by a stationed museum employee. At first, we were targeting toward children around 5-8 years old. Our visual style and languages lean to more toddler understanding approach. As we decided to involve parents participating in the activities, our approach shifted to somewhat in between that both parents and children could understand. When we were planning our wireframes, we also got feedbacks from elementary school teachers to proofread for the contents and instruction steps. Gear for role play Several items are given to visitors to encourage imaginary and role play, spark curiosity and foster great communication between children and their parents. 1st Diorama Activity - Augmented Reality and Educational Timeline When the child leaves the entry kiosk, she will receive a hand-held AR device (camera), workbook and ranger hat. We wanted to come across the concept of "play" to our idea. When the child activates the AR camera, she will follow the instructions on the screens step by step. After collecting all the animals on the camera, the child will go back to the station to learn more about the specific ecosystem of the diorama. Pledge system will come after the game which the child needs to pledge particular human impacts for improving the ecosystem. Map / Work book We not only want the children to have digital experience but also the physical workbooks for children to record their findings and thoughts. We view this workbook as a takeaway for children to understand the human impacts on the environment and what can they help to make the situation better in the future. The users, a child, and her parents in this context, should quickly go through the activities smoothly by following the instructions from the animated character (Ranger Joe) and information on individual kiosks. Seamlessly using AR camera to collect animals inside the dioramas and effortlessly navigate through the educational timeline game. Lastly, by giving the pledge for action and record reflection on the workbook, help children to rethink of human impacts to the ecosystem and bring awareness of make the situation better. The interface of individual activity flow and instruction have to be user-friendly and easy to understand so that the family will have a fun time exploring the dioramas and.pormote more meaningful conversation between the child and parents.

Sarah M. Rieger* California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco, California, USA Visit for more related articles at International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience Alterations in personality and behavior following traumatic brain injury (TBI) are examined in a review of the literature. Research suggests that changes in personality and behavior could be caused by the injury at an organic level, as well as the patient?s response to the injury and the subsequent deficits that are experienced. Currently, various treatment options are available and practitioners would serve patients best by sampling from many areas of psychological and medical interventions in order to create custom rehabilitation programs to suit the individual patient?s needs. Future research into the level of permanency of the personality changes, compensatory skill building for affect deficits, and increased involvement of social supports in treatment are suggested. In the last decade, traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become a buzz word among researchers, therapists, psychologists, social workers, medical professionals and the United States military. Although this form of injury has piqued the interest of the medical and psychological world since the mid-1800s with the famous injury of Phineas Gage (Macmillan & Lena, 2010), until the 1970s, research into the injury’s negative influence on social, emotional, and behavioral functioning had been a rare occurrence (Lezak, 1987). A traumatic brain injury can occur in any number of ways. Some of the most common causes of a TBI are motor vehicle accidents, falls, and assaults (Joseph, & Linley, 2008; Summers et al., 2009). Other medical causes of TBI include stroke, cerebral hypoxia (resulting from heart attack or near drowning), hypoglycemia, carbon monoxide poisoning, cerebral infections such as meningitis or encephalitis, or subarachnoid hemorrhage, usually due to an aneurysm (Joseph & Linley, 2008). Among military personnel, a staggering 79- 98% (Hoge et al., 2008; Summers et al., 2009) of TBIs are due to concussive blast waves from an improvised explosive device (IED) blast (Slone & Friedman, 2008). The second highest rates of TBI are from penetrating head injuries resulting from bullets and shrapnel (Slone & Friedman, 2008). Among military personnel, TBI rates are seen in epidemic proportions since Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Between the years 2000 and 2014, the military reported 313,816 new TBI injuries amongst its members (DVBIC, 2015). However, it is difficult to determine what the actual rates are for TBI; it can often be misdiagnosed as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as the symptoms can be similar or not diagnosed at all. It is estimated that of service members who incur injuries from a blast attack, 60 to 80% of them mostly likely suffer from some degree of TBI (Slone & Friedman, 2008), and approximately 44% of them will also develop PTSD (Hoge et al., 2008). Traumatic brain injuries, as noted above, are not a militaryspecific injury, with civilians experiencing them a great deal as well. It is estimated that approximately 1.7 million Americans suffer from a TBI each year (Waldron-Perrine et al., 2011), while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that in 2010 alone there were approximately 2.5 million new cases and that TBI is responsible for approximately 50,000 deaths per year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Another research article estimated that TBIs occur in approximately 30% of the general population (Burg, Williams, Burright, & Donovick, 2000). This injury tends to occur most often in males between the ages of 15 and 24 (Burg et al., 2000; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). On a global scale, TBIs occur in approximately seven to ten million people annually (Crowe, 2008; Hyder et al., 2007). As noted above among military personnel, these statistics are most likely low, as most mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) go undiagnosed, as individuals do not seek treatment for them. As stated earlier, until recently, most research and treatment of mTBI and TBI has been to address cognitive deficits resulting from injury. It was posited that any alterations in behavior were most likely in response to the cognitive deficits and not necessarily due to the injury itself. More often than not, the deficits in affect and personality were much more detrimental to the patient than any cognitive deficits they experienced following the injury (Lezak, 1987; Lezak, & O’Brien, 1988). However, before it can be determined whether a TBI can cause changes in personality, it is best if a definition of personality is put forth. Personality is defined as patterns of emotional and motivational responses that develop over the life of the organism; are highly influenced by early life experiences; are modifiable, but not easily changed, by behavioral or teaching methods; and greatly influence (and are influenced by) cognitive processes (Prigatano, 1992). In people, these patterns of emotional and motivational responses are in part self-recognized, but they may remain outside the individual’s realm of conscious awareness. Personality changes are attributed to a TBI when the injury causes obvious and marked changes in the patient’s pre-injury characteristic behavior (Prigatano, 1992); these changes in personality can be temporary or permanent. Others who are familiar with the individual’s daily behavioral characteristics may recognize emotional and motivational responses that the person may not be fully aware of or able to report subjectively. Most often, permanent changes are attributed to damage to the limbic and frontal cortex systems of the brain and most often involve affective deficits. The DSM-5 includes a diagnosis of Personality Change Due to a General Medical Condition (diagnostic code 310.1). It states that the change in personality is a marked difference in the patient’s previous characteristic behavior patterns (APA, 2013). The diagnostic features include affective instability, poor impulse control, outbursts of aggression or rage that are disproportional to the stressor, suspiciousness or paranoia, and apathy. The DSM notes that these symptoms are found in a variety of medical diagnoses including central nervous system neoplasms (tumors), head trauma, and epilepsy (APA, 2013). The purpose of this literature review is to examine the relationship between TBI and subsequent personality and behavior changes in patients. There has been much research in the last 30 years, but there been few comprehensive and recent reviews of this literature specifically. The link between personality changes and TBI will be explored and a discussion of whether personality changes following a TBI are due to organic reasons, or if the personality changes are the patient’s reaction to the injury and subsequent cognitive deficits. Finally, recommendations will be made for possible avenues of treatment and suggestions for future research considering the findings will follow. A search using PsycINFO with the search terms “personality change” and “traumatic brain injur*” was conducted with the parameter that all results be in English, yielded 90 results. Additional articles were gathered from the reference list of the book, The Behavioural and Emotional Complications of Traumatic Brain Injury (Crowe, 2008). In total, 23 articles were retained based on the relevance for this review. A further search was done using the Puget Sound World Cat system using “personality change and TBI.” This search yielded 581 results, 24 of which were books and a majority of the articles were duplicates of the articles found in the previous search. Four of the books were retained due to the more comprehensive information that they offered. Two additional books were found through the references lists in journal articles that were pertinent to TBI implications and treatment for military personnel. Along with these six books, the DSM-5 was including for diagnostic criteria and the major traumatic brain injury website resources (brainline.org, cdc.gov, dvbic.dcoe. mil, and who.int) were used for statistics. The information in these sources proved to be invaluable to this literature review. Below is a detailed review of the information and key themes that were discovered upon review of the source material. Premorbid conditions may play a part in personality changes following a TBI. There were several studies which suggested that social and/or emotional deficits or personality variations may be explained by preexisting susceptibilities and characteristics (Joseph, & Linley, 2008). One personality trait in particular, premorbid substance abuse, was noted to have an association with post-injury behavior. It was found that in patients who had a history of substance abuse issues, their post-injury substance abuse behavior would either increase or decrease significantly, while those who did not have a history of substance abuse before the TBI did not begin to abuse following the injury (Crowe, 2008). It was not mentioned whether this information may have been skewed because substance abusers are much more likely to be involved in accidents that result in a TBI; in fact, approximately 30% of civilian adults were intoxicated at the time of their injury (Brainline.org, 2015a). A study on impulse aggression following TBI was conducted in 2001 (Greve et al., 2001). The researchers defined impulse aggression as “a hair trigger response” to stimuli that results in aggressive behavior. The researchers conducted the study with 45 (26 in the impulsive aggression group and 19 in the non-aggressive control) residents at a brain injury rehabilitation facility. The researchers found that a large majority of the individuals in the impulse aggression group had premorbid personality traits of aggression and behavior that would be categorized as impulsive; these traits were determined via The Lifetime History of Aggression questionnaire. They posited that the TBI did not cause the impulse aggression but rather exacerbated premorbid characteristics in the now disinhibited patients; these outcomes were associated with frontal lobe damage. A study that suggested that premorbid conditions may not be the full explanation was also found (Tate, 2003). In the study, 45 patients at a brain injury rehabilitation facility were given two batteries, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire - Revised and the Current Behavior Scale, at approximately eight weeks, six months, and 12 months post-injury. There were marked changes in personality, particularly neuroticism, addiction, criminality (heightened), and extroversion (decreased). There was no evidence to suggest that premorbid characteristics had any impact on specific changes in personality post-injury (Tate). There was also no association found between the area of the brain damaged (frontal damage versus nonfrontal) and the noted characterological changes. These findings suggest that the injury itself may be responsible for the changes in the patients’ behavior in at least in some cases. Depression among TBI patients has received much attention. While increased vulnerability to depression is associated with TBIs of all severity levels (both in civilian and military populations) (Burg et al., 2000; Crowe, 2008; Lezak, 1987; Lezak, & O’Brien, 1988; Perlick et al., 2011; Prigatano, 1992; Rush et al., 2006; Weddell & Leggett, 2006) there is disagreement about whether the TBI is the organic cause of the depression, or if the depression is the response to lowered function following a TBI. The cognitive deficits that tend to follow TBI require the patient to go through lengthy rehabilitation to possibly regain some lost functioning. The time and energy spent on rehabilitation with slow improvement could leave some patients feeling depressed or hopeless. Patients who experience memory problems post-injury tend to have higher instances of depression than individuals without memory deficits (Prigatano, 1992). Similarly, as a patient becomes more aware of cognitive deficits, the likelihood that the patient will become depressed increases (Rush et al., 2006; Weddell & Leggett, 2006). Furthermore, the social isolation and increased dependency on friends and family that many patients experience may also lend itself to the development of depression (Prigatano, 1992; Rush et al., 2006; Weddell & Leggett, 2006). There is also some research that suggests that, organically, TBIs may be the culprit of depression. The frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are especially susceptible to a TBI. It is this area of the brain, along with the limbic system, that is responsible for much of our mood and behavior. Damage to these areas of the brain could be responsible for depression (and other changes in personality) at an organic level (Burg et al., 2000; Crowe, 2008). As is the case with depression, it is likely that anxiety will follow a TBI, but may be due to the awareness of developed deficits, and not solely the injury (Burg et al., 2000; Crowe, 2008; Lezak, 1987; Lezak, & O’Brien, 1988; Prigatano, 1992). While depression seems to be highly correlated with memory deficits, anxiety appears to be associated with difficulties in attention and focus (Prigatano, 1992). There are cases in which damage to the amygdala and frontal lobes are associated with the development of anxiety and anxiety disorders (Crowe, 2008). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In addition to depression and anxiety being likely to develop following a TBI, much of the research suggests many patients suffering from TBI may also develop PTSD. Among veterans, this comorbidity tends to have a high rate of occurrence (Dausch & Saliman, 2009; Ruzek et al., 2011) as high as 71% in one study (Perlick et al., 2011). This connection is contrary to the belief that one cannot develop PTSD without a recollection of the traumatic event; quite the contrary, PTSD can occur even if there is no memory of the even due to posttraumatic amnesia associated with TBI (Joseph & Linley, 2008; Ruzek et al., 2011; Slone & Friedman, 2008). Although all the aftereffects of TBI should be closely monitored, one in particular that clinicians should screen for is suicidality. Suicide risk among TBI civilian patients is approximately two to four times greater than those without a TBI (Brainline.org, 2015b). A study of 42 patients with severe TBIs (Crowe, 2008) showed that at one year post-injury, 10% had suicidal ideation and 2% had made suicide attempts since the injury. By five years post-injury, 15% of the patients had made suicide attempts. Completed suicides among patients with a TBI were up to 4.12 times the rates of the general population (Engberg & Teasdale, 2001). In a study of 650 TBI patients, five individuals had completed suicide (Harris & Barraclough, 1997), which puts the rate of suicide among this population at approximately three times the United States national average. Oquendo et al. (2004) studied 325 patients who fit criteria for either Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar I Disorder; 109 of them had experienced a mTBI (Oquendo, 2004). They found that the patients with mTBI were much more likely to attempt suicide than the patients with no history of mTBI. Considering only the patients with TBI, the researchers found that 80% of the individuals who had attempted suicide did so subsequent to the injury. Their results suggested that the best predictors of suicide attempt following a TBI are increased aggression or hostility in the patient post-injury. While substance use or abuse tends to account for a significant proportion of TBIs, the rates of substance abuse before and after the injury are somewhat hopeful. Rates of substance use and abuse following a TBI decreased significantly in one study (Kreutzer, Wehman, Harris et al., 1991). The researchers conducted a study involving 74 patients with a history of TBI. Each participant was given the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test and pre-injury substance use levels were obtained by way of interviews from the patients’ primary caretaker. The patients were categorized into five levels of drinking: Abstinent went from a pre-injury proportion of 20% to 51%, post-injury; Infrequent moved from 4% pre-injury to 7% postinjury; Light had a pre-injury proportion of 8% to 10% post-injury; Moderate had a pre-injury proportion of 30% to 19% post-injury; and lastly, heavy dropped from 38% pre-injury to an impressive 13% post-injury. These findings dispute the common misconception that TBI leads to heavy substance use; the levels of abstinent drinkers following TBI were at much higher proportions than the general population, and the proportion of heavy drinkers was much lower than the general population. Another study conducted in 2002 showed similar declines in substance abuse following TBI (Kolakowsky-Hayner et al., 2002). In their study, they compared the substance use between spinal cord injury patients and TBI patients. The researchers discovered that out of those TBI patients who were classified as heavy drinkers before their injury, only 29% remained so, with 23% decreasing to a moderate level, six percent became infrequent drinkers and over 40% became abstinent. The results also showed that all the TBI patients who were abstinent before the injury remained so post-injury, with 75% of the infrequent drinkers and 25% of the moderate drinkers became abstinent following the injury. Changes in Sexual Behavior A change in sexual behavior following TBI is a topic that has not received much attention. Among research that has been done, researchers have found that alterations in sexual desire and performance can be seen among TBI patients (Crowe, 2008). Other changes that are seen post-injury are the development of hyposexuality (decreased libido), hypersexuality (increase in libido), and paraphilias that were not present pre-injury. Changes in sexual preference and orientation following TBI have been documented (Miller, Cummings, McIntyre et al., 1986), though this is not a typical occurrence. There are several different things that may be contributing to changes in sexual behavior following TBI (Crowe, 2008). There are several areas of the brain that are responsible for the maintenance of healthy sexual behavior including the cerebral cortex, subcortex, peripheral nervous system, brain stem, and the neuroendocrine system and injuries to these areas may causes differences in sexual behaviors or preferences. Lesions found in the limbic system and cortex have been associated with dysfunctional sexual behavior. Furthermore, damage to the frontal lobes, which are especially susceptible to TBI, has also been linked to altered sexual behavior including higher instances of sexual cognitions or fantasies and sexual disinhibition following TBI. Changes in sexual orientation, while rare, are most often associated with lesions on the limbic system, hypothalamus, and temporal lobe (Miller et al., 1986). Bigler (1989) put forth an illustrative case study in which she asked a spouse of a severe TBI patient to compare her husband’s personality and behavior pre- and post-injury. Following his injury, the wife noted that there were marked changes in his confidence, drive and energy, self-esteem, self-image, sense of humor, and temper and anger control (Bigler, 1989). After collecting this information from the spouse, an MMPI was administered and compared it to one that the husband had taken 15 months earlier (Bigler, 1989). The author noted that in the first MMPI, there were no indications of abnormal behavior; however, on the subsequent MMPI, there were significant changes in personality with several elevated subscales. Research into the area of personality changes following TBI has found similar trends to the above case study. Alterations in initiative, loss of social competency, loss of interest in premorbid recreation (Crowe, 2008; Lezak & O’Brien, 1988), loss of empathy (Joseph & Linley, 2008; Slone & Friedman, 2008), increased anger (Crowe, 2008; Golden & Golden, 2003; Lezak, 1987; Prigatano, 1992; Slone & Friedman, 2008), increased isolating behavior, increased irritability (Brooks & McKinlay, 1983; Crowe, 2008; Greve et al., 2001; Tate, 2003; Weddell & Leggett, 2006), social disinhibition, insensitivity, paranoia (Crowe, 2008; Prigatano, 1992; Weddell & Leggett, 2006), increased immaturity (Crowe, 2008; Prigatano, 1992), lack of motivation, loss of spontaneity, increased agitation (Prigatano, 1992), loss of confidence in oneself, loss of drive, lowered self-esteem, increased social isolation (Bigler, 1989), increased neuroticism, decreased extroversion, increased impulsivity (Rush et al., 2006; Tate, 2003), loss of religious faith or spirituality (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 1999), apathy, lost initiative, impatience, loss of trust in others, delusions, disordered eating, narcissism, lost or decreased desire for intimacy, homicidal ideation (Crowe, 2008), and impaired self-awareness (Rush, Malec, Brown, & Moessner, 2006) have all been documented. In addition to these consequences of TBI, all the above cited authors note that depression and anxiety are also very highly correlated with mTBI and TBI as discussed earlier in this review. In 2006, a study was conducted to evaluated personality changes following TBI as perceived by close relatives of the patients (Weddell & Leggett, 2006). The researchers conducted the study with 72 patients who had suffered a TBI (ranging in severity) within the previous four years. They administered the WAIS-R Full Scale IQ, the WMS Logical Memory and Visual Reproduction, the University of Pennsylvania Small Test, the Spielberger Trait Anxiety, Zung Depression scale, and the Anger towards the Relative scale to the patients as well as in-depth interviews with the relatives of each patient. The results supported the theory that personality changes are associated with frontal lobe damage. Something that the researchers did not anticipate was that the results indicated that while personality changes were correlated with the injury itself, the damage was not entirely responsible; when the patient’s social network was not supportive and there were high degrees of criticism and stress, the personality changes that were noted were more pronounced than in patients who had supportive relatives, indicating that personality changes may not have a purely organic origin following brain injuries. A longitudinal study conducted in 1988 added to the body of evidence of personality changes following TBI (Lezak & O’Brien, 1988). Forty-two patients with a recent TBI (ranging in severity) were examined over the course of the five-year study. At the checkin each year, the Portland Adaptability Inventory was administered to the patients. The results showed that between the first and second year post-injury, there was marked impairment in functionality which was attributed to increased levels of depression and anxiety, though this seemed to improve by the third or fourth year. By the end of the fifth year, approximately 40% of the subjects still had severe difficulty in anger control, which made it difficult for the patients to obtain and maintain employment and interpersonal relationships, which then furthered their anger and depression. Although a majority of the research into TBI and personality change suggests that there is a correlation between the two, there is also research that indicates that personality may not be affected. In a study involving 106 patients with moderate to severe TBI, 87 with mTBI, and 82 patients with orthopedic injuries (control) (Rush, Malec, Brown, & Moessner, 2006). The researchers administered the Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test, the Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Conscientiousness and Agreeableness scale, the Independent Living Scale, and the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory to each patient. The researchers stated that they found no evidence of permanent, long-term personality changes due to TBI, regardless of severity. They did find evidence to suggest that depression is a likely outcome of TBI, and that in the shortterm, the patients did experience increases in neuroticism. The researchers noted that they do not argue that pervasive personality changes don’t result when the frontal lobes are severely damaged in a TBI; however, they believe that this is a rare occurrence. Rush and her colleagues suggested that rather than stating that patients experience changes in personality post-injury, that stating that the patients having changes in behavior would be more accurate (Rush, Malec, Brown, & Moessner, 2006). However, there has also been research that highlights some positive outcomes to TBI. A study of 82 TBI patients in which the patients were each asked “how have you been feeling (emotionally) over the last week?” The researchers noted that out of the 101 responses, 35 of them were entirely positive (Joseph & Linley, 2008). The researchers noted that there were several areas in which there was positive change following a traumatic event, namely a TBI: appreciation for life, relating to others, and personal strength. Following a TBI (and other traumatic experiences) patients can experience positive growth, including a greater appreciation for life and an alteration in priorities (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 1999; Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2006; Weddell, & Leggett, 2006). Indications for Treatment Treatment options for patients with TBI appear to be as varied as the patients themselves. Psychoeducation concerning the nature of TBI as well as rehabilitation and prognosis are recommended by several researchers (Burg et al., 2000; Dausch & Saliman, 2009; Weddell & Leggett, 2006). Psychoeducation is stated to be useful so that patients, caretakers, and family have a clear idea about realistic expectations considering the extent of their injuries and for rehabilitation. Psychotherapy, which may include CBT, art therapy, music therapy, or biofeedback, is also highly recommended; Goals of particular importance in psychotherapy are steps towards selfreliance, stress reduction, mindfulness (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2006), the development of compensatory strategies to offset cognitive deficits (Ruzek et al., 2011; Weddell & Leggett, 2006) goal-oriented and solution-focused activities, and self-efficacy (Crowe, 2008; Joseph & Linley, 2008). It is also suggested the use of traumafocused form of psychotherapy to ensure that components of avoidance are addressed (Joseph & Linley). Biofeedback has been shown to be helpful in treating TBI patients with headaches, stressrelated disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and cognitive deficits. Alternative therapies such as music therapy can be useful for patients who experience, loss of language or speech as a result of their injuries (Murrey, 2006). Along with individual psychotherapy, several authors suggest that group therapy may be helpful for those who need additional social skill building or peer support (Crowe, 2008; Dahlberg et al., 2007; Joseph & Linley, 2008). In order to assist patients in achieving the best results possible postinjury, traditional psychotherapy should be altered to accommodate any cognitive deficits the patients may be experiencing. Due to the high comorbidity level of TBI and PTSD, clinicians must be aware of the possible overlap in patient symptomology. Normal courses of treatment for PTSD should be modified to take into account the cognitive and emotional impairments associated with TBI in order for the interventions to be successful. It is also worth mentioning that because most TBIs involve damage to the frontal and temporal lobes, disinhibition in some patients may be more dangerous than others. In instances in which patients were suicidal prior to the TBI, they may become even more likely to attempt suicide post-injury, even more so than patients with a history of suicide attempts that have not experienced a TBI. Clinicians should be sure to screen thoroughly for suicidal ideation in their TBI patients. Brain injury rehabilitation should be tailored to the patient’s unique needs. Typically brain injury rehabilitation includes providers from many different specialties including nursing, psychiatry, neuropsychology and psychology, neurology, counseling, occupational and physical therapy, speech therapy, and education (Ruzek et al., 2011). For patients who are dealing with substance abuse issues, substance abuse treatment programs are encouraged (Crowe, 2008; Murrey, 2006). Both authors suggest that the programs be tailored to fit the needs of the TBI patients, taking into account any deficits in cognitive abilities. Furthermore, the authors urge that the patients’ families be involved in the treatment process, as social and familial support are crucial to rehabilitation and substance abuse treatment. Another key theme in the treatment research is family involvement. Patients of all TBI severity levels who have supportive family involvement in rehabilitation tend to fair much better and have more successful rehabilitation than those patients without family support (Brooks & McKinlay, 1983; Dausch & Saliman, 2009; Perlick et al., 2011; Prigatano, 1992; Ruzek et al., 2011; Slone & Friedman, 2008). Poor family or social support can have negative effects on treatment outcomes. In cases in which there is much dysfunction among the patient’s family, steps should be taken to alleviate family stress and build cohesiveness to ensure the best possible outcome for the patient. Furthermore, if it is possible to help the client maintain consistent exposure to supportive interpersonal relationships, this can help combat the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many TBI patients experience, which may help to offset depression. This key factor, regardless of treatment modality, results in better rehabilitation outcomes among TBI patients. Apart from therapy and alternative treatment approaches, several of the authors suggest that medication may be useful in managing some of the patients’ more severe symptomology. Depending on the diagnoses and severity of a patient’s symptoms, a psychiatrist could prescribe selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, lithium salts, cholinesterase inhibitors (for memory issues), Buspirone (anxiety stabilizer), Trazodone (for sleep difficulties), Prazosin (to manage nightmares) (Ruzek et al., 2011), beta-blockers, Ritalin or Adderal (Crowe, 2008; Ruzek et al., 2011), antidepressants (Prigatano, 1992) and narcotic pain relievers (Crowe, 2008). There are several points that therapists and psychologists should keep in mind when working with TBI patients (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2006). Therapists need to have an understanding on working through the impact of trauma and challenging unhealthy beliefs or schemas. Therapists should be wary of not focusing so intently on negative effects of TBI that they overlook positive growth, as these observations can help motivate patients to continue the difficult rehabilitation process. Although research into personality and behavior changes following TBI is relatively new, there was a wealth of knowledge to be gained from exploring this topic. While there remains to be some discrepancies in whether or not the personality changes are a function of the TBI or if they are in response to the injury, there seems to be agreement that personality and behavior changes can happen following mTBI and TBI. The research gathered for this literature has three major themes. The first theme is that traumatic brain injuries happen across populations. While men aged 15-24 do make up a majority of the injuries, this does not exclude females and males outside this age range from experiencing this type of injury. Furthermore, the research negates the notion that this type of injury is specific to certain professions. Civilians and military personnel alike in the United States experience high levels of TBI. As of yet, it remains to be seen if pervasive personality changes following TBI and mTBI are truly permanent or if patients may eventually return to baseline, barring any severe and permanent damage to the brain. The lengthiest longitudinal study found in the research for this literature was only five years (Lezak & O’Brien, 1988), and a longer follow-up study would be a beneficial for future research. Secondly, while TBI can damage any portion of the brain, the frontal and temporal lobes appear to be the most susceptible to damage and the most likely to be damaged when personality or behavioral changes are noted. Clinicians working with TBI patients who have had this area of their brain damaged in the injury, would do well to keep in mind that the personality or behavioral changes may be permanent in these instances. While the limbic system has been named as another area in which damage could causes serious and permanent personality or behavioral changes, the frontal and temporal lobes seem to be named a majority of the time. Potential future research in this area could examine whether there could be any compensatory skills building for emotional deficits that are a normal outcome of TBI to this area of the brain, much like there are skill building interventions used to compensate for cognitive deficits that occur following TBI. Thirdly, despite the type of intervention or treatment modality used in brain injury rehabilitation, a supportive social network is the highest predictor of successful outcomes in rehabilitation (Dausch & Saliman, 2009; Perlick et al., 2011; Prigatano, 1992; Ruzek et al., 2011; Slone & Friedman, 2008). Close family members in particular appear to help patients significantly in affect rehabilitation as well as increased cognitive function. In the future, researchers should examine spousal/partner relationships exclusively to determine if these relationships are an indicator of outcomes rather than looking a social or familial support as a whole. While many TBI patients do experience drastic personality and/ or behavioral changes, it is still not clear whether these changes are permanent or if the patient will eventually return to their pre-injury characteristic functioning. These outcomes appear to depend on a variety of factors, including familial and social support and premorbid functioning and pathology. New research is being conducted constantly to discover new and more concrete methods to treat this population and address the many changes and deficits that they are struggling to overcome. What can be said for certain is that no one intervention or area of treatment is going to be satisfactory in TBI rehabilitation, rather, it will take the cooperation of many different health care providers and care givers to establish a well-rounded and complete rehabilitation program that is tailored to the individual patient’s needs and focuses not only on developed skill deficits but any subsequent behavioral or personality changes as well. Make the best use of Scientific Research and information from our 700 + peer reviewed, Open Access Journals

“The Yellow Wallpaper”,by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is narrated by the protagonist, in which struggles with her psychological difficulties through a wallpaper. Her infatuation with the wallpaper, love/hate relationship takes over, and alters her thinking as time progresses. This psychological tale analysis’s the position of women in a marriage during their era. Her husband who is also is physician , attempts to cure her depression, which only worsens while he continues to suppress her from society. The story beings with a detailed description of her new house she was brought to by her husband for a better life. The “quite along” house which was “standing well back from the road,” signifies the way of life the married couple are to live. Seclusion from the world with no growth, change, allowing ones mind to wonder. John, the husband preferred his wife to live in seclusion as “treatment” with no remorse. The description of her house is an interpretation of her life, and hidden emotion. The “walls and gates that lock” implies the deep suppression and feeling of discomfort with her very existence at the time. The objects accent her life in confinement, and by her actions and words, hit her need to be released. John comes to a decision that their bed room was to be upstairs, with “windows that looked all ways.” The window and mention of the room upstairs represents enlightenment, opening opportunity for his beloved wife to be mended of her disease. Sunlight shines through the window, representing the rebirth and hope of the recuperating wife. The Garden in the new found home portrays what is believed to be paradise. The reason for the new home is for the narrators health to strengthen, paradise working as a sense of relaxation is attempt aid her to health. Yellow enacts in a large role throughout the story, signifying treachery and cowardice. The narrator is infatuated with the color and design, which puts a decline in her psychological state leading to her insanity. During one evening while the moon, representing death and rebirth, is in sight the wife attempts to address an issue with her husband. Of course her presentation was unsuccessful, as the husband continues to deny her right of freedom. The moon foreshadows the death of her idea. The description of the wallpaper symbolizes her internal struggles as she portrays the ideas through an object. In attempt to translate the object, she conveyed her own thoughts towards the world and society. The various light projections the narrator distinguishes symbolizes the rise and declines in the characters personality. The wallpaper is said to have different “shades” each of which the narrator has a different attitude towards. Throughout the whole story the narrator’s attitude towards the wallpaper as well as her husband alters dramatically as time progresses. Her opinions on the “wallpaper” are grasped from her true inner feelings of life itself. During an evening, that narrator was attempting to address her husband yet again. The evening representing death of dreams and hopes foreshadows the fact it was an attempt, not able to process her request her husband yet again. At one point the wallpaper was being described by a certain ray of light coming through the window. The sun shining through the “east window” portrays the hint of hope she has for life, as it is quickly taken away once the light leaves the east window. The fog mentioned resembles her uncertainty at this point of the story. There mystical wallpaper is taking over the narrator, effecting her opinion on the matter. Mentally straining the idea because of its uncertainty, the narrator battles between the mixed feelings making the cause of it the “wallpaper.” In the last scene, John is attempting to break down the “door” to get to his wife. The door acts as a shut opportunity for John, and protection for the narrator, allowing her to possess opinion, purpose, and freedom at last.

BY: Abdel-Hafez Al-Sawi* The Foreign exchange reserve in any country has a specific function, namely, to face the fluctuations in the state’s trading with world countries, and to secure its needs so that its economic performance should not be affected. There are other functions used by the central bank to manage the exchange rate through what is known as the open market mechanism. The open market gives the central bank room for movement in the exchange market to reach the equilibrium price that the central bank’s monetary policy considers as properly reflecting the supply and demand mechanisms. In case there is an abundance of the major foreign currencies in the market, which could raise the national currency’s price to less than the equilibrium price, the central bank then buys the quantities it deems surplus to the market’s needs, leading to an increase in the foreign exchange reserves. If there is a decline in the supply of foreign currencies, which could raise their prices, the central bank pumps quantities from its foreign exchange reserves into the market, bringing the price to the equilibrium rate, leading to a decrease in reserves. This policy is called the exchange rate protection. What is surprising in Egypt’s monetary policy after the January 25 revolution, is that the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) kept adhering to the policy of exchange rate protection until the entire foreign exchange reserve was wasted, turning into a negative balance in reality. And now, the Egyptian regime accepts the IMF’s requirements for the devaluation of the Egyptian pound or even floating it. However, the organizers of the monetary policy do not care about the economic damage that they have caused to all the economic operators in the Egyptian market, including citizens, foreigners, the public business sector, and the private sector. * Foreign exchange reserve before the January 25 revolution: Some go to a wrong assessment of the position of the foreign exchange reserve before the January 25 revolution, which was estimated at $ 36 billion by the end of December 2010. However, the fact is that these reserves included: - $ 8 billion as foreign investment in Egypt’s domestic public debt, - $ 10 billion from the sale of Bank of Alexandria to Italian investors, - the price of selling the license of the third mobile phone network to the Emirati “Etisalat” communications company, - and the returns achieved from the privatization of some public sector companies, that were sold to foreign partners in dollars. This means that nearly $ 22 billion of the reserve came from rentier resources, not from returns of production activities. In addition, Egypt’s main foreign exchange resources, at the time – such as the Suez Canal revenues, the tourism revenues, the remittances of Egyptian expatriates, and the returns from the commodity exports – used to act well, which enabled the existence of a state of stability in the exchange rate and maintaining the foreign exchange reserve. * Foreign exchange reserve after the revolution: The first transitional period after the revolution of January 25, 2011, in which the Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (ESCAF) assumed power, represents the beginning of the collapse of foreign exchange reserve, where about $ 22 billion were wasted during the period from February 2012 to June 2012, due to the wrong monetary policies, which made it possible for the exit of hot investments, as well as the funds of the Mubarak-era officials from the stock exchange without incurring any losses related to the exchange rate. The Central Bank of Egypt justified the collapse of foreign exchange reserve – under the ESCAF’s rule during the transitional period – in a press release at the end of January 2013, stating that the decline was due to the fact that the CBE provided foreign exchange to the Egyptian government to import food and oil products, and to repay the due external debt obligations. The CBE also referred the collapse of the foreign exchange reserve to the exit of the foreign investors from the local debt tools (of bills and bonds owed by the government). * Foreign exchange reserve during President Morsi’s era: In June 2012 when Dr. Mohamed Morsi – the first democratically elected civilian president in Egypt – came to power, the foreign exchange reserve was $ 15.5 billion. After one year, the foreign exchange reserve became $ 14.9 billion, due to the negative practices of the counter-revolution in the foreign exchange market that were aimed at creating a crisis in the dollar reserves, as well as the rise in oil prices on the international market at that time. During this year, Egypt obtained deposits to support its foreign exchange reserves amounting to about $ 9 billion, including about $ 6 billion from Qatar as deposits and loans to the CBE, $ 1 billion from Turkey, and $ 2 billion from Libya as deposits without interest at the Central Bank of Egypt. The impact of the continuing decline in the foreign exchange reserve during President Morsi’s era was limited, whether on the dollar’s official price or on its exchange rate in the black market. The highest price for the dollar on the black market at the time of Morsi amounted to about 7.5 pounds to the dollar, which is 50% less than it is today under the military coup. The CBE data show that the net foreign assets in June 2013, amounted to 38.2 billion pounds, which means that despite the loans and deposits from foreign countries, the foreign assets at the Central Bank of Egypt were positive. * Foreign Exchange reserve after the military coup Egypt’s foreign exchange reserve in September 2016 amounted to about $ 19.5 billion, and the government targets raising it to $ 24 billion, so that it can sign its agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to the IMF agreement, Egypt is expected to get a financing package estimated at $ 12 billion, and will borrow another $ 9 billion through agreements with the international institutions, and from the international bond market, as well as the privatization of some public enterprises. If we look at the reality of the declared foreign exchange reserves by the end of September 2016, we find that they do not involve any own resources, but they rely on deposits and loans from foreign countries. The Gulf support to the military coup in Egypt had the greatest impact on composing the Egyptian foreign exchange reserves. Despite the Gulf support over the past three years, ranging between 40 to 60 billion dollars, the foreign exchange reserve has not exceeded $ 20 billion at the best estimates (for only one month). Then, the reserve started to decrease due to the dollar gap that prevailed in Egypt, and the decline in all the balances related to Egypt’s external dealings. In an attempt to keep track of the deposits and loans provided by the foreign countries to support the foreign exchange reserve in Egypt through the data of the CBE’s monthly bulletin for September 2016, the foreign exchange reserve increased in July 2013 by about $ 3.9 billion, in April 2015 by $ 5.2 billion, in August 2016 by one billion dollars, and in September 2016 by about $ 3 billion. These rises coincided with the reports published in the media that Egypt received cash support from the Gulf countries to the foreign exchange reserve. According to what was released by media, it turns out that Saudi Arabia and the UAE were the largest depositors to support Egypt’s foreign exchange reserve, where the share of each of them reached about $ 6 billion, in addition to two billion dollars from Kuwait, $ 2 billion from Libya, $ 1 billion from Turkey, and $ 1 billion from China. Also, $ 1.5 billion were borrowed in June 2015 from the international market. However, the data of the CBE’s monthly bulletin for September 2016 show that the net foreign assets of the CBE shifted to a negative balance in November 2015 (9.2 billion Egyptian pounds). This negative balance rose to LE 44.8 in June 2016. That is, in spite of the presence of US $ 15.5 billion in reserves at the Central Bank of Egypt by the end of July 2016, the CBE obligations to the creditors were approximately $ 6 billion bigger than this amount, according to the official exchange rate. * The IMF loan and the future of the foreign exchange reserves: There are expectations that Egypt’s access to the financing package under the IMF agreement would lead to the improvement and stability of Egypt’s foreign exchange reserves. However, the economic facts show the opposite, because Egypt’s dollar liabilities outweigh its resources, and thus the draining of reserves will continue as a matter of fact. Egypt has significantly expanded its borrowing from abroad over the past two years, and if the agreement with the International Monetary Fund was concluded, Egypt’s foreign indebtedness would exceed $ 80 billion, which would increase the bill of the external debt, adding a burden to the budget and dollar reserves. Second, the Gulf deposits – obtained by the Egyptian regime after the Egypt Economic Development Conference (EEDC) in Sharm el-Sheikh in March, 2015 – necessitate the payment of an interest rate of 2.5%, as well as commitment to starting repayment of the first segment after three years, i.e. after April 2018. Anyway, if Egypt succeeds in raising its foreign exchange reserves to about $ 24 billion, according to the IMF requirements, this will cover the needs of Egypt’s imports for only about 4.5 months at best estimates. There are expectations that Egypt will have to pay the import bill for its needs of oil and natural gas after the decision of the Saudi Aramco company to halt its oil supplies to Egypt. This means that Egypt will lose the advantage of getting oil supplies with credit facilities from Saudi Arabia. Accordingly, the Egyptian government will resort to either payment in cash, or payment with more strict credit facilities from other parties. It is needless to say that Egypt has not recovered its main resources of foreign exchange, which are expected to witness a decline during the coming period due to the recession in the global economy, or the negative developments in the economies of the Arab region. *Abdel-Hafez Al-Sawi is an Egyptian economist. He has many economic writings, including: The Post-Revolution Balance, the Employment of Zakat Funds in the Muslim World, A Development Vision, and the Egyptian Economy between the Taxes and the Zakat. (Written exclusively for MEO on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, and translated from Arabic)

The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) entered into force on 4 December 2012 and repeals the Cogeneration Directive (2004/8/EC) and the Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive (2006/32/EC). The EED is as close as the EU comes to an EU-wide energy efficiency strategy anchored by legislation. It is a framework directive which sets overarching objectives and targets to be achieved by a coherent and mutually reinforcing set of measures covering virtually all aspects of the energy system: from supply, transformation, transmission and distribution to consumption. Member States (MSs) must transpose the EED into national law by 5 June 2014 within their own legal, social, environmental and economic culture. This document is a detailed guidebook for a strong and effective implementation of the EED. The Coalition hopes that compiling all the elements of the EED in one easy-to-use guide will help an ambitious implementation of the legislation, achievement of the EU’s energy savings target and paving the way for increasing energy efficiency beyond 2020. The Coalition understands that other and similar forms of support exist for administrations. The Commission is planning to provide its understanding and interpretation of various articles. MSs also have access to a “Concerted Action” dealing with the EED. Active already for many years under the Energy Services and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Directives, this Concerted Action is a network funded by the Commission to allow officials to meet and share experiences, find common solutions to specific challenges and identify best practices. Sectors: Buildings, Cross cutting, District energy, Industry, Power sector Country / Region: EuropeTags: bioenergy cogeneration, cogeneration, cogeneration directives, energy, energy efficiency, energy efficiency directives, energy services, implementation, targets Knowledge Object: Publication / Report Published by: The Coalition for Energy Savings Publishing year: 2013 Author: The Coalition for Energy Savings

We know that youth need mental wellness support now more than ever. Even before the pandemic, rates of depression and anxiety among children and teens were reaching all-time highs, and those numbers continued to grow through the challenges of the pandemic and the loneliness of quarantining. The first question on our minds is “How do I help and support my troop?” The good news is that you already are! Providing a space for Girl Scouts to connect and feel a sense of belonging is so important to combat those feelings of anxiety and loneliness. Building bonds and friendships show youth that they aren’t alone and their feelings aren’t weird or bad. There are so many strategies and actions to cope with anxiety, and what works for one person may not be the best for another. Read on for some strategies and tips to incorporate into your TROOP! T—Take a Deep Breath Anxiety can send our nervous systems into overdrive, making our breath shaky and our minds race. Deep and rhythmic breathing helps us pump the brakes on anxiety and stress. Try 4-7-8 breathing by releasing all of the air from your chest and inhaling through the nose for 4 seconds, then hold your breath for 7 seconds, then exhale out of the mouth for 8 seconds. Box-breathing, or 4-4-4-4 breathing, is known for stress relief and slows the heart rate. Start by releasing all of the air from your chest and hold your breath for 4 seconds, then breathe in through the nose for 4 seconds, then hold your breath for 4 seconds, then exhale out of the nose for 4 seconds. R—Request Space Sometimes A Girl Scout might need to step away from the stimulation to soothe their anxiety. Make sure you let your troop know that breaks are okay and that they can come back to an activity or conversation later. A great part of Girl Scouts is that they learn to take healthy risks because a challenge only helps us grow if we feel safe and supported while doing it. O—Observe Your Surroundings This tip is rooted in helping your Girl Scouts ground themselves. A well-known way to do this is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. When a Girl Scout is feeling anxious or overwhelmed, they can identify 5 things they can see, 4 things they can touch, 3 things they can hear, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they can taste. Engaging all five senses helps Girl Scouts focus on the present and leave behind anxious thoughts. Talking about a trigger might help some Girl Scouts work through their anxiety around a certain subject or activity. Make sure to validate their feelings! While it might seem helpful to reassure them that something isn’t a big deal, that something is still making their palms sweat and heart pound. Anxiety isn’t always rational and anxious teens just want to feel heard. After validating those feelings, highlight their strengths! “This sounds so hard, but I know you can handle it” can go a long way with an anxious Girl Scout. Fresh air and physical activity are often suggested to help decrease feelings of depression and anxiety. Suggesting a Girl Scouts’ or your troop’s favorite outdoor activity can help distract them from their stress for a bit. You could even revisit a silly game or an old favorite from their younger years! Connecting with their younger self is sure to get the laughter going and lighten their spirits! We know that as a troop leader, your troop’s emotional and physical well-being is always your priority. These tips are just one place you can start in supporting your troop’s mental health and wellness. For more tips and activities, check out the Resilient, Ready, Strong patch program. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, thank you for always being a pillar of support for your Girl Scouts! Sydney Tuttle – Sydney is a Leader Engagement Coordinator at Girl Scout River Valleys, focusing on training and supporting troop leaders. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Minnesota— Twin Cities. In her free time, Sydney enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her friends. She can talk your ear off about her two cats, Korra and Mabel!

We have seen various applications of IoT but what about adding the touch to it. In this project, we will add simple touch buttons to the ESP-32 Wi-Fi module. ESP-32 is a great module to design IoT applications and adding touch to it will make it further smart. Talking about ESP-32, it is a micro-controller designed by Espressif mainly for IoT applications. It is so handy that even a novice can use it. ESP-32 contains Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Inbuilt Touch sensing input pins, temperature and hall sensors on board which makes it fit for IoT and Smart home. Image Credit: http://marketplacefairness.org/ Let’s get more to Touch. In ESP-32, there are total 10 Touch Sensing general purpose Input Output (GPIO) pins. A touch-sensor system is built on a substrate which carries electrodes and relevant connections under a protective flat surface. When a user touches the surface, the capacitance variation is triggered, and a binary signal is generated to indicate whether the touch is valid. ESP32 can provide up to 10 capacitive touch pads / GPIOs. The sensing pads can be arranged in different combinations (e.g. matrix, slider) so that a larger area or more points can be detected. The touchpad sensing process is under the control of a hardware-implemented finite-state machine (FSM) which is initiated by software or a dedicated hardware timer. We will learn how to handle these touch pins and try to make an IoT application around it. We will also integrate Wi-Fi control to it. Material to get started with IoT and Touch Based Home Automation The following is the list of components used for Touch based home automation system: 1. ESP32 NodeMCU (Check the datasheet from the Internet, if you are using a different version.) 2. USB Type C cable to program ESP32 from a laptop or PC—most Android phones use this type of cable. 3. LED with Resistor(1K) – To test the touch 4. Breadboard – To place the components 5. Any metal plate to sense touch. You can even use aluminium foil by connecting a wire to it. Steps for the software setup: (Ignore this step if you already have the setup of ESP boards in Arduino IDE Here is the code for the ESP32: we need an Integrated Development Environment and we will use Arduino IDE software. Arduino IDE is a cross-platform application. It is written in Java and coded in C/C++ with some special rules. To download the latest Arduino IDE from here. Arduino IDE does not contain support of ESP32 family so to install the ESP-32 Board in Arduino IDE, you can refer here. The Code for Touch Based Home Automation System Download the Code from the link below and Open it in Arduino IDE. Let’s understand the code. Before uploading you need to make some changes in the code. The library contains all the Wi-Fi functions used in the code. You must replace your Wi-Fi credentials here within the double quotes. const char* ssid = “xxxx”; const char* password = “xxxx”; and make global declarations here. In the Void Setup() here We will set the Baud Rate at 115200(default speed), set outputs and initialize the Wi-Fi to connect it only one. All the code we are placing in Void Setup() runs only once after every reset. In the void loop(), we place our main code that needs to run repeatedly. We can directly read the touch GPIOs using touchRead() function. We can save it to any variable and here we have saved it in the s1 variable. Our aim is to control LED with both Touch and Wi-Fi and hence we will merge the functions in the Void loop(). An HTML page is made using the HTML script in the code here. You may even change this as per your application. You will see something like this in your web browser. Upload this code to the ESP-32 and do remember to select ESP-32 DEV Module and COM Port from Tools menu before uploading the code to the board. There are only one Input (Touch plate) and one Output (LED) in the circuit. ESP-32 Pin 5 -> Resistor ESP-32 Pin 4 -> Touch Plate(any aluminium foil or metal piece would work) Resistor -> LED +ve LED -ve -> Ground Now, power up ESP-32 with USB or a 5Volts supply and let the magic happen Upload the code, and power up everything. Connecting the Web server After uploading the code, go to Open Tools>Serial Monitor. ESP32 will try to connect to Wi-Fi and display its IP address on Arduino serial monitor. Make sure that the Wi-Fi router to be connected is already open. Hit this IP address in the browser of the device connected to the same Wi-Fi. Url: http://192.168.xx.xx (your IP displayed in Arduino serial monitor) You will be able to see the HTML Web page mentioned in the code. Now, you can connect and test everything. Further, you can also connect a relay instead of an LED. Try this out and have the touch fun. Your personal IoT and Touch Based Home Automation system is now ready and can be used for further use.

eLearning is an education system that primarily utilizes technology to transfer skills and knowledge. You might also notice eLearning being referred to as online learning, web-based learning, or distance learning. It enables learners to advance their knowledge anytime, anywhere, allowing for more flexibility and consistency. Elearning can include virtual education, social media, digital collaboration, computer-based curriculum, mobile performance support, and the list goes on. Previously, we talked about Kahn Academy, a radical new alternative to the traditional classroom-based education system. Kahn offers a curriculum of free tutoring eLearning videos to help struggling students. This model is inspiring a new movement of classroom “flipping”, where the students take their lessons at home and work on homework in class. Utilizing this technology has benefited learners tremendously. Not surprisingly, research has shown that there are distinct advantages to this style of learning. At its best, eLearning is a great way for learners to learn at their own pace, processing material without being held back or hurried by peers. At its worst, however, eLearning can be torturous, with seemingly endless PowerPoints slides, that can make eLearning seem downright ugly. Let’s look at some commonly used techniques in eLearning that demonstrate the good, the bad, and…well… Good: Tells a story Often, we remember a story after only hearing it one time. It’s not surprising. Our brains have been wired over the last 2,500 years to learn through stories. It’s a great way to experience a situation without having to actually live it firsthand, and learners tend to retain this information. How many of us still associate the story of Hansel and Gretel with “stranger danger?” Or the story of Steve Jobs with the success in obsessing over user experience? If you want your content to be memorable, stories, simulations, and authentic experiences can enliven your content. Good: Be Creative and Take Risks eLearning offers a world of opportunity to designers to make something new, engaging, interactive, and exciting! Instead, what we tend to see is a digital fact book of bullet points. Learners are expected to memorize what’s on screen, and turn the page with the “Next Button”. But why not embrace the possibilities? Play with the way screens and pieces of your course appear, or maybe find a new, out-of-the-box way to map out your course. Get creative with design, engage the user with visual metaphors, clever design choices, and take risks that will spark a learner’s interest when the workload feels tedious. Bad: You Can’t Fail Ironically, one of the benefits to eLearning is that it’s solitary. Even shy learners don’t need to worry about mistakes in public, and so they are free to fail… and to learn! Think back on the lessons you’ve truly learned in your life. Often, these “lessons learned” have resulted from personal failures or mistakes, perhaps a car accident, a financial loss, or a humiliating personal experience. We don’t forget what we learn through failure. Yet, instead of designing this ability to practice and fail in eLearning, sometimes we tend to avoid this by skipping evaluations or tough activities. The result can be “bad” elearning – bad because it isn’t allowing the learner to fail and as a result – learn. Aconventional suggests that you first determine how people fail in the real-world environment you are training for (i.e. the reason people are doing the training) and then build those common failures into your design. Keep your training grounded in the real world with real problems. Bad: Pacing, Pacing, Pacing Imagine that your learner, previously excited about your new material, dazzled by a creative course opening or interesting activity suddenly hits something they don’t understand. If the pacing for your course doesn’t accommodate for understanding along the way, the learner will lose motivation and feel dragged along. This is where good pacing comes to the rescue. Kineo reminds us, “E-learning works best when it’s modular, with short, focused segments that have a clear purpose and could stand on their own as a piece of learning.” Give your learner digestible pieces, and follow a logical timetable to help keep users on top of the material. If you believe something may not be clear, you might want to revisit the content with your Subject Matter Expert and clarify or cut down the material to clarify focus. Ugly: The Information Dump The dreaded information dump is all too common and should be avoided at all costs. You may have collected a massive amount of information, and it’s probably all important in its own right, but there should never be a time when you try to cram every nugget of knowledge into your course. Your learners will be immediately turned off by the sheer magnitude of the content, and chances are you’ll burn them out with information overload. The best way to avoid this is by pinpointing exactly what your learning objectives and goals are for the learners and stick to it. If it doesn’t relate, it doesn’t belong. Visual learning research finds that students learn more of the content when there is less of it on the screen. Less is almost always more in eLearning, and you should only give them the information that is necessary, and directly applicable to their experience. SMEs can be a great help with this. But, you should always ask your SME the question: ‘Why do they need to know this?” If they (and you) can’t answer this question, scrutinize its importance in the course. Ugly: The Template Style PowerPoint We’ve all faced “death by PowerPoint”, where each screen is a dump of information on a template style PowerPoint layout. When learners see this, it’s an immediate turn-off. Just as a customer might immediately judge you by your professional attire, your users judge the quality of your course by the quality of the design. It’s worth the extra time to ensure your course says something about the quality of your product. Avoid mismatched text, colors, audio, and layouts. Make your text reader-friendly by breaking paragraphs into subtitles, bullets, or short sentence groups. And avoid the uglies by creating some variety in the screen design. Your book will be judged on its cover, so make sure you’re proud of your eLearning. With a little bit of practice, you’ll soon be making the best eLearning, web-based, or online courses that will click with your learners in no time. Next time, we’ll put these tips to work when we go over the top how-to advice for creating your very first eLearning course. If you’d like to learn about custom eLearning course creation from Digitec Interactive, visit our eLearning page. Ready to find out what Digitec can do for you?

What is Killastic? Killastic is a term to describe non-plastic biodegradable products created in order to minimize use of plastic which poses a threat to the environment and all forms of life on our planet. The word has been invented by Krishna Bhatta, the founder and CEO of ABI College, London following the final episode of BBC Blue Planet II which showed the devastating impact of plastics on marine life caused by its increasing and excessive use. There are currently 8 billion tons of plastic waste on Earth which is equivalent to more than a ton of waste for each person inhabiting our planet. The plastic problem Plastic products are devastating for our environment due to the fact that plastic cannot be digested by living organisms as a part of natural ecosystems, and it does not readily decompose (typically 1000 years plus). Plastic is composed of many toxic pollutants which are released into the environment as plastic is mechanically broken down into very small particles by physical processes. These have many harmful effects to both human health and wellbeing and life on land and in our seas and are difficult to eradicate because of their durability. For these reasons plastics are rapidly accumulating and creating escalating problems for all aspects of life on earth. This is why it is ESSENTIAL that we have effective and concerted intervention. The Killastic solution: There are a range of actions that we can all take individually to ensure that we stop this environmental threat from unnecessary plastic use. These include: - The use of Killastic products only reusable bags and bottles for example - The purchase of products with little or no plastic packaging - The reuse of any plastic products you may have - Making changes to your trash habits - Raising awareness about plastic pollution with your family, friends , colleagues and community leaders - Having conversations about the problem with political representatives and lawmakers and getting involved with government at all levels so that they give priority to the issue - Joining or forming a local environmental ‘ clear-up’ group. Business and organisations: - Withdrawing plastic checkout bags from commercial outlets - Banning the use of polystyrene food containers by food vendors and restaurants - Making continuous small changes to environmental habits to achieve a cumulatively large and significant impact. Think globally, act locally-Together we can make a difference!

This study aims to assess global experience on agricultural water management under different scenarios. The results showed that trend of permanent crops to cultivated area, HDI, irrigation water requirement, and percent of total cultivated area drained is increasing and trend of rural population to total population, total economically active population in agriculture to total economically active population, value added to GDP by agriculture, and the difference between NIR and irrigation water requirement is decreasing. The minimum and maximum values of pressure on renewable water resources by irrigation, are related to the third and first scenarios by 2035 (6.1%) and 2060 (9.2%), respectively. Previous Article in event Next Article in event The role of different scenarios on irrigation management Published: 16 November 2016 by MDPI in The 1st International Electronic Conference on Water Sciences session Water Policies and Planning Keywords: World agriculture; sustainable agriculture; water

Authors: Howard D. Grier Küchler’s hopes to retreat before an expected Russian attack proved in vain. The next day Zeitzler complained that he had almost convinced Hitler to approve the withdrawal but then Hitler had wavered, recalling Küchler’s remark that Lindemann wished to remain in his present positions. Subsequent attempts to persuade Hitler to reverse his decision failed. Army Group North would have to face the next Soviet offensive, which Küchler deemed imminent, in its old positions with insufficient forces—it defended a front of approximately a thousand kilometers with forty infantry divisions, and not a single armored division. The Soviet High Command had already devised plans for a winter operation against Army Group North. The offensive in the northern sector aimed to annihilate Eighteenth Army and clear the Leningrad area of German forces as far as the pre-1940 border with the Baltic States. To encircle and destroy Eighteenth Army, the Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts were to strike the army’s flanks and join forces in its rear. Second Baltic Front would conduct holding attacks against Sixteenth Army to prevent the transfer of reinforcements to Eighteenth Army’s flanks. On 14 January 1944 the Soviet offensive began with an attack from the Oranienbaum Bridgehead that quickly penetrated German defenses. At the same time Russian forces on Eighteenth Army’s southern flank crossed Lake Ilmen and advanced to within ten kilometers of Novgorod on the first day of the offensive. The following day the Soviets attacked from Leningrad, attempting to join with troops moving out from Oranienbaum. Army Group North requested permission for Eighteenth Army to pull back in order to gain reserves, warning that the critical issue was not where the army group stood after this battle but the fact that it still existed. Without waiting for authorization, Küchler ordered his divisions along the Gulf of Finland between Oranienbaum and Leningrad to retreat before the Russian pincers closed; Hitler sent his approval later that day. Soviet forces attacking from the Oranienbaum Bridgehead and Leningrad linked up on 19 January, unhinging Eighteenth Army’s northern flank. From there they attacked toward Narva, on the Soviet-Estonian border, and Luga. To the south, the Russians captured Novgorod on 20 January and pushed into Eighteenth Army’s rear. Küchler requested an immediate withdrawal to the Panther Position. He warned Zeitzler the Soviets would achieve a breakthrough if they persisted in their attacks and claimed that losses were already so heavy that the retreat would release no forces. The following day German Army High Command (Oberkommando des Heeres, or OKH) finally informed the army group it would receive reinforcements, announcing that an armored division was on the way. On the 22nd Küchler went to Hitler’s headquarters, but instead of obtaining permission to retreat he received a lecture on the importance of the Leningrad sector with regard to Finland’s political attitude, Swedish iron imports, and German naval domination of the Baltic. Promising Küchler another division, Hitler insisted the war be fought as far as possible from Germany’s borders and argued that voluntary retreats demoralized the troops. Despite Hitler’s wishes the Soviets continued to gain ground. On Eighteenth Army’s northern flank the Red Army advanced along the coast toward Narva, and on the army’s southern flank it continued to drive a wedge between Sixteenth and Eighteenth armies. Soviet forces attacking from Novgorod and Leningrad thrust toward Luga, threatening to ensnare three German corps. Küchler announced that Sixteenth Army’s northern flank had collapsed and requested permission to retreat behind the Luga River, but Hitler refused. A few days later the army group reported that Eighteenth Army had splintered into three groups and that it could establish a cohesive front only along the Luga. Eighteenth Army had suffered over fifty thousand casualties in only two weeks. Küchler again met with Hitler on 27 January, but the Nazi leader forbade any large-scale retreat. On the 28th Kinzel, acting on his own responsibility, ordered Eighteenth Army to fall back to the Luga, but Küchler countermanded the order. Kinzel complained that Küchler had been so influenced by the Führer at their last meeting that he spoke only of attacking, exclaiming in frustration that everyone except Hitler and Küchler realized the army group must retreat to the Panther Position. Kinzel finally convinced his commander of the desperation of Eighteenth Army’s plight, and on 30 January Küchler flew to Hitler’s headquarters and secured permission for the withdrawal to the Luga. Displeased with Küchler’s performance, the next day Hitler relieved him of command and replaced him with Field Marshal Walter Model, an expert in defensive warfare. From Hitler’s headquarters Model ordered the army group not to retreat one step without his approval, but even Model’s determination could not prevent the Soviets from crossing the Luga at three points on the day he took command. When he arrived at army group headquarters Model found his forces reeling before the Soviet onslaught. Sixteenth Army’s left flank had crumbled, Eighteenth Army had shattered into several groups, Soviet units were advancing on Narva, and Russian spearheads had secured bridgeheads across the Luga River. Model ordered Eighteenth Army to reestablish contact with Sixteenth Army, regain and secure the west bank of the Luga, hold the narrow strip of land between Lake Peipus and the Gulf of Finland in front of Narva, and close the gap between it and a conglomeration of decimated units known as Group Sponheimer. But the situation continued to deteriorate. In the south Sixteenth Army came under increasingly heavy attacks, and in the north on 2 February, Soviet forces gained a bridgehead over the Narva River, although on the same day a German counterattack reestablished contact between Sixteenth and Eighteenth armies. By 13 February the Nazi dictator bowed to the inevitable. Zeitzler informed Model that Hitler had decided the Narva sector must be reinforced as quickly as possible and requested an immediate schedule for a retreat to the Panther Position. Hitler approved the retreat on 17 February, the same day that he sanctioned the breakout from the Cherkassy Pocket in southern Russia, and the army group concluded its withdrawal by 1 March. Stalin insisted that Gen. L. A. Govorov’s Leningrad Front capture Narva. On 14 February he commanded: “It is mandatory that our forces seize Narva no later than 17 February 1944. This is required both for military as well as political reasons. It is the most important thing right now.” The Soviets launched furious assaults against German positions in the Narva sector, but they were unable to break out of their bridgeheads to the north and south of the city. On two occasions in March Govorov renewed the attack at Narva, but German defenses in the area held. The Soviet winter offensive had run its course. Although failing to encircle and destroy Eighteenth Army, the Soviets had inflicted a major defeat upon the Germans. They had driven Army Group North from positions it had held for nearly two and a half years and cleared the Leningrad area of German forces, pushing the Nazis back to the borders of Estonia and Latvia. Leningrad’s nearly nine-hundred-day siege had finally been lifted. The Russians probably would have had greater success, and possibly could have encircled and destroyed Eighteenth Army, if they had not pursued two main objectives at the same time. Instead of destroying Eighteenth Army and then breaking through German defenses on the Narva isthmus, the Soviets had tried to achieve both goals simultaneously, failing to attain either one. Following the defeat at Leningrad, Army Group North dug in along the Panther Position, resting and replenishing its battered formations. Hitler sent Model to command an army group in the south, and Lindemann became the army group’s commander on 31 March. Hitler, the German Navy, and Army Group North, June 1941–May 1944 S DETERMINATION NOT to yield ground in the Leningrad area had risked the annihilation of Eighteenth Army, which probably had escaped destruction only because Küchler convinced Hitler to permit a retreat to the Luga at the end of January. Military, economic, and diplomatic factors caused Hitler to cling stubbornly to this area. Decisions regarding the fate of Army Group North were closely connected to naval interests, for the Baltic was of vital importance to the German navy. Hitler often delayed approval for Army Group North to withdraw to a more defensible position due to concerns expressed by the navy. The navy required control of the Baltic to carry out submarine testing and training, and its intense desire to preserve the Baltic for this purpose was evident from the start of the Russian campaign. When Hitler informed the naval commander in chief, Erich Raeder, of his intention to invade the Soviet Union, Raeder did not share Hitler’s enthusiasm. Raeder did not object to the idea of attacking the Soviet Union per se, but he preferred to wait until after Britain’s defeat. He warned that conflict with Russia would threaten the navy’s submarine training areas in the eastern Baltic, which could disrupt the U-boat war. Once the invasion of the Soviet Union began, however, the navy insisted that Russia’s Baltic Fleet never be allowed to reach the open Baltic, and Hitler did not ignore the navy’s wishes. Barely a week into the campaign Hitler emphasized the urgency of gaining control of the Gulf of Finland. He commanded that the Soviet fleet must be eliminated to permit undisturbed shipping in the Baltic, especially of Swedish iron ore from Luleå. Several high-ranking German officers attest to Hitler’s desire to ensure the Soviet fleet’s destruction in the summer of 1941, in order to protect Baltic shipping routes and the navy’s submarine training areas. Once Leningrad had been isolated, the navy hopefully awaited its collapse. But Leningrad survived the winter. At the beginning of 1942, concerned the Soviets would renew the war at sea once the ice melted in the Gulf of Finland, the Naval Staff (Seekriegsleitung, or Skl) requested an air assault on the Soviet fleet. The Luftwaffe carried out six raids on Russian warships in April 1942, and German pilots reported scoring several direct hits on the battleship the heavy cruiser and numerous other vessels. To prevent the Soviet fleet from sailing into the Baltic, the navy called for a tighter blockade of Leningrad. This was a source of constant concern for the Skl, and throughout 1942 and 1943 the navy repeatedly requested the army to eliminate the Oranienbaum Bridgehead and capture the islands of Lavansaari and Seiskaari in the Gulf of Finland. Possession of these islands and the coast at Oranienbaum would enable the navy to seal off the Soviet fleet in Kronstadt Bay more effectively and with far fewer mines. On several occasions Hitler instructed the army to carry out these operations, but Soviet attacks on other sectors deprived the Germans of the troops required to carry out the assaults. Hitler had not abandoned his hopes of seizing Leningrad, either. In July 1942 he ordered Küchler to plan an offensive to capture the city, promising to send five divisions and heavy siege artillery from Eleventh Army, which recently had taken the Crimean stronghold of Sevastopol. As the army group prepared for the assault, the navy voiced its anxiety that the Soviet fleet would attempt to flee once the attack began, possibly to seek internment in Sweden. The Skl requested Eighteenth Army to shell Soviet vessels with its long-range artillery and promised to strengthen its minefields in the Gulf of Finland. Confident of success, the Skl appealed to Armed Forces High Command (Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, or OKW) to spare shipyards and port installations in Leningrad and at the fleet’s main base at Kronstadt as much as possible, because the German navy desperately needed additional repair facilities. Raeder informed Hitler that Leningrad’s capture and an end to the threat in the Baltic would signify a great relief to the navy, because it would release warships for other theaters and expand the navy’s training areas. On several occasions Hitler declared his intention to make the Baltic a German lake and emphasized that he could not tolerate the presence of another great power in the Baltic.

Running is a popular form of exercise and a competitive sport that requires both physical and mental endurance. Whether you’re a casual jogger or a serious runner, there’s always something new to learn about this activity. In this trivia quiz, we’ve compiled 15 fast-paced questions and answers that test your knowledge of running-related facts, trivia, and history. From famous runners and their records to the science behind the sport, this quiz covers a range of topics related to running. So whether you’re a marathon veteran or a new runner, get ready to lace up your shoes and take on this trivia quiz on running. - What is the recommended warm-up activity before running? The correct answer is dynamic stretching. - dynamic stretching - jumping jacks - static stretching - no warm-up Dynamic stretching involves active movements that help warm up the muscles and increase range of motion, preparing the body for running. - How many times a week should a beginner runner ideally run? The correct answer is 3-4 times. - 7 times - 3-4 times - 5-6 times - 1-2 times Running 3-4 times a week allows beginners to build endurance and strength while reducing the risk of injury. - What type of shoes is best for running? The correct answer is running shoes. - tennis shoes - basketball shoes - casual sneakers - running shoes Running shoes are specifically designed to provide cushioning, support, and stability for the repetitive motion of running. - What is the proper running form for the arms? The correct answer is arms bent at 90 degrees. - hands on hips - arms crossed over the chest - arms straight - arms bent at 90 degrees Bending the arms at 90 degrees allows for efficient movement and helps maintain proper running posture. - What is the recommended breathing technique while running? The correct answer is diaphragmatic breathing. - shallow chest breathing - inhaling through the mouth only - holding breath - diaphragmatic breathing Diaphragmatic breathing helps maximize oxygen intake and promotes relaxation while running. - What is a common cause of side stitches while running? The correct answer is shallow breathing. - wearing the wrong shoes - listening to music - shallow breathing Shallow breathing can lead to a lack of oxygen in the muscles, causing side stitches during a run. - What is a common running-related injury? The correct answer is shin splints. - dislocated shoulder - sprained ankle - shin splints - broken arm Shin splints are a common overuse injury caused by repetitive stress on the shinbone and surrounding muscles. - What is a benefit of running? The correct answer is improved cardiovascular health. - increased appetite - improved cardiovascular health - weakened immune system - decreased energy levels Running helps strengthen the heart, lower blood pressure, and increase lung capacity, improving overall cardiovascular health. - What is the recommended running cadence? The correct answer is 180 steps per minute. - 180 steps per minute - 240 steps per minute - 120 steps per minute - 60 steps per minute A running cadence of 180 steps per minute is considered optimal for efficiency and injury prevention. - What is the term for gradually increasing the intensity of a workout? The correct answer is progressive overload. - progressive overload Progressive overload is the process of gradually increasing the intensity, duration, or frequency of a workout to continue improving fitness levels. - What is a common mistake for beginner runners? The correct answer is starting too fast. - starting too fast - running too slowly - wearing too much clothing - taking too many rest days Starting too fast can lead to injury and burnout. It’s important to gradually build up speed and distance. - What is the term for running at a comfortable, conversational pace? The correct answer is easy run. - interval run - easy run - hill run - tempo run An easy run is performed at a comfortable pace, allowing runners to maintain a conversation and build aerobic endurance. - What is the purpose of a cooldown after running? The correct answer is to gradually lower heart rate and prevent blood pooling. - to burn extra calories - to gradually lower heart rate and prevent blood pooling - to build muscle strength - to increase heart rate A cooldown helps the body transition from exercise to rest, reducing the risk of dizziness and muscle stiffness. - What is the recommended daily water intake for runners? The correct answer is at least 8 cups (64 ounces). - at least 4 cups (32 ounces) - at least 12 cups (96 ounces) - at least 8 cups (64 ounces) - at least 16 cups (128 ounces) Proper hydration is essential for runners, and at least 8 cups of water per day is recommended to maintain optimal performance and prevent dehydration. - What is a common method for determining maximum heart rate during exercise? The correct answer is 220 minus your age. - 220 minus your age - your age plus 100 - your age multiplied by 2 - your age divided by 2 The formula 220 minus your age is a commonly used method to estimate maximum heart rate, which can help guide training intensity for runners.

Renew Your Resolution for Good Health This Spring April 8, 2019 By : Sagan Dobie, PA-C If everyone in the United States received recommended clinical preventive care, over 100,000 lives each year could be saved says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventive care includes cancer screenings, check-ups, counseling to prevent health conditions, vaccinations and blood tests for diabetes and cholesterol. When cancer and conditions such as heart disease are caught early, treatment is likely to work best. The CDC says Americans use preventive services at about half the recommended rate. Here’s a quick guide to help keep you and your families healthy. Schedule a well woman visit every year. Your visit includes a physical exam and screenings for cervical cancer and other diseases. We also like to discuss your health, recommend vitamins, set health goals and answer your questions. We often talk about birth control and menopause. Beginning at age 40, we recommend annual mammograms. At age 65, it’s time for a bone density test which tells you if you have normal bone density, low bone density (osteopenia) or osteoporosis. Mild bone loss can be treated with weight-bearing exercise like walking, vitamin D and calcium. Children3-18 years and older should have annual well child visits. We want to make sure your children and teens are meeting growth and developmental milestones. The check-ups give us a chance to complete a physical exam and address emotional or social concerns. Some vaccines and boosters are recommended for older children. Kids age 11-12 should receive two doses of the HPV vaccine spaced six months apart. This vaccine protects your children against the human papillomavirus. At the same time, they can get their vaccine to protect them from meningitis. It’s also time for the Tdap booster to ward off tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Data shows whooping cough is making a comeback so this is a very important booster. Men tend to be reluctant to visit a doctor. Men are encouraged to schedule an annual check-up which includes a physical exam. Annual exams also help men establish a rapport with a primary care provider. It’s important for men to get their blood pressure checked every 3 to 5 years from age 18 to 40 and every year after age 40. High blood pressure increases your risk for stroke and heart attack. At age 50, talk with your primary care provider about prostate cancer screening, earlier if you are African-American or have a family history. All adults should get their cholesterol tested every 5 years. The American Heart Association recommends testing should begin at age 20. High cholesterol puts us at risk for heart disease and stroke. If your cholesterol is high, you can take steps to lower it by eating lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, increasing physical activity or taking medicine. If you’re 50, it’s time for a colonoscopy. From age 50 to 75, the U.S. Preventive Task Force recommends colonoscopies every 10 years or sooner with a family history of colon cancer. This is the only screening that can prevent colorectal cancer by removing pre-cancerous polyps. If you smoke or used to smoke and are age 55-77, you qualify for a low-dose lung CT scan to screen for lung cancer. Men who have smoked qualify for an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening after age 55. The good news is health plans cover many preventive health care services with no copays or deductibles. Call the number on your insurance card to learn more. Then call your clinic to make your appointment.

We all know that vitamin C is great for our body. So, you may already be eating foods rich in this vitamin. When you fall sick, you start taking or increase the intake of foods high on vitamin C and sometimes even start taking vitamin C supplements. These boost the immune system and has a healing effect on the body. Vitamin C is very essential for a healthy body. Some sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, broccoli, papaya, strawberries, and peppers. Vitamin C grows and repairs tissues in the body. Dr. Harold Lancer says that it helps in the formation of collagen which is an important protein for creating blood vessels, cartilage, bones, tendons, and ligaments. For healing the body from wounds or any sort of damage, vitamin C is required for repairing the tissue. Vitamin C keeps the teeth and bones strong. It also helps in absorption of iron. Lack of this vitamin can immediately cause many conditions from high blood pressure to bleeding of gums. Thus, vitamin C is important for your health and it is equally important for keeping the skin young and healthy. Vitamin C as an Antioxidant When it comes to skin, vitamin C needs to be talked about. It is a potent antioxidant that supports healing and protects the skin. Dr. Lancer adds that vitamin C is required for the production of collagen in the body so it can be inferred that this prevents the signs of aging . Being an-antioxidant, it protects the skin. Free radicals that damage the lipids, protein, and DNA in the skin, get neutralized by antioxidants. External factors like pollution, UV rays, cigarette smoke damage the skin but an antioxidant (topical) can protect the skin from getting harmed. Vitamin C when applied on the skin prevents the formation of fine lines and wrinkles and protect the skin from getting discolored. Further it helps the skin retain moisture. No wonder people use this amazing vitamin given its endless benefits and research supporting its effectiveness. Choosing the Right Vitamin C Now, the important question is what should you look for in a skin care product containing vitamin C? Products that contain vitamin C or other antioxidants like vitamin A and vitamin E get destabilized after being exposed to air or light. So, a product with vitamin C should be packed in an opaque container with pump release that will decrease the amount of air and light with which the product comes in contact. Also, there are different types of vitamin C available, so you must know which ones to choose or which is the right product for the skin. The most common form of vitamin C is ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid. It is also quite stable. Research suggests that it can reduce the effects of sun damage and appearance of hyperpigmentation. It also makes the skin look firmer, younger, and glowing. It also restores vitamin E in the skin which gives a young appearance. Other forms of vitamin C in skin care are retinyl ascorbate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl palmitate, and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate among others. Although there is little research suggesting the effectiveness of these ingredients, they are beneficial for the skin. And these are not used alone. These forms of vitamin C are used in conjunction with other anti-aging agents and this enhances their effectiveness. Dr. Lancer says L-ascorbic acid is the best which helps you have a healthy and glowing skin. Whenever you are deciding on skincare with vitamin C, notice the concentration of the antioxidant. Vitamin C is believed to be most effective at a concentration of 5% or more. There are creams that contain 10% concentration of vitamin C that has been stabilized. It reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark spots and damage caused by the UV rays of the sun. You should choose creams that contain retinol which helps fight fine lines and wrinkles. The cream should be packed in opaque bottle to make sure that vitamin C does not get destabilized. This helps the antioxidant maintain its complete strength. If you want the best out of your vitamin C treatments, you can use a cream that pairs vitamin C with a brightening serum for a healthy-looking skin. Make sure that the serum is formulated from something like the red algae extract for skin brightening and reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and brown spots. Sugar cane extract and licorice extract also help in polishing the skin by reducing discoloration and preventing against damage caused by free radicals. These treatments help the skin remain healthy, nourished, and glowing. Dr. Lancer says that you must not only take care of your face but also your neck and chest. These areas are affected by the free radicals as much as your face. Since the skin is delicate in these areas, so the damage is even more. So, treat these areas as well. So, we have seen that vitamin C is absolutely essential for a healthy body and a healthy skin. Thus, vitamin C is a must for your skin health. But not all products may have the same result. Therefore, you must thoroughly research the ingredients and know what you are buying. When you use the appropriate skincare and the best vitamin C, your skin will definitely thank you!

Defining The Pizza-sandwich Conundrum The question of ‘Is a Pizza a Sandwich?‘ has long been debated among culinary enthusiasts. While some argue that a pizza is a sandwich, others vehemently disagree. To understand the origins of this puzzle, it is important first to define what constitutes a sandwich. According to Vice writer Drew Brown, who delved into the taxonomy of sandwiches, pizza fits the criteria of a sandwich. In the realm of inclusive food classification, sandwiches adapt to evolving culinary trends, including various foods. However, this broad categorization can lead to blurred lines and heated discussions. The primary point of contention lies in the ambiguity of defining a sandwich and where pizza fits into this definition. Cultural interpretations further complicate the matter. In cities like New York, it is customary to refer to a pizza as a “pie,” while in other regions, it is known as pizza. The versatility of pizza, with its numerous forms ranging from classic Italian versions to innovative American twists, showcases its adaptability and challenges the notion of fitting into a single label. Understanding The Importance Of Taxonomy In Food Classification The debate surrounding the classification of pizza as a sandwich highlights the significance of taxonomy in food classification. As with any scientific endeavor, establishing a clear and consistent categorization method is crucial. Culinary enthusiasts can navigate the myriad interpretations and debates surrounding foods like pizza by defining the criteria for sandwich classification. Some argue that a pizza can be classified as a hot, open-faced sandwich. This perspective emphasizes the similarities between pizza and traditional sandwiches, such as using bread as a base and various toppings. However, it is essential to understand that the classification of a pizza as a sandwich is not universally accepted and continues to spark dialogue within the culinary community. In conclusion, the answer to ‘Is a Pizza a Sandwich?’ remains a heated topic. The inclusivity of sandwich classification and pizza adaptability contribute to this problem’s complexity. While some argue that pizza meets the criteria of a sandwich, others maintain that it exists as a distinct culinary delight. Ultimately, the interpretation of a pizza as a sandwich or otherwise may vary depending on cultural influences, personal perspectives, and the lens through which one views culinary taxonomy. The Bread Dough Argument The debate surrounding ‘Is a Pizza a Sandwich?’ has sparked countless discussions and disagreements among culinary enthusiasts. While some argue that a pizza fits the criteria of a sandwich, others vehemently disagree. To delve deeper into this puzzle, it is important to explore the bread dough argument, which forms the basis of the pizza as a sandwich perspective. Exploring The Bread Dough Similarity One of the key points in favor of categorizing pizza as a sandwich is the use of bread dough as the base. In the case of traditional sandwiches, bread is a fundamental component that holds the fillings together. Similarly, a pizza is created using dough made from flour, water, yeast, and other ingredients, which serve as the foundation for the various toppings. This similarity in the use of bread dough forms the basis for proponents of the pizza as a sandwich argument. The assertion made by Drew Brown, a writer for Vice, who argues that pizza is a type of hot open-faced sandwich, supports this perspective. According to Brown, the bread dough used in pizza qualifies it as a sandwich, as it shares fundamental characteristics with other types of sandwiches. Analyzing The Traits Of A Sandwich To better understand the debate, analyzing the traits that define a sandwich is essential. A sandwich typically consists of two or more slices of bread or a bread-like substance enclosing various fillings. The fillings can vary from meat and cheese to vegetables and condiments, providing various flavors and textures. When applied to pizza, the argument is that the bread dough functions as the base, akin to the slices of bread in a traditional sandwich. The toppings, such as sauce, cheese, and various ingredients, serve as the fillings, creating a harmonious combination of flavors. Proponents of the pizza as a sandwich viewpoint suggest that these similarities in structure and composition justify labeling pizza as a type of sandwich. However, it is important to note that the classification of pizza as a sandwich is not unanimously accepted. Critics argue that pizza has established itself as a unique culinary delight with its rich history and cultural significance. While it may share certain characteristics with sandwiches, pizza is considered distinct and deserving of its classification. In conclusion, the debate surrounding whether a pizza can be considered a sandwich delves into the complex realm of culinary taxonomy. The bread dough argument highlights the similarities between pizza and traditional sandwiches, shedding light on the potential classification of pizza as a sandwich. However, the question remains subjective, with cultural influences, personal perspectives, and the lens through which culinary taxonomy is viewed all playing a role in the argument. Ultimately, whether pizza is a sandwich or a distinct culinary creation is a matter of interpretation and debate among food enthusiasts. Dissenting Opinions: The Savory Pie Perspective While the debate rages on about ‘Is a Pizza a Sandwich?’, another school of thought argues for a different categorization: the savory pie perspective. This viewpoint challenges the notion that a pizza is a sandwich and instead posits that it should be considered a savory pie. Examining The Argument For Pizza As A Savory Pie Proponents of the savory pie perspective argue that the similarities between pizza and traditional pies outweigh their similarities with sandwiches. One key aspect is the crust. Both pizza and pies have a crust as their foundation, made from a similar mixture of flour, water, and fat. This shared characteristic distinguishes them from sandwiches, which typically use bread as their base. Furthermore, the structure of a pizza aligns more closely with that of a pie. Pizzas typically feature a layer of sauce and toppings placed on top of the crust, similar to how a pie filling is contained within a pastry shell. The toppings on a pizza can range from vegetables and meats to cheese and sauce, creating a medley of flavors reminiscent of pie fillings. Another aspect that supports the pizza as a savory pie argument is how it is often served. Pizzas are commonly sliced into triangular or square pieces, akin to how traditional pies are portioned. This method of serving further emphasizes the pie-like nature of pizzas and sets them apart from the sandwich format. Addressing Counter Arguments Critics of the savory pie perspective raise valid counterarguments against classifying pizzas as pies. One key counterargument is that the main distinction between pizzas and pies lies in their fillings. While pies traditionally contain sweet or savory fillings enclosed within the crust, pizzas have their toppings directly on top of the crust. The absence of a separate enclosed filling is seen as a significant departure from the pie category. Additionally, the cultural and historical significance of pizza cannot be ignored. Pizza has established itself as an iconic dish with its unique identity and place in culinary traditions worldwide. From Neapolitan pizza in Italy to New York-style pizza in the United States, each regional variation carries its cultural significance. This distinctiveness sets pizza apart from both sandwiches and traditional pies. In conclusion, the debate over ‘Is a Pizza a Sandwich or a Pie?’ remains unsettled. The savory pie perspective offers a compelling alternative to the sandwich argument, highlighting the similarities between pizza and traditional pies. However, counterarguments raise valid points about the absence of a separate filling and the cultural significance of pizza. Ultimately, classifying a pizza as a sandwich, pie, or a unique culinary creation is subjective and open to interpretation. The Role Of God And Human Reason The debate over whether a pizza can be classified as a sandwich or a pie has sparked fierce arguments and passionate opinions. While some argue that pizza should be considered a sandwich due to its composition and structure, others maintain that it is a distinct category. It is necessary to explore the implications of expanding the sandwich category to understand why there is resistance to labeling pizza as a sandwich. Understanding The Resistance To Labeling Pizza As A Sandwich One of the primary reasons for the resistance to labeling pizza as a sandwich lies in the cultural and historical significance of pizza. Pizza has evolved into a culinary icon with unique regional variations and a rich heritage. From Neapolitan pizza in Italy to New York-style pizza in the United States, each variation carries its own cultural identity. Labeling pizza as a sandwich could be seen as erasing the distinctiveness of this beloved dish and undermining its cultural significance. Another aspect of the resistance is rooted in the sandwich itself. Traditional sandwiches typically have two separate layers of bread encasing a filling. In contrast, pizza has toppings placed directly on the crust. Critics argue that the absence of a separate enclosed filling sets pizza apart from the traditional sandwich concept. Furthermore, expanding the sandwich category to include pizza could create confusion and dilute the meaning of the term “sandwich.” The sandwich has long been associated with a specific format – bread enclosing fillings. Broadening the definition to include pizza opens the door to including other open-faced dishes as sandwiches, blurring the lines and losing the clarity of what constitutes a sandwich. Analyzing The Implications Of Expanding The Sandwich Category While some may argue that pizza should be considered a sandwich due to its shared elements with traditional sandwiches, expanding the sandwich category to include pizza could have far-reaching implications. It would challenge the existing culinary boundaries and potentially redefine understanding of what constitutes a sandwich. Allowing pizza to be classified as a sandwich could lead to other open-faced dishes vying for inclusion. That raises questions about where the line should be drawn and whether the sandwich category should be expanded indefinitely. It could complicate menu offerings, culinary classifications, and consumer expectations. Moreover, labeling pizza as a sandwich could dilute the uniqueness and recognition of both sandwiches and pizza. Each has distinct qualities and associations, and merging them may risk diminishing their identities. In conclusion, the resistance to labeling pizza as a sandwich stems from various factors, including the cultural significance of pizza, its departure from the traditional sandwich structure, and the implication of expanding the sandwich category. While arguments can be made for both sides, the classification of a pizza as a sandwich remains subjective and open to interpretation. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to determine how they classify and enjoy this beloved culinary creation. Is a Pizza a Sandwich? Presenting Evidence And Factual Data The ongoing debate surrounding ‘Is a Pizza a Sandwich?’ has sparked passionate arguments. However, by presenting evidence and factual data, it becomes clear that pizza does not fit within the traditional definition of a sandwich. Firstly, let’s examine the structural composition of a sandwich. A sandwich typically consists of two separate layers of bread with a filling enclosed. In contrast, a pizza has a single layer of dough as its base, with the toppings placed directly on top. This distinction in construction sets pizza apart from the traditional sandwich concept. Furthermore, the categorization of a sandwich often depends on the presence of specific ingredients. Sandwiches commonly include meat, cheese, and vegetables, whereas pizza is characterized by its distinctive combination of dough, sauce, cheese, and various toppings. The unique combination of these ingredients further distinguishes pizza from the standard sandwich. Additionally, historical and cultural factors play a significant role in determining the classification of pizza. Pizza has a rich heritage and is deeply ingrained in culinary traditions worldwide. Labeling pizza as a sandwich could undermine this beloved dish’s cultural significance and regional variations. Concluding The Debate Despite the spirited arguments put forth by those advocating for pizza as a sandwich, the evidence and factual data ultimately debunk the pizza-sandwich conundrum. Pizza does not meet the criteria and characteristics that define a sandwich. While it is essential to recognize that the debate may continue to stir discussion, branding pizza as a distinct category – separate from sandwiches – is necessary to preserve the integrity and individuality of both dishes. This differentiation ensures that each culinary creation receives the recognition it deserves and resonates with its unique cultural and historical context. In conclusion, the pizza-sandwich conundrum can be debunked by analyzing pizza’s structural composition, ingredients, and cultural significance. Through thoroughly examining these factors, it becomes evident that pizza and sandwiches are distinct entities in the culinary realm. By embracing and celebrating the uniqueness of each dish, individuals can enjoy and appreciate their respective qualities without the need for label overlap or classification confusion. Now you should know the answer to ‘Is a Pizza a Sandwich?’. After a comprehensive analysis of the pizza-sandwich conundrum, it is clear that pizza cannot be classified as a sandwich. By examining pizza’s structural composition, ingredients, and cultural significance, we have debunked the notion that pizza falls within the traditional definition of a sandwich. Embracing and celebrating the uniqueness of pizza and sandwiches ensures that each culinary creation receives the recognition it deserves. Summarizing Key Points To summarize the key points discussed in this article: - Structural Composition: A sandwich typically consists of two separate layers of bread with a filling in between, whereas pizza has a single layer of dough as its base with toppings directly on top. - Ingredients: Sandwiches commonly include meat, cheese, and vegetables, while pizza is characterized by its unique combination of dough, sauce, cheese, and various toppings. - Cultural Significance: Pizza has a rich heritage and regional variations; labeling it as a sandwich could undermine its cultural significance. Ending The Pizza-sandwich Conundrum In conclusion, it is essential to recognize that the debate surrounding the classification of pizza as a sandwich may continue to stir discussion. However, by analyzing pizza’s structural composition, ingredients, and cultural significance, it becomes evident that it is a distinct culinary entity. Embracing these differences ensures that pizza and sandwiches receive the recognition they deserve without causing confusion or overlap. Through this understanding, individuals can fully enjoy and appreciate the unique qualities of both dishes. Let us celebrate the diversity of the culinary world and savor each bite without the need for label overlap or classification confusion. FAQ: Is a Pizza a Sandwich? Debunking the Pizza-Sandwich Conundrum Q: Is a Pizza a Sandwich?? A: According to Vice writer Drew Brown, who delved deep into the taxonomy of sandwiches, pizza is indeed a type of sandwich. Q: But isn’t pizza a distinct food category on its own? A: While pizza has long been recognized as its unique culinary delight, the argument is that it meets the criteria to be classified as a sandwich based on its composition. Q: What makes pizza qualify as a sandwich? A: The reasoning behind categorizing pizza as a sandwich is that its bread dough serves as the base, much like traditional sandwich bread. Additionally, the toppings and fillings placed on the dough further align with the typical sandwich structure. Q: So, is pizza considered an open-faced sandwich? A: Yes, according to the classification proposed by Brown. Pizza falls under hot, open-faced sandwiches, similar to other open-faced creations such as beef Wellington or other savory pies. Q: What about the common belief that pizza is not a sandwich? A: Pizza as a sandwich can be unsettling for those with a more traditional perspective on sandwiches. It challenges conventional notions, and some may view it as an insult to tradition. Q: Is there any significance to understanding the taxonomy of sandwiches? A: The classification of pizza as a sandwich highlights the flexibility and diversity of the sandwich format. It opens up further possibilities for exploration and innovation in sandwich-making. Q: Can we consider tacos as sandwiches, too? A: According to Brown’s taxonomy, tacos also fall under the umbrella of the sandwich category. This expands the definition of a sandwich beyond the confines of two slices of bread. In conclusion, while the claim that pizza is a sandwich may be controversial, it is based on the argument that pizza fulfills the essential criteria of a sandwich. Ultimately, how one interprets and defines a sandwich may vary, but exploring different perspectives can enrich our understanding and appreciation of culinary traditions. Graham Bartlett, owner at Taco and Piña Mexican food, is all about bringing the authentic flavors of Mexico to your plate. With Graham Bartlett, you can tantalize your taste buds with mouthwatering tacos and delicious piña coladas, all in one place. 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Ten food types, including bread, account for the higher risk of heart disease, stroke, the report says. Americans still eat an excessive amount of salt, and a lot of it comes from dietary staples such as bread, poultry, cheese and pasta, U.S. health officials reported Tuesday. A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report said 90 percent of Americans consume too much salt on an every day. Ten types of foods account for 44 percent of salt consumption, the CDC specialists said. These include rolls and bread; deli meats and cured meats; pizza; fresh and processed poultry; soups; cheeseburgers and other sandwiches; cheese; pasta dishes, for example, spaghetti with meat sauce; meat dishes such as meatloaf with tomato sauce; and salty snacks, for example, chips, pretzels, and popcorn. Too much salt, the major source of dietary sodium, can raise blood pressure, which is connected to heart disease and stroke. “Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death in the United States and are to a great extent reliant on the high rate of high blood pressure, and something that is driving our blood pressure up is that most adults in this country drink or eat about twice the amount of sodium recommended,” CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden said during a noon press conference Tuesday. “Reducing sodium across the food supply can increase consumer choice, is feasible, it can save thousands of lives and billions of dollars in health care costs each year,” Frieden included. As indicated by the report, reducing sodium by 25 percent in those 10 food types could help prevent 28,000 deaths every year and save $7 billion in medicinal care costs. The overall salt intake would decline by 10 percent. Because some of these foods, for example, bread, are eaten several times each day, salt consumption includes, even though an individual serving is not high in sodium. “Cooking fresh food at home is the great approach to lower sodium,” said Samantha Heller, a dietitian and clinical nutrition coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn. For their estimates, CDC specialists relied on data from a 2007-2008 nutrition study of more than 7,000 Americans aged 2 years and older. The agents found that 65 percent of daily sodium comes from food bought in stores, and 25 percent from restaurant meals. Excluding salt included at the table, the normal American consumes around 3,300 milligrams of sodium for every day — significantly more than the 2,300 milligrams recommended by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. For individuals more than 51 years old, black Americans, and those with high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease or diabetes, the recommendation is just 1,500 milligrams a day. Manufacturers of processed foods and restaurants need to reduce salt content in their foods, the report stated. The best approach to reducing your salt intake, the specialists said, is to eat more fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables without sauce and limit processed foods. Heller suggested buying low-sodium foods, for example, no-sodium canned tomatoes and tomato sauce, and using less cheese, “which can be surprisingly high in sodium.” It’s important to learn which foods are high in sodium and figure them into your day, and to check food labels when shopping, Heller said. Also, limit cold cuts and processed meats. The report, titled Vital Signs: Food Categories Contributing the Most to Sodium Consumption—the United States, 2007-2008, is published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Feb. 7 early release edition.

How Do I Check My Computer For Malware? What is Malware? Malware or malicious software refers to a range of programs that can infect your computer, possibly steal your personal information or cause computer performance to deteriorate. Such software can be difficult to detect, so it’s a good idea to scan your computer regularly. This article describes how to check your computer for malware. Types of Malware The term malware refers to programs like code, scripts, active content websites, Trojans and spyware that are created to disrupt the normal functioning of the computer, gather information that can lead to loss of privacy or that gain unauthorized access to the operating system. Spyware, for example, track your browsing habits and even keystrokes and pass on that information to the attacker. Information sent by the spyware can be used to send you annoying and unsolicited advertisements and other spam. Worse still, your personal information may be sold to other third parties which may lead to even more spam. Computer viruses are designed to infect files on a storage disk (hard drives) and can spread autonomously from computer to computer. A malware virus infection is often triggered by the user’s action such as opening an infected email attachment. A malware virus must attach itself to other programs in order to exist. This is the principal characteristic that distinguishes a malware virus from other forms of malware. Malware viruses cannot exist on its own, i.e., without a host program; it is usually present as a parasite on another program. Piggybacking on another program allows the malware virus to trick users into downloading and executing it. Apart from spyware and viruses, there are also other forms of malware such as ransomware, Trojans, rootkits, adware, etc. If your computer has slowed down significantly, if your applications take much longer to load or if your screen has unwanted pop-ups or advertising that you did not click on, then it is likely to be a malware infection. It’s vital that you take steps to remove this intrusive and unwanted software not only because it is annoying but because potentially you open yourself to personal information theft. How To Protect Your Computer From Malware? Make sure to download files and other software only from reputable websites. Install a good firewall program like Xcitium Firewall. Do not open links, suspicious emails or attachments from unknown senders. Most important of all, make sure to download and install a good antivirus program like Xcitium Antivirus. If you practice good browsing habits, you should be able to surf the internet relatively trouble-free and protect your computer from malware. Tackling Malware in an Enterprise/Organization Setting In an organization, a completely different strategy is required to defend against malware. The ideal way for organizations to disarm even the potent malware is to have an advanced endpoint protection system. Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP) software has the most extensive array of tools to identify known good and known bad files. Xcitium AEP is much more efficient and effective in containing malware including the zero-day malware. Xcitium AEP provides real-time protection for all of your endpoints so that your organization can stay protected from malware threats at all times. Get Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection today and make your endpoints malware free!

Feminisation of agricultural labour in India India is experiencing masculinisation of labour and while the labour force participation rate (LFPR) of men is increasing, that of women is decreasing. However, the only exception to this pattern is in agriculture. In many parts of India, women provide labour across all productive and post-harvest farm tasks, regardless of caste and work on family fields and as hired labourers on other farms informs this paper titled 'Caste-gender intersectionalities in wheat-growing communities in Madhya Pradesh, India' published in Gender, Technology and Development'. For example, in 1981, two-thirds of men (66.3 percent) and four-fifths (82.6 percent) of women worked in agriculture while this has grown to (49.8 percent) for men and (65 percent) for women by 2011. SC and ST women dominate the rural labour force. In 2011, 83.7 percent of ST women, 69.1 percent of SC women, and 59.9 percent of non marginalised castes (NMC) women were working in agriculture. However, women are being less involved in paid labour across the caste hierarchy and are more likely than men to be engaged in manual labour and to be paid less than men for the same work. Agriculture is getting more and more mechanised and affecting women’s and men’s work in different ways. The type of crops also affect work patterns of men and women. For example, some crops are more male- or female-dominant with respect to the gender division of labour and can influence men’s or women’s work. Role of women in wheat based farming systems in Madhya Pradesh The paper discusses the findings of a study that explores the role of women in the wheat based farming systems in a rural village in Jabalpur district in Madhya Pradesh. It aims at answering the following questions: - Is decision-making and labour in wheat farming feminised? - In what ways do interactions between caste and gender determine and limit the spaces within which women can act in wheat-based systems? - In what ways are women challenging their gender and caste identities to enhance their livelihoods by influencing their roles, responsibilities and decision-making in wheat? The study was carried out in a rural village with 250 households in Madhya Pradesh. Most people from the village belong to the Other Socially marginalised Castes (OSMC), ST, and SC categories with just six resident NMC families. Jabalpur, the district capital, is about 30 kilometers distant. The primary crops grown in the village include wheat, rice, pulses, and some vegetables. Large farmers comprise 2 percent, small farmers 60 percent, and the rest are marginal farmers. Majority of the people in the village own around around 1.5 acres of land. NMC and OSMC manage the land on one side of the village, which is flat with black rich soils and simple to irrigate. The ST and SC manage the land on the other side of the village, where the soil is of poor quality, hilly and hard to irrigate, which borders the national forest. The study findings Decision making in wheat farming was dominated by men Men dominated the decisionmaking related to crop production. Less than 10 percent women were important decision-makers with respect to crop production. However, 25–30 percent of women said they could take an autonomous decision regarding whether to engage in paid work. Men experienced limited autonomy concerning paid labour, with only 60–65 percent claiming autonomy as compared to 75 percent claiming autonomy in crop production. Although NMC/OMSC women were interested and knowledgeable about the wheat varieties, their ability to express wheat preferences in intra-household discussions was varied while it was the men who had substantial decision-making power and tended to have a larger say in agricultural decision-making. NMC and OSMC men did not concur with women’s views and while they acknowledged women’s work in the fields, they denied the status of women as farmers an felt that the work that women did was not real farming work. In men’s eyes, women had the status close to that of hired laborers, even when working on family land. Having and exercising decision-making power was integral to how men conceptualised what it meant to be a farmer, whereas women felt that the very fact of working on the land constituted their farming identity. Women displayed considerable knowledge of wheat varieties. Many had an acute knowledge of all associated agricultural practices, but were excluded from male-dominated knowledge networks. Women derived knowledge and information from observation, working in the fields, talking to other women, and the village traders. Women worked for an income, contested gender-based violence, and also argued that they were wheat farmers. They were primary financers of wheat through the SHGs, implying that wheat could be actually women-led. However, it was found that many men forced women to provide money through their SHGs to enable them to grow wheat. Shrinking labour in wheat farming restricted earning capacities of women Women were extremely interested in earning money, including working as hired laborers in wheat. They were motivated by financial needs as well as aspirations to live better lives and improve the lives of their children. Women of all castes looked for paid work, regardless of social norms that looked down upon women in the fields – particularly NMC and OSMC women. Some women were also pressurised by men to enter paid work. However, it was found that mechanisation of agricultural processes is gradually closing doors at the very moment when a large number of women have exerted their agency and defied norms around seclusion. The study showed a gradual loss of paid labour days for women and few opportunities for alternative income generation opportunities. Gender was more important than caste in influencing decisionmaking Gender was a far more important than caste in structuring “who decides.” Across all the four caste groups, men were primary decision-makers, and the inter-caste differences were negligible. However, ST and SC women generally experienced more personal agency than NMC women and, in particular, experience higher mobility. However, they continued to depend much more than NMC and OMSC women on paid fieldwork for their livelihoods because their own family lands were small, labour-intensive, and on poor quality hilly land. ST and SC women were more flexible in seeking alternative work due to their higher levels of mobility, but such work was hard to find. It was even harder for NMC women to find work because their limited mobility meant that they have no recourse to employment opportunities beyond the village. The study finds that women, particularly of the NMC and OSMC caste, have begun to challenge gendered caste structures that restricted them to unpaid agricultural work. Women seem to appear to gradually gain a voice in intra-household decision-making, and have become better informed about improved agricultural technologies. Gender-based violence has long been endemic, but now women are fighting back. The study also shows a waning of men’s voice as they age, particularly in relation to sons once they have married, but continue to insist, in contrast to women, upon cultural norms that privilege men as decision-makers.

Guidance of Young Children, 10th edition Your access includes: - Search, highlight, notes, and more - Easily create flashcards - Use the app for access anywhere - 14-day refund guarantee Minimum 4-month term, pay monthly or pay $43.96 upfront Learn more, spend less Study simpler and faster Use flashcards and other study tools in your eTextbook Find it fast Quickly navigate your eTextbook with search Access all your eTextbooks in one place Easily continue access Keep learning with auto-renew Guidance of Young Children promotes positive child guidance and management strategies. Written in a conversational style, yet solidly grounded in child development theory and research, Guidance of Young Children focuses on positive and developmentally appropriate guidance of young children. Based on the author's belief that adults need to have realistic expectations of children, the book emphasizes understanding young children's development in addition to major guidance theories. Real-world examples and case studies illustrate guidance in action, while analysis and application activities give readers a chance to construct their own basic approach to child guidance. The 10th Edition enhances its focus on positive guiding strategies with new information about the authoritative caregiving style, an emphasis on encouragement over praise, additional information about the high rate of childcare and preschool expulsions and more school-based examples at the pre-K and K level. Published by Pearson (December 11th 2020) - Copyright © 2019 Subject: Early Childhood Education Category: Guidance & Behavior PART I: GUIDING YOUNG CHILDREN: THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS 1. A Teacher's Role in Guiding Children 2. Theoretical Foundations of Child Guidance 3. Understand Child Development: A Key to Guiding Children Effectively PART II: “DIRECT" AND “INDIRECT" CHILD GUIDANCE 4. Supportive Physical Environments: Indirect Guidance 5. Positive Guidance and Discipline Strategies: Direct Guidance 6. Using Observation in Guiding Children PART III: SPECIAL TOPICS IN CHILD GUIDANCE 7. Self-Esteem and the Moral Self 8. Feelings and Friends: Emotional and Social Competence 9. Resilience and Stress in Childhood 10. Aggression and Bullying in Young Children 11. Minimizing Challenging Behavior PART IV: APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF CHILD GUIDANCE 12. Apply Your Knowledge: Guiding Children during Routines and Transitions 13. Apply Your Knowledge: Use the Decision-Making Model of Child Guidance Appendix: Review: Major Positive Discipline Strategies Your questions answered When you purchase an eTextbook subscription, it will last 4 months. You can renew your subscription by selecting Extend subscription on the Manage subscription page in My account before your initial term ends. If you extend your subscription, we'll automatically charge you every month. If you made a one‑time payment for your initial 4‑month term, you'll now pay monthly. To make sure your learning is uninterrupted, please check your card details. To avoid the next payment charge, select Cancel subscription on the Manage subscription page in My account before the renewal date. You can subscribe again in the future by purchasing another eTextbook subscription. When you purchase a Channels subscription it will last 1 month, 3 months or 12 months, depending on the plan you chose. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of your term unless you cancel it. We use your credit card to renew your subscription automatically. To make sure your learning is uninterrupted, please check your card details.

Birds are a group of flying, warm-blooded vertebrates. There are about ten thousand living species ranging in sizes from 5.5cm – 2.8m. The can travel in flocks or alone. There are many potential explanations for sightings. We recommend eliminating the most common and mundane before jumping to less probable conclusions or you submit a report.

Typography, which refers to the art of arranging text and letters to make written language readable, legible, and appealing, stands as a cornerstone in both print and digital mediums. The selection of fonts plays a pivotal role in communicating the intended message effectively. In light of this, the choice of fonts for print and digital platforms requires distinct considerations due to the inherent differences between the two mediums. Here’s what you need to know. Understanding the Mediums Print: The Tangible Expression Printed materials, such as books, magazines, and brochures, offer a tangible and static reading experience. Fonts in print need to ensure readability at different sizes without relying on the dynamic nature of digital screens. Serif fonts, like Times New Roman or Garamond, often excel in print due to their readability in longer texts. Digital: The Dynamic Interface Conversely, digital platforms encompass websites, apps, and e-books, where fonts encounter various screen sizes and resolutions. Here, sans-serif fonts like Arial or Roboto often dominate due to their readability on screens and adaptability across devices. Factors Influencing Font Selection Legibility and Readability Print: In print, font size and type directly impact readability. Fonts with well-defined serifs aid in prolonged reading sessions, enhancing readability in print materials like books or newspapers. Digital: On digital platforms, factors like screen resolution and font responsiveness matter. Sans-serif fonts with clean lines and ample spacing tend to render better across various screens, ensuring legibility on different devices. Brand Identity and Tone Print: Printed materials often represent the brand’s identity and tone. Serif fonts may connote tradition, formality, or reliability, while script fonts might evoke elegance or creativity, aligning with the brand’s essence. Digital: Similarly, on digital platforms, fonts become integral to establishing brand identity. However, the choice leans towards fonts optimized for screens, ensuring consistent representation across devices. Function and Purpose Print: The purpose of the printed material dictates font selection. For instance, body text in a novel might benefit from a serif font for readability, while a poster might opt for bold, attention-grabbing sans-serif fonts for headlines. Digital: Functionality drives font choices in the digital realm too. Websites prioritize fonts that load quickly and remain clear at various sizes to accommodate different screen dimensions and user preferences. Guidelines for Font Selection Consistency Across Mediums Maintaining consistency in font usage across print and digital mediums strengthens brand recognition. While the font might slightly vary for each medium, a coherent font palette preserves the brand’s identity. Scalability and Adaptability Fonts must be scalable and adaptable. In print, fonts should maintain clarity at different sizes, while on digital platforms, they need to be responsive, adjusting seamlessly to diverse screen resolutions. Both print and digital typography demand accessibility. In print, font size and contrast ensure readability for all audiences. Digital platforms require compliance with web accessibility standards, employing fonts with adequate contrast and adaptable sizing. Emotional and Psychological Impact Print: Fonts evoke emotions and perceptions. Serif fonts may convey tradition and reliability, while decorative fonts might express creativity or playfulness, affecting how readers perceive the content. Digital: Understanding the psychological impact of fonts is vital. Certain fonts might resonate differently with digital audiences, influencing user experience and engagement. Print: In printed materials, establishing a clear typographic hierarchy aids in guiding readers through the content. Employing various font sizes, weights, and styles helps differentiate headers, subheadings, and body text, enhancing readability. Digital: Similarly, on digital platforms, a well-defined hierarchy ensures easy navigation and readability. Consistent use of font sizes and styles helps users quickly scan and comprehend content. Responsive Typography in Digital Design With the advent of responsive web design, font choices must adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes and orientations. Employing fluid typography ensures readability and aesthetics across various devices, enhancing the user experience. Different cultures attribute varying meanings to fonts. When designing for diverse audiences, understanding cultural connotations associated with certain fonts helps avoid unintended misinterpretations and ensures effective communication. Print Example: Book Typography When selecting fonts for a printed book, consider the text’s nature. Body text benefits from serif fonts for prolonged reading, while sans-serif fonts might suit chapter titles or headings, offering contrast and visual appeal. Digital Example: Website Typography For website typography, prioritize readability and responsiveness. Choose fonts compatible across devices and screen sizes. Employ sans-serif fonts for body text, ensuring easy consumption, while using distinctive fonts for headers or branding elements to maintain uniqueness. Choose the Perfect Fonts for Each Medium The art of choosing fonts wisely for print and digital mediums involves a delicate balance between aesthetics, functionality, and communication. While the principles of legibility, consistency, and scalability remain constant, adapting font choices to the unique demands of each medium is crucial for effective communication and brand representation. In a world where content is consumed across diverse platforms, understanding the nuances of typography for print versus digital realms empowers designers and creators to wield fonts as powerful tools in conveying messages with impact and clarity. With over 25 years of experience in print design and production, Greg has established himself as a recognised individual within the printing industry in Australia. Throughout his extensive career, he has successfully worked with thousands of clients to fulfill their print projects. What sets Greg apart is his unparalleled ability to understand clients’ exact requirements and consistently deliver solutions that don’t just meet expectations, but indeed exceed them.

As a parent, discovering that your child has been accused of a crime can be an overwhelming and frightening experience. You may be unsure of how to proceed, what rights your child has, and how to best protect their future. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various aspects of the juvenile justice system and provide you with the information you need to navigate this challenging process. Understanding the Differences Between Juvenile and Adult Criminal Systems One of the first things to understand is that the juvenile justice system is separate from the adult criminal system. While the adult system focuses on punishment, the juvenile system is designed to rehabilitate and educate young offenders. Some key differences include: - Age: Juvenile courts typically handle cases involving individuals under the age of 18, although this can vary by state. - Confidentiality: Juvenile records are generally sealed and kept confidential, whereas adult criminal records are public. - Detention: Juveniles are often held in separate facilities from adult offenders. - Disposition: Juvenile cases are typically resolved through a disposition hearing, which focuses on creating a plan for rehabilitation, rather than a trial focused on guilt or innocence. Know Your Child's Rights It is crucial to understand the rights your child has within the juvenile justice system. Some of the most important rights include: - The right to remain silent: Your child does not have to speak to law enforcement or answer any questions without an attorney present. - The right to an attorney: Your child has the right to be represented by an attorney, and if you cannot afford one, the court will appoint a public defender. - The right to a speedy trial: Your child has the right to have their case heard in a timely manner. - The right to confront witnesses: Your child has the right to question any witnesses testifying against them. Understanding these rights is crucial to ensuring your child is treated fairly throughout the legal process. It is highly recommended to consult with an experienced juvenile criminal defense attorney to help protect your child's rights and navigate the complexities of the juvenile justice system. What to Expect During the Legal Process The juvenile justice process typically begins with an arrest or citation. From there, the process may include the following steps: - Intake: A probation officer will review the case and determine whether to proceed with formal charges or recommend alternative options, such as counseling or community service. - Detention hearing: If your child is detained, a hearing will be held within 24 hours to determine whether they should remain in custody or be released to your care. - Adjudication hearing: Similar to a trial, this hearing will determine whether your child is responsible for the alleged offense. - Disposition hearing: If your child is found responsible, the court will determine an appropriate plan for rehabilitation, which may include probation, community service, or placement in a juvenile facility. How The Hoffman Firm Can Help At The Hoffman Firm, we understand the emotional toll that juvenile criminal charges can take on both the child and their family. Our experienced Miami juvenile criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to protecting your child's rights and working tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for their case. With a thorough understanding of the juvenile justice system, we can help guide you through each step of the process and ensure that your child receives the support and resources they need for a successful future. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can assist you during this challenging time.

There are various types of battery chemistries available, such as lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium (NiCad), if you have ever examined the batteries that fuel your electronic devices. But did you know that not all of these can be charged with the same kind of charger? This blog post will examine whether a NiCad charger can charge a lithium ion battery in detail. We’ll dive deep into what differences exist between each type of battery and review popular methods for making sure your device is always powered up – regardless which type of power cell you’re using. Let’s get started! Can You Swap Lithium Ion for Nicad Batteries? Li-Ion batteries use a chemical reaction to generate electricity, while NiCd uses an electrochemical reaction. This means that the chemistry of the battery cell is drastically different, making it impossible to swap one type for the other without adverse effects. If you try to charge a Li-Ion battery with a NiCd charger, this can potentially cause the battery to become dangerously overcharged and possibly even explode or catch fire in some cases. To summarize, using a NiCd charger on a Lithium Ion battery or vice versa is not advised because these two chemistries are incompatible with each other. Each type has its own unique set of requirements for charging and should only be used in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Doing so will ensure that your batteries stay safe and last longer. Deeper Look at Lithium Ion Batteries Lithium ion batteries are becoming increasingly popular in consumer electronics, and many people wonder if they can be charged using a NiCad charger. The short answer is no; while both lithium ion and NiCad batteries use the same sort of charging technology, the voltage levels required to charge them differ significantly. Charging lithium ion batteries requires higher voltages compared to NiCad batteries. Trying to charge a lithium ion battery with a NiCad charger can seriously damage it, so it is important to make sure you have the right type of charger before attempting any recharging. The chemistry used in lithium ion batteries is distinct from the chemistry used in NiCad batteries. Nickel-cadmium batteries store energy through a reversible reaction between nickel and cadmium, while lithium ion batteries store energy by moving ions between a negative electrode (anode) and a positive electrode (cathode). When you charge a lithium ion battery, the voltage applied splits some of the molecules into their component parts, while other molecules are formed in the process. It is this process that requires higher voltages than those used for NiCad batteries. To clarify, you cannot use a NiCad charger to charge a lithium ion battery because both types of batteries have different voltage requirements for charging. While both types of batteries use similar charging technology, Li-ion batteries need much higher voltages because of their unique chemistry. For safety reasons, it is important to ensure that the right type of charger is being used for the job. Therefore, when recharging lithium ion batteries, make sure you have the correct charger and don’t use a NiCad charger by mistake. Doing so could cause serious damage to your battery and even be a fire hazard. Deeper Look at NiCad Batteries Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries are a type of rechargeable battery. These batteries have been around for over 100 years and are most commonly used in low-power applications such as electronics, cordless tools, and toys. NiCd batteries rely on chemical reactions to store energy so they can be recharged hundreds of times. NiCd batteries use a highly reactive form of nickel oxide combined with cadmium hydroxide to produce an electric current when needed. This combination is what makes these types of batteries particularly powerful; however, it also means that the cells must be treated carefully to prevent short circuits or overheating which could lead to dangerous leaks and explosions. It is not advisable to use a NiCd charger to charge Li-Ion batteries because their chemistries are vastly dissimilar. Using a NiCad charger on a lithium ion battery is not recommended as the voltage of a NiCad battery is around 1.2V while that of a lithium ion battery is around 3.6V. This can result in overcharging or damage to the battery cells. Different Types of Lithium Ion Batteries There are various shapes and sizes in which lithium ion batteries are available. There are cylindrical cells, prismatic cells, pouch cells, and coin cells, among others. Cylindrical lithium ion batteries are the most common type; they have a cylindrical shape with two metal ends to connect them to the device being powered. Prismatic lithium ion batteries are flat rectangular shapes that fit into small places like cell phones and cameras. Pouch li-ion batteries can be shaped to fit almost any confined space; they are also known as soft pack or laminate cells. Coin li-ion batteries are round and thin, usually used for watches and other types of electronic devices with tiny battery compartments. No matter what type of lithium ion battery you are using, it is important to use the correct type of charger. While NiCad chargers will not work on any type of lithium ion battery, there are special lithium ion chargers designed for each type of li-ion battery. These chargers are typically marked with their voltage and amperage specifications. Using a mismatched charger could cause damage to your device or even start a fire. When in doubt, always consult an experienced technician or look up the recommended charging specifications for your device online. What Is The Process Of Charging Lithium Ion Batteries? Charging Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries is a bit more complicated than charging Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) batteries. Li-ion batteries are typically charged with an intelligent charger that monitors the battery voltage and temperature to ensure the battery does not overcharge or overheat. A proper charge cycle will usually involve two stages: constant current and constant voltage. The constant current phase is when the charger applies a set amount of current to the battery until it reaches its peak voltage level, at which point it moves into the constant voltage stage. This stage keeps the battery from overcharging by allowing only a specific amount of current to be applied until the charge time expires. Once this happens, the charger shuts off automatically and signals that the battery is fully charged. It’s also important to use the right adapter when charging your Li-ion battery, as using one with too high or too low of an output voltage may result in damage to the battery. To ensure that your Li-ion battery is properly charged and maintained, it’s best to consult the manufacturer’s instructions before charging. Doing so will help you get the most out of your Li-ion battery and extend its lifespan. Different Battery Chargers For Different Lithium Ion Batteries There is no single answer to the question of whether you can charge a lithium ion battery with a NiCad charger, as it depends on the type of battery and charger being used. Lithium-ion batteries come in different shapes and sizes, and various types are designed to be used with different chargers. In general, NiCad chargers are not recommended for charging lithium-ion batteries because they may cause irreversible damage to the battery cells. For example, Li-Ion 18650 rechargeable batteries should not be charged using a NiCad charger. Charging this type of battery with a NiCad charger could potentially lead to overcharging or undercharging, both of which can shorten its lifespan or even make it unusable. Instead, these batteries should only be charged with a Li-ion charger, such as the XTAR VC2 Plus or Nitecore i4 Intellicharger. Similarly, NiCad chargers are not suitable for charging lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries either. The LiPo batteries used in many consumer electronics devices require specialized chargers that can accurately detect and adjust current and voltage levels to ensure safe recharging. Such chargers offer features like temperature monitoring and balancing capabilities which provide extra protection to the battery cells from overcharging or undercharging. In summary, due to the different types of lithium ion batteries available on the market, there is no definitive answer as to whether you can charge a lithium ion battery with a NiCad charger. Depending on the type of battery you are using, it is important to check the manufacturer’s instructions and use the appropriate charger for your device. This will ensure that your lithium ion batteries remain safe and last longer. What Is The Process of Charging NiCad Batteries? NiCad batteries are charged by applying a voltage to the cells. This causes an electrical current to be delivered to the battery, which in turn causes reactions within the cell which allow ions and electrons to move freely between their respective electrodes. The result is that chemical energy stored in the battery is converted into electricity, which can then be used to power electronic devices. Charging NiCad batteries requires the charger to monitor the voltage of each cell during charging and stop delivering current when it reaches its maximum capacity. If left unchecked, overcharging can cause permanent damage to the cells and even make them explode. Can you charge a lithium battery with a NiCad charger? No, you cannot charge a lithium-ion battery with a NiCad charger. Lithium-ion batteries require a specialized charger that is designed to provide the specific charging requirements of lithium-ion cells. Using a NiCad charger can damage the battery or even cause it to catch fire. It is important to use only chargers specifically designed for the type of battery you are using, in order to ensure safe and effective charging. Never attempt to charge any type of battery with an inappropriate charger. Doing so could result in serious injury or property damage. If you need help selecting the correct charger for your application, consult with an expert at your local hardware store or online retailer. They will be able to advise on the best product for your needs. What happens if I charge a lithium battery with a normal charger? Charging a lithium battery with a NiCad charger is not recommended as it could lead to damage or disruption of the power supply. There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration when charging lithium batteries, such as voltage levels and current output of the battery and charger. This is because the two types of batteries have different chemistries, and using a NiCad charger would result in inconsistent and potentially damaging charge patterns for the lithium battery. Additionally, if a NiCad charger is used on a lithium battery, the risk of overcharging increases due to mismatched chemistry between them. Do I need a special charger for lithium batteries? Yes. Lithium batteries require a charger specifically designed to charge them safely and effectively. Li-ion chargers usually feature multiple protection circuits that monitor the charging process, ensuring the battery is charged at optimal levels without overcharging or short circuiting. When purchasing a charger for your lithium battery, it’s important to ensure its specs are compatible with your device’s battery specifications. The wrong type of charger can damage the battery or even lead to safety hazards such as fire risks. What is the difference between lithium and NiCad battery charger? The main difference between lithium and NiCad battery chargers is the type of battery they are designed to charge. Lithium ion batteries require a low voltage charging circuit, while NiCad batteries require a higher voltage current. Generally, NiCad chargers are not recommended for use with lithium-ion batteries because their high voltage can be damaging and cause permanent damage to the lithium-ion cells. On the other hand, if you do choose to use a NiCad charger with your lithium-ion battery, make sure that it is specifically designed for that purpose and does not have any settings that could result in overcharging or too rapid a charge rate. In addition, be sure to monitor the battery temperature during charging and stop charging if the battery begins to overheat. Doing so can prevent serious damage and potential hazards. Ultimately, it is generally safer and more effective to use a lithium-ion charger when charging lithium-ion batteries. Can a 12V charger charge a lithium battery? No, a 12V charger cannot be used to charge a lithium ion battery. Lithium batteries require an appropriate lithium-ion battery charger and should not be charged using NiCad or lead-acid chargers. The voltage difference between the two types of batteries can cause damage to the cells and could result in hazardous conditions. Therefore, it is important to use an appropriate charger when charging a lithium ion battery. Additionally, never leave a lithium ion battery unattended while charging as overcharging can occur and lead to potential fire hazards. It is also worth noting that although there are some universal chargers available on the market which claim to work for both NiCd and Li-Ion batteries, these may not always provide the correct voltage and amps for the lithium battery and should be avoided. The safest bet is to purchase a dedicated charger specifically designed for your make and model of lithium ion battery. Can a dead lithium battery be recharged? The short answer is yes, it is possible to charge a dead lithium ion battery with a NiCad charger. However, this should be done with caution as the charging process can cause damage to the battery if not monitored carefully. Additionally, using a NiCad charger on a lithium ion battery may not be the most efficient way to charge it. It is best to use an appropriate charger when recharging lithium batteries, since they require different levels of voltage and current than other types of rechargeable batteries. Not all lithium ion chargers are designed for all models of batteries so make sure you check your device’s manual before attempting to use an alternate charging method. Useful Video: Lithium Battery + BMS + Nicd/Nimh Charger, Is it possible? Bosch cordless drill 14.4V PSR 1440 In conclusion, it’s safe to say that you cannot charge a Lithium-ion battery with a NiCd charger. Doing so could potentially damage the battery and even be dangerous. While some lithium-ion chargers may work with NiCd batteries, it is not recommended as the current rating of the two types of batteries are different. It is best practice to use the correct charger for each type of battery in order to maximize its performance and potential lifespan. Furthermore, using the wrong charger can void any warranties associated with both the battery and charger. Therefore, it is important to be aware of what type of battery and charger you have before attempting to use them together.

This story shows that in the case of Polish-Jewish relations – especially in the post-war period – there can be no simple, zero-one narrative. Just as there were bad Poles surrendering hiding Jews to Germans, so were there Jews, overrepresented among communists, who tortured and murdered patriotic Poles hiding from communists. Abram Tauber, who was Jewish, was hidden from Germans by Home Army soldiers during the war. When the Soviet army appeared in the vicinity of Lublin, he joined their side. Soon, he became the head of the UB (Security Service) in the village of Chodel and personally murdered four Home Army soldiers. Abram Tauber, due to his Jewish origin, did not have an easy life under German occupation. He had to hide. He was assisted by Home Army soldiers under the command of Major Hieronim Dekutowski (nicknamed “Zapora”). He often came to rely upon shelter in locations controlled by the “Zaporczyk” unit. In the second half of 1944, when Soviets took over the Lublin region, Tauber decided that the threat to his life would be much smaller if he moved to the areas from which the Germans had been driven out. He did that and joined the regime installed by the Soviets. In early 1945, Tauber was appointed commander of the police and head of the UB, in Chodel. As the head of this communist unit, he contacted four Home Army soldiers whom he knew from the period of hiding from the Germans (one of them saved him directly). These soldiers went to the meeting completely voluntarily and without weapons. It is possible that they were convinced that Tauber, who had been saved by them earlier, would want to repay them somehow, treat them with some vodka or give some good advice on the new reality. The reality turned out very different. The meeting with Tauber was a classic UB ambush. Tauber ordered the soldiers to be tied up with barbed wire first and then shot them all personally. Upon hearing the news, Hieronim Dekutowski (“The Firewall”) decided to return to the underground. He organized a group of several dozen Polish soldiers and – as a revenge for Tauber’s conduct – on the night of February 5-6, 1945, he broke into the MO / UB police station in Chodel. The Dekutowski group did not find Tauber, however. According to the account of one of the “Zaporczyki”, Stanisław Wnuk (aka “Opal”), Tauber was soon transferred to the Szczecin UB. Finally, he supposedly emigrated to Israel. I throw this “pebble in the garden” to show that – contrary to what the Yad Vashem Institute claims – the history of anti-Semitism and anti-Polonism can sometimes intertwine. Abram Tauber was undoubtedly a victim of Nazi Germany’s anti-Semitic policy. However, as soon as the opportunity arose, he became an officer of the criminal regime for whom the primary enemy were Poles fighting for freedom.

Obital propellant depot. Image: NASA Robust space infrastructure includes not only crew habitats and the life support and power needed to operate them, but also the equipment that gives a space facility or base the ability to support what the crew is doing. This includes science, spacecraft and logistics operations, support for construction of additional bases in space and on the Moon, Mars and asteroids. Space offers some major challenges for the operation and use of electronics, computers and communications and data transmission systems, but it also offers some major opportunities. Improvements are needed in a variety of areas specific to space applications. COMPONENTS (types of infrastructure) Infrastructure to support extended and cost effective human operations in space requires the design, deployment and operational use of components including: - Reusable spacecraft (such as space tugs) that are operated and refueled in space. - Propellant depots that will allow spacecraft to be reused and refueled in space and will support such robust activities. - A cryocooler, sunshade and propellant insulation system that can achieve Zero Boil Off (ZBO) conditions for large cryogenic propellant depots. - Automated and teleoperated robotic systems for construction, operations (including logistics), and maintenance of infrastructure and habitats in space, on asteroids, and on planetary surfaces. - Power transfer via wireless power transmission from one space location to another. - High bandwidth interplanetary communications systems. - Current lack of large, proven cryo-cooler systems for cryogenic propellant depots in microgravity. - Current lack of proven technology to transfer cryogenic liquids between non-accelerating and non-rotating objects in space. - Lack of software needed to safely operate external robotic systems in a manner similar to assembly line robots. - Lack of sophisticated telepresence systems to allow direct human operation of external robots as needed for construction and logistics. This milestone can be considered achieved when a logistics base demonstrates the ability to dock several pressurized and non-pressurized space vehicles, to move cargo from one vehicle to another with a robot, and to store sufficient cryogenic propellants to enable the operation of space transport vehicles. MORE OF THE NSS ROADMAP TO SPACE SETTLEMENT: