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There is a lot of information online about what helps or hinders a woman’s chance of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby. Unfortunately, some of the information is misleading or simply not correct. Here are eight myth busters to help you on your fact finding way: The best time to try to conceive is day 14 of the menstrual cycle – MYTH The best time to conceive is in the three days leading up to and including the day of ovulation. The length of a woman’s cycle can vary. To know which day of your cycle you are ovulating, observe your fertility signs. At the time of ovulation cervical mucus will be clear, stretchy and slippery – perfect for sperm to swim along. You can use a special ‘basal body temp’ thermometer each morning to determine which day you are ovulating. Your body temperature rises slightly just after ovulation. To calculate your ovulation day visit https://yourfertility.org.au/for-women/timing-and-conception/ Women can have children at any age – lots of women have babies in their 40s – MISCONCEPTION Age is the most important factor affecting a woman’s chance of conceiving and having a healthy child. A woman’s fertility starts to decline in her early thirties, with the decline speeding up after 35. At 40 a woman only has a five per cent chance of becoming pregnant in any month. This is because a girls are born with all the eggs she is going to have in their lifetime. As a woman ages her eggs age, decreasing in quality and number. A women’s weight can reduce her chance of getting pregnant – TRUE Being very overweight reduces a woman’s chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby. Women who have a BMI higher than 30 can take longer to conceive than women in the healthy weight range and when they do conceive they have a higher risk of pregnancy complications. View our healthy weight fact sheet or read about how to increase your daily activity levels to help you move towards a more healthy weight. Smoking is only bad during pregnancy and doesn’t affect a woman’s ability to conceive – MYTH Smoking affects each stage of the reproductive process and can damage eggs and sperm. Passive smoking is only slightly less harmful to fertility than active smoking. Women who are exposed to other people’s smoke are more likely to take longer to get pregnant.Stopping smoking can improve natural fertility and some of the effects of smoking can be reversed within a year of quitting. Women who quit smoking before conception or within the first three months of pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of premature birth. For more information and support to help quit smoking, visit www.quit.org.au Women with PCOS can only get pregnant with IVF – MISCONCEPTION The most successful way to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is by living a healthy life. The healthier you are, the better your chances of conceiving and having a healthy baby. Most women with PCOS are able to conceive, however they may take a little longer to get pregnant. The way you eat, exercise and generally stay healthy is the best way to reduce your symptoms. Learn more about PCOS and fertility. Sexually trasmitted infectioncs can affect a woman’s ability to have a baby – TRUE Women with chlamydia may not experience symptoms. They can have the infection for some time without being diagnosed or treated. Undetected chlamydia infections can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which in turn can lead to infertility. If Gonorrhoea is not treated, it can also affect a person’s chance of having a baby. Women with diabetes can’t get pregnant – MYTH With some planning and preperation, to reduce risk associated with diabetes, women with diabetes can have a healthy baby. It is best that you become pregnant at a time when your diabetes is well managed and there are no other health problems. IVF is the answer for women who delay motherhood – MISCONCEPTION Women might delay their plans for a family for many reasons – career, finances, timing, or not having the right partner. About 25% of women of couples who start IVF will take home a baby. The chances of success through IVF reduce for women over 30, if there is more than one fertility issue, and if there were more than three previous unsuccessful IVF attempts.

Grand Master Nam Anh masters, among other things, two distinct styles of martial arts, Pak Mei and Wing Chun. Therefore, it seems important, as a disciple, to clearly identify these two approaches to ensure their promotion and diffusion. SHAOLIN TEMPLE DESTRUCTION Following the Chan Buddhist teachings of Bodidharma (6th century AD) the Shaolin Temple gained great fame thanks to the quality of Kung Fu of its monks. The history of this temple is most tumultuous: it was destroyed and rebuilt several times according to the alliances or conflicts with the imperial powers. The Ching dynasty, of Manchu origin, seized power in 1644, thus driving out the Han dynasty, identified as Ming, and made up of the Chinese majority. At the beginning of their reign, the Ching, under the reign of Kan Shi (1661-1722), the Shaolin Temple remained a powerful martial arts center whose fame attracted many students. The new dynasty had to face a rebellion movement supported in secret by the religions, the monastery of Shaolin as well as by different schools of Kung Fu because the Ching were then perceived like invaders. Excluded from power and fugitives, several Ming dignitaries took refuge in the Shaolin Temple to perfect their martial training and continue the rebellion in order to drive out the Manchu invaders. Generals specializing in the art of war led armies and regarded martial arts students as a threat. On several occasions they tried to appropriate the knowledge of the monks. It was during a bloody repression ordered by Emperor Chiang Lung (1736-1796) that the Shaolin Temple was set on fire and bleeding. The Kung Fu schools were dissolved. Only 5 monks survived and fled. They are known as the “Five Invincibles” and went into hiding. These are: Jee Shin, Tak Fung Taoi, Mieu Hien, Pak Mei and Ng Mui. THE WING CHUN: A COUNTERPOINT TO PAK MEI (THE THESIS AND THE ANTITHESIS) The destruction of the Shaolin Temple was the origin of a great change in the world of Kung Fu by forcing survivors to innovation. In order to continue the resistance it was necessary to secretly train new combatants in less time while improving their efficiency since the monks of Shaolin had been defeated by the imperial troops. It is in this context that Pak Mei and Wing Chun find their origins. Among the 5 invincibles, there was one who changed political allegiance and joined the Ching : Pak Mei who had developed a new style of Kung Fu based on the short path. This was a revolutionary approach to the Shaolin tradition of which Kung Fu was based on the long path. He challenged Jee Shan who perished in this fight. The superiority of Pak Mei was thus demonstrated. This confrontation dealt a severe blow to Shaolin and the Ming’s fame and strengthened Ching’s authority and the prestige of the Pak Mei School, which was undergoing great development. It was imperative to devise a response because the growing appeal of the Pak Mei strengthened Ching’s power over the population to the detriment of schools related to Shaolin and Ming. However, among the spectators who attended the fight, there was another of the 5 invincibles : the nun Ng Mui who remained faithful to the Ming clan. In order to counter Pak Mei who was now in the service of the power in place, she had to invent a form of specific combat likely to overcome the techniques used by this new enemy. Founder of Pai Heu School, Ng Mui had the skills to design an effective response. It is in this context that the Wing Chun was conceived. Like the Pak Mei, it uses the short path, the center line, the internal force and the wooden dummy. It should be noted in passing that the use of the wooden dummy goes back to the Shaolin Temple, where there was a dark room in which there were many wooden dummys equipped with various mechanisms for intensive training. During the last test before the final exit of the temple (descent of the mountain) the disciple had to defeat a series of wooden dummys arranged in an obscure corridor leading to the exit. If he managed to cross it by remaining unscathed, this final test consecrated the end of his training. For example, Wing Chun’s wooden dummy replicates the basic position of the Pak Mei fighters, in order to allow Wing Chun’s followers to resist the attacks of their opponents. Other styles also use the wooden dummy: Choy lay fut, Praying Mantis, Pak Mei. Each school conceived it according to its own techniques that vary from one style to another. In the course of her flight, taking refuge from one monastery to another, the good-natured Ng Mui trained three disciples: Fung Wing Chun, Mai Wing Chun and Yim Wing Chun (the founder of our School). However, these disciples were outside the Shaolin Temple. Each of them married former disciples who were now orphans after the death of their Kung Fu Master. It was under these arrangements that Yim Wing Chun married Leung Bok Chau. The planning of these marriages consolidated the organization of resistance among opponents of the Ching regime. Out of respect for his wife Leung Bok Chau named the new style “Wing Chun”. The long journey in the martial arts of Grand Master Nam Anh is dotted with several key steps. Having completed his Wing Chung training with Master Hoi Hai Long and Grandmaster Nguyen Minh, he became interested in Pak Mei. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he wanted to go back to basics and understand the combat system that had once overwhelmed Shaolin’s approach and gave birth to Wing Chun. A Grand Master thus became the disciple of another Grand Master, wich almost never happens. Under the tutelage of Loo Ping Woon, he became a Grand Master of Pak Mei! In Viet Nam, this episode marked the unification of two formerly antagonistic schools for the benefit of the Martial Arts community. Armed with this new knowledge, the Grand Master took another step in the quest for ultimate fighting techniques, paving the way for another step with one of his former mentors, Taichi Master Kwan Say Ming, who would then ask him the enigma of existence and non-existence! Nam Ngu (Pierre François Flores) Red Belt, 4th Dan Collaboration: Malcolm St-Pierre, ceinture rouge

Sikhi teaches God created Himself. How can this be true? It is a misconception that God “created Himself” and therefore suggesting that God was born. Gurbaani is the infallible word of God, within which there are no contradictions. Humans can make mistakes when interpreting, translating or understanding Gurbaani, however the Guru and God are Perfect. ਭੁਲਣ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਅਭੁਲੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਕਰਤਾਰੁ ॥ “Everyone makes mistakes; only the Guru and the Creator are infallible.” The Mool Mantar, the first verse of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee describes God. It states God is ‘ajoonee’ (unborn) and ‘saibhun’ (self-existent). The Mool Mantr is the yardstick of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee and is the foundation of Sikhi. Mool Mantar also states that “God always was, always is and always wil be.” So the question of “how can God create Himself” never arises for He has always been. One should be careful when reading translations and understand that some words are difficult to translate to another language and sometimes the exact word is difficult to find. Therefore, it is best if one reads the original script in Gurmukhi. The Shabad (hymn) on Ang 463 says: ਆਪੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਆਪੁ ਸਾਜਿਓ ਆਪੀਨ੍ਹ੍ਹੈ ਰਚਿਓ ਨਾਉ ॥ ਦੁਯੀ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਸਾਜੀਐ ਕਰਿ ਆਸਣੁ ਡਿਠੋ ਚਾਉ ॥ ਦਾਤਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਆਪਿ ਤੂੰ ਤੁਸਿ ਦੇਵਹਿ ਕਰਹਿ ਪਸਾਉ ॥ ਤੂੰ ਜਾਣੋਈ ਸਭਸੈ ਦੇ ਲੈਸਹਿ ਜਿੰਦੁ ਕਵਾਉ ॥ ਕਰਿ ਆਸਣੁ ਡਿਠੋ ਚਾਉ ॥੧॥ “Pauree: The Almighty Himself fashioned the world and Himself assumed His Name. Secondly, He fashioned the creation; seated within the creation, He beholds it with delight. You Yourself are the Giver and the Creator; by Your Pleasure, You bestow Your Mercy. You are the Knower of all; You give life, and take it away again with a word. Seated within the creation, You behold it with delight. ||1||” According to Gurbani God has always existed and uncreated: ਥਾਪਿਆ ਨ ਜਾਇ ਕੀਤਾ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥ “He cannot be established, He cannot be created.” When in Gurbaani it refers to ‘creating Himself’ or ‘fashioning Himself’it means that God Himself manifested Himself from His Nirgun (invisible) form, whichever forever existed, to his Sargun (visible) form.

No matter where and when you are on California roads, it is always a good idea to drive defensively and take safety precautions such as wearing seat belts and obeying the traffic laws. Beyond that, though, are there other lesser-known formulas that increase your safety and reduce the likelihood of a serious accident? For example, are there days of the week that are inherently more dangerous than others, and are there times of the day that are more perilous? The days of the week, it appears, present fairly clear patterns for driving safety. According to a USA Today article, Saturday is the most dangerous day of the week to drive. A close analysis of data dealing with accidents reveals that 6802 vehicle-related deaths occurred on that day in 2016. Tuesdays saw the lowest number of deaths, with merely 4444 recorded. In fact, weekdays overall were the safest days to drive, while the weekend, including Fridays, were the most deadly. The time of day also shows discernible patterns between high fatalities and low fatalities on the road. Crash-related fatalities peak during afternoon rush hour, between 4 PM and 7 PM, and are at their lowest between 1 AM and 10 AM. Alcohol use, a relevant factor in serious crashes, is higher in the afternoon and evening hours. When it comes to the correlation between weather and fatal accidents, the data is less clear. The National Center for Biotechnology Information presented an article that covered weather and fatal accidents between 1994 and 2012. Among the findings were that the rates of weather-related accidents varied geographically, that rain and wet conditions were responsible for more fatalities than snow and ice, and that California was tied for the second lowest rate of weather-related traffic deaths.

Listening is not just hearing what the other party in the conversation has to say. Poet Alice Duer Miller said this about listening: "Listening means taking a vigorous, human interest in what is being told us.” I’d be willing to bet you’re not listening as well as you might think. Sure, you might hear the other person, but a lot can get in the way of truly listening and receiving the speaker’s message. Barriers to listening. Listening is a critical leadership skill – without it we cannot be an effective leader. A barrier to listening is anything that is hindering you from recognizing, understanding, and accurately interpreting the message you are receiving. There are many things that can pull our attention away from the speaker’s message. The top five barriers to active listening are below. Which of them have you found yourself doing when someone is speaking? Which have you experienced when you are the speaker? - Judgment of the speaker or topic. Focusing on your own perspective about the person speaking to you or your feelings about the topic distracts you from listening. You might have a hard time listening because you don’t agree with the speaker or the topic, and you might allow these personal judgements to distract you. - Preparing what you’re going to say. It’s common to be formulating a reply while the other person is still talking. Thinking about what you’re going to say next in response to the speaker pulls your attention away from the speaker or the message – you’re not really listening in these situations. - Distraction or daydreaming. Have you ever found yourself looking at other people walking by, gazing out the window, thinking about your next meeting, or looking at the email or text alerts that pop up on your screen? It pulls your attention away from the person who is talking. (Ahem, my dear husband, are you reading this?). - Previous experiences. You might not notice it, but sometimes the other person’s speech reminds you of a situation you’ve faced, and you put all of your attention on what you did to resolve the challenge, or you find yourself preparing to tell the speaker about your experience before they are finished sharing theirs. In this case, you can be so absorbed in your own thoughts and concerns you can’t focus on what someone else is saying. - Preoccupation. When you have a lot on your mind (who doesn’t these days?), you can fail to listen to what is being said. In these situations, you’re so busy concentrating on what you’re thinking about that you can’t hear the other person’s message. This might be particularly true when you feel stressed or when you are worried about something. How to master active listening. Active listening refers to a pattern of listening where you are engaged with your conversation partner in a positive way, listening attentively while some is speaking. When you are listening actively, you paraphrase and reflect back what is said and you withhold judgement and/or giving advice. Active listening makes the other person feel heard and valued, and it is the foundation for any successful conversation. Here are some tips for helping you become a better active listener: - Paraphrase what has been said. Rather than offering unsolicited advice or opinions, rephrase. You might say, “What I hear you saying is…” - Refrain from interrupting. While the other person is speaking, don’t interrupt, and don’t prepare your reply while they are speaking. Be neutral and withhold judgment while listening as well. - Watch your nonverbal behavior. Communicate to the speaker that you are attentive by your facial expressions, tone of voice, and other behaviors. Make eye contact, without “staring,” nod your head occasionally, avoid folding your arms, lean slightly towards the speaker…these behaviors signal to the speaker that you are listening attentively. - Ask questions. Show interest by asking questions to clarify what was said. Ask open-ended questions to encourage the speaker. Avoid “yes” or “no” closed questions that tend to shut down the conversation. - Learn from others. Consider watching television interviews and observe whether the interviewer is practicing active listening. Learn the “do’s” and “don’ts” from watching others in conversation. A final word on listening. Active listening is an important social skill that has value in almost every social setting. Practice this skill often and you will notice that it becomes easier for you. If you find it hard to engage in active listening, consider whether there might be something getting in the way, such as social anxiety or problems with inattention. Ready to Take the Next Step? Build your team’s communication skills and active listening techniques with LaBarbera Learning Solutions’ research-backed online modules. Available topics include Active Listening for Leaders, Leading with Self-Awareness, and more.

Neurodegenerative diseases – such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS – are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults. Consuming docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish and fish oils, reduces the risk of these diseases. However, not much is known about how DHA gets to the brain and why taking fatty acid benefits some more than others. Now, a breakthrough by ECU researcher Jessica Ellis shows a specific enzyme – Acyl-CoA synthetase 6 – is critical for enriching DHA in the brain. “We set out targeting this enzyme, hoping to land where we actually landed.” said Ellis, an assistant professor in the Department of Physiology at the Brody School of Medicine. “Then we were like, ‘OK this is it, this is it, we found it. This is one of the main missing components.’” The discovery – published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences last December – provides critical insight into brain DHA metabolism that could have broad health implications. And in June, the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina awarded Ellis $100,000 to further her research. “We’ve shown that the animals that lack this enzyme have various motor-related impairments, they have impairments in memory and learning, and that they develop pathology in their brain over time, which is indicative of early onset aging,” said Ellis. “It seems DHA is critical for numerous biological functions within the brain that allow us to move properly, remember well and essentially age well. “We’re proposing to take our model where we have less DHA and indicators of memory impairment to better understand the molecular mechanisms that are causing that and that can facilitate drug targeting, therapeutic targeting to try to prevent or alleviate dementia,” Ellis said. Scientists have known the potential cognitive benefits of fish oils for some time, but they knew little about why or how it was effective for some people and not for others. “All of these people are taking these supplements, but it’s not always super effective,” Ellis said. “Because there’s a lot of things that have to happen between our mouth and our brain, one of the things we were interested in understanding was what are the critical enzymes that allow that fat to get into the brain. So we discovered one of them, and it’s responsible for about 50 percent of the DHA that’s in the brain, which is a lot.” Read more about ECU research here.

Can you Teach a Teen to be a Jewish Social Innovator? By Bree Kessler Programs where Jewish teens learn the “Jewish response” to social issues like hunger or homelessness are far from new. In fact, I can remember clearly as a youth at Hillel Day School in suburban Detroit the multiple field trips I made to Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger as a way for us students to understand the distinction between Jews helping Jews and Jews helping non-Jews – but in a Jewish way. This lesson was further ingrained in me during college when I joined an American Jewish World Service Volunteer Summer trip to Honduras where our group worked to rebuild houses in villages destroyed by Hurricane Mitch. Our relief efforts were a Jewish response to international development work and we were led through discussions and given Jewish text and readings that reflected that philosophy. In my new role as Chief Education Officer for the Greenhouse, a project of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, and a platform for teen-led social innovation, I’ve spent significant time thinking about if we can teach teens to be Jewish social innovators and what that phrase “Jewish social innovator” even means. At The Greenhouse, we understand “innovation” to mean many things. Innovations can be products or programs, but we also talk about innovative approaches to “education” or ‘”teen engagement” or “social justice education,” or processes that lead to innovation like design thinking. We recognize that social innovations, like a technology that connects citizens together or a coat that turns into a tent or a food incubator kitchen for previously incarcerated women all have clear connections to Jewish philosophy, text, culture, and sensibilities. However, where we hope that we are innovating as a start-up program for teens, is how we provide the connection for our participants about why those social innovations are Jewish. Simply stated: We don’t provide the connection. Our approach is instead of offering the Jewish connection, we allow each Greenhouse member to tease out how and why an innovation is Jewish or a Jewish response. We are continuing to create space and to offer the tools each teen needs to understand the relationship between social impact work and Judaism so that it can be a meaningful connection for each individual. What makes a social enterprise cafe that employs HIV+ youth a Jewish venture? Is it simply because a Jewish person founded the program? Or because the program is based on Talmudic text and incorporates Jewish sensibilities into its mission? We see the conversation that emerges around these issues as a crucial piece of the educational platform we offer across all our programs and experiences. In the coming weeks we will initiate our Social Impact Labs with a local Lab on housing innovations in New York City and a Travel Lab to Detroit where we will focus on food justice and entrepreneurship. We know it can be scary to our faculty, to our funders, and to our participants’ parents that we don’t have a pre-defined definition or response to what makes for a Jewish social innovator. But we are doing the work to build programs that can be flexible and responsive to the questions our teen participants have about what makes “this” Jewish while they also learn how and to whom to ask these questions. Ultimately, we hope that through this approach we are not only assisting the teens in finding a meaningful connection to Judaism, but one that can grow with them as they transition into young adulthood and continue to explore who and what they want to be, or offer, to the world. Bree Kessler is the Chief Education Officer at The Greenhouse. She can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org.

Immune responses have developed in virtually all organisms over evolutionary time scales to protect them from foreign invaders. A central aspect of the immune response of higher organisms, i.e., plants and animals, is the use of sensory systems that detect and respond to “non-self” molecular signals. These molecular signals generally determine the survival chances of the pathogen, a factor that prevents them from being eliminated by natural selection as a means to evade host recognition. Their evolutionary conservation is thus due to the functionality of these molecular signals to the foreign invader. However, the negative evolutionary pressure to maintain this functionality is counterbalanced by the positive evolutionary pressure to mediate the pathogen’s immune evasion. The dissection of these co-evolutionary forces through synthetic and reverse evolutionary methods is one of the two research approaches that researchers from the Belkhadir lab at GMI and the Dangl lab at UNC- Chapel Hill team up to investigate. In an orthogonal approach, they also inquire into the natural diversity of molecular antigenic determinants (epitopes) in plant-colonizing bacterial communities (commensal communities) and map the complex immune response patterns they trigger in the plants. Jeffery Dangl, John N. Couch Distinguished Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill and an HHMI investigator explains: “To date, most science in this field has used a handful of epitopes. We sampled thousands, derived from synthetic biology and commensal communities. This depth of analysis allowed us to uncover a rich diversity of host response mediated by a single receptor.” Reverse evolution and new insights on co-evolution The researchers examine how the Arabidopsis immune sensor FLS2 (flagellin sensing 2) influenced the evolution of its interacting epitope on the Pseudomonas flagellin, and how this, in turn, influenced Pseudomonas motility. Using reverse evolutionary methods, Parys et al. uncover a new mechanism of co-evolutionary force between FLS2 and flagellin, and frame it as a molecular form of the scarcely studied theory of antagonistic pleiotropy (AP) in plant immunology. AP is the ability of a gene to induce opposing effects in different contexts, a prevailing theory for the evolutionary origin of aging in humans. The researchers demonstrate that AP fosters stable colonization of Arabidopsis by commensal communities by weighing out bacterial motility against sensor detection. This strategy results in flagellin epitopes that either mildly activate or outright block the receptor (gain in virulence), while losing in motility as a trade-off (loss in virulence). Even more excitingly, they find signatures of these synthetic experiments in naturally occurring commensal communities, suggesting that natural microbiomes might be less dependent on flagella-mediated motility and willing to trade it off against another form of immune evasion in order to stay in harmony with the plant. Friend or foe? In the second, natural sampling approach, Colaianni et al. demonstrate that immune evasion mechanisms in plant root commensal communities are rampant and are a determining factor of the community’s structure. Moreover, this conceptual breakthrough is accompanied by the corroborating findings of complex immune response fine-tuning mechanisms in Arabidopsis. The diversity of the ligand epitopes is translated in a complexity of the immune responses engaged by the plant, which is capable of detecting threshold variations in its microbiome, and thus, discriminating between “friend and foe.” On immune evasion and plant growth promotion Asked about possible applications of this joint work, GMI group leader Youssef Belkhadir elaborates: “Sometimes, it is good to know how to turn on an immune response, but we often forget that, sometimes, it might also be good to turn it off. For example, you could help a growth-promoting microbe better colonize the plant by providing it with an additional way to evade the plant’s immune response. And here we discovered synthetic antagonistic peptides that could do just that.” Back to the (plant) roots This collaboration draws on an exchange in expertise between the alternating first authors of the two publications, but also refreshes long-dating, outstanding, scientific contacts. In fact, Nicholas Colaianni, Ph.D. student in the Dangl lab at UNC-Chapel Hill, is a computational expert, whereas the main fields of expertise of Katarzyna Parys (former Ph.D. student in the Belkhadir lab) lie in biochemistry and wet lab genetics. Colaianni also visited the Belkhadir lab at GMI and both he and Parys benefited from hands-on training in each other’s field of expertise. In addition, as a third co-first author on both publications, Ho-Seok Lee, postdoctoral fellow in the Belkhadir lab, contributed his skills in microscopy imaging. After many years of separate research, the two main principal investigators who share seniority and alternate corresponding authorships on the two publications, decided to make a comeback together. The shared seniority also includes Corbin Jones, Biology Professor at UNC-Chapel Hill and Colaianni’s co-mentor. Youssef Belkhadir is a UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus who worked with Jeffery Dangl as a Ph.D. student. Referring to the UNC Tar Heels basketball team that Dangl loves, Belkhadir says “17 years after I co-authored my first paper with Jeff, it was a lot of fun to get on the court and ‘slam-dunk’ it with him once more!”. Dangl adds “Just like basketball, science is a team effort and the best teams play fluidly together.” An international consortium GMI and UNC-Chapel Hill share a deep commitment to international collaboration and the present work rallied an international consortium of scientists spearheaded by Youssef Belkhadir, including the University of Geneva and the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, the Max Perutz Labs of the University of Vienna in Austria and the University of Würzburg in Germany. The researchers also acknowledge the contribution of the Vienna Biocenter member institutes and facilities. Parys et al., “Signatures of antagonistic pleiotropy in a bacterial flagellin epitope”, Cell Host & Microbe, 2021. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1931312821000871 Colaianni et al., “A complex immune response to flagellin epitope variation in commensal communities”, Cell Host & Microbe, 2021. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1931312821000858

This pair of musical keyboard hacks both use light to detect inputs. The pair of tips came in on the same day, which sparks talk of consipiracy theory here at Hackaday. Something in the weather must influence what types of projects people take on because we frequently see trends like this one. Video of both projects is embedded after the jump. On the left is a light-sensitive keyboard which [Kaziem] is showing off. In this image he’s rolling a marble around on the surface. As it passes over the Cadmium Sulfide sensors (which are arranged in the pattern of white and black keys from a piano keyboard) the instrument plays pitches based on the changing light levels. [Thanks Michael via Make] To the right is [Lex’s] proximity sensor keyboard. It uses a half-dozen Infrared proximity sensor which pick up reflected light. He calls it a ‘quantised theremin’ and after seeing it in action we understand why. The overclocked Raspberry Pi playing the tones reacts differently based on distance from the keyboard itself, and hand alignment with the different sensors. Continue reading “Pair Of Musical Hacks Use Sensor Arrays As Keyboards” This breadboarded circuit is [Sergio’s] solution to controlling appliances wirelessly. Specifically he wanted a way to turn his pool pump on and off from inside the house. Since he had most of the parts on hand he decided to build a solution himself. What he ended up with is an RF base station that can learn to take commands from different remote devices. The main components include the solid state relay at the bottom of the image. This lets the ATtiny13 switch mains voltage appliances. The microcontroller (on the copper clad square at the center of the breadboard) interfaces with the green radio frequency board to its left. On the right is a single leaf switch. This acts as the input. A quick click will toggle the relay, but a three-second press puts the device in learning mode. [Sergio] can then press a button on an RF remote and the device will store the received code in EEPROM. As you can see in the clip after the break, he even included a way to forget a remote code. Continue reading “RF Switching Module Can Learn New Remotes” Build a better lock and someone will make a tool to open it without the key. Or in this case they’ve made a tool to discover the key using a trip to through the deep freeze. The Forensic Recovery of Scrambled Telephones — or FROST — uses cold temperatures and a custom recovery image to crack Android encryption keys. Cold boot hacks go way back. They leverage use of low temperatures to slow down the RAM in a device. In this case, the target phone must already be powered on. Booting a phone that uses the encryption offered by Android 4.0 and newer requires the owner’s pass code to decrypt the user partition. But it then remains usable until the next power cycle. By freezing the phone, then very quickly disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, researchers were able to flash their own recovery image without having the encryption key cleared from RAM. As you can see above, that recovery package can snoop for the key in several different ways. For a few years now, [Michael] has wanted to put the guts of a Game Boy Advance – the small clamshell version with a backlit LCD – into the classic and comfortable DMG-01 ‘brick’ Game Boy. He’s finally finished with his project, and we’ve got to say it’s looking pretty good. The build began by excising the backlit LCD from an old clamshell Game Boy Advance and hot gluing it to the screen bezel of an old DMG-01. The cartridge slot from the original ‘brick’ Game Boy remained, but this design decision did require a fair bit of soldering and a length of ribbon cable. Since [Michael] is using the original cartridge slot found in the original Game Boy, he can’t play any games in the smaller Game Boy Advance cartridge format. Still, it should be possible to build an adapter to fit those smaller cartridges inside the larger Game Boy, and he can always play Tetris and Little Sound DJ, so nothing of value is lost. We’ve seen Arduino-powered Twitter machines, and even some that can send text messages, but how about one that’s a video phone? That’s what the guys over at Cooking Hacks put together with their very impressive 3G Arduino shield. On board the shield is an internal GPS receiver, microphone, speaker, 3G module, and a camera sensor with VGA resolution. The 3G module is able to act as a 3G modem via a USB connection, allowing any computer to take advantage of wireless Internet with a SIM card. While in their tutorial the guys use a terminal running on their computer to send AT commands to place a call, it’s possible to simply put all that info in a sketch making for a small, battery-powered video link straight to your cell phone. Seems like the perfect piece of hardware for a wireless, 3G-enabled video feed for a robot. You can check out the video from their tutorial after the break. Continue reading “Video Phone Arduino Shield” [Steve] has wanted a stereo microscope in his lab for years now. Since his eyesight is becoming progressively worse, he figured it was time to look around on ebay and see what he could dig up. He ended up buying a very cheap microscope without a stand, figuring he could build one rather easily. Well, the articulated stand was rather easy to put together, but it did take a whole lot of time to build. The main goal of [Steve]’s project was to have his microscope at the end of an articulated arm. With this setup, he could easily tuck the ‘scope against the back of his workbench when not in use and easily bring it out when necessary. This meant building a custom arm, though, and in the building process [Steve] used just about every machine tool he had at his disposal. The end result is a fully articulated arm that can be moved to just about any point on his workbench and adjusted up and down for those really weird project. [Steve] says this may be a great introduction to home powder coating, and he really should build a small LED light source, but we’re loving the project so far. Continue reading “The Perils Of Buying A Stereo Microscope Without A Stand” Here’s something that’s making its way to the top of our, “why didn’t we think of that” list. It’s called 3Doodler, a device based on the plastic extrusion technology found in 3D printers stuffed into a pen that fits in the palm of your hand. If you’re familiar with 3D printers, the design of the 3Doodler should come as second nature to you. Inside this electronic plastic-melting pen is a small motor that forces 3mm ABS or PLA filament through a heated nozzle. With the 3Doodler, you can draw in three dimensions by simply lifting the tip of the 3Doodler into the air. While 3Doodler is obviously aimed at creating plastic objects by hand, we’re wondering if this device could be successfully adapted to work with 3D printers. The 3Doodler team put a very, very small and inexpensive extruder and hot end inside the 3Doodler, and they’ve got something on their hands we’d love to tear apart just to see how it ticks. You can see the 3Doodler introduction video after the break. Continue reading “3Doodler, A 3D Drawing Pen”

19th Century Guide Books The Royal Naval Hospital is featured in several nineteenth century guide books: An Historical Guide to Great Yarmouth in Norfolk (1817) by George W Manby Captain Manby was the barrack master at the Hospital and the inventor of the Manby Mortar, later developed into breeches buoy. Wikipedia provides more information on this fascinating local character: “The noble pile of buildings in the vicinity of the signal station, are now belonging to the Barrack Department, and constructed by them to contain a limited number of troops to do the garrison duty of the place. It was designed for a Royal Naval Hospital, and fitted up with every attention to the benevolent purpose for which it was erected, being surrounded by a collonade to shelter the convalescents from the inclemency of the weather, and the square being laid out in gravel walks and grass plats, diversify the scene, and by tranquilling the mind, alleviate the tediousness of confinement, and accelerate the recovery of health. It is open to visitors, and may, by application to the officer who has it in charge, have its various arrangements inspected. In the court yard are four excellent family houses for officers belonging to the establishment, which are provided with every requisite appendage for convenience and comfort.” (1860 map showing location of Naval Hospital adjacent to New Barracks) Historical and Topographical Notices of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk (1826) by John Henry Druery “The Royal Barracks, the most considerable of the modern buildings, stand upon the south denes, at a convenient distance from the town, surrounded by a high wall of great extent. An iron gate opens into the court yard, on each side of which are two good houses for the barrack master, and other officers. The building is quadrangular, with a detached range of offices for the accommodation of the military, and it is computed will contain eight hundred men. It was built in 1809, from the plan of Mr Pilkington, at an expense of £120,000, and originally intended for a naval hospital, for which it was admirably adapted. The delightful shelter of the piazza enclosing the area, in which the air may be equally enjoyed as abroad, is highly conducive to the recovery of invalids. It did not, however, long continue as a hospital, for in consequence of St Nicholas’s Gatt, the only safe entrance to the roads, shoaling its water, the passages became contracted and unsafe for men of war and ships of burthen, and, in consequence, an order was sent from the Admiralty, to discontinue it as an hospital, and convert the building into foot barracks, but it is now commonly unoccupied. When in use, it seldom receives more than a detachment of dismounted horse, or a company of foot soldiers. The barrack master and his sergeant are residents, and to the former all military orders are directed. This building was eminently useful in 1815, when upwards of 600 of the wounded Waterloo heroes were brought here, and comfortably provided for.” A Pictorial Guide to Great Yarmouth (1854) published by L A Meall, Bookseller, Quay "The Military Lunatic Asylum These buildings were erected in 1809, at an expense of £120,000, by the father of the present S M Peto Esq, MP, from the designs of Mr H Pilkington. They were originally used as a Naval Hospital, but were shortly afterwards converted into an Infantry Barracks capable, it is said, of containing 800 men; and in the year 1815, 600 of the wounded at the Battle of Waterloo were lodged in it. From the period of the termination of the war, it had been almost entirely useless, being occupied at distant intervals, by small detachments of soldiers; but in 1844, in consequence of the Government Military Lunatic Asylum at Rochester being considered unsuitable for the patients, the Officer in charge visited the Barracks here with a view to their being converted into an Asylum; and in the latter end of the year 1846, the necessary alterations being completed, the patients were transferred to the new Military Lunatic Asylum at Yarmouth. Entering the Asylum by what may be called the north front through an iron gateway, we pass into a magnificent courtyard with residences on either side, for the physician in charge and the assistant physician. Another gate at the end of the yard leads to a range of offices which, together with the main building itself, form a large quadrangle, the hollow centre of which is occupied with tastefully laid out gardens, walks, etc, surrounded by shady and agreeable piazzas. Upon the east side are terraces, constructed for the use of the patients. Under the terrace nearest the south, rest the bones of such brave fellows as have died within the walls, from wounds received upon the battlefield. In the building are Promenade Rooms upward of 105 feet in length. The number of inmates of this Asylum generally averaged about 90 and the establishment comprised 25 attendants. A Chapel is attached for the regular performance of divine worship. The entire range of buildings comprises an area of about 15 acres. Persons desirous of visiting the Asylum could only do so by an order from the Secretary at War. Upon the breaking out of the war with Russia in 1854, the Government determined upon restoring the building to its original use, that of a Naval Hospital, for the Baltic Fleet, and the lunatic patients were removed in June of that year." The Picture of Yarmouth (1819) by John Preston, comptroller of His Majesty's customs at that port "The Royal Barracks These barracks are situated on the South Denes, about half way from the South Gate, towards Nelson’s Monument, and within less than a furlong of the sea-shore. This magnificent and modern pile of buildings was begun to be erected in the year 1809, the first stone of which was laid by Admiral Douglas. They were originally designed for a Naval Hospital, being first fitted up with every attention to that benevolent purpose; and are surrounded by a colonnade to shelter the convalescents from the weather, and which forms a spacious square, laid out in gravel walks and grass plats, possessing every advantage to alleviate the tediousness of confinement, or to accelerate the recovery of health; but soon after the expiration of the late war, the old barracks having been directed by government to be sold, this noble edifice was partially converted into barracks, and has been constructed by that department to accommodate about one hundred men. This place is occasionally open to visitors, and may be viewed by proper application to G W Manby Esq barrack-master, whose polite attention is well known here at all times to strangers and others, desirous of inspecting its various arrangements. In the court yard are four excellent family houses, for officers belonging to the establishment, handsomely constructed with every requisite for convenience, and suitable to the comfort of the inhabitants. These houses are placed on the north area of the premises, the whole being surrounded with a substantial brick-wall, except the width of the yard to the north, which comprises the grand entrance gate, and is ornamented with handsome iron palisades, fixed upon a stone coping. The noble and massive appearance of the exterior cannot fail to arrest the notice of visitors, particularly when viewed from the high lands of Gorleston, or in approaching from thence towards Yarmouth. This extensive building was completed in the year 1811, and cost about £120,000, and reflects the highest credit on Henry Pilkington Esq the architect, as well as on Messrs Miles and Peto, the builders. It has the town on the north, the ocean on the east, Nelson’s monument on the south, the river Yare on the west, and commands a complete view of the race-ground: in short, on a fine day, nothing can exceed the pleasantness of the spot, which has been admirably selected for this useful and noble establishment."

The design visualization course offers students essential sketching and visualization methods that are implemented throughout every stage of the design process. Ideation sketching, conceptualization and materialization, digital sketching & editing and photgraphy are a few of the techniques that students will learn to master and implement. Through in-depth study of materials such as chrome, high-gloss surfaces and matte rubber, students will be able to materialize their design in a convincing and appealing fashion. Students will also learn to add the human factor and establish interaction & context through digital sketching and editing. Different ways of visualization will be integrated to obtain a more diverse, vivid and personal visual language. Download the brochure here.

July 4, 2023 On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence and acknowledged God as the source of our rights and not to separate God from the state. The Declaration states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it and to institute new government.” The heart and soul of American government is to acknowledge that there is a Creator and He gives specific inalienable rights to man. Government exists to protect our God given rights. In the Declaration, the Founders listed twenty-seven grievances against the tyrant King George III. Most citizens today are only familiar with “taxation without representation.” - abuse of representative powers was listed 11 times more than taxation without representation - military power abuse was listed seven times more often - judicial powers abuse was listed four times more - not to mention the religious and moral issues listed Today, our nation is experiencing the same abuses of power from a tyrannical government the Founding Fathers delivered us from. “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) In the year of our Lord 2023 – Blessings, Tom Hughes President, Alliance for Religious Freedom, LLC

Inappropriate Workplace Behavior Inappropriate workplace behavior refers to a kind of behavior that is inappropriate, offensive, or a form of harassment. Activities such as sexual misbehavior, malicious complaints, and so on fall under this category. An inappropriate workplace behavior not only affects the productivity of an employee but also degrades his professional expectations. - Talking or spreading rumors about a person's personal life - Deliberate touching, leaning or cornering an employee - Unprofessional conduct while communicating - Male commenting on a female employee or vice versa - Discussing or asking an employee about their sexual preferences or about their past - Jealousy of superiority in terms of rank. Thus giving birth to rude conversations. However, while most people view all of the above-said behaviors as inappropriate in the workplace, they have witnessed them regularly. About 51% of the men aged 18 to 34 considered talking about some sexual life or personal history inappropriate. Also, 72 to 88 percent of the employees, including men and women, regarded unprofessional conduct like "girl, babe, sweetie or honey" as inappropriate. The Most Common Types of Inappropriate Workplace Behavior All members of the workforce are affected by inappropriate workplace behavior. There is psychological harassment of victims, and the offender makes inconsistent decisions. As they realize their errors, they may feel a growing sense of guilt, which could affect both employees. However, the most common inappropriate behaviors witnessed by employees are: 1. Sexual Misconduct If an employee is mistreated regarding his sexual life or appearance, such behaviors fall under this category. Sexual misconduct includes both sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace. Examples of sexual harassment may include: - Any form of sexually explicit jeering or taunting, repetitive and unwanted requests for sex or to go on dates. - Leering or staring at a person sexually or deliberately standing too close to someone. - It does not stop there, but other forms of sexual harassment, such as showing others pornographic or sexually explicit materials such as posters or screen savers and then threatening them with inappropriate action, are also on the rise. - In addition, the accuser uses a wide range of techniques, including sending sexually explicit emails, text messages, and social networking site advances. - Making sexually explicit promises or threats in exchange for something else of value. - Other examples of sexual misconduct include invasive questions or remarks about a person's sexual activities. Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior in which someone causes another person injury or discomfort repeatedly. There are several forms of bullying that can be physical, verbal, or more subtle. The following are examples of workplace bullying: - Publicizing rumors and false information about another person's personal or professional life - Disclosing confidential or private information that is essential to an employee's performance. - Language or remarks that are abusive, insulting, or otherwise offensive - Discouraging an employee from participating in work-related activities. - Setting unrealistic deadlines or changing them frequently - Unfounded complaints or criticism about the employee 3. Undiversified Environment Discrimination against a person based on their personal characteristics is illegal. Regardless of the reason, it is unlawful to treat someone less favorably than others. This includes how they are treated in the workplace, in connection with a job application, or even after leaving their job position. Some most common practices include: - Because of their disability, someone may be mocked, teased, or harassed. - Paying someone more minor (or not at all) because of their race, culture, or religion. - Not hiring someone because of their age. - Discrimination between gender and many more. - Inappropriately making fun of a person's ethnicity by emailing or using social media. 4. Inappropriate behavior An organization and its employees can suffer significant consequences if their behavior is inconsistent with basic professional and collegial expectations. This can also increase an organization's potential legal liability. Teamwork and civility in the workplace lead to high morale, productivity, and customer service, boosting profitability. Unfortunately, this is not always when workers engage in inappropriate or disruptive behavior. Some most common practices include: - Raising voice during a meeting or acting aggressively when working with other people. - Consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs can lead to inappropriate behavior. - Inappropriate classroom or meeting behavior, such as yelling, talking over or interrupting others, monopolizing talks, or making unreasonable demands. - Unreasonable or excessive demands on a person's time, space, or attention - Inappropriate use of equipment or supplies. How Do You Manage Inappropriate Workplace Behaviors? An excellent place to start is introductory training in conflict resolution and people management. Supporting your managers with the resources they need to succeed can give them the self-assurance they need when dealing with challenging personnel. Also, workplace personality testing modules can be used by some businesses to help their employees identify that they may have various working styles and distinct tendencies in how they interact with one another. When these scenarios develop, be extremely precise about who to contact and what to document. A proactive approach to coaching employees about inappropriate behavior can often prevent situations that escalate to a hostile work environment and illegal harassment. - Effective Communication Maintain a clear understanding among employees about what is and isn't acceptable behavior in the workplace. It is possible to prevent a scenario by simply stating one's expectations upfront in many cases. In addition, employees should be allowed to confront their management without fear of repercussions if they notice inappropriate behavior. Finally, consider educating your employees on how to go about bringing up improper conduct. - Collaborative Activities A better working relationship can be achieved by encouraging meaningful collaborative activities. Workplace personality testing modules are used by some businesses to help their employees identify that they may have various working styles and distinct tendencies in how they interact with one another. One of the best ways to ease tense situations is to realize that one's own style and tendencies are just as valid as those of someone else's opposite. - Open Minded Management The best managers will begin to pay close attention to what's happening when unacceptable behaviors emerge, rather than just turning away from problems they'd prefer to ignore. Workers may be less likely to spread rumors or undermine their coworkers if the company's management team has a reputation for honesty and accountability. - Diversified Environment Often, gossip and backbiting in the workplace stem from a lack of openness in management. Share company information with your staff if possible, and pay attention to their problems. Employers are prohibited from making employment decisions based on an employee's protected class status, but basing decisions on performance helps avoid the appearance of a breach of these regulations. When an employee believes they are being discriminated against or harassed, focusing on performance helps retain the emphasis on the genuine employment issues at hand, keeps the employer compliant, and shows respect for employees and coworkers and their rights in the workplace. Efforts are not limited to the physical and psychological threats present in the workplace. An employee's inappropriate behavior can negatively affect a coworker's emotional and physical health. Defining undesirable workplace behavior is essential before you can feel comfortable confronting it. When dealing with and preventing unprofessional behavior at work, prevention generally surpasses treatment.

The announcement on June 25 that Spain will begin to limit its application of universal jurisdiction garnered no more than a humble blip in international media coverage. The principle, which asserts that certain crimes are so egregious that they are an affront to all humanity and therefore prosecutable by any nation, is at the center of fierce philosophical debate in international law. But for survivors of genocide in Guatemala, universal jurisdiction has represented something much more tangible—an important avenue for justice against the lingering impunity left in the wake Latin America’s dirty wars. Spain’s lower house of Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of narrowing universal jurisdiction so that crimes committed outside of Spain may only be prosecuted if Spanish citizens are affected. The six judges that make up Spain’s Audencia Nacional are currently handling thirteen diverse cases from all over the world, including several from Latin America. Spain has assured the human rights community that the change will not affect cases under investigation or those currently being tried. Although the judges have been hailed by rights activists, their recent high-profile investigations into rights abuses by American, Israeli and Chinese government officials have created a diplomatic headache for Spain’s politicians, who pressed Parliament to pass the resolution. While Washington has admitted to quietly pressuring the Spanish government to drop the investigations into allegations of U.S. torture at Guantanamo, Israel was outspoken in its criticism of the court’s decision to investigate a claim that Israeli forces had committed war crimes in Gaza in 2002. The investigation has since been dropped. Many believe that China has been the biggest source of pressure, warning that continued investigations into the Tibet crackdowns could damage bilateral relations. With one of the weaker economies in Europe, Spain is no doubt wary of falling out with one of the world’s rising economic powerhouses. Spain catapulted itself into the center of the human rights movement when it invoked universal jurisdiction to order the arrest in London of Augusto Pinochet in 1998, and the country has since focused much attention on Latin America. Although many nations, including the United States, have nominally adopted the principle, none have used it to actively pursue so many high-profile cases. The effectiveness of Spain’s involvement in Latin America is difficult to measure. To date, it has made just one clearly successful conviction against an Argentine military officer for his role in disappearances during the dirty war. Spain’s involvement has, however, lent legitimacy to the demands of victims groups. This has been particularly true in Guatemala, where an impunity rate of 98% renders the justice system highly ineffective—and often dangerous for those making complaints—because many of the leaders who masterminded the decades of violence are still in power. The UN-backed Commission for Historical Clarification (CEH) found that during Guatemala’s 36-year war that officially ended in 1996, state security forces and allied paramilitary groups were responsible for 93% of the 200,000 killed and disappeared. After discovering that 83% of the victims were indigenous Mayans, the CEH declared that the violence constituted genocide. A recent statement issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights describes Guatemala’s justice system as hobbled by crumbling infrastructure and widespread corruption. The starkest evidence of Guatemalan impunity, however, is the fact that Efraín Ríos Montt, the former President who presided over one of the deadliest periods of conflict, was elected President of Congress in 2000 and came in fourth in the Presidential elections of 2004. It was for these reasons that in 1999 the Rigoberta Menchù Tum Foundation took its case against Ríos Montt and seven other former government officials to the Spanish National Court. The foundation charged the men with terrorism, genocide and torture committed as part of systematic violence against Guatemala’s indigenous Maya. In 2005, Spain’s highest court established jurisdiction in the case and began investigating. In February of 2008, 17 survivors of the genocide traveled to Spain to provide heart-wrenching testimony in the case. Amanda Kistler, a human rights observer with the Network In Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) who accompanied several of the survivors upon their return, noted in an interview with NACLA that one survivor said she "cried bitter tears while giving her testimony and noticed when she finished that everyone else in the courtroom—including Judge [Santiago] Pedraz—were also crying bitter tears." The effect of Spain’s involvement has been more than symbolic. Although Guatemala has defied the international arrest warrants Spain has issued for several defendants in the case, Guatemalan courts have begun to cooperate by collecting additional testimony to be passed on to the Spanish judge. In April 2008, a survivor from Rabinal delivered to a packed courtroom the first public testimony about the Mayan genocide ever to be heard on Guatemalan soil. The case in Spain has also pressured the army to declassify its military documents—a crucial step towards greater transparency. In February of this year, official documents from the U.S. and Guatemalan governments about the deadly "scorched-earth policy" of the 1980s were submitted as evidence in the case. Kate Doyle, Senior Analyst at the National Security Archive, who provided expert testimony in the case, stated, " Guatemala’s Armed Forces have never been called to account for their actions. The introduction of the Army’s own records as evidence in the genocide case in Spain represents the first time the military’s role has been described in a legal proceeding through its own strategic, planning, and operational files." Given this groundbreaking, albeit slow progress, activists have expressed concern for the effect that Spain’s recent decision will have on what is sure to be a long road to justice for Guatemalan citizens. Although there are other avenues available—human rights cases are currently being investigated by Guatemala’s national courts and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, tangible results from these routes often remains elusive. For now, the victory for human rights in Guatemala may be measured by the increasing inclusion of indigenous voices in the re-telling of official history. As Carrie Stengel, a coordinator at NISGUA, explained to NACLA, "The genocide cases form part of broader efforts to reconstruct the historical memory of individuals, families, and communities, [and] are seen by many as essential steps in any healing and reconciliation process. Because of the long history of repression in Guatemala, as well as the rising attacks against human rights defenders today, speaking out against crimes committed during the war remains a difficult and risky endeavor. Many survivors have told me that even just the simple act of telling their story can be empowering, especially if it is part of a collective process."

“Among the 39 percent of businesses and 26 percent of charities that identify breaches or attacks, one in five (21% and 18% respectively) end up losing money, data or other assets.” – from the UK government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2021 (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2021/cyber-security-breaches-survey-2021). With statistics like that, cyber security is more important than ever to protect businesses from outside attacks. Luckily, there are ways to keep your business safe and protect your data. What is cyber security? It’s a rare business these days that doesn’t rely on the internet, along with devices such as laptops and mobile phones. It’s convenient, efficient, and makes for easy communication, even when people work remotely or in different branches. However, there are cybercriminals out there who make a living from, among other things, stealing data from businesses or demanding ransoms to release encrypted files. Cyber security, in a nutshell, is an umbrella term for the means to protect your digital infrastructure to keep your business and your customers’ data from attacks. This includes everything from antivirus software and firewalls to password management, mobile security, and more. What is network security? Network security is a part of your overall cyber security plan, involving both software and hardware to protect your computer network from outside cyber threats. Top class network security should be: You control access to your servers, routing, cabling, and any physical parts of your network by securing your network with locks, keycards, biometrics, and other options, so only authorised personnel can gain entry. Technical controls, such as network access control, protect your incoming and outgoing data, both from cybercriminals and from employees. Control your network users’ access, password security, what they are allowed to do, what sites they can access, and more. You can also control how your IT department works and what procedures they follow when making changes to your network infrastructure. Network security may involve firewalls and antiviruses, access controls, and virtual private networks (VPNs). What is email security? We send literally millions of emails each day and most businesses couldn’t function without it, but email is a tempting target for cybercriminals. With a phishing scam or social engineering, which gets employees to click on an attachment or a web link in their email, criminals can attempt to obtain sensitive data, such as passwords, financial information, and credit card numbers. Any revealed passwords can then be tried against other areas in your network to see if they have been used more than once, thus opening up your company to further breaches. Email security is vital to keep your data safe and can block scams and phishing emails from ever reaching your employees. You can set up spam filters, antivirus email protection, image and content control, and even data encryption to encrypt your emails. Even the business version of Office 365 can help by setting up malware and ransomware protection for emails. What is cloud security? Cloud computing is more popular than ever for businesses. It is fast, flexible, scalable, and highly efficient. But, again, cybercriminals are keen to attack the cloud to obtain sensitive data, cause damage to files, or even use ransomware to encrypt them. Cloud security is a vital part of your cyber security to keep your data safe. Cloud service providers do all they can to ensure the service they provide is secure at their end, but weaknesses can creep in on the user end as cloud providers can’t control what users do and who they allow access to. Services like Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) have a range of security measures you can put in place (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/security-and-compliance/secure-your-business-data?view=o365-worldwide). You can control your cloud data, including with encryption, access and collaboration controls, and use malware detection and prevention to keep everything secure. You may also like: What is Cybersecurity: Everything You Need to Keep Your Company Secure Image source: Shutterstock.com

I am immunocompromised, is it safe for me for my pet to get a modified live vaccine? A client came in and said their physician told them their pet should only receive killed vaccines. Here is a little background first: Killed vaccines contain dead (inactived) viruses or bacteria, or bits of them. There’s nothing “alive” in the vaccine that can replicate, but the immune system can still respond to the fragments of the target pathogen. Modified live vaccines (MLVs) use strains of a virus or bacterium that have been weakened so they don’t cause disease, but it’s still an active (“live”) microbe. In general, modified live vaccines are ideal since they stimulate an immune response that’s stronger and more comparable to what happens when the body encounters the normal (“wild type”) equivalent of the bug in the vaccine. However, there can be risks with MLVs to people (and sometimes animals) with compromised immune systems, since even those weakened bacteria or viruses might cause disease in rare circumstances. The Canadian Immunization Guide states “In general, people who are severely immunocompromised or in whom immune status is uncertain should not receive live vaccines because of the risk of disease caused by the vaccine strains. In less severely immunocompromised people, the benefits of vaccination with routinely recommended live vaccines may outweigh risks.” These guidelines are focused on vaccines against human diseases and the emphasis on people with severely compromised immune systems is important to note. Sometimes, this concern washes down to include exposure to modified live vaccines for animals. When thinking about the risk, the first thing to consider is whether the original wild-type bug that was modified (or killed and chopped up) to make the vaccine is able to infect people. If the normal bug can’t infect a person, there’s no reason to think that a weakened strain of the same bug would pose any risk. That eliminates concern about almost all of the animal vaccines we use. The concern about MLVs for animals usually crops up in relation to Bordetella bronchiseptica. This bacterium is one of the many causes of “kennel cough,” and there are both oral and intranasal vaccines for dogs that use a modified live strain of the bacterium. For B. bronchiseptica, these MLVs offer much better protection for the dog than the injectable killed vaccines. Bordetella bronchiseptica can cause infections in people, but it’s very rare. So, the modified strains used in these vaccines should be even less of a risk to people – but very low doesn’t mean zero. I’m only aware of a couple of reports of human infections from B. bronchiseptica vaccine. One is a person that was squirted in the eye with the vaccine. The other was a person who had had a kidney-pancreas transplant (and would therefore be very immunosuppressed) and was suspected to have been infected via her recently vaccinated dog. Overall, the risk posed to people by these vaccines is very low. The main risk would be from being exposed to a large dose, such as being squirted in the face when the dog is vaccinated, or having a vaccinated dog immediately sneeze on or lick the face of the high-risk person. These types of exposure are avoidable using simple measures such as keeping high-risk individuals out of the room when vaccinating (or at least keeping them away from the animal’s face), avoiding contact with the nose and mouth of the dog after vaccination (something that a high-risk person should do anyway), and using good routine hand hygiene (another thing a high-risk person should do anyway). Additionally, we need to consider the risk from the vaccine strain versus all the other bacteria that are present in every dog. - If I had just vaccinated a dog with a modified live Bordetella vaccine and you asked me to rank the microbes in the dog’s nose/mouth that could potentially harm someone, the vaccine strain wouldn’t even crack my top 10 list. That’s not to completely dismiss concerns about live vaccines, but it helps put them in perspective. And one more thought to consider… what are the benefits to that same high-risk person of vaccinating the dog? - If a dog gets Bordetella infection, there’s some (very slight) risk of infection of an immunocompromised owner from that bacterium. Additionally, a coughing dog aerosolizes more bacteria from its respiratory tract, maybe increasing risk of exposure to that bacterium and other more concerning bacteria in the dog’s respiratory tract. Maybe more importantly, if the dog gets antibiotics for kennel cough (not usually needed but they tend to be overused), then the biggest risk is probably the emergence of various antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the dog, with the potential for human exposure. So, most of the MLVs we used in dogs and cats pose no risk to people. Bordetella vaccination poses such a low risk that I think the overall benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Every high risk person should have a detailed talk with their physician (or ideally an infectious disease physician) that is well versed in zoonotic diseases to make a plan for reducing the risks associated with routine pet contact. Avoiding modified live vaccines in the pets is unlikely to be a part of that.

Dieting options in the United States This is an excerpt from Health and Wellness for Life With Online Study Guide by Human Kinetics. Dieting in the United States The diet industry in the United States is lucrative. New eating plans are constantly popping up, and old ones resurface. Establishing a healthy eating plan that you can maintain for the rest of your life is the key to successful weight management. The term dieting can mean different things to different people. For some, it's the simple desire to lose weight. For others, it's the periodic, short-term use of a weight-loss behavior. For still others, it's just trying to maintain their current weight. For many, however, dieting often leads to a dieter's cycle: Start a new diet, follow strict rules about food and eating, experience weight loss, break the diet rules, feel discouraged and guilty, abandon the diet, regain weight, and start the next new diet (see figure 4.8). This pattern of restriction, weight loss, disinhibition, and weight gain can be emotionally and possibly even physically damaging. Weight cycling, or yo-yo dieting, is the repeated loss and regain of body weight. Cyclers might lose and regain 5 to 10 pounds (2 to 4.5 kilograms) or as much as 50 pounds (22.5 kilograms) or more. The jury is still out on whether weight cycling results in health problems. Some studies suggest that weight cycling may increase the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and gallbladder disease. Other studies suggest there is no link between weight loss and regain and physical health. Even less is known about the effects of weight cycling on behavior and psychological factors. People who perceive themselves as weight cyclers tend to have lower self-esteem, body image, and life satisfaction. In general, if you need to lose weight, avoid dieting and instead prepare to make sustainable healthy lifestyle changes. A healthy eating plan and physical activity are the keys to success. Many people who want to lose weight attempt the latest diet to hit the market, and the next one, and the next one, and each tends to have short-lived success. Most popular diets lead to some initial weight loss simply because the dieters cut down on their food intake and watch what they eat. Diet fads change with time, but diet plans tend to cluster into three types: low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets; low-fat diets; and novelty diets. Low-Carbohydrate, High-Protein Approaches Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets are in fashion again. Diets such as Protein Power, Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, and Sugar Busters all severely restrict foods that contain starches and sugars. These diets revisit an idea that became popular in the 1970s (with historical roots going back 200 years): Carbohydrate makes us fat. The protein in these diets often comes from animal sources, meaning that fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol intake can be high. The Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association (AHA) has issued a science advisory warning that high-protein diets have not been proven effective and pose health risks (St. Jeor et al. 2001). The report covered the Atkins, Zone, Protein Power, Sugar Busters, and Stillman diets. The committee stated that although these diets might not be harmful for most healthy people for a short time, there are no long-term scientific studies to support their overall efficacy and safety. In high-protein diets, weight loss is initially high due to fluid loss related to reduced carbohydrate intake, overall calorie restriction, and ketosis-induced appetite suppression (ketosis is when the liver burns fat instead of glucose for energy). Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 recommends maintaining a healthy eating plan that has a total fat intake between 20 and 35 percent of total calories (USDHHS and USDA 2005). Very-low-fat diets (which often turn out to be high-carbohydrate diets) are even more restrictive. Generally, diets of this nature, such as the Pritikin program and Dr. Dean Ornish's program, recommend that about 5 to 10 percent of calories come from fat. This approach is generally not harmful for healthy adults. People adopting a very-low-fat eating plan consume large amounts of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. However, this diet so different from the typical North American lifestyle that it could be hard for people to sustain over the long term. Many diets are simply gimmicks. Most of them focus on one specific food or food group (e.g., the grapefruit diet) and exclude almost all others. For example, the rice diet was designed in the 1940s to lower blood pressure, and it has resurfaced as a weight-loss diet. The logic behind many of these diets is that you will only be able to eat so much of the select food for so long before becoming bored, so you'll reduce your calorie intake. The reality is that most people are not able to eat only one or a few foods for an extended length of time, so they get frustrated, quit the diet, and regain weight quickly. A very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) is used to help treat severe obesity (BMI at or above 30), particularly if a person has obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. VLCDs are usually doctor supervised and use commercially prepared formulas to promote rapid weight loss. The formulas often contain appropriate amounts of vitamins and micronutrients to help prevent nutritional deficiencies that are likely to occur at such low calorie levels (often fewer than 800 calories a day). VLCD formulas are not the same as over-the-counter meal replacements found at grocery stores or pharmacies, which are meant to substitute for one or two meals a day. Under the proper medical supervision, VLCDs can help jump-start weight loss in a moderately to extremely obese person at the rate of 3 to 5 pounds (1.3 to 2.2 kilograms) per week. Studies show that the long-term effectiveness of VLCDs varies widely, but weight regain is common. Combining a VLCD with behavior therapy, physical activity, and active follow-up treatment may help increase weight loss and prevent weight regain. To be successful with weight management for the long term, people need to find and adopt a healthy eating and activity plan that addresses dietary intake, eating behavior, and physical activity. The plan should avoid leaving people feeling deprived so that they can maintain the plan for the long term. Healthy Weight-Control Programs Weight-loss and weight maintenance programs should encourage healthy behaviors that you can stick with every day. Safe and effective weight-loss programs should have these components (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [NIDDK] 2008): - Healthy eating plans that reduce calories but don't forbid specific foods or food groups. - Tips to increase moderate-intensity physical activity. - Tips on healthy behavior changes that also keep your cultural needs in mind. - Slow and steady weight loss. Depending on your starting weight, experts recommend losing weight at a rate of .5 to 2 pounds (.2 to .9 kilogram) per week. Weight loss may be faster at the beginning of a program. - Medical care if you are planning to lose weight by following a special-formula diet, such as a VLCD. - A plan to keep the weight off after you have lost it. To determine if a weight-control program meets those guidelines, gather as much information as possible about the program before you start. The five questions that follow will help you be a smart consumer and gather information so you can separate good weight-control programs from bad programs. 1. What does the weight-loss program consist of? - Does the program offer one-on-one counseling or group classes? - Do you have to follow a specific meal plan or keep food records? - Do you have to purchase special food, drugs, or supplements? - Does the program help you be more physically active, follow a specific activity plan, or provide exercise instruction? - Does the program teach you to make positive and healthy behavior changes? - Is the program sensitive to your lifestyle and cultural needs? 2. What are the staff qualifications? - Who supervises the program? - What type of weight management training, experience, education, and certifications do staff members have? 3. Does the program carry any risks? - Could the program hurt you? - Could the recommended drugs or supplements harm your health? - Do participants talk with a doctor? - Does a doctor run the program? - Will the program doctors work with your personal doctor if you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure or are taking prescribed drugs? 4. How much does the program cost? - What is the total cost of the program? - Are there other costs, such as weekly attendance fees, food and supplement purchases, and so on? - Are there fees for a follow-up program after you lose weight? - Are there other fees for medical tests? Get the latest insights with regular newsletters, plus periodic product information and special insider offers.

Data science: What is it and how to benefit from it? In the business-oriented world of ours, there are few things more important than being able to extract reliable and accurate insights from the data we have. Unfortunately, as the world expands, the number of people increases, and fields that require information on those people rise, the data itself also enlarges to the point that it becomes too overwhelming to deal with it. Fortunately, though, there is an interdisciplinary field that is highly helpful in extracting analysis from the raw data: data science. With many jobs related to data science and the overall move towards the field, there is no excuse to be oblivious to this unique discipline anymore. Table of Contents What is data science? Data science is the field that enables us to tackle a business issue by turning it into research that is based on mathematical statistics that extract information from large-scale data. And yet, the job of data science does not end there as it has to turn the information it gathered into an analysis that will be useful in solving the business issue that lead to the project in the first place. It should be underlined though that the macro-level insights that the data science comes up with are usually not answers that are suitable to be put into action instantly. Rather, data science provides us with potential ventures that will probably be on-trend shortly in answering our issue. It determines unique patterns, connections, and repetitions in the given data and then tries to come up with the ultimate way that will lead the researcher to the solution eventually. Perks of data science in business In this respect, data science presents itself as the basis of modern machine learning since it is the one that enables the systems to explore the data, and then come up with insights. As mentioned above, data science is an interdisciplinary field that is benefiting highly from other areas such as computer science, statistics, and, of course, artificial intelligence. These days, it seems as if almost every business sector utilizes data science one way or another since the field has proved itself to be highly useful over the past few decades. Employers are ready to hire candidates with a data science degree. It is clear that without the data, the businesses are blind since they are unaware of who to provide what due to the lack of information on the market. Therefore, some refer to the data itself as the “oil of the modern ages” that can either make or break your business. So, where can we use data science exactly? First of all, data science can be utilized in determining frauds. Although machine learning is the one that does the business of detecting frauds in the end, data science is the one that makes it possible in the first place. Besides, it protects entrepreneurs, business owners, and businesses in general from losing large amounts of money by investing in ventures that are doomed to fail. Since data science reads the market and people, it can quickly determine what has the potential to be a hit and what has no chance of surviving at all. This feature of data science also enables businesses’ decision-making processes to be faster as the insights on the data leave little to no room to discuss since they are highly reliable most of the time. It also turns your business into a personalized experience for each one of your customers since the data science determines which product or service is the right one for the which type of customers and by doing so avoid customer dissatisfaction. These are only some of the advantages of data science since the field is larger than the universe and can adapt to dozens of sectors without any issues. One of the biggest areas that are heavily benefiting from data science is the online search engines such as Google. The search engines are relying on data science in anticipating the search esteems based on mainly the entries, and the recommendations. Another area that data science carries critical value is retail since the discipline allows businesses to find the right target group and thus, enables them to come up with the right strategy to sell the right products to this specific determined group. A model server is a generic framework for serving models. The idea behind a model server is to provide a central place for model training code to send models and have them served by a single endpoint. A pytorch implementation of the model server can be found in this repository. Main components of the field To accomplish all these, data science is benefiting from multiple components that usually have their sub-disciplines apart from the data science itself. The first of these components is statistics, which is perhaps the most important element of the field. Statistics is not only collecting the data but also analyzing it through various methods which pave the way for reaching reliable insights. The other component of data science jobs is a technique called visualization that transfers large data into visual forms which ease condense the data despite its size. Then, there is machine learning which is already being referred to multiple times above as it is highly influential in the field. It enables machines not only to digest the data but also to learn from it and come up with accurate predictions for future data, which is brilliant. Lastly, there is deep learning that is the improved version of machine learning in which the algorithm itself determines which analysis pattern will be followed. 6 crucial steps in data research Data science also has six steps that are required to complete research on a specific data set. The initial step is labeled as “discovery,” in which the researcher needs to find the data he/she requires. This data can be fathered from many resources including social media and census datasets. Then, in the second step, which is called “preparation,” the researcher needs to clean and tidy up the data since it might have some discrepancies that might cause your result to be not as reliable. Then, in step three, named “model planning,” the researcher finally determines which pattern or model that he/she thinks would be suitable to use in this specific data. In this step, the components of statics and visualization are becoming especially useful while some tools such as R, SQL analysis and SAS are effective in coming up with the right models. The 4th step “model building” is the one that starts the process for real since the model that is being determined is being applied to the data. The researcher allocates the data for training and testing, which are being used for different purposes. While testing is used for the techniques such as classification and association, the training dataset is being applied to the clustering technique. In the 5th step, which is called “operationalize,” the researcher moves into the post-testing stage in which the model reaches its final state with reports and documents that present the findings of the research. Then, the final step comes in, which is “communicate results.” This step is the one that all the insights gathered through this research is being shared with the related business partners and discussed. Data as a must-have Currently, data science has many challenges from having difficulties in finding the right data to the lack of financial support. However, these challenges do not prevent the field from expanding as the businesses reached a point that to stand out among the others, they have to be the ones that have the best data science jobs and technology. She is a content-creator of ProjectCubicle. She keeps you updated on the latest developments in AI, cryptocurrencies, data science, and more. She lives in Istanbul, Turkey. She is a graduate of Boğaziçi University’s Political Science and International Relations department. She had her Masters’ Degree at Boğaziçi Univerity’s Social Policy department. She is an enthusiast of the tech world with an endless passion for writing on related topics.

Specially designed gardens could reduce the amount of a toxic chemical associated with tires entering our waterways by more than 90 per cent, new research shows. The chemical 6PPD-quinone can form when car tires interact with the atmosphere. It enters rivers and streams when rain runs off roads into waterways. It is toxic to coho salmon, rainbow trout and some other fish. "Rain gardens," or bioretention cells, are gardens engineered to reduce flooding and soak up contaminants when road runoff is directed onto them. Rain gardens in Rain City With the City of Vancouver, UBC researchers Drs. Timothy Rodgers (he/him) and Rachel Scholes (she/her) tested a Vancouver rain garden at 8th and Pine, pumping 14,000 litres of water spiked with 6PPD-quinone onto the garden for four hours and testing the water draining from beneath the garden at frequent intervals. They found only about two to five per cent of the chemical made it through, with about 75 per cent captured by the soil and plants. Extrapolating their results using a computer model, the team predicted the garden would prevent more than 90 per cent of the chemical from directly entering salmon-bearing streams in an average year. Save Our Salmon Vancouver's Rain City Strategy will build more "green infrastructure" including rain gardens, and municipalities could use the research to plan where and how to place these, the researchers say. This could include targeting areas with large highways that runoff into salmon-bearing streams and such systems could help meet multiple municipal environmental goals simultaneously. "Anywhere where you know there's salmon, you should be trying to direct that runoff as much as possible into systems like this," says Dr. Rodgers. Cite This Page:

Mrs. Krikstone's Class A is for Autumn Aais for autumn, our favorite season of the year. Bbis for black cats that come out on Halloween. Ccis for the candy that we get when we go trick-or-treating. Ddis for December, the last month of autumn. Eeis for eating apples, apple pies, and applesauce. Ffis for the frost that forms on our windows. Ggis for ghosts and goblins that come out on Halloween. Hhis for Halloween, a fun holiday that we celebrate in autumn. Iiis for Indians, the first native Americans. Kkis for Mrs. Krikstone, our teacher. Llis for Mrs. Leipf, our student teacher. Mmis for the monarchs that migrate to Mexico in autumn. Nnis for November, another month in autumn. Oois for the orange leaves that we see on the trees in autumn. Ppis for pumpkins that we will make into jack-o-lanterns and pies. Rris for raking the leaves that fall off the trees. Ssis for soccer, our favorite sport that we play in autumn. Ttis for Thanksgiving, a time for giving thanks. Uuis for underground, where many animals hibernate. Vvis for Veterans Day, when we honor those who have served our country. Wwis for the woodstoves, that we light when the weather gets cooler. Xxis for an extra special time of the year. Yyis for leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Zzis for the zippers that we zip when the weather turns cooler. |Multiage 1-2 Class Authors Cam, Cassie, Cole, Eden, Eleanor, Emily, Emma, Hannah, Heather, Julia, Justin, Katie, Kellie, Logan, Russell, Sara, Shelby S. K. Multiage Press |About Our Project The children decided that they would like to make a class alphabet book about autumn. First, we made of list of words for each letter that related to the autumn theme. Once this had been accomplished, we voted on the one word for each letter that we would put in our book. Next, we thought of a sentence that would be appropriate for each letter of the alphabet. Then the children picked which letters they wanted to illustrate. We wish that we could display all the childrens illustrations on this page, but the file would be much too large. We are going to put the book into a PowerPoint Presentation, which you will be able to view on our class website in a few weeks. We also have our original hard copy of the book, which will be sent home to be shared with our families. Please visit us soon and take a look at all our illustrations. Class and group discussions: 4 student lead discussions in group; cooperated with fellow group members; contributed relevant information; demonstrated an excellent understanding of topic 3 student participated in group discussion; cooperated with most group members; contributed relevant information; demonstrated an understanding of topic 2 student contributed little to group; demonstrated little understanding of topic 1 student did not participate in group or class discussions 4 student followed directions and produced an illustration that was neat, simple and demonstrated a good understanding of the topic 3 student produced an illustration that demonstrated a good understanding of topic, but drawing was either too small, included too many details, or was messy 2 student produced an illustration that was unrelated to topic; drawing may also be messy, too small, and too detailed 1 student did not complete an illustration

Mitigating EMI of Powerline Communications Using Carrier-less UWB Pulses Powerline communications (PLC) is the technology that utilizes the electric network for broad band data communications on a frequency band up to 30 MHz. It is becoming a competing technology to other technologies for Home-networking and for “last-mile” access networking. It is also a basis for tomorrow’s ICT based E-energy. Electric socket outlets inside buildings, for example, can be used not only as outlets for the 50 Hz electric energy, but also as communication nodes for a LAN that can be realized over the electric network of the building. This saves both cost and inconveniences related to new cabling inside existing buildings. The PLC, however, is not without a challenge. The standard telecommunication cables, such as UTP, are for point-to-point links and have twisted pairs of wires which provide the minimum possible emission from the cables and the maximum possible immunity to the cables from external disturbance sources. In contrary, the PLC cables have many branches and the slight twisting is only for mechanical reasons. PLC cables are generally branched parallel-wire cables which, unfortunately, create a condition for both conducted and radiated interferences. Additionally, as a “new comer” to the competition of broadband technology, PLC is faced with different national and international emission and immunity limit lines that had been already established taking in to account the condition of standard telecommunication cables. As any other OFDM-realizations, the current PLC technology takes care of the issue of EMI by notching out sub-carriers to avoid interferences to other systems or when interferences from other systems are detected. For current (and future) PLC modems with PHY data rate of 200 Mbps (and beyond) notching out sub-carriers does adversely affect the data rate and hence may not always be a preference. FCC defines UWB as a signal with either a 500 MHz signal bandwidth or a 20% Fractional BW. These signals are characterized by high data rates, low interference levels and improved immunity. Since the introduction of the UWB technology, however, it has been widely implemented for wireless applications with the 500 MHz requirement due to the assignment of the 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz band without requiring any license. The basics behind the UWB technology which is thought to have evolved from classical high-power pulse transmissions for radar applications is based on exploiting the advantage of a wider BW that comes from transmission of a narrow pulse. An increased BW proportionally decreases signal Power Spectral Density (PSD) without compromising the total signal power. Viewed from EMI perspective, it is the signal PSD, and not the total power that is proportionally related to the interference levels (both conducted and radiated). Therefore, in this Dissertation (1) The possibility of transmitting and receiving carrier-less UWB signals has been investigated. The widths of the second derivative Gaussian pulses transmitted are adjusted to occupy the 1-30 MHz band of operation of the PLC channel with the Fractional BW requirement. (2) Both conducted and radiated Interferences from the carrier-less pulses have been theoretically analyzed and experimentally verified. The levels of interferences are then compared to interferences from carrier-based transmissions of same data rate. Results discussed in the Dissertation show a decrease in interferences by at least 15 dB by using carrier-less UWB pulses instead of carrier-based transmissions over the PLC band of frequency.

Mōko Shūrai Ekotoba is a set of two Japanese illustrated handscrolls (emaki) commissioned by the samurai Takezaki Suenaga (1246–1314) as a record of his wartime deeds and valor during the Mongol invasions of Japan. The first scroll describes Suenaga's actions at the Battle of Bun'ei (1274), as well as his attempts to seek recognition and rewards from the government. The second scroll describes him at the naval Battle of Kōan (1281). The work dates itself to 1293, while scholars similarly believe it was composed between the late 13th century and early 14th century, during the Kamakura period. Their author and artist are unknown. Together, the scrolls contain some of the earliest artistic depictions of the Mongol invasions of Japan. Both scrolls are currently kept in the Museum of the Imperial Collections at Tokyo Imperial Palace. The scrolls alternate between written accounts and illustrations done in the yamato-e style. They focus on the actions of Takezaki Sue

New Atlantis is an utopian novel by Sir Francis Bacon, published in 1627. In New Atlantis Bacon portrays a vision of the future of human discovery and knowledge, expressing his aspirations and ideals for humankind. The novel depicts the creation of a utopian land where "generosity and enlightenment, dignity and splendor, piety and public spirit" are the commonly held qualities of the inhabitants of Bensalem, a city named so after the Hebrew words interpreted as the complete son.. The plan and organisation of his ideal college, Solomon's House, envisioned the modern research university in both applied and pure sciences. The book presents unlimited power for the rule of self appointed "scientific" experts - for example it is forbidden to even tell ordinary people that the Earth goes round the Sun. There are no legal principles of natural justice limiting the power of this elite of "scientific" experts in Sir Francis Bacon's version of utopia.

Affirmative action is a classic example of the administrative state’s pathology. Congress in the Great Society era outlawed “discrimination based on race.” Rather than define “discrimination,” however, it delegated this lawmaking power to an independent agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Its bureaucrats’ definition of discrimination was far more sweeping than what most congressmen thought they had voted to outlaw, and in important respects antithetical to the standard of a color-blind Constitution invoked so often in the debates over the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Supreme Court, however, deferred completely to the regulators’ understanding of “discrimination,” ignoring the original intent of Congress. Another stream of affirmative action arose from executive orders that extend back to World War II. (Indeed, it was President John F. Kennedy’s executive order that introduced the phrase “affirmative action” into civil rights policy.) These orders required any federal contractor to devise nondiscrimination plans, which morphed into statistical “goals and timetables”—quotas, in all but name. By the 1980s these programs had become so entrenched that President Ronald Reagan, who could have acted on his expressed desire to abolish them “with the stroke of a pen,” refrained from doing so, largely at the behest of his Big Business supporters who preferred the predictability, and reduced exposure to lawsuits over personnel practices, that came with the quota regime. * * * June and David O’Neill’s book, The Declining Importance of Race and Gender in the Labor Market, does two useful things. It describes the operation of the affirmative action regime, and it accounts for the persistence of racial and gender disparities in the labor market. The affirmative action regime affects other areas (e.g., education and voting) and applies to other groups, such as the disabled. But the O’Neills, economists who have worked extensively in both the academic and government worlds, provide indispensable clarity by focusing on race and gender as they relate to employment. June O’Neill was the director of the Congressional Budget Office in the late 1990s and is the director of the Center for the Study of Business and Government and the president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. David O’Neill has worked for the Census Bureau, New York Federal Reserve Bank, and the General Accounting Office. Both teach at Baruch College. The authors argue persuasively that affirmative action is based upon gross but memorable statistical distortions about, for example, blacks earning only 60% as much as whites, or women 80% of what men are paid. In the prevailing “disparate impact” theory, discrimination encompasses far more than conscious acts of unequal treatment by prejudiced employers. Rather, discrimination exists whenever ostensibly race- or gender-neutral qualifications screen out more blacks than whites, more women than men. Disparate impact is a potent reminder that statism depends on its etymological cousin—statistics—because statistics reduce individual human persons to homogenous entities that administrators can shape to their liking. The O’Neills provide an illuminating account of how the government-contract compliance program works. The acronyms of these agencies, originally presidential committees but now housed in the Department of Labor, are a wonderful sedimentary record of 20th-century bureaucracy. Franklin Roosevelt established the President’s Committee on Fair Employment Practice (commonly called the FEPC). Harry Truman followed with the President’s Committee on Government Contract Compliance (PCGGC). Dwight Eisenhower set up the President’s Committee on Government Contracts (PCGC—the missing “C” was said to indicate a profound change in policy). Kennedy gave us the President’s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity (PCEEO). Lyndon Johnson launched the Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCC). It is now the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). * * * Suffice it to say that OFCCP’s methods are highly capricious. Contractors face compliance review for reasons that appear to be, according to the O’Neills, “random” or “more nearly perverse,” thereby spawning consulting firms like the Equal Employment Advisory Council to help firms deal with OFCCP compliance reviews. The law itself offers little help since administrative law judges handle all disputes. “The importance of this restriction on the scope of judicial review is that the constitutional validity of any of OFCCP’s various procedures, such as affirmative action with goals and timetables, is never questioned.” OFCCP is a perfect example of what The Federalist called “the accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands.” Congress delegates legislative powers to it. Despite being in the Department of Labor, it escapes presidential control. The judiciary routinely accedes to it. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 should be the cornerstone of our civil rights policy, having provided the element of consent missing from the evolving system of executive orders. Title VII of the Act dealt with employment discrimination, and also outlawed discrimination on the basis of “sex,” a category later added to the government contract system. Title VII certainly meant to avoid racial preferences and quotas. (Nothing could be clearer from the legislative history. Hubert Humphrey famously swore that if anyone could find “any language which provides that an employer will have to hire on the basis of percentage or quota related to color, race, religion, or national origin, I will start eating the pages one after another, because it is not in there.”) It also meant to avoid the administrative model of the New Deal, especially that of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). EEOC’s powers were initially so limited that liberals despaired over its inability to issue “cease and desist” orders, the main weapon wielded by NLRB. Instead, individual victims of discrimination could bring lawsuits if EEOC could not work out an amicable settlement with their employers. Republicans hoped that courts rather than bureaucrats would prevent a law meant to secure individual rights from turning into a system of racial group entitlements. It was a vain hope. By the 1970s the courts had bought into what EEOC affirmative action mastermind Alfred W. Blumrosen called the “law transmission system”: Congress delegates sweeping powers to enforce a vague standard, bureaucrats like himself make the rules, and courts enforce them. * * * The court approved of the EEOC’s “disparate impact” standard in 1971 in Griggs v. Duke Power Co. When the Supreme Court began to tighten up that standard in 1989, Congress responded by writing it into law in the 1991 Civil Rights Act. This provided the first explicit statutory sanction to affirmative action, though it’s doubtful the statute conforms to either the Constitution or rudimentary concepts of fairness and equal justice before the law. So EEOC, like OFCCP, deals with disparate impact or statistical discrimination. The cynical abandonment of any concern for individual rights can be seen in EEOC’s “80%” rule. EEOC’s formulas divine how many women, blacks, Hispanics, etc., would be employed by a perfectly nondiscriminatory employer. If an employer’s employment practices meet 80% of those benchmarks, the commission will leave him alone. Individual justice does not matter so long as the statistical racial aggregates are close enough. We might call this the Four-fifths Compromise of affirmative action. Accounting for current disparities in racial and gender outcomes requires rigorous statistical analysis, and sometimes the O’Neills cannot resist the social scientist’s temptation to “show all work.” Lay readers can, for example, ponder this formula, which measures the effect of OFCCP policies on the earnings of black workers: Wi = a + b1(C/T) + b2(Ai) + b3(Ei) + b4(R) + b5(I) But the O’Neills’ careful statistical inquiries lead overwhelmingly to the same conclusion: almost none of the racial and gender disparities are the result of unequal treatment. Once you control for obvious variables such as age, level of education, regional economic and demographic differences, and years of work experience, the disparities between demographic subgroups become statistically insignificant. In gender terms, it is obvious that the choices that women make to leave the work force or reduce their hours for the sake of their children account for most of the gap between their compensation and men’s. And federal laws and policies have not done much to reduce unequal treatment—apart from the first few years after Title VII was enacted, especially in the South. Just as the Head Start program has failed, expensively, to give poor children head starts, our Equal Employment Opportunity apparatus has effected a net reduction in employment opportunities afforded equally and fairly. * * * But even if the O’Neills persuaded everyone that statistical disparities in the labor force cannot be ascribed to unequal treatment, few advocates of affirmative action would endorse a change in policy. One of the most important variables is performance on the Armed Forces Qualification Test, “an achievement test of verbal and mathematical skills [that] reflects the quality and quantity of schooling received (as well as the effects of parents’ education, since human capital is acquired in the home as well as in school).” Affirmative action advocates would respond that unequal results on the AFQT are themselves the result of unequal treatment in the past—that we are still dealing with the effects of slavery, segregation, and historical discrimination. With regard to sex, the very fact that we call it “gender” gives the game away. “Gender” is not “sex,” a natural, biological difference. Thus we cannot say that women really “choose” to leave the work force or reduce their hours to care for their children. This apparent choice, like all other apparent sex differences, is really a coercive trick played on them by men over the centuries. But even if true, to treat the causes of inequality—to correct and compensate for all the ways that historical legacies fall short of our moral standards—would be difficult and expensive. Likewise, to sort through individual cases of discrimination, to treat individuals as individuals, is difficult and expensive. This is why many employers have made their peace with affirmative action—it is cheaper and simpler than justice. In the old days, too, employers engaged in racial discrimination based on statistics, assuming (often plausibly) that black workers were, on average, less efficient than white workers. Though they thus lost the services of those individual black workers who were more efficient than some white workers they hired, in the aggregate such discrimination made economic sense. The average overcomes the individual. Affirmative action simply inverts the incentives for statistical discrimination: employers must now take into account the costs of OFCCP and EEOC enforcement actions. * * * Although it is cheaper and easier to deal with the effects than with the causes of discrimination, the consequences of concentrating solely on the effects are perverse. Affirmative action is a palliative that only reinforces the causes of inequality. In the old days, they said that a black worker had to be twice as good as a white worker in order to get the same job. Now, they think (but can’t say that) he only has to be half as good. So why bother to be better? The O’Neills make a similar point with regard to a new frontier of affirmative action, that of “comparable worth.” Congressional Democrats introduced the “Paycheck Fairness Act,” which would require firms to raise the wage of female-dominated jobs. The O’Neills rightly observe that this would establish a system of “politically administered wages,” which “would likely impede women’s progress. Women have been moving into nontraditional occupations such as medicine, law, and even engineering.” This outcome-equalizing program “would discourage women and men from investing in the skills to enter these higher paying fields.” But “comparable worth” was so over-the-top that even the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected it in a 1985 decision written by Anthony Kennedy, who now sits on the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court this term addressed affirmative action in voting and education, but no serious challenge to affirmative action in employment is on the horizon. Perhaps June and David O’Neill’s impressive The Declining Importance of Race and Gender in the Labor Market will help to bring one about.

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a goal that many individuals aspire to, often embarking on weight loss journeys in search of a fitter, more vibrant life. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to weight loss, adopting a holistic approach that Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic both physical and mental well-being can lead to more sustainable and long-lasting results. - Mindful Eating: One of the fundamental aspects of successful weight loss is practicing mindful eating. This involves paying attention to the sensations of hunger and fullness, savoring the flavors of each bite, and being aware of emotional triggers that may lead to overeating. By cultivating a mindful eating habit, individuals can develop a healthier relationship with food and avoid the pitfalls of mindless snacking. - Nutrient-Rich Diet: Focusing on a nutrient-dense, well-balanced diet is crucial for weight loss. Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats ensures that the body receives essential nutrients while keeping calorie intake in check. Avoiding highly processed foods, excessive sugars, and unhealthy fats can contribute to sustainable weight loss and overall well-being. - Regular Exercise: Physical activity plays a pivotal role in weight loss by burning calories and boosting metabolism. Engaging in a mix of aerobic exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises helps build lean muscle mass, which in turn can enhance metabolism and contribute to fat loss. Finding enjoyable activities, whether it’s hiking, dancing, or cycling, can make regular exercise a sustainable part of a healthy lifestyle. Often overlooked, proper hydration is a key component of weight loss. Water not only helps regulate metabolism but also supports digestion and can contribute to a feeling of fullness, reducing the likelihood of overeating. Choosing water over sugary beverages is a simple yet effective step towards weight loss and overall health. - Adequate Sleep: Sleep is a crucial, yet sometimes underestimated, factor in weight management. Lack of sleep can disrupt hormonal balance, leading to increased cravings for unhealthy foods and decreased motivation for physical activity. Establishing a consistent sleep routine and aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night can positively impact weight loss efforts. - Stress Management: Chronic stress can sabotage weight loss efforts by triggering emotional eating and affecting hormonal balance. Incorporating stress-reducing practices such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises can help manage stress levels, promoting a healthier mind-body connection and supporting weight loss goals. - Accountability and Support: Having a support system can significantly impact weight loss success. Whether it’s through friends, family, or a professional, having someone to share the journey with, offer encouragement, and provide accountability can make the process more enjoyable and sustainable. Weight loss is a multifaceted journey that extends beyond mere calorie counting. Embracing a holistic approach that considers mindful eating, a nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise, proper hydration, adequate sleep, stress management, and a support system can lead to sustainable and long-term weight loss success. By focusing on the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being, individuals can achieve their weight loss goals while cultivating a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

Discuss about the Energy Democracies And The Public In The Making. Revisiting the Limits to Growth After Peak Oil It is almost five decades when there arises a fierce debate about the desirability and feasibility of the future economic growth. The most popular imagination was captured as a case study known as the "Limits to Growth" and is still is a topic of discussion among individuals and organizations and also a part of the curriculum of the student to grab complete knowledge regarding that scenario. According to the case, many people believe that the end of the world is near due to the fast speed of economic loss and said that the world had entered the "era of limits." The task of tackling the environment and economy of the world is quite challenging. The team involved in the task hunted for food, population, industrialization, pollution and the use of resources. After modeling the data from the 1970's, a complete scenario is generated for more than hundred years depending upon that whether humans have considered the issue of environment and resource seriously. If they do not want, then the model will come to an end before the completing century (Brisbois and Plamondon, 2018). The key learning of the study while undertaking the project into commission is: - Gain vision into the world's limitation and the impacts it has caused on the humans and their actions. - Identification of the elements that are quite dominating and their cooperation that controls the behavior of the world. Defenders of peak oil quarrel that the future projections of the oil are estimated higher than the usual and the supply of oil will be restricted because of the limited resources which are a reason of significant concern (Hall and Klitgaard, 2018, p.280). In Australia, the issue of oil burden has achieved a considerable political constriction. The following are some Australian projections to deal with the limitation of growth. - Australia has started production of commercial crude oil to a large extent to deal with the oil crisis. The country has made itself capable of dealing with the problem by expanding the production of crude oil more than its demand. - The country has introduced many projects of gas to decrease the country's dependency on oil. The production of gas has limited the oil demand to a level to which the country is capable of managing it (Troussard and van, 2018, p. 11). - The gas as a fuel is used in the Australian transport. This has reduced the pressure of emission of harmful gases and saved the environment from danger. Transport in Australia accounts for around fourteen percent of the greenhouse emissions of Australia. - According to the study, it is found that in the coming years Australia will reduce its dependency on oil and other petroleum products from eighty percent to twenty percent (Dobreva and Minkov, 2018, P. 135). - The petroleum production and exploration association of Australia, i.e., APPEA is historically a significant exporter of oil, petroleum, and gas. This situation has come to reverse in the last few years due to the decrease in the production of domestic crude oil and constant rise in its prices (Kolhoff et al.,2018, p. 105). - The seriousness of this effect will remain in the country and keep the prices of oil at a high level for many years. In Western Australia, Environmental Impact Assessment is undertaken by EPA. The proposals that are referred to in the process falls under the Environmental protection Act Part IV. EIA process recommended a step by step guide to obtaining the approval of the project that needs EIA (Lawania, and Biswas, 2018, p. 220). The recommendations of the process are as follows: - New Administrative procedures: The first step and the key recommendation is to boost the clarity and certainty of the EIA process. This has been done to update the EIA process. The new Administrative procedures are updated by EIA to set the targeted timelines. The new procedures introduce many changes to the already built act. Until the new administrative procedures are getting finalized, the old procedures will continue to apply until they get updated (Berthon et al., 2018, p. 160). - Environmental Impact Assessment guidelines: The second step and the major recommendations are related to the absence of timelines in the process of EIA. At present, the EPA is working on developing the process of Environmental Assessment guideline on the EIA proposals timeline. Along with other critical issues the instruction consists of the targeted timelines for each recommendation in the two new stages of the EIA process. The primary objective is to reduce the uncertainty of the project, reduction in the related costs and to assist in resisting delays (Chilvers et al., 2018, p.198). - Reduced level of assessment: The other important recommendation of the process is to make it simpler. The idea is to reduce the five steps into two. The first stage will include the proposals that can be checked by the EPA without the requirement of public review. The second level includes the proposals that warrant the public review. The EPA required publishing a guideline on the new stages of assessment (Harris et al., 2018, p. 110). - Setting outcome-based conditions: The most impressive recommendation was to move towards conditions that are based on the output in the approval of final ministry. Each condition is required to describe the outcome of the environment and to work on the steps that how to achieve the outcome that is proposed. The movement towards outcome-based conditions from the perspective conditions helps the proponents to be more creative to ensure the protection of the environment. - The risk-based approach to EIA: The review of EIA specifies that the approach that is based on risk will improve the EIA process. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a method which is used to check different aspects such as the causes of environmental disturbance on the health of human, the health of nature and also the risk associated with it and also the presence of changes in particular projects (Pope et al., 2018, p. 42). In today's world, modern society has contributed extensive growth to the world's economy. Manufacturing and production industries have created significant and extensive accommodation amenities for the vast population. This introduction has cost a lot more to the environment. Thus, to analyze the environment's current situation and to measure the impact of the changes done to the environment, the use of Environmental Impact Assessment is needed to deal with such situations (Santos et al., 2018, p. 80). Steps of EIA Proposal: Every projected is started after specifying its objectives and goals. However, when there is any major project when there is a need for government actions, higher expenditure is needed for projects such as public work development, work of public lands which require management and development of plans and also the need of permits for its insurance and development (Larsen et al, 2018, p. 48) Exclusion: Every government sector requires the elimination of actions from the work process of judicial, legislative and administration. For example: When there is the maintenance of roadways. Assessment of the environment: Every project before its start needs to be checked for its impact on the environment. An in-depth research an examination to reduce the impact of noise and other factors is essential. Draft EIS: There is a need for proper documentation detailing about the significant impacts on the environment. Comment: Comment from all the parties and departments that are affected by the environment change because of the start of the project are required in the form of written or public hearing. Decisions and its record: After getting consent from all after declaring the possible changes to the environment, the final decision is made which is based on the law of agency. The record of the decision is maintained for future references. In the modern environment where continuous changes are being made in the environment due to the development of different projects, EIA is mostly accepted regarding the decision of making tools that are associated with the process and its results. EIA is a policy of information and is not a regulatory law of pollution. It causes many problems when the EIA develops a negative impact (Vahid-Pakdel et al., 2018, p. 401). Key problems of EIA project To define the problems of EIA here is an example of two countries Turkey and Ethiopia and how they implement the solution (Chilvers and Pallett, 2018, p. 14). To develop EIA system in the country, various approaches are considered such as: Enormous sources are available to enable the suitable guideline for EIA procedures. All of these guidelines are accepted for the suitability of the environment. Except this, the significant source is the already present policy of environment of Ethiopia. Different procedures in the project's implementation and various issues are associated in all the sectors. The most important thing is that all these issues are connected to each other. Because of the limited experience of the Ethiopian EIA system, there is a need for experience and comments and suggestions are required from stakeholders as their EIA system is at the primary level. Pitfalls of EIA Many questions have been raised such as what should be the stage of the project cycle? What type of EIA system is installed? What is the need of participation by the public in a particular project etc.? This solution helps in developing an experienced EIA procedure in Ethiopia. Different suggestions are introduced, and proper guidelines are made to balance the adverse effects of the estimated project. The project must be more accessible and cost beneficial, and some modifications can be done if required. The project will pass all the guidelines and is not rejected by any government body. This specific checklist is given for an efficient EIA system (Shumway et al., 2018, p. 120). EIA system has come up with the following problems in Turkey The ministry of environment in Turkey is inexperienced and has no expertise in carrying out the responsibilities. Because of lacking skills, the Ministry of the environment is not capable of handling the project analysis and its impact on the environment. Solutions to improve the EIA project in Turkey Channelizing knowledge: They require putting knowledge in a sequence for an effective decision making. Development of Potential: The need for developing the potential to achieve the set objectives of any particular project is required. Experts in Turkey need to make suitable developments in this field. Establishment of Communication: Every project lacks communication which needs to be taken care of. Proper and regular communication is required at every development step of the project. Decentralization of the responsibilities of EIA: Turkey is very big, and there is a need to decentralize the responsibilities of every member who is a part of the project. This will help in efficiently executing the task (Meex et al., 2018, p. 230). The world is facing many challenges for the environmental health. The pressure on the environment is continuously increasing and many times resulted in conflicts and competing demands that cannot always be fulfilled (Davidson et al., 2018, p. 15). Environmental Offsets are greeted and accepted to protect the environment and development of Western Australia. These Environmental Offsets are mainly referred to the actions that are not a part of any development site that refunds for the crunch of development. The primary objective of this question is to identify that how the new concept of Environmental Offset is working in EIA as a useful tool. - The work of Offsets is to ensure that the environment is safe as far as possible. In some projects the stress on the environment from the project cannot be avoided, it is the work of Offsets to reduce or minimize the impact through other methods of mitigation. - Offsets are recognized as a useful tool for the cost-effective approach and more flexibility to the development to achieve more environmental benefits. - Offsets help in the improvement of social licensing, increase their ability to work on the project, increase goodwill which may not be possible otherwise. - A sequence or mitigation hierarchy should apply. After conducting the reasonable attempts, the environmental offsets can be used. - There should be a set aim for achieving environmental objectives that can be achieved by using a combination of direct offsets and contributing offsets. - Environmental offsets are made for better environment condition. - Mitigation sequence: When a project is considered for the environment approval, the regulators of EIA require the defender to adhere to the sequence of mitigation which avoids, minimize, rectify, reduce and then go with utilizing the offsets. The EPA also advised that if the project is not admissible without offsets, then it is also not considered with offsets. Developers also not use offsets to allow unnecessarily bumps that can be easily avoided. - Net environmental gain: In Western Australia, it is the opinion of EPA that environmental offsets work towards achieving the benefit to the environment. They are utilized to remove harmful emissions from the environment to free it from destructive elements (Zhao et al., 2018, p. 308). - The concept of like for like: The main aim of this concept is to ensure that environmental offsets work for balancing the emission impact. Plastic waste is a major problem for almost all the countries of the world. The UK, US, China, Russia etc are making several efforts to tackle the situation. According to research, around twenty-five million tonnes of plastic waste is collected in the UK every year from which only thirty percent of the total plastic waste is collected for recycling. Plastic pollution has hit the public awareness to a large extent (Willis et al., 2018 p.245). The government, global citizens and businesses of the different countries of the world such as America, Japan etc are working on this issue and developing the ways to tackle it in an efficient manner. Problems of Environmental impact association The UK has generated a big plan to eliminate plastic waste and aims to set the "global gold standard" on terminating the plastic waste from the country. The UK strategise many ways to reduce the amount of plastic waste and to make the environment clean and greener for humans and all the living species. The country plans to improve: - Improve the plastic packaging's recyclability - Decrease single-use plastics - To reduce the loss aquatic life at the sea - By decreasing the use of oxo-degradable plastic The United Kingdom's strategies to tackle plastic waste of the country by working on the following: - Banning Microbeads: The country initially worked by banning the microbeads or the use of micro-plastic that is present in toothpaste, face scrub, body wash etc. These micro-plastics are so tiny and profuse that they can be easily drained in just a single wash. All this plastic waste is going to collect in the rivers, seas and oceans and affect the aquatic life and also the environment (Coppola et al.,2018 p.201). - Plastic-free aisles in the supermarket: The country has made amendments in the packaging of food. New rules were formed to free the use of plastic in food packaging and to deliver the food in supermarkets in the loose form. This is a step towards the more friendly environment. - Extending the 5p Carrier bag tax: the country has made changes and started charging for the carrier bag while shopping in the supermarket. The tax has been extended for larger bags. This helps in reducing much plastic waste as many people started carrying their own bag at shopping. - Banning cotton buds and straws: The country has banned cotton buds and straws to save the marine environment as the most found plastic items near the oceans are plastic straws. The UK and other countries have taken many crucial steps to save the environment from getting polluted by plastic waste. Berthon, K., Esperon-Rodriguez, M., Beaumont, L.J., Carnegie, A.J. and Leishman, M.R., 2018. Assessment and prioritization of plant species at risk from myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) under current and future climates in Australia. Biological Conservation, 218, pp.154-162. Brisbois, B. and Plamondon, K., 2018. The possible worlds of global health research: An ethics-focused discourse analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 196, pp.142-149. Chilvers, J. and Pallett, H., 2018. Energy democracies and the public in the making: a relational agenda for research and practice. Frontiers in Communication, 3, p.14. Chilvers, J., Pallett, H., and Hargreaves, T., 2018. Ecologies of participation in socio-technical change: The case of energy system transitions. Energy Research & Social Science, 42, pp.199-210. Davidson, N.C., Middleton, B.A., McInnes, R.J., Everard, M., Irvine, K., Van Dam, A.A. and Finlayson, C.M., 2018. Introduction to the Wetland Book 1: Wetland Structure and Function, Management, and Methods. The Wetland Book: I: Structure and Function, Management, and Methods, pp.3-14. Dobreva, J. and Minkov, N., 2018.Behavioral economics and institutional development. Tourism & development studies, p.135. Hall, C.A. and Klitgaard, K., 2018. Are There Limits to Growth? Examining the Evidence. In Energy and the Wealth of Nations (pp. 277-288). Springer, Cham. Harris, P., Riley, E., Sainsbury, P., Kent, J. and Baum, F., 2018. Including health in environmental impact assessments of three mega transport projects in Sydney, Australia: A critical, institutional, analysis. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 68, pp.109-116. Kolhoff, A.J., Driessen, P.P. and Runhaar, H.A., 2018. Overcoming low EIA performance-A diagnostic tool for the planned development of EIA system capacities in low and middle-income countries. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 68, pp.98-108. Larsen, S.V., Hansen, A.M. and Nielsen, H.N., 2018. The role of EIA and weak assessments of social impacts in conflicts over the implementation of renewable energy policies. Energy Policy, 115, pp.43-53. Lawania, K. and Biswas, W.K., 2018. Application of life cycle assessment approach to delivering low carbon houses at the regional level in Western Australia. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 23(2), pp.204-224. Lee, D., Min, S.K., Fischer, E., Shiogama, H., Bethke, I., Lierhammer, L. and Scinocca, J.F., 2018. Impacts of half a degree further warming on the Asian summer monsoon rainfall characteristics. Environmental Research Letters, 13(4), p.044033. McCabe, P.J., 2018. Elizabeth Usher Memorial Lecture: How do we change our profession? Using the lens of behavioral economics to improve evidence-based practice in speech-language pathology. International journal of speech-language pathology, 20(3), pp.300-309. Meex, E., Hollberg, A., Knapen, E., Hildebrand, L. and Verbeeck, G., 2018. Requirements for applying LCA-based environmental impact assessment tools in the early stages of building design. Building and Environment, 133, pp.228-236. Pope, J., Bond, A., Cameron, C., Retief, F. and Morrison-Saunders, A., 2018. Are current effectiveness criteria fit for purpose? Using a controversial strategic assessment as a test case. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 70, pp.34-44. Santos, J., Marques, J., Neves, T., Marques, A.T., Ramalho, R. and Mascarenhas, M., 2018. Environmental Impact Assessment Methods: An Overview of the Process for Wind Farms’ Different Phases—From Pre-construction to Operation. In Biodiversity and Wind Farms in Portugal (pp. 35-86). Springer, Cham. Shumway, N., Watson, J.E., Saunders, M.I. and Maron, M., 2018. The Risks and Opportunities of Translating Terrestrial Biodiversity Offsets to the Marine Realm. BioScience, 68(2), pp.125-133. Troussard, X. and van Bavel, R., 2018. How Can Behavioural Insights Be Used to Improve EU Policy?. Intereconomics, 53(1), pp.8-12. Coppola, B., Courard, L., Michel, F., Incarnato, L., Scarfato, P. and Di Maio, L., 2018. Hygro-thermal and durability properties of a lightweight mortar made with foamed plastic waste aggregates. Construction and Building Materials, 170, pp.200-206. Willis, K., Maureaud, C., Wilcox, C. and Hardesty, B.D., 2018. How successful are waste abatement campaigns and government policies at reducing plastic waste into the marine environment?. Marine Policy, 96, pp.243-249. To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below: My Assignment Help. (2019). Energy Democracies And The Public In The Making: Revisiting The Limits To Growth After Peak Oil. 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Hannah Arendt again, from Origins of Totalitarianism: Before they seize power and establish a world according to their doctrines, totalitarian movements conjure up a lying world of consistency which is more adequate to the needs of the human mind than reality itself; in which, through sheer imagination, uprooted masses can feel at home and are spared the never-ending shocks which real life and real experiences deal to human beings and their expectations. The force possessed by totalitarian propaganda — before the movements have the power to drop iron curtains to prevent anyone’s disturbing, by the slightest reality, the gruesome quiet of an entirely imaginary world — lies in its ability to shut the masses off from the real world. The only signs which the real world still offers to the understanding of the unintegrated and disintegrating masses — whom every new stroke of ill luck makes more gullible — are, so to speak, its lacunae, the questions it does not care to discuss publicly, or the rumors it does not dare to contradict because they hit, although in an exaggerated and deformed way, some sore spot. The most efficient fiction of Nazi propaganda was the story of a Jewish world conspiracy. Concentration on antisemitic propaganda had been a common device of demagogues ever since the end of the nineteenth century, and was widespread in the Germany and Austria of the twenties. The more consistently a discussion of the Jewish question was avoided by all parties and organs of public opinion, the more convinced the mob became that Jews were the true representatives of the powers that be, and that the Jewish issue was the symbol for the hypocrisy and dishonesty of the whole system. The actual content of postwar antisemitic propaganda was neither a monopoly of the Nazis nor particularly new and original. Lies about a Jewish world conspiracy had been current since the Dreyfus Affair and based themselves on the existing international interrelationship and interdependence of a Jewish people dispersed all over the world. Exaggerated notions of Jewish world power are even older; they can be traced back to the end of the eighteenth century, when the intimate connection between Jewish business and the nation-states had become visible. The representation of the Jew as the incarnation of evil is usually blamed on remnants and superstitious memories from the Middle Ages, but is actually closely connected with the more recent ambiguous role which Jews played in European society since their emancipation. One thing was undeniable: in the postwar period Jews had become more prominent than ever before.

Much of Heade’s popularity derives from his paintings of salt flats on the East Coast of the United States. Like other works from this series, The Marshes at Rhode Island occupies a transitional position between the virgin landscapes of the Hudson River School and the pastoral views. The present scene is no longer an untamed wilderness and suggests man’s intervention. In contrast to artists such as Jules Breton and Jean-François Millet, however, human presence is a silent one. It consists of little more than a half-filled hay wagon, a rake and some abandoned pieces of clothing, all indicating that the working day is over. Heade counterbalances the arrangement of the hayricks that recede into depth with the horizontal flow of the water in the foreground. The most striking element of the work is, however, the luminosity of the sky, which Heade studied under all weather conditions. Martin Johnson Heade was always closely identified with the salt marshes of Eastern United States. James Jackson Jarves, writing in 1864, saw the meadows as his speciality. Heade painted their "wearisome horizontal lines and perspective, with a profuse supply of the hay-ricks to vary the monotony of flatness, but flooded with rich sun-glow and sense of summer warmth"; three years later Henry T. Tuckerman echoed Jarves' words, as he praised how Heade "especially succeeds in representing marsh-lands, with hay-ricks, and the peculiar atmospheric effects thereof." Heade was aware of the delicate beauty of the salt marshes, with their display of changing light. In Harriet Spofford's description of Newburyport which appeared in Harper's Monthly Magazine in 1875, she wrote: "he who desires to see a meadow in perfection, full of emerald and golden tints and claret shadows, withdrawing into distance till lost in the sparkle of the sea, must seek it here, where Heade found material for his dainty marsh and meadow views [...]." The demand was so great for Heade's paintings of the marsh and he was so successful, that C. E. Clement and L. Hutton wrote in 1879, that "he has probably painted more of them than any of other class of subject". Over one hundred of Heade's marsh paintings survive today, the finest painted in the late 1860s. The gathering of the salt hay, which grew naturally along the flooded coastal areas of the United States, required a community of labourers -mowers, rakers, stackers- during the time of its harvest. Although early in his career Heade painted genre and allegorical subjects, he chose to follow neither his European counterparts, Jules Breton and Jean-François Millet, nor such later Americans as Eastman Johnson or Winslow Homer in depicting the human activity during the gathering of the hay. Instead, Heade's paintings, for the most part, are scenes devoid of signs of active labour; like Claude Monet, who also chose to portray uninhabited landscapes displaying the labours of harvest in the 1890s, his haystacks are elegiac responses to the evanescent conditions of light, atmosphere and seasonal changes. The Marshes at Rhode Island is larger than most of Heade's marsh scenes, and the haywagon, a motif he often used, is a more prominent part of the landscape. The wagon, partially loaded with hay, rests on the firm ground above the tidal marsh; before it protruding from a pile of rocks is the handle of a rake left by the departed harvesters. Stretching over the marshy ground to the horizon are haystacks. Hay was carried by horse and wagon or boated from the marsh during high tide at the time of harvest; but endless rows of haystacks were also left in the marshes until winter, when the ground was frozen and the hay could more easily be retrieved. The haycart, silhouetted against the twilight, suggests the transitory nature of man's labour, a poignancy underscored in Jersey Meadows, with Ruins of a Haycart (c. 1881, formerly New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art) which shows the vestiges of a decrepit wagon abandoned among the stacks of hay. Kenneth W. Maddox

The History of Cladda Discover the history of Cladda and the famous Cladda Ring. The Claddagh Ring dates back well over three hundred years and belongs to a widespread group of finger rings called “Faith rings” or Fede in Italian which dates from Roman times. Fede rings were popular in the Middle Ages throughout Europe. They are distinguished by having the bezel cut or cast in the form of two clasped hands, symbolising faith, trust or “plighted troth”. The beautiful emblem of the joined hands clasping a crowned heart was a traditional symbol of the inhabitants of the Claddagh village, an Irish village to the southwest of Galway city once said to be the oldest and most beautiful fishing village in Ireland. Unfortunately, the thatched cottages have been replaced and the traditional costume is no longer worn, but the symbol still exists. In earlier times this design was the symbol of the “Fishing Kings of Claddagh” meaning ‘in love and friendship let us reign. In the 17th century, the symbol was first depicted on a ring which became the fashionable exchange of friends or lovers. Tradition has it, that the heart worn outwardly on the back of the finger signifies that the wearer is “heart-whole and fancy-free”. The ring was often an heirloom, passed from mother to daughter on the daughter’s wedding day. The ascribed limits to where the ring came from are described roughly as the area from the Aran Islands on the West, and through all Connemara and Joyce Country to Galway, and then eastward and southward for about twelve miles in either direction. The whole district just happens to be the region surrounding Claddagh Village. Some hundred years ago, there was another version of this ring in the city of Dublin named the Fenian Claddagh. This ring had two hands, two hearts, and no crown. The hands are there for friendship, The heart is there for love. For loyalty throughout the year, The crown is raised above. There are several forms of symbolism about the Claddagh ring, dependant on which hand it is worn. Worn on the right hand with the heart turned outwards, the world will know that the heart has not yet been won. Worn on the right hand with the heart turned inwards, it shows that friendship and love are being considered. Worn on the left hand with the heart turned inwards, it means two loves have joined forever. As mentioned above, the heart, hands, and crown have symbolism to the wearer, but from where does each symbol come? We have to start by going far back to the time of the Gods. Dagda, the father of the Gods was a powerful being, complete with the ability to make the sun standstill. This he did once and stretched a day and night into nine months, in which time he bedded with a goddess and she bore him a son. According to legend, Dagda represents the right hand of the ring. In the time of the ancient Celts, Anu was the ancestral and universal mother of the Celtic people. She is also known as Danu to her people. She is said to represent the left hand of the ring. The crown represents Beathauile. Finally, the heart represents the hearts of each and every member of mankind, in addition to the element which gives everlasting music to the Gael. Another interpretation of the meaning of the ring is based on and directly correlative to the Shamrock, one of the oldest symbols of the Holy Trinity among the Irish. This interpretation describes the crown as a symbol of the Father, the left hand as the Son, and the right hand as the Holy Ghost, all caring for the heart in the centre, symbolizing humanity. Throughout each varying symbolism, a single theme shines through, specifically that the ring symbolises the trinity of “Love, Loyalty, and Friendship” or, in Gaelic, “Grá, Dílseacht agus Cairdeas” (pronounced ‘graw, deal shocked ogis cordiss’). The Origins of the Claddagh Ring even yet remains a matter for conjecture, most of the popular stories of its origins attribute it to the Joyce family of Galway City. First off, there is a tale of one of the Kings of Claddagh who fell in love with a peasant girl. Because she was of the lower classes, his love fell unrequited. In the depths of depression, the king died, requesting that his grave bear the symbol of a pair of hands holding his crowned heart as a symbol for his undying love of the peasant girl. As legend has it, the town developed the ring (originally a sigil to be painted on ships and sails) to be worn by sailors of Claddagh. When these sailors would run into other fishermen in their waters, they would check for the sigil, and if they did not find it, they would kill them. Another story says that Margaret Joyce married Domingo de Rona, a wealthy Spanish merchant who traded with Galway. They proceeded to Spain, where he died, leaving her a considerable fortune. Returning to Galway she used her fortune to build bridges from Galway to Sligo, and re-married Oliver Og French, Major of Galway 1596/7. She was rewarded for her good works and charity by an eagle who dropped the original Claddagh ring into her lap. A more likely story says that a Richard Joyce of Galway was captured by Algerian corsairs while on his way to the West Indies plantations, sold to a Moorish goldsmith who trained him in the craft. In 1689 he was released from slavery as a result of a demand from King William III. The Moor offered him his only daughter in marriage and half his wealth if he would remain in Algiers, but Joyce declined and returned home, taking with him the idea of the Claddagh ring.

Motion graphic design is a captivating and dynamic form of visual communication that combines graphic design elements with animation to create engaging and interactive content. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of motion graphics, exploring its definition, comparing it to animation, discussing its applications, and showcasing some impressive motion graphics video examples. So, let’s dive in and unravel the fascinating world of motion graphic design! What is Motion Graphic Design? Motion graphic design refers to the art of using moving graphics, text, and imagery to tell a story or convey information. It brings life and motion to static visuals, making them more compelling and captivating for the audience. Motion graphics can be found in a wide range of mediums, including advertisements, explainer videos, title sequences, presentations, and social media content. The seamless integration of typography, colors, shapes, and images in motion graphics makes them an effective tool for delivering complex messages in an engaging and easily digestible manner. What are Motion Graphics Most Useful for? 1. Enhancing Brand Identity: Motion graphics are an excellent way to bring a brand’s identity to life. By incorporating brand elements, such as logos and color schemes, into animated visuals, companies can reinforce their brand image and leave a lasting impression on their audience. 2. Explaining Complex Concepts: Sometimes, explaining intricate concepts can be challenging using static visuals alone. Motion graphics offer a solution by allowing designers to break down complex ideas into simple, animated sequences, making it easier for viewers to grasp the information. 3. Grasping Attention: In today’s fast-paced digital world, capturing the audience’s attention is crucial. Motion graphics have the power to stand out and quickly draw attention, making them a valuable tool for content creators and marketers. 4. Conveying Emotions: Motion graphics can evoke emotions effectively, allowing storytellers to connect with their audience more deeply. Whether it’s humor, drama, or inspiration, the motion brings an extra dimension to the narrative. What are Motion Graphics vs. Animation? Motion graphics and animation are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. Understanding their differences can help you choose the right medium for your project. Motion Graphics: As previously mentioned, motion graphics involve the manipulation of graphic design elements to create movement and visual storytelling. They often include text, icons, and illustrations to convey messages effectively. – Animation: Animation, on the other hand, is a broader term encompassing all moving imagery, including cartoons, 3D character animations, and more. It involves the creation of a series of frames that, when played in sequence, give the illusion of movement. Motion Graphics: Typically, motion graphics are simpler and more focused on conveying information rather than character development or elaborate storytelling. – Animation: Animation allows for more complex narratives and character-driven stories. Motion Graphics: They are widely used in corporate videos, presentations, and explainer videos where clarity and information delivery are essential. – Animation: Animation finds its application in movies, TV shows, video games, and storytelling that requires character development and immersive experiences. 📌Read this blog post: 10 Motion Graphic Techniques, Elevating Your Designs How to Make Motion Graphics? Creating compelling motion graphics requires a combination of creativity and technical skills. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started: 1. Define Your Objective: Determine the purpose and message of your motion graphic. Understanding your target audience and the key takeaway will guide the entire creative process. 2. Script and Storyboard: Develop a clear and concise script outlining the visuals and text that will appear at each point. Create a storyboard to visualize the flow of your motion graphics before diving into the animation process. 3. Choose the Right Tools: There are various motion graphics software available, such as Adobe After Effects, Blender, and Cinema 4D. Select the one that suits your needs and level of expertise. 4. Design and Animate: Bring your storyboard to life by designing the graphics and animating them according to your script. Pay attention to timing, transitions, and visual aesthetics. 5. Add Sound and Music: Sound effects and background music can enhance the impact of your motion graphic. Ensure they complement the visuals and contribute to the overall storytelling. 6. Review and Refine: Once the animation is complete, review the motion graphic carefully and make necessary adjustments to ensure a polished final product. Motion Graphics Video Examples Let’s take a look at some outstanding motion graphics video examples: 1. Motion Graphic Masterpiece: Witness the captivating journey of a brand through stunning visuals and seamless animation in this promotional video. The combination of motion graphics and engaging storytelling leaves a lasting impression. 2. Explainer Animation at Its Finest: In this educational motion graphic, complex concepts are simplified through clever animation and well-crafted graphics. The audience is effortlessly guided through the topic, making learning a delightful experience. 3. Dynamic Social Media Promo: This motion graphic effortlessly captures attention on social media platforms with its vibrant colors and eye-catching animations. The short and snappy style leaves the audience craving more. 4. Infographic Motion Graphics: Experience the power of data visualization through this infographic-style motion graphic. Statistics come to life, enabling viewers to understand and remember the information effectively. 📌See this portfolio: Filio motion graphic design Motion graphic design is a powerful medium for engaging storytelling and effective communication. Motion graphics captivate audiences and deliver complex messages in an easily digestible format by seamlessly blending graphic design elements with animation. Whether it’s for brand identity, explainer videos, or conveying emotions, motion graphics prove to be a valuable tool in today’s digital landscape. So, consider incorporating motion graphics into your next project and witness its transformative impact on your audience’s engagement. By defining your objectives, utilizing the right tools, and unleashing your creativity, you can craft motion graphics that leave a lasting impression and convey your message with brilliance. Embrace the world of motion graphic design, and let your creativity soar!

This month we are celebrating the return of Plastic Free July in East Sussex. A global movement launched in 2011 to encourage people to become more aware of their plastic use and create a cleaner, healthier world as a result. Tackling plastic waste is an important part of the solution to the climate and biodiversity crisis. Plastic production and burning plastic produces harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. If plastic production continues at current levels, it’s estimated that these emissions will jeopardize attempts to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. In support of Plastic Free July in East Sussex, we’ve produced some simple tips that can help reduce your plastic use over time. Bring your own cup Most disposable coffee cups are lined with plastic to make them waterproof. Britain uses a whooping 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups a year with only 1 in 400 being recycled. They spill out of litter bins and most end up in landfill producing an estimated annual carbon footprint equivalent to over 152,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. An easy swap is to purchase your own reusable cup. Pop it in your bag for the next time you buy a tea or coffee. Most coffee shops will be happy to fill your personal reusable cup. Memorial bubble releases Balloon releases are a loving way to pay homage to our lost loved ones, but many people unaware of the impact their loving sentiments have on our environment. It can take anywhere between 6 months and 6 years before biodegradable balloons start to degrade, and Polyurethane balloons take about 450 years to decompose. There is also the impact on wildlife, ingesting balloons can cause death by blocking the digestive and/or respiratory tract. An alternative to a balloon release and just as breath-taking, is to release thousands of bubbles. All you need for a good safe bubble mix is water, washing up liquid and glycerine. Ditch the clingfilm Clingfilm is an essential item in most homes, helping contribute to reducing food waste. Yet, it is difficult to recycle. An estimated 1.2 billion meters of clingfilm end up in landfill each year in the UK. Choose beeswax, or silicone wraps as an alternative to wrap leftover food in. An added bonus is they are gorgeous, with so many beautiful designs on offer. Another great solution is the upside-down bowl over a plate of food, great if you are on a budget. Choose sustainable toys Did you know that 90% of the toys on the market are made from plastic? Despite this, the British Toy and Hobby Association promote environmental sustainability and supports big named brands to increase sustainable toy production. There are two approaches to take with toys, when purchasing new, opt for sustainable wood alternatives. You can also swap felt tips for wooden or 100% beeswax crayons. As for the plastic toys, shop preloved, you can find most toys second-hand in great condition. At the end of the day, most children do not care if the toy is new or old, they just want to play. Let’s talk liquid soap Liquid soap packaging makes up a proportion of the 13 billion plastic bottles the UK gets through every year. Did you know you can reuse most soap pumps and bottles? Many brands now offer refill options on the shelf as an alternative to buying the whole bottle. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not ditch the soap pump altogether and opt for natural soap bars? They come with less packaging and last longer making them much more cost effective too. Plastic is a popular and versatile material, and we use a lot of it in the UK and worldwide. Reusing and recycling plastic as many times as possible can reduce our need to create new plastic. We all know how important it is, but it’s not always easy to find out what you can and cannot recycle. Each district has its own set of rules determined by the local recycling facilities. Recycle now has a great recycling tool to help guide you on what you can recycle in your area, all you need to do is pop in your postcode. Let’s go Soap nuts Popular laundry detergent pods are wrapped in PVA that is designed to dissolve, but it doesn’t disappear. Instead, you are left with microplastics that enter the oceans and the food chain, in fact, they have been found everywhere. An eco-friendly alternative to laundry detergents is Soap nuts. Soap nuts are a natural laundry detergent that grows on trees. They wash, clean, take away odour, take away some stains and can be used alongside white vinegar as a fabric softener, with no microplastic in sight. The task of reducing our everyday plastic consumption can seem an enormous task. Reducing the amount of single-use plastic in your life is a journey and not something most can do overnight. With the help of Plastic Free July, making change, one small step at a time goes a very long way in the end. You can find out how the late Claire Sumners went plastic-free and began Seaford’s status as a plastic-free town. You can also visit the East Sussex County Council Climate Action page on the ESCC website to find out what we are doing to tackle climate change in East Sussex.

Most data centers use a lot of electricity, especially when you consider the amount of computing power that fits into a single data floor. Because data centers can be so energy-intensive, it’s essential to have a sound data center cooling system in place. A data cooling center will help ensure that your electrical equipment does not overheat so your business can continue to run smoothly. What do you need to know about data cooling centers? Read on to learn the ins and outs of data cooling centers. What is Data Center Cooling? So, what exactly is data center cooling? Data center cooling involves several techniques that aim to keep electrical equipment at the right temperature so it doesn’t overheat. When electrical equipment overheats, damage to the circuit components may result. This can lead to explosions, fires, and injury. Damage caused by overheating is usually irreversible, and the only way to repair the equipment is to replace some of the components. So, not only is keeping your data center cool essential for the efficiency of your organization, but it’s also essential for the safety of you and your employees. Data center cooling is a preventative measure that keeps your employees and your equipment safe. Related: About C&C Technology Types of Data Center Cooling Systems There are a variety of cooling techniques that you can implement in your data center. Here’s a look at some of the different systems available: Chilled Water System This type of cooling system is commonly used for medium to large-sized data centers. This system uses chilled water to cool the air brought in by air handlers (also known as CRAHs). The water comes from a chiller plant that’s located somewhere in the facility. The CRAH units for chilled water systems tend to be affordable, contain fewer components, and have a higher heat removal capacity than other types of units. Another benefit is that as the data center capacity increases, so too does the efficiency of the chilled water system. These systems can be engineered to be highly reliable, and they can be combined with economizer modes of operation to increase efficiency. The only major downside to a chilled water system is its high capital costs for installation. This system also means you’ll be introducing an additional liquid source into your IT environment. Computer Room Air Handler A computer room air handler (CRAH) is another option for cooling your data center. However, a CRAH unit functions as a part of a broader system for cooling your data center, and it’s not a stand-alone cooling option. Chilled water moves through the cooling coil in the unit, and the unit then uses modulated fans to bring in air from outside the facility. Because CRAH units work by chilling outside air, they work best in places with colder annual temperatures. Computer Room Air Conditioner The computer room air conditioner (CRAC) is considered the alternative to CRAH units. These operate in a similar manner to conventional air conditioners, as they’re powered by compressors that draw in the air across a refrigerant-filled cooling unit. In terms of energy usage, CRAC units aren’t your most efficient option, but the equipment itself is relatively affordable. Evaporative Cooling System Evaporative cooling systems work by exposing hot air to water. The exposure causes the water to evaporate, and heat is drawn out of the air. Because these systems use the natural evaporation process, they’re environmentally friendly, and they’re one of the most energy-efficient cooling methods available. If you’re looking to reduce your facility’s energy consumption, evaporative cooling is a great option. To facilitate evaporation, organizations often use data center cooling towers. This makes it easy to transfer the excess heat to the outside atmosphere. Calibrated Vector Cooling This system focuses on optimizing the airflow path and managing heat. With calibrated vector cooling, cold air gets sent through the hottest and most crucial electrical equipment components. The goal of calibrated vector cooling is to use a small number of fans and a minimal amount of power while cooling as many servers per unit as possible. Cold Aisle/Hot Aisle This is a rack deployment method that involves alternating rows of hot aisles and cold aisles. The cold aisles come with cold air intakes on the front of the racks, while the hot aisles have hot air exhaust on the back of their racks. The hot aisles release hot air into the air conditioning intakes. This hot air then gets chilled and vented into the cold aisles. To prevent overheating and wasted cold air, empty racks are filled with blanking panels. This system is also sometimes referred to as in-row cooling. A direct-to-chip system cooling system uses liquid. This system uses pipes to deliver liquid coolant directly to a cold plate to disperse heat in the motherboard’s processor. The extracted heat then gets fed into a chilled water loop. It’s then carried away into the facility’s chiller plant. Since this system involves directly cooling the processors, it’s one of the most efficient options for data center cooling. This system involves using a frame to lift the floor of the data center above your building’s concrete slab floor. The new space created between the two floors is then used for increased airflow or to install water-cooling pipes. While network and power cables sometimes also run through the space, new data center cooling designs place these cables overhead. Immersion cooling refers to is a new system that involves submerging hardware into a bath of non-flammable, non-conductive dielectric fluid. Free cooling refers to any system that uses the outside atmosphere to introduce cooler air into the servers. On the other hand, non-free cooling systems work by continually chilling the same air. While free cooling can only be implemented in certain climates, it’s an extremely energy-efficient form of data center cooling. Liquid cooling refers to any data center cooling system that uses liquid to remove heat from the air. More and more data centers are adopting liquid cooling systems that involve exposing server components to liquid to help them cool down faster (such as an immersion system). Related: C&C Technology Blog Air Cooling vs. Liquid Cooling in Data Centers The early versions of liquid cooling were messy, complicated, and expensive. However, with new advances in technology, they’re becoming a lot more streamlined and energy-efficient. More facilities are opting for liquid cooling over air cooling because air cooling requires a great amount of power. Not only that, but air cooling systems also introduce pollutants and condensation into your data center. On the other hand, liquid cooling is a lot cleaner, and it’s more scalable. Additionally, most air cooling systems usually require the use of large fans or other large pieces of equipment. If your data center is already strapped for space, air cooling may not be a viable option. What is the Ideal Data Center Temperature? While you want your data center to be cool, you don’t want it to be too cold. Ideally, you want your server inlets to fall between 64.4 to 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit (or 18 to 27 degrees Celsius). Relative humidity levels should fall between 20 and 80 percent. Also, keep in mind that the above temperatures are for server inlets, not for the data center itself. Typically, the air around the servers will be warmer than the actual server inlets due to the dynamics of heat transfer. So, if your room falls above 80.6 degrees, don’t panic. Also, remember that high-density servers generate a large amount of heat. That’s why most facilities keep their server rooms colder than the above limits. It’s also important to note that hyper-scale data centers run by large organizations like Google tend to run at higher temperatures (sometimes closer to 80 degrees Fahrenheit). This is because they run on an expected failure model. In other words, they expect that servers will fail on a regular basis, so they have software backups in place to route the failed equipment. Are you looking to learn about different data center services? Click here to learn more! Tips for Optimal Data Center Cooling For your data center to cool at optimal levels, we recommend following these tips: Use Containment Measures Air has a tendency to move wherever it wants. Installing walls and doors and implementing other containment measures will ensure the cold air stays where it needs to be. Efficient containment will also allow your data center to run higher rack densities while at the same time reducing energy consumption. Use Hot/Cold Aisle Design Regardless of the cooling system you choose, the hot/cold aisle design can take your cooling efficiency to another level. Conduct Regular Inspections Water damage can be a huge problem for data centers, and it’s one of the leading causes of downtime and data loss. Also, water damage usually isn’t covered by business insurance policies. And even in cases where it is, there’s still no way to replace the lost data. The good news is that it’s easy to detect most leaks. You can use tools such as zone controllers, fluid and chemical sensing cables, and humidity sensors to spot leaks before they become a bigger problem. Synchronize Humidity Control Points Synchronizing humidity control points is another important step for creating an optimal data cooling center. Most data centers make use of free air-side cooling through air-side economizer systems. These systems introduce air from the outside into the data center to improve energy efficiency. The downside is that they can also bring in moisture, which can lead to condensation and the corrosion of electrical systems. While adjusting climate controls may seem like the solution to this problem, doing so can lead to even more issues. Instead, you should make sure your humidity controls account for the moisture coming into the data center from the outside. This will allow you to maintain an ideal environment in the room. Data Center Cooling Mistakes to Avoid In addition to the above tips, there are also some cooling mistakes that you need to avoid. These include: Empty cabinets can mess up the airflow of your data center. This can cause hot exhaust air to leak back into your cold aisles. If your data center does have empty cabinets, make sure the cold air is contained. Poor Cabinet Layout As we mentioned, a smart cabinet layout incorporates a hot and cold aisle design. Your computer air handlers should also be placed at the end of each row. As we discussed above, leaks can be another major issue for data centers. There are two types of leaks you need to watch out for: raised floor leaks and leaks around cable openings. Raised floor leaks happen when cold air leaks under the raised floor and into the support columns of adjacent spaces. The leaks can result in a loss of pressure, which and dust, warm air, and humidity can enter your cold air environment. Leaks around cable openings can result if there are holes under the remote power panels, unsealed cable openings, or holes in the power distribution units. Multiple Air Handlers Trying to Control the Humidity If one air handler is trying to dehumidify the air while another one tries to humidify it, it can result in a lot of wasted energy. This is why you need to thoroughly plan your humidity control points, as this will reduce the risk of this issue occurring. Data Center Cooling FAQs Do Data Centers Need to Be Cold? There’s no doubt that servers tend to produce a lot of heat. If data centers overheat, this will instantly destroy efficiency, thus causing a lot of mishaps. Therefore, data centers need to be cooled off; there isn’t any other way around this. The more traditional data centers are cooled through a hot and cold aisle, which is the layout of the server racks that creates this combination between heating and air conditioning. What are the Types of Cooling Systems Used in Data Centers? The following are some of the more popular methods that are used in data center cooling. - In-Rack Heat Extraction - Hot Aisle Containment - Evaporative Cooling - Liquid Immersion Cooling - Standing for Computer Room Air Conditioner (CRAC) While these are the more popular methods for cooling off data centers, the traditional method tends to get used the most. What is the Ideal Temperature for a Data Center? There has been some debate on the optimal temperature for a data center within the tech industry. While there isn’t a precise temperate, it’s usually favored that anywhere around 68 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit is considered the most comfortable. What is the Max temperature for a Server Room? Server rooms should never go above 89.6 degrees. This can lead to overheating. Therefore, it’s best to keep the data centers within the range of 59 degrees to 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Do Data Centers Use Water Cooling? Water cooling is quite common in data centers. You’ll find that the average data center will use around three to five million gallons of water for the data center every day. While this is the industry average, it could vary per data center. Do Data Centers Reuse Water? Since data centers will use roughly around three to five million gallons of water each day for the data center for water cooling, it’s fair to wonder if data centers will also reuse the water. For example, data centers can build their wastewater treatment system, then reuse water. Alternatively, a third-party operator could build and operate a wastewater treatment plant to help with the water costs. How Does Direct Liquid Cooling Work? Liquid cooling is another method for cooling down a data center. It’s usually referred to as DLC or direct liquid cooling. This uses the exceptional thermal conductivity of liquid to provide concentrated cooling to targeted areas. Usually, it will be warm water, and it can help lower costs and other power-related expenses. What is Direct Chip Liquid Cooling? Direct chip liquid cooling means that the liquid coolant is sent through tubes, which then go to the chip afterward to get absorbed. Afterward, it gets heated in the data hall, where it gets removed. This is considered a very effective way of removing heat. Are you thinking about how you could optimize your data center? Then schedule a call with us today, and find out what we can do for you! Can a Server Get too Cold? While the heat within the data center should go above 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s also important to recognize that there is such as thing as being too cold. Therefore, your data centers and servers should not exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Need Data Center Cooling? Call C&C Technology Now that you know more about data center cooling, it’s time to take the next steps. Your next step should be to find a data center partner that can help you build your data center with efficient cooling systems. Last Updated on January 20, 2023 by Josh Mahan

Gene Roddenberry, creator and executive producer of the television series Star Trek, believed that: human beings can solve problems through reason and co-operation; that there is no need to turn to superstition or religion for help; that human understanding and intelligence will help us to develop and progress; and that the universe is a natural wonder waiting to be explored and understood. This philosophy shines through the many adventures in Star Trek. Although Roddenberry’s family were churchgoers, he became an atheist when a teenager. He didn’t believe the claims of many preachers, and found from experience that many people who were concerned to improve the world were, like him, atheists. He began writing when he was a pilot during the Second World War (in which he was awarded two medals) and launched Star Trek in 1966. Some of the values Gene Roddenberry expressed in Star Trek include: • Co-operation and mutual encouragement – the crew smooth tensions by treating each other with care and concern. • Peaceful problem solving – Kirk and Picard do not start fights – they try to talk first and work out peaceful solutions. At the same time, they are firm about their right to defend themselves against aggression. • Equal dignity and respect for every life form – nothing is automatically considered worthless or inferior. • No dogma or doctrine – personal beliefs are respected but dogma is not imposed on anyone as if it were the one and only truth. • Reliance on science to find facts, but enjoyment of human emotions, spirituality and intuition. Roddenberry did not think of Star Trek as just science-fiction. He saw it as mainly a series about people, which is why it is so popular. And he always insisted that all people in the show be treated equally. This led to some arguments with television producers who thought otherwise. Some of the problems he had as a humanist writer were: • Some Christians wanted a chaplain on board the ship, and when characters died, he was asked to give them Christian funerals. But Gene Roddenberry thought it would be illogical to have a Christian funeral for Mr Spock (when he was was temporarily “killed”), and he wanted us to realise that our values and ideas do not depend on religious dogma. He pointed out that it was illogical to expect everyone from Earth and other planets to share the same beliefs in the 24th century. • He wasn’t allowed a woman second-in-command, and against his wishes early programmes had sexist costumes for women. • He had to struggle to keep black officers in his cast. When some TV executives didn’t want black and white people working together, Roddenberry replied: “If we don’t have blacks and whites working together when our civilisation reaches that time frame, there won’t be any people.” US television’s first inter-racial kiss was seen on <Star Trek, between Kirk and Uhura. In wanting sexual and racial equality, Gene Roddenberry was going against all the stereotypes common in the 1960s. But he stood by his values, and so created a very hopeful vision of the future. Science and rational thinking are very important in Star Trek, but Gene Roddenberry included another humanist theme – that logic and reason are not enough on their own. The half-Vulcan Mr Spock shows this when he tries to suppress his human side, and appears cold and unfeeling. Roddenberry’s message is that we need to cultivate human emotions as well as reason.

It turned out that the “false flag” that Vladimir Putin employed to justify his incursion into Ukraine featured a black swastika on a white circle placed on a red background. The Russian president said that he ordered a merciless air attack on Ukraine and a relentless march of troops into the country to force the “denazification of Ukraine,” a country led – since a democratic election three years earlier – by Volodymyr Zelensky, who is Jewish. Four members of his family – perhaps more – perished in the Holocaust. There is, of course, no need to denazify Ukraine, as the Nazis left that country in defeat – and, in fact, after the onset of Operation Barbarossa in 1941, the German repudiation of its 1939 alliance with the Soviet Union that set in motion the great battle on the war’s eastern front – many Ukrainians actually sided with the Soviets against the Nazis. Ukraine is soaked in Jewish history, with the third-largest Jewish community in Europe today and the fifth-largest in the world. According to the World Jewish Congress, Kyiv alone has 110,000 Jews, about three times as many as the North Shore. And when it comes to Nazis, Ukraine was the setting of one of the many tragic episodes of the German involvement in World War II, the slaughter of nearly 34,000 at Babi Yar that is sometimes known as the “Holocaust by Bullets.” The Russians added ashes to the Babi Yar memorial site with an airstrike Tuesday on Kyiv. Babi Yar, a ravine outside Kyiv, is well known in Russian circles. It was memorialized by both the poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko and the composer Dimitri Shostakovitch, who set it to music in the first movement of his 13th Symphony. However, one of the themes of the 1961 poem was the persistence of antisemitism in the Soviet Union, the Communist country whose disintegration Putin regards as the greatest tragedy of the 20th century. The Soviet authorities whom Putin reveres denounced both Yevtushenko’s poem and Shostakovich’s 1962 symphony. Official Nazism died in 1945, but poisonous trace elements have persisted in both the United States and Europe and the use of Nazi and Hitler comparisons have only grown in the 21st century. Writing in Wired in 1994, Mike Godwin developed what has become known as Godwin’s Law: “As an online discussion continues, the probability of a comparison to Hitler or to Nazis approaches one.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the Germans and the Dutch of using Nazi tactics during a 2017 dispute. Donald Trump once compared American intelligence agencies to “Nazi Germany.” American liberals often compared Trump to Hitler. One of the rioters in the Jan. 6 uprising at the Capitol had a Hitler mustache. Another wore a Camp Auschwitz sweatshirt. A third compared her treatment after the riot to that of “the Jews in Germany.” The last edition of The Jewish Journal included an account of how former Republican senator David Perdue of Georgia, defeated for reelection in 2020 by a Jewish Democrat, compared Trump’s removal from Twitter to life under Nazi rule. On and on it goes, and now Vladimir Putin is emerging as a principal example of Godwin’s Law. But like so many historical metaphors, just about every example of what I might call Nazi Redux Syndrome misrepresents history. “Misplaced comparisons trivialize this unique tragedy in human history – particularly when public figures invoke the Holocaust in an effort to score political points,” Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League, wrote six years ago as it became clear that Trump might become the Republican presidential nominee. “The analogy has shown up inappropriately in countless discussions of public policy because it is the most available historical event illustrating right versus wrong.” In the Putin case, the Nazi references about Ukraine mix history with irony. The elements of Nazism were, as characterized in “The Coming of the Third Reich,” Richard J. Evans’ 2003 book, “military conquest, social and cultural mobilization and repression and racial extermination” – a description more appropriate for the Putin years in Moscow than the Zelensky years in Kyiv. In his classic 1960 “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich,” witness to history William L. Shirer turned out to be wrong in saying that “Adolph Hitler is probably the last of the great adventurer-conquerers in the tradition of Alexander, Caesar and Napoleon, and the Third Reich the last of the empires which set out on the path taken earlier by France, Rome and Macedonia.” He did not anticipate the winter 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Even so, it is Putin, not Zelensky, for whom the adventurer-conquerer comparison is apt. Shirer went on to say that “the curtain was rung down on that phase of history, at least, by the sudden invention of the hydrogen bomb, of the ballistic missile and of rockets that can be aimed to hit the moon.” Not so fast. That phase of history – at least the phenomenon of the blitzkrieg into a legitimately constituted democracy –isn’t past but is right here in the present, though not prompted by Ukraine but by Putin’s Russia. Alan Bullock, in his 1952 “Hitler: A Study in Tyranny,” wrote that Nazi propaganda “built up a legend which represented Hitler’s coming to power as the upsurge of a great national revival,” arguing that “The truth is more prosaic.” The truth that Putin has tried to promote by summoning false charges of Ukrainian Nazism is fairly prosaic, too. The Russian president’s assertions are a misreading of history for the convenience of a tyrant. “The reason Putin involved Nazism is because the Russians hate the Nazis more than anyone else,” the Canadian historian Irving M. Abella, a specialist in Jewish history, said in an interview. “He clearly thinks that by turning the Ukrainians into Nazis, he can build some support for his invasion. But the idea of accusing a country with a Jewish leader of Nazism is obscene, vile, hateful, spiteful – and ridiculous.’’ David M. Shribman is executive editor emeritus of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and scholar-in-residence at Carnegie Mellon University.

The Boreray breed of sheep is frighteningly listed as "Critically endangered" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, because less than 300 Borerays are known to exist in the world!. The conservation of this breed is vital and Millfields are proud to be committed to helping this wonderful breed survive. We would like to encourage more breeders throughout the UK. Please contact us now should wish to help conserve these beautiful creatures. As seen on BBC Countryfile, as part of a nationally supported conservation and breeding project. The breed originated on the islands of St Kilda off the west coast of Scotland. These incredibly hardy sheep survived as feral animals on the islands of Boreray - hence its name. It is also known as the Boreray Blackface or Hebridean Blackface and shares many of the characteristics of the hebridean sheep, apart from the colour. While all Hebrideans are black, only a very small percentage of Boreray are born brown or black, with the majority having creamy white coats and horns with black and white mottled faces.

Thanksgiving is a special and cherished holiday but celebrated in America and Canada in different ways. Beside gathering and Thanksgiving dinner, how is Canadian Thanksgiving totally different from American Thanksgiving? This article will tell you about their traditions and celebrations. So, buckle up for a Happy Thanksgiving ride! In this article Origin and Evolution of Thanksgiving in Canada How to Celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving Traditional Celebrations Modern Celebrations Origin of Thanksgiving in America How to Celebrate American Thanksgiving Traditional Celebrations Modern Celebrations Differences Canadian Thanksgiving Comes Early Thanksgiving Food and Flavors Are Different There are no Black Friday Sales in Canada Football is Crucial for Americans Canadian Thanksgiving is Rather Quiet Origin and Evolution of Thanksgiving in Canada Before we start, let’s go back in time and see how Canadian Thanksgiving started. There are two groups of historians with two different stories. As per the first group, Canadian Thanksgiving traces its roots to Martin Frobisher's voyage in 1578. He hosted the first-ever Thanksgiving to celebrate his safe return from the trip. The second group attributes Canadian Thanksgiving to French settlers. They held a series of festivities to celebrate successful harvests. Soon, this became associated with Canadian Thanksgiving history. Initially, Canadian Thanksgiving was to be on November 6th. However, the Canadian government declared the second Monday of October as official Thanksgiving Day in 1957. This decision saved the encounter with another holiday, Remembrance Day, on 11 Nov. How to Celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving？ Whether you opt for a traditional style or crave a modern feel, Thanksgiving is flexible enough to cater to your mood. Let’s explore ways to celebrate it in customary and contemporary styles. Traditional Celebrations Feast Preparation: In Canada, people will start the big dinner on the Sunday before Thanksgiving Monday. The roasted Turkey is a must with side dishes including gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, yams, corn, and many more. Thanksgiving Decorations: Similarly, traditional celebrations are incomplete without fall-themed decorations. Numerous accessories fill the market with autumnal colors like brown, orange, and maroon that stand for Thanksgiving spirit. Express Gratitude: Take this time to discuss why you’re most grateful for this Thanksgiving, as it’s just the right time to acknowledge the numerous blessings in life. Modern Celebrations Eco-friendly celebrations: To modernize your Thanksgiving celebrations, promote and use locally produced, organic, and seasonal ingredients. This is the age of social media. So, your decision to support eco-friendly practices, use minimal plastic, and purchase food from farmers' markets will go a long way. Home Party: Invite friends or neighbors who don't have anyone to celebrate this wholesome event with. You can also ask them to bring a dish of their own. Use this opportunity to familiarize people with your festivals. FaceTime: Just like any other holidays, facetime your loved ones who live elsewhere and couldn’t make it this Thanksgiving. Or post about what you are grateful for on social media to spread Thanksgiving vibes worldwide. Origin of Thanksgiving in America Compared to Canadian Thanksgiving, American Thanksgiving has a commonly accepted history and a very well-known one. In 1621, William Bradford, the leader of pilgrims, declared the first Thanksgiving to celebrate the harvest after the deadly winter of the previous year. The pilgrims struggled to keep themselves alive and often stole corn from the Wampanoag to live. However, both parties decided to have a peace treaty and turned friends. Hence, they worked together and had their first "Thanksgiving," where they celebrated successful harvests. About 250 years later, in 1863, Abraham Lincoln announced Thanksgiving as a national holiday. How to Celebrate American Thanksgiving？ Unlike Canadians, Thanksgiving has its special ways in the U.S. Let’s take a look at the traditional and modern celebrations for American Thanksgiving. Traditional Celebrations Roasted Turkey: American Thanksgiving is also incomplete without a turkey. However, Americans typically roast the whole bird to make it the centerpiece of their meal. Traditional side dishes include stuffing (or dressing), mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and so many more! Parades: Parades have been a part of American Thanksgiving history for a long time. Even now, numerous Americans come together to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. It is broadcast nationwide for folks at home as well. Thanksgiving Prayer: Sitting down together to discuss the history of Thanksgiving and praying is another tradition. Time to acknowledge the Native Americans who watched over this land long before us! Modern Celebrations Shopping: With Black Friday sales around the corner, what about supporting ethical and sustainable brands? Also, consider sharing your purchases with the less privileged in the spirit of Thanksgiving. Try Different Recipe: Embrace the diversity of modern times by trying out recipes from different cultures in your Thanksgiving meal. Fusion cuisines can often add a modern twist to the traditional feast, and it's always exciting to try new and unique flavors. Watch Football Game: Cozy up with your loved ones to watch the long-awaited football games that the NFL usually hosts several times throughout the day Differences: Canadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving Now that we have discussed both Thanksgivings separately, time to find out some differences between both: Canadian Thanksgiving Comes Early First things first, Canadians are celebrating Thanksgiving almost two months before Americans. This is mainly because of the weather and harvesting season coming earlier for Canada. After all, it is further north geographically compared to America. Thanksgiving Food and Flavors Are Different The second difference is that of Thanksgiving food and flavors. For instance, Americans - famous for their sweet tooth - make their pumpkin pie sweet and further pair it with custard or marshmallows. While in Canada, pumpkin pie is spicier with plenty of ginger, cloves, and cinnamon. Likewise, Canadians enjoy bread rolls, glazed yams, and cranberry sauce. And pie isn’t essential to the dessert menu. They would prefer cakes or doughnuts instead. There are no Black Friday Sales in Canada Or, let’s say, not as exciting as American ones! Both nations have different activities right after Thanksgiving. While Americans line up for Black Friday sales, Canadians prefer to rest after Thanksgiving as they find October too early to shop for Christmas presents. Instead, their discounts start right after Christmas! Football is Crucial for Americans American Thanksgiving is incomplete without football games. However, this craze for football isn’t very prominent on the other side. Although Canada hosts football games solely for Thanksgiving, we don’t see much cheer for the game. While the NFL reigns supreme in the United States, Canadians support the Canadian Football League. Canadian Thanksgiving is Rather Quiet Let’s be honest here. As compared to American excitement, Canadian Thanksgiving feels silent and low-key. We make a big deal of Thanksgiving through parades, feasts, shopping, and football, but Canadians keep it rather relaxed and laid back. Some areas in Canada do not even have a Thanksgiving holiday or offer optional holidays. Conclusion: American Thanksgiving and Canadian Thanksgiving may differ, but they stand for the same things - family get-togethers, fall vibes, celebrating the harvest, enjoying seasonal food, and having fun! So get in the spirit with your friends and family, as this holiday is known for bringing people closer to each other. Happy Thanksgiving, Canada, America and you all!

The East Bay Regional Park District is responding to our climate change vulnerabilities: Drought, Wildfire, Sea Level Rise, Flooding, Extreme Heat, and Pest & Disease, through project and management processes. All park projects follow sustainable design standards such as those in the California Green Building Standards Code 2019. Examples of specific projects and initiatives that highlight our commitment to sustainably managing park resources in a changing climate include: - Fuel Management and Wildfire Prevention - Shadow Cliff Regional Recreation Area Solar Panels - Grazing in our Parklands - Dotson Marsh Wetland Restoration at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline - Native Redwood Groves Preservation - Disease Protection and Biodiversity at the Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park - Gas to Electric Powered Tools Replacement Program - Climate Smart Initiative and Policy - Our Parks in a Changing Climate - Icon Legend Part of our East Bay Regional Park District Fire Department, the fuels management team works within our parks to clear the land of dead vegetation to reduce the amount of fuel for a wildfire. Each year, the Park District thins and removes vegetation within all parks to reduce fire dangers. This includes clearing heavy underbrush, thinning dense forests, and removing hazardous trees. In 2019, the Park District added eight fire hazard reduction crew members, two fuels reduction coordinators, and two fire/fuels captains to deliver large fuel reduction projects. The Park District also launched an education campaign on fire safety and prevention for neighboring properties and park users. At the end of 2017, the Park District became energy net neutral. Solar panels, primarily installed at the Shadow Cliffs parking lot, produce enough renewable to offset the amount of energy the Park District uses annually. The project includes solar panels that will generate 1.2 megawatts of energy annually – enough to offset electricity use for almost the entire Park District – along with three electric-car charging stations, a new recycled water line, and planting of native trees. This new solar carport system will also provide much-needed shade for the parking lot at Shadow Cliffs. We are thrilled to undertake this important new project, which will save energy, water, and money for decades to come. The Park District supports grazing throughout our parklands, which helps reduce fire hazards by reducing and controlling the amount of potential fuel for wildfires, in addition to benefitting plants and animals. About 65 percent of Park District land is grazed by 6,000 cattle, 1,500 sheep, and 1,600 goats, spread out over about half of the Park District’s parks at any given time. Cattle stock ponds provide high-quality habitat for several threatened and endangered wildlife species and serve as critical water sources for wildlife during drought. The Park District is installing solar water pumps to reduce energy use and better distribute grazing animals on the landscape for fuels management. Interested in seeing animals grazing in the parks? Here is a list of the parks which support grazing. Completed in spring 2017, Dotson Marsh at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline provides high-quality habitat to endangered and threatened species along with protection against coastal erosion, resiliency against sea level rise, and carbon sequestration. For this project’s history and impact on environmental equality, check out this article from the National Recreation and Park Association. Redwoods are native to Northern California and have adapted to the climate in this area. Redwoods are able to use the fog which rolls through the hills for water and are one of the most productive plants at taking carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it in the land. Redwoods also add to the Park Cool Island effect by providing shade and absorbing the sun’s energy. Parklands on average are 2-5°F cooler than city spaces. The Park District is committed to protecting native redwoods for Bay Area climate resiliency and biodiversity. At Roberts Regional Recreation Area, we are restoring and protecting our Redwoods by partnering with Save the Redwood League. View the Bay Area’s redwood past at the Old Growth Redwood Heritage Viewing Deck and Interpretive Exhibit at Roberts and remember that Redwoods also protect our future in a changing climate. Loss of biodiversity is another worry in a changing climate. Loss of biodiversity weakens the land making in vulnerable to disease, pests, and loss of ecosystem services given by the parklands and open spaces. Pest control and disease prevention, such as sudden oak death, are top concerns throughout the District and at our Botanic Garden in Tilden Park. The Botanic Garden hosts plants from the 10 geographic regions throughout California with events, classes, tours, and publications from the Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Gardens. The Botanic Garden is implementing new best management practices, such as using new pots, sterilizing soil, and elevating plants on metal tables to prevent the spread and transfer of disease. The Park District has a dedicated Integrated Pest Management (IPM) team focused on prevention and control of pest and disease as well as an interdisciplinary working group that meets regularly to discuss emerging issues. The District is currently piloting replacing gas powered small tools such as leaf blowers, trimmers, and saws with electric models in an effort to reduce noise and emissions in our parklands. Electric tools can be used during high fire risk days adding to our District’s effort to protect the land from wildfire and reduce the amount of fuel in the parklands. Battery-operated tools are more sustainable, and they do not rely on fossil fuel. They also do not produce carbon emissions, and they are not as noisy. Another benefit to a battery-operated tool is not having to replace spark plugs and carburetors, as well as not having to mix fuels, or deal with the smell of fuel odors.

Shedding light on the largely unexamined relationship between diet and psychosocial experience, new research from Arvidsson and team evaluates links between nutrition and wellbeing among children. Their results, reported in BMC Public Health, indicate a bidirectional relationship, suggesting that healthy diets predict emptional health and vice versa. Although this topic has received attention in prior research, results have been mixed, and chronology has not always been factored into the equation. The unique contribution of the latest research is its consideration for the order of influential variables (i.e., self-esteem, emotional and peer concerns, adherence to healthy dietary guidelines, and their relationships according to shifts over time). Due to the longitudinal nature of their investigation, the researchers were able to treat dietary and well-being variables as both predictors and outcomes in their study. Findings by Arvidsson et al. suggested that healthy dietary adherence patterns were connected to both higher self-esteem and fewer emotional and peer problems in a large sample of 2 to 9-year-olds. Similarly, high levels of self-esteem at the onset of the study were found to be related to higher levels of dietary adherence after a two-year period. Authors conducted analyses to determine the role of weight in outcomes over a two-year period and found that shifts were comparable in both average weight and overweight children. Consideration for non-pharmacological approaches in support of children in and out of school would be incomplete without attention to diet. Because many children throughout the US eat at least two meals, five days each week in school and nutrition has been linked to academic outcomes, it would behoove school administrators and more broad-level policymakers to consider the ways in which appropriate attention to student diets could prevent more expensive and invasive interventions related to student mental health concerns. Past research has solidified the influence of diet and nutrition on positive psychological outcomes and academic performance in adolescence, but fewer studies have thoroughly examined this influence in pre-teens and young children. In a 2013 Mad in America featured piece, Bonnie Kaplan and Julia Rucklidge highlighted the relative infancy of the exploration of diet and mental health, noting, “…any professional who graduated over ten years ago could potentially be completely unfamiliar with this body of research.” Kaplan and Rucklidge identified that research had linked poor nutrition with increased depressive symptoms and anxiety in children and adults alike, but research is only beginning to tap into nuances of dietary patterns, nutrient intake, and nutrient status. In another article, they noted that nutrition is typically given little to no attention in medical training programs. Arvidsson and colleagues refrained from considering academic outcomes in relation to adherence to healthy dietary guidelines, but abundant research has supported the link between social-emotional factors and academic outcomes. Thus, it would be appropriate to infer that the implications of this study extend outside of the in-home experiences of students and into schools. The school represents the source of meals for many students throughout the US, particularly in urban communities, and a place in which the effects of nutrition are immediately felt. Diet, as it impacts the social-emotional experience of students and self-esteem, may ultimately influence school climate. Arvidsson and team were able to use a European sample of children (N = 7,675) from an eight-country cohort study, the Identification and Prevention of Dietary- and Lifestyle-Induced Health Effects in Children and Infants Study (IDEFICS), for their investigation. The purpose of the IDEFICS was to evaluate an intervention targeting overweight youth, as well as to assess the multifactorial characteristics influencing excess weight in childhood. Citing a recent IDEFICS-informed publication reporting links between overweight in childhood and poor health-related quality of life, authors provide a reasonable justification for their focus on chronology. A Healthy Dietary Adherence Score (HDAS) in the form of a parent-report questionnaire was used to indicate dietary variables. Additionally, four social-emotional factors, including self-esteem, parent relations, and emotional and peer problems, were evaluated using the Kinder Lebensqualität Fragebogen (KINDL). Participant weights were measured at baseline, as well as post-intervention at the two-year mark, and categorized dichotomously as average weight or overweight. Additional covariates investigated included parental education level and income brackets. Findings from this study closely align with past patterns detected in adolescent eating habits and psychosocial functioning. Additionally, concerning baseline and diet at follow-up, the researchers report the following results: - “Associations were established between baseline indicators of well-being and components included in the HDAS - Better self-esteem at baseline was associated with sugar intake in accordance with the guidelines (limited intake of refined sugars) - Good parent relations was associated with fruit & vegetable consumption according to guidelines (400–500 g per day) - Fewer emotional problems was associated with fat intake according to the guidelines (reduced intake, especially of saturated fat) - Fewer peer problems was associated with consumption of fruits & vegetables according to guidelines.” Perhaps the most surprising takeaway from work by Arvidsson and team is the fact that the bidirectional relationships identified were insensitive to participant weight. Patterns visible in relationships between psychosocial well-being and diet were similar across average weight and overweight participants, suggesting that nutrition, naturally, is an essential consideration in the daily experiences of all children. As we become increasingly aware of patterns of overdiagnosis and overmedication and begin to identify relationships between healthy-eating and positive psychosocial outcomes, perhaps we should consider lifestyle, exercise and dietary shifts as first-line interventions. Although healthy eating may require drastic adjustments in social systems and family functioning (and in some cases, poor diet is, unfortunately, a product of an inability to afford nutritious options), it may ultimately curb physical- and mental-healthcare-related costs for families and schools alike. Arvidsson, L., Eiben, G., Hunsberger, M., Bourdeaudhuij, I. D., Molnar, D., Jilani, H… Lissner, L. (2017). Bidirectional associations between psychosocial well-being and adherence to healthy dietary guidelines in European children: prospective findings from the IDEFICS study. BMC Public Health, 17(1). (Link)

Covering the story of prejudice against Jews from the time of Christ through the rise of Nazi Germany, The History of Anti-Semitism presents in elegant and thoughtful language a balanced, careful assessment of this egregious human failing that is nearly ubiquitous in the history of Europe. Suicidal Europe, 1870-1933 traces the development of a belief among Europe's educated classes in an eventual Jewish domination of the West. Revealing the embedded myths about Jewish bankers and Jewish Bolsheviks in European rhetoric and histories, Poliakov demonstrates that the steady rise in anti-Semitism and suspicion of Jews in the late nineteenth century—highlighted by the Dreyfus affair—and its eventual eruption in the rise of the Nazi party in Germany in the 1920s are part of the same thread of fear and hatred that reaches back to the beginning of the first millennium. Leon Poliakov (1910-97) has written extensively on the Holocaust and anti-Semitism. His many books include Harvest of Hate: The Nazi Program for the Destruction of Jews in Europe and Aryan Myth: A History of Racist and Nationalist Ideas in Europe. He helped establish the Centre de Documentation Juive in 1943. "Léon Poliakov's work on antisemitism is of enormous importance. As a work of scholarship it is almost without peer. One could have imagined that Poliakov's study might have given a long overdue burial to the longest hatred. Sadly-tragically-it has taken on a new urgency in our time as the images and issues have been resurrected at the beginning of the twenty-first century."—Michael Berenbaum, Director, Sigi Ziering Institute "Poliakov has demonstrated how widely and deeply versed he is in his subject."—Economist "Poliakov has shown that anti-Semitism is no chance phenomenon but an emanation of European culture."—Times Literary Supplement "A scholarly but eminently readable tracing of the sources and recurring themes of anti-Semitism."—Library Journal

Normal Size Small Size show me how PPT 2.06 vocab |A visual representation of numerical data |the entire area inside the chart container that holds background as well as plotted data. |a single column, pie slice. or point from a data series. |all the data points for a particular category of plotted information |the key to a chart that explains what each data series represents. |the area in the chart container that shows the data series compared to the chart's gridlines.

Carved into dun-colored cliffs, hundreds of manmade caves situated next to empty niches that once sheltered giant Buddha statues destroyed by the Taliban are home to Bamiyan's poverty-stricken who have nowhere else to go. The ancient caves lining the Bamiyan valley in central Afghanistan were originally used by Buddhist monks for meditation and retreat but now shelter landless Afghan families who cannot afford conventional housing. With no electricity or running water, the cave dwellers are forced to adapt to an arduous existence in these dark, dank, and musty structures. "It's not a good place, it's never been a good place to live," said Haji Hussain, who has been living in a cave atop a cliff with his wife and three children for thirty years. "It's very difficult to climb up here and then come back down. And as far as water is concerned, it's a big problem. We have to carry it on our back to bring it up here," the laborer told AFP in his cave, just a few hundred meters from the vacant niches. Like Hussain, hundreds of families dwell in the caves of Bamiyan, a rare oasis of tranquility that has largely been spared the wrenching conflict that afflicts the rest of Afghanistan. When the Taliban captured Bamiyan in the late 1990s, some of these people lost their homes as the hardline Sunni movement burned down the houses of the predominantly Shia Hazaras, forcing them to take shelter in caves right next to the Buddha statues. But two years after the Taliban regime was toppled in the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan, the area was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The government came down heavily on the cave dwellers, evicting many and moving them into temporary shelters elsewhere in the city. Local authorities argue that the longer the structures are occupied, the more damage is wrought on the site as some families install doors, windows and build makeshift extensions. "If the people live here, they damage the caves and ancient murals, and we should save these structures," said Kabir Dadras, head of Bamiyan's information and culture department. Some 250 families have been evicted from the caves in recent years but many still remain. Once a caravan stop along the fabled Silk Road, the central Afghan city was recently named this year's cultural capital of South Asia, igniting hopes of restoring its place on the global tourism map. But the government is struggling to revive the heyday of tourism after decades of war, including the Taliban's 1996-2001 reign when they destroyed the Buddha statues, labelling them an affront to Islam — an act globally condemned as "cultural terrorism".

Olives are a type of fruit that comes from the Olive tree. Olives grow on trees and they can be green, black, or purple. The taste of an olive largely depends on what kind it is and where it was grown! It is a popular ingredient in dishes such as pasta salad, antipasto, and tapenade. But what do olives taste like? Do olives have a distinct flavor? What about texture? Olives are one of those foods that can be hard to describe because they’re so unique! This blog post will answer those questions and more! What are Olives? Olives are small, round fruits that grow on trees. They are green, black or purple in color and can be eaten whole as a snack! The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean region, but is now grown in many other parts of the world. Olives have been cultivated for centuries by people all over Europe including Italy (where most olive oil production takes place), Greece, and Spain to name just three countries with an abundance of olive grown. There’s also some evidence suggesting ancient Egyptians were cultivating them around 4000 BC. Does it seem like there might even be a connection between this popular Mediterranean food item & one other very important staple: bread? Many historians believe early European cultures used olives as a way to preserve bread in the absence of refrigeration. Benefits of Eating Healthy Olives Olives are a good source for vitamins A, C & E – which help protect cells from free radicals and shield them against the effects that lead to aging skin or wrinkles. They also contain antioxidants like polyphenols, flavonoids (lutein), beta carotene as well other nutrients such as olive oil. All these components work together to promote healthy hair growth by reducing inflammation on scalp follicles. While strengthening strands with omega fatty acids! It’s no wonder why so many people enjoy eating this delicious fruit today. Olives may help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by lowering blood pressure, reducing bad cholesterol levels in the body. Olives are a great source of fiber that helps promote healthy digestion – they also contain monounsaturated fats that help lower LDL or “bad” cholesterols. This is because these types of fat have been shown to reduce inflammation throughout your entire system. The high amounts of omega fatty acids found within this fruit can even be beneficial for people with diabetes as it may regulate insulin production. Olive oil is a healthy fat that can be used for cooking or as part of a diet plan. What Do Olives Taste Like? Do Olives Taste Good? The taste of olive can vary depending on the type, but they are usually a little bitter and salty with some tanginess to them as well. The flavor also depends heavily upon how ripe or unripe it was when harvested! The taste is determined by how long it was left on its branch before being harvested. The longer an Olive hangs from its branches without picking them off for harvesting will result in more bitterness but also higher levels of sugar content. This means that they’re sweeter tasting than when picked earlier which results in less sweetness with lower acidity levels due to not having been exposed to too much sunlight over time. Also, each type of olives has different flavors. The most popular type of olives in America is Kalamata Olive because they have a stronger taste than other varieties, but this doesn’t mean that all people enjoy them! While Manzanilla olives taste a little sweeter and are usually eaten right off the tree. Picholine olives are a little more bitter and are usually eaten with salt because they’re already salty. Olives can also be used as an ingredient in many dishes. They have been known to go well on pizzas, salads, or even just by themselves! Some people like them so much that it’s their favorite food of all time. Why Many People Hate Eating Olives? The reason that olives have such an unpleasant flavor is that they are high in oleuropein, which is a bitter phenolic compound. The bitterness of olives can be reduced by soaking them for an extended period or even boiling the water before adding it to your dish. The longer you soak and cook with these ingredients will reduce their natural flavor more than if they were just boiled without being soaked first. This process also helps remove some other compounds that make up olive oil such as tyrosol. But if you are looking for a way to make your olives taste better without the bitterness, try adding some salt and lemon juice. Salt will help balance out any bitter flavors while also making them more savory. Lemon is another great ingredient that can be added because it helps brighten up an olive’s flavor as well. Which Tastes Better Green or Black Olives? First, the flavor of an olive vastly depends on where it’s grown and how ripe it is when harvested. Green olives are picked before they ripen, which means that they have a firmer texture than black olives. Black olives are usually left to ripen on the tree for up to six months, which gives them a softer texture and sweeter taste. Several taste tests show that most people prefer black olives. Plus, black olives have been found as a healthier option due to their high monounsaturated fat levels which can help lower cholesterol. While green olives contain higher amounts of Polyunsaturated that might not provide any health benefits at all. Is It Ok to Eat Olives Every Day? It’s highly recommended that you eat olives in moderation because they are high calorie and fat content. But they should not make up the bulk of your diet. If you do choose to eat them, it’s best to consume them as a snack or as a side dish to your meal. The main concern with olives is their high sodium content and lack of fiber. If olives make up more than 25% of one’s diet then it can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, and other health issues. As nutritionists suggested, it’s safe to eat up to 20 olives per day. How Do You Prepare Olives to Eat? There are a few ways to prepare olives for eating. The most common way is to soak them in saltwater overnight, then rinse and pat dry with a paper towel. 3You can also boil the olives in water with cloves, bay leaves, and peppercorns for about 15 minutes, then strain off the liquid and use as desired. Another option is to marinate the olives in vinegar or lemon juice. The longer the olives are soaked, the sourer they will become. How to Use Olives in Recipes Olives are a great way to add flavor and texture to your dishes. You can use them in salads, sandwiches and pasta dishes. If you want to flavor up your pizza sauce, add a few pitted olives to the sauce. Adding them as a garnish on top of your dish is also an option, but be sure not to add so many that it overwhelms other flavors in your recipe or salad dressing. If you don’t have fresh olives in your pantry, canned olives work great as well. They’re also easy to find in most grocery stores, making them an ideal ingredient for beginner cooks. Make sure you buy pitted olives, though, as they’re much easier to use than the whole ones. In conclusion, olives are a great way to add flavor and texture, as well. They can be used in salads or sandwiches but also pasta dishes if you want some extra zing. If you’re looking for an ingredient with benefits of taste without too many calories then this might just what you need. There’s no need to worry about them overpower other flavors like garlic might do with your recipe. What Do Olives Taste Like? Do Olives Taste Good? - Ingredients from your favorite recipes - Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ. - For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor. - Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!

Mild Steel vs. Stainless Steel: What’s The Difference? The use of steel in the US is constantly growing. During August 2021, 8,404,858 net tons of steel were shipped by US steel mills, up from 6,532,652 net tons the previous year. When deciding what type of steel to use for a task, several different factors come into play. This includes things such as costs, required strength, or conditions the metal will endure. As such, comparisons can be made for mild steel vs stainless steel to determine which you may need. Understanding the differences between these types of steel is essential, as making the wrong choice for your desired application could have devastating results. To get a better idea of the advantages and disadvantages of each type, and which one you will want to use, keep reading. Differences between Mild Steel vs Stainless Steel The different characteristics between these two types of steel come from the main alloying element. The composition of mild steel mainly consists of carbon. Stainless steel uses less carbon and is instead alloyed with chromium. This may seem to be a small change, but these differing compositions are what give a variety of different properties between these two types of steel. The chromium used in stainless steel gives it more corrosion resistance than mild steel due to the way it reacts with oxygen. It produces a layer of chromium oxide which makes it naturally corrosion-resistant, provided that the layer is not damaged. This also makes it ideal if the metal will be in contact with any chemicals such as strong cleaning products. Mild steel does not contain chromium to produce this protective layer but instead will have a layer of iron oxide on the surface. This will react with moisture producing more iron oxide, resulting in rusting of the metal. To prevent this, mild steel needs to be processed further for use in an environment where rust may occur. This is possible through processes such as powder coating. This involves applying a dry powder to the surface of the metal via an electrostatic process. Powder coating is a cost-effective way of giving the metal a durable finish, which is more suitable for any application where the metal is visible or exposed to moisture. Galvanization is a process that gives similar results, most commonly done by submerging the metal in molten zinc (known as hot dipping). This results in a protective layer on the surface of the metal, which helps to prevent corrosion. The chromium used in stainless steel makes it harder and less malleable than mild steel, but also more brittle. Because of this, it is not as easy to alter as mild steel. This means that mild steel is easier to fabricate than stainless steel, so it is more suitable if it will need to be bent or welded, for example. If mild steel is being used but needs to be stronger, this can be done by adding more carbon or through galvanization. There is a notable visual difference between mild steel and stainless steel. Stainless steel is famous for having a brushed/polished surface that is not present in mild steel. This is often seen as a desirable characteristic. Mild steel is generally not considered to be as aesthetically pleasing, and as mentioned above is more susceptible to rust. Because of this, mild steel is more commonly used when the surface won’t actually be visible, such as internal structures. When it is present in a situation where it will be exposed or visible, it will usually be painted or coated. This is to help prevent corrosion and give it a more visually appealing finish. Due to the differences in the composition of mild steel and stainless steel, stainless is always the more expensive option upfront. This often makes it the less appealing choice. It is worth remembering that stainless steel is stronger and much more corrosion-resistant. Because of this, mild steel could actually cost more to maintain in the long run due to maintenance costs. Uses of Each Type The different characteristics of these two types of steel mean that each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Due to the physical properties of mild steel, as well as how cheap it is, it is one of the most widely used types of steel in the world. Is mild steel better than stainless steel? That comes down to what it is being used for. Some common applications of mild steel include: - Structural/construction frames - Machine parts Due to its resistance to corrosion, high strength, and appearance, there are a number of applications that make stainless steel the better choice when compared to mild steel: - Kitchenware (cutlery, sinks, pots/pans, etc.) - Surgical tools/medical equipment - Storage tanks - Green energy production (solar, geothermal, hydro, and wind power) - Food production/storage Some common uses overlap between the two, due to both metals being ideal for the job. In instances like this, the more suitable type of steel would need to be determined based on the specifics of the application. What to Do After Your Decision Based on the information, in this blog you’ll now have some sort of an idea of which type of steel is suitable for you. If you are still unsure, the team at Bushwick Metals will be able to give you a more detailed explanation of mild steel vs stainless steel. Bushwick Metals is one of the leading distributors in the Northeast and can supply you with everything you need. We supply mild steel, stainless steel, and more. Orders are processed around the clock and can be delivered in one or two days, so don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know what you’re after!

DJing as a GCSE When it comes to the arts, music stands out as being the most powerful due to the profound effect it has on us all. Music is as much a part of our story of human evolution as the development of language. In fact Music and language probably evolved hand in hand. music may had even been used to communicate way before speech? We know that the origins of music are as old as our early ancestors so it's not surprising that it has become such an inseparable part of our daily lives, affecting our emotions, memories, learning, attention and neuroplasticity. No matter who you are music plays a huge part in all our lives. Every one of us have our own personal relationship with music that is individual and unique to each of our personalities. This can be seen most evidently in young people as they use music for not only personal entertainment but as a way to culturally identify themselves individually as a form of personal creative self-expression. Children as young as 10 are now becoming successful DJs, Take DJ switch for example, she is only 10 years old but she is already becoming an internationally known DJ on a personal mission to not only entertain audiences with her talent but also use her success and fame to make a stand for female equality. However, despite success stories such as DJ Switches and the obviously huge numbers of young people passionate about their love of music; these number are not reflexed in the amount of students opting for music as an elective for their GCSEs. It seems that when it comes to music, the national curriculum was not offering school students the types of music lessons that engage their interests. It also seems that many teachers that become responsible for teaching a music classes don’t have the practical skills, knowledge or resources to deliver the kind of music lessons that are able to inspire and attract students. Up until very recently the only way for school kids could learn to master the art of DJing would be to find private tutors offering 1 to 1 DJ lessons with DJ schools like London Sound Academy, (voted London's Number DJ school). But all this is changing, now schools have given students and teachers alternative options for a music GCSE, Mastering the DJ decks has been recognised as a musical skill just like learning to play an instrument and it is now possible to choose DJing as a GCSE, now it has been legally made part of the national curriculum. More money for schools is also being set aside for investing into music technology facilities. Music teachers are now able to offer exciting new alternatives in their music lessons by offering students the chance to make music that relates more to their social identities and interests, where they can be confident that their ideas will be valued and respected. Learning to DJ can have a profound and transformative effect on students and in some cases it can open up a whole new career path or direction in life. Learning to mix can provide focus for a student who may otherwise be disengaged from older, traditional styles of education. When teachers find themselves in unknown subjects areas they can now hire in experts to deliver what they can not. Such as DJ tutors, under the guidance of the teacher they can deliver a unique programed of study that is fully part of the national curriculum in accordance with the new AQA, OCR and Eduqas GCSE music specifications. The hard-to-reach youngsters who can often slip through the education net are far more likely to re-engaged with the class again and show improvements in their learning when they have been enrolled in a course of music based activities that they have chosen for themselves. DJing as a GCSE could open up a whole world of opportunities for students who are struggling with school or simply want to master the turntables before leaving school. Not to mention the countless opportunities available for DJ tutors to find work either teaching a class or private one to ones. There are alot of schools in the UK and therefore a great many opportunities for DJ's who think they have what it takes to teach! If you think you could become a DJ tutor get in contact with us here at LSA. This could be the start of a new career you feel truly passionate about! No matter your age, young or not so young, you to can learn how to DJ or produce music with London Sound Academy. If you already have some experience behind the decks, why not build upon and refine your existing DJ skills. Perhaps you looking for a unique gift experience for a music obsessed friend? Take a look at our range of intermediate and advanced DJ courses. We offer 1 to 1 tuition for all experience levels and music genres? Our students learn faster, gain more success and regularly secure gigs at Ministry of Sound, Egg and Electric Brixton and our Music Production students have been signed to Spinnin, Universal and Island Records! This is probably why London Sound Academy has been rated the best DJ and Music Production school in London since 2010.

Get your kids tech-ready for school with these 7 tips Chances are your child is getting ready to go back to school with one or more devices tagging along. Most students are now equipped with a laptop, tablet or smartphone, so it’s a good idea to get them and their tech ready for any possible hack. Below are some tips to make them tech ready for school: 1. Talk to your kids about cybersecurity According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity thieves look for high-tech ways - like lifting our passwords - to get their hands on our money and personal information. So it’s important to talk to your kids about cybersecurity from an early age. Teach students to keep their personal information private; avoid sharing their name, address, telephone number, birthday, passwords, and the name of their school when using the Internet. Think twice before posting or saying anything online; once it is in cyberspace, it’s out there forever. Here are some more tips to talk about cybersecurity with kids from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. 2. Use unique passwords for everything, and enable two-factor authentication Passwords should be as long as possible, and unique for each device. Create strong passwords with eight characters or more that use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols Two-factor authentication can provide an extra layer of security by requiring anyone logging in to a device to provide another credential, such as a one-time code sent by SMS or email. Most attackers that have access to a stolen password will not have access to a secondary credential. MORE: Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts. 3. Privacy settings Use and check privacy settings on email, and on social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. 4. Don’t open emails or messages from strangers Think before you click - don’t open emails from strangers, and don’t click on links for unfamiliar sites. If the offer is too good to be true, then it probably is. Hackers use tricks designed to get you to give up personal information or click on links to automatically install malware or spyware. 5. Keep an eye on your cellphone and tablet Never leave your mobile devices, like a cellphone or tablet, unattended. Always lock your device when you are not using it. 6. Know your apps When downloading new apps, check that they’re from a reputable source, and review its settings. 7. Only connect to the internet if needed Disconnect your device from the internet when you aren’t using it, and make sure your device isn’t set to automatically connect to Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi is not in a secure network and is open to hackers. SafeWise recommends that you use your cellular plan instead of a public network. For more back-to-school resources and stories across News 12 Networks click in the links below:

“I was reborn into this world upon using facilitated communication for the very first time.” Typing to communicate or Facilitated Communication (FC) is a form of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) in which people with disabilities and communication impairments express themselves by pointing (e.g., at pictures, letters, or objects) and, more commonly, by typing (e.g., with a keyboard). The method involves a communication partner who may provide emotional encouragement, communication supports (e.g., monitoring to make sure the person looks at the keyboard and checks for typographical errors), and a variety of physical supports, for example to provide backward resistance, to slow and stabilize the person’s movement, to inhibit impulsive pointing, or support rhythm; the facilitator should never move or lead the person. It often is referred to as Facilitated Communication Training because the goal is independent typing, nearly independent typing (e.g., a hand on the shoulder or intermittent touch), or a combination of speaking with typing – some individuals have developed the ability to read text aloud and/or to speak before and as they are typing. Typing to communicate promotes access to social interaction, academics, and participation in inclusive schools and communities. History of Facilitated Communication What came to be known as Facilitated Communication was discovered independently in several countries. Rosemary Crossley began using physical support to help non-speaking individuals communicate in Australia during the 1970s, and continued to develop the method throughout the following decade. Doug Biklen’s visit to the DEAL Center (Dignity, Education, and Language) in 1989 and subsequent research and publication (“Communication Unbound,” Harvard Educational Review, 1990) led to the rise of FC in the United States during the early 1990s, as well as the establishment of the Facilitated Communication Institute at Syracuse University in 1992. Since then, use of the method has grown and many individuals who once needed significant support have demonstrated the ability to type with no physical touch and/or to read aloud what they are typing. Training from skilled facilitators and coaches can now be found through organizations around the United States and the world. In 2010, after nearly two decades of existence, the Institute changed its name to the Institute on Communication and Inclusion (ICI). The ICI name represents a broadened focus, reflecting lines of research, training, public education, and information dissemination that focus on school and community inclusion, narratives of disability and ability, and disability rights. Its initiatives stress the important relationship of communication to inclusion. Who is Involved? Typers and Facilitators The person who provides support for communication is called a facilitator or communication support person. A facilitator can be a teacher or other professional, a family member, or a friend. The person who receives the support is often referred to as the typer, communication aid user, or FC user. At the ICI, we use the terms typer and facilitator. Candidates for typing to communicate include individuals who lack reliable pointing skills and who cannot speak or whose speech is extremely limited or disordered (e.g., limited to repetitive phrases, and speech that echoes what others around them have said or are saying); one current theory is that people with developmental disabilities often experience dyspraxia or difficulty with intentional action, including speech, initiation, and motor planning. Recent research, mostly coming from the field of neuroscience, on the connection between dyspraxia and difficulties with speech (Donnellan, Hill & Leary, 2013; Dziuk, et al., 2007; Mostofsky, Burgess, & Larsen, 2007) underscores the importance of considering a motoric base for challenges with speech. Further, it is becoming clear that development of improved motor planning and more organized intentional movement is possible with training and appropriate support (Torres, et al., 2013). The typed communication with the multiple forms of support provided by the facilitator allows the typer to communicate messages that differ in their complexity and usefulness than the use of speech or unaided AAC alone. This support is highly individualized and based on specific needs, thus it does not look the same from person to person. For example, Luke receives support at the hand with strong backward pressure after each keystroke. Megan types with a light touch on the shoulder. Rebecca types with one hand. Shaffer works on developing a rhythm with two-handed typing. People who type to communicate successfully often use it as part of a total communication approach. It is used in combination with other methods of communication including speech, sign, gesture systems, etc. This enables the person access to the fullest range of communication options. (Breaking the Barriers, date) Typing to communicate involves a facilitator, who can be a teacher, parent, speech pathologist, or friend, providing multiple methods of support to a communication aid user we refer to as a Typer. While facilitator support is dynamic and fluid, there are three main elements of support. Three Levels of Support Physical Support may include the facilitator isolating the index finger, stabilizing the arm to overcome tremor; providing backward resistance on the arm to slow the pace of pointing or to overcome impulsiveness; touching the forearm, elbow, or shoulder to help the person initiate typing; or pulling back on the arm or wrist to help the person not strike a target repetitively. Emotional Support involves providing encouragement and motivation as the person types or points to communicate. This is especially important as many Typers experience high levels of anxiety and challenges navigating their sensory environment. Emotional support also includes communicating respect and a presumption of competence. Communicative Support can include various forms of prompts and cues that can assist the FC user to stay focused on the communication interaction, to provide feedback to the FC user on the content of their message, and to assist the FC user in clarifying unclear messages. Frequently Asked Questions Who does typing to communicate work for? Does typing to communicate work for every person with disability that can’t communicate? Is typing to communicate recommended if my child or student has some verbal speech (i.e. asks for bathroom, or says people’s names)? If my child communicates through typing, should that be the only AAC or communication means to be used? How long does it take to learn to type to communicate? How long to will it take before they can type with no physical support? Can an individual with a disability who does not talk really interact and communicate? In what contexts can supported typing be used? How do I know that it is the communicator typing the message and not the person providing the support? Are there resources to support the training process? How is Typing to Communicate similar to and different from Rapid Prompting Method? What kinds of AAC devices do people use when typing to communicate? “Very pleasing people understand. I say it best typing…..I want a chance. Typing is hard to do. To type with me people need to decide I am smart and capable.”

Nosebleeds are commonly caused because of nose positioning. It is caused because of the density of the blood vessels. This cannot be a serious cause in most cases, but it can be the initial symptom of some underlying conditions including leukaemia. Bleen is an Australian directory that offers complete information on everything related to nose cauterization. This is the best solution for people who are looking for a guide to find out everything about the procedure including the nose cauterization pros and cons. You can check their webpage for all the required information. A nosebleed is caused because of the chances of blood loss from any tissue inside the nasal lining of a person. This condition is common in some patients due to the positioning of their noses. However, the condition should not be neglected if the nosebleed persists. The condition of nosebleed is known as epistaxis. The nasal lining is part of the body where there are maximum number of blood vessels present. Hence, even a slight impact on the nose can make a person experience nosebleed. Sometimes, it is not just the external influence that can make the nose bleed as it is caused because of some underlying issues as well. Nosebleed causes are many and are listed below: - Direct impact on the nasal lining such as a blow to the face can immediately result in nose bleeding. - The habit of nose blowing or pricking can damage the nasal lining and thus results in nose bleeding. - Some of the foreign bodies that enter the nose can prick the nasal lining, and this results in damage to the blood vessels. - Changes in the pressure and also in altitude in the air can disturb the nasal lining leading to bleeding. - Some allergic inflammation such as sinusitis can lead to damage to the nasal lining resulting in bleeding. Bleeding from either one nostril or both nostrils is epistaxis. The feeling of liquid flowing back to the throat while lying is a symptom of nose bleeding. Some Home Remedies to Stop the Bleeding Not all nosebleed conditions are considered an emergency. Some issues can be taken care of at home with proper guidance. The home remedies for this condition are listed below: - Breathe through the mouth and start pinching the soft part of the upper nose. - Keep your face in the leaned position to avoid the chances of blood running to the sinuses or throat. It can lead to gagging if there is an inward flow of blood to the throat or sinuses. - The head should be higher than the heart and the position of sitting should be straight. The blood pressure will be reduced, and hence the blood flow from the nose. Follow all these steps for at least 10 to 15 minutes to make sure that blood clots in the nasal blood vessels. If still there is bleeding from the nostrils, then you should get medical attention as early as possible. Some of the suggested treatment for nose bleeding include, - Nasal packing - Septal surgery You should clearly understand that medical attention is required when you are experiencing constant nosebleed.

M. Kendal, K. Stacey Journal name not available for this finding This chapter serves to highlight that the teaching of algebra is very different in different educational jurisdictions. It shows some of the differences in school structures that impinge on who learns algebra and at what stage. It surveys briefly some of the differences in content and the nature of algebraic activity. There is no attempt here to be comprehensive, but instead to point out some of the dimensions of difference around the world. There are weak links between the structures of schooling and the nature of algebra, and between the use of technology and the nature and purpose of algebraic activity. However the scene is characterised more by different themes and multiple variations on these themes, than by clear connections. Links between the nature of the curriculum and what students can do are accumulating from international studies.

Collection: St. Peter ARTIST: Br. Arturo Olivas, OFS The first Pope was a Galilean fisherman named Simon. He was from Bethsaida on the lake of Genesareth. He and his brother Andrew had been attracted by St. John the Baptist. When the Baptist directed them to Christ, Jesus saw in Simon a man of destiny. He saw in the rough fisherman the rock on which He would build His Church, and so He called Simon "Peter," which means rock. Later, Jesus in a scene of historic importance solemnly commissioned Peter. "And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? They said: Some John the Baptist, and others say Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus said to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven." His feast day is June 29. St. Peter is mentioned so often in the New Testament in the Gospels, in the Acts of the Apostles, and in the Epistles of St. Paul that we feel we know him better than any other person who figured prominently in the life of the Savior. In all, his name appears 182 times. We have no knowledge of him prior to his conversion, save that he was a Galilean fisherman, from the village of Bethsaida or Capernaum. There is some evidence for supposing that Peter's brother Andrew and possibly Peter himself were followers of John the Baptist, and were therefore prepared for the appearance of the Messiah in their midst. We picture Peter as a shrewd and simple man, of great power for good, but now and again afflicted by sudden weakness and doubt, at least at the outset of his discipleship. After the death of the Savior he manifested his primacy among the Apostles by his courage and strength. He was "the Rock" on which the Church was founded. It is perhaps Peter's capacity for growth that makes his story so inspiring to other erring humans. He reached the lowest depths on the night when he denied the Lord, then began the climb upward, to become bishop of Rome, martyr, and, finally, "keeper of the keys of Heaven." Our first glimpse of Peter comes at the very beginning of Jesus' ministry. While He was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, casting a net into the water. When He called to them, "Come, and I will make you fishers of men," they at once dropped their net to follow Him. A little later we learn that they visited the house where Peter's mother-in-law was suffering from a fever, and Jesus cured her. This was the first cure witnessed by Peter, but he was to see many miracles, for he stayed close to Jesus during the two years of His ministry. All the while he was listening, watching, questioning, learning, sometimes failing in perfect faith, but in the end full of strength and thoroughly prepared for his own years of missionary preaching. Let us recall a few of the Biblical episodes in which Peter appears. We are told that after the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Jesus withdrew to the mountain to pray, and his disciples started to sail home across the Lake of Galilee. Suddenly they saw Him walking on the water, and, according to the account in Matthew, Jesus told them not to be afraid. It was Peter who said, "Lord, if it is Thou, bid me come to Thee over the water." Peter set out confidently, but suddenly grew afraid and began to sink, and Jesus stretched forth His hand to save him, saying, "O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?" Then we have Peter's dramatic confession of faith, which occurred when Jesus and his followers had reached the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Jesus having asked the question, "Who do men say that I am?" there were various responses. Then Jesus turned to Peter and said, "But who do you say that I am?" and Peter answered firmly, "Thou art the Christ, son of the living God." (Matthew xvi, 13-18; Mark viii, 27-29; Luke ix, 18-20.) Then Jesus told him that his name would henceforth be Peter. In the Aramaic tongue which Jesus and his disciples spoke, the word was kepha, meaning rock. Jesus concluded with the prophetic words, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock shall be built My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." There seems to be no doubt that Peter was favored among the disciples. He was selected, with James and John, to accompany Jesus to the mountain, the scene of the Transfiguration, to be given a glimpse of His glory, and there heard God pronounce the words, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." After this, the group had gone down to Jerusalem, where Jesus began to prepare his disciples for the approaching end of his ministry on earth. Peter chided Him and could not bring himself to believe that the end was near. When all were gathered for the Last Supper, Peter declared his loyalty and devotion in these words, "Lord, with Thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death." It must have been in deep sorrow that Jesus answered that before cockcrow Peter would deny Him thrice. And as the tragic night unrolled, this prophecy came true. When Jesus was betrayed by Judas as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and was taken by soldiers to the Jewish high priest, Peter followed far behind, and sat half hidden in the courtyard of the temple during the proceedings. Pointed out as one of the disciples, Peter three times denied the accusation. But we know that he was forgiven, and when, after the Resurrection, Jesus manifested himself to his disciples, He signaled Peter out, and made him declare three times that he loved Him, paralleling the three times that Peter had denied Him. Finally, Jesus charged Peter, with dramatic brevity, "Feed my sheep." From that time on Peter became the acknowledged and responsible leader of the sect. It was Peter who took the initiative in selecting a new Apostle in place of Judas, and he who performed the first miracle of healing. A lame beggar asked for money; Peter told him he had none, but in the name of Jesus the Nazarene bade him arise and walk. The beggar did as he was bidden, cured of his lameness. When, about two years after the Ascension, the spread of the new religion brought on the persecutions that culminated in the martyrdom of St. Stephen, many of the converts scattered or went into hiding. The Apostles stood their ground firmly in Jerusalem, where the Jewish temple had become the spearhead of opposition to them. Peter chose to preach in the outlying villages, farther and farther afield. In Samaria, where he preached and performed miracles, he was offered money by Simon Magus, a magician, if he would teach the secret of his occult powers. Peter rebuked the magician sternly, saying, "Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased by money." With his vigorous outspokenness, Peter inevitably came into conflict with the Jewish authorities, and twice the high priests had him arrested. We are told that he was miraculously freed of his prison chains, and astonished the other Apostles by suddenly appearing back among them. Peter now preached in the seaports of Joppa and Lydda, where he met men of many races, and in Caesarea, where he converted the first Gentile, a man named Cornelius. Realizing that the sect must win its greatest support from Gentiles, Peter helped to shape the early policy towards them. Its growing eminence led to his election as bishop of the see of Antioch. How long he remained there, or how or when he came to Rome, we do not know. The evidence seems to establish the fact that his last years were spent in Rome as bishop. The belief that he suffered martyrdom there during the reign of Nero in the same year as St. Paul is soundly based on the writings of three early Fathers, St. Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian. The only writings by St. Peter which have come down to us are his New Testament Epistles I and II, both of which are thought to have been written from Rome to the Christian converts of Asia Minor. The First Epistle is filled with admonitions to mutual helpfulness, charity, and humility, and in general outlines the duties of Christians in all aspects of life. At its conclusion (I Peter v, 13) Peter sends greetings from "the church which is at Babylon." This is accepted as further evidence that the letter was written from Rome, which in the Jewish usage of the time was called "Babylon." The second Epistle warns against false teachings, speaks of the Second Coming of the Lord, and ends with the beautiful doxology, "But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, both now and the day of eternity." The latest archeological findings indicate that St. Peter's Church in Rome rises over the site of his tomb, as Pius XII announced at the close of the Holy Year of 1950. In the catacombs many wall writings have been found which link the names of St. Peter and St. Paul, showing that popular devotion to the two great Apostles began in very early times. Paintings of later date commonly depict Peter as a short, energetic man with curly hair and beard; in art his traditional emblems are a boat, keys, and a cock. Died: Martyred c. 64 crucified head downward because he claimed he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ Name Meaning: Rock Also known as: Simon; Cephas —Excerpts from Lives of Saints, by John J. Crawley

This was achieved partly by more intensive edge flaking; the ∼1.4 to 1.25 Mya Konso handaxes bear a greater number of flake scars . The advanced lithic technology enabled the production of comparatively straight edges, though nonetheless retaining appreciable sinuosity compared with later handaxes . The better-formed and straighter edges provided functional enhancements for butchering and chopping actions, suggesting an increased demand for animal carcass processing at ∼1.4 to 1.25 Mya at Konso. In addition, a striking characteristic of the Konso ∼1.four to 1.25 Mya assemblages is the occurrence of the Kombewa methodology nearly half 1,000,000 y earlier than beforehand recognized . Our systematic use-put on analysis furthermore indicates that the Konso bone handaxe was most likely used, presumably for butchering. The scarcity of bone handaxes might signify the problem in procuring massive bone blanks and the issue of flaking bone in contrast with stone . Public Space Companies To Invest In Over The Next Decade A appreciable number of Konso cleavers show dorsal flake scars that point out centripetal core preparation. With these cleavers, trimming was performed only on the lateral sides to produce a trapezoidal planform (Fig. 5, higher row). In addition to the centripetal core preparation technology, Kombewa flakes, defined as flakes detached from the ventral face of a large flake core , are additionally seen at the same Konso sites (Fig. 5, lower row). While a lot of the giant flakes at Konso with two ventral faces exhibit just one putting platform, this can be attributed to the removal of the hanging platform by secondary flaking. The Kombewa technique creates a standardized ovate planform comprising a long edge and a biconvex section and predetermines blank morphology . Whereas the Kombewa method has lengthy been thought of a late Early Pleistocene to Middle Pleistocene technology , its occurrence at ∼1.four Mya attests to a a lot earlier attainment. The stone handaxes of this time period generally exhibit planform symmetry and a thinner tip that required fantastic flaking (Fig. 6). The rarity of modified bone tools in general, and handaxe types in particular, precludes a definitive assessment of the importance of the ∼ 1.four My-old nicely-modified bone handaxe. However, at Konso, this is the time period when vital technological developments in lithic technology had been occurring. The Konso bone handaxe can be interpreted inside this context as an extra indicator of the high stage and varied repertoire of hominin talent attained by that point. In generating large flake blanks, quite a lot of ready core techniques have been reported from a number of East African websites between ∼1.5 and 1.zero Mya (15, 30⇓–32). At Konso, we see a range of prepared core strategies as early as ∼1.four to 1.25 Mya, .

Rat is often considered as a pest but yet few people really know him. Rat is one of the predominant animal hosts for monoclonal antibody production, second to its rodent brother, mouse, and followed by rabbit. The term 'rat' encompasses multiple species, including the famous species Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), and black rat (Rattus rattus). Following our quiz “how much are you rat” (you can click the link to test yourself before reading the rest of the article and being spoiled), we’d like to come back to the origins of rat-LOU species and give you the details of this unique animal. Time to discover the top facts about rat monoclonal antibodies. Origin of rat species for antibody generation In 1955, Maisin and Coll observed the appearance of lymphoid tumours in the ileocaecal region of a colony of rats maintained at the Institute of Cancerology of the University of Louvain, in Belgium. Curiously enough, Beckers, Maisin and their colleagues reported that some of these tumours were secreting immunoglobulins. Fifteen years later, Bazin and Beckers started breeding these rats and called them after the name of the city. The rats from the University of Louvain La Neuve became the first individuals of the rat-LOU species. Each time a clone name starts with “LO”, you can be 100% sure it’s a rat monoclonal antibody coming from SYnAbs company. Two lines of this strain were then selected. The first one, characterized by a high rate of animals with tumours and named LOU/C. The second, named LOU/M with a low rate of tumours. The latter appears spontaneously at the age of 8 months and in the lymph nodes of the ileococcal region. Subclasses of rat immunoglobulines Same as human and mouse, rat has five antibody isotypes (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM). But in mice the IgG class is divided into five sub-classes (IgG1, IgG2A, IgG2B, IgG2C and IgG3) whereas in rat there are only four (IgG1, IgG2A, IgG2B, IgG2C). The molecules of a class or subclass of immunoglobulins do not always have the same antigenic determinants in all individuals of the same species. These determinants are called allotypes based upon Oudin's terminology. In this case, individuals of a species can be divided into two or more allotypic groups. In rats and mice, heavy chain allotypes have been described. In addition, in rats, two allotypes on the Kappa light chain have been demonstrated; one allotype of type 1a and one of type 1b. LOU rats are examples of type 1a, while DA, OFA, Sprague, OKA rats are type 1b. The light chain allotype K, as we will see later, is the basis of the rat monoclonal antibody purification method and the hybrid LOU/C-OKA type 1b rat is used in this process. But why did Pr. Bazin and his colleagues start working with rats in the first place? Why start using rat monoclonal antibodies? Because rat species is a perfect species to develop secondary antibodies and reveal primary mouse antibodies. Each time, you work with mouse species for preclinical experiment or R&D tests, a secondary antibody of a different species will get you a better recognition of your primary antibody. In fact, mouse antibodies are seldom used to produce antibodies against mouse antigens due to their tolerance of syngeneic antigens. Rats can so provide a large number of spleen B cells that are available for fusion with myeloma cells, which are extremely suitable for generating mAbs against mouse antigens. What are the main advantages of rat monoclonals? - The first advantage is related to the rat antibody repertoire, which is really different from that of the mouse. Consequently, antibody production in rats is also different. For some antigens, only the rat responds or gives a better response than the mouse and the reverse is also true. Traditionally, we observed that rat species is a high responder against chemical compound and small entities like toxins and steroids, but also against difficult targets (epigenetic changes, neo-epitopes, transmembrane proteins…). - The second advantage is related to the physicochemical and biological properties of rat immunoglobulins. For example, antibodies of subclasses IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b bind human and rabbit complement. - An other advantage is related to the production of rat monoclonal antibodies in-vivo. Indeed, the volume of ascites obtained in a LOU/C rat is about 10 times greater than in mice and it is not uncommon to obtain between 100 and 150 mg of purified antibodies per animal, which reduces the cost price per mg produced. - Rat species requires a reduced antigen amount for immunization, potentially saving costly raw material. - Rat antibodies are found do not have the cross-reaction in immune detection of antigens out of a mouse background, which shown as a strong point in sandwich immunoassays. - No special growth media is required: you can keep everything intact compared to mouse hybridoma cells without additional costs. - As a larger animal, rat will permit you to run different immunization routes (tail vein, footpad,...) and also get access to different organs including lymph nodes and bone marrow organs, with a different immune response. Can I generate a hybridoma of rat with mouse myeloma? In general, hybridoma is a really difficult method to develop monoclonal rat antibody due to the lack of stable fusion partner. To our knowledge, all ratXmouse hybridoma clones grow slowly and will be gradually lost during the clonal selection step due to their genetic instability. At SYnAbs, our scientists has developed IR983 the rat myeloma cell line coming from rat-LOU species. For each fusion, we’re ensuring a ratXrat homo-hybridoma clone with high productivity and stability features. The way to generate rat hybridoma is described as the following: - Animals: LOU/C rats and LOU/M rats are immunized with antigens to obtain lymphoblasts from the spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow. - Immunizations: several immunization protocols are proposed. The quantities of antigens to be administered vary from 10 to 200 µg, depending on the nature of the antigen and the route of administration (subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous). SYnabs proprietary adjuvant is used to prepare the antigen to be administered. After a rest period, a final injection, without adjuvant, is usually given 3 days before fusion. We use to vary the antigen types, playing with our proprietary technologies: SYnDNA for plasmid immunization, SYnPEP for conformational peptide strategy and SYnCELL for syngeneic cell immunization. - Myeloma: SynAbs non-secreting myeloma IR983F is used as fusion partner cell. This lineage, which appeared in a LOU/C rat at the age of 72 weeks, has been adapted to in-vitro culture and made resistant to azaguanine and therefore HAT sensitive. - Culture Media: commercially available media are used. The glutamine-free MEM medium with the addition of 1% HEPES 1M is used as a fusion medium. Fusion step has been optimized to generate a maximum of stable hybridoma clones up to 4000 stable clones per fusion. The ability of IR983F myeloma to fuse depends on the propagation conditions. It should be used when it is in the exponential phase of development. The medium for myeloma and hybridoma development is DMEM with added solutions of gentamycin (50 µg per ml), non-essential amino acids (1%) glutamine 200 mM (1%), sodium pyruvate (1%). The medium is mixed with solution of HAT (1%) after fusion and then HT thereafter (7 to 10 days after fusion). - Cell culture & Screening: Hybridoma culture supernatant tests are usually performed 9-11 days after fusion. ELISA and FACS methods are used to detect hybridoma secreting specific monoclonal antibodies. - Limit dilution: Positive hybridoma are developed and then cloned twice, by limit dilution or in agarose. The resulting clones are preserved in liquid nitrogen in the presence of 7.5% DMSO. Typing of monoclonal antibodies is performed, by ELISA, in order to determine the class or sub-class of the antibody and to ensure monoclonality of the hybridoma. Can I purify rat monoclonal antibody with classical protein A? It’s not possible to purify rat monoclonal antibody with classical protein A capture step. The flip side of the coin is that SYnabs has been able to develop a rat antibody that specifically recognize residual protein A. This tool is used by our CDMO partners who want to discriminate free protein A and protein A linked to the purified antibody. SYnAbs passed the cell culture harvest through an affinity chromatography column where an anti-allotype K1a monoclonal antibody (SYnAbs MARK-3 reference) is attached to the solid phase of Sepharose. This column retains only the monoclonal antibody, which is then eluted by an acidic buffer after washing the solid phase. Thus, a monoclonal antibody of purity comparable to that obtained by affinity chromatography on the antigen is obtained with four main advantages: - The first advantage is the elimination of any non-specific reaction due to the presence of host rat immunoglobulins, - the second is considerably economical since the column can be used several times regardless of the specificity of the antibody, - the last one is the elimination of any potential bovine immunoglobulin present in serum. As an alternative, you can use protein G or protein L but if you perform your culture in serum conditions there’s a notable risk you bind bovine antibodies present into the serum. The best solution is to perform immunoaffinity capture step, using MARK reference for instance, a secondary antibody of mouse targeting all rat isotypes. Conclusion on rat monoclonal antibodies In summary, the remarkable fusion capacity of IR983F myeloma, the immunological repertoire of the rat, which differs from that of the mouse, the stability of the generated hybridoma, and the remarkable quality of the purified monoclonal antibodies make rat model particularly interesting from a scientific, technical and economic point of view.

Peptic Ulcers in Houston, TX Ready to Consult a GI Physician?Find a Provider What are peptic ulcers? Peptic ulcers are a common GI issue. They can form in the stomach (where they're called gastric ulcers) or upper small intestine (called duodenal ulcers), leading to bleeding, pain, and discomfort. The type of cells that make up the stomach lining are encased in a mucus layer that helps reduce the risk of stomach damage. When this protective lining within the stomach or small intestine becomes damaged, then the stomach acid damages the tissue behind the protective structure. While any individual can experience peptic ulcers, some individuals may carry a higher risk if peptic ulcers run in their family or they are age 50 or older. The digestive health physicians at Gastroenterology Consultants offer skilled care for this type of medical condition. If you are seeking treatment for peptic ulcers in Houston, TX, please reach out to our facility right away to reserve a visit. What causes peptic ulcers? A peptic ulcer may form when the organ tissue of the small intestine or stomach is exposed to stomach acid (pepsin). This acid then erodes the tissue within the organ. There are two causative factors, however, behind why erosion of the stomach lining takes place. Helicobacter pylori, often simply referred to as H. pylori, is a type of bacteria that can enter a person's body in several ways. But when it finds its way in, it can harm the layer of mucus lining the stomach. This produces openings in that lining and can create ulcers. If helicobacter pylori is present, your physician may prescribe antibiotics to help get rid of the destructive bacteria. Some pain relievers, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and aspirin, can inhibit your body from generating a chemical substance that functions to help protect the internal walls of your stomach and small bowel. Other forms of pain relievers, for example Tylenol (acetaminophen), will not result in the development of small intestine and stomach ulcers. That is why doctors advise taking pain medication in controlled and small dosages. Risk factors for peptic ulcers Additional factors that increase the risk of ulcers in the stomach or small bowel are: - Regular use of NSAID pain medication - Alcohol consumption - Consuming spicy and acidic foods Our Houston, TX gastroenterologists are trained to identify the indications of peptic ulcers and help determine factors that might be causing the gastrointestinal condition. What are common symptoms of peptic ulcers? Individuals with peptic ulcers frequently report a burning sensation and discomfort where the ulcers have formed. Other symptoms of peptic ulcers involve: - Heartburn and acid reflux - Bloody stool - Unwanted weight loss - Fatty food intolerance - Decreased appetite If you have blood in your stool or if you vomit, it is important to call your physician without delay. If you notice any combination of the symptoms listed above or use over-the-counter antacids that ease your discomfort, but the pain comes back, arrange for a consultation with a GI physician at Gastroenterology Consultants as soon as possible. What are the treatment options for peptic ulcers? With adequate attention and treatment, peptic ulcers can heal over time. Treatment options for peptic ulcers can involve: - Cytoprotective agents (medication to protect the lining of the stomach and small intestine) - Endoscopic procedures to cauterize bleeding arteries - Medications to reduce acid production (H-2 blockers) - Antacids to neutralize stomach acid - Decrease the use of certain types of pain relievers - Antibiotics to kill helicobacter pylori Find care for peptic ulcers Our gastrointestinal specialists are proud to offer peptic ulcer treatment for Houston, TX patients and strive to help all patients enjoy a more comfortable life. Contact Gastroenterology Consultants to explore your options for care and how we go above and beyond to help you. Request your consultation today. Very nice answer questions Dr. Shah was great, he’s seen me a few times for gastro issues and was always courteous and knowledgeable. (Translated by Google) Excellent attention, as always. (Original) Excelente atención, como siempre. My first visit to Dr. Bala was 20 years ago. Dr. Bala is consistently patient, caring and thorough. I feel blessed to have him as my Dr. The entire staff I encountered, were gracious and professional. I’ve been seeing Dr. Raj for more than 25 years for chronic esophagus, stomach, and intestinal issues. He is very kind, professional, and knowledgeable about all my issues. His staff is very courteous and efficient. When I have scoping procedures done at his main location, I am attended by kind/caring professional staff. His offices are very nice, well organized and efficient. There is also an online patient portal through which I can communicate, make/cancel appointments, or download/print my medical records. I highly recommend Dr. Raj for any and all gastro-intestinal needs, including surgeries.

September 18, 2015 Roadways are becoming increasingly dangerous for drivers, particularly in light of the fact that more people are on the road. According to The Wall Street Journal, travel through June of this year has increased 3.5% to a record 1.54 trillion miles. The American Automobile Association notes that gas prices have plunged to their lowest levels since 2010. In addition, unemployment rates have fallen to 5.1%, meaning people are more willing to drive and they’re driving their cars to work more often. In the words of Allstate’s Chief Executive Tom Wilson, “More miles driven, more cars on the road, more accidents.” The figure that really sticks out is the number of crashes resulting in fatalities. There have been vast improvements in automotive technology to protect drivers, but motor-vehicle deaths are expected to exceed 40,000 for the first time since 2007. Warren Buffett, a prestigious American business magnate, said it best in an email with The Wall Street Journal: “If cars are better—and they clearly are—drivers must be worse.” Undoubtedly an increase in the number of drivers on the road will play an influential part in the number of crashes and fatalities, but there are other factors that are often overlooked. Driving under the influence and the failure to wear a seat belt have always been damning issues for car crashes, but cell phone usage might be more prevalent in fatal accidents than anticipated. Driver cell phone usage is likely the cause for a quarter of all car crashes in America according to the National Safety Council (NSC). This number is probably a low estimate due to the lack of a reliable method to accurately determine how many crashes involve cell phone use. Driving under the influence can be discovered through objective testing, while seat belt usage, for the most part, is pretty cut and dried. According to the NSC, some factors that might contribute to the under-reporting of cell phone related accidents include: - Police must often rely on drivers to admit to cell phone use. This is not possible when drivers are not forthcoming or are seriously injured or deceased. - The memories and statements of witnesses may be inaccurate. - Police may not fully investigate cell phone use, particularly if cell phone use is not a violation in their jurisdiction. - Cell phone use may not be identified in cases of a more obvious violation (such as speeding or lane departure), or if a more serious violation is involved (such as alcohol or other drug impairments). - If cell phone use is identified as a contributing factor at a later date, such as during the police investigation or during a court case, the crash report may not be updated. - Cell phone records can be difficult to obtain from wireless companies. - If cell phone records are obtained, data must align with the precise moment of the crash – a moment which is not always known. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) is a nationwide census providing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Congress, and the American public with data regarding fatal injuries suffered in motor vehicle traffic crashes. FARS makes it possible to review crash records in order to identify whether driver cell phone use was recorded. To provide some insight into how under-reporting may occur, The National Safety Council reviewed a small sample of fatal crashes occurring between 2009 and 2011. NSC examined 180 fatal crashes where evidence indicated a driver was using a cell phone. Their findings revealed that when the driver admitted to using a cell phone, cell phone use was listed as a crash factor only 50% of the time. Driver admission of cell phone use is the most valid way to confirm that phone use was a factor in a crash. When the most prominent evidence only gets recorded half of the time, who knows the magnitude of unrecorded accidents in which a cell phone is the primary crash factor. It’s sad to think about the number of fatal accidents that could be prevented if drivers were more cautious. Regardless of the crash factor, cars are improving but drivers are not. Below are a few government websites to help protect the road from impaired and drunk drivers. You can read about what’s being done to make the roads a safer place and learn how to support these campaigns for change. If you or someone you know has been involved in an Indiana motor vehicle accident, contact an attorney to discuss your rights. There are a variety of steps that need to be taken to preserve and support your claim. Our consultations are always free and there are no obligations. You can speak with an attorney directly by calling or click here to submit a “Get Help Now” form.

Digitally driven cars, once confined to the fictional world of James Bond and sci-fi movies, have now become a part of our everyday lives. These advanced vehicles, reliant on digital infrastructure, provide improved navigation and control but also introduce significant security challenges. An Upstream report shows that in 2022, there was a 380% increase in automated Application Programming Interface (API) attacks. This stark reality underscores the importance of automotive cybersecurity in safeguarding our cars. Let us, therefore, delve into the various facets of automotive cybersecurity, exploring the spectrum of threats and measures to mitigate these risks. In this blog, you will learn: - What is Automotive Cybersecurity? - Why is Automotive Cybersecurity Important? - What are the Different Types of Cybersecurity Attacks? - Examples of Automotive Cybersecurity Solutions What is Automotive Cybersecurity? Automotive cybersecurity fundamentally concerns building a digital fortress that is tasked with defending our modern vehicles from cyberthreats. The rapid advancement in automotive technology has equipped cars with high-tech features like interactive screens, GPS systems, and even self-driving capabilities. This technological leap, however, also paves the way for cybercriminals to launch sophisticated attacks. Thus, as vehicles transform into more complex, tech-laden entities, their vulnerability to cyber risks such as remote carjacking or Engine Control Unit (ECU) hacking increases. Therefore, in automotive cybersecurity, the focus is on deploying defensive strategies such as robust operating systems, data encryption, and stringent protocols to block unauthorized access to a car’s electronic innards and shield vital components like steering and braking systems from the dangers of remote hacking. Why is Automotive Cybersecurity Important? The criticality of automotive cybersecurity in today’s interconnected world is undeniable for numerous reasons: 1. Safety Concerns Automotive cybersecurity is essential in shielding vital vehicle systems, such as brakes or steering, from cyber intrusions. As a matter of fact, this protection is crucial in safeguarding not only the driver but also passengers and pedestrians from potential harm. 2. Data Protection As vehicles increasingly resemble computers on wheels, they accumulate and transmit sensitive data such as real-time location. Vehicle cybersecurity plays a pivotal role in defending this information, thus ensuring both the privacy and security of car users. 3. Protection From Theft and Tampering It is important to defend your car from cybercriminals who might exploit vulnerabilities to either hijack vehicles or deactivate anti-theft systems remotely. This includes defending against tactics like manipulating vehicle speed, which could lead to dangerous situations. 4. Maintaining Consumer Trust With the growing prevalence of connected vehicles, sustaining confidence in their cybersecurity is of utmost importance. This involves not only protecting the vehicle but also safeguarding the user’s personal information, such as social security numbers, addresses, and credit card details. 5. Financial Implications The absence of a robust vehicle cybersecurity system can result in significant financial consequences, including costly repairs, recalls, and legal challenges for manufacturers. It also includes the potential theft of personal information. What are the Different Types of Cybersecurity Attacks? Remember the Cherokee Jeep hack incident from 2015, when security researchers remotely hacked a Jeep driven by a journalist, took control of its air conditioning, radio, windshield wipers, and finally, its transmission system on a highway? Incidents like this highlight that the rapidly evolving amalgamation of the automobile industry with digital technology comes with a host of security threats. These threats challenge the integrity of vehicle systems and pose significant risks to user safety and data security. Different types of automobile-related cyberthreats include: 1. Attacks on Critical Infrastructure This type of attack directly targets a car’s steering or brakes. For instance, a hacker might manipulate the brake system, leading to potential accidents. Such attacks endanger the driver and pose a significant risk to public safety. 2. Exploiting Software and System Vulnerabilities Cybersecurity for cars must constantly evolve to address the vulnerabilities in a car’s software. Hackers can exploit these flaws, affecting critical functionalities like navigation systems or safety features. An example would be a breach that disables airbags or affects the vehicle’s GPS, leading to misdirection or malfunction. 3. Network Attacks These involve manipulating the data transmission within automotive systems. Hackers might intercept or alter the communication between different parts of the vehicle, leading to malfunctions. For instance, a network attack could result in the false triggering of warning lights or the disruption of a vehicle’s internal communication system. 4. Cloud-Based Attacks Modern vehicles heavily depend on cloud services for updates and data storage. As a result, automotive services have become prime targets for cyberattacks. A cloud-based attack can corrupt software updates or leak sensitive user data stored in the cloud, such as location history or personal preferences. 5. IoT Attacks The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in vehicle cybersecurity presents new challenges like software hacking or malfunctioning. Cars connected to external devices or networks can be vulnerable to breaches. An example is a hacker gaining access to a car’s system through a connected smart device, like a phone or home automation system, and then manipulating car functions or stealing data. Examples of Automotive Cybersecurity Solutions This involves using advanced algorithms to protect data transmission both within the vehicle and in its communication with external networks. For example, encryption can secure the data exchanged between a car and its manufacturer’s servers, ensuring that sensitive information like location and user preferences remains confidential. These act as a barrier, monitoring, and managing data flow to and from the vehicle’s network. Firewalls can prevent unauthorized access, ensuring that only legitimate communication passes through. 3. Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) These systems provide real-time monitoring of vehicle networks, swiftly detecting and blocking any suspicious activities. For instance, an IDPS might identify an unusual request to access the car’s control system and immediately block it, thus preventing potential harm. 4. Secure Boot and Firmware Verification This ensures that only authorized and verified software runs on vehicle control units. By doing so, it prevents malicious software from being installed, similar to how a smartphone only allows verified apps to be downloaded and run. 5. Access Control Implementing robust authentication processes is crucial to prevent unauthorized control. This might involve biometric verification or multifactor authentication to ensure that only the rightful owner or authorized user can access the vehicle’s systems. 6. OTA Updates Security Over-the-Air (OTA) updates are essential for the effective functioning of a vehicle’s software. Secure OTA updates involve encrypted data transmission and rigorous verification processes to ensure that updates are authentic and have not been tampered with. 7. Security Audits and Penetration Testing Regularly evaluating systems for vulnerabilities is akin to conducting routine health checks. These audits and tests help identify potential weaknesses and prevent exploitation by attackers. 8. Cybersecurity Training and Awareness Educating industry professionals on best practices is akin to training soldiers for battle. It equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and respond to cybersecurity threats effectively. 9. AI and Machine Learning Integrating AI and machine learning can significantly enhance cybersecurity for cars. These technologies can predict and identify new threats based on patterns and anomalies. It can be especially crucial for preventing cyberattacks on Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs). 10. Blockchain for Data Integrity Utilizing blockchain technology can ensure the integrity and traceability of data transactions within automotive systems. This decentralized approach that blockchain platforms entail makes it nearly impossible for hackers to alter data undetected. If you are looking to gain in-depth knowledge of automotive cybersecurity, consider joining Emeritus’ meticulously designed cybersecurity courses. These can help you become an expert in vehicle cybersecurity and fuel your career further. Write to us at email@example.com

ASI Full Form: An In-Depth Guide to ASI and Its Meaning Are you curious about what ASI means? ASI is an abbreviation for many terms across different fields, making it challenging to determine its exact meaning. In this article, we will explore the various meanings of ASI, ASI Full Form, and their significance in different contexts. Read Other Full Forms The acronym ASI is used in various fields, including law enforcement, archaeology, education, insurance, business, healthcare, technology, and mathematics. Understanding the meaning of ASI in each context is essential in enabling you to make informed decisions and communicate more effectively with professionals in these fields. ASI Full Form ASI has several full forms depending on its usage. Some of the most common full forms of ASI include: - Assistant Sub Inspector (in Indian Police Services) - Archaeological Survey of India - Automated Security Incidents - Analytical Space, Inc. - Average System Interference - Advanced Solutions International, Inc. - American Strategic Insurance - Absolute System Integrity - Air Separation Inc. - Asynchronous Serial Interface - Active Server Interface - Automatic Signal Intensity - Application Specific Instruction - Art Science Interface As you can see, the full forms of ASI vary significantly depending on the field and context. ASI in Law Enforcement History of ASI in Law Enforcement In the Indian Police Services, ASI stands for Assistant Sub Inspector, which is a rank between the Sub Inspector and Head Constable. The position was introduced in 1955 to assist the Sub Inspector in maintaining law and order, preventing and detecting crime, and maintaining records. ASI Responsibilities in Law Enforcement ASI officers are responsible for supervising the work of Head Constables and Constables in the police department. They perform a wide range of tasks, including conducting investigations, collecting evidence, and handling traffic duties. ASI officers are also involved in managing the crowd during events, conducting raids, and ensuring public safety. ASI in Archaeology History of ASI in Archaeology ASI stands for Archaeological Survey of India, a department under the Ministry of Culture in India. The organization was established in 1861 to carry out archaeological research, conserve historical monuments, and promote tourism. The ASI is responsible for conducting excavations and surveys, cataloging and preserving historical sites, and promoting cultural heritage. ASI Responsibilities in Archaeology The ASI is responsible for conducting archaeological excavations and surveys in India to uncover new historical sites and gather more information about existing ones. The organization is also responsible for the conservation of historical monuments, including the repair and restoration of damaged structures. ASI is also responsible for creating awareness about cultural heritage and promoting tourism. ASI in Education ASI can also refer to the Academic Search Index, which is a comprehensive database of academic journals and conference proceedings. The index is used by researchers, students, and educators to find relevant articles and conference proceedings in their fields of study. ASI in Insurance ASI stands for American Strategic Insurance, a property and casualty insurance company based in Florida, USA. The company provides personal and commercial insurance policies, including homeowners, flood, and umbrella insurance. ASI prides itself on providing exceptional customer service, innovative products, and competitive rates to its customers. ASI in Business ASI in business can refer to Advanced Solutions International, a company that provides software solutions for associations, non-profit organizations, and other member-based organizations. ASI offers a range of services, including membership management, online communities, fundraising, and event management. ASI in Healthcare ASI can also stand for Artificial Sphincter Implant, a surgical procedure used to treat urinary incontinence in men. The procedure involves implanting an artificial sphincter in the body that can be inflated or deflated to control the flow of urine. ASI in Technology ASI in technology can refer to Asynchronous Serial Interface, a communication protocol used to transmit data between devices. The protocol is commonly used in computer networking, telecommunications, and industrial automation. ASI in Mathematics ASI in mathematics can refer to Average System Interference, which is a measure of the interference between two or more systems. The concept is commonly used in signal processing and communication theory. ASI in Other Fields Apart from the fields discussed above, ASI can also have other meanings depending on the context. For example, in the field of art and design, ASI can refer to the Art Science Interface, which explores the relationship between art, science, and technology. ASI can also stand for Application Specific Instruction in computer science or Automated Security Incidents in Cybersecurity. In conclusion, ASI is an abbreviation that has different meanings across various fields, including law enforcement, archaeology, education, insurance, business, healthcare, technology, mathematics, and other areas. Understanding the meaning of ASI in each context is essential in enabling effective communication and decision-making. Frequently Asked Questions Q.1 What is the full form of ASI? ASI has several full forms depending on its usage, including Assistant Sub Inspector, Archaeological Survey of India, and American Strategic Insurance. Q.2 What are the responsibilities of ASI officers in law enforcement? ASI officers are responsible for supervising the work of Head Constables and Constables in the police department, conducting investigations, collecting evidence, and handling traffic duties. Q.3 What is the ASI in archaeology? ASI stands for Archaeological Survey of India, a department under the Ministry of Culture in India responsible for conducting excavations and surveys, cataloging and preserving historical sites, and promoting cultural heritage. Q.4 What is the ASI in technology? ASI in technology can refer to Asynchronous Serial Interface, a communication protocol used to transmit data between devices. Q.5 What is ASI in healthcare? ASI in healthcare can refer to Artificial Sphincter Implant, a surgical procedure used to treat urinary incontinence in men.

Nitroglycerin (Molecule of the Month for March 2007) nitroglycerine, trinitroglycerin, glyceryl trinitrate, Nitrospan and Nitrostat Nitroglycerin is a viscous, colorless, oily, explosive liquid obtained by nitrating glycerol. It is used in the manufacture of explosives, specifically dynamite, and as such is employed in the construction and demolition industries, and as a plasticizer in some solid propellants. In medicine, nitroglycerin is used as a heart medication (under the trade names Nitrospan and Nitrostat). It is used as a medicine for angina pectoris. Nitroglycerin was discovered by chemist Ascanio Sobrero in 1847, working under TJ Pelouze at the University of Torino. The best manufacturing process was developed by Alfred Nobel in the 1860s. His company exported a liquid combination of nitroglycerin and gunpowder as 'Swedish Blasting Oil', but it was extremely dangerous as a result of its extreme instability. The liquid was widely banned, and this led to the development of dynamite), by mixing the nitroglycerine with inert or combustible absorbents. In its pure form, it is a contact explosive and degrades over time to even more unstable forms. This makes it highly dangerous to transport or use. In this undiluted form it is one of the most powerful high explosives, comparable to the military explosives RDX, PETN and C-4. Nitroglycerin is prepared by nitration of glycerol (also known as glycerin). In the process, glycerol is slowly tipped into a mix of full concentration nitric acid and sulfuric acid. The mixed acid must be cooled to approximately room temperature before the glycerol is added because they will exotherm (heat up) greatly when combined. A few seconds after mixing, the vessel must be immersed in a jacket of ice water to prevent the exothermic reaction from overheating it, causing nitric acid decomposition or even explosion. If the reaction is successful, the nitroglycerin will form a slightly yellow or straw colored liquid which will float to the top of the acid mix. The mix is then carefully poured into a large container of water. The nitroglycerin will settle to the bottom. Due to the great dangers associated with its production, most commercial nitroglycerin production facilities are in offshore rigs or very remote locations. Formal Chemical Name (IUPAC) Update by Karl Harrison (Molecule of the Month for March 2007 ) All the images on this web site are are made available with a Creative Commons Attribution license and so can be used as long as the attribution © Karl Harrison 3DChem.com is written with the image. High resolution images and illustrations are available on request.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting your floral journey, this comprehensive guide will illuminate the path to successfully planting, growing, and nurturing your Allium bulbs. From the optimal planting times in the fall to the art of deadheading for prolonged blooms, we'll delve into every facet of Allium care. Discover the magic of these stunning flowers as we explore the intricacies of their bloom periods, the choice between pots and the ground, and the nuances of providing them with the ideal care they deserve. Let's embark on a floral adventure together! How should Allium bulbs be planted? To ensure thriving Allium bulbs, select a well-draining site receiving ample sunlight. Plant bulbs in the fall, about 2-3 times their width deep, typically 6-8 inches apart, in a group or individually. Loosen the soil and add organic matter for improved drainage. Position bulbs with their pointed ends upward, covering them gently with soil. Water thoroughly post-planting to settle the soil. Alliums favor slightly alkaline soil and require minimal maintenance. Provide consistent moisture during their growth period, then allow the soil to dry out during dormancy. Mulching can regulate soil temperature. With these steps, your Allium bulbs can flourish vibrantly. Optimal timing for planting Alliums in Fall For optimal growth, plant Allium bulbs in the fall, ideally about 6 to 8 weeks before the ground freezes in your region. Fall planting, typically between September and November, allows the bulbs to establish roots before winter dormancy, ensuring a robust start in the spring. Choose a well-draining location with full sun exposure to foster healthy growth. Plant the bulbs at a depth of approximately three times their diameter, ensuring good soil contact to prevent rotting. Incorporate organic matter like compost for added nutrients. Timing your Allium bulb planting in the fall sets the stage for vibrant blooms in the following spring. Should Allium bulbs be soaked before planting? Preparing Allium bulbs for planting does not require soaking. Alliums prefer well-draining soil and excessive moisture can lead to bulb rot. These bulbs are generally resilient and soaking them is unnecessary. Instead, ensure the planting site is in a sunny area with good drainage. Plant the bulbs in the fall, about 2-3 times the depth of the bulb itself, with the pointed end facing upwards. Water the bulbs after planting to settle the soil but avoid overwatering. This approach helps Allium bulbs establish strong root systems and thrive, without the need for pre-soaking, promoting healthy growth and vibrant blooms. Where to plant Alliums for maximum impact To create stunning visual impact, plant Allium bulbs in areas with well-draining soil and ample sunlight. These striking ornamentals thrive when placed in strategic locations such as borders, rock gardens, or mixed with perennial beds. For a dramatic effect, consider planting them in clusters or drifts to enhance their eye-catching spherical blooms. Alliums complement various garden styles and look exceptional when used as focal points or as part of a diverse flower arrangement. Their tall stalks make them ideal for the backdrop of flower beds, while their vibrant hues add a pop of color to any landscape, ensuring a captivating display. Pots vs. ground When considering where to plant Allium bulbs, both pots and the ground offer unique advantages. Pots provide flexibility, allowing for easy mobility and control over soil conditions. Opt for well-draining soil and a pot deep enough to accommodate bulb growth. Ground planting, however, grants natural soil expansion, enabling larger plant growth and potentially increased flowering. Prioritize well-drained soil and adequate sunlight for successful ground planting. While pots suit smaller spaces and permit better control, ground planting offers natural growth benefits. Ultimately, the choice between pots and ground depends on available space, desired growth size, and the level of control preferred for nurturing Allium bulbs. How to grow Alliums? Growing Alliums, such as ornamental onions, is a rewarding experience. Plant them in well-drained soil, ideally in a sunny spot, during the fall for spring blooms. Dig a hole two to three times deeper than the bulb's height and space them around 6 inches apart, ensuring the pointed end faces up. Cover with soil and water thoroughly. These hardy perennials don't demand much maintenance but benefit from occasional watering during dry spells. After flowering, let the foliage naturally wither to nourish the bulb for the next season. Alliums thrive in USDA Zones 3-9, offering stunning globes of color to gardens, and are excellent for attracting pollinators. Allium bloom period: what to expect Allium bulbs offer a diverse bloom period. Generally, these captivating blooms emerge in late spring to early summer, typically between May and July, depending on the species and environmental conditions. They showcase spherical or star-shaped flowers atop sturdy stems, presenting vibrant hues of purple, pink, white, and blue, enhancing garden landscapes. The bloom duration typically spans two to three weeks, offering a delightful spectacle. To maximize enjoyment, stagger planting times and select different Allium species, ensuring a prolonged flowering season that enchants garden enthusiasts with their unique shapes, sizes, and colors. Ensuring continuous blooms of Alliums To ensure a continuous burst of blooms from your Allium bulbs, consider staggering your planting times. Alliums thrive in well-draining soil and prefer sunny locations. Plant bulbs in the fall, setting them approximately 3 times as deep as the bulb's height. To prolong flowering, choose different Allium varieties with varied bloom times, ensuring a sequential display of colors and shapes throughout the season. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional blooms and prevent seed formation, redirecting the plant's energy towards bulb growth. Regular watering during dry spells and a balanced fertilizer in early spring can support vigorous growth and persistent flowering, ensuring a captivating and prolonged Allium display in your garden. The importance of deadheading Alliums Deadheading Alliums, the process of removing spent flower heads, is crucial for their health and aesthetics. By snipping off faded blooms before they set seeds, energy is redirected from seed production to bulb development, enhancing next season's growth. This practice also prevents self-seeding, which could lead to overcrowding. Furthermore, deadheading encourages the plant to focus on nourishing the bulb, promoting stronger roots and larger blooms in subsequent years. For gardeners, this means more prolific and vigorous displays of these striking flowers. Deadheading not only maintains the plant's vitality but also extends the beauty and lifespan of Alliums in your garden. Duration of Allium blooms: a timeline Allium blooms showcase a fascinating timeline, varying in duration based on the specific variety planted. Typically, these striking ornamental onions bloom in spring or early summer, starting as early as late spring and lasting through early summer, with bloom periods spanning approximately 1-3 weeks. However, the flowering duration can be influenced by factors like the Allium species, environmental conditions, and geographic location. For instance, larger Allium varieties might boast a longer blooming period than smaller ones. Gardeners can anticipate and enjoy the vibrant display of Allium blooms in their gardens during this delightful seasonal window. Number of blooms from one Allium bulb Typically, each Allium bulb produces a single vibrant and spherical flower. This primary bloom, while consisting of numerous tiny flowers, emerges from a solitary bulb. As the Allium matures over time, it has the exceptional capacity to multiply, yielding more bulbs that will, in turn, result in additional blooms. While each bulb initially yields one striking flower, the beauty of Allium lies in its ability to proliferate and create more flowering bulbs, offering an ever-expanding display of its distinctive and captivating blooms in your garden. How to care for Alliums? Alliums require minimal care for stunning results. Plant bulbs in well-draining soil, ensuring a depth approximately three times the bulb's diameter. These hardy perennials thrive in full sun and prefer soil with good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can cause bulb rot. Once planted, water moderately during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Deadheading spent flowers promotes continuous blooming and prevents self-seeding. Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring to encourage healthy growth. After flowering, allow the foliage to wither naturally to nourish the bulb for the next season. With these simple steps, your Alliums will flourish year after year. Winterizing Alliums: can you leave them in the ground? Winterizing Alliums requires some consideration. Allium bulbs are generally hardy and can withstand cold temperatures. In most regions, you can leave Allium bulbs in the ground throughout winter. However, in areas with extremely harsh winters or excessive moisture, it might be advisable to lift and store them. To ensure their survival, consider a protective layer of mulch to insulate the bulbs during frosty weather. This mulch can safeguard against freeze-thaw cycles and temperature fluctuations that may damage the bulbs. For added protection, monitor the soil's drainage to prevent waterlogging, which could potentially rot the bulbs. Ultimately, understanding your local climate is key to deciding whether to leave Allium bulbs in the ground during winter. Do Alliums come back every year? Alliums are perennial bulbs, which means they return and bloom year after year. These striking flowering bulbs typically reappear annually without the need for replanting, making them a low-maintenance addition to gardens. Once planted in well-draining soil during the fall season, these hardy bulbs establish strong root systems before winter sets in. They endure colder climates exceptionally well and often thrive in various soil types and sun conditions. With proper care, such as adequate watering and occasional fertilization, Alliums can reliably re-emerge, delighting with their unique spherical blooms and vibrant colors, bringing joy to your garden each spring and summer. Timing is everything: when to cut back alliums? Timing plays a crucial role in maintaining the vibrant allure of alliums. Once these enchanting flowers have bloomed and begun to fade, it's recommended to wait until the flower heads have dried and withered before cutting them back. This typically occurs in late summer or early fall, depending on your location and the specific variety. By allowing the alliums to complete their natural cycle and the seed heads to dry, you'll ensure the bulb has absorbed the nutrients necessary for next year's growth. After the heads have dried, you can gently snip the stems at ground level, preserving the plant's vitality and encouraging a spectacular display in the following season. The perfect fertilizer recipe for Alliums For vibrant and healthy Alliums, a balanced fertilizer is crucial. Use a granular or liquid fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) of around 5-10-10 or 10-10-10 to support their growth. A slow-release fertilizer applied during the planting phase or early spring aids in establishing strong roots. For established plants, a second application after blooming encourages bulb development. Organic options like compost or well-decomposed manure provide a natural nutrient boost. Remember, moderation is key; avoid excessive nitrogen that might encourage foliage growth at the expense of flower formation.

In the world of film and video production, the terms “film studio” and “production company” are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion about their roles and functions. While both entities play crucial roles in the filmmaking process, they serve distinct purposes. In this article, we will delve into the key differences between a film studio and a production company, shedding light on their respective roles, responsibilities, and contributions to the world of cinema. A film studio is a physical facility equipped with soundstages, backlots, production offices, and other resources necessary for the creation of films. Major film studios often have a rich history, extensive infrastructure, and substantial financial backing. They are known for their large-scale productions and have the capacity to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Film studios own and maintain the physical infrastructure required for filmmaking, including sound stages, production sets, and post-production facilities. A production company, on the other hand, is an entity responsible for the development, financing, and execution of specific film projects. Production companies are often established by producers or filmmakers with a vision for creating compelling stories and visual experiences. They work on a project-by-project basis and collaborate with various stakeholders, such as directors, writers, actors, and crew members, to bring the film to life. Production companies handle the logistics, budgeting, hiring of cast and crew, and overall management of the production process. Roles and Responsibilities - Owns and operates physical facilities for film production. - Provides the necessary infrastructure, such as sound stages and post-production facilities. - May have its own distribution and marketing departments. - Often has a slate of projects and oversees their production from start to finish. - Engages in both in-house productions and co-productions with external production companies. - Develops film projects, including acquiring scripts or intellectual properties. - Secures financing for the production through various sources, including investors, studios, or distributors. - Assembles the creative team, including the director, cast, and crew. - Oversees the entire production process, including budget management and scheduling. - Collaborates with the film studio for accessing necessary resources, such as production facilities and equipment. - May handle the film’s marketing and distribution or partner with a distributor for these aspects. Collaboration between Film Studios and Production Companies Film studios and production companies often collaborate to bring a film project to fruition. Production companies may partner with a film studio to access the studio’s resources, facilities, and distribution network. This collaboration allows production companies to leverage the studio’s infrastructure while retaining creative control over the project. The film studio benefits from the partnership by having a diverse slate of projects and sharing the financial risks associated with film production. Examples and Industry Dynamics The film industry is characterised by a complex ecosystem of film studios and production companies. Major film studios like Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and Disney own extensive infrastructure and have a rich history of producing blockbuster films. Production companies, on the other hand, range from independent entities specialising in niche or art-house films to larger companies that work on mainstream projects. While the terms “film studio” and “production company” are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct entities in the world of film and video production. Film studios own and operate physical facilities for filmmaking and often oversee a slate of projects. Production companies, on the other hand, focus on the development and execution of individual film projects, handling the logistics and creative aspects of production. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of film studios and production companies is essential for aspiring filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts, as it sheds light on the intricate dynamics involved in bringing captivating stories to the silver screen. We’re here to help… If you have any questions please send us a message. We’d love to hear from you. Maybe we can make your next video production extra tasty:)

Pompeii, a Roman city from the 1st century AD, has achieved fame worldwide as a consequence of being buried under layers of lava pebbles, three types of pumice, and various types of ash in all about 4m/12 ft in depth due to a massive explosion of nearby Mount Vesuvius at around midday on or about October 24th., AD79. This entombed about 2000 people in the city, more in the nearby town of Herculaneum, with countless thousands of others dying in the surrounding countryside. This was the most catastrophic natural disaster ever recorded in European history. After the explosion, the town was forgotten until rediscovered in the 18th century. In 1860 the Italian government appointed a professional archaeologist to oversee excavations which are still in process today. To sum up the horrific deaths to thousands of the city's occupants caused by searing heat and suffocation is offset by the unique window this event has provided into a snapshot in time of a provincial city during the 'golden era' of the Roman Empire. This World Heritage Site is located in the Campania region of southern Italy, near the coast of the Bay of Naples. Below is a portfolio of images taken in course of a one day, escorted tour of the site. Amphitheatre: Built on outskirts of Pompeii in 80 BC. Antiquarium: Repository of artefacts found during excavations.Note cast of body killed in the explosion. Water fountain in Via dell'Abbondanza, Pompeii's main thoroughfare. Erotic image to welcome clients to the lupanarae or 'house of pleasure'. Fast food (or street food) outlet.

Antibiotic deaths, Italy first in Europe: whose fault is it? The bacteria are getting stronger and the fault is partly ours: the resistance to antibiotics is due to an immoderate use of the drugs that is making them ineffective and not only in humans. The problem of antibiotic resistance of many pathogens is certainly not a new topic, just look at the case in Tuscany ofNew Delhi enzyme but the data gets worse every year. Uno studio of 2016 estimated that deaths caused by antibiotic resistance will reach ten million in 2050, widely exceeding deaths from cancer (about eight million) and diabetes (about one and a half million). For the World Health Organization, the problem is not bacteria that become stronger than drugs, because it is a phenomenon that exists even in nature, but it is precisely the incorrect use of drugs that worsens the situation. Patients have increasingly long stays, the costs of the national health system are increasing and 33.000 out of four million people affected by infections in Europe alone. In Italy, unfortunately, we have a double negative record: the highest number of deaths per year due to infections by drug-resistant bacteria and the greater use of antibiotics. There is talk of about 10.000 deaths in a year, numbers that go hand in hand with the high consumption of antibiotics: about 25,5 doses per day per thousand inhabitants. The causes of this abuse can be found in inappropriate medical prescriptions or in reckless use of consumers who use antibiotics for flu, colds or gastritis that are caused by viruses. Antibiotic resistance: how to counter it On January 18, 2019, the Ministry of Health issued the new protocol, Sentinel surveillance system of antibiotic resistance, which is part of the "National plan to combat antimicrobial resistance". Thanks to this protocol it will be possible to monitor and update data on drug-resistant pathogens with a collaboration between the State and the Regions. Antibiotic resistance not only in humans. The increasing demand for meat leads farmers to administer large quantities of antibiotics to allow faster and healthier growth of animals on farms. The problem is more prevalent in farms in low and middle income countries as published in one studio su Science. This abuse of drugs allows farmers to respond to the increasingly high demand for meat but also brings with it negated effects. In fact, as is happening in humans, also for animals, especially in chickens and pigs, bacteria with antibiotic resistance have increased. The study highlights which regions are most threatened, indicating where to intervene with strategies to recalibrate antibiotics. The areas that most present this problem are: Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Brazil, India, the Red River delta in Vietnam, the Nile delta, Mexico City and Johannesburg.

A long-awaited increase in energy-efficiency requirements for new homes is part of revised Australian construction standards taking effect on May 1. All new homes must achieve a minimum 7-star whole-of-home energy rating from October, following a six-month transition period. It’s a crucial step in responding to the climate crisis and decarbonising Australian society. It will also make our homes more affordable and comfortable to live in, and improve our health and wellbeing. These regulations affect the roughly 150,000 new homes built each year across Australia. But what about the other 10.8 million homes we’re already living in? Any transition towards a low-carbon future must include big improvements to existing housing. Housing accounts for around 24% of overall electricity use and 12% of carbon emissions in Australia. As a nation we spend at least as much on renovations and retrofits as on building new housing. Upgrading the energy performance of existing homes should get at least as much attention as new homes to help make the transition to low-carbon living. How do you know if a home’s a lemon? When buying an appliance or a car we can see how much energy it will use and how much it will cost to run. We can then compare options and improve our decision-making. We also have rights if our purchase doesn’t perform as described. Australia doesn’t have a specific “lemon law” like the United States. Nonetheless, a raft of laws protect buyers of both new and used vehicles. Yet when it comes to our biggest and most important buying decision – buying or renting a home – we have a right to precisely nothing in terms of information on its energy efficiency and readiness for a sustainable future. What little information is provided is often misleading. Energy performance must be disclosed in other countries Housing energy rating schemes are used worldwide. These schemes rate and compare the energy use of housing to help people decide what they will rent and buy. Energy ratings are important. They tell us how much we are likely to spend on essential activities such as heating and cooling our homes. Amid a cost-of-living crisis, including soaring energy prices, this matters to all Australians, particularly those doing it tough. Australia had a world-leading housing energy rating scheme when it was adopted in the ACT in 2003. Since then progress has stalled on a national scheme similar to those established globally in recent decades. Energy ratings also reveal the underlying condition of our housing. Housing in Australia built before the early 2000s typically has only a 1-3 star energy rating. That level of performance more than doubles its energy bills and emissions compared to a new home. People looking to buy or rent could avoid the housing equivalent of a lemon if we had a national scheme that requires a standard, independently verified energy performance assessment be made available to them. This would create an incentive for sellers and landlords to improve the energy performance of housing. It would also give policymakers a national picture of where retrofit schemes could best be targeted to meet our emission-reduction commitments. What are the prospects for such a scheme? Discussions are taking place in Australia about introducing a requirement for households to obtain some sort of energy or sustainability rating on their dwelling, potentially at point of sale or lease. A similar requirement is in place in other locations like Europe, the United Kingdom and even the ACT. We have the resources and knowledge to establish a robust system that is: accurate and holistic, robust and consistent, applied and clear, transparent and adaptive. The benefits of such a scheme include: encouraging energy-efficient retrofits of existing homes for the health and comfort of Australians supporting social equity between people living in older homes and those in newer homes, and particularly for renters and low-income households giving Australians a better understanding of the houses they rent or buy, in the same way they choose their appliances reducing emissions from housing to help achieve the target of net-zero emissions providing information to inform and develop policies for existing homes that then align with policies for new homes. The key is not to do a cheap job on this. That would waste the effort, time and money we put into retrofitting homes, and risk us missing our climate commitments. It would also mean our most vulnerable households would find it even more difficult to access decent, energy-efficient housing. Doing a proper job means we will all have access to independent verified information. It will help fix market failures and provide peace of mind about the places we live, with the potential to upgrade them reliably and cost-effectively.

How do you extract anthocyanin from plants? This is the classical method of extracting anthocyanins from plant materials. This procedure involves maceration or soaking of the plant material in methanol containing a small concentration of mineral acid (e.g., HCl). Methanol extraction is a rapid, easy, and efficient method for anthocyanin extraction. How do you extract anthocyanins from flowers? The extraction of anthocyanins was carried out according to the method described by Longo and Giuseppe. 11 After the detection of anthocyanins in the flowers, the extraction was made by maceration of 2.5 g of the flowers in 12.5 ml of 0.1 % HCl /methanol (v/v) solution for 20 hours at room temperature, in dark. What solvent is used to extract anthocyanins? Traditionally, organic solvents such as absolute methanol, ethanol, and acetone have been used to extract anthocyanins . What leaves contain anthocyanins? Anthocyanins were observed in almost all combinations of every leaf tissue, but were most commonly located in the vacuoles of photosynthetic cells. Red leaves contained two anthocyanins (Cy‐3‐glc and Cy‐3‐gal), epicuticular flavones, epidermal flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, chlorophylls, and carotenoids. How do you purify anthocyanins? Anthocyanins are extracted from potato tubers using aqueous ethanol. Purification of the anthocyanins is done efficiently using XAD-7HP as adsorbent. Adsorption removes practically all impurities from the extracts. The process can be easily scaled up and thus used on a larger scale. How do you extract anthocyanin from eggplant? To extract the anthocyanins from the eggplant peels with the SLE method, two different EtOH concen- trations (70% and 96%) acidified with 1N hydrochloric acid (HCl) were used. The EtOH was chosen due to the recovery rate of the phenolic compounds, its nontoxicity, and its suitability for polar compounds. How do you extract anthocyanin from red cabbage? - Cut the red cabbage and add to a large bowl. - Cover with distilled water and bring to a boil. - Reduce heat and leave to simmer for 30 minutes until you get a rich purple extraction. - Remove from heat and strain through a sieve. - Put the cabbage water back on the heat and simmer until it is greatly reduced. How do you extract anthocyanins from blueberries? Blueberry anthocyanins were extracted by adding 100 mg of fresh blueberries, which had been lyophilized and ground, and 1 mL of extraction solvent into a 1.5-mL micro-centrifuge tube. The sample was vortexed at high speed and left undisturbed for 1 h. How do you extract anthocyanin from blueberries? How is anthocyanin produced? Biosynthesis of anthocyanins in plants Anthocyanins in plants are synthesized via the general flavonoid pathway, whereby three molecules of malonyl-CoA and one molecule of 4-coumaroyl-CoA derived from phenylalanine or tyrosine are condensed by the key enzyme chalcone synthase (CHS) to form naringenin chalcone (Fig. What is the function of anthocyanin in leaves? Anthocyanins are a group of polyphenolic pigments that are ubiquitously found in the plant kingdom. In plants, anthocyanins play a role not only in reproduction, by attracting pollinators and seed dispersers, but also in protection against various abiotic and biotic stresses. Are eggplants anthocyanins? The total anthocyanin contents in fresh eggplant peel from 4 batches were 0.45–3.13 mg/g. Previous work reported that the total anthocyanin content in fresh purple eggplant and black eggplant peel was 2.1 and 3.9 mg/g, respectively (Yong et al., 2019). How do you extract anthocyanin from red grapes? Grape anthocyanins are traditionally extracted with methanol, ethanol, acetone, or their aqueous mixtures. In most cases, the solvents are acidified with HCl or various organic acids, e.g. formic, ace- tic, or trifluoroacetic acids in different concentra- tions. How much anthocyanin is in red cabbage? Red cabbage has 90.5 mg anthocyanin /100 gm on fresh weights. How do you test for anthocyanins? Test for Anthocyanins The presence of anthocyanins has been demonstrated by adding 2 mL of the plant extract with 2 mL of 2 N HCl. The appearance of a pink-red color that turns purplish blue after addition of ammonia indicates the presence anthocyanins. How do you identify anthocyanins? Anthocyanins are generally extracted with weakly acidified alcohol-based solvents, followed by concentration (under vacuum), and purification of the pigments. Paper and/or thin-layer chromatography and UV-Vis spectroscopy have traditionally been used for the identification of anthocyanins. How do you extract blueberries? Add the berries, beans and the vodka to a 16oz glass jar. Remove the blueberries using a strainer after 4-8 weeks, depending on taste. Leave the vanilla beans in the jar in a cool dark place for up to 12 months. Strain and enjoy! How is anthocyanin formed? Anthocyanins are frequently produced when photo-synthetic activity at the site of eventual pigmentation is diminished through seasonal changes or various kinds of injuries to the plant (mechanical, fungus disease, etc.). Is anthocyanin an acid or base? Anthocyanins Are Weak Diacids. Due to conjugation with the electron-withdrawing pyrylium ring, the phenolic OH groups of the flavylium ion at C4′, C5, and C7 are fairly acidic [1,2]. How do you extract anthocyanins? The extraction of anthocyanins is commonly carried out under cold conditions using methanol or ethanol containing a small amount of acid in order to obtain the flavylium cation form, which is red and stable in a highly acid medium (Du and Francis, 1973; Amor and Allaf, 2009). Where can anthocyanins be found? They are found in vegetables and fruit such as beetroot, red cabbage, sweet potato, blackberries, blueberries, red onion and many more. The brightly coloured plants you see around you, will likely contain anthocyanins as well as other colourful pigments. How long does it take for anthocyanins to adsorb? It can be observed from figure that for all the adsorbents, the adsorption capacity for anthocyanins increased with an increase in contact time before reaching the equilibrium. The equilibrium time (25 ± 2 °C) of anthocyanins was found to be about 15 min for all the resins. Are anthocyanins a challenge to work with in natural cosmetic products? Anthocyanins are known to be a challenge to work with in natural cosmetic products as they are not particularly light, heat, pH or oxygen stable, but they are intriguing. Despite the challenges, I wanted to do an extract of red cabbage, just to see how it turned out.

Benzene exposure to workers during tunnelling As part of upgrades to the Belfast wastewater and sewers infrastructure, a main tunnel was under construction on the site of a former gas works. Soil samples had indicated the presence of various volatile organic chemicals, of which benzene was the major component. Initial monitoring (using both air and biological sampling) showed that benzene exposure was being well controlled; however, benzene levels began to rise rapidly and went well in excess of the UK workplace exposure limit. This corresponded with a rise in temperature (early May) - workers were complaining about the heat and were sweating profusely inside their suits. A small number exhibited signs of what was believed to be heat Benzene is a highly flammable liquid which also has some health effects. It occurs naturally in crude oil, natural gas and some ground waters and is also present in crude oil vapours. It can get into the body by inhalation, absorption or ingestion. The effects of benzene exposure can include: headaches, tiredness, nausea, dizziness and unconsciousness if exposure is very high (thousands of ppm). Long-term exposure to lower concentrations of benzene can result in bone marrow suppression leading to serious blood disorders such as anaemia, forms of leukaemia and other cancers of the white blood cells. Employers have requirements under The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) to assess and control worker exposure to benzene. HSE measured a specific metabolite of benzene called S-phenyl mercapturic acid (SPMA) in urine samples from exposed workers. A guidance value (equivalent to an 8-hour exposure at the workplace exposure limit) allowed us to interpret the results. In response to the high temperatures, workers had been provided with additional bottled water. However, the subsequent series of biological monitoring results showed significant benzene exposure with 20% of samples exceeding the guidance value for urinary SPMA - in the worst case by over 10-fold. On investigation, it was found that, due to the heat and the need to drink water more frequently, workers had been removing their PPE in the tunnel during work, when leaving the tunnel at break times, and at the end of their shifts. Some also reported taking off their respirators to answer their mobile phones. A decision was taken to stop working and during this time a chiller was installed to improve working comfort. PPE was upgraded and changes were made to working practice. Work resumed with at least weekly biological monitoring. Prompt analysis and reporting of the results allowed site management to quickly intervene if biological monitoring indicated a loss of exposure control. Following these improvements, a dramatic reduction in SPMA levels was seen, with only three results out of 432 (0.7%) exceeding the guidance value. This case study illustrates the value of biological monitoring in situations where control of exposure primarily relies on RPE and other PPE. Although air monitoring had identified 'hot spots' of benzene contamination, the intermittent nature of these and the extensive use of PPE meant that it was not sufficient to assess the risk of exposure. Biological monitoring was able to give an integrated measurement of actual systemic exposure (despite the PPE) and highlight issues with both the PPE and its use. Furthermore, since biological samples are specific to an individual, it enabled any human factors issues that might influence exposure control to be identified. The improvements to control measures and working practice, made in light of the elevated biological monitoring results, resulted in significant reductions in worker exposure to benzene. Biological monitoring enabled the job to be completed whilst giving continued assurance that the workforce was not being exposed to potentially hazardous levels of benzene. With thanks to McCallum Safety & Health. View more examples of our work in this Back to the top

If you turn to Section 250.122 in your NEC, you find information that has assisted electricians sizing equipment grounding conductors (EGC) for longer than most electricians have even been twisting wire.If you were on the job in 1968, you would have turned to Table 250.95 in your NEC for this information instead of Table 250.122, but the information was essentially the same.In 1968 you also would have found that an ungrounded (hot) branch circuit conductor protected by a 6000-amp overcurrent device required no less than a 1200 kcmil aluminum equipment grounding conductor… assuming you were using an aluminum equipment grounding conductor. That information remained unchanged for 50 years. But as the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end.” In this 2020 Code cycle a new Informational Note now accompanies the term Grounded Conductor where it is defined in Article 100. The Note has been added to help electricians identify functional differences between Grounded and Grounding Conductors. In defense of all who have struggled with these terms in the past, both grounded conductors and grounding conductors are in fact grounded. They just have different jobs. The Isolated Ground (IG) is a type of equipment ground that, in theory, reduces interference experienced by electronics and instrumentation from radio frequency (RF) noise, by connecting that equipment directly to the grounding terminal of the service equipment, without ever making contact with another metal component or grounded surface, that could potentially be serving as an antenna for airborne RF noise.

Název: Diocletian and Maximian and the Agri Decumates Zdrojový dokument: Graeco-Latina Brunensia. 2022, roč. 27, č. 1, s. 19-28 ISSN1803-7402 (print)2336-4424 (online) Upozornění: Tyto citace jsou generovány automaticky. Nemusí být zcela správně podle citačních pravidel. This article deals with the question of Roman control of the Agri Decumates in the age of the Tetrarchy, summing up its history from the 260s and particularly focusing on the campaign of Diocletian and Maximian in 288. The fate of the Agri Decumates is compared to the fate of the old Roman Dacia, which was abandoned by the Romans in about 271 to become a theatre of operations for Emperor Constantine in the 330s. Although Diocletian and Maximian may have achieved some success in their campaign, it appears to have been short-lived and comparable to what Constantine achieved, or rather failed to achieve, in Dacia.

Universal Access Program Universal access refers to a Universal Access Policy (UAP) that the Minister responsible for telecommunications must develop for improving access to telecommunications service for locations which are not or not adequately served by existing services. This UAP was developed and passed by the Council of Ministers on 4 November 2013. You can read more on these programs, and they can be viewed/downloaded via the links below: Using Multimedia in the Classroom The materials used in this Guide have been taken from different sources including Internet resources. They should be used purely for the purposes of teacher development and empowerment, and not for any commercial purposes. The Guide should be used only for developing and implementing teacher education activities in Samoa. It can be downloaded below:

Follow Along as NOAA Clears the Waters of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands OCTOBER 8, 2014 -- Turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, white sand beaches—this is often what we think of when we think about far-off islands in the Pacific Ocean. But even the furthest reaches of wilderness, such as the tropical reefs, islands, and atolls of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, which are hundreds of miles from the main Hawaiian archipelago, can be polluted by human influence. In these shallow waters, roughly 52 tons of plastic fishing nets wash up on coral reefs and shorelines each year. For nearly two decades, NOAA has been leading an annual mission to clean up these old nets that can smother corals and entangle marine life, including endangered Hawaiian monk seals. This year, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has two staff—Dianna Parker and Kyle Koyanagi—joining the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center scientists and divers on board the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette to document this effort. You can follow their journey to remove nets from five areas in the marine monument: - Their first big stop was at Maro Reef, where in the first two days intrepid divers removed more than 8,000 pounds of fishing nets from the largest coral reef in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and after six days of work, have increased that to more than 15 tons (14 metric tons). - Learn about the highly trained marine debris divers who—with the help of GIS mapping technology but without SCUBA gear—scope out and haul up thousands of pounds of nets, which are often covered in varying degrees of algae and other marine life, while trying to avoid being caught in the nets themselves. - Find out how this marine debris mission got a recent boost after an unfortunate mishap left a NOAA-chartered vessel grounded on coral on Pearl and Hermes Atoll. - Get the scoop on the mission’s origins, the cultural and natural gems of this marine monument, and where all of those fishing nets come from. - And finally discover where your lost flip flop has been … on an atoll 1,200 miles from the nearest city. You can keep track of all things related to this expedition on the NOAA Marine Debris Program website.

Sri Lankan Star Tortoise has Black shell color with yellow lines radiating out of the scutes. These pretty species are a high domed tortoise, with males normally quite a bit smaller than the taller, rounder, wide females. Skin color is yellow. Some amount of pyramiding (where the centers of the scutes on the shell are raised, making the Sri Lankan Star Tortoise look bumpy) is seen in some wild star tortoises – likely the ones from lower humidity areas. Sri Lankan star tortoises average slightly larger than standard Indian stars, and show more yellow radiating lines on their shells. Hot climates. Humidity is ok for them, but the cage and substrate should not be wet. They do not hibernate, but will go through a winter slow down period during cooler weather and shortened daylengths. As adults, they can safely handle body temperatures as low as 50 degrees at night as long as they are able to heat up into the 70’s during the day. Summer highs up to 120 degrees can be tolerated as long as there is a cooler, shaded retreat the tortoise can get into. Dampness is not a problem in high temperatures (a cool mud hole on a hot day), but in cooler weather the tortoises should be kept dry. Sri Lankan Star Tortoise has Black shell color with yellow lines radiating out of the scutes. These pretty species are a high domed tortoise, with males normally is naturally a grazer, and will wander about nibbling on grass the majority of its natural life. In captivity, star tortoises will graze on grasses as well as leafy weeds and clover (dandelions are a favorite). As babies, we focus more on feeding them a wide mix of leafy greens (spring mix), since they have a harder time eating the more tough grass. Vegetables can be added to the diet for variety, but fruit should generally be avoided. Adult Behavior of Sri Lankan Star Tortoise: Adult star tortoises are peaceful, slow moving tortoises. They are un-aggressive towards eachother in most cases, and do little damage to their environment (little or no digging or burrowing). Some individuals can be skittish if spooked, but most will eagerly come to their keepers looking for food once they are comfortable in their environments. They are not very good climbers and make little attempt to escape, so a short, basic wall will contain most of these tortoises. Our Current Care of Sri Lankan Star Tortoise: During cooler weather or indoors, these tortoises are kept indoors on a cypress and/or coco coir substrate with a humid hidebox that they can get into at night. We raise them in cheap, simple plastic tubs that can be purchased at WalMart or Target, generally 3 to 4 square feet in size for babies. Temperatures in the room fluctuate between 75 at night up to 85 during the day, but we keep the hidebox heated to around 80-85 at night with a heat pad beind it, or a red bulb placed overhead (we keep babies at 80 degrees minimum for their first 6-12 months of life). Diet consists of spring mix greens with many other leafy greens offered in rotation to that (mulberry, endive, grape leaves, hibiscus leaves, diced cactus pad and we use globe mallow leaves pretty regularly). We like to also add moistened Mazuri LS tortoise diet as well as ZooMed’s Gourmet Tortoise Food a few times a week, usually mixed and mashed into the leafy greens. The addition of the commercial diets take care of most or all of the supplementation needs, or you can sprinkle the food lightly with a calcium supplement 2 or 3 times a week and a multivitamin supplement 1-2 times a week. We also throw a pinch of our herbal hay on top of whatever they are eating almost daily, which adds variety and flavor and scent to everything. The tortoises are removed from their enclosure and soaked in a separate 1/4″ deep pan of warm water daily or almost daily for 30 minutes each time. We don’t generally use water dishes in the enclosures because of the risk of drowning (yes, we have lost babies to drowning when they flipped over in 1/4″ of water). Being a desert species, they should have intense lighting, and they need lights on during the day and off at night to maintain a normal day/night cycle. We use full spectrum UVB lights, which we suggest for the growth of pretty, healthy tortoises, and use a ZooMed Powersun bulb in a small part of the enclosure to give them a “hot spot” around 95-100 degrees that they can get into if they want to warm up. We don’t use the “closed chamber” method (keeping airflow very restricted to increase humidity to the point that clouds form in the enclosure). It is very risky if/when temperatures get below about 80, and mold, shell rot, and respiratory problems become a lot more common in those conditions. We keep them open top in the warm area, and enclosed, warm and humid within the hide (like they would be in the wild). They are free to choose the conditions, temperatures, and humidity levels they want within that setup.

Updated February 20, 2023 Introduction to Logo in Maya Logo created in Maya software is used in a variety of applications such as television programs, animated films, 3D cinematics. In this article, we will make a logo from the outline of the logo already created. We can use curve tools in Maya to create the outline, but we can make it more efficient in vector creating programs like illustrator. So, in this article, we will create a Subway logo. For the outline, we will need a .eps (encapsulated postscript) file, which can be created in any vector-based application. For our purpose to get started, we will use a .eps file from the following link: https://www.brandsoftheworld.com/… How to Create a Logo in Maya? The following steps help us to create a logo in Maya software in a step by step manner: Step 1: After downloading the file from the link, the first step is to import the file. Go to File and Import. Step 2: Then select the downloaded .eps file and click import (If you do not find your file, then select eps in the files of type dropdown). Step 3: A transform1 will be imported along with the curves. You can see it in Windows and outliner. Then we will create a new layer by selecting all and call it curves. Step 4: Then, we will create a bevel plus by selecting Surface, then Bevel Plus and set bevel width to 0 in the options. Step 5: We will repeat the same procedure for the letter U, W, and Y. You can follow the same procedure above for those letters, or if you want a shortcut hit hotkey “G” this will repeat the previous command with the selected options. Step 6: For letters B and A, we have to select the inner curves before using bevel plus, as shown below. Step 7: Now go to the top view and align all the letters and curves to the grid as shown. You can eyeball it or press hotkey “X” to align the pivot the axis precisely. Also, look at the front view if they are aligned with the curves. Step 8: Now, select the curve which surrounds the text and create a bevel plus. Step 9: Now select all the letters except curves and create a new layer named Letter so we can hide the curves and apply textures and materials to the letter layer. Material and Textures Step 10: Now, we will assign a lambert material to letter s and name it white. As we will assign white to sub, yellow to way and green to background. Step 11: After assigning all the materials, we will get the following output. Step 12: At this point, we will hide the curves as we will not need them anymore by clicking the V, which will toggle the curves. Step 13: Now, we have created all the basic shapes and materials. We will now create a background plane on which this logo will rest and create appropriate lighting for the rendering. Step 14: Go to the poly modeling shelf and select the plane tool. Step 15: Now we have to tweak its input, so go to channel box / Layer editor, and in the inputs, select polyPlane1. Here set the width and height to 10 and the subdivisions to 10. Also, set the scale in x, y, z direction to 40. Step 16: Now, we will deform the plane by adding a nonlinear bend deform by going in the deform menu. If you cannot see the deformer handle, make sure that the viewport Show > Deformer is on. Step 17: After adding the deformed, set the following properties. Mainly the rotation and curvature are set to get the desired effect. Step 18: Then delete the history of the plane so we can adjust its transform; alternatively, we can also press Alt + Shift + D after finalizing to remove the history. Step 19: After creating the plane, put it on a separate layer and call it as “Background”, and make it as a reference, so we do not accidentally select it and also assign a darker lambert material. Lighting and Rendering Step 20: Since we have completed the design, materials and texturing now, before rendering, we have to add some lights to our scene. To Illuminate our logo, we will use 3-point lights and then render using Arnold renderer in Maya. Create then Light and Point Light. Step 21: As shown, we have selected point light for which color and intensity can be set. - While rendering, we will use light from all three sources but depending on the angle of render; we will set the shadow. Since we are using 3-point light at a time, we will enable shadow from only one light source. To disable shadows, go to the Arnold section in the pointLightShape tab and disable Cast Shadows and Cast Volumetric Shadows. Step 22: Now our light is set up, so we can now do rendering with Arnold renderer. - If you cannot see the Arnold menu, then you can enable it from Windows and Settings/Preferences then Plugin Manager. Enable mtoa.mll and select autoload if you want to load it at the startup of Maya. Now let’s look at some of the settings which are specific to Arnold Renderer. - Sampling: Higher the value of sampling, the lower is the noise in the images. But increasing sampling also increase render time as you gain more quality. - Ray Depth: It specifies the ray recursion and its properties like diffuse, specular, transmission, volume and transparency depth. Higher value increase renders time. - GPU Settings: You can select render device, whether it is GPU or CPU. Though GPU rendering is faster than CPU rendering in CPU, you have more fine-tuning options. The above-given options are few options to get started in rendering; refer to Click Here for more information. Step 23: For rendering, we will create a new camera, so if we make any changes in our perspective view, then rendering will not be affected. Step 24: In the bottom-right view, we selected our RenderingCamera and enabled the resolution gate, which shows our render resolution and the bounding limit. Step 25: To render, select Arnold and Open Render View. In the dropdown, select the rendering camera instead of the perspective camera and keep the ratio 1:1 This is a guide to Logo in Maya. Here we discuss the Introduction and how to create a logo in Maya and rendering the logo with Arnold renderer. You can also go through our other related articles to learn more –

Unit 1 The Travel and Tourism Sector Assignment Copy 2 LO 3. Understand the effects of supply and demand on the travel and tourism sector 3.1- Explain factors affecting tourism demand Tourism is perfectly demand oriented. There are few factors those use to influence the demand for the tourism and the purchasing behaviour of eh travellers for the tourism destination in an effective manner. The demand for the tourism is highly dominated by the external competitive forces as below: Disposable income of the customers: The economic state of any nation along with the disposable income of the population is directly linked with the dean for the tourism designations. It is the most important aspect that is considered by the mass population of the global market for the selection of the tourism destination being within their budget(Tourism Alliance, 2015). During the recession time, the disposable income use to get decrease, as well the tourism demand also use to get fall. The stable disposable income can be observed for UK, thus, the speeding on the tourism also has been increased as below; Also in the year the arrivals of the International tourists for the worldwide tourism destinations has been mentioned as below: Thus, with the average increase in the disposable income, the demand for the travel and the tourism also has been increased(UNWTO, 2015). Advanced technology usage: Wit the advancements of the technologies, the better communication, transport, and other supports use to influence the selection of the tourism destination in an effective manner. The online booking is the major aspect in this section. The hassle free technology usage in the travel and the tourism industry use to attract the attention of the population. The digital travel sales in the worldwide travel market has been described as below: - Change in preference: The change in preferences and the taste of the customersalso use to influence the tourism demand in an effective manner. The market trend of the tourism market is ever changing with the available options for the competitors and also sue to the usage of technologies(Emarketer, 2015). So, it is required to consider the consumer reference before the section of the offerings for the overall travel and the tourism sector. - Time availability: The time availability also is the most important section from the busy schedule of the mass population of the world market from their personal & professional life. The world population use to get the less leisure time with their familymembers. But, still, there are other modes ofthe tourism demand in the form of the official meet and the official tour purpose(Emarketer, 2015). - Cost of the complementary goods: The cost of the complementary goods associated with the travel and the tourisms sector also is another determinant fact for the demand. If the cost will rise, thedemand simultaneously use to fall.Other than that the natural disaster the tours attack also are the influencingfact for the tourismdemand in an effective manner. 3.2- Explain how supply has changed at TUI Group to meet the effects of demand TUI group has the effective global supply chain to meet up the demand of the tourism industry (TUI, 2016). The aim of the organisation is to extend the reach of the sustainability to all the suppliers and also to monitor their progress in aneffective manner. The process to manage the supply to meet the demand of the tourism are as below: - Offering the environmental sustainability by involving the community during the development stage of the hotels ad destinations, Consult with the TUI travel sustainability manager, protection of the roomsfrom the sunlight radiation , maintain the greenery are the important steps done by TUI and itssuppliers to meet the change in the taste and preferences of thecustomers(TUI, 2015). - Setting the minimum standards to thes uppliers by developing the sustainability certificate schemes for the supers also use to boost up the continuous improvement of the supers with their suppliers to meet the change in the demand of the mass population(TUI, 2015). - The rewarding process to the suppliers as the “Environment champion also boost up the suppliers to deliver their set in offering the goods and the services to thecustomers. - The animal welfare to attractmorecustomers to the wild life also is maintained by the suppliers of TUI(TUI, 2015). - Offering trainingand development skills to the suppliers also use to facilitate the maximum effort delivery by the suppliers. - Thetravel foundations tools are also used by the supers such as: Green accommodation tool, communication tool, sustainable tourism policy tool, water and energy tool so that more customers will beattractedtowardsthe travel group to avail their services. LO 4. Understand the impacts of tourism 4.1 – Evaluate the main positive and negative economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism with reference to TUI Group businesses - Economic impact: The economic condition of Spain is booming. The economic condition of Spain has grown by 3.2 percent in 2015 than 2014 and it is expected to end by 2.7 percent more by the end of the year 2016 (Forbes, 2016). Thus, the positive impact on the travel and tourism in TUI can be expected in an effective manner. - Social impact: The technological advancements and the choice of the population of Spain towards the leisure destinations also is considered to be the expected positive impact on the TUI business operations. The travel and the tourism investment by Spain in the year 2014 was EUR 13.5bn and it is expected to get rise by 3.5 percent Pa. Thus, the positive social attachment and the good development of the economic condition can be observed (WTT, 2015). - Environmental impact: It has been declared by the OECD environment program that still Spain need to developtheirenvironment conservation policesthat the green accommodation aim by TUI can be maintained. Thus, the less attention for theenvironmentalaspects can be observed in the TUI business operations. So, TUI has to work withthose fact to attract more customers to avail their sustainableenvironment friendly travel atmosphere. - Economic impact: The economic condition of Egypt is the highly focused centralized economy to have the positive impact on the Travel and Tourism business environment like TUI group. But, as per the latest situation, the expected to slow down to 3.3 percent by the end of the year 2016. Thus, it is expected to have a little negative impact on the inbound tourism of the country in an effective manner(Worldbank, 2016). Thus, TUI group is required to have a strategic plan to cope up with the economic situation. - Social impact:Due to the instability of the Egypt, the rate of the visitors have been declined. Due to this impact of the Egyptian revolution, the revenue earned by the travel and the Tourism has been declined from £250 million in 2010 to £10.5 million in the year 2014 (Dailymail, 2014). - Environmental impact: the soil loss, air pollution, and the urban growth have been resulted to the negative impact of the environmentalcondition on TUI group as well as the other travel and the tourism industryin a negative manner. Thus, TUI group should focus on the green environmental aspect so that they will be able to attar ore customers towards them. 4.2 - Explain strategies that can be used to minimise the negative impacts while maximising the positive impacts TUI Group businesses To focus on the environmental aspect, the strategic step taken by TUI group is the usage of the carbon footprint. This carbon footprint can be used for the making of the fuel reduction in an effective manner. They use to take three basic steps as the strategic move as below to cope up with the positive and the negative environmental impacts in their distinctive operating country. - Step lightly: Reduction of the environmental impacts of the holiday’s trough their own operations of the energy conservation. This can be done using the carbon footprint, using the recycled material, conservation of the water sources with the recycling options, and others. They are expecting that with the move of using the most carbon efficient airlines and the carbon intensity through their operations, they will be able to make the reduction in the pollution by 10 percent by 2020. - Making a difference: Creating the positive change for the people and the communities through their strong value chain will be able to make them efficient to make a difference. They have planned to deliver 10 million “Greener and faire” holidays per year by 2020. This will also make the local communities able to share the benefits of the holiday. This will make the local people feel valued and thus the social stability will be attained is a slow but steady manner(TUI, 2015). - Lead the way: For the sustainable tourism, they can make ore investment in the product and the service innovation so that they will be able to attract the attention of the customers with the change in the preference as per thechange in the trend of the Tourism and travel business. They have planned to invest €10 million each year by 2020 to make the TUI care foundation stronger so that they will be able to cope upwith the economic and the social change of the target destinations in an effective manner(TUI, 2015). Dailymail, 2014. Egypt hit by 95% decline in tourism revenue with western travel warnings and social unrest to blame. [Online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2738446/Egypt-hit-95-decline-tourism-revenue-western-travel-warnings-social-unrest-blame.html[Accessed 17 November 2016]. Forbes, 2016. Spain's Shining Economic Recovery: Or, How The Eurozone Defines Success Down. [Online] Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2016/04/16/spains-shining-economic-recovery-or-how-the-eurozone-defines-success-down/#703b8a5d11c9[Accessed 17 November 2016]. TUI, 2015. Guidelines for the environmental sustainibility in Hotels, London: TUI. TUI, 2015. Sustainability strategy 2015-2020, London: TUI.TUI, 2016. Working with suppliers. [Online] Available at: http://tui.g3dbuild.com/sustainability/working-with-suppliers#.WCzuJ9J97IU[Accessed 17 November 2016]. Worldbank, 2016. Egypt’s Economic Outlook- Spring 2016. [Online] Available at: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/egypt/publication/economic-outlook-spring-2016 [Accessed 17 November 2016]. WTT, 2015. The Authority on World Travel & Tourism, London: WTT.

Sharing socks with others, whether out of necessity or simply for convenience, can pose potential side effects or health risks. While it might seem ha Sharing socks with others, whether out of necessity or simply for convenience, can pose potential side effects or health risks. While it might seem harmless, sock swapping can lead to the spread of fungal infections, skin irritations, and even foot odor. Here’s a closer look at the potential side effects of sharing socks: Socks provide a warm, moist environment that’s ideal for the growth of fungi, particularly athlete’s foot fungus. This contagious fungus thrives in the tight-fitting, sweaty environment of socks, and sharing these socks can easily transfer the fungus from one person to another. Symptoms of athlete’s foot include blisters, intense itching, redness, cracking, and scaling of the skin between the toes. Jock itch, ringworm, tinea pedis, and tinea corporis are other fungal infections you can contract from socks sharing. To prevent the spread of fungal infections: - Avoid sharing socks with others, especially if they have visible signs of athlete’s foot. - Wash your socks regularly in hot water and use an antifungal detergent. - Allow your socks to air dry completely before wearing them again. - Keep your feet dry and avoid wearing shoes that trap moisture. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Dirty clothes can spread staph or MRSA bacteria. Based on this discovery by Sound Health and Lasting Wealth, You will agree with me that socks can also harbor bacteria, such as staphylococcus aureus, which can cause skin infections like impetigo. Impetigo is characterized by red, itchy sores that can blister and ooze. Sharing socks increases the risk of spreading these bacteria and developing impetigo, especially if the socks are not clean and dry. To prevent the spread of bacterial infections: - Wash your hands thoroughly after removing your socks, especially if you have any cuts or scrapes on your feet. - Avoid sharing towels or other personal items with others. - Keep your feet clean and dry, and change your socks daily. - See a doctor if you develop any signs of a skin infection, such as redness, swelling, or pain. Some people have sensitive skin that reacts to the dyes, fibers, or detergents used in socks. Sharing socks with someone who has a different skin type could expose you to these irritants and cause allergic reactions, such as rashes, itching, and redness. It’s important to be aware of your own skin sensitivities and avoid sharing socks with people who use different detergents or laundry additives. To avoid skin irritations: - Choose socks made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are less likely to irritate the skin. - Wash your socks with a mild detergent that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. - If you experience any skin irritation after sharing socks, see a dermatologist to rule out any underlying allergies. Sharing socks can also transmit parasitic infections, such as hookworm and scabies. Hookworms are small worms that burrow into the skin, causing intense itching and irritation. Scabies are mites that burrow under the skin, causing a rash that is extremely itchy, especially at night. To prevent the transmission of parasites through shared socks, it is important to: - Wash your socks in hot water and dry them on high heat. - Do not share socks with anyone who has a parasitic infection. - Wear socks that fit well and are made of breathable materials. - Avoid going barefoot in public places. Socks absorb sweat and odor molecules, and sharing socks can transfer these unpleasant smells from one person to another. Excessive foot odor can be embarrassing and may even indicate underlying health conditions, such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) or bromhidrosis (abnormal foot odor). Sharing socks can worsen these conditions and make the odor even more noticeable. To minimize foot odor: - Wash your feet daily with soap and water, paying special attention to the areas between your toes. - Dry your feet thoroughly after showering or bathing. - Wear socks made from moisture-wicking materials, such as merino wool or Coolmax. - Change your socks daily, or more often if you tend to sweat a lot. - If you have persistent foot odor, see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Sharing socks, especially with someone you don’t know well, can be considered socially awkward or inappropriate. It’s important to be mindful of social norms and avoid situations that might cause discomfort for yourself or others. Sharing socks can create an uncomfortable situation and damage personal relationships. To avoid social embarrassment: - Only share socks with people you feel comfortable with. - If you’re in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and avoid sharing socks altogether. Alternative to socks sharing Wear separate socks for each day: This is the best way to avoid the spread of germs and bacteria. When you change socks, make sure to wash them immediately and let them air dry completely before you put them back on. Carry a spare pair of socks: If you’re going to be doing something that might make your feet sweat, such as exercising or working in a hot environment, it’s a good idea to carry a spare pair of socks with you. This way, you can change your socks as soon as they start to get damp, which will help to prevent the growth of bacteria. Invest in high-quality socks: High-quality socks are made from breathable materials that will help to keep your feet cool and dry. This can help to reduce the risk of blisters and other foot problems. Avoid wearing socks in bed: When you sleep, your feet should be able to breathe and air out. Wearing socks in bed can trap moisture and create an environment that is ideal for the growth of bacteria. If you must share socks, make sure they are clean and dry: If you do share socks, make sure that they are clean and dry before you put them on. You should also avoid sharing socks with people who have open wounds or skin infections. Purchase disposable socks: Disposable socks are readily available and offer a hygienic solution for sharing footwear. Use sock liners: Sock liners provide an extra layer of protection between your skin and shared socks, reducing the risk of skin-to-skin contact. Here are some specific types of socks that you can consider wearing instead of sharing socks: Dri-fit socks: These socks are made from moisture-wicking materials that will help to keep your feet dry. Cotton socks: Cotton socks are breathable and comfortable, but they can absorb sweat and hold onto moisture. This can make them a good choice for people who have sensitive skin, but it’s important to change them frequently. Synthetic socks: Synthetic socks are moisture-wicking and breathable, and they are often treated with antimicrobial agents to help prevent the growth of bacteria. Barefoot-style socks: These socks are designed to provide minimal cushioning and support, so they are a good choice for people who want their feet to feel as natural as possible. Remember, your feet are precious. Protect them from the risks of sharing socks by following these guidelines and choosing safer alternatives when necessary. Note: This article is written based on scientific evidence found by the soundhealthandlastingwealth.com team. Sources are duly referenced and hyperlinked to source websites and are clickable for confirmation.

Science Communication in the era of instant access to information and fake news engaging non-experts in science-related topics is critical to fight miscommunication. In the last years, communicating science has evolved into a professional field on its own, reveling the complexity of properly reaching the general public and, most importantly, ensuring the understanding of the topic. Science outreach or popularization is nothing new. Steaming from the nineteenth century improving of the printing press and the creation of the first mass media was the pionner of science dissemination. Nonetheless, the amount of data back then and nowadays is worlds apart and has resulted in an informational overload that is very hard to sort, even for informed individuals. As a consequence, the field of science communication has an indispensable moral and social role in today’s media, a role in which scientists must participate actively. European and world-wide initiatives, such as European Researchers’ Night or Pint of Science intend to bring scientists to the stage by upgrading the level of visibility of their disciplines. All of these initiatives rely on a background support of communication experts. LPRC counts with a team of experts in social media, website development and design, working tightly with professionals to bridge science and society. Our efforts, on one hand, are targeting the public at large raising awareness towards geosciences, via showcasing of leading European research results of the field; while on the other hand we also put special efforts on reaching out to the population of our closer environment, the outermost region of Macaronesia, in parallel to showcasing the research potential of this special region to Europe. Examples of our work include Volcanoes Night I-II-III and Macaronight, four Researchers` Night projects that were all initiated by LPRC and have been organized in row in the past few years showcasing the potential of the region. As part of the KINDRA project our team prepared a series of outreach material and adopted the technical content and results of the project into outreach materials that help citizens to understand the relevance of groundwater in daily life. Citizen Science & Citizen Observatories There is nothing new in non-scientists recording and analyzing natural phenomena, from Victorian ladies recording the blooming of flowers on their diaries, or Leonardo Da Vinci’s study of geology for his paintings to clergymen keeping track of quakes, floods and other natural disasters in their regions. Today, a revolution of sorts comes attached to handheld devices and responsible citizens that contribute to science from their homes – be it measuring light pollution, plastic contamination, geological risks or adding to regional policies -.these citizen scientists collect valuable data and contribute to the advancement of science in a very significant way. Yet, the outcome of these running initiatives are still being or to be evaluated and further research is to be done on strategies that leads to cooperation bearing concrete, measurable and unbiased results. LPRC is proud to participate in the recently launched AGEO Atlantic Interreg project that aims to create a Citizen’s Observatory for Geohazard Risk Management in the Atlantic Area based on the contribution from European citizens.

King bettas, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are a popular species of freshwater fish. They are native to Thailand and are known for their aggressive behavior. Male king bettas can grow to be up to 8 inches long, while females can grow to be up to 6 inches long. How big do giant bettas get? Giant bettas can grow to be up to 12 inches long, but the average size is about 8 inches. They have a wide range of colors, including green, blue, brown, and gold. They are peaceful fish and are not aggressive with other fish or people. Are king bettas more aggressive? Aggression can be a result of a variety of factors. Some of these factors may include: genetics, environment, diet, and experience. Overall, king bettas are considered to be relatively aggressive fish. This aggressiveness can be beneficial in some cases, such as when they are used in breeding programs. King bettas are also known to be territorial and will defend their territories aggressively. King bettas are not typically recommended for first time aquarists. They are relatively hardy fish and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, but they may be more aggressive in new surroundings. If you are considering adding a king betta to your aquarium, be sure to research the fish thoroughly and make sure that it is a compatible species for your tank. Are King bettas bigger? King bettas can vary greatly in size and shape. Some King bettas may be considerably larger than others, but there is no right or wrong answer. Ultimately, size is largely based on individual preference. Some people may prefer smaller King bettas, while others may prefer larger King bettas. What size tank do King bettas need? It depends on a variety of factors, including the fish’s size, activity level, and diet. In general, however, a King betta should be kept in a tank that is at least 10 gallons in size, and larger tanks may be preferable for more active fish. What’s the difference between a king Betta and a giant betta? There are several key distinctions between a king betta and a giant betta. The most obvious difference is size. A king betta typically measures under two inches in length while a giant betta can reach three or even four inches in length. Other key differences include diet and housing. Kings typically feed on small insects and worms, while giant betta’s diet consists almost entirely of fish. Finally, kings typically live in small, contained environments such as an aquarium or small bowl, while giant bettas typically live in large, open water aquariums. According to the text, King bettas can grow up to four inches in length. However, they typically only grow to be about two and a half inches long.

Headache v/s Migraine Headache or a migraine what differentiates typical headaches from migraines is the severity of pain. The pain is more intense in migraine than in a common headache. Headache usually causes pain and pressure on both sides of the head. It can be mild or severe, typically occurs in the forehead, temples, and back of the neck. It can last from a few hours to several weeks. The most common type of headache is tension headache, causes due to anxiety, stress, poor sleep, or muscle pain. Whereas, migraines are pulsating throbbing pain on one side of the head, so severe that it disturbs your daily life. Signs often include difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, tingling on one side of the face, arm or leg. Medication and lifestyle changes can reduce the pain and help prevent them. What are the symptoms of Migraine? Migraines can begin in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. It can progress through four stages: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome. However, not everyone with migraines hit these stages. There are some subtle symptoms that can occur before the migraine hits such as constipation, mood swings, food cravings, neck stiffness, increased thirst, urination, and yawning. Headache v/s Migraine Aura is usually visual disturbances appearing before or during migraines. These symptoms are gradual, build-ups for a few minutes, and can last up to an hour. When it happens, you can experience: - Vision loss - Trouble speaking - Hearing noises - Uncontrollable jerking - Needles or pins sensation in an arm or leg - Weakness in the face or one side of the body Migraines can last for 72 hours if left untreated. You might experience throbbing pain on one side of the head or on both sides, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or even touch. After the migraine attack, some feel drained while some feel euphoric. What causes migraine? The causes of migraine are unknown and not well understood. Doctors argue that changes in the brainstem and its transactions with the trigeminal nerve which is a major pain pathway can be one of the reasons for migraines along with genetics and environmental factors. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, periods, menopause, or hormonal medications like contraceptives often trigger migraines. Too much alcohol or coffee, stress, loud sounds, strong smells, sleep changes can also lead to episodes of migraine. Migraines are often undiagnosed and untreated. If you have mentioned symptoms of migraines or have a history of headaches, and you feel a sudden change in their occurrence, consult a doctor immediately.

About 4.7 million gallons of untreated sewage was diverted into the Stillwater River in a 20-hour span after recent tornadoes. County sewer officials had to divert wastewater directly into the Stillwater River after two lift stations lost power. The entire wastewater system handles an average of 35 million gallons per day. The total number can vary with heavy rain. Sewage discharges contain bacteria, viruses and other microbes, the Ohio EPA has stated. These organisms can be a public health risk, which led to the advisory to stay out of the local rivers. The state prohibits sanitary sewer overflows. But in emergency situations, there are times when a discharge is necessary. Not all are happy with that statement. A local water expert has spoken about the impact that could have on fish and other wildlife, along with increasing bacteria and algae downstream. Perma-Liner is the leading manufacturer and supplier of trenchless pipeline rehabilitation equipment and materials in North America. For 20 years, we have developed systems to rehabilitate existing sewer systems without excavation. Our experience in the CIPP industry has allowed us to design, patent and manufacture state of the art technology in order for us to repair structures without excavation.

Corn snakes are a popular pet among reptile enthusiasts, and owners may be wondering: how much should my slithering friend weigh? To keep them healthy, understanding the ideal weight range for a corn snake is key. Factors like age, size, and metabolism play a role in finding the right weight. Generally, adult corn snakes should be 400 to 800 grams, with males on the lower end and females on the higher end. Underweight or overweight snakes can suffer from various health problems. Underweight snakes may have difficulty shedding, or have weakened immune systems or reproductive problems. Overweight snakes can develop fatty liver disease or be prone to respiratory infections. To keep your corn snake at a healthy weight, there are some tips to follow. Provide a balanced diet of appropriately-sized rodents like mice and rats. Don’t overfeed – prey items should be the same width as your snake’s thickest body segment. Make sure the enclosure has enough hiding spots and climbing opportunities. Give them a stimulating environment with branches and rocks, and encourage regular exercise. Monitor your corn snake’s weight regularly with a reptile-specific scale. This way you can track changes and make adjustments if needed. Every corn snake is unique, so consulting with a vet is the best way to give your pet the care they need. Understanding the importance of monitoring a corn snake’s weight To better understand the importance of monitoring a corn snake’s weight, explore the role of weight in assessing their health. Also, delve into the factors that can influence a corn snake’s weight. Uncover valuable insights about these sub-sections to ensure the well-being of your corn snake. The role of weight in assessing a corn snake’s health Weight has a huge impact on the health of a corn snake. Monitoring its weight helps us spot any issues with its well-being. Weight assessment is important for the snake’s health and longevity. Nutrition evaluation, growth monitoring, disease detection, and body condition scoring are all aspects of assessing the weight of a corn snake. Adequate nutrition is essential for proper development. We can detect any abnormalities in weight that may be signs of underlying health problems. Weight assessment also helps us determine the overall fitness of the snake. Recent research has revealed the importance of weight tracking for corn snakes. This finding has changed how snake enthusiasts and professionals manage snake care. Monitoring weight is critical for keeping corn snakes healthy in captivity. Weight fluctuation in corn snakes can be more worrying than a rollercoaster ride or a horror movie. Factors that can affect a corn snake’s weight For your corn snake, diet, environment, and health can all affect weight. So, feed them right, provide the right environment, and get regular check-ups to keep them healthy. Age, genetics, and activity level also affect weight. Monitor your snake’s weight and look out for any irregular changes. This way, you can detect any signs of improper nutrition or health problems early on. Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your snake’s physical appearance and wellbeing. Track your corn snake’s weight carefully. This way, you can ensure your pet’s health and happiness for a long time. Finding the right weight is like finding a needle in a haystack with more scales and less hay! How to determine the ideal weight for a corn snake To determine the ideal weight for your corn snake, delve into the section “How to determine the ideal weight for a corn snake” with its sub-sections of “Normal weight range for corn snakes based on age and size” and “Monitoring weight fluctuations in a corn snake.” Normal weight range for corn snakes based on age and size Discovering the ideal weight for a corn snake is dependent on factors such as age and size. Knowing the range in which these snakes should stay can help with their health. Let’s take a look at the normal weight ranges for corn snakes based on age and size. |10 or more |37 or more |80 or more The table reveals the regular weight ranges for corn snakes, based on age and size. Snakes aged 0 to 3 months, with sizes 8 to 14 inches, usually weigh 10 to 20 grams. When older, 4 to 6 months and 15 to 24 inches, the weight rises to 25 to 45 grams. Likewise, 7 to 9 month old corn snakes with 25 to 36 inches in size, weigh around 50 to 80 grams. If they grow over 10 months and 37 or more inches, the weight is 80 grams or more. Comprehending the normal weight range helps to guarantee the snake’s health. When rearing corn snakes, it’s essential to monitor their weight and alter their diet and habitat accordingly. Keeping an eye on their weight not only keeps them healthy, but also guarantees they get the correct nutrition for proper growth. Be aware of the normal weight ranges for your corn snake’s age and size to make sure you are providing the best care. Don’t let FOMO (fear of missing out) jeopardize the health of your beloved pet. Weigh yourself and hope the corn snake doesn’t take you for a snack, as that’s one way to keep track of weight changes. Monitoring weight fluctuations in a corn snake Prevent your corn snake from getting an addiction to food. Otherwise, you may often find it hissing at the fridge, asking for pizza. Maintaining a healthy weight for a corn snake To maintain a healthy weight for your corn snake, ensure appropriate feeding practices and encourage exercise and activity. Proper feeding practices involve understanding portion sizes and frequency, while exercise can be promoted through the provision of stimulating environments and opportunities for movement. Appropriate feeding practices for maintaining weight Feed your snake mice or rats to provide the essential nutrients. Adjust the size of the prey depending on the age and size of your snake. Live prey is a good option but be wary of injuries happening during feeding. Don’t overfeed as it can result in obesity and health issues. Monitor the body condition and feed accordingly. 500-700 grams is the typical weight of an adult corn snake according to the ASPCA. Exercise is important too – slither-robics is the way they get their killer abs! Encouraging exercise and activity for a corn snake To keep your corn snake fit and healthy, exercise and activity is key! Here are some tips to get your snake moving: - Set up an enclosure with branches and hiding spots. - Add different kinds of substrates like paper or bark. - Encourage hunting instincts with food-seeking activities. - Introduce new toys every so often for some excitement. - Keep a close eye on temperature and humidity levels. Don’t get stuck in a rut – shake things up with variety! But don’t overdo the handling – too much may cause stress. Exercise and activity is essential for your corn snake’s health. With these strategies, you’ll create a stimulating environment that’ll keep them feeling great. And remember to get advice from a reptile vet or herpetologist for tailored tips. Pro Tip: Avoid embarrassing moments – keep your corn snake active and away from the toilet bowl! Common weight-related issues and concerns To address common weight-related issues and concerns with corn snakes, dive into the sub-sections: tackling underweight corn snakes and how to address them, and exploring the potential risks associated with overweight corn snakes. Find solutions to maintain the ideal weight for your pet and ensure their well-being. Underweight corn snakes and how to address them Oliver the corn snake was underweight, raising serious concerns for his health. To ensure proper growth and development, it’s vital to address the issue. First, one must determine the cause. Consulting with a reptile vet helps. Secondly, small yet frequent meals should be offered. High-quality prey items that fit the snake’s age and size are ideal. Then, create an environment that mimics their natural habitat. This will help reduce stress and encourage normal feeding behavior. Proper hydration is essential; provide fresh water in a shallow dish and monitor intake, as dehydration can worsen the situation. Sarah, a passionate reptile enthusiast, took it upon herself to nurse Oliver back to health. By gradually increasing his food intake and providing a suitable enclosure, Oliver’s weight steadily increased, and he eventually achieved a healthy body condition. Overweight corn snakes and the potential risks Corn snakes are a favorite among reptile fans. But like humans, they can have weight problems too. Let’s check out the issues caused by an overweight corn snake and why keeping it slim is important. - A heavy corn snake might have trouble moving around and be less agile. - Excess fat can cause heart conditions or heart disease. - Obese corn snakes have more breathing issues. - In some cases, extra weight affects female corn snakes’ reproduction. So, keep a watchful eye on your pet’s weight. Feed it the right amount and often. Plus, provide space for exercise. That way, you can keep your corn snake in shape and healthy. Remember: The ASPCA says reptiles, such as corn snakes, often struggle with obesity. And finally, don’t forget – you can always depend on your sense of humor! Analyzing corn snakes’ weight is essential for their well-being. Factors such as age, size and health condition must be considered. Checking average weight range for the species, body composition and muscle tone are important aspects too. Weight can fluctuate due to feeding habits. A balanced diet and regular intervals ensure good nutrition and growth. Historical records show variations in captive snakes’ weights. This underlines the importance of care and adapting husbandry techniques. To maintain an optimal weight, consider species guidelines, appearance and dietary needs. This will help provide a good environment for them to thrive. Frequently Asked Questions 1. How much should a corn snake weigh? A healthy adult corn snake typically weighs between 300 and 700 grams. 2. What factors can affect the weight of a corn snake? Factors such as age, genetics, diet, and overall health can influence the weight of a corn snake. 3. At what age should a corn snake reach its full weight? Corn snakes usually reach their full weight by the age of 2 to 3 years. 4. How can I ensure my corn snake maintains a healthy weight? Providing a proper diet, ensuring the enclosure is suitable, and monitoring its weight regularly can help in maintaining a healthy weight for a corn snake. 5. Is it normal for a corn snake’s weight to fluctuate? Some weight fluctuations are normal, especially during shedding or after a meal. However, significant and unexplained weight loss or gain may indicate an underlying health issue. 6. What should I do if my corn snake’s weight is not within the normal range? If you notice that your corn snake’s weight is consistently outside the normal range, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles to assess its health and provide appropriate guidance.

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Are you tired of using software or websites that leave you feeling frustrated and confused? You’re not alone. Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is the study of how humans interact with technology, and it’s a crucial part of designing intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. In today’s fast-paced digital world, good HCI design can mean the difference between a successful product and one that falls flat. So let’s dive into what makes for good HCI design principles and learn how to create interfaces that users will love!

Is Screen Time Hurting Your Eyes? Access to technology has proven to be one of the greatest conveniences of our time. Although we rarely think about it beyond the positive contributions it makes to our lives, our constant and immediate access to digital devices can have a negative impact on our eyes. Screen time, or the amount of time spent using devices such as smartphones, computers, televisions, and video games, can eventually take a toll on your eyesight. Whether you are continually focused on a screen for work or for play, start paying attention to some common conditions that may occur as a result of excessive use. Is Screen Time Hurting Your Eyes? We’ve listed five common conditions below. Dryness can be caused by a lack of blinking during screen time. During normal periods, a blinking action helps to keep eyes lubricated. Staring at a screen, however, will typically lead to a more wide-eyed state and less blinking. Tearing is a common reflex response to dryness. In this case, the eyes automatically produce tears in order to fight excessive dryness. 3. Blurred Vision The more you squint to accommodate small screens like those on phones and tablets, the more stress that is placed on your eyes. That stress can lead to a decrease in the sharpness of your vision and the inability to see fine details. 4. Eye Strain Symptoms of eye strain may be sore, tired, burning, or itching eyes. You may also experience increased sensitivity to light, feel like you cannot keep your eyes open, or have a tough time concentrating. 5. Sleep Suppression Although this is not a direct eye ailment, screen time may often cause false alertness and wakefulness. This may disrupt sleep patterns and lead to further eye strain. These symptoms may not be permanent or even something that you become aware of right away, but with prolonged exposure to digital screens, any of them can lead to increased discomfort, headaches, and stress. Though it may not be possible to completely alleviate screen time, you can take some steps to lessen its effect on your eyes. - Try to adopt the 20/20/20 screen time rule. It works like this: After every 20 minutes, you spend looking at a screen, shift your focus to another object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. That will give your eyes a rest between screen sessions. - If the glare from your computer is bothering your eyes, don’t ignore it. Instead, consider using a matte screen filter. Another option is anti-reflective lenses for your eyeglasses. - Pay attention to whether the air in your immediate environment is drying. If it is, placing a humidifier close to your work area, or the area in which you have most of your screen time, to decrease dryness. - If having a humidifier nearby is not an option, try artificial tears to relieve dryness. - Remind yourself to blink! If you’ve been at the screen for a while, take a blink break. - Put away your computers and tablets at least one hour before bedtime. Give your body the opportunity to fall into a natural sleep pattern. Most of us can’t avoid screen time, not even for a day. But we can be proactive about our eye health and take the necessary precautions to keep our eyes protected. If you think screen time has had an impact on your eyesight and you need a professional evaluation, feel free to call The Eye Center in Huntsville and Madison, Alabama at 256-705-3937 to schedule an appointment.

In many ways, the future of wood will be shaped substantively not by what we do, but what our forefathers did decades ago. By Craig Webb Not long ago, I visited a sawmill just west of the Continental Divide that’s making a business out of our ancestors’ mistakes. Intermountain Resources’ operation in Montrose, Colo., expects this year to saw 40 million board-feet of lumber largely from lodgepole pines that are growing – dying, actually – on federal land. Those pines’ story is largely the story of wood in America for the past 120 years. These lodgepoles sprouted naturally in the late 19th century after the prospectors, miners, and ranchers who settled Colorado cut down the original forest so extensively that parts of the state have more trees on them today than they did in the 1870s. Soon after came President Theodore Roosevelt who, with Gifford Pinchot and John Muir, created national forests and parks. Thus, they began pushing America toward two goals at once: to preserve forests both for logging and forever. The pines reached middle age just after World War II, when active management of forests began. Unfortunately, that management style regarded fires as bad, not part of a forest’s natural life cycle. Loggers can do some of what fire accomplishes by thinning out the forest, but by the 1980s, environmentalists’ lawsuits drastically curbed the amount of cutting on federal land. The lodgepole pines kept growing. Today those pines are all deep into old age and, like humans, they’re more vulnerable to attack. That has made it easy for mountain pine beetles to arise and kill off vast stretches of Colorado trees. Those casualties, plus the ones that died of natural causes, comprise what’s being milled in Montrose. My visit at Intermountain Resources was part of a yearlong investigation into the future of wood. After traveling thousands of miles and interviewing scores of people, I can report that wood’s future is exciting. (The findings start on page 31.) But its future also is perilous, and not solely because we can’t say how ownership patterns or energy prices will affect the product dealers sell most. It’s dicey because our past figures so much in our future. Take our national forest policies. It was memories of the mid-19th century denuding of the Upper Midwest, combined with the furious cutting in the Northwest, that prompted the creation of national parks and forests more than 100 years ago. Today, it’s environmentalists’ memories of what they regard as over-aggressive tree cutting between 1945 and 1990 that they use to help justify the clampdown on timber harvesting in national forests. Spotted owl lawsuits were a means to that end. Politics aside, the past matters in lumber’s future simply because it takes so long to grow a tree. A farmer in Florida can raise several crops in a single year. A vintner in California might invest four years in grape vines before they start producing. But a tree farmer needs 12 years minimum in the South and decades elsewhere to get a seedling to the payoff stage. Near the end of my investigation, I ate dinner in Olympia, Wash., with a local lumber buyer and seller named Les Sjoholm (SEE-holm). His father emigrated from Sweden to work in the Northwest’s logging camps, and as a kid, Sjoholm lived in the camps while his mother cooked for the men. Loggers were “extremely rough people,” he recalls, “but with hearts of gold. Their bark was worse than their bite.” Sjoholm kept my head spinning that evening by tossing out terms I had never heard before, like “misery whip,” “rattlers,” “can of snooze,” and “gypo logger.” Given how quickly the logging industry is using automation to replace humans, Sjoholm spoke what’s becoming a dead language. But what those loggers did endures – a little bit in our memories, and a lot in the forests where they worked. It’s a legacy we’ll deal with for decades to come. This article was edited from a version originally published by ProSales magazine.

The next bitcoin halving event is just around the corner, estimated to take place on May 11, 2020. Crypto enthusiasts, profiteers, and the casual observer can’t help but ask what it all means. To answer that question, it’s important to examine what the bitcoin halving event actually is and why it is programmed into the Bitcoin network in the first place. It’s also important to understand that bitcoin is not the only cryptocurrency that incorporates halving events into its network. There are many versions of halving events which, in a broader sense, are supply and demand controls designed to address inflation and economics in innovative ways. Let’s explore the bitcoin halving and its implications on both supply, demand, price, and market sentiment. Halving affects all of them. What is bitcoin halving? Bitcoin is produced by miners, who earn a defined amount of bitcoin whenever they produce a block. When bitcoin first started, miners earned 50 bitcoins per block. Halving is the reduction of that reward by one half after every 210,000 mined blocks. The current reward is 12.5 coins per block, which will decrease to 6.25 coins per block at the halving event. As the reward decreases, so does the global bitcoin supply as miners get less currency per unit of effort. The mining of bitcoin resembles the mining of a dwindling supply of a precious metal such as gold. Eventually, there will be no earnings at all for mining bitcoin (although the breakeven point of mining energy cost matching profit will arrive long before that). The bitcoin halving event is preprogrammed and built into the Bitcoin network. It creates scarcity to control inflation in a predetermined fashion. Inflation Is Why Cryptocurrencies Implement Halving Events Some governments have the power to print more national currency as their leaders see fit, and increasing the supply of money can be seen as a positive until the demand for the currency is low. This can lead to inflation, as the real value of that currency drops. Outside agents might become reluctant to do business with countries who purchase goods or services with an inflationary currency, and their citizens could have to spend more money to acquire basic commodities and goods necessary for daily life. Venezuela is one example of a country that is experiencing hyperinflation and economic crisis due to the mass-printing of money to account for a growing national debt. Some citizens are fleeing Venezuela as they realize the money they worked so hard to earn is no longer worth nearly as much as it was when they earned it. The inflation rate is drastic with no immediate end in sight (although we at ShapeShift do have a solution in mind). Bitcoin’s built-in halving mechanism causes the new supply of bitcoin entering the market to be cut in half approximately every four years. Bitcoin supply will therefore slow and eventually end, so steady demand will allow it to maintain its value. Past Bitcoin Halving Events The 2020 halving event will not be the first to occur on the Bitcoin network. Past halving events have eventually led to increases in the price of bitcoin at different times, for different reasons. The first halving event occurred on November 28, 2012. It didn’t have an immediate impact on the price but by the end of 2013, bitcoin’s price had increased by more than 9,100%. The earliest price jump after that halving occurred within 90 days and saw the price nearly triple. The second halving event in bitcoin’s history was triggered on July 9, 2016, and the price of bitcoin dropped 5% within 90 days. It wasn’t until the end of 2017 that bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies reached their highest all-time values. One thing that is different in 2020 is that the blockchain industry has gained more traction. Bitcoin is much more readily available to the average consumer today than it was in 2012 or even 2016. It is also more widely known and talked about in mainstream media, which gives beginners more information. Investors are much more comfortable with the idea of cryptocurrency now than they were in the past. It’s difficult to predict what will happen to the price of bitcoin after the next halving event, anticipated in May of this year. Is halving good for bitcoin? There are three schools of thought about whether or not the bitcoin halving event is positive or negative. Enthusiasts naturally believe that the halving event will decrease the supply of new bitcoins entering the market (which is good) and ultimately drive up the price of bitcoins. Others believe that the halving event will not matter in the long run nearly as much as other fundamental factors and market sentiment. Then of course, there is a third group that thinks the bitcoin halving event will harm the network and the price. Let’s take a look at all three perspectives more closely. The Case for Bitcoin Increasing in Price This argument mostly comes from proponents of the stock-to-flow ratio. Stock-to-flow weighs the total supply of bitcoins versus the new supply. Since the new supply will make up smaller and smaller percentages of the total supply as halving events occur, proponents of the stock-to-flow ratio argue that the price should go up. The fact that the anticipated decrease of the new supply is an event known to the public means that bidding the price of bitcoin up is something the general public can participate in months before the halving event actually happens. The Case for Bitcoin Price Being Unaffected Some investors and experts argue that halving events are only one factor among a multitude of factors that determine bitcoin’s price at any given time. This is true, as the market is always gauging fundamental value and technical analysis at every moment. This argument again posits that everybody knows about the halving event in advance. In free markets, investors (in this case, those interested in bitcoin) should have access to the knowledge, which makes the market more efficient. The Case for Bitcoin Price Going Down Miners earn less for their work after a halving event. Larger miners might be able to swallow the increased costs and still turn a profit, but smaller ones will have trouble keeping up. This means that they may have to sell new coins for less than anticipated, driving the price down for all. When is the bitcoin halving event? Bitcoin’s third halving event will occur when block number 630,000 is successfully mined. The exact date is uncertain but data extrapolation indicates that the halving event will occur on May 11. The exact time and date depend on the overall performance of the Bitcoin network. While the network is designed to mine a block every ten minutes, this timing can vary, depending on the amount and consistency of hash power driving the network at any given moment. What does this halving event mean for bitcoin’s future? Many believe that bitcoin’s price has appreciated over the last several months partly because the upcoming halving event has already been accounted for. Even if the price drops after halving, one offsetting benefit may be that more people could become aware of bitcoin and blockchains simply because crypto projects might be prominently featured in the news again. Get Started in Crypto Trading Today Getting started in crypto can feel overwhelming, but with a little help, it can quickly become an exciting new industry to dive into. With ShapeShift, you can trade commission free in our powerful platform while still controlling your cryptocurrency private keys. Get started today and earn 100 FOX Tokens or explore more crypto resources in the ShapeShift Blog Library. These blog posts serve as a general overview of the crypto industry. No content in these blog posts or on the ShapeShift website constitutes purchase or investment advice. Digital assets are experimental, volatile and risky, and we therefore recommend that you seek professional advice from a qualified advisor before making any financial decision. The information is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, express or implied, and in no event will ShapeShift be liable for damages of any nature resulting from reliance upon the information. The blog posts may contain links to third-party materials that are not owned or controlled by ShapeShift. ShapeShift does not endorse or assume any responsibility for any such third-party sites, information, materials, products, or services.

MRC Therapists Provide Innovative Therapeutic Technique, Brainspotting To Treat All Forms of Trauma, Brainspotting is a powerful new type of therapy designed to help people access, process, and overcome trauma, negative emotions, and pain, including psychologically induced physical pain. Brainspotting was developed through David Grand's work with survivors of trauma, and many have found it to be an effective form of treatment for a variety of mental health concerns. How Does Brainspotting Work? The direction in which people look or gaze can affect the way they feel. During brainspotting, therapists help people position their eyes in ways that enable them to target sources of negative emotion. With the aid of a pointer, your therapist slowly guides the eyes across the field of vision to find appropriate “brainspots,” with a brainspot being an eye position that activates a traumatic memory or painful emotion. This allows therapists to access emotions on a deeper level and target the physical effects of trauma. Trauma can be “stored” in the body and can alter the way the brain works. Trauma can, for example, have an effect on emotions, memory, and physical health. Brainspotting activates the body’s innate ability to heal itself from trauma. While a therapist not using brainspotting may attempt to access both the physical and emotional “locations” of negative emotions, brainspotting therapists use something called “dual attunement,” a process through which the therapist simultaneously attunes to the therapeutic relationship as well as the brain-body response of the person in therapy. There is some evidence that brainspotting works primarily in the limbic system, a collection of brain structures that play a role in emotion, long-term memory, cognition, motivation, impulse control, and several other psychological factors that can affect well-being. Who Can Benefit from Brainspotting? Brainspotting can help with a variety of psychological concerns. Brainspotting is primarily used in trauma therapy and for the treatment of PTSD. However, it is also used to treat: Attention Issues (ADHD) Chronic fatigue and Chronic pain Impulse control issues Sports performance issues How Do I Get Started? MRC therapists, Karen Gottlieb and Deidre Prosen are skilled therapists and trained to provide brainspotting therapy. You can find more information and contact information about them both and MRC's other therapists here. For general questions and scheduling, please call (414) 975-8106.

The power of stories We are all storytellers. From the moment we begin to form our first words we name the things around us. Long before those initial sounds become recognizable, we humans are in training as storytellers as listening, observing, absorbing, and learning sparkle the neural connections in our developing brains. Stories threw a web around the world from the time the first people uttered sounds and addressed them to each other. Since then humanity has developed ever more complex ways of sharing tales, but children and adults retain a primal response to the power of a good story. Gathering stories from around world When the International Baccalaureate asked my husband Andrew and me to select ten stories from around the world to retell in Ten Tales from Different Cultures, we were extremely excited. Like collectors of precious jewels, we had the thrilling job of seeking out the most colourful, bright and imaginative tales. My husband and I have both been telling and retelling tales from around the world for many years. So we began to draw up a list but soon found that there were so many beautiful tales that is was difficult to come down to a selection of ten. So how did we walk away from such a plentiful throng with just ten tales in our “story bag”? We grouped the stories according to geographical origin and looked closely at IB learner profile attributes and PYP attitudes. We then envisioned which stories could best be used for further exploration and discussion in class. That is how the selection of these ten tales came to be. Spreading the words over the world With our selection in place we started the process of rewriting these tales for the PYP storybooks. Writing down a traditional story brings with it the responsibility of honouring its legacy. Before these stories existed in print they had a past life in the imaginations and minds of the persons passing them on, the stories were embellished, honed and shaped over time. As writers we now follow in these footsteps by sharing these great tales with new audiences. I very much enjoy imagining how these stories will continue to be retold in classrooms the world over. The idea that my words will help transfer these tales to a new generation, fills me with a great feeling of pride. How to get the stories? The storybooks from the Ten Tales from Different Cultures are available as individual books, or as a full set, through the IB store. These storybooks have additional teaching and learning notes for classroom activities that are freely downloadable.

Gambling is an activity where a person wagers something of value on a random event in the hopes of winning something else of value. This may be money, property, or even people. This practice is a popular pastime that can be conducted in many different ways. For example, a person can place a bet on the outcome of a sporting event, a board game, or a card game. In some cases, a person can also make bets with items that have an intrinsic value but are not money, such as marbles or collectible trading cards. While gambling is not necessarily a bad thing, it is important to understand the risks and benefits of this pastime. This way, you can make an informed decision about whether it is right for you. The main negative effect of gambling is that it can lead to addiction, which can have serious health consequences. In addition, it can result in financial problems, which can strain or even break relationships. Moreover, it can cause stress and depression in some people. The positive effects of gambling include the ability to improve personal skills. Skill-based games force players to devise strategies and learn how to read situations and body language. This can help to improve memory and concentration, and it can also enhance a person’s hand-eye coordination. In addition, gambling can also boost a person’s intelligence, as it requires them to think critically and solve complex problems. In some cases, gamblers are motivated to socialize and meet new people in a fun environment. However, other people are primarily driven by the desire to win money or other rewards. Furthermore, some people are influenced by the media’s portrayal of gambling as an exciting and rewarding pastime. While studies have explored the economic impacts of gambling, less attention has been given to its social and psychological effects. This is partly due to the difficulty of quantifying these impacts, which are often nonmonetary. For instance, the impact of a person’s relationship problems or emotional distress is difficult to measure. However, these impacts are just as significant as the financial ones. In fact, they can have a greater impact on a gambler’s quality of life than their finances. Hence, these impacts need to be taken into account when evaluating the effectiveness of gambling policies. This is the key to minimizing negative gambling impacts and maximizing their benefits.

Department of Science and Technology for Biological Resources and Environment One of the core missions of agriculture is to create a sustainable society where humans live in harmony with nature. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to acquire advanced scientific knowledge and skills for creating, remediating, conserving, managing and using a wide range of environments from the mountains to the sea, including forests, farmland, rivers, lakes and reservoirs and seas -- all of the environments where humans and organisms live. Therefore this program aims to foster personnel who can understand and respond to the real environmental issues affecting a wide range of sites from the mountains to the sea, and who can play an active role at the regional and global level. Specifically, we provide education in advanced methods for measurement and analysis of soil, water and ecosystems and environmental improvement methods, as well as basic and applied engineering knowledge in fields such as chemistry, biology and physics. Our aim is to develop personnel who can provide environments in which humankind and other organisms can coexist safely and comfortably. After completing the rural engineering program (JABEE accreditation program) of the Course of Rural Engineering, you can acquire qualification as associate professional engineer. You can acquire qualification as associate surveyor if you complete the course of Forest Resources and the Course of Rural Engineering.

Posted in: 05/01/2022 – 16:20 "The more the omicron mutant spreads from the Corona virus, the rate of infection and reproduction increases in turn, which increases the chances of the emergence of a new mutant," said Catherine Smallwood, emergency official at the World Health Organization in Europe, on Wednesday. The organization warned that the new mutation may be more dangerous compared to Omicron, which increases the number of deaths from this deadly virus. And the old continent had recorded more than 100 million cases of Covid-19 since the outbreak of the epidemic, and more than 5 million cases in the last week of 2021 only. Catherine Smallwood, WHO's emergency officer for Europe, warned that the sharp rise in infections by omicron Worldwide, it could increase the risk of a new, more dangerous mutation. While the new mutation spreads unchecked around the world, it appears less dangerous than it was initially feared, raising hopes that the epidemic can be defeated and a return to a normal life is possible. Smallwood, however, was cautious and said the surge in infections could backfire. “The more the omicron spreads, the higher the rate of infection and replication, which increases the chances of a new mutant emerging. Currently, the omicron is a deadly mutant that can cause death … maybe a little less than delta, but who can tell what the new mutant will be like,” she said in an interview. Europe has recorded more than 100 million cases of Covid-19 since the outbreak of the epidemic, and more than 5 million cases in the last week of 2021 “much more than what we have seen in the past”. “We are at a very dangerous stage, we are seeing infections rising dramatically in Western Europe, while the full implications of that are not yet clear,” she said. Smallwood noted that while “on an individual level the risk of hospitalization appears to be less likely” with the omicron mutant than with delta, overall omicron could pose a greater threat because of the number of cases. “When we see cases rise to this level, it likely leads to more people with severe symptoms that end up in hospital and may lead to death,” she added. On Tuesday, Britain almost faced an imminent crisis in hospitals due to the shortage of staff caused by a wave of Omicron infections, at a time when the daily toll of injuries in this country crossed the threshold of 200,000 cases for the first time. Smallwood expects a similar scenario to emerge in other European countries. “Even in well-developed and capable health systems, real difficulties are emerging at the moment, and they are likely to recur across the region at a time when Omicron is causing more infections,” she said. These were the details of the news The World Health Organization warns of the emergence of new, more... for this day. We hope that we have succeeded by giving you the full details and information. To follow all our news, you can subscribe to the alerts system or to one of our different systems to provide you with all that is new. It is also worth noting that the original news has been published and is available at saudi24news and the editorial team at AlKhaleej Today has confirmed it and it has been modified, and it may have been completely transferred or quoted from it and you can read and follow this news from its main source.

Humans are full of emotions. Psychologically our brain is capable of making millions of responses at a time. We learn a lot of things on a daily basis, but actually, we don’t know how our brain handles and responds to the scenario created every second. However modern science has all of our answers The word psychology has been derived from the Greek word ‘psyche’ which means ‘breath, spirit, soul’, and ‘logia’ which means ‘study of. Neuroscience and neuropsychology have done significant studies explaining the way that our brain works. Here we have brought some of the most awesome psychological facts to share with you. 51 psychological facts you must know 1. It is psychological fact that it takes 18 to 254 days for a person to adopt a new habit. Meanwhile, if we talk about the average person, it takes 66 days to adopt a new habit, Now it’s time for you to adopt a good habit try it now 2. If a person laughs at a low-quality joke then he/she is meant to be the most lonely person, next time whenever you crack a new joke find out who needs more attention. 3. The average of people who tackles every frivolous question with a sarcastic answer has a healthy mind. 4. The first 6 seconds of meeting a person form the impression that lasts till the end. 5. It is proven that our response to any situation is capable of radically changing that situation. 6. We can udnretsnad any msseed up stnecene as lnog as the lsat and frsit lteerts of wdros are in crrcoet palecs. Lkie tihs stnecene. 7. If you write down negative thoughts and throw them away like garbage, your mood will get better, Try this at home, I think my garbage bag is going to be full. 8. Yawning to have someone else’s yawn is a normal phenomenon, despite not feeling exhausted or asleep. 9. In different psychological fact surveys, it is found that 90% of those whose handwriting is bad are more creative than usual. 10. An average person’s mind wanders 30% of the time. 11. orange helps reduce anxiety. Have an orange before going to work, it will help you. 12. Looking at someone you love makes your eye pupil rises to 45%, Now it seems to be easy to find your love. 13. We often tend to break down knowledge into classes of 3-4 objects in them. Like the phone number (555) 555-1234. Three blocks with 3-4 bits in each chunk. 14. Revealing your goals to anyone produces the equivalent effect of achieving goals in the brain. 15. It is found during the 7 minutes of neural activity you will have before dying, you will see the flashbacks of your memories in a dreamlike pattern. 16. When surrounded by plants, the brain releases certain chemicals which increase the thinking power of the brain. This is the reason why walking in the garden is part of some psychiatric procedures. 17. Having siblings helps with getting along well with peers. 18. The first conversation of the parents with the child becomes the language of his mind. Whatever the child hears while grown-up translates into the language of the parents. 19. The way an individual treats the employees at an establishment tells immensely about their character. 20. It is also a psychological fact that if someone’s foot is back towards you during the story gossip with many people, then it should be understood that he is interested in you. 21. If a girl likes you, she will play with her hair while talking to you. 22. Have you ever died in your dreams? if you die in your dreams then you have started something new in life. 23. If you sob out of happiness, the first tear will always come from the right eye, but if you cry out of sorrow, it will come from the left. 24. A dream is just a conversation between you and your subconscious mind, whatever you get in your subconscious mind the same you will see in your dream. 25. That mood where everything irritates you indicates that you are actually missing someone. 26. Have you ever felt? Food prepared by someone else tastes much better than your own preparation, even when you use the same recipe. 27. Are you blushing? People who blush easily are more generous and trustworthy than those who don’t. 28. Get away from your negative friends cause hearing a single negative thing could damage at least five positive memories. 29. Every 10 years you become a new person, and our desires need Change every 10 years. 30. Consuming food without preservatives increases I.Q by up to 14%. 31. Dreams have more meaning than our conscious thoughts while awake 70% of our dreams contain a secret message. 32. Thinking that something bad is going to happen is less stressful to understand than not understanding how it will eventually wind up. 33. Listening to sad songs creates positive emotions 34. Men aren’t supposed to be more entertaining than women, they only make more jokes, and they don’t care whether others like their humor or not. 35. 91% of people aren’t friends with people they once called their best friends 36. Our brain size has decreased by 10% since we were in the stone age. 37. People are much more likely to return a missing wallet if you put pictures of a child inside. 38. Some people are actually afraid of being too happy because they think that something tragic will happen this is known as “chemophobia” 39. Smart people are more selective so they have fewer friends than the average person. 40. Faking confidence can positively influence your brain chemistry and change your life. 41. People who can speak two languages can unintentionally change their personalities when they switch speaking from one language to another. 42. People who walk at a quicker pace are generally seen as happier and more confident than those who walk slowly 43. Being alone is harder for your health than you really believe. 44. You appear more attractive to a person when you make them smile or laugh 45. Crying is the way how our body responds when our mouth couldn’t explain the pain we feel 46. A scientist named Thomas H. Morgan discovered that chromosomes had inherited knowledge. 47. We forget the mistakes made intentionally and the mistake made inadvertently bothers us. 48. 23% of couples who meet online end up being married. 49. Your brain is doing more imaginative work when you’re sleepy. 50. Feeling as though you are in a TV reality show is considered the Truman Syndrome. 51. Social media is psychologically designed to be addictive. After reading 51 Psychological facts, Also read: 50 Interesting and amazing Unknown Facts

If so, please provide the verses. It would also be helpful if you provide a link. Lingam-Yoni symbol was probably adopted by the Saivites later than the Vedas. The philosophy is same as that of Vedanta. Why is Shiva worshipped as a Lingam? The answer is that the Saivites use the linga form to signify nameless and formless aspects of the deity. Sages said:- 8. Everywhere the deities are worshipped only in their image. How is that Siva is worshipped both in the image and the linga? Suta said:- 9. O sages, this question is holy and wondrous. Here the speaker is Siva Himself and not any ordinary person. 10. I shall tell you what Siva Himself had said and what I heard from my own preceptor. Siva alone is Niskala (nameless and formless) since He is identical with supreme Brahman. 11. He is also Sakala as He has an embodied form. He is both Sakala and Niskala. It is his Niskala aspect that the Linga is appropriate. 12-13. In the Sakala aspect the worship of His embodied form is appropriate. Since He has the Sakala and Niskala aspects He is worshipped both in the linga and in the embodied form by the people and is called the highest Brahman. Shiva Purana, Vidyesvarasamhita, Chapter 5 Where does the linga form come from? The day on which I manifested myself in the form of a column of fire is the Ardra star in the month of Marga-sirsa (November-December), O children. He who sees me on the day of Ardra star in the month of Margasirsa in the company of Uma and worships my Linga emblem or embodied image is dearer to me than even Guha (Kartikeya) On that auspicious day (Sivaratri) the vision alone accords ample results. If he worships too, the result cannot be adequately described. Since I manifested myself in the form of Linga emblem in the field of battle, this place will be known as Lingasthana. O sons, this column without root or top will henceforth be diminutive in size for the sake of the vision and worship of the world. The Linga emblem confers enjoyment. It is the only means of worldly enjoyment and salvation. Viewed, touched or meditated upon, it wards off all future births of the living beings. Since the Linga emblem rose high resembling a mountain of fire, this shall be famous as Ruddy (Aruna) mountain. Many holy centres will spring up here. A residence or death in this holy place ensures liberation. Siva Purana, Vidyesvarasamhita, chapter 9.15-22 What is the philosophical meaning of the Linga? Shiva Linga according to Shiva Purana represents an infinite tower of light and is used to represent nishkala (formless) Shiva. Linga means mark. Shiva Linga simply means a symbol of Shiva. The Yoni associated with the Shiva Linga is simply the source. Just as Vedantins have Brahman - Shakti, Sankhya has Purusha - Prakriti, Shaivism has Linga - Yoni. The Linga is equivalent to Brahman of Vedanta. The word linga is traced to two Sanskrit roots, li meaning to dissolve and gam which means to go, to be manifested or created. The Sivanubhava Sutra 3.3 defines Linga as follows: That in which all mobiles and immobiles enter, i.e., get dissolved, and that from which the universe is created is Linga. Sivanubhava Sutra 3.3 There are also mukha linga or Lingas with faces. Then there are vigraha Lingas where the full form of Siva is inscribed on the Linga. The faceless Lingas are called Sthanu Linga or Linga columns which form is traced to legendary material about Shiva given in certain Puranas like Linga Purana (ch 17), the Kurma Purana (I.26.68-99) etc where Shiva appeared as a column of fire. Here are some additional shastra quotes. Obeisance to Siva, the quiescent Brahman in the form of Linga whose symbol is wreaths of flames and is of the form of a column of fire. Kurma Purana I.26.80 …The Linga is spiritual knowledge and is stationed in the hearts of Yogins. Kurma Purana II.11.94b-95a Linga and Yoni are also thought of as the Ardhanarisvara form of the Lord. O highly blessed ones, at your entreaty I shall mention it to you after bowing to Uma and Siva. She is the mother of the universe. She is named Bhaga. She is the three-fold pedestal of the deity in the form of a Linga. Linga is the lord himself. O excellent brahmins, the creation of the universe is by both of them. Siva in the form of a Linga is the splendour stationed above darkness. In view of the union of the Linga and pedestal he became Ardhanarisvara (Lord with the form of a woman in one-half). At the outset he created his son Brahma the four-faced Lord. Linga Purana II.99.6-8 The Worship of Shiva lingam is totally vedic.: Taittariya Aranyaka of Yajurveda gives us some mantras. bhavÀyâ namaha bhavalingÀyâ namaha sarvÀyâ namaha sarvalingÀyâ namaha sivÀyâ namaha sivalingÀyâ namaha jvalÀyâ namaha jvalalingÀyâ namaha ÀtmÀyâ namaha ÀtmalingÀyâ namaha paramÀyâ namaha paramalingÀyâ namaha etathsomasyà suryâsyâ sarvalingam sthÀpâyâté pÀnimantram pavétram ( YajurVeda Taittariya Aranyaka 10:16:1 ) Rudra is man. Uma is woman. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is Brahma. Uma is Sarasvati. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is Vishnu. Uma is Lakshmi. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is Sun. Uma is shadow. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is moon. Uma is star. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is day. Uma is night. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is Yajna. Uma is Vedi. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is Agni, Uma is Svaha. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is Veda. Uma is Sastra. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is tree. Uma is creeper. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is scent. Uma is flower. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is meaning. Uma is word. Prostrations to Him and Her. Rudra is Linga. Uma is Pitha (Yoni). Prostrations to Him and Her ( Rudra hridaya upanishad ) Ishwara Gita, Chapter-5, "Vishwaroopam Darshanam". महादेवं महायोगं देवानामपि दैवतम् । पशूनां पतिमीशानं ज्योतिषां ज्योतिरव्ययम् ॥ ५.१२॥ पिनाकिनं विशालाक्षं भेषजं भवरोगिणाम् । कालात्मानं कालकालं देवदेवं महेश्वरम् ॥ ५.१३॥ उमापतिं विरूपाक्षं योगानन्दमयं परम् । ज्ञानवैराग्यनिलयं ज्ञानयोगं सनातनम् ॥ ५.१४॥ शाश्वतैश्वर्यविभवं धर्माधारं दुरासदम् । महेन्द्रोपेन्द्रनमितं महर्षिगणवन्दितम् ॥ ५.१५॥ आधारं सर्वशक्तीनां महायोगेश्वरेश्वरम् । योगिनां परमं ब्रह्म योगिनां योगवन्दितम् ॥ योगिनां हृदि तिष्ठन्तं योगमायासमावृतम् । क्षणेन जगतो योनिं नारायणमनामयम् ॥ ५.१६॥ ईश्वरेणैकतापन्नमपश्यन् ब्रह्मवादिनः । दृष्ट्वा तदैश्वरं रूपं रुद्रनारायणात्मकम् । कृतार्थं मेनिरे सन्तः स्वात्मानं ब्रह्मवादिनः ॥ ५.१७॥ Meaning: - Sages have darshana of Great God, Great Lord of Yoga, God of gods, Ishana, Pahupati, light of all lights (Supreme Light), holding Pinaka, remedies of all diseased beings, soul of Kala (Time), Kala of all the Kalas, Maheshwara, Umapati, having un-even eyes/vast eyes, Refuge of Knowledge and Detachment, eternal glorious, base of Dharma, hard to attain, worshiped by great Indra and Vishnu, praised by great rshis, source and base of all the energies, Lord of great yogis, Supreme Brahman, worshiped by yogis, situated in the heart of yogis, surrounded by yoga-maya. Sages of higher fortune witness the Unblemished Narayana who is in the form of yoni (Source/origin) of worlds getting one with Rudra (Who is in the form of Linga). Sages consider themselves fortunate to witness the glorius form of Rudra allied to Narayana (ShankaraNarayana / HariHara Form / Shiva Lingam). Even in Mahabharata also.: “sa eṣa rudra bhaktaś ca keśavo rudra saṃbhavaḥ | sarvabhūtabhavaṃ jñātvā liṅge ‘rcayati yaḥ prabhum | tasminn abhyadhikāṃ prītiṃ karoti vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ |” (MBH 7:172:89-90) “Kesava is that devoted worshipper of Rudra who has sprung from Rudra himself. Kesava always worships the Lord Siva, regarding his Linga emblem to be the origin of the universe. The God having the bull for his mark cherisheth greater regard for Kesava”. I hope this clarifies your queries. There is no mention in the Rig Veda or any of the other Shruti Vedic texts of the Shiva Lingam. There are, however, many references to the Shiva Lingam throughout the later Smriti Linga and Yoni seem to be endogenous to the Indus Valley (p11, Introducing Hinduism, Rodrigues, 2006) whereas the predominate theory regarding Vedic peoples is that they came from the Caucasian area near Sintashta (the source of domesticated horses, chariots, Vedic burial rites, Indo-Iranian languages, and much of the Y-chromosome DNA of skeletal remains from the Vedic period). Thus, Sanatana Dharma is most likely a synthesis of local and Aryan religious practices. This is why linga aren't in the Vedas; initially they were only utilized by the local IVC—which left no known writings.

The muskie is a large species of freshwater fish found in the northern United States and Canada. It is one of the most highly prized gamefish, known for its fierce fighting ability and aggressive nature. Muskellunge have torpedo-shaped bodies with dark olive-brown to grayish backs and sides, often with lighter markings along their lateral line. They have large, sharply-toothed jaws and a white or yellowish belly. The Muskie is generally found in clear, cool lakes, rivers, and streams with abundant aquatic vegetation. They prefer shallow waters, often near drop-offs or weed beds where they can ambush their prey. Muskellunge also seek out areas with good cover such as logs, rocks, and overhanging branches. In the summer months, they will move to cooler waters near the bottom of lakes and streams. Muskellunge are usually solitary fish, but during spawning season, multiple adults may congregate in shallower water for breeding. The Muskie is a large, powerful fish with an elongated body that can reach lengths of up to 6 feet and weights of up to 46 pounds. It has a dark olive-brown to grayish back and sides often with lighter markings along its lateral line. Its head is long and pointed with large eyes, and it has a duck-like bill. Its jaw is large and has sharp teeth, and its underside is white or yellowish. Muskellunge have an adipose fin located between their dorsal and caudal fins, which helps them maneuver quickly through the water. They also have two pelvic fins that are used for steering while swimming. The Muskie is a carnivorous fish and its primary diet consists of other fish, such as bass and panfish. They also feed on crayfish, frogs, snakes, and aquatic insects. Muskellunge hunt by ambush, lying in wait until their prey comes close enough to strike. They are active hunters during the day, though they may also feed at night. Muskellunge are capable of rapid bursts of speed when chasing prey and have an especially good sense of smell, allowing them to locate food in murky waters. They have a specialized jaw structure that allows them to suck up prey and swallow it whole. The Muskie is a highly sought-after gamefish, known for its fierce fighting ability and aggressive nature. It is a challenging species to catch, requiring specialized tackle and techniques. Anglers typically use large lures such as crankbaits or jerkbaits in order to entice the Muskellunge. Fly-fishing for Muskellunge is also possible, though the large size of the fish necessitates heavier gear than what is generally used for trout or bass. Muskellunge can often be caught trolling or drifting in deeper waters near weed beds or drop-offs. It is important to use a sturdy rod and line when fishing for Muskellunge, since they will put up a strong fight when hooked. Overall, the Muskie is a highly sought-after gamefish due to its size, fighting ability, and aggressive nature. It is an exciting fish to catch and can provide anglers with a great challenge. With its large size and powerful strike, it is important to use the right tackle when fishing for Muskellunge in order to ensure a successful catch. Why is this Fish a good mount? The Muskie is a great mount for any angler or outdoorsman looking for an impressive trophy. Its large size and distinct markings make it a beautiful addition to any wall. Not only does mounting this fish serve as a reminder of your successful fishing trip, but it also provides an educational opportunity to learn about the species and its environment. Muskellunge can live up to 15 years in the wild and are considered a top gamefish, so mounting one is sure to be a conversation starter among family and friends. Mounting a Muskellunge also serves as an incentive for practicing conservation efforts, helping ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to experience this species firsthand.

Dickson Despommier: Vertical farms feed cities from skyscrapers Dickson Despommier: There’s no reason in the world why we can’t get our food manufacturing and consumption habits to match with the other parts of the natural world that we ourselves evolved from. Dickson Despommier is a microbiologist at Columbia University. He’s talking about the idea of ‘vertical farming’ in city buildings. That’s growing produce, even fish and poultry, in vertical greenhouses – skyscrapers that feed people – each designed as a self-sufficient ecosystem. Dickson Despommier: I think vertical farming is key to supplying us with food and to reusing the wastes that are created after consuming food to supply the energy and the water that’s necessary in order to actually make these things work. Sewage would be heated and pressurized to separate it into water and carbon, which would fuel incinerators to power lights and machinery. While no one has yet built a vertical farm, Despommier has estimated that with just a little land, these skyscraper-farms could feed a lot of people. Dickson Despommier: For every 50,000 people living in an urban center, they would require a building one square New York City block in footprint and thirty stories high. Despommier expects China and Holland to build the first vertical farms within two to three years. In addition to saving on transport by making produce just a few blocks away, ecosystems beyond the city limits could heal as regular farms go ‘wild.’ Dickson Despommier: In essence, what you’re doing is saying, here’s a way that we can replant the trees that were taken away to make room for the farms. If we have the trees back then we can start sucking up CO2 from the atmosphere, and at the same time we can have our food. I know it sounds rather idealistic at this point, but it seems to be solving two major problems all at the same time. It’s estimated that the greenhouses can be made to use only 10 percent of the water and five percent of the land needed by farm fields. Our thanks to: New York, NY

According to novelist, Mark Twain, Mauritius “was made first and then heaven; and heaven was copied after Mauritius”. The tiny island, which is only 800km east of Madagascar and which rather dramatically rises from the depths of the Indian Ocean, has the “tropical island” part nailed down. Mauritius is fringed by 160km of pearly white beaches, an azure sea that’s clear enough to revel at magnificent coral reefs, and a rugged core flipping between deafening waterfalls, silent forests, expansive gorges and hundreds of unique wildlife. There are many historical, cultural and once-in-a-lifetime things to do in Mauritius, from helicopter rides to view “underwater” waterfalls to African safaris; glass bottom boat rides to exploring sacred religious temples. If you fancy exploring this “pearl of the ocean”, then read on to discover my highlights of Mauritius. A Brief History of Mauritius The island of Mauritius was uninhabited and isolated for thousands of years, allowing rare flora and fauna to flourish. Of the 600 indigenous species, the most notable throughout history is the dodo, a flightless bird that many believe Charles Darwin discovered. The truth is that around 1598, Dutch sailors landed on the island and first recorded the birds. Unfortunately, the dodo was extinct by 1681. Today, Mauritius is surrounded by the world’s third largest coral reef with a rich marine life and its national flower, Trochetia boutoniana (Boucle d’Oreillie) which now only grows on a single mountaintop. Like its wildlife and plants, Mauritius’ people have had a varied and complicated past. The island of Mauritius was first a Dutch colony, beginning in the 17th century, before becoming French and then coming under British control until 1968 when the islanders gained independence. Due to its multi-national and multi-cultured past, the island boasts a diverse mosaic of different cultures, highlighted in the abundance of French, Indian, Dutch, English, and Mauritian foods, religions and festivals. Key Information about Mauritius The island of Mauritius forms only a small section of the Mascarene Islands – a volcanic chain reaching as far as the Seychelles – and as a result, it’s known for being one of the best winter sun destinations. It’s also a sublime location for an island holiday, leaving many who visit content to lounge by the sea and soak up the sun all day. As I said, the island is great for some winter sun, and the best time to visit Mauritius is between October and December as the weather averages 30 degrees celcius and the rainfall is low. As for currency, you’ll need to get some Mauritian Rupee which is used throughout the country, and the best way to explore the island is to rent a car. However, public transport is frequent and transport to and from the airport can often be arranged via your hotel’s concierge. Where to Stay in Mauritius While we were holidaying in Mauritius, we stayed in Sofitel Mauritius L’Imperial Resort & Spa, but there are many hotels in Mauritius to choose from. Most of these hotels are world-class with gourmet restaurants, golf courses and top-notch spas. Best of all, they sit directly on Mauritius’ beaches. As for Sofitel Mauritius L’Imperial, we think of it as paradise on Earth. It has the most indulgent and luxurious spa, which is operated in collaboration with L’Occitane, and there are several pools – including an infinity pool – a gym, a plethora of watersport activities and diving courses. But the hotel’s two best features were its spacious rooms – which are more like mini apartments with sea views – and the numerous restaurants serving Indian, French, Japanese, Chinese, and British cuisines. My Top things to do in Mauritius While Mauritius used to be an exclusive destination for the well-to-do, it now has an ever-expanding range of activities and accommodations for all types of budgets. Yet, it still feels uber luxurious and, as a result, Mauritius is one of the best places to explore for those wanting to experience affordable luxury travel. For more tips on how to achieve affordable luxury travel, please click here. There are many things to do in Mauritius, including watersports like swimming with dolphins, diving, paddleboarding and more. The island’s rugged interior is no more than 45 minutes drive from the sea, with mountain ranges created by volcanic activity thirteen million years ago. Our trip focused on the west and south of the island, so here are my selections of the best things to do in Mauritius’ lesser-known regions. 1. Swimming and Snorkelling As I said before, Mauritius is blessed with a 720-mile coastline and the west and south of the island are often windier and wilder. As a result, these regions of Mauritius’ beaches are best for watersports and photography (there’s something quite magnificent and spellbinding about relaxing on a beach surrounded by dense jungles and skyscraper mountains). On the west coast, Flic en Flac is known for being one of the longest beaches in Mauritius with exquisite snorkelling opportunities. It’s likewise known for its reef-protected lagoon and epic sunsets. Tamrin Beach is popular with locals and with the absence of any reef protection, it’s the best spot for surfing. On the southwest coast lies the two-and-a-half-mile stretch of Le Morne peninsula which is backed by Le Morne Brabant peak – a Unesco World Heritage Site. Due to its location, Le Morne has the most wind, and therefore, is excellent for kitesurfers. 2. Glass-bottom Boat Trips Consider for a moment, the exhilarating sensation of cruising the gentle turquoise oceans with the wind coursing through your hair. Sounds intoxicating right? Now, imagine yourself in a glass-bottom boat, where you can see an abundance of marine life and exotic coral reefs below your feet. Oftentimes, you’ll also discover objects and shipwrecks dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. Make sure to look out for the vibrant butterflyfish, octopi, mantis shrimps, peacock flounders, starfish and endemic angelfish. The panoramic views of Mauritius are also awe-inspiring. 3. Island Hop around Mauritius One of the best things to do in Mauritius is to embark on a luxury catamaran or speed boat and hop around the wild, isolated and untouched offshore islands. These boat trips are the best examples travellers today have to see what the 16th-century explorers encountered when they first landed in Mauritius. Depending on which company you sail with, activities vary from snorkelling, dolphin watching and enjoying a barbecue on deserted shorelines. But one thing is for sure, these islands are where endemic species survive and are the most private areas to enjoy the winter sun. 4. The Black River Gorges National Park In the southwestern part of Mauritius is a 16,680 acres national park where over 300 native species and endemic flowering plants reside. The Black River Gorges National Park is the island’s last protected jungle and is largely left as nature intended. It is known for having over 50km of exhilarating hiking trails and along the way, you’ll find nine endemic avian species, three endangered birds – the Mauritius kestrel, the pink pigeon and the echo parakeet – and 4000 types of fruit bat. Deeper into the Black River Gorges National Park, a canopy of ancient trees, spectacular waterfalls, snaking rivers and cavernous valleys present themselves to you. There is no shop here, so make sure to take your own supplies. 5. Chamarel Waterfall When you visit Mauritius, you cannot miss seeing Chamarel Waterfall which is known locally as Cascade Chamarel. It’s the highest waterfall on the island of Mauritius with a 100-metre drop and over 10 million years of history. Indeed, the waterfall is evidence of Mauritius’s volcanic days, gathering its water from two rivers: Viande Salèe and St Denis. Due to its size, the spray of the fall rises to half the height of the actual waterfall, and abseiling is a popular watersport here. There’s a lookout point for visitors, and the view here is unparalleled – a striking waterfall overhanging a steep basalt cliff with a dense jungle as a backdrop. For the adventurous, you can trek down to the waterfall’s base, following a route for roughly three hours. 6. Seven Coloured Earths One of the most unusual things to do in Mauritius is to marvel at the other-worldly, volcanic, geological phenomenon. This caused seven different colours of the earth to form in undulating waves. This tourist attraction is not far from Chamarel Waterfall and is known to locals as Terres de 7 Couleurs. It spans 7,500 metres and was formed 3.5 million – 1.9 million years ago by the decomposition of volcanic rock. The island’s humid and hot weather eroded the basaltic rock, leaving behind deposits of iron and aluminium oxide. These came in seven distinctive colours – green, violet, yellow, red, brown, purple and blue. 7. Helicopter Ride over Mauritius It’s one thing to drive through Mauritius’s thick jungles and along its expansive coastline. But it’s an entirely different experience to take a helicopter ride over these. It’s a truly once-in-a-lifetime, matchless journey where you get to have a birdseye view of the Chamarel Waterfall, the Seven Coloured Earths and areas of the island few get to discover. Troux aux Cerfs – a dormant volcano with a crater and cone – is one such place, as is flying over Le Morne Brabant. The latter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Mauritius’s world-famous illusionary underwater waterfall can be seen! This is definitely best viewed from the sky! 8. Casela Nature Park If you’re driving around the island of Mauritius, there is a good chance you’ll spot one or two of its native monkeys. But, at Casela Nature Park, you’ll discover the country’s more dynamic and impressive feathered and furry residents. The nature park, which doubles as an adventure park with an extra-long zip line running over canyons, spans 350 acres and also features an animal sanctuary. Here, you can pet baby goats, embark on horse or camel rides, or go on a bumpy ride with one of their African safaris. On the safari, you can discover eager ostriches, rhinos and zebras. For those who love big cats, the Predator Kingdom has activities like walking with lions or entering their domains. 9. “King Kong” Mountain As I’ve said before, the island of Mauritius was formed after volcanic activity in the Indian Ocean. As a result, Mauritius’s rugged interior has many hiking trails that render even the most skilled climber doubtful as to their success at climbing its mountains. One landscape, known locally as the “King Kong” mountain is particularly challenging. It’s named the “King Kong” mountain because, from a particular angle, the mountain has the profile of this dangerous creature. Others have nicknamed it the “mini-Matterhorn”, after Switzerland’s highest alps. Please note, some sections of this hike require scrambling and trust in a rather tenuous hanging bridge. But at the end of the day, the views are spectacular! If you’re a novice hiker, I’d recommend not trying this particular route and opting for hiking through the Black River Gorges National Park. 10. Ganga Talao One of the best things to do in Mauritius is to witness the island’s diverse religious culture. Ganga Talao – also known as Grand Bassin – is considered the most sacred Hindu place in Mauritius, sitting on a crater lake 550 metres above sea level. Here, you’ll find an assortment of shrines and temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and the enormous statue at the entrance – 108 feet high – is also dedicated to this supreme god. This is the tallest statue in Mauritius (pictured below, next to the gold lion). Every year, between the end of February and the beginning of March, thousands of pilgrims descend upon this lake to celebrate the festival of Shivaratri. They walk barefoot with hand-made shrines to the water’s edge, at which point they carry out private prayers. At quieter times, there are several walks around Ganga Talao, but there is a strict no-fishing policy. I was blown away by the culture, beauty and diverse activities on the island of Mauritius! Whether you’re looking for a quiet beach to enjoy the warm winter sun or want to try once-in-a-lifetime experiences like private helicopter rides, there is something for everyone in Mauritius. Have you ever been to Mauritius? If so, what are some of your favourite things to do on the island? If not, are there any activities on the island of Mauritius that you’d like to try?

Traditional toxicological investigations performed on animals (in vivo) are expensive, time-consuming and may cause animal suffering. But research from Umeå University demonstrates that a neuronal cell model, derived from mouse, can be used to evaluate the neurotoxic effect of chemicals. The alternative toxicity risk assessment could reduce reliance on animal testing while also enable quick large scale toxicity evaluations. “Simple and robust cellular models are important because they allow us to screen a large number of chemicals including environmental pollutants, cosmetics, food preservatives and drugs for potential toxicity. Moreover, they allow us to investigate mechanisms of toxicity on the cellular level,” says Dina Popova, doctoral student at the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience at Umeå University and author of the doctoral thesis. The overall aim of Dina Popova’s research has been to evaluate the usefulness of neuronally differentiated mouse embryonal carcinoma P19 cells (P19 neurons) as a model for toxicity testing. P19 cells are a generally available tumour cell line which can be easily cultured in vitro. What makes the cells interesting is their ability to differentiate into different cell types depending on the treatment. Dina Popova differentiated P19 cells into neurons with a number of characteristics that are typical of mammalian brain cells. Using these differentiated cells, Dina Popova found that P19 neurons can detect toxicity of known neurotoxic compounds including the environmental toxicant methylmercury, the marine biotoxin okadaic acid and acrylamide, which is a chemical used in different industries. The model can also be used to test the toxicity of recreational drugs such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (known as MDMA or ecstasy) and a group of piperazine derivatives. When compared to the other two cellular models often used for neurotoxicity studies, the P19 neurons were usually more sensitive to the toxic effects of the compounds tested. In addition, the P19 neurons could be used to identify mechanisms of toxicity. Dina Popova has also developed a simple method to measure neurite outgrowth in P19 neurons. Neurite outgrowth, i.e. projections from the cell bodies, is an important parameter in neurotoxicity assessment of chemicals since disruptions in neurite network might lead to cognitive abnormalities.

A new system that can detect 3-D printing errors before it’s too late, offering big saving to industry, has been recognized by a leading manufacturing conference. The work, led by Christopher Henson, with Nathan Decker and Qiang Huang, professor of industrial and systems engineering, chemical engineering and materials science, uses real time modeling to monitor an ongoing 3-D printing build. The project was recently awarded and honorable mention as part of the North American Manufacturing Research Conference’s student research presentation award. 3-D printing, or additive manufacturing, is growing in popularity as an advanced manufacturing technique, allowing users to directly build customizable objects from computer-generated designs. But 3-D printing also has a high degree of error, causing distortion of printed shapes, resulting in unusable print jobs and excess waste and expense. Henson and his collaborators use a “digital twin” strategy, creating a digital counterpart of the physical object that can provide an expectation of the behavior of that object in a real life context, in order to detect when a print has failed. “Our approach captures images of a print as it happening and we are able to simulate what those images should look like based on the 3-D design file the part is printed from,” Henson said. Henson said that by comparing the simulated image with the image the research team captured of the part on the printer, they can determine if there is a major discrepancy that would warrant the cancelation of the print. “The system we have developed is designed to monitor a print for defects and cancel a print shortly after a major defect has occurred. It has the potential to save manufacturers money by reducing the amount of time and material printers dedicate to manufacturing a failed part,” Henson said. Henson said that the current industry practice for detecting failure in 3-D printing focuses on the printer by looking for abnormal operation though the characterization of such parameters as acoustic emissions or the temperature of the extruder—the printer part responsible for drawing in, melting and pushing out the filament. “Our approach focuses on the part being printed rather than the machine,” Henson said. “This means our strategy is capable of detecting deformation both when the printer is operating nominally and when it is not. Our approach is also capable of accounting for a non-stationary print volume which is a marked advantage considering a minority of machines have a stationary print volume.” Henson and Decker are also working with Huang on a new software platform to improve 3-D printing accuracy by 50% or more. Published on June 29th, 2021 Last updated on June 29th, 2021

ANIMAL PARTS AND CHINESE MEDICINE Dried flying lizards Chinese medicine shops often sell things like dried starfish, bear paws, dried snakes, starfish flakes, dried scorpions, horse gallstones, rats fetuses picked in oil, turtle shells, powdered snakes, powdered horns, fuzzy elk antlers, frogs, birds' beaks, snakeskins, umbilical cords from donkeys and herring spawn wrapped in kelp — or medicines that contain these things as one of their ingredients. Medicines made from animals often purport to have properties which are associated with the animal. Elephant skin is taken for acne; monkey heads are eaten for headaches and turtle heads are consumed for labor pains. Snakes are supposed to make one stronger. Snake glands are good for the eyes. Powdered snake gall bladder is reputed to be a cure for bronchitis. Coin snakes are one of the more popular remedies. Held together with sticks, they are sold coiled up with the head popping out of the middle and fact look like black quarters. They are boiled into a thick black liquid that is sipped like tea. Chinese believe that eating turtles is supposed to make one live longer. Turtles have long been associated with longevity. Tons of turtles from five different species are shipped from Malaysia and Vietnam to China. Turtle blood is available at Wall-Marts in China. Lizards are taken for high blood pressure and the skulls of gazelles are ground into powder to make people strong. Bull gallstones are highly valued and very expensive. They are yellowish and about the size of nickels and are used to treat fevers and inflammation Insects used Chinese medicine include pulverized weaver ants for asthma, powered cockroaches for stroke and silkworm feces for typhus. Dried cicadas are boiled in a soup to improve eyesight. Bee venom, honey and other bee products have been used for centuries by as folk remedies in China. Black scorpions sell for $12 a pound. Dragon bones, actually ancient human and animal bones, play a significant role in Chinese culture. In the past they were prized for their medicinal qualities and used to treat malaria and other diseases. Now they are treasured not only by paleo-anthropologists but also by nationalists seeking to prove the biological continuity and singularity of the Chinese people. [Source: Sheila Melvin, New York Times, August 28, 2008] In 2016, some African countries banned the sale of donkeys to China. CNN reported: Gelatin produced from donkey hide is a key ingredient of one of China's favorite traditional remedies, known as ejiao, which is used to treat a range of ailments from colds to insomnia. China is now increasingly looking to Africa to boost its stocks, and imports donkeys from countries across the continent. Niger recently became the latest African state to ban exports of donkeys, following a surge in sales to China. In August, Burkina Faso took the same step, after 45,000 donkeys were slaughtered in six months from a total population of 1.4 million. [Source: CNN, September 29, 2016] Animals and Chinese Medicine: Tigers in Crisis tigersincrisis.com ; Bear Bile Farms Pictures all-creatures.org ; Animals Asia. Org animalsasia.org Starfish, Scorpions, Lizards and Chinese Medicinethingsasian.com Aphrodisiacs and Chinese Medicine Traditional Chinese medicine shops sell deer antlers, seahorses, deer penises, sea cucumbers, dried lizards, monkey brains, sparrow tongues, deer tails, rabbit hair, tiger penises and the fungus the grows on bat moth larvae as aphrodisiacs. Chinese men also consume bull and deer penises soaked in herbal wine, bull's pizzles cooked with Chinese yam, fertilized duck eggs and snake bile to boost their sex life. Indian tribes in the U.S. Pacific Northwest have made fortunes selling geoduck, giant burrowing clams, to markets in Hong Kong and southern China. The clams can weigh as much as 16 pounds and have a penis-like neck that can extend for three feet. Wealthy diners will pay up to $100 in Hong Kong or Shanghai for a dish made with geoduck meat. Bird nest soup is supposed to prolong erections. Deer musk is rubbed on private parts too stimulate sex. The fact that dried seahorses are consumed for virility is ironic because seahorse are a species in which the males get pregnant. Many aphrodisiacs either incorporate the penises of other animals or are shaped like penises. Dog penises from Thailand are sent to China and Taiwan, where they are consumed as energy boosters. Deer penis and testicles sold together on an ornate green box lined with red satin will sell for $63. Labels on aphrodisiacs like Chinese Dragon Tonic, East Superman Pills, Strong Man Bao and Super Supa Softgels say thing like “Make yourself powerful during active sex,” “strengthen the functional activities of the loins and knees,” and “Battle impotence, lassitude, amnesia, and cold pain of the waist and knees,” An old advertisement for an aphrodisiac read: “Fight 100 battles in nine nights with no loss of verve and leave the ladies with cherished memories.” [Source: Daffyd Roderick, Time, March 19, 2001] Deer Antlers and Chinese Medicine Deer antlers are thought to "build up spiritual as well as physical powers." They are consumed in tonics and teas at the beginning of the winter to ward off flu and colds. The deer antlers are usually cut with blood imbedded in them. Sometimes the blood is squeezed out of the horn. One woman who was buying deer antlers at a pharmacy told the New York Times, "I need energy. I want to have a second baby, and I think this will help." Deer antler are often sliced paper thin and boiled with ginseng and herbs. The slices closer to the root are considered more valuable and better for health than those near the tip. Slices from short antler are said tp be better than those form long antlers, A 29-day treatment costs around $1,100. deer juice According to research by the New Zealand Game Industry — a source of deer antlers — antler velvet stimulates the immune system and white blood cell production. Their research showed that the upper sections of the antlers were more affective than those from the lower sections. Some Korean farmer farmers raise deer for their antlers. The meat is sold to venison-loving Germany. Imported deer antlers are purchased at a price $5 for 75 grams and sold for $9 on the wholesale market and $20 on the retail market. Koreans also fancy elk antlers. Moose antlers are considered low quality. In South Korea, tonics made with deer antlers and the parts of endangered animals are often consumed on special occasions, once or twice a year to boost energy. Deer sinew and tendons are regarded as cures for rheumatism. They comes in large and small portions. Centipedes and Chinese Medicine Four-inch-long poisonous black centipedes with yellow legs are prized ingredients in some oriental medicine concoctions in Korea and some places in China. These disgusting creatures can be quite aggressive. When attacked they rear up and strike like snakes and can run amazingly fast. My wife was bitten on the foot by one that crawled into her bed. Her foot was swollen for about a week. Describing a man who sold centipede juice on the streets of Seoul, one American wrote in the Korean Times, the man "displays a whole towel that is positively crawling with centipedes the size of tongue depressors. With an enormous pair of tweezers, he picks off the centipedes and drops them in a boiling vat. From a tap at the bottom of the vat, a thick red liquid oozes into glass vials.” A sign in front of herb shop in Kyongdong market in Seoul read: "Centipedes: we will roast and grind them for you." A centipede tonic in the shop was prepared according recipe described by Huh Joon, a Chosun dynasty physician who lived from 1546 to 1615. Seahorses and Chinese Medicine In Asia, particularly in China, South Korea and Japan, seahorses are coveted for its alleged medicinal and aphrodisiac properties. In China, seahorses are prescribed from ailments such as asthma, arteosclerosis, dizziness, joint pain, impotence and incontinence. In China medicine seahorses are usually ground and mixed with herbs and other ingredients a made into a tea. The fact that dried seahorses are consumed for virility is ironic because seahorse are a species in which the males get pregnant. "North is ginseng and south is seahorse" is a Chinese adage from the Divine Peasant’s Herbal Compendium. But Chinese have not been the only ones who consumed seahorses as a medicine. The Roman historian Pliny the Elder reported that "ashes of seahorse...mixed with soda and pig's large" cured baldness. Seahorse powder sells for about $6,000 per kilo in the early 2010s. In Hong Kong, "inferior" seahorses sold for about $220 a kilo in the 1990s. Higher quality ones went for around $1,000 a kilo. Seahorse are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Parts from Endangered Animals and Chinese Medicine Parts from endangered animals include musk deer sent glands, bear bile, seal penises, bear's gall bladders, tiger bone, and rhinoceros horn, Endangered Asian barred owls, hawks and other owls are made into a soup which is supposed to improve eyesight Endangered Imperial eagles feathers are rubbed on skin. Selling animal parts on the street in Chengdu The skin of Malayan tapirs is consumed to remove boils and ward off infection. Macaque flesh is taken as a malaria treatment and a cure for lassitude. Leopard fat, elephant eyeballs, porcupine stomachs, wild boar teeth, monkey paws, civet glands, rabbit skulls, and otter penises are also consumed for medicinal purposes. In markets in Guangzhou you can see other rare cats, such as leopard cats, on sale as food. The bones from snow leopards and golden cats are used as a tiger bone substitute in some medicines. If anything the market is expanding as wealthy consumers in China get more numerous and richer and continue to buy foods and traditional medicines made illegally from rare species, such as the pangolin and tiger. Parts from endangered animals are not just sold in Asia. A survey of pharmacies in Chinatowns in seven cities in Europe and North America found that many sold products made with parts of endangered animals. Bear bile, for example, is sold at pharmacies in Britain. The illegal animal trade is worth $10 billion a year, possibly twice that. It is increasingly being controlled by organized crime as evidenced by the record seizures. China is the largest market Fakes are often passed off as parts from endangered animals. For example, pig gallbladders are often sold as bear gallbladders and camel bones are passed off as tiger bones. Synthetic versions of active chemicals in endangered animals are now marketed, but many consumers prefer the genuine articles. "It's like asking, 'What do you think about the difference between a natural diamond and an artificial diamond?’ — an Oriental medicine doctor told the New York Times. "Is it the same thing? Endangered Species Used in Traditional Medicine 1) Rhinoceros: Rhino poaching reached epidemic levels in the 20th century, nearly driving all five species into extinction. But in the 1990s, China removed the animal from its list of ingredients approved for manufacturing medicines — rhino horn was supposed to relieve fevers and lower blood pressure, though any such effect was debunked by science — and rhino populations began to recover. That quickly changed a few years ago, though, after rumors began circulating in Vietnam that rhino horn had cured a VIP of terminal liver cancer. Poaching, particularly of black and white rhinos in South Africa, ramped up and the animals are threatened once again. [Source: Joseph Stromberg and Sarah Zielinski, Smithsonian.com, October 19, 2011] 2) Water Buffalo: Purebred wild water buffaloes may already have disappeared from the world, scientists acknowledge. Domestic varieties or hybrids may be all that remain in Southeast Asia, according to some estimates, or there could be a couple of hundred pure water buffaloes left or possibly thousands. Researchers do agree, however, that the species is endangered. But that hasn’t stopped people from hunting them in places like Cambodia (the water buffalo is considered an alternative to rhino horn in the treatment of conditions ranging from fever to convulsions). And the water buffalo has already been eliminated from swaths of Laos, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. 3) Chinese Alligator: This small, freshwater crocodilian species now numbers fewer than 200 in the wild, mostly restricted to a small reserve in the Anhui province of China, along the lower Yangtze River. Habitat destruction, particularly dam building, has devastated the alligator population, but hunting has also taken a toll. Alligator meat is promoted as a way to cure the common cold and to prevent cancer, and alligator organs are also said to have medicinal properties. Captive breeding, in an effort to restore the species, has proved successful, and there are now thousands of captive animals and new efforts to reintroduce them into the wild. 4) Asian Elephant: Asian elephants were once thought to be relatively immune to poaching — unlike their African relatives, only some males, instead of all adults, have ivory tusks — but that is not true. The animals are killed for their meat, hide, tusks and other body parts. In Myanmar, for example, small pieces of elephant foot are turned into a paste to treat hernias. A bigger concern, though, is loss of the Asian elephant’s natural habitat and increasing conflict between the animals and the growing human population. 5) Sun Bear: The sun bear is just one of several bear species killed for its gallbladder, which is used for treating everything from burns to asthma to cancer. Their population has declined by more than 30 percent in the past three decades due to hunting and loss of their forest habitat. The killing of sun bears is illegal throughout their home range in Southeast Asia, but these laws are rarely enforced. In addition, commercial farms that raise bears to milk their gallbladders for bile restock by capturing wild bears. 6) Grevy’s Zebra; The Grevy’s zebra once roamed across East Africa, but its population dropped from 25,000 in the 1970s to about 2,500 today. Humans killed the animals for their skins and to eliminate competition for water between the zebras and livestock. The zebras can now be found only in northern Kenya and a few parts of Ethiopia. The Kenyan government developed a plan in 2008 to conserve the remaining population. Included in the effort was the recognition of the need to work with traditional healers who use the zebra’s meat and fat to treat diseases such as tuberculosis. 7) Tiger: While tigers originally lived across Asia, from Turkey to the eastern coast of Russia, their range has now dwindled to roughly a dozen countries in East and South Asia, and as few as 3,200 tigers may be left in the wild. Their decline is the result of the use of tiger skins, bones, teeth and claws in traditional medicine; they are believed to cure toothaches and protect against malicious curses, among other maladies. Criminal poaching syndicates can now get as much as $50,000 for the parts from a single tiger, and although international law bans the commercial trade of tigers, several countries permit the farming of tigers, further driving black-market demand. 8) Banteng: The population of wild banteng, a species of cattle native to southeast Asia, is now estimated to be somewhere between 2,000 and 5,000, a decrease of more than 90 percent since the 1960s. While land development and agriculture pose grave problems for the endangered species, poaching is a continued and direct threat, driven by the market for their horns, coveted as hunting trophies and use in traditional remedies. In 2003, banteng became the first endangered species to be successfully cloned, and researchers hope to use this technology for conservation purposes in the future. 9) Hawksbill Sea Turtle: Although Hawksbill sea turtles can be found in environments ranging from the Caribbean Sea to the waters surrounding Indonesia, their numbers have dwindled to the point that they are now listed as critically endangered. Poachers hunt hawksbills for a number of reasons, including for their shells, which have been distributed worldwide as travel souvenirs and incorporated into jewelry and other decorative items and for their oil, whose use in traditional medicine has increased in recent years. Bans on trading turtle products and various sting operations have achieved limited success in stopping the species’ decline. 10) Musk Deer: Seven species of musk deer are found in Asia, and all are on the decline. Thousands of male musk deer have been killed for their musk pods, a gland that produces the musk that gives the animals their name and has been used in perfumes. The musk, a brown, waxy substance, can be extracted from live animals, but “musk gatherers,” who can get around $200 to $250 per gland from foreign traders, find it easier to kill the deer. Though perfume makers have found synthetic alternatives to musk, the hunting hasn’t stopped. Musk deer meat is considered a local delicacy, and musk is still used in traditional medicines for treating cardiac, circulatory and respiratory problems. Laws that Protect Endangered Animals In 1993, CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) warned China and Taiwan, the two countries where the trade in tiger and rhino parts is most prevalent, to take steps to shut down the trade or face trade sanctions. In response, Chinese authorities said they would assign 40,000 people to enforce laws protecting endangered animals. Conservationist say that Taiwan and China would do just enough to stave off sanctions and then allow the market to resume business. The CITES treaty has been signed by 130 nations. It protects 25,000 species and enforces bans on a number of items including tiger bones, rhinoceros horns, musk glands and bear gall bladders. Korea had hoped for exemption on seven species — musks, bears, tigers, pangolins, turtles, mink whales and Bryde's whales. The politics of the sanctions on endangered animals is tricky. Why, for example, are sanctions imposed for the mistreatment of tigers and not on the torture and imprisonment of Tibetans. There is also the issue of free trade. "Once you impose sanctions," a State department official asked, "then what?" The U.S. has used a section of the U.S. Fisheries Protective Act known as the Pelly amendment to impose sanctions on nations whose acts hurts endangered species. The amendment was intended to curb the use of drift nets by Korea and Japan. Russia Seizes Animal Parts Bound for China Andrew E. Kramer wrote in the New York Times, “The 26 elk lips were just the tip of the pile. The items the Russian customs agents reported seizing Tuesday were exotic even by the standards of Russia’s border with China, where wildlife smuggling is rampant: 1,041 bear paws, lynx fur, unspecified claw parts and five tusks from the extinct woolly mammoth. Officials said they discovered the cargo after a dog alerted them to the contents in the bed of a Chinese driver’s seemingly empty truck. On closer examination, officials found a secret compartment with the cache of contraband.” [Source: Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, June 14, 2011] “Smuggling is generally blossoming in Russia’s Far East. The long border with China, closed for decades, is now open for travel and trade. “China is a vacuum cleaner for Siberian wildlife,” said Aleksei L. Vaisman, a senior coordinator for Traffic Europe-Russia, which is sponsored by the conservation group WWF, which monitors trade in wild animals. The largest cache of bear paws he knew of previously was 787 paws (one paw shy of 197 full sets of four). Bear paws are a ritual dish for Chinese, elk lips a delicacy. Also smuggled daily, for food or medicine, are bear gallbladders, frogs, deer antlers and the genitals of spotted deer. The bones of highly endangered Amur tigers are sought for their aphrodisiac qualities. “The illegal cargo weighing almost 1.4 tons was detained by border guards and customs officials, a statement explained. The items were individually wrapped, the statement said, though it did not say if the compartment was refrigerated. The elk lips alone weighed 143 pounds. As Russian border agents using dogs have become more adept at catching small-time traffickers, smugglers have been compelled to risk large shipments, he said. The large number reported Tuesday (from about 260 bears) were most likely accumulated by brokers who bought them from hunters over the winter, he said. A set of four brings the hunters about $50.” “The mammoth ivory poses an unusual set of legal and ethical issues. The tusks are more abundant than many people in the West realize. Encased in an upper layer of Siberia’s permafrost are the remains of an estimated 150 million mammoths that lived from 3,600 to 400,000 years ago. The parts surface in the spring thaw across vast stretches of Russia’s far north and are routinely collected. Most are exported — legally — to China, South Korea and Japan to be carved into personal stamps used in place of signatures on documents.” “Russia, though, requires an export license. This is intended to ensure that traders send tusks with possible scientific value — like prehistoric slaughter marks or signs of ancient disease — to researchers. Generally, conservationists concerned about the illegal ivory trade from Africa into Asia encourage buyers to turn to the legal trade from Siberia of ivory from mammoths.Still, it was unclear how the tusks were hidden in the truck intercepted at a border crossing in the town of Blagoveshchensk or how the smuggler had obtained them. The tusks are often cut up and sold by the kilogram.” Image Sources: Weird Meat com; BBC and AFP; Wikipedia; AAPA; WWF; Save the Tiger; Wild Aid; Snowland Great Rivers Association; Wild Alliance. Text Sources: New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Times of London, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Time, Newsweek, Reuters, AP, Lonely Planet Guides, Compton’s Encyclopedia and various books and other publications. Last updated July 2022

Hydrogen Maser and iMaser Clock Technology Maser stands for Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radioation. The Hydrogen Maser is an active oscillator with a natural output derived from the quantum transition between two of the hyperfine levels.(F=1, MF=0 to F=0, MF=0) of the ground electronic state of atomic hydrogen.This corresponds to a well-known 21 cm line. Molecular Hydrogen, supplied from a storage bottle dissociated into atoms by an HF plasma discharge in the H source. Leaving the H source, the atoms enter a State Selector which directs the beam of atoms in the appropriate quantum state (F=1, MF=0 and F=1, MF=1) into a quartz Storage bulb coated with Teflon to minimize the interactions of Hydrogen atoms with the bulb walls. The storage bulb is placed in the center of a Microwave cavity using the TE011 mode. The cavity is tuned and close to the hyperfine structure transition of the Hydrogen atom. The tuning of the cavity is controlled by the cavity temperature (coarse adjustment) and by a Varactor diode. A-coupling loop, mounted in the cavity, extracts part of the Maser energy to the low noise receiver and the Phase Lock Loop (PLL), which includes the local quartz oscillator (OCXO).

Infertility is a common medical condition affecting 1 in 7 couples. There are many different reasons to seek fertility services. Many, but not all, cases of infertility can be explained. The underlying causes of infertility can be broken down into several key factors: sperm, eggs, uterus, tubes, and hormones. What is infertility? Infertility is a medical condition where the ability to conceive (become pregnant) and then give birth to a child is limited or impaired in some way. While infertility can be socially isolating, it is very common. Infertility affects an estimated 1 in 7 couples. Recent data from the CDC report that 7.3 million women in the United States, or 12% of all reproductive age women aged 15-44, used some type of fertility service from 2011 to 2015. There is an even higher number of people who experience infertility, because some people don’t seek help. Infertility is often defined as the failure to conceive after one year. This is the definition because 85% of couples attempting to conceive will do so within one year, and only an additional 7% will successfully conceive in the year following. This metric is helpful in providing a general rule for when most couples should seek fertility services. However, there are important exceptions to this rule, which will be addressed here. This definition leaves out many patients seeking fertility treatment, including single individuals wanting to become parents, same-sex couples, and patients who suffer from recurrent miscarriages even though they get pregnant easily. Plus, some patients may not want to get pregnant right away but rather want to get testing or treatment for fertility preservation. This means that the patient wants to get pregnant later in life, or they are going to have a medical or surgical treatment that could make it harder to get pregnant later. Infertility has many causes. Some patients might be fertile in one sense but suffer from infertility in another sense. For example, a person may have normal eggs but not have a uterus (“uterine factor”) or functional fallopian tubes (“tubal factor”). A male partner may suffer from performance anxiety during intercourse, have problems with his sperm, or consistently be away during peak fertility of their partner’s menstrual cycle. Or, an individual may not have a male partner at all (all are “male factor”). Some patients can become pregnant easily, but then consistently lose those pregnancies early in the first trimester (“recurrent pregnancy loss”). Other reasons for infertility include: - problems related to ovaries, ovulation, or eggs, including a lack of eggs (“primary ovarian insufficiency”) - abnormal menstrual cycles and excess of androgens (“polycystic ovary syndrome”) - a lack of periods due to lack of hormone release from the brain (“hypothalamic amenorrhea”) Sometimes, there is no clear reason. When there is no obvious reason for infertility, the term “unexplained infertility” is used. This happens about 15% of the time. Diagnosis and Treatment In a very basic sense, natural fertility requires five basic components: - capable sperm - capable eggs - proper hormone signaling - a means and location (the fallopian tubes) for the egg and sperm to fertilize to create an embryo - a place (the uterus) for the embryo to implant and grow into a baby For an individual or couple seeking fertility services, the first step is to look at these key areas. These tests will determine which treatments are offered. Sperm production normally begins with puberty and continues until death. However, many problems can occur. Some of these problems are lack of sperm production, destruction of sperm, or blockage of sperm transport. A test called a semen analysis looks at several components of the sperm: - the total volume - the concentration of sperm - number of motile (swimming) sperm - the shape of the sperm Semen analysis is not a perfect test, and there is a very large range of what is considered normal. However, given that male factor is a major contributor to the failure to conceive (present in 40% of heterosexual infertile couples), semen analysis is part of the first tests of infertility. If the semen analysis is abnormal, it is often repeated to confirm the abnormal finding. If confirmed, the patient meets with a reproductive urologist. At this point, options are discussed including lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery. If these options to improve sperm quantity/quality are not available, feasible, or successful, intrauterine insemination (“IUI”) and in vitro fertilization (“IVF”) may be offered. IUI and IVF may also be offered if the patient does not have a male partner. A sperm donor can be used with IUI or IVF if a patient has very poor sperm quantity and/or quality. A sperm donor would also be used for patients who do not have a partner with testes. IUI is a half-day process. Semen is collected from the male patient and then washed and prepared in the lab. Later that day, their female partner undergoes a pelvic exam in the office (like a pap smear) where a thin tube is passed through the cervix. The sperm is pushed through the tube into the inside of uterus. This brings the sperm closer to the fallopian tubes and ovaries, increasing the chance of pregnancy. IVF is a roughly month-long process. In IVF, the female partner’s eggs are stimulated using special medications called gonadotropins and monitored closely with ultrasound. During this time, ovulation is prevented until the eggs are ready to be collected. Once ready, eggs are collected using a needle attached to an ultrasound probe placed in the vagina. The patient is asleep during this procedure. Then the eggs are fertilized in the lab to make embryos. The resulting embryos are transferred directly to the uterus through a tube. The process is similar to IUI, except the embryo, not sperm, is put into the uterus. Unlike sperm production, a person with ovaries is born with all the eggs they will ever have. The number of eggs goes down with time until there are no eggs left. “Egg quantity” (also known as the ovarian reserve) is the number of eggs that a person has. One common measure of egg quantity is anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), a simple blood test. AMH is often used (and marketed) as a way for patients without known infertility to predict future fertility. However, recent studies have shown that AMH doesn’t work very well at predicting which patients will go on to conceive a child. In other words, many patients may get pregnant easily even if they have a low AMH. For this reason, AMH should not be routinely used as a screening test or to predict future fertility in the general population. This test can be useful in patients with known infertility to predict their response to treatment, particularly IVF. “Egg quality” is different from egg quantity. It refers to whether eggs have the normal number of chromosomes. Egg quality is closely related to patient age. As patients age, both the quality and quantity of eggs go down. This starts off gradually but then drops off dramatically as one approaches age 40. For this reason, many clinics recommend a test called PGS (preimplantation genetic screening) for patients over the age of 37 who are undergoing IVF. In PGS, embryos are biopsied and checked to see if they have the correct number of chromosomes. Patients with lower egg quality or quantity are often “fast tracked” to IVF treatment, as it has the best chance for success, especially when there is concern for rapidly diminishing fertility. For patients with advanced age or very poor egg quantity and egg quality, or for patients who lack ovaries or a partner with ovaries, an egg donor can be used in IVF. Another condition that can have an effect on the ovaries is endometriosis. Endometriosis occurs when the uterine lining (called endometrium) moves outside of the uterus. It is very common, affecting an estimated 10% of reproductive aged women. Diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis often requires surgery. It is a complex disease and treatment will depend on how severe it is and what the patient’s goals are. In order for eggs to mature and for ovulation (the release of the egg from the ovary) to happen, special hormone centers in the brain send messages to the ovaries. These centers are known as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. A doctor will get a complete menstrual history from the patient in order to see if the hormonal process is happening normally. A patient may have good egg quantity and quality but still be infertile if ovulation is not taking place. Without ovulation, an egg cannot be found and fertilized by a sperm. This is what happens for most PCOS (“polycystic ovary syndrome”) patients. People with PCOS have plenty of eggs but are not able to get pregnant because they do not have consistent ovulation. In this case, medications can help. The most common medications are clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and letrozole (Femara). These medications act in different ways to do the same thing. Both methods stimulate the release of follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH. These medications can also be given with IUI or IVF, though this is not required. If both fallopian tubes are blocked or missing, an egg cannot be fertilized by sperm or move into the uterus. Tubal blockage (also called occlusion) can be caused by pelvic infections (usually chlamydia or gonorrhea) or any other severe pelvic inflammation (such as a history of ruptured appendicitis or endometriosis). One of the first tests done for infertility is an HSG (hysterosalpingogram). In an HSG, contrast dye is injected into the uterus and X-rays are taken. If there is a blockage, no dye will be seen spilling out the end of the fallopian tube. HSG is also able to detect other problems, including some polyps and fibroids that change the shape of the uterus. A person can still get pregnant if there is one tube that is working normally. Depending on what is wrong with the tubes, surgery may be offered to some patients to fix the tube. For patients who have had a tubal sterilization procedure (tubal ligation, or getting one’s “tubes tied”) in the past but now desire to have a baby, reversal surgery is sometimes possible. If surgery is not available or recommended, IVF is required to get pregnant. In many patients with fallopian tubes that don’t work normally, removal of the tubes before IVF improves pregnancy rates. For this reason, patients having surgery to fix their tubes might get their tubes removed if the surgery doesn’t work. The uterus is an organ with two layers. There is a muscular layer (“myometrium”) that can change size and shape when a person is pregnant. And there is an inner layer (“endometrium”) that builds up every month and is released during a person’s period. The fallopian tubes and the cervix are part of the uterus. A simple pelvic ultrasound can detect many common problems with the uterus that can lead to infertility. One common cause of infertility is having a type of growth in the myometrium known as fibroids. Fibroids can affect fertility by changing the shape of the uterus. This can stop a fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus. Fibroids also can cause a miscarriage. Surgical removal of fibroids is called myomectomy. Myomectomy is often done in a minimally invasive procedure. It can be done either by instruments passed through tiny incisions in the abdomen (laparoscopy) or through the vagina and cervix (hysteroscopy). Sometimes the surgery is done through large abdominal incisions (laparotomy). The type of surgery is based on the location, size, and number of the fibroids. Not all fibroids need to be removed, and not all fibroids cause infertility. The endometrial layer of the uterus can also be the site of growths known as endometrial polyps. Polyps can prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus. Polyps are removed through a hysteroscopic procedure (through the vagina and cervix). The uterus can have other structural problems, including an irregular shape. Or, the uterus might have a uterine septum, a band of tissue that divides the inside of the cavity in two. These problems can often, but not always, be corrected surgically. Several causes of “unexplained infertility” are probably due to problems with the uterus. Another potential cause of unexplained infertility is a problem with the cervix. Both IUI or IVF can help in this case. Some people are born without a uterus. Some people have their uterus removed during emergencies such as severe hemorrhage, for early stage cancer, or because they are born with a deformed uterus. For these patients with “absolute uterine factor” infertility, the only options to have a genetically related child is to use a gestational carrier (which is not legal in many countries and states) or receive a uterus transplant. Uterus transplant is experimental, but there have been over a dozen babies born worldwide. There are at least three active ongoing research trials in United States. When to seek help Heterosexual couples who have vaginal intercourse on a regular basis, should talk to a doctor if they don’t get pregnant after 1 year. If the female partner doesn’t have a uterus or regular periods, they should seek fertility services as soon as possible. In addition, they should seek care as soon as possible if: - the female partner has had pelvic infections - if either person has had sexually transmitted diseases - if the female partner has had uterine polyps or fibroids - if either person has had problems with infertility in the past with previous partners, or - if the female partner is over 40 years old If the female partner is 35 years old or older, they should seek fertility services after 6 months of trying to conceive instead of 1 year. Same-sex couples should talk to a doctor as soon as possible. People with recurrent pregnancy loss should talk to a doctor about fertility testing after having 2 miscarriages. If a person wants to freeze their eggs to delay childbearing, they should talk to a doctor about it as soon as possible. It’s best to do it before the age of 35, because as a person gets older their egg quality and quantity go down. Once eggs are frozen, they can be stored almost indefinitely. The egg freezing procedure takes at least 2-3 weeks. People with cancer who want to have a baby in the future should talk to a doctor about this before starting chemotherapy or any surgery that may harm the reproductive system. The preferred method of fertility preservation is freezing of embryos or eggs. However, these methods require advance planning and weeks of treatment, which may not be feasible or realistic for many patients. The most important step is learning as much as you can about your own fertility. We recommend you seek consultation with a fertility specialist if you have any questions or concerns. Take Home Points - Infertility is relatively common, affecting 1 in 7 couples in the United States. - Infertility has many causes, related to eggs, sperm, hormonal signaling, and structure and function of the reproductive organs. - There are many options available for people suffering from infertility - IUI and IVF can be very effective - New and exciting technologies are being developed, such as uterus transplant, in vitro maturation, tissue regeneration, better preimplantation testing of embryos, and new therapeutics - There has never been a more hopeful time for people who suffer from infertility! Elliott G. Richards, M.D. is a fellow in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Cleveland Clinic. His interests include endometriosis, reproductive surgery, in vitro fertilization, and uterus transplantation. No conflicts of interest to declare.

Appropriate skin preparation of both surgeon’s hands and patient’s surgical site Surgical site infections are a common and devastating complication of surgery. In low- and middle-income countries, surgical patients are twice as likely to suffer from an infection than patients undergoing surgery in the United States.¹ The Lifebox Clean Cut program reduces surgical infection by strengthening adherence to six key infection prevention practices. A surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection that occurs in the part of the body where surgery took place and can lead to serious complications and death. Clean Cut has demonstrated a 35% infection reduction in all surgical patients – with results published in the British Journal of Surgery.² Data showing the lasting impact of Clean Cut were published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Surgery with hospitals maintaining improvements in compliance with all six program infection prevention standards – demonstrating the program’s impact and sustainability.³ Most importantly, for scalability across low- and middle-income countries, Clean Cut requires no major investments in new infrastructure or resources. Lifebox is scaling Clean Cut across multiple sites and contexts, implementing the program in Bolivia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, India, Liberia, Malawi, and Madagascar, and adapting the program to improve the safety of cesarean sections, cleft surgeries, and long bone fracture.

A residential grid-tie solar PV system will be disconnected during a power outage. This is to stop the solar panels feeding back into the grid and presenting a safety hazard to workmen who may be repairing the line. This phenomenon is called ‘islanding’ and modern inverters incorporate anti-islanding circuitry. What happens to solar when power goes out? As usual within the solar PV subject, it’s a bit of a trick question. Of course, they’ll work. As long as their is sunshine, solar panels will convert the sun’s energy to electrical power. Unfortunately, under normal circumstances the system will be disconnected from the grid and from your home’s electrical system. If you have solar panels do you need a generator? The motivation for many people when considering solar is providing the security of an electrical supply during power outage. In this case home energy storage in the form of batteries is required. The only other alternative is to use a backup generator. How to store solar energy at home There is a lot of interest in home energy storage, particularly after thousands of people in Texas recently found themselves without electricity after storms. No matter if it’s winter or summer, it’s very difficult to live comfortably without electrical power. The best known example of home batteries is the Tesla Powerwall. This compact battery bank consists of multiple rows of small lithium-ion cells and an inverter to convert the DC battery voltage to AC power. It sits on an internal wall, such as inside a garage, and looks like an electrical storage heater. How does a Tesla Powerwall work? Essentially, the Tesla Powerwall is a smart device, that is, it can be monitored and controlled at a distance. It charges up by solar, or from the grid, if solar isn’t available and can supply power to the home at night-time, or when there is a power outage. Do solar panels work automatically? Multiple Powerwalls (up to 10) can be connected together, so it’s possible to have home energy storage for several days, if care is taken with energy consumption. It will simply detect when there is an outage and switch into ‘supply’ mode. In order to maximize the time that power can be supplied, it’s normally necessary to reduce energy consumption i.e. minimize heating and air conditioning as much as possible. Although an individual Powerwall has a capacity of 7.5kW, the device cuts out when there is 10% capacity left in the battery. Lithium-ion batteries have a charge/discharge cycle life of 2000 at 90% discharge, which is optimum for long battery life. Will solar panels work on cloudy days? It isn’t only power outages that can send solar panel output plummeting – thick clouds can also severely reduce output. Passing clouds that obscure the panels every now and again will reduce system output by between 10% to 25%, while total cloud cover has a much bigger effect. Research to determine how solar panels work on cloudy days shows that it’s very difficult to quantify solar power reduction due to clouds because there are so many variables involved: - how high are the clouds? - what type of clouds are they – cirrus, cumulus, cumulo-nimbus, etc - are the clouds white, dark or in-between? It’s generally agree that full, low, dark cloud cover affects how well solar panels work the most. In this case an installation might only generate 10% of its capacity. If the clouds are lighter, then more diffuse light will seep through and there will be more production. By far the biggest factor affecting how well a solar system works is the insolation or peak-sun-hours in a particular location. This can easily be found for your home by going to globalsolaratlas.info and entering your town in the search box at the top of the page. The image below shows the results for Tampa, Florida. The circled value is termed the irradiation or amount of sunshine for that location, which 4.846 kWh/m2/day. It can be toggled from day to a yearly historical reading. The number is also known as Peak-Sun-Hours and can be directly used to determine how much energy a solar installation will produce by multiplying it by the installed solar panel capacity in kilowatts. Example for Tampa, Florida: - Installed kW of solar power = 5 kW - Peak sun hours (irradiance) = 4.846 kWh/m2/day - Energy produced per day = 4.846 x 5 = 24.23 kWh (kilowatt-hours) Will solar panels work after an EMP? EMP is short for Electro Magnetic Pulse and can occur in 3 ways: - as a result of a nuclear explosion - as a result of a solar flare from the sun - deliberate generation by a device called an NNEMP. (Non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse) Wherever or however an EMP comes from, depending on the size of it, the effect on electrical and electronic equipment is devastating, basically destroying it. The solar cells themselves are in fact semi-conductor device, that is, it’s basically a P-N junction and so will be affected. However, scientists estimate that the actual production capacity of solar panel would only reduce by up to 10%, which is encouraging. Now for the bad news – depending on the EMP proximity, the electronic control equipment and associated cabling would most probably be fried. Discover your solar saving potential How to protect electronic equipment from an EMP Solar panels should be disconnected from each other and any junction boxes. Everything should be disconnected from the grid and put inside a Faraday cage, or bag for smaller devices. A Faraday cage shields devices from electromagnetic fields and is the quickest way to protect your solar inverter and other essential equipment. Once the EMP danger is past, you should be able to re-connect your system and enjoy up to 90% of the previous capacity. Those around you with no solar, or unprotected solar, will have no electricity. Would solar panels work with snow on them? Solar panels don’t work at all if covered with snow. However, all solar arrays should be mounted at an angle, an angle which is normally steep enough for snow to slide off. Solar cells absorb heat as they are generating electricity and tend to retain it. This helps to melt any accumulating snow, encouraging it to slide off. Do solar panels work when covered with ice? A thin veneer of clear ice may not affect solar panel production very much, but there are several kinds of ice. It’s rare to have a completely clear type. Normally, ice contains small bubbles which can either block or deflect light. Even clear ice will refract, reflect or diffuse the sun’s energy, thereby reducing a solar panel’s output. Will solar panels work through glass? Solar panels will work through glass but at a reduced efficiency. The tempered glass used for rigid solar panels has a non-reflective coating to minimize the amount of light energy lost that way, but some is also lost as it passes through the glass, through diffusion and absorption. Ordinary ‘float glass‘ used in most domestic homes doesn’t have anti-reflective coatings and so will lose a significant amount of the energy shining on it. Depending on the quality of the glass and the angle at which the sun’s rays hit the glass, up to 5% of a solar panel’s output may be lost. Can solar panels freeze? Freezing temperatures cannot damage a solar panel and doesn’t inhibit their ability to generate electricity. In fact, heat is one of the main enemies for solar production. The STC standard solar panels specification cites a stated output at a temperature of 77°F (25°C). For every degree over this value, the efficiency drops by 0.5%. Can solar panels withstand hail? Commercially available solar panels are certified to withstand the impact of a 1 inch (25mm) hailstone falling at 23 mts/sec (about 50 mph). In practice, many solar installations have withstood hail-storms with much greater size ice-balls without breakages. Do solar panels work with moonlight? Solar panels cannot work with moonlight. The energy level is much too low. Moonlight is 10 million times weaker than bright sunlight. A candle at a distance of 1 meter would be 10 000 times stronger than moonlight.

The lure of a teeny tiny Yorkshire terrier cannot be denied — the photo opportunities are endless. If you're looking for a purse-sized dog, there are a few things to know. First, there is no recognized breed of "teacup" dog, including a Yorkie. Second, dogs beneath their weight standard often have a host of health problems and a shortened life span. Lifespan of a Yorkie The American Kennel Club recognizes the Yorkshire terrier as a member of its toy group because of the breed's size and heritage. When bred to the AKC's standard, the Yorkie stands between eight and nine inches tall and weighs between four and seven pounds — hardly a heavyweight. A healthy Yorkie life expectancy ranges between 11 and 15 years, though it depends on their health. Video of the Day The lifespan of a Yorkie depends on if they have any of the health risks associated with their breed, which include hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, collapsing trachea, luxating patella (dislocated kneecap), and the liver defect portosystemic shunt. Teacup dog breeds standards Generally, a "teacup" dog refers to a dog smaller than its breed standard, so in the case of a Yorkshire terrier, that's a dog weighing less than four pounds. To put it in perspective, a teacup Yorkie weighs less than the half-gallon of milk in your refrigerator. Sometimes a Yorkshire terrier will come in below that weight range, through no effort of the breeder. However, some breeders purposely breed smaller than normal Yorkies — the "runts" of their litters — to produce smaller than normal "teacup" Yorkies. Teacup dog breeds health conditions According to the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America smaller than normal Yorkshire terriers are prone to a wide variety of medical issues, beyond the hereditary problems the breed is naturally vulnerable to developing. Vomiting, diarrhea, and undetected birth defects are common among teacup Yorkies. As well, these little dogs don't fare well under anesthesia, making additional testing necessary before they undergo even routine surgery. Their small size also makes them easily injured in the event of a fall or being stepped on. As with all toy breeds, Yorkshire terriers have hereditary dental issues, which makes taking care of their dental health a priority. Ideally, the life span of a teacup Yorkie would be in the same range of their larger relatives, however, these dogs often die at a much younger age. There is no stated life expectancy for teacup Yorkies since health and quality can vary widely. Check teacup dog breeds health Teacup Yorkies are not recognized by any major canine association. There is no standard for a teacup Yorkie, so a breeder selling a teacup Yorkie can call any Yorkie a teacup. A breeder may claim that a puppy is a "teacup," though the dog may grow into a standard-sized dog. Genetics, nutrition, and medical care all contribute to a dog's adult size. The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America states that most breeders will not breed a female Yorkie who weighs less than five pounds. The club also calls for an eye screening to check for eye diseases, cataracts, and other problems, as well as a knee screening to look for a luxating patella. If you're in the market for a tiny Yorkie, do your homework to ensure your breeder's dogs are listed in the Canine Health Information Center database, sponsored by the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, to help ensure you'll be getting a healthy puppy. You should also choose to work with a responsible breeder, which you can find by searching the AKC's database. Remember, the most important part of responsible dog ownership is selecting and taking care of a healthy dog so your canine-human bond can last for years to come.

Throughout various mythologies and cultural traditions, the concept of a many-headed snake has intrigued and fascinated people. Depicted in legends, folklore, and religious texts, the many-headed snake symbolizes power, duality, transformation, and the complex nature of existence. In this article, we delve into the symbolism and mythology surrounding the captivating creature known as the many-headed snake. - Hydra of Greek Mythology: One of the most famous examples of a many-headed snake is the Hydra, a mythical creature from Greek mythology. The Hydra possessed multiple heads, often depicted as nine, and was said to dwell in the swamps of Lerna. It was known for its regenerative abilities, as cutting off one of its heads would result in the growth of two more in its place. Hercules, as part of his labors, had to slay the fearsome Hydra. - Naga in Hinduism and Buddhism: In Hindu and Buddhist mythology, the Naga is a divine, serpentine creature with many heads. They are often associated with water bodies and are believed to possess supernatural powers. Naga deities are revered in these traditions and are associated with fertility, protection, and wisdom. Ananta Shesha, the thousand-headed serpent, serves as the bed of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology. Symbolism and Interpretations - Power and Guardianship: The many heads of a snake symbolize the immense power and authority it possesses. In many cultures, the creature is seen as a guardian or protector, capable of warding off evil forces and ensuring the well-being of individuals or sacred places. The multiple heads represent the ability to be vigilant and watchful in all directions. - Complexity and Transformation: The many heads of a snake can also represent the complexity and dual nature of existence. It signifies the multiple facets of life, such as the intertwining of light and darkness, good and evil, creation and destruction. The shedding of a snake’s skin is often associated with renewal and transformation, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and the potential for personal growth and evolution. - Cosmic and Spiritual Connection: In some spiritual beliefs, the many-headed snake is associated with cosmic or divine forces. It represents the interconnectedness of all things and the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The multiple heads can symbolize different realms or dimensions, suggesting a deep connection between the earthly and spiritual realms. The concept of the many-headed snake holds a significant place in mythology and symbolism. Whether portrayed as a fearsome creature or a divine guardian, it captures the imagination and invites contemplation on the mysteries of life, power, transformation, and the intricate interplay between opposing forces. The symbolism and mythology surrounding the many-headed snake offer rich insights into the human psyche and our quest for understanding the complexities of the world around us.

Elevated temperature has already caused a significant loss of wine growing areas and resulted in inferior fruit quality, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The existence of broad genetic diversity in V. vinifera is key in adapting viticulture to climate change; however, a lack of understanding on the variability in berry metabolic response to climate change remains a major challenge to build ad-hoc strategies for quality fruit production. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit is of major importance for the nutrition of broad populations in the world’s desert strip; yet it is sorely understudied. Understanding the mechanism regulating date fruit development and ripening is essential to customise date crop to the climatic change, which elaborates yield losses due to often too early occurring wet season. This study aimed to uncover the mechanism regulating date fruit ripening. Exploiting consistent differences in radiation and average air temperature between two experimental vineyards (Ramat Negev, RN and Mitzpe Ramon, MR), we examined the impact of climate variations on total carotenoids, redox status, and phenylpropanoid metabolism in the berries of 10 white wine grapevine (Vitis vinifera) cultivars across three consecutive seasons (2017–2019). The differences in carotenoid and phenylpropanoid contents between sites were seasonal and varietal dependent. Global climate change and the expected increase in temperature are altering the relationship between geography and grapevine (V. vinifera) varietal performance, and the implications of which are yet to be fully understood. We investigated berry phenology and biochemistry of 30 cultivars, 20 red and 10 white, across three seasons (2017–2019) in response to a consistent average temperature difference of 1.5°C during the growing season between two experimental sites. The experiments were conducted at Ramat Negev (RN) and Ramon (MR) vineyards, located in the Negev desert, Israel. Roots are the first plant organ to encounter, sense, and respond to soil salinity. Like for many moderately salt tolerant species, roots of olive (Olea eurpaea) trees are the principal players in salt tolerance. We studied roots of mature olive trees in order to illuminate the yet vague mechanism(s) of root salt exclusion. Root structural traits were examined in olive trees grown in lysimeters and from a long-term salinity field trial. The distribution of salts was detected in root cross-sections using scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy.