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warc | 202143 | The Canadian real estate market remains red hot. After a year of sporadic lockdowns and resulting cabin fever, unspent piles of cash are burning holes in our pockets! And historically low interest rates are pouring fuel on a real estate fire that won't stop burning. Sadly, we know that 25% of … Continue reading...
If you're trying to buy a home while also selling your current one, you are probably wondering, 'Where am I going to live in between?' Even with the best negotiating (and we're good), the closing date of one home may not line up with the closing date of the other. Of course, even if they did line … Continue reading...
We estimate that between 20 and 25% of all real estate deals are collapsing in the 2020 Lethbridge real estate market. (Surprise: it's not because of Covid-19. Read on.) As a homebuyer, are you comfortable with 75-80% odds of success when you make an offer on your dream home? Most buyers would … Continue reading...
In the real estate business, mortgage financing is known to make otherwise sane people a little crazy. Here in Lethbridge, we estimate that more than 10% of real estate offers are collapsing over financing alone. Fortunately, this crazy-making is completely preventable. Long before you go house … Continue reading...
The year-to-date numbers this year are interesting! And year-to-date is the key phrase year. Reason being, there has been some buzz-talk about a big bump in October real estate numbers, not just in Lethbridge but in other Alberta municipalities as well. I tend to ignore those market bumps because … Continue reading... | 1,621 | 850 | 3,032.223529 |
warc | 202143 | The Value of Compartment Pressure Monitoring for Tibial Fracture Journal of Kirkuk Medical College Article 7, Volume 2, Issue 1, Summer 2014, Page 49-54 Authors Adnan Abdilmajeed Faraj 1; Mario Lupo 2 1Department of Surgery/ College of Medicine/ Kirkuk University 2Department of Orthopaedic/ Norfolk Norwich Teaching Hospital/ Norwich/ Norfolk/ United Kingdom Abstract Routine compartment pressure monitoring in alert patients has been questioned. The current paper explores the value of this procedure Patients and Methods: In between 2007-2012, 125 patients with tibial fracture underwent monitoring of the compartment in the postoperative period. Medical notes and X-rays were studied. Results: Fourteen of these patients underwent compartment decompression for high readings of the monitoring in 10 of them, the high readings ware based on clinical notes, in (3) others they ware based on measurement bases, and in the last one they ware because of reading problems. Conclusion: The current study does not favour the use of monitoring and does not condemn it. However, clinical judgement remains to be superior while compartment measurement may have caused some unnecessary decompressions Keywords Compartment; Syndrome; Tibial; Fracture; Monitoring; Decompression; Diaphysis; Value; Alert; Clinical
Statistics
Article View: 1 | 1,334 | 722 | 2,457.368421 |
warc | 202143 | In a race for speed of delivery, putting restrictions on cloud environments can be contra-productive. On the other hand money can fly out the window if you do not keep everything in check. So what is the solution?Read more
Vulnerabilities in software code come in many guises, and a new white paper from Sogeti and Microsoft argues that it would be wrong to focus your security efforts just on proprietary code.Read more
Andy Grove famously wrote – ‘Only the Paranoid survive’ The message still makes sense and the only true solution to attacks is eternal vigilance.Read more
Organizations are in a continuous race for digitalization and IT modernization: the race of Enterprise DevOps.Read more
Compliance — it’s both a challenge and an essential confirmation of quality controls within the new DevSecOps methodology, according to a new white paper from Sogeti and Microsoft.Read more
DevOps practices continue to evolve and, in the new iteration that is DevSecOps, security must complement existing business, processes, culture and people. A new white paper from Sogeti and Microsoft cites this as the most challenging part of DevSecOps adoption.Read more
In a series of blog posts, we’re giving you a flavor of all 6 tips, including: Tip 3 : Monitor and observe continuously with purpose.Read more
Developing a security community in your enterprise improves buy-in across the organization and energizes employees.Read more
Nowadays, we see that the number of resources, applications, processes and services of the companies do not stop growing, and on the other hand, their complexity also increases at a high rate. If we add to all this the enormous speed of innovation in which we are immersed, we observe that complexity becomes exponential.Read more
The role of AI & ML is used for generating the necessary signal or insight about a problem. It can also be used for classification, categorization and detection of anomalies around events. The role of Automation is to remediate and take actions related to an incident or problem.Read more
For IT companies and companies with a big IT component, engineers are a very valuable asset and they become far more valuable when you provide them with the right tools. The benefits will far outweigh the costs.Read more | 2,308 | 1,155 | 4,528.07619 |
warc | 202143 | According to the report, the construction industry in Philippines is expected to record a CAGR of 18.2% to reach PHP 2,221.2 billion by 2024. The residential construction industry in value terms increased at a CAGR of 9.7% during 2015-2019.
What is the size of the construction industry?
Construction is a major contributor to the U.S. economy. The industry has more than 680,000 employers with over 7 million employees and creates nearly $1.3 trillion worth of structures each year. Construction is one of the largest customers for manufacturing, mining and a variety of services.
What is the biggest construction company in the Philippines?
Makati Development Corporation is considered the largest construction company in the Philippines in terms of gross revenue and net income according to the 2016 data.
How many contractors are there in the Philippines?
As of 24 March 2017, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) issued a total of 9,044 contractors’ licenses for CFY 2016-2017, 84.8% of which were renewing contractors and 15.2% were new entrants.
How is the construction industry doing 2020?
In fact, the modular construction market has a projected annual growth rate of 6.9 percent, being valued at up to $157 billion by 2023. Another construction industry trend that will continue into 2020 is the improving standards and use of better safety equipment products.
How much money is in the construction industry?
The US construction industry at a glance
In 2019, the US construction industry was worth $1.3 trillion. As of 2020, the construction industry has 680,000+ employers and 7 million employees2 — this is a decrease from 2018, where there were 11.2 million construction employees.
How fast is the construction industry growing?
Construction in the US industry trends (2016-2021)
Sector revenue has grown in recent years, rising at an annualized rate of 2.7% to $2.5 trillion over the five years to 2021, including a projected increase of 5.2% in 2021 alone as the economy begins to recover from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Who is the best construction company in the Philippines?
EEI Corporation is recognized as one of the leading construction companies in the Philippines, known for the quality of its work and the excellence of its workforce.
What are the 5 types of construction?
Buildings can be categorized into five different types of construction: fire-resistive, non-combustible, ordinary, heavy timber, and wood-framed.
Which country is best for construction?
1. India. And drum roll please, India is the country with the highest number of construction employees. Growth there is expected to increase +0.7% through 2024.
Who needs PCAB license?
Construction contractor licensing
All foreign and local entities intending to engage in the business of construction are required to secure a licence from the CIAP’s licensing arm, the PCAB. The PCAB was formed in 1965 pursuant to Republic Act No. 4566 (the Contractors’ License Law).
What are the 3 types of construction?
The construction industry consists of three sectors: buildings, infrastructure and industrial. Residential and non- residential are the two main types of building construction.
How do I start a construction company in the Philippines? Download an application form. Accomplish the form properly and attached corresponding supporting documents. Submit application for checklisting/prescreening. Pay the required upfront fee. Wait for license release. Approved license will be mailed directly to the owner/firm via courier. What are the 4 types of construction?
The four major types of construction include residential building, institutional and commercial building, specialized industrial construction, infrastructure and heavy construction.
What is the biggest challenge facing the construction industry today?
The construction industry’s biggest challenges to growth this year include project delays, shortages of skilled workers and less access to building products and materials. But it isn’t all bad. Despite the undeniable challenges, the industry has several opportunities for a prosperous year.
Why is the construction industry booming?
A construction boom is an atypical increase in construction in a specific area of the country. Often, it occurs because of new opportunities in an area. When new industrial developments begin, for instance, residential properties are often created around them. | 4,485 | 1,990 | 9,966.165829 |
warc | 202143 | Sexual
It is normal for both partners to be worried about resuming sexual activity after aortic dissection. Most people worry about sexual intercourse because they are afraid it may cause discomfort and/or strain on the heart. The exertion needed to perform sexual intercourse is similar to climbing stairs or walking around the block at a brisk pace. If these activities are not difficult for you, you may resume sexual activities whenever you feel ready with the approval of your doctor. Your best indicator is how you feel-both physically and mentally. While most sexual activity is regarded as safe in patients with acute aortic dissection, it is important to avoid any type of sex that may cause extreme increases in blood pressure. If you have concerns regarding returning to sex, contacting your doctor or a therapist specializing in sexual health may be helpful.
Some general guidelines to help you resume sexual relations include:
For the first eight weeks, after approval from your aortic specialist, avoid positions that cause pressure on your breastbone or tension in your arms and chest. Pick a time when you are content, relaxed, and happy. Wait two hours after eating a full meal or drinking alcohol. Remember that it is normal for your breathing and heart rate to increase during sex and that these should return to normal shortly afterward. If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain and/or palpitations, stop, and rest.
Let your physician know if you experience any abnormal symptoms.
Some medications may interfere with sexual functioning. If you have any problems, discuss them with your surgeon or nurse. Erectile dysfunction medications may not be safe for patients who have suffered dissection, and should be talked about with your physician. Pregnancy
After an aortic dissection, you should discuss with your doctor about whether it is safe for you to become pregnant. Pregnancy can cause an increase in blood pressure and blood volume, which further strains the aorta. In some patients with connective tissue disorders, pregnancy is discouraged as it can be associated with development of aortic dissection either during pregnancy or after giving birth.
Help with Monitoring
After having an aortic dissection, it is important that you regularly check your blood pressure at home, and take all medications as prescribed to you by your doctor. When it comes to checking your blood pressure, your doctor can instruct you on using a home blood pressure monitor. Generally, you should check your blood pressure at the same time every day. Your arm should be at the level of your heart, feet flat on the floor. You should measure your blood pressure three times, and record the last reading. Blood pressure monitors may be covered by your insurance, or your pharmacy or hospital social worker may help you find other ways to pay for this device.
You may find it helpful to have a trusted family member or friend help you with remembering your medications. Pill boxes divided by time of day and day of the week can provide a visual reminder of what medications you need to take, and your caregiver may help you fill these. Also, calendar, online, or phone reminders will help you remember to take your medications. It is important to find a system that works for you, and enlist the help of others, to ensure you are caring for your health in the best possible way. | 3,401 | 1,574 | 7,324.898348 |
warc | 202143 | Sefar Architecture Vision is an open weave fabric finely woven from black PET (polyester) fibres and coated on one side with a thin layer of metal measuring 140 micrometers. Possible metal coatings include aluminium, titanium or gold, while the reverse side is a neutral black in colour. The metalised fabric side can optionally have a copper, gold or special design printed on it.
With aperatures ranging from 25-70%, Vision is frequently used in exterior glass curtainwall applications as part of an effective daylighting strategy. If only the exterior surface is coated, the view in from outside is reduced and the fabric is also given outstanding energy-transmission reduction values. The reverse surface (the side facing inwards) of the fabric is black and therefore neutral in color. From inside and from further away than 3 m, the fabric cannot be seen. Furthermore, for indoor applications vision can also be laminated in plastics materials or used to create textile surfaces with a unique look.
The range of six fabrics and metallic coatings including the different combinations featuring double-sided coating produces a diversity of variations. Fabric surfaces coated in metal can be further individualised by means of digital printing with UV resistant inks. The options range from simple wording to extensive motifs. Neither the printed surfaces nor the metallic coating itself is visible from the reverse side. Double-sided coating fabrics can be printed separately on the front and reverse sides, while these markings too are only visible on the printed side of the fabric.
Multiple fabric layers produce unique effects. Each element is truly a one-off since the fabric will never overlay in exactly the same way twice. Different fabric types, fabrics with various metallic coating or the combination of coated and uncoated fabrics leave plenty of room for creativity. What all Vision fabrics have in common is their unique interaction with natural or artificial light. Depending on the angle of light source on the fabric surface, its appearance is seen to change and provide a constant interplay with the surroundings. It makes no difference whether the fabric is used in combination with glass, plastics or employed as a fabric surface. | 2,258 | 1,103 | 4,612.215775 |
warc | 202143 | Jaime Alatorre Confidence in Mexico for National FundsWed, 01/20/2016 - 08:37
As the international oil and gas industry tracks prices and assesses the minutiae of its day-to-day fluctuations, investors are compelled by this current environment to take a long-term view when determining which specific markets and projects can provide the most competitive ROI. It is neither convenient nor exaggerated to contend that Mexico represents an attractive option in this regard when compared to similar choices in the international spectrum. There are a number of factors that come into play when determining its appeal, which are being carefully considered by dedicated providers of private equity and venture capital. Jaime Alatorre, in his capacity as Director of the Mexican Energy Fund created by Fondo de Fondos, is keen to provide his perspective on these factors and how they influence the fund’s current operations as they have evolved from its initial establishment in September 2014 as an investment vehicle of private equity focused in the Mexican energy sector with US$100 million in capital.
Alatorre claims there is the advantage of infrastructure transference in the Gulf of Mexico, and he is quick to elucidate on this geographical benefit, “The US side of the Gulf is filled with platforms and infrastructure, whereas in Mexico this infrastructure does not exist on the same scale. However, this also means that the players that enter the deepwater rounds will easily be able to transport equipment from one side of the Gulf to the other.” The Mexican Energy Fund does not operate within the financial scale necessary to aid oil majors in this type of operations. For this reason, Alatorre has in the past expressed reticence to comment on the fund’s possible involvement within the deepwater sector. Alatorre speculates that the creation of a dedicated fund for oil and gas service companies will eventually facilitate their involvement in the deepwater sector, as he summarizes, “With the creation of this fund, we will certainly participate in deepwater in Mexico. Our fund might not be large enough to work with the oil majors, so it is important to find companies of a size we can work with.”
A crucial second factor is timing, and the commitments that have been made surrounding the different phases of Round One involve projects with extended timetables that allow for production to begin at a future time when oil prices do not represent the investment hurdle that they currently do. Alatorre pins down these advantages, “The companies entering have three years to begin production, leaving some lead time to prepare the block, and allowing time for the price of oil to stabilize before extraction. I think the companies that participated in Round One and seasoned companies know that the amount they are paying is unrelated to the current price of oil, but is related to the strengths of the block in regards to geological information.” Alatorre’s positive outlook, rooted in a pragmatic familiarity with the energy market, even allows him to make some relatively specific predictions, “The price of oil is not a variable in this respect, because when the purchased blocks are ready for production, the price of oil will not be US$20 per barrel, but rather US$40-50 per barrel.” 323
Although the Mexican Energy Fund is looking forward to diversifying its portfolio within the sectors of the Mexican oil and gas industry, its involvement up to this point has been focused on pipeline development and power generation projects. Its experiences in this area prompt Alatorre to mention an example of a third factor that makes Mexico stand out: the new and unexpected opportunities created all along the energy value chain by the new post-reform legal regimes, such as the ones found in the aforementioned pipeline and gas supply projects. “With the awarding of these contracts comes the obligation to supply a certain amount of gas to a given site, but there is nothing to prohibit the increase of pressure on the pipelines, thus transporting more gas than required by CFE. As a result, this can create an opportunity to sell the surplus natural gas.” Alatorre further emphasizes the obvious attractiveness of these provisions by remarking that the contract allows the construction and funding of the line, as the return is solid, and profit can be made in developing independent markets through the surplus.
After evaluating these and other factors that make the fund’s confidence in the Mexican oil and gas industry unwavering, Alatorre concluded his remarks by explaining how Fondo de Fondo’s performance through the Mexican Energy Fund represents a strong basis for future growth. “One year ago, we were just starting out with the fund, with a commitment of US$100 million and an additional commitment of US$200 million. One year later, we have delivered on our commitments, and this year, we want to raise more money due to the robust pipeline and the opportunity to respond to new investments.” | 5,108 | 2,350 | 10,902.862979 |
warc | 202143 | How to Manifest Money in Stressful Situations
Manifesting money in normal circumstances can be challenging enough, but it seems almost impossible when you are really struggling. How can you stay focused on abundance when disaster may be lurking around the corner?
Why You Need to Get Off Your Asset and Get Moving Towards Prosperity
Come out with it. You’ve been doing it again haven’t you? You’ve been obsessing about all the reasons why you’re not prosperous. You’re feeling down because of the job you lost, your stock retirement savings plummeted, the life threatening illness you contracted, or has it been that bipolar ex-spouse of yours who spent your last dime and left you in the street, crooning country songs off-key.
Manifest Abundance – 3 Things to Help You Manifest Your Desires Now
When we think about manifesting abundance or our desires, we think it is not an easy thing to do. The global crisis that we are now facing has made it harder for those who only have enough; and worse for those who are less fortunate.
Improve Your Financial Future – Start Thinking Like a Rich Person
Improving your financial future and working to become rich starts with changing your mindset. Retraining the way you think so you will be better informed to make better decisions that will help make you rich. This article describes some methods you can implore to start thinking differently than you do today.
Win the Lottery by Boosting Your Subconscious Mind Power
This is a critical element, but it is sadly the area that 99% of people fail to cover, and possibly why the law of attraction isn’t working for you. This is often the missing piece in the puzzle – people take some physical action, they repeat some affirmations, consciously think about their wishes, yet they do not take any steps to ensure their unconscious mind is also working with them. | 1,910 | 1,008 | 3,513.035714 |
warc | 202143 | As an experienced plan manager, MOIRA Financial Plan Management see thousands of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) invoices every week, the good, the bad and everything in between.
Today we are sharing some insights into common causes of invoicing errors and unpaid invoices.
Understanding what can cause NDIS payment delays can help participants, families and service providers know what to look out for. Avoiding theses common invoice errors can help ensure a fast, simple invoice process. Most importantly, helps ensure sure that disability services continue without disruption.
What to look out for when submitting, reviewing and authorising invoices:
Incorrect number of hours invoiced:This can occur when the hours detailed on an invoice exceed the actual hours delivered to the NDIS participant. Incorrect hourly rate applied for supports provided:Instances where the hourly rate invoiced is higher than what has been agreed as per the Service Agreement. For example, if a weekend or public holiday rate has been applied instead of a weekday rate. Incorrect service or support dates:It can be problematic if the service dates on an invoice are outside of the stipulated NDIS plan start and end dates. Successful Claims can only be made within the NDIS plan dates. Incorrect claims made against a different participant:A provider might issue an invoice addressed to the wrong participant, which can result in unintended claims against a participants plan.
Unfortunately, there are instances where a combination of the above errors occur in a single invoice. Errors such as these can incorrectly erode the funds in the participants NDIS plan.
One of the key benefits of MOIRA FPM is our detailed and sound controls.
We have invoice authorisation (seeking approval before payment) and/or our unique Chargeback feature, both significantly help with mitigating these errors and maintain protection of funds.
MOIRA Financial Plan Management work with participants and providers to ensure all invoicing are processed accurately, promptly and securely.
Disability services can find more information how to help avoid invoicing errors in our NDIS Invoicing Fact sheet available to download here.
To find out more about how MOIRA Financial Plan Management can help take the hassle out of NDIS invoices visit – moira.org.au/financial-plan-management/
Alternatively contact our friendly team team today. Phone: 1300 666 472 Email: fpm@moira.org.au | 2,470 | 1,203 | 5,034.447215 |
warc | 202143 | The 15 Most Dangerous Animals in the Amazon
Dangerous animals are everywhere, but, at the end of the day,
they’re still part of the biodiversity and land that we must all admire and respect. In one of those magical places on the planet called the Amazon there are several dangerous and incredible animals that must be respected for their right to live (and, also, because if you meet them you could be in trouble). Discover the most dangerous animals in the Amazon with us today.
The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest on the planet. It’s an extremely diverse geographical area, crossed by the magnificent Amazon River.
It’s part of countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. 1. Red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) The piranha is a freshwater fish that lives in subtropical to tropical climates. It’s found in the basins of several rivers in South America, including the Amazon. It has a prominent jaw with a mouth full of teeth that can seriously harm humans. These fish are a problem due to the absence of larger animals such as alligators and giant otters, who controlled their population by feeding on them. Unfortunately, these piranha predators were almost wiped out in the 20th and 21st centuries, so the natural balance that controlled their populations has disappeared as well. 2. Black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) The black caiman is a carnivorous reptile in the Alligatoridae family. It’s so named for the dark color of its skin as an adult, and it lives in lakes and rivers in South America. Its main home is the Amazon basin, where it’s one of the most dangerous predators.It’s a night hunter that you certainly won’t want to meet.
Although you must be very careful to avoid them, this ferocious predator is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN red list. It was hunted for its valuable skin and in the 1940s its population was reduced by 99%. Who’s the more dangerous then?
3. Poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius)
According to
National Geographic, this amphibian’s skin is colorful and bright, yellow on its back and blue on its legs. In addition, it’s one of the largest poisonous frogs in the world, and it can measure up to 5 centimeters (2 inches) long.
This species lives in the tropical forests of South America, specifically in French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname. It isn’t in danger of extinction,
but it is at constant risk due to the cutting down of its habitat, the trade in exotic animals, and climate change. This is because they’re very sensitive to variations in their environment.
This amphibian has very dangerous toxins, but it’s only lethal if you try to eat it or touch an open wound after touching the frog. 4. Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria nigriventer)
This belongs to a genus commonly known as banana spiders; its genus at the taxonomic level makes up a group of 8 species from Central and South America. They’re nocturnal and don’t make cobwebs, as they inhabit caves or trees.
Their name is due to the fact that
they’re typical arachnids in plantain or banana plantations in the same region that they inhabit (however, most of their accidents have been in urban habitats). In addition, it is probably the most poisonous spider in the world and its toxin is characterized by creating an erection in men and then causing cardiac arrest. 5. Amazonian giant centipede (Scolopendra gigantea)
Also known as
scolopendra gigantea, this is a species found in the lowlands of Venezuela, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, and the island of Trinidad. It feeds mainly on cockroaches, scorpions, crickets, grasshoppers, butterflies, tarantulas, and also some vertebrates such as lizards, mice, and bats.
Its name isn’t anecdotal, as this centipede is on average 26 centimeters (10 inches) long and can exceed 30 centimeters. Their fangs curve under their head and bite their prey with venom.
It carries a substance toxic to humans that causes chills, fever, and weakness. 6. Electric eel (Electrophorus electricus)
This fish is known to emit electric shocks of up to 850 volts in order to hunt, defend itself and communicate. It’s a native species of northern South America and lives in the Orinoco basin and in the rivers that flow down from the Guiana shield to the ocean.
7. Tityus scorpion (Tityus trivittatus)
This arachnid lives in many tropical and temperate regions of South America, although it lives more frequently in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Its poison is very dangerous and is normally lethal for children under 5 years of age and for the elderly. Because of this, it’s also included among the most dangerous animals in the Amazon. 8. Mosquitoes
In the Amazon region, there are several mosquitoes that can transmit diseases. Some of them are the following:
The Anopheles mosquito ( Anopheles darlingi) is the main transmitter of malaria or malaria. Culex nigripalpus, a species that causes various diseases, such as equine encephalitis. Lutzomyia amazonensissandfly, the main vector of Leishmaniasis. 9. Four-line Pim catfish
This fish is found in South America, in the Orinoco and Amazon river basins.
There are many cases of poisonous lesions in fishermen in this area caused by this fish. 10. Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
This species is part of the boa family and is endemic to tropical rivers in South America. It’s found in Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, among other places. In addition,
it’s one of the longest snakes in the world.
It isn’t poisonous, but the green anaconda strangles its victims and swallows them whole. Fortunately, humans aren’t affected by it unless it’s in self-defense. Although there are some cases of attacked adults and children, these are very rare.
11. Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)
The giant tarantula or aviary tarantula is considered the largest spider in the world, reaching between 28 and 30 centimeters (up to 12 inches) between the ends of its extended legs and it weighs more than 100 grams (4 oz). Its venom isn’t deadly, but its mouthparts cause a deep wound and
the pain can last up to 48 hours, accompanied by nausea and sweating. 12. Potamotrygon stingray This stingray is a freshwater fish that lives in all the South American countries, except Chile. The greatest diversity of species of these rays is precisely in the Amazon basin. They’re sometimes even more feared than piranhas and electric eels due to their poisonous sting.
However, these cartilaginous fish aren’t dangerous unless you tread on them, as their only defense mechanism is to sting you. If they succeed,
injuries that can sometimes be fatal. 13. Yellow-bearded viper (Bothrops atrox)
This is one of the poisonous snakes around, and it causes the most deaths in the region where it lives. Its bite causes kidney problems, coagulation dysfunction, necrosis, and failure of the cardiovascular and renal systems.
The death rate was previously very high, but today there are possible treatments if immediate medical attention is received. 14. Candirú or vampire fish (Vandellia cirrhosa)
The candirú is a freshwater fish famous and
feared due to it lodging in the genital or excretory orifices of its prey to feed on their blood, which is why it’s one of the most dangerous animals in the Amazon.
Specimens of sizes up to 22 centimeters (9 inches) have been reported, but it’s elongated, transparent, and very difficult to detect underwater. It’s found mostly in the strong currents of the river, and in the lagoons that form the river’s descent.
15. Jaguar (Panthera onca)
This feline is part of the Panterino family and its genus is
Panthera. It’s the only species of this genus found in America and lives in the United States, Central America, and South America, mainly in dry and humid tropical areas.
In addition to being one of the most dangerous animals in the Amazon, this mammal is part of the IUCN red list and its population is in decline due to the loss of its habitat, trade, and conflict with human cattle ranchers. For many indigenous cultures,
this feline has a very important place in their mythology.
As you can see, there are many wonderful animals to be found in this magical place called the Amazon. Here you’ve met the most dangerous, but they’re only dangerous under certain circumstances. All of them are part of our planet and ecosystems, and that’s why it’s important to respect them. And, remember, sometimes humans are the most dangerous of all. | 8,726 | 3,926 | 18,856.694855 |
warc | 202143 | nifedipine 60mg er cc tablets
The study supports that minimizing transmission of HIV from short-term sexual partnerships during early stage of the disease could have a strong impact on the reduction in the spread of HIV infection. Proportional subdistribution hazard models for competing risks identified variables associated with resolution/improvement at different time points. Images were obtained using T(1)-weighted spin-echo sequences and, in case of real-time imaging, a fast spoiled gradient-echo sequence. Two alkaloids from Heimia salicifolia, cryogenine and nesodine, were respectively 2.48 and 2.24 times as potent as aspirin as inhibitors of prostaglandin synthetase prepared from bovine seminal vesicles. The null mice exhibited glucocorticoid deficiency, mineralocorticoid excess, adrenal hyperplasia, mild hypertension, and hypokalemia. Although there were many cases of medical professionals providing unbiased care to patients and continual respect and collaboration with colleagues regardless of ethnicity, evidence shows that violations of medical neutrality are being committed by combatants on both sides. The paper also discusses the diffusion of CO2 through the vehicle envelope, an area that has never been investigated before.
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This review describes the advances that have already been made with these lines and the potential applications that they offer in the future. To examine how plasmid DNA enters the brain and moves to the various regions, we examined tissues from nine brain regions, at 5 and 10 min after intranasal or intravenous administration of plasmid DNA. In this study, we demonstrate that the routing of the porphyrin-based photosensitizer chlorin e(6), to the nucleus of cells can significantly alter its toxicity profile. Central alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone acts at melanocortin-4 receptor to activate sympathetic nervous system in conscious rabbits. Modulation of phase II drug metabolizing enzyme activities by N-heterocycles. The literature supports the efficacy of nurse-led clinics in the management of chronic illnesses. Under the influence of flosulide, a highly COX-2-selective inhibitor, we observed an antiproteinuric drug effect. In this setting, the many medical issues that these children face are comprehensively addressed in the most convenient manner, as all the specialists can be seen in a single busy day.
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Definitions of remission for rheumatoid arthritis and review of selected clinical cohorts and randomised clinical trials for the rate of remission. cumana, HE-39998 (susceptible) and HE-39999 (resistant), and both compatible and incompatible interactions were compared. The pore-forming domain, however, is further divided into two functional regions, where the distal C terminus itself forms a dimeric pore. The evidence from the use of ultrasound to screen for anomalies reveals substantial concern regarding interobserver variability, as might be expected when using a test for screening that requires considerable skill. This is the first study to show that anti-TNF-alpha treatment improves endothelial function in RA. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal time for surgery after preoperative chemotherapy. Need and supply factors influence service use as expressed as acceptance onto RRT. However, in the presence of fibroblasts keratinocyte proliferation and migration was stimulated and epidermal morphology markedly improved.
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A key feature for successful application of this material in vivo is biocompatibility, which may be significantly improved by appropriate surface modification. Incentives for naltrexone adherence increase opiate abstinence in heroin-dependent adults, an effect that appears to be due to increased naltrexone adherence produced by the incentives. The trial will determine which, if either, of two treatment programs that combine central nervous system-directed and traditional interventions is more effective at reducing pain intensity in a chronic low back pain cohort. Herbivory mitigation through increased water-use efficiency in a leaf-mining moth-apple tree relationship. Brain ischemia elicits an intense inflammatory reaction as evidenced by endogenous activation of microglia and infiltration of leukocytes from the systemic circulation into the brain.
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Bacterial infections in children with sickle cell disease in Libreville. These results indicated that chitosan appeared to interact with negative charges in the skin. However, GC-resistance is a therapeutic problem with an unclear molecular mechanism. In nrt1.6 mutants, the amount of nitrate accumulated in mature seeds was reduced and the seed abortion rate increased. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare recurrence, cancer-specific mortality (CSM), and overall mortality-free rates in the overall population and in pT0-pT2 and pT3-pT4 patients after stratifying according to the presence of CIS. The prevalence of congenital defect of the gastrointestinal tract in Aseer region appears to be high. Focus group interviews to examine the attitude and quality of breastfeeding care. Determination of such factors in CML are valuable in deciding those patients who could benefit from alternative forms of therapy.
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In the setting of castrate metastatic prostate cancer, ixabepilone and patupilone showed encouraging clinical activity in the phase II setting and further studies are needed to determine if they provide additional clinical benefit to patients with advanced disease. Female sexual dysfunction is a common but poorly understood human condition. Increased ROS levels contribute to elevated transcription factor and MAP kinase activities in malignantly progressed mouse keratinocyte cell lines. This is particularly true in canine organs that have a low level of parasitism such as kidneys, lungs, central nervous system, and testis, or, in some cases, the skin. Both residues are known to interact with the phosphonate moiety of hapten (1). Bilingual toddlers have advanced abilities to repair communication failure. Southern blot confirmed that the PCR product from the retina and RPE was generated from rat fetuin mRNA as well as from rat liver, the primary source of fetuin.
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A case of trisomy with D-D translocation with maternal transmission. STM has also been used to characterize surfaces from which the hydrogen atoms have been removed by thermal desorption. The insect antifeedant and toxic activity of the Delphinium diterpene alkaloids 15-acetylcardiopetamine, cardiopetamine along with its amino alcohol, the beta,gamma unsaturated ketone, and the acetylated ketone derivatives were studied in Spodoptera littoralis and Leptinotarsadecemlineata. Risk assessment of chemicals -- the role of epidemiological methods. Intraductal papillary-mucinous tumor of the pancreas is occasionally accompanied by biliopancreatic fistula. Future research should assess which subset of children do benefit from mass deworming, if any, using individual participant data meta-analysis. The Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN) is a 3-item, self-rated screening instrument to assess social anxiety disorder, but its psychometric properties have not yet been examined in a sample seeking treatment for psychiatric disorders. Breast cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection: no evidence of a viral etiology in a group of Swiss women. The duplicated region was further located to a position within the terminal repeat (TR) and its deletion resulted in lower ORF50 expression levels and reduced viral fitness. Deletions within ori-beta identified a 132 bp core region within the DNR element, consisting mainly of dinucleotide repeats, and a downstream region that are required for ori-beta initiation activity at non-specific ectopic sites in hamster cells.
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Postoperative knee function was negatively correlated with RA disease activity. Although cyclo-oxygenase blockade alone worsened the lesions produced by restraint, blocking cyclo-oxygenase in the rats given 25 per cent glucose did not lessen the protective effect of hyperosmolar sugar. A retrospective cohort investigation comparing the medical records of hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients was conducted to determine clinical differences between those who received TPN and those who did not receive TPN during transplant. It was identified to be Type IV transglutaminase (TG(4)), based on the establishment of N-terminal sequences by automated Edman degradation together with partial sequences by MS analysis. These causes and contributory factors of neonatal mortality reflect poor prenatal health services in this country. Consistent associations with both favorable (medullary or atypical medullary carcinoma) and unfavorable (high tumor grade, hormone receptor negativity, somatic p53 mutation) prognostic characteristics have been found for BRCA1-associated breast carcinomas. The impairment shown by the deluded schizophrenic group seemed to occur at the initial stage of the reasoning task. We wished to explore the adolescent patient experience of being diagnosed with BPD.
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The baseline task required feature search of scrambled letter strings created from the stimuli for the experimental conditions. Alternate endpoints such as progression or time to progression are being increasingly considered, and novel designs such as randomized discontinuation designs, multinomial designs and growth modulation indices are being prospectively tested. Compensatory renal hypertrophy is mediated by a cell cycle-dependent mechanism. The effect of structural water molecules on the normal mode spectrum of dTn . Furthermore, loss of nasal tip projection was found only in the group that had surgery with the sublabial technique.
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It was soon recognized that the molecules, under selective conditions, may suffice to initiate metastatic spread of tumour cells. Moreover, the opportunities that such neurosecretion-defective PC12 clones offer for the investigation of new aspects of regulated exocytosis and the localization of its components are summarized. These experiments further emphasize the need to develop homogenous low molecular weight carrier molecules for nonviral gene delivery. Women with menstrual migraine can receive prophylactic treatment in the perimenstrual period. Blood glucose, lactate, and pericontusional cortical extracellular glucose and lactate were determined before, during and up to 60 min after the infusion period. We report a series of 24 health-care workers with respiratory symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma due to glutaraldehyde exposure. Pain was assessed by the researcher using the Observation Scale of Behavioural Distress, and by the parent, doctor and child (if old enough) using a 10-cm, 100-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
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The measured relative complex permittivity of the ComTiO2 nanocomposite-paraffin wax mixture indicates that a high electrical resistivity and a dielectric loss exist in the Co/TiO2 nanocomposites. The development of more effective strategies for managing endodontic pain emergencies draws from the research of both clinicians and basic scientists. Role of Oncogenic Transcription Factor c-Myc in Cell Cycle Regulation, Apoptosis and Metabolism. NHS hospitals must help patients quit smoking, says British Thoracic Society. This finding represents an additional example of cerebral specialization and the first report of lateralized peptide distribution in the human hypothalamus. Our aim was to reassess esophageal motility in CRF patients to better define its abnormalities. In this study, we present evidence that CS initiation is indeed mediated by C-activating classic IgM anti-TNP pentamer. This brief report summarizes a workshop that was held at the National Institutes of Health in April 1998. In the early postoperative period, the fixed position of a transparent keratograft was achieved and the epithelial layer also recovered without signs of bullous keratopathy. | 12,215 | 5,913 | 25,186.078133 |
warc | 202143 | Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell favors reelection by the White House, and if recent history repeats itself the decision could come any time before a re-meeting of the central bank in early November.
Wall Street expects Powell, who was nominated for the role by President Donald Trump in 2017 and confirmed by the Senate, will be re-nominated by President Joe Biden for a four-year term.
“I think the market will love it because it’s a continuation and they’ve become comfortable with that, that’s a known volume,” said Keith Lerner, co-chief investment officer at Truist Advisory Services. “In general, I think the Street has a positive outlook.”
The political betting website shows Predictit Powell with a nearly 84 percent chance of being re-confirmed by the Senate, down from 90 percent on September 12, but roughly even his chances in July. The site showed that Fed Governor Lyle Brainard’s chances were about 15 percent.
Powell replaced Janet Yellen as chair of the Fed’s board of governors in February 2018 and propelled the economy through its worst crisis since World War Two, battered by the COVID-19 pandemic that began early last year. Had to give
The US stock market has rallied during Powell’s tenure, driven by measures by the US central bank to protect the economy from the coronavirus pandemic.
Under Powell, the S&P 500 has risen nearly 60 percent, in line with the index’s gains during Yellen’s four years in charge of the Fed, when Wall Street marked its recovery from the 2008 financial crisis in a nearly decade-long bull market. Extended.
The S&P 500 rose 39 percent during Ben Bernanke’s eight-year tenure as of January 2014.
According to people familiar with the matter, the Biden administration is actively discussing a decision about the next Fed chair, although White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has declined to comment on the president’s timeline in recent days. . The nominations between the last Fed meeting and the one in November will coincide with a point in the calendar when the last two Fed chairman appointments have been announced.
Biden’s decision comes at a turning point for the central bank. Following Powell’s guidance after the central bank’s most recent meeting on Wednesday, with US stock markets hitting record highs, investors expect the Fed to begin easing its bond buying program in November.
Many investors were also surprised by a sharp tilt by the central bank on future rate hikes, with nine out of 18 US central bank policymakers needing to raise the cost of borrowing in 2022.
Progressive Democrats want the Fed to play a more detailed role in the economy by ramping up efforts to boost employment, address climate risk and address inequality. Others want the Fed to stick to its monetary policy lane, focus more on fighting inflation and reduce its footprint on the financial markets and oversight front.
Powell’s focus on jobs has drawn praise from the Biden administration and the wider community of Democratic policy analysts. A private equity lawyer, Powell has also won support for a second term from some congressional Republicans.
by Noel Randwich
.
This News Originally From – The Epoch Times | 3,280 | 1,649 | 6,301.419042 |
warc | 202143 | Every choice is decisive for the quality and duration of people’s lives, which is why we are always looking for new solutions and effective natural alternatives to improve and maintain health and for its sustainable development.
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warc | 202143 | Title Submuscular Placement of Baclofen Infusion Pumps: Case Series and Technique. Publication Type Journal Article Year of Publication 2020 Authors Bogue JT, Wald G, Iosim S, Greenfield JP, Otterburn DM Journal Ann Plast Surg Volume 85 Issue S1 Suppl 1 Pagination S8-S11 Date Published 2020 07 ISSN 1536-3708 Abstract
BACKGROUND: Baclofen pumps provide treatment of symptoms of spasticity for disease processes such as cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury. These devices provide continuous infusion or periodic dosing of intrathecal baclofen (ITB). Traditionally, these pumps have been placed subcutaneously. Subcutaneous device placement has been associated with infection and extrusion. Baclofen pumps are large and range from 8 to 10 cm in diameter and 4 to 8 cm in width. Patients requiring device placement typically have a paucity of subcutaneous tissue. Cachexia coupled with the size and bulk of these devices leads to increased protusion and friction. Submuscular placement provides a well-vascularized pocket that directs the device inward eliminating protrusion and decreasing the potential for soft tissue breakdown.
METHODS: A retrospective chart review of ITB pump placement in a submuscular plane by a single plastic surgeon at a major academic center in conjunction with a neurosurgeon was performed. Inclusion criteria were cases of primary placement or replacement of ITB pumps and spasticity requiring ITB. Major complications included infection, extrusion, and reoperation.
RESULTS: Five patients during a 5-month period were treated with submuscular placement of ITB pumps. Average age of patients included was 18.4 years. Average preoperative body mass index was 18.8 kg/m, with values ranging from 15.8 to 20.1 kg/m. Medical histories of patients included diagnoses of cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury causing spasticity. The most frequently cited reason for plastic surgical consultation preoperatively was cachexia. Two patients had previous baclofen pumps placed subcutaneously. Average follow-up was 6 months and ranged from 3 to 13 months. There were no major complications. One patient had a small seroma that spontaneously resolved. No patient had wound healing problems, and there were no extrusions of implanted devices or reoperations.
CONCLUSION: Submuscular placement of baclofen pumps provides a well-vascularized and stable environment for device placement that minimizes the dangers of pump extrusion and infection. Patients who require treatment with ITB commonly have severe cachexia, which makes subcutaneous device placement high risk. Submuscular placement should be performed in all patients with body mass index less than 20 kg/m.
DOI 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002347 Alternate Journal Ann Plast Surg PubMed ID 32149846 | 2,782 | 1,373 | 5,622.760379 |
warc | 202143 | Like most school districts, Williamston Community Schools are back to full capacity in-person learning, following a challenging year of online courses due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Williamston High School dealt with last year by doing half online and half in person, following a hybrid model, allowing some students to be on campus while others completed their classes online via Google teams.
“We started last fall online, and we came back in January as a hybrid model,” said high school teacher Mitch Lutzke. “We were out for two weeks for quarantine, but by spring
last year we were down to about 25% to 30% of kids in the building, the rest of the kids were online.”
This school year, the high school is back to full capacity and following specific guidelines and protocols, to keep students and staff safe during these unusual times.
Ingham County Emergency Orders
“Right now all the school districts are under two emergency orders in Ingham County,” said Superintendent Adam Spina. “Nothing more stringent or less stringent, we are just following what’s in the orders, and so far so good.”
According to the Ingham County Health Department, the first emergency order is that “educational institutions, child care centers, pre-schools, and pre-K to 12 schools are required to wear masks for control of the epidemic, while in buildings and around others, as well as maintaining a safe and social distance.”
The second emergency order is “the isolation and quarantine order in educational settings stating that if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 they are required to self isolate and quarantine for 10 days.”
School Protocols
While Ingham County has put in place orders for school districts to follow, Williamston high school teacher Megan Allen has enforced her own ways of keeping herself and her students safe.
“We try to keep our desks as far and spaced out as we can,” Allen said. “We also wipe down our tables as best and as often as we can, it kind of depends on the teacher and what works best for them.”
Ensuring that students remain safe during these times, students and staff must wear masks at all times and keep a safe distance throughout the school day.
Impact on Students
As online teaching was tough and challenging, many teachers came up with fun creative ways to bring students together and keep them engaged while looking at a screen.
“It’s been so much better teaching public school in person, last year students were very hesitant to ask questions or anything,” said Lutzke. “Whereas this year, you can see them, their body language, if they are struggling, or have questions.”
Now that students are back in the classroom and in a somewhat normal learning environment, grades, alertness, and assignments have increased.
“The grades are way up this year, turning the work in on time has been way up and it’s just been way better overall,” said Lutzke. | 3,042 | 1,421 | 6,203.881773 |
warc | 202143 | Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later. Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
In August 2021, Fox News’ “Gutfeld!,” a late-night comedy-talk show hosted by right-wing pundit Greg Gutfeld, overtook “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in overall ratings.
Surprised?
We weren’t.
As media and comedy scholars, we’ve been tracking the recent ascension of right-wing comedy, which has flourished thanks to shifts in media industry economics and political ideologies.
Gutfeld’s success might come as a shock because it punctures long-standing assumptions about what comedy is, who can produce it and who will enjoy it. These prejudices obscure an important truth: Right-wing comedy has become both a viable business strategy and a crucial element of conservative politics.
Yes, “Gutfeld!” is on Fox News, the cable channel known for partisan, right-wing political perspectives and news commentary. But it has all the markers of late-night comedy, too. The opening monologues are filled with Jay Leno-like punchlines that draw laughs from the studio audience, and the interviews with conservative politicians, pundits and other comedians frequently center on “owning the libs” with one-liners.
Then, of course, there are the silly “Saturday Night Live”-like sketches. One recent episode broke from a panel discussion on cancel culture in order to imagine what a politically correct James Bond would look like. In the prerecorded bit, a crudely costumed actor chases down a thief and pulls a banana on him instead of a gun. Then “Bond” heads to a bar to order a latte – a soy latte – instead of a martini. You get the idea.
Regardless of whether or not this comedy is to your taste, it’s working for Gutfeld and his audience.
Hiding in plain sight
Despite its growing prominence, right-wing comedy remains largely invisible in both mainstream and scholarly discussions of media and humor. In part, this has happened because social media algorithms don’t send users jokes likely to challenge or offend their political sensibilities.
There are also intellectual trends that make it possible for Greg Gutfeld to spend two decades sneaking up on the Colberts of the world. Comedy theorists tend to diminish, or at least distinguish, right-wing humor from what they deem to be more authentic, liberal humor.
Philosopher Umberto Eco, for example, demotes joking that fails to critique power structures to the status of mere “carnival.”
This effort to use ideology in order to categorize comedy can lead audiences, political analysts and even comedians to downplay or outright dismiss right-wing humor.
But even if conservative comedy doesn’t fit liberals’ tastes, it’s still comedy. And it’s increasingly becoming a feature of right-wing politics. Even “Daily Show” host Trevor Noah noted how former president Donald Trump’s performances at rallies mirrored those of stand-up comedians.
Some studies go as far as to identify innate, psychological differences that explain why liberals are more likely to laugh while conservatives are more prone to seethe. This research, often inspired by the success of liberal satirists such as Colbert, Jon Stewart and Samantha Bee, certainly provides intriguing looks into the relationship between politics, psychology and sense of humor. They are, without question, pleasing to the liberal reader’s ego.
They do not, however, square with the way Trump changed the country’s politics and culture.
The political comedy of the early 2000s, with its relatively big tent media companies and pre-Barack Obama politics, tended to joke primarily in the political direction of the largest audience segment interested in satire at that moment. “The Colbert Report” and “The Daily Show” became hugely successful during the years of president George W. Bush and inspired countless imitators, crowding the media marketplace for liberal laughs.
However, comedy’s perceived political bias at the time was more likely driven by specific economic circumstances, which have now radically changed.
Since then, further audience fragmentation, along with the proliferation of podcasts and social media platforms, has made it possible for right-wing comedians like YouTuber Steven Crowder to rise to prominence beyond conventional cable television. And it’s forced networks like Fox News to take comedy seriously.
On one level, Gutfeld succeeds today because he has virtually no competition from fellow conservatives in the late-night television comedy space. On another, he thrives because the current media industry moment is built not for a big tent of all viewers, but for audiences who share specific demographic, psychographic and political traits.
In this environment, the partisanization of comedy to the right was perhaps inevitable.
What’s in a definition?
If you find comedians such as Gutfeld unfunny or, more to the point, offensive, you may ask whether he should be granted the honorific of comedian.
Failing to do so, we argue, obscures the ways in which the right-wing political world uses comedy as a recruiting tool and unifying force. Republican politics have long been built upon an uneasy fusion that aims to bind together libertarian and traditionalist values, despite their apparent contradictions. The crassness of Trumpism has only added to this conceptual tension.
Right-wing comedy, we argue, serves to iron out, or at least paper over, such philosophical divides.
In addition to his show’s success, Gutfeld today resides at the center of a growing complex of comedians reflecting elements of right-wing worldviews, ranging from libertarian, libertine podcasts like “The Joe Rogan Experience” to Christian satire websites like The Babylon Bee to Proud Boys founder and Gutfeld-protégée Gavin McInnes. While the creators of this content don’t always agree on specific issues, they are united in their motivations to hilariously own the libs. They strategically cross-promote one another, while social media algorithms urge fans of one program to check out other flavors of right-wing comedy.
Gutfeld may be the biggest star, but a range of right-wing comedians are coming together in a constellation that allows young, right-wing-curious consumers to find a place in the universe of American conservative media and politics. The value, or danger, of right-wing comedy is a matter of political opinion.
Its reality, however, is no joke.
This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Nick Marx, Colorado State University and Matt Sienkiewicz, Boston College. Read more: The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. | 7,085 | 3,386 | 14,299.731246 |
warc | 202143 | A pillar of the American Dream is under assault across the country, but nowhere is it more pronounced than in California where social justice activists and Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom are invading single-family home neighborhoods with plans to replace them with multi-unit properties.
A brochure for a San Diego neighborhood in the 1950s highlighted why families flocked to the suburbs: “More luxury at lower cost,” “private and protected,” “beauty and convenience.”
Add to that safety from urban crime, and Americans embraced this part of the Dream by the millions.
“It was a California fantasy,” the
New York Times said of Clairemont Villas. “Over six colorful pages the brochure sold buyers on an indoor-outdoor lifestyle where the living room opened to a yard and children played behind a redwood fence.”
But now that dream is unraveling, spelled out graphically the
Times piece:
Two days after surviving a California recall election, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 9. By legalizing duplexes statewide and allowing people to subdivide single-family lots, S.B. 9 effectively ended single-family zoning in a state of 40 million whose identity is predicated on the suburban idyll.
Cities have lost most of their power to prevent backyard units from being built, and state legislators have tried to speed construction by reducing development fees, requiring cities to permit them within a few weeks and prohibiting local governments from requiring dedicated parking spots. In contrast to the battles over S.B. 9 — this year’s duplex law, which was branded a bill of “chaos” that would “destroy neighborhoods” and be “the beginning of the end of homeownership in California” — the A.D.U. laws passed with no comparable controversy.
Last year, San Diego’s City Council voted unanimously to expand on state law by allowing bonus units, sometimes as many as a half-dozen per lot, if a portion are set aside for moderate-income households. Development has exploded on cue. California cities issued about 13,000 permits for accessory units in 2020, which is a little over 10 percent of the state’s new housing stock and up from less than 1 percent eight years ago. The effect is already visible throughout Southern California: four-unit buildings rising behind one-story bungalows; prefabricated studio apartments being hoisted into backyards via crane; blocks where a new front-yard apartment sits across the street from a new backyard apartment down the way from a new side-yard apartment.
And the radical transformation of the state’s housing landscape is actually enriching developers as it forces people to live in more crowded conditions.
The
Times profiled Christian Spicer, a longtime house-flipper who is taking advantage of the “backyard boom.”
Spicer’s company bought a house in Clairemont Villas for $700,000. Spicer estimates the house would rent for $3,300 a month with a few improvements. But he decided to spend about $400,000 building the new units and splitting the house and believes he will now get between $9,000 and $10,000 a month in rent.
That return would increase the property’s value to about $1.7 million.
“The price would be galling to an aspiring homeowner who might have outbid another family before losing to Mr. Spicer and now feels cheated out of the American dream,” the
Times reported. “But of course the 10 to 12 people who move in are unlikely to think the world would be better off if their homes had remained dirt and only one family lived there.”
“Housing is complicated,” the
Times said in its biased piece.
Reforming housing will solve “existential problems,” the
Times claimed, including allegedly reducing segregation, wealth inequality, combating sprawl, and fighting climate change.
“But the process will be long and difficult, as single-family neighborhoods are America’s predominant form of living and homeowners broadly enjoy them,” the
Times reported.
Cary Gross, 63, owns a tile company and lives in Clairemont Villas. He bought a home there 25 years ago with the expectation that it would stay that way.
“They say they’re doing this so everyone can have the American dream,” he said. “But what about the American dream of living in a single-family neighborhood?” | 4,450 | 2,174 | 8,625.712971 |
warc | 202143 | A recent study showed that only 10% of employees want to work full-time, following the COVID-19 outbreak. That’s why boosting employee morale is essential for retaining valued employees.
But how can you do this, and what are some effective techniques?
If you want to know how to improve employee morale and reduce employee turnover, then keep reading!
1. Provide Incentives
Providing incentives for your employees can help with employee turnover reduction. Employees want to feel appreciated and valued for their hard work. By providing fun incentives, your employees will look forward to something.
For example, whoever has the highest sales by the end of the week can win a challenge coin! When looking back at challenge coins, you will see that they were mainly used on military bases. However, now all types of companies use them to boost employee morale.
2. Create a Safe and Open Environment
Knowing how to boost employee morale is essential for you and your employees. However, when problems arise, your employees should be able to discuss a plan of action.
Often, employees feel misheard by their supervisor, which can create tension. However, if you make a safe and open environment, your employee will be more open to discussing changes and fixing internal issues.
3. Positive Verbal Affirmations
Understanding positive actions and words are the first step in knowing how to improve employee morale. For starters, incentives can only go so far. Your employees need to know that you appreciate their hard work in other ways.
By giving positive affirmations like “thank you for your hard work” or “you’re a valued employee,” your employers will have more confidence and energy!
4. High Energy Work Areas
Your employees will feed off your energy. Therefore, if you always have negative energy, your employees will too.
Therefore, you should keep your energy high and have a lot of enthusiasm throughout the day. Of course, this can be easier said than done, especially on slower days. However, it can affect the office dynamic and morale!
If you struggle with this as a manager, try changing your internal thoughts and beliefs. For example, instead of “having to deal with a difficult client,” you’re “maximizing customer service and by providing great care.”
5. Keep It Fun and Professional
Knowing how to reduce employee turnover rate means knowing how to provide a fun work environment! Believe it or not, there is such a thing as having a fun work environment and still having a good productivity rate!
Your employees should feel excited about coming to work every day! A fun work environment can foster creative ideas, reduce anxiety, and create more attraction for those looking for a job.
Boosting Employee Morale Starts Today
Boosting employee morale will excel your business. Not to mention, having happy employees will only make your life as a supervisor a lot easier.
So always remember to put your best foot forward, and others will follow. If you enjoyed this article, check out the rest of our website for the latest news.
Employee morale can determine how successful a company is. Employees with high morale possess a better attitude, maintain higher customer service levels, and are generally more productive. Poor employee morale reduces productivity, negatively affects other employees and customers, and reduces efficiency. Here are reasons why high employee morale is important:
Top Activities for Children Mental Development - October 2, 2021 How Do I Choose the Best Business Lawyer in My Local Area? - September 29, 2021 How to Practice Proper & Effective Product Storage - September 27, 2021 Professional Journalism In Canada
Journalism
Canadian Walk To Freedom — A Journalist’s Perspective
Specifically, the walk towards professional journalism in Canada was initially met with opposition. As history shows, various parts of the country were fed with information from the government. A newspaper publisher could be convicted for criticizing the government of the day. Going against a government official in the mid-1700s was viewed as seditious libel. After observing how the wave of revolution was sweeping through other developing countries and how the freedom of the press was the accepted vehicle of distributing information, questions began to be asked. Joseph Howe, a newspaper owner (the NOVASCOTIAN), was vocal through his paper on how some policies and those who spearhead them were not on the lookout for the good of the common man. He was, as a result, sent to prison for criminal libel. Even though he was guilty, the jury questioned whether he published those libelous statements. During the trial, Howe provided undaunted proof that was enough to help him regain his freedom. The basis for his release paved the way for legitimate and professional journalism in Canada.
Present-Day Advancements And What The Future Holds
In the late 20th century, well-known Canadian journalists who ardently follow the footsteps of legendary way-makers like Joseph Howe are perplexed by the modern way of disseminating information. This astonishment doesn’t apply to innovative folks like Nick Gamache CBC. To them, the bar has been lowered through the invention of social media and blogging. The general public that once queued to get the latest edition of the weekly “Gazettes”, have moved to this novel way of getting informed. To hold tight to their audience, top journalists are often invited as guest writers to blog sites. The few printed magazines and newspapers have somehow returned to the hands of the elites. While concerns are building up regarding the institution built so far in the sphere of journalism, it is worth taking that, just like everything else, advancement and changes are bound to happen, not in Canada alone but the whole world. The readiness of modern-day journalists to encompass the values of people like Kit Coleman, Pierre BÉDARD, and recently Nick Gamache journalist into their works — either on a tiny desk with a screen in their front, or the almost extinct way of getting raw information from always anonymous sources in the field. Those remain even more valid now to ensure a professional and ethical standard of journalism in Canada.
Top Activities for Children Mental Development - October 2, 2021 How Do I Choose the Best Business Lawyer in My Local Area? - September 29, 2021 How to Practice Proper & Effective Product Storage - September 27, 2021 NRIA: How to Know When It is Time to Invest
How does one know when it is the right time to invest? Firms like NRIA obviously hear questions like that a lot – especially from their current investors and or their future investors. Nowadays, investors are fearful because the markets are skittish and down (or headed down). It takes nerve and skill to invest wisely and well – are you that confident though in your next investment decision?
To be honest, there never is a perfect time to invest, but that doesn’t mean the opportune time won’t exist – confused? Read on.
Investing with Confidence
Investopedia says that “Investment education is essential—as is avoiding investments you don’t fully understand. Rely on sound recommendations from experienced investors, while dismissing “hot tips” from untrustworthy sources.” And they are correct! First and foremost, and even before timing, investing demands education. The team at NRIA caution and counsel that “
experience, know-how, relationships, and track record” are the things an investor needs to know before deciding on investing with a firm.
Furthermore, there are ways to boost your confidence as an investor, but absolutely nothing will replace the education you need as an investor to make sound investment choices.
How to Find What you Need to Know as an Investor
Since
experience, know-how, relationships, and track record portend the risk-benefit assessment of any investment firm, how does the average investor educate themselves? Let’s use NRIA as an example – right on their website; they tell you: “Founded in 2006, NRIA has grown to be one of the nation’s leading specialists in institutional-caliber private real estate investment management with over $1.25B AUM*, focusing on luxury townhome, condominium and multifamily acquisition and development in many supply-constrained, high barrier-to-entry markets along the east coast.” Their experience is in the decades, in the millions of dollars, and nestled in a diverse real estate portfolio.
What about the ‘know how?’ Yahoo! Finance does a great job showing exactly how masterful NRIA is. By partnering with the leading luxury home developers to create opportunities in hot markets, NRIA is solidly funded and rests on a good foundation.
That just leaves track record – so as an investor, how do 2,100 units delivered and in progress since 2010 sound? Or $1.75B in completed and in-progress development since 2010? How about 3.0M square feet completed or in progress? Or, $1.25B in assets currently under management? It sounds like a firm that your money can grow with – that’s what it sounds like.
Are You Ready to Invest?
It is so simple: if you are ready to invest and have done your research, guess what? The time is right! If you feel confident that Real Estate is the way to go, NRIA has all of the things investors need to succeed; just have a look for yourself!
Top Activities for Children Mental Development - October 2, 2021 How Do I Choose the Best Business Lawyer in My Local Area? - September 29, 2021 How to Practice Proper & Effective Product Storage - September 27, 2021 Strategies To Start A Successful Business
Building a business from scratch is not an easy task. However, the main challenge rests behind it, which is to last for a reasonable time. The research shows us that two out of three businesses become a flop in at least two years and nearly 50% survive within five years. The main reason behind such an early failure is the lack of planning and poor leadership. This article will tell you some of the best ways to develop a new business. Let’s discuss some of the strategies.
Analyze Yourself
Starting a business requires thoughts and ideas, along with the careful examination of yourself. First of all, take a good look at your skills, strengths, and weaknesses. It will allow you to know what you can do and what you cannot. Even if you have the best business idea, start by analyzing yourself. This will help you build a successful and long-lasting business. Understanding yourself and your team is the crucial point for making a business achieve its maximum potential. Moez Kassam with over a decade of experience as a successful entrepreneur, hedge fund manager, business partner, philanthropist, and board member brings a wealth of experience and creative energy to all he does.
Track Down Your Motivation
The clearer you are about achieving something, the better is your chance of achieving it. Hence, you should be clear about why you turn back on the security of a career for the variability of a business. It is one of the vital factors to understand which thing is driving you to start a business to determine its type. You are much more likely to fail if your intentions are not aligned with your business. Learn more about the work of Moez Kassam, he is a hedge fund manager, venture capitalist, and entrepreneur.
Think Of A Great Business Idea
It is hard to come up with a great business idea relative to a good business idea because a great business idea consists of planning everything ahead of time. Like knowing which type of business you are starting and why, how much money you are going to invest in it, and so on. Moreover, it is directly related to your business’s success. When starting, you will explore as many business ideas as you can before settling down on one great idea you will take forward so that you can turn it into a profitable, valuable, and successful business.
Plan Your Business
Planning your business is not the most fun part of creating your business, but we can assure you that it plays an important role in developing a successful business. You have to develop a good business plan that must include market strategies and evaluation, an executive summary, and an operational plan. A business plan is a blueprint or profile of your business.
Conclusion
Building up a business from scratch could be the most fruitful experience a person can have if the right strategies, planning, and determination are applied. And if you follow the strategies above, you will be able to start your own business and be able to make it proficient and successful in the long run.
Top Activities for Children Mental Development - October 2, 2021 How Do I Choose the Best Business Lawyer in My Local Area? - September 29, 2021 How to Practice Proper & Effective Product Storage - September 27, 2021 Know The Eligibility and Requirements For Subclass 887 Visa in Australia
The Skilled Regional Visa Subclass 887 allows the holder to stay in Australia for an indefinite period. You will be allowed to work, stay and study in any part of Australia. The holder can even achieve permanent residence in the country.
This visa is a substitute for the second stage of the visa subclass 883 and subclass 137. You need to meet specific criteria to get the visa application approved. Find out about the particular requirements by reading this article.
Eligibility Criteria
You need to fulfil a particular set of criteria to become eligible for the
visa subclass 887 in Australia. The eligibility criteria are as follows: You need to hold a visa for a minimum of 2 years before applying for visa 887. You also need to meet all the conditions of the visa you have. You need to stay in a particular region for two years minimum prior to applying for visa subclass 887. The applicant must work in a low population growth area for at least one year. The applicant needs to be a full-time employee in one such region. Requirements
The requirements to get access to Subclass 887 Visa are as follows:
You have to meet the residence requirement in Australia. It requires you to stay in a specific Australian region for at least two years. You should also meet the work requirement criteria. According to it, you will have to be a full-time employee at a low-population growth metropolitan area for at least one year. You will also have to meet all the health requirements. The visa entrant cannot be a threat to the public health of Australian residents. You also need to pass the character requirements. You should not have any criminal history. Your family will also have to pass the character requirements. A character certificate issued by the police will be necessary even if your family members are not accompanying you to Australia. An applicant above the age of 18 years will have to sign the Australian values statement. You or your family members must not owe any debt to the Australian government. The applicant also needs to submit proof that they have at least a functional English language level. The applicant must not have experienced a visa cancellation or visa application rejection in the past. Bringing Family With Visa Subclass 887
The visa subclass 887 will permit you to bring your family members with you. You should include all your family members while making the application. It is important to remember that no family member can be added after the application is submitted.
The visa will allow only your immediate family members to accompany you. It will include your partner, your children, or your partner’s minor and dependent adult children. You can also bring your or your partner’s minor or dependent adult step-children. It is also possible to bring your grandchildren with you.
Documents Required For Your Partner/Spouse
Your spouse or partner needs to provide any type of identification proof. They also need to submit a character certificate. The marriage certificate also needs to be submitted. If applicable, evidence of your relationship must be presented as well.
Documents For Your Minor Children
The birth certificate of your minor children needs to be provided. The prenatal permission form 1229 also needs to be filled out. A statutory declaration must be submitted with the visa application.
Documents For Your Adult Dependent Children
The identity documents and character documents of your adult dependent children must be submitted. You also need to submit proof of your relationship. If applicable, it is also essential to submit evidence of other relationships of the adult-dependent must be provided.
Credentials Of Servicing
You need to mention your line of work’s endorsement in the official parchment of the manager providing the character certificate. The endorsement of your line of work must provide your manager’s whereabouts and contact details on the parchment.
The name, job designation, and the contact information of the person who agreed to provide the credentials must put their initials on view. The duration of your work should also be mentioned in your line of work’s endorsement. Some other information that must be included is your responsibilities, type of service, and income.
Self-Employment Proofs
The 887 Subclass visa applicants who are self-employed need to put forward the following documents:
Inspect banking declaration Levying certificates Papers of organisation lodgement Elements of promotion and business Major prospect proofs Firm background Mind Your Business Quotes Fellowship of an executive corporation Processing Time Of Visa Subclass 887
The processing time of visa subclass 887 varies on the basis of individual cases. However, 75% of the visa gets approved in 15 months, and 90% of applications will take 16 months.
Sometimes the processing time gets elongated due to mistakes made by the applicant.
The applicants often fail to provide the necessary documents. On the other hand, the visa application needs a longer processing time if the authorities ask for additional documents. You can talk to an
Immigration Perth to get guidance about the visa application. Cost Of Skilled Regional Visa 887
The main applicant needs to provide an application fee of AUD 425. The charges for each accompanying family member are taken separately. You will also have to bear some additional expenses. This includes health checks, police verification, and other biometrics.
Furthermore, a second instalment might have to be paid if the family members accompanying you do not have a functional level of English. You need to provide the second instalment fee for every member above the age of 18 years without evidence of English language competence. The second instalment fee is around AUD 5,000. Advantages Of Skilled Regional Subclass 887 Visa
The visa subclass 887 will allow an individual to reside, learn and shoulder responsibility in Australia. It will also enable the visa holder to gain Australian nationality. The holder of this visa can avail of Medicare which is the national medical coverage program.
Another significant advantage of visa subclass 887 is to finance qualified acquaintances for indefinite citizenship. It is also possible to avail definite community-based subscriptions with this visa. They can also sponsor eligible relatives for several permanent and temporary visas in Australia. You have to reside in Australia at the time of applying for the visa. After the visa is granted, you can travel to and from Australia as many times as you want. But this is applicable for a period of five years from the date of the visa grant. The five-year travel restriction will stop an individual from re-entering Australia. After the expiration of the five-year period from the date of the visa grant, you will need a Resident Return Visa to enter Australia. Any other suitable visa will also grant you access to the country. However, individuals inside Australia who have been permitted to stay indefinitely are not affected by the five-year restriction. Wrapping Up
Subclass 887 is one of the visas for obtaining permanent residency in Australia. You have to meet a lot of criteria to get your application for visa 887 approved. Hopefully, the guidance provided in this article will be valuable for you. For more details regarding the visa subclass 887, contact migration services in Perth.
Top Activities for Children Mental Development - October 2, 2021 How Do I Choose the Best Business Lawyer in My Local Area? - September 29, 2021 How to Practice Proper & Effective Product Storage - September 27, 2021 Make your company extraordinary with Custom Donut Boxes from ordinary!
Have you ever wondered what makes other successful companies famous? It is not that they have more hours in the day, or that they have much better opportunities. It is that they choose to do smart work over hard work. They have determined the key essentials to running their business and instead of focusing on other aspects that may make you lose your business; they choose to work on important ones.
Packaging is a very big part of running a company. Especially in the food and bakery industry, keeping the products fresh and warm creates a huge difference. At the end of the day, you do not want to eat something that comes out stale from its packaging. So, how do custom boxes make a difference? Read more to know how to make your company extraordinary with
from ordinary. custom donut boxes Advertise creatively
The packaging gives you a wide range of ways in which you can advertise your product efficiently. For example, if you want to advertise the fact that you do free home delivery, you can add that in bold letters on one side of the custom donut boxes. Besides that, you are even able to deliver whatever you want to be said onto the boxes by printing services.
Creative advertising includes the usage of the same tools but in a more innovative manner. So, if you opt for the traditional style rectangle boxes, you can always try to change the pattern on the lid or use different sets of colors.
At the end of the day, what matters is how you present your brand in the market. Even withs mall bakeries, people need to know that the ingredients used are organic and the product is made with a lot of love. You can do that by adding an organic logo on the corner of the box or even use different styled fonts.
Build styles in a vast variety
The better the style you have, the more the customer will be enticed to buy your food commodity. Building a specific set of styles uniquely encases your brand identity. Your customer is better able to identify the flavor of your donuts by looking at the specific style of the donut boxes if they see one. But, building a style in a vast variety can be a difficult task. You might never find a good packaging company that understands the essence of your product.
It is here where H5 Packaging comes in. You can build your specific style that resonates with the morals of your brand by choosing H5 Packaging. Furthermore, you can have different aspects of your boxes designed and set by your preference. These aspects include
Glossing Fine printing Size setting Sample for proofs Spot UV
Besides all of these aspects, you can even have this packaging company set a color theme based on the flavors of the donut. So, for example, if the flavor is vanilla, you can have a whiter theme and if it is strawberry then you can opt for pink or red.
Show your values through exemplary brand vision techniques
Packaging nonetheless is an exemplary technique to build your brand vision. The reason why custom donut boxes can make your brand extraordinary is that you are better able to show your values through the way that you get your custom boxes designed. This is called building a rationale with your client where they get to know more about your brand and also promote it to their peers. Eventually, our goal is always to make our business extraordinary, and this is the only way to do so.
Do right by your customers
Customers are the only drivers of any business. In order to do right with your customers, you need to have everything top-notch so that they are more attracted to the product. Imagine this, you order donuts from uber eats or any other company, and what you get is a very sloppily covered product that has become stale and is not worthy of eating anymore, would you ever want to buy from that company again?
This example shows the importance of doing right by your customers. You always need to be on top of your game and bring in new ideas that would make the day for any customer that chooses to buy the product.
Select company accurately
Accurate selection of packaging company is of the essence. The most important thing that you need to do is to look for the ones that are willing to give you discounts. And besides that, what matters the most is the reviews of the clients that have previously worked with the packaging company. These reviews will help you determine whether it is worth opting for that company or not.
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warc | 202143 | How could I personally prepare for the end-times? And even if we aren’t near the end times, the world is rapidly changing, and there’s no way to stop it: how can I compose myself enough to deal with what’s coming upon the world? How will I keep my cool and my sanity; my faith and my hope?
NO EARLY RAPTURE
We evangelicals have been told by our favourite teachers and preachers the the rapture is at hand: we’re all going to be whisked away to heaven before things really get bad in the world. Try telling that to the Christians in Nigeria who today are being murdered and beheaded for their faith (1). Try telling that to the many now trapped in Afghanistan at the mercy of the ruthless Taliban (2). And try telling that to the Christians of numerous countries like China, who can be imprisoned for their faith or even executed (3). I’ve become convinced that there will be no early rapture, and I recommend my own book on the subject (4). Alternatively you can find updated extracts of it on this blog, in something like thirty parts, with more to come. The search bar is at the top.
OUR SALVATION IS SECURE!
Without Jesus, you cannot survive what’s happening to our world, either mentally or spiritually. So of utmost importance in overcoming the world is our faith in Jesus Christ:
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith (1 John 5:4 NKJV).
Since Christ is the Creator and sustainer of all things (Colossians 1:16-17), it is
impossible for that creation-including us- to be taken from Him. Instead, He will be the Judge of all people, and the wicked who are destroying and defacing His creation have no hope. But we, in Him, do. Whoever has accepted the Son of God in his heart has passed from death to life (John 5:24).
THE MAKER’S INSTRUCTIONS
Secondly, I would say it’s wise to be sure you have a hard copy of the Bible. Your digital Bible and your online Bible studies are vulnerable: they could vanish in one hour at the command of those in control of such things. The time will come, sooner or later, when the Bible in its original form will be called hate-speech, and attacked by a cancel culture already at work. Don’t get one of the wilder paraphrases which depart from the truth. Don’t get a recent translation which attempts to be culturally relevant or gender neutral, or accepting of things that God hates. Memorize portions which most move you to faith and hope. Some good works in apologetics to accompany the Bible would be useful.
SPIRITUAL PREPPING
It’s no good having a Bible if you don’t read it
. Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). In the pages of the Bible is everything we need to keep our moral up and our hope and joy replenished. It is our road map to heaven, given that God himself will guide us there.
I need to detach myself from a culture in decay. I don’t mean to cut myself off, but to distance and protect myself so that its lies and its standards are not entering my mind. I also need to detach myself from my material possessions. They may be a blessing from the Lord, and it’s not wrong to have possessions, but that’s not where our hope is. Where we are going ultimately, we don’t need them:
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).
I need to rest in the Lord frequently; daily. The world and normal everyday life drags us down and wars against our peace and our relationships. When I get home from work, I need to wash off of me all remnants of the world that have been sticking like filth to my mind and my spirit, by prayer and the Words of our God.
Remember constantly the hope to which we were called:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4),
Praise and worship are invaluable to our own spirits, as well as being honouring to our God. When we praise with our heart, mind and body, we are lifted out of the problems of this life and into heavenly places. The most impressive faith is in those whose lives are challenging and yet are filled with praise and worship. Lord, please help me to be one of those people.
SOMETHING TO READ, SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO
Along with my hard Bible I’m also keeping some hard copies of older history books and classical literature. History is being revised, and classics are being pushed out in favour of new cultural relevance. Standards are suffering and we’re being denied real talent in favour of a politically correct sermon. While people weren’t always right about everything in past decades and centuries, they were more honest, definitely more creative, and far less politically and socially motivated. I want to keep in touch with the world I came from-the world that was. The same applies to music. I’m keeping copies of some albums I’ve always loved. I’m keeping them as CDs, and as MP3s on an independent MP3 player. That is, not online where they could be censored, and where cultural relevance and commercials can be thrust in my face.
I hope this helps. Next I will discuss signs of the times. Till then, bye.
NOTES
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jun/6/chinas-christian-persecution-highest-level-mao/?utm_source=GOOGLE&utm_medium=cpc&utm_id=chacka&utm_campaign=TWT+-+DSA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqeGW35Ke8wIV0ACtBh18xg0EEAAYAyAAEgKNjvD_BwE | 5,829 | 2,968 | 11,143.445418 |
warc | 202143 | The diamond grading labs are independent entities that rate diamonds based on their qualities and features and issue certificates accordingly, which aid in the sale of those diamonds. Each diamond lab has different methods of grading, and thus their rating may also differ from one another. However, some of these labs are considered the best critics of the ‘rocks’ (all pun intended) and their certificates are taken more seriously than others.
Let’s shed some light on their names.
The Gemological Institute of America
By far, GIA is the most popular diamond grading laboratory in the world. Surprisingly, it’s a non-profit organization with the most accurate and consistent grading system that almost all diamond merchants and jewelry dealers rely on. Not only that, but they have also altered the world’s basic perception of precious stones with their extensive researches and findings since their inception in 1931.
American Gemological Society
Mostly regarded at par with the GIA because of their high standards and accuracy of grading, they are better known for their alphabetical grading system. Besides grading diamonds, they also offer extensive educational products to create awareness about the precious stones and enhance the diamond trade at large. Their scientific reports and certifications are valued by most of the merchants, dealers, and manufacturers apart from the regular customers.
European Gemological Laboratory
The popularity of EGL goes beyond the European boundaries for their clarity and concise reporting approach. For diamonds less than 1 carat, the EGL is quite efficient in their grading techniques. However, they can’t be trusted much for the S13 diamonds.
International Gemological Institute
Based in Belgium and preferred more by the Asian countries, the IGI is undoubtedly the second-most popular grading institute in the world. Numerous polished diamonds that are available in the market have been graded by IGI, which also offers courses on diamond grading and certification.
Grading systems may differ widely, but the diamonds having consistent grading will be preferred more by customers while investing their money in. | 2,202 | 1,074 | 4,428.603352 |
warc | 202143 | Russia’s new weapons buildup has attracted considerable attention in Washington. Yet to offer a fully coherent response, the U.S. should consider what exactly these weapons represent. As argued in a previous article, I believe these weapons – Avangard, Kinzhal, and Tsirkon – do not fundamentally alter the strategic balance between Washington and Moscow. They do, however, as dual-capable systems, moderately heighten the risk of miscalculation and accidental escalation. They also seem to represent the culmination of long-held Russian antipathy towards U.S. missile defense programs. If these assessments are accurate, there are several measures the U.S. should adopt to respond to Russia’s new weapons programs.
Recommendation #1: Don’t Overreact
With the new Russian systems adding little to Russia’s already mortifying ability to destroy the United States in a nuclear conflict, the U.S. should not overreact to the threat posed by these weapons. So far, it seems the U.S., and in some ways Russia, have wisely accepted that reality. The relatively easy slotting of Avangard into the existing New START framework has been encouraging. Wherever possible, existing arms control measures should be adapted to include newer systems. For instance, proposals for a post-New START arrangement could require weapons like Kinzhal to be placed only on treaty-accountable aircraft.1
Moreover, as the new systems do not substantially reduce reaction time to the extent some have feared, the U.S. should not race to mimic such systems in pursuit of faster delivery. While the U.S. may need hypersonic missiles for a variety of reasons, the faster speed of these systems should not in and of itself be a primary motivating factor in pursuing them. As impressively fast as Russia’s hypersonic missiles are, the U.S. already has its own impressively fast delivery mechanisms for nuclear missiles. If the U.S. were to pursue an increased hypersonic missile capability, it should consider pursuing conventional missiles only.
Recommendation #2: Reduce the Dual-Capable Problem Where Possible
Unlike other powers, the U.S. maintains a division between its conventional and nuclear missiles, refusing to put conventional weapons on its intercontinental ballistic missiles. In the absence of a similar commitment by other powers, including Russia, the U.S. runs the risk of misreading Russian signaling in advance of a crisis and mistaking an incoming Russian conventional weapon for a nuclear attack. The dual-capable nature of all three Russian systems should induce an attempt by the U.S. to obtain as strong a division between Russian conventional and nuclear missiles as possible.2
Given the high degree of investment and publicity Russia dedicated to these systems, it is highly unlikely Moscow would agree to an outright prohibition on their deployment. Nevertheless, working to craft any sort of prohibition on dual-capable systems is a cause well worth pursuing.
Given the high degree of investment and publicity Russia dedicated to these systems, it is highly unlikely Moscow would agree to an outright prohibition on their deployment. Nevertheless, working to craft any sort of prohibition on dual-capable systems is a cause well worth pursuing. Even if an outright prohibition on dual-capable systems proves unobtainable, greater transparency around which specific systems are equipped with nuclear warheads would be helpful. Unfortunately, as hard as it might be to obtain limits on dual-capable systems today, the difficulty is likely to increase in the coming years.
There is, however, still some cause for optimism. Like all the best arms control measures, limitations on dual-capable systems have the benefit of being verifiable. As physicist Dean Wilkening put it, “verifying that hypersonic weapons are not deployed with nuclear warheads is, in principle, possible with current techniques.”3 The U.S. should take advantage of this fact in future arms control negotiations with Russia while remaining realistic about Russian enthusiasm for limits on these systems.4 The U.S. could also try to lock in existing limitations on hypersonic missiles, such as enshrining a principle of no dual-use intercontinental missiles.5
Recommendation #3: Don’t Be Afraid To Discuss Missile Defense
Russia’s actions and statements over the years have made it clear that U.S. missile defense programs are a key driver of Russian behavior, specifically regarding its decision to develop weapons like Avangard, Kinzhal, and Tsirkon. Given the continued unreliability of strategic missile defense, the U.S. should be willing to put the discontinuation of some missile defense efforts on the table. Acknowledging that there are numerous other reasons for the U.S. to discuss limiting its missile defense programs,6 the U.S. should take comfort in the fact that discussing such limits would, if anything, diminish Russia’s costly interest in nuclear hypersonic systems.
To be clear, the U.S. does not have to agree to limits on its missile defenses upfront. Rather, the U.S. should be open to limiting its missile defenses as part of broader strategic stability talks with Russia. U.S. missile defense has largely driven the development of the new Russian systems, and the U.S. should not expect Russia to abandon them without curtailing their catalyzing impetus.7 Indeed, Russian arms control negotiator Alexei Arbatov hinted as much when he said Russia would not give up its new systems without U.S. action on addressing Russian missile defense concerns.8 Although Arbatov was talking specifically about the Sarmat and Burevestnik systems, the same logic applies to the related Avangard system and even to the Kinzhal and Tsirkon systems if they are placed on longer-range delivery mechanisms.
Recommendation #4: Prioritize Spending Strategically
While the threat posed by Russian hypersonic missiles is limited, the U.S. should ensure its defense spending counters the most threatening aspects of such systems. It is just as important that U.S. defense spending not be misspent on efforts that will not realistically mitigate the threat posed by Russia’s hypersonic missile systems. It is worth noting that some of the money spent on strategic missile defense would be better spent on more reliable countermeasures to Russian hypersonics. For example, research and development on point defenses,9 especially as it relates to aircraft carriers, would be a more worthwhile investment of taxpayer money than the Ground-based Midcourse Defense, which remains notoriously unreliable,10 and increasingly expensive.11 To briefly detour to a topic outside the scope of this article, investing in point defenses and even conventional, offensive hypersonic missiles also has the benefit of potentially countering Chinese anti-ship weaponry, including hypersonic missiles, in areas like the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, to the extent the U.S. should be concerned about the decreased alert time due to the unpredictable trajectory of hypersonic missiles, it would be advisable for the U.S. to focus more on technologies that will allow it to improve its early warning systems, rather than begin stockpiling its own nuclear-armed hypersonic missiles.
Conclusion
Russia’s development of these new systems is ominous in a number of ways. Not only does it demonstrate the Kremlin’s continued reliance on nuclear weapons, it also sends a deleterious signal to the rest of the world just ahead of the rescheduled 2021 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference (NPT RevCon). Efforts by the United States to rein in the nuclear aspects of these systems could bolster confidence among Non-Nuclear Weapons States that the two nuclear superpowers have not forgotten their commitment under the NPT to “undertake effective measures in the direction of nuclear disarmament.”12 As if the stakes for the 2021 NPT RevCon were not high enough already, the U.S. and Russia should have the added motivation of redressing the grievances expressed by the signatories to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), or Nuclear Ban Treaty. Failure by the nuclear superpowers to deliver meaningful progress towards their NPT commitments will only increase the popularity of the TPNW, which both Washington and Moscow disparage as an unwelcome distraction from the NPT regime.
Nuclear-capable hypersonic systems are inherently alarming. No one should be comfortable with the prospect of nuclear warheads flying five times the speed of sound as merely one shot in a conflict that could kill untold millions of people. However, while terrifying in their own right, the Russian hypersonic systems discussed here only underscore the threat of nuclear conflict – a threat that has existed for decades. They exacerbate existing dangers, sometimes in intriguing ways, but do not fundamentally reshape the seemingly always perilous U.S.-Russian strategic relationship. The U.S. retains several options to respond to these systems prudently. It should confront these systems rationally, recognizing that they are only part of a much larger threat.
[1] Pranay Vaddi and James Acton, “Proportionate Deterrence: A Model Nuclear Posture Review.”
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, October 2, 2020. https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/10/02/restart-for-u.s.-russian-nuclear-arms-control-enhancing-security-through-cooperation-pub-82705.
[2] James M. Acton, “Is It A Nuke? Pre-Launch Ambiguity and Inadvertent Escalation.”
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. April 9, 2020. https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/04/09/is-it-nuke-pre-launch-ambiguity-and-inadvertent-escalation-pub-81446, p. 5.
[3] Dean Wilkening, “Hypersonic Weapons and Strategic Stability,”
Survival, vol. 61, no. 5. October-November 2019, p. 129-148 https://nsiteam.com/social/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Hypersonic-Weapons-and-Strategic-Stability-compressed.pdf, p. 139.
[4] Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov recently reiterated that Russia viewed dual-capable systems as part of its deterrence. See “Keynote Address: Sergey Ryabkov,” 2021 Carnegie Endowment For International Peace Nuclear Policy Conference, 6/22/21. https://ceipfiles.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/Sergey+Ryabkov+Keynote_Transcript.pdf?mkt_tok=MDk1LVBQVi04MTMAAAF-RJ8dSauBWFD2n_ve5u0Cj1wxVr-SoKMkOICGL1WNwmHJ9Uqak-qSion57tARNYjL4-yuuFXlHM1FoyZO3FutU-xTz5ND3N32VqHiMMdM6-GQdg.
[5] A proposal from James Acton, interview with Michelle Dover. Press The Button, podcast audio. September 15, 2020. https://pressthebutton.libsyn.com/2020/09 0:21:40.
[6] “65 National Security Leaders Urge President Biden to Put Missile Defense on the Table,”
Council for a Livable World. June 3, 2021. https://livableworld.org/63-national-security-leaders-urge-president-biden-to-put-missile-defense-on-the-table/.
[7] Austin Long, “Red Glare: The Origin And Implications Of Russia’s ‘New’ Nuclear Weapons,”
War on the Rocks. March 26, 2018. https://warontherocks.com/2018/03/red-glare-the-origin-and-implications-of-russias-new-nuclear-weapons/. [8] Pranay Vaddi, James Acton, and Alexey Arbatov “A ReSTART for U.S.-Russian Nuclear Arms Control: Enhancing Security Through Cooperation.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, October 14, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pjZpIZyW8U 28:11.
[9] Dean Wilkening, “Conventional Prompt Strike in 2030 and Beyond,” In Roberts, Brad ed. Fit For Purpose? The U.S. Strategic Posture In 2030 And Beyond, Center for Global Security Research, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, October 2020. https://cgsr.llnl.gov/content/assets/docs/The-US-Strategic-Posture-in-2030-and-Beyond.pdf, p. 56.
[10] “Fact Sheet: Ballistic Missile Defense Intercept Flight Test Record,”
Missile Defense Agency. June 2021. https://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/testrecord.pdf.
[11] Jen Judson, “Next-gen intercontinental ballistic missile interceptor estimated cost? Nearly $18B,”
Defense News. April 27, 2021. https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2021/04/27/next-gen-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-interceptor-estimated-to-cost-nearly-18-billion/.
[12] Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, July 1, 1968. https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/nuclear/npt/text. | 12,466 | 5,399 | 28,226.866086 |
warc | 202143 | Artificial Intelligence is barely out of its infancy in terms of its ability to mimic the intricacies of human intelligence, but the technology is making huge advances, powering everything from factory automation to bank-loan approvals. Experts agree that now is the time for companies to develop AI with deliberate care or risk further cementing bias in our economies.
For its third season, the #ChamberBreakers podcast series is unpacking capitalism to see what needs fixing, and what we can do as businesses to pave a more equitable future for all.
In this episode, Lianna Brinded, director at Yahoo and Xavier White, CSR and innovation marketing manager for Verizon Business, talk to acclaimed roboticist Dr Ayanna Howard, dean of Ohio State University College of Engineering, and founder of Zyrobotics, a non-profit making therapy and educational products for special-needs children.
Howard, who explored bias in AI in her book "Sex, Race, and Robots: How to Be Human in the Age of AI,” says she started to become concerned some years ago, as companies started adopting AI without tackling issues like bias and over-trust.
If developed and implemented with awareness, AI can be a tool to level the playing field for all within the capitalist system, for example by lowering barriers to entry or promotion faced by certain groups.
One of the positive aspects of AI is that it “allows us to integrate our values.” However, since AI is programmed by humans, we also imbue it with our biases, if the bias is already present in the data used to teach the AI.
Howard cites studies that found black women were not offered follow-up healthcare services, based on historic data that informed the AI. Likewise, there have been instances where algorithms factor gender into loan applications and loan rates.
On the positive side, she believes that AI could act as an anti-bias trainer, detecting nuance in sexist, racist, or homophobic language or practices that may not be explicit enough to allow for precise coding.
“I think AI can do this, but it has to be adaptive,” she says. “Imagine if you were typing in something and it knew your identity, and would say, ‘that word, it's showing you're a little biased against this certain group.’”
There are multiple ways where companies can act to remove AI bias in data or implement good AI practices, and one is by offering “bias bonuses.”
In the same way that companies give bounties to people who can find security bugs in their systems, Howard says they need to “really start committing to what I would call third party auditors with respect to bias.”
“If your company does not look like the world, how can you expect to have a competitive advantage if you're creating products for people you don't understand?” Howard says.
Companies should also consider diversity in experience, meaning getting people such as ethicists and social scientists on board.
For Howard, today’s debate on AI mirrors conversations had in the past about technology creating a digital divide. “That did not happen, but people were intentional, there were a lot of efforts, and a lot of understanding,” she says. “Today, this connectedness... has really enabled the world to expand.”
The six-part video series is also a podcast and is out every Monday . Next week’s episode features David Kenny, CEO of Nielsen. | 3,453 | 1,785 | 6,443.665546 |
warc | 202143 | Christina Tubb defines herself as a binational person, both New Zealander and American. She jokes that Singapore is kind of halfway between the two countries, so it seemed like a natural place for her to end up living.
Growing up in the 1980s with her father being a tech entrepreneur, the dinner table at Tubb’s house was always packed with talks about software, technology, product upgrades, and software bugs.
Tubb went into consultancy after school. Then, in 2009, she was offered an opportunity by a mentor to join a mobile financial service company called eServGlobal. “One of the biggest accomplishments for us was launching some of the first mobile wallets in emerging countries,” said Tubb.
In 2010, Tubb was involved in a project with the US Agency for International Development to build a mobile wallet application in Afghanistan. “We made it possible for citizens to get their disbursements directly on their mobile phones. They could also send money to their families safely,” she said.
Following her experience at eServGlobal, Tubb covered other managing roles for companies such as RPM Global and MHB Holdings. From 2020, Tubb has been working for cloud-based staff and visitor management platform for enterprises Proxyclick, serving as vice president for APAC and the Middle East.
Recently, Tubb sat down with
Oasis to discuss her mission at Proxyclick. She also shared how she carries her mission of building technology for people’s safety and their properties and how enterprise employee and visitor management platforms have evolved over the years. Oasis (OS): What’s the connection between your mission and Proxyclick? Christina Tubb (CT): Proxyclick is dedicated to connecting people with places, and we do it in a secure and repeatable way. When we talk about Proxyclick connecting people in places, it is all different types of people, from couriers to truck drivers, contractors fixing light bulbs, and customers. And then, all kinds of places from factories to offices, from warehouses to banks.
For example, one of our biggest customers is a food production company. They’ve got factories in some countries, and offices in other countries. Now, if one person in their factory would contract COVID-19, that’s a food safety issue. However, with the registration protocols we provide, we can determine which run of food they produced on which day, and we could act right away to throw away only the affected batch, preventing a larger recall.
In the same company’s headquarters, they want to roll out a VIP experience for their investors and customers. Therefore, our registration system can remember their guests’ favorite drinks and other preferences, for example.
OS: How did Proxyclick start? Why did Proxyclick decide to tap into niche technology such as managing visitors for buildings and offices? CT: The idea of Proxyclick started as one of our three founders, Gregory Blondeau, felt the pain of the tedious registration process when he used to visit multiple buildings for business in the 2000s. Especially when he traveled across different countries, sometimes, receptionists would print the wrong visitor card or ask him to write his personal details down on a piece of paper and stick it on his jacket. It wasn’t very welcoming. So the first iteration of Proxyclick is really about creating a welcoming experience for the visitors.
Then, there was this tragic fire incident in London in 2017 at the Grenfell tower fire, which led to an upgrade for all the building safety rules in Europe. You could no longer let people write random names to walk in at the front desk. So Proxyclick started doing a registration system that makes sure visitors can check in and out safely.
The third iteration of Proxyclick was about data privacy. Before the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) became effective in 2018 in the EU, most buildings required visitors to write their first name, last name, phone number, and company name in a notebook. Anyone could take a scan and memorize those details, which could bring potential risks. Apart from complying with the GDPR, we also work with quite a few financial institutions, government, and defense contractors, so data privacy is non-negotiable for us. To my knowledge, we are the only cloud-based visitor management system in the world that has the International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3000 Type I Certification.
OS: What are some new features that your company released in answer to the COVID-19 crisis? CT: There are many new measures needed for employees to go back to work safely. Companies need to do COVID-19 health checks and contact tracing. Clients also need to manage the office space efficiently, as most companies are planning to reduce their commercial real estate footprint by 20% to 30% in the future. With all those changes, they need an application to help them to determine who’s going to come on-site and when. So, we must find ways for staff to work in the most productive way.
We have touchless check-in for visitors and employees that can run quick questionnaires for health-related questions. We also have a desk booking feature for employees, where they can book their desks and arrange their visits to offices accordingly.
OS: Are these changes here to stay even after the COVID-19 pandemic? CT: I don’t think we’re ever going to return to the world where 100% of people work in the office five days a week. I think there’s going to be many companies looking at moving towards a flexible direction. There will be downtown office centers where employees can choose to go from time to time. For office leasing, the whole floor won’t be fixed to a company anymore, and employees would have to book seats if they need to come to the office on certain days. Workplaces will be more like hotel rooms for rent.
I can’t predict the future, but I can say that property is the number two item after payroll on their expense list for most companies. If they could use technology to save on office rent costs while ensuring that their staff still get the job done happily while engaging with one another, changes will happen.
OS: What are some of the main challenges in selling your products to businesses? CT: In the Asia Pacific region, technologies like Proxyclick are not something that you see every day. They don’t have a natural buyer. For many local companies, visitor management might be done by security or by facility management, while employee management and desk booking might be done by HR. Since the Proxyclick platform requires integrations from several different departments, sometimes it can be hard to know who’s actually in charge and who could be interested in buying the Proxyclick service. So for us, it’s about finding out who has the biggest potential to become a client. | 6,928 | 3,241 | 14,546.448627 |
warc | 202143 | The purpose of stability testing data and programs is to ensure a drug product’s safety and efficacy remain within its specifications throughout the shelf-life. To develop suitable analytical methods to detect and quantify degradation products, drug manufacturers should conduct forced-degradation studies.
Anna Thabit-Jones, Stability Manager at PCI Services, recently addressed vital points of the process for stability studies with Meg Rivers in Pharmaceutical Technology.
You can read the full article on the Pharmaceutical Technology Website. | 556 | 352 | 864.011364 |
warc | 202143 | Who was India Colonised by? The British began rule in India 1858 through 1947. Before British Imperialism in India, India was doing very well and flourishing. Britain came to India in 1858 for their profitable resources that the British Empire wanted to make theirs. Who is colonial India?
British
India, consisting of the directly-ruled British presidencies and provinces, contained the most populous and valuable parts of the British Empire and thus became known as “the jewel in the British crown”. … Colonial India.
Croatian India 1530–1667 Danish India 1620–1869 French India 1668–1954 Austrian India 1778–1785 Who ruled India before British? The Mughals ruled over a population in India that was two-thirds Hindu, and the earlier spiritual teachings of the Vedic tradition remained influential in Indian values and philosophy. The early Mughal empire was a tolerant place. Unlike the preceding civilisations, the Mughals controlled a vast area of India. Who are colonial rulers?
(kə-lō′nē-ə-lĭz′əm) The policy or practice of a
wealthy or powerful nation’s maintaining or extending its control over other countries, especially in establishing settlements or exploiting resources. co·lo′ni·al·ist n. Who Ruled India first? The Maurya Empire (320-185 B.C.E.) was the first major historical Indian empire, and definitely the largest one created by an Indian dynasty. The empire arose as a consequence of state consolidation in northern India, which led to one state, Magadha, in today’s Bihar, dominating the Ganges plain. Why did Britishers leave India?
One reason why the British were reluctant to leave India was that
they feared India would erupt into civil war between Muslims and Hindus. The country was deeply divided along religious lines. In 1946-47, as independence grew closer, tensions turned into terrible violence between Muslims and Hindus. How has colonialism affected India?
Colonialism was certainly a far more traumatising experience for colonial subjects than their colonisers. They suffered
poverty, malnutrition, disease, cultural upheaval, economic exploitation, political disadvantage, and systematic programmes aimed at creating a sense of social and racial inferiority. What is the largest minority religion in India?
Still,
Indian Muslims are projected to remain a minority in their country, making up about 18% of the total population at midcentury, while Hindus figure to remain a majority (about 77%). 2India is a religiously pluralistic and multiethnic democracy – the largest in the world. Who Ruled India most?
List of largest empires in India
Empire Approximate maximum extent (Area in km²) Approximate date of maximum extent British Indian Empire 4,574,000 1911 Mughal Empire 4,000,000 1690 Maurya Empire 3,400,000–5,000,000 261 BC or 250 BC Republic of India (for comparison) 3,287,263 – How old is India?
India is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. From the traces of hominoid activity discovered in the subcontinent, it is recognized that the area now known as India was inhabited
approximately 250,000 years ago. What is another word for Colonial?
What is another word for colonial?
gregarious sociable affable convivial outgoing hospitable companionable approachable warm extroverted Who invented colonialism?
History of colonialism
Modern colonialism began during what’s also known as the Age of Discovery. Beginning in the 15th century,
Portugal began looking for new trade routes and searching for civilizations outside of Europe. Who started colonialism?
The three main countries in the first wave of European colonialism were Portugal,
Spain and the early Ottoman Empire. | 3,791 | 1,904 | 7,241.526786 |
warc | 202143 | Pinellas Park Pest Control Emergency Domestic Exterminators
For the best pest control service in Pinellas Park phone 727-261-2664 Our Exterminators supply mosquito removal pest control bed bug inspections termite control and more
Mosquito Removal Pest Control Termite Control Bed Bug Inspections In Pinellas Park
Virtually any home or apartment can have an issue with spiders, bed bugs, termites and roaches or other pests have made their way inside your apartment or house, they can contaminate food, damage your property and spread disease. But you can count on our team of pest control specialists to exterminate any existing unwanted pests and help stop any new infestations.
The longer you hold on, the worse your pest and insect infestation may get. If you suspect you’ve a bug & pest problem, do not wait give us a call 727-261-2664 .
The longer a pest and insect infestation is left untreated, the even more difficult it may get. In a matter of seconds, we’ll connect you with a local experienced pest control technician who will set up an appointment for you.
Our qualified pest control service technicians know the Pinellas Park Florida bug & pest issues inside and out and have knowledge of the hazards of drywood termites, subterranean termites, ants, roaches and more in the Pinellas Park area. By making use of the latest techniques and products they have the ability to handle all of your bug & pest issues and help keep your apartment or house pest free.
Our courteous, pest control technicians always go over and above to ensure that you’re completely satisfied with their work. They provide a complete range of 100% satisfaction guaranteed household pest control solutions to local clients seeking reliable pest control and termite treatments options.
If ever you’ve a pest and bug problem, our pest control specialists are able to deliver a remedy. Some Of Our Pest Exterminator Services Pinellas Park Termite Removal
The pest which is able to cause probably the most structural damage to your apartment or house is the termite, they are widely known for their overwhelming destruction of homes and for the substantial repairs that generally result from an infestation. Country wide, termites do billions of dollars in damage every year.
One of the reasons termites generally go undetected up until it’s too late is that probably the most commonplace species is the subterranean termite. These types of termite colonies, which live below ground, can have up to a million or more members. Early recognition and specialist termite control is able to help stop a small termite problem from ending up being a very expensive ordeal.
Bed Bug Inspections
Bed bugs are on the increase throughout the country. In addition to the skin irritation numerous people feel because of bed bug bites, property owners report a sleep loss & even some allergic reactions to the bites.
Thanks to their overall size, bed bugs are very difficult to spot without the assistance of an experienced bed bug exterminator.
It’s for this reason that they’re pretty much impossible to eradicate bed bugs using DIY treatment options. So if ever bed bugs have invaded your property, do not waste time using Do It Yourself treatment programs that do not do the trick.
Our bed bug specialists know exactly where to search for and how to eradicate these pests.
Cockroach Control
The most commonplace unwanted insects we tend to see inside of our homes are cockroaches.
These pests have adapted to hide in our kitchens & bathrooms and forage for food at night.
Roaches are able to live on practically anything at all and can leave behind a foul stench, ruin food, damage books & other materials.
Our tried and tested solutions will help keep these pesky unwanted insects out of your apartment or house.
Ant Inspections
House ants can contaminate your food, burrow through your wood and bite you, leading to pain, swelling and discomfort.
They can also be hard to control simply because they establish a number of subcolonies and might nest in a wide variety of locations. The key to managing them is identifying & treating the colonies and subcolonies.
Additionally our ant specialists are able to establish how they are entering and seal all the access sites to ensure that you won’t have to worry about these pests again.
Fleas & Ticks
Sadly, our furry family members aren’t immune to pest and insect problems and can sometimes bring in unwanted guests to our homes. Flea bites have the ability to trigger skin irritation in both pets & humans. Ticks can spread unhealthy diseases, including Lyme disease.
Our expert pest exterminators can perform an effective & practical method to get rid of fleas & ticks so you are able to protect your family & pets from these pests.
Spiders
Few property owners are able to tell the difference between the venomous & non-venomous spider species. If you are up in your attic or in your garage, looking through old storage crates or deep cleaning, you can accidentally provoke a spider, which can result in a spider bite.
Our pest control technicians are able to assist you in identifying the spiders in your house, determine whether they’re poisonous and find their hiding spots & eliminate them from your apartment or house.
Mosquitoes
In addition to the itchy discomfort of mosquito bites, these blood-sucking pests can transmit the Zika & West Nile viruses. Home owners usually find dealing with mosquitoes on their own being virtually out of the question, and aerial spraying by government agencies has been predominately unsuccessful in decreasing this pest’s numbers.
Mosquitoes will make spending time in our yards unpleasant if we have to spend all of our time swatting away these irritating pests.
If ever you’ve a pest and bug problem, our pest control specialists are able to deliver a remedy. Pest Control Pinellas Park FAQs What is the difference between pest control and exterminator?
Exterminators rely on pesticides to eliminate the unwanted pests using chemicals that could be more toxic than necessary whereas a pest control professional will focus on why the pests are present and look to alter the conditions that attracted them in the first place.
How long do electronic pest repellers last?
On average an ultrasonic pest repeller lasts from three to five years. You know that it's working if the LED light on the device is lit.
Can I do pest control myself?
For a small infestation do it yourself is a good option that can be inexpensive. For larger infestations or a continuing problem save yourself the time hassle and money and call a professional exterminator. As always the key to pest control is prevention.
How to Choose a Pinellas Park Pest Control Company: The Do's & Don'ts
Ask about what kind of insurance a pest control company can provide. ... Only hire pest control companies that meet the licensing requirements for your particular state. ... Ask the company to walk you through how they would handle this problem if you were their customer.
How do I know if I have an ant infestation?
If you're worried you have an ant infestation here are four signs that could confirm your suspicion:Ants have overrun exposed food. ... Fido's food bowl has been infiltrated. ... You notice stray ants walking around. ... You find ant nests outside the home.
Does squashing ants attract more?
To avoid attracting more ants to your home it is best not to squash ants. By squashing them you are triggering a scent that will simply attract more.
What home remedy gets rid of ants permanently?
Mix a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray it directly on the ants to kill them then wipe up the ants using a damp paper towel and discard them. You can also use vinegar and water as a deterrent; spray it around your windowsills doorways and other places where you see ants coming inside.
What smells do ants hate?
Peppermint is an insect repellent which can help you get rid of ants. Ants don't like the smell of peppermint and are likely to avoid areas that contain traces of it. Peppermint has a strong fragrant that cannot be tolerated by the ants which keep them away from entering the home.
Does Pest Control attract bugs?
While not all bugs are given bait the pesticides can still make the bugs more active right after treatment. It usually stirs the bugs up for a few days so it can seem like there are more bugs than ever before. In reality they are coming near the pesticide and that's attracting them so it seems like there are more.
How often should you get your house sprayed for bugs?
How Often Should You Use Pest Prevention Services? Most professionals recommend coming out and treating your home and lawn every other month for the purpose of pest prevention. The reason for this is the average treatment from your pest prevention service lasts for about two months.
Why do I see more bugs after pest control?
EFFECTIVE Friendly However after a professional pest control treatment you may see more bugs than normal… Because sheltering pests come scrambling out of sheltering areas as they try to escape the product application. Hence seeing more pests after pest control service is normal as they come out and die. | 9,308 | 4,055 | 21,085.890999 |
warc | 202143 | Knee Arthroscopy What is a Knee Arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive operation to repair a damaged joint. The surgeon examines the joint with an arthroscope (joint camera) while making repairs through a small incision.
You may have a knee arthroscopy to investigate or repair knee joint problems such as meniscus tears, some ligament repairs and joint injuries (e.g. mild arthritis). Compared with open surgery, arthroscopy has a faster recovery time.
What to Expect Post-Arthroscopy
Initially, you will experience some swelling and pain in the knee for a few days post-operatively. You will most likely be given a prescription for pain medication and an anti-inflammatory drug to help alleviate these symptoms.
If you need pain relief, you may be able to take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always read the patient information that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Ice packs applied for 20 minutes every 2 to 4 hours will assist your pain and swelling. You should apply a cold compress such as ice or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel to help reduce swelling and bruising. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin, as it can damage your skin.
If possible, keep your foot and knee elevated above your heart to allow gravity to assist your swelling reduction.
Depending on your specific surgery, most post-arthroscopic patients are permitted to weight-bear. It is important to avoid aggravating your knee by too much weight-bearing or walking during the initial healing phase.
Your physiotherapist or surgeon will guide you. Follow your surgeon’s or physiotherapist’s advice about driving. It would be best if you didn’t drive until you’re confident that you could perform an emergency stop without discomfort. This is usually about one to three weeks after your operation.
Your recovery time will depend on what, if any, treatment your surgeon performs on your knee joint. You should be able to resume your usual activities after six to eight weeks, depending on the severity of your knee problems and your level of fitness.
What are the Risks?
Knee arthroscopy is commonly performed and generally safe. However, you need to be aware of the possible side effects and the risk of complications of this procedure.
Fortunately, most people aren’t affected. The possible complications of any operation include an unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic, a wound infection, excessive bleeding or developing a blood clot, usually in a vein in the leg (DVT).
Arthroscopy complications can include:
accidental damage to the inside of your joint infection loss of feeling in the skin over your knee bleeding into your joint the surgery may not be successful, or it may have to be repeated. Why is Post-Arthroscopy Physiotherapy Important?
After undergoing knee arthroscopy, it is important to begin exercising your knee immediately to restore strength and a full range of motion.
Initial exercises should be non-weight bearing in nature and should focus on gentle strengthening of the muscles surrounding the knee and increasing joint range of motion.
You should expect to feel a gentle stretch while performing your beginning exercises, but you should not experience any pain. Any activity that causes significant discomfort should be stopped immediately. It is also a good idea to ice and elevates your leg after performing these exercises to decrease any increase in swelling.
Your physiotherapist aims to safely return you to the best function possible for your knee in the shortest time. They will guide you through their professional expertise to maximise your surgical outcome. If you have any questions, please ask your physiotherapist.
What are the Goals of Physiotherapy Treatment?
The general aims of your post-operative physiotherapy include the following:
Control pain, swelling, and hemarthrosis (bleeding into your knee joint). Regain normal knee joint range of motion. Progress your function from non-weight bear to full-weight bear. Activate your Vastus Medialis muscle (inner quads) & correct any patella (kneecap) malalignment to avoid future patellofemoral joint syndrome or arthritis. Regain a normal walking pattern (gait). Regain normal lower extremity strength. Regain full lower limb muscle length. Regain normal proprioception, balance, and coordination for daily activities. Restore any work or sport-specific function, e.g. squatting, kneeling, running or jumping/landing. Achieve the maximum level of function based on the orthopaedic and your goals.
If you have any questions, please ask your knee surgeon or physiotherapist.
Common Causes - Knee Pain
Knee pain can have many origins from local injury, referred pain, biomechanical issues and systemic issues. While knee pain can appear simple to the untrained eye, a thorough assessment is often required to ascertain the origin of your symptoms. The good news is that once a definitive diagnosis is determined, most knee pain quickly resolves with the correct treatment and rehabilitation.
Knee Ligament Injuries Knee Ligament Injuries ACL Injury PCL Injury MCL Sprain LCL Sprain Posterolateral Corner Injury Superior Tibiofibular Joint Sprain Knee Meniscus Injuries Kneecap Pain Chondromalacia Patella Fat Pad Syndrome Patella Dislocation Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Osgood Schlatter’s Disease Sinding Larsen Johansson Syndrome Knee Arthritis Knee Tendon Injuries Muscle Injuries Corked Thigh Thigh Muscle Strain Hamstring Strain ITB Syndrome Popliteus Syndrome Muscle Strain (Muscle Pain) Cramps DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness Knee Bursitis Children’s Knee Conditions Other Knee-Related Conditions Runner’s Knee Plica Syndrome Fibromyalgia Stress Fracture Overuse Injuries Restless Legs Syndrome Sciatica Knee Surgery Knee FAQs How Do I Know If my Knee Injury Is Serious? Is Surgery Needed For My Meniscal Injury? Is Surgery Needed For My ACL Injury? What Are The Symptoms Of A Torn Ligament In Your Knee? Why Does My Knee Hurt On The Inner Side? Is Walking Good For Knee Pain? What Can I Do To Relieve Knee Pain?
For specific information regarding your knee pain, please seek the assistance of a healthcare professional with a particular interest in knee condition, such as your knee physiotherapist.
Acute Injury Signs Acute Injury Management.
Here are some warning signs that you have an injury. While some injuries are immediately evident, others can creep up slowly and progressively get worse. If you don't pay attention to both types of injuries, chronic problems can develop.
For detailed information on specific injuries, check out the injury by body part section.
Don't Ignore these Injury Warning Signs Joint Pain
Joint pain, particularly in the knee, ankle, elbow, and wrist joints, should never be ignored. Because these joints are not covered by muscle, pain here is rarely of muscular origin. Joint pain that lasts more than 48 hours requires a professional diagnosis.
Tenderness
If you can elicit pain at a specific point in a bone, muscle, or joint, you may have a significant injury by pressing your finger into it. If the same spot on the other side of the body does not produce the same pain, you should probably see your health professional.
Swelling
Nearly all sports or musculoskeletal injuries cause swelling. Swelling is usually quite obvious and can be seen, but occasionally you may feel as though something is swollen or "full" even though it looks normal. Swelling usually goes along with pain, redness and heat.
Reduced Range of Motion
If the swelling isn't obvious, you can usually find it by checking for a reduced range of motion in a joint. If there is significant swelling within a joint, you will lose range of motion. Compare one side of the body with the other to identify major differences. If there are any, you probably have an injury that needs attention.
Weakness
Compare sides for weakness by performing the same task. One way to tell is to lift the same weight with the right and left sides and look at the result. Or try to place body weight on one leg and then the other. A difference in your ability to support your weight is another suggestion of an injury that requires attention.
Immediate Injury Treatment: Step-by-Step Guidelines Stop the activity immediately. Wrap the injured part in a compression bandage. Apply ice to the injured part (use a bag of crushed ice or a bag of frozen vegetables). Elevate the injured part to reduce swelling. Consult your health practitioner for a proper diagnosis of any serious injury. Rehabilitate your injury under professional guidance. Seek a second opinion if you are not improving. | 8,763 | 3,929 | 19,332.574192 |
warc | 202143 | Slide 15: Cost of gene/ seed banking
Duration: 00:01:05
Notes:
Gene and seed banking are possibly less expensive in the long run, but should only be resorted to as a final option, since the biodiversity conserved no longer interacts with the environment, and the entire ecosystem may collapse. The costs for this process are as follows:
The average cost of recording and collecting a species for seed banking are approximately R1230, with an associated cost of R10 per seedling for those species re-established in the wilderness or plantations. Gene banking is considerably cheaper, with a consumable cost of R150 per species, but the genetic fingerprinting process is somewhat more expensive, at R200 per fingerprint. However, the start-up costs of genetic fingerprinting are relatively high, with an ultracentrifuge weighing in at R422 000, a -80°C freezer costing R80 000, and a DNA bank manager costing on average R70 000. This means that gene banking must be seen as essential before it is embarked upon, and requires very long term funding. | 1,057 | 599 | 1,845.779633 |
warc | 202143 | Chinese Massage Therapy
The history of massage dates back up to 3000 BCE (formerly ) to ancient India, where it was regarded as a sacred medical system of herbal healing. Used by Indians in Ayurveda life energy, massage is a highly refined practice passed on through generations from parent to offspring to stop and heal illnesses. In fact, the book of the sacred texts of the Hindus – the Vedas – really exhorts its readers to use massage to keep them healthy, powerful, and happy. It is therefore no surprise that the practice of massage has transcended from the borders of India to the western world, bringing together a mix of religious and spiritual traditions in an attempt to bring healthful change to the lives of humankind.
But it was not until the nineteenth century that the practice of massage had begun to be extended by those seeking its natural healing properties. And since that time, it has remained evergreen, with barely a trickle of development in its traditional form. But there have been some changes in the type of techniques used. This is because people have become aware of the benefits of massage therapies and of its potential links to the origin of disease. And so, massage treatments have grown in popularity, particularly in nations where the people are utilised to foreign influences.
Massage originated from the east, in India and China. But before it spread its arms wide, it developed its reputation in the Roman Empire. Since the empire developed, so did its massaging practices. Here are some of the best known:
One of the most famous forms of massage in China, practiced by the imperial lifestyle elite, is known as the Zhu Lin teaching. This was a strong, advanced form of Chinese massage methods, developed around 300 CE. It combines acupuncture, herbal medicine and qi gong into a complete approach to healing, known as the Five Healing Rays of the Phoenix.
Massage is still being practiced in much the exact same manner it had been in ancient China. In the Greek term,“massage” means the rubbing, kneading or caressing of body components for a predetermined motive. Massage therapy in Greece evolved into a more holistic approach, focusing on the whole individual. The aim was to release the stresses of life from within, rather than just superficial injuries or illnesses. Because of this, the healing effects of Greek massage practices were far-reaching.
Another important development in the area of Eastern medicine is the art of Therapeutic Kinesiology. This technique came in the China study of acupuncture and other similar forms of Chinese medicine. Therapeutic kinesiology combines massage with acupuncture and other Chinese healing practices. For example, acupressure, the application of pressure by the masseuse on particular points of the body, was common in ancient China. It has come to be recognized in western society as the use of horsehair combs to stimulate the release of endorphins, a chemical reaction that triggers the feeling of well-being.
Nowadays, the Chinese massage therapist is still using the classic techniques of applying pressure over the entire body in the hands, feet, legs and neck. However, since the focus has changed from the traditional Chinese medicine to pressure relief, some practitioners have introduced new methods, such as using acupressure or acupuncture to loosen up tight muscles. These alternative medicines have become popular in the west as individuals seek relief from a variety of ailments.
The tradition of Chinese medicine had a deep effect on western culture. Its use as a treatment for the disease has been widespread throughout history. The growth of the massage therapist gave rise to the concept that the body is linked to the mind. This concept became the basis for many other Eastern medical treatments, such as reflexology, osteopathy, acupuncture and chiropractic. 대전출장안마 The evolution of Chinese medicine has benefited from the amalgamation of Chinese signature therapies and oriental medicine, and today there are lots of massage therapists who combine these two very different styles of healing into one practice. | 4,183 | 1,980 | 8,710.358081 |
warc | 202143 | Water is the most important thing for humans. It’s more than just a necessity of life, it’s an integral part of our everyday existence. You need water to do just about anything, and without it, your body dries up like a raisin in the sun.
So why are so many people dehydrated? The answer lies in their inability to filter out toxins from their drinking water, which can lead to severe health problems such as kidney stones or even cancer.
But you no longer have to worry about these things because there are the best-filtered water dispensers in Singapore readily available that will keep you healthy and hydrated all day long!
Here’s how you can find the best-filtered home water dispenser for you!
Find out what type of filter you need.
Water is considered ‘unfiltered’ until it’s been treated at some point.
Many un-treated water machine sources have disease-causing bacteria and various other nasty things that you don’t want in your system, so having a filter on hand is important.
There are three basic types of filters to choose from:
Inline Filters:
These direct direct piping water dispenser filters attach directly onto the faucet itself and work by pulling water from the main supply line before it reaches your tap.
They’re a good solution for people who like to travel often or who are concerned that their drinking water is too far away from their kitchen sink.
Undercounter Filters :
If you’re not prepared to lose valuable counter space, an under-counter filter is a viable option for you.
These filters are installed directly beneath your sink and fit over the faucet there, filtering out any impurities before it comes into contact with you or your food.
Find out how many people you would like your system to serve.
look at the output of your filter, and make sure it will provide enough drinking water for all the members of your household. If your filter has a lower output than you need, it might be wise to get two systems.
You can set one up in the kitchen and another in the dining room or family room so that everyone gets their own filtered water supply without having to move their glass around.
You should also take note of how much space you have available for each system since they come in different sizes depending on how many people they’re intended for.
Decide how you will be using your filtered water, room temperature water, hot or cold water?
If you’ll only be using it for drinking room temperature water, you can get a simple countertop system or a smaller under-counter model. However, if you plan to use it in other ways such as cooking, washing dishes, or making coffee. then make sure your filter comes equipped with a connection you can use for that purpose.
You should also look at the filtering capacity of your system to make sure it is large enough to handle all these tasks.
Choose between a portable or non-portable water dispenser.
Some systems are designed to mount under your sink or on the countertop where you can keep them filled with water at all times, but others are small and portable enough that you can move around from room to room as necessary.
If you aren’t sure whether or not this will be a big problem for you, choose something that’s more flexible.
Look at what kind of technology filters are best suited to your needs.
The internet is an amazing thing, but there’s no point in getting connected if you don’t know what you need either! If you’re looking for bells and whistles like smart sensors, digital displays, and smartphone compatibility, then you’ve come to the right place because there are plenty of models that specialize in these ‘in-demand features.
However, if you’re looking for something simpler and more traditional, then that’s ok too! Much best-filtered water dispenser Singapore is still your cup of tea.
Disregard the high price tags and focus on what you need.
Let’s not beat around the bush here, best-filtered water dispensers are expensive.
A lot of money goes into designing these systems as well as all the technology that goes along with them so that they can meet your needs. The last thing you want to do is blow all that cash without getting something in return!
Make sure your system has everything you need before adding it to your cart and going through the checkout process.
Keep in mind how much energy the filter takes.
There’s no point in getting a system that uses up all your electricity since it will be less efficient than a smaller one that does the same job.
Look at the energy rating on your potential new system to ensure it won’t cost you too much on your monthly bills! Make sure there aren’t any hidden costs involved with installation and replacement filters either.
One of the biggest things to look at is the cost of replacement filters.
Most manufacturers include them with your purchase, but you need to know how much they’re going to cost down the line so that you don’t get hit with an unexpected bill.
Overall, when it comes to shopping for a new system there are plenty of factors you have to take into account.
If you can’t find this information on your own, you should definitely ask someone in the sales department.
Look at how much maintenance your new filter is going to need.
Any system you choose should be incredibly easy to look at and keep clean, although this will be different depending on which type of filtration technology it uses.
Some water dispensers have separate filters for the cold and hot water sides of your system, so you’ll need to clean them more often than others.
If this sounds like too much of a hassle for you, then go for an unbreakable system that doesn’t require as much cleaning up!
If there are any special instructions for maintenance, you should make sure you take plenty of notes during the sales pitch to ensure your filter runs smoothly for a long time!
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We promise prompt and competent installation as well as complete client satisfaction. So, if you’ve chosen to obtain a water dispenser in Singapore, get in touch with us for additional information, a quotation on installation, and the cost of a water dispenser in Singapore.
Factors for consideration
Buying a water bottle could be a daunting experience given the abundance of options available across the market. We start with what factors we should consider before buying a water disposer. Buyers have to be familiar with costs and quality.
Benefits of a water dispenser
Water dispenser uses different purification techniques to provide you with fresh and chemical free tap water that retains all essential nutrients. You can also take cold and hot water from tap water. It has its advantages and health advantages making it an important home appliances item.
Conclusion:
We can recommend filters for your home and help you get them set up so that you never have to worry about drinking unhealthy water again! If you want a way to filter the water in your home, we have just what you need.
Our team of experts is ready and waiting to partner with you! If all of this sounds intimidating and you want help enacting these principles, let us know. | 7,960 | 3,578 | 17,239.250978 |
warc | 202143 | Emma Jones isnt technically in the government, shes officially the new small business Crown representative. Also, shes been in the job for a month the announcement just coincided with Mays bloodbath. For those of you who are not aware of what the Crown Commercial Service does, it’s essentially tasked with bringing together policy, advice and direct buying providing commercial services to the public sector and saving money for the taxpayer.
As the new Crown representative for SMEs, Jones will be continuing with much of the work shes been doing with her own business Enterprise Nation chiefly encouraging government to spend more with small businesses and exposing this demographic to the benefits of bidding for public sector contracts.
Jones, an entrepreneur herself, was approached by Matthew Hancock, freshly anointed the position as minister of state responsible for digital policy at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Shes known Hancock for some time now, partly because of his previous role as minister of state for business and enterprise under former business secretary Vince Cable.
She explained to Real Business that a search for a new SME representative began at the turn of 2016, and Hancock personally asked her to apply when he spoke at an Enterprise Nation event. First rebuffing the minister because of her day job, Jones was reassured that it was a manageable one day a week role and so applied.
I heard in March Id been shortlisted for interview, which was my first in 20 years. There were three civil servants and Simon Devonshire [entrepreneur-in-residence at the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)], and I set out what I would do in the job.
A few months went by before I got a note saying the minister would like to see me and that I had the job I said yes on 28 May. June was then spent meeting representatives from the Crown, and working on the focus of my role.
Jones will be zeroing in on supporting the governments target of making sure 1 in every 3 it spends by 2020 is with British small businesses. The powers that be, Jones believes, are doing a huge amount to make this a reality, and it’s now her job to assist in any way she can.
The entrepreneur, and champion of British small businesses, will be both working with government buyers to explain the virtues of purchasing from small firms and banging the drum to convince these enterprise leaders that selling to the government is a good thing. She has first-hand experience of both winning and losing public sector contract bids, and has some clear ideas regarding how the process can be improved and streamlined.
The 33 per cent of government spending target has already been revised up by Hancock, from Francis Maude and Lord Youngs initial 27 per cent goal. Jones and the government have some work to do if it’s going to get to a third from its current level of 27 per cent.
However, before we got on to the task at hand for Jones, Real Business wanted to know what her take on the breakup of BIS was. As well as putting together a new-look cabinet, hiring Boris Johnson as foreign secretary and creating a minister specifically charged with Brexit, the fourth prime minister of this centruy decided the department looking after economic growth would be more effective sliced up and portioned off to other departments.
I think what is happening is that entrepreneur and small business promotion is going across all departments,” she explained.
Last week I went to a meeting of what are called SME champions’ people across all departments all focussed on this procurement issue. Its a good thing that this goes across all of government and if we do have a new small business minister, I dont know if BIS is their natural home.
Former small business minister Anna Soubry, who was only in the job for just over a year, was one of those jettisoned by May. Weve yet to learn whether the space will be filled, but all evidence points to the end of a ministerial role dedicated to supporting small enterprise.
Read more about Theresa May’s new government: Philip Hammond named chancellor of the Exchequer as George Osborne abandons Theresa May With David Cameron out, how will new prime minister Theresa May impact UK business The world is struggling to come to grips with Boris Johnson being made foreign secretary
Jones is a firm believer in letting ministers closest to an issue take charge on an enterprise front, and cited the example of the Great British Food Unit at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) which is focussed on the promotion of British made and cultivated food.
On the day of the reshuffle I was speaking with lots of people in government and one point I made to them was that, whether it’s a Budget announcement or cabinet reshuffle, I always get the question of what more the government could be doing for businesses,” she said.
Its not about that, it’s about what less they could be doing. The role of government, when supporting entrepreneurship, should be building confidence in the economy, getting infrastructure right and shining the media spotlight on things. Apart from that, the government shouldnt be using a heavy hand in other things.
Jones has a three-pronged plan of attack to facilitate more small business government spending. First up is making the process simpler. Having filled out applications herself, she knows all about the mandatory information form that must be completed each and every time and thinks technology can help in either an auto-complete or vetting capacity to tick that box and ensure a business owner never has to do it again. Next on her agenda is promotion of the opportunity to sell to government. We are doing a programme of webinars where government representatives will talk about the products they are looking to buy from small businesses after all, there are 15bn worth of contracts up for grabs,” she revealed. The third element centres on innovation, creating a system where procurement executives can get exposure to new technologies that they might not even know they need, let alone be issuing tender requests for.
The appointment of Jones marks an exciting juncture for the Crown Commercial Service as it’s the first time it has recruited a small business owner as an SME representative. Hancock was firm in his belief that this was the best way forward, a way for the government to learn first hand from someone who has been there, done it, and got the t-shirt.
If you are a small business owner who has been through the process, you will be best placed to advise on how to do it differently,” Jones added. For two years Enterprise Nation have been banging the drum about the procurement opportunity, we were our own mystery shopper. Hopefully what the government saw is that if they give the job to me, Ill keep going with what Ive been doing already.
While it seems weve come to the end of David Camerons tendency to recruit glitzy female business tsars, such as Michelle Mone, Karren Brady and Tamara Mellon, it seems we now have an entrepreneur involved who is well versed in the trials and tribulations of small business creation and growth. Jones has given herself an initial 12-month period to see what can be achieved, so watch this space. | 7,342 | 3,362 | 15,854.527067 |
warc | 202143 | An insight into the relationships between hepcidin, anemia, infections and inflammatory cytokines in pediatric refugees: a cross-sectional study Publication year2008 SourcePLoS One, 3, 12, (2008), article e4030 ISSN Publication type
Article / Letter to editor
Display more detailsDisplay less details
Organization
Clinical Chemistry
Journal title
PLoS One
Volume
vol. 3
Issue
iss. 12
SubjectIGMD 7: Iron metabolism; N4i 1: Pathogenesis and modulation of inflammation; NCEBP 1: Molecular epidemiology; ONCOL 3: Translational research; UMCN 4.1: Microbial pathogenesis and host defense; UMCN 5.1: Genetic defects of metabolism Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepcidin, a key regulator of iron homeostasis, is increased in response to inflammation and some infections, but the in vivo role of hepcidin, particularly in children with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is unclear. We investigated the relationships between hepcidin, cytokines and iron status in a pediatric population with a high prevalence of both anemia and co-morbid infections. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: African refugee children <16 years were consecutively recruited at the initial post-resettlement health check with 181 children meeting inclusion criteria. Data on hematological parameters, cytokine levels and co-morbid infections (Helicobacter pylori, helminth and malaria) were obtained and urinary hepcidin assays performed. The primary outcome measure was urinary hepcidin levels in children with and without iron deficiency (ID) and/or ID anaemia (IDA). The secondary outcome measures included were the relationship between co-morbid infections and (i) ID and IDA, (ii) urinary hepcidin levels and (iii) cytokine levels. IDA was present in 25/181 (13.8%). Children with IDA had significantly lower hepcidin levels (IDA median hepcidin 0.14 nmol/mmol Cr (interquartile range 0.05-0.061) versus non-IDA 2.96 nmol/mmol Cr, (IQR 0.95-6.72), p<0.001). Hemoglobin, log-ferritin, iron, mean cell volume (MCV) and transferrin saturation were positively associated with log-hepcidin levels (log-ferritin beta coefficient (beta): 1.30, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.57) and transferrin was inversely associated (beta: -0.12, 95% CI -0.15 to -0.08). Cytokine levels (including IL-6) and co-morbid infections were not associated with IDA or hepcidin levels. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This is the largest pediatric study of the in vivo associations between hepcidin, iron status and cytokines. Gastro-intestinal infections (H. pylori and helminths) did not elevate urinary hepcidin or IL-6 levels in refugee children, nor were they associated with IDA. Longitudinal and mechanistic studies of IDA will further elucidate the role of hepcidin in paediatric iron regulation.
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warc | 202143 | Browsing Research Output by Author "Schillewaert, Niels" A longitudinal examination of individual, organizational and contextual factors on sales technology adoption and job performanceJelinek, Ronald; Ahearne, Michael; Mathieu, John; Schillewaert, Niels (Journal of Marketing. Theory and Practice, 2006) Bias and changes in perceived intensity of verbal qualifiers effected by scale orientationHofmans, J.; Theuns, P.; Baekelandt, Steven; Mairesse, O.; Schillewaert, Niels; Cools, W. (Survey Research Methods, 2007) Brand religions: Shed a new light on today's marketing beliefsPallini, K.; Schillewaert, Niels; Goedertier, Frank (2020)Since the early days of business, marketing gurus have preached their beliefs on how to build strong brands. These theories and models have been translated into numerous books to provide a clear framework for marketers on what to aim for and how to grow their brand. But in this abundance of models and theories, marketers might find themselves lost in translation. Customers' usage of self service technology in a retail settingWeijters, Bert; Schillewaert, Niels; Rangarajan, Deva; Falk, Tomas (2005)The last decade has seen an increased focus by retailers on using new technologies to deliver their services. The introduction of self-service technologies (SSTs) opens up for retailers the potential of improving productivity and service quality while cutting costs. However previous forays by retailers to get their customers to try these self-service technologies have not been proven to be quite successful. Previous empirical research on the usage of technology based self-services has mainly focused on antecedents of attitude towards and corresponding behavioral intentions to use. However, little empirical research has linked these variables to actual behavior in a real life setting. To address these issues, we collected a combination of survey and observational data using self-scanning lanes as objects of investigation. We identify ease of use, usefulness, fun, and reliability as drivers of attitude towards the SST, which in turn significantly predict actual usage of the SST. We also extend previous research by focusing on the moderating effects of age, education and gender as key demographic variables. Finally, we contribute to the literature by studying the consequences of SST use from the customers' point of view. Keywords: self-service technology, retailing, consumer attitudes and behavior | 2,458 | 1,266 | 4,764.559242 |
warc | 202143 | Abstract
The influence of carbon load on autochthonous water microflora population distribution and diversity, and on the persistence of Campylobacter jejuni, was examined with a two-stage aquatic biofilm model. Serine was chosen since it is a carbon source utilised by C. jejuni and concentrations were chosen to reflect upper limits of amino acid load reported in surface water. The total viable count of the autochthonous biofilm microflora increased with increasing serine concentration (10-fold and 20-fold with 5nM and 5μM serine, respectively), as did the counts of the microflora in the planktonic phase. Differences in biofilm species distribution as determined by culture were small with changes in temperature or the addition of serine; but was markedly affected by serine as determined by light microscopy, becoming more luxuriant and dominated by long filamentous cells. The addition of serine to the water significantly and progressively reduced the persistence of C. jejuni, which decreased by 25% and 50% with serine concentrations of 5 nM and 5 μM respectively. We have demonstrated that carbon load affects the species diversity and density of both the planktonic and biofilm phase of aquatic autochthonous microflora. Although the survival of C. jejuni in water in a culturable form was sufficient for this to be an important vehicle for its transmission, carbon load significantly influenced survival an increase in serine concentration significantly reduced survival.
Original language English Pages (from-to) 161S-167S Journal Journal of Applied Microbiology Symposium Supplement Volume 85 Issue number 28 Publication status Published - 1999 | 1,677 | 855 | 3,261.814035 |
warc | 202143 | If your hotel has been running a metasearch marketing campaign, you may be asking yourself: Now what? While metasearch has proven to be a successful hospitality marketing tactic through the pandemic, there is a lot that goes into getting results.
Metasearch engines like Google, TripAdvisor, Trivago, and Kayak boomed in 2020, leading to an increase in direct bookings and helping some hotels achieve a return on ad spend (ROAS) of 10x or higher compared to pay-per-click ads. In recent years, metasearch websites accounted for 45% of travel traffic. As travel giants like Expedia and Priceline have bought Trivago and Kayak, metasearch has continued to take off and the competition has heightened.
That means if your hotel has metasearch in place, you need to stay on top of it to ensure you’re getting a strong ROI. Here are four tips to optimize your metasearch marketing strategy.
1. Optimize your metasearch bidding strategy
There is no such thing as set-it-and-forget-it in the hospitality marketing world and metasearch is no different. Just like pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, it’s important to monitor the performance and strategy in place for your metasearch marketing efforts.
One of the biggest challenges of monitoring metasearch tactics is keeping on top of rate leakage. Rate leakage occurs when a wholesaler gets a bundled discount on rooms and then leaks them on other channels such as Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and metasearch channels. When hotels like yours are undercut, it can have a drastic impact on direct bookings.
By staying on top of your bidding strategy (or working with a specialist), you can mitigate the impact of rate leakage. Google Hotel Ads, for example, offers a variety of bidding methods ranging from PPC Commissions to Enhanced CPC (Cost-per-click). These can be challenging to understand and stay on top of, but with the right guidance, altering your hotel’s metasearch bidding strategy can help you stay dynamic and adjust based on current and upcoming room rates, room availability, and other factors that change over the course of the year.
2. Upload vivid photos and write a detailed description
It may be cliche, but it’s especially true in the travel industry: A picture is worth 1,000 words. Metasearch engine TripAdvisor found that hotel listings with at least one photo had a 138% increase in traveler engagement and a 225% increase in booking inquiries.
Guests want to see your property, but they also want to see where they’ll be sleeping. Booking.com suggests sharing around 24 photos, taking guests through the journey. This includes your location, property, amenities, and a wide range of room photos. It’s important that these images be professional and high-quality. As the pandemic winds down, think about the last time your hotel refreshed its photos on metasearch. And don’t forget OTAs! Many OTAs will show up in metasearch, so it’s important to keep tabs on both.
When it comes to the description, don’t let it be an afterthought. Keep your target audience in mind and think about what resonates most with them. Show off your hotel’s personality while highlighting your hotel’s most unique features and amenities. Most of all—keep it up to date!
3. Manage your online reviews
Staying on top of and responding to guest reviews across metasearch channels can seem like a daunting task, but there are a number of data points that show its importance. TripAdvisor found that 96% of its users consider reading reviews important when planning and booking hotels. And that’s not all. According to the same data, hotels responding to reviews was vital:
85% of users said a thoughtful response from hotel management to a bad review improved their impression of the hotel, an astounding increase from 32% in 2013. 65% of users are more likely to book a hotel that responds to traveler reviews compared to a similar hotel that doesn’t respond.
Does your hotel have a review management strategy in place? Reviews from OTAs often end up on metasearch sites, and monitoring feedback on Google Hotel Ads and TripAdvisor is especially critical given the larger volume. By consistently monitoring reviews, you can ensure your hotel discovers and addresses potential problems quickly and also leave a positive impression when future travelers are comparing hotels to book their next trip.
4. Monitor competitors and analyze the data
It’s important to be aware of what your competitors are doing on metasearch. In the end, price often wins out with travelers, and OTAs and metasearch allow for price undercutting. There are tools to ensure your room rates are on par with other listings, but it doesn’t hurt to also keep a watchful eye on what nearby hotels are doing both with their room rates and listings. And it’s not always just metasearch channels. Are your rates lower than the OTAs listed alongside it?
Monitoring competitors will also keep you in the loop for changes on the platforms. The companies are constantly testing new features, so it’s important to stay up to date with changes. There is no exact science to mastering metasearch, so testing and analyzing are both important. Don’t be afraid to change your marketing mix. Most hotels should be on Google, but altering spend between Kayak, TripAdvisor, or Trivago can be a good strategy based on performance. The one certainty? Metasearch can’t be ignored.
To see why metasearch is so popular, see how it worked for Edge Hotel through the pandemic. Then, check out our blog for more hospitality marketing tips. | 5,645 | 2,546 | 12,250.049097 |
warc | 202143 | On Tuesday the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mahesh Sharma, expressed concern over the alarming levels of pollution in the national capital region and said the government was taking preventive measures to tackle it.
Sharma told, “It is a matter of concern as the pollution is at an alarming level in Delhi. The Government is concerned about it and is monitoring it continuously. Preventive measures are being taken. This is because of the change in weather from four directions yesterday.”
He further said the government had advised water sprinkling particularly at construction sites.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia called upon the Centre for its intervention to tackle the pollution menace.
“Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had written letters to the Central Government in August seeking its intervention. He wrote that this problem would again prevail in November. But the Centre didn’t respond. We are requesting the Central Government to take some action. The reason for smog is the burning of stubble in Haryana and Punjab. Until the Central Government does not make policies together with Delhi, nothing will happen in Haryana and Punjab,” he told the media.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, describing the city as a “gas chamber”, attributed the pollution to crop burning in adjoining states.
“Delhi has become a gas chamber. Every year this happens during this part of year. We have to find a soln to crop burning in adjoining states,” Kejriwal tweeted today.
The national capital on Tuesday woke up to ‘severe’ air quality due to a thick blanket of smog.
The rapid fall in air quality and visibility began last evening as moisture combined with pollutants shrouded the city in a thick cover of haze.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) by 10 a.m. recorded ‘severe’ air quality, meaning the intensity of pollution was extreme.
A ‘severe’ Air Quality Index comes with the warning that air affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.
THE AIR WE BREATHE Follow Respro® Search this blog: LOCAL AIR QUALITY WHY WEAR A MASK? KEY POINTS TO A MASKThree important points to look out for in an air pollution mask: Key Points to a Mask TIME TO CHANGE YOUR FILTER? MOST READ TAG CLOUD Air Pollution Air Quality Air Quality Index (AQI) Allergies Asthma Australia Beijing Birmingham Boris Johnson California Canada Carbon Dioxide CO2 Carbon Monoxide CO China Delhi Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) diesel exhaust fumes dieselgate Environmental Protection Agency - EPA EU - European Union Europe European Environment Agency (EEA) forest fire France Germany Glasgow ground level ozone HAZE Health Effects of Air Pollution Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Italy King's College London London London Mayor Los Angeles Malaysia New Delhi Nitrogen Dioxide NO2 Nitrogen Oxide NO NOx Ozone O3 Pakistan Paris PM - Particulate Matter PM2.5 PM10 Poland Research Respro® Respro® Masks FAQ Respro® Products Sadiq Khan Scotland SGhaze Shanghai Singapore Smog smoke Spain Sulfur Dioxide SO2 Sumatra Tehran Thailand U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) UK Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) USA Utah vehicle emissions wildfires wood burning World Heath Organization (WHO) AIR POLLUTION NEWS Air Quality (3,165) Health Effects of Air Pollution (703) Help & FAQs (6) Respro® Products (81) Sports (38) World News (2,611) Africa (79) Asia (894) Australia & Oceania (81) Europe (1,051) Latin America (86) Middle East (124) USA & Canada (483) | 3,697 | 1,917 | 6,911.866458 |
warc | 202143 | Our worlds are becoming increasingly interconnected, with new technologies changing the way we communicate and who we communicate with. In the Human Rights Art and Film Festival’s (HRAFF) annual art show – entitled
Echoes of Others – artists explore the impact this has on global human rights. Are new technologies bringing human rights issues closer to our lives, through television, the internet and the wide range of resources at our fingertips? Or is it widening the gap between those who have access to this new world and those who don’t?
Lex Randolph is one of the artists who explores this connection. Through his work “Tree of Rights”, Randolph connects himself to Burmese human rights advocate Myo Min Zaw, who has been jailed as a prisoner of conscience. Though roughly the same age – and both working in human rights – the two men have lived drastically different lives. Through his work, Randolph explores the degrees of separation that divide and, at the same time, connect the two of them.
As viewers enter the exhibition they are confronted with the giant black and white words “Democracy is a Good Idea”. Instantly, the work provokes the viewer. On the one hand, the statement suggests some form of a challenge yet, at the same time, it is in itself an exercise in democracy. Entitled “Irritation is the Greatest Form of Flattery” it represents the tension between ideals and reality by presenting in black and white an ideology that is fundamentally about compromise.
The strength of the exhibition lies in its diversity. The range of artists, approaches and techniques allow the issue to be well explored from a variety of viewpoints. Some works are hopeful; some are saddening.
The tapestry created by the Keiskamma Trust is an example of both. It examines the different opportunities offered to rich and poor women when faced by the same problems. It tells the story of two women, both of whom were infected with a sexually transmitted infection by their male partner. The rich woman was able to sue her partner and received compensation; the poorer woman did not have the same fortune and ended up passing on the disease to her child. Yet at the same time the Keiskamma Trust is an exercise in hope. Operating in the Pedi South District of South Africa, they have a strong history of developing income for the 130 men and women they work with.
Minela Krupic’s beautiful etchings are one of the exhibition’s many highlights. Tiny, delicate and displayed in a circle, their depth of detail draws you in. Born in Bosnia, Krupic’s work explores the Eastern European themes of memory, displacement and the hope that comes with relocation. She combines Australian content with Bosnian images and icons, demonstrating her personal connection to the world and the human rights issues it faces.
Echoes of Others
is on exhibition at No Vacancy Gallery from 16 to 27 May. Centrally located, this show is well worth checking out. | 3,023 | 1,508 | 5,889.637931 |
warc | 202143 | Service Above Self
Tarragindi, QLD 4121
Australia
School for skeptics: In the internet age, literacy means distinguishing between fact and fiction
By Vanessa Glavinskas Illustrations by Harry Campbell
When the BBC offered a quiz titled “Can You Spot the Fake Stories?” I was confident that I would do well. With a master’s degree in journalism, I thought falling for “fake news” only happened to other people. But I was fooled four times on the seven-question quiz.
I’m not the only one who has trouble with this. Even the digitally savvy generation now growing up has a difficult time distinguishing credible content from fake stories. In 2015, Stanford University launched an 18-month study of students in middle school, high school, and college across several states to find out how well they were able to evaluate the information they consume online. | 892 | 569 | 1,338.783831 |
warc | 202143 | Asian ScienceCitation Index is committed to provide an authoritative, trustedand significant information by the coverage of the most importantand influential journals to meet the needs of the global scientificcommunity.
Abstract: Activation of CD4+ T cells helps establish and sustain other immune responses. We have previously shown that responses against a broad set of nine CD4+ T-cell epitopes were present in the setting of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) Armstrong infection in the context of H-2d. This is quite disparate to the H-2b setting, where only two epitopes have been identified. We were interested in determining whether a broad set of responses was unique to H-2d or whether additional CD4+ T-cell epitopes could be identified in the setting of the H-2b background. To pursue this question, we infected C57BL/6 mice with LCMV Armstrong and determined the repertoire of CD4+ T-cell responses using overlapping 15-mer peptides corresponding to the LCMV Armstrong sequence. We confirmed positive responses by intracellular cytokine staining and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-peptide binding assays. A broad repertoire of responses was identified, consisting of six epitopes. These epitopes originate from the nucleoprotein (NP) and glycoprotein (GP). Out of the six newly identified CD4+ epitopes, four of them also stimulate CD8+ T cells in a statistically significant manner. Furthermore, we assessed these CD4+ T-cell responses during the memory phase of LCMV Armstrong infection and after infection with a chronic strain of LCMV and determined that a subset of the responses could be detected under these different conditions. This is the first example of a broad repertoire of shared epitopes between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the context of viral infection. These findings demonstrate that immunodominance is a complex phenomenon in the context of helper responses. | 1,907 | 956 | 3,798.041841 |
warc | 202143 | Presentation on theme: "4.4. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology 4.4.7 to 4.4.8 Part 2."— Presentation transcript:
14.4. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology 4.4.7 to 4.4.8 Part 2
24.4.7 State that, when genes are transferred between species, the amino acid sequence of polypeptides translated from them is unchanged because the genetic code is universal Genetic engineering refers to the deliberate manipulation It is possible to move genetic material between species because the genetic code is universal. This means that, for every organism, the same RNA codon codes for the same amino acid in an mRNA strand. UUU and UUC both code for the amino acid phenylalanine while CUU, CUC, CUA, and CUG all code for leucine, regardless of the species.
3Genetic code is Universal Since the genetic code is universal, it is possible to transfer genetic material from one species to another. Because the code is universal, it is possible to introduce a human gene for making insulin into a bacterium. The bacterium will then produce the human protein hormone insulin, which is responsible for making cells take up more glucose and convert it to glycogen.
4Gene Transfer The technique of taking a gene out of one organism ( the donor organism, e.g. a fish) and placing it in another organism ( the host organism, e.g. a tomato) is a genetic engineering procedure called gene transfer. Such a transfer was done to make tomatoes more resistant to cold and frost.
5Gene Transfer It is possible to put one species’ gene into another’s genetic make up because DNA is universal. In the example of tomatoes, proteins used by fish to resist the icy temperatures of arctic waters are now produced by the modified tomatoes to make them more resistant to cold. Another example of gene transfer is found in Bt- corn, which has been genetically engineered to produce toxins that kill the bugs which attack it.
6Bt-Corn The gene, as well as the name come from a soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, which has the ability to produce a protein that is fatal to the larvae of certain crop-eating pests.
7Questions to Ponder Is it ethically acceptable to alter an organism’s genetic integrity? If the organism did not have the gene in the first place, could there be a good reason for its absence? Why are people so worried about this new technology? In selective breeding, thousands of genes are mixed and matched. With GMOs only one gene is changed. Is that not less risky and dangerous than artificial selection? Would strict vegetarians be able to eat a tomato which has a fish gene in it? Does research involving GM animals add a whole new level to animal cruelty and suffering in laboratories? If Bt—crops kill insects, what happens to the local ecosystem which relies on the insects for food for pollination?
84.4.8 Outline a basic technique used for gene transfer involving plasmids, a host cell (bacterium, yeast or other cell), restriction enzymes (endonucleases) and DNA ligase Gene transfer involves the following elements: A vector A host cell Restriction enzymes DNA ligase The vector is what is needed to carry the gene into the host cell. Plasmids are often used as vectors. Bacteria carry all the required genetic information on one large circular DNA. However, most bacteria also possess extra DNA in the form of plasmids. Plasmids are bits of genetic material carrying 2-30 genes. Plasmids my replicate at the time the chromose replicates or at toehr times.
9Steps in cloning a gene http://highered.mcgraw- hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535 ::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120078/mic ro10.swf::Steps%20in%20Cloning%20a%20Ge ne http://highered.mcgraw- hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535 ::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120078/mic ro10.swf::Steps%20in%20Cloning%20a%20Ge ne http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_YJZn- ft_Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_YJZn- ft_Q Gene therapy video
10Gene transfer in insulin production from abpi schools http://www.abpischools.org.uk/res/coResourc eImport/modules/hormones/en- flash/geneticeng.cfm http://www.abpischools.org.uk/res/coResourc eImport/modules/hormones/en- flash/geneticeng.cfm
12Technique of gene transfer Plasmids are used to clone a desired gene. First you splice or introduce a desired gene into a plasmid and transfer it into a bacterial cell. Then, culture these bacteria; many of them will have the plasmid with the desired gene. Use a section of nucleotides, complementary to the desired gene, but also attached to a (radioactive) label to find out which plasmids have the gene and which do not. Use restriction enzymes to cut the desired gene out of the plasmids and purify the gen using gel electrophoesis.
13The host cell is the cell which is to receive the genetic material. A bacterium may be the host cell and produce a protein desired by humans. Restriction enzymes (endonucelases) are used to cut a desired section of the DNA. Bacteria produce these enzymes naturally as a defense against invading viruses.
14- One commonly used restriction enzymes recognizes sequence GATTC and cuts both strands of the DNA between G and A. When preparing to transfer DNA, the same restriction enzyme is used for the host and the donor so the cuts are made in the same way. This way, the same ‘sticky ends’ are created so that the donor DNA can fit in between the host DNA. The result is the uneven cut in the DNA and the ends of the DNA are referred to as “sticky ends”. If the same sequence is found on another section of DNA and is cut in the same way, the two strands can be combined. To attach the two cut sections of DNA, the enzyme DNA ligase is used to create the required covalent bonds. | 5,725 | 2,504 | 12,947.553914 |
warc | 202143 | The State Library is committed to preserving collections for future generations. Conservators use specialist techniques to care for items, including preventative measures such as monitoring the environment, an integrated pest management program, ensuring proper storage conditions according to the nature of the items, and training staff in the careful handling of objects. Where appropriate we also undertake conservation treatments by carrying out technical and scientific assessment on objects and stabilising the materials and structure of damaged objects. Conservators look at the social, cultural and historical context of items to assist with making ethical treatment decisions.
Preserving Your Items - Frequently Asked Questions What is the best way to store my precious objects?
This greatly depends on the what the object is made from and how it is constructed. Explore the following collection care guides for specific information on caring for your object.
Where can I digitise my book, map, photographs, motion picture film, videotape, or audiotape?
Firstly, it is important to identify the object’s characteristics and how they can be safely digitised. You may be able to digitise the object yourself or use a commercial option.
If you are digitising the object yourself, have a look at the video ‘Caring for collections: How to digitise your collections’
More information for both digitising the object yourself and using a digitisation service can be found in the State Library of Queensland’s Digitisation Toolkit.
Can you fix my treasured object?
We are unable to give advice on conservation treatment of items and the State Library does not offer a commercial conservation service or endorse specific private conservation practitioners. If you require a conservation treatment to be undertaken, a list of conservators in private practice is available on the Australian Institute for the Conservation Cultural Materials (AICCM) website. It is recommended that you read the Guidelines for Commissioning Conservation Treatment first.
What to do after a disaster?
If your objects have been affected by fire, flood, mould or pests there are steps you can take when salvaging your precious objects. Blue Shield Australia and the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material both provide detailed information that outlines steps to assist in disaster recovery.
Where can I find more information about conservation and caring for my collection?
We recommend starting with the following conservation organisations that provide reliable information: | 2,610 | 1,224 | 5,492.941176 |
warc | 202143 | Equipoise 1000mg
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warc | 202143 | A year of pandemic isolation has driven well-being checks to the top of the list for Winnipeg Police Service calls.
While police work out a new way to respond to crisis calls in collaboration with non-police partners, community safety groups maintain a first response from the uniform does more harm than good for marginalized people.
"I really do believe that there needs to be a different response unit that is trained traditionally and clinically to respond to these situations, to be able to respond to well-being checks for marginalized communities," Rylee Nepinak, leader of volunteer-based community group Anishiative, said Tuesday.
"I do think that well-being checks should be done by organizations that already have a built-in relationship with that community."
According to the WPS 2020 statistical report released this week, police received just shy of 19,000 calls for well-being checks last year — representing about 12 per cent of civilian calls for service.
That was a notch up from 2019, pushing well-being checks above domestic incidents as the most frequent type of service call for the first time.
According to WPS Chief Danny Smyth, while well-being checks have always been one of the top-three calls police receive, the uniquely isolating circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic made them all the more common.
"Certainly, isolation and the pandemic are probably contributing to that — people aren't able to travel around as freely as they were," Smyth said Tuesday. "We were literally called in to check on the well-being of friends and loved ones on behalf of family members."
Well-being checks can encompass many types of call, Smyth said, including people in crisis, dealing with addictions-related issues or whose loved ones are concerned for their health.
"Some of it is pretty innocuous, some of it is pretty critical," said Smyth, noting officers often don’t know what to expect until they arrive on scene.
As well-being checks consistently rank among the most common calls to police, Smyth noted the service has been working to implement a new system — already being tested in other jurisdictions — that would have police partner with mental health experts, mobile crisis units and social services.
During a presentation to a municipal council committee in June, police described the new initiative — known as "PACT teams" — as an effort to decriminalize crisis, diverting people away from the criminal justice system and into social programs.
Smyth said the initiative remains in its "planning phases."
While the rise in well-being checks and the efforts to partner police with social supports is unsurprising to Nepinak, the community group leader said including police in the initial response can still cause fear for marginalized community members in crisis.
"People usually associate the uniform with being in trouble," Nepinak said.
Instead, Nepinak has been advocating for a new mobile crisis unit trained to respond to situations with both traditional and clinical approaches to health — a crisis response strategy completely separate from the police.
"I am 100 per cent for allocating funds to a mobile crisis unit that has these Indigenous values and has clinical training to be able to respond to well-being checks and mental health crisis."
julia-simone.rutgers@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @jsrutgers
Julia-Simone Rutgers Reporter
Julia-Simone Rutgers is a general-assignment reporter. | 3,502 | 1,629 | 7,356.564764 |
warc | 202143 | Expense - What is an expense?
An expense is defined as an outflow of money or assets to another individual or company as payment for an item or service.
Create professional invoices for free with SumUp Invoices .
An expense is a cost experienced by a company, paid out to suppliers or for products or services from other sources. Within a business context, only expenses that relate to the cost of business operations should be included in the company’s records.
As one of the main aspects of running a business, managing expenses is a crucial part of keeping tabs on your company’s financial health. Expenses are ultimately money that is spent in order to ensure the company can function and grow the operations of the business.
Technically speaking, an expense is incurred whenever an asset is used up or a liability is incurred. With regards to the accounting equation, expenses effectively reduce a business owner's equity.
Different expenses will be incurred, depending on the nature and size of the business. However, there are some expenses that are common to almost all businesses. These are:
Rent expenses - this is rent that is paid on properties or space that is used for business purposes
Wage expenses - this refers to any amount of money paid out to employees of a business
Interest expenses - this involves the amounts owed on any interest due for small business loans, for example.
While expense tracking might seem tedious, it’s a necessary part of managing the financial side of your business. Thankfully, today it can be done quickly and easily with accounting software.
Expenses are recorded on the debit side of an expense account (which is an income statement account) and a credit is recorded to either a liability or an asset account in accordance with double-entry bookkeeping.
When the expense is recorded on the profit & loss report is dependent upon the accounting method chosen by a business. Under the accrual method of accounting, an expense is recorded when it’s incurred by a business (which might differ from when cash actually changes hand). Registering expenses under the cash accounting method, however, means that each expense is recorded only when money actually changes hands.
In accrual accounting, emphasis is placed on when the business incurs the expense, not when it’s paid.
For example, a business may pay for internet service in their offices monthly but receive and pay the bill the following month. However, they will record the expense for internet service for the month the cost was incurred, even though payment was made the following month under accrual accounting.
In cash accounting, emphasis is placed on when the transaction takes place, rather than when the expense was incurred.
For example, a business may pay for electricity quarterly, and receive the bill at the end of each quarter. Although the period covers several months, the amount is only entered into the record at the end of each quarter when the bill is paid.
As a freelancer or small business owner, you can claim certain expenses against tax. In the 2020-2021 tax year, the Personal Allowance in the UK is £12,500. This means that you can offset up to this amount to lower your tax payments.
Allowable expenses include but are not limited to the following:
Cost of office supplies such as paper, pens, ink toner, etc.
Travel costs such as mileage, as long as it’s specifically for business operations
Costs of running your office, including electricity, internet, heating, etc.
Marketing and advertising fees
Supplies purchased for resale, such as raw materials. | 3,646 | 1,625 | 8,045.880615 |
warc | 202143 | As children start returning to the classroom, the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP) is urging parents and road users to help keep students safer on their journeys back to school.
And with many children starting at a new school, journeys may be unfamiliar, so some pre-planning could help.
Joanne Wehrle Safer Roads Manager said: “It may be the children who are returning to school, but we are encouraging their adults to help by offering a road safety lesson to protect their loved ones on the trip back to the classroom.
“Think about the journey to school before the first day of term. How will you be travelling and how long will it take? You don’t want to be rushing at the last minute on that first day.
“Make sure that children being taken to school by car use a seatbelt or sit in an appropriate child safety seat, no matter how short the journey.
“Casualty data shows that children are just as likely to be injured as a car passenger as they are as a pedestrian, so don’t think that by driving them to school you will be reducing their chances of being involved in a collision.”
The Partnership is encouraging families to consider walking to school if that is an option.
“Walking your children to school will help to contribute to their daily amount of exercise, reduces congestion and pollution around the school gates and will offer opportunities to teach your child vital road safety lessons along the way, preparing them for when they start to travel more independently,” added Joanne.
For parents who are dropping their children off by car, the Partnership is urging them to park further away from the gates to prevent the risk of dangers and inconsiderate parking. You could even drop them at a friend’s house or a central meeting point so they can walk in together.
“For children who are starting their journey to secondary school, this may be the first regular independent journey they make and parents can help be talking through some of the key issues,” said Joanne.“Plan a safe route, encourage young people to use pedestrian crossings where these are available, talk about the risks posed by distractions from mobile phones and peer pressure from friends, which can lead to risk taking.“Highlight the potential dangers of messing about close to busy roads and discourage it.”All drivers, whether on the school run or not, are reminded that as schools reopen, the roads will be busier with extra traffic and pedestrians, especially outside schools.Look out for the “lollipop person” and always stop if indicated to do so by the school crossing patrol warden, as failing to do this is a criminal offence and puts children’s lives at risk.“Back to school can be a worrying and stressful time for everyone, so don’t let road safety add to that list.” concluded Joanne.“We want to support parents and carers in thinking ahead and talking to children about their journey to school, to try and minimise the risks.
“All drivers can help by looking out for pedestrians, slowing down near schools and crossing points and parking considerately.
“We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and others safer on the roads. Please take extra care as everyone gets used to the school run again.” | 3,354 | 1,575 | 6,848.548571 |
warc | 202143 | "Our Senior College program offers a practical and independent alternative to high school for students in an adult-learning environment that helps them enhance their education, careers and their lives," explains Craig.
"We set our students up for success by giving them the support in an inclusive environment where they can finish high school while studying for their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or TAFE Queensland certificate qualifications."
Offered at TAFE Queensland's Alexandra Hills campus, Senior College gives students a pathway into vocational study with TAFE Queensland, entry into university, or the knowledge and skills to go straight into the workforce after graduating.
The Senior College school week runs from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Thursday, giving students Friday to study certificate courses and prepare for their futures, something that Craig says is essential.
"We build individualised study programs for each student that gives them the flexibility to complete their high school and also go to their apprenticeship, go to work or attend further studies," he says.
"It's a fantastic program, and it changes our students' lives. Many have had mental health challenges or have disengaged from traditional high school altogether. But my staff and I know that everyone's got the ability; it's about recognising their strengths and nurturing them towards their goals in the right environment," says Craig.
Fostering that study environment is essential to the success of the Senior College's students. It's an inclusive environment with like-minded classmates and teachers who engage students in education to provide them with a pathway for their future.
"We have an amazingly diverse and inclusive group of students including transgender and different nationalities and ethnicities — everyone is accepted and gets on with one another."
"Students call their teachers by their first names, there's no uniform, and they have the freedom to express themselves with various hairstyles and hair colours, clothes, tattoos, earrings and the like."
"There's still the rigours of attendance and due dates for assignments, but by allowing them to be themselves and accepting who they are as individuals, they feel more comfortable and focus more on their education."
Senior College's passionate staff also work closely with students in mentoring programs, forming solid relationships, understanding their individual challenges, and nurturing them to keep them on track with their assignments and attendance.
"Our staff work closely with each student and handle any issues they may have to ensure there's little to no impact on their studies. Giving them that support and encouragement in this environment is a real game changer for them."
"We're still a high school, and we do still need students to have 90 per cent attendance and get their assessments in on time. But if they've got a problem we listen and create a plan to ensure they can succeed, because sometimes things have gone on in their life and they need our support."
Since joining TAFE Queensland, Craig has helped hundreds of young people who had otherwise given up on education to realise their potential and provide them with a pathway to work or further education.
"Supporting students to become successful is incredible. It's so enriching to see our graduates leave us and have meaningful careers, especially considering how extremely challenging their lives had been," continues Craig.
Success for Craig and his team is seeing motivated and engaged students working hard to get the positive outcome they set out to achieve when they enrolled, whatever that may be.
"For some, success might be a job at McDonald's. It might be a pathway into university, or a certificate course into an apprenticeship. Every student is different, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution, so it's about connecting with them and guiding, encouraging and educating them along their journey with us."
Craig and his team thrive on seeing students have unique study experiences while developing into successful adults and graduating with the skills to be a positive asset in the community.
"I think the role we play in each student's life is the difference we make. It's inspiring for us to see how engaged students are with our staff and their studies as their attendance and grades trend up."
"There's nothing better than seeing a student's 'Aha' moment when everything clicks, and they mature, start enjoying their education and can see that they're achieving something that was once impossible, and they can see their pathway out of their past into adulthood."
"After they graduate and enter the workforce, students often say that without Senior College, they wouldn't have had a future. It's truly remarkable to see just where our students come from, how much they grow, and how they're excelling as professionals since their time with us," concludes Craig. | 5,029 | 2,285 | 10,947.153611 |
warc | 202143 | The global
sodium hypochlorite market size is projected to reach USD 385.6 million by 2028. The constant disinfection of malls, public complexes, outer areas, office spaces, and public toilets is expected to affect growth positively. Several companies are also nowadays striving to produce unadulterated and premium-quality products to maintain hygiene of employees. In March 2021, for instance, QYK Brands LLC received approval from the California Department of Pesticide Regulations (CDPR) for its Dr. J's Surface Disinfectant Wipes. It claims to kill pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2. Fortune Business Insights™ presented this information in a new study, titled, “ Sodium Hypochlorite Market, 2021-2028.” As per the study, the market stood at USD 261.7 million in 2020. It is set to exhibit a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period between” 2021-2028. Thyssenkrupp Introduces Portable Sodium Hypochlorite Disinfection Trailer Unit
In September 2020, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions South Africa (tkISSA) launched its sodium hypochlorite disinfection trailer unit to help spray disinfectant in COVID-19 hotspot zones. It is portable and custom-designed. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the chemical is effective in disinfecting surfaces infected with coronavirus. Hence, the company decided to make this cutting-edge trailer unit.
High Demand for Disinfectants amid COVID-19 Pandemic to Affect Growth Positively
The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly expanded the consumer goods industry backed by the rising concerns of hygiene, health, and cleanliness. The Household and Commercial Products Association (HCPA), for instance, represents companies that sell and make around USD 180 billion annually of products used for disinfecting, maintaining, protecting, and cleaning commercial and residential environments. Coupled with this, the rising demand for hand sanitizers is likely to aid growth of the market for liquid bleach amid the pandemic.
Report Coverage-
The research report of this industry includes an accurate study of various regions and countries. It was created by our analysts after studying and observing numerous factors that determine regional growth, such as political, technological, social, economic, and environmental status of the region. The competitive landscape section was developed to aid you better understand the partnerships that key players are focusing on to compete globally.
Drivers & Restraints- Increasing Trend of Bleaching Clothes at Home to Enhance Fashion Sense will Aid Growth
The rising trend of home bleaching clothes to improve one’s fashion sense and enhance the outer appearance would augment the sodium hypochlorite market growth in the near future. Coupled with this, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for disinfecting surgical instruments, hard surfaces, and wipes to prevent transmission. However, fumes produced by sodium hypochlorite can damage lungs and cause gas poisoning, thereby limiting its demand.
Browse Complete Report Summary @ https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/sodium-hypochlorite-market-105064 Segments- Water Treatment Segment Dominated in 2020 Owing to Surging Demand for Drinking Water
By application, the market for NaOCl is fragmented into water treatment, paper industry, textile industry, medical, and others. Amongst these, the water treatment segment remained in the dominant position in 2020 stoked by the rising demand for clean drinking water in malls, residential structures, offices, and homes. Also, the urgent need for clean water in bathing areas, swimming pools, and ponds would accelerate growth. The paper industry segment, on the other hand, held
18.8% and 19.3% in terms of the market share globally and in China, respectively. The product is majorly used as a bleaching agent in this industry. Regional Insights- Asia Pacific to Lead Fueled by Rising Demand for Treated Water in China Asia Pacific: The region stood at USD 109.8 millionin 2020 in terms of revenue and is anticipated to lead the market throughout the forthcoming years. The easy availability of raw materials and cost-efficient labor would drive growth. Also, the high demand for treated water, especially in China would spur growth. North America: It is estimated to grow significantly in the near future because of the high demand for sodium hypochlorite from the medical industry. This would mainly occur because of the need to disinfect surgical equipment, hand surfaces, and beds & tables. Europe: The region would grow substantially in the upcoming years. This growth is attributable to the rising usage of the product in diluted bleaches, surface cleaners, and detergents. Additionally, the rapid economic development in France, Germany, and the U.K. is expected to aid growth
Competitive Landscape- Key Players Aim to Gain Competitive Edge by Launching Innovative Products
The market houses several companies that are rapidly adopting strategies, such as capacity expansions, new product development, acquisitions, and portfolio improvement to compete with their rivals. ICL, for instance, is one of the leading producers of the chemical. Similarly, Hawkins provides bleach and has numerous facilities for distribution.
A list of renowned sodium hypochlorite manufacturers presents in the global market: PCC Group (Poland) thyssenkrupp (Germany) Marsina Engineering Srl (Italy) OxyChem Corporation (U.S.) Tessenderlo Group (Belgium) Olin Corporation. (U.S.) Vynova Group (Belgium) Ennore India Chemical International (India) Hawkins, Inc. (U.S.) ICL (UK) Other Key Players | 5,608 | 2,674 | 11,675.293942 |
warc | 202143 | Standard and Poor's Depositary Receipts (SPDR) - Explained
What is a S&P Depositary Receipt?
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Spider is a term which designates a group of Exchange-Traded Funds in which the Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipt is a part of. This Exchange-Traded Fund is controlled by the State Street Global Advisors and this group is solely responsible for tracking the Standard & Poor's 500 indexes (S&P 500). Each share of an SPDR contains a 10th of the S&P 500 index and trades at roughly a 10th of the dollar-value level of the S&P 500.
How Does a Standard and Poor's Depositary Receipt Work?
Spiders are traded quite similar to stocks, investors invest in spiders as passive management or index investing. Spiders are known to have consistent cashflows among other advantages such as being short sold, available on margin, provide regular dividend payments and incur regular brokerage commissions when traded. SPDRs on the other hand also provide investors with a value just like mutual funds but they are commonly traded like common equity. In index investing, spiders compete directly with S&P 500 index funds and provide a second option to traditional mutual fund investment. The returns of an SPDR is calculated using net asset value (NAV), similar to mutual funds, calculated using the aggregate value of the underlying group of investments. Also, it is possible to include strategies such as stop-losses and limit orders because spiders can be purchased and sold through a brokerage account. Spiders are also listed on the New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) after the acquisition of the American Stock Exchange(AMEX) under the ticker symbol SPY.
Examples of SPDR ETFs
Investors can use different SPDRs such as the SPDR S&P Dividend ETF and SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF among others to achieve a wide variety of investments in specific parts of the market. The SPDR S&P Dividend ETF is made up of a total of 109 companies and tracks performance through its NAV, which is communicated as a price per share. This investment provides investment results that monitor the total return performance of the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. On the other hand, the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF is also an investment that shows the performance of companies within the S&P 500 that has its business as regional banks or thrifts. In summary, the ETF provides results that are equivalent to the sum total returns of the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index.
Origin of SPDRETFs
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) report of 1988 paved way for SPDR in 1993. This report is as a result of a massive Monday crash of 1987. This crash was asserted to have been caused as a result of automated orders for all index stocks. The report provided a solution that an instrument for trading a large number of stocks at a single time could curb this crash in later times. As a result of this, the AMEX and some other organizations developed the SPY. The ETF was launched with $6.53 million but the price scaled higher to $1 billion in three years. With an increase in the ETF market as of Sept. 30, 2017, it exploded to $3.5 trillion in assets. Meanwhile, at the initial launching, institutions were persuaded on purchasing the product. | 4,325 | 2,029 | 9,176.503204 |
warc | 202143 | Addiction is a difficult disease. It can be isolating, lonely, and painful. Unlike many other diseases, addiction is often paired with secrets and lies. It is hard to picture a life without addiction when you don’t know what treatment solutions are out there. Here are...
We see it almost daily. A patient comes in for a detox with us stating that they are buying pills, like opiates or benzodiazepines, on the street. They say their dealer is “trustworthy” and that the pills are “legit.” When we test their urine for substances, more...
As of October 16, 2017, the US Government declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency. The medical community, and particularly pain medicine practitioners, have been active participants and fully aware of the development of the current state. Prescription...
We Can Help
Give us a call today to get started on the road to recovery. | 912 | 549 | 1,463.519126 |
warc | 202143 | 5 reasons why teenagers are suffering from anxiety disorder more than ever before
Research suggests that the prevalence of
anxiety disorders among the teenage population has risen dramatically in recent years. Anxiety disorder
Due to the emergence of
social media platforms and the overall pressures of living in the digital age, young people get exposed to more anxiety than previous generations. Conclusion: There seems to be a cultivation of perfection and comparison, which causes anxiety among teens rather than fostering connection and resilience.
All this can cause many mental health problems for the young, impressionable minds of children and teenagers.
Anxiety in teens
Teen depression and social anxiety are just a few mental health disorders that appear to be the most common in the teenage cohort.
Mental health issues are widespread for young adults growing up in a world where technology has many of us glued to our phones instead of enjoying friendships in real-time.
Teen anxiety
Evidence shows some key areas that illustrate why mental illness is rife among teens and college students. They include:
Technology such as phones and computers offer teens an escape from feeling their emotions, keeping them from building resilience. The increase of anxiety problems in teens reflects societal and cultural shifts that have gotten observed over the last few decades. It’s impossible to prevent all anxiety disorders in teens due to biological factors and DNA, but more could be done to help teenagers manage anxiety and foster mental resilience. Why more teenagers are suffering from anxiety than before
Mental health professionals report seeing many young people visit their offices with symptoms of panic disorder and anxiety disorder.
Research shows that anxiety among adolescents is widespread, with many psychotherapists saying that anxiety disorders are often the cause of why people of all ages, including teenagers, enter therapy.
Excessive worry
Some of the literature reported many reasons why anxiety disorders are so common among teenagers and young adults.
The
reasons for anxiety disorders can vary, with many young people experiencing feelings of crippling failure and over-achievement.
Some teens worry so much about what their family and friends think they cannot function at all.
High anxiety levels
Many teenagers have endured challenging circumstances throughout their young lives, while others have functional, stable home environments with loving, supportive family members.
Cultural and societal changes
According to studies, high stress and anxiety among teens could be because of cultural and societal changes in recent decades.
Many teens feel pressure to do well and over-perform than ever before and worry that they may not be on par with their peers.
Anxiety cluster Anxiety disorder symptoms Having a sense of impending doom or danger Feeling tense, nervous, or restless. Rapid breathing Trembling Sweating Feeling tired or weak. Sleeping problems Feelings of intense fear Chest pain Trouble concentrating Tight muscles Feeling anxious or nervous, particularly in social situations. Increased heart rate Having difficulty controlling worry where you often feel overwhelmed Having the urge to avoid situations that trigger anxiety Substance abuse
Many people assume that anxiety is just a feeling of being nervous or on edge. While these symptoms are often present, anxiety disorders can cause many physical symptoms and mental health issues.
Other challenges
At times, anxiety makes us feel as though we are going crazy, and often, the symptoms can be so crippling that many people feel as though they might die, particularly in cases where someone has a panic attack.
Why do teens and kids suffer from anxiety?
There are several reasons (some of which get highlighted below) why kids and young adults are prone to developing anxiety disorders.
People with anxiety disorder symptoms must speak with a mental health professional who will help.
#1. Toxic happiness
Within our toxic positive culture, most kids and teens get taught that being happy all the time is acceptable, and unfortunately, many parents think that it’s their job to make sure that their child is happy twenty-four seven.
All this is unrealistic and teaches children that other emotions such as anger, sadness, and frustration are unacceptable.
Feelings that remain suppressed often cause people to feel anxious and depressed.
Unfortunately, many kids grow up thinking that they have to be happy all the time, and if they’re not, something must be wrong.
#2. Escaping through technology
Constant access to the internet and social media has presented many new challenges for teenagers growing up in the digital age.
Instead of addressing feelings of boredom, worry, and sadness, children pay attention to their screens and computer games.
Studies show that children in the millennia have gotten conditioned to avoid discomfort through the use of electronics.
Gaming and social media have replaced opportunities to build resilience and mental strength; thus, children haven’t gained the coping skills required to handle everyday challenges.
#3. Not having enough free time to play
While attending sports clubs and other structured social events is critical, so is unstructured play.
Playtime without the confines of a club or teacher teaches children vital skills, such as managing conflict and disagreements without being guided by an adult.
In contrast, solitary play teaches kids how to be by themselves and comfortable in their skin.
#4. Giving children excessive praise
While it’s essential for parents to encourage their children, too much praise often produces the opposite effect.
For example, when a parent tells their child
”they are the best badminton player in the class” or that they are the most ”intelligent in their school year”, this often sets the precedent for excessive pressure where kids do their best to live up to the label.
The stress associated with ”being the best” often produces profound
fear of failure and rejection. #5. Family dynamics being out of sync
As much as children and teenagers pretend to hate rules, deep down, they are well aware that they cannot always make the best decisions and require stable parental figures to guide them.
Children want their parents and caregivers to take the lead, even if they might not always agree or downright rebel against any rules put in place.
But, unfortunately, when the family dynamics are confusing or chaotic, a child’s anxiety levels can go through the roof.
Anxiety is highly treatable.
Fortunately, anxiety disorders are highly treatable conditions.
When it comes to teen anxiety, it may be helpful for individuals to speak to a family member about how they are feeling.
However, more often than not, young people require treatment to help them with their anxiety symptoms.
Recovery may come in psychotherapy where a teenager shares their feelings with a therapist and seeks to resolve any underlying issues that may be causing the anxiety.
Some young adults may benefit from mindfulness therapies where they learn about
breathing exercises and effective relaxation techniques.
Treatment is highly dependent on a person’s circumstances and symptoms.
If you are a parent and suspect that your child may be suffering from anxiety, or if you are worried that you may have an anxiety disorder, then be sure to get in touch with one of our specialists who will help. | 7,586 | 3,352 | 16,876.134248 |
warc | 202143 | If you’re thinking about starting a pest control business in Sydney then there are plenty of companies out there that can help you out. Some pest control services in Sydney include Green Leaf, A&P Supermarkets Pest Control Sydney. These companies have the ability and the expertise to provide you with a whole range of pest control solutions to help manage any sized pest problem. Whether you need to prevent one from happening, or deal with an existing outbreak, each company has people just like you to call upon for assistance. Whether you need to deal with pests such as mice, cockroaches, and ants, or more exotic species like snakes, lizards, and frogs, there is a professional solution for you. Click Here – abcpestcontrolsydney.com.au
Finding the Right Pest Control Company
The most popular solution in Sydney to deal with the common pest issues is the commercial inspection service. When choosing a commercial inspection service in Sydney you should look for an inspection provider that specializes in residential, commercial, and municipal applications. With specialized knowledge, experience, and equipment on hand they’ll be able to properly inspect all your needs, providing the prevention and treatment needed for all types of pests. Some companies in Sydney also specialize in inspection of historic sites, so if you’re interested in getting rid of termites or cleaning up asbestos removal, you can benefit from the inspections that these companies provide.
If you want to get rid of termites or clean up mold or mildew from an existing building you can count on Green Leaf for all your pest control needs. Since they’ve been in the business more than thirty-five years they’ve received the proper permits, and inspections, under the Australian Environment Protection Act 1990. They can handle all areas of pest management in both residential and commercial areas. By working with a company like this you can be sure that you’re getting the most current recommendations for the greatest effectiveness. Pest control Sydney will ensure that you’re receiving the best professional advice and pest control treatments for your home, business, and other properties. | 2,219 | 1,052 | 4,585.652091 |
warc | 202143 | How Much Does Hardwood Flooring Cost?
Hardwood flooring uses hardwood trees AKA the Angiosperms. These trees are oak, maple, walnut, etc. Hardwood is durable, tough, and more resistant to fire. It is for this purpose that hardwood is comparatively more expensive than the softwood, produced by softwood trees or botanically known as Gymnosperms. Softwood trees are the pine trees and the conifers. These trees are commonly found everywhere, which is why they are not only less expensive but also very eco-friendly. Abundantly found trees, when cut, will not have much of a negative impact on the environment.
Hardwood is darker in color, as the name indicates it is heavier, grains are closer, and a little harder than the softwood. Hardwood flooring installation in Lynchburg VA are provided by proficient contractors.
Benefits of Hardwood Flooring: Aesthetic Purposes:
Hardwood adds to the beauty and splendor of any room. This flooring type adds warmth to any space it is used in. People most particularly use this type of flooring in living rooms, dining and bed rooms. Interior designers believe a hardwood flooring manifold the beauty of a room and is the easiest to match with any color theme.
Tough & Durable:
Hardwood, as the name implies, is hard and heavy. It is therefore that this flooring type is very tough and thus can endure large pressures. It won’t crack or scratch easily. In fact, it can be refinished by simply sanding and applying a fresh coat of chemicals to make it look new.
Fire Resistant:
Hardwood flooring installation has another edge over other wooden floorings that it is relatively resistant to fire. This very characteristic of hardwood makes it a desirable and suitable flooring type.
Long-lasting:
Hardwood floorings are believed to live for several decades. They don’t degrade easily. In fact, old houses and buildings might have these flooring types installed in their rooms and kitchen. They live longer than softwood floorings, which can only last for a decade.
Easy To Clean & Maintain:
This flooring type can be easily cleaned with a simple duster, and a mop. First brush off any large dust particles to prevent any scratches, and then continue cleaning with a mixture of water and liquid cleaner.
Adds Value:
A flooring type is an investment made to add to the value of any property. The more expensive a flooring material is, the more it will add to the house’s value. So, hiring hardwood flooring contractors doesn’t mean your money is going to waste, it simply implies that you are investing your money.
Hardwood Flooring Installation Costs:
Costs are dependent upon various factors, some of which are as under:
1. Type of the Wood:
The costs for this type of flooring varies with the type of wood. For instance, hardwood from mahogany and sandalwood are among the most expensive ones, whereas oak and maple are among the least expensive hardwoods. Let us see how much different types of hardwood cost.
Mahogany: will cost around $30 per square foot. Sandalwood: will also cost around $30 per square foot. Maple hardwood:this flooring costs somewhere between $6 to $8 per square foot. Oak:will be around $10 per square foot. Lyptus:will cost you something less than $11 but more than $5 per square foot. Hickory:is among affordable ones and will only be a little more or less than $5. Cherry:is a little more costly than hickory and will cost you two extra dollars per sqft. Moreover, different kinds of the same trees will have different prices, for instance, Brazilian cherry costs more than the cherry itself i.e. $9. Bamboo:is the least expensive hardwood and will only cost between $2 to $7. Ash:is among luxury hardwoods and can cost up to $18 per sqft.
The difference of prices is due to the peculiar properties of these hardwoods. Those that are less commonly found, have prettier appearance, are more durable and resistant to pressure and fire will cost more.
2. Size/Width Of The Planks:
Moreover, the width of hardwood planks play an important role in determining the money spent on hardwood flooring installation. Wide planks tend to occupy more space, thus need less labor, material and time for installation, for which it is comparatively lower priced than narrow planks. They can cost from $5 to $10 per square foot.
Thickness is said to be another factor to influence the overall costs. Thicker planks cost more than thin ones.
3. Labor Charges:
Labor costs typically range from $3 to $10 per square foot, depending on the size of the place, the type of the wood, and if the wood is prefinished or unfinished. Some hardwoods, for instance, require more expertise to install, therefore, flooring contractors will charge more for installing those.
Prefinished floors will be charged lower than unfinished ones, as you will have to pay extra dollars for getting the unfinished ones prepped/finished for you.
The fact that hardwood flooring expands and contracts depending on the external temperature, makes the installation somewhat trickier, and this might impact labor charges.
The total costs for installing hardwood flooring per 1000 square foot will be from $6,000 to $10,000.
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warc | 202143 | As winter approaches, Western nations are placing their faith in child safety and vaccination to protect their safety in Covid-19.
But health officials in the northern part of the world fear that the size of each wave in the winter months will depend on the amount of vaccine left in the elderly, which are at risk.
Officials in Europe and the US, wanting to address the growing problem in hospitals that are doing well, are questioning whether their vaccine can deal with skeptical seniors and re-evaluate what can happen – such as forced vaccination.
Vaccination responsibilities are said to be helping to raise prices in the younger groups, but a number of European countries have seen similar results among the elderly.
A Financial Times study by Public Health England found that they currently drink about 800 doses to avoid one hospital for more than 60 years over a four-week period, while it took about 25,000 twice to achieve the same 18s, due to older groups at high risk of disease. elders.
England joins countries including Spain, Portugal, Denmark and Ireland as one of the countries with the highest vaccination among older groups. More than 13m – about 95% – over the age of 60 in England have received their first level, according to PHE. But this still leaves about 600,000 vaccines in this age group, which has been more than 90% of coronavirus deaths.
In the US, especially the southern countries, the picture is very high. More than 3m Americans over the age of 65 have not received their first jab, including nearly one in 10 people over the age of 75. Last month, President Joe Biden complains of “non-vaccine epidemic” due to the high number of stress vaccines that were being put in hospitals and clinics.
Kevin Schulman, a professor of medicine at Stanford University, predicted that the next phase of the epidemic would be “easier to see” in Europe than in the US due to the high number of vaccines among the elderly.
Schulman added that the vaccine has been very political, moving between those who are skeptical of the vaccine and those who choose to receive jabs.
“We need to get rid of the vaccine,” Schulman said. “Vaccinated older groups are more focused on alternatives, which provide conflicting information. We need to focus on how we interact with these sites and new information. ”
He warned that without finding effective ways to change people’s attitudes, the vaccine would become a “very dangerous way” – seeing uncircumcised relatives, friends and neighbors becoming seriously ill with coronavirus during the winter.
This is already evident in some of the countries most affected by the Delta genocide, with images of crippled ICUs replacing the TV news during the summer.
In Florida, the daily number of patients in the mid-65s had dropped to 0.03% by July, but once the Delta was in power, the number had quadrupled to 0.11 percent a day. Similarly, Mississippi fell 0.03% in early summer before returning to 0.17% daily among the 65-year-old Delta.
Noel Brewer, a professor of health at the University of North Carolina, said this created a “link” between the number of new Covid cases and the number of vaccines.
Brewer said the first experimental vaccine will show “resilience” in the winter due to the combination of cost-effectiveness measures, the prevalence of the disease and the wave of recently released drugs that encouraged older people to take the jab.
In Europe, several countries have been successful in using vaccines.
France, Lithuania and Slovenia have all seen daily vaccinations for people over the age of 60 fall from 1% in late spring to about 0.1% by summer, before returning after being declared vaccinated passports.
Arunas Dulkys, Lithuania’s health minister, told FT that part of his country’s passport-initiation proposal, which came into effect in September, was to prevent Lithuanian seniors, who have the lowest life expectancy in the EU, seriously ill. ‘groups.
Dulkys said vaccines “are the most important tools in preventing the epidemic.” Vaccine passports put the power in the hands of citizens, “said Dulkys. ”, but the passport is the one that takes people as the answer. “
Angus Thomson, former head of vaccination and media reporting at the French medical team Sannofi Pasteur, said the French passport system had helped “wait” for it to work.
“These people did not object to the vaccine but did not start skipping,” Thomson said. “However, when [the vaccine passport] went into operation, and even the elderly were given the opportunity to be at risk. ”
“It was right between the ear and the shovel,” Thomson added. “All of a sudden, people have experienced this: going to a restaurant, not going to a restaurant, going to a gift shop, not going to the reception, going shopping, not going shopping.”
Italy, surpassed most of the countries with the potential for immunization, expanded its reach from hospitality to all workplaces, and became the first Western country to seriously consider appropriate vaccines.
But so far the Italian health authorities have not done very well in recruiting skeptical older groups. Some 2.8m Italians over the age of 60 are still vaccinated.
“It’s a few steps and we’re trying to squeeze more people who have been vaccinated each way,” said Anna Odone, a professor of health at the University of Pavia. “Everything now has to be unique in order to attract people. That means we have to go from door to door to find these elderly people and reassure them.”
Odone said the coercive vaccine remained on the table “as a last resort” but added that it represented “acceptance of defeat” in public health interviews.
If Italy wants to launch an official vaccine, it will join Indonesia, the Federated States of Micronesia and Turkmenistan. “It’s an odd company to keep,” added Odone. | 6,074 | 2,810 | 12,528.435587 |
warc | 202143 | Selfie-related deaths have spiked over the last few years, and the figures are only getting worse.
And now, the search for the
perfect selfie has cost one woman her life…
But, believe it or not, they’ve been putting hundreds of lives at risk.
It might surprise you to find out that selfie-related deaths happen a lot more than you might think…
And the death toll is on the rise.
Including places like tops of mountains, tall buildings, and lakes, where many deaths occur every year.
But death by animals, electrocution, fire, and firearms also appeared frequently in reports from around the world.
And that 72.5% of those reported are men. Although that doesn’t put women out of the equation completely.
There were only 3 reports of selfie-related deaths in 2011, but that has escalated massively to ninety-eight in 2016, and ninety-three in 2017!
“It is believed that selfie deaths are underreported and the true problem needs to be addressed,” the report says.“Certain road accidents while posing for selfies are reported as death due to Road Traffic Accident.“Thus, the true magnitude of the problem is underestimated. It is therefore important to assess the true burden, causes, and reasons for selfie deaths so that appropriate interventions can be made.”
Just for the perfect picture.
Australia is filled with amazing landscapes and natural wonders, providing the perfect picture opportunity. Sadly, they carry a lot of risks too.
And after hearing the terrifying story, people had a lot to say.
Thirty-eight-year-old Rosy Loomba was hiking with her family at Grampians National Park in Victoria at the Boroka lookout near the village of Halls Gap.
But despite the warnings, the woman climbed over the safety railings and fell as her husband, Basant, and 2 young sons watched helplessly.
“She was a good life partner for my brother and best mum for her kids,” the woman’s sister-in-law Jassu Minal Loomba said. “[The family is] still in shock and it’s really hard to believe.”This is devastating news. RIP.Sadly, this is far from the only tragic death to happen this way… keep reading to find out how one man fell to his death in Florida… | 2,247 | 1,198 | 4,021.342237 |
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"Day days" with the partner are now done in the fitness center. A favorable adjustment for every person in my household - new patients. RC Using food as a recovery system just created a cause and effect of weight related issues that I required to alter the pattern and my instructions from falling to increasing; determining on incorporating medical intervention was the best and most life transforming decision I ever before crazy! JC You lastly understand that you can not proceed living the means you do.
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Are clinical weight loss centers covered by insurance policy? Usually, medical weight loss clinics are covered by many significant insurance plans (lipotropic injections). Nonetheless, it is necessary to keep in mind that what clinical fat burning therapies are covered will vary from one to an additional. It is very important to do your research to make sure that any type of prospective fat burning treatments or plans that you carry out are covered by your insurance coverage so regarding not pay out of pocket for expenditures. | 3,695 | 1,839 | 7,394.018488 |
warc | 202143 | Cyprus is making its return to the Eurovision this year, after being absent last year for financial crisis-related reasons (i.e. the fear of winning the contest and having to organize it the following year). This means Greece will benefit from 12 extra points this year thanks to their Cypriot neighbors.
The small island has participated 31 times in the contest but has unfortunately never won. This doesn’t really seem to bother most Cypriots as they aren’t particularly fond of the Eurovision.
Twenty-year-old John Karayiannis will represent Cyprus in this year’s contest. John has 10 pairs of glasses and his World of Warcraft team used to be ranked 58
th out of the millions of guilds the online game counts.
He will perform “One Thing I Should Have Done,” a song that has quite a happy tune for surprisingly sad lyrics (“One day you think you have it all, the next you're staring at a wall in a dream. The road that once was paved with gold has turned a rusty shade of all the saddest colors in the world.”)
Our vote: Does it make you want to visit that country? 3.25/10 Was there enough glitter? 1.5/10 Ok to quit your day job? 4.25/10 OVERALL AVERAGE: 3/10 expresslyinternational daily newsletter!
Crunching the numbers of South Korea's personal and household debt offers a glimpse into what drives the win-or-die plot of the Netflix hit produced in the Asian country.
-Analysis- SEOUL — The South Korean series Squid Game has become the most viewed series on Netflix, watched by over 111 million viewers and counting. It has also generated a wave of debate online and off about its provocative message about contemporary life.
The plot follows the story of a desperate man in debt, who receives a mysterious invitation to play a game in which the contestants gamble their lives on six childhood games, with the winner awarded a prize of 45.6 billion won ($38 million)... while the losers face death.
It's a plot that many have noted is not quite as surreal as it sounds, a reflection of the reality of Korean society today mired in personal debt.
Seoul housing prices top London and New York
In the polished streets of downtown Seoul, one sees endless cards and coupons advertising loans scattered on the ground. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, as the demand for loans in South Korea has exploded, lax lending policies have led to a rapid increase in personal debt.
According to the South Korean Central Bank's "Monetary Credit Policy Report," household debt reached 105% of GDP in the first quarter of this year, equivalent to approximately $1.5 trillion at the end of March, with a major share tied up in home mortgages.
Average home loans are equivalent to 270% of annual income.
One reason behind the debts is the soaring housing prices. In Seoul, home to nearly half of the country's population, housing prices are now among the highest in the world. The price to income ratio (PIR), which weighs the average price of a home to the average annual household income, is 12.04 in Seoul, compared to 8.4 in San Francisco, 8.2 in London and 5.4 in New York.
According to the Korea Real Estate Commission, 42.1% of all home purchases in January 2021 were by young Koreans in their 20s and 30s. For those in their 30s, the average amount borrowed is equivalent to 270% of their annual income.
Playing the stock market
At the same time, the South Korean stock market is booming. The increased demand to buy stocks has led to an increase in other loans such as credit. The ratio for Korean shareholders conducting credit financing, i.e. borrowing from securities companies to secure stock holdings, had reached 21.4 trillion won ($17.7 billion), further increasing the indebtedness of households.
A 30-year-old Seoul office worker who bought stocks through various forms of borrowing was interviewed by Reuters this year, and said he was "very foolish not to take advantage of the rebound."
In addition to his 100 million won ($84,000) overdraft account, he also took out a 100 million won loan against his house in Seoul, and a 50 million won stock pledge. All of these demands on the stock market have further exacerbated the problem of household debt.
42.1% of all home purchases in January 2021 were by young Koreans in their 20s and 30s
Game of survival
In response to the accumulating financial risks, the Bank of Korea has restricted the release of loans and has announced its first interest rate hike in three years at the end of August.
But experts believe that even if banks cut loans or raise interest rates, those who need money will look for other ways to borrow, often turning to more costly institutions and mechanisms.
This all risks leading to what one can call a "debt trap," one loan piling on top of another. That brings us back to the plot of
Squid Game, "Either you live or I do." South Korean society has turned into a game of survival. Death & Debt: More French Heirs Renounce Succession Of ... › The Ancient Art Of Debt Relief, A Brief History - Worldcrunch › South Korea Owes Iran Billions But Won't Cough Up The Cash ... › expresslyinternational daily newsletter! | 5,189 | 2,605 | 10,156.894818 |
warc | 202143 | Now in the medical profession, the experts have introduced a lot of plastic or else called cosmetic operation. For every sort of irregular body part, you can do the operation and fix it. You can classify the medical profession into various types; this cosmetic operation profession is specially studied by doctors for making the human being’s body parts beautiful.
Some people are losing their body shape because of eating junk foods and a lot of fatty instant foods. Due to these people are getting a lot of unnecessary tissues at the body parts. For these sorts of reasons too, people can do cosmetic operations, apart from these, generally, babies have born not having the lips in perfect shape, or else not having the ears at the perfect body shape.
Due to this when the baby started to grow, they will face difficulties in this society. People who are with them will make fun of their appearance and apart from that, they can’t able to speak or else ear normally as other people do.
Why Otoplasty?
When you clear these difficulties you can also act normally as other people do, no one can able to make fun of you. You can get your normal appearance because of this cosmetic operation. So when you loved one or else your babies are suffering from not having properly shaped ears you can help them with suggesting the
Otoplasty in Punjab.
This therapy is famous for making the ears normal shape plus it also helps to hear things. When you think the cost of the therapy will cost high when related to the normal therapy at the hospitals, and then it is not the truth.
Is it Cost-effective therapy?
As per the patient preference, the experts are doing this
Otoplasty in Punjab within their budget. After undergoing this therapy you will able to hear all the sounds accurately without any difficulties. People who have been bothering about the far ears stick from your head can cure the injury and the recovery period of this therapy will not take long period. What are the things to remember?
When comparing to other major surgeries,
Otoplasty in Punjab only takes a shorter time. When you find out that your ears are sick and far from your head at your childhood age, then you should do within the age of 5. The age 3 is correct for this therapy, the main reason is, and most probably the ears of the human being will reach their full growth at the age 5.
So after doing the therapy will be difficult when it reached full growth. So, when your kid is born with prominent ears you no more to worry about that. The experts at the cosmetic operation will split the ears makes it near to the head of the baby.
After completing the surgery it will get swollen for some days, plus day by day it will reduce. For some weeks after the operation, you should completely take care of your babies, if they got infected with the water or else with some other thing it will be difficult for both the baby and for the doctors to cure it. | 2,949 | 1,324 | 6,512.746224 |
warc | 202143 | Richard Cuthbert (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, UK) and colleagues have written in the journal
Bird Conservation International on the plight of a suite of burrowing petrels on Gough Island in the South Atlantic thought due to the introduced House Mice Mus musculus. One of the affected species is the ACAP-listed Grey Petrel Procellaria cinerea.
The paper’s abstract follows:
“The predatory behaviour of introduced house mice
Mus musculus at Gough Island is known to impact on albatross and petrels, resulting in the Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena and Atlantic Petrel P terodroma incerta being listed as “Critically Endangered” and “Endangered”, respectively. Although predation has been documented for two burrowing petrels and one albatross species, the impact of house mice on other burrowing petrels on Gough Island is unknown. We report burrow occupancy and breeding success of Atlantic Petrels, Soft-plumaged Petrels P terodroma mollis, Broad-billed Prions Pachyptila vittata, Grey Petrels Procellaria cinerea and Great Shearwaters Puffinus gravis. With the exception of the Great Shearwater, breeding parameters of burrowing petrels at Gough Island were very poor, with low burrow occupancy (range 4–42%) and low breeding success (0–44%) for four species, and high rates of chick mortality in Atlantic Petrel burrows. Breeding success decreased with mass, suggesting that smaller species are hardest hit, and winter-breeding species had lower breeding success than summer breeders. The results indicate that introduced house mice are having a detrimental impact on a wider range of species than previously recorded and are likely to be causing population declines among most burrowing petrels on Gough Island. The very low values of burrow occupancy recorded for Soft-plumaged Petrels and Broad-billed Prions and greatly reduced abundance of burrowing petrels in comparison to earlier decades indicate that Gough Island’s formerly abundant petrel populations are greatly threatened by the impact of predatory house mice which can only be halted by the eradication of this species from the island.”
A Grey Petrel in its burrow on Gough Island
Photograph by Kalinka Rexer-Huber
Reference:
Cuthbert, R.J., Louw, H., Lurling, J., Parker, G., Rexer-Huber, K., Sommer, E., Visser, P. & Ryan, P.G. 2013. Low burrow occupancy and breeding success of burrowing petrels at Gough Island: a consequence of mouse predation.
Bird Conservation International doi.org/10.1017/S0959270912000494. | 2,564 | 1,207 | 5,317.060481 |
warc | 202143 | Last month I reported on an attack on the village of Nyakiele by soldiers loyal to the ex-PARECO deserter Col. Kifaru. Here are more details about the incident:
The official count of women that were raped in this incident stands at 163, from the three villages of Nyakiele, Kanguli, and Abala, north of Fizi Centre. Numerous groups, from Arche d’Alliance to CCAP to MSF, have arrived to provide assistance to survivors. However, according to some of my sources who have made several visits to Nyakiele since the incident, the humanitarian situation in the Nyakiele-Kanguli-Abala area is generally appalling and will require a lot more than just emergency aid.
Arche d’Alliance has reported that 72 households in the tri-village area have been “broken” due to the mass rape. That is to say, the survivor in the family has been ostracized by her husband and banned from the marriage bed and possibly the household itself. This demonstrates the far-reaching social consequences of sexual violence in the Congo. At the moment, a team from CCAP is present in the area working on family mediation and reconciliation.
On July 7
th, Col. Kifaru and around 200 of his troops arrived at the bracage center in Luberizi (in the Ruzizi Plain, in Uvira Territory) and have been there ever since. They have refused to give up their arms, and so far no action has been taken against them. According to a source very close to the investigation, the Congolese government has no interest in arresting or prosecuting Col. Kifaru, as they think it will mean an end to credibility of the bracage process and reconciliation with rebel groups. In what is possibly part of a strategy to discredit the survivors, word is floating around the Congolese government that the mass rape incident in/around Nyakiele was either grossly exaggerated or invented entirely by aid groups and NGOs in order to get more funding.
And so, Quo Vadis, Domine?
Posted By WALTER JAMES
Posted Jul 15th, 2011 | 1,988 | 1,065 | 3,656.8 |
warc | 202143 | Stalking
To effectively stalk wild game, stealth is the name of the game. A hunter must move slowly and methodically, carrying a minimum of gear to remain as silent as possible. For hunting most species, a stalker must “play the wind” by making sure to stay downwind from the prey at all times. This may require circling the quarry at a long distance while always keeping a low profile, preferably entirely out of sight of the animal(s).
When suitably downwind, a hunter may need to close the distance to the target animal by slowly moving nearer, using whatever cover and concealment may be available. This can be a painstaking process that takes hours, and it’s not always successful. After all, wild animals are wild and prone to wander off or take flight before the stalk is complete. But for most hunters, a successful stalk is immensely rewarding.
Once in position to shoot, a hunter needs a steady rest to make an accurate shot. Unfortunately, bulky tripods and walking sticks can spoil a good stalk, so lightweight, compact solutions are best. | 1,071 | 612 | 1,839.25 |
warc | 202143 | Hello! I’m Iona. I'm an Eco-Maternity Consultant and Greenproofer. My pronouns are she/her. I'm a proud first-generation Chinese Canadian, and I am thankful to live and work on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I'm also a mom to two amazing young boys.
My mission is to help people make smart, informed choices about what they put into and on their bodies and in their home / workplace environments.
I make a line of handmade natural home and body care products. I also offer greenproofing services to help create cleaner, greener homes and workplaces. You'll also often find me doing DIY and eco-living workshops and presentations.
How I Got Started:
When I became a mom a few years ago, I wanted to do my best to create a healthy environment for my son.
After working in the environmental and sustainability fields for more than 15 years, I knew conventional products contain many more harmful chemicals than we are led on to believe.
When I dove deeper into the ocean of information, I was bombarded by conflicting evidence. I knew there must be other parents interested in natural living, but are also overwhelmed.
With my training in eco-maternity consulting / greenproofing, and in aromatherapy, I am now proud to help individuals and families achieve their health goals.
I have helped people find answers to all sorts of questions - from how to clean the air inside their homes, to how to choose safe skincare and cleaning products.
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Testimonials page to read how I have helped others like you! | 1,704 | 962 | 2,864.2079 |
warc | 202143 | Daniel Pérez had a transformative experience as a Nativity student. Today he leads their national coalition of schools.
In no small way, the absence of girls at Nativity Mission Center in lower Manhattan dampened Daniel Pérez’s interest in enrolling. On top of that, he would have to stay at school until later in the day—4 or 5 p.m. At the Catholic school he had been attending since kindergarten, he was released at 2:30 p.m. And yes, unlike at Nativity, there were girls there.
That’s not to mention the seven weeks of summer camp students attended to teach them independence and to keep them out of trouble over the break. Mr. Pérez, a New Yorker by birth, had no interest in leaving the city for the wilderness—and certainly not for that much time.
Mr. Pérez is now the executive director of the NativityMiguel Coalition, a national network of faith-based schools.
Still, his friends who began attending Nativity as sixth graders wouldn’t stop talking about it. So his parents enrolled him in what was then called the Brother Lawrence program, a special process for new applicants. Every Saturday, from October through April, applicants would go to Nativity for a couple hours for math lessons, to read books as a group and to socialize. The program gave both prospective students and teachers the chance to evaluate each other. Mr. Pérez was invited to camp that summer and enrolled in the school as a seventh grader shortly thereafter.
“Looking back at it, I would say it’s the transformative experience of my life,” Mr. Pérez told
America of spending seventh and eighth grade at Nativity. “The Nativity model provides students and families a second home, and in some cases, a first home.”
The Jesuit-run middle school, which serves immigrant and generationally impoverished communities, would open at 7:15 a.m. and have breakfast available. Students were in class from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., with study hall going until 4:30 p.m. Students could also return at 6 p.m. to study at the school for a couple of more hours, as needed.
For many of the students, the camp was the first time they had been hiking and where they learned how to swim. “It was the first time being away from our families for that long, doing our own laundry and making our own beds,” Mr. Pérez said. “There were a lot of learning experiences that, as a student, you’re like ‘Oh, why do we have to do this?’ But as an adult, you realize how impactful they were for your growth.”
Mr. Pérez went on to Xavier High School in New York. As a sophomore, he became the receptionist at Nativity, a position the school offers to alumni so they can stay involved in the community. That is part of the graduate support program, through which the school helps students navigate high school and college applications and offers financial support.
Mr. Pérez then went to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. He became a big brother when a Nativity school opened in the area, and he invited his Holy Cross friends to participate.
“Our schools are successful because we’re a community. It is beyond just academic proficiency and growth.”
“It was exciting to see a new school started in Worcester and in the city that I was in, but also it is a bit daunting to kind of start the tradition of a Nativity school, primarily because there is no history there,” Mr. Pérez said, explaining that Nativity had already operated in New York for decades before he enrolled.
When he was at Nativity in New York, alumni would come back to his school, play basketball with the students and share their experiences of high school and college. But Worcester students could not count on alumni yet. It was difficult to implement a study hall, uniforms and an extended day.
“I would hear the students complain here and there,” he said. “But it was a great experience because you could see the program working. The first couple of months, the students had a hard time interacting. But they became more comfortable and confident in the system.”
The small setting creates a community that is like a second family, and the school becomes like a second home.
The program in Worcester has continued for the last 15 years and is flourishing, Mr. Pérez said.
“It just speaks to the beauty of the model itself of the small classroom, small school,” he said. The small setting creates a community that is like a second family, he said, and the school becomes like a second home.
After his bachelor’s degree, Mr. Pérez received his master’s from Fordham University. He served as teacher, counselor and then principal of Nativity Mission School in New York, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this September. He then became the principal of St. Aloysius School in Harlem until it closed, and then served as assistant principal for academics of LaSalle Academy.
Mr. Pérez, 37, is now the executive director of the NativityMiguel Coalition, a national network of faith-based schools that follow the Nativity model for helping children prepare for rigorous high school curricula. The coalition of 49 schools brings together Nativity and San Miguel Schools, which were founded by the Christian Brothers. Episcopal schools and centers run by religious sisters are also part of the network. Jack Podsiadlo, S.J., who spent decades serving at the Nativity Mission Center in New York, was a key figure in establishing the network.
Typically, students at these schools qualify for the federal reduced lunch program. Students often come from immigrant families or from generationally impoverished communities, Mr. Pérez said, noting that 46 percent of students are Latino and 40 percent are black. His parents, Gildardo and Carmen, immigrated to New York from Mexico in the 1970s.
“I was fortunate to have parents who regarded education as a top priority,” said Mr. Pérez, the second of three children in his family. “And you probably would hear this a lot in many of our Nativity schools.”
In addition to academics, Mr. Pérez said the schools develop students’ character. “It is a time where they develop and get a sense of who they are and what they’re capable of,” he said. “And I’ll speak from experience: It was a time for me to, like, really be myself. I never felt as if I had to conform to a certain way. Yes, I had to conform to the uniform and to, you know, the going down the stairs quietly or sitting in rows. But, you know, the teachers and the faculty and someone like Father Jack [Podsiadlo] were never asking us to be something we were not.”
That, according to Mr. Pérez, helps explain why the model is successful. “Our schools are successful because we’re a community. It is beyond just academic proficiency and growth,” he said, noting that Father Podsiadlo spoke Spanish and Masses at his school were bilingual.
“The small size allows for much more interpersonal relationships with families, and you’re with them for sometimes four years, maybe even five,” Mr. Pérez said. “What we do highlights, celebrates and uplifts the communities in which we find ourselves serving. It is much more about who you are as an individual and who your family is and what they want.” | 7,480 | 3,236 | 16,455.537701 |
warc | 202143 | Home|About us|Editorial Board|Search|Ahead of print|Current Issue|Archives|Submission|Subscribe|Advertise|Contact|Reader LoginUsers online:1564InstructionsSearchMy preferencesExport selected toEndnoteReference ManagerProciteMedlars FormatRefWorks FormatBibTex FormatAccess statistics : Table of Contents2021| January-March | Volume 24 | Issue 1Online sinceJanuary 22, 2021ArchivesPrevious IssueNext IssueMost popular articlesMost cited articlesHide all abstractsShow selected abstractsExport selected toViewedPDFCitedREVIEW ARTICLEPRO: The pulmonary artery catheter has a paramount role in current clinical practiceChristian Szabo, Maria Betances-Fernandez, Jose R Navas-Blanco, Raj K ModakJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):4-7DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_125_19PMID:33938823Ever since its clinical introduction, the utilization of the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) has been surrounded by multiple controversies, mostly related to imprecise clinical indications and the complications derived from its placement. Currently, one of the most important criticisms of the PAC is the ambiguity in the interpretation of its hemodynamic measurements and therefore, in the translation of this data into specific therapeutic interventions. The popularity of the PAC stems from the fact that it provides hemodynamic data that cannot be obtained from clinical examination. The assumption is that this information would allow better understanding of the individual's hemodynamic profile which would trigger therapeutic interventions that improve patient outcomes. Nevertheless, even with the current diversity of hemodynamic devices available, the PAC remains a valuable tool in a wide variety of clinical settings. The authors present a review exposing the benefits of the PAC, current clinical recommendations for its use, mortality and survival profile, its role in goal-directed therapy, and other applications of the PAC beyond cardiac surgery and the intensive care unit.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]4,670175-ORIGINAL ARTICLESThe synergistic effect of tranexamic acid and ethamsylate combination on blood loss in pediatric cardiac surgeryIbrahim I. Abd El Baser, Hanaa M ElBendary, Ahmad ElDerieJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):17-23DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_84_19PMID:33938826Background:Pediatric patients are at risk for bleeding after cardiac surgery. Administration of antifibrinolytic agents reduces postoperative blood loss.Objective:Evaluation of the efficacy of combined administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) and ethamsylate in the reduction of postoperative blood loss in pediatric cardiac surgery.Methods:This prospective randomized study included 126 children submitted for cardiac surgery, and they were allocated into three groups: control group (n= 42); TXA group (n= 42):- received only TXA; and combined ethamsylate TXA group (n= 42):- received a combination of TXA and ethamsylate. The main collected data included sternal closure time, the needs for intraoperative transfusion of blood and its products, the total amount of blood loss, and the amount of the whole blood and its products transfused to the patients in the first 24 postoperative hours.Results:Blood loss volume in the first 24 postoperative hours was significantly smaller in combined group than the TXA and control groups and was significantly smaller in the TXA group than the control group. The sternal closure time was significantly shorter in the combined group than the other 2 groups and significantly shorter in TXA than the control group. The amount of whole blood transfused to patients in the combined group during surgery and in the first postoperative 24 h was significantly smaller than the other 2 groups and smaller in TXA group than the control group during surgery.Conclusion:Combined administration of ethamsylate and TXA in pediatric cardiac surgery was more effective in reducing postoperative blood loss and whole blood transfusion requirements than the administration of TXA alone.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]3,903130-EDITORIALPulmonary artery catheter – Dilemma is still on?Manjula Sarkar, Sanjeeta UmbarkarJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):1-3DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_185_19PMID:33938822[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]3,346131-REVIEW ARTICLECON: Pulmonary artery catheter use should be forgone in modern clinical practiceJose R Navas-Blanco, Ashwin Vaidyanathan, Paula Trigo Blanco, Raj K ModakJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):8-11DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_126_19PMID:33938824The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) and its role in the practice of modern medicine remains to be questioned and has experienced a substantial decline in its use in the most recent decades. The complications associated to its use, the lack of consistency of the interpretation provided by the PAC among clinicians, the development of new hemodynamic methods, and the deleterious cost profile associated to the PAC are some of the reasons behind the decrease in its use. Since its introduction into clinical practice, the PAC and the data obtained from its use became paramount in the management of critically ill patients as well as for the high-risk/invasive procedures. Initially, many clinicians were under the impression that regardless the clinical setting, acquiring the information provided by the PAC justified its use, until a growing body of evidence demonstrated its lack of mortality and morbidity improvement, as well as several reports of the presence of difficulties—some of them fatal—during its insertion. The authors present an updated review discussing the futility of the PAC in current clinical practice, the complications associated to its insertion, the lack of mortality benefit in critically ill patients and cardiac surgery, as well as present alternative hemodynamic methods to the PAC.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]3,256121-ORIGINAL ARTICLESComparison of thromboelastography with routine laboratory coagulation parameters to assess the hemostatic profile and prognosticate postoperative critically ill patientsAmrita Bhattacharyya, Prabhat Tewari, Devendra GuptaJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):12-16DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_162_19PMID:33938825Background:Patients undergoing surgery often demonstrate coagulopathy. Usually, this derangement in coagulation is assessed by the laboratory based evaluation of blood samples. However, collection of samples, their transportation to the lab, and the analyses can result in several errors and as such these tests may not be representative of the complete coagulation process. In our study, we compared the lab coagulation parameters with the point of care TEG indices and attempted to compare the outcome prediction of our patients based on the TEG indices and the various practiced ICU scores.Methods:A prospective, observational study was conducted between May 2014 and May 2015. Fifty adult patients who had undergone noncardiac surgery and had developed new onset 2 or more than 2 system involvement in the postoperative period were enrolled in the study. They were sampled simultaneously for lab coagulation parameters (PT, APTT, INR, fibrinogen, and platelet count) and TEG on days 1, 3, and 5 post admission.Results:There were significant differences between TEG and lab coagulation parameters on day 1 of the study 1 (P= 0.004) but not on days 3 and 5. On days 1 and 3 of our study, the ICU scores (SOFA and APACHE II) were significantly higher in the group with deranged TEG parameters (P= 0.003, 0.02). The patient subpopulation with deranged TEG parameters had significantly higher mortality at median survival time (P= 0.014). Such a difference was not found in patients with higher ICU scores or deranged lab coagulation times. We constructed a ROC curve and arrived at a cutoff value of the reaction time to predict the median survival day mortality.Conclusions:The agreement between TEG and conventional lab parameters remains poor but the TEG parameters seem to be more deranged in sicker patients. As the relationship between the overall severity of illness and derangement in the hemostatic system has been well explored in medical literature, TEG may be a more appropriate modality in such patients.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]3,072125-Comparison of ringer's lactate and plasmalyt-a as cardiopulmonary bypass prime for bypass associated acidosis in valve replacement surgeriesSandill Surabhi, Meenakshi KumarJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):36-41DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_104_19PMID:33938829Introduction:A wide range of acid base fluctuations are seen during Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the development of metabolic acidosis is well recognized. We conducted a study tocompare the metabolic effects of Ringer lactate and Plasmalyte-A as CPB prime in causing bypass associated acidosis in valve replacement surgeries.Methods:We performed a prospective, randomized controlled study on a total of 80 adult patients undergoing CPB for valvular heart surgeries. The patients were randomized into two groups: Group I (Ringer Lactate) and Group II (Plasmalyte-A). Arterial blood samples were taken before initiating CPB, 30 minutes after starting CPB, then every half hourly till termination of CPB and after half an hour stay in the ICU post operatively to analyze primarily H+ ions, bicarbonates, lactate and strong ion difference.Results and Discussion:The results were analyzed in a quantitative manner. In Ringer Lactate group, during CPB, there was reduction in pH from 7.428 ± 0.029 at T1 to 7.335 ± 0.06 (P< 0.01) and 7.358 ± 0.06 (P< 0.01) at T2 and T3 respectively. Mean bicarbonates decreased in Ringer Lactate group during CPB from 24.28 ± 1.65 mEq/L at T1 to 20.98 ± 2.97 mEq/L at T2 (P< 0.01). In Plasmalyte-A group, mean pH, bicarbonate, strong ion difference (SID) were comparable at all time intervals (P> 0.05). In Ringer Lactate group, maximum surge in mean blood lactate levels was seen from 0.85 ± 0.35 mmol/l at T1 to 4.29 ± 1.78 mmol/L (P< 0.01) and 4.17 ± 1.28 mmol/L (P< 0.01) at T2 and T3, respectively. Such surge was not seen in Plasmalyte-A group. The mean SID decreased during the CPB in Ringer Lactate group from 41.102 mEq/L at T1 to 35.66 mEq/L (P= 0.033) at T2 implying metabolic acidosis. Numbered patients having hypotension and arrhythmias were also higher in Ringer Lactate group again indicating higher acidosis.Conclusion:The different composition of Plasmalyte-A and Ringer Lactate have different metabolic implications for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients who received Plasmalyte-A as cardiopulmonary bypass prime developed less metabolic acidosis. Hence we conclude that Plasmalyte-A is the preferred cardiopulmonary bypass prime in adult patients undergoing valve replacement surgeries.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]1,677118-The Glenn procedure: Clinical outcomes in patients with congenital heart disease in pakistanMuhammad Tariq, Ibrahim Zahid, Shiraz Hashmi, Muneer Amanullah, Syed ShahabuddinJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):30-35DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_85_19PMID:33938828Objectives:Congenital heart defects (CHDs) affect more than 40,000 children annually in Pakistan. Approximately 80' of patients require at least one surgical intervention to achieve a complete or palliative cardiac repair. The Glenn shunt, a palliative procedure is established between superior vena cava (SVC) and the right pulmonary artery to provide an anastomosis offering minimal risk to patients with univentricular heart disease. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes of the Glenn shunt procedure in patients with complex congenital heart diseases in a developing country like Pakistan.Materials and Methods:A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who underwent a bidirectional Glenn shunt procedure from July 2006 to June 2017. Data were collected on a structured questionnaire and analyses performed on SPSS version 22. Frequencies and percentages were computed for categorical variables while mean and standard deviation for continuous variables where appropriate.Results:A total of 79 patients underwent the Glenn shunt procedures. The median age was 1.9 years and 54.5' were male. Tricuspid atresia was the primary diagnosis in 30.4' of the patients. Common morbidities included arrhythmias (6.3'), pleural effusion (8.9'), wound infection (3.8'), pneumonia (2.5'), and seizures (3.8'); reopening was required in 2.5' of the patients and 8.8' were readmitted within 30 days of index operation. There were three (3.8') deaths in total.Conclusions:Bidirectional Glenn shunt procedure can be performed safely in patients with ideal characteristics as the first stage palliation and has favorable results with acceptable rate of complications.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]1,470104-Efficacy of paravertebral block in “Fast-tracking” pediatric cardiac surgery - Experiences from a tertiary care centerRaj Sahajanandan, AV Varsha, D Sathish Kumar, Balaji Kuppusamy, Sathappan Karuppiah, Vinayak Shukla, Roy ThankachenJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):24-29DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_83_19PMID:33938827Introduction:Fast tracking plays a crucial role in reducing perioperative morbidity and financial burden by facilitating early extubation and discharge from hospital. Paravertebral block (PVB) is becoming more popular in paediatric surgeries as an alternative to epidural and caudal analgesia. There is scarcity of data regarding the efficacy and safety of PVB in paediatric cardiac surgery.Methods:We performed a review of records of paediatric cardiac patients who underwent cardiac surgery under general anaesthesia with single shot PVB and compared the analgesia and postoperative outcomes with matched historical controls who underwent cardiac surgery with same anaesthesia protocol without PVB.Results:The data from 200 children were analysed. 100 children who received paravertebral block were compared with a matched historical controls. The median time to extubation was shorter in the PVB group (0 hr, IQR 0-3 hrs) compared to the control group (16 hrs, IQR 4-20 hrs) (Pvalue 0.017*). Intraoperative and postoperative fentanyl requirement was much lower in the PVB group (3.49 (0.91)) compared to the control group (9.86 (1.37))Pvalue <0.01*. Time to first rescue dose of analgesic was longer (7 hrs vs 5 hrs,P0.01*), while time to extubation and duration of ICU stay were significantly less in PVB group . Mean postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the PVB group at the time of ICU admission (0.85 vs 3.12,P0.001*) till 4 hours (2.11 vs 3.32,P0.001*).Conclusion:PVB provides an effective and safe anaesthetic approach which can form an important component of “fast-track” care in paediatric cardiac surgery.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][PubMed]1,216127-CASE REPORTSExternal tracheal manipulation for bronchial blocker placement in children undergoing thoracic surgery requiring one lung ventilation: A case reportRavish Kapoor, Pascal Owusu- Agyemang, Dilip R Thakar, Jagtar Singh HeirJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):105-107DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_56_19PMID:33938846Limited options exist for pediatric one lung ventilation (OLV). Compared to adults, pediatric OLV can be more challenging due to physiological/anatomical differences, various pathologies, and size limitations of lung isolation devices. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy can be harder due to the restricted tube sizes through which bronchial blockers (BB) and scopes can appropriately fit, while providing adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Recent literature is sparse concerning facilitation of BB placement in children. A 2-, 8-, and 10-year-old presented for thoracic surgeries requiring OLV. External tracheal manipulation (ETM) facilitated BB placement in each case and can potentially offer unique advantages in pediatric OLV.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]98858-ORIGINAL ARTICLESSmoking behavior after coronary artery bypass surgery: Quit, relapse, continuingFotini Ampatzidou, Rafail Ioannidis, Odysseas Drosos, Charisios Mavromanolis, Athanasia Vlahou, George DrossosJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):56-61DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_63_19PMID:33938833Objective:Tobacco smoking represents a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. Our study aimed to investigate whether Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) surgery could act as a motivating factor to enforce smoking cessation. Specifically, we observed the success rate in individuals who quitted smoking, along with the number and reasons of relapse(s) at least one year after the operation.Methods:The pre-operative characteristics, pre-operative tobacco exposure, socioeconomic factors and perioperative complications in patients who underwent isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery in our Department from June 2012 to September 2016 were reviewed. Our survey was conducted via phone interview and using a standardized questionnaire. Only patients who were current smokers at the time of surgery were interviewed.Results:Our study group consisted of a total of 120 patients, 91 (75.8') reported initially quitting tobacco smoking. Because of relapse(s), one year after the procedure the number of patients who were still non-smokers dropped to 69 (57.5'). Smoking cessation attempts were not supported by professional assistance.Conclusions:Our findings demonstrate that there is a desire from CABG patients to quit smoking, as indicated by the high percentage of initial attempts in early postoperative period. However, a year after the procedure, only 57.5' of CABG patients were able to achieve or maintain smoking cessation. Patients who were retired or who were unemployed at the time of the surgery, found it easier to stop smoking than patients who were active employees. Patients who lived alone at the time of surgery also found it harder to stop smoking. Finally, patients with COPD also found quitting smoking harder in the post-operative period.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][PubMed]91463-Comparative evaluation of propofol and combination of propofol-dexmedetomidine in adjunct with topical airway anesthesia for rigid bronchoscopy: A randomized double-blinded prospective studyMekhla Paul, Amit Rastogi, Arindam Chatterje, Aarti Agarwal, Prabhaker Mishra, Ajmal KhanJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):49-55DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_45_19PMID:33938832Context:Rigid bronchoscopy (RB) procedures require continuous vigilance and monitoring. Such procedures warrant proper ventilation strategy and titration of potent short-acting anesthetics.Aims:To compare propofol with the propofol-dexmedetomidine in conjunction with topical airway anesthesia in two groups during spontaneous assisted ventilation on peri-procedural hemodynamic stability.Settings and Design:This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study was done on 40 patients who were randomized in two groups, 20 patients in each group; PS (Propofol+ Normal saline) and PD (Propofol+ Dexmedetomidine) group. All patients in both groups were induced with 1' IV propofol (1–3 mg/kg), IV midazolam (0.05 mg/kg), and IV fentanyl (2 μ/kg). PS group received propofol infusion for maintenance along with saline infusion 10 min before induction, whereas PD group also received propofol infusion for maintenance along with Injection dexmedetomidine infusion 10 min before induction. Outcome measured were heart rate (HR), mean blood pressure (MBP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and post-procedure awakening using Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (MOAAS) scale and complications.Results:In both the groups, MBP decreased significantly from baseline, however, when MBP were compared at the same time points between the groups there were no significant differences. In PD group, HR remained significantly lower when compared with baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 min time points when compared with PS group. Number of patients who developed hypotension requiring vasoactive drugs, their mean dose and duration of hypotension were more in PD group, and they awoke with significant delay.Conclusions:Propofol is better than combination of propofol and dexmedetomidine when given in adjunct with topical airway anesthesia for RB in view of early awakening, lesser duration of intra-procedural hypotension, and lesser requirement of vasoactive agents.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]86663-Comparison of different size left-sided double-lumen tubes for thoracic surgeryRaisa D Nguyen, Lakshmi N Kurnutala, Michelle A Tucci, Bryan J HierlmeierJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):42-46DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_93_19PMID:33938830Study Objective:The aim of this study is to see if there are any clinical differences between using 35 F DLT for all patients versus using patient height regardless of gender to estimate appropriate DLT size.Design:Prospective randomized study.Setting:University Hospital.Patients:50 patients age ≤18 years, undergoing lung or esophageal surgery requiring OLV.Interventions:Patients randomized to two groups (group-35F, group –DLT based on height).Measurements and Main Results:Data collected include demographics, ASA status, airway assessment, number of intubation attempts, Cormack-Lehane grade, number of times DLT repositioned, incidence of sore throat, oxygen saturation at induction and oxygen saturation at 5 minutes and 10 minutes after OLV. There was no statistically significant difference in demographics, ASA classification, Mallampati score, number of intubation attempts, Cormack-Lehane grade, number of times DLT was repositioned, and incidence of sore throat. In height based DLT group the odds were higher for the incidence of sore throat in 37-41 F group. Oxygen saturation at induction, 5 minutes and 10 minutes after OLV are not statistically significant between the two groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the majority of patients receive unnecessarily large DLTs for thoracic surgery, which not only makes intubation inherently more difficult but also increases their risk of postoperative sore throat.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]84378-CASE REPORTSIntestinal mucormycosis in an adult with H1N1 pneumonia on extracorporeal membrane oxygenationGJ Himaal Dev, Pradeep M Venkategowda, Anand R Sutar, V ShankarJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):92-94DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_1_20PMID:33938842Gastrointestinal mucormycosis involving ileum is a very rare phenomenon. We present a case of 52-year-old male, known case of diabetes mellitus requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for H1N1 pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The patient had small bowel obstruction with impending perforation requiring emergency bowel resection and ileostomy. The resected bowel segment histopathology showed mucormycosis. He was treated with conventional Amphotericin-B and later changed to Posaconazole. The patient responded very well and was gradually weaned from ventilator and successfully discharged home. This case report highlights rare site of mucormycosis. Early diagnosis and timely intervention can reduce mortality.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]76093-Diagnostic challenges with transesophageal echocardiography for intraoperative iatrogenic aortic dissection: Role of epiaortic ultrasoundDaniel Rhoades, Sudhakar SubramaniJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):83-86DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_4_19PMID:33938839Iatrogenic aortic dissection is a rare and serious complication of cardiac surgery with an incidence between 0.12' and 0.16'. Dissections involving an intimal flap can be detected using trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) with a sensitivity of 94'–100' and specificity of 77'–100'. Rarely, dissections can occur that are not detectable by TEE. There have been reports of iatrogenic dissection in the ascending aortic cannulation site; however, a dissection at the antegrade cardioplegia cannulation site is very rare. It also presents challenges associated with early diagnosis and appropriate intervention. We are describing a rare case of aortic dissection at the antegrade cardioplegia cannulation site in the proximal ascending aorta. The dissection was unable to be visualized with TEE initially, and required epi-aortic ultrasound to diagnose dissection in timely manner.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]73879-INTERESTING IMAGESWindsock deformity of submitral left ventricular aneurysm communicating into left atrium – role of transesophageal echocardiographySubash Sundar Singh, Vijay Thomas Cherian, Shaji PalangadanJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):72-74DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_81_19PMID:33938835Submitral left ventricular aneurysm (SMLA) is a rare condition. We report here a 38-year-old male patient, presented with mitral regurgitation and features of congestive cardiac failure (CCF) with New York Heart Association (NYHA) function class III, diagnosed to have SMLA. We discuss here the etiology, types, clinical presentation, and management of SMLA and also the role of transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosis.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]70270-CASE REPORTSSuccessful medical management of fungal infective endocarditis post VSD closureKalla Krishna Prasad Gourav, Banashree Mandal, Anand Kumar Mishra, V Krishna Narayanan NayanarJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):95-98DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_33_19PMID:33938843Fungal infective endocarditis (IE) is uncommon in postoperative cardiac surgical patients. The fungal IE accounts for 1.3'–6.8' of all IE cases and is considered the most severe form with a mortality rate as high as 45'–50'. There are various predisposing factors for fungal IE which include congenital heart defects, cardiac interventions like pacemaker insertion, degenerative valvular heart diseases, long-term use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, and long-term use of central venous. Mortality can reach up to 100' without specific treatment. Definitive therapy necessitates surgical debridement of vegetations/mass/abscess followed by long-term treatment with antifungal agents in patients who have symptoms of heart failure despite optimum medical management. We, hereby, report a case of fungal IE which occurred after the closure of a ventricular septal defect and was treated successfully with liposomal amphotericin B.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]69475-Left atrial thrombus in a case of severe aortic stenosis with severe left ventricular dysfunction: An Incidental finding on transesophageal echocardiographyAanchal Dixit, Prabhat Tewari, Bipin ChandraJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):87-89DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_98_19PMID:33938840Left atrial thrombus in a patient with aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation in sinus rhythm is an infrequent finding and is most commonly associated with cases of mitral stenosis. This case report emphasizes upon the importance of suspecting the presence of left atrial thrombus in other valvular lesions when additional risk factors such as dilated left ventricle are present. The undeniable role of comprehensive perioperative transesophageal echocardiography is also depicted in this case report.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]67644-Right ventricular injury and pulmonary embolism: The perils of deep intramyocardial left anterior descending artery dissection in off-pump coronary artery bypass graftingBiswarup Purkayastha, Lalit Kapoor, Vikash Toshniwal, Devraj KumarJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):99-101DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_49_19PMID:33938844An inadvertent vent in the right ventricle (RV) resulted during dissection of a deep intramyocardial left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB), led to pulmonary artery air embolism and hemodynamic instability, requiring conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) prior to repair. This required a special maneuver in positioning the patient to identify the RV injury and prevent the pulmonary air embolism.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]65856-INTERESTING IMAGESParachute mitral valveNicholas Suraci, Howard Goldman, Diego Baruqui, Orlando SantanaJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):75-76DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_82_19PMID:33938836An asymptomatic 30-year-old male was referred for a transthoracic echocardiogram because of a systolic murmur that was noted on a pre-employment physical exam. Transthoracic imaging demonstrated a single papillary muscle from which the chordae of both mitral valve leaflets were attached. The mitral valve was seen to have a parachute-like configuration. Given the benign nature of the presentation, the patient did not seek further investigation.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]61447-ORIGINAL ARTICLESPreexisting right ventricular systolic dysfunction in high-risk patients undergoing non.emergent open abdominal surgery: A retrospective cohort studyJody Chou, Michael Ma, Maryte Gylys, Nicolas Salvatierra, Robert Kim, Barseghian Ailin, Joseph RinehartJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):62-71DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_46_19PMID:33938834Background:The prognostic value of right ventricular systolic dysfunction in high-risk patients undergoing non-emergent open abdominal surgery is unknown. Here, we aim to evaluate whether presence of preexisting right ventricular systolic dysfunction in this surgical cohort is independently associated with higher incidence of postoperative major adverse cardiac events and all-cause in-hospital mortality.Methods:This is a single-centered retrospective study. Patients identified as American Society Anesthesiology Classification III and IV who had a preoperative echocardiogram within 1 year of undergoing non-emergent open abdominal surgery between January 2010 and May 2017 were included in the study. Incidence of postoperative major cardiac adverse events and all-cause in-hospital mortality were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was performed in a step-wise manner to identify independent association between preexisting right ventricular systolic dysfunction with outcomes of interest.Results:Preexisting right ventricular systolic dysfunction was not associated with postoperative major adverse cardiac events (P= 0.26). However, there was a strong association between preexisting right ventricular systolic dysfunction and all-cause in-hospital mortality (P= 0.00094). After multivariate analysis, preexisting right ventricular systolic dysfunction continued to be an independent risk factor for all-cause in-hospital mortality with an odds ratio of 18.9 (95' CI: 1.8-201.7;P= 0.015).Conclusion:In this retrospective study of high-risk patients undergoing non-emergent open abdominal surgery, preexisting right ventricular systolic dysfunction was found to have a strong association with all-cause in-hospital mortality.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]61248-CASE REPORTSSurgical retrieval of broken, inflated angioplasty balloon catheter within intracoronary stent: A real emergencyHemant Digambar Waikar, Rajitha Desilva, Wasanthi Rathnayake, Chandrika Ponnamperuma, Anthonpillai RavikiranJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):111-113DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_2_20PMID:33938848A 54-year old, hypertensive female patient underwent percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) followed by stenting of calcified chronic totally occluded right coronary artery. The post dilation balloon catheter got stuck and snapped during manipulations in inflated position within the stent, which could not be retrieved by nonsurgical interventions. Emergency surgery was performed to retrieve the stent along with an inflated balloon, followed by vein patch closure of arteriotomy and reversed saphenous vein graft anastomosis to right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery on cardiopulmonary bypass.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]60059-INTERESTING IMAGESIncidentally found guidewire during bacterial endocarditis workupNicholas Suraci, Sofia A Horvath, Heather Barkin, Orlando SantanaJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):77-78DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_88_19PMID:33938837A 67-year-old female with recent hospitalization for pneumonia was transferred to our facility for high fevers and positive blood cultures for staph aureus. During her treatment for pneumonia, central venous catheter was placed. A systolic murmur was found in conjunction with fever and notable premature ventricular contractions on telemetry monitoring. Chest x-ray and transesophageal echocardiography were then performed, and a free guidewire was identified which was later successfully removed under interventional radiology.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]59243-CASE REPORTSAnaesthetic challenges in pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis – a rare disease treated with bilateral lung transplantation, first case from IndiaPradeep Kumar, Apar Jindal, Prabhat Dutta, Sandeep Attawar, Vijil RahulanJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):79-82DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_165_19PMID:33938838Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare autosomal recessive end stage lung condition characterized by widespread alveolar deposition of calcium microliths. It is worth emphasis india has reported 80 cases out of 1022 cases worldwide but there is no report on lung transplant and and anaesthetic management in this category of patient. This report present the anaesthetic challenge in management of first indian patient with the diagnosis of PAM, who underwent bilateral lung transplantation. Bilateral lung transplantation is one of the most challenging surgeries that require the care of a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist. Utilization of extracorporeal circulation has allowed a safer performance of this procedure in patients with severe cardiopulmonary compromise. Intraoperative management is a pivotal part of the patient's care, as it contributes to the patient's overall outcome.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]57559-Mitral kissing lesion with anterior mitral leaflet aneurysm in a childJavid Raja, Srawanthi Ponnuru, Baiju S Dharan, PR SuneelJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):108-110DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_123_19PMID:33938847Aortic valve endocarditis can lead to secondary involvement of aorto mitral curtain and the adjacent anterior mitral leaflet (AML). The secondary damage to AML is often caused by the infected diastolic jet of aortic regurgitation hitting the ventricular surface of the anterior mitral leaflet, or by the pronounced bacterial vegetation that prolapses from the aortic valve into the left ventricular outflow tract. This is called “kissing lesion”. We describe a case of infective endocarditis of aortic valve in a 13-year-old child causing secondary mitral valve involvement with AML perforation and aneurysm formation.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]57051-Right ventricular undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma: A case reportSadra Yadsar, Mahnaz Abavisani, Rasool Lakziyan, Zohreh SarchahiJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):102-104DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_53_19PMID:33938845In this paper, a case of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in a patient with right-sided heart failure has been explored. A 61-year-old woman complaining from cough and dyspnea for a week following indistinctive surgery on right buttock area with reported pathology of malignant undifferentiated tumor presented to the hospital. Laboratory results indicated negative TPi enzyme and D.dimer of 4127.81 mg/L. In transthoracic echocardiography, a mass filling the entire right ventricular space was observed. A resection surgery was performed and the pathology was reported as primary cardiac sarcoma.[ABSTRACT][FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]55055-COMMENTARIESIn response to “Left atrial thrombus in a case of severe aortic stenosis with severe left ventricular dysfunction: An incidental finding on transesophageal echocardiography”Prateek Arora, Praveen K NeemaJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):90-91DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_150_19PMID:33938841[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]54857-LETTERS TO THE EDITORSBronchoscopy examination of a patient with tracheobronchial injury having intractable cough: Role of sevoflurane sedation and paraoxygenationChinmaya K Panda, Habib M R Karim, Praveen K NeemaJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):121-123DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_182_19PMID:33938855[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]53258-CASE REPORTSPseudoaneurysm of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa in a patient with a history of bentall operationAli Hosseinsabet, Kyomars AbbasiJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):120-121DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_186_19PMID:33938854[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]51659-LETTERS TO THE EDITORSLessons from the frank-starling curveSummit D BloriaJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):118-119DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_29_20PMID:33938853[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]50257-Impact of simulator.based training on acquisition of transthoracic echocardiography skills in medical students- Medical students' perspectiveBenjamin Patterson, Edward AntramJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):116-117DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_194_20PMID:33938851[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]47252-Can central venous oxygen saturation replace arterial blood gas sampling in patients with end.stage renal failure having arteriovenous fistula?Rajinder Singh Rawat, Chandrashekhar Laxmanrao Mankar, Said Musallam Al MaashaniJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):123-124DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_40_19PMID:33938856[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]44054-COMMENTARIESPractice patterns of left-sided double-lumen tube: Does It match recommendation from literatureAmit RastogiJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):47-48DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_165_18PMID:33938831[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]44046-LETTERS TO THE EDITORSVelcro fastener to hold heavy cables and cords across the ether screenPallavi HoroJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):114-115DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_173_19PMID:33938849[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]41455-In the Internal thoracic artery, more diameter does not always mean more flowYoandy López de la CruzJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):125-126DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_118_20PMID:33938857[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]41639-In replyRoshith Chandran, Rupa Sreedhar, Shrinivas Gadhinglajkar, Prashat Kumar Dash, Jayakumar Karunakaran, Vivek PillaiJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):126-127DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_171_20PMID:33938858[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]38837-In ReplyConrad Hempel, Edwin Turton, Elham Hasheminejad, Carmine Bevilacqua, Gunther Hempel, Jörg Ender, Daisy RotzollJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):117-118DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_204_20PMID:33938852[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]37630-Therapeutic occlusion of the internal mammary arteries to relieve refractory anginaMarco PicichèJanuary-March 2021, 24(1):115-116DOI:10.4103/aca.ACA_124_19PMID:33938850[FULL TEXT][PDF][Mobile Full text][EPub][PubMed]00-Sitemap|Feedback|Disclaimer|What's New|©MedknowOnline since 5thJanuary, 2008 | 39,096 | 14,678 | 103,690.433574 |
warc | 202143 | As festival director of the Dubai Lynx, you are in a unique position where you get to view work from across the region. Can you shed some light on the trends you have seen in the work over the last few years in terms of both the portrayal and representation of women?
In 2019 we launched Glass: The Award for Change. The award recognizes work that implicitly or explicitly addresses issues of male or female gender inequality or prejudice, through the conscious representation of gender in advertising.
It is about ideas intended to change the world or work that sets out to positively impact ingrained gender inequality, imbalance, or injustice.
The jury awarded four pieces of work and they came from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Pakistan, so it was a good spread.
The Grand Prix went to J. Walter Thompson Riyadh for “Akhou Nora,” its campaign for Saudi Telecom Co. (STC), which built on the transformational year of 2018 where in Saudi Arabia restrictions on women eased and a decree was passed that allowed them to drive.
It reminded those opposed to change that the change was not new and that it was actually a woman – Princess Noura – who drove her brother to lay the foundations of the new Kingdom in 1902.
Our jury president in 2019, Candace Kuss, said that the work “celebrated a woman as the hero, rather than defending women as victims,” and I hope that is a trend that we will continue to see in the region – using and celebrating women as strong role models.
The Lynx has collaborated with the UN Women Unstereotype Alliance to implement new guidelines encouraging jury members to consider whether the work perpetuates negative stereotypes and inequalities. How is this actually implemented and what happens when a piece of work is indeed found to perpetuate negative stereotypes?
There has been a notable shift in attitudes toward gender representation across the region recently and it’s time to propel this forward, from the ground up. This is why we have partnered with the Unstereotype Alliance because it puts the issue of stereotypes at the heart of the creative process.
The guidelines are designed to encourage every jury member reviewing entries to consider whether the work perpetuates negative stereotypes and inequalities and they also support the festival’s commitment to encourage diversity and inclusion throughout the regional industry to impact the wider world.
We want our awards to champion inclusive, empowering, forward-thinking ideas, and these guidelines are about helping to ensure that the work honored at Dubai Lynx is admired not only for its creative brilliance but for its reflection of equality and tolerance in our region.
Are there any other measures that Dubai Lynx or Cannes Lions have implemented pertaining to this topic?
We’re really proud of our See It Be It initiative. It is an acceleration program designed for women working in the communications industry who face diversity challenges. It was established at Cannes Lions in 2014 and we’re delighted that we have been able to bring it to Dubai Lynx for women in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
It means that we can focus on the barriers and challenges specific to them and the region through tailored training, mentoring, and networking. For the women who make it into the program, it’s an experience that raises profiles, expands contacts, builds confidence, and accelerates them down the path to leadership.
What are some of your favorite pieces of work promoting gender equality and fair representation?
All of the 2019 shortlisted and winning work from Glass was so interesting … work such as “#SheDrives,” and the “Bridal Uniform.”
Over the next few weeks our juries are judging work from across the region. What they award will provide the new benchmark in creative excellence for MENA and put a spotlight on the work that is truly driving progress across society and business.
We’ll be announcing our winners in April and I’m looking forward to spending some time immersing myself in the latest work and seeing the real picture of how our region’s industry is tackling gender equality.
Rewriting gender stories isn’t just about fairly portraying women, but also men. What are your thoughts on this, and can you give any examples of work you have seen?
I would agree with this, and that’s why our Glass award focuses on issues of both male and female gender inequality. We need to be lifting both genders out of stereotypical roles, and that needs to be ingrained at the start, at the idea stage.
The Glass Award Shortlist for 2020/21 #LockdownNotLockup by Leo Burnett Beirut for ABAAD, an NGO serving as a resource center for gender equality Art Gap by TBWA\RAAD Dubai for Standard Chartered Traditional Virginity Test by TBWA\RAAD Dubai for M.A.L.I, an alternative movement for individual freedom Equality Spell Check by Wunderman Thompson Dubai for Lenovo The Kitchen is for Everyone by VMLY&R Dubai for Betty Crocker The New National Anthem Edition by Impact BBDO Dubai for An-Nahar newspaper | 5,157 | 2,453 | 10,559.971871 |
warc | 202143 | By Katherine J. Wu, Ed Yong & Sarah Zhang
For nearly two years now, Americans have lived with SARS-CoV-2. We know it better than we once did. We know that it can set off both acute and chronic illness, that it spreads best indoors, that masks help block it, that our vaccines are powerful against it. We know that we can live with it—that we’re going to have to live with it—but that it can and will exact a heavy toll.
Still, this virus has the capacity to surprise us, especially if we’re not paying attention. It is changing all the time, a tweak to the genetic code here and there; sometimes, those tweaks add up to new danger. In a matter of weeks, the Delta variant upended the relative peace of America’s early summer and ushered in a new set of calculations about risk, masking, and testing. The pandemic’s endgame shifted.
Do vaccines work as well as they need to? Who is now most vulnerable? What new variants might emerge? Our lost summer has layered on new anxieties to pandemic life. But these questions do have some clear answers, which have come up time and again in our reporting and will continue to guide us through the coming months. Even after this latest surge crests and subsides, the new pandemic reality will linger, through fall and winter and into the spring, as vaccination rates rise and the virus continues to change. Here are six principles that are helping us make sense of the pandemic now:
1.The role of vaccines has changed (again)
The COVID-19 vaccines were originally meant to prevent severe infections. They do so very well. But for a few brief months, we thought they could do even better. Unexpectedly spectacular clinical-trial results from Pfizer and Moderna raised hopes that these vaccines could protect against almost all symptomatic infections and might even be as good as the vaccines against polio and measles, which eliminated transmission of those diseases in the United States.
But, from the very beginning, vaccine experts warned that respiratory diseases are especially tricky to immunize against. The coronavirus first takes hold in the nose, and injections in the arm are just not very good at stimulating immunity in the nose. (They are still good, however, at raising immunity deep in the lungs to protect against severe disease.) Flu shots, for example, tend to be only 10 to 60 percent effective at keeping people out of the doctor’s office. If COVID-19 vaccines end up somewhere similar, they would prevent hospitalizations and death, but the coronavirus would still circulate. Given Delta’s ability to slightly evade vaccines, combined with its extreme transmissibility, this is again looking like the most likely scenario. So we need to adjust our expectations, again.
Vaccines work more like dimmer switches than on/off buttons, and as their protection fades out, there are three thresholds that we care about: protection against infection, against symptoms, and against severe disease. Protection against infection is always the first to erode—either because of new variants or because of waning immune responses over time. Protection against symptoms goes next, but protection against severe disease is the most durable. (One unknown is how much vaccines prevent long COVID, although a recent study found that full vaccination can decrease the risk of long-lasting symptoms.)
We’ve seen this pattern play out: Breakthrough infections are happening with Delta, but they tend to be mild or even asymptomatic. And especially when case numbers get very high—as they are in many parts of the U.S. now—additional layers of protection, including improved ventilation and masks, are necessary to protect people, such as young children, who are still unvaccinated. Vaccinating as many people as possible as quickly as possible is still the most powerful way to control the virus. We can already see how well the vaccines are working.
2. The proportion of vaccinated people matters, but who they are and how they cluster also matters
Delta caused a new wave of cases in even the most vaccinated countries in the world, but the wave of hospitalizations that followed there have generally been much more modest. In the U.K., for example, where 66 percent of people are fully vaccinated, cases reached 80 percent of their winter peak this summer. But hospitalizations rose less than 25 percent. As U.K. health officials have declared, vaccines are “breaking the link” between infections and hospitalizations. Again, this means the vaccines are working.
The United States seems to paint a different picture. Overwhelmed hospitals are turning patients away. They’re running out of oxygen. They’re once again cramming beds into conferences rooms and cafeterias. It feels like déjà vu—even though 54 percent of Americans are also fully vaccinated.
The difference between the U.K. and the U.S. isn’t just that fewer Americans are vaccinated. It’s that fewer of the most vulnerable Americans are vaccinated, and they tend to cluster together.
Risk of death and hospitalizations from COVID-19 rises sharply with age, and in the U.K. nearly everyone over 65 is vaccinated. An analysis found very few areas in the U.K. where more than 2 percent of residents are 65 and not fully vaccinated. In contrast, that number is above 10 percent in many counties in the American South and Mountain West. Even small differences in these rates can determine the level of crisis: A community where 10 percent of residents are unvaccinated seniors has essentially five times as many people who might need an ICU bed than a community where that number is only 2 percent.
Vaccine coverage also varies dramatically from county to county in the U.S. The more unvaccinated people are concentrated, the more easily the virus can find its next victim. Imagine three out of four people in every household are vaccinated; the unvaccinated person is unlikely to spread the virus very much at home, says Graham Medley, an infectious-disease modeler at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Now imagine three out of every four households are completely vaccinated; the virus will spread through the unvaccinated households. The overall vaccination rate is the same, but the results are very different. This unevenness also means that …
3. The people at greatest risk from the virus will keep changing
Since the pandemic’s early days, vaccines have shifted the risk the virus poses to us, at a community level. Older people and health-care workers were among the first in line for the shots—a practical move to protect the people whose underlying conditions or jobs ranked them among the most vulnerable. But younger members of the community had to contend with a slower schedule, and vaccine makers are still figuring out the correct dosages for the youngest among us. That’s all shifted the virus’s burden down to uninoculated children. At the same time, the virus has been evolving into speedier and speedier forms; by the time Delta slammed the world this spring, many of its most viable hosts were at risk not because of their age or circumstances, but in spite of it.
Kids still seem relatively resilient against SARS-CoV-2 compared with adults, as they always have been. But compared with the variants that came before it, Delta is a faster spreader, and therefore a larger threat to everyone who is unvaccinated—which means children are now at greater risk than they were before.
Relative risk will keep shifting, even if the virus somehow stops mutating and becomes a static threat. (It won’t.) Our immune systems’ memories of the coronavirus, for instance, could wane—possibly over the course of years, if immunization against similar viruses is a guide. People who are currently fully vaccinated may eventually need boosters. Infants who have never encountered the coronavirus will be born into the population, while people with immunity die. Even the vaccinated won’t all look the same: Some, including people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, might never respond to the shots as well as others. The assumptions we first had about whom the virus might hit hardest will keep changing, as will the population of people who fall ill at all.
4. As vaccination increases, a higher proportion of cases will appear in vaccinated people—and that’s what should happen
In July, after a COVID-19 outbreak in Provincetown, Massachusetts, a headline noted that three-quarters of the people infected were vaccinated. Throughout the summer, many stories have reported similar figures, always with the same alarming undercurrent: If vaccines are working, how could vaccinated people make up such a large proportion of an outbreak?
The answer is simple: They can if they make up a large proportion of a population. Even though vaccinated people have much lower odds of getting sick than unvaccinated people, they’ll make up a sizable fraction of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths if there are more of them around.
Let’s work through some numbers. Assume, first, that vaccines are 60 percent effective at preventing symptomatic infections. (There’s a lot of conflicting information about this, but the exact number doesn’t affect this exercise much.) Vaccinated people are still less likely to get infected, but as their proportion of the community rises, so does the percentage of infections occurring among them. If 20 percent of people are fully vaccinated, they’ll account for 9 percent of infections; meanwhile, the 80 percent of the population that’s unvaccinated will account for 91 percent. Now flip that. If only 20 percent of people are unvaccinated, there will be fewer infections overall. But vaccinated people, who are now in the majority, will account for most of those infections—62 percent.
That is why this particular statistic—the proportion of vaccinated people in a given outbreak—is so deeply misleading. “The better the vaccine uptake, the scarier this number will seem,” wrote Lucy D’Agostino McGowan, a statistician at Wake Forest University. By extension, the safer communities become, the more it will seem like the sky is falling—if we continue focusing on the wrong statistics.
“If you’re trying to decide on getting vaccinated, you don’t want to look at the percentage of sick people who were vaccinated,” McGowan wrote. “You want to look at the percentage of people who were vaccinated and got sick.”
Note percentage. In July, an article stated that “At Least 125,000 Fully Vaccinated Americans Have Tested Positive” for the coronavirus. In isolation, that’s an alarming number. But it represented just 0.08 percent of the 165 million people who were fully vaccinated at the time. More recently, Duke University reported that 349 students had tested positive in a single week—a figure that represents just 2.5 percent of the more than 14,000 students who were tested. The denominator matters.
The denominators in these calculations also change, dragging the numerators higher along with them. As surges grow, so too will the number of infected people, which means the number of breakthrough infections will also grow. Even if the percentage of breakthroughs stays steady, though, vaccines will feel less effective if the pandemic is allowed to rage out of control, because …
5. Rare events are common at scale
Throughout the past year and a half, commentators have downplayed a variety of pandemic-related risks because they were “rare”—deaths, long COVID (which isn’t actually rare), infections and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, and more. But infectious diseases spread, and if they do so widely enough, events that are relatively rare can rack up large numbers: A one-in-a-thousand event will still occur 40,000 times when 40 million people are infected. Such events can’t be written off, especially when they involve decades of lost health or life.
As outbreaks spread, more types of rare events become noticeable as well. A wider pandemic is also a weirder pandemic. Many aspects of COVID-19’s mystique—the range of symptoms and affected organs, the possibility of persistent illness, reinfections—are common to other viral illnesses, but go unnoticed because most illnesses don’t sweep the world in a short span of time. Similarly, as this current post-vaccine surge continues, breakthrough infections will feel more common, newspapers will have more stories to run about them, and more people will know someone who had one.
Our reaction to such events must account for both the denominator and the numerator—both how relatively common they are and how much they cost each affected individual. And that assessment will change as the pandemic waxes and wanes, and as the virus itself continues to mutate.
6. There is no single “worst” version of the coronavirus
As in every game, who the most formidable opponent is depends on who else is playing, and the nature of the field. Right now Delta, a super-transmissible variant that hops into human airways, copies itself, and blazes back out, is especially well poised to rip through the world’s mostly unvaccinated, mostly immune-naive population—which is exactly what it’s doing. Laxness around masking, distancing, and other infection-prevention measures, in the United States especially, has given Delta plenty of opportunities to hop from human to human, further fueling its rise. The variant, for now, has about as good a home-field advantage as it can get.
But the ideal strategy, from the perspective of the virus, might look drastically different for a population with a lot more immunity. Strong, speedy immune responses will keep the virus from getting by on swiftness alone. In these environments, a stealthy version of the virus that can slip by antibodies unnoticed might be the one that wins out. The virus’s goal will still be to spread, just through different means: Mutations that make the virus less visible will help it stick around in airways longer, and potentially transmit to more people in the process. As the world gradually acquires immunity, variants like Delta might eventually be succeeded by these wilier morphs. But these transitions will likely happen at different rates in different countries, depending on who gets access to vaccines. The definition of most threatening will splinter along borders. (There is, by the way, little incentive for the virus to get deadlier along the way. Viruses want to spread, not kill. Still, some pathogens can get symptomatically nastier as a by-product of transmissibility, or if those symptoms facilitate their spread.)
All variants, though, will have some common weakness: They can be stopped through the combined measures of vaccines, masks, distancing, and other measures that cut the conduits they need to travel. When viruses spread faster, they can be tougher to control. But they can’t persist without us, and our behavior matters too.
Masthead Editor-in Chief: Kirsten Nicole Editorial Staff: Kirsten Nicole Stan Kenyon Robyn Bowman Kimberly McNabb Lisa Gordon Stephanie Robinson Contributors: Kirsten Nicole Stan Kenyon Liz Di Bernardo Cris Lobato Elisa Howard Susan Cramer
Please keep in mind that all comments are moderated. Please do not use a spam keyword or a domain as your name, or else it will be deleted. Let's have a personal and meaningful conversation instead. Thanks for your comments! | 15,728 | 6,834 | 35,257.968979 |
warc | 202143 | As mothers, we already have an innate instance to snuggle our babies. But did you know that every time you hug your kids, you’re helping their brains develop?
When babies are born, all of their brain cells, called neurons, are in place, but there are very few connections between these cells. New learning occurs when these connections are formed between neurons. When babies take in new information through their senses and experiences, these connections happen. When a baby is adequately stimulated, these connections occur at a rate of one million per second. On the other hand, these connections do not happen when a baby does not get adequate stimulation and exposure to experiences throughout their first few years of life. The chance to build these connections could be lost forever.
Why Hugging Early and Often Is Essential
Age zero to three is the critical period for these connections to take place. This is the time of “neural plasticity” when the neural pathways, or connections between the cells, also called synapses, occur. After this critical period, the brain is not as plastic or “changeable,” and the connections do not happen at such a fast rate. It becomes harder to create these connections and allow for new learning at such a rapid rate.
Hugging, cuddling, and connecting with babies and young children help these connections form for several reasons. Humans are primed to thrive in human interactions. Babies crave interactions to allow these connections to occur. Here are some ways you can incorporate the brain-boosting benefits of hugging your kids from birth and beyond.
Babies
Long before babies understand spoken language, they connect with their parents or caregivers through touch. Skin is the largest organ, so it has a significant representation in the brain. Any stimulation to the baby’s skin stimulates a large portion of the brain and allows for many connections. Simply by holding and cuddling your baby, you are helping to form these connections and make your baby smarter!
Baby massage is another excellent way to stimulate the baby’s skin and form these connections. You can expand upon this by talking to your baby while you perform the massage. Make eye contact and talk about each body part while you massage it. If you say, “I am massaging your little leg,” while you do the leg strokes, they are processing three sensations. They are focused on your face visually, perceiving your voice, and perceiving the sense of touch. This builds a lot of brain cells! They will also start to equate the words with the body part and learn body awareness while forming the foundation for their vocabulary.
Toddlers
When your child is a toddler, they begin to develop a stronger sense of self and willingness to step away from you to explore their world. You will notice that they often check to ensure that you are still there and occasionally return to you for reassurance. If you provide a loving hug when they come back to you, you reassure them that you are nearby, offering support and encouragement. This gives them the self-esteem to go off on their own again and explore their world. It is also building those important connections, knowing that you are there to support them.
Try to build hugs and cuddles into the daily routine. Young children thrive with routines because they add predictability and stability to their lives. When they know what to expect, they are more calm and stable. Maybe every morning begins with a hug and every evening ends with a cuddle while you read books to your child. This gives them the predictability they need to be successful and independent throughout the day.
Pre-School and Beyond
When your child is pre-school age and even school age, hugs are still critical for their social-emotional development, mental health, and sense of self. Try to integrate hugs and cuddles into the after-school routine. Maybe designate every afternoon after school as “10 minute cuddle time” where you cuddle together on the sofa. Have them tell you all about their day and discuss their achievements and challenges, fears, and triumphs.
This is great for healthy development because your child is provided a loving outlet to discuss anything difficult for them and share their achievements with you. You can take this snuggle time to process their day, help them understand confusing concepts, and build their ability to communicate. These are all critical skills for helping develop your child’s self-worth and autonomy, contributing to strong mental health.
Everyone loves hugs, but hugging your kids is a critical piece to early childhood development! | 4,695 | 2,066 | 10,496.711036 |
warc | 202143 | The Full Guide To Gravel Riding
Gravel bikes were born in the US, where long stretches of long unsealed roads bridged the gap between riding destinations. Riders cobbled together road, cyclocross, mountain, and older bikes to go on long adventures. None of the bikes did the job. However, the bike companies saw the needs of these riders. They developed a new style of bikes specifically for these adventures.
The New style of bikes became hugely popular due to their versatility. As they were designed for long days in the saddle, Gravel bikes are extremely comfortable. Roads ridden for exploration are often not the smoothest, so the bikes are often vertically compliant with comfort features built-in. Disc brakes are a must, so the bigger knobbly tires have plenty of clearance, and you have plenty of control when it comes to stopping.
What is so different from a cyclocross bike? Cyclocross bikes can be ridden as gravel bikes; however, as they have been designed as race bikes, the rider's positioning will be lower and more aggressive. Cyclocross bikes are also limited to a maximum tire width of around 35 mm. If you want to run bigger tires for increased comfort and traction, you will be limited.
Hardtail mountain bikes may seem more comfortable due to their suspension and bigger tyres. On a Gravel adventure, you are going to come across different types of terrain. On smoother surfaces, the bigger tyres and heavier bikes will be less efficient. This decreased efficiency will lead to more energy spent, and you will fatigue faster on the longer rides.
One of the biggest attractions to gravel bikes is what is often referred to as underbiking. Underbiking is when you ride trails that are more technical than what the bike is created for. Riding a cross country dual suspension or hardtail bike would make the gravel roads boring or underwhelming. Riding a Gravel bike will make even the simplest trails exhilarating and leaving you more stoked when you have made it to the bottom.
Gravel bikes are efficient, so you can explore further and for longer with less effort. Put slicker tyres on, and you will have a slightly heavier but still capable road bike. Keep the racks on, and it's the ultimate commuter. The options are endless when you are on a gravel bike. Why the wider curly handlebars, though? As one of the 3 main contact points on the bike, you want them to be as comfortable as possible. Narrow handlebars with less "flare" may be more aerodynamic, but you are locked into 2 positions. Flat bars have even fewer options with just the two positions. Wider yet shallow drop bars offer more hand positions so you can move your position throughout your multi-hour epic rides.
"1X" drivetrains are often seen on Mountain and Cyclocross Bikes, thanks to their ease of use and reliability. Road bikes have been slow to use 1X systems because the larger jumps between gears make it difficult to maintain an efficient cadence. Gravel bikes are more prone to using 1x as there is less to go wrong in the middle of nowhere. Touring bikes will use a 2x system in some cases as the extra gear helps get up those tough hills when fully loaded.
Gravel Bikes are one of the best do it all bikes on the market today. Whether you want to commute to work, put in time on the sealed tarmac or adventure into the backcountry, gravel bikes will do it all. If you are unsure about where you want to ride, and the type of riding you want to do, a gravel bike is the best spot to start. | 3,505 | 1,648 | 7,424.729976 |
warc | 202143 | Liz Constable once promoted views on lobbyists different to those planned in the government’s new Bill.
Liz Constable once promoted views on lobbyists different to those planned in the government’s new Bill.
THE primary thrust of last week’s
State Scene column was that the Barnett government’s so-called Integrity (Lobbyists) Bill brazenly paves the way for lobbying to be transformed into an even-more secretive activity than presently practised.
Regrettably, it also discourages the development of an independent, professionally based lobbying sector.
Western Australia currently has 105 independent lobbying companies and/or individuals, as shown on the Alan Carpenter-created register of lobbyists, with all proprietors, and crucially all their clients, named for easy viewing.
A quick read shows most have no clients or just one, while several have between five and 10.
But the company with the biggest client list (67) is GRA Everingham, headed by former WA Liberal Party director Paul Everingham and employing two former Liberal leaders’ staffers (one a former Barnett staffer).
Clearly, although there’s still lobbying work out there to be won it seems to be a case of many being called but only very few being chosen.
Who, or what, is responsible for this enormous client imbalance or disparity, where just one company so dominates WA’s tiny and highly secretive lobbying sector?
Perhaps having links with the Liberal side of politics, via a senior party job, or having worked for a senior Liberal MP is the required catalyst for acquiring contracts in what’s still a relatively young service sector.
Nor could anyone claim GRA Everingham hides its business.
Unlike most lobbyists it has a comprehensive website displaying its sizeable lobbying team, which, in addition to Mr Everingham, includes, as company chairman, former Hawke-Keating minister John Dawkins.
And there are some who worked either for the Gallop government, with Carmen Lawrence, Stephen Smith, Colin Barnett, or Jim McGinty.
GRA Everingham offers a range of services “tailored to meet the objectives of each client and project”.
These include: political and policy ‘audits’; policy, legislative and regulatory advice; intelligence gathering; and general government liaison.
“GRA Everingham has extensive government and corporate networks across WA and the nation more broadly,” the site says.
Not everyone, however, is as well endowed with contacts across both sides of the political spectrum.
And the way the Barnett Integrity (Lobbyists) Bill is drafted it is unlikely any more such ventures will emerge.
According to one contact, the reason is that the government isn’t interested in the growth of a professional, privately based independent lobbying sector.
Evidence for this is found in Mr Barnett’s second reading speech notes.
“The transparency imperatives underpinning the Bill do not require all types of interest groups, non-profit organisations, in-house lawyers, or professionals such as architects or engineers to be regulated,” he said.
Clearly someone in government (a lawyer, perhaps several) has a very soft spot for Perth’s legal fraternity, meaning lawyers can go about lobbying for clients and bypass the Bill’s meaningless registration requirements as applied to independent lobbyists.
There will, consequently, be fewer opportunities for those wishing to become career lobbyists.
All corporations need to do is utilise lawyers or employ someone using any title other than ‘lobbyist’.
The same applies to architects, engineers and others who can also embrace the corporate umbrella.
Among other things, this means the construction industry and whatever it does by way of land allocation, subdivisions, and the like, won’t fall under the same administering that smaller lobbyists encounter.
A likely outcome of this unfair favoured treatment of certain occupations and corporations is that the lobbying sector will remain remunerative primarily for those with close political and party links.
There may be an exception somewhere along the line, but that seems unlikely.
An unknown number of lobbyists working inside corporate entities, rather than being self-employed, is what the future appears to hold.
This, of course, is tragic, since the Liberal Party was based upon support and backing for small to medium-sized businesses, not exclusively the corporate world.
Party founder Robert Menzies’ ‘forgotten people’ weren’t the big, corporate end of town, but rather the small, the self-employed, the non-unionised battlers.
Like so much within today’s Liberal Party, such commitment has vanished.
But favouring the big over the small is unlikely to be the most incongruous, perhaps even embarrassing, aspect of the Integrity (Lobbyists’) Bill.
What only a few may realise is that one long-time member of the Barnett cabinet has held views diametrically opposed to what the Bill plans.
The crucial ingredient of that now-minister’s belief was that WA’s lobbying industry must first and foremost be subjected to full disclosure requirements, complete transparency, which the Barnett Integrity Bill has failed to include.
That person is long-time Churchlands MLA, Independent Liberal Liz Constable, who, after the 2008 election, became education minister.
In 2003, Dr Constable surprised many in parliament by tabling a private members bill, The Lobbying Disclosure and Accountability Bill, which set about requiring all “lobbyists to lodge monthly returns with the parliamentary commissioner (ombudsman) set out details of their lobbying activities in the preceding month”.
In other words, she sought to ensure implementation of the type of full-disclosure of all lobbying activities prevailing across the US, where clandestine lobbying is forbidden and stiff fines apply to transgressors.
However, because Dr Constable was then an Independent, her pioneering full-disclosure bill, after tabling, was ignored by major parties and wasn’t debated.
It thus automatically expired when the 2005 election was called.
But Dr Constable wouldn’t surrender.
She re-drafted her pioneering bill and tabled an amended version for next parliament, amid the rumpus over the Smiths Beach Affair during which Brian Burke was subpoenaed by the Corruption and Crime Commission.
Among other things, Dr Constable’s groundbreaking pieces of legislation required all (corporate and independent) working lobbyists to: “lodge quarterly returns with the parliamentary commissioner [ombudsman] setting out details of relations to their lobbying activity in the preceding quarter.”
Also noteworthy is the fact that the public official she envisaged administering her full disclosure of lobbying was the ombudsman, not public sector commissioner, whom the Barnett Bill has chosen to install.
The former answers to parliament, so to all MPs; not only a government, perhaps just a premier, as the latter does.
I’ve discussed both her bills with several experts on lobbying and governance accountability, including especially Edith Cowan University Professor Quentin Beresford, author of
The Godfather: The Life of Brian Burke.
All agreed the Constable bills were groundbreaking, indeed, world class, pieces of legislation that unambiguously outlawed secrecy in lobbying and its administration, whereas the Barnett Integrity (Lobbyists) Bill sanctions and institutionalises secrecy and all that this implies.
Next year, this column intends to revisit several of the differences between what Dr Constable, as an Independent, wished to institute in 2003 and 2007, and which it appears she is no longer pursuing.
It will be interesting to see how, as an Independent who campaigned for this important point of principle, Dr Constable will vote as a minister, having assured
State Scene in February that she hadn’t changed her mind. | 8,047 | 3,653 | 17,168.989324 |
warc | 202143 | In episode 5 we explore our relationship with our own self-esteem and how it has continued to evolve over time. Building your self-esteem sounds like an easy task, but it is one of the hardest things to do constantly. We discuss our personal journey with self-esteem and how we came to recognize or learn about self-esteem. We explore the negative self-talk that often comes when our self-esteem is low, and we also discussed some practical skills to try to boost your self-esteem. We discuss how affirmations can be used, the impact of diet culture, and emotions surrounding self-esteem. | 590 | 346 | 1,002.65896 |
warc | 202143 | Bispectral index in calves anesthetized with xylazine, midazolam, ketamine, isoflurane and subjected to continuous rate infusion of lidocaine
Araújo, Marcelo Augusto deBeloti, Carolina Aparecida CarlinDeschk, MaurícioArruda, André Moreira MartinsCheng, Lu ShiAlbuquerquer, Verônica Batista deSantos, Paulo Sergio Patto dos
PURPOSE: To assess the bispectral index (BIS) and recovery in calves anesthetized with xylazine, midazolam, ketamine and isoflurane and subjected to CRI of lidocaine. METHODS: Xilazine was administered followed by ketamine and midazolam, orotracheal intubation and maintenance on isoflurane using mechanical ventilation. Lidocaine (2 mg kg-1 bolus) or saline (0.9%) was administered IV followed by a CRI (100 µg kg-1 minute-1) of lidocaine (L) or saline (C). Were recorded BIS, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rectal temperature (RT) before administration of premedication (TB) and 15 minutes after (TX), before administering lidocaine (T0) and 20, 40, 60 and 80 minutes after the start of the CRI . Time do sternal recumbency (SRE) and standing (ST) and plasma lidocaine concentration also evaluated. RESULTS: In both treatments BIS decreased significantly at all times compared to TB. TX was higher than the subsequent times. HR decreased from baseline at all times and decreased from T40 in L compared to C. SRE was higher in L compared to C. CONCLUSIONS: Bispectral index values were consistent with the degree of hypnosis of the animals. Lidocaine did not potentiate isoflurane anesthesia assessed by BIS in unstimulated calves anesthetized with constant E´Iso. Lidocaine increased the time to sternal recumbency.(AU)Texto completo | 1,711 | 890 | 3,223.985393 |
warc | 202143 | McMillan brings Trump rhetoric
Herb McMillan, in his campaign piece criticizing the current county executive, loves to quote Abraham Lincoln. And who doesn’t like to reference our very quotable 16th President. Unfortunately, McMillan’s political party is no longer the “party of Lincoln” — it is now the “party of Trump.”
In his very Trumpian way, Mr. McMillan insults County Executive Steuart Pittman for all of his efforts to keep county residents safe from COVID-19. And he throws in a few backhanded insults at Gov. Larry Hogan, President Joe Biden, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Protecting public health and safety is one of the basic tasks of government. McMillan has plenty of criticisms, but offers nothing but Trump-like insults to those trying to do their best during these unprecedented times. McMillan doesn’t even say anything about the importance of getting vaccinated — by vaccines developed under the Trump Administration. Four years of Trump was enough — we don’t need that in our county for another four years.
President Lincoln, overseeing this nation through a horrific Civil War, talked about the “better angels of our nature” when describing his countrymen … in both the South and the North. Perhaps McMillan should study Lincoln’s quotes about healing our nation, rather than Donald Trump’s efforts to divide us and tear us down.
Peter Marx, Annapolis Need consistency with Annapolis code enforcement
Residents of Eastport are concerned about the potential loss of water access that was promised as part of the South Annapolis Yacht Centre on Spa Creek. The developer gave assurances at early meetings with the community that public water access would be preserved. In fact it became a condition of the city’s issuance of building permits for the project.
Fast forward a few years and there is a non-permitted security-gated fence blocking the promised access. The developer is appealing the city’s denial of the fence permit application but the fence has already been in place for over a year. There is very little opportunity for public input at the hearing before the Building Board of Appeals. Will the city stand by the original requirements to protect public water access here?
We need consistency and predictability when it comes to enforcement of our City Code. Good development needs that. When we stray from the Code or give too much discretion in enforcement we create a development environment that is complicated, unpredictable, and risky. This favors the developers with the deepest pockets, toughest lawyers, best connections, and most persistence. Add to that the city’s appetite for the revenue gained by development’s increase to the assessable tax base and you see why residents worry about the city protecting their interests.
Rockford E. Toews, Annapolis Toews is the Republican candidate for Ward 8 Alderman Concern about city process relating to SAYC fence, gate
The Building Board of Appeals held a virtual hearing last month because South Annapolis Yacht Centre wants to keep their illegal fence and electronic gates up. This was after SAYC promised Eastport residents water access in order to get their building permit to build their 4,600 square foot $4+ million dollar residences.
Interestingly no one from the affected public was allowed to testify at this hearing. It makes one wonder if this decision was made because the majority of BBofA members have conflicts of interest — financial and/or otherwise- directly with SAYC. As a result they were not able to form a quorum at this hearing.
Under the City Code of Ethics: “Officials and employees shall not engage in any business or transaction or have a financial interest, direct or indirect, which is incompatible with the proper discharge of their duties or would appear to impair independence of judgment or action in the performance of their duties.”
However SAYC and BBofA are not going to let this little “speed bump” slow them down to get their way. The BBofA plans to ask the City Ethics Commission to convene in an expedited manner to clear these conflicted folks within the next two weeks so they can vote on behalf of SAYC who they are conflicted with.
Yes, this is not a typo; this is a true statement.
The new (virtual only) hearing is rescheduled for Oct. 14 at 1 p.m.
The Ethics Commission- if it is truly a committee based on ethics, will not allow these conflicted folks to serve on this SAYC case. I guess we will see if we are proven wrong.
The BBofA chair did mention that community members sent in at least 25 written sets of comments. He thanked those who submitted them and said he will summary them and mention the submitters’ names.
The hearing record also includes all the original detailed public meeting transcripts where SAYC promised water access to the public.
But if directly affected residents want to testify on Oct. 14, you can forget about it. You are just a lowly taxpayer, without a chance to testify.
It is well past time for the mayor and aldermen to get off their bums and stop this train wreck of a process. And for the Circuit Court, if it gets there, to hold SAYC to their promises.
Bill Borwegen, Eastport Smart pesticide use can be a solution
In early September, the Capital Gazette Gazette published the commentary “Let’s stop poisoning ourselves, our children, wildlife with pesticides,” which unfortunately perpetuates many myths about pesticides. The author contends organic practices “use only the safest natural biological pesticides.” However, this is not always true.
Organic agriculture uses pesticides, many of which are documented to impact human health and the environment. For example, European wine producers are struggling with whether to permit continued use of copper sulfate — a popular organic fungicide. Fish and other aquatic species are particularly sensitive to copper sulfate. The chemical also has the potential to accumulate in the soil, affecting the terroir of wine grapes over time, and has caused respiratory ailments in farmworkers.
Although this is a natural, organic-approved pesticide, it has a greater impact than many synthetic counterparts.
The author promotes organic agriculture to reduce environmental impacts of production, which is also largely untrue, especially at large scales. Organic consistently has much lower crop yields than conventional agriculture. If farmers need more land to grow the same amount of food, that can lead to conversion of environmentally sensitive lands, like forests, into farmland. A 2019 study found that if all of England and Wales were to convert to organic, 50 percent more agricultural land would be needed to grow the same amount of food and emit significantly more greenhouse gasses.
Organic farmers also lack chemical tools to manage weeds, which can steal up to 50 percent of a farmer’s crop if left unchecked. Resultantly, organic growers often must intensively till weeds, which can lead to greater soil erosion, nutrient loss to watersheds, and greater greenhouse gas emissions. These challenges are much more pronounced in the Chesapeake Bay region.
Smart, responsible use of pesticides can help improve the sustainability of agriculture if we’re careful how we use them.
Kyle Kunkler, Riva Misleading view of federal spending plan
Rachel Greszler’s opinions on the negative consequences of the $3.5 trillion spending package before Congress are misleading, at best.
She says tell them about what they will pay for the $27,000 per household benefits they will get, inferring that taxes and prices will go up, and opportunities will go down.
But the package pays for itself with “Fair Share” tax increases on only those who make over $400,000 per year and corporations that get free ride loopholes and subsidies. Will people get lower wages and higher prices to pay for the corporate tax increases? No, just like people did not get raises and prices did not go down when corporations got their big tax decreases.
Will clean energy be a net burden on households? No, it will save households from the much greater costs of climate change, i.e. more numerous and more intense hurricanes, floods, fires, droughts, heat waves, etc.
Does paid family leave mean bureaucratic headaches? Better to just talk to your supervisor and be told “sorry, we don’t have such a benefit?” Ask the elderly if Medicare is such a bureaucratic headache that it is not worth having.
Inflation? Opportunities? The package is not an economic stimulus that will cause inflation, but an investment to provide more and better opportunities to increase productivity and move toward a more equitable future for everyone.
Will there be unintended negative consequences? Sure, there always are some whenever you do anything. But they will be small compared to the benefits.
Patrick McGregor, Millersville Ward 8 Democrat supports Toews
This lifelong Democrat supports Rock Toews, a Republican for Annapolis City Council Ward 8. Since I lost to incumbent Democrat Ross Arnett in the 2007 primary, I tried to support and encourage him but I and many fellow Democrats are now supporting Rock because Ross does not listen and has not exercised leadership. Even Democratic Mayor Gavin Buckley supported Arnett’s primary opponent.
Arnett’s arrogant and stubborn sponsorship of onerous legislation led to needlessly overregulating short-term vacation rentals. I pleaded with Ross to meet with me and other opponents to share our concerns. His terse and puzzling response was “what opposition?” But, oh, was he surprised when confronted with such fierce opposition! The process dragged on much to his chagrin but finally passed — leaving many dissatisfied with him.
A recent controversy about a public right of way at a small cove near my home irked many with Ross. My neighbors who were perhaps the most directly and negatively affected by the stance Ross took, told me that they never saw nor heard from him but Ross was quoted as saying in The Capital that if he lost on that issue it would cost him the election. He did lose in the courts. I hope it does cost him the election.
Rock, on the other hand, walks the walk — almost every day from Eastport to Back Creek Books on Main Street where he has demonstrated community commitment for decades. Instead of devoting his entire professional career to researching health statistics as did Ross, Rock actually runs a successful local business that serves the community and generates tax revenue. He keeps in touch with Eastport and downtown issues, with both a business and a residential perspective and is available every day.
I have known him for over 20 years as a reliable and trustworthy person. We disagree on many political issues but we do agree that partisan politics should not play a role in our local politics. He and I do want to end partisan local elections. Because he will not be partisan or in thrall to any political machine or party, I say that “You can’t own a piece of this Rock.” Ward Eight Dems who want to know more may contact me!
Latest Letters Paul Foer, Eastport | 11,345 | 5,309 | 23,625.978527 |
warc | 202143 | RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina could see a bump of about 360,000 new vaccinations after the COVID-19 vaccine receives approval for kids between 5-11, a CBS17.com data analysis found.
That should mean at least some extra protection for everyone in the state — even if it still won’t bring the total vaccination rate anywhere close to herd immunity.
“We might have an outsized benefit from vaccinating younger kids than we do from vaccinating maybe others, including adults,” said Dr. David Wohl, an infectious disease specialist at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
Pfizer earlier this week said its vaccine was safe in preteens and soon will ask the FDA to authorize it for emergency use in that age group.
When that happens, expect a spike in the vaccine numbers across North Carolina. It’s happened every time the shots have been opened up to a new group of people.
“We will see a bump,” Wohl said. “We will see kids come in and get vaccinated.”
But how many of them? We can offer a guess.
Office of State Budget and Management figures estimate there are about 900,000 kids between the ages of 5 and 11 in the state’s population of 10.4 million.
If they get their first shot at the same rate as older children — about 41 percent of those between 12 and 17 have had at least one dose — that would lead to another 360,000 new vaccinations and would push the state’s overall vaccination rate past 60 percent.
That’s an increase of 3 percentage points from the current rate; 57 percent of the state’s total population has had at least one shot.
“I do think that it will have an impact,” said Dr. Tony Moody, a professor in the department of pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center.
He says an important predictor for whether a child between 5 and 11 gets the vaccine is the vaccination status of the rest of the family.
“I think the biggest areas where you’re going to see uptake are areas where there’s been a lot of uptake for the adult vaccine,” he said. “I think that parts of the state where you see sort of modest or not-great uptake, it’s unlikely that you’re going to see a lot of uptake in that age range, as well, because I think this is really going to track along family decision lines.”
But it leads to a trickle-down of protection, even if the total vaccination rate still won’t approach the estimated 80 percent or higher needed to claim herd immunity.
“Kids are, by definition, in congregate settings every day of the week,” Wohl said. “And so the question is, can we protect ourselves better by vaccinating this pretty crucial group of kids who middle with other kids, playing sports. Even if they’re in a school that has masks, we see that there’s some transmission that occurs (but) it’s much lower than schools that don’t have masks.”
Moody said children are “frequently vectors” for transmissible diseases like COVID-19 and said inoculating them also can protect the adults around them.
“If you’ve got people they’re coming into contact with — teachers, grandparents, whoever — that’s really going to have a big impact,” Moody said.
CBS 17’s
Joedy McCreary has been tracking COVID-19 figures since March 2020, compiling data from federal, state, and local sources to deliver a clear snapshot of what the coronavirus situation looks like now and what it could look like in the future. | 3,578 | 1,723 | 6,921.343006 |
warc | 202143 | As Greece faces yet another strike, Channel 4 News kicks off its Austerity Kids series by hearing from Athens student Tony Rigopoulos about what it’s really like growing up amid the eurozone crisis.
It’s more than three years since Europe’s modern-day Greek tragedy began. But there hasn’t been any kind of dramatic resolution.
Instead, the headlines are disturbingly similar. Just this week, a new tranche of aid payments, to prevent the country from running out of money; ongoing austerity measures, to keep Greece’s European paymasters happy; and more strikes from a suffering and disbelieving population.
And the situation remains bleak. Nearly two-thirds of Greek youths are unemployed and the economy is in its sixth year of recession with little sign of improvement.
The latest strike on Tuesday saw public sector workers walk off their jobs to protest against a government decision to ban a strike by high-school teachers, set for Friday. The government opposes the strike because it could disrupt university entrance exams, but teachers say they have to protest to make sure their voices are heard over transfers, dismissals and increased hours.
Reports from Greece suggested that turnout at a planned rally and march was poor because Greeks feel strikes just aren’t working anymore.
We’re all experiencing the same feeling of extreme and often overwhelming uncertainty for the future. Tony Rigopoulos
With the risk to university entrance exams, the latest strike is just one more indication of how austerity in Greece, and across Europe, is hitting young people.
But what is it really like on the ground for the people who increasingly feel their futures have been stolen by the mistakes of the past?
Channel 4 News’s Austerity Kids project is documenting the lives of young people, aged between 15-25, through text, film, pictures and audio. From Greece, 23-year-old Tony Rigopoulos (see his first film clip above) describes how bleak many in his generation feel.
He says: “We’re all queuing in the same unemployment offices. We’re all buying the same job opportunity newspapers. And we’re all experiencing the same feeling of extreme and often overwhelming uncertainty for the future. This is Tony Rigopoulos from messy, messy Athens.”
Are you aged between Get involved in Austerity Kids - 15-25?Do you live in - Spain, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Cyprus, Romania, the UK, Germanyor France?Has your life been hit by - austerity Europe?For example, you or someone in your family might have lost your job;you may have had to turn to food banksto help feed your family; or you might have taken part in or even organised anti-austerity protests.Are you up for - telling us your storyover the next few months in text, film, pictures and audio? Get in touch: email us on austeritykids@itn.co.uk, tweet us @austeritykids or with the hashtag #austeritykids, or post on our Facebook or Google+ pages. | 2,987 | 1,476 | 5,886.980352 |
warc | 202143 | Suburbia as source of food and regenerator of resources by SU allotment gardens Pitch
Households represent the end source of consumerism, where food and other resources are waste. What if they were channelled to be resources?
Description Summary
In the developed world, a third of food is wasted, typically being thrown away at consumer level. Food waste, usually thrown away with general household waste, produces methane in our landfills, contributing to emissions. In countries such as South Africa, the US, Brazil and elsewhere, inequality levels are high, and joblessness is a major socio-economic problem. Some households have large properties, often covered by unproductive lawn not actively used. Sometimes mere kilometres away, shanty towns play host to poverty, food insecurity, crowding and unemployment.
My proposal concerns food production, healthy eating, sustainable sources of employment, and lowered greenhouse gas emissions. I propose that households with excess land, i.e. lawn not in active use, register for a program where they offer a portion of their land for agricultural production. A trained vegetable gardener can then grow vegetables on the land, growing one plot for the family and another plot for their own use, and/or providing the household with 'credits', to be returned by an intermediary upon market sale. The gardener makes use of on-site resources such as leaves, lawn clippings and food waste. The gardener sells to the intermediary, who has a stake in ensuring the gardening is done well (involved at the training level).
The intermediary then sells the produce to the consumer, at the local level, through veggie box delivery schemes, farmers markets, etc. Some of the revenue is returned to the households in the form of 'green credits', which the household would choose, and would be designated for worm-bin composters, solar panels, rooftop rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, creating inputs for the gardening system in turn. Opportunities exist for stakeholders to sell produce that is certified organic, and fair trade. Overall, it is a system designed to make more efficient use of energy at a household level, thus reducing emissions and creating jobs.
What actions do you propose?
By composting food waste, lawn clippings and general garden waste on site, these waste products are turned into inputs for the vegetable gardens on site, thus eliminating the carbon emissions associated with their collection and disposal. By food being grown for the family on site, the carbon emissions associated with food miles and supermarket storage of foods is avoided. As this food is freshed and picked as needed, no food is wasted. As families can pick the crops that they favour, so the market doesn’t over- or underproduce. By virtue of the food being fresher, less of it is needed to be eaten. By using land that is already in use, and not devoted to biodiversity, new land and associated land use changes and related emissions is avoided. Once green credits are gained and used to pay for green tech, the household can realise efficiencies in water use (greywater systems and rooftop water harvesting), energy use, (solar and thermal heaters) and related emissions reduction.
Who will take these actions?
Interested NGO's, corporate partners, educational partners and government agencies will all be motivated by personal stake.
The details of whom this idea would attract and on what terms, would come with market research and viability testing. It may be that it becomes an organic idea that grows, such as community supported agriculture has, in which case the idea would ideally be grown as an educational opportunity for others, or it may be that it is profitable enough for the market to become interested in it.
Ultimately, the program is geared toward environmental good coming from market and personal opportunity. For the gardener, there is the opportunity for livelihood, for any business involvement, there is the profit motive, for any household, there is the chance to earn green tech that can reduce household bills, add value to their property, and have an immediate source of fresh food.
So, while all stakeholders have personal stake, the environment benefits through consumption being reduced, resource use being vastly diminished and emissions being avoided. Fertiliser manufacture is avoided, transport is avoided, air-conditioning and cold storage is avoided, intake of processed food is reduced.
Where will these actions be taken?
The idea is that this program is eminently suited to those countries where wealth differences occur. In suburbs in affluent areas in developed countries, water as rainfall and land is often unused (children have left the home, families are sedentary and focus on indoor activities), and at the household level much food is thrown away. There exists a gap here for the unemployed to turn these resources to food and to profit. So, ultimately a country like Brazil, the US or South Africa is envisioned, where abundance exists alongside need, and opportunity exists as a result.
How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?
If food production counts for 18% of all emissions, and a third of food is wasted, this means that if adopted globally, we can see a reduction of up to 6% in annual emissions in developed and BRICS countries.
What are other key benefits?
Employment. - a key benefit, agriculture is a sustainable source of employment, as the market for basic foodstuffs such as fruit and vegetables is a reliable and permanent market.
Increased health - though initially it is planned that the program will be organic - to avoid associated emissions of fertiliser, pesticides and other inputs, as well as to avoid the capital outlay - there may eventually be incentive for some level of non-organic input. Some people believe that organic food is healthier, and as the farm is the market in this sense - suburbia - food will be fresh. Householders may also find they develop an interest in food gardening, which would provide physical exercise and be an ethic passed down the generations, and contribute toward establishment of a sustainable cultural norm.
Social cohesion - people from different socio-economic brackets would interact, and be united in a mutually advantageous goal. Suburban communities would support the program to support one another.
What are the proposal’s costs?
The costs are not yet certain at this stage, but it is envisioned to be a minimal cost enterprise, relying on waste inputs and low-tech practices. Most of the costs would be around training of gardeners, formulation of programs, and all in the initial stages. In the medium term, it is envisioned to be a self-sufficient program financially, and eventually generating a profit for stakeholders.
Time line
5 years research and development in test locations. Thereafter, rolled out further afield. | 6,961 | 3,107 | 15,514.942066 |
warc | 202143 | The use of climate services can play a crucial role for the transition to a low carbon economy and to a more informed, resilient society, becoming a key enabler for the implementation of the European Green Deal. This makes user-driven climate services and the emergence of a related market a key research and innovation priority identified by the EU and supported through a number of funding programmes and initiatives.
This vision, which has been pinpointed in the European research and innovation roadmap for climate services, is being turned into action through a number of projects. Projects, most of which started in 2017-18, have now produced significant results. A number of (pre)operational services have been developed with end users, which hold potential for scaling-up and replication to additional users or use sectors. At the same time, new awareness has been built on constraints hampering the full deployment of services and possible ways to overcome them.
Within the European Research Area (ERA), the ERA4CS Consortium aimed to boost research for
Climate Services (CS), including climate adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk management, allowing regions, cities and key economic sectors to develop opportunities and strengthen Europe’s leadership.
On-line presentation of the results of ERA4CS projects will be organised on
23 of September, 2021 from 10:00 – 16:00. This virtual conference aims to present the results of ERA4CS projects, to showcase the main accomplishments of the projects and their future plans to valorise and operationalise the results. Provisional agenda and details for joining the meeting are available at this link. | 1,677 | 894 | 3,113.892617 |
warc | 202143 | HONOLULU, HI (May 9, 2016) — Ms. Carey Robinson, a middle and high school social sciences teacher of 14 years at St. Andrew’s Priory School for Girls, was awarded the Junior Division Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award for Hawaiʻi. As the Hawaii winner of this award, Ms. Robinson is nominated for the National Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award at the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest in June 2016. The National Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award is awarded to one junior division (grades 6-8) and one senior division (grades 9-12) teacher, from across the nation, who has shown outstanding creativity, commitment, and inspiration in developing student interest in history education.
The awards are sponsored by Patricia Behring to recognize the important role teachers play in the lives of students and by encouraging creativity in the classroom. Two national winners will be announced at an awards ceremony, June 16, 2016. The winners of the national award receive $10,000 for their outstanding efforts to encourage and support history education.
“National History Day firmly believes that quality teachers are the best educational resources students have,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “The teachers selected as Behring Award recipients are a credit to their discipline, and exemplify what it takes to be a quality educator.”
National History Day (NHD) is a non-profit education organization in College Park, MD.
Established in 1974, NHD offers year-long academic programs that engage over half a million middle- and high-school students around the world annually in conducting original research on historical topics of interest. These research-based projects are entered into contests at the local and affiliate levels, where the top student projects have the opportunity to advance to the National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park. NHD also seeks to improve the quality of history education by providing professional development opportunities and curriculum materials for educators. For more information, visit nhd.org.
The St. Andrew’s Schools is located in Downtown Honolulu, adjacent to the St. Andrew’s Cathedral, the Governor’s Mansion, and the Legislature. The School was established in 1867 and is Oahu’s first all-girls school. As children’s educational needs have evolved over time, so too has The School’s focus. Queen Emma Preschool was acquired nearly 30 years ago to provide for children between two and five years of age. And most recently, in 2014, St. Andrew’s Preparatory School for Boys opened for grades K-5.
Research confirms that girls and boys develop and learn at different rates. The St. Andrew’s Schools’ progressive educational programs are designed specifically with these differences in mind. The result of a single-gender setting at St. Andrew’s includes the development of confident, competent learners, with the skills needed to succeed. One hundred percent of The St. Andrew’s Schools students go on to college. And over $27 million in college scholarships has been earned in the last nine years. In addition to a rigorous curriculum, enhanced by arts, music, theatre and athletics, The St. Andrew’s Schools promotes hands-on, project-based and experiential learning, leadership, and community service.
# # #
Contact: Miki Lee
(808) 532-2458 | 3,476 | 1,661 | 7,052.450331 |
warc | 202143 | Estate planning is a chance to reflect on how you want your personal and financial belongings transferred after your death. Those belongings can be your car, house, stocks, business, insurance, and even debts. People have different reasons for preserving their assets. Distribution can be for the surviving family, such as a spouse and children, or other decendants. Some may even choose to donate their assets to charity.
Estate planning helps minimize confusion and conflicts among family members when it comes to dividing up an estate.
If you’re married, have children, have any assets like a car, property, house, or business, creating an estate plan will benefit you. You shouldn't put off estate planning until you are elderly just because the event of losing your life seems so far off. You never know what can happen, and you want to be prepared to leave your family in good hands for any situation.
Wealth doesn't determine whether you should create a plan. Any asset you own will be divided up after your death, so it's best to disperse your belongings how you see fit now to save time and stress for your loved ones later on.
Tax planning is an essential and required part of handling your estate. Reducing your tax commitments and liabilities while estate planning ensures that those who acquire your assets after your departure will only have to pay minimal taxes. As of 2021, U.S. estates worth $11.70 million or less are exempt from federal taxes. Ensuring your estate's value falls below this threshold will save the beneficiaries from estate and inheritance taxes.
Insurance policies are tax-free when a beneficiary receives the payout, but it may push the estate value over $11.7 million if included as part of your estate. Accurately estimate the estate's worth entirely to ensure you don't have to pay more in taxes if it's not necessary.
Your spouse doesn't automatically inherit everything upon your death. The automatic sharing of your assets is based on your particular state's laws of descent and distribution. This distribution of your assets might not necessarily be how you wanted it to be. An estate plan can guarantee the fulfillment of your distribution wishes.
Estate planning can result in many complications if not done right. A lawyer well-versed in federal and state laws can guide you to ensure that your estate plan meets all requirements, but they aren't a necessity for drafting these documents.
You can create most estate planning documents on your own with precise and reliable instructions. There are numerous online services to help you to set up an estate plan easily. Most of these use a questionnaire style to gather your information to create the plan.
Estate planning is all about preparing for the unpredictability of life. Omitting certain information about your assets or ignoring liabilities you have might result in conflicts in the future. It's critical to consider every possible scenario and prepare your estate plan accordingly. You should never hurry this process and take your time to ensure your estate plan accounts for any potential concerns.
Failing to update your estate plan can lead to severe complications in the future. There are chances that the trustee who inherits your assets passes on before you or loses your trust. If you name your spouse as your beneficiary, but you separate at a later stage in life, failure to update the document will result in your ex-spouse receiving all of your assets upon your death.
You might also obtain more assets over your lifetime and forget to add them into your estate plan. It's best practice to review the estate plan periodically when you undergo significant life changes.
There will be many misconceptions about estate planning. Knowing the steps ahead of time will undoubtedly simplify the whole estate planning process and allows you to focus on the essential parts.
An estate plan frees you up from worrying about your family's affairs after your passing and clarifies your intentions for your assets. If you'd like to set one up, head over to Complete Wills. We have all the tools you need to create a fully customized, state-specific, and legally binding estate plan. Every document at Complete Wills is attorney-created & approved. | 4,271 | 1,954 | 9,291.720061 |
warc | 202143 | Natural chemical in soil blamed for odd odor
City officials are blaming a chemical found in soil that has, in the past, caused taste and odor issues in local drinking water as the likely source of a musty smell reported widely across Louisville.
With the help of the Louisville Water Co., the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District Monday put the blame on something called geosmin, a naturally occurring chemical with a very low odor threshold.
Air district spokesman Tom Nord said the odor has been "exacerbated by the wet, muddy conditions in the wake of the recent snowfall and rain."
Water company spokeswoman Kelley Dearing Smith said dry conditions make the chemical a taste and odor concern in water, and that it reacts differently in soil. The water company is not having any issues with it now, she said.
Geosmin can be detected by a human nose at miniscule concentrations, as low as just a few parts per trillion, Smith said.
Over the weekend, a couple dozen Louisville residents submitted odor complaints, on top of the approximately 40 who complained last week, and others took to social media to offer observations and theories about the city's seemingly ubiquitous big stink, which was reported by The Courier-Journal on Friday.
Officials said the mold or mildew odor has been around for at least a week, possibly longer.
Several people in Tweets, Facebook posts or in voice mail messages left with the newspaper said they suspected the Outer Loop Landfill might be the cause.
But Nord said they don't believe any industrial facility was causing this particular odor. However, he acknowledged the musty odor might be mixing with other odors in the community. Smell is also highly subjective, officials said.
One person commented on Facebook that it might be from the sewers. Someone else said it was making them sneeze. And one other joked: "Probably all those old (University of Kentucky) jackets the bandwagon fans are wearing that they found in the back of their closets."
Pam Crider Yeager wrote that the odor was strong in the Highlands on Sunday and offered her own idea, tongue in cheek: "Theory: Frozen stink bugs?"
For some people, the odor has made their lives more difficult.
In an interview, Germantown resident Joe McGee, who has breathing issues, said the odor mixed with sooty wood smoke in his neighborhood and seeped into his home, making breathing difficult.
"It's definitely sour," he said. "It's a weird smell. I can't really put my finger on it."
Nord said officials don't believe the odor itself presents any health hazards.
Former air district director Art Williams said he cannot recall something similar occurring while he was in charge of the agency during much of the 2000s. Smith said social media may have made people be more aware of the odor, as they discussed what they were smelling and where they were smelling it.
Nord said officials don't see a need to take any tests for the odor.
"While we cannot say with absolute certainty that this is the cause of the odor, we are reasonably confident that this is the source," he said.
"We continue to investigate odor complaints ... including those that may be coming from industrial or commercial facilities," he said. "As always, we encourage citizens to call the APCD at 574-6000 to report this and any other unusual odors."
Reach reporter James Bruggers at (502) 582-4645 or on Twitter @jbruggers. | 3,439 | 1,755 | 6,664.409687 |
warc | 202143 | A sero survey conducted in Kashmir has found that two out of every five people in the valley have developed antibodies against the coronavirus.
The survey carried out in October found the highest prevalence of antibodies in Pulwama at 43.1 per cent and the lowest in Kulgam at 28.5 per cent.
"We conducted a sero survey in all 10 districts of Kashmir which has revealed that nearly 39 per cent of the 6,200 persons tested negative but had developed antibodies," said Dr Muhammad Salim Khan, head of community medicine at Government Medical College here.
He said the survey was carried out in October on the heels of an exercise in Srinagar which had thrown up almost identical results.
While nearly 2,400 people were randomly tested in Srinagar, 400 people each were tested in the rest of the nine districts as part of the survey, he added.
Giving the district-wise break up of the results, Khan said Pulwama recorded the highest prevalence of antibodies in 43.1 per cent of the survey population, followed by 43 per cent in Budgam, 42.3 per cent in Kupwara, 40.7 per cent in Srinagar, 39.8 per cent in Bandipora and 39.0 per cent in Ganderbal.
"Anantnag (35.2 per cent), Baramulla (34.6 per cent), Shopian (31.9 per cent) and Kulgam (28.5 per cent) recorded lower than average prevalence of antibodies among the surveyed population," he said.
"The trend has been encouraging but it does not mean that (SARS-2) Covid will be defeated at a certain level of the population developing the antibodies. The scientific community is also wary of using the term herd immunity in the absence of a vaccine," Khan cautioned.
The Kashmir valley has recorded 62,520 Covid-19 cases so far including 1,063 deaths. While 57,532 people have recovered, there are 3,925 active cases.
Srinagar is the worst affected district in Jammu and Kashmir with nearly 20,000 people infected and 399 deaths due to the pandemic.
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warc | 202143 | Appreciating the Best of the Best
2013 is drawing to a close and it has been one heck of a year. My husband and I settled into a new home in Denver this year. Our daughter had her fourth knee surgery and continues her college journey. She is now a junior. Our son graduated from college and got his first ‘real’ job using his degree. I tell him he is living the 13-year old boy dream since he works as a video game production guy! My husband joined The Human Factor full time.
I have spent a lot of time on the road, working with clients of every shape and size. Which brings us to today’s subject.
As I pause to take stock of all the things I have to be grateful for, it certainly includes family, friends, health and many other things we sometimes take for granted. On the professional side, I’m grateful for the fact that my work brings me in contact with so many great companies, the great team at The Human Factor, and great leaders – and some not so great. I learn from both.
The great leaders teach me about discipline, focus and winning, but especially about focus. Whether it’s something they were born with or worked hard all their lives to develop, today’s great leaders have the ability to rise above the endless sea of interruptions and distractions that we all face on a daily basis. Regardless of what’s going around them, they find a way to stay focused on their most important priorities and continue moving toward the goal. More important, they work to create an environment whereby everybody in their organizations can do the same.
The not-so-great-leaders?
Well, they teach me what not to do. Like focusing more on the past than the future. Buying in to their thought bubbles rather than pausing to examine their attitudes, beliefs and assumptions. Letting distractions and interruptions control their daily agenda rather than doing first things first. Constantly attempting to prove themselves right even when they might not be. Playing not to lose rather than playing to win. And of course, not pausing to get clear on winning.
It’s easy to get distracted in today’s world, especially when our brains are constantly telling us that speed is more important than everything else – including our safety or our survival. The trick is to recognize distractions for what they are, and make a conscious decision to focus on what’s really important rather than what seems so urgent. And that’s what great leaders do on a daily basis.
So I say ‘thank you’ to those who remind us of the importance of staying focused on winning, and to those who show us what happens when we don’t. What are you thankful for this year, and why?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Call to action: Think of one leader or role model who has made a difference in your life and thank them. image credit: community.focusonthefamily.com Wait! Before you go. Choose how you want the latest innovation content delivered to you: Daily— RSS Feed — Email — Twitter — Facebook — Linkedin Today Weekly— Email Newsletter — Free Magazine — Linkedin Group
Holly is the CEO of THE HUMAN FACTOR, Inc. (www.TheHumanFactor.biz) and is a highly sought after and acclaimed speaker, business consultant, and author. Her unique approach to creating strategic agility, helping others go slow to go fast, will change your thinking.
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warc | 202143 | Now that we have been badly bitten several times, we had better starting being a lot shyer about whom we place our trust in. General elections are just around the corner and it is time we started thinking about who we will vote for. This time, more than at any other, we all need to be skeptical and also very demanding.
First of all we need to start asking our political leaders questions, directly and without hesitation, questions such as who they plan to govern with and who they have in mind to appoint to a number of crucial sectors. And we must not accept vague responses and platitudes such as ?We?ll see to all that after the elections.? ?After? the elections is tomorrow and Greece has no time to waste and no leeway to make any more mistakes.
After all, in most European countries, like in other parts of the world, every candidate for prime minister is obliged to inform the public of the people to whom he or she will be listening on issues of policy and crucial sectors, be they political officials such as ministers or close aides and advisers.
The second important question we need to ask is what they intend to do about the country?s finances, how they mean to achieve a budget surplus and what they will do with the public sector workers who are to be made redundant, according to the deal Athens signed with its creditors.
These are questions that mainly concern PASOK, New Democracy, the Democratic Left, the Democratic Alliance and Drasi) which have stated that they will adhere to the commitments made by Greece. This, of course, does not mean that the other parties shouldn?t be grilled as rigorously. In fact, it is those who insist that we don?t need this measure of austerity and fiscal discipline, and that the European Union will ultimately let us off the hook, who need to explain exactly where all of this optimism comes from, so maybe we can share it too.
These coming elections promise to be very tough indeed. People no longer believe in anything, nor in anyone, and they are loath to be taken in once again by big talk and easy promises. The task at hand is for the parties that support Greece remaining in the eurozone to prove that they have the right people and the right plan to achieve this. If they don?t, then they?d better hurry up. | 2,281 | 1,161 | 4,467.69509 |
warc | 202143 | There are several different types of kitchen countertop materials available for builders to use in their projects. Concrete is one of the most popular choices.
Concrete Countertops Tampa have several advantages. Concrete is easy to work with, needs little to no maintenance, and can be very durable. Read this brief article about concrete kitchen countertops to learn more.
The first advantage that concrete countertops have to offer is durability. Durable countertops will be able to withstand heat and frequent use. Heat and use will cause concrete countertops to expand and contract, causing cracks over time. This does not happen with outdoor kitchen countertops. Most concrete countertop materials are resistant to cracking and will not expand or contract regardless of the temperature.
Another advantage to concrete kitchen countertops is that they are very easy to install. Outdoor countertops can be installed with a sealer that will help protect the countertop from water damage and stains. When you are choosing a sealer for your outdoor countertop, make sure that you choose one that is waterproof. If you are using sealers that are not waterproof, your countertop could end up ruined during an unexpected rainstorm. Your countertop will also be protected against stains from foods and liquids that may damage it.
When you are selecting a sealer for your concrete countertop, be sure to pick one that is designed for your particular type of climate. A good sealer for outdoor kitchen countertops includes the asphalt sealer, but it is not recommended for use in colder climates. In warmer climates, the concrete mix is generally less likely to crack. Also, make sure that your sealer does not contain chlorine. While the chemical is great at keeping everything from staining your countertop, it can actually reduce the life of the sealer by damaging the concrete mix.
Concrete kitchen countertops come in a variety of colors, styles and textures. They are an excellent choice for anyone who likes the look of granite, but does not have the maintenance issues associated with granite countertop. There are outdoor countertop options that are made to resemble granite and come in a variety of styles and colors, including pebble and cloud. Stone is another popular choice for outdoor countertops, especially if you have a more traditional home design.
If you have a large family or a crowd of guests that frequently comes into your kitchen, you may want to consider an outdoor kitchen countertop. Outdoor kitchen countertops are available in concrete, stone and brick. You may also have the option of colored concrete or an enamel coating. A colored enamel coating is applied over the top of the concrete to create a lovely surface that looks like marble even in the brightest of sunlight.
Concrete countertop surfaces will need to be sealed periodically to keep them clean and sanitary. Sealing will prevent moisture from seeping up through the concrete and will help to keep the appearance of the concrete nice and shiny. Concrete sealers can be purchased at most home improvement stores or you can consult a contractor if you prefer to shop at the store. You should choose a sealer based on the exterior appearance of your countertop. Many contractors can offer advice on which product would be best for your particular type of concrete.
When choosing a kitchen countertop, there are several things to consider. First and foremost, you must choose a countertop that will match the overall decor of your kitchen. Second, choose a solid, tough, long-lasting concrete that will last many years. Finally, choose a countertop surface that will provide easy cleaning and do not require sealing or staining. With a little research and thought, you will find the perfect kitchen countertop for your kitchen. | 3,821 | 1,620 | 8,988.784568 |
warc | 202143 | Abstract:
Lung carcinoma is the leading cause of carcinoma death in the world. Despite recent advances in understanding the molecular biology of lung cancer and the introduction of new therapeutic agents for its treatment, its dismal 5-year survival rate has not changed substantially. Clinical approaches have not significantly improved the survival of patients with advanced lung cancer. However, recent discoveries about the molecular mechanisms responsible for lung cancer initiation and proliferation have unveiled new targets for therapy. One of the hallmark features of cancer cells is their ability to evade programmed cell death or apoptosis. Alterations in pro- and anti-apoptotic pathways are common in cancer cells and defects in regulation of apoptosis have been implicated in both lung tumorigenesis and drug resistance. Thus, targeting apoptosis through the direct or indirect manipulation of the pro-apoptotic machinery offers a novel strategy for treatment. This mini review summaries the molecular events that contribute to drug-induced apoptosis and how lung tumors evade apoptotic death followed by an analysis of the implications for treatment.
Keywords: Apoptosis, lung cancer, signaling pathways, therapy
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Article Details
VOLUME: 10
ISSUE: 6 Year: 2010
Published on: 01 March, 2012
Page: [566 - 574]
Pages: 9
DOI: 10.2174/156800910791859461
Price: $65 | 1,426 | 805 | 2,503.028571 |
warc | 202143 | The rally in wheat futures triggered by the United States Department of Agriculture quarterly grain stocks report failed to follow through, with Chicago Board of Trade futures in a declining trend for the last four sessions of last week.
Prices are still in the upper end of the range for the life of the December futures contract, but the surge in prices on the back of lower US supplies was not enough to take out either the August, or the May highs on the December contract, or the rolling nearby contract.
This is a function of how far through the year we are.
Early in the year, the market is driven by what is happening at the time, plus a margin for risk given the uncertainty of projections before the crop is in the bin.
RELATED READING: Futures surge on US stock level drop
At this time of the year, the market is still being driven by what is happening, but much less is attributed to risk given that more is known about how crops have yielded.
Of course, there are always lags in data and final revisions to numbers.
That process continues for some time, with assessments of stock levels likely to result in a revision to production numbers for months to come.
There is still time for data revisions to provide shocks to the futures market, but the potential is waning, and the size of the adjustments is likely to be smaller.
So, much lower risk premiums are embodied in current December 2021 and March 2022 wheat futures.
The market will keep responding to data revisions, demand from importers, and the pace of exports from major exporters.
Also, on the table will be the level of export taxes being applied by Russia, and therefore the cost of Russian wheat to importers, as well as ongoing talk that Russia may impose export quotas early next year.
We also have turmoil in energy markets, which flows over to any grain or oilseed that is involved in biofuel production.
There is also concern about inflation.
The inflation issue is both general in nature, as well as for food.
Food prices are now at a 10-year-high led largely by the current level of cereal grain prices.
We are also looking at the lowest wheat stocks to use ratio across the major exporters in close to 20 years.
Under inflation fund managers tend to move away from share markets and invest more heavily in commodities as a hedge against inflation. In the grains market, supply concerns (e.g. tight exporter stocks) and rising prices tend to see importers pull forward their purchases.
We might not see wheat prices surge higher in the short term, but there is enough to provide ongoing support at high levels into our harvest. | 2,632 | 1,289 | 5,333.42436 |
warc | 202143 | White label collaborations have grown in depth and breadth over the last decade, now including many more services and capabilities than were previously associated with the phrase. As customers’ needs have grown more sophisticated, such as expanding swiftly into a new market sector, ensuring regulatory compliance, or conducting a digital transformation, this transition has occurred.
Even the largest sell-side businesses are rethinking the infrastructure and services they supply through in-house resources, indicating a growing willingness to employ third-party services. Further business model transformation is unavoidable due to a mix of increasing consumer expectations and fintech competition, all set against a backdrop of low yields, pinched margins, and regulatory constraints. The white-label supplier must focus on delivery while the partner bank determines the strategy. Firms that simply supply one-dimensional “plug and play” solutions will be surpassed by suppliers whose service portfolio allows a higher level of collaboration and integration.
Service That Is Both Sustainable And Scalable
What does a white-label service need to look like now and in the future? While there has always been more going on behind the surface of a white-label relationship, it is now considerably more obvious to the end-user. Based on our expertise, we’ve put up a list of the essential components of a long-term, scalable service proposal.
Infrastructure And Platforms That Are Adaptable – While many white-label collaborations are likely to have begun with the provision of liquidity/pricing in a non-core asset class or geographic markets, such as developing markets or foreign exchange, new requirements emerge quickly. To remain competitive and retain clients, the white-label service provider must provide for ongoing service development through a flexible architecture and different platforms the same way as white label providers in Forex industry do. Providing front-office and trade execution skills swiftly leads to the fulfillment of middle- and back-office requirements, such as increased risk monitoring and management abilities, as well as settling and asset safekeeping. The level of connection and functionality necessary to satisfy these requirements can be extensive, but such efforts in integration are generally rewarded by the expansion and durability of partnerships with partner banks. Support At All Levels Of The Value Chain – The white-label service provider should provide a comprehensive variety of services in addition to a branded platform to assist a partner bank in improving their own client experience and maintaining connections. This should include onboarding methods that allow end-users to adopt the system quickly, as well as front, middle, and back-office support, as well as training, education, and even marketing tools. This strategy not only encourages the usage of existing services and products but also brings the partner bank and white-label service providers closer together in their increasing awareness of customer needs – and strengthens their combined efforts to satisfy those needs. Model Of Service – Customer satisfaction has always hinged on service quality, but in recent years, the bar has been lifted substantially, notably by a new generation of online retail service providers. Not only must services be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but support answers must also be quick and effective.
The IT and network infrastructure that underpins white-label services must provide global reliability, redundancy, and security, as well as reliable backups. The spatial distribution of the customer base would then guide software solutions, but an equilibrium should be struck among the need for local support, market knowledge and experience, language abilities, and available resources, and technological and specialist support which can be provided worldwide level from centers of excellence.
Customer Experience
In recent years, the competition to provide a unique user experience has increased dramatically. Customer expectations for a genuine response, customized functionality, and frictionless exchange between devices, platforms, and channels have risen as a result of advancements in other industries.
Open APIs, which make it much simpler to mix a variety of features in a single service or consumer interface, has allowed much of this digital innovation. White-label service providers must guarantee that their platforms can interact easily and fluidly via open APIs to enable partner banks’ need to provide personalized customer experiences. API-based communication and data sharing will become a need for all financial service providers over time, encompassing all middle- and back-office operations, not only at the client interface.
Prepare Ahead Of Time – Regulatory demands on balance sheets, macroeconomic pressures on rates, and competitive challenges on market share are all driving the banking sector to make a strategic change. It’s no longer possible to maintain a long-held preference for private solutions and resources. Banks are incorporating industry utilities and third-party resources as a far more fundamental component of their business models in order to respond to commercial possibilities and consumer requirements promptly and cost-effectively.
This provides an opportunity, but also a problem for white-label service providers: can you produce a personalized solution at scale and speed? Installing trading platforms on desks is one thing; managing corporate operations in a distant country to serve end-investors in several time zones is quite another.
Win-Win Situation
In five years, where will white-labelling be? The solution to this issue is contingent on the banking industry’s future. The desire and necessity for a larger spectrum of banks to collaborate with third-party suppliers to provide personalized, digitized services to end-users are only going to rise.
White-label service providers that are well-positioned will become an important component of a broad and fluid ecosystem in which different parties’ services, talents, and competencies are picked and combined into new, diversified, and interesting service offerings. This is a far cry from the industry’s origins, and it will necessitate the acquisition of new skills, but it is also the natural end of its primary goal. Best practice white-label service supply has always been about helping a client’s capacity to fulfill the demands of their end-customers, whether you call it outsourcing, partnership, or cooperation. In theory, this has not altered, and it will continue to be so in fact.
As demands change, the white-label service provider must invest in new technology and capabilities while also focusing on understanding and supporting unique client goals. Providers that refuse to adapt will quickly become obsolete, expedited by the simplicity and speed with which banks may incorporate new providers. | 7,079 | 3,201 | 15,453.936895 |
warc | 202143 | The US government invests more than $100 billion each year on contracts, grants, and other types of agreements with private companies, educational institutions, and non-profit entities for the research and development of new technologies, products, and processes. It is important for contractors to understand the rights the US government acquires in the intellectual property (IP) developed and delivered under and used in performing these government-funded or government-sponsored agreements. | 496 | 310 | 790.4 |
warc | 202143 | HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - One of the largest oil spills in recent California history over the weekend closed beaches and continued to threaten wildlife, as officials on Monday worked to determine where and why the leak occurred.
Thousands of gallons of heavy crude oil spilled into the waters off Orange County starting late Friday or early Saturday. The size of the spill was initially estimated at 126,000 gallons, but that number could rise up to 144,000 gallons by Monday morning, according to Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr.
The leak became known when boaters began reporting a sheen in the water.
The U.S Coast Guard took the lead in the response to the spill, which covers about 5.8 nautical miles between the Huntington Beach Pier and Newport Beach.
RELATED: Massive oil spill kills wildlife, closes shoreline at Huntington Beach California oil spill: Wetlands may face ‘ecological disaster’ from pipeline failure
The pipeline and operations at three offshore platforms owned by Houston-based Amplify Energy Corp. were shut down Saturday night, according to CEO Martyn Willsher. The 17.5-mile pipeline that is 80 to 100 feet below the surface was suctioned out so no more oil would spill as the location of the leak was being investigated, Willsher added.
But some residents, business owners and environmentalists questioned whether authorities reacted quickly enough to contain the spill, noting how the oil sheen and heavy petroleum smell were observed on Friday evening but operations weren’t shut down until late Saturday.
Rick Torgerson, owner of Blue Star Yacht Charter said on Friday evening "people were emailing, and the neighbors were asking, ‘do you smell that?’" By Saturday morning boats were returning to the marina with their hulls covered in oil, he said.
Garry Brown, president of the environmental group Orange County Coastkeeper, decried a lack of initial coordination among the Coast Guard and local officials in dealing with the spreading oil slick.
"By the time it comes to the beach, it’s done tremendous damage. Our frustration is, it could have been averted if there was a quick response," said Brown, who lives in Huntington Beach.
By Sunday, crews were racing to contain the oil, which will likely continue to wash up on the shore for several days and affect Newport Beach and other nearby communities. Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr said the beaches of the community nicknamed "Surf City" could remain closed anywhere "from a few weeks to a few months.''
"In a year that has been filled with incredibly challenging issues, this oil spill constitutes one of the most devastating situations that our community has dealt with in decades," Carr said. "We are doing everything in our power to protect the health and safety of our residents, our visitors and our natural habitats."
Carr described the situation as a "potential ecologic disaster."
Crews led by the Coast Guard-deployed skimmers laid some 3,700 feet of floating barriers known as booms to try to stop more oil from seeping into areas including Talbert Marsh, a 25-acre wetland. On land, there was also a race to find animals harmed by the oil — which washes ashore in sticky, black globules.
Some birds and fish were caught in the muck and died, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said. But by early afternoon Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard said there so far was just one ruddy duck that was covered in oil and receiving veterinary care.
"Other reports of oiled wildlife are being investigated," the Coast Guard said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a petroleum stench permeated the air throughout the area.
"You get the taste in the mouth just from the vapors in the air," Foley said.
Boaters who incurred any oil damage to their crafts were asked not to clean the boats themselves since they could spread the oil, but to contact county officials who could refer them to the proper channels for possible reimbursement of cleaning expenses.
In addition to beach closures, officials also canceled the final day of the annual Pacific Air Show in Huntington Beach that typically draws tens of thousands of spectators to the city of about 200,000 residents south of Los Angeles. The show featured flyovers by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
The leaking pipeline connects to an oil production platform named Elly, which in turn is connected by a walkway to a drilling platform named Ellen. Those two platforms and another nearby platform are in federal waters.
Elly began operating in 1980 in an area called the Beta Field. Oil pulled from beneath the ocean and processed by Elly is taken by the pipeline to Long Beach.
Cleanup workers attempt to contain oil that seeped into Talbert Marsh, home to around 90 bird species, after a 126,000-gallon oil spill from an offshore oil platform on Oct. 3, 2021, in Huntington Beach, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Rep. Michelle Steel, R-Huntington Beach, sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Sunday requesting a major disaster declaration for Orange County and noting "serious concerns about the environmental impacts of the spill."
"It is imperative that the federal government assist in recovery efforts. Constituents who live along the shoreline are already reporting oil on the beach and strong odors,'' Steel wrote, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles. "Officials are already responding to protect sea life. Dead fish and birds are already being reported on beaches and shorelines."
The spill comes three decades after a massive oil leak hit the same stretch of the Orange County coast. On Feb. 7, 1990, the oil tanker American Trader ran over its anchor off Huntington Beach, spilling nearly 417,000 gallons of crude. Fish and about 3,400 birds were killed.
In 2015, a ruptured pipeline north of Santa Barbara sent 143,000 gallons of crude oil gushing onto Refugio State Beach.
The area affected by the latest spill is home to threatened and endangered species, including a plump shorebird called the snowy plover, the California least tern and humpback whales.
"The coastal areas off of Southern California are just really rich for wildlife, a key biodiversity hot spot," said Miyoko Sakashita, director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s oceans program.
The effects of an oil spill are wide-ranging, environmentalists said. Birds that get oil on their feathers can’t fly, can’t clean themselves and can’t monitor their own temperatures, Sakashita said. Whales, dolphins and other sea creatures can have trouble breathing or die after swimming through oil or breathing in toxic fumes, she said.
Tune in to FOX 11 Los Angeles for the latest Southern California news.
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This story was reported from Cincinnati. The Associated Press contributed. | 6,858 | 3,276 | 14,120.027473 |
warc | 202143 | Welcome to the second stop on the Road to
Twelve and a Half series: self-awareness.
For those of you who didn’t know, Road to
Twelve and a Half is a new series I’m doing here on the blog and for my newsletter community leading up to the November 16th release of my upcoming book, Twelve and a Half: Leveraging the Emotional Ingredients Necessary for Business Success. Each week, we’re taking a look into one or two of the traits aka “ingredients” that I think are most important to building a happy and healthy personal and professional life.
Last week, we talked about all things gratitude. Next up, we’re diving into self-awareness.
What is Self-Awareness?
In addition to the above definition, I think self-awareness is about knowing your strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, the things you’re great at, the things you suck at…Ultimately, it comes down to knowing who you are and how you operate.
All 13 of the traits mentioned in my book are important variables in being successful, but I think self-awareness is one of the top ingredients. Here’s why.
Why Self-Awareness is Important
If you don’t know yourself and you don’t know what you’re good at, you’ve got no shot; you’re gonna be constantly spinning your wheels. The journey to self-awareness is about being willing to be
super honest with yourself about who you are, even when nobody’s watching. The problem is, too many people are basing who they want to be off of what friends and family think, a desire for fancy things they think will impress others, or what’s “cool.”
Let me give you an example.
Self-awareness and entrepreneurship
I remember exactly when the value of self-awareness first grabbed my attention. It was back in 2011 to 2013 when the interest in entrepreneurship became widely popular in culture.
More and more students and execs started becoming startup founders, and I was genuinely confused…
To me, it was clear that many of these people were not true entrepreneurs, but then I realized that it wasn’t clear to them. Why? — because they lacked self-awareness.
Many of these people had great ideas or lots of ambition, but that didn’t mean they were true entrepreneurs. I saw a lot of them trying to be number ones – aka CEOs and founders – when in reality, they were really meant to be amazing number twos, threes, and twenty-sevens. This doesn’t come from a place of audacity or me thinking that I’m better than anybody, anger, etc…it comes from empathy. The fact is that “number one spot” within a company is great
if you have the DNA for it and if it makes you happy. For example, business is 100% my hobby. I could never give it up because I’m a purebred entrepreneur, but I know this isn’t the case for many others.
Some people talk themselves into starting companies only to realize that they don’t like being at the helm, they don’t like the barrage of “no’s,” they don’t like taking risks. Maybe they’d actually be happy as fuck in another spot within a company, whether that’s number two, four, ten, etc…I think there’s actually an incredible amount of people that are meant to be great number threes and fours who’ve really put themselves into an unhappy framework trying to be entrepreneurs. Please, it’s time for us to have an honest conversation with ourselves about whether we actually enjoy the work of entrepreneurship, or if we’d be happier doing something else. For even more context, watch this clip:
My one hope for all of you reading this is that you develop true self-awareness. Remember, there’s a difference between thinking something is cool and knowing it’s your calling. Self-awareness will help you make the distinction.
Why Self-Awareness is So Hard for People
Self-awareness is about knowing who you are, and when you don’t know who you are, you leave yourself vulnerable to trying to become someone you’re not. Here are a couple of common traps I see people falling into.
1. Delusion
Delusional people lack self-awareness because they’re not being honest with themselves. Ironically, they tend to look critically at what everyone else is doing instead of looking inward and being real about themselves.
Look – I get it. Being honest with ourselves is hard. It’s much easier to be a keyboard warrior or to talk about what everybody else is doing wrong than it is to own up to your own stuff. The issue is that when people don’t look at themselves first, they can end up really overestimating their strengths and underestimating their weaknesses.
When you’re truly self-aware, there’s no room for delusion. You’re honest with yourself about everything, which allows you to triple-down on your strengths and navigate your weaknesses.
2. Overcompensation
This second group of people is not delusional…they actually realize when they suck at something, but they overcompensate for those insecurities by propping themselves up for everyone else to see. These are the folks who put “CEO” in their IG bios to look good in the eyes of the world rather than leaning into their actual strengths and passions.
This group is constantly chasing titles, promotions, and achievements. Ambition is great, but when you’re overly focused on what other people in the organization think about you rather than bringing actual value to your current position, that’s when you’re in trouble.
Titles are valuable when you’re planning to switch jobs or moving to another company altogether, but when I see people obsessed with gaining new titles within their company, I know that they’re more than likely overcompensating for some deeper insecurity around what other people think of them.
How to Build Your Self-Awareness
We’ve established that honesty is key, but let’s go a little further. One of the best ways to increase your self-awareness is by making the people closest to you feel safe enough to tell you the truth about their observations of you. Here are some other tactical ways to get real with yourself and build your self-awareness.
1. Pay attention to what you like
I want you to ask yourself the following questions…
What comes naturally to me?
What do I love doing? What’s in my DNA?
Answering these questions honestly is a great starting point to increasing self-awareness. More importantly, your answers will help you get closer to what might actually make you happy. With this, it’s important to understand that what you like is what you like. It’s not about manipulating that to fit into whatever’s cool right now or what you think could potentially make you the most money. It’s about really stopping to think what you would do even if no one was looking.
For me, I’ve always had self-awareness around the fact that I’m a purebred businessman. When I was six years-old, I had a six-lemonade stand franchise in Edison, New Jersey. From there it was trading and selling sports cards, garage sailing, my dad’s liquor store, VaynerMedia, VeeFriends…you get the point.
People often ask how I stay so focused or why I’ve never given up, and it’s simple. I know what I love to do and I don’t want to be doing anything else.
2. Pay attention to what you don’t like
On the other hand, it’s equally important to identify the things you hate. Oftentimes, I see people trying to force themselves to enjoy things they just don’t like instead of focusing on their passions. This leads to a crazy amount of self-judgement – which we’ll talk about more later on – and a lot of people end up beating themselves up for being “lazy.”
I actually think that being lazy is a good thing. Ask yourself this…What am I lazy around? Then ask yourself, is it laziness, or am I just showing myself that I actually don’t like this thing? Congratulations — you’ve just found an amazing mechanism toward building self-awareness. To understand how observing the patterns around your laziness can build self-awareness, watch this clip and let it sink in:
If you’re willing to pay attention to your dislikes with curiosity instead of judgement, you’ll learn a lot about yourself.
3. Pay attention to the facts
Lastly, it’s important to remember that your opinion isn’t the only one that matters. While likes and dislikes are important, self-awareness also relies on the truth of your proven track record.
You might think your content is amazing, but if you’ve been posting consistently for years and no one’s engaging, the truth is that it might suck. You might swear your product or service is the best out there, but what is the market saying?
When I made a thousand dollars as a sixth grader selling stuff, I knew I was going to be okay even if I got D’s and F’s in school. Why? It wasn’t just my opinion that I was a talented businessman — I had affirmation from the market.
Remember, self-awareness is about honesty, and honesty and delusion can’t coexist. That means that you can’t base your self-awareness solely on your own opinion of yourself. You also have to pay attention to the feedback and results you’re getting, while not personalizing any criticism you get.
Get Rid of the Judgement
As you build your self-awareness, guess what. You may learn some stuff about yourself that you don’t like. You may realize, oh, I thought I was good at that thing but I’m really not…or, I thought this was what I wanted to do with my life but I actually hate it and I want to do something totally different.
When this happens, it’s so important to realize that self-awareness does not equal self-judgement. Even if you realize you suck at something, you need to let it go. Why? Self-awareness isn’t an excuse to beat up on yourself. In fact, beating up on yourself is a complete waste of time. All it does is slow you down and get in the way of you moving on to starting the thing that’s actually gonna bring you happiness.
“I’m realizing right now that it’s one thing to be self-aware. It’s another thing to look in the mirror and say, ‘Hey, you’re not good at X.’ That doesn’t mean telling yourself you’re a piece of shit. It just means acknowledging a weakness.” – Twelve and a Half: Leveraging the Emotional Ingredients Necessary for Business Success
We all know who we are — sometimes we don’t
like that…but we know. The good news is that the opportunities are endless once we stop worrying about what other people think and holding those judgments against ourselves.
It’s not about You vs. Them or even You vs. You. Play life within yourself, be nice to yourself, and understand yourself. The quicker you lean into self-awareness, the quicker you deploy self-love and acceptance and stop buying into the hype of society.
Key Ingredient
There is so much more to say about self-awareness and how it overlaps with other things like confidence, accountability, etc., but I’ve saved the biggest gems for the book. I can’t wait for you all to read it.
How are you liking the series so far? I’d love to hear your thoughts on Twitter using the hashtag #RoadtoTwelveandaHalf. | 11,544 | 4,907 | 25,525.249643 |
warc | 202143 | France adopted its new Law on Transparency, the Fight against Corruption and Modernization of Economic Life which will bring France’s anti-corruption regime up to the highest European and international standards in its fight against corruption.
The Supreme Court of Canada held that the World Bank Group cannot be compelled to turn over volumes of investigation materials in a Canadian prosecution.
When senior government prosecutors discuss their white collar enforcement priorities, the prosecution of individuals frequently tops their list. However, holding company employees criminally responsible for corporate misconduct is easier said than done.
At the annual “SEC Speaks” conference on February 19, 2016 in Washington, DC, the head of the SEC’s FCPA Unit, Kara Brockmeyer, warned pharmaceutical companies that their industry will be under renewed scrutiny in 2016.
This event will explore the sanctions regimes of development banks, in parallel with those of the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission. A panel of experts will share observations on the evolving sanctions landscape and will provide practical guidance to companies in order to avoid unwanted enforcement scrutiny.
On November 1, 2015, several important amendments to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines became effective. The amendments include changes to the guidelines governing fraud and economic crime that will have a significant impact on the prosecution of individuals for a wide range of conduct. We summarize several of the amendments that could have a significant impact on sentencing and settlement negotiations in FCPA cases.
Holding company employees criminally responsible for corporate misconduct is easier said than done. We analyze why the Justice Department, which routinely concludes multimillion-dollar criminal settlements with the world’s largest corporations, struggles to convict individuals associated with the alleged misconduct?
France’s Finance Minister, Michel Sapin, presented the framework of a bill which would create a new anti-corruption authority and introduce U.S.-style monitorships into French law.
On June 18, the U.S. Justice Department (“DOJ”) announced the results of a nationwide sweep conducted by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force which led to the arrest of more than 240 healthcare providers alleged to be involved in over $700 million in false billings for Medicare services. Earlier in the…
As regulators and prosecutors across many jurisdictions increasingly cooperate in cross-border anti-corruption enforcement efforts, the importance of an effective, globally oriented anti-bribery compliance program cannot be overstated. Parallel enforcement actions along with greater scrutiny of corporate compliance programs serve as a sobering reminder of the persistent efforts of regulators. With… | 2,894 | 1,437 | 5,705.429367 |
warc | 202143 | The adverse consequences of COVID-19 could be broad, including reduction of consumer demand, supply chain disruption, and an increase in risk aversion in financial markets (driven by an overall downturn in business and consumer confidence). Local subsidiaries of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in affected regions, even those that are operating “business…
Author
Gustavo Sanchez-Gonzalez Browsing
Gustavo Sanchez is a member of Baker McKenzie's Tax Practice Group in Bogota. He joined the Firm in 2004 and was responsible for the transfer pricing practice in Baker McKenzie's Caracas office, collaborating on local and regional consulting projects and transfer pricing compliance from 2004 to 2006. He has been awarded the Tlacaelel National Award for Economics Consulting, the Inter-American Award for Research on Social Security, and the Consuelo Maeyer Award in Economics Research. Gustavo is currently responsible for the transfer pricing practice in Colombia and the Andean Region. | 1,003 | 569 | 1,741.588752 |
warc | 202143 | This article looks at how GoLearn’s solution can help Teaching Assistants make the most of the time with the students they support; to ensure that they are confident in the classroom and gain the relevant experience, help, and tools they need to achieve their potential.
In light of National Teaching Assistants Day last month, we thought we’d take the opportunity to outline the fantastic work and intrinsic role TA’s play in day-to-day schooling and how they support learners to engage with the curriculum and progress in their learning.
We believe Teaching Assistants are the unsung heroes of the classroom. And it’s not just us; check out the facts!
244,000 Teaching assistants are working in schools across the UK 96% of headteachers believe TA’s add value to their school 44% of parents of autistic children want more teaching assistants in UK schools
To celebrate the fantastic work Teaching Assistants do each day, we’ve highlighted five key ways GoLearn can help support these integral members of our schools!
A considerable part of our goal at Golearn is to save the amount of hours teachers and teaching assistants spend on planning and preparation time to focus on finessing what they do best — supporting and accelerating students’ learning.
We achieve this through automatic marking, feedback features, and full courses of study mapped to the curriculum — significantly reducing the hours spent planning, writing, and marking.
This frees up time for TA’s to work with students face-to-face and focus on the specific targets needed to help their pupils progress each day. The extra time can also be used to allow teachers and TA’s to connect regularly to review progress.
Our platform is built specifically to be a teaching companion that guides and informs your teaching day-to-day, month-to-month and year-to-year.
Our ‘teacher taught lessons’ feature provides a ready-made framework that teaching assistants can pick up and teach from in the absence of the class teacher complete with teaching instructions.
Our platform supplies you with the lesson resources, detailed lesson plans and guidance, all mapped to clear learning objectives and success criteria so that you can clearly see what each student should be learning and how you’ll know when they’ve been successful — no matter who you are supporting.
A huge part of a teaching assistant’s role is prepping resources each day. GoLearn provides complete courses of study that are fully mapped to the curriculum, underpinned by evidenced pedagogy and packed full of engaging lessons and personalised tasks — all to ensure the highest quality of teaching and learning.
These resources not only save you from endless photocopying and printing but can be used in conjunction with any curriculum worksheets and give you some great ideas for engaging displays or posters for your classroom.
Our lesson resources take away the added pressure of creating bespoke lessons for struggling students and give you more time to focus on student interventions.
GoLearn collects granular data each time a student interacts with the platform — tracking Reading, Writing, Listening and Grammar skills.
This data clearly highlights skills gaps, so teachers and teaching assistants can take the necessary steps to ensure all their students get back on track.
It’s an excellent way for TA’s to review learning data — understanding exactly where and how their students are progressing — so they can identify the areas where their pupils need more support to further build up their confidence and competence.
Not only does GoLearn encompass all of the above features, but we also offer a comprehensive support plan to every school that uses our solution. This includes;
Detailed teacher, student and school admin guides Comprehensive platform training sessions Opportunities for ongoing professional development and training Opportunities for further engagement, collaboration, and research
These meetings will help TA’s gain more experience in analysing learning data, including measuring the depth of learning through SOLO Taxonomy data and using data to help address specific class/student learning gaps uncovered through GoLearn’s Continuous Assessments.
We champion the idea that any classroom solution for improved teaching and learning needs to consider the vital role of Teaching Assistants and incorporate features and support to help them master their craft and demonstrate their potential.
If you’d like to learn more about how GoLearn can help you improve your teaching, reach out to our team by requesting a demonstration of our platform.
Ready to improve student outcomes?
Get in touch, or request a demo. | 4,821 | 2,154 | 10,443.261838 |
warc | 202143 | The White House, with great fanfare, announced its calculation that Americans would save a whopping 16 cents on cost of their Fourth of July cookouts. I hope everyone held on to their spare change because they’re going to need it.
According to the Commerce Department, U.S. Inflation is at a 13-year high. Put another way, the inflation rate hasn’t been this high since the last time Joe Biden walked the halls of the White House as vice president.
Because of Joe Biden’s endless spending spree, Georgia families spend more on daily items like gas and groceries, while wages are going down.
This news is in no way a surprise, as economists had been projecting Biden’s reckless tax and spending spree would have dire effects on the economy. Even some congressional Democrats have admitted that they were aware of the damage their spending would cause to the economy.
Congresswoman Kim Schrier (D-Washington) conceded during a June town hall that they “knew that there was a possibility that this [stimulus bill] could lead to inflation.”
While Schrier owned up to the blunder, Georgia families are hearing crickets from their representatives, Carolyn Bourdeaux and Lucy McBath. Their silence comes after they spent months promoting the stimulus bill.
The Biden administration has tried to sweep inflation concerns under the rug by claiming it’s “temporary,” but economists and investors have made it clear that this is not the case.
The Democrats knew what their policies would do to the economy, but it’s simply rinse and repeat every time they are in power. Reports show that Biden won’t allow the daily sting of inflation to stop his plans to more than double federal spending and implement massive tax increases.
Everyday expenses are crushing Georgians, and the Federal Reserve is warning it could get even worse.
Congressional Republicans have been rightly critical of the Democrats’ spending plan.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy made clear that the country would be in much better shape had Biden simply “done nothing” when he got into office.
However, Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock have remained noticeably absent in the face of rising inflation. Instead of confronting the problem, Ossoff and Warnock have promoted a liberal wish list that will only balloon the deficit. Economists have been clear that the Democrats’ deficit spending at this rate will only worsen our economic challenges.
Democrats have not set a spending limit for themselves. Every issue they have latched onto has trillion-dollar price tags, and they’ve made it clear that nothing is up for negotiation. Nancy Pelosi announced that the House would not consider any infrastructure spending unless the Senate first passes an earlier $3.5 trillion plan.
The Democrats have made it clear that they will pay any price to appease their liberal base and will gladly stick Georgian families with the bill no matter the cost. | 3,014 | 1,505 | 5,845.75814 |
warc | 202143 | The HiLASE Centre, part of the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, celebrates its 10 th birthday this year. A lot has changed since September 2011, when it existed only in people’s minds and “on paper”. In the town of Dolni Brezany, a cutting-edge research facility has grown, which has already broken several world records. We asked its head, Tomas Mocek, 10 questions to celebrate the 10th anniversary.
What has been the biggest success of these 10 years?I am most proud of the fact that we have managed to maintain and expand a stable international team. We have managed to develop and assemble lasers that are unique in the world, that we use them successfully for applications and that they work reliably. This is exactly what our users and industrial partners appreciate the most. Moreover, in the past 10 years we broke two world records on the Bivoj laser system. What have you enjoyed most about HiLASE over the last ten years?I remember at my birthday party, I think it was in 2014, my colleagues compared me to a lighthouse. And this year I even got a lighthouse from HiLASiANS. Do you remember a moment when you really worked up a sweat in HiLASE?I was most nervous about the official opening of the building in 2014. Luckily, everything worked out the way it was supposed to. When you look back – is there anything you would have done differently?Probably nothing, except maybe we would have built the thin-disk lasers in-house from the beginning. If you were to start HiLASE again, would you do it?Absolutely! And what advice would you give to someone thinking of doing something similar?To choose something really new, innovative, creative, something that will take the world a little bit further. What would you like to achieve at the HiLASE Centre in the future and what do you think we need to make it happen?I would like the HiLASE Centre to run like a well-oiled machine. To have meaningful projects and opportunities for collaboration, as well as interesting services and products for potential buyers. For this we need a team of great people who are not afraid to innovate and dream big. Where do you think the HiLASE Centre will be in 10 years in terms of research programmes?We will continue what we have started, focus on advanced manufacturing technologies… and we will get into space 🙂 What have the last 10 years at the HiLASE Centre given and taken away from you?It has given me self-confidence, the experience that taking risks is worthwhile, the joy of results of creative and meaningful work. It has taken away the opportunity to continue my active scientific work, but I certainly don’t regret it because my role is different. I feel comfortable in the role of music conductor. /laughs/ What would you wish the HiLASE Centre for its 10th birthday?Good luck for the next decades! Many meaningful projects, new discoveries and exciting moments in overcoming the limits of current laser technologies, new scientific and commercial collaborations, sufficient financial resources and potential investors, as well as the continuous development of our product and service portfolio! I wish HiLASIANS the joy of good work and the realization of their individual dreams! Sometimes a simple dream can be the inspiration for an interesting idea, which with hard work and luck will eventually become a reality and a great technological innovation! So, don’t be afraid of big challenges and go determinedly after your dreams! | 3,513 | 1,752 | 6,945.794521 |
warc | 202143 | On Wednesday, 26.5.2021, we had the pleasure to host our collaborators from the Technical University of Liberec and SIGMA a.s., with whom we are working on implementing Metal Additive Manufacturing technology for water pumps by applying the Laser Shock Peening.
Additive manufacturing brings a great advantage in flexibility; producing parts of almost any geometrical shape, and this advantage can be widely used in pump production. This flexibility often brings a cheaper end product. To improve the quality of the AM part, some post-process method is typically used, such as surface polishing, shot peening, thermal post-processing, etc. However, the method, technology, which has shown the best results as a post-process of AM is Laser Shock Peening (LSP). The reason for this is that LSP can make changes deep into the material. Applying the LSP as a post-process of AM makes AM advantages fully available for usage in the industrial environment.
At HiLASE Centre, together with our collaborators TUL and SIGMA, we are developing processes that enhance the properties of the AM pump blades, so in the end, AM can be used for such application. LSP helps in two ways; it improves the surface properties of the AM blade and improves the resistance to the cavitation erosion of the AM blade. | 1,295 | 695 | 2,405.532374 |
warc | 202143 | Overview
Internet of Things (IoT) and Augmented Reality (AR) are becoming increasingly important in navigating the current world. Especially with ‘Remote everywhere’, and social distancing measures in place in light of the COVID pandemic, more and more organizations are deploying IoT and AR solutions to derive better performance, easier communication, and optimizing their day-to-day operations. Today’s discussion demonstrates the various high-priority value drivers that can be deployed in the I4.0 journey.
Speaker
Cheah Peng Huat, Principal Technical Sales Specialist, Parametric Technology Corporation
From 2014 to 2015, Cheah Peng Huat was a Software Solutions Leader with GE Intelligent Platforms, Singapore. Since 2015, he has been a Senior IOT Presales Specialist with Parametric Technology Singapore Pte., Ltd. His vast experiences and keen interests are in functionalities include load forecasting, automatic generation control, microgrid energy management systems, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality.
Wong Jia Mein, Regional Sales Manager, Parametric Technology Corporation
Sales Manager previously with ABB Singapore Pte Ltd with experiences in SCADA, PMS, ENMCS, IMCS, and RTU systems. Since 2019, Wong Jia Mein has been a sales manager covering the SEA region in the Internet of Things (IoT) and Augmented Reality (AR), and working with clients to uncover the I4.0 journey together.
The material presented in this webinar has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter's own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Oil and Natural Gas Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE. Time
18:00—19:00 MYT.
Sponsors
IChemE gratefully acknowledges:
PETRONAS Group Technical Solutions (GTS) sponsorship of SONG evening talks
EAST One-Zero-One organizer of SONG evening talks
Get involved
Would you like to give a talk at a SONG event in Kuala Lumpur, or online to a wider audience of chemical engineers in the Asia Pacific region? We would like to hear from you. Please contact Avinash Ravendran with details about yourself and proposed a presentation. | 2,225 | 1,194 | 4,079.166667 |
warc | 202143 | Palm Oil Processing Public comments reviewed for the MSPO standards revision
21st September 2021
The MSPO Standards, MS2530:2013 series and the Supply Chain Certification Standard used under the MSPO Certification Scheme is a set of national standards that addresses sustainability and traceability requirements of the oil palm industry in Malaysia.
Following the Working Groups meetings in April 2021, the draft MSPO Standards (MSPO Part 1 to Part 4-3) were made available for public comment from 5 May to 4 July 2021, through the Standards Malaysia and MPOCC websites as well as physical roadshows throughout Peninsular and East Malaysia, to gather comments from the public and stakeholders. As a very large number of comments were received many days were devoted to the review of the public comments by the working groups.
For Working Group MSPO Part 4 (Part 4-1, Part 4-2, and Part 4-3) Zoom meetings were held from 1—3 and 6—10 September 2021 over a period of eight gruelling days.
Professor Denny is the chair of this Working Group but due to the many days Ir. Hong was elected as protem chair to cover the days Professor Denny was not available. The chairs had a very challenging task of keeping the meeting proceeding at a good pace and we were quite fortunate to have the invaluable expert inputs from members. Members kept upper most in their minds that this standard should be accepted internationally.
The output will now go through due processes and hopefully will be launched at the beginning of 2022. In the meantime, members look forward to the details of MSPO Trace which MPOCC has decided to mandate from 1 October 2021, with a three months grace period. Members also look forward to the MSPO GHG calculator referenced in the standards.
Back to group news | 1,792 | 934 | 3,401.730193 |
warc | 202143 | There have been several accounts of India's engagement with the United Nations but this book focuses particularly on the idea of One World, something greater than the UN. The need for a potent peace constituency amidst the increasing number of conflict zones with transnational and global impacts bolsters the rationale for an efficient global governing body, One World reified. The book has six chapters with a short prologue and epilogue. Manu Bhagavan presents a fine historical account of India's efforts for One World. The book draws attention to the important but often forgotten roles of the Indian trio—Gandhi, Nehru and Vijaylakshmi Pandi—amidst the Western championship of human rights and peace. It highlights how a fledgling India fought hard for the defence and protection of human rights, and the dignity of the colonised Asian and African countries and their ‘larger’ population. It was because of the vision, leadership and efforts of these three leaders that India made a strong case for the legal recognition and protection of human rights and peace, linking them to racism, colonialism, imperialism, dignity and freedom. | 1,161 | 634 | 2,085.771293 |
warc | 202143 | While some people like to build huge fences around their homes, some do not even build any at all, and then many others prefer to have a short fancy fence across their property. Whichever category you fall into, there’s no denying the fact that fences are functional and beautiful.
A fence gate is the entrance area in the fence with a door of some kind that allows you to pass through the wall into or out of the area. Fence gates can be anything and depending on your desires and the theme of your building, you’ll find that some fence gate ideas match your house design perfectly.
A fence gate is not only used around a house as fences and gates are pretty common in garden areas, courtyards, lawns, and around tree houses. You can make a fence gate from different materials like wood, wire, metal, plants, and so much more. So you’re not limited on what to use as your fence gate. With a fence gate installed, you can keep intruders, including dogs out of your garden.
If you don’t want to go the conventional route and are looking for excellent fence gate ideas you can use in areas around your home, you’re in the right place as we’ll go through some brilliant fence gate ideas cutting across simple concepts to more complicated gates.
Awesome Fence Gate Ideas & Designs #1. Stone Posts With White Wooden Gate
This fence gate uses two stone posts and a white wooden gate. The white gate is a classic design, while the stone posts bring some vintage look into the setup.
The idea is simple but maintains a classic look amidst a collection of beautiful
green trees. #2. Open Gate
Sometimes you just want something that gives you access to the other area, so you don’t have to jump over your fence when you want to reach something on the other side. This open gate idea provides you with an access route through your wall without obstructing your view or complicating things.
It is simple, open, and elegant, providing you with access to the other area of the fence while allowing you a good view of your splendid garden. This fence gate brings aesthetics and some functionality with it; however, it will not keep intruders out and, as such, is ideal for inner fences like gardens and lawn areas.
#3. Old But Not Forgotten
Old fences and gates are often seen as abandoned and dirty, but with a bit of touch, you can revive that old fence gate and make it a center of attraction again. This idea focuses on creating an old gate that looks attractive by adding exciting pieces to the gate.
This is an old wooden gate with a house-like shape post over it. Beautiful crawling flowers are added to the fence and gate area, and the post acts like a
trellis for the plant with showy flowers to go over. These flowers beautify the gate and make it pop. #4. The Log Gate
The log gate design is a DIY idea you can do without much experience or materials. It involves using logs that are easy to get to construct a gate. Use the logs to make a small gate and reinforce the gate with more logs. You can make good designs with these logs used to strengthen the gate.
This idea can be used for your garden, your home, or a play area for your kids. #5. Vinyl Rail Gate
A vinyl fence with an accompanying vinyl gate is a pleasant sight to behold. This gate idea taps into that emotion by bringing a white vinyl gate into the mix for a classic and beautiful view. The gate is a white vinyl rail system. Vinyl gates last longer than traditional wooden gates and only require repainting to bring them back to life when the color fades.
This gate can withstand the elements, which makes it last longer. It is, however, a more expensive option to implement, but it will surely pay for its price.
#6. Wooden Gate with Arched Top
This is somewhat of a typical wooden gate design with an arched top to bring something different. The gate is between two wooden posts and has wood pressed firmly against each other to make a closed gate idea.
It works well when used with a wooden fence as there is uniformity. You can use this as your garden or lawn gate.
#7. Wood Gate With Metal Support
This gate idea is more sophisticated than many of the already-listed gate ideas. It uses finely cut wood packed tightly against each other and supported by metals. The gate also has a key lock system attached so you can lock the gate whenever you want.
This gate can be used as your front gate in your garden or play area. It is elegant and would bring a lot of brilliance to your area.
#8. Cedar Wood Gate
This front gate idea uses cedarwood to make a large gate for farmhouses and country homes. It makes so much sense to have this gate if you want to bring the countryside charm to your home. The stone posts further add to its beauty.
#9. Wrought Iron Gate
Wrought iron is a timeless gate design that does not go out of fashion. It is sturdy and elegant and can last for a long time while only requiring repainting when the paint fades.
You can also make designs with iron for your gate. This gate is open and allows people to see through your home when used as a front gate. It is perfect when you have a
beautiful front yard to show off. #10. Chrome Pipe Gate
This pipe fence and gate use chrome pipes in vertical positions to make an elegant and functional gate. It makes an excellent front gate design as more people get to enjoy its brilliance and appeal. It is also long-lasting with a modern look. If you have a modern front garden or a home design to match, this could be a great choice of fence gate to have.
#11. Large Driveway Gate
This checkered wooden gate design is excellent for large driveways. The gate is simple and shows off your driveway and its surrounding beauty. It is a double gate designed with small pieces of wood and secured with a chain, which you can upgrade to a fancy lock system for extra aesthetics.
#12. Square Wooden Gate
This is a simple square wooden gate design with diagonal reinforcement. The gate uses strong wood and wooden posts to complete a functional gate for ranches, backyard gardens, and playgrounds. What it may lack in aesthetics, it brings in simplicity and functionality. It does not take much to construct and is an excellent DIY project to embark on.
#13. The Pallet Way
Pallets have become quite popular in recent times, serving as various garden materials, including pallet trellises, fences, and gates. Pallets in the garden have come to stay as it is cheap and easy to find and brings a unique design to your garden.
This pallet fence and gate use pallets as gates. It is held using door latches and a bolt for securing the entrance. It will fit a small garden area that you’ll want to keep animals out.
#14. Iron Gate With Tree Design
This is an impressive iron gate design with an ornamental tree. It is a rare idea that will evoke curiosity and make your visitors eager to see what the inside feels entails. The decorative tree is made from metal and is a beauty to behold.
Summary
Your home, garden, lawn, or kids’ play area will feel different and exciting when a gate fence is added to the mix. Gate fences can be aesthetically pleasing or functional or both, and depending on your needs, you can add a matching gate design to your area. This guide provides a list of fence gate designs to turn your area into a great space. | 7,349 | 3,185 | 16,753.874097 |
warc | 202143 | Authors: David Atkinson, Ahmed Al-Ashaab Addresses: Kodak de Mexico. S.A de C.V., Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. ' Manufacturing Department, Decision Engineering Centre (Building 50), Cranfield University, Cranfield, Beds, MK43 0AL, UK Abstract: This paper provides a conceptual review of New Product Introduction and Development (NPID) and includes three original contributions to the development of NPID literature. Firstly, the prior research is summarised and characterised and these categories are then used to define this literature and establish irregularities where future research might most be productively directed. The second major contribution to literature is the authors| empirical study and benchmarking of over 20 automotive suppliers in an effort to ascertain best practice. Finally this paper will discuss and evaluate the literature as it pertains to this NPID in a global context. Keywords: global NPD; new product introduction; new product development; NPD; GNPID; NPID review; benchmarking; best practice; globalisation.
International Journal of Product Development, 2008 Vol.6 No.2, pp.118 - 141
Full-text access for editors Access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article
Published online: 03 Jul 2008 * | 1,249 | 729 | 2,131.352538 |
warc | 202143 | Sri Lanka’s Gender-based Employment Segregation: Does it Increase Women’s Vulnerability Amidst COVID-19?
COVID-19 has created a crisis that has disproportionately affected women across the globe. Estimates show that women’s jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable than men’s jobs, and while women make up 39% of global employment, they account for 54% of overall job losses. While many factors affect the vulnerability of women’s employment during the pandemic, existing gender gaps in the labour market, women’s employment share in highly-affected sectors, the ability to telecommute and the amount of unpaid care work carried out by women have been identified as the main determinants. Against this backdrop, this blog examines women’s vulnerability in the Sri Lankan labour market due to the sector they are employed in. It also looks at gender-based employment segregation – a key factor behind women’s overrepresentation in certain industries and underrepresentation in others – and proposes policy measures to address this imbalance.
Most Sri Lankan families are struggling to meet the costs of childcare. A vast majority of women who wish to be employed do not enter the labour market due to the lack of quality and affordable childcare. Even low-income families have to bear the high cost of childcare due to the absence of affordable childcare arrangements. Despite a growing need for childcare, for many women, finding quality and affordable childcare is difficult and childcare costs are very high. At the same time, faced with labour shortages employers are struggling to attract women to the workforce. Some companies have tried to overcome this problem by offering childcare at the workplace. This blog, based on an IPS study, tries to assess the feasibility of employer-assisted child care by estimating the willingness of women to pay for such childcare.
For women’s month, we posed the following question to some of our researchers: what are some of the challenges women in Sri Lanka face from a gender equality standpoint and how can we tackle them? This blog carries responses from Ashani Abayasekara, Research Economist; Kithmina Hewage, Research Economist; Harini Weerasekera, Research Economist; Chathurga Karunanayake, Research Officer; and Tharindu Udayanga, Research Assistant.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of people across the world but not everyone has been affected in the same way. In most contexts, women and girls are disproportionately impacted, and girls and women pay a higher social and economic toll. This is mainly because of their relatively disadvantaged situation, and distinct social obligations and responsibilities. The pandemic has already derailed progress made towards achieving gender equality (SDG5). The labour market, health, education, nutrition and food security, and safety are some of those areas facing setbacks due to the pandemic. The negative impacts can be expected to widen (i.e., more individuals are affected) and deepen (i.e. the conditions of some individuals worsen) the already unfavourable situation.
Better information on the types of workers who are able to continue to carry out their tasks from home can help the government to design policies to reduce disruptions to economic activities. This blog examines the plausibility to WFH for different types of workers in Sri Lanka. | 3,421 | 1,613 | 7,124.078735 |
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