Military base in miami florida

Does Miami have a military base?

ISC Miami Coast Guard Base in Miami Beach, FL Integrated Support Command Miami is one of the few similar commands run by the United States Coast Guard throughout the country. Just like the other centers, this one is responsible for the military troops – both active and retired – who need specific services.

Where are military bases in Florida?

What military bases are in Tampa Florida?

MacDill Air Force Base ( MacDill AFB ) (IATA: MCF , ICAO: KMCF, FAA LID: MCF ) is an active United States Air Force installation located 4 miles (6.4 km) south-southwest of downtown Tampa, Florida.

Is Homestead Air Force Base still active?

Homestead ARB was established in 1942 as Homestead Army Airfield (AAF). After its destruction by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, the base was taken off active status and rebuilt, reopening as an Air Force Reserve facility in 1994.

Which state has the most military bases?

How many military bases are in Texas?

fifteen military bases

What are the best army bases to be stationed at?

Where is the largest US military base?

Fort Bragg

You might be interested:  Fort meade military base

How far is Patrick AFB from Orlando?

about 43 miles

Does Fort Lauderdale have a military base?

Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale .

Why is Centcom in Tampa?

CENTCOM COALITION. The U.S. Central Command ( CENTCOM ) Coalition at MacDill Air Force Base (AFB) in Tampa , Florida, is one of the largest military coalitions in U.S. history. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, the coalition began to form with a common purpose – to fight terrorism. “Beginning on Sept.

What planes are at MacDill AFB?

MacDill AFB is home to the USAF KC-135 and C-37 ( Gulfstream V ). Additionally a wide variety of fighter and cargo Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and other civilian aircraft regularly visit for training.

What is the largest Air Force base in the world?

Fort Bragg

Where is Hurlburt AFB located?

Florida Panhandle

Does Homestead AFB have a commissary?

— Commissary patrons attending the Guard-Reserve on-site sale at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., can order their products online now and pick them up during the event. “They can shop early and ensure they get products in the quantities they want.”


Friday, June 30, 2017

I have a birthday coming up next week and so my wife asked me to make a list of what I would like as a present.

The following is a list of the price, per 750ml bottle, of the world's most expensive red wines.

10. Chateau Margaux 2009 – $4,062
9. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti 1990 – $20,975
8. Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945 – $23,000
7. Chateau Lafite 1865 – $24,577
6. Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon 1941 – $24,675
5. Cheval Blanc 1947 – $33,781
4. Penfolds Grange Hermitage 1951 – $38,420
3. Chateau Lafite 1787 – $160,000
2. Chateau Margaux 1787 – $500,000
1. Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1992 – $500,000

Asking for all of them would just be plain greedy, so I'll let her choose.

Monday, June 26, 2017

What makes a good VINE

The eventual taste and quality of a wine depends on a number of factors:
Latitude: Wine-producing vines are grown all over the world in a belt roughly between thirty and fifty degrees latitude north or south of the equator. North of the equator includes the Mediterranean region as far north as Germany, and from sSouthern California as far north as Washington State. South of the equator, the band runs from Central Chile and Argentina, through the tip of South Africa to Southern Australia and New Zealand. The further away from the equator, the less sun there is. Less sun means less sugar and fruit on the vine, and consequently less alcohol and less color in the wine. Wines grown closer to the equator by contrast have more body, a darker color, and higher alcohol content.
Elevation: Where there is less sun, vines need to be grown on a slope so that they catch as much sunlight as possible. This is why German vineyards are all on south-facing slopes of river valleys. Vineyards in the South of France by contrast, already get enough sunlight and so do not need the angled slopes. In California, where fog from the cold Pacific creeps into the valleys most evenings, some types of grapes benefit from the cooling effects of the fog, while other grapes, such as Zinfandel, thrive at a higher elevation above the fog line.
Soil and drainage: Unlike most other crops, good vines do not benefit from rich fertile soil. Most vineyards are found in stony and infertile regions—but with good drainage. Poor topsoil forces the root of the vine to force itself deep into the ground in search of water. This results in stronger and more powerful roots, which can better absorb the complex taste of the minerals through which they dig. Limestone, chalk, volcanic pumice, and gravel are all especially favorable for vines, as they absorb and store rainwater and are rich in complex minerals from ancient marine life.
Climate: The prevailing microclimate of individual regions obviously has a major influence on the cultivation of grapes. The Languedoc region of Southern France has long, hot summers, little rain, and the drying effect of the Mistral winds, thus producing large quantities of dark-red wine with high alcohol. The river valleys of the Mosel in Germany have a much cooler climate with far more rain, and consequently produce pale-white wines which are low in alcohol.
Climate Change: Controversial or not, climate change is having a profound effect on the world’s vineyards, especially in Europe, where the boundary for wine growing moves steadily northward. The vineyards of Burgundy, which have always been vulnerable to cold winters resulting in poor harvests, have enjoyed an unprecedented twenty years of perfect growing seasons. The worry is that eventually, as the climate warms, it will become too hot for the Pinot Noir and Chardonnays, which also need cool evenings in order to produce that Burgundian magic. In Germany, too, with the extra sunshine, the Riesling grapes are producing more sugar, and thus the Auslese wines of the Moselle are becoming sweeter and more alcoholic.
The main beneficiaries of climate change are the English, who are finally able to grow their own vines and make their own wine without being beholden to any beastly foreigners. Various French Champagne houses are actually buying land in Southern England and planting vineyards in the same chalky, limestone soil they are used to back home in Northern France. The area of vines planted in England and Wales has doubled from 761 hectares in 2004 to about 1,500 hectares in 2013. The country now has almost 500 vineyards, and English “champagnes” are winning international prizes and being compared favorably—even by the French—to the best French Champagnes. In 1998, an English Classic Cuvée 1993, won first prize at the International Wine & Spirit Competition and was voted best sparkling wine in the world.
Varietal: Varietal refers to the specific type of grape, each of which have different requirements and produce different types of wine. Some varietals need more rain while others need more sun. Some varietals require a longer growing season, some bud early in the year, others reach fruition later. Over the centuries, winegrowers have matched the different varieties of grape with the ideal climate, elevation, and soil type. In Europe, with over 2,000 years of experience, different regions have their own specific grape varietal; in Burgundy, all red wines are made from the Pinot Noir grape, while in Tuscany all red wines are made with the Sangiovese grape. (The major different varietals are described alphabetically starting in Chapter Six.)
Vintner: The vintner, or winemaker, is the person whose decisions affect the final quality of the wine. Until recently, the vintner would rely on tradition, using the wisdom and experience passed down from his father and grandfather who had typically been producing wine in the same place for generations. These days, the vintner is probably university-trained and bases his decisions on the latest scientific research. Another major difference is that these days, the vintner is very often female, as more and more women are running vineyards and directing wineries. Today, there are even “Flying Winemakers” who travel the world, sharing their expertise for the week or two they spend visiting different vineyards and wineries on their travels.

The Vine: The vine is nature’s factory that produces the sugar out of earth, air, sun and water which the vintner will ultimately use to make wine. The roots of the vine pull water out of the earth, while the chlorophyll in the green leaves draws carbon dioxide out of the surrounding air. By the magical process of photosynthesis, light from the sun transforms these simple ingredients into sucrose sugars. The rising sap then takes this sucrose into the flesh of the grapes, which is used to provide the seeds with energy. This whole cycle has no other purpose than to provide the seeds with enough food and vigor to start the next generation. The production of juicy grapes or fine wines is purely incidental to Nature, whose only interest lies in propagating the endless cycle of birth and rebirth.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Finally - the printed book!

I've just received a proof copy of my book, The Booklovers' Guide to Wine from my publisher at Books&Books Press. For any writer, this is always the most exciting moment; holding the physical reality of all that work and research ... not to mention all that wine!

Publication is still planned for September. Can't wait.

Monday, June 19, 2017

We are not limited to food or taste metaphors, as a visual species we have other tools to describe wine. Karen MacNeil, the well-respected wine critic and author of the Wine Bible quoted a restaurant owner’s description of Viognier wine. “If a good German Riesling is like an ice-skater (fast, racy with a cutting edge), and Chardonnay is like a middle-heavyweight boxer (paunchy, solid, powerful), then Viognier would have to be described as a female gymnast – beautiful and perfectly shaped, with muscle but superb agility and elegance.”  Britt Karlson, the Swedish wine critic once described an unfortunate wine as "… ideal for serving at a funeral dinner, because it provokes a fitting mood of sorrow and grief."

Sunday, June 18, 2017

New Wine Class

My new wine class begins tomorrow evening, Monday June 19th.
It's about the 25th or so program that I've conducted at Books & Books and, as always, I am excited about starting a new class and meeting a whole new group of students.

What is always amusing, to me, is how this group of adult strangers will awkwardly interact during the first class - not knowing each other, not knowing what to expect - and yet by the final class they will all be best friends, exchanging e-mail addresses and knowing so much about each other's wine preferences - and so much else.

If you were not aware of this class, unfortunately it is sold out, but I am sure we will run another class in the Fall. Just contact and she will make sure you're included in the next session.

Summer Wine Class: June 19 - July 24, 2017

Gables store: 305.442.4408

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Friday, June 9, 2017

While the word “acid” evokes images of car batteries rather than a refreshing beverage, acids play an important role in both the making and tasting of wine. The two major acids, tartaric and malic, are both naturally present in the grapes as they first develop on the vine.

Tartaric acid, Unlike malic acid, is not so common in the plant world and, outside the tropics, is almost exclusive to the grape vine. One of the ways that archeologists have been able to identify ancient wine-producing sites is through traces of tartaric acid. Because tartaric acid is unique to the grape vine, residue of tartaric crystals in amphora and other containers provides an indication of a winemaking culture. Depending on the varietal of the grape and the temperature, tartaric acids can sometimes crystalize in the wine. When this happens, the crystals sink to the bottom of the bottles, where they resemble broken glass or “wine diamonds.” Although they are perfectly harmless and tasteless, consumers object to these crystals, and so most winemakers try to remove excess tartaric acid before bottling.

Malic acid is found in just about every fruit and berry plant and is most commonly associated with apples, which is where it derives its name, malum, the Latin word for apple. It is that sharp astringent taste of green apples which is most recognizable in an acidic wine. The malic acids play an important role in the growth of the vine, providing energy during photosynthesis and, at veraison, metabolizing into sugar. It is the malic acid which provides the sharpness to the flavors and which balances the sweetness of any residual sugars, as well as complementing the bitterness of the tannins in red wine. Too much malic acid in a wine will make it tart and unpleasantly astringent, and too little will make the wine taste flabby and dead.  The correct amount of malic acid is what provides the balance and harmony of a great wine.

Lactic acid. Unlike the other acids, is not found in the grapes, but is a product of a secondary fermentation. Most white wines and some red wines are not subject to the secondary fermentation, and therefore do not contain any lactic acid. Secondary, or Malolactic Fermentation, is the process by which certain bacteria convert the tart malic acids into the softer lactic acids. Lactic acid was first derived from sour milk in the eighteenth century, and the name comes from the Latin word for milk, lact. Most red wines and most Chardonnays undergo malolactic fermentation, partly to soften the tartness of the malic acids but also for the improved “mouth-feel” that results. Unlike, say, a Sauvignon Blanc, which retains the green-apple-sharpness of the malic acids, a Chardonnay following malolactic fermentation will have the softer, more “buttery” feel and flavor of the lactic acid.

Acetic acid is a product of the primary fermentation when the yeasts are converting the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. If the wine is further exposed to oxygen, the alcohol will be converted by bacteria into ascetic acid and eventually into vinegar. Not a good acid.

In addition to balancing the taste of the sugars and tannins in wine to create the complex harmony that wine drinkers so enjoy, acids also play an important role in protecting and stabilizing the wine on its journey from the initial fermentation barrels to its happy arrival in our glass.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Like tannins, sulphites are often mentioned in connection with wine and their role and effects are often misunderstood. All wines contain sulphur dioxide, SO2, in various forms, collectively known as sulphites and even in completely natural wine it is present at concentrations of up to 10 milligrams per liter. The most important thing to understand is that sulphites are an entirely natural bi-product of yeast metabolism during fermentation and would be found in wines even if the winemaker added nothing to the juice.

The Romans used to burn sulphur beneath their upturned amphora or wine containers to sterilize them before use and winemakers have been adding various amounts of sulphites ever since to prevent bacteria and bad yeasts from developing in the wine. In the late 1840s European vineyards were nearly all destroyed by a disease called oïdium and were saved only at the last moment by nation-wide applications of sulpher dust.

Sulphites play a very important role in preventing oxidization and maintaining a wine’s freshness. Even so, compared to processed foods, dried fruit, sodas, packaged meats or even commercial fruit juice the amount of sulphites in wine is miniscule. On visits to Europe over the years, I have often been given bottles of wine made by friends for local consumption, not for export. These fresh wines which were delicious when drunk locally, had been made without the addition of sulphites and were sadly undrinkable by the time I had brought them home to the USA.

U.S. wine labels are required to indicate if the sulphite level exceeds 10 parts per million (ppm). Many red wines contain sulphite levels of 50 ppm but this should be compared with the 2,000 ppm sulphite level of French fries to put it in perspective. Some people blame the sulphites for the headaches they suffer when drinking red wine but in fact red wine has much lower sulphites than white wine and headaches are more likely to be caused by the tannins, the histamines or even the extra alcohol in red wines. Despite some of the hysteria about sulphites, the levels of sulpher dioxide in wines is too small to have any adverse health effects except for those people who are clinically allergic to sulphites, and the FDA estimates this to be less than 1% of the population.

If you have eaten dried fruit or French fries with no ill-effects, then continue to drink your wine and not worry about sulphites.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Oldest Bordeaux?

There is an interesting article in last month's Vivino discussing what is possibly the oldest bottle of Bordeaux in the world.

For those readers who are interested in really old, pre-Phylloxera wines, I must recommend a wonderful book by Benjamin Wallace entitled 'The Billionaire's Vinegar.'


Question 3. Answer: By the process of convection. A. Schülerversuch: Wasser zum kochen bringen und abkühlen lassen. Clinical thermometer . How does the transfer of heat take place in water or air? So, when a particular amount of heat is supplied to the thermometer bulb consisting of mercury (by the hot body whose temperature is to be measured), then the mercury expands and get rises in the glass tube of the thermometer. It is used to measure the temperatures in school or other laboratories for scientific purpose as they measure temperatures to a range higher than clinical thermometers. Look at ... Read more Grade 7 Heat Worksheets Question 1. Both the clinical thermometer and laboratory thermometer are mercury thermometers. MCQ Questions for Class 7 Science: Ch 4 Heat. Das Minimum- Maximium- Thermometer . the normal approximate temperature of a human body is 37° C or 98.6° F but it varies depending on age, activity, time of the day, environmental conditions, etc. State similarities and differences between the laboratory thermometer and the clinical thermometer. Die genommen Messdaten sollen erfasst und mit dem Computer ausgewertet und dargestellt werden. Answer:-10°C to 110°C. The thermometer is represented with a diagram as well to aid students in recognising this device to measure body temperature. stärkemesser, ein Luftfeuchtigkeitsanzeiger, ein Regenmesser und ein Thermometer sein. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Give two examples each of conductors and insulators of heat. Discuss why wearing more layers of clothing during winter keeps us warmer than wearing just one thick piece of clothing. The 4 most important are: - Clinical thermometer : Includes traditional thermometer and electronic. Question 4. Clinical Thermometer; Reading a Clinical thermometer; Human body temperature; Laboratory thermometer; Precautions; Heat transfer; Conduction; Convection; Sea Breeze and Land Breeze; Radiation; Reasons to wear light colored clothes in Summer; Class 7 Chemistry Heat: Sea Breeze and Land Breeze: Sea Breeze and Land Breeze . Dabei alle 60 sec. Name the process in which a solid directly changes into gas on heating. Clinical thermometer can never be used for measuring the temperature of any object other than human body. Each thermometer has been created specially to make its measurement in a certain place, but absolutely everyone has the same unique function: to measure the temperature of something. Class 7 Chemistry Heat: Laboratory thermometer: Laboratory thermometer. Einhundert Grad ist die Siedetemperatur von Wasser. 4. The activity discussed in our Notes on Heat Class 7 teaches you how to use a clinical thermometer. This fact is used in measuring the temperature. Heat Class 7 Extra Questions Very Short Answer Type. The land gets heated up by the heat radiated by the … Answer: A clinical thermometer is used to measure the temperature of human body. Question: Explain the construction and working of a clinical thermometer with the help of a diagram. Write the range of laboratory thermometer. NCERT Solutions; _Class 6; _Class 7; _Class 8; _Class 9; _Class 10; _Class 11; _Class 12; Revision Notes; _Class 6 ; _Class 7; _Class 8; _Class 9; _Class 10; _Class 11; _Class 12; Important Questions; _Class 6; _Class 7; _Class 8; _Class 9; _Class 10; _Class 11; _Class 12; Download App; Watch … die Temperatur messen. Temperaturkurven zeichnen Temperaturwerte an einem Sommertag. MCQ Questions for Class 7 Science: Ch 4 Heat. Bei 100 Grad siedet das Wasser. Tabelle erstellen und Diagramm zeichnen. The use of the thermometer depends very much on the reason why it was manufactured. Question 2. This is "Clinical Thermometer - Class 7" by PITB on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. It rises or falls under a state of illness. … (Bauanleitungen beispielsweise in Natur Plus 7, Schroedel 1997) Es sollen regelmäßige Messungen erhoben werden. 2. Hier finden Sie eine Übersicht über weitere … Answer the following questions in short: 1. Answer: Sublimation. 3.

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AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction

More and more people use virtual assistants in their everyday life (e.g., on their mobile phones, in their homes, or in their cars). So-called vehicle assistance systems have evolved over the years and now perform various proactive tasks. However, we still lack concrete guidelines with all the specifics that one needs to consider to build virtual assistants that provide a convincing user experience (especially in vehicles). This research provides guidelines for designing virtual in- vehicle assistants. The developed guidelines offer a clear and structured overview of what designers have to consider while designing virtual in-vehicle assistants for a convincing user experience. Following design science research principles, we designed the guidelines based on the existing literature on the requirements of assistant systems and on the results from interviewing experts. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the guidelines, we developed a virtual reality prototype that considered the design guidelines. In a user experience test with 19 participants, we found that the prototype was easy to use, allowed good interaction, and increased the users’ overall comfort.


How To Write the Best Recognition Strategy – Part 2

Creating a Recognition Purpose and Philosophy Statement—Part 2 of 4

I’ve outlined the reasons why you should have a written recognition strategy for your organization. But where do you begin with creating one?

Organizations need a North Star to guide their recognition efforts. Which makes the first step in crafting a recognition strategy as creating a recognition purpose statement and accompanying philosophy statement.

Having a recognition purpose and philosophy statement unifies organizational leaders and those responsible for employee recognition practices and programs. It gets everyone nodding their heads in agreement with what they have outlined. Everyone is on the same page as to why you have recognition and what you believe about it.

So, let’s figure out how to create one.

Telling People The Difference Their Actions Make Is Important

In life, I strive for a basic level of minimalism. I still have a lot of things, but I continually get rid of some things I no longer need or use so I can focus more on what’s most important to me—such as family, friends, joy, and freedom. Minimalism can make a real difference.

However, when expressing recognition to the people you and I work with, there is no need for minimalism with how you communicate your praise and appreciation to them. That means, as I have said before, that those meaningless, short phrases like “good job” and “well done,” don’t work.

If you’re still using them, you’ve gone too far with decluttering your recognition messaging.

This post is all about showing you the importance of telling people the difference their positive actions make on others.

How To Get Your Leaders To Use Your Recognition Programs

When I conducted a management survey several years ago in the public sector, a response to one question asked revealed that 93 percent of all managers said senior leader involvement in recognition programs was very or extremely important. A large majority, 75 percent, said it was extremely important.

The reality?

These same managers said only 21 percent of leaders were very involved with their recognition programs.

Our research shows that organizations with leaders committed to supporting award and recognition programs strategically, financially, and by example, have higher employee evaluations for feeling appreciated for their contributions on the job.

All that remains for you to do is to get your leaders using your online recognition programs. Try out some of the following suggestions.

First Things First – Learning How To Give Recognition

Leaders often barrage their managers of recognition with criticism over a lack of participation and usage of their organization’s employee recognition programs.

Naturally, not all organizations have participation problems. Some are exemplary. They have fought hard for that position. It did not come about easily, nor did it happen overnight.

But never let those who do not understand the intricacies and gifts of what it takes to make recognition happen, believe that they are the “real” recognition givers and know exactly what it takes to get full participation with recognition programs.

Instead, remind them that first things must come first. Teach them how to give recognition one-on-one, whether in person, or by all the communication methods available to them

How To Write the Best Recognition Strategy – Part 1

Having a business strategy is absolute for driving a business with its concrete plans, which assists with making the right decision.

Likewise, having a written recognition strategy elevates the importance of recognition by outlining three powerful drivers for any organization.

1.    A recognition strategy allows organizational leaders to spell out its purpose and philosophy for recognition and how they intend to use recognition the right way.

2.    A recognition strategy aligns with the overall organizational strategy and shows how the recognition practices and programs integrate to reinforce and drive results.

3.    A recognition strategy is also supportive of your people strategies, as it is driven by the organizational culture and recognizes people who live the organizational values.

The only question that remains is whether you have a written recognition strategy.

In this four-part series, I will outline how you can write the best recognition strategy essential to catapulting employee recognition practices and programs into the future.

Mind Your Please and Thank You’s!

Yes, it is still important to mind your manners and say please and thank you, even in the workplace.

Etiquette and manners seem to fly out the door with common courtesy in dealing with managers and peers. Our language has become short and cryptic with the increased usage of messaging with smartphones.

Yet, January is National Thank You Month, so it seems even more relevant to address this often-overlooked subject.

What Is The Purpose of Your Recognition Programs?

One reason recognition programs succeed is because they have a clear core purpose behind them.

Besides simply answering the “why” question for each of your recognition programs, work also towards using your recognition programs purposefully.

Check out the following purpose-driven ideas for helping your recognition programs thrive.


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Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment

What number does XIV represent?
How many natural rights are there?
Where was Mozart from?
What did Peter the Great do to Russia?
Thomas Jefferson said life, liberty, pursuit of _______.
How was the cost of transportation after the improvement in ship design?
Who wrote Don Quixote?
Louis ___ of France
monarch of Russia
Two Treatises on Government
What did the Palace of Versailles symbolize?
Sun ___
Palace of _____
Separation of Church and State
At what age did Mozart start composing?
______ Revolution
monarch of France
The Social Contract
Peter the _____
Classical composer
_____ of powers
The Spirit of Laws
How many enlightenment thinkers were there?
Who painted Liberty Leading the People?
divine ___
Baroque composer
life, ___, property
______ toleration
What is the other name for a Russian king?


Updated date:

10 Skills That Cannot Go Out of Fashion

10 Skills That Cannot Go Out of Fashion

Do you have an obsession with going along with trends?

The following trend is a good idea, but what about having things that cannot go out of trend or fashion?

Isn’t it a good idea to grab things that remain fresh and new in every trend?

Today I am going to share a list of 8 skills that cannot go out of the fashion. These are as fresh and trendy as they were in the last decade. No digital shift can change the demand for these, they would not only give you confidence but also advance your career.

Here we go.

  1. Creativity
  2. Management
  3. Active listening and learning
  4. Synchronization with others
  5. Complex problem solving
  6. Negotiation
  7. Quality control
  8. Decision making

Creativity is a soft skill that comes from knowledge, practice, and discipline. Creativity can also be defined as the quality or ability to perform or think something differently and uniquely. Further, creativity can be shown in so many ways. Like you can be creative in fashion designing, writing, singing, and cooking.

For example, the various dance forms came from someone's creative mind. One who loved to dance slowly he thought of Salsa. More energetic one thought of Bhangra. They all came from a unique way of thinking.

That is creativity.

Management is a buzzword. Management is organizing work or something in a doable way. As entrepreneurship is increasing, they need to manage their work, finance, product, and whatnot. Management is the skill we do not require only in business but in our personal lives also.

You must have heard saying someone that ‘it is necessary to manage the personal life and professional life to stay concentrated and hustle-free.’ This is the mantra of a successful life.

Active Listening and Learning

Nowadays the youngsters have unmatchable energy. They want to learn everything. Active listening and learning are very important and need of the hour to remain in the race of this fast-paced world.

Synchronization with Others

Co-ordination is the key. How well you can communicate with others or co-ordinate with them tells a lot about you.

An African proverb tells everything about co-ordination. It says ‘if you want to go quickly, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.’

These lines describe the power of co-ordination very beautifully.

If you want to achieve sound outcomes, just learn to co-ordinate.

Complex Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is not limited to solve academic problems only. It also refers to handle difficult or unexpected situations in front of you. To find the most effective solution for a problem is not only helps in your business but also makes your life so easy.

Observation, knowledge, and practice will help you to improve your complex problem-solving skills.

Negotiation is a discussion that allows settling with the best option for parties. It includes a bunch of soft skills like communication, planning, and strategy-making. Good negotiation skills help in gaining success for the organization. You need planning, relevant knowledge, and judgment skills to become a good negotiator.

Some tips to become a good negotiator.

  1. Don’t mind rejections
  2. Know your final goal
  3. Do your research

Quality Control

Quality and quality control both are irreplaceable skills. Quality control can be referred to as the process by which the quality of the product or service is maintained or improved throughout time.

I have worked as a Quality Control Executive in a pharmaceutical company, there I realized how important quality control is. We used to examine the product at each stage to ensure if it meets all the specific requirements or not.

Decision-making skills can simply be defined as choosing the best path among two or more paths or solutions. Choosing the most beneficial alternative is not that easy as it seems. It requires background knowledge, foresightedness, and possible outcomes. Analysis of each possible alternative is the key factor in decision-making.

Sometimes life creates some problems, and we find ourselves struggling with which path we should choose. That is exactly where decision-making skills are required. This skill is not only important in professional life but also helps in some relationship problems as well.

Your decision-making skills also show your leadership skills.

Bottom Line

The human mind can explore and learn anything. Learning and grooming above mentioned skills will keep you in the front row always. With these skills you can become a person, who can make a dream life in current technology-driven world.

Keep exploring your skills, keep furnishing your skills.

Priyanka bhadu (author) from Rajsthan, India on October 02, 2020:

Thankyou Jaspreet for your kind words.

Thank you Amit, I am glad that you found it useful.

The idea to write this article came from my cupboard.

Jaspreet Kaur on October 02, 2020:

Thank you my dear friend priyanka for telling us about these incredible skills. They are really useful. I feel proud on you. Well done, keep it up.

Amit Masih from Jaipur, India on October 02, 2020:

Excellent! Thank you, Priyanka for providing us with the valuable stuff. Very informative and useful article. Keep on sharing!


Blonde female student working on her laptop

ICT Functional Skills is designed to equip you with the confidence and ability to use ICT systems and tools, and find, select, develop, present, and communicate information.

There are three entry levels and two levels within ICT Functional Skills.

ICT Functional Skills is a hands-on course, and you will learn via task sheets and interactive worksheets where you will be given step-by-step guidance on how to complete a task.

ICT Functional Skills is assessed by a single, external, paper-based two hour test that's available on demand and completed at a computer.

What’s Next

ICT Functional Skills are a great way to introduce you to using a computer. Once you’ve completed a level you can move on to the next one, and they allow you to show that you are proficient at ICT within a workplace.

Return to Literacy Skills


The moon is getting closer
and fuller, and so is
everything.  There is beauty

in the broken sugar bowl,
in the stacks
of dusty books,

dog eared
and leaning. Tree shadows
speckle moonlight

around the lawn
and so we gravitate to
the bright places.

The music is sweet.
Our legs go up
the mountain.  This river

runs on and on.
Water softens
the stone.

Riding in the Rain

On the edge of control
(leaning toward none),
I grip the brakes, tires popping,

spinning over root
and stone.  Humbled
by the hurtling,

I am certain
that I am not the one
controlling this experience.

Look ahead of you,
my friend advises, See
the path you want to take,

not the obstacles
you are trying to avoid.
And between peals of thunder,

everything changes.
Exhilarating raindrops link
the rolling clouds

to our bare arms,
and the way
becomes clear.

Inside, Out

This is the season for rivers,
swollen and rambling,
the time for roses

pink and wild,
for sagebrush,
and the air

pungent with beginning.  It is
the afternoon
of the chipmunk scrambling

and the raincloud
raining, the hour
for the resting of muddy shoes

and perhaps,
for napping.  Today
is making the space for noticing,

and in noticing,
finding the spaces
for love.

Waking Up on Friday

Orange sunlight
fills the body
still half

in a dream,
and slowly drips
consciousness all the way

down to the toes
and fingers.  In
the brevity of sunrise,

you are the impermanence,
like the dream
you are leaving,

a brief vessel
for the sweetest of birdsong
and the scent

of dew
rising through
the open window.


Is 311 A Good Score In GRE?

Is a 320 a good GRE score?

If your programs’ averages are around 320, this will be a good score for you as it’s likely to make you a competitive applicant..

What GRE score do I need for Stanford?

Is the GRE test difficult?

What is a bad GRE score?

What’s a bad GRE score? A bad GRE score is one that excludes you from the program that you want to attend. That’s all! However, to put this in very general terms, the bottom 10% of test-takers score below 139 in Verbal and 141 in Quant.

Is a 315 GRE score good?

Is 310 a good GRE score?

For most top-50 schools, a good GRE score is in the mid-to-high 150s on both sections. Based on this data, an overall GRE score of 310 to 315 is a good GRE score for MBA applicants, while a score of 325 is excellent.

What is a good score in GRE?

The GRE scores range for the general test is from 130 to 170 per section. Remember, the total score is calculated only based on your Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning section. The max score is 340, and the combined scores range from 260-340….Score Percentile for GRE subject test.Chemistry Test689Psychology test6194 more rows

What percentile is a GRE score of 310?

Is 300 a bad GRE score?

What GRE score do I need for Harvard?

Is 292 a good GRE score?

The current average GRE score for all test-takers is around 303 (V150/Q153). Although 292 is 11 points below the average, you can score 292 and get admitted to certain graduate programs. … The current average GRE score for all test-takers is around 303 (V150/Q153).


• Course Introduction

        • Time: 43 hours
        • Free Certificate

      • Unit 1: Overview of Economics

        Completing this unit should take you approximately 6 hours.

      • Unit 2: Macroeconomics: Goals, Measures, and Challenges

        Completing this unit should take you approximately 5 hours.

      • Unit 3: Unemployment and Inflation

        Most of us are familiar with unemployment and inflation: the unemployment rate reflects the number of people out of work who are actively seeking work; inflation indicates an overall rise in the price level of most, but not all, goods and services. In this unit we delve into these concepts and study their interrelationship.

        First, consider that inflation erodes the purchasing power of the dollar, or other currency unit (euro, rupee, naira, dinar, or pound). Macroeconomics helps us measure the effects inflation has on an economy and the standard of living when it distinguishes between nominal income (the dollar amount received), and real income (the amount of goods and services the income can buy).

        Secondly, consider the different types of employment. The labor force includes employed and unemployed workers, such as those who are able and willing to work, but not able to obtain employment. The labor force does not include full time students, nonworking spouses, and retirees who are not looking or unable to work. We examine three types of unemployment: frictional or temporary unemployment, structural unemployment which affects entire sectors of the economy, and cyclical unemployment which is caused by downturns in the economy.

        Let's consider a hypothetical event to show how unemployment and inflation levels are often interrelated. Suppose everyone who is looking for a job gets hired tomorrow and begins earning income. Unemployment levels fall. Our newly-employed group is flush with cash and wants to spend their income immediately. However, it would take some time for retail stores to make new products available to purchase to meet this demand. More money is available to purchase the limited number of goods available. Prices rise as retailers try to benefit from the rise in consumer demand. Inflation increases. Our scenario shows how employment and inflation levels often follow each other.

        Completing this unit should take you approximately 5 hours.

      • Unit 4: Aggregate Economic Activities and Fluctuations

        Aggregate supply is the total output an economy produces at a given price level. As we studied in microeconomics, firms achieve equilibrium when they produce the quantity of goods and services consumers want to buy: at a macro level, equilibrium is the point where aggregate supply equals aggregate demand. In this unit we examine shifts in aggregate supply and aggregate demand, and the short-term and long-term effects for the entire economy.

        Completing this unit should take you approximately 10 hours.

      • Unit 5: Fiscal Policy

        Governments use various policies and tools to steer the macroeconomy toward three main goals: full employment, price stability, and economic growth. In the remaining three units, we explore the conflicts and complexities of these policies and tools. First, let's study fiscal policy, which involves taxing and spending policies, including the fiscal legislation Congress enacts in the United States and similar legislative bodies promote in other countries.

        Completing this unit should take you approximately 4 hours.

      • Unit 6: Monetary Policy and Various Complexities behind Macroeconomic Policies

        Completing this unit should take you approximately 10 hours.

      • Unit 7: International Trade

        Aside from the exchange of goods and services on a global level, trade among countries serves many functions. For example, it trading partners make a greater variety of goods available. In short, these gains from trade promote the concepts of specialization, comparative advantage, and export activities. Trade also facilitates movement and exchange of foreign currencies, such as when imports are paid for in the unit of the exporting country's currency.

        However, international trade can be an emotional and politically-charged issue, that cuts across microeconomics and macroeconomics. In this unit we examine trade from an economic, rather than political, perspective. We direct our attention to trade balances, exchange rates, and other aspects of a country's macroeconomic performance.

        Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

      • Study Guide

      • Course Feedback Survey

      • Certificate Final Exam


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Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ manifests the basics of feminism

Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’ manifests the basics of feminism

“Women have minds and souls as well as just hearts, and they’ve got ambition and talent as well as just beauty. And I’m sick of people saying that love is all a woman is fit for.”

Caught in a rage for recognition, Jo March, the central figure of “Little Women,” exclaims to her mother as she realizes the bereavements of being a woman in a patriarchal society. This specific line packs all the themes, emotion and passion the movie encapsulates, and it sets the scene for a richer, more pertinent movie adaptation of the classic novel.

“Little Women” is simply a story about four sisters. There’s sibling rivalry, romance and drama. They have dreams and aspirations as much as any person should have. All of which are things you would naturally expect from a family-centered plot. However, what makes it timeless is that in between a casual tale of four sisters striving for their dreams is an underlying element of a society that never favored their gender, a classist system that bowed their heads to the rich and a forsaken choice between family or career.

Who’s behind the scene

After a number of stage and screen adaptations of the 150-year-old novel, Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” is a standout against its predecessors. With the same youthful energy that captured the hearts of many in “Lady Bird,” she crafts this movie with an outright understanding of the complexities and simplicities of being a woman. It’s evident that she took this movie to heart and treated it as a passion project rather than just a job. By doing so, she was able to fashion a modern flair into a midcentury backdrop.

The characters are brought to life by a seasoned cast of veterans and young talents who all work seamlessly together. Saoirse Ronan plays the fierce Jo March, Emma Watson takes on the role of the doting eldest sister Meg, Florence Pugh continues her role of hot-headed characters after Midsommar as Amy and budding star Eliza Scanlen plays the quiet and gentle Beth. The internet’s favorite boy Timothee Chalamet takes on the role of Jo’s romantic interest Laurie. To top it off, the the iconic Laura Dern and Meryl Streep both play the mother and aunt. With a cast like that, it’s right to expect that this movie was set for higher expectations.

Feminism characterized

“The world is hard on ambitious girls.” Amy says as a sentiment to how her talent for painting would stay a hobby, and not a source of livelihood. Each of the girls hone a creative skill: Meg is an aspiring actress, Jo is a passionate writer, Amy is a skilled painter and Beth is a talented pianist. In the scenes of their childhood, we see them happily engaging in these activities. But as they grow older, reality crashes down and they’re left to learn that their talents are for naught in their society because of the belief that a woman’s success can only happen if they marry a rich man.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

Enter Laurie, a charismatic boy who becomes a dear friend to the March sisters. However, romance comes to play and a love triangle between Jo, Amy and Laurie ensues. This plot is a main factor as to what makes the movie modern. It captures young and stubborn love in all its honesty, stemming from a struggle for independence. It sheds light on a healthy relationship between a man and a woman despite society’s stereotypes. It showcases sisterhood with all its quarrels and resolutions. This is how Gerwig shows feminism, not through insinuating acts of rebellion but through the simple act of having a woman be, having her live without the need for permission and dream without a hindrance to her vigor.

And when push comes to shove, women will fight back. When a family member faces a sickness, when they’re struggling with money, when love turns to hurt and outrage, the sisters work thrice as hard. Throughout the film, there’s a steady push and pull of patriarchy versus persevering women. While we are witnessing a fervent fight by women to be given more recognition, we are still reminded that this task isn’t easy, that at the end of the day, all the blood, sweat and tears shed for a touch of success might not have been worth it.

Age-old reminders

In 1868, when Louisa May Alcott wrote the book, women were facing these restricting stereotypes: that women are just meant to be wives. This belittled chances of being employed, pursuing talents and living independently. Fast forward today and you’d think we’d have probably learned by now that women deserve equal rights as men.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

Yet, we continue to face gender inequality. Women in the workforce earn less than men. Women are still objectified and judged for not following tradition. In the movie, Marmee, the sisters’ mother, says “I’ve been angry every day of my life,” because while the story plays along the tropes of romance and family, it still commits to expressing the hardships of social inequality.

Written in

The true grit of the movie is found in its words: from Gerwig’s screenplay that captures the details of expression in the characters’ actions—how Jo’s tomboyish outfits signify a break in gender norms, how Amy’s deep scowl foreshadows her reckless actions, how Meg’s dress shows a hidden desire for luxury—to the actual dialogue between the characters. As much as Jo is writing about her life, Gerwig is writing about her own sentiments.

In the movie, Jo says “Writing doesn’t confer importance. It reflects it.” To this, Amy replies “Writing things is what makes them important.” It’s a telling note of how significant the writing is in this film. We find other bits of Gerwig’s stellar writing in the movie. With lines like “I can’t afford to starve on praise,” and “It’s possible to be right and foolish” injected into casual conversations, we’re reminded that good writing does not have to be strung with highfalutin words, it’s simply building a connection through words.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

When Jo finishes her book and tries to sell it to a publisher, we witness a long, frustrating negotiation for her to get her talent’s worth. She sells her story’s heroine in exchange for money, and this is what being a little woman is actually about—having a shift in morals brought about by a case of desperation. And throughout the movie, we see this struggle, this irony that the little women are all grasping to not be little.

In “Little Women,” women fall in love, women choose not to fall in love, women follow their hearts, women are rowdy, women talk back and women fight. It’s a testament to the basics of feminism told through a complex tale of love and loss and complemented with sharply defined characters. Overall, the film is delightful, painful and, most of all, a tribute to a woman’s worth.

Header and featured photos courtesy of Sony Pictures

Read more:

‘Birds of Prey’ features fantabulous visuals, but not substance

‘Toy Story 4’ is still a sweet, emotional ride about moving forward

Women in Philippine history you should know about © 2020. Hinge Inquirer Publications, Inc.


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OK, so what is a “mañanita”?

OK, so what is a “mañanita”?

Due to very obvious reasons, birthday parties are definitely not allowed during the enhanced community quarantine period where social distancing measures are crucial. However, a police chief—specifically National Capital Region Police Office chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas—has recently been probed for pictures of his birthday celebration shared on the NCRPO’s Facebook page.

These photos showed him blowing his cake and socializing with a crowd of policemen lining up for the buffet table. These have earned the ire of netizens due to the lack of social distancing measures implemented.

In defense of Sinas, Philippine National Police Chief (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said, “Walang party na nangyari. Ang sabi ni Gen. Sinas, probably nagkaroon ng mañanita. Pero dun sa mañanita ang sabi ni Gen. Sinas is that in-observe pa rin nila social distancing. Now, I don’t think na merong violation ito.”

So, as most netizens are also asking as of the moment—what is a mañanita, and is it any different from a birthday party?

The roots of mañanita can be traced back to Mexico and other Latin countries, where festivities are often celebrated with songs called las mañanitas. Literally translating to “early hours of the morning,” las mañanitas are songs meant to be performed during parties, specifically holidays and fiestas.

Based on tradition, occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and feast days of saints are often witnesses of the song. It is also often performed any time after the middle of the night and into the early morning, as it is supposed to either awaken the celebrant or signal the start of eating the cake.

This has become the basis for the tradition itself, which takes the singing as part of its festivities and was then borrowed by the Filipinos from the Spaniards. The way we understand it, a mañanita seems like an early salubong for birthday celebrants.

Here’s an example of how the typical celebration is held during non-quarantine periods—complete with early morning mañanita, traditional lechon baboy and party dancing:

In other Latin countries, las mañanitas is also a celebration dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe which includes a pre-dawn festival parade, mass and town breakfast—all of which involve large gatherings, with the last reminding us of *ehem* a buffet.

Read more:

NCR, Laguna, Cebu City under new IATF classification modified ECQ

Duterte warns public on NPA amid pandemic, no updates on quarantine guidelines

Around 1 million Manila residents are expected to join the “Balik Probinsya” program © 2020. Hinge Inquirer Publications, Inc.


IntroductionBasedon the study 1, the growth of distributed database depends on the rapiddevelopment in computer network technology. Distributed Database ManagementSystem (DDBMS) integrated the distributed data over different database atdifferent locations. The security threats might happens in centralized systemor distributed system. Operating system, network system, different securitypolicies of system are the factors of security threat of distributed database. Securityrequirements are a set of laws stated to protect the security objects whichreceives and save information and security subject whose functions as databasestate updating tools. Some security threats and security approaches will bediscussed in this paper. TheoryAccordingto the paper 1, protecting database is the purpose of developing databasesecurity.

However, there are threats that should be focused on. Databasemanager should identity the threats and limit the user privilege for accessingthe database. Checking authority of all the user is a must.

As the breakdown ofhardware, applications or network system, it might cause the threats on lossavailability of database. Every user that can access to the database should beassigned for required privilege only according to the position 2, 3.Acquiring extra privilege also a threat of database security that user canaccess as administrator and stunt to the weaknesses of the system. Denial ofservice that can corrupt the data and cause flood to the network is needed topay attention on it. Inference and Identity theft are the common threats happenfrequently. LiteraturereviewBasedon the paper 1, database security is used to prevent a database is used underunwitting condition.

There are a few types of information security 4, 5.Firstly, there is an authority process checking of a user who use or accessinto the database system is called access control. The second type is auditingwhich is used to analyze the security violation and collect the analysis ofdatabase from modification of attackers. The third types of security isauthentication which is a confirmation process of identifying andauthenticating the user to use the database system. The fourth types ofsecurity is encryption. Encryption is a transformation of plaintext to cipher textthat is needed to be encrypted or decrypted using specific algorithms.

 Resultand outcomesThereare five methods to maintain security and privacy of the DDBMS which has beenconnected through computer network. Firstly, access control based security iscategorized as Discretionary control (DAC) models, Mandatory access control(MAC) models and Role-based access control (RBAC) models. DAC is used to storethe access control matrix. MAC is used to disclose the unauthorized of databaseand provide protection on illegal modification.

RBAC is gives support onarbitrary and specific organization security policies. Next, trust basedsecurity approaches which focuses on the security of utility 6. The purposeof develop trust environment is for identity checking of the users. Based onsymmetric key cryptography, kerbores is used as a lightweight protocol 6,7.  There is an agent based approachthat monitor the user action via neural network. Node registry and ServiceLevel Agreements should be implement to enhance the trust in DDBMS 8. Thethird method is authentication based security. Two factors authenticationshould be splitted into three factor to increase the security 9.

The fourthmethod is cryptography based approaches which is encrypted the plaintext tocipher text with the help of cryptographic algorithm. DNA based cryptographyand DNA Cryptography maintain the data confidentiality and integrity but theyneed technology in advance in order to reach the mature stage. There is someother security approaches. The Role Ordering (RO) and CORBA basedauthentication security model have been developed to protect and enhance thesecurity of DDBMS.     ConclusionDatabase security isa critical problem of total system. In this study, there are a few possiblethreats of database security and different techniques that are conducive forfuture generation in order to increase the security of DDBMS have beendiscussed.

The purpose of this study is to analyze different security. Due tothe rapid growth of the technology, database security is still an importantfield to be examined.

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A tiny train station in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, made national news late last year, when it was revealed that its only regular visitor was a high school student who used the local train service to commute to and from school every day.

▼ The story of a lone girl waiting for a country train is like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.

Foreign news outlets recently picked up on the touching story, but in the rush to do so, reports were peppered with false information, creating a certain amount of confusion on social media.

The true story, it turns out, is just as heartwarming without all the inaccurate embellishments.

▼ A copy of the original Japanese story (top right), from the Asahi Shimbun on 7 January 2015, has been posted on the bulletin board inside the rural station in Hokkaido.

The station where high school student Kana Harada boards the train is Kyu-Shirataki Station, not Kami-Shirataki Station as has been widely reported. After reviewing the number of commuters using their services in rural areas, Japan Rail Hokkaido announced their decision to close a number of lesser-used stations, including Kami-Shirataki, Kyu-shirataki, and Shimo-shirataki, last year.

After being made aware of the high school girl’s daily commute, however, the rail company decided to keep the service going until her graduation, in March 2016.

▼ Without the service, it’s a long, 73-minute walk to catch a 9:00 a.m. express train from neighbouring Shirataki Station on the Sekihoku train line.

There’s only one train heading away from the main city of Asahikawa toward Engaru High School each day, so Kana’s parents make the five-minute drive to the station in time for her to catch the 7:16 a.m. train every morning, where she’s the only regular passenger waiting on the elevated section of land serving as a platform.

▼ The train route, posted at Kami-Shirataki Station.

When Kana boards the train, there are about 10 other passengers, mostly other students, inside. As an unwritten rule, first and second year students sit in the first car of the train, while third year students ride in the second carriage.

▼ The journey to school takes almost one hour, giving Kana time to read, listen to music or study during test time.

With only three services stopping at Kyu-Shirataki Station in the afternoon, Kana isn’t able to stay back with her friends after club activities at school. Occasionally she has to run to catch the last train home.

Upon hearing about the upcoming closure of services to the station, Kana said she was sad and disappointed to hear it won’t be used anymore. After spending quiet mornings with nothing but the wooden station house for company, we’re sure Kana’s fond memories of her train journeys to school will last her whole lifetime.

Source: Asahi ShimbunNaver Matome
Top Image: Wikimedia (edited by RocketNews24)


Billing Term Glossary

Definitions of Important Terms

Account Number - The number assigned by your provider (hospital, physician, home care service, etc.) when medical services were provided.

Adjustment - The portion of your bill that your provider has agreed not to charge you.

Admission Date (admit date) - The date admitted for treatment.

Admitting Diagnosis - Words or phrases your doctor uses to describe your condition.

Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APC) - A Medicare payment system that classifies outpatient services so Medicare can pay all hospitals the same amount.

Amount Not Covered - What your insurance company does not pay, including deductibles, co-insurances and charges for non-covered services.

Ancillary Service - The services you receive beyond room and board charges, such as laboratory tests, therapy, surgery, etc.

Applied to Deductible - A portion of your bill, as defined by your insurance company, that you owe your provider.

Assignment of Benefits - An agreement you sign that allows your insurance to pay the provider directly.

Attending Physician - The doctor who orders your treatment and who is responsible for your care.

Beneficiary - A person covered by health insurance.

Beneficiary Eligibility Verification - A way providers retrieve information about whether you have insurance coverage.

Benefit - The amount your insurance company pays for medical services.

Bill/Invoice/Statement - A printed summary of your medical bill.

Cardiology Charges - The charges for procedures performed to test the heart, such as stress testing and catherization.

Champus - Insurance linked to military service, also known as TriCare.

Charity Care - Free or reduced rates for care provided to patients with financial hardship.

Claim - Your medical bill that is sent to an insurance company for payment.

Claim Form - A form provided by your insurance company that needs to be complete before your bill can be paid.

Claim Number - A number assigned by your insurance company to an individual claim.

Coding of Claims - Translating diagnoses and procedures from your medical record into numbers that insurance companies use to pay claims.

Co-Insurance Days (Medicare) - Hospital inpatient Medicare coverage from day 61 to day 90 of continuous hospitalization. Patients on Medicare are responsible for paying for part of these days. After the 90 th day you enter into your “Lifetime Reserve Days”.

Co-payment (Co-pay) - A type of cost sharing whereby the insured person pays a specified flat dollar amount per service or visit, with the insurer paying the remainder amount. For example, $10 per doctor visit, $25 per inpatient hospital day.

Covered Days - The days that your insurance company pays for in full or in part.

Date of Bill - Bill preparation date. It is not the same date as the date of service.

Date of Service (DOS) - Treatment date.

Deductible - The amount you must pay for medical services before your insurance company starts to pay.

Diagnosis Code - A code used at the time of billing to describe your illness.

Discharge Hour - Hospital discharge hour.

Drugs/Self Administered - Drugs that do not require administration from doctors or nurses. Your insurance plan may not cover these when provided during an outpatient visit.

Due from Insurance - The amount owed by your insurance company.

Due from Patient - The amount you owe.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) - The medical equipment that can be used many times, or special equipment ordered by your doctor, usually for use at home.

Eligible Payment Amount - The medical services paid for by an insurance company.

Emergency Department - The part of a hospital that treats patients with emergency or urgent medical problems.

Estimated Insurance - An estimate of payments from your insurance company.

Enrollee - A person who is covered by health insurance.

Estimated Amount Due - The amount the provider estimates you or your insurance company owes.

Financial Responsibility - The amount of your bill you have to pay.

Fiscal Intermediary (FI) - A company hired by Medicare to pay Medicare claims.

HCPC Codes - A coding system used to describe what treatment or services your doctor or provider gave to you.

Healthcare Provider - The party that provides medical services, such as hospitals, doctors or laboratories.

Hospice - The group that offers inpatient, outpatient and home healthcare for terminally ill patients.

Hospital Charge - The amount of money the hospital charges for a particular medical service or supply.

Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (PPS) - A federal system that pays a fixed fee for inpatient care.

Incremental Nursing Charge - The charges for nursing services added to basic room and board charges.

Inpatient (IP) - A patient who stays overnight in the hospital.

Insurance Waivers - The services excluded from your insurance policy, such as cancer care or obstetric/gynecologic or pre-existing conditions.

Insured Group Name - The name of the group or insurance plan that insures you, usually an employer.

Insured’s Name (Beneficiary) - The name of the insured person, who is also referred to as the member.

International Classification of Diseases, 9 th Edition (ICD-9-CM) - ICD-9-CM is the official system of assigning codes to diagnoses and procedures associated with hospital utilization in the United States.

Liability - The person or persons liable or under obligation for the bill.

Lifetime Reserve Days (Medicare) - Under Medicare, you have a lifetime reserve of 60 more days of inpatient services after you use the first 90 benefit days. You must pay a fixed amount for each day of service.

Long-Term Care - The care received in a nursing home. Medicare does not pay for long-term care unless you need skilled nursing or special rehabilitation.

Mailer/Summary of Account - A summary of services or charges mailed to the person who pays the bill.

Medicare Approved - Medical services normally paid for by Medicare.

Medicare Assignment - Providers who have accepted Medicare patients and agreed not to charge them more than Medicare has approved.

Medicare Number - A number and an ID card is assigned to each person covered under Medicare and for identification to providers.

Medicare Paid - The amount of your bill paid by Medicare.

Medicare Paid Provider - The amount of your bill Medicare paid to your provider.

Medicare part B - Assists with paying for doctor services, outpatient care and other medical services not paid for by Medicare part A.

Non-Covered Charges - The charges for medical services denied or excluded by your insurance. You may be billed for these charges.

Non-Participating Provider - A doctor, hospital or other healthcare provider that is not part of an insurance plan, doctor or hospital network.

Out-of-Pocket Costs - The costs the patient is responsible for because Medicare or other insurance does not cover them.

Outpatient (OP) - A service you receive in one day at a hospital or clinic without staying overnight.

Over-the-Counter Drug - Drugs that do not require a prescription. They can be bought at a pharmacy or drug store and be dispensed to patients, while at the hospital or doctors office.

Paid to Provider - The amount the insurance company pays to your medical provider.

Paid to You - The amount the insurance company pays to you or your guarantor.

Patient Amount Due - The amount your provider charges you for services received.

Pay This Amount - The amount you owe towards your medical bill.

Per Diem - The amount charged or paid by the day.

Physician Practice - A group of doctors, nurses and physician assistants who work together.

Policy Number - A number your insurance company gives you to identify your contract.

Pre-Admission Approval or Certification - An agreement made by your insurance company and you or your provider, to pay their portion of your medical treatment. Providers ask your insurance company for this approval before providing your medical treatment.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) - An insurance plan in which you use doctors, hospitals and providers that belong to the network. You can use doctors, hospitals and providers outside of the network for an additional cost.

Prepayments - The money you pay before receiving medical care; also referred to as preadmission deposits.

Procedure code (CPT Code) - A code given to medical and surgical procedures and treatments.

Prospective Payment system (PPS) - A Medicare system that pays hospitals a set amount for covered diagnostic or treatment services.

Provider Contract Discount - A part of your bill that your provider must write-off because of billing agreements with your insurance company.

Provider - A hospital or physician who provides medical care to the patient.

Reasonable and Customary (R & C) - The costs for medical services that insurers believe are appropriate throughout a geographic area or community.

Release of Information - A signed statement from patients or guarantors that allows providers to release medical information so that insurance companies can pay claims.

Remittance Advice - The explanation the hospital receives, usually with payment, from your insurance company after your medical services have been processed.

Responsible Party - The person responsible for paying your hospital bill, usually referred to as the guarantor.

Revenue code - A billing code used to name a specific room, service or billing sum.

Same-Day Surgery - A surgery performed as an outpatient service.

Service Begin Date - The date your medical services or treatments began.

Service End Date - The date your medical services or treatments ended.

Skilled Nursing Facility - An inpatient facility in which patients that do no need acute care are given nursing care or other therapy.

Source of Admission - The source of your admission whether it is a referral, transfer or through the emergency room.

Statement Covers Period - The dates your service or treatment begin and end.

Supplemental Insurance Company - An additional insurance policy that handles claims for deductible and co-insurance reimbursement.

Total Charges - The total cost of your medical services.

Units of Service - Measures of medical services a patient received, such as the number of hospital days, pints of blood, treatments or laboratory tests.

Usual and Customary (U & C) - The costs for medical services that insurers believe are appropriate throughout a geographic area or community.


Sample Case Scenario

As O-1 visa/status is targeted for aliens of extraordinary ability or achievement, the applicant needs to demonstrate that he or she possesses a level of expertise indicating that the person is one of the small percentages who have risen to the top of the field of endeavors. Can a person with no citations, no national awards, no patents granted to him/her nor media coverage about him/her be qualified for O-1? The answer could still be positive.  Because the field of endeavor is a relatively subjective and your immigration attorney can help you identify and narrow down you field. In Matter of ______, EAC 95 060 50139 (AAU May 29, 1996), “a review of the record establishes that the petitioner, while involved in a relatively obscure branch of mathematical study, has distinguished herself to such an extent that she may be said to have achieved national or international acclaim and to be within the small percentage at the very top of her field.” That is to say, in a relatively small field with few experts and public attention, you may be able to establish your national or international acclaim with less citation numbers, media coverage or other evidence just because the nature of your field. We recently secured an approval for our client Ms. C, who has no citation records, national awards nor media coverage.

Ms. C is a clinical research associate currently working for a pharmaceutical company that specialized in clinical trial protocols with focus on uro-oncology.  One of the drugs the company is currently developing, named “ABC”, is an orphan drug that provide treatment for a disease “DEF” affecting only 7500 people in the US. Because of the small number of affected patients, “DEF” was classified as one of the orphan diseases, which previously received little or no funding for clinical research.  Currently, there is no non-surgical drug available for treating DEF. The current standard of care for DEF is complete or partial surgical removal of the involved kidney and upper urinary tract, which is costly, sub-optimal and burdensome that severely affect patient’s quality of life.

Working for this company, Ms. C, designed innovative clinical trial protocols that significantly expedited the drug development of ABC to treat DEF.  In the petition letter, we characterized Ms. C as and clinical research expert specialized in creating clinical protocol for orphan drug development such as DEF, supporting with the evidence that her protocols significantly contributed to FDA’s granting of Breakthrough Therapy Designation, Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation to this drug.  The three designations are expedited pathways offered by FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) for drug developments and are very coveted by pharmaceutical companies. With these designations, the drug development process can be significantly shortened and thus has the potential of saving thousands of people’s life and improving their life quality.

Therefore, by developing these protocols, Ms. C made significant contributions to the field of Orphan Drug development, specifically, the DEF development.  We also argue that the granting of Breakthrough Therapy Designation, Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation is comparable evidence of national award (one of eight evidential criterial of O-1) as they went through similar scrutinization and judging process. Eventually, USCIS recognized our arguments and approve the O-1 petition for Ms. C.


News and Information

On the Front Lines with Dr. Jay Hendler

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is not something you want to get. That is what Dr. Jay Hendler, Medical Director of Pulmonary Medicine and Chief of Staff Elect for CaroMont Regional Medical Center, wants the public to know. Having made lung health and the treatment of lung disease his focus for decades, Dr. Hendler admits he has never seen anything like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s called a novel virus because it’s new,” Dr. Hendler explains. “Over the last nine months, we have learned a lot, but there is still so much the medical community does not know. It’s important to take this virus seriously, not only because it can be deadly, but because patients are not guaranteed to fully recover and are potentially facing months or years of complications like ongoing fatigue, blood clots and serious heart issues. COVID-19 could have lasting negative effects on your health.”

Dr. Hendler is board certified in Internal Medicine, Critical Care and Pulmonology. His typical patient has lung issues or disease that affects breathing, like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure that affects arteries in the lungs and heart) and lung cancer. In a region where these issues are more prevalent, COVID-19 is all the more concerning because it can be especially dangerous for people with those issues.

“We know there are certain risk factors that contribute to more severe cases of COVID-19,” said Dr. Hendler. “Hypertension, diabetes and obesity appear to contribute to complications and people who have a weakened immune system are at greater risk. We are also seeing a correlation between advanced age and worse outcomes, but it’s not just people who are older or unwell. While the chances of being severely impacted increase as you get older or have multiple medical problems, healthy people in all age ranges can get devastatingly ill. It may not be as common, but it is certainly still a concern.”

Unfortunately, the medical community does not yet understand why some people get very sick and others have mild cases or no symptoms at all. But it is very clear that those who do not experience symptoms can still spread COVID-19, and that is one of many reasons this virus is more troubling than colds or flu which are mostly contagious once symptoms are present.

“One thing we have been able to learn quickly about this virus is how it spreads,” Dr. Hendler explains. “It is not transmitted through skin; it is transmitted in the air. When people cough, breathe or sneeze, they spread droplets into the air that can carry COVID-19. Those infected droplets float and can then be inhaled by another person. It happens invisibly, which is one reason the virus has spread so easily.”

In fact, COVID-19 cases surpassed 1,000,000 just 94 days after the first was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). While it can feel like the guidance on how to protect one’s self changes frequently, Dr. Hendler recommends what medical professionals call “standard precautions.”

Dr. Hendler treats patients on the COVID-19 units at CaroMont Regional Medical Center.

Protecting Yourself and Others

“There are three mainstays to prevent transmission,” says Dr. Hendler. “First, physically distancing yourself at least six feet from people who are not in your inner circle. Second, washing your hands with plain old soap will kill the virus and keep you from inadvertently transmitting the virus from your skin into your eyes, nose or mouth.”

The third way, wearing a mask, is one Dr. Hendler stresses, especially considering an individual without any symptoms can spread the virus unknowingly. He explains that for masks to be effective, we must adopt an “all in” approach.

“It’s important to understand that the protection offered by a mask keeps you from spreading the virus to others,” said Dr. Hendler. “If everyone around you wears a mask, then they are blocking their own potentially infected droplets and in turn, protecting you. Wearing a mask must be understood as a common courtesy to those around you. It must be a collective effort.”

Looking Ahead

Dr. Hendler believes that if everyone took simple precautions consistently, the spread and impact of COVID-19 would be dramatically reduced. And while vaccine producers race to create a vaccine, Dr. Hendler is realistic about the time it could take to develop and distribute a safe and effective vaccine.

“While we have very successful examples of virus eradication and prevention, like polio and measles,” explains Dr. Hendler, “there are viruses with no vaccine. We still do not have a vaccine to prevent the common cold, and while there are very effective anti-viral options to treat HIV, we have been looking for a vaccine to prevent AIDS since its discovery.”

For a vaccine to work, it has to confer immunity without negative effects for the recipient. At this point, science has shown people do develop antibodies for COVID-19, but it is not fully understood if those antibodies create permanent or long-lasting immunity. Having a safe and effective vaccine available would be an incredible step forward, but producing and distributing any vaccine to billions of people will also take time. In other words, Dr. Hendler believes this public health crisis is far from over. After a 35-year career in medicine, he never imagined a pandemic of this scale.

“Every professional in our hospital community is trained to do one thing: help people,” he says. “We want to provide supportive care and when faced with a problem, we want to fix it. COVID-19 challenges us every day. While caring for our patients is what we committed our life’s work to, it can be frustrating and exhausting to not have a solution for this illness. Still, we come together, and we work for the health of our patients. It’s what we do.”

Adamantly, Dr. Hendler impresses that every healthcare employee is working through similar struggles, layers of personal protective equipment and the concern of becoming infected themselves. However, he is buoyed by the community he serves and relays a story about coming home after a long shift of treating patients at CaroMont Regional Medical Center.

“I drove into my neighborhood and there were ribbons and signs of support, and not just for me,” he says, “but for all the doctors and nurses and healthcare professionals everywhere. Being reminded that your work is meaningful and appreciated meant a great deal to me. I will never forget that during the most challenging time of my career, this community cheered us on.”

A neighbor offers support for healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic.


TTC vehicles were involved in more than 4,000 collisions last year, though a spokesperson for the transit agency cautions that nearly three quarters of them were out of the control of its drivers.

According to the TTC, there was a total of 4,001 collisions involving its vehicles in 2017, which is up slightly from the 3,788 collisions recorded the previous year.

The number is a catch all figure that includes minor and major collisions as well as other incidents that result in damage to vehicles, such as a streetcar or bus being bumped by an errant shopping cart.

“It is important that we count everything that comes into contact with a vehicle so if someone bumps us with a shopping cart or cuts off and hits a streetcar or bus with an SUV it all gets recorded. As does every minor bump that happens in a garage,” TTC Spokesperson Stuart Green told CP24 via email. “Also, nearly three quarters of these incidents are people or things contacting us in a way that's out of our control.”

The TTC deploys about 2,000 surface vehicles on city streets every day.


April 24, 2020
By Felicia Asiedu

The world as we know has changed dramatically over the past few months. Work environments have shifted to homes, business travel has bottomed out, and organisations have found themselves wondering how to avoid cancelling events. More and more, when faced with the event crisis management choices of cancel, postpone or virtualise, event organisers are opting to shift their in-person events to the virtual arena.

For the meetings and events industry, the switch to this new format brings its own pros and cons. Virtual events are no doubt a powerful, low-cost medium to connect with prospects, engage customers and contribute to community building. Whether it’s a webinar, conference or an online course, event organisers can leverage great content to reach out to people around the world, regardless of their location. However, due to the very nature of these online formats, there are some real challenges associated with hosting your events online.

These include:

  • Chances of low attendee engagement, as there are more distractions at home
  • Absence of deep, immersive attendee experiences, because there are no real-world sensory elements involved
  • Inability to provide a personal touch for post-event follow up
  • Reduced level of networking opportunities for attendees

The key to making your virtual events successful lies in identifying the elements you can optimise to create rich, engaging experiences. What worked for your in-person events may not translate well in virtual formats e.g. large scale, awe-inspiring keynote programmes won’t necessarily have the same impact if attempted on a computer screen.

Keeping this in mind, here are 7 things you should do to create successful virtual events:

#7 Do a thorough check on your audio-visual setup

At a virtual event, the only way for attendees and speakers to interact is through audio and video. If there is an issue with either one of these things, you could risk attendees becoming frustrated and switching off. So, you need to make sure your AV equipment is in top working condition on the day of your event. While a simple setup will work for a webinar, more high-end equipment could be required for a virtual conference that has different speakers and multiple sessions.

Determine your production needs – whether you have backup headphones, top-quality mics, multiple screens, highspeed internet etc. On the event day, do a dry run and check in advance the AV quality, screen sharing, private messaging in chats, audience Q&A, and quick logins to ensure it all comes together perfectly when the event is underway.

#6 Develop interactive content to engage your audience

At any event, be it in-person or virtual, it’s very easy to get attention fatigue. This happens mainly when the content is a one-way deluge of information, facts and stats that a person could get bored with pretty quickly. To keep your attendees engaged, you need to develop interactive, shareable content that grabs their attention and is easy to consume.

One way to overcome this is by designing interesting polls, quizzes or interactions that empathise with your audience or provides them advantageous insights for their business or maybe even connect with them on a personal level. Check out ‘The Invisible Workload of Event Planners’ as a great example of such content.

You can also gamify your event through a mobile event app, offer sponsored prizes for contests, or come up with snackable content pieces like short videos to craft a compelling narrative aligned with your audience’s interests.

#5 Create customised presentations optimised for virtual events

If you’ve decided to shift your in-person event entirely online, then you need to first take a pause and understand how you can leverage your content for virtual events. The chances are you’ve already produced a lot of content that you can easily switch up and use for your virtual events. The key here is to remember to optimise the content each channel of delivery. That’s because the way speakers connect with the audience through gestures and visual cues won’t work in the virtual environment. You will need to modify your slide decks to include animations, polls, and videos that can convey emotion and drive home the point, which otherwise might not be possible via a digital medium.

#4 Offer incentives

In the current scenario, most restaurants and bars are closed, but delivery services are still available. If you have a lunch-n-learn scheduled to go online or a virtual conference with multiple sessions, you could maybe send your attendees a gift card for lunch delivery. Offering such incentives demonstrates your generosity in tough circumstances and goes a long way in building and strengthening your relationship with prospects and customers through the year.

#3 Have a dedicated Q&A session

In virtual events, it’s not possible to just walk up to the speaker at the end of a session and ask questions. It’s recommended to have a short, dedicated Q&A session at the end of every presentation so attendees can ask any additional questions or gain more information on particular topics.

#2 Provide exclusive takeaways

While virtual events will certainly be an important part of the events industry in the future, it’s tough to see them replacing in-person events altogether. That’s because the perceived value of an event increases significantly during physical meetups, especially when hosted in unique, picturesque venues. Replicating the same experience for remote attendees is not possible for obvious reasons, but you can still create a favourable impression by offering virtual event swag. This can include exclusive downloads of eBooks, digital coupons, vouchers, or access to early trials of your latest software. Make sure you highlight all your exclusive content offerings in emails and social ads to create maximum hype for your event.

#1 Choose a virtual event solution that works for you

Finally, you need to select the virtual event solution that will work the best for your event. Do a pre-event survey with your attendees to decide what videoconferencing services they prefer e.g. Zoom, Webex, On24 etc. Some might be more suited for informal gatherings while others could work better with large, corporate events and offer mobile support. With virtual events, selecting the best technology provider should be your top priority as it goes a long way to providing the right experiences for your virtual attendees. You must select a platform that offers the desired integrations, cybersecurity, event app, chatbots and more that will enable you to meet your event objectives.

You are probably dealing with a wealth of new technology so working with partners with the right level of experience can save you a great deal of time and stress. The process of collect event registrations, checking attendees in, collecting feedback and generating post-event reports should be done with ease and without any manual headaches.

This handy checklist will set you on track to create a successful, engaging online event. If you’re looking for more detailed insights on various aspects of a virtual event, download ‘The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Events’.

Felicia Asiedu

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Lijiang Old Town (Dayan)
丽江古城 （大研）

2 Ratings

About Lijiang Old Town (Dayan)

In the early 1990s the Chinese government nominated Lijiang's old town of Dayan (大研) to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the time, Dayan was the last major traditional urban entity in southwest China. It was basically an autonomous town, whose 50,000 or so Naxi(纳西) inhabitants grew their own food, brought in their own fuel, organized their own markets, got water from the streams that ran through town and were dependent on the outside for basically just electricity.

Life in old Dayan ran pretty much the same way it had for centuries. All but a handful of its buildings were in the traditional Chinese style, characterized by red wooden walls, stone foundations and tiled roofs. In terms of Heritage Site qualifications, Dayan lacked nothing.

But in the spring of 1996, much of the town was leveled by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. Dayan was then steadily rebuilt on a grand scale using traditional architectural flourishes and incorporating features like canals, parks and public squares. Today, it is one of the most visited destinations in China, and a large modern city has grown up around it. Dayan maintains its ancient traditions with pride, while also offering up some of the best dining and accommodation options available in Yunnan.

City center

Places inside Lijiang Old Town (Dayan)

What other visitors say

2 review

Been to LiJiang old town few years back, there are so much to do there. The night view is attractive, the people here are kind. I love it here so much and I definitely want to go back once I found some free time, and I will bring more friends with me to explore the city this time. I can' wait.
dr. chibbles
Plenty to do here: wander, shop, eat, drink explore. Yes, it is a bit overbuilt and at peak travel times the crowds can be a little overwhelming. These drawbacks are easy to get around with a bit of exploring and, getting lost even. And that's what traveling is all about, right? Local culture is still strong, the 'old' feel resonates. There's a reason this city is one of China's most visited.


Indicators: RSI, Volatility, Volume, HMM

Key price levels : 1.0200 - 1.0801 - 1.10002

Weekly Charts pattern : resistance line , W1 Chart.

Weekly Vision

AUD/SGD is moving in a bullish pattern dynamics . The chart analysis of the bullish regime can be supported by the Hidden Markov Models Analysis, the RSI momentum indicator. The China monetary policy and the Oil retracement could give also some support to the bias.
Daily Vision
The D1 scale indicates that AUD/SGD is in a possible bullish recovery regime pattern. The retracement at the resistance line can lead to a possible bearish dynamics. As indicated in fig 2, the pattern forecast is indicated between the 1.0801 line and the 1.03029 line of the pattern. The Hidden Markov analysis and the RSI study are coherent with a slightly bullish regime with objective at the 1.06932 zone.
Forecast evaluation
  1. The forecast value in the bearish is valuated at 1.0200
  2. The forecast with the bullish cycle is valuated at 1.06932

Figure 1 describes in a W1 the trendlines with the key price levels.

Figure 2 exhibits the hypothetical path and the forecast value
Considering the slope of the trends, the key level price and the posible retracement it can be evaluated a forecast price level at 1.06932.
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