A Whole New World

holistic treatment for depression and anxiety
A whole new world was introduced to me once I sprung out of the "great depression." I felt alive, renewed and thankful!  I saw life as I never had before.  Everything had meaning to me.  I totally got what it felt like to have a second chance.  When people actually die and say they were on the other side and then come back, that is what it was like for me.   I had a second chance at life and I was thrilled!  I became keenly aware of a higher presence - I called this presence God, you may call it the Universe, Spirit, Life Force, a Higher Power, Energy, it is all One.  You see, depression really is an analogy for change.  You cannot go back to your old way of living once you go through depression.  It is the body's way of calling out to you, "hey, what are you doing???  Wake up!"  I tried really hard to go back to "how it was before the depression" and I gave it a good shot for a long time, but reality is, you have to change, it will just happen and you have no way around it.

Nothing in this life is coincidence and the path we are lead on when we open our hearts and minds will lead us to wonderful places.  Of course, there is also loss and regret when a new life springs forward and an old life is thrust into the past.  It is a natural metamorphosis - shedding the old skin and trying on the new skin.  It feels a little strange at first but then it begins to sink into the body comfortably as you start to accept how it feels.  When this acceptance hits you, the realization is that life always gives you what is in your highest and best if you are open to the good and expand you self-realization.  Never be afraid to dream or visualize, we have the power to create any kind of life we want.  Unfortunately, we let the ego part of the mind get in the way and it stops us from realizing our truest potential as fear of the unknown sets in.  Taking two steps forward is much harder for some then just living the same old existence.

So, I challenge you to stop and listen to your heart.  Where does your heart lead you?  Don't listen to your thoughts or your pre-conceived notions that were pounded into your brain since childhood.  Sit silently and really listen.  What is it saying?  Your heart is never wrong!  "Follow your heart, but be quiet for awhile first.  Ask questions, then feel the answer.  Learn to trust your heart."


hijack situation comes from an arriving aircraft

Miami takes a look at the kind of response required when a security code signalling a hijack situation comes from an arriving aircraft.

Miami International Airport (MIA) was designated as a Category “X” facility, meaning it is a prime target for terrorist attacks in the opinion of Homeland Security.
An attack can come in all shapes and sizes. There are those that come from within the airport itself or some that might be tied to a flight arriving from some destination.
In tonight’s episode, “Category X”, viewers are taken behind the scenes as a SWAT team responds to a threat based on a signal from an aircraft landing at MIA.
What does it do to the rest of the airport operations? Believe it or not, unless a threat is confirmed, passengers are rarely aware of what is happening.
Where does an airport tell an incoming flight to go when a hijack code is sent? The Penalty Box.

It is a walled area isolated away from the terminals. The show allows us to spend time with Lauren Stover, Director of Security as she monitors activity in the Penalty Box.
The SWAT exercise and the problems it causes is only one small part of a day in the life of MIA staff.
Viewers are taken inside the airport operations with Darius Bradshaw. As Terminal Operations Control Room Agent, it’s Bradshaw’s job to keep the wheels turning for the travelers.
Two flights are ready for check-in simultaneously and 600 passengers are fuming about the wait. When Darius Bradshaw arrives on the scene with his walkie-talkie he knows he has to take command and do it quickly.
One of the things he counsels travelers to have ready when there are issues keeping them from moving smoothly through the process is: “Know the flight information,” he says. “For us, this is a unique identifier, almost like your social security number. It tells us what we need to know, what airline to contact when resolving issues.”
With the angry mob of 600 people, that isn’t the problem. It’s getting them serviced and moving in order to keep the backup from affecting the entire day.

California Aviation Alliance: Airport News List E-mail

Contact stepheni@cwnet.com with problems with your subscription.


The Hero’s Story is Significant

Holiday Family Giving Conversations Can Reap Great Benefits

Holidays and giving, bring it home for deeper cheer.

Values have Power, Massive Power

Values, what is the point of focusing on them? Although we rarely talk about them, our values are the foundation of ethical action. Values are both personal in their meaning, aligning with personal beliefs and universal in their understanding of its relative importance in people’s lives. Values have been studied by various disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, anthropology, sociology, history, theology, art, marketing, and behavioral sciences. Yet most of the time, we are oblivious to their impact, influence or importance in our lives. It is as if we want to prove values are unimportant by doing or being anything else than what our values direct us to do or be.

For example, I know that I can fill my time with activities, activities that ensure time is being spent and filled without thought to their significance to living a meaningful life. I can make piles, I can get the piles done, I can schedule, I can even avoid contacting people I am thinking about in favor of “getting things done.”

But all those return to their proper secondary or tertiary position when I ask myself these questions or reflect on the statements I am going to ask you to consider. As I reflect on the responses, it recalibrates my focus to that which is truly important to me. I think it may do the same for you.

• You have been asked to lead a team of advisors, all of whom are dedicated to their work and all of whom are committed to a best outcome: what values do you want to bring to this new team?
What other values do you think would be valuable for this team to consider?
• Describe what led you to pick these values.
Define these values with the relevance and meaning they have for you.
• Identify one of your top values. Talk about an experience where you expressed that value well.
• Think of a person in your life, who, in the last five to ten years, has had a powerful, positive impact on your life. Describe how they impacted you and how that experience has enriched your life.

Now, step back for a moment. See how you have just connected to your values and how that has affected you just now. Values have power.

Let me know what you experienced that brings your values to the forefront of your life.

The Purpose of the Family Money is a Key Ingredient to the Family’s Mission

You probably know, or at least have read, about the benefits to developing your own purpose and having your own mission. It clarifies your life, making your life simpler. You build direction, energy, and an added dollop of vibrancy. Phil Knight said of purpose, in his memoir, Shoe Dog, “If you’re following your calling, the fatigue will be easier to bear, the disappointment will be fuel, the highs will be like nothing you’ve ever felt.”

Now, what if this idea of creating a purpose or mission was added to a family’s culture? Would that be novel? Although it might be for your family, it turns out that most families who have stayed connected across generations, have done just that, created their sense of purpose and/or mission. Why? Because doing so creates a bridge of connection in which a sustained feeling of harmony and unity is fostered. It has to. Each family member has bought into this sense of purpose. They are all supporting this mission in ways that mean something to themselves personally as well as for the benefit of their family in generation after generation.

A key ingredient in this family purpose is the purpose of the family money. Money moves and without purpose, it moves aimlessly. When there is a purpose to the family money, it becomes easier to talk about money. This is so because there is a framework around the money with its boundaries and limits, opportunities and possibilities. When family members are included in developing the purpose of the family money, they can determine how and when to use it and as importantly, understand the relevance of this shared money as contrasted with their own money.

Tell me what went through your mind regarding your family’s purpose and the purpose of the family money to the family spanning generations. I would love to hear your comments.

Responsible Stewardship is Key to a Successful Legacy

For families with businesses, there are issues that surface as the family grows and ensuing generations get involved or migrate away from the family business.

Conversations about the business that may have started in the living room at home, moved to the kitchen, then a conference room then to a board room, often become a struggle as families grow and as individual agendas develop. Working well together, across generations, can become tense when visions are not aligned, and responsible stewardship is not defined. Competing and contrasting priorities due to generational differences, ownership positions, and desires for the business as contrasted with desires for the family harmony, surface.

It is not natural to manage such complexity. Like a garden who needs proper care and maintenance to stay healthy, relevant, and vibrant, a family is best served by developing a disciplined and purposed component to their family and family business dealings and becoming responsible stewards of what they are growing and eventually, passing down.

Determining an initial purpose to both the family and family business initially separate the two entities so they can clearly define themselves independently. Agreeing on and articulating the value, vision and mission of each entity across generations is key to being responsible stewards. Adapting and becoming comfortable with change is the responsibility of each generation.

Questions to consider asking at home:
• Who do we want our family to be, as a family?
• What do we want our family to represent in the community?
• What is important to us as a family: what do we believe in? What do we stand for?
Creating purpose, mission, vision and family teams to develop the family’s success goes a long way to sustaining intergenerational trust and sustainability.

Questions to consider asking about the business:
• What is the purpose and mission of the business?
• Is the business meant to develop as a business or build family wealth?
• What do we need to do to support our working together?
• How do we communicate business information so it does not take over or interfere with the family environment?
Knowing the purpose of the business, communicating that to the family, developing trust in leadership development are all critical to successfully passing a business legacy and leadership from one generation to the next.

Leave me a comment on your thoughts or experiences on this important topic. I would be delighted to read your comments.

Do Not Forget the Past; It Provides Mighty Support

When we forget those who have come before, like our great- grandparents, we forget our history. When we forget our history, we must begin again leaving new footprints that are themselves, swept away and forgotten as our great grandchildren look back at photos of us and wonder who we were.

Contrast this with those families who have captured, and meaningfully nurture the values and enduring traits of those who have come before them as a pillar to support their own lives today and tomorrow.

If you do not care how your family will thrive or if it will drift into a fog of insignificance, your family’s history will play out as it has for centuries for most families. Great grandparents have no meaning, they have been forgotten. New generations start afresh as if nothing came before them.

But if carrying on the spark of “what matters most” to your family, as a group of like-minded connected individuals, then your family story is an important element to your family’s success. And you must create that story. It will not create itself.

Researchers at Emory University found that “…family stories provide a sense of identity through time, and help children understand who they are in the world.”  When adolescents can see the values and traits they share with past family members, they form a stronger sense of well-being and a stronger sense of identity.  This Emory University study also showed that there is real benefit in sharing the stories about where the family came from, both geographically and through their values. Family stories keep families connected through generations by its narrative.

Your story, the one that will live on, will include how you met challenges, what successes have meant to you, what values you deem to be important and why and how they have guided you. Your story will describe how you came to value what you do value so those who come after you can understand themselves better by hearing from you. When they understand themselves better, they have more confidence and feel more secure in a world where those without this foundation, struggle to be seen and known.

Do you have a family story in your family, one that benefits its members, is shared because it came from the “author’s” experience?  Let me know. I would love to hear your thoughts on this important recommendation.

Preparation is a Great Inheritance Tool

I have been part of conversation focused on what the best thing to inherit is. Some think it is cash. Some think it is real estate. Some think it is a portfolio of assets to be reinvested. I suggest it is being prepared, being prepared to become stewards of an incoming inheritance.

Studies show that for 90% of families where wealth makes it to the 3rd generation, it is gone by the end of this generation. This is not due to a fault of this generation. They are merely responding to a lack of preparation and instead doing what is naturally the course, spend, squander or squabble over the inheritance.

Each generation has a unique view and interpretation of its partnership with money and the family. The first generation carries the vision, the passion and focus to build a new company. This generation tends to sacrifice their personal life for the business. They must do so in order to build a successful enterprise.

The second generation has a different perspective. They have grown up with explicit or implicit expectations placed upon them to build on the family fortune that often conflict with their own personal objectives. Understandably this can create great friction. Couple this with squabbling that happens between siblings over the purpose of the wealth and there lays a sure recipe for even bigger problems. Studies confirm that 70 % of families lose their wealth by the end of the second generation.

For those families, whose wealth makes it to the grandchildren, there is a new perspective. The third generation is farther removed from the creation of the wealth. They are accustomed to being wealthy. From their point of view, having wealth is a birthright. They have never seen or been exposed to the struggle or the reason of making money. They are free to dream and create. They have never had nor needed the tools to build a productive life. They are only familiar with spending money.

In three generations, a family’s past and all its treasures will be lost and forgotten. Memories will fade as new generations spend their precious time scrambling to build a-new.

But when a family prepares its present and future for its inheritance, it can grow its bounty. A family who conscientiously grows and develops its assets, is called a legacy family. This is a family where the money as well as the family culture develops and is transferred from one generation to the next with purpose and intention. This type of family uses appropriate systems, tools and activities to stay connected through generations maintaining shared purpose, understanding, and trust. This family becomes a prepared family transferring its wealth with confidence it will grow in the family for generations.

Let me know your experiences on preparing inheritances for long term family connection. I would love to hear from you.

Prepare Your Family for Money It Will be Inheriting

It is estimated that 20,000 families will each transfer over $20,000,000 to the next generation next year. They will continue doing so, it is forecasted, for the next twenty-nine years. Although this may sound fortuitous, research tells us that 70% of these families will find their wealth gone by the end of the second generation and by the end of the third generation 90% of these families will find their wealth squandered or spent. Unless they take steps to keep the wealth, families will find themselves falling into this statistic.

Money that has been amassed, will be gone, for most families, by the time their grandchildren are thinking about what they can pass to their heirs.  The great estate and trust planning coupled with the precise tax and investment positioning, although essential, is not enough. There is an element that most families do not put in place to ensure that their money passes to next generations intact. And that missing element is the preparation of the family for the receipt of the money.

Heirs need a blueprint and a roadmap to know how to sustain the wealth through the generations. They need to master skills of leadership, and family cohesion to successfully steward their new responsibilities associated with the money. Only when families have and master the roadmap to success, will they be able to grow cohesively as a family for many generations.

Let me know how your family is attending to preparing the family for its roles as financial beneficiaries. What kind of conversations are you having? How do family members feel about this forthcoming transfer? How is the family talking about the transfer of financial stewardship?

How Will You Be Remembered? How Do You Want to Be Remembered?

How do you want to be remembered? How will you be remembered? Is there a gap between the two responses?

If so, identify an element to that gap that you can address and take action on. Then, craft the first action step you can take towards bridging that gap. For example, a woman I spoke with wanted to be remembered as a creator of evocative paintings. When I asked how she would be remembered she said that she would not be remembered as a painter as she kept her paintings in her studio.

Realizing that she would most likely be remembered differently than how she wanted to be remembered, she decided to put a few pieces on walls in her home. She did not stop there. She organized an art show for family and friends. What began as a bridge to gap the distance between how she wanted to be remembered and how she would be remembered became an annual “Get Connected with Art” Show (now celebrating its eleventh year) where select artists, their families and friends came together to share their legacy through art.  Art pieces were sold, auctioned, and given away. This woman is both ecstatic and amazed at what resulted by addressing a gap to her legacy. She will now be remembered for her art…and much more.

How will you be remembered? How do you want to be remembered? Are they aligned? What is the first step you can take to bridge the gap? Let me know your thoughts on this topic.

There’s Power in This Conversation that Matters

Knowing she was dying, Anne wanted to make sure her children knew who all the people in the pictures were. So, together, she and her two children went through five albums and hundreds of loose photos that reminded Anne of her past, her heritage, the things she did, and the people to whom she was connected by blood, but knew little about.

When I came over to visit, Anne instructed her adult children to show me the pictures on the guest room wall and explain who everyone was in those photos. But her children were unsure of who these people were. Yes, they had listened as their Mom reviewed the pictures with them, but they quickly forgot the information. Most of the people did not mean anything to them. The photos were pictures of the past without anything more to connect the children to them.

When I returned to the room where Anne was spending most of her waking hours, I wanted to help her communicate some of the meaning that these pictures had that she wanted to pass on to her children.

I asked Anne to step back, in her mind, to a time in her life, when she was a little girl, 10 or younger; I could see her expression change as her mind and imagination took her back to her home in Canada. I then asked her to think of someone, a school teacher, a religious teacher, a sports coach, a friend’s parent, an after school organizational leader, someone who had had a tremendous positive impact on her at that time of her life. Without hesitation, a big smile beamed across her face, her shallow eyes began to gleam as she whispered: “Lisa, my best friend.” I asked Anne to describe her friend Lisa and as she did her eyes sparkled with joy and contentment. I asked Anne what powerful positive benefit Lisa had on her back then. Again, without hesitation, Anne gazed into my eyes and boldly stated: “Acceptance. Lisa showed me then, as she always has, the power and possibility of acceptance.” Delving into the value of acceptance for Anne became a powerful compass point in Anne’s life. As she talked about the power and beauty acceptance had had in her own life tears welled up in her eyes. She thanked me for finding a way for her to recognize this.

I, who have known Anne for ten years, felt a shock wave of new understanding as I learned how important acceptance was to Anne. Anne confirmed this by saying acceptance is one of the most important values for her. She smiled. I looked over at her adult children, who had witnessed this conversation and their eyes expressed a sense of amazement as they just understood something profound about their mother they never really knew or understood before.  It was a profound moment of great bonding for all of us.

As tears came to their eyes, the children said: “In this short conversation we have gotten to know our mother so much more powerfully and in ways we will never forget. We can carry the value of acceptance forward, in her honor, in our lives.

Imagine knowing the people in the photographs on the guest wall in this way.  This is where the connection is, not in the scene they are in or the pose they have struck. In this experience, revealed by a few key questions that matter, Anne will be more than a photograph. She will hold something that matters, a value, which her children will honor, perpetuate and pass on to their children.

Isn’t it time to have more conversations that matter?   2015.05.27.Kirkland.Juanita Bay Beach.Water Droplets on Leaf006


The nine-day Israel360 VIP Mission will engage 27-40 year olds from the Greater Philadelphia area more deeply with Israel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and our local Jewish community.

Israel360 exposes you to multiple perspectives on Israeli current events, trains you to advocate for Israel, and prepares you to use your learning experiences to speak up on Israel’s behalf when you return. You’ll emerge from the yearlong process with a network of new friends, a deeper understanding of Jewish Federation’s role in Philadelphia, Israel and overseas, and an even stronger Jewish identity.

You are eligible if:

You want to become involved in the Philadelphia Jewish community.

You will make a commitment to actively participate on the trip.

All accepted participants will be expected to meet with a professional from the Jewish Federation regarding making a meaningful contribution to the 2018 Jewish Federation annual campaign.


How To Receive iOS Notifications On Your Mac

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When you're on a busy schedule, constantly getting your phone out to check notifications can be a huge pain. Notifyr is an app which will save you that problem by giving you the ability to receive iOS notifications on your Mac. Keep your phone in your pocket and still know what's going on.

To get Notifyr working you'll need to download both the iOS and Mac apps. They connect through Bluetooth Low Energy, so you can keep using Notifyr all day without it draining your battery.

Notifyr - Mac
Notifyr - iOS


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I Determining the number of arrangements (complicated)

  1. Dec 6, 2016 #1
    Suppose we have K buckets of differing sizes, so that each bucket can only hold a specific number of rocks, S{k}. Suppose then we are given a specific number of rocks N, which are indistinguishable from one another, and the order of filling doesn't matter. We want to know how many arrangements of N rocks in K buckets of S{k} sizes are possible.

    For example

    Lets say K is 3, and the sizes are S{1,2,3} = 3, 2, and 1 respectively, and we have N=6 rocks. There is only one possible arrangement in this case because all the buckets have to be filled, and we don't care about the order of filling and the rocks are indistinguishable. ( the arrangement is {3,2,1})

    Now to make things more complicated, lets say N=5. Then the possible arrangements are
    so the answer is 3.

    I've been scratching my head trying to figure out a way to calculate the number of arrangements when things get more complicated - say when K = 7, S{1,2,3...}=(10,2,6,10,2,6,10), and N = 16. The number grows very fast with K.

    I've written an algorithm that creates all the combinations and then counts them to find the total, but i'm looking for a formula to check that the algorithm is in the ballpark. I'd appreciate any advice.

    thanks for your time!
  2. jcsd
  3. Dec 6, 2016 #2

    Staff: Mentor

    This problem is related to partition theory:

    but it seems your twist is the bucket limit.

    You could try a lot of examples and see if you can tease out the formula, if one exists, especially since you have an algorithm already. However, in many cases there is no formula only an approximation like the Hardy-Ramanujan approximation in partition theory or a generating function like Euler's partition function,

    Also you might some insight into your problem by looking at the Young's tableaux and how you can cast it into that form:

    Anyway, these articles will give you a lot to explore.

    Perhaps @Mark44, @Krylov or @micromass can provide a more succinct answer.
  4. Dec 6, 2016 #3
    Not sure I follow exactly, but in N=5 example, have [3,2,0]. Thought all buckets need filled?
  5. Dec 6, 2016 #4

    User Avatar
    2017 Award

    Staff: Mentor

    I didn't interpret the problem that way, but it would lead to an equivalent problem with {2,1} buckets and 2 rocks, by starting with 1 rock in every bucket. So without loss of generality, we can allow empty buckets.

    It is always possible to find an expression with k-1 nested sums, but that is not better than "going through all options". There is an approach that works in O(kN):

    For the first bucket, for n=0 to n=N, record how many options there are to fill it with n stones. This will be 1 from 0 to S(k) or N, whatever is smaller.
    For the first L buckets, for n=0 to n=N, record how many options there are to fill them with n stones, using the previous list for the previous L-1 buckets. Go through L=2 to L=k.
  6. Dec 6, 2016 #5
    Yeah, after reading again I agree. Can have zero.
  7. Dec 7, 2016 #6
    Empty buckets are ok.

    This is similar to the algorithm I've got. I like the idea, I will think more on this.

    The closest thing I've found to this subject is multisets, but the function ##\left(\!\!{a\choose b}\!\!\right)## isn't quite right. I have included an image which is similar to the output list of arrangements from the algorithm. In the picture, each cell would be a bucket. the red represents a rock's presence. Moving down a line indicates how the algorithm moves one rock at a time in order to go through all the arrangements. The image is not perfect because multiple rocks in the same bucket are not represented.

    Last edited: Dec 7, 2016
  8. Dec 7, 2016 #7

    User Avatar
    2017 Award

    Staff: Mentor

    Multisets don't have bucket size limits. The O(kN) algorithm should be fine for all practical purposes.
  9. Dec 7, 2016 #8
    Since your looking for a formula to test your algorithm, I'd go with what jedishrfu said about partitions. Where each term in the sum of a given partition is a bucket. A particular subset of all partitions of an N will give the exact answer, but no good way to pick this out; that I know of. But, Sterling's approx will give a decent upper bound, as it calculates total number of partitions as N approaches infinity. A modification to the formula could get you closer, but not sure on what that would be in general. I'd follow link jedishrfu gave, if haven't already.

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Why you need physio (even if you don’t think you do)

The common association with physiotherapy is a reactive gesture to the onset of an ache, pain or trauma to the musculoskeletal system; an injury!

Image Credits: Supplied

Relieve pain | Restore function | Move well

Agreed, there is no more effective way to facilitating functional restoration than through seeking the professional assistance of a skilled physiotherapist. But the concept should not stop there. As a nation, I think we are starting to embrace the concept of exploring mental and physical well-being and therefore optimising our health.

Whether your ‘function’ is sitting at the office 10+ hours straight, playing with the grandchildren on the weekend, or gaining a ballot spot in the London Marathon, we owe it to our bodies to strive for the resilience to perform these tasks in an optimal fashion, without the fear and inevitability of injury.

Ask yourself the question, “Do I move well?”

The body will become better at whatever you do, or don’t do! If you don’t move, your body will become better at not moving. If you move, your body will allow more movement.

It seems a broad statement, but exploring the way we move should be as embracing as the way we explore our minds. Physical health should be more proactive than reactive. Therefore, ask yourself, “How can I move better?” Physiotherapists are skilled in the biomechanical analysis of movement and can most certainly aid you in your journey to greater function.

We know the evidence-based benefits of exercise but with a huge plethora of physical options out there, guidance and education are pivotal in the avoidance of overload which may cause further issues.

How can we help?

At PhysioEdge, our priority is your health, and we endeavour to provide the optimal physiotherapy care in London. We are a dedicated team of specialised, experienced physiotherapists who are ever willing to go the extra mile to help you enhance your physical well-being.

Our philosophy is to not just treat the symptoms of injury but to strive to resolve the underlying factors contributing to the development of the problem. We believe that everyone should live their lives and perform daily functions to the best of their physical capacity, free from pain limitations.

Treatment sessions will be specifically tailored to the individual with a structured, methodical approach, from diagnostic assessment to end-stage performance. We will, therefore, strive to empower our clients, instilling confidence in how you move to create a longer standing resilience to injury. We, therefore, do not provide passive physiotherapy intervention and we encourage our clients to be fully engaged in the treatment process of rehabilitation.

Call us on 08456430812 for more details or visit our website.

Gill is a South African physiotherapist, who runs the PhysioEdge Physiotherapy and Sports Injury clinics in London. They provide Physiotherapy and Sports Injury treatment to the public, as well as treating high profile celebrities and stunt men in the film industry. (physioedge.co.uk).


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Monday, January 22, 2018

Intimate Partner Abuse: Wife Beating among Civil Servants in Ibadan, Nigeria

The article Intimate Partner Abuse: Wife Beating among Civil Servants in Ibadan, Nigeria by Olufunmilayo I Fawole, Adedibu L Aderonmu and Adeniran O Fawole explore the idea of partner abuse, specifically wife-beating. The authors remark that despite this being a common phenomenon, it is underreported, notably among the working class. the authors conducted a study in which 431 civil servants working for the Oyo State government were interviewed. Their research made several conclusions: women who are unmarried, young, parents who fought were more likely to be beaten; mean who with significant consumption of alcohol and growing up with parents who fought were also more likely to beat their wives/ partners; despite being in the abusive relationship, some women remain for the sake of their children, or in hope that their partner's attitude will improve.

The authors describe the various forms of intimate partner abuse: psychological, physical and/ or sexual coercion and ranges from hitting, slapping, kicking, beating to intimidating and humiliating. They discuss the role of societal norms and gender-role expectations as key factors that lead to intimate partner abuse. The expectations that men are the bread-winners of the family places them in a hierarchical and superior position in the family. This position allows them to continue the abuse; the women are not in a place to object. Traditionally, they are expected to remain at home and take care of the children; their relationship with their male partners is one of and obedience. The authors emphasize that despite intimate partner abuse being a very common practice in all countries regardless of social, economic, religious or cultural differences, it is still accepted and tolerated. Domestic violence can lead to health-related effects for women; for instance, illness related to sexual and reproductive health, physical injury, psychological trauma, and risk of illness in the future. But its is still underreported. Women are less inclined to disclose their experience of being abused. This is primarily due to it being seen as form of discipline; thus, it is normalized in society.

Often times, victims may not speak out against abuse due to lack of resources, and support system as well as a lack of education and an understanding that abuse is wrong. The study conducted in this article hoped to create an advocacy tool and guide for state to implement better policies that can help de-normalize gender-based violence. It also aimed to lead development in treatment, counselling and support services.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Emerging viral infectious disease threat: Why Tanzania is not in a safe zone

Viral infections are often concerning and can lead to the outbreak of an epidemic, especially in developing countries.
The article "Emerging viral infectious disease threat: Why Tanzania is not in a safe zone" captures this situation. It gives an overview of the problem in relation to the likeliness of outbreak in Tanzania.

The authors argue that while Tanzania has been safe comparing to many African countries, it should take precaution and be ready incase of the outbreak of emerging infectious disease (EID). They list five viral infectious diseases that may possibly result in an outbreak in the future: Rift Valley fever, Influenza H1N1, Rubella, HIV1 and Dengue and Chikungunya. The authors conclude with recommendations to help this outbreak should be taken place, such as: training employees in the healthcare industry to detect potential EID symptoms in their early stages and community-based surveillance systems etc.

The provision given by the authors is similar to another article I came across earlier this week: The collision of civil war and threat of global pandemics

This article examines the role of civil war in spreading infectious diseases. It also discusses the inability of healthcare systems and health practitioners in determining the early symptoms of an epidemic in patients. Gathering and organizing data in a sufficient matter is also a challenge, as these regions often lack the proper technology or equipment.

Both articles indicate a very similar message: adopting an early precautionary practice is a suitable approach in avoiding the outbreaks of infectious disease, especially in developing countries, where the necessary tools may not be present. This is especially important in cases of countries (such as Tanzania) that may not appear to be in immediate danger; its critical to recognize the potential danger in the long-term and take the appropriate measures to prevent such circumstance.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Culture Clash: Shona (Zimbabwean) Migrant Women’s Experiences with Communicating about Sexual Health and Wellbeing across Cultures and Generations

As they settle in their new homes, newcomer migrants experience many cultural differences. For example, communication of health issues within family members- specifically sexual health, is an arena that differs from one country to another. Topics of sexual health is a taboo in some cultures and is often not discussed as freely within family members, especially between parents and children. This phenomenon is particularly prominent in developing countries.

The dynamics of the situation is different in developed countries, many of which promote a more open-dialogue approach when it comes to discussion of sexual health between parents and their children. Tinashe Dune and Virginia Mapedzahama’s article “Culture Clash: Shona (Zimbabwean) Migrant Women’s Experiences with Communicating about Sexual Health and Wellbeing across Cultures and Generations” address this problem. Specifically, it examines cases of 14 Shona (Zimbabwean) women living in Australia between ages 29-53.

Dune and Mapedzahama discovered that Shona women found it difficult to disclose information related to sexual health to their children. However, there was an effort of integrating policies of both worlds: the open Australian dialogue versus the more reserved attitude of their country of origin.  The study aims to find a comprising solution that can satisfy this problem, particularly in the cases of cross-cultural adolescents, who had been brought up in both environments (referred to as “1.5 generation”).

Based on their analysis, the authors’ findings conclude that better health policies need to be administered. Specifically, current policies need to be redesigned to cater to migrant parents. Although resources and guidelines exist to help parents, these resources do not suit the needs of migrant parents. The authors conclude on the note of making communication of sexual health more accessible and clear for not only the parents, but also the 1.5 generation. They note that current health policies in multicultural developed countries with a large migrant population (such as Australia) can be improved to suit the needs of cross-cultural youth.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Suicidal Thoughts in the Novel Don Quixote - Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2016, pp. 65-69

Suicide and mental illness is a public health problem that is very poorly understood. In the recent years, there have been more efforts made in the Global North to reduce the negative connotations in regards to suicide. United States Congress in 1990 established the Mental Illness Awareness Week, which was a project by the National Alliance of Mental Illness to create awareness and educate people regarding mental illness. However, these views are very science oriented.

The concept of suicide in the last century has been medicalised, where suicide is always linked to mental disorders. This narrative has discouraged fields such as sociology and history’s perspective on suicide. This article looks at fictional material which is also a source of information to understand suicide. This study aims to improve our understanding of suicide by examining the early 17th Century Spanish novel called “Don Quixote” By Miguel Cervantes.

The study translated different accounts of suicide and suicidal thoughts which they categorized and listed under the appropriate heading. The results suggest that there are no complete accounts on suicide however, there are five indirect statements that suggested that suicide was a mean of dealing with stress. From these five accounts, three of them were linked with dealing with a loss of a loved one. There was another account of a person pretending to attempt suicide for manipulative purposes.

This study concludes that in the early 17th century Spain suicide was a way of dealing with stress. This provides evidence that suicide can occur in the absence of a mental disorder.

Wednesday, July 05, 2017

THE AGING OF AFRICA: CHALLENGES TO AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT - African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2016, pp. 1-15

Baby Boomers are the children who were born in the mid-1940s to the 1960s. Baby Boomers are now reaching an age where they are retiring and require medical attention. The number of Canadians who are aged 65 and older grew by 14.1 percent between 2006 and 2011 (The Canadian Press, 2012). Not only are the baby boomers getting older they are also living longer. Then one needs to prepare for the demand of medical care and attention that will be required.

In the case of developing countries, African countries have been aiming to have policies around an aging population ever since 1982. Where four major United Nations international policy documented that national policies should focus on the aging population in Africa to ensure that there are no human rights problems in the future.  However, there is very little evidence of these policies on the ground.

Countries in Africa are still battling with issues of political organizations, wars, civil war and post-colonial self-image. Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have realized the correlations of economic success and human development with rapid population growth, survival of vulnerable population and inevitable increase of median age of the population. Reduction of infant mortality and improving maternal and child health has been a propriety in African countries. As childhood mortality reduces the birth rates in these countries remain high resulting in an increase in population.

Most African people believe that national governments should support for aging society however this is a political process. There needs to be agreement on fair taxes that can distribute the burden of government in supporting the population. One needs to recognize direct and indirect economic contributions.

People in developing nations depend on free services to share the burden of elder care however the developing countries are unprepared to spend on their social sector. Inadequate pensions can force retirees to find houses in urban slums where they depend on others to provide for nutrition and often are malnourished and at risk of health problems.

Douglass (2015) asks the following very important questions in relations to the aging population in Africa:

1. " How can African governments revisit national priorities (such as Millennial Development Goals) for health, economic development, the growth of the middle class, and public health with increased attention, and investment in, the aging?

2. What should developing African nations do right away? How can the nations initiate and sustain sufficiently sound data collection to be able to plan with precision the near-future needs of an aging society and for the predictable future? What metrics can be trusted to use for planning, program design, health and welfare policy, and manpower needs?

3. How can early detection, health and wellness monitoring, and primary care availability become more focused on the aging populations in order to reduce the need for costly, and largely unavailable, hospitalization?

4. How can home-based chronic disease management and care be established within the labor, financial, and technical resource limitations of developing African nations?

5. Given that in many places the very young are being raised by the oldest members of communities, what is likely to happen when the elderly caregivers are unable to continue in the child-rearing role?

6. How will traditions of family-based care and filial responsibility challenge, or complicate social responses such as long-term care, chronic disease management, transportation and housing for the aging?

7. Should key parties in the stable African nations begin to consider continent-wide responses to aging in society? If so, how will the central issues of food security and justice-based development be financed, organized, and processed as societies change?

8. How can African nations address the inevitable needs of aging populations while also finding ways to reduce ethnic and religious conflicts, and sustain investments in other priorities such as housing, transportation, and education? How will ethnic diversity, gender inequality, geography, religious conflicts, socio-economic disparities, and fragile political stability influence Africa’s ability to prepare for the aging of the population?

9. How will the diaspora of African talent affect Africa’s ability to take care of its own? Are there sufficient numbers of chronic disease specialists for an aging Africa? Are there specialists for the needs of the elderly in housing, transportation, and other essential service areas? "

The Canadian Press (2012) Baby Boomers’ Health Demands Will Pose Challenges, CBCNEWs.Retrieved from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/baby-boomers-health-demands-will-pose-challenges-1.1151890

Friday, June 30, 2017

The efficacy of Iranian herbal medicines in alleviating hot flashes: A systematic review - Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine, Vol. 14, No. 3, 2016, pp. 155-166

Herbal medicine, the use of plants or herbs to create medicine, is one of the natural ways of treating illness. Traditional medicine has been discouraged by wide pharmaceutical companies. However, many people still use traditional medicine because of its benefits and fewer side effects such as found in scientific medicine. Modern medicines also derived plant compounds as evidence for their pharmaceutical drugs. Plants and natural herbs are useful in curing illness.

Many women in Iran use herbal medicine instead of industrial medicines when the have hot flashes. Hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause experienced by women.

Women are recommended to have hormone therapy to alleviate hot flashes however these medicines have side effects such as vaginal bleeding. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in herbal medicine.

The aim of this article was to assess the effectiveness of Iranian herbal medicines in alleviant hot flashes for women. The study uses a systematic review to state that soy, black cohosh, red clover, evening primrose etc, can alleviate the side effects of hot flashes.

This study shows how herbal medicine can alleviate hot flashes. Therefore, herbal medicine can be seen an alternative to industrial pharmaceutical medicines.

Sexual risk behavior among HIV-positive persons in Jamaica - African Health Sciences, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2017, pp. 32-38

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can lead to aids, which till now is a global public health challenge. HIV is a transferred from one person to the other through sexual intercourse, or through needles or syringes. People who are HIV positive risky sexual behaviors can lead to their partners being at risk of HIV transmission. It is very important to stop HIV transmission acts.

More people living in developing countries have HIV/AIDS as compared to developed countries. Due to intersectionality, one can see how most people living under poverty line cannot afford to get an education, they do not get the proper education on safe sex. Furthermore, in many developing countries, such as India, talking about sex to one’s children is taboo. This way the children are not educated on how to have safe sex and they are at more of a risk of getting HIV/AIDS. Also, people suffering from drug addictions end up reusing syringes because they can’t afford new ones.

The case study aims to assess the prevalence of sexual risk behaviors within individuals who are HIV positive in clinical care in North Western Jamaica. This study had a cross-sectional survey done of 33 males and 85 females to assess health care characteristic, the knowledge of HIV and Aids and the attitudes and believes on sexual risk behavior.

The study concludes that the occurrence of unsafe sex is high among sexually active individuals with HIV and AIDS in Jamaica.  Not disclosing their status of being HIV positive can place the partners of this individual at risk. Therefore, promoting safe sexual behaviors is very important. Not only there should be a positive social environment for people who live with HIV/AIDs in Jamaica.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Domestic unintentional injury of 1 to 5-year-old children in a rural area of West Bengal, India: a community-based study - Tanzania Journal of Health Research, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2016, pp. 1-8

After the partition of Pakistan and India in 1947, many refugee populations resided near the railway tracks that run through the southern parts of Calcutta. These populations lived in shanties of Calcutta’s Rail Colony for over 50 years (Chatterjee, 2005, p. 53). The population that resides in these railway colonies, are also known as “squatters”, and are always in a constant threat of eviction by the railway's authority as they have settled a space on the properties illegally (Chatterjee, 2005, p. 54). These colonies are more than just urban slums, they are the only home for marginalized communities. The people residing in shanties are then known as “non-citizens” who are unable to claim equal citizenship, benefits, agency, and power as everyone else.

 One can question what rights and facilities are in place for these marginalized communities. A lot of children living in these squatters are neglected as their caregivers are at work and are at risk of injuries as these colonies are right next to railway tracks. Childhood injuries is a leading public health issue where unintentional injuries are a cause of morbidity and mortality in children. According to the World Health Organization, over 630,000 deaths occur annually in children less than 15 years of age in 2011 as a result of unintentional injuries.

The Case study conducted by Banerjee et, Al.  sheds light on the issues of unintentional injuries in West Bengal, India at singur block, hoodhly district. It looks at why children are in risks of unintentional injuries. Primary caregivers were interviewed and the researchers assessed the household based on a checklist that identified the level of injury hazards. The results show that more than 37.4 % of the children had some type of injury in the last 3 months.

The study recommends that parental supervision and modification of the households can prevent these injuries.

Chatterjee, P. (2004). The Politics of the Governed Reflection on popular politics in most of the world. New York, New York, United States: Columbia University Press.

Wednesday, June 07, 2017

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Call for a Paradigm Shift - African Journal of Reproductive Health, Vol. 20, No. 3, 2016, pp. 19-21

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) had been a topic of focus in development. The MDGs were 8 goals that all United Nation members agreed to achieve by 2015.  That were committed “to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women (World Health Organization). Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that followed MDGs aim to not “leave no One Behind”. Not only are the SDGs more ambitious in their goals ( 17 goals and 169 targets), the SDGs have been developed with better consultations, where African countries have played a significant role, are transparent and aimed to have a participatory process.

These 17 Goals are: the eradication of poverty, end hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions and partnerships for the goal.

This commentary suggests that SDG will only bee successful if the succeed in Africa. The analysis suggested that the reform requires these three categories: those who require reform, those who require a revolution and those who require reversal. Reform is required to meet economic growth and strengthening domestic resource mobilization for development. Revolution is where the progress needs to spread in multiples to meet the targets such as eliminating hunger or reducing maternal mortality. The revolution category is being parried with reducing slum population or reducing waste.

Shettima argues that “Achieving gender equality goals will revolutionize the achievement of the other goals and is sin qua, non for the achievement of the other goals and for the general attainment of the values and ideas of SDGS.” She states that many of these targets under gender equality are embedded in cultural and social norms and legislation and policies might be involved to reach these targets. She calls for the implementation of compulsory free and education of women to meet the goal of gender equality.

Monday, May 29, 2017

Risk factors associated with pre-term birth in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a case-control study - Tanzania Journal of Health Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2016, pp. 1-8

Lack of a proper health care system in many developing countries takes a toll on its citizens. There are a lot of disease in developing countries that can be prevented by accessible healthcare. Inadequate health care can affect women, especially when talking about obstetric care. Obstetric care is very crucial and can lead to many complex pregnancies, and infant mortality.

Regular check-ups are important to ensure that the infant is healthy and that the pregnancy is going well. However, with people living in extreme poverty, it is not feasible to get regular checkups. It is important to get checkups as they ensure that the child and the mother are both healthy and don’t have any viruses. However, due to the lack of education on prenatal care, most women do not understand the importance of regular checkups. Therefore, it becomes important to examine the causes of preterm birth.

This article looks at preterm birth, which can be defined as the birth of an infant before the completion of 37 gestation weeks. This is a serious problem in obstetric care. This article looks at how in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania a case-controlled study was conducted to determine the risk factors of preterm births.

This case study was conducted in three municipal hospitals ( Amani, Mwanayamala and Temeke) and 377 women participants with preterm birth cases and term births were asked to participate. Short interviews were conducted to compare these females lifestyles demographics to examine whether cross-cultural factors affect birth.

Results show that certain risk factors are associated with preterm birth that includes multiple pregnancies, untreated vaginal discharge, public prenatal care, untreated unitary tract infection etc.

This study states that is important to have a planner design community-based intervention to tackle the complications of preterm birth.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Risk perception and correlates of alcohol use among out-of-school youth in motor parks in Lagos State, Nigeria - Malawi Medical Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1, 2016, pp. 19-25

Canada, United States, and European countries legalized Alcohol and the trade of alcohol with globalization has resulted in an mass alcohol driven economy. In most developed countries, there are measures in place to ensure that children or teenagers do not consume alcohol due to its risk on their health.  In Canada, the legal age to drink is 19. This is the age at which adolescent are usually in their first year of university, college, or in grade 13. In schools we are taught about alcohol tolerance, and how one should not consume more alcohol than their body can take, or one should not drink alone. There are a lot of health measures in place to ensure people don’t die or have alcohol intoxication. Even with these measures in place, some teenagers push their boundaries and engage in risky behaviours. Now imagine, if these teenagers were not in school and there were no measures placed by the government to ensure that teenagers cannot access alcohol. What will happen?

The study aims to analyze the risks, patterns of use, and the correlation of alcohol with the youth who are out of school, in Motor parks, Lago’s State Nigeria. Since the youth are out of school, they are more vulnerable to miss out an opportunity of learning healthy behaviours regarding the consumption of alcohol.

A cross-sectional study based on interviews was conducted with 380 youth who were out of school.  Results state that the level of alcohol prevalence was 61.1 % and 55.5 % of these youth were current drinkers.  More than half of the current drinkers have a drinking problem and three-quarters of them had experienced at least one episode of alcohol intoxication in the past month. Even though 63.5 % of them wanted to reduce alcohol intake, only 28.9 % received help in reducing drinking.

This study concludes that their needs be a program in place to help youth reduce alcohol intake. As suggested 63.5 % of the youth wanted to reduce their alcohol intake, however, they do not have proper infrastructure or support to reduce their alcohol intake. Thus, their attempts always lead to failure. With the proper help and support, youth can come out of alcoholism.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Air pollution one of the factors of climate change is a pressing issue in the world. Especially in third world countries, with carbon dioxide levels rising in the air, it is hard to breathe, and smog rates in cities such as Bangkok, Delhi are at all times high.

 Living in a developing country, the poor people usually migrate to urban cities to work, and usually end up working odd jobs. Living in slums these people burn biofuels or coal to either keep their house warm, to cook or have light at night. This results in them having heavy contact with indoor pollution. These are results of governments not having proper infrastructure to provide for the poor. Without electricity or gas, these people depend on burning wood, coal, whatever they can.

Similarly, this case study looked at the risks of indoor air pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa. This case study looks at a Rwandan male of the age of 50 years and his tendency of having anthracosis. Anthracosis is a disease that occurs due to the accumulation of coal dust in the lungs tissues, this takes places due to heavy pollution levels in major cities, smoking or in the coal mining sector.

This man was found dead in Kigali by the road side, he was fully clothed, and had no signs of trauma. His autopsy report of this man revises that he had severe chronic anthracnose’s, concluding that indoor air pollution, especially due to the burning of biomass and coal in a closed room is a risk factor for pulmonary diseases such as anthracosis.

This case depicts the morphological consequences of long-term exposure to the pollutants on humans. It concludes that there should be preventative methods to reduce the concentration of pollutants indoors by either using more technically advanced devices or improving ventilation in these rooms so the air could leave the room.

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We became friends with nature

Whether or not we are aware, the great kingdom of plants help humanity in very many ways. First when the plants are beautiful to watch. Forests with old trees, rare plant protection, garden arranged to the smallest detail, windows filled with flowers, it offers people who receive them, all they mean one thing, love for plants.
Come take a walk through the woods and watch the trees. They can be divided into two categories: hardwoods (trees with leaves obsolete) and conifers. Conifer cone-bearing means. Coniferous leaves are processed into needles do not fall to winter and not yellow. Conifers are trees that remain green all year. They gum and their bark is aromatic. In a coniferous forest fresh scent invites you clean air. Trees with leaves are those who fell and lost leaves during the cold season. Autumn, when the days become shorter, photosynthesis is reduced gradually and the leaf chlorophyll is transported to other parts of the plant. Before falling leaves lose their green hue gradually took the woods in light golden-red like fire.
A trip to the forest can become a very pleasant experience. Empower yourself with good mood, with a plant identification guide and an old book that no longer use. Trying to pick the leaves begin to identify them using the guide. Choose different colors, shapes, fresh and dried leaves. After identification, if leaves are still green leave them to dry between the pages of the book. Create a beautiful and original arrangement with your acquisitions. In this way to relax, to oxygen, discover and learn to love nature.
Perhaps the most important use of trees for us is wood. It is valued in the industry of paper production, furniture and various accessories, musical instruments or simply as a source of heating. Wood trees is the same. It differs from species to species. Each type of wood has a certain destination is chosen according to color and texture.
Grasses and other plant fibers are transformed into so-called "straw" through which we can get weaving: baskets, ropes, carpets or furniture. Other plants such as cotton, flax or hemp offers us the raw material for clothing. Even many of the colors we use for clothing from all the plants.
Another way of looking at things would be to think of where our food really comes from? Whether it is fruit, leaf, stem, seed, tuber or flower is edible for animals and humans. Plants are in fact the underlying food chain because they convert the inorganic elements in organic compounds photosynthesis. When you dine, think of how what we eat comes directly or indirectly from plants.
Another way that plants help life consists in the therapeutic effects that many have on our body. Many active compounds from medicinal plants directly from today. Others such as morphine, quinine, aspirin, have been synthesized artificially mimicking the original and plants. Unfortunately many of these miraculous plant components were not yet discovered and probably one cure for this disease will remain fierce in a long hidden in places difficult to reach the tropical forests.
Plants contribute to the welfare of us all. Trees and shrubs we purify the air, making it clean, protect us from beating fierce wind and provide shade in our hot summer days.
Have you thought about how we help the plants in a single day of our lives? Try to write down everything you eat and use in a single day, all you send directly or indirectly with the thought in the world of plants. You are surprised?

Plants and life

We are part of the universe. So do plants. We live and we are grateful for that. So did they. We have adapted over time to the demands of a modern and civilized society. So do plants have acquired many adaptations to the environment and new mechanisms for protection.
A special world, fascinating, miraculous where everything seems at its brightest. Continuously trying to use it for our own good and full of selfishness a fully exploited.
Should respect nature, learn from it, to try to discover more, even though most times we are facing an unknown forever.
In search of that unique moment of supreme peace, relaxation and a new world, perhaps better than ours, consciously or not, get back to nature. Fill our minds with abundant plants in tropical forests full of life, color and sound.
We feel strong vibration, wet heat, smell the earth and the scent of flowers. Listen hum foliage, sounds of insects and birds songs.
Recognize, or not, we need nature, those delicate and sensitive forms of life. We need plants.
Plants are not "objects" but beings. Fear or love, enjoy or suffer as they communicate with us. They are extremely fine and complicated organisms that exist not just to produce "biological mass. We can thus become as "vegetative" and dumb when I say that there plants that do not respond to "hello".


Should the Right Use the Tactics of the Left?

Ever since two right-wing protestors shut down a public play of “Julius Ceaser” at Central Park in New York (in which a Donald Trump look-a-like is stabbed to death to the cheers of blood lusting leftist crazies), the discussion on whether the right wing in America should use left wing tactics in our escalating political warfare has gotten more attention among the right.

Naturally, most right libertarians are believers in freedom of speech and therefore were quick to denounce these shenanigans and jeered that we should not be protesting as leftists protest. But of course the left does not believe in the concept of freedom of speech or private property. So should we be defending their “right” to speak freely when they have launched open warfare on the right wing in America?

The right did not start this war, nor did we ever desire to regulate speech, but the left wing in America has already opened this can of worms and they use their weapon of restricting speech and violent and invasive protesting at will against us…therefore I find it questionable to assume that it will do us any good to adhere to rules that the left largely disregards. The left will not simply lay down their guns, molotovs, bullhorns and bricks outside of our political rallies because they respect our consistency and we have therefore enlightened them to individualist truth…rather, if we do not engage with some of their own tactics, we will lose this battle completely, and when the American right has been wiped away there will be no one left in this country or possibly on earth to discuss the merits of libertarian concepts like the freedom of speech. Therefore I personally find it completely justifiable to shut down a leftist play…the question simply remains whether or not there is any benefit to adopting this sort of thing as a long term strategy.

In recent years it has become increasingly obvious that the left is the greatest enemy against liberty and all traditionalism and private property norms, which have made the most free and prosperous societies what they are. In order to protect property norms and the liberties we hold dear to us, we need a more unified front. What this means is that we must not punch to our right and drag down people that could make useful allies, rather we should have discussions on how to unify, and what the best short and long term strategies are.

There are some traditionally left-wing tactics that could serve us well in the short term. Right wingers should engage more in activism, and put up efforts to advertise events and organize with each other, and not be afraid to incorporate other elements into what otherwise might be single purpose rallies. When one watches any left wing demonstration, they will quickly notice a collage of pro-abortion and Black Lives Matter signs, along with LGBT flags. Yet all of these people are fighting and demonstrating under the same banner.

It would be wise for right to also hold events where pro-lifers, pro- free speech activists, and pro- 2nd amendment activists all gather together, thus building a larger network. The problem becomes when right wingers adopt dangerous left-wing strategies, such as violent disruptions, protests, blocking traffic, etc. Certain tactics of theirs should not be used.

All of this being said, as Tom Woods has pointed out, many things that work for the left only work for them since they are in control of the media, academia and even the deep state. After all, it would not be effective if a right winger denounced his opponents as being bigots or hating children. It would, however, do us well to recognize that by many measures the right wing in America is winning, and our leftist opponents use r-selective strategies that therefore end up blowing back in their face sooner or later, such as it did in the 2016 election.

However if we take too much from their playbook, then much like them, we will drive our opponents underground, creating a motivated resistance that might sooner or later gather a large populist following that overtakes what is then perceived to be the establishment. It has so far worked very well to simply laugh off the attacks of the left and let them continue to escalate to the point where they look more and more foolish to the general public.

In many cases we may not even have to say anything, as their actions speak for themselves. All that is needed is to give them a little push to commit complete political suicide.  So while it may just to use every tool they have ever used against us or the American people, in many cases it would simply not be very wise to carry these actions out for the long term.

In short we on the right should use whatever tools are at our disposal to finish the left’s influence, and unify like never before, but it is important that we k-selective types do not fall into r-selective traps and use these tools to our own demise. Stop dragging down allies and talk strategies and solutions.


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The Vital Unimportance Of The Grammys

In 1959 The Recording Academy, also known as The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences , started The Grammys and began rewarding what the believed were the best musicians of the previous year. Since then, The Grammys has become the epitome of excellence in music. Winning a Grammy was what legitimized artists and their work. Unfortunately, since 1959 the awards have become static and old. This is a problem because music, like other art, is fluid and constantly being reinvented. Any group hoping to judge and award the best music every year has to be willing to change with the times, otherwise they lose legitimacy. This is what has happened with The Grammys. The Hip-Hop community has constantly been at odds with the ceremony for not recognizing the artists and albums they agree deserve recognition. Since 1989 rappers have boycotted, dissed and interrupted the show in the hopes that they would take Hip-Hop seriously. Obviously The Grammys are important for simply awarding artists for so long, and reflecting the opinion of the mainstream.

The problem with the Hip-Hop community is that they’re frustrated with a process that has never understood, and may never understand rap. We are all aware that the committee is typically older than the average Hip-Hop fan, and the selection process allows people with little expertise in a category to decide. This is why artists like Macklemore, and potentially Iggy, win in the rap categories. It would be great if they let the group that arranged MTV’s Hottest MCs list handle the rap categories, but there are rules to joining the academy, and many would still disagree with the winners. Music is selective so no one person, or organization can determine what is the best of a certain period. If I was apart of the selection committee, Nas and Jay Electronica would win everything, but thats just from my narrow lens. It’s importance to recognized and celebrate artists that have excelled creatively or technically. If Hip-Hop considers itself a community and a “culture” they must decide how they want to reward their artists. Everyone must buy into the idea and with time it can be as “important” as a Grammy. Complaining about Kendrick losing when we know whoever decides doesn’t understand is useless. I know I’m saying nothing new here, but Hip-Hop, at its roots and in its pure form, has always gone against the mainstream. We are in a strange instance where it now is the mainstream, but that doesn’t mean others truly get it.

And honestly, we’re all more interested in the fashion and performances than anything else right?


In English

2D Finger Motion Tracking, Implementation for Android Based Smartphones

Maryam Khosravi Nahouji
[Examensarbete på avancerad nivå]

Human computer interaction grows day by day and nowadays it has been entered many aspects of the life. Through this growth it has covered not only the desktop and laptop PCs but also mobile phones and specifically Smartphones. Therefore it worth to consider this topic and try to make a new functionality for these kinds of interactions. The intention is to find a practical way to make a new use of the video camera of the Android based Smartphones and track a single finger using the camera as sensor. To track an object in Android platform it needs some special prerequisite. It means that there should be a way to make the tracking applicable on Smartphones. for this purpose the solution this work has come up with is to use OpenCV library which is an open source library specialized for computer vision applications. This library is applicable on Android platform and therefore can be considered for our intention. Also considering different methods applied for hand tracking purpose in earlier works which has been studied in this work, the intention was to implement a method which was not been used by later studied works. Therefore the method of tracking used in this work is called “Motion Templates”. This method is a method represented by OpenCV library and used in this work. To reduce the complexity of the work the first mile-stone which is implemented in this work is to track the finger on PC and then try to port the method and algorithm to Android platform. The tracking is done successfully on the PC using this method and it can be recommended as a possible way of tracking to be considered on Android platforms as a future work.

Nyckelord: Detection, Tracking, Android, Smartphone

CPL ID: 163232

Detta är en tjänst från Chalmers bibliotek


How I spent the first romantic day of 2018

I woke up to chilly winds and beautiful sky. I was busy taking in the cold outside and got late for college and providing some more gratitude to the traffic jam, had a sassy moment with my professor. I ended up reaching to the class before my professor did while we both were stuck in the same jam. It was kinda cool.

And in the first break, abandoning my bag and other belongings in the classroom on 3rd floor, I went to the garden and it was drizzling, I removed my shoes and walked barefoot on wet grass making my feet feel chilly and then I called up my mom because I felt like talking to her about how romantic the weather is and she being a savage sassy mother shut me up with her wit and made me rethink the idea of Romance.

I bunked my last lecture to read about the city I love the most and sat on the wet grass in touch with the universe and nature. I didn’t feel cold because sometimes warmth of the words is enough and then I went to the lake on my way back home and ended up taking a 2 hour walk around the trees and the lake watching the sunset.

When you’re in love, you feel things differently and then for momentarily you just become love. All you radiate is love. That’s who I became today.

Happy Winters People!

With spring fading away and summer sun shining, there are clouds that are creating noise seeking attention because nobody seemed to talk about the beauty of rains and winds that spread heavenly aroma. When one is in love, one is crazy. And rains bring out this eternal hopeless romance within me. On days when I am chasing my dreams and looking at the dreamcatcher by my bedside with the sound of the rain and soft humming of the wind chime, I am reminded of you. You’re not here with me and sometimes you are a figment of my imagination. This perfect soul mate with whom I want to share my Rumi with. Sometimes you seem real like a fairy tale. You are the butterfly kissing the flower that my heart is and then flying off in the garden with your pretty yellow wings. While I am the sunflower and sometimes I look like a daffodil dancing in the rain when you slowly suck my nectar leaving your footprints all across. This tale of love is as bizarre as this unexpected rain. On some days romance doesn’t sound so vain. Close your eyes and let my love reach out to you through this rain.


RPG Design – Feat Friday: Hold Charges

Hold SpellHold Charges
You have increased control over the forces of magic at your command.
Prerequisite: ability to cast spells, wis 13
Benefit: When you cast a touch spell you can hold the charge for up to one hour and can even cast other spells while holding the charge, although you cannot use that hand for anything else.

Feats like this one are fun partly because they let you do something that you really want to do, but can’t because of certain somewhat obscure rules. I think this feat is pretty powerful, and maybe it should have another prerequisite, but I couldn’t think of a good one. Any suggestions?

-Max Porter-Zasada

RPG Design – Theme Thursday: Influence of Video Games

BardThe Video Game Influence

Plenty of words have been written about the influence of pen-and-paper RPGs on video games. But what about the other way around? Even if you’re still playing 2nd Edition or some such, your GM’s style has had influence from video games in some small way, and if you’re playing a more recently released game then the influence is more pronounced. Even if you deplore video games for some reason, don’t be afraid to take good ideas and use them. A good GM never lets a good idea go to waste.

The central similarity of video games and traditional RPGs is clear: they are both interactive storytelling. There are advantages and disadvantages to both media, but we’re more interested in the cross-pollination. So, you should ask yourself, what can we learn? What pitfalls can we avoid?

Positive Factor: Encounter Design. There may be as many encounter styles as there are people who play games. Everyone likes things a little bit different. That said, there are some broad trends we can identify and use. The encounters you might term “video-gamey” can be extremely fun. This kind of encounter design entails highly pre-planned encounters, with special rules or specific events that the players have to figure out how to trigger. A couple examples might include deadly mushrooms in an underground lair that can be attacked from range to explode, or magical standing runestones with various helpful auras placed around the battlefield.

The point is to have clearly defined, exciting events in the encounter that the players can enjoy figuring out without being too creative themselves, and thus focus more on the tactical fun. This can be a really fun, memorable encounter, although it’s perhaps not the best idea for a truly climactic, story-ending battle; the story part of the encounter tends to feel a bit thin, because the strategy comes from the GM, not organically from the players. That’s more than fine for less story-critical encounters, however, and can be a really fun thing to design!

Pathfinder AlchemistNegative Factor: Calcification. One of the most amazing things about playing Pathfinder or D&D occurs when you realize that anything can happen, and any player can interact with any object or person in any way. Yes, it’s probably not going to be very good for the game if your character paints themselves pink and jumps off the nearest cliff or attempts to murder all the other party members at the start of every game session, but the possibility that your character could do that brings an incredibly powerful aura of realism and engagement in a character or story that no video game can ever quite replicate–although video games have their own amazing qualities and advantages. By their very nature, video games cannot do everything that pen-and-paper RPGs do. A preset game needs to have a limited number of outcomes to any story or battle or any interaction, whereas a human GM can allow anything to happen. Video games are therefore designed with an “intentional” way for the players to interact with everything in the world–even if the players discover other options, there’s definitely a way that things are “supposed” to work, because there has to be.

The negative influence of video games on pen-and-paper games is that they make players calcify their thinking. Because people are becoming used to the idea that interactive stories have a way they’re “supposed” to play out, GMs tend to think in those terms, and players tend to either “game” an encounter by manipulating a rule to their advantage or brute force their way through. It’s not that simplicity is a bad thing–many adventures are the better for being simple–but it’s not good to be simplistic. Not every story point or adventure decision should come wrapped up in a nice, neat little package (or be aimlessly nasty). Leave room for players or GMs to breathe by looking for creative possibilities in every aspect of the game. Keep in mind the mantra that anything can happen. And sometimes, events venture into unexpected territory.

-Max Porter Zasada

RPG Design – Weapon Wednesday: Blade Bow

Rough_Bow_designs_by_carlos1170Blade Bow

Two-handed exotic ranged weapon. 1d8 piercing damage. x3 critical. 5 lbs. 205 gp. Special: see text

This longbow is fitted with extra braces and blades so that it can be wielded in hand-to-hand combat. It can be wielded as a two-bladed sword that does 1d4/1d4 damage. However, at the beginning of your turn you must declare whether you are using the correct hand position to wield the weapon as a melee or a ranged weapon and that choice holds until the beginning of your next turn. Even if you are using the blade bow as a ranged weapon, you can use the blades to make a melee attack, but it is considered to be an improvised weapon and you do not threaten squares with it.

Developed by the warriors of the plains to battle their centaur enemies, these bows give several options to a master archer or dervish, who can change his manner of fighting in the space of a moment.

Exotic weapons should be truly unusual or strange, and give special power to the Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat.

Max Porter-Zasada

RPG Design – Tuesday Tweak: Handling Diplomacy

diplomacyIn Pathfinder and D&D, the Diplomacy skill is almost a joke. The immutable DCs presented with the skill are clearly bunk; they are high enough so that in the first few levels it’s practically impossible for players to affect an NPC, yet scale slowly enough that with a little bit of investment in later levels players can easily convince the biggest, baddest villains in the game to be their best friends. Worse yet, there’s very little guidance on what the levels of hostility or friendship actually mean, making the skill seem like magical mind control as a default. The whole system is a complex thing that doesn’t appear anywhere else in the game. Here are the best ideas I’ve been able to find out there on the wild frontier of the internet about changing the Diplomacy rule:

Justin Alexander gives an incredibly thorough analysis of the problems with Diplomacy here

Rich Burlew, creator of Order of the Stick, has this somewhat over-complex but solid idea, which has become quite well-known

An excellent rule idea called Social Combat, which makes some major changes to the way roleplaying skills work, can be found here.

Alternatively, one of the simplest things you can do is to make Diplomacy opposed to some other skill, such as another character’s Diplomacy or Sense Motive roll. Have players make checks every time they want to convince someone to do something (just like how it works with Bluff), and you’ll solve many of the inherent issues with the skill.

–Max Porter-Zasada

RPG Design – Magic Item Monday: Subtle Charm

Amulet of GreedAura Faint Transmutation; CL 5th

Slot Arm; Price 500 GP per charm

Construction Requirements glibness; Cost 250 GP per charm

–Max Porter-Zasada


McDavid compares himself to Bozak, sets world ablaze

Connor McDavid, C, Erie Otters (OHL) – Who is the NHL player your play would most likely be compared to: “Tyler Bozak because he is a good skater and is more of a pass-first type of guy.”

You know, it’s probably not too late to just take all the Leafs’ lottery balls out of that big machine and light them on fire.

In fairness, Bozak is a pass-first type of player, because either of his linemates should always have the puck instead of him, and he’s pretty good at recognizing that. McDavid is more of a split-two-defenders-and-score-in-such-a-fashion-that-it-results-in-goalies-having-nightmares-for-weeks or a win-the-scoring-title-and-pull-an-awful-franchise-from-the-grip-of-Satan type of player. I’m not sure they’re comparable.

As you may have guessed, twitter reacted.


Trading the pivot points

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Trading the pivot pointsTrading the Pivot Points

There are major advantages when trading with support and resistance lines, and they should be a staple in every trader's arsenal. Another effective method of deriving multiple, horizontal based support and resistance lines uses a formula derived from yesterday's high, low and close bar. The formula maps out pivot point levels consisting of the pivot, and three levels of support and resistance, and these levels can be traded much the same way as trading from the regular support and resistance levels and trendlines, using a mix of breakout and bounce trading strategies.

The major advantage posited for this pivot point technique is that is "objective," in that so many traders are using the same levels based on the same formula. There is no discretion involved. In contrast, the method of drawing support and resistance levels and trendlines can be more subjective and impressionist (every trader can notice and draw different lines), even though there have been attempts by DeMark and others to make them more objective.

A second related advantage of using them is that because so many people are looking at these levels they become self-fulfilling. The reason pivot points are so popular is that they are predictive as opposed to lagging. You use the information of the previous day to calculate reversal points (or breakout levels) for the present trading day. Because so many traders (including the large institutional traders) follow pivot points, the market reacts at these levels, giving you an opportunity to trade them. Just like we have seen with price action support and resistance levels, traders can choose to trade the bounce or the break of these levels.

How are these levels calculated?

Here is the magic formula:

Resistance 3 = High + 2*(Pivot - Low)

Resistance 2 = Pivot + (R1 - S1)

Resistance 1 = 2 * Pivot - Low

Pivot Point = ( High + Close + Low )/3

Support 1 = 2 * Pivot - High

Support 2 = Pivot - (R1 - S1)

Support 3 = Low - 2*(High - Pivot)

I find it is interesting that from just having the previous days high, low, and close you can eventually finish up with 7 points: the actual pivot point, 3 resistance levels, and 3 support levels. The three most common levels are the PP, R1 and S1.

If you hate algebra and the thought of working every day with a calculator and drawing tool to derive and plot these levels, you need not fear. The above formula is the just an explanation of the theory and not something you have to calculate each and every day. There are many MT4 indicators that can do that for you, automatically calculating the levels and clearly drawing them for you on your chart. The indicator I prefer is:

I recommend the above indicator for a number of reasons:

it draws clear and distinct lines with price levels on the chart.

it draws the historical levels of previous days, useful for deeper analysis

it allows you to switch on bigger picture levels, such as weekly and monthly levels

it allows you to adjust the time shift, making the levels correspond to the most popular timezone, whether it be EST or GMT.

There is a compliment indicator to the above that charts the intermediate levels or mid-point levels:

These are basically mini levels between the main pivot and support and resistance.

There are a number of ways to trade with these calculated pivot points, and we will discuss three of them:

Strategy #1: Trading the Bounce (Reversal) from Pivot

Many traders see the Pivot Point as the major arbiter for determining if the market is up or down. If the market starts its day above the Pivot Point, it is said to be up (bullish), and if it starts its day below, it is said to be down (bearish).


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