text:
Fridge-sized machine makes prescription drugs 'on demand'
(HealthDay)—Scientists have created a compact machine that can churn out thousands of doses of prescription medication in a day—putting the capabilities of a drug-manufacturing plant into a device the size of a kitchen refrigerator.
Experts said the advance could eventually allow on-the-spot drug production in special circumstances—on the battlefield, during epidemics, after natural disasters, or in cases where a drug is needed for a rare medical condition, for instance.
The research, detailed in the April 1 issue of Science, took a new approach to producing prescription drugs—which, right now, is often an inefficient, time-consuming process.
Chemical engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) used so-called "flow technology" to develop a compact machine that can automatically turn raw materials into a finished pharmaceutical-grade medication.
For now, the system is limited to making liquid versions of four common prescription drugs: the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac); diphenhydramine hydrochloride, an antihistamine that includes brand-names like Benadryl; the sedative diazepam (Valium); and lidocaine, a widely used local anesthetic.
But the researchers say that drug list can be expanded.
"We're also working on producing tablets, which are more complicated to manufacture than liquid drug formulations," said Klavs Jensen, a professor of chemical engineering at MIT who worked on the study.
Other technologies—such as 3D "bioprinters"—could help make that happen, according to Jensen.
Many drug companies are already looking into alternative processing methods—ones that are "continuous" and can be done at one location, Jensen said.
The traditional way of drug-making is similar to cooking, according to Rainer Martin, a senior scientist with drug company Hoffmann-La Roche, in Basel, Switzerland.
Martin, who wrote an editorial published with the study, explained the process this way: Drugs are made in "batches," and the ingredients—broad groups of chemicals known as reagents, catalysts and solvents—are gradually added into a vat, stirred and heated. Then, the brew is analyzed to see if the chemical reactions are complete.
The problem, Jensen said, is that batch manufacturing has "little flexibility to respond to surges in demand"—such as epidemics. Plus, he added, there can be "severe disruptions" in the drug supply if one plant has to shut down.
The compact system his team developed is continuous, Jensen explained. Chemical reactions take place as chemicals flow through small tubes, instead of sitting in large vats.
The result, according to Martin, is that complex and "laborious" drug-making steps are all done in "fully automated fashion."
Martin said he could envision the compact system being used in a number of scenarios: During a disease outbreak in a refugee camp or remote area, for example, or by individual hospitals that need large amounts of a particular drug on a regular basis.
Matthew Osterhaus, immediate past president of the American Pharmacists Association, agreed that the technology might prove useful in special circumstances.
As an example, he pointed to "orphan drugs"—medications used to treat rare diseases. "Let's say there's a condition that's treated at five medical centers in the U.S.," Osterhaus said. "It's possible those hospitals would be able to use this."
When it comes to everyday health care, though, it's difficult to see how an appliance-sized drug machine could fit in, according to Osterhaus. As a pharmacist, he said, he has access to about 6,000 drugs right now.
"So it's a stretch to see how this could change my practice," Osterhaus said.
Jensen agreed that the technology could be used in specialized cases, like humanitarian crises and orphan-drug production—since "small-volume" batch processing is usually not cost-effective for large plants.
And then there's the potential for battlefield use. Jensen said "national defense needs" are what spurred the quest for such a compact system: The research was funded by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, which is aiming to fortify medical care available on the front lines.
But Jensen said he also envisions larger health systems, like a hospital network or a health plan, being able to manufacture their own drugs.
Martin went deeper into visionary territory—seeing a future where people can use smartphone apps and a microwave-sized device to cook up an antibiotic for their feverish toddler (in consultation with a doctor).
But that, he stressed, won't be happening any time soon.
For now, there are more pressing issues, according to Martin. One is how the raw materials for making the drugs would be delivered: "Would it be, for example, in the way of cartridges, similar to ink for inkjet printers?" he said.
And at the other end of the process, Martin said, there would have to be ways to safely dispose of waste products.
Explore further: FDA launches first app to identify drug shortages
More information: A. Adamo et al. On-demand continuous-flow production of pharmaceuticals in a compact, reconfigurable system, Science (2016). DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf1337
Journal reference: Science
April 1, 2016 by Amy Norton, Healthday Reporter


text:
Walk into any gym these days, be it a CrossFit box, Olympic Lifting gym, or even your standard Gold's Gym, and you'll see a variety of different weightlifting belts being used. For those new to lifting, you might wonder if you should be using a belt at all, while others who have been lifting for a few years now might be considering switching from velcro to leather.
Sign up to our e-mail list to get notified when we have exclusive e-mail list only sales & discounts!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This torment is because of a harm of your tendons and muscles situated in your back. In the beginning of lower back torment travel, individuals take it light and overlook it yet by the progressing time, it might cause genuine harm and on a genuine note it might influence your portability.
Thus, on an underlying phase of the torment, attempt to control it by completing a particular exercise which alleviation you from torment without prescription.
Simply take after 4 basic activities systems and ward off the torment from you. It just takes 4 to 5 minutes for entire exercise. You can do these activities with no human help.
First stance:
You need to take a seat on a seat with a straight back and put your one leg on the other leg so your upper leg is parallel to floor, now put a weight on that leg by utilizing hands and twist towards it as much as you can. Stay in same stance for around 30 seconds. Presently rehash the entire procedure with other leg.
Second Stance:
You should simply to set down straight on a story. Lift your correct leg open to question with the goal that it is parallel to floor. Put your Correct hand on the knee of leg which is noticeable all around. Put the other hand on the lower leg and make a hold on it so lower leg couldn't move its position and endeavor to pull the knee to the other way of lower leg. It ought to appear as though that you are shredding the leg. Do the stretch as long as you can. It ought not be under 30 seconds. Rehash a similar stretch with inverse leg.
Third Stance:
Simple and extremely relieving stance. You feel comfort on your back while doing this. Simply set down on the floor straight. What's more, put your correct leg on the other leg however remember that correct leg ought to be in standing position with the goal that your correct foot ought to be parallel to the knee of left leg. What's more, put the left arm on the knee of standing leg. Furthermore, endeavor to pull it towards your chest. Extend it as much as you can and stay in same stance for 30 seconds. Do it same with other leg.
Fourth Stance:
This stance resembles embrace to your legs. You should simply to set down straight and put your one leg on the other and bring them two up noticeable all around in a bowing stance. Presently spread your arms around your legs and embrace them firmly. Make this stretch for 30 seconds and rehash it with other leg.


text:
525HO125 Hy-Hill Golden D Wonderboy
aAa: 435612 Beta Casein: A1/A2
DOB: 01/29/2016 Reg: 840003135506553
- Golden-Dreams x Outside x Astre x Leadman
- Hails from the tremendous Nu-Wing Wimpy family
- Dam lived to be 12 years old with over 200,000 lb
- First 5 dams produced over 1.1 cumulative lbs of milk
- Longevity is in his veins
- A very balanced bull
Pedigree Analysis
We have always had a cautious approach in utilizing Goldwyn bloodlines in our sire selection. Goldwyn was an extreme sire and will be forever sealed in the show-type hall of fame as the bull that could sire dazzling cattle with incredibly high rear udders and a general angularity and openness that is coveted in the show-rings today. Breeding this kind of cow is not necessarily the goal at Triple-Hil Sires. But we believe Goldwyn sons like Golden Dreams, who has thousands of daughters milking with solid results, can bring something to the table when used on the right cow.
Wonderboy's maternal side is filled with the kind of cattle that are every dairyman's dream. His dam, a 12 yr old EX-91 Outside daughter just died, finishing a lifetime of over 200,000 lb. His first 5 dams produced a cumulative 1.1 million lbs of milk, with an individual average of over 220,000 lb. The Nu-Wing cattle in Wisconsin were renown for their longevity, incredible depth of rib and capacity, as well as solid transmitting ability.
Wonderboy seems to combine the top and bottom side of his pedigree in a very balanced fashion. He displays a strong front end, a wide muzzle, and open nostrils, while at the same time exhibiting a long dairy neck. The rear end of this bull is nearly perfect with a very balanced rump structure, functional legs and rounded foot.
- Calving Ease: 3.2%
Heavenly Golden Dreams
Long-Brook Outsid Anna W-ET (EX-91 10yr)
|2nd Dam:
Nu-Wing Astre Avis-W (EX-94 3E)
|3rd Dam:
Nu-Wing Leadman Willnot (VG-86 6yr)
|4th Dam:
Nu-Wing E K Wilma (EX-95 5E)
|5th Dam:
Nu-Wing Commander Wimpy (EX-93 3E)
|6th Dam:
Nu-Wing Hattie Maple Wanda (VG-86 5yr)
|7th Dam:
Doris Veeman Ivanhoe (VG-86 5yr)


text:
- Description
Dark wash Diesel BELTHY 0853I Light Blue regular straight Jeans AW 16 for Women made from 99% Cotton,1% Elastane-Spandex is ideal to buy online at discount price on.Put on the luxury jeans for leisure fun.Move over skinny jeans, Straight-leg denim is having a moment and our regular-fit Belthy is a flattering way to work it. Expertly designed for a comfortable feel and a smart finish - dress it up with heels or roll the cuffs for a casual look.Select your best fit.Diesel BELTHY 0853I Jeans will look good on you.Check what new jeans style are now available.This high quality regular straight jean require to be washed correctly.
- Reviews
Rated5/5 based on 700 customer reviews
- Product Tags


text:
With the 4th-highest startup early survival rate in the nation, starting a business in Pennsylvania is a great choice for entrepreneurs. Start your business today with our simple step-by-step guide and get on the fast track to financial and personal independence. If you get stuck along the way, connect with a business resource in your local area for help.
Steps to Starting your Pennsylvania Business
- Step 1. Choose an Idea
- Step 2. Plan Your Business
- Step 3. Form Your Business
- Step 4. Register for Taxes
- Step 5. Open a Bank Account
- Step 6. Set Up Accounting
- Step 7. Obtain Permits & Licenses
- Step 8. Get Insurance
- Step 9. Define Your Brand
- Step 10. Establish a Web Presence
To Start a Business in Pennsylvania, follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose the Right Business Idea
The first step toward business ownership is deciding what kind of business to start. Look for an idea that suits your interests, your personal goals, and your natural abilities. This will help you stay motivated when the going gets tough and will greatly improve your odds of success. Need inspiration? Here were the most popular ideas among our Pennsylvania visitors in 2017:
TRENDING BUSINESS IDEAS IN Pennsylvania
Find the Right Business Idea for You
Our free Business Ideas Generator will help you identify great businesses that match your interests and lifestyle.
Step 2: Plan Your Business
Successful businesses are built through careful planning. Before committing a significant amount of money and other resources toward your business, critically analyze your idea and create a game plan. At a minimum, you should have good answers to the following questions.
Business Name
Naming a business can be challenging. You'll want to choose a brand name that follows Pennsylvania naming rules, resonates with your customers, and is available as a URL.
Product Development
What problem does your business solve? What will set your product or service apart from the competition?
Sales & Marketing
Who are your potential customers? How will you get their attention and convert them into buyers?
People and Partnerships
What roles will you need to hire and what professional relationships will you need to form in order to succeed?
Financial Planning
How many clients or sales will you need in order to break even? How much money will it take to get there, and where will you get the funding?
Start Planning
- Create a robust business plan to help navigate the early years of your business. To use this free tool sign up for the Business Center.
- Need Help? Find organizations in your local area that can assist you with planning.
- If you're a solo-entrepreneur, setting up a virtual office can add credibility to your business by having a business address on Google search, protect your personal privacy, and provide you with a business phone line and a live receptionist to answer your calls. Save $200 on a virtual office today.
- If you're a woman in business, find funding, tools and resources with this great new series Women in Business.
Step 3: Form Your Business
Registering your Pennsylvania company as a legal business entity, such as an LLC or a Corporation, has two major advantages:
- Increased credibility
- Protection from personal liability in the event your business is sued
For most small businesses, registering an LLC is a great option. In comparison to other business entities, LLCs are easier to set up and manage and they have favorable tax treatment. You can set up an LLC in Pennsylvania for between $225-$325.
Form an LLC in Pennsylvania
Learn more about LLCs and how they differ from other business entities.
If you choose not to register your company as a business entity, you will be held personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of your business. In addition, unregistered business owners may need to file a Trade Name, also known as a "DBA." Find out if your business is required to file a DBA.
Secure Your Domain
We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it
Not sure what to name your business? Check out our Business Name Generator.
After registering a domain name, consider setting up a professional email account (@yourcompany.com). Google's G Suite offers a business email service that comes with other useful tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, and more. Try it for free
Step 4: Register for Taxes
With limited exceptions, most businesses require an Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Tax ID Number. An EIN is used to identify a business in its federal tax filings. Without an EIN, you can't hire employees or open a business bank account.
You should also be aware of important pennsylvania taxes that may apply to your business:
- If you are selling a physical product, you'll typically need to register for Pennsylvania Sales Tax.
- If you hire employees, you will have to register for Unemployment Insurance Tax and Employee Withholding Tax on behalf of your employees.
Register for Pennsylvania State Taxes
Step 5: Create Business Banking and Credit Accounts
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Additionally, learning how to build business credit can help you get credit cards and other financing in your business's name (instead of yours), better interest rates, higher lines of credit, and more.
You can protect your business with these two steps:
1. Opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank, credit union, business-loan friendly banks, one with many brick-and-mortar locations, and more.
2. Getting a business credit card:
- Helps you separate personal and business expenses.
- Builds your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise capital later on.
Step 6: Set Up Accounting
An accounting system helps you track the performance of your business and simplifies annual tax filings. Quality accounting software lets you download your bank and credit card transactions, making accounting fast and easy. Learn more about the importance of accounting and how to get started with accounting today.
Recommended: QuickBooks has all the accounting features your small business will need.
Step 7: Obtain Permits and Licenses
To operate your new business legally, you will need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. In many cases, this involves obtaining one or more business permits and/or licenses. For example, a restaurant will likely need health permits, building permits, signage permits, etc.
Learn how to obtain the necessary licenses and permits for your business
- or -
Use a professional service to help you obtain required licenses
Step 8: Get Insured
Business insurance helps you manage risks and focus on growing your business. The most common types of business insurance you should consider are:
We recommend that all small businesses, including home based businesses, purchase a general liability policy. Businesses selling professional advice or services, such as consulting and accounting firms, should also consider a professional liability policy. In Pennsylvnia, businesses with one or more employees, excluding business owners, are required by law to have workers compensation insurance.
Our recommended insurance provider can set you up with an insurance policy that is right for your business
Step 9: Define Your Brand
The strongest and most memorable businesses are built on a solid brand.
When developing your brand, think about what your business stands for. What are the core values that drive your business? Customers and clients are looking for companies that have a compelling brand, as much as they are shopping for high-quality products and services.
Your business name is the cornerstone of good branding and a successful business. To learn more about creating the best name for your business, read our How to Name a Business guide.
Creating a logo for your business is vital for increasing brand awareness. You can design your own unique logo using our Free Logo Generator. Our free tool can help you design your own unique logo for your new business idea.
Step 10: Establish a Web Presence
A professional website is critical to the long-term success of your business, regardless of what industry you are in. A website allows potential customers to find your business online and discover the products or services you offer, and it also enhances your business's credibility.
In addition to a website, you should also consider other avenues for promoting your business online:
- Setting up social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, etc)
- Creating accounts on review sites (Yelp, Google Reviews, etc)
- Registering for a local Google profile
Pennsylvania Formation Guides
How to Form an LLC Pennsylvania
- Cost to Form an LLC in Pennsylvania
- How to File LLC Articles of Organization in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania LLC Operating Agreement
- Pennsylvania LLC Name Search
- How to Choose a Registered Agent in Pennsylvania
- How to Dissolve an LLC in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania LLC Decennial Report
How to File a DBA in Pennsylvania
How to Start a Corporation in Pennsylvania
How to Start a NonProfit in Pennsylvania
Get Help From Local Resources
To help you start your business, we have identified the best resources across the state of Pennsylvania that can support you in your entrepreneurial endeavors.
Select your Region
World Trade Center Harrisburg
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
- Mentoring
- Business Planning
- Networking
- Legal Assistance
The WTC specializes in assisting businesses in south/central Pennsylvania businesses that import or export goods internationally, or need to make other global connections. This organization gives its members access to market research, technical and legal assistance, and educational seminars. Membership to any WTC will grant you access to all WTCs in the country.
This branch of the WTC is limited to entrepreneurs in South/Central Pennsylvania, but it is a national organization, so you can choose from many locations.
1000 North Cameron St.
Harrisburg, PA 17103
See more business resources in Harrisburg-York-Lebanon
Business Resource and Innovation Center
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
- Financial
- Sales & Marketing
- Networking
Accepts Walks In
This organization assists businesses in every stage of the entrepreneurial process. It offers a wide variety of online resources in addition to in-person workshops and networking opportunities. You can also schedule appointments with a librarian who is trained to help you find the best possible resources for your company.
1901 Vine St., Room 202
Philadelphia, PA 19103
SUN: 1 pm – 5 pm
MON - THU: 9 am – 9 pm
FRI: 9 am – 6 pm
SAT: 9 am – 5 pm
See more business resources in Philadelphia
Women's Business Center at the Center for Women's Entrepreneurship
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
- Mentoring
- Business Planning
- Networking
This organization offers various workshops on turning your business concept into a reality. It also offers more specific workshops on business aspects like creating a website. If you have an established business, there are workshops for growing and expanding it. The WBC also provides one-on-one counseling. Oftentimes, veterans can attend these workshops for free or a discounted prices. While this organization is helping businesses at all stages, it is best for businesses in the idea or planning stage, as the majority of its articles and resources are focused on jump-starting a business.
This organization serves Pittsburgh and its eleven surrounding counties.
6585 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
See more business resources in Pittsburgh
Scranton Enterprise Center
Here are the Principle Service Areas:
- Mentoring
- Coworking
- Networking
Accepts Walks In
The SEC provides a space for startups to hold meetings, attend workshops, and meet with counselors to improve their business. It offers access to equipment like printers and scanners, as well as spaces like conference rooms. The resources are open to anyone, but you must submit an application with a detailed business plan in order to secure more permanent space in the SEC building. Because the SEC focuses on nurturing new small businesses, it will not be as useful to established businesses.
Only businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania, services offered via membership only.
201 Lackawanna Ave.
Scranton, PA 18503


text:
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is pushing for an 18 game regular season and two preseason games. Jones claims that the Cowboys studies have shown that there is a higher liklihood that players will get injured during the preseason than during the regular season.
I, for one, would love to see the research that backs up Jones' thoughts on the preseason because it sounds like it is very thorough scientific study. I would also like to point out here that the Cowboys have routinely limited starters playing in preseason games to limit the potential for injuries. Which is a practice I can get behind, as long as fans aren't playing high ticket prices for preseason games, because it's bad form to charge high ticket prices when starters aren't even playing in the preseason game.
While Jones is pushing for an 18 game regular season, he doesn't have any ideas on how it work in terms of timing and scheduling. As it stands right now, the National Football League's regular season ends on December 30th, which includes one bye week for each team. Adding two additional games would push the regular season to most likely 19 weeks and push it into the first two weeks of January, pushing the playoffs back another two weeks with the Super Bowl ultimately happening towards the end of February.
If the league does add two additional games, does that mean that teams will get an additional bye week? How would that even work because ideally one bye week would the first one happen in the first part of the season and the second towards the end? Is that even possible? I don't think so because it would take a lot of creative maneuvering to give each team two bye weeks while still having a full game schedule each week. But if they don't give an additional bye week that's putting even more stress on the players to play at a high level for 18 games (not including playoffs and the Super Bowl) with only one bye week that for some would be wasted in the first half of the season.
Jones may think that 18 games is a good idea from a business standpoint, because it's a fantastic idea. It gives owners at least one more additional home game to gain revenue. It also as a whole gives teams more money because they make money from the TV revenue that comes from the league. So really Jones probably only wants 18 games to make more money, which little regard for the health impacts it would have on his players.
Unless Jones releases the studies he used to form his 18 regular season game schedule opinion, it feels purely like a money grab that will only hurt players in the long run.


text:
Baked Maple Butter Twists
Total TimePrep: 25 min. + rising Bake: 25 min. + cooling
Makes2 coffee cakes
- 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
- 1/2 cup warm whole milk (110° to 115°)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3-1/4 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring
- In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the milk, butter, eggs, sugar, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
- Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each portion into a 14x8-in. rectangle. Combine filling ingredients; spread over each rectangle to within 1/2 in. of edges.
- Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. With a sharp knife, cut each roll in half lengthwise; carefully turn cut sides up. Loosely twist strips around each other, keeping cut sides up. Shape into a ring and pinch ends together. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
- Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until browned. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
Nutrition Facts1 piece: 250 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 295mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Recommended Video
Dec 17, 2017
This is the EXACT recipe that won the 1963 Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest. The name "Maple Butter Twists" is the same, too. My mother baked Maple Butter Twists every Christmas through the 1960's & 70's & 80's as gifts to neighbors - she was known for them - and I do the same. She gave me the original clipping from the 1963 newspaper. It is still legible, but tattered with use.
Oct 20, 2014
These bread twists are amazing. Can't believe they came out looking so pretty and tasting awesome too! I had been wanting to make this recipe for awhile but thought 'Oh it looks kind of complicated'. It actually wasn't a difficult recipe at all!
Aug 27, 2012
OMG...let it rise for one hour and I had the biggest, softest, most delish bread ever.I used instant yeast following the directions carefully so after a 10 minute rest and shaping I only need one rise. Because I stepped out of the house and came back in an hour it got extra rise time. It was incredible.
Nov 10, 2008
Oops... I just realized that I rated the wrong one... I made another one with a glaze on it... they have the exact same name.
Nov 10, 2008
These are so good! I made them for Christmas morning last year and everyone loved them!


text:
5,407 MW additional electricity being added in system: Abid
ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Power Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali Wednesday said around 5,407 megawatt (MW) additional electricity would be added in the national distribution system by June 2018.
"From June 2013 to June 2017, as many as 6,107 MW electricity has been added in the system, while 5,405 MW more will arrive during a period from June 2017 to June 2018," he informed the Senate Standing Committee on Energy.
Earlier, the committee meeting, chaired by Mir Israrullah Khan Zehri, was briefed on the Power Division's overall working and performance by the officials concerned.
Giving power generation and shortfall comparison, the officials said in June 2013 average generation of electricity was 11,804 MW with average shortfall of 7,938 MW, almost 67 percent shortfall of generation, and load-shedding of 10-12 hours was being observed every day.
While, in June 2017 average power generation reached 18,658 MW with average shortfall of 2,888 MW, almost 15.5 percent shortfall of generation, and loadshedding was observed only for 3-4 hours in high line losses areas.
They also informed the committee that recovery percentage of 10 power distribution companies had also improved from 89.58 percent in 2013 to 94.09 percent in 2017.
The officials said in 2013 the power distribution companies were facing constraints on 102 grid stations, 298 on power transformers and 137 on transmission lines, whereas in 2017 the number of grid station constraints had reduced to 10, at power transformers to 29 and at transmission lines to 27 only.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Senators Baz Mohammad Khan, Mir Mohammad Yousaf Badini, Taj Mohammad Afridi, Hamza, Nisar Mohammad and Mohammad Yousaf, besides Minister of State for Petroleum Division Jam Kamal Khan, secretaries, Director General Geological Survey of Pakistan and officials of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority.


text:
Savvy Weddings: Shelby and Zach Boswell
Shelby Boswell likes to say she made all the first moves at the beginning of her relationship with her now-husband, Zach. The Kansas City girl spotted him across a classroom at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, where they were both studying.
"From that point on, I had my eyes on him," she says. "I kind of waited for a few months to finally make my move."
The opportunity came when his fraternity and her sorority got together for a social. She went up to him, struck up a conversation and tried to get him to play a drinking game against her. She lost twice, but he seemed to get the message.
"The rest of the night we just talked and danced, and the rest is history," she says. "We've been inseparable ever since."
In 2016, they were in KC visiting Shelby's family over Thanksgiving break. Zach kept trying to take her out to a nice dinner, but there were leftovers in the fridge they could eat, she told him. He suggested they take a walk around KC to look at the fountains, and she shot him down, noting that they wouldn't have water in them in late November. They finally had a moment alone walking her dog around the neighborhood. She grabbed his hand not realizing there was a ring in it; they walked along for a while and then he started trying to wiggle away. By the time she finished asking what he was doing, he was down on one knee.
"I immediately started crying, but he had one of my hands and my dog's leash was in the other hand, and she just wanted to walk, so she was pulling me one direction and I was standing there open-mouthed, bawling," Shelby recalls.
The bride knew she wanted a fall wedding, so to give herself extra time to plan, the couple settled on saying "I do" in 2018. With so much time for ideas to percolate, Shelby did plenty of research, even creating a PowerPoint presentation of all the gowns and styles she loved to aid her in dress shopping.
Naturally, she also researched the shops themselves and found that Savvy Bridal's philosophy of finding an affordable dream dress resonated with her.
"It was the best experience I could have asked for going bridal gown shopping," she says of shopping at Savvy. The boutique even happened to have one of the dresses she had included in her PowerPoint, and she fell in love after trying it on.
"That dress could not be more Shelby Kapperman," she says, referencing her maiden name. "It was everything that I had envisioned. It was so me."
Staying true to her desire to not spend a ton on things that would only be used for the wedding, Shelby created an altar display featuring items the couple now has in their home—a macramé hanging the bride made herself as well as a rug that she found at the last minute. The Boswells were married under an arbor made by Shelby's father at the Venue at Willow Creek on Sept. 22.
The day was filled with memorable moments for the bride, from getting ready with her bridesmaids to her first look with Zach, but one in particular stands out from the reception, where the DJ unknowingly played Zach's fraternity's favorite song, "American Pie." The guys formed a circle around them, and Shelby started doing laps inside it.
"As I'm going around the circle, I'm just looking at all our guests on the outside just singing back at us, smiling back at us, so happy for us," she recalls. "Just seeing all of our friends, all of our family, everybody that we care about on the outside of this circle just beaming at you, it was awesome."
Venue: Venue at Willow Creek
Photographer: Elizabeth Ladean Photography
Videographer: Complete Weddings + Events
DJ: BFame KC
Cake, catering and flowers: Lee's Summit #2 Hy-Vee


text:
- Article
- Backgrounder
- Blog Post
- Book
- Conference Call
- Contingency Planning Memorandum
- Council Special Report
- Event
- Expert Brief
- Expert Roundup
- Explainer Video
- In Brief
- Infoguide
- Interactive
- Interview
- News Releases
- Podcast
- Policy Innovation Memorandum
- Report
- Task Force Report
- Teaching Notes
- (-) Testimony
October 22, 2019Cybersecurity
Robert K. Knake testifies before The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection of the Committee on Homeland Security on how the technology landscape ma…
November 15, 2017Cybersecurity
Robert K. Knake testifies before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection of the Committee on Homeland Security on the need for a secure network for cl…
March 2, 2016Americas
Robert Kahn testified before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, describing the crisis risks generated by persistently low oil and gas prices. He argued that the risks are especially acute for…
July 29, 2015Greece
In his testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations' Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, Robert Kahn argues that although Greece's direct trade and financial links…
July 15, 2010United States
Robert K. Knake testifies before the House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology on the role of attack attribution in preventing cyber attacks and how attribution technologies can af…
January 29, 2009United States
September 10, 2008United States
February 7, 2008China
Testimony on Sovereign Wealth Funds.
March 27, 2007Trade
Let me begin by saying how honored I am to have been invited to appear before your Committee, Senator Baucus. I have long been familiar with the leadership you have provided on trade issues in the Se…
March 13, 2007Nonproliferation, Arms Control, and Disarmament
Presented to the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia,Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsMr. Chairman, I a…


text:
Fun tests -» Character -» Am I smart?
Fun Tests -» Am I smart?
Site 1 - 10 of 113 matches
Comments (4)
this is kinda cool i guess, but i liked the Lord Of The Rings quiz better.
It's Shi t it won't let me say the least one ☝☝☝☝☝on
I want to know how this quiz works
This is very interesting. I like this app very much. It would be better if no commercials were not on this app! Thanks!


text:
Slovenian Designer Marjeta Grošelj: 50 Years in the World of Fashion
Marjeta Grošelj is a Slovenian designer of women's handbags. She celebrates her 50th anniversary of work in the fashion industry. Her handmade handbags (see photo) can be distinguished by their originality, exclusivity, durability and aesthetic perfection because they are made from the finest materials.
Marjeta Grošelj is rightly called an icon of fashion design in Slovenia. She considers design as a true art. To the 50th anniversary of Marjeta Grošelj's career, the organizers of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week have prepared an exhibition called "50 Years of Victories" (50 let ustvarjalnih presežkov—in Slovenian), where a selection of the best handbags by the world famous Slovenian designer will be presented.
Marjeta Grošelj is not going to retire. She says that she will continue designing handbags for as long as her health permits, because she has more than enough ideas. "The ingenuity knows no end. The work becomes easier with years, because the more you know, the more you trust yourself."


text:
Taylor Swift released her highly anticipated sixth studio album, reputation, on Friday. Fans who purchased a physical copy of reputation from Target were also treated to personal poetry from the singer, including a heartfelt and revealing prologue.
The letter starts with "Here's something I've learned about people," and it covers everything from our generation's relationship with social media to her early life in the public eye and the highs and lows of fame. "I've been so lucky to make music for a living and look out into crowds of loving, vibrant people," Taylor wrote. "On the other side of the coin, my mistakes have been used against me, my heartbreaks have been used as entertainment, and my songwriting has been trivialized as 'oversharing.'"
The letter ends with a cryptic, matter-of-fact message to the reader: "There will be no further explanation. There will be just reputation." Read Taylor's prologue in its entirety below.
Here's something I've learned about people.
We think we know someone, but the truth is that we only know the version of them they have chosen to show us. We know our friend in a certain light, but we don't know them the way their lover does. Just the way their lover will never know them the same way that you do as their friend. Their mother knows them differently than their roommate, who knows them differently than their colleague. Their secret admirer looks at them and sees an elaborate sunset of brilliant color and dimension and spirit and pricelessness. And yet, a stranger will pass that person and see a faceless member of the crowd, nothing more. We may hear rumors about a person and believe those things to be true. We may one day meet that person and feel foolish for believing baseless gossip.
This is the first generation that will be able to look back on their entire life story documented in pictures on the internet, and together we will all discover the after-effects of that. Ultimately, we post photos online to curate what strangers think of us. But then we wake up, look in the mirror at our faces and see the cracks and scars and blemishes, and cringe. We hope someday we'll meet someone who will see that same morning face and instead see their future, their partner, their forever. Someone who will still choose us even when they see all of the sides of the story, all the angles of the kaleidoscope that is you.
The point being, despite our need to simplify and generalize absolutely everyone and everything in this life, humans are intrinsically impossible to simplify. We are never just good or just bad. We are mosaics of our worst selves and our best selves, our deepest secrets and our favorite stories to tell at a dinner party, existing somewhere between our well-lit profile photo and our drivers license shot. We are all a mixture of our selfishness and generosity, loyalty and self-preservation, pragmatism and impulsiveness. I've been in the public eye since I was 15 years old. On the beautiful, lovely side of that, I've been so lucky to make music for a living and look out into crowds of loving, vibrant people. On the other side of the coin, my mistakes have been used against me, my heartbreaks have been used as entertainment, and my songwriting has been trivialized as 'oversharing'.
When this album comes out, gossip blogs will scour the lyrics for the men they can attribute to each song, as if the inspiration for music is as simple and basic as a paternity test. There will be slideshows of photos backing up each incorrect theory, because it's 2017 and if you didn't see a picture of it, it couldn't have happened right?
Let me say it again, louder for those in the back . . .
We think we know someone, but the truth is that we only know the version of them that they have chosen to show us.
There will be no further explanation. There will be just reputation.
Swifties, are you ready for it? iHeartRadio's newest station, Taylor Swift reputation Radio, is playing every track from T-Swift's new album along with her greatest hits. We're talking about "Look What You made Me Do," "...Ready For It?" "Gorgeous," and "Call It What You Want." It'll also feature exclusive audio from iHeartRadio's reputation Album Release Party featuring never-before-heard snippets from Taylor Swift's Secret Session.
Photo: Getty Images


text:
By GREGORY ZELLER //
Cancer and substance abuse are foremost on Long Islanders' minds, at least when it comes to the health of their communities.
So says the latest breakdown of the Community Health Assessment Survey, an ongoing analysis by the Long Island Health Collaborative designed to collect and digest Islanders' health concerns, about both themselves and the communities they live in.
The most recent study, which compares data gathered between January and June of this year to surveys taken between January and December 2018, identifies heart disease and stroke as the biggest personal-health concerns among both Nassau and Suffolk County residents.
But when asked about their biggest community-focused health concerns, the residents of the two counties cited the same two concerns, in different orders: cancer followed by drug/alcohol abuse in Nassau, the reverse in Suffolk.
Those results were identical to the community-based concerns expressed in the 2018 analysis, according to the LIHC, which has collected and collated some 14,000 individual surveys since 2013.
The data is used by Island healthcare providers, government agencies and social-service organizations to "best meet the needs of local communities," according to the collaborative, which unites Long Island hospitals, county health officials, insurers and neighborhood physicians with academic institutions, commercial interests and other regional stakeholders.
"Our data analyses are excellent resources for researchers, grant writers, physicians and anyone involved in providing healthcare and social services," noted Long Island Health Collaborative Director Janine Logan.
Other results from the 2019 analysis point toward regional concerns about nutrition; when asked what's needed most to improve community health, respondents in both Nassau and Suffolk listed "healthier food choices" close to the top.
Suffolk residents noted more concerns about mental-health issues (specifically depression and suicide) while respondents in both counties listed lack of insurance as their biggest barrier to proper medical care.
Framing it as a socioeconomic imperative, Logan encouraged Long Islanders to not only check out the full 2019 survey results, but to lend their voice to future LIHC data assessments, which only become more effective with increased participation.
"A member of the general population can get a sense of the burden of disease in their communities by viewing the ZIP code-level data," the director added. "A healthier community leads to a more robust local economic infrastructure and prosperity.
"Health is the undervalued connector."


text:
Wine has a history that dates back centuries. It is something that can be used in recipes or for drinking by itself.
Get familiar with your local wine retailers.This is important as each one is different. Each store has a unique selections and will offer different prices. When first stepping into the wine-tasting world, shopping at an expensive location is a bad choice. Find a shop for your tastes.
Windex can be a great tool to rid the stains that you spill wine on your clothing. Windex is much better at fighting wine stains as opposed to water and water. Use it right away or you will have a hard time removing the stain comes out.
Buy one bottle of wine if you want to sample several flavors.Since there are many different varieties, you won't know which ones are to your liking until you try them. It is smart to get just one bottle before you decide to buy a whole case.
If you are buying wine for a tailgate event, selecting one with a screw top is a good idea. You won't have to trouble yourself with you. You can reseal them back up fairly easily when you are finished drinking.
Not all wine up for long periods of time. Do some research on the wine type you purchase and how long it will stay good. Bordeaux is an example of wine that often ages particularly well.
You should know how to pull a peel labels from wine.
Have fun when you are trying different brands and years. You often will be able to look at all aspects of each wine and its versatility.
The variety and color of grapes determine if a wine is red or red. Red wine is made of purple grapes which are strong bodied. Green grapes are found in white wine and make a crisp and light flavor. There is more to the difference than that, but red and white is the main difference.
Only drink a bottle of wine that you like. Some restaurants and bars promote a certain brand. These are generally priced up to 20 times wholesale. A costly glass does not guarantee the wine will be of high quality. Know the types of wine you enjoy and stick to them when out on the town.
Swirl the glass gently and put your nose near the aperture to breathe in the wonderful scent. Sip a small quantity of wine, swirl it around your mouth and spit it out.
Screw Caps
Don't think less of wines that have screw-on caps. More wineries are moving to screw caps as opposed to the traditional corks. These tops have been known to keep the purity of the beverage. Some countries have switched to using screw caps to be the norm now.
Don't just order wine by the glass. A bottle of wine generally serves approximately six glasses so even a small table can easily split a whole bottle. You can save a considerable amount of money and you may find a new preferred wine if trying one you've never had before.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, wine can be used in a variety of different ways. Selecting the proper wine is important, since it can enhance your meal greatly. Apply the aforementioned tips to help make your wine enjoyment fulfilling.


text:
BBC NEWS Politics 'Flat tax' urged by Tory Osborne
Ever since I read the article on Flat Tax in Andy's Economist way back in spring, the story seems to be coming up more and more often. There's the BBC article linked to above, last week I heard that Germany's CDU (Conservative party, likely to replace Schroeder's SPD in a couple of weeks) is considering a flat tax scheme (I don't know how seriously) and recently there was the news that the Treasury had censored their own report on flat tax to de-emphasise the benefits and exaggerate the drawbacks. It's definetly a topic that won't go away.
technorati tag: economics


text:
The Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado Teen Center is open to children grades 7 to 12. There is no cost to attend the Teen Center! The Club Teen Center (at the David A. Wetherington Unit) is a positive place that is passionate about preparing teens for life! Whether it's help with homework, the use of our computer lab, mentoring and/or life-skills training in areas of education or finance, the Club is here to assist teens in being their very best!
– We provide a positive atmosphere for teens
– We provide an avenue to explore the Arts
– We provide Financial literacy training
– We provide training for life after graduation
– We provide a positive place to play pool, basketball, listen to music and more
Hours Of Operation:
Monday through Friday – 3:15PM to 6:00PM


text:
For those yoga and Thai Chi enthusiasts and those not into yoga or Thai Chi -- this is the soap for you! Relax, Erase Tension and allow the soap to work on the forces of yin and yang!
Fun Facts: Did you know that research shows that fall-related injuries are the leading cause of death from injury and disability among older adults with the most serious being a hip fracture; Because tai chi movements are slow and deliberate with shifts of body weight from one leg to the other in coordination with upper body movements this is a great outlet for improving balance, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance. Maybe this can also improve my dance rhythm since I have 3 left feet! Sign me up!
Scent: Thai Chi
Description: The sweet yet smoky scent of caramelized sugar is nearly addicting. The top notes start off with applewood, smoked cedar, and leather. Middle notes of oat, coffee, and chamomile are followed by base notes of brown sugar and amber. There is also a smoky, sexy and sophisticated fragrance is reminiscent of roasted tea leaves with strong overtones of tobacco. With surprising top notes of Italian Bergamot, Sicilian Lemon and Southern Orange, the blend winds down with Black Tea Leaves, Star Jasmine, White Cedarwood, Amber Crystal and a rich musk. It is a remarkable and very original scent.


text:
Solid Cape
€90,30 €129
Solid Cape in 100% wool is one of our great classics. It can be used as a wrap cape, shawl or scarf and with the minimalist design it can be styled with a colorful blouse or a patterned bag. With the soft wool quality you are guaranteed to stay warm and cozy during the cold months of the year. Solid Cape is also a perfect replacement for a blanket or a sweater!
Quality: Wool
Weight: 0.5 kg.
Color: Light Grey Melange
Dimensions: 100 x 200 cm
Product id: 00006630020380301


text:
Your home is a huge part of your life, both financially and emotionally. Which is why we put ourselves in your shoes and our mission is to make real estate service for our clients and the consumers as Hassle-Free as possible while maintaining the highest level of customer service, ethics, expertise, latest technology and enthusiasm. For more information about selling your property, buying your next home or to learn more about real estate marketing in Brampton Ontario, contact Jimmy at 647-961-2639.
About City Of Brampton, Real Estate
And Homes For Sale
Brampton is a Canadian city in Ontario's Greater Toronto Area. Its Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives is housed in 19th-century and contemporary buildings. In the center of downtown is the Rose Theatre, a major performing arts venue. In front, Garden Square hosts big-screen movies and live events. Green spaces include Gage Park with its floral gardens. To the north sits Historic Bovaird House, a Victorian home. Things to know about city of Brampton Ontario:
- Things to Do in Brampton
- Learn About City Of Brampton Ontario
- Brampton School District Board
- Brampton Public Library
Thinking Of Selling Your Property In Brampton?
Call Jimmy Singh today. With over 10+ years of real estate expertise and experience selling homes, condos and pre-construction developments in Greater Toronto Area & Golden Horseshoe Region in Ontario, Jimmy and his team can provide expert advice on selling your house for Top $$ today and provide wider exposure to attract local & out-of-town buyers for your home. Get a free no cost no obligation Market Analysis of your home now.
Learn more about my Home Seller Commissions savings
For more information about selling your property in Brampton, Contact Jimmy at 647-961-2639
Are You Thinking Of Buying Your Next Home In Brampton?
Life never stops moving. And when there's a big change in your life, we're ready. At Jimmy Singh's World Class Realty Point team we put people first and we understand that there is much more to moving than just getting the best price for your property.We are experienced and work hard to make the process of selling, buying or investing in property as smooth and stress free as possible. Contact us now to view house listings in your target areas in Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto and Greater Toronto Area.
For more information about buying your next home in Brampton, Contact Jimmy at 647-961-2639
Brampton Ontario Homes For Sale
Click Link Below To View Listings
Recent Real Estate Blog Post
UPtowns at Heartlake is a new condo development by VANDYK Group of Companies currently in pre-construction at 10302 Heart Lake Road, Brampton. Sales for available units range in price from $299,990 to over $604,990. UPtowns at Heartlake unit sizes range from 555 to 1407 square feet. We are extremely pleased to announce […]
Moving doesn't need to be stressful! It is possible to start your new life without having your old one in shambles. Not sure what you should be doing the weeks leading up to your big move? We take the guesswork out for you with this handy moving itinerary & checklist. Avoid last minute scrambling and […]
Closing costs are a list of charges your lawyer presents to you on the closing date for your home purchase. Many people are surprised by the additional costs over and above the price of the home. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Genworth Financial, you should provide for at least 1.5 per […]
The most important decision you'll have to make regarding the sale of your home is how to price it. How you price your home will not only determine how quickly you sell; it will also determine how much money you walk away with. So you must put great care into coming up with an asking […]
Condo Leasing & Rental Services in Greater Toronto Area : Jimmy services a diverse price range of properties, from one-bedroom studios to luxury penthouses. When you list your rental property with Jimmy, you can expect superb service and effective marketing. Advertising & Market Exposure Advertising in multiple medias nets the best results. […]
HST Rebate in New Condo & Home Sales Explained… People acquiring brand new property in the GTA for investment purposes pay tens of thousands of dollars in HST, so it is very important that they file for a new house rebate otherwise they will not get a single dollar back. Many new Canadians are […]
5 Things to know about the New Ontario 15% Non- Resident Speculation Tax
Here is what you need to know. The tax is for non-residents of Canada buying 1-6 residential units in the Golden Horseshoe area of Ontario. This tax is in addition to any Land Transfer Tax payable. It applies only on 1-6 units of residential property purchased by a Non-resident of Canada in the Golden Horseshoe […]
You've heard it before- it's all about first impressions! Home staging simply helps your home look more attractive while highlighting some of its best features. If your home is on the market, your goal is to makes potential buyers feel like they could live there, and the finest way to do this is to […]


text:
What does authority, glory, and -SOVEREIGN- power when given from God mean to you?
Jesus is begotten from God's spirit and placed into a human body and as this fully human being (a human is an animal body with a soul/spirit) with fully divine essence He was thus gifted with all the authority, glory, and sovereign power from heaven. He knew God as His God and Father because He is His Son.
Why do you think christianity harps on adoption so much; becoming sons and daughters of God? Because through believing in Jesus and following His way we can be adopted into God's family. Not just redeemed from sin and the destruction of our souls.
Sometimes in the Old Testament it will even state when God does something like
"YHWH does this from/out of YHWH" indicating again what has already been stated.
And the words used for God's nature in the Old Testament mean singular and plural together.
The same words used for "cluster of grapes" and "union of a man and woman" when there are other words used for the specific singular that are not used in this reference to God.


text:
My best friend came to visit in August. During the three days she stayed, we engaged in about twenty solid hours of face-to-face one-on-one dialogue. We share the common experience of sexual abuse as teens. In prison ministry and shepherding women, we have ministered to others who have suffered the same. Until she moved away, we served side by side.
God has used our life-shattering events to form us into compassionate women. While she was here, we discussed how this harm still affects us today and what it has shown us about the fallen nature of humanity.
This is essential to comprehend: The natural human fallback will inevitably be to pull away from God, to lose our sense of trust in Him, and to determine that He does not love us. This happens subconsciously. It is universal, and we don't even know we do it.
Let me explain. Six weeks after I accepted Christ as my Savior, I was sexually assaulted several times. I was only thirteen. It broke all my relationships. It changed my self image. It altered the trajectory of my life. But I had no idea any of those things had occurred.
At thirteen I couldn't even articulate what had happened to me. I had no words. I simply felt that I was now a "bad girl." I wrongly took on the shame my perpetrator should have felt. I can now pick this apart from the distance of decades, but couldn't have articulated any of it at the time, nor was I even aware that these results had happened.
Being only thirteen, I didn't realize that these events had placed me at a fork in the road. I didn't have the maturity or anyone alongside me (remember, I couldn't articulate it) to help me take the road that turned to Jesus or to cry out to Him for comfort, justice, help, truth, cleansing of false guilt, etc.
And so, being human and unaware, I chose the wrong path: I hid it away.
I had no idea I was even choosing a path. I was oblivious.
My response is the human fallback. It is a broken and universal reaction.
Wonderlane via Compfight
Hiding our true and naked selves from God began in the Garden. Because I buried my pain, my inner landscape altered. I had loved Jesus. Now my love grew cold, but I couldn't have told you that had happened, for I still read my Bible, and I still attended church.
When I realized my first love had died, I felt guilty and imposed rules upon myself to read the Word daily. It was no longer done out of love for Him. I didn't notice this shift from grace to legalism. I didn't even know what legalism was.
But there was outward evidence of the hidden pain. That first year, I quit bathing. My hair grew greasy. No adults asked questions or noticed the signs, so the downward slide continued. My religion became increasingly outward. My Bible reading diminished and then ceased. The pornographic images I had been exposed to between ages eight and ten snared me. My boundaries were broken, so I allowed guys to cross the lines that had been breached. I didn't know I could say no, or how to, and eventually I didn't want to. At seventeen I was pregnant.
Somewhere during that slide this inner change occurred: I no longer believed that God loved me. I no longer trusted Him. When we feel that God doesn't love us, all of our theology unravels, for the love of God is the absolute bedrock of all He does.
I didn't reason this out willfully. It was as if I had no control. I was passive. To doubt God's love is the human fallback to which we automatically go. This is the obstacle most broken people must overcome.
Now here's the cool part.
God, of course, is actually the God of unsurpassable love. Even though I naturally slid into the human fallback, He was already patiently wooing me back, for He knew more clearly than I did that I was merely human.
He saw me stumble away. He saw me make choices that I didn't even understand and which He knew would hurt me. He watched as my heart hardened, I lost my love for Him, and I quit trusting Him implicitly.
It was in this state that He died for me. He pre-knew me in this condition. He didn't cross His arms and frown disapprovingly. Rather, He chose to enter into my pain by becoming a man, living in a broken world, experiencing pain Himself, and taking on my brokenness on the cross.
In my most broken place, He loved me as He died.
He grieved for what had been done to me. He grieved for the pain my fallback choices inflicted. He grieved for the pain that caused my perpetrator to harm me in the first place. And He died for all of that, for him and for me, too. All of it.
He also used it for my good. We live in a fallen world. Awful things happen to children. He gave me the ability to forgive. He empowers me to help other women overcome this same pain. He is the answer. His compassion and His sacrificial love cement me to Him. He restores my sense of self, using His words about my great worth as His child.
God is kind and gracious. He orchestrated this plan to send His Son to save us from our broken selves and to heal us. He weaves together the threads of our lives to make us strong and useful to help others, giving us a sense of purpose in even this.
The Lord Himself is always good medicine.
For help in finding safe community for healing and restoration, click HERE. My best friend is a certified life coach helping sexually abused women to recover, and this link is to her post.


text:
Oscar role for Moonyeenn Lee
Lin Sampson talks to Moonyeenn Lee, casting agent, high priestess of SA film and actors' friendSuper-agent Moonyeenn Lee (pictured above), who counts some of South Africa's best actors as clients, has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, making her eligible to vote for next year's Oscar nominations."I was overwhelmed. It came out of the blue. I got an e-mail, which I took through to the main office and said, 'Do you think this is a joke?'"With her navy-blue nails, a ring the size of a small dog and a furry bag that looks like a dead cat, she might be channelling Madame Blavatsky. She talks in a smoky, monosyllabic whisper.Her mother was an actress, and her name comes from an MGM movie called Smilin' Through which was awarded the Academy Award for best picture in 1932.story_article_left1"A friend gave the movie to me and I sat down and watched with my children, and the opening scene was a tombstone with the name Moonyeenn written on it. The kids burst into tears."Moonyeenn was newly divorced 40 years ago and looking for a job."An English producer said to me, 'Why don't you cast a commercial?' I said, 'What is casting?'"She has spent nearly half a century finding out."One learns to recognise talent and, more importantly, untalent. There are a lot of untalented people around who think they can act," she intones gloomily."Usually people with those amazing personalities can't act. They can't get rid of themselves. A friend brought her son to me. He wanted to be an actor. As soon as I laid eyes on him I knew he couldn't act. I told him straight."Moonyeenn is the high priestess of South African film and few films are made in this country without her touch - films like Tsotsi made by Gavin Hood which won an Academy Award in 2006."I have been lucky to work with some of the best directors from abroad and locally, people like Oliver Schmitz and Gavin Hood," she said.Her involvement in Long Walk to Freedom set her in the hall of fame of South African casting agents. "Ask Moon-yeenn," is a phrase familiar to any journalist writing about the arts.Moonyeenn doesn't just rifle her golden Rolodex for contacts, she goes out and finds them. A decade ago her canary-yellow convertible swept through Soweto."People would say 'I love your car', and it was like a happy thing. Today I wouldn't do that, there is too much anger. We must learn, like the French, to make movies that take place in one room and exist within dialogue and relationships that expose the inner self "When I started I used to have one of those large tapes that people used then and I went to London, New York and Los Angeles with pictures of South African actors and I'd say, 'If you are coming to South Africa to make a South African movie, please use South African actors'."And it worked. Today when they come they like to use South African actors. Many of them are very well trained."She is the actor's friend and remains fiercely loyal to South African actors who she feels sometimes get a raw deal."The problem is producers are always looking for a star, but we have wonderful character actors who act as backups for all the leads. Without them the film would be a damp squib. Sometimes the lead actor has a veto on the casting. So if there is an actor that is better looking they can say, 'I don't want him', so the great-looking guys don't get the role. That is one reason so many actors leave South Africa."A girl I sent overseas - Embeth Davidtz - has done really well. She did Spielberg's Schindler's List."The problem is many people are unemployable. "A friend sent her son to me. He said he had a matric, but I didn't even recognise the subjects, stuff like life skills. None of it had any connection to reality and of course these kids don't read but watch really bad television. They need to build up a database of skills and references. Many have the concentration span of a bee's wing."Having a South African accent can also be limiting."I have tried to get actors to learn accents. They spend hours in a gym, but they don't work their tongues, do voice exercises."She feels she has been lucky to work with top directors and scriptwriters."A standout movie for me was Oliver Schmitz's Life, Above All. I said to Oliver, you go and find the location and I will find the children. In some of the places I went to they had never seen a white woman before."Although most of the actors she now works with are black, this was not always the case."I remember when I started I had to go to the police station to get a permit to work with black actors."Another problem is that so much is taboo.story_article_right2"Everyone is caught up in politics and we have to get beyond that. And race. We must learn, like the French, to make movies that take place in one room and exist within dialogue and relationships that expose the inner self. Harold and Maude, for example, could have been made in any country in the world, and that is just what we need here."But the world of film has changed and television - once considered a low-rent alternative which no actor would be seen dead on - is now a major part of an actor's life."The level of TV globally is excellent, but I doubt ours will get better with the people who are running it," says Moonyeenn. "Very few of my actors work on television here because the budgets are smaller than they were 10 years ago."This is not her first invitation to judge the best in the world. Some years back she was made a member of the Television Academy, which presents the Emmy awards."For about four years I was a final judge. There are only about two or three who judge the best international actors. I got to see television from all over the world."Recognition as an academy member bestows on her the privilege of voting in the Best Casting category of the Oscars.Now in her seventies, she says, "I learn something new every day."
This article is reserved for Sunday Times subscribers.
A subscription gives you full digital access to all Sunday Times content.
Already subscribed? Simply sign in below.
Registered on the BusinessLIVE, Business Day, Financial Mail or Rand Daily Mail websites? Sign in with the same details.
Questions or problems? Email email@example.com or call 0860 52 52 00.


text:
The strength of the relationship between Business Micros and Sliders UK was perfectly illustrated when Ian Longbottom, Sliders UK's Chairman arranged for Nick Bailey from Business Micros' installation team to tick a giant challenge off his bucket list and complete a skydive from 15,000 feet.
C-Licensed skydiver Ian heard about Nick's ambition while he was working on the installation of the Evolution and EvoNET software, and decided that a charity skydive with 60 seconds of free fall would be the perfect way to cement the partnership between the two businesses.
Nick completed the skydive recently with a tandem instructor at Black Knights parachute centre near Lancaster, jumping out of the plane just after Ian and his skydiving team had made on of their regular jumps.
Nick said: "I'd like to thank Ian and everyone at Sliders UK for making this happen. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time, but as soon as I landed I did want to do it all over again."
The skydive raised £350 for the Children's Heart Foundation thanks to support from Nick's colleagues and friends at Business Micros.


text:
Improving Network-Based Industrial Automation Data Protocols
The industrial automation sector is rapidly advancing into the use of TCP/IP over Ethernet as a replacement for traditional data connectivity. Many of these devices implement application protocols that mirror their older cousins. With the implementation of IP, the operation, flexibility and reliability of these devices may be jeopardized due to oversights in the implementation of sockets as a new connection medium. In this article I will discuss many issues I've stumbled over while dealing with these issues. I'll also present solutions that future data protocols may improve on.
The industrial automation sector started with direct-connected I/O devices. These local devices are connected directly to a peripheral bus of the CPU, such as an 8155 parallel I/O chip or even a memory mapped latch. Many large scale or expansive industrial systems, including petroleum facilities, water treatment plants and building environmental controls, require large number of monitoring and control points. Because of the electrical limitations of the CPU bus, remote I/O interfaces were devices that allowed a data protocol to address multiple I/O units. Serial interfaces (like RS-485) were used as the bus.
Serial interfaces are private and limited access interfaces. The simple serial bus does not provide the capability for transmitters to detect or resolve who owns the bus during a transmission. Hence, a single master transmitter originates all command messages, and the other slaves simply reply on requests to it. Other limitations of the serial bus included a limited length (several thousand feet or so) and a very limited bandwidth shared among many slave devices (effectively lowering the per slave bandwidth). These serial devices no longer had a memory-mapped architecture and relied on a data protocol that read and wrote information to them. The data protocol served as an abstraction of the memory map of the direct connected devices.
Due to the restrictions of bandwidth, some manufacturers created proprietary bus interfaces and others used nonmainstream, simple network interfaces (such as ARCnet). These interfaces allowed increased bandwidth, multiple master capabilities and practical expansiveness. But there was one simple problem: these interfaces and networks never entered the mainstream marketplace. As illustration, say a single manufacturer may support only its own I/O interface; the risk of the company terminating the product line or a device reaching its end-of-life doomed the future of the system. Unique cabling and networking systems had to be created just to support this hardware, which was expensive and required additional maintenance. Due to the small support marketplace, the amount of resources available to improve this technology was too small to carry it forward.
Then the automation sector started to create devices that used Ethernet connections. Ethernet provides transmitter resolution and has sufficient bandwidth and excellent expansion potential. Ethernet also is a mainstream interface, its the biggest strength. Some early implementations used raw Ethernet packets. Unfortunately, raw Ethernet isn't routable, at least not in the way IP can be. Therefore, all the devices in this raw Ethernet network must be of a common segment. Nonetheless, this is an effective method. Using Ethernet means an automation integrator could use an existing network infrastructure, cutting costs by not implementing another network and using an existing resource.
As you would expect, the industrial automation sector started implementing TCP/IP over Ethernet. This had all the advantages of raw Ethernet but with improved routing and nearly infinite expandability. The Ethernet market has huge amounts of funding and large numbers of competitors, yielding very high throughput yet affordable systems. As a result, network determinism is a manageable issue and not just the fear of a network designer. Today, nearly every computer has a TCP/IP stack. Clearly, neither TCP/IP nor Ethernet are one company's standards but perhaps one of the few real international standards.
However, there is a fundamental issue: most of the data protocols are borrowed or inherited from their older counterparts. Certainly, if an automation integrator uses a company's network, it's not private anymore. In addition, TCP/IP, UDP/IP and Ethernet are not quite like a simple serial data packet. This transition has created new problems and opened the door to new strengths.
Here's a short refresher on the essence of the traditional communication protocol. This method is typically found in serial and several proprietary data interfaces.
The traditional serial data interface is connectionless; the polling master computer initiates all conversation. It sends a command that either writes or requests data from a slave and the slave responds. It assumes that the device exists by virtue of a response that arrives after a matching command.
No synchronization exists between the master and slave either. If the master gives up too early and begins transmitting a command, it may collide with a slave replying from the last command. The application managed the retransmission if a slave didn't respond or the slave responded with a corrupt reply. The point is the slave never responds unless it's requested to, it's passive. I've referred to this kind of protocol as the Marco-Polo (a childhood water game) technique.
The entire data interface supports a single data protocol. This is required because the slaves are listening for protocol-specific information. Other protocols transmitting on the bus may confuse the slaves.
Typically, these systems are repetitively polled. The polling rate may be hundreds of times a second or hundreds of seconds between polls. The polling rate depends on the response requirements of the control system.
With the traditional bus of a limited number of devices, an application could scan every possible address combination to see which addresses respond. This isn't practical with IP. If a IP host were configured on a Class A subnet, there may be 24 million possible slaves to poll.
A Simple method exists to poll for these automation devices. Say a UDP port is reserved for a service locator. When this service locator receives a specific message, it will reply with its device type. An IP host could then perform a UDP broadcast, and every slave could reply back to the broadcaster (one transmission, and all available automation devices report back to the transmitter).
To sidetrack for a moment, if you hear someone say they were to Telnet port 80, you'd immediately think HTTP. In fact, very few reserved ports exist for industrial automation, not that it's important. What is important is if I connect to TCP port 12345, it better be what I think it is. But, if I Telnet port 80 and I didn't know what port 80 was, how would I know (the blinking cursor doesn't help much either)?
If we were to add the ability for the service locator to describe which ports are available for which data protocol, this would mean that my host computer could first broadcast to see which devices are available and then determine what services are configured where. This means that my industrial automation data protocol would be located on any port, even the IP protocol. This way, TCP port 12345 is significant before I try and connect to it.
In industrial automation systems, maintaining a unit may require powering it down. The host sees this device's unavailability by the lack of a reply to a command. But would the host know when the device was turned back on? It has always been difficult to test if a device was available at a specific address. An application would have to attempt communicating with the device just to see if it was awake. This is a laborious and inefficient method to rediscover the device.
Much like a RARP, what if the unit broadcasted its awake state (when it was turned on)? The host system could receive this message and take action to commence communication with it. This would prevent a host from wasting its time polling a device that doesn't exist. I also believe most software engineers would say this method might be easier to implement, as the retransmission logic is fairly difficult and rather application-specific.
Of course, the skeptics are going to point out, what if this wake-up packet got dropped? It does happen, but the wake up could be set to always broadcast at a conservative time interval. Sure, one packet could get dropped, but would the next one? If it does, something might be wrong with the network. Certainly, a heartbeat couldn't hurt either; if the heartbeat rate is low enough, its extra traffic would be comparable to the ordinary broadcasts of the network.
There's another strength in this feature of systems that slowly poll the hardware, perhaps even waiting minutes. The traditional method is to transmit the command and wait for the response (if the device isn't available, no response will arrive). Wouldn't it be better if we knew the target automation device recently sent a heartbeat and that our next transmission will probably succeed? If we haven't heard a heartbeat from the specific device in a long time, why try and transmit to it?
Also, if the device's heartbeat had a beat count, a monitoring application could tell when the device was reset, when a packet was dropped, when power was cycled, when network infrastructure went down, when a gateway or telecom link failed or when some other strange anomaly occurred. These statistics may assist maintenance and diagnosing hardware or network problems.
Let's return to the Telnet to port 80 example. TCP allows a backlog of connections to accumulate. When you've successfully Telnet to port 80, how do you know whether the socket is still in the backlog queue or is actively being polled by the scanner?
This problem also has its roots in the traditional serial interface. The assumption is the slave is hard-wire connected. There is no connection backlog; what the host sends is received by the slave. The traditional method is to assume that once the communication resource is opened, it can simply send when it wants to.
What if the automation device's command processor can send an acceptance message to the host? This message could tell the host that this socket isn't just accepted but also actively being examined. The host will know that it can now send commands, and the automation device will immediately process it. Without this, the host could send a message down the socket before the command processor has accepted the socket.
TCP and UDP are very dissimilar data protocols. To review, TCP is connection-oriented, stream-oriented, with guaranteed delivery and guaranteed order. UDP carries unreliable packets of a limited length, it's connectionless, packet-oriented and arrival order is not guaranteed. Routers may be configured to drop UDP packets to unknown ports (fairly unlikely these days).
The traditional serial data bus is more like UDP in its lack of delivery guarantee and its connectionless. The arrival order, however, is something to cause concern. Also, the packet orientation of the received data may cause excess data to be dropped if the receiving buffer isn't large enough.
TCP is similar to the traditional bus in that data arrives in guaranteed order and appears in a stream-oriented fashion. TCP differs in that each socket is a private virtual connection to each automation device, and guaranteed delivery means the IP stack will retransmit the message if it isn't acknowledged by the receiver.
Between UDP and TCP, other than a shared ability to transmit and receive data, there isn't a lot of similarity between them. This may cause problems when trying to create a data protocol common to both of these IP protocols.
Returning to UDP, let's make an assumption that each UDP command and response stays below a network MTU. This would guarantee that the data is encapsulated in one packet. If two packets arrived at the receiver, the receiver API will not concatenate the two packets together. Rather, the first packet would be received and the second packet would move on to the next receiver. But, should the application request less data than is contained in the packet, the remaining data will be dropped. In the UDP model, it is possible for the receiver to know the beginning and end of a data segment.
Furthermore, due to the lack of sequence preservation, the first packet may have been the second packet sent. In UDP, if the data protocol can have multiple and simultaneous data packets sent and received, an application layer sequence ID is required to allow re-ordering of the data packets.
The connectionless nature of UDP means that if the automation device was power cycled, the polling master may not be able to tell it occurred. This is no different than traditional serial devices.
TCP has a stream model: if two packets arrived and there isn't anything in the data stream to indicate where the packets split, the application won't be able to discern the first packet from the second packet. Some kind of data size is required to allow the receiver to determine the beginning and end of the information in the stream.
TCP is also connection-oriented. Should the automation device be power cycled, the TCP connections are reset. The polling master would then receive a socket error if it attempted to transmit to a device that doesn't have an established connection.
Another consequence of the connection-orientation is the connection must be gracefully closed. This graceful closure requires data packets to be transferred between the polling host and the automation device. Should the polling master close the connection and is some kind of infrastructure failure occurred, the automation device may be left with a permanently open TCP session (a resource leak). If this happens too many times, the automation device may run out of resources.
TCP guarantees arrival, which sounds like a great thing. The dreadnought nature of TCP has one giant Achilles heel--time. TCP generally makes three transmission attempts to receive an acknowledgement from the receiver. The first timeout is short, the next is longer and the last is eternity; most automation scanners won't wait this long. In addition, failed infrastructure, power cycling or a cable removal could cause this problem, which might also tie up resources. Because many automation devices use IP stacks of limited resources, carelessly creating (or leaking) TCP resources may exhaust the automation device's IP resources.
Because traditional serial data streams had high transmission latency, the data packets were kept as small as possible (typically, well under 256 bytes). This small data size only allows a single data write or a data read request to be sent at a time. With significantly larger MTUs, data packets as large a 1,400 bytes could be handled, including a read and a write request simultaneously. This would decrease the number of sends and receives by a factor of two, reducing network traffic and making the polling scanner more efficient.
Also, Ethernet virtually allows parallel data via the collision resolution. However, with switch infrastructure, this parallel model can be exploited further. It's possible that a data read or write request could be broadcasted or multicasted to automation devices; this would allow simultaneous updates with a single send, as well as a parallel read receive with a single read request. This feature isn't possible on devices that don't support transmission resolution.
By security, I'm referring to casual validation that the data sent and received belongs to the data protocol. A header that includes a unique magic key allows a receiver to detect if the message is known. This header may also include a data length to allow TCP packet segregation and possibly even a simple checksum to validate the encapsulated data.
If there are concerns that sensitive automation data is being sniffed, a sockets encryption layer may also be provided. This will add additional overhead to the packet processing. As embedded processors become more powerful, it's likely that this will become a standard feature.
The rapid parsing requirement of many data protocols calls for the use of binary data. Binary data is excellent if the automation device and the host system share common data formats; namely 2s complement integers and IEEE-754 floating-point standards. There is one catch: endian or byte ordering. Bytes are ordered differently on different processor architectures. Endian is described as little or big endian. While a protocol may be created based about an endian order, it would be convenient if not advantageous to supply a method to have the endian order changed or available on another IP port. Clients may be heavily penalized attempting to reorder bytes.
Also, although rare, an architecture may not implement compatible data formats or its development language may not be tolerant or supportive of binary data streams and their conversions.
Automation protocols over IP and Ethernet are making positive headway. Their rapid evolution has created a few shortcomings and minor headaches. Existing data protocols can be improved in time, however, to overcome these issues and increase their reliability and usefulness.
Several elements, namely the Device/Service Locator, also could be implemented industry-wide. Doing so would allow customers common access to these new automation devices in a standard format.
Bryce Nakatani is an engineer at Opto 22, a manufacturer of automation components in Temecula, California. He specializes in real-time controls, software design, analog and digital design, network architecture and instrumentation.
email: email@example.com


text:
When using the Collector App offline, it would be useful to be able to store data points and attachments on an SD card. Currently, only tpks can be stored on the SD card.
Only being able to store photo attachments on internal memory is very limiting when having to conduct large surveys.


text:
Hi folks
I've been trying to build this kernel code for a few days now, and I have seen some very peculiar errors. (the host side code for loading and building the code are given below.)
When the last line of my `blob1_kernel.cl' is `}', I get the error:
`blob1: malloc.c:3096: sYSMALLOc: Assertion `(old_top == (((mbinptr) (((char *) &((av)->bins[((1) - 1) * 2])) - __builtin_offsetof (struct malloc_chunk, fd)))) && old_size == 0) || ((unsigned long) (old_size) >= (unsigned long)((((__builtin_offsetof (struct malloc_chunk, fd_nextsize))+((2 * (sizeof(size_t))) - 1)) & ~((2 * (sizeof(size_t))) - 1))) && ((old_top)->size & 0x1) && ((unsigned long)old_end & pagemask) == 0)' failed.
(I get the same error when I remove some of the #defines at the top of `blob1_kernel.cl').
When the last line of `blob1_kernel.cl' is blank and I preserve all the #defines, I get the error:
`Build failed. Error Code=-11
--- Build Log -- '
Presumably, this error is coming from clBuildProgram. The Build Log is empty. Even when I deliberately break the code, and I know the errors that should be reported, the Build Log remains empty.
I have attached the code I have used to load and build kernel source. I wonder if anyone can tell me what I'm doing wrong. Please let me know if a better description of the problem is needed.
//Relevant CL declarations cl_context context; cl_program program; cl_int err; cl_device_id device_id; //Variables to read kernel source FILE *fp; long filelen; long readlen; char *kernel_src; // char string to hold kernel source //Read the kernel fp = fopen("blob1_kernel.cl","r"); fseek(fp,0L, SEEK_END); filelen = ftell(fp); rewind(fp); kernel_src = malloc(sizeof(char)*(filelen+1)); readlen = fread(kernel_src,1,filelen,fp); if(readlen!=filelen) { printf("error reading file\n"); exit(1); } //ensure that the string is NULL terminated kernel_src[filelen+1]='\0'; //Basic OpenCL setup of context, command queue etc. // create program object from source. kernel_src contains // source read from file earlier program = clCreateProgramWithSource(context, 1 , (const char **) &kernel_src, NULL, &err); if (err != CL_SUCCESS) { printf("Unable to create program object. Error Code=%d\n",err); exit(1); } err = clBuildProgram(program, 0, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL); if (err != CL_SUCCESS) { printf("Build failed. Error Code=%d\n", err); size_t len; char buffer[4096]; // get the build log clGetProgramBuildInfo(program, device_id, CL_PROGRAM_BUILD_LOG, sizeof(buffer), buffer, &len); printf("--- Build Log -- \n %s\n",buffer); exit(1); }


text:
Students and faculty at the University of Virginia's College at Wise will get the opportunity to potentially save someone's life next month, as the
Tag: science
Students Encouraged To Take Online Survey About Science Anxieties
When you think about science, what comes to mind? Is it excitement and intrigue or panic and disdain? Two UVa-Wise professors are hoping to
Student Research Presented in Richmond
A UVa-Wise student scientist recently presented her research on the Eastern Hellbender after months of collecting water samples in local creeks and riverbeds. And
Wetlands facility gives students more field study time
Since 2001, the University of Virginia's College at Wise has been undergoing changes that will enhance their science program. With the opening of The Wetlands Education and Research Facility the
House 5 being converted into science lab
Faculty Row will soon see a science lab in one of the former houses.


text:
How are you? Getting ready for Christmas or cannot cope with Autumn depression? Today, I am going to touch more on the term "depression" and share some tips with you which will help you managing it.
Well, what is depression? Talking from the scientific point of view, it is a kind of disorder characterised as a severe medical illness which affects your state, perceptiveness, the way of thinking and how you act. It can be treated though. I do not actually mean to talk about this form of disorder but about less severe depressional states – seasonal or temporary. This kind of depression comes every year and usually about the same time (during the winter or autumn season, for instance). Obviously, you may lose the interest to things you liked and feel sad all the time. All this may lead to unwanted consequences – deterioration in your physical and emotional state. However, there are good news, if you know the signs of depression you can prevent them from the early stages to become more severe.
Oh, and do not be hypochondriac, remember that any signs of depression may not necessarily signal about only it (as some other disorders and illnesses have the same symptoms), just a mental health specialist can diagnose whether you have depression or not. Ok, let's have a look at the symptoms of depression. I will start with LOW MOOD. It is not necessary to describe a low mood person. Obviously, this person has a feeling of emptiness and may burst into crying without any serious reason and quite frequently. It is also described as a sadly irritated state and any cause of sadness may arise irritation and anger. Talking about depression is almost impossible without mentioning the LOSS OF INTEREST in things the person enjoyed before becoming depressed. Actually, depressed people lose interest in anything but their habitual activities and hobbies are most noticeable. It is not a pleasure for them to do those things anymore. One more point is APPETITE CHANGE. Indeed, while depression, a person eats much more than usual or vice versa. Gain/loss of weight may have a place although the person did not attempt to have it. At the same time, it is not about anorexia, bulimia or a compulsive eating disorder but a noticeable change in habitual eating preferences (especially amount of food). Depressed people also have TROUBLE SLEEPING. They cannot sleep well, have a problem to fall asleep and stay asleep during the night, moreover, the can feel sleepy even in case of having a full night proper sleep. In general, they just unable to control this and their sleep phase is a whole chaos. It is evident from the previous items that FATIGUE is a problem as well. Depressed people feel exhausted and drained. They do not have energy and feel tired almost all the time. In fact, it is not a physical tiredness but an emotional one. Once a person starts working on the depression (talking therapy/medications) it has to get better and more energy will appear. As a consequence, such people can experience DIFFICULTY IN CONCENTRATION as well. They struggle to make a decision or act immediately, they tend to slow the speed and spend more time than usual even for easy tasks. It depends on how severe the disorder is but depression is also characterised with THOUGHTS OF DEATH and FEELING OF GUILT OR USELESSNESS. A person cannot assess him/herlself and tired from everything and everyone he/she starts blaming self, every time reminding, how worthless he/she is. Obviously, such an attitude may lead to suicidal attempt or preparation a plan on how to end up life or self-harm. It can have various forms but the sense is the same in each case: "I am worthless/guilty – I have to die and everyone will feel better". Oh, and one more important thing, RETARDATION IN MOTOR SKILLS. People with depression can experience retardation or restlessness which will be evident in the speech and body language. It is again more about emotional influence. These reactions happen because of psychomotor violation and may be treated by working with the emotional state of the person with depression.
How to overcome depression? That is a good question. If you think that you have a severe depression, it is better to go to the doctor as soon as it is possible. The right medication can help you dramatically and it's absence can make things worse. However, if you just feel a bit depressed because of the season change or something like that, I will give you advice.
First, go somewhere on vacation. I'm not talking about a proper two-weeks vacation. Even if you have the only weekend, you can go to the countryside and it may be enough for you to charge yourself and continue working. Spend time with your friends or your beloved one or go there along. Walk along the park or lake and enjoy nature, think how important all your problems will be in one month… I'm pretty sure almost all of them will not be important at all. Make barbeque on the open air and enjoy the smell this warming smell…oh, and in the evening you can sit in front of a fireplace and have a glass of red wine or orange juice or a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows or tea you like. Relax, care of yourself and remember that everything is temporary, enjoy today but remember that tomorrow can be even better.
Second, it is a sport. I have already told in another article a lot about the sport and yes, I think that sport is one of the best ways to feel better, be motivated and stay in perfect shape. From the scientific basis, everyone knows that after a workout or any decent physical activity the endorphins (they trigger positive feelings in the human body) are being produced and the level of energy increases. Start your day from jogging. No matter what, wake up and run, you will fill healthy and happy. If you have a dog, you can run with your pet and you both will enjoy it. In case, you do not want to wake up early, then wait for the weekend and go dancing with your friends to the club.
And the third one, control your mind. Every time when something sad comes to your mind, switch to something good. You can think about anything makes you happy. And do not tell that there is nothing to think about. Your only goal is to notice when you are getting sad and switch your mind over to another thought, more pleasant thought. I promise, once you will master this technic, you will forget bout "depression".
There were some tips to overcome depression. For me, those are the best ways to cope with autumn depression… You can also treat yourself with sweets or your favourite food and treat your body as well with bubbly shower and things like that. Relax and enjoy!