Acute gastroenteritis is characterized by a rapid onset of diarrhea with or without vomiting, nausea, fever, and abdominal pain.1 Diarrhea is defined as the frequent passage of unformed liquid stools.2 Diarrheas are a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality particularly in developing countries. Its attendant nutritional compromise is an important cause of malnutrition. An estimated 1.87 million children below 5 years in 2003 died from diarrhea, 80 percent of which occurred in the first two years of life. It is also estimated that children below three years of age in developing countries annually experience three episodes of diarrhea.3
Many diarrheal deaths are caused by dehydration. The cornerstone of therapy in diarrheal dehydration is the correction of the physiologic disturbances brought about by diarrhea and its attendant metabolic derangements.4 The discovery that dehydration from acute diarrhea of any etiology and at any age, except in severe cases, can be safely and effectively treated in over 90% of cases by oral rehydration therapy (ORT) was considered the medical advance of the 20th century. ORT utilizes physiologic oral rehydration solutions (ORS) that contain the appropriate concentrations of important electrolytes lost in the stools and the carbohydrate substrate for effective sodium absorption. ORS is intended to replace the fluid loss and the stool electrolyte wastage of various causes of diarrheas. Viral diarrheas usually have a stool sodium loss of 40-60 mmol/L while toxigenic diarrhea, like cholera enteritis, can result in stool sodium losses of as much as 120-140 mmol/L.5,6 Along with continued feeding and zinc supplementation, ORS can effectively address most of the physiologic disturbances in diarrhea.3
WHO Physiologic ORS
The original WHO ORS formulation was promoted in 1975 by the WHO and the UNICEF as a single preparation designed for the treatment of diarrhea from various types of diarrhea with varying degrees of electrolyte losses for diverse populations.6 Its initial formulation containing a concentration of 90 mmol sodium/L and 2% glucose with a total osmolarity of 331 mosml/L represented a middle value for the stool sodium losses between cholera enteritis and other causes of diarrhea. Subsequent researches led to the modification of the original formulation and since 2004, the WHO and UNICEF has jointly endorsed the use of physiologic ORS containing a reduced sodium of 50-75 mmol/L and total osmolarity of 210-268 mOsm/L.3, 7 This new WHO ORS is superior to the initial formulation as it reduces vomiting, shortens hospitalization stay, and lessens the need for IV fluids.8 This reduced osmolarity ORS appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of cholera enteritis in children.9
Children with no signs of dehydration need extra fluids and salt to replace their diarrhea losses through the use of fluids containing salt. Suitable fluids containing 3 g/L of salt include ORS solution, salted drinks (salted rice water or a salted yoghurt drink), vegetable or chicken soup with salt. Certain fluids that are potentially dangerous and should therefore be discouraged because of too high sugar content (more than 18 g/L) include drinks sweetened with sugar, commercial carbonated beverages, commercial fruit juices, sports drinks and sweetened tea.10
Sports Drinks are Nonphysiologic
With this current physiologic WHO ORS formulation as the gold standard for effective ORT to prevent and correct diarrheal dehydration, the use of nonphysiologic drinks like sports drinks is not recommended for ORT of acute diarrheas. Sports drinks have a very low sodium concentration of around 20 mmol/L, low potassium of <10 mmol/L and high osmolarity of >330 mOsm/L because of their high carbohydrate concentration of 5-7%. Such a low sodium, low potassium and high osmolar drink can provoke further electrolyte imbalance and osmotic diarrhea. The American Academy of Pediatrics in its clinical practice guideline on acute gastroenteritis likewise discourages the inappropriate use of nonphysiologic solutions like sports drinks to treat children with diarrheas.11
8 Hahn S, Kim Y, Garner P. Reduced osmolarity oral rehydration solution for treating dehydration caused by acute diarrhoea in children. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD002847. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002847.
9 Murphy C, Hahn S, Volmink J. Reduced osmolarity oral rehydration solution for treating cholera. The Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003754.pub2. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003754.pub2.


HIPI is an image processing library designed to be used with the Apache Hadoop MapReduce parallel programming framework. HIPI facilitates efficient and high-throughput image processing with MapReduce style parallel programs typically executed on a cluster. It provides a solution for how to store a large collection of images on the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) and make them available for efficient distributed processing. HIPI also provides integration with OpenCV, a popular open-source library that contains many computer vision algorithms.
HIPI is written in JAVA.
[Image: HIPI Process Flow]
The primary input object to a HIPI program is a HipiImageBundle (HIB). A HIB is a collection of images represented as a single file on the HDFS. The HIPI distribution includes several useful tools for creating HIBs, including a MapReduce program that builds a HIB from a list of images downloaded from the Internet.
Loading HIPI Libraries
From the HIPI root directory, simply run gradle to build the HIPI library along with all of the tools and example programs:
$> cd hipi
Finished building the HIPI library along with all tools and examples.
Total time: 2.058 secs
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A Guide to Chipped teeth
Introduction to chipped teeth
Chipped teeth (or fractures of the crown of the tooth) can be unsightly, sharp, and risk damage to the underlying tooth tissue. Teeth can chip due to trauma, but they can also fracture through underlying tooth decay (cavities). Teeth that are brittle due to root canal treatment, congenital abnormality or tooth grinding (bruxism) may chip more easily.
A tooth may have damage to its hard tissue - a chip or fracture of the crown or crown and root - or it may have damage to the supporting soft tissues and blood vessels. The fracture can go through enamel only, through into the sensitive yellow tissue under the enamel [dentine] or into the nerve and blood vessels [pulp]. It is important to have the affected teeth checked to ensure that any injures are treated appropriately and promptly.
The long-term prognosis for any tooth depends on how severe the injury is and how rapidly it is treated. No matter how small an injury seems, if a tooth has been knocked or chipped, dental advice should be sought immediately.
What should I do when I have a chipped tooth?
1. Try to relax
2. Wash any blood away with plenty of cold water
3. Put a cold compress on bleeding soft tissues, e.g. lips, gums, or tongue
4. Find all the parts of the chipped tooth and store the fragments in water or milk
5. See an emergency dentist immediately.
How can a chipped tooth be treated?
The dentist may ask how the accident happened, when it happened, and where the injury occurred. This information is important to establish the exact nature of the blow and whether other treatments such as tetanus booster should be considered. They will also want to know if there have been previous injuries to the affected teeth.
The dentist will usually take an X-ray of the chipped tooth to establish whether there are any injuries to the root or surrounding tissues. The X-ray will show how near the pulp the chip has gone.
A simple chip may be smoothed and no restorative treatment be required. This treatment is reserved for small chips in enamel only. Chips into dentine usually require treatment, as dentine is porous and, with time, bacteria may find their way through the porous structure and cause decay or an infection of the nerve.
The dentist may temporarily dress the tooth to prevent further damage, and book a longer appointment to complete further work. The fractured piece of tooth may be used to replace the missing fragment using a bonding agent.
Tooth-coloured filling material (composite) can be bonded to the tooth to replace the missing portion. It is made of plastic with quartz or glass particles embedded into it. It is shaped by the dentist onto the tooth, and set using a special blue light.
Dental veneers (porcelain laminates) can also be used to repair broken or chipped teeth. They are as thin as a fingernail and fit over the visible surface of the tooth. Two visits are required; on the first visit a small amount of the tooth is removed, and an impression is taken which is then sent to a laboratory. A technician at the laboratory will make the veneer. The veneer will be bonded to the tooth at the next visit.
Crowns are usually recommended for teeth that have already been treated for decay, or for teeth that have been extensively damaged. They require the removal of 1.0 mm �1.5 mm from all around the tooth. An impression is taken from which the laboratory will make the crown. A temporary crown is then fitted. The permanent porcelain one is fitted once it is has been manufactured.
Any damage to the nerve of the tooth may not be apparent immediately, but it can slowly die. The tooth may become discoloured, usually grey. Root treatment may then be required.
Patients who have had injuries to either their first or second teeth need dental follow up. Injuries to first teeth may affect the underlying second teeth. Both sorts of teeth may appear fine at first, but they may show a reaction months or years after the event. A dentist will be able to advise about the necessary follow-up period, and also discuss treatment alternatives in order to restore the smile.
How can I prevent my teeth from getting chipped?
Participation in sport causes many teeth to be chipped, fractured or knocked out. A thorough check-up at the beginning of each season is desirable as is a mouthguard fitted by a dentist. Even non-contact sports such as skateboarding, squash and cycling can cause chipping to teeth.
Patients with physical disabilities are more likely to have chipped teeth. Dentists can advise on protection for this group of people.
Prominent anterior teeth, especially those not covered by the lips, are vulnerable and are twice as likely to be fractured. Orthodontic treatment (aligning the teeth with braces) reduces this risk.
Seat belts in cars help prevent trauma to teeth, mouth and face, as well as the rest of the body.


May 13, 2013 — Most Americans want the U.S. to place more emphasis on developing solar power, recent polls suggest. A major impediment, however, is the cost to manufacture, install and maintain solar panels. Simply put, most people and businesses cannot afford to place them on their rooftops.
Fortunately, that is changing because researchers such as Qiaoqiang Gan, University at Buffalo assistant professor of electrical engineering, are helping develop a new generation of photovoltaic cells that produce more power and cost less to manufacture than what's available today.
One of the more promising efforts, which Gan is working on, involves the use of plasmonic-enhanced organic photovoltaic materials. These devices don't match traditional solar cells in terms of energy production but they are less expensive and -- because they are made (or processed) in liquid form -- can be applied to a greater variety of surfaces.
Gan detailed the progress of plasmonic-enhanced organic photovoltaic materials in the May 7 edition of the journal Advanced Materials. Co-authors include Filbert J. Bartoli, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Lehigh University, and Zakya Kafafi of the National Science Foundation.
Currently, solar power is produced with either thick polycrystalline silicon wafers or thin-film solar cells made up of inorganic materials such as amorphous silicon or cadmium telluride. Both are expensive to manufacture, Gan said.
The reference to paint does not include a price point but rather the idea that photovoltaic cells could one day be applied to surfaces as easily as paint is to walls, he said.
There are drawbacks to organic photovoltaic cells. They have to be thin due to their relatively poor electronic conductive properties. Because they are thin and, thus, without sufficient material to absorb light, it limits their optical absorption and leads to insufficient power conversion efficiency.
Their power conversion efficiency needs to be 10 percent or more to compete in the market, Gan said.
To achieve that benchmark, Gan and other researchers are incorporating metal nanoparticles and/or patterned plasmonic nanostructures into organic photovoltaic cells. Plasmons are electromagnetic waves and free electrons that can be used to oscillate back and forth across the interface of metals and semiconductors.
Recent material studies suggest they are succeeding, he said. Gan and the paper's co-authors argue that, because of these breakthroughs, there should be a renewed focus on how nanomaterials and plasmonic strategies can create more efficient and affordable thin-film organic solar cells.
Gan is continuing his research by collaborating with several researchers at UB including: Alexander N. Cartwright, professor of electrical engineering and biomedical engineering and UB vice president for research and economic development; Mark T. Swihart, UB professor of chemical and biological engineering and director of the university's Strategic Strength in Integrated Nanostructured Systems; and Hao Zeng, associate professor of physics.
Gan is a member of UB's electrical engineering optics and photonics research group, which includes Cartwright, professors Edward Furlani and Pao-Lo Liu, and Natalia Litchinitser, associate professor.
The group carries out research in nanphotonics, biophotonics, hybrid inorganic/organic materials and devices, nonlinear and fiber optics, metamaterials, nanoplasmonics, optofluidics, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), biomedical microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMs), biosensing and quantum information processing.
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REBT ABC DISPUTING CHART (From The ABCs of REBT)
There are different approaches to the ABC model of rational thinkig of REBT. You may also want to see this alternative description of the ABCs. While it may seem odd at the beginning, you want to start somewhat backwards. Start with the (C) column.
The Consequences are what you feel about/from (A). So it makes sense to start there because that's what you actually feel first.
So, you'll now want to give your emotion a label: depression, guilt, anger, anxiety, etc.
Okay, now that you've identified the emotion (the C) and put it in the C (Unhealthy Consequences) box, go back and describe what was happening (put that in the A box). Note where you were, who was there, what was going on, etc. This is the (A) on the chart.
Next, think about all the stuff was happening with you when you were in the (A) situation. Write down all of the things you were saying to yourself. This is the first B in your chart, your Irrational Beliefs. Now you can see how your thoughts affect your emotions. Your thoughts about (A) lead to what you felt (C).
Okay, now you've got it all written out and you can look further at your thoughts. You can really examine those thoughts. Ask yourself some questions:
Is this stuff true to the best of my knowledge?
Does it help me to think this way?
Now that you've given your thoughts some examination, come up with some alternatives and record them in the B box under Rational Beliefs. These are thoughts that are going to help you rather than hinder you. Make sure they're true; no fair trying to fool yourself with false rationalizations. These Rational Beliefs have to be provable to be true, even though they were not the thoughts that first occurred to you.
Just as your original Irrational Beliefs led quite naturally to the Unhealthy Emotions, the new Rational Beliefs will lead to a more constructive reaction. If you really believed those alternative Rational Beliefs, what would your new emotional reaction be? Make some notes in the C box, under Healthy Consequences.
Your job is to then critically examine your interpretation (Disputing). If it doesn’t hold up, or does not work for you, come up with some interpretations that are workable (Rational Beliefs). Finally, see how the new interpretations (Rational Beliefs) would naturally lead to a more tempered, effective, and appropriate emotion (Healthy Emotion)
(A) ACTIVATING EVENT (Common situation that results in my feeling frustrated and upset)
1) irrational Beliefs that lead to (C)
2) rational Beliefs
(C) CONSEQUENCES (of A) (Frustrating reaction--your self defeating behaviors that you want to change) anger, anxiety, depression, guilt, self-loathing, feelings of worthlessness, awfulizing, horriblizing, low frustration tolerance, etc.)
(D) DISPUTE (Where is the evidence? Is my thinking logical? Is it true?)
Go here for a further explanation of the REBT ABC flow chart you may find helpful.
==Depression== ==Anxiety== ==Stress== ==Online Counseling== ==Anger== ==Articles== ==Free Newsletter== ==Links== ==Explanation of Counseling and Therapy==
=How to Benefit from Rational Emotive Behavior Counseling==


What is Gelatin?
Gelatin is an odorless, tasteless thickening agent that forms a gel when combined with liquid and heated. It is thermo-reversible, which means that the gel liquefies when heated above its melting point but regains a jelly-like consistency when cooled again. The melting point of gelatin is close to the body temperature of the animal from which it is made, which for mammals is around 99F/37C.
The raw material for gelatin is collagen, a naturally occurring pure protein, which is commercially produced from bones, cartilage, tendons, skin and connective tissue of various animals. Much of commercial gelatin today is a by-product of pigskin. Gelatin can also be extracted naturally in the home, for instance when boiling bones to make a stock or aspic.
Common examples of foods containing gelatin are molded desserts, cold soups, trifles, aspic, marshmallows, and confectioneries such as Peeps, gummy bears, candy corn, and jelly beans. Gelatin may also be used as a stabilizer, thickener, or texturizer in foods such as jams, yogurt, cream cheese, and margarine. It is often added to reduced-fat foods to simulate the mouthfeel of fat and to create volume without adding calories. Additionally, gelatin is used for the clarification of juices and vinegar.
Because gelatin is derived from animal hide and bone there are problems with regard to kosher and Halal status and many vegetarians also have objections to its use. In these cases, alternative choices include agar agar, guar gum, xanthan gum, pectin and kudzu.
What is Sheet/Leaf Gelatin?
Sheet Gelatin, also called Leaf Gelatin, works like granular gelatin found in your local grocery store, but in a different form. Rather than a powder, it is takes the shape of thin sheets or leaves of gelatin film. The sheets dissolve more slowly than the granulated form, but also produce a clearer gelled product.
Why Most Professionals Prefer Sheet/Leaf Gelatin over Powdered Varieties like Knox?
Professional cooks often use sheet/leaf gelatin because it makes a clearer gelatin with purer flavor. Many chefs also prefer sheets for ease of use. They allow for the counting of leaves rather than weighing out powder and there is no chance of undissolved granules. European recipes typically call for the use of leaf gelatin.
You can successfully substitute sheet gelatin for powdered gelatin in any recipe by using the following scaling.
1 (0.25 oz.) envelope granulated gelatin = 1 tablespoon powdered gelatin = 3 sheets leaf gelatin.
Whats the Deal with Bloom?
The term bloom with regard to gelatin can be a little confusing because it may be used in two different contexts.
One refers to the process of softening the gelatin in liquid prior to melting it. Recipes will often instruct you to bloom the gelatin in cold water for 5-10 minutes, which means to soak it.
You can bloom gelatin in just about any liquid. But you should avoid the fresh tropical fruit juices, such as papaya, kiwi, mango, and pineapple as they contain an enzyme (bromelin) that will break down the gelatin. However, pasteurizing kills the enzymes in these fruits, so canned or frozen juices are fine.
The other use of Bloom refers to the firmness of gelatin. A Bloom Gelometer, named after inventor Oscar T. Bloom, is used in a controlled process to measure the rigidity of a gelatin film. The measurement is called the Bloom Strength. A higher number indicates a stiffer product. Gelatin used in food usually runs from 125 Bloom to 250 Bloom. There are several different grades of sheet gelatin. The most popular are Silver grade (160 Bloom) and Gold grade (190220 Bloom). Typically the higher the Bloom, the more you can expect to pay.
How to use Sheet/Leaf Gelatin
Basic steps for using gelatin sheets:
- Soak sheets of gelatin in a bowl of cold/iced water for 5 to 10 minutes. (Use about 1 cup/250ml of cold water per sheet.)
- Once soft, lift sheets from the cold water.
- Wring gently to remove excess water.
- Add sheets to room temperature liquid called for in the recipe. Heat the mixture, stirring until the gelatin is dissolved. Do not boil or gelatin will not set. Do not add chilled liquids or mixtures to gelatin after it is dissolved or it will cause uneven setting.
Typical usage amounts:
- 3 Leaves Gelatin to 2 cups/500ml Liquid = Delicate Gel
Desserts made with gelatin should chill for at least eight hours, but twenty four hours is best. After twenty four hours, gelatin will not set any further.
Be aware that freezing gelatin will cause syneresis upon thawing. This is the disintegration of the gel, which is accompanied by the weeping of liquid from it.
Why Buy Gelatin Sheets/Leaves from Modernist Pantry?
Our bronze sheet gelatin is made in Germany from pork skin. It is a Type A gelatin, weighing approximately 3.3g per sheet. Our German-made sheets are the standard that chefs and recipes call for around the world.
One gold package contains 20g (10 sheets), which is the equivalent of 1 box of Knox Gelatine.


This condition can make you so thirsty you drink many glasses of water a day. As a result, you might go to the bathroom more than once or twice an hour. This isn’t a result of pregnancy but of diabetes insipidus, which is sometimes called "water" diabetes. It has symptoms like other forms of the disease, but isn’t related.
What Causes It?
It's rare, but sometimes during pregnancy, the placenta can make an enzyme that destroys vasopressin, a hormone that controls how much water you retain. The lack of it causes heavy thirst and frequent urination. Gestagenic DI can also lead to lack of control when you pee and to bedwetting.
In some cases, the disease runs in the family. In others, it's a problem with the way your body controls thirst. And sometimes the cause isn’t known.
What Are the Symptoms?
How Is It Diagnosed?
Your doctor will test your urine to see if it’s light and diluted or concentrated and yellow. They may also send your blood out for lab tests.
How Is It Treated?
The doctor may opt not to treat gestagenic DI. If that’s the case, they’ll likely ask you to come to the office a lot. They’ll make sure your body doesn’t retain too much fluid. You'll also need to keep liquids with you so you don't get dehydrated.
You may need to take desmopressin, a man-made form of vasopressin. It usually comes as a nasal spray. This treatment helps control urine. It also stops bedwetting by letting your body to absorb and manage water from your kidneys.
If your body's thirst control is the cause of gestational DI, your doctor will prescribe other treatments.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
See your doctor if you’re pregnant and have all of these symptoms:
- You make frequent trips to the bathroom, especially at night.
- You have a heavy thirst.
- You drink much more than your normal daily amount.
Most cases go away within 4 to 6 weeks after you give birth. But it may return with future pregnancies.


Healthy food isn’t always tasty. But with regards to bananas, this isn’t the case. Which is why it’s doubly pleasing to learn that they not only bring satisfaction to your taste buds but also a great many benefits to your health.
We at Bright Side have gathered together all the evidence showing why eating just two bananas a day can seriously improve your health.
1. Arterial pressure will return to normal
Bananas reduce high blood pressure thanks to the fact that they contain around 420 mg of potassium.
2. Excess weight disappears
Bananas are rich in fiber, which makes you no longer want to eat once consumed.
Bananas also contain a kind of starch that reduces your appetite and stops you gaining weight. It reduces the level of sugar in your blood and raises your body’s sensitivity to insulin. If your body’s cells aren’t sensitive to insulin, they can’t absorb glucose, and your pancreas begins to produce it in larger quantities. Whether the body accumulates fat depends on the insulin present.
3. The risk of anemia falls
Anemia causes paleness, tiredness, and breathlessness. It’s the result of a reduction in red blood cells and a low level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Bananas contain a lot of iron, which stimulates the production of red blood cells. Bananas also contain vitamin B6, which regulates blood glucose levels, helping people with anemia.
4. Digestion improves
Bananas are easily digested and don’t irritate the gastro-intestinal tract. Resistant starch contained in bananas is not digested and ends up in the large intestine where it serves as an effective nutritional medium for healthy bacteria.
Bananas can be eaten when a person has gastritis and heartburn, and they restore the minerals lost when a person suffers from diarrhea.
5. Stress levels will fall
Bananas improve your mood. They contain tryptophan, which is required by our bodies in order to receive serotonin (the “happiness hormone”).
On average, each banana contains around 27 mg of magnesium. This mineral is responsible for producing a good mood and healthy sleep.
6. Your vitamin deficit will be filled up
Bananas are rich in vitamin B6. On average, one banana contains around 20% of your daily requirement of vitamin B6. This helps your body produce insulin, hemoglobin, and amino acids that are needed for the creation of healthy cells.
Although we usually think that oranges and strawberries contain the greatest amount of vitamin C, bananas actually contain 15% of our daily norm of this important substance.
Vitamin C is an important anti-oxidant that neutralizes harmful free radicals (active molecules with insufficient electrons that can destroy the body’s cells). It also helps keep blood vessels healthy and produces collagen.
7. Your energy levels will increase
The potassium contained in bananas protects your muscles from cramps, whilst the carbohydrates provide you with enough energy to endure a heavy workout.


Read the writing: Loops and squiggles tell a lot
Handwriting analysis is no longer for freaks and psychics. Multinational companies hire handwriting analysts to understand personality traits of prospective job candidates. Character traits that matter during the hiring process– creativity, self-esteem, leadership, and optimism, for example– are revealed in one's handwriting.
You should learn how to analyze your co-workers' handwriting and your own to give yourself an edge at work. I have found that the basics of analysis are quick and easy to learn. Getting along with other people and knowing yourself are essential pieces to career success, and analyzing people's handwriting can help you speed up the process. Here are some examples:
Get along with people better
Knowing someone's personality traits is invaluable for collaborating with and motivating that person. Depending on that person to tell you his or her own traits is risky. Most people don't know themselves well enough; even focus group leaders don't bother to ask people directly what they like anymore.
Fortunately, with very little expertise, you can use handwriting to evaluate someone's dominant traits. For example, someone with a signature that leaves a lot of space between first and last names is not going to be an intimate, emotional person, so you can stop trying to forge that kind of relationship. If the first and last names overlap, that person is relationship-oriented and probably wants more than long-distance management from you.
Make better career choices
You can also use handwriting analysis to gauge your own dominant traits. Then you can figure out which career is best for the type of person you are.
For example, you can learn what sort of handwriting is appropriate for the job you aim for, and compare your own handwriting to that standard. Angular is appropriate for a programmer and inappropriate for a sales person. Perfect, schoolteacher writing reveals the need to establish order and would be a bad sign if you aspired to the freethinking required of an inventor.
Handwriting really does reflect your true self. So if you discover your penmanship does not reflect traits necessary for the career you have in mind, ask yourself if you are even in the right field.
Improve your image
Handwriting is like clothing. Your audience cannot help but evaluate your message by what it looks like. You wouldn't wear sweatpants to an important meeting, and you wouldn't wear a ball gown, either. Take the same care with your handwriting.
For example, in a note to your boss, if your letters are rigid and perfect you will project the image of someone who is anal, inflexible, and non-visionary. Fine if you are an accountant, not fine if you want to be CFO. If you scrawl a quick, barely legible note to your boss, you seem to be more involved in your own ideas than in the people around you. You might project the image of an eccentric artistic genius, but if you aspire to management, write more legibly.
You also project self-esteem in your signature. I am shocked at how many people have a very tiny signature. You need no training in handwriting analysis to know that this is an expression of low self-esteem. Even if you feel like you want to disappear, force yourself to sign your name like you want people to see it.
To all you doubters, test the theory. Get a handwriting analysis book from the library. You only need to skim a few pages to get an idea of what to look for. Then take handwriting samples from people you know well and evaluate them. I bet you'll find the rules of analysis depict an accurate view of that person.
When you add handwriting analysis to your career arsenal, start out small– look at different loops and slopes and figure out what they mean. After a while, you'll find that handwriting analysis actually feels intuitive; and like all good insights, once you have it, it'll seem obvious, and acting on results of handwriting analysis will make as much sense to you as it does to those multinational companies.


Having a bee brain might not be so bad after all, since new research shows that bees are faster than supercomputers when it came to solving one of those dreadful “word problems” from (probably very advanced) high school math class.
“There is a common perception that smaller brains constrain animals to be simple reflex machines. But our work with bees shows advanced cognitive capacities with very limited neuron numbers.”
The problem is called the traveling salesman problem, and the bees’ lives actually depend on solving it every day. The traveling salesman needs to visit a number of cities in the shortest amount of time, without repeating a visit. The traveling bumblebee needs to visit a number of flowers everyday, while expending as little energy as possible. Queen Mary University of London researcher Lars Chittka explained in the press release why studying bees’ habits is important:
Two researchers have found that, as these male fish prepare to breed, they ignore the group and go off alone to explore their environment in the hunt for food. At the same time, egg-bearing female fish do the opposite, sticking more closely to the pack and copying others’ behaviors to find food.
The researchers from the University of St. Andrews published these findings today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society Series B. They suspect that staying with the group helps save the females from predators and conserve their energy, while venturing out alone might help males find other food sources more efficiently. Coauthor Kevin Laland explains:
“While copying others is less risky, it can also be less accurate, compared to collecting firsthand information. The hormonal changes that cause a male to enter his reproductive phase may also be responsible for this transition to more antisocial behaviour.”
Mike Webster of the University of St. Andrews, who coauthored the study with Laland, invoked the clichéd male driver refusing to ask for directions–but with a twist.
“We are all familiar with the stereotype of males refusing to ask for directions–this might apply to fish too, but only when they are preparing to breed.”
Discoblog: Prozac Ocean: Fish Absorb Our Drugs, and Suffer For It
Discoblog: Bizarro Animal Sex Story of the Day
Discoblog: Charge by the Hour? Scottish Volunteers Build Mating Motel for Frogs
DISCOVER: Ladies’ Night in Animal Kingdom
Image: Press Office, University of St Andrews
Some damselfish have sensitive stomachs, but they certainly aren’t in distress. They can hold their own, researchers have recently determined, by diligently farming their preferred algae crops.
We’re not that special.
At least, not for the reasons we thought we were. Our knack for acting altruistically, for communicating, for putting a complicated brain to good use: We’ve claimed all these as our own, as the things that set humans apart from every other species.
But recently, science has shown that we have a lot more in common with other animals, from bonobos to bees, than you might expect. On Saturday, five researchers helped set the public record straight by busting up a few humanocentric myths during “All Creatures Great and Smart,” a panel event at the World Science Festival in New York.
Myth #1: Humans are the only altruistic animals.
From proffering a shovel in the sandbox to writing a check to our favorite charity, humans commit altruistic acts whenever they do something for someone else without any concrete benefit for themselves. But you can cross sharing off the “uniquely human” list; in a simple experiment, anthropologist Brian Hare demonstrated that bonobos do it, too.
Alone in a room with some delectable snacks, each bonobo in the study had two choices: Enjoy the snacks on his own, or open a door to let another bonobo in an adjoining room come share the feast. Hare found that, time and again, bonobos in this situation chose to voluntarily share.
“It could be that they feel bad for the other guy, or maybe they’re just being politicians,” sharing now with the expectation they’ll be shared with later, Hare said. “Or maybe they just want to go on a blind date.” The fact that altruism might come with an agenda doesn’t make the bonobos’ actions any less remarkable, Hare added. These same motivations prompt a lot of the sharing we do, too.
Chalk up another mark of chimpanzee intelligence–they not only use tools for gathering food, but also to improve their sex lives.
The chimps don’t have to duck into a sex shop to gather their erotic implements—the tools they use literally grow on trees. Researchers have documented chimps in a Tanzanian colony using brittle leaves in their mating rituals.
In a botanical bit of foreplay, the male chimps grab dry leaves and break them apart with their hands or mouths, creating a distinctive raspy sound that signals their sexual readiness. Think of it as the chimp equivalent of putting “Let’s Get It On” on the stereo.
As researcher William McGrew explains (slightly graphically) to The New York Times:
We’ve all seen this scene being played out in the local park: When a guy walks a cute dog, people don’t hesitate to approach him to strike up a conversation about schnauzer breeds. Or there’s the guy-with-a-baby scenario, in which the baby-hauling dad is perceived as friendly and non-threatening (not to mention irresistible to some women).
Now, new research from France suggests that male Barbary macaques may be onto the same “baby effect” strategy. The study found that male macaques with an infant were more likely to make male monkey buddies, as the presence of a tiny, defenseless baby immediately breaks down barriers.
The study, which is due to be published in the journal Animal Behavior, is also the first to demonstrate that infants can serve as social tools for some primates, writes Discovery News.
Many cat owners worry/wonder about what their buddies are up to while the humans are away at work. Are they eating the houseplants? Sleeping on the kitchen counter? Prowling next door to bother the neighbors’ pet bird?
Now, researchers in Japan hope to bridge the gap between humans and their pets by rigging cats with sensing devices that help owners track their felines’ activities.
Cat@Log, one such sensing device, allows you to snoop on your cat as he goes about his daily schedule.
You can track his movements, map his territory, and even see what he sees thanks to a bulky device that can be strapped on your kitty’s collar. The tech site Recombu says that Cat@Log comes loaded with a camera, microphone, microSD card, an accelerometer, Bluetooth, and GPS.
Saturday was a big day for the world’s worm charmers: The 30th annual World Worm Charming Championships took place in the U.K. Competitors aimed to draw as many earthworms out of the soil as possible using techniques from tap dancing to rock music, and a 10-year-old girl emerged victorious after raising a record 567 of the wigglers in half an hour.
Research shows that creating vibrations draws worms from the soil to the surface by mimicking the sensation of a burrowing mole, which feeds on worms, according to an NPR interview with Mike Forster, the chief wormer and founder of the International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes . The Telegraph reports:
“The weather is a big factor,” says Mike Forster, a retired policeman. “When it’s warm, with a bit of moisture in the air like today you’d expect a good score, but there are still a lot of things we don’t understand.” Including, precisely, how the art of charming works. For many years it was presumed that the vibrations created by noise, fooled the worms into thinking it was raining. Apparently uncomfortable in wet soil they instinctively head for the surface.
But, recently, this theory has come under scientific challenge. Last year, in a breakthrough piece of research, Professor Kenneth Catania, an American neuroscientist, specialising in sonic phenomena, argued that the vibrations created by the best charmers, uncannily replicated those produced by moles. Moles are a worm’s worst nightmare, with the shovel-footed beasts able to eat their weight in worm every day.
Worm charming is not for the faint of heart; sometimes it requires tap dancing on a plank to the Star Wars theme song, and apparently new techniques continue to emerge.
The forests of Africa can be a rough place to keep a family together. How do female gorillas keep everyone in line? They clap their hands!
A new study shows that adult female lowland gorillas clap their hands to attract the attention of adult silverbacks and infants. The researchers saw one infant stop playing upon hearing its mother’s clap, while the other adults stopped foraging. Four other mothers were observed clapping their hands twice in rapid succession when infants were present.
Mormon crickets have no taste in music, and Nevadans are using it against them. Residents of Tuscarora are getting ready to blast their boomboxes to ward off the crickets’ semi-annual invasion, after the townsfolk realized three years ago that the pests don’t like Led Zeppelin or the Rolling Stones.
Mormon crickets are a real problem in northern Nevada and other parts of the Great Basin: They march in columns up to two miles long and one mile wide from about May through August. They hatch in April and invade all aspects of life before they finally lay eggs and die. They destroy crops, invade people’s homes (one resident said, “You’ll wake up and there’ll be one sitting on your forehead, looking at you”), and clog roadways—even requiring snowplows to clear out their piled-up carcasses.


All RF Cafe quizzes would make perfect fodder for employment interviews for technicians or engineers - particularly those who are fresh out
of school or are relatively new to the work world. Come to think of it, they would make equally excellent study material for the same persons
who are going to be interviewed for a job.
Click here for the complete list of RF Cafe
Note: Many answers contain passages quoted in whole or in part from the text.
quiz is based on the information presented in Frequency-Agile Antennas for Wireless Communications,
by Aldo Petosa.
Graciously provided by
1. To which class of antennas do frequency agile antennas (FAAs) belong?
a) Federal aviation antennas (FAAs)
b) Passive integrated antennas (PIAs)
c) Active integrated antennas (AIAs)
d) Cross-Influenced Antennas (CIAs)
2. How does antenna gain differ from antenna directivity?
a) There is no difference
b) Gain only applies to active antennas
Gain can only be positive whereas directivity can be negative
d) Gain accounts for losses
as well as directivity
3. What are the two types of tuning
used in FAAs?
a) Discrete and continuous
b) High power and low power
c) Manual and automatic
d) Electronic and mechanical
When did microstrip antennas start coming into common use?
a) In the 1920s
In the 1950s
c) In the 1970s
d) In the 1990s
For which microstrip patch antenna formats does Frequency-Agile Antennas for Wireless Communications
provide field equations?
a) Rectangular, dipole, circular, and annular (ring)
b) Spherical and tesseractical
c) Cubical and spherical
6. What type of tuning is typically available
a) Changing one or more physical dimensions
b) Altering material
c) Switching and/or tunable electronics
d) All the above
7. How can the permittivity of ferroelectric substrates be altered?
a) By applying a mechanical stress
b) By applying an electric field
By harmonic inversion
d) By optical manipulation
What methods of mechanical tuning are practical for frequency agile antennas (FAAs)?
Electrostatic and magnetostatic
c) Hydraulic and pneumatic
d) All the above
9. What is a major advantage of liquid
crystals over ferroelectric substrates?
a) Lower bias voltage
c) Higher bandwidth
d) Larger physical size
10. What is the most widely used component type for continuous tuning
a) Schottky diodes
Need some help? Click here for the
answers and explanations.


Space shortages in countries around the world are raising a daunting question: where to lay dead bodies to rest. This month in Oslo, Norway, architecture student Martin McSherry presented a "vertical cemetery" design to the Oslo Conference for Nordic Cemeteries and Graveyards as a solution to the country's growing burial land problem.
The white, airy skyscraper design looks almost like a gigantic honeycomb with triangular caverns. According to McSherry, the building would feature "an adjoining, permanent crane" that would lift coffins up to the empty slots. The tower would also grow over time, using the crane to add more slots as more burial space is needed. Not surprisingly, the proposal was met with a ton of protests, but also had a few supporters.
Norway has been dealing with a land scarcity problem for a while. The country has put systems into place to address the burial land concern, such as allotting just two decades for a person in their burial spot before the land is reused for another body. The situation got so bad that a new industry popped up: some graveyard workers started injecting coffins from above with a limestone compound that speeds up the decomposition process of bodies so spaces would become free faster. But even that hasn't fixed the problem, and now there are few, if any, burial sites left for Norwegians who have passed on.
There are few, if any, burial sites left
Many countries are in the same position as Norway, including the United States. Urban planning professor Chris Coutts told Atlantic Cities that if all the 76 million Americans expected to die between 2024 and 2042 were to be buried, it would require a 130-square-mile parcel of land, around the size of Las Vegas.
The skyscraper design might be new, but vertical burial sites are not. People have been creating them for ages, not only for space conservation, but because they simply get the job done. Necropoli have popped up all over European nations as they've invested in stacked burial plots. Even New Orleans has turned to vertical plots to avoid damage to caskets from floods and storms in low-lying cities. The tallest cemetery in the world, however, is in Brazil: the Memorial Necropole Ecumenica has been home to the city's dead for 28 years, keeping thousands of bodies in its 32 stories.
All of those vertical cemeteries have something that the skyscraper design currently doesn't have: a separation between life and death. Norwegians may have had a visceral reaction against the design because, as a society, we worry about the moral issue of death, preserving the dignity of the dead, and our discomfort of death being put on display. The grand and ostentatious qualities of a skyscraper aren't what we're used to associating with our dead. But we might have to in the future, as space continues to vanish.


Childbirth and breastfeeding have significant, but opposite, effects on long-term weight, according to a study of 740,000 post-menopausal women.
Scientists found the more children a woman had, the heavier she was likely to be in later life. But average body mass index (BMI), a standard measurement relating weight and height, was lower in women who breastfed, irrespective of how many times they had given birth.
Every six months of breastfeeding reduced a woman's long-term BMI by 1%, the research showed. This was after taking account of factors known to influence obesity risk, such as smoking, exercise and social deprivation.
Professor Dame Valerie Beral, director of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University, a member of the study team, said: "Our research suggests that just six months of breastfeeding by UK women could reduce their risk of obesity in later life.
"A 1% reduction in BMI may seem small, but spread across the population of the UK, it could mean about 10,000 fewer premature deaths per decade from obesity-related conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers."
The study, which was funded by Cancer Research UK and the Medical Research Council, is reported in the International Journal of Obesity.
Professor Dame Sally Macintyre, director of the MRC/Chief Scientist Office Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, based at Glasgow University, said: "The obesity epidemic is one of the biggest challenges facing both high-income and, increasingly, low and middle-income countries.
"Rates of obesity are continuing to rise. Studies such as this one, which look at broad trends within a large population, can help us to develop effective strategies to prevent obesity and its related diseases."
The research formed part of the Million Women Study, a major investigation into reproductive and lifestyle factors affecting women's health.
Participants had an average age of 57.5 and BMI of 26.2, which is classified as "overweight". A BMI of 30 marks the point at which an overweight person becomes obese.
Most of the women had given birth to at least one child and of these, 70% had breastfed for an average 7.7 months.
Previous research had shown that breastfeeding can help women lose the weight they put on during pregnancy in the months immediately after birth. However, the long-term impact of breastfeeding was unclear.
Lead author Dr Kirsty Bobrow, also from Oxford University, said: "We already know breastfeeding is best for babies, and this study adds to a growing body of evidence that the benefits extend to the mother as well – even 30 years after she's given birth.
"Pregnant women should be made aware of these benefits to help them make an informed choice about infant feeding."
Sara Hiom, from Cancer Research UK, said: "We already know breastfeeding can reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer.
"And this study highlights breastfeeding may also be linked to weight. Weight in turn influences the likelihood of developing some cancers as well as other diseases."
She added: "Too few people know about the significant cancer risks associated with being very overweight."


Scientists can now monitor and record the activity of hundreds of neurons concurrently in the brain, and ongoing technology developments promise to increase this number manyfold. However, simply recording the neural activity does not automatically lead to a clearer understanding of how the brain works.
In a new review paper published in Nature Neuroscience, Carnegie Mellon University's Byron M. Yu and Columbia University's John P. Cunningham describe the scientific motivations for studying the activity of many neurons together, along with a class of machine learning algorithms -- dimensionality reduction -- for interpreting the activity.
In recent years, dimensionality reduction has provided insight into how the brain distinguishes between different odors, makes decisions in the face of uncertainty and is able to think about moving a limb without actually moving. Yu and Cunningham contend that using dimensionality reduction as a standard analytical method will make it easier to compare activity patterns in healthy and abnormal brains, ultimately leading to improved treatments and interventions for brain injuries and disorders.
"One of the central tenets of neuroscience is that large numbers of neurons work together to give rise to brain function. However, most standard analytical methods are appropriate for analyzing only one or two neurons at a time. To understand how large numbers of neurons interact, advanced statistical methods, such as dimensionality reduction, are needed to interpret these large-scale neural recordings," said Yu, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and biomedical engineering at CMU and a faculty member in the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC).
The idea behind dimensionality reduction is to summarize the activity of a large number of neurons using a smaller number of latent (or hidden) variables. Dimensionality reduction methods are particularly useful to uncover inner workings of the brain, such as when we ruminate or solve a mental math problem, where all the action is going on inside the brain and not in the outside world. These latent variables can be used to trace out the path of ones thoughts.
"One of the major goals of science is to explain complex phenomena in simple terms. Traditionally, neuroscientists have sought to find simplicity with individual neurons. However, it is becoming increasingly recognized that neurons show varied features in their activity patterns that are difficult to explain by examining one neuron at a time. Dimensionality reduction provides us with a way to embrace single-neuron heterogeneity and seek simple explanations in terms of how neurons interact with each other," said Cunningham, assistant professor of statistics at Columbia.
Although dimensionality reduction is relatively new to neuroscience compared to existing analytical methods, it has already shown great promise. With Big Data getting ever bigger thanks to the continued development of neural recording technologies and the federal BRAIN Initiative, the use of dimensionality reduction and related methods will likely become increasingly essential.
- John P Cunningham, Byron M Yu. Dimensionality reduction for large-scale neural recordings. Nature Neuroscience, 2014; DOI: 10.1038/nn.3776
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An enormous international team of experts, almost 500 members strong, has developed a ranking system of the ten most important phytopathogenic fungi on a scientific and economic level. Topping the list is the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae.
A survey conducted among the researchers resulted in a list of the most important phytopathogenic fungi, with each researcher choosing three that he or she thought most significant. The fungi that received the most votes formed the list.
Published in the journal Molecular Plant Pathology, the fungi on the list were analyzed by an expert in the field. Antonio Di Pietro from the University of Cordoba is one of those experts, describing the fungus Fusarium oxysporum that is number five on the list.
“Most of the pathogens on the list attack cereals like rice, wheat and maize. This is logical considering the huge importance of these crops in world agriculture”, explained Di Pietro.
“Nonetheless, it is important to highlight the presence of the fungi in second and fifth place on the list (Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum, respectively). These are generalist, wide-ranging pathogens which can cause damage in more than one hundred different crop species” the researcher added.
The rice blast fungus, at number one on the list, received nearly twice the votes of the number two species. Rice blast devastates rice paddies, which are the food base for more than half the world’s population. Second place belongs to the botrytis bunch rot fungus, Botrytis cinerea, which is a wide-ranging pathogen. Unlike most of the other fungi on the list, boytrytis has positive uses due to its role in some stages of wine production.
The third place species includes the genus Puccinia, which mainly affect wheat crops. Fourth and fifth places are both from the Fusarium genus. Fusarium graminearum damages cereal plantations and Fusarium oxysporum affects tomatoes, cotton and bananas.
Sixth and seventh place go to other cereal pathogens, Blumeria graminis and Mycosphaerella graminicola.
Number eight is from the Colletrotrichum genus which attacks fruit and ornamental plants.
In ninth place is the corn smut fungus, Ustilago maydis. This is an edible fungus native to Mexico that made the list for its scientific interest as it has no particularly devastating effects.
Numbers nine and ten, Melampsora lini, both have important uses in the study of molecular bases of plant immunity and infection.
Di Pietro said, “the authors are trying to inform the public about the importance of phytopathogenic fungi as they represent a growing threat to global agriculture.”


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Paper Writing Outline
- Consider the purpose of the paper - to reflect, report, persuade, explain, etc.
- Identify the audience - a particular set of readers with specific needs, expectations, educational levels
- Set the tone - the attitude you adopt as you write -- sympathetic, superior, lighthearted, respectful, detached, objective, etc.
- Choose a topic
- Finding something to say - brainstorming, reading and observing, clustering ideas, free writing, asking questions (who, what, when, where, why, how)
Shaping your material
- Identify three or four general categories of information that best represents your material
- Develop a thesis - one that communicates the main idea, is carefully worded, and delineates your direction, emphasis and scope.
Writing a Rough Draft
- Write with revision in mind -- write every other line or type triple-space
- Is you tone consistent?
- Is the thesis clearly and specifically worded?
- Have you discussed everything promised in your thesis?
- Did you present your ideas in a logical sequence?
- Do clear transitions between paragraphs allow your readers to follow your thoughts?
- Are your paragraphs developed fully enough to support your points?
- Are the relationships of the sentences within paragraphs clear?
- Does your concluding paragraph(s) sum up your main points?
- Have you used correct sentence structure?
- Have you varied your sentence structure?
- Have you avoided confusing shifts in tense, voice, mood, person, or number?
- Have you selected words that accurately reflect your intentions?
- Have you eliminated jargon, clichés, and ineffective figures of speech?
- Edit for grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.
- Edit again
- Check for typographical errors
- Make sure your paper conforms to your instructor’s format requirements


Are you in the midst of preparing for an XML interview? Then this blog is a must-read for you. We have collated a list of XML-related questions that you will most probably be asked during your interview. However, before we jump into the details, let us first understand the basics.
Markup languages are designed for the presentation of text in various formats and can also be used for storing and transporting data. A markup language specifies the code for layout, formatting, and style of data. The markup code is known as a Tag. HTML and XML are examples of markup languages.
HTML, or the Hypertext Markup Language, is the standard markup language for pages designed to be displayed in a Web browser.
XML stands for Extensible Markup Language. It is a markup language that is quite similar to HTML; however, it does not comprise predefined tags to use. Instead, one has to define tags based on their exclusive requirements. This is an extremely powerful way for data to be kept in a format that can be stored, searched, and shared. Also, since the basic format of XML is standardized, recipients can still parse the data if one shares or transmits XML across platforms or systems, either over the internet or locally. It is a text-based form to encode structured data that comprises transactions, books, documents, invoices, data, settings, etc. The initial name for XML was SGML; however, later, it was renamed and enhanced to XML to accommodate the new development and wide usage of the Web in recent years.
There are various languages based on XML, for example, MathML, XHTML, RSS, SVG, and RDF. You can also choose to define your own language based on XML.
Following are the key features of XML:
- Very easy to understand, learn, and then implement.
- XML files are plain text files, and there is no requirement for an editor.
- There are minimal and a restricted number of syntax rules in XML.
- The language is extensible, and it specifies the structural rules of tags.
25 Questions to Prepare for an XML Interview
These days, with the increasing usage and exposure to XML, it is typical for organizations to be looking for XML experts and developers to be hired in their organizations. Following are 25 questions that you may be asked by interviewers as you apply for XML-related positions. We have also provided the best answers to these questions.
1. Why are you interested in this particular vacancy?
“I have always had a passion for the computer science field. I truly believe that this opportunity would help me apply the knowledge and skills that I have acquired during my four years of Computer Science Bachelor’s degree. Also, a job offer with this organization will help me grow in my career path and will simultaneously make way for personal and professional achievements while meeting the vision of this company.”
2. Briefly explain what you understand about XML.
XML is the shortened term for Extensible Markup Language. It is more precise and flexible and is used to improve the Web’s function by enabling you to recognize the data in a highly adaptive manner. XML is different from HTML as it enables you to design your own markup languages for an unlimited type and number of documents.
3. What do you think are the key roles of an XML developer?
One of the key roles of an XML developer is executing diagnostic tests and resolving issues, aside from providing support to the tasks that need to be completed. XML developers are also responsible for documenting the processes of XML development and ensuring that all reports, designs, and standards are documented correctly. They are also responsible for increasing the delivery of virtual content across Web-based applications. Last but not least, they have to monitor the data duplication.
4. Briefly explain the functions of XML?
XML is used to transport data where the main focus is on what the data is. XML is also used to store data in simple text format, which allows for independent ways to store, transport, and share data in both hardware and software. XML is one of the most preferred markup languages as it is extensible and easy to implement.
5. When would XML be preferred over SQL?
SQL is a great choice for tabular data or information that fits effortlessly into columns and rows’ while XML is perfect for hierarchical data or data that has numerous levels of varying sizes. SQL is also useful for storing and searching data, while XML is used for both formatting and conveying data. Instead of designing a whole database, you can use XML. However, you must consider the type and amount of data you want to retain, as well as your justifications for not using a database.
6. Define XML DOM?
DOM is the abbreviation for Document Object Model. It addresses how to access and operate documents in a reliable manner. DOM is an XML and HTML document programming interface. It explains how documents are retrieved and changed, as well as their logical structure. One of the main objectives of DOM as a W3C definition is to offer a common programming interface that can be utilized in a wide range of applications and settings.
7. What are the advantages of an XML DOM?
Following are the advantages of XML DOM:
- XML structure can be modified and values can be added, edited, and deleted.
- XML structure is traversable, and it can be accessed randomly by traversing the tree.
8. How is HTML different from XML?
XML stores and transfers data, while HTML displays data and defines a Web Page structure. XML is a standard language that can describe additional computer languages, while HTML is a predetermined language with its own consequences.
9. Define XML Schema?
XML Schema is also known as XML Schema Definition(XSD). It defines and authenticates the content and structure of XML data. The attributes, elements, and data types are defined by the XML schema. Schema elements support namespaces. It is similar to a database schema, which defines the database data.
10. What do you think are the qualities needed by an XML developer to be effective?
A successful XML developer must possess good knowledge of programming and markup languages and should be able to apply the knowledge of programming tools. They must also have strong problem-solving and analytical skills to be able to adapt to any issues that may occur during programming processes.
11. What is XML Element?
An XML document comprises XML Elements and begins from an element’s start tag to the end tag. An XML element can include:
- Other elements within the main element
- An Attribute
12. Explain some of the common rules while writing XML code.
Some of the main points that should be kept in mind while writing XML are:
- Tags are case-sensitive and always need to be closed.
- Tag names cannot include spaces.
- All tags need to be nested properly.
- The white space in XML must be reserved, and all XML should comprise root elements.
- Another thing is that tag names for XML cannot have spaces.
- Attribute values should be specified within quotes.
13. What is an attribute?
An attribute offers extra or additional information about an element than otherwise. Example:
The attribute name can be given to an element person.
14. Can we have empty XML tags?
Yes, an XML document can have empty tags. Empty tags are used to specify elements that do not include textual content. Empty tags can be represented as:
15. How would you define a well-designed XML Document?
A well-designed XML document needs to abide by all common rules while being written. All XML code needs to comprise a single root element that is made up of all other elements that have to be nested properly. It is essential to be careful with the tags.
16. Which are the XML tools that you are familiar with?
“There are multiple XML tools that one can use while designing, editing, and also changing XML documents. Some of the tools that I am well versed with are Liquid Studio, XSL checkers, and Oxygen XML. I have worked with these tools during my study years and in my previous organization. I also love to explore new tools from time to time as one tool could have better features compared to the other and I am always open to learning and using new tools as and when required.”
17. Mention some of the benefits of XML?
Following are some of the advantages of XML:
- XML is a human and not a computer language. This markup language can easily be understood also by novices, and just like HTML, it is not very difficult to code.
- XML is compatible with JavaTM and is also completely portable. The data can be used by any application that can process XML, irrespective of the platform.
- XML can be extended. One can design their own tags or also use tags created by others that use the domain's natural language and have attributes based on specific requirements.
18. Define HttpRequest in XML?
19. What is XPath?
XPath is used to locate information in an XML document and includes standard functions. It is the key element in XSLT, and it is W3C recommended. Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations (XSLT) is an XML-based language used in combination with specialized processing software for the conversion of XML documents.
20. What is DTD?
DTD is the abbreviation of Document Type Definition. DTD defines the tree structure of a document and provides some information about its data. It is a set of markup assertions that describe a type of document for the SGML family, such as GML, HTML, SGML, and XML. A DTD can be specified inline or also as an external reference within an XML document. The DTD indicates how many times a node should be displayed and how the child nodes should be ordered. CDATA and PCDATA are the two data types.
- CDATA is character data that is not generally parsed.
- PCDATA is character data that has been parsed.
21. Which tag is used to locate the version of XML and the syntax?
To see the XML version, we can use the DOM tag. The DOM tag is the root of the content tree and denotes an entire HTML or XML document. It has numerous characteristics, such as XML version, encoding, and so on.
Syntax: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
22. Define SAX in XML?
SAX is an online algorithm for parsing XML documents. It is event-driven and includes an API that is designed by the XML-DEV mailing list. SAX offers a mechanism for reading data from an XML document that is an alternative to what is provided by DOM. With SAX, parsers are used to process XML documents. The parser reads the XML document, confirms that it is well-designed, and validates it against a schema or DTD if it is a validating parser.
23. What is XML Signature?
The XML Signature is a method of linking a key with referred data (octets); it does not describe how keys are lined with people or institutions, nor does it describe the data that is being referenced and signed. As a result, while the XML signature is a crucial component of safe and secure XML applications, it is not capable of managing all application trust/security concerns, specifically when employing signed XML (or other data formats) as the basis of human-to-human agreement and communication.
24. How can you open an XML file?
XML files can be opened in a number of ways as they are text files. If the XML file needs to be opened on a frequent basis, then one can use their preferred browser. Use a text editor or an online XML editor on your computer if you need to inspect, modify, and reformat XML files.
25. How to convert XML to excel?
You can convert an XML document to Excel by:
- Open the Excel file into which the data needs to be imported.
- Switch to the Data tab.
- From the Get and Transform group, select Get Data.
- From the drop-down menu, select From Other Sources.
- Select From Web.
- Specify the URL for the XML data in the From Web dialog box.
- Click OK.
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To summarize, it is essential to be able to demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skillset, and confidence related to XML coding during an XML interview. Other than your technical skills, it would help if you displayed a sense of responsibility, leadership, and collaborative skills to increase your chances of bagging the job. Make an impactful first impression with your thorough, smart, and precise answers.
Best of luck with your interviews!


Nursing Care Plan for: Impaired Verbal Communication related to aphasia, deaf, hard of hearing, intubation, and mute. This article provides an extensive list of reading strategies for students with aphasia. This means that they are taking a semantic-phonological approach to treatment of word retrieval. A comprehensive assessment of language skills with appropriate instruments in different phases of post stroke months and years is needed in patients, in order to monitor their language improvement and to guide speech therapies over time. Turn off the radio and TV. 1999;14:277–307. The term primary progressive aphasia (PPA) describes a group of neurodegenerative disorders with predominant speech and language dysfunction as their main feature. Recovery from nonfluent aphasia after melodic intonation therapy: a PET study. You DS, Kim DY, Chun MH, et al. Transcranial direct current stimulation improves naming reaction time in fluent aphasia: a double-blind, sham-controlled study. The authors looked at ten studies and found that CILT did show some positive effects on improving language in people with aphasia. Aphasia may also be due to the brain losing function, such as with Alzheimer disease. Article It is caused by brain dysfunction, most commonly as a result of stroke. (2019). No two people with aphasia are alike with respect to severity, former speech and language skills, or personality. While much of the research in the area of CILT involved people with chronic aphasia who habitually used compensatory techniques for improved communication, a smaller focus of clinical research in this area includes more recent stroke survivors. J Neurol Neurosurg. Sometimes aphasia improves on its own without treatment. Improving Daily Communication. Intervention descriptions published separately from the intervention study (i.e. Specifically, imaging studies have indicated that activation of the language-dominant left hemisphere regions during language-related tasks has consistently been shown to have the most favorable influence on language outcomes [22–25] and includes both the reactivation of lesioned structures and also the recruitment of additional, perilesional areas. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. Task-dependent changes in brain activiation following therapy for nonfluent aphasia: discussion of two individual cases. Stimulating the right hemisphere Broca’s homolog using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which may decrease activation in this region, can support leftward lateralization and is associated with improved language recovery compared to sham stimulation in subacute stroke . 2008;39(4):2038–46. In this project, the investigators will investigate the effects of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), escitalopram, on augmenting language therapy effectiveness, as measured by naming untrained pictures and describing pictures, in individuals with aphasia in the acute and subacute post stroke period (i.e., within three months post stroke). ASPIRE: Aphasia Intervention description in research. Article 2001;32:1621–6. ioral intervention that focus on areas such as word ﬁnding  and grammar . Interventions to aid a patient who has aphasia Cornell Note-Taking System Instructions: Record: During the lecture, use the note-taking column to record the lecture using telegraphic sentences. Fortunately, the Life Participation Approach empowers SLPs and their patients (and families) at every step of aphasia intervention with goals that can be both relevant and reimbursable. Although impairment-based behavioral treatments have promoted improved word production in some people with aphasia, many continue to have speech and language problems post-stroke even after they have received a course of behavioral treatment. Broca’s aphasia results from damage to a part of the brain called Broca’s area, which is located in the frontal lobe, usually on the left side. From the left to the right: how the brain compensates progressive loss of language function. If fact, restoration of muscle tone and strength is often integrated with the practice in aided walking. This approach promotes the idea that focusing on the real-life goals of people with aphasia will allow the individual to reengage in life. If you want to view a video tutorial on how to construct a care plan in nursing school, please view the video below. Interventions to aid a patient who has aphasia Cornell Note-Taking System Instructions: Record: During the lecture, use the note-taking column to record the lecture using telegraphic sentences. Aims: This research aimed to identify the critical elements and outcomes of a residential intervention for families living with aphasia. The primary purpose of treatment is to reengage in communication activities that relate to real-life experiences. CILT is modeled after constraint-induced movement treatment (CIMT) [37, 38], which encourages forced use of the hemiparetic hand and arm in order to promote neuroplastic changes in the lesioned hemisphere contralateral to the weak arm/hand, with the ultimate goal of improved movement. Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2008: 915-918. The expectations of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and clinicians today are higher than they’ve ever been before. It is possible that practicing oral language can promote neuroplastic changes in the left hemisphere and support improved language function. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2001;3(4):279–86. Impairment and Functional Interventions for Aphasia: Having it All, International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF), https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-014-0050-5, Stroke Rehabilitation (GE Francisco, Section Editor). Psychological barriers (lack of stimuli) 8. Kirmess M, Maher LM. Google Scholar. 2006;98(1):57–65. 1991;27(4):595–604. Brain Lang. Spared comprehension of emotional prosody in a patient with global aphasia. Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched November 2006). Aphasia therapy involves both impairment-based and functionally oriented approaches, as well as a system that includes individual and group treatment. Aphasiology. Aphasia, a cognitive-linguistic disorder secondary to stroke, is a frequent and often chronic consequence of stroke with detrimental effects on autonomy and health-related quality of life. For the purposes of this article, we will discuss current trends in aphasia treatment in the context of the ICF, specifically describing approaches to aphasia intervention that are impairment-based, reflecting the body functions and structure domain, and functionally oriented, reflecting the activity and participation domains of the ICF. Thiel A, Herholz K, Koyuncu A, et al. A consumer-driven model of intervention focusing treatment on activities that make real-life differences is the theme that prevails in the life participation approach to aphasia intervention. Let’s KISS first. Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Hunter College, The City University of New York, 425 East 25th Street, P.O. Learn more about the types of aphasia and how occupational therapy and speech therapists can help. Geneva, 2001. This thoroughly revised and updated Fifth Edition is the most comprehensive resource on aphasia and related neurogenic communication disorders from the most distinguished authorities of our time Language Intervention Strategies in Aphasia and Related … Fiori V, Coccia M, Marinelli CV, et al. Whole language for special needs children. Aphasia is the most common language disorder post-stroke, affecting one-third of all patients diagnosed with stroke (Stroke Association 2015).. Communication is a complex neural process. Because emotional communication enhances engagement and comprehension in aphasia [50, 51], we feel that incorporating activity and participation is very important to derive optimal benefit from group activities. Three articles are summarized and potential clinical applications of the evidence are discussed. The recommended treatment for aphasia is usually speech and language therapy. Treatment of aphasia can be approached in a number of ways. We wanted to see whether SLT for aphasia was effective and whether it was better or worse than non-specialist social support. Brain Lang. Aphasia intervention and assessment are dynamic and interconnected processes. Although rhythm has long been considered secondary to melody, recent evidence has challenged this notion by demonstrating that rhythm alone is sufficient enough to facilitate improvements in speech fluency for people with aphasia. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. Effect of cognitive rehabilitation on outcomes for persons with traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. 6.Aphasia Treatment: Recovery, Prognosis, and Clinical Effectiveness 7.Delivering Language Intervention Services to Adults with Neurogenic Communication Disorders 8.Teams and Partnerships in Aphasia Intervention 9.Aphasia Assessment and Treatment for Bilingual and Culturally Diverse Patients Pharmacological interventions and noninvasive brain stimulation techniques for aphasia rehabilitation are also summarized. As the person with aphasia progresses from early stages post stroke in the hospital setting to a discharge environment in a rehabilitation community, a supported-living community, or the home environment, the goals for the individual will likely change. The clinician provides language facilitation in the context of the conversation, within the natural flow of the conversational interaction. Broca’s aphasia is considered ‘nonfluent’ because it affects the speech production (Healthline 2017). Am J Speech Lang Pathol. Elizabeth E. Galletta. Semin Speech Lang. 1. It is possible that the supported conversation approach reduces the need to code-switch from a comfortable-familiar communication mode to a formal-medical mode, easing the burden of communication and increasing available lexical capacity. PubMed Translational research in aphasia: from neuroscience to neurorehabilitation. Reuterskiold C. The effects of emotionality on auditory comprehension in aphasia. 2007;22:311–8. An integrative review was performed on databases SciELO, LILACS, CAPES and PubMed, with the descriptors in English and Portuguese: aphasia, rehabilitation and treatment. Warburton E, Price CJ, Swinburn K, et al. Role of the contralateral inferior frontal gyrus in recovery of language function in poststroke aphasia: a combined repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and positron emission tomography study. Music-based interventions for aphasia could act through a motor-speech mechanism: a systematic review and case–control analysis of published individual participant data. The first stage of the treatment focused on sounds in isolation and the next stage included treatment of sounds in various combinations. Ann Neurol. People with aphasia Stroke. Language intervention strategies in aphasia and related neurogenic communication disorders. Roughly 25-40% of stroke survivors get some form of aphasia (NAA, 2017). Speech and language therapists assess, diagnose, and treat aphasia at all stages of recovery after stroke. We wonder whether the supported conversation approach may provide both functional and impairment-based support. 2001;50(5):620–9. In recent years within the field of communication disorders there has been an increased focus on conversation as a site for assessment and intervention. Before focusing on word retrieval, determining whether word retrieval difficulty reflects a semantic (meaning-based) or a phonological impairment (based on auditory or articulatory word forms) will help guide the treatment session. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. In: Chapey R, ed. Box 625, New York, NY, 10010, USA, Kessler Foundation Research Center, West Orange, NJ, USA, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, NJ Medical School, Rutgers-the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA, Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation, West Orange, NJ, USA, You can also search for this author in Although an impairment-based approach to group treatment is possible, given the nature of group dynamics and conversational interaction, functionally oriented group treatment is more widely implemented. Behav Brain Res. Global Aphasia People with global aphasia have severe language difficulties with impairments to both receptive (taking information in) and expressive (getting information out) communication skills.These difficulties span all aspects of language – reading, writing, speaking, and understanding spoken word – making functional communication very challenging indeed. An apt analogy occurs in physical therapy when the person with hemiplegia is given aids to support safe walking such as a walker or cane while also participating in therapy to restore muscle strength coordination and tone. Crosson B, Moore AB, Gopinath K, et al. However, using a constrained approach such as CILT early on in the course of treatment post stroke may also be frustrating to recent stroke survivors. Sometimes aphasia improves on its own without treatment. There are three main variants – the semantic variant, the nonfluent or agrammatic variant and the logopenic variant – each with specific linguistic deficits and different neuroanatomical involvement. The conversational context is important for this approach, and both the clinician and the patient need to be aware of the context in order for this approach to work smoothly. Correspondence to Social conventions require code-switching, and this can be challenging for people with aphasia . Word retrieval difficulty is a characteristic present in all people with aphasia regardless of the applicable aphasia classification system. Functional re-recruitment of dysfunctional brain areas predicts language recovery in chronic aphasia. Winhuisen L, Thiel A, Schumacher B, et al. Let’s KISS first. Conduction aphasia is still another fluent aphasia syndrome. 1, below. Meinzer M, Elbert T, Djundja D, et al. Psychotherapy and Aphasia: Interventions for Emotional Wellbeing and Relationships is an exciting international collaboration among clinical neuropsychologists, speech and language therapists and family therapists that details a range of innovative psychotherapeutic interventions to enable people with communication disorders and their families to access meaningful … Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Aside from stroke, aphasia is also associated with epilepsy, brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, dementia, and infection of the brain tissue. It is characterized by impairments in talking, reading, writing and/or listening to speech. An analysis of aphasic naming errors as an indicator of improved linguistic processing following phonomotor treatment. Constraint-induced language treatment (CILT) is a behavioral treatment approach for aphasia with theoretical underpinnings based on knowledge about the brain mechanism. However, the authors noted these benefits were about the same as other types of intensive aphasia treatment regimens and claimed that further research must be conducted to fully understand the “constraint” piece of the treatment . For instance, participation goals during acute hospitalization might involve the ability to summon a nurse. Patients are typically seen for treatment up to 3 h a day for up to 5 days a week . Fabbo F, Skrap M, Aglioti S. Pathological switching between languages after frontal lesions in a bilingual patients. 2010;24(6–8):725–36. A proposed regional hierarchy in recovery of post-stroke aphasia. Poor health literacy is associated with increases in preventable hospital visits and admissions, and a higher rate of hospitalization and emergency services. 2011;119(1):1–5. Neuroimage. Promoting neuroplastic brain mechanism activation or reactivation of the left hemisphere is thought to be an important aspect that contributes to improved language function post stroke. CAS You may have to break exercises into small parts and have the person focus on one part at a time. PubMed Central In what ways should treatment for PPA and non progressive aphasia not be the same? ASHA’s Practice Portal assists audiologists and speech-language pathologists in their day-to-day practices by making it easier to find the best available evidence and expertise in patient care, identify resources that have been vetted for relevance and credibility, and increase practice efficiency. Schuell H, Jenkins JJ, Jiménez-Pabón E. Aphasia in adults. In contrast, after a stroke, activation in contralesional homotopic right hemisphere regions may be upregulated. Naeser MA, Martin PI, Nicholas M, et al. Teaching aphasia reading strategies is the primary focus of this article. Lead: Evy Vish-Brink The aim of this project is to make an inventory of aphasia treatment studies, comparing 2 conditions of SLT. Aphasiology. At a later stage, participation goals might relate to conversing with one’s spouse, going to dinner with friends, or reading to one’s grandchildren. Mechanisms of recovery from aphasia: evidence from positron emission tomography studies. J Neurosci. Neuropsychiatr, Neuropsychol, Behav Neurol. Stroke. A phasia is the loss of the ability to understand or formulate language. ©2020 Aphasia Access. Carney N, Chesnut RM, Maynard H, et al. The overarching goal of aphasia intervention is improvement in language and communication, and we feel that implementing impairment-based treatment as well as functionally oriented treatment, rather than treatment that reflects only one or the other domains, may provide for the best outcomes for stroke survivors with aphasia. Explain your answer. Patients with apraxia of speech know what they want to say, but are unable to carry out the speech movements due to their inability to programme the required sequence. This approach to conversational treatment puts the person with aphasia in the lead of the conversation, and the clinician follows the patient’s lead [16, 48]. The improvements in language function and patient satisfaction with this treatment were reported to be high. Thiel A, Habedank B, Herholz K, et al. tDCS over the left inferior frontal cortex improves speech production in aphasia. A phonomotor approach to word-finding treatment was reported by Kendall et al. Improved picture naming in aphasia patients treated with cathodal tDCS to inhibit the right Broca’s homologue area. Aphasia is a common and debilitating condition following stroke. As noted above, treatment approaches emphasizing word sounds (for example, rhyming cues) and articulatory patterns and buccolingual movements would be considered phonological. Boyle M. Semantic feature analysis treatment for aphasic word retrieval impairments: What’s in a name? Often, clinicians implementing a semantic approach also provide phonemic cues at some point in the session. They hypothesized that training heard and produced speech sounds using various phonomotor tasks would enhance the neural connectivity supporting individual phonemes and phoneme sequences, and result in fewer phonological naming errors in individuals with aphasia.


The $100 Laptop has been unveiled in Tunisa, going into production next quarter. I blogged about the need and means to connect these nodes earlier this week. But there is a revolutionary aspect of the project that is barely recognized. David Kirkpatrick:
Negroponte's team is seeking not only a technological breakthrough but also a teaching breakthrough. They believe that illiterate kids can, with a little instruction, learn to use computers on their own and then use the laptops to teach themselves to read. After that comes math, history—you name it. Alan Kay, a Xerox Parc veteran, is working with MIT mathematician and educational theorist Seymour Papert to build software that "watches" each student and makes suggestions. Papert's "constructionist learning" approach encourages children to reach conclusions through trial and error.
This breaks known conventions for education and technology, which could have a far greater impact than the commoditization at play.


Hyperlinks in Word are useful. Use the Word hyperlink feature to link websites and email addresses directly with Word documents.
A hyperlink is a piece of text or an image in an electronic document that can connect readers to another portion of the document or a different webpage. In addition, a hyperlink can be used to connect to and open an email client window.
Have you noticed the active links on webpages that allow you to jump from one page to another? You just used one to open this lesson. These are called hyperlinks. You can use these in electronic versions of your Word documents, just like you do in webpages. In this lesson, you will learn the basics of working with hyperlinks, including how to insert and remove them in your Word document.


Pakistan Table of Contents
Faced with the problem of defense against a much larger enemy from a relatively weak resource base, the military must lay claim to a disproportionate share of the nation's resources even to maintain a minimally effective defensive capability. The military was fortunate in that successive governments--with the exception of the early Bhutto years--believed it necessary to support the armed services as much as possible. This attitude also persisted among the public at large, who accepted the danger from India as real and present.
From 1958 until 1973, the published defense budget accounted for between 50 and 60 percent of total government expenditures. After that time, the proportions were much lower, falling to 40 and even 30 percent levels and ranging between 5 and 7 percent of GNP. At the same time, however, because of an expanding economy, actual expenditures--even allowing for inflation--showed considerable increases. The defense budget for fiscal year (FY-- see Glossary) 1993 was set at Rs94 billion (for value of the rupee--see Glossary), or US$3.3 billion, which represented 27 percent of government spending and almost 9 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP--see Glossary). The published budget understated expenditures by excluding procurement and defense-related research and development as well as funds spent on such activities as intelligence and the nuclear program. (Wirsing 94; Rizvi 124,205,244; Janes; SIPRI)
Data as of April 1994