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What medical hospitals are there in bali

Does Bali have good hospitals?

The first thing you need to know is that Bali has excellent hospitals and high-quality medical care available 24-hours a day. Like many countries, Indonesia has both public and private hospitals.

Are Bali hospitals safe?

Are Bali hospitals safe? The BIMC hospitals have a solid reputation for being clean and professional, and similar in nature to hospitals you'll find in the western world. All three BIMC Hospital Bali centres are western owned and operated, and are well located for access from Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur.

How do I see a doctor in Bali?

If you're staying in Seminyak and looking for a doctor for minor illnesses like cold, fever or even Bali Belly, you can see a doctor at the Bali Clinic. There are pharmacies and med-marts all over Bali. A wide selection of medicines are available at Med Mart & Pharmacy on Jl Raya Seminyak.

Is there free healthcare in Bali?

No. As with all universal systems, residents pay taxes which fund the provision of healthcare services. If you're formally employed in the country, you'll automatically pay 5% of your salary to fund public healthcare – 4% from the company, and 1% from you.

Do I need health insurance to go to Bali?

Visitors to Bali must show proof of health insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for Covid-related medical expenses. Since your U
health insurance may not cover you abroad, travel insurance for Bali is a must.

Is Bali a good place to retire?

Bali is a wonderful place to retire. There is the obvious reason that it is a beautiful tropical paradise with warm weather all year round, but it also has many other amazing plus points to consider. For one, the Balinese people are incredibly warm, helpful and welcoming and almost everybody speaks English.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Bali?

Expect to spend $720 to $2,600 per month for a single person living in Bali—families and couples sharing rental costs will save quite a bit. And it's possible to spend significantly more on a higher-end lifestyle.

Can a foreigner buy a house in Bali?

How much is it to own a villa in Bali?

On average, Guinel says a villa should cost around US$450,000 (AU$595,188), and in Canggu you're looking at anything between $400,000 and $700,000 for three bedrooms, depending on location, land size and amenities.

How much would it cost to live in Bali for a year?

When using figures to make a budget for living in Bali, a rough guide of approximately $700 USD per person per year is a good starting point for an average comprehensive cover.

Is it cheaper to live in Bali or Thailand?

Bali vs Thailand: 4 Key Differences The Costs – Overall, Thailand comes off as a little cheaper in prices for accommodation, food and drinks. If you're on a super tight budget and plan to mostly stay in one place, Thailand is the better bet.

Are groceries expensive in Bali?

Is food expensive in Bali? Food prices in supermarkets are lower than in United States. For example, in Bali you have to pay for: Bottle or carton of milk (1 liter): 2.00 USD (29,000 IDR)

How much money do I need for 2 weeks in Bali?

We recommend budgeting $630 for a week in Bali. This will cover you for private transport, a few restaurant meals and a tour or two to your favourite attractions.

What is the traditional food of Bali?

Balinese foods include lawar (chopped coconut, garlic, chili pepper, with pork or chicken meat and blood), Bebek betutu (duck stuffed with spices, wrapped in banana leaves and coconut husks cooked in a pit of embers), Balinese sate known as sate lilit made from spiced mince pressed onto skewers which are often

Where do most expats live in Bali?

Most expats live in Canggu, Ubud and Uluwatu. Canggu is popular for digital nomads, surfers and backpackers and it's not the quietest spot around Bali.

What is crime like in Bali?

Crime rates in Bali, Indonesia

How much does it cost to build a house in Bali?

Building in Bali is cheaper than most western countries when comparing like-for-like properties. Prices are calculated per square metre of build area, with a typical villa costing $500-$1,000 (USD) per square metre. The quality of materials will incluence the cost, but most builds fall within this price bracket.

Is it worth living in Bali?

Bali is in many ways an incredibly wonderful place to live and work, and there are many expatriates from all over the world living in Bali, who have opened businesses and made a living.

Is buying property in Bali a good investment?

Many international clients choose to invest in Bali due to the high return on investment. On average, our clients experience a yearly return on investment (ROI) of 20-30%, with some clients receiving even higher figures.

How much are visas to Bali?

How much does a Bali visa cost? The 30-day visa free option in Bali is free. If you plan on staying in Bali for longer than 30 days, you must apply for a visa from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. before you travel or pay immigration $35US* upon arrival.

Do you need any vaccinations for Bali?

Courses or boosters usually advised: Diphtheria; Tetanus. Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A; Rabies; Typhoid. Selectively advised vaccines – only for those individuals at highest risk: Cholera; Hepatitis B; Japanese Encephalitis.

What documents do I need for Bali?

If you meet the requirements, you can apply for a tourist visa on arrival at some international airports, seaports or land crossings (see Travel). To apply for the visa, you must have a passport with at least 6 months validity and a return onward flight booking to another country.

Do you need Covid vaccine to enter Bali?

The Government of Indonesia will require international travelers who have received COVID-19 vaccination overseas to register their COVID-19 vaccination here. The registration will allow you to dine-in or enter public premises and travel with public transport (inter or intra islands) in Indonesia.

Is Bali Open for Tourism 2022?

As of February 3rd 2022, the first international flight landed on the island, and Visas On Arrival were also reinstated to certain nationalities. Fully vaccinated international visitors can now travel to Indonesia, providing they hold a valid visa (like the Visa On Arrival or the B211 Tourism Visit Visa).

Do I need a visa to go to Bali?

Bali, Indonesia, is free to enter without a visa, you will only get a date stamp in your passport on your arrival day. Stay up to a maximum of 30 days but note that you will not be able to extend your stay with this free tourist visa. Extending is only possible with a Visa on Arrival (read below).

Does USD work in Bali?

Are houses in Bali expensive?

Where is the surf in Bali?

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When it’s blustery cold out and the snow is piling up, dairy farmers take extra measures to keep cows cozy. Thanks to the animals’ thick skin, hair and natural insulation, cows prefer temperatures a little cooler than most humans. Cows don’t mind the cold when they are well fed, healthy and have dry bedding. But even they can only tolerate so much.

Keeping animals warm in the winter is a special area of focus that Mapleview Dairy is dedicated to. The New York dairy farm is located about 10 miles from the Canadian border — meaning that they have some of the coldest winters around.

LouAnne King, one of the owners at Mapleview Dairy, shared some of the ways their farm – and other dairies – keep their calves and cows warm and toasty through the coldest months of the year.

blustery snow storm around a red barn

Nutritious Feed for Thicker Coats

Biology plays a key role in how dairy farmers care for their animals. Calves and cows grow a thicker coat in response to colder temperatures, but to do that, the animals need to be fed a high quality, nutritious diet that provides enough energy for them to grow the additional hair.

The normal temperature for a healthy cow is between 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit, warmer than humans’ normal temperature. This is in part because, when cows digest their food, the process called fermentation creates heat. One way that cows thermoregulate themselves or keep warm when it is cold out is by eating more food. Just like they do with calves, dairy farmers make sure they balance the cows’ diets appropriately by increasing energy components or amounts of food available to meet the cows’ needs.

“Each winter we increase all of the animals’ access to feed to make sure they can eat enough to not only maintain, but also grow and produce high quality milk. We work really closely with our nutritionist or a cow diet specialist to ensure that all of the animals on the farm are getting the best diet for the season,” says King. Her husband works as a dairy nutritionist as well, giving King extra insight into how nutrition and diet help support cows in the winter.  “With the calves,” says King, “we actually increase the amount of milk they are fed each day and include an extra feeding to give them an extra warm boost.”

Along with extra milk in the colder months, Mapleview Dairy provides each calf with a warm jacket to wear through the coldest days of winter. These jackets are water and wind resistant, and have a batting filling for extra warmth — much like the “puffer” jackets that people wear.

“Besides the jackets, we also add extra fluffy straw bedding in their calf hutches and adjust the ventilation to make sure they are warm enough, but still have plenty of fresh air,” says King. “We are constantly monitoring the temperatures and adjusting all of these management strategies to make sure our calves stay comfortable. If we have 40-degree swings, we are sure to remove or add jackets – just like people remove or add jackets or mittens.”

calf jackets info

technology on dairy farms

“We have really focused on using more technology to help take even better care of our cows in the winter,” says King. The dairy farm uses this technology to not only care for the cows, but also to reduce energy usage and improve long term sustainability.

“We invested in software and sensors to monitor the temperatures, wind speeds, fans, lights, and side curtains on the barns. This takes the ‘human error’ out of the equation so we can adjust to the weather as it changes in real time,” says King. By monitoring the weather in real time and having control of all these barn tools, King says the farm can quickly adjust to the changing conditions to keep cows at consistent, comfortable temperatures.

red barn

Adjusting curtains to block wind while keeping some vents open to provide quality air flow keeps cows happy and healthy. By only adjusting certain barn factors when the weather demands it, the farms can conserve energy and reduce their environmental impact.

Want to see more about caring cows for the winter? Check out these other cool stories! (pardon the pun!)


• Category
  • >Cryptocurrency
  • >Science & Technology

Difference between Public and Private Blockchain

  • Vrinda Mathur
  • Feb 04, 2022
Difference between Public and Private Blockchain title banner

Blockchain the new age technological development has made life simpler and more systemised for most of the people and industries out there. Blockchain is a ledger constructed in a digital format distributed across the network of computer systems, creating a block.

Each number of blocks is depicting a transaction and as and when there is a new transaction is added to the ledger. These transactions are recorded with an unalterable cryptographic structure named, Hash. Private and Public blockchain are further types of blockchain technology available. Let us understand these one by one.

(Recommended blog- Cryptanalysis in Cryptography)

What is Public Blockchain?

A public blockchain is an open network that does not require any permissions. Anyone is allowed to join the server, read, write or participate within the blockchain network. It is a decentralized form of network and no single entity controls the network. Security of the data stored on public blockchain networks is maintained as the data is unalterable once it has been recorded in the ledger.

A public blockchain has a substantial amount of computational power which is necessary to maintain a distributed ledger at a large scale. In order to achieve a consensus, each node in the network must solve a resource- intensive, complex problem in order to maintain the sync.

Privacy of transactions under public blockchain networks is almost none. This acts as a major limitation for such a network. Public ledger enables you to see any network at any time though there is no scope for discrepancies as the data once recorded cannot be tampered with later.

Advantages of Public Blockchain

  • The data stored on public blockchain is easily accessible for all. From verifying the transactions to securing financial data a user can use this network for a number of uses. Transparency is one of the promising features of public blockchain networks.

  • As known earlier, it is a decentralized ledger multiple nodes are created

In the network and thus it is difficult for the hackers to crack all the nodes and steal a transaction or a deal.

  • Since anyone can participate in the security and maintenance of public blockchain, the system sounds more secure. All the participants under the network are empowered to work on the network and validate the transactions in the network without any central authentication required.

(Recommended blog - Hybrid Blockchain)

What is Private Blockchain?

It is a network managed by administrators and consent is required in order to join the network. There are one or more entities handling the controls of the network which leads to third party reassurance of the data stored.

In this type of blockchain only the entities performing or participating in the transactions have knowledge about the transactions further leading to privacy of the data entered.

The users here work on the basis of permissions and controls managed and granted by third parties. A notable example of private blockchain is the Hyperledger fabric.

The access mechanism could vary: the existing participants can decide the future participants, a regulatory authority could issue a license for participation or an association could make future decisions.

Advantages of Private Blockchain

  • The access is limited and therefore reaching a mutual consensus is much easier as coThe number of participants is restricted. mpared to  public blockchain networks.

  • A private blockchain can regulate a higher number of transactions as there are a limited number of people involved in the chain. Unlike the public blockchain which is a decentralized network involving a number of participants.

  • Private blockchain systems are centralized and thus decision making is faster. It also consumes comparatively lesser amounts of energy and material resources.

  • In a private blockchain issues like constant alarm or confidence issues are not present. The result validity feature available in public blockchain is not available here as the integrity of data completely depends on the credibility of authorized participants and therefore, responsibility can be easily identified.

  • Under a private blockchain participants are known and have credentials to have been granted access and be a part of the network. Therefore there are no chances of any contrary impact.

(Recommended blog- Types of Blockchain)

Public Vs Private Blockchain

Public and private blockchain network can be differentiated on the basis of :-

Public and Private Blockchain can be differentiated on the basis of:-1.Access2. Consensus 3. Transaction speed 4. Transaction cost 5. Data handling 6. Efficiency 7. Immutability

Differences between public and private blockchain

  • Access

In a private blockchain, the network is controlled by a single organization. This signifies that the public is not invited to participate. To identify which participant/user is joining the network, private blockchains employ an authorisation process. As a result, just a few people have access to the network.

In a public blockchain system, on the other hand, anybody may join; there are no limits on who can participate. Anyone may view the ledger, read it, write on it, and participate in the consensus process.

  • Consensus

In a private blockchain, it is established ahead of time who is qualified to join the consensus and who is not. Participants in a public blockchain, on the other hand, are free to engage and take use of the system's benefits; there are no limits on entering the consensus process.

  • Transaction Speed

Only authorized individuals have access to the transaction process and can participate in it. As a result, the speed remains constant. A public blockchain, on the other hand, allows anybody to see and request a transaction/record.

Because there are so many customers requesting many transactions, the platform takes a long time to process each one, slowing down the network's performance.

  • Transactional cost

A private blockchain platform has very low expenses. The price does not change dramatically depending on the amount of requests made; it stays consistent, accurate, and inexpensive.

When compared to private blockchain platforms, public blockchain platforms have a greater transaction cost. In fact, the platform has a large number of nodes, which slows down performance. As a result, responding to the requests takes a long time. As a result, costs spike.

  • Data Handling

Only a single organization may read and write a particular ledger in a private blockchain. Therefore, only a small number of users/participants have access to the ledger. They can even erase a block depending on the ledger's legality.

As the name implies, this blockchain is open to the public, which means that anybody may view and write on the ledger. However, once completed, this type of ledger cannot be changed or edited.

  • Efficiency

A private blockchain is nearly always efficient since just a few nodes have authorization and access to the ledger.

Because there are many users accessing the ledger in real-time, public blockchain platforms have scalability concerns. As a result, public blockchain platforms are less efficient than private blockchain platforms.

  • Immutability

As previously established, blocks can be erased from the ledger under certain circumstances. As a result, Private Blockchain is unchangeable (partially).

We already know that once a block is added to the chain, it cannot be changed or removed. A public blockchain network is therefore completely immutable.

(Take a look at what are the Types of Blocks in a Blockchain Network)

These forms of blockchain networks have significant distinctions. However, in practice, one may access both of these networks at their leisure. Permissioned blockchains are a third type of blockchain. This is a middle ground that allows for the use of both public and private blockchains while also allowing for customisation.

This sort of blockchain allows anybody to join the permissioned network, but only after their identity has been verified and they have been granted certain permissions to do only specific tasks on the network. If the right features are adopted, both private and public blockchains may be used in a corporate setting.

The final choice, however, is totally up to the individual. Blockchain technology is described as being on the cusp of digital disruption because of its enormous potential. It is considered that if we address the difficulties in a timely way and at an early stage, technology can help to develop the economy

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Chris Lu

Vice President
Los Angeles

Mr. Lu is a Vice President in the Ares Private Equity Group. Additionally, Mr. Lu serves on the Ares Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Prior to joining Ares, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Lazard, where he focused on capital structure and mergers and acquisitions related transactions. Mr. Lu holds a B.S., with honors, from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in Economics.


Hong Kong hopes to 'resolve' Covid flight-ban rule as cases ease

Travellers wearing face masks queue at the check-in counters of the Hong Kong International Airport amid the coronavirus disease pandemic in Hong Kong on Monday. (Reuters photo)

HONG KONG: Hong Kong is looking to resolve a problem over a ban on airlines which bring in Covid-positive passengers as it eases travel curbs that have sealed off the city for two years, its leader said on Wednesday

The government said this week a ban on flights from nine countries - Canada, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Britain, the United States, France, Australia and the Philippines - would be lifted on April 1 but it was not clear if airlines would face a two-week ban if they bring in infected people, as is currently the case.

Many residents have not been able to return to the Chinese-ruled city because of a shortage of mandatory quarantine hotels and city leader Carrie Lam suggested in a media briefing more space would be provided.

But an equally pressing issue for many has been the rule that bans an airline from flying to the city for 14 days if it carries several people who test positive for the coronavirus upon arrival.

The city's flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, said on Tuesday it would only operate one flight every two weeks from popular destinations including the United States and Britain because of the rule, compounding a feeling of isolation that many frustrated residents feel.

Lam, asked what the government might do about the rule and if there was any chance it could be scrapped, said: "I can only say that we know the problem, and we are looking on how we could resolve this without compromising our border control measures."

Health authorities reported 12,240 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, down from 14,152 the previous day, and 205 new deaths.

Hong Kong's "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy, which aims to stamp out outbreaks as they occur with contact tracing, testing and isolation, largely protected it from the virus until the beginning of this year.

But the Omicron variant has breached the defences, surging through the city of 7.4 million people over recent weeks, killing large numbers of elderly who declined to get vaccinated, many because of fear of side-effects and the belief Hong Kong had dodged the worst.

Since the pandemic began in 2020, Hong Kong has recorded more than 1 million infections and more than 6,300 deaths - most of them in the past month.

Densely populated Hong Kong has registered the most deaths per million people.

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How Did Elon Musk Lose All That Weight? Pills? Diet? Here's His Secret Weapon

During AI Day 2022, one Twitter user seemed less interested in the new robotics that Tesla Inc TSLA displayed on Friday, and more curious about how CEO Elon Musk looked so “awesome, fit, ripped and healthy.”

Eva McMillin Twitter’s handle is @EvasTeslaSPlaid and is an apparent fan of Tesla and Musk. Her full tweet read: “Hey, @elonmusk what’s your secret? You look awesome, fit, ripped & healthy. Lifting weights? Eating healthy?”

Musk replied to Eva’s question with a simple one-word answer: “Fasting.”

For people that closely follow Musk news, and for better or worse I am in that category, this is not the first time Musk has spoken about his affinity for fasting, or “intermittent fasting” a system in which followers go extended periods of time without eating.

Also Read: Elon Musk's Advice To His Younger Self: There's 'Some Merit' To Not Being 'Too Intense'

Late in August, Musk tweeted “On advice of a good friend, I’ve been fasting periodically & feel healthier.” Fortune Magazine highlights. Proponents of intermittent fasting argue that the diet plan can help people lose weight, without serious downsides.

However, there are some critics of intermittent fasting that argue that it can lead to unnecessary stress. A Johns Hopkins Medicine article on the subject encourages readers to “Talk to your doctor if you start experiencing unusual anxiety, headaches, nausea or other symptoms after you start intermittent fasting.”

There are many different variations of intermittent fasting. Some people eat only during an eight-hour window each day. Others might have two days a week where they eat only one meal.

Musk claims to have lost about 20 pounds using the intermittent fasting technique. For readers interested in trying it, be sure to research the benefits and drawbacks of the plan.

Photo: Courtesy of Tesla Owners Club Belgium on flickr

Posted In: Elon MuskGeneral


Sunday, 4 December, 2022

Lead Contamination in Everyday Food

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder

Lead Contamination in Everyday Food
Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder

Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal element found naturally in the environment as well as in manufactured products. The Earth’s crust contains lead that can be released directly into the air as suspended particles. Lead is a chemically resistant and relatively soft metal. Anthropogenic activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, through vehicle exhaust, suspended atmospheric particles, untreated municipal sewage in urban areas, fertilizer and pesticide use in agriculture, a limited planned capacity of municipal solid waste, and mining operations, especially coal in Bangladesh also releases lead in the atmosphere. The atmospheric transmission and deposition on food, soil and other surfaces are the major sources of lead contamination in our daily food.

Humans have used lead in various applications for thousands of years, with some of the past uses having left behind serious environmental and health problems. Heavy metals are contained in suspended air particles, and these metals eventually settle onto the soil as a result of natural precipitation and sedimentation processes. Toxic heavy metals can collect in different sections of the human body and create serious health issues through multiple exposure routes, including as food intake, breathing and drinking. In Bangladesh, illegal recycling of used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) in the open-air and close to homestead areas is considered to be a major source of lead exposure. This poses a significant health risk for both children and adults.

Along with unplanned industrialization and urbanization, lead production and consumption have greatly expanded worldwide. Through soil erosion, volcanic eruptions, sea spray, and bushfires, lead can be discharged into the air, water, and environment. Nearly half of the 2 million people lost their lives in 2019 due to exposure to known chemicals, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2021 update of the “Public health effect of chemicals: knowns and unknowns”, were caused by lead exposure. According to estimates, lead exposure has long-term consequences on health that results in 21.7 million years lost to disability and death (also known as DALYs) globally.

In 2020, according to the Institute of Health Metrics Evaluation (IHME), Bangladesh has the world's fourth-highest rate of death due to lead exposure with an average population blood lead level of 6.83 μg/dL, which is the eleventh highest in the world. According to their analysis, the economic damage caused by lead-related IQ decline in Bangladesh is equivalent to 5.9% of the nation's GDP. Furthermore, two- and three-stroke engines have been a significant source of lead pollution in Bangladesh's atmosphere since December 31, 2002. The atmospheric lead pollution decreased after the two and three stroke engines were prohibited, but recently some environmentalists observed that incomplete fuel combustion from vehicles in metropolitan areas is increasing the lead toxicity in the air along with other causes. According to 2018 World Bank report, nearly 1 million people in Bangladesh, mostly poverty-stricken, are at risk of lead contamination. In greater Dhaka, the sites contaminated by heavy metals are mostly in poorer neighborhoods.

Sources and routes of lead contamination in food: Heavy metals like lead are contaminating soil, water, and even the air as a result of growing industrialization and the use of various fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides in agricultural fields. Furthermore, the random disposal of domestic garbage, livestock manure, and abandoned metallic parts are the primary causes of soil and water contamination. Exposure to contaminated vegetables may result in a variety of diseases and damage normal physiological activities. Lead in water from the use of leaded pipes contaminates the water; active industries like mining and battery recycling releases lead containing dust particles; lead-based paint and pigments falls into dust particles; these suspended atmospheric, leaded gasoline, which has declined considerably in recent decades, but was a major historical source; lead solder in food cans; and lead in spices.

Lead is a well-known environmental hazard that can have a variety of negative multi-systemic impacts when someone is exposed to it. Humans may be exposed to lead from air pollution directly, unintentionally by inhalation, or through lead that has accidentally contaminated our food, soil or dust. The primary method of human exposure to lead that was initially discharged into the air is by ingestion of lead that has settled on food or other surfaces. High-blood lead levels (BLLs) during pregnancy are particularly concerning since lead can have negative effects on a mother's health and her unborn child's development problems such as hypertension, miscarriage, preterm delivery, low birth weight, and developmental impairments. Additionally, among women who had high lead levels before getting pregnant, the increased bone turnover that takes place during pregnancy may increase fetal exposure. The World Health Organization’s 2021 update of the “Public health impact of chemicals: knowns and unknowns” estimate that nearly half of the 2 million lives lost in 2019 were due to lead exposure. According to the estimates, lead exposure causes long-term health effects that result in 21.7 million years lost to disability and death (also known as DALYs) worldwide. This includes 30% of the burden of idiopathic intellectual disability, 4.6% of the burden of cardiovascular disease, and 3% of the burden of chronic kidney diseases. In Bangladesh, it is estimated that 35.5 million children are affected by blood lead levels above 5 μg/dL, making the country the fourth most-seriously hit in the world in terms of the number of children affected. Children are more vulnerable to the dangers of lead exposure because of the percentage of lead their developing bodies absorb compared to adults, as well as how vulnerable their developing brains and nervous systems are. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) children who have been exposed to lead may develop neurobehavioral disorders that impair their cognitive and academic ability over time. A study done in 2018 by Forsyth et al., stated that, the distribution of BLLs was right-skewed with a mean of 4.7 (SD 3.6) μg/dL. Of the 430 women, 31% had BLLs > 5 μg/dL and 6% of women had elevated levels > 10 μg/dL. The maximum BLL was 29.1 μg/dL, nearly 6 times greater than the CDC threshold for elevated BLL.

Preventing steps: An ideal food system is envisioned to provide healthy diets for people, especially for children and pregnant women and be sustainable for the environment. Many countries have recently begun routine monitoring and assessment of heavy metals like lead and mercury in food and plants. However, there is insufficient evidence on the level of heavy metal contamination in Bangladesh. The World Bank is assisting Bangladesh's efforts to improve air quality in urban areas, and is supporting an Air Quality Management Project (AQMP) which seeks to enable the government to build its institutional capacity to undertake air pollution including lead control activities, initially in the capital city of Dhaka. Then AQMP will encourage the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, the Department of Environment, and others to work together in dealing with it.

The writer is the Chairman, Center

 for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) and Dean, Faculty of Science; Stamford University Bangladesh.

E-mail: [email protected]


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Independence is something that just about every adult values. Starting in childhood, we want to take care of ourselves and make our own decisions. But, as we get older, we sometimes need more assistance than we used to. Independence starts to become something we enjoy less than we have in many years.

Aging parents sometimes need help at home. Sometimes family members can step in and lend a helping hand, and sometimes outside help is needed. How can you tell when your parents need assistance at home? Here are seven signs you can look for that will give you clues that they could use some help.

1. Their Home Looks Cluttered and Dirty

As it becomes increasingly difficult for your parents to do everyday household tasks, order and cleanliness can start to suffer. Declining eyesight and mobility make it difficult to see all of the areas needing cleaning, and they can find it difficult to bend over in some instances. As clutter accumulates, the risk of them tripping and falling over something increases.

2. Their Eating Habits Have Changed

Are you noticing fewer fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats and seeing more boxed foods than ever before? Aging adults sometimes find it increasingly difficult to drive to the market and navigate around once they get inside. It’s a cause for concern when eating habits change. Talk with them about it, especially if you notice they’ve lost considerable weight.

3. There’s a Pile of Unpaid Bills

Unpaid bills are a red flag. It may be that they’re having some financial difficulties, or the pile may be growing because of memory problems, early dementia, or disorganization. Offer assistance sorting the bills out and getting them paid on time to keep house payments, taxes, and utility bills from becoming delinquent.

4. They’re Skipping Taking Their Medication

Remembering to take their meds or taking them too often is a warning sign that should be heeded. By not taking their meds, they risk a decline in their health, which can lead to the development of other illnesses. For example, failure to take blood pressure medication regularly could lead to stroke if their blood pressure becomes dangerously elevated. And taking too much medication can lead to disastrous consequences. You can help by setting up pillboxes for them, so they know what to take each day.

5. Personal Hygiene is Declining

If you’ve noticed a decline in your loved one’s personal cleanliness and grooming, you may need caregiving assistance. Your parent may be afraid of slipping and falling in the shower or tub, or they may be forgetting their hygiene routine.

6. Unexplained Bruises

Your aging parent may be having trouble with their balance and mobility and are afraid to admit it. If you see bumps and bruises on their body more frequently, it may be a sign to bring in outside help.

7. Exhibiting Signs of Depression

If your loved one is isolating or staying in their bedroom and missing outings with family and friends, they may be suffering from depression. If you believe that’s the case, have them treated by a professional as soon as possible.

How Help at Home Can Assist

The safety and well-being of your parents can be significant concerns as they age. If you’re noticing some of these warning signs and feel you need some outside help, call Help at Home, and we’ll conduct an in-home assessment to help you determine if your loved one could use some help.

Help at Home is one of the oldest and most reliable home care agencies in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Our practitioners provide the best home care services and cater to the specific needs of each client. We bring high-quality care right to your front door so that your loved one can continue living in an environment that is comfortable and familiar to them.

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Thyrotropin (TSH) is a modulator of glucose metabolism by binding to its receptor on pancreatic cells. We used thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) knockout mice (Tshr-/-) as a model of TSH deletion to study its function in pancreatic β cells. Tshr-/- mice had a similar body weight at birth compared with Tshr+/+ mice, but grew at a significantly slower rate until adulthood with adequate thyroxine supplementation. TSH deletion led to lower fasting and postprandial blood glucose, insulin secretion impairment, and atrophy of islets in adult mice. Transcription factors and markers of pancreatic β cell maturation, Pdx1, Nkx6.1, Glut2, and insulin, together with cell proliferation marker Ki67 showed no differences at the mRNA level between the two groups. However, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was remarkably elevated in Tshr-/- mice at both mRNA and protein levels. We hypothesized that pancreatic cell apoptosis, rather than abnormal cell proliferation and maturation, is associated with pancreatic dysfunction and glucose intolerance in the absence of TSH modulation.

1. Introduction

The extrathyroidal effect of thyrotropin (TSH) has raised concerns in recent years. An abnormal TSH level can disturb the metabolic status in adipose tissue, bone, gonads, and the immune system [1]. Recently, its role in regulating glucose metabolism has attracted attention. It has been reported that an elevated TSH level is related to impaired glucose metabolism [2, 3] and poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients [4]. Bilic-Komarica et al. found that normalization of TSH after levothyroxine treatment decreases fasting insulin and fasting and postprandial glucose in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism [5]. A large scale epidemiological investigation also revealed that a high TSH level is associated with increased fasting glucose and insulin resistance in a euthyroid population [6, 7]. These studies suggest that TSH may participate in glucose metabolism.

TSH acts as a metabolic regulator after binding to TSH receptor (TSHR) that has been detected in various tissues, including the brain, kidneys, heart, liver [8], and pancreatic islets [9]. Decreased fasting blood glucose is observed in TSHR knockout mice, which is ascribed to decreased hepatic glucose production [8], and TSHR-Asp727Glu polymorphism is associated with insulin resistance in nondiabetic older men [10]. Glucose homeostasis results from the balance of production and utilization of glucose. Pancreatic islets are the major organ that participates in balancing blood glucose, and the normal functions of β cells ensure sufficient insulin secretion. It has been reported that TSH stimulates insulin secretion in INS-1 cells by upregulating expression of glucose transporter 2 (Glut2) [1]. However, little is known about whether TSH blockade affects the functions of pancreatic β cells, the central region of glucose metabolism. We hypothesized that TSHR expressed on pancreatic β cells allows TSH to act as a regulator to maintain normal β cell functions and blood glucose homeostasis. In our study, TSHR knockout (Tshr-/-) mice were used to investigate whether the absence of TSH regulation affected the functions of pancreatic β cells.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Chemicals

Bovine serum albumin (BSA), Hank’s balanced salt solution (HBSS), RPMI 1640 medium, and collagenase V were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, USA). Fetal bovine serum (FBS) was purchased from Gibco (Grand Island, USA). A mouse anti-insulin antibody was purchased from Abcam (Cambridge, MA). Rabbit anti-Bax, rabbit anti-Bcl-2, rabbit anti-caspase-3, and rabbit anti-GAPDH antibodies as well as secondary antibodies were obtained from Cell Signaling Technology (Beverly, USA). 2-(4-Amidinophenyl)-6-indolecarbamidine dihydrochloride (DAPI) was purchased from Beyotime Institute of Biotechnology (Nantong, China).

2.2. Animals and Treatment

Eight-week-old female () and male () heterozygous (Tshr+/-) mice were donated by Prof. Jiajun Zhao, Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University (Jinan, China) and housed in the Animal Research Center of the Affiliated Hospital on Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine. Food and water were provided ad libitum. Mice were kept in a 12 h : 12 h light : dark cycle in a temperature-controlled room (). After 4 weeks of acclimation, heterozygous mice were bred to obtain Tshr+/+ and Tshr-/- mice. Genotyping of the offspring was performed at 3 weeks of age. Tshr-/- offspring were fed chow containing 100 ppm L-thyroxine powder (Sigma-Aldrich, USA).

The care and treatment of mice were conducted in accordance with the recommendations in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health. This study complied with the current Chinese laws pertaining to the conduct of scientific research.

2.3. Determination of Gene Expression in Male Offspring

DNA of male offspring from tail tips was extracted according to the manufacturer’s instructions (DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit, Qiagen, USA). The purity of DNA was determined by the OD at 260/280 nm. Primer sequences are shown in Table 1. Amplification was carried out in a reaction mixture including 2 μL of , 2 μL dNTP, 1.5 μL MgCl2, 0.1 μL Taq polymerase, 2 μL DNA product, 0.4 μL forward and reverse primers, and 11.6 μL ddH2O. The PCR product (10 μL) mixed with SYBR was analyzed using a 1% agarose gel and observed under UV light. The bands of TSHR in wildtype and mutant mice were located at 590 and 173 kb, respectively.

Total RNA was extracted from the pancreas of male offspring using TRIzol Reagent (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). Primers were dissolved in water to the recommended concentration according to general data sheets (10 nmol/mL). A first-strand cDNA synthesis kit (TOYOBO, Japan) was used for reverse transcription. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed with the QuantStudio Dx System (Life Technology, USA) using the SYBR Green method. PCR cycling was 95°C for 1 min and then 40 cycles of 95°C for 15 sec, 55°C for 15 sec, and 72°C for 45 sec. Each sample was run in triplicate and normalized to GAPDH expression. Relative quantification values were determined using the method. Primer sequences are shown in Table 1.

2.4. Body and Pancreas Weights

Body weight was measured at birth as well as weaning and adulthood (3 and 8 weeks old, respectively). The pancreas was excised and weighted at 8 weeks old, and then frozen at −80°C until use.

2.5. Serum Hormone Assay

Blood samples (200–300 μL) were collected from the fossa orbitalis and stored at 4°C overnight. Then, the samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 20 min, and the sera were collected (50–100 μL). Serum T4 and TSH were measured by ELISA kits (Cloud-Clone Corp., USA). The detection ranges of T4 and TSH ELISAs are 3.7–300 ng/mL and 49.4–4000 pg/mL, respectively.

2.6. Histopathological Evaluation

The pancreas was fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Then, it was sectioned at 5 μm thickness and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for observation.

2.7. Localization of TSHR and Insulin Determined by Immunolabeling

Briefly, the pancreatic tissue sections were deparaffinized, rehydrated, and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Cultured MIN6 cells were fixed using 4% paraformaldehyde. Both samples were permeabilized in 0.3% Triton X-100 for 5 min and then incubated with 5% BSA for 30 min. Anti-insulin (1 : 200) and anti-TSHR (1 : 50) antibodies were applied at 4°C overnight, followed by incubation with secondary antibodies (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) for 30 min. Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI. TSHR and insulin expression was visualized using a confocal microscope (FV10i Fluoview, Olympus, Japan) and fluorescence microscope (IX71, Olympus).

2.8. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Adult male offspring were fasted overnight for 12 h. Blood samples were obtained from tail cuts to determine blood glucose at time zero. Then, glucose (2 g/kg) was administered orally to mice. At 30, 60, and 120 min after glucose administration, blood glucose was measured by an automatic glucometer (Roche, Germany).

2.9. Islet Isolation and Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion (GSIS) Assay

Mice were anesthetized by an intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium (60 mg/kg), and the abdomen was exposed. Ice-cold HBSS (5 mL, pH 7.6, and 0.037 mM containing CaCl2) with 1 mg/mL collagenase V was injected through the bile duct, and then the swollen pancreas was removed and digested at 37°C for 27–29 min. Then, the pancreas was shaken vigorously, and the digestion was terminated by 1 mL FBS in 25 mL ice-cold HBSS. The suspension was filtered to remove any undigested tissue. After washing with HBSS, islets were resuspended with 3 mL HBSS and 1 mL RPMI 1640 medium and handpicked under a stereomicroscope.

Batches of 20 islets were transferred into a 24-well culture plate. The islets were first incubated in 750 μL glucose-free Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate (KRB) buffer for 1 h. Then, the islets were transferred into wells containing 750 μL KRB buffer with 2.8 or 16.7 mM glucose for 1 h. The incubation medium was collected and kept at −80°C until the insulin measurement [11].

2.10. Western Blot Analysis

Total proteins were isolated from the mouse pancreas. Briefly, the pancreas was ground in ice-cold extraction buffer, lysed for 30 min, and then centrifuged at 12000 rpm for 30 min at 4°C. The protein concentration was determined by a BCA assay. Proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred onto a polyvinylidene fluoride membrane (Roche, Basel, Switzerland) according to standard procedures. The blots were sequentially incubated with antibodies, including primary rabbit anti-Bcl-2 (1 : 3000), rabbit anti-Bax (1 : 3000), rabbit anti-caspase-3 (1 : 3000), or rabbit anti-GAPDH (1 : 3000) antibodies, and HRP-conjugated secondary antibodies (1 : 5000). Protein bands were visualized using an enhanced chemiluminescence detection kit and recorded on a radiographic film (Alpha Innotech, San Jose, CA). The gray scale value was quantified by ImageJ software.

2.11. Statistical Analysis

All calculations and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for windows version 23.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Data are expressed as the deviation. The Student’s -test for independent samples was used to compare the means. was regarded as statistically significant.

3. Results

3.1. Tshr-/- Mice Present with Retarded Somatic and Pancreatic Development

Twenty Tshr+/+ and 11 Tshr-/- male mice were obtained before sacrifice. As shown in Table 2, they were born with similar body weights, but Tshr-/- mice exhibited a significantly lower body weight at weaning and adulthood (approximately 82% and 83% of Tshr+/+ mice, respectively). The ratio of pancreatic to body weights showed no difference between the two groups (). Tshr-/- mice were fed 100 ppm L-thyroxine powder supplement after weaning and presented with similar serum T4 () and remarkably elevated TSH (approximately 199% of Tshr+/+ mice) at 8 weeks of age.

3.2. TSHR Is Expressed in Pancreatic β Cells and Tshr-/- Mice Show Atrophy of Islets

TSHR has been reported to be expressed in extrathyroidal tissues such as pancreatic islets [9]. Pancreatic cells mainly consist of beta cells, which are the major functioning cells in glucose metabolism. However, no available data have directly proved that pancreatic β cells express TSHR. Double immunofluorescence staining of TSHR and insulin was performed to precisely locate TSHR expression in β cells in vivo and in vitro. As a result, we confirmed expression of TSHR in mouse pancreatic β cells (Figures 1(a) and 1(b)) and MIN6 cells (Figures 1(e)1(h)).

H&E staining was also performed to investigate the effect of TSHR mutation on pancreatic histology. We observed significant atrophy of the pancreatic acinus and islets, as well as a reduced cell mass, enlarged cell gap, and vacuole-like changes in Tshr-/- mice (Figures 1(c) and 1(d)).

3.3. TSHR Mutant Mice Exhibit Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Secretion

An OGTT was performed to evaluate the effect of TSHR deletion on glucose metabolism in adult mice. Compared with Tshr+/+ mice (), the blood glucose level of Tshr-/- mice () was lower at all time points (). The highest blood glucose at 30 min post loading was only 42% of that in wildtype mice (vs.). The time point of the glucose peak and downward trend of blood glucose were similar in the two groups (Figure 2(a)).

In vitro, pancreatic islets were separated and purified to perform a GSIS. Freshly isolated islets were treated with various glucose concentrations to measure the insulin output. Similar insulin secretion was found between the two groups with a low concentration of glucose stimulation. However, insulin output was reduced by 59% in Tshr-/- mice under stimulation by high glucose (Figure 2(b)).

3.4. TSHR Deletion Is Related to Enhanced Pancreatic Cell Apoptosis

Our mRNA analyses showed that the expression of pancreatic functional markers, such as Pdx1, Nkx6.1, insulin, and Glut2, did not demonstrate significant changes between the two groups (Figure 3). Ki67, a typical cell proliferation marker, showed no difference compared with wildtype mice at the mRNA level after TSHR deletion. However, the modulation of apoptosis-related mRNA expression had remarkable changes in the mutant mouse pancreas. Expression of Bax was remarkably upregulated to 363% compared with Tshr+/+ mice. Moreover, the mRNA level of Bcl-2 was reduced by 31% in Tshr-/- mice. The variation in cell apoptosis-related protein levels of Tshr-/- mice is shown in Figure 4. Expression of Bax and cleaved caspase 3 was significantly increased to 220% and 213%, respectively, after TSHR deletion, while the expression of Bcl-2 was remarkably decreased by 25% in Tshr-/- mice.

4. Discussion

Along with TSHR expression in various tissues, the extrathyroidal effect of TSH is attracting attention. In this study, we confirmed expression of TSHR in pancreatic β cells by double immunofluorescence labeling of TSHR and insulin both in vivo and in vitro. We found that Tshr-/- mice exhibited retardation of somatic development after birth and pancreatic islet atrophy in adulthood. Enhanced cell apoptosis, rather than cell dysmaturity or impaired proliferation in the pancreas of Tshr-/- mice, was associated with decreased insulin output in response to glucose stimulation.

In animal studies of thyroid dysfunction affecting offspring development, male littermates are often used [12, 13]. Male mice were also chosen in a study by Wang et al. using the same TSHR knockout mouse model [8]. The preference of males may be associated with estrogen-related thyroid pathophysiology [14] and estrous cycle-related hormone changes. Previous studies showed a marked variation in expression of the insulin gene, insulin secretion, and significant fluctuation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone during the estrous cycle [1517]. Based on the above studies, we chose male offspring for animal experiments.

The thyroid gland of TSHR mutant mice cannot synthesize a sodium iodide symporter. Therefore, thyroid globulin is not able to be iodinated. As a result, Tshr-/- mice are unable to produce thyroid hormone, and their survival after weaning depends on thyroid hormone supplementation. In this study, TSHR mutant mice were fed L-thyroxine powder after weaning and exhibited the same T4 level as wildtype mice in adulthood, suggesting that the difference in their phenotype could be excluded by thyroid insufficiency.

TSHR mutation blocks the binding of TSH to its receptor and results in an elevated TSH level in circulation. Studies have shown that TSHR also exists in extrathyroidal tissues such as islets [9], thymus, pituitary, testes, kidneys, brain, heart, and bone [18]. TSHR mutant mice had a smaller pancreas, but a similar pancreas to body weight ratio in the present study, which was coincident with the changes in the liver, heart, and kidneys reported by Wang et al. We suspected that their retarded physical growth was related to TSHR deletion and obstructed TSH modulation throughout the whole body.

OGTT is the most direct method to evaluate glucose metabolism in vivo. Our results showed that glucose concentrations at all time points throughout the experiment were significantly lower in TSHR mutant mice. Because the results were consistent with the data reported by Wang et al. using the same animal model, we considered them to be authentic. When treated with a lower concentration of glucose in the GSIS, isolated pancreatic islets produced an equivalent amount of insulin in the two types of mice. The reduced fasting blood glucose observed in TSHR mutant mice may result from decreased hepatic glucose output [8]. Compared with wildtype mice, the insulin level was remarkably lower when challenged by high glucose in Tshr-/- mice, indicating damage to β cell functions. However, glucose levels after loading did not elevate to a relatively high range as a result of insulin deficiency. Glucose homeostasis is regulated by a network of hormones. In addition to glucose-lowering hormones, there is a series of glucose-elevating hormones such as glucocorticoids, growth hormone, and glucagon. We suspected that the abnormality in low glucose after loading could be affected by the variation in glucose-elevating hormones related to TSHR deletion, which needs further investigation.

In other animal models such as hyt/hyt mouse and zebrafish, the influence of TSH-TSHR signaling failure on organ development and functions has only been studied in the thyroid. In hyt/hyt mutant mice, thyroid hypoplasia is observed postnatally [19], whereas TSHR mutant zebrafish have a significant reduction in the number and size of functional follicles [20]. To investigate the effect of TSHR deletion on pancreatic functions, we performed further histological and molecular experiments. Histology showed pancreatic injury in adult Tshr-/- mutants. The cell number reduction was a remarkable change in the islets, which may be attributed to either obstructed cell proliferation or increased cell apoptosis.

It is generally accepted that Pdx1 is an important insulin promoter activator required for pancreas organogenesis and β cell maturation [21, 22]. Nkx6.1 is another transcription factor uniquely expressed in mature β cells. It maintains the normal functions of postnatal β cells by enhancing cell proliferation and mass expansion [23]. Glut2 acts as a glucose sensor on the membrane of β cells, and together with insulin are considered as cell maturation markers. We evaluated the expression of these genes in the adult mouse pancreas at the mRNA level and found no significant differences between the two groups (Figure 3). Moreover, the mRNA level of cell proliferation marker Ki67 did not change in the mutant mouse pancreas. The absence of TSH regulation may presumably have little effect on pancreatic cell proliferation and maturation.

Expression of cell apoptosis-related genes, such as Bax and Bcl-2, was also evaluated in the pancreas. The fold change in mRNA expression of Tshr-/- mice to wildtype mice was more predominant for Bax than Bcl-2. Regarded as a cell apoptosis marker, the Bax to Bcl-2 ratio was around three times higher in Tshr-/- mice than in wildtype mice. We speculated that there was a higher cell apoptosis level in the pancreas of TSHR mutants. Further experiments showed that the protein levels of Bax and cleaved caspase 3 were coincidently increased in Tshr-/- mice (Figure 4). Pancreatic cell apoptosis is enhanced by blockade of TSH-TSHR signaling, which could be a reasonable explanation for the cell loss and function deterioration of β cells, because they constitute the majority of pancreatic cells.

In summary, our study revealed TSHR expression in mouse pancreatic β cells. TSH has an extrathyroidal modulatory function in β cells by binding to its receptor. TSHR deletion was associated with the deterioration of pancreatic functions in male mice, which was mainly manifested as enhanced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, glucose metabolism was disturbed as a result of impaired insulin secretion after loading in TSHR mutant mice.

Data Availability

All data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon request. A request for data may be sent through the following e-mail address: doc_kunwang@163.com.

Ethical Approval

All procedures involving animals and their care were conducted in conformity with NIH guidelines (NIH Pub. No. 85-23, revised 1996) and approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee, Affiliated Hospital on Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Authors’ Contributions

Yu Yang and Yu Chen contributed equally to this work.

We received considerable technical assistance for this study from the Animal Research Center of the Affiliated Hospital on Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81471010 and 81870542), Social Development Fund of Jiangsu Province (BE2017736), and Special Fund for the Development of Medical Science and Technology in Nanjing (YKK18208).


Residence Abroad Requirement for F1 and M1 visa application

Department of States updated the Foreign Affair Manual to include residence abroad requirement for F1 and M1 visa application. As a part of the visa application, applicants must prove that they will intend to depart the US upon completion of their study in the US. According to the new guideline, student visa applicant, by providing evidence to live with their family, parents or guardian when their approved activity (“study”) in the US are completed, can meet the “present intent to depart the US requirement” than otherwise.

9 FAM 402.5-5(E)(1) (U) Residence Abroad Required

(CT:VISA-1439; 12-20-2021)

a. (U) INA 101(a)(15)(F)(i) and INA 101(a)(15)(M)(i) require that an F-1 or M-1 applicant possess a residence in a foreign country he or she has no intention of abandoning. You must be satisfied that the applicant intends to depart upon completion of the approved activity. Consequently, you must be satisfied that the applicant, at the time of visa application:

(1) (U) Has a residence abroad;

(2) (U) Has no immediate intention of abandoning that residence; and

(3) (U) Intends to depart from the United States upon completion of approved activities.


What is Zinc sulfide

Submitted by admin on Mon, 11/26/2018 - 08:09

Zinc sulfide is a white to gray or light yellow powder. See the light color darken. It is stable in dry air and gradually oxidizes to zinc sulfate when it is exposed to humid air or contains moisture. Soluble in dilute mineral acid, soluble in alkali, insoluble in water.

Zinc sulfide is converted into crystals by burning in H2S gas. The α variant is a colorless hexagonal crystal with a density of 3.98 g/cm 3 , a melting point of 1700 ± 28 ° C (202.66 kPa - 20 atm); the β variant is a colorless cubic crystal with a density of 4.102 g/cm 3 and is converted to 1020 ° C. Alpha type. Present in sphalerite.

Zinc sulfide nanomaterials have attracted great attention not only because of their excellent physical properties, such as wide band gap, high refractive index, high transmittance in the visible range, but also their enormous potential for applications in optics, electronics and optoelectronics.

Zinc sulfide has excellent fluorescence and electroluminescence functions. Nano Zinc sulfide has a unique photoelectric effect and exhibits many excellent properties in the fields of electricity, magnetism, optics, mechanics and catalysis. Therefore, the study of nano Zinc sulfide has caused More people pay more attention, especially in 1994, Bhargava reported that surface passivated nano-ZnS:Mn phosphors not only have an external quantum efficiency of up to 18% at high temperatures, but their fluorescence lifetime is shortened by five orders of magnitude, and luminescence The performance has changed a lot, and the application of  ZnS in materials has opened up a new way.

It can be used to make white pigments and glass, luminescent powder, rubber, plastic, luminescent paint, etc.


세계보행자 (Realmwalker) (ko)

Creature - Shapeshifter | Power/Toughness: 2 / 3 (CMC 3)
Changeling (This card is every creature type.)
As Realmwalker enters the battlefield, choose a creature type.
You may cast creature spells of the chosen type from the top of your library.


the moon crossing in front of the earth
The far side of the moon, illuminated by the sun, as it crosses between the DSCOVR spacecraft’s Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) and telescope, and the Earth—one million miles away. NASA/NOAA

Humans have never before been to the far side of the moon—that part of Eart’s only natural satellite (which receives about as much sunlight as the near side, so stop calling it “the dark side”) remains virtually unexplored, in spite of the fact that it’s been almost a half-century since we first sent humans to the lunar surface.

That’s all about to change. China successfully landed its robotic Chang’e 4 probe on the surface of the far side of the moon on Thursday, around noon Beijing time. It’s the first-ever soft landing of a human-made object on the far side (that “soft” qualifier is a nod to a U.S. probe that impacted the surface in 1962 and failed to gather any data in the process) and marks the beginning of a new period of lunar research that could reveal quite a few secrets about the origins of the moon, the Earth, and the solar system at large.

Chang’e 4 is not just a probe—it’s also home to a rover of its own called Yutu 2, which has already started rolling its new digs. Although the far side isn’t exactly a whole new world compared to the near side, there are some geological differences that could shed light into the history of the moon. Chang’e 4 is tasked with running a slew of different experiments that will inevitably benefit space science in the way these uncommon missions can. And lastly, the mission will help test out communications infrastructure that will be useful as we prepare to converse with future lunar settlers or outposts located on other worlds like Mars.

The Chang’e 4 team has wasted no time getting to work, and is already relaying images of the far side taken by the probe.

Chang’e 4 landed at the Von Karman crater in the South Pole-Aitken basin, a region of the lunar surface scientists know quite little about. It’s speculated the 1,550 mile-wide basin is the result of an ancient meteor crash.

The mission is just one in a series of ambitious lunar missions China has launched as part of a greater effort to bolster its space program—and put it in a position to compete directly with the U.S. for space dominance. China has made no secret of its ultimate goal to send humans to the moon within the next couple decades, and the Chang’e program is simply a stepping stone to that achievement.


California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

The California Consumer Privacy Act is a US State law in California that went into effect on January 1, 2020. It was the first law of its kind in the US.

The law introduced new rights for Californian residents, such as a right to be informed, right of access, right of deletion, and right to opt out of sale of their data. It introduced new obligations on businesses, such as transparency and notice. And it granted the California Attorney General enforcement and rule making powers. It also provides citizens with a limited private right of action to bring claims in the event of a data breach.

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5 top tips for taking the train to conferences

5 top tips for taking the train to conferences

With the easing of travel restrictions post-COVID-19 pandemic, in-person academic conferences have regained momentum, and last month several members of Resource Efficiency attended the 14th ISIE-SEM conference in Vienna. As we started making preparations, the first thing to decide was how to get there.

In 2021, the transportation sector represented 37% of the CO2 emissions from end-use sectors, emitting 7.7 Gt (billion tonnes) of CO2 . In order to meet the International Energy Agency Net Zero Scenario, transport sector emissions need to fall to below 6 Gt by 2030. Not all modes of passenger transport produce the same amounts of emissions, and taking the train is the least emissions-intensive way to travel.

“A quick search in an online carbon footprint calculator showed that taking a flight from London to Vienna is 30 times more carbon-intensive than taking the train. My mind was set – I would take the train.”

Taking the train to a conference takes longer than a flight (though not necessarily so much longer when you take into account all the time spent at the airport!), and it can be a little unpredictable, but the beautiful scenery and lower environmental impact make it worth the switch! If you would like to travel by rail but are unsure of how to start or what it would involve, we’ve shared our experiences below, both the highlights and the difficulties, with some tips on how to make it work for you.

Tip 1: Travel together – it’s much more fun than on your own

I met Karla, my travelling buddy, at 8.30 am, past the Eurostar security check. The first leg of the trip took us from London to Brussels. Everything went smoothly. We made our first change and hopped on a Deutsch Bahn train to Frankfurt ready to use the following 3 hours to get some work done.

Tip 2: It can help to speak other languages, but if you don’t, just be bold and ask for help

When taking the train across different countries it’s useful to speak more than one language, but not essential. Shyness, on the other hand, is strongly discouraged. When the train manager makes a static-filled announcement your only chance is to turn to the person closest to you who looks like they understood what was said for translation.

That’s how Karla and I realised that, due to technical problems, the train would be cancelled and finish its journey on the first and next stop, Liège‑Guillemins. Baffled and lost as to how we could make it to Frankfurt, we picked up our bags and started to make inquiries on three fronts: fellow travellers, the internet, and the University booking service. We needed to be quick on our feet, as we had only 44 minutes to change trains in Frankfurt.

Tip 3: Leave yourself plenty of time and expect the unexpected

Several internet searchers after, we found that we could take a Thalys train to Köln and from there another Deutsch Bahn train to Frankfurt. That option meant we were going to miss our train to Vienna, the last of the day. But it was the fastest way to get us to Frankfurt, where we would spend the night, and travel from there the next morning. Anticipating the possibility of unexpected events, we had given ourselves a day as leeway, and it prove itself to be the right option.

Tip 4: Consider buying an interrail pass rather than separate tickets.

All our train tickets were booked separately and prepaid for, as buying them earlier often means cheaper prices. Unfortunately, the tickets were only valid for travelling with the company that issued them. So, when we got stuck, we had no way to get to Germany without taking a train from another company, and we had to pay for the ticket to Köln as we boarded the Thalys train.

Political challenges to decarbonising travel: Why taking the train across Europe is so complicated

Currently, there is no single-ticket to travel across countries in Europe. The creation of through-tickets – a single-ticket that would be valid in all trains operating in the route of a given cross-border journey, regardless of the companies running them – was up for debate during the revision of the European Commission Rail Passenger Rights Regulation, in 2021. Despite the interest at the European Parliament level, the Council pushed for a watered-down final version requiring only that train companies provide through-tickets for their fully-owned subsidiaries.

With more than 30 national train companies and several private operators working in the EU, such fragmentation of the rail network often discourages even the most eager passengers to choose the train. Instead, plane trips are preferred as they tend to be cheaper, less time-consuming and, comparatively, hassle-free(ish).

A report by OBC Transeuropa for Greenpeace showed that a third of the short-haul flights in Europe have train alternatives under six hours. Substituting those flights for the train alternatives would result in an annual reduction of 3.5 MtCO2. But this requires cooperation at the international level. Up until now, the rail sector has played a bigger role at a national level, and domestic train travel still represents close to 95% of rail companies’ business. It’s natural, then, that these companies are more interested in domestic markets than in international connections.

2021 was the European Year of Rail, but it felt like a lost opportunity, with setbacks such as the ones in the Passenger Rights Regulation. In its plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and with rail being responsible for less than 0.5% of the EU transport-related greenhouse gas emissions, the EU must in fact invest in the “interoperability of national [rail] systems and in stronger connectivity”. The Trans-European Transport network (TENT-T) is a promising start, but it needs to move from the paper to the tracks.

Despite the delay, we managed to make it to Vienna on Sunday morning, and after the three days of the conference, we began our journey back to the UK. The route was different, and required a bigger number of changes, which made us fear that we might get stuck again along the way: Vienna to Salzburg and Salzburg to Stuttgart, both operated by Deutsch Bahn; Stuttgart to Paris with SNCF, France’ national train company; and then the Eurostar from Paris to London. The first two journeys suffered significant delays. In fact, despite having originally left an hour to switch trains in Stuttgart, we ended up arriving only a couple of minutes before the train to Paris was due to depart.

Tip 5: Take time to enjoy the scenery and the adventure

Karla on the platform at Salzburg!

 We had almost three hours before our Eurostar train back to the UK, and we decided we deserved a drink under the Parisian sun to relax for the stress of the previous journeys. Sipping our beers, we did a small recap of our adventure: the people we encountered throughout, the snow over the Alps, the French countryside, the chance to actually enjoy the changing landscape while working (wifi and sockets were available in all trains). At that moment, we almost forgot the rushing and the missed connection. It was just the tiredness building over us that wouldn’t allow us to obliterate those bits. “Hopefully it will get easier very soon.” May the political will exist.

IEA (2022), Transport, IEA, Paris

IEA (2022), Rail, IEA, Paris

Brillaud, L., Melchior, S., and Rico, M., (2021), Why are cross-country train tickets in EU still so complex?, euobserver, Brussels/Madrid

Ferrari, L., and De Feo, G., 2021. Train alternatives to short-haul flights in Europe. OBC Transeuropa, Trento, Italy.

European Commission (2020), The journey begins – 2021 is the European Year of Rail!, Brussels

European Council (2022), Clean and sustainable mobility, Brussels

European Commission (2022), Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), Brussels


What Happens If You Fail A Treadmill Stress Test?

Passing a functional capacity test is mandatory before beginning any exercise program. Patients who fail the test may still be able to participate in an exercise program, but with caution and under close supervision.

Functional capacity can be assessed even if patients have undergone surgery or experienced other injuries that might impact their ability to exercise safely. The test is necessary for accurate assessment of rehabilitation needs and prognosis following injury or illness..

The results of the test are valuable not only for individuals who have suffered an injury, but also for those caring for them

What Happens If You Fail A Treadmill Stress Test?

The test is a necessity for patients to be safe when engaging in activities of daily living. Patients who fail the test are not able to exercise safely and their functional capacity can still be assessed.

Functional Capacity Assessment Systems (FCAS) have been created specifically for this purpose, so that patients’ abilities are accurately measured regardless of their results on a test such as the TUGS exam.

Ultimately, it is important for physicians to use all available information when assessing patient safety and functioning levels.

Can a treadmill stress test show blockage?

If you’re having chest pain or shortness of breath, it’s important to get a stress test done on your heart as well. A treadmill stress test is not always the best way to determine if there are blockages in your heart; other tests may be needed.

The results of a treadmill stress test can help rule out conditions like coronary artery disease and cardiac arrest but they cannot diagnose these diseases themselves. You should discuss any concerns you have about your health with a doctor before undergoing this type of testing, as it could be risky depending on the results.

You don’t need an appointment for a treadmill stress test – just bring some ID and recent medical records with you when you come in for evaluation

What happens if you can’t complete a stress test?

If you have trouble completing the stress test in a specified period of time, it may mean there is reduced blood flow to your heart. Reduced blood flow can be caused by several different heart conditions, some of which are very serious.

If this happens and you don’t have another way to determine if your condition is causing the problem with the stress test, you may need to see a doctor for further evaluation or treatment. Make sure that if you experience any difficulty during or after the test that you contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible so they can help diagnose and/or treat whatever is causing the issue.

Always consult with a physician before beginning any new medical treatment or participating in an activity that could be dangerous

Should I be worried about an abnormal stress test?

A stress test is a valuable tool to help assess the risk of coronary artery disease, but it’s not always accurate. False positives and negatives both happen all the time with this type of testing.

It can be very reassuring for some patients to get a positive result, even if it isn’t 100% accurate. For others, knowing that they have an elevated risk may be more than enough information. If you’re concerned about your health, speak with your doctor or healthcare provider about getting tested for coronary artery disease

What does it mean to fail a cardiac stress test?

A cardiac stress test is a common way to screen for heart disease in adults. If you have an abnormal result in either phase of the test, this indicates that your heart’s blood flow is poor and suggests significant coronary artery disease.

A normal result doesn’t rule out heart disease; it just means that your cardiovascular system is functioning normally at this point. The goal of a stress test is to determine how well your cardiovascular system responds to exercise and whether there are any signs of coronary artery disease present.

Failing a cardiac stress test does not mean that you haveheart Disease, but it does indicate an increased risk for developing Heart Disease in the future

Is 9 minutes on a treadmill stress test good?

A treadmill stress test can be a helpful tool to assess your cardiovascular fitness level. You don’t have to complete the nine-minute test if you’re not comfortable doing so.

The FAA does accept a minimum of 85% of maximum predicted rate, but stay on the treadmill as long as possible, up to nine minutes to demonstrate maximum effort. There are many benefits associated with regular exercise, including reducingstress and improving moods and sleep patterns.

The FAA allows for applicants over age 70 to exercise for at least six minutes, but must still attain 85% of predicted maximum heart rate.”

How long does the average person last on a treadmill stress test?

The average person usually lasts about an hour on a treadmill stress test. Prepping for the test includes having your heart monitored and taking some basic measurements such as weight, age, and sex.

The actual exercise test is short but intense: people typically last around 15 minutes before they need to stop because their heart rate has reached a certain point. Most health care providers offer stress tests at no cost or at a reduced price to those who may be uninsured or underinsured .

Knowing how long you can last on a stress test will help you prepare mentally and physically for the experience

Can anxiety affect a stress test?

There is a higher incidence of anxiety in younger women, which could affect the results of a stress test. High levels of anxiety can impact hemodynamic reactivity during cardiac stress testing and make it more difficult for patients to respond correctly.

It’s important to be aware of your own anxiety levels before taking a stress test so that you don’t have an adverse effect on the results. Patients who are anxious may require additional support during their medical appointment in order to reduce any potential risks associated with cardiac stress testing.

Medications or therapy may be necessary for some patients in order to manage their symptoms and improve outcomes from stressful medical procedures like heart tests

Frequently Asked Questions

How high does your heart rate go during a stress test?

Take a stress test. Your target heart rate during the stress test will depend on your age and other factors.

Does blood pressure increase during stress test?

There is no definitive answer to this question as the study did not adjust for other factors such as workload or exercise intensity. However, if you have high blood pressure during a stress test and are concerned about it, you should speak with your doctor.

What is the best test to check for clogged arteries?

Can a stress test miss a blockage?

If you are experiencing chest discomfort or shortness of breath after a stress test, please call your doctor. A coronary artery blockage could be the cause.

How do you pass a treadmill stress test?

Avoid eating or drinking anything except water for at least three hours before the test. Consume no other food until the test is over. If you have caffeine, avoid drinking it all together – use only coffee and tea for the test. Do not smoke during the test.

To Recap

A treadmill stress test is a vital part of the medical process, but if you fail it your doctor may suggest another type of testing or treatment. If you are successful on the treadmill test, don’t get too confident; there are still risks associated with undergoing this testing.

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list object with filegroup | SQL Server Performance Forums

SQL Server Performance Forum – Threads Archive

list object with filegroup

Hello, I want list all object that are owned by a specific filegroup. Someone knows how can I do that?. I mean, I want to see the ‘content’ of the filegroup. For example: table1 filegroup1
table3 filegroup3
index3 filegruop1
actually, file group is by index, not table object
so the table could be in 1 fg, and each index in same or others anyways, join to sysindexes and use the groupid column


The Long Way Home 11.18.2022

At family gatherings when we were just a young couple, barely into our twenties, with two blonde-haired pixies (there was more to come), we attended family gatherings during the holidays that sometimes included Aunt Betty. Betty had a hard life, including poor health. She also had a nasally voice that grated on me. Every time, she would greet me she’d add a comment, especially after seeing the girls, “You’re so lucky.”

Back then I was a hard-working and semi-intelligent young man who did a passable job providing housing, food, and love to my family. I, and my unfortunate ego, deeply resented the idea that I was just lucky.

Now that I’m officially an old man, and can reflect on a long life with humility and gratitude, I have to admit that I shouldn’t have been peeved at dear Aunt Betty--or most of the other folks who rubbed me wrong with their conclusions when humility still eluded me.

In his book, The Luck Factor, Professor Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertfordshire, England says, “My research revealed that lucky people generate good fortune via four basic principles. They are skilled at creating and noticing chance opportunities, make lucky decisions by listening to their intuition, create self-fulfilling prophesies via positive expectations, and adopt a resilient attitude that transforms bad luck into good."

Without knowing it at the time, those four principles guided me throughout my life.

Here’s some of what I now consider my good luck with the opportunities and decisions that were there for me:

I was born a nearly poor white child in the great state of Minnesota.

Two parents, imperfect but always there, who raised me. They had deep respect for teachers and preachers, and never took my side against them.

Born near the end of the baby boomer cycle, I benefited from the free polio vaccine given at school, polio having once struck our family.

A public school education where teachers weren’t always second-guessed--except by me.

Growing up near the Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington when the Washington Senators became the Minnesota Twins.

Coming of age near the end of the Vietnam debacle. The year of my draft, 1972, saw a dramatic decrease in the number of draftees taken. The military intended to take up to number 95. My number was comfortably in triple digits.

Becky, my high school sweetheart, became my wife and mother to our four amazing kids. It can be considered a miracle of luck that she sticks with me fifty years later.

A business career that put me in a leadership position with my company and my chosen industry with some amazing mentors.

Looking back, bad luck was never far away and raised its ugly head many times. But it didn’t kill me, try as it might.

On deadline day, as I wrap up this piece of work (take those three words as you wish), I need to get out and move snow. We’ve had near a foot of the white stuff in the last 24 hours and our plow is disabled. Bad luck for me.

But well before sunrise my neighbor arrived, plow in gear, and cleared our driveway.

As Betty would say, “I’m so lucky!”


Podkiv 100 (Tablets)

Cefpodoxime 100 mg

Brand Name: Podkiv 100 (Tablets)

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.Cefpodoxime Proxetil Podkiv 100 is one of a class of antibiotic drugs known as "cephalosporins" that are used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, soft tissues, lower respiratory tract, ear, nose, and throat. The proliferation of dangerous bacteria inside or on the body results in bacterial illnesses. You can get sick from harmful or contagious bacteria, and they can proliferate swiftly in your body. Toxins, which are substances produced by these hazardous bacteria, can injure tissue and make you ill. Cefpodoxime is ineffective against viral infections, such as the common cold and the flu.

It contains "Cefpodoxime Proxetil," a multipurpose antibiotic that works well against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Cefpodoxime Proxetil functions by inhibiting the bacterial cell wall, which is essential for their survival, from forming. As a result, it eliminates the germs and aids in the treatment and control of bacterial infections.

Benefits of Cefpodoxime Proxetil Tablet

The infection-causing bacteria in your body are eliminated by Cefpodoxime Proxetil. This medication is used to treat a wide range of infections, including meningitis of the brain, pneumonia of the lungs, ear, gut, urinary tract, bone and joint, skin, blood, and heart infections. You should continue taking this medication as directed even though you feel better in most cases after a few days. If you stop it too soon, the infection can return and be more difficult to cure.

Side Effects of Cefpodoxime Proxetil Tablet

  • Rash
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

If you have an allergy to cefpodoxime or any other antibiotic, avoid taking Cefpodoxime Proxetil. Self-medication or taking antibiotics on one's own can result in antibiotic resistance, which prevents medications from working against particular bacterial infections. Inform your doctor if you have ever experienced liver, kidney, or intestinal irritation before using this medication. To prevent drug interactions, avoid taking antacids and anti-ulcer medications with cefpodoxime proxetil and leave a gap of 2-3 hours between the two. Be cautious when performing tasks that call for mental activity while taking Cefpodoxime Proxetil as it may make you dizzy.

Follow your doctor's instructions for this medication's dosage and duration. Before ingesting it, dissolve it in a glass of water. It is recommended to take Cefpodoxime Proxetil with food.

Cefpodoxime Proxetil Manufacturer and Supplier

Unibyte Kids is the top pharmaceutical firm specialising in paediatric pharmaceuticals. The nation's leading paediatricians and doctors of all specialties highly value the large variety of premium products that our organisation sells. Our medications are quite safe to use, and we have WHO and GMP accreditation. We provide franchise opportunities and third-party manufacturing services all around the country.


10 measures to solve your money worries!

10 measures to solve your money worries!

10 measures to solve your money worries!

10 measures to solve your money worries!

10 measures to solve your money worries!

10 measures to solve your money worries!

Money is always ultimate.

Earn to save

Eighty percent of those who work at present depend only on their monthly salary. At any situation, most of them are not able to decide on their own and instead tend to allow others and external factors to decide for them. Therefore there is increased expenditure and they tend to forget about savings. They don’t try to save at least a part of what they earn and instead worry about not earning enough to save, thereby deceiving themselves.
It can be managed wisely if one learns to save 20% of what is earned every month. As soon as one gets into a job saving should be initiated gradually. It is not important how much we earn but how much we are able to save every month.

Upgrade your qualifications

All of us have a lingering fear within us that we would be financially suffering if we happen to lose our job at a moment or the company we work for closes down suddenly. There is growing competition among the workers and also among large organizations and companies where we work. In order to tackle those unexpected situations we should improve our skills and talents and keep us qualified on par with the expectations of the companies we work for. This will come in handy at the time of employment crisis. When we are adequately qualified for a job there won’t be any need to worry about loss of job or non-employment.

Is part time possible?

There are two ways to increase our income. One is gaining more income by enhancing our qualifications and skill sets. Second is to try for part time job while continue doing the current job thereby increasing the income. Follow any one of the two ways at the earliest instead of lamenting for not able to increase income foolishly.

Strictly no to borrowing

It is rare for someone not to borrow. The only aim for the borrower is to get the money in the time of need and never the borrower thinks about the ability to repay the money with interest. That is why many of us get money through credit card and are seriously suffering for not able to pay back. It’s not wrong to get money on credit. Housing loan is the best example. Whatever the loan is for, it is better for the borrower to think ten times about the real need for it before getting a loan. Especially it is critical to learn about the rate of interest for the loan amount and then decide to go for it.

Not owning a house!

At present, everyone thinks that it is essential to have an own house. The previous generation could earn a house only at the time of retirement. And there were many whose stories ended without earning their own house. But the current society tends to look down those who do not own a house. Many of us feel compelled to own a house in order to avoid being mocked at. But it is important to remember that owning a house demands huge amount of money and longer commitment to repay the loan and it is imprudent if someone is not having adequate income or salary to go for it.

Wrong investment

Many of us impulsively invest on a plan without adequate contemplation about it and begin worrying about it. Before investing on something it is better to weigh the pros and cons, possible return on investment after long duration of fund lock up and benefits to be accrued within the frame of our future needs.
Importantly, it is a wrong notion investing on gold or real estate for future needs. When it is essentially needed, it is very difficult to change the real estate investment into money. But it is easier to sell and change it to money if one invests on mutual funds.

Is investing in shares always a loss?

It is a common opinion that there are more who have lost in stock markets than who profited out of it. There are still others who have a wrong notion that investing in shares is a kind of gambling and therefore avoiding it.  Fearing that one will go bankrupt by investing in stocks  many have an aversion towards investing on shares.
One gets the fingers burnt only when one chooses to invest on it without learning or knowing about it thoroughly and therefore it is often because of not knowing the nuances of it rather than the loss due to mere investment on stocks. If it is invested for a long period it will grow our money significantly and at the same time help the economy of the country to grow simultaneously.

Insurance staves off risks

At present, most of us are anxious about the fate of our family if something untoward happens to us. Though it is fair to worry about it, the best way to solve the issue is to take up insurance policies to protect us and our family. Instead of thinking and opting for traditionally common policies it is wise to choose Term policies that demand less premium but provide more coverage.

Savings for post-retirement

The average life span of an Indian has grown up to 75 years. Now a days, many of us tend to get retired early the post-retirement period becomes longer than the actual duration of working and earning. If one wishes to earn without working after retirement it is high time to save for post-retirement period too.

Right plan, sure happiness

Many of us suffer in life because of poor or improper planning. Proper planning and execution is the pre-requisite for any plan to be successful and one should allot adequate time and effort to prepare a workable plan with consideration of key contributive factors. One should be able to predict the future needs and arrive at a goal and then find the means to generate fund towards fulfilling the goal. If you are able to draft such a plan you do not need to be anxious about any financial crisis in due course of your life.

(This article originally written by B Padmanaban - Financial Advisor for Nanayam Vikatan is now reproduced in English by Amalan Stanley)