Essential Commodities Act: Provision for essential items

The Indian Parliament enacted the Essential Commodities Act to assure the delivery of specific commodities or items whose supply, if disrupted by hoarding or black marketing, would hurt people’s daily lives. It covers food, medications, and gasoline, among other things.

The ECA got adopted in 1955. The government has since used it to control the production, supply, and distribution of a wide range of goods that it deems “important” to make them available to consumers at reasonable costs.

Furthermore, the government has the authority to set the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of any packaged product that it deems to be an essential commodity. Let’s get into deep to understand what is essential commodities act and what’s included in the same.

Historical background of Essential commodities Act

The origins of this Act may be traced back to 1939, when the Government of India passed the Defence of India Act, 1939, which established laws for the control, production, supply, and distribution of certain particular commodities during World War 2.

The Act got repealed in 1946. However, it got recognised that specific laws were required immediately to preserve critical goods in the public interest. As a result, in 1946, the Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Ordinance was created, which was later superseded by the Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Act, 1946.

Two General Assembly resolutions expanded the terms of this Act in 1948 and 1949. The first Essential Commodities Ordinance was enacted after independence by the 3rd Constitutional Amendment, superseded by the current Act, The Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Scope of the Essential commodities Act

The scope of this Act is India as a whole. The Essential commodities act got passed to assure the supply of necessary commodities to consumers and protect them from exploiting unscrupulous dealers. As a result, the Act establishes regulations for regulating and controlling essential commodity production, price, and distribution.

This Act has two primary objectives:

  1. Maintaining or increasing the supply of these vital goods, and
  2. To ensure that these necessary items get distributed and available equally.

Definition of an essential commodity

The Essential commodity Act does not provide a detailed definition of essential commodities. As per section 2(A) of the act, an “essential commodity” gets defined as a commodity included in the “Schedule” of the act.

The Essential commodities act grants the federal government the authority to add or remove commodities from the “Schedule.” In conjunction with state governments, the Centre can declare an item essential if it believes it is vital in the public interest.

Currently, the “Schedule” incorporates nine commodities: drugs; fertilisers, whether organic, inorganic, or mixed; foodstuffs, including edible oils; petroleum and petroleum products; hank yarn made entirely of cotton; raw jute and jute textiles; food-crops seeds and fruits and vegetable seeds, jute seed, cattle fodder seeds, cottonseed; and face masks.

Face masks and hand sanitisers, which were deemed essential commodities with effect from March 13, 2020, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 epidemic, are the most recent additions to this timetable.

The government can restrict the production, supply, and distribution of a commodity by designating it necessary and setting a stock limit by declaring it essential.

Need for the Essential commodities Act

The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 empowers the government to regulate these commodities’ production, supply, and distribution to maintain or increase supplies and ensure equitable distribution.

Fundamentally, the act’s goal is to ensure that essential commodities are easily accessible to consumers while also preventing traders from taking advantage of them.

What gets included in Essential commodities

The Act covers seven broad categories of essential commodities.

  • Drugs;
  • inorganic,
  • organic, or mixed fertiliser;
  • foodstuffs, incorporating edible oilseeds and oils; hank yarn made entirely of cotton; petroleum and petroleum products;
  • raw jute and jute textile;
  • seeds of food crops and seeds of fruits and vegetables;
  • seeds of cattle fodder; and jute seeds.
  • The cottonseed recently got added to the list.

Implementation of the Essential commodities Act

Under the Essential Commodities Act of 1955, the government can issue orders controlling the production, distribution, trade, and commerce of essential commodities. With an order dated February 12, 2007, the Central Government amended the list of necessary items under this Act, as stated below.

  • Drugs
  • Fertilisers (organic, inorganic or mixed)
  • Edible oilseeds and oil are examples of foods.
  • Petroleum and Petroleum Products are hank yarns composed entirely of cotton.
  • Jute Textiles and Raw Jute
  • Food crop seeds, as well as fruit and vegetable seeds
  • Cattle Fodder Seeds
  • Seeds of jute
  • Cotton seeds are a kind of seed that gets used

Impact of the amendment of the Essential commodities Act

The main modifications aim to liberate agricultural markets from the constraints imposed by licenses and mandis, intended for a time when there was a paucity of resources. Cereals, oilseeds, edible oils, pulses, onions, and potatoes are among the items removed from the list of necessities. The change gets anticipated to promote private investment in the value chain.

While the Act’s initial goal was to protect consumers by prohibiting unlawful trade practices like hoarding, it has become a barrier to investment in the agriculture industry in general and post-harvesting operations in particular.

The private sector has been hesitant to engage in perishable cold chains and storage facilities since most commodities are under the EC Act and may be subject to abrupt stock limitations. The amendment aims to resolve these issues.

Laws relating to maintenance of essential supplies

In 1980, the government enacted the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act to combat illicit activities and violations under the Essential Commodities Act of 1955.

Essential commodities Act gives officials of the Central and State governments the authority to issue detention orders against those trying to regulate the production, distribution, supply, trade, and commerce of vital commodities as specified in Section 2 of the Essential Commodities Act 1955.

The Act also defines the procedure for passing or enforcing these detention orders.

Powers of central government under the essential commodities

The Central Government under the Essential commodities Act have two essential powers:

Power to Notify the essential commodity

The Central Government can utilise this power to add or remove any product from the schedule at any moment to benefit the general public. The commodities concerning which such rights are exercised, on the other hand, must be provided under entry 33, list 111 of the constitution’s 7th schedule.

Power to issue a control order (Section 3)

The Central Government has the authority to issue control orders under this Act. In one of the following instances, such directives provide for the restriction and ban of critical commodities:

  • When the government determines that it is essential and expedient to act in the public interest
  • When they need to ensure that these goods are distributed fairly and are readily available in the market
  • When they need to secure a certain commodity for India’s defence

Stock limitation under the Essential commodities Act

The essential commodities Act gives the federal government the authority to restrict a person’s stock of a critical item. The Ordinance stipulates that any stock limit imposed on specific commodities must get based on price increases.

A stock restriction may get imposed only if there is a 100 per cent increase in the retail price of horticulture produce and a 50 per cent increase in the retail price of non-perishable agricultural food products. The increase will get computed based on the price in effect for the previous twelve months, or the average retail price for the previous five years, whichever is lower.

Any stock restriction imposed on a processor or value chain participant of agricultural output will not apply if the stock held by such person is smaller than the following:

The overall ceiling of installed processing capacity,

Demand for export in the exporter case.

A value chain participant is involved in the production or value addition of agricultural products at any level of processing, packaging, storage, transportation, and distribution.

Under what circumstances can the government impose stock limits

According to the modified EC Act, Agri-food stuff can only get regulated under extreme conditions, such as war, hunger, extraordinary price rises, or natural tragedy.

Any action taken to impose stock limitations, on the other hand, will be based on the price trigger.

In the case of horticultural products, a 100% rise in the retail price of the commodity in the previous 12 months or the average retail price in the last five years, whichever is smaller, shall be the trigger for imposing the stock restriction.

The price trigger for non-perishable agricultural products will be a 50% rise in the retail price of the commodity in the previous 12 months or the average retail price in the previous five years, whichever is lower.

Officials noted that processors and value chain participants of any agricultural goods and orders linked to the Public Distribution System would be free from stock-holding limitations.

How does the act help check price?

The Essential commodities act is implemented by state governments and union territories, with the federal government’s role limited to monitoring state actions in carrying out the Act’s requirements.

State and local governments use the Act’s powers to set stock or turnover limits for specific commodities and penalise people who hold them over the limit. Stock limitations for pulses, edible oil, edible oilseeds, rice, paddy, and sugar got enforced in numerous states.

What was the amendment in the Essential commodities Act

As per the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution sources, the ordinance has added a new provision (1A) to Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Advisors benefit from advanced analytics since it offers them vital buyer information.

The modified legislation creates a system for the “control” of agricultural goods, such as grains, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, potato, and supply, in the event of unusual price increases, war, famine, or a terrible natural catastrophe.

Need of amendment in the EC Act

The EC Act got enacted when the country was experiencing a food crisis due to persistently low food grain output. The government relied on imports and aid (such as wheat imports from the United States under PL-480) to feed the people.

In this circumstance, the Essential Commodities Act was created in 1955 to prevent food stockpiling and black marketing.

However, things have changed lately.

According to a note prepared by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, wheat production has increased by tenfold (from less than 10 million tonnes in 1955-56 to more than 100 million tonnes in 2018-19); rice production has increased by more than fourfold (from around 25 million tonnes to 110 million tonnes) during the same period.

Pulses have grown 2.5 times in output, from 10 million to 25 million tonnes.

India is presently a significant exporter of a variety of agricultural products. The EC Act has become obsolete as a result of these changes.

How effective is the act?

During the years 2006-2008, state and union territory administrations prosecuted 14,541 people under the EC Act, 1955, resulting in 2,310 convictions. As of August 31, 2009, 2533 people had been charged, and 37 had been convicted. However, questions concerning the Act’s efficacy got raised several times.

The government was recently requested by Parliament’s estimates committee to develop new laws as soon as possible to restrict the retail prices of essential commodities like rice, wheat, legumes, edible oils, sugar, milk, and vegetables.

The Essential Commodities Act of 1955 is one of the country’s most significant legislation pertaining to protecting the general public’s interests. The Central Government has broad authorities under this Act to control the production and supply of critical goods. The Central Government regulates the pricing of vital goods that have been confiscated or seized under the essential commodities Act. All of these powers are required to keep the market afloat.

FAQs Regarding Essential Commodities Act

What are the benefits of the Essential Commodities Act?

Only in exceptional situations may the federal government limit the supply of some food commodities under the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020. (such as war and famine). Only if there is a significant price increase may agricultural produce stock limitations be enforced.

What is Price control under the Essential Commodities Act,1955?

Where any person sells any essential commodity in compliance with the order made under Section 3, the price of that essential commodity shall get determined as:

  • Agreed price
  • Controlled price
  • Market price

Who can investigate under the EC Act?

The court concluded that because the Essential punished every offence. M.C. No. 4501 of 2017 6 Commodities Act is a cognisable offence; a police officer has the authority to investigate the infraction even if an Order made under the Act does not provide him such authority.

What is the EC Act court?

On a fair reading of the provisions described above, it is evident that throughout the period when the EC(Special Provisions) Act was in effect, the special court established for the trial of EC Act offences had exclusive competence to handle such matters.

Related Posts


What GPA do you need for NYU?

The final cumulative GPA must meet the minimum 3.50 requirement without rounding up. … What is the minimum GPA needed to apply? To be eligible to apply, students must have a 3.50 minimum cumulative GPA.

Can I get into NYU with a 3.5 GPA?

Earning a high GPA isn’t enough. As the NYU University statistics indicate, even those with a 3.5 GPA or better who don’t do well on the SAT/ACT have only about a four-percent chance of admission.

Can I get into NYU with a 3.0 GPA?

Is 3.7 A good GPA for NYU?

Is a GPA of 1.0 good?

IMPORTANT:  Your question: What is the federal school code for Northern Virginia Community College?

Can I get into NYU with a 1400 SAT?

A 1400 on the SAT makes it possible to apply to a sizable number of colleges, including very competitive colleges. Among your target options are the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and New York University, all of which accept students with an average of a 1400 SAT score.

Can I get into NYU with a 3.6 GPA?

What GPA do you need to get into New York University? Applicants require very good grades in high school to get into NYU. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at New York University was 3.6 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend.

What is the lowest GPA NYU accepted?

Admissions – NYU Stern

What is the easiest school to get into at NYU?

Notes for students


Next. Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Pride. Racism in Othello 2. Sadly, Shakespeare was not above making racial jokes. In the very first act of Othello, villain Iago seeks to stir up conflict for Othello and Desdemona by reporting their elopement to her father Brabantio in the middle of the night. Racism is evident in Act I, Scene 1, on line 89, Iago refers to Othello as a “black ram” when informing Brabantio, who is Desdemona’s father, of her and Othello’s relationship. ... Act 4, scene 2. Act 4. Othello actually is responsible for some racism in Act two. 34 terms. In this quote, Iago uses racist slurs when he wakes Brabantio with the news that his daughter, Desdemona, has eloped with Othello. OTHER SETS BY THIS CREATOR. Othello Act 2 Scene 2 7. Othello discusses his race throughout the play—usually in response to something a white Venetian says—but here he makes his first negative reference to it, suggesting that perhaps his blackness is to blame for his lack of conversational ability. The racism of Iago about Othello• Iago uses racism as a spark to inflame Desdemona’s father, senator Brabanzio against Othello. Her testimony would be strong evidence of Desdemona’s innocence, except that Othello dismisses it all as lies, because it does not accord with what he already believes. See our Privacy Policy and User Agreement for details. How comes this trick upon him? Test. Nevertheless Shakespeare keeps this character … The characterisation of Othello was presented through the dominant ideology of the predilection, prejudice and paragon image of race. When Iago says an "old black ram" (Othello) is sleeping with Brabantio's "white ewe" (Desdemona), he plays on Elizabethan notions that black men have an animal-like, hyper-sexuality. He uses animal imagery to dehumanize Othello and shame Brabantio into action. Throughout Othello, Shakespeare puts his talent for diverse metaphors to use. Posted by Katilyn at 3:22 PM. It is a weakness that he can never overcome because it is nature’s gift. These demeaning descriptions of Othello are undeniably racist, and they are used to paint a savage and barbaric picture of him, even though Othello is truly quite the opposite. 13 February 2016.]). Act 4 Scene 1; Act 4 Scene 2; Act 4 Scene 3; Act 5. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Act 5, scene 2. Thats what they call each other thats their race and to them calling each other that is nothing but a different race calling them that is a huge deal. At the time of his writing, ethnic minorities were so disregarded, almost to the point of being ignored, yet Shakespeare chooses to make the protagonist a black male who rises to power. If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by Breaks out to savage madness." A big issue in our society, is the still existing gap … Othello Act 4 Quotes. Othello Act 1 Scene 3 5. Iago injects this racist poison in an otherwise strong relationship and kills the two lovers as he had planned. Womanhood and Sexuality. We say 'lie on her' when they belie her. Learn. 1 comment: Mr. G February 4, 2010 at 7:11 AM. ” It is the very first outrightly racist remark in this play by Shakespeare. Manhood and Honor. But in Act IV, he crumbles. Sirius Black Quiz 30 Terms. Our writers will create an original "Racism in Othello" essay for you. Roderigo is gulled in each conversation he has with Iago, on each occasion getting closer to danger, until he finds himself participating in a plot against Cassio, which proves fatal to him. 4. STUDY. Motifs Plants. Othello Act 2 Scene 3 8. Othello: Act 4, scene 2 Summary & Analysis New! This thought is similar to his father-in-law's observation in Act I, Scene 3, when Brabantio spoke of "nature erring" — when Desdemona "unnaturally" chose Othello, a man not of her own race or culture. Get a verified writer to help you with Racism In Shakespeares’s Othello. But what if a black person were saying it to a black person? so if you think about the question lingers, is it right for Othello to be able to say this to other people but not okay for someone to call Othello it? Act 4, scene 3. Manhood and Honor. She makes it clear that she loves Othello and is loyal to him:


Functional 2D materials and heterostructures for hybrid spintronic-memristive devices

Project Director: Dr. Velea Alin

Project ID:

Project Director Dr. Alin Velea

Project Type: International

Project Program: M.ERA.NET 2

Funded by: Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research, UEFISCDI

Contractor: National Institute of Materials Physics

Status: In progress

Start Date: September 1, 2019

End Date: August 31, 2022

Project Abstract:

Magnetic memories (MRAM) and memristors are amongst the most promising technologies for emerging nonvolatile memories. MRAM implement concepts developed within spintronics, which uses spin –rather than electrons– to transfer and store information. In this project we will explore hybrid spintronic-memristor devices in graphene-based heterostructures comprising 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and less explored group-IV monochalcogenides (IV-MCs) materials. We will perform the first ever evaluation of the potential of 2D IV-MCs as memristors and implement graphene-based heterostructures with enhanced spin-orbit coupling using both TMDs and IV-MCs. With these heterostructures we aim at controlling graphene’s spin properties by changing the memristive setting of the chalcogenides. They will be made and characterized such that new multifunctional 2D systems are generated for applications in ultradense and ultralow power nonvolatile memories and neuromorphic computer architectures.

Project Objectives:

The overarching goal of this project is to nurture a paradigm shift by developing a new generation of two dimensional functional materials (2DFM) and heterostructures that can provide a leap towards novel computing architecture technologies with potential for ultra-low power consumption, and faster and cheaper information storage. To achieve this goal, the project will initiate a new research line that feeds from two active areas in condensed matter physics, namely spintronics and memristor systems.

The project team consists of:

  1. Dr. Alin Velea - Project leader
  2. Dr. Petre Bădică - Scientific researcher I
  3. Dr. Mihail Secu - Scientific researcher I
  4. Dr. Aurelian-Cătălin Gâlcă - Scientific researcher I
  5. Dr. Florinel Sava - Scientific researcher II
  6. Dr. Iosif-Daniel Șimăndan - Scientific researcher
  7. Dr. Oana-Claudia Mihai - Research assistant
  8. Dr. Angel-Theodor Buruiană - Research assistant

Stage 1: Tests for the development of functional 2D materials

Deadline: 31.12.2019

This first stage of the project aimed to perform tests for the development of functional 2D materials. In order to reach this objective, several activities have been carried out.

Tests to determine the optimum conditions for obtaining crystalline thin layers of SnSe were performed using the physical vapor transport method (PVT). The PVT method involves the transformation of the SnSe material from the condensed state (powder) into a vapor state, the transport of the vapours by the flow of argon into a quartz tube arranged horizontally and then condensation on a suitable support  (positioned inside the quartz tube), as a thin crystalline layer of SnSe.

The most important parameters in the process of deposition of thin SnSe layers by PVT are the temperature of the SnSe powder and the temperature of the Si substrate, the temperature at which the thin layer is deposited, the argon flow during deposition, the time of the deposition and the residual oxygen concentration in the quartz tube during deposition.

The analysis  of the obtained layers was done in the context of the influence of the deposition parameters on the quality of the obtained films. The temperature of the SnSe powder and Si substrate is an important parameter, inducing significant differences in the morphology of the obtained films. The second important parameter is the flow of argon during the deposition of the thin layers. Thus, it is found that to obtain a uniform deposition, the flow must be moderate, if it is greatly enlarged then the clusters are crowded towards the edge of the Si substrate. The third important parameter is the concentration of residual oxygen. The presence of oxygen in high concentration leads to oxidation of Tin vapors and their condensation on the "hot" substrate in the form of polycrystalline SnO2 clusters. If the residual oxygen concentration decreases, then only a part of the Sn vapors are oxidized, the rest, are condensing on the substrate as polycrystalline semispherical clusters of Sn. This difference in morphology is due to the difference in the melting temperature of Sn (231.93 °C) and SnO2 (1630 °C). If oxygen is absent, then on the surface of the substrate are formed Sn polycrystalline semispherical clusters. The Selenium vapors that are formed during deposition are partly evacuated, and another part is condensed as amorphous Selenium (melting temperature 221 °C). These results were obtained using X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and Raman spectrometry.

In conclusion, following the tests performed, valuable information was obtained which led to the identification of the most important deposition parameters and indications about the optimum values for the preparation of polycrystalline layers of SnSe. In the next step, we will improve the preparation process to have a single polycrystalline phase (SnSe) on the substrate. We will also extend the preparation process to other group IV monochalcogenides.

Stage 2: Group IV monochalcogenides synthesis

Deadline: 31.12.2020

The second stage of the 2D-SPIN-MEM project aimed at obtaining 2D chalcogenide materials that have the chemical formula SX, S being an element of group IV (Ge or Sn) and X a chalcogen (S or Se). These materials in the literature are called group-IV monochalcogenides.

To achieve this goal, several activities were carried out in this second stage for the growth by CVD of group-IV monochalcogenides and the development of synthetic recipes. First, the method of obtaining was innovated on the basis of the experience gained in the first stage. The deposition parameters were varied to identify the optimal values in order to achieve the proposed objective: a high density of monocalcogenide flakes with the dimensions: length × width > 5 × 5 μm. 25 syntheses were carried out using SnSe monocalcogenide resulting in 25 samples. Following the investigation of the quality and density of SnSe flakes, an optimized preparation recipe resulted. This was followed by an etching process resulting in 2D SnSe single/few-layer crystals. This process was also optimized to obtain 2D flat SnSe crystals, without etching residues. These etched flakes are suitable for transfer to graphene. The transfer and proximity effects studies will be carried out in the next stage of the project. Next, we proceeded to CVD synthesis tests of group-IV monochalcogenides doped with transition metals, namely obtaining Cr-doped SnSe flakes (a transition metal) by modifying the synthesis recipe.

The quality of the obtained flakes was evaluated and the detailed physico-chemical characterization of the best 2D samples was performed. Optical microscopy has shown that the abundance of flakes is optimal for achieving the goals of this project. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) we investigated the quality of the SnSe flakes produced. The edges of the flakes were found to be smooth and well defined. Using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), the chemical composition of the flakes was measured.

Detailed information on the crystal structure of a SnSe flake was obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and EDX. The electron diffraction (SAED) figure made at the edge of a SnSe flake (where the flake thickness is only a few atomic layers of SnSe) shows an orthogonal symmetry, and the elementary cell constants are very close to the theoretical values for SnSe. Mapping of Sn and Se elements in another flake indicates that the Sn and Se atoms are evenly distributed. EDX measurements were performed in three areas of the flake, which indicate an atomic ratio Sn:Se very close to 50%: 50%.

Raman spectroscopy was performed to provide more information about the structure quality of SnSe flakes. Ag and B3g are two rigid shear modes of a layer relative to its neighbors and are the characteristic modes of flat vibration in SnSe. For a monocrystalline SnSe flake, four maxima are clearly observed at 70.2 cm-1, 107.35 cm-1, 129.85 cm-1 and 150.54 cm-1. The Raman maximum from 107.35 cm-1 corresponds to the B3g vibration mode, while the other three observed maxima belong to the Ag vibration mode.

Tests were performed for the development and construction of memristive devices for further evaluation. To build memristive devices based on SnSe flakes, a process was used which consisted in growing SnSe flakes on a silicon support, by PVT method, and then transferring at least one SnSe flake on comb-type electrical contacts located on another substrate. The I-V characteristics of the obtained devices showed a Schottky-type bipolar behavior.

The best 2D flakes produced will be used to study the effects of proximity in graphene. These were sent to Spain to the ICN2 Partner (Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology). These flakes are to be transferred to graphene and the proximity effects to be studied.

In conclusion, rectangular and square flakes of SnSe and Cr-doped SnSe, with average dimensions between 5 and 30 μm, were successfully obtained using a CVD method. These flakes were corroded in a nitrogen atmosphere at atmospheric pressure, their thickness being reduced to one or few atomic layers.

Morphology, microstructure and chemical composition of SnSe and Cr: SnSe flakes were characterized by light microscopy, SEM, EDX, TEM and Raman.

The first SnSe-based devices were produced and their memristive properties were investigated.

Given the growing interest in group IV monochalcogenides, this simple two-step synthesis technique can be used to obtain other 2D materials from the same family, for applications in electronics, optoelectronics, sensors or energy conversion.

The objectives of this research stage were fully achieved.

Simple and clean method for obtaining Sn nanoparticles for hydrophobic coatings
A.T. Buruiana, F. Sava, E. Matei, I. Zgura, M. Burdusel, C. Mihai, A. Velea
Materials Letters 278, 128419 (2020)

Project Contact Person:

Dr. Alin Velea

Back to top

Copyright © 2022 National Institute of Materials Physics. All Rights Reserved


The Platform

The descent of Taliban leaders from a Qatari C-17 aircraft at Kandahar’s airport, leading to the return of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, can be compared to the return of Ayatollah Khomeini to Tehran in 1979, which led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Ayatollah Khomeini, from the French village of Nouvel Loussato, drew millions of revolutionaries to the streets of Tehran to oust Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and Taliban leaders in Qatar, led thousands of insurgents and suicide bombers, causing Ashraf Ghani to flee the country. The result of both the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the fundamentalist insurgency in Afghanistan was the establishment of religious governments under the authority and leadership of clerics. However, unlike the Iranian regime, the Taliban depends on strong bilateral relations with regional countries, particularly its neighbors, including Iran, for survival.

The Taliban’s relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran has significantly transformed throughout the years, particularly post 9/11. During the first period of the group’s rule, in 1996, the Taliban was hostile to Iran. The hostility led to the Taliban killing Iranian diplomats in Mazar-e-Sharif, and Iran supporting the anti-Taliban resistance forces. However, following the U.S. presence in Afghanistan in 2001, Iran became more sympathetic to the Taliban as they were both fighting the United States.

In the years following 2001, Iran supported the Taliban and gave them the resources they needed to run their insurgency. Even Mullah Omar’s successor, Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, visited with Iranian officials on numerous occasions.

In addition to fighting a common enemy, the opium trade has strengthened the Taliban’s relationship with Iran. The Quds branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been intimately involved in the drug trade. In 2012, the U.S. Treasury Department announced in a report that one of the senior commanders of the Quds Force, Sardar Gholam Reza Baghbani, was one of the commanders of the Quds Force in Zahedan, had provided part of the transit facility for narcotics produced by the Taliban. Further, earlier in August, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former president of Iran, went on record to say that Iranian authorities are attempting to censor him as he criticizes the corrupt linkages between Iranian security forces and the Taliban. Moreover, Iran sees the Taliban as a key partner in ensuring that Iran maintains access to the water in Afghanistan’s western provinces, bordering Iran, as Iran faces water scarcity.

Taliban fighters in Ghor province. (Twitter)

The cordial relationship between Iran and the Taliban has been bolstered by Qatar facilitating the Taliban’s political office in Doha. Amid the evacuation crisis, Qatar pledges to maintain the security of Kabul airport, playing a key role in providing security to stabilize the presence of the Islamic Emirate. The friendship between Iran and Qatar has further alienated Qatar from Saudi Arabia who deems Iran as its political rival. Although Saudi Arabia was a staunch supporter of the Taliban in the 1990s, among the only three countries recognizing the Taliban at the time, the Kingdom is no longer as influential in Afghanistan as it was in the 1990s.

The Taliban’s sudden takeover has intensified the group’s internal struggle for power. As the new rulers of the country, the group is conducting intense negotiations regarding the country’s future political structure. Although the group has announced a caretaker government, which has allowed it to assess the reception of the international community, the Taliban will likely look to its western neighbor to develop a similar, but Sunni-dominated, permanent political system with an amir instead of a supreme leader. This setup, similar to Iran, would also end the Taliban’s internal strife between the different branches. A structure focused on a council system that would monopolize power in the hands of a limited circle of clerics and leaders, with an outward appearance of inclusivity through the placement of pro-Taliban moderate figures in administrative positions. This would be a viable solution, identical to Iran’s power structure, to avoid any internal clash by dividing power through the multiple layers and branches of a bureaucratic system. Further, this setup would enable it to include technocrats into its government while ensuring that the group retains its power.

Such window dressing efforts of inclusivity would be part of the Taliban’s efforts to gain international recognition, but would nevertheless, keep it at odds with the U.S. In a recent interview with Fox News, the Taliban warned Washington that the issue of women’s rights is an internal matter for the Taliban to decide. Further, any bilateral tension between the U.S. and Iran due to nuclear talks would likely affect Washington’s relationship with the Taliban who seeks to prioritize its relationship with the regional countries over the U.S. As the Islamic Emirate forms its government, the biggest challenge for the Taliban will be to balance its relationship with foreign countries, including the United States. Amid the possibility of the resumption of nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S., the impact of these talks will have repercussions in Kabul.

The relationship between the Taliban and Iran is based on mutual interests rather than a long-term vision-based strategic partnership. Although U.S. animosity has served as the basis for this bilateral relationship, there are still stark fundamental differences between both Tehran and the Taliban which will continue to be tested as the Taliban must tolerate Iranian-backed figures in Kabul and ensure the protection of Shias in Afghanistan.

Nonetheless, Washington’s withdrawal from Afghanistan has significantly altered the political landscape of the region. Following its departure, Kabul-Washington relations will be influenced by Washington’s relationships with regional countries, including Tehran.

Baktash Siawash is an Afghan journalist and was the youngest elected parliamentarian in Afghanistan. He previously served as the Senior Political Advisor to the Speaker of Afghanistan’s Parliament.


Mind Matters Natural and Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis

Exploration of Mars the Red planet of the solar system in space. This image elements furnished by NASA.

Will the Fossils We Find on Mars Be Fakes?

No, no, this is NOT a broadcast from Moonbat Central! False fossils are objects that look like fossils but aren’t

As we sift more and more of the surface of Mars, we’d love to find fossils. But then we may run into a problem that dogs paleontologists on Earth. From the University of Edinburgh: Rocks on Mars may contain numerous types of non-biological deposits that look similar to the kinds of fossils likely to be found if the planet ever supported life, a study says. Telling these false fossils apart from what could be evidence of ancient life on the surface of Mars — which was temporarily habitable four billion years ago — is key to the success of current and future missions, researchers say. University of Edinburgh, “Life on Mars search could be misled by false fossils, study says”…

Mars Base

Theoretical Physicist: Colonizing Mars Is a Ridiculous Idea

Making Mars habitable (terraforming) has been kicking around engineering circles for decades. What are the chances, given Moore’s Law-level increases in technology?

And so what does a theoretical physicist know about it, you ask? Well, when it’s Sabine Hossenfelder, she is alwaysworth listening to: The biggest problem is not that Mars is “minus 60 degrees Celsius or minus 80 Fahrenheit,” she explains, but that it has no magnetic field so the atmosphere was blown away by the solar winds. So to form Mars into a second Earth, we would first need to give it a magnetic field. How easy is that?: In a paper that was just published in April in the International Journal of Astrobiology, two physicists explain that all you have to do put a superconducting wire around Mars, simple enough, isn’t it? The circle would have to have a…

Mars terraforming step (Elements of this image furnished by NASA). 3D rendering

Sci-fi Saturday: When Terraforming Mars Means Mars-forming People

In this award-winner, the underground humans must, according to the terraforming colony's rules, deny emotion, which pretty much guarantees a story

“New Mars” at DUST by Susie Jones (March 30, 2021, 19:14 min) Earth is no more. A new generation lives underground on Mars preparing to begin a new life as the colonists of a planet which is being terraformed into a new habitable world. ‘New Mars’ is a society driven by science and logic to ensure humans will not make the same destructive decisions this time round. But two young hopefuls struggle with the intensity of their feelings – which inadvertently propels them towards an unexpected truth about their existence. (IMDB) “New Mars” premiered in 2019 and has won a number of awards. It conveys the claustrophobia of an underground world where death rules the planet’s surface. Life on a…

Futuristic Mars Space Scene with Large Moon

The Aurora Hypothesis: ET Could Risk Only Rare Contact With Us

Noted Astronomer Envisions Cyborgs on Mars


Home / Indian Music Chart / IPL Anthem Songs | IPL Theme Song | IPL Anthem Music

IPL Anthem Songs

The hymn birdcall of any country, consequence, tournament or team defines the person, culture, diverseness and loyalty and devotion towards its informant. IPL ( indian Premier League ) is no different, it is a tournament, where the cricket peddle becomes a battlefield and players become soldiers showcasing their skills and heroism tow in the esteemed IPL trophy .
IPL anthem songs
Let ’ s rewind the memories 10 years back and relive to the original anthem IPL songs. The IPL hymn birdcall was composed by AR Rahman, the song was called “ Cricket Ka Mahayudha ” featuring the clips of the international Cricket superstars. The anthem set the tone of the IPL tournament as a Cricket World War.

The latest edition of IPL 2020 Theme Song – Ab Khel Bolega

# Mumbai Indians Anthem Song
Mumbai Indians
Duniya Hila Denge Hum “ Let ’ s rock ‘n’ roll the universe ” was composed by Tapas Relia and was written by Piyush Pandey. The video recording birdcall featured Bollywood Superstar Hrithik Roshan and kid praising the force and heroism of the Mumbai Indians team .
The song was released a few weeks back before the startle of inauguration IPL version .
# Kolkata Knight Riders Anthem Song
Kolkata Knight Riders
The subject song of Kolkata Knight Riders Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Recreated a euphoric wave across the state in 2008. The crowd was going gala over. 10 years former, let ’ s relive the old memories of the original KKR IPL song .
The song was scored by Vishal Shekhar, the album was an amalgamation respective singers and composers, including big names like Usha Uthup and Bappi Lahiri. The song itself featured Shahrukh Khan in Kolkata Knight Rider dress encouraging the team and herd to act, fight and winnings .
# Chennai Super Kings Anthem Song
Despite all controversies and allegations, Chennai Super Kings is undoubtedly the most successful team in the IPL and has the biggest fan base in the nation. The Chennai Super Kings album was released in 2009 both in Tamil and Hindi .
The album had five tracks composed by Mani Sharma ( composition track ), GV Prakash ( the celebrated nephew of Oscar winner AR Rahman ) and Bharatwaj .
The singers were Chitra, Naveen, Rahul and Ranjeet, but the highlight of the album was Mahendra Singh Dhoni rap .
# Sunrises Hyderabad Anthem Song
Sunrises Hyderabad was the most stimulate team of the inaugural IPL edition, the team had the likes of David Warner, Kane Williamson, Rashid Khan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar .
The Sunrises Hyderabad IPL song was sung by G.V Prakash rejuvenating the active heart within and savouring the taste of win and glory. The team hymn lyric goes “ GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO, GO HERE WE GO WE ’ RE THE # OrangeArmy .

  # Royal Challengers Bangalore Anthem Song
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Royal Challengers Bangalore was the most deluxe lavish and royal poinciana team of the tournament in 2008, inspired from the co-team owner Vijay Mallaya. The RCB IPL birdcall 2008 was “ Jeetenge Hum Shaan Se ” composed by Amit Trivedi .
The album featured the entire Royal challengers Bangalore team emerging from the smoke and flaunting their never say die position. Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble were in the main lead .
# Rajasthan Royals Anthem Song
Rajasthan Royals
Rajasthan Royals was the most underestimate team of the IPL 2008, but despite all criticism, the team proved its heart and won the inaugural IPL trophy. The Rajasthan Royals IPL song “ Halla Bol ” depicted the vibrance and color of Rajasthani dirt .
The video birdcall featured the market, streets and local atmosphere of Rajasthan .
# Kings XI Punjab Anthem Song
Kings XI Punjab
Kings XI Punjab displayed the colorful exuberance of Punjab and entire northerly India with Punjabi kudi Preity Zinta being the franchise co-owner. The Kings XI Punjab IPL song highlighted the dhol, bhangra and integral Kings XI team. The anthem song was composed and sung by Daler Mehendi .
# Delhi Capitals Anthem Song

first, as Delhi Daredevils now known as Delhi Capitals are the benighted sawhorse of the IPL and even managed to reach the semifinals. The lyrics of the DC IPL birdcall was “ Roar Macha ” encouraging the team to play audacious cricket and win the obedience and love of the crowd .
The video recording featured Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant in the lead practising with the team. The Anthem song was sing and composed by Amit Trivedi .


Franklin County Public Defender Office

Collaborates with case attorneys, develops information relative to client’s problems, environment, behavior pattern, etc. and proposes positive alternatives to conviction(s), incarceration, or other penalties.

1. Accumulates and reviews available facts about the case and the client from case attorney and court personnel. (Involvement in a case is generally initiated by a request from case attorney or the judge)
2. Interviews clients to observe and discover additional facts, attitudes, reactions, etc.
3. Conducts field investigations, including discussions with client family members, friends, neighbors, etc.
4. Upon consulting with the attorney, may communicate with witnesses and professionals.
5. With client’s authorization, obtain and review any prior medical records which could impact or influence client behavior.
6. Consults with any and all social agencies with whom our client may have had contact.
7. Maintains a working knowledge of all community resources and services available to assist clients, and a line of communication with such agencies.
8. Advises attorneys of their findings and makes recommendations relative to sentencing alternatives, use of community resources to abate problems, etc. May prepare pre-sentence reports.
9. Present in court as needed.

10. In cases that result in incarceration, upon request continue to work with the attorney to pursue early release options. Prepare post-sentence reports.
11. Performs other similar and related duties or duties as may be designated by the Unit Chief or Attorneys, including monitoring client participation in specialty dockets.

1. Four (4) year degree in an accredited college or university in social work or closely related curricula.
2. Must have a current license for social work in the State of Ohio.
3. One (1) year of experience in the field of social work, preferably associated with the judicial system, counseling and knowledge of local social agencies and services.
4. Ability to effectively communicate with clients and others, both inside and outside the Public Defenders organization.
5. Must have a car, good driving record, valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance.
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information relative to clients and other associates

NOTE: Social Worker II requires three (3) to four (4) years additional experience, including exemplary experience as Social Worker I.

Maria Rice

Executive Assistant/Human Resource

Franklin County Public Defender

373 S. High Street, 12th Floor

Columbus, Ohio  43215

614-525-8809 (p)

614-461-6470 (f)

Printer-Friendly Version


Press enter to see results or esc to cancel.

Men’s mental health awareness: What you need to know

While mental health issues affect both men and women, research has shown that certain mental conditions affect the sexes differently. Similarly, fewer men are diagnosed with common mental health problems than women yet male suicide rates are significantly higher. This suggests that men may not be seeking or receiving help even though they’re dealing with mental distress. In this Pacific Prime China article, we take a closer look at what you need to know about men’s mental health awareness.

Health insurance for individuals banner

Why men don’t discuss mental health

When it comes to men’s mental health, gender stereotypes and society’s expectations are reasons why men are less likely to talk about or seek help for their mental distress. Just like the gender stereotype towards women and how they should act or appear a certain way can be damaging to women, so can stereotypes and expectations towards men.

Society typically sees men as the breadwinners. They are expected to be the ones in control, strong, and dominant. While these characteristics aren’t necessarily bad, they can make it difficult for men to express themselves honestly and reach out for support.

Additionally, research suggests that men who aren’t able to openly discuss their emotions may find it harder to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health issues in themselves. They are also less likely to ask for help when they need it. On top of that, men may be more likely to turn to coping methods like alcohol or drugs and less likely to open up to their loved ones about their mental health.

With that said, research suggests that men will seek help when it is easy to access and matches their preferences, such as in-person and online support groups.

Does depression affect men differently?

Signs and symptoms of depression differ in men and women. Male depression symptoms include:

  • Irritability
  • Aggression
  • Sudden anger
  • Increased loss of control
  • Risk-taking behavior

In addition, men are more likely to engage in unhealthy coping behavior like drugs and alcohol to mask depression. Escapist behavior, such as overworking, is also common. Male depression often goes undiagnosed for many reasons, and can have a detrimental impact when it goes untreated. The good news is that male depression often improves with treatment.

Ways to look after your mental health

It’s important to put yourself first and prioritize your mental health to make the most out of life. There are simple changes you can make that don’t require a lot of money or time. The following are some ideas for how to improve men’s mental health.

Express your feelings

One of the best ways to maintain good mental health and deal with your troubles is to talk about your feelings.

Stay active

Regular exercise has many benefits like better sleep and concentration, as well as boosting your overall mood. It also keeps your body healthy and improves your self-esteem – all of which are great for your mental health.

Eat nutritious food

Nutrients are essential for keeping your brain healthy and functioning well. A balanced diet that is good for your body is good for your mind too.

Limit alcohol

Men often turn to alcohol to alter their mood, such as feelings of loneliness or fear. Drinking alcohol affects your brain and body, and is an unhealthy way to deal with difficult feelings.

Take a break

Whether it’s a lunch break out of the office, a short rest during tasks, or a weekend away, changing what you’re doing or your environment can do wonders for your mental health.

Enjoy yourself

Make time for activities you can easily lose yourself in and that make you forget about the time. Activities you enjoy are usually ones you’re good at, which is great for your self-esteem.

Practice self-acceptance

Instead of wasting your time wishing you were like someone else, use that energy to remind yourself that there’s no one else like you. Accepting yourself exactly as you are increases your confidence, which will help you face whatever life throws at you.

Ask for help

We are all human, and that means there’ll be times when you feel overwhelmed, stressed out, and tired. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if it feels like things are becoming too much, whether it’s by talking to your loved ones or a professional.

What to do if you’re worried about another person’s mental health

Are you concerned about the mental state of your family member or friend? The first thing you can do is let them know you’re there if they need someone to listen without judgment. Remember that a person who is dealing with mental health issues may be reluctant to reach out for help so make an effort to stay in touch. A simple phone call or text can turn someone’s day, or even life, around.

Remind them that it’s okay to ask for help and that support is available. To go a step further, you could also help them set an appointment with their GP or a counselor and accompany them if they don’t want to go alone. Taking care of another person can be hard, so be sure to think about your own wellbeing too.

How Pacific Prime China can help

Whether psychiatric care is covered by your insurance plan depends on your exact policy. Travel insurance usually doesn’t cover mental health issues and international health insurance may require co-payment for these services. Additionally, waiting periods mean you’ll probably have to wait before you can use your insurance to visit a psychiatrist.

Your best option is to secure a comprehensive health insurance plan that covers the entirety of your costs. But narrowing down your options can be overwhelming, which is why Pacific Prime China is here to help. Whether you’re looking for individual health insurance in China or globally, we can compare health insurance to ensure you choose a suitable plan for your needs and budget.

Contact us for impartial advice or a free quotation today.

General insurance banner

Content Creator at Pacific Prime China


Search Results for author: Kaitlyn Zhou

Found 5 papers, 2 papers with code

Deconstructing NLG Evaluation: Evaluation Practices, Assumptions, and Their Implications

no code implementations13 May 2022 Kaitlyn Zhou, Su Lin Blodgett, Adam Trischler, Hal Daumé III, Kaheer Suleman, Alexandra Olteanu

There are many ways to express similar things in text, which makes evaluating natural language generation (NLG) systems difficult.

Text Generation

1 code implementation ACL 2022 Kaitlyn Zhou, Kawin Ethayarajh, Dallas Card, Dan Jurafsky

Cosine similarity of contextual embeddings is used in many NLP tasks (e. g., QA, IR, MT) and metrics (e. g., BERTScore).

Richer Countries and Richer Representations

1 code implementation Findings (ACL) 2022 Kaitlyn Zhou, Kawin Ethayarajh, Dan Jurafsky

We examine whether some countries are more richly represented in embedding space than others.

On the Opportunities and Risks of Foundation Models

AI is undergoing a paradigm shift with the rise of models (e. g., BERT, DALL-E, GPT-3) that are trained on broad data at scale and are adaptable to a wide range of downstream tasks.

Transfer Learning

Frequency-based Distortions in Contextualized Word Embeddings

no code implementations17 Apr 2021 Kaitlyn Zhou, Kawin Ethayarajh, Dan Jurafsky

How does word frequency in pre-training data affect the behavior of similarity metrics in contextualized BERT embeddings?

Semantic Similarity Semantic Textual Similarity +1


Tag Archives: Tomato

Blossom End Rot

Blossom end rot of tomato.
Blossom end rot of tomato.

What is blossom end rot?  Blossom end rot is a physiological disorder of tomato in which the tissue of the blossom end of the fruit (the portion of the fruit opposite the stem) breaks down and rots, thus reducing yield.  Pepper, eggplant and vine crop (e.g., cucumber, pumpkin, squash, watermelon) fruits can also be affected.

What does blossom end rot look like?  Blossom end rot often occurs on the first fruits formed on plants.  Initially, water-soaked spots (resembling small bruises) appear, most often on the bottoms of fruits.  On peppers these spots can resemble sunscald and can form on the sides of the fruits near the blossom end.  Spots enlarge, becoming dark brown to black, sunken and leathery.  Half the fruit may eventually be affected.  Sometimes, when a fruit is cut, the exterior will be sound, but the interior will be discolored and shrunken.  Often, bacteria and fungi invade the discolored areas, leading to further tissue decay.

What causes blossom end rot?  Blossom end rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the fruit.  This lack of calcium may be due to low calcium levels in the soil.  More often however, there is plenty of calcium in the soil, but its availability for uptake and transport to fruits is impaired.  Drought stress, alternating soil moisture extremes, and damage to a plant’s roots all can inhibit calcium uptake, as can waterlogged or cold soils, and high concentrations of ammonium (NH4+), potassium (K+), and magnesium (Mg++) in soil.  Movement of calcium within plants depends on active transpiration (i.e., loss of water through above-ground plant parts).  Because leaves transpire more than fruits, calcium moves more easily into leaves where it remains.  Calcium is not later redistributed from leaves to fruits.  This preferential distribution of calcium to leaves can be made worse by over-fertilizing with nitrogen which promotes excessive production of leaves.  In addition, high relative humidity OR low relative humidity in combination with hot, windy weather can limit transpiration, thus preventing calcium from reaching fruits.

How can I control blossom end rot?  Avoid conditions where there is too much or too little water.  Water evenly and mulch the soil to retain moisture during dry periods.  Avoid practices that would damage roots (e.g., cultivating too near plants thereby cutting roots).  Use nitrate (NO3) rather than ammonium (NH4+) forms of nitrogen fertilizer.  DO NOT over-fertilize.  Have your soil tested periodically to determine if there is sufficient calcium in the soil.  If not, add calcium (e.g., bonemeal or lime).  Check the soil pH on a regular basis, particularly if you use lime as a calcium source.  Use of lime tends to increase soil pH.  A pH of about 6.5 is ideal for growing most vegetables.  Finally, grow vegetable varieties/cultivars that are tolerant of calcium deficiencies and less likely to show blossom end rot symptoms.

For more information on blossom end rot:  Contact your county Extension agent.

Black Walnut Toxicity

What is black walnut toxicity?  Black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) produce a toxic substance (called juglone) that prevents many plants from growing under or near them.  Related trees like butternut (J. cinerea) and shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) also produce juglone, but in lower concentrations than black walnut.  Juglone occurs in all parts of black walnut trees, but especially in buds, nut hulls and roots.  The toxic effects of a mature black walnut tree can extend 50 to 80 feet from the trunk of the tree, with the greatest toxicity occurring within the tree’s dripline.  In this area, plants susceptible to juglone may wilt or die; plants tolerant to juglone will grow normally.  Vegetables such as tomato, potato, eggplant and pepper, and ornamentals such as lilac, peony, rhododendron and azalea are particularly sensitive to juglone.

Wilting of eggplant due to black walnut toxicity.
Wilting of eggplant due to black walnut toxicity.

What do the effects of black walnut toxicity look like?  Plants sensitive to juglone may be stunted, have yellow or brown, twisted leaves, exhibit wilting of some or all plant parts, and die over time.  Often, the vascular (i.e., water-conducting) tissue of affected plants will be discolored.  Symptoms may occur rapidly, even within a few days after sensitive species are transplanted into a walnut tree’s root zone.  Alternatively, some plants may survive for years near a young walnut tree but then wilt and die as the tree increases in size.  Black walnut toxicity can be confused with wilts caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens (e.g., see UW Plant Disease Facts D0121, Verticillium Wilt of Trees and Shrubs, and D0122, Verticillium Wilt of Vegetables), herbicide injury (see UW Plant Disease Facts D0060, Herbicide Damage), or drought.

How do I avoid problems with black walnut toxicity?  There is no cure for a plant affected by walnut toxicity.  Removing a walnut tree may not be practical, as the tree could be the focal point in a landscape.  In addition, even if a walnut tree is removed, juglones will not immediately be eliminated, because it is next to impossible to remove all root pieces from the soil and remaining pieces may continue to exude toxins for several years as they decay.

When establishing a garden around a walnut tree, try to plant species that are tolerant to juglone (see table on the reverse side).  If you are growing sensitive species near a walnut tree, transplant them elsewhere in your garden.  If you must grow sensitive plants near a black walnut, keep beds free of walnut leaves and hulls, and remove walnut seedlings as they appear.  Grow shallow rooted woody and herbaceous plants, and improve drainage to help diminish the effects of juglone.  Alternatively, consider building raised beds with wood, stone, or concrete barriers that limit root growth through and under the beds.

When disposing of bark and wood from a walnut tree, do not use these materials for mulch.

The information in the following table is intended to provide guidance in selecting plants to grow near walnut trees.  Inclusion of plants in this table is based on observation, not on formal testing.  In addition, the plant lists in this table are by no means exhaustive.  Oftentimes the juglone sensitivity or tolerance of specific plants has never been observed or documented.  Finally, sources often disagree on whether particular plants (e.g., columbine, lily, narcissus, tulip) are juglone sensitive or tolerant.  Some varieties may be susceptible while others may be tolerant.  Most plant species with conflicting information regarding their sensitivity or tolerance to juglone have not been included in the table.

  Sensitive to Juglone Tolerant of Juglone
Vegetables asparagus, cabbage, eggplant, pepper, potato, rhubarb, tomato beans, beet, carrot, corn, melon, onion, parsnip, squash
Flowers autumn crocus, chrysanthemum, forget-me-not, petunia, peonies aster, astilbe, bee balm, begonia, black-eyed Susan, bluebell, calendula, crocus, daylily, ferns, grape hyacinth, some hosta varieties, hollyhock, impatiens, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Jacob’s ladder, marigold, morning glory, pansy, phlox, Siberian iris, squill, sweet woodruff, trillium, zinnia
Trees alder, apple and crabapple, basswood, pine, spruce, silver maple, white birch black locust, catalpa, Eastern redbud, hackberry, Canadian hemlock, hickory, most maples, oaks, pagoda dogwood, poplar, red cedar
Shrubs and Vines azalea, blackberry (and most berries other than black raspberry), cotoneaster, hydrangea, lilac, mountain laurel, potentilla, privet, rhododendron, yew arborvitae, bittersweet, black raspberry, clematis, currant, forsythia, euonymus, greenbrier, most honeysuckle, pachysandra, rose-of-Sharon, sumac, most viburnum, Virginia creeper, wild grape, wild rose, willow, witch hazel
Field Crops and Grasses alfalfa, tobacco fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, orchard grass, soybean, timothy, wheat, white clover

For more information on black walnut toxicity:  See UW Bulletin A3182, Walnut and Butternut Toxicity (available at https://learningstore.extension.wisc.edu/), or contact your County Extension agent.

Bacterial Soft Rot

What is bacterial soft rot?  Bacterial soft rot describes a group of diseases that cause more crop loss worldwide than any other bacterial disease.  Bacterial soft rots damage succulent plant parts such as fruits, tubers, stems and bulbs of plants in nearly every plant family.  Soft rots commonly affect vegetables such as potato, carrot, tomato, cucurbits (e.g., cucumbers, melons, squash, pumpkins), and cruciferous crops (e.g., cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy).  These diseases can occur on crops in the field as well as on harvested crops in storage.  Rot can occur over a wide temperature range (with the worst decay between 70 and 80°F) and is particularly severe when oxygen is limited.

What does bacterial soft rot look like?  Soft rot bacteria degrade pectate molecules that bind plant cells together, thus causing plant structure to fall apart.  Woody tissues are not susceptible.  Initially, bacterial soft rots cause water-soaked spots.  These spots enlarge over time and become sunken and soft.  Interior tissues beneath the spots become mushy and discolored, with the discoloration ranging anywhere from cream to black.  Seepage from affected areas is common.  Soft rots are known for a strong, disagreeable odor that accompanies the breakdown of plant tissue.

Where does bacterial soft rot come from?  Soft rots are caused by several bacteria, most commonly species of Pectobacterium [particularly Pectobacterium carotovorum (previously called Erwinia carotovora)], Dickeya species [particularly Dickeya dadantii (previously called Erwinia chrysanthemi)], and certain species of Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Clostridium.  These bacteria can enter plants through wounds caused by tools, insects, and severe weather such as hail, as well as through natural openings.  The bacteria can be spread from plant to plant by insects, on contaminated tools, or by movement of infested plant debris, soil, or contaminated water.  Bacterial soft rots tend to be more of a problem during wet weather and can be more severe when plants lack sufficient calcium.

Use soft rot-resistant vegetables in rotation with susceptible vegetables.  Corn, snap beans and beets are vegetables that are not considered susceptible to soft rot.  When growing broccoli, avoid varieties with flat/concave heads that trap moisture and promote soft rot.  Instead, select varieties with domed heads where water readily drains away.

Harvest only during dry conditions.  Closely inspect vegetables from infected gardens that will go into long-term storage, and be sure not to store any diseased vegetables.  Cure vegetables where appropriate prior to storage.  Store vegetables in a cool, dry, well-aerated place to suppress bacterial growth.

At the end of the growing season, remove any infested plant debris remaining in your garden, and destroy the material by burning (where allowed by local ordinance) or landfilling it.  If soft rot is a serious, recurring problem in an area in your garden, DO NOT grow susceptible crops in that area for a minimum of three years.


How the Physician Shortage May Affect People With Cancer

How the Physician Shortage May Affect People With Cancer

Cancer is a journey that no one wants to take. Yet every day, research is yielding new insights into this fierce adversary, technology is equipping patients with powerful new weapons with which to fight, and treatments are emerging which are boosting both survival rates and patients’ overall quality of life.

Because of this, cancer patients are more informed and more empowered than ever before. Unfortunately, however, there are still things about the cancer journey that are outside of the patients’ control. Among these is the persistent, and worsening, physician shortage.

Origins and Impact of the Physician Shortage

Health leaders, healthcare providers, and patients alike have long recognized that the shortage of primary and specialized care physicians is real, enduring, and detrimental to patients and care workers alike. Experts predict that, in the coming years, the field of oncology is likely to be especially adversely affected by the lack of cancer physicians.

According to recent estimates, the number of patients requiring chemotherapy treatment is expected to rise from 9.8 million to more than 15 million by the year 2040. But even as the demand for oncologists is predicted to surge in coming years, the supply of practicing specialists continues to shrink as current practitioners reach retirement age and leave the field.

The Impact on Cancer Patients

In the face of a physician shortage fueled by rising retirement rates and surging demand, cancer patients may expect some significant changes in how they receive treatment.

The Increasing Role of Nurses

As the physician shortage worsens, nurses are increasingly stepping in to fill the care gap. Not only are nurse practitioners gaining the authority to provide comprehensive patient care, but many nursing specialists including Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) are coordinating clinical practices, providing nursing training, and conducting advanced research to optimize patient care.

As healthcare providers turn to high-level roles other than that of the MD, cancer patients should expect to receive care from an array of practitioners, including experts in nursing practices. Cancer patients will benefit from this by having more options to tailor their treatment plans to their particular needs, goals, and values.

For example, DNPs are often strongly connected to clinical research. For patients who are also interested in participating in clinical trials, a DNP can empower patients by offering guidance, support, and access to experimental treatments that might otherwise not have been available through more traditional care methods.

The Ascendancy of Telehealth

In addition to receiving significant amounts of care from nurses and related specialists, the physician shortage is likely to also change cancer treatment through a greater emphasis on telehealth. Though telehealth long predates the outbreak of COVID-19, its efficacy as a treatment tool for the most vulnerable patient populations was truly revealed during the height of the pandemic.

For example, at-risk patients were able to access their healthcare team through virtual consultations from the safety of their own homes without risking exposure to the virus. During this process, many realized that telehealth could streamline healthcare processes and reduce pressure on the overall healthcare system.

As the physician shortage worsens, the healthcare system will likely turn increasingly to telehealth to ensure consistency and quality of care while driving system efficiency. In addition, technologies such as health apps and remote patient monitoring devices will allow healthcare teams to maintain a close watch over patients whenever and wherever needed, reducing the need for hospitalizations and clinical consultations.

The Impact of COVID-19

In addition to the rising tide of planned retirements, the devastating impacts of COVID-19 on healthcare providers are likely to contribute to the physician shortage. As new coronavirus variants emerge and the pandemic worsens, physicians are at significant risk of burnout due both to physical and emotional fatigue.

In light of this, cancer patients will likely notice an increased prioritization of infectious disease prevention in their treatment plan. For example, physicians are increasingly finding themselves battling vaccine hesitancy. For doctors who have dedicated their lives and careers to caring for cancer patients, misconceptions regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines, and the loss of life such misinformation may lead to, can take a devastating toll on healthcare workers.

As a result, cancer patients are likely to find that vaccinations and boosters are strongly encouraged by healthcare providers as an essential standard of care. As vaccine acceptance rates grow, particularly regarding the COVID vaccine, not only will patients be more protected, but the psychological burden of care and risk of attrition for healthcare providers will also ease.

The Takeaway

The physician shortage is impacting patients and healthcare providers alike. However, cancer patients are likely to feel the impacts of this shortage most strongly. As a result of the shortfall, approaches to care will likely change to rely on specialty practitioners and telehealth technologies, and disease prevention will increasingly become a priority.


PortVision SmartOpsâ„¢ Fleet Management System Streamlines Liquid Cargo Marine Transportation

PortVision ®, a leading provider of business intelligence solutions for the maritime industry, today announced the SmartOps Fleet Management System, which extends the benefits of the companyâ€™s AIS-based vessel-tracking system to provide an enterprise resource management system and automate a comprehensive range of unit tow business processes.
â€œSmartOps enables fleet owners and operators to increase revenue, reduce costs and create tighter and more efficient customer relationships,â€ said Dean Rosenberg, PortVision chief executive officer. â€œIt is the only system tailored to the specific business processes of liquid cargo marine transportation, and incorporates valuable best practices for improving productivity and efficiency while eliminating paper, reducing errors and minimizing labor. Perhaps most importantly, SmartOps enables unit tow fleet operators to collaborate with their customers not only on traffic updates and other real-time logistics, but also on complex invoicing and regulatory reporting so they can speed approvals while minimizing discrepancies and distractions associated with billing and compliance requirements.â€
The SmartOps Fleet Management System builds on the foundation of the companyâ€™s award-winning PortVision platform, which has been adopted by more than 2,000 users including most inland marine fleets and every major oil company. It is designed to automate the full range of unit tow liquid cargo transportation business processes including contract setup, chartering, voyage management, wheelhouse activity logging, automated invoicing, and detailed reporting.
A key SmartOps component is the PortVision Activity Logger (PAL), which is installed in the wheelhouse of each boat. Customers can use the SmartOps touch-screen display or implement the PAL on an existing PC to record events and delays while capturing all necessary information required for invoicing and reporting. All PAL data is shared with the fleet operatorâ€™s traffic department to ensure that captains, dispatchers, schedulers, traffic managers, and even customers have the most timely and accurate information. The PAL also supports comprehensive 2-way text messaging to-and-from each boat.
The SmartOps invoicing module supports all necessary rules dictating how freight time, demurrage and pass-through services are billed to the customer. Users can incorporate industry-standard demurrage, maintenance and delay criteria into each invoice, along with Waterway taxes and other pass-through expenses. Additionally, users can modify invoices to meet customer-specific requirements, as needed.
SmartOps also automates month-end and year-end reporting, and provides comprehensive support for ExStars, U.S. Army Corps and individual state and waterway reporting compliance requirements. For those fleet operators whose customers use PortVisionâ€™s TerminalSmartâ„¢ Dock Management System, the two systems can share data to help fleet owners develop tighter, higher-value relationships with their end customers.
All communications between the wheelhouse and shore-side teams are handled using the PortVision TriModeâ„¢ system, which combines AIS, cellular and satellite communications with least cost routing to ensure guaranteed message delivery at the lowest cost. Marine transportation companies have reported savings of more than 50% in hardware and airtime costs by using the TriMode system rather than legacy satellite-only solutions.
SmartOps is fully integrated into the PortVision Advantage platform, which provides enhanced visibility, reporting, and alerting of vessel movements and activities. This platform also provides the modular foundation for planned future enterprise capabilities, which will enable PortVision customers to replace disparate systems with a single, comprehensive, fully integrated solution.
PortVisionâ€™s SmartOps Fleet Management System is available now and includes comprehensive fleet operations management. Personnel and work management modules will be delivered in 2012.
About PortVision
PortVision provides enhanced knowledge and transparency for maritime activities within ports, inland waterways, and oceans. The award-winning PortVision platform provides a variety of enterprise capabilities for optimizing business process at marine terminals, fleets, and related maritime operations. It leverages the companyâ€™s Web-based PortVision Advantage service, which provides real-time visualization and historical reporting through a data warehouse encompassing more than 15 billion daily vessel movements. The service processes and analyzes over 40 million vessel movements each day, and can be configured to automatically alert users when events of interest occur. Additionally, historical playback and reporting can be used to increase safety, security, efficiency, and market intelligence. PortVision subscribers include all major oil companies, large and small marine service companies, terminals, fleet owners, port authorities, and government agencies. Based in Houston, Texas, PortVision is a service of AIRSIS Inc., a San Diego-based technology company. For more information, visit www.portvision.com or call 1-713-337-3737.
By Professional Mariner Staff


Tension granules are membrane-less RNA- and RNA-binding protein-containing complexes that are transiently assembled in stressful conditions to promote cell survival

Tension granules are membrane-less RNA- and RNA-binding protein-containing complexes that are transiently assembled in stressful conditions to promote cell survival. a central role in the cell-to-cell transmission of Tau pathology. The human genome encodes at least 1500 RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that regulate RNA metabolism from biogenesis to transport, localization and degradation, therefore playing a crucial role in cellular homeostasis1,2. Amazingly, many genetic alterations in RBP-coding genes have been associated with neurodegeneration. For example, mutations in fused in sarcoma protein (FUS), Tar DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPA1/hnRNPA2B1) alter their localization or promote aggregation, and have been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)3,4,5,6,7. Other motor disorders caused by mutations in RBPs include spinocerebellar ataxia-2, caused by expanded glutamine repeats in Ataxin-2 gene8, mutations in survival motor neuron protein (SMN) linked to spinal muscular atrophy9, and a mutation in TIA-1 linked to Welander distal myopathy10. In addition, cognitive impairment can be caused by mutations in RBPs, as is the case with mutations in the gene coding the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which can cause a variety of cognitive deficits ranging from congenital mental retardation to inherited autism11. A common characteristic for many RBPs is usually their involvement in stress granule (SG) formation or function. SGs are RNA Ubenimex granules that transiently assemble in nerve-racking conditions to CSNK1E promote cell survival by blocking Ubenimex translation of non-essential mRNAs and by sequestering pro-apoptotic proteins12,13. Interestingly, several studies have reported the presence of SG markers in pathological inclusions of several neurodegenerative disorders14. Also, mutations in the valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene, associated with clearance of stress granules, cause autosomal dominantly inherited ALS15, 16 recommending that disruptions in RNA SG and fat burning capacity dynamics get excited about the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative illnesses. A SG marker and nucleating proteins TIA-1 continues to be within Alzheimers disease neurofibrillary tangles also, made up of aggregated and hyperphosphorylated Tau, in increasing quantities with raising disease intensity17. Currently, small is well known approximately the partnership between tension and Tau granules. Moreover, despite many studies that indicate cell-to-cell transmitting of pathological Tau types and seeding to market degeneration (lately reviewed in18), the cellular mechanisms of the sensation remain understood poorly. In particular, how exogenous Tau Ubenimex accesses cells is controversial still; bulk endocytosis19, permeabilization and macropinocytosis20 from the membrane following Tau relationship with lipid rafts21 have already been proposed. In this scholarly study, we present that secreted Tau is certainly localized to cytosolic tension granules after internalization. Our current outcomes suggest that, from regular cytosolic Tau in different ways, internalized extracellular Tau affiliates with SGs, inhibits their regular turnover and function, and decreases viability from the receiver cells. TIA-1 seems to play a central role in the recruitment of Tau to SGs. Results Internalized Tau is usually recruited to stress granules As we intended to use numerous Tau constructs, we first verified their expression and localization in cells. HEK293T cells were transiently transfected with non-tagged Tau and GLuc-tagged forms of Tau and TauE14. TauE14 is a pseudohyperphosphorylated mutant transporting 14 phosphomimetic (serine/threonine to glutamate) mutations22, which mimic hyperphosphorylation, a known driver of Tau misfolding and aggregation in AD and other tauopathies. Western blot analysis showed that these constructs are expressed at comparable levels in HEK293T cells (Fig. 1A). When transiently transfected, wild-type Tau constructs did not promote SG formation and associate with SGs, as shown by co-immunostaining with Tau-5 and TIA-1 antibodies (Fig. 1B). Cells transfected with TauE14 showed a few puncta that co-stained with Tau and TIA-1, while cells expressing Tau-GLuc treated with arsenite, a classical inducer of SGs, showed a prominent stress granule response and also some recruitment of Ubenimex wildtype Tau to SGs (Fig. 1B,C). Open in a separate window Physique 1 Transfected and internalized extracellular Tau differ in their ability to associate with stress granules.(A) Expression of non-tagged Tau, TauE14-GLuc1/2 and Tau-GLuc1/2 in HEK293T cells as detected by American blot. The blot picture was cropped from a more substantial original image, preserving all of the stained rings. (B) HEK293T cells transiently transfected using the above-mentioned constructs and stained with Tau-5 (green) and TIA-1 (crimson) antibodies. Arsenite (0.5?mM for 30?min) was used seeing that a confident control for induction of tension granules. (C) Quantitative evaluation of tension granule formation. Tension granule-positive cells had been counted one of the Tau-transfected cells. Arsenite treatment marketed tension granule-formation in every cells while just some Tau-transfected, and more TauE14-transfected efficiently, cells included stress-granules (n?=?3). (D) Resazurin-based cell viability assay with HEK293T cells transiently transfected using the Tau constructs. Salubrinal and arsenite had been utilized as positive handles for tension granule induction (n?=?4)..


The psychological treatment provided by Dr. Sanderson is known as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT is the psychological treatment with scientific evidence supporting its' efficacy for a wide range of mental health problems. (Note. Medication is not available from Dr. Sanderson, although many individuals receive medication from an outside physician or psychiatrist that can be arranged on your own. Dr. Sanderson will provide referrals if you are interested).

Cognitive Behavior Therapy has two primary components: Cognitive Therapy and Behavior Therapy.

I. COGNITIVE THERAPY Brief video explanation:
Cognitive Therapy refers to an approach pioneered by Albert Ellis (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) and Aaron Beck (Cognitive Therapy) in the 1960s. Cognitive therapy is based upon a theory of emotion known as
appraisal theory. Appraisal theory suggests that individuals experience emotional reactions based upon how they appraise, or interpret, situations and events in their lives. Thus, to change chronic negative emotional states such as anxiety or depression, in cognitive therapy, clients learn how to recognize and modify the thinking patterns that are causing and maintaining them. These thinking patterns often become so automatic that they are typically out of our awareness, and thus it takes some work to even identify them. One of the major strategies of cognitive therapy is "logical analysis" wherein clients learn how to analyze these thoughts using principles of logic, and when distortions are identified, replace the negative automatic thoughts with more realistic, less emotionally charged, thoughts. Over time these new thoughts can replace the old ones. For a detailed description of cognitive therapy, appraisal theory, and emotions click here.

Behavior Therapy focuses on isolating specific behaviors the client wants to change and uses strategies, based upon learning theory, to achieve that goal. Specific techniques are used to control or even eliminate undesired behaviors. Strategies that fall into the category of behavior therapy include: exposure (desensitization) for phobias, assertiveness training, social skills training, behavioral activation to increase positive events in a persons life, relaxation training, sleep hygiene, stimulus control to reduce/eliminate unwanted behaviors (e.g., overeating).

While almost everyone receives some combination of cognitive and behavioral treatment strategies, other approaches are incorporated within the treatment plan when appropriate. Since CBT has clearly established its efficacy as a treatment approach for emotional disorders, clinical researchers have been able to develop modifications and additions to traditional CBT in order to make these treatments even more effective. These additional treatment approaches (see below), when appropriate, are typically incorporated within the standard CBT approach.

Schema Focused CBT (Schema Therapy) Brief video explanation:
Schema Therapy, a form of cognitive therapy, was developed by Dr. Jeffrey Young to deal more effectively with lifelong problems which are seen as a result of
negative core beliefs (schemas) about oneself and/or others. These negative schema include fears of abandonment and rejection, feelings of social alienation, mistrust of others, feelings that nothing one accomplishes is ever good enough, the belief that one is inherently flawed, feeling overly dependent upon others, constant feeling vulnerable, etc. Compared to standard cognitive therapy, schema focused therapy looks more deeply into childhood origins of problems and relies on more imagery and emotive techniques to bring about change.

Compassion Focused CBT (CFT) Brief video:
The central therapeutic technique of CFT, developed primarily by Paul Gilbert, is compassionate mind training, which teaches the skills and attributes of

Mindful Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Brief video:
Mindfulness- and acceptance-based strategies focus on becoming aware of all incoming thoughts and feelings and accepting them rather than reacting to them. This process is known as
decentering and aids in disengaging from negative thought patterns such as self-criticism, rumination, or anxious thinking. The goal of MBCT is to interrupt these automatic processes and teach individuals to focus less on reacting to incoming stimuli, and instead accepting and observing them without judgment. This mindfulness practice allows the participant to notice when automatic processes are occurring and to alter their reaction to be more of a reflection. A basic tenet of this model is the notion that difficult situations and emotions are a part of life and by rigidly controlling them, or avoiding them, will actually lead to more difficulty. Thus, the emphasis is on fully experiencing negative thoughts and feelings as a way to ultimately move forward with one's life.

Evolutionary-Informed Psychotherapy (see Our Evolutionary Selves)
Understanding human suffering from an evolutionary perspective. I am in the process of developing this treatment which
focuses on a
pplying information from evolutionary psychology to develop insight and guide lifestyle changes to improve emotional well being (and physical health as well).

There are numerous research studies demonstrating that Cognitive Behavior Therapy is an effective treatment for the range of anxiety disorders and depression. In a recent review of Evidence-Based Treatments by the American Psychological Association's Division of Clinical Psychology, Task Force on Psychological Interventions, cognitive behavioral interventions were by far the most common to qualify as empirically supported. For more information on research evidence see:


Umami Bomb - Shitake MEDIUM

Notify me when this product is available:

Bring Bold, Savoury, Spicy Flavour to any dish!

Umami Bomb is a one-of-a-kind premium vegan shiitake chili oil that adds deep, rich, umami flavour to any dish. Use it on anything from noodles and rice to veggies, sandwiches, and wraps. Use it as a dip, or add it to anything to add an umami bomb of flavour!

Ingredients: sunflower oil, tamari (water, soybeans, salt, sugar), white vinegar, shiitake mushrooms, tomato paste, black bean paste (wheat flour, soybeans, salt, corn oil, potato starch, onion, sugar, potassium sorbate), chili peppers, spices, tahini, organic cane sugar Contains: wheat, soy, sesame


Learning is free. Owning a misconception; that’s expensive.

The Most Interesting Person in the Room is Not Me. Setting aside my personal opinion.

Real estate agents are interviewed every day. Whether or not I’ll be offered the job of representing this person in a real estate transaction depends on how the other person feels about themselves after meeting me. When I’m at my best and the results are what I desired I leave the appointment knowing I was not the most interesting person in the room, and the client knows from our conversation that my consideration for their well being is authentic. My curiosity was not intrusive, and it was real.

The skill of conversation can be improved by if you choose, and dramatically change the outcome of your interviews. A person with sharp conversation skills is an engaged listener. They have a real curiosity which invites the interviewer to share their expectations and fears. The goal of the skilled conversationalist is learning what matters to the other person. Time spent uncovering the other person’s story dwarfs the time spent on trying to impress the interviewer with their story.

Maybe the conversation isn’t about what I can do for you, but more about what hopes, fears, desires, concerns you have. Maybe my part in the conversation isn’t about telling you about my success and accomplishments and the cool features of my service. Before going to an interview to be hired as your Realtor I should ask myself what I know about your success, your accomplishments, hopes, dreams, fears, concerns. Until we meet it is unlikely that I know much about you or your situation. To be prepared for the meeting, I would be better off leaving my “presentation” behind than leaving my curiosity on the shelf. It’s the authentic interest, and questions which give the interviewer a chance to shine that’s going to make a difference. My presentation may be interesting only to me. Your story is important to you and you’ll be interested in knowing I’m interested and I’m listening.

I believe the skill of conversation and authentic curiosity can be developed by anyone regardless of their years of experience in their field. When up against the most accomplished Realtor with the most decades of results and boat loads of references, the less experienced or accomplished agent can tilt the advantage to themselves by not trying to be the most interesting person in the room. It’s fascinating how relaxing it is to be the one with the most curiosity. When there is no attempt to impress, there is no pressure to impress.

Is there any skill more important than being able to have a conversation without being bored or offending? Ten Ways to A Better Conversation with Celeste Headlee from Ted Talks. If I just master one it’ll be a great use of the rest of the summer.

Simple or Challenging? Do we really want simple?

Customers are people who look to us for a product or service. Customers have expectations which vary depending on factors out of our control. Exceeding the expectations of some customers is simple. For others, we are challenged.

If simple and challenging represent points on opposite ends of a spectrum, and expectations move the needle one way or another, given the choice why would we not prefer simple? Because anyone can do simple.

The simplest expectation to achieve is zero expectation. The person who has no expectation of us is probably not a customer or a potential customer. They either don’t exist or they are a customer of someone else. It’s simple to exceed expectations of people who aren’t doing business with us. They are never unhappy with the service or product we didn’t provide for the money they didn’t pay to us.

The challenging customer can’t work with just anyone. They seek service or products from those who aren’t built to satisfy the simplest customer. They do business with the few people who are up to the challenge; believe in what they do, and do what they do for a reason worth believing in. When you know your intent is to be effective, not just accepted, no challenge will derail your confidence and commitment.

Given the chance to control the discussion, why create the opportunity to be beaten? Be the Offer to Beat.

Reservations in an Offer to Purchase reveal themselves when compared to terms which express commitment. Contingencies are reservations. Reservations are included to give a person an exit opportunity. As long as the buyer may exit the transaction, the seller is at high risk. A committed person has no need for reservations. She is recognized by what she has not included in her Offer.

I’ve written about the escalation clause and how it’s morphed into one cumbersome clause of if, and, or but. It’s a giant maybe. I wonder if psychologically the escalation clause may be working against the buyer by revealing the buyer’s reluctance and suspicions. When you think about it, the buyer who writes the Offer to give the Seller the buyer’s highest price and most favorable terms is the buyer who is in control. When a buyer writes an offer holding back on the price, but suggesting they will go higher if they have to, that buyer is giving control to the seller, and every other buyer who is willing to be the buyer everyone else has to beat.

When an accepted offer is more important than a few thousand dollars, close the door on the competition by being the Offer that can’t be beat. If you would do it if you have to, why not just do it and move on? Good chance you will eventually over commit for your second choice house.

Intelligence Happens When Curiosity Replaces Skepticism

Skepticism is comfortable. Being skeptical of a perspective, alternative approach, or belief requires only the effort to be dismissive. Curiosity requires action and opening your mind to possibilities. Those possibilities include discovering new insight, ideas, solutions, and even concluding that you had good reason to be skeptical.

Learning about perspectives, alternatives, and ideas is the start of expanding intelligence. Just the start. Acquiring intelligence, like wisdom, requires curiosity. “I hear what you’re saying, and you’re challenging my beliefs which I am sincerely confident of being right. So, I’m curious to learn if you have something worth knowing. Let me test your idea.”

For true testing to happen, our minds have to be open to the possibility that the theory being tested could change our beliefs, the core of our practice, and the world will never be the same. Willingness is an open mind; the mind of a person of humility. Willing to be exposed to another way, a better way, a theory which is not our own is an admirable quality of intelligent people. For several years I’ve been learning with a diverse group of people who desire become more effective, smarter, independent, and valuable. I’ve noticed something. The “aha moment” happens after a person moves from skeptic to curious.

The skeptic hears some of what’s being explained and quickly begins to counter the idea, typically by applying flawed logic, and holding fast to familiar ideas. It’s when the skeptic becomes curious and looks for proof, or evidence of proof that the knowledge becomes intelligence. The curious person will apply the new concept to a real life situation and if the concept produces results (which it must because results are exactly what comes of any action) the evidence of right or wrong becomes tangible. Once we see something as a consequence of an action, that consequence is our proof.

Two people shared their aha moment with me this week. In both cases there was doubt. Being patient with the doubter is a challenge when we want results and we want them now. Patience is fast becoming the one character trait I desire most. Because my business is helping other people get what they want, and accomplishing that “getting” is harder than ever today, when I hear a person tell me “I got it! I know we broke through a barrier, and their life has changed for the better. I know the person has gained intelligence. And that’s why I am inspired to be exactly where I am today. It’s good to be skeptical. It’s powerful to be curious.