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Diaphragm - Internal materials that drone battery cannot be ignored

Diaphragm - Internal materials that drone battery cannot be ignored

Editorial： Issue Date：2019-10-31 Views：135
The long life and high rate of the drone battery have an important relationship with the diaphragm. As an important component of a drone battery, diaphragm is of great significance to block electrons by preventing short circuits and ensuring that internal ions can operate efficiently, steadily and safely through the batteries. Although the diaphragm itself does not have any electrochemical reaction, but its structure and performance affect the interface structure and internal resistance of the battery, and thus affect the overall capacity of the battery, charge and discharge current density, cycle performance and safety. Therefore, through the analysis and testing and regulation of the performance parameters of the lithium battery diaphragm, the comprehensive performance of the battery can be improved effectively.

Key performance indicators of the diaphragm

According to the U.S. Advanced Battery Alliance (USABC) for lithium-ion battery diaphragm performance parameters, battery diaphragm performance can be roughly divided into physical and chemical properties, mechanical properties, thermal properties and electrochemical properties of four aspects. Among them, the physical and chemical characteristics include thickness, porosity, average aperture size and aperture distribution, breathability, twists and turns, wetting, suction rate, chemical stability of 8 parameters. The mechanical properties mainly include the three parameters of puncture strength, mixed puncture strength and tensile strength. The thermal performance includes the thermal closing temperature, the melting fracture temperature and the heat shrinkage. Electrochemical properties include linear volt scanning test (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectrum test (EIS), cycle performance (CP), ion conductivity, and Mac-Mullin values.

The important role of diaphragm

First, the diaphragm has electronic insulation, to ensure the organic isolation of the positive and negative poles, reducing the probability of self-ignition of the drone battery. Second, because the diaphragm has a certain aperture, lithium ionhasitus has a good penetration, which can be a good guarantee of low resistance and high ion conductivity. Third, the diaphragm has sufficient chemical stability, a certain degree of moisture resistance and corrosion resistance. The importance of increasing the life of the battery in the use of drone batteries is clearly appreciated. Fourth, the diaphragm material has excellent thermal stability, in the temperature is particularly high can automatically shut down the power supply. To some extent, it's very protective. Fifth, the diaphragm of the drone battery must have sufficient mechanical properties, including puncture strength, tensile strength, ultra-thin thickness and so on. Finally, the diaphragm must be well-soaked to the electrolyte, maintaining sufficient suction capacity and ion conductivity. battery diaphragm

Specific classification of diaphragm

Due to the different types of batteries, the corresponding diaphragms are also different. I'm here to popularize the classification of lithium batteries. Lithium battery diaphragm is divided into five main, multi-layer diaphragm, organic composite film, inorganic composite film, ceramic coating diaphragm, new diaphragm. Multi-layer diaphragm contains PP/PE/PP three layers of composite film in turn pasted together. Because of this feature, multi-layer diaphragm combines low closed hole temperature with good membrane temperature, making it the preferred target for batteries used at low temperatures. The important difference between organic compound film and inorganic compound film is suitable for electromechanical solution and no electromechanical solution. Both use PEG diaphragms of inorganic nanomaterials to enhance humidity. All have good heat resistance and low internal resistance characteristics. Ceramic coating diaphragm is based on PP, PE or multi-layer composite diaphragm, the surface coated with a layer of nano-grade aluminum trioxide material. After special process treatment, and the substrate bonded tightly. Significantly improve the high temperature resistance and safety of lithium-ion batteries. Ceramic-coated diaphragms are ideal for power batteries. The technical characteristics of the new diaphragm are more complex, many are still under development, but have another special feature - the high melting point of the diaphragm. At present, the drone battery on the market mainly uses lithium battery stacking technology, electrolyte is an organic solvent system, generally using high-strength thin film flower polyolefin porous film. According to the flight characteristics of the drone, the battery mainly uses a diaphragm with good heat resistance and low internal resistance.

Industry standard for diaphragms

As the diaphragm industry still lacks a set of complete testing and evaluation standards specifically for lithium-ion battery diaphragms, each diaphragm manufacturer uses its own corporate standards for evaluation of its products. This not only to the performance of different diaphragms between the inconvenience, but also lead to uneven product quality, affecting the overall quality of the domestic diaphragm market. Lithium battery diaphragm low-end products are highly competitive, high-end products are the direction of development.battery custom With the increasing demand for lithium batteries in safety, load density and so on, the demand for high-end diaphragm products is also increasing. Although the global diaphragm market development is different, but the high-end diaphragm market profitability is still well guaranteed. Manufacturers with high-end product production capacity are much higher than the national average, and have entered the supply chain system of first-line power battery manufacturers at home and abroad. Therefore, high-end products will be the future development direction of the drone battery diaphragm market. Grepow has more than 20 years of experience in the battery manufacturing industry, with a group of excellent battery manufacturing experts, deep understanding of different diaphragm product quality. Buy the best diaphragm models and materials for drone batteries by testing performance yourself. In battery solutions, Grepow became one of the world's largest battery manufacturers. If you are interested in our drone battery, please don't hesitate to contact us at any time! Keep an eye on Grepow’s official blog, and we’ll regularly update industry-related articles to keep you up-to-date on the battery industry. Email: info@grepow.com Grepow Website: https://www.grepow.com/ Grepow Blog: https://blog.grepow.com/

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Hearing allyship with Deaf community

Allyship "begins when a person of privilege seeks to support a marginalized individual or group." -- PeerNetBC's.

"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. -- Elie Wiesel"

Allyship not as an identity

Scenario: One of my ASL level-200 hearing students in Fall 2017 turned to her classmate and eagerly signed in ASL, "I want to become an ally." I explained to her as what PeerNetBC put it exactly, "Allyship is not an identity, nor is it self-defined. Allyship is a process. ... our work and our efforts must be recognized by the people we seek to ally ourselves with."

"You cannot declare yourself an ally because you don't decide if you're an ally, your actions do. Allyship is something that is silently earned and it is not a performative self-declaration." -- @voltedvoices

Allyship is "a practice of unlearning and relearning, and is a life-long process of building relationships based on TRUST, CONSISTENCY, and ACCOUNTABILITY with marginalized individuals or groups." -- PeerNetBC.

Becoming allyship

To practice allyship and take accountability, consider unpacking: hearing privilege, audism, phonocentrism, power maintenance, paternalism, marginalization, tokenism, microaggression, hearing fragility, cultural/lingual appropriation, etc.

"As people seeking to practice allyship, we have a particular set of responsibilities (PeerNetBC's "Allyship 101"):

1) "we actively knowledge our privileges and openly discuss them";

2) "we listen more and speak less";

3) we do our work with integrity and direct communication;

4) we do not expect to be educated by others: we continuously do our own research on the oppression experienced by the people we seek to work with...;

5) "we build our capability to receive criticism, to be honest and accountable with our mistakes..."; 6) "we embrace the emotions that come out of the process of allyship." Don't fall back on hearing fragility.

7) our needs are secondary to the people we seek to work with; 8) we do not expect awards or special recognition..."

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." -- Desmond Tutu (quoted in Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes (1984) by Robert McAfee Brown, p. 19).

Allyship from a place of solidarity

Hearing allyship is when hearing people support Deaf people, leaders, and advocates, stand with them, or work with them in advocacy. They may be teachers of the Deaf, codas, ASL-English interpreters, friends, advocates, and/or individuals. Some hearing people may know some signed language, but many also do not know any of the language nor Deaf culture but they can be excellent allies.

Paradoxically, some hearing people, who may have some knowledge of ASL language and work with Deaf people or in Deaf settings, can be sometimes unintentionally oppressive. What one thinks is allyship is not necessarily allyship in itself.

"as much confusion has come out of problematic ideas of "being an ally", these may be well-meaning, but they often recreate the same oppression or perpetuate new ones." -- PeerNetBC

For example, a common harmful action is when hearing non-native signers start teaching or showing ASL and Deaf culture online or any forms of broadcasts. Not only hearing non-native signers take away from Deaf people's place of voice, they also teach or show incorrect signs and information too many times without themselves realizing. Instead, send references to Deaf teachers, Deaf-run/Deaf-owned websites, and all other materials created by Deaf as well as some materials created by hearing authors (e.g. Harlan Lane) approved and recommended by collective Deaf experts.

Too many cases have occurred when hearing authors and creators include ASL in their products or materials without consulting Deaf experts. Their intention was to be inclusive which is a wonderful thing, but they often quoted information from hearing materials. For example, one workbook for summer fun learning in math, language, and reading included a few pages on ASL, assembling a mix of accurate and inaccurate information (obviously some research from hearing sources) because it used the utterly unacceptable, audist term "hearing impaired" -- this tiny one-word tells the whole ignorance.

Allyship out in the wild

Now the way around. This part is a hope for the oppressed group who seeks allyship. The following real-world scenario contrasts two white male hearing persons on the opposite ends of the continuum of allyship.

Scenario: As a graduate student in 2005, a disability service "coordinator" (who was actually the only one-person staffer on contract with the university from the government, not a hired staffer of the university per se) was not willing to accept my request for a videophone installed in my studio; instead, he insisted to provide an outdated TTY. His rationale was for safety in case of a fire and such.

After a long month of painful struggles and hardships of dealing with accessibility issues, I overcame the fear of bringing a "burden" to the graduate director, to my surprise the graduate director quickly set up a meeting with the disability "coordinator" with my presence. Again, the coordinator brought up a concern for a fire or emergency call via TTY. I bluntly told him I'd rather take the gamble in one-in-a million fire chance than dealing with communication hassles on a daily basis with slow TTY phone calls. He pointed to a local Deaf clerk at a Deaf and HoH service who also recommended a TTY [tokenism]. I zapped, "Well, I'm Deaf and I had worked at the national association of the Deaf" and reminded him of my involvement and experience in the international Deaf organization and events. Well, he defended that videophone was more expensive. I responded, "While TTY is outdated, it costs about the same as a videophone." And so on. The director listened with enough information collected; he intervened, saying that the videophone is to be provided immediately. [allyship]

In no time, the videophone calls were terribly slow and frequently freezing on the highly congested university traffic. Again the "coordinator" refused to set up a separate line in my studio because of the costly expenses. The graduate director quickly arranged a meeting with the vice president of the university, the IT technician, and the disability service coordinator. At this meeting, the coordinator argued that the cable installation would require a costly drill work plus an "expensive" monthly Internet cable fee. The vice president asked, "how much?" After learning the costs, the vice president with the director's support ordered to install a separate Internet cable in my studio for the videophone plus a monthly cable fee! [allyship/accessibility] Even more surprisingly, they ordered a fire strobe to be installed in my studio!

After a decade to this day, their actions are always remembered, very much remembered. They are also a living example that one doesn't need to know ASL or Deaf culture but understands universal principles of social justice, equity, and diversity. They stood for social justice. It was no burden to them, only injustice was a burden to them. A lesson from this is that there are people out there who will stand with minority or oppressed individuals. A lesson from this is to take an appropriate step and another step in faith.

"we are acting rather out of responsibility ... we act out of a genuine interest in challenging larger oppressive power structures" -- allyship network.

PeerNetBC's "Allyship 101". http://www.peernetbc.com/wordpress2017/wp-content/uploads/allyship101_online-screen-reader-friendly.pdf (This web page no longer is online. Available now at https://theantioppressionnetwork.com/allyship/)

Expressing needs and wants

  1. Making commands or requests

Talking about activities

  1. Frequency of time: how often?


Body Adornments in Ethiopia (continued)

As a sign of their tribal affiliation, many children have the skin on their body, face and arms cut open with a sharp knife.

In order for the wounds to scar, the specialists rub soot deep into the wounds then rub it together with the blood. Many children die from the infections.

Anyone who has ever heard the cry of such a tormented child, will never forget it.


8 Ways to Improve your Child’s Counting Skills

Children learn and recognize numbers by counting, which requires courage to help your child learn counting skills. Some children absorb information quickly, while others have trouble counting numbers which requires an effective strategy to ensure your child counts objects effectively. Math is one of those subjects which requires in-depth study and application in different circumstances. The following are 8 ways to improve your child’s counting skills.

Since counting is a vast topic in math, kids often need help with counting and miss out on the crucial points during the counting process. Most of the time, children disengage in learning math, including counting. Implementing math strategies requires fun and effective ways to improve your child’s counting skills. These strategies will help your child to aim better at counting and develop math and number recognition at a young age.

Sing Rhyming Songs

Singing rhyming songs is the most effective solution to teach your child the development of counting skills. Since rhyming songs are very educational, they are excellent for remembering how to count numbers and objects. Some pieces are fun to sing, while others are silly but worth singing because of the tune. Once you sing any counting songs to your child, it will boost your child’s active mode and help him engage in learning to count. To develop your child’s counting skills, sing various rhyming songs to help them remember how counting works.

Number Recognition Activity App

number recognition apps

Children learn to count by recognizing numbers. Suppose your child has trouble learning and recalling digits. In that case, this app does the job where the tool consists of six activities to improve your child’s counting skills. The counting and number recognition app provides a complete educational tool that is free from distractions and accessible to carry out these different activities.

The readability consists of interactive content where your child will enjoy learning to count numbers and play different activities on the go. Building cognitive skills help your child to keep them occupied during the day and adds a quick tool to learn counting without relying on worksheets! The accessibility and convenience make it easy for your child to conduct counting and number recognition in their homes or the classroom.

Demonstrate More or Fewer Numbers

Learning to count involves demonstrating numbers that are greater or less than the other. This activity requires creating two piles where one pile is greater or less than the other. You can use any object to demonstrate which items are more and which stack is few. Then instruct your child to observe the stacks and ask which ones have fewer piles and which ones are greater. It creates a fantastic concept to learn when your child understands what the numbers mean and how to demonstrate which digits are bigger or smaller.

Counting helps to know how to pick up digits and distinguish between big and small numbers. You can do this same activity by doing any object your child will engage in, counting and knowing which numbers are more or less.

123 for Kids Number Flashcards

123 for kids

Number Flashcards are the early learning of knowing the sequence of the numbers before proceeding to count. If your child struggles to learn to trust, this is because they are unaware or lack the attention on how to memorize the number sequence. This app does the job of learning counting flashcards for your child! The educational tool provides an easy user interface where no distractions disturb your child’s learning routine.

Stand-out numbers and readability make it easy for your child to learn and memorize numbers without relying on printed flashcards. It is a quick and effective way to teach your child counting and number sequence. The voiceover provided helps your child how to pronounce numbers and grab your child’s attention with color-changing options. The 1-100 counting song boosts learning engagement and enhances auditory skills. To improve your child’s counting skills, open this app and enjoy counting!

Counting Snacks or Fruits

Kids love snacks and fruits, which makes an excellent counting milestone by age and enhances their counting skills. If your child asks for gummies, grapes, biscuits, fruits, or crackers, instruct your kids to a particular number and provide that number when they begin counting. Once your child understands how to count objects, they will learn to measure things independently.

When they eat the snacks, ask them how much they have eaten. It does excellent math practice to help their counting skills, and they enjoy eating fruits. This activity also works for fruit pieces, where you can chop apples and ask your kids to count the pieces. Another way to measure fruits is to ask your child to count the number of fruits and put them in the basket.

Drawing Numbered Sets

Learning numbers and counting can add creativity, where your child can recognize and draw numbers quickly. Suppose your child knows and recognizes numbers from one to ten. In that case, you can involve them in retaining knowledge by performing this task. It requires a pencil and a piece of paper and write a specific number and word your child wants to draw. For example, if you have designed four jugs, your child must draw four pitchers. Continue as many figures as possible until your child understands the importance of counting and develops fine motor skills simultaneously. The more your child draws numbered sets, the more they will appreciate and count objects quickly.

Count and Sort Items

Encouraging your child to count numbers is the early step until they learn how to trust money. To carry out this activity effectively, is to sort out some small items like coins, marbles or buttons. Then ask your child to count the objects and sort them out by organizing them into two piles. It would be best if you told your child to count one by one as it helps to understand comparing numbers. After they have sorted out into two piles, ask them which one is greater or smaller than the other.

You can repeat this activity with money and ask your child to sort them into different amounts. And do the same with marbles by sorting them out in different colors. Take care not to let your child choke and swallow objects into their mouths.

Abacus is the most old-fashioned and popular tool widely used in schools today. Although the toy does not give much attention, you can find engaging ways to learn to count and conduct fun activities using an Abacus. To use an Abacus is to ask your child to measure a particular color of beads. Then your child will slide the beads and continue with those that belong to that specific color.

Wrap Up

Children learn counting, which requires attention to ensure practical counting skills. Since kids take time to absorb counting, these strategies will improve your child’s counting skills and make it easier to count in further learning. Once you conduct these fun activities with your child, they will enjoy learning to trust and engage in other concepts later in life.

Available For Free

Available for free on IOS and Android.

Recommended by Age Group

1 - 2 Years
2 - 3 Years
3 - 6 Years (Kindergartener)


Population Dynamics in Dudelange

the Monday 23 May 2022 at l’Ined dans la salle Sauvy de 11h30 à 12h30 en Hybride (présentiel + possibilité de connexion).

Présenté par : Bonomi Bezzo (University of Milan and INED)) ; Discutant : Lionel Kesztenbaum (INED)

We study the consequences of a big wave of economic-led migration across 150 years and the extent to which it modifies urban dynamics and characteristics at the population level. We look in particular at the installation of a new steel factory in 1872 in Dudelange (Luxembourg), which led to the development of a new industrial sector and reconfiguration of the entire economic structure of the city. We exploit genealogical data across 150 years (from the 1800 to 1950) and use social network analysis to assess, in the first place, changes to the city dynamics and relationships. We find that that the opening of the steel factory brought a shock to the urban population dynamics. We observe a sharp increase in population number but it seems like the city network becomes less homogeneous, more “connected” at its core and more “fragmented” at its borders. Nonetheless, such shock does not last over time and is gradually reabsorbed, as in the 1950 the characteristics and the level of integration of the urban network come back to pre-factory opening levels. In a second step, we explore the characteristics of those who are more central, in different ways, to the network at the different time points. We use as outcomes three measures of network centrality and study the extent to which parental country of birth (ethnicity) and industrial sector and social class all contribute to make individuals more central or not. Overall, Dudelange passed from being an agriculture-based to an industrial-based society. This was reflected in the urban network of actors, as those whose ethnic background and economic activity represent the interests of the time seem to be more central to the city's social structure at each time point.

Biographie de Franco Bonomi Bezzo

Franco Bonomi Bezzo is a Postdoctoral researcher at La Statale, University of Milan, within the ERC project DESPO, working on the political and societal changes that have occurred as a consequence of European deindustrialization and a Research Fellow at the Institut national d'études démographiques (INED) in Paris. Franco’s research interests lie at the intersection of economic and sociology being him broadly interested in i) intergenerational inequality; ii) urban economic sociology; iii) basic income models and post-work scenarios.


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  1. FDI data
6 October, 2022

How do the world’s top FDI locations trade and invest globally?

The world’s largest economies favour outbound FDI when it comes to overseas investment but remain split on trade.

By Naomi Davies

The relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and international trade is central to globalisation. Both transactions play different economic roles but often complement each other.

Research from the OECD suggests that, until the mid-1980s, increased international trade led to higher levels of direct investment between countries. After this, however, the roles appeared to reverse, with data suggesting that FDI trends were heavily impacting trade.

For instance, inward FDI is widely considered to boost a country’s exports due to the transfer of technology and new products for export to international markets. In addition, FDI can provide its destination market with intangible resources that trade cannot, such as technological knowledge, skills and training.

Research also suggests that foreign investment is likely to increase imports into a destination country in the short term. For example, when a company establishes an overseas manufacturing facility, it may ship machinery and equipment when setting up the plant.

Both international trade and FDI face increasing criticism as a result of growing protectionism globally. In theory, inward FDI has the potential to harm a country’s export levels if the project involves the transfer of low-level technologies, solely targets the domestic market or hampers the growth of local exporting companies. Despite this, most experts agree that FDI and international trade align positively.

The world’s biggest trade and FDI players

As part of Investment Monitor’s analysis, we examined 54 locations that received 20 or more goods-based FDI projects in 2021. We then calculated the trade balance – the value of a country’s exports in goods in 2021 subtracted from its imports. In addition, we worked out an FDI balance for each country – the number of goods-based outbound FDI projects for a country minus the number of goods-based inbound FDI projects that overseas companies established in that country.

A trade surplus – when a country’s exports exceed its imports – indicates high demand for a country’s goods globally, which should create more jobs and stimulate economic growth.

With a trade balance of $677.9bn in 2021, China has the largest trade surplus in the world. The US is by far the leading importer of Chinese goods despite significant tensions between the two countries, followed by Hong Kong and Japan. Germany had the second-largest surplus of the countries analysed at $208.1bn, driven by exports of motor vehicles, machinery and chemical products.

At almost $200bn, Russia had the third-largest trade surplus in 2021, largely due to exports of mineral fuels. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, trade will be dramatically impacted given the raft of import and export sanctions implemented worldwide.

A trade deficit – when a country imports more than it exports – can have a negative effect, with a lower demand for goods making local currencies less valuable internationally. However, trade deficits are not inherently bad. The world’s largest economy – the US – also has the largest trade deficit globally. This can be attributed to a gap between domestic savings and total investment in the economy. The UK and India – the world’s fifth and sixth-largest economies, respectively, in 2021 – also operate in trade deficits.

Some of the largest FDI players globally operate in trade surpluses and deficits. Five of the top ten overall FDI destination countries in 2021 make the top ten trade deficit table (the US, UK, France, India and Spain).

Meanwhile, four of the world’s top FDI destinations are in the top trade surplus ranking – Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Australia and China. In addition, several of the top trade surplus countries are countries with high GDP per capita, such as Ireland, Norway and Qatar.

The countries with an FDI surplus (a nation that invests in more goods-focused FDI projects overseas than foreign companies create within their country) tend to be developed, service-based economies. Nine of the top ten countries by FDI surplus are developed nations, with China the only developing country.

The fact that service-based FDI has been excluded from our analysis in order to more accurately compare trade and FDI in goods is also likely to reduce the number of inward FDI projects attributed to service-based economies such as the US, Japan and Switzerland. In turn, this could increase the FDI surplus for these countries.

A country in an FDI deficit attracts more inbound goods-focused FDI projects than outbound. Similarly to trade, the FDI deficit is not necessarily negative with high inbound FDI often seen as a sign of economic strength.

In comparison to the FDI surplus top ten, the countries with the largest FDI deficits are generally more cost-effective locations. Apart from Spain, which ranks ninth, all the countries in the top ten by FDI deficit are developing nations. As goods-based investments are more likely to be manufacturing orientated, companies are more focused on investing in lower cost locations. Investors creating these projects are generally more cost sensitive as these operations tend to require more manpower than service-based activities.

How do the top FDI locations trade and invest globally?

In the chart below, we plotted the trade and FDI balances of the world’s top destination countries for goods-focused FDI. This then split the countries into four categories depending on whether they were net exporters, net importers, net outbound foreign investors or net inbound foreign investors.

Generally, the larger economies are further from the point of origin while the smaller economies tend to cluster around the centre of the chart.

Globally, by far the quadrant with the fewest countries is the top left – countries that are net importers and net outbound foreign investors (the countries that import more goods than they export and have more outbound than inbound goods-based FDI).

The most extreme example of this is the US, which operates in the largest trade deficit of all countries analysed and has the highest FDI surplus. The US imported $1.2trn more goods globally than it exported in 2021 and invested in 900 more goods-based FDI projects than its inbound investment levels. However, this does not mean that the US has a poor record for inward investment. Overall, the US was the leading destination for inbound goods-based FDI as well as the top outbound investing country.

US companies are known for innovation and are a key target for many foreign investment promotion agencies. The country also was the second-largest recipient of total goods and services greenfield FDI in 2021, just behind Germany. Even so, the US does underperform when it comes to inward investment given the size of its economy. This is illustrated by its low rank in Investment Monitor's Inward FDI Performance Index.

Another country that falls into this category is Japan, which historically punches below its weight when it comes to inbound FDI. The world’s third-largest economy is a major source country for FDI and is considered a leader in innovation and advanced technology but struggles to attract inward investment for a variety of reasons, including excessive red tape and an insular business environment.

On the other extreme of the trade balance is China, which is a net exporter and net outbound foreign investor. The country exported goods worth $677.9bn more than it imported in 2021 and Chinese companies established 99 more FDI projects overseas than foreign businesses created in China. China’s FDI surplus can also be attributed to Chinese companies favouring foreign mergers and acquisitions deals when it comes to investing abroad rather than greenfield FDI. Also, countries are weary of China’s investment intentions with many country governments tightening FDI regulations to ensure domestic security.

In addition, several highly innovative and developed countries fall within this category, including two other Asia-Pacific nations (Singapore and South Korea), as well as five European locations (Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy) and one country within the Americas (Canada).

Qatar is the one Middle East and North African country in this quadrant. Its trade surplus is set to increase further in 2022 driven by a surge in demand for its liquefied national gas exports from European countries looking to cut ties with their traditional supplier Russia. Qatar also experienced an increase in outbound FDI in 2021 largely due to multinational telecommunications company Ooredoo's fibre network infrastructure investments in Oman.

The net importer, net inbound FDI category was the most popular among the countries analysed, with 18 countries falling into this quadrant. India was the most extreme example, importing $175.6bn more goods than it exported in 2021 and receiving 163 more inbound than outbound FDI projects.

This category was particularly popular among European countries with 12 in this quadrant, including France, Turkey, Poland and Spain. In addition, four Americas countries (Costa Rica, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Colombia) were net importers and net inbound foreign investors.

The most extreme of the net exporter, net inbound FDI countries was Russia. Russia exported goods worth almost $200bn more than it imported in 2021, largely oil and gas, and attracted 50 more inbound FDI projects than outbound. As previously mentioned, trade will be heavily impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and inbound and outbound FDI are expected to drop dramatically in 2022.

Ireland, which had the fourth-largest trade surplus of the countries analysed, also slotted into this category. The country’s main exports were in pharmaceuticals and medical goods, which are also key sectors for inward investment. The country’s low corporate tax rate, business-friendly environment and lack of formal FDI regulations, coupled with relatively low domestic demand, make Ireland a powerhouse for exports and inbound FDI.

The net exporter, net inbound FDI quadrant was the most popular among Asia-Pacific countries, with six nations falling into this category, as well as South Africa, the only sub-Saharan African nation included in our analysis.

Of the 54 countries analysed, more than 70% operate in an FDI deficit, meaning they receive more goods-focused FDI projects than they invest in.

How do the top FDI players trade and invest regionally?

The way the top FDI players invest and trade can also vary when they operate within their source region.

When focusing on trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, five of the richer Asian countries fall into the net exporter and net outbound investor category (China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Australia). Two of these countries also move quadrants compared with the global analysis, with Japan previously operating as a net importer and Australia as a net inbound investor.

When it comes to European countries trading within their own region, there are countries that fall into each quadrant although the most popular is the net importer and net inbound investor category. The most extreme of these nations is France, which imports goods worth $146.7bn more than it exports from European countries. The country also attracts 56 more goods-focused FDI projects from European companies that French investors establish elsewhere in Europe.

In terms of the Americas, the two North American countries are the only net outbound investors. The US remains a net importer and Canada a net exporter compared with the global analysis. The rest of the countries within the Americas are net inbound investors with Chile and Mexico swapping quadrants when it comes to regional trade. Globally, Mexico is a net importer but within the Americas is a net exporter. Conversely, Chile is a net exporter globally and a net importer within its source region.

Globally, the only Middle East and North African country that was a net outbound investor was Qatar. However, at regional level, the UAE moves quadrants from a net inbound investor to net outbound while remaining a net exporter. Oman also changes from a net exporter to net importer when trading within its source region.

South Africa – the only sub-Saharan Africa country included in our analysis – is a net exporter and net inbound investor within its source region, which is the same way it operates globally. At a regional level, South Africa is one of only two countries that fall into this category alongside Russia.

Larger economies favour outbound FDI but vary when it comes to trade

Research from Investment Monitor shows that a larger economy is likely to invest more in goods-focused FDI abroad than foreign companies are to establish goods-based operations in their country. When looking at the top ten countries by largest GDP, eight were net outbound foreign investors, including the US, Germany, South Korea and Italy. Countries with an FDI surplus also tend to be service-based economies, with many finding it more cost-effective to invest in goods-focused operations abroad rather than domestically.

However, when it comes to trade, larger economies are more split, with several top players operating in trade surpluses and deficits.

There are also some outliers such as India and France, which buck this trend and received more inbound goods-focused FDI than outbound.

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Chemistry is the study of matter that makes up everything – from stars, millions of light years away to the molecules which cause the cells in your body to function.

Chemists try to understand why matter behaves the way it does. Why is TNT explosive? How does soap remove dirt from your skin? What is in the air around us? Why is petrol a good fuel? How did rocks form? Why do metals conduct electricity?

By studying the atoms and elements from which all matter is made, Chemists seek to answer these questions and many more. Chemists contribute to the development and manufacture of many useful everyday products such as plastics, fuels, alloys, glass, paints, cosmetics and foodstuffs.

What is studied at KS3?

Year 8 students at the Salters Festival of Chemistry in May 2017

Chemistry is taught in years 7 and 8 as part of a Combined Science course. The topics studied are:

Year 7
Acids and Akalis, Earth Science, Introduction to the Periodic Table and Elements, Matter and Separation Techniques.

Year 8
Chemical Reactions, Metals

Every year, we send a team to participate in the Salters Festival of Chemistry at Reading University. The team of four year 8 students, selected for their enthusiasm and teamwork, enjoy competing against other schools to complete some practical challenges and solve puzzles. Teams from Kendrick are regularly amongst the prize-winners.

What is studied at KS4?

All students study Chemistry as a separate science, starting their GCSE course in year 9.  The GCSE syllabus followed is AQA GCSE Chemistry 8462

Some examples of topics studied are Metals, Atomic Structure, Chemical Calculations, Rate of Reaction, Hydrocarbons, Structure and Bonding, Electrolysis, Chemistry of the Atmosphere and Reversible Reactions.

The new course for first examination in 2018 has been updated to include more recent technologies such as the uses of nanoparticles and fullerenes. Students will learn how a hydrogen fuel cell works and whether or not it could power the cars of the future.

Students participate in practical work in their lessons on a regular basis, usually working in pairs or small groups. Practical work is embedded into the course as much as possible to enable those who will go on to study A-level to develop their skills.

What is studied at KS5?

Chemistry is a very popular A-level subject because of its versatility, academic rigour and the transferable skills that its students develop. The more obvious university courses that A-level Chemistry can lead to are: Chemistry, Natural Sciences, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Food Science, Forensic Science. However, the strong analytical skills of Chemists make it an excellent accompanying A-level choice for those wishing to study many other subjects such as Mathematics, Economics, History, Law and PPE.

The A-level syllabus followed is AQA A-level or AS level Chemistry

Some examples of topics studied are:

AS level
Atomic Structure, Bonding, Amount of Substance, Energetics, Group 2 Elements, Chemical Equilibrium, Introduction to Organic Chemistry, Halogenoalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols.

Full A-level
Thermodynamics, Transition Metals, Electrochemical Cells, Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA, Aromatic Chemistry, Reactions of Aqueous Ions, NMR, Organic Synthesis.

Students keep their own lab book while studying A-level Chemistry and increasingly learn to plan and carry out experiments of their own design. This culminates in an individual investigation in year 13 where they will be given no more than a title such as “What is the iron content of spinach and parsley?”

Extension opportunities are offered such as a weekly Chemistry Olympiad discussion group and any students who wish to may enter the Chemistry Olympiad and Cambridge Chemistry Challenge. Our students regularly achieve Bronze and Silver awards in these prestigious competitions and sometimes even a very highly sought-after Gold certificate.

For those who need a little extra help or who have extension questions, the weekly “Chemistry Clinic” gives an opportunity for an informal one-to-one meeting with a Chemistry teacher.

The Chemistry department is fortunate to have very recently refurbished and well-stocked laboratories with plenty of room for student practical work.

The main Chemistry labs have two fume cupboards each and there is sufficient apparatus for A-level chemists to work individually on most practicals.

There is a set of laptops available for student use when needed. We are fortunate to have strong links with Reading University and can occasionally borrow equipment for student use, for example an Infra-red spectrometer.

Dr Sonal Joshi – Subject Leader

Dr Karen Perry

Mrs Pallavi Bharate

Mr James Crowther

Mrs Gloria Call - Chemistry Technician
Mr Chris Miller - Chemistry Technician


Thank You - Formula E and the NYC ePrix are excited to announce a new scholarship program | Modis

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Petros Leonidou Cafeteria

Client: Petros Leonidou
Size: 240 m²
Building type: Cafeteria
Project description:
This building, which is going to operate as a cafeteria, will be constructed in Pegia, Paphos. The external walls are going to be equipped with an internal “thermoprosopsis” system, in order to retain the architectural style of the building, which is characterized by externally visible fair-faced concrete surfaces. Additionally, a system of monocrystalline photovoltaic panels will be implemented, so that a percentage of the electricity needs will be supplied by a renewable energy sources system.


Self-Operating Urine Diagnosis

Kendi Kendini Temizleyebilen Üroflowmetre

2021.01 1

İş Akışınızı Otomatize Eder

Güncel Yazılar

Why Do We Need Uroflowmetry

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the ability of healthcare systems to provide basic health services in the wake of the outbreak.

Daha fazla »

Bültenimize Üye Olun

Bize ulaşın!


Phat Muscle Society

Health Blog

Common Weed Leaf Problems and How to Fix Them

Marijuana plants are like the Schwarzenegger of the plant kingdom. They boast of some of the strongest plants that can survive in harsh environments and other harmful conditions. But that doesn’t mean that it will live its life independently. As a grower, you need to exercise adequate caution while cultivating it, instead of throwing caution to the winds. If a grower spots a problem, in the beginning, he is not supposed to leave it thinking the plant is strong and will survive.

If you spot any issues with the plant, attend to it immediately and do not leave it untreated for long. Most beginner growers face a lot of difficulties when they start growing weed.

What are the common issues a grower needs to be aware of?

Some problems need to be taken care of by all growers, but as soon as you become an experienced grower, you have an idea of how to deal with the problems.

You can then take steps and measures to ensure that the plant grows properly without any issues.

Whenever you see something is bad with the plants, the first thing you should do is to look and understand the signs and symptoms of what is wrong. Do not start panicking. Instead, a cool and knowledgeable approach will work.

Don’t know where to start? Well, this post can be a great starting point. You can list out the symptoms and compare them with the symptoms given below in this article. Once you’ve located the problem, it is time to take action and start the procedure to ensure the problem is taken care of.

1- Under watering or overwatering, the plants

Think that watering properly is the least of your problems? Then think again. This is a frequent problem that most newbies and experienced growers encounter. Though it is the most common problem, it also has the easiest fix.

When you water them below the required levels, the leaves will start drooping, and it gives the plant a look that the leaves are changing. Water the plant, and within 30 minutes, the leaves will be back up again.

When you’re overwatering the plant, the leaves start curling downwards and appear very firm and tight because of excess water. If you notice overwatering, then stop watering the plant. Just like everything in life, moderation is the key here.

The best way to understand the right water levels is by looking at how dry the soil is one inch down. If the soil is dry up to one inch, then you must water it.

2- Burns due to excess nutrients

When it comes to feeding your marijuana plant nutrients, there are just two rules you should keep in mind.

  1. Less is always more.
    1. The first rule is important.

When you feed excess nutrients to your plants, the borders of the leaves will turn brown or black, as if they were burned. Nutrient burn also drastically slows down the growth process.

If you see nutrient burns, you should immediately stop feeding your plants nutrients for at least a week or two. The plant will then distribute the nutrients within that time.

3- Burns due to light

If you have placed your plant close to the light source, the leaves will turn yellow and slowly start burning. You can spot these issues when you look at the leaves closer to the light source.

Once you see light burns, you must immediately move your light source away from the plant. The source should be moved at least 6 inches to a foot above the current level.

If the plants do not need the lights, they are always advised to remove the light and let the plant grow. Each plant has different light requirements, and therefore, you should keep them away as described in the manual.

4- Not getting the pH correct

This is a problem that many growers face, and also, the problem is not visible like the nutrient or light burn. The problem starts when the grower does not mix the nutrients and the water as per the correct pH value.

The pH values for different plants are different, and you should inquire about the pH level before you plant the seeds.

If the plants are not grown in the correct pH range, the plants go into a nutrient lockout. They do not consume any nutrients from the soil. So before adding more nutrients, get your pH level checked once.

5- Deficiency of nitrogen

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium are the main nutrients that every cannabis plant needs during the vegetative stage. When buying bottles of nutrients, you can see numbers listed with dash marks. Those are N-P-K ratios.

The main sign and symptom of adding excess nitrogen to plants are that the leaves will start curling downwards and turn green. If you spot such issues, then limit the use of nitrogen.

6- Spider mites

Pests and insect attacks are the main reasons for growers not getting a good yield from the plants. Hence, you must look closely at your plants and inspect them for any insects or pests attacks.

The spider mites are very small, and they can be seen as tiny white dots on your leaves. If not treated early on, it will, later on, look like spider webs. So the next time you think that Spiderman is in the neighborhood, it’s time to take a closer look at the plants in alarm.

To treat this problem, you can buy live ladybugs who pick up the mites quickly. The mites reproduce at an alarming rate. Therefore, you must get rid of every last one of them.

7- Aphids

You can find aphids on the underside of the leaves. They are very small, and you can use a trichome scope for looking at the aphids.

Like spider mites, the live ladybugs will also take care of the aphids and help you get good yields. The aphids suck out the nutrients and water leading to a smaller yield.

8- Powdery mildew

Mildew is a white powdery fungus that grows on cannabis. It is a result of too much humidity in the surroundings with little to no airflow.

To eliminate the mildew, you can use mildew eliminating spray. You can also lower the humidity in the surroundings and increase the airflow. If the room is big enough, the mildew will stop growing.

9- Bud rot

As the name suggests, bud rot starts the rotting of the plants. The buds will turn brown and moldy unless the bud is ruined completely. You can end this by increasing the airflow and lowering the humidity.

If there is bud rot, then the bud is useless and can put the smoker’s health at risk if such a bud is smoked. You can cut off the rot. But after cutting the rot, ensure that they do not grow back.

10- Too much heat in the atmosphere

The ideal temperature for weed growth is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the plant is exposed to higher temperatures, the leaves will begin to fold up.

If you see the leaves folding upwards, you can know that the plant is experiencing extreme heat. As a solution, you can grow the plant indoors, where the temperature can be monitored and reduced accordingly.

Wrapping up

These are the most common leaf problems that most newbie growers and experienced growers face. Stay tuned as we keep you posted on insightful ways to maximize your weed harvest after you have bought the seeds from Homegrown Cannabis Co.


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College Equivalent Credit

What is College Equivalent Credit?
College equivalent credit is given to students for selected work and life experiences that can be equated to college coursework. In a few areas, standardized awards of credit have been determined for specific credentials earned by students. In order to get college equivalent credit (CEC), students must write portfolios.

Requesting credit through a portfolio evaluation requires students to pay a portfolio fee of $300. As of July 2005, a $10 per credit posting fee will be charged in addition to the $300 fee. Checks should be made out to Shepherd University. Remember that portfolio credit cannot be used to meet the residency requirement, but may be used to meet some general education and upper division requirements. Portfolio credit may not duplicate credit already on the student’s transcript, and portfolio credit may not be transferred to another degree program.

Exactly what is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a written document justifying and documenting the request for college-equivalent credit. Portfolios have four components: 1) Cover Page, including name, address, telephone, email, etc. 2) Chronological Overview, or table of contents; 3) Part II, listing all training or non-college courses, and; 4) Part III, listing work experience, including volunteer work.

Who reads the portfolios and determines whether credit is awarded?

Can I get help in putting my portfolio together?

They are designated as CEC credits. College-equivalent credits are not graded.

Can you resubmit a portfolio if you don’t get all the credit you want?

Are there sample portfolios available for review?
Yes, sample portfolios may be seen in the R.B.A. Office, Gardner Hall, Room 126. They cannot, however, be taken out of the office.

What happens to portfolios after they are assessed?
The portfolio copies are kept by the R.B.A. Office for one year and then returned to the student or destroyed. The original portfolio and supporting documents can be returned to the student after evaluation. Students must arrange to pick up their portfolios; the R.B.A. Office does not mail them.

Should you submit a portfolio as soon as you enter the R.B.A. Program?
A portfolio can be submitted after you have been admitted and completed a semester of classes. The portfolio needs to be submitted at least a semester before your anticipated graduation. The R.B.A. coordinator or administrative associate can meet with you to discuss the portfolio process and format.

How do I find out about standardized awards?

For any questions, please contact:
Beth A. Thomas
Program Coordinator, R.B.A. and Continuing Education
Shepherd University-Martinsburg Center
261 Aikens Center
Martinsburg, WV 25404


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Born: 2005

Western Ontario

Admitted:  2016

Grey dun

Jennet (female donkey)

Before arriving at the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (DSC) Tequila lived with another donkey, a jack named Cruze, on a farm in Western Ontario. There they were used as a breeding pair and they had several offspring. When they were no longer able to have offspring they were moved to a different farm, where they received very little care. Knowing that these donkeys were more deserving of better care, the DSC was contacted to see if we could help. Tequila suffers from heaves, a breathing condition similar to asthma in humans. She requires medication year round for it and is often additionally treated with her inhaler during spring, summer and fall.

Due to her breathing issues and her bond to Hewey, Tequila will remain a permanent resident at the DSC.


Amidst the pandemic: Launch of a new model of the exclusive Lamborghini in India (Greater Noida in December 2021) | Alamy: Jyoti Kapoor/Pacific Press via ZUMA Press Wire

A Tale of Two Indias

Pandemic in India has seen a majority of its citizens going hungry to bed while another, smaller, section making millions. An inclusive, sustainable, and equitable recovery must deal with the triple crisis of the economy, health and climate.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” — Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Salil Tripathi was a hotel management graduate and worked as a manager at a Delhi restaurant before the pandemic, earning about Rs 40,000 a month. He lost his job during the first lockdown in 2020. To make ends meet, which included paying school fees for his 10-year-old son, he had to take up a delivery job at Zomato, making at the most Rs 10,000 a month, three-fourths less than what he had been earning earlier. He lost his father in the second wave.

His own life ended in a road accident while he was delivering for Zomato.

The rich and the elite of India have grown at the cost of others even as the overall economy was contracting.

This is the story of an upwardly mobile household whose journey was cut short by the pandemic, pushing them back to where they began from or perhaps even worse. This may well represent the conditions faced by a majority of the working people of this country during the Covid-19 pandemic. This though will not be the story told by the Government of India’s Economic Survey 2020-21.

‘Vulture Capitalism’

The gap between the rich and the poor is part and parcel of capitalism. It existed in India during the planning experiment of a 'mixed economy' and continues in the post-reform period. In the pre-reform period, incomes of both the rich and the poor grew, but at a slow pace. In the post-reform period, especially since the 2000s, the pace of growth picked up significantly, but diverged widely between the rich and the poor.

What we have witnessed during the pandemic though is something more alarming than widening inequality. The rich and the elite of India grew at the cost of others even as the overall economy contracted. Much like Dickens wrote, this pandemic has also been the best of times for some. Charts 1(a) and (1(b), based on recently released data from a survey, speak for themselves. That is a K-shaped movement in income.

This is disturbing because it is not the usual case of increasing inequality. Instead, it is a case of a few feeding off the absolute impoverishment of many. Most likely it started with demonetisation in 2016 but it has worsened during the pandemic (Chart 1 covers the period of demonetisation as well). One may quite aptly call it vulture capitalism.

As was shown by Santosh Mehrotra and Jajati Keshari Parada, poverty in India charted a V-shaped path between 2004-05 and 2019-20: falling between 2004-05 and 2011-12 and then rising between 2011-12 and 2019-20, when nearly 80 million more people were thrown into poverty. For the period specific to the pandemic, Mrinalini Jha used data from the CMIE's Consumer Pyramid Household Survey (CPHS) to show how the poor lost the most during the pandemic as compared with those in the highest quartile.

The poor lost their entire income during the first lockdown between March-April 2020, she points out. Even though there has been a near full recovery in the incomes of the poor after the lockdown, this needs to be set against the increased indebtedness (especially from informal sources) because of the loss of income during the first lockdown.

To be sure, the impact of the pandemic is not the same among the working people. As Rosa Abraham and Amit Basole demonstrated comprehensively, some groups, like salaried executives who held a regular position, did not suffer as much as the others during the pandemic in 2020-21.

Imagine now those for whom it was the best of times. Using the Forbes India Rich List, this report shows that between April and July 2020 (the first lockdown), the combined worth of the 100 wealthiest billionaires increased by a whopping 35%. While the wealthiest Indian, Mukesh Ambani, made Rs 90 crores every hour during the lockdown, 1.7 lakh people were losing their jobs every hour in April 2020.

We should remember this is not merely an economic crisis. We are globally in the midst of a triple crisis — health, economic and climate.

Another indicator of this vulture-like behaviour is the way the stock market has moved. The benchmark Sensex jumped to a high of over 62,000 in October 2021 from 29,468 in March 2020. So, while Zomato delivery ‘partners’ barely made Rs 10,000 in a city like Delhi, the company’s shares jumped up by as much as 82% when they made a debut in the stock market. It is perhaps for the first time in India that the stock market index was booming even as the economy was on a downward spiral.

One could argue that it is a reflection of what is to come with growth of the gig economy, rather than a reflection of what has already happened. But that may not be true, at least not entirely. The bull run in the stock market was not just restricted to the companies belonging to the gig economy, like Zomato, or restricted to large cap stocks. It was near universal with the mid- and small-cap companies across sectors doing well.

We should remember this is not merely an economic crisis. We are globally in the midst of a triple crisis — health, economic, and climate. While all sections of the society have been affected, the poor and the marginalised are the ones feeling the maximum brunt. A family that might have crossed the poverty barrier after years of effort would find itself back in poverty after a death in the family because of Covid-19 or even just one episode of hospitalisation.

Why this divergence?

Shouldn’t an economic crisis hit both workers and capitalists, even if the extent of impact differs between the two? If the pie becomes smaller, shouldn’t all the claimants lose at least a part of their pie? But here, not only did one section not lose anything, they increased the size of their pie by grabbing more from those who did not have much to begin with.

Chart 2, based on a sample size of 2,236 non-financial firms from the CMIE prowess database for the period March-September 2020, shows this perverse reality. While sales of  corporates fell (the pie got smaller), profits rose. The rich and the wealthy gained even in the face of misery all around.

A short digression on income distribution may help put things in perspective.The two categories — poor/rich or workers/capitalists — are not homogenous. Instead of using class as a category, a simpler way for understanding income distribution might perhaps be to look at income (or wealth) inequality with people on an income (or wealth) scale, like Chart 1 does, without going into the source (from labour or capital) of that income. While this may measure inequality better, it does not necessarily tell us the why of it, which is where the lens of class comes to the rescue.

Income distribution is like the division of a pie, the size of which is the level of output (the real pie, not its nominal value) in any period. Here we are discussing only the distribution of this pie and not its size. Each class uses a bargaining chip to claim a share. Workers do it through wages, bankers through interest rates, primary commodity producers through food and mineral prices, and capitalists through prices of the commodity produced. It is obvious that only those who have the power to stake a claim, who the economists call price ‘makers’, can actively participate in this game of grabbing as large a share as possible.

In the absence of an active intervention of the government to influence this balance of forces, one could safely assume that capitalists, especially the big ones, are at the top of the ‘price chain’ because they are the final price makers. They normally set the prices over and above the various costs: wage, raw material, or interest. Who manages to get what share depends, in the end on the relative strength of these classes, and within these classes of different groups.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that one section fed off the misery of the other during one of the most stringent lockdowns in the world.

Those who are price makers (oligopolies, top end corporate executives, salaried workers up in the hierarchy) gain at the cost of price takers (petty raw material producers, small businesses like the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), unorganised sector workers, unskilled workers in the formal sector). Under normal circumstances, the latter set of people merely acts as spectators outside the boxing ring, so to speak, and settle with whatever remains after the game is over. In that sense they are the shock absorbers of the system.

Since there are multiple claimants with different striking capacities, this boxing match will have differential outcomes. Some from within the working class — top executives, and government employees — may not lose their share, or at least their jobs, despite an overall slowdown. Their brethren who are, however, lower in the pecking order of bargaining may lose everything they had. Similarly, even within the capitalist class, it would have a differentiated impact depending on where one is located on the price chain. Small and medium enterprises may lose since they cannot set their prices, especially during a recession, whereas big enterprises gain in the very process of suppressing the prices of intermediate goods bought from the smaller ones.

Against this backdrop, let us look at how the corporate sector fared during the pandemic. Based on the CMIE data, this report and opinion piece show that corporates managed higher profits even in the wake of falling sales by suppressing their wage and raw material costs by more than the fall in the revenue 1 One could argue that this perverse relation between sales and profits is a problem of aggregation since some sectors like the gig economy obviously gained from the lockdown. So, if the profits of the gig sector rose more than the fall of profits in the rest of the economy, it will show up as a rise in profits of the entire corporate sector. But one, if it is a problem of aggregation, it should show up in sales too and not just in profits. Two, if it shows up in profits and not in sales, it means even in sectors that grew during the pandemic, profits were rising much faster than wages and other costs. Three, as this piece argues, “(t)he sharp increase in profits during the September 2020 quarter is not concentrated in only a few large companies. It is quite widespread.” With lifting of the lockdown, sales have picked up in many sectors but our focus is on the lockdown in particular to show the vulgarity of this ‘vulture’ capitalism. .

It would not be an exaggeration to say that one section fed off the misery of the other during one of the most stringent lockdowns in the world. This is where the bargaining process came into play. While big corporations may not have managed to increase their prices, they were able to cut down on costs, which amounts to the same thing as far as the distribution of income is concerned. They did so by pruning their workforce or by suppressing prices paid to those lower down the price chain.

There is a similar story in the data on inflation in the post-lockdown phase of income distribution moving in favour of the big corporations and the elite. The recent episode of rising inflation, which seems temporary, has been partially led by increased crude prices as well as a mismatch between a temporary pent-up demand, especially by those in the upper arm of the K-shaped recovery, and supply chains that were broken by the lockdowns, both domestically and internationally. But a part of this inflation, as Roshan Kishore shows, based on CMIE data, is triggered by increased profit margins by firms in the non-financial sector.

This means that the firms chose to extract their pound of flesh by passing on higher prices to the consumers. The resulting inflation redistributes the income of the working people, particularly those whose wages are not indexed to inflation, in favour of firms in the non-financial sector. As for the financial sector, particularly banking, their profit margins have also increased as shown by the rising spread between their lending rates and the rate at which they borrow from the central bank.

The stock market is a very risky investment avenue and people with precarious sources of income would be wary of taking the plunge in such a big way.

What about the stock market boom? While the large cap stocks may have been driven by both domestic and foreign institutional investors, the mid and small were driven by retail investors. A report in the Financial Times shows that 40% of the current retail investors (almost 2 crore) have joined the National Stock Exchange in just the last two years. In total, they account for almost half the total trading market share in India. It is possible, as the report argues, that this increase in retail trading accounts could be distress-driven since people were losing their regular source of income and they needed to find an alternative. It is unlikely though that this was primarily distress driven.

The stock market is a very risky investment avenue and people with precarious sources of income would be wary of taking the plunge in such a big way. In all likelihood, the increase in trading came from the middle classes who could afford to take such risks. After all, there is the upper arm of the K-shaped recovery, driven by enterprises with the high-salaried regular employees and those in the gig-sectors that boomed during the pandemic.

While the majority of India was going hungry to bed and jobless for many months and dependent to a large extent on handouts from the government, there was another India that was merrily playing roulette with its money.

Is the misery temporary?

It is possible that this may just be a blip, since the 2020 lockdown was temporary?  There are reasons to be worried that it is not so.

First, unlike countries that have robust social security systems or have pursued aggressive fiscal measures, a temporary supply ‘shock’ in India can lead to a longish depressed effect on jobs, incomes, and demand. Countries with such systems or policy responses would have, in effect, guarded against an aggregate demand and supply mismatch once the lockdowns were lifted.

A pandemic-induced lockdown disrupted the supply side of the economy. But once the supply gets stabilised, the overall demand needs to match up to it. Otherwise, potential supply in the form of idle factories and machinery will be ready to be utilised but will not have enough demand to start them up. In countries that have unemployment allowances as a policy for workers who may have lost their jobs or implemented a one-time aggressive fiscal response, demand would be forthcoming once the supply conditions eased.

The slightly well-off may have got their lost jobs back, but for a sizeable majority the lost jobs are lost for at least some time to come.

Countries like India neither have unemployment allowances for workers like Zomato's Salil Tripathi nor did they make a significant fiscal push during the first two years of the pandemic. The initial loss of jobs because of the lockdowns may have a prolonged effect on demand.

To take the case of Tripathi, even if this tragedy had not struck him, it would be hard to imagine that he would have easily got his job back. The restaurant in New Delhi where he was working would have to make a comeback post the pandemic with cash flows like before to be able to offer him a job. Some bigger ones may even make a comeback but not many smaller ones even in the capital.

The situation may be worse in innumerable other sectors where a restart may require the overall economic conditions of the country to improve significantly. The slightly well-off may have got their lost jobs back, but for a sizeable majority, the lost jobs are lost for at least some time to come. It will take a while for the whole cycle of economic activity to restart.

This is not the first time we are witnessing such a heavy and prolonged jolt to the job prospects of the working masses. We saw how long it could take to get the lost jobs back in the biggest, and perhaps the crudest, macroeconomic experiment in India of all times — the 2016 demonetisation disaster. Even five years later, those who lost jobs and incomes in the informal sector have not returned to their previous levels of livelihood.

We can only hope that the pain of the pandemic-induced crisis is not just as prolonged. But we cannot live on just a hope when livelihoods are at stake; we need an active policy intervention to ameliorate this pain at the earliest possible.

Is there a way forward?

Every crisis should also be seen as an opportunity to break free from the past. It gives policymakers an opportunity to think out of the box for the road ahead.

Unfortunately, most governments, so far, have gone down the same beaten path.

To begin with, in response to the severe triple crises, governments have primarily relied on 'below the line' financial measures. These are in the nature of loan guarantees and 'potential' liquidity injection, which are essentially supply-side measures and are, therefore, ineffective when the crisis is of a serious lack of aggregate demand in the economy. For example, the fiscal stimulus provided under India’s Atmanirbhar package, even by the most liberal estimates of the IMF, is a mere 2.5% of the GDP. The rest of the promised "10% of the GDP" promised (Rs 20 lakh crore) were practically loan guarantees and access to credit. Neither a household, which has lost jobs or income; nor a firm, which has significant idle capacity, would have taken a loan, how much ever the banks may persuade them with lucrative terms of lower interest rates and larger volumes of credit.

But if these did not work, what is all the discussion on a spectacular V-shaped recovery that India has witnessed?

A V-shaped recovery in growth rates is a statistical truism since that is just the effect taking place on top of the massive contraction of 2020-21. So, an economy with a GDP of 100, after having faced a 10% contraction due to the lockdown, may 'bounce back' with an arguably impressive 5-6% rate of growth. This means the output fell from a pre-pandemic level of 100 to 90 as a result of the lockdown and, after the lockdown was lifted, rose to 95. It shows that the economy has not even reached the pre-pandemic GDP level.

[I]t is not just a fiscal vs monetary debate: a more important question is what kind of fiscal policy do we need?

As compared with the ineffective monetary policy measures, fiscal measures are definitely far more effective as evident in many countries that took that path. But it is not just a fiscal vs monetary debate. A more important question is what kind of fiscal policy do we need?

Is there a path that can address the three crises simultaneously? A purely fiscal measure may address just one — economic — of the three crises. Instead, a green fiscal response, which focusses on spending on greening the infra sector while changing the energy mix of the economy as well as spending on the care economy, may take the triple crises head-on.

Such a response needs to forefront climate justice by incorporating redistributive elements, some of which are intrinsic to this path and some need to be designed as part of the programme. Our work shows that this green path is not only more labour-intensive compared to the business-as-usual scenario, it also favours the rural, unskilled and marginalised sections of the population. Additionally, some specifically built-in components — financing the programme through wealth and inheritance taxes; a right to access to energy to all — could help address the growing wedge between the two Indias.

An economic recovery of this kind — inclusive, sustainable, and equitable — is the only way forward.

This article was last updated on January 28, 2022
The India Forum

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some Characteristics of any Happy Relationship

In order to have a cheerful marriage, equally partners will need to strive to enhance their quality of life. While it is not hard to be committed in a good marriage, the true commitment comes when difficulty comes. Dedication to their spouse may be the sign of true love, as well as the two ought to support the other whenever required. Similarly, both companions should work towards the personal goals and dreams. That is essential for a prosperous relationship, and it in addition serves to help make the relationship more rewarding.

Another important characteristic of a successful marriage is kindness. A other half should present admiration to her partner and never make an effort to take advantage of his / her partner. Couples who display reverence to one another contain a close and honest relationship. In addition, they share all their feelings without any reluctance. In addition they share all their vision meant for the relationship, that creates them more compatible.

Couples who present respect to each other are able to prevail over mistakes and move on. That they show common respect by simply listening to one another and not interfering with their spouse-to-be’s decisions. Respectful associates also respect each other peoples thoughts and do not criticize each other before others. Couples who exhibit respect to each other are much more likely to possess a happy marital relationship.

Powerful couples also write about their authentic feelings together. They is not going to feel threatened or perhaps insecure when their spouse is disrupted or is experiencing some sort of pain. If it is sensitive, that they encourage one another to express all their intimate thoughts and feelings. As a result, they make every single other’s demands their main concern. They hardly ever feel like problems to each other.

Deep friendship is also an important feature of a healthier marriage. Analysis by Kim Gottman shows that couples who have deep friendships usually experience better interactions than those with partners so, who don’t. In fact , they tend to have five positive interactions for each negative interaction. Furthermore, deep friendship is certainly strongly linked to high levels of sex and romance.

Lastly, effective couples understand each other peoples point of view and learn to compromise. They will avoid picking quarrels just for amateur dramatics and try to find all their partners’ standpoint. Successful couples also learn to forgive and move on. Finally, they are not afraid to talk through problems and answer issues with their partner.


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EverGREEN, the comprehensive fundraising campaign, for Utah Valley University will advance, expand, and increase the impact of a degree from the university on the world. The inaugural comprehensive campaign will impact every aspect of the campus from engineering to athletics and from the arts to automotive. EverGREEN will ensure UVU remains a flexible and relevant educational option for generations.

Why Be EverGREEN?

UVU has offered generations of Utahns the opportunity to change their life trajectories, develop their full potential, and impact the world. Providing access and removing financial barriers to empower the next generation of leaders is at the center of the university’s mission and the launch of EverGREEN, UVU’s inaugural comprehensive campaign.

UVU’s inaugural comprehensive campaign focuses on student scholarships, college and unit initiatives, infrastructure to meet rising enrollment demands, planned gifts, and endowment increases to provide ongoing support for future generations.

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What do the arts mean to you?

Whether they are joyful or sad, upsetting or exhilarating, art provokes feelings. You can feel and think things through art. Artworks might cause you to reflect on your own emotions as well as the artist's interpretation or message.

red green and yellow abstract painting
Photo by SIMON LEE on Unsplash

How does art shape your life? Research has shown that enjoying art enhances our quality of life and helps us feel good. When we do art, we feel better, are better at solving problems, and are more receptive to new ideas.

What is that digital art called? Digital art has gone under several titles since the 1960s, including computer art, multimedia art, and new media art.

What is the function of digital painting in history? Digital painting enables artists to experiment with different techniques and colors easily as its use of layers, the undo function, and save files, make it a non-destructive work process. There is never really a loss because the artist can always go back to a previous state inside the artwork.

How would you describe digital art? Art created with software, computers, or other electronic devices is referred to as digital art, sometimes known as computer art or new media art. Digital art includes everything created or produced using digital media, including animations, images, drawings, movies, paintings, and more.

What was the first digital art? The phrase "digital art" was initially used in the early 1980s when computer engineers developed a paint application called AARON. It was a robotic machine designed to make large drawings on sheets of paper placed on the floor.

What is an art movement example? Impressionism is an excellent example of an artistic movement. An organisation of European artists with a base in Paris is credited with giving it its start. The group, which included Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, Auguste Renoir, Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas, and more, gained popularity for their work between the 1870s and 1880s.

Is photography an art? Photography is a relatively recent medium, thus it is not one of the traditional seven art forms, but it is a part of the visual arts as a whole. Photography falls into one of two categories within the visual arts: fine art or commercial art.

Is music an art? Every human community is infused with music in one way or another. There are so many different types of modern music that it is mind-boggling, some of them created in more recent times, some in earlier ones.

Is fashion an art? To answer the question, fashion is definitely art. To make garments that other people desire to wear, you need to be innovative and artistic. Like painting and drawing, it fosters connection and aids in self-expression.

Is writing an art? Does Writing Qualify as Art? Writing is regarded as one of many types of art, indeed. The traditional categories of art include literary arts, visual arts, graphic arts, plastic arts, decorative arts, performing arts, and architectural arts.

Is poetry an art? Poetry includes tools, techniques, practises, and a history that inform it, just like all other art forms, such as painting, dancing, sculpture, or music.

Is dancing a art? Dance is a full-fledged art form that belongs to the "performance arts," a goal in and of itself, and a way for a person to communicate his or her innermost thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The body naturally expresses itself via dance, and as a result, the spirit does as well.

What fashion means to me? To me, fashion is experimenting to discover how you actually want to express yourself and how confident you feel after you find the ideal combination of garments. It also means generating money off a collection or appearing on the Vogue cover.

Is fashion more than clothes? Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, what fulfils the aforementioned requirements is fashion, not clothes. Although clothes covers the body, fashion meets human needs such as a sense of identity, self-worth, and self-actualization.

Why is fashion important? Because of its intimate connection to each of us, fashion has the power to transform and influence lives. Since we all need to wear clothes and each item we purchase is a reflection of our individual preferences, fashion is inherently human and thus political.

Is reading an art? Because reading takes many of the same talents as creating art, it is an art form. We create the book, the tale, the play, the poem, or the memoir with the author as we read.

Why is art so important? Information may be conveyed through art, which can also influence how we conduct our lives, make social statements, and just be beautiful to look at.

Is writing a talent?

What is prose in literature? 1a: the everyday language that individuals use when speaking or writing. A literary form that is distinguished from poetry in particular by its increased irregularity, variety, and closer resemblance to speech patterns used in daily life.


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Sea temperatures, water sports and vacation activities near las islitas, Mexico

Water temperatures throughout the year and general information about las islitas...

las islitas is a surf spot in Mexico. The water temperature around las islitas varies slightly during the year. The temperature ranges from 23.2°C (73.7°F) in January up to 31.3°C (88.4°F) in the month of October, as shown in the interactive table below. The average water temperature throughout the year is 27°C (81°F) and the best time for water activities is , since las islitas is located in the northern hemisphere.

What is the current water temperature at las islitas?

The current water temperature in the month of December at las islitas is ca:
0°C (32°F)

Are there any other surf spots in close proximity to las islitas?

Yes, there are other surf spots close to las islitas. The nearest one is Stoners, which is 1km (0.6miles) away from las islitas. Click here for directions and to check out more information on Stoners and its water temperature. Another fun surfspot near las islitas is San Blas, which is roughly 2.5km (1.6miles) away.

Are there sandy beaches near by?

There are not too many beaches in close proximity to las islitas. A beach that might be worth checking out is Nuevo Vallarta, which is just 56.7km (35.2miles) away from las islitas. Another fun beach near las islitas is Puerto Vallarta, roughly 59.6km (37miles) away.

Which wetsuit thickness is recommended for las islitas?

The sea temperature at las islitas is extremely warm, reaching up to 31°C (88°F) in the months of . During this time, in the , a wetsuit is normaly not required for surfing, swimming, snorkelling, or scuba diving at las islitas. Nevertheless, during winter, sea temperatures drop down to 23°C (74°F). In this season, a 1mm wetsuit top or a jumpsuit might be required to stay in the water for a significant amount of time, but some might even be fine without a wetsuit . For very cold conditions and cold mornings/evenings, it might be advisable to bring a thin wetsuit or jumpsuit.

How is the diving and fishing close to las islitas?

Due to significant temperature changes during the year, fishing and Scuba diving conditions vary quite a bit depending on the time of the year. The temperature ranges from 23 to 28°C (74-83°F) during winter. Bigeye Tuna, Blackfin Tuna, King Mackerel, Spotted Seatrout, and White Marlin are typical fish that can be found in waters of this temperature range. However, the conditions change during when temperatures reach 26 to 31°C (79-88°F). Fish which can often times be found in waters with these temperatures include: Bonefish, Permit, Red Drum, and Tarpon.

Directions to las islitas: How do I get there?

Please follow the directions in the map below.

Fun facts about las islitas...

Do you know what the Tungue Canyon , Carice in Haiti, and the city Mazo in Spain have in common with las islitas? Click on the links to find out...


One More, One Less

This bookplays with children’s love of their special number—their age. Each page either shows one more, one less, or the correct number of fingers for the child’s age. They are written for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. Practicing one more and one less helps children move back and forth in the counting sequence and helps them develop a visual picture of number.


The Humanities and Matricentrism

A remote talk for the University of Winchester, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, 11:30 a.m. New York time, and 4:30 p.m. England time.

I’ll be giving a talk (remotely) for the University of Winchester and here’s the nub:

What’s it all about? — novels, paintings, pop culture, movies, musicals? Some say “capital versus labor,” some say “Lacanian mirror theory,” some say “signifier-signified instability.” What if it’s really all about the mother?

The full title of the talk is: The Humanities and Matricentrism: Finding the Mother in Literature, Film, Music, and Theatre.

Inspired by the philosophy and research of Dr. John Diamond, along with many others including anthropologist-archeologist Marija Gimbutas, I will outline ways to find the maternal in works of art.

When: Wednesday, Feb. 9th, 11:30 a.m. New York time, which is 4:30 p.m. England time (16:30, as they often put it).

How: Via the university’s Microsoft Teams. Use my “Contact” page to send me your email address to receive an invitation.

Favorite Teaching Memories: Hellzapoppin’

In American Film class:

We watched the first twenty minutes of a 1941 movie called Hellzapoppin — a zany, surreal comedy full of slapstick and gags and fantasy elements. Afterwards, a student came up to me and said: “I sat there saying to myself, ‘I can’t believe what I’m seeing.’ I’m still reeling.” He got all excited and had to go investigate the whole film.

So often I tell people about teaching film history, and they say, “Oh, I suppose those young people don’t like the old films.” But the vast majority of my students really do like them — admittedly, often to their own great surprise! (Perhaps they just need the right companionship while watching them.)

Student questions: Why are so many of the great songwriters Jewish?

My students sometimes ask me why there was such a preponderance of Jewish people among the great songwriters of Broadway musical theatre and Tin Pan Alley, the popular music publishing business. (Among the examples are: composers like Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern – and lyricists such as Lorenz Hart, Ira Gershwin, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, Dorothy Fields, Leo Robin, Gus Kahn – the list goes on and on.)

There is no definite and sure answer. Nevertheless, here are some factors.

Jewish people were excluded from so many of the old established industries. Railroads, cotton, tobacco, oil, wheat, beef – all the established big businesses were closed to them.

But show business – as a nationwide big business – was new. Therefore, Jewish people got into Tin Pan Alley, vaudeville, and the movies.

Show business was a meritocracy. If you were good, you were employed. The rest of society was still, to an extent, an aristocracy.

Then the prominence of Jewish people in show business became self-perpetuating, because it is always easier to imagine yourself in a profession that somebody in your family is in, or that is found among the circle of friends surrounding your family.

Once you’ve proved your merit, those kind of family and friendship connections also help you remain in a business and become enough of a success to stay in it.

Of course, there are the beautiful traditional melodies of Jewish culture. The characteristic minor mode of many of these melodies contributed to the Tin Pan Alley style. In addition, there may be more specific spiritual or aesthetic reasons, too.

There is the cantorial tradition, which seems important in a way that I cannot pinpoint. Among other aspects, various anecdotes hint that the cantorial tradition overlapped nicely in style (and soulfulness) with African American music.

Also, Tin Pan Alley and film music continued the tradition of tonal music, even while the classical music tradition was abandoning it. (Or so writes Henry Pleasants.) So if you had this cantorial music in you, you would be attracted to music that was tonal – popular music and film music.

Before about 1900, if you wanted to make it in classical music, you had to convert to Christianity, like the poor Mendelssohns, and Meyerbeer, and Mahler.

After about 1900, you could make it in classical music and stay Jewish, like Dukas, Milhaud, Schoenberg, and Bloch. Or you could stay Jewish and straddle pop and classical, like Weill and Gershwin. Or you could stay Jewish and move from the concert field to film music, like Korngold and Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Or you could roost in the pop field, despite classical training, like Kern, Romberg, and Rodgers.

Dr. John Diamond, psychiatrist-philosopher, has outlined how the positive trait of warmheartedness, while found in individuals among all cultures, is notably common among those born into the Jewish faith, i.e. who have Jewish mothers. Perhaps this contributes another factor. Maybe the classical tradition is “cool,” so if you are warmhearted you would be more attracted to the friendly pop field.

A family story, to illustrate the point about show business:

In the early 1940s, while in college, my father was going to invest in a Broadway musical. (He claimed it was Oklahoma!, but it couldn’t have been – he was probably mis-remembering or perhaps just making the story more colorful, as he was wont to do.) An older family member or friend of the family had a sober talk with him, about how that just was not the thing to do. Being involved with show business was shady and disgraceful to a staid middle-class family, of mostly WASP strands and one Irish-Catholic branch that had striven to become, and finally succeeded in becoming, white-collar and accepted by WASPs. It was taboo not because it was associated with Jewish people, but simply because it was not respectable, and had been demimondaine for centuries and centuries. If just putting some money into a show was so taboo, how much more would actually being in the music business or show business! It was a field of endeavor ignored by the close-minded establishment and therefore left available to the open-minded and the outsiders.

It is a point made by Gerald Mast, in his book Can’t Help Singin’, and amplified by various writers since. The field of popular music and entertainment was left relatively open to those who were kept as outsiders in society, like the Jewish, the Irish and Italian Catholics, the Pacific Islanders, the Blacks, and some homosexuals. Only relatively, of course, for indeed one found prejudice and discrimination even within show business and the music industry.