Sustainable Economic Growth and a finite Planet

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Considering that the Earth is finite, it can't grow, and so are all of her mineral resources, which don't regrow either, talking about sustainable and growth in the same breath is an oxymoron and a fallacy.

Sustainable economic growth is not possible as more and more growth is NOT sustainable regardless of what the powers that be try to claim.

With an ever growing population the Earth has a problem maintaining even the status quo. And we are to blame for the growth in population in that we almost permanently interfere in Nature's self-regulation mechanism.

Famines and natural disasters are a way of how the Planet self-regulates the population, human, other animals, etc., and we interfere at our peril.

But each and every time famine strikes in Africa or elsewhere the like of Oxfam beat the drum and rattle the tin for funds to help the poor starving people. I am sorry but that is Mother Nature's way of regulating life, and has done though the ages.

When it comes to economic growth it is a fact that more, more and ever more cannot work with our finite Planet and its resources.

We have already overfished the seas, created deserts of what once was farmland by overuse of chemicals, and ravaged the Earth for coal, oil, natural gas, metals, etc., and believe we can carry on doing that in a sustainable way.

Those that do believe that do not seem to understand the very world “sustainable” and live in cloud cuckoo land.

We must get back to a slower kind of life; a life with less rather than looking to continue with business as usual and call it then, because we do a little “carbon trading” (another con) sustainable.

How stupid are we, or better, our leaders, actually?

A finite Planet means that sustainable economic growth cannot be. Either we begin to really live and work sustainably, which means changing our ways in a multitude of aspects and live, or we continue with economic growth, growth for the very sake of it, and in the end completely destroy the Earth, the only Planet that we have that will support (human) life. The choice is ours!

© 2012


Thursday, November 10, 2011

Manager Internal Recruitment Vacancy | Etihad Airways careers

Manager Internal Recruitment

Abu Dhabi

Closing date
13 November 2011

Job Purpose
To manage and develop a core recruitment team that selects individuals who can deliver Etihad’s vision and values by providing inspirational onboard services that ensures our guests choose to fly Etihad every time. Recommend and implement innovative recruitment initiatives and methodologies that contribute to the establishment and improvement in the efficiencies and service levels. Drive high levels of recruitment service in a fast paced ever changing environment.

Manager recruitment campaigns national and international for Cabin Crew, Food and Beverage Managers, In-flight Chefs, Cabin Managers and Cabin Seniors.

Managing the roster for recruitment officers and recruiters to ensure that all campaigns have the necessary resources and logistics of multiple recruitment events
Manage, develop and coach a core reliable team or recruitment professionals to ensure that the agreed standard of selection is consistently maintained.

Manage the database to ensure that there is a constant supply of candidates ready to interview within Etihad’s network. Ensuring candidates are kept informed at all times during the process

Review appropriate methodologies for all recruitment campaigns and develop the assessment centre to support internal and external abin crew recruitment. Prepare appropriate competency based questions for both telephone screening and face-to-face interviews. Ensuring that every event is conducted in a professional manner and reflects the values of Etihad

Build professional and open relationshiops with stakeholders providing a committed transparent service with the need to be responsive to departmental pressures.
Ensure that all necessary recruitment procedures, process documentation and file maintenance are updated and maintained in a timely fashion per Departmental protocols
Assist the recruitment manager in the preparation of the annual budget

You are required to have the following:

Superior command of the English language, both written and spoken; Arabic language an advantage.
Superior verbal and written communication skills.
High level of negotiation and influencing skills.
High level of interpersonal skills.
Good level of numeracy and analytical skills.

A thorough knowledge and understanding of IT systems; MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, MS Outlook, Internet, a Recruitment Database.

Degree level education in business administration or related subjects OR 5 years experience in a Managerial Recruitment role. Additional HR qualification highly desirable but not essential.

10 years experience in the airline industry with cabin crew and recruitment supervisory exposure


Comparatively Speaking: Disruptive Innovation vs. Sustaining Innovation

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Disruptive innovation: This process results in solutions and products that change the market. In other words, the effect is new and revolutionary. The automobile was a disruptive technology for the horse-pulled wagon. Disruptive technology is a technology that forever alters the market. Generally, it is carried out by new entrants into the market.

Sustaining innovation: This innovation that provides an incremental change or improvement to existing technology. An example is the evolution of standard nail polish to quick-dry nail polish. Another is the development of lipstick into transfer-resistant lipstick. It is often difficult for new market entrants to break through with an incremental innovation, whereas established companies have the resources to act and the customer base to respond

Another way to think of the difference is that disruptive technology is a step out of the current technology, often requiring a great deal of creativity. Sustaining innovation is a “lean out” of the current technology, seen as similar but with an improvement.

Enlightened companies are spending more time looking at disruptive technologies. This makes sense considering that regulatory changes may forbid the use of key raw materials a drastic reformulation. Enlightened companies investigate the result of this action and look for a disruptive technology that might answer the need.


Amnesty Investigator Admits: Palestinian 'Witnesses' Often Lie

Article by Amnesty field researcher seemingly backs Israeli concerns that NGOs simply swallow Palestinian narrative.

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Ari Soffer,

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Donatella Rovera's article was published by Professionals in Humanitarian Assistance and Protection (PHAP), and detailed the challenges facing fact-finding missions in conflict zones.

Among other things, she noted that eyewitnesses are often unreliable either due to the assumptions they themselves make about what they have seen or heard, out of fear of reprisals for telling the truth.

She also noted how "Fear can lead victims and witnesses to withhold evidence or give deliberately erroneous accounts of incidents."

As an example she cited her own experience in Hamas-run Gaza, where Arab civilians living there are often afraid to go on record saying anything negative about the territory's Islamist rulers.

"In Gaza, I received partial or inaccurate information by relatives of civilians accidentally killed in accidental explosions or by rockets launched by Palestinian armed groups towards Israel that had malfunctioned and of civilians killed by Israeli strikes on nearby Palestinian armed groups’ positions," Rovera recalled. "When confronted with other evidence obtained separately, some said they feared reprisals by the armed groups."

She pointed out that even where investigators did not include questionable testimonies in their reports, they should be aware that their overall reports can still be unduly influenced by what they heard.

Not far enough?

She also admitted that NGOs themselves are often to blame for publicizing false claims, though she insisted that such instances were unintentional and the result of "players and interested parties go[ing] to extraordinary lengths to manipulate or manufacture 'evidence' for both internal and external consumption."

But the Elder of Ziyyon blog, which highlighted the story late last week, accused Rovera of whitewashing the role played by Amnesty and other NGOs in reporting unverified accusations against Israel for political reasons.

"They might strenuously deny it, but Amnesty and HRW [Human Rights Watch] have systemic biases against Israel," it continued, citing several examples of the two groups repeating false allegations of Israeli "war crimes" - including an infamous incident during the IDF's Pillar of Defense operation in Gaza, when a Hamas rocket which killed a child was blamed on Israel.

It is a claim regularly made by Israeli officials, who have accused both media outlets and even foreign diplomats of unquestioningly accepting Palestinian claims.

Earlier this year a diplomatic crisis was only narrowly averted after the outgoing head of the European Union parliament claimed in a speech to the Knesset that Israel was unequally distributing water between Jews and Arabs in Judea-Samaria.

Martin Schulz had heard the claim - which turned out to be false - from Palestinian Authority officials, and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu responded by saying the incident illustrated how European "fact finding missions" approach accusations made against Israel

Simon Plosker, Managing Editor of media watchdog Honest Reporting, said the article revealed that Amnesty and other groups were clearly aware of the problem, but questioned why they were doing little to internalize it.

"Too often, Israel is the victim of half-truths and libels perpetrated by Palestinians hiding behind the veneer of credibility that so-called human rights organizations afford them. If researchers such as Amnesty International’s Donatella Rovera are aware of this problem, one can only conclude that delegitimizing Israel’s right to self-defense takes priority over reporting the truth."

Rovera's original article can be found here.


Clicking on the ARTILCE links will now take you to the new website. If you still want to read this page, just scroll down. Thanks for visiting.

ARTICLE #1 ADD/ADHD and Behavioral Problems: Nutritional Causes, Prevention, and Therapy

ARTICLE #2 Natural Approaches to ADD and ADHD

ARTICLE #3 ADD/ADHD and Diet (with links to recipes)

ARTICLE #4 Food Coloring and Behavior

ARTICLE #5 Testimonials on ADD/ADHD and Food Coloring

ARTICLE #6 Tartrazine: A Real Yellow Menace

ARTICLE #7 Food Additive Guide: What's Good, What's Bad

ARTICLE #8 ADD/ADHD Specific Lab Tests

ARTICLE #9 Things to Rule Out, Things to Know

ARTICLE #10 RITALIN use Linked to Chromosomal Abnormalities

LINKS: add-adhd.org, Why to Avoid Ritalin, Drug-Free Alternatives, Dangers of Ritalin, Ritalin: Wonder Drug or Cop-Out?, Diet and ADD/ADHD, The Ritalin Fact Book

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has become a medical craze of unparalleled proportions. As many as 20% of children (some estimates are higher), the majority of them boys, are now on Ritalin or Dexedrine, both of which are addictive stimulants. About 35% of all children referred to mental health clinics are referred for ADHD. It is one of the most prevalent of all childhood "psychiatric" disorders, although ADD/ADHD is a common diagnosis for adults as well.

With Attention Deficit Disorder and Behavioral Problems sometimes running in families, some doctors are convinced that a genetic component is driving this condition, while others believe that there may have been damage to the brain during pregnancy or delivery, or from drug or alcohol use during pregnancy, from infectious diseases, toxemia, overexposure to radiation, etc., while after birth, ADD may result from meningitis, seizures from fever, head injury, encephalitis, or heavy metal toxicity. Other practitioners disagree and cite lack of evidence for any of these claims, going as far as calling ADD another example of "scientific" medicine inventing a psychiatric label when it cannot explain, resolve, or find a physiological cause for specific medical symptoms.

Since there is no conclusive test to prove whether someone is suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder, the diagnosis of either ADD or ADHD is highly subjective, although in 1998 the Eastman Kodak Co. by chance discovered a novel approach to spotting the disorder: They found that the temperature in the fingertips of ADD/ADHD patients fluctuates differently from non-ADHD patients, which may lead to the commercial development of a more accurate diagnostic tool to better and faster assess this condition.

Proponents of drug therapy claim that symptoms of ADD are caused by neurological dysfunctions within the brain and point to studies done with PET scans confirming that there is a definite difference in brain functions between groups of individuals diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, and those without it. According to their theory, specific chemicals called neurotransmitters may be lacking in individuals with ADD, and where subsequent to taking medication, brain activity appeared to be much more like that of the normal group. They also claim that the areas of the brain in the ADD group with below-normal brain activity are known to be associated with such functions as attention, concentration, as well as planning and organization. Those same proponents also stress the relative "safety" of these stimulant drugs, and that they are unquestionably successful in decreasing hyperactivity, while at the same time improving attention span in approximately 70% of those treated (maintaining that only 5-10% will get worse). As a result, these drug-treated children supposedly feel better about themselves and enjoy better self-esteem, with no evidence that being treated for years with stimulant drugs will have a greater likelihood of abusing drugs or narcotics during their adolescent years.

However other research shows that many children who have taken drugs for Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder continually have drug addiction problems with either legal drugs and/or illegal drugs for the remainder of their lives. One reason for this could be that they have been conditioned to believe that taking drugs will solve life's problems and difficulties.

Ritalin (methylphenidate) is classified among Schedule II controlled substances, which have a high abuse potential with severe psychic or physical dependence liability and in general, are substances that have therapeutic utility. Schedule II drugs include amphetamine (Dexedrine), cocaine, morphine, codeine, opium, oxycodone (Percodan), pentobarbital, and others. Ritalin has been sold on the black market as a form of speed. Some side effects encountered with these stimulants include personality changes characterized by a state of excitement, confusion, depression or withdrawal, as well as irritability, restlessness, sleeping problems, loss of appetite, weight loss, stomachache, headache, rapid or irregular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, and sometimes muscle twitches of the face and other parts of the body, which could lead to Tourette's Syndrome. There is also some controversy of whether these stimulant drugs cause suppression of growth.

Children / Adults diagnosed with ADD/ADHD may fit one or more categories:

Vision or Hearing problems in children - when undetected - may sometimes lead to an inaccurate diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder.

Hyperthyroid or Hypothyroid problems can both trigger a number of attention-disruptive symptoms. Serum levels may, or may not be within a normal lab range, however false positives or false negatives with thyroid panels are not uncommon. While elevated / irregular pulse or nervousness are commonly experienced with hyperthyroid functions, apathy, fatigue and trouble concentrating are some symptoms encountered with hypothyroid functions. Spinal alignment problems at T4-T6 can also trigger similar symptoms. Supplements such as PABA, magnesium, or manganese (as individually indicated) will generally help with mild hyperthyroid activity, while iodine and/or Vitamin B6 may be helpful with very mild hypothyroid activity. Exposure to bromine-based fire retardants used in carpets, mattresses, upholstery, furniture and some electronic equipment have also become suspect for causing a number of medical conditions, including hypothyroidism. Animal research has linked behavioral problems, as well as neurodevelopmental and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders to bromides. The European Union has already banned some PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) compounds for these reasons.

Food Intolerances or Allergies are high on the list of offenders to provoke ADD/ADHD or other behavioral symptoms and problems. While milk, eggs, nuts, shellfish, wheat and soy products are common triggers for people with food sensitivities or allergies, simple sugar(s) have more of an effect on mood and hyperactivity than many other dietary factors, although some "experts" on ADD or ADHD continue to challenge or dispute that fact. Additional problem sources to consider include pets, mold, artificial food coloring and preservatives, artificial sweeteners (aspartame), dust mites, caffeine, and tobacco smoke.

Calcium and/or Magnesium deficiencies are very common causes of ADD and ADHD. Since they are always accompanied by light and/or restless sleep, along with daytime sleepiness, they are easy to spot and easily remedied through supplementation or a change in diet.

High Copper and low Sulfur - with or without elevated Aluminum - represent one of the most common causes of ADD/ADHD. Symptoms typically include a "foggy" mind, lack of concentration, and poor memory. This particular chemical pattern is as common with kids as it is with adults, and requires not only supplementation of copper antagonists (molybdenum, chromium, sulfur (MSM), or Vitamin C - as individually indicated), but also avoidance of beverage or food sources high in copper and aluminum. Copper sources include cocoa / chocolate products, coffee, tea, soy products, liver, nuts, seeds, shellfish, wheat germ..., while aluminum sources include drinks packaged in aluminum-lined containers (tetra packs) and certain (antacid / stomach) remedies.

Tyrosine is an amino acid that the body uses to synthesize dopamine and norepinephrine, the two neurotransmitters believed to be involved in ADHD. Some studies have shown that children with ADD may have lower levels of tyrosine, which can be increased through supplemental or dietary sources. L-Tyrosine supplementation is contraindicated when on certain medications, or with specific medical problems, so a consultation with a practitioner is important for proper evaluation.

Recreational Activities have a major impact on brain chemistry. The types of videos watched, or the type of music listened to are just two examples of stimuli that have the ability to shape or affect mood, personality and behavior. Research has started to find connections between children playing violent video games, followed by measurable aggressive behavior. The increase in dopamine production in the brain during video game play is no different than smoking marijuana, or a person being injected with amphetamines, or the ADD drug Ritalin. The change in brain chemistry is the first hard evidence that video game playing is addictive, like a dose of speed. Accordingly, these kids are addicted to raised dopamine levels, and can't concentrate on anything without them.

Studies have attributed similar effects on the brain when listening to music, particularly in regards to learning and studying. Classical music, with an average 50-70 beats per minute was optimal for learning. Interestingly, it also provided health benefits such as lower blood pressure, lower muscle tension, and a slower pulse rate. In every one of several human and animal studies done of having subjects listen to Mozart versus Hard Rock, the effects of classical music were in comparison to the control group consistently of a calming, soothing nature, while the Hard Rock group invariably lead to an aggressive, or even violent behavior.

It is not difficult to understand how the influence of the hypnotic rhythm and beat of Heavy Metal Rock music induces a drug-like effect that removes inhibitions, morals, and incites rebellion and aberrations of conduct.

Statistics are even more convincing: In different experiments, mice listening to classical music ran a maze from 25% to 70% faster than those who were not listening to any music. "Modern" music (Punk Rock, Rap...) had them run the maze anywhere from 20% to 300% slower! Another study showed that listening to the classical music of Mozart can improve an IQ score by up to 13 points, while "Rock and Roll" has a reverse effect.

Lack of Parental Discipline is what many people believe to be the most widespread cause of ADD, ADHD, and other behavioral problems, and they may not be too far off the mark. While this will hit a raw nerve with those parents whose children can do no wrong (no matter how ill behaved they are), it is very obvious that most kids nowadays lack a respect of authority, and they all seem to very much know their rights - particularly that governments protect the action of children through various legislations and even step in against those parents who see fit to teach their kids some rules and hands-on discipline.

* * *

Times have certainly changed... particularly in regards to mental health! Visiting shopping malls, hair salons, or even many of the better dining establishments can be quite an awakening experience in the way many of them see fit to musically entertain their customers. Emphasis used to be on providing a relaxing atmosphere with ambient 'elevator-type' of background music to enhance that shopping or dining experience. Now, one establishment is trying to outdo the other by greeting the customer right at the door with their canned heavy-metal beat, which is only challenged by the tinted sports car driving by with its mega-watt entertainment system creating a sonic boom within a 3-mile radius.

In most cities, searching from one end of the dial to the other, one is hard-pressed to find a radio station that still caters to normal, well-adjusted, non-medicated adults, who prefer to get through the day without having their brain tortured with that driving beat.

Likewise, videographers used to pride themselves in applying every possible skill to stabilize their shots and trying to provide smooth video footage for their audience. Now, their pieces of "art" consist of rapidly zooming in and out a minimum number of times per minute, tilting their cameras side to side, while continuously moving around as if suffering from an 'Ants-in-the-Pants' syndrome. In turn, video editors complement these "master pieces" by trying to utilize every possible strobe effect, bright, flashing light and head-spinning transitions their editing equipment has to offer. What used to be an excuse for amateur home video has graduated into acceptance with many commercial TV stations.

The reward for sitting through these news, commercial, documentary or Hollywood-style video exhibits could be a pounding headache for those who still enjoy the possession of an unadulterated brain, while the sound-enhanced flashing of animated cartoons is just waiting to give some kids the ultimate trip in form of a brain seizure - as happened to hundreds of Japanese children some time ago. I guess, spending "quality time" with kids to some parents means a healthy dose of interactive video games, or an afternoon of watching "educational" TV, where dragons and space invaders annihilate one another.

Just like a change in life style is preferable to numerous dietary attempts when trying to lose weight, a change in life style / recreational activities, and nutrition - if indicated, is also preferable to drug therapy with children (and adults) when dealing with ADD or ADHD. Admittedly, with the cult-like following the video, music, and motion picture industry enjoys, and considering the number of prescriptions that are written for mental health problems every year, this seems like a difficult - if not impossible task.

Copyright © 2000-2004 Ronald Roth

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Natural Approaches to ADD and ADHD

Gary Post, DC, DACBN, CCN

In the past few years Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been gaining more and more attention. In the schools we see teachers and administrators much more alert to categorizing students with this problem - rightly and sometimes wrongly. We also see increasing prescriptions written for Ritalin, the drug of choice. It's interesting to note that 80% of all Ritalin prescriptions in the world are written in the United States and that from 1990 to 1994 the amount of Ritalin prescriptions had more than doubled from 1 million to 2 million. This according to Dr. James Swanson, professor of pediatrics.

These factors obviously raise the question as to what's going on? Is the problem spreading in epidemic fashion? Is the problem being more popularized and so the diagnosis is no longer being "missed"? Is the problem being misdiagnosed due to changes in our cultural structure (i.e. loss of discipline in home and school)? Or, are behavioral problems becoming so rampant that doctors are feeling compelled or under pressure to utilize drugs to balance out deficits from other aspects of our society?

The answer is probably a little bit of all of the above. However, the real question is can we address the issue of ADD/ADHD naturally and effectively without having to resort to drugs?

ADD/ADHD is not new. It was initially recognized by George Still and published in the British Journal Lancet in 1905. Still described it then as a disorder of "moral behavior associated with wanton destructiveness". In the 1930's and 1940's it was described as minimal brain dysfunction syndrome (MBD). Early medical treatment in the 1930's utilized amphetamine sulfate (dexadrine) with Ritalin coming into use in the 1950's.

In the mid 1980's the current terminology, attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, became popular. This was through the publication of DSM-III.

While ADD and ADHD are technically two separate entities they overlap each other, and in many children, they are found together. For the purpose of this article, I shall refer to both of them together unless specifically indicated otherwise. It should be noted here that ADD/ADHD is not a type of learning disability but many children have problems with learning and some do have learning disabilities. It is a disorder of performance not skill.

ADD is recognized as a syndrome that includes problems in concentration and attention. Some symptoms include children appearing spacy, sluggish, unorganized, easily forgetful, inattentive and unable to follow through.

ADHD is a syndrome that includes problems with attention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity. It may also include some of the above ADD symptoms.

There are no "tests" to diagnose ADD/ADHD. It is diagnosed from the history and clinical assessment. The diagnosis is made by the person's symptoms fulfilling 6 of 9 of the below listed diagnostic criteria. The symptoms must be present to a degree that is judged maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental levels.

Inattention Diagnosis: (Must persist for 6 or more months) 6 or More Out of the Following 9 Symptoms

1) Often fails to give close attention to detail or makes careless mistakes in school, work, or other activities.

2) Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.

4) Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores or duties in the workplace. (Not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)

5) Often has difficulty organizing tasks or activities.

6) Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort. (Such as schoolwork and homework)

7) Often looses things for tasks or activities such as toys, school assignments, pencils, tools, etc.

8) Often is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.

9) Often is forgetful in daily activities.

1) Often fidgets with hands and/or feet and squirms in seat.

3) Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations which is considered inappropriate. ( In adolescents or adults may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)

4) Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.

5) Often is "on-the-go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor".

6) Often talks excessively.

7) Often blurts out answers before a question is completed.

8) Often has difficulty waiting for his/her turn.

9) Often interupts or intrudes on others. (Butts into conversations or games)

Joe F. Lubar, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a leading authority on the use of neurofeedback in the treatment of ADD/ADHD, has just published an article in "Biofeedback" in which he states that much research has been done in the past ten years on ADD/ADHD. The results suggest the following conclusion:

1) There is a deficit in the functioning of the prefrontal regions and the central cortex of the brain (via EEG patterns of the brain).

2) The deficit is manifested in terms of decreased cereberal metabolism, decreased oxygen utilization, and perhaps decreased blood flow to these regions.

3) There is a deficit in dopaminergic transmission from the brain stem to these areas and in some cases an overproduction of norepinephrine.

Lubar's research has also shown that EEGs of ADD/ADHD patients exhibit altered theta and beta brain wave activity. Specifically, he found that hyperactive individuals had lower theta/beta ratios than controls, while inattentive individuals had higher theta/beta ratios. He also showed in the same study that Ritalin had no overall effect on cortical EEG when measured in 19 different locations.

Differential Diagnosis

While it is important to differentially diagnose ADD/ADHD from medical disorders, developmental disorders, and/or psychiatric disorders it is also important to note that there is frequently a co-existing diagnosis in one or more of the above categories.

It is essential that patients with ADD/ADHD be evaluated for allergies, malnutrition, and blood sugar-handling stress.

1) Allergies.

70% of ADD/ADHD individuals have food, chemical, and/or environmental allergies. Often you will find "allergic" children with recurrent ear infections, sinus infections, lack of energy, swollen glands, as well as the whole ADD/ADHD behavioral pattern. Allergies can trigger all of this. These patients may also exhibit many similar changes in brain physiology as ADD/ADHD. By successfully treating the allergies you will often find patients "improve remarkably with respect to all their symptoms".

2) Malnutrition.

60% of malnourished children will develop ADD/ADHD. They are also prone to recurrent sickness and infections. This was shown in a study by Dr. Galler, a pediatrician who studied malnourished children in the Caribbean.

3) Blood Sugar-Handling Stress.

70% of all ADD/ADHD individuals have abnormal glucose metabolism. This may manifest as hypoglycemia with all of its attendant symptoms as well.

The importance of the assessment for these conditions cannot be over-emphasized. In the presence of ay of the above conditions, any treatment of ADD/ADHD not addressing them will almost always yield unsatisfactory results. This obviously suggests that in certain cases they may be the true underlying causative factors of the ADD/ADHD condition. Thus, ADD/ADHD may be but a symptoms of a larger problem. Also, it should be noted that in the presence of food or chemical allergies, often removing the offending substance will resolve the case without the need to resort to any other means.

Finally, it is important to note that there is a clear genetic propensity to ADD/ADHD, so inquiry and evaluation of other family members may be indicated.

Nutritional treatment based on the above noted findings would be targeted to:

1) Increase cerebral blood flow

2) Increase oxygen utilizaton to the brain, specifically the cortex

3) Increased dopaminergic transmission (for ADD)

4) Reduce norepinephrine production (for ADHD)

5) Increase serotonin levels (extrapolated from increased norepinephrine production for ADHD)

6) Normalize theta and beta brain wave activity (for both ADD and ADHD)

Some nutrients that could be clinically considered include:

1) Ginkgo Biloba ( increases blood flow and oxygenation of tissues, helps attention and concentration, studies show it to increase beta wave and decrease theta waves, clinical dose is about 240mg three times a day for adults, for ADD)

2) Pycnogenol (OPC) (increases blood flow, increases capilary permeability, studies show improved brain wave patterns, clinical dose may be at 600-800mg/day, anitoxidant activity, for ADD and ADHD)

3) 5-Hydroxytryptophan (amino acid precursor to serotonin, for sleep disorders and emotional stability, for ADHD)

4) L-Phenylalanine ( precursor to formation of dopamine and thus norepinephrine production, for ADD)

5) L-Glutamine (precursor to formation of GABA which exerts a calmative effect via its action as an inhibitor of synaptic transmission in the CNS, for ADHD)

6) B Vitamins especially B3, B6, B12 (intimately linked with mental emotional states, acts as co-enzymes in a multiplicity of critical biochemical reactions, imbalances associated with neuro-psychiatric disorders, for ADD and ADHD)

7) Calmative Herbs (many herbs either singly or in combination can cause an inhitory response on the CNS, some herbs include chamomile, passionflower, skullcap, blue verbain, and valerian root, for ADD and ADHD)

8) Calcium and Magnesium. (muscle relaxant, imbalances have been found in association with depression, for ADD and ADHD)

9) Chromium Picolinate (for aid in blood sugar regulation, for ADd and ADHD)

While this list of supplements may appear extensive, it should be noted that many children respond favorably to even limited but well-targeted nutritional intervention.

In conclusion, while ADD/ADHD is not new it is, for a multiplicity of reasons, currently being diagnosed much more frequently. There are also clear indications that this condition is associated with very real changes in brain physiology.

It is always crucial to assess for the presence of allergies, malnutrition, and/or blood sugar-handling stress in these cases. Clinical nutrition can make a significant positive impact in the control and improvement of ADD/ADHD diagnosed individuals. It will also frequently avoid the need for medication as well as provide insights and answers to many other health problems that have chronically plagued these individuals.

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ADD/ADHD and Diet (with links to recipes)

In looking for the causes of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD), diet takes a forefront.

Not surprisingly, the majority of parents who call the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center say their Attention Deficit or hyperactive child is a finicky eater.

Numerous studies on diet’s role in the causes of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) show benefits from either adding foods or eliminating items from the diet.

Incorporating ADHD recipes packed with brain foods for this neurological disorder can naturally alleviate many symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS: Numerous studies show that children with the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) have lower levels of essential fatty acids. Studies also show that lower levels of essential fatty acids can result in problems with learning, behavior, temper, sleep, and immune function.

Your brain is about 60 percent fat, with Omega-3 essential fatty acids the most abundant fat in your brain. This essential fatty is extremely important for communication and transmission between brain cells.

Because the body does not make essential fatty acids, they are only available through our diets or through supplementation.

The best source of Omega-3 fatty acids is cold water fish like salmon, herring, tuna, cod, flounder, trout and shrimp. Other sources of essential fatty acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6) are nuts, soybean, walnut oil, olive oil and flaxseed oil.

AMINO ACIDS: Amino acids, the building blocks of protein in the body, literally feed the brain. Amino acids promote the production of various neurotransmitters and enzymes critically needed in the brain for communication between brain cells, smooth and balanced cognition and fluid transition from thought to disciplined action.

Foods high in complete protein are excellent sources of amino acids. Good sources of complete proteins include meat, fish, eggs, dairy products and soy. Yogurt is the only animal-derived complete protein that dieticians recommend for frequent use in the diet.

For vegetarians, brown rice served with beans, seeds, nuts or wheat make a complete protein. All soy products also make a complete protein.

In addition to essential fatty acids and amino acids, ADHD recipes to combat the causes of Attention Deficit Disorder should also include ample amounts of zinc, Phosphatidyl Serine (PS), a natural extract of lecithin, and "B" vitamins.

"B" VITAMINS: B vitamins help form neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers of the nervous system. Pyridoxal phosphate, a B-6 member, is pivotal in the synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA).

A Saint Joseph Hospital (Pennsylvania) study found low serotonin levels as possible causes of ADD/ADHD in hyperactive children. The researchers observed a significant increase in serotonin when introducing a B-6 supplement.

ZINC: A number of studies point to an association between zinc deficiency and the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

A 1996 study, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, revealed a significant correlation between zinc and fatty acids, in that both were decreased in children displaying the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

In looking for dietary causes of ADD/ADHD, an Ohio State University found a relationship between zinc deficiency and response to stimulant medicine (such as Ritalin) among people with the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

PHOSPHATIDYL SERINE (PS): PS, a neural-membrane supportive, is a natural extract of lecithin and often used as a supplement for the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

Many clinical trials of memory loss, mood, cognitive performance and learning ability show that PS can optimize cognition.

In a study of twenty-seven children with the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) all but two children showed improvement in learning capacity and behavior when given 200-300 mg of PS daily for four months.

To get a healthy sampling of nutrition to fuel the body and brain, your child should eat plenty of green, leafy vegetables, fish at least twice a week, nuts and fresh fruits.

Mothers of finicky eaters especially know this diet structure can be near impossible to reach. That is why supplementing the diet with brain feeding nutrients is so important for children.

Food allergies and sensitivities can also mimic the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

The top food culprits producing causes of ADD ADHD symptoms are: sugar, chocolate, eggs, milk, wheat, colors/additives/flavors, and corn.

Eliminate these items from the diet (it won’t be easy given today’s eating standards) for two weeks. After that time, introduce one item back into the diet every couple days.

If you notice a return of symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder with an item added back in, you might have found the causes of the ADD/ADHD symptoms. You will want to keep those foods to a minimum in the diet.

By eliminating the top food allergy culprits from the diet and then slowly introducing them back in, you can determine if diet produces causes of ADD/ADHD symptoms.

Even if certain foods do not seem to produce causes of ADD/ADHD symptoms, do consider keeping your child on a nutritionally sound diet that includes a high-quality nutritional supplement. A sound diet will help in many areas of the child’s life.

A study conducted on 220 preschool children demonstrated that children who lack optimal amounts of essential nutrients experience reduced attention span and intellectual ability.

The same researchers conducted a study, which showed that students' ability to think was reduced when kept on a nutritionally poor diet.

Another study reported sugar (one of the diet elements in the elimination diet) as a possible instigator of aggressive behavior, causes of ADD/ADHD hyperactivity, and attention problems exhibited by children with symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

The recipes selected for the ADHD Recipes section are simply and generally kid friendly – ADHD recipes that all but the finicky eaters should enjoy.

We encourage you to try some of these ADHD recipes and submit some of your own to help add to other readers’ ADHD recipes.

Food Coloring and Behavior

One of the most widely used food colorings is FD&C yellow dye #5 or tartrazine. Tartrazine is added to almost every packaged food as well as many drugs, including some antihistamines, anitbiotics, steroids, and sedatives. In the United States, the average daily per capita consumption of certified dyes is 15mg, of which 85% is tartrazine. Among children the consumption is usually much higher.

A recent study was designed to determine the effect of tartrazine on behavior in hyperactive children. Two hundred children were included in a six week open trial of a diet free of synthetic food coloring. The parents of 150 children reported behavioral improvement with the diet, and deterioration of behavior on introduction of foods containing artificial colors. Thirty four children (23 suspected reactors, 11 uncertain reactors) and 20 control subjects, aged 2 to 14 years were studied in the double-blind, placebo controlled portion of the study.

Placebo, or one of six dose levels of tartrazine (1,2,5,10,20 and 50mg) was administered randomly each morning, and behavioral ratings were recorded by parents at the end of each day.

The study identified 24 children as clear reactors (19 of 23 "suspected reactors", 3 of 11 "uncertain reactors", and 2 0f 20 "control subjects"). Reactors displayed irritability, restlessness, and sleep disturbances. A clear dose response was obtained. With doses greater than 10mg, the duration of effect was prolonged.

These results support the Feingold Hypothesis. Not surprisingly, the study was not performed in the United States. The study was conducted at the Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Testimonials on ADD/ADHD and Food Coloring

I was wondering if anyone has any experiences with food colorings (specifically Yellow 5 and Red 40) triggering ADHD behavior.

Our 5 year old son has been diagnosed as ADHD by his doctor but not “officially” tested. We have a reward system for encouraging positive behavior (cooperating, sharing, listening etc). Recently on two separate occasions he chose a 7-11 Slurpee as a reward. Each time after eating the Slurpee, he became very irritable, began pulling on his tongue and sticking his tongue out, and became argumentative and oppositional.

On other day he ate (as a reward for demonstrating positive behavior) Starburst Jellybeans and began the same negative behavior as after the Slurpee. I clipped the ingredient list and researched the individual ingredients. There is a lot of controversy over Yellow 5 and Red 40 food colorings triggering ADD symptoms. Both these colorings are in Starburst Jellybeans and I suspect (but do not know for certain) they are present in Slurpees.

Given my son’s experience, I am convinced there is a link between Yellow 5 and Red 40 and his behavior. My wife and I are going to try to eliminate Yellow 5 and Red 40 from his diet to see if it impacts his overall behavior.

I got a video from the library on ADHD and there was suppose to be an experiment done, where those common additives were put under the tongue and some kids went berserk.

I know caffeine really effects me, after about an hour after I drink it, I get a funny rebound feeling, like I used to get on the ritalin though not near as bad.

I think brain chemistry is probably very sensitive and unknown, and according to the video sensitivity to those chemicals can trigger uncontrollable behaviour in some kids. If your kid only acts like that when he eats and drinks that stuff then try to get him to want something else. Alergies are things you have to stay away from.

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Tartrazine: A Real Yellow Menace

by Margo

Tartrazine is also reputed to be a catalyst in hyperactivity/ADD, other behavioral problems, asthma, migranes, thyroid cancer, and lupus!

Have you noticed how many children are being diagnosed as "hyperactive" these days? There is research that shows there might be a link (and that dietary changes can help.) Many of the children on Ritalin or other behavioral drugs are probably just eating a diet rich in toxic food additives that are approved by the government as safe. Some schools have noticed a major difference in pupils' behavior after banning snacks with tartrazine.

Ironically enough, some of the drugs for these conditions contain tartrazine and are probably just making the problem worse! I stop just short of declaring it a conspiracy on the drug companies' part, but it's something to think about.

Why do food companies use it? It's simply cheaper than natural alternatives. The important nutrient beta carotene can be used to achieve a similar color, but it costs more for the manufacturer. Can you imagine having the idea to put coal tar waste into food as a coloring? As with many of the evils in this world, it all comes down to "the bottom line" (aka greed.)

What products contain tartrazine?

prescription and non-prescription pharmaceutical drugs

skim milk

orange colored cheeses

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese ("Kraft Dinner")

Orange colored snacks (cheezies, Doritos, etc.)

Gelatin and pudding desserts

Ice Cream

Mountain Dew

other artificially colored drinks

boxed breakfast cereals

canned fruits and vegetables

birth control pills

In the United States, manufacturers are required to indicate that a product contains tartrazine on the label. In Canada, labels are only required to say "colour." In the United Kingdom and Europe, tartrazine is referred to as "E-102" though it has been banned in Norway and Austria.

My Story

When I started avoiding tartrazine my face finally cleared up and my hand healed completely for the first time in several years!

I am happy that I now know what the problem is, but the prolonged daily exposure from the vitamins has made me extra-sensitive to tartrazine. I have learned which foods to avoid in general, but every once in awhile something sneaks through and the symptoms come back. Unfortunately, now even a small amount of tartrazine triggers a painful (and unattractive) reaction that lasts for five days.

In many ways, I am glad this happened to me, because it has made me adopt a much more natural diet, which has had a profound influence on my health. I have also become an almost-vegetarian (I eat fish once in awhile) after learning about the additives and hormones put into animal feed. Chickens are often fed dyes to make the eggs and flesh look nicer! I encourage everyone to eat less meat, consider giving up red meat and poultry, or eat organic meats and free-range eggs. (I do not believe that eating meat is morally wrong, but I do believe that the way most modern farm animals are treated and drugged up is.)

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Food Additive Guide: What's good, What's bad

Riboflavin, Riboflavin-5'-phosphate

'Vitamin B2' and colour; occurs naturally in greenveges, eggs, milk, liver and kidney; used in margarine and cheese

Quinoline Yellow

FD&C Yellow No.10; used in lipsticks hair products, colognes; also in a wide range of medications; cause dermatitis; banned in Australia, USA and Norway

Yellow 7G

Sunset Yellow FCF, Orange Yellow S

Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines

Azorubine, Carmoisine

Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A

Red 2G

Banned in Australia and many other places except UK

Allura red AC

Patent blue V

Banned in Australia, USA and Norway

Indigotine, Indigo carmine

Brilliant blue FCF

Chlorophylis, Chlorophyllins

Copper complexes of chloropyll and chlorophyllins

olive colour, no adverse effects are known

Green S

Plain caramel

Caustic sulphite caramel

see E150(a)

Ammonia caramel

see E150(a)

Sulphite ammonia caramel

see E150(a)

Brilliant Black BN, Black PN

coloor; coal tar derivative; used in brown sauces, blackcurrant cake mixes; banned in Denmark, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, USA, Norway

Vegetable carbon

Brown FK

banned in USA

Brown HT (Chocolate)

Carotene, alpha-, beta-, gamma-

Annatto (Arnatto, Annato), bixin, norbixin

Paprika extract, capsanthin, capsorubin

avoid it, banned in some countries

Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30)

orange colour, no adverse effects are known

orange colour, no adverse effects are known

Xanthophylls - Lutein

Xanthophylls - Canthaxanthin

Beetroot Red, Betanin

purple colour derived from beets; no adverse effects are known

violet colour matter of flowers and plants; seems safe

Calcium carbonate

Titanium dioxide

Iron oxides and hydroxides

avoid it, banned in some countries

avoid it, banned in some countries

avoid it, banned in some countries

Latolrubine BK

avoid it, banned in some countries

Tannic acid, tannins

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) -

Specific Lab Tests

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination of these. For these problems to be diagnosed as ADHD, they must be out of the normal range for the child's age and development.

The following is a list of alternative medicine lab tests used to evaluate attention deficit hyperactivity disorder:

1. Amino Acid Analysis -- Amino acids form brain neurotransmitters and may play a role in certain cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Amino Acids Analysis Lab Test

Amino acids are compounds that combine to form protein. When proteins are digested, amino acids are left. They are the raw materials used to make neurotransmitters and other substances.

Amino acids are classified as either "essential" amino acids (which must be consumed in the diet), or "nonessential" amino acids (which can be made by the body from the essential amino acids). The Amino Acids Analysis uses a blood or urine sample to assess the levels of 40 amino acids. It provides the most precise measurement of the "essential" amino acids, the ones we cannot make in our bodies and must get from nutritional sources.

Health conditions it's used to assess

The Amino Acids Analysis is used for chronic fatigue, assessing the risk of heart disease, depression, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, inflammation, and neurological disorders.

What's involved

The Amino Acids Analysis uses a 24-hour urine collection to identify and measure 40+ amino acids. A blood test can also be done.

How can I get this test done?

Talk to your health care professional about your symptoms and ask if this test would be useful for you. It can be done through: Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory

2. Food Allergy Testing -- A number of research studies have uncovered a food allergies and hyperactive behavior in children.

Food and Environmental Allergy Tests

Great Smokies Diagnostic Labs has an allergy test that looks at over 120 of the most commonly encountered types of food and environmental substances. Test results come with a personalized treatment plan for food allergy that explains food allergies, the rotation diet, elimination and reintroduction of foods, and allows patients to see at a glance what their problem foods and dietary choices are.

Health conditions this test is used to assess

Hidden allergies can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including pain, skin rash, congestion, runny nose, constipation, headache, heartburn, depression, poor concentration, hyperactivity.

3. Toxic Metal Hair Analysis -- Certain heavy metals (such as lead) can trigger hyperactivity and attention deficit. Children are particularly susceptible because their nervous systems are still developing.

Toxic Metal Hair Analysis

The Toxic Metal Hair Analysis is a test that assesses hair samples for levels of potentially damaging metals. Hair follicles are exposed to the blood supply when hair is growing, so hair levels reflect levels reflect levels in other body tissues. Some of the metals and other elements that are assessed include:

Health conditions this test is used to assess

The toxic metal hair analysis can be used for people who work in industries where they are regularly exposed to metals, such as welding, metal working, mining, battery production, aerospace work, optical fiber and lighting manufacturing, and other high technology and metal manufacturing industries. Children and post-menopausal women are also more susceptible to illness from toxic metal exposure.

What this test involves

This test involes cutting about 1/4 gram of hair - about one heaping teaspoon. Hair is generally cut at the nape of the neck, and the hair closest to the scalp is used. Because tiny amounts are taken from several places, it is nearly impossible to notice hair was taken.

How can I get this test done?

4. Essential Fatty Acid Analysis --*** Research has linked deficiencies in essential fatty acids to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Test

The Essential Fatty Acids Test measures a total of 24 fats and 17 fat ratios. It particularly examines the essential fatty acids, fats that our bodies cannot make and must obtain from food. Essential fats play an important role in regulating inflammation, forming cell membranes, and in the optimal function of the brain, nerves, eyes, skin, connective tissue, blood vessels, and every cell in the body.

Health conditions this test is used to assess

This test allows doctors to uncover imbalances associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, diabetes, ashtma, PMS, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-partum depression. Inflammatory disorders, a direct result of clinical imbalances in fatty acid metabolism, are one of the most common diagnoses observed by clinicians.

What does this test involve?

Because fatty acids reside in cell membranes, the most accurate assessment is examining levels in the cell membranes of your red blood cells. This test requires an overnight fast (at least 12 hours) followed by collection of a blood sample by your doctor. The sample is then sent to the lab for analysis.

How can I get this test done?

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Things to Rule Out, Things to Know

Attention Deficit Disorder describes the characteristics of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity that may be present in some children and adults.

Although health professionals often state that ADD/ADHD is a brain-based biological disorder caused by a brain chemical imbalance, there is simply no reliable test to prove this -- no physical or chemical abnormality validates ADHD as a medical disease. As there can be no diagnosis without a disease, what is there?

There is a description of behaviors -- symptoms -- that health professionals use as a checklist in deciding whether your child has an attentional disorder.

However, symptoms do not necessarily mean there is a disease. To determine disease, there must be an objective test (such as blood text, X-rays, CAT scans, etc.). There is no independent valid test for ADD/ADHD. Instead health professionals rely on:

1. a list of behaviors (primarily, inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, academic underachievement, or behavior problems),

2. diagnostic interviews,

3. anecdotal information from family and school staff.

ADD/ADHD behaviors are found in the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision that forms the accepted guidelines for what are considered to be 'mental illnesses', or as they are more recently referred to, 'mental disorders'. This reference text is the "bible" of the mental health industry. ADD was added to the DSM-IV in 1980 and ADHD in 1987.

Before accepting a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, parents should rule out other conditions that show similar symptoms.

Allergies and sensitivities to food (dairy, grains, peanuts, food dye) and the environment (grass, pollen, animal dander), can affect behavior.

Exposure to toxins can cause hyperactivity, attention deficits, irritability, and learning problems. Children are more vulnerable to toxins than adults. Toxins include pesticides, gasoline fumes, herbicides, disinfectants, furniture polishes, air fresheners, synthetic rugs and carpets, and beds made of synthetic materials and/or dust-laden homes.

Mild to high lead levels, even in the absence of clinical lead poisoning, is the leading cause of toxin-induced hyperactivity. Research shows that children with even mildly elevated lead levels suffer from reduced IQs, attention deficits, and poor school performance.

Fluoride is a toxic chemical that has been linked with increased lead absorption, learning disabilities, attention disorders, hyperactivity, behavior problems, mottled teeth, decreased fertility, bone loss, and decreased I.Q. Fluoride is found in most toothpastes and has been added to many area water supplies.

High mercury levels can be caused by mercury amalgam dental fillings. When children grind their teeth, they are at risk for high mercury levels in the body. Another cause is from eating large amounts of cold-water fish such as tuna and salmon.

Thousands of children each year are exposed to toxic levels and poisoned by carbon monoxide each year. Sources of this gas include heaters and other gas appliances, such as fireplaces, dryers, and water heaters.

Hearing and vision problems may cause ADD/ADHD behavior if a child can't see or hear properly -- especially in educational settings.

Children who are experiencing emotional stress (such as being bullied at school, divorce or death in family, abuse) most often display ADHD behavior. Emotionally-stressed children can experience sleeping problems, sadness, and they develop physical symptoms, especially if they think those symptoms will keep them home from school. Often they can't concentrate in class, partly because they are worried and partly because they are suffering from sleep deprivation.

When dealing with spirited children, the problem usually does not lie with the child but with society's perception of what normal childhood behavior is. Many normal children, according to some people, display ADHD behavior not because they are hyperactive or lack sufficient attention spans but because the person forming the opinion has unrealistic standards of how a child should behave.

Gifted children often display ADHD behavior because most of the time they are bored with school and what other kids their age are doing. Behaviors associated with giftedness are poor attention, boredom, daydreaming, low tolerance for persistence on tasks that seem irrelevant, power struggles, and high activity level. They may need less sleep compared to other children, and they may question rules, customs, and traditions. If your child scores above average on IQ tests, aces exams, has no trouble with homework, has no apparent learning disabilities, and primarily exhibits his or her problems mostly at school, seeking a more challenging class or school may help.

Spoiled and undisciplined children are sometimes labeled as ADHD because of their defiant and acting-out behavior. Children need structure and consistent rules to learn self-discipline. Labeling undisciplined kids as ADHD gives them an excuse for their misbehavior so that they do not learn to be responsible for their own behavior.

One of the main reasons why a child acts out and throws temper tantrums when they have a problem is because of their lack of understanding a problem and lack of expressing how they feel. This is one reason why any emotional or medical problem can cause acting-out behavior in children.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) describes the damage done to children's brains and bodies when their mothers drink heavily during pregnancy. It is the leading form of mental retardation today. Prenatal alcohol impairment, however, also comes in a milder form called fetal alcohol effects (FAE). Children with FAE often don't look disabled, and they tend to score in the low-normal or even normal range of intelligence, but their mal-developed brains cause them to exhibit a wide range of behavior problems, including hyperactivity, attention problems, learning disorders, and ethical problems such as stealing, lying, and cheating.

Learning Style or Learning Disabilities are often the cause of inattention and acting-out behavior. Children with a diagnosis of ADHD are typically kinesthetic learners and have difficulty with sitting at a desk doing pencil-and-paper work. When children think of themselves as 'stupid', 'lazy', or 'slow' and are seen as such, they often will be disruptive in school (e.g., class clown, bullying others).

Infestations of Candida albicans (yeast infection) cause hyperactivity in children. Most children who do suffer from Candida infestations have some underlying problem frequently an immune disorder, or a disorder affecting carbohydrate metabolism that alters blood sugar levels. Candida infestations are now thought to be a common condition throughout the population.

Intestinal parasites rob the body of needed nutrients which in turn affects behavior.

Streptococcus bacteria, better known as 'strep', can cause rheumatic fever and a movement disorder known as Sydenham's chorea if left untreated. Recurrent infections can also lead to a group of symptoms collectively known as PANDAS (Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders). Some symptoms of PANDAS include obsessive-compulsive behavior, Tourette syndrome, hyperactivity, cognitive problems, and fidgeting.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can stem from thyroid disorders, liver or pancreatic problems, adrenal gland abnormalities, or insufficient diet.

Hyper or hypothyroidism is an imbalance in metabolism that occurs from an overproduction or underproduction of thyroid hormones. This imbalance may cause a variety of behaviors and may affect all body functions.

Temporal lobe seizures can cause inappropriate behavior. That's why conducting brain scans is a must when trying to figure out behavior problems.

Head injuries, such as post-concussion syndrome, have symptoms that include irritability, mood swings, memory problems, depression, and sleeping problems.

Some spinal problems can cause ADHD behavior because, if the spine is not connected to the brain properly, nerves from the spinal cord can give the brain all of signals at once making a child rambunctious and full of energy.

Intentionally or unintentionally sniffing materials such as modeling glue or other household products.

Other possible causes of ADHD behavior are:

Malnutrition or improper diet

B-vitamin deficiency

Iron deficiency

Lack of exercise

Lack of sleep

Viral or bacterial infections

Early-onset diabetes

Heart disease

Brain cysts

Early-stage brain tumors

Medication Concerns

Although no chemical imbalance has ever been proven, health professionals prescribe psychostimulant medication (such as Ritalin, Strattera, Adderall) as the primary treatment in correcting the 'chemical imbalance'. In 2000, more than 19 million prescriptions for ADHD drugs were filled, a 72% increase since 1995.

However, with the known side effects of these drugs and without knowledge or evidence of long-term results on growth and development, is medication really the best option?

Parents should know that the psychostimulants normally prescribed for ADD/ADHD help all people -- with or without an ADD/ADHD diagnosis -- to focus attention more easily, depending on the dose.

However, these drugs are not without serious risk. Between the years of 1990-2000, over 569 children were hospitalized, 38 of them were life-threatening hospitalizations, and 186 died from Ritalin.

It is well known that psychostimulants have abuse potential. Very high doses of psychostimulants, particularly of amphetamines, may cause central nervous system damage, cardiovascular damage, and hypertension. In addition, high doses have been associated with compulsive behaviors and, in certain vulnerable individuals, movement disorders. There is a rare percentage of children and adults treated at high doses who have hallucinogenic responses. Drugs used for ADHD other than psychostimulants have their own adverse reactions: tricyclic antidepressants may induce cardiac arrhythmias, bupropion at high doses can cause seizures, and pemoline is associated with liver damage. -- Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, National Institute of Health

Many parents do not realize that if their child takes Ritalin or other psychostimulant medication past the age of 12, according to the 1999 Military Recruitment Manual, that child may not join the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, or National Guard until after a doctor has signed a paper stating that the person has been off the medication for four years.

Also, if a child uses Ritalin or other psychostimulant medication, the state or federal government cannot hire him or her if the job involves state secrets or national security, because that child is a Class 2 drug user.

If a child uses Ritalin or other psychostimulant medication, some insurance companies will turn down that child for being a Class 2 drug user, and may even turn down the entire family. Other health insurance companies will raise rates and write in a pre-existing condition clause, excluding some coverage for the ADD/ADHD child.

Psychostimulant medication are drugs that are commonly abused. Some unprescribed users of Adderall, an amphetamine, and methylphenidate, more widely known as Ritalin, are adults. But experts say many are young people, as young as 11, who get the drugs from peers being treated for ADD. Users often crush the pills and snort them to get a cocaine-like rush, as these drugs and cocaine have more similarities than differences.

Students who take ADD/ADHD medication are often asked to sell or trade their drugs, and many know students who have given away or sold their medication.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a study of students in Wisconsin and Minnesota showed 34% of ADHD youth, ages 11-18, report being approached to sell or trade their medicines, such as Ritalin.

There are so many concerns surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD that parents must be knowledgeable and cautious. It is usually the school that approaches parents to have an assessment for ADD/ADHD and parents often feel pressured in having the traditional drug treatment to 'correct' their child's behavior.

What should parents do if the school identifies a child with potentially having ADD/ADHD?

Have the school put their concerns and directions in writing. Hold them accountable.

If the school tells you that your child needs medication to control his or her behavior, remind them that medical help does not necessarily mean taking medication.

If you are told to sign a release for your child's medical records, ask to see that law in writing.

Whenever you have a school conference or go before a school review board, record that meeting on a tape recorder. The recorder should be in plain sight. If you are told that the meeting is confidential, remember that confidentiality is your child's right -- not the school's right.

Children who have an ADD/ADHD diagnosis normally have an above-average IQ. Ask the school why it is so difficult for them to teach the smartest kids in school.

The federal government allots over $2 billion to local school systems under the Individual Development Assistance Act of 1985. Ask the school officials how much money their school and school system gets when a child is coded as needing special education services.

Find out what percentage of students in the school system are taking ADD/ADHD medication. The average number is between 3-5%.

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RITALIN use Linked to Chromosomal Abnormalities

Newswise — In a small but startling preliminary new study, Texas researchers have found that after just three months, every one of a dozen children treated for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with the drug methylphenidate experienced a threefold increase in levels of chromosome abnormalities—occurrences associated with increased risks of cancer and other adverse health effects.

The researchers say that to their knowledge this is the first study addressing the potential chromosome-breaking effects associated with treatment of children with methylphenidate, the generic name for a group of drugs that includes Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate CD and others.

Methylphenidate is the most widely prescribed of a class of amphetamine-like drugs used to treat ADHD, with more than 10 million prescriptions written for it in 1996 alone. Between 1991 and 1999, United States sales of methylphenidate increased more than 500 percent.

Researchers at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) reported their detection of the chromosome abnormalities in the journal Cancer Letters. Their peer-reviewed paper is to be published several months hence, but the journal editors have made it available online in the journal’s “articles in press” section.

The authors said they undertook the study because, even though methylphenidate has been approved for human use for more than 50 years, “there are surprisingly few studies” in either animals or human beings “on the potential for serious side effects,” such as causing mutations and cancer. In 1996, a report discussing several two-year-long animal studies showed that the highest levels of methylphenidate tested caused liver tumors in male and female mice. However, similar studies in rats showed no such tumors.

The new Texas study involved researchers drawing blood from children diagnosed with ADHD before they began taking methylphenidate in order to get a baseline level of chromosomal abnormalities. Three months after the children had begun taking the drug, the researchers drew the children’s blood and tested it a second time. Chromosomes are the bodies within cells that carry the genes and genetic information. All 12 of the children whose before-and-after blood cells were studied were treated with normal therapeutic doses of methylphenidate.

“It was pretty surprising that all of the children taking methylphenidate showed an increase in chromosome abnormalities in a relatively short period of time,” El-Zein said.

UTMB Professor of Environmental Toxicology Marvin Legator, the study’s principal investigator and senior author, cautioned, “This study doesn’t mean that these kids are going to get cancer, but it does mean they are exposed to an additional risk factor, assuming that this study holds up.” Of the 53 known human carcinogens, Legator said 48 could be detected using the chromosome analysis methods employed in this study.

El-Zein stressed that much larger studies at several medical centers are needed to confirm the results of this study and to answer other questions not addressed by it. One of these issues is the question of what happens when patients stop taking methylphenidate. “Do the levels of chromosome abnormalities go back to normal?” El-Zein said. “We don’t know.”

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article #3, article #7, article #8, article #9, article #10,


The unequal sharing of bonded pair of electrons between two atoms in a molecule causes

Options :
  1. dipole
  2. radical formation
  3. covalent bond
  4. decomposition of molecule
Answer and Explanation :-

Answer: Option 1

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Time spent on solving a problem with the same level of thinking that created it is time well wasted
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Reporting Fly Tipping

The Environment Agency has issued a 24/7 Hotline to try and gain intelligence to combat the illegal dumping of rubbish also known as flytipping.

If you witness or find fly-tipping or have any information about it you can now report it to the Environment Agency 0800 807060.
Reports should include as many details about the incident and type/amount of waste as possible.
Some key points about if you witness such activity:
* Witnesses are vitally important in enabling action to be taken against people who fly-tip waste, so please do not hesitate to report any incident that you witness as soon as possible.
* Do not put yourself in danger by approaching anyone you see dumping waste; they are criminals, who may be involved in other criminal activities, and as such are unlikely to respond well to being challenged. If it is possible to observe them safely, the more information you are able to provide, the better the chances of an investigation.
Information that is useful includes the following:
1. Time and date of incident;
2. Description of person(s) dumping waste;
3. Description of vehicle(s) involved, including registration numbers;
4. Description of the waste dumped;
5. Photographs can also be very useful, but only if it is possible to obtain them safely.
Please be reassured that any information supplied in connection to any such incident is treated in strictest confidence. If you make notes please keep them, even if they are scribbled notes on the back of an envelope. Actual notes taken at the time can be very valuable as evidence.
Do not try to rummage through the waste yourself to look for evidence, as there may be hazardous or sharp items hidden among the waste.


How to Level Sinking Outdoor Concrete in Mid and Western Michigan

In the past, mudjacking was the best way to fix sinking concrete stairs, driveways, sidewalks, etc. However, mudjacking didn't completely solve the problem, which is why Ayers Basement Systems uses PolyLevel® to fix your sinking concrete problems. Take a look at why PolyLevel® is the better solution to your problem.

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Joann explores the height of Egpyt's civilisation and how the workers and artisans were caught up in the ambitious Valley of the Kings building project. Joann also explores Tutankhamen's treasure to find out what impact his death really had on the country around him.

Episode Title: Zenith
Airs: 2016-01-18 at 21:00


Treatments for Oily Skin

Oily skin often refers to a skin type that is shiny in appearance, greasy to touch and heavy textured – especially around the T- Zone.  Those with oily skin often experience breakouts including blackheads, and have visible pores.

Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands that produce a substantial amount of sebum.

As oily skin produces an excessive amount of sebum, the skin is constantly lubricated leaving it looking plump and hydrated and therefore delaying the ageing process.

Although it is mostly seen in teenagers, many have to endure oily skin throughout their lifetime.  There are several factors as to why one may experience oily skin. These include poor diet, the environment/weather, medications, hormones, excessive stress and even frequent time in the sun.

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Community mailing list archives

[V9] question about consuming/stock movement

Arjan Duijs
- 03/05/2016 10:22:42
We are crafting a lot furniture custom made.
So up front we have an estimate of materials for those products to calculate the sale price.
But we always use more (or less...) products then there are listed in the initial BOM.
- higher quantity (for example screws, extra support bar)
- additional items: "oh we need this too" (glue, cloth, thinner)

So how is the "correct" way of implementing/registering this within Odoo.
I would like to know what products have been consumed by the total sales order.

- so, "How do I" register the stock movement to either the SO /Analytic Account or if this isnt posible to one of the craftable products(MO) in the SO.

- as well as in some cases we use products(cleaning and packing materials) on items that are solely bought and sold. How do i register that consummation?


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Climatic oscillations during the glaciations forced dramatic changes in species distributions, such that some presently temperate regions were alternately occupied by temperate and arctic species. These species could have met and hybridized during climatic transitions. This phenomenon happened for three hare species present in Iberia (Lepus granatensis,(More)
In animals, the population genomic literature is dominated by two taxa, namely mammals and drosophilids, in which fully sequenced, well-annotated genomes have been available for years. Data from other metazoan phyla are scarce, probably because the vast majority of living species still lack a closely related reference genome. Here we achieve de novo,(More)
Mitochondrial DNA introgression from Lepus timidus into Lepus granatensis and Lepus europaeus was recently reported in Iberia, although L. timidus presumably retreated from this region at the end of the last ice age. Here we assess the extent of this ancient mtDNA introgression by RFLP analysis of 695 specimens representing the three hare species present in(More)
Understanding recent speciation history requires merging phylogenetic and population genetics approaches, taking into account the persistence of ancestral polymorphism and possible introgression. The emergence of a clear phylogeny of hares (genus Lepus) has been hampered by poor genomic sampling and possible occurrence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)(More)
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies offer the opportunity for population genomic study of non-model organisms sampled in the wild. The transcriptome is a convenient and popular target for such purposes. However, designing genetic markers from NGS transcriptome data requires assembling gene-coding sequences out of short reads. This is a complex(More)
The nearly neutral theory of molecular evolution predicts that the efficacy of both positive and purifying selection is a function of the long-term effective population size (N(e)) of a species. Under this theory, the efficacy of natural selection should increase with N(e). Here, we tested this simple prediction by surveying ~1.5 to 1.8 Mb of protein coding(More)
The climatic fluctuations during glaciations have affected differently arctic and temperate species. In the northern hemisphere, cooling periods induced the expansion of many arctic species to the south, while temperate species were forced to retract in southern refugia. Consequently, in some areas the alternation of these species set the conditions for(More)
The role of natural selection in promoting reproductive isolation has received substantial renewed interest within the last two decades. As a consequence, the study of ecological speciation has become an extremely productive research area in modern evolutionary biology. Recent innovations in sequencing technologies offer an unprecedented opportunity to(More)
Introgression from a resident species into an invading one is predicted to occur through the demographic process of "allele surfing," and to particularly affect genomic regions transmitted by the lower migrating sex, such as mtDNA. This could explain that northern Iberian populations of Lepus granatensis harbor high frequencies of mtDNA from L. timidus, an(More)


Hitman: Absolution achievements

Hitman: Absolution

4.0 from 7249 votes

120,392 tracked gamers have this game, 10,626 have completed it (8.83%)

Achievement Details

Secret Achievement in Hitman: Absolution

Secret Achievement15 (10)

Continue playing to unlock this achievement. (Secret)

  • Unlocked by 53,604 tracked gamers (45% - TA Ratio = 1.49) 120,392

Achievement Guide for Jailbird

92,571 (58,990)
Achievement won on 13 Nov 13
TA Score for this game: 1,789
Posted on 14 November 13 at 08:07, Edited on 27 November 13 at 16:11
This is on the 15th Level, "Skurky's Law", for completing the first (of three) sections. Easiest path seemed to me (played on "hard"):

- From the courtroom, turn around and take the next right (not upstairs), leave the building through the door.
- Turn right and enter the library section, sneak downstairs, wait for the officer to turn his back to you, subdue him, take his disguise and hide the body.
- Exit the room through the window (officer should still speak to the intruder), and just walk straight.
- When you reach the yard with two officers talking, just sneak to the right behind the parked car and pull yourself up the ledge. No need to distract anyone. Enter the window.
- Wait for the trial behind the doors to reach the part where the television gets switched on. Switch it off again by using the computer nearby, and head left into the judge's room.
- Wait for the judge to enter the room. You are safe there, he won't be alerted. Wait for him to go to the back part of his room, subdue him, take his disguise, the keycard, and the hammer (don't forget the hammer!). Hide his body in the wardrobe (don't get spotted by the lady downstairs).
- Enter the courtroom, wait for the defendant to reach the room, and pass sentence. (One of my favorite situations in the whole game.) This will also unlock a challenge.
- Go right and then left towards the locked door, unlock it and enter the jail section.

First guide, be gentle, please.

Edit: A somewhat easier solution would be to finish the first two steps, then go back to the courtroom the regular way, enter the evidence room and climb through the vent. But that's so much less fun... ;)
There is 1 other Solution for this achievement

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November 15, 2015

Connecting Ancient Sites and Cultures

An interesting fascination exists among ancient mysteries researchers, a fascination to connect all ancient sites and artifacts together in some way, imposing perhaps these sites and artifacts all work in conjunction to some degree. It’s not unusual to look at certain mysteries and quickly draw a link between two entirely different parts of the world, because in essence, the link is mostly already provided to us as people and our history. Establishing a link between two distant civilizations is not as simple as identifying similarities in the cultures at face value. In the theory of probability, the chance of two cultures arriving at the same conclusion or using similar building techniques for certain achievements is not out of the ordinary. Take for instance, the matters which are used to reach engineering goals and realize those concepts, they stem from the same basic hard-coded instruction set every human is equipped with from the moment of birth.

For example, how many ancient civilizations independently reached the conclusion and conceptualized a method for traveling across water? This is an important observation as it clearly shows the realized goal, reached by many ancient cultures that may have or may not have been in contact with each other prior to discovering a raft or boat. A simplest, predominate example of this is, native populations in North America dugout logs to make ke’nu long before the Spanish or other cultures arrived by boat. The principal of buoyancy remains a constant, and independent cultures realized a way to overcome it, entirely without a direct influence. This tells us, at basic level, that principal concepts are achievable when utilizing core instruction sets of human ingenuity.

Machu Picchu's Vantage Point
Then, visualizing connections between ancient cultures over vast distances, abides by mathematical principals of the universe. When given a specific set of instructions, there are a number of possible outcomes, with some more likely to take hold than others. Another example of this is shelter. Our ancestors understood that in order to survive, building structures to protect from the elements are absolutely necessary. Many different types of structures result from thousands of years of engineering, and the shelters which share similar concepts have proved to be the most successful over time. Different cultures arrive at this conclusion in different ways, but are effective nonetheless.

The same holds true for vantage points and communication. Height provides the advantage of seeing threats in the distance and an effective means of communication enables strategic knowledge to overcome situations. There is no surprise in thinking ancient cultures built specific structures with height as a vantage point. Constructing pyramids, for example here, mimic natural landscapes and provide an unobstructed view into the distance. This key advantage enabled cultures to see where the enemies might be coming from and it also creates a means of communication. From on top of a pyramid, fire signals can be used to communicate over substantial distances. The pyramid form we find around the world today may actually and simply be a result of the most optimal and successful way to achieve these purposes with readily available resources, and hence why the shape became a somewhat common structure across multiple civilizations.


Scarabs are the insect-like troops who are fought as strictly aerial troops in Total Assault 2, and the replacements for the Banshees in Total Assault 3.

Physcial Characteristics

Scarabs' average height is around six foot, between 5'10 and 6'05" and generally weigh around 130 lbs. Their shell is chitinous and generally blue with a green glow. Their wings are brown like a cockroach although the ones without wings in Total Assault 3 are more common. Their abdomen has many appendages found on their head, possibly to confuse predators into attacking the less vital structures of its body. They have six limbs, 2 of which are useless.

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Heimdall is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe, based on the god Heimdallr of Norse mythology. The Norse God of Vigilance, Protection, and Light, and the guardian of the rainbow bridge Bifrost which links Asgard to the rest of the Nine Worlds.

Powers and Stats

Tier: 7-B

Name: Heimdall

Origin: Marvel Comics

Gender: Male

Age: At least thousands of years old

Classification: Asgardian God of Vigilance

Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Cosmic-level super senses (capable of seeing and hearing almost anything in the universe and across dimensions, seeing through time and space, can sense Asgardian life forces, can focus on specific sensory information and block other input out), Precognition, does not require sleep, can project an image of himself to communicate over long distances, skilled in armed and unarmed combat, some use of combat magic, can disguise himself as a human being, can dispel illusions, Immortality (type 1)

Attack Potency: City level (Officially around the same level as Carol Danvers)

Speed: Massively FTL+ via scaling from Thor.

Lifting Strength: Unknown

Striking Strength: City Class

Durability: City level

Stamina: Does not need sleep, does not feel tired unless he continually exerts himself to his maximum level over at least 24 hours

Range: Extended melee range, magic blasts from his sword can reach at least hundreds of meters

Standard Equipment: A suit of armor, various bladed weapons such as swords and spears, shields, an Asgardian horse named Golltoppr, the Gjallarhorn, which he can use to contact all Asgardians on Asgard or Earth simultaneously, his enchanted Uru sword Hofund, which is nearly indestructible and can be charged with magical energy as well as project magical energy blasts

Intelligence: Master of bladed weapons, one of the wisest beings in Asgard save Odin himself, millennia of combat experience, knows things from all over the universe and other dimensions due to his senses

Weaknesses: If his eyes are injured his sensory powers diminish greatly, Odin and other beings can block certain things from his senses, certain magical abilities can conceal things from him, needs to eat the golden apples of Idunn to preserve his immortality

Note 1: Not to be confused with any other similarly - named characters or the mythological character he is based on

Notable Victories:

Notable Losses:

Inconclusive Matches:


Kaede is the main character, protagonist and anti-heroine/anti-villainess of the Elfen Lied series. The so-called 'Queen' Diclonius, Kaede (also known as Lucy and Nyu) was both ruthlessly tormented and at times was herself a sadistic tormentor, driven by both the cruelty she found so often in life, but also by the knowledge that love and acceptance was possible. Her great love was Kouta, a boy she met when they were children and again when they were young adults.

Elfen Lied is, at its core, defined by her love for and relationship with Kouta, marked by some joy but also by deepest tragedy. As a Diclonius, Kaede possessed power rivaled by few others of her kind, and control over her vectors, mostly invisible telekinetic 'arms', virtually second to none. She was also capable of spreading the Diclonius mutation to the children born to people she infected, with the idea of replacing normal humans with her kind.

Powers and Stats

Tier: 9-B to 9-A | 8-C | 7-C | 6-B

Name: Lucy, Kaede, Nyu

Origin: Elfen Lied

Gender: Female

Age: 17

Classification: Diclonius (a kind of mutant)

Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics via her vectors, Vectors, Regeneration (Low), intangibility and through that durability negation for Vectors

Attack Potency: Wall level (Anime) to Small Building level (Manga, caused an explosion that created a large hole through a four story building well before the events of the first chapter) | Building level | Town level (Drilled a 2+ kilometer deep hole through the bedrock of a small island, causing an explosion that triggered a 30+ meter tall wave/ tsunami and then later sank it completely via chain reaction) | Country level (It was stated that the vectors were for physically destroying mankind, additionally she thought her final attack(s) would kill everyone)

Speed: Superhuman with Supersonic reactions (Catches great numbers of bullets with ease) | Unknown, likely higher than in Base | Unknown, likely higher than in Base | Superhuman with Hypersonic reactions (Stopped an SM-3 missile a few dozen meters after it was launched while likely kilometers away in Enoshima on a lighthouse in the middle of healing Kouta) and Massively Hypersonic attack speed with her vectors (Her vectors flew to outer space in less than a minute)

Lifting Strength: Class 25 | Class 25 | At least Class 25, likely higher | Likely Class T

Striking Strength: Wall Class to Small Building Class | Building Class | Town Class | Country Class

Durability: At least Small Building level (Survived an explosion that destroyed a small building without much harm) | Building level | Town level | Country level

Stamina: Average | Low | Low | Very Low

Range: Standard melee range (2 meters, Higher by throwing objects) | Standard melee range. Extended melee range with her vectors. (5 meters, Higher by throwing objects) | Standard melee range. Tens of kilometers with her vectors. | Standard melee range. Thousands of kilometers with her vectors.

Standard Equipment: None, though usually makes use of objects around her.

Intelligence: Average | Average | Average | Low

Weaknesses: If she loses their horns, she'll lose her vectors as well | Same, along with lower stamina | Same | Slowly melts herself

Notable Attacks/Techniques:

Key: Base | Long Horns | Pre-Melting (After losing long horns) | Melting EoS (Very angry/out of control)

Notable Victories:

Jotaro Kujo (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure) Jotaro's profile (Note: Speed was equalized, 8-C Lucy was used and Jotaro hadn't time stop in this fight)

Notable Losses:

Inconclusive Matches:

Start a Discussion Discussions about Lucy (Elfen Lied)


How being a teaching artist can influence K-12 art education

Graham, M. A., & Zwirn, S. G. (2010). How being a teaching artist can influence K-12 art education. Studies in Art Education, 51(3), 219-232.

This study focuses on K-12 art teachers who are practicing artists and investigates the relationship between their studio and teaching practice. Researchers found a creative dynamic was engendered in the classroom by these teacher-artists and that the influence of artistic practice on teaching significantly contributed to students’ artistic processes and the learning environment.

Key Findings:

  • Teaching artists’ investment in preparation and effort to further their artistic endeavors generates habits and perspectives useful to teaching art.
  • These teachers consider other working artists as their peers and seek inspiration in the rich contexts of conversations and interactions with them, prompting them to stay current and bring to their classes their own experience and the experience of contemporary artists.
  • They expect their students to become critical interpreters of art and to engage in art experiences outside of school, including galleries, museums, and community art projects.
  • They expand what is considered possible in the classroom and give the students access to different approaches, focusing on meaning more than on materials and technique; viewing and interacting with art as a body of evolving knowledge.
  • They engage cognitive processes in their students, encouraging them to seek out meaning in works of art and to question the world around them.
  • Teachers who engaged in problems in their own artwork were more sensitive to challenges encountered by their own students.
  • Teacher-artists did not define curriculum narrowly as having fixed outcomes but rather as open-ended and divergent.
  • A negative aspect of artists with strong aesthetic commitments is that sometimes they try to clone the students after their own artistic preferences. While some students thrive in open and experimental classrooms, others who are less confident in their artistic abilities may struggle.
  • Teacher-artists emphasize the element of play in artistic creation. Creativity thrives in a playful environment because during play there are no repercussions of doing something wrong. Play encourages innovation.
  • The teachers transform their classrooms into art studios, profusely displaying the art projects of teachers and students.

Significance of the Findings:

This study demonstrates the positive effects that exist when K-12 art teachers maintain their studio practice, yet the researchers found that the teacher-artists are an anomaly. This indicates a need to look more thoroughly at how more art teachers can stay connected to their artistic practice despite the demands of teaching.

The researchers asked: a) How does art-making influence the content of the teaching artist’s teaching? b) How do teaching artists’ artistic practices influence their interactions with students? c) How do teaching artists construct and use learning environments? d) How does artistry inform teaching, and how does teaching influence artistic practice?

  • After an initial survey of 30 art teachers, the researchers used narrative inquiry methods, Patton (1990), and interviewed and observed 16 of these teachers. In addition they conversed with their students.
  • They selected artist-teachers who had a reputation as being effective classroom teachers, and who were committed to continued artistic production.

Limitations of the Research:

The study did not include comparative data on the results obtained by effective teachers who are not practicing artists. This study reports what the authors discerned in a group of effective teaching artists, chosen for their reputations. It is therefore a study of “what’s possible.” The fact that the researchers themselves are university educators and working artists may have led to subjectivity in data gathering and analysis.

Questions to Guide New Research:

What qualities that occur in classrooms where K-12 art teachers are also artists can be translated into art and general classrooms with teachers who are not artists?