Posts tagged ‘Natrium phosphate’

Water Retension and Menopause

Water Retention and Weight Gain

It is very common for even healthy adults to experience weight fluctuations due to water retention, which account for many day-to-day fluctuations on the scale. While most people can retain up to five pounds of “hidden” water weight within the natural fluid that surrounds cells, known as extra-cellular fluid, those who are overweight or suffer from obesity people may retain up to eight to ten pounds.

Water Retention and Menopause

As women enter menopause, nearly 90% will gain weight from a shift in hormones. While most women expect to experience hot flashes, many are surprised by weight changes. However, some of this weight is just appearance-based due to water retention and bloating from decreased progesterone levels. While this isn’t fat-related weight gain, many women will notice a change in the way their clothes fit and experience the feeling of being heavier.

However, even the weight unrelated to water retention is not necessarily unhealthy per se, as it helps prepare the body against osteoporosis and other illnesses. Try to focus on health and maintaining an active lifestyle, and water retention and bloating will generally resolve itself within a few months.

Water Retention and Hypertension

High blood pressure and water retention go hand in hand, as hypertension can result from too much fluid in normal blood vessels or from normal fluid in narrow blood vessels. Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls of your blood vessels, and if it remains high over time is called hypertension. It is therefore very important to manage fluid levels, which can affect blood pressure.

Water Retention and Diuretics

Many people are interested in using diuretics to treat water retention. Whether natural or synthetic, diuretics increase the amount of urine excreted, and are usually used prescribed for patients with blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and liver disease. Diuretics also have the potential for creating a vicious cycle of water retention, known as rebound edema, as they alter salt- and water-retaining hormones. When the diuretics are stopped, hormone levels are out of balance.

In addition, prolonged use of diuretics can lead to dehydration, which can cause kidney damage and an imbalance in normal levels of electrolytes (e.g., sodium and potassium), which are vital to heart, kidney and liver function. When electrolytes are out of balance, heart failure and sudden death.

Many people also turn to diuretics for weight loss, which only leads to temporary results and potentially other health problems. Since water retention has many causes, it is important not to begin taking water retention medication without proper medical supervision.

Diagnosing Water Retention

The diagnosis of water retention is determined by a physical examination, the symptoms presented as well as medical history. Various tests such as blood tests, urine tests, liver and kidney function tests, chest x-ray or an electrocardiogram (ECG) may also be performed to determine the cause.

If water retention is a symptom of a serious underlying disorder, the disorder must be treated first.

* Feeling of puffiness, especially the feet, ankles and legs
* Appearance of shiny, stretched skin
* Dimples/indentations upon pressing the skin
* Swollen, stiff and painful joints
* Headaches
* A bloated or enlarged abdomen
* Breathing difficulties
* Decreased flexibility of the joints (ankles, wrists and fingers)
* Sudden or rapid weight gain

Shortness of breath, chest pain, redness or heat in the swollen edematous area(s) are rare but serious symptoms that should receive immediate medical care.

What Causes Water Retention?

Causes of body water retention depend on a wide range of factors including a high salt intake, as a reaction to hot weather, gravity, nutritional deficiencies, burns as well as sunburn and as a side effect of certain drugs. Pregnancy, oral contraceptives such as the pill, the menstrual cycle and menopause are also known causes of body water retention.

One of the main causes of weight-related water retention can be attributed to sodium intake, particularly from processed foods. In addition, since sodium is present in all foods, a higher intake of food in general also contributes to weight gain from fat stores and subsequent water retention.

People dieting may experience frustrations in weight fluctuations related to water retention. Many people turn to diuretics or water pills, which create a false sense of weight loss. Reducing calories too quickly also forces the body to use up stores of carbohydrates and breakdown protein in the muscles, which also leads to water weight stored in those cells- sometimes with up to 75% of weight loss related to water weight. However, after calorie ingestion is resumed to a normal level, the water weight is restored as well.

Fluctuating hormone levels, hormonal imbalances, and a loss of progesterone can attribute to water retention in menopausal women. Unless the weight gain is excessive, it should not be a cause of concern and can be self-managed.

While it is not entirely known why high blood pressure occurs, a strong genetic component has been indicated. Other risk factors for high blood pressure include smoking, alcoholism, and high salt intake, being overweight, lack of exercise, and high levels of stress. Conditions known to cause secondary hypertension include Cushing’s syndrome, diabetic nephropathy, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, obesity, and many more.

Since many of the above conditions are linked to water retention such as salt intake and obesity, it is important to receive a proper diagnosis and take measures to control blood pressure and fluid levels in the body.

This condition may also be symptomatic of other serious diseases such as heart failure, liver disease, arthritis, allergic reactions, thyroid disease such as hypothyroidism, chronic lung diseases, malignant lymphoedema or kidney disease

Help for Water Retention

Treatment involves rectifying the underlying causes of body water retention. A low dose of diuretic (water pill) may be prescribed to reduce swelling. In more severe cases of water retention, where the blood vessels are blocked or damaged, surgery may be required.
Natural Remedies for Water Retention

Natural and holistic treatments provide gentle water retention remedies. Those seeking a natural remedy for water retention may use herbs such as Uva ursi, Horse chestnut and Buchu for their excellent diuretic properties. Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) and Olea europea help to balance blood pressure, assist liver and gall bladder functioning and improve circulation.

Water retention remedies that use herbal and homeopathic remedies are safe and effective and not as harsh as prescription diuretics.

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May 1, 2010 at 2:50 am 5 comments

Bipolar disorder

What is Bipolar Disorder?

It is normal to experience ups-and-downs, good days and bad days and the occasional I should never have gotten out of bed day, but as a general rule it is important to retain an inner calm or a middle ground to which we always return.

However, individuals with Bipolar disorder experience extreme fluctuations of mood. They tend to lose their inner balance, finding themselves at the far ends of the emotional spectrum.

They may even find themselves alternating between periods of exuberant elation or mania, when anything seems possible, and periods of deep despairing depression that leaves them in bed for weeks and unable to function in their day-to-day lives.

Symptoms of Bipolar disorder (sometimes referred to as manic depression) differ greatly between individuals. Some may enter a state of hypomania which is a milder form of mania, while others may have full blown manic episodes.

These episodes often involve elaborate ideas, an elevated state of happiness and wild plans. For example, a person having a manic episode may max out three credit cards and start tearing down walls with the idea of building themselves a mansion.

At the time, these irrational ideas seem absolutely possible and will lead to great success and fortune. People with Bipolar disorder (manic phase) may have a contagious optimism where life is limitless and so is their energy.

Some individuals with Bipolar disorder may experience mixed states where the symptoms take the form of great restlessness, agitation and even rage. But what goes up must come down and, as a result, these manic states are often followed by periods of deep depression as the individual comes down from their high.

When making an appointment with a health care practitioner, it is advisable to arrange for a close friend or family member to accompany you to the appointment. They will be able to help you provide a clearer picture of your symptoms and how they are affecting your daily life, as well as the lives of people closest to you.

A medical check may be necessary to ensure that the symptoms are not caused by thyroid problems or the affects of certain drugs in your system. If Bipolar disorder is confirmed, remember to ask your doctor about ALL possible treatment options, their long-term effectiveness and any potential side effects.

Bipolar Disorder affects men and woman equally with the average age of onset being between 18 and 22 (although some cases do begin in childhood). Ranging from a severely debilitating medical condition, to a mildly disruptive ailment, the prognosis of Bipolar depends on the severity of the symptoms.
However, with the appropriate treatment, the prognosis is often good. While there is no quick-fix cure, many treatment options are available to help manage the disorder, and it may be possible to lead a normal life free of the disruptions of manic and depressive episodes.

Symptoms of Bipolar DisorderBipolar Disorder symptoms include alternating patterns of emotional lows (depression) and emotional highs (mania). Bipolar Disorder symptoms vary between individuals, as do the patterns of mood swings and cycles.
While one person may be in an elated mood for half the day, and become depressed within an hour (rapid cycling), others may experience manic episodes for days or weeks on end, before slipping into a deeply depressed state for months (slow cycling).
It is also common for some individuals experiencing Bipolar Disorder symptoms to have long periods of normal emotion and only the occasional depressive and manic episode.
Manic symptoms may include:
Increased energy, activity and restlessness Decreased need for sleep Feeling a sense of euphoria or being in an excessively good mood Talking fast and jumping between ideas so that conversation may be difficult to follow Agitation, irritability or rage Easily distracted and lack of concentration Feelings of grandeur or unrealistic beliefs about one’s own abilities Substance abuse Irrational, spontaneous behavior and recklessness Poor judgment Failure to recognize that there is a problem Exaggerated optimism and heightened self-esteem Increased sex drive Excessive spending Depression symptoms may include:
Depressed mood Loss of pleasure or interest in previously enjoyed activities Change in appetite or unintentional weight loss or gain Sleep disturbances; difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much (hypersomnia)Difficulty thinking and concentrating Difficulty making decisions Fatigue or loss of energy Feeling physically slow, agitated, or restless to the degree that others begin to notice Physical complaints such as headaches and stomach aches Low self-esteem, feeling worthless or excessively guilty Low libido or diminished interest in sex Suicidal thoughts or intent, or continuous thoughts of death and self-harm Close

What Causes Bipolar Disorder?

The cause of Bipolar disorder is not yet fully understood. The neurotransmitters that regulate mood, such as serotonin, seem to be out of balance and brain functioning differs in individuals with the disorder. Studies have shown that this phenomenon runs in families, which suggests a strong genetic component.

More than two-thirds of individuals with Bipolar disorder have at least one relative who have suffered either from the same condition or major depression. Other theories suggest that manic states could be triggered by drug abuse, sleep deprivation and stressful life events.

One of the biggest difficulties with Bipolar disorder is that those suffering from the disorder are often unaware of the severity and disruption caused by their alternating mood states. In the throws of a manic episode, the individual is usually convinced that there is absolutely nothing abnormal about his or her behavior, and may even assert that they have never felt better.

For this reason, it is often family, friends or health care practitioners who notice that there is a serious problem and suggest professional help. Left untreated, the effects of Bipolar disorder can be very disruptive and even fatal.

People in manic states have often taken huge irrational risks that could have serious consequences such as bankruptcy, car accidents, losing a job or unintentionally harming themselves or others.

Depressive states are equally dangerous and suicide rates are extremely high in this disorder. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or others, it is advisable to seek or encourage professional help.

Prescription medication is often the first line of Bipolar Disorder treatment once it is diagnosed. The most commonly prescribed drugs are:
Lithium (Lithobid)Anti-seizure medications such as valproic acid (Depakene) or topiramate (Topamax)Mood regulators such as lamotrigine (Lamictal)Anti-psychotics such as rispiridone (Risperdal) or olanzapine (Zyprexa)Anti-depressants such as fluroxetine (Prozac) or quetiapine (Seroquel). However, there is some controversy regarding whether antidepressants should be prescribed for Bipolar Disorder as they have the potential to trigger manic episodes.All of these medications have various side-effects, some of which can be quite serious. For example, some anti-psychotic drugs increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. Ensure that you research all the options and are aware of all the side-effects and precautions of taking any prescribed medication before making a decision. Remember not to discontinue any prescription medication for Bipolar Disorder without first consulting your doctor.

Another extremely useful Bipolar Disorder treatment is Psychotherapy. This form of therapy can be extremely useful in helping you manage your Bipolar Disorder. Your psychologist may help you uncover the triggers of your bipolar episodes such as high stress or too little sleep, or may assist you in changing certain behaviors during manic or depressive states.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Some doctors may recomend ECT as a part of Bipolar Disorder treatment This controversial treatment has been used with an 80% success rate in temporarily relieving the symptoms of bipolar and major depression. The procedure involves the administering of a muscle relaxant and short-acting anesthetic followed by a small shock of electricity sent to the brain which causes a generalized seizure that lasts for about 40 seconds. ECT is often considered useful for those individuals that fail to respond to drug treatments or are unable to use the medication prescribed, such as pregnant woman, those that suffer adverse drug side-effects, or individuals that need immediate relief from symptoms. While the response rate to ECT is usually very fast, most studies show that it only has a short-term effect and should only be used for immediate relief from a severe bipolar episode. As with other treatment options, it is important to research all the precautions and possible side-effects of ECT. Memory loss has been implicated as a serious side-effect and has made ECT a controversial issue.
Natural Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies

Should you wish to pursue a more natural approach to treatment there are various options that should be explored. Because Bipolar Disorder generally requires conventional drug treatment, caution should be exercised when combining the two as there are certain natural remedies for bipolar disorder which may be incompatible with the psychiatric drugs.
Natural remedies for bipolar disorder should feature calming herbs which are generally safe to use along with psychiatric drugs for Bipolar Disorder include Passiflora incarnata and Lavender. Biochemic Tissue Salts such as Natrium sulphate, Kalium phosphate and Natrium phosphate can also be used as natural remedies for bipolar disorder since they have a calming and restorative effect on the nervous system and help to balance mood and prevent mood swings. Homeopathic remedies such as Tarentula and Hyoscyamus can also be very helpful and may safely be used together with psychiatric medication without adverse effect. Consult a doctor, homeopath or naturopath for advice, especially when other chronic medications are also in use.

Other Conditions Related to Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder is related to other disorders or problems such as:
Anxiety disorders Substance abuse Depression High suicide rates Close

Stick to your treatment plan! It is a common mistake for people suffering from Bipolar to stop their treatment when they begin to feel better. This often results in relapse.Avoid the use of alcohol and illicit or stimulant drugs. These sometimes trigger manic or depressive episodes. If you have a substance abuse problem, get immediate treatment – until that is dealt with, you will be less likely to stick to your treatment plan.Pay attention to your warning signs and patterns of mood changes. Keep a diary so that you begin to notice the patterns and triggers of your episodes. Involve family members and friends in watching out for these warning signs. If the signs suggest a pending episode, contact your doctor.Always consult a doctor before discontinuing or taking any new medications.Consider a support group or counseling with a licensed counselor. This may help you manage your disorder and deal with stress or other problems such as relationship difficulties.Get enough sleep! While most people can skip a few hours of sleep here and there with little consequence, loss of sleep has been shown to be a major trigger of bipolar episodes.Have an emergency plan! Ensure that you have details about your condition, important contact numbers such as doctor, employer, spouse and the names of any prescription medication you may be taking on you at all times. It may be important to appoint a back-up person that can handle all the necessary responsibilities such as fetching kids from school or feeding the pets in case of emergency.Have financial limits in place. Because spending-sprees are a common occurrence during manic states, you should set up precautionary measures. Do not keep a checkbook, and have strict limits put on any credit or debit cards. Have the bank notify a spouse or close family member if an excessive amount has been drawn or spent on any card.Get immediate help if you have any suicidal thoughts!People with Bipolar Disorder often have excellent social skills, creative personalities, great reserves of energy and many other strengths. Speak to family members or your therapist to explore ways in which you can constructively use these qualities in a realistic and positive way without going overboard. Close

Coping Tips for Family and Friends Try not to tip toe around your loved one wondering how you can help. Rather sit down and talk during a calm moment to discuss constructive ways of helping without being too intrusive or over-bearing. Discuss in-case-of-emergency situations and get permission to notify relevant people should one arise.Take note of early warning signs and mood patterns so that you can learn to predict future episodes and help curb them.Learn all you can about Bipolar Disorder. The more you understand the illness, the more prepared you’ll be to help and cope.Make a record of things that help and things that don’t.Plan ahead so that you know what to do in case of an emergency. Discuss limiting financial access or suggest that someone else be appointed ‘decision-maker’ over important matters during a manic or depressive episode. Agree beforehand on certain limits and boundaries to be set in place.Try not to blame your loved one for the illness. Be patient with the recovery process and offer unconditional love and support. While this does not make uncalled-for behavior acceptable, try not to take it personally.Set your limits. You need to take care of yourself and understand that sometimes your needs take priority. Do not become a slave to your loved one’s disorder.If someone close to you suffers from Bipolar Disorder and this places great stress on you, seek supportive counseling for yourself and work out ways to take time out, relax and manage your stress effectively. It will not help your loved one if you wear yourself out to the point of collapse!

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April 29, 2010 at 4:53 pm 29 comments

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  • Motherhood Adjustment August 25, 2010
    What is Motherhood Adjustment? The period following the birth of your child can be a blissful, yet emotionally taxing experience. Many mothers find they are swept up in a whirlwind of emotions ranging from relief and complete fatigue to nervousness, anxiety, excitement, indescribable joy and contentment. For first-time mothers there are also many unknowns, a […]
  • Learning Disorders August 24, 2010
    A learning disorder is a neurological disorder that affects the ability to receive, process, analyze, or store information. Children with learning disorders may be just as intelligent or even of greater intelligence than their peers, but often struggle to learn as rapidly as those around them. Problems associated with mental health and learning disabilities […]
  • Kidney Diseases August 23, 2010
    What are Kidney Diseases? The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, about 5 inches long and 3 inches wide. They are dark red in color, and located on either side of your spine in the middle of your back, just below your rib cage. The right kidney lies a little lower than the left kidney. The […]
  • Jock Itch August 20, 2010
    Jock itch is a fungal infection that affects the skin of the upper thighs, buttocks, and groin area. Most commonly caused by the tinea cruris fungus (the same fungus responsible for ringworm and athlete’s foot), jock itch causes an itchy, red, uncomfortable rash that can quickly spread. Diagnosing Jock Itch Though usually self-diagnosed based on […]
  • Insulin Resistance August 19, 2010
    To understand insulin resistance, it helps to understand a little about how insulin works and its function in the body. Insulin is an essential hormone created in the pancreas, which is involved in the metabolism of sugars in the body. Without it, we are unable to convert the food we eat into usable energy. When […]

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System: Musculoskeletal
Section: Radiography
Modality: X-ray (Lateral)

- “ This case demonstrates why we always review two views (hopefully orthogonal views) when looking for a fracture; the AP film fails to demonstrate t...”

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  • Lower limb radiography - “ Lower limb radiography is the radiological investigation of the pelvis, hip joint, femur, knee joint, tibia, fibula, ankle joint, tarsal bones of ...”

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Vision, Purpose and Mission

Prowler Proof Vision

We are striving for zero harm of people, or property, in their home.

You should feel safe in your home, whether that’s feeling safe from unwanted intruders - like burglars or insects, or knowing your children are safe from the risks of falling out of windows. Our vision is about reducing the number of people that are harmed in their home, or property that is lost or damaged, due to uncontrolled entrances or exits.

Prowler Proof Purpose

We believe you, and your loved ones, should be safe in your home. Prowler Proof is working to have a positive impact on safety every day.

Every day in Australia unlawful entries to properties are reported. That means that every day Australian families experience this devastating event. Security screens and doors installed onto a home significantly reduce the risk of unlawful entry, as the opportunistic burglar loses the chance to simply enter through an open window or door. Australian children fall from windows or balconies in their homes every week. Some of these falls are fatal. A home that installs compliant screens to windows reduces the risk of a child falling from that window by 100%! Every year in Australia people contract mosquito borne diseases from infected mosquitos. A home fitted with screens reduces the opportunity for these mosquitos to enter and bite family members.

Prowler Proof Mission

We design and produce products and services that make it easier to create a safer home.

All of our product and service solution development is driven by our mission. The Prowler Proof team are constantly working on ways to help you in creating a safer place.


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

New Jersey Shield Law...Protection for Reporter's in the Garden State?

In the state of New Jersey to protect reporters and there sources the state enacted a shield law to protect the sources of the journalists and news materials a part of the story.  N.J. Stat. 2A:84A-21 states that a person engaged on, engaged in, connected with or employed by news media for the purpose of gathering, procuring, transmitting, compiling, editing or disseminating news for the general public has a privilege to refuse to disclose before any investigative body

The statute also states that the news media means newspapers, magazines, press associations, news agencies, wire services, radio, television, and photographic or electronic means of disseminating news to the general public as defined by New Jersey shield law. As long as you have a relationship with one of the news media before you are covered under the law as disseminating news.

New Jersey shield law protects not only the identity of a source, but also any information that would lead to identification. According to the law in the Garden State publishing some information does not eliminate the law’s protection of the sources identity, stating that you do not have to promise the source confidentiality in order to protect the source identity with the shield law.

The Pros of the shield law protects reporter’s privilege.  As long as the reporter is engaged in investigative journalism, gathering the news and that the intent is to disseminate such information to the public.  The pros of true protection are under the New Jersey shield law. The Con’s are that student journalist are not covered under Jersey’s shield law, as well as, non traditional journalists are not securely protected under the law because the investigative reporting part of reporter’s privilege could present a problem for some reporters of under those sections to protect the sources of there stories.

The law should have student journalists under the protection of the law. Students can have investigative pieces or stories, without protection sources can find themselves identified if asked by a court.  Students and non-traditional journalist a part of reputable sites should be put under the reporter’s privilege standard of newspapers and television that reside in New Jersey.

I have not had any experiences of having to use the shield law in the state of New Jersey. The law has not been used in my life or those of other’s student journalists I know in the state of New Jersey. The law is present in Jersey but for those reporter’s that  have a connection to a reputable medium outlet.


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China will need to normalize the monetary stance but there is no need to worry too much about inflation

Louis Kuijs's picture

The recent rise in China’s inflation has grabbed attention of the public and policymakers alike. Consumer price inflation rose to 5.1% in November. This is higher than we are used to in China, although it is modest in an emerging market perspective. To determine the best policy response to the rise in inflation it is important to know its cause and how much inflation we should expect in the coming 12 months. It is also good to decide what an acceptable rate of inflation is for a country like China.

So far, the rise in inflation is because of higher food prices. The food component of the CPI was up 11.7% on a year ago in October, contributing two-thirds of overall inflation, while non-food prices were up 1.9% on this basis. In looking for the cause of the higher food prices, monetarist explanations are common. After the massive monetary expansion since end 2008 there is a lot of liquidity sloshing around, potentially putting upward pressure on prices, especially asset prices. In this setting, there are reports that speculative activity has driven up prices of several food products. It is also true that in the long run sustained monetary expansion drives up inflation. However, the link from money to inflation is more indirect and complex than simplistic monetarist interpretations suggest and, in the meantime, inflation is basically determined on the markets for goods and services.

Several food markets have been buffeted by domestic supply shocks. In particular, vegetable prices, which have seen the largest price rises, have been hit by bad weather and natural disasters. Recent hikes in international food prices have added pressure. China’s rice and wheat prices do not closely follow international prices, since they are managed by policymakers. However, China’s prices of corn and soybeans follow international prices fairly closely and higher prices for these products have helped driving up meat and egg prices in China. Housing-related costs have also contributed. However, prices other than those of food and housing remain contained—they were 0.8% up on a year ago in October.

Inflation is unlikely to escalate but expectations matter and there are risks. Food prices are unlikely to continue to rise at the recent pace. Domestically, the supply side factors driving up prices are considered in large part temporary. Internationally, after the hefty increases in prices of raw commodities such as food and many industrial commodities since early summer, mainstream forecasters do not expect them to continue to increase at this pace. More generally, despite further quantitative easing in the US, global inflation prospects are generally considered modest, largely because of substantial spare capacity in many markets globally. Indeed, the US just registered the lowest rate of core inflation since records began in 1957.

There is some risk that the higher food prices spill over into wages and other prices. This risk is manageable but it requires policy attention. People typically resist real wage declines if they can. Thus, large rises in prices of food or energy are often followed by wage hikes. This can set in motion a wage-price spiral, especially in a low productivity growth environment. In China, price shocks tend to be more easily absorbed than in many other countries because of robust productivity and wage growth, and core inflation is low to start with because of the rapid productivity growth in industry. Nonetheless, with inflation expectations now having risen substantially and the labor market less loose than it used to be, macroeconomic policy will need to play an important role in limiting the spill-over of food prices into other prices and wages.

The risks of inflation and the need to manage inflation expectations strengthen the case for normalizing the monetary stance. Indeed, with little spare capacity in China's economy, respectable growth prospects, and concerns about too rapid housing price increases, this normalization will need to be a central objective of macroeconomic policy. Thus, after the spectacular increase in monetary aggregates since end-2008, monetary growth will before long need to come down to rates broadly similar to nominal growth. Moreover, relying more on interest rates and less on quantitative instruments such as credit controls would help reduce the underlying pressures on asset prices and reduce distortions. In October, the PBC raised benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points. But they are still much lower than before the crisis and they will have to go up more.

Concerns about the impact of financial capital inflows are overdone and are no good reason not to increase interest rates. Thanks to China’s largely effective capital controls, the amount of net financial inflows (called “hot money” in China) is actually very low compared to domestic credit creation. Also, the overwhelming majority of the increase in foreign reserves is not from net financial capital flows but from current account surpluses and net inward FDI.

However, the inflation outlook does not seem problematic enough to warrant suppressing overall inflation by administrative measures or postponing needed price adjustments. High inflation is distortive and not helpful. However, in rapidly growing countries like China, relative prices need to change to facilitate changes in the economic structure. In most emerging markets moderate inflation—of 4‐5 percent—is not seen as a major problem. Constraining inflation to be very low could hinder helpful relative price changes. For instance, China needs to increase administrative prices for resources and utilities—especially energy and water—to help adjust the structure of the economy. And, higher prices for agricultural products and higher migrant wages can help boost rural incomes and reduce urban‐rural inequality, thus helping to improve the primary income distribution. It would be really unfortunate if such desirable developments were suppressed because of concerns about moderate inflation. Thus, somewhat higher tolerance to modest inflation could help bring about some of the structural reform and change that the government is aiming for.

Submitted by dannyb2b on
"inflation is basically determined on the markets for goods and services" Commodities inflation is principally determined by speculation on bourses. there is no other explanation if you consider the price of oil going from 147 USD to about 30 USD within a few months. Look at the price of copper trippling in the last year or so for example. The market for goods is definetly an input but speculation exagerates movements in prices incredibly.

DannyB2B, Thanks for this comment. I would also think that, on the international markets for commodities, financial speculation probably plays a role. I would think that the role would especailly be to amplify price movements. I am not sure whether financial speculation can prop up commodity prices over very long periods. After the 2007/8 commodity price spike, many empirical studies have tried to estimate the impact of financial speculation. Actually, most empirical studies have had a hard time finding clear evidence of such impact. One likely reason for that is that, despite all the short term noise, often the financial speculation actually reflects fairly rational expectations regarding the real market dynamics.

Submitted by Joseph Alexander on
Mr. Kuijs, I believe that real estate speculation is the source of CPI inflation in China. In 2000 residential real estate sales totaled $48 Billion +- in 2009 this figure grew to $573 Billion +-. In 2000 23% of wages were directed at residential acquisitions in 2009 this figure grew to 59%. Since 2000, residential prices have increased roughly 2.3 X nationally while cities such as Shanghai and Zhejiang experienced price escalation between 2.9 X – 4.5 X. If a significant amount of the populations net worth is real estate and the same asset has appreciated significantly this asset appreciation will either increase the wealth of the country or decrease the value of the currency. Mr. Kujis, I’m currently writing my thesis on the Chinese real estate market. I would be very interested in talking with an economist familiar with the subject. Two particularities that I’m having difficulty evaluating is the extent of grey market in real estate and SOE’s overall influence in the development industry. Would it be possible to get in touch with either yourself or another economist with expertise in China? I'm a student at Columbia University in the Masters of Real Estate Development program. Regards, -Joe

Joe, China's real estate market is definitely very active, and parts of it seem pretty frothy, with speculation going on. Also, real estate speculation and inflation likely have some common contributing factors. The vast amounts of liquidity moving around in China surely add to the real estate speculation, while it must have some impact on prices of goods and servcies as well. However, in my view real estate speculation is not the cause of CPI inflation. So far, 3/4th of the inflation is because of food prices, with "residence costs" (driving by the rental and utility costs) explaing much of the remainder. Higher energy prices are a key contributor to the increase in residence costs. In all, the bulk of the inflation driven by specific factors. I am afraid I have no knowledge or insights in the gray real estate market in China. Good luck. Louis

Submitted by Anders on
It seems like the conversation that we had on this blog in June this year about M2, inflation and supply and demand is back again. I have a different question this time. You state that”Domestically, the supply side factors driving up prices are considered in large part temporary” could you elaborate a little on this statement? I ask this because from my point of view the supply side factors do not seem to be temporary. The rise in inflation has been steady since august and it does not fit an “inflationary freak” of nature pattern were prices suddenly and unexpectedly go up just to fall again when the market allocates capacity. The fact that there were very high inflation numbers in 2007/2008 just before the crisis should tell us that there where capacity issues at that point in the Chinese economical development. Problems not easily fixed. The food inflation comes from a lack of arable land and a primary agricultural sector that has not been reformed properly because the price of its goods has been held down artificially. The real estate sector has not been cooled down and as we write prices are still rising in almost all cities in China although at a slower pace. The real estate giant Vanke just posted 108 billion Yuan in sales revenues. The leaning cap of 2011 will be about 7 trillion Yuan which is almost the same as 2010 so there will an equal amount of inflationary pressure from the M2 again this year. The excess capacity or released demand you talked about in other parts of the world is, I would argue, mostly in manufacturing and not in demand for food or energy. When a crisis hits then people don’t stop eating or turn down their heating, they first cut back on TVs, Cars and more expendable items… The crisis does not seem help the Chinese inflation problems in the sense that much of the production capacity in the Chinese export sector cannot produce more food, more energy or more water. Based on this I think 5.1 % inflation is just the beginning, but I really hope to be wrong as inflation always hits the lower income groups hard especially in China were cash savings are such a large part of private peoples asset holdings.

Anders, thanks for your good comments. I think the key thing to emphasize about inflation in China is that it is still largely food driven. I agree that China's economy, overall, does not have spare capacity and I also agree that the growth of China's monetary aggragetes will have to slow down to avoid problems along the way. But, with non food inflation still less then 1 %, it is difficult to argue that macro factors have been the most important in driving up inflation. There are indeed structural factors that drive up agricultural prices over time and the relative price of agricultural products. This has been going on for a long time and is not a problem. In fact, it is an important part of structural change and is a channel to alleviate rural poverty and inequality. At times, we see a sudden acceleration in food price increases. They regularly coincide with global food price pressures, but also often seem to have domestic causes. We seem to be in such a phase again. Bad weather and disasters have affected harvests and food supply, and most experts emphasize the temporary aspect of much of this. In the background, the structural factors continue to drive up agricultural prices gradually. But food price increases are likely to slow from the really rapid food price increases seen in August-November 2010. Indeed, recent information suggests vegetable prices--key this time around--seem to have plateaued for now. Note that there is no need for food price levels to fall. As long as the pace of increases in food prices declines again sooner rather than later--and before spill over into other prices and wages takes off--overall inflation should likely slow again. On global factors, I agree that the "excess capacity globally" that I referred to is largely in manufacturing. However, my collegues who look at primary commodity markets and their peers in the private sector tell me that oil and other important markets "continue to be well supplied" and they do not expect a major run off of primary commodity prices. They could well be wrong. And China would feel more inflation pressure in a scenario with more global commodity price pressure. But that is a different scenario, with inflation a global issue. In all, in my base scenario for China the speed of increases in food prices is diminishing and overall inflation will not escalate.

Submitted by LIANG Wang on
Hello Louis, I love to read your articles and find them inspiring. Besides what you have talked about the possible factors influencing the food price hiking, a factor of 'circulation cost ' (or Transaction cost ' )of the agricultural produces to the market should not be under estimated. These factor is playing a key role in adding the cost from the filed to the shelves in the supermarkets of these foods and groceries. Based on my experience in business journalism, I think it is necessary for the government to address the concerns about the such transaction cost, such as overly high fee the toll roads. Such actions will make a difference in dampening the price spike in China nowadays.

Hi Liang, thank you for the kind words. I agree, there are a lot of cost factors that matter for the price of food other than what goes to farmers and, indeed, transportation costs, notably toll, are important. In normal circumstances, such costs do not really explain the increase in the rate of food price inflation. But reducing such costs can indeed help contain inflation. As a matter of fact, as part of a package of measures to contain food price inflation, China's government in November 2010 exempted the transportation of "fresh produce" (mainly fruit and vegetables) from toll. This type of measure is not included in most textbooks. And, relying on such measures typically introduces distortions (will the road operating entities be compensated for the loss of income?). But it may help tone down pressures in the short run and it most likely has helped contain inflation expectations.

Submitted by Gonzalo on
Louis; Sharp column as normal. I agree with you that we dont need to worry to much now about the chinese inflation, yet, mainly because of the food driven characteristic. For those of us whom live in China, calls the attention the increase of rentals o wages, said that. In you opinion, when should be worry about the chinese inflation? Gonzalo.

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A Democratic Gauge Model for Dark/Visible Matter Symmetry

Authors: O. Oliveira, C. A. Bertulani, M. S. Hussein, W. de Paula, T. Frederico

Ref.: arXiv: 1108.2723 (2011)

Abstract: We develop a model for visible matter-dark matter interaction based on the exchange of a weakly interacting massive gauge boson called herein the WIMG. Our model hinges on the assumption that all known particles in the visible matter have their counterparts in the dark matter. We postulate six families of particles five of which are dark. This leads to the unavoidable postulation of six parallel worlds, the visible one and five invisible worlds. We give arguments on particle decays and lifetimes that set a limit on the mass of the WIMG, the gray boson responsible for the very meager communication among these worlds. The 5:1 ratio of dark to visible matter is taken for granted.

URL: arxiv.org


Mid Life Crisis Coaching

midlife crisis

A Mid Life Crisis is not just for men.

Having a mid-life crisis is an ingrained part of the 21st-century human lifecycle. Even if not everyone goes through one. While it has historically been a primarily male problem, researchers are finding many women suffer from it as well. Given that the phenomenon tends to leave behind a significant amount of mayhem, it’s a cause for concern.

People who want to help solve this problem can do so by coaching.

If a typical person’s reaction to a crisis is to jump off the rails, your task as their coach is to be the voice of reason. In this content, you must try to limit their attempts. All this, while helping them come to terms with the realities of their life. There’s nothing either of you can do about the inevitability of death. But, by prompting some reflection on the client’s part, you can get them to become more comfortable with that coming reality.

Eliminate the fear and panic

Once the fear and panic have subsided, most of the impulsiveness should as well. Of course, you may also work with the client to help them implement positive changes if they are still struggling to feel fulfilled. Rather than destroying the life that they have built over the years due to some dissatisfaction with it, mid-life crisis coaching advocates that sufferers try to add to their lives instead. People can do this by working on enhancing existing relationships and branching into things like new hobbies or volunteer positions.

This area of coaching deals much more with short-term concerns than most.

It is based on filling a very specific client need at a very precise moment in time. Because of this, there are few specific certifications offered for this type of coaching work. It is typically handled by coaches who tackle more general interpersonal or psychological issues. In terms of general client preferences, however, an older coach is likely to be preferred over a younger one. This is due to the increased likelihood that they have some hands-on experience with the problem in their personal lives. Whether or not this is a fair judgment is debatable, but regardless, young people may have a tough time attracting clients in this field.


What really happens when you swallow chewing gum?

A lot of young parents are still not warned of the danger of swallowing gum. Given how each of us at least once in life have swallowed gum, it’s time to learn the truth and danger that comes with it.

Our body can not fully process them. While ingredients like sweeteners and sugars can be recognized and destructed by the body, the rest remains at large.

Although it may sound dangerous and worrying, unprocessed gum ends where other ingredients such us unprocessed fruit peel, bone or seed ends – they get kicked out of our body.

Can gum stick to the stomach?

The biggest concern of all parents is whether gum can stick to our intestines or stomach.

Unlike tricky effects of chewing gum to stick to clothes or hair, probably it’s very unlikely. Although it will take more time to pass through the entire digestive tract, but with time chewing gum is where it should be – in WC toilet.

When swallowing gum can become a problem?

There are very rare cases where swallowing chewing gum can cause health problems, and most often are related to disorder of the digestive system caused by diverticulitis or Crohn’s disease.

(1370 Posts)


comment by flac
flac  ·  90 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: June 21, 2017

Ahh, sweet! The tools looking great, can't wait to use it!

Also, the new track is sounding rad! Reminds me a lot of Mouse on the Keys but actually somewhat dance-able. Looking forward to hearing more.

rezzeJ  ·  89 days ago  ·  link  ·

My influences are showing! I'm a massive a Mouse on the Keys fan and can't deny that I've consciously tried to impart some of the quality of their music on to my own.


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

In the spirit of #WCW

Apparently there is some phenomenon going on on Facebook. Its called #WomanCrushWednesday (or #WCW). Well, today is Wednesday and this is a woman who has inspired me from the moment I started reading her book.  Her name is Chrissie Wellington.  She was a late bloomer into the sport of triathlon, as was I.  She and I have a lot in common, and so she has inspired me and gives great hope and insight into triathlons and life.

Chrissie discusses her need to control, her need to self improve.  I feel the same way, an anxious when not able to do so.  When she was young, she had a modest sporting career, but impressive academics.  Lets just say that my sports career left something to be desired but my grades got me the scholarships I needed to help finance college.

Chrissie dealt with the fear people of judging her negatively.  She is a sensitive soul, always wanted to be liked.  I've been struggling with that as well. She disliked the intraverted person she became, wanted to be energetic and confident, to light up a room when she walked into it.  She tended to try to gain the approval and appreciation of others, which, in turn, reflects the lack of self confidence.  Still working on this one, but (as I'll write about below) knowing what to judge yourself by, knowing your self worth standards, this puts it all into perspective.

Her obsession and concern about body image mirrors my internal struggle.  Thankfully, due to a change in nutrition (adhering to a clean eating regimen) and the addition of world-class supplements, my body image has improved tremendously.  I realize looks are NOT everything, but when you don't see in the mirror what you want to see, you are hard on yourself.  I am still working on it to this day, but the positives are becoming more and more evident.

Chrissie also has difficulty being in the now, being present.  I am always thinking about "what's next," planning my next step, always thinking ahead.

And then what really spoke to me was when she said, "All that hard work put in at school and [college] would be vindicated by a high-flying job that labeled me as being somebody."  I graduated as valedictorian, went to college, graduated law school and passed the NYS Bar Exam.  Being behind a desk was never something I wanted, but it seemed that was what was "expected" of someone with the level of education I received.

She writes about how she missed the sense of achievement that comes from working hard and the creativity and the learning; missed using her mind.  I could not agree more.  It's actually part of the reason I began reading more and writing.  I feel that this allows me to hone my communication skills, to keep my mind sharp, rather than bombard it with useless visual media.

Chrissie is a sentimental gal.  She has keepsakes and still has many of them, making reference to "still got them/that/it."  She keeps things that, from an outsider's perspective, would seem minuscule.  My mother would probably laugh, considering she knows how "sentimental" I am.  Though my mother has been trying to instill in me that it's more about the memories and less about the "stuff."

What I love about Chrissie is her appreciation for the age-groupers, the "weekend warriors," the triathletes that do it for the love of the sport.  She will celebrate her victory, but then go down to the finish line and volunteer to grace finishers with their coveted medals.  She gets her inspiration from those who do it just because and it's not their job.  Pretty cool to know that someone who is PAID to do what I love considers people like me an inspiration.

The fact that she appreciates the "normal triathlete" (who works full time, has a family, and other outside responsibilities), it just makes her so humble.  This is a job for her, but it does not come easy for her.  But she does not harp on her records, she emphasizes the hardships and hard work she engages in, the mental mind games.  She writes about how she needs to be mentally tough too.  It's encouraging to know that it's not easy for her, despite it looking like it is.  In a previous post I mentioned that we are our own worst enemy, we can mentally defeat ourselves before the physical setbacks do so.  To know that a professional struggles too, to make it so clear, evident, and out there, it gives me a sense of relief.  She quotes Lance Armstrong, saying, "Pain is temporary: quitting lasts forever."

She continues, stating there will be ebbs and flows and hold onto the knowledge that you have been there before and come through it.  Knowing you were there before, and came out on the other side, that's what will get you through this time.

She warns readers to not fall for external measures of worth, ie - the clock.  Know that you gave it your all, and that will leave you with the greatest satisfaction.  Do not be left wondering, "What if?"  The limits she had set for herself disappeared and she crushed every goal she set for herself.

One day I would love to meet Chrissie, tell her how wonderful it is to know that I am not alone in these feelings; to feel vindicated and have my insecurities validated.  It is amazing to know that someone as accomplished as someone who has won 13 Ironman races feels the same way someone who has the anxiety of completing one in her future.

Monday, October 20, 2014

10 Essential Winter Running Tools

Many of the areas around us have experienced.....SNOW! This can only mean that winter is soon upon us.  So it's only fitting to get the proper gear to keep up the running progress made so far during the warmer months.

Here is a list of 10 essential pieces of gear a runner should aim to have to have a warm and safe run outside this winter.:

There's the typical "cold weather gear.":

1)  Gloves to keep the digits warm. A runner's extremities are especially vulnerable to the elements.  There are some fancy ones, ones that allow SmartPhone usage, but if a little inconvenience does not bother you (ie - removing your glove to use your phone), just basic gloves would be sufficient.  But make sure they wick away moisture (to prevent cold hands).

2)  Proper shoes.  Winter running shoes should have tread to better able traction for those slick conditions created by snow and ice.

3)  Socks.  Winter running socks should wick the sweat away, but still keep your feet warm.  Top brands include:  Thorlo, Balega, and Smartwool.  Runners should consider getting longer socks (they will add to the warmth of pants and keep the lower part of the legs dry, as compared to the short anklet socks worn during the summer).

4)  Base layer.  This layer will wick sweat away, which allows you to stay warm and not get chilled by the evaporation process.  Popular fabrics include:  wool, polyester, and silk.

5)  Running Tights.  Keep the legs warm; the colder the weather, the thicker the fabric needed.

6)  Hat.  Something to keep your ears and head warm.  Make sure it wicks away sweat, or you'll end up with a sweaty, cold head.  If a hat is too warm, try a headband that will help to keep your ears warm.

7)  Neck warmer.  Keeps the neck warm and prevents burning lungs.

Then there's some things that are ancillary that will help you keep up the fitness you've gained.:

8)  Headlamp.  Less daylight means possibly running when the sun is not out.

9)  Reflective Gear. Runners should have this in their attire anyway, but winter hours mean it starts getting darker earlier and stays darker longer.  Most likely some of those miles will be logged at less than ideal sunshine hours.

10)  Treadmill runs, Plans for when it's too cold or too snowy or the weather just isn't cooperating.  These will help to keep things fresh. No need to pay for the plans, it is possible to find free plans online.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

What's Next...

After an improvement in my triathlon season, I jumped right into training for a full marathon.  Went from swim, bike, run, to just a run (just a run?! Eh, what's 26.2 mile).  But that will not be the only focus before I gear up for a half year training program for IMLP 2015.

Back in high school I never enjoyed running, even in college when I first began running for exercise, I still thought it was not fun.  But now I'm looking forward to getting out and hitting the pavement.  My times and effort expended have greatly decreased.  I credit not only another year of training under my belt but also a switch in nutrition and more of a focus on food as a fuel. I have incorporated AdvoCare into every aspect of my life,  whether training or overall wellness.  (If you're interested in clean eating, jump starting your weight loss goals, or at a plateau in your performance, this has helped me IMMENSELY.)

Mohawk Hudson Marathon was a success.  I did not hit my 4 hour goal, but I did get under 4.5 hours (4:19:17).  Next is the Goofy Challenge in Disney (a half on Saturday with the full the next day).  My goal is sub-2 hour half and sub-5 full (I'll already have a hard half under my feet the day beforehand).

In the "off season" I'll be incorporating more weights and lifting to not only strengthen the muscles but to give my mind a mental break.  I have already been doing that and feel great!  The mental break was greatly needed; feels good to regroup, refocus.  Sometimes you just need to shift gears and that makes all the difference in the world.

I'm sad this triathlon year is over, but I am so grateful and amazed at the outcome.  I feel I have made great strides. This is evidenced by the significant drop in my finish times for the races I participated in. I look forward to the grueling training I will embark on (weird to think I would ever think that!).  But for now I'm going to recharge by doing some other activities, other fitness avenues.

I'd like to thank my family especially for their love and support.  Without them, none of  this would be possible.  Their sanity and perspective have helped keep me focused.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Lessons for longer distances and life

While doing my post-lifting fat-burning 30 minutes of cardio, I read books. At this point, I'm reading "Running on Empty" by Marshall Ulrich. This man is nearly 60 years old he RAN across America! His book has greatly helped me to understand the challenges and mental toughness required to conquer long distances.
This was quite appropriate as I completed my first ever marathon.  WOW!  What an amazing course.  The Mohawk Hudson Marathon is well organized and is first-time marathoners' top-choice for a reason.  The course is downhill and flat.  But even with that advantage, I began hitting that proverbial "wall" around mile 20, which is really when the race begins.  I started to get in my head and feel every little twinge.  At that point I was just merely surviving, not thriving.  I focused on my music, kept in step to the tunes, and aimed for each mile marker, knowing with the passing of each one I'd be closer to the finish.
There is much truth when Ulrich states, "We can be our own worst enemies when it comes to those doubts and negative self-talk."  I tell that people all the time when they say I'm crazy for pursuing longer distance races, particularly a marathon and Ironman Lake Placid.  Once you have defeated yourself, you are done.  But if I can train my brain, just like I do my body to make it through the miles, I'll be successful in completion in my endeavors.  Just like in life, if you tell yourself you can't, then you won't.  But if you believe in yourself, you'll go much farther.
Ulrich talks about having an "out of body experience" and disowning the pain, not letting it get to him.  That's what I tried to remember as my feet started to ache and I stopped to stretch as my hamstrings tightened.  I kept shutting out the thoughts of feeling the pain, I said to myself, "It's there, but you are closer to the finish than the end."
Ulrich writes, "You remind yourself that it you quit but hard to live with afterward."  I may have read that passage after the marathon, but that definitely holds true.  I thought about giving up multiple times, but then I realized how disappointed I would be in myself.  I also realized that even though I would not make my 4 hour goal, I would still finish, which was more than those on the couch had done.  Quitting will follow you the rest of your life, whether in a race or in a job pursuit or in whatever your goals may be.
I ended up finishing 4 hours, 19 minutes and 17 seconds after I crossed the start line.  It took longer than I expected and wanted, but I finished and never actually gave up.  Click here to see:  Video of My Marathon Finish


Influence of mechanical manipulations on the local inflammatory reaction in the equine colon

Reasons for performing study: Large intestinal diseases in horses are characterised by inflammation, which could arise from the disease process with some contribution from intestinal manipulation. The effects of the latter are unknown but important to surgeons and could contribute to post operative complications.

Objectives: To characterise type and degree of intestinal inflammation induced by various mechanical stimuli in the equine ascending colon.

Methods: Laparotomy was performed in 12 horses, the left dorsal colon exteriorised and 3 segments randomly exposed to different mechanical manipulations: 1) enterotomy, 2) enterotomy and mucosal irritation and 3) serosal irritation. Intestinal biopsies were harvested before, immediately after and 30 min after each manipulation for histological evaluation. Eosinophils were detected with Luna's stain and neutrophils identified by immunohistochemical staining for calprotectin. Additionally, left dorsal colon samples from 14 horses from a jejunal ischaemia-reperfusion study were collected immediately after laparotomy (7 horses) and at the end of the experiment without previous manipulation of the colon (7 horses). Horses were subjected to euthanasia at the end of both studies.

Results: Redistribution of mucosal neutrophils and eosinophils towards the luminal surface and increased neutrophilic infiltration of the submucosa were demonstrated after serosal and mucosal irritation. All manipulations resulted in serosal infiltration with neutrophils. Laparotomy and small intestinal manipulation increased mucosal eosinophilic infiltration.

Conclusions and potential relevance: Mechanical intestinal manipulation caused a rapid local inflammatory reaction in the mucosa, submucosa and serosa including a mucosal eosinophilic response. These changes could exacerbate existing inflammation in horses with large colon disease. Colic surgery can lead to intestinal inflammation in nonmanipulated intestine and this could contribute to a higher morbidity rate in horses after prolonged colic surgery. An intestinal biopsy should be collected at the beginning of surgery to avoid false interpretations.


Computer Science Department
School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University

The Role of Background Knowledge in Sentence Processing

Raluca Ludiu

August 2001

Ph.D. Thesis

Keywords: Sentence comprehension, computational model, metaphor, Moses illusion, sentence memory, ACT-R, scalability

In this dissertation I describe a cognitive model of sentence processing. The model operates at the semantic level and can apply to verification or comprehension of metaphoric or literal sentences, isolated or embedded in discourse. It uses an incremental search--and--match mechanism to find a long-term--memory referent (interpretation) for an input sentence. The search is guided by cues such as the last few words read or previous tentative interpretations. The process of comprehension produces a propositional representation for the input sentence and also keeps track of local comprehension failures.

The model is implemented in the ACT-R framework and offers a scalable solution to the problem of language comprehension: its performance (in terms of speed and accuracy) is roughly invariant to the number of facts held in the long-term memory. Its predictions match data from psycholinguistic studies with human subjects. Specifically, the sentence-processing model can simulate the comprehension and verification of metaphoric and literal sentences, metaphor-position effects on sentence comprehension, semantic illusions and their dependence on semantic similarity between the distortion and the undistorted term. The products of the sentence-processing model can explain the pattern of sentence recall in text-memory experiments.

This dissertation also explores the modeling alternatives faced by the design of a sentence-processing model. I show that, to achieve comprehension speed comparable to that of humans, a model must minimize the explicit search process and rely on semantic associations among words. I also investigate how the representation chosen for propositions and meanings affects the comprehension process in a production-system framework such as ACT-R.

151 pages

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Divorce In Church History

To petition for Ecclesiastical Divorce and attend the Spiritual Court should be considered as an extension of the Sacrament of Holy Confession. The petitioning priest and the members of the Spiritual Court are reminded of the sensitive and confidential nature of this process. Its purpose is neither to justify nor condemn anyone, but rather to facilitate the process of healing and reconciliation to the Body of Christ. Your help is needed in explaining that this is a pastoral and healing ministry, rather than a legalistic formality.
(Procedures of Metropolis of Chicago, September 2004)

Marriage, Divorce, and Mixed Marriages

Marriage is one of the sacraments of the Orthodox Church. Orthodox Christians who marry must marry in the Church in order to be in sacramental communion with the Church. According to the Church canons, an Orthodox who marries outside the Church may not receive Holy Communion and may not serve as a sponsor, i.e. a Godparent at a Baptism, or as a sponsor at a Wedding. Certain marriages are prohibited by canon law, such as a marriage between fist and second cousins, or between a Godparent and a Godchild. The fist marriage of a man and a woman is honored by the Church with a richly symbolic service that eloquently speaks to everyone regarding the married state. The form of the service calls upon God to unite the couple through the prayer of the priest or bishop officiating.

The church will permit up to, but not more than, three marriages for any Orthodox Christian. If both partners are entering a second or third marriage, another form of the marriage ceremony is conducted, much more subdued and penitential in character. Marriages end either through the death of one of the partners or through ecclesiastical recognition of divorce. The Church grants "ecclesiastical divorces" on the basis of the exception given by Christ to his general prohibition of the practice. The Church has frequently deplored the rise of divorce and generally sees divorce as a tragic failure. Yet, the Orthodox Church also recognizes that sometimes the spiritual well-being of Christians caught in a broken and essentially nonexistent marriage justifies a divorce, with the right of one or both of the partners to remarry. Each parish priest is required to do all he can to help couples resolve their differences. If they cannot, and they obtain a civil divorce, they may apply for an ecclesiastical divorce in some jurisdictions of the Orthodox Church. In others, the judgment is left to the parish priest when and if a civilly divorced person seeks to remarry.

Those Orthodox jurisdictions which issue ecclesiastical divorces require a thorough evaluation of the situation, and the appearance of the civilly divorced couple before a local ecclesiastical court, where another investigation is made. Only after an ecclesiastical divorce is issued by the presiding bishop can they apply for an ecclesiastical license to remarry.

Though the Church would prefer that all Orthodox Christians would marry Orthodox Christians, it does not insist on it in practice. Out of its concern for the spiritual welfare of members who wish to marry a non-Orthodox Christian, the Church will conduct a "mixed marriage." For this purpose, a "non-Orthodox Christian" is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, or one of the many Protestant Churches which believe in and baptize in the name of the Holy Trinity. This means that such mixed marriages may be performed in the Orthodox Church. However, the Orthodox Church does not perform marriages between Orthodox Christians and persons belonging to other religions, such as Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, or any sectarian and cult group, such as Christian Science, Mormonism, or the followers of Rev. Moon.

The parish priest must exert every effort to reconcile the couple and avert a divorce. However, should he fail to bring about a reconciliation, after a civil divorce has been obtained, he will transmit the petition of the party seeking the ecclesiastical divorce, together with the decree of the civil divorce, to the Spiritual Court of the Diocese. The petition must include the names and surnames of the husband and wife, the wife's surname prior to marriage, their addresses, the name of the priest who performed the wedding, and the date and place of the wedding. The petitioner must be a member in good standing with the parish through which he or she is petitioning for divorce. Orthodox Christians of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese who have obtained a civil divorce but not an eccle¬siastical divorce may not participate in any sacra¬ments of the Church or serve on the Parish Council, Diocesan Council or Archdiocesan Council until they have been granted a divorce by the Church.

By John Meyendorff
St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1975

XII. Divorce (p.54)

The Roman Catholic traditional view, canonical regulations on divorce and remarriage are based on two presuppostions. 1) Marriage is a legal contract, and for Christians is legally indissoluble. 2) The marriage contract concerns only earthly life and therefore, is legally dissolved by the death of one partner.
The Orthodox approach starts from different presuppositions. 1) Marriage is a sacrament conferred upon the partners in the Body of the Church through the priest’s blessing. As any sacrament, marriage pertains to the eternal life in the Kingdom of God and therefore, is not dissolved by the death of one partner. An eternal bond is created between them—“it is given to them” (Matthew 19:11). 2) As sacrament, marriage is not a magical act, but a gift of grace. The partners, being humans, may have made a mistake in soliciting the grace of marriage when they were not ready for it; or they may prove to be unable to make this grace grow to maturity. In those cases, the Church may admit the fact that the grace was not “received,” tolerate separation and allow remarriage. But, of course, she never encourages any remarriage—we have seen that even in the case of widowers—because of the eternal character of the marriage bond; but only tolerates it when, in concrete cases, it appears as the best solution for a given individual.

Christ repeatedly condemned divorce (Mt. 19:8-9; 5:31-32; Mk. 10:2-9; Lk. 16;18). The indissolubility of marriage does not imply the total suppression of human freedom. Freedom implies the possibility of sin, as well as its consequences; ultimately, sin can destroy marriage. Nowhere does the New Testament explicitly condone remarriage after divorce. St. Paul, who discourages but permits remarriage of widowers, is very negative concerning the remarriage of divorcees: “To the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband—but if she does, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband—and that the husband should not divorce his wife” (1Cor. 6:10-11).

In the Christian Empire under Constantine, Theodosius, Justinian and others, laws defined the various legal grounds and conditions on which divorce and remarriage were permissible. It is sufficient to say that they were relatively lenient. However, no Father of the Church ever denounced these imperial laws as contrary to Christianity. St. Epiphanius of Cyprus (d403) says, “He who cannot keep continence after the death of his first wife, or who has separated from his wife for a valid motive, as fornication, adultery, or another misdeed, if he takes another wife, or if the wife takes another husband, the divine word does not condemn him nor exclude him from the Church or the life; but she tolerates it rather on account of his weakness” (Against Heresies).

However, the Church always remained faithful to the New Testament ideal. Only the first and unique marriage was blessed in Church during the Eucharist. As seen above, second and third marriages, after widowhood, were concluded at a civil ceremony only, and implied a penance of one to five years of excommunication. After this period of penance, the couple was again considered as full members of the Church. A more prolonged penance was required for married divorcees (see canon 87 of Sixth Ecum. Council). The classification of the marrying divorcees among the adulterers—in strict conformity with the Gospel text—implied that they spent sufficient time standing in Church not among the faithful, but at the doorway, with the “weepers,” the “hearers” (i.e., those who listened to Scripture, but were not admitted to the sacraments), and the “prostrators” (i.e., those who held, during certain parts of the service, a prostrated position, instead of sitting or standing).

The Church, therefore, neither “recongized” divorce, nor “gave” it. Divorce was considered as a grave sin; but the Church never failed in giving to sinners a “new chance,” and was ready to readmit them if they repented. Only after the tenth century, when it received from the emperors the legal monopoly of registering and validating all marriages, was the Church obliged to “issue divorces.” It did it generally in conformity with civil legislation of the Roman Empire, and later with that of the various countries in which it developed. But this new situation greatly obliterated in the consciousness of the marriage. Both the Church marriage and the “Church divorce” appeared as a mere formality giving external legality to acts which were generally quite illegitimate from the Christian point of view.

Practically, and in full conformity with Scripture and Church tradition, I would suggest that our Church authorities stop “giving divorces” (since they are secured by civil courts), and rather on the basis of recognition, based upon the civil divorce, that marriage does not in fact exist, issue “permissions to remarry.” Of course, in each particular case pastoral counseling and investigation should make sure that reconciliation is impossible; and the “permission to remarry” should entail at least some forms of penance (in conformity with each individual case) and give the right to a Church blessing according to the rite of “second marriage.”

Manual by Dr. Lewis Patsavos (p.135-

Marriage is as old an institution as the human race itself. Consequently, the legal basis for both marriage and divorce was established long before Christianity itself. In ancient Roman society the dissolution of a marriage was left up to the free consent of the spouses. Both spouses decided by mutual consent to dissolve their marriage, or else one of the spouses sent a libel (formal written declaration) to the other, and this libel was sufficient for the marriage to be considered dissolved. When, however, relations between Church and State had been reconciled, the Church accorded to the institution of marriage the fitting place it deserves. Consequently, legislation was issued guaranteeing the sanctity of marriage. The first step in this direction was the abolition of divorce by mutual consent. It took many centuries, however, before the Church was able to thoroughly influence the state to take the appropriate measures abolishing this type of divorce. It wasn’t until the 9th century, the same century that the ecclesiastical wedding ceremony was totally recognized by the state as having a legal character, that canonical grounds for divorce were established by the competent ecclesiastical authority.

1. Canonical Grounds for Divorce

  • Adultery- the violation of conjugal fidelity by either one of the spouses. In view of the exalted position in which marriage is held by the Church, adultery is equated to death, because it upsets the basis of the marital bond and distresses the purpose of marriage.
  • Apostasy- the abandonment of the Christian faith by one of the spouses.
  • Sponsorship of One's Own Child- at baptism (spiritual relationship arising thereby between baptized child's parents constitutes an impediment to marriage).
  • Entry into the Monastic Life- of one of the spouses upon the consent of the other spouse.

2. Civil Grounds for Divorce

There is no uniformity in the grounds for divorce adopted by the legislative authority in most countries since each country determines its own laws regarding the reasons for divorce. In some countries adultery is about the sole cause of divorce. In other countries, on the other hand, even the compatibility due to difference of character is considered sufficient grounds for divorce.

3. Legal Consequences of Divorce

Through divorce the marital bond is dissolved and the spouses return to the relationship which preceded their marriage. Inheritance matters of the former spouses are regulated according to the legal decrees of the state.
In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts the divorce issued in a court of the first instance is called “decree nisi”. The “decree nisi” is conditional, being operative unless one of the parties involved shall show cause to the contrary. If within a period of six months there is no contestation to the terms of the divorce, the divorce becomes final.

Upon the issuance of the court’s final decision, both spouses are free to enter a new marriage. As for the guilty party in a divorce suit, if one is determined by the court, he or she is usually compelled to wait 2 years before remarriage by the Church.

The children of a dissolved marriage are usually given to the innocent party, unless the court decides otherwise, either with or without the consent of both parents. The expenses for the support and education of the children are usually provided by the husband, unless he is indigent. The court responsible issuing the divorce also resolves this question of alimony.


IT DOESN'T surprise me in the slightest that Tory council leader Peter Thompson is refusing to refund residents for the disastrous performance of the council's refuse collection service ('Give them refunds? Don't talk rubbish', Chronicle, November 6).

He's no doubt saving the money so he can award himself and his little chums from the ICG, who have been propping his administration up for the last four years, another thumping great pay hike if his party wins next May's council elections.

Councillor Thompson already pays himself £46,000 a year for doing his 'voluntary' job.

On top of this, he flew out to

Cannes for a £13,000 council taxpayer-funded junket in the spring when the borough was sinking beneath the rubbish left by the new SITA waste collection service. At one stage, a quarter of recycling and garden waste was left to rot in the streets. But never mind, because Thompson and others were having a thoroughly good time, at our expense, on the French Riviera.

The Tories and their ICG coalition partners know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. Pensioners now have to fork out £25 for the council to collect bulky items of waste, which has led to more fly-tipping.

This, in turn, has meant the council has to pay a six-figure yearly sum for the cost of its clearance. A false economy if ever there was one.

But who cares if whole areas of Hounslow are being turned into a dumping ground - as long as those who lord it over us from the civic centre can continue to have their snouts shamelessly in the trough while hacking away at the education budget for Hounslow?

MRS V K SMITH Crane Avenue


Indian Books on Religion

homework guides for students

Managing Homework Stress Problems: 4 Effective Ways

For some students, completing homework can be even more stressful than sitting for the test. Fortunately, this problem can be solved by using the right methods to target the stressful areas of completing school assignments. Here are 4 effective ways that you can get your homework assignment done without stress.

  1. Stay Organized
  2. Organization is essential to homework success. This means that you need to know where all of your assignments and materials are, including books, notes, pen and paper, and anything else you may need. This can be difficult when you have multiple classes, so don’t be afraid to make a mental (or physical) checklist for yourself. Not only does staying organized cut back on your stress, it saves time because you will not need to dig through your bag to find what you need.

  3. Manage Your Time Well
  4. Time management is something that benefits everyone, especially students battling homework stress. Managing your time means setting aside enough time to do your assignments. It also means avoid procrastination. If you have three weeks to write a research paper, then be sure that you are making time to work on it throughout the three weeks, instead of doing it at the last minute. You can do this by setting goals for yourself to complete by your own deadline.

  5. Bring Home all Materials
  6. Another way to avoid stress from schoolwork is to bring home all of the materials you need. You may not always have the option to go back to school or cram the assignment in during a study hall before class. Therefore, you will need to have your notes, book, and/or actual assignment on hand to complete it. If you struggle with this, consider making a checklist to go over at the end of each day before you walk out of the school building.

  7. Prevent Distractions and Avoid Multitasking
  8. When you try to do multiple things at once (whether it be answer emails, chatting with friends, or doing multiple assignments) it really cuts back on your productivity. Begin by sitting in a calm environment to complete your homework. Then, avoid using your cell phone, do not pull up multiple tabs on your computer, and focus on one thing at a time. This will increase your productivity and significantly reduce stress by cutting back on the time needed to complete each assignment and helping you concentrate.

2017 © All rights reserved.
student resource of homework tips


Performance Measures

Performance Measures for Municipalities

In 2000, Ontario municipalities began participating in a new program of performance measurement - the first comprehensive program of its kind in North America. Specifically, municipalities are now required to annually provide the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing with performance measurement information, and then report performance results to their taxpayers.

Why is Performance Measurement Important for Municipalities?

Municipal decision-makers want to be efficient and deliver value for local services. Taxpayers need to know how their tax dollars are spent and how their services compare both year-to-year and in relation to others. Governments choose to use performance measurement for four main reasons.

  1. Measurement helps improve performance.
  2. Performance measurement strengthens accountability.
  3. Performance measurement stimulates productivity and creativity.
  4. Performance measurement improves budget processes.

For further information follow this link Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - Performance Measures


Friday, January 23, 2015

Breaking News: The Past Is Expanding at a Rapid Rate

Another argument for the humanities.

From our friends at The Onion.  A taste:

WASHINGTON—Painting a stark portrait of a phenomenon that appears to be irreversible, a report published Thursday by the American Historical Association has found that the past is currently expanding at an alarming rate.

The comprehensive 950-page study, compiled by a panel of the nation’s most prominent historians, warns that the sum total of past time grows progressively larger each day, making it unlikely anything can be done to halt, or even slow down, the relentless trend.

“We believe the past is larger now than it’s ever been before,” said College of William and Mary professor Timothy Gibbon, lead author of the report, observing that whole generations of people have already become a part of history, and that if nothing changes, an untold number more can expect the same fate. “Many things that are in the past today were, during our parents’ and grandparents’ time, still in the present—or even the future. Based on precise measurements of its size, we believe the past has subsumed every single person and event that has ever existed.”

“It’s shocking to contemplate, but in the relatively short stretch since 1984, when I first began tracking its growth, the past has expanded by more than 30 years,” he added.


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Product Details

Helps to correct poor seated posture and strengthen core muscles. We all know that sitting in one position for prolonged periods of time is bad for our health. The Posture Cushion overcomes this by encouraging active sitting and giving you a work out at the same time.

By destabilizing the sitting surface, your body is constantly working, making micro movements (often unnoticed). In doing so it helps improve both balance and core stability as you core muscles work to keep the body upright.

As your body becomes accustomed to your improved natural strengthened abdominal and back muscles, you will no doubt feel better, as well as more confident and healthier. Over time you will find that you will retain this healthy seated posture, even when not using the cushion. Core stability muscles are what provide our bodies with the postural support we need when sitting in order to retain a healthy posture.

  4. With Cushion: The Posture Cushion actively encourages you to sit upright in an improved posture. The pelvis is tilted forward, elongated and aligning the spine. Do not slouch whilst using the cushion as this will inhibit any strengthening of the postural muscles.
  6. The Posture Cushion de-stabilizes your sitting surface. Our body is therefore required to perform micro-movements in order to balance and keep ourselves upright. It is through these movements that we strengthen the core stability muscles which provide us with the postural support we need when sitting.


Why I created Warmer.

Before forecast was a thing. We use body to experience the change of temperature. We put more clothes if when we were shivering , and take them off when we started sweating.

Things got a little bit different when we have weatherman and weatherwoman reporting the forecast of the day over the air. We remember them, walk in to our closet and decided what to wear.

Why do I care about this?

For me, checking weather before getting in to my closet has always been a part of my morning routine. In the summer, I don’t have to worry much about temperature changing rapidly in a week or even a day. However, when it comes to winter time, things will get a little bit complicated.

I don’t have to worry about changing shoes in the winter, my winter boots does the job of keeping my feet warm and stable on the icy land really well. But I have to change my pants and sweater frequently. If there’s a wind chill, a freezing rain or just straight up raining after a -30°C day (which happens, believe me), I will have to change my outfit to adapt to the unpredictable Canadian winter.

Sometimes, I don’t have to change my entire outfit inside out. I can just change my jacket to winter coat if the weather has change from -5°C to -15°C. I can add a scarf if the temperature got below -20°C. I can put on an extra sweater over my shirts if there is a wind chill of -35°C.

All of that seems simple, right?

What’s the problem?

The problem is: I still remember what I wore on the previous day. But I don’t remember the temperature. If I am outside, I can definitely tell the difference by letting the my body soak in the air. But there’s gotta be an easy way.

All I wanted to know, actually, was the temperature of the previous day. This might sound silly, the data is just a bunch of numbers with human-defined meaning. But here’s the thing: I know how cold it was, those numbers are tight up with my real world feeling. This is way better than the clothing guideline in some weather app suggests, which recommends the same outfit for everyone in the region.

Therefore, by comparing yesterday and today’s weather, I can use my imagination to feel what today is going to be. Maybe the weather is colder in the morning, but remains the same for the rest of the day. In this case, I can just put on something that is easy to take off when the temperature starting to rise at noon.

Build it!

I searched all over the internet. I could not find a single website/app that could get this done. Then I created warmer.

Warmer has two main components. One, it’s a weather app, it shows the current temperature and condition. A chart with today’s temperature. Secondly, the app fetches weather information from yesterday and display it under today’s graph. So users can visually see the changes. The app is also going to tell you if today’s warmer, colder, or the same.

I used forecast.io for the weather information. And the app is built using Node.js and Express.js. I don’t want to talk about the whole stack since the app is still unfinished. But I am willing to share my objective and projection.

Up until this time. The app is able to fetch user’s location and use the location to gather weather information.

The development is expected to be completed by the end of September. It will have the basic functionalities as described above.

The future of this app

Of course one of the biggest challenge and milestone is to support multiple platforms natively, for example iOS and Android. There are endless possibilities for this idea, such as integrating personal preference on what is to be considered “hot” or “cold”, working along side with connected internet of things devices which have been my ultimate goal of this “Warmer” project.

Check it out! Like I said its still under development, but if you visit every day, I am sure that you will see some new stuff, under the hood or on the surface.

Also, proudly open-source on GitHub.