Learning Basic Computer Shortcut Keys - MS Windows

The one thing that most people suffer from when using a computer, knows the simple shortcuts that are available in order for them to perform a task, or tasks quicker. These shortcuts are known as shortcut keys, and they are very useful, and not only for the novice user, but also for the more advanced computer user as well. Getting to know these shortcut keys will hopefully enable you to cut down on the time it takes for you to perform a certain task on your computer, thus leading to more efficiency in what you are doing, whether at home, school, or work.

Another thing to remember is that the computer manufacturers fail to let the consumer know that these shortcut keys exist, and it is up to the user (consumer) to either figure them out, or if they do know about them, purchase a chart with all of the available shortcuts listed since there is a multitude to learn.

Now some basic computer shortcut keys are:

Alt + F:-- File menu options in current program :-

Alt + E :-- Edit options in current program :-

F1 :-- Universal help (for all programs)

Ctrl + A :-- Select all text

Ctrl + X :-- Cut selected item

Shift + Del :-- Cut selected item

Ctrl + C ::-- Copy selected item

Ctrl + Ins :-- Copy selected item

Ctrl + V :-- Paste

Shift + Ins :-- Paste

Ctrl + Home Ctrl + HomeHome :Go to beginning of current line

Go to beginning of document

End :-- Go to end of current line

Ctrl + End :-- Go to end of document

Shift + Home :-- Highlight from current position to beginning of line

Shift + End :-- Highlight from current position to end of line

Ctrl + <--- :-- (arrow key) Move one word to the left at a time

Ctrl + ---> :-- (arrow key) Move one word to the right at a time

Ctrl + B :-- Bolds the current highlighted selection

BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS by Professionals... for Beginners

Get ready for the most user-friendly basic photography tips there are. Use them every single time you're about to reach for your digital camera.

Use them for family portraits, action photography, baby photography, or pet photography (indoors or outdoors).

Do your photos turn out differently than expected and you wish you could find out why?

Do you feel intimidated by digital photography? That's OK. Many people do, especially in the beginning.

I don't know if you're like me, but the main reason I feel intimidated by new things, is because of that dreaded learning curve. Well, I have good news for you.

By the time we're through going over these basic photography tips, 90% of the learning curve will be behind you, and pretty soon, you'll find these photography tips becoming second-nature to you!

To help with the learning process, you're invited to receive our free newsletter (and free eBook) by completing the form to the left, under the navigation bar.

 

Basic Photography Tip -1 : DON'T TOUCH THAT CAMERA!

Your pulse has risen... the adrenalin is coursing through your body... you can almost taste the excitement! It's time to grab that electronic wonder and take some photos! Just remember one of the most basic photography tips there is--DON'T TOUCH THAT CAMERA. At least not yet. Make sure you first...

1. Get the camera bag
2. If the camera's not in it, put it in (Imagine how you'd feel if you dropped your camera not in it's protective camera bag)
3. Verify that the batteries in your camera as well as the spare batteries are FULLY CHARGED. (You do have spare batteries, don't you?!)
4. If you're going to be shooting indoors, also take the battery charger (I don't know if this should be considered a "basic photography tip" as much as basic planning, but in any case... be prepared.)
5. Determine if you could possibly need any accessories like a tripod,extra lens, filters, etc., and then pack them up.
6. Open the camera and check if the memory is loaded (There's basic photography tips, and then there's BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS. This one is even "pre-basic.")
7. Estimate how much shooting you'll be doing, and take with at least twice that amount of memory. (Nothing is more depressing than an incredible photo opportunity but... no more memory!)
8. If you're off to a major family event such as an anniversary party or a family reunion, don't forget to take the list of portrait posing ideas.You'll be so sorry if you forget!

 

Photography Tip -2 : LIMIT THE CAFFEINE

The biggest cause of blurred photographs is what's known as "camera shake." My personal favorite of all the basic photography tips there are, isdon't do that!

Although you are not consciously aware of any movement, the slower the shutter speed, the greater the chances for camera shake. To avoid ruining shots this way (don't worry-there are plenty of other ways to ruin shots), do your best on the following photography tips:

• Plant both feet firmly on the ground.
• Establish a natural and comfortable photography stance in which your elbows are tucked firmly against your body while the camera is pressed firmly against your face.
• Just before you snap the picture, take (and hold) your breath andgently squeeze the shutter. (If you jerk the shutter down too quickly, because of the excitement felt in taking the "shot of the century," you'll get it alright... but it will be blurred).
• If you've had caffeine (seriously!) or have slight hand shaking, do everyone a favor and use a tripod.
• It won't be embarrassing because you don't have to tell anyone why you're doing it. And, you'll even look more professional!
• If you don't have a tripod handy when you need one, brace yourself against a solid object such as a wall, a tree, or Uncle Bruno.
• Remember the "Inverse Ratio Rule," where your shutter speed should not be slower than 1 divided by the focal length of the lens you are using? You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?

 

OK, quick review; here's an example: if you are using a 100mm lens, you want your shutter setting to be faster than 1/100 of a second. If for whatever reason, you are using a slower shutter speed, please use a tripod or steady yourself against an object.

The waterfall photograph above was taken at F-11 with a shutter speed of1.5 seconds.

If a tripod had not been used, the picture would have been so blurred that you could not even tell what it was supposed to be.

P.S. - the only way to achieve the "angel hair" look to the water is by using a very slow shutter speed.

 

 

 

Basic Photography Tip -3 : IT'S OK TO INVADE PERSONAL SPACE

As "Commander-In-Chief-of-the-Camera" ("CICOTC" for short), you are afforded certain privileges that mere mortals can never hope to attain.

One of the prime rules of etiquette tells us not to invade the personal space of others. However, when it comes to basic photography tips, you are encouraged to ignore this rule.

Depending upon how much of a telephoto lens you have (how much you can "zoom" your camera lens), you want to be close enough to your subject so that they fill at least 85% of the frame, while the background contributes no more than 15%.

The key assumption here is that the background in question is irrelevant. If, for example, you were posing your family for a multi-generational portrait, and it was taking place in front of a giant waterfall, you would probably want to bend the above rule.

The main challenge you will run into when following these particular basic photography tips is when you are taking flash photographs of subjects less than 6 feet away.

Moving from basic to intermediate photography tips for a second, controlling the intensity and type of light can make a huge difference in the final photograph. Some flashes create an unnatural-looking bright appearance. In that case, experiment with the following solutions:

Use an external flash, attached to the hot shoe, and create a bounce flash off the ceiling or a wall

• Attach a diffuser over the flash head to create a softer, less intense light
• Bounce the flash off a white surface (a piece of white cardboard will do) rather than have it aimed directly at your subjects
• Use a "flash deflector" such as Lumiquest's Pocket Bouncer
• If you can increase the ISO setting without creating too much digital "noise," you may be able to avoid having to use a flash entirely
• If you don't have an external flash, it gets a little more difficult. If you have a Point And Shoot, you can experiment with different translucent materials and hold them over the flash; however, unless you can compensate the F-stop or shutter speed appropriately, your subject will likely be under-exposed
• The last option for Point And Shoots is to move the subject next to a window where there is enough external light coming into the room, in order to avoid having to use a flash. In this case, avoid the glare of the glass by shooting at an angle (that's a bonus basic photography tip)

 

Basic Photography Tip -4 : COMPOSITION AND THE RULE OF THIRDS

There are many photo opportunities where it is not only acceptable, but actually preferred, to place the subject in the middle of the frame (examples being group shots of 5 to 15 people).

However, there are other times when doing so will only generate a very boring picture (no, this is NOT a basic photography tip on how to produce boring photos).

One of the most basic photography tips that exists is called "The Rule of Thirds." When composing a shot, divide up the picture frame into a vertical and horizontal grid of thirds (similar to a tic-tac-toe board).

Rather than placing your subject in the middle of the frame, place them at one of the four intersecting points on your imaginary grid. This will usually produce a more compositionally pleasing result. Just remember, like most rules, don't use it for every photograph.

 

How to improve Computer performance in 6 ways

Have you ever been in use your computer / laptop it will froze, crashed or came to a delayed crawl? And we had to restart, miss your work, and waste your time?? WAIT, do not kill a computer! The following tips here are 6 ways to speed up computer.

1. INCREASE VIRTUAL MEMORY

Virtual mental recall is a space your pc uses when it’s reduced of RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a mental recall used when using programs similar to Office Suites.

Resetting a practical mental recall use upon your computer, additionally referred to as pagination, is good approach speed up computer.

How-to Access as good as Reset a Virtual Memory:

On a Start menu, click My Computer. The My Computer window will be displayed. Click View complement information and The Systems Properties dialog box is displayed. In a Systems Properties dialog box click a Advanced tab. Under Performance, click Settings. The Performance Options dialog box is displayed. In a Performance Options dialog box, click a Advanced tab. Find a Virtual mental recall area. Click Change. The Virtual Memory dialog box is displayed. Here we can shift a page record settings. DO NOT surpass a extent since in a properties box of your windows system.

2. STORING FILES ON THE MAIN DRIVE:

Do not store lots of interpretation upon a categorical drive, which is where we implement your windows handling system. Storing program similar to games, financial programs as good as alternative program upon an additional expostulate of your mechanism is an additional approach to urge mechanism performance. The instructions upon how to do this depends upon a handling complement so it is many appropriate to check a assistance territory of your computer’s handling system.

3. RESETTING START UP MENU:

The speed with which your mechanism boots depends upon a volume of programs which have been set to be proposed automatically during booting. Removing nonessential as good as neglected programs from a begin up routine can severely speed up computers during a begin up level.

4. TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE:

Having a complement revive choice upon takes a lot of space from a tough drive. Freeing up a lot of earthy mental recall by branch off complement revive can significantly speed up mechanism as good as urge mechanism performance.

To entrance System Restore: click START, ACCESSORIES, and then click SYSTEM TOOLS, click SYSTEM RESTORE. Once there click revise settings as good as afterwards spin off a complement revive option.

5. ALWAYS CLEANING INTERNET CACHE AND COOKIES:

Temporary Internet files created from internet activities and always created each time you visiting new web page. Cookies and cache can slow down hard drive access because it's junk files.

To purify a cache as good as cookies:

Just click Tools from your browser menus and then Internet Options to undo as good as transparent cache as good as cookies. This should be finished upon a unchanging basement to speed up a mechanism as good as browser. Also, many browsers, like Firefox and Internet Explorer concede we to set involuntary options for cleaning a cache as good as cookies.

6. DEFRAGMENTING HARD DRIVE REGURARLY

Regularly defragmenting your hard drive will significantly speed up computer. This apparatus is partial a of Windows accessories as good as can be accessed from a Start Menu, then click Accessories and then click System Tools.

The Power of Positive Thinking

Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind expects, it finds.

Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not many know how to use it effectively to get results. Yet, it seems that many are becoming attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. This is a subject that is gaining popularity.

It is quite common to hear people say: "Think positive!", to someone who feels down and worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective. How many people do you know, who stop to think what the power of positive thinking means?

The following story illustrates how this power works:

Allan applied for a new job, but as his self-esteem was low, and he considered himself as a failure and unworthy of success, he was sure that he was not going to get the job. He had a negative attitude towards himself, and believed that the other applicants were better and more qualified than him. Allan manifested this attitude, due to his negative past experiences with job interviews.

His mind was filled with negative thoughts and fears concerning the job for the whole week before the job interview. He was sure he would be rejected. On the day of the interview he got up late, and to his horror he discovered that the shirt he had planned to wear was dirty, and the other one needed ironing. As it was already too late, he went out wearing a shirt full of wrinkles.

During the interview he was tense, displayed a negative attitude, worried about his shirt, and felt hungry because he did not have enough time to eat breakfast. All this distracted his mind and made it difficult for him to focus on the interview. His overall behavior made a bad impression, and consequently he materialized his fear and did not get the job.

Jim applied for the same job too, but approached the matter in a different way. He was sure that he was going to get the job. During the week preceding the interview he often visualized himself making a good impression and getting the job.

In the evening before the interview he prepared the clothes he was going to wear, and went to sleep a little earlier. On day of the interview he woke up earlier than usual, and had ample time to eat breakfast, and then to arrive to the interview before the scheduled time.

He got the job because he made a good impression. He had also of course, the proper qualifications for the job, but so had Allan.

What do we learn from these two stories? Is there any magic employed here? No, it is all natural. When the attitude is positive we entertain pleasant feelings and constructive images, and see in our mind's eye what we really want to happen. This brings brightness to the eyes, more energy and happiness. The whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success. Even the health is affected in a beneficial way. We walk tall and the voice is more powerful. Our body language shows the way you feel inside.

Positive and negative thinking are both contagious.

All of us affect, in one way or another, the people we meet. This happens instinctively and on a subconscious level, through thoughts and feelings transference, and through body language. People sense our aura and are affected by our thoughts, and vice versa. Is it any wonder that we want to be around positive people and avoid negative ones? People are more disposed to help us if we are positive, and they dislike and avoid anyone broadcasting negativity.

Negative thoughts, words and attitude bring up negative and unhappy moods and actions. When the mind is negative, poisons are released into the blood, which cause more unhappiness and negativity. This is the way to failure, frustration and disappointment.

Practical Instructions

In order to turn the mind toward the positive, inner work and training are required. Attitude and thoughts do not change overnight.

Read about this subject, think about its benefits and persuade yourself to try it. The power of thoughts is a mighty power that is always shaping our life. This shaping is usually done subconsciously, but it is possible to make the process a conscious one. Even if the idea seems strange give it a try, as you have nothing to lose, but only to gain. Ignore what others might say or think about you, if they discover that you are changing the way you think.

Always visualize only favorable and beneficial situations. Use positive words in your inner dialogues or when talking with others. Smile a little more, as this helps to think positively. Disregard any feelings of laziness or a desire to quit. If you persevere, you will transform the way your mind thinks.

Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. The negative thought will try again to enter your mind, and then you have to replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you choose to look at one of them and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively and ignore negative thoughts.

In case you feel any inner resistance when replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, do not give up, but keep looking only at the beneficial, good and happy thoughts in your mind.

It does not matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. It may take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they do.

Another method to employ is the repetition of affirmations. It is a method which resembles creative visualization, and which can be used in conjunction with it. It is the subject of another article on this website.

The other articles at this website, about the power of concentration, will power, self-discipline and peace of mind also contribute to the development of a positive mind, and are recommended for reading and practicing.

Test Your Eye with Eye Charts

Snellen Chart, Landolt C, Lea Test

I wonder if I see things as clear as others do, or I do more, or I do less....!?

Eye charts are a great help to the objectivity of my assessment of myvisual acuity.

They are of various different kinds, each one designed and made with a different kind of purpose in mind.

Various kinds of symbols have been designed for these charts, facilitating identification by illiterates and children alike. Some of them are the capital block letter "E" turned in different orientations, the "broken ring" chart with different segments missing called Landolt C, eye charts comprisingsimple pictures called Lea Test, et cetera et cetera.

These charts comprise different rows of test symbols in different sizes.

Snellen Eye Chart

You start with the row comprising the largest test symbols and go on identifying them in the next and next rows till you are comfortably able to do so.

Once you face a difficulty in identifying in a particular row, you stop there and your vision is calculated according to its power as being able to identify upto the previous row only.

The calculation part is very easy. The rows are supposed to be identifiedfrom a distance of 200 feet (for the largest one) to 4 feet (for the smallest).

If you can identify the symbols in the 4 feet row from a distance of 4feet, your vision is said to be 4/4 or 20/20 or 6/6.

If you can identify the symbols in the 7 feet row from a distance of 7feet, your vision is said to be 7/7 or 20/20 or 6/6.

If you can identify the symbols in the 10 feet row from a distance of 10feet, your vision is said to be 10/10 or 20/20 or 6/6.

But if you can only identify the 15 feet row (supposed to be identified from 15 feet) from a distance of 10 feet, your vision is said to be 10/15or 20/30 or 6/9.

And If you can identify the symbols in the 20 feet row from a distance of20 feet, your vision is said to be 20/20 or 6/6.

Snellen Eye Chart

If you can only identify the 30 feet row (supposed to be identified from 30feet) from a distance of 10 feet, your vision is said to be 10/30 or 20/60or 6/18.

If you can only identify the 40 feet row (supposed to be identified from 40feet) from a distance of 10 feet, your vision is said to be 10/40 or 20/80or 6/24.

If you can only identify the 50 feet row (supposed to be identified from 50feet) from a distance of 10 feet, your vision is said to be 10/50 or20/100 or 6/30.

If you can only identify the 60 feet row (supposed to be identified from 60feet) from a distance of 10 feet, your vision is said to be 10/60 or20/120 or 6/36.

If you can only identify the 70 feet row (supposed to be identified from 70feet) from a distance of 10 feet, your vision is said to be 10/70 or20/140 or 6/42.

If you can only identify the 100 feet row (supposed to be identified from100 feet) from a distance of 10 feet, your vision is said to be 10/100 or20/200 or 6/60.

If you can only identify the 200 feet row (supposed to be identified from200 feet) from a distance of 10 feet, your vision is said to be 10/200 or20/400 or 6/120 that comes under the purview of legal blindness.

Tibetan monks also created Tibetan eye charts. These eye charts are said to train the muscles and nerves of the optical system, correcting visual problems along with measuring visual acuity.

Vision therapy does the same thing, i.e., correct vision, but only with the benefit that it is instantaneously done through third eye opening.

Defensive Driving course: A primer

Why defensive driving…?

Defensive driving means that you're on guard and ready for what might happen -- cautious, yet ready to take action and not put your fate in the hands of other irresponsible drivers. According to National Safety Council data, 77 percent of all accidents are attributed to driver error. If you become a good, defensive driver, you can cut that percentage significantly.

Here are some important elements of defensive driving:
Allow enough space ahead. Four out of ten accidents involve rear-end collisions, many of which could have been avoided by simply following at a safe distance rather than tailgating. You should allow at least two seconds between your vehicle and the car ahead of you. That gap should be lengthened to three seconds at highway speeds and four or more in rain or other poor weather conditions.

Look ahead. Scan the road and the surrounding area at least a few hundred yards ahead for potential road hazards. Look around on both sides, and keep your eyes open for approaching vehicles, pedestrians, or animals that might enter your path.

Adjust for hazards. By slowing down or speeding up only slightly, or by moving to a different lane position, you may avoid a potentially hazardous situation.

Avoid frequent lane changes. Try to maintain a speed near that of the flow of nearby traffic. Remember your lane discipline and keep right unless passing. Remember to check the blind spot before making a lane change, too.

Use lights and signals. Turn your headlights on in dim daylight, rain, or other low-visibility weather conditions, and remember to always use turn signals. For expressway driving, we also believe that -- when still at a distance - a quick blink of the flash-to-pass feature on your headlights is far safer than the tailgating or the aggressive right-lane passing that often otherwise results. If you're in town, direct eye contact and gentle gestures might help clear any doubts over who has the right of way.

Keep a proper driving position. Maintain a comfortable, upright driving position, with both hands on the steering wheel (preferably at the nine- and three-o'clock positions). This will put you in a better position to make sudden avoidance maneuvers.

Have an escape route. Check your mirrors every few seconds to see what's beside and behind you. Taking into account the position of the cars around you and the road ahead, decide where you could maneuver safely to avoid an accident. Having an avoidance route is essential. If you don't -- say, if the road is narrow and there's no shoulder -- you need to increase your following distance.

Don't depend on other drivers. Be considerate of others, but look out for yourself. Don't assume that another driver is going to move out of the way or allow you to merge. Plan your movements anticipating the worst-case scenario

Keep your speed down. Remember that the posted speed limit applies to ideal conditions. You're responsible for decreasing your speed to match the conditions

Wear your seat belt. It's still the best thing you can do to protect yourself in case the unexpected happens. It's hard to believe there are still those who don't buckle up, even though seatbelt use rates have never been higher.

Cut out distraction. Any time you become preoccupied with distractions, you're letting your defenses up. As always, minimize your eating, drinking, CD-changing, and cell phone conversations. Save them for when you're stopped in a safe place.

It's all about the attitude! Although defensive driving includes all of the above considerations, it's better described as a realization that driving is a privilege that you share with many others, that there are real people in other vehicles -- possibly even family, co-workers, or loved ones - and that aggressive, irresponsible driving on your part could put your life and the lives of others in danger. Defend your life.

Handy Tips To Make Driving Enjoyable

• It is better to get to your destination in one piece than never at all. Going fast really only makes a difference of just a few minutes in most cases and yet your chances of getting into an accident increases 17% for every five miles over the speed limit.
• Do not squeeze in more people than the number of seat belts there are.
• Buckle up your seat belts and ensure that both the front and rear seat passengers buckle up theirs too.
• Turn your head and check the blind side of your car to the lane that you are attempting to filter to. This is the MOST forgotten trick to avoiding accidents while changing lanes!
• If you drink, go public i.e. take a cab or the public transport or have your sober friends drive you back. If for no reason other than the enormous cost and humiliation a DUI brings.
• If you are stressed or tired, drive to the road shoulder or a car park and take a breather or a nap first. Being tired is one of the leading causes of single car accidents.
• Keep a pair of sunglass in the car compartment in case of direct strong sunlight. A pair or reading glasses are good too if you usually need them for close up viewing.
• Never play music so loud that you cannot hear the environment. Someone may honk at you to warn you about something. Do not wear headphones while driving!
• Do not overrun red lights. You never know when someone is “timing” the light on the green side.
• Keep cool, if the driver behind keeps too close to your car indicating that he wants to overtake you, let him do so. Think positive, he may have a valid reason to be in a hurry. In any case, you have better things to think about while driving then the car behind you pressuring you.

About Cholesterol

Certain people should have a cholesterol blood test as part of a 'cardiovascular risk assessment'. These include: all people aged 40 or more, people at any age with a strong family history of early heart disease or stroke, and people at any age with a family history of a hereditary lipid (cholesterol) disorder. If you are found to have a high risk of developing heart disease or stroke then you will usually be advised to take a statin drug to lower your cholesterol level. As a rule, no matter what your cholesterol level is, lowering the level reduces your risk. Lifestyle factors that also reduce the risk include: not smoking, choosing healthy foods, a low salt intake, regular physical activity, keeping your weight and waist size down, and drinking alcohol in moderation. Your blood pressure is also important.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a lipid (fat chemical) that is made in the liver from fatty foods that we eat. A certain amount of cholesterol is present in the bloodstream. You need some cholesterol to keep healthy. Cholesterol is carried in the blood as part of particles called lipoproteins. There are different types of lipoproteins, but the most relevant to cholesterol are:

• Low density lipoproteins carrying cholesterol - LDL cholesterol. This is often referred to as 'bad cholesterol' as it is the one mainly involved in forming atheroma. Atheroma is the main underlying cause of various cardiovascular diseases (see below). Usually, about 70% of cholesterol in the blood is LDL cholesterol, but the percentage can vary from person to person.

• High density lipoproteins carrying cholesterol - HDL cholesterol. This is often referred to as 'good cholesterol' as it may actually prevent atheroma formation.

What are atheroma and cardiovascular diseases?

Patches of atheroma are like small fatty lumps that develop within the inside lining of arteries (blood vessels). Atheroma is also known as atherosclerosis and 'hardening of the arteries'. Patches of atheroma are often called plaques of atheroma.

Over months or years, patches of atheroma can become larger and thicker. So, in time, a patch of atheroma can make an artery narrower. This can reduce the blood flow through the artery. For example, narrowing of the coronary (heart) arteries with atheroma is the cause of angina.

Sometimes, a blood clot (thrombosis) forms over a patch of atheroma and completely blocks the blood flow. Depending on the artery affected, this can cause a heart attack, a stroke, or other serious problems.

Cardiovascular diseases are diseases of the heart (cardiac muscle) or blood vessels (vasculature). However, in practice, when doctors use the term 'cardiovascular disease' they usually mean diseases of the heart or blood vessels that are caused by atheroma.

In summary, cardiovascular diseases caused by atheroma include: angina, heart attack, stroke, transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and peripheral vascular disease. In the UK, cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of poor health, and the biggest cause of death.

What factors affect the blood level of cholesterol?

In most people, your cholesterol level reflects the amount of fat that you eat. This is not the full story as different people who eat the same amount of fat can make different amounts of cholesterol. However, in general, if you eat less fat your cholesterol level is likely to go down.

In some people, a high cholesterol level is due to another condition. For example, an underactive thyroid gland, obesity, drinking a lot of alcohol, and some rare kidney and liver disorders can raise the cholesterol level.

In some people, a very high level of cholesterol runs in the family due to an inherited genetic problem with the way cholesterol is made. One example is called familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Risk factors

Everybody has some risk of developing atheroma which then may cause one or more cardiovascular diseases. However, certain risk factors increase the risk. Risk factors include:

• Lifestyle risk factors that can be prevented or changed:

o Smoking.

o Lack of physical activity (a sedentary lifestyle).

o Obesity.

o An unhealthy diet - including eating too much salt.

o Excess alcohol.

• Treatable or partly treatable risk factors:

o Hypertension (high blood pressure).

o High cholesterol blood level.

o High triglyceride (fat) blood level.

o Diabetes.

o Kidney diseases that affect kidney function.

• Fixed risk factors - ones that you cannot alter:

o A strong family history. This means if you have a father or brother who developed heart disease or a stroke before they were 55, or in a mother or sister before they were 65.

o Being male.

o An early menopause in women.

o Age. The older you become, the more likely you are to develop atheroma.

o Ethnic group. For example, people who live in the UK with ancestry from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Sri Lanka have an increased risk.

However, if you have a fixed risk factor, you may want to make extra effort to tackle any lifestyle risk factors that can be changed.

Note: some risk factors are more 'risky' than others. For example, smoking and a high cholesterol level probably cause a greater risk to health than obesity. Also, risk factors interact. So, if you have two or more risk factors, your health risk is much more increased than if you just have one. For example, a middle aged male smoker who has high blood pressure and a high cholesterol level has a high risk of developing a cardiovascular disease such as a heart attack before the age of 60.

What is a high cholesterol level?

The following levels are generally regarded as desirable:

• Total cholesterol (TC) - 5.0 mmol/l or less. However, about 2 in 3 adults in the UK have a total cholesterol level of 5.0 mmol/l or above.

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol after an overnight fast: 3.0 mmol/l or less.

• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: 1.2 mmol/l or more.

• TC/HDL ratio: 4.5 or less. That is, your total cholesterol divided by your HDL cholesterol. This reflects the fact that for any given total cholesterol level, the more HDL, the better.

As a rule, the higher the LDL cholesterol level, the greater the risk to health.

However, your level of cholesterol has to be viewed as part of your overall cardiovascular health risk. The cardiovascular health risk from any given level of cholesterol can vary, depending on the level of your HDL cholesterol, and on other health risk factors that you may have.

Assessing (calculating) your cardiovascular health risk

A risk factor calculator is commonly used by doctors and nurses. This can assess your cardiovascular health risk. A score is calculated which takes into account all your risk factors such as age, sex, smoking status, blood pressure, cholesterol level, etc.

The calculator has been devised after a lot of research that monitored thousands of people over a number of years. The score gives a fairly accurate indication of your risk of developing a cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years. If you want to know your score, see your practice nurse or GP.

Who should have their cardiovascular health risk assessed?

Current UK guidelines advise that the following people should be assessed to find their cardiovascular health risk:

• All adults aged 40 or more.

• Adults of any age who have:

o A strong family history of early cardiovascular disease. This means if you have a father or brother who developed heart disease or a stroke before they were 55, or in a mother or sister before they were 65.

o A first degree relative (parent, brother, sister, child) with a serious hereditary lipid disorder. For example, familial hypercholesterolaemia or familial combined hyperlipidaemia. These diseases are uncommon.

If you already have a cardiovascular disease or diabetes then your risk does not need to be assessed. This is because you are already known to be in the high risk group.

What does the assessment involve?

A doctor or nurse will:

• Do a blood test to check your cholesterol and glucose (sugar) level.

• Measure your blood pressure and your weight.

• Ask you if you smoke.

• Ask if there is a history of cardiovascular diseases in your family (your blood relations). If so, at what age the diseases started in the affected family members.

A score is calculated based on these factors plus your age and your sex. An adjustment to the score is made for certain other factors such as strong family history and ethnic origin.

What does the assessment score mean?

You are given a score as a percentage chance. So, for example, if your score is 30% this means that you have a 30% chance of developing a cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years. This is the same as saying a 30 in 100 chance (or a 3 in 10 chance). In other words, in this example, 3 in 10 people with the same score that you have will develop a cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years. Note: the score cannot say if you will be one of the three. It cannot predict what will happen to each individual person. It just gives you the odds.

You are said to have a:

• High risk - if your score is 20% or more. That is, a 2 in 10 chance or more of developing a cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years.

• Moderate risk - if your score is 10-20%. That is, between a 1 in 10 and 2 in 10 chance.

• Low risk - if your score is less than 10%. That is, less than a 1 in 10 chance.

Who should be treated to reduce their cardiovascular health risk?

Treatment to reduce the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease is usually offered to people with a high risk. That is:

• People with a risk assessment score of 20% or more. That is, if you have a 2 in 10 chance or more of developing a cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years.

• People with an existing cardiovascular disease (to lower the chance of it getting worse, or of developing a further disease).

• People with diabetes. If you have diabetes, the time that treatment is started to reduce cardiovascular risk depends on factors such as: your age, how long you have had diabetes, your blood pressure and if you have any complications of diabetes.

• People with certain kidney disorders.

The following people should also have drug treatment to lower their cholesterol level, regardless of any calculated risk. The risk calculator may not necessarily take these people into account who have a high risk of developing atheroma.

• People with a total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein ratio of 6 or more (TC/HDL = 6 or more).

• People with familial (hereditary) lipid disorders.

What treatments are available to reduce the risk?

If you are at high risk of developing a cardiovascular disease then drug treatment is usually advised along with advice to tackle any lifestyle issues. This usually means:

• Drug treatment to lower your cholesterol level, usually with a statin drug. No matter what your current cholesterol level, drug treatment is advised. There are several brands of statin drug. They work by blocking an enzyme (chemical) which is needed to make cholesterol in the liver. See leaflet called 'Statins' for details.

• There is no actual target level for people who do not already have cardiovascular disease. However, for those who do have a cardiovascular disease the aim, if possible, is to reduce total cholesterol to less than 4.0 mmol/l and LDL cholesterol to less than 2.0 mmol/l.

• Drug treatment to lower blood pressure if it is high. This is even if your blood pressure is just mildly high. See leaflet called 'High Blood Pressure' for details.

In addition, if you already have cardiovascular disease, a daily low dose of aspirin is also usually advised . Aspirin helps to prevent blood clots from forming on patches of atheroma. See leaflet called 'Aspirin and Other Antiplatelet Drugs' for details.

In addition, everyone should aim to tackle lifestyle risk factors. This means to:

• Stop smoking if you smoke.

• Eat a healthy diet.

• Keep your salt intake to under 6 g a day.

• Keep your weight and waist in check.

• Take regular physical activity.

• Cut back if you drink a lot of alcohol.

If available, and if required, you may be offered a referral to a specialist service. For example, to a dietician to help you to lose weight and eat a healthy diet, to a specialist 'stop smoking clinic', or to a supervised exercise programme.

Can diet lower my cholesterol level?

Changing from an unhealthy diet to a healthy diet can reduce a cholesterol level. However, dietary changes alone rarely lower a cholesterol level enough to change a person's risk of cardiovascular disease from a high risk category to a lower risk. However, any extra reduction in cholesterol due to diet will help. A healthy diet has other benefits too apart from reducing the level of cholesterol.

Briefly, a healthy diet means:

• AT LEAST five portions, and ideally 7-9 portions, of a variety of fruit and vegetables per day.

• THE BULK OF MOST MEALS should be starch-based foods (such as cereals, wholegrain bread, potatoes, rice, pasta), plus fruit and vegetables.

• NOT MUCH fatty food such as fatty meats, cheeses, full-cream milk, fried food, butter, etc. Use low fat, mono-, or poly-unsaturated spreads.

• INCLUDE 2-3 portions of fish per week. At least one of which should be 'oily' (but if you are pregnant you should not have more than two portions of oily fish a week).

• LIMIT SALT to no more than 6 g a day (and less for children).

• If you eat meat it is best to eat lean meat, or poultry such as chicken.

• If you do fry, choose a vegetable oil such as sunflower, rapeseed or olive oil.

Foods that contain plant sterols or stanols can reduce total blood cholesterol level and LDL cholesterol by about 10%. There does not seem to be much evidence however that this has an effect on preventing cardiovascular disease. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) therefore does not recommend that these products are used routinely until more information is available.

How much benefit do I get if my cholesterol level is reduced?

If you have a high risk of developing a cardiovascular disease, or you already have a cardiovascular disease, lowering your cholesterol level reduces your risk of developing future cardiovascular problems. For details on exactly how much risk is reduced by lowering and treating risk factors, see the guidance produced by the Clinical Knowledge Services called 'Cardiovascular risk assessment and management ' -www.cks.nhs.uk/cvd_risk_assessment_and_management

What if I am at moderate or low risk?

Statin drugs are available on prescription and funded by the NHS if your risk is high. If your risk is moderate to low, it should be enough to concentrate on the lifestyle changes mentioned above. However, some people prefer to buy a low dose statin as well. If you do decide to do this, make sure your doctor knows so this can be put on your medical record.

Further help and information

Heart UK

7 North Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1PE

Helpline: 0845 450 5988 Web: www.heartuk.org.uk

Provides information on heart disease and its management by lifestyle and drugs. Aims to help anyone at high risk of heart disease especially families with inherited high cholesterol.

British Heart Foundation

14 Fitzhardinge Street, London, W1H 6DH

Tel (Heart Information Line): 0300 330 3311 Web: www.bhf.org.uk

British Nutrition Foundation

Web: www.nutrition.org.uk

Their website provides healthy eating information

Degree of Academic

An academic degree is an award conferred by a college or university signifying that the recipient has satisfactorily completed a course of study. Academic degrees were first introduced during Middle Ages and there were little differentiation between them. Doctoral training was a form of apprenticeship to a guild. The traditional term of study before new teachers were admitted to the guild of "Masters of Arts", was the same as the term of apprenticeship for other occupations. Originally the terms "master" and "doctor" were synonymous, but over time the doctorate came to be regarded as a higher qualification than the master's degree.

The naming of degrees eventually became linked with the subjects studied. Scholars in the faculties of arts or grammar became known as "masters", but those in theology, medicine, and law were known as "doctor". As study in the arts or in grammar was a necessary prerequisite to study in subjects such as theology, medicine and law, the degree of doctor assumed a higher status than the master's degree. This led to the modern hierarchy in which the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), which in its present form as a degree based on research and dissertation is a development from 18th and 19th Century German universities, is a more advanced degree than the Master of Arts (M.A.). The practice of using the term doctor for Ph.Ds developed within German universities and spread across the academic world.

Get Online Degrees

The term online degrees refers to college degrees (sometimes including high school diplomas and non-degree certificate programs) that can be earned primarily or entirely through the use of an Internet-connected computer, rather than attending college in a traditional campus setting. Improvements in technology and the increasing use of the Internet worldwide have led to a proliferation of online colleges that award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

Quality of learning online

Online education is a proven model for learning, with a lengthy track record. It enables accredited higher learning for individuals living with physical disabilities, busy working class people, soldiers and those living abroad, and stay at home parents to mention a few. There is fundamentally little difference between physically sitting in an auditorium listening to lectures versus watching a webcast video of the professor.

The recognition of the quality of online degrees compared to on-campus degrees varies. While most major online colleges are regionally accredited, the public perception of their quality is in dispute. Some experts argue that degrees in certain fields are more accepted online than in others, while some programs are less suited for online-only schools.

A survey by the Distance Education and Training Council found that 100 percent of employers who responded felt that distance education program graduates performed better on the job as a result of their degree (as compared to their previous performance). Additionally, employers felt that an employee receiving a distance education degree compared favorably, in terms of knowledge learned, to someone with a resident degree. On the other hand, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported in January 2007 on a Vault Inc. survey that found 55 percent of employers preferred traditional degrees over online ones. 41%, however, said they would give "equal consideration to both types of degrees."

The Sloan Consortium, an organization funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to maintain and improve the quality of distance education, publishes regular reports on the state of distance education in the U.S. In its 2006 report "Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006," it stated that "in 2003, 57 percent of academic leaders rated the learning outcomes in online education as the same or superior to those in face-to-face. That number is now 62 percent, a small but noteworthy increase."

In some instances, an online degree may be no different than a degree earned in a campus-based program. The instruction is often exactly the same, and the online degree contains no special designation. An example of this is the degree offered to Columbia University students who earn a degree through the Columbia Video Network (CVN) versus the campus-based program

Anti money laundering

(AML) is a term mainly used in the financial and legal industries to describe the legal controls that require financial institutions and other regulated entities to prevent or report money laundering activities. Anti-money laundering guidelines came into prominence globally after the September 11, 2001 attacks and the subsequent enactment of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Today, most financial institutions globally, and many non-financial

institutions, are required to identify and report transactions of a suspicious nature to the financial intelligence unit in the respective country. For example, a bank must perform due diligence by verifying a customer's identity and monitor transactions for suspicious activity. To do this, many financial institutions utilize the services of special software, and use the services of companies such as C6 to gather information about high risk individuals and organizations.United States federal law related to money laundering is implemented under the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 as amended by anti-money laundering acts up to the present. Many people have confused Anti-Money Laundering (AML) with Anti-Terrorist Financing (ATF). Under the Bank Secrecy Act of USA, Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing are classified when financial institutions file Suspicious Activity Reports (SAR) to Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) which is a US government agency. To effectively implement AML and ATF measures, The US government encourages financial institutions to work together for AML and ATF purposes in accordance with Section 314(b) of the USA PATRIOT Act. However, since financial institutions are required by law to protect the privacy of their clients, section 314(b) cooperation has not been generally adopted by financial institutions. To overcome this obstacle, the United Crimes Elimination Network (UCEN) has been established by AML and ATF professionals to achieve this global cooperation goal in compliance with the privacy laws of most countries.

In different countries and, depending on the activity, demand different action. For example; in the US a deposit of US$10,000 or more requires a CTR (Currency Transaction Report), in Europe it is EUR 15,000, and in Switzerland it is CHF 25,000. In some countries there is no CTR requirement. Suspicion of ML activity in the US requires the submission of a SAR, while in Switzerland a SAR will only get filed if that activity can be proved. As a result, thousands of SARs are filed daily in the US, while in Switzerland the rate is much lower.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime maintains the International Money Laundering Information Network, a website that provides information and software for anti-money laundering data collection and analysis. The World Bank has a website in which it provides policy advice and best practices to governments and the private sector on anti-money laundering issues.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States. Combined, they directly or indirectly provide health insurance to over 100 million Americans. The history of Blue Cross dates back to 1929, while the history of Blue Shield dates to 1939. The Blue Cross Association dates back to 1960, while its Blue Shield counterpart was actually created in 1948. The two organizations merged in 1982, forming the current association. The company has its headquarters in the Michigan Plaza complex in the Chicago Loop area of Chicago, Illinois.

Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield insurance companies are franchisees, independent of the association (and traditionally each other), offering insurance plans within defined regions under one or both of the association's brands. Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers offer some form of health insurance coverage in every U.S. state. They also act as administrators of Medicare in many states or regions of the U.S., and provide coverage to state government employees as well as to the federal government employees under a nationwide option of the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan.

The 14-state WellPoint is the largest Blue Cross Blue Shield member, and is a publicly traded company. Other multi-state organizations include CareFirst in the Mid-Atlantic and The Regence Group in the Pacific Northwest. The largest non-investor owned member is Health Care Service Corporation,[citation needed] which operates four Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in the Midwest and Southwest

 

Women Breast Cancer

Breast Canser

Breast cancer (malignant breast neoplasm) is cancers originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ducal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas. There are many different types of breast cancer, with different stages (spread), aggressiveness, and genetic makeup; survival varies greatly depending on those factors.Computerized models are available to predict survival. With best treatment and dependent on staging, 10-year disease-free survival varies from 98% to 10%. Treatment includes surgery, drugs (hormonal therapy and chemotherapy), and radiation.

Worldwide, breast cancer comprises 10.4% of all cancer incidence among women, making it the most common type of non-skin cancer in women and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. In 2004, breast cancer caused 519,000 deaths worldwide (7% of cancer deaths; almost 1% of all deaths).Breast cancer is about 100 times more common in women than in men, although males tend to have poorer outcomes due to delays in diagnosis.

Some breast cancers require the hormones estrogen and progesterone to grow, and have receptors for those hormones. After surgery those cancers are treated with drugs that interfere with those hormones, usually tamoxifen, and with drugs that shut off the production of estrogen in the ovaries or elsewhere; this may damage the ovaries and end fertility. After surgery, low-risk, hormone-sensitive breast cancers may be treated with hormone therapy and radiation alone. Breast cancers without hormone receptors, or which have spread to the lymph nodes in the armpits, or which express certain genetic characteristics, are higher-risk, and are treated more aggressively. One standard regimen, popular in the U.S., is cyclophosphamide plus doxorubicin (Adriamycin), known as CA; these drugs damage DNA in the cancer, but also in fast-growing normal cells where they cause serious side effects. Sometimes a taxane drug, such as docetaxel, is added, and the regime is then known as CAT; taxane attacks the microtubules in cancer cells. An equivalent treatment, popular in Europe, is cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil (CMF). Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin), are used for cancer cells that have the HER2 mutation. Radiation is usually added to the surgical bed to control cancer cells that were missed by the surgery, which usually extends survival, although radiation exposure to the heart may cause damage and heart failure in the following years.

Breast cancer Treatment

The mainstay of breast cancer treatment is surgery when the tumor is localized, followed by chemotherapy (when indicated), radiotherapy and adjuvant hormonal therapy for ER positive tumours (with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor). Management of breast cancer is undertaken by a multidisciplinary team based on national and international guidelines. Depending on clinical criteria (age, type of cancer, size, metastasis) patients are roughly divided to high risk and low risk cases, with each risk category following different rules for therapy. Treatment possibilities include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immune therapy.

A patient must first go through the staging process to see if s/he can benefit local treatment. It makes use of Clinical, imaging and pathological assessment to make a best guess by the physician. If the cancer has spread beyond the Breast and the lymph nodes then it is classified as Stage 4 or metastaic cancer and requires mostly systemic treatment.

Live tissue samples for testing

Recently live tissue samples from surgery are tested with various chemotherapy agents to derive probabilities of which ones may work better and specially the ones which would not work (Cell-death assays). The companies need the sample within 24 hours of surgical excision. This is specially useful for early stage cancers were a response for the therapy cannot be determined once the wole cancer is taken out during the surgery and the chemotherepy is given in an adjuciant setting. However, the benefits of such tests have not yet been established in clinical trials and is not mainstream.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a marketing practice in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate's marketing efforts. Examples include rewards sites, where users are rewarded with cash or gifts, for the completion of an offer, and the referral of others to the site. The industry has four core players: the merchant (also known as 'retailer' or 'brand'), the network, the publisher (also known as 'the affiliate'), and the customer. The market has grown in complexity to warrant a secondary tier of players, including affiliate management agencies, super-affiliates and specialized third parties vendors.

Affiliate marketing overlaps with other Internet marketing methods to some degree, because affiliates often use regular advertising methods. Those methods include organic search engine optimization, paid search engine marketing, e-mail marketing, and in some sense display advertising. On the other hand, affiliates sometimes use less orthodox techniques, such as publishing reviews of products or services offered by a partner.

Affiliate marketing—using one website to drive traffic to another—is a form of online marketing, which is frequently overlooked by advertisers.While search engines, e-mail, and website syndication capture much of the attention of online retailers, affiliate marketing carries a much lower profile. Still, affiliates continue to play a significant role in e-retailers' marketing strategies.