The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly: A Review

The Wild Rose by Jennifer Donnelly is a jam-packed combination of historical fiction and romance with a healthy dose of adventure. The final installment in the "Rose Trilogy" is released by Hyperion on August 2, 2011.

Called by The Washington Post Book World as "a master of pacing and plot," Donnelly paints with a vivid palette of espionage, blackmail, steamy romance, exotic places, women's suffrage and politics. She is a born storyteller.

Drink mint tea in a Bedouin tent after desert wanderings sustained only by water, dates and courage. Ride an omnibus as it belches and careens over London's cobblestone streets. Watch a photo shoot of an avant-garde composer in Paris as the sun sets. Vivid description flows through this narrative as it travels from 1914 London to the mountains of Nepal and the Arabian Desert.

We are reunited with old friends Fiona and Joe Bristow, Sid Malone and his wife, Dr. India Selwyn Jones. Highlighted are Seamie Finnegan, famous polar explorer and Willa Alden, the "wild rose" and apparent heroine. Willa photographs and maps the Himalayas with a prosthetic leg. Seamie can't decide what woman he loves and winds up a captain in the British navy. Handsome Max von Brandt, a German mountaineer who toys with women for his own advantage, is a colorful, man-you-love-to-hate character. Maud Selwyn Jones, a scandalous lady novelist, is married to one man and mistress to another.

Extensive period detail entrenches us in the historical setting. After seventy pages of the main characters' back stories from The Tea Rose and The Winter Rose, the book takes off at a fast clip. Women seek equal rights in England. Climbers scale mountains in Nepal. Anxious people wait for news of their loved ones at war. Love, lust, jealousy, deception and action-packed adventure intertwine. World War I looms before us. The Dali Lama, Ernest Shackleton, Lawrence of Arabia and Winston Churchill make appearances.

Author, Jennifer Donnelly, lives in the Hudson Valley of New York. She reads widely and considers research more of an art than a science. Her recently published Revolution won the American Booksellers Young Adult Book of the Year and the Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Books. A Northern Light, her coming of age book, received numerous awards. Donnelly's versatility is clear in her creation of The Rose Trilogy.

The stories from The Tea Rose (2002) and The Winter Rose (2008) are intertwined to reacquaint us with characters from the previous novels. Reading the other books in the trilogy will enhance your enjoyment of The Wild Rose, but in case you haven't, Donnelly fills us in on sufficient background. That attempt proves a bit mind-boggling due to the myriad of characters and sub-plots it produces. This reader was sad that minor roles are given to some of the characters I came to love in the first two books.

The novel does yield a refreshing dose of adventure not found in the first part of the trilogy. Their appeal lies in Donnelly's strong, never-give-up female characters, Fiona and India. That element is curiously lacking in The Wild Rose. Here, the author chooses a different tack.

A third book in any trilogy is tricky. Donnelly turns the tables on us by giving her main characters a surprising twist. In The Wild Rose, main characters Willa and Seamie are unlikable, self-absorbed people. Driven Willa uses any quest (mountain, man or fame) as a coping mechanism for her inability to accept her lost limb. When Seamie marries Jenny we are hopeful, but he soon becomes devoid of backbone or honor until the end of the book. Not villains, Willa and Seamie are simply flawed humans clawing their way out of their misery. Some readers may balk at this abrupt change in writing technique. This reviewer found it refreshing. Irritating characters can be more interesting than protagonists. Changing things up a bit is a bold author's prerogative.

Some of the book's themes converge on our current world state, elevating the book's relevance. Political intricacies, horrors of war, drug abuse, and economic crisis mirror many issues facing us today.

Despite the fact that I longed for more character development and fewer characters, I couldn't put the book down. The plot twists seemed outrageous at times, but the novel is engrossing and seductive. Donnelly has a vivid imagination and it gushes through her writing.

Hyperion graciously supplied the review copy. Opinions expressed are unbiased and wholly that of the reviewer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6424526

The Mystery Unfolds on "The Butcher's List"

The Butcher's List is a fantastic mystery-suspense novel written by Roger S. Williams. It is a large chapter mystery written in a unique style. Through out each chapter the author carries his readers into the lives of the town people and also into the life of the murderer.

The setting takes place in a small town called Dalton Ca. The Story opens with a new family moving into town. The father, Vince Swanson has relocated to take over the Dalton General Foods Company. Little did this family of four realize what they were now walking into.

Within a matter of days the town has been turned upside down with the disappearance of a small child. While her brother and friend were out biking they make a pit stop and deep in the brushes the brother, Mark discovers his sister's frail body. One of her legs had been cut off.

As the story continues to unfold the sheriff is faced with trying to solve the murder. Just who is this criminal. Roger S. Williams refers to him as "The Man". Now just who is "The Man". Could he be Rev. White the AME Preacher who throws out the word with a vengeance but behind closed doors he has other issues going on.

Is it the Sheriff Frank Martinez who we learn has an anger issue and a hatred for children. Throughout the book we see him using his authority to push them around. Or what about Ralph Porter, the Sheriff's assistant. He felt like he had been shafted for the position he was in..just who is "This Man". Or is it Peggie's boyfriend. All he does is lay around the house all day drinking and blaming others for why he isn't employed.

One thing I see is "This Man" is out for revenge. Something to took place in his life and he is out to get payback from the town. He wants the parents to feel the pain and agony that he is feeling. This man could be the sheriff, the preacher, the lawyer, the doctor. Come and read along with Roger S. Williams and hold on to your seat and let's see who will be next on "The Butcher's List". This man does all he can to keep one step ahead of the investigators. When they start getting to close he must add them to his list. So quietly he stalks out each of the individuals so he can stay ahead of the game. Then like a rattlesnake he leaps into motion.

A great mystery suspense for mature teens and adults. A book once you start reading you can't put down until you learn the mystery behind "The Butcher's List".

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6476497

The Immortals of Meluha and The Secret of the Nagas - Must Read Books!

The Shiva Trilogy of Books consists of three books, namely The Immortals of Meluha, The Secret of the Nagas and The Oath of the Vayuputras. This trilogy of books has been written by an Indian author, Amish Tripathi and has gone on to become best-sellers within a short period of time.

The first book in the trilogy, The Immortals of Meluha, was first published in 2010 and the second part, The Secret of the Nagas, in 2011. The author is currently working on the story of the last and final part of this mystical trilogy called The Oath of the Vayuputras which is expected to be released in 2012.

The Shiva Trilogy is a tale of epic adventure and is set in the ancient world of Meluha. Meluha is a land of prosperity and piece where all people live in harmony with others and with nature. The entire civilization is based on the principle of Lord Rama and the people living here are his descendents known as the Suryavanshis or People of the Sun. The only dark spot in all of Meluha is that they are constantly attacked by their evil neighbors, The Chandravanshis, who have enlisted the help of the terrorist tribe, The Nagas, to vanquish them.

The Immortals of Meluha, the first part in the Shiva Trilogy, introduces us to the main protagonist of the series, a simple warrior tribesman known as Shiva. Initially reluctant to leave his homeland, Shiva arrives at Meluha and falls in love with the perfect nature of life there and only after sometime discovers that he has a bigger part to play in the destiny of Meluha.

Shiva soon discovers that he has been chosen by the Gods to end the war between the Suryavanshis and the Chandravanshis and to stop the attacks of the dreaded Naga warriors. Shiva also falls in love with the beautiful Meluhan princess Sati, who initially fails to reciprocate his love for her but later, relents and also foils the terrorist attacks of the Nagas.

The second part in the Shiva Trilogy series, titled The Secret of the Nagas, has just been released and has already gone on to become a best-seller due to the massive hype and strong marketing that took place before its launch. This book will take off from where the Immortals of Meluha left and will further reveal interesting facts about Meluha, Shiva, Sati and the Nagas.

Both, The Immortals of Meluha and The Secret of the Nagas, are available at all leading bookstores although it's best to order them through some online retailer because of the amazing discounts they offer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6489930

Blood, Bone, and Butter

There are times while reading Blood, Bone, & Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton that I find myself smiling from the simple pleasure of her prose. A good writer can tell you how she makes pasta. A great writer makes you want to dust the flour off your hands once she has finished telling you how she makes pasta. Gabrielle Hamilton is a great writer.

The opening pages of Blood, Bone, & Butter paint an achingly beautiful portrait of an ideal life lived with the perfect family that you know it will go terribly wrong in short order. And when it does go pear shaped, there is a great sense of loss. I wanted, really wanted, that perfect vision of living the good life to carry on for a little while longer. But that is not what this book is about, that is just the fantasy of what was, like Bambi before his Mom dies. The end of innocence is the beginning of the story.

And there are a lot of stumbles and rambles and pointless meanderings in this 291 page story of one of the best female chefs in NYC. (She is waiting for the day when she is one of the best chefs.) But like the odd and off topic chapters in Moby Dick, I didn't really mind most of it, as I find the author's company charming and her word choices and descriptions always visceral and engaging.

One of the interesting discussion is the fact that women chefs are still something of an oddity in the rarefied world of cooking. This strikes me as odd, since I grew up watching the flamboyant Julie Child and the flaming Graham Kerr. The idea that being a chef is one of the last strongholds of Real Men in America was something of shock when I read Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential-I guess somethings never change. This is kind of like hearing that being a Hair Dresser is the last job for Real Men in America.

Hey, didn't the 19th Amendment pass in like 1919 or something? Just wondering.

More than anything else it brings out my latent desires to cook-to do more than whip up the occasional familiar meal, to make something grand and unusual like the great meals that Gabrielle plans and prepares with those rare and wonderful ingredients that don't seem to exist outside the small world where she lives and moves.

It is funny to read her loving descriptions of unusual and exotic foods, and then have her immediately berate the whole food movement as nothing more than a bunch of morons on both sides of the transaction ruining fresh produce markets with their self righteous views of food.

Gabrielle Hamilton is a chef/author/mother/wife/lesbian/nutso/feminist and she puts her years of college writing classes to good use. She has honed her sentences to brilliance, but like many other great technicians of the English language, she tends to focus of the trees at the expense of the forest. The overall story is a mishmash of random recollections that are loosely tied together in chronological order with food as a central theme. The most jarring bit is when we jump from Gabriellia being a poor schmuck working as a catering cook to being a guest on the Martha Stewart Show and sitting on a panel at The Culinary Institute of America. The transition from her looking at an unrented restaurant to being a celebrity chef appears instantaneous. Her move from lesbian to married with children also seems to happen in the blink of an eye.

Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chefends without any real resolutions to the many issues brought up in the last third of the book. We are left feeling that Gabrielle's greatest accomplishment in life is not being a great chef, but in having the courage to trim a few tree branches. It was still a great read, I just wish it had a bit more structure.

As a portrait photographer I found the author's photo to be a bit odd. Gabrielle Hamilton is standing barefooted behind a house holding an industrial tray of tomatoes. It's an awkward pose and it makes my shoulders and back hurt to look at it. It's one those author's photos I look at and think-you know, I could have taken a better portrait.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6369700

How Christian Books Can Help

Are you a wide reader? Do you love collecting books? Do you prefer fact or fiction? Or is it love stories that you love? Have you ever encountered a book that has changed your life and its course?

As a college student, I used to love collecting books, reading them during lunch break, or in times when I don't feel like listening to my professors. I remember saving all the money I have left from my allowance just to buy the next book I want to read. Buying Christian Books that can change my life has been a real investment for me.

Through reading my Christian Books, you'll be able to learn from other Christians that life is not perfect and that only God can give a perfect LOVE. You'll learnt that He can meet every need of each human being, for He loves them as He loves Jesus.

Christian books helps you to have an encounter with Christ. Through these books, you will be able to know God's desire, God's heart, what plans He has for you, and what great things He has in store for you.

As a Worship Leader in our church, I used to invest in Christian books those talks about leading a congregation through music. I read a lot about Darlene Zschech, and her journey with God. In her books, she imparts more on how God meets her, on how she was so thankful that God is the great lover of all and that He can make things right even when she feels that there's no way out from her situation.

God uses those writers to write about his love. He sends them gifts to write and talk about their love with God. God uses a lot of ways to touch us, to make us feel His presence. To communicate with us, He anointed singers to write His love songs and writers to write His love story.

Christian books are one of the most helpful tools in knowing God's heart. It helps us develop a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. For when we read, we find a place where we can have peace, alone in a room and have a one-on-one conversation with God. Wisdom is a gift from God. The more books you read, the more you'll know Him and the more closely you can get to Him.

There are different books you can find, books about His love as a Father, as a Friend, as a Mentor, as a Companion, as a Servant, as Lover, as a Brother, as a Colleague, the Best Buddy you can ever have.

Invest into books that can change your life, books that can make you closer our Creator, books that can teach you about His love and His passion on you. Spend into books that can help you become a better person, books that can impart wisdom and knowledge about life, love, on how to handle worlds demands. Have a good walk with God through reading Christian Books.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6371056

Panasonic Debuts 16,000-Lumen Projector

Panasonic has unveiled a range of new audiovisual gear for education, such as a 16,000-lumen LCD projector along with a new widescreen classroom projector.

Among the slate of new projectors Panasonic debuted this month is the flagship PT-EX16KU LCD projector, which is created for big venues such as auditoriums and lecture halls. It provides a brightness of 16,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,024 x 768 (XGA), along with a contrast ratio of two, 500:1.

Though particulars are still scant on the PT-EX16KU, Panasonic reported that the high-end unit utilizes a quad-lamp design and light filtering technology, created to create more vivid imagery, and is housed inside a ruggedized chassis. The networkable projector is compatible with Panasonic's free projector management utility, Multi Projector Monitoring and Control Software program.

The PT-EX16KU is expected to ship in September for $29,999.

The business has also unveiled a new line of classroom and small-venue projectors, the PT-VW330 series, consisting of 3 models.

The PT-VX400U offers a brightness of four,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,024 x 768 (XGA), along with a contrast ratio of two,000:1. The PT-VX400NTU provides a brightness of 4,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,024 x 768 (XGA), along with a contrast ratio of two,000:1. The PT-VW330U provides a brightness of 3,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,280 x 800 (WXGA), and a contrast ratio of two,000:1.

The PT-VX400U is anticipated to ship in September for $2,399, and also the PT-VW330U ought to also be available in September for $1,679. The PT-VX400NTU will probably be rolled out later this year for $2,499.

The PT-VW330 series includes wireless presentation technologies and an optional device called the Easy Wireless Stick (ET-UW100) for iOS devices like the iPad. A free application, the Panasonic Wireless Projector, is available for iPhone and iPad as well.

Other features of the PT-VW330 series include:

1.6x optical zoom;

Simple Setting feature to help with automatic correction courtesy of a built-in camera sensor;

Automatic reduction of energy consumption based on the projected image.

Other new offerings from Panasonic include the PT-DW730 and the PT-DX800. The PT-DW730 offers a brightness of 7,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,280 x 800 (WXGA), along with a contrast ratio of two,000:1. The PT-DW730 should be available in August for $10,999 to $11,399.

The PT-DX800 provides a brightness of eight,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,024 x 768 (XGA), and a contrast ratio of 2,000:1. The PT-DX800 ought to be available in August as well for $10,949 to $11,349.

Also of note, Panasonic's LFT30 and LFP30 Series Expert LCD Displays had been unveiled for use both indoor and outside applications. The units are created to be lightweight, portable, and energy-efficient. The LF30 series is envisioned for big, open locations. The LF30 and LFP 30 are anticipated to become available in October. The LFT30 is anticipated to ship in January. Pricing was not accessible at press time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6383057

New York Times - The Saga Continues

Can print journalists be objective about the future of news? Page One attempts to answer this question in 17 essays and interviews with respected and well-known writers from various positions in newspaper and public affairs worldwide.

David Folkenflik, NPR's award-winning media correspondent based in New York City, edits the book.

The project was originally a documentary film shown at Sundance in January 2011. At the core of the film is a story told by journalists in the business representing different generations. David Carr, a former drug addict, is out of central casting as an eccentric, old school, gravely voiced reporter. On the other side of the proverbial desk is Brian Stelter who epitomizes the model of a fresh faced, new media journalist.

The essays contained in the book cover the global challenge of how will newspapers and professional journalism survive in the age of the digital demon Websites like WikiLeaks, Gawker, Politico, and the Huffington Post.

For a reporter, a job at the New York Times equaled being admitted to Harvard University. The romance of the New York Times held forth until 2007 as things began to change. After the paper moved into its resplendent and high-tech new home across town, even the Times could no longer hold off the advance of a changing landscape and stuttering economy.

Kate Novack and Andrew Rossi created this idea for a film project. Novack and Rossi are husband-and-wife documentary filmmakers. An earlier film by this team is "Eat This New York," about friends trying to start a restaurant in Brooklyn.

Each essay reveals, and offers solutions, to the various ailments of the newspaper business. Some take on the Internet as the insect that infected journalism and caused it to wither away.

The history of the newspaper business is filled with stories of deals gone bad, buyouts, massive firings and questionable business decisions about what is news and what people want or will read.

James O'Shea is the former managing editor of the Chicago Tribune and then the editor of the Los Angeles Times. In his essay, he chronicles the calamitous events when the Tribune Company of Chicago acquired Times Mirror Company of Los Angeles.

O'Shea calls it the "Deal from Hell," as the arrangement emptied the Times of nearly 50 percent of its news staff and changed the editorial style from one of hard news to cotton candy.

He is emphatic that it is not the Internet that was not the cause of declining readership but the reaction of those who are in charge. O'Shea said, "The lack of investment, greed, incompetence, corruption, hypocrisy, and downright arrogance of people who put their interests ahead of the public's," as the reason newspapers are having problems.

Others, such as the piece by Jennifer 8. Lee, taught the paper how to embrace the electronic frontier and see it as a way to flourish as it never could before by creating a new arm for its staff to explore; the blog.

Chapter Eight by Evan Smith, former editor and president of Texas Monthly, writes about a growing anecdote to the threatened loss of real investigative journalism, which are the grant and donation supported nonprofits. These entities are creating a new business model: public news organizations.

In this chapter Smith describes these organizations as the saving credible journalism in a world of one sided and un-vetted opinion.

The mission of nonprofit and nonpartisan journalism is to disseminate the product, investigative reporting, to news agencies for free. They can afford to do this as large grants, foundations and contributions fund the newsrooms. The idea is to keep good journalism alive and good journalists employed.

The first of this new breed is ProPublica in New York followed by the Texas Tribune out of Austin and the Bay Citizen in San Francisco. It is a model being emulated around the country.

The Associated Press is expanding on its own model to distribute content from nonprofit news organizations to newspapers around the world. Investigative News Network, another nonprofit, has 51 members of news organizations also producing investigative journalism available to newspapers and other outlets.

The manuscript/script is thorough, thoughtful, and exceptionally well written. Each essay offers another wrinkle in the evolutionary saga about the fate of newsprint. All of the authors, including Alan Rusbridger, Editor in Chief of The Guardian newspaper and executive editor of its sister Sunday paper, the Observer, and Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State, have something of value to bring to the story.

For those interested in the status of how news is being analyzed and delivered, Page One is a most encompassing volume on the issue of the future of journalism and newspapers. Highly recommended.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6416995

A Dying Trade or a Niche Opportunity? Become a Master Thatcher

At the forefront of conserving buildings of heritage for generations to come, thatching is an extremely important job that is carried out by small dedicated number of craftsmen around the country. Being up on a roof for eight to ten hours a day, completely at the mercy of the elements is certainly not suited to everyone. But those people who do it, and have a passion for it - often passed down through the generations, have a very different opinion. For them it's much more than just an occupation, and the work they do lives on as a reminder that some things truly are worth keeping.
As one might expect of a specialist industry such as this, thatching work tends to be more widely available in places where old buildings and heritage have played a significant role in the history of the area. Equally, due to the nature of thatching being a somewhat irregular affair that's only needed once every hundred years or so, work tends to be carried out by firms who also do carpentry work and other associated practical tasks.
Thatching is an interesting and fascinating skill to learn, but naturally, and as with any occupation, there are downsides. One being that thatchers have little or no protection from the elements and are often forced to work in conditions which are occasionally less than satisfactory, such as standing on top of a building exposed to high winds and heavy rain. On top of this there are endless splinters and blisters to contend with, and a certain hardiness is required in order to brave a full working day and everything it can throw at you.
Still, those wishing to pursue thatching as a career learn to love their job and make the most of the many and varied benefits: namely the satisfaction of knowing that their work will see the roof of a listed building live on for many more years to come. And there is far more to this job than merely laying the reeds on the roof's: before this can be done it needs to be cut down (in January and February), cleaned with a pitchfork and braided into individual bundles, before being hoisted up for use above ground.
So what makes a good thatcher? Well you should enjoy working with your hands and have a genuine interest in being a craftsman of time honoured trade. Manual dexterity, ability to work efficiently, ability to work at heights and a love of the outdoors would also be beneficial.
So where to begin if you do choose this? Well, first of all (most companies being in the UK) you'd want to find out who does the thatching in your area and ask if there are any openings as a apprentice. Generally apprentices are taken on at an early age and an employer would favour candidates with carpentry skills. Don't expect to find jobs posted online or in the newspapers: thatching is a closed-community, and those who succeed in becoming apprentices usually possess an ability to be self-motivated and are quite capable of thinking on their feet. There are also some courses available in the UK, although these are few and far between.
As an apprentice you will have to prove yourself by doing a lot of the manual work such as carrying materials and cleaning before being given a chance to learn the trade. As for what happens next, that's entirely up to you. After doing an apprenticeship, many thatchers choose to open their own business which can prove to be very lucrative; equally, though, success can be had working for one of the few established companies, eventually leading to a senior position.
The last thing you need to remember about thatching is that it's a love-over-money occupation, meaning many choose thatching as a lifestyle rather than a way to a fast buck. If your serious about finding an interesting career in this niche traditional industry then get in touch with National society of Master Thatchers to find firms in your area.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5966091

Career in Finance: What to Look For

After you graduate, the next step is to look for a stable job so that you can have a bright future. However, this is not an easy thing to do since there are several people, like you, are also searching for a job. If you are competent enough, you will surely find one that will best suit your degree and your chosen profession.
A career in finance is one of the most sought after job all over the world, especially those who have a degree related to this kind of field. There are several various firms that you can work for after your graduation. This is the main reason why you need to do a thorough research to discover some of the careers of the industry that catch your attention.
To give you a suggestion, some of the careers that you can have are sales and trading, private equity, investment banking, financial planning, corporate finance, commercial lending and commercial banking. If you do some thorough research in each category, it will be easy for you to extend your abilities that are needed to stand out in this field in the future.
A career in finance can take place if you have a degree in statistics, economics and math. However, since the market is extremely aggressive, you have to make yourself excel by gaining an MBA course afterward. You do not have to obtain one after several years of work because there are some people who are still studying even if they are old.
Aside from this, it is good to read some journals and join some seminars or become a member of a specialized association. You also need to be well informed of the newest developments and upsurge your set of connections because someone you know may find you a particular job you are looking for. On the other hand, for those who do not have any idea at all on what career in finance to practice, you can ask your professor or other people that have knowledge in this matter.
Definitely, they can tell you what sort of job is very much associated to your degree. If you know exactly what you are looking for, then this is the time to search for companies that will give you an appropriate work. If the company that you search does not have any positions available, you can leave your resume so that if there is an opening, they can contact you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6066603

The Networking Survival Guide

Networking is very important in whatever we do. Whether you want to get sales leads, find a new job, have new friends, enhance your career or get referrals, networking is one of your success tools. Diane Darling, the author of this text entitled "The Networking Survival Guide" is the founder and chief executive officer of Effective Networking, Inc., a Boston-based company that educates people on how to network.
Darling says this text is here to help you build your networking skills, gain confidence in your networking abilities and make good things happen in your business, career and life. Darling stresses that whether you are planning a career change, raising funds for a new business venture, adding to your client base, or simply expanding your business and personal contacts, you will learn how to make networking your most direct path to success.
She assures that this text provides answers to all your questions and guides you step-by-step through each phase of the networking process. This author adds that the text also helps you find the style and approach that is right for you. Darling submits that you will also learn in the text, how to set your networking goals; form a strategic plan to reach your goals; identify and develop potential contacts; follow up on leads and turn them into opportunities; make good things happen to your career; and become a resource for fellow networkers.
The text is divided into 18 chapters. Chapter one constitutes the introduction. Here, this author says networking is the art of building and sustaining mutually-beneficial relationships. According to her, from your first conversation in the morning until your last conversation at night, you are networking.
According to Darling, many people do not realise they are networking when that is exactly what they are doing. If you have lunch with someone a few times a year to stay in touch, that is networking, she says.
The author educates that you need other people in your life and they need you too. "It is unrealistic and impractical to do everything by yourself. You need others to help you get things done, both in business and personally... When you know the right person to get a task accomplished, and he or she returns your phone call, you save time, money, energy," she expatiates.
This author explains that some of the reasons why people network are business development or sales; raising business capital; getting a job, assistance with career management, or a job transition, etc.
According to Darling, this book is written from the business perspective, rather than the social or personal. She says most of the examples will involve business professionals seeking to expand their network. Darling adds that these principles can also be applied to those who are seeking to network for any of the other reasons.
"For example, you want to start a business and need working capital. You want to network to people who can help you. Or if you are job hunting, you want to expand your network to learn about companies and where you can make a contribution. If you are raising funds for a music camp, you want to find out who the alumni are and/or who loves music and would want to make a donation," educates the author.
Chapter two is based on the subject matter of what networking is and what it is not. Here, Darling says creating a new network in an unfamiliar community can be taxing. According to her, networking is sometimes confused with schmoozing. She explains that schmoozing has the connotation that you are getting something from someone with no benefit to the other person. Griffiths says it is a take situation. Going back to the dictionary, there are several definitions of schmoozing and it is about conversation, educates the author.
In his words, "There is also a definition, 'to gain an advantage or make a social connection'. That's how most people feel when someone is schmoozing them. It's also why many of us don't like to go to networking events. We don't want to be part of that group. Those people often come across as social climbers."
In chapters three to nine, Darling discusses concepts such as getting started to create a plan; preparing for networking; networking accessories; body language, voice and words; conversations; places to network and best practices.
Chapter ten is based on the thematic focus of best practices when it is face to face. Here, this author says from walking in the door to walking out, this chapter provides step-by-step guide to successfully navigate a networking event. According to Darling, wear something that makes you feel confident and will make it easier for someone to describe you.
"Men can wear a tie with a nice design, and women can wear a suit in a colour other than navy, brown, or black. Before you head to an event, conference, or meeting, you need to pack your Networking Survival Kit. The purpose is to have everything you need for networking in one place," guides this author.
In chapters 11 to 17, Darling analytically X-rays concepts such as follow-up techniques; best practices when not face to face; how to maintain and grow your network; ethics; what to do if you do not feel like networking; gender, race, culture and other networking factors; and evil network.
Chapter 18, the last chapter of this text, constitutes the summary of the text. This chapter contains resource guide; notes; bibliography and index.
As regards style, this text is outstanding. The language is simple. In terms of presentation, the text is didactic, reflecting a product of high level of research.
Darling makes abundant use of graphical embroidery to visually reinforce the understanding of readers. This author also includes a summary section in every chapter to achieve recapitulation and enhance readers' understanding. He uses classical/literary allusions for conceptual amplification and to broaden readers' mind.
However, in terms of positioning, chapter 12 should have come to chapter 11 for proximity of contrast with chapter ten or to achieve immediate conceptual counterbalance.
Generally, this text is must-read for all those who want to enhance their business, career, etc. through effective networking. It is intellectually illuminating.

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Career Book Review: Job Searching After 50 by Carol Silvis - A Mature Worker's Competitive Advantage

Skills and Qualifications
The job search process begins by matching your unique abilities with a company that needs them. Define your purpose for working. Whether it's full or part-time will guide your employment pursuits. Shift the focus from your age to how your workplace, transferable and life skills meet the needs of the employer. Consider too, your personal traits, like energetic and forward thinking, vs. the old-fashioned ways of a mature worker. Share only relevant abilities vs. listing every duty you've done over your 30-year career span. Too much experience can shun an employer. This is the age of lifelong learning. Keep your skills current by attending classes, workshops, earning a degree or certification, participating in online webinars, etc.
Resumes and Cover Letters
No career assessment would be complete without attention to resumes and cover letters. For older workers, key elements to a successful approach include:

• Accomplishments vs. Duties. Highlight your unique value-added accomplishments at companies you worked for, vs. mere duties.
• Contact Information. Provide any links to your professional online presence, including blogs and/or websites.
• Digital Resumes. Write a targeted resume for each desired position. Use industry-specific keywords to help with search engine optimization (SEO), to increase the odds of being read by a person.
• Education and Training. If you earned your degree more than 20 years ago, omit your graduation date.
• Qualifications Summary vs. Objective. A qualifications summary highlights your major accomplishments, skills, education and personal traits. It's a brief paragraph or bulleted list that employers can easily scan; and provides more insight than an objective.

Always include a well-written cover letter. It increases your odds of grabbing an employer's attention; and provides an opportunity to expand on information not resume appropriate, including salary history.
Technology
Today, computer skills are essential, both in the workplace and during your job search. Increasingly, employers require such abilities for hire; and many available jobs are now posted exclusively online. Research a company's website to determine its key players. Use industry-related key words in online applications, cover letters and resumes. "This is not the time to say you are too old to use technology or have no use for it," says Silvis.
Now, social networking is a necessary component of your job search. Maintain a professional presence on the big three platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Many employers use these sites as recruitment tools; and mastering them can increase your odds of being discovered for industry-related positions.
Networking
Networking is a ubiquitous word; and its need is often downplayed, especially regarding mature workers. "Creating a solid support system is important for job seekers, especially as they age," says Silvis. It's challenging to conduct job searches in a healthy economy and even tougher in an anemic one.
Build and nurture long-term relationships; and you're networking. It's also a two-way process. Before constructing a contact list, define your networking goals. The most successful network includes a mix of both personal and professional contacts. Consider everyone you know, including your dentist, hair stylist, Post Office clerk, etc. Choose enthusiastic, optimistic people. Finding a job is often a numbers game; and it's never too late to begin or resume networking.
Attitude, Appearance and Energy
It's not easy to maintain a positive attitude when you experience a job loss before you're ready to retire; but you must, especially as a mature worker.
It's hard to hear that your appearance needs updated, but it may be a roadblock in your job search. Comb-overs on balding men, and outdated hairstyles can convey antiquated skills as well. Consider doing a makeover at a department store or salon. It will not only enhance your appearance but boost your self-confidence too.
Employers seek candidates who will fit in and bring positive energy to the workplace.
Mistakes Job Seekers Over 50 Make

• Failing to Get Along with Other Generations. Today's workplace is multi-generational, with as many as four different generations working together. As a mature worker, you must ask yourself how you'd feel being interviewed by someone your children's or grandchildren's age? Could you interact as a colleague instead of a parent figure?
• Unwillingness to Change. A younger interviewer may be concerned that an older worker is stuck in their comfort zone; and resists change. Expand and consider how your skills can be industry-transcendent, if your former field is extinct.
• Being Overqualified. "Having too much baggage, even in the form of experience, should not be mentioned," says Silvis. Focus on specific skills and accomplishments, not your previous titles, which can make you seem overqualified."
• Not Embracing Technology. Make sure you're current in the software programs employers are requiring in want ads and job descriptions.
• Lack of Enthusiasm. You must convey your enthusiasm and eagerness to land the job through your mannerisms and words. Express your anticipation.

Who's Hiring?
Job seekers over 50 may be surprised at the number of their seldom-considered employment options. They include:

• Adjunct or Full-Time Teacher/Tutor. Teaching is a wonderful opportunity, for you as an older worker, to convey your expertise to younger generations.
• Entrepreneurship. Launch a business of your own, utilizing your niche skills and expertise.
• Government. Think out of the box with regards to government jobs. Consider Homeland Security, the IRS and U.S. and state transportation departments, parks and recreation, etc.

Instead of applying for traditional jobs, use your imagination and creative skills to land an exciting, enjoyable job in a fun environment, or create your own. "Sometimes a complete change of venue affords the most rewarding opportunities," says Silvis.
Creating a Success Plan
Statistically, mature workers endure a longer job search. Persevere. Be willing to put everything you have into your employment search, until successful. Set goals, write them down; and take consistent action to achieve those goals. Break major goals into secondary goals that serve as benchmarks toward your progress. Tie each secondary goal to action steps. Realize that setbacks are inevitable, but persist.
Expect to find the right position for you. Reinvent yourself, if necessary; and adapt to available jobs. Challenge yourself. Step out of your comfort zone; and try new things. Visualize success. Be constantly aware of what you're aiming to accomplish, and what it will like when realized it's realized.
No one will ever care more about your career and job search than you. Throughout Job Hunting Over 50, "Take Charge" summary boxes serve as signs of your career success accountability.


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Top 10 Popular Science Books

1. Annals of a Former World, by John McPhee
In patient, lyrical prose, McPhee takes the reader on a geologic journey through the United States. This volume was originally published as 4 books; each is centered on a road trip the author took with a geologist, observing the earth next to Eisenhower's great US highways for clues into its geologic past. Annals has this--no borders, idealistic, On the Road for geologists kind of feel (though a bit more grown-up.) I pick up Annals every once in a while when im in a relaxed mood, when im looking for a good example of literary science writing. Highly recommended as a companion for camping trips, if you can fit it into your pack.
2. Surely You're Joking, Mr, Feynman, by Richard Feynman
A string of excerpts from Feynman's life/career, Surely You're Joking is probably the popular science book I have read through the most times, not because it is short, but because it is at once compelling, understated, and full of indispensible scientific concepts. Richard Feynman has an uncanny ability to make physics easily digestible, his lectures are a testament to that and Surely You're Joking is no exception. Feynman's easy prose makes the reader feel like physics is understandable, as if he has laid out a diagram of the universe on his living room floor--no one is an outsider. It's delightful. Feynman's in my 'top 5 people I would give my right pinky finger to meet' category.
3. A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson
The second heavy volume on the list, A Short History is packed with nearly everything. It takes a look at the science behind a lot of things--beauty, cells, evolution, the universe. Bryson rejects the traditional notion of a 'textbook' with this book, making science seem relevant in our daily lives AND putting this knowledge in the context of the universe--in space and time. Capturing the detailed nooks where science is often concentrated AND eliciting the wonder of the wider perspective is an accomplishment--savor it wherever you can find it. Great in audio book format.
4. The Richness of Life, collection of essays by Stephen Jay Gould
The idiosyncratic Gould has written articles in Natural History and many other science magazines for decades and is one of the most widely read modern science writers. In this collection of articles, Gould's highly intellectual, witty, and pin-accurate prose explains evolutionary theory, racism or baseball with a scientist's eye, but in a way that engages the layman. Gould's dedication to science shows in every piece. Delightful.
5. The Canon, by Natalie Angier
Someone at the New York Times science desk once told me--"Natalie Angier is the queen of metaphor." I have to agree. The Canon is the best example of her witty prose winding the reader through simple scientific questions with difficult answers. In this book, Angier tackles what she has deemed the basic scientific concepts everyone should know: thinking scientifically, probabilities, calibration, physics, evolutionary biology, chemistry, molecular biology, astronomy and geology. Phew. I have to say--this could have been very text-book, but because of her writing style, is masterful. I actually have had many non-scientist friend recommend this to me, which is always a good sign.
6. Universe in a Teacup, by K.C. Cole
Where can you find a book that successfully intertwines the discipline of mathematics, with the concepts of truth and beauty? Universe is just such a book; K.C.'s most popular and in some ways seminal volume. Metaphors she uses pack a punch. Her prose style is somewhat poetic, and in Universe, she proves adept at explain things like chaos or phase transitions are illuminating--not just because you finally understand some science concept that always seem so obscure, but because Cole has also given the you a new way to think about mathematics and the world alongside your new understanding. (Full disclosure--Cole was my academic mentor)
7. The Code Book, by Simon Singh
Packed with information about the history of codes, how to break them, and who figured it all out, this book has a kind-of James Bond appeal. Various scientists and politicians have acted as code-makers and code-breakers from antiquity until modern day, and codes are increasingly important in computer technology and national security. The stories behind the codes are so fascinating i hardly even realized that i was learning about the mathematics of code theory in the process.
8. Enduring Love, by Ian McEwan
Ok, so not everyone would categorize this as a popular science book, but Ill include it anyway. Enduring Love is a fiction book, partially written from the perspective of a former scientist, but more importantly, it is a suspenseful story that lets the author's attitudes towards life bleed through each and every page. Ian McEwan is a well-know rationalist who believes that science is just as much a part of culture as anything else--a position with which I very much empathize. This is a literary tale, sure, but McEwan manages to mention scientific ideas all over the place, integrating science and its ways of thinking into the lives of his complex characters and slowly revealing situations. It's a page-turner.
9. The Double Helix, by James Watson
Though scientist James Watson doesn't have a Stephen Jay Gould command of language and metaphor, The Double Helix still stands as an absolutely riveting account of the series of events that lead up to the discovery of DNA's structure. In the book, scientists Watson, Crick, Maurice Wilkens, and Rosalind Franklin become fascinating characters in a race to figure out what DNA looks like at a molecular level. Each has their own motivations. Each has their own complications. All but Franklin eventually received a Nobel Prize for this work (she died before the award could include her.) A quick, easy read.
10. In the Shadow of Man, by Jane Goodall
A classic book--easy read, no jargon. Goodall's observations of chimpanzee's in the wild first brought to light one of man's most recent ancestors--the chimpanzee. This book chronicles some of Goodall's groundbreaking research through her own observations about chimp behavior. Once immersed in the book, I couldn't help but think--we are all just apes, evolved from or related to one another. Puts things in perspective.

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The Human Mind is Incredible - A Book Review for You

To master your mind, you are really going to need to understand the human brain - how it works, why it works, and how come it works so well. For this you are going to need to do quite a bit of research, because the human brain is rather complex, although its structure appears to be rather simplistic at first glance - but I assure you it's not at all, not in the least.
Okay so, I'd like to point you to a very good book to read on this topic, one I personally own, and have read myself. There is information on every page, and it is all well-footnoted. The name of the book is:
"The Universe Within - A New Science Explores the Human Mind" by Morton Hunt, Simon and Schuster, New York, NT, (1982), 415 pages, ISBN: 0-671-25258-5.
Although this sounds a lot like a new-age religious book, it really isn't - it's much more a science book, having to do with topics of neurology, brain structure, and how the human mind works - although indeed with a title like that it does sounds like it's a book for the new-age religion folks - it's not. And even though this was written back in 1982 without the modern understanding we have today of the human brain - the author reasoned his way through those unknown details for a very applicable summation, contemplating things we now know to be fact.
Indeed, he thus, deserves a lot of credit for that, I am impressed. The great thing about Morton Hunt is that he does not stick to a strict theory of either nature or nurture when it comes to the human mind, that is to say humans are not "pre-programmed" as he says that's an inaccurate statement. But at the same time, we are not exactly a product of our training, experience, and environment alone either. I do hope you will pick up a copy of this book, as you will be amazed how well-thought out his decades of research are. Please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

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The Biology of Belief - Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles

Epigenetics is a new field of biology that is been explored by Bruce. He unravels the obscure nature and behavior of cells under the influence of the environment. His view is that every individual cell functions as a universe, while the membrane saves the cell from foreign bodies and acts like the security guard who lets in the 'beneficial' and keeps out the 'harmful'.
We know that the 'cell' is the structural and functional unit of all living things, plants and animals. Lipton illustrates to us that the cells possess some kind of intelligence and therefore the cell can be taught through thinking and experience. As a result people should act and react in a positive manner to the environment, thoughts, suggestions and to outside energy.
We have enormous influence on the intellectual composition and framework of this cellular structure. Our influence can be so large that the cell genetics can be changed. The genetic propensity can also be changed by teaching the individual cell what to do next and also by shifting our mental and physical environment so that each and every cell can know and comprehend the type of alterations they need to create.
I found the topic of discussion in the biology of belief outstanding, we have all heard or perhaps have friends that are never ill or do not suffer from colds and flu as most other people do. This book and other experiences in my life make me think that just maybe if we believe that we will be healthy and have a positive outlook on life then we will be healthier, interesting read.


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Man and His Planet: An Unauthorized History

In his book, 'Man and his Planet: An Unauthorized History,' James E. Strickling Jr. presents an analysis of a topic that has been debated by scholars, scientists, and religious leaders for generations - Creation versus Evolution. In his book, he examines both sides and provides an argument that refutes both their conclusions. His argument is based on the following specific line of reasoning: "Natural selection is Science's equivalent to religious fundamentalism and Creationist's interpretation of the origin of life as the 'Great Mistake.'" The overall objective of 'Man and his Planet' is to show that the creationists' "fixity of species" and the evolutionists' "very orderly gradual evolution of life on earth" are in error, and it is disadvantageous for them not to listen to opposing views as there is another potential alternative to how life emerged and evolved.
Strickling contends that "the creationist system of belief offers little value to our understanding and enlightenment." He also challenges the evolutionary concept of speciation by natural selection by arguing: "By surviving, it produces a circle; the surviving species survive because they are the fittest, and they are adjudged to be the fittest because they survive. Explains nothing - survived has survived. There are no facts to support speciation by natural selection." Instead, Strickling argues that natural selection allows a species to maintain its identity by means of natural selection.
Strickling provides an account of the Standard Geological Column Geological Record where the picture presented is a very orderly gradual evolution of life on earth. He details an assessment of Uniformitarianism vs. Catastrophism and argues that speciation is accelerated in times of catastrophe such as the ends of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic periods that were marked by extinction on a global scale. He contends Uniformitarianism does not satisfactorily explain evolution by natural selection.
Strickling provides a possible alternative that takes into account ancient documents that reveal natural electrical phenomena. The idea is that matter emerged from energy. That is, a burst of energy erupted and subsequently transformed to matter. This theory is comparable to the scientific 'Big Bang Theory' as well as to Deepak Chopra's spiritual system of beliefs pertaining to energy which asserts that there is an elaborate connection between quantum physics and consciousness. According to Chopra, "We are each a localized field of energy and information with cybernetic feedback loops interacting within a non-local field of energy and information."
'Man and his Planet: An Unauthorized History,' provides an intriguing look into the origins of life with a compelling critique of established religious and scientific explanations. I found myself appreciating the arguments presented while agreeing with some and disagreeing with others, such as Man's inability to impact the global climate. 'Man and his Planet: An Unauthorized History' is highly recommended as a book well worth debate and readers will gain insight into another way of looking at how the earth evolved without feeling like their own beliefs are being judged or ridiculed.


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Amnesia: Problem of Remembering Information

Amnesia is not a new term. We often meet people afflicted with memory loss but as a layman we find it difficult to recognize. Amnesia or memory loss can be cataloged as a condition where the mental attentiveness or memory of a person is distressed or misplaced. This loss of memory may be provisional or enduring depending upon the reasons from which it has advanced. These causes may be classified under diverse categories. The psychosomatic aspects correlated with amnesia are mental disorder, post-traumatic stress and it may also emerge as an impulsive event of transient global amnesia.
Meaning of Amnesia?
Amnesia has been a subject of fashionable focus for the big screen as well as television. In an uncomplicated sense amnesia is loss of ability to recollect the stored information from the memory store of brain at a precise interlude of time. This state can be accomplished by any corporeal grievance to the brain as well as intake of any noxious matter which may blight the accurate implementation of brain. Any harrowing as well as poignant event may be the root cause of amnesia.
How amnesia originates?
Any malady or damage which impinges the apt execution of brain can weaken the memory. The function of memory is paired with diverse fractions of brain which take action concurrently at a time. Any damage to brain predominantly to the limbic system, hippocampus and thalamus can be the root cause of the turmoil what we call as amnesia. Limbic system is united with the formation of memories as well as it directs our sentiments. Scientists at the University of Liverpool have found that memory loss can crop up if any dent to hippocampus is caused. Amnesia may be neurological as caused by stroke. Encephalitis caused by herpes simplex virus or an autoimmune reaction to cancer may also be accountable for memory loss. Celiac disease may be connected with amnesia but there is not a sturdy corroboration to sustain this inspection.
Oxygen deficiency or loss of suitable supply of oxygen to brain, carbon monoxide poisoning, respiratory distress as well as heart attack is also somehow associated with loss of memory. Unwarranted intake of a sleeping drug, ambient also causes amnesia. Bleeding of the area between the skull and brain also known as subarachnoid hemorrhage as well as brain tumor also causes memory loss. Electroconvulsive therapy also known as electric shock therapy given to an individual suffering from depression may also be sometimes associated with amnesia. Electroconvulsive therapy is also sometimes used for treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and catatonia but the memory loss is always impermanent. Head injuries caused during accidents also lead to momentary memory loss but they are not extended lifelong. Functional or dissociative amnesia may be caused by emotional shock for instance a person who has suffered from any sadistic origin, sexual mistreatment or child exploitation. A person engrossed in any fanatic operation, battle or an innate catastrophe may also experience amnesia. Any situation which may escort to psychological stress can also be tied with amnesia.
Categories of amnesia
Amnesia can be cataloged under diverse ranks depending upon the precise foundation.
1. Anterograde amnesia
It is a condition of body when a human being finds it tricky to bear in mind the enduring episodes after a rigorous head grievance. The person retains all the information regarding his identity and preserves all the childhood activities but disregards daily activities. Individuals uncover that they are utterly forgetting things and incidents that are taking place because the information is not being reassigned from the short-term memory store to the long-term memory store. A Bollywood blockbuster hit entitled Ghajini released in 2009 was based on anterograde amnesia. Aamir khan played the character of Sanjay Singhania who encountered brutal head damage after being trodden by the villain Ghajini and became a patient of this anarchy.
2. Retrograde amnesia
It is just contradictory to anterograde amnesia. In this condition the person remembers the daily ongoing events but forgets the earlier period of his life. The individual is proficient in shaping fresh memories but is incapable of recollecting the information before the calamity.
3. Wernike-Korsakoff's psychosis
This condition is caused by disproportionate utilization of alcohol. The short-term memory of the victim may linger customary but he may experience intricacies allied to summon up uncomplicated truths, faces of different people and other behavioral prototypes. If this condition reigns the person may suffer from remarkable neurological problems like uncoordinated movements and loss of sensation in fingers and toes. If this starts happening it will be too overdue for the patient to discontinue drinking. It may also be caused by undernourishment and is coupled with thiamine paucity.
4. Traumatic amnesia
This category amnesia may be caused by a stern non-penetrative puff to the head in a road mishap. The brain is wounded eventually ensuing loss of consciousness for few seconds to harsh coma.
5. Infantile/childhood amnesia
In this case the person is incapable of recalling the events of his childhood as the name designates. Many researchers have put forth their theories to substantiate this kind of amnesia. Freud says that it is a class of sexual despotism while others believe that it may be correlated with language development. Some shore up that few areas of brain united to memory are not effusively full-grown.
6. Hysterical amnesia
It is also tenured as fugue amnesia. It incorporates all those episodes of amnesia allied with psychological trauma. This type of amnesia is as a rule transitory and is elicited with the inception of traumatic event which mind finds thorny to mend. The person is unable to forget the harrowing event but his typical memory revisits back after few days.
7. Post-hypnotic amnesia
The events combined with hypnosis cannot be recollected from memory.
8. Source amnesia
The individual remembers the information but fails to spot out from where he has got these facts.
9. Blackout phenomenon
In this case the person is unable to recall petite hunks of information and this type of amnesia is caused by intense drinking.
10. Prosopamnesia
In this case the individual is unable to identify the faces of people. People attain this type of amnesia in their life span or may be born with it.
11. Transient global amnesia
This is a momentary loss of all types of memory. The person suffering from transient global amnesia is unable to outline new memories or in effortless terms he or she has very extreme type of anterograde amnesia. The loss of past memories is milder. This form of amnesia is atypical in natural history. The victim is generally grown-up in age and also suffers from vascular convolutions.
Features of amnesia
People suffering from amnesia appear confused as they find themselves difficult to handle new objects as well as recalling preceding information. Such people uncover themselves perturbed to work in offices, schools and other job places. Sometimes bogus memories may be outlined. A very appealing study entitled Do you know what you did on 13 March, 1985 points toward the story of a person who constantly furnishes dissimilar retorts whenever the identical question is being solicited. Neurological predicaments like uncoordinated body movements and sometimes tremors are also perceived. Mystification and bafflement is very frequent. Setbacks with short-term memory, unfinished or inclusive loss of memory are also illustrious. Knack to be acquainted with people as well as places is also ebbed. Amnesia is different from dementia which rivets other cognitive hitches where the individual finds it thorny to clutch out daily activities.
Diagnosis of amnesia
Amnesia can distress both male and female and can transpire at any era. The health professional first of all make an effort to find out all the feasible explanations that may be correlated with the memory loss like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, depression, or a brain tumor. The doctor entails the comprehensive medical history of the individual from the family associates of the patient. After that the doctor finds out whether the person is finding complexity in recalling innovative or precedent events. Then he tries to find out how and when the troubles combined with memory have initiated. After that he gets the aspects of family whether there is any neurological disorder present in the family account or whether the person is buffed to alcohol or some illegitimate drugs like cocaine or has been a patient of depression. Finally he also finds out whether the patient had suffered from cancer or any sort of seizures.
The physician also carts out some physical exams of the patient to ensure patients' reflexes, sensory function, balance and some other facets of brain and nervous system. The doctor also verifies the judgment aptitude, short and long-term memory of the individual. The memory appraisal facilitates the doctor to find out the degree of memory loss and then he can decide the unsurpassed cure for the patient. In order to find out the physical damage or any idiosyncrasy in the brain the doctor may also recommend the patient to undergo MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan. In MRI the machine uses magnetic as well as radio waves to dig up specified images of any fraction of the body. This contrivance is much superior to the CT scanning tool as it detects the brain tumor very fittingly. The appliance uses X-rays. A CT scan senses bleeding in any division of the brain at superior exactness. The doctor may also direct the patient to undergo Electroencephalogram which takes metaphors of brain while the individual is performing any cognitive chore like a work united with accepted wisdom. This assists the doctor to sense the spot and enormity of brain bustle engaged in numerous brands of cognitive gatherings. Reflections are crafted by using electrodes to scrutinize the quantity of electrical activity at diverse peaks on the patient's scalp. Blood tests can also be carried out as they distinguish any contagion or nutritional deficiency leading to memory loss in attendance or not.
Treatments available for amnesia
In majority of the cases of amnesia the syndrome recovers without being treated at all. In circumstances where a brain injury is involved, the disease calls for treatment if accessible. Psychotherapy has been found to give hopeful results and even hypnosis can be used in recalling events. Family shore up and collaboration plays an effectual role in healing of the patient. If the patient is encircled with pictures, materials and music he heals quicker. The foremost aim of treatment executes with the cure of memory loss. An occupational therapist can use all the precedent information and may facilitate the patient to shape new memories. Learning techniques for categorizing information can also make it easier to amass information. Learning how to make paramount use of personal digital assistant (PDA), such as an iPhone or Blackberry can also help the patient to carry out daily activities without complexity. There are currently no drugs accessible for the treatment of patients suffering from amnesia. However, in case of Wernicke-Korsakoff's psychosis proficient uptake of thiamine can help in recuperating from amnesia. Whole grain cereals, legumes, nuts, lean pork, and yeast are prosperous resources of thiamine.
Complications associated with patients of amnesia
The extent of amnesia fluctuates with the dilemmas linked with memory. By discontinuing the use of lethal substance the person can recollect his memory within few hours. However, if the brain has received a harsh injury then it may take weeks, months, or years to recover. In some cases amnesia can never be improved. The diagnosis basically depends upon the level of the brain trauma. If memory loss has cropped up because of the uptake of any noxious stuff then by impeding the uptake of that core the person may recover but if the brain is indignant the person may take time to heal. Such persons necessitate accurate family support and a proper care by the doctor.
Amnesia and Memory
Human brain strictly speaking is a very astounding organ. It bestows humans the skill to sense, sketch, articulate and envisage. It also offers the command to formulate and pile up memories. In a physiological sense memory is essentially the chemical or even structural alteration stirring in synaptic transmissions between neurons. This progression shapes a sort of pathway tenured as memory trace. Signals can take a trip along these memory traces through brain. Configuration of memory is a multifarious process and it rivets dissimilar fractions of brain, counting the frontal, temporal and parietal lobes. Dent or disease in any of these divisions of brain can upshot in anecdotal grades of memory loss. There are unlike forms of memory for instance, procedural memory distressed with automated skills and declarative memory bonded with personal abstracts. In broad-spectrum only one type of memory is prejudiced. For instance, a person may disregard the features of a person's distinctiveness but does not forget the learned talents like playing guitar.
The sector of brain concerned with memory construction is phrased as limbic system and it embraces hippocampus, amygdala, and firm cortical segments. Apart from recollection of memory, the limbic system also partakes in coordination of emotion and motivation. Some role of endocrine system is also carried out by the limbic system. For a short-term memory to get translated into a long-term memory the process of consolidation must take place. During consolidation short-term memory is repetitively triggered and definite chemical and physical changes transpire in brain that is accountable for long-term memory configuration. If during the process of reiterated inauguration of the short-term memory a physical injury or trauma crops up then consolidation stops and the process of long-term memory formation fails. We can say that memories cannot be stocked up for extended term admittance and this is the stipulation that arises in anterograde amnesia. It is usually judged that consolidation takes place in the hippocampus situated in the temporal province of brain. Medical studies designate that the frontal and temporal, lobes are normally smashed up during the head grievance. This sustains the data that why the proportion of people afflicted from anterograde amnesia is elevated. If the hippocampus are damaged the person is able to recall older memories but cannot form the new ones.
The Amnesic Syndrome
Medical studies depict the anecdote of a famous amnesic patient Henry Molaison or H.M. who underwent a surgery for the treatment of stern epileptic seizures in 1953. During this surgery the hippocampus of H.M. was dissected bilaterally which failed to cure the symptoms of epilepsy but resulted in amnesia. Animal researchers discerned that along with hippocampus the cortical regions predominantly entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortices were also scratched during the surgery and that's why H.M. became amnesic. After this unpleasant incident Stuart Zola-Morgan and Larry Squire accomplished various studies on monkeys to divulge the legitimacy. Dissecting different regions of brain lastly portrayed the precision. It is currently apparent that any dent to the amygdala is not correlated with memory loss but any rigorous harm to the cortical regions and the hippocampus can elicit memory loss. The most attention-grabbing verity is that amnesia can crop up if a hard blow to the cortical regions adjoining hippo-campus is given without damaging the hippocampus.
Supplementary issues may also be fastened with amnesic syndrome. In Wernicke-Korsakoff's psychosis the diencephalon is injured badly as compared to hippocampus and areas adjoining medial temporal lobe. Amnesic syndrome commences because of the damage caused to the memory system that consequences in multifaceted prototypes of behavior. After so many sizzling and smoldering discussions lastly the outcomes concluded by signifying that all forms of memory are not spoiled with the amnesic syndrome.

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How To Race Pigeons Review

If other pigeon racing teams are constantly winning all the accolades, then it's time that you did something about it. There must be something different that these fanciers are doing, that you haven't got quite right. If you are feeling the pain of the losses, then you should get 'How to Race pigeons - True Racing Secrets Revealed'.
This book gives easy and simple ways of making the racing pigeons into champion racing pigeons. With money back guarantee, this is the best book on the block. Knowledge of the sport is the key to the success. It's important to learn how the best birds can be chosen, what should be the nutrition and dietary regime for the birds, how they should be trained and how to understand the breeding pairs.
To become a great fancier that knows all about its racing birds experience is required. This is what the book gives you - experience. The book gives the fancier information and expertise that they can use to enhance the performance of the racing pigeons. This includes

• Building the right loft, that takes into consideration the minimum space requirements for the birds. This ensures that each of the birds have ample space for feeding and keeping in top most shape.
• How to place the nest boxes, which will ensure that the birds are eager to return to their mates and win the races
• How to turn the noise into a good thing rather than treating it as a nuisance is also shown by the eBook.
• How to control the inbreeding, that will further the chance of raising prize winners. However, the inbreeding needs to be controlled else it can become counteractive.
• How to ensure that the birds mate and solve the problems if some birds just don't want to mate.
• How to make sure that the racing birds laid their eggs with hard and strong shells.
• Keeping a track of the weaning schedule and how to start the training for the young racing pigeons.

With so many insider trips and secrets reveled, the book should probably be worth hundreds of dollars if not more, especially since a fancier can stand to win as much as US$25,000 or 20,000 Pounds using this information. But that's the surprise package, the book costs only US$27 and further bonus materials such as breeding records, feeding chart, training records, race roster and race records. Now is the time to buy it if you want to really make your racing pigeons win.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6369436

Panasonic Debuts 16,000-Lumen Projector

Panasonic has unveiled a range of new audiovisual gear for education, such as a 16,000-lumen LCD projector along with a new widescreen classroom projector.
Among the slate of new projectors Panasonic debuted this month is the flagship PT-EX16KU LCD projector, which is created for big venues such as auditoriums and lecture halls. It provides a brightness of 16,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,024 x 768 (XGA), along with a contrast ratio of two, 500:1.
Though particulars are still scant on the PT-EX16KU, Panasonic reported that the high-end unit utilizes a quad-lamp design and light filtering technology, created to create more vivid imagery, and is housed inside a ruggedized chassis. The networkable projector is compatible with Panasonic's free projector management utility, Multi Projector Monitoring and Control Software program.
The PT-EX16KU is expected to ship in September for $29,999.
The business has also unveiled a new line of classroom and small-venue projectors, the PT-VW330 series, consisting of 3 models.
The PT-VX400U offers a brightness of four,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,024 x 768 (XGA), along with a contrast ratio of two,000:1. The PT-VX400NTU provides a brightness of 4,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,024 x 768 (XGA), along with a contrast ratio of two,000:1. The PT-VW330U provides a brightness of 3,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,280 x 800 (WXGA), and a contrast ratio of two,000:1.
The PT-VX400U is anticipated to ship in September for $2,399, and also the PT-VW330U ought to also be available in September for $1,679. The PT-VX400NTU will probably be rolled out later this year for $2,499.
The PT-VW330 series includes wireless presentation technologies and an optional device called the Easy Wireless Stick (ET-UW100) for iOS devices like the iPad. A free application, the Panasonic Wireless Projector, is available for iPhone and iPad as well.
Other features of the PT-VW330 series include:
1.6x optical zoom;
Simple Setting feature to help with automatic correction courtesy of a built-in camera sensor;
Automatic reduction of energy consumption based on the projected image.
Other new offerings from Panasonic include the PT-DW730 and the PT-DX800. The PT-DW730 offers a brightness of 7,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,280 x 800 (WXGA), along with a contrast ratio of two,000:1. The PT-DW730 should be available in August for $10,999 to $11,399.
The PT-DX800 provides a brightness of eight,000 lumens, a resolution of 1,024 x 768 (XGA), and a contrast ratio of 2,000:1. The PT-DX800 ought to be available in August as well for $10,949 to $11,349.
Also of note, Panasonic's LFT30 and LFP30 Series Expert LCD Displays had been unveiled for use both indoor and outside applications. The units are created to be lightweight, portable, and energy-efficient. The LF30 series is envisioned for big, open locations. The LF30 and LFP 30 are anticipated to become available in October. The LFT30 is anticipated to ship in January. Pricing was not accessible at press time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6383057