Friday, November 30, 2012

Body language, not facial expressions, broadcasts what's happening to us

ScienceDaily (Nov. 29, 2012) ? If you think that you can judge by examining someone's facial expressions if he has just hit the jackpot in the lottery or lost everything in the stock market -- think again. Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at New York University and Princeton University have discovered that -- despite what leading theoretical models and conventional wisdom might indicate -- it just doesn't work that way.

Rather, they found that body language provides a better cue in trying to judge whether an observed subject has undergone strong positive or negative experiences.

In a study published this week in the journal Science, the researchers present data showing that viewers in test groups were baffled when shown photographs of people who were undergoing real-life, highly intense positive and negative experiences. When the viewers were asked to judge the emotional valences of the faces they were shown (that is, the positivity or negativity of the faces), their guesses fell within the realm of chance.

The study was led by Dr. Hillel Aviezer of the Psychology Department of the Hebrew University, together with Dr. Yaacov Trope of New York University and Dr. Alexander Todorov of Princeton University.

In setting out to test the perception of highly intense faces, the researchers presented test groups with photos of dozens of highly intense facial expressions in a variety of real-life emotional situations. For example, in one study they compared emotional expressions of professional tennis players winning or losing a point. These pictures are ideal because the stakes in such games are extremely high from an economic and prestige perspective.

To pinpoint how people recognize such images, Aviezer and his colleagues showed different versions of the pictures to three groups of participants: 1) the full picture with the face and body; 2) the body with the face removed; and 3) the face with the body removed. Remarkably, participants could easily tell apart the losers from winners when they rated the full picture or the body alone, but they were at chance level when rating the face alone.

Ironically, the participants who viewed the full image (face and body) were convinced that it was the face that revealed the emotional impact, not the body. The authors named this effect "illusory valence," reflecting the fact that participants said they saw clear valence (that is, either positive or negative emotion) in what was objectively a non-diagnostic face.

In an additional study, Aviezer and his collaborators asked viewers to examine a more broad range of real-life intense faces. These included intense positive situations, such as joy (seeing one's house after a lavish makeover), pleasure (experiencing an orgasm), and victory (winning a critical tennis point), as well as negative situations, such as grief (reacting at a funeral), pain (undergoing a nipple/naval piercing), and defeat (losing a critical tennis point).

Again, viewers were unable to tell apart the faces occurring in positive vs. negative situations. To further demonstrate how ambiguous these intense faces are, the researchers "planted" faces on bodies expressing positive or negative emotion. Sure enough, the emotional valence of the same face on different bodies was determined by the body, flipping from positive to negative depending on the body with which they appeared.

"These results show that when emotions become extremely intense, the difference between positive and negative facial expression blurs," says Aviezer. "The findings, challenge classic behavioral models in neuroscience, social psychology and economics, in which the distinct poles of positive and negative valence do not converge."

Aviezer adds: "From a practical-clinical perspective, the results may help researchers understand how body/face expressions interact during emotional situations. For example, individuals with autism may fail to recognize facial expressions, but perhaps if trained to process important body cues, their performance may significantly improve."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. H. Aviezer, Y. Trope, A. Todorov. Body Cues, Not Facial Expressions, Discriminate Between Intense Positive and Negative Emotions. Science, 2012; 338 (6111): 1225 DOI: 10.1126/science.1224313

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/living_well/~3/_r_SJnvVGq4/121129143314.htm

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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Judge orders tobacco firms to say they lied

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By Frederic J. Frommer, Associated Press

WASHINGTON --?A federal judge on Tuesday ordered tobacco companies to publish corrective statements that say they lied about the dangers of smoking and that disclose smoking's health effects, including the death on average of 1,200 people a day.?

U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler previously had said she wanted the industry to pay for corrective statements in various types of advertisements. But Tuesday's ruling is the first time she's laid out what the statements will say.

Each corrective ad is to be prefaced by a statement that a federal court has concluded that the defendant tobacco companies "deliberately deceived the American public about the health effects of smoking."

Among the required statements are that smoking kills more people than murder, AIDS, suicide, drugs, car crashes and alcohol combined, and that "secondhand smoke kills over 3,000 Americans a year."

The corrective statements are part of a case the government brought in 1999 under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations. Kessler ruled in that case in 2006 that the nation's largest cigarette makers concealed the dangers of smoking for decades, and said she wanted the industry to pay for "corrective statements" in various types of ads, both broadcast and print. The Justice Department proposed corrective statements, which Kessler used as the basis for some of the ones she ordered Tuesday.

Tobacco companies had urged Kessler to reject the government's proposed industry-financed corrective statements; the companies called them "forced public confessions." They also said the statements were designed to "shame and humiliate" them. They had argued for statements that include the health effects and addictive qualities of smoking.

Kessler wrote that all of the corrective statements are based on specific findings of fact made by the court.

"This court made a number of explicit findings that the tobacco companies perpetuated fraud and deceived the public regarding the addictiveness of cigarettes and nicotine," she said.

A spokesman for Altria Group Inc., owner of the nation's biggest tobacco company, Philip Morris USA, said the company was studying the court's decision and did not provide any further comment. A spokesman for Reynolds American Inc., parent company of No. 2 cigarette maker, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., said the company was reviewing the ruling and considering its next steps.

The statements Kessler chose included five categories: adverse health effects of smoking; addictiveness of smoking and nicotine; lack of significant health benefit from smoking cigarettes marked as "low tar," "light," etc.; manipulation of cigarette design and composition to ensure optimum nicotine delivery; and adverse health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke.

Among the statements within those categories:

  • "Smoking kills, on average, 1,200 Americans. Every day."?
  • "Defendant tobacco companies intentionally designed cigarettes to make them more addictive."?
  • "When you smoke, the nicotine actually changes the brain ? that's why quitting is so hard."?
  • "All cigarettes cause cancer, lung disease, heart attacks and premature death ? lights, low tar, ultra lights and naturals. There is no safe cigarette."?
  • "Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer and coronary heart disease in adults who do not smoke."?"Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, severe asthma and reduced lung function."?
  • "There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke."?

Justice Department spokesman Charles Miller said the department was pleased with the order.

Matt Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, called it an important ruling.

"The most critical part of the ruling is that it requires the tobacco companies to state clearly that the court found that they deceived the American public and that they are telling the truth now only because the court is ordering them to do so," Myers said in an interview. "This isn't the last word, but this is a vitally important step because this should resolve exactly what the tobacco companies are required to say."

In July, a federal appeals court rejected efforts by the tobacco companies to overrule Kessler's ruling requiring corrective statements. The companies had argued that a 2009 law that gave the Food and Drug Administration authority over the industry eliminated "any reasonable likelihood" that they would commit future RICO violations.

In her ruling Tuesday, Kessler ordered the tobacco companies and Justice Department to meet beginning next month to address how to implement the corrective statements, including whether they will be put in inserts with cigarette packs and on websites, TV and newspaper ads. Those discussions are to conclude by March.

Related stories:


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Source: http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/27/15490985-judge-orders-tobacco-firms-to-say-they-lied-about-smoking-dangers?lite

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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

China braces for further sex tape scandals


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China braces for further sex tape scandals

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

A five-year-old sex tape of an 18-year-old woman allegedly hired by developers to sleep with a city official is causing yet another scandal for China?s ruling Communists in the city formerly led by fallen politician Bo Xilai.

The 50-something official, Lei Zhengfu, was fired as district party secretary after the video, an apparent extortion attempt, went viral earlier this month and his jowly, pop-eyed mug became the butt of numerous internet caricatures.

However, the scandal may still be growing, as a whistleblowing former journalist says he may release similar tapes of several more city officials soon.

The party is already reeling from the scandal that triggered Bo?s purge and battered the party?s reputation. Chongqing, the city he ran, has been depicted by prosecutors and state media as rife with cover-ups, abuse of power and corruption.

Bo?s wife was convicted of murdering a British businessman, and Bo himself faces allegations of corruption and obstruction of justice in the murder case.

News of the sex tape, which was apparently shot in 2007 but only leaked this month, comes as China?s newly installed leadership ramps up anti-corruption efforts as it deals with a steady stream of bribery and graft cases that it fears has undermined its authority.

The tape went viral when screenshots of it were uploaded by a Beijing-based former journalist, Zhu Ruifeng, to his Hong Kong-registered website, an independent online clearing house for corruption allegations. The lurid images, apparently taken secretly from a bedside table, show Lei having sex with a woman.

Zhu said the woman, whose face is not visible in the screen grabs, was hired by a construction company to sleep with Lei in return for construction contracts. The company later tried to use the tape to extort more business from Lei, he said.

Zhu says he obtained the video from someone inside the Chongqing Public Security Bureau who gave it on condition of anonymity. He said he was also given tapes implicating five other Chongqing officials but is trying to verify their content before releasing them.

Zhu said that after the blackmail attempt, Lei reported the case to Chongqing officials sometime around 2009, which led to the construction boss being jailed for a year on unrelated charges and the woman being detained for a month. Xinhua reported that Chongqing?s corruption watchdog had pledged a thorough investigation of Lei, who was dismissed, but said it had yet to formally receive a report about the allegations against Lei or the footage.

The China Daily in an editorial yesterday said the case showed that the "internet is worth being embraced by the country?s corruption busters as a close ally". It also called for greater transparency in handling this and other cases, and listed a few of the lingering questions that the case has thrown up.

"Strangely, the mistress was once detained and the contractor jailed for blackmailing Lei," it said.

"What had happened? ... These are crucial questions waiting to be answered."

With a younger set of incoming leaders announced this month in Beijing, the government is keen to show that those in power are worthy of their posts and that wrongdoers will be weeded out.

In his first remarks to the press after being appointed as the new Communist Party chief, Xi Jinping vowed to tackle corruption.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ieworld/~3/tmwPwPfVe_Y/

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3 Steps to an Awesome Facebook Cover Photo for Your Business ...

Yesterday my wife decided that we need a Facebook Business?page.

I was always planning on getting one up and running, because social media will be a big part of my overall online marketing mix, but I was postponing it to week 7 of my marketing plan. However, now we sit here with our brand new Facebook page for our brand new business ? with 4 fans. Okay? this blog post is not going to be about how to attain Facebook followers. That is for another day. This article is about your Facebook cover photo for your business.

So this morning when I?couldn't?sleep (3:24am) I decided that we need a cover photo much in the same way that Katie thought it would be a good idea to need a Facebook business page - spontaneously and outside the marketing strategy! So what came out of this morning?s?endeavor?

Hopefully you are impressed, because I think it looks amazing. A beautiful website builds credibility and so does a great Facebook page. A great Facebook page will always start with an incredible looking cover photo. It makes people linger around. Here are the three easy steps you can take to make a great impression on your Facebook fans with your cover photo.

Step 1 ? Get Photoshop If you don?t already have Photoshop then get it. You will save yourself a lot of money in the long run by doing things like this yourself. Once you have Photoshop, watch a couple of YouTube tutorials to acquaint yourself with the basics.

Step 2 ? Go to GraphicRiver.net Now that you have Photoshop it is time to take a shortcut. I always pride myself on knowing every internet secret shortcut in the world. Well, here we are. Go to GraphicRiver.net and open an account (it?s free). Once you have your account open start search for ?Facebook Cover Photo? and you will get 35 pages of different designs. Most of them are under $5. BTW ? I get pretty much all my PSDs from here (Photoshop Designs).

Step 3 ? Change the details & add your magic photo So you have picked out your design and now you are sitting there with an awesome PSD for less than $5. Life can?t get much better, right? Wrong! It can, and it will. All you have to do now is replace those little bits of text and images with your own and presto. All the dimensions should already be taken care of so you don?t even need to worry about?re-sizing?it.

And done? Isn?t that cool? This took about an hour out of my day. It?isn't?difficult and it makes a huge impact. Some of you may be wondering whether it is worth it when your fan base is so low. However, by creating a great first impression on an online social zombie means that your acquisition cost per zombie will go down, saving you a ton of money when you actually start generating Facebook fans.

Authored by:

Peter Visser

Peter Visser is the owner and founder of ImYourBiz?-?a web design and internet marketing company. He has started and maintained several online businesses which sold a wide variety of products. He specializes in web design and SEO, and almost all of it is self taught. He prides himself on knowing every shortcut on the web. He also prides himself on socializing often (and sometimes too much) ...

See complete profile

Source: http://socialmediatoday.com/peter-visser/1034836/3-steps-awesome-facebook-cover-photo-your-business

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Possible trigger for multiple sclerosis nerve damage

ScienceDaily (Nov. 27, 2012) ? High-resolution real-time images show in mice how nerves may be damaged during the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis. The results suggest that the critical step happens when fibrinogen, a blood-clotting protein, leaks into the central nervous system and activates immune cells called microglia.

"We have shown that fibrinogen is the trigger," said Katerina Akassoglou, Ph.D., an associate investigator at the Gladstone Institute for Neurological Disease and professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, and senior author of the paper published online in Nature Communications.

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which cells that normally protect the body against infections attack nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, often leading to problems with vision, muscle strength, balance and coordination, thinking and memory. Typically during MS, the immune cells destroy myelin, a protective sheath surrounding

nerves, and eventually leading to nerve damage. The immune attack also causes leaks in the blood-brain barrier, which normally separates the brain from potentially harmful substances in the blood.

"Dr. Akassoglou has focused on the role of the blood-brain barrier leak in MS and has discovered that leakage of the blood clotting protein fibrinogen can trigger brain inflammation," said Ursula Utz, Ph.D., M.B.A., a program director at NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Microglia are cells traditionally thought to control immunity in the nervous system. Previous studies suggested that leakage of fibrinogen activates microglia. In this study, Dr. Akassoglou and her colleagues used a cutting-edge imaging technique called two-photon laser scanning microscopy to watch what happens in an animal model of MS.

"Our results provide the first evidence linking leakage of fibrinogen to neuronal damage," said Dr. Akassoglou, "Vascular changes are the instigator of neurotoxicity."

Using a mouse model of MS, the researchers found that leakage of fibrinogen and microglial activation occurred days before nerve damage began, suggesting they occur in an early, pre-clinical stage of the disease.

During this period, microglia changed shapes and clustered around blood vessels along with other immune cells. Further experiments suggested that fibrinogen activated microglia by binding to a receptor, called CD11b/CD18, which caused the microglia to release reactive oxygen molecules that, in turn, damaged neurons. Inhibiting the binding of fibrinogen to the receptor prevented microglial activation and nerve damage.

Current treatments for MS are designed to suppress autoimmunity. The results from this study suggest that targeting the interaction between fibrinogen and microglia may be an effective alternative. In the mice, blocking fibrinogen's blood clotting activity prevented microglial activation and nerve damage.

"Current drugs target primarily downstream events. This interaction could be an upstream target that suppresses immunity and neurodegeneration," said Dr. Akassoglou.

In 2006, Dr. Akassoglou received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, which honors and supports the finest and most promising researchers early in their careers.

This study was supported by NINDS (NS051470, NS052189, NS066361); the National Cancer Institute (CA082103); the National Center for Research Resources (RR004050), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL096126), the American Heart Association, the Bechtel Foundation, the Dana Program in Brain and Immuno-imaging, the H. Lundbeck A/S, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis, and the March of Dimes.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. Dimitrios Davalos, Jae Kyu Ryu, Mario Merlini, Kim M. Baeten, Natacha Le Moan, Mark A. Petersen, Thomas J. Deerinck, Dimitri S. Smirnoff, Catherine Bedard, Hiroyuki Hakozaki, Sara Gonias Murray, Jennie B. Ling, Hans Lassmann, Jay L. Degen, Mark H. Ellisman, Katerina Akassoglou. Fibrinogen-induced perivascular microglial clustering is required for the development of axonal damage in neuroinflammation. Nature Communications, 2012; 3: 1227 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2230

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/91q7mV-THb4/121127154215.htm

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Daytrading, Stock Trading, Investing and Forex Trading ? All About ...

Many thousands of traders are welcoming stock-trading robots to do the deductive work for them. This helps you to simply invest accordingly once the programme finds a good trading opportunity so you can make the cash from the exchange that you need and safely at that, but do it on your own plan and on your own time. There are some blinding trading robots out there which are rapidly changing the way that pro traders perform their analysing, too, so here is how it's possible to find one of the greatest of the finest. Personally I would recommend that you go with one of the penny share centered stocktrading robots. Why risk your cash when you have not done any research? That'd be stupid. Before making any investment choices, you have to dedicate time to finding out about the market. Trading software lets you almost invest and practice everything you have learned. There are numerous online strategies that can be employed to raise your information and experience about the market. You now do not have to fixate on the newest market reports.

No more tough forecasting about which shares to get and a lot less mistakes of which can sometimes be rather expensive. The system itself will tell you which stocks are ?winners? primarily based on its careful research into the market. Mix this with the best securities dealing system and you have got an impressive investment tool at hand. Discipline and focus were often out playing some other place. In this time he spotted things about himself and his feelings that might impact on his trading. Everything was O.K but new he wanted help to work on some of his principles and any potential to self sabotage. A perspective coach and new tools helped him with those limiting sentiments and his capability to stay centered and trained thru any conditions.

Source: http://traders101.com/2012/11/26/all-about-stock-trading/

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Monday, November 26, 2012

Helping Your Kid Do Well In Math Subjects

Math can be one of the toughest school subjects to learn. It may appear simple at first, but as one progresses through the grades in school, it becomes harder to grasp the many concepts. Everyone won't be a genius and able to get all the answers quickly to all the problems, but that doesn't mean that someone should be spending hours and hours struggling to find the answer either.

Today, it's a challenge to get an excellent education. Attending school is the only way people can make names for themselves anymore. A good education is what opens many doors of opportunity for us. To be successful, most people have to excel in math, English and science. Science is fairly easy to follow as it's interesting and there are lots of resources out there for science. English is fairly simple to learn because you speak the language and can get extra help if needed. But when it relates to math, students have a difficult time grasping the many concepts that are given to them in such a short period of time. Math is complicated to begin with. If a student doesn't understand the way the teacher is teaching, they can fall behind quickly. If you have a child who is struggling, a maths tutor can help significantly.

You need to be sure you hire a tutor who is knowledgeable and certified in arithmetic. You also need someone who can make the concepts of math easier to understand for your child. If you get maths tutoring when your child first begins to struggle, they will be much better off when they move up to the higher grades with even more complex math concepts.

The interesting thing about math is that once you grasp the basics in elementary school, you are always building from the beginning. When teachers in the upper grades expand on those skills, they are really reteaching the basics. They are manipulating those same original concepts to put them in a more challenging scenario and more advanced concept. This can really become confusing and chaotic for a child who may be struggling in math. Sometimes, it's a surprise to a teacher to see that their students aren't quite as advanced as they want them to be.

Anyone and everyone can benefit from a math tutor. Through the journey of school and life, whether you are preparing for the ACT, SAT, or getting ready to move up to the high school years, math tutors are great for reinforcing skills and helping you remember all those basic concepts you will continue to need.

This article was provided to you by Number Works Australia. If you have any question please visit our website for more information on finding the best Sydney Maths Tutor for your child.

Source: http://articles.submityourarticle.com/helping-your-kid-do-well-in-math-subjects-303985

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Cyber Monday at Consumer Crafts! | Wee Share


So... it's that crazy shopping time of the year!? Did any of you head out to do any Black Friday shopping?? This is actually the first time in five years I have stayed home.? I needed absolutely nothing and there are no good craft stores nearby, so I decided to get some much needed sleep.

I am, however, taking advantage of the awesome deals online.? I bought some PDF sewing patterns as well as a few extra gifts for my daughter.? Plus, I am pretty certain my husband might have used that discount code I shared with him to purchase a fun crafty machine for me... we'll see!

Today, I have been browsing over at ConsumerCrafts.com because it's the last day of their Doorbuster Deals.? Plus, the ENTIRE site is 30% off!? I can always use more craft supplies {can't we all?} and I have my eye on several of their deals:


Yes... I have a Cricut, but I have been wanting one of these Silhouette Cameo machines for quite a while.? They don't require cartridges at all. Instead, simply connect the Silhouette Cameo to your computer and choose your designs.? You only purchase and download the specific designs you want {plus, I've seen some nice free ones floating around}.? The possibilities are limitless, really.?
Ever since I used Angela's Cuttlebug, I have been smitten.? This handy little machine easily embosses paper, adding texture to scrapbook pages, cards, and other paper projects.? It's fun and easy to use {though a bit heavy}.? I know we could come up with all sorts of creative ways to use this!
Raileigh loves dressing up more than just about anything else.? Well... besides reading.? But, then again, she will often read while dressed up!? So, many of her Christmas gifts revolve around those two things!? I was blown away when I saw these fairy wings.? They are less than $2!? I don't know is you've shopped for fairy wings before, but that is a steal!
For the past several years, we have had the same Christmas mantle-- an assortment of snow globes we've collected over the years.? However, a lot of those snow globes are now over 10 years old.? And, just in case you didn't know-- snow globes don't age well.? They now contain snow globs instead of snow flakes and the pieces inside many have shifted.? This year, I plan on laying some fresh garland, and I think this 5-piece votive set would look lovely sitting amongst the garland.
Raileigh enjoys puppets.? She'll crouch beside the chair while I work and put on puppet shows for me.? This darling kit would be a fun seasonal craft for us, and it would be one she'd enjoy playing with afterwards as well!? I highly suspect that Rudolph and Bumble might be part of puppet shows year round at my house!

I also want to share a few other special sales and exciting announcements you might be interested in.

  • Currently, there is a Silhouette Cameo GIVEAWAY going on at Crafts Unleashed {the Consumer Crafts blog}.? It ends in a few days, so enter now!
  • Canson Art Pads are Buy One Get One FREE through today.
  • The Cricut Expression Version 1 {the one I currently own} is available in a bundle with FOUR cartridges for just $199.97

I encourage you to head on over to Consumer Crafts and see all of the amazing deals they have on craft supplies.? Remember-- the doorbuster deals end today.? Plus, since it's Cyber Monday, the ENTIRE site is 30% off!? What are you waiting for?? Go load up that online shopping cart and start crafting!

Are you going to take advantage of a Cyber Monday sale to get your holiday crafting started? Tell me about what YOU'RE going to make!

Stay in touch with Consumer Crafts so you never miss out on any great sales like these!


Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Consumer Crafts and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own.

Source: http://www.weeshare.net/2012/11/cyber-monday-at-consumer-crafts.html

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Phylosophy, Psychology, Spiritual, Character, Mathematics ...

KANT?S TRANSCENDENTAL DOCTRINE OF METHOD
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By Marsigit, Yogyakarta State University, Indonesia

Email: marsigitina@yahoo.com

Mellway, J., 2004, elaborated that Kant rejects the division of logic into theoretical logic and practical logic, as a practical logic would assume that we have acquaintance with the matter of the associated theoretical logic and, hence, would not really be merely a type of logic. Instead, Kant? divided pure philosophy into a doctrine of elements and a doctrine of method. According to Kant,? the doctrine of elements is concerned with teaching the propaedeutic components of the logic, and the doctrine of method is concerned with teaching the canon aspects of the associated science. Further, Kant? noted that a canon uses the necessary conditions for the science that allows us to assess and correct our theories based on them satisfying these negative conditions, or in other words, a canon contains the rules for thinking correctly about the matter of the science; while an organon goes beyond a canon in that is can legitimately extend our knowledge beyond the scope of a canon. Another way of stating this division is that the ends of these sciences are different; the end of a canon is to elucidate our knowledge, while the end of an organon is to extend our knowledge

Kant, 1787, elaborated that logic is "of understanding and of reason", and a priori presentations constituting the condition under which objects are given to us and it is in this sense that the sensations given partly constitute the form of our concepts and thoughts. Intuition is the effect of an object on us and is a type of representation that intentional refers to a single object of sensation; while Appearance concerns the referred undetermined intentional thing, where the form of appearance is the ordered relationship of the manifold of sensation and the matter of appearance is whatever it is that corresponds to a sensation. Kant? divides our higher cognitive powers into three different faculties with each faculty having its own essential principle function of thought that are: the faculties of understanding, judgment, and reason; whose respective functions deal with the doctrines of concepts, of judgments, and of inferences. Kant? stated that Concepts are representations that refer indirectly to many, that is, to a universal; Judgments are the representation of a unity of several representations; and Inferences are the functions of thought that derive a judgment from other judgments.

Mellway, J., 2004, elaborated that doctrines of method are concerned with teaching the canonic aspects of the associated science; that is, they are concerned with presenting how we can elucidate our knowledge by assessing what we say by using the analytical elements that were learned from the doctrine of elements. Doctrines of method present a canon for assessing how we do the science that doctrine of method is associated with; it provides the rules or principles in which it gives how those rules are to be used for the associated science.? He noted that the elements of the doctrine of elements are the matter of that doctrine and these same elements are part of the form of the associated doctrine of method. Further he insisted that there are several conditions of the perfection of cognitions, which are the form of the form for the doctrine of method, that consist in the distinctness, thoroughness, and systematic ordering of the science.

Mellway, J., 2004, also elaborated that since the doctrine of elements spelled out the elemental parts of the form, the doctrine of method should spend its bulk elucidating the conditions of the form; three conditions consist of completely spelling out our concepts that are? describing or defining,? dividing, and? structuring. He noted that? Kant has universal rules of logical division such that the division of concepts is exclusive and exhaustive, and that the codivisions; Kant?s methodology involves him organizing his concepts in a genus-species fashion, as this should force him to arrange his technical concepts in a clear way. The primitive type of division? is into two components that are in contradictory opposition that called a dichotomy, opposed to polytomy; accordingly, all analytic division is dichotomous and normally all a priori division is also dichotomous; lthough mathematical a priori intuitions can be polytomous and a division that is based on
the principle of synthetic a priori has three components : form, matter, and form applied to matter. Mellway stated that we can find this? trichotomous divisions in the separation of the higher cognitive powers into judgment, understanding, and reason; therefore, the Transcendental Doctrine of Method is the determination of the formal conditions of a complete system of pure reason..
Johnes, R.B., 2004, noted that if we regard the sum of the cognition of pure speculative reason as an edifice, the idea of which, at least, exists in the human mind, it may be said that we have in the Transcendental Doctrine of Elements examined the materials and determined to what edifice these belong, and what its height and stability. He insisted that we are able to understand, by the transcendental doctrine of method, the determination of the formal conditions of a complete system of pure reason. Johnes stated that shall accordingly have to treat of the discipline, the canon, the architectonic, and, finally, the history of pure reason. The part of the Critique will accomplish, from the transcendental point of view, what has been usually attempted, but miserably executed, under the name of practical logic. He claimed that due to the general logic is not being limited to any particular kind of cognition nor to any particular objects, it cannot, without borrowing from other sciences, do more than present merely the titles or signs of possible methods and the technical expressions, which are employed in the systematic parts of all sciences; and thus the pupil is made acquainted with names, the meaning and application of which he is to learn only at some future time.

The Discipline Of Pure Reason

Kant, 1787, insisted that it needs the compulsion by which the tendency to disobey certain rules is restrained; and therefore, discipline distinguished from culture which is intended to give a certain kind of skill and contribute in a negative fashion to the development of a talent, culture in a positive. Kant stated that when reason is being considered in its transcendental employment it stands greatly in need of a discipline to restrain its tendency towards extension beyond the narrow limits of possible experience.

In respect to the content of our knowledge in general, the task of negative judgments is that of rejecting error; however where the limits of our possible knowledge are very narrow, negative instructions guard us from error. Further Kant stated that the field of philosophy in which we endeavor to obtain the same certainty we reach in mathematics that is apodeictic certainty; philosophical knowledge is the knowledge gained by reason from concepts, while Mathematical knowledge is the knowledge gained by reason from the construction of concepts.
Kant, 1787, claimed that to construct a concept means to exhibit a priori the intuition which corresponds to the concept and for the construction of a concept we need a non-empirical intuition. He then insisted that non-empirical intuition must be a single object and must has universal validity for all possible intuition which fall under the concept. Kant? added that philosophical knowledge considers the particular only in the universal while mathematical knowledge the universal in the particular a priori by means of reason; and thus this is the essential difference between these two kinds of knowledge and not the difference of their material or objects. According to Kant,? the concept of quantities with which mathematics deals, is the only one that allows of being constructed, that is, exhibited a priori in intuition; whereas qualities cannot be presented in any intuition that is not empirical. Kant? then concluded that the concepts constructed by the mathematical method are universal synthetic propositions.

Kant, 1787,? insisted that there is a twofold employment of reason; and while the two modes of employment resemble each other in the universality and a priori origin of their knowledge, in outcome they are very different. Kant? claimed that a twofold employment of reason, in appearance, there are two elements: first, the form of intuition that are space and time, which can be known and determined a priori and can determine our concepts in a priori intuition, inasmuch as we create for ourselves the objects themselves through a homogeneous synthesis of space and time as the employment of reason through the construction of concepts and be the mathematical use of knowledge. Second, matter or content, which is met with in space and time and therefore contains an existent corresponding to sensation. Kant? insisted that this can only be determined empirically and we can have nothing a priori except indeterminate concepts of the synthesis of possible sensations; and this is the employment of reason is accordance with concepts in which the questions of possibility of existence, its actuality and necessity of these objects is the philosophical use of reason. Kant? claimed that transcendental propositions can never be given through construction of concepts, but only in accordance with concepts that are a priori; while synthetic propositions in regard to things in general are transcendental, however these synthetic principles cannot exhibit a priori any one of their concepts in a specific instance.

Kant, 1787, indicated that the exactness of mathematics rests upon definitions, axioms and demonstrations; none of these, in the sense understood by the mathematician, can be achieved or imitated by the philosopher. Definition? is to define means to present the complete, original concept of a thing within the limits of its concept; complete means? clearness and sufficiency of characteristics, limit means the precision shown in there not being more of these characteristics than belong to the complete concept, original means? the determination of the limits is not derived from anything else and therefore does not require proof. Kant? then summed up that an empirical concept, therefore, can not be defined, it can only be made explicit and never certain that we are not using the word, in denoting one and same object, sometimes so as to stand for more, sometimes to stand for fewer characteristics; no concept given a priori can be defined that is concepts such as cause, right, equity, etc. Kant? added that the completeness of the concept is always in doubt and instead of definition, the term 'exposition' applies. Accordingly, the only kind of concept that allows of definition are arbitrarily invented concepts; therefore, mathematics is the only science that has definitions while philosophical definitions are never more that expositions. Kant? concluded that since mathematical definitions make their concepts and in philosophical definitions the concepts are only explained, it follows that: first, in philosophy we must not imitate mathematics by beginning with definitions, since the definitions are analyses of given concepts, they presuppose the prior presence of the concepts; the definition ought to come at the end of our enquiries; in mathematics we have no concept prior to the definition; second, mathematical definitions can never be in error.

Next, Kant, 1787, stated that axiom is in so far as they are immediately certain, are synthetic a priori principles; mathematics can have axioms since by means of the construction of concepts in the intuition of the object it can combine predicates of the object both a priori and immediately. On the other hand, philosophy? has no axioms since it is simply what reason knows by means of concepts; and the axioms of intuition in the Table of Principles are not axioms in the mathematical sense, they are the principles that specify the possibility of axioms in general. Kant? further noted that demonstration is an apodeictic proof only in so far as it is intuitive; no empirical grounds of proof can ever amount to apodeictic proof. He claimed that mathematics alone contains demonstrations since it derives its knowledge not from concepts but from the construction of them, that is, from intuition, which can be given a priori in accordance with the concepts. Otherwise, philosophy does not have demonstrations because it has always to consider the universal by means of concepts, while mathematics can consider the universal in the single intuition. Kant called the philosophical proofs as discursive that is it divides all apodeictic propositions into synthetic propositions directly derived from concepts. and synthetic propositions when directly obtained through the construction of concepts. Kant? then concluded that analytic judgment tells us nothing new about the object so they cannot be called dogmas; in other word, there are no dogmas in philosophy because there are no synthetic judgment derived directly from concepts. In conclusion, for Kant, in philosophy all dogmatic methods are inappropriate and the only method is systematic.

Kant, 1787, named the sum total of the a priori principles of the correct employment of certain faculties of knowledge, as a canon; so the transcendental analytic is the canon of the pure understanding; therefore, in the speculative employment there is no canon of pure reason due it cannot produce synthetic knowledge. According to Kant,? the greatest and perhaps sole use of pure reason in its speculative employment is only negative; since it serves not as an organon for the extension, but as a discipline for the limitation of pure reason, and, instead of discovering truth, it has only the modest merit of guarding against error. Kant? claimed that if there be any correct employment of pure reason, in which case there must be a canon of its employment, the canon will deal with the practical employment of reason.

Kant, 1787, noted that the ultimate end to which the speculative reason in its transcendental employment is directed concerns three objects: the freedom of the will, the immortality of the soul, and the existence of God. Kant? explained that in respect of all three the merely speculative interest of reason is very small because they would not be of any use in the study of nature; these three propositions are for speculative reason always transcendent and allow of no immanent employment that is employment in reference to objects of experience. He then concluded that if these propositions are not necessary for knowledge, their importance must concern only the practical. Further, Kant? stated that the practical is everything that is possible through freedom. Accordingly, when the conditions of the exercise of our free will are empirical, reason can supply none but pragmatic laws of free action for the attainment of those ends which are commended to us by the senses.

For Kant, 1787, the moral law can be pure practical law that its end is given through reason completely a priori and which are not prescribed to us in an empirically conditioned but in an absolute manner. According to Kant,? the moral law belong to the practical employment of reason and refer to something further, namely, to the problem of what we ought to do, if the will is free, if there is a God and a future world. While freewill is a will which can be determined independently of sensuous impulses and opposed to animal will which can be determined only through sensuous impulses.? He the noted that everything which is bound up with freewill, whether as a ground or a consequence, is entitled practical and all practical concepts relate the objects of satisfaction and dissatisfaction and therefore, at least indirectly to the object of our feelings. However, according to Kant,? feeling is not a faculty whereby we represent things, so our judgments so far as they relate to pleasure or pain do not belong to transcendental philosophy.

Ultimately, Kant, 1787, indicated that practical freedom can be proved through experience; we have the power to overcome impressions of our faculty of sensuous desire, by calling up representations of what, in a more indirect manner, is useful or injurious and these considerations are based on reason in which the laws are imperatives that is objective laws of freedom, which tell us what ought to happen. Kant claimed that these laws are therefore entitled practical laws. Kant? admitted that when we know practical freedom to be one of the causes in nature, namely to be a causality of reason in the determination of the will, transcendental freedom demands the independence of this reason from all determining causes of the sensible world. Therefore, transcendental freedom is thus, it would seem, contrary to the law of nature, and therefore to all possible experience, and so remains a problem and this problem does not come within the province of reason in its practical employment so we can leave it aside. In conclusion, the canon of pure reason only deals with two questions, which relate to the practical interest of pure reason that is to ask whether there is a God or there is a future life.?

Note:

? Mellway, J., 2004, The Form of Experience: The Transcendental Analogy, University Course Essay
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Kant, I., 1787, Critic of Pure Reason: The Elements Of Transcendentalism
First Part, Transcendental Aesthetic, translated by by F. Max Muller
? Ibid.
? Mellway, J., 2004, The Form of Experience: The Transcendental Analogy, University Course Essay
? Bid.
? Kant, I., 1787, Critic of Pure Reason: The Elements Of Transcendentalism
First Part, Transcendental Aesthetic, translated by by F. Max Muller
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.
? Ibid.

Source: http://powermathematics.blogspot.com/2012/11/kants-transcendental-doctrine-of-method.html

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Sunday, November 25, 2012

Home Grown, Locally Owned | clintonmochamber - kitarmangso

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Source: http://kitarmangso.blogspot.com/2012/11/home-grown-locally-owned.html

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Web design: KDR Creative Media - The Rod "Muniklip" Mosby Blog ...

If you have a business in Surrey that that you want to set up, you would know by now that the World Wide Web is one of the more formidable platforms through which you can market your services or products and at the same time get in touch with a better audience market than you ever thought was possible. Today, with the support of a website and basic marketing, you will have a way to set up your business on the net and drive your sales through the roof. When you choose for a web site design in Surrey to build up your online presence, you can be sure to get the best of what money can purchase.

Many a times, small business people decide to choose for a cheaper route and obtain web design companies in Surrey to design substandard sites for them. This in turn reflects poorly of their business and creates a sense of unprofessionalism about the business which they manage. If you are thinking about setting up a web site design for your small business in Surrey, then it really is strongly suggested that you seek professionals to manage your site. By the end of the day, you would need exactly what you are paying for and selecting for a professional web site design company in Surrey would be the perfect way to start it. If you do decide on buying a low priced design, you are only creating a chance for your company to sink. Most clients are impressed by having an online company just if they see a professional and well organized design on their service web site. Defectively constructed sales pages and product or sales descriptions directly affects business. It is therefore imperative that you select for a web site design firm in Surrey to be careful of your needs in a professional manner that can be depending on your requirements.

There are a number of web site design Surrey businesses that offer their services at substantially affordable rates. These types of organizations design web pages in HTML/CSS. Which means that you could have not a lot of control on the development of your pages. The moment you add a brand new service or product to your online business catalogue, you would need to shell out money again to have the web site updated. If you do not mind spending money over and over again, then you can go for it. Nevertheless, if you are looking at saving up on finances in the long run, you would be satisfied to know that very few web site design studios in Surrey that can offer you with a whole content management system which you can use to update your products and services.

The best content management system (CMS) available today is WordPress. WordPress promises to give you absolute get a handle on over your sites in order that you can update it whenever and wherever you want. Web site design companies in Surrey will design the CMS according to your specifications and provide you with log-in information to the WordPress CMS. The moment you opt for a web site design in Surrey to be careful of your small enterprises web design, you may also want to opt for marketing. SEO is a complicated marketing strategy which only a few Surrey web site design companies have already been in a position to understand. With the aid of search engine optimization (Search Engine Optimization), you will be able to control the search engine placements of your online business. This basically means that individuals that search for the products or services on leading search engines such as for instance Google, Bing and so on are certain to get to see your website first before anyone else's.

To help determine what SEO is, only search it. Finally, when all is prepared, a web site design Surrey Business will allow you to set up a PPC (Pay Per Click) campaign. Through the PPC campaign, you will be able to generate more visitors to your WordPress site and transform them in to sales. There are always a couple of technicalities with a PPC campaign which web site design companies for small businesses in Surrey should be able to assist you with. Fact of the subject is that good websites usually do not cost the planet earth. They have been affordable to a certain degree. When it comes to obtaining a complete and comprehensive online CMS to manage your website for you, give your complete flexibility in updating, modifying and adding products and marketing your site on the internet, spending around APS1,500 seems just like quite a good deal. As soon as you put up a CMS WordPress web site, you are certain to think it is favorable to your business in terms of its operations and financial returns. Mike Boulton works at wey2creative internet site design and optimisation in Weybridge, Surrey web design surrey. Content managed web sites beginning with 1,500 pounds.

Source: http://muniklip1.blogspot.com/2012/11/web-design-kdr-creative-media.html

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Saturday, November 24, 2012

Plot/Story Discussion.

A Dream Within Eden

The bright new era has dawned, a paradise has been found. But what happens when chaos and corruption threaten to ruin it all?

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This topic is an Out Of Character part of the roleplay, ?A Dream Within Eden?. Anything posted here will also show up there.

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Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.

Here is where those who are a part of A Dream Within Eden, can share and discuss among us all about plots and additional story lines. If you have ideas or suggestions, please post them here and this way everyone can voice their opinion and ideas. Please be considerate and polite, no flaming, no bashing.. etc etc. Follow standard forum rules. xD

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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Analysis: Russian-style quantitative easing may sow trouble

MOSCOW (Reuters) - It has been dubbed quantitative easing, Russian-style. A surge in central bank lending to Russian banks is sustaining rapid loan growth, but also risks fueling inflation and a potential credit bubble.

On the face of it, Russia's central bank has been acting tough. To clamp down on inflation it has recently hiked interest rates - in stark contrast with the ultra-loose monetary policies seen in western economies.

But while Russia has tightened the monetary screws with one hand, it has been opening the flood gates with the other.

"They are sending conflicting signals," said Natalia Orlova, chief economist at Alfa Bank. "They are raising interest rates ... and at the same time they continue to fund loan growth."

Total credit extended by the central bank has mushroomed to 2.5 trillion roubles ($80 billion) as of November 1 from negligible levels in mid-2011, and is approaching levels seen at the height of the 2008-9 financial shock.

And the central bank's role in financing banks looks set to keep growing as Russia's authorities endeavor to halt a possible slide in bank lending that would deepen an economic slowdown and undermine support for President Vladimir Putin.

At least in theory, more central bank funding for banks is a way to prop up the economy by encouraging banks to lend, supporting spending by companies and consumers.

FUNDING SQUEEZE

At the root of the central bank's growing lending is an intensifying squeeze on banks' market funding. Overnight interbank lending rates have risen steadily from below 3 percent at the start of 2011 to around 6 percent today.

Many bankers blame the central bank. Last month German Gref, the head of Russia's largest bank Sberbank , criticized its September rate hike, arguing that higher borrowing costs would crimp lending and damage economic growth.

But the deeper roots of the funding shortage lie in Russian banks' own behavior.

"The cause of the problem is that the banks have deployed more liquidity than they have attracted in the form of customer funding," said Yaroslav Sovgyra, associate managing director at credit rating agency Moody's in Moscow.

In the first 10 months of this year, total lending by Russian banks grew by 15 percent, outpacing the 9.4 percent increase in client deposits, according to the central bank's monthly banking sector review.

The shortfall means that banks are instead turning to the central bank to fill the gap. Moody's predicts that the share of central bank funding in banks' liabilities, now some 6 percent, will reach 15 percent by the end of next year.

Under pressure from banks, the central bank has promised to accept a wider range of collateral in future, and extend the maximum duration of central bank refinancing operations from the present three months to up to one year.

That raises concerns that what began as an emergency measure is rapidly becoming the new norm.

"Banks generally should resort to central bank funding in a difficult situation, when you need liquidity as a matter of extraordinary support," said Sovgyra. "But not during the normal course of business to finance loans."

INFLATION OVERSHOOT

The central bank's monetary injections may help to explain disconcertingly high inflation, which is set to overshoot the central bank's 6 percent inflation target for the year.

"Without these injections core inflation would be much lower -- it's quite obvious," said Alfa's Orlova, who predicted that the central bank would also miss its 6 percent target next year due to political and economic pressure to support banks.

Analysts are also worried that the expansion in central bank credits will dilute asset quality, both of the central bank itself and of the banks it is lending to.

They point out that growth in retail lending -- the riskiest segment of the market -- has recently accelerated to over 40 percent, notwithstanding the recent hike in central bank rates.

Concerned by the rapid increase, the central bank is now tightening regulations to damp down the riskiest retail lending. But it seems less inclined to rein in corporate lending, the main cause of Russian banks' troubles in the 2008-9 crunch.

Leading bankers see the situation differently.

"If you look at penetration of loans in the economy it still significantly lags emerging market peers, and is obviously far away from the developed economies," said Herbert Moos, chief financial officer of VTB Bank , Russia's No.2 lender.

The ratio of loans to GDP, around 45 percent, compares with 55 percent in Poland and 150 percent in the European Union - suggesting that Russia is a long way from the kind of debt crisis now plaguing western economies. Retail loans represent just 10 percent of GDP.

But some Russian bankers paint a less reassuring picture.

"A lot of banks are involved in speculation, because the central bank provides a big volume of resources," said Andrei Larkin, deputy chairman of mid-size Absolut Bank.

"Banks take a big risk of a liquidity gap. In general the money is short-term, and the assets are long-term."

Leading bankers acknowledge the latter problem, but argue that the solution is for Russia to go even further in copying the quantitative easing policies seen in the West by providing multi-year financing.

"It's not only about inflation and monetary stability," said VTB's Moos. "If Russia wants to support growth of its own economy, it needs to provide improved longer-term financing."

Sceptics say that Russia can hardly be compared to western countries, which are resorting to highly unorthodox measures to revive stagnant lending and avert a deflationary debt spiral.

"Obviously that might be necessary if you have a problem effectively with loan growth - like you have in the U.S. or euro zone - but that's not a problem here," said Clemens Grafe, chief economist at Goldman Sachs in Moscow.

"You can't fund your loan growth with short-term repos (central bank loans), and you shouldn't fund it with long-term repos either, because that is essentially printing money."

($1 = 31.1612 Russian roubles)

(Editing by Douglas Busvine/Jeremy Gaunt; Graphic by Vincent Flasseur)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/analysis-russian-style-quantitative-easing-may-sow-trouble-125401765--business.html

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Ten Best Foods To Help In Weight Loss | Health and Fitness Tips for ...

Losing weight is not all about going to gym, sweating, lifting heavy weights, running long miles or anything of that sort alone. Rather, weight loss is a combination of the physical exercises a person does and the food a person intakes. Therefore, weight loss is not possible without bringing changes in the eating behavior.

Foods To Help In Weight Loss

When it comes to eating behavior, where there are foods that make a person gain weight and be fat, there are other foods as well that can help a person in losing weight. The consumption of these foods helps lose the weight and achieve the fitness goals. The ten best foods for weight loss are discussed below.

1. Raisin Barn-Homemade:

One packet of raisins, mixed with a cup of nonfat milk, and cereal provides a person with the vitamins, minerals, and protein intake a person requires for a day. This recipe contains 244 calories, and is a rich source of sugar, natural fiber and sweet.

Weight loss Aid- With this food, you?ll save 6teaspoons of sugar, 5grams of fat, and 50 calories compared to ordinary raisin bran.

2. Egg whites with Green:

Scrambled egg white?s with spinach provides almost 54grams of protein and that too within 255 calories. It?s the recipe to first spray the frying pan with fat free Pam, then adding a blend of 4servings equivalent egg whites, ? cup of mushroom and ? cup spinach. The pan must be heated before pouring of blend, and the blend must be fried until the eggs dry.

Weight loss Aid- With this food, you?ll save 100mg of cholesterol, 13g of fat, and 40 calories compared to ordinary scrambled eggs.

3. Balanced Shake:

To get nutrition levels to maximum, try drinking a balanced diet shake in the morning. A shake with balanced diet ingredients will provide 180 calories with vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates along with 5gs of dietary fiber, and 10gs of soy.

Weight loss Aid- With this food, you?ll save 60 calories, and 6gs of fat in comparison to ordinary shakes or drinks.

4. Valley Chili:

Soup is an important part of weight loss program. The valley chili soup contains healthy fiber thus aiding in weight loss regime.

Weight loss Aid- With this food, you?ll save 200 calories, and 22gs of fat in comparison to ordinary restaurant chilies.

5. Fruit Smoothie:

Fruit smoothies are full with antioxidants. Combine by blending a cup of unsweetened, frozen blueberries, ? cup of wheat grain, ? banana and water.

Weight loss Aid- With this food, you?ll save 200 calories for every 2-3 cup serving in comparison to ordinary store bought or canned smoothie.

6. Natural Jam and Bagels:

Spreading the frozen bagels with natural jam is also a great help in achieving the weight loss goal. Although fresh bagels are the best but frozen are used due to their ease of use.

Weight loss Aid- With this food, you?ll save between 160-360 calories and 10g of fat compared to bagels on popular food outlets that contain cream cheese.

7. Grilled Vegetable Burger:

A burger that contains garlic, onion, red-bell pepper, and some zucchini is a great alternative to the highly saturated fat burgers. With addition of tomato, toppings, and lettuce the difference between the traditional and this healthy burger would be negligible.

Weight loss Aid- With this food, you?ll save 180 calories, 19gs of fat in comparison to ordinary 3ounce beef burger.

8. Wheat Tortilla:

A delicious and nutritious lunch could be made with wheat tortilla and addition of greens, tomato, carrots, pepper, lean meat, grilled chicken, turkey or beans. The sprouted wheat tortilla will give the vitamins and minerals the body needs at lunch time.

Weight loss Aid- With this food, you?ll save 50calories, and 5gs of fat compared to commercial tortilla wrap that contains oil, greasy chicken, and mayo.

9. Croutons With Tossed Salad:

Salad is an important part of meal and is a healthy contribution to diet plan. However, instead of loading your food with high fat salad dressing, decorate it with beans, fruit or croutons. The inclusion of croutons, beans increases the iron, Vitamin C and folic acid intake.

Weight loss Aid- With this food, you?ll save 100calories and 28gs of fat in one ounce serving compared to ordinary salad dressing.

10. ?Spaghetti Squash:

A spaghetti squash is one of the most delightful ways to increase the intake of Vitamin C, potassium, pantothenic acid, and carbohydrates.

Weight loss Aid- With this food, you?ll save 200 calories, compared to about 2 cups of ordinary spaghetti serving.

In short, when it comes to weight loss, food is an important part of it. When following any particular diet plan, you must count the calories and compare the calorie intake with the other options you have and then select the food with best nutritional value and low calories.

Related posts:

  1. The Role Of Adequate Calories Consumption in Weight Loss
  2. The Truths about HGH for Weight Loss
  3. HGH Therapy Helps In Weight Loss
  4. 11 Super Foods To Make Sex A Pleasant Experience
  5. Foods That Influence The Brain And Help Increase Concentration

Source: http://www.nationwidesi.com/blog/exercise-fitness/ten-best-foods-help-in-weight-loss/

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Internet Marketing using Google Autocomplete | iClickMedia

I?m sure most of you reading this blog here is a frequent user of Google search (who isn?t?).

Google Autocomplete

Google Autocomplete

Have you noticed that Google likes to try and guess what it is that you are searching for with its autocomplete feature. According to Google these search suggestions or predicted queries ?are algorithmically determined based on a number of purely algorithmic factors (including popularity of search terms) without human intervention. The autocomplete data is updated frequently to offer fresh and rising search queries?.

To most search users this is a cool feature that maybe saves them 0.03 seconds worth of typing every time that they search. But to internet marketers, Google?s autocomplete feature can be used for so much more.

The first way that Internet marketers can use autocomplete to their advantage is as a keyword research tool. The Google autocomplete algorithm ?predicts and displays search queries based on other users? search activities?. Isn?t that what keyword research is all about? Finding out how people search? For SEO purposes, it?s important to create content that matches the needs of target audience members. Start typing something related to your industry or field into Google as a ?how to? or ?tips? and see what pops up. After getting a few good suggestions, consult the Google keyword research tool to get actual search volume numbers. The autocomplete feature can help you brainstorm blog/article topics and post titles.

Another important part of an online marketing campaign (or any marketing campaign, for that matter) is competitive research. Use the autocomplete feature to find out how people are searching for your competition and to learn what your competition is up to. If one of the first things that is suggested for a competitor is ?Company X event?- find out what kind of event they are attending or holding. Should you be doing the same?

In addition to scoping out the competition, you can use the autocomplete feature to scope out your own business. As hard as you may try, there is no way to control everything that is being said about your business or brand online. Autocomplete can be useful for online reputation management purposes. Be sure to Google yourself every once in awhile and see what is suggested. If you notice something like ?Company X scam? or ?Company X complaints? showing as a suggested search result, that?s a recipe for disaster. If you are seeing that, it means that your target audience members are seeing it too. It?s important to get to the bottom of the problem and do what you can to fix it ASAP.

Source: http://www.iclickmedia.com.sg/search-engine-optimisation-seo/internet-marketing-using-google-autocomplete

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