LabView vs MatLab

LabVIEW (Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Engineering Workbench) was developed by National Instruments which is a platform and development environment for visual programming language, the dataflow Programming language of LabView is called "G". LabView is used for instrument control systems, data acquisition and industrial automation. It is the most widely used application for data acquisition after C. Being experienced in using C programming and Matlab makes it more easier to work with LabView, as the coding is not only written in G language but also uses C and C++, and C, C++ and Java can also be integrated and called up from LabView. LabView has many modules which are similar to C, due to which C coding can also be used in LabView applications. All the three languages can be used to design, prototype, simulate, test and develop latest technologies, experienced programmers also use a combination of both MatLab and LabView applications and also MatLab coding can be integrated into LabView. Therefore being proficient with C and MatLab becomes easier to understand and work using LabView

The major benefit of LabVIEW over other development tools is the saving on program development time and the support it offers to access the instrumentation hardware. Abstraction layers and drivers can be included for several different types of buses and instruments, which are in the form of graphical nodes. Communication with the hardware devices can be done through average software interfaces. Due to the ease with which people having very little programming experience can also write and deploy programs and test solutions in lesser time, and the speed and accuracy of the system compared to other systems, LabView attracts great demand and popularity among programmers experienced in C programming and MatLab which helps them in using LabView in an effective manner.

Smart Cities

Smart Cities are the moment of the day with the government stressing on developing 100 smart cities and urban renewal for 500 cities. What is a smart city?, making use of digital technologies to enhance the performance and comfort, to reduce the overheads and consumption of resources and to provide a platform for the citizens were they can interact more efficiently and easily with the authorities, all these together make a smart city, which also includes different smart sectors like public health, transportation, energy, water and better management of waste. Using the PPP model would be very beneficial and essential in the smart city model not only for the required capital but also for the efficient delivery of utilities along with the proposed service oriented standards.

Proper disposal of effluents and the efficient and proper usage of water, waste, effluents and energy should be the key strategy in addressing the public health issues, and accordingly, waste to energy, solar and renewable energy; rain water harvesting and recycling of wastes should be main agenda for developing a smart city. Safety and security should be given extreme importance with an alarming rise in the no. of robberies and attacks on women and elderly people, cc cameras at all public places which are brightly lit, constant patrolling, quick response to emergency calls and only verified access of identity should be put up and monitored. Appropriate free schools for economically backward children, recreational and sports facilities, rehabilitation centers, entertainment centers, homes for the elderly and homeless children all should be addressed to achieve the tag of a smart city. Important cells should be formed to address the issues like women safety and harassment, corruption, prostitution and child labour.

A smart city makes use of technology to transform its primary systems. Information technology forms the core infrastructure of a smart city with data centers, Wi Fi zones,  cameras wireless devices and sensors forming the major services. The development of a smart city takes close to 20-30 years, every citizen should be a part of the development by maintaining personal discipline and hygiene in using the public utilities like roads, place of entertainment, parks and other public places. A city is smart only when the people of the city are smart by stopping littering, spitting and urinating in the public places. The development of smart cities is definitely a good way in making the cities sustainable, environment friendly and technologically advanced, at the same time villages should also become a part of this development, there are many villages which lack even the basic amenities such as proper roads, water, power, toilets and schools. It would be a great achievement if the smart tag is not limited to only certain cities and the facility is extended to create smart villages for the overall development of our country.

20 Fat Burning Foods

1. Tomatoes

A fruit or a vegetable, whatever, tomatoes have low calories and consist of the antioxidant lycopene which is known to be the cure for many diseases. Tomatoes are full of fiber and very healthy, eating tomatoes aid in losing weight and making you feel full.

2. Oranges

Oranges, with its healthy vitamin C, low calories and loaded with fiber is the perfect snack which can be consumed in moderation due to its sweetness.

3. Oats

Oats are a part of any weight loss diet due to the amount of fiber in them which helps boost your metabolism making you feel fuller for a long time. The minerals and antioxidants in oats make them a perfect choice as a breakfast dish, and they also have an important role in lowering your cholesterol.

4. Spices

It’s a myth that if we want to lose weight we should eat bland food, spicing up your meal can actually help you lose weight.  The thermo genic properties in spices aid in added metabolism in addition to offering tasty food. Spices in your food can in fact burn the calories and boost your energy.

5. Sweet Potatoes

The word ‘Sweet’ in Sweet Potatoes may make you run from it if you’re trying to lose weight, but it turns out that actually sweet potatoes are awesome for someone dieting as they have very less calories, more fiber and consist of potassium, vitamin C and B6.

6. Apples

Apples are a great source of sodium, fiber and lots of water which helps you keep full in between meals, buying organic apples and chewing on them is great for a diet conscious person.

7. Nuts

Nuts are a must for any sort of diet planning, munching on almonds, walnuts and any such nuts are a great source of energy and also provide the much need omega 3 fatty acids. Nuts can also be used in the form of garnishing for side dishes and desserts.

8. Quinoa

Quinoa is an excellent food for weight loss in addition to the added benefits of the vitamins in Quinoa. It is low on calories and glycemic Index, the reason why it should be a must on the list of foods for dieting.

9. Beans

Beans with their high amount of fiber help with digestion and help regulate blood sugar levels. Consuming black beans as a side dish is a great choice when you don’t want to look like you’re on a diet.

10. Egg Whites

Scared of eggs because of the high content of fat resulting in cholesterol from the yolks? Chuck the yolks and consume egg whites which are a great source of proteins.

11. Mushrooms

Mushrooms with their low calories and high vitamin content form a great food for those wishing to lose weight, hence are a must in every diet program.

12. Flax Seeds

Flax seeds contain Omega-3’s and help in reducing cholesterol, hypertension, cancer, depression, liver disease and increase your metabolism helping you to reduce weight.

13. Hot Peppers

Like hot and spicy food? Good News, hot peppers like jalapenos, habaneros and chipotles actually help you to lose weight. They contain capsaicin which helps in losing weight. And as per research they actually prevent stomach ulcers by killing the harmful bacteria.

14. Broccoli

Broccoli is packed with fiber and nutrients and helps you shed fat and keeps you fuller and feeling good. Spice it up with spice or hot peppers to prepare a great fat burning recipe.

15. Spinach

Spinach should be an all-time favorite as it has a lot of good things for losing weight and the general wellbeing. It can be eaten in different ways fresh as a salad, in a can, and is also available frozen, it’s good for weight loss and is also healthy.

16. Green Tea

Green tea consists of antioxidants which are very good for our health and sipping on this can also help you lose fat by burning more calories. Green tea has many benefits as it is not processed; it retains most of its antioxidants and nutrients, making it a popular food.

17. Cinnamon

Cinnamon can be used as a powerful food for its weight loss benefits, cinnamon can be added to your diet in many forms for positive results, it helps in regulating the glucose levels in our blood.

18. Salmon

The presence of Omega-3 fatty acids makes Salmon a popular food. Salmon’s contain low fat and is an excellent food to fight cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

19. Yogurt

A cup of yogurt a day is good to reduce belly fat, is loaded with vitamins, apart from giving instant energy after an intense workout. Yogurt consists of probiotics, proteins, calcium and vitamin D; it helps reduce your blood pressure, and is vouched by many people looking to maintain a flat belly.

20. Blueberries

Blueberries are a wonderful food for weight loss, especially in reducing overall fat. Blueberries can be eaten as they are or can be used in salads.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

A coffee company ‘Coffee Bean and Tea leaf ‘which produces coffee based in California, has many franchises in US and also throughout the world. With the growing popularity for Coffee Cafes and the cut throat competition in this industry, opening a new franchise in Norman should be based on a unique strategy to lure youngsters with whom such coffee stores are a huge hit. The major marketing strategies to be taken to ensure that the franchise is a success are the proper timing of entry and positioning in the market, the location of the franchise plays a crucial role in the future prospects of the franchise. Having a robust marketing plan for the coming couple of years and having all the key marketing strategies like advertising, using social media for advertising, target audience, building on the brand name and having the best price options in line with the plan gives a good start to the franchise.

A new franchise should have clear objectives and policies, with the necessary financial targets for them, should concentrate on the customer base, publicity strategies, budget allocations and conceive certain schedules in order to adhere to them for faster achievement of the targets. Communication is the key to success and participating in trade shows and contributing to magazines or newspapers about the franchise is equally important, in addition to all this creating and maintaining a brand name which gives importance to quality and timely deliverables is extremely important and helpful. Innovating and developing new products and introducing new varieties of coffee and tea along with attractive price tags and slogans that attract youngsters is another key to gaining sure shot popularity for any new franchise.

SWACHH BHARAT

Swachh Bharat is a national level campaign announced by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. This campaign aims to achieve the vision of clean India by the year 2019 (five years from now). This mission was started by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, nominating nine famous personalities for this campaign, and these nine people take up the campaign and further nominate nine persons each. Various programs and events were conducted on Swachh Bharat to educate the people of India about cleanliness. A Swachh Bharat run was also organised which was flagged of by the President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee to create awareness among the common public. This campaign launched by the Prime Minister is a very good campaign because clean India means healthy India. Rural areas and slums in the cities of India lack sanitation and are prone to many diseases. Unhygienic conditions is one of the major root cause of diseases. Any disease or illness has financial impact both in terms of expenditure and potential revenue earning. Swachh Bharat Mission will have a positive impact on India’’s health, gradual focus on cleanliness and hygiene will shift focus towards use of clean technology that is non-polluting in nature.

Focus on new technology will lead to new developments and inventions it will also help in generating employment. Swach Bharat mission is not only about cleanliness and hygiene but it also looks at technological development  for the future. A healthy body has a healthy mind, a healthy mind is directly proportional to productivity of an individual. Swachh Bharat mission will lead to healthy India which in turn will lead to increase in individual productivity which in turn will increase the GDP of our country. An ill nation can never be developed, but a healthy nation can always be on the fast track to development and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan can help fulfill this. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan cannot be successful without the help of each and every Indian. We should not look at it as a political gimmick, but we should look at it as a necessity and every person should feel responsible and committed in maintaining cleanliness in our surroundings. In order to achieve the goal of Swachh Bharat each and every Indian should start by keeping their home, surroundings,workplace and school clean.

Dangers of Electronic Waste

E-waste or electronic waste is disposal of electronics. Discarded electronics contain hazardous materials. If disposed improperly, they pose a potential threat to human health and the environment. E-Waste accounts for 40 percent of the lead and 75 percent of the heavy metals found in landfills. Although safe when used, once electronics are discarded in a landfill, the acidic conditions provide an environment in which lead and other heavy metals may leak out. If the landfill's liner fails, the groundwater supply may become contaminated E waste is generally hazardous if not disposed in a proper way. Mercury found in fluorescent tubes, tilt switches and flat screen televisions and computers causes many health related problems like sensory impairment and muscle weakness. Sulphur found in batteries causes liver damage, kidney damage and heart damage.  Americium found in smoke alarms is radioactive and dangerous. Cadmium found in nickel batteries if not disposed properly can leach into soil, harming microorganisms and disrupting the soil ecosystem. Beryllium oxide found in CPU’s and power transistors is very dangerous and radioactive.

If a person is exposed to some chemical found in electronics, his DNA could break up which may increase the likelihood of developing cancer.  These hazards arise due to the improper recycling and disposal processes used. It can have serious repercussions for those in proximity to places where e-waste is recycled or burnt. Waste from the white and brown goods is less toxic as compared with grey goods. A computer contains highly toxic chemicals like lead, cadmium, mercury, beryllium, BFR, polyvinyl chloride and phosphor compounds. E waste should be recycled properly using proper steps and procedures otherwise they may prove hazardous.

Chrysler-Fiat

Chrysler the auto manufacturing firm is a well-known brand name in Northern America which is famous for its brand jeeps and mini-vans; it has a well-established network all over America. Chrysler was always secondary to GM and Ford; it lacked market visibility due to no strong leadership, a costly de-merger with Daimler and a limited edition of fuel-efficient cars. Due to its concentration on low cost auto requirement segments like the middle-income group it could not score well when compared to other auto manufacturers, adding further to its burdens were the entry of many Japanese manufacturers like Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai which also focused to be an attraction to the middle class by introducing many compact and fuel efficient models. The jeeps and mini-vans were a major success for Chrysler especially in North America. In the nineties it was a well-known brand name which enjoyed success in the market, but still lagged behind other manufacturers due to low quality and no customer satisfaction. Chrysler later faced many ups and downs by increasing oil prices and other problems related to post-merger, due to which it had to face high costs and layoffs, at this time it was looking for a merger with other manufacturers like Nissan, Fiat, GM and Volkswagen. Finally in 2009 it tied up with Fiat for a strategic alliance and later recovered its market visibility by 2012 due to its merger with Fiat.

Fiat the Italian car maker has its presence felt in the European car market, which is a reputed brand with good quality and enjoys great success in the small car segment in Europe. The Global auto industry is a very large industry which attracts many countries to develop new models and technologies which have an impact on every aspect of the country; Fiat did not enjoy much visibility in the global market, due to its poor marketing skills and low participation in the market. After the merger with Chrysler, Fiat was able to get a steady lead in the US auto markets. Under the leadership of Sergio Marchionne, the brand is likely to increase its global market share aggressively by introducing many new models in the market.

                         

Compared to Chrysler and Fiat, GM leads the global market share by commanding 19.1% market share, and also being the largest US exporter, followed by Toyota which holds a 16.1% of the market share, and is also aggressively expanding and found to be the strongest competitor to GM, followed by Ford with a 14.6% market share, which has a good visibility in the auto market, but lags behind in the export division, Volkswagen has a market share of 3.5% and has a strong presence in the Europe markets, Daimler has a market share of 1.6% , attributes its losses to the de-merger with Chrysler, but enjoys a strong visibility in the global market. Post the merger with Fiat, Chrysler was able to come out of bankruptcy and gave 20% share to Fiat, and Fiat after the merger with Chrysler was able to hold a 20% market share in US, and is expecting to make more than 6 million cars by 2018, and Chrysler remains to be a major success in the SUV Jeeps and mini trucks sector. Marchionne is expecting a 25% surge in production in the upcoming 4 years.

Specific Digestive Conditions

One of the most common digestive conditions in a person is Acid Reflux, this is mostly caused on lying down after having an unusually large meal, eating closer to bedtime, consuming carbonated drinks and spicy food, smoking or drinking, taking medicines like pain killers, being obese and being pregnant. This condition is usually caused when the acid produced by the stomach moves up into the esophagus thereby causing a burning sensation or heart burn. The other symptoms that are seen in this condition are bloating, nausea, burping, hiccups, sore throat, cough, vomiting’s and a feeling that something is stuck in the throat. All the above symptoms are caused due to stress, bad diet which includes refined and processed food, sugars, and unhealthy fatty foods, lack of exercise, presence of certain toxins, germs and viruses in the food we consume.

It’s also surprising to note that the medications we take regularly like painkillers, anti-depressants and other medicines for treating osteoporosis and inflammation can also cause acid reflux and heartburn. It’s informative to note that acid reflux can lead to most of the common diseases like heart ailments, cancer, arthritis, obesity and other digestive conditions. To maintain a thorough defense system in our body, we should try to follow certain steps to avoid this condition like eating small meals 5 to 6 times a day, maintaining a gap of 3 hours between eating and sleeping, ensuring that we exercise daily, including lots of fiber and greens, whole grains, unrefined food, probiotics, nuts, omega 3 fatty acids and healthy oils in our daily diet. Identifying the root cause for any disease is crucial to treat it; this is very true in the case of such digestive disorders which if not treated at the right time and in a right manner can lead to cancer of the esophagus.

Health Care Sustainability

Efforts to improve sustainability in health care have great advantages like promoting heath care, cutting costs, motivating the staff and encouraging community based health care. Every health care center produces a huge amount of carbon dioxide and other particulate matter into the air which is inhaled by all the patients and the staff due to which it is very important to adapt energy saving technologies. By conducting an energy audit we can become aware of all the available opportunities to save energy, like changing the lighting fixtures to energy saving fixtures, maintaining the heating and cooling systems in an efficient manner to increase their efficiency and save energy. Also partnering with the local authorities to tap renewable energy by renewing the waste gases to energy, also entering the solar and wind energy market and recycling the used cardboard, paper, wood and other waste material will greatly help in improving sustainability in health care.

Health care centers have an unusually large environmental footprint wherein they contribute to a major part of the waste generated, and are the major producers of greenhouse gas emissions and spend the most on energy. The high quantity of waste generated by the Health centers will in turn aid in the spreading of diseases and raise the costs of managing healthcare centers due to the rising usage and spending towards food, water and energy. Improving the indoor environment of a hospital by using quality ecological practices with positive outcomes with regards to health should be the main principle of sustainability. Care should be taken in the architectural finishes, usage of material and open green spaces while designing an energy efficient health care center. Effective waste management should be the main objective of all the health care centers, as effective management and usage of waste will help in reducing the energy costs at the same time making use of the waste for renewable energy and recycling products which help in changing Health Care.

Israel vs. Palestine

There is always a constant fear of war and the never ending feeling of insecurity and dream of peace in the Middle Eastern countries. Hope a day would come when both the Arabs and the Jews support each other with all the ongoing conflicts on border control, control of Jerusalem, water issues, freedom of movement and refugee rights resolved. Even after all these years the Arabs and Jews are unable to lead a peaceful life always leading an insecure life. We look forward to see the end of the daily violence in the Middle East were many innocent people including children are losing their lives because of the hatred between the two races. Even with the continuous negotiations between the two parties aided by the UN, US, Russia and Europe the war between them is not even near to its end. The expectation of the United Nations to involve the Middle Eastern countries to join the resolutions and treaties of Nuclear Weapon Free Zone and the Non Proliferation treaty is a good step and if successful will witness a peaceful Middle East.

The hope of introducing the two states solution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine also is very promising, and if introduced will definitely solve a majority of the differences between the two parties. The two states solution looks promising wherein Israel can stop all the activity of settlement and pullout its troops from the West bank and Gaza region, and the Palestine’s can work hard to develop the land liberated to them.  The Israel-Palestine Unilateralism should be proposed by the United States to promote peace instead of attacking them by war. Let’s strongly hope that the constant fighting between Israel and Palestine will one day come to an end and be friendly neighbors with successful trade and business between both the parties.

Cocaine and its Effects

Cocaine is obtained by extracting coke from cocoa bush extensively found in Columbia, which produces 90-100% pure cocaine. Cocaine when ingested acts as a stimulant to the nervous system, which acts like an anesthetic to the body and numbs the part of body when applied to it. The initial feeling when cocaine is ingested is one of euphoria and elation which gives a rush to the person involved making him feel extremely ecstatic, energetic and powerful. All these feelings of power which the person is undergoing are not real, and these feelings are induced by cocaine due to which the brain is packed with dopamine which acts as a neurotransmitter sending neurons to the brain. This feeling of ecstasy lasts for a very short time, a few minutes or less than an hour, after this the person will feel very low and extremely depressed. These feelings of initial ecstasy a person undergoes are accompanied with an increased heart rate, high blood pressure, sleeplessness, dry mouth and a loss of appetite.

Prolonged and excessive use of cocaine causes behavior changes in a person like the person will experience palpitations, greater agitation, irritation, hallucinations, loss of weight and symptoms of hyper mannerism. Long term usage of cocaine may cause cancer, lung damage, respiratory problems, asthma and bronchitis. Snorting on cocaine through the nose damages the throat, larynx and the surrounding tissues. Long term cocaine users may also experience a sensation of crawling on the skin, which might make them to scratch their skin resulting in excessive bleeding and cause of lesions. When cocaine users are under extreme stress they experience all the above behavioral problems, which are a result of the changes in brain functioning due to stimulation caused by using cocaine. Users become addicted to cocaine which affect their brain and senses by giving them the initial rush and pleasurable feelings.

Influential People of American History

American History is probably one of the most interesting histories all over the world. And some of the most important people shaping the history of America in between 1492 to 1865 are Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and Abraham Lincoln.

             Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706, he was a clever boy, and as he grew up he was fascinated in books and poetry, which made him write articles for newspapers and books. He was a very creative person, and was the inventor of the Franklin stove which saved fuel. But the invention for which we all remember him still today is the invention of electricity, we remember him as the first person to introduce light in our lives. Franklin was such a person who thought all people were equal, and in 1765 he was asked by Thomas Jefferson to help him in writing the Declaration of Independence. The people of America still consider him as a hero, who struggled for their independence.

             George Washington was born in Virginia in 1732; he was a gentleman who developed good morals and manners at a young age. In the beginning of his career he worked as a surveyor and he had many lands. Till the American Revolution Washington managed his lands at Mount Vernon. In 1775 as a delegate of Virginia Washington was elected as Chief Commander of the Continental Army. Immediately after he took command of his troops and started the war against British, which lasted for six years. In 1781 he finally forced the arrest of Lord Cornwallis, which put an end to the war. He was one of the main persons in the Constitutional Convention in 1787 at Philadelphia. And finally on April 30^th 1789 he took oath as the first President of the United States.

             Thomas Jefferson was born in Virginia in 1743; his father who was a planter was a rich man with lots of land, which Jefferson inherited from him. He was an active member of the Congress, who did not speak much. He along with Benjamin Franklin wrote the Declaration of Independence. He was appointed as a minister to France in 1785. He played a key role in writing a bill for religious freedom, which was put forward in 1786. Jefferson was elected as vice-president in 1796. In 1801 he was elected as the third President of United States. As the President he cut the expenditures for the Navy and the Army and he also slashed the budget. He was also busy in keeping the nation away from the wars of Napoleon.

             James Madison was born in Virginia in 1751; he was mostly inspired by people like Isaac Newton, David Hume and Voltaire. He worked on the Orange County Committee for safety in Virginia in 1774. Later he was elected to the Virginia Convention, which sought independence and wanted a new state. He served in the council of State in 1778 and 1779. He became a leader of the Nationalist Group in 1779. He worked closely with Jefferson and he left Congress in 1797. In 1801 he was appointed as the State secretary by then President Jefferson. James Madison was elected as the fourth President of United States in 1808. He played a key role in forming the US constitution, and was greatly favorable to a republican government.

             Alexander Hamilton was born in 1755; his parents were from West Indian trading families. Hamilton entered into politics by writing about the disputes between the Americans and the British. He was more interested in action so he joined the military and fought in different battles in 1775 and 1776, his abilities brought him closer to George Washington and he worked for four years with Washington as a staff officer. After leaving the army he went into legal practice and became a well known lawyer. Hamilton was the one to propose to establish a national bank to help the government to manage various trades and finance matters that was how the Bank of United States was started in 1791. Hamilton was obviously one of the most influential people, as he was the first secretary of the treasury and he had given America a very strong financial foothold.

             Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky in 1809; he used to work on a farm and tried to manage as much education as he could. He spent almost eight years in the legislature of Illinois. In 1858 Lincoln contested for the Senator elections, but he lost the elections, but while contesting with the opposition, he gained lots of popularity which earned him the nomination for the President in the Republic part in 1860. In 1861 he was elected as the 16^th President of the United States. Lincoln was totally against slavery and in 1863 he passed the Emancipation Proclamation bill which declared that all the people working as slaves were free forever. In 1864 he was re-elected as the President, he was a very flexible and generous person and he encouraged the people to stop fighting and unite with others.

             All the above people have played a key role in shaping the history of United States and all of them have influenced the country in their own way. Most of the influential people were the Presidents of the United States at some time or the other. People still remember these people with respect and that shows in the various names of states and memorials which are in the names of these people.

Advantages of Meat Taxation

Paying compulsory taxes on the income you earned and for other services to contribute to the revenue of the Government has become a general practice, at the same time adding taxes and duties on certain products like cigarettes, alcohol and other products which are harmful for human consumption and which the Government doesn’t want people to use has been a great tactic.  But the recent proposal to introduce tax on meat to the above list with the intention of reducing the consumption of meat by the common man and to reduce the high costs associated with the consumption of meat will definitely be hard on the Americans, as they are the highest consumers of meat.

As per statistics every American on an average consumes 44kg of meat per year compared to Indians who consume 5kg of meat per person.  The number of pigs, cows and lambs has grown 10 folds; farming for livestock covers 1/3^rd of the land in the world, which could have been used to grow crops to feed the malnourished people.  With the growing consumption of meat, the prices of staple food also have seen a steep rise, and this is also the main reason for obesity among Americans.  Results also show that compared to vegetarians, non vegetarians showed a greater tendency in facing the risk of obesity, which clearly shows that meat consumption is directly linked to obesity.  Studies have also revealed that due to the high amount of antibiotics used on animals there is a danger of widespread infectious diseases like Tuberculosis, smallpox, measles and even the recent highly prevailing Swine flu which killed so many people.

 

The increase in production of meat also has a negative impact on the environment in the form of effluents released by the livestock and also as a major part of the green house gases emitted is by the livestock as a result of which we face a high risk of global warming.  Also when compared to consumption of water, the water required for growing crops such as wheat and rice is very less when compared to water consumption by livestock, due to which we may face a severe scarcity of water. The increase in meat production is also the reason for the gradual declination in the number of fishes being killed to produce fish oil and dry feed every year so that they can be fed to chicken and pigs.

With America being the highest consumer of meat, the proposal to introduce tax on meat maybe seen as a move to discourage the usage of meat by the Government, and might deter people from the lower income groups in buying meat, but it certainly will be not be a restriction for meat lovers, who are bound to consume meat despite the taxation on meat.  But taking into consideration all the benefits of abstaining from meat consumption, like good health, decreased risk to diseases, better environment, decrease in obesity and many more, this proposal should be definitely finalized as introducing taxes on meat would at least temporarily reduce the consumption of meat, and people would think twice while purchasing meat.  Studies also reveal that by taxing meat, the average consumption per person in a year would definitely fall even though we cannot expect a total fall in meat consumption, which would help in curtailing the rising prices of staple food and encourage the cultivation of crops.  We will definitely help in having a better environment which will have a positive impact on the planet by reducing the consumption of meat.

Hindu Temple Architecture and its Significance

This article describes the significance of depicting art in the form of architecture in Hindu temples; the forms of the deities are embodied as sculptures on the walls and in the temple, the worshippers look up to these sculptures as their favorite deities, architecture in temples is a very important feature and is given great prominence. The view of this article is to illustrate the significance and importance of the daily rituals and ceremonies performed which have a large influence on the form and structure of architecture in a temple, Hindus being very devotional people, daily rituals in a temple and the deities in the form of sculptures form an important part of the daily life of a devotee. 

The starting of any venture, new beginnings and special occasions begin with rituals being performed in the anticipation of great success in the project. The Construction of the temple is also considered very significant, prior to starting construction, rituals are performed while laying the foundation stone and erecting the first Mukha Dwara (Main door) and Dwaja Stambha (Sacred Pillar), the form and plan of the temple and the place where the deity should be placed (Garbha Gudi) also holds significance during the construction of a temple. This is enough evidence to illustrate the essential relation between man and God in Hinduism. The response to the depiction of female eroticism as sculptures on the temple is that these sculptures symbolize an auspicious beginning to life as erotica is the very basis of life and the further continuation of mankind, Eroticism in the form of sculptures in Hindu temples is very significant and widely found on temples. To conclude, this portrayal of various deities and performance of daily rituals and ceremonies is a part and parcel of Hinduism and is done for the safety and well being of the people and the whole community, this is truly seen in the recurring art form in so many temples, each temple is constructed to worship a particular God, Indians believe a lot in offering prayers at temples for the well being and survival of mankind.

The Hudhud Cyclone at Vishakhapatnam

Vishakhapatnam the port city, beautiful city and excellent tourist spot with its breathtaking beaches and greenery and a haven for tourists and now after the devastation caused by the Hudhud cyclone, the initial place of welcome to tourists, the airport remains as a mute witness to the disaster caused by the storm. Even with all the warnings issued by the Government and the Disaster Management Department fully geared up, one still wonders what went wrong to cause such a major scale catastrophe. The Government has to retrospect on the reason behind the huge damage caused to the airport, all the factors that went into causing the damage should be deeply studied and remedial steps taken so that the structure can withstand any sort of natural calamities it is exposed to in the future.

The first thing that comes to the notice with regards to the damage caused to the Vishakhapatnam airport is that probably the structure was not designed to withstand the required wind speed which is a consideration which should not have been overlooked especially in the coastal areas. Structures can be designed to withstand a wind speed of more than 200 Kmph also; the destruction caused by the Hudhud cyclone was at a wind speed of 170-190 Kmph, so if the wind speed was considered during the construction of the airport such major damage could not have been caused. It is very important that in coastal areas the structures are constructed in such a manner that the roof is properly connected to the body of the structure and the body to the foundation, the connections between the roof to the wall provide uplift resistance which is very important for the roof to be intact during cyclones. In high cyclone prone areas it is always better to go with a hipped or pyramidal roof compared to a gable roof, as it offers more resistance to wind with its increased slope. The other major damage caused during gusty winds and cyclones is the widespread breakage of glass panes due to the high wind pressure and effect of flying objects. To overcome this problem it’s advisable to opt for thicker glass panes, smaller size panels and by pasting paper or plastic strips across the panels.

If all these precautions were taken during the construction of the airport structure the damage caused to the Vishakhapatnam airport probably would not have been so severe. The Hudhud cyclone and its after effects should be taken as a lesson learnt and any future constructions in the coastal areas should be constructed in such a manner so as to withstand wind speed during severe storms and cyclones.

The Seven Best Android Apps for Collage Making

The seven best Android app for all your photo collages

Collage is a technique used to create unique art forms by assembling different materials like paper, newspaper bits, ribbons, paint, magazine pieces, photographs and other smaller articles to create a new piece of art. Pictures are a sweet reminder of all our good times and a collage helps us in capturing such precious moments. All the below applications can be used to organize all our photographs in an orderly and easy manner.

       1.      Moldiv Collage Photo Editor

 This is a free app and comes from the creators of PicsPlay Pro, it lets users combine multiple photos to a collage. It offers users a choice of great layouts and unique fonts and stamps. It is easy to use with some very good effects and photo editing features. This app offers users more than 80 frames to choose from and each frame can accommodate 9 photos, and also allows users to change the shape of the frame and customize the frame area according to their needs. It allows users to share the collages on different social networking sites.

       2.      PicStitch Collage Maker

 This is a free application and allows users to create a number of collages basing on their needs, and allow the collages to be posted on Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram and many other social networking sites. This app is very easy to use with the help of drag and drop option and has the facility of more than 20 frames to choose from. Allows the users to apply the lovely effects, add captions and stickers and doesn’t allow any advertisement which is a huge hit with the users.

      3.      Photo Collage - Nordic Soft

      

Photo Collage from Nordic Soft is a free application with loads of new features, like photos from the gallery can be added to the collage and also be set as a background. This app offers users to choose from more than 500 backgrounds and 27 fonts, and allows the insertion of multiple lines of text. The photo gallery of this application allows multiple selections of pictures at a time and also offers the facility to use stickers, background and images from Google Images. This app also sports a new and trendy layout with icons and action bars and is very user friendly.

      4.      Pic Collage – Cardinal Blue Software

This is a free application which allows users to create attractive collages with photos, stickers, icons, texts and frames this app offers. This apps allows users to search for collages of celebrities and accordingly create their collage, and also has the facility to search for other similar collages and comment and like them, at the same time others can like your collage.  This app also has a contests section where the user can reach out for the requirement of other users with his collages.

5.      Photo Grid Collage Maker – Roid App

This is a free Android App, which offers an easy to use interface with a great set of pre-designed grids; this app works well with Instagram and allows users to create a video slide show along with their favorite music. This app allows users to select pictures from Facebook, Dropbox, Instagram and even Google Images to populate their collages. It offers users a great experience in creating great collages and videos helping them in preserving their long lasting memories.

      6.      Photo Collage Editor - Zentertain

                   

 This is a free app which allows users to have great fun experience in creating collages by its wide range of stickers and backgrounds along with great looking fonts. It offers more than 120 attractive frames to choose from which helps users in creating great looking collages. Its simple user interface allows users to rotate and resize the photographs in a jiffy making the entire experience of collage making excellent.

     7.      Photo Collage Maker – Scoompa

             

This app allows users to create a great collage by allowing them to customize the collage by offering many such options. This is a free app which offers more than 100 layouts and stickers to select from and more than 55 various fonts. This app can use pictures from a users social networking sites, camera and Google images to create an awesome looking collage. This app is extremely easy to use by allowing users to have high resolution pictures and all the collages can be shared to friends and family members.

Save our Coral Reefs

The alarming rise in global warming due to the rapid spread of industrialization is not only harmful to people all over, but it also has resulted in the slow diminishing of the coral reefs. The gradual increase in temperature of the earth’s crust due to the emission of the most harmful greenhouse gases has begun to slowly affect the natural coral reef, which are normally very sensitive to even small temperature rises in the ocean. Due to global warming widespread bleaching of coral reef has been taking place thereby resulting in the death of several coral reefs. Bleaching of oceans is caused due to numerous environmental factors like pollution caused by rapid industrialization, fishing and other forms of polluting the water, but the major cause of damage to coral reefs is the rising heat.

Even while oceans can absorb more heat without any major change in its temperature, the living creatures in the ocean cannot sustain even small rise in the temperatures. To save the diminishing natural habitat of coral reefs we have to be more conscious in saving the earth from global warming, some of the measures that we can take are by avoiding polluting water by frequent dumping and by working to improve watershed management in the surrounding areas. Other steps that can be taken by the authorities are to ban extensive ocean dredging and limiting the water traffic. Considering the benefits of coral reefs by preventing storms, promoting tourism by way of giving large scale revenues and to protect the natural marine existence, it is very important to protect and nurture the fast diminishing coral reefs.

Extending the battery of iPhone and iPad

Increasing the life of an iPhone and iPad Battery

 Updating your iPhone or iPad can drain out the battery life, the short battery life of Apple iPhone and iPad has been a frequent problem for most of the users of Apple products, by following these tips we can easily extend the battery life of our iPhone.

Close down all the open apps which we are not in use by tapping the home button twice which will bring up all the open apps, as an open app can drain the battery life faster.

Turning off the Wi Fi from the Settings when not required, and instead of using the mobile data, using Wi Fi when required to access or download data can easily extend the battery life.

By disabling the location services and app updates and also when the battery is at its weakest by switching to the airplane mode we can extend the battery life.

By turning off the notifications from the settings for all apps the battery will not drain quickly, as whenever we receive a notification the phone lights up to alert us which uses power and is an unnecessary drain on our battery.

Disabling the email notifications in the settings, turning off all the features like GPS and Bluetooth when not required and reducing the brightness of the screen can all be done to extend your battery life.

Turning off the keypad and lock or unlock sounds from the Settings – Sounds, will absorb lesser power.

Turning off the Vibration alerts from the Settings and also opting for s static background instead of a dynamic background from Settings-Wallpapers and Backgrounds can also help in extending the battery life.

By following the above tips we can enjoy using our apple products without fear of a weakening battery.

South West Airlines

The well-known South West Airlines made its debut as a small airline from Dallas, Texas, today it is one of the popular domestic airlines.  But the rise to popularity was not easy for the airlines, and it would have seen even more success but for the Wright’s Amendment which limited its operations only to a few places.

The Wright’s amendment was initiated by then Congressman Jim Wright in 1979 to protect the Fort Worth International Airport in Dallas from losing business and having competition. The amendment prevented South West airlines from operating its flights from the neighboring states, and this amendment will be expiring in October 2014.

All these years’ passengers were forced to pay higher fares due to prevention of more airlines operating from the Love Field Airport, because of the Wright’s Amendment, with the end of the amendment coming soon; passenger traffic will see a rise resulting in fall of fares. With the expiry of the amendment nearing, the Love Field Airport is all being spruced up to face the increase in passengers. South West Airlines is all set to face the challenge and increase its profits.

Technology for Students

Technology has become a part and parcel of daily life, and technology can help students in learning in an easy and effective manner. Teachers are increasingly making use of the latest digital technologies for imparting knowledge to students. It is the role of the teacher to see to it that the student is sufficiently trained to face the challenges in the education system. A teacher who is extremely proficient in learning and adopting the latest technologies will be seen as a role model and will be successful in helping the students think innovatively and making use of digital technologies to help them learn the toughest of subject in an easy manner. An efficient teacher interacts with parents and colleagues on a regular basis about keeping abreast with the latest technologies which can help the students by healthy interactions and proposals.

The goal of the teacher is to educate the students by communicating important and relevant information to them by making use of different digital media, which helps in motivating the students and experience the use and outcome of using technology first hand.  The projects done by students can be communicated to their parents by using technology, and students can also learn from various online education websites which are very interactive and a combination of innovation and technology and excellent at imparting training.

As an activity the teacher can encourage the students to share their thoughts and ideas regarding the way to use digital media in learning, collecting and assessing information required for their research and education needs. Teachers can encourage students in participating in online discussion forums, webinars and chats related to their subject, which will help them gauge their capability and grip on the subject. By introducing students to the latest technology and the teachers exhibiting their ability to demonstrate and use innovative technologies, students become more motivated in using digital media for their learning needs.