Page 160 – Green Prophet

Israeli air purifier could bring Japan’s karaoke back to life

Tech

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December 30, 2020

Aura Air signs $30 million deal to supply Japanese market with air purifying system, which has proven to be 99.99% effective in killing COVID-19

An air filtration and disinfection system developed in Israel that kills viruses could bring Japan’s ailing karaoke industry back to life.

Tel Aviv-based startup Aura Air has signed a $30 million deal with Japanese distributor J-TEC to supply the Japanese market with its advanced technology, which is specially designed to purify air in closed spaces. The company’s system has proven to be 99.99% effective at eliminating COVID-19 particles, among other pathogens.

Oren Eliyasov, business development director at Aura Air, told The Media Line that the agreement with J-TEC includes the Japan Karaoke Box Association and other major clients in Japan, such as SMBC Trust Bank and JTB Corporation, one of the largest travel agencies in the country.

“The karaoke association says that there are 100,000 [karaoke] rooms all over Japan,” Eliyasov said. “Currently, most of them are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.”

Karaoke, which means “empty orchestra” in Japanese, was developed in the Land of the Rising Sun in the 1970s and quickly spread around the world as a popular form of entertainment. In Japan, it has long been a favorite outing for groups of friends and families.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, however, many karaoke bars in the country have reduced operations or shut down entirely as the industry struggles to stay alive. Karaoke nights generally take place in small crowded rooms, an ideal setting for spreading the novel coronavirus.

Aura Air’s device monitors air quality 24/7 and constantly purifies it, Eliyasov said.

“Basically, we found out that we’re capable of reducing the coronavirus by 99.99%, which gives a lot of confidence to clients and those who would come and sing in the karaoke rooms,” he explained.

Aura Air uses a combination of four filters to completely change the air in a standard-sized room every 2.5 hours. It has a pre-filter to catch large particles and dust, a patented multilayered HEPA filter that includes a carbon-infused fabric, UVC LED lighting to neutralize bacteria and viruses, and a Sterionizer device that produces positive and negative ions to purify air.

Piloted to clean Covid-19 air in hospitals

Founded more than three years ago, the startup recently completed a month-long pilot of its system in Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer in Israel, and also installed its technology in the reception halls of the King of Spain’s Zarzuela Pala.

According to Aviad Shnaiderman, co-founder and CEO of Aura Air, the system is already in use in more than 50 countries, in their hospitals, clinics, educational institutions and public transportation.

“We conducted several clinical tests in hospitals, labs and in universities in Israel,” Shnaiderman told The Media Line. “We proved that we are able to destroy a lot of viruses, bacteria and fungi.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has helped to accelerate Aura Air’s sales worldwide.

“The coronavirus helped us to educate and raise awareness of indoor air quality,” he said. “It did a fast-forward for everything that we believe in and that we claim.”

Measures pollutants real time

What distinguishes the company’s system from others on the market, Shnaiderman added, is that it provides a measurement of pollutants in real-time and that it uses a unique process to filter and disinfect the air.

“It’s an IoT (internet of things) product for smart homes and smart buildings,” he said, explaining: “It connects to the internet, mobile phones and other smart devices and applications.”

The startup’s recent entry into the Japanese market also has a personal story behind it.

“I was traveling in Japan two years ago and had a girlfriend there, which led me to learn Japanese so that I could communicate with her parents,” Eliyasov said. “This led to me falling in love with the culture, people and language over there.”

While the relationship did not last, it did lead Eliyasov to joining Aura Air as a business developer for Japan, which the company hopes will become one of its major markets.

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This story was first published on the Middle East News Source, The Media Line

Saudi women take to the skies

Transportation

Dima Abumaria - The Media Line

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December 30, 2020

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cabin crew women saudi arabia — *A government decision breaks the norms by allowing women to work as cabin crew*

Despite Saudi activists going to prison for women’s rights, Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) over the weekend opened the door for Saudi women to work as flight attendants for the first time.

The kingdom’s flag carrier clarified in a statement on Friday that Saudi female applicants must be high school graduates between the ages of 20 and 30, with the “required level of the English language,” that their weight be “proportional to the height in accordance with the standards of Saudi Airlines” and that they pass a medical examination.

Saudia is the third-largest carrier in the Middle East in terms of revenue, behind Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Karema Bokhary, an analyst and academic who was a candidate in Riyadh’s 2015 municipal council elections, suggested to The Media Line that in five years or so, Saudi women might have equal rights, as the society would overcome major obstacles in terms of their rights.

“Allowing Saudi women to work as flight attendants forms a very interesting topic. … I’m going to monitor who’s going to apply and their numbers as well,” Bokhary said.

She explained that historically, Saudi society had forbidden females to work in trades such as saleswomen, much less as flight attendants who were somehow considered servants. “They [Saudis] might consider it a further humiliation for Saudi women as they will have to serve, clean and deal with any requests as it will be their job.”

The decision was a good tipping point in the kingdom, as it normalized the job and made it available for all, women and men, Bokhary said. “Also, the payoff for the job is very high, especially since it opens the way for women who are not university graduates to work. At the same time, the decision will enable them to travel.”

There was great interest within the country regarding women working in new fields and their conditions and pay, “as it’s very important to enable women to support themselves and be productive members of society, rather than burdens,” she continued.

Nevertheless, it was important for Saudi Arabia to preserve its identity amid these major changes, and for Saudi women to protect their identities as well, Bokhary said.

“We don’t want to be like the Western world. I think there’s confusion now, especially since the door was opened all of a sudden and some women are using it to become famous, but eventually this bubble will burst,” she said.

She indicated that the movement to support women’s rights started during the reign of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (2005-2015) and made great strides under the current monarch, King Salman bin Abdulaziz. “And Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has completely opened the way for women and fully supporting Saudi women, and he’s not pulling back. The sky’s the limit for them,” Bokhary said.

A central part of the prince’s Saudi Vision 2030 program to make the kingdom less dependent on oil is for Saudi women to work across a broad spectrum of industries, whereas in the past they were limited to such sectors as education.

Riyadh has publicly committed to increasing the rate of female employment by reforming both the economy and the legal system, Bokhary said.

Hanaa’ Khayari, 20, a student at Riyadh’s King Saud University who works part-time as a hostess in a restaurant, told The Media Line she was grateful to her country and the changes that have been made for women, and that Saudi Vision played a major role in opening opportunities for females.

“I hear that a large number of Saudi women want to work as flight attendants, within certain comfort criteria drawn up by the airline company itself to help women work in a healthy environment,” Khayari said.

For Saudi women to achieve their goals and to be independent within society, they must prove themselves, she said. “It’s a huge opportunity, as women will be able to visit many countries and meet new people, in addition learning new languages and cultures.”

It was important to encourage Saudi women to apply to join the airline’s cabin crews, by focusing on the benefits and the advantages the job would provide females. “For instance, by explaining how women can evolve and grow in the field, she said.

“I thank King Salman and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the number of girls who will benefit from this great opportunity,” Khayari said.

Prof. Widad al-Jarwan, who specializes in political sociology at King Saud University, told The Media Line people should bear in mind that Saudi women were living normal lives, just like everyone else in the kingdom, as they joined the educational system more than 70 years ago and many had graduated as teachers and physicians.

“And the door was opened for them more than 15 years ago in terms of studying abroad …, the same as for men in all fields,” she said.

The whole world was undergoing many changes and passing new laws, as even in the most developed countries some obstacles stood before women in some matters, and not only in Saudi Arabia, Jarwan explained.

“Now there are new changes and transformations that include radical reform of legal, social and civil affairs in terms of women, under Riyadh Vision,” she continued. “Women are half of society, and the options for empowering women are increasing regarding their type of work and specialization, and obtaining all of their family, social and legal rights.

Women formed the most important part of society, as mothers, wives and the ones raising the next generation, she said. “They protect the country and produce for it.

“Saudi women have exceptional talents and mentality that enable them to combine education, work and their families. Saudi women are strong, capable and productive women for their country,” Jarwan said.

If one compared the Saudi woman to other women around the world with transparency, pragmatism and sincerity, the results would show that females in the kingdom were better off in terms of living conditions, she said. “Education is available to her in all specializations. Work is available for her in all fields. Financial social support is available for her and in exceptional cases as well, such as disability and widowhood.”

Saudi society in general, by virtue of the religious, societal and governmental norms, respected, valued and sympathized with women, Jarwan emphasized. “We have a very, very high percentage of women in education and work and in senior positions. In our country, we are keen to contain all aspects that would put women in the best condition.”

Major steps have been taken in the past three years toward granting equal rights to Saudi women, including lifting the ban on female drivers, and granting them the freedom to leave the home without a male guardian and to attend public events such as soccer matches.

Saudi women also now have the right to, without male guardian permission, register births, marriage or divorce, live apart from their husbands, travel overseas and obtain family records. Moreover, they can register as a co-head of household, along with their husbands.

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This article was first published by the Middle East News Service, The Media Line

Feijoa muffins with jelly recipes

Food

Miriam Kresh

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December 28, 2020

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feijoa fruit, found in Turkey and Israel — *Some spoon the flesh out to eat, some peel the fruit. It’s also known as the pineapple guava.*

Sweet, musky feijoa fruit (Latin name: Acca sellowiana) is native to the southern highlands of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. The French botanist and traveler Edouard Andre introduced it to Europe in 1890.

The feijoa (said fey-joya) tree was first grown as an ornamental hedge for its beautiful red flowers, but people soon learned to enjoy the flavor of the exotic fruit.

feijoa flower on tree, red and pick fairy flowers — *The feijoa tree’s beautiful flowers.*

Botanists improved the species. Eventually the tree made its way to other European countries, all the way to Russia and to the Far East. New Zealand leads the cultivation and export of feijoa, but now Israel and Turkey also boast of feijoa harvests.

It’s a hardy sub-tropical plant that yet needs a cold winter to fruit. The season is short, but in the right conditions, feijoa offers an abundant crop. Around this time of the year, magazines in Australia and New Zealand offer recipes for people who don’t know what to do with all the feijoa in their gardens.

In Israel, November and December are the months where it appears in markets. It has an oval, egg shape and a juicy inside with tiny seeds. Its fragrance reminds you of pineapple – feijoa is also known as “pineapple guava,” with a little strawberry or pear aroma in there somewhere.

feijoa tree in france — *A feijoa tree in France*

The flesh should be white when ripe. Any sign of brown in the flesh means that it’s over-ripe. Feijoa doesn’t have a long shelf life; it only lasts two or three days after ripening. You have to be alert to get the best out of feijoa. Best if you forage it so you know it’s ripe and organic.

It’s tricky to pick it off the tree because you can’t be sure it’s ripe, but the tree lets you know when to harvest. When feijoa fruit is ripe, it falls. Gardeners must get up early and inspect the ground to see what fruit fell overnight. Once you collect a small pile, you can eat them, put them in the fridge or freeze with the skins off for shakes and freezes.

A little-known fact: the petals of the feijoa flower are edible and sweet. But you can’t pick off too many flowers, or your fruit crop will be disappointingly small.

Feijoa Muffin Recipe

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons baking powder
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 ¼ cups milk
1/2 cup peeled, finely diced feijoas
125 g – ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
A few spoonfuls of coarse sugar

Sift the flour into a large bowl. Whisk in baking powder and granulated sugar.

In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together. Gently fold the diced feijoas into the egg mixture.

Gently stir the egg mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently stir in the butter.

Divide the batter evenly between 12 cups of a well-greased or lined muffin pan. Sprinkle the tops with a little coarse sugar before baking.

Bake muffins at 220°C – 425°F for 15-20 minutes, until evenly baked. To test for doneness, poke a toothpick in the center of a muffin in the middle of the pan. When the muffins are fully baked, the toothpick will come out clean of crumbs.

Let muffins cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and transfer to cooling rack. Allow muffins to cool on rack for about 5 more minutes before serving.

From the A Delicious Moment blog

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Feijoa Jelly Recipe

Makes 2-3 small jars

Ingredients

5 pounds (2kg) feijoas
6 slices fresh ginger
Zest from ½ orange and lemon
1 cup sugar per 1 cup juice

Peel the feijoas and chop roughly into a large pot. Add the sliced ginger, orange and lemon zest. Fill with water to ½” – 1cm above the feijoas. Bring to a simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the feijoas are completely soft. If the feijoas are hard it may take a little longer.

Place a bowl under a strainer and line it with muslin. Carefully pour in the feijoas and juice. Gather up the sides and tie with string. Hang the muslin over the bowl, tying it high enough for the juice to drip slowly through. Do not be tempted to squeeze the muslin. Leave overnight to drain.

Next day, measure the juice into a clean pot. For each cup of juice add 1 cup of sugar. Slowly bring to a simmer, then boil gently for 15 minutes. Remove the scum from the top as it boils — it is ready when a little is tested on a saucer and it will almost set.

Pour into sterilised jars and store.

From Viva Magazine

Have a recipe to share? Reach out: [email protected]

Meet the face of Pharaoh Thutmoses IV

Miriam Kresh

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December 26, 2020

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image-thutmose-iv-pharaoh — *Thutmose IV and his emaciated mummy.*

Thutmose IV was the 8th Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. He ruled in the 14^th century BC, but not for long. His reign lasted only eight to ten years. He was lucky that his tomb wasn’t invaded and his mummified remains torn apart for sale, as tomb robbers have done over the centuries. Karin wrote about a recent foiled mummy heist here.

thutmose worshiping — *Thutmose IV bringing offerings to Amun.*

Not much is known about his time on the Egyptian throne. He constructed chapels; was victorious in a minor skirmish protecting gold mine routes from Nubian attackers; made an astute political marriage with a princess from the rival Mittani kingdom (in today’s Syria).

Thutmose also completed the work on the eastern obelisk at the Temple of Karnak started by Thutmose III, which, at 105 feet, was the tallest obelisk ever erected in Egypt. But his greatest act was to restore the Great Sphinx of Giza, which was buried up to its neck in sand .

The Sphinx, millennial guardian of secrets, also guards a hint that Thutmose may have employed fratricide to clear the way to the throne. His older brothers should have been successors after their father, but these brother disappeared into history just as Thutmose grew old enough to dream of kingship. The hint is unwittingly contained in a monument known as the Dream Stele.

On attaining the throne, Thutmose built a chapel between the paws of the Sphinx, and its back wall was a 12-foot-tall granite slab inscribed with a story. This is the Dream Stele. On it is inscribed a dream in which the Sphinx speaks to Thutmose, promising him kingship in exchange for releasing it from its burial in the sand and restoring its awe-inspiring beauty.

image-dream-stele — *Some of the inscription has faded, but the Dream Stele still bears its story.*

Thutmose, reads the Dream Stele, had spent the day hunting lions with friends. He grew tired by noon, and lay down for a nap under the shadow of the Sphinx’s gigantic head. In the elaborate style of the time, the Dream Stele reads,

“One of those days it came to pass that the King’s Son Thothmes came, coursing at the time of mid-day, and he rested in the shadow of this Great God. Sleep seized him at the hour when the sun was in its zenith, and he found the Majesty of this Revered God speaking with his own mouth, as a father speaks with his son, saying: ‘Behold thou me, my son, Thothmes. I am thy father, Hor-em-akhet-Kheperi-Ra-Atum; I will give to thee my Kingdom upon earth at the head of the living. Thou shalt wear the White Crown and the Red Crown upon the Throne of Geb, the Hereditary Prince.

The land shall be thine, in its length and in its breath, that which the eye of the All-Lord shines upon. The food of the Two Lands shall be thine, the great tribute of all countries, the duration of a long period of years. My face is directed to you, my heart is to you; Thou shalt be to me the protector of my affairs, because I am ailing in all my limbs. The sands of the Sanctuary, upon which I am, have reached me; turn to me in order to do what I desire. I know that thou art my son, my protector; behold; I am with thee, I am thy leader.’”

In other words, the Sphinx told young Thutmose that he, not his brothers, was the real king.

image thutmose — *Thutmose IV looking cheerful and well-fed.*

It’s possible that the Dream Stele was a piece of propaganda set up to make Thutmose’s unexpected rise to the throne look legitimate. This theory is supported by the discovery of three previously made stelae that show Thutmose’s brothers making offerings to the Sphinx – but their names had been carefully struck off to erase them.

Egyptologist Selim Hassan‘s interpreted this to mean that Thutmose removed his brothers and even their names, so that they may be forgotten.

“I am afraid that this theory does not present Thothmes IV in a very favourable light, and if he was not actually a wholesale murderer (and there seems to be grounds for supposing that he was), at least he was a cold-hearted egoist,” wrote Hassan.

image-dream-stele-sphinx — *The Dream Stele between the paws of the Sphinx.*

Yet Thutmose had the common people in mind, because he built a chapel for those who wanted to worship at the Karnak temple but were denied entry. It was a place “where the god Amun would hear the prayers of the townspeople.” In a time where worship was as vital as bread, it was an act of kindness.

The reconstruction of his face is so startlingly real that you feel he’s still with us, just waking up from that famous nap in the shadow of the Sphinx. But what can we tell of this short-lived Pharaoh? For he died before he was thirty.

Presumably he fell ill in his last years. Statutes and carvings depicting him as king show a well-fed man with almost chubby cheeks, but his mummy is gaunt.

A surgeon at Imperial College London studied the lives of Thutmose and his ancestors, many of whom died young. He concluded that they suffered from familial temporal epilepsy, a form of epilepsy that often involves shattering spiritual visions during violent seizures. If true, it could have been the reason for Thutmose’s early death, and for the dream, and for what he did to fulfil that dream.

How to Prevent Common Ailments as You Age

Health

Bhok Thompson

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December 21, 2020

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It’s no secret that as a person gets older, they become more susceptible to certain ailments and medical conditions. This could include minor issues like everyday aches and pains, or serious conditions like breast or prostate cancer. The good news is that it is possible to ensure healthy ageing and to reduce or completely avoid common medical problems associated with the ageing process. To that end, here are four tips you can incorporate into your current wellness outline that will serve you well today and many years into the future:

Consult with Medical Professionals

There’s no substitute for advice from a doctor. Maybe you are overdoing it in your Iyengar yoga class or going for too many runs with the wrong footwear. Though it is possible to make smart health decisions on your own, it’s still a good idea to check in with your doctor on a regular basis and mix their advice with people you trust. Your doctor can provide you with numerous treatments for common medical issues directly. Additionally, they can also help you get in touch with specialists for certain issues. If, for example, you begin to suffer from bunions, your doctor can recommend you contact an organization like Northwest Surgery Center in the United States for further assistance.

Treat Your Body with Care

So you’ve been exercising and staying on top of being fit, but staying up late, indulging in fast food, smoking cigarettes like it’s 1977 or drinking alcohol like it’s 1999 –– these are all vices that can have a severe detrimental impact on your overall well-being. Cutting back on these bad habits (or better yet, eliminating them entirely) will help you build a healthier and happier lifestyle. Have you heard about the fad in the US where people are looking for alcohol-less drinks? It’s becoming a thing. Note that as you get older, tiny bad habits in your 20s can grow to become damaging to your health and even harder to quit. So cut them out ASAP!

Relax

man dosing with CBD cannabis oil — *CBD me to relax*

Your mental state can have a big influence on your physical health. As such, it’s crucial for ageing individuals (well that’s all of us at some point) to find ways to relax and unwind on a regular basis. Yoga classes, CBD products, and meditation are all tried-and-true methods designed to relieve stress. Reading books or starting a hobby like pottery on the wheel or ceramics is a a great way to lose yourself for a few hours a week. It’s my favorite hobby. Or try a new game like chess. It’s great for the mind. If you’re concerned about your mental wellness, make sure to reach out to someone who can help – a friend or a professional.

Rethink Your Routine

Just because a diet and exercise routine helped you achieve your fitness goals in your 20s and 30s, doesn’t mean the same routine will deliver the results you want to see in your 40s and 50s. In fact, it only makes sense that as you get older, you should reconsider your exercise regimen and daily diet. Now might be a good time to try out new workouts or healthy meal recipes or a keto diet. Why not? Trying new things can be difficult, and you may experience some setbacks when you introduce new concepts into your routine. However, keeping things fresh is essential to living a healthy life –– no matter your age.

How To Create A Lasting And Effective Bedtime Routine

Health

Bhok Thompson

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December 20, 2020

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Do you know just how important sleep is to your overall health? With nearly 1 in 3 Americans not getting enough sleep, it’s safe to say that many of us seriously underestimate just how crucial a good night’s rest is to our health. When’s the last time you had a good sleep? What do you do before bed on the nights you get the best sleep? Your bedtime routine has a huge impact on your sleep quality, and if you don’t have one to begin with, your sleep will suffer.

Luckily, Green Prophet is here to help. This short guide will help you create a bedtime routine that will last and that can seriously improve your overall sleep quality. We’ll cover everything from a consistent bedtime to spiritual matter, to what activities you should and shouldn’t do right before you sleep. Let’s dive in!

First and Foremost: What Do You Do Now?

First, we have to look at your daily bedtime ritual—or lack thereof. What do you do during the last hour before bed? Do you even have a set bedtime, or do you put on Netflix and wait until your eyes are too heavy to stay open to go to sleep? Do you watch screens, your TC, scroll on social media, or read a book before bed?

Most of us overworking snack at night or drink a late caffeinated drink to help stay awake during the evening hours or maybe a last-minute work Zoom call or meeting for school, but this can have a negative effect on sleep. Analyze your routine and look closer at what things might be keeping you awake. Even green teas have caffeine, so research a but to make sure your diet isn’t keeping you awake.

Step 1: The Bedtime You Choose

The time that you go to bed is a crucial part of the routine. Staying up late is fun, and you might feel like you’re getting more done or more time to yourself, but you’re just making it harder to perform the next day. So, instead of putting off sleep or not listening to Siri telling you when it’s bedtime, it’s time to embrace sleep. Because it can be a wonderful thing.

Set a bedtime for yourself and stick to it every night. You’ll have nights where things come up, and that’s fine—as long as you don’t make a habit of being late. Think of bedtime as being just as important as getting to work on time.

Step 2: Relaxing Your Mind And Body

Obviously, if both your mind and body are tense, or full of anxiety it’s significantly more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. So, the next thing you need to do is figure out how you’re going to relax before bed. Put aside at least half an hour each night to relax before sleep. During this time, it’s incredibly important to protect both your environment and your brain from distractions. That means relocating to a room free of electronics, as blinking blue light from phones, air conditioners, humidifiers, and TVs actually keeps you awake.

What things help you relax? Is it reading a good book? Snuggling up with a partner, pet, or child? Writing? Maybe you can start keeping a gratitude journal so you can track all of the things you’re grateful for each day. A few years looking back you will be grateful that you did this.

Some people include spiritual practices in their bedtime routine, to great effect. Bedtime prayers, simple meditations or intentions, or even just taking deep breaths and asking for a good night’s sleep can help calm you down and prepare you for rest. Remember those old wave machines from the 90s? You can find apps that simulate the sound of the sea.

Don’t forget your spirituality as part of your overall health standard. Prayer and spirituality both can have a positive impact on your overall attitude, your sleep, your good dreams and your quality of life.

Step 3: Try To Be More Active

It’s far easier to fall asleep at night when you’ve been active all day. Getting plenty of exercise like yoga or going for a run or parkour trail and eating healthy foods can put your body into a healthier natural rhythm, and once you’re there, sleep should come much easier for you. Ditch the high-fat and sugary foods that are the staple of American fast-food diet. These foods not only damage your body, but also cause extra stress with their ill effects and long-term financial effects.

Getting exercise is easy when you think about it. You don’t even have to go to the gym. A simple daily walk can have positive effects, and when you’re more active, you’ll feel better, too. If you take a walk each day, come home and eat healthily, and stick to your bedtime routine, you’ll find that your overall sleep patterns become much more consistent and healthy. Health is not a single-facet pursuit; there are several factors to consider, and you have to make sure you’re hitting all of them.

Final Thoughts on Zzzzzz

An effective and lasting bedtime routine can improve your overall quality of life, your self-esteem, and so much more. Don’t underestimate the power of a consistent good night’s rest! People that get better sleep are happier, more productive, and tend to perform better in all aspects of their life. Ready to get started? It’s time to set up your nightly routine.

6 Practical Tips That Will Make An Office Space More Eco-Friendly

Tech

Bhok Thompson

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December 20, 2020

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6 Practical Tips That Will Make An Office Space More Eco-Friendly

shop signs mcdonalds, powered by solar — *Even fast food businesses can do small bits that add up. How about solar powered “neon” signs?*

There can be no two opinions that the Earth is facing a severe climate crisis in the shape of global warming. The ozone layer protecting Earth from the Sun’s harmful UV rays is thinning with each passing year, and weather conditions have become harsher and unpredictable. It results from the overuse of fossil fuels, carbon dioxide emissions, and pollution caused by human beings. “Businesses should care to introduce eco-friendly solutions into the manufacturing process,” believes Gevorg Hambardzumyan, CEO of Front Signs, a US sign manufacturing company producing solar-powered light box signs to minimize the carbon footprint. If you are worried about the worsening environment, you can do your bit by making your office more eco-friendly. Here are six easy and exciting tips using which you can make your office more eco-friendly.

Switch to Clean and Green Energy

Clean, green energy is the best way to reduce your carbon footprint. Yes, there was a time not so long ago when you had a valid excuse for not switching to renewable energy as it was costly. Today, solar panels’ prices have come crashing down. The government provides lots of incentives to people installing solar panels.

They also receive tax cuts to gain monetarily in the long run. If your office building’s location does not permit solar panel installation, you can plan to buy clean energy produced at another site. If you are using signage to catch passersby’s attention, make sure to use LED lights inside these boxes. LED lights eat very little energy and produce cool light to cause minimal pollution.

There are lots of advantages to using clean energy. Some of these are as follows:

Considerable savings in electricity bills.
Reduction in your carbon footprint.
Tax benefits that offset the initial cost of solar panels.
Solar energy is virtually maintenance-free and very long-lasting.

Buy Office Supplies That Are Eco Friendly

You never paid attention to office supplies earlier. But you will be surprised to know that for everything used in your office, there is a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly option available in the market. You may find environment-friendly office supplies a little bit costlier, but you also get the satisfaction of leaving behind a much smaller carbon footprint from your office.

Some of these eco-friendly office supplies include recycled papers used for printing, bamboo pens, and LED lights that are highly energy efficient. If you are desirous but don’t know about eco-friendly office supplies, you can learn more about them and their sources from the website of Energy Star. From fans to lights, you can buy all highly energy-efficient appliances to save on your energy bills. Shout your love for the environment by installing signs that carry inspirational messages for your customers and employees.

Try to Make Your Office Paperless

The biggest culprits in leaving behind a large carbon footprint are papers used for writing letters and printing documents. Even the greenest of papers you buy from the market contain some wood obtained from trees, including 100% recycled papers sold in the market. According to Vince Digneo, the greenest paper means no paper at all. If this comes from a sustainability expert working at Adobe, it must be a Gospel truth. Going paperless is not an easy job, and your customers would create difficulties initially, but you can make them silent with the help of signs telling the world that your office has gone paperless. You can give a strong message to all your vendors and customers using these lightbox signs.

According to an estimate, nearly 90% of the waste generated in offices comes from workers’ revisions and corrections on papers while creating documents. There is no scope for any waste when your office has gone paperless. You can create documents in Google doc or Microsoft Word, where editing and revisions do not generate any waste.

Add Some Green Plants to Your Office

You cannot take your office into a forest, but you can certainly give your workers and visitors the feel of a clean and green office by adding some green plants to it. These plants are beautiful and soothing to the eyes and enhance the decor of your office. Green plants increase the office’s oxygen levels. They bring some liveliness into an otherwise dull office full of machines and appliances.

By keeping a green plant on the table or in a pot near the desk, you keep feeling fresher and closer to nature than when there is no plant in the office. If you want, you can even order display screens depicting various kinds of landscapes to reflect your love for nature. Also, plants have many more benefits:

Green plants reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Plants make you feel happy.
They add to the oxygen levels, offsetting pollution caused by chemicals and gases.
Green plants help in getting rid of ailments.
Plants give a boost to the motivation and productivity of workers.

Allow Maximum Use of Natural Light

According to a report by the World Green Building Council, employees who get a chance to work on a table near the window have a 15% higher productivity than employees working under artificial lights. You make your office more eco-friendly and benefit from the higher productivity of your employees by maximizing the use of natural light inside the office.

With an abundance of sunlight, you also need very few artificial lights inside the office, thereby saving on your energy costs. You can install sensors to turn on LED lights whenever it is cloudy outdoors. It will help in reducing your energy bills. Employees are also happy as their bodies synthesize vitamin D from the sunlight, and they do not fall asleep at work.

Make worker’s commute green

You cannot claim to have a 100% eco-friendly office if you and your workers make use of fossil fuel-guzzling automobiles for your commute. You can request your employees to come to the office by walking or using bikes to reduce your carbon footprint. You can offer them incentives for switching to biking and tell them that it is also better for their health. or maybe you can help lease them electric cars.

Elon Musk Tesla - Israel — *Hybrid or full electric?*

You can also provide a work from home facility to employees whose presence is not essential in the office. You can use conferencing tools to contact and interact with such employees. You will be surprised that a green commute dramatically reduces carbon emissions and your office’s carbon footprint.

Making efforts to have a more eco-friendly office is good for the environment. It is also great for the productivity and health of your employees. Either way you look at it, it’s a win-win situation for your business and the environment.

9 Ways to Make Your Dental Practice Green

Act

Karin Kloosterman

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December 20, 2020

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natural toothbrush, fluoride free — As consumers we can buy miwaks, natural toothbrushes and opt for fluoride free. But what are some of the choices dentists need to make when facing a toxic environment like mercury and the chemicals needed in dentistry?

Human activities have been causing irreversible damage to life on the planet through anthropogenic global warming that we are all a part of, even if you are vegan and drive a car run on old vegetable oi. The dental industry is well known for its procedures producing large amounts of greenhouse gases leading to large carbon footprints. It focuses on using items with one patient and throwing it away. Therefore, an increase in the number of patients increases the amount of waste. Green practices focus on improving the environment by reducing waste.

Are you a dentist looking to clean up and eco-fy your practice a bit more? While you won’t be able to change a lot of the tools you need, you can be mindful about the following which matters to your patients:

Recycling hazardous waste

Recycling in dental practices should be a practical tool to manage your office waste with an ultimate goal of reducing your waste. Implementing recycling can reduce the trash that gets to the landfill.

One of the best ways to recycle is participating in programs, which repair old dental instruments and donate the refurbished materials to dental practices that give free services to the needy. Maybe a local pottery studio would like some of the old tools for carving?

Try to find companies for medical and hazardous waste and set up a system for disposing and managing the recyclables. Lastly, working together as a dental staff to recycle items used every day like soda bottles can go a long in improving your green practices. Your clients will notice.

Going Paperless

Eliminating reems of paper charts, paper forms and other trails of papers in the office make a good impact. It reduces dust and the way your office looks as well. Send reminders that automated to patients using smartphones, tablets, and computers offering new patient chart creation and tablet check-ins. For senior patients, a good old phone call can do the trick and beffore you burn their old records, give a couple month window for them to come and pick them up for posterity stake. Studies have shown that cloud computing reduces the carbon footprint as well as reducing the cost.

Conserving Energy in the Office

Conserving energy by staff members enables them to practice a green-economy in dentistry like turning off the lights and equipment. Setting the computers to go dark instead of using a screensaver. Having water filters in the office will also help staff members to conserve water by refilling reusable bottles rather than using disposable plastic bottles. In times of Covid however make sure that staff do not touch the water station with their bottles, but that they hover above.

Using Digital Radiography

Using digital radiography instead of the old-fashioned X-rays on the gums will eliminate the need to use traditional film X-Rays and adversely reduce the level of harmful chemicals released into the environment by traditional film X-rays. This practices also reduces the exposure of patients to radiation and enabling dentists to access X-ray images immediately on a screen, no wait time. It’s a very good service for busy clients and children, especially.

Metal-free Smile Treatments

Eco-friendly dental practices use metal-free restoration like composite tooth filling. They are safe for the environment and also offer a natural look to the patients who worry about their smile aesthetics.

Patient Products That Are Reusable

There are several types of disposables used by dentists in their practice such as headrest covers, latex gloves, patient bibs, and disposable plastic suction tips. This has created waste.

Therefore, dentistry is making their practices green by changing to bibs, cups, metal suction tips that are reusable and cloth headrest covers. There are services that can launder these items which have a better feel and touch to the end user.

Removing of Amalgam Fillings Safely

The use of mercury in the material for dental amalgam restorative and research has shown that it can create adverse effects on the patients and the environment. Green dental practices work with patients to remove the amalgam fillings, replace them with safe alternatives, and dispose of them safely.

Using Autoclavable Items

You rely on the autoclave to disinfect stainless steel instruments after each use. However, the list of autoclavable items goes beyond instruments. Cloth bibs, air and water tips, stainless steel prophy cups, and biodegradable dental suction tips are some of the reusable tools that can be autoclaved rather than using their plastic counterparts.

Waste Reduction

Disposal of waste effectively is a key concept in green dentistry. Dental practices can adhere to this by reducing the number of products they use. Examples include using biodegradable paper cups, decreasing the number of plastic barrier wraps, and dispensing patient self-care products without plastic bags. Dental practitioners can consider cycling waste such as gloves and masks and paper products.

Final Takeaway

Green dentistry is an eco-friendly approach. It shows that you are willing to invest time into caring about our planet and the environment for patients. Dentistry can participate in sustainable practices through small changes that have a positive impact on the environment and the people who meet you. Every dentist can participate in the conservation and reduction of greenhouse gases while minimizing landfill waste and water usage that contributes to a healthier environment and more sustainable resources. Green dental practices help dentistry give social value to the local community and a brighter future for present and future generations.

Meet the Mountain People of the Middle East

Nature

Karin Kloosterman

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December 17, 2020

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Meet the Mountain People of the Middle East

Hoggar Mountains in English, Algeria. — *The Hoggar Mountains (Arabic: جبال هقار‎, Berber: idurar n Ahaggar) are a highland region in the central Sahara, southern Algeria, along the Tropic of Cancer.*

Mountains host about half of the global biodiversity hotspots and are home to a growing number of the world’s hungriest people, according to a new United Nations study. The study shows that the number of mountain people vulnerable to food insecurity in developing countries increased from 243 to almost 350 million between 2000 and 2017.

Mountains provide between 60 and 80 percent of the world’s freshwater, which is essential for irrigation, industry, food and energy production and domestic consumption. Many of the world’s most important crops and livestock species also originate in mountain regions and are a source for food and medicine.

Yet the joint study found that mountain ecosystems are becoming increasingly fragile, under pressure from changes to land use and climate, overexploitation, pollution, demographic shifts and other factors which threaten livelihoods and food security.

“The vulnerability to food insecurity of the mountain people in the developing world is compounded by the presence and occurrence of natural hazards and armed conflicts that disrupt livelihoods or put strain on the natural resources on which mountain people depend,” the study concluded.

It also noted that environmental degradation affects mountain people disproportionately. Climate change has increased the degradation of mountain ecosystems and the incidence of natural hazards such as landslides and droughts.

Around 275 million rural people vulnerable to food insecurity were estimated to live in mountain areas that have already been affected by natural hazards.

The COVID-19 pandemic has added urgency to an already difficult situation as restrictions imposed by various countries have amplified the vulnerabilities of mountain communities that depend on agriculture and tourism for their survival.

“One in every two rural mountain people in developing countries do not have enough food to live a healthy life and they are now dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We must protect our mountains and the livelihoods of those who depend on them,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo, commenting on the study’s findings.

The joint study recommended urgent action to address climate change and remove food insecurity and malnutrition in mountain areas. It called for policies to improve the resilience of mountain ecosystems and promote sustainable food systems that support innovation, research and community involvement.

“Ultimately, the goal of this study is to call on decision-makers and others stakeholders to strengthen cooperative action to reduce the vulnerability of mountain people, in particular local communities and indigenous people, and of the most vulnerable among them, often women and children,” the study said.

Who are the mountain people of the Middle East?

Taurus People of Turkey, Iraq and Iran

The Taurus Mountain range extends through southern Turkey to the Iraqi and Iranian borders. The famous Mount Ararat, seen in the Bible as the resting place of Noah’s Ark, is located in the eastern part of the range, and is the highest peak of the Taurus Mountains at 16,583 feet (5137 meters), according to the resource Teach Middle East. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers both originate in the eastern Taurus Mountains, and are fed by snowmelt as they flow toward Iraq.

The Taurus Mountains give us a good example of transhumance, or seasonal nomadism, in the Yoruk people. Over thousands of years, nomad herders like the Yoruk have wintered their animals on the southern side of the Taurus closer to the Mediterranean, away from the bitter cold of the mountains and the plateau, and then moved them to summer pastures in the cooler heights to escape the blistering heat and insects of the plain.

The Taurus Mountains have also acted as a natural political boundary between states over the centuries. They marked the boundary, for example, between the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic state founded after the rise of Islam from the seventh century until the Battle of Manzikert in 107, when the Seljuk Turks defeated the Byzantines and moved decisively into Anatolia.

The Zagros and Elburz People of Iran

mountain watch iran — *The Alpine Watch club, Iran*

The Zagros and Elburz Mountains run along the western and northern borders, respectively, of Iran. The Zagros extend about 1000 miles from northern Iraq through western and southern Iran. The Elburz run over 600 miles across northern Iran along the coast of the Caspian Sea.

In both ranges many peaks exceed 9,000 feet, with Zard Kuh being the highest point of the Zagros at 14,921 feet (4,548 meters), and the dormant volcano Mt. Damavand the highest peak in the Elburz Mountains at 18,602 feet (5,670 meters) high. See the Mountain Watchers of Iran here.

The Hijaz and Asir Mountain People of Saudi Arabia

Running along Saudi Arabia’s border with the Red Sea, the Hijaz and Asir Mountains form an escarpment along the cleavage of the African and Arabian plates. This escarpment lifts the western edge of the Arabian plateau, which then slowly slants downward and eastward toward the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. The mountains of the Hejaz and Asir ranges average 6,000 to 7,000 feet (1,829 – 2,130meters), with Mount Sawda’ in the south rising to just over 10,000 feet (about 3000 meters) in the south.

The Red Sea Mountain People

Along the Tihamah, the narrow coastal plain between the Red Sea and the mountains, there is enough rainfall, although floods often occur during the monsoon season, to support agriculture in this watershed, but too little moisture crosses over the mountainous barrier to support farming on the desert of the central Arabian plateau.

The Atlas Mountain People of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia

kasbah du toubkal — *At the base of Toubkal.*

The Atlas series of mountain ranges in northwestern Africa extend 1200 miles southwest to northeast across the North African countries of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. In northern Morocco, the Rif Mountains receive enough rainfall to support forests and a great diversity of wildlife; to the east, this range becomes the Tell Atlas.

Further south, the broad belt of the Middle Atlas and then the High Atlas (peaking at Mount Toubkal, standing at 13,665 feet or 4165 meters) and then the Saharan Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean basin from the Sahara Desert to the south. On the north-facing slopes of this great climate barrier, rich farmland exists.

The Atlas mountain ranges not only restrict the passage of water from the verdant Mediterranean edge to the Sahara, but also have played a role in restricting the movement of humans. In this difficult terrain, over the centuries of conquest by new groups such as the Arabs and the French, the indigenous culture of the various Imazighen peoples (or Berbers) has survived centuries.

The Lebanon Mountain People

odom ski lebabon, biodome, dome tent glamping — *Glamping in Odom in the mountains of Lebanon*

The Lebanon Mountains, along with the Anti-Lebanon Mountains further to the east, parallel the Mediterranean coast from southern Lebanon into Syria. Between the two ranges lies the fertile Bekaa Valley. In ancient times, Lebanon was famous for the huge cedar trees that grew in the Lebanon Mountains and which still appear on its flag, although there are very few specimens remaining.

Like the Atlas, the Lebanon Mountains have long been a refuge for minority groups wishing to escape both persecution and assimilation into the dominant culture. In this case, the mountains have provided refuge over the centuries for Christians, particularly the Maronites; the Druze; and communities of Shi’a Muslims.

Want a mission in life to help the planet? Look to find a way to help the mountain people. In areas like crafts, artisans, regenerative agriculture you can restore livelihoods and repair the earth.

The dangers of water leaks at home

Health

Bhok Thompson

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December 15, 2020

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Thanks to Covid many of us have fled the rent of cities and have bought homes in Vermont or somewhere in the country. This is a must especially if you have kids. Sooner or later, you will end up having to deal with a water leak in your home. It happens to us all, from the US to Australia where it’s now a wet winter.

Most homeowners simply ignore leaks, especially when they are small. I always hope they will just go away on their own and sometimes they do. But even a simple dripping water faucet can lead to some problems and dangers and well, it’s really not eco-responsible all the same. Some leaks eventually lead to large leaks and huge headaches that require emergency plumbing. And that’s no fun. There are piles of resources on emergency plumbing online. Google Plumbers Near Me to find one.

So let’s say you want to stay one step ahead of calling a plumbing ambulance. There are some hidden dangers that appear when you have a water leak in your home, and most of them aren’t pretty or healthy.

Mildew And Mold Issues

Mildew and black mold are very dangerous and almost always appear if the water leak is not quickly taken care of. They simply appear and grow in areas that easily build up moisture, wet areas, and in damp places. Just a few water drops daily will create damp spots that are a perfect growing environment for mold.

Mold will spread to various parts of your home, like walls, floors, furniture, wood framing, the HVAC system, carpets, and clothes. Remember that mold can be really toxic, and if you do not remove it fast, it becomes more and more difficult and costly to deal with.

Health Effects of leaking taps

This is directly connected with the appearance of mildew and mold. These growths can hurt the structural integrity of the home but also pose a really serious health risk. This is especially the case when you suffer from asthma or respiratory issues. Spores can easily cause skin irritations, allergic reactions, throat inflammation, nose inflammation, red eyes, itchy eyes, coughing, and more. You can also read this guide on what to expect during mold remediation.

Water contamination

When the leak comes from a broken or burst pipe, one that is carrying drinking water, you can end up faced with contamination because various contaminants enter the pipe. This is easy because there is a pressure drop or change that leads to attracting the contaminants. As an example, the pipe can end up sucking the water coming from the environment, together with all the particles in it.

Health risks associated with water leaks are multifaceted, especially when considering scenarios involving the contamination of drinking water. The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is a prime example of the severe consequences that can arise due to water pollutants. Instances of leaks in residential or public water systems can introduce harmful substances, such as lead, bacteria, or chemicals, posing significant health risks to individuals exposed to the contaminated water. This parallels the far-reaching implications of individuals affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination, emphasizing the importance of prompt detection and remediation of water leaks to safeguard public health.

Increased Utility Bills

When water keeps leaking, your water bill is higher than it should be. This is also the case with energy consumption when you have electrical devices that use water. Also, when water damages home insulation, the HVAC system will need to spend more electricity on heating up or cooling down the environment. Leaks can reach your ceiling, attic, or roof. There, it can damage insulation much faster than you might think. Cold and warm air is thus lost, and you pay more for heating and cooling bills.

Structural Damage

We naturally see water as a harmless substance. After all, it cannot really hurt us when just a few drops hit our skin, right? How can a small leak destroy a house? Well, this is possible when the leak is not taken care of at the right time.

Plumbing and roof leaks can easily cause drastic structural damage to ceiling joists, wall framing, rafters, framing, and deteriorate wood. As a result, you will need to deal with a really extensive and costly repair. This is why it is always mentioned that you have to detect water leaks as soon as possible when the leaks are small so that the damage that appears is salvageable.

Fire Hazard

This is another thing we normally do not think about. How can water cause a fire hazard?

Water leaks can easily turn into a fire hazard when it reaches electrical wiring. This drastically increases the risk of creating short circuits or shorted wires. This can lead to electrical fires, which would naturally create serious home damage. Always turn off your electricity as soon as you notice the presence of a leak close to electrical wiring.

How Do Smart Drugs work To Increase Brain Function?

Bhok Thompson

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December 15, 2020

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How Do Smart Drugs work To Increase Brain Function?

herbs on a wooden platter — *The smartest drugs are made by nature. Herbs, mushrooms, ions from the sea. But when you need some outside help: smart drugs are a new industry.*

People especially in Covid times are looking for ways of getting an edge and improving functionality of body and mind. Maybe you’ve heard of people who sleep train every few hours using segmented sleep or who have diets based on Soylent. Many people are looking to use smart drugs to help boost their cognitive functions and increase brain power. It’s like a vitamin mix made by people looking to optimize humanity in mind, body and spirit.

Smart drugs companies such as Mind Lab Pro and Noocube, make a bid t0 increase brain function. A company we know – SmartyPants – one its founders was involved in Charity:Water is also making a smart supplement, but for kids. She’s recently sold her company to Unilever so it’s a big deal in mainstream business, as well.

Smart drugs, are like vitamins and a class of their own known as nootropics, and they are a fairly recent phenomenon. With no prescription necessary, they are essentially regarded as any drug that helps to boost brain function in day to day life. ‘Smart drugs’ is more of a blanket term rather than talking about a specific, individual product, and it’s important to understand what these drugs are and how they work. They can play such an invaluable role in your life that it is essential to get this right as much as you can. My doctor would just say: grow a garden, eat your own organic vegetables and a balanced diet and you will be okay. But what if you need that edge?

What Exactly are Smart Drugs?

Smart drugs are, essentially, any drugs that can give you some sort of mental boost and improve the clarity and functionality of your brain. Indeed, anything from actual branded ‘smart drugs’ to anything like Vitamin D and antidepressants can be classed as smart drugs. But even supplements like the ones created by Seed to increase gut health. In the United States it is believed that close to 20% of students admit to having used some form of smart drugs in order to boost performance. When I was in college we used to use caffeine pills, which seem so primitive now.

Of course, the popularity of this market has given rise to fake products, and this is why it is so important to make sure you do your research as much as possible. You have to do your homework to ensure you’re choosing the right product, and one that has the ingredients in it that it claims to have. Nootropics claim to enhance memory, creativity, and motivation, and this can make them invaluable additions to your life. But them from a brand you trust or a source you know.

How do nootropics work?

One of the things that you need to understand when it comes to smart drugs is how they work. So, how exactly do these drugs work to increase brain function? Well, there are small sample sizes on both sides of the coin that show smart drugs can work, and some to suggest they don’t. It’s like the case for CBD oil. Nothing definitive has been proven in medial terms, but it’s clear that many examples of smart drugs can work to improve cognitive ability, memory function, and all round mental sharpness, and this is very interesting.

For example, a smart drug like Donepezil is a common and popular choice for those seeking the benefits of smart drugs. In fact, the drug itself is actually a drug used to treat Alzheimer’s, but in healthy people it may actually help in terms of improving brain function and smartness. The way this drug functions is as an enzyme inhibitor, which serves to increase the neurotransmitters in the brain. This leads to improved cognitive abilities in those suffering from Alzheimer’s, and can also serve to make healthy people smarter. This is a pill that works best when taken before bedtime, but you should be aware that there are side-effects you may have to experience as well in the process.

Mind Boosting Brands

Now, if you are looking beyond things like caffeine and Omega-3 fatty acids, and you’d actually like to buy some leading brands to find the right smart drug on the market for you, then this involves a but of research. So that means you need to look into some of the leading brands and best products available when it comes to smart drugs right now. There are a lot of things that you need to try to make the most of as much as you can, and this is one of the most important things to make the most of moving forward.

So, we’re going to try to look at some of the leading smart drugs available, and ones that you should definitely be looking to try out right now. The best choline supplements are prominent nootropics to start with since Alpha-GPC or CDP Choline is the base of any modern nootropic stack. On the other hand Adderall or Ritalin have been used to treat kids and people with concentration problems and these are some of the biggest names on the market. They both have elements that can help to boost smartness and brain function, and they are often overused sadly in the United States. Among some of the most popular and effective nootropics on the market are Mind Lab Pro, Performance Lab Mind, and Brain Pill.

Smart drugs are all the rage these days, as people look for more and more ways of being able to improve their brain function and perform better in daily life. There are so many ideas that play a massive part in helping with this, and making sure you choose the right smart drugs is one of the best ways of being able to achieve this. But like my doctor always says, the natural choice is usually the best way forward. You can decide.

How to play an intuitive music instrument?

Lifestyle

Karin Kloosterman

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December 10, 2020

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How to play an intuitive music instrument?

My husband is a musician who built a foundation for ethnic music in the Middle East. He can play many instruments and they took years to learn. Usually when you play one string instrument well, like the guitar, you can pick up others with ease, like the banjo or the Turkish jumbush. Most learning of most conventional instruments are hard to learn and take about 10,000 hours of practice to master. But there are some you can pick up and enjoy which lets you be part of the music from your first beat or tap without knowing music theory or how to read music.

And it turns out that a number of these instruments, special as they are, are also made by hand.

How to choose an intuitive instrument?

Ocarinas which I’ve made in my pottery studio, singing bowls played by Buddish monks or your yoga teacher in LA, tongue drums or a hang drum, whistles, steel drums, cajon (the drum beat box which we have at home – and which also makes a good stool when playing on the keyboard), kalimba, a ktak, a snare drum you can wear which we also own – all these instruments have a simple architecture and can be understood how to be played by touching and feeling and experimenting. You could say, even a piano, if you have a bit of patience.

Idiophones –– drums, castanets, the tambourine, a triangle –– are all intuitive instruments because they create the sound by the instrument’s vibration, and some of them are tuned to resonate within a range of harmonious pitch (like the hang drum or steel drum or even the Turkish saz which is a string instrument) — so you can start tapping, whistling, or striking and creating some melody.

Once I brought a saz to a party and pretended I was a master saz player and people who weren’t musicians believed me. Any stroke of the saz (it’s a Turkish lute) sounds like angel’s wings. I am not kidding. After a while though without knowing much theory it gets boring.

The nice thing about intuitive instruments is that they invite you in and you can enjoy from day 1 as you learn. Which is not true for a tuba, a saxophone or a violin. All of these have very steep learning curves.

The downside of the most intuitive instruments is that you are limited in notes/pitches/resonance. You will never be able to reproduce all the beauty of Mozart’s sonata using a whistle, kazoo or a set of spoons, but in Covid times, a nice sounding instrument at home could beat the speeches of the early days of violin or trumpet.

Over the years there is one instrument I have seen loved by musicians and novices alike. Some people call it the hang drum, though it reminds me very much of the fine-tuned steel drums I used to hear in the Carribean. I guess you could make one and many people did when the waiting list for the original Swiss version was 3 years. Luckily some new hang drums have come on the market. I am going to reach out to the company to send me one to try. It’s called the RAV Vast.

The RAV Vast is a steel tongue drum hand-crafted to emit a perfectly balanced pitch and sonorous, harp-alike voice. For calling angels? The progression of notes tuned on 9 tongues may vary from scale to scale (and if you want to make a band of one) you can choose 20 scales, each tuned to provide various voices and tones on different scales. The diversity lets you choose one for ethnic music or even for being part of Jazz standards –– as long as you know the key. I like to support this company because they priced their handpan drums at a price that most people can afford. If something costs too much like some of the original hang drum makers do it will only be played by the rich.

With all hang drums, each tongue or section on the flying-saucer like drum has up to 7 overtones that makes the tone of the drum deep and wide simultaneously. Imagine playing seven keys on the piano together. Drums like the RAV Vast hang drum can be played by anyone as all the notes of the drum sound harmoniously together. Basically, if the more experienced musicians know the key of your drum, you are good to jam.

And like I mentioned above, professionals also love the hang drum. We’ve hosted many music festivals at our home in Jaffa over the years and there is always a hang drum part of at least one set, often many. Mainly because it’s versatile, offering endless options. Simple melodies can be learned and taught to children, or it can be played as part of a meditative retreat in the desert while teaching yoga or as a funny cover band version of Mozart. No planning needed. Your unconscious can guide you.

How to play a handpan drum?

There’s no right or wrong way to play a hang drum, also known as a handpan drum. Ascending pitches are played in a zigzag order from the bottom to the top. The lowest note – called the Ding – and it is found in the center of the drum. The drum sits in your lap with the lower notes close to you by playing the progression: central note – bottom note – side notes – top notes.

If you can do it several times slowly, you can remember the location of the notes. You can also use stickers to remember the notation (for advanced musicians), this way you’ll be able to learn to play the “sheet” music quicker.

Experiment with the number of notes you play progressively and simultaneously and their order. Do you know that you are playing music already? Keep on practicing, involve your palms, fingers, and knuckles while playing. Using mallets or wooden sticks will let you produce a different kind of melody and a different sound. Let the instrument guide you and give a clue to creating an endless number of beautiful compositions. Your intuition will guide you. A lovely thing.

The Roomba for solar panels goes public and is valued at $300M

Tech

Karin Kloosterman

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December 10, 2020

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The Roomba for solar panels goes public and is valued at $300M

Ecoppia, a robot to clean PV photovoltaic solar panels, launched an initial public offering (IPO) on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE), after successfully completed the public tender phase. This is after a significant raise this summer.

Ecoppia secured $82.5 million from leading institutional investors with a company valuation of $300 million, they said in a press announcement. By cleaning the solar panels at night Ecoppia can improve solar efficiencies.

During the public tender phase, Ecoppia marked yet another meaningful achievement as public demand reached $76.74 million, despite the fact that the company offered shares for just $1.5 million. During the institutional tender, Ecoppia received $144.7 million in demand, yet accepted only $83.3 million.

Water-free cleaners

Ecoppia offers fully autonomous, water free robotic cleaning solutions for PV modules, ideally for large scale PV installations located in dry and arid regions. Deployed globally in utility-scale sites operated by leading energy players on three continents, Ecoppia’s solutions clean 10 million panels every night and have been field-proven to keep solar panels at a year-round peak performance while minimizing O&M costs.

Despite the unique challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Ecoppia has secured over 10GW of new projects over the last four quarters alone, maintaining a CAGR of booking of over 200% in the past six years.

Last July, CIM Group, the US-based investment firm, invested $40 million in Ecoppia’s shares, with $20 million directly into the company.

Ecoppia was founded in 2013 by Eran and Moshe Meller, who held 21% of the company’s shares prior to the IPO. Along with the CIM Group and the Mellers, the company’s primary stakeholders, prior to the IPO, were prominent international investors and financial institutions.

“I would like to thank our investors for their trust in Ecoppia,” said Ecoppia’s CEO, Jean Scemama. “Ecoppia serves a rapidly growing global market, and has demonstrated strong technological supremacy in all our operational regions. It is expected that manual cleaning for large-scale solar sites will become irrelevant in the coming years.”

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Turkey: hot spots for SO2 emissions

Science

Karin Kloosterman

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December 10, 2020

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Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Turkey: hot spots for SO2 emissions

The Rabigh oil and gas hotspot in Saudi Arabia ranked a #2 hotspot, while the country is ranked at #3 as the most polluting for SO2 in the world: Greenpeace

Middle East Records Some of the Highest Global SO2 Emissions

The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air– CREA and Greenpeace India released their report about Ranking the World’s Sulphur Dioxide Emissions Hotspots 2019-2020, which revealed the emissions of this toxic gas resulting annually from anthropogenic activities in the energy, oil, gas and smelting sectors.

Despite the general decrease in SO₂ emissions around the world, the Middle East is still one of the worst polluted regions, specifically emissions around the Gulf region which did not witness any significant change between 2018 and 2019.

Ahmad El Droubi, Senior Campaigner – Greenpeace MENA said: ”We issue this kind of report as we believe that the measurement and tracking of air quality should be a priority. Sulfur dioxide is a colourless air pollutant that is invisible to the human eye, widespread and hazardous to human health. Breathing SO₂ increases the risk of health conditions including stroke, heart disease, asthma, lung cancer and premature death.”

For this CREA/Greenpeace report, researchers used satellite data and a global catalogue of SO₂ emissions sources from the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to detect emissions hotspots. The data was analysed to identify source industries and emissions trends.

“Despite the global drop in emissions by 47.25% since 2005, the Middle East and North Africa region recorded a decrease of only 8.5% in the same period. And the report did not find any significant change between the years 2018 and 2019, and that the Gulf remains one of the most polluted regions with SO₂ and is a major hotspot of global emissions.”

The top emissions hotspots are all concentrated in the Middle East.

The report revealed that Saudi Arabia recorded the highest levels of sulfur dioxide emissions in the Middle East and North Africa in 2019, followed by Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq and Morocco.

The UAE and Iraq witnessed a decrease in the emissions levels between the years 2018 and 2019, however this change was within the range of annual variability. The levels of emissions of this gas in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait did not record any significant change in the same period. Morocco recorded an increase of 15% in the levels of emissions of sulfur dioxide between 2018 and 2019.

The Norilsk smelter site in Russia was the biggest source of anthropogenic SO2 emissions in the world in 2019, the Rabigh oil and gas hotspot in Saudi Arabia ranked second. It is pictured above.

Dangers of sulfur dioxide

SO2 is a toxic gas responsible for the smell of burnt matches. It is released naturally by volcanic activity and is produced as a by-product of copper extraction and the burning of fossil fuels contaminated with sulfur compounds.

Sulfur dioxide causes a range of harmful effects on the lungs, as the EPA’s most recent review of the science concluded: Wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness and other problems, especially during exercise or physical activity. Exposure to SO2 likely makes Covid infections worse or more dangerous.

While sulfur dioxide isn’t a direct greenhouse gas like carbon dioxide or methane, it is considered an indirect greenhouse gas. Sulfur dioxide is regarded as an indirect greenhouse gas because, when coupled with elemental carbon, it forms aerosols.

Greencells heats up green bonds with EU 15 Million

Energy

Karin Kloosterman

-

December 10, 2020

0

Greencells heats up green bonds with EU 15 Million

greencells masdar office — The Greencells office at Masdar, the net-zero city in the Emirates

Greencells, a German-founded, globally active builder of utility-scale solar power plants with offices at Masdar in the United Arab Emirates announced raising EU 15 Million with its Green Bond, secured at 6.5% between 2020 to 2025. Greencells develops, builds, operates and finances utility-scale solar projects worldwide.

The proceeds from the green bond issue are intended to grow the company and power up to 130,000 households with green energy, mainly in Europe. Raising public money through bonds is gaining popularity now that bank rates hover at about nothing. Meaning if you leave money in the bank you will lose money over time from inflation.

Greencells has a model like RE Invest in Canada. To raise bonds from the public. In the olden days, when solar energy started picking up interest around 2005, venture capitalists jumped in and it was hard for non-accredited investors to invest in solar – unless you offered a roof.

Some earned enormous profits from attractive feed-in rates offered by governments, others like entrepreneurs David Anthony from 21Ventures committed suicide when his ventures tanked in 2012. Here is a guest post from Anthony written to Green Prophet in 2009.

Over the years the entrepreneurs making the most money are the ones who make the inverters. SolarEdge, a company from Israel and who I have interviewed many times, always seem to get marketing and business right, and they are doing very well in the last year.

With 15 years of experience and proven success of solar power plant builds and infrastructure, German and Australia are becoming clear winners.

Germany according to PV Magazine almost 50% of German’s energy was created by solar power this year. It is unfathomable that the Middle East hasn’t figured this out. But some of Greencells builds are in the Middle East. Like anything today, solar energy is a global village. It takes a global team to make a build.

According to Greencells they will expand by building a sister company with the raise, and they plan a further raise on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, of up to EU 25 Million.

Andreas Hoffman

“We would like to thank all investors for the trust they have placed in our company and our growth strategy by subscribing,” said Andreas Hoffmann, CEO of Greencells. “And what makes us particularly confident for further private placements in the coming months: The capital market also shares our opinion that our own as well as the sector-specific growth, prospects in the solar market are absolutely intact.

“We have shown that even in Corona times many investors want to join us on the path to sustainable development – that was our goal. We start exactly where it is important for the climate: with projects for renewable energy production based on solar energy, the world’s cheapest energy source.”

A successful partnership with Nordic Solar in Poland will also contribute to further growth of Greencells. After a photovoltaic portfolio of 6 MWp was successfully realized in Nowogard in 2019, a contract for a 38.5 MWp photovoltaic portfolio located at various sites throughout Poland has now been signed.

In the coming years, Greencells will focus primarily on the European market. As a result of the outcome of the presidential election, the USA will focus more strongly on climate protection again under new leadership. This will create further very attractive opportunities in the short term, which the company will seize flexibly. The company has an office in the United States.

The Group now has over 2.1GWp of installed capacity under its belt and employs over 600 employees worldwide. Headquartered in Germany, the Group has international subsidiaries in Asia, the Middle East and the US.

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