Pumpkin can be used not only for carving on Halloween. It contains a variety of nutrients and is considered one of the best foods for weight loss. We’ll prove that pumpkin is useful and show you how to include it into an autumn diet.
Pumpkin contains a wide range of useful substances, including vitamins A, B, C, E, folic acid, macronutrients: potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and trace elements iodine, zinc, iron and fluoride, the content of which is substantially higher than in apples.
Due to the high content of potassium, pumpkin is useful for the cardiovascular system. In addition, this vegetable improves metabolism and has diuretic and choleretic effect.
Pumpkin is useful for weight loss because it contains rare vitamin T, which prevents the deposition of fat and promotes the absorption of heavy food. Remember that 100 grams of pumpkin contain only 25 calories. A real gem for your diet!
Pumpkin is a rich source of fiber, which is very useful for the proper functioning of the intestines. It also contains a lot of pectin, which helps cleanse the body of toxins.
Pumpkin seeds are good for health, as they contain fats, proteins, minerals and are rich in vitamin E.
Pumpkin is a product that helps maintain youth and beauty thanks to its richness in vitamin E, which prevents skin aging and wrinkling.
And finally, pumpkin is a powerful aphrodisiac. Experts recommend against removing pumpkin seeds while preparing it, as they are rich in zinc, which increases the level of testosterone in the body.
Showing posts with label Light Mood Articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Light Mood Articles. Show all posts
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Night Dreams Reveal Diseases
The specialists from the University of Loughborough are convinced that the correct interpretation of dreams may report the presence of certain diseases.
The doctors have compiled a medical dream book, which describes the relationship between the dreams of specific content and diseases. Frequent nightmares, as it turned out, are observed in the people with migraines, pathology of the cardiovascular system, as well as when taking beta-blocker drugs. Scientists believe that such dreams are usually associated with deterioration of blood flow in the brain during sleep.
Rapidly changing dreams are a consequence of excessively high or low temperature in the room. In addition, the frequency of dreams is often dependent on antidepressants, or may be associated with the presence of chronic back pain or joint pain.
Heavy dreams, in which a person tries to get away from someone and be safe, are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Such dreams may signal the development of pathology of the nervous system. But such dreams, according to experts, may be the norm in case of fatigue or when a person has experienced a strong emotional stress.
The doctors have compiled a medical dream book, which describes the relationship between the dreams of specific content and diseases. Frequent nightmares, as it turned out, are observed in the people with migraines, pathology of the cardiovascular system, as well as when taking beta-blocker drugs. Scientists believe that such dreams are usually associated with deterioration of blood flow in the brain during sleep.
Rapidly changing dreams are a consequence of excessively high or low temperature in the room. In addition, the frequency of dreams is often dependent on antidepressants, or may be associated with the presence of chronic back pain or joint pain.
Heavy dreams, in which a person tries to get away from someone and be safe, are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Such dreams may signal the development of pathology of the nervous system. But such dreams, according to experts, may be the norm in case of fatigue or when a person has experienced a strong emotional stress.
Saturday, 2 November 2013
Exercises When You Have a Pain
When you are in pain, the last thing you want to do is workout. But people with different conditions are more likely to keep symptoms under control if they exercise at least for a few minutes every day. Here are some types of exercise which can help you move and feel better.
Slow it down
When you are in the middle of a painful flare, you obviously do not want to do anything that will increase your inflammation. Generally, physicians recommend to continue any exercises you can, perhaps substituting motion of range and stretching for more rigorous strengthening. On the other hand you can concentrate on an area of your body that does not have the flare. In some cases, it is appropriate to discontinue exercises for a short period of time, but not for long as it may become a vicious cycle, leading to stiff and weak joints.
Swimming
If your joints are painful, getting into the water might be the good way to let the aching go. The buoyancy takes weight off of the joints. Swimming is also good for the upper joints as it helps to keep your elbows flexible. Water training can take the form of regular water aerobics, lap-lengths, or even walking in the pool. A 2011 study found that aquatic workouts conferred small to moderate benefit on various forms of pain, including rheumatoid arthritis, myalgia, back pain and osteoarthritis
Biking
It has no difference whether you bike stationary in your living room or ride outdoors, biking provides not only weight loosing benefit, but can also release the feel good hormones such as endorphins. People with arthritis of the knees have some difficulty with biking so be sure the seat is at the right height. In this situation, a recumbent bike is your best choice. It is good because the seats are anatomic and help support your spine.
Weight lifting
Weight lifting seems to be useful for those who are in pain, including people with rheumatoid arthritis, but program like this needs to be practiced in moderation. Think of weight lifting as taking a daily vitamin. When you are younger, you want to look good in a bathing suit or have big biceps. As you get older you have to look at exercise as a kind of medicine.
Walking
Walking can be difficult if you have knee and foot pain, but if you can walk, this type of exercise will strengthen the muscles around your knee and help protect the joint. If your thigh muscles or the quadriceps are in good condition, loading in the legs gets deflected away from your knee. If the muscle is in poor state, it can’t absorb the shock and it gets transmitted to the joint and causes inflammation. But just walking from your car to the front door might not be enough to reap the benefits of this particular exercise, as you are unlikely to get any cardiovascular benefit.
Jogging and running
High impact activities such as jogging and running can be hard with the aching joints, not just for those suffering from chronic pain. If your physical therapist decides this is an appropriate workout for you, reduce your stress on the joints by using special sports shoes, the ones that have 5 toes like a glove. They are much safer on the knees and other joints. The good thing about aerobic activities like swimming, biking and running is that over time they will increase blood flow throughout your body. Improved circulation decreases cytokines, molecules that are prone to inflammation.
Slow it down
When you are in the middle of a painful flare, you obviously do not want to do anything that will increase your inflammation. Generally, physicians recommend to continue any exercises you can, perhaps substituting motion of range and stretching for more rigorous strengthening. On the other hand you can concentrate on an area of your body that does not have the flare. In some cases, it is appropriate to discontinue exercises for a short period of time, but not for long as it may become a vicious cycle, leading to stiff and weak joints.
Swimming
If your joints are painful, getting into the water might be the good way to let the aching go. The buoyancy takes weight off of the joints. Swimming is also good for the upper joints as it helps to keep your elbows flexible. Water training can take the form of regular water aerobics, lap-lengths, or even walking in the pool. A 2011 study found that aquatic workouts conferred small to moderate benefit on various forms of pain, including rheumatoid arthritis, myalgia, back pain and osteoarthritis
Biking
It has no difference whether you bike stationary in your living room or ride outdoors, biking provides not only weight loosing benefit, but can also release the feel good hormones such as endorphins. People with arthritis of the knees have some difficulty with biking so be sure the seat is at the right height. In this situation, a recumbent bike is your best choice. It is good because the seats are anatomic and help support your spine.
Weight lifting
Weight lifting seems to be useful for those who are in pain, including people with rheumatoid arthritis, but program like this needs to be practiced in moderation. Think of weight lifting as taking a daily vitamin. When you are younger, you want to look good in a bathing suit or have big biceps. As you get older you have to look at exercise as a kind of medicine.
Walking
Walking can be difficult if you have knee and foot pain, but if you can walk, this type of exercise will strengthen the muscles around your knee and help protect the joint. If your thigh muscles or the quadriceps are in good condition, loading in the legs gets deflected away from your knee. If the muscle is in poor state, it can’t absorb the shock and it gets transmitted to the joint and causes inflammation. But just walking from your car to the front door might not be enough to reap the benefits of this particular exercise, as you are unlikely to get any cardiovascular benefit.
Jogging and running
High impact activities such as jogging and running can be hard with the aching joints, not just for those suffering from chronic pain. If your physical therapist decides this is an appropriate workout for you, reduce your stress on the joints by using special sports shoes, the ones that have 5 toes like a glove. They are much safer on the knees and other joints. The good thing about aerobic activities like swimming, biking and running is that over time they will increase blood flow throughout your body. Improved circulation decreases cytokines, molecules that are prone to inflammation.
Friday, 1 November 2013
How to Accept Critics
People tend to criticize each other for a hundred different reasons: some blame others for the things they themselves cannot afford, while others are trying to keep the usual course of things, not allowing deviations. On the contrary, a number of people are trying to improve themselves, others and the world around them. But what if the criticism hurts you personally?
Why Is It So Tough to Take Critics?
The list of claims can be endless, and it is difficult to penetrate the mind of another person. It is hardly worth spending time and effort trying to understand the motivations of various critics. But if the criticism hurts you personally, do you wonder why it happens? What makes it particularly offensive? What arouses feelings? Whose words hurt most?
How Do You React to Critics?
If you are offended by the comments of a stranger on public transport, you should pay attention to your personal boundaries: why is the distance between you and the stranger so short that you should be hurt by his poisonous remarks? On the contrary, the criticism that comes from a close friend or a beloved one can upset almost everyone.
What’s Behind Your Reaction?
However, when we talk about criticism we should distinguish between trivial insults and constructive comments. We must admit there is a difference between the statements “You are a disgusting cook” and “Your soup seems to be a little too salty today.” If you are insulted by unjustified criticism that is not connected with any specific subject matter and your personality in general – feel free to defend! If you feel hurt, strongly ashamed or guilty because of the reasonable comment, it can be your usual way of responding to criticism, probably developed when you were a child. Guilt often indicates the fear of losing respect and love of a dear person, shame indicates the fear of losing reputation and feeling not good enough.
How to Take Critics Correctly?
Whatever it is, if you are hurt by the interlocutor’s criticism, do not rush to react to it automatically, following the usual pattern of behaviour – raising your voice or feeling hurt and confined to yourself. Take a pause, remember the feeling which you feel uncomfortable to encounter with, accept the responsibility and experience it, without blaming your partner for anything (“It is me who feels ashamed/guilty/afraid…”).
Don’t Take It Too Personally
Try to understand the purpose of criticism (maybe, the interlocutor wants to offend you or motivate you to improve your work).
Think about anything good that you can learn from criticism.
Agree with the criticism or part of it (at least internally).
Give thanks for the criticism because many things are more visible from aside.
Try to change, listening to constructive criticism.
Why Is It So Tough to Take Critics?
The list of claims can be endless, and it is difficult to penetrate the mind of another person. It is hardly worth spending time and effort trying to understand the motivations of various critics. But if the criticism hurts you personally, do you wonder why it happens? What makes it particularly offensive? What arouses feelings? Whose words hurt most?
How Do You React to Critics?
If you are offended by the comments of a stranger on public transport, you should pay attention to your personal boundaries: why is the distance between you and the stranger so short that you should be hurt by his poisonous remarks? On the contrary, the criticism that comes from a close friend or a beloved one can upset almost everyone.
What’s Behind Your Reaction?
However, when we talk about criticism we should distinguish between trivial insults and constructive comments. We must admit there is a difference between the statements “You are a disgusting cook” and “Your soup seems to be a little too salty today.” If you are insulted by unjustified criticism that is not connected with any specific subject matter and your personality in general – feel free to defend! If you feel hurt, strongly ashamed or guilty because of the reasonable comment, it can be your usual way of responding to criticism, probably developed when you were a child. Guilt often indicates the fear of losing respect and love of a dear person, shame indicates the fear of losing reputation and feeling not good enough.
How to Take Critics Correctly?
Whatever it is, if you are hurt by the interlocutor’s criticism, do not rush to react to it automatically, following the usual pattern of behaviour – raising your voice or feeling hurt and confined to yourself. Take a pause, remember the feeling which you feel uncomfortable to encounter with, accept the responsibility and experience it, without blaming your partner for anything (“It is me who feels ashamed/guilty/afraid…”).
Don’t Take It Too Personally
Try to understand the purpose of criticism (maybe, the interlocutor wants to offend you or motivate you to improve your work).
Think about anything good that you can learn from criticism.
Agree with the criticism or part of it (at least internally).
Give thanks for the criticism because many things are more visible from aside.
Try to change, listening to constructive criticism.
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Corporate Income Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Tax policy issues relating to corporate income tax are numerous and complex, but particularly relevant for developing countries are the issues of multiple rates based on sectoral differentiation and the incoherent design of the depreciation system. Developing countries are more prone to having multiple rates along sectoral lines (including the complete exemption from tax of certain sectors, especially the parastatal sector) than industrial countries, possibly as a legacy of past economic regimes that emphasized the state's role in resource allocation. Such practices, however, are clearly detrimental to the proper functioning of market forces (that is, the sectoral allocation of resources is distorted by differences in tax rates). They are indefensible if a government's commitment to a market economy is real. Unifying multiple corporate income tax rates should thus be a priority.
Allowable depreciation of physical assets for tax purposes is an important structural element in determining the cost of capital and the profitability of investment. The most common shortcomings found in the depreciation systems in developing countries include too many asset categories and depreciation rates, excessively low depreciation rates, and a structure of depreciation rates that is not in accordance with the relative obsolescence rates of different asset categories. Rectifying these shortcomings should also receive a high priority in tax policy deliberations in these countries.
In restructuring their depreciation systems, developing countries could well benefit from certain guidelines:
Classifying assets into three or four categories should be more than sufficient—for example, grouping assets that last a long time, such as buildings, at one end, and fast-depreciating assets, such as computers, at the other with one or two categories of machinery and equipment in between.
Only one depreciation rate should be assigned to each category.
Depreciation rates should generally be set higher than the actual physical lives of the underlying assets to compensate for the lack of a comprehensive inflation-compensating mechanism in most tax systems.
On administrative grounds, the declining-balance method should be preferred to the straight-line method. The declining-balance method allows the pooling of all assets in the same asset category and automatically accounts for capital gains and losses from asset disposals, thus substantially simplifying bookkeeping requirements.
Tax policy issues relating to corporate income tax are numerous and complex, but particularly relevant for developing countries are the issues of multiple rates based on sectoral differentiation and the incoherent design of the depreciation system. Developing countries are more prone to having multiple rates along sectoral lines (including the complete exemption from tax of certain sectors, especially the parastatal sector) than industrial countries, possibly as a legacy of past economic regimes that emphasized the state's role in resource allocation. Such practices, however, are clearly detrimental to the proper functioning of market forces (that is, the sectoral allocation of resources is distorted by differences in tax rates). They are indefensible if a government's commitment to a market economy is real. Unifying multiple corporate income tax rates should thus be a priority.
Allowable depreciation of physical assets for tax purposes is an important structural element in determining the cost of capital and the profitability of investment. The most common shortcomings found in the depreciation systems in developing countries include too many asset categories and depreciation rates, excessively low depreciation rates, and a structure of depreciation rates that is not in accordance with the relative obsolescence rates of different asset categories. Rectifying these shortcomings should also receive a high priority in tax policy deliberations in these countries.
In restructuring their depreciation systems, developing countries could well benefit from certain guidelines:
Classifying assets into three or four categories should be more than sufficient—for example, grouping assets that last a long time, such as buildings, at one end, and fast-depreciating assets, such as computers, at the other with one or two categories of machinery and equipment in between.
Only one depreciation rate should be assigned to each category.
Depreciation rates should generally be set higher than the actual physical lives of the underlying assets to compensate for the lack of a comprehensive inflation-compensating mechanism in most tax systems.
On administrative grounds, the declining-balance method should be preferred to the straight-line method. The declining-balance method allows the pooling of all assets in the same asset category and automatically accounts for capital gains and losses from asset disposals, thus substantially simplifying bookkeeping requirements.
Composition of Tax Revenue
Composition of Tax Revenue
Turning to the composition of tax revenue, we find ourselves in an area of conflicting theories. The issues involve the taxation of income relative to that of consumption and under consumption, the taxation of imports versus the taxation of domestic consumption. Both efficiency (whether the tax enhances or diminishes the overall welfare of those who are taxed) and equity (whether the tax is fair to everybody) are central to the analysis.
The conventional belief that taxing income entails a higher welfare (efficiency) cost than taxing consumption is based in part on the fact that income tax, which contains elements of both a labor tax and a capital tax, reduces the taxpayer's ability to save. Doubt has been cast on this belief, however, by considerations of the crucial role of the length of the taxpayer's planning horizon and the cost of human and physical capital accumulation. The upshot of these theoretical considerations renders the relative welfare costs of the two taxes (income and consumption) uncertain.
Another concern in the choice between taxing income and taxing consumption involves their relative impact on equity. Taxing consumption has traditionally been thought to be inherently more regressive (that is, harder on the poor than the rich) than taxing income. Doubt has been cast on this belief as well. Theoretical and practical considerations suggest that the equity concerns about the traditional form of taxing consumption are probably overstated and that, for developing countries, attempts to address these concerns by such initiatives as graduated consumption taxes would be ineffective and administratively impractical.
With regard to taxes on imports, lowering these taxes will lead to more competition from foreign enterprises. While reducing protection of domestic industries from this foreign competition is an inevitable consequence, or even the objective, of a trade liberalization program, reduced budgetary revenue would be an unwelcome by-product of the program. Feasible compensatory revenue measures under the circumstances almost always involve increasing domestic consumption taxes. Rarely would increasing income taxes be considered a viable option on the grounds of both policy (because of their perceived negative impact on investment) and administration (because their revenue yield is less certain and less timely than that from consumption tax changes).
Data from industrial and developing countries show that the ratio of income to consumption taxes in industrial countries has consistently remained more than double the ratio in developing countries. (That is, compared with developing countries, industrial countries derive proportionally twice as much revenue from income tax than from consumption tax.) The data also reveal a notable difference in the ratio of corporate income tax to personal income tax. Industrial countries raise about four times as much from personal income tax than from corporate income tax. Differences between the two country groups in wage income, in the sophistication of the tax administration, and in the political power of the richest segment of the population are the primary contributors to this disparity. On the other hand, revenue from trade taxes is significantly higher in developing countries than in industrial countries.
While it is difficult to draw clear-cut normative policy prescriptions from international comparisons as regards the income-consumption tax mix, a compelling implication revealed by the comparison is that economic development tends to lead to a relative shift in the composition of revenue from consumption to personal income taxes. At any given point of time, however, the important tax policy issue for developing countries is not so much to determine the optimal tax mix as to spell out clearly the objectives to be achieved by any contemplated shift in the mix, to assess the economic consequences (for efficiency and equity) of such a shift, and to implement compensatory measures if the poor are made worse off by the shift.
Turning to the composition of tax revenue, we find ourselves in an area of conflicting theories. The issues involve the taxation of income relative to that of consumption and under consumption, the taxation of imports versus the taxation of domestic consumption. Both efficiency (whether the tax enhances or diminishes the overall welfare of those who are taxed) and equity (whether the tax is fair to everybody) are central to the analysis.
The conventional belief that taxing income entails a higher welfare (efficiency) cost than taxing consumption is based in part on the fact that income tax, which contains elements of both a labor tax and a capital tax, reduces the taxpayer's ability to save. Doubt has been cast on this belief, however, by considerations of the crucial role of the length of the taxpayer's planning horizon and the cost of human and physical capital accumulation. The upshot of these theoretical considerations renders the relative welfare costs of the two taxes (income and consumption) uncertain.
Another concern in the choice between taxing income and taxing consumption involves their relative impact on equity. Taxing consumption has traditionally been thought to be inherently more regressive (that is, harder on the poor than the rich) than taxing income. Doubt has been cast on this belief as well. Theoretical and practical considerations suggest that the equity concerns about the traditional form of taxing consumption are probably overstated and that, for developing countries, attempts to address these concerns by such initiatives as graduated consumption taxes would be ineffective and administratively impractical.
With regard to taxes on imports, lowering these taxes will lead to more competition from foreign enterprises. While reducing protection of domestic industries from this foreign competition is an inevitable consequence, or even the objective, of a trade liberalization program, reduced budgetary revenue would be an unwelcome by-product of the program. Feasible compensatory revenue measures under the circumstances almost always involve increasing domestic consumption taxes. Rarely would increasing income taxes be considered a viable option on the grounds of both policy (because of their perceived negative impact on investment) and administration (because their revenue yield is less certain and less timely than that from consumption tax changes).
Data from industrial and developing countries show that the ratio of income to consumption taxes in industrial countries has consistently remained more than double the ratio in developing countries. (That is, compared with developing countries, industrial countries derive proportionally twice as much revenue from income tax than from consumption tax.) The data also reveal a notable difference in the ratio of corporate income tax to personal income tax. Industrial countries raise about four times as much from personal income tax than from corporate income tax. Differences between the two country groups in wage income, in the sophistication of the tax administration, and in the political power of the richest segment of the population are the primary contributors to this disparity. On the other hand, revenue from trade taxes is significantly higher in developing countries than in industrial countries.
While it is difficult to draw clear-cut normative policy prescriptions from international comparisons as regards the income-consumption tax mix, a compelling implication revealed by the comparison is that economic development tends to lead to a relative shift in the composition of revenue from consumption to personal income taxes. At any given point of time, however, the important tax policy issue for developing countries is not so much to determine the optimal tax mix as to spell out clearly the objectives to be achieved by any contemplated shift in the mix, to assess the economic consequences (for efficiency and equity) of such a shift, and to implement compensatory measures if the poor are made worse off by the shift.
Sun Is the Best ADHD Remedy
The researchers from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands have come to the conclusion that the children living in the sunniest areas are less likely to suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than others. According to the scientists, sun rays have a protective effect on the nervous system of a child.
Dutch scientists have found that the least amount of children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder live in the sunniest areas. This conclusion was made when the researchers examined the map of the USA and 9 other countries, shaded according to the number of ADHD symptoms per capita, and then discovered the annual number of sunny days in the same areas.
Even taking into account other factors that influence the development of ADHD, the relationship between the sun and the number of children suffering from this disorder is still very prominent. The scientists decided to test this theory on the children, who suffer from autism or depression. But in this case, the amount of sunlight was not important.
The author of the study, Dr. Martin Arns, believes that the beneficial effects of the sun on the incidence of ADHD in children can be explained by the biological clock. It is known that the treatment of sleep disorders includes circadian rhythm normalizing, and one of its variants is light therapy. Light therapy has proved to be effective in cases of ADHD symptoms.
What should the victims of this disorder do, if they don’t live in the sunniest places on the planet? The scientists advise installing more windows in classrooms and taking children for a walk on a sunny day, so that they could get the maximum amount of solar radiation, so useful for their mental sphere. Of course, one should not forget about the use of sunscreen products.
Dutch scientists have found that the least amount of children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder live in the sunniest areas. This conclusion was made when the researchers examined the map of the USA and 9 other countries, shaded according to the number of ADHD symptoms per capita, and then discovered the annual number of sunny days in the same areas.
Even taking into account other factors that influence the development of ADHD, the relationship between the sun and the number of children suffering from this disorder is still very prominent. The scientists decided to test this theory on the children, who suffer from autism or depression. But in this case, the amount of sunlight was not important.
The author of the study, Dr. Martin Arns, believes that the beneficial effects of the sun on the incidence of ADHD in children can be explained by the biological clock. It is known that the treatment of sleep disorders includes circadian rhythm normalizing, and one of its variants is light therapy. Light therapy has proved to be effective in cases of ADHD symptoms.
What should the victims of this disorder do, if they don’t live in the sunniest places on the planet? The scientists advise installing more windows in classrooms and taking children for a walk on a sunny day, so that they could get the maximum amount of solar radiation, so useful for their mental sphere. Of course, one should not forget about the use of sunscreen products.
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