French English Translation: A Linguistic and Stylistic Breakdown

English and French have a lot of similarities, a fact which should simplify French English translation. Both languages are subject-prominent languages whose SVO (subject-verb-object) word order is relatively stable. Despite their common grammatical structure, the two languages have vastly different literary conventions.

Both English and French are Indo-European languages. English is a derivative of the Germanic branch while French is a derivative of the Italic. Aside from English, all Germanic languages are V2 languages (the verb always occupies the second position in the sentence) and, aside from French, all Italic languages are null subject languages (the sentence does not need a subject because the verb itself implies the subject). Today, both French and English are fixed, subject-prominent, SVO languages that have lost much of the grammatical inflection of their forebears on the Indo-European tree. Other word order combinations have not, however, been in lost in either language:

French English
VSO Questions:
French: Sais-tu l'heure? (Do you have the time?) - verbatim: know you the time?
English poetics, Shakespeare: Met I my father? (King Lear)

SOV With all pronoun objects:
French: Je le vois. (I see it.) - verbatim: I it see
English fossilized expressions: 'Til Death do us part.

Although these two languages share many syntactic parallels, their literary conventions are quite dissimilar: wherefrom the challenge of French English translation. French tends to be a language of long sentences carefully constructed with copious commas and stacked phrases (appositives and subsequent actions). English tends to be more limited in sentence construction, often requiring connectors in place of mere commas. So the French English translator frequently finds himself faced with a French sentence that is too long by English standards and which will not translate gracefully. A talented French English translator must be prepared to dissect the lengthy sentence into pieces that will make sense to an English reader. There are a few different ways to do this: 1) break the sentence apart (either into two sentences or two independent clauses with and or but...) or 2) demonstrate the relationship between the clauses in another way (a demonstrative determiner, like that or which, or a dash). Regrettably, this de-stacking breaks apart the rhythm of the original. Another major hurdle in French English translation is the separation of a noun phrase from its modifier. Because French includes noun genders and verb conjugations, it is not difficult for French readers to ascertain to what a modifying clause refers. English, on the other hand, has neither of these morphosyntactic properties and English writers are taught to place modifying phrases directly adjacent to the noun phrase to which they refer. Ultimately, translators must reorganize sentences and perform various linguistic somersaults so that nouns and their modifiers are friendly and flow naturally in the English.

People often think that because French and English are linguistic cousins, French English translation is fairly uncomplicated. Although the two languages have a common Indo-European base and similar basic syntax, their literary traditions are separated by centuries.

About the Author:
Armando Riquier as a freelance writer and expert translator collaborates with Tectrad, a company specialized in the translation of many types of documents, legal, financial or corporate. Find out how to keep an excellent image in the eyes of your foreign customers by translating between French and English all your foreign documentations and papers.

The Necessity of Website Localization

Of all Internet users approximately 65% speak a language other than English which goes to say that an English language site is probably losing thousands of visitors per day. Depending on the website's focus, this may or may not be important. However, If the site is commercial, it's probably quite important and necessary. This hypothesis actually applies to any website in only one language, targeted to a single culture. Websites in English are frequently chosen as examples to show the importance of website localization because it's a forceful reminder that not even a language as influential as English can elude taking second place sometimes on the Internet. What course of action can a business take? In essence set up two things that are vital to participate in foreign markets: an e-commerce enabled site and a website localization/globalization which is a multi layered process involving a lot more than just translation.

Expensive Errors

Possibly, translation blunders can do a website more damage than benefit. When the automotive company, American Motors, decided to market the Matador, a very costly mistake was made. Their intention was to position the car along with an image of bravery and endurance. But, in Puerto Rico, the name means 'killer'. Considering the hazardous route conditions on the island, a 'killer' car was the last thing that would be welcomed. True website localization protects against such costly and disappointing failures.

Breaking Down The Barriers

It can't be overstressed just how important it is to be familiar with the customs of a website's targeted public. What dialect do they use? What age groups are represented? What is their predominant religion? What are their levels of education? Not all of the questions will have to be answered. However, if for instance the business is a vendor of books on all topics, the targeted clientele will be diverse in a Western culture. Most countries in the West have a very high literacy rate. Therefore, in the case of website localization for a bookstore, the choice of a dialect probably doesn't require much thought. The most standardized form of the language should be the choice. In case of an organization not-for-profit that may target particular ethnic groups however, dialect becomes a point of strong interest.

Surprisingly, even wrong choice of colors, symbols and images, can bring down a campaign of website localization. How can this be? Suppose a clothing store wishes to market their apparel in the Arab world. Now suppose that they have a special on bikinis and depict photographic images of women in bikinis on the site. Their web pages may be accurately translated, linguistically speaking, but it would be offensive to the greater part of the targeted audience. Most Arabs, Muslims or Christians, disapprove of the lack of modesty in dress common in the West among both men and women.

True website localization will also cover the scripting issues of translation. For example, if a site is going to be adjusted to a Chinese-speaking audience, its format will likely have to be modified because Chinese and Japanese are top to bottom languages.

Those are only some of the major points that must be well thought of for effective website localization jobs.

About the Author:
Armando Riquier is a freelance expert translator and writer and a member of the Tectrad control team. Tectrad is a translation service agency that will ensure the proper translation and localization of your website content for you in a complete turn key fashion.

How to Determine Business Translation Needs

Business translation involves expressing the sense of a word or text in another language or form for commercial purposes. The concept is simple; its fulfillment is not. One would assume that the analysis of business translation needs is best left with the translators. However, management can't afford to entrust such important decisions to outsiders who don't share their strong interest for their company's growth. Three important things determine the business translation campaign of a company.

Choosing A Dialect

All major languages, including English, have various dialects. A dialect is a regional form of speech and a variety of language with a nonstandard vocabulary, pronunciation and/or grammar that's unique to a specific area. The negative impact that an unfamiliar dialect can have on comprehension by speakers of a different dialect, can prove fatal to a company's advertising campaign. The United Kingdom's famous 'fish and chips' is understood as 'fish and fries' by natives of the U.S.A. only because of the dish's widespread popularity and much travel between the two nations. Unfortunately, this is not the case with many words and phrases that will be needed in business translation. If a company is going to establish a presence in South America, Latin American Spanish instead of Castillian should be the dialect of choice.

The Targeted Audience

Most businesses cater to a targeted audience. Nurseries attract gardeners and landscapers. Fabric stores appeal to seamstresses, tailors, and those who do crafts. Even department and grocery stores target audiences. Wal-Mart attracts economical consumers; Yonkers appeals to customers with exclusive tastes and higher budgets. These business characteristics help determine business translations needs. Even within the same dialect, audiences will differ in vocabulary according to age and educational level. These are additional factors to take into account when assessing business translation requirements. Most teenagers around the world have their own jargon. Likewise, people who live in regions where it's common to be bilingual, such as in Quebec, Canada, often make use of words that are a cross between the two languages of the region. It's to the benefit of the company to know and meet their business translation needs.

Cultural Aspects

There's also the need to carefully consider culture. This point is of particular importance to native English speakers of the U.S.A. Often Americans who have learned Spanish seek employment in bilingual customer service. Many tend to reply to 'gracias' (thank you), with 'de nada' (you're welcome), after delivering service to a client. Such response reveals the lack of understanding of the importance of courtesy in Spanish. Real Spanish speakers often reply with phrases such as 'para servirle' (at your service), or some other phrase that appears so flowery to a native English speaker that it never occurs to him to adopt the language in its culture. Business translation needs will also be determined by cultural aspects.

Many more factors can be considered, but the aforementioned ones should always be included to ensure the company reaps benefit from business translation.

About the Author:
Armando Riquier has many years of experience as a writer and translator and works with Tectrad, a company specialized in translating finance, legal and corporate matters. Maintain an excellent image with your investors, shareholders and foreign customers through quality legal, financial and business translation services.

Translation Services World Careers

Throughout the world many people are involved in doing translation of texts and documents, or interpreting many languages. People who know more than one language often choose a metier in translation services. Most translators are specialists in written communication. They render a text written in one language into another. While translating they have to keep in mind that they should not change the concept of the original document they are translating.

Translators are inclined to work more with the written word, while interpreters deal with oral communication. The number of careers in translation is growing very fast and it is one of the simplest international field one can to break into without specific experience. Many people come to this profession from different type of background.

However people who need such translation service sometimes want translators with background and knowledge in particular subject like banking or literature, etc. That is why translators also have to specialize in several fields such as poetry, law or fiction, even in science and technology, to get a good job in the translation service field. For example, a publishing firm hires translators to translate poetry and fiction written in a different language so that their books can be sold all over the world to readers of other languages and accordingly boost up the sales.

On the other hand a law firm requires translation services to translate its legal documents. Likewise a computer company will appoint technical translators to rephrase instructions on computer programs and other technology for the same reason. From this you can gauge that career in translation services is actually very bright for prospective translators. It can also be done from home, that is to say one can choose to do it as a freelancer.

All over the world there are various type of agencies who are involved in the translation process of documents and texts from several languages to others and vice versa, particularly in Europe. These agencies employ translators adept in their own language first for such purpose. Hence the prospect of say, an Italian translator is no less than their international counterparts. Translators work with their clients coming from different sectors, advertising, IT hardware and software, manufacturing, financial, public sector and many more.

Translators can also provide two types of interpreting service: face to face and conference. But a translator in general basically turns the written text of one language to another. A translator primarily deals with text-based materials such as letters, handbooks, brochures, websites, etc. Note that the process of translation is a highly skilled and time-consuming affair. Normally a translator gets through around 1500 words per day, so you can get an idea from there.

If the translation project is very large, then usually a team of translators works at it. In such a case there is a lead translator who first creates a translation word list. The list is then used by the other translators, this procedure ensuring the consistency of the translation service. Translation team members are mostly professional linguists who have studied and are qualified to translate from any language to their native language for a wide range of documents in various fields of industry.

About the Author:
Armando Riquier has years of experience as translator and works with Tectrad, a company specialized in translating finance, legal and corporate matters. Maintain an excellent public image with your investors, shareholders and foreign customers through translation services of quality delivered by experienced, dependable professionals.

T-Shirt Screen Printing is Effective & Lasts Longer

T-shirt screen printing seems to be the latest craze. Everyone from kids to grandparents are making t-shirts with their favorite picture, logo, slogan, and more via t-shirt screen printing. So, why has there been such a boom in t-shirt screen printing? Obviously, the idea of owning a t-shirt that nobody else owns has its appeal, but it’s the variety of benefits t-shirt screen printing upholds, over other ways to create shirts, that is really driving the market. The Shirt Printer is one company that keeps up with industry innovations and improvements to deliver high quality products at a competitive price.

The popularity of t-shirt screen printing has risen fast due to its low cost to consumers. T-shirt screen printing techniques continue to advance, and thus is more economical compared to other methods such as iron on tee shirt printing, airbrush, or even fabric markers. The composition of the actual screens also provides the benefit of maintaining quality when it comes to printing a large quantity of apparel. As a result, every individual shirt out of a large quantity is more likely to look the same, as opposed to other manual methods of printing where it’s largely done by eye. T-shirt screen printing also allows for the use of more vibrant colors which can be more easily customized. Also, t-shirt screen printing lasts much longer than other methods of creating t-shirts, especially when high quality materials are used; thus, t-shirt screen printing clearly outlasts the competition.

T-shirt screen printing is certainly the new low cost way to wear custom apparel, and it continues to become more popular throughout the consumer market. T-shirt screen printing uses a variety of complex techniques, and an experienced company should be used to create quality t-shirt screen printing.

About the Author:
Kevin Uzelac, owner of TheShirtPrinter.com, is an expert on shirt screen printing. With years of industry experience, Kevin started his own website to offer high-quality, discounted screen printing on a nationwide scale. TheShirtPrinter.com specializes in providing custom T-shirt screen printing and custom silk screening services for businesses, teams, schools, organizations and more.

Search Engine Marketing Google Style

It is amazing in the world of the internet that just about ten years ago, "Google" as a company didn't even exist. Now, it is the giant in the search engine game and webmasters around the globe put in hours of sweat and tears to be sure their web sites are search engine optimization Google friendly so they can have exposure to a huge online market.

Google now holds first place among all the major search engines, which means a lot to people who are making their livings online. Increasing numbers of marketers play by the rules of Google search engine optimization; those who do not are liable to loose significant business.

Google's success lies in how the founders created and refined the technology behind the Google search engine, because it understands what surfers are looking for and delivers better search results than competitors.

It is obvious that their approach worked and now Google accounts for over 60% of all the internet searches, which leaves only 40% of online searches to be divided amongst all the other major search engines. Such statistics have made Google the search engine with the clout to greatly influence the industry and has made search engine optimization Google essential for webmasters to embrace in order to succeed in attracting significant new customers.

Google primarily uses "spiders" to catalog the web, and the results are shown to the surfer. Google spiders give positive attention to quality inbound linking and content.

Pertinent links that direct users from relevant webpages to your site are important to maximize Google search results of your site. The weight of the links will vary depending on quality of the sites you're linking to, the use of text links instead of banner ads, the quality of the text on the page where your link is, and the page rank of those sites.

Using an advanced algorithm, Google checks your web pages for good quality content and easy readability, as opposed to nonsense composed of nothing but keywords without complete sentences. Google's style is to have quality content, while delivering value to a customer using a search engine.

It is no longer true that your meta description, title, and keywords are the primary factors in your Google rankings. These things are helpful, but you should utilize your time by building up good content as well as quality links.

Google employs a technology call Page Rank which measures the overall importance of a site. This rank is a result of an very complex equation that draws in information for over 500 million variables. A portion of this analysis takes into consideration the quality of the links both to a page and from it and assigning it a value. Thus making the search engine optimization Google uses to rate your web site extremely complex and hard to fool. But as in most search optimization efforts, quality content and sound optimization techniques will make your site more relevant and ultimately achieve higher rankings.

About the Author:
Alison Lindemann is a Santa Clarita Internet marketing consultant and the owner of Complete WSI e-Solutions. She is a proponent of a having a complete online marketing strategy in order to succeed on the Internet. Her firm offers Los Angeles SEO services for local or in competitive national ecommerce areas, website design, email marketing, paid advertising and several other Internet marketing methods for generating leads and increasing revenue streams.

Five Golden Rules for Balancing Work and Home for Couples Working Together

My husband and I have known each other for 17 years, been happily married for over a decade and business partners for more than few years. Any couple working together will tell you that balancing this is no small feat.

We have successfully juggled these roles (mother, father, husband, wife, boss, partner, etc..) without driving each other crazy by following five "golden rules." I'd recommend them highly for any family, but especially when spouses are in business together and they want to stay being happy.

Rule #1: What happens at work stays at work, what happens at home stays at home
One of the most important things my husband and I do is make sure that business issues stay at the workplace and family issues stay at home. We might have a disagreement at home in the morning, but when we arrive at work it's like nothing has happened. We'll return back to our discussion when we get back home.

Rule # 2: Establish clear job roles at home and work.
When we started working together, my husband and I looked at each other's strengths and weaknesses in similar fashion to a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, threat) analysis for business. From this exercise, we have decided that I should be the CEO and my husband act in a CFO capacity. He has a strong financial background, while I'm more the outgoing person who likes to get deals done and execute on them. We have defined our business roles and responsibilities as a result.

The same goes at home. I take care of all the grocery shopping as well as cleaning and cooking while my husband does all the finances, car maintenance and yard work. In both instances, we wrote down all our roles to the smallest details. I can't tell you how many arguments this has saved us over years.

Rule # 3: Mom is the boss at home, period
Someone has to be the arbitrator; there are just some instances where you can't reach consensus. In those cases, Mom gets to make the call, but does so with the understanding that she's accountable for it.

Rule # 4: Family is always first
Regardless of what goes on at work, family is always first. For example, we avoid work on weekends to make sure we do activities together as a family. If weekend work must be done, it is conducted only after our son goes to bed.

Rule # 5: Dedicated time with kids
While I do work a lot of hours, I take time out three days a week to pick up my son from school and spend the rest of the afternoon with him. My husband does the same thing the other two days of the work week. It's great to be able to rely on each other to make sure that business gets done while still taking time out for what’s most important.

Choose your partner wisely.
My husband and I were able to make these "rules" official for our family by writing them down on paper and signing on it. We now hold each other accountable for our actions. Most of the time, actually, we make fun of each other and turn it into a fun process for us.

About the Author:
The author of this article, Zeynep Ilgaz is CEO for Confirm BioSciences makers of HairConfirm at-home hair drug testing kit. Zeynep Ilgaz and other news subject about this article is at http://information.hairconfirm.com

The Common Laundry Room Goes High Tech

Everyone knows the feeling of needing that special outfit clean for that special occasion and trying desperately to find enough loose change to wash it at the laundromat. Thankfully, this scenario is soon to be obsolete with the introduction of the new high tech laundry rooms.

Both laundry room owners and customers will enjoy the benefits of this remarkable new technology. Electronic laundry room facilities have evolved significantly over conventional coin-operated laundromats by eliminating cash and providing more security and ease of use.

An AccessCard, which you may have heard called a "smart-card", is used to access cashless, coinless laundry machines. Value can be added to the AccessCard at any time through the use of a credit card or bank ATM card, resolving the problem of finding enough coins to do one's laundry or hoarding rolls of quarters for this purpose. Prepaying via check to increase the balance on their AccessCard for laundry charges can be an option for residents.

Only actual residents who use the smart-card system will be permitted into the laundry area from a security point of view. This helps provide security to the individual user, as well as for the equipment. It would be a waste of resources for thieves to break into and damage expensive equipment just to get the coins.

Furthermore, for convenience, some laundry room service providers offer remote laundry monitors. It is possible for the residents to avoid many trips to the laundry room, by being able to check the availability status of the washers and dryers on their personal computer. This same information could also be sent via voice-based messages directly to residents' telephones or cell phones.

Additionally, they can retrieve information as to when their laundry cycle is over, or when a certain number of machines become available. Certain remote monitoring devices are even able to predict the number of minutes remaining before the laundry is finished. Now, is that cool, or what?

This may appear to be a bigger benefit to the user than to the provider, but there are many reasons to recommend an investment in high tech laundry facilities. Beyond the benefit of not having coins to collect and to risk losing, some laundry service companies also maintain accountability systems that report totals both periodically and year to date. Furthermore, if you are offering tenants at your apartment complex, condo, dormitory, or hotel, this latest advancement technology for their laundry, you will be a step above the competition.

If your company is considering innovative technology in laundry operations, consider using a service company that employs both the latest technology and high-quality equipment, such as that offered by Whirlpool or Maytag. Pick a company that offers in-depth revenue information and coinless, cashless machines with remote monitoring abilities that make sure you are a satisfied user. The company you choose should offer unsurpassed maintenance and repair, and high tech solutions such as GPS systems on its service vehicles for speedy calls.

You won't get taken to the cleaners if you select a quality company that is capable of providing all the high tech services and equipment that you require.

About the Author:
Joann Charamuga is an experienced property manager in charge of many multi-family housing units with common area laundry service. She highly recommends Web Service Company’s coin less laundry systems and California laundry service for going high tech with no worry services.

Bluffing Your Way To The Top

Poker, unlike a number of other card games isn't just down to luck - it requires a great deal of skill, strategy and dexterity to become a master of the chips. Knowing your hand is only one part of the battle - understanding your opponents and the psychology of the game is quite another and it is this crucial element of the game that separates the men from the boys. Whether you're an experienced player or first timer on the poker circuit, learning how to effectively manipulate the psychology of your game could be the quickest way for you to both improve as a player and to win more money more regularly.

Before you can begin to come to terms with the psychology of the table, you must first become familiar with the psychology of your own game. Of course this initially demands an understanding of the technicalities of the game, but anyone can learn the basic rules in less than ten minutes. What you really need to focus on is learning when you need to fold and when you can afford to push the boundaries. Knowing when to quit isn't an easy skill to learn, but it is imperative if you want to become a top player, whether that's online or at a real poker table. Likewise understanding the nature of your table is vital to learning what other people are up to, with a view to cashing in at the end of the night.

A good poker player will be able to keep his calm under heavy losses. He'll be able to know how to ride out the storm and when to play more aggressively, against a range of opponents of different skill levels and experience. What it requires, more than the ability to play a good hand, is the ability to read opponents and to understand their moves. By knowing when your opponent is bluffing against your strong hand, you can easily raise the stakes and cash in, provided you're accurate in your assessment of the opposite hand.

Poker isn't rocket science - it's all about human nature and understanding the way in which people react in certain situations. A great deal of that is derived from experience, but a lot of it can also be derived from watching the outcomes of different poker hands, and games overall, before attempting to map out the wider ranging game plans of the top, successful players to improve your chances of success.

Playing poker isn't just about being fortunate enough to have a good hand. It's about knowing when to fold and when to push through, even when you've got nothing. It's about working the strategy of the game and intimidating your opponents into thinking you're on to a winner, even where you hand leaves a lot to be desired. Whoever said poker was a game of luck was barking up the wrong tree - in the words of the great golfer Gary Player, the more you practice, the luckier you get.

About the Author:
Arne specializes in editorials about online poker and poker odds. Supplementary resources and editorials written by Arne on the matter of poker can be accessed on the internet.

Intestinal Disorders: Induced by Drug Use & Abuse

Intestine or intestinal tract is the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus. It is a major part of digestive system where it helps in digestion and absorption of digested food. So, it comes in direct contact with any & every thing that is taken orally, be it food or medicines. Unfortunately, many drugs/ medicines are also associated with a range of adverse effects on various organs. The gastrointestinal tract is frequently the site of complications resulting from various prescription and non-prescription, over-the-counter drug use.

Drug induced Intestinal disorders:

A large number of drugs have been reported to cause pathogenic lesions in both the small and the large intestines. Most common effects of such drugs include diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding.

Effects on Small Intestines: In the small intestine, many drugs are known to cause ulcers, hemorrhage, malabsorption, intestinal dysmotility etc. They can also produce cytotoxic effects on the intestinal mucosal cells. Some of the most common effects of drugs have been listed below:

Ulcers: Many Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs & potassium supplements are the primary culprits of drug-induced ulcers of the small intestine. They are known to cause direct irritation to the mucosal lining thus leading to intestinal ulcers.

Hemorrhage: Various anticoagulants may cause gastrointestinal hemorrhage depending upon intensity of therapy, dosage, route of administration and the patient's age and underlying clinical status.

Malabsorption: Drug-induced malabsorption interferes with the absorption of specific nutrients. For example, tetracycline chelates calcium, cholestyramine binds iron and vitamin B12, mineral oil reduces the absorption of carotene and fat-soluble vitamins. Drug-induced malabsorption may worsen body’s nutritional status.

Dysmotility: Drugs such as phenothiazines, antiparkinsons agents, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-cholinergics, opiates, loperamide, and calcium channel blockers can cause dysmotility of the small intestines.

Effects on Large Intestines: In the large intestine, drug-induced abnormalities develop over a relatively longer period of time and the clinical symptoms are more insidious than they are in the upper GI tract.

Cathartic Colon: Cathartic colon is the anatomic and physiologic change in the colon that occurs with chronic use of stimulant laxatives. Signs and symptoms of cathartic colon include bloating, a feeling of fullness, abdominal pain, and incomplete fecal evacuation.

Diarrhea: Drugs induce diarrhea by disrupting the normal physiologic processes that regulate fluid absorption and secretion, by altering GI defense mechanisms, and by damaging the mucosa of the small and large intestine. Specifically, drugs can cause diarrhea by interfering with normal physiological processes that play a role in fluid and electrolyte balance within the GI tract. Various Antibiotics have also been reported to cause diarrhea as they affect the intestinal bacteria that normally exist as a part of colonic flora.

NSAID-Induced Colitis: Many Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause colitis or exacerbate a preexisting colonic disease. Patients may experience diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, and chronic iron deficiency anemia.

About the Author:
This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of TestCountry Health & Drug FAQ. More information on the subject is at Intestinal Disorders: Induced by Drug Use & Abuse, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as TestCountry Health Information & Resources.

Kidney Disorders: Induced by Drug Use & Abuse

Kidney is either of the two bean-shaped excretory organs that filter wastes (especially urea) from the blood and excrete them in urine which passes out of the kidney through ureters to the bladder. It also plays an important role in homeostasis i.e. physiological equilibrium that is actively maintained by several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous system to offset disrupting changes.

Drug induced kidney disorders:

A large number of drugs are known to induce renal lesions. Drug-induced kidney diseases constitute a significant chunk of both acute & chronic renal disorder cases in present day clinical practice. These disorders are quite common, numerous and often under-diagnosed. Some of these have been mentioned below:

Functional renal failure: It usually occurs upon treatment with Angiotensin Converting-Enzyme Inhibitors & Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs:

Angiotensin-converting-enzyme Inhibitors: These are the inhibitors of Angiotensin-converting-enzyme & are highly effective drugs given in ventricular dysfunction. It induces the efferent arteriole of glomerulus to constrict and prevent a drop in glomerular filtration rate.

Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs inhibit the formation of prostaglandins by cyclooxygenase inhibition. Prostaglandins have a net vasodilatory effect on the kidneys. Drug induced irregularities include urine concentration disorders & Fanconi’s syndrome which is associated with proximal portion of nephrons.

Interleukin-2: Clinical trials using recombinant interleukin-2 immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic cancers reported many side effects on renal function and were collectively called as “pre-renal azotemia” i.e. accumulation in the blood of nitrogen-bearing waste products like urea that are usually excreted in the urine.

Organic renal failure: Many drugs can induce various renal lesions damaging the nephrons. Some of these drugs have been listed below:

Mercury compounds: Various antiseptics, laxatives, skin lightening creams and vaginal contraceptives containing mercury have been reported to cause a significant number of cases of Nephrotic syndrome which is characterized by edema and large amounts of protein in the urine and usually increased blood cholesterol. It usually associated with glomerulonephritis.

Sulfhydryl drugs: Various sulfhydryl containing drugs like Thiopronine, Pyrithioxine, 5-thiopyridoxine etc. are used mostly in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Various cases of Nephrotic syndrome have been reported in people who were prescribed these drugs for the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Cephalosporins: These are several broad spectrum antibiotic substances obtained from fungi and are related to penicillin. Many antibiotics belong to this class of compounds. Renal damage due to cephalosporins is uncommon, but well documented.

Polymyxines: These are the toxic antibiotics obtained from a particular soil bacterium. These can be nephrotoxic, but they are now rarely used. Some cases of ciprofloxacin induced acute renal failure have also been reported.

Radio contrast materials: These may be one of the culprits for causing acute renal failure. Radio contrast induced acute renal failure has been reported following many radiographic procedures, like excretory urography, coronary angiography etc., in many cases.

Streptozotocin: It is one of the most nephrotoxic drugs in the group of nitrosoureas. The drug induced interstitial nephritis is generally due to a hypersensitivity reaction rather than a toxic effect. Various anticancer drugs like cisplatin often lead to nephrotoxicity.

About the Author:
This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of TestCountry Health & Drug FAQ. More information on the subject is at Kidney Disorders: Induced by Drug Use & Abuse, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as TestCountry Health Information & Resources.

Blood Disorders: Induced by Drug Use & Abuse

Blood is an opaque, mobile fluid connective tissue that is mesodermal in origin. It consists of plasma, blood cells and platelets amongst a diverse array of molecules and ions. A large number of drugs, administered for treatment of various disorders come in direct contact with blood whether taken orally or injected intravenously. A multitude of possible drug interactions pose a serious problem especially to people who take prescription medicines for various diseases simultaneously. Some of these drugs may cause adverse effects on blood cells and lead to various blood disorders. Blood disorders are rare, yet extremely serious and may even prove fatal.

Types of Drug induced blood disorders: In our body, red bone marrow contains pluripotent stem cells which differentiate and mature to form various types of blood cells. Different drugs show different effects on various cells at different stages of cell development. Blood disorders can be characterized depending upon where and at what point in the cellular development the drug acts upon. Some of the common blood disorders include, but are not limited to:

Aplastic anemia: It is a form of anemia characterized by an abnormal deficiency in all blood cells resulting from failure of the bone marrow. It is a rare disorder of haemopoietic stem cells which was first found to be caused by the use of Chloramphenicol. Various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs have also been found to cause aplastic anemia.

Agranulocytosis: It is an acute blood disorder which is characterized by severe reduction in granulocytes and neutrophils. It is often caused by radiation and chemotherapy which are known to cause reduction in granulocytes and neutrophil counts. Some anti-thyroid drugs like carbimazole & propylthiouracil also increase the risk of Agranulocytosis.

Thrombocytopenia: It is a blood disease characterized by an abnormally small number of platelets in the blood. Heparin is one of the well known drugs associated with severe reduction in platelet count.

Hypertension: It is a common disorder in which blood pressure remains abnormally high (a reading of 140/90 mm Hg or greater). It is also called as high blood pressure. Amphetamines, corticosteroids, estrogens are some of the drugs that can lead to hypertension.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of drug induced blood disorders vary depending upon the type of drug used and the drug effects they produce. However, some generalized symptoms of various common blood disorders may include bleeding gums, chest pain, dry cough, dyspnoea (difficult or labored respiration), fatigue, malaise, pallor (unnatural lack of color in the skin), stomatitis (Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth), lassitude (weakness characterized by a lack of energy), lymphadenopathy (Chronic abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes), petechiae i.e. minute red or purple spot on the surface of the skin as the result of tiny hemorrhages of blood vessels in the skin, to name a few.

Treatment:

Treatment of blood disorders requires special expertise. Aplastic anemia may require Immunosuppressive therapy and bone marrow/stem cell transplant whereas Corticosteroid therapy is beneficial in case of Hemolytic anemia. As an immediate measure, use of suspected drug should be discontinued and short term supportive treatments should be given to the patients.

About the Author:
This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of TestCountry Health & Drug FAQ. More information on the subject is at Blood Disorders: Induced by Drug Use & Abuse, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as TestCountry Health Information & Resources.

Liver Disorders: Induced by Drug Use & Abuse

Liver is a large reddish-brown glandular organ located in the upper right portion of the abdominal cavity behind the rib cage. It secretes bile and functions in metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It is known to produce various factors involved in the clotting of the blood & synthesize vitamin A. Liver also breaks down worn-out erythrocytes (RBCs). As most of the chemical compounds, whether taken orally or injected intravenously, are taken to liver, the majority of small-molecule drug metabolism is carried out in the liver by cytochrome P450 which are membrane bound oxidative enzymes which metabolize various endogenous and exogenous molecules.

Action of drugs: Drugs can lead to liver disorders in several ways. Some drugs are directly deleterious to the liver while others are transformed or metabolized by liver into chemicals that can cause liver damage either directly or indirectly.

Dose-dependent toxicity: It occurs when any given drug is taken in excess, the increased concentration of that drug or its metabolite may lead to liver damage. Such drugs are usually harmless if taken within prescribed limits. For example, acetaminophen overdose is known to cause dose-dependent toxicity in liver.

Idiosyncratic toxicity: Drugs that cause idiosyncratic toxicity cause disease in only those few individuals who have inherited specific genes that are associated in some way to the chemical transformation of that particular drug.

Drug allergy: It occurs when a drug or its metabolite acts as an allergen which may initiate hypersensitivity reaction by the body’s immune system leading to local inflammation that may damage liver tissues.

Drug induced liver diseases: Various exogenous drugs and endogenous chemicals can cause a wide spectrum of liver injuries. These include, but are not limited to:

Hepatitis: Certain drugs can cause acute and chronic hepatitis (inflammation of liver cells) that can lead to necrosis i.e. cell death. Acute drug-induced hepatitis lasts less than 3 months, while chronic hepatitis lasts longer than 3 months. Some drugs that cause acute and chronic hepatitis include phenytoin, diclophenac, & nitrofurantoin.

Fulminant hepatitis: Rarely, drugs cause acute liver failure or fulminant (sudden & severe) hepatitis. These patients are extremely ill with the symptoms of acute hepatitis.

Cholestasis: It is a condition in which the secretion and/ or flow of bile is reduced. Example- erythromycin, chlorpromazine etc.

Mild elevations in blood liver enzyme levels: Many drugs cause mild elevations in blood levels of liver enzymes, often without any major symptoms. For example, statins & some antidepressants are known to increase levels of liver enzymes in blood.

Necrosis: Blood clotting in the liver veins may cause death of liver cells. For example, Pyrrolizidine alkaloids can cause blood clotting.

Cirrhosis: It is a chronic disease interfering with the normal functioning of the liver due to scarring. Drugs like amiodarone and methyldopa may lead to Cirrhosis.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis of liver disorders is based on a patient's symptoms, which may vary from loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, itching, dark urine, to jaundice, enlarged liver etc. Laboratory testing may also be used to detect blood liver enzymes levels, bilirubin levels which may suggest abnormal liver behavior. An unusually long blood clotting time may also be an indicative of a potential liver damage.

About the Author:
This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of TestCountry Health & Drug FAQ. More information on the subject is at Liver Disorders: Induced by Drug Use & Abuse, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as TestCountry Health Information & Resources.

Erectile Dysfunction: When Drugs Cause Impotency

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the inability to achieve and maintain penile erection sufficient to permit satisfactory sexual intercourse. Testosterone is necessary for normal sexual arousal and in men testosterone deficiency is associated with impotence. However, various medications and recreational drugs are also known to affect sexual arousal and sexual performance. Sexual dysfunction as a consequence of drug therapy has been reported with a range of drugs, notably antihypertensives, antipsychotics and antidepressants.

Sexual function, in men, may be divided into three categories reflecting the sexual response cycle. Drugs can affect one or more phases of this cycle:

Libido or sexual desire
Arousal or erection
Release or ejaculation

Male sexual function depends on the co-ordination of neurogenic, hormonal and psychological mechanisms and disruption of one or more of these may result in erectile dysfunction.

Ejaculation describes the expulsion of seminal fluid from the posterior urethra. Disorders of ejaculation comprise ejaculatory failure and retrograde ejaculation in which semen passes into the bladder.

Drugs responsible for erectile dysfunction: About 25% of cases of erectile dysfunction are believed to be drug-induced. The classes of drugs most frequently implicated are antihypertensives, antidepressants, antipsychotics and anti-epileptics.

Antihypertensives: The prevalence of both erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory disorders is significantly greater in untreated hypertensive men so caution is needed when assessing whether medication is likely to be the cause of such problems. More recent studies confirm that the rate of erectile dysfunction depends on a class of antihypertensive medicines, for instance, methyldopa

Psychotropic drugs: As sexual dysfunction is a common feature of psychiatric illness, particularly depression, it can be difficult to assess the relative contribution of the disease and drug therapy. Both antidepressants and antipsychotics have recognized adverse effects on sexual function in men.

Miscellaneous: Some common examples of drugs that induce impotency include, but are not limited to: anti-androgens, anticholinergics, anti-depressants, digoxin (digitalis preparation which helps the heart beat more forcefully. It is used to treat congestive heart failure or cardiac arrhythmia), phenytoin (an anticonvulsant drug used to treat epilepsy) etc.

One notable drug-induced condition is Priapism in which the penis is continually erect; usually painful and seldom with sexual arousal. There is prolonged penile erection which is usually unrelated to sexual stimulation. The problem occurs when the regulatory mechanisms which initiate and maintain penile flaccidity are disturbed and venous drainage from the corpora cavernosa is obstructed.

Erectile Dysfunction can lead to a sense of hopelessness and lower self-esteem. Of course, feelings of sexual insecurity can reinforce any performance anxiety a man experiences and create a vicious cycle of repeated failures and increasingly negative feelings. Although sexual dysfunction is not life threatening, it can, however, have a major impact on personal relationships, quality of life and the ability to conceive.

About the Author:
This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of TestCountry Health & Drug FAQ. More information on the subject is at Erectile Dysfunction: When Drugs Cause Impotency, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as TestCountry Health Information & Resources.

Physiological Effects Caused by Inhalants Abuse

Inhalant abuse refers to the inhalation of fumes, vapors or gases to produce a mood altering effect or euphoria. Due to their non-invasive nature and inherent ease of use, an increasing number of teenagers and young adults are turning to inhalants for drug abuse. Common methods of inhalation abuse include huffing & sniffing. Inhalants abused can either be gases or aerosols containing many different chemicals like toluene, ethyl acetate, hexane, methyl chloride, butane, hydrocarbons etc. Their effects usually begin within two seconds of inhalation and may last for a few seconds or several minutes.

Various physiological effects of inhalant abuse: Kids are under the assumption that there are no perils associated with sniffing these products that they can easily find in their homes. Unfortunately, the consequences of using inhalants, as they are called, can be extremely dangerous and sometimes deadly, depending upon the type of inhalant abused.

Neuropathy: Inhalants may cause widespread and long lasting effects on the brain and other parts of the nervous system. The neurotoxic effects of prolonged inhalant abuse include neurological syndromes that reflect damage to parts of the brain involved in controlling cognition, movement, vision, and hearing. Brain damage, which can lead to personality changes, impaired memory, hallucinations, loss of coordination and difficulty in walking, slurred speech and vision problems.

Cardiovascular complications: Prolonged sniffing of the highly concentrated chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can induce irregular and rapid heart rhythms and lead to heart failure and death within minutes. Various nitrites & methylene chlorides found in paint thinners and varnishes may cause blood oxygen depletion which may result in blackouts. Benzene, which is a known carcinogen, is used in gasoline and may also lead to bone marrow damage resulting in anemia.

Respiratory complications: People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell; experience nausea and nosebleeds; and develop various respiratory problems. When large amounts of inhalants are inhaled, these products may deprive the body of the oxygen needed to survive, which may lead to asphyxiation & choke a person to death! Inhalant users can die by suffocation, choking on their vomit, or by heart attack.

Muscular dystrophy: Chronic use of inhalants can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone and strength. Heavy inhalant use may also lead to hand tremors & muscle cramps. Hexane (found in gasoline and glues), or nitrous oxide (present in some gas cylinders) may lead to numbness, tingling or spasms.

Other Organs: Inhalants also are highly toxic to many other organs. It can produce significant damage to lungs, kidneys & liver. While Toluene (found in spray paints and glues) can cause liver disorders and kidney disorders, it along with trichloroethylene (used in cleaning and correction fluids) can lead to hearing loss.

Behavioral Effects: This might include hallucinations, nausea, excessive sweating, headaches, chills and delirium i.e. usually a brief state of excitement and mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations.

As with other drugs, inhalant abuse can be addictive and may lead to various withdrawal symptoms, an effective treatment of which may require specialized rehabs!

About the Author:
This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of TestCountry Health & Drug FAQ. More information on the subject is at Physiological Effects Caused by Inhalants Abuse, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as TestCountry Health Information & Resources.

Dangers of Common Household Products: Inhalants & Their Abuse

Inhalants are the volatile substances which produce chemical vapors that can be inhaled to produce a desired effect which may or may not be pharmacological in nature. Inhalants are quite commonly used in various common household products and as a preferred mode of administration of drugs for various respiratory disorders like asthma because of the ease of their use and non- invasive nature.

Alas, some pixilated minds found this inherently oversimplified approach quite appealing for abusing drugs to induce psychoactive or mind altering effects. Teenagers and young adults are increasingly turning to common, everyday-use household products in order to get that high without realizing their dangers.

Inhalants can be breathed in through mouth or nose by a number of ways, like:

Bagging: Sniffing or inhaling fumes that have been sprayed inside a paper or plastic bag.

Huffing: Absorbing fumes from an inhalant-soaked rag that's stuffed in the mouth.
Inhaling gas such as helium or nitrous oxide from a balloon.

Types of inhalants: Inhalants have been categorized into four categories based on the form in which they are often found in household and commercial products:

Volatile solvents are liquids that vaporize at room temperature. They are found in number of easily available products used for common household purposes, for instance, paint thinners and removers, dry cleaning fluids, gasoline, glues and correction fluids etc., to name a few.

Aerosols are sprays that contain propellants and solvents. For example, spray paints, deodorants, hair sprays, vegetable oil sprays for cooking and fabric protector sprays.
Gases include medical anesthetics as well as gases used in household or commercial products. These include laboratory chemicals like ether, chloroform and nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is frequently used in whipped cream dispensers etc.

Dangers of common household products:

Teens are indulging in inhalation of different products found in their garage, medicine cabinets, kitchens, offices, or basements. Some of these products include paint, paint thinners, cleaning products, nail polish removers, gasoline, deodorants, air fresheners, and cooking sprays. Upon inhalation, these solvents are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and may show unpredictable effects. They may generate a feeling of euphoria which may or may not be dopamine dependant. This feeling is sometimes compared to instantly becoming incredibly drunk.

Tips for parents: Let’s face it. This problem is real and your own kids may be involved in sniffing out things. However, by taking few simple precautions you can save your kids from this menace. These include, but are not limited to:

Read labels and instructions mentioned on a product carefully and keep it out of the reach of children.

Talk to children about the dangers associated with various household products and make them feel comfortable so that they can freely approach you with any questions they may have in future.

About the Author:
This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of TestCountry Health & Drug FAQ. More information on the subject is at Dangers of Common Household Products: Inhalants & Their Abuse, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as TestCountry Health Information & Resources.

Causes and Effects of Xanax Abuse by Mid-School Kids

Xanax is prescription tranquilizer which depresses the nervous system in a way similar to alcohol. It is also known as Alprazolam & is a part of the class of drugs called benzodiazepines, more commonly referred to as Benzos. It is primarily prescribed for short term relief of mild to moderate anxiety, nervous tension, acute stress, and panic attacks.

Xanax Abuse:

Being a depressant, Xanax has high abuse potential. No wonder, it has found its way from pharmacies to drug dealers, and is being abused by young, healthy people who want to get high. Xanax when abused is taken orally, chewed, crushed (then snorted like cocaine), or crushed (then dissolved in water and injected like heroine). It can become psychologically and physically addictive if taken in high doses for longer than eight weeks.

Teenagers and mid school kids are especially vulnerable to Xanax abuse for several reasons:

In the adolescent brain, the centers for judgment and self-control are still developing, making many teens less than careful about the decisions they make and more open to risk-taking. Mid school kids are notoriously conformist, so many are going to want to do what other kids are doing or what they think will make them look cool.

Contemporary adolescence is filled with stress and problems, some exaggerated and some, unfortunately, experienced fully. Even if a teen over-dramatizes or magnifies a problem, the temptation to self-medicate is real.

Effects of Xanax:

Children who abuse Xanax are generally unaware of the dangers involved. Xanax has depressant effects on brain areas that regulate wakefulness and alertness, very similar in effect to alcohol and sedative barbiturates. They enhance the action of receptors that inhibit central nervous system stimulation, and conversely, inhibit the action of receptors that stimulate the nervous system. The various symptoms of xanax abuse include difficulty in concentrating, disconnected sensation, depressed heartbeat, depressed breathing, excessive sleep, mental confusion and memory loss. Other health hazards are anemia, impairment of liver function, chronic intoxication (headache, impaired vision, slurred speech) and depression.

As with other anti-anxiety drugs, when one decides to stop the use of xanax, various withdrawal symptoms can arise. The short-acting benzodiazepines, like xanax, can produce especially severe withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms include rapid heart beat, shaky hands, disturbed sleep or insomnia, sweating, irritability, anxiety and agitation, to name a few.

Treatment:

Xanax drug testing is an important part of helping an addict stop substance abuse. Cognitive-behavioral therapy also has been used successfully to help individuals adapt to the abstinence from benzodiazepines.

Often the abuse of various benzodiazepines like Xanax occurs in conjunction with the abuse of another substance or drug, such as alcohol or cocaine. In these cases of poly-drug abuse, the treatment approach must address the multiple addictions.

About the Author:
This Article is written by Tarun Gupta, the author of TestCountry Health & Drug FAQ. More information on the subject is at Causes and Effects of Xanax Abuse by Mid-School Kids, and resources from other home health and wellness testing sources are used such as TestCountry Health Information & Resources.

Life Coaching Questions

Many people who think that they have no direction in their lives will go to a life coach for assistance. In order to help you achieve your goals and plans for the future, a life coach can help you get your life back on track. Quality life coaches guide you to realize what you are capable of and boost your confidence to allow you to perform to the best of your abilities.

If you are doubtful of the abilities of the life coach's services, these questions and answers will help you decide if you will actually benefit.

What is a life coach program?

You will begin a partnership with your trained professional. The trainer will do all he or she can to assist you in reaching your true potential. While you may think this sounds similar to a mentor, a life coach is different in the fact that he or she takes a more direct approach to providing different resources. A life coach will work with you to find your personal vision of your future, and the life goals leading that vision. Together, you will try to identify barriers hindering you from reaching your personal vision. You will then brainstorm ways to turn those obstacles into positive aspects for your life.

How does a standard counselor differ from a life coach?

There is one aspect that sets life coaches apart from normal counselors. Counselors will examine a client's past to discover how it affects the client's present and future. Concerned only with the present and future, a life coach will help you change the present to create your future. They will help you change things today that will help you have the future of your dreams.

Life coaches have gone through training and are professional service providers, however they are not always seen as a legitimate life service providers amongst the insurance companies since they aren't licensed mental health providers.

What are some of the major benefits of using a life coach program?

One thing that a life coach can help you with is getting a fresh perspective on the issues that are causing problems in your life. When you deal with it everyday, you can become immune to detrimental obstacles in your life. As a result, you begin to accept the obstacles as part of your life rather than trying to overcome them. A life coach will also challenge you and help you with your thinking and decision-making processes so you can make more rational and logical choices. Your life coach can also give you increased confidence and personal encouragement to help you reach your personal goals.

Is a life coaching program right for me?

If you know what you want to accomplish in your life and have a vision for it, a life coach can help motivate you. They can help you develop a strategy for reaching those goals, too. If you are a person that is open to new ideas and suggestions for improving your life and your situation, you are a perfect candidate for a life coach program. Also, you must be devoted to giving the program the time and energy that it will take to get you on the proper path for improving your life. On the other hand, if you are not dedicated to changing your life, a life coach program will just be a waste of time and money.

What exactly does a life coach do?

When your partnership begins with your new life coach, the first thing they will probably do is administer a series of tests to objectively assess and observe your particular situation. In a way, a life coach also provides emotional or psychological support to help keep you motivated in your particular program. They can be a listener and a sounding board for the things that are bothering you in your life. A life coach also helps you get a strong sense of self-discipline and give your techniques for making strong and decisive actions to further the plan you have to reach your goals.

About the Author:
Liz Quillnan heard Terri Cadiente on her Strong Woman Hiding radio show talk about how a Los Angeles life coach can help achieve personal fullfillment. She thoroughly researched the life coaching field and highly recommends Terri's services whether it is as a Los Angeles motivational speaker, or a personal development program.

Planning for Garden Structures

When a garden is first created, structures play an important role in defining the mood of the garden and giving the person walking through direction to what they should be looking at. These garden structures are often walkways, benches, and fountains. There can also be small barriers or a picket fence to guide people along. These structures are very useful, but there is a general rule in the world of gardening - the more natural a garden is, the better.

It's really very enticing to go out and buy small plants or seeds, then begin planting your garden as soon as you come home, but you should show some restraint and carry out some designing. The way to make your garden beautiful is by not rushing but by taking your time and planning with the space and area you have. Before you plant, you should take a few minutes to sit down and map out the basic layout that you'd like to achieve. Remember to take into account the way your plants will grow, as well. Different plants grow to different heights, and you'll want to make sure your garden structures enhance that without looking out of place. You don't have to feel tied to this starting design forever, of course. It can change as your garden grows, but having a basic plan before you start digging is a good idea.

Now it is time to determine the structure of your garden. You need to consider which plants should be in the garden, and where they should be positioned, to ensure that all of them grow well. It is important that you decide which plants will be harmful next to others, and which will compliment their neighboring plants. Most importantly overall is to build your garden so that it will become it's own structure.

If a wall must separate the walkway and garden, you should start with a picket fence or some artificial structure; then choose bushes that will be firm enough to trim into walls when they are fully-grown. Also, of those tools available, many are tailored to define which way your plants grow. For example, you can use a plain wire walkway to create an area for people to meander through, especially if you cover it with ivy.

Even with the work you've put into it, it's important to keep in mind that your garden will look awkward and good things come to those who wait. Your garden will likely seem cluttered while your plants are first growing, as structures are more apparent during the supporting stage. However, once your plants start reaching maturity, you can remove supports and the cluttered look will disappear, leaving only beautiful nature. You'll be very happy that you took the extra time to plan the layout of your garden properly.

About the Author:
Dennis Goinich and his wife wanted to do their garden structures right so they went to the Sacramento landscape architecture firm of Hall Design and started by looking at the online galleries of ideas from their expert residential landscape architects. Hall Design took care of the whole process from design to getting contractor bids.

The State of Television Today

Sitcoms have changed from the beloved series of the 1970s (“All in the Family,” “Newhart,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and so on). I think the changes in the sitcom have been a natural reflection of the changes in society. Faster paced – multiple stories in play – lot more representation of different lifestyles and characters. All of which I think is very good.

There’s also been a more realistic look at society, perhaps, reflected in the newer shows. Certainly a more cynical look which, also, I think, reflects the tenor of the times.

I do think the sitcom has survived as it’s been transformed. I think we may have seen the end of the laugh track and, maybe even the end of the traditional multiple camera format shot in front of a live audience. Whether that’s good or bad I don’t know. Done well those audience shows were pretty special. And, for writers and actors you did get that thrill of performing in front of a live audience. In the end, though, that format could also be confining. We tried to enlarge the sitcom universe with our approach to Spin City. Shot about half in front of the audience. Half on location. Used 5, sometimes 6 camera – lot of steadi-cam in an attempt to create a satisfying hybrid.

But, in essence, I think TV right now is what it has always been - “the best of times” and “the worst of times” at the same time. There are some excellent sitcoms out there. “Ugly Betty,” “Scrubs,” “The Office” to name three that my kids have insisted I watch. The last two series I kind of followed, “Friends” and “Will and Grace,” were as funny as any ever done, I think.

What’s different at this moment and time and impacting everything is new technology, instant ratings, a more or less insane need in the network mind to hit a very particular, very young demographic.

When I began my writing career in 1975 and through most of the “Family Ties” years in the early to mid 80’s there were only three networks. It was difficult for any of those networks to actually lose money. It was really more a matter of how high can we go.

It was also extremely rare to have a show summarily cancelled after just a few episodes. If you had an order for 13 it was more the norm for all 13 to get a chance to air. If you look back on “Cheers,” “Hill Street Blues,” “St. Elsewhere,” and “Family Ties” for example, these shows all started out slowly. But, they existed in an economic climate where they could be kept on TV long enough for audiences to find them. When I worked on “Lou Grant” we were the absolute lowest-rated show one week and then later that same year the number one show of all shows. I’m not sure that could ever happen again.

When I worked on “The Tony Randall Show” in 1979 the technology that existed could only provide over-night rating for three cities: NY, Chicago, and LA. Sometimes you had to wait a day or two days for the national ratings to come in. Often they could be in direct contrast to those overnights. It resulted in people taking a much more wait and see attitude about the numbers in general.

The most insidious development has been, I think, this lemming-like network march over the cliff at the altar of the 18-34 year old demographic. I like 18-34 year olds. I have two of them as daughters. I was once one myself. But, I think it’s damaging to hold our whole culture hostage to this very fickle group of consumers. This causes the networks to panic at any sign of trouble, yank shows, try something new, try something different. Try something edgy. All in a desperate attempt to get the attention of a group that isn’t paying them very much attention. Spending much more time with their computers and their phones and their games.

Television has gone from being our great national campfire to a series of small, private and personal “fires” where we’re separated by age, race, and gender, the better to be marketed to. I think that’s a bit of a loss.

There’s a fourth element, too, I think. The networks -- ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox -- have been taken over by large corporations, and the over-the-air delivery systems operating over our public airwaves delivering the content of our lives and hopes and dreams are just small blips on the profit screens of the behemoths that control them.

The fact that the financial interest rule was amended allowing these networks to now own their own programming has resulted in a “mafia-like” stranglehold on the means of production, as they force themselves into unwanted “partnerships” with the creative community. And, it results in a dangerously thin opening at the top of the funnel of ideas.

There are no more Grant Tinkers, no more Bill Paleys, Leonard Goldensons who were broadcasters to their bones. Who took great pride in their communication empires, put great store in the trust granted them by the public and their requirement by charter to operate in the public interest. That idea is as quaint as the Geneva Conventions are to Dick Cheney.

One thing I know. There’s no going back.

About the Author:
Gary David Goldberg is the founder of UBU Productions which produced nine television series including “Family Ties” and “Brooklyn Bridge.” He is the author of the book, Sit, Ubu, Sit: How I went from Brooklyn to Hollywood with the same woman, the same dog, and a lot less hair (Harmony 2008). Visit him online at www.GaryDavidGoldberg.com

10 Things You Need To Know About US Navy SEALs

There is a whole lot of material available on the life and missions of US Navy SEALs. In this article we try to underline the 10 things that you absolutely must know about the US Navy SEALs. So here goes. Read on.

The Commissioning

The origins of the SEALs can be traced back to World War II when units called the Amphibious Scouts and Raiders were used for demolition work. These Navy Frogmen distinguished themselves in all fields of battle during the War.

Finally, it was in the year 1961, that President John F. Kennedy authorized the formation of the U.S Navy SEALs.

The BUD/S

All Navy SEALs aspirants have to go through the grueling BUD/S training that is Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL. This six month course is a test of endurance, strength, and all round resolve.

Not many candidates are able to clear the training regimen and leave the US Navy SEALs course mid-way. Moreover, the final pass percentage is very low and you really have to perform well to become a Navy SEAL.

The Missions

The whole concept of special operation revolves around the use of small, specialized, and deadly units on missions. Their superb and intensive training enables them to be effective in all environments and they are the undisputed masters in the field of special operations.

Operational Areas

US Navy SEALs are a tactical force that is geared to provide a strategic impact. Their operational capability lies in areas like counter terrorism, special reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, direct action, irregular warfare, amongst a host of others.

The Distinguishing Feature

US Navy SEALs are a part of the United States Navy and hence belong to the maritime Special Forces. . More often than not, they strike from the sea and also return by way of the sea.

The Assignment

When a candidate enters the second phase of training, he has to indicate his team of choice. Once you become a part of a particular team, you will be given various duties that will take you on missions across the world.

Navy SEALs Creed

Navy SEALs follow a doctrine that honors the service to country above all else. According to the SEAL creed, Navy SEALs have only one duty, which is to serve their country, its people, and their way of life.

To Become a Navy SEAL

Civilian recruits, naval service men, navy reservists, navy veterans, other service veterans, and officers can apply for becoming a US Navy SEAL provided they meet all the requirements that are a pre-requisite.

The ASVB

Prior to enlistment, all Navy SEALs aspirants have to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVB). The grades or marks in the test would indicate the candidate’s intellectual feasibility of becoming a Navy SEAL.

Famous Navy SEALs

Some of the notable Navy SEALs that have had a distinguished career are, amongst others, Roy Boehm, Rudy Boesch, Dennis Chalker, Richard Marcinko etc.

About the Author:
This Article is written by James Kara Murat from USNavySealStore.com, the contributor of US Navy Seal Store. More information on the subject is at 10 Things You Need To Know About US Navy SEALs, and related resources can be found at US Navy Seal Information Portal.

Navy SEALs vs. SAS Commandos. Differences and Similarities

Each country has its own brand of specialized military units and Special Forces that are trained to combat in highly volatile battle conditions or perform clandestine operations to change the course of a battle.

Most of these Special Forces teams operate in small groups and their activities include counter-terrorism operations, guerilla warfare and the likes. Herein we have tried to give you the differences and similarities between two of the world’s elite forces namely the U.S Navy SEALs and the British SAS commandos.

The Similarities

Covert Operations

Both the units, more often, than not, are used to conduct clandestine operations in enemy territory. They are used for the following purposes:

Gathering of Intelligence deep within enemy territory or in the thick of the battle

Counter Terrorism operations outside the home country

Sabotage and Offensive Raiding

The Selection

The Selection procedure of both the US Navy SEALs and the SAS commandos is reputed to be the hardest in the world, with a very limited amount of pass percentage. The training course is highly demanding and most trainees are not able to last through the duration of the whole process.

The Differences

The Origins

Though both can trace their origins to the Second World War and the year 1941, it was not until the year 1961 that Navy SEALs in their present form, where given operational authorization. However, the SAS commandos regiment was authorized in the year 1941. Therefore taking a purely academic viewpoint we can say that the SAS is an older organization as compared to the US Navy SEALs

Command and Structure

There are eight confirmed Navy SEALs team, as gauged from various data, and each team has 40-man task units. Typically the size of a Navy SEALs team, inclusive of their support staff is around 300 personnel. Moreover, they are a part of the United States Navy, though they can operate on all terrains.

The Special Air Services (SAS) Commandos are a part of the British Army and the Group is controlled by the Director Special Forces. It is made up of three battalion sized units and each SAS regiment is comprised of a number of ‘Saber Squadrons’. Each such squadron is further divided into 4 troops comprising of 16 members.

End Note

Though we have listed just two difference and similarities, rest assured there are many more distinguishing as well as common features between the two. There are simply too many to list down, however, the ones given are the aspects that stand out.

Whatever may be their similarities and differences, both the forces have done their country proud and have a long list of commendable and courageous achievements behind them.

About the Article:
This Article is written by James Kara Murat from USNavySealStore.com, the contributor of US Navy Seal Store. More information on the subject is at Navy SEALs vs. SAS Commandos. Differences and Similarities, and related resources can be found at US Navy Seal Information Portal.