1.Refinance Home Mortgage
Many may not be aware, but the sun and wrinkles are closely related with each other and reading further will help you piece together the relationship between the sun and wrinkles.
It is a fact that exposure to ultraviolet light, whether UVA or UVB, that is derived from sunlight, accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging.
Since most of the photoaging effects occur by the age of 20, the amount of damage to the skin caused by the sun is determined by the total lifetime amount of radiation exposure and the pigment protection.
Among the changes in the epidermis caused by continued exposure to the sun include, many harmful, thinning of the epidermis and the growth of skin lesions such as actinic keratoses, squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas,
Prolonged exposure to the sun cause collagen in the dermis to break down at a higher rate than just chronologic aging.
Collagen fibers get damaged by sunlight and causes the accumulation of abnormal elastin and when this sun-induced elastin accumulates, enzymes called metalloproteinases are produced in large quantities.
Under normal conditions, metalloproteinases are responsible for fixing sun-injured skin by manufacturing and reforming collagen.
However, this process does not always work well and some of the metalloproteinases actually break down collagen, resulting to the formation of disorganized collagen fibers known as solar scars.
And when the skin repeats this flawed rebuilding process, wrinkles develop.
As the sun continues to be the principal suspect in causing wrinkles, the most important skin-care product available to prevent wrinkles is sunscreen, but most people do not use sunscreen correctly.
It would be best to consider the important factors with sunscreen use, especially with the spectrum of UV radiation absorbed, the amount of sunscreen applied, and the frequency of application.
As mentioned earlier, the sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) rays that can be divided into categories based on the wavelength.
UVC radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and does not cause skin damage, while UVB radiation affects the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburns.
UVB does not penetrate glass and the intensity of UVB radiation depends on the time of day and season.
UVA radiation, on the other hand, penetrates deep into the skin and works more efficiently and cannot also be filtered by glass, but overexposure to UVA can also be dangerous.
The intensity of UVA radiation is more constant than UVB without the variations during the day and throughout the year.
Regardless of their wavelengths, both UVA and UVB radiation can cause wrinkles as it breaks down collagen, creating free radicals, and inhibiting natural repair mechanisms of the skin.
A classification system of sun-sensitivity is the Skin Phototype (SPT) classification, which is being used to determine the potency and spectrum of protection that sunscreen formulations help protect from these radiation, as well as inhibit, if not minimize, wrinkles.
People with skin types I and II are at the highest risk for photoaging effects including wrinkles and skin cancer, thus the proper use of sunscreen to block both UVA and UVB radiation is an important in the battle against wrinkles.
As promised, the relationship between the sun and wrinkles has been established and the age old agae still holds true that says, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
A study conducted by the Mortgage Bankers Association of America shows that Americans take out a refinance loan for their home mortgage every four years. Should you follow the trend and refinance your home mortgage as well?
5 Good Reasons to Refinance Your Home Mortgage
Before determining whether refinancing is appropriate for you or not, it’s important to ascertain that you understand how refinancing works. For one, refinancing your home mortgage will not cancel out your debt but it gives you the opportunity to do that and more.
Pay for Your Children’s Education
Sure, the government promises to fulfill every child’s right to education but the White House as well as your state and local government can only do so much. If you want your child to have the kind of education he deserves, you’ll need to contribute your own money for his tuition.
Education, however, is a costly matter. What you’re earning each month may not be enough, but if you refinance your home mortgage, you’ll have the means to put your child through college. After that, you’ll just have to wait a few years more and then you can reap your rewards when your child returns the favor by paying off the loan. The table will turn and this time, your child will be the one supporting you!
Get Better Rates
Desperate times call for desperate measures and this could’ve been the reason why you’ve taken out a loan with outrageous rates in the past. But you don’t need to continue suffering when there’s an option to refinance.
Refinancing allows you to get rid of your old loan and replace it with a better one. Your mortgage refinance loan can come with lower rates, allowing you to breathe more easily because you know you can pay on time and maybe set aside a little more for savings.
Pay Off Your Debts
Revolving debts are the worst and credit cards are the classic source for them. Refinancing your home mortgage to pay off such debts will be a smart decision on your part. These debts charge exorbitant interest rates but do not offer anything in return as they’re not investments able to earn profit. They only serve to eat more and more of your income especially when you can’t pay on time.
Worse, having too many of such debts can only spell bad things for your credit rating. If you want to free yourself from debts, credit cards should be the first thing to go. Take the first step to financial freedom by refinancing your home mortgage.
Invest Your Money
You’ve come up with an excellent business idea but no one wants to take a risk on your proposal. But if you’re really sure about the profitability of your business plan then why not take the risk yourself? Refinance your home mortgage and use the cash you’ll get from it to start your own business. You may be the sole investor in the business and it may mean shouldering all the risk alone, but when your business starts generating income, it also means getting to solely enjoy the business’s profits.
Prepare for Emergencies
There’s no way to know when emergencies can take place but things tend to get better when you’re prepared for them. Financially speaking, you can prepare for such emergencies by taking out a refinance mortgage. Whatever happens, having extra cash from refinancing can at least give you a semblance of comfort!
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2.The Secret relationship between the sun and wrinklesMany may not be aware, but the sun and wrinkles are closely related with each other and reading further will help you piece together the relationship between the sun and wrinkles.
It is a fact that exposure to ultraviolet light, whether UVA or UVB, that is derived from sunlight, accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging.
Since most of the photoaging effects occur by the age of 20, the amount of damage to the skin caused by the sun is determined by the total lifetime amount of radiation exposure and the pigment protection.
Among the changes in the epidermis caused by continued exposure to the sun include, many harmful, thinning of the epidermis and the growth of skin lesions such as actinic keratoses, squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas,
Prolonged exposure to the sun cause collagen in the dermis to break down at a higher rate than just chronologic aging.
Collagen fibers get damaged by sunlight and causes the accumulation of abnormal elastin and when this sun-induced elastin accumulates, enzymes called metalloproteinases are produced in large quantities.
Under normal conditions, metalloproteinases are responsible for fixing sun-injured skin by manufacturing and reforming collagen.
However, this process does not always work well and some of the metalloproteinases actually break down collagen, resulting to the formation of disorganized collagen fibers known as solar scars.
And when the skin repeats this flawed rebuilding process, wrinkles develop.
As the sun continues to be the principal suspect in causing wrinkles, the most important skin-care product available to prevent wrinkles is sunscreen, but most people do not use sunscreen correctly.
It would be best to consider the important factors with sunscreen use, especially with the spectrum of UV radiation absorbed, the amount of sunscreen applied, and the frequency of application.
As mentioned earlier, the sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) rays that can be divided into categories based on the wavelength.
UVC radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and does not cause skin damage, while UVB radiation affects the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburns.
UVB does not penetrate glass and the intensity of UVB radiation depends on the time of day and season.
UVA radiation, on the other hand, penetrates deep into the skin and works more efficiently and cannot also be filtered by glass, but overexposure to UVA can also be dangerous.
The intensity of UVA radiation is more constant than UVB without the variations during the day and throughout the year.
Regardless of their wavelengths, both UVA and UVB radiation can cause wrinkles as it breaks down collagen, creating free radicals, and inhibiting natural repair mechanisms of the skin.
A classification system of sun-sensitivity is the Skin Phototype (SPT) classification, which is being used to determine the potency and spectrum of protection that sunscreen formulations help protect from these radiation, as well as inhibit, if not minimize, wrinkles.
People with skin types I and II are at the highest risk for photoaging effects including wrinkles and skin cancer, thus the proper use of sunscreen to block both UVA and UVB radiation is an important in the battle against wrinkles.
As promised, the relationship between the sun and wrinkles has been established and the age old agae still holds true that says, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
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3. Byzantine Mosaics
You can find Byzantine mosaics in Hagia Sophia (Ayasofa Museum) in Istanbul, turkey. Hagia Sophia used to be a patriarchal basilica but later on, it was used as a mosque. At present, it is now called Ayasofa Museum. Because if its enormous dome, Hagia Sophia became very popular and it was even considered as Byzantine architecture’s epitome. For thousands of years, it was recognized as the biggest cathedral all throughout the world but in 1520, Seville Cathedral was proclaimed the largest.
The Hagia Sophia was constructed between 532AD – 537AD as ordered by the Justinian, a Byzantine Emperor. Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus designed the original building. For about 1,000 years, it served as the focal point of religious activities. When the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque as ordered by Sultan Mehmed II. The sacrificial vessels, iconostasis, altar, and the bells were removed. The Hagia Sophia was full of mosaics and these too were plastered over. The mosaics were covered because Islam does not believe in representational imagery.
The Byzantine Institute in the US started restoration works only in the twentieth century. Some of the mosaics were uncovered but not all of them due to the building’s long history. The restoration process was already a challenge to the institute. Iconographic mosaics are now gradually being uncovered but the restorers are attempting to balance the Islamic and Christian cultures. In order to uncover the iconographic mosaics, some of the Islamic arts need to be shattered.
Many spectators are asking if mosaics can be found under the dome of the building. According to studies, the dome of the Hagia Sophia had a mosaic of Christ but it was replaced with Islamic calligraphy. Restorers are not sure whether the Islam removed the mosaic before creating the calligraphy. The southern gallery was restored and only a part of the Christ Pantocrator was restored. This mosaic dates back to the 12th century.
Byzantine mosaics were greatly influenced by the Greeks but their classical heritage lived on. Archeological sites in the Middle East revealed 19-20th century Byzantine mosaics. Christian mosaics became very popular during the 4th century in Eastern Roman and this tradition was carried on until the 8th century (Umayyad Era). Some of the famous mosaics during this time are the one found in Mount Nebo, Madaba Map, Mount Sinai (St. Catherine Monastery), and St. Stephen church. Other Byzantine mosaic works can also be found in the Aachen Palatine Chapel and in Castalseprio (Church of Maria).
The Byzantine arts have influenced Western Europe until the Renaissance period. Mosaic is a form of art loved by different artists from all over the world. Through centuries, the breathtaking mosaics of the ancient people have survived and now, people can marvel at its beauty and wonder. The mosaics alone reveal a lot of information about the past as well as its rich history. Restoration works should be supported so that more of these mosaics can be uncovered. The ancient Byzantine mosaics can serve as inspiration to new artists of today.
If the ancient artists can create great mosaic works, then today’s artists can also create do it with the help of modern technology. Still, people need to appreciate the Byzantine mosaics because of its rich history. Check out the uncovered Byzantine mosaics now. There are lots of mosaics to see which are found in different locations.
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4. How Merchant Account Works
Merchant accounts are similar to bank accounts. With merchant account, businesses can accept payments made through credit cards and debit cards. There are two kinds of merchant accounts: over the counter merchant accounts and money order merchant accounts.
Some people think that getting an approval when applying for a merchant account is difficult. Accepting credit card payments is nor a costly, since there willl only be a small amount deducted when processing a credit card or a transaction. Normally, merchant account application can be processed within four hours. Some business owners, based on their experience, advise that if the processing of the application form last for more than two weeks, then it would be better to change to a new service provider.
Remember, that there are banks that requires the business owners who would like to have the service, fulfill a number of obligations before opening the account. Some merchant service providers require that applicants have a checking account. Sometimes, business licenses and certificates are also checked.
Additional requirements can also be demanded and checked by the account supplier. For example, for corporations, the federal tax identification number is required. While for a sole proprietor business owner, social security number is required.
If ever the merchant or business owner claimed to be bankrupt, the claim must be at least 90 days old before a merchant will be accepted for some merchant accounts. Also, all of the merchants or business owners must at least 18 years of age.
First, the payment is received by the merchant through the customers’ card. This can be done with physical swipe process at the credit card terminal. The customer can also enter the credit card number when finishing or making a transaction through online payment software.
The electric request goes to a network. There is processing network set up to handle these requests. This network handles the business of requesting funds from the customers’ bank or credit card and them letting the merchant know that it is approved.
When the bank has already received the decision about the funds from the managements, it sends approval through the network. An authorization code is electronically issued and passed through the network until it reaches your computer or the credit card terminal. If there is something wrong, you will be notified that the transaction has been declined. Amazingly, this whole process, thought it seems long, only takes a few seconds.
Customer receipts are issued when they already have the decision about the funds. Approved, the merchant’s terminal will print the receipt, or an electronic receipt will appear online for the customer to print out him or herself, if the transaction is completed via the Internet.
The transaction for the day is then settled and called the batch. This is something else that requires a request made electronically over the processing network. All the authorization codes are checked against the purchases and other transactions. Then the transactions are sent to the credit card companies and to the banks for final settlement before the cardholders' accounts are officially debited.
Batch funds are deposited into your acc ount. After the settlement, the funds will be directed to your account. However, this is a process that takes two or three days.
A good merchant account provider will bring together the elements needed to obtain merchant status. This allows the business to efficiently process the payments made by the customer and provide the customer the best customer experience.
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The pursuit for anti aging treatments was first recorded in ancient Egypt where potions were developed using natural cures and remedies like olives and other common herbs to promote longevity and beauty though it would be safe to assume that it dates back farther than that. In other ancient cultures like India and China, it has long been a practice to alter eating habits, eating particular foods, drinking particular drinks, involving a different lifestyle and practicing certain activities to promote longevity and gain a sense of well being.
Then and now, the principles are the same though methods have altered mainly due to the application of technology and research-based applications. And so anti-aging treatments have a long way of history behind it, that as it has been proven before, it has been much improved today. Presently the scientifically-approved anti-aging methods involve the following therapies, medications and treatments:
• The use of anti-agers. An example of these is caloric restriction mimetic. The administration of CRM influences cell repair or cell deaths. Melatonins are used to activate melatonin receptors and are powerful and pervasive anti oxidants.
• Antiglycators. A good example is Carnosine which contains powerful anti oxidants and boosts the energy. Excess dosage could result to hyperactivity. Other similar antiglycators are tenisletam, aminoguanadine and agebrium.
• Antioxidants. Vitamins are good sources of antioxidants so are foods containing resveratrol, co-enzyme Q10 and glutathione.
• Complementary treatments. Natural methods using plants and herbs with nutrients that protect against specific illnesses. Complementary treatments through natural methods are also some of the oldest in anti-aging therapy. Being natural, these are the safest and often the cheapest as they could be as natural as the food on the table.
• Cosmetics and Cosmetic Surgery. Deals with alteration and repair of skin and body defects that were caused by ageing, accidents and heredity. Collagen treatments, facelifts, botox, Isolagen, scar removal, rhinoplasty, lip repair, breast augmentation, and implants are only a few of the treatments that are offered. The objective being to revitalize, repair and recapture the youthfulness and glow thereby improving and enhancing a patients appearance and boosting the sense of well being.
• Hormonal treatments. These are anti-aging treatments that often require the administration of bio-identical hormones like DHEA, androgens, growth hormone, estrogens and testosterone that typically improves muscle tone vigor, vitality and sexual activity.
• Therapies such as treatments from stem cells, immune therapy and cell therapy.
• Lifestyle change or adaptation of lifestyle alternatives. These include stress-releasing exercises, physical exercises, brain exercises, health education, calorie restriction and diet management.
• Methylators. These are widely accepted to improve memory. Examples are the administration of SAMe and TMG.
• Nootropics. These are also anti-aging treatments that are widely used to improve memory and cognitive ability. It is also called study enhancers and smart drugs. Nootropics are also widely available through plants, fruits and herbs. Some of products and fruits that contain or are rich in nootropic properties are the ginkgo biloba, centrophenoxine, memantine, piracetam and bacopa.
• Technological advancements. Today anti-aging treatments are also applied in the likes of genetics, technology and nano technology.
Aside from this list, other medications therapies and anti-aging treatments that target very specific illnesses and defects are widely available albeit very highly specialized. In spite of different approaches, anti aging treatments tackles the same basic idea—to slow, prevent or reverse the effects of aging improving the quality of life of a person.
Birth control pill as a cure for acne has been gaining popularity. But what most women who have been subjected to such treatment will also attest how birth control pills can affect one's body in gaining weight.
When on pills, you can take note of your exercise and eating habits. This will be good for your overall health. This will also help you ease the burden of putting added weight.
Acne Remedy
Ask your doctors about this. Although this will not be effective for all women, most of them will benefit from such. Most medical practitioners suggest three brands for this purpose. They are Estrostep, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and YAZ.
Doctors will only prescribe birth control pills to act as a treatment for acne when the rest of the previous meds have failed their purpose. This is actually the last resort. And doctors recommend this to women who would be taking oral contraceptives anyway for the obvious purpose of not being able to conceive.
With such effectiveness, FDA has approved a bunch of list of birth control pills to act as treatment to acne. It is also recommended that to achieve greater results, the pill must be used in combination with other real meds intended solely for acne. This includes benzoyl peroxide. You can also use topical retinoids for this need.
Because estrogen and progestin make up the pills used for birth control, this medicine will change the common reproductive cycle and patterns of hormones of a female. This suppresses testosterone release within a woman's body. And as an effect, it reduces the oil being produced by the glands called the sebaceous. As a result, acne comes out minimal. And it also lessens the pore blockage.
But do not use oral contraceptives to cure acne if you haven't told your doctors about it. They must test you first for possible side effects. The pill must match your body type. And also, other factors must be taken into account.
If proper check-up will be bypassed, the result can be grave. Other oral contraceptives can worsen your acne problems, especially if it doesn't suit some of your characteristics. So be careful and vigilant. It is your body so it is your responsibility to care for it.
While sometimes, the recommended pill will worsen the acne breakout at first. This is a common happening. Acne is known to accumulate before dwindling down. So it really helps to have a doctor by your side to explain such factors.
You will be hearing a lot about birth control as a cure for acne as years go by. This is part of the boom in the medical field that is being developed through time. But before plunging in and using the pill, consider the effect that it has on one's body. If you are sure that you are ready for some added pounds, then you are also ready to take it.
Planning your travel can be a big hassle: you need to know what things to pack, what things you should not miss, and what you should bring in order to have better travel and a good time at your destination. You need to get great tickets to where you want to go, and if you are going to Europe, you need to get really good deals because travel to Europe can be expensive. Moreover, you need to get good deals on the hotels and lodgings that you pick, because Europe is so picturesque, you need days and days to see what makes each city special.
The problem just keeps getting bigger if you decide to go to Europe at the last minute. There are many things that can go wrong in your panic. You might not get to your destination on time, which can mess up car schedules, rental schedules, and hotel bookings. You can mess up a lot of things when you pack, and you can miss a lot of important things if you do not have a lot of time to pack up. Moreover, you will not enjoy your trip if you miss a lot of things in terms of packing and transportation.
If you want to plan a last minute travel trip to Europe, here are a few tips that you could take into account.
- Do not underestimate the power of lists. Making a list, even when you don't need it, can help you. On off days, when you do not have to worry about last minute things such as travel and packing, take some time to sit down and make a list of things that you would need to bring if you were to suddenly go to Europe. Don't forget your passport and your toiletries! Keep your list in a safe place, so that if the chance for travel suddenly comes up, you won't miss a thing.
- Don't underestimate the power of your agent either. Talk to your travel agent about advice for last minute plans, and if your travel agent already has a list of discount hotels in Europe. This way, you can always have someone ready and waiting to help you out just in case you suddenly get the urge to go to Europe.
- Subscribe or get log ins to discount hotels in Europe. This means that you need to get onto their website and log yourself in regularly in order to see what deals they have. This way, you are aware of what discounts there are, so that when you get to start going to Europe and have to travel at the last minute, you can immediately log on to the website that you need and get yourself discounts on lodging.
- Be aware of what your memberships offer in terms of European travel. Some credit cards have discount packages that allow you to get ticket discounts, while some insurance companies or even your car insurance and sales company will have discounts for travel. You may be able to get yourself some great discounts if you know where to look, and if you already have these discounts under your belt!
- Subscribe to travel magazines and read about destinations in Europe. Read up on some history as well! This way, if you suddenly get the urge to go to Europe, you already know where to go and you don't mess up your touring plans.
8. Learn The Secrets Of Sky diving Into A Hot Zone
Skydiving into a hot zone is sometimes the only way to access a remote area and fight a fire. It’s a dangerous job but someone has to do it before the fire spreads any further.
Who are smoke jumpers?
The people who do this are called smoke jumpers. Equipped with a parachute and firefighting gear, they go in and try to control the fire until reinforcements arrive.
These smoke jumpers use two types of parachutes. The Forest Service gives them the round parachute while the Bureau of land management uses the ram air type sports parachute. Aside from that, they wear heavy padded clothing because there is a strong possibility that they could land on a tree.
Smokejumpers are deployed in fixed wing aircraft because it can carry more men and equipment. Most units are stationed in places where wildfires ignite regularly like in Redding, California; Fairbanks, Alaska; Boise, Idaho; Winthrop, Washington and Redmond, Oregon.
The United States has the second largest number of smokejumpers in the world. Russia is number one with other countries like Canada having their own teams in place to handle a wildfire.
The history of smokejumpers in the US dates back to the 1930’s when someone thought of the idea of sending a group of firefighters to neutralize a threat. The first actual fire jump in history happened on July 12, 1940 and since then, other people have joined in.
Despite the seemingly dangerous nature of the job, fatalities from jumping are rare. The largest disaster involving smokejumper deaths on the job was the Mann Gulch fire blowup of 1949. Thirteen firefighters died during the blowup, twelve of them jumpers. This disaster directly led to the establishment of modern safety standards used by all wildland firefighters.
Through the years, the number of smokejumpers who were killed in active duty has been very low. The biggest one day fatality was in 1949 when out of 13 firefighters lost that day, 12 of them were smokejumpers.
Such an incident prompted the government to modernize the safety standards and fortunately, this has not happened again.
Before smokejumpers are deployed, the situation is analyzed to see if it is safe for firefighters to move in or not. If the decision is to deploy them, the smokejumpers put on their gear and head to the runway so they can be airborne in a few minutes and deployed over the area.
Smokejumpers may not get the same recognition as firefighters because they work in remote areas. But if you think about what they do, saves acres of forest land. Sometimes, these brush fires get too close to residential areas and the only way to stop it is if they use explosives to try and contain the fire.
The US currently has 270 smokejumpers all across the country. To keep these individuals prepared, they undergo refresher training which includes aircraft exiting procedures, emergency procedures, parachute landing rolls, parachute maneuvering, parachute and cargo retrieval, timber let-down procedures and tree climbing.
In some of the bases all across the country, they now use virtual reality simulators to train the smokejumpers.
This just goes to show that skydiving is not only an extreme sport or only used by military for incursions. We can also use this to fight fires that can ignite at any time. We just have to rapidly deploy the necessary manpower to handle the situation.
3. Byzantine Mosaics
You can find Byzantine mosaics in Hagia Sophia (Ayasofa Museum) in Istanbul, turkey. Hagia Sophia used to be a patriarchal basilica but later on, it was used as a mosque. At present, it is now called Ayasofa Museum. Because if its enormous dome, Hagia Sophia became very popular and it was even considered as Byzantine architecture’s epitome. For thousands of years, it was recognized as the biggest cathedral all throughout the world but in 1520, Seville Cathedral was proclaimed the largest.
The Hagia Sophia was constructed between 532AD – 537AD as ordered by the Justinian, a Byzantine Emperor. Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus designed the original building. For about 1,000 years, it served as the focal point of religious activities. When the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque as ordered by Sultan Mehmed II. The sacrificial vessels, iconostasis, altar, and the bells were removed. The Hagia Sophia was full of mosaics and these too were plastered over. The mosaics were covered because Islam does not believe in representational imagery.
The Byzantine Institute in the US started restoration works only in the twentieth century. Some of the mosaics were uncovered but not all of them due to the building’s long history. The restoration process was already a challenge to the institute. Iconographic mosaics are now gradually being uncovered but the restorers are attempting to balance the Islamic and Christian cultures. In order to uncover the iconographic mosaics, some of the Islamic arts need to be shattered.
Many spectators are asking if mosaics can be found under the dome of the building. According to studies, the dome of the Hagia Sophia had a mosaic of Christ but it was replaced with Islamic calligraphy. Restorers are not sure whether the Islam removed the mosaic before creating the calligraphy. The southern gallery was restored and only a part of the Christ Pantocrator was restored. This mosaic dates back to the 12th century.
Byzantine mosaics were greatly influenced by the Greeks but their classical heritage lived on. Archeological sites in the Middle East revealed 19-20th century Byzantine mosaics. Christian mosaics became very popular during the 4th century in Eastern Roman and this tradition was carried on until the 8th century (Umayyad Era). Some of the famous mosaics during this time are the one found in Mount Nebo, Madaba Map, Mount Sinai (St. Catherine Monastery), and St. Stephen church. Other Byzantine mosaic works can also be found in the Aachen Palatine Chapel and in Castalseprio (Church of Maria).
The Byzantine arts have influenced Western Europe until the Renaissance period. Mosaic is a form of art loved by different artists from all over the world. Through centuries, the breathtaking mosaics of the ancient people have survived and now, people can marvel at its beauty and wonder. The mosaics alone reveal a lot of information about the past as well as its rich history. Restoration works should be supported so that more of these mosaics can be uncovered. The ancient Byzantine mosaics can serve as inspiration to new artists of today.
If the ancient artists can create great mosaic works, then today’s artists can also create do it with the help of modern technology. Still, people need to appreciate the Byzantine mosaics because of its rich history. Check out the uncovered Byzantine mosaics now. There are lots of mosaics to see which are found in different locations.
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4. How Merchant Account Works
Merchant accounts are similar to bank accounts. With merchant account, businesses can accept payments made through credit cards and debit cards. There are two kinds of merchant accounts: over the counter merchant accounts and money order merchant accounts.
Some people think that getting an approval when applying for a merchant account is difficult. Accepting credit card payments is nor a costly, since there willl only be a small amount deducted when processing a credit card or a transaction. Normally, merchant account application can be processed within four hours. Some business owners, based on their experience, advise that if the processing of the application form last for more than two weeks, then it would be better to change to a new service provider.
Remember, that there are banks that requires the business owners who would like to have the service, fulfill a number of obligations before opening the account. Some merchant service providers require that applicants have a checking account. Sometimes, business licenses and certificates are also checked.
Additional requirements can also be demanded and checked by the account supplier. For example, for corporations, the federal tax identification number is required. While for a sole proprietor business owner, social security number is required.
If ever the merchant or business owner claimed to be bankrupt, the claim must be at least 90 days old before a merchant will be accepted for some merchant accounts. Also, all of the merchants or business owners must at least 18 years of age.
First, the payment is received by the merchant through the customers’ card. This can be done with physical swipe process at the credit card terminal. The customer can also enter the credit card number when finishing or making a transaction through online payment software.
The electric request goes to a network. There is processing network set up to handle these requests. This network handles the business of requesting funds from the customers’ bank or credit card and them letting the merchant know that it is approved.
When the bank has already received the decision about the funds from the managements, it sends approval through the network. An authorization code is electronically issued and passed through the network until it reaches your computer or the credit card terminal. If there is something wrong, you will be notified that the transaction has been declined. Amazingly, this whole process, thought it seems long, only takes a few seconds.
Customer receipts are issued when they already have the decision about the funds. Approved, the merchant’s terminal will print the receipt, or an electronic receipt will appear online for the customer to print out him or herself, if the transaction is completed via the Internet.
The transaction for the day is then settled and called the batch. This is something else that requires a request made electronically over the processing network. All the authorization codes are checked against the purchases and other transactions. Then the transactions are sent to the credit card companies and to the banks for final settlement before the cardholders' accounts are officially debited.
Batch funds are deposited into your acc ount. After the settlement, the funds will be directed to your account. However, this is a process that takes two or three days.
A good merchant account provider will bring together the elements needed to obtain merchant status. This allows the business to efficiently process the payments made by the customer and provide the customer the best customer experience.
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5.Secrets Of Anti-Aging Treatment
The pursuit for anti aging treatments was first recorded in ancient Egypt where potions were developed using natural cures and remedies like olives and other common herbs to promote longevity and beauty though it would be safe to assume that it dates back farther than that. In other ancient cultures like India and China, it has long been a practice to alter eating habits, eating particular foods, drinking particular drinks, involving a different lifestyle and practicing certain activities to promote longevity and gain a sense of well being.
Then and now, the principles are the same though methods have altered mainly due to the application of technology and research-based applications. And so anti-aging treatments have a long way of history behind it, that as it has been proven before, it has been much improved today. Presently the scientifically-approved anti-aging methods involve the following therapies, medications and treatments:
• The use of anti-agers. An example of these is caloric restriction mimetic. The administration of CRM influences cell repair or cell deaths. Melatonins are used to activate melatonin receptors and are powerful and pervasive anti oxidants.
• Antiglycators. A good example is Carnosine which contains powerful anti oxidants and boosts the energy. Excess dosage could result to hyperactivity. Other similar antiglycators are tenisletam, aminoguanadine and agebrium.
• Antioxidants. Vitamins are good sources of antioxidants so are foods containing resveratrol, co-enzyme Q10 and glutathione.
• Complementary treatments. Natural methods using plants and herbs with nutrients that protect against specific illnesses. Complementary treatments through natural methods are also some of the oldest in anti-aging therapy. Being natural, these are the safest and often the cheapest as they could be as natural as the food on the table.
• Cosmetics and Cosmetic Surgery. Deals with alteration and repair of skin and body defects that were caused by ageing, accidents and heredity. Collagen treatments, facelifts, botox, Isolagen, scar removal, rhinoplasty, lip repair, breast augmentation, and implants are only a few of the treatments that are offered. The objective being to revitalize, repair and recapture the youthfulness and glow thereby improving and enhancing a patients appearance and boosting the sense of well being.
• Hormonal treatments. These are anti-aging treatments that often require the administration of bio-identical hormones like DHEA, androgens, growth hormone, estrogens and testosterone that typically improves muscle tone vigor, vitality and sexual activity.
• Therapies such as treatments from stem cells, immune therapy and cell therapy.
• Lifestyle change or adaptation of lifestyle alternatives. These include stress-releasing exercises, physical exercises, brain exercises, health education, calorie restriction and diet management.
• Methylators. These are widely accepted to improve memory. Examples are the administration of SAMe and TMG.
• Nootropics. These are also anti-aging treatments that are widely used to improve memory and cognitive ability. It is also called study enhancers and smart drugs. Nootropics are also widely available through plants, fruits and herbs. Some of products and fruits that contain or are rich in nootropic properties are the ginkgo biloba, centrophenoxine, memantine, piracetam and bacopa.
• Technological advancements. Today anti-aging treatments are also applied in the likes of genetics, technology and nano technology.
Aside from this list, other medications therapies and anti-aging treatments that target very specific illnesses and defects are widely available albeit very highly specialized. In spite of different approaches, anti aging treatments tackles the same basic idea—to slow, prevent or reverse the effects of aging improving the quality of life of a person.
6.Birth Control Pill as a Cure for Acne and Ideal to Gain Weight
Birth control pill as a cure for acne has been gaining popularity. But what most women who have been subjected to such treatment will also attest how birth control pills can affect one's body in gaining weight.
Side Effect
This is only one of the many known side effects of using oral contraceptives. Although most women would not like the idea of adding up on their pounds, they cannot help it. That is understandable because they take the meds to avoid getting pregnant.
For the latter, there are still many options a woman and her partner can take to achieve such. But taking the pills is one of the most effective. One must learn to do something to limit the weight that they can gain.When on pills, you can take note of your exercise and eating habits. This will be good for your overall health. This will also help you ease the burden of putting added weight.
Acne Remedy
Ask your doctors about this. Although this will not be effective for all women, most of them will benefit from such. Most medical practitioners suggest three brands for this purpose. They are Estrostep, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and YAZ.
Doctors will only prescribe birth control pills to act as a treatment for acne when the rest of the previous meds have failed their purpose. This is actually the last resort. And doctors recommend this to women who would be taking oral contraceptives anyway for the obvious purpose of not being able to conceive.
With such effectiveness, FDA has approved a bunch of list of birth control pills to act as treatment to acne. It is also recommended that to achieve greater results, the pill must be used in combination with other real meds intended solely for acne. This includes benzoyl peroxide. You can also use topical retinoids for this need.
Because estrogen and progestin make up the pills used for birth control, this medicine will change the common reproductive cycle and patterns of hormones of a female. This suppresses testosterone release within a woman's body. And as an effect, it reduces the oil being produced by the glands called the sebaceous. As a result, acne comes out minimal. And it also lessens the pore blockage.
But do not use oral contraceptives to cure acne if you haven't told your doctors about it. They must test you first for possible side effects. The pill must match your body type. And also, other factors must be taken into account.
If proper check-up will be bypassed, the result can be grave. Other oral contraceptives can worsen your acne problems, especially if it doesn't suit some of your characteristics. So be careful and vigilant. It is your body so it is your responsibility to care for it.
While sometimes, the recommended pill will worsen the acne breakout at first. This is a common happening. Acne is known to accumulate before dwindling down. So it really helps to have a doctor by your side to explain such factors.
You will be hearing a lot about birth control as a cure for acne as years go by. This is part of the boom in the medical field that is being developed through time. But before plunging in and using the pill, consider the effect that it has on one's body. If you are sure that you are ready for some added pounds, then you are also ready to take it.
7.Learn the Secret How To Plan Last Minute Travel Trip to Europe
Planning your travel can be a big hassle: you need to know what things to pack, what things you should not miss, and what you should bring in order to have better travel and a good time at your destination. You need to get great tickets to where you want to go....
Planning your travel can be a big hassle: you need to know what things to pack, what things you should not miss, and what you should bring in order to have better travel and a good time at your destination. You need to get great tickets to where you want to go, and if you are going to Europe, you need to get really good deals because travel to Europe can be expensive. Moreover, you need to get good deals on the hotels and lodgings that you pick, because Europe is so picturesque, you need days and days to see what makes each city special.
The problem just keeps getting bigger if you decide to go to Europe at the last minute. There are many things that can go wrong in your panic. You might not get to your destination on time, which can mess up car schedules, rental schedules, and hotel bookings. You can mess up a lot of things when you pack, and you can miss a lot of important things if you do not have a lot of time to pack up. Moreover, you will not enjoy your trip if you miss a lot of things in terms of packing and transportation.
If you want to plan a last minute travel trip to Europe, here are a few tips that you could take into account.
- Do not underestimate the power of lists. Making a list, even when you don't need it, can help you. On off days, when you do not have to worry about last minute things such as travel and packing, take some time to sit down and make a list of things that you would need to bring if you were to suddenly go to Europe. Don't forget your passport and your toiletries! Keep your list in a safe place, so that if the chance for travel suddenly comes up, you won't miss a thing.
- Don't underestimate the power of your agent either. Talk to your travel agent about advice for last minute plans, and if your travel agent already has a list of discount hotels in Europe. This way, you can always have someone ready and waiting to help you out just in case you suddenly get the urge to go to Europe.
- Subscribe or get log ins to discount hotels in Europe. This means that you need to get onto their website and log yourself in regularly in order to see what deals they have. This way, you are aware of what discounts there are, so that when you get to start going to Europe and have to travel at the last minute, you can immediately log on to the website that you need and get yourself discounts on lodging.
- Be aware of what your memberships offer in terms of European travel. Some credit cards have discount packages that allow you to get ticket discounts, while some insurance companies or even your car insurance and sales company will have discounts for travel. You may be able to get yourself some great discounts if you know where to look, and if you already have these discounts under your belt!
- Subscribe to travel magazines and read about destinations in Europe. Read up on some history as well! This way, if you suddenly get the urge to go to Europe, you already know where to go and you don't mess up your touring plans.
8. Learn The Secrets Of Sky diving Into A Hot Zone
Skydiving into a hot zone is sometimes the only way to access a remote area and fight a fire. It’s a dangerous job but someone has to do it before the fire spreads any further.
Who are smoke jumpers?
The people who do this are called smoke jumpers. Equipped with a parachute and firefighting gear, they go in and try to control the fire until reinforcements arrive.
These smoke jumpers use two types of parachutes. The Forest Service gives them the round parachute while the Bureau of land management uses the ram air type sports parachute. Aside from that, they wear heavy padded clothing because there is a strong possibility that they could land on a tree.
Smokejumpers are deployed in fixed wing aircraft because it can carry more men and equipment. Most units are stationed in places where wildfires ignite regularly like in Redding, California; Fairbanks, Alaska; Boise, Idaho; Winthrop, Washington and Redmond, Oregon.
The United States has the second largest number of smokejumpers in the world. Russia is number one with other countries like Canada having their own teams in place to handle a wildfire.
The history of smokejumpers in the US dates back to the 1930’s when someone thought of the idea of sending a group of firefighters to neutralize a threat. The first actual fire jump in history happened on July 12, 1940 and since then, other people have joined in.
Despite the seemingly dangerous nature of the job, fatalities from jumping are rare. The largest disaster involving smokejumper deaths on the job was the Mann Gulch fire blowup of 1949. Thirteen firefighters died during the blowup, twelve of them jumpers. This disaster directly led to the establishment of modern safety standards used by all wildland firefighters.
Through the years, the number of smokejumpers who were killed in active duty has been very low. The biggest one day fatality was in 1949 when out of 13 firefighters lost that day, 12 of them were smokejumpers.
Such an incident prompted the government to modernize the safety standards and fortunately, this has not happened again.
Before smokejumpers are deployed, the situation is analyzed to see if it is safe for firefighters to move in or not. If the decision is to deploy them, the smokejumpers put on their gear and head to the runway so they can be airborne in a few minutes and deployed over the area.
Smokejumpers may not get the same recognition as firefighters because they work in remote areas. But if you think about what they do, saves acres of forest land. Sometimes, these brush fires get too close to residential areas and the only way to stop it is if they use explosives to try and contain the fire.
The US currently has 270 smokejumpers all across the country. To keep these individuals prepared, they undergo refresher training which includes aircraft exiting procedures, emergency procedures, parachute landing rolls, parachute maneuvering, parachute and cargo retrieval, timber let-down procedures and tree climbing.
In some of the bases all across the country, they now use virtual reality simulators to train the smokejumpers.
This just goes to show that skydiving is not only an extreme sport or only used by military for incursions. We can also use this to fight fires that can ignite at any time. We just have to rapidly deploy the necessary manpower to handle the situation.
