#Correcting calcium level

[zvaigzdelasas]

China’s economy is currently on the operating table, hunched over by surgeons, chest cavity splayed open, hooked up to a cardiopulmonary machine, surrounded by nurses staring at monitors flashing vital signs. It all looks rather grim.

This surgery, however, is not an emergency bypass. That would be too easy. China has had many of those already – stimulus packages, grand infrastructure projects and many rounds of directed lending.

Every two decades or so, going all the way back to the founding of the PRC in 1949, the surgeons get ambitious. These guys are mad scientists attempting a comic book trope – to create the ultimate superhero.

They want to inject super serum, replace skeletal calcium with adamantium and dose the patient with gamma rays, giving China the powers of shazams out the wazoo.[...]

In the lamented “pre-reform” era, China’s mad scientists engineered spectacular growth by increasing investment from a prewar 6% of GDP to 20% in the first Five-Year Plan, covering 1952-1957. This led industrial output to register a compound annual growth rate.

The Great Leap Forward accelerated this growth to 66% in 1958 and 39% in 1959 before crashing and burning in 1961 when mismanagement of communal farms and “backyard blast furnaces” caught up with the mad scientists.

Course correction starting in 1962 recovered all lost ground by 1965. According to economist Cheng Chu-Yuan, China’s GDP growth averaged 11% between 1952 and 1966, the eve of the Cultural Revolution. (T. C. Liu of Cornell and K. C. Yeh of the Rand Corporation have a lower estimate: 8%.)

More importantly, China built a full kit of infrastructure, machinery and equipment capable of driving future industrialization.[...]

Many analysts have a tabula rasa understanding of China’s reform era, as if there had been no economy before Deng Xiaoping. In reality, China’s industrialization started right after the formation of the PRC with some of the fastest growth recorded in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Even during the “low growth” Cultural Revolution, resources directed towards public health (for example, barefoot doctors) and primary education doubled life expectancy and quadrupled adult literacy by 1980 from pre-PRC levels.

The mad scientists are now at it again. They have about twenty years of new data not just on China but from the rest of the world. When Zhu Rongji was head surgeon, history had ended and markets reigned supreme. This time around, the surgeons are correcting for market irrationality and negative externalities. The next twenty years is again being determined on the operating table.

Three years ago, the surgeons pried open China’s chest cavity with the three red lines credit limits, instantly seizing the speculation driven property sector. Since then, they ripped out unnecessary organs like education companies, clamped the Ant Financial artery and eviscerated the video game industry. All of this has caused spasms in vital signs from lackluster growth to rising youth unemployment. Wondering whether China will or will not stimulate the economy next quarter or next year is missing the forest from the trees. For the next few years, China’s economy will still be under the knife and whatever adjustments will merely be anesthesiologists and technicians nominally dialing the drugs up and down and adjusting the heart-lung machine to maintain vital signs.

What are these mad scientists trying to achieve? We believe President Xi Jinping’s 2020 target of doubling China’s GDP by 2035 stands. That is an average growth rate of 4.7% for 15 years. But beyond just a numerical target, it is important to figure out what superpowers China is trying to acquire. And just as importantly, what Kryptonite factors China is attempting to inoculate itself against.

China wants America’s Silicon Valley, but regulated; Japan’s car companies, but electrified; Germany’s Mittelstand, but scalable; and Korea’s chaebol conglomerates, but without political capture. It wants to lead the world in science and technology, but without cram schools. A thriving economy, but with common prosperity. Industry, without air pollution. Digital lifestyle, without gaming addiction. Material plenty, without hedonism. Modernity, without its ills. This is, of course, a wish-list and unrealistically ambitious. But these mad scientists sure as hell are going to try. They’ve developed a taste for it.

In college, early into the semester, we went through a ritual called course exchange. Students gathered in an auditorium to swap classes after sampling lectures for three weeks – satisfaction was not guaranteed. The strategy passed down to underclassmen applied to both course exchange and significant others: “Add before you drop.”

China is undergoing – but perhaps botching – the same process with a more party-esque slogan, “Establish the new before abolishing the old.”

The surgeons have been on a tear gutting the old. The big kahuna is, of course, the property sector. But right behind are platform monopolies, private education, financial services and video games. The new has been playing catch-up, with 5G equipment, electric vehicles, photovoltaics and wind turbines being leading examples.

From all appearances, the Industrial Party is in ascendance and China will double down on climbing the manufacturing value chain. The Industrial Party is a political identity that believes industry, science and technology should determine China’s future. Adherents believe that China’s strength lie in the technical skills of her population and thus favor hard-science, high-tech industries as opposed to services and business model innovations.

Therefore, Chinese politicians, whatever their predisposition, must find a way to create space for this next generation of scientists and technicians to develop themselves. They cannot be confined to a production line at a Foxconn plant. Maintaining social stability means finding a use for future scientists and technicians, which means pursuing industrialization. Is there any other way? The key variable for determining the course of China’s future development is thus the massive number of talented technical and scientific workers.

If mistakes were made, it would have been in sequencing and in faith – dropping before adding is a poor strategy in both love and course exchange. China’s mad scientists may have been too confident that electric vehicles and renewable energy would be followed quickly by semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and commercial aircraft.

Perhaps they have reason to be confident. Planning for this surgery has been in the works since 2015 with the Made in China 2025 project. China has been steadily eroding imports of high value added intermediary goods like batteries, precision parts and electrical components, flipping trade with South Korea from deficit to surplus.[...]

China never properly transitioned from its Soviet era Material Product System (MPS) of national accounts to the United Nation’s System of National Accounts (UNSNA) standard, leaving out much of services from reported GDP.

We calculate that China accounts for 22-24% of global GDP and 20-23% of global consumption. We also calculate that household consumption is 50-55% of China’s GDP, in line with global averages. China should easily be able to grow at 4.7% through 2035 with only a modest increase in consumption’s GDP share (5 percentage points over 10 years) without upsetting global economic balances.

In the reform period prior to Xi, everything was sacrificed at the altar of economic growth. In the new era, growth has been walked down from 9.6% in 2011 to an average of 4.7% in the Covid years (2020-2023) as an increasing litany of issues were given precedence. Debt however, soared over this time from 175% of GDP to over 300%. What exactly did all that debt buy?

When Xi assumed leadership of China, he declared that inequality could not be allowed to increase further. Inequality is perhaps the major Kryptonite factor of the American economy which China wasted no time in matching as the economy roared with market reforms.

While still problematic, inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, has steadily fallen since 2010 largely as a result of massive investment in urbanization, pushing people into cities and pushing cities up the tiering ladder.[...]

China also poured resources into stamping out last-mile poverty. While most poverty alleviation in China was through economic growth, recalcitrant extremely poverty could only be eradicated by concentrated marshaling of resources, from relocating entire villages to weekly visits by social workers.[...]

Since peaking in 2012, air pollution in Beijing has been cut by over 60%, with Shanghai falling over 50%. China, which used to dominate the list of most polluted cities, now only claims one spot in the top 20. None of this came cheap, from installing scrubbers in smoke stacks to increasing renewables to moving heavy industry to strict emissions regulations for cars.[...]

Before Hu Jintao handed the reins to Xi, Hu warned delegates to the 18th Party Congress in 2012 that “[corruption] could prove fatal to the party… and [cause] the fall of the state.” The popular opinion in the West is that Xi ended China’s highly successful reform era because of an ideological bent. This is off the mark. Xi was brought in to clean house as the wheels were coming off from excesses of the reform era.

Throughout Xi’s decade in office, there has been no letup in his anti-corruption campaign. In 2022, a record 638,000 officials were punished for corruption. While there haven’t been any large scale ideological appeals to the public, it’s a different story within the 98-million-member party.

During this time, free market capitalism and liberal democracies also faced their own existential tests. Success or failure going forward will depend on whether liberal institutions remain intact in the West and whether party discipline can be maintained in China. What the PRC has had since 1949 is a governing party with the political autonomy to play mad scientist. [...]

Of course we live in the real world, not a comic-book world. The question in the real world has always been whether the economy can be engineered by mad scientists from the top down or is it best left to the invisible hand of the market? [...]

The standard economic opinion – against all evidence – is that China was economically stagnant before Deng’s market reforms. The thinking on this for the American economys is undergoing a transformation in egghead land – just how has neoliberal economics benefitted the American people over the past few decades?

In a Q&A exchange at a conference in Malaysia, Eric Li, the barbed-tongued venture capitalist, was asked, “Do you think top-down directives are sustainable in the long run?” To which he replied, “It’s the only thing that’s sustainable.… That’s why America is failing today.” After World War II, Li said, the Americans “lost the ability to do top-down design.”

Dec 2023

[balkanradfem]

Sharing what I've learned in my neck (recovery) journey!

I've been trying out lots of exercises, and I mean, I've been through every youtube video showing any kind of neck-related thing. The most exercises hurt so much I would often end up curled up on the floor crying in pain after trying once, so I didn't want to try those anymore.

Then I thought that, since I've been eating very poorly this summer (bad garden year) I very likely am lacking some minerals in my body, and maybe that's making the pain worse. It actually is getting worse, I can't turn my head sideways anymore without pain. I watched a few videos on nutrient deficiencies, and decided that I probably lack magnesium, which helps muscles relax; my muscles are incredibly stiff and upset at all times. I also watched a video on how a person can end up paralyzed without enough b12, and I've barely been taking any, despite my plant-based diet, so I quickly got that too.

Then I saw a video on vitamin D deficiency, and I had, every single symptom, just all of them, spot on. So I got a packet of that too. And then next day I found a video saying that supplemental D vitamin is BAD and I need to get some from sunbathing instead. It's winter?!?? And I can't walk outside for long because of the neck pain??? Like what am I supposed to do about this.

I've also gone back to taking nettle infusions to get enough calcium! I was hoping supplemental vitamin D would help me absorb calcium, but we'll see about that, I guess? I'm so mad at all the conflicting information but I don't now enough biology to make a reasonable guess to what's right.

Okay so I also, finally, found some exercises that are meant for neck pain that don't hurt, and I'm sticking to them, I've done them twice and did not come close to passing out in pain so I'm just gonna assume these are correct and do them. I also found out that a specific pain I had in my back, for about 5 years now, is called rhomboid pain, and there are exercises to fix it! And I can do most of them. Which is amazing, I'd be happy to fix any type of pain right now.

I've wanted to go and do a blood test to see just what nutrients I'm lacking, but apparently you can only check calcium levels if your bone density is measured, and I know my doctor won't do that, and for lots of other stuff like potassium (which I lack for sure), the body maintains normal level even when you're extremely out, because it draws it out of your muscles and bones so you'd have normal levels in your blood because otherwise you'd die. So you can't efficiently check, you can only notice your body deteriorating from the lack of it. Fun!

Another 'fun' info I've found was about ibuprofen, I had to take quite a few because I was sick, and I'm not used to taking pain medicine, so I went to check what it does, and it's like, cool stuff, it prevents the creation of hormones that cause your nerves to be sensitive, and also those that cause inflammation, so you're basically less sensitive to all the pain going on in your system. However, those same hormones are responsible for creating a layer of mucus in your stomach, and you need that mucus, in order to be protected from your own digestive acid. Taking ibuprofen for 3-4 days will not do you harm, but if you take it for longer, or if you have a chronic stomach issue, it is very likely that you will expose your own stomach tissue to your digestive acid! Which will damage your stomach and hurt a lot. So be careful with the ibuprofen ladies! I know she's a good friend of yours but I never knew how serious it was to take it too often.

[pastelmusings]

Ahhh twirling my hair and kicking my feet rn, tysm!! 🥰

His type differs from most other Android models because he has a mostly anatomically accurate skeletal structure (made out of lightweight metal alloys) and easily detachable parts, made for the purpose of teaching and demonstration!

His refurbisher, who specializes in mainly scrapping Androids, has yet to find the correct fitting torso part for his exact model type, since his line was pretty much only sold to and used in hospitals, then immediately scrapped upon breaking to reuse the expensive scanner parts

So right now he could really only be used as an assistant type Android because of his structural integrity issues, and generally can't be sold because of safety regulations

He was part of a line that included five distinct designs, which specialized in different medical professions per design, with his being predominantly in the psychiatric field and other mental related stuff

Regrettably most of his memories and general knowledge of integrated emotional protocols were pretty much corrupted, leaving him with the hardware still intact but without the emotional depth required to accurately put it into practice, for the purpose of properly helping someone dealing with trauma or mental illness like he was built for at least

His scanner is the most highly advanced part about him and can pretty much immediately tell everything that would usually require a blood test, including vitamin and protein levels, abnormal chemical or hormonal compositions of things like serotonin or cortisol, and mineral traces like glucose, calcium and electrolytes! As well as all of your standard blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature related things

World wide there was only 50 of his specific model type produced (all given different personalized names based on the hospitals they were sent to), but that was 20 in-universe years ago, and practically all of them have been scrapped

Here's a doodle of when he was first powered on after refurbishing

[dragonfly0808]

I tried to think of something for Blooms supernatural power:

You know how fire needs oxygen to keep burning? And it's byproduct is carbon dioxide but if the burning is incomplete (when there's too little oxygen) it creates carbon monoxide?

(the byproducts of fire are determined by the fuel that fuels the fire and I guess you could say that Bloom herself is kinda the fuel and the human body has oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, calcium and phosphorus -> I don't know enough chemistry to say anything on the other elements but my point kinda is that there's carbon, so one of the byproducts would be carbon dioxide when the burning is complete and carbon monoxide when the burning is incomplete)

Well that got me thinking of panic attacks or anxiety in general, when it sometimes feels like you can't breathe and it feels like there's not enough oxygen (while actually when hyperventilating there ends up being too much oxygen in your system and it causes an imbalance but thats besides my point):

When Bloom is anxious or even having a full blown panic attack the dragon flame reacts to that feeling of not getting enough oxygen and it starts kinda creating carbon monoxide, which then starts affecting people around her and it could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in serious cases. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are things like headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, chest pain, confusion. Which now that I'm writing it out seems like things that you can already experience during a panic attack. But those type of symptoms would start affecting those around her as well because of Blooms feeling of not getting enough oxygen and her fire's reaction to that (carbon monoxide).

Also about the blue fire that we've seen from Bloom a few times: when fire is blue it means that the burning is complete (or perfect I don't actually know the correct term in English). So when Blooms fire is completely blue it could mean that she's like calm and collected (so she's not feeling like there isn't enough oxygen). And when she's not excatly calm the tip of her fire is like red or yellow and the more upset she is the more the fire is red or yellow which indicates that the burning is incomplete. Does this make any sense?? But I guess my point is that the color of her fire would be an indicator of how she's feeling.

I hope this makes sense at least on some level :D and it's not super well thought through yet, but I still wanted to throw in this suggestion!

Also I'm not an expert by any means on this subject so the science most likely isn't sciencing correctly :D literally just googled a lot of it so don't take my words as facts of anything :D also English isn't my first language so my apologies if I got some of the more sciency terms wrong lol

ALSO sorry for the long message

I like the idea not gonna lie… this could actually really work, I’ll think about it, thanks for suggesting it and doing research as well!!!

Will probably not actually show it till s4 but I’m liking this idea

[madamlaydebug]

Hidden deep within your brain the pineal gland is regulating daily and seasonal rhythms in response to sunlight. Unfortunately, accumulating neurotoxicity, inflammation, and calcification, is silently crushing this critical gland.

Pineal Purpose

The pineal-body is a pea-size pinecone-shaped endocrine gland weighing just 0.1g and floating in its own pool of cerebrospinal fluid, above the roof of your mouth. It contains photoreceptive cells that switch on, and off, hormone and neurotransmitter production on or off in response to sunlight.

Seeds, greens, avocados, and burro bananas - make sure you fuel pineal production. Dr. Sebi taught us that “Real Soul food is food that enhances the Soul, our central Sun, our carbon. Fruits, vegetables, grains, this is REAL food.”

Master Conductor

The pineal gland controls other endocrine glands, interlinking the brain with the body via hormones and neurotransmitters. Acting like a biological-clock, the pineal gland coordinates our interaction with the sun:

Rhythms: sleep and wake cycles, seasonal responses.

Reproduction: fertility levels and sex hormone production.

Regulation: growth, body temperature, and blood pressure.

Immune: activation, tumor suppression, cell rejuvenation.

Neurotoxins and Calcification

Toxins cause inflammation, reduce mental efficiency, and deregulate hormone production. Sleep disorders, depression, and neurodegeneration (e.g. Alzheimer’s) are all associated with calcification of the pineal gland.

Deposits of chalky calcium restrict the gland, reduce its size, and impede the production of neuro-endocrine substances. The pattern of pineal calcification is similar to teeth-enamel, and fluoridation (water and toothpaste) is linked to the destruction of this enigmatic gland.

Detoxification, Relaxation, and Nutrition

Chronic inflammation causes calcification. Reducing exposure to inflammatory neurotoxins begins to restore the correct mineral balance, and decalcify the pineal gland:

Fluoride: highest concentration in the body found in calcified tissue in the pineal gland.

Chlorine: public water is bleached with chlorine, associated with neurological birth defects.

Aluminum: leaches from pots, pans, and foil, associated with plaques seen in Alzheimer’s.

Sugar & chemical sweeteners: over-stimulate and damage neurons, reduce dopamine.

MSG & derivatives: confusingly labeled, many processed foods include this neurotoxin.

Endotoxins: bad bacteria in the gut produce toxins that inflame the gut and brain.

Stress: prolonged fear is toxic, causes the amygdala to shrink, and emotional fatigue.

The next step is supporting the brain to clear the waste and rejuvenate:

Sleep: at night the brain is ‘washed’ clean, detoxified, and replenished with nutrients.

Hydration: to bathe the brain and pineal gland you need to keep fluids flowing.

Meditation: like exercise for the brain, rewires, and strengthens your emotional health.

Berries (except cranberry): reduce free radical damage and nourish with flavonoids.

Coconut oil: alternative fuel for the brain which produces less oxidative damage.

Apples, seeded grapes & prunes: are high in boron which naturally displaces fluoride.

Tamarind: increases fluoride output in urine, helps retain zinc and magnesium. Fresh organic tamarind pulp or paste is easily mixed with water into a sweet and sour flavored drink, add a little agave if the taste is too lip-puckering!

•Dr. Sebi

[annaizscribbling]

Ch 4.

Wordcount: 2982

Content warnings: Obsession. Delusions. Hallucinations. Blood. Violence. Gore.

Virgil is kneeling, close to the edge of the slick rock as if in prayer, but he does not look for grace in the heavens, but below. 

How many hours have passed? Or has it been mere seconds? Does it matter?

Drip

Drip

Drip

Water drips from the rock ceiling, falling into puddles around him. He gets lower, easing onto his hands and knees to get closer. His broken, trembling fingers extend down past the jagged end of the overlook. His hot tears trickle down his cheeks, hitting the cold dark stone below him, mixing into the chilly puddles already nestled into the imperfections in the rock.

The water flows unceasingly.

The pools, the pools, beautiful pools. It’s so dark in the low light, and as he teeters on his knees, gazing down into the depth, it’s like staring into an all-encompassing black pupil. What is looking back at him? The water. The water looks back and it is smiling like a benevolent deity, all knowing, all loving, all for him. All for Virgil.

Promises can be made without words. The waters do not speak with a tongue, yet it writes him poems penned with an awe inspiring dedication and golden grandeur. Virgil can only pretend to be worth it, be remotely capable of returning that level of loyalty.

Drip

Drip

Drip

He can not quite see himself in the fragile surface of the rushing water, but sometimes he imagines he can. Virgil stares with wide, unhindered eyes, and he catches glimpses of his own silhouette. Somewhere in the water there is a place for him, he just has to keep staring. He’ll find it one day, one day the water will clear enough to grant him sweet belonging, sweet respite.

Virgil breathes in through his nose, trying to get every inch of him infused with the wet air. It smells so good, he wants to bury his brain in it. A fresh, moist, floral scent. A little lemony, dewy. He wants it. He wants more. He wants to lick the calcium off the walls and run his tongue over the wet pebbles on the ground. It sounds so strange but feels so right, so instinctual.

That safeness, he wants to ingest it. He wants to consume and be consumed. He would let the cave eat him for only a few bites in return. Maybe a mutual destruction through simultaneous mutual destruction would be more poetic, but Virgil doesn’t care. Tear him apart, he doesn’t mind, the bliss is worth more.

His beautiful cave …

What happens outside is untrue and unjust. What happens inside is kind and correct.

He could only imagine being so virtuous. So all knowing, all loving, all consuming. Sitting cross legged at the edge, feeling his spine waver and lean in, like it was made of metal and a weak magnetic force was drawing him in.

The sound of the water, the sloshing, the bubbling, the way it runs and runs like blood through veins. Life force. Love. The water crashes against the sharp edges and corners of the stone, but water cannot be cut. Not like skin and flesh, not like Virgil. He wants to be like water. He wants to be so fluid, so unbreakable. Somebody unbreak him. Oh God, somebody unbreak this broken fool.

Drip

Drip

Drip

What if he leapt in? He can imagine the refreshing bliss, the way his body would strengthen tenfold, like being dipped in the River Styx, but there is nobody to haul his body back out of the water. There would be no need. His entire being could be cleansed and whole for perhaps the first time in his metaphysical existence. He would have no weakness, no unprotected secret. He would just be eternal.

The water is so dark he can’t see his reflection, so he imagines an upside down Virgil to stare back at him, peering at him from below the bottom of his shoe, rippling and waving in the pool. That Virgil is free.

That Virgil knows the unbridled love of the water. It knows what it is like to be fully submerged in a beauty unlike any human or nonhuman could imagine. It knows how to worship. How to be revered.

It would be so easy. So easy to just stand up, stand up and take one big step forward. So easy…

He hums a little song, some pretty, reflective piece he can’t remember most of the lyrics to. The song oddly stirs in his gut. His low, creaky voice starts to mumble the words as he rubs his hand over the wet rock like he was petting an animal.

“I didn’t know I had a dream.

I didn’t know until I saw you.

So would you tell me if you want me?

'Cause I can't move until you show–”

The water churns, there’s a rumble like a volcanic eruption on the horizon, ready to incinerate every piece of life it can get its hands on.

Dread pools in Virgil’s stomach as his mouth goes dry. No, no, no, no, no no no No No NO NO NO NONONONONONO FUCK.

There’s a sound like broken nails dragging hard against a chalkboard and a despicable figure leaps out of the waters below with a grating scream like a knife against pavement.

Virgil screams in some mixture of rage, horror, and fear. He slips on the wet rock and falls backwards. The impact sends him smacking his skull on the ground with a wet thwap that makes his vision stop working for a moment. He doesn’t get a chance to recover in time.

The intruder cackles and leaps for him, like a chimpanzee, all wide smiles and too many exposed teeth. He’s dripping wet with water that does not belong to him, and gleeful with an edge of carelessness that stings like smoke in Virgil’s eyes.

There are few things Virgil does when backed into a corner. Woven into the fabric of his being are few instincts, but those few are reliable like nothing else. He doesn’t think before he moves, he doesn’t have to.

Virgil first kicks out his legs with a wild snarl like a feral dog. The impact lands with the sound of raw steak against a wall. He is stronger than people would guess, more ruthless than he seems. Virgil can feel himself hardening like water being frozen into ice.

The force of that kick is almost strong enough to throw the figure back down into the water, but not enough. He recovers his fall and turns it into a crouched landing before launching another twistedly joyful attack, reaching for Virgil’s neck.

Virgil wastes no time lamenting the failed move. It’s fine, the water should be left untouched by the unworthy, but the unworthy should be punished. The unworthy should be left unprotected to burn in the fiery daylight that exposes their egregious sins against the benevolent. 

His peace has been disturbed. The water has been violated. 

As the sinner pounces onto him, Virgil utilizes his nails next, short and blunt and painted black, chipped, but slashed out with enough force to pierce the dry flaky skin of the intruder’s cheek, drawing thick green ooze instead of wet blood. His fingers go in deep, like he is scraping soft butter.

The scent of stale vinegar floods Virgil’s nostrils, his eyes sting. Disgusting.

He pulls his fist back and swings it wildly, meeting far too many ribs with a satisfying crunch and squelch. He feels his knuckles burn with the impact in a way that isn’t all bad. Actually, it feels good, just. He does it again. Again. Again. He moves to different, untouched parts of the body, places to destroy.

His nose shatters under Virgil’s tight fist, he elicits a loud squeal of delight that makes Virgil’s skin crawl. With a loud growl, Virgil grabs for the throat, ready to squeeze until his hands met in a clasp.

But the intruder gets him spring like legs beneath Virgil, and with a thrust, Virgil is thrown off him. He hisses as he hits the ground and scrambled to get back up for another round. Virgil only slows for a moment as his rage festers. He’s staring backwards with eyes that glow with fire. His mouth is full of teeth in a white row, fearful and daunting.

With a sound that tears from the pit of his chest he body slams the intruder into the sharp, rough wall.

He starts ripping out hair, from the intruder’s scalp, then from the mustache above his lip. He tries to rip off his ears too, and in the dark he feels thin cartilage and damp skin peel off like he was preparing to eat an orange. The pieces of thin flesh jingle and jangles at the dozen metal piercings flop about.

Virgil stamps his ratty shoes into his opponent’s knees, there’s a snap and a pop as the knee collapses backwards, sending him to the ground. Virgil isn’t done, the cave has been sullied and though the cave does not ask for vengeance, a grave disrespect has been levied against him. Against the water.

Fuck. Shit. Die. Stupid piece of shit. I hate you. I hate you. Damn it, I do. Shit. Fuck.

He pauses just long enough to wipe blood from his nose before he brings his elbow down on the figure, who’s so mangled that Virgil can’t tell what part of the body he is even injuring.

He throws himself on top of the giggling freak, beginning to claw and scratch and bite. Yes, biting. Sometimes he thinks he was made to use his teeth. His canines sink into tulle and sequined clothing before finding the tender skin to rip through. Flesh turns into moist putty under his fingernails, bone cracks and snaps like pieces of dried pasta. Decorative bells rattle and tinkle as he kicks whatever is left of that spine, feeling each fracture and collapse under his foot.

Virgil’s foe is barely more than a mound of what barely qualifies as rotting human remains. Eleven still, it giggles manically as Virgil stumbles backwards, struggling for breath. Blood rushes from his head, leaving him faint and pale. What few breaths of air he manages to take don’t seem to land.

He’s shaking, he tries to get closer to the water but he’s too weakened. He then collapses to his knees, it sends pain through his legs. In a daze, he looks down, staring at the putrid liquid covering half his body. It’s green, chunky. He runs his finger through a patch on his leg, and upon closer inspection, he has to clamp his hands over his mouth to stop himself from puking.

The goopy mess behind him begins to make horrible squishing sounds as the remains slowly move like a living slime, forming back the revolting mass into what it was prior, a horrific puppet meant to be a human. An imitation of a person, who under just below a thin layer of skin, is anything but. Bones snap back into place with pretty little pops like fireworks going off inside of gelatin.

Why? Why did he go so far? It was too much, Virgil did too much.

Virgil collapses into a sitting position on the ground, choking down a hoarse sob. Tears are running down his face.

Drip

Drip

Drip

“Now that was a good time, Virgie,” Remus giggles tiredly. He pushes his eyes back into place with a pop. He shoves his teeth back into his gums, as they were hanging too low.

“I hate you!” Virgil shouts, throwing a rock at Remus’ head and missing dramatically. His tears are too abundant to see right.

“Here, you’re all weepy and wet. Let me get those,” Remus says as he strides forward jovially, mostly human shaped. He does a little cartwheel before he lands on his feet in front of Virgil. He kneels down on Virgil’s lap, sending pain through his legs at the weight. They’re face to face, his breath smells like salt.

“Ow!” Virgil sounds almost whiny, tears still leak from his eyes.

Remus chuckles. “Psh. Baby.”

Virgil scrubs tears from his eyes until Remus takes hold of his arm and wrenches it down. Then Remus firmly takes the back of his head and tilts his face upward, looking toward the roof of the cave.

“Remus–”

Remus grins before clamping his mouth around one of Virgil’s eyes, his tongue is both prickly like a cat and slimy like a giraffe’s, he suctions his lips around Virgil’s left eye, blinding him halfway as his sharp tongue laps up the salty tears on his skin and in even directly from his eye. The tongue wriggles and slides across the surface of Virgil’s eye that he somehow can’t close. It hurts. Oh, it hurts.

Virgil screams and flails, but he’s too weak, too human. Remus is too strong. 

Remus is covered in that viscous green goop that should’ve stayed inside of him when he reformed, but it did not. Remus did what he was supposed to, never what anyone wanted him, never what feels right to the rest of them. His nature is as kind as a hurricane, there’s no room for love in a storm. Remus did not have to hate in order to be cruel to what was sacred and protected. He thrived in the unnatural, in the unwell.

Virgil can feel the sticky green gunk clumping in his hair where Remus’s hand is holding his skull in a vice-like grip. Remus has hands like bird claws when you cannot quite see them in the dark. He does not have to make them into something seeable when they cannot be seen.

Remus moves like he’s rocking his body to slow, sensuous music. He slithers like a slug, somehow even with his mouth on Virgil’s face, he’s whispering about Virgil’s unwinding, his slow beautiful unwinding, falling into pretty pieces he can pop into his mouth and chew.

Virgil screams again and pushes Remus off, tucking into a ball and feeling choked, panicked sobs rip out of him like pulling a weed out of the ground by the root. He rubs his eyes and cries, even though the pain completely dissipated the second Remus removed his tongue.

“You’re delicious today, Virgie,” Remus giggles, a little winded from going so long just sucking and licking Virgil’s fucking eye. He sits on the floor and stretches his legs into the air, grabbing his own feet and kicking them with glee. “You haven’t taken on this yummy little flavor since your last cave hook up, and even then, not this strong.”

Still shaking, Virgil screams into the rock below him, his body is tingling and pricking in awful discomfort.

“Your thoughts are so finger-licking good. I just love when you taste scummy. Like mold, old fish tank water, or the algae that floats at the top of an untouched little bog. I love hitting that bog. Mmmmmm.”

Virgil pounds his fingers into a half inch deep puddle of water he’s sitting in. He needs help, guidance. He can’t be okay here. His mind is stretching like a rubber band about to snap, but in the midst of it all, he remembers. The water flows unceasingly.

“You know who I’ve decided to hate lately? The Morgens, awful singers in my opinion. I tried bringing them into a little wet dream I was cooking up, but they got in the way, brushing their hair and shit–” Remus rambled to himself, bending each one of his fingers back into proper position.

“The water flows unceasingly,” Virgil whispers his mantra as his fingers grasps at the puddle. He did it too hard, his cuticles are bleeding, mixing with the water in the dark. He claws at the puddle, pushing his hands into the stone as the rough pebbles scattering the surface prick his squishy palms.

“So I followed them up the path past the olive tree to see– wait. Hey! Virgin. Virgil. Dude. What are you mumbling about? I’m trying to yap forebodingly,” Remus groaned, throwing his head back childishly.

Virgil swallows his tears, feeling them run down his throat thickly. “The water flows unceasingly. The water flows unceasingly. The—”

“I’m sure it does, My Chemical Piss Pants, I’m sure it does,” Remus puffs out a laugh, turning over to rest on his front.

“Shut up! You shouldn’t be here!” Virgil screams, pounding one fist against the ground. The cave doesn’t want Remus here. He doesn’t want Remus here. Nobody wants Remus here but Remus. Thomas doesn’t even want Remus.

Remus sighed, then stalks over on all fours, tilting his head like a creaky doll. He grins, his teeth are whiter than should be possible in the dim, and too sharp.

“Fuck off!” Virgil screams, throwing a weak punch that barely manages to so much as rustle the frills on the goopy jester costume Remus is wearing.

“Bud,” Remus sighs, rolling onto his back with his limbs curled up like a dog stretching on the floor, “you gotta stop drinking the Koolaid. Or in this case, questionable pond water I guess.”

Virgil scrubs at his aching eyes, pulling his knees up to his chest. “Shut up.”

“Seriously. Before you start making out with a puddle again, Mr. Rawr XD.”

“That didn’t happen!” Virgil’s voice cracks. He throws another rock, this one making contact with Remus’ shoulder.

“Sure, Virgalicious, sure,” Remus snorted.

“Just leave, you stupid rat,” Virgil growled, “you’re ruining everything. You always ruin everything.”

Mercifully, Remus got up, snickering. “That’s my thing, buddy bud. Maybe I’ll go play with Tommy, I bet he’s missing me. I’m gonna go kiss him, you know, smexy style. That’ll mess him up for a week.”

Virgil snapped up, glaring. “Don’t you dare—"

Remus stuck out his tongue and dashed for the exit, Virgil chased after.

Ch 3. Ch 5.

[thirdchoiceurl]

Oh cool whats NAA? Also I've heard of using neutrons to treat nuclear waste, but I was never able to find any recent papers on it? Or maybe I wasn't using the correct search terms.

NAA stands for Neutron Activation Analysis. There’s a few varieties, but in our lab we typically do Delayed Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis or DGNAA. We bombard samples with a strong flux of thermal neutrons from the reactor, and the neutrons are absorbed by all manner of atoms in the material. In doing so, the stable nuclei are transmuted into short-lived radioisotopes that then decay via beta emission and emit gamma photons with characteristic energies. By using a scintillator and photomultiplier with an MCA (or the HPGe setup if it’s available (it never is) and we have the nitrogen (we never do)), we can then build a gamma ray spectrum that tells us exactly which trace elements are in the sample and, through cross-section analysis, we can get good measures of exactly how much of each element is present.

It’s an incredibly powerful tool for detecting and characterizing trace elements, with sensitivity several thousand times beyond purely chemical methods. One of the recent experiments we did analysis for involved mapping ancient trade routes in Central America by using pottery shards to identify the characteristic minerals of specific clay deposits and correlating them with how far they had traveled from their origin point. The amount of information that can be found from the atomic fingerprint of an object is astounding.

My pet project (the “refried beans” theory of nuclear waste as some of my buddies call it) is typically referred to as waste transmutation. High-level nuclear waste is produced from the processing of spent fuel, which is laden with highly radioactive fission products that pose a serious danger to anyone who may carelessly handle it in the present or future. While many of these fission products are short-lived and decay almost completely while the fuel waits in the cooling pool of its reactor, some isotopes (especially Caesium-137 and Strontium-90) have half-lives in the range of decades and product abundance above 5%. These nuclides are in the sour spot of maximum danger, with half-lives short enough to be ferociously radioactive even in tiny quantities and long enough that one can’t simply wait for them to decay significantly in a human lifetime.

My project, which is currently a bunch of spreadsheets and slideshows I use to try to convince someone to let me mess around with some highly corrosive extremely radioactive nitric acid salts, involves intercepting the fission product waste after reprocessing separates out the industrially useful heavy radioactinides and placing that waste back into the neutron flux of a reactor or accelerator. In doing so, preliminary simulations show that significant portions of the long-term waste activity can be reduced as the hardy and problematic long-lived isotopes are transmuted into short-lived ephemeral products that decay into stable nuclei in a matter of days rather than centuries.

This process isn’t without its drawbacks and hazards. Waste to be transmuted must be carefully chemically treated to remove elements like Calcium or Chlorine which can absorb neutrons from the beam and become new nuclear waste. Another issue is that the transmutation process makes the waste drastically more radioactive for a brief period of time. No fission product exists can be transmuted directly into a stable isotope, we can only pre-empt their decay. In time, the refried waste and the untreated waste will release the exact same quantity of radiation, and forcing it to undergo centuries’ worth of decay in a matter of weeks will make it extremely hot both physically and metaphorically.

It’s a work in progress.

[fitnessinternational1987]

Sugarcane: Benefits of Sugarcane juice for good Health in life-Global Continent

Sugarcane juice is the perfect beverage for a healthy lifestyle. Rich in nutrients and low in calories, it provides many essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Enjoy all the benefits of sugarcane juice for good health with Sugarcane!

What is Sugarcane Juice and What are its Health Benefits?

Sugarcane juice is a beverage that is extracted from the sugarcane plant by a pressing process. It is a natural and refreshing drink option that has a sweet and slightly grassy flavor. Rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, sugarcane juice is considered to be a healthy drink option. Incorporating sugarcane juice into your daily routine can lead to numerous benefits for overall health and well-being. Therefore, it is an excellent choice for those who want to stay healthy and active.

Benefits of Sugarcane juice

Energy Boost Instantly

Natural Diuretic

helps fight bad breath and cavities

Treatment for Jaundice

Improved Digestion

Treats Febrile Disorder

Care for the Skin

Strengthen immunity

Heals Injury

Healthier Bone   

Energy Boost Instantly

Sugarcane's natural supply of sucrose provides your body with the correct amount of energy to start your day and regulate the release of glucose in your body to recoup lost sugar levels. It is also the finest option for rehydrating the body and removing weariness.

Natural Diuretic

Sugarcane juice's diuretic properties make it an essential ingredient for fighting infection. Drinking sugarcane juice can help prevent urinary tract infections, especially if you have a burning sensation while passing urine, and it can also help prevent kidney stones.

Helps fight bad breath and cavities

Minerals like calcium and phosphorus, which fortify tooth enamel and guard it against decay, are abundant in sugarcane juice. The high nutrient content of sugarcane juice aids in the fight against bad breath, which can develop as a result of nutrient deficiency.

Treatment for Jaundice

Traditional Ayurvedic medicine claims that drinking sugarcane juice would strengthen your liver and is a successful treatment for jaundice. The antioxidants in sugarcane juice protect the liver against infection and maintain the bilirubin levels in check. Sugarcane juice replenishes your body with lost proteins and nutrients required to recover from any kind of ailment, rapidly read more

[thinkhealthylivecreative]

A Nutrition Calculator Enhances Healthy Diets

If youre a continuous dieter, or are obese, you ought to actually quit playing nourishment games with your body. All of these will certainly simply be playing nourishment games on your body, not providing it a time to recoup from either extreme. By initial feeding your body too many of the wrong foods youre starving it of the proper nutrients. There are numerous kinds of nourishment official accreditations provided; this will contrast a CCN and also an RD. From the most uncomplicated words, "diet plan" recognizes the food things we consume as well as drinks we consume, whilst "nourishment" implies the biochemical steps which result from food or drink consumption. A big number of dietitians provide food and also dietary solutions within institutional environments (e.g., exclusive hospitals, organizations, nursing homes). This does appear out of the common, however the very same food that your new kittycats will certainly soon be consuming is an excellent food for your pregnant cat, the factor being due to the fact that kittycat food has even more calcium, healthy protein, as well as fat than typical adult cat food. All of the nutrition that your pregnant feline requirements is covered up into one kind of food. An excellent way to do this is to blend up the kitten food with the routine food. It is vital to realize that young ladies who are overly worried with the body images that are presented in the media, consisting of magazines, tv as well as movies, are much more likely to create anxiety as well as eating disorders, including anorexia and also bulimia. Actually, this group of girls is also most likely to go in the opposite direction and intentionally gain weight because they state that they will never ever look like the females that they are looking at on a daily basis. It is a matter of changing an entire family's perspective about nourishment, weight and also body image as well as exercise. The results of processed food on our health will be covered below. Many research studies have actually revealed that it is preferable to consume a huge selection of entire as well as fresh, unprocessed foods. For a far better absorption of your body's nutrients, as well as a much better equilibrium of crucial nutrients, consume entire plant foods, which will additionally reduce the gastrointestinal processes. For those concentrated on building muscle, BSN gives muscular tissue, nutrition and also recovery building supplements of the best quality. Accomplishing the perfect body you want can not be accomplished just via job out, proper nutrition is likewise needed together with correct exercise routine. That is where BSN Supplements can aid you by giving correct protein, and carbohydrates. Some body building supplements from the BSN stable are BSN Axit-HT, BSN Cellmass and also BSN Lean Treat Healthy Protein. Nourishment is crucial for body builders as well as sports athletes. To gain weight as well as power for the procedure appropriate nourishment is vital. BSN Supplements should be taken half a hr before any kind of training session along with proper meals throughout the day. This makes certain that your body does not deplete throughout the program of intense exercise. BSN Syntha-6, BSN True Mass, BSN Volumaize are some of the supplements that give proper nutrition to the body as well as aid in the body building procedure. Hormonal agents are chemicals created in the body that affects development feature. BSN Supplements ensure suitable manufacturing of hormonal agents that damage down excess fat in the body as well as provides it as energy during workout. BSN Axit-HT targets hormone levels in the body. Taking the pre - exercise supplements half hour before training, will certainly allow your body to train harder, far better and also boost body performance as the training proceeds. If youre a continuous dieter, or are overweight, you should actually quit playing nutrition games with your body. By first feeding your body too numerous of the incorrect foods youre depriving it of the proper nutrients. For a better absorption of your body's nutrients, and a much better balance of important nutrients, consume whole plant foods, which will additionally slow the gastrointestinal procedures. BSN Syntha-6, BSN True Mass, BSN Volumaize are some of the supplements that offer proper nutrition to the body as well as help in the bodybuilding procedure. Taking the pre - exercise supplements half hour before training, will allow your body to educate harder, better and also improve body performance as the training advances. Read more: https://thinkhealthylivecreative.com/

[torsoindia]

Lacimto: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Uses and Applications

Having the appropriate solutions is very important when dealing with any kidney-related conditions. That is why Lacimto comes in handy. This manual reviews the product’s functions in the correction of elevated phosphate levels for patients on dialysis. It is one of the products designed to enhance the healthcare industry, offered by Torso Lifesciences which is able to address the needs for nephrology products in the market.

Understanding Lacimto: What Is It?

Lacimto reduces phosphate blood levels in dialysis patients suffering from renal failure. After a certain stage of renal failure, the kidneys become ineffective at removing excess phosphate from the body. Each Lacimto tablet contains Calcium Acetate (667 mg per tablet) as a phosphate binder. This phosphate binds with the foodstuff and is eventually expelled. Reduction of phosphate levels helps strengthen bones, decrease accumulation of minerals so as to lower heart diseases and strokes.

Healthcare Applications of Lacimto

The major use of this product highly fall into the category of healthcare especially hyperphosphate, which is the increased concentration of Phosphate in the blood. And this is more critical in patients who are in dialysis since such form of therapy is not effective in addressing phosphate problems. Lacimto works to control these levels, protecting the patients from effects such as bone disease, and cardiovascular complications.

How does Lacimto work?

When Lacimto is taken with meals, it works the best. It’s active component, calcium acetate, gets combined with dietary phosphate in the intestines. As a result, insoluble calcium phosphate is formed further, which gets excreted in the stool. This makes Lacimto dependable in maintaining the phosphate concentration in patients on dialysis.

Dosage and Administration Guidelines

In the management of hyperphosphatemia using Lacimto, the dose is very crucial. A starting dose of 1334 mg (2 tablets) is to be given three times a day after each meal. This can be done progressively to suit the phosphate scale of the patient. It is extremely necessary to consult a physician before finding ways to change the dose.

Conclusion

Dialysis patients who use Lacimto achieve satisfactory target phosphate levels against heath needs. All patients suffering from kidney diseases, or other people in contact with such people, may see that discussing Lacimto with a healthcare provider is a way of health improvement.

For more information about Lacimto and other products of nephrology, contact Torso Lifesciences. Together, let us work towards a healthy globe.

[dietitianstaffing]

Daily Vitamin D3 Dose: How Much Should You Take?

Vitamin D3 is vital for immune system support, bone health maintenance, and controlling the body's calcium levels. Although the skin naturally produces it when exposed to sunlight, vitamin D3 supplements are frequently advised because many people do not obtain enough from food or sun exposure alone.

But what is the recommended daily dosage of vitamin D3? This post will go over the suggested daily intake of vitamin D3, what influences your needs, and the possible consequences of taking too much or too little of it.

What is vitamin D3?

There are two primary types of vitamin D: vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). When exposed to sunlight, the body naturally produces vitamin D3, which is more efficient than vitamin D2 at increasing overall vitamin D levels. Additionally, fortified meals and supplements frequently contain it.

Suggested Daily Level of Vitamin D3

The amount of vitamin D3 that should be consumed daily varies depending on age, lifestyle, geography, and general health. Based on suggestions from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the following general advice is provided:

0–12 month olds: 400 IU (10 mcg)

Children (ages 1 to 18): 600 IU (15 micrograms)

Adults (19–70 years old): 15 mcg or 600 IU

Adults over 70: 20 micrograms (800 IU)

Women who are nursing or pregnant: 600 IU (15 mcg)

These guidelines aim to avoid vitamin D insufficiency and preserve average bone density. However, some individuals could require higher amounts due to certain medical disorders or other circumstances that affect their ability to absorb vitamin D.

Factors Influencing the Need for Vitamin D3

1. Exposure to Sunlight

Geographical Location: Due to their year-round lack of sun exposure, those residing in northern latitudes or places with less sunlight may need to take larger doses of vitamin D3.

Skin Type: People with darker skin may require additional supplements because they create less vitamin D from sunshine.

Lifestyle: You should naturally increase your vitamin D intake if you spend most of your time inside or wear apparel covering much of your skin.

2. Consumption of Food

Natural sources of vitamin D3 are scarce in dietary items. Some of the limited sources are egg yolks, dairy products with added nutrients, and fatty seafood. You could require supplements to achieve your daily needs if these foods aren't a part of your diet.

3. Age

The ability of your skin to produce vitamin D decreases with age, and older persons may also have decreased intestinal absorption. For this reason, it is recommended that those over 70 take a greater daily dosage of vitamin D3.

4. Medical Disorders

Vitamin D supplements are necessary because several medical problems, like Crohn's disease, celiac disease, or kidney illness.

How to Determine Your Optimal Daily Dose

While the general guidelines are an excellent place to start, your optimal daily intake of vitamin D3 may change depending on your unique situation. To ascertain the ideal dosage, take into account the following:

1. Hematologic Testing

A straightforward blood test measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D can determine your present vitamin D levels. Most people's ideal range is between 20 and 50 ng/mL. Your healthcare practitioner can then suggest a customized dose based on these findings.

2. Speaking with a Medical Expert

See a doctor if you don't know how much vitamin D3 you need or have any underlying medical concerns. They can check your levels and suggest the correct dosage to avoid toxicity or deficiency.

Vitamin D3 Deficiency Risks

A lack of vitamin D can cause several health issues, such as:

Children with rickets have weak, mushy bones.

Adult osteomalacia (weakness in the muscles and bones)

Fragile bones, or osteoporosis

higher susceptibility to autoimmune disorders and infections

For a brief period, high-dose vitamin D3 supplements (up to 5,000–10,000 IU daily) may be recommended to deficient individuals to raise their levels rapidly.

Does Too Much Vitamin D3 Make You Sick?

Even though vitamin D3 is necessary for good health, excess use is possible. For most adults, the NIH recommends an upper safe limit of 4,000 IU (100 mcg) per day; however, chronically high intakes can cause vitamin D toxicity, commonly called hypervitaminosis D.

Vitamin D poisoning symptoms include:

vomiting and nausea

Deficiency

recurring urination

Damage to the kidneys from high calcium levels

It's critical to adhere to your healthcare provider's recommendations about vitamin D3 supplementation and not exceed suggested dosages to minimize these dangers.

FAQs

1. What is the recommended daily dosage of vitamin D3?

Depending on age, different daily doses of vitamin D3 are advised:

Young children (0–12 months): 400 IU

Children (ages 1 to 18): 600 IU

Adults (ages 19 to 70): 600 IU

Adults above the age of 70: 800 IU

Women who are nursing or pregnant: 600 IU

2. Can sunlight alone provide me with adequate vitamin D3?

Sunlight can provide sufficient amounts of vitamin D3, but its production can be restricted by skin type, location, amount of time spent outside, and use of sunscreen. Supplementation is frequently required.

3. What signs and symptoms indicate a lack of vitamin D?

Fatigue, bone discomfort, muscle weakness, and an elevated risk of infections are signs of deficiency. Severe deficiency can result in rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

4. Is it possible to take too much D3?

Consuming more than 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day can indeed cause toxicity, which can include nausea, weakness, frequent urination, and elevated calcium levels that could harm the kidneys.

5. How can I determine if I require a vitamin D3 supplement?

To determine whether you require supplements, a blood test evaluating your 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels can be performed. If your values are less than 20 ng/mL, a vitamin D3 supplement may be recommended.

Summary

An essential vitamin for immune system support, calcium regulation, and bone health is vitamin D3. A person's age, lifestyle, and health circumstances all influence the recommended daily dosage, although most adults require between 600 and 800 IU daily. Higher doses might be necessary for some people, though, particularly if they have particular medical requirements or little exposure to the sun.

Get tested for vitamin D3 levels and speak with a healthcare provider for individualized guidance to ensure you get the recommended dosage. By taking the right supplements, you can maintain good health and minimize the dangers of deficiency.

[drgitanshashreyassachdev]

Can Lasik Surgery Correct Vision Problems Caused by Corneal Dystrophic Calcifications?

Lasik surgery is known for providing effective solutions for various vision problems. But when it comes to conditions like corneal dystrophic calcifications, many patients wonder if Lasik can offer relief. As an experienced ophthalmologist, Dr. Gitansha Shreyas Sachdev at The Eye Foundation frequently encounters patients seeking clarity on this issue. This article will explore whether Lasik surgery is suitable for those with vision issues caused by corneal dystrophic calcifications and guide you on what to expect.

When discussing vision problems caused by corneal dystrophic calcifications, many individuals are curious if Lasik Surgery in Bangalore could be the right solution for them. Let's delve deeper into this topic to understand its suitability for such conditions.

Understanding Corneal Dystrophic Calcifications

Corneal dystrophic calcifications occur when calcium deposits accumulate on the cornea, leading to cloudy vision. These deposits often cause discomfort, blurriness, and a gradual decrease in vision quality. The condition can develop over time due to aging, trauma, or underlying health issues.

While Lasik surgery is typically used to correct common refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, it’s essential to understand how this procedure may interact with corneal dystrophies.

How Does Lasik Surgery Work?

Lasik surgery is a laser-based procedure that reshapes the cornea to improve vision by correcting refractive errors. The laser carefully removes corneal tissue to modify the shape, allowing light to focus more precisely on the retina. This results in clearer vision for patients suffering from common vision problems.

Can Lasik Correct Vision Problems Related to Corneal Dystrophic Calcifications?

Corneal dystrophic calcifications complicate vision in ways that standard refractive errors don’t. Since the deposits cause the cornea to become opaque, Lasik may not always be the first solution. However, if the calcifications are minimal and the patient has refractive errors, Lasik could still be a viable option. Here's what to consider:

Extent of Calcification: If the calcifications are severe, Lasik may not fully restore vision. In such cases, alternative treatments may be more appropriate.

Type of Vision Problems: Lasik can still correct refractive errors like nearsightedness or farsightedness, even if the patient has minor corneal dystrophies. However, it won’t address the calcifications themselves.

Consultation and Evaluation: Before deciding on Lasik, a thorough eye examination is essential to determine the severity of the calcifications and whether Lasik is the best option.

What Are the Alternatives to Lasik for Corneal Dystrophies?

If Lasik surgery isn’t the ideal solution for vision problems caused by corneal dystrophic calcifications, don’t lose hope. There are alternative treatment methods available:

Corneal Transplant: In more advanced cases, a corneal transplant may be required. This procedure replaces the damaged corneal tissue with a healthy donor cornea, providing clear vision.

Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK): PTK is another laser procedure, specifically designed to remove surface-level corneal irregularities, including calcifications.

Eye Drops and Medications: For mild cases, special eye drops may help manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the dystrophy.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Lasik Surgery?

If you’re considering Lasik surgery, you must meet certain criteria to ensure a successful outcome. Here are the main points to determine whether you are a good candidate:

Healthy Eyes: Aside from mild corneal dystrophies, your eyes should be healthy, with no active infections or severe conditions.

Stable Vision: Your vision should have been stable for at least a year before undergoing Lasik.

Sufficient Corneal Thickness: Lasik requires adequate corneal thickness to reshape the cornea. If your cornea is too thin, other procedures may be recommended.

No Severe Calcifications: Lasik works best when the corneal dystrophy is mild and does not significantly interfere with the reshaping process.

What to Expect During a Lasik Consultation

If you're thinking about Lasik surgery, it’s important to know what will happen during your consultation. Here’s a brief overview of the steps:

Initial Examination: Your eye specialist will conduct a detailed examination to assess your corneal health and measure the extent of any calcifications.

Corneal Mapping: A corneal topography will be performed to create a detailed map of your cornea, which helps the surgeon plan the procedure.

Discussion of Treatment Options: Based on the findings, your doctor will discuss whether Lasik is suitable or if alternative treatments like PTK or a corneal transplant would be more effective.

Vision Stability Check: Your specialist will review your prescription history to ensure your vision has been stable.

Procedure Explanation: If Lasik is viable, you will be walked through the procedure, recovery process, and what to expect in terms of vision improvement.

Recovery and Post-Surgery Care

After undergoing Lasik surgery, it's essential to follow proper post-operative care for the best results. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Immediate Rest: After the surgery, rest is crucial. Avoid rubbing your eyes and stay out of direct sunlight.

Follow-up Appointments: Schedule regular check-ups to monitor your healing and vision progress.

Eye Drops: Use prescribed eye drops to prevent dryness and infections during the recovery period.

If you’re struggling with vision issues caused by corneal dystrophic calcifications or any other refractive error, Lasik might still be an option for you. However, it’s crucial to consult a specialist to evaluate your condition and provide the best treatment recommendation.

At The Eye Foundation, we have helped thousands of patients achieve clearer vision through advanced techniques and personalized care. To learn more about your Lasik options and whether it can correct your vision problems, schedule an appointment with Dr. Gitansha Shreyas Sachdev.

[divya1234]

Essential Supplementation: Addressing Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies in Swine Diets

Swine nutrition is a critical aspect of successful pig farming, impacting growth, development, and overall health. Essential vitamins and minerals play vital roles in metabolic functions that are necessary for optimal growth and maintenance of swine. However, the concentrations and bioavailability of these nutrients can be insufficient in many feed ingredients, leading to a need for targeted supplementation to ensure that swine meet their nutritional requirements.

Vitamins and minerals are fundamental to various bodily functions in pigs. For instance, Vitamin A is crucial for vision and immune function, while Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Similarly, minerals like zinc, copper, and selenium are important for skin health, reproductive performance, and immune support. Without adequate levels of these nutrients, swine can experience growth stunting, reproductive issues, and increased susceptibility to diseases.

One of the challenges in swine nutrition is that plant-based feed ingredients often have limited bioavailability of certain essential nutrients. For example, many plant ingredients are deficient in calcium, which is crucial for bone development and overall metabolic processes. Inadequate calcium can lead to poor bone health, reduced growth rates, and other metabolic disorders. Therefore, swine diets formulated with plant-based ingredients must be supplemented with calcium to ensure that pigs receive sufficient amounts of this critical mineral.

Supplementation involves adding vitamins and minerals to the swine diet in precise amounts to correct deficiencies and meet the animals' nutritional needs. This can be achieved through commercial feed additives or supplements specifically designed to address the deficiencies present in plant-based feeds. Calcium supplements, for instance, can be added to the diet to balance the mineral content and support healthy growth and development.

Proper supplementation not only helps to prevent deficiencies but also enhances overall productivity and well-being of swine. It ensures that pigs can grow efficiently, maintain optimal health, and achieve their full genetic potential. Swine farmers should work closely with nutritionists to develop balanced diets that include the right levels of vitamins and minerals, based on the specific needs of their herds.

addressing vitamin and mineral deficiencies through supplementation is essential for maintaining the health and productivity of swine. By incorporating appropriate supplements into swine diets, farmers can overcome the limitations of plant-based feed ingredients and support the growth and development of their pigs.

For more information visit us:

[rita0605]

Essential Supplementation: Addressing Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies in Swine Diets

Swine nutrition is a critical aspect of successful pig farming, impacting growth, development, and overall health. Essential vitamins and minerals play vital roles in metabolic functions that are necessary for optimal growth and maintenance of swine. However, the concentrations and bioavailability of these nutrients can be insufficient in many feed ingredients, leading to a need for targeted supplementation to ensure that swine meet their nutritional requirements.

Vitamins and minerals are fundamental to various bodily functions in pigs. For instance, Vitamin A is crucial for vision and immune function, while Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Similarly, minerals like zinc, copper, and selenium are important for skin health, reproductive performance, and immune support. Without adequate levels of these nutrients, swine can experience growth stunting, reproductive issues, and increased susceptibility to diseases.

One of the challenges in swine nutrition is that plant-based feed ingredients often have limited bioavailability of certain essential nutrients. For example, many plant ingredients are deficient in calcium, which is crucial for bone development and overall metabolic processes. Inadequate calcium can lead to poor bone health, reduced growth rates, and other metabolic disorders. Therefore, swine diets formulated with plant-based ingredients must be supplemented with calcium to ensure that pigs receive sufficient amounts of this critical mineral.

Supplementation involves adding vitamins and minerals to the swine diet in precise amounts to correct deficiencies and meet the animals' nutritional needs. This can be achieved through commercial feed additives or supplements specifically designed to address the deficiencies present in plant-based feeds. Calcium supplements, for instance, can be added to the diet to balance the mineral content and support healthy growth and development.

Proper supplementation not only helps to prevent deficiencies but also enhances overall productivity and well-being of swine. It ensures that pigs can grow efficiently, maintain optimal health, and achieve their full genetic potential. Swine farmers should work closely with nutritionists to develop balanced diets that include the right levels of vitamins and minerals, based on the specific needs of their herds.

addressing vitamin and mineral deficiencies through supplementation is essential for maintaining the health and productivity of swine. By incorporating appropriate supplements into swine diets, farmers can overcome the limitations of plant-based feed ingredients and support the growth and development of their pigs.

For more information visit us: https://vinayakingredients.com/calsow-n/

[higherqualityseedcorp]

Know How To Fix Curling Down Leaves?

You Know Why leaves curling down weed. It is a typical problem that many cannabis growers face, and it can be discouraging to witness your plants not growing to their full potential.

However, you can significantly improve your plants’ health by being aware of the underlying problems and learning how to remedy them. This blog will give you detailed explanations of the causes of curling cannabis leaves as well as solutions.

Knowing the Reasons Behind Leaves Curling Down

Your cannabis plant’s leaves may be curling downward for a variety of causes. To ensure that you apply the right solution, you must identify the precise issue.

1. Overwatering

One of the most common reasons why leaves curling down weed is overwatering. The root will be mushy because it can’t take in oxygen with too much water. That might cause “root suffocation,” ultimately driving the leaves to express their stress by curling downward.

2. Nutrient Imbalance

Sometimes too much or too few nutrients lead cannabis leaves to curl downward. One of the elements that causes nitrogen poisoning, a medical ailment that is frequently manifested by dark green, downward-curling leaves, is nitrogen. Conversely, this phenomenon could be brought on by a lack of other vital nutrients like potassium, magnesium, or calcium.

3. Environmental Stress

The conditions of your cannabis plant, including light, temperature, and humidity, have a big impact. When the light intensity is too strong, a cannabis plant will attempt to shield itself by curling its leaves downward. Extreme heat or cold can also cause stress to a plant, which can result in leaf curl.

4. Pests and Diseases

Curling of leaves can also be caused by diseases like powdery mildew and pests like spider mites. It would not be difficult to locate and identify either of these problems because they usually accompany leaf yellowing, patches, or an off-white powder on the leaf surface.

5. Imbalance in pH

The pH level of the soil or the growing medium can significantly affect nutrient uptake. If the pH goes too high or too low, your plant will not be able to uptake the necessary nutrients and leaves will curl down.

Also read:- How to Revive an Overwatered Weed Plant: Tips and Solutions

How to Fix Curling Down Leaves?

So, now that we have found out some possible causes, let’s see how we can rectify the problem of your leaves curling down.

1. Adjust Watering Practices

If overwatering is the cause, water less frequently and make sure your pot has adequate drainage. Before you rewater, let the top inch of soil dry out. This should eventually aid in the leaves reverting to their original shape.

2. Correct Nutrient Imbalance

If you suspect a nutrient problem, soil, or water solution testing can be sought to know if the levels are okay. For nitrogen toxicity, the soil may be flushed out with water to wash the excess nutrients. A deficiency may prompt the use of some sort of balanced fertilizer to replenish the necessary nutrients.

3. Adjust Environmental Conditions

Be sure to give them the proper amount of light- no more and no less than needed. Space the distance carefully between your plant and the grow lights. Maintain a temperature and humidity level within the ideal range for cannabis growth: 70–85°F with humidity between 40–60%.

4. Pests and Disease Treatment

Watch your crops closely for pest infestation or disease issues. If you do catch some, combat the problem with organic pesticides or fungicides. Adding on to that, a clean growing area with regular ventilation will significantly prevent many of such problems from happening in the first place.

5. Maintain Proper pH Levels

Periodically check the pH of your soil or growing medium. Cannabis plants like to have a pH in their growth area ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 for soil and from 5.5 to 6.5 for hydroponics. Once tested, adjust it with a pH-up or down solution accordingly to ensure that your cannabis plants absorb nutrients properly.

Maintaining healthy plants in your cannabis garden requires an understanding of why leaves curling down weed. Plant thriving can be ensured by identifying the symptoms, figuring out the issue, and taking the necessary corrective action. Leaf curl and other typical growing problems with cannabis can be avoided with careful attention to detail and regular monitoring. If you maintain ideal growing conditions for your plants, they will provide you with an abundant crop.

For more information, tips, and professional advice on how to take good care of healthy cannabis plants, follow Higher Quality Seed Corp. Explore for the best quality products and advice from our instructors to help you develop healthy, thriving plants.

Also read:- 7 Surprising Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds: Nature’s Nutritional Powerhouse

FAQs

1- How do you fix curling down leaves?

Make sure the plant is receiving enough light and water, look for pests or nutritional deficits, and adjust any curled leaves. To restore leaf health, modify treatment as necessary.

2- Why are my leaves curling down with too much light?

The leaves may curl downward because, as a protective response, too much light can cause this. The plant is trying to limit its surface area that may be exposed to light to lessen stress.

3- Can overwatering cause leaf curl?

Yes, overwatering can cause leaf curl. When the roots have water, they cannot take in oxygen properly; therefore, the root chokes and causes the leaves to curl down, signaling the stressor.

4- What does “clawing leaves” mean?

This means leaves of the plant that curl down, much similar to the claw, as they usually say, are clawing. It’s usually due to toxicity to nitrogen where the plant takes in lots of nitrogen.

5- Can plants recover from leaf curls?

Yes, the plant can recover from the leaf curls if conditions causing such are looked at on time. The leaves will return to normalcy if the root cause is rectified, like proper watering, nutrients, or modifying the environmental conditions; the plant will continue to grow normally.

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Boost your mood with ‘Vitamin’D’ — the secret to a happy life!

Searching for the key to improve your mood and bring more joy to your life? Vitamin D can do the trick! A vital nutrient, often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin,” it has a huge impact on our mental state and wellbeing. Studies have shown that with a sufficient amount of vitamin D, you can experience an uplifted mood, lower stress levels, and greater cognitive function—aall leading to a healthier, happier lifestyle. If you’re ready to enhance your life, keep reading to find out more about the incredible advantages of this remarkable nutrient.

Introduction to Vitamin D

Vitamin D is critical for maintaining good health. It’s found in certain foods and made by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight. It helps the body absorb calcium, necessary for strong bones and teeth, as well as promoting muscle function and immune system health. Insufficient intake can lead to a variety of medical conditions, including weak bones, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and an increased risk of falls and fractures. Since most people don’t obtain enough from dietary sources or sun exposure, it’s recommended to take supplements or eat fortified foods to ensure adequate levels are maintained.

Benefits of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for many body functions, including bone health, immune system maintenance, and cell growth. If there is not enough vitamin D in your system, you may suffer from a range of ailments such as osteoporosis, rickets, or worse—ccancer.

Taking a vitamin D supplement can provide a number of benefits, like improving your bone strength due to its ability to help the body take up calcium; enhancing immune response by aiding the body to battle off infection and diseases; reducing the risk of cancers like breast or colon cancer; and contributing to better mental health by possibly lessening depression and anxiety.

Sources of Vitamin D

Sunlight is the principal source of vitamin D, with its ultraviolet B (UVB) rays enabling the body to produce this nutrient. Exposure to these rays is still available on cloudy days, so it’s wise to get a bit of sunshine, if possible, each day.

One great way to get vitamin D is through food. Consuming fatty fish such as salmon is one way to consume this vitamin naturally. Additionally, many foods that have been fortified with vitamin D can be found in grocery stores; these include milk, orange juice, and cereal.

The right dosage of Vitamin D

Finding the correct dosage of vitamin D varies depending on your age, health and access to sunlight. Generally, experts suggest adults take between 600 and 800 IU (International Unit) per day. To ensure that you’re receiving enough, consider taking dietary supplements in either oral or injectable forms. It’s wise to discuss with a doctor which option is best for you. Vitamin D has manifold benefits, such as better bone and muscle strength, elevated immunity, improved mood and decreased risk of depression; so it’s worth making sure you get enough each day!

Tips for boosting your mood with Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in maintaining bone health. It can also be effective in boosting your mood. A lack of vitamin D has been linked to depression, so getting enough of this nutrient is important for your mental health. Here are some tips for boosting your mood with vitamin D:

Get regular sun exposure: Make sure to spend at least 15 minutes outside, without sunscreen, to allow your body to generate the nutrients. Vitamin D is created in the body when exposed to sunlight, making it one of the most efficient methods of obtaining enough of this essential vitamin.

Eat foods rich in vitamin D: If you want to increase your intake of vitamin D, spending time in the sun is an ideal way to do so. Additionally, certain foods like fatty fish, eggs, and dairy products are also packed with this essential nutrient. Supplements are an alternative option available at many drugstores and online.

Get your levels checked: If you’re concerned about your vitamin D levels, ask your doctor to test them for you. This simple blood test will give you a good idea of whether you need to take steps to increase your intake of this important nutrient.

In order to ensure a long and healthy life, many of us embark on a journey to increase our immunity, stamina, and vitality. Achieving this goal can be particularly challenging in a world where there is so much stress and environmental pollution. Fortunately, with Fytika Vita 365—aa scientifically formulated supplement—wwe can take charge of our health. Clinically tested ingredients like vitamins, minerals, probiotics, ginseng, and ashwagandha help promote immune responses, improve digestion, heighten alertness, build muscle strength, and act as antioxidants, providing extra protection against harmful external factors. Fytika Vita 365 helps you stay vital every single day while extending the span of your life.

Conclusion

Maintaining healthy Vitamin D levels can have a huge positive impact on your mental and physical wellness. Options for getting the Vitamin D you need include supplements and natural light sources, so you can determine which approach works best for you. Doing this will ensure that you’ll reach optimal vitamin D levels, leading to improved moods, higher energy levels, and better overall well-being.