’re a woman who wants to get into business, check out the article at http://www.servcorp.com.sg/en/news-articles/business-articles/start-up-business-ideas-for-women-in-singapore/ for some helpful tips and advice.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the interconnection of uniquely identifiable embedded computing devices within the existing Internet infrastructure. It’s a world where your thermostats is capable of learning your daily habits, the new world where you control Wifi security cameras with your smartphone and where Doorbells can recognize your face the moment you get close.
It also includes a wide variety of devices such as heart monitoring implants, electric clams in coastal waters, automobiles with built-in sensors etc. There is so much being explored in this new and smart industry. Gartner estimates there will be 26 billion units of smart devices installed by 2020.My friend makes up an individual of 300 million in the world who suffer from asthma (AAAAI); and with this condition being so common within the Western world you’d probably think that sufferers understand their asthma condition. Yet a recent 30 second test I stumbled upon on Facebook has made me, and more importantly my long-time asthma suffering friend, re-think how asthma should be handled.
My friend had been a lifelong sufferer of asthma. Previously he’d managed (or not, as the case was) by resorting to his reliever inhaler on an almost daily basis – something that had simply become the norm.
Granted, he’d not indulged in anywhere near the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day for about twenty years – and at fifty two, thought that aging was also a factor that was contributing to ever more frequent breathlessness, as well as asthma attacks (which were likely more frequent occurrences than he’d admit to me). Yet I’d always been surprised at just how often such symptoms cropped up – not just during the colder months and far from just happening when exercising. So when I came across a share on Facebook for a quick fire test online that reviews someone’s asthma condition I emailed him over the link.
The 30 second asthma test consists of just five questions, covering things such as breathing problems at night, how often a reliever is used and how asthma may affect work and exercise.
By answering just these we’ve discovered that my friend’s condition is far from controlled (something that is actually also experienced by 46% of asthmatics who similarly think that they’re controlling their condition).
Something as simple as this has helped my friend, just as it will others, to book a quick trip to the doctors for a review (which provided advice about how the inhaler is to be used – again, something that’s straight forward when you’re filled in officially).
This trip was also probably long overdue as I suspect my friend had put off making just such an appointment as he’d put his asthma symptoms down to lifestyle (notably the doc didn’t so much as mention or question him about his very poor diet, weekend alcohol intake or lack of exercise – which I’m guessing had been expected by my friend).
These symptoms of asthma don’t just go away unless you treat the underlying causes.
Thinking of someone who could benefit from the test?
The 30 second test couldn’t be simpler, and it really does take 30 seconds. If you, or like me – a friend – suffer from what is such a common condition, then head on over, or encourage them to take a trip, to the 30 second Asthma test website. You can also share the link on Twitter and Facebook – something that may likely help someone else that you know given that asthma seems to be as commonly experienced, as it is commonly misunderstood.
Are you wondering how to do Disney World on a Budget? These tips will help families plan and budget for a Walt Disney World vacation.
The 2020 Chinese New Year begins on Saturday, 25 January 2020, celebrations usually last 2 weeks, yet may go as long as a month in some areas of China. 2020 will be the Year of the Rat. The Chinese zodiac moves in a 12-year cycle, so those born in 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, and now 2020 were born in the year of the Rat.
While the rest of the world has celebrated their new year, the Chinese are preparing to celebrate their new year festival. Chinese new year begins at the end of January and ends in mid-February. However, some parts of China celebrate the festival for the whole of February. The festival has been part of the Chinese tradition for the longest time and, as such, is one of the diligently observed festivals. The excitement begins before the end of January, with most people starting their preparations then. It gives room for adequate preparation before the official festival period, which is between early to mid-Feb. There is also the “lantern period,” which is also in February, immediately the official festival period ends. It is usually celebrated in three days.
The Chinese New Year is a festival celebrated in China, but the dates aren’t usually static. They keep changing depending on the lunar calendar. The festival originated from the time the jade emperor instructed that animals should be part of Chinese astrological beliefs. This led to naming each year after different animals, and the festival is therefore celebrated according to the animal named after each year.
The main reason why the Chinese New Year is special in China is their strong belief in their zodiac. The belief is so strong that they extend it to their personalities. They believe that your personality will reflect the animal that was named after the year you were born in. For instance, if you were born in the year of the Rat, then possession and collection will be part of your natural character. On the other hand, those who are born in the year of the ox are naturally hard workers. As such, the festivals are meant to honor the animal of that year.
Does the Chinese New Year have a Major Side Effect?
The Chinese New Year affects not just the local Asian region but other parts of the world as well. The way they honor the festival doesn’t allow them to do anything else during that period. It means that everything will be shut down the entire period. In some places that extend the celebrations, businesses will not operate for a whole month. With markets closed, no products will be coming in or going out of China, which leads to significant loss of revenue.
China is known to be the largest exporter of goods. Most countries rely on exports from China for their economic balance. When China isn’t exporting, other countries that depend on those goods aren’t importing. The solution lies in scheduling the shipments before the festivities. It can be hectic because it requires thorough research to understand the zodiac of each year and the exact dates of the celebrations. Failure to do research could lead to the order clashing with the festival and the products not reaching their destination in due time. Other Asian regions like Singapore also tend to slow down their trades during the festival, thereby causing a disadvantage to business owners who would turn to them instead.
All the side effects of the festival aren’t adverse. Even though China shuts down businesses, they experience a significant boost in tourism during the new year festival. Most tourists opt to use the public transportation system in China, thus bringing in revenue through transport and tourism ministries. On the other hand, the wealthiest Chinese tend to use that period to travel abroad for shopping, thus bringing income to the significant product brand operating globally.
One of the beliefs of the Chinese people is that when the Jade Emperor ordered the inclusion of animals into the zodiac, he said they would be named in the order with which they arrive at his party. The Rat then asked the Ox for a ride, and the Ox obliged. As they were about to cross the finish line, the Rat jumped and became the first animal to cross. That’s why the Rat is the first zodiac in the Chinese calendar. As such, the year of Rat was the first one to be celebrated in 1924 and in every 12 years that follow. This year the Chinese New Year celebration will be about the year of the Rat.
Rats were held in high esteem in Chinese culture. Because of the way they reproduced, they were seen as a sign of surplus and wealth. Married couples even turned to them for reproduction. Rats are also believed to represent a new beginning; thus, they are associated with the midnight, just before a new day breaks. Based on the myth about how the Rat tricked the ox, they are also seen as smart creatures that think fast and are successful, but they are never contented.
Each year of the Rat is usually paired with another element of nature. This is because the rats are connected to Earthly Branch. Each element represents a specific fortune. For instance, the years 1960 and 2020 have metal as their element. Those born in these years are therefore believed to have stability and reliability as their characteristics. They are powerful enough to turn unfortunate occurrences into fortunate ones. 1972 and 2032 have water as their element. The rats of those years may face difficulties in their early lives, but as they transition into adulthood, they become luckier. They may still be weighed down by their family and friends.
The wood element is believed to represent strength and talent. Those born in 1924 and 1984, which were the years of that element, are believed to be talented and strong-willed with the ability to finish anything they start. The fire was the element in 1939 and 1996. Rats of these years are very intelligent, with high IQs and EQs. They also become prosperous in their older years, but their younger and middle years are deemed average. The years 1948 and 2008 also had