First Aid

First Aid

When you are the Good Samaritan : Emergencies require quick action.The worst mistake is to do nothing

Accidents are the leading cause of death among children and young adults in the United States. Heart attacks and strokes claim almost half of all deaths in the country each years, and millions of Americans end up in the hospital with injuries annually. Although the odds of having to cope with a first aid crisis are slim, the consequences of not knowing how to deal with one can be fatal.

One common reaction to happening upon an accident scene is to hold back out of uncertainty over fear of contracting a disease, or even of being sued. The fat that AIDS can be transmitted through infected blood has only added to the reluctance of many to get involved.

The worst mistake is to do nothing, say experts at the American Red Cross. At a minimum, you should call the rescue squad or 911. The risks of catching a disease from helping are also not very great. Usually you will know the accident victims that need your help because they are likely to be family members or friends. That increases the likelihood that you will know their health condition and can take precautions to guard against any special risks of infection. Whether you know the victim or not, it is best to avoid direct contact with blood, which is the most likely transmitter of infectious disease, including the AIDS virus. Wear gloves, if available, when treating a bleeding victim and wash your hands before and after giving first aid, if possible.

A nice park. Photo by Elena

Most states have “Good Samaritan” laws, which protect rescuers who assist accident victims from being sued, provided the Samaritan acts in a reasonable manner. That means moving a victim only if his life is imperiled or if another person’s will be if you don’t move the first. Ask permission of a victim who is conscious before giving first aid, calling the rescue squad or 911 as soon as possible.

To obtain permission to provide assistance, you must tell a conscious victim who you are, what training you have, and what first aid you intend. If permission is refused, stop immediately. If the victim is an infant or child and there is a responsible adult available, ask permission of that adult. If no such adult is present, permission is implied. Permission is also assumed if a victim is unconscious or cannot reply.

For detailed instructions on vital first aid techniques, see the following material from the American Red Cross:

Checking an Unconscious Victim

When a victim does not respond to you, assume he or she is unconscious. Call for an ambulance at once, if possible. The check to see if the victim is breathing, has a pulse or is bleeding severely.

To check for breathing, look, listen and feel for breathing for about five seconds. Watch the chest to see if it rises.

To find out if the heart is beating, check the victim’s pulse. Check the pulse of an adult or a child at the side of the neck. Check the pulse of an infant at the inside of the arm between the shoulder and the elbow.

Check for bleeding by looking over the victim’s body from head to foot. Bleeding is severe when blood spurts out of a wound. Often the situation may look worse than it is.

Abdominal Thrusts for Choking Adults

Chocking is a common breathing emergency. A conscious person who is choking has the airway blocked by a piece of food or another object. The airway may be partly or completely blocked. If a chocking person is coughing forcefully, encourage him or her to cough up the object.

If the person is unable to cough, speak or breathe :

    Step 1. Place thumb side of fist against middle of abdomen just above the navel. Grasp fist with other hand.

    Step 2. Give quick upward thrusts.

Repeat until object is coughed up or person becomes unconscious.

Give chest thrusts when choking person is too big to reach around or is noticeable pregnant.

Give Back blows and Chest Thrusts to Babies Who Are Chocking

Chocking is a leading cause of death and injury in infants, who love to put small objects such as pebbles, coins, beads, and parts of toys, in their mouth.

Babies also chocke often while eating because they have not yet fully mastered chewing and swallowing. Foods like grapes and nuts are particularly risky. Never let an infant eat or drink alone, the American Red Cross advises.

If an Infant is Unable to Cry, Cough or Breathe…

Step 1. With infant facedown on forearm so that the head is lower than the hest, give five back blows with heel of hand between the infant’s shoulder blades.

Step 2. Holding the infant firmly between both forearms, turn the infant to faceup position on forearm.

Step 3. Using two fingers, give five chest thrusts on about the center of the breastbone.

Repeat the sequence of five back blows and five chest thrusts alternately until the object is coughed up, the infant begins to breathe on his own, or the infant beomes unconscious.

Stop as soon as the objet is oughed up or the infant starts to breathe or ough. Watch the infant and make sure that he or she is breathing freely again.

Call the local emergency number if you haven’t already done so. The infant should be taken to the local emergeny department to be checked, even if the infant seems to be breathing well.

Rescue Breathing for Adults and Children

The timing intervals for administrating artificial respiration to adults and children are somewhat different, but the mechanics are the same.

If an adult is unable to breathe…

Step 1. Begin by tilting the head back and lifting the chin to move the tongue away from the back of the throat. Pinch the nose shut.

Step 2. Make a tight seal around the victim’s mouth with your mouth. Breathe slowly into the victim until chest gently rises. Give two breaths, each lasting one to two seconds. Pause between breaths to let the air flow out.

Step 3. Check for pulse after the two initial slow breaths.

If pulse is present but person is still not breathing…

Step 4. Give one slow breath about every five seconds. Do this for about one minute (12 breaths).

Step 5. After 10 to 12 breaths, recheck pulse to make sure the heart is still beating. Check the pulse and breathing about avery minute or 10 to 12 breaths.

Continue rescue breathing as long as a pulse is present but the person is not breathing.

If a child is unable to breathe…

Step 1. Begin by tilting the head back and lifting the chin to move the tongue away from the back of the throat. Pinh the nose shut.

Step 2. Make a tight seal around the victim’s mouth with your mouth. Breathe slowly into the victim until chest gently rises. Give two breaths, each lasting one to two seconds. Pause between breaths to let the air flow out.

Step 3. Check the pulse after the two initial slow breaths.

If pulse is present but person is still not breathing…

Step 4. Give one slow breath about every three seconds. Do this for about one minute (20 breaths).

Step 5. Recheck pulse and breathing about every minute, or 20 breaths.

Call the local emergency number if you have not already done so. Then, continue rescue breathing as long as a pulse is present but the hild is not breathing.

Rescue Breathing for Infants

Because a baby’s mouth is very small, you need to seal your mouth over both the infant’s mouth and nose

If an infant is not breathing…

Step 1. Begin by tilting the head back and lifting the hin to move the tongue away from the back of the throat.

Step 2. Make a tight seal around the infant’s nose and mouth with your mouth.

Step 3. Breathe slowly into the victim until chest gently rises. Give two breaths, each lasting one to two seconds. Pause between breaths, each lasting one to two seconds. Pause between breaths to let the air flow out.

Step 4. Check for pulse after the two initial slow breaths.

Step 5. Give one slow breath about every three seconds. Do this for about one minute (20 breaths).

Step 6. Recheck pulse and breathing about every minute. Call the local emergeny number if you haven’t already done so. Continue rescue breathing as long as a pulse is present but the child is not breathing.

Clearing an obstruction with abdominal thrusts

When an unconscious person’s airway is obstructed, getting air in is more important than removing the object.

If air does not go in…

Step 1. If you don’t see the chest rise as you give rescue breathing, retilt the person’s head.

Step 2. Give two breaths, each lasting one to two seconds. Pause between breaths to let the air flow out. If air still won’t go in…

Step 3. Straddling the victim’s legs, place the heel of one hand just above the navel. Place your other hand on top of the first. Point the fingers of both hands toward the victim’s head.

Step 4. Give five quick thrusts toward the head and into the abdomen.

Step 5. After giving five thrusts, lift the victim’s lower jaw and tongue with your fingers and thumb. Slide one finger down the inside of the cheek and try to hook the object out.

Step 6. Tilt head back, lift chin, and give two slow breaths again. Repeat breaths, thrusts, and sweeps until breath go in.

Pink plant. Painting by Elena

When it’s an infant with the blokage

The technique for clearing an unconscious baby’s airway is the same as for one who is choking.

If you are unable to breathe into an infant…

Step1. Retilt the infant’s head, lifting the chin.

Step 2. Give two breaths again. If air still won’t go in.

Step 3. Position infant on forearm, then turn him face-down.

Step 4. While holding infant facedown on forearm so that the head is lower than the chest, give five back blows with heel of hand between the infant’s shoulder blades.

Step 5. Holding the infant firmly between both forearms, turn the infant to a faceup position of forearm.

Step 6. Give five chest thrusts on about the center of the breastbone.

Step 7. Lift the infant’s lower jaw and tongue and check for object. Sweep one finger inside the mouth to hook the object out.

Step 8. Tilt head back and give two breaths again. Repeat back blows, chest thrusts, sweeps, and breaths until breaths go in.

Basic CPR for Adults and Children

Give CPR when there is no breathing and no pulse. Without CPR, brain damage can set in within four minutes.

If a Person Is Not Breathing and Has No Pulse

Step 1. Find hand position – the notch where the ribs meet the lower breastbone. Place the heel of your hand on the breastbone just above your index finger.

Step 2. Place your other hand on top of the first. Use the heel of your bottom hand to apply pressure on the breastbone. Position your shoulders diretly over your hands with elbows locked. Press the chest down about two inches, and then release. Repeat 15 times keeping a smooth even rhythm.

Step 3. Retilt the head, lift the hin and give two slow breaths.

Step 4. Do three more sets of 15 compressions and 2 breaths. Each cycle takes about 15 seconds.

Step 5. Recheck pulse and breathing for about five seconds. If there is no pulse…

Step 6. Continue sets of 15 compressions and two breaths, pausing to check for pulse every few minutes. If you find a pulse, check breathing and give rescue breathing if necessary.

CPR for infants has important differences

Babies require lighter chest pressure delivered in shorter, more frequent cycles than do older children and adults

If an infant is not breathing and has no pulse…

Step 1. Place the infant on his or her back on a hard surface such as the floor or table. Place two fingers on the breastbone just below an imaginary line between the nipples.

Step 2 Give five compressions, about 3 seconds each. Count to help keep a regular, even rhythm

Step 3. Placing your mouth over the infant’s mouth and nose, give one slow breath, about 1,5 seconds.

Step 4. Begin compressions again. Do 12 cycles of five compressions and one breath, about one minute. Call the local emergency number if you haven’t already, carrying the infant to the phone so you can continue giving CPR. Then…

Step 5. Recheck pulse and breathing for about five seconds. If there is still no pulse…

Step 6. Continue sets of five compresions and one breath. Recheck pulse and breathing every few minutes. Continue CPR until help arrives.

How to Have Beautiful, Long Hair

How to Have Beautiful, Long Hair

Most of us would like to have luscious, healthy hair. But how to achieve it? The following article gives some simple tips and tricks.

First, hairdressers around the world suggest to trim hair every 3 months. According to this rule, hair should be cut by about an inch regularly, even if you’re trying to grow your hair long. The reason is that split ends can break your hair. Not only is it unsightly, but it can actually prevent your hair from growing below a certain length.

Another simple rule is quite obvious. The hairdresser must be good. Similar to most professions, some people are better than others at their job. So while saving money is an important factor in choosing any product or service, it might be worth to invest a little more and go to a high-end salon. The advice is especially true for those who dye or bleach their hair. Higher-end salons use better and newer products than lower-end ones.

The following is especially true for girls and women who style their hair using a flat iron or a curler. Heat damages hair. Styling with heat must be used sparingly, and if it is unavoidable, it is recommended to use low heat. Usually, curlers are less hot than flat irons. However, companies such as Chi have digitized flat irons that allow you to set your desired heat level.

Taking fair of the fur of long-haired cat breeds such Persians, Persian Silver Shaded depicted above, is a whole other story… Photo by Elena

Another simple tip is to rinse hair with cold water. The experience might be unpleasant, but it “seals” the hair. 

Using conditioner, treatment and restoring serums may also be helpful. Treatments can be done at the salon or at home. The usual recommendation is to use treatments every weak. Great hair treatments and masques can be bought at any salon. Brands such as Kerastase provide different lines according to hair damage and other hair needs. Also, it is helpful to wash hair as seldom as possible and to change shampoos often.

Finally, brushing hair has to be done holding the hair in a way that targets the ends first. Only once the ends are untangled is it safe to run the brush along the full length.

Web Site Province Quebec

Web Site Province Quebec

All you might want to know about Quebec : provincequebec.com

This is how it started: in 1534, French navigator Jacques Cartier landed on the Gaspé Peninsula claiming the territory in the name of France and naming it Canada. Several voyages later, in 1608, the City of Quebec was founded as a capital of New France…

New France, Lower Canada, the province of Quebec—so many names it carried through ages always playing a significant role in history and economic development of Canada.

This is who we are today: almost 8 million Quebekers—a quarter of the total number of Canadians—living and working in the province famous for its cutting-edge industry and cultural events, universities and research centers, social programs and French heritage.

Old province of Quebec. Photo by Elena

We invite you to read about Quebec’s early history and significant events that took place during the second half of the 20th century: EXPO-67 and the 1976 Olympic Games. This and a lot more at your fingertips!

Browse our site and learn more: Provincequebec.com was developed as an information resource for everybody who would like to learn about the province: its people, heritage, geography, tourist attractions, and the possibilities of working or studying here.

We value your feedback and your opinion does matter: you are welcome to write to us and to participate in our discussion forums.

At present we are working on its full English version: provincequebec.com

(Draft version for the landing page of the Website)

Digital Art

Digital Art

I paint digitally today. In fact, the artistic process in digital art is very much the same as for making classical or traditional painting. The main difference is that digital art can never be a finished piece of art, an artwork to hang on a wall. You can always come back, as an Artistic Terminator, and add some other nuances to any of your digital paintings. Romance of classical art is gone in our digital age, but antiquated art forms, such as handwritten portrait, may take on new importance one day and become greater than ever, as this old art is very personal, deliberate and means more than any software will.

A leader stimulates mirror neurons of the led. (Rana Junaid Mustafa Gohar)

Anatomists today would be hard put to identify the brain of a visual artist, a writer or a mathematician - but they would recognize the brain of a professional musician without moment's hesitation. (Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain )

The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, the young know everything (Oscar Wilde)

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes (Oscar Wilde)

True friends stab you in the front (Oscar Wilde)

I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best (Oscar Wilde)

Further, manga is a style of comics originating in Japan, in the same way as anime is an initially Japanese animation genre. Both have gained worldwide popularity.

Interestingly the word anime varies in meanings. Sometimes it narrowly refers to Japanese animation and comics (with related words such as manga, komikku and popular series Naruto), while at other times it means cartoon and comic book style characters and stories, that are dark, close to Gothic, in nature. Despite the indisputable worldwide popularity of the anime genre, there are many other cartoon styles such as machinima (toons made with computer graphics as background art), and popular animated television series such as Family Guy and derivative shows, Futurama, Bob’s Burgers, The Lion King (motion picture, full length animated feature) or Star Trek: The Animated Series, to only name a few…

A distinguished comic story turned cartoon is The Smurfs franchise. Also called Schtroumpfs, these mythical beings were created in Belgium by the cartoonist artist Peyo. On July 29, 2011 a collaboration between Columbia Pictures and Sony Animation Pictures presented the 3D movie The Smurfs. Needless to say, it’s a lovely movie… Other famous animated productions come from prestigious cartoons, fantasy and comics names such as Disney, Dream Works Animation, Marvel and DC.

Interestingly, the term Smad Ubiquitin Regulatory FactorS are also abbreviated as SMURFS (Arora & Warrior, 2001). The ligases fulfill important functions in TGF-β functions. Well, aside from the occasional biomedical blogger and the present entry, there are very few connections between Smurfs and neuroscience, so the aforementioned ligases is as close a connection between the tiny blue creatures and science as this text will cover. Finally, in the 2011 movie, Smurfette or Schtroumpfette is voiced by I Kissed a Girl popular singer Katy Perry (who since went from jade black to golden blond locks).

Abstract and Digital Art

Abstract art is open to interpretation and free from confinement by rational limitations. Digital art is in that sense less controversial, in that it originated during the 1990s and 2000s or the Internet connection era, and has been noticed to evolve at high speed. Notwithstanding, today's digital art symbolizes both the technological changes to lifestyles, and that some elements remain unchanged regardless of the circumstances.

Art dates back to times of prehistoric cavern paintings, so it is understandable that art comes in many forms and kinds. The images below center on an animated, cartooned businessman, digital, abstract art and graphics.

Sketches

Sketch drawings of natural scenery

Sketching is a form of drawing, usually used to express that a depiction represents a first draft, or is rough or unfinished. Below are some sketches portraying Elves - the magical creatures of the fantasy art world.

Sketches or sketch drawings consist of unfinished, rough or preliminary drawings. Sketching is usually achieved using graphite, charcoal and ink. The following images represent landscapes and other elements of nature. Such drawings are commonly in black and white (grayscale), done with pencils, graphite or pen. Collections of pictures can represent sketches of nature landscapes (ocean, shore,  rocky ocean and sea shore, mountains, fields and forests, prairies and steppe paysages as part of landscape paintings. A fantasy art style sketch drawing of a river shore can also be seen, as well as lakes and other bodies of water.

References:

•     Arora, K.; Warrior, R. (2001). A new smurf in the village. Developmental Cell, 1: 1-2.

Vince's Dragon

Vince’s Dragon

By Ben Bova

The warehouse fire was the most spectacular anyone had seen in a long time, and the police were totally stymied about its cause. They questioned Vince at length, especially since he had forgotten to get rid of the gasoline and paint thinner in the back of the stolen station wagon. But they couldn’t pin a thing on him, not even car theft, one Louie had Big Balls Falcone explain the situation to the unhappy wagon’s owner.

Vincee’s position in the Family started to rise. Spectacularly.

Arson became his specialty. Louie gave him tougher and tougher assignments and Vince would wander off a night later and the job would be done. Perfectly.

He met Sizzle regularly, sometimes in abandoned building, sometimes in empty lots. The dragon remained invisible then, of course, and the occasional passerby got the impression that a young, sharply-dressed man was standing in the middle of weed-choked, bottle-strewn empty lot, talking to thin air.

More than once they could have heard him asking, « You really ain’t interested in my soul? »

But only Vince could hear Sizzle’s amused reply, « No, Vince, I have no use for souls, yours or anyone else’s. »

As the months went by, Vince’s rapid rise to Family stardom naturally attracted some antagonism from other young men attempting to get ahead in the organization. Antagonism sometimes led to animosity, threats, even attempts at violence.

Dragon without a head. Photo by Elena

But strangely, wondrously, anyone who got angry at Vince disappeared. Without a trace, except once when a single charred shoe of Fats Lobardi’s was found in the middle of Tasker street, between Twelfth and Thirteenth.

Louie and the other elders of the Family nodded knowingly, Vince was not only ambitious and talented. He was smart. No bodies could be laid at his doorstep.

From arson, Vince branched into load-sharking, which was still the heart of the Family’s operation. But he didn’t need Big Balls Falcone to terrify his customers into paying on time. Customers who didn’t pay found their cars turned into smoking wrecks. Right before their eyes, an automible parked at the curb would burst into flame.

« Gee, too bad, » Vince would say. « Next time it might be your house, » he’d hint darkly, seeming to wink at somebody who wasn’t there. At least, somebody no one else could see. Somebody very tall, from the angle of his head when he winked.

The day came when Big Balls Falcone himself, understandably put out by the decline in his business, let it be known that he was coming after Vince. Big Balls disappeared in a cloud of smoke, literally