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Instant Speaking Success - Public Speaking Ebook - Review
Paul Evans Ebook Review
The ebook runs to 134 pages and, in my view, would be particularly helpful to anyone who wants to improve the effectiveness of their public speaking. It is not aimed at people who are terrified of making a speech.
What struck me most about this ebook is that it gives very detailed and very helpful advice on how to structure a speech which is focused on a particular theme. So at the end of the talk your audience will be clear about what you were trying to say.
Paul Evans organizes his advice into 7 steps:
Step 1 - Have a single clear purpose for your speech
One very useful section of the ebook is the 25 places to find good stuff advice which is contained within Step 3 - finding evidence. Also there are some templates you can use for planning the material for each point (Step 2) of your speech.
All in all, I would recommend this book as a very practical approach to constructing an effective talk. Another good point is that you can claim your money back if you don't like it!
Visit Paul Evans' Instant Speaking Success web site.
Search the web for more 'instant speaking success':
Return to the Public Speaking Advice home page.


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You see I have not been a big fan of the GW sculpted Arco-Flagellants or the Sisters of Repentias, so when the ghouls came out for the WHFB line, I thought, Hmm I could do a Arco unit. The GW sculpts just did nothing for me, so I dove into both boxes and my bitz box to come up with the first to Arco-Flagellants. These are early WIP and the pictures show I need to remove a few more mold lines before they are ready for paint. So here are the first two of six that I am building. The first one uses bitz from the Skeleton box as well as the Flagellants & Ghouls box, throw in some guitar wire and a few 40k bitz and you have a custom Arco.
The second Arco has the same bitz but with a power claw sort of thing made from the skeleton box.
I also never liked the S&M look of the Sisters Repentias, so I used the Flagellants from the WHFB line, just add a few chain swords and your set. I see the Father Repentias as captives of the Ecclesiarchy that are committed to becoming sinless by the act of dying for the Emperor. I will be doing up a Sob with a Neural whip in a few days. These guys are pretty much stock figures with Chain Swords added to them.

domain: artistic


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On May 26, 2022, the Cryptocurrency Fear and Greed Index dropped to a score of 12, indicating an extreme level of fear in the market. Back on May 7, the index was much higher, at 23 points. The next day it was down to 18, and since May 9 it has been fluctuating in the 8 to 14 point range. The last time the index fell to 8 points was on March 28, 2020, when financial markets fell due to risks of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, bitcoin, ether and many other cryptocurrencies updated local lows in early May. The former cryptocurrency was down to $26,700 and Ethereum to $1,800.
“The situation in the cryptocurrency market is mixed. Bitcoin has a close connection to the U.S. stock market, which has been falling for seven weeks in a row. As soon as an active sale of stocks begins, market participants immediately sell cryptocurrency,” said one financial analyst.
As for the medium-term prospects, expectations are not so bright, agreed another analyst. In his opinion, the most likely continuation of the corrective movement: in the absence of shocks in the market, the rates of major cryptocurrencies may fall in the coming months even within 40% of the current level.
“The expected trend reversal will tentatively come not earlier than the middle of 2023. The historical perspective shows that market cycles are about 4 years (every 2 years there is a change in the global trend), so even with the decline in the value of assets there is reason to believe that the value will recover and even grow in the next 2-3 years,” he concluded.
According to many experts, a new cryptocurrency price maximum is expected by the next Bitcoin halving in 2024.
How to make money in the cryptocurrency market without risks?
Cryptocurrencies and the cryptocurrency market are an investor’s paradise, the buying and selling spreads, the rate difference within a short period of time reaches tens of percent – knowing where bitcoin, etherium and other cryptocurrencies will go, you can significantly multiply your investment capital.
And if you do not guess where bitcoin will go, you can lose a significant amount. The conclusion is that the cryptocurrency market is a great opportunity for investors, but at the same time an extremely risky instrument for financial investments.
And is it possible to invest in the crypto market without exposing yourself and your finances to such a significant risk of losing everything?
Today we will talk to Oleg Zyrianov, the founder and owner of Bitcovault, a manufacturing company that develops and produces the most advanced bitcoin ATMs and sells them in the US market and in other countries. In addition, Bitcovault is the developer of professional crypto ATM software that can be installed on almost any cryptocurrency exchange terminal on the market. The software is so versatile that it can even be put on a regular bank ATM and thus turn it into a crypto ATM.
What to do not to wait 2-4 years and not to risk the investment capital?
According to the CEO of Bitcovault – direct investment in cryptocurrencies themselves is not the most reliable way to preserve and increase your capital.
It is much more profitable and reliable to invest in infrastructure, which serves the cryptocurrency market – allows clients to buy and sell bitcoins.
One such tool is crypto ATMs – terminals through which people can buy and sell cryptocurrencies for cash.
These transactions involve mostly individuals, the amounts are relatively small, but the transactions are regular and the owner of the crypto ATM earns its commission on each transaction, which on average in the market is from 8 to 20%.
This is a much more reliable way to make money from cryptocurrencies without exposing yourself to falling rates and other associated risks. You can buy an ATM and start earning almost immediately. You can read more about the process of starting a crypto terminal business here.

domain: finance


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The Eastern Basketball League, the preeminent circuit from 1912 until it folded in 1923, returned to its position at the forefront of the pro game. After an abortive comeback in 1925, the EBL had revived in 1928 as strictly a minor league operation. The ABL’s collapse at the end of the 1930-31 season gave the old league a new importance.
With major leaguers added to nearly every roster, the two-time defending champion Philadelphia Sphas faced their stiffest challenge in their third EBL season. The new Philadelphia Moose club proved to be particularly tough for the Sphas in some brawling early season matchups. Veteran major leaguer Gaza Chizmadia, a 6’2″ center, controlled the backboards for the new team and, along with George Clift, provided the team with most of its scoring punch. The Moose tied the Sphas for first place and then took the first half honors in a single game playoff.
In the second half the Moose fell back, but Bridgeton, featuring the incomparable Benny Borgmann and a slew of ABL veterans, loomed just as ominously in the path of the Sphas’ playoff aspirations. Eddie Gottlieb’s club, led by Cy Kaselman, met the challenge by jumping off to an early insurmountable lead over Bridgeton. Kaselman won his second consecutive scoring title, averaging just under eleven points a game. Future Temple University coach Harry Latwick shared the backcourt with Kaselman, while Reds Sherr, Red Wolfe and Lou Forman handled the frontcourt chores. The Sphas maintained their momentum in the post-season playoffs against the Moose by taking three of four games to secure their third consecutive Eastern League title.

domain: news


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Reasons to Outsource Medical Billing.
There are always people behind billing services in a hospital setting. Medical billing must be done by professionals which means it is a demanding task for the medical practitioners who are not skilled in that area. Consequently, medical practitioners have to outsource medical billing services from a third party which has specialized in that area.
One has to consider the benefits of outsourcing medical billing requirements before they settle on the decision of getting the services from a third party. Unless the third party is familiar with the coding and the billing requirements, you should avoid them because they can lead to losses.
As seen earlier, medical billing is a demanding activity, and thus, it should be done by professionals only. One is advised to get referrals from the medical practitioners who are working with a third-party medical billing company. Go for the medical billing company which has been in the industry for a while. Here are the top advantages of outsourcing medical billing for the best company.
There is increased control of the business as a result of reliable outsourced billing staff. A company can save lots of money by outsourcing medical billing. With a third party taking care of your medical billing process, you will save on the cost related to salaries for the in-house team and other costs like buying of the office infrastructure.
Additionally, a third party will only be paid after delivering certain services and not on monthly basis as it would be the case with the in-house medical billing team. If you want to keep your medical billing system safe, consider working with a third-party medical billing provider. Most of the third-party medical billing service providers have a more secure infrastructure for the billing system thus keeping your data secure.
It might be hard for a firm to keep at par with the changes experienced in the medical billing world. A well-established medical billing third party will ensure your billing requirements are up-to-date hence you are at par with the changes in rules and regulations in this industry.
Another advantage of outsourcing medical billing requirements is that you save a lot of time which can be used in the running of the organization because professionals are handling the billing requirements. Handling medical billing tasks add to the labor costs of a given organization. With a dedicated outsourced medical billing team, an organization can save on the cost associated with training and maintaining an in-house medical billing team.
Companies with outsourced medical billing requirements have no capital on investment because things like upgrading of the billing software are done by the third-party company. By outsourcing medical billing, your team will have enough time to take care of the patients.

domain: medical


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http://www.facebook.com/anandsagar011">Hi, I am an active Stumbler from Nepal, I love to share every kind of stuff...
http://rayvellest.com.">Hi there! My name is Ray. I'm a brand identity designer and blogger from...
Hi my name is Mike I live in NY City. I just started using StumbleUpon and I...
Full-time internet marketer. My hobby is web design. I love StumbleUpon.com
Super Blogger and podcaster about TV, Movies, Sports and being Green.

domain: hobby


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Manuwatu-Wanganui Travel Guide offers updated suggestions on the important information and attractions of Manuwatu-Wanganui that you will surely find useful while planning your trip.
Manuwatu-Wanganui is a beautiful region located in the North Island of New Zealand. Famous for its strong agricultural base, this region is a significant area of pastoral farming in New Zealand. The region boasts of two major river catchments namely the Manawatu and the Whanganui. The Whanganui is the longest navigable river in the country. For more information on this region’s natural treasures, refer Manuwatu-Wanganui Travel Guide.
Visit the Tongariro National Park, the largest park in the region and oldest in the country, to witness a variety of wildlife. A serious of mountain ranges, three major active volcanoes in Manuwatu-Wanganui, Manawatu’s Iron Gates Gorge with its vertically sheer cliffs, Apiti Tavern & Museum, Luttrells White Pine Gardens & Museum, Kahikatea forest and leisurely stroll through scenic areas are the other major attractions listed in Manuwatu-Wanganui Travel Guide.

domain: travel


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Publishing has changed so much since we were kids. It’s no longer just about the reading experience, but how the experience can expand into your reality.
This is Sadie is a simple story written by Sara O’Leary and Illustrated by Julie Morstad. The quiet pace and the gentle whimsy of the illustrations lend themselves beautifully to a cuddle session on Mom’s lap.
As a mom of a Sadie, you need to know that the name is very common with animals (especially dogs) and so, finding a human character with this name in a children’s book was extra special.
This is Sadie tells the story of a little girl who has a very active imagination. Sadie is very creative and the books she reads become inspiration in her playtime.
The stories she reads and the worlds they represent provide a fun escape for Sadie as she pretends her day away.
It’s a quiet lesson in the value of story, imagination and the ability to self-entertain.
Beautiful illustrations move the story along and bring humor and depth to the text. It has the potential to be just a relaxing book that is fun to look at, but like I said at the beginning, publishing has taken a turn.
Push the story right on into reality and allow your children to become Sadie and play out all of her adventures themselves. Print out the free Activity Kit for This is Sadie which includes a fox mask, alphabet bunting activity, paper dolls and paper flowers.
If you have a child 3-7 years old, they will most likely relate to Sadie’s playful nature and her ability to turn the simplest things into pure adventure.
This book will be released May 12th, 2015. It is currently available for pre-order on Amazon,Barnes&Noble, Indie Bound, McNally Robinson, Indigo, Powell’s.
Visit the Author’s Website at http://thisissadiebook.tumblr.com/ . There is a lot to see there.
Also, hop by Julie Morstad’s site at http://www.juliemorstad.com/
Disclosure: I received a free copy of This is Sadie from Tundra Books via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I give this book four stars, not because of quality, but because it’s a book I’d probably borrow from the library rather than purchasing. My youngest is 7 though, so perhaps younger children would be more likely to read it again and again.
In any case, it is an adorable story with fun extras that could keep little ones busy and teach them the value of using their imagination.
Connect w/ Me:

domain: library


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Ipswich brothers aim up for fame
EXTRAORDINARY hand-eye co-ordination is a talent that must run in the Mathers family.
And what better way to capitalise on such a skill than in the game of darts.
That is what Ipswich brothers Gordon and Jamie have done, with both siblings on target to become the next darts champions.
Recently the bullseye artists went up against the best players in the world at the inaugural Sydney Darts Masters held at Luna Park.
The competition was conducted by the Professional Darts Corporation, as the second event in the new World Series of Darts.
Gordon who is second in the Darts Players Australia rankings, said competing in the tournament was one of the best moments of his life.
Earlier this year, Gordon won the SID Darts Open, the DPA Australian Singles and the Russell Stewart Classic in Goulburn.
The 32-year-old said he had been playing the game since he was a kid and recalled practicing for up to five hours a day during high school.
Gordon said he never had a coach, but was mentored by his father - also named Gordon - who is the president of the Carole Park Darts Club.
The Camira father of two, who works at Advance Rentals, said it was difficult to pursue a career as a professional darts player in Australia.
"You have to travel Australia-wide to attend competitions," he said.
"Thankfully I have a very understanding boss and a supportive wife.
"The real money in professional darts - at least enough to make a living out of it - is in the UK and I am considering the move."
Younger brother Jamie, 29, said the thrill of competing in the Sydney Masters was something he would also never forget.
"I haven't taken part in nearly as many tournaments as Gordon," he said. "But after that experience, it makes me want to compete more often.
"To play in front of a crowd of 1600, not to mention all the television viewers at home, was pretty awesome."
Jamie said it was great to have such a big dart tournament take place in Sydney and predicted it was just the start of massive things for the sport in Australia.
"The sport is definitely becoming more popular," the Goodna father of two said.
"In the UK there are tournaments all the time, and that's what needs to happen in Australia."
At the Sydney Masters, Jamie was bested by world No. 4 Simon Whitlock and Gordon was knocked out by world No. 2 and eventual runner-up Michael van Gerwen, both in the early rounds.
- Three in a Bed: When all three darts score in the same number
- A Ton 80: Three triple 20s (180 points)
- Hummer Spot: The centre most hole in the bullseye on a soft-tip board
- Arrows: Slang for darts


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The Decola series of acrylic paints for glass & ceramics are intended for paintingon glass, porcelain, ceramics, earthenware. Also suitable for application on polystyrene, plexiglass and other types of plastic. Paints mix well with each other, maintain colour purity in mixtures, are lightfast, resistant to water, and do not require firing fixation.
This Decola Set includes: 12 x 20 ml. of White, Yellow Light, Orange, Rose Light, Red, Green Light, Emerald Green, Celestial Blue, Blue Deep, Violet Light, Brown, Black.

domain: chemistry


how about this phone performance? this phone good for high level gaming?? and how about exynos 7880 octa chipset..? please help me. tq
Why does the battery life on my samsung A7 (2017) only lasts for exactly 1 day. I have not even watch or listened to music..
Don SharafDG, 09 Feb 2017Hey Men Mate 9 is the best .. better than s7 alsoGalaxy S7 edge & Galaxy A7 2017 is better than Huawei M9 because S7 edge and A7 both are Exynos Processor + water and dust resistant both phones are 3600 mAh great battery life.
Anonymous, 15 Feb 2017Is it available in Australian market (Sydney). What is its price.this phone is coming in Australian Market 03/03/2017 and it's price 600 Australian Dollar
let, 15 Feb 2017hows the battery performance of the phoneExcellent Battery Performance
AnonD-644790, 15 Feb 201710/10 performancehows the battery performance of the phone
Samsung Galaxy S7 is waaaaaaaaaaaayy way WAAAAAAAAAAAAY better and CHEAPER WTF is wrong with the world !!!!!!
Anonymous, 13 Feb 2017does the a7 2017 have s voice Yes, it has.
I have used this phone for some time.
1) The screen is big n nice. 2) The battery life is great. 3) no camera bump on the back. 4) Charging time is more or less 100 minutes from 8% to full.
The thing I don't like is it's rather heavy, at 195grams + tempered glass SP.
Lenovo P2 with 5100mah n Xiaomi Redmi Note with 4050mah are lighter than this.


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The life of Bruce Springsteen is officially in a book. The autobiography “Born to Run” leads the readers through the life of a rock star.
The book begins with a detailed description of the thoughts of a kid about his neighborhood in the 50’s, in which, mainly, lived working class people. He makes a play about the American life which his Irish-Italian family lives. Then it is followed by a young Bruce’s music section, who didn’t like the boring music classes.
“I still can’t read music” – says Bruce.
The mature Bruce worked on himself to improve his imperfect vocal tone.
One of his most memorable moments are playing with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The California phase is presented in perfect landscapes. But the readers will notice that he spends most of his time in another country.
However, the readers will have to prepare themselves for the parts where Springsteen wrote about his most personal moments of his life.

domain: entertainment


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Blackawks open with win over Lakeland
Cheney loses at Rogers and Ellensburg
Three games into the young season Cheney boys’ basketball head coach Joel Soter knows his team isn’t where they need to be yet with their game, but he is seeing signs on how to get there.
The Blackhawks opened play last week at 1-2, starting slowly but eventually cruising past Lakeland of Rathdrum, Idaho 79-60 before getting out shot in a 76-55 loss at Rogers and having a fourth-quarter rally fall just short in a 55-47 loss at Ellensburg.
“We’re definitely not where we want to be, but I’ve got a good picture of what we need to do and where we want to be,” Soter said Monday.


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Once Upon a Time season 2 continues next week with episode 4, “The Crocodile,” which will see the introduction of Hook, Belle in trouble, and reveal more about Rumplestiltskin’s past.
OUaT Season 2 Episode 4 “The Crocodile” Promo
“Belle’s disgust over Mr. Gold’s continuing thirst for power comes to a head, and she threatens to leave him if he can’t change his evil ways; the dwarves pick up their axes and try to find fairy dust in the Storybrooke mine; and a reunion with an old acquaintance could prove to be Belle’s undoing. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale land that was, Rumplestiltskin attempts to save his wife, Milah, from being kidnapped by a band of cutthroat pirates.”
Emma and Mary may still be in fairytale land, but this next episode is going to be showing some stuff that happened before the curse involving Rumplestiltskin. This is going to be back before he turned dark, and instead, the episode will introduce another villain, and this one is going to be someone Rumplestiltskin shares a past with. What happened when the two met?
As the Once Upon a Time season 2 episode 4 promo for “The Crocodile” (below) shows, there’s someone more despicable and more evil than Rumple, and it’s time to meet him. Hook dumps a body off his ship, and it’s going to be Hook versus Rumple. After all the teasing of Hook coming to the show with the glimpses of his hook in promos leading up the beginning of the season, it’s finally time to meet Hook and his hookÂ—and it doesn’t look like Colin O’Donoghue is going to disappoint.
That’s not all that’s coming up in this episode, as the synopsis teases something coming up for Belle, and this preview also teases that she’ll be in troubleÂ—in a runaway mining cart? Where will she and Mr. Gold be by the end of the episode? Will she decide to stay with him once again, or will it be too much for her this time?
What do you think of the Once Upon a Time season 2 episode 4 preview of “The Crocodile”?
Photo Credit: Jack Rowand/ABC
Â© Meredith Jacobs 2012


The iPhone and its successors ruled the roost for a long time and in many ways they still do. But they're not the only phones making waves in music. The HTC One really puts a focus on music too.
Most obviously it has dual front facing BoomSound speakers. Not only are they larger than most phone speakers, but they are on the front, allowing the sound waves to come towards you when holding the phone. It sounds obvious but no-one else is doing it and it makes a big difference as you can keep the phone face up and still get the full audio experience.
That's especially important when watching something, but even when just listening it's advantageous as most people tend to place their phones face up.
With built in amplifiers allowing for loud stereo sound, and coupled with Beats Audio the HTC One delivers surprisingly meaty bass.
HTC has thought carefully about internal speakers and Burson told us that while headphones have been the portable speaker of choice for a decade or so "there could be a shift in the future as people rediscover the desire to experience music socially and in the ambient nature music is rooted in."
In other words there could be a change coming where, as phone speakers get better, people change the way they listen to music, with a phone's internal speakers being used in preference to headphones.
The overall sound delivery on the HTC One is dubbed 'BoomSound'. HTC enhanced both the high and low end of the audio spectrum, allowing the phone to render frequencies that other handsets are unable to and giving it impressive bass in the process.
Together with the powerful stereo speakers, this makes it possible to listen to music on the HTC One without headphones and without sacrificing too much sound quality in the process.
Burson even went so far as to say that "internal phone speakers have the potential to become portable speakers themselves."
Yong-hyuk Na held a similar opinion, saying that "in the future phone speakers will be capable of replacing portable speakers."
Though he did follow this up by saying that "as with consumers who choose to purchase surround sound systems to enhance the high-quality audio provided by TVs, there may still be consumers who want to further boost the experience provided by smartphones by purchasing external speakers." So however good phone speakers get portable speakers are likely here to stay too.
The LG G2 is arguably the current pinnacle of smartphone audio; while the HTC One aims to deliver room filling sounds through its built in speakers, the LG G2 is much better through headphones.
While most phones are happy to just work with what Android gives them, LG actually modified the sound architecture that Android uses, allowing the LG G2 to deliver hi-res 24 bit 192 kHz sound, which is a higher sampling rate and bit depth than any of its smartphone competition and higher even than CDs. That's a big step, allowing the LG G2 to play truly high quality audio files.
Yong-hyuk Na believes that the greatest improvement needed in smartphone audio is "the delivery of the actual sound in analogue. Many consider CD sound at 16bit, 44.1kHz to be perfect, because it is the current standard in the music industry."
"However, CDs do not delicately reproduce the frequency of the original sound, resulting in inferior sound when delivered to users. 24/192 playback delivers more accurate and precise sound compared to CDs and provides profound sound quality" and that's exactly what LG has achieved with the LG G2.
The LG G2 supports FLAC and WAV files for lossless audio, allowing users to listen to music in as close to analogue quality as possible. Additionally it uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor that according to Yong-hyuk Na strengthens the device's sound and multimedia capabilities and "offers the best sound quality for mobile devices".
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James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.


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Caring, competent "huge dog lover" who is home all day to care for your Furry Friend(s). My house in located in Canyon Meadows & like my dogs, yours would be free to roam all over the house and yard. My yard is beautifully landscaped & fully fenced. Even Houdini couldn't escape from it...lol.
In the summer I have a magnetic screen up so the dogs can go outside when ever they want or need to. In the back of my house is a green space and 3 houses down is an off-leash park. To mix things up I try to take the dogs to a different park everyday. I'm also 2 mins from Babbling Brook Park & only 5 mins from Fish Creek.... so if your dog likes to swim like mine do I know where all the great swimming holes are.
I know how hard it is to leave your furry friends so I've created a Facebook page for my own dog care business and regularity upload videos onto it. That way you can see how much fun your Furkid(s) had which will help to give you peace of mind and you can enjoy your time away from them with less stress.
Looking forward to hearing from you and meeting your best fur friend!! :-)
Denice is very professional and thorough. I feel like she has a very happy-go-lucky energy when I first did a meet-and-greet with her. It's a great energy to have when you are leaving your precious furbabies with her. I can tell my boy Cedar really enjoyed his stay and we will be booking with Denice whenever we go on trips again :). We also got daily video updates of our boy and we really really appreciate it, since my family and I are big worry bugs.
Thank you so much!
SO happy with Denice and her care of our 'Miss Maisy'. We have never left our dog with anyone outside of family before, she had never been to a dog park and at almost 9 yrs old she was getting "set in her ways!" Denice's attention to each dog's personality and their individual needs was beyond my expectation!! Thank you Denice xo
Book via Pawshake to enjoy The Pawshake Guarantee, in-house customer support, booking guarantee, safe cashless payments, no booking fees, no change fees, daily updates and more!

domain: pet


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Professional Association of Diving Instructors or PADI as it is most commonly known. It is the leading scuba diver training organization in the world and is the first port of call if you're looking to start exploring the 70% of the planet that is covered by ocean. There are over 30 PADI centres dotted around the UK and Ireland. Some of the best dives sites include Dorset in England, Killary Harbour in Ireland and Scapa Flow up in Scotland.
On a PADI course, you'll learn about breathing under water, go over the kit, such as wets suit, flippers, mask and also the breathing tubes. You'll also learn about the hand signals used underwater and also the buddy-buddy system that is used during most dives. Most lessons will first start off in a pool, after which you'll head out to shallow waters and then further offshore to more deeper waters. You can sign up to a PADI scuba diving course from as young as 10.
Where can I do a Scuba Diving Experience?
There are many different venues available for you to enjoy a scuba diving lesson. Most of the experiences below take place in pools at local leisure centres. These centres are dotted around the UK including East Anglia, Hertfordshire and Berkshire and much more. There are also open water dive sites for the more advanced diving experiences and also for the PADI courses. We also offer a once in a lifetime experience diving with sharks in South Africa.
Who can do a Scuba Diving Experience?
Scuba diving courses are a brilliant way to help build the confidence to be able to head out into the open water. Scuba courses and lessons are great for both adults and juniors and for complete novices but they can also be used as refresher courses for anyone who has previous experience but who may not have gone diving for many years.


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Scotland's National Strategy for Economic Transformation Programme 6: A Culture of Delivery - Equality Impact Assessment (Record and Results)
Summary of results for the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) undertaken to consider the impacts on equality of Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation Programme 6: A Culture of Delivery.
This document is part of a collection
Stage 1: Framing
Results of framing exercise
NSET is designed to tackle long term structural challenges, build on our economic strengths and position Scotland to maximise the greatest economic opportunities of the next ten years. Its Programmes were chosen and informed based on analysis of the available evidence. The NSET Evidence Paper set out evidence on the structure and performance of Scotland's economy, and identified areas for action to deliver transformational improvements in Scotland's economic performance. Evidence concerning economic inequalities and the experiences of people with different protected characteristics in relation to Scotland's economy was brought together in the NSET Equality Position Statement.
In recognition of the breadth of direct and indirect impacts that delivery of NSET will have across all parts of society in all areas of Scotland, extensive engagement has been undertaken with a broad range of stakeholders both during the development of the strategy and since its publication as the Delivery Plans for each of the six NSET Programmes have been developed.
We engaged with equality stakeholders across Scotland and undertook a range of research activities to strengthen our understanding of existing inequalities in the economy and how they could be addressed through NSET. This included a public consultation; strategic conversations with a broad range of stakeholders across the private, public and third sectors; and discussions and roundtables to invite views from equality, third sector and business stakeholders, at both official and Ministerial level. This engagement has helped inform our approach to the culture of delivery, as set out in NSET and the Programme 6 Delivery Plan, and which is reflected in this EQIA.
A summary of our engagement with equality stakeholders relevant to Programme 6 specifically is outlined below:
Ministerial and official-led roundtables and meetings with equality and human rights stakeholders
- Ministerial engagements with the Women's Leadership Centre and the Poverty and Inequality Commission (June 2021);
- Equality and Human Rights roundtable with officials (September 2021);
- Equality and Human Rights roundtable with officials (November 2021);
- Equality and Human Rights roundtable hosted by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy (January 2022);
- Equality and Human Rights roundtable hosted by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy (May 2022); and
- Meeting between DG Economy and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (August 2022).
Evidence and data gathering
- Analysis of relevant responses to the NSET consultation, including a joint response from Engender and Close the Gap, and responses from Equate Scotland, CRER, the Scottish Women's Budget Group and the Equality and Human Rights Commission;
- Evidence and data-gathering for the NSET Equality Position Statement, which was informed by a range of sources, including outputs from stakeholder engagement, public consultation and relevant evidence from government, third sector and academic evidence, and research papers and publications (see Annex for list of sources);
- Data gathered through the Equality Evidence Finder;
- NSET Evidence paper; and
- Evidence and data-gathering for the Programme 6 EQIA (see Stage 2 below).
Since publication of NSET, official-level engagement with equality stakeholders has been undertaken to inform the development of the Centre of Expertise for Equality and Human Rights (Action 64), including:
- Meeting with Inclusion Scotland and Poverty and Inequality Commission (May 2022)
- Meeting with WISE Centre for Economic Justice (May 2022)
- Meeting with Scottish Women's Budget Group (May 2022)
- Meeting with Close the Gap (May 2022)
- Meeting with Glasgow Disability Alliance (May 2022)
- Meeting with Equality and Human Rights Commission (May 2022)
- Meeting with Scottish Human Rights Commission (May 2022)
- Meeting with Close the Gap (September 2022)
Some of the Projects and Actions under Programme 6 are at early stages of development and implementation. As specific actions or interventions are being developed, further stakeholder engagement will be undertaken where appropriate and potential equality impacts will be considered where relevant. It should also be noted that for Action 71 under Project 17, guidance provides direction to the agencies on existing Scottish Government policies and strategies, which will have been subject to separate EQIAs where appropriate.
Notwithstanding the above, this evidence and engagement has helped shape decisions made to date, in particular regarding Project 16 and Action 64 under Project 17.
Following feedback from stakeholders gathered during the development of NSET and the Delivery Plan for Programme 6, when setting up the NSET Delivery Board action was taken to ensure that the Board is diverse in its approach to membership and is representative of the people of Scotland. In addition to all six NSET Programmes having representation on the Board, it is also gender-balanced, contains representation from minority ethnic communities and gives a voice for those in rural communities. Its membership also includes third sector expertise, championing and driving forward the fairer and more equal society agenda across the delivery of NSET to ensure that no one is left behind. The Board's wider vision links with the National Outcomes, as highlighted above, including equality. In addition, specific engagement will take place with equality stakeholders where relevant.
Action 64, Project 17
Based on feedback from stakeholders, the following decisions have been made to shape the work of the Centre of Expertise:
- The policy network will be enhanced by identifying an equality and human rights contact for each NSET Programme, and this individual will receive more in-depth training and support in equality and human rights.
- A training programme for economic policy officials is a central part of the Centre's model, and will be developed to include:
- o Taking an intersectional gendered approach to policy-making;
- o Use of equality data and evidence in policy development;
- o Options on involving external experts and stakeholder groups in providing insight, expertise and challenge to further enhance the understanding of economic policy officials.
- Thematic sessions with external experts will be planned in order to allow time for stakeholders to prepare and engage, and to enable input from people with lived experience.
- Overarching themes will be factored in to the thematic sessions, for example care, barriers faced by women, and child poverty.
- To help identify and address data gaps, and to help build knowledge and expertise, we will explore options around an academic partnership to bring insight and expertise in gender economics to policy making.
- A baseline survey of economy officials to gauge their self-assessment of knowledge, skills and confidence in considering equality and human rights included specific questions relating to intersectionality, as well as the availability of and access to data necessary to support officials' policy-making work, including intersectional data and evidence from people with lived experience.
To produce this EQIA we examined published evidence available for each of the protected characteristics as listed in the Equality Act 2010: age, disability, sex, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, and religion or belief. Data and qualitative information were also gathered from evidence arising from stakeholder engagement and the NSET public consultation. Details of the sources of evidence used have been provided in Stage 2 of this EQIA.
NSET has a vision of a wellbeing economy and has been designed, based on evidence, to deliver economic prosperity for all Scotland's people and places. The strategy sets out an aim that, by 2032, Scotland's economy will significantly outperform the last decade, both in terms of economic performance and tackling structural economic inequalities, with people at the heart of an economy that offers opportunities for all to succeed and where everybody, in every community and region of the country, will share in our economic prosperity. As such, the strategy has the potential to impact the lives of people with protected characteristics, both directly and indirectly, as well as people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. The realisation of these positive impacts depends on effective delivery of the strategy, as described in the delivery model set out in Programme 6, which has been shaped by our evidence gathering and stakeholder engagement to date.
While evidence has been gathered on groups with protected characteristics, it is vital to consider our approach through an intersectional lens. Some people may face complex and interconnected issues related to disadvantage at any one time, and will often have a combination of multiple protected characteristics, different socio-economic backgrounds and household incomes, and experience inequalities in relation to health, education and other aspects of their lives. Addressing inequalities must also recognise regional and rural dimensions, including the high incidences of child poverty in certain regions. It is therefore key to remember both the intersectionality of protected characteristics and the wide range of circumstances that influence the opportunities and barriers people face, including their lived experience of poverty, inequality and/or discrimination. Given gaps in the available evidence in relation to intersectionality, combined with the impacts of the current cost crisis on people with protected characteristics and low income households, further work will be required to build our understanding of the potential positive and negative impacts of delivery of NSET over the ten years of the strategy.
A number of Projects and Actions under Programme 6 have already been taken forward and are currently being developed and implemented. This includes Actions under Project 16 and 18, and also Action 64 under Project 17. However, some of the actions under Programme 6 are at early stages of development and, as implementation is taken forward and specific actions are identified, this EQIA will continue to be updated in light of further evidence and engagement with stakeholders. The EQIA sets out preliminary and indicative impacts of known actions in Programme 6 and, alongside further stakeholder engagement, will help inform decisions that are taken in the further development and implementation of actions.
A summary of Actions in Programme 6 that are expected to have a positive impact on people with protected characteristics is set out below:
- Diverse membership of the NSET Delivery Board;
- Annual reporting to the Board will include equalities monitoring;
- A Wellbeing Economy Monitor that includes indicators beyond GDP, such as measures on child poverty, levels of greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity, and Fair Work indicators; and
- The Centre of Expertise in Equality and Human Rights will seek to work with external experts and stakeholder groups to build knowledge, skills and confidence in economic policy officials and help embed equality and human rights in economic policy-making.
Extent/Level of EQIA required
Evidence relating to the experiences of people with different protected characteristics in relation to the economy is set out below at Stage 2. This illustrates the potential impact that NSET can have if its Programmes, Projects and Actions are delivered effectively. Programme 6 underpins the implementation of all of the strategy's Programmes, however it is specifically concerned with the delivery model and the monitoring of the impacts of NSET. Therefore, this EQIA relates only to the specific actions contained within Programme 6.
The information and evidence contained within this EQIA has informed the content of the Programme 6 Delivery Plan as well as the content of the overarching EQIA on NSET as a whole. Additional EQIAs will be carried out on specific Projects and Actions as they are developed and implemented to ensure that full consideration is given to the three parts of the PSED, and that opportunities to advance equality through NSET Actions are maximised.
The evidence captured in the next section entitled 'Data and evidence gathering, involvement and consultation' has been drawn from a broad range of sources. As well as the above-noted engagement with equality and human rights stakeholders, evidence has been gathered and analysed from a range of published national and UK research papers, reports, studies and surveys relating to income and earnings, poverty and child poverty, labour market and employment, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistics and data have been gathered from Scotland's Annual Population Survey 2020/21, NSET's Evidence Paper (2022) and Scottish Government Labour Market briefings. Research papers and publications such as If Not Now, When? by the Social Renewal Advisory Board (2021), UK Poverty 2020/21 by Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan progress reports have also been used to provide evidence.
To deliver NSET's transformational Programmes in a way that maximises opportunities to advance equality and human rights, we are undertaking work on improving our equality evidence base. Economy analysts are contributing to the Scottish Government Equality Data Improvement Programme (EDIP), to improve the quality of equality data that is available to use in policy development, implementation and monitoring.
To address some of the known gaps in equality evidence, we launched the first phase of EDIP in April 2021. A written stakeholder consultation was held from July until October 2022 on a draft plan to improve and strengthen Scotland's equality evidence base. This consultation was supplemented by stakeholder engagement workshops held throughout September 2022. The responses received from stakeholders will help shape the improvement plan, which will form the basis of Scotland's new Equality Evidence Strategy. It is anticipated that the strategy will be launched by the end of February 2023 and will run to 2025. It will help identify gaps in equality evidence and improve our evidence base.
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I am SO completely and utterly sore today that I can't even type.
We have been clearing some heavy duty weeds, vines and dead trees out of an overgrown section near the house. Pulling and dragging vegetation has taken all of the strength from my forearms and fingers.
I've also been thinning out our plum grove in the hope that the little trees there will be able to fruit this year. Sawing off the in-between seedlings has taken all of the strength from my shoulders and wrists.
So sorry...a longer story to be posted tomorrow...


text:
I've been trying out Jax over the past week and I've found that he's really fun... but so far not very effective. He's really strong at certain levels but tapers off quickly. It just seems that anything he's good at, someone else (or at least someone else that I've purchased) does better.
Moving quickly towards squishies in a group battle and killing them - Tryndamere does it better because if they shift their DPS towards him, he will ult and kill the squishy. But then again he's Trynda****ingmere. I find with Jax I just get focus fired and have to run away very quickly. I could stack more HP, but then I wouldn't be killing the squishy, just hurting it a little.
Having a strong early game - A lot of heroes do it just as well, if not better (eg Nunu). It's hard to beat Jax in a 1v1 fight early on, but he doesn't seem to have the same kind of impact on the early game that champions like Nunu and Teemo have.
Chasing - Kassadin does it better.
Any decent build for Jax seems to be very expensive. He needs high attack speed, dodge, health, and either AP or damage. Maybe a mana item. I get Starks/Tabi's and then I have issues. Trinity costs too much and leaves me with low health. Frozen Mallet costs a lot and I end up hitting like a sponge. PD costs too much and I get nuked and owned. With any build that doesn't involve an early Sheen or Philo Stone, I oom quickly... but Philo Stone kinda sucks and early Sheen means no increased attack speed.
Does the AP build work? Does it offer anything another hero can't do better? Wouldn't his dodge be too low unless he has runes?
I want to buy Jax this week, but 3150 IP is hard to justify for a hero that doesn't seem to do very well. Am I just doin it wrong? Does he require runes to work? What do you people do?

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text:
Serum lipid profile and its association with hypertension in Bangladesh
Received 19 January 2014
Accepted for publication 31 March 2014
Published 30 June 2014 Volume 2014:10 Pages 327—332
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 3
Kamrun Nahar Choudhury,1 AKM Mainuddin,2 Mohammad Wahiduzzaman,3 Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam4,5
1Department of Epidemiology, National Centre for Control of Rheumatic Fever and Heart Disease, 2Center for Communicable Diseases, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, 3Department of Cardiology, Bangladesh Institute of Health Science, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh; 4Center for Control of Chronic Diseases, International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh; 5Center for International Health, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Background: Hypertension and dyslipidemia are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, accounting for the highest morbidity and mortality among the Bangladeshi population. The objective of this study was to determine the association between serum lipid profiles in hypertensive patients with normotensive control subjects in Bangladesh.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 234 participants including 159 hypertensive patients and 75 normotensive controls from January to December 2012 in the National Centre for Control of Rheumatic Fever and Heart Disease in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected on sociodemographic factors, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and lipid profile including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL).
Results: The mean (± standard deviation) systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of the participants were 137.94±9.58 and 94.42±8.81, respectively, which were higher in the hypertensive patients (P<0.001). The serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL were higher while HDL levels were lower in hypertensive subjects compared to normotensives, which was statistically significant (P<0.001). Age, waist circumference, and body mass index showed significant association with hypertensive patients (P<0.001) but not with normotensives. The logistic regression analysis showed that hypertensive patients had 1.1 times higher TC and TG, 1.2 times higher LDL, and 1.1 times lower HDL than normotensives, which was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Hypertensive patients in Bangladesh have a close association with dyslipidemia and need measurement of blood pressure and lipid profile at regular intervals to prevent cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other comorbidities.
Keywords: Risk factors, cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, blood pressure
Hypertension and dyslipidemia are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and account for more than 80% of deaths and disability in low- and middle-income countries.1,2 The prevalence of hypertension is projected to increase globally, especially in the developing countries.2 In recent years, rapid urbanization, increased life expectancy, unhealthy diet, and lifestyle changes have led to an increased rate of CVD in Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh.3 It is widely accepted that CVD is associated with hypertension and increased blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG). In contrast, a low level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) is a risk factor for mortality from CVD.4 Epidemiological studies have established a strong association between hypertension and coronary artery disease.5
The noncommunicable disease risk factor survey conducted in 2010 in Bangladesh estimated the prevalence of hypertension among adults to be from 16% to 20%.6 The Bangladesh Health, Nutrition and Demographic Survey in 2011 found the prevalence of hypertension among adults to be 34%.7,8 A meta-analysis of the prevalence of hypertension in Bangladesh from 1995 to 2009 among 6,430 adults was estimated to be 13.5%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 12.7% to 14.2%.6 Another meta-analysis of prevalence of CVD and type 2 diabetes between 1995 and 2010 found the pooled prevalence of hypertension to be 13.7% (12.1%–15.3%), with an increasing trend and higher rate in urban areas versus rural (22.2% versus 14.3%, respectively).9 However, these numbers are estimated from several studies and are likely not to account for silent and other asymptomatic CVD and hypertension.
CVD is the leading cause of disability and death worldwide, and a great majority of CVDs are associated with dyslipidemia. Worldwide, there is broad variation in serum lipid profile levels among different population groups. Increased serum levels of TC, TG, LDL, and decreased HDL are known to be associated with major risk factors for CVD. Dyslipidemia, comprising altered ratio of high TC level and isolated evaluation of the LDL or TG, is usually associated with increased blood pressure (BP) levels. There is a strong relationship between total LDL cholesterol concentrations and CVD risk. Patterns of lipid abnormalities among Asians and their relative impact on cardiovascular risk have not been well characterized.10 Low HDL is increasingly recognized as an independent risk factor for adverse CVD outcomes, irrespective of levels of LDL. Although sporadic reports suggest that the prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol is substantial, we lack detailed data on the true prevalence of this condition among patients receiving treatment for dyslipidemia.11 These data strongly suggest that low HDL is a clinically significant problem.
In Bangladesh, consumption of saturated fat and red meat is a known risk factor for CVD, especially hypertension.12 However, data about the relationship between hypertension and lipid profile among Bangladeshi patients are rare in the literature. The purpose of the study was to compare the blood lipid levels in hypertensive patients with normotensive control subjects and determine its association between hypertension and lipid profile.
Materials and methods
Study design and population
A cross sectional study was conducted among 234 participants, 159 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and 75 participants with normal BP (normotensives), attending the National Centre for Control of Rheumatic Fever and Heart Disease (NCCRF&HD) in Dhaka, Bangladesh for a routine health check-up between January and December 2012. All the participants were residents of surrounding areas in Dhaka and aged between 30–60 years. Participants were selected consecutively from the outpatient department by the attending physician. Patients with features of any cardiac, renal, or hepatic complications or major medical problems were excluded. Also, those on lipid lowering and antihypertensive medication were also excluded. After obtaining oral and written informed consent, data was collected through face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurements, clinical examinations, and blood tests for serum lipid profile by trained research assistants.
Height and body weight were measured with participants standing without shoes and heavy outer garments. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms, divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2). Waist circumference (WC) was measured from midway between the lowest rib and the iliac crest using a Gullick II tape with subjects in the standing position and at the end of a normal expiration. Two measurements were taken from each subject, and the mean value was used for the analysis. All anthropometric measurements were collected by the same individual.
BP was measured by a physician using standard BP measurement protocol after the patient had rested for 10 minutes. Two measurements were taken by a mercury sphygmomanometer, with at least a 5-minute interval between successive measurements. The mean of two measurements of Korotkoff phase I was recorded for systolic blood pressure (SBP). The mean of two values of Korotkoff phase IV was recorded for diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Hypertension was defined as an average SBP ≥140 mmHg and DBP ≥90 mmHg without antihypertensive medication according to the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-7).13 In this study, hypertensive patients refer to those participants who demonstrated the JNC-7 criteria.
A volume of 5 mL of venous blood was collected in the morning after an overnight fast, and serum was used for biochemical tests. All tests were carried out at the laboratory of the NCCRF&HD in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Lipid parameters (TC, TG, LDL, and HDL) were estimated by enzymatic colorimetric methods. Dyslipidemia was defined according to the Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults executive summary of the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III): LDL cholesterol (mg/dl) <100= optimal, 100–129= near optimal/above optimal, 130–159=borderline high, 160–189= high, ≥190= very high; total cholesterol (mg/dl) <200= desirable, 200–239= borderline high, ≥240= very high; HDL cholesterol (mg/dl) <40=low, ≥60= high; triglyceride (mg/dl) <150= normal (goal), 150–199= borderline high, 200–499= high, ≥500=very high.14
Ethical clearance was obtained from the NCCRF&HD. Participants were informed about the study, and both verbal and written informed consent was obtained. The Helsinki Declaration was strictly followed for data collection.15
Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software, version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive statistics was used to present the demographic characteristics of the study participants. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and were compared using independent group Student’s t-tests. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to measure the relationship of lipid profile among the hypertensive and normotensive patients after adjusting for age, BMI, sex, and BP. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
The study included 234 participants with a mean age ± SD of 44.7±5.7 years and BMI of 25.2±3.8 kg/m2. The mean SBP and DBP were 137.9±9.6 mmHg and 94.4±8.8 mmHg, respectively. The mean BMI, TC, HDL, and LDL were higher for males compared to females, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). The mean WC was higher in males, which was not statistically significant (P=0.051) (Table 1).
Table 1 Characteristics of the respondents
The mean age ± SD of hypertensive patients and normotensives were 47.6±4.2 and 38.4±3.7 years, respectively. Serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL were 238.3±3.4, 178.3±6.3, and 151.3±7.8 mg/dL, respectively, in hypertensive subjects while in normotensive subjects, they were 187±6.2, 141.5±11.2, and 110.3±6.3 mg/dL, respectively, which were significantly higher in hypertensive patients (P<0.001). The serum HDL was significantly lower (P<0.001) in hypertensive patients (41.2±3.2 mg/dL) than in normotensive subjects (44.3±5.6 mg/dL). The mean SBPs of hypertensives and normotensives were 146.8±8.5 mmHg versus 119.2±9.3 mmHg, respectively, and mean DBPs were 98.9±7.3 mmHg versus 84.9±5.3 mmHg, respectively. The mean SBP and DBP of hypertensives were higher than those of normotensives (P<0.001). Age, WC, and BMI showed significant association with hypertensive patients (P<0.001) but not with normotensive subjects (Table 2).
Binary logistic regression analysis showed TC was significantly associated with hypertensive patients and the odds ratio (OR) was 1.1, 95% CI 0.91–1.77, P<0.002. TG and LDL were significantly associated with hypertensive patients (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.49–1.44, P<0.05 and OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.69–1.66, P<0.001, respectively). HDL was also associated with hypertensive patients (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.77–1.52, P<0.05). DBP showed significant association with hypertensive patients (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.33–3.29, P<0.05) (Table 3).
Table 3 Binary logistic regression analysis for hypertensive and normotensive participants
In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum lipid profile and hypertension among an urban population in Bangladesh. Results of this study revealed that the mean values of serum TC, TG, and LDL were significantly higher and statistically significant among the hypertensive patients compared to normotensives. The mean HDL level was lower in the hypertensives compared to normotensives and was statistically significant.
Hypertension is recognized globally as a major risk factor for CVD, stroke, diabetes, and renal diseases.16 About 80% of hypertensive persons have comorbidities such as obesity, glucose intolerance, abnormalities in lipid metabolism, among others. A prospective study in the northern region of Bangladesh comparing lipid profile status in hypertensive patients as compared to healthy normotensive controls found high serum TC, TG, and LDL, similar to our study.17 Our findings of increased levels of TC in hypertensive patients are similar to the findings of some other studies.16,18,19 However, few studies measured the strong association of hypertension and dyslipidemia among the Bangladeshi population.
Analysis from the INTERHEART study shows that among both cases and controls, mean LDL levels were about 10 mg/dL lower in Asians compared with non-Asians.10 A greater proportion of Asian cases and controls had LDL ≤100 mg/dL. HDL levels were slightly lower among Asians compared with non-Asians, a population who require further study and targeted intervention.10 Several studies have shown that most of the hypertensive patients undergo inconsistent treatment, and there was significant instability of serum TC, TG, HDL, and LDL in hypertensive patients.19–21 Therefore, the findings from investigations of these parameters may reinforce routine monitoring of hypertensive patients in daily clinical practice to prevent CVD and other harmful consequences of hypertension.22
A large scale study conducted in Mexico showed that the most prevalent abnormality in Mexican urban adults, aged 20–69 years, was HDL cholesterol below 0.9 mmol/L (46.2% for men and 28.7% for women). Hypertriglyceridemia (>2.26 mmol/L) was the second most prevalent abnormality (24.3%). Increased LDL (≥4.21 mmol/L) was observed in 11.2% of the sample. Half of the hypertriglyceridemic subjects had a mixed dyslipidemia or low HDL cholesterol. More than 50% of the low HDL cases were not related to hypertriglyceridemia.23 The pan-European Survey of HDL measured lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors in 3,866 patients with type 2 diabetes and 4,436 nondiabetic patients undergoing treatment for dyslipidemia in eleven European countries, and showed that diabetic patients had lower HDL (1.22±0.37 mmol/L versus 1.35±0.44 mmol/L, P<0.001) and higher TG (2.32±2.10 mmol/L versus 1.85±1.60 mmol/L, P<0.001) than nondiabetic patients.24 More diabetic compared to nondiabetic patients had low HDL (45% versus 30%, respectively), high TG (≥1.7 mmol/L; 57% versus 42%, respectively), or both (32% versus 19%, respectively). HDL <0.9 mmol/L was found in 18% of diabetic and 12% of nondiabetic subjects.24
Previous studies showed the high rate of CVD mortality among South-East Asian compared to the rest of the world and that majority of CVD deaths occur below the age of 70.25–28 A wide range of risk factors for CVD has been studied in Bangladesh, but few studies have measured the association of CVD risk with hypertension and lipid profile. A study in rural areas of Bangladesh reported that the prevalence of “high” TC concentration (>240 mg/dL or >6.2 mmol/L) in Bangladesh is about 17%, “high” LDL (≥160 mg/dL or ≥4.2 mmol/L) is about 2%, and “low” HDL (<40 mg/dL or <1.04 mmol/L) is about 67%.29
Our study has several limitations. First, the sample size was obtained from an urban hospital and may not be representative of all hypertensive patients in Bangladesh. Second, our sample size was small, and the control group was selected purposively, not age and sex matched. In addition, we could not compare the effects of lipid profile variation due to diet, physical activity, medication, or other factors.
The results of this study demonstrate that patients with hypertension are more likely than normotensive patients to exhibit dyslipidemia, including elevated TC, LDL, TG, and reduced HDL cholesterol levels. Our results suggest that elevated BP may predict certain disturbances in lipoprotein metabolism. This association will help to develop future strategies for preventing both hypertension and dyslipidemia through proper lifestyle changes or medical management or by the combination of both. Hypertensive patients need measurement of BP and lipid profile at regular intervals throughout their primary health care to prevent CVD and stroke.
We express our sincere thanks to all the participants in this study. We also thank all the physicians, pathologists, and staff of the NCCRF&HD who provided support for this study. We are grateful to Mr SM Majedul Karim, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Germany for reviewing this manuscript and providing feedback.
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.
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text:
The atmosphere in Kwara State is full of politicking as political parties and their candidates have intensified strategies towards winning next year’s general elections.
The electioneering campaigns in the state come in forms of town halls, talk-shows, debates and rallies.
This is especially as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had lifted the ban on public campaigns on September 28, 2022.
While these activities are going on, analysts say the race is a straight battle between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) would form the third force in the state.
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For the residents and many political observers, next year’s governorship race will present an interesting scenario away from the circumstances that played out in 2019.
It is imperative to state that both the APC and PDP are not free from internal crises. While the PDP has suffered a gale of defections of its top members, the APC is risking defeat in next year’s polls following unresolved issues in its fold involving power brokers.
It is gathered that some APC bigwigs in the state who collaborated to birth the current administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are now planning to scuttle the re-election bid of their ‘former principal.’ Many, however, say the SDP has been the greatest beneficiary of the APC crisis.
Despite the present scenario, pundits believe the forthcoming contest is going to be a straight fight between Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the PDP candidate, Alhaji Abdullahi Shuaib Yaman, a former Otoge apostle.
How parties/candidates stand
The APC has found it difficult managing the party’s historical victory that defeated the Saraki dynasty after the last governorship election despite ‘efforts’ by the governor to mend the crack.
At a recent function, Governor Abdulrazaq assured he was already in talks with one of his biggest antagonists in the party and current Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Realities on ground are however not in sync with this assertion that, “I and Alhaji Lai will work together come 2023.”
Rather, some of the key aides and foot soldiers of the minister are finding shelter under the PDP umbrella and mounting the SDP’s horse rather than sweeping the debris leftover by the aggrieved leaders with the APC’s broom.
As a result, analysts are of the view that while the PDP appears to be stronger in Kwara North because of its candidate who hails from the district, the SDP is more visible in Kwara South while Kwara Central is going to be the “battle ground.”
Apologists of the APC believe the party’s greatest strength lies in the “performance” of the governor and his ability to connect directly with the masses.
But critics argued that such a political strategy is a disadvantage. For the PDP, supporters believe the party has the structures to deliver their candidate who, himself, is expected to use his credentials as a former Otoge leader to benefit his new party.
They claimed that the APC won on propaganda and has reversed the development gear of the state without completing any major project in its over three years in office.
But the ruling party not only continues to flaunt the governor’s scorecard; the governor has consistently said that the PDP grounded the state during the 16 years of its reign.
Polls outcome unpredictable
A member of the APC who preferred not to have his name in print said, “The election cannot be predicted because of the internal wrangling in the APC unless the governor is able to make truce with some aggrieved leaders yet to leave the party.
“More than 80 per cent of the aggrieved members have concluded plans to work against the governor. He (Governor) can still have his way through, if the opposition refuses to work together.
“It’s left for the electorate in Kwara North to decide whether their own son can offer better than what the governor has offered them so far.
“In Kwara South, the SDP has a better chance as it inherited the bulk of the aggrieved Otoges from the APC. But the Igbomina/Offa versus Ilorin sentiment is still there. They see the defeat of Saraki as a freedom from Ilorin and may not want a return to the status quo. I am from Ilorin and understand what I am talking about.”
The APC official however noted that, “Kwara Central is going to be the battleground. No candidate will likely have a hundred per cent of the votes among SDP’s Akeem Lawal, Yakubu Gobir of YPP, Prof. AbdulRaheeem Shuaib Oba of NNPP and Basambo of Labour Party who may not really have the strength to cause any upset.”
He said although “the governor has tried, his performance has not really been spectacular with what we have seen so far. AbdulRazaq is between two lines and how he is able to cross them will determine his fate.”
He added that the PDP needs to do more as an opposition if it wants to profit from the APC’s internal squabbles and dislodge the ruling party in the state.
We’ll win across board – PDP
But the state chairman of the PDP, Hon. Babatunde Mohammed, said the party is working vigorously to come stronger in 2023.
He said, “With God and support of the people, PDP will become stronger in 2023. We are working very hard and vigorously with all like-minds to win all elective seats.
“What happened in 2019 was a temporary setback. There is no party in the entire Kwara that has the kind of support PDP has and even those aggrieved members that defected from the APC are ready to work with us.
“I don’t harbour any fear at all as a politician. We have been in this game long enough to understand the dynamics. APC came in 2019 with lots of propaganda and wrongly Kwarans fell for it but now, it is clear that this is not the type of government they expected and that is why they are looking forward to the PDP to form the next government in 2023.”
Opposition not a threat – APC
But chairman of the APC in the state, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, told Daily Trust yesterday that opposition parties were not a threat to APC’s chances of winning, saying reconciliatory efforts were still ongoing.
He said, “For those that left, politics is freedom of association and so many people from the other parties have also joined APC. We can’t hold or tie anybody down.
“We will however not relent and by God’s grace, we will win the election with a better margin than the last time. We still plead and welcome those that might have a rethink. Another person’s house should not be more attractive than the one we built together. APC’s strength is our work which is speaking for us.”
Asked if he is afraid of other parties working together to defeat APC, Fagbemi said, “APC remains the party to beat.”
SDP party to beat – Spokesman
The Kwara State Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Barrister Ibrahim Sharafadeen, said his party would beat other parties in the race and clinch the governorship seat.
“The SDP has the brightest chance to win the gubernatorial election because we have been with the people for long and worked for the emergence of the governor during the Otoge era. The majority of our members in SDP were responsible for that victory.
“While I will agree that the stronghold of the SDP is in Kwara South, that doesn’t mean we don’t have acceptable candidates in the north and central to sell the party. Apart from Yaman, all the other gubernatorial candidates are from Kwara Central which makes the district a keenly contested one. All the governorship candidates will have their share of votes with little difference. Kwara South is the only district without a gubernatorial candidate and I see the SDP coming on top”, he added.
“Decision rests with the citizens”
But the Executive Director of Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA), Comrade Taiwo Otitolaye, said next year’s election has a lot to do with the people.
“No doubt APC has been depleted to the advantage of PDP, SDP and NNPP among others. But it’s a matter of choice. Campaigns this time around should be issue-based. Citizens must engage in self-evaluation as to what they have benefited in the governance of Kwara from 1999 and stop collecting money to vote because things are getting worse. It will continue this way if we don’t vote for the right person that can deliver,” he said.
Otitolaye who is also the National Coordinator, Publish What You Pay (PWYP), added that, “The people have to decide whether they are content with the status quo or not.”
‘Election can go either way’
In his appraisal, national secretary of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), Dr Adebola Bakare, said the election can go either way.
“The opposition will split their votes because they are not united, which may be to the governor’s advantage. Otherwise, it would have been possible to defeat him.
“But on the other hand, the vote will likely come in blocks for the SDP in Kwara South and PDP in Kwara North; the governor may win Kwara Central where about four others from the region are also in the contest.
“But whether such votes and the others he may get from the two other districts will be sufficient for his emergence remains to be seen. And should it go into a runoff, such development might not be to the advantage of the governor because then the opposition will be forced to work against him unless they shoot themselves in the foot again,” he said.
Bakare said the absence of the Otoges who would have helped garner votes for the governor is a very delicate situation “which he needs to resolve between now and election period. Whoever tells him that those who left will not have implication in his reelection bid is not sincere with him.”
In terms of strength, the political scientist said, “APC is the ruling party and will ride on the popularity of the presidential candidate, Tinubu, and the performance of the governor to some extent especially with the fact that he simplified governance.”
He said, “For the SDP, the bulk of those who are not happy with the governor are majorly from Kwara South and they have already moved en masse. They might not win the governorship, but there are chances that they will produce some federal Reps, state assembly and even senatorial seats.
“For the PDP, their strength is that the people of Kwara North are already clamouring for the seat and are likely to rally round their son this time around.”
He added, “I think the situation is better like this, especially for the electorate. It will give them the opportunity to pick choices and options unlike before. It is better this way.”

domain: politics


text:
A midnight owl quotes a weary tune
Reluctantly a puddle releases the moon
Exits damp but soon will dry
Reclaim his royal perch in the sky
Silence falls as the disc so bright
Litters space with many dots of white
Nocturnal eyes can only stare ~ As shooting stars decorate the air
Bloated clouds with velvet trim
Allow the orb to colour their skin
Golden flakes dance wild on the breeze
Fallen fine dust patterns the trees
Worth considering is a night sky blank
A watery hole keeping the image she drank
© Copyright 2017 Philip H20s. All rights reserved.
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