Business Management Basics

Managing a business is about creating a vision and advising others implement your design. Mark C. Tibergien and Rebecca Pomering explain in their book, "Practice Made Perfect: The Discipline of Business Management for Financial Advisers," that management entails making decisions, evaluating data and committing to a business model. How an executive meets these objectives, however, depends on her competency and the industry of the business.

Corporate Culture

A task in business management is establishing the corporate culture of the organization. Patrick J. Montana and Bruce Charnov define corporate culture in the book, "Management" as the values, characteristics, meanings and traditions of the organization. For instance, Enron's corporate attitude was a polished, cutthroat, "hold-no-prisoners and let the best person win" style. On the other hand, Google promotes a laid-back, collaborative culture within its offices.

Managers establish corporate culture through the design of their vision statement, dress code and employee orientation. Even the contents of the building's break room: A basic design with a single television playing the news conveys a far different attitude than a break room filled with video games and ping-pong tables.

Business Model

A business model serves as a template for how executives manage the business. Very rarely does one business model fit all companies: Over time, managers tweak the model to meet any new challenges or objectives faced by the company. These templates typically focus on a core competency or strength of the organizations. For example, Wal-Mart's business model emphasizes low cost, whereas Apple focuses on delivering innovative, cutting-edge products. Steven Peterson, Peter Jaret and Barbara Findlay Schnek, authors of "Business Plan Kits for Dummies" elaborate that business models include details of how the business generates revenue, outlines profit margins and lists the targeted customers.

Human Capital

Business management entails gathering a qualified team that is not only qualified, but compatible with the company's mission and fellow employees. Being a good business manager is as much about psychology as it about business. Managers must know assemble a strong team, identify potential personality conflicts and address personnel issues as they arise. Business managers use tools such as personality tests and performance appraisals to measure the type and caliber of the staff, though intuition and strong social skills are just as necessary.

Competition

Executives must analyze the competition as part of managing the company. Assessing the competition illuminates the organization's strengths and weaknesses. For example, if a neighboring retail store offers an identical, best-selling product at 30 percent less than your store, this comparison may cause you to seek other wholesale vendors of the item or look for ways to cut overhead costs. Analyzing the competition may also compel the management team to reassess its branding strategy or allocate more funds to develop a new product on par with the competition's item.

Tags: business model, corporate culture, break room, management entails

About Breast Implant & Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are a kind of scarring of the skin due to tearing of the dermis, which can be caused by puberty, rapid weight gain, breast implants or pregnancy. They occur when the elasticity of the dermis is weakened and skin gives way. Stretch marks, also called striae, are not dangerous and tend to fade over time.

Symptoms

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of stretch marks include red or purple streaks, bright streaks that fade to light pink, grayish or white, and indented lines in the skin. They commonly appear on the abdomen, hips, thighs and breasts and typically become visible during the last trimester of pregnancy. Breast implant surgery also results in stretch marks for some women. If you have a history of stretch marks or are getting implants, you will be particularly susceptible, according to Just Breast Implants.

Prevention/Solution

While it is not possible to completely prevent stretch marks in many cases, you can reduce their severity by following some straightforward guidelines, according to MedicineNet. For instance, you can help maintain your skin's elasticity by using moisturizer regularly and drinking plenty of water. In addition, during pregnancy and before and after breast implant surgery you should apply moisturizer regularly to help stretch skin and avoid tearing.

Treatment

While stretch marks are not dangerous and tend to fade over time, there are treatments that can improve their appearance. According to Stretchmarks, Retin-A cream is effective, though it should not be used during pregnancy. Laser therapy (wavelengths of light pulsed on the skin) can also help reduce stretch marks by stimulating the growth of collagen in skin. Microdermabrasion is a technique that polishes the skin by abrading it with crystals. This method removes the top layer of skin, and, like laser therapy, can stimulate skin growth and collagen production.

Hide Stretch Marks

New stretch marks can be particularly obvious and dark. Self-tanners can safely obscure new stretch marks while protecting your skin from the sun, according to Stretchmarks. You can also use body makeup that matches your skin tone, or wear boy-short style swim trunks to obscure problem areas. Remember, many people get stretch marks at some point in their lives, and they usually fade over time. Pregnancy-related stretch marks often fade very quickly after delivery, according to the website Pregnancy Period.

Risks

Stretch marks are more common in women than men, especially women who are overweight or pregnant. Stretch marks are also genetically linked. If you have a parent with stretch marks, you are more likely to get them, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you are planning to get breast implant surgery and have a family history of stretch marks, you may want to consider smaller implants, according to Just Breast Implants.

Tags: stretch marks, fade over, fade over time, implant surgery, over time, stretch marks, your skin

Recognize Different Types Of Mental Illness

Recognize Different Types of Mental Illness

People have an increasing awareness of mental illness today. With the new awareness has come difficult questions. You could've noticed odd behavior in a friend or loved one and wondered if they have a mental illness. You wonder how you can determine what illness they have and get your loved one the help they need.

Instructions

Recognize Depression

1. Ask the person how he's feeling. Often a person reports feeling incredibly sad, hopeless or worthless for more than 3 weeks. Realize though, that if someone experienced a life-altering event, they may have a lingering sadness that isn't clinical depression.

2. Question a large change of appetite that can't be explained by diet or exercise. Often people experiencing depression also have unusual changes in appetite.

3. Listen carefully when the person discusses her life. If she talks about not sleeping well or not going to places she used to, ask her if she's been ill lately. If she hasn't, she may be depressed.

4. Notice when the person complains of stomachaches or headaches that seem to come on for no reason. Ask him to see the doctor to rule out any physical causes, such as allergies or intestinal problems. If these problems are already ruled out, these physical problems may be caused by depression.

5. Call 911 immediately if the person attempts suicide. If she talks excessively about death or wanting to die, call a suicide hotline or a hospital immediately. Suicidal people often talk about wanting to die before they actually make an attempt.

Recognize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

6. Be supportive if you know a loved one has suffered thorough a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, war, or attack. Sometimes, you may notice symptoms immediately or 3 months to 1 year after the event.

7. Listen to the person talk. He may constantly retell the event over and over to anyone who will listen. He may tell someone he can still hear certain sounds, or see certain things, which is known as a flashback.

8. Ask a person how she's sleeping. She'll often report nightmares about the event.

9. See if the person attempts to avoid certain places, activities or people that are associated with the trauma. Many times, he won't want any kind of reminders of the event if he's suffering from PTSD.

10. Check how the person is feeling. She may be experiencing depression after the event, especially if it was life-changing. She may also experience unusual irritability or angry outbursts that seem to come out of nowhere.

11. Worry about a change of habits. Just like in depression, he may have lost interest in activities or loved ones.

12. Watch for an exaggerated startle response or hyperviligance. People who suffer from PTSD often startle easily, especially if they're re-experiencing the event through a flashback.

Recognize Bi-Polar Manic Episodes

13. Notice any excessive happiness, hopefulness and excitement that suddenly appear. If a person has bipolar disorder, her mood may change to angry and hostile quickly and then back again. Usually, the extreme happiness isn't triggered by any event or activity.

14. Observe the person's behavior and speech patterns. Restlessness is especially common. Conversing with the person can be difficult because of his rapid, sometimes incoherent speech and inability to concentrate.

15. Question whether or not she's slept at all. A person suffering from mania usually has more energy and doesn't want to sleep much. She often comes up with ambitious and sometimes impractical goals or projects when she skips sleep.

16. Ask why he suddenly quit his job, got drunk on a school night or did another impulsive thing. A person's judgment is usually impaired during manic episodes.

17.Look for sharp increases in credit card bills or missing money. She may go on expensive shopping sprees or start gambling without thinking of consequences.

18. Listen carefully to what the person says. Sometimes he may experience a hallucination or delusion. He might tell you something is in the room which is clearly not, or he may claim to have some superpower.

Recognize Bi-Polar Depressive Episodes

19. Be aware of a sudden shift of mood. The person may go from being exceedingly happy to feeling incredibly sad and hopeless.

20. Discover the person sleeping all day, whereas during a manic stage the person didn't want to sleep. He may also complain about being tired but unable to sleep.

21. Inquire about the projects she discussed doing before. If she shows little to no interest, she may be suffering from a depressive bout.

22. Listen to what he says. He may say he wishes to die or may talk about committing suicide. Take his words seriously and call for help immediately.

Recognize Schizophrenia

23. Note bizarre ideas that he shares with you. He may believe that he is God, that people can overhear his thoughts or that he has superhuman powers.

24. Realize that she may hear voices or see things that aren't there. One symptom of schizophrenia is auditory and visual hallucinations. Likewise, she may not be able to comprehend everyday sights and sounds.

25. Discuss ideas and activities with the person to see if his reasoning is logical. When you discuss things with someone suffering from schizophrenia, his responses may make no sense. His writing may show a similar lack of logic.

26

Notice repetition in movement or gestures, such as walking in circles, which can be a sign of this mental illness.

27

See whether she shows a lack of emotion or shows inappropriate emotion during a situation, such as laughing instead of crying. She may be angry instead of happy about a good promotion.

Tags: suffering from, mental illness, they have, after event, Different Types, Different Types Mental

Breast Abscess Symptoms

Breast Abscess Symptoms

A breast abscess is an infection in the breast that progresses from breast inflammation (mastitis) and forms a pus filled pocket known as an abscess. Generally, mastitis can be treated before an abscess forms; however, once an abscess forms, antibiotics and surgical drainage is the standard course of action.

Background

Breast infections are usually caused by the staphylococcus aureus bacteria commonly found on the skin. The bacteria enter the breast through a break in the skin. Cracks in the skin on the breast can occur with breast feeding, so mastitis is often found in breast feeding mothers.

Symptoms

Breast abscess symptoms begin with mastitis, or a painful, inflamed breast. The infection usually occurs only on one breast. Continued breast feeding on the affected side can help to clear up the infection. If the infection continues, a breast abscess can occur. This appears as a painful hard lump that can be red and feel hot when touched. Fever, chills and body aches may also be present. The lymph nodes on the affected side may also be swollen. If the abscess is allowed to progress, it will eventually rupture, and it may infect the surrounding area and milk ducts. Infected milk ducts are dangerous to the infant because the infection may be present in the breast milk.

Treatment

The treatment for breast abscess includes antibiotics and drainage of the abscess. Sometimes the infecting staphylococcus bacterium is the antibiotic resistant MRSA strain. In this instance, stronger antibiotics are given in order to combat the infection. This is much more likely to be the case if the infection includes the milk ducts. In all cases, the abscess is drained. The pus may be tested to determine the exact bacteria causing the infection.

Risk Factors

Women who have had a previous case of mastitis are more likely to develop a second case. Wearing a tight fitting bra may restrict the flow of milk, and increase the risk of mastitis and breast abscess. Not draining the breast during breast feeding is associated with a higher incidence of inflammation. Sore or cracked nipples can allow the bacteria to enter the body. Additionally, using only one position to breast feed may impede the breast from fully emptying, and the risk of mastitis is increased.

Warning

Breast abscess symptoms are similar to other more serious conditions. Any unexplained lump should be examined by a physician so the proper diagnosis can be made.

Tags: breast abscess, breast feeding, milk ducts, abscess forms, affected side

Facts About Mexico City

Facts About Mexico City

One of the largest and oldest cities in the world, Mexico City is second only to Tokyo in population. The city boasts numerous historical landmarks, a vibrant culture and spring-like temperatures year-round. If you are considering a trip to Mexico City, you are wise to plan ahead. Many of the larger, more luxurious hotels are booked months in advance. If you are planning to fly into Mexico City, you will need a passport and a Mexico tourist card.

History

Mexico City, which was the Aztec capital until the 1500s, was under Spanish rule until the early nineteenth century.

Features

Mexico City boasts a plethora of sights and attractions, including many archaeological interests, museums, monuments and parks, and is home to Plaza Mexico, the home of bullfighting, and the centuries-old Floating Garden.

Geography

Mexico City is located in the Valley of Mexico, which sits in the center of Mexico, a country between the United States and Guatemala that borders the North Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Climate

June to September is the rainy season in Mexico City, with year-round temperatures remaining moderate, ranging from average winter lows of 43 degrees F to average summer highs of 73 degrees F.

Considerations

Like many large metropolitan areas, Mexico City has its share of poverty, crime, congestion and pollution.

Tags: Mexico City, About Mexico, About Mexico City, Facts About, Facts About Mexico

The Salary Of A Radiologist Physicist

Radiologist physicist might develop new radiology technology for doctors.

Accurately estimating the salary of a radiologist physicist must take in a number of factors.The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) publishes an annual salary survey, which indicates the average salaries by specialty, geographic location, medical school type and academic rank. However, other salary survey sites, such as PayScale, include additional factors, such as years of experience in the field, to determine the salary of a radiologist physicist.

Experience

The salary of a radiologist physicist varies depending on the number of years in the field. Those that are just starting out and have less than 1 year of experience earn a starting salary between $48,672 and $197,265, according to PayScale, while those with 1 to 4 years of experience earn between $42,237 and $151,699 a year.

Radiologist physicists with 5 to 9 years of experience earn between $60,000 and $249,110 a year, while the salary for those with 10 to 19 years of experience is between $111,111 and $334,139. Those that have been in the field for 20 or more years earn anywhere from $104,645 to $298,957.

Employer Type

The salary of a radiologist physicist also varies depending on the employer type. PayScale reports that the salary of those employed in a hospital setting is between $48,144 and $196,424, while those employed by a private firm or practice earn between $60,000 and $306,386.

The salaries for those employed by a college or university are between $75,000 and $300,653. The salaries for those the federal government employs are between $31,900 and $119,792, while non-profit organization employees earn between $75,000 and $230,000.

Location

Geographical location also affects the salaries of a radiologist physicist. The salary of a radiologist physicist working in New York City is between $72,500 and $312,753, while the salary of a radiologist physicist working in Chicago is between $48,605 and $305,209. The salary for those working in Seattle, Washington is between $51,395 and $206,353. Boston has some of the highest salaries for radiologist physicists, falling between $101,736 and $388,843 a year.

Additional Considerations

Additional considerations that have a bearing on the average salary include the schools attended; those who have graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) are reported to earn between $97,211 and $337,140, while those who graduated from Harvard Medical School are reported to earn between $58,958 and $256,973, according to PayScale.

In addition to the annual salary, bonuses, benefits and perks are also a factor. Benefits include 401(k) retirement savings accounts, malpractice and liability insurance, private medical insurance, a cell phone and paid holidays and vacations.

Tags: earn between, radiologist physicist, between while, salary radiologist, salary radiologist physicist

Get Business Grants For Minority Women

If you're a minority woman and you need a business grant, there are a few places where you can look. Even though the federal government does not offer start-up business grants, you can still get business grants as a minority woman by following a few simple steps.

Instructions

1. Make sure you have a detailed business plan and a grant proposal in place. Business plan writing and grant writing are specialized fields, so consider hiring a professional business plan writer and a professional grant writer to get your business grant.

2. Certify your business as being woman-owned. Although certification is not necessary in order to receive business grants, you will be able to qualify for government contracts if you get certified. You can self-certify through Central Contractor Registration or receive certification from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council and the National Women's Business Owners Corporation.

3. Check with the U.S. Small Business Association's website. The SBA's main website allows you to search for business loans, grants and financing assistance. Their Office of Women's Business Ownership also offers grant information and tips on finding and getting business grants. Look online for sites that cater to minority-owned businesses and search for angel investors that focus on minority women as well.

4. Apply for the grants that you qualify for. Make sure you follow all the directions when you apply, and provide all the necessary information along with your grant letter and business plan.

Tags: business grants, Women Business, business grant, business plan, Make sure, minority woman

Cures For Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is a cancer that originates in the esophagus. The esophagus is a long tube that connects the throat to the stomach, allowing food a direct route into the stomach for digestion. Esophageal cancer can start anywhere along the esophagus and usually begins along the cell wall that lines the inside of the esophageal tube. With modern technologies, there are many treatments for esophageal cancer, ranging from surgery to radiation.

Surgical Options

The first surgical option for early staged esophageal cancer entails the removal of small tumors from the esophagus. This surgery depends on the advancement of the cancer in the esophagus. If there is only one tumor, the likelihood of wide spread cancer is very low; a surgeon may opt to remove solely the tumor, leaving the esophagus as intact as possible. If more tumors are found, but spreading does not appear to be deep in the esophageal lining, a doctor may opt to remove the tumors and some of the surrounding healthy tissues for added assurance. This surgery is usually performed using an endoscope (tube utensil with a camera and cutting utensil at the tip) inserted through the throat and into the esophagus, creating access to the cancer. Side effects include discomfort in throat and esophagus; however, pain resolves as the incisions heal.

Esophagectomy is a more aggressive procedure. This entails removal of part of the esophagus. Sometimes, if necessary, some lymph nodes are removed as well, depending on the cancer's severity. The remaining esophagus is connected back to the stomach by bringing the stomach up or by using parts of the colon to connect the esophagus back to the stomach. Side effects for this procedure can range from infection, bleeding, and leakage of digestive acids and foods to other parts of the body. Most procedures are performed successfully; however, these are the risks due to the nature of the procedure.

Chemotherapy and Radiation

Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that targets the cancer cells within the body. Chemotherapy is used either alone for treatment of extremely early stage cancer, after surgery or before surgery. The use of chemotherapy depends directly on you and your doctor. In cases of extremely advanced cancers, chemotherapy is used to kill some cancer cells and relieve symptoms of the tumors.

Radiation therapy entails administering high frequency energy beams to tumors or locations of cancerous cells; the high frequencies kill the cancer cells. Radiation either comes from a machine outside the body or directly on the tumor via brachytherapy. Brachytherapy entails placing small radioactive pellets on the tumor, providing time released cancer treatment.

Radiation and chemotherapy are sometimes used in conjunction. The use of these two treatment methods together might increase the success rate of these two treatment options.

The use of these treatment options depends on you and your doctor. Treatment can depend on person to person, discuss these options thoroughly with your doctor to decide which treatment is best for the severity of cancer.

Tags: cancer cells, these treatment, your doctor, back stomach, entails removal

The Difference Between Silkscreen Printing & Color Printing

Silkscreen and color printing are the two most common ways of putting images and words onto T-shirts. Each method uses different tools in accomplishing a similar goal. Does this Spark an idea?

Silkscreen Printing

Silkscreen printing is a process in which a frame and a stencil are placed on a shirt and filled in with ink. The frame helps keep ink from leaking onto the rest of the shirt.

Color Printing

Color printing is a technique by which four ink colors are applied to a T-shirt in layers to create an image.

Considerations

Color printing allows a T-shirt to feature much more complicated and realistic images; it is similar to the style of printing used to create newspaper images. Silkscreen prints, however, tend to last longer.

Benefits

Silkscreen printing kits can be purchased for an individual to use at home, which makes individual design more accessible and less expensive. Color prints must be done with special equipment.

Size

Color prints can be made to cover a larger portion of the shirt than most silkscreen prints, making them a better option for more detailed images.

Tags: Color printing, Color prints, Printing Color, Silkscreen printing

What Does A Second Ascus Pap Test Mean

A Second ASCUS Pap test may be cause for concern.

ASCUS is the mildest type of abnormality on a Pap test. It stands for Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance and may be caused by inflammation or infection of the cervix, using spermicide, having sex, douching before the test or even by menstrual blood.

Time Frame

Between 80 to 90 percent of ASCUS Pap smears resolve spontaneously, so if the first test shows ASCUS, doctors typically have you come back for another Pap test within four to six months.

Conservative Approach to ASCUS

If the second Pap test also comes back positive for ASCUS, some doctors prescribe a round of antibiotics, in case the abnormal results are caused by a cervical infection. You will be asked to come back in for a third Pap test when you have finished your course of antibiotics.

More Aggressive Approach to ASCUS

Alternatively, after the second ASCUS Pap test, the doctor may elect to do a coloposcopy or a close examination of the cervix. He or she may also biopsy the cervix at this time to check for pre-cancerous or cancerous changes.

Misconceptions

Many women worry that an ASCUS test means they have cervical cancer. In truth, it generally takes years for ASCUS to grow to even pre-cancerous stages, let alone full-blown cervical cancer. That is why so many doctors prefer a wait-and-see approach.

Tags: ASCUS test, Approach ASCUS, cervical cancer, come back

The Effectiveness Of Bilateral Sanding

Occupational therapists have patients perform bilateral sanding exercises to encourage extremity rehabilitation.

When a person has sustained an injury to muscles or nerves in the arm or shoulder, occupational therapists encourage recovery to normal function by having the patient perform a variety of repetitive tasks. Bilateral sanding is one tool of many that may redevelop motor activity.

About

The patient holds in her hand a block of wood wrapped in a coarse material designed to produce friction. Professional models may use felt and carpet or a similar combination to provide resistance without actually sanding wood. The patient then pushes and pulls the block across a surface, alternating arms at regular intervals.

Benefits

The key benefit to the patient lies in the resistance and gross motor movement of sanding in both linear and circular patterns. Pushing and pulling exercises the deltoid muscles, while the medial (inward) and lateral (outward) pulling of circular motions build up the triceps.

Conclusion

The idea to use a sanding motion for rehabilitation of upper extremity movement was first introduced in 1986. Since then, patients have shown improved outcomes in achieving muscular function. Electromyographic studies have supported the evidence that bilateral sanding is a potent therapeutic tool.

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Careers In Biological Engineering

Biological engineers apply engineering, scientific and mathematic principles to biological systems.

Biological engineers use mathematical, scientific and engineering principles and methods to improve the conditions of human beings and living organisms. Unlike biomedical engineering, which relates specifically to the medical field, biological engineers include professionals who specialize in agricultural and environmental engineering. Although a large portion of biological engineers are hired by health care and government agencies, some professionals also work for universities, consulting firms and nonprofit organizations.

Types

Under the field of biological engineering, professionals apply engineering technology to humans, animals and plants. A biomedical engineer develops prosthetic limbs for amputees, surgical instruments, and medical information systems and devices. In agriculture, biological engineers develop machines, equipment and structures used to cultivate crops and conserve soil. Other tasks that fall under agricultural engineers include researching and developing methods for managing water supplies and storing agricultural products. Environmental engineers use biology and chemistry to come up with solutions to reduce pollution, improve recycling programs and effectively dispose of waste. Biological engineers often work for governmental agencies dealing with public health and climate change issues.

Education

Similar to other engineering professionals, entry-level biological engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, as well as a concentration in mechanical or electronics engineering. Biological engineering programs offer specialty tracks in areas including agriculture and the environment. Students can also concentrate in bioprocess engineering, which is the development of biological materials into systems, instruments and technologies that can be used by humans. Biological engineering students take classes in the sciences, social science, math, agricultural engineering, agricultural machinery, and environmental safety and health. University and college professors, government employees and corporate executives often pursue a graduate degree to advance their skills and broaden their knowledge within the engineering field, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Potential

Significant growth is expected for careers in biological engineering, according to the BLS. Between 2008 and 2018, biomedical engineering jobs are expected to grow by 72 percent due to the growing demand for advanced technologies in health care. Employment for agricultural engineers is expected to increase by 12 percent as a result of population growth. Additionally, more efficient and environmentally friendly methods for harvesting crops will be needed to feed expanding towns and cities. Environmental engineering jobs should grow by 31 percent during the 2008 to 2018 decade. The BLS attributes this to rising demand for expertise in environmental legislation and the need for organizations to comply with laws.

Salary

Average annual wages for agricultural engineers was $74,640, according to a May 2009 BLS report. For biomedical engineers, the average annual salary for professionals in the U.S. was $82,550. Environmental engineers earned an average salary of $80,750 per year during the same time period.

Tags: agricultural engineers, biological engineering, engineering jobs, 2008 2018, apply engineering

Oklahoma Nursing Home Federal Regulations

Oklahoma nursing home regulations put special focus on respect for residents.

The federal government already has many nursing home regulations. Each state may add to any federal regulations that it sees fit, but it may not detract from them. Oklahoma in one such state that passed the Nursing Home Care Act in 2001, describing more nursing home regulations. The Oklahoma nursing home regulations are laws specifically built off the federal regulations to fit Oklahoma. This act does not apply to any facilities that are non-profit and not receiving any help from the state or federal government.

Federal Regulations

Though each state's government is entitled to make its own regulations regarding nursing homes, the federal government has some basic guidelines that every state must abide by. The following 13 guidelines are federal laws. Each nursing home must:

1. Have a large enough nursing staff to serve the residents well

2. Conduct assessments of residents' functional abilities

3. Develop a specific care plan for each resident

4. Help residents maintain good grooming and nutrition if they become unable to do so themselves

5. Make sure residents are treated properly and given devices to help with deteriorating hearing and vision

6. Make sure residents have enough supervision that most accidents can be prevented

7. Serve nutritional food

8. Give each resident must enough water to stay hydrated and healthy

9. Promote each resident's quality of life

10. Be respectful to residents

11. Give residents the right to choose their own schedules and health care

12. Provide medicine for residents who need it

13. Keep clinical records up to date.

Oklahoma Law: Licensing

No one may operate a nursing home without a license awarded by the state of Oklahoma. The punishment for operating or managing a nursing home without a license is a misdemeanor charge. A license to operate a nursing home, however, does not give anyone the right to practice medicine. To obtain a nursing home license, a person must: be 21 years of age or older; be in good physical and mental health; have a written agreement between owner and manager; give the name and address of the operator; provide the amount of residents that will be cared for and projection of staff needed; and pay an application fee.

Oklahoma Law: Inspections

The construction of the building must be approved by the State Fire Marshal and sprinklers must be in place in case of fire. Nursing homes will be periodically inspected by a person from the State Department of Health. If any part of the facility or records is not in compliance with safety regulations, the operator can be fined 50 dollars per day until the problem is fixed.

Oklahoma Law: Residents' Rights

Nursing homes must give a list of residents' rights to any resident who asks. Residents' rights must, in the very least, include: the right to the knowledge of any option she has and the right to make her own choices; the right to private communication with her family and doctor; the right to complain about any person or aspect of the nursing home without fear of being reprimanded; the right to choose how she wishes to spend her own money; the right to medical care and the right to refuse medical care or medicine; the right to respect and privacy in regards to her medical records; the right to her own clothing and personal possessions; the right to respectful and polite care; the right to not be physically or mentally abused; the right to not be chemically controlled if the chemical is not for a medical problem; the right to not be forced to work for the facility; the right to private spousal visits; and the right to participate in religious, social, or community practices. The punishment for any worker who violates any rights of residents is a misdemeanor charge, a fine between $100 and $300, or up to 30 days jail time.

Other requirements exist concerning patients' rights. For example, if a resident is in pain, he must be treated as soon as possible and to the best ability of the doctors. If a nursing home resident dies, the home must notify a member of the clergy of his specific religion if he is religious.

Tags: nursing home, home regulations, nursing home regulations, each resident, federal government

The Disability Requirements For Medicare

Medicare is a federally administered health insurance program for those who are disabled and the elderly. Those who are eligible due to disability often times have different rules and restrictions apply to them. The requirements for enrollment are somewhat different as well.

Social Security Requirement

In order to receive Medicare, you must receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). In order to receive SSDI, you must be deemed unable to work due to a medical condition that will last a for more than a year or are terminal.

Work Requirements for SSDI

If you are under 24, then you need one and one half years of work history within the past three years. If you are 24-31, you must have worked 50 percent of the time between the age of 21 and when you became disabled. If you are 31 or older, you need five years of work in the past 10 years. Your work must have ended in the last quarter before your disability began.

SSDI Application Requirements

When you apply, Social Security requires identification documents and documents verifying your work history. They also need the contact information of doctors and medical records that prove the disability.

Time Requirements

Those who are disabled are not automatically qualified for Medicare once they receive SSDI. You must receive SSDI benefits for at least 24 months before Medicare benefits will begin.

Enrollment Requirements

Those on SSDI are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Three months before their 24th month on SSDI, they receive a packet that includes their Medicare card. They may begin using their Medicare benefits in the 24th month.

Tags: receive SSDI, Social Security, 24th month, Medicare benefits, months before

Know If Your Breasts Are Finished Growing

Know if Your Breasts Are Finished Growing

The average period of breast growth in females varies, but you can estimate whether your breasts have finished growing or if you can still expect some change. Your age, the age of your first menstruation and your family genes can be good indications of what to expect for your final breast size and growth pattern.

Instructions

1. Teenage girls looking in mirror

Consider your age and body; before the age of puberty, a flat chest is normal and is considered the first stage of the breast growth process. This first stage of growth may have few visible signs.

2. Teenage girl looking at makeup in mirror

Consider where your body is in regards to puberty. If you haven't had your first period yet, but expect that puberty is close, you should be experiencing your first breast growth. Depending on the rate of growth and size, stretch marks can appear, and the nipples may swell and become tender. Your breast development is in its first significant growth spurt, and some discomfort is normal.

3. Teenage girl in classroom

Ask yourself how long you have been menstruating. Breast tissue will begin to increase at a more rapid rate as you settle into a normal menstrual cycle; as glands become more productive, more fat is created in your breasts, and size increases. The breasts may feel firm to the touch during this stage. Depending on how rapid your breasts are developing, you may see stretch marks, which disappear in most women as your body adjusts. If this information generally describes your body, you are in the stage of the most rapid growth, but you can expect to gain more size.

4. Woman in bra

If it has been a significant period of time (about 4 years) since you began menstruating, look at your body in the mirror. What you see is about the size you can expect; since your body has adjusted to puberty, your breasts may be near their final size. The most significant changes should appear in a softening of the breast tissue, and modifications in the shape of the breast rather than growth in size. Definition in the nipples is normal.

5. Couple on beach

If you are over 18, expect to have reached your final breast size, although several factors such as weight loss or gain can affect your breast size (your body will gain or lose fat content over the entire body, including breasts). If you're wondering if your breasts may continue to grow, ask your doctor.

Tags: your body, breast growth, breast size, your first, Breasts Finished

Colleges In South Carolina That Offer Criminal Justice

Criminal justice careers include law enforcement.

Criminal justice careers may include law enforcement at the city, state or federal level, or work in prisons or other correctional facilities. Colleges offer different types of criminal justice programs; some are four-year degree programs while others offer associate degrees or certificates. South Carolina is home to several colleges that offer programs in criminal justice.

University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina's main campus in Columbia is home to the school's Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The school offers undergraduate Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and an undergraduate minor in criminal justice. The University of South Carolina also offers a master's degree program in criminology and criminal justice and a doctorate program in the same.

According to the school's website, the program places a solid emphasis in the social sciences as well as the liberal arts. Since 1994, university students have received more than $13 million in national scholarships and fellowships. The University of South Carolina has a total of eight campuses and as of fall 2009 more than 43,000 enrolled students. The Columbia campus had more than 27,000 students as of 2008, and more than 1,600 full-time faculty members.

University of South Carolina

Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice

1305 Greene St.

Columbia, SC 29208

803-777-7097

cas.sc.edu

Benedict College

Also located in Columbia, Benedict College's department of Social Sciences and Criminal Justice gives students the chance to major in criminal justice. According to the school's website, the Social Sciences and Criminal Justice Department is focused on becoming a well-regarded teaching and research division of the School of Humanities.

The main objective of Benedict College's Department of Social Sciences and Criminal Justice is to encourage ethical values and social responsibility while increasing quality and understanding of life. The school aims to embrace diversity and increase cultural awareness. The faculty is dedicated to research and working in the community and seeks to prepare all students in research methods and analysis.

Benedict College

1600 Harden St.

Columbia, SC 29204

803-253-5000

benedict.edu

South University

The Columbia campus of South University has two criminal justice programs. The first is an associate of science in criminal justice degree program. According to the school's website, the associate degree program is designed for current law enforcement professionals and newcomers to the field. Courses cover police work, corrections, court and security operations.

Graduates of the program may elect to continue their studies and work toward South University's Bachelor of Science in criminal justice program, which is also open to other undergraduate students. According to the school's website, the four-year program is practitioner-oriented. The school has five areas of concentration within the major: juvenile justice, corrections, law enforcement, crime scene investigation and cyber crime.

South University also offers a master's degree in criminal justice through its online degree programs.

South University

9 Science Court

Columbia, SC 29203

800-688-0932

southuniversity.edu

Tags: South Carolina, South University, University South, University South Carolina, According school, According school website

Types Of Dental Clinics

The majority of dentists operate within private practices.

Dental clinics provide patients with preventive and standard dental care, including emergency dental care. Services include teeth cleanings, teeth whitenings, x-rays, root canals, crowns, fillings and orthodontics. Multiple types of dental practices exist, each of which caters to a different type of community, including the privately insured, the publicly insured and the uninsured.

Private Practices

According to the American Dental Association, nearly all dentists are in private practice. Specifically, it is estimated as many as three out of four dentists are solo practitioners. Private practitioners work as licensed, self-employed dentists. Because of the relatively small size of the organization, patients usually get more personalized care from private practitioners. Because there is no administrative structure, solo practitioners must oversee administrative tasks for the practice, including bookkeeping and procurement.

Hospital Dental Clinics

A hospital dental clinic operates as a division of a hospital group. Its dentists work directly for the hospital. These dental clinics usually are on hospital grounds or in annexed buildings near the hospital. For example, the Children's Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, operates the Children's Hospital Dental Center. The center provides pediatric dentistry services as well as a residency program for dentists in training.

Community Health Centers

Community health centers frequently provide dental services in addition to general health care services. These types of clinics serve a particular community or population and combine the efforts of hospitals, the government and the health care industry to provide its community members with adequate health care services. Often, such health centers receive federal funding to subsidize care for the poor and uninsured.

Group Practices

Unlike private practices in which one dentist operates a clinic by himself, a group practice is an association of dental professionals. These professionals work together, sharing space and using the same equipment. Although care might be less personal than private practice, the presence of more dentists allows the practice to treat more patients and pool resources to buy more equipment and hire more staff.

Tags: health care, care services, Children Hospital, dental care, Dental Clinics, health care services, Hospital Dental

The Best Places To Buy Wedding Cake Toppers

Find your perfect wedding cake topper.

From setting the date to finding the dress, there is a lot of planning and searching that goes into a wedding. Even after you've picked the baker and style of your cake, you'll want to find the perfect cake topper to complete the look. But this search doesn't have to be arduous. When searching for this accessory, there are a variety of retailers, from online stores to antique shops, that offer an array of wedding cake toppers. Does this Spark an idea?

Online

The Internet offers a wealth of online retailers that focus specifically on weddings and offer an array of wedding cake toppers. Whether you're looking for your initials, a classic bride and groom figurine or even two mermaids getting married, you'll probably be able to find it sold online. Some websites even offer wedding toppers for certain hobbies and groups, including cake toppers of brides riding motorcycles, bride and groom penguins and custom cake toppers shaped to look like the couple's faces.

Craft Store

Many craft stores sell wedding supplies, including wedding cake toppers. Browse a craft store in your area to see if they have any toppers that match your cake. When choosing a cake topper, pick one that will go with the theme and style of your wedding. For example, two cartoon love bird figures would go well with a bird-themed wedding, while they probably wouldn't match an elegant black-tie-only event. To really create a topper that matches your theme, browse the rest of the craft store to find ribbons, sequins and other decorations you can add to it.

Florist

Not every wedding cake topper has to be a bride and groom figurine. Create a natural display on top of your cake with a small flower arrangement. Talk to the person baking your cake beforehand to see if a floral design would match the look of the cake. Choose a few colors that would accent the frosting designs and pick flowers in those hues. The florist providing your floral arrangements for the rest of the wedding should be able to help create a flower wedding cake topper, too.

Uncoventional Shops

To find a truly unique wedding cake topper, break free from conventional wedding retailers and search places other couples might not think to look. Browse a local flea market, thrift shop or antique store to find vintage figurines. These might be old wedding toppers from decades ago, or two small statues that bring out your and your fiance's personality. You and your spouse-to-be should enjoy hunting for the cake topper and spending some extra time together before the big day.

Tags: cake topper, wedding cake, wedding cake topper, your cake, bride groom, cake toppers

Increase Bust Size

Women have several options when it comes to increasing their bust sizes. With new surgical developments, there are various surgeries and procedures women can undergo to get bigger breasts. If you prefer a less invasive approach, there things you can to increase the muscles and tissue in the chest, thereby increasing your bust size. In addition, you can employ several methods to make your bust appear larger.

Instructions

1. Perform chest exercises with weights. If you increase the underlying muscles in the chest, the pectorals, your bust will appear larger. Lie on your back, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Hold the dumbbells over your chest, with your arms extended but not fully straight. Slowly lower the weights down to each side, keeping your arms extended the entire time. Repeat the motion, as if you are wrapping your arms around a large barrel, 12 to 15 times.

2. Join your hands together in front of your chest, palms facing each other. Press your palms into each other as you squeeze your chest muscles. Do this 30 to 50 times daily. As this works your pectoral muscles, you'll notice an increase in your bust size over time.

3. Massage your breasts. Since massage improves circulation, blood and nutrients can reach the breast tissue more readily, making the breasts appear fuller. Aim to massage your breasts for 3 to 5 minutes at a time at least three times daily.

4. Take hormonal medications. Certain medications such as birth control pills can increase your estrogen levels, leading to larger breasts. You will need a doctor's prescription in order to obtain such medications.

5. Try herbal treatments. Various creams, lotions and pills claim to increase bust size via the use of natural herbs. Most products contain phytoestrogens, which are produced by plants. Phytoestrogens affect the body similarly to the way estrogen does. You generally have to use natural treatments for several months in order to see results.

6. Consider plastic surgery. There are various types of surgeries available that can increase your bust size. Pick a plastic surgeon who specializes in breast enlargements and augmentations. Your doctor will discuss various options of size and materials with you at your consultation.

Tags: your bust, increase your, your arms, your bust size, your chest, appear larger, arms extended

About Iodine And Weight Loss

Iodine is one of the many essential trace minerals needed for normal body function. It plays a large role in how the thyroid and parathyroid glands function and how they produce the hormones that significantly impact the body's metabolism and overall health. Individuals with insufficient quantities of iodine in their diet can experience exhaustion and weight gain. This has lead to the theory among dieters that they may be suffering from low iodine levels and that iodine supplements may help them lose weight.

Iodine and Salt

Today, iodine deficiency is much less common than in the late 1800s and early 1900s, as more people have access to iodine-rich foods such as seafood. Iodine deficiency became suspect when certain populations of people of the United States developed above average incidents of goiter.

Goiter is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes enlarged due to hypothyroidism, meaning below normal thyroid function. This "goiter belt" was found to be in the northwestern and Great Lakes regions and that the soils had become depleted of iodine. Also, this population seldom ate seafood or sea salt due to the distance from the ocean. In 1924, salt producers began adding small amounts of iodine to table salt and the incidences of goiter decreased dramatically.

How Iodine Affects the Thyroid

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough essential hormones for a healthy and balanced body. The thyroid gland absorbs iodine from the body, and then uses it to create this hormone. After the thyroid hormone is released into the body, some of the iodine is recycled back to the thyroid gland. Since not all the iodine needs to be replenished, the thyroid only needs small quantities of iodine to function properly. Today iodized table salt is the primary source for iodine.

Iodine Recommended Dosage

The recommended daily dosage of iodine is based on age. Children between 1 and 8 need 90mcg. Children ages 9 to 13 need 120mcg. Ages 14 and up require 150mcg. Pregnant women need 220mcg and lactating women need 290mcg. These recommendations are made by the US National Academy of Science. The maximum daily iodine dosage set by the Food and Nutrition Board is 1100mcg for adults.

Iodine Deficiency

Symptoms of insufficient iodine can be mild to severe. A healthy thyroid needs iodine to keep the body's metabolism working properly. Low iodine levels cause the thyroid to not produce enough thyroid hormone. Severe iodine deficiency symptoms include anemia, slow speech, puffy hands and face, drowsiness, mental apathy and a swollen or enlarged tongue. Foods that are goitrogenic, such as broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and radishes, can interfere with iodine absorption, which can make the thyroid gland under active leading to hypothyroidism.

Iodine and Weight Loss

The idea that Iodine influences weight loss is due to the important role that iodine plays in a healthy thyroid. Without iodine, the thyroid struggles to maintain the body's metabolism. The metabolism slows down and can cause a related weight gain. If the thyroid receives sufficient iodine, it functions properly, which returns the metabolism to normal and weight loss is easier.

There is no hard evidence that increasing iodine dosages can lead to weight loss. However, some doctors, such as Donald. R. Yance, Jr. feel that modern eating habits have resulted in iodine deficiency in most people. In Dr. Yance's book, "Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer," he indicates that reduced consumption of iodine rich foods and salt has resulted in an increase in hypothyroidism, and weight gain is one of the subsequent symptoms.

Iodine supplements are available on the market or via a doctor's prescription and can help those suffering from a slow metabolism. It is possible to overdose on iodine since it is only needed in very low amounts. Symptoms of iodine overdose include vomiting, diarrhea, a metallic taste, stupor, and delirium. Iodine supplements should be administered with care and under a doctor's supervision.

Tags: thyroid gland, body metabolism, iodine deficiency, weight gain, condition which, condition which thyroid

Be Beautiful At 50 Without Surgery

Christie Brinkley is fabulous at 50 plus.

These days, it's harder to tell a woman's age. Along with myriad beauty techniques and products, women over 50 no longer have to trade beauty for blah. But some women reject the idea of invasive procedures, preferring a more natural approach. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

The Myth, the Methods, the Message

1. Two myths surround beautiful older women: one, older women are meant to act their age and accept that beauty fades; two: only those older women willing to have a face-lift and tuck with their annual tax returns will keep 20 years off indefinitely. Between these two extremes lies a beautiful, intriguing woman who is realistic, confident and deliberate in taking care of herself.

2. You were stunning back in the 1970s. That style worked beautifully back then, but it's time to run -- not walk -- into the 21st century. Get as many fashion magazines as you can find, and look for hairstyles, fashions and an abundance of attitude representative of today's mature woman.

3. Skin begins to lose collagen as we age. It's just a fact of life, and not even Hollywood stars can avoid it; hence, the booming cosmetic surgery field in Los Angeles. But cosmetic surgery does not come without risks. Before choosing surgery, do a ton of research, ask for recommendations, and think carefully. Remember, one cosmetic procedure will not prevent the natural aging process. Keeping up with results of that first procedure can lead down a path of repeated surgeries.

4. The look that worked for you in the 1970s needs an update.

After you've updated your attitude, your hairstyle and your wardrobe, consider a skin care consultant to diagnose your skin type, tone, texture and problem areas and put together a regimen for you. Additionally, day spas that offer chemical peels and facials can be fantastic for rejuvenating your skin, but be clear that you want to avoid harsh chemicals.

5. Last but certainly not least, take care of yourself. Drink six to eight glasses of water daily. Exercise at least three days a week: Walk, jog, join a pilates class, swim, play tennis, go dancing. Stay engaged. Read, get involved in politics, volunteer, do things that motivate you to learn more and be influential. At 50, it's time for a fresh perspective.

Tags: older women, cosmetic surgery, your skin

Protect Yourself Against A Sexually Transmitted Disease

Sexually transmitted diseases are real. If you are involved in sexual activities, you are not exempt from catching one. STDs are harmful and can lead to other medical problems such as HIV and AIDS. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself and your future against STDs.

Instructions

Protect Yourself Against A Sexually Transmitted Disease

1. The best way to protect yourself against a sexually transmitted disease is abstinence. By not having sex, your chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease are slim.

2. If you choose to engage in sexual activities, do it safely and protect yourself. Use contraceptives such as birth control and condoms. Even if you are engaging in oral sex or any other type of sex, it is important to use contraceptives.

3. Communicate with your partner about sexually transmitted diseases. By talking with your partner and sharing past and present experiences and information about your sex life, it could help you better understand each other's history and knowledge of STDs. It's OK to ask your partner about STDs. It is your right to know, especially if you intend on having sex with your partner.

4. Go for a doctor's visit. If you've engaged in any sexual activities, it is important to get tested. Even if you totally trust your partner, get tested. Some STDs have no symptoms (such as chlamydia), so you would never know if you have it unless you get tested. You can even make it fun by making a date to get tested together.

Tags: your partner, protect yourself, sexual activities, with your, with your partner

Symptoms Of Breast Cancer Metastasis

For breast cancer sufferers, one of the most effective treatments is surgery that removes the affected areas. But when breast cancer cells have already spread throughout the body, other treatment options may be needed. By recognizing the signs and symptoms early, doctors and patients can get ahead of the cancer and hopefully put it into remission before any vital organs are affected. This article will explore breast cancer metastasis symptoms.

Breast Cancer Early Stages

Breast cancer is, fortunately, a form of cancer that can be quickly diagnosed before late progression. This can be done if potential patients regularly examine themselves for early signs as well as get annual mammograms. In Stage 0, the cells haven't spread beyond their initial starting point. Stage 1 means a tumor hasn't grown beyond 2 centimeters and hasn't invaded the lymph nodes. In stage 2, the cancerous tumor hasn't grown beyond 5 centimeters but has spread to auxiliary or nearby lymph nodes.

Stages 3 and 4

At stage 3, breast cancer cells may have begun to spread into areas beyond the breast. Lymph nodes in the breastbone may be infected, causing difficulty in breathing and heavy chest pains that are no longer localized in the breasts. Swelling of infected tissues or lymph nodes can also occur. In sub-stage 3B, cancer cells could have metastasized to skin near the breast cancer and the chest walls.

At this point, the breast cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. These cells reach the organs and systems and begin to form additional tumors. Ten percent of breast cancer diagnoses are stage 4 diagnoses. Most common areas include the lungs, bones and liver.

Lungs

Nearly 70 percent of those who died from breast cancer had cancer in the lungs. Difficulty breathing can increase as well as extreme fatigue from lack of proper oxygen delivery. Dry coughs can also become a common occurrence. Twenty-one percent of stage 4 breast cancer patients only have it in the lungs, making surgery a viable option for stopping any further spread.

Liver

When breast cancer cells spread to the liver, symptoms are gradual at first. Additional liver biopsies are often needed to determine whether symptoms are occurring because of metastasis or prior conditions. Loss of appetite and weight loss can occur first. Eventually this can develop into gastrointestinal diseases that further damage the liver's ability to fight toxins and aid in digestion.

Bones

Another common area that breast cancer cells can invade is the bones. In almost a quarter of diagnosed patients, this is the first place that breast cancer cells spread. Great difficulty walking is often the first sign, since the cells tend to target the legs, hips and pelvis. Spinal cord compression and easily fractured bones are also possible signs.

Tags: breast cancer, cancer cells, breast cancer cells, breast cancer, cancer cells have, cells have, lymph nodes

How Does An Irs Extension Work

Tax Extension Introduction

If you have waited until the last minute to file your taxes, or have encountered some sort of problem that will prevent you from filing before the April 15 deadline, you can submit Form 4868 to the IRS and receive an extension of 6 months. However, filing an extension with the IRS does not mean you also get an extension on paying your tax liability. Unless you submit a payment for your estimated tax liability, you may be hit hard by interest and penalty charges when you finally submit your documents.

Eligibility to File

All individual taxpayers who file a tax return are eligible to file for a tax extension with the IRS. Taxpayers interested in an extension must apply by filling out and submitting tax Form 4868 to the IRS. Businesses can also receive an extension by submitting tax Form 7004. Anyone traveling abroad, parties who are subject to estate tax and exempt organizations must file separate IRS extension forms.

Benefits, Interest, and Penalties

IRS tax extensions postpone the filing deadline to October 15, providing taxpayers with an additional six months to prepare and file their tax return documents. In cases where a tax liability is owed, interest will be charged on any liability amount not paid by the standard April 15 deadline. Late payment penalties are assessed on owed tax amounts not paid by the April deadline when the outstanding balance is greater than ten percent of the total obligation. Interest and penalties may be as much as 25 percent of the unpaid liability, which means taxpayers should attempt to submit an estimated tax liability payment before the April deadline whenever possible. Any refund owed to taxpayers who file after April 15 will be delayed.

Military Personnel

Anyone currently in the military who is serving in a combat zone at the time of the filing deadline will receive an automatic 180-day extension. Military personnel who are stationed outside the United States, but not serving in a combat zone at the time of the filing deadline, qualify for an automatic 2-month IRS extension. However, any tax liability due must be submitted to the IRS by the filing deadline.

Obtaining the Necessary Forms

Taxpayers who wish to file an extension may obtain the necessary form by downloading it directly from the official IRS website or by visiting a local IRS office. Forms can also be ordered by phone, but telephone orders may take up to 10 days to arrive, which is not suitable for those who wait until the last minute to file an extension. To place an order by phone, call (800) TAX-FORM. Taxpayers applying for an extension who are unable to pay the full amount of their tax liability in one lump sum may also arrange a payment agreement with the IRS online. Online applicants can opt to pay their expected amount through an electronic funds withdrawal. In order to pay in this manner, taxpayers must have their bank account and routing numbers available and must be able to provide the IRS with the adjusted gross income amount, or AGI, from the previous year's return.

Tags: April deadline, filing deadline, file extension, zone time filing, before April, before April deadline

Research Equipment Grants

Research equipment can be purchased with grants.

There are several programs that provide grants to purchase equipment for research and development projects. Grants may also support programs that help institutions of higher education buy research equipment. These equipment grants do not have to be repaid by the recipients.

Used Energy-Related Laboratory Equipment Grants

The Department of Energy sponsors the Used Energy-Related Laboratory Equipment Grants program. Grant funds are used to obtain used research equipment that is then given to eligible recipients for use in energy-oriented research and instructional programs in the fields of science and engineering. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, high schools, middle schools, hospitals, technical institutes and museums. Equipment may not be sold or auctioned.

Vera A. O'Connor

1000 Independence Ave SW

Washington, District of Columbia 20585

202-586-9742

erle.osti.gov

Basic Scientific Research

The Basic Scientific Research program is sponsored by the Department of Defense. Grants from this program are used to fund research projects in the fields of mathematics, engineering, physics, biology and geosciences that help the U.S. Army improve its programs and operations. Funds are also used to support programs that encourage high school and college students to pursue careers in engineering and science, as well as programs that provide a way for universities to purchase expensive research equipment. Nonprofit scientific research organizations and educational institutions are eligible to apply for these grants.

Ernest Dixon

Army Research Office

4300 South Miami Blvd.

Durham, North Carolina 27703

919-549-4270

amc.army.mil

Nursing Research

The Department of Health and Human Services funds the Nursing Research program, which provides grants to support clinical and basic research projects. Grants are used to cover the costs associated with conducting research such as salaries, research equipment, consultation and travel expenses. Funds are also used to support research training programs. Corporations, public and private institutions and profit or nonprofit organizations can apply for these grants.

Dr. Yvonne Bryan

National Institute of Nursing Research

National Institutes of Health

Room 710

One Democracy Plaza

6701 Democracy Blvd.

Bethesda, Maryland 20892

301-594-6906

ninr.nih.gov

Tags: programs that, research equipment, Nursing Research, also used, also used support, apply these

The Average Radiology Salary

Radiologists average a salary ranging from $43,000 to $200,000.

Radiologists have the task of analyzing and assessing medical images such as X-rays, MRIs and CAT scans. If you're looking to get into the field of radiology or already working in the profession, checking out compensation levels of radiologists in different parts of the country can help you figure out if the career is an optimum choice or if your current compensation levels are competitive.

Salary Range

According to a survey of 539 radiologists in October 2010, the average salary of a radiologist ranges from $43,845 to $197,035. These figures take any bonus pay or profit-sharing plans into account. The large variance in the salary range represents the fluctuations in pay based on experience and location.

Experience

On average, gaining experience in the field of radiology provides a significant increase in pay. For those individuals with four or less years of experience, median salary is about $95,000. At five to nine years of experience, this amount grows to around $150,000. Radiologists with 10 to 19 years of experience have a median annual pay of $210,000.

Employment Type

Interestingly, the data collected from radiologists reveals that self-employed professionals have the highest average pay, with a median salary around $240,000. Those working in private practice come in second, with a median around $285,000. Employees of hospitals and other nonprofit organizations lag behind with a median around $150,000, while government-employed radiologists receive the lowest pay on average, with a median salary below $100,000.

Location

Location can also play a part in determining the average salary of radiologists. A PayScale study reports that Georgia is the best state for radiologists, with a salary range that reaches $336,000. New York and Missouri follow next, with an average maximum salary around $300,000. California, Ohio and Florida also take top spots on the lists of highly compensated radiologists, with top average salaries of 243,979, $257,073 and $200,000 respectively.

Benefits

The above figures don't take noncash benefits into account, but these benefits do play an important role in the overall compensation of radiologists. Nationally, about 78 percent of radiologists have 401(k) plans, the most prominent benefit for the profession. Nearly half are provided life and disability insurance by their employer, and 43 percent receive paid vacation time.

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Cope After Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid surgery is a procedure that removes part or all of the thyroid, depending on your specific condition. The surgery is like any medical procedure with anesthesia, scars and a recovery period. Follow your doctor's instructions before and after your surgery. You can use your recovery time to heal properly before going back to normal activity. Take notes about what you should and shouldn't do when you leave the hospital.

Instructions

1. Allow your throat to heal. Expect a sore throat and difficulty swallowing for about a week. Watch for the drain, a small tube, in the skin of your neck. The drain helps with any fluid buildup that causes swallowing difficulty. Make sure you keep the drain in your neck until the doctor removes it.

2. Stick to liquids and soft foods during recovery to reduce any throat discomfort. Wait at least a week before you go back to your pre-surgery eating habits.

3. Shower or bathe normally. You can take off your bandage when you're bathing, but make sure to not tear your stitches. Gently towel dry the wound area to prevent any risks to your recovery. Replace the bandage once your neck is dry.

4. Medicate your pain with doctor prescribed antibiotics for five days after surgery. Also, take only Tylenol until your stitches are removed. Once the stitches are gone, you can take aspirin or ibuprofen. Also be aware that you'll be taking artificial thyroid hormone pills such as Synthyroid to keep your thyroid levels normal.

5. Schedule two follow-up appointments after your surgery. One is to have your doctor take your stitches out 10 days after surgery. The other is to check how your scars are healing 1 month afterwards.

Tags: your neck, your stitches, after surgery, after your, after your surgery, days after, days after surgery

The Average Salary Of A Tv Host

Local television personalities earn less than hosts of network and syndicated programs.

Although hosting a nationally televised talk show can be a glamorous and highly financially rewarding career, most television hosts never receive an opportunity to host a network or syndicated program. Most television hosts work on local productions such as regional talk shows or news programs. Hosts of programs with smaller audiences tend to make much smaller salaries than the big bucks paid to star-level hosts.

Average News Host Salary

Because advertising revenues drive television salaries, news anchors and hosts who work on broadcasts in large metropolitan areas earn higher salaries than those in smaller markets . Most hosts on local media work as news anchors, rather than as talk-show hosts, and earn a median annual salary of $50,400 as of 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Earnings vary widely, however, and half of all hosts receive between $32,430 and $81,170 annually.

Average Specialty Show Host Salary

Although news programs rely upon journalists to host their broadcasts, specialty shows frequently look past newspeople and hire entertainment personalities to host their shows. Many of these hosts are trained actors or entertainers, who earned a median hourly wage of $16.20 as of 2009, according to the BLS. Because of the small number of actors employed in the broadcasting industry, the BLS doesn't publish industry-specific wage data for them.

Salaries Around the Nation

A television host of a local show has the best chance to earn a high salary at a station that reaches a large number of viewers. Because of this, many of the highest salaries in the nation are for positions in large cities. Nonetheless, hosts of programs in large cities who fail to attract a large audience may earn less than those in smaller towns. Television hosts in Orlando, Fla., earn the highest average annual salaries in the nation, $88,826 as of February 2011, according to Salary Expert. Hosts in Charlotte, N.C., earn the smallest average salary at $30,683.

Celebrity Salaries

The salary gap between local television hosts and those on national broadcasts is enormous. Oprah Winfrey, the highest-paid television host, earned $275 million in 2008, according to Forbes, while shock-jock turned multimedia talk mogul Howard Stern received the second-highest salary among talk-show personalities, $70 million in 2008. David Letterman earned $45 million --- the same as televised judge Judy Shindlin --- during the same period. To compare, Letterman's $45 million salary would be enough to pay the average salary to 892 television news anchors for a year.

Tags: news anchors, 2009 according, average salary, earn less, earn less than

Cancer Blood Test Vs Tissue Biopsy

Several types of cancer and other noncancerous conditions have the same symptoms. Your doctor will want you to participate in various diagnostic tests, including a blood test and a biopsy, before he confirms a diagnosis.

Cancer Blood Test

Blood tests don't always provide enough information to confirm a cancer diagnosis. However, these tests do offer important clues as to what might be going on inside your body. Your doctor tests your blood sample for several things to help understand what's causing your symptoms.

Cancer Blood Test Function

If you have a blood cancer, such as leukemia, a blood test should detect the cancer cells. If your blood test has a certain abnormal immune system protein, it could be a sign of multiple myeloma. If you have a solid tumor cancer, your blood may contain a chemical made by tumor cells called tumor markers.

Results

There are many things that can affect the outcome of blood tests. Some noncancerous conditions cause an abnormal blood test, whereas blood tests can come back with a normal result even though the patient has cancer. Often your doctor uses the cancer blood test to help decide which other tests to order

Tissue Biopsy

During a biopsy, your doctor removes a small sample of tissue or suspicious cells for testing. The lab views the sample under a microscope, looking for signs of cancer. Your doctor can perform a biopsy on any body part; she uses the pathology report from the biopsy to make a diagnosis.

Considerations

Typically, you'll undergo several diagnostic tests before your doctor diagnoses cancer. Blood tests and biopsies are only two of the many tests and procedures available to diagnose cancer.

Tags: blood test, your blood, Blood Test, blood test, Blood tests

Safe Effective Benefits Of Ultrasound Massage

Ultrasound may be combined with traditional massage for maximum benefits.

The ultrasound is most commonly associated with the diagnostic ultrasounds used in prenatal exams and medical screenings. Ultrasound massage is a type of therapeutic ultrasound that is used to stimulate muscles, joints and tissues. The high-frequency sound waves set between 800,000Hz and 2,000,000Hz can penetrate as much as 5 inches below the surface of the skin to stimulate cells and promote a variety of safe, effective healing benefits to various parts of the body.

Increased Range of Motion

Ultrasound massage can increase range of motion in the muscles and joints of some patients. According to SpineUniverse.com, ultrasound therapy is often used as part of a physical therapy regimen to relax the patient and prepare the body for physical therapy exercises. The ultrasound waves create a gentle, safe heat deep in the muscle tissue which can alleviate pain, stiffness and discomfort in some patients. Those who suffer from joint or muscle stiffness as a result of an injury or chronic condition, such as arthritis, may experience greater freedom of movement as the tissues are heated and relaxed throughout the body. The initial increase in range of motion allows the patient to work through physical therapy exercises more comfortably and effectively.

Accelerated Healing

Ultrasound massage therapy is also used to accelerate and encourage the healing of wounds throughout the body. Joseph McCulloch, PhD, served as the director of the Physical Therapy Department at the Louisiana State University Medical Center, and his work suggests that ultrasound therapy can affect the natural secretion of collagen in fibroblast cells. Fibroblast cells are responsible for creating collagen, which is the structural framework of the human body. An increased production of collagen can strengthen the healing tissues and promote faster recovery from wounds and injuries of the skin and bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Reduced Scar Tissue

Ultrasound massage is believed to safely stimulate an increased production of collagen that can also affect scar tissue formation. When the tissues of the body are relaxed and able to heal more quickly through the benefits of ultrasound massage, the formation of scar tissue can be significantly reduced. According to SportsInjuryClinic.net, ultrasound therapy may also have an effect on mature collagen throughout the body. Ultrasound treatment can be applied to fibrous scar tissue that may have already formed following an injury or trauma. The gentle pulsations of the ultrasound massage may reduce the appearance of exterior scars on the skin, and ultrasound treatment can also reduce scar tissue that may interfere with movement in the joints, muscles and ligaments.

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Federal Health Insurance Help

Federal health insurance assistance provides individuals the opportunity to receive proper health care they may not have access to for reasons such as economic status, disability, or age. Health care offered through federal initiatives includes programs for men, women and children. The standard for federal health insurance has a long history dating to the 1700s when a system was established to care for merchant seamen. Since then, federal funding has supported many efforts to protect the health and well-being of American citizens.

History

Before the official existence of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 1980, the federal government has taken action to combat disease and improve health. From opening a lab in 1887 for disease research to the first report on smoking and health from the Surgeon General in 1964, federal health insurance has become important to economic structure creating, among various health programs, Medicare and Medicaid in 1965 and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in 1997.

Medicare

Medicare provides hospital insurance, medical insurance and prescription drug coverage if you are age 65 and older, under 65 with specific disabilities and or any age with permanent kidney failure, dialysis or in need of a kidney transplant. Benefits are paid directly to the health provider through the plan.

Medicaid

Medicaid provides comprehensive health care, including dental, to individuals who cannot afford medical care because of low income. If you meet the criteria due to pregnancy, disability, age or blindness, coverage may be granted retroactively, preceding the application up to three months.

Children's Health Insurance Program

The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health care to pregnant women and children in families that do not qualify for Medicaid due to income that is too high, but too low for private insurance. Under federal direction, every state decides its CHIP program structure, eligibility, benefits and coverage payments. The program covers immunizations, standard exams, dental care, hospital care, X-rays and lab services.

Moving Forward

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has formed many programs, organizations and partnerships to fight health inequality. Persistent advances in medical care and technology help strengthen initiatives in continuing efforts to offer quality medical care to millions of people through federal health insurance.

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Requirements To Become A Medical Technologist

Requirements to Become a Medical Technologist

Medical technologists, also called clinical laboratory technologists and clinical laboratory scientists, are trained health care professionals who run medical tests and analyze the resulting data. Medical technologists play an important role in detecting, diagnosing, treating, monitoring and preventing disease. A majority of medical technologists work behind the scenes in hospital labs, but some find employment in chemistry labs, medical offices, biotechnology labs or blood banks.

Education

Most entry-level medical technologist positions require the completion of a 4-year degree program. Medical technology training programs are offered through colleges, universities and some hospitals and typically result in a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Medical Technology or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Clinical Laboratory Science. Medical technology programs should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP; see Resources) or the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS; see Resources).

Course Work

Aspiring medical technologists typically attend classroom lectures focusing on the biological sciences, chemistry, microbiology, mathematics and statistics. Many medical technology educational programs require students to complete courses in computer applications, business and management. A majority of training programs also require a future medical technologist to complete a 1-year internship at a local hospital or diagnostic laboratory. This clinical experience provides the medical technology student with hands-on, supervised experience in various laboratory disciplines and diagnostic testing procedures.

Certification

A majority of employers prefer to hire medical technologists who have been certified by a recognized professional association. Two credentialing associations are the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA; see Resources). Medical technologists credentialed by the ASCP are entitled to use the letters MT for medical technologist, while those certified by the NCA can use the letters CLS, which is short for clinical laboratory scientist.

Licensure

Eleven states require their medical technologists to obtain a state license. These states are California, Georgia, Nevada, Hawaii, Louisiana, Tennessee, Montana, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Florida and North Dakota. All of these states except for California require aspiring medical technologists to be certified from a professional association before they will issue a state license. A potential medical technologist can check on the specific licensing requirements with her state's department of health or board of occupational licensing.

Specialization

While a majority of medical technologists are generalists, many become specialized in a specific area of medical technology. Common areas of specialization include hematology, toxicology, immunology, virology, parasitology and urinalysis. Other medical technology specializations include genetics, clinical biochemistry, mycology, cytogenetics and cytopathology. Medical technologists who have completed additional training are entitled to use additional credentials. For example, an individual who specializes in hematology can be credentialed by the ASCP as an SH, which is short for specialist in hematology.

Other Requirements

Successful medical technologists possess excellent problem-solving skills, analytical judgment and the ability to work effectively under stress. They must also be detail-oriented, because small changes or variations in data readouts or test substances can be crucial for a correct diagnosis. A high level of computer skills and manual dexterity is also important for employees in the medical technology field. Medical technologists must also be prepared to handle and examine various bodily fluids and human tissue samples.

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