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Wednesday, March 17, 2021
முருகனின் எந்த பெயரை சொல்லி அழைத்தால் என்ன பிரச்சனை தீரும்.
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
திரை இயக்குநன் எஸ்பி ஜனநாதன்
Kutti Revathi
Ajayan Bala Baskaran
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Tenfold increase in CO2 emissions cuts needed to stem climate emergency Date: March 3, 2021
- Climate researchers analysed multiple studies and recent monthly energy data
- They found worldwide CO2 emissions fell by about 7 percent below 2019 levels
- Humanity is still short of meeting the climate targets of the 2015 Paris Agreement
- Even continued lockdowns wouldn't be enough to prevent a climate emergency
Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions still need to decrease tenfold to avoid a climate emergency, scientists warn, despite a global fall in 2020 due to Covid-19.
An international team of experts has performed a 'global stocktake' of humanity's progress towards the Paris Agreement – which aims to keep the global average temperature rise to well below 3.6ºF (2°C), compared to pre-industrial levels.
They found global CO2 emissions fell by around 2.6 billion tonnes in 2020, a decrease of about 7 percent from 2019 levels.
During this unprecedented, deadly global event, millions of people who could stay at home did just that. Cars sat in driveways. Air travel ground to a halt. Manufacturing plants slowed or stopped. Public buildings shut their doors. Even construction slowed down. Nearly every sector of the energy-using economy reacted to the shock in one way or another.
The result was one of the biggest single drops in modern history in the amount of carbon dioxide humans emit.
Over the first few months of 2020, global daily CO2 emissions averaged about 17 percent lower than in 2019. At the moments of the most restrictive and extensive lockdowns, emissions in some countries hovered nearly 30 percent below last year’s averages, says Glen Peters, one of the authors of the Nature Climate Change analysis and a climate scientist at Norway’s Center for International Climate Research.
While emissions decreased in 64 countries, they increased in 150 countries between 2016 and 2019 – and also increased worldwide overall.
CO2 emissions decreased by 0.16 billion tonnes on average each year among the 64 countries where emissions decreased.
This is a tenth of the 1 billion to 2 billion tonne cuts needed at the global level to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals.
Globally, emissions grew by 0.21 billion tonnes of CO2 per year between 2016 and 2019, compared to 2011 and 2015.
Results also revealed that in the group of high-income countries, emissions had declined by 0.8 percent per year on average since the Paris Agreement, with a further decrease of 9 per cent in 2020 due to Covid-19.
THE PARIS AGREEMENT: A GLOBAL ACCORD TO LIMIT TEMPERATURE RISES THROUGH CARBON EMISSION REDUCTION TARGETS
The Paris Agreement, which was first signed in 2015, is an international agreement to control and limit climate change.
It hopes to hold the increase in the global average temperature to below 2°C (3.6ºF) 'and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C (2.7°F)'.
It seems the more ambitious goal of restricting global warming to 1.5°C (2.7°F) may be more important than ever, according to previous research which claims 25 percent of the world could see a significant increase in drier conditions.
In June 2017, President Trump announced his intention for the US, the second-largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world, to withdraw from the agreement.
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change has four main goals with regards to reducing emissions:
1) A long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels
2) To aim to limit the increase to 1.5°C, since this would significantly reduce risks and the impacts of climate change
3) Government agreed on the need for global emissions to peak as soon as possible, recognizing that this will take longer for developing countries
4) To undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with the best available science
Source: European Commission
https://www.sciencedaily.com/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Friday, March 5, 2021
Why are traits like psychopathy and narcissism so destructive to relationships?
Most people assume that others have the same moral code as themselves. We assume that others agree it is wrong to lie, steal, and manipulate others for our own gain. It can come as a shock, then, when you cross paths with someone who shatters that perception. In some cases, this person may be a narcissistic sociopath—a person with a unique combination of traits that causes them to create destruction in their personal and professional lives.
“Their interests aren’t organizational. Their
interests are for themselves,” said Birgit Schyns of Neoma Business School.
Schyns coauthored the article with Barbara Wisse of the University of Groningen
and Durham University Business School, and Stacey Sanders of the University of
Groningen.
The Dark Triad
Three types of personality profiles make up the points of
this dark triangle—psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism. Psychologists
Paulhus and Williams coined the term "dark triad" in 2002 when they
found that these three personalities tend to run together and cause trouble in
relationships.
Machiavellianism
Niccolò Machiavelli was a 15th-century Italian politician
famous for advising rulers to use deception and deviousness to maintain power.
Nowadays, his name is synonymous with a person who schemes and manipulates
people. People with this trait are strategic in their relationships, selecting
relationships with people they can use for personal social status or wealth.
In a self-report questionnaire of the dark triad personality
traits, items for measuring Machiavellianism include:
"It’s wise to keep track of information that you can
use against people later."
"Whatever it takes, you must get the important people
on your side."
"I use insincere flattery to get my way."
Psychopathy
When we hear the term “psychopath,” we tend to think of
serial killers à la Charles Manson and Ed Kemper. But psychopathy is a
spectrum, and we're all on it. People who have a high level of psychopathy have
low empathy for others, are callous in their actions, and tend to be reckless
and thrill-seeking.
Psychopaths might agree with statements like:
"Payback needs to be quick and nasty."
"People often say I’m out of control."
"I enjoy having sex with people I hardly know."
Of course, this is not to say that everyone who participates
in casual sex with strangers has high levels of psychopathy. A psychopathic
portrait would also include many hints of high risk-taking together with a lack
of empathy.
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Narcissism
Narcissus was a beautiful hunter in Greek mythology who fell
in love with his own reflection. But now, when we say that someone is
narcissistic, we mean something more than just vanity. Someone with high levels
of narcissism feels entitled to adoration, power, and high status, so much so
that if they don’t get these things, they may lash out.
They might agree with statements like:
"Many group activities are dull without me."
"I have a natural talent for influencing people."
"I like being the center of attention."
If they don’t get the attention they crave, they might, for example, lie about how many gifts they received for their birthday.
Based on the ominous name, you might think people would know
to avoid those with the dark triad. Ironically, we’re often attracted to people
who have a smidge of psychopathy or a hint of dominance, especially because
people with the dark triad tend to be good at making themselves appear more
attractive.
Dark Triad Relationship Patterns
There are five destructive patterns you can take note of to
recognize people high on the continuum of dark triad traits.
1. Lying
Researchers have found that those higher on the dark triad
continuum lie more often and think of themselves as good at deception. More
specifically, Machiavellianism is associated with telling more white lies,
while narcissism is associated with lying about popularity. The most troubling
are those with high levels of psychopathy, who are more likely to lie for no
reason at all.
When you catch a partner with these traits in a lie, you
might begin to sense that something doesn’t add up. These erosions of trust,
whether big or small, can start to chip away at your sense of security.
2. Infidelity
It’s well-known that those high on the dark triad scale are
more likely to cheat on romantic partners. Given their penchant for
impulsivity, lack of care for others’ feelings, and ability to lie easily and
often, this isn’t surprising. What’s more interesting is which traits in the
dark triad lead to which types of infidelity outcomes.
When people with higher levels of psychopathy cheat, it
tends to lead to a breakup. But when people who are a more Machiavellian cheat,
they can manage to keep the relationship going. This might be because their
strategic approach to everything lets them fly under the radar. Even when they
get caught, they’re better able to manipulate their partner and may get off
scot-free. In fact, you might find yourself wondering if you’re the bad guy
when the boyfriend you just caught sexting with someone else says you’re the
one driving him away by being too overbearing. Don’t fall for it! This is
classic Machiavelli.
3. Jealousy and revenge
Those with the dark triad tend to have higher levels of
preventive jealousy—that is, feeling jealous before they’ve been given reason
to—than the average person.
One study found that those with the dark triad are not only
more likely to have cheated on a partner but also expect to be cheated on. If
they do find themselves in an unfaithful relationship; they’re more likely than
the average person to want to take revenge, like shouting at their partner or
spreading a rumor about them.
Interestingly, the dark triad women in this study said that
even though they would want revenge, they wouldn’t necessarily end the
relationship if their partner cheated. This speaks to wanting emotional control
over their partner for control's sake rather than doing hurtful things only as
an impulsive reaction.
4. Superficial relationships
Given their lack of true emotional devotion, people high on
the dark triad scale doesn’t tend to choose serious, committed relationships.
Now there’s nothing wrong with flings, dating for fun,
friends-with-benefits, and other not-so-serious “romances.” At different times
in our lives, we have different needs, and most of us have probably had
relationships that were never meant for a serious commitment.
But people with more dark triad traits tend to make a habit
of emotionally shallow relationships, both romantically and with friends.
Specifically, narcissism tends to go hand-in-hand with one-night-stands, and
psychopathy tends to go with booty calls.
In friendships, Machiavellians look to befriend those with
elite social status. Narcissists like to roll with a good-looking squad. Men with psychopathic traits are just like friends who can play wingmen and hook up with potential mates.
5. Relationships that don’t last
With all these not-so-glowing findings to recommend them,
it’s no surprise that people with high dark triad traits don’t tend to have
long-lasting relationships.
Even if they wanted to stay in a long-term relationship,
people with the dark triad have a hard time making it last, perhaps because
they are simply hard to get along with. The researchers who first coined the
“dark triad” term noticed immediately that agreeableness—warmth, friendliness,
tact—is the one thing most people with these traits lack.
The dark triad traits have gray gradations, and if you
find yourself in a relationship with someone low on those scales, it might
simply end with hurt feelings. But someone high on the rungs of psychopathy,
narcissism, and Machiavellianism might cause you serious damage.
Medical Disclaimer: All content here is for informational purposes only. This content does not replace the professional judgment of your own mental health provider. Please consult a licensed mental health professional for all individual questions and issues.
Red-flag behaviors
What should a manager do after identifying such job candidates or employees? Over-claiming, or falsely taking credit for, contributions to the organization. (narcissism)Actively promoting themselves. (narcissism, Machiavellianism)
Being aggressive after negative feedback and criticizing the source of feedback. (narcissism)
Treating valued members of the organization (trophy colleagues) differently than those who do not boost their egos. (narcissism)
Demonstrating a selfish perspective with a “choose your battles” mind-set. (Machiavellianism)
Trying to control or minimize other people’s influence. (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy)
Not sharing knowledge with colleagues. (Machiavellianism)
Using manipulation to reach strategic goals. (Machiavellianism, psychopathy)
Scheming for personal benefit without considering consequences for others. (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy)
Competing rather than cooperating. (Machiavellianism, psychopathy)
Making quick, short-term-focused decisions without considering consequences for others. (psychopathy)
Making bold, risky decisions without regard to organizational rules or ethics. (narcissism, psychopathy)
Questioning authority figures, rules, and the status quo. (psychopathy)
Bullying or criticizing coworkers to focus on interpersonal relationships instead of tasks at hand. (psychopathy)
Luring coworkers into wild behaviors or seducing coworkers or supervisors into romantic relationships. (Machiavellianism, psychopathy)
“If you can avoid it, don’t hire them. If you have them, don’t promote them,” Schyns said.
How to get out of a relationship with a dark triad personality
It can be scary to realize that your partner has dark triad traits. At the same time, it might feel like a morbid relief to put the pieces together. Either way, if you find yourself finally understanding why you feel insecure, emotionally spent, or like you’ve been gaslit, it’s a good first step to changing your situation.
To safely get yourself out of a relationship with someone with dark triad traits, here are good places to start:
1. Surround yourself with supportive people
People with high dark triad levels are known for playing mind games and undercutting your confidence. Bolster your defenses with people you can trust to be in your corner who will believe what you say and offer you a safe emotional haven.
2. Get your affairs in order
In some tragic cases, people have lost their financial resources, independence to move around, or other important safety mechanisms during a messy breakup.
Ideally, you'll want to secure:
- An independent bank account
- A safe place to physically go to
- A private place to communicate with your supportive people
- Anything else you may need to stay safe in case the other person acts recklessly
3. Make a clean break
Like Dua Lipa said, "Don't pick up the phone ... Don't let him in ... Don't be his friend."
You don’t need to keep justifying why you're leaving, especially if the other person is trying to excuse away your concerns or gaslight your feelings.
Commit to a clean break without giving in to crocodile tears that can seem convincing. Don’t linger in a shared living space. Don’t bargain. You don’t need to keep justifying why you're leaving, especially if the other person is trying to excuse away your concerns or gaslight your feelings.
4. Be compassionate with yourself
It’s so hard to be in a relationship (and to break up) with someone with dark triad traits. It’s not a sign of weakness or foolishness on your part that you got sucked in! Be kind to yourself. In extreme situations where safety is a concern, make sure you use your resources, including law enforcement, legal representation, and therapy.
It’s not a sign of weakness or foolishness on your part that you got sucked in!
You deserve to be respected and loved in a relationship, not lied to or manipulated. Now that you know the signs of the dark triad, you know how to spot a bad relationship in the making and get out before you get too deeply into it. And if you're already in it, don't be afraid to let go. You've got this!
Thanks
Dr. Jade Wu is a licensed clinical psychologist. She received her Ph.D. from Boston University and completed a clinical residency and fellowship at Duke University School of Medicine.
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
What is Nystagmus?
Nystagmus is a condition that causes involuntary, rapid movement of one or both eyes. It often occurs with vision problems, including blurriness.
This condition is sometimes called “dancing eyes.”
The symptoms include fast, uncontrollable eye movements. The direction of movement determines the type of nystagmus:
- Horizontal nystagmus involves side-to-side eye movements.
- Vertical nystagmus involves up-and-down eye movements.
- Rotary, or torsional, nystagmus involves circular movements.
These movements may occur in one or both eyes depending on the cause.
Nystagmus occurs when the part of the brain or inner ear that regulates eye movement and positioning doesn’t function correctly.
The labyrinth is the outer wall of the inner ear that helps you sense movement and position. It also helps control eye movements. The condition can be either genetic or acquired.
Infantile nystagmus syndrome
Congenital nystagmus is called infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS). It may be an inherited genetic condition. INS typically appears within the first six weeks to three months of a child’s life.
This type of nystagmus is usually mild and isn’t typically caused by an underlying health problem. In rare cases, a congenital eye disease could cause INS. Albinism is one genetic condition associated with INS.
Most people with INS won’t need treatment and don’t have complications later in life. In fact, many people with INS don’t even notice their eye movements. However, vision challenges are common.
Vision problems can range from mild to severe, and many people require corrective lenses or decide to have corrective surgery.
Acquired nystagmus
Acquired, or acute, nystagmus can develop at any stage of life. It often occurs due to injury or disease. Acquired nystagmus typically occurs due to events that affect the labyrinth in the inner ear.
Possible causes of acquired nystagmus include:
- stroke
- certain medications, including sedatives and antiseizure medications like phenytoin (Dilantin)
- excessive alcohol consumption
- head injury or trauma
- diseases of the eye
- diseases of the inner ear
- B-12 or thiamine deficiencies
- brain tumours
- diseases of the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis
See your doctor if you begin to notice symptoms of nystagmus. Acquired nystagmus always occurs due to an underlying health condition. You’ll want to determine what that condition is and how best to treat it.
How Do You Treat Nystagmus?
If you developed nystagmus as an adult, there may be simple
things you can do to lessen its effects. Sometimes you may just have to stop a
medicine or quit drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
Tips for Living With Nystagmus
There are things you can do at home to make it easier to deal
with your "dancing eyes." Use large-print books and turn up the print
size on your computer, tablet, and phone. More lighting may help with vision,
too.
If your child has nystagmus, encourage them to use their
eyes. Big and brightly colored toys are the easiest to use. Choose toys that make
noise and have unique textures.
Let your child hold books close to their eyes with their
head tilted. Let them wear a hat or tinted glasses -- even indoors -- to reduce
glare.
Talk to your child's teacher to make things easier at
school. It would be hard for them to share books or papers. Let them choose
where to sit so they can see the board and the teacher.
What Is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar
levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as a type
2 diabetes. Approximately 88 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have
prediabetes. Of those with prediabetes, more than 84% don’t know they have it.
Prediabetes puts you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart
disease, and stroke.
What Causes Prediabetes?
Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a
key to let blood sugar into cells for use as energy. If you have prediabetes,
the cells in your body don’t respond normally to insulin. Your pancreas makes
more insulin to try to get cells to respond. Eventually, your pancreas can’t
keep up, and your blood sugar rises, setting the stage for prediabetes—and type
2 diabetes down the road.
Signs & Symptoms
You can have prediabetes for years but have no clear symptoms, so it often goes undetected until serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes show up. It’s important to talk to your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested if you have any of the risk factors for prediabetes, which include:
- Being overweight
- Being 45 years or older
- Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
- Being physically active less than 3 times a week
- Ever having gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or giving birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
- Having polycystic ovary syndrome
Race and ethnicity are also a factor: African Americans,
Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian
Americans are at higher risk.
How to Stop Prediabetes in Its Tracks
1. Get Tested
Not everyone with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes,
but everyone with prediabetes is at higher-than-normal risk. So talk to your
healthcare provider about determining your own risk and getting a simple blood
test for diabetes screening. If necessary, find out what steps you should take
right now to avoid or delay the development of type 2 diabetes and related
medical conditions.
If you have prediabetes, you can reduce your risk of
developing more serious conditions by eating better and losing any excess
weight. Eating better means choosing more healthful foods: fresh veggies and
fruit; lean protein sources, including fish and plant options like lentils and
beans; healthful fats like extra virgin olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds; and
smaller portions of fibre-rich whole grains and root vegetables. Eat a wide
variety of these foods to broaden your nutrient intake and balance your meals.
It's also important to eat regularly scheduled meals and snacks, to avoid
extreme blood sugar highs and lows throughout the day.
Researchers have found that while short-term psychological
stress can actually be good for you, chronic stress suppresses your immune
system and could increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by altering
your insulin needs. In some people, chronic stress may also trigger a cascade
of hormonal events that increase appetite. While it’s not always possible to
eliminate your source of stress, coping techniques, such as yoga, meditation,
reading and writing poetry, counselling, or exercise, can help reduce
overbearing pressure before it makes you sick.
When you’re at risk of developing diabetes, too much TV time
or other time spent in sedentary activities increases your risk even more.
Regular exercise can help you manage your weight, reduce high blood pressure
and blood fats, sleep better, improve your mood, and boost your energy levels,
all of which can also help alleviate stress. The ADA recommends 30 minutes of
moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, stair climbing or
jogging, at least 5 days a week, and strength training, such as callisthenics or
weight training, at least twice a week.
5. Take Your Meds
In many cases, lifestyle changes such as improved diet, stress
reduction, increased physical activity, and weight management will help you
control your blood sugar and prevent prediabetes from turning into diabetes.
But if you are obese, under 60 years old, or have a history of gestational
diabetes, your healthcare provider may recommend oral medication, such as
metformin, as the first best step toward managing your condition. If you feel
you would benefit from medication, ask your doctor if you are a candidate.