Ticks Affect Dogs and Cats

The blood-sucking parasites are carriers of some dangerous diseases. However, there are some persistent rumors about ticks.

One of the very popular ones says that ticks fall down like vultures from trees when they attack their victims. The reality is less spectacular: Most parasites pass unnoticed on bushes, shrubs and grasses and simply jump on the dogs and cats when they pass by.

Ticks are active from March to November and they can host one or more pathogens. Dogs are affected much more frequently than cats. The most significant risks are the Lyme disease and babesiosis, or the so-called "dog’s malaria."

Ticks are masters of disguise - at least initially

Few pet owners notice that their four-legged friend has an unwelcome visit immediately. A tick is tiny when it is not soaked with blood. Obviously, the fur of the four-legged friend is a great hiding place.

Ticks are often only noticed when they already have a considerable girth. But then quick action is needed both in dogs and in cats.

An infection is always possible

There is always the risk of transmission of infections with all blood-sucking parasites. The warming climate and common foreign travels by animal owners exacerbate the problem: more and more ticks are brought to the United States from southern countries. The carrying of diseases in the luggage was no problem in this country in the past. But how do you remove a tick? Different pieces of advice have been circulating over the years.

Is it useful to grease the fur before removing the tick?

One of the more radical pieces of advice is to grease the coat with oil or gas prior to removing the tick. This way, the tick goes out of breath, its mouth parts loosen and thus it is easier for you to remove it – at least in theory.

This "special treatment" has a catch: The tick is put under massive stress. This may mean that it secretes more saliva. Also, smaller amounts of blood from its stomach go back into the bloodstream of the quadruped.

That means: If the tick carries pathogens, the risk of transmission to the four-legged friend is increased drastically. Therefore, this method is not advisable.

Pulling out vs. twisting

Many people do not know whether they should pull the ticks out or rotate them. It is important to know that ticks do not "screw" in the skin. They have barbs on the sting apparatus and release a special adhesive before they "dock." So they use two strategies to anchor themselves firmly to the skin.

The answer is: You can both pull out the tick or twist it to remove it from the skin of the animal. Florian Reese, expert veterinarian, says: "It is not the method that is important, but that the tick is removed completely."

But that also means that there is always a residual risk that parts of the mouth parts remain in the skin with the two methods.

Tips for successful tick removal

Of course, you can use a simple pair of tweezers. However, it is much more convenient to use special instruments, such as ticks hooks, tick pliers or tick cards. You can order these instruments on an online pet store or you can buy them from the vet.

Regardless of which instrument you prefer, it is important that you fix it as close to the skin as possible. This is the best way to prevent any mouthparts from remaining stuck into the skin. You can even blot the spot if you want and you think this helps.

However, removing the tick successfully does not mean that no pathogens have been transmitted. You should consult a veterinarian and tell him about the ticks if your pet presents any behavioral problems or disease symptoms.

Prevention is even better

It is advisable to check out your four-legged for ticks after going on trips. Anyway, you should take precautions and use a tick repellent. For example, you can buy a tick collar for your pet. Or you can apply a so-called spot-on preparation. Following a recommendation by the American Association of Small Animal Medicine and the Federation of Practicing Veterinarians, dogs should be treated from spring to late fall. Actually, they should be treated all year round.

Equally recommended

You can ask the vet what treatment your four-legged friend should pursue. You can also learn about specific disease-protective vaccines.

Tournaments of Poker Aggression or Prudence

Is it better to take risks and "mount chips" or play tight and wait safely for a beautiful hand when playing in No Limit Hold'em tournaments? The answer is both simple and complicated because it depends! The key is to know what is better in each situation... The master theorist Dan Harrington, world champion in 1995, wrote three volumes (the "Harrington on Hold'em" series) on how to be successful in a tournament. These books contain all the pros and cons of the two strategies.

First of all, you must consider the initial stack and the blind structure. It is not the same to start with 1,000 chips or with 10,000 chips, just like it is not the same if the blinds increase every 5 minutes or every hour.


Let’s take a first example: a "Sit and Go" on the internet. These tournaments are played among 8 or 10 players and the first 3 are paid. One starts with, let’s say, 1,500 chips and the blinds increase every 5 minutes. The right strategy is to play tight early and then widen the selection range for the starting cards according to the blinds. You also have to be very selective and play "hard" when you arrive "on the bubble", that is to say when there are only four players and the first 3 are paid. Once you are "in the money area", you have to be aggressive all the way!

Here is a second example: a live tournament like an EPT event. Your starting stack is 10,000 and the blinds start at 25-50 and increase every 60 minutes. This is very different because you have more time to build your capital. What many players believe, the idea is not to "mount chips" at all costs at first. A "make or break" strategy can be extremely effective early in the tournament if you have a large pile of chips, but everything will be challenged within hours when the blinds are much higher. Poker tournaments strategies vary from player to player and their isn't a good/bad strategy. So patience and a reasonable amount of aggressiveness are required. It is all about commitment, but you have to know when to be brave. Obviously, the more the blinds increase, the more aggressive you have to be and find good positions to steal the blinds. This is the general pattern, which must be adjusted depending on how things go in the first rounds of the tournament.

So you need to calculate what Harrington calls "M" at any time. M is the number of rounds of blinds you have on your mat. For example, if the blinds are 50-100 and your carpet is 1,500, each round you do not play is equal to 10. If the blinds are 600-1200 with a 100 ante bet and there are eight players at the table, each turn costs you 2,600. If your stack is 15,000, your M is just under 6. Knowing your M at any time, the tactics to be applied are the following:

- M greater than or equal to 20: You are in the comfort zone. Select your hands calmly. There is no urgency to risk your stack on a draw or a mediocre hand.

- M between 10 and 20: All is well again. But do not fall asleep.

- M between 5 and 10: You are in danger. You must take risks without waiting. Do not panic though.

- M 5 or less: You are in the red zone, so full sail! Go all in right away. Yes, this is risky, but as they say, "Whoever takes risks wins".

Remember, your M sometimes has nothing to do with the average number of chips in the tournament. This average, which is the most commonly used benchmark, does not matter much. If you are first, you are well above the average. But it all depends on your M: do not rest on your laurels if it is less than 10 and be willing to take risks! In practice, always try to multiply your chips if you are in trouble (M less than 5) and feel free to do so with mediocre and average hands, too. Do not wait for AA, KK or even AJ or AQ hands because your carpet will be even lower when these hands come (and even if they come). Therefore, AX, JX or QX are not too bad in these cases and neither is a J10 hand, together with a 9 and 8... These are the "Come what may!" hands.

In reversing the argument, if you are the big blind and you have a decent hand like A-10 or JQ, you must pay because there is a good chance that you have the best hand! Well, good luck or rather have a good M...!

Everything about Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is a water soluble vitamin which is not stored by the body. Its actions are at the level of metabolism and nutrient absorption. It is also important for the eyes, skin and hair.

The vitamin that was later called vitamin B2 was isolated by two researchers in 1932, Warburg and Christian. Then, it was synthesized by Karrer in 1935. Its scientific name is riboflavin. The actions of vitamin B2 revolve around two main roles:

- Energy release from food, so metabolism of nutrients

- The maintenance of the skin, eyes, nails and hair.

The definition of vitamin B2

Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin or lactoflavin, is a water soluble vitamin sensitive to air and light. It can be synthesized by the body in small quantities, but it is not stored by it, so it must be taken from food every day.
The scientific name of vitamin B2, riboflavin, comes from the association of "ribose" (= a sugar with 5 carbon atoms) and the Latin root "flavus", which means yellow - the color of this vitamin. The presence of a molecule of ribose in its chemical composition makes it a vitamin. Thus, if you replace it by another sugar, its vitamin activity disappears. Riboflavin or lactoflavin or simply vitamin B2 is a crystalline yellow-green fluorescent powder with a slight odor and bitter taste. This vitamin is water soluble, but its solubility in water is not very high. It is heat resistant, so it can resist to cooking in that it does not melt and is not destroyed until 285 ° C are reached. It also withstands freezing, but its decomposition is accelerated by UV light and alkalis (or bases, the main ones being soda, potash and ammonia). Therefore, toddler vitamin B2 should be kept in sealed flask and should be protected from light. In humans, it is synthesized by the intestinal flora, but the quantity produced by the latter is insufficient to cover the daily needs of the body, so it must be taken from food and/or supplements daily. It is easily absorbed from the small intestine, then it is widely distributed in the tissues, but little is stored. The excess vitamin B2 is excreted in the urine (colored in yellow), partly as metabolites.

The properties of vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 has many properties, but its main roles can be summarized as follows: it acts on the release of energy from nutrients provided by food and on maintaining the beauty and health of the skin, eyes and hair.
Vitamin B2 has many properties. It plays great roles in the functioning of the body.

Here is the list of properties of vitamin B2

- Vitamin B2 plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, allowing the production of energy.

- It is present in the body in the form of two coenzymes: FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) and FMN (flavin mononucleotide), which both act as hydrogen acceptors. Their joint action with the enzyme allows the oxidation of glucose and thus the energy release.

- Vitamin B2 plays a role in the cellular respiration mechanisms, a set of reactions in which fuels are degraded in the food inside the cells.

- It is also a component of amino acids.

- It is found in many organs, particularly in the retina, where it is involved in the phenomenon of vision and promotes vision in the semi-darkness.

- It ensures the growth of children.

- It plays a role in maintaining the health of the skin, hair (it acts on the elasticity and strength of keratin) and nails.

- Vitamin B2 increases the body's resistance to cold.

- It is essential for the nerve function and for the proper functioning of the brain.

Therapeutic tips and indications

Here is some additional guidance on the use of vitamin B2 and its therapeutic indications, that is to say the cases when your doctor may prescribe vitamin B2 to treat a disorder.

The efficacy of vitamin B2 is enhanced when combined with other B vitamins as well as with magnesium in food supplements. As it happens with other B vitamins, vitamin B2 supplements (e.g. beflavine) are absorbed better when taken during a meal. Vitamin B2 also contributes to the use of iron. Vitamin B2 is used as yellow food coloring under the name of E101.

Therapeutic indications on vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 may be prescribed by your doctor in the following cases:
- Eye disorders: conjunctivitis, corneal vascularization, accommodation disorders, night blindness (loss of night vision), cataracts

- Skin disease: cheilitis (inflammation of the lips), angular cheilitis (cracked corners of the mouth), stomatitis, facial seborrhea, nail dystrophy

- Gastrointestinal disorders: chronic enteritis

- General disorders: muscle cramps, headaches, no weight gain in children, asthenia.

Boiler Fueled by Wood

This article tackles the following topics:

The firewood boiler

Boilers for heating only

Boilers for domestic hot water (separate)

Versatility

A wood boiler produces heat from firewood. The important advantage of wood and wood energy is that it is renewable, abundant, cheap and usable.

Wood burning is now considered the source of energy of the future due to the development of high efficiency wood-fired boilers. Wood is also used by some cogeneration plants to produce electricity and heat. Yields higher than 65% qualify for the Green Flame label and are rewarded with grants and subsidies. Fuel wood is now called "NF firewood" and the heating installers operating on this principle meet professional standards of quality.

Firewood boilers

Wood boilers can be installed only on the ground and have cast iron or steel radiators.

Wood boilers with cast iron heater

Firewood boilers are used primarily for heating. They distribute heat through the central heating system and have a domestic hot water tank. Several innovations have been made in the field of wood boilers in recent years. The most significant would be the replacement of fan-assisted combustion with natural draft, the clear separation of the primary air from the secondary air, the improvements in terms of control (variable speed systems with valves and oxygen sensors), the doubling of the autonomy by the enlargement of the storage compartment and the reduction of radiation losses.

Wood boilers use logs of different types:

Traditional combustion boilers: The wood is introduced and the entire load burns simultaneously. These boilers are controlled by a chain. The yield of these devices ranges between 40 and 60%.

 The investment is lower with these types of boilers. Irregular combustion is difficult to control and there are risks of tarring. The autonomy is low. The establishment of a buffer tank is recommended for the improvement of the device.

Horizontal or inverted combustion boilers: The wood chamber is separated from the combustion chamber. The air supply is optimized and it is regulated by a chain. The yields of these devices range between 50 and 70%. These boilers have an average battery life. The establishment of a buffer tank is recommended for the improvement of the device.

Inverted fan-assisted combustion boilers: The wood chamber is separated from the combustion chamber. The air supply is regulated and optimized through fans. The yields of these devices range between 70 and 85%. These boilers have a controlled combustion and a good battery life. The establishment of a buffer tank is required. The investment is relatively high.

Firewood boilers with hot water accumulation: The use of a buffer tank is particularly interesting with all types of wood boilers. This system improves the operation, performance and lifetime of the device. The heating needs are well below the boiler output throughout much of the year. The boiler operates at suitable parameters thanks to the storage tank. This wood boiler can provide hot water, too. The boiler filling can be reduced to 1-3 loads per day.

Heating boilers

There are specific models designed for heating only. However, the production of domestic hot water can be forced by the addition of a special preparer.

There are firewood heating boilers with cast iron radiators. These boilers have domestic hot water accumulation.

There are also firewood boilers for heating and domestic hot water separately equipped with steel radiators.

Some models can be equipped with an oil or gas burner, which comes into play when the wood supply has been exhausted.

How to Choose the Best Hair Product for You

When it comes to taking care of your hair, nothing but the best should be chosen like the Bumble & Bumble care products,which are quite popular. The range of products from Bumble & Bumble includes shampoos, styling gels, crèmes, conditioners, and many more for all types of and issues. There are uncountable hair products making unbelievable claims in the market, but choosing the right one can be a tough task.


Selecting the correct product will definitely benefit and help in maintaining your hair for a much longer time. It is a very important part of the personality and beauty of a person and can also change the perception of the people who look at you. Great looking hair also needs the best products to keep them healthy. Choosing the correct product for the largely depends on the type of hair that one has. Some general tips for this are as follows:


Identify the type of hair you have whether it is oily, dry, or normal. This will help in identifying the right category of product for the hair. Products with more natural ingredients are always better for the scalp and the hair. They help in maintaining the moisture, improve the overall hair texture, and make them strong and healthy.


Shampoo is the most important hair product which helps in cleaning the hair. Avoid choosing the one which has harsh chemicals and sulphates which can damage the hair by making them dry and they will then tend to break easily. Choose the one which has moisturizing ability so that it can avoid the hair from becoming dry and frizzy.


Conditioners are also very important for the hair, especially after using a shampoo. Choose a conditioner which contains proteins and protects the hair from any damage. They also moisturize the hair and vary again depending on the hair type and status, that is, colored or permed hair.


For those who love to sunbath or expose their bodies more in the sun, choosing the right hair cream is also essential to protect the hair from damage from the UV radiations. So, choose a cream which will moisturize as well as protect the hair from damage through the sun protection factor (SPF).


Also, remember that hair varies from one person to another. A product which is great for your friend's hair may not be suitable for you. Always make effort to identify the type of hair and if there is any damage done to the condition of the hair already. The products to be used will vary accordingly. For damaged hair, there might be many products available for treatment to get back its health and shine, like Bumble & Bumble hair powder or deep treatment product.

Popular Slots Jack Vegas

Jack Vegas is probably the most popular game in Sweden. Jack Vegas requires a very small bet, 1-5 USD, but this can be turned into a gain of 500 USD. These slots are located in bars and restaurants and are available online in similar versions. The distribution of the machines and the games are always supervised. CasinoEuro, for instance, offers a game that is very similar to the original Jack Vegas.

Jack Vegas games and prizes

 

Jack Vegas machines are special as they offer several different types of games. You can choose from video poker, video slots and slot machines, which are actually the same as video slots. Jack Vegas machines are easy to find in a normal-sized Swedish town because they are found at over 2,000 locations around the country. Surprisingly, almost 90% of the young inhabitants of Sweden play Jack Vegas, which is a very high figure.

Suffice to say that you only need 1 to 5 dollars to play Jack Vegas and you get the chance to win 500 USD. It is quite clear for a normal person that this is not the sort of game you play to get rich. Jack Vegas is not about winning money but about having fun. The machines serve as a fun supplement in bars or restaurants. It is not the idea to go down to the local bar, buy a Coke, sit there for the rest of the evening and press the buttons on the Jack Vegas machine.

The problems with Jack Vegas

 

Unfortunately, Jack Vegas is associated with adolescents who suffer from gambling addiction. What has happened is that the game has become so accessible that it has been difficult to stop those who should not be playing it. There are still many people who should not be playing this machine despite the numerous measures taken in restaurants and bars. All Jack Vegas machines are connected to a network and the gaming activities are closely followed by the Swedish games and lottery inspection.

It is important to understand how the machine works and keep a perspective in terms of money if you want to play on Jack Vegas machines a bit more than customary. As a rule of thumb, you should always decide how much money you can afford to invest in the game before you go out and then stick to that budget. You can play Jack Vegas online and you should regard it as a regular slot machine, but remember that the profit is not as high as in slot machines.

Fun and useful

 

It is fun to play jackpot slots like Jack Vegas, which is why even the most experienced players keep playing it. Those who only play such games every now and then have the opportunity to combine a restaurant visit with some excitement for a small amount of money. It is also worth pointing out that the game is beneficial from a social point of view. This machine has actually been encouraged by the youth and sports associations in Sweden. They claimed that this machine is extra fun to play even if you do not win anything.

Tips on Fitness and Pregnancy

What are the main expectations of mothers?

Weight control and to avoid weight gains greater than 13-14 pounds;

Avoidance of back problems;

Fortification of the abdomen;

Increased resistance and resilience;

Achievement of relaxation and energy (a good feeling about their body and head);

Prevention of varicose veins and cramps by improving the circulation;

Prevention of pain by improving the posture;

Strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles for an easier delivery;

Breathing and concentration exercises to relieve stress and tension;

More control over their bodies and their emotions.

Women can also train at home, which is a very good solution when they cannot move very easily anymore!

What other benefits do pregnant women have?

All women want a training program tailored to their demands and needs especially at this time. They need their questions and wishes to be heard. An individualized home training program can relax them and eliminate some of the concerns related to their pregnancy and the use of birthing balls.

The weather conditions and transportation are not a problem anymore. Thus, they save time and money. Also, they do not feel the extra pounds they gain during pregnancy.

What simple exercises can you do at home on weekends? Do they vary depending on the stage of pregnancy?

Starting to train from the first quarter would be the best way to prevent low back pain, stiffness and poor posture but this is not always easy because most women experience nausea. The first quarter is the most important because this is the time when the baby practically “forms”. Then, the 2nd quarter is an ideal time to do physical activity because the hormones are a little more stable and the woman is more euphoric yet exhausted by the weight of the baby. Finally, the belly gets bigger in the 3rd quarter. More than ever, it is imperative to do the exercises in a ventilated and quiet room for better oxygenation! The woman must warm up and rest between the exercises. Moreover, she should listen to her body because it might get tired very quickly when exercise balls are used.

Some exercises to do at home

Straighten the spine and the pelvic area. Sit on the floor, feet up and parallel, spine straight and inhale and let your belly expand. Exhale by tightening the pelvic area (as if you had the urge to urinate or experienced bowel movement) for 3 seconds and then relax it for 5 seconds. Repeat this exercise for 1 to 5 minutes once a day.
Tone the thighs, buttocks and perineum. Keep the feet slightly apart and parallel, the shoulders down, the neck stretched and keep a soft ball or cushion between your knees. Contract your gluteal muscles and then lower your back. Repeat this exercise by contracting the pelvic area and squeezing the ball.

Relieve the perineum. Keep a pillow under your head, slightly raise the pelvis and place a rolled towel under your buttocks so that the perineum is facing up. Close your eyes and enjoy this moment of relaxation.
You can also use a large Swiss ball for the relaxation exercises. Keep your legs on the ball.

When is the best time to get back to sports after childbirth? You can get birthing balls instead and use them as exercise balls.

You should resume your sporting activity after about 2.5 months. You should make no effort after a vaginal delivery or a caesarean section. You must resume your sporting activity intelligently. Pilates helps the body to recover gradually.
Important: Do the tests and start the pelvic muscle training 6-8 weeks after childbirth before resuming your physical activity to avoid complications and urinary incontinence.

Advice: You may continue your sporting activity until your postnatal leave if everything goes well during your pregnancy! This could actually do you a lot of good and limit your weight gain.

The delivery is a great sporting event so you had better be prepared especially when you deliver your first baby! However, the result is a delight!

Aqua-gym/Swimming

You can do water aerobics and take yoga classes and you will feel a lot better. These activities are not expensive and they are very easy to practice. You should take up these sports towards the end of your pregnancy. Wear a bathing cap and shoes when you go to the basin in order not to slip. You may be exposed to mycoses, so you should take all the precautions you can.

What sports did you practice during your pregnancy? What activities/places would you recommend?