Pets

Early Learning: Can Movies and TV Be Good for Babies and Toddlers?

What an important question! As the parent of a baby or toddler, you want to help your little one reach his or her potential. We know that language and social skills are very important for success in school and in life. And what better time to start than when your child is little?

First the bad news, the really bad news. “Too much television viewing before the age of three has been shown to be associated with attention control problems, aggressive behavior, and poor cognitive development. Early television viewing has skyrocketed in recent years and is one of the leading problems of public health issues facing American children,” according to Frederick Zimmerman, a researcher at the University of Washington.

In this article, we’ll look at suggested links between screen time and lower vocabulary, ADHD, autism, and violent behavior. Then we’ll look at how you could use baby TV and movies to help your child learn.

LOW LANGUAGE SKILLS A University of Washington study shows that 40% of three-month-olds and 90% of two-year-olds “watch” TV or movies regularly. The researchers found that parents allowed their infants and toddlers to watch educational television, baby videos/DVDs, other children’s programs, and adult programs.

What can we learn from this study?

* “Most parents seek the best for their children, and we found that many parents believe they are providing educational and brain-building opportunities by exposing their babies to 10 to 20 hours of television per week,” says researcher Andrew Meltzoff , developmental psychologist. .

* According to Frederick Zimmerman, the study’s lead author, that’s a bad thing. “TV exposure takes time away from more developmentally appropriate activities, such as a parent or adult caregiver and infant playing freely with dolls, blocks, or cars…,” he says.

* Babies 8 to 16 months old who watched baby shows knew fewer words than those who didn’t.

“The more videos they watched, the fewer words they knew,” says Dr. Dimitri Christakis. “These babies scored 10% lower in language skills than babies who had not seen these videos.”

* Meltzoff says that parents “instinctively adjust their speech, gaze, and social cues to support language acquisition,” obviously something no machine can do!

*Surprisingly, it made no difference whether the father watched with the baby or not!

Why did these babies learn more slowly? Dr. Vic Strasburger, a professor of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, says: “Babies require face-to-face interaction to learn. They don’t get that interaction from watching TV or videos. In fact, observation it probably interferes with the crucial wiring that is laid down in their brains during early development.”

ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterized by problems with attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH et al.

“In contrast to the pace with which real life unfolds and is experienced by young children, television can show rapidly changing images, settings, and events. It can be overstimulating but extremely engaging,” the researchers say. “We found that early television exposure was associated with later attention problems.”

The researchers examined data from 1,278 children at the age of one year and 1,345 children at the age of three. They found that an extra hour of daily TV viewing at these ages translated into a 10 percent greater chance that the child would display ADHD behaviors by the age of seven.

AUTISM Autism is characterized by poor or no language skills, poor social skills, unusual repetitive behaviors, and obsessive interests. A Cornell University study found that higher rates of autism appeared to be related to higher rates of screen time.

The researchers hypothesize that “a small segment of the population is vulnerable to developing autism due to their underlying biology and that watching too much television or certain types of television in early childhood serves as a trigger for the condition.”

Commenting on this study in the journal Slate, Gregg Easterbrook points out that autistic children have abnormal activity in the visual processing areas of their brains. Since these areas develop rapidly during the first three years of a child’s life, he wonders if “excessive viewing of brightly colored, two-dimensional screen images” can cause problems. I find this comment very interesting, as it would apply to the entire spectrum, from “quality children’s programming” to adult material.

VIOLENT BEHAVIOR The National Association for the Education of Young Children identified the following areas of concern about children who view violence on television: * Children may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. * They are more likely to behave aggressively or harmfully towards others. * They may become more fearful of the world around them.

The American Psychological Association reports several studies in which some children watched a violent program and others watched a nonviolent one. Those in the first group were slower to intervene, either directly or by asking for help, when they saw younger children fighting or breaking toys after the program.

Now that we know the bad news…

Is it possible to use movies at all? I think it is. I think the key is to USE the show, not just WATCH it. Most people know that it’s great to read to babies, but no one would put a book in front of a baby and walk away, thinking it would do them any good!

Rock your baby or set the rhythm to classical music or nursery rhymes.

Be very, very selective about what your young child watches, and watch with him. Is the show showing kindness, kindness, generosity…any value you want your little one to learn?

When he’s old enough to relate to pictures of people, animals, and toys, talk to him about what he’s seeing. “Look at the puppy. He is playing with the kitten. They are friends. Mommy is your friend.” “The little birds are hungry. They’re calling for her mommy. She’s going to come back with some food.” “Oh no! The little lamb is lost. I wonder if the shepherd will find it?”

Make screen time a special, and very limited, time that you both share. Treat a baby or toddler movie the same way you treat a book, as another tool that provides themes for interaction with your little one.

Pets

Best 3-star hotels in Mysore

Mysore is the third largest city in Karnataka and is often referred to as the ‘cultural capital of the state’. Often hailed as one of the cleanest cities in India, Mysore is home to several forts, palaces, and other cultural monuments. The top rated tourist spots in Mysore are Brindavan Gardens, Tippu Palace, St. Philomenas Church, Chamundi Hills, and Mysore Palace.

Being a major tourist destination, there are various hotels in Mysore in a budget range. Here are the top-rated 3-star hotels in Mysore based on services, hospitality, and value for money.

Hotel MB International

The MB International Hotel is located near Five Light Circle on Convent Road. This 3-star hotel in Mysore is close to several tourist centers, shops and restaurants. The hotel restaurant serves delicious North and South Indian dishes at affordable prices.

The rooms are compact but clean and well furnished. The staff are friendly, warm and more than happy to help you have a pleasant stay. Guests of this Mysore hotel can access services such as doctor on call, travel desk, currency exchange, laundry and high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Mysore

Located in the center of MG Road, the Radisson Blu Plaza is one of the best 3-star hotels in Mysore. This is a fairly new property located close to Mysore Hall and offers an excellent range of services at an affordable price. Various tourist attractions such as Mysore Palace, the zoo and the cathedral are close to the hotel. The rooms are large and equipped with modern amenities such as electronic safe and high-speed Wi-Fi. Hotel guests can access the large swimming pool located at the entrance. The staff are polite, friendly and will help you arrange sightseeing tours or taxis for airport transfer.

Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel

Royal Orchid Metropole Hotel is an excellent 3 star Mysore hotel located close to the bus stand and central station. This is a heritage property that has been beautifully renovated with modern amenities such as wi-fi, electronic safe, 24-hour hot water, and swimming pool. The candlelit central patio is a good place for a romantic dinner. The rooms of this hotel are decorated with antique furniture that gives them a charming colonial atmosphere. The hotel restaurant serves Indian, Chinese and Continental dishes in a cozy atmosphere.

Hotel Reegalis

Located on Vinobha Road, Hotel Reegalis is a 3-star hotel offering clean and comfortable rooms at affordable prices. This is a good hotel option for travelers looking for a 3-star hotel close to the main tourist attractions in Mysore. The hotel’s restaurant, La Gardenia, serves a variety of Indian, Continental and Chinese dishes. Guests can access free wi-fi in all areas of the hotel. The staff is friendly and more than happy to ensure a comfortable stay for guests. An added advantage of this hotel is its proximity to several restaurants and shops. The hotel offers several amenities such as laundry service, travel agency, swimming pool, gym and doctor on call. Try to book the poolside rooms as they are quieter and have better views.

Pets

Are you in compliance? California Sexual Harassment Law AB 1825

I was recently speaking at a business networking meeting when a business owner asked me if he had to worry about California’s new Sexual Harassment law, AB1825. This businesswoman runs her own company with 18 full-time employees, 20 part-time employees, 8 temporary workers, and 5 sales subcontractors that are located in multiple states.

Requirements: 50 + employees

At first glance, it appears that you don’t meet the 50+ employee requirement that determines whether you must train your supervisors. However, a closer look at the law reveals that temporary service workers and independent contractors, regardless of where they are located, are included in the total employee count.

Requirements: Training should cover all aspects of harassment, discrimination and retaliation.

Training must address retaliation and: harassment and discrimination based on sex, race/color, religion, age, and national origin. Previous trainings typically did not cover these areas.

Another business owner wanted to know whether or not he could continue training in the same way as the year before.

Requirements: A system in place to track and document employee participation and compliance

The answer is maybe yes, maybe no. Whether the training included all forms of harassment and discrimination Y tracked employee participation throughout the training (not just through sign-in/sign-out sheets) Y assessed their understanding of the material Y You can provide proof, so yes, continue training as in previous years.

One business owner, one on a very tight budget, commented “it’s a good thing I only have to train 5 supervisors, because I can’t afford to train more.”

Requirements: Businesses must provide a harassment-free workplace for everyone

With this in mind, how free of harassment will the workplace be if this owner only trains supervisors? . And if the employee files a claim, will the money saved by training just the supervisors be enough to pay for the lawyers, lost production time, and/or punitive damages? Probably not.

conclusion:

Regardless of the number of employees, employee location, or prior training, employers must protect their business from harassment and discrimination claims and comply with the law. Make sure your company is protected by training all employees on the prevention of harassment and discrimination.

Pets

Does the amount of water my overweight cat drinks have anything to do with his weight?

Is your cat overweight? Has your cat been drinking more water lately and you’re worried that’s why he’s overweight?

An unusual increase in water consumption, particularly by an obese cat, may indicate a chronic condition, such as diabetes.

Water has zero calories, no carbs, and no fat. Your cat didn’t get fat from drinking water. Unless you add calorie-containing foods to her water, that’s the only way your cat can become water-heavy. If you add sugar to your overweight cat’s water, that could be the culprit. Adding sugar to your obese cat’s water will not only make her overweight but also cause more health problems.

Some cats are genetically “heavy”. Regardless of how much food they eat, they end up being heavy. Your fat cat could fall into one of these more robust breeds. You can certainly find out by consulting your vet or doing a quick search online.

One of the main reasons your cat could be overweight is because you are most likely feeding him an unbalanced manufactured food made mostly of corn. You should switch your fat cat to a more balanced food that contains real meat protein, along with fats, carbohydrates in the ideal percentage range of ingredients. And don’t forget about vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients.

It is also possible that you are overfeeding your cat. Could you be eating too much food/calories that you don’t need? If you are in the habit of leaving your food (most likely dry food) out all day, you may be overeating.

Have you recently changed your eating pattern? Are you switching from a moist or canned food to drier food? Dry foods contain about 10% moisture, while canned foods typically contain 70-80% moisture. If you’ve recently added or replaced wet canned food with dry food, the increase in dry food could probably cause your fluffball to drink more free water. In this case, drinking more free water would be a natural balance of taking in less moisture from your food.

Some cats eat and eat regardless of whether they are hungry or not. I bet your cat eats when he’s bored. You can reduce your food intake by getting the right plate size. Try as much as possible not to put your obese cat on an unbalanced diet by simply cutting calories!

Does your overweight cat exercise constantly? A cat that dozes and lounges all day is prone to obesity. If he recently added a new toy to play with, or if your fluff ball just discovered a new toy to play with, and his exercise has increased, that’s a good activity. However, he may need additional free water due to his exercise.

Water alone will not cause weight gain. If your overweight cat is drinking too much water, it could be a sign of more serious problems. Drinking too much water can cause your cat’s kidneys to fail. Other serious problems like thyroid and diabetes could also be the reasons why your heavy cat is drinking a lot of water. On the other hand, drinking more water can be the natural consequence of a lifestyle change.

If you notice any changes in your cat’s behavior, especially its eating habits, you should carefully observe and monitor it. Research online. Consult a vet. A vet will carry out the necessary tests to check if something is wrong.

Pets

sony kdl55nx813 55" 3D LED TV Review

If you’re looking to get into the 3D TV market, you can’t go too far wrong with a Sony TV. So, sit back and take a look at our Sony KDL55NX813 review and find out what this 55″ 3D LED TV has to offer.

The Sony KDL55NX813U arrives with Edge LED backlight engineering. LED engineering is the most advanced technology to appear that takes on the image quality that plasma provides. True Edge LED backlighting lets you experience a plethora of colors, with very dark blacks and the brightest whites. LED technology is also known for having reduced power consumption compared to standard LCD and plasma TVs, so the TV could also save you some money in the long run.

With almost every other movie released today in 3D, the demand is growing for 3D home theater equipment so that people can create the sensation within their homes. While using this TV, it has 3D compatible engineering for 3D movies. To experience full high-definition 3D, you’ll need a 3D transmitter as well as the stylish 3D glasses.

Another crucial attribute of this 55″ television will be the internal Freeview-HD digital tuner. For the first time, HD signals can now be accessed via a standard external antenna thanks to the internal Freeview-HD tuner of the Sony KDL- 55NX813U Until recently, HD was only available via satellite dish or fiber optic cable, via pay-to-view providers such as Sky and Virgin Watch HD programs from the BBC and ITV without using a streaming service payment.

Your Sony Bravia is actually part of the Sony Bravia networked TV range. Since the KDL55NX813 is in network range, it has built-in Wi-Fi engineering. Built-in Wi-Fi technology lets you connect to your home network without the need for multiple cables. With built-in Wi-Fi technologies or Ethernet cabling, you can access a variety of Internet services with Bravia Internet video software. With Bravia Internet, you can access online solutions, view the weather, media updates and sports headlines, as well as stream movies in full screen and also catch up on TV.

For anyone who is interested in fast-action videos or enjoys watching sports like football or car racing, a Sony KDL-55NX813 might be right for you with its 200Hz motion-stream technology. Standard LCD TVs work with 50 Hz, these create 50 frames per second and produce motion blur on the screen. With the KDL55NX813 and 200Hz Motion Stream, it displays 200fps, resulting in virtually no motion blur or cloudiness.

This KDL-55NX813U is an excellent high-end TV from Sony. This 55″ LED TV not only has the technology to give you the best picture, but it’s more seamlessly styled so it looks great even when it’s turned off.

Pets

Calculate nights for California child support

California parents who are separating or divorcing must work with the court during the process to establish custody and child support. Under California support guidelines, visitation and parenting time have a direct influence on how much child support is paid or received. Using an inaccurate parenting time total may result in unfair or inaccurate payments.

California parenting time

Each state has slightly different methods for determining parent-child visitation. In California, the total time spent with children is the annual percentage of parenting time.

For example, if the non-custodial parent spends every other weekend and half of all holidays plus four weeks of summer, it would total 20 percent of the year. Adding just two weeks puts the percentage at 24 percent. Half days, extended overnight visits, and other long non-overnight visits also contribute to total parenting time.

Counting parenting time

Once the divorcing parents agree on a custody schedule, it’s time to count visitation hours to establish child support. There is no one way to do this, but some methods are easier than others and produce more accurate results.

Parents should count all hours in parenting time when they will be with the children. This total is then divided by 8,760 hours. The answer is the percentage of timeshare needed for the California support formula.

Ways to Calculate Parenting Time in California

There are three ways to count parenting time:

  1. Estimate
  2. count manually
  3. custodial schedule software

Estimating timeshare percentages means that parents use various California visitation tables. These charts provide visitation scenarios with entries such as “Alternate weekends plus one night per week” and then a corresponding percentage, such as “28.49 percent.” Estimates can take the time and frustration out of counting actual hours, but are generally inaccurate when compared to the actual time spent. Estimates also typically do not take non-traditional weeks into account, such as holidays, vacations, illnesses, special events, or third-party weather.

Counting manually provides a more accurate number than estimating. Parents can view parenting hours and add up all parenting time hours. Every visit counts, whether it’s during a weekday, vacation, or other visit. It can be time consuming to count hundreds of hours in a year, and counting manually increases the risk of human error and addition errors. If the schedule changes for even a few days, it can affect the total, so parents need to start over.

Custody scheduling software allows parents to create a custody schedule on the computer, with time shares accurate to the hour. As parents create the schedule, the program counts all visiting hours for each parent. If parents make a schedule change, the count is automatically recalculated. Custody software allows parents to know exact visitation totals quickly and accurately.

Pets

Monoculture agriculture: disadvantages and negative effects on the environment

The term monoculture in agriculture it refers to the cultivation of a single crop over a large area. Monoculture is the norm in most large-scale commercial agriculture in the US and in many parts of the world. Monoculture has certain short-term benefits, mainly in terms of economies of scale and automation of the production process (and therefore reduced labor costs). However, in the long term, the disadvantages of monoculture are overwhelming: this method of cultivation has numerous negative effects on the environment, and moreover, these negative effects tend to be amplified in the long term. This article weighs the pros and cons of this kind of uniform approach to farming and points out some alternative practices that are more sustainable, both environmentally and economically, and therefore superior in all respects in the long run.

Pros and cons of monoculture: what are its advantages?

It is immediately apparent that I am not a fan or advocate of monoculture. But there are some direct and strongly compelling reasons why people engage in this destructive practice. Before discussing why this practice is so harmful, I find it fruitful to first examine its benefits or advantages.

The main advantage is the economy of scale, mainly through automation. Especially in the US, labor costs are very high, so anything that can reduce the use of labor in agriculture is very likely to result in cost savings. This is often true even when automation reduces yield per acre. For example, if a crop has been grown, it can often be harvested in different ways, with different levels of automation. More automation in harvesting could result in more waste, such as grain left in the fields, but if it requires less labor (such as one person driving a large machine that covers the ground very quickly, rather than several people driving smaller and slower machines). , or many people harvesting the crop by hand) may be superior in a cost-benefit analysis, even if it results in more waste.

Disadvantages of monoculture:

The most compelling disadvantage of monoculture agriculture is that it is not adaptable. Wild ecosystems are diverse, and so are wild populations of plants and animals. An ecosystem contains many different species, each with unique adaptations to its environment and different strengths and weaknesses in response to changing conditions. Similarly, the natural population of a plant or animal species has genetic variability, with each individual plant or animal having slightly different traits. In addition, each population, and the ecosystem as a whole, is constantly changing, adapting to changing environmental conditions and to the conditions imposed by the other populations and species in the system.

Monoculture smooths out this variability, destroying diversity and replacing it with, at best, a single species, and at worst (as is the norm in the US), a single crop: rows and rows of crops. genetically identical, essentially cloned, reproduced through cuttings or genetically modified seeds.

Susceptibility to pests:

The ecological landscape of monoculture is that there is a wide variety of genetically identical plants, against a background of wild pests, including fungi, bacteria, insects and many other organisms. Each of these pests has a wild population with its own biodiversity, and their populations are constantly changing and adapting to be able to eat crops or benefit from the presence of whatever crops are being grown. Monoculture crops, however, are not changing and are not able to adapt because they have no genetic variability and are not allowed to reproduce naturally. Plant pests, weeds, also adapt, planting in crop fields, taking advantage of additional sunlight, as most monoculture crops let in a lot of light and do not make the most of the sun’s energy.

The only way to control pests in this setting is to spend increasing energy and resources on chemical control, either by spraying crops with pesticides, fungicides, or bactericides, or by genetically engineering crops so they can produce these. chemical products. themselves. But without natural adaptation, pests will eventually evolve to resist any of these defenses. The monoculture setup is inherently doomed, as it is working against the natural ways in which ecosystems function. It is completely unsustainable in the long term.

Negative environmental impacts of monoculture:

As monoculture agriculture requires increasing levels of chemical inputs, the negative impacts on the environment are also continually increasing. Although people often prefer to use safer chemicals when they exist, and use them in the lowest possible concentration, any safe chemical will necessarily stop working. Many of the chemicals used in commercial agriculture are known to be toxic and/or carcinogenic, or have other negative impacts on humans. But even chemicals that are safe for human consumption or exposure can have negative impacts on the environment; for example, roundup, a widely used herbicide, is much more toxic to amphibians than it is to humans.

Other negative effects of monoculture:

In addition to the negative environmental effects, monoculture also destroys our culture. Monoculture and large-scale industrial agriculture are largely responsible for or associated with the alienation of Americans from the practice of agriculture and the shift from an economy in which a large portion of the people were directly involved in agriculture. towards a society in which people see food as an industrial product to be bought in a store, with little idea where it comes from.

Beyond monoculture: how you can help protect the environment and food and agricultural culture:

Fortunately, the empire of factory farming and large-scale monoculture is crumbling. You can do your part by learning more about gardening, experimenting with growing some of your own foods, even if you only have a small garden in town, or even growing some indoors or on a porch or balcony if you don’t have a garden. You can also explore farmers markets for locally grown food and encourage small-scale, local production through diversified farming methods, using your money to support these farmers. As we return to diversified agriculture, we will be more connected to our food and also help protect our environment.

Pets

Rats as pets: 5 myths debunked

History has described them as dirty creatures that caused the Black Death of the Middle Ages. Hollywood has portrayed them as ruthless killers ready to attack humans at the slightest provocation. Is it any wonder that most people are afraid at the mere mention of his name?

How can such a small animal cause such a big reaction? But more importantly, do they deserve their reputation?

Before judging rats, it may help to understand a little about them. Everyone knows that rats are rodents, but did you know that a male rat is called a buck, a female is a doe, and babies are called puppies or kittens? Rats reach puberty at an early age, between 6 and 8 weeks. Their bodies are 9-11 inches long, with a tail as long as 9 inches, and they come in many different colors and varieties. Rats have an average lifespan of 2-3 years and are most active at night.

Now that you know more about them, let’s take a look at some of the myths people believe about rats as pets. Maybe you’ll see them in a whole new light.

Myth #1

Rats are mindless creatures.

Could not be farther from the truth. Domesticated rats are intelligent with a natural curiosity that makes them highly trainable. They can be taught simple tricks relatively easily and they love the interaction of learning. My son has a three year old Blue Fancy rat named Samantha. She quickly learned her name and will come when called. He also learned to play fetch and catch, chasing a small plastic ball as it rolls away on the floor and then rolling it again.

Myth #2

Rats are vicious and dangerous creatures.

Rats are very friendly and social animals. They are easily tamed by simply handling them from a young age. Rats enjoy spending time with their owners; bonding with them much as a dog bonds with a person. They love to be petted and to be around their family. Our rat loves to sit on my shoulder while I type on my computer, sometimes she falls asleep while she’s there.

Myth #3

Rats are disgusting rodents, carriers of disease.

Rats are actually very clean creatures that groom themselves on a daily basis. The sign of a healthy rat is a clean, well-groomed coat. They are not a low-maintenance pet, but they are much easier to care for than a hamster or larger pet. Replacing the bedding in his cage weekly and making sure he has fresh food and water every day will go a long way in making your little furry friend happy. I have discovered that rats are tidy animals. Every time Samantha’s cage is cleaned, she rearranges it to suit her needs. She likes her house, bowls and toys to be where she wants.

Myth #4

Rats are not playful.

Rats enjoy interaction with their human owners, which requires daily playtime. They need at least an hour out of their cage every day to play and socialize with their family, as well as toys to play with when you can’t be there. The best toys I have found are those designed for cats. Choose the ones that your rat can’t chew, because they will chew. Samantha has two plastic balls with bells inside that she plays with. You can hear her at night, rolling those balls to ring the bells.

Myth #5

Rats are only nocturnal creatures.

While this is mostly true, it is not set in stone. The rats will get up when they think you are. Yes, they are awake at night, but they are awake during the day as well. They will wake up if they feel you are ready to play. Taking them out during the day is a great way to teach them that the day is a good time to play. Samantha sleeps day and night, but she is always willing to come out during the day and spend time with me or my son.

Rats can make a great first pet. They are easier to keep than a dog or cat and friendlier than a hamster. With a little understanding, your family too can reap the benefits of having rats. Give rats a chance. You’ll be glad you did.

Pets

The mining industry develops smart solutions

Today’s mining industry offers large-scale possibilities for testing the latest automotive and connective technologies.

It goes without saying that the process of recuperating the planet’s natural resources is tough. In addition to being difficult, it can be harmful to the environment. In these circumstances, human safety is of the highest priority. It is provided by such revolutionary IT systems as: ‘extreme Wi-Fi’ that is capable of covering vast deserts; autonomous vehicles that deal with extracting vital minerals and rocks without the need for operator action; intelligent communications that warn employees if they are approaching giant machines and much more. Experts in the field believe that the potential of these systems will help achieve the ambitious goal of the fully autonomous mining site, where the actual presence of humans is not required.

Smart mining facilities

All of the major mining machinery manufacturers are currently developing autonomous best practices to increase efficiency and productivity, lower costs, and reduce emissions without sacrificing safety. Using connectivity and valuable data analysis, they develop the optimal digging patterns in the coal face and enable vehicles to have an exact autonomous route. Mining has become the mutual combination of big industry, big data, and big money.

The underground IoT provider

One of the most ingenious contributions to smart mines to date is the Smart Rockbolt. Basically, this is the device that creates a clandestine Internet of Things. The global mining industry uses 100 million bolts each year. These tools are used to shore up walls and ceilings during blasting. The concern is that they are quite susceptible. When damaged, they lose their carrying capacity. As a result, there is a risk of fatally collapsed tunnels and cavities.

The innovative Smart Rockbolt was designed at the Lulea University of Technology in Sweden and has an impressive list of virtues. It is equipped with sensors that measure vibrations and tension. When connected to 4G or Wi-Fi, it empowers a mesh network with the power of a 24/7 security monitoring system. Also, a single non-rechargeable battery cell can run for years.

The art of geofencing

Geofencing technology is used to keep workers away from dangerous equipment. It is integrated with various microclimate monitoring systems, which benefit from sensors that measure humidity, temperature, sound, and gas levels in the area. In case of any problem, the mining workers and engineers receive the corresponding text messages on their phones. Employees may receive warnings not to enter an area because the air quality is unsatisfactory or because heavy machinery is working. A worker can also send an alert to the control center when help is needed. Another important value of the technology is that it can provide real-time information on the physical condition of workers (eg, blood pressure, heart rate, etc.) through special wearable devices.

The ultra-reliable Wi-Fi

To ensure successful remote operation, connectivity must be seamless. But in the case of open mines somewhere in the high mountain ranges, the task requires a lot of effort. Sometimes the environmental conditions are so harsh that for electronics it’s like going to Mars. But there are such advanced networking equipment with hardened routers that allow remote mining and construction workers to take advantage of so-called ‘extreme Wi-Fi’ wherever they go.

The need for 5G

Providing reliable connectivity that is flexible and durable enough for underground mining operations is challenging. In order to organize the work of autonomous mining machinery on a regular basis, the connectivity must be of at least the 5G standard. Telecom equipment companies have already launched the projects that aim to investigate how to remotely control monster-shaped vehicles. For this reason, distributed radio networks with carefully arranged antennas are being installed in mines to deal with the long underground tunnels and uneven walls.

mine of the future

Autonomous haulage around the mine is not a dream but reality being tested today at the Pilbara iron ore mine in Western Australia. The concept under the big name ‘Mine of the Future’ is being realized with the help of 69 partially autonomous trucks. Other prominent plans include automated drilling and even a fully autonomous long-distance railway to bring ore to market.

In the near future, it is planned to ensure fully remote control of the tippers via an electric steering module, installed between the steering wheel and the valve. In addition, the trucks will use data from onboard sensors as well as digital maps to help navigate around a mine and pinpoint an exact location to unload.

High expectations

Alongside the big giants in the form of haul trucks, there are smaller versions of haul trucks in the form of dump trucks that are also used for transporting bulk cargo on a mining site. Autonomous transport solutions for the construction sector have become one of the main concerns of Swedish car manufacturers. Therefore, Scania tippers represent the company’s ongoing commitment to profitability and sustainability. As an initial result, two Scania’s partner construction vehicles have already demonstrated their autonomous driving capabilities. A distinctive feature of the project is that its ultimate goal is not to eliminate the need for human intervention, but to make the driver a key player in competent autonomous transport and unloading solutions.

Pets

Make the right decision about exotic pets for sale

Having pets to take care of at home is one of the best ways you can relax from the loads of stress you get from work and school. Seeing a pet walking around inside your house and making cute faces can be a lot of fun and relieve stress. It may be true that many families like to have dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, birds and fish, but more and more families are interested in buying exotic pets for sale. Exotic animals can seem really exciting but you should never rush into buying one for yourself because these types of animals require a special or unique type of care in contrast to dogs, cats and other household pets which are quite easy to care for In addition to this, some exotics can be really fragile, so great care should be taken when keeping them as pets. You need to do a lot of research on the type of animal you are buying so you don’t end up hurting your pet in the long run.

In general, the more exotic an animal is, the more knowledge you will need to equip it. In addition to this, the exoticism of a certain animal can also serve as a basis for the types of equipment and the amount of money that you are going to spend on them. With this information you will know that buying unusual pets requires enormous responsibility. Be sure to research the types of cages your favorite pet will need; the types of food they are allowed to eat; certain characteristics or behaviors that they have that you should be aware of in order to determine if your pet is growing well or not and if he has a serious illness. Do as much research as you can before deciding on the type of pet you would like to purchase. The Internet is one of the best places where you can look for vital information about animals. Here, you will be able to read about different types of care routines that you should observe for a particular type of pet. Aside from this, you may also want to ask the staff at your local pet store for some tips. In addition to getting the information you need, going to pet stores will also allow you to see what type of animal you’d like to have. Some of the things you may want to discuss with staff at local pet stores include: the type of housing your pet will need, including the recommended shape and size for your pet; the types of food you eat; some diseases you may be prone to that you should be aware of; its half-life; and whether or not you will need a license if you are going to buy that type of animal.