Seeing the Micro Picture

Seeing the Micro Picture Seeing the Micro Picture Seeing the Micro PictureThe term microfluidics has many researchers abuzz in the present, with new developments and innovations coming out daily. However, just as many are excited about its future. Count Nicole Nastaran Hashemi, an Iowa State University assistant professor of mechanical engineering, among them. She says her team has seen how microfibers can be made to grow cells and strengthen damaged tissue, and the future applications are numerous.The Importance of FiberI had been working with microfluidics for a while, partly using them to create biosensors, Hashemi explains. I got interested in using them to create specific advanced materials, particularly for healthcare, because I thought it could be a large benefit. There was a great amount of potential opportunity. I came up with the idea of using microfluidics for creating microfibers and we started using them as a scaffold to grow neurons on them. We saw it improve the proper ty, which was very exciting.A key challenge was making the fiber in a way that would have specific cross-sections. Playing with them in microfluidic channels can create any cross-sectional area we want, she says. We want to have specific patterns, specific architecture for different tissue engineering applications. We were using smooth fibers but eventually I would like to expand so we can direct, basically, the growth of the neurons. I have been interested in directional growth and we wanted to see how fibers or how the size or the pattern of the cells could affect the differentiation of the cells.Neural stem cells on the microfibers fabricated by Nicole Hashemi and her team. Image Ashley Christopherson / Iowa State UniversityThe fibers in their work have been roughly 5 microns to 20 microns, she estimates. Microchannels utilized silicon wafers when it came to patterning.Hashemi says the hope was that, by using scaffolds, neurons could make connections with each other, and even tra nsfer signals. We saw that when using these fibers, she says of the work, which was partly supported by a grant from the Office of Naval Research. We saw neurons basically align parallel to the axis of fibers.Anotlageher advantage of microfibers when it comes to scaffolds is that they are conduits that do not involve voltage, something that can potentially cause damage, she says.Goals in SightIn the long run, Hashemi thinks she wants to encapsulate cells inside the fibers. But when you actually look back, it was even a challenge to begin with in terms of being able to put the cells on the fibers where they would survive, she says, finding it surprising that the shapes of fibers would affect differentiation of the cells.A further goal, she notes, is that their work will also help in understanding brain injuries better, with a focus on microcavities. If we could make strides here, that could open things up for people who are going through something so difficult, she says.Hashemi even believes their work can extend to other areas such as muscle tissue and vessels. The change from these kinds of adjustments can be amazing, she says. I think there are possibly many organs where this could have an effect.Eric Butterman is an independent writer.The change from these kinds of adjustments can be amazing. I think there are possibly many organs where this could have an effect.Prof. Nicole Nastaran Hashemi, Iowa State University

The Hidden Truth on How to Do a Resume for Free

The Hidden Truth on How to Do a Resume for Free Things You Should Know About How to Do a Resume for Free The focus of a site is the websites intent. A personal website is among the best assets you can have. The greatest free online its the very best. There are lots of them available online and theyre made for different purposes. A resume builder can help you rectify any errors and supply you with a working vision of the resume as you edit. You locate a template that fits what you require, enter your own info in the blanks, and youve got a professional-looking resume Now you have the template, you may use it repeatedly. Its very simple and simple to edit or customize the template. Consider the Resume Dojo HTML resume template if youre searching for a personal site design that has a lot of characteristics to display bedrngnis merely your abilities and education but your hobbies and awards also. Resume templates are one method to guarantee structure behind your resume. Emp loying an HTML template is a good method to begin and to find an expert site up quickly. Utilizing a resume template is getting an acceptable and smart practice for numerous explanations. What you exclude is at least as vital as what you include. To begin with, once the recruiters go through your resume, they receive a very first impression of your profile. Youre able to create each one of the documents offered in addition to make future edits and updates on any or them all. So your resume must stick out Transportation jobs involve plenty of responsibility and your resume will want to reflect you can manage that. Job seekers deserve to come across decent content quickly. Resumes dont have to be boring. They can be used for a variety of reasons, but most often they are used to secure new employment. Most Noticeable How to Do a Resume for Free Resumizer free resume creator allows you to preview your resume at any moment in the creation procedure. ALISONs free on-line cours e is a string of engaging video lessons that introduces beginners to different characteristics of the French language. There are several popular categories offered and the very best part is you dont need to pay anything to be included. If you provide a house phone and have roommates, make sure you have a system for getting your messages. The capacity to edit your resume from any place in the world is a significant asset that you are able to utilize to assist you land that upcoming great job. If youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. 1 advantage for employers to internet resumes is the substantial cost saving in comparison to traditional hiring methods. The kind of website you use to acquire a job will probably are based on the field youre working in, how high up the corporate ladder you expect to be, and whether the career or job youre seeking is industry driven. Each one takes a different strategy and what works for one wont d o the job for one more. Its better to use the proper tool for the correct job. Also show youre a well-rounded worker. A good example might be a niche skill needed for work, which you might happen to get, but may not be relevant to include for most jobs. The Appeal of How to Do a Resume for Free Regardless of the kind of resume you decide on, aim to tailor your resume to the job which you are applying to. Each time you apply to get a new job, check your resume to guarantee that it isnt only targeted, but in addition current. To make the process simpler for you, we did two things. When it has to do with your work history, begin with the latest job you had. Our resume builder is the quickest approach to create a resume that will allow you to get your fantasy job. Theres no doubt that a resume which is both cohesive and professional will have a much better prospect of standing from the crowd even supposing its made utilizing a template. You may also display your ideas and work procedure, showcase testimonials, and even include things like pricing tables if youre freelancing while trying to find your fantasy job. The piece you truly need the hiring manager reading is your latest work experience (and be sure you tailored that info to fit the work description). There are a few things that dont belong on a resume for work. If youre thinking about how to create a resume, youre in the proper spot The solution is yes in case you need to.

Conquer distractions with this simple chart

Conquer distractions with this simple chartConquer distractions with this simple chartIs the world mora distracting? Sometimes it seems that way. With ur digital devices buzzing, world events demanding our attention, and more things to entertain us than ever before, it certainly seems harder to focus on whats really important. And yet, focus is exactly what it takes to get things done and get ahead.Distraction might appear more available than ever, but it is nothing new. Over 2,000 years ago, Socrates and Aristotle debated the nature of akrasia, (pronounced uh-crazy-uh), our tendency to act against our better judgement. To the ancient Greeks, mere mortals were prone to distraction due to our weakness of will. Easy for them to say - Socrates and Aristotle never had to resist binge-watching Game of Thrones.In this Golden Age of distraction, what does it take to focus? How do we do what we must so we can have the lives we really want? Instead of blaming our puny attention spans, we sho uld dig deeper to understand how certain products affect us.Ill use my own struggle as an example.I decided to plot certain products and services on the matrix below. On one axis is the question of whether the product is harmful to my life. On the other, I asked myself whether I could stop using the product or whether I welches dependent. With this two-by-two tool, I can begin to classify certain products and decide how to put them in their place. You can do this, too and you probably should.With this two-by-two tool, I can begin to classify certain products and decide how to put them in their place.GoodsThe top left quadrant is an easy one. Things that arent harmful and I can easily stop using are what I call Goods. The vast majority of the products and services I use fit into this category. Goods are not problematic. In fact, I wish I used some of these things, like my gym membership, meditation app, or water bottle, more frequently.NecessitiesIn the upper right are Necessities. These things are not harmful but I cant stop using them without serious consequences. For example, food, clothing, and shelter all fall into this bucket. As much as I wish I didnt have to shove nutrients into my face hole to stay alive and that societal norms allowed public nudity, unfortunately, that isnt the case. I cant stop consuming these things even if I wanted to.One might also argue that having a connection to certain technologies like an schmelzglas account or Google has also become a necessity. Disconnecting wont kill you, but neither would walking around the office in the buff. Rather, society expects certain things of us (like being web proficient and accessible through email) and we would find it difficult to live, work, and sustain personal and professional relationships without these services.Its interesting to note that this category can become harmful, depending on the degree of use. For example, eating too much food or spending too much money on clothing can have n egative consequences, but theres nothing inherently bad about these products when used in the right amounts.To make sure we dont over-use, we set budgets, listen to our bodies satiety, and set limits. The key is to monitor and moderate our use. When it comes to necessities, fruchtwein people find self-regulating relatively easy. Its the next category of products that presents a bigger challenge.DistractionsI love sweets, I love Facebook, and I love YouTube. But as much as I love these things, they dont love me back. For me (but not necessarily you), these products are harmful. Your harmful distractions might include other indulgences, like being a sports fanatic, a romance novel reader, a Netflix binger, a political news junkie, or worse. In any case, its not for me (or anyone else for that matter) to point fingers at whatever poison you pick.What all distractions have in common is that they have the potential to keep us from living the life we want. When I think about what I want t o accomplish with my remaining time on this planet, certain things just arent helping me.If I could wave a magic wand and no longer want to use these products, I would. Unfortunately, there is no such craving-killing spell. The reality is, I do want to consume these things. Theyre fun Theyre entertaining Theyre delicious But theyre also driving me akrasia. The tendency Socrates and Aristotle warned us about lives right here.Want to conquer tech distractions and boost your productivity? Use this chart.Why do we do things against our better interests? For the fruchtwein part, when a product doesnt give the customers what they want, they stop buying it. You wouldnt keep buying apples at a grocery store that sells rotten fruit. But distractions are sneaky. We use them despite knowing they arent doing us any good. Distractions trick us into hurting ourselves by dulling our awareness of the price were paying. They feel good now, but we feel bad later.However, as seemingly sinister as dist ractions might be, the responsibility to quit them is on us. Though Id like to say Im powerless against the pull of Facebook, YouTube, or sweets, thats not really true. Distractions are defined as behaviors that harm us but that we can stop doing, if we choose.How do we put distractions in their place? The answer is we realize and reduce.The first step is to call these products what they are. Distractions are bad habits. For me, a scroll of the newsfeed, a sweet snack after a meal, or a video binge after work are all things I do just cause.By definition, habits are impulses to do a behavior with little or no conscious thought. Therefore, the solution starts with bringing consciousness to an otherwise unconscious act. When I asked myself the uncomfortable questions, Is this product serving me? Does it help me do what I really want? I answered with a sheepish, No.Over the past several years, Ive dissected what makes products habit-forming and compiled what I learned into my book, Hook ed How to Build Habit-Forming Products. I discovered habit-forming products take users along four basic steps that keep us coming back a trigger, an action, a variable reward, and an investment.Its not that candy makers and tech companies are evil its that the market rewards them for making products people want. By and large, thats a good thing. However, the result is more engaging Facebook feeds, more engrossing YouTube videos, and more delicious desserts.In a world where the features that make a product better also makes it harder to resist, the answer lies in the ability to spot these hooks and deliberately break them where they dont serve us. When we understand how products hook us, they lose some of their power. Getting unhooked starts with removing the triggers, making the action more difficult, delaying the rewards, and consciously not investing.For the specific techniques I used to unhook myself from technology, see this video.Our world is full of products designed to hook u s. However, only we can decide if they serve us. Once we divide helpful products from harmful, our distractions can be dealt with and controlled.Unfortunately, theres one category of product people cant control.AddictionsWhen a product is harmful and users want to stop using it, but cant, the product is more than a distraction its an addiction. A relatively small percentage of people suffer from true addictions, but the consequences of these compulsive behaviors can be serious. Whether its an addiction to gambling, pornography, video gaming, technology addiction, shopping, or alcohol, people caught in the cycle of abuse harm themselves and, often, those closest to them.The defining characteristic of addictions that the user is unable to stop despite the harm caused points to something deeper. Its not just that the product is designed to hook the user, its that despite knowing the consequences, users cant put it away even when they try. The user is no longer in full control without help, its nearly impossible to quit. Recovery usually involves understanding the deeper psychology driving the addiction - a task most addicts find difficult, if not impossible, to resolve on their own.Addictions are serious. Its important that we dont trivialize the experience of someone struggling with actual addiction by comparing it to our Facebook or sugar habits (unless, of course, you truly are addicted).The TakeawayFor thousands of years, people have struggled with distractions that keep them from living the lives they imagine. Today, people find themselves attached to their mobile phones, but history shows us its only the latest in a long list of hindrances. A few decades ago, people complained about the mind-melting power of television. Before that it was arcade games, the telephone, the pinball machine, comic books, the radio, even the written word.Not only is distraction here to stay, it will likely become harder to ignore as technology continues to make things even mo re engaging. However, thats not necessarily a problem its progress We want products to improve, but we must also stay vigilant, asking whether better products bring out our better selves.To ensure that technologies and products serve us, instead of us serving them, its useful to take a quick inventory of the products we use most (the list is probably in your browser history or home screen on your phone), classify these products, tackle each accordingly and then get on with building the life we want.Nir Eyal is the author ofHooked How to Build Habit-Forming Products. For more insights on using psychology to change customer behavior, join Nirs free newsletter and receive a free workbookhere.This column first appeared at Nir and Far.

13 ASP.NET Interview Questions

13 ASP.NET Interview Questions13 ASP.NET Interview QuestionsIf youre heading to an ASP.NET bewerbungsgesprch, be ready to get technical. Study up on the following 13 ASP.NET interview questions to help you land your next developer gig.With a sound working knowledge of the company youre interviewing with and its ASP.NET development team, you will be ready to prep for questions aimed at assessing your level of ASP.NET experience and expertise.The best policy, of course, is to be prepared to honestly and accurately answer technical questions based on your experience in current or previous programming positions. You should be able to demonstrate not only that you have the right level of ASP.NET know-how, but that youd also be a good fit for their team.Preparation makes perfectYouve landed the interview and now its game time. Be prepared. Before you arrive, make sure you are ready to answer these ASP.NET interview questionsWhat is the ASP.NET page life cycle?What is view state? Where is i t stored?What are ASHX files?What does MVC stand for?What is the difference between ASP.NET web forms and ASP.NET MVC?What is the difference between ViewData, ViewBag and TempData?What is the ASP.NET MVC request flow?What is an Action in ASP.NET MVC?What are Action Filters?Microsoft ASP.NET expert Adam Tuliper recommends that you also be prepared to answer questions about your participation in online developer communities and forums, questions specific to the role youre applying for as well as those related to past projects youve worked on. Questions might includeWhats your technical online presence like? Have you contributed to StackOverflow or any other forum? Do you have a blog? Do you ever tweet about technology? Have you contributed to any CodePlex or GitHub projects?Describe a past system youve designed. Explain the architecture.How would you design system X given X business scenario, applicable to the current job for which you are applying?What area of technology do you feel is your strongest and why?Extra credit additional resources for your ASP.NET interviewIf youve all but aced the 13 ASP.NET interview questions above, check out our resources for getting the most out of ASP.NET. In addition, here are three more resources for extra ASP.NET interview preparationDevBistro offers .NET and ASP.NET interview questions ranging from basic to tough, followed by questions specific to web application developers, C developers and more.Shivprasad Koirala has shared hundreds of questions from real interviews in his book, .NET Interview Questions.Scott Hanselman lists a dozen ASP.NET interview questions you could be asked based on his experience hiring ASP.NET programmers at Microsoft.Looking for developer jobs? We can helpSEARCH TECH JOBS

Ethics in Engineering

Ethics in Engineering Ethics in Engineering Ethics in EngineeringOne of the most powerful gifts of engineering is how it improves lives. But, in the wrong hands, it can be the opposite. William Marcy, executive director of the Murdough Center for Engineering Professionalism/National Institute for Engineering Ethics, teaches a course on engineering ethics to roughly 600 students per year at Texas Tech University. He advises them to look at all the angles and encourages professional engineers to do the same. Its about looking past what people would know about and understanding what your obligation is, he says.One example he uses involves a fastening attachment. Lets say you project into the future what the consequences might be, he says. If an outside inspector said a certain fastening attachment isnt at the level of quality required, whos responsible for fixing this? Should the one who did it in 2001 be even though the standards might have been different? If you put something in that no longer is up to code, is your company obligated to say something if that outside inspector welches never involved and no one brought it up? Making an ethical decision is thinking about the lifecycle of a project or product or design, not just assuming everything is fine. What may be OK in 2001 may not be fine in 2013 because technology, policies, and design methods can all change.An example he had students look at is the Tesla electric car. Its very interesting because you would think about the responsibility of the safety of the carbut what about the batteries? he says. Some day that car will go to a landfill and how is that battery for the environment? If you think of the life cycle, does the company have a responsibility to properly dispose of the carshould that be part of the offering to a customer when they buy? After all, it may not be a factor for more than a decade.Marcy says offering up these examples and teaching the course gets students to visualize their careers ahead . There will be moments for advancement that could pull at their conscience. Decisions can be made that could literally decide lives. It gets them thinking about who they want to be, he says. The working world can put pressure on anyone.It also allows them to consider what assumptions theyve always made. We talked about the technological concept of offering Wi-Fi for free through the government, he says. So many thought it was a great idea. Then we talked about the fact our taxes pay for the government. Is it fair someone else will have to, in the end, pay for the Wi-Fi? Is it fair to ever call something offered from the government free? Suddenly, fewer people thought it was a great idea or that it should be presented as free.Marcy finds many students are most engaged by ethical decisions that arent easy choices but require making decisions that can be seen in many ways. Ethics are opportunities for a healthy debate, he says. Its a chance to really see different ways to look at a pr oblem. You do that when you create something but also when you look at the moral implications of that creation. Being ethical isnt always about cut and dry answers but getting yourself to actually consider the possibilities. By doing that, youre already ahead of many people.Eric Butterman is an independent writer.Being ethical isnt always about cut and dry answers but getting yourself to actually consider the possibilities.William Marcy, Texas Tech University

Introducing List of Skills for a Resume

Introducing List of Skills for a Resume A History of List of Skills for a Resume Refuted Instead, make koranvers you concentrate on the skills which are likely to set you apart from other possible employees. Read through it a couple of occasions and youll probably spot three or four important skills mentioned repeatedly throughout the document. If you wish to display your organization skills, acquiring a tightly structured resume certainly helps. In reality, there are all those interpersonal skills that are linked to some level you dont will need to list all of them. The evolution of a targeted resume is another critical step. In uncommon circumstances, if youve limited language capability generally, but language experience in a specialized sector (computer, for example). Every student has some experience developing her or his communication abilities. As you proceed through the list of skills above, make a distinct list with the skills which you already possess. In many insta nces, it is going to be effortless to find out what skills you will need to be thought about for the job. You might not be in a position to work all the skills youve got into your resume but keep a list of your top five skills linked to the job for which youre applying in mind once you interview. 3 First, you should select the best skills for your resume. The placement of your skills section is also a rather important point to take into account. In truth, it could be appropriate to incorporate a more prominent core competencies section at the peak of your resume with thorough descriptions of certain skills if theyre absolutely central to success in the desired position. You might have a wide range of skills, but focus on the ones which are most important for your specific employer. You may find below a list of the greatest skills you may put on your resume based on the kind of job that you are applying for. For an overall manager resume, you are going to need to make sure tha t you include some excellent references. If youre able to do that, an employer will surely notice. Your recruiter isnt a poor individual. Resume writing is tricky only as long as you dont realize what you want to write about. Most Noticeable List of Skills for a Resume With gorgeous templates and quick customization, you can create your list of qualifications stick out in a huge way. There are a couple different varieties of skill sections and formatting alternatives that you should think about when crafting your resume. The skill section may be the most important section on your resume if you set it together correctly. A Key Skills section, on the flip side, is listed on top of a resume. Our main focus in what follows is to supply you with the very best advice we can to maximize your opportunity of receiving an interview. In reality, there are particular jobs in which its important to place a skill section at or close to the top of the resume. Resist the desire to put on ly your latest title since its the most senior. For instance, if youve got a strong history with word processing and a work description necessitates experience with a particular processor which you havent used, you may use your experience to demonstrate the employer that youve got zero issue working with new word processors. A bad one is going to undermine your likelihood of success regardless of what youve achieved previously. If youve ever grumbled, I am never likely to discover work that uses my education, youre not alone. Also, you will likely wish to prevent any jobs that need you to devote a great deal of time using your burn out skills. Additionally, youre no longer searching for a teaching job If youre trying hard to think of any, you can attempt utilizing the job descriptions of ads inside your industry, together with looking at LinkedIn profiles of folks working in similar roles. As a recruiter, theres simply no reason for me to know where you reside. If youre on the lookout for a job for a sommelier, list your understanding of wine fundamentals and food pairing, together with your experience with inventory administration. At times, just having the perfect abilities and finding the ideal listing isnt enough.

Randstad Most Employees Optimistic About Future, Job Security

Randstad Most Employees Optimistic About Future, Job Security HR services and staffing firm Randstad revealed that U.S. workers express feeling secure in their jobs and are generally optimistic about the future. About 75 percent of workers responding to the Randstad Engagement Index reported feeling secure in their jobs and 5 percent foresee an improvement in the job market throughout 2012. Additionally, employees were found to be less willing to make undue sacrifices in order to keep their current jobs and are experiencing growing optimism over the prospect of changing jobs. Only 20 percent of respondents reported to being willing to receive reduced benefits and just 10 percent were willing to accept a demotion to remain in their current position.While 58 percent of workers believe they would not find a job they would accept atthe moment, 45 percent plan to explore their employment option as the market continues to improve. According to Randstads six component index of engagement, 78 percent of employees feel motivated and willing to perform their best every day, 74 percent are proud of the company they work for, 68 percent of employees enjoy their jobs, 63 percent of employees feel recognized and valued for their contributions, 62 percent state that they trust their leaders to make good decisions, and 65 percent of employees feel that they share values with their company.Employees are indicating greater job security which is a good sign for companies. As employees regain their job confidence, there is a real opportunity for employers to re-engage their workforces to maximize and improve performance, productivity and output, said Joanie Ruge, senior vice president chief employment analyst for Randstad Holding US. As the economy and job market continue to recover, employees will likely be more motivated to assess their careers and look towards future prospects. Companies n eed to be on the lookout for both at-risk employees and top performers and tailor their engagement plans to meet their differing needs. By developing and delivering effective engagement and retention strategies, companies and their employees will reap the benefits both today and in the future.

This is what an old bookshop knows and can teach us

This is what an old bookshop knows and can teach usThis is what an old bookshop knows and can teach usOne of the blessings of travel is the chance to discover new things. Such welches the case recently when my wife and I visited New Orleans for a few days.Basically an island between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans attracts over 11 million visitors each year.Travelers come for the jazz, Creole cuisine, culture, restaurants, booze, entertainment, gospel music, jazz funerals, Cafe Du Mond beignets, Mardi Gras, and more.Old bookshops in New Orleans, however, are probably not the top attractions.Illustrations and photographs by John P. WeissThe day we arrived, my wife was under the weather and opted to rest in ur hotel room. I ventured out and found a wonderful coffee shop, where I enjoyed a latte and sketched in my Moleskine notebook.A warm glow of lightWalking back to the Bourbon Orleans hotel, I strolled past Orleans street and noticed a set of large, locked u p wooden doors. The sign above them said, Arcadian Books and Art Prints.I couldnt tell if the shop was closed or completely out of business, but I filed it away. Namely, because I love old, used bookshops.I returned to our hotel room and found my wife feeling better and ready for dinner. We headed out, enjoyed a fine meal and began strolling below the French Quarter galleries (wide balconies) and trees festooned with ubiquitous Mardi Gras beads.We rounded the corner and found ourselves on Orleans Avenue.Hey, I was here earlier today, I said to my wife. Theres something I want to show you.We crossed the street and I pointed to the old bookshop, knowing my wife loved books even more than me. She smiled.The large wooden doors were open, the proprietor was standing outside the entrance, and a warm glow of light was emanating from within. It was getting chilly and we were happy to step inside.Elegant chaos to it allWalking through the large, wooden, entrance doors was like stepping back in time. Every inch of the interior was filled with old books and tight passageways. There was elegant chaos to it all.Precarious stacks of books rose up all around us, like towers of forgotten words and literary ambitions. Navigating the books and makeshift aisles was hard enough, but then more people showed up.My wife, surrounded by books.The musty aroma, dust and cramped quarters felt like another era. Like a library or bookshop long forgotten.The really old books were tucked away, their covers faded and pages brittle. We blew off the dust and carefully thumbed their pages. Their long slumber awakened, perhaps they were grateful to see light on their pages? Surely it felt like eons since they last encountered the interest of a reader and the joy of fulfilling their purpose again.The worst was the suicidesI felt sorry for the books and their shared obsolescence. This age of smart-phones, computers, e-readers, and digital distractions has almost rendered books as cultural artifacts . Quaint, analog containers that hold information and content from before the Internet.The worst was the suicides. The occasional thuds from books, tired of their neglect and sense of irrelevancy, as they dove from dusty shelves to the cluttered graveyard below. Some landed squarely, in a dignified repose, while others lay splayed, their spines painfully contorted and arched.In one corner, an electric groupie was wedged between an archway of books. It seemed an engineering impossibility, but then, this was no ordinary place of commerce. It may have lacked the order and modernity of a Barnes Noble, but it retained a kind of magic. As if ghosts of authors hovered, still hoping their works would be discovered and loved.So many books, so little timeThere was every variety and imaginable genre to be found. Fiction, non-fiction, fine art, instructional manuals, poetry, and more. There was also all manner of old prints, on the walls and floors. Black and white photographs, artwork, and im ages of the past. In a way haunting, but then parts of New Orleans are famous for this.What an old bookshop knowsOld bookshops contain countless treasures and wisdom if youre willing to spend time poking around. Bookshops are not for hurrying. Like an intimate dance, they require your full attention, patience and a slow hand.An old bookshop knows about your pain because it contains books written by authors who have been there. Authors who have lost spouses, children, and loved ones. Look around and youll probably find a forgotten, dog leafed copy of Joan Didions The Year of Magical Thinking.An old bookshop knows about your guilt because it has copies of Dantes Inferno, as well as dusty standbys like Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment and Toni Morrisons Beloved.An old bookshop knows about love because on its shelves somewhere reside Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, as well as volumes by the Bront sisters.Further instruction on love can be found in the cluttered poetry section, where S hakespeare, Neruda, Dickinson, Keats and more await discovery.Dont be surprised to experience a bookshop reunion. Perhaps youve forgotten what Charlottes Web meant to you until you see a tired old copy peeking out from the childrens section. The spirit of E. B. White will surely smile as you slip your old friend off the shelf and thumb through its pages and illustrations.Handwritten notes in the marginsI remember when my Dad reminisced about his boyhood. How he and his family would gather around the radio after dinner and listen to programs.Dad, youre a dinosaur, I used to say.Well, Johnny, we didnt have televisions yet. They came later. But in a way, listening to the radio was more vivid to us, because we used our imaginations, Dad said.I feel the same way about books. Somehow the scenes they conjure in my mind are superior to Hollywood adaptations. CGI is no match for the human imagination.Fast forward a lifetime and Im telling my son about the black and white television I had in my childhood bedroom.Black and white TV? my son would ask. Was it broken?No, I said, We only had one color TV back then. It was this big Zenith, and you had to get up to manually change the stations. All five stations.I remember my son looking at me the way I used to look at my father. Im sure he thinks Im a fossil.Thankfully, books have managed to hold on. For now, anyway.Theres something special about their physicality. The way they smell, and that satisfying solidity in your hands. Unlike computer screens and tablets, book pages dont glare at you, causing eye strain.I kept many of my fathers books. Even now, long after his passing, I still encounter pages with his handwritten notes in the margins. Its such a joy when I discover them. Its like a part of my Dads spirit saying, Hey Johnny, Im still here, connected to you, so dont worry.Being in the Arcadia Books and Art Prints store in New Orleans had a similar effect on me. So many old books, with their stories and authors dreams. Thoughts and ideas from the past, suspended in time, enclosed and encased in aging covers and tired spines.Like my Dads handwriting in the margins of old books, there are gems to be found in old bookshops. The past doesnt want to give up the ghost easily. It still has its wisdom, experiences, and messages for this harried, modern world.Technology may change, but not the basic human condition. Our need for love, belonging, meaning and relevancy carries on down through the ages. It will continue to do so. Thankfully, tired books in old bookshops, like artifacts of the past, will be there to share their wisdom with us.Their secrets for a better life can be found and revealed, but you better hurry, before these splendid bookshops lock their doors for good.Im John P. Weiss. I draw whimsical cartoons, paint landscapes and write about life. Thanks for readingThis article first appeared on Medium.

Purchase and Sale of Business FAQ - Australia

Purchase and Sale of Business FAQ - AustraliaPurchase and Sale of Business FAQ - AustraliaSale of Business(Assets) vs Sale of Business(Shares)What is the difference between a Sale of Business(Assets) and a Sale of Business(Shares)?In a Sale of Business (Shares) a geschftsleben that is incorporated can be sold by selling all issued shares of the Company. In this case the corporation and all its assets, rights and obligations would transfer from the seller to the purchaser.In a Sale of Business (Assets) the geschftsleben entitt (corporation, partnership, etc.) remains with the sellers and only the assets of the geschftsleben (equipment, buildings, client lists, etc) will be transferred to the purchaser.Sale of Business AssetsWhat is a sale of geschftsleben assets document?In a Sale of Business (Assets) the geschftsleben entity (corporation, partnership, etc.) remains with the sellers and only the assets of the business (equipment, buildings, client lists, etc) will be transferred to th e purchaser.Will this agreement work where only the assets of a business are to be transferred?Yes. The agreement can be structured as a sale of the shares of the business or as a sale of the assets of the business. In a sale of the assets the original business structure and ownership would remain intact however title to assets such as equipment, inventory, goodwill, and business contracts would transfer to the new purchaser.Why does asset price need to be allocated? The assets to be included in the purchase of a business should be specified to ensure that there are no misunderstandings regarding what is to be included or not included in the sale. In addition, by allocating a portion of the selling price to each asset, the fairness of the total asset price is more easily determined.What does the Equipment asset include?The equipment assets would include fixed and moveable machinery such as cars, trucks, lathes, computers and other similar pieces of equipment required for the busines s to continue to function normally after the closing date.What does the Inventory asset include?The inventory assets would include raw materials, work in progression and finished product available for sale. In some cases, a purchaser may wish to exclude obsolete inventory no longer suitable for sale or for use in production. Obsolete inventory of this nature should be identified explicitly under the Excluded Assets section.What does the Sales Orders Confirmed but Not Shipped asset include?Sales orders confirmed but not shipped prior to the closing date would require goods and inventory from the post-closing inventory. As a result revenues from these sales would typically go to the purchaser and should not be included in the accounts receivable of the seller.What does the Business Contracts asset include?Business contracts such as sales contracts related to the core activity of the business would typically transfer to the purchaser after closing. Business contracts such as partnershi ps in related ventures may or may not be included in the sale of business. Those partnership or venture contracts may prohibit the transfer of a partners interest to an outside feier.What does the Books, Records, and Files asset include?Books, records and files of the business will include all the information required for a smooth transition in ownership and for the business to continue normal operations after the closing date. This includes all accounting files of the business and also includes marketing information such as client lists and market research information and all files related to product research and development as well as production and maintenance history. Note that a copy of accounts receivable up to the closing date may be retained by the seller to facilitate collection of outstanding accounts.What does the Trademarks asset include?The trademarks asset would include all ownership rights to existing copyrights, trade-names and trademarks as well as all rights to all current research not yet trademarked. This will allow the purchaser to carry on normal business operations after the closing date. Alternatively, the seller may grant only a license for use of existing trademarks. This should be agreed to by all parties and explicitly stated in the additional clauses.Sale of Business SharesWhat is a sale of business shares document?You can sell a business that is incorporated by selling all issued shares of the Company. In this case the corporation and all its assets, rights and obligations would transfer from the seller to the purchaser. Any rights or liabilities are attached to the corporation and would transfer with the corporation.What is the difference between a Purchase and Sale of Business(Shares) document and a Share Purchase AgreementA Purchase and Sale of Business(Shares) is where all shareholders agree to sell all issued shares of the Company to the purchaser. A Share Purchase Agreement is the sale of some (not all) issued shares of a co rporation from a current shareholder to a purchaser. In a Share Purchase Agreement the purchaser could be another shareholder or a third party.DefinitionsWhat is meant by the Goodwill and Business Name asset?The business name or goodwill of a successful business has value in the form of repeat customers and reputation in the business community. The business name may have considerable impact on the continued success of the business after the transfer of ownership at least in the short term. An accurate dollar value representing the goodwill in the company is difficult to determine. If the seller wishes to include goodwill as part of the sale price then a qualified accountant should be used to find a fair value for goodwill.What is meant by a Non-Competition clause?A non-competition clause prevents the seller from starting or working for a company that will directly compete with the purchaser after the closing date. The seller may have many business contacts in the industry as well as inside knowledge of the business and would have considerable advantage if they started a similar business in competition to the purchaser after closing. The restriction from competition can be for a period of time into the future and for a specific geographical location.What is meant by a Non-Solicitation Agreement?A non-solicitation clause prevents the seller from recruiting any of the employees away from the purchaser after the closing date. This restriction prevents the seller from doing harm to the business by luring away the experienced staff now and in the future.What is meant by a material agreement?A material agreement would be one that has a specific impact on the business either because of cost or because of a relatively direct impact on revenue. A contract with a customer for future sales or a contract with a supplier for mandatory purchase of goods in the future would be examples of material agreements. Partnerships in ventures related to the core activity of the busine ss would also be considered a material agreement and should be explicitly included or excluded in the sales agreement.What is meant by representations and warranties?Representations and warranties are disclosures that one party makes to the other party concerning issues related to the business. This usually involves providing a promise or guarantee of satisfaction to the other party concerning the issue. An example of a representation and warranty would be where the seller guarantees to the purchaser that all equipment related to the business has been maintained in good running condition in accordance with standard industry practice. What is meant by conditions precedent?A condition precedent refers to a term of the agreement that must be met prior to the closing date. If the conditions precedent are not met then the agreement would usually be void. An example of a condition precedent would be that the seller must obtain permission from a landlord to assign a commercial lease over t o the purchaser prior to the closing date. What is meant by confirming representations and warranties with an Officers Certificate?In order for negotiations to proceed smoothly and to ensure there are no surprises on the closing date, each party should provide the other with a written assurance that all representations and warranties have been addressed and are valid. Each party would provide an individual or officer to make the assurances to the other party. This task may be assigned to an officer of the partys corporation. For a non-corporate business entity this task could be assigned to a member of the management team.What is meant by confirming representations and warranties with a legal opinion?In order for negotiations to proceed smoothly and to ensure there are no surprises on the closing date each party should provide the other with a written assurance that all representations and warranties have been addressed and are valid. Each party would provide an individual to make t he assurances to the other party. In the interest of full disclosure and transparency, an impartial third party such as an attorney may be used to provide this assurance.

How to Hire the Right Nurse for your Facility

How to Hire the Right Nurse for your FacilityHow to Hire the Right Nurse for your FacilityHow to Hire the Right Nurse for your Facility DarienzoNurses are the front line of patient care. These professionals are often the first people patients see and frequently the last person they consult with before they go home. Thats why its so important to hire nurses who are a good fit for your facility and dedicated to providing quality care for patients.Here are five tips for making the right nursing hire.Find the right fit for your team.Think about the dynamics of your nursing staff. Do you have several big personalities who could benefit from someone whos a little more reserved and quiet? Would someone whos lighthearted and bubbly clash with a more serious-minded nurse?You want people to learn to work togetherbei at your facility and to hire staff members who bring a unique perspective to the job. But you also want to set new employees up for success. Consider whether your new hire will com plement other staff members personalities and fill a need on the team.Ask behavioral questions to determine character.Its important to hire competent nurses who have the right certifications and skills. Its equally important to hire nurses who are compassionate, collaborative and quick-thinking.Decipher which traits you want most in your next nursing hire. Then, ask behavioral interview questions that help reveal the candidates character. For example, you could ask how he handled an emergency situation recently or how he dealt with a co-worker conflict. Leave time for candidates to ask questions.Sometimes job interviews are crammed full with questions for the nurse and leave no time for her to ask her own questions. Thats unfortunate. Doing so may help her realize she isnt a great fit for the job after all.The worst thing is if a candidate leaves the interview feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what her responsibilities would be. Youll learn a bit more about a nurse by the types of q uestions she asks. If you find shes asking more about specific skills she needs rather than questions about the facility or patient load, it may be a red flag that she needs more experience.Determine whether candidates share your organizations values.A nurse with 15 years of clinical experience just walked through your door and youre thrilled to have someone with her skillset vying for a position. As the interview goes on, however, you realize that shes more concerned with becoming a nurse supervisor and less with being a team player.Dont let a candidates experience or numerous certificates convince you to hire her. An overqualified candidate may not fit into your facility and may also alienate other staff members.Hire for the needs of the facility.Do you manage an urban hospital that often treats patients flown in from hundreds of miles away? If so, your nurses must be comfortable with high-stress situations and quick on their feet experience in emergency rooms or trauma units is p referred.Alternately, a nurse who is used to a high volume of patients at a large hospital may not enjoy working at a smaller hospital. Or that may be exactly what theyre looking for.Look for nurses with the traits your facility needs most, such as adaptability, commitment to growth, attention to detail and familiarity with specific types of patients.Though staff members will come and go, these hiring tips can help you hire nurses who will have a positive impact on both their patients and coworkers and hopefully stick around for the long haul.Eric Darienzo is president of RNnetwork, a travel nurse staffing company based in Boca Raton, Florida.