Blood Chemistry and CBC Analysis

Blood Chemistry and CBC AnalysisBlood chemistry and CBC analysis can be an invaluable aid in the early detection of medical conditions. When a patient experiences a life-threatening condition, blood is tested to make sure that their system is not suffering from any major illness.If the laboratory results show that the patient's blood is carrying an illness it can be quite dangerous for them. As these tests are sensitive, it can indicate the presence of infectious diseases such as influenza, tuberculosis, or HIV. In many instances, once a patient has been exposed to an illness that cannot be treated with the medications that they already have, they are at risk of being so severely ill that their organs will fail.One of the best ways to protect yourself is to have your blood tested on a regular basis. If the results are negative, it is important to talk to your doctor about alternative treatments. A positive test means that the disease is under control and the body can fight off all th e symptoms that the test indicates.In addition to the knowledge of what these tests can do for you, CBC can give you a general idea of how healthy your immune system is. People who suffer from the flu and other common illnesses may show low CBC values. On the other hand, people who are healthy may have high values indicating that their immune system is strong.Patients should also have their CBC checked when they are at home. Sometimes the test is able to show a decline in an organ that is considered very important to your overall health.Blood chemistry and CBC analysis can tell you a lot about how well your body is functioning and how healthy you are. For those who have never had this test, they may be afraid to talk to their doctor about their findings. However, by getting the help of a physician or a licensed technician, they can learn more about their health and live healthier lives.A properly done blood chemistry and CBC analysis can be very helpful in determining the cause of m any different health problems. It can determine whether a patient is at risk for an infection, whether they have a disorder, or if they are suffering from a disease. As your health care provider, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are in good health and that your medical treatment is as efficient as possible.

Dividing Fractions with a Whole Number

Dividing Fractions with a Whole Number Dividing fractions by a whole number is not a hard task to do. To divide a fraction with a whole number we need to follow some steps. First treat the given integer as a fraction by placing 1 in the denominator. Now turn over the denominator fraction and multiply with numerator fraction. Now multiply the numerators and place the product in the numerator. Also multiply the denominator and place the product in the denominator. Finally simplify the fraction to evaluate the result. The following examples show you how to divide fraction with a whole number. Example 1: Divide (2/5) / 10 Solution: Here the given integer is 10 Make it as a fraction by pitting 1 in the denominator = 10/1 Now find the reciprocal for 10/1 = 1/10 Now multiply with the first fraction 2/5 * 1/10 = 2/50 Simplify it, divide by 2 on both sides 2/50 = 1/25 Example 2: Brandy cut 3 pieces of equal length using 1/2 of a yard of wood. How long was each shelf? Solution: Divide the total length of wood by number of pieces So, divide by 3 Use division steps to divide * 1/3 = 1/6 This fraction is in simplified form. The length of each wood piece = 1/6. Note: there is another simple method that you can follow while dividing fraction with a whole number. That is, you can do by multiplying the whole number with the denominator of fraction.

Doing Your Best With Math Assignments

Doing Your Best With Math Assignments 0SHARESShare Tutors at school/college start allotting new assignments to students as soon as they start teaching a new topic. This often puts the student in a confusion of ‘whether they should focus on studying for the exams/working on assignments’ to boost their grades. The type of assignments that students may find difficult varies from individual to individual. Some students may perceive math problem solving assignments tough whereas some may find it easier to work with algebra assignments. The better part  is online  math tutoring  is available for students who have a tough time doing math assignments. Tutor pace suggests ways of approaching math assignments: Make the best use of formulas:  It is difficult to see through the practical solution / an answer to a math problem without knowing the theory. It is like a computer tester trying to know the functional features of an application before developing the code.Hence, it would be a good habit to memorize those formulas only after understanding the theory behind it. Assignment Help:Getting online math  assignment help  is one of the best ways you can explore various theories in mathematics. Online tutoring does not necessarily begin with the first topic of the book and follow a chronological pattern. It is sometimes better to approach math concepts randomly and then assigning weight age to each topic. Know your tools:  Similar to math formulas you could also use tools to analyze the problem from various aspects and increasing your chances to reach the correct solution at a faster pace. Tools such as  algebra solver  are easy to use and they also support your overall problem solving effort. [starbox id=admin]

College Cost Calculators

College Cost Calculators College tuition, room and board, scholarships, financial aid, meal plans are all screaming different numbers at high school students and their parents. Adding and subtracting these numbers in attempts to figure out exactly how much a specific college will cost can be a difficult, agonizing task. But, lifes getting easier for students and their parents because all colleges will be forced to post a net price calculator on their Web site by 2011, according to an article in The Washington Post. The actual costs of college can be very different from its advertised sticker price. There are many additional costs that colleges tack on to tuition, and many students and parents do not see all of these costs. Some students are not fully aware of all these costs until they have set foot on campus for freshman year, and are faced with hefty bills to pay. Also, most colleges do not decide financial aid and merit-based scholarships until after a student has already applied. Sometimes colleges will give out large amounts of financial aid late in the spring of a students senior year of high school. Therefore, the financial aid news could come after ones college decision has already been made. However, the college cost calculator that will go into effect in 2011 will give students and parents better estimates about how much a specific college will cost. Some colleges such as MIT, Yale University, Williams College, University of Arkansas and Cornell have been using their own, individual price calculators. The federal government recently provided a uniform college cost calculator template with the help of StudentAid.com and Think Ahead LLC. By 2011, all colleges must adopt some form of a cost calculator. The federal program is uniform for all colleges. This is one of its biggest flaws because not all colleges offer financial aid and merit-based scholarships on similar criteria. The program asks students about eight questions regarding family income. However, the program does not ask about family assets and income exclusions. Also, the program does not consider merit-based scholarships. The federal cost calculator is likely to be inaccurate at times. A college cost calculators is more accurate if it is produced by and is unique to each individual college. It can be personalized to the amount of aid that a college has, and the competition of other students who are applying.

40+ Unique Christmas Gifts for Musicians

40+ Unique Christmas Gifts for Musicians Natalie Hagen Looking for Christmas gifts for musicians? You’ve come to the right place. The holidays are upon us and it’s time to do some shopping! No matter what instrument your favorite musician plays, they deserve a gift just as unique as their hobby. We’ve compiled a list of the best Christmas gifts for musicians to make finding the perfect present a little easier. Whether you’re shopping for stocking stuffers or a bigger, more impressive gift, there’s something for everyone on this list! 40+ Unique Christmas Gifts for Musicians Stocking Stuffers for Musicians Musician’s Dice, $19 If the musician in your life loves spontaneous jam sessions, or has ever experienced a roadblock when composing, then this is the perfect gift. These dice are a fun way to help musicians improvise and get their creative juices flowing. Music Magnets, $2-10 Their small size makes them perfect for a stocking, and with all the unique designs available you’re sure to find one for your favorite pianist, flutist, or guitarist!   Vinyl Record Cufflinks, $60 Do you have a stylish musician friend or relative? Help them show off their musical style with these cufflinks! This accessory is as unique and funky as your favorite musician. Guitar String Bracelets, $14 Fashion forward musicians will also love these creative bracelets. They can display their love of music on their wrists by wearing repurposed bass guitar strings as a fashion statement. Music Score Removable Tape, $8 Composers can cover up mistakes or change a passage with this removable tape. No damage will be done to the original, and the musician can easily add to any piece of music! Premium Dark Rosin with Case, $10 This premium rosin will not only produce less dust but the stylish and convenient case makes one-handed application easy. Viola, cello, bass, and violin players will thank you. “Rock On” Iphone Case, $18 You can tell a lot about someone’s personality by the way they accessorize their phone. Give your favorite musician another way to express themselves with a cool phone case that shows off their love of rock! Ear Plugs, $20 These ear plugs are perfect for musicians in loud environments because they reduce volume but still let the sound in. Your musician can enjoy the music while protecting their hearing! Christmas Gifts for Musicians’ Homes DIY Music Ornament, $6-20 Cut up strips of sheet music and stuff them into clear ornaments from your local craft store. Bonus if it’s their favorite song! Record Clock, $38 All musicians need to be good at keeping time (literally)! They’ll enjoy looking at this clock so much they’ll never be late for band practice again. Framed Music Quote, $34 These elegant wall hangings give musical quotes an artistic flair. They can be easily displayed in a musician’s home as a decorative yet meaningful piece. Guitar Flipper Spatula, $12 Whoever said musicians can’t cook has never seen these cool spatulas! Your favorite musician will be more motivated to make breakfast before band practice with this fun kitchenware. Life Without Music Mug, $18 Give a gift that combines their love for music and coffee! This cute and funny mug is perfect for any musician who appreciates a hot drink. Sound Waves Print, $45 Give that musician you love a sentimental gift with these customizable sound wave prints. Use their favorite song or first dance to turn a memory into a piece of decor! Guitar Amp Keyholder, $35-40 Modeled after a real amp, this keyholder will add some musical flair to any home. Your favorite musician will never lose the keys again! Art Vinyl, $52 Their favorite vinyl record can double as an art piece and stay protected from damage. Bonus if you give this gift with a record already inside! Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $60 Every music lover will appreciate a good speaker. These portable speakers make it easy to take music wherever you go, just use the Bluetooth to connect a phone or Ipod! Vinyl Record, $20-35 Oh how music has evolved! For the friend or relative who loves music and all things vintage, records are a perfect gift if they own a record player. SEE ALSO: Best Last Minute Gifts Ideas for Musicians Practical Christmas Gifts for Musicians Bright Hammerhead LED Music Light, $22 This ultra bright light is compact and portable. The gooseneck also twists and will attach to anything, so all the musician has to worry about is playing music! Pick Punch, $25 Now string instrumentalists can make their own picks out of anything they want. This is a fun gift for the creative musician who always loses picks! Roadie 2  Automatic Guitar Tuner, $129 Tuning a guitar just got a thousand times easier! Roadie 2 directly connects to the tuning peg of the guitar and once the string is strummed, it automatically  gets it into perfect tune.  Roadie 2 works on most string instruments including  electric, acoustic, classical, 7 and 12-string guitars, ukulele and more. You can tune to standard or switch to any alternate tuning in just seconds. Roadie 2 also comes with a built-in wind/unwind feature for easy restringing. Music Stand, Music Sheet Clip, and Light, $35 This collapsible music stand comes with everything a musician needs to ensure they have an amazing performance or practice session. The best part: it all fits into one nifty carrying case that’s included! Moleskine Music Notebook, $13 This notebook is perfect for musicians, songwriters, and composers. The right page consists of eight staffs and the left is blank so they can write down and brainstorm new ideas. Swirly Gig Drink Holders, $26 Staying hydrated is a necessity for many musicians, especially singers. These holders clip onto most microphone stands so a beverage is easily accessible during  jam sessions. Mic Stand Ipad Holder, $20 Put the music and lyrics right at their fingertips! This tablet holder fits onto most mic stands and is perfect when trying to learn a new song.   Headphones, $25 A musician can never have too many pairs of headphones! Durability and excellent sound quality make these headphones perfect for any music lover.   Guitar Center Gift Card, $5-500 Guitar Center has something for every musician, not just guitarists! If you’d rather send a quick e-gift card, you can even customize it with a personal photo. Fun Christmas Gifts for Musicians Spontuneous: The Song Game, $30 What better way to spend cold winter nights with friends and family than by playing a singing game! Don’t worry no talent is required, just a knowledge of song lyrics. Itunes Gift Card, $10-$200 An Itunes gift card is perfect for music lovers because it allows them to download their favorite songs or music-related apps. The best part is you can choose whatever amount fits in your budget.   Guitar Case Lunch Box, $22 Do you know any young musicians who are still in school? This fun lunch box will help show everyone in the cafeteria what a cool musician they are. It even comes with stickers to customize it! Mini Portable Karaoke Machine, $28 Take the show on the road, literally. This portable karaoke machine will let your favorite musician have fun singing wherever and whenever their heart desires! Playable Electronic Guitar Shirt,  $30 Whats more fun than a vintage t-shirt featuring a playable musical instrument? This shirt hooks up to a mini amp and allows the wearer to actually play their favorite song. Mechanical Music Box Set, $7-$22 This creative gift is extra unique. Based off the old classic music boxes, this set lets the music maker punch holes onto paper which is fed through the box to make beautiful melodies! TakeLessons Live Subscription, $0-20/month For the musician who is still learning, or wants to explore new instruments, a subscription to online music classes is the perfect fit. TakeLessons Live offers more than 300 classes on a variety of subjects, from singing to piano to ukulele. Impressive Christmas Gifts for Musicians USB Mix Tape, $26 Make your special someone their very own mix tape, well sort of. This unique gift lets you add the playlist to a USB in cassette-like packaging. So 80s rom-com! Mahogany Ukulele, $79 The ukulele is an excellent gift for new musicians, or experienced ones who want to broaden their skillset. This mahogany ukulele is a great option because it’s both high quality and affordable. Pocket Synthesizer, $89 It may look like a strange calculator, but this small synthesizer allows a musician to make beats in the palm of their hand! Of all the Christmas gifts for musicians, this one is sure to be a favorite. Concert Tickets, $30-$1000 Is there a band in town they’ve been dying to see? This is the perfect opportunity to surprise your favorite musician with a night they won’t forget. Medium Sized Cajon, $129 Have a drum enthusiast in your life who doesn’t have the space for a full set? A cajon is the perfect marriage of chair and drum. It’s also a great new instrument for musicians who want to branch out and try something new! Portable Cube Amp, $180 This small amp is battery operated and can be taken anywhere. It works with guitars, keyboards, MP3 devices, and more.   Crosley Keepsake Vinyl Record Player, $169 Few things are as cool as a vintage record player. With all the options of vinyl record players out there, this keepsake is a must-have. Portable Digital Audio Recorder, $160 Don’t let its small size fool you. This little audio recorder has amazing sound quality and is the perfect Christmas gift for the creative songwriter. Computer DJ System, $70 This USB powered DJ system hooks right up to a laptop so the DJ can scratch, mix, fade, and more all of from one device like the disc jockeys of old. Music Lessons with a Private Instructor, $50-$5,000 A private instructor is the best way to learn a new instrument or improve musical skills. Surprise the growing musician in your life and purchase private lessons as a gift! TakeLessons has thousands of teachers to choose from. Finding Christmas gifts for musicians doesn’t have to be a challenge with these creative and unique ideas! When ordering online, don’t forget to account for shipping costs and the length of time your gift will take to arrive. Checking for coupon codes and discounts is another helpful tip if you’re sticking to a shopping budget. Whatever gift you decide on, remember it’s the thought that counts and the musician in your life will appreciate it!

Latin for Beginners

Latin for Beginners How to Start Learning Latin ChaptersLearning the BasicsWhere to Find Online Latin CoursesPractice Makes PerfectLearning Latin through Film and LiteratureDeciding to start learning Latin isn’t a choice that should be taken lightly, as it takes a lot of hard work!Whatever your motivations for learning Latin you need to find the best way for you to learn.You can take traditional lessons, follow a course online using different sites and apps to aid your learning. Or maybe you prefer learning in a group; you’ll find plenty of group classes online wherever you are.And if you’re really brave you can go it alone, teaching yourself Latin through books and resources in local libraries.Learning Latin is not easy, and although a ‘dead’ language, learning it is an art and can act as a base to learn other languages like French and Spanish.school  you’re like a sponge taking everything in at once. Learning another language might be a bit more difficult now but your studying should have the same structure and you s hould be progressing towards a goal or level as if you were studying for a school exam!Having strong foundations in a language is essential for you to progress. If you don’t understand something don’t ignore it, work at it until you do understand it. You’ll thank yourself later when you have a solid foundation to build on.Where to Find Online Latin CoursesStarting out learning Latin by yourself is very brave! Luckily for you, you’ll find everything you need to learn Latin online.This way of learning is less structured and relies on the motivation and dedication of the student.Internet Sites and AppsThis is the most common way of learning, especially for young people and to kick off your Latin learning there are several sites and apps adapted to your needs! You can use them to build up a base in the language through simple exercises and quizzes.You’ll learn verbs and their endings and how to form them in different tenses. And of course, you’ll learn how to write and find out more of the history behind the language.Thanks to students like you this ancient language is being brought into the modern day!Private Tutors Thanks to sites like Superprof and its multitude of Latin teachers, you can progress quickly. With a private tutor at home you’ll learn even quicker; lessons are personalised and adapted to your level, so you’ll get real added value.Unlike in group classes, your private tutor will have the time to address any difficulties you have. You can repeat exercises with them until you understand without having to worry about the rest of a group class. They are there to help you as an individual so you can spend more time on things you don’t understand.Private lessons are tailored to students and so you can work towards your specific goals. If you want to be able to speak more you can focus on conversation skills or maybe you want to focus on grammar so you can then learn other romance languages like French or Spanish. No matter what your goal is your teacher can adapt the class to suit you.Private lessons will also boost your confidence in your abilities.You might find it hard to answer questions in front of others in a group class or maybe you’re not confident enough that you have the right answer. A private tutor will help you with this. They are there just for you and so will know the best way to improve your confidence. You can do one on one conversations with them or repeat exercises until you are confident you know it.If you don’t understand something tell them straight away, they’ll help you work it out and you can go on to the next topic confident in your abilities!You can even find Latin classes in your area to support your learning. There are thousands of Latin teachers on different platforms, so you’re sure to find one to suit you.Practice Makes PerfectLearning by yourself isn’t for everyone, and even with a dead language like Latin, you have to speak it to learn!Learning in a group will test your s peaking skills (Source: visualhunt.com)And you’re not alone in learning Latin, a quick google search in your area will bring up several different Latin associations that are passionate about keeping the language and its history alive.So, why learn with an association?If there’s an advantage to learning with these Latin lovers, it’s that you get to practice with them! You can speak with them, develop simple phrases and create such a strong base in Latin that you soon won’t even need a dictionary!As with any subject, practice makes perfect, speak as much as you can and the writing will come later.While a Latin association may not have teachers available, you will find people who are passionate about the language and who can support your learning.When should you go to these associations? Go whenever you can but do it alongside more structured learning. It’s important to keep a strong grammar and theory base from your classes which you can then put into practice speaking to ot hers. This combination is a sure fire way to improve your Latin.Learning Latin through Film and LiteratureReading Latin texts can help improve your language skills (Source: visualhunt.com)Whatever language you’re studying you can supplement your learning with fun activities!Finding a film in Latin might prove difficult to find but you can easily find literature to read. Poems are a good start and are easy to find. Or if you prefer something less sophisticated (but still just as useful) try reading the comics Tintin and Lucky Luke which exist in Latin!Even these simple texts can help your understanding of the language, no need to go searching for ancient Latin novels.Besides comics and more traditional texts like the Bible, most books are translated into Latin.And if you want to make it really difficult for yourself… pick up an English-Latin dictionary and get reading!Speak the words out loud to work on your pronunciation and write them down to practice your spelling.In the end, you’ll find your own way to learn and progress at your own pace. In general, the objective of learning Latin isn’t to become bilingual but to act as a key to understanding other foreign languages like French and Spanish. Having a strong base in Latin can make learning these languages easier.Check out the Superprof website for Latin teachers near you!

Editing Photos for Beginners

Editing Photos for Beginners How Can You Simply Retouch a Photo? ChaptersHow Can You Transfer Your Photos onto a Computer?How Do You Edit the Size and Dimensions of Photos?How Do You Blur a Photo?How Do You Change the Format of a Photo?“In photography thiere is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” - Alfred StieglitzEditing photos is often quite scary for novices. Adobe Photoshop CC, layers, luminosity, Picasa, etc., can strike fear into the heart of the uninitiated. However, it’s not really that complicated!Nowadays, the techniques have changed and almost anyone can edit photos in an intuitive way. Whether it’s adjusting the contrast, making collages, HDR correction, you can do almost anything.In May 2017, France made it illegal for edited photos to be displayed without mentioning that they’ve been retouched. It just goes to show how good they can look. There are certain functions that you should learn how to use to make your snaps better.So are you ready to start editing your photos? Which are the best programmes ? How can you correct details in just a few clicks?Don’t panic! We’ve got the answers for you right here. AllanPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NatashaPhotography Teacher 5.00 (7) £55/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TimothyPhotography Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Anosh nadeemPhotography Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ZangmoPhotography Teacher 5.00 (6) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RosiePhotography Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MattPhotography Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndyPhotography Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsHow Can You Transfer Your Photos onto a Computer?Importing your photos onto your computer is the first step when editing photos. How you do this will depend on the device where your photos are stored: Mac, PC, iPhone, Android, etc. There are a few differences between each one.Before you can edit your photos, you'll need them on your computer. (Source: TheAngryTeddy)On an iPhone, you have a few choices for transferring files and photos.If you have a Mac, iCloud is the most practical way to transfer your snaps in a few clicks. Thanks to regularly being synchronised over the cloud, your photos and files will be stored automatically. You just have to log into your iCloud account to find your favourite photos wherever you are. This is the magic of the cloud!If you have a Windows PC, you can import your photos by connecting your iPhone to your computer via a USB cable. Windows 10 has a lighter programme than iCloud called “Photos”.There’s also Aidrop which, if you have two Apple devices, works over Bluetooth. Connect your phone to your computer using the app and your photos will be transferred.From an Android phone, things are just as simple.  In fact, you can also use a USB cable as we mentioned before. You just need to connect your pho ne to your computer and drag the photos from your phone to your computer. That’s it!If you don’t have a cable on you, you can use apps like WeTransfer, Google Drive, or AirMore, which uses QR Codes. The joys of technology!You can also store your photos on a USB key or external hard disk and transfer your photos over USB. You can store plenty of digital photos on a memory card. In this case, you’ll need to take the memory card out of the device and insert it into your computer.Some Macs don’t come with a memory card so in this case, you’ll need a USB adapter for it. Once you’ve got the photos on your computer, you’re ready to start editing them!How Do You Edit the Size and Dimensions of Photos?Changing the file size or dimensions of a photo is one of the most common modifications. If you’re sending your photos in an email, they can massively increase the file size.In the same way you can fit more photos into an album if you make them smaller, you can store more photos on your computer if you do the same. (Source: jarmoluk)So what’s the solution?You can modify the size of photos according to your needs. When you edit photos online, there are plenty of different techniques you can use.Don’t worry, we’ll get to them.  While every photo editor is different, each has a lot of common.Changing the Dimensions of an ImageTo resize a photo, photo editing software is usually your best choice. Adobe Photoshop is the most popular programme and is often considered the best for editing photos at home.  By changing the number of pixels and retaining the proportions, you can resize your photo.The same is true for Lightroom which, thanks to advanced settings and high resolutions, can provide satisfying results. Of course, since we’re not in a perfect world, these programmes aren’t available for free.That said, there are some free photo editing programmes that you can use to resize photos and images. Of course, there are different sites available where y ou can upload a photo and resize it. The advantage of these services is that they won’t cost you a penny.If you can't afford the Adobe Creative Cloud, you can download a free photo editor like GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program).Changing the File SizeThe size of the photo isn’t the only thing you can change, you can also change the file size. This is done with compression. “But what’s that?” we hear you ask! It’s very simple.Compression is the act of making a file take up less space in a folder and you can do this my zipping it.On Mac, you just need to right-click, choose “Compress” and a new compressed folder will be created right next to it.On Windows, you can go to the Picture tools menu and compress them from there.There are also programmes and websites you can use to compress files in just a few clicks. Changing the file size isn’t that complicated.Keep in mind that not all image formats are the same. While you can use an online photo editor to convert image s, there's free image editing software that you can download that will give you more options and photo effects than these online tools.Find the best photography courses on here.How Do You Blur a Photo?Blurring photos is one of the most popular features of photo editing software. Along with modifying the contrasts, changing the white balance, or adjust the sharpness, a blur filter is an essential tool in any image editor.If you want the subject to pop, you might want to blur the background. (Source: GerDukes)Whether it’s stains or blemishes on a t-shirt, a registration plate on a car, or whatever, you can easily edit your photos in one click by adding a blur effect.So how can you do this with photo editing software?If you have an apple device, you can use the Skitch app. You just need to download it to the device and choose the photo. The app’s icon will appear in your settings. You can choose the area you want to blur, and with a bit of magic, you’re done.On Windows, you can u se “Evernote”, a similar app. When you choose the image you want to blur, the “@” symbol will appear in the top left of the photo. From there you can pixelate the photo.You can also use the blurring tools in programmes like Photoshop Lightroom or GIMP.Gaussian blur or Gaussian smoothing can be used to smooth out photos. You can also achieve similar results with a good camera. If you want a nice blur, you can do so by using the right tools. Here’s what you’ll need to do:Get as close to your subject as you can.Ensure the background is at least 2 metres away.Use a 200-500mm telephoto lensTo reduce the field of depth, use an aperture of F/1.8 or F/2.If you still would like to learn more, then you should consider getting the help of a professional photographer private photography tutor on Superprof. They'll be able to show you how to touch up your photos, get professional photo quality from your snaps, and all the secrets of digital photo enhancement.Find the best photography courses in the UK on Superprof.How Do You Change the Format of a Photo?What is the format of a photo?The format is the type of file your photo is saved as. Gif, jpeg, pdf, xnview, png, raw, etc. are all different types of file format. There are plenty of different types.Different file types have different properties. (Source: MTZD)Some file types are bigger than others and some are more compatible with certain programmes, will load quicker, are better for attaching to emails, etc.  The type you choose should be dependent on what you’re doing with it and what you need it for. There are a few ways to change the file type.On Windows, you can click Edit on the photo you want to change. Then you just need to “Save as...” and choose the file type when saving.Easy, isn’t it?On Mac, it’s just as simple. Select the image and choose “Export Selected Images”. It’ll ask you the file type you want to export them as and you’re done.In addition to these solutions, there are also online solutions. A quick search for “image converter” on Google will provide you with plenty of different solutions.You can also learn using online photography courses.Nevertheless, GIMP, the famous photo editing software package inspired by Photoshop, is free and useful. You can remove red-eye, change the contrast, adjust the black and white balance, crop, modify photos in just a few clicks.By opening the image in question and exporting it, you’ll be presented with the option to change its file type.Whether you’re using filters, creating montages, cropping an image, removing imperfections, etc., you need to start with the basics.So are you ready to edit your photos?

A New Perspective on Academic Success

A New Perspective on Academic Success Improving Academic Performance The average person probably believes that a critical key to success in life, particularly one’s academic life, is intrinsic intelligence as measured by IQ. Yes, most of would say, hard work matters a lot too, but at least in many academic situations, no amount of hard work can really make up for a lower level of raw intelligence or aptitude for certain types of academic or cognitive skills. Some of us are “math people” and some of us just aren’t, right? Not really. A large body of academic research has been developed over the past two decades which suggests that the above sentiment is fundamentally misguided; it’s much closer to wrong than right. And as Mark Twain once said, it’s not what we don’t know that gets us into trouble, “it’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.” In this “Ted Talk,” the popular author Malcom Gladwell explains how the story of David and Goliath, where David, a small, unarmed underdog carrying a few rocks, slays Goliah, a giant-like, fully armed warrior, is one gargantuan misconception and mischaracterization of the facts. For literally thousands of years, people have used the David vs. Goliath analogy to describe situations where a smaller, weaker, opponent with very low odds of success somehow miraculously pulls off a victory. If you watch the video, it turns out David may have been a sharp shooting, battle trained member of the artillery, firing rocks out of a sling with the force of a modern day revolver. Goliath, on the other hand, may have been a giant with a medical disorder that made him move slowly and suffer from double vision. In other words, David was the favorite. He was more likely to win. But consider this. When people misuse the “David vs. Goliath” analogy, it doesn’t actually matter that the original story might not be true. There certainly are many cases of “underdogs” who are underestimated and thus able to pull off a victory, so the analogy is still useful in helping people understand and frame situations the encounter in their lives. But, when parents and students believe that success in general, or even in certain classes or areas, is in large part pre-determined by IQ or natural aptitude, that can be a huge, debilitating problem that prevents students from realizing their potential. It leads to lower levels of effort, higher stress, and poor academic outcomes that the student believes were pre-determined, but which actually were not. Academic success is actually a very complicated process to understand, and much more in every student’s control than many parents and student seem to believe. In fact, your raw intelligence is somewhat “malleable” â€" it can improve over time. Most cognitive or “pure” academic skills (i.e., mathematic, reading comprehension, etc.), like those tested on the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT, which seem to correlate with IQ, can clearly be developed with practice. Even performance on IQ tests themselves can change over time (i.e., there is evidence that simply having more education seems to lead to improved IQ scores). And in any case, non-cognitive skills unrelated to IQ, like the ability to pay attention, be curious, plan ahead, and persevere through initial failure and adversity, may be what really lead to success in high school, college, and beyond, anyway. The academic research that supports the above points is generally very strong. But, our society’s general understanding of why some people succeed in school while others don’t has not kept up. The emphasis is still on IQ and aptitude, when it should be on practice and perseverance. There have been a variety of entertaining, insightful, and award winning books based on this research with titles like “The Talent Code” and “Brain Rules” and “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.” We feature some of these books on our virtual bookshelf. Each of these books, in its own way, tells part of the “story of academic success.” A parent or student, after reading one of these books, walks away with a few new insights and more tools to increase the odds of success in school, at work, and in life in general. There is a problem, however. The problem is that success is not easy to understand. The true story of academic success is a complex one. Even though it may not be true, it’s easy to understand the idea that your IQ in large part determines how well you perform in your math class. In fact, it’s even an excuse, or at least an explanation, for any given student’s average or worse performance. In that sense, it’s a belief that some may want to hold on to on some level. Particularly when you are starting from the above point of view, the idea that how well you perform is actually a function of your mindset about intelligence in general, your ability to pay attention, how you approach homework, how well you plan ahead, and how you deal with obstacles, etc. just seems hard to digest. Based on my understanding of the current research, I’d like to introduce a framework for understanding what leads to academic success. In future blog articles, we’ll explore each element of this framework. From my perspective, academic success is a function of: Recognizing that cognitive (math, reading comprehension) and non-cognitive (grit, work ethic, etc.) skills are equally important and complementary PLUS Developing the right mindset about intelligence and cognitive skills PLUS Practicing deliberately to build your cognitive skills PLUS Building non-cognitive character skills, like curiosity, determination, and perseverance PLUS Developing non-cognitive executive functioning skills, like the ability to focus, plan ahead, and self-monitor PLUS Bringing it all together through longer term, strategic educational planning To learn more about these topics, you can continue to read future articles on this blog, check out our virtual bookshelf, or sign up for our book summary distribution list, where we’ll systematically and concisely summarize some of the most important recent research on what really explains academic success. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'bf23a065-a3c9-4ac9-bab1-42400c7da48e', {});