South Koreans believe that using an electric fan in a sealed room for many hours can cause “fan death”. Theories include suffocation, carbon dioxide poisoning, and hypothermia. However, there is little evidence to support these claims, and skeptics suggest other causes such as carbon monoxide poisoning or electrocution. The South Korean government issues warnings and […]
Belles-lettres, meaning “beautiful letters,” is a category of literature that focuses on aesthetics rather than content. It includes works such as poems, novels, and essays, and reading such works is meant to be an aesthetic pleasure. Historically, typography was used to make the works physically attractive. While some dismiss belles-lettres as low on substance, they […]
Lawrence Durrell was a British writer who preferred to be thought of as cosmopolitan, having traveled extensively. He is best known for his Alexandria Quartet, but also wrote poetry, plays, and travel books. Durrell detested Britain and lived in Greece, Egypt, Argentina, and France throughout his life. Lawrence Durrell is a British novelist, poet, journalist […]
Gastric lavage, also known as stomach pumping, is a procedure to remove unwanted poisons or drugs from the stomach. A tube is inserted into the stomach to siphon and flush it with water or saline solution. Complications are rare but can occur, such as foreign particles entering the windpipe. The procedure is often avoided unless […]
NGOs are independent of any government and have various missions, from humanitarian aid to research and policy advocacy. They rely on donations and offer jobs in fundraising, distributing supplies, conducting research, and advertising. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are groups that operate around the world but are not affiliated with the government of any nation. This makes […]
The Pacific Stock Exchange, founded in 1882 as the San Francisco Stock and Bond Exchange, was a regional financial trading house that went public in 1999. After closing its trading floors in Los Angeles and San Francisco, it was fully acquired by the New York Stock Exchange in 2006, but remains a separate entity that […]
Companies offer quality guarantees to paying customers, which can include refunds, replacements, and repeat services. Quality assurance is important for customer satisfaction and can take many forms, such as product warranties or flexible return policies. For service-based companies, quality assurance may involve free repeat services if the initial service does not meet the customer’s standards. […]
Encyclopedias contain general information on various topics, often with illustrations and maps. They can be in print or digital formats and are useful for research. The first encyclopedia was written in the 1st century BC, and modern encyclopedias can be updated frequently online. An encyclopedia is a book, or series of books, that contains general […]
“The last straw” is an idiom referring to the final event in a series that causes a person to no longer tolerate a situation. It doesn’t have to be a significant event, but in combination with previous ones, it can lead to a loss of patience. The origin is attributed to an ancient Arabic proverb […]
The concept of prisoners of war (POWs) is relatively recent, with formal definitions established in the Hague Convention in 1907. POWs must be legitimate combatants and wear military uniform, and once captured, must not be abused. Some notable historical figures were POWs, and governments maintain POW/MIA offices to track down missing service members. A prisoner […]
Calcification is the buildup of calcium in tissues where it shouldn’t be, causing hardening and potentially dangerous effects. It commonly occurs in breast tissue, the aortic valve, and coronary arteries, and can be an indication of heart disease or breast cancer. Calcification refers to the buildup of calcium or calcium salts in tissues where it […]
CAD operators use computer-aided design to create electronic drawings for buildings, appliances, machinery, and more. Training can be found in technical schools, trade schools, and software tutorials. A high school student should take courses in science, math, and computer technology. CAD operators work in industries such as construction, government, and aerospace engineering. They work closely […]
Audit protection services help individuals and companies who are being audited, with the most common type being tax audits by the IRS. Services can help reduce the chances of being audited or provide administrative support during an audit. Audit protection insurance is also available, but its value depends on the likelihood of being audited. Audit […]
An export declaration is a mandatory shipping form for all shipments leaving the US, providing a record of exported goods and controlling exports. It requires accurate information and is mandatory for certain countries and shipments over $2,500 USD. Penalties for incorrect information can be severe. In the United States, an export declaration is a shipping […]
Animism is the belief in spirits or souls in humans, animals, or objects. It can be used in literature to explore cultural heritage, self-discovery, environmentalism, and fantasy. Examples include Things Fall Apart, Bless Me Ultima, Dances with Wolves, and fairy tales. Animism generally refers to the belief in spirits or souls, whether they are humans, […]
Interactive language arts resources, such as websites, apps, and games, can help people learn and understand language. They include grammar and spelling checkers, writing and poetry tools, language games, and interactive storybooks that bring stories to life. There are many different types of interactive language arts resources available on the Internet and through other mediums, […]
The troubadours were lyric poets who wrote in the Occitan language and composed works on various themes, including love songs and political pieces. Their legacy survives in various art forms, and they inspired many generations of artists in Europe. They had a strong influence on European music and art, and their work allowed different European […]
The reality principle, developed by Sigmund Freud, is the ability of the mature mind to prioritize long-term satisfaction over immediate gratification. It is a production of the ego, while the pleasure principle emanates from the id. People who can judge situations with long-term goals in mind can avoid the id’s constant plea for pleasure now. […]
An aerial fitter works at extreme heights, repairing and maintaining tall structures such as towers and scaffolding. They must have physical and mental toughness, attention to detail, and agile hands to prevent accidents. Regulations govern how far they can climb without rest. An aerial fitter performs repairs, maintenance and construction on tall structures. Towers, scaffolding, […]
Wealth preservation involves protecting assets from loss, reducing taxes, hedging against liabilities, and planning for estate transfers. Tax havens like the Cayman Islands can help reduce taxes, while insurance policies can protect against liabilities. Estate planning can reduce inheritance taxes, and techniques include maximizing investments, gifting money, and placing it in a trust. Wealth preservation […]
