10 tax breans and benefits you need to take advantage of right now

10 tax breans and benefits you need to take advantage of right now10 tax breans and benefits you need to take advantage of right nowIm going to harbor a guess and say your tax education looked very similar to mine. It started in the fifth grade when you learned about the Boston Tea Party. Then picked back up when you started working that part-time job in high school and your parents made you watch them do your taxes. Fast forward to when youre a real adult and count on TurboTax to show you the way.That brief education covered the basics and gets the job done, but Im guessing that (also like me) you wish you knew how to do your taxes in the most advantageous way possible. I dug deep and found ten tax breaks and benefits that you may not be taking advantage of. Lets work on getting you an impressive tax return this year - so you can spend more time at that yoga studio you love with the heated floors and really fluffy towels.1. Health insurance premiumsHealth insurance premiums can get pretty pricey. Thats why when tax season rolls around you should be checking to see which medical care expenses for you, your spouse, or your dependents can be deducted. Payments to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, and more can qualify - but you may deduct only the amount of your total medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.2. Teacher deductionsWe all know teachers go above and beyond, so much so that they often buy classroom supplies out of pocket. If youre an eligible educator, you can deduct up to $250 ($500 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators) of unreimbursed expenses such as books, supplies, and computer equipment. We cant forget our gym teachers They qualify too, and can deduct health and athletic supplies.3. Charitable gifts and expensesIf you donated cash or property, donated to tax-exempt organizations, and meet record-keeping requirements, your charitable donations are tax deductible. Itemiz e your tax deductions to make a claim, and make sure to keep consistent records throughout the year. You can also make claims under certain guidelines for non-cash donations as well.4. Education and Lifetime LearningAnother deduction you may have utilized in your college days welches an education leistungspunkt or deduction. But guess what? The fun doesnt stop after college The Lifetime Learning credit can help pay for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree courses - including courses to acquire or improve job skills. It is worth up to $2,000 per tax return.5. Self-employed social securityIf youre self-employed, youll have to pay 15.3 percent of your income for social security and Medicare taxes. This means youre paying the portions ordinarily paid by both employee and employer however, you can claim a deduction for a portion of this when you file your tax return.6. Child and dependent care creditIf you have to pay for childcare for dependents under the age of 13 while yo u work or search for employment, then youll have access to a child care credit (up to 35 percent of qualifying expenses, depending on adjusted gross income). The credit may also apply to the cost of caring for a spouse or dependent of any age if they are incapable (physically or mentally) of self-care. To see if you qualify for this, you can take this quiz.7. Savers creditThis credit is for eligible contributions toward retirement plans (401(k), qualified investment retirement accounts, etc.). Youre eligible for this credit if youre 18 years or older, are not a full-time student, and are not claimed as a dependent on another persons return. The credits can go as high as $2,000 if filing jointly.8. Jury duty incomeAny jury duty pay you receive has to be reported as income however, if you are required to give your jury duty pay to your employer because your employer pays your salary while you serve on a jury, then you can deduct the amount given to your employer as an adjustment to in come. Seems fair to me9. Home officeIf you use a part of your home exclusively for conducting business, and it is the principal place of your business, you may qualify for a home office tax deduction.10. Moving expenses for members of the armed forcesIf youre a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, you may be eligible to deduct moving expenses if your move was due to a military order and permanent change of station. You may be able to deduct unreimbursed moving expenses.This article was originally published on The Everygirl.

How To Make The Holiday Seasonal Job Hiring Spree Work For You

How To Make The Holiday Seasonal Job Hiring Spree Work For YouHow To Make The Holiday Seasonal Job Hiring Spree Work For YouHow to Make the Holiday Hiring Spree Work for YouLooking for work this holiday season? Heres how to take advantage of temporary positions.The holiday shopping season affords the opportunity for temporary seasonal workers to display their skills for a shot at more permanent positions. Superstore giants like Target, Walmart, Macys, and Dillards reach out and list jobs on hiring websites as early as September to fill the demand each year. Each company looks for special people who can take on the holiday rush. Company executives also reveal they retain the best employees after the shopping season. So, how can you make this holiday hiring spree work in your favor?Get acquainted with online job boardsMost holiday jobs are listed online. Those sites allow applicants to submit their information easy and fast using pre-built forms. Enter your experience, education, skill s, etc., as you normally would on a resume. List all entries newest to oldest, and stay away from jargon, passive voice, and regurgitated versions of the companys job description.If you are not familiar with online job boards or the Internet, fruchtwein colleges and universities have career departments that will help you learn the basics and get an account started. Local governments, nonprofits, and the states labor department also may offer similar assistance.Flaunt your key selling pointsStudents are one of the main groups companies hire from. Students are often more flexible with their time and do not have as many commitments during the holiday rush. This flexibility is ideal as companies want applicants who can come in early or stay late, and do not have other commitments that prevent them from answering work related summons.Hard workers have a skill set that is difficult to find dedication and honesty. Companies value hard workers and will hire someone who proves their dedicat ion and willingness to work. Listing former supervisors as references and asking them to attest to your work ethics will help you pass the first test.RelatedPros and Cons of Taking a Seasonal JobGo the extra mileSupervisors and hiring managers do not have much time to evaluate temporary seasonal hires. Make an effort to stand out and draw their attention, as this is the best way to get noticed and secure a more permanent position. Do not be afraid to ask for more work and hours if you have the bandwidth. Help other workers and demonstrate your leadership skills. Seasonal employees should not hesitate to ask for advice on how to navigate the company and land a permanent job.Build your network and rub elbowsTake advantage of every opportunity to introduce yourself and shake hands. This shows gumption and leadership qualities. Many entry-level workers tend to hide in the background, but doing so will not lead to a permanent job after the holidays. Look for training sessions open to all employees, and socialize in the break room.TakeawaysThe holidays are a great time to make a little extra money or shop for a more permanent job. Job boards are full with temporary listings. All it takes is a little practice and a resume the computer will do the rest. Once in the job, start making friends and building your credibility. Seasonal jobs do not last long, and you will have less time to make a good impression. Seize the moment.Click on the following link for more job-search advice.Want to see how your resume stacks up? Request a free resume review todayRecommended ReadingThe Holiday Hiring Freeze Fact or Fiction?5 Ways to Make Extra Money During the HolidaysThe Professionals Guide to Job Seeking During the Holidays

Customize this Facilities Maintenance Resume

Customize this Facilities Maintenance ResumeCustomize this Facilities Maintenance ResumeCreate this Resume Brenda Hawkins1813 Saint Marys AvenueRichfield Springs, NY 13439(666)-181-6047b.hawkinssmail.comObjectiveSeeking an opportunity to work in well established firm as Facilities Maintenance to enhance chosen field of expertise. Summary of QualificationsKnowledge and experience in HVAC mechanic systemKnowledgeable in construction industry mechanic principles, theories, concepts, and regulationsAbility to read and understand schematicsEPA certificationAbility to work independently, learn new tasks and solve problemsProfessional ExperienceLead Facilities Maintenance, January 2007- PresentGeneral Atomic, Poway, CA ResponsibilitiesReviewed and studied facilities maintenance operations of facilities to ensure smooth continuous functioning and schedules. Performed preventive and corrective maintenance related to HVAC systems, plumbing, gas, sewage, and electrical equipment.Prepared and s ubmitted monthly reports related to various activities of facilities maintenance. Operated a variety of the energy management systems and made control logic changes. Maintained and kept a current inventory of stock materials and ordered equipment and supplies as needed. Facility Maintenance Support, May 2004- December 2006McCormick, Hunt Valley, MD ResponsibilitiesDevised and developed PM documentation for doc areas. Collaborated and worked with vendors and the facility kollektiv to develop a preventive maintenance program. Devised and developed overhead dock doors, overhead screen doors, dock levelers, and dock locks. Built a world class equipment documentation process to include the compressed air systems and dust collectors. Processed and developed theory of operation, engineering standards, and documentation for ME library. EducationBachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering, 2004Yale UniversityAssociate Degree in Mechanical Engineering, 2002Yale University Customize ResumeMore Sample ResumesFPGA Engineer Resume FX Trader Resume Fabricator ResumeFacilities Maintenance Resume Family Law Attorney Resume

Catalog Numbers for CDs

Catalog Numbers for CDsCatalog Numbers for CDsA catalog number is the identification number a record label assigns to a release. It is used for tracking purposes by both the label and the distributor. It is composed of numbers and letters, and sometimes a symbol such as a hyphen. There is no standard length or nomenclature.? Where to Find Music Catalog Numbers Catalog numbers are typically printed on the spine of a CD or DVD and on the back of record sleeves, but you sometimes youll find them in other places on the artwork They might also be found on the CD and the info label on the record or inscribed on the disk itself. They might be found on the CD sleeve next to the UPC barcode. If you generally buy your music digitally, you may never see the catalog number for a release. For example, the iTunes store does not list the catalog number for releases. They instead have their own ID numbers that are included in the URL to the item in the iTunes Store. Similarly, on Amazon.com you will see the ASIN number, but that is not the catalog number. How Music Catalog Numbers Are Assigned There is no requirement for a release to have a catalog number, and there is no governing authority that determines how the numbers should be issued. This is determined by each music label for its own purposes. There arent any rules as to how a label decides to set its catalog numbers, but once you develop a system, it makes sense to stick with it. Catalog numbers typically include both numbers and letters. Often, some portion of the record label anthroponymis combined with numbers that signify the number of the release for that label. Examples of Music Catalog Numbers For instance, label XYZ might assign their first release the catalog number XYZ01, their second release XYZ02 and so on. In this way, you can often trace a labels history by looking at their catalog numbers. Sometimes, labels opt for starting out with higher numbers so they look more experienced- ie, XYZ125 for their first release- and sometimes labels choose letters that have nothing to do with their label name. Again, there are no rules. As long as the numbers help the label and distributor track releases, anything goes. Some labels issue catalog numbers that match the numbers on the barcode, other than the check digit. They can include spaces and punctuation that arent in the barcode. When labels release music in different formats, sometimes they manipulate the catalog number in some way so that it also indicates if the release is CD, 7, 12 and so on, but not always. One example of a record label that used catalog numbers in a creative way is Factory Records, who assigned a number to just about everything they did, including gig posters and even a lawsuit (FAC61 is a lawsuit between Factory and Martin Hannett). When Factory Records boss Tony Wilson passed away, his casket was given the number FAC501.

Poor oral health linked to 75% increase of this deadly cancer

Poor oral health linked to 75% increase of this deadly krebsPoor oral health linked to 75% increase of this deadly cancerA massive new UK study uncovered an unsettling link between poor oral health and an increased risk for liver cancer. Poor oral health has been associated with the risk of several chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, commentedDr. Hayde WT Jordo, who is the lead author of the study. However, there is inconsistent evidence on the association between poor oral health and specific types of gastrointestinal cancers, which is what our research aimed to examine.The new report pulls from brain imaging and genomic data from 475,766 people over a six-year study period. Analyzing self-reported cases of bleeding and painful gums, loose teeth and mouth ulcers, the researchers enacted an investigation of the correlation between these conditions and risks for gastrointestinal cancers, namely liver cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer . The study found zero notable associations with dental hygiene in all but one of the gastrointestinal cancers observed in the report. Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and morePoor oral health was found to potentially increase ones risk for liver cancer by 75%. The pervasion of hepatobiliary cancer More than 800,000 people are diagnosed with liver cancer a year worldwide, making it one of the leading causes of death. Direct causes of hepatobiliary cancers are seldom able to be determined resolutely. Typically its development is factored by several underlying causes.The latest study is preceded by research, albeit limited research, that has linked oral health and different kinds of cancer. A U.S study published back in 2017 found that women with a history of gum disease experienced a greater risk for tumors in the esophagus and in their breasts. Another independently conducted study obse rved a link between oral health and the development of pancreatic cancer in African American women. Young people, women, individuals living in impoverished areas, and people that consumed less than two portions of fruits and vegetables a day evidenced the highest cases of poor oral health in the latest study conducted by researchersat Queens University Belfast. Although a high-risk increase was uncovered as a result of poor oral health, the researchers can only speculate as to why at the moment. Leading conjecture looks to the ever-perplexing gut microbiome. Since the liver is responsible for exterminating several harmful bacteria in the human body, it makes sense that bacteria could conversely play a role in inflicting prolonged damage to the body, in the event of the organ becoming compromised. One bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, originates in the oral cavity but its role in liver cancer is unclear. Further studies investigating the microbiome and liver cancer are therefore war ranted,Jordo explained.Another theory surmises that people with missing teeth, consume softer less nutritious foods to compensate, which ultimately makes the liver venerable to cell mutations. As it stands, of the 469, 628 participants studied, 4,069 developed gastrointestinal cancer during the six-year follow up, Thirteen percent of these expressed poor oral health at the start of the study period.More research needs to be conducted to support a causal influence behind the findings intimated in the United European Gastroenterology Journal,

Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About Principal Resume and How It Can Affect You

Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About Principal Resume and How It Can Affect You Principal Resume The sort of person whod function as a strong principal is one which can multitask daily. First and foremost, a principal ought to be a leader, elend only a boss. Though being a principal can be an arduous experience, it may also be rewarding. Turning into a principal is a very important job that may influence the lives of many throughout the duration of the career. If youre thinking of writing a resume to submit an application for an elementary school principal position, you are going to be happy to know that its not so different from writing any other sort of resume. You need to take note of how theyre listed in your state. You didnt make a decision to be a teacher as you wished to turn into rich, you did it as you have passion for education. Middle and higher school teachers are generally larger in number, and subject specific rather than grade specific. It is cru cial to understand that your resume isnt only a listing of your fundamental info. The layout of your resume needs to be neat, simple and simple to read. Your resume should have proper amounts of spacing and ought to also be split into different segments utilizing proper headers. Utilizing a resume template is getting an acceptable and smart practice for quite a few explanations.You ought never to be asked to give bank account details. Take a look at our expansive deckblatt letter collection for those suggestions you need to create a winning cover letter. Your cover letter must be tailored to fit the job that you are applying to. All About Principal Resume Dont Forget Your Contact Information You always need to include your contact info in your resignation letter, especially if youre in the identical situation as Robert. Principals across america are chosen due to their leadership ability. Have a look at My Perfect Cover Letters expert example to have the guidance you need t o construct your own. Its possible for you to use your Academic Resume, and make some little modifications to create an appearance of dedication. If you would like a career that is centered on improving the condition of education and ensuring the future of students, you are in need of a Principal resume that shows you have the abilities and abilities to earn a difference. Assistant principals should have experience with student discipline as well as adept management abilities. Your resume screener wont know about your area. In case you have any questions regarding consulting resumes, do not be afraid to ask them below and well be more than pleased to answer them. Zetys resume templates are made with the aid of recruiters and stick to the best practices in HR. If youre not currently doing work search, revisiting your resume can be a fantastic method to record the excellent work you do. Rather than using one objective on every resume that you send out, change the objective based on the specific employer or kind of job which youre applying for so that youre able to express your particular interest in every position. Doing so is just one more method of reinforcing your qualifications for the job that you seek. The other defined earnings can be quite valuable and important too. Fortunately, its not hard to understand which skills an employer is searching for as theyre normally clearly specified in the job postings.

Words of Advice from our Founding Fathers

Words of Advice from our Founding Fathers Happy Independence Day On this day we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and the 13 colonies that separated themselves from the rule of Great Britain to establish what we now know as the United States of America. This day will be filled with barbecues, family and friends getting together and many, many fireworks displays. And although all of these activities are fun, we certainly should not forget to reflect upon the true reason this day is such an important one in our nations history freedom.And more specifically, July 4 represents the idea, pursuit and accomplishment of freedom. ur Founding Fathers had an idea that the 13 colonies now established in North America should be free to unite and govern themselves totally separate from the authority and reign of Great Britain.Many Americans fought and died for this idea of freedom, and the opportunities we all have in America today are credited to those who came before us who not only had this idea of freedom, but were bold enough to pursue it.Our world is full of leaders and experts who offer their advice and expertise when it comes to life, pursuing ones goals, happiness and education. Yet, today in honor of the men who set the stage for us, Recruiter.com wants to share some expert advice about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness from our Founding Fathers. Below is a compilation of quotes from the men who dared who to believe in the idea of freedom and had the courage to pursue itwords of wisdom from the first dreamers, activists, businessmen, politicians, educators and creatives that most of us aspire to one day beYou will probably have but a short time to live. Before you launch into eternity, it behooves you to improve the time that may be allowed you in this world.-Thomas McKeanEnergy and persistence conquer all things.-Benjamin Frankl inOld minds are like old horses you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.-John AdamsEvery human being has a work to carry on within, duties to perform abroad, influence to exert, which are peculiarly his, and which no conscience but his own can teach.-William ElleryA fondness for power is implanted, in most men, and it is natural to abuse it, when acquired.-Alexander HamiltonA strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.-Thomas JeffersonStand upright, speak thy thoughts, declare the truth thou hast, that all may share Be bold, proclaim it everywhere They only live who dare.-Lewis MorrisTo succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.-Benjamin FranklinI always considered an idle Life, as a real evil, but, a life of such hurry, such constant hurry, leaves us scarcely a moment for reflection or for the discharge of any other then the most immediate and pressing concerns.-Edward RutledgeKnowledge is, in every country, the surest basis of public happiness.-George Washington

Everyday Prosthetic Fingers

Everyday Prosthetic Fingers Everyday Prosthetic Fingers Everyday Prosthetic FingersIn a former life, Dan Didrick fabricated cosmetic handglieds. The key word in that phrase is cosmetic.The fingers were only a silicon cap that doesnt bend, Didrick said. We call them Sunday fingers because you wear them to church or dinner and then throw them in a drawer for the week.Bedeviled by the cosmetic fingers shortcomings, he invented X-Finger, surgical steel fingers that move, flex, and grasp, just like the wearers original fingers.You can move them as quickly as you can move your prior finger plus because its common to flex your finger from open to closed and the X Finger follows motion of a residual finger, theres no learning curve, Didrick said. A patient can use the device right away after putting it on. They could immediately catch a tossed tanzabend that they see from the corner of their eye.Along the 10-year path since his first prototype, Didrick patented the devicewhich uses no electr onicshimself, sought and received coverage from all major medical insurers for the fingers, and taught himself computer-aided design (CAD). That last bit, he said, welches the easiest.A huge proportion of nonfatal accidental amputations involve fingers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that finger losses account for about 94% of job-related amputations.So Didrickwho got his start in prosthethics as a child, by using materials from his fathers dental office to make movie-quality monster masksput his skills to use fabricating prosthetic fingers.But his world, and his job, changed when he met a man who had lost several fingers in an accident and who welches deaf. The loss of the fingers made it impossible to communicate in sign language.I started by actually carving components out of wood and assembling them into reciprocating series of components that, through leverages, force the mechanics in the shape of a finger to move from a straight to a bent position from straight to a fist, Didrick said.Many amputees retain part of their finger. So the device, when fitted over the hand and the residual finger or fingers, lets a patient move his or her X-Finger by moving the residual finger from extended to bent.X-Fingers, invented by Dan Didrick, are prosthetic fingers that can be manipulated by wearers through use of their residual finger or fingers. The device lets them regain full use of their finger or fingers.So I came up with the assembly, but I was just carving them out of wood, Didrick said. Then I started seeking out design engineers. Thats when I realized it can cost tens of thousands of dollars to have a design engineer create an assembly of this nature.Though he had majored in business in college, Didrick rose to this first challenge as he would rise to many others while launching X-Finger. He simply bought a CAD packageSolidWorks, from the company in Concord, MAand quickly ran through the tutorial.Then I just started designing the components, he said. It only took about two weeks to get the first design. I shipped those to a manufacturer and they replicated them using an EDM machine and sent back components.Because all amputation cases are different, Didrick went on to develop what he called an erector set of parts that could be assembled into more than 500 different configurations. That number is likely much higher than 500, but once I got that high, I became confused counting them, he said.The device is composed of stainless steel, with a plastic cap that sits on the tip of the finger and anotlageher bit of plastic that sits at the flange. This is covered with a thermoplastic cosmetic skin that is soft and resists tearing. Think of what an artificial fishing worm feels like and how it can stretch.We actually contacted a company that was doing a job for the military, and theyd formulated thermoplastic to the same durometer reading as menschenfreundlich skin so its almost eerie to touch it, in that it feels like skin, Didr ick said.Each finger contains 23 moving parts, though depending on the complexity of the casesuch as whether the wearer retains a residual finger or notit could contain more. For those without residual fingers, a wire runs into the webbing between the fingers to receive open and flex impulses. The device is attached to the wrist and fitted over the hand and the residual fingers.It was really challenging replacing the ring and middle finger. The joint that controls those residual fingers is in your hand, Didrick said. But in this case it needs a probe that goes down into the webbing between the fingers to be controlled by that joint.For those who have lost four fingers, the device allows the movement of the palm to control all the artificial fingers.Post EngineeringThough hed invented the worlds first active prosthetic finger (the passive type is the cosmetic Sunday finger), Didrick, who now owns Didrick Medical of Naples, FL, was still an industry outsider.He bought a book called Pa tent It Yourself by David Pressman (1979 McGraw-Hill and since updated) and spent a year writing his own patent.Once the device was patented, FDA representatives and some online help taught him how to write a 513(d) document necessary for device evaluation. Didrick sent his evaluation to the agency and soon received a positive response. X-Fingers (the plural, used when the device contains more than one finger) had been registered with the FDA.The next step was receiving insurance approval for the fingers. After he won approval from the FDA, he went on to get approval from all major insurance companies, which now cover X-Fingers.From there, the device began taking off. The need was great, Didrick said. Many amputees had been awaiting something like this.Whats little realized, he said, is how many children lose fingers. The largest group of people who lose fingers outside the workplace are children under five, who undergo finger amputation due to accidents like slamming them in a car door.He also has learned that one out of 200 people will lose one or more fingers within their lifetime. That statistic takes into account people living all over the world.Its not only machinists who lose fingers, Didrick said.Because his device is powered by the body, literally the wearer is flexing and bending his hand.You can see a video demonstration of the X-Finger here.Many of Didricks customers pay a deposit in advance, which helps finance the four-employee company and its continued innovations.Whats New and Next?After his initial success, Didrick began routinely traveling to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, to fit wounded soldiers. He has also has fitted British soldiers with the device.The U.S. Department of Defense asked him to design an artificial thumb, which he has also done. Its not surprisingly called the X-Thumb.Hes now at work on a thin glove that would enable those with paralyzed hands who r etain some mobility in the wrist to use that mobility to control their hands.Didrick is also trying to help children whose insurance companies deny them coverage because they grow out of their prosthetics too fast. The costs of producing childrens X-Fingers are high because of the variation in injuries and finger dimensions in smaller fingers and hands. Hes recently established the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, World greifhand Foundation, to cover costs to provide X-Fingers for those who cannot afford to pay for them.And hes still using his original CAD package.If we needed the funds to hire a professional design team wed never be able to do this, Didrick said.You can move them as quickly as you can move your prior finger plus because...the X-Finger follows the motion of a residual finger, theres no learning curve.Dan Didrick, X-Fingers Inventor

Ice Fishing from Your Vehicle

Ice Fishing from Your Vehicle Ice Fishing from Your Vehicle Lets face it one of the big complaints about ice fishing would be that its...uh...cold. Well, how about just driving to the spot you like, parking, and fishing in your vehicle at a comfortable 72 degrees? The SnoBear is a track system vehicle that can hit 20+ mph and allows you to not only fish in toasty conditions, but, just as importantly, quickly move to the next spot if there isnt anything biting.Moving on tracks made of Camoplast, the body is fiberglass on the outer shell and has solid foam for warmth. The motor is actually a 1.6-liter Hyundai. The original version, however, had a Daihatsu 3-cylinder, according to engineer Tom Lykken, the original designer.Mario Nozzarella, general manager of SnoBear USA, Fargo, ND, explains that one of the keys to the design is that the PSI of the tires is less than one. Obviously the more pressure on the ice, the more apt that it will go through it, Nozzarella says. Another element is the Acralift System the hydraulics, which will raise and lower the vehicle so when you drive out on the ice you can push a button that retracts the tracks and it lowers it down a foot. It lets you platzdeckchen flat on the ice and when you draw your holes, then you are closer to the water. Instead of two or three feet off the ice, youre within 10 inches instead.For added safety, the tracks distribute the weight of the vehicle to less than one pound per square inch. Image SnoBearThe brake system is a key aspect of steering, an independent brake on each track, two pedals side by side and small enough to push both of them down with your foot, Nozzarella says. If you push down on your foot, we have a disc brake on each side of the track and can stop both tracks, Nozzarella says. If in a tight turn, you can push on the brake on one side and turn the ski. It can turn around on a dime.The SnoBear website explains that the track systems suspension prevents the front tracks from lifting by always balancing the forces across the face of the track belt. This cancels any front lift effect due to drive line torque, no matter how much power applied, maximizing flotation and traction.Even though the vehicle can hit the 20s in mph, Lykken says most of the time, it wont even be used past 15 mph. You wouldnt really have many people thinking about going faster, Lykken says. Unless youre going on those 20 mile trips on Minnesota lakes.For improving comfort, there is a small propane furnace and youll find the thermostat control can have it set for 70+ degrees even if 40 below, Nozzarella says.Lykken, who today is an innovation manager at Titan Machinery, focusing on planters farm equipment, says the response was strong to the product partly because of the passion for the hobby. There are people who are very serious about fishing and you can do it for as much as six months out here in Fargo, Lykken says. This allows them to enjoy it without getting coldand they can bring their fri ends.Eric Butterman is an independent writer. For Further DiscussionThere are people who are very serious about fishing and you can do it for as much as six months out here in Fargo. This allows them to enjoy it without getting cold.Tom Lykken, designer, SnoBear

Study Taking a 5-day Facebook vacation reduces stress levels

Study Taking a 5-day Facebook vacation reduces stress levelsStudy Taking a 5-day Facebook vacation reduces stress levelsSpring is finally here, and for many, this is the time to start planning their summer vacations. But instead of waiting for the warmer weather to arrive, theres a break you can take right now that will help you de-stress a Face-break.A new study published this month in theThe Journal of Social Psychology concludes that a short-term hiatus from Facebook can help combat stress.Researchers from the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland in Australia sought out to answer if taking a break from the social media giant would elicit changes in stress and well-being and measured the perceived stress and well-being of 138 active Facebook users with an average daily use of 2.8 hours. The participants were randomly instructed to either continue using Facebook as usual or take a five-day break from the site.Those who took the hiatus showed lower levels of the stres s hormone cortisol compared to those who continuednormal Facebook use. This suggests that the typical Facebook user may occasionally find the large amount of social information available to be taxing, and Facebook vacations could ameliorate this stress - at least in the short term, according to the authors.Many of theparticipants went into the break with askeptical view - I will probably feel upset as my social life will be totally stopped if I cannot useFacebook and cannot find my friends in Facebook, I will also feel like left behind as I will not be able to know what has happened with my Facebook friends in the coming five days. wrote one - and actually came out of the study feeling a lower level of life satisfaction than the normal users.Dr. Eric Vanman, a psychologist at the University of Queensland and the lead author of the study, on why this may have occurredAbstaining from Facebook was shown to reduce a persons level of the stress hormone cortisol, but peoples own ratin gs of their stress did not change - perhaps because they werent aware their stress had gone down. People experienced less well-being after those five days without Facebook - they felt less content with their lives - from the resulting social disconnection of being cut-off from their Facebook friends.Vanman added that the group feels these results would most-likely apply across the boardWe dont think that this is necessarily unique to Facebook, as peoples stress levels will probably reduce anytime they take a break from their favorite social media platforms.