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Dealing With Stress During College

College can be a tremendously stressful time. Learning how to identify sources of stress and developing strategies for dealing with college-specific problems can make life a lot easier. Read the rest of this entry »

Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES Teacher Recruitment Job Fair

Applying for a Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Monash

Postgraduate Research Scholarships are available for full-time research at postgraduate level for study at one of Monash University’s Australian campuses. Over 300 living allowance or stipend scholarships are offered at the main central selection round, which closes on 31 October each year. Approximately 70 international scholarship awardees are also offered scholarships to meet their tuition costs. In addition most faculties offer scholarships to a number of applicants who miss out on a central scholarship offer. Generally a small mid-year scholarship round is held each year.

NOTE: Applications for 2009 scholarships closed on 31 October 2008. Applications for 2010 scholarships will open in August 2009. The information below will be updated in July 2009.

The Scholarship Application Process:

Step 1 – Check eligibility
Step 2 – Select a topic/research area (for new HDR applicants)
Step 3 – Contact faculty and/or academic unit
Step 4 – Complete on-line scholarship application form

Step 1 – Check eligibility

The eligibility criteria listed below apply to the following scholarships:

• Australian Postgraduate Award (APA)
• Monash Graduate Scholarship (MGS)
• Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS)
• Monash International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (MIPRS)
• Vera Moore International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (VMIPRS)
• Monash Silver Jubilee Postgraduate Research Scholarship (MSJS)
• James McNeill Foundation Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Eligibility – general
Applicants intending to undertake or who are currently enrolled for a research masters degree, PhD or research professional doctorate are eligible to apply.

Applicants must hold an Australian or New Zealand bachelors degree with first class honours or qualifications and/or research experience deemed equivalent by the university.

Applicants currently completing an honours degree must have their results available by Monday 8 December 2008 to be eligible.

Applicant who do not hold an Australian or New Zealand bachelors degree with first class honours should refer to the H1 Equivalence assessment procedures.

H1 Equivalence assessment procedures

Additional eligibility criteria for scholarships
Each scholarship has additional eligibility requirements for applicants who have for example already completed a research program or previously held a postgraduate award.

Detailed eligibility requirements

English language proficiency requirements
All applicants must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements set by Monash University. The university reserves the right to seek additional proof of English proficiency where required.

English proficiency standards must be met and results (if applicable) contained with the scholarship application preferably by the closing date of 31 October 2008. Applicants with pending TOEFL or IELTS test scores must have the results available by Monday 8 December 2008 to be eligible.

English language proficiency requirements

Residency/studies by external mode
Awardees are required to reside within daily commuting distance to a Victorian campus to allow frequent and systematic use of university facilities, including use of physical resources, formal research training and daily face-to-face contact with supervisors if required.

Generally scholarships are not available for study under Monash’s external mode regulations. An APA may be awarded to an applicant proposing to undertake studies as an external student, however the support of the relevant academic unit and faculty will be required. If successful, the awardee must reside in Australia in order to receive the award.

Part-time scholarship
A part-time scholarship may be awarded to an applicant with a medical condition precluding full-time study (supported by medical certification) or to an applicant who is able to demonstrate significant caring commitments, including:

• caring responsibilities for a pre-school child
• caring responsibilities for school-aged children as a sole parent with limited access to outside support
• caring responsibilities for an invalid or disabled spouse, child or parent.

Part-time awards are not available to international applicants or to applicants seeking to undertake paid employment on a full-time or a substantial part-time basis. The same employment conditions that apply to full-time awardees apply to part-time awardees.

Prior enrolment/candidature
The duration of the award will be reduced if an applicant is part way through the degree for which the scholarship is offered. This includes prior enrolment in a masters degree where an awardee has upgraded to a doctoral degree and for awardees transferring their research program to Monash.

Awards will not be available to applicants who, as a result of prior candidature and/or prior scholarship, would be entitled to a maximum duration of less than 12 months.

Step 2 – Select a topic/research area (for new HDR applicants)

Monash University and its faculties are involved in innovative research across a wide range of disciplines. In addition to the research expertise available in departments and schools there are many discipline-specific research centres located within the University’s 10 faculties.

Applicants should consider potential areas of research that interest them and align with their qualifications and experience. Reviewing faculty websites will help applicants determine which faculty and academic unit would be most appropriate for their proposed research.

Faculty and research centre websites

Step 3 – Contact faculty and/or academic unit

If you are not already enrolled in the degree for which you seek scholarship support, you are strongly encouraged to contact the academic unit you propose to undertake your research in to ensure that the appropriate supervision and resources are available for your proposed research. Applicants may only apply to one academic unit. Applicants who are considering more than one academic unit are advised to discuss their options with the relevant academic units.

Applicants are required to refer to the relevant faculty website below for additional faculty-specific requirements and contacts in the various academic units:

• Art & Design
• Arts
• Business and Economics
• Education
• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Law
• Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
• Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Science
• Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC)

Applicants are required to indicate the names of academic unit staff they have consulted about their application and the name of supervisor/proposed supervisor.

Step 4 – Complete on-line scholarship application form

Applications for 2009 scholarships closed on 31 October 2008. Applications for 2010 scholarships open in August 2009 and close on 31 October 2009. Late applications cannot be accepted. An application fee is not charged for scholarship applications.

Applicants are required to register in order to access the On-line Scholarship Application Form. Applicants need to register with an email address which is valid until the end of March 2009. All correspondence regarding your application will be made via this email address. Please ensure that you complete the registration form correctly as you will not be able make changes to your personal details (apart from address and contact details).

You will be sent an email containing your username and password once you have successfully registered. To login to the system you will need to enter the username and password that has been emailed to you. Tip: copy and paste your username and password from the email, as the password is case-sensitive. Please email hdrschol@adm.monash.edu.au if you have not received your password within an hour of registering. It is not recommended that you register using a hotmail email account as there have been reported delays in response times.

Applicants are advised to refer to the step-by-step guide to completing the application form and the relevant faculty website listed above for faculty-specific information before completing the application.

The Best Homeschool Science Air Pressure Experiments

Although we think that air is weightless, air does have weight. This air constantly exerts a force on our skin. We can’t feel this weight because there is air on all sides, and therefore equal weight is exerted on our skin from all sides. The force air exerts on an object is called air pressure. This pressure can be demonstrated by simple homeschool science experiments.   Air exerts a pressure of 14.7 psi (pounds per square inch) on an object, including our skin. This is the air pressure that a huge 1inch x 1 inch vertical column of air in the earth’s atmosphere puts on you and me, or any object at sea level. This is called atmospheric pressure. I will demonstrate the fact that air has weight by our first homeschool science experiment below.  Read the rest of this entry »

Engineered Building Maintenance

How it works: A team of technical experts will make a thorough review of the building and its operating history. Led by a professional engineer or architect, they will review the original construction plans and specifications, if they are available. Then they will develop a specific reoccurring maintenance program, as well as a cost estimate, for each of the building’s systems and load it on their computers.

Building systems that will be included in the maintenance program include:
1. Structural systems
2. Roofing systems
3. Exterior envelope including windows, caulking, stucco, paint
4. Air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems
5. Elevators and escalators
6. Electrical switchgear, lighting, power distribution, emergency generators
7. Plumbing systems
8. Fire sprinkler systems and pumps
9. General housekeeping and janitorial
10. Pavements and grounds
11. Utilities
12. Swimming pools and other amenities

The EBM management firm, on behalf of the building’s Owner, will negotiate contracts with the outside specialty companies that are required to perform the reoccurring maintenance work. They also will recommend items that can be performed by the Owner’s staff.

At the beginning of each month, the EBM firm’s computers will provide a printout of the scheduled maintenance for the coming month. They will provide the schedule to the building maintenance and notify the outside specialty contractors of the work that they are to complete.

Each month, an EBM maintenance manager will visit the property. During this visit, the following will be accomplished:

• They will check to see if the work for the previous month has been completed,
• Copies of all invoices from the outside specialty contractors will be provided to the Owner for payment, along with a monthly report,
• The schedule for the next month’s work will be provided to, and coordinated with, the Owner.

Non-reoccurring work: In addition to reoccurring or scheduled maintenance, occasionally the building will require emergency repairs, equipment replacements, reconfiguration, remodeling, or restoration. An EBM firm must have the qualifications and experience to manage these activities on behalf of the Owner. They will recommend consultants, oversee preparation of permit and bidding documents, and solicit bids for the work. Once construction starts, they will visit the property as required and coordinate the work. They will make recommendations on contractor payments and acceptance of the work. They then will integrate the maintenance of the new work into the building’s reoccurring maintenance schedule.

Capital Replacement Budgeting Service: Budgets for reoccurring operations and maintenance expenses can be developed simply from maintenance contractors’ bids and from historical cost records. However, capital replacement budgets require special experience and knowledge that most property management firms do not have. Most condominium association by-laws require that the Board of Directors create and maintain capital replacement budgets and funding plans. For example, roof systems, cooling towers, pool equipment, and exterior waterproofing systems have very predictable life spans. Their replacement, and the funds to pay for their replacement, can and should be planned years in advance. A quality EBM firm will provide this service for the building Owner.

EBM contract approach: A typical contract for EBM services is very simple. There is a one-time setup charge for developing the reoccurring maintenance program. Thereafter, there is a fixed monthly fee for management of the reoccurring maintenance program. Contract duration is negotiable, with 36 months being the recommended length. All specialty contractors and on-site labor are paid directly by the Owner. The EBM firm’s fee for management of non-reoccurring work is calculated as a percentage of the cost, using a sliding scale.

Benefits of EBM:
1. The comfort of knowing that your building has been thoroughly reviewed by expert technicians. The initial report and setup will be signed by a registered professional engineer or architect.
2. Establishment of a permanent record of maintenance and costs. These bring value to the property and protect the Owner’s equity, especially when it comes time to sell the building.
3. A quality EBM firm has a background in building design, engineering, construction, maintenance, and restoration gives them the knowledge of codes, vendors, costs, and consultants that most building Owners don’t have.
4. Bulk buying power, management information systems, and efficiency saves the building Owners money.
5. EBM allows you to concentrate on your business and to not waste time worrying about your building’s maintenance. Just ask yourself the question: What is the most productive use of my time? After you answer this question, then give consideration to contacting an EBM firm for a fee proposal.

How to Lower Cholesterol Naturally without Drugs

Bad dietary choices are a leading cause of many health problems, including high cholesterol levels. The primary reason for this is the consumption of to much fat in our daily diet. This is concerning because high cholesterol is one of the biggest risk factors for high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes. In other words ignoring the risks of high cholesterol can be deadly.

Fortunately it is easy to combat this problem if you know how to lower cholesterol naturally. In fact for most people fighting this serious medical condition some simple lifestyle changes are all it takes to reduce it. Read the rest of this entry »

Cholesterol Medications – Understanding the Different Classes

Diet and exercise are normally the first choice for controlling high cholesterol for many people. Unfortunately there are some people whose cholesterol does not respond to lifestyle changes but with the help of a cholesterol lowering medication they can easily manage this condition. There are several different classes of cholesterol drugs and in most cases your doctor can help prescribe the one that will work best for you.

LDL cholesterol, also known as low density lipoprotein, is the reason many of these drugs exist. LDL cholesterol is the primary culprit in the formation of arterial plaque. Plaque deposits can cause blockages and clots which are a major factor for heart disease and strokes. There are four classes of cholesterol drugs whose main function is to lower LDL levels in the blood stream. These include Statins, Bile Acid Binding Resins, Absorption Inhibitors, and Fibrates. While they work very well they also can have some discomforting side affects for some people, usually of the stomach and digestive system variety. Some people experience cramps, constipation, nausea, and bloating. Read the rest of this entry »

13 Natural Remedies That Lower Your Cholesterol

Cholesterol is not all bad. Your body naturally produces it, and it plays some pretty important roles. It helps build new cells, produce hormones and insulates the nerves. But, when you have too much, it becomes a health problem.

When cholesterol levels are high, it means you have too much yellow, mushy fat substance circulating in your blood stream, which can clog your arteries and restrict blood flow leading to heart attack, stroke or angina pain.

Another problem with cholesterol, is all the terms that come with it; such as, dietary cholesterol, serum cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Here is how to keep them all straight.

Dietary cholesterol is what is contained in food (mostly of animal origin). The American Heart Association recommends limiting your daily intake to 300 milligrams.

Serum cholesterol is what is in your bloodstream and what the doctor measures with a cholesterol test. (A reading less than 200 is desirable, a reading between 200 – 240 is borderline high risk, and a reading greater than 240 is high risk.)

HDL cholesterol (“High” Density Lipoprotein) is a distinct part of serum cholesterol that is considered “good” because of its artery cleansing ability. The “higher” the HDL level, the better.

LDL cholesterol (“Low” Density Lipoprotein) is considered to be HDL’s evil twin because of its artery clogging ability. The “lower” the LDL level, the better.

Here are 13 natural remedies that lower your cholesterol. Read the rest of this entry »

Understanding the Cholesterol Trans Fat Connection

In the last year or so the food additive trans fat seems to be in the news health reports nearly everyday. Trans fat was first developed in the 1940’s by adding hydrogen molecules into vegetable oil, which partially hardens the oil which can be used in a variety of foods. It gives foods a better taste and extends their shelf life. Up until about 1990 it was considered safe because it was produced from vegetable oils but ongoing research soon discovered that trans fats increase cholesterol levels which can increase the risk for coronary artery disease, heart disease, and strokes.

This is one case where creating a food product did not have the desired results. Trans fat does not occur naturally and was developed to help processed foods last longer while making them palatable. Unfortunately its effects on human physiology were never fully researched until 50 years after its development because it was assumed that vegetable oils derived from plant sources were safe. As science has learned more about the effects of different fats on the body this is no longer true. While some types of fat are safe others such as saturated fats and trans fats both are capable of raising cholesterol levels to unsafe levels.

Trans fats are bad for the simple reason that they raise the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood stream. LDL, or low density lipoproteins, are the bad half of the cholesterol equation. A high level of LDL cholesterol in the blood stream leads to excessive plaque build-up which blocks and clogs the arteries. This increase the risk for coronary artery disease which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, particularly if any of these plaque formations breaks free of the artery wall in the form of a blood clot. Read the rest of this entry »