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International Journal of Mental Health Systems
Prevalence and predictors of depression and anxiety among medical students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mebratu Abraha Kebede1,
Birke Anbessie1 &
Getinet Ayano2
International Journal of Mental Health Systems volume 13, Article number: 30 (2019) Cite this article
Depression and anxiety are among the common mental health problems among medical students and are associated with poor academic performance, disability and poor quality of life. A better understanding of the magnitude and correlates of depression and anxiety is essential for planning appropriate intervention for those population groups. However, research into depression and anxiety and the potential contributing factors is limited in low and middle-income countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety among medical students.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 273 medical students selected by systematic sampling technique. Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depression. Binary and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted, adjusting for the potential confounding factors. Odds ratios (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was computed to assess the strength of association.
The prevalence of co-morbid depression and anxiety was found to be 21.20% (16.35% to 26.05%) and prevalence of depression and anxiety was 51.30% (45.37% to 57.23%) and (30.1% 24.66% to 35.54%), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that being female [AOR 2.56, 95% CI (1.32, 4.95)], first-year educational level [AOR 12.06, 95% CI (2.18, 66.72)], second-year educational level [AOR 8.99, 95% CI (1.67, 48.45)] and those who had poor/low social support [AOR 5.36, 95% CI (2.08, 13.76)] were significantly association with anxiety. Students who were in the age interval of 18–21 years [AOR 2.42, 95% CI (1.64, 9.22)], first-year educational level [AOR 1.63, 95% CI (1.43, 6.26)], second-year educational level [AOR 1.39, 95% CI (1.17, 5.18)] and who had stressful life events [AOR 1.61, 95% CI (1.14, 2.76)] were significantly associated with depression among medical students.
The current study demonstrated that a remarkable proportion of medical students are suffering from depression (51.30%), anxiety (30.10%) as well as comorbid depression and anxiety (21.20%). There was strong evidence of association between anxiety and female sex, first-year educational level, second-year educational level and having poor/low social support. Whereas a significant association was observed between depression and younger age (18–21 years old), first-year educational level, second-year educational level and having one or more stressful life events in the last 6 months. Screening of depression and anxiety among medical students was recommended. Future studies focusing on better ways of preventing and treating depression and anxiety among medical students are warranted.
Depression is a significant public health problem and is characterized by sadness, loss of interest in activities and by decreased energy. It is differentiated from normal mood changes by the extent of its severity, the symptoms and the duration of the disorder [1]. Depression is the fourth most important contributor to the global burden of disease and 4.4% of the total disability adjusted life years (DAILY) is explained by depression [2, 3]. Epidemiologic evidence also showed that about 1.2% of the total burden in Africa to 8.9% in high-income countries is explained by depression [4].
Depression is common in university students especially it is high among medical students with no preponderance between males and females and in single students is higher than married ones [5, 6]. It may be a significant hidden problem in medical students and mechanisms to identify and help students with mental health problems should be seriously considered [7]. The high prevalence suggests that immediate preventive measures should be implemented, such as the setting up of psycho-pedagogic support services for students, and teacher development programs [8].
Anxiety is a vague feeling of apprehension, worry, uneasiness, or dread, the source of which is often non-specific or unknown to the individual [9]. Anxiety and depression have a huge effect on society and individual, which can lead to the suicidal tendency, relationship problems, medical dropouts, and impaired work ability. Therefore, proper counseling services required to the psychological well-being of medical students to improve their quality of life [10]. Symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders have the most significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) [11].
Psychological illnesses in the form of depression, anxiety, and stress have been reported in a substantial proportion of first-year medical students. Multiple social, demographic, behavioral, and academic factors have been found to be significantly associated with most of the studied psychological morbidities; among them, gender, residence, feeling loneliness, the inability to share families in social activities, presence of insomnia and chronic physical illnesses, studying in English language, problems with exams' criteria, and the organization of lectures' timetable were the most common [12].
Emotional disturbances in the form of depression and anxiety exist in high rate among undergraduate science students that require early intervention. Factors including the feeling of incompetence, lack of motivation to learn and difficulty of class work can be considered as a source of stressors that may precipitate for depression and anxiety [13].
Attending university is a particularly stressful time due to unique emergent stressors such as changes in environment, loss or diminishment of social support networks, academic pressures, developing peer relationships, and financial management [14]. The current educational process may have a negative effect on students' mental health, with a high frequency of anxiety among medical students [15].
Even though depression and anxiety are found to be remarkably high among medical students coupled with their impacts in causing poor academic performance, disability and poor quality of life, to our knowledge a few studies are available in East Africa including the study area (Ethiopia). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression and anxiety among medical students in the study area.
Methods and materials
Study setting, study design and period
Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2017, at St. Paul Hospital millennium medical college, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Study population
The study population consisted of All St. Paul Hospital millennium medical college medical students (from year one to internship) who were included in the sample.
Sampling procedure
The sample size was determined based on a single population proportion formula using Epi-info version 7 with a 95% CI, 5% margin of error and taking the prevalence of depression and anxiety 27.7% [26] and 40.9% [25] respectively. By considering a 10% non-response rate and applying sample correction formula a total sample size of 273 undergraduate medical students were involved in the study.
We used a systematic random sampling technique to select two hundred seventy-three (273) medical students who were included in the study. We determined the sampling interval by dividing the total study population (medical students) by the total sample size which was two. The first study participant was selected using lottery method and the next study participants were choose at a regular interval (every second interval) and interviewed by data collectors.
Data collection procedures and instrument
Data were collected using pretested an interviewer-administered questionnaire, which contains data on the outcome of interest (depression and anxiety), socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, source of income and marital status), academic-related factors (academic year of study, duration of the vacation, impact of educational vocation and academic interest), clinical factors (family history of mental illness, chronic illness), psycho-social factors (social support, stressful life events) as well as substance-related factors (khat, alcohol, tobacco and others).
The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was used to measure depression and anxiety among medical students [16]. HADS was validated and extensively used in Ethiopia [17, 18]. The tool containing 14 questions with a cut-off score for depression and anxiety of greater than or equal to 8 [16].
Social support was measured by Oslo 3-item social support scale and individual who scored 3–8, 9–11, and 12–14 were considered as having poor, moderate and strong social support respectively [19].
Stressful life events were measured using self-report of experiencing one or more major stressful life events (including health-related problems, death significant others, and financial crisis) in the last 6 months.
In the current study, substance use such as alcohol, cigarette, and khat indicates current use. Of those substances. Those participants who have a history of substance use in the last month were considered as current users.
Data quality control issues
The training was given to the data collectors and supervisors on the data collection tool and sampling techniques by the researcher. Supervision was held regularly during the data collection period both by the researcher, co-investigators and supervisors to check on a daily basis for completeness and consistency.
Data processing and analysis
After cleaning, data was entered, into EPI info version 3.14 then it was exported to SPSS versions 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) was used to explain the study participant in relation to study variables. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to determine the presences of statistically significant associations between the independent variables and depression and anxiety. Those variables having a p-value less than 0.2 were entered into the multivariate logistic regression model to identify the effect of each independent variable with the outcome variables. The strength of the association was presented by odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. A p-value of < 0.05 on multivariate analyses was considered as statistically significant.
Ethical clearance was obtained from the IRB ethical review board of SPHMMC. After thoroughly discussing, the ultimate purpose and method of the study, written consent was sought from SPHMMC and informed verbal consent was obtained from each respondent. The respondents were informed that their inclusion in the study was voluntary and they were free to withdraw from the study if they are not willing to participate. If any question they do not want to answer they had the right to do so. To ensure the confidentiality of respondents, their names were left out on the questionnaire. All interviews were individually to keep confidentiality. All study participants who become case were linked to an outpatient psychiatric clinic at SPHMMC after getting permission from them.
Socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents
A total of 273 participants were included in the study which makes the response rate 98.5%. The mean age of the respondents was 1.61 (SD = 0.65) years. Among the respondents, the majority 129 (48%) were in the age range of 18–21 years, 163 (60.6%) were male, 256 (95.2%) were unmarried, 163 (60.6%) were orthodox religion members and 249 (92.6%) had no additional source of income (Table 1).
Table 1 Descriptions of Socio demographic characteristics among undergraduate medical students at SPHMMC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2016/2017
Educational, clinical, psychosocial and substance use characteristics of the respondents
The majority of the participants had the interest to study medical health 222 (82.5%). About 189 (70.3%) of them reported that a short vocational status (part-time work). However, most of the participants who had part-time work 163 (60.6%) reported that the length of the vocational period does not have an impact on their education.
Regarding clinical related characteristics, most of the participant had no history of chronic illness (94.4%) as well as a family history of mental illness (90.3%). Nearly half of the participant 129 (48%) had intermediate social support and 29% of the participant had low social support.
More than half of students had no history of stressful life events in last 6 month 144 (53.5%) and 206 (76.6%) of them had no any history of substance (khat, cigarette, and alcohol) use in the last 3 months (Table 2).
Table 2 Description of clinical, psychosocial and substance use characteristics among undergraduate medical students at SPHMMC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2016/2017
The magnitude of depression and anxiety among medical students
The prevalence of co-morbid depression and anxiety was found to be 21.20% (16.35% to 26.05%) and prevalence of depression and anxiety was 51.3% (45.37% to 57.23%) and (30.1% 24.66% to 35.54%), respectively.
Factors associated with depression and anxiety among medical students
The multivariable logistic regression revealed that the odds of anxiety was higher among medical students who are female adjusted odds ratios [AORs, 2.56, 95% CI (1.32, 4.95)], first-year educational level [AOR 12.06, 95% CI (2.18, 66.72)], second-year educational level [AOR 8.99, 95% CI (1.67, 48.45)] and those who had poor/low social support [AOR 5.36, 95% CI (2.08, 13.76) (Table 3). Whereas, being in age ranges between 18 and 21 years [AOR 2.42, 95% CI (1.64, 9.22)], first-year educational level [AOR 1.63, 95% CI (1.43, 6.26)], second-year educational level [AOR 1.39, 95% CI (1.17, 5.18)] and who had stressful life events [AOR 1.61, 95% CI (1.14, 2.76)] were significant associated with depression among medical students (Table 4).
Table 3 Factors associated with anxiety among undergraduate medical students at SPHMMC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2016/2017
In this study, the prevalence of depression and anxiety among medical students and their possible association with various variables were assessed. The results from the current survey revealed that a remarkable proportion of medical students had depression, anxiety as well as comorbid depression and anxiety. One in two medical students found to have depression and one in three and one in five of the students reported anxiety and comorbid depression and anxiety, respectively.
Table 4 Factors associated with depression among undergraduate medical students at SPHMMC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2016/2017
The prevalence and associated factors of anxiety
The magnitude of anxiety among medical students in the current study (30.1%) was in line with other study conducted in Brazil 33.7% [8]. Contrarily the prevalence of anxiety in the current study was higher than the studies conducted in India (9.8%) [10], and Nepal (5%) [20]. Furthermore, the magnitude of anxiety in the current study was lower than the studies conducted in Egypt (73%) [21], Bahrein (51%) [22], and Brazil (37.2%) [22], Ethiopia) (40.9%) [23], Egypt (78.4%) [12], Pakistan (70.7%) [24], India (66.9%) [25], and in (84.5%) [13]. The possible reasons for the observed difference include the instrument used to measure anxiety, the sample size, the course load and the existing socio-cultural differences among the countries.
Regarding associated factors, the multivariate logistic regression analysis in the current study showed that being females were 2.56 times more likely to have anxiety than males. The possible reason might be increased exposure to acute life events, gender-specific roles, and smaller social networks. The current result is smaller than the study conducted in Northeast Brazil [8] but higher than the study conducted in the University of Gondar, Ethiopia [23].
Students who were the first year medical students had 12.06 times more likely to have anxiety as compared with those who were 6-year medical students. This might be due to exposure to a new environment, new friends, apart from family or new teaching–learning process. This is relatively higher than the study conducted previously in Abbottabad (Pakistan) [15]; this might be due to the difference in socio-demographic, culture, teaching environment or curriculum.
In addition, students who were second-year medical students had 8.99 times more likely to have anxiety as compared with those who were a six-year medical student which is high. This might be due to the number of credit hours of the lesson, exposed to new medical words which are difficult to understand and easily hold and taking the exam frequently.
Regarding social support, students who had poor/low social support were 5.36 times more likely to have anxiety than students who had good social support; this might be due to the feeling of loneliness and lack of social interaction. The current result is higher than the study conducted at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia [23].
The prevalence and factors associated with depression
The study revealed that the prevalence of depression was (51.3% (CI 46.0, 56.9) high. Regarding the prevalence, the current study's finding was similar to other studies carried out in the different area of India 49.1% [7] and 51.3% [25]. However, the current study result is higher than the studies conducted in Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia) which were 27.7% [26], in University of Gondar (Ethiopia) which was 40.9% [23], in Madinah (Saudi Arabia) which was 28.3% [27], Sangareddy (India) which was 14% [10] and North East Brazil which was 33.7% [8]; but lower than the study conducted in Egypt which was 63.6% [12], in Tabriz (Iran) which was 62.7% [28], in Malaysia which was 64.4% [13], in India which was 58% [5] and in Karachi (Pakistan) which was 70% [24]. The variation might be due to the difference in sample size and data collection tool which was SRQ-20 with 836 participants in the University of Gondar, Ethiopia [23], DASS-21 with 421 participants in Egypt [12], PQ-2 with 60 participants in Madinah, Saudi Arabia [27], BDI with 175 participants in Tabziz, Iran [28], DASS-21 with 194 participants in Malaysia [13], BDI with participant in India [7], SRQ-20 with 172 participants in North east Brazil [8];difference in data collection tool which was CES-D in Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia [26], DASS-21 in Odisha, India [25], PHQ-9 in India [5], DASS-42 Sangareddy, India [10] and AKUADS in Karachi (Pakistan) [24].
The multivariate logistic regression analysis in the current study showed that students who were in the age interval of 18–21 years were 2.42 times more likely to have depression as compared than those who were 25 and above years old. The current result is similar to the study conducted in the International Islamic University of Malaysia [13].
Regarding educational level, those who are the first year and second-year medical students were 1.63 and 1.39 times more likely to have depression respectively as compared to those who were 6-year medical students. The current finding is similar to the study conducted in India [5]. This might be due to lack of social interaction; unfamiliar types exam schedule; lower grade than anticipated; lack of vacation or break [23] or language problem [7].
With respect to stressful life events, students who had faced one or more of stressful life events in the last 6 months were 1.61 times more likely to have depression as compared to those who had not faced stressful life events in the last 6 months. This might be due to the loss of close family or friends; financial crises or family problems. The current result is lower than the study conducted in India [5] and the University of Gondar, Ethiopia [23].
The strength and limitation of the study
The present study had several strengths: (1) We used adequate sample size and the participants were involved from a well-defined catchment area; (2) We measure our outcome of interest (depression and anxiety) using standard and validated instrument (HADS); (3) we also estimated the prevalence of coexisting anxiety and depression among the study participants.
However, the current study also had some limitations: first, due to the cross sectional nature of the study the association between different factors and anxiety as well as depression may not imply causation; second, the possibility of recall bias because of the retrospective nature of cross-sectional studies: thirdly, not measuring the effects of other comorbid psychiatric disorders may overestimated or underestimate the observed associations.
The present study revealed a considerably higher prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depression (21.20%), depression (51.3%), and anxiety (30.1%), among medical students. There was strong evidence of an association between anxiety and female sex, first-year educational level, second-year educational level and having poor/low social support. Whereas a significant association was observed between depression and younger age (18–21 years old), first-year educational level, second-year educational level and having one or more stressful life events in the last 6 months. Screening of depression and anxiety among medical students was recommended. Future studies focusing on better ways of preventing and treating depression and anxiety among medical students are warranted.
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The authors acknowledge saint Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Ethiopia for funding the study and the IRB of the institution for their ethical evaluation and approval. The authors appreciate the respective study institutions and the study participants for their cooperation in providing the necessary information.
This research work is funded by Saint Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, federal ministry of health of Ethiopia.
Department of Research, Saint Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, POBox 171, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mebratu Abraha Kebede
& Birke Anbessie
Research and Training Department, Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Getinet Ayano
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MAK conceived the study and was involved in the study design, reviewed the article, analysis, report writing and drafted the manuscript. GA were involved in the study design, analysis and drafted the manuscript. BA was involved in writing and edition of revised manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to Mebratu Abraha Kebede.
Ethical approval was obtained from Saint Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College. Confidentiality was maintained at all levels of the survey. Informed, written consent was obtained from each study participant. The right to withdraw from the research process at any point in time was respected. Privacy and strict confidentiality was maintained during the interview process.
Kebede, M.A., Anbessie, B. & Ayano, G. Prevalence and predictors of depression and anxiety among medical students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Int J Ment Health Syst 13, 30 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0287-6


Identify one of the original research hypotheses from your Week One Assignment that you will fully research and examine for the Capstone Research Project.
Identify three research variables which you believe will answer, confirm, or refute your research hypothesis and answer your research question.
Explain how each of the three research variables relates to your hypothesis.
Identify how each of the three research variables will be measured in order to confirm or deny your research hypothesis.
Provide an annotated bibliography that accurately describes your literature review for the Capstone Research Project.
Identify eight resources, other than the course textbook, that you will use to research and evaluate your research variables and utilize to confirm or deny your research hypothesis. At least five of your resources must be found in the Ashford Online Library. (Be sure to note those resources you found in the Ashford Online Library).
For each of the eight resource identified, describe in two to three sentences how each the resource supports your research.


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CAUSATION and RELATIVE EVENTS AND BEHAVIORS: "Evil?" or "Ignorance, Stupidity, and Insanity"?
[Walter Driscoll asked to interview me in order to preserve on video some of the latest modifications and evolutions in the versions of the message offered here since 1989. He would label the discussion, "Unlearning with Floyd Henderson."
Please note: For those who have a problem hearing what is being shared, the video offers a fairly accurate set of closed captions which some listeners might want to activate.
The interview is available for viewing by clicking on video "NUMBER THIRTEEN" in the column to the right.]
6. Or, you may purchase a Floyd Henderson Shopify Gift Card here for someone and offer recommendations for the books in Floyd's store which might be of assistance to them.
7. You may click here to visit Floyd's bookstore which offers both digital books and paperback books which deal with non-duality, non-duality-based fictional adventures, recovery, financial sanity, financial planning, and more.
CAUSATION and RELATIVE EVENTS AND BEHAVIORS:
"Evil?" or "Ignorance, Stupidity, and Insanity"?
A REVIEW OF THE KEY POINTERS REGARDING THE DUALISTIC BELIEF IN "GOOD" VS. "EVIL"
"Little else blocks the understanding of cause / causes as much as the 'good' vs. 'evil' beliefs which are rooted in dogma and politics."
--Floyd Henderson
"It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant."
--Barack Obama
"The cause of all is . . . all."
--Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
236. The case with the non-realized masses is this: they do not have a clue about who (or more accurately "what") they are, and that is total craziness . . . total insanity, is it not?
Nor do they have a clue about the actual "causes" of happenings which they hate. Little else blocks the understanding of cause / causes as much as the "good" vs. "evil" beliefs which are rooted in dogma and politics.
Add in the effects of the Ultimate Sickness factors of "ignorance, stupidity and insanity" (Maharaj) and it becomes clear why the "godly" and "political" forces who are escalating the spread of dual-mindedness are experiencing such "success."
[And make no mistake about it: The pointer Obama offered fourteen years ago about those two forces is even more spot on today than in 2008 when he first addressed that phenomenon by saying, "It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant." For them, to spread ignorance and belief in their agendas is "success" to them.]
237. Maharaj made clear that persons are dissociated, trapped in a sense of WHO-ness without any awareness that there is no "personal who" (or "Personal Who" / a.k.a. "God") at all. It's all just "made up," "conceptualized," or - to use his word - "invented." The same is true with every word used to invent a personal identification (or multiple identifications, as it is).
238. "Hindu." Just made up. "Jew." Just made up. "Muslim." Just made up. "Christian." Just made up. Just like all of their duality-based and duality-generating and duality-sustaining and insanity-creating dogma.
All just made up. To paraphrase Churchill, "Never has so much relative chaos and conflict been inflicted on so many by so few" (that is, by the few who dreamed up - invented - the myth-and-superstition-based cults that have evolved into the most influential organizations on the planet and that have become the key source of nonsensical thinking and nonsensical talking and nonsensical behavior).
239. And the personas assigned by those organizations, in conjunction with all of the other personality identifications that are assumed or assigned in homes and in cultures around the globe, have left the planet with nearly eight billion persons who do not have a clue about who they are;
who do not have a clue that the subconscious agendas of their false, multiple personalities are determining their every thought and word and action, even as they believe they are choosing to do what they do; and who do not have a clue about actual cause / causes.
240. As a highly-intelligent woman was told during a Skype session when she rejected that pointer, "Okay, so look back over your thirty-two-year existence and consider the insane, self-destructive, self-defeating things you told me that you've done. If you had chosen to do those, you would have had to be a very dumb woman. But you are not. So you tell me why you think those things were done."
241. But more to the point, to do some of the things that her parents and acquaintances and culture have classified as "bad" and "evil" would mean that someone can explain without equivocation and without exception exactly what is "absolutely good and right" and what is "absolutely bad and wrong" in an existence that is relative and non-absolute in its very nature and at its very core.
242. Were "evil" actually to exist, the closest thing to that would have to be persons who believe they know exactly what is "absolutely good and right" and what is "absolutely bad and wrong."
That is why Maharaj made clear that "only that person will visit [the loft] whose virtue and sin have come to an end," and that is why only those persons whose virtue and sin have both come to end will stay for very long in this electronic loft.
Nowadays, time here is only spent with those who are free of both virtue and sin or with those who are seeking that freedom. Beyond that, the solitude is far preferable to being exposed to persons who believe that they are either "virtuous" or "sinful."
243. It is those who are convinced of their rightness and their virtue and their higher level of morality (and who love their sense of rightness and virtue and morality because they believe those differentiate them from "others") who can hate those whom they conclude are devoid of rightness and virtue and morality.
244. That "love-hate" duality is totally removed from Real Love and from the wisdom of the no-identity, no-belief, no-concept, non-dual understanding and is at the root of all so-called "acts of hatred" or "evil acts" which are really acts of ego and egotism and, therefore, insanity.
245. What could be crazier than allowing the agendas of a group of hidden mirages (false identities) to drive one to insane thoughts and insane words and insane deeds? Nothing.
246. None of that could happen if one were sane enough to know that there are no "who's" and that there is only "what"; thus, the invitation here has always been to find "WHAT is" rather than "WHO is."
247. Yet most are attached to the multiple "who's" which they think define them, and nothing that ever happened and which persons have called "evil" acts (which are actually acts of ignorance and stupidity and insanity) could have occurred except for the fact that a "personal who" - that is, a false identity - had been assigned or adopted before those actions.
248. What if there had there been no "Christians" who had been told to go to the four corners of the earth and baptize everyone in the name of Jesus Christ"? Then no "Holocaust of the Americas" during which white Europeans Christians killed 150,000,000 people in "The New World."
249. What if there had been no "Muslims" who weretaught to destroy infidels and spawn acts of what they deem to be 'justifiable homicide in response to' . . . "?
Then no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Lebanon, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Spain, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in the Mediterranean Sea on the "Achille Lauro," no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Rome or Vienna,
no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in the skies over Athens, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in West Berlin, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in the skies over Lockerbie,
no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens beneath the World Trade Center, no-religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens by flying planes into the World Trade Center and other sites on 9-11,
no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Riyadh, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Dhahran, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Nairobi, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Karachi,
no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Jeddah, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Amman, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Damascus, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Algeria,
no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Yemen, no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Benghazi, and no religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens in Ankara, to cite only a few examples.
250. Moreover, no "U.S. citizens who are 'Citizens of the Greatest Country on the Planet' who need to invade and occupy and control and influence the rest of the world"? Then far fewer of the religion-inspired murders of U.S. citizens catalogued in #249.
251. Maharaj said, "After the information given to you by the mother, that you are a boy or girl, all your further acquisitions are by hearsay."
252. It is those persona-based "further acquisitions" that set the stage for all insane thoughts; moreover; insane thoughts lead to insane words, and it is from insane words (including the ones that happen when personas "speak" within) that insane deeds evolve.
253. Without a duality-based "us vs. them" mentality, there could not have been any religions; any wars; any holocausts; any financial crises such as the recent one that was hatched by and unleashed upon the planet's population by the most greedy persons in the U.S.;
any New Town shooting; any Boston bombing; any Uvalde, Texas slaughter of children and teachers; any slaughter of those in Highland Park, Illinois; any of the millions or billions of really mentally and emotionally sick parents who drive their children insane; or any of the insanity that touches the relative existence of the billions among the non-realized masses every day.
There has long been a warped joke in the U.S. that goes like this: "Insanity is hereditary: you get it from your kids."
The fact: Insanity is "hereditary" to the degree that you get it from a long chain of insane ancestors who eventually passed it down to your parents who, in turn, have made it your family legacy.
"It's like all of those guys take pride in being ignorant." Might you be the one to finally break that chain, a chain which imprisons the mind? Or, will egotism continued to inspire defending them and even inspire taking pride in what they have passed down?
Many who have come here had their "Will Smith Oscars Moment," wanting to slap me and then yell at me to "Keep my parent's name out yo f*ckin' mouth!"
As Maharaj made clear, You will never control what comes out of my mouth. What came out of his mouth was not for his own 'good,' but it might well be for your own 'good'."
That can happen when the pure, universal consciousness speaks and when the finally-unblocked consciousness of a listener is able to hear clearly.
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CAUSATION and RELATIVE EVENTS AND BEHAVIORS: "Evil...
CAUSATION and RELATIVE EVENTS AND BEHAVIORS: "Ev...
CAUSATION and RELATIVE EVENTS AND BEHAVIORS "Evil...
CAUSATION and RELATIVE EVENTS AND BEHAVIORS: "Evi...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Abstract: We introduce the notion of cube complex with coupled link (CLCC) as a mean of constructing interesting CAT(0) cubulated groups. CLCCs are defined locally, making them a useful tool to use when precise control over the links is required. In this paper we study some general properties of CLCCs, such as their (co)homological dimension and criteria for hyperbolicity. Some examples of fundamental groups of CLCCs are RAAGs, RACGs, surface groups and some manifold groups. As immediate applications of our criteria, we reprove the fact that RACGs are hyperbolic if and only if their defining graph is 5-large and we also provide a number of explicit examples of 3-dimensional cubulated hyperbolic groups.


Date Column – shows the date on which the transaction took place.
Particulars Column – This column includes the name of purchasers and the particulars of goods sold.
Outward Invoice No. Column – Reveals the serial number of the outward invoice.
L.F. Column – The page number of the customer's accounts in the Ledger is recorded.
Total Column – This column shows the net amount which is receivable from the customers.


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text:
badbills.com
Legislature 101
MT Legislature 101
The 2021 session of the Montana Legislature begins on January 4, 2021, and is scheduled to end on Day 90; April 28th. For a complete calendar of the session, visit: Session Calendar.
Because most folks do not understand how a law is made, we thought it valuable to give a simple step-by-step (Stage) description of the process:
The Legislature:
Montana operates under a bicameral system; House of Representative and Senate. The House has 100 members, and the Senate 50 members. Each Senate district includes 2 House districts. The House and Senate convene in separate chambers in the capitol. Each chamber have visitor galleries. The Republicans sit on the left side of the aisle (if you are standing in the back), the Democrats on the right.
The leader of the House is called the Speaker of the House. The leader of the Senate is called the President. The majority party (whichever party has the most elected) control the leadership positions, and select all the committee chairman. The percentage of democrats v. republicans on each committee is generally the same as those serving in the Senate or House.
The House and Senate run their business totally separate from each other. The Senate is referred to the 'upper house' and the House is referred to the 'lower house'. (There has always be a rumor that the House is technically 1" higher than the Senate, but no one has provided proof)
As a citizen, you are permitted to walk onto the floor of either the House or Senate, EXCEPT if the '2 hour rule' is in force. The public is not allowed to enter unescorted during that time (2 hours before the House or Senate convene, and 2 hours after they are dismissed).
Session Rules:
The legislators operate during the session under rules that they create for each session. These rules spell out the detailed procedures and deadlines. The House has a set of rules, and the Senate have their own. The rules are under the authority of a Rules Committee. They must conform to the Montana Constitution, and current Montana statute (MCA). It is not uncommon to see the legislature vote to suspend the use of the rules in special situations.
Hearings:
Every bill has at least one public hearing. In Montana, anyone can testify at a hearing. There is a signup sheet at the door, but that is only a record of attendance. It is not an indication of testifiers or an order of testimony. Testimony is strictly 'first-come first-serve'.
Often there are several bills presented at every hearing. The bill order is declared at the very beginning of the hearing period. The presentation is the same for every bill. The legislator sponsoring the bill introduces it and describes it. He basically must 'sell' it to the committee. Next, the chairman of the committee will open up the hearing for those supporting the bill (proponents). After all the proponents speak, the chairman will open ask for any opponents.
After all testimony is completed, the chairman will allow the committee members to ask questions of anyone that testified. After all questions have been asked, the chairman will ask the sponsor for any closing remarks. The legislator will generally address some of the opponents' testimony (still trying to convince the committee to support the bill). The chairman will close the hearing on the bill, and move to the next one.
The length of time for each side, and individuals is totally at the discretion of the chairman. If there are many bills to be heard, and many people planning to testify, the chairman may decide to restrict testimony in time. There is occasion where time will run out and the chairman will simply allow remaining testifiers to come forward and state their names and addresses. A hearing on a single bill may take 30-45 minutes.
The Bill Stages
As a bill moves through the system, it passes many stages. Along the way it will change shape and size. We have divided a bill's route into four stages. The higher the stage number - the closer to the governor's desk. (i.e. Stage 1 = bill draft requested, Stage 4 = waiting for the governor's signature). Below are the details on each stage (as well as how the whole thing works):
Bill Stage 1
Prior to the beginning of each session legislators fill out a simple form that describes the title of the bill they want to introduce. This form is given to a special department located in the capitol building; The Legislative Services Division. It is this department's responsibility to work with each legislator in drafting the bill in 'legal-ease'.
Most people do not realize that many bill requests are submitted months before the session begins. By September , there are often over 500 bill requests submitted (months before the session even began). These requests were submitted by Senators that were in office (they serve 4 year terms – thus running every other time), and Senators and Representatives that were running unopposed.
After all the dust settles there is usually over 3000 requests submitted during a session. Not all of these requests are introduced. And it is not unusual to see some cancelled for various reasons. All bill requests are assigned a reference number with a 'LC' prefix (i.e. LCxxx). This is not the official bill number, only a reference number.
Generally, drafting must be completed on these bills no later than the 30th day of the session (the session is 90 days total). The only exception relates to appropriation bills. These bills can be drafted at any time.
When the bill draft is complete, the bill is assigned an official bill number (HBxxx – House bill, SBxxx – Senate bill, etc) and officially introduced. (Under current rules, a bill may be given an official House or Senate bill # BEFORE 'Day 1' of the legislative session.)
If a bill is sponsored by a Senator, it becomes a senate bill (SBxxx). If by a House member, it becomes a house bill (HBxxx).
Every senate bill has a 1st reading, public hearing, 2nd reading and 3rd reading on the Senate side. The same bill (if not killed) is passed to the House for 1st reading, public hearing, 2nd reading and 3rd reading. (A house bill follows the same path, BUT starts in the House and heads toward the Senate.)
A bill can be 'killed' by a committee vote after the hearing, full floor vote after floor debate during 2nd reading, or full floor vote during 3rd reading.
To achieve support, it is common to see the original language of a bill altered with 'amendments' during its travel through the process. It is rare for a successful bill to end up exactly as it started.
(Open debate on any bill will only occur during the public hearing or 2nd reading.)
If a bill succeeds all the way through third reading, it is 'transmitted' to the 'other side'.
This MUST happen BEFORE the halfway point (45th day) of the session. Any bill (except appropriation bills) that does not cross over by this deadline will automatically die.
This stage is the 'other side'. If the bill was a house bill, it now will be considered by the Senate (if it was a senate bill, now it is in the House). The bill number stays the same. The Senate gives the bill a 1st reading, public hearing, 2nd reading and 3rd reading.
So once again, the public is given opportunity to speak for or against the bill. But this time it may be changed in language through amendments.
Many people assume that there is only one hearing on a bill. They show up for the first one, but never come back. It is very important to return to Helena for the second hearing. None of the committee members hearing testimony will know anything about what happened in the previous hearing.
Any bill succeeding in 3rd reading in Stage 3 is then sent to the governor for final approval. The governor can sign the bill or veto the bill. If the governor decided not to sign the bill, it becomes law anyway. If the governor vetoes the bill, the legislature is given opportunity to vote to override the veto. It requires 2/3 of the legislators to vote for override. If the bill passed by a slim margin, generally the veto stands (2/3 is a lot of votes).
Approved bills are then officially added to Montana's law books. The new law books are typically ready for purchase by the following October.
Copyright (C) Steve White 2020
© 2020 badbills.com | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy


For some people, B2B sales offers the thrill a pro athlete feels right before a big game. For others, B2B sales is the equivalent of going to the dentist the day after Halloween.
If there's a way to sell more in B2B, you want to find it. And I'm going to share 5 different ways you can do exactly that.
Business-to-business (B2B) sales is the process of selling a product or service to another business. You could be selling a SaaS product, IT support, office supplies, or app development—as long as you're selling from one business to another, it falls under the B2B sales umbrella.
How can B2B brands improve their sales process to close more deals (and increase the average revenue per sale) without breaking the bank to do it?
How Can B2B Brands Sell More?
I know, I know—everybody is always talking about acquisition.
So it's not all about acquisition.
If you're in any sales role at a B2B company—sales manager, head of sales, CEO, etc.—I'll bet you're looking for both of those things too.
So what can you actually do to sell more in 2019?
B2B sales is becoming more and more difficult every year.
According to Demandbase and the 2018 Demand Gen Report, B2B sales cycles are getting longer and more people are getting involved along the way.
If each sale is demanding more and more time from your B2B salespeople, what can you do to increase sales besides just hiring more talent?
Double down on content marketing.
So they're doing more research, but where is that research happening?
According to BigCommerce, 89% of B2B researchers use the internet in their research process, and they conduct 12 searches before ever reaching out to a single vendor.
Are these just empty statistics on what B2B buyers think they value most?
So what does this mean for B2B sales?
If your team is investing in content, your sales process is going to require a lot less legwork along the way. Your buyers are already doing research on their own time. They're already searching for content to help them decide between you and your competitors.
…YOU can be the one who creates the content they're searching for.
If they Google "Your Company vs Your Competitor," wouldn't you rather be the one who answers their questions?
And with that, let's jump into the tactical side.
The first thing you need to do is attract strangers who know nothing about you to your website. After you've attracted them, you can convert, close and delight.
How do you—a B2B marketer or salesperson—actually attract these people?
The people you're trying to attract have questions they want answers to, topics they're interested in, and problems they're trying to solve.
If you can create content that answers those questions, explains those topics, and solves those problems, you'll start attracting folks to your website.
But how do you find these questions, topics and problems?
You can use tools like Ahrefs, Moz and Keywords Everywhere to find the keywords your audience is searching for.
"SEO best practices" is searched 2,600 times every month in Google. It's a topic people are actively looking for answers to.
Figure out what questions your audience is asking, then create content to answer those questions.
Understanding your audience and what they care about is a crucial step in creating great content.
And one of the best places to learn about that audience of yours is in communities.
Spend some time in relevant Facebook Groups, Quora, popular forums in your industry—wherever your audience is hanging out. Once you know where they're spending time, you'll be able to bring in the right kind of traffic to your site.
Look for popular topics and questions. If a lot of people are asking the same question or following a particular thread, then there's clearly an appetite for that topic.
That means over 100 Quora users want to see answers to that question.
And if we create a blog post on the subject, we can share the key takeaways directly in Quora to attract even more traffic to our post.
More traffic → More leads → More sales.
The more qualified visitors you can attract to your website, the more opportunities you'll have to fill your pipeline with qualified leads.
So you're generating more traffic using some of the tactics above.
You're creating content your audience is searching for, implementing some SEO best practices for B2B brands (see what we did there?) and getting your content in front of the right people—and your traffic is climbing.
But if your goal is to make more sales, what's next?
Converting visitors into leads, of course.
We've attracted visitors, so we're officially entering the Convert stage. We need to find a way to convert this traffic into leads.
By putting calls-to-actions in your content.
These pages are generating traffic.
And that's a great first step!
But until you convert that traffic into leads, it won't do an awful lot to help your business accomplish its goals—which in your case is more sales.
Whenever you create a piece of content to attract visitors to your site, make sure you include calls-to-action that will inspire your visitors to do something.
So you're getting great traffic and the pipeline is filling up quick.
Qualifying and closing the leads you're generating.
Should you send every lead straight to your CRM for sales to contact?
As you scale up your inbound marketing efforts and attract more traffic and leads, your sales team is going to be spending A LOT of valuable time reaching out to leads that may or may not be qualified.
Create more high-level, conversion-focused content that you can automatically share with leads after they give you their contact information.
When someone downloads a free resource through their blog and becomes a lead, the first thing Close.io's sales team wants to know is whether that person is actually interested in a new CRM.
If the answer is no, then there's no reason for their sales team to spend time talking to that lead right now.
But how can the sales team figure out what that lead's intentions are without talking to them?
Using bottom-of-funnel content like comparison pages.
Who is most likely to look at a page comparing rival CRMs?
Someone who's interested in buying & wants to find the best CRM software, of course.
So Close sets up an automated email sequence that shares their comparison content with new leads after they opt in. If a lead clicks through and spends time on the page, then sales is notified that this lead is worth reaching out to.
And it doesn't have to be all automated—your sales team can also use bottom-of-funnel content like this to nurture leads on their own.
When a lead researches alternatives, your sales reps can share this comparison content to help control the narrative about which solution is best for that prospective buyer (and they'll save precious time in the process).
Since the average cost of an in-house SDR is over $6,000 per month, saving that precious time can directly lead to you getting more value out of your SDRs.
Without bottom-of-funnel content, your sales team has to do all the heavy lifting with every lead that finds their way into your system. Create content that can be used to qualify leads before you even reach out.
It's incredibly helpful, but there's a bit of a learning curve.
Will the more tech-savvy Ahrefs users figure it out on their own?
Most likely—and that's perfectly fine!
But what about Ahrefs users who aren't up to speed on the technical side of SEO but still want to take advantage of the new feature?
So what did Ahrefs do?
Instead of just shipping the new and improved site audit feature and calling it a day, Ahrefs CMO Tim Soulo published a complete guide on how to use the new tool.
Again—what does this have to do with B2B sales?
Ahrefs armed their existing customers with the know-how to painlessly use the product and see awesome results.
The more those customers love using the product, the more they're going to use it (obvious, yes).
And the more they use it, the more likely they are to keep renewing their subscription or even upgrade to a plan with higher usage limits.
Just like that, the company increases their chances of keeping customers around and increases their revenue per customer—all by investing in content that helps their users.
Don't spend all your time creating content to attract leads while ignoring your existing customers.
If they're not using your product to its full potential, they won't feel like they're getting the value they paid for. If they don't think your product has enough value, the likelihood of churn will be sky-high.
Helping your customers succeed helps you succeed as well.
So you're attracting traffic to your website, converting that traffic into leads, qualifying and closing those leads, and setting your customers up for success.
Turn happy customers into your very own team of promoters.
Just like Ben S. here, who's raving about Ahrefs on G2 Crowd.
The Yelpification of B2B is real.
Just as you check Yelp to see what people think of a new restaurant before you make a reservation, B2B buyers look to reviews, testimonials and case studies to see what their peers think before they buy your product.
If the reviews are positive, your chances of closing that potential buyer climb.
If there was a way to make your customers so happy that they went out of their way to write glowing reviews, would you want to do it?
There is a way—and you're already well on your way to doing it.
And #4 is the big one for your content marketing strategy.
If you have a great product, a great support team, and great how-to's and product onboarding content, the next thing you need to do is to think outside your product.
Create content that genuinely helps your audience—even if it isn't directly related to using your product.
You can't manage ad campaigns in Buffer, so this post isn't a product tutorial. It's entirely focused on helping customers—current and future—succeed with their marketing.
If your audience sees you as a provider of value outside of the product they're paying for, their perception of you is going to be positive.
If you want to up your B2B sales numbers this year, then it's time to invest in content marketing that will grow your website, fill your sales pipeline, close more deals and convert happy customers into really happy promoters.
How have you used content marketing to sell more in B2B?


text:
Big Black Book
Cars & Tech
Charles P. Pierce
Read Every Article Esquire Has Ever Published
The Best Cold-Weather Running Gear
For a Gaming Generation, John Madden Was Football
How to Trim Your Beard at Home
Great Classic Films to Stream on Netflix
Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.
A Brief History of Playing Cards
Esquire's Answer Fella believes that there are no stupid questions, just stupid people who don't ask questions, fearing they'll look stupid. So ask Answer Fella anything. If he doesn't know the answer, he'll find out who does or who has a guess that sounds right.
By Answer Fella
I once heard that there's a story behind a deck of playing cards, i.e., the suicide king had his heart broken by the queen of hearts. Is this true? What's the tale?
If only it were that simple. The true story is that the queen of hearts was once wed to the king of hearts, until he caught her giving the jack of diamonds a royal flush, whereupon he yanked the jack off, grabbed the nearby ace of spades, and clubbed them both to death.
But seriously. Playing cards are cultural artifacts tracing back at least a millennium, beginning in China before A.D. 1000. By the 13th century, they had reached the Middle East; the oldest known deck, from Egypt's Mamluk period, already consisted of 52 cards.
The Islamic suits were adapted variously in southern Europe in the late 14th century, and figures and caricatures were added. The pattern that we now consider standard -- hearts, clubs, spades, diamonds, kings, queens, and jacks -- originated in France in the mid-15th century. The French liked to use representations of specific persons on their court cards, but they varied from deck to deck, place to place, and time to time. These featured kings supposed to represent Charlemagne, Alexander the Great, Caesar, and King David, and queenly portrayals of Pallas, Greek goddess of war and wisdom, Helen of Troy, and Rachel and Judith, two Old Testament heroines. Speculation abounds about the jacks, but most experts agree that they are based on La Hire, one of Joan of Arc's comrades; Hector, a prince of Troy; Judas Maccabaeus, an ancient Jewish warrior; and Brad Pitt.
Got a question? Send it to Answer Fella via esquire.com/talk.
The Elite Press Can't Look the Monster in the Eye
The Freezing Truck Driver Case Lives On in Gorsuch
The Romneys and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr., American Preacher
The Ohio Gerrymanderers Just Took Another Hit
Nobody Cares That Afghans Are Starving?
SCOTUS Vaccine Decision Was an Opening Shot
How Can You Stop the Virus When You Can't See It?
Jan 6 Indictment Describes a Sophisticated Plot
Herschel Walker Makes Tommy Tuberville Look Good
The Drugging of the American Boy
The Abortion Ministry of Dr. Willie Parker
Mark Wahlberg: The Modern Fatherhood of a Street Kid
The State of The American Dog
This Is Video Proof of What Could Be the Fastest Muscle Car Ever
We Are Living in a Golden Age of Movies
A Part of Hearst Digital Media Esquire participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.


Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
In the bowl of a food processor pulse together the artichoke hearts, spinach, and mayonnaise until the artichoke hearts are broken up. Add the cheddar and 1 cup of the gruyere, lemon juice and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Transfer the dip to an oven proof container then top with remaining ½ cup of gruyere cheese. In a small bowl combine the Panko breadcrumbs and the remaining olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the artichoke dip and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
While the dip is baking, make the crostini to serve alongside. Slice the baguette into ½" slices. Brush with the remaining olive oil and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in the same oven as the dip for about 10 minutes or until golden brown and crunchy.
Serve the spinach and artichoke dip warm along with a handful of the crostini.


text:
Sanzone Tax & Accounting, LLC
Scott D. Sanzone CPA, is the President and Founder of Sanzone Tax & Accounting, LLC. Mr. Sanzone has been a life long Maryland resident and graduated from Fallston High School.
Mr. Sanzone started the business after graduating college from the University of Maryland, College Park, over 25 years ago. Mr. Sanzone has also served as the Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Controller and Vice President of Finance for several national and local firms and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Sanzone's experience will help provide you with incredible customer service, expertise and knowledge.
Email: scott@sanzoneaccounting.com
4825 Butler Road, Suite 3B, Glyndon, MD 21071
Get Ready to File your Taxes for your 2021 Tax Returns
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text:
call for papers #13
Call for Papers #13 – Contacts
Editors: Evgeniya Prusskaya (Russian Academy of Sciences) and Vera Tsukanova (Philipps-Universität Marburg)
Publication date: Fall 2019
The peer-reviewed online journal "Middle East – Topics & Arguments" (META) is calling for submissions for its thirteenth issue, which will be entitled Contacts.
Contacts between different cultures and ethnic groups are an important issue that should be approached and discussed from different points of view, because it affects various facets of human civilization. The interaction between linguistic systems may be the easiest one to identify, but contacts imply both verbal communication and non-verbal actions. Intercultural transfers occur at different levels: attributes of material culture, ideas, religious beliefs, literary topoi, etc. Within this volume we suggest conceptualizing contacts in the form of cross-cultural exchange and its instruments in the context of different disciplines. By adopting a wide understanding of "contacts" we intend to elaborate new approaches and scopes at the intersections of several disciplines. Contacts may be described from the point of view of the cultural, political, and social conditions in which they occur, as well as their consequences.
Language contacts represent one of the most important factors of language change. They can trigger language shift, language death, or the creation of a new creole or mixed languages. In the case of the Middle East, languages that had already died at some point but were kept used in literary or religious traditions usually had an impact on spoken languages, cf. Classical vs. dialectal Arabic, Syriac vs modern Aramaic, Classical vs. contemporary Persian. This situation concerns not only the classical situation of diglossia: Arabic, for example, had a huge impact on other languages of the area. Thus, Ottoman Turkish had about 80% borrowed lexicon from Arabic and Persian, and while Persian words came into the language as a result of direct contact, the Arabic ones were learned in the process of education or through Persian. The question arises: how can the classification of language contacts be applied to such situations or to the contacts between various languages of tradition? The following perspectives can be also taken into account: the impact of linguistic borrowings on cultural, religious, and historical changes; the role that secondary communication facilities, such as writing and mass media, play in language contacts; or the shifting dynamics of transfers.
On the structural level one can distinguish between atomic borrowings and pervasive phenomena of interference. Sometimes contacts in various domains display similar patterns and intensity, but more interesting for comparison are those cases where they show non-trivial mismatches. As an example, one can cite the destinies of three peoples within the Medieval Arab Caliphate: the Arameans and Egyptians largely shifted to Arabic but partly kept their religion, while the Iranians largely converted to Islam but maintained their own language. The case of the multicultural Ottoman Empire and the ways of communication and cultural transfer within this state, which involved diverse ethnic and religious groups, represents another interesting topic. Shifts in language and communication are often examined through social networks analysis, which today is a growing methodological approach in various disciplines to study contacts between individuals and/or organizations. By analyzing the properties between units of contact and within them, phenomena may be described as relational. Recent manifestations of social media give ample opportunities for empirical linguistic observations.
The transfer of ideas and ideology can be studied within the context of relations between the Middle East and North Africa and other world regions (Europe, other areas of Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas) in the 19th–21st centuries. It implies not only the way of adopting and developing different political or social ideas (republicanism, socialism, modernity, etc.) but also the reflection of these ideas in special terminology of both local and borrowed origin. Colonial and postcolonial interactions, which included institutionalized violence as a language of perceived cultural superiority, as well as intercultural exchange and its rejection, represent important issues to discuss. Postcolonial theory and research on the colonial relationships in the region open a diversity of contact forms: assimilation, hybridization, economic integration, clash of different systems of values, etc. The significant issue of cultural identity in the colonial and postcolonial eras involves the concept of orientalism and its reconsideration.
We are seeking articles from different disciplines that involve the Near and Middle East and North Africa, including linguistics, history, comparative literature, sociology, political science, and others. Papers challenging specific hypotheses or frameworks are particularly welcome. Summarizing, we accept papers that address the following issues within the geographical area under discussion:
language contacts
interaction of living and classical languages
impact of language contacts on different aspects of culture
forms of colonial and post-colonial interaction
instruments of cross-cultural exchange
transfer of the ideas and ideologies
Papers presenting new, original research findings on the issue's topic will be published in the journal's FOCUS section. Articles in this section should be between 2,800 and 4,600 words.
In addition to papers for the main section, we call for contributions for META Journal's special sections:
The META section also relates to the issue's focus topic, with the papers discussing Contacts from a theory-centered perspective. Regional scope is not limited to the Middle East and North Africa, but may also consider theoretical approaches involving other world regions. Article length is 2,800 to 4,600 words.
The CLOSE UP section features a short written portrait of a person or institution that has a special relation to the issue's main topic, e.g. a researcher who has constitutively contributed to the language contacts in the MENA region. It links that person's biography with their contribution to the field. Article length is 1,500 to 3,000 words.
The ANTI/THESIS section juxtaposes two rivaling positions that highlight different lines of argument, pros and cons, and/or competing narratives. These can be presented either by one author together, or by two authors in two different articles. One topic that may be discussed in this section is whether we need to involve local Middle Eastern language theories into academic studies, in order to change "orientalist" view (in the sense of E. Said). Article length for each paper is 1,500‐3,000 words.
All articles that fall into the general framework of the journal, but do not relate to the special topic "Contacts," will be taken into consideration for the OFF TOPIC section: offtopic@meta-journal.net
Prior to developing a complete manuscript, authors are asked to submit an abstract (300 words max.), a short CV (150 words max.), and 3‐5 key bibliographic sources. Please clearly indicate the research question, the method to be used, and the empirical material your research will be based on. Papers are accepted in English and French.
The editors will make a preliminary decision regarding the topic's relevance to the journal's aim and scope and may provide suggestions for developing the manuscript, at the latest four weeks after the proposal submission deadline.
All manuscripts must adhere to our stylesheet and will not be taken into consideration when exceeding the word count. All manuscripts published with META journal are reviewed through an open peer review process, according to a review guideline on which the reviews should be based. The process is open by choice; author(s) and reviewers choose whether to reveal their own names.
The deadline for abstract submissions is December 30th 2018
The deadline for article submissions is April 15th 2019
Proposals, manuscripts, and other editorial correspondence should be sent to: submissions13@meta‐journal.net


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Blue Ivy To Be A Big Sister Soon?
Lacy Langley
Blue Ivy has lived the high life and had her incredibly wealthy and attentive parents, Beyonce and Jay-Z, all to herself.
However, rumors are swirling that the adorable little heir to the hip-hop throne might have to share her good fortune.
The source of these rumors are reports by Media TakeOut that Beyonce was spotted on their family vacation in Corsica, Italy wearing an interesting dress with a cut-out belly and was also sporting some sort of gold paint on her belly.
They also claim that she couldn't take her hands off of said gold-embellished belly.
However, as Beyonce also has paint on her leg, there's not really a reason to think that this is some sort of pregnancy announcement. That doesn't stop the rumor mill, though.
A source told OK! Magazine for their latest cover story that the speculation is completely reasonable.
"For the last month, Jay has been fiercely protective of her, just like he was when she was expecting Blue Ivy. He's been doing everything he can to ensure that Bey is in a stress-free bubble. He's informed their entire entourage that they need to use relaxed voices, mellow lighting and listen to only soft music, and he's said that all of the food Beyonce eats should be organic," the source explained.
"He's really doing his best to make sure that she's as comfortable and healthy as possible."
New baby rumors come just as divorce rumors begin to subside.
It's been a while since speculation of an impending split began to rear its ugly head when Beyonce's sister, Solange, beat up Jay-Z in an elevator, but has everything been resolved?
So, what's the deal? Are they ready to move forward in a happy marriage with a new baby or are they on the verge of splitting up? What's your guess?
Tags Beyonce Beyonce Pregnant Blue Ivy Jay-Z
eBay Announces Enterprise Commerce Marketing Platform
"Fifty Shades Of Grey" Wishes Anastasia Steele Happy Birthday


text:
Clothes drying at the outdoor laundry in Mumbai
MURRAY McNABB (1947-2013): The new man with the courage to make himself new
Graham Reid | Jun 13, 2013 | 1 min read
Murray McNabb Trio (McNabb, Gibson, Andy Brown): Missing You (1987)
The plan would have been timely: a concert acknowledging the half century he'd known and played in bands with drummer Frank Gibson. But then everything changed.
"They gave me a year, that was a year ago," says 66-year old keyboard player and jazz genius McNabb about the cancer diagnosis he received, "So I'm going downhill gradually, losing weight. It's getting hard to eat and I had a heart op in 2004 so it's putting a strain on that.
"So I'm on the way out, but we're all on the way out in one way or another. It's just happening at a different time for me."
That time came last Sunday, a little over a fortnight after this final interview in his Auckland home.
McNabb – philosophical, still recording (two tracks for a duets album under Gibson's name, and recently the Anti-Borneo Magic double album with the astral-rock group Salon Kingsadore) – is one of this country's best, most heard but least known musicians.
With Murray Grindlay, McNabb has played on, written or arranged literally hundreds of commercials which have imprinted themselves in our collective consciousness -- Mainland cheese, the most famous Crunchie ad on the train, McDonalds, John Grenell's Welcome to my World Toyota ad . . . There were also songs like Sailing Away and the Red Nose Day theme, but as importantly the soundtrack to the television series Greenstone and the incidental music to Once Were Warriors.
It's likely every person in this country has heard at least one, if not a dozen, songs which have McNabb's fingerprint on them.
But that's only a small measure of what McNabb – also an accomplished artist whose work has appeared on a number of album covers – has achieved.
"I had absolutely no compunction about selling myself to the advertising world," he laughs. "I do them so I can make jazz records. I've really enjoyed making commercials, the only thing better is playing live music in an improvised situation. Apart from that, commercials and soundtracks is where it's at for me."
McNabb grew up in Auckland tinkering on piano as a child, almost entirely self-taught . . .
To read the complete interview with Murray McNabb conducted a fortnight before he died go to here. There is more at Elsewhere about Murray McNabb's career and albums starting here.
Chris - Jun 14, 2013
Very sad to hear the news of Murray McNabb's passing. I've only just gotten into his music in the last few months, after been randomly given a copy of Song For The Dream Weaver; i had zero expectations (apart from knowing the sidemen) and was blown away by it. A month or so later i found a copy of Waiting For You in a store and was again blown away. It also confirmed that SFTDW was not a fluke. Two albums i'm proud to have in my collection, they're also albums that i reach for when i feel like listening to some some Murray McNabb, not just some nice piano trio music = his music, at least on these albums, really has a distinctive flavour.
Thanks, Graham, for your great article in The Listener on McNabb's passing. There's not much out there on him outside of your site, as i've found, and he really was a world class artist. RIP. Cheers.
Very sad to hear the news of Murray McNabb's passing. I've only just gotten into his music in the last few months, after been randomly given a copy of Song For The Dream Weaver; i had zero expectations (apart from knowing the sidemen) and was blown away by it. A month or so later i found a copy of Waiting For You in a store and was again blown away. It also confirmed that SFTDW was not a fluke. Two albums i'm proud to have in my collection, they're also albums that i reach for when i feel like listening to some some Murray McNabb, not just some nice piano trio music = his music, at least on these albums, really has a distinctive flavour. Thanks, Graham, for your great article in The Listener on McNabb's passing. There's not much out there on him outside of your site, as i've found, and he really was a world class artist. RIP. Cheers.
Bruce - Jun 14, 2013
RIP Murray.
Loved watching you work up a sweat at the Globe all those years ago :-)
You'll be missed !!
RIP Murray. Loved watching you work up a sweat at the Globe all those years ago :-) You'll be missed !! !!
new zealand jazz
Brian Smith: Taupo (Manu/Ode)
Most New Zealand jazz is like the Kiwi: endangered, pokes around in the dark away from public gaze and doesn't take flight. This year however is shaping up to be a good one: albums by... > Read more
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Early in 2007 I would get calls from Frank Gibson, who some say is arguably this country's finest drummer. I would have thought that was beyond argument myself. Frank was asking what... > Read more
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Dave Lisik: The Curse of the Queen's Diamond (Rattle Jazz)
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Labcoats: O Potassium! (Braille/RPR)
If there is an area of New Zealand music which has gone woefully overlooked -- largely because the albums were released in limited numbers at the time and are no longer readily available -- it is... > Read more
JIMMY CLIFF: SPECIAL, CONSIDERED (1982): The harder they come the longer they run
Jimmy Cliff – arguably the most globally recognised Jamaican singer after Bob Marley – has been many things in his lifetime. Even before he broke through as the singer/star in Perry... > Read more
Climie Fisher: Here today and gone . . .
Climie -- or maybe it was Fisher -- almost had me. The conversation was, in the late Eighties, about why so many pop duos were turning up with little or no live experience, and why record companies... > Read more


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The Internet is a very scary place. If you don't have internet security software, you are playing a risky game. That's a very simple and direct statement but a powerful one. I am sure most PC users have had some form of malware on the PC. We all have been the victim of a virus, spyware, adware, phishing or spam mail. All these have the potential to cause crippling damage to your PC, threaten your privacy or expose to your personal information.
Since 2004 online shopping, banking and digital trading has increased 25% each year. If you are performing any of these actions without the aid of internet security software, you are being very foolish and making hackers very happy. It has never been more risky to shop online. The Spam/Spyware industry alone has become a billion dollar underground network. Your information is valuable. Hackers are will to invest time and resources to obtain. Therefore, it is more important than ever to learn how to combat these threats with internet security software and educate yourself on safe surfing techniques. Here are the top five threats to your internet security.
Spyware is an all inclusive term that includes most malware such as Trojans, adware, pop up ads, modified cookies, keyloggers etc. This term does not include virus which is engineered to replicates itself, not spy or steal. Spyware is usually engineered to watch your online activity and uncover security flaws. This is usually the first step in setting you up for some time information theft. Hackers have developed sophisticated tools such as keyloggers that can record every key you type. Yes that means passwords, banking information, and email entries can be uncovered using this software. A quick tip is to avoid free anti-spyware. This has been proven to be ineffective and sometime can be spyware itself. Remember that spyware works by exposing flaws in your internet security. So search for the anti-spyware program with a major magazine endorsement. Here is a link for more information on spyware removal. Visit the site below for more info a products for spyware removal.
Hackers can steal your information by a variety of methods. Once this information is gained, it will be used to make online purchases using your credit card data, divert paychecks and create false documents. Usually the top internet security software comes with some protection against this problem. An internet security suite may be your best bet to protect your online information. Quick tips to protect yourself against online ID theft are never provide your credit card info to any site that does not offer multiple forms of internet security to protect your transaction. Another key factor to search for is a major secure payment processor logos and information. And last but not least, please read the internet security warning before the payment is processed. It only natural that you protect yourself against this internet security threat.
Spam Mail itself is not dangerous. However Spam mail can have malicious links that can do everything from cause your PC to be infected by a virus, introduce spyware, and attract more spam. A good internet spam filter is usually a good option. Using internet security software and some common sense will help you avoid be inundated with spam mail. Quick internet security tip: When typing your address into the net. Try using a combination of 13 letters and numbers. This will make it very difficult for address to be added spam mail list.
There is not doubt that you may have heard the term "phishing". If you haven't, you soon will because it's a major internet security threat. This method has become one of the more popular ways to stealing vital information such as user names and password. This works by sending messages to your email account pretending to be trusted sites such as eBay, Paypal or your bank. The links redirect you to a fake site that mimics the trusted site. You type in your personal information and hacker using it to make online transactions with your info or your money. This is real threat to you internet security. The best way to avoid this is to update your web browser with phishing detection. Also other internet security software packages have great phishing detection systems such as Webroot's Spysweeper and ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite.
That's right maybe the factor the poses the biggest threat to your internet security. Social engineering such as clicking on obvious spam mail links, downloading freeware and sharing files is a very dangerous practice on the net. By just investing in the best software and updating regularly, could save you from frustration and identity theft. This is the one category where the bargain bin should be avoided. Also, never download anything that is sent to your mail unless you have scanned it for spyware and viruses. However, in the age of digital sharing people often buck internet security by trading pictures, movies and files without hesitaion.
Are you surprised that computer viruses didn't make the Top 5 internet security threats? There are several reasons for this is not considered the number one internet security threat. One is that the hackers have been shying away from the use of viruses because the technology is mint to disrupt and destroy your internet security. However, spyware is easier to develop and much more effective. Also, most computer users and Windows developers have taken the steps to protect themselves. Anti-virus programs are quite good and can usually respond to new viruses by updating the signature databases daily.
All in all you are responsible for that steps you take online. However, there is no need to risk losing your valuable data or money because of lack of PC maintenance. Upgrade your computer by increases the amount of internet security measures. Feel confident that you done everything to protect yourself and enjoy everything the net has to offer.


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Before I discovered Rila Monastery, I knew next to nothing about Bulgaria. The country wasn't even on my radar and I wasn't even entirely sure if it was safe to visit the country. Over time, I started collecting other beautiful pictures of stunning buildings throughout Bulgaria. Before I knew it, the country made it on the itinerary for our honeymoon road trip.
While driving from Skopje, Macedonia to Sofia, Bulgaria, we planned to stop for a few hours to explore this vibrant monastery as it is approximately 100 kilometers from the capital. Being an architecture lover, I just knew there was no way I could go to Bulgaria and not see it!
Rila Monastery is tucked deep within the surrounding Rila Mountains within a forested valley in Rila Monastery Nature Park and it's quite the journey to get there through small villages and winding roads. But I promise it's worth visiting one of the most popular sites in Bulgaria!
Sound Interesting Yet? PIN IT FOR LATER!!
Officially dubbed as the Monastery of Saint Ivan, the monastery is named after a hermit monk, Ivan of Rila, who spent seven years living in a cave without any possessions, devoting his life to prayer and fasting.
Up discovering this, many students trekked out to the Rila mountains to study with Saint Ivan. The original complex was built by the students and is today the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, claiming the title of "Crown Jewel of Bulgaria". The monastery became more popular among pilgrims after Ivan's death in 946 A.D. The complex has been played an important historical and cultural significance to the Bulgarian national identity.
The monastery is one of the oldest religious centers of the Slavic world and has remained continuously active since it was founded in the 10th century. Only for a short blurp during the Communism era, was the monastery was turned into a museum. In 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site which now attracts closer one million visitors per year as it's an easy day trip from Sofia!
It is also regarded as one of the important masterpieces of Bulgarian National Revival architecture. As one of the largest monasteries, it has over 300 chambers for the monks. Today, the numbers are dwindling and only around 60 monks remain and you'll likely see several of them walking around.
The monastery is free to enter, but there are some things you should be prepared for before entering. You will be visiting a place of worship that is still very much active, therefore, you must be dressed appropriately.
Women should be modestly dressed, meaning no short shorts or dresses. No revealing clothing. Shoulders must be covered. I was under the impression I had to wear a scarf, but once inside, I saw no one wearing one. But, just in case, better to have one than not.
Men should also be dressed modestly, meaning no shorts or reveling sports shirts. Long pants and a casual shirt is sufficient.
You will also notice that security officers are present in and around the monastery. Likely not to prevent attacks, but more to keep an eye on the tourists in this deeply cherished national treasure.
The outside of the monastery looks rather plain and you might second guess your visit to the monastery, but as you walk through the archways, you will slowly begin to be greeted to magnificent, colorful and intricate paintings.
Once inside the courtyard, you'll notice that it contains the main church, the residence of the 300 monks encircling you, a tower and a museum occupying an area of 8,800 sq meters.
As a beloved place of worship, wealthy Bulgarian rulers often donated to the monastery to help it expand and to grow. The monastery went through several architectural changes after a few fires and after the arrival of the Ottomans in the 14th century. There were many raids resulting in the destruction towards the middle of the 15th century by the Ottomans. It was later rebuilt by the end of the 15th century, only to be destroyed by a fire again in the 19th century. Luckily, it's been beautifully restored!
Upon walking into the inner courtyard, I expected to find it quiet and solemn, however, it's clearly a school field trip destination. Luckily, the children left shortly after our arrival allowing us to better enjoy the monastery.
We were immediately blown away by how vibrant the colors were, the symmetry and alllll of the details! All backed by the Rila mountains stretching high into the sky in the background.
Pictures are allowed in the courtyard and the archways of the church, but not in the inside. Don't even think about trying to sneak a picture either as there is a monk at all times walking around, eyeing everyone, making sure everyone is sufficiently dressed and obeying the rules.
Upon arriving in the town of Rila, we soon discovered that we still had a ways to go, as the monastery is deep within the Rila Mountains. There are signs along the way guiding you further into the mountains. After another 30 minutes driving along winding roads, following the Rilska River, before it suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
The easiest way to reach the monastery is by car.
If you're coming from Sofia, drive south for 95 km on the A3/E79, passing Dupnitsa. Before reaching Blagoevgrad turn left right after Kocherinovo and drive for 28 km to Rila Monastery.
If you're coming from Skopje, Macedonia, drive east for 179 km on the E871 before heading south on the A3 and turn left right after Kocherinovo and drive for 28 km to Rila Monastery.
Parking is available directly in front of the monastery for 4 lev (2 €).
Going by tour bus is also an option, if you're willing to pay 20-30 € from Sofia.
Only one direct bus per day departs from Sofia to Rila Monastery.
The bus departs from Sofia Bus Station West a.k.a. Bus Station Ovcha Koupel at 10.20 and arrives at Rila Monastery around 1pm. You'll have two hours before the bus departs back for Sofia at 3 pm.
You can climb the tower for 5 lev between 8:30 am – 4:30pm.
You can hike to Saint Ivan's cave, which is about a 40 min trek to a small church which holds his remains.
Try to go to the restroom prior to visiting unless you're okay with using a traditional squat toilet, which is really just a hole in the ground, and no toilet paper. I was quite taken by surprise to my first eastern-style toilet.
OMG that monastery looks amazing, what a gem! I saw some orthodox cloisters when travelling through the north of Greece, definitely doesn't dissapoint. Those ceilings!!
Oh I bet the ones in Greece were also amazing! Would love to see those one day!
This is such a unique building with crazy detailing! So cool that it's still an active monastery and I love that they still keep the same traditions as I'm sure they had many years ago!
It is amazingly well preserved for that much history. The frescoes are so beautiful and detailed – I can see why you loved it – so much color! What a unique place Lorelei – thank you for sharing with #FarawayFiles!
You will love Bulgaria! So much beauty!
Wow! This monastery seems breathtaking! Would you recommend a road trip from Macedonia to there? Any tips worth knowing before going there?
Nope that's all of it here!
I just wore a simple long dress with a cardigan!
This monastery looks amazing! All those colours of the painting on the ceiling…! I'd love to check it out in person some day.
That's nice that they at least offered a wrap. Im not sure if they do here because I didn't see anyone wearing one.
The monastery is quite impressive especially all the details. I have been thinking about going to Bulgaria, so looking forward to read more about it. #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Wow, this one is BEAUTIFUL!!!
As I said on Instagram, very disappointed I missed Rila. It really is quite stunning and rightly the most popular monastery in Bulgaria. Well worth a return visit and I've heard the hiking around there is also pretty spectacular.
Ya there seemed to be some signs posted of a hiking trail that leads to the monk's cave. Would have been interesting had we been better prepared! I'm sure you'll make it back! You definitely have to!
I live so close to the Rila Monastery and yet I've never been, it looks beautiful! (Although we do have some similar monasteries, haha 😉 ).
Oh you should go!! I hope to see more in Romania too!
Oh I definitely think you would enjoy it!!
This is beautiful!! Those colors and paintings in the arches! So intricate. I love how it's contrasted with the white and black striped columns too. The backdrop is gorgeous too! That's so cool that you were driving so you were able to stop and see this. It seems totally worth it!
I had never heard of this monastery – it looks well worth the stop. Tne art work is intricate and beautiful.