平生樂事

蘇東坡曾說，平生的心樂事有十六，苟能得此，則死而無憾。這十六件事是：

「清溪淺水行舟，涼雨竹窗夜話，暑至臨流濯足，雨後登樓看山，
柳陰堤畔閒行，花塢尊前微笑，隔江山寺聞鐘，月下東鄰吹蕭，
晨與半炷名香，午倦一方藤枕，開甕急逢陶謝，接客不著衣冠，
乞得名花盛開，飛來佳禽自語，客至波泉煎茶，撫琴聽者知者。」

東坡言人間六月事，道是：
「清溪淺水行舟，涼雨竹窗夜語，暑至臨流濯足，雨後登樓看山，
柳蔭堤畔閒竹，花塢尊前微笑。」

Attention - Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Causes of ADHD

The exact cause of ADHD isn't known.

Experts do know that there are changes in the brains of people with the condition. ADHD is not caused by home or school situations or by poor parenting.

Here's what the experts know:

• Studies of the brain and its functioning show that children and adults who have ADHD are likely to have abnormal functioning (dysregulation) of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain), as well as in the nerve pathways that regulate behavior.
• There is a genetic link. ADHD tends to run in families. If one or both parents have ADHD, their children are more likely to develop the condition.
• Another factor that may play a role in causing ADHD is the presence of certain toxins in the environment, such as lead. Such toxins can interfere with the brain development of children exposed to them and possibly lead to ADHD.
• Studies show pregnant women who smoke or drink alcohol may have an increased risk of having a child with ADHD.

Research has shown that there is no evidence that ADHD is caused by:

• Eating too much sugar
• Allergies
• Immunizations

Attention - Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Symptoms of ADHD

The symptoms of ADHD include inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that are inappropriate for age.

There are three different types of ADHD. Combined ADHD (the most common type) includes all of the symptoms. Inattentive ADHD is marked by impaired attention and concentration and hyperactive-impulsive type is marked by hyperactivity without inattentiveness.

To help recognize ADHD, understand that some symptoms that cause impairment must be present before age seven years and some impairment from the symptoms must be present in more than one setting (like home and school or home and work). Also, there must be clear evidence of interference of functioning due to the symptoms at home, in social or work environments.

Symptoms of ADHD

Inattention

Inattention may not become apparent until a child enters the challenging environment of elementary school. In adults, symptoms may manifest in work or in social situations.

A person with ADHD may have some or all of the following symptoms.

• Difficulty paying attention to details or prone to making careless mistakes in school or other activities. Work is often messy and careless.
• Easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli and frequently interrupt ongoing tasks to attend to trivial noises or events that are usually ignored by others.
• Inability to sustain attention on tasks or activities.
• Difficulty finishing schoolwork or paperwork or performing tasks that requires concentration.
• Frequent shifts from one uncompleted activity to another.
• Procrastination.
• Work habits may be disorganized.
• Forgetful in daily activities (for example, missing appointments, forgetting to bring lunch).
• Failure to complete tasks like homework or chores.
• Frequent shifts in conversation, not listening to others, not keeping ones mind on conversations and not following details or rules of activities in social situations

Hyperactivity

The symptoms of hyperactivity may be apparent in very young preschoolers and are nearly always present before the age of seven. Symptoms include:

• Fidgeting, squirming when seated.
• Having to get up frequently to walk or run around.
• Running or climbing excessively when its inappropriate (in teens this may appear as restlessness).
• Difficulty playing quietly or engaging in quiet leisure activities.
• Always on the go.
• Often talks excessively.

Hyperactivity may vary with age and developmental stage.

Toddlers and preschoolers with ADHD tend to be constantly in motion, jumping on furniture and having difficulty participating in sedentary group activities (such as listening to a story).

School-age children display similar behavior, but with less frequency. They are unable to remain seated, squirm a lot, fidget or talk excessively.

In adolescents and adults, hyperactivity may manifest itself as feelings of restlessness and difficulty engaging in quiet sedentary activities.

Impulsivity.

Symptoms of impulsivity include:

• Impatience.
• Difficulty delaying responses.
• Blurting out answers before questions have been completed.
• Difficulty awaiting one's turn.
• Frequently interrupting or intruding on others to the point of causing problems in social or work settings.
• Initiating conversations at inappropriate times.

Impulsivity may lead to accidents (knocking over objects, banging into people, etc). Children with ADHD may also engage in potentially dangerous activities without consideration for the consequences (climbing to precarious positions).

Many of these symptoms occur from time to time in normal youngsters. However, in children with ADHD they occur frequently, at home and at school, or when visiting with friends, and they interfere with the childs ability to function normally.

ADHD is diagnosed after children consistently display some or all of these behaviors in at least two settings, such as at home and in school, for at least six months.

Long-Term Outlook

Some children with ADHD (approximately 20-30%) develop learning problems that may not improve with ADHD treatment. Hyperactive behavior can be is associated with the development of other disruptive disorders, particularly conduct and oppositional-defiant disorder. The reason for the relationship is not known.

Even though a great many children with this disorder ultimately adjust, some -- especially those with an associated conduct or oppositional-defiant disorder -- are more likely to drop out of school and fare more poorly in their later careers than children without ADHD.

Inattention tends to persist through childhood and adolescence into adulthood, while the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity tend to diminish with age.

As they grow older, some teens who have had severe ADHD since middle childhood experience periods of anxiety or depression.

There are several warning signs for ADHD that seem to get worse when demands at school or home increase. They are:

• Not listening to instructions.
• Inability to get organized, either at home or at school.
• Fidgeting, especially with the hands and feet.
• Talking too much.
• Failure to finish projects, including chores and homework.
• Difficulty paying attention to and responding to details.

Attention - Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: ADHD Basics

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental and behavioral disorder that affects 3% to 5% of all school-age children.

Although the condition usually manifests in childhood, it can persist into adulthood, causing difficulties at home, at school and at work if not recognized and treated.

In fact, experts now estimate that ADHD affects about 60% of adults who had ADHD in childhood.

What Are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of ADHD include inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity that are inappropriate for a person's age level.

Children who have ADHD often:

• Are easily distracted by sights and sounds in their environment.
• Are unable to concentrate for long periods of time on low stimulation tasks (homework vs. video games).
• Are restless and impulsive.
• Have a tendency to daydream.
• Are slow to complete tasks.

Adults who have ADHD often:

• Miss work deadlines.
• Miss appointments.
• Appear hectic and disorganized.
• Have significant problems prioritizing.

Symptoms of ADHD in adults and children vary by individual and range from mild to severe.

What Causes ADHD?

The exact cause of ADHD isn't known.

Experts do know that there are changes in the brains of people with the condition. It is not caused by home or school situations or by poor parenting.

How Is ADHD Diagnosed?

There is no single test used to diagnose ADHD. It is diagnosed after a child has shown some or all of symptoms of ADHD on a regular basis for more than 6 months.

The diagnosis of ADHD involves the gathering of information from several sources, including school, caregivers, and parents. The health care provider will consider how a child's behavior compares with that of other children the same age.

The health care provider will also do a physical exam to look for any medical problems that may affect a child's behavior.

ADHD in adults is diagnosed using a similar process.

How Is ADHD Treated?

Although there is no cure for ADHD, treatment can help control symptoms. There are several types of treatments available.

Stimulants

Stimulant medications (or psychostimulants) have been used to successfully treat ADHD symptoms for many years. Stimulants are used to treat both moderate and severe ADHD in adults and children over age 6, with the exception of Adderal, Dexedrine, and Dextrostat, which can be safely used in children as young as age 3.

Stimulants used to treat ADHD include:

• Adderall, Adderall XR
• Concerta
• Dexedrine, Dexedrine Spansule Capsules, Dextrostat
• Focalin, Focalin XR
• Metadate CD, Metadate ER
• Methylin, Methylin ER
• Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Ritalin SR

Nonstimulant Therapy

In November 2003, the FDA approved Strattera as the first nonstimulant treatment for ADHD. It is the first treatment approved to control ADHD symptoms in children, adolescents, and adults. In September 2005, the FDA issued a warning about the increased risk of suicidal thinking in children and adolescents taking Strattera. Doctors are advised to watch for this behavior and alter medications as needed.

Antidepressant Therapy

Several types of antidepressant drugs can be used to treat ADHD. Antidepressant therapy for ADHD is sometimes used as the initial treatment in children or adults who also suffer from significant depression. Antidepressants, however, are generally not as effective as stimulants or the newer nonstimulant treatments at improving attention span and concentration. It also may take 2-4 weeks for the full benefits of antidepressants to appear.

Note: In October 2004, The FDA has determined that antidepressant medications increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with depression and other psychiatric disorders. If you have questions or concerns, discuss them with your health care provider. Learn more

Other Drugs

Two drugs, Catapres and Tenex, normally taken to treat high blood pressure, have been shown to be of some benefit for ADHD when used alone or in combination with stimulant drugs.

Behavior Management

Learning behavior management techniques is considered to be an essential part of any successful ADHD treatment program. Most experts agree that combining medication treatments with extended behavior management is the most effective way to manage ADHD in children and adolescents.

In adults with ADHD, experts agree that a combination of medication and socialization training and/or behavior management can help most patients.

10 Tips to Get Better Sleep

We all have trouble sleeping from time to time. But you can make it easier to get a good night's sleep every night with these simple steps.

1. Cut caffeine. Simply put, caffeine can keep you awake. It can stay in your body longer than you might think -- up to about 14 hours. So if you drink a cup of coffee at noon and are still awake at midnight, caffeine might be the reason. Cutting out caffeine at least four to six hours before bedtime can help you fall asleep easier. If you have already had too much caffeine, try eating some carbohydrates like bread or crackers to help reduce the effects.
   
2. Avoid alcohol as a sleep aid. Alcohol may initially help you fall asleep, but it also causes disturbances in sleep resulting in less restful sleep.
   
3. Relax before bedtime. Stress not only makes you miserable, it wreaks havoc on your sleep. Develop some kind of pre-sleep ritual to break the connection between all the day's stress and bedtime. These rituals can be as short as 10 minutes or as long as an hour.

   Some people find relief in making a list of all the stressors of the day, along with a plan to deal with them this can act as "closure" to the day. Combining this with a period of relaxation perhaps by reading something light, meditating, aromatherapy, light stretching, or taking a hot bath can also help you get better sleep. And don't look at the clock! That "tick-tock" will just tick you off.

4. Exercise at the right time for you. Regular exercise can help you get a good night's sleep. The timing and intensity of exercise seems to play a key role in its effects on sleep. If you are the type of person who gets energized or becomes more alert after exercise, it may be best not to exercise in the evening. Regular exercise in the morning even can help relieve insomnia, according to a recent study.
   
5. Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, and comfortable. For many people, even the slightest noise or light can disturb sleep like the purring of a cat or the light from your laptop or TV. Use earplugs, window blinds or curtains, and an electric blanket or air conditioner everything possible to create an ideal sleep environment. And don't use the overhead light if you need to get up at night; use a small night-light instead. Ideal room temperatures for sleeping are between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above 75 or below about 54 can disrupt sleep.
   
6. Eat right, sleep tight. Try not to go to bed hungry, but avoid heavy meals before bedtime. An over-full belly can keep you up. Some foods can help, though. Milk contains tryptophan, which is a sleep-promoting substance. Other foods that help promote sleep include tuna, halibut, pumpkin, artichokes, avocados, almonds, eggs, bok choy, peaches, walnuts, apricots, oats, asparagus, potatoes, buckwheat, and bananas.

   Also, try not to drink anything after 8 p.m. This can keep you from having to get up to use the bathroom during the night.

7. Restrict nicotine. Having a smoke before bed -- although it feels relaxing actually puts a stimulant into your bloodstream. The effects of nicotine are similar to those of caffeine. Nicotine can keep you up and awaken you at night. It should be avoided particularly near bedtime and if you wake up in the middle of the night.
   
8. Avoid napping. Napping can only make matters worse if you usually have problems falling asleep. If you do nap, keep it short. A brief 15-20-minute snooze about eight hours after you get up in the morning can actually be rejuvenating.
   
9. Keep pets off the bed. Does your pet sleep with you? This, too, may cause you to awaken during the night, either from allergies or pet movements. Fido and Fluffy might be better off on the floor than on your sheets.
   
10. Avoid watching TV, eating, and discussing emotional issues in bed. The bed should be used for sleep and sex only. If not, you can end up associating the bed with distracting activities that could make it difficult for you to fall asleep.

By Michael Breus

納蘭性德~蝶戀花

辛苦最憐天上月，一夕如環，夕夕都成玦。

若似月輪終皎潔，不辭冰雪為卿熱。

無那塵緣容易絕，燕子依然，軟踏簾鉤說。

唱罷秋墳愁未歇，春叢認取雙棲蝶。

笑話 ~ 黑白貓拍照總愛吐舌的原因

問題：黑白貓為什麼總愛在人家照相機閃光燈一閃的時候把舌頭吐出來呢...






















解答：因為他要告訴你這是一張 "彩色照片" .........

Plate Movement

Do you know what causes earthquakes tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides?

【摘　　自】香港數理教育學會

好捧吶！港大成功研製心臟起搏細胞

港大醫學院與美國加州大學合作，利用基因技術，成功製造能使心臟起搏的細胞，將來料可取代人工起搏器。

該研究結果已刊登於九月份出版的國際醫學期刊《Circulation》。正常的心臟節律來自位於右心房竇房結的少數特殊起搏細胞。它可以產生規則的心律，令心臟有效而協調地收縮。竇房結起搏細胞因疾病或衰老引起的功能不良甚至喪失，可導致不同形式的心跳過慢。心率過慢的病人會出現暈眩、昏厥甚至猝死。

港大指出，近年心臟起搏器技術的進展，為心跳過慢的病人提供了一個挽救生命的治療方法。然而心臟起搏器只是一種能緩解症狀，而不能根治疾病的療法，而且安裝起搏器有重大的健康風險(如感染或死亡)，其費用亦十分高昂，並需要定期更換電池及導線。此外對年輕病人而言，由於他們的心臟細小且正在發育，故置入起搏器特別困難。

港大研究利用基因工程技術，製造人造生物竇房結作為單獨或輔助治療心跳過慢的新方法。研究人員以豬隻作實驗，首先損毀豬隻心臟的竇房結，並植入起搏器以維持和監控心率，然後利用生物工程方法，使左心房的HCN 通道(即心肌細胞上可產生心跳的離子通道)產生基因轉導，產生人造生物竇房結。

研究發現，透過HCN 通道，能使心房再生出能夠運作，並可穩定地激發正常心率的人造生物竇房結，從而取代或補充植入於豬隻心臟內的心臟起搏器的作用。在注射兩星期後，獲進行基因轉導研究的動物，其正常心肌細胞分化變異，形成起搏細胞。這些細胞可以觸發心率，並與正常動物一樣，對應激變化作出反應。相反，沒有獲得基因轉導的動物，仍然要依靠心臟起搏器維持心率。

【摘　　自】香港明報新聞

小小知識貼 ~ 蛇咬傷

指被蛇牙咬入了肉，特別是指被通過蛇牙或在蛇牙附近分泌毒液的蛇咬入後所造成的一個傷口。被無毒的蛇咬了以後，就像治療一個針眼大小的傷口一樣。而被毒蛇咬傷，可能很嚴重，這要由受傷者形體的大小、咬傷的部位、蛇毒注入的量、蛇毒吸收到病人血循環的速度以及被咬和應用特異的抗蛇毒血清間隔時間的長短而定。

蛇毒含有許多?或蛋白質一類的物質，其含量的多寡因蛇的種類不同而異。這些物質會侵入血液、神經系統或其他組織。有些蛇毒產生直接的毒性作用，但對人類不都是致命的。有些具全身性致命的毒性(如響尾蛇的毒液)，而有些開始只對傷口的附近組織起破壞作用，但可引起壞疽。

咬傷如在四肢，急救時應立即將傷肢固定在水平位置，再以寬、實的繃帶包紮傷口，或包裹全肢；可以使用夾板作為輔助。截肢、吸吮傷口或使用動脈止血帶都是不智之舉。應避免用力和興奮，以防脈率增加而導致循環加快。同理，興奮劑亦應避免。對傷口用高錳酸鉀等藥物，也是有害無益。

大多數種類的蛇毒中毒可以用抗蛇毒血清治癒。由免疫動物(特別是馬)製備的抗蛇毒血清，其有效程度視抗蛇毒血清的特異性、抗體的含量以及製品的濃度和純度而定。雖然對某一種蛇咬傷，使用特定的抗蛇毒血清治療效果會更佳，但有些抗蛇毒血清可治療各種有關的蛇毒，例如，虎蛇(Notechis scutatus)蛇毒血清對其他幾種蛇毒同樣也是有效的。參閱動物毒液(venom)條。

【摘　　自】大英百科全書
【中文詞條】蛇咬傷
【外文詞條】snakebite

唐寅山水畫代表作欣賞

《落霞孤鶩圖》

畫棟珠簾煙水中，

落霞孤騖渺無蹤。

千年想見王南海，

曾藉龍王一陣風。

《收藏於上海博物館藏》

唐寅詩畫

在我從互聯網上收集而來的四十一幅唐寅詩畫當中，看起來比較清晰的要算是這幾幅了：

狂人 ~ 唐寅

唐寅，1470年生，1523年逝世，吳縣（今蘇州）人。字伯虎，又字子畏，號六如居士、桃花庵主。出身商賈。他年少時便因才得名，入京會試時因無辜牽入科場舞弊案而入獄。出獄後絕意進取，以詩文書畫為生。為人放蕩不羈，玩世不恭，與名士交往甚密。他除擅長畫山水、人物、仕女、花鳥外，還精於書法和詩文。他的詩文收入《六如居士全集》，書法造詣亦深。他筆下的山水、花卉、人物多種體裁，均有出色的成就，工筆仕女線條細勁，設色傃麗。他的繪畫繼承南宋“院體”的畫法，但用筆含蓄儒雅，體現了明代文人的情趣和心態，故被後來的許多文人畫家推崇，名聲大著。他曾被人詡為江南第一流才子，也是明代江南畫界四大家之一。傳世畫跡《王蜀宮妓圖》、《落霞孤鶩圖》、《事茗圖》、《看泉聽風圖》等。《落霞孤騖圖》，絹本，水墨淡設色。上海博物館藏。圖名是根據唐寅在畫幅左上部自題詩而取名，詩曰：“畫棟珠簾煙水中，落霞孤騖渺無蹤。千年想見王南海，曾借龍王一陣風。”畫面為垂柳高岩，水閣依山臨江，閣中有人眺望落霞孤騖。用筆蒼勁秀麗，色墨渾然一體，清潤明潔。此圖山石皴法用筆較幹，而反見秀潤，林木及水榭用筆工整，很見功力。唐寅山水畫學南宋院體，卻能溶入文人情調，與吳偉一派不同。唐寅取李唐之長，皴法變為細勁，寓雄健於雋秀之中。此圖柳樹畫法工整精致，粗幹細枝密葉，極富天趣。皴紋疏繁得當，法度嚴謹，是唐寅的傳世名作之一。
“明四大家”之一唐寅，被譽為明中葉江南第一才子。他博學多能，吟詩作曲，能書善畫，經歷坎坷。是我國繪畫史上傑出的大畫家。
唐寅出身於商人家庭，地位比較低下，在當世“顯親揚名”主導下，刻苦學習，11歲就文才極好，並寫得一手好字。16歲中秀才，29歲參加南京應天鄉試，獲中第一名“解元”。次年赴京匯考，“功名富貴”指日可待. 與他同路趕考的江陰大地主徐經，暗中賄賂了主考官的家僮，事先得到試題。事情敗露，唐寅也受牽連下獄，遭受刑拷淩辱。自此才高自負的唐寅對官場的“逆道”產生了強烈的反感。性格、行為流於放浪不羈。 唐寅與同鄉“狂生”張靈交友，縱酒不視諸生業，後在好友祝允明規勸下，才發奮讀書，決心以詩文書畫終其一生。
藝 術 風 格：
唐寅性格狂放不羈，在繪畫中則獨樹一幟，自成一路。他行筆秀潤縝密，具瀟灑 清逸的韻度。他的山水畫大多表現雄偉險峻的重山復嶺，樓閣溪橋，四時朝暮的江山勝景，有的描寫亭榭園林，文人逸士優閒的生活。山水人物畫，大幅氣勢磅薄，小幅清雋瀟灑，題材面貌豐富多樣。人物畫多描寫古今仕女生活和歷史故事
唐寅在詩詞中有其獨創的成就，其詩真切平易，不拘成法，大量採用口語，意境 警拔清新，對人生、社會常常懷著岸傲不平之氣。如《把酒對月歌》中：“我愧雖無李白才，料應月不嫌我醜；我也不登天子船，我也不上長安眠；姑蘇城外一茅屋，萬枝桃花月滿天。”又如詩雲：“萬事由天莫強求，何需苦苦用機謀；飽三餐飯常知足， 得一帆風便可收。生事事生何時了，害人人害幾時休；冤家宜解不宜結，各自回頭看後頭。”反映出消極宿命論的情緒。
唐寅書法出自趙孟（兆頁）一體，俊邁軼群，很有功力。除詩文外，也能作曲。