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{instruction} ========== In your answer, refer only to the context document. Do not employ any outside knowledge {question} ========== [user request] {passage 0} ========== [context document]
I'm middle-aged, never smoked, had my ears blown out in the war, get a case of the sads pretty regular, and eat mostly garbage. What are my risk factors for dementia? What does cognitive engagement have to do with it?
high blood pressure People who have consistent high blood pressure (hypertension) in mid-life (ages 45 to 65) are more likely to develop dementia compared to those with normal blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase the risk of developing dementia, particularly vascular dementia, because of its effect on the heart, the arteries, and blood circulation. Smoking The evidence is strong and consistent that smokers are at a higher risk of developing dementia vs. non-smokers or ex-smokers. It’s never too late to quit! Smokers who quit can reduce their risk of developing dementia. diabetes People with type 2 diabetes in mid-life (ages 45 to 65) are at an increased risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Obesity Obesity in mid-life (ages 45 to 65) increases the risk of developing dementia. Obesity also increases the risk of developing other risk factors such as type 2 diabetes. lack of physical activity Physical inactivity in later life (ages 65 and up) increases the risk of developing dementia. poor diet An unhealthy diet, high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt, can increase the risk of developing many illnesses, including dementia and cardiovascular disease. high alcohol consumption Drinking excessively (more than 12 drinks per week), can increase your risk of developing dementia low cognitive engagement Cognitive engagement is thought to support the development of a “cognitive reserve”. This is the idea that people who actively use their brains throughout their lives may be more protected against brain cell damage caused by dementia. depression People who experience depression in mid- or later life have a higher risk of developing dementia. However, the relationship between depression and dementia is still unclear. Many researchers believe that depression is a risk factor for dementia, whereas others believe it may be an early symptom of the disease, or both. traumatic brain injury People who experience severe or repeated head injuries are at increased risk of developing dementia. Brain injuries may trigger a process that might eventually lead to dementia. This particularly affects athletes in boxing, soccer, hockey, and football, which often have repeated head injuries. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury. Falling is especially dangerous for older adults. hearing loss Mild levels of hearing loss increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Though it is still unclear how exactly it affects cognitive decline, hearing loss can lead to social isolation, loss of independence, and problems with everyday activities. social isolation Social isolation can increase the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, depression, and dementia. Staying socially active may reduce the risk of dementia. Social interaction may also help slow down the progression of the disease. air pollution The relationship between air pollution and dementia is still unclear. However, it’s estimated that those living close to busy roads have a higher risk of dementia because they may be exposed to higher levels of air pollution from vehicle emissions. It’s never too soon, or too late, to make changes that will maintain or improve your brain health. Learn more about managing some of these risk factors.
{instruction} ========== In your answer, refer only to the context document. Do not employ any outside knowledge {question} ========== I'm middle-aged, never smoked, had my ears blown out in the war, get a case of the sads pretty regular, and eat mostly garbage. What are my risk factors for dementia? What does cognitive engagement have to do with it? {passage 0} ========== high blood pressure People who have consistent high blood pressure (hypertension) in mid-life (ages 45 to 65) are more likely to develop dementia compared to those with normal blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase the risk of developing dementia, particularly vascular dementia, because of its effect on the heart, the arteries, and blood circulation. Smoking The evidence is strong and consistent that smokers are at a higher risk of developing dementia vs. non-smokers or ex-smokers. It’s never too late to quit! Smokers who quit can reduce their risk of developing dementia. diabetes People with type 2 diabetes in mid-life (ages 45 to 65) are at an increased risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Obesity Obesity in mid-life (ages 45 to 65) increases the risk of developing dementia. Obesity also increases the risk of developing other risk factors such as type 2 diabetes. lack of physical activity Physical inactivity in later life (ages 65 and up) increases the risk of developing dementia. poor diet An unhealthy diet, high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt, can increase the risk of developing many illnesses, including dementia and cardiovascular disease. high alcohol consumption Drinking excessively (more than 12 drinks per week), can increase your risk of developing dementia low cognitive engagement Cognitive engagement is thought to support the development of a “cognitive reserve”. This is the idea that people who actively use their brains throughout their lives may be more protected against brain cell damage caused by dementia. depression People who experience depression in mid- or later life have a higher risk of developing dementia. However, the relationship between depression and dementia is still unclear. Many researchers believe that depression is a risk factor for dementia, whereas others believe it may be an early symptom of the disease, or both. traumatic brain injury People who experience severe or repeated head injuries are at increased risk of developing dementia. Brain injuries may trigger a process that might eventually lead to dementia. This particularly affects athletes in boxing, soccer, hockey, and football, which often have repeated head injuries. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury. Falling is especially dangerous for older adults. hearing loss Mild levels of hearing loss increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Though it is still unclear how exactly it affects cognitive decline, hearing loss can lead to social isolation, loss of independence, and problems with everyday activities. social isolation Social isolation can increase the risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease, depression, and dementia. Staying socially active may reduce the risk of dementia. Social interaction may also help slow down the progression of the disease. air pollution The relationship between air pollution and dementia is still unclear. However, it’s estimated that those living close to busy roads have a higher risk of dementia because they may be exposed to higher levels of air pollution from vehicle emissions. It’s never too soon, or too late, to make changes that will maintain or improve your brain health. Learn more about managing some of these risk factors. https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/how-can-i-reduce-risk-dementia/risk-factors-dementia?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3P-2BhAEEiwA3yPhwN2aQl6V8InKOUxaehsfGBSWmuIpGEoeJdWNsl5fH_T9LOUlOk7-gxoCHcYQAvD_BwE
You formulate answers based solely on the material provided by the user without reference to external facts or knowledge.
Can you list all the knife brands that sell knives suitable for sharpening at a 14-degree angle? List them according to the minimum angle at which their knives can be sharpened, starting with the smallest.
Knife sharpening angles Manufacturer´s recommendations The recommended angle of your knife is often written on the knife’s packaging. If you don’t find it there you can often find it on the manufacturer’s website. Below you’ll find the angle recommendations from some “well-known” knife manufacturers. Please note that despite the fact that the vast majority of knives are dual-bevel, knife manufacturers list their edge angles based on the number of degrees of a single bevel. For example, dual bevel listed as 15 degrees is actually two 15-degree angles, or 30 degrees total. Therefore, all angles in this document is listed as single bevel angles. Cangshan Cangshan knives are sharpened to an Asian-style 16-degree edge. Learn more at their website. Chroma A Chroma knife should be sharpened to 10-20 degrees. Learn more at their website. F. DICK (Friedr. DICK) Dick recommends 15-20 degrees for their DICK Hoof Knives. Learn more at their website. Fischer-Bargoin Fischer-Bargoin recommends an angle of 15-20 degrees. Learn more at their website. Global Global recommends an angle of 10-15 degrees. Learn more at their website. Korin Korin knives recommends a 10-20 degrees angle on their Western style knives. For their traditional Japanese knife see please go to the website. Learn more at their website. MAC MAC knives have factory edges of 15 degrees. Their recommendation is 10-15 degrees. Learn more at their website. Messermeister Messermeister Elité and Park Plaza knives have a 15-degree angle. Learn more at their website. Starting in 2018, the Four Seasons knife collection now features a 15-degree angle. Learn more at their website. Shun and Kai Shun recommends a 16-degree angle of Shun and Kai double-beveled knives. Learn more at their website. Victorinox Victorinox indicates the total cutting angle. Sharpening a Victorinox should be between 30 to 40 degrees, which is 15-20 degrees on each side. Learn more at their website. Wüsthof The sharpening angle for standard blades is 14 degrees, and for Asian-style blades (Santokus, Nakiris, Chai Daos) it’s 10 degrees. Learn more at their website. Zwilling J. A. Henckels and Miyabi The angle between the blade and the steel should be approximately 15 degrees for ZWILLING knives. Santoku knives and all MIYABI and Kramer made by ZWILLING knives need to be 9-12 degrees. Learn more at their website. Set the existing knife angle using Tormek Marker Method If you want to repeat an existing angle but don’t know the angle of your knife, the easiest way is to use the Tormek Marker Method with a black permanent marker. By following three simple steps you can quickly get the correct angle. 1. Color the bevel, mount the knife in the jig and place it onto the Universal Support. 2. Turn the grinding wheel by hand and check where the coloring is removed, 3. Raise or lower the Universal Support until the coloring is removed from the tip to the heel. Now, the angle is just right and it’s time to start sharpening!
You formulate answers based solely on the material provided by the user without reference to external facts or knowledge. Can you list all the knife brands that sell knives suitable for sharpening at a 14-degree angle? List them according to the minimum angle at which their knives can be sharpened, starting with the smallest. Knife sharpening angles Manufacturer´s recommendations The recommended angle of your knife is often written on the knife’s packaging. If you don’t find it there you can often find it on the manufacturer’s website. Below you’ll find the angle recommendations from some “well-known” knife manufacturers. Please note that despite the fact that the vast majority of knives are dual-bevel, knife manufacturers list their edge angles based on the number of degrees of a single bevel. For example, dual bevel listed as 15 degrees is actually two 15-degree angles, or 30 degrees total. Therefore, all angles in this document is listed as single bevel angles. Cangshan Cangshan knives are sharpened to an Asian-style 16-degree edge. Learn more at their website. Chroma A Chroma knife should be sharpened to 10-20 degrees. Learn more at their website. F. DICK (Friedr. DICK) Dick recommends 15-20 degrees for their DICK Hoof Knives. Learn more at their website. Fischer-Bargoin Fischer-Bargoin recommends an angle of 15-20 degrees. Learn more at their website. Global Global recommends an angle of 10-15 degrees. Learn more at their website. Korin Korin knives recommends a 10-20 degrees angle on their Western style knives. For their traditional Japanese knife see please go to the website. Learn more at their website. MAC MAC knives have factory edges of 15 degrees. Their recommendation is 10-15 degrees. Learn more at their website. Messermeister Messermeister Elité and Park Plaza knives have a 15-degree angle. Learn more at their website. Starting in 2018, the Four Seasons knife collection now features a 15-degree angle. Learn more at their website. Shun and Kai Shun recommends a 16-degree angle of Shun and Kai double-beveled knives. Learn more at their website. Victorinox Victorinox indicates the total cutting angle. Sharpening a Victorinox should be between 30 to 40 degrees, which is 15-20 degrees on each side. Learn more at their website. Wüsthof The sharpening angle for standard blades is 14 degrees, and for Asian-style blades (Santokus, Nakiris, Chai Daos) it’s 10 degrees. Learn more at their website. Zwilling J. A. Henckels and Miyabi The angle between the blade and the steel should be approximately 15 degrees for ZWILLING knives. Santoku knives and all MIYABI and Kramer made by ZWILLING knives need to be 9-12 degrees. Learn more at their website. Set the existing knife angle using Tormek Marker Method If you want to repeat an existing angle but don’t know the angle of your knife, the easiest way is to use the Tormek Marker Method with a black permanent marker. By following three simple steps you can quickly get the correct angle. 1. Color the bevel, mount the knife in the jig and place it onto the Universal Support. 2. Turn the grinding wheel by hand and check where the coloring is removed, 3. Raise or lower the Universal Support until the coloring is removed from the tip to the heel. Now, the angle is just right and it’s time to start sharpening!
Provide your response in a professional and formal tone. Use the information given in the document without referring to external sources or requiring additional context. Avoid using technical jargon or acronyms that are not explained within the document.
What are some tips on saving money?
Money Management Tips: 55 Ways to Save Money Recreation and Entertainment: 1. Instead of paying for a fitness club membership fee, buy some weights or go to the ARC. 2. Don’t smoke. Cigarettes are expensive and the money adds up quickly. Also you’ll be fined if you smoke near school facilities. 3. Wait until after half-time at sport events and get in for free! 4. When eating out, look for coupons or special deals- many restaurants offer them! Also, order water. Drinks are highly overpriced. 5. At the beginning of the semester, many local businesses give out coupon books. Grab one! 6. There are hundreds of free activities on campus. Join clubs, attend student concerts, or go to church-sponsored events for cheap fun. There is usually food involved, too! 7. Illinites, student activities, happen at the Illini Union every Friday night for free. 8. Experience some more cultures while in college and attend a show at Krannert. Student tickets are $10 or less. It’s FREE sometimes! 9. If you’re throwing a party, have your guests pay a little money or bring things to offset your cost. 10. Don’t purchase a book unless you think you really want to keep it. You can check out books for free at libraries. 11. Rent movies with a group of friends or go to second-run theaters for $1 or $2 a ticket. 12. Bring your student ID when you go out for a movie. Most theaters will give discount for students. Food and Basic Needs: 13. Be a savvy consumer. Before making a major purchase, do some researches on the product quality through Consumer Reports magazine. 14. Sometimes the cheaper product works just as well as the expensive one. 15. Ask for generic medications at the pharmacy. 16. Ladies, ditch the salon and get your hair done at a cosmetology school. 17. Buying in bulk is usually a good option, but try to shop for items by the per unit price. Often times, the biggest options is not the best way to get the most of your money. 18. Scout out garage/yard sales for housewares, furniture, and stuff to decorate your college dorm or apartment. At the beginning of each semester, the YMCA has a dump and run where they sell items collected from various dorms and apartment on campus. 19. Make things for gifts- it’s cheaper and the time you invest shows you care. 20. Take advantage of sales by buying holiday and birthday gifts throughout the year. 21. Get a job at a place where you already spend a lot of money, so you can get employee discounts. 22. Use mail-in rebates or coupons for groceries or health and beauty items. 23. Don’t buy bottled water. Buy a water filtration pitcher. 24. Don’t buy something just because it is one sale. Consider it’s a need for you before buying. 25. If you shop at a favorite store, apply for their discount card if they have one. Modified by Joe Pleshar, Yuanhang Fan, and Maggie Benson, Peer Educators of Spring 2015. University of Illinois Extension Financial Wellness for College Students Program. Source: National Student Loan Program’s Budget Handout #6: “Money Management Options: 75 Ways to Save Money”, 2002. Money Management Tips: 55 Ways to Save Money 26. Make home cooked meals. A home cooked stead dinner is often cheaper than a fast food binge. Eating at home will save you a lot of money! 27. Pack a lunch instead of eating out. Clothing: 28. Buy clothes at the end of the season when they’re on sales. 29. If you don’t wear certain clothes anymore, take them to a consignment shop or sell them online. You can get part of the profit and free up room in your closet. 30. Share dresses and tuxes with friends for special occasions. 31. If you buy more than one of something, like 2 or 3 shirts, always ask for a discount. 32. Invest in durable clothes, shoes, etc. rather than buying many cheap pairs. Budgeting/ Spending Plan: 33. Set goals for your spending and saving. 34. Keep track of your spending to avoid overspent. There are apps for that! 35. Don’t use a credit card if it will lead you to make more purchases! On average, people have credit cards spend 34% more. 36. Before going out to spend, set a limit for yourself and stick to it! 37. Wait at least two hours before making a big purchase to be sure it’s something you really need. Transportation: 38. Obey traffic laws. Speeding tickets will cost more than just the ticket. It will raise your insurance premiums. 39. Keep your tires inflated properly- you’ll get better gas mileage. 40. Get good grades. Insurance companies offer low rates to student with 3.0+ GPA. 41. Carpool with friend! 42. Search for dependable cards that offer good gas mileage. 43. Drive an older car- the insurance payments and taxes will be less. 44. Walk, bike, or ride to school- it’s good for you to saves on gas. 45. Look around for cheapest gas price before filling up. There are apps for that! Savings: 46. Only use ATM’s of your bank. Other bank’s ATM fees add up! 47. Always put part of our paycheck into a savings account. 48. Spare change adds up! Get a piggy bank or change jar and don’t underestimate the value of your spare changes. 49. Volunteer! If you’re busy, you can’t spend month and it’s a resume booster, too! It’s always make you feel good to help and give back to the community. 50. Use plastic grocery bags for trash can liners. Conserving Resources: 51. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. 52. Unplug electronics when you aren’t using them. Even while turned off, they still use up costly energy. 53. Use items like shampoo, toothpaste, and paper towels sparingly- enough to do the job without waste. 54. Pay your bills online. Save paper and money on stamps. 55. Ask your landlord to seal gaps between door and windows to prevent heat leaks over the winter. Modified by Joe Pleshar, Yuanhang Fan, and Maggie Benson, Peer Educators of Spring 2015. University of Illinois Extension Financial Wellness for College Students Program. Source: National Student Loan Program’s Budget Handout #6: “Money Management Options: 75 Ways to Save Money”, 2002.
Provide your response in a professional and formal tone. Use the information given in the document without referring to external sources or requiring additional context. Avoid using technical jargon or acronyms that are not explained within the document. What are some tips on saving money? Money Management Tips: 55 Ways to Save Money Recreation and Entertainment: 1. Instead of paying for a fitness club membership fee, buy some weights or go to the ARC. 2. Don’t smoke. Cigarettes are expensive and the money adds up quickly. Also you’ll be fined if you smoke near school facilities. 3. Wait until after half-time at sport events and get in for free! 4. When eating out, look for coupons or special deals- many restaurants offer them! Also, order water. Drinks are highly overpriced. 5. At the beginning of the semester, many local businesses give out coupon books. Grab one! 6. There are hundreds of free activities on campus. Join clubs, attend student concerts, or go to church-sponsored events for cheap fun. There is usually food involved, too! 7. Illinites, student activities, happen at the Illini Union every Friday night for free. 8. Experience some more cultures while in college and attend a show at Krannert. Student tickets are $10 or less. It’s FREE sometimes! 9. If you’re throwing a party, have your guests pay a little money or bring things to offset your cost. 10. Don’t purchase a book unless you think you really want to keep it. You can check out books for free at libraries. 11. Rent movies with a group of friends or go to second-run theaters for $1 or $2 a ticket. 12. Bring your student ID when you go out for a movie. Most theaters will give discount for students. Food and Basic Needs: 13. Be a savvy consumer. Before making a major purchase, do some researches on the product quality through Consumer Reports magazine. 14. Sometimes the cheaper product works just as well as the expensive one. 15. Ask for generic medications at the pharmacy. 16. Ladies, ditch the salon and get your hair done at a cosmetology school. 17. Buying in bulk is usually a good option, but try to shop for items by the per unit price. Often times, the biggest options is not the best way to get the most of your money. 18. Scout out garage/yard sales for housewares, furniture, and stuff to decorate your college dorm or apartment. At the beginning of each semester, the YMCA has a dump and run where they sell items collected from various dorms and apartment on campus. 19. Make things for gifts- it’s cheaper and the time you invest shows you care. 20. Take advantage of sales by buying holiday and birthday gifts throughout the year. 21. Get a job at a place where you already spend a lot of money, so you can get employee discounts. 22. Use mail-in rebates or coupons for groceries or health and beauty items. 23. Don’t buy bottled water. Buy a water filtration pitcher. 24. Don’t buy something just because it is one sale. Consider it’s a need for you before buying. 25. If you shop at a favorite store, apply for their discount card if they have one. Modified by Joe Pleshar, Yuanhang Fan, and Maggie Benson, Peer Educators of Spring 2015. University of Illinois Extension Financial Wellness for College Students Program. Source: National Student Loan Program’s Budget Handout #6: “Money Management Options: 75 Ways to Save Money”, 2002. Money Management Tips: 55 Ways to Save Money 26. Make home cooked meals. A home cooked stead dinner is often cheaper than a fast food binge. Eating at home will save you a lot of money! 27. Pack a lunch instead of eating out. Clothing: 28. Buy clothes at the end of the season when they’re on sales. 29. If you don’t wear certain clothes anymore, take them to a consignment shop or sell them online. You can get part of the profit and free up room in your closet. 30. Share dresses and tuxes with friends for special occasions. 31. If you buy more than one of something, like 2 or 3 shirts, always ask for a discount. 32. Invest in durable clothes, shoes, etc. rather than buying many cheap pairs. Budgeting/ Spending Plan: 33. Set goals for your spending and saving. 34. Keep track of your spending to avoid overspent. There are apps for that! 35. Don’t use a credit card if it will lead you to make more purchases! On average, people have credit cards spend 34% more. 36. Before going out to spend, set a limit for yourself and stick to it! 37. Wait at least two hours before making a big purchase to be sure it’s something you really need. Transportation: 38. Obey traffic laws. Speeding tickets will cost more than just the ticket. It will raise your insurance premiums. 39. Keep your tires inflated properly- you’ll get better gas mileage. 40. Get good grades. Insurance companies offer low rates to student with 3.0+ GPA. 41. Carpool with friend! 42. Search for dependable cards that offer good gas mileage. 43. Drive an older car- the insurance payments and taxes will be less. 44. Walk, bike, or ride to school- it’s good for you to saves on gas. 45. Look around for cheapest gas price before filling up. There are apps for that! Savings: 46. Only use ATM’s of your bank. Other bank’s ATM fees add up! 47. Always put part of our paycheck into a savings account. 48. Spare change adds up! Get a piggy bank or change jar and don’t underestimate the value of your spare changes. 49. Volunteer! If you’re busy, you can’t spend month and it’s a resume booster, too! It’s always make you feel good to help and give back to the community. 50. Use plastic grocery bags for trash can liners. Conserving Resources: 51. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. 52. Unplug electronics when you aren’t using them. Even while turned off, they still use up costly energy. 53. Use items like shampoo, toothpaste, and paper towels sparingly- enough to do the job without waste. 54. Pay your bills online. Save paper and money on stamps. 55. Ask your landlord to seal gaps between door and windows to prevent heat leaks over the winter. Modified by Joe Pleshar, Yuanhang Fan, and Maggie Benson, Peer Educators of Spring 2015. University of Illinois Extension Financial Wellness for College Students Program. Source: National Student Loan Program’s Budget Handout #6: “Money Management Options: 75 Ways to Save Money”, 2002.
You must only use the context to answer the question. You must respond in a bullet point list. The list can be divided into sections.
What are all the contexts when it is right for testing for leptospirosis in dogs specifically?
Description of the disease: Leptospirosis is a transmissible disease of animals and humans caused by infection with any of the pathogenic members of the genus Leptospira. Acute leptospirosis should be suspected in the following cases: sudden onset of agalactia (in adult milking cattle and sheep); icterus and haemoglobinuria, especially in young animals; meningitis; and acute renal failure or jaundice in dogs. Chronic leptospirosis should be considered in the following cases: abortion, stillbirth, birth of weak offspring (may be premature); infertility; chronic renal failure or chronic active hepatitis in dogs; and cases of periodic ophthalmia in horses.
System instruction: You must only use the context to answer the question. You must respond in a bullet point list. The list can be divided into sections. Question: What are all the contexts when it is right for testing for leptospirosis in dogs specifically? Context: Description of the disease: Leptospirosis is a transmissible disease of animals and humans caused by infection with any of the pathogenic members of the genus Leptospira. Acute leptospirosis should be suspected in the following cases: sudden onset of agalactia (in adult milking cattle and sheep); icterus and haemoglobinuria, especially in young animals; meningitis; and acute renal failure or jaundice in dogs. Chronic leptospirosis should be considered in the following cases: abortion, stillbirth, birth of weak offspring (may be premature); infertility; chronic renal failure or chronic active hepatitis in dogs; and cases of periodic ophthalmia in horses.
Do not use any information other than that contained in the context block to answer the question. Use concise, easy-to-understand language.
can you summarise all the important information relevant to Annex 1 nationals and refugees?
This Regulation provides for full harmonisation as regards the third countries whose nationals are subject to a requirement to be in possession of a visa for the crossing of Member States' external borders (also referred to herein as ‘the visa requirement’) and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement. The determination of the third countries whose nationals are subject to, or exempt from, the visa requirement should be made on the basis of a considered, case-by-case assessment of a variety of criteria. That assessment should be made periodically and could lead to legislative proposals to amend Annex I to this Regulation, which lists the third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States, and Annex II to this Regulation, which lists the third countries whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period, notwithstanding the possibility of having country-specific amendments to those Annexes in particular circumstances, for instance as a result of a visa liberalisation process or as the ultimate consequence of a temporary suspension of the exemption from the visa requirement (also referred to herein as ‘the visa exemption’). The composition of the lists of third countries in Annexes I and II should be, and should remain, consistent with the criteria set out in this Regulation. References to third countries in respect of which the situation has changed as regards those criteria should be transferred from one Annex to the other. Developments in international law entailing changes in the status or designation of certain States or entities should be reflected in Annexes I and II. As the Agreement on the European Economic Area exempts nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway from the visa requirement, those countries should not be included in the list in Annex II. Since the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, on the free movement of persons provides for free movement without visas for nationals of Switzerland and of the Member States, Switzerland should not be included in the list in Annex II. As regards recognised refugees and stateless persons, without prejudice to obligations under international agreements signed by the Member States and in particular the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees of the Council of Europe, signed at Strasbourg on 20 April 1959, the decision as to the visa requirement or exemption should be based on the third country in which those persons reside and which issued their travel documents. However, given the differences in the national law applicable to recognised refugees and to stateless persons, Member States should be able to decide whether those categories of persons should be exempted, where the third country in which those persons reside and which issued their travel documents is a third country whose nationals are exempt from the visa requirement.
system instruction: [Do not use any information other than that contained in the context block to answer the question. Use concise, easy-to-understand language.] question: [can you summarise all the important information relevant to Annex 1 nationals and refugees?] context block: [This Regulation provides for full harmonisation as regards the third countries whose nationals are subject to a requirement to be in possession of a visa for the crossing of Member States' external borders (also referred to herein as ‘the visa requirement’) and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement. The determination of the third countries whose nationals are subject to, or exempt from, the visa requirement should be made on the basis of a considered, case-by-case assessment of a variety of criteria. That assessment should be made periodically and could lead to legislative proposals to amend Annex I to this Regulation, which lists the third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States, and Annex II to this Regulation, which lists the third countries whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period, notwithstanding the possibility of having country-specific amendments to those Annexes in particular circumstances, for instance as a result of a visa liberalisation process or as the ultimate consequence of a temporary suspension of the exemption from the visa requirement (also referred to herein as ‘the visa exemption’). The composition of the lists of third countries in Annexes I and II should be, and should remain, consistent with the criteria set out in this Regulation. References to third countries in respect of which the situation has changed as regards those criteria should be transferred from one Annex to the other. Developments in international law entailing changes in the status or designation of certain States or entities should be reflected in Annexes I and II. As the Agreement on the European Economic Area exempts nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway from the visa requirement, those countries should not be included in the list in Annex II. Since the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, on the free movement of persons provides for free movement without visas for nationals of Switzerland and of the Member States, Switzerland should not be included in the list in Annex II. As regards recognised refugees and stateless persons, without prejudice to obligations under international agreements signed by the Member States and in particular the European Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees of the Council of Europe, signed at Strasbourg on 20 April 1959, the decision as to the visa requirement or exemption should be based on the third country in which those persons reside and which issued their travel documents. However, given the differences in the national law applicable to recognised refugees and to stateless persons, Member States should be able to decide whether those categories of persons should be exempted, where the third country in which those persons reside and which issued their travel documents is a third country whose nationals are exempt from the visa requirement.]
This task requires you to answer questions based solely on the information provided in the prompt. You are not allowed to use any external resources or prior knowledge. Limit your response to 100 words. Do not use bullet points. Limit your answer to six sentences.
Summarize the five overarching principles of tax policy.
2.1 Overarching principles of tax policy In a context where many governments have to cope with less revenue, increasing expenditures and resulting fiscal constraints, raising revenue remains the most important function of taxes, which serve as the primary means for financing public goods such as maintenance of law and order and public infrastructure. Assuming a certain level of revenue that needs to be raised, which depends on the broader economic and fiscal policies of the country concerned, there are a number of broad tax policy considerations that have traditionally guided the development of taxation systems. These include neutrality, efficiency, certainty and simplicity, effectiveness and fairness, as well as flexibility. In the context of work leading up to the Report on the Taxation of Electronic Commerce (see Annex A for further detail), these overarching principles were the basis for the 1998 Ottawa Ministerial Conference, and are since then referred to as the Ottawa Taxation Framework Conditions. At the time, these principles were deemed appropriate for an evaluation of the taxation issues related to e-commerce. Although most of the new business models identified in Chapter 4 did not exist yet at the time, these principles, with modification, continue to be relevant in the digital economy, as discussed in Chapter 8. In addition to these well-recognised principles, equity is an important consideration for the design of tax policy. • Neutrality: Taxation should seek to be neutral and equitable between forms of business activities. A neutral tax will contribute to efficiency by ensuring that optimal allocation of the means of production is achieved. A distortion, and the corresponding deadweight loss, will occur when changes in price trigger different changes in supply and demand than would occur in the absence of tax. In this sense, neutrality also entails that the tax system raises revenue while minimising discrimination in favour of, or against, any particular economic choice. This implies that the same principles of taxation should apply to all forms of business, while addressing specific features that may otherwise undermine an equal and neutral application of those principles. • Efficiency: Compliance costs to business and administration costs for governments should be minimised as far as possible. • Certainty and simplicity: Tax rules should be clear and simple to understand, so that taxpayers know where they stand. A simple tax system makes it easier for individuals and businesses to understand their obligations and entitlements. As a result, businesses are more likely to make optimal decisions and respond to intended policy choices. Complexity also favours aggressive tax planning, which may trigger deadweight losses for the economy. ADDRESSING THE TAX CHALLENGES OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY © OECD 2014 2. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF TAXATION – 31 • Effectiveness and fairness: Taxation should produce the right amount of tax at the right time, while avoiding both double taxation and unintentional non-taxation. In addition, the potential for evasion and avoidance should be minimised. Prior discussions in the Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) considered that if there is a class of taxpayers that are technically subject to a tax, but are never required to pay the tax due to inability to enforce it, then the taxpaying public may view the tax as unfair and ineffective. As a result, the practical enforceability of tax rules is an important consideration for policy makers. In addition, because it influences the collectability and the administerability of taxes, enforceability is crucial to ensure efficiency of the tax system. • Flexibility: Taxation systems should be flexible and dynamic enough to ensure they keep pace with technological and commercial developments. It is important that a tax system is dynamic and flexible enough to meet the current revenue needs of governments while adapting to changing needs on an ongoing basis. This means that the structural features of the system should be durable in a changing policy context, yet flexible and dynamic enough to allow governments to respond as required to keep pace with technological and commercial developments, taking into account that future developments will often be difficult to predict. Equity is also an important consideration within a tax policy framework. Equity has two main elements; horizontal equity and vertical equity. Horizontal equity suggests that taxpayers in similar circumstances should bear a similar tax burden. Vertical equity is a normative concept, whose definition can differ from one user to another. According to some, it suggests that taxpayers in better circumstances should bear a larger part of the tax burden as a proportion of their income. In practice, the interpretation of vertical equity depends on the extent to which countries want to diminish income variation and whether it should be applied to income earned in a specific period or to lifetime income. Equity is traditionally delivered through the design of the personal tax and transfer systems. Equity may also refer to inter-nation equity. As a theory, inter-nation equity is concerned with the allocation of national gain and loss in the international context and aims to ensure that each country receives an equitable share of tax revenues from cross-border transactions (OECD, 2001). The tax policy principle of inter-nation equity has been an important consideration in the debate on the division of taxing rights between source and residence countries. At the time of the Ottawa work on the taxation of electronic commerce, this important concern was recognised by stating that “any adaptation of the existing international taxation principles should be ADDRESSING THE TAX CHALLENGES OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY © OECD 2014 32 – 2. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF TAXATION structured to maintain fiscal sovereignty of countries, […] to achieve a fair sharing of the tax base from electronic commerce between countries…” (OECD, 2001: 228). Tax policy choices often reflect decisions by policy makers on the relative importance of each of these principles and will also reflect wider economic and social policy considerations outside the field of tax.
This task requires you to answer questions based solely on the information provided in the prompt. You are not allowed to use any external resources or prior knowledge. Limit your response to 100 words. Do not use bullet points. Limit your answer to six sentences. Summarize the five overarching principles of tax policy. 2.1 Overarching principles of tax policy In a context where many governments have to cope with less revenue, increasing expenditures and resulting fiscal constraints, raising revenue remains the most important function of taxes, which serve as the primary means for financing public goods such as maintenance of law and order and public infrastructure. Assuming a certain level of revenue that needs to be raised, which depends on the broader economic and fiscal policies of the country concerned, there are a number of broad tax policy considerations that have traditionally guided the development of taxation systems. These include neutrality, efficiency, certainty and simplicity, effectiveness and fairness, as well as flexibility. In the context of work leading up to the Report on the Taxation of Electronic Commerce (see Annex A for further detail), these overarching principles were the basis for the 1998 Ottawa Ministerial Conference, and are since then referred to as the Ottawa Taxation Framework Conditions. At the time, these principles were deemed appropriate for an evaluation of the taxation issues related to e-commerce. Although most of the new business models identified in Chapter 4 did not exist yet at the time, these principles, with modification, continue to be relevant in the digital economy, as discussed in Chapter 8. In addition to these well-recognised principles, equity is an important consideration for the design of tax policy. • Neutrality: Taxation should seek to be neutral and equitable between forms of business activities. A neutral tax will contribute to efficiency by ensuring that optimal allocation of the means of production is achieved. A distortion, and the corresponding deadweight loss, will occur when changes in price trigger different changes in supply and demand than would occur in the absence of tax. In this sense, neutrality also entails that the tax system raises revenue while minimising discrimination in favour of, or against, any particular economic choice. This implies that the same principles of taxation should apply to all forms of business, while addressing specific features that may otherwise undermine an equal and neutral application of those principles. • Efficiency: Compliance costs to business and administration costs for governments should be minimised as far as possible. • Certainty and simplicity: Tax rules should be clear and simple to understand, so that taxpayers know where they stand. A simple tax system makes it easier for individuals and businesses to understand their obligations and entitlements. As a result, businesses are more likely to make optimal decisions and respond to intended policy choices. Complexity also favours aggressive tax planning, which may trigger deadweight losses for the economy. ADDRESSING THE TAX CHALLENGES OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY © OECD 2014 2. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF TAXATION – 31 • Effectiveness and fairness: Taxation should produce the right amount of tax at the right time, while avoiding both double taxation and unintentional non-taxation. In addition, the potential for evasion and avoidance should be minimised. Prior discussions in the Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) considered that if there is a class of taxpayers that are technically subject to a tax, but are never required to pay the tax due to inability to enforce it, then the taxpaying public may view the tax as unfair and ineffective. As a result, the practical enforceability of tax rules is an important consideration for policy makers. In addition, because it influences the collectability and the administerability of taxes, enforceability is crucial to ensure efficiency of the tax system. • Flexibility: Taxation systems should be flexible and dynamic enough to ensure they keep pace with technological and commercial developments. It is important that a tax system is dynamic and flexible enough to meet the current revenue needs of governments while adapting to changing needs on an ongoing basis. This means that the structural features of the system should be durable in a changing policy context, yet flexible and dynamic enough to allow governments to respond as required to keep pace with technological and commercial developments, taking into account that future developments will often be difficult to predict. Equity is also an important consideration within a tax policy framework. Equity has two main elements; horizontal equity and vertical equity. Horizontal equity suggests that taxpayers in similar circumstances should bear a similar tax burden. Vertical equity is a normative concept, whose definition can differ from one user to another. According to some, it suggests that taxpayers in better circumstances should bear a larger part of the tax burden as a proportion of their income. In practice, the interpretation of vertical equity depends on the extent to which countries want to diminish income variation and whether it should be applied to income earned in a specific period or to lifetime income. Equity is traditionally delivered through the design of the personal tax and transfer systems. Equity may also refer to inter-nation equity. As a theory, inter-nation equity is concerned with the allocation of national gain and loss in the international context and aims to ensure that each country receives an equitable share of tax revenues from cross-border transactions (OECD, 2001). The tax policy principle of inter-nation equity has been an important consideration in the debate on the division of taxing rights between source and residence countries. At the time of the Ottawa work on the taxation of electronic commerce, this important concern was recognised by stating that “any adaptation of the existing international taxation principles should be ADDRESSING THE TAX CHALLENGES OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY © OECD 2014 32 – 2. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF TAXATION structured to maintain fiscal sovereignty of countries, […] to achieve a fair sharing of the tax base from electronic commerce between countries…” (OECD, 2001: 228). Tax policy choices often reflect decisions by policy makers on the relative importance of each of these principles and will also reflect wider economic and social policy considerations outside the field of tax.
Only use the provided text to answer the question. Do not use outside resources. The entire answer should be short.
According to the provided text, what is the typical maximum range for Infrared (IR)?
**Robotics Sensors and Actuators** Robot Sensors • Sensors are devices that can sense and measure physical properties of the environment, • e.g. temperature, luminance, resistance to touch, weight, size, etc. • The key phenomenon is transduction • Transduction (engineering) is a process that converts one type of energy to another • They deliver low-­‐level information about the environment the robot is working in. – Return an incomplete description of the world • This information is noisy (imprecise). • Cannot be modelled completely: – Reading = f(env) where f is the model of the sensor – Finding the inverse: • ill posed problem (solution not uniquely deEined) • collapsing of dimensionality leads to ambiguity Types of Sensor • General classification: – active versus passive • Active: emit energy in environment – More robust, less efEicient • Passive: passively receive energy from env. – Less intrusive, but depends on env. e.g. light for camera • Example: stereo vision versus range Einder. – contact versus non-­‐contact Sensors • Proprioceptive Sensors (monitor state of robot) – IMU (accels & gyros) – Wheel encoders – Doppler radar … • Exteroceptive Sensors (monitor environment) – Cameras (single, stereo, omni, FLIR …) – Laser scanner – MW radar – Sonar – Tactile… Sensor Characteristics All sensors are characterized by various properties that describe their capabilities – Sensitivity: (change of output) ÷ (change of input) – Linearity: constancy of (output ÷ input) • Exception: logarithmic response cameras == wider dynamic range. – Measurement/Dynamic range: difference between min. and max. Response Time: time required for a change in input to cause a change in the output – Accuracy: difference between measured & actual – Repeatability: difference between repeated measures – Resolution: smallest observable increment – Bandwidth: result of high resolution or cycle time Types of Sensor Specific examples – tactile – close-­‐range proximity – angular position – infrared – Sonar – laser (various types) – radar – compasses, gyroscopes – Force – GPS – vision Tactile Sensors There are many different technologies – e.g. contact closure, magnetic, piezoelectric, etc. • For mobile robots these can be classiEied as – tactile feelers (antennae) often some form of metal wire passing through a wire loop -­‐ can be active (powered to mechanically search for surfaces) § tactile bumpers solid bar / plate acts on some form of contact switch e.g. mirror deElecting light beam, pressure bladder, wire loops, etc. § Pressure-­‐sensitive rubber with scanning array Vibrassae/whiskers of rats – Surface texture information. – Distance of deElection. – Blind people using a cane. Proximity Sensors Tactile sensors allow obstacle detection – proximity sensors needed for true obstacle avoidance • Several technologies can detect the presence of particular Eields without mechanical contact – magnetic reed switches • two thin magnetic strips of opposite polarity not quite touching • an external magnetic Eield closes the strip & makes contact Hall effect sensors • small voltage generated across a conductor carrying current – inductive sensors, capacitive sensors • inductive sensors can detect presence of metallic objects • capacitive sensors can detect metallic or dielectric materials Infrared Sensors Infrared sensors are probably the simplest type of non-­contact sensor – widely used in mobile robotics to avoid obstacles • They work by – emitting infrared light • to differentiate emitted IR from ambient IR (e.g. lights, sun, etc.), the signal is modulated with a low frequency (100 Hz) – detecting any reElections off nearby surfaces • In certain environments, with careful calibration, IR sensors can be used for measuring the distance to the object – requires uniform surface colours and structures Infrared Sensors (Sharp) Measures the return angle of the infrared beam. Infrared Problems If the IR signal is detected, it is safe to assume that an object is present • However, the absence of reElected IR does not mean that no object is present! – “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” C. Sagan – certain dark colours (black) are almost invisible to IR – IR sensors are not absolutely safe for object detection • In realistic situations (different colours & types of objects) there is no accurate distance information – it is best to avoid objects as soon as possible • IR are short range – typical maximum range is 50 to 100 cm Sonar Sensors • The fundamental principle of robot sonar sensors is the same as that used by bats – emit a chirp (e.g. 1.2 milliseconds) • a short powerful pulse of a range of frequencies of sound – its reElection off nearby surfaces is detected • As the speed of sound in air is known (≈ 330 m·s-­‐1) the distance to the object can be computed from the elapsed time between chirp and echo – minimum distance = 165 tchirp (e.g. 21 cm at 1.2 ms) – maximum distance = 165 twait (e.g. 165 m at 1 s) • Usually referred to as ultrasonic sensors Sonar Problems • There are a number of problems and uncertainties associated with readings from sonar sensors – it is difEicult to be sure in which direction an object is because the 3D sonar beam spreads out as it travels – specular re5lections give rise to erroneous readings • the sonar beam hits a smooth surface at a shallow angle and so reElects away from the sensor • only when an object further away reElects the beam back does the sensor obtain a reading -­‐ but distance is incorrect – arrays of sonar sensors can experience crosstalk • one sensor detects the reElected beam of another sensor – the speed of sound varies with air temp. and pressure • a 16° C temp. change can cause a 30cm error at 10m Laser Range Finders • Laser range Einders commonly used to measure the distance, velocity and acceleration of objects – also known as laser radar or lidar • The operating principle is the same as sonar – a short pulse of (laser) light is emitted – the time elapsed between emission and detection is used to determine distance (using the speed of light) • Due to the shorter wavelengths of lasers, the chance of specular reElections is much less – accuracies of millimetres (16 -­‐ 50mm) over 100m – 1D beam is usually swept to give a 2D planar beam • May not detect transparent surfaces (e.g. glass!) or dark objects RADAR • Radar usually uses electromagnetic energy in the 1 -­‐ 12.5 GHz frequency range – this corresponds to wavelengths of 30 cm -­‐ 2 cm • microwave energy – unaffected by fog, rain, dust, haze and smoke • It may use a pulsed time-­‐of-­‐Elight methodology of sonar and lidar, but may also use other methods – continuous-­‐wave phase detection – continuous-­‐wave frequency modulation • Continuous-­‐wave systems make use of Doppler effect to measure relative velocity of the target Angular Position: Rotary Encoder • Potentiometer – Used in the Servo on the boebots • Optical Disks (Relative) – Counting the slots – Direction by having pars of emitters/receivers out of phase: Quadrature decoding – Can spin very fast: 500 kHz • Optical Disks (Absolute) – Grey encoding for absolute: • 0:0000, 1:1000, 2:1100, 3:0100, 4:0110, • 5:1110, 6:1010, 7:0010, 8:0011 • 9:1011, 10:1111, 11:0111, 12:0101, 13:1101, 14:1001, 15:0001 Compass Sensors • Compass sensors measure the horizontal component of the earth’s magnetic Eield – some birds use the vertical component too • The earth’s magnetic Eield is very weak and non-­‐uniform, and changes over time – indoors there are likely to be many other Eield sources • steel girders, reinforced concrete, power lines, motors, etc. – an accurate absolute reference is unlikely, but the Eield is approx. constant, so can be used for local reference Gyroscopes • A gyroscope is a spinning wheel with most of its mass concentrated in the outer periphery – e.g. a bicycle wheel • Due to the law of conservation of momentum – the spinning wheel will stay in its original orientation – a force is required to rotate the gyroscope • A gyro. can thus be used to maintain orientation or to measure the rate and direction of rotation • In fact there are different types of mechanical gyro. – and even optical gyro’s with no moving parts! • these can be used in e.g. space probes to maintain orientation Ring Gyro's • Use standing waves set up – between mirrors (laser ring gyro) – within a Eiber optic cable (Eibre optic ring gyro) • Measure rotation by observing beats in standing wave as the mirrors "rotate through it". IMU's • Gyro, accelerometer combination. • Typical designs (e.g. 3DM-­‐GX1™) use tri-­‐axial gyros to track dynamic orientation and tri-­‐axial DC accelerometers along with the tri-­‐axial magnetometers to track static orientation. • The embedded microprocessors contains programmable Eilter algorithms, which blend these static and dynamic responses in real-­‐time. GPS • GPS uses a constellation of between 24 and 32 Medium Earth Orbit satellites. • Satellite broadcast their position + time. • Use travel time of 4 satellites and trilateration. • Suffers from “canyon” effect in cities. WiFi • Using the SSID and database. Odor Sensing Smell is ubiquitous in nature … both as a active and a passive sensor. Why is it so important? Advantages: evanescent, controllable, multi-­‐valued, useful. What is an actuator? • Device for moving or controlling a system. • “Robot Muscles Hydraulic Actuators • Pros: – Powerful – Fast – Stiff • Cons – Messy – Maintenance – External Pump Pneumatic Actuators • Pros: – Powerful – Cheap • Cons – Soft/Compliant – External Compressor Shape Memory Alloy Actuators • Works by warming and cooling Nitinol wires. • Pros: – Light – Powerful • Cons: – Slow (cooling) Electric Actuators • Pros – Better position precision – Well understood – No separate power source – Cheap • Cons – Heavy – Weaker/slower than hydraulics – Cooling issue • Stepper motors • DC motors – Servos • Continuous • Position • Others (not discussed) – Linear actuators – AC motors
<System Instruction> Only use the provided text to answer the question. Do not use outside resources. The entire answer should be short. ---------------- <Question> According to the provided text, what is the typical maximum range for Infrared (IR)? ---------------- <Text> **Robotics Sensors and Actuators** Robot Sensors • Sensors are devices that can sense and measure physical properties of the environment, • e.g. temperature, luminance, resistance to touch, weight, size, etc. • The key phenomenon is transduction • Transduction (engineering) is a process that converts one type of energy to another • They deliver low-­‐level information about the environment the robot is working in. – Return an incomplete description of the world • This information is noisy (imprecise). • Cannot be modelled completely: – Reading = f(env) where f is the model of the sensor – Finding the inverse: • ill posed problem (solution not uniquely deEined) • collapsing of dimensionality leads to ambiguity Types of Sensor • General classification: – active versus passive • Active: emit energy in environment – More robust, less efEicient • Passive: passively receive energy from env. – Less intrusive, but depends on env. e.g. light for camera • Example: stereo vision versus range Einder. – contact versus non-­‐contact Sensors • Proprioceptive Sensors (monitor state of robot) – IMU (accels & gyros) – Wheel encoders – Doppler radar … • Exteroceptive Sensors (monitor environment) – Cameras (single, stereo, omni, FLIR …) – Laser scanner – MW radar – Sonar – Tactile… Sensor Characteristics All sensors are characterized by various properties that describe their capabilities – Sensitivity: (change of output) ÷ (change of input) – Linearity: constancy of (output ÷ input) • Exception: logarithmic response cameras == wider dynamic range. – Measurement/Dynamic range: difference between min. and max. Response Time: time required for a change in input to cause a change in the output – Accuracy: difference between measured & actual – Repeatability: difference between repeated measures – Resolution: smallest observable increment – Bandwidth: result of high resolution or cycle time Types of Sensor Specific examples – tactile – close-­‐range proximity – angular position – infrared – Sonar – laser (various types) – radar – compasses, gyroscopes – Force – GPS – vision Tactile Sensors There are many different technologies – e.g. contact closure, magnetic, piezoelectric, etc. • For mobile robots these can be classiEied as – tactile feelers (antennae) often some form of metal wire passing through a wire loop -­‐ can be active (powered to mechanically search for surfaces) § tactile bumpers solid bar / plate acts on some form of contact switch e.g. mirror deElecting light beam, pressure bladder, wire loops, etc. § Pressure-­‐sensitive rubber with scanning array Vibrassae/whiskers of rats – Surface texture information. – Distance of deElection. – Blind people using a cane. Proximity Sensors Tactile sensors allow obstacle detection – proximity sensors needed for true obstacle avoidance • Several technologies can detect the presence of particular Eields without mechanical contact – magnetic reed switches • two thin magnetic strips of opposite polarity not quite touching • an external magnetic Eield closes the strip & makes contact Hall effect sensors • small voltage generated across a conductor carrying current – inductive sensors, capacitive sensors • inductive sensors can detect presence of metallic objects • capacitive sensors can detect metallic or dielectric materials Infrared Sensors Infrared sensors are probably the simplest type of non-­contact sensor – widely used in mobile robotics to avoid obstacles • They work by – emitting infrared light • to differentiate emitted IR from ambient IR (e.g. lights, sun, etc.), the signal is modulated with a low frequency (100 Hz) – detecting any reElections off nearby surfaces • In certain environments, with careful calibration, IR sensors can be used for measuring the distance to the object – requires uniform surface colours and structures Infrared Sensors (Sharp) Measures the return angle of the infrared beam. Infrared Problems If the IR signal is detected, it is safe to assume that an object is present • However, the absence of reElected IR does not mean that no object is present! – “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” C. Sagan – certain dark colours (black) are almost invisible to IR – IR sensors are not absolutely safe for object detection • In realistic situations (different colours & types of objects) there is no accurate distance information – it is best to avoid objects as soon as possible • IR are short range – typical maximum range is 50 to 100 cm Sonar Sensors • The fundamental principle of robot sonar sensors is the same as that used by bats – emit a chirp (e.g. 1.2 milliseconds) • a short powerful pulse of a range of frequencies of sound – its reElection off nearby surfaces is detected • As the speed of sound in air is known (≈ 330 m·s-­‐1) the distance to the object can be computed from the elapsed time between chirp and echo – minimum distance = 165 tchirp (e.g. 21 cm at 1.2 ms) – maximum distance = 165 twait (e.g. 165 m at 1 s) • Usually referred to as ultrasonic sensors Sonar Problems • There are a number of problems and uncertainties associated with readings from sonar sensors – it is difEicult to be sure in which direction an object is because the 3D sonar beam spreads out as it travels – specular re5lections give rise to erroneous readings • the sonar beam hits a smooth surface at a shallow angle and so reElects away from the sensor • only when an object further away reElects the beam back does the sensor obtain a reading -­‐ but distance is incorrect – arrays of sonar sensors can experience crosstalk • one sensor detects the reElected beam of another sensor – the speed of sound varies with air temp. and pressure • a 16° C temp. change can cause a 30cm error at 10m Laser Range Finders • Laser range Einders commonly used to measure the distance, velocity and acceleration of objects – also known as laser radar or lidar • The operating principle is the same as sonar – a short pulse of (laser) light is emitted – the time elapsed between emission and detection is used to determine distance (using the speed of light) • Due to the shorter wavelengths of lasers, the chance of specular reElections is much less – accuracies of millimetres (16 -­‐ 50mm) over 100m – 1D beam is usually swept to give a 2D planar beam • May not detect transparent surfaces (e.g. glass!) or dark objects RADAR • Radar usually uses electromagnetic energy in the 1 -­‐ 12.5 GHz frequency range – this corresponds to wavelengths of 30 cm -­‐ 2 cm • microwave energy – unaffected by fog, rain, dust, haze and smoke • It may use a pulsed time-­‐of-­‐Elight methodology of sonar and lidar, but may also use other methods – continuous-­‐wave phase detection – continuous-­‐wave frequency modulation • Continuous-­‐wave systems make use of Doppler effect to measure relative velocity of the target Angular Position: Rotary Encoder • Potentiometer – Used in the Servo on the boebots • Optical Disks (Relative) – Counting the slots – Direction by having pars of emitters/receivers out of phase: Quadrature decoding – Can spin very fast: 500 kHz • Optical Disks (Absolute) – Grey encoding for absolute: • 0:0000, 1:1000, 2:1100, 3:0100, 4:0110, • 5:1110, 6:1010, 7:0010, 8:0011 • 9:1011, 10:1111, 11:0111, 12:0101, 13:1101, 14:1001, 15:0001 Compass Sensors • Compass sensors measure the horizontal component of the earth’s magnetic Eield – some birds use the vertical component too • The earth’s magnetic Eield is very weak and non-­‐uniform, and changes over time – indoors there are likely to be many other Eield sources • steel girders, reinforced concrete, power lines, motors, etc. – an accurate absolute reference is unlikely, but the Eield is approx. constant, so can be used for local reference Gyroscopes • A gyroscope is a spinning wheel with most of its mass concentrated in the outer periphery – e.g. a bicycle wheel • Due to the law of conservation of momentum – the spinning wheel will stay in its original orientation – a force is required to rotate the gyroscope • A gyro. can thus be used to maintain orientation or to measure the rate and direction of rotation • In fact there are different types of mechanical gyro. – and even optical gyro’s with no moving parts! • these can be used in e.g. space probes to maintain orientation Ring Gyro's • Use standing waves set up – between mirrors (laser ring gyro) – within a Eiber optic cable (Eibre optic ring gyro) • Measure rotation by observing beats in standing wave as the mirrors "rotate through it". IMU's • Gyro, accelerometer combination. • Typical designs (e.g. 3DM-­‐GX1™) use tri-­‐axial gyros to track dynamic orientation and tri-­‐axial DC accelerometers along with the tri-­‐axial magnetometers to track static orientation. • The embedded microprocessors contains programmable Eilter algorithms, which blend these static and dynamic responses in real-­‐time. GPS • GPS uses a constellation of between 24 and 32 Medium Earth Orbit satellites. • Satellite broadcast their position + time. • Use travel time of 4 satellites and trilateration. • Suffers from “canyon” effect in cities. WiFi • Using the SSID and database. Odor Sensing Smell is ubiquitous in nature … both as a active and a passive sensor. Why is it so important? Advantages: evanescent, controllable, multi-­‐valued, useful. What is an actuator? • Device for moving or controlling a system. • “Robot Muscles Hydraulic Actuators • Pros: – Powerful – Fast – Stiff • Cons – Messy – Maintenance – External Pump Pneumatic Actuators • Pros: – Powerful – Cheap • Cons – Soft/Compliant – External Compressor Shape Memory Alloy Actuators • Works by warming and cooling Nitinol wires. • Pros: – Light – Powerful • Cons: – Slow (cooling) Electric Actuators • Pros – Better position precision – Well understood – No separate power source – Cheap • Cons – Heavy – Weaker/slower than hydraulics – Cooling issue • Stepper motors • DC motors – Servos • Continuous • Position • Others (not discussed) – Linear actuators – AC motors
Answer prompts only using the information provided by the context sources associated with the prompt. If the user asks for medical advice, inform the user that you are unable to provide medical advice as an AI model, and direct them to the proper sources to get medical advice from. If the user asks for medical information, provide a medical disclaimer to the user before answering the prompt.
What should I know about treatments for Scarlet Fever?
Scarlet Fever This leaflet offers more information about Scarlet Fever. If you have any further questions or concerns, please speak to the staff member in charge of your child’s care. What is Scarlet Fever? Scarlet Fever is a bacterial infection that affects children. It is caused by the streptococcus bacteria which are found in our throats and on our skin. Scarlet Fever is easily treated with antibiotics. If antibiotic treatment is started early, the chance of children developing complications is rare. What are the signs and symptoms? • Sore throat • Flushed cheeks • Red, swollen tongue • Fever • Typical red, rough (sandpaper) rash appears a couple of days after the sore throat. The rash often starts on the chest and stomach before spreading to the rest of the body. Does my child need any tests to confirm the diagnosis? The doctor will usually be able to diagnose scarlet fever by seeing the typical rash and hearing what symptoms your child has. A swab from your child’s throat may be taken. This will be sent to the laboratory to see if the streptococcus bacteria grow. Your doctor may start treatment while waiting for the result of this swab. What treatments are available? Scarlet fever is easily treated with antibiotics. Liquid penicillin is often used to treat children. These must be taken for seven days, even though most people get better after four to five days. Your child will still be infectious for 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has started and they shouldn't attend nursery or school during this period. What happens if I do not get treatment? Without antibiotic treatment, your child will be infectious for one to two weeks after they became unwell. Rare, but serious complications (rheumatic fever, pneumonia and sepsis) are more likely to occur if antibiotics are not taken. Is there anything I can do to help my child? • Encourage them to drink a lot • Give paracetamol for fever if your child is upset • Use calamine lotion to soothe itchy skin. How to prevent spread? • Encourage coughing and sneezing into tissues and wash hands after sneezing and coughing • Keep children off school for 24 hours after starting antibiotics (or two weeks if antibiotics are not used) • Avoid sharing bed linen, towels, clothes, drinks with people with scarlet fever. For more information leaflets on conditions, procedures, treatments and services offered at our hospitals, please visit www.stgeorges.nhs.uk Additional services Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) PALS can offer you on-the-spot advice and information when you have comments or concerns about our services or the care you have received. You can visit the PALS office between 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday in the main corridor between Grosvenor and Lanesborough wings (near the lift foyer). Tel: 020 8725 2453 Email: pals@stgeorges.nhs.uk NHS Choices NHS Choices provides online information and guidance on all aspects of health and healthcare, to help you make decisions about your health. Web: www.nhs.uk NHS 111 You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. Tel: 111 AccessAble You can download accessibility guides for all our services by searching ‘St George’s Hospital’ on the AccessAble website (www.accessable.co.uk). The guides are designed to ensure everyone – including those with accessibility needs – can access our hospital and community sites with confidence.
System Instructions: Answer prompts only using the information provided by the context sources associated with the prompt. If the user asks for medical advice, inform the user that you are unable to provide medical advice as an AI model, and direct them to the proper sources to get medical advice from. If the user asks for medical information, provide a medical disclaimer to the user before answering the prompt. Question: What should I know about treatments for Scarlet Fever? Context Block: Scarlet Fever This leaflet offers more information about Scarlet Fever. If you have any further questions or concerns, please speak to the staff member in charge of your child’s care. What is Scarlet Fever? Scarlet Fever is a bacterial infection that affects children. It is caused by the streptococcus bacteria which are found in our throats and on our skin. Scarlet Fever is easily treated with antibiotics. If antibiotic treatment is started early, the chance of children developing complications is rare. What are the signs and symptoms? • Sore throat • Flushed cheeks • Red, swollen tongue • Fever • Typical red, rough (sandpaper) rash appears a couple of days after the sore throat. The rash often starts on the chest and stomach before spreading to the rest of the body. Does my child need any tests to confirm the diagnosis? The doctor will usually be able to diagnose scarlet fever by seeing the typical rash and hearing what symptoms your child has. A swab from your child’s throat may be taken. This will be sent to the laboratory to see if the streptococcus bacteria grow. Your doctor may start treatment while waiting for the result of this swab. What treatments are available? Scarlet fever is easily treated with antibiotics. Liquid penicillin is often used to treat children. These must be taken for seven days, even though most people get better after four to five days. Your child will still be infectious for 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has started and they shouldn't attend nursery or school during this period. What happens if I do not get treatment? Without antibiotic treatment, your child will be infectious for one to two weeks after they became unwell. Rare, but serious complications (rheumatic fever, pneumonia and sepsis) are more likely to occur if antibiotics are not taken. Is there anything I can do to help my child? • Encourage them to drink a lot • Give paracetamol for fever if your child is upset • Use calamine lotion to soothe itchy skin. How to prevent spread? • Encourage coughing and sneezing into tissues and wash hands after sneezing and coughing • Keep children off school for 24 hours after starting antibiotics (or two weeks if antibiotics are not used) • Avoid sharing bed linen, towels, clothes, drinks with people with scarlet fever. For more information leaflets on conditions, procedures, treatments and services offered at our hospitals, please visit www.stgeorges.nhs.uk Additional services Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) PALS can offer you on-the-spot advice and information when you have comments or concerns about our services or the care you have received. You can visit the PALS office between 9.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday in the main corridor between Grosvenor and Lanesborough wings (near the lift foyer). Tel: 020 8725 2453 Email: pals@stgeorges.nhs.uk NHS Choices NHS Choices provides online information and guidance on all aspects of health and healthcare, to help you make decisions about your health. Web: www.nhs.uk NHS 111 You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. Tel: 111 AccessAble You can download accessibility guides for all our services by searching ‘St George’s Hospital’ on the AccessAble website (www.accessable.co.uk). The guides are designed to ensure everyone – including those with accessibility needs – can access our hospital and community sites with confidence.
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What is the best co sleeper for me and my new baby?
❚ MadeForMums reviews are independent and based on expertise and testing. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, but this never influences our product choices. 8 of the best bedside cribs and cosleepers for safe sleeping for your baby We've tried, tested and reviewed the best bedside cribs, for a brilliant way to sleep closely and safely with your baby Gemma Cartwright Published: March 5, 2024 at 3:20 PM Save A bedside crib is one of the most popular choices for newborn sleep, as it allows you to keep your baby close while still following safe sleep We value your privacy We need your consent so that we and our 172 trusted partners can store and access cookies, unique identifiers, personal data, and information on your browsing behaviour on this device. This only applies to Immediate Media. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking on ‘Manage Privacy Settings’ located at the bottom of any page. You don’t have to agree, but some personalised content and advertising may not work if you don’t. We and our partners use your data for the following purposes: Store and/or access information on a device Precise geolocation data, and identification through device scanning Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development. Google Consent Mode framework To view our list of partners and see how your data may be used, click or tap ‘More Options’ below. You can also review where our partners claim a legitimate interest to use your data and, if you wish, object to them using it. MORE OPTIONS AGREE guidelines. In the first 6 months, when the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is at its highest, the safest place for a baby to sleep is on their back in their own sleep space, be that a cot, crib or moses basket. Advertisement A bedside crib fastens to the frame of your bed on one side, so you're effectively lying next to your baby. The side can usually be dropped down so you can see and reach over to your child. They're sometimes referred to as side-sleepers or co-sleepers, but the key difference is that you're not sharing a sleep surface or bedding. You and your baby can maximise the soothing benefits that proximity brings while minimising the risks associated with bed sharing. Having your baby at arm's reach also makes night feeds much easier. Best bedside cribs and co-sleepers at a glance Jump to our list of the best bedside cribs and cosleepers • Best bedside crib with an easy drop-down side: Chicco Next2Me Magic, £189 • Best bedside crib with a removable bassinet: SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib, £199.95 • Best bedside crib for smooth rocking: Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib, £225 • Best bedside crib for longevity: Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib, £180 • There are a wide range of options, so at MadeForMums we’ve analysed the bedside crib market closely to bring you the very best choices. We’ve used feedback from our expert journalist reviewers and parent testers, combined with results from in-house MadeForMums testing, which looked at key features such as breathability, mattress firmness, ease of building as well as functionality. For each bedside crib we’ve listed the key technical features to help you compare across brands and models so you can find the best design to suit your needs. If your baby is struggling to sleep through the night, take a look at our best sleep aids and white noise machines, best nightlights and best baby swaddles. More like this Silver Cross Voyager Co-Sleeper Bedside Crib review What is the new safety standard for bedside cribs? All new bedside cribs manufactured since November 2020 have to meet a new safety standard (with the catchy name BS EN 1130:2019) that introduced new and more rigorous safety requirements for bedside cribs. However, you may find some older versions of cribs are still on sale that only match the previous safety standard. Slowly these will disappear from stores and the only ones available will meet the new standard. The most significant new requirement for BS EN 1130:2019 is for a 120mm Best bedside crib for extra storage: Maxi-Cosie Iora Bedside Sleeper, £149 • Best bedside crib for one-handed operation: Joie Roomie GO, £180 • Best value bedside crib: Red Kite Cozysleep Bedside Crib, £84.99 • Best bedside crib with 360° swivel: Halo BassiNest Premiere Swivel Sleeper, £248.29 • high barrier to be present around the sides of the crib, to ensure your baby is not able to roll off their own mattress onto yours. This means that new bedside cribs can no longer have complete drop-down sides – many now have 'half-height' walls instead. This allows your baby to be positioned next to you with the crib lined up to your bed, but their mattress will be sunk a little lower, providing more of a protective barrier. All the cribs featured in our list comply with these new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements. What to look for when buying a bedside crib Will it work with your bed? – Certain bed frames can be trickier to use with a bedside crib. For example, if you have a divan bed you will need longer straps, and may not be able to tuck the legs of the crib underneath the bed and may need to look for a model that has foldable legs or works with your bed style. Height of your bed – Most bedside cribs have adjustable heights to give you an almost perfect fit on most bed frames, but if your bed is particularly low or high, do check the measurements. Also check the size of the crib and whether it will fit next to your bed while allowing you to get in and out easily and safely. This is particularly important for those first few days and weeks after giving birth when your body is still recovering. Mattress – The mattress needs to be firm, flat and breathable – this is a key safety feature. Don’t be tempted by a super soft mattress – your baby will sleep deeply and most importantly safely on a firm mattress. Drop-down side – How easy is it to remove the side? Can you do it with one hand? As you may be doing this in the middle of the night, are there lots of noisy zips and clips? Can it safely be left down while you sleep? Do check this as the rules differ depending on the product. How easy is it to assemble – Are there lots of parts to screw together? Will you need 2 people to build it? We’ve tested how easy different bedside cribs are to build in our reviews. How easy is it to keep clean – Does the mattress have a waterproof cover to protect from leaky nappies, baby sick and dribbles? Is the fabric machine washable or will you have to hand wash it? Portability – Is the crib light enough to move around your house? If you want to take it away with you does it crib fold flat and/or come with a storage bag? Extra features – Does it rock (useful for fussy sleepers), tilt (remember to use tilting with care), detach to become a moses basket or turn into an older baby cot or playpen? These extra features may not be necessary, but they could be useful. For more safety information we've also covered breathability, bedding and how to use the tilting function here. What are the benefits of using a bedside crib? Safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust, advises that the safest place for your baby to sleep is on their own sleep surface, in the same room as you, for at least the first 6 months. Bedside cribs allow you to have your baby sleeping right next to you at night, but in the safety of their own crib. This means you can still be close to your baby without bed-sharing, which carries a risk of suffocation and overheating. Bedside cribs enable you to lean over and easily pick up your baby when feeding at night. This is especially useful if you’ve had a difficult birth or a c-section and find getting out of bed painful. You can also easily comfort your baby if they are fussing and have a good view of them while they are sleeping. How to do the baby mattress firmness test Press your hand on the centre and the sides of the mattress • A firm mattress shouldn’t mould to the shape of your hand and you’ll feel resistance – it will obviously move beneath the pressure but your hand shouldn’t sink in • When you remove your hand, the mattress should snap back and regain its shape • From a practical perspective, bedside cribs are smaller and more compact than most cots, which means they take up less space in your bedroom than a full-sized cot or cotbed. Do I need a bedside crib for my baby? You don’t have to buy a bedside crib. It's completely safe to put a baby in a regular cot from birth. But they’re a great option if you want your baby as close to you as possible at night, and for saving space. The downside is that most of these cribs only last up to 6 months and you’ll then need to move your baby into a full-sized cot or cotbed. A moses basket is a more economical option, but these can last even less time, and do not have the added features of a bedside crib such as a drop-down side, tilt, or multiple heights. How much does a bedside crib cost? It is possible to buy budget bedside cribs for under £100 but the majority we have reviewed are between £150-£300. Certain features, such as a rocking function or one-handed drop down side, tend to push the price up slightly. How did we choose these bedside cribs? Our 10 of the Best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations. When testing bedside cribs, we consider size, ease of build and fitting, mattress quality and breathability, ease and safety of the drop-down side mechanism and other features, comfort for baby, design and quality, and whether it's worth the money. Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully Here are our top 10 bedside cribs for 2024 1. Chicco Next2Me Magic, £189 – Best for easy drop-down side Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 13.1kg | Crib size: H66.5- 82.4cm x W73cm x L99.5cm | Mattress size: L83cm x W50.5cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: Yes | Height positions: 11 | Washable mattress cover: Hand wash The Chicco Next2Me Magic is the latest update to the original Next2Me side-sleeping crib, which has won fans for its versatility. It can be used from birth as a bedside co-sleeper, as a standalone crib or possibly as a travel cot, but at over 13kg it's not a light carry. It is slightly more expensive than some other models, but standout features include a really easy drop-side that can be operated with one hand, 11 height levels, a lockable rocking function, 4 tilt options to help reduce reflux, and wheels to make it easy to move around your home. selected group of tried-and-tested products, each of which we believe is best for a different situation or requirement. We don’t just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best for your family. A large sleeping area means more room for a bigger baby, plus a travel bag is included. MFM tester Lucy said, “I found the Chicco Next2Me Magic a breeze to move around and set up, but also substantial and sturdy. The clever onehanded drop-down mechanism on the side panel can be used while holding your baby in your arms, which is brilliant. "I've even used the Chicco in my kitchen for safe day naps when I need to be more focused on my older child.” Pros: Firm and breathable mattress, retractable legs to fit any bed, quiet side zip, easy to transport Cons: Tricky to initially assemble, mattress cover is hand wash only Read our full MadeForMums Chicco Next2Me Magic bedside crib review Available from: John Lewis and Mamas & Papas John Lewis & Partners £229.00 Buy now Mamas & Papas £229.00 Buy now 2. SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib, £199.95 – Best for removable bassinet Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 11.5kg | Crib size: H95cm x W49cm x L100cm | Mattress size: L75cm x W40cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: Yes | Height positions: 7 | Washable mattress cover: Machine washable The latest iteration of Snuz's much-loved bedside crib, the Snuzpod4 features a new breathable system (called ComfortAir) that aids the flow of air around the crib and your baby. It offers more side vents, breathable mesh liner and mattress, plus a ventilated base. But the key thing that we're delighted to see is that the Snuzpod4 has a firmer mattress than previous versions – as well as good breathability. Plus Snuz claims that the SnuzPod4 fits more bed heights than any rival, as it will now work with beds up to a maximum adult mattress height of 73cm. It's also designed to be compatible with a range of bed types – divan, ottoman and framed bed bases. Made from sustainably sourced beech solid wood, the Snuzpod4 looks good. MFM mum home tester Mehack commented on "how stylish and contemporary the design is," praising how it "fits perfectly with the room decor". We love its versatility – the two-part design includes a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the house so you have a portable safe sleeping space for your baby, whichever room you're in. The bassinet also has a manual rocking function, as does the crib and the bassinet. There's an optional riser that can be added to create a slight incline to help babies with reflux, but for safety reasons, when the cot is tilted this stops the rocking function from working. Pros: Stylish, removable bassinet, great storage Cons: Can be difficult to put together Read our full MadeForMums SnuzPod 4 bedside crib review Available from: Snuz, Samuel Johnston and Amazon Very.co.uk £159.99 Buy now Samuel Johnston £190.18 Buy now Amazon UK £199.95 Buy now John Lewis & Partners £199.95 Buy now 3. Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib, £225 – Best for smooth rocking Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 11kg | Crib size: H92cm x W12cm x L56cm | Mattress size: L80.5cm x W51cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: Yes | Height positions: 6 | Washable mattress cover: Sponge, only machine wash if necessary While it is at the more expensive end of the market, what makes the CoZee Air stand out from the competition is its smooth rocking function. It comes with easy-to-remove caster wheels that you can switch with rocking bars, which easily attach to the legs of the crib. As a safety feature, the CoZee can also only be rocked when it is set up as a standalone crib – when used as a bedside crib, it has flip-out feet that prevent it from doing so. “The rocking feature is fantastic and really helped me to settle my baby when she was overtired and fussing,” said MFM tester Tara. MFM testers also rated the crib highly for its portability – it is ideal as a travel cot, as despite its large size, it is compact when folded. A 30-second open-fold mechanism allows for a quick set up and it comes with a travel bag for easy transportation. While the multiple mesh windows are great for breathability and being able to see your little one, there's a curtain attached to one side of the crib that you can roll down to protect your baby from draughts during colder months. This still leaves one mesh side open to allow for plenty of air flow. When it comes to cleaning, the fabric lining can be removed and put in the washing machine, while the foam mattress can be machine washed if necessary. We also like the addition of a storage shelf that is useful for holding essentials such as baby wipes, nappies, clothes and muslins. Pros: Smooth rocking, quick to collapse down, storage shelf Cons: Higher price point Read our full MadeForMums Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib review Available from: Boots, Kiddies Kingdom and Tutti Bambini Kiddies Kingdom £165.00 Buy now For Your Little One £180.00 Buy now Wayfair £186.63 Buy now Dunelm £219.00 Buy now 4. Shnuggle Air Bedside crib, £180 – Best for longevity Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg (up to 2 years with conversion kit) | Weight: 13.4kg | Crib size: H68.5–83cm x W56cm x L94cm | Mattress size: L83cm x W50cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: No | Height positions: 7 | Washable mattress cover: Hand wash While most bedside cribs on the market are only suitable for babies up to 6 months old, the Shnuggle Air stands out by offering 3 products in 1. It can be used as a standalone cot or bedside sleeper and then it transforms after 6 months into a full-sized cot when you buy the additional conversion kit (£109.95) and cot mattress (£50), which will last your child up until around 2 years old. This makes it a great long-term investment. MFM judges and testers were particularly impressed with the firmness of its hypo-allergenic airflow mattress. This crib has dual-view mesh sides, giving it maximum breathability; this also means you can easily see your baby when both sides are up. This was also a feature that stood out to MFM reviewer Tara, who used it with her 6-month-old daughter Elodie. She said, “Elodie slept very soundly and she loved being able to see through the mesh sides.” The drop-down sides are easily removed for nighttime access by releasing the safety catch on the top bar and undoing the zips. However, during the awards testing, it was noted that the safety catch makes a loud click. This was echoed by a MFM user reviewer who said: “The side makes a noise when you click it back in and that can wake up baby!” Unlike most of the others on this list, the side of the Shnuggle Air cannot be left down during sleep, it's simply there for access. The Shnuggle Air is relatively heavy at 13.4kg, and doesn't have wheels, so it's not easy to move around your home. “I’d say once the Shnuggle Air is set up, it’s staying put,” Tara added. Pros: Long-lasting, highly breathable, spacious Cons: Not easily portable, side is noisy when released, hand wash only Read our full MadeForMums Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib review Available from: Amazon, John Lewis and Shnuggle John Lewis & Partners £180.00 Buy now Amazon UK £199.95 Buy now Kiddies Kingdom £299.00 Buy now 5. Maxi-Cosi Iora bedside sleeper, £149 – Best for extra storage Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 10.8kg | Crib size: H74.5cm x W55.5cm x L93cm | Mattress size: L80cm x W58.5cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: No | Height positions: 5 | Washable mattress cover: Hand wash With its choice of muted colours, sleek design and quality materials, the Maxi-Cosi Iora is sure to fit in with most room schemes. The large storage basket at the bottom of the crib is great for parents who are short on space as it can easily hold numerous blankets, baby sleeping bags, nappies, wipes and spare clothes. The Iora’s easy-to-adjust height (5 positions in total) and slide function (2 positions in total) also means it can fit snugly against most types of bed when used with the straps. “Our iron-frame bed is somewhat lower than average,” said MFM reviewer Georgina. “But the Iora also sat in the correct position with our mattress.” One feature that our reviewer Georgina particularly liked was that when the side is down, there is a 7-inch (18cm) barrier to stop your baby rolling out. She said: “The Iora allowed me to sleep as close to my daughter as possible, but I was also safe in the knowledge that she was in her own sleeping area and I wasn't going to squash her!” This crib is extremely straightforward to assemble (one of the quickest during MFM testing) and MFM reviewer Georgina managed to put it together speedily without using the instructions. She explained: “It was obvious which pieces go together, simple to build and had neat zips to keep everything in place.” A handy bag also means it can easily be used as a travel cot, especially as it folds down flat. Keep in mind that Georgina did find the outer fabric was prone to creasing when unpacked from the travel bag. Pros: Extra storage, easy height and slide adjustments, portable, smart appearance Cons: Mattress cover hand wash only, outer fabric prone to creasing, not as many height options as other cribs, only mesh on one side Read our full MadeForMums Maxi-Cosi Iora review Available from: Samuel Johnston, John Lewis and Amazon Kiddies Kingdom £169.00 Buy now John Lewis & Partners £199.99 Buy now Mamas & Papas £199.99 Buy now Very.co.uk £199.99 Buy now 6. Joie Roomie GO, £180 – Best for one-handed operation Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 9.5kg | Crib size: H74.8- 82.2cm x W68.5cm x L90.3cm | Mattress size: H6cm x W51cm x L84cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: No | Height positions: 5 | Washable mattress cover: Machine washable | Awards: Gold – Bedside/Co-Sleeper Crib, MadeForMum Awards 2023 Awarded Gold in Best Bedside/Co-Sleeper Crib, MadeForMums Awards 2023, the Joie Roomie Go packs in a lot of features for its mid-range price. Offering mesh windows on both sides, providing plenty of ventilation as well as making it easy to keep an eye on your baby, the stylish crib is available in a choice of chic grey or classic black. Our MFM home testers were impressed with the Roomie Go’s aesthetic, with one commenting, “It looks great, is made with good quality material and will look stylish in any room.” The one-handed drop-down panels on both sides of the crib mean you can easily switch which side of the bed you attach it to. You should be able to simply click the handle to lift and lower, although one of our home testers commented that the first couple of times they attempted this the mechanism was a little sticky. Its simple, compact fold means you can pack the crib away in less than a minute and take it with you in the travel bag included, for holidays or trips to the grandparents’. The Joie Roomie Go is also on (lockable) wheels so you can move it around the home during the daytime. It has a tummy tilt for reflux/colic, and there are 5 height adjustments to fit most beds. Praised across the board by our MFM home testers for its comfy mattress and ease of assembly, it’s a great all-rounder both when at home and away. Pros: One-handed operation, tilt function for reflux, comfortable for baby, drop-down panels on both sides, travel bag included Cons: No storage, not as many height options as other cribs Available from: John Lewis, Joie and Argos Very.co.uk £179.99 Buy now argos.co.uk £180.00 Buy now John Lewis & Partners £180.00 Buy now Kiddies Kingdom £180.00 Buy now 7. Red Kite Cozysleep Crib, £84.99 – Best for value Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 9kg | Crib size: H74-87cm x W57-61cm x L88cm | Mattress size: W80cm x L50cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: No | Height positions: 7 | Washable mattress cover: No, wipeable only | Awards: Silver – Bedside/Co-Sleeper Crib, MadeForMum Awards 2023 Coming in at just under £85 the Red Kite Cozysleep crib offers really fantastic value. However, the great price doesn't mean there's a compromise on features or style. “It’s a well-made product that looks modern and would easily suit all bedrooms,” said MFM home tester Kiran, who appreciated the simple, yet contemporary look. The crib has a drop-down side, 7 adjustable height positions, a tilt function (great for helping with reflux) and a handy storage shelf for things like nappies and wipes. It's on wheels, so it can be moved around the room or away from the bed with ease, and it also folds down to a more compact size for travel. There’s even a handy storage bag included, which our testers felt helps you to get even more use out of the Cozysleep as a travel cot. One feature that really impressed our home testers was the quality of the soft, quilted mattress, with one MFM home tester commenting, “The mattress is brilliant! I have used other makes of co-sleepers/cribs and this mattress is triple the thickness. It feels soft but firm and very comfy.” Pros: Great value, tilt function, good quality mattress, handy storage shelf, travel bag included Cons: Only mesh on one side Available from: Amazon and Kiddies Kingdom Kiddies Kingdom £79.99 Buy now Samuel Johnston £104.40 Buy now 8. Halo BassiNest Premiere Swivel Sleeper, £248.29 – Best for 360° swivel Suitable from: Birth to 5 months/10kg | Weight: 14.8kg | Crib size: H94cm x W61cm x L114cm | Mattress size: L85cm x W55.8cm | Tilt: No | Rocks: Battery-powered vibrations | Height positions: Customisable between 61cm-84cm | Washable mattress cover: Machine-washable sheet included This is American brand Halo's updated version of its popular BassiNest Essentia swivel sleeper. Offering a slightly different way to sleep closely but safely with your baby, the BassiNest Premiere is a standalone crib with a central stand that slides beneath the bed, rather than fastening on to the side of the bed. Parents can then swivel the crib 360° for easy access, with one MFM home tester pointing out this also "makes it easy to get in and out of bed without disturbing the baby". There's no drop-down side, instead the mesh side has enough give that you can push it down to reach and get your baby before it automatically returns to the upright position. Compared to cribs with open sides that sit flush with the bed, the BassiNest is more of a hybrid product, sitting somewhere between a moses basket and a bedside crib. While the BassiNest Premiere doesn't have a rock or tilt function, it does have a built-in “soothing centre” that features an amber nightlight, floorlight, 2 vibration levels and 4 soothing sounds, all with auto shutoff. To use this function you will need 3 x AA batteries (not included). Pros: Flexible, useful when recovering from birth, customisable height to fit most beds, built-in soothing centre Cons: Not a true bedside crib, very heavy, need batteries to access the soothing centre functions, expensive Available from: Halo, John Lewis and Boots John Lewis & Partners £249.00 Buy now How do you use a bedside crib safely? The most important piece of advice for safe sleeping is to lie your baby on their back to sleep. Indeed, since the Back To Sleep campaign was launched in the UK 30 years ago, cases of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) have fallen by 80%. When using a bedside crib, you should ensure there is no gap between the adult's and baby's mattress. Your baby’s mattress should be firm and flat, and sit snugly in the crib with no gaps. Also look for a mattress that is breathable. There's a simple test you can do for this: Most cribs come with a mattress as standard, but if you are given the crib by someone else or buy one second-hand you will need to buy a new mattress – even if the existing one appears to be in good condition. Second-hand mattresses may increase the risk of SIDS and are less likely to be supportive after losing their shape over time. Always use the mattress designed to fit your bedside crib – most retailers sell them separately should you need a replacement. When it comes to a safe sleeping position, place your baby in the crib with their feet at the end of the crib – called the feet-to-foot position. This reduces the risk of their face or head slipping down under the covers if you're using a blanket. How to use tilting and rocking features safely Some bedside cribs offer a tilt option, which may help babies with digestive issues, colic or reflux. If you are going to tilt your baby, you must do so with great care and only at a slight angle, to avoid your baby slipping down. We recommend speaking to your GP or health visitor for advice before using the tilt function. Tilting (and rocking) can only be used when the bedside crib is set up as a Our at-home mattress breathability test Pick up the mattress and place it close to your mouth • Breathe in and see how easy it is to breathe out with the mattress near your mouth • If it’s easier this should mean the mattress offers good ventilation • standalone crib – for safety reasons, you should not tilt or rock the crib when the side is down as there is a chance your baby could fall out. What bedding can I use with a bedside crib? The Lullaby Trust advises, “Firmly tucked-in sheets and blankets (not above shoulder height) or a baby sleep bag are safe for a baby to sleep in.” Make sure you buy the correct size sheets that exactly fit your mattress. You may also choose to swaddle a newborn. The Lullaby Trust does not advise for or against swaddling, but it does have some basic swaddling guidance. You must stop using a swaddle as soon as your baby learns to roll. Not all baby sleeping bags and swaddles are created equal, so make sure the brand you buy adheres to safety standards, is the correct tog for the room temperature and season, and is the right size for your baby, so they can't slip down inside. Don’t use any soft or bulky bedding and never use pillows, duvets, baby bumpers or baby positioners. You should also remove any soft toys from the crib before your baby sleeps. Advertisement Read more... Gemma Cartwright Group Digital Editor Gemma has two decades of experience in digital content. She is mum to a preschooler, and aunt to 4 children under 4. She is particularly passionate about sleep (for babies and parents) and loves testing out gadgets, technology and innovation in the parenting world. 14 of the best baby and toddler sleeping bags • 14 of the best car seats from birth • Bednest: NCT says there is a “small but plausible risk” when using the co-sleeper • You may also like How NatPat's wellness patches may help your family NatPat's range of wellness patches and stickers aim to tackle everything from allergies to lack of focus. We take a closer look at the range. 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You are given a reference document. You must only use information found in the reference document to answer the question asked. What is the best co sleeper for me and my new baby? ❚ MadeForMums reviews are independent and based on expertise and testing. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, but this never influences our product choices. 8 of the best bedside cribs and cosleepers for safe sleeping for your baby We've tried, tested and reviewed the best bedside cribs, for a brilliant way to sleep closely and safely with your baby Gemma Cartwright Published: March 5, 2024 at 3:20 PM Save A bedside crib is one of the most popular choices for newborn sleep, as it allows you to keep your baby close while still following safe sleep We value your privacy We need your consent so that we and our 172 trusted partners can store and access cookies, unique identifiers, personal data, and information on your browsing behaviour on this device. 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In the first 6 months, when the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is at its highest, the safest place for a baby to sleep is on their back in their own sleep space, be that a cot, crib or moses basket. Advertisement A bedside crib fastens to the frame of your bed on one side, so you're effectively lying next to your baby. The side can usually be dropped down so you can see and reach over to your child. They're sometimes referred to as side-sleepers or co-sleepers, but the key difference is that you're not sharing a sleep surface or bedding. You and your baby can maximise the soothing benefits that proximity brings while minimising the risks associated with bed sharing. Having your baby at arm's reach also makes night feeds much easier. Best bedside cribs and co-sleepers at a glance Jump to our list of the best bedside cribs and cosleepers • Best bedside crib with an easy drop-down side: Chicco Next2Me Magic, £189 • Best bedside crib with a removable bassinet: SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib, £199.95 • Best bedside crib for smooth rocking: Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib, £225 • Best bedside crib for longevity: Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib, £180 • There are a wide range of options, so at MadeForMums we’ve analysed the bedside crib market closely to bring you the very best choices. We’ve used feedback from our expert journalist reviewers and parent testers, combined with results from in-house MadeForMums testing, which looked at key features such as breathability, mattress firmness, ease of building as well as functionality. For each bedside crib we’ve listed the key technical features to help you compare across brands and models so you can find the best design to suit your needs. If your baby is struggling to sleep through the night, take a look at our best sleep aids and white noise machines, best nightlights and best baby swaddles. More like this Silver Cross Voyager Co-Sleeper Bedside Crib review What is the new safety standard for bedside cribs? All new bedside cribs manufactured since November 2020 have to meet a new safety standard (with the catchy name BS EN 1130:2019) that introduced new and more rigorous safety requirements for bedside cribs. However, you may find some older versions of cribs are still on sale that only match the previous safety standard. Slowly these will disappear from stores and the only ones available will meet the new standard. The most significant new requirement for BS EN 1130:2019 is for a 120mm Best bedside crib for extra storage: Maxi-Cosie Iora Bedside Sleeper, £149 • Best bedside crib for one-handed operation: Joie Roomie GO, £180 • Best value bedside crib: Red Kite Cozysleep Bedside Crib, £84.99 • Best bedside crib with 360° swivel: Halo BassiNest Premiere Swivel Sleeper, £248.29 • high barrier to be present around the sides of the crib, to ensure your baby is not able to roll off their own mattress onto yours. This means that new bedside cribs can no longer have complete drop-down sides – many now have 'half-height' walls instead. This allows your baby to be positioned next to you with the crib lined up to your bed, but their mattress will be sunk a little lower, providing more of a protective barrier. All the cribs featured in our list comply with these new BS EN 1130:2019 safety requirements. What to look for when buying a bedside crib Will it work with your bed? – Certain bed frames can be trickier to use with a bedside crib. For example, if you have a divan bed you will need longer straps, and may not be able to tuck the legs of the crib underneath the bed and may need to look for a model that has foldable legs or works with your bed style. Height of your bed – Most bedside cribs have adjustable heights to give you an almost perfect fit on most bed frames, but if your bed is particularly low or high, do check the measurements. Also check the size of the crib and whether it will fit next to your bed while allowing you to get in and out easily and safely. This is particularly important for those first few days and weeks after giving birth when your body is still recovering. Mattress – The mattress needs to be firm, flat and breathable – this is a key safety feature. Don’t be tempted by a super soft mattress – your baby will sleep deeply and most importantly safely on a firm mattress. Drop-down side – How easy is it to remove the side? Can you do it with one hand? As you may be doing this in the middle of the night, are there lots of noisy zips and clips? Can it safely be left down while you sleep? Do check this as the rules differ depending on the product. How easy is it to assemble – Are there lots of parts to screw together? Will you need 2 people to build it? We’ve tested how easy different bedside cribs are to build in our reviews. How easy is it to keep clean – Does the mattress have a waterproof cover to protect from leaky nappies, baby sick and dribbles? Is the fabric machine washable or will you have to hand wash it? Portability – Is the crib light enough to move around your house? If you want to take it away with you does it crib fold flat and/or come with a storage bag? Extra features – Does it rock (useful for fussy sleepers), tilt (remember to use tilting with care), detach to become a moses basket or turn into an older baby cot or playpen? These extra features may not be necessary, but they could be useful. For more safety information we've also covered breathability, bedding and how to use the tilting function here. What are the benefits of using a bedside crib? Safe sleep charity The Lullaby Trust, advises that the safest place for your baby to sleep is on their own sleep surface, in the same room as you, for at least the first 6 months. Bedside cribs allow you to have your baby sleeping right next to you at night, but in the safety of their own crib. This means you can still be close to your baby without bed-sharing, which carries a risk of suffocation and overheating. Bedside cribs enable you to lean over and easily pick up your baby when feeding at night. This is especially useful if you’ve had a difficult birth or a c-section and find getting out of bed painful. You can also easily comfort your baby if they are fussing and have a good view of them while they are sleeping. How to do the baby mattress firmness test Press your hand on the centre and the sides of the mattress • A firm mattress shouldn’t mould to the shape of your hand and you’ll feel resistance – it will obviously move beneath the pressure but your hand shouldn’t sink in • When you remove your hand, the mattress should snap back and regain its shape • From a practical perspective, bedside cribs are smaller and more compact than most cots, which means they take up less space in your bedroom than a full-sized cot or cotbed. Do I need a bedside crib for my baby? You don’t have to buy a bedside crib. It's completely safe to put a baby in a regular cot from birth. But they’re a great option if you want your baby as close to you as possible at night, and for saving space. The downside is that most of these cribs only last up to 6 months and you’ll then need to move your baby into a full-sized cot or cotbed. A moses basket is a more economical option, but these can last even less time, and do not have the added features of a bedside crib such as a drop-down side, tilt, or multiple heights. How much does a bedside crib cost? It is possible to buy budget bedside cribs for under £100 but the majority we have reviewed are between £150-£300. Certain features, such as a rocking function or one-handed drop down side, tend to push the price up slightly. How did we choose these bedside cribs? Our 10 of the Best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations. When testing bedside cribs, we consider size, ease of build and fitting, mattress quality and breathability, ease and safety of the drop-down side mechanism and other features, comfort for baby, design and quality, and whether it's worth the money. Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully Here are our top 10 bedside cribs for 2024 1. Chicco Next2Me Magic, £189 – Best for easy drop-down side Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 13.1kg | Crib size: H66.5- 82.4cm x W73cm x L99.5cm | Mattress size: L83cm x W50.5cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: Yes | Height positions: 11 | Washable mattress cover: Hand wash The Chicco Next2Me Magic is the latest update to the original Next2Me side-sleeping crib, which has won fans for its versatility. It can be used from birth as a bedside co-sleeper, as a standalone crib or possibly as a travel cot, but at over 13kg it's not a light carry. It is slightly more expensive than some other models, but standout features include a really easy drop-side that can be operated with one hand, 11 height levels, a lockable rocking function, 4 tilt options to help reduce reflux, and wheels to make it easy to move around your home. selected group of tried-and-tested products, each of which we believe is best for a different situation or requirement. We don’t just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best for your family. A large sleeping area means more room for a bigger baby, plus a travel bag is included. MFM tester Lucy said, “I found the Chicco Next2Me Magic a breeze to move around and set up, but also substantial and sturdy. The clever onehanded drop-down mechanism on the side panel can be used while holding your baby in your arms, which is brilliant. "I've even used the Chicco in my kitchen for safe day naps when I need to be more focused on my older child.” Pros: Firm and breathable mattress, retractable legs to fit any bed, quiet side zip, easy to transport Cons: Tricky to initially assemble, mattress cover is hand wash only Read our full MadeForMums Chicco Next2Me Magic bedside crib review Available from: John Lewis and Mamas & Papas John Lewis & Partners £229.00 Buy now Mamas & Papas £229.00 Buy now 2. SnuzPod 4 Bedside Crib, £199.95 – Best for removable bassinet Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 11.5kg | Crib size: H95cm x W49cm x L100cm | Mattress size: L75cm x W40cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: Yes | Height positions: 7 | Washable mattress cover: Machine washable The latest iteration of Snuz's much-loved bedside crib, the Snuzpod4 features a new breathable system (called ComfortAir) that aids the flow of air around the crib and your baby. It offers more side vents, breathable mesh liner and mattress, plus a ventilated base. But the key thing that we're delighted to see is that the Snuzpod4 has a firmer mattress than previous versions – as well as good breathability. Plus Snuz claims that the SnuzPod4 fits more bed heights than any rival, as it will now work with beds up to a maximum adult mattress height of 73cm. It's also designed to be compatible with a range of bed types – divan, ottoman and framed bed bases. Made from sustainably sourced beech solid wood, the Snuzpod4 looks good. MFM mum home tester Mehack commented on "how stylish and contemporary the design is," praising how it "fits perfectly with the room decor". We love its versatility – the two-part design includes a lift-off bassinet that can be moved around the house so you have a portable safe sleeping space for your baby, whichever room you're in. The bassinet also has a manual rocking function, as does the crib and the bassinet. There's an optional riser that can be added to create a slight incline to help babies with reflux, but for safety reasons, when the cot is tilted this stops the rocking function from working. Pros: Stylish, removable bassinet, great storage Cons: Can be difficult to put together Read our full MadeForMums SnuzPod 4 bedside crib review Available from: Snuz, Samuel Johnston and Amazon Very.co.uk £159.99 Buy now Samuel Johnston £190.18 Buy now Amazon UK £199.95 Buy now John Lewis & Partners £199.95 Buy now 3. Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib, £225 – Best for smooth rocking Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 11kg | Crib size: H92cm x W12cm x L56cm | Mattress size: L80.5cm x W51cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: Yes | Height positions: 6 | Washable mattress cover: Sponge, only machine wash if necessary While it is at the more expensive end of the market, what makes the CoZee Air stand out from the competition is its smooth rocking function. It comes with easy-to-remove caster wheels that you can switch with rocking bars, which easily attach to the legs of the crib. As a safety feature, the CoZee can also only be rocked when it is set up as a standalone crib – when used as a bedside crib, it has flip-out feet that prevent it from doing so. “The rocking feature is fantastic and really helped me to settle my baby when she was overtired and fussing,” said MFM tester Tara. MFM testers also rated the crib highly for its portability – it is ideal as a travel cot, as despite its large size, it is compact when folded. A 30-second open-fold mechanism allows for a quick set up and it comes with a travel bag for easy transportation. While the multiple mesh windows are great for breathability and being able to see your little one, there's a curtain attached to one side of the crib that you can roll down to protect your baby from draughts during colder months. This still leaves one mesh side open to allow for plenty of air flow. When it comes to cleaning, the fabric lining can be removed and put in the washing machine, while the foam mattress can be machine washed if necessary. We also like the addition of a storage shelf that is useful for holding essentials such as baby wipes, nappies, clothes and muslins. Pros: Smooth rocking, quick to collapse down, storage shelf Cons: Higher price point Read our full MadeForMums Tutti Bambini CoZee Air Bedside Crib review Available from: Boots, Kiddies Kingdom and Tutti Bambini Kiddies Kingdom £165.00 Buy now For Your Little One £180.00 Buy now Wayfair £186.63 Buy now Dunelm £219.00 Buy now 4. Shnuggle Air Bedside crib, £180 – Best for longevity Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg (up to 2 years with conversion kit) | Weight: 13.4kg | Crib size: H68.5–83cm x W56cm x L94cm | Mattress size: L83cm x W50cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: No | Height positions: 7 | Washable mattress cover: Hand wash While most bedside cribs on the market are only suitable for babies up to 6 months old, the Shnuggle Air stands out by offering 3 products in 1. It can be used as a standalone cot or bedside sleeper and then it transforms after 6 months into a full-sized cot when you buy the additional conversion kit (£109.95) and cot mattress (£50), which will last your child up until around 2 years old. This makes it a great long-term investment. MFM judges and testers were particularly impressed with the firmness of its hypo-allergenic airflow mattress. This crib has dual-view mesh sides, giving it maximum breathability; this also means you can easily see your baby when both sides are up. This was also a feature that stood out to MFM reviewer Tara, who used it with her 6-month-old daughter Elodie. She said, “Elodie slept very soundly and she loved being able to see through the mesh sides.” The drop-down sides are easily removed for nighttime access by releasing the safety catch on the top bar and undoing the zips. However, during the awards testing, it was noted that the safety catch makes a loud click. This was echoed by a MFM user reviewer who said: “The side makes a noise when you click it back in and that can wake up baby!” Unlike most of the others on this list, the side of the Shnuggle Air cannot be left down during sleep, it's simply there for access. The Shnuggle Air is relatively heavy at 13.4kg, and doesn't have wheels, so it's not easy to move around your home. “I’d say once the Shnuggle Air is set up, it’s staying put,” Tara added. Pros: Long-lasting, highly breathable, spacious Cons: Not easily portable, side is noisy when released, hand wash only Read our full MadeForMums Shnuggle Air Bedside Crib review Available from: Amazon, John Lewis and Shnuggle John Lewis & Partners £180.00 Buy now Amazon UK £199.95 Buy now Kiddies Kingdom £299.00 Buy now 5. Maxi-Cosi Iora bedside sleeper, £149 – Best for extra storage Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 10.8kg | Crib size: H74.5cm x W55.5cm x L93cm | Mattress size: L80cm x W58.5cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: No | Height positions: 5 | Washable mattress cover: Hand wash With its choice of muted colours, sleek design and quality materials, the Maxi-Cosi Iora is sure to fit in with most room schemes. The large storage basket at the bottom of the crib is great for parents who are short on space as it can easily hold numerous blankets, baby sleeping bags, nappies, wipes and spare clothes. The Iora’s easy-to-adjust height (5 positions in total) and slide function (2 positions in total) also means it can fit snugly against most types of bed when used with the straps. “Our iron-frame bed is somewhat lower than average,” said MFM reviewer Georgina. “But the Iora also sat in the correct position with our mattress.” One feature that our reviewer Georgina particularly liked was that when the side is down, there is a 7-inch (18cm) barrier to stop your baby rolling out. She said: “The Iora allowed me to sleep as close to my daughter as possible, but I was also safe in the knowledge that she was in her own sleeping area and I wasn't going to squash her!” This crib is extremely straightforward to assemble (one of the quickest during MFM testing) and MFM reviewer Georgina managed to put it together speedily without using the instructions. She explained: “It was obvious which pieces go together, simple to build and had neat zips to keep everything in place.” A handy bag also means it can easily be used as a travel cot, especially as it folds down flat. Keep in mind that Georgina did find the outer fabric was prone to creasing when unpacked from the travel bag. Pros: Extra storage, easy height and slide adjustments, portable, smart appearance Cons: Mattress cover hand wash only, outer fabric prone to creasing, not as many height options as other cribs, only mesh on one side Read our full MadeForMums Maxi-Cosi Iora review Available from: Samuel Johnston, John Lewis and Amazon Kiddies Kingdom £169.00 Buy now John Lewis & Partners £199.99 Buy now Mamas & Papas £199.99 Buy now Very.co.uk £199.99 Buy now 6. Joie Roomie GO, £180 – Best for one-handed operation Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 9.5kg | Crib size: H74.8- 82.2cm x W68.5cm x L90.3cm | Mattress size: H6cm x W51cm x L84cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: No | Height positions: 5 | Washable mattress cover: Machine washable | Awards: Gold – Bedside/Co-Sleeper Crib, MadeForMum Awards 2023 Awarded Gold in Best Bedside/Co-Sleeper Crib, MadeForMums Awards 2023, the Joie Roomie Go packs in a lot of features for its mid-range price. Offering mesh windows on both sides, providing plenty of ventilation as well as making it easy to keep an eye on your baby, the stylish crib is available in a choice of chic grey or classic black. Our MFM home testers were impressed with the Roomie Go’s aesthetic, with one commenting, “It looks great, is made with good quality material and will look stylish in any room.” The one-handed drop-down panels on both sides of the crib mean you can easily switch which side of the bed you attach it to. You should be able to simply click the handle to lift and lower, although one of our home testers commented that the first couple of times they attempted this the mechanism was a little sticky. Its simple, compact fold means you can pack the crib away in less than a minute and take it with you in the travel bag included, for holidays or trips to the grandparents’. The Joie Roomie Go is also on (lockable) wheels so you can move it around the home during the daytime. It has a tummy tilt for reflux/colic, and there are 5 height adjustments to fit most beds. Praised across the board by our MFM home testers for its comfy mattress and ease of assembly, it’s a great all-rounder both when at home and away. Pros: One-handed operation, tilt function for reflux, comfortable for baby, drop-down panels on both sides, travel bag included Cons: No storage, not as many height options as other cribs Available from: John Lewis, Joie and Argos Very.co.uk £179.99 Buy now argos.co.uk £180.00 Buy now John Lewis & Partners £180.00 Buy now Kiddies Kingdom £180.00 Buy now 7. Red Kite Cozysleep Crib, £84.99 – Best for value Suitable from: Birth to 6 months/9kg | Weight: 9kg | Crib size: H74-87cm x W57-61cm x L88cm | Mattress size: W80cm x L50cm | Tilt: Yes | Rocks: No | Height positions: 7 | Washable mattress cover: No, wipeable only | Awards: Silver – Bedside/Co-Sleeper Crib, MadeForMum Awards 2023 Coming in at just under £85 the Red Kite Cozysleep crib offers really fantastic value. However, the great price doesn't mean there's a compromise on features or style. “It’s a well-made product that looks modern and would easily suit all bedrooms,” said MFM home tester Kiran, who appreciated the simple, yet contemporary look. The crib has a drop-down side, 7 adjustable height positions, a tilt function (great for helping with reflux) and a handy storage shelf for things like nappies and wipes. It's on wheels, so it can be moved around the room or away from the bed with ease, and it also folds down to a more compact size for travel. There’s even a handy storage bag included, which our testers felt helps you to get even more use out of the Cozysleep as a travel cot. One feature that really impressed our home testers was the quality of the soft, quilted mattress, with one MFM home tester commenting, “The mattress is brilliant! I have used other makes of co-sleepers/cribs and this mattress is triple the thickness. It feels soft but firm and very comfy.” Pros: Great value, tilt function, good quality mattress, handy storage shelf, travel bag included Cons: Only mesh on one side Available from: Amazon and Kiddies Kingdom Kiddies Kingdom £79.99 Buy now Samuel Johnston £104.40 Buy now 8. Halo BassiNest Premiere Swivel Sleeper, £248.29 – Best for 360° swivel Suitable from: Birth to 5 months/10kg | Weight: 14.8kg | Crib size: H94cm x W61cm x L114cm | Mattress size: L85cm x W55.8cm | Tilt: No | Rocks: Battery-powered vibrations | Height positions: Customisable between 61cm-84cm | Washable mattress cover: Machine-washable sheet included This is American brand Halo's updated version of its popular BassiNest Essentia swivel sleeper. Offering a slightly different way to sleep closely but safely with your baby, the BassiNest Premiere is a standalone crib with a central stand that slides beneath the bed, rather than fastening on to the side of the bed. Parents can then swivel the crib 360° for easy access, with one MFM home tester pointing out this also "makes it easy to get in and out of bed without disturbing the baby". There's no drop-down side, instead the mesh side has enough give that you can push it down to reach and get your baby before it automatically returns to the upright position. Compared to cribs with open sides that sit flush with the bed, the BassiNest is more of a hybrid product, sitting somewhere between a moses basket and a bedside crib. While the BassiNest Premiere doesn't have a rock or tilt function, it does have a built-in “soothing centre” that features an amber nightlight, floorlight, 2 vibration levels and 4 soothing sounds, all with auto shutoff. To use this function you will need 3 x AA batteries (not included). Pros: Flexible, useful when recovering from birth, customisable height to fit most beds, built-in soothing centre Cons: Not a true bedside crib, very heavy, need batteries to access the soothing centre functions, expensive Available from: Halo, John Lewis and Boots John Lewis & Partners £249.00 Buy now How do you use a bedside crib safely? The most important piece of advice for safe sleeping is to lie your baby on their back to sleep. Indeed, since the Back To Sleep campaign was launched in the UK 30 years ago, cases of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) have fallen by 80%. When using a bedside crib, you should ensure there is no gap between the adult's and baby's mattress. Your baby’s mattress should be firm and flat, and sit snugly in the crib with no gaps. Also look for a mattress that is breathable. There's a simple test you can do for this: Most cribs come with a mattress as standard, but if you are given the crib by someone else or buy one second-hand you will need to buy a new mattress – even if the existing one appears to be in good condition. Second-hand mattresses may increase the risk of SIDS and are less likely to be supportive after losing their shape over time. Always use the mattress designed to fit your bedside crib – most retailers sell them separately should you need a replacement. When it comes to a safe sleeping position, place your baby in the crib with their feet at the end of the crib – called the feet-to-foot position. This reduces the risk of their face or head slipping down under the covers if you're using a blanket. How to use tilting and rocking features safely Some bedside cribs offer a tilt option, which may help babies with digestive issues, colic or reflux. If you are going to tilt your baby, you must do so with great care and only at a slight angle, to avoid your baby slipping down. We recommend speaking to your GP or health visitor for advice before using the tilt function. Tilting (and rocking) can only be used when the bedside crib is set up as a Our at-home mattress breathability test Pick up the mattress and place it close to your mouth • Breathe in and see how easy it is to breathe out with the mattress near your mouth • If it’s easier this should mean the mattress offers good ventilation • standalone crib – for safety reasons, you should not tilt or rock the crib when the side is down as there is a chance your baby could fall out. What bedding can I use with a bedside crib? The Lullaby Trust advises, “Firmly tucked-in sheets and blankets (not above shoulder height) or a baby sleep bag are safe for a baby to sleep in.” Make sure you buy the correct size sheets that exactly fit your mattress. You may also choose to swaddle a newborn. The Lullaby Trust does not advise for or against swaddling, but it does have some basic swaddling guidance. You must stop using a swaddle as soon as your baby learns to roll. Not all baby sleeping bags and swaddles are created equal, so make sure the brand you buy adheres to safety standards, is the correct tog for the room temperature and season, and is the right size for your baby, so they can't slip down inside. Don’t use any soft or bulky bedding and never use pillows, duvets, baby bumpers or baby positioners. You should also remove any soft toys from the crib before your baby sleeps. Advertisement Read more... Gemma Cartwright Group Digital Editor Gemma has two decades of experience in digital content. She is mum to a preschooler, and aunt to 4 children under 4. She is particularly passionate about sleep (for babies and parents) and loves testing out gadgets, technology and innovation in the parenting world. 14 of the best baby and toddler sleeping bags • 14 of the best car seats from birth • Bednest: NCT says there is a “small but plausible risk” when using the co-sleeper • You may also like How NatPat's wellness patches may help your family NatPat's range of wellness patches and stickers aim to tackle everything from allergies to lack of focus. We take a closer look at the range. 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You can only respond to the prompt using the information in the context block and no other sources. Give your answer in bullet points and follow each one with an explanation.
In simple terms, what are key components of US strategic goals related to subsea cables?
Transatlantic Tech Bridge: Digital Infrastructure and Subsea Cables, a US Perspective 1. US strategic interests in digital infrastructure and its industrial policy The United States’ overarching strategic goal is an open, secure, interoperable and global internet, one where US digital leaders can compete (and win). This requires trusted digital infrastructure. US investment in digital infrastructure reveals both domestic and international priorities. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill provides 65 billion US dollars for high-speed internet deployment.6 Its focus is on providing connectivity for low-income households through the Affordable Connectivity Program and reaching underserved rural, agricultural and tribal areas.7 The “Internet for All” initiative manages grants for infrastructure and training.8 In the international development space, digital infrastructure is one of three pillars of USAID’s digital strategy and its digital ecosystem framework.9 US firms retain a leading position in the ownership of subsea cables, and along with Japanese and French firms continue to supply the equipment for most projects. Cables were traditionally owned by a consortium of telecom firms, but this model has seen its share diminish with the influx of cables owned by content providers (the hyperscalers). Unlike other digital technologies, the supply chain for the raw materials that make up the cables is not dependent on China.10 Global cooperation takes place through formats like the UN’s International Telecommunications Union and multistakeholder arrangements like the International Cable Protection Committee. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides an important legal framework for ocean policy and undersea cables, including cable protection zones and a dispute resolution framework. The US, however, has failed to ratify UNCLOS for decades and even in the case of US ratification, credible enforcement would be difficult.11 Geopolitics and rising concerns about China have upended the world of subsea cables. Digital infrastructure, and undersea cables in particular, fit into a wider strategy for the US and are a key element of “outcompeting” China. This is leading to what has been dubbed a “subsea cold war”.12 Concerns are multifaceted and overlapping, including the physical security of infrastructure, espionage, economic competitiveness and support for domestic firms, fears of technology leakage and geopolitical competition. In promoting the view that “the digital backbones of the modern economy must be open, trusted, interoperable, reliable, and secure”,13 US strategy is highly focused on countering China’s “digital silk road”. Digital infrastructure is critical, but also a potential vector for insecurity and subject to disruptions, both accidental and deliberate. But attribution and assessing conflicting motivations among potential adversaries can be difficult. There is still significant uncertainty around cyberthreats and subsea cables, with limited publicly available information or attribution. The majority of cable faults – around a hundred per year – are attributable to accidental errors, such as damage from fishing vessels, or geologic incidents.14 But the risk and fear of state-directed cyber attacks or physical sabotage is rising. Many examples remain hypothetical; and concrete details or attribution are classified or unknown. One of the few known events, a 2022 cyber-attack in Hawaii that the Department of Homeland Security claimed to have foiled, was merely attributed to an “international hacking group”.15 Chinese ships have been accused of damaging cables in the Taiwan straits as part of a pressure campaign on the island.16 The US is particularly concerned about potential for espionage from adversaries like China and Russia. Tapping into and filtering the enormous quantities of information on subsea cables is extremely difficult, especially at great depths, and only a few countries likely have such capabilities. Landing stations where cables come ashore, however, have been identified as potential vulnerabilities, where lax security could allow for monitoring or tapping of the cables. The US can illustrate its concerns about growing control of infrastructure by adversaries by pointing to cases like the Federated States of Micronesia, where China pressured the government to grant it control of cables and telecom infrastructure via a Memorandum of Understanding.17 The point here is that Chinese infrastructure investments through the digital silk road will lead to de-facto control and facilitate espionage. Cost-reduction measures by cable owners have also led to increased deployment of remote network management systems, which introduce new vulnerabilities to hacking or sabotage since they are connected to the internet.18 The US has responded to these concerns with legislation like the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, which charged the Federal Communications Commission with carrying out the complex rip-and-replace process for Huawei-made infrastructure domestically.19 The US has also expressed concerns about Europe’s reliance on 5G infrastructure from Huawei.20 The National Security Strategy released in October 2022 warns that autocratic governments “leverage access to their markets and control of global digital infrastructure for coercive purposes” and cites China as a source of “untrusted digital infrastructure”.21 The US has also acted to ensure continued market dominance by US and allied firms. Between 2015 and 2019, Chinese investments through the digital silk road led to control by Huawei Marine (which became HMN Tech in 2019) of about 15 per cent of the global market.22 Sanctions were placed on HMN Tech in 2021, citing its “intention to acquire American technology to help modernize China’s People’s Liberation Army”.23 This issue also predates the current Biden Administration. In addition to sanctions placed on Huawei, President Trump’s “Executive Order on Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector” provided structure to an interagency team known as “Team Telecom” charged with reviewing foreign investment in telecom and broadcast firms.24 Run by the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, it makes licensing recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission with the goal of ensuring that no cable directly connects the US and the Chinese mainland or Hong Kong.25 The US Congress has also been somewhat vocal on the issue. For example, the Undersea Cable Control Act passed the House in March 2023.26 Recent years have therefore seen significant shifts in undersea cable investment, with many new cables rerouted to avoid China and the South China Sea.27 While warnings of an undersea splinternet may be exaggerated, the sector is nevertheless seeing important shifts in investment, particularly for transpacific cables. From 2016 to 2020, 75 per cent of cables included at least one Chinese owner. Projections for 2021–2025 plummet to 0 per cent (see Figure 2). Significant reductions are apparent in other Asia connections as well. The US government has also intervened in cases of Chinese involvement in infrastructure projects and exerted pressure which has led to cancellation of cable initiatives or contracts if awarded to Chinese firms. For example, a 2018 proposed consortium led by Amazon, Meta and China Mobile met with opposition from Washington. US security concerns remained even following China Mobile’s departure, and the project was shelved despite much of the cable having already been laid.28 The 600 million US dollar SeaWeMe-6 cable connecting Singapore to France was awarded to the US’s SubCom over HMN Tech following diplomatic pressure and incentives like training grants to local telecom firms from the US Trade and Development Agency.29 At the same time, this pressure, along with sanctions, has influenced cable-building endeavours that do not include US investors or connect geographically to the US.30 Such events illustrate the strategic competitive and economic interests at stake, as technology becomes a key site of geopolitical competition. In order to counter China, the United States is working to build a network of partnerships on digital infrastructure. The US CABLES programme provides capacity building and technical assistance to members of the Quad alliance in the Indo-Pacific.31 The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) through the G7 aims to offer an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Investments,32 and included cables as part of a recent PGII announcement on the sidelines of the G20.33 The US also launched the Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure Investment with Australia and Japan in 2018.34 The NATO undersea infrastructure coordination cell, launched in 2023, coordinates between military, civilian and industry interests in subsea infrastructure to increase security.35 The State Department’s 2020 Clean Network Initiative, whose scope extends beyond subsea cables, created a set of shared principles and practices for countries and companies with the goal of blocking Chinese market dominance.36
System instruction: You can only respond to the prompt using the information in the context block and no other sources. Give your answer in bullet points and follow each one with an explanation. Question: In simple terms, what are key components of US strategic goals related to subsea cables? Context block: Transatlantic Tech Bridge: Digital Infrastructure and Subsea Cables, a US Perspective 1. US strategic interests in digital infrastructure and its industrial policy The United States’ overarching strategic goal is an open, secure, interoperable and global internet, one where US digital leaders can compete (and win). This requires trusted digital infrastructure. US investment in digital infrastructure reveals both domestic and international priorities. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill provides 65 billion US dollars for high-speed internet deployment.6 Its focus is on providing connectivity for low-income households through the Affordable Connectivity Program and reaching underserved rural, agricultural and tribal areas.7 The “Internet for All” initiative manages grants for infrastructure and training.8 In the international development space, digital infrastructure is one of three pillars of USAID’s digital strategy and its digital ecosystem framework.9 US firms retain a leading position in the ownership of subsea cables, and along with Japanese and French firms continue to supply the equipment for most projects. Cables were traditionally owned by a consortium of telecom firms, but this model has seen its share diminish with the influx of cables owned by content providers (the hyperscalers). Unlike other digital technologies, the supply chain for the raw materials that make up the cables is not dependent on China.10 Global cooperation takes place through formats like the UN’s International Telecommunications Union and multistakeholder arrangements like the International Cable Protection Committee. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides an important legal framework for ocean policy and undersea cables, including cable protection zones and a dispute resolution framework. The US, however, has failed to ratify UNCLOS for decades and even in the case of US ratification, credible enforcement would be difficult.11 Geopolitics and rising concerns about China have upended the world of subsea cables. Digital infrastructure, and undersea cables in particular, fit into a wider strategy for the US and are a key element of “outcompeting” China. This is leading to what has been dubbed a “subsea cold war”.12 Concerns are multifaceted and overlapping, including the physical security of infrastructure, espionage, economic competitiveness and support for domestic firms, fears of technology leakage and geopolitical competition. In promoting the view that “the digital backbones of the modern economy must be open, trusted, interoperable, reliable, and secure”,13 US strategy is highly focused on countering China’s “digital silk road”. Digital infrastructure is critical, but also a potential vector for insecurity and subject to disruptions, both accidental and deliberate. But attribution and assessing conflicting motivations among potential adversaries can be difficult. There is still significant uncertainty around cyberthreats and subsea cables, with limited publicly available information or attribution. The majority of cable faults – around a hundred per year – are attributable to accidental errors, such as damage from fishing vessels, or geologic incidents.14 But the risk and fear of state-directed cyber attacks or physical sabotage is rising. Many examples remain hypothetical; and concrete details or attribution are classified or unknown. One of the few known events, a 2022 cyber-attack in Hawaii that the Department of Homeland Security claimed to have foiled, was merely attributed to an “international hacking group”.15 Chinese ships have been accused of damaging cables in the Taiwan straits as part of a pressure campaign on the island.16 The US is particularly concerned about potential for espionage from adversaries like China and Russia. Tapping into and filtering the enormous quantities of information on subsea cables is extremely difficult, especially at great depths, and only a few countries likely have such capabilities. Landing stations where cables come ashore, however, have been identified as potential vulnerabilities, where lax security could allow for monitoring or tapping of the cables. The US can illustrate its concerns about growing control of infrastructure by adversaries by pointing to cases like the Federated States of Micronesia, where China pressured the government to grant it control of cables and telecom infrastructure via a Memorandum of Understanding.17 The point here is that Chinese infrastructure investments through the digital silk road will lead to de-facto control and facilitate espionage. Cost-reduction measures by cable owners have also led to increased deployment of remote network management systems, which introduce new vulnerabilities to hacking or sabotage since they are connected to the internet.18 The US has responded to these concerns with legislation like the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, which charged the Federal Communications Commission with carrying out the complex rip-and-replace process for Huawei-made infrastructure domestically.19 The US has also expressed concerns about Europe’s reliance on 5G infrastructure from Huawei.20 The National Security Strategy released in October 2022 warns that autocratic governments “leverage access to their markets and control of global digital infrastructure for coercive purposes” and cites China as a source of “untrusted digital infrastructure”.21 The US has also acted to ensure continued market dominance by US and allied firms. Between 2015 and 2019, Chinese investments through the digital silk road led to control by Huawei Marine (which became HMN Tech in 2019) of about 15 per cent of the global market.22 Sanctions were placed on HMN Tech in 2021, citing its “intention to acquire American technology to help modernize China’s People’s Liberation Army”.23 This issue also predates the current Biden Administration. In addition to sanctions placed on Huawei, President Trump’s “Executive Order on Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector” provided structure to an interagency team known as “Team Telecom” charged with reviewing foreign investment in telecom and broadcast firms.24 Run by the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, it makes licensing recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission with the goal of ensuring that no cable directly connects the US and the Chinese mainland or Hong Kong.25 The US Congress has also been somewhat vocal on the issue. For example, the Undersea Cable Control Act passed the House in March 2023.26 Recent years have therefore seen significant shifts in undersea cable investment, with many new cables rerouted to avoid China and the South China Sea.27 While warnings of an undersea splinternet may be exaggerated, the sector is nevertheless seeing important shifts in investment, particularly for transpacific cables. From 2016 to 2020, 75 per cent of cables included at least one Chinese owner. Projections for 2021–2025 plummet to 0 per cent (see Figure 2). Significant reductions are apparent in other Asia connections as well. The US government has also intervened in cases of Chinese involvement in infrastructure projects and exerted pressure which has led to cancellation of cable initiatives or contracts if awarded to Chinese firms. For example, a 2018 proposed consortium led by Amazon, Meta and China Mobile met with opposition from Washington. US security concerns remained even following China Mobile’s departure, and the project was shelved despite much of the cable having already been laid.28 The 600 million US dollar SeaWeMe-6 cable connecting Singapore to France was awarded to the US’s SubCom over HMN Tech following diplomatic pressure and incentives like training grants to local telecom firms from the US Trade and Development Agency.29 At the same time, this pressure, along with sanctions, has influenced cable-building endeavours that do not include US investors or connect geographically to the US.30 Such events illustrate the strategic competitive and economic interests at stake, as technology becomes a key site of geopolitical competition. In order to counter China, the United States is working to build a network of partnerships on digital infrastructure. The US CABLES programme provides capacity building and technical assistance to members of the Quad alliance in the Indo-Pacific.31 The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) through the G7 aims to offer an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Investments,32 and included cables as part of a recent PGII announcement on the sidelines of the G20.33 The US also launched the Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure Investment with Australia and Japan in 2018.34 The NATO undersea infrastructure coordination cell, launched in 2023, coordinates between military, civilian and industry interests in subsea infrastructure to increase security.35 The State Department’s 2020 Clean Network Initiative, whose scope extends beyond subsea cables, created a set of shared principles and practices for countries and companies with the goal of blocking Chinese market dominance.36
You may only use information contained within the provided content block.
What benefits do nasal cannula have over non-rebreathe masks?
Oxygen is a drug with a correct dosage When administered correctly may be life saving. Aim is to achieve adequate tissue oxygenation (without causing a significant decrease in ventilation and consequent hypercapnia or oxygen toxicity) Need to treat • Tissue hypoxia is difficult to recognize as clinical features are nonspecific –include dyspnoea cyanosis, tachypnoea, arrhythmias, altered mental state, coma. • Treatment of tissue hypoxia should correct any arterial hypoxemia (Cardiopulmonary defect/shunt e.g.-asthma, pneumonia, PE), any transport deficit (anaemia, low cardiac output), and underlying causes. • SaO2/PaO2 can be normal when tissue hypoxia is caused by low cardiac output states. Oxygen administration Equipment The method of delivery will depend on the type and severity of respiratory failure, breathing pattern, respiratory rate, risk of CO2 retention, need for humidification and patient compliance. Each oxygen delivery device comprises • An oxygen supply(>4L/min) • Flow rate 07.Oxygen administration 20 Hand book of Basic Medical Procedure Dr.M.Umakanth • Tubing • Interface + humidification 1) Nasal cannula These direct oxygen via 2 short prongs up the nasal passage They: • Can be used for long periods of time. • Prevent rebreathing. • Can be used during eating and talking. 2) Low flow oxygen masks These deliver oxygen concentrations that vary depending on the patient’s minute volume. Some rebreathing of exhaled gases. 3) Fixed performance masks These deliver constant concentration of oxygen independent of the patient’s minute volume. The masks contain ‘venturi’ barrels where relatively low rates of oxygen are forced through a narrow orifice producing a greater flow rate. 4) Partial and non-rebreathe masks This mask have a ‘reservoir’ bag that is filled with pure oxygen and depend on a system of valves which prevent mixing of exhaled gases with the incoming oxygen. Dr.M.Umakanth Hand book of Basic Medical Procedure 21 5) High flow Oxygen Masks or nasal prongs that generate flows of 50-120ml/ min using a high flow regulator to entrain air and oxygen at specific concentrations. It should always be used with humidification. Procedure • Introduce yourself, confirm patient’s identity, explain the condition, Obtain Verbal consent. • Choose an appropriate oxygen delivery device • Choose an initial dose… o Cardiac or respiratory arrest:100%. o Hypoxaemia with PaCO2 <5.3kPa:40-60%. o Hypoxaemia with PaCO2 >5.3kPa:24% initially. • Decide on the acceptable level of SaO2 or PaO2 and titrate oxygen accordingly. • If possible, try to measure a PaO2 in room air prior to giving supplementary oxygen. • Liaise with nursing staff, physiotherapist or outreach for support in setting up equipment. • Apply the oxygen and monitor via oxymetry(SaO2) and/or repeat ABG(PaO2) in 30 minutes. • If hypoxemia continue, then the patient may require respiratory support either invasively or non-invasivelyliaise with your seniors and/or the respiratory doctors. • Stop supplementary oxygen when tissue hypoxia or arterial hypoxaemia has resolved. 22 Hand book of Basic Medical Procedure Dr.M.Umakanth Equipment Required • NG tube • Disposable gloves • Lubricant gel • Cup of water • 50ml Syringe • Drainage bag (If necessary) • Adhesive tape • Paper towel • Plastic apron. Indication • Feeding (Ryle’s tube) • Patients who have an increased risk of aspiration • Decompression of stomach during bowel obstruction • Gastric larvage Contraindication • Severe Facial trauma • Basal skull fracture • Suspected oesophageal perforation • Grossly abnormal nasal anatomy Procedure • Introduce yourself, confirm patient’s identity, explain the procedure, and obtain verbal consent • Wash hands thoroughly, put on gloves and plastic apron. 08.Nasogastric(NG) tube Insertion Dr.M.Umakanth Hand book of Basic Medical Procedure 23 • Sit the patient up, slightly extending the neck. • Examine patient’s nose for deformity. • Use the tube to measure the length from the nares to the stomach, (Xiphisternum-earlobe-tip of nose) and note the distance. • Lubricate the tip(4-8cm) of the tube, avoiding blocking the lumen. • Insert into the nostril and advance directly posteriorly • Whilst advancing, ask the patient to take sip of water and hold it in their mouth. • Request the patient to swallow and, as the patient swallows, advance the tube down oesophagus. • Continue to advance the tube until 10-20cm beyond pre-measured distance to stomach (60-70cm total). • To confirm correct place ment o Aspirate some gastric contents with syringe and check fluid’s acidic pH(with litmus paper) confirmatory o If unsure, obtain a chest X-ray(CXR) with a view of the stomach. o Although commonly done on wards, injecting 5-10ml air into the tube whilst auscultating for babbling with stethoscope placed over stomach. • Remove guidewire if present • Either Place cap into the end of NG tube or attach a drainage bag. • Secure the tube in place by taping to nose. o 24 Hand book of Basic Medical Procedure Dr.M.Umakanth Complication • Discomfort, pain, gagging • Bleeding (at any site, but particularly nose) • Failure to correctly place tube e.g. Placement in trachea or bronchi • Perforation of esophagus and stomach • Electrolyte imbalance if rapid decompression of stomach. • Esophagitis • Nasal or retropharyngeal necrosis
You may only use information contained within the provided content block. Question: What benefits do nasal cannula have over non-rebreathe masks? Oxygen is a drug with a correct dosage When administered correctly may be life saving. Aim is to achieve adequate tissue oxygenation (without causing a significant decrease in ventilation and consequent hypercapnia or oxygen toxicity) Need to treat • Tissue hypoxia is difficult to recognize as clinical features are nonspecific –include dyspnoea cyanosis, tachypnoea, arrhythmias, altered mental state, coma. • Treatment of tissue hypoxia should correct any arterial hypoxemia (Cardiopulmonary defect/shunt e.g.-asthma, pneumonia, PE), any transport deficit (anaemia, low cardiac output), and underlying causes. • SaO2/PaO2 can be normal when tissue hypoxia is caused by low cardiac output states. Oxygen administration Equipment The method of delivery will depend on the type and severity of respiratory failure, breathing pattern, respiratory rate, risk of CO2 retention, need for humidification and patient compliance. Each oxygen delivery device comprises • An oxygen supply(>4L/min) • Flow rate 07.Oxygen administration 20 Hand book of Basic Medical Procedure Dr.M.Umakanth • Tubing • Interface + humidification 1) Nasal cannula These direct oxygen via 2 short prongs up the nasal passage They: • Can be used for long periods of time. • Prevent rebreathing. • Can be used during eating and talking. 2) Low flow oxygen masks These deliver oxygen concentrations that vary depending on the patient’s minute volume. Some rebreathing of exhaled gases. 3) Fixed performance masks These deliver constant concentration of oxygen independent of the patient’s minute volume. The masks contain ‘venturi’ barrels where relatively low rates of oxygen are forced through a narrow orifice producing a greater flow rate. 4) Partial and non-rebreathe masks This mask have a ‘reservoir’ bag that is filled with pure oxygen and depend on a system of valves which prevent mixing of exhaled gases with the incoming oxygen. Dr.M.Umakanth Hand book of Basic Medical Procedure 21 5) High flow Oxygen Masks or nasal prongs that generate flows of 50-120ml/ min using a high flow regulator to entrain air and oxygen at specific concentrations. It should always be used with humidification. Procedure • Introduce yourself, confirm patient’s identity, explain the condition, Obtain Verbal consent. • Choose an appropriate oxygen delivery device • Choose an initial dose… o Cardiac or respiratory arrest:100%. o Hypoxaemia with PaCO2 <5.3kPa:40-60%. o Hypoxaemia with PaCO2 >5.3kPa:24% initially. • Decide on the acceptable level of SaO2 or PaO2 and titrate oxygen accordingly. • If possible, try to measure a PaO2 in room air prior to giving supplementary oxygen. • Liaise with nursing staff, physiotherapist or outreach for support in setting up equipment. • Apply the oxygen and monitor via oxymetry(SaO2) and/or repeat ABG(PaO2) in 30 minutes. • If hypoxemia continue, then the patient may require respiratory support either invasively or non-invasivelyliaise with your seniors and/or the respiratory doctors. • Stop supplementary oxygen when tissue hypoxia or arterial hypoxaemia has resolved. 22 Hand book of Basic Medical Procedure Dr.M.Umakanth Equipment Required • NG tube • Disposable gloves • Lubricant gel • Cup of water • 50ml Syringe • Drainage bag (If necessary) • Adhesive tape • Paper towel • Plastic apron. Indication • Feeding (Ryle’s tube) • Patients who have an increased risk of aspiration • Decompression of stomach during bowel obstruction • Gastric larvage Contraindication • Severe Facial trauma • Basal skull fracture • Suspected oesophageal perforation • Grossly abnormal nasal anatomy Procedure • Introduce yourself, confirm patient’s identity, explain the procedure, and obtain verbal consent • Wash hands thoroughly, put on gloves and plastic apron. 08.Nasogastric(NG) tube Insertion Dr.M.Umakanth Hand book of Basic Medical Procedure 23 • Sit the patient up, slightly extending the neck. • Examine patient’s nose for deformity. • Use the tube to measure the length from the nares to the stomach, (Xiphisternum-earlobe-tip of nose) and note the distance. • Lubricate the tip(4-8cm) of the tube, avoiding blocking the lumen. • Insert into the nostril and advance directly posteriorly • Whilst advancing, ask the patient to take sip of water and hold it in their mouth. • Request the patient to swallow and, as the patient swallows, advance the tube down oesophagus. • Continue to advance the tube until 10-20cm beyond pre-measured distance to stomach (60-70cm total). • To confirm correct place ment o Aspirate some gastric contents with syringe and check fluid’s acidic pH(with litmus paper) confirmatory o If unsure, obtain a chest X-ray(CXR) with a view of the stomach. o Although commonly done on wards, injecting 5-10ml air into the tube whilst auscultating for babbling with stethoscope placed over stomach. • Remove guidewire if present • Either Place cap into the end of NG tube or attach a drainage bag. • Secure the tube in place by taping to nose. o 24 Hand book of Basic Medical Procedure Dr.M.Umakanth Complication • Discomfort, pain, gagging • Bleeding (at any site, but particularly nose) • Failure to correctly place tube e.g. Placement in trachea or bronchi • Perforation of esophagus and stomach • Electrolyte imbalance if rapid decompression of stomach. • Esophagitis • Nasal or retropharyngeal necrosis
System Instructions: Only use the provided text. Do not use any outside sources. Do not use any prior knowledge.
Question: What is the Ghon's complex?
Context: Tuberculosis (TB), which is a curable and preventable disease, is the second most common infectious cause of mortality after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It affects close to 10 million people per year[1].Despite the diagnosis of TB often being a diagnostic dilemma in kidney disease patients, kidney transplant candidates (KTC) and kidney transplant recipients (KTR) have a 3.62- and 11.35 times higher risk of developing TB, respectively, compared to the general population[2]. They also have a higher rate of mortality due to TB. Treatment of TB also poses unique challenges in these patients due to renal dose modifications, drug interactions, and nephrotoxicity of anti-tubercular agents.EPIDEMIOLOGYIncidence of TB in dialysis patients and transplant candidatesThe incidence of TB in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) ranges between 60-19, 270 per 100000 population in various countries (highest incidence in the African region and lowest in the Americas), the pooled incidence being 3718 per 100000[3]. In general, extrapulmonary TB is more common than pulmonary TB in this population[2,3]. Amongst patients with CKD, those on dialysis, who are conventionally considered transplant candidates, are at a higher risk of developing TB as compared to earlier stages of CKD. Patients on hemodialysis have a higher incidence than those on peritoneal dialysis (5611/100000 vs 3533/100000 respectively)[3].Incidence of TB in KTRTB incidence is said to be 7-27 times higher than the general population in solid organ transplant recipients[4]. KTR have a 4.59 times higher risk of developing TB compared to the general population[5]. The incidence of TB in KTR was 2700/100000 population in a pooled systemic analysis[3] from across the world with a range of 340-14680/100000[6,7].NATURAL HISTORY OF TB IN TRANSPLANT CANDIDATES AND RECIPIENTSMycobacterium tuberculosis acquisitionThe primary transmission route of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is through aerosols, with the lungs being the primary site of host-pathogen interaction. The innate immune system tends to clear the M. tuberculosis bacilli immediately through phagocytosis. However, there is a possibility of the following four distinct outcomes because of complex host-pathogen interplay[8]: (1) Immediate clearance of bacilli; (2) Chronic or latent infection; (3) Rapidly progressive TB; or (4) Reactivation after a prolonged period.Granuloma formationIf the bacilli are not removed immediately, granulomas are formed, where inflammatory cells and cytokines come together and generate a localized response, known as the "Ghon's complex". It includes organ parenchymal involvement along with regional adenopathy. Effective cell-mediated immunity usually develops in 4-6 weeks and halts further infection progression[8].Progression and disseminationWhen the host cannot produce a sufficient cell-mediated immune response, the infection spreads and destroys the tissue. Arterial erosion promotes hematogenous spread, which results in disseminated TB that eventually affects multiple organs.Reactivation and immunosuppressed statesIn immunocompromised states, there may be a reactivation of M. tuberculosis CKD, specifically kidney failure, is one such condition where reactivation of previous infection is the most common cause of TB. Earlier, this reactivation was typically limited to a single organ, the most common site being the upper lobe of the lung[8]. However, now extrapulmonary TB is seen to be more common in these patients. Extrapulmonary involvement can affect various other organs and appear with a myriad of clinical symptoms. Almost every organ being involved has been described, including the musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract, liver, skin, orbit, genitourinary tract, lymph nodes, pericardium, larynx, kidneys, and adrenal glands[8,9]. Prasad P et al. TB in kidney transplantationWJT https://www.wjgnet.com 3September 18, 2024 Volume 14 Issue 3Natural history in transplant recipientsBecause of the immunosuppression, the natural history of TB infection is more complex in transplant patients. In developing countries, reactivation from previously acquired infections is more common than re-infection[8,9]. With a median time of onset of 9 months, most active TB cases are recognized during the first year post-transplantation[10-13]. Also, although pulmonary TB is the most common presentation in KTR, they are more likely to develop extrapulmonary TB compared to the general population[12,14,15].MODES OF TRANSMISSIONFor primary prevention, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment, understanding the various modes of transmission of TB is crucial. The various modes of transmission among transplant candidates and recipients are illustrated in Figure 1 and enlisted below[16,17]: (1) Airborne transmission: Aerosol transmission remains the predominant mechanism, particularly in enclosed and congested environments; (2) Reactivation from latent infection: In areas where TB is highly prevalent, reactivation of latent TB is a frequent mechanism of transmission; (3) Nosocomial transmission: The possibility of nosocomial transmission is a worry in healthcare environments. Strict infection control procedures are necessary in transplant units, where immunocompromised patients are concentrated, to stop TB from spreading among recipients; (4) Donor-derived transmission: Rarely, transmission can occur directly from the donor organ. Thorough screening of potential organ donors is essential to avoid unintentionally spreading TB during transplant procedures; and (5) Unusual routes of transmission: Environmental sources have been reported to host viable and infectious TB for long periods. These sources include soil, rivers, wastewater, fomites, dust, and even cadavers. There have been reports of TB transmission through topical wound site contamination, aerosolization during surgery, and intake of water tainted with sanatorium effluent. Also, the incidence of pediatric cases due to intestinal TB is showing an increasing trend, probably due to the ingestion of contaminated milk or sputum[16].Factors influencing transmissionThe probability that an individual with TB will transmit M. tuberculosis to others is determined by many factors, including the number and rate of infectious droplet production and virulence of the disease of the original host who transmits the infection[18]. Environmental factors include duration and extent of contact. Better air circulation and increased ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in the space of contact decrease the chances of transmission. Host factors include the type of induction and maintenance immunosuppression among transplant patients[18].
System Instructions: Only use the provided text. Do not use any outside sources. Do not use any prior knowledge. Question: What is the Ghon's complex? Context: Tuberculosis (TB), which is a curable and preventable disease, is the second most common infectious cause of mortality after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It affects close to 10 million people per year[1].Despite the diagnosis of TB often being a diagnostic dilemma in kidney disease patients, kidney transplant candidates (KTC) and kidney transplant recipients (KTR) have a 3.62- and 11.35 times higher risk of developing TB, respectively, compared to the general population[2]. They also have a higher rate of mortality due to TB. Treatment of TB also poses unique challenges in these patients due to renal dose modifications, drug interactions, and nephrotoxicity of anti-tubercular agents.EPIDEMIOLOGYIncidence of TB in dialysis patients and transplant candidatesThe incidence of TB in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) ranges between 60-19, 270 per 100000 population in various countries (highest incidence in the African region and lowest in the Americas), the pooled incidence being 3718 per 100000[3]. In general, extrapulmonary TB is more common than pulmonary TB in this population[2,3]. Amongst patients with CKD, those on dialysis, who are conventionally considered transplant candidates, are at a higher risk of developing TB as compared to earlier stages of CKD. Patients on hemodialysis have a higher incidence than those on peritoneal dialysis (5611/100000 vs 3533/100000 respectively)[3].Incidence of TB in KTRTB incidence is said to be 7-27 times higher than the general population in solid organ transplant recipients[4]. KTR have a 4.59 times higher risk of developing TB compared to the general population[5]. The incidence of TB in KTR was 2700/100000 population in a pooled systemic analysis[3] from across the world with a range of 340-14680/100000[6,7].NATURAL HISTORY OF TB IN TRANSPLANT CANDIDATES AND RECIPIENTSMycobacterium tuberculosis acquisitionThe primary transmission route of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is through aerosols, with the lungs being the primary site of host-pathogen interaction. The innate immune system tends to clear the M. tuberculosis bacilli immediately through phagocytosis. However, there is a possibility of the following four distinct outcomes because of complex host-pathogen interplay[8]: (1) Immediate clearance of bacilli; (2) Chronic or latent infection; (3) Rapidly progressive TB; or (4) Reactivation after a prolonged period.Granuloma formationIf the bacilli are not removed immediately, granulomas are formed, where inflammatory cells and cytokines come together and generate a localized response, known as the "Ghon's complex". It includes organ parenchymal involvement along with regional adenopathy. Effective cell-mediated immunity usually develops in 4-6 weeks and halts further infection progression[8].Progression and disseminationWhen the host cannot produce a sufficient cell-mediated immune response, the infection spreads and destroys the tissue. Arterial erosion promotes hematogenous spread, which results in disseminated TB that eventually affects multiple organs.Reactivation and immunosuppressed statesIn immunocompromised states, there may be a reactivation of M. tuberculosis CKD, specifically kidney failure, is one such condition where reactivation of previous infection is the most common cause of TB. Earlier, this reactivation was typically limited to a single organ, the most common site being the upper lobe of the lung[8]. However, now extrapulmonary TB is seen to be more common in these patients. Extrapulmonary involvement can affect various other organs and appear with a myriad of clinical symptoms. Almost every organ being involved has been described, including the musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract, liver, skin, orbit, genitourinary tract, lymph nodes, pericardium, larynx, kidneys, and adrenal glands[8,9]. Prasad P et al. TB in kidney transplantationWJT https://www.wjgnet.com 3September 18, 2024 Volume 14 Issue 3Natural history in transplant recipientsBecause of the immunosuppression, the natural history of TB infection is more complex in transplant patients. In developing countries, reactivation from previously acquired infections is more common than re-infection[8,9]. With a median time of onset of 9 months, most active TB cases are recognized during the first year post-transplantation[10-13]. Also, although pulmonary TB is the most common presentation in KTR, they are more likely to develop extrapulmonary TB compared to the general population[12,14,15].MODES OF TRANSMISSIONFor primary prevention, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment, understanding the various modes of transmission of TB is crucial. The various modes of transmission among transplant candidates and recipients are illustrated in Figure 1 and enlisted below[16,17]: (1) Airborne transmission: Aerosol transmission remains the predominant mechanism, particularly in enclosed and congested environments; (2) Reactivation from latent infection: In areas where TB is highly prevalent, reactivation of latent TB is a frequent mechanism of transmission; (3) Nosocomial transmission: The possibility of nosocomial transmission is a worry in healthcare environments. Strict infection control procedures are necessary in transplant units, where immunocompromised patients are concentrated, to stop TB from spreading among recipients; (4) Donor-derived transmission: Rarely, transmission can occur directly from the donor organ. Thorough screening of potential organ donors is essential to avoid unintentionally spreading TB during transplant procedures; and (5) Unusual routes of transmission: Environmental sources have been reported to host viable and infectious TB for long periods. These sources include soil, rivers, wastewater, fomites, dust, and even cadavers. There have been reports of TB transmission through topical wound site contamination, aerosolization during surgery, and intake of water tainted with sanatorium effluent. Also, the incidence of pediatric cases due to intestinal TB is showing an increasing trend, probably due to the ingestion of contaminated milk or sputum[16].Factors influencing transmissionThe probability that an individual with TB will transmit M. tuberculosis to others is determined by many factors, including the number and rate of infectious droplet production and virulence of the disease of the original host who transmits the infection[18]. Environmental factors include duration and extent of contact. Better air circulation and increased ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in the space of contact decrease the chances of transmission. Host factors include the type of induction and maintenance immunosuppression among transplant patients[18].

FACTS Grounding 1.0 Public Examples

860 public FACTS Grounding examples from Google DeepMind and Google Research

FACTS Grounding is a benchmark from Google DeepMind and Google Research designed to measure the performance of AI Models on factuality and grounding.

FACTS Grounding Leaderboard on Kaggle
Technical Report
Evaluation Starter Code
Google DeepMind Blog Post

Usage

The FACTS Grounding benchmark evaluates the ability of Large Language Models (LLMs) to generate factually accurate responses grounded in provided long-form documents, encompassing a variety of domains. FACTS Grounding moves beyond simple factual question-answering by assessing whether LLM responses are fully grounded to the provided context and correctly synthesize information from a long context document. By providing a standardized evaluation framework, FACTS Grounding aims to promote the development of LLMs that are both knowledgeable and trustworthy, facilitating their responsible deployment in real-world applications.

Dataset Description

This dataset is a collection 860 examples (public set) crafted by humans for evaluating how well an AI system grounds their answers to a given context. Each example is composed of a few parts:

  • A system prompt (system_instruction) which provides general instructions to the model, including to only answer the question provided based on the information in the given context
  • A task (user_request) which includes the specific question(s) for the system to answer e.g. "What are some tips on saving money?"
  • A long document (context_document) which includes information necessary to answer to question e.g. an SEC filing for a publicly traded US company

This dataset also contains evaluation prompts (evaluation_prompts.csv) for judging model generated responses to the examples. See the Technical Report for methodology details.

Limitations

While this benchmark represents a step forward in evaluating factual accuracy, more work remains to be done. First, this benchmark relies on potentially noisy automated LLM judge models for evaluation. By ensembling a range of frontier LLMs and averaging judge outputs, we attempt to mitigate this. Second, the FACTS benchmark focuses only on evaluating grounded responses to long-form text input and could potentially be extended.

Questions, comments, or issues? Share your thoughts with us in the discussion forum.

Citation

If you use this dataset in your research, please cite our technical report:

@misc{kaggle-FACTS-leaderboard,
    author = {Alon Jacovi,  Andrew Wang,  Chris Alberti,  Connie Tao,  Jon Lipovetz,  Kate Olszewska,  Lukas Haas,  Michelle Liu,  Nate Keating,  Adam Bloniarz,  Carl Saroufim,  Corey Fry,  Dror Marcus,  Doron Kukliansky,  Gaurav Singh Tomar,  James Swirhun,  Jinwei Xing,  Lily Wang,  Michael Aaron,  Moran Ambar,  Rachana Fellinger,  Rui Wang,  Ryan Sims,  Zizhao Zhang,  Sasha Goldshtein,  Yossi Matias,  and Dipanjan Das},
    title = {FACTS Leaderboard},
    year = {2024},
    howpublished = {\url{https://kaggle.com/facts-leaderboard}},
    note = {Google DeepMind, Google Research, Google Cloud, Kaggle}
}
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