AUTHOR ARCHIVES :

Dr. Connie Bruce-Gilliam D.D.S.: Understanding the Value of Early Orthodontic Assessment

Orthodontist

Key Takeaways

  • Early orthodontic evaluation helps identify growth and bite issues before they become more complex.
  • Assessments by around age seven allow clinicians to guide jaw and facial development effectively.
  • Early intervention can reduce the need for extractions, surgery, or lengthy braces later in life.
  • Correcting alignment early lowers the risk of dental injuries, uneven wear, and hygiene problems.
  • Timely evaluation supports both long-term oral health and a child’s confidence.
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Sharon Vernick: The Most Successful Comedies of All Time

Slapstick comedy

photo credit: Alev Dogan / Pexels

Key Takeaways

  • Comedy has been a foundational genre in film history, evolving from silent slapstick to a wide range of modern subgenres.
  • Many of the most profitable comedies were produced on relatively small budgets and earned back their costs many times over.
  • Films such as Pink Flamingos and American Graffiti demonstrate how modest productions can become major commercial successes.
  • Cult followings and long theatrical runs, as seen with The Rocky Horror Picture Show, can dramatically extend a film’s profitability.
  • Both low-budget and big-budget comedies continue to achieve global box office success, proving the genre’s lasting commercial appeal.
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John Cogswell: An Introduction to Telemark Skiing

Telemark skiing

photo credit: Funcarver116 / Wikimedia Commons / CC0

Key Takeaways

  • Telemark skiing combines elements of Nordic and alpine skiing, using a free-heel binding that enables a distinctive, flowing turn style.
  • The discipline traces its roots to 19th-century Norway and has experienced a modern resurgence as both a resort and backcountry sport.
  • Proper equipment selection, especially boots and bindings, plays a critical role in comfort, control, and learning progression.
  • The telemark technique relies on balanced knee movement, steady upper-body posture, and rhythmic transitions between turns.
  • Beyond physical fitness benefits, telemark skiing is known for its welcoming culture and emphasis on freedom and connection to the mountains.
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Gary Begnaud: An Overview of Establishing an Emergency Fund

Emergency fund

Key Takeaways

  • An emergency fund is a dedicated cash reserve for true financial disruptions like job loss, medical bills, or urgent repairs.
  • Most households should aim to save three to six months of essential living expenses, adjusted for income stability and risk.
  • Emergency funds should be kept in liquid, insured accounts such as high-yield savings or money market deposit accounts.
  • Using cash reserves instead of credit cards prevents interest costs and reduces financial stress during a crisis.
  • Beyond covering expenses, an emergency fund provides psychological security and preserves long-term financial plans.
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Thomas Guglielmo: What Lean Looks Like in Daily Work

Lean practices at work

Key Takeaways

  • Lean becomes visible in daily work through habits, layouts, and routines that reduce waste and prevent interruptions.
  • Standardized steps, checklists, and shared formats reduce variation and limit ambiguity in routine tasks.
  • Physical layout and point-of-use storage minimize searching, waiting, and unnecessary movement.
  • Visual systems expose problems early and enable faster handoffs and quicker corrective action.
  • Continuous small improvements by frontline teams make operations more stable, predictable, and resilient over time.
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Tracey L. McNeil: Best Practices for Business to Business Partnerships in Finance

B2B

Key Takeaways

  • Successful B2B partnerships in finance start with a clear strategic purpose and well-defined business objectives.
  • Choosing partners requires structured evaluation of technology, culture, financial stability, and regulatory readiness.
  • Strong governance models are essential to manage decision-making, risk, accountability, and operational execution.
  • Clear commercial, legal, and technical foundations reduce misunderstandings and align incentives between partners.
  • Ongoing compliance, security, and disciplined execution are critical to scaling partnerships sustainably.
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Jeff Scafaro: How Pete Sampras Redefined All Court Coverage

Pete Sampras

photo credit: Levg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Key Takeaways

  • Pete Sampras redefined all-court tennis by combining a dominant serve with exceptional speed and net attacking instincts.
  • His shift from a baseline style to a serve-and-volley game under coach Peter Fischer shaped his championship career.
  • The 1990 US Open final against Andre Agassi demonstrated Sampras’ ability to control both baseline rallies and net play.
  • Unlike many contemporaries who emphasized side-to-side movement, Sampras used a north-south approach to court coverage.
  • His movement style and success on fast surfaces, especially grass, influenced both opponents and later court design changes.
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Eugene Saltzberg MD: Emergency Simulation Training for Early Medical Learners

Medial emergency simulation training

Key Takeaways

  • Simulation introduces medical students to emergency decision-making in realistic, high-pressure but risk-free environments.
  • Early simulations focus more on clinical reasoning, prioritization, and communication than on finding a single correct answer.
  • Structured debriefs turn mistakes into learning opportunities and strengthen reflective, evidence-based thinking.
  • Simulation helps students learn to manage uncertainty, limited resources, and rapidly changing clinical conditions.
  • Team-based scenarios develop coordination, task management, and adaptability alongside individual clinical skills.
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Douglas Charney: Understanding Permanent Estate And Gift Tax Rules

Calculating tax benefits

Key Takeaways

  • The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, 2025, permanently extends key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
  • The federal estate and gift tax exemption remains high and will rise to $15 million per person starting January 1, 2026, with no sunset.
  • The generation-skipping transfer tax exemption is aligned with the estate and gift tax exemption, simplifying multigenerational planning.
  • Top marginal income tax rates and capital gains tax structures from the TCJA are now permanent.
  • The law introduces new planning considerations, including enhanced standard deductions, the repeal of the personal exemption, and the new “Trump Account.”
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Camp Quinebarge: A Few Tips for Hiking with Children

Hiking with children

Key Takeaways

  • Children can start hiking at almost any age, but trails should match their physical ability and interests.
  • Frequent breaks, hydration, and healthy snacks are essential for keeping young hikers comfortable and energized.
  • Combining hikes with activities like swimming makes trips more enjoyable and helps manage heat and fatigue.
  • Giving children leadership roles on the trail builds confidence, responsibility, and engagement with nature.
  • Proper preparation, including sun protection, suitable clothing, and a first-aid kit, is critical for safety.
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