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The most common type of ankle sprain is an inversion injury. The ankle turns in. Inversion sprains are common complications that may occur after casual strolls, “trips”, falls, and sports. Most sprains are minor but the severe ones can result in ligament strain or rupture and cartilage injury to the bones within the ankle joint. The most important risk factor for a new sprain is a previous sprain so comprehensive attention to a first sprain is critical. A patient presenting with a sprain will have obvious swelling, discoloration, and point tenderness located in the anterolateral (front and slightly to the outside) ankle. Physical examination may be difficult because of the pain a patient may be experiencing. X-rays should be obtained to exclude fracture. Also, any evidence of ankle instability should be a tip off that magnetic resonance imaging should be ordered to check for the integrity of ligaments. This last point cannot be overstr diet tea essed enough since ligament tears, if not attended to quickly, can lead to chronic ankle instability. For the acute injury, the age-old recommendation of RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) is still recommended. This should be followed until the initial swelling has subsided (generally 24-48 hours). Rest should be done with the leg elevated to reduce swelling. Compression can be achieved using an ace wrap or other ankle support. Ice should not be applied directly to the skin. Analgesics such as acetaminophen can be used for pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) probably should be avoided since they can lead to less platelet adhesiveness, therefore causing more bleeding into the soft tissues. Early mobilization is important. Getting the patient active- ambulating- is important in preventing long-term disability. When the ankle swelling and bruising has settled an active rehabilitation program should be started.

It appears that many individuals are effective alone – Einstein, Marco Polo etc – however, what is usually overlooked is that these people often collaborated regularly. Also, it is very difficult to separate the idea from its influences. In any case, individuals are prone to path dependency, parochialism and reduced insight through reduced intellectual cross-pollination.The negatives of the individual are reduced somewhat by the addition of another individual. Pairs keep each other grounded and there are no core and peripheral information flows – there are only two people. However, parochialism and path dependency are still factors. The core aim of a pair should be to encourage diversity and novelty in each individual.As groups get larger, the quality of results increases with intellectual cross-pollination. But group negatives prevent breakout:a) Symptoms of group think increaseb) The percentage of individual performance declinesc) Groups of three to five elicit much more conformity than just one or twod) Evaluation appr weight loss tea ehension increasese) Core and peripheral information flows exclude some peoplef) Political strategies increaseIn conclusion, a tactical combination of team structures increases creative output.More information about this topic can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com/You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.Kal Bishop, MBA**********************************You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.managing-creativity.

Owners of small “commercial” greenhouses are alert for ways to save labor and stretch their producing areas. Both ends can be served by starting annuals (including bedding plants) and tender perennials in flats in late winter or early spring, and moving them to cold frames as soon as freezing – weather is past. Once the flats are moved out, the greenhouse space can be filled with other things. Selling plants in flats of a dozen to 100 or more avoids the work of potting. Most small plants retail at about 50 to 60 cents per dozen, with the possible exception of double petunias, which usually run to twice that much. Potted singly, these same plants retail for 25 to 39 cents apiece, but to rate that price range the potted plants will also have to be grown a bit larger than is necessary in flats. Grow the plants in full sun in a cool hou tava tea se, to keep them bushy. The following are four of the most popular plants small greenhouse owners have found to be steady, profitable items. The cultural hints I offer are, of course, based on the timing of the seasons, weather, etc., in my area. Be sure you take your own local conditions into consideration in applying my recommendations (or anyone’s) as to seeding time,etc. Alyssum Although sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a tender perennial, it is treated in the north as an annual. It can be started in the 50-degree greenhouse. January seed-planting should assure salable plants in April. Culture approximates that of ageratum, and the sweet alyssum can be propagated by cuttings and rooted in any growing media. If your greenhouse is crowded, move the flats of sweet alyssum to the cold frame as soon as danger of freezing is over.

We often talk about ?recovering? furniture to mean a nice new look for the furniture in a new fabric. But there are a number of ways of achieving this, each being suitable for different kinds or conditions of furniture and at different prices. The main options are: Loose Covers Tailored Covers Stretch Covers Re-Upholstery Re-Cover The reason it’s important to know what you are getting is that there are important issues of safety, cost and durability. Unfortunately by being ?economical with the truth? an unscrupulous supplier can charge a lot of money for a sub-standard job.As you only see the outer covering of the finished job,you maybe none the wiser until something goes wrong. Loose Covers The traditional loosely fitting cover, used to be made in a cotton print with a valance finish at the tava tea bottom. My Dad always said ? ?the kind of covers the Queen has on her furniture when you watch the Christmas message? (but probably not these days of polished image!). They are very clearly a Cover, and all look pretty much the same whatever the design of the furniture underneath. They are made to be easily taken off, washed and slipped back on. Tailored Covers Invented by my father Richard Vipond who coined the term ‘Tailored Covers’, these are Covers which have been closely tailored to the original design of the furniture. For instance, the first Covers he made were for Cintique furniture which were seats and backs consisting of complex cushions attached with studs to a frame. The Covers exactly match the original cushions, including back flap and studs, and even the buttoning on the back.