Scan and Go at Walmart Shopping Center

First time when I came to Walmart, the biggest super center in the USA about 17 years ago, where each counter has own cashier, no automatic scanning at all.

Image 1- Self Scanning Machine

Then, there are a few self scanning, but there is someone to take care payment either by credit card or cash or even by cheque.

Since 4 years ago, 2018, almost all counters of Walmart groceries are automatic.

We take care ourselves, from scanning the goods, put and arrange in the plastic bags and do payment.

The payment by credit or debit card only. No cash payments or cheques.

Image 2- Medical drugs sold in Supermarket

Actually, the self scanning system is not new, first invented by Howard Schneider and applied by the supermarket, called the Price Chopper in New York in 1992.

Image 3- Chocolate, sold in Walmart

Then automatic machines were copied by many supermarket across America since 1997.

Image 4- No cashiers anymore

In addition to automatic check out, the Walmart offers shopping through online system.

We can order everything from computer devices to electronics to prescription drugs to tools and equipments to grocery items in order to avoid crowd in the checkout lines.

Then, we could pick up after the store completed our orders.

This is new thing for me. Quite difficult to adjust for me at first. However, technology changes can’t be avoided, we must face of its.

What do you think?

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Injured Hawk on the Street then Fly Away – Nature 29

We just found a hawk lying down on the street nearby our neighborhood. We don’t know why.

Image 1- Bird on the street

We think that there are several possibilities that why hawk is lying down on the street, some of them:

1) Hawk hits running car
2) Catching preys, then hit ground
3) Avoiding predators, then hit ground

As you might know, some predators that attacked hawk are:

- eagles
- owls and bigger hawks

Image 2- Red and Pink tulips.

Honestly, we don’t know what real causes of the hawk lying down on the roadside of our neighborhood.

Image 3- Beautiful flowers

We saw that the bird was probably injured, we then touch the hawk. After observing carefully, we thought the bird is only stunned even though it looked very weak or dead

Since its try to fly from our hand, as soon as we throw it to the air. The hawk come strong, and sure it fled away.

The bird disappeared from our eyes just in several minutes. However, we don’t know whether the bird suffered from brain injury and internal bleeding despite initially flying off.

What do you think?

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Crape Myrtle Blooming in the Summer – Nature 28

We know that many flowers blooming in the spring, but some flowers include Crape Myrtle blooming in the summer.

Image 1 – Red Crape Myrtle

Almost all houses in our neighborhood grow this kind of flower, sure with different colors.

We recognize at least four colors both in our neighborhood areas and nearby roads:

- red
- white
- purple
- pink

Image 2- Tend to pink color

Image 3- Purple color

Image 4- White of Crape Myrtle

Image 5- Crape Myrtle on the roadside

Based on internet searching, one author, John Barrat (2018: Crape myrtle trees aren’t native to the U.S., but hungry native birds still find them tasty) reported that this flower is come from Asia.

The origin of Crape myrtle from countries such as:

- China
- Korea
- and other hot temperature areas.

Since temperature of our city, Baton Rouge, LA could reach F 100 (C 38) degree, it is not surprising this flower grow very well.

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Knock Out to Understand Human Diseases – Part 2 – Science 14

You may read the previous posting (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Knock Out to Understand Human Diseases – Part 1 – Science 14

Image 1- chrysanthemums

The knockout will result in disrupt of targeted gene. Since mouse is closely related to humans, thus, it is favorite animal for knockout experiments, especially with regard to genetic questions that relate to human physiology.

At the firt Image (Please see Part 1: Knock Out to Understand Human Diseases – Part 1 – Science 14), we can see how to target gene.

The introduce specific gene modification in mice by the use of embryonic stem (ES) cell, then produced knockout animal (mice).

Image 2- Alaska Pollock, just for illustration

Image 3- Banana, illustration only

As described by Hansson (2007: ADVANCED INFORMATION. Gene modification in mice.) that knockout have become absolutely important in medical research.

Then, through targeting (removing) a specific gene, we can find out what happens once it is gone.

It is lead to new understanding of normal development and disease processes, then identified new avenues for medical therapy which benefits to human being in the near future.

Just to let you know that Hansson, GK was the Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine 2007

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Buy One Get One Free of Frappuccino – Part 1

Our city, Baton Rouge, LA, locates at deep south of USA experienced very hot temperature during summer season, especially from June to August every year.

Image 1- The offer of Frappuccino, buy one get one free

The temperature was around 30⁰ C to even as high as 41⁰ C, we feel like living in the desserts of Middle East or somewhere else.

It is interesting to find “cool” areas such as public libraries or Barnes & Nobel coffee shop.

Quite attractive that Barnes & Nobel coffee shop also books store where we can do reading while drinking icy beverage.

Image 2- Coffee shop at Barnes & Noble bookstore

Image 3- A little garden

I just ordered a kind of new beverage for me, called as Frappuccino. Surprisingly, buy one get one free.

Frappuccino, I think a beverage with 3 combines that are coffee, icy and specific ingredients. Blending altogether.

I think it is an awesome deal.

The offer started from June 19^th until July 22. It seems to attract customers for hot summer.

Uniquely, the deal for 4 hours only, happy hours from 2.00 PM to 4.00 PM every day.

# To be continued to Part 2

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Could Avocado Reduce Metabolic Syndrome? - Part 2 - Healthy Life 21

You may read the previous posting (Part 1):

- The Rainbow Before Evening : Could Avocado Reduce Metabolic Syndrome? - Part 1 – Healthy Life 21 

Image 1- Half cut of avocado.

Since they boost metabolism, thus these two type of fats may reduce risk of:

- heart disease
- stroke
- and type 2 diabetes.

It is believed that the avocado could improve our immune system to fight of micro pathogens.

Image 2- Sunset seen from a port in our city

Image3- Pile of avocados in the grocery

Avocado is good quality of diet, and very delicious for me. We consume this fruit at least twice a month. They are sold in many groceries include Walmart and Mexican grocery.

It riches in nutrition as well. In generally speaking, the fruit contains:

- 20 vitamins, some of them are A, C, E, K, B6.
- minerals (magnesium, potassium)
- antioxidants (carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin)

Have you ever tasted avocado?

Do you like its?

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A Juvenile Woodpecker Hit a Glass Window – Nature 27

I saw birds hit my glass window several times. Many of them can fly away, but few not able to move and even dead.

I can do nothing for helping dead birds. Just feel very sad.

Image 1- A Juvenile Woodpecker can’t fly

Couple weeks ago, A juvenile woodpecker hit a glass window, and unfortunately couldn’t fly away.

I tried to call several numbers, but got nowhere

After thinking a while, then I called Veterinary school at my city, Baton Rouge, LA. The school then ask me to bring the bird to them in the afternoon.

I drop the bird off at 4.00 pm, and the veterinarian there to help the injured Juvenile Woodpecker.

Image 2- Flowers and grass in the garden

I was so thankful, because the bird could be saved, and I feel that I have blessing for the day.

Image 3- Flowers under trees, birds love this place

However, as I said that few birds are “not able to move and even dead.” As far as I remember they are including:

- humming bird
- cardinal
- warbler
- brown creeper

As many people said that birds hit the window glass because they see reflections of:

- vegetation or plants as potential of their foods resources.
- their own, and think that outsiders

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