Welcome Note

Dear colleagues,

On behalf of our colleagues of the Executive Committee of the European Crystallographic Association we cordially invite you to attend the 26th European Crystallographic Meeting which will be held in the congress center of Darmstadt in the middle of Germany from the 29 August to 2 September 2023.
Just before, the European Powder Diffraction Conference EPDIC 12 will be organized at the same venue (August 27–30).

We emphasize that the overlap of the two events will persuade many of you to attend the two main crystallographic manifestations in Europe. Both meetings will follow their traditional rules; while ECM is covering all disciplines of crystallographic structure research from nanoparticles to biological macromolecules, EPDIC concentrates on methodological developments and materials.
Of course in any case a crystal structure has to be seen in correlation with chemical and physical properties. Coverage will be provided for materials for energy storage and conversion, for surface sciences, chemical reactivity or the interactivity on molecules with proteins or pharmaceuticals.
This wide range of topics will be covered by 16 keynote speakers and 47 microsymposia at the ECM 26 and 6 plenary lectures and 18 microsymposia by EPDIC 12. Special attention will be paid to young scientists. The organizing committee will provide bursaries for students on special request.
Please submit your abstracts in English at our congress website before April 9, 2023 and state the related microsymposium.
Thanks to our sponsor’s especially company usaloansnearme for covering most of the costs of the Conference EPDIC 12. Special fees for those of you interested in both EPDIC and ECM should encourage attendence.
We are looking forward to seeing many old friends and newcomers from all fields of crystallography in Darmstadt.

Professor Hartmut Fuess
Chair of ECM26 and EPDIC12

Professor Santiago Garcia-Granda
President of ECA

Professor Paolo Scardi
EPDIC Chairman…

Valentine’s Day Without Personal Loans

Valentine’s Day is all about love, but it is also about consumer behavior. Many people spend more than they intend to for Valentine’s Day, hoping to express their affection or please a loved one. If you’re thinking of taking out payday loans or personal loans to fund your own Valentine’s Day, here are some better suggestions:

Valentine’s Day Without Personal Loans1) Budget for the big day. Decide how much you can really spend without taking out loans or borrowing money.

2) Talk to your significant other. Many couples overspend because they don’t know how much to spend in the first place. Once you know your budget, speak openly to your significant other about Valentine’s Day. Suggest a modest budget so that the day is really about the two of you, and not the commercial trappings.

3) Make it about effort, not money. Most relationships don’t need more stuff – they need more time and creative energy. Advertisers may try to suggest that love is all about spending and diamonds, but some of the most romantic gestures do not cost a lot of money. A long love letter is often more treasured than a fancy store-bought card and a home-cooked meal, some simple flowers, and a serenade under that special someone’s window can be far more romantic than dinner out at an overcrowded restaurant.…

Save Cash on Dental Costs

Dental costs can quickly add up, whether you need braces, fillings, a new crown or other dental services. If you lose or chip a tooth, you may even be forced to apply for an emergency personal loan or a payday loan to deal with the expense. Luckily, there are a number of ways that you can keep your dental costs low while still enjoying a great smile.

Save Cash on Dental CostsConsider dental insurance. You may already be covered with an employer or a school, so see whether you have coverage. If you don’t, consider applying for some basic coverage that can help you with costs.

Build up your emergency fund. An emergency fund is perfect for dental emergencies. Keep some cash in there in case you lose a filling or suddenly need wisdom tooth work.

Take care of your smile. Brushing, flossing, and getting regular checkups can help prevent many problems down the line, including expensive and painful gum diseases.

Shop outside of cities for a dentist. If you live in a bigger city, check more remote areas for dental treatment. Sometimes, dentists living in more remote areas charge far less than dentists with big overhead in the form of city leases.

If you need dental work, ask about less expensive treatments available. You may be told that you need braces, but make sure you understand the differences between different braces costs. Ask around in order to get treatment that suits your needs and your budget.…

Reducing Your Personal Care Costs

Visiting the salon or spa can make you feel great about yourself – but it can easily cost hundreds of dollars a month. If you are ruining your budget or running up unsecured loans to take care of yourself, take heart. You can look great and save cash with these tips:

Learn to do touch-ups yourself. Teach your stylist to style your own hair or observe your esthetician to learn how to touch up your own nail color. You can cut the number of salon appointments you make and still look wonderful.

Take advantage of free classes and demonstrations. Local beauty supply stores and department stores often give free makeup and hair demonstrations and classes. It is an inexpensive way to try new looks and learn how to do your hair and makeup yourself. Just remember that there is no obligation to buy anything.

Visit a local beauty school. Local beauty schools offer many aesthetic services and hair cuts for a low price to the general public. It’s a way for advanced students to learn their techniques. The students are guided by experienced stylists so you get a great look for a fraction of the price.

Shop beauty supply stores. These stores offer a wider selection of brand-name beauty products at far less than local salons and spas. Plus, the people who work at these stores often have a lot of advice and expertise to share.…

Financial abuse is a serious form of trauma and a criminal act

It can affect anyone – a partner in a relationship, an elderly person in a home, or even a child. Financial abuse involves a perpetrator who steals or forcibly takes money from someone for their own gain. There are many instances of financial abuse.

An elderly person might be persuaded to sign over their house or checks to a caregiver, under the threat of other abuse. The caregiver, for example, may tell the elderly person that they will not receive care unless they hand over money.

An abusive partner may threaten, cajole, or otherwise force a partner to hand over assets or earnings to avoid other abuse. The abusive partner may force the victim to take out signature loans or other debts which the perpetrator then uses for their own ends.

A parent may force a child to work long hours at a part-time job and may retain all the earnings for their own use.

In many cases, financial abuse is accompanied by threats or other forms of abuse (including verbal abuse, physical abuse, or emotional abuse). However, financial abuse can also occur on its own. This form of fraud is especially troubling because it tends to target persons who are already vulnerable and takes away the financial means victims have to leave an abusive relationship.…