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It's 6 pm as two estimators walk into a bar. They sit down, order a beer and start comparing takeoff techniques. The old estimator, who has been estimating more than 30 years, says, “I put all my counts on paper spreadsheets, then I enter them into the computer later. My way is best!” The young estimator, who has only been at it for 15 years, responds, “I enter all my counts directly into the computer, building my assemblies as I enter them. This saves me a whole bunch of time. My way is best!” Just then, their boss walks into the bar and asks, “Hey! Why aren’t you two at work? That job bids tomorrow!”
Paper spreadsheets vs. direct entry
The argument against the “old standard” paper counts spreadsheet is a tough one to win. For years, I’ve been convinced they are not the most efficient way to record counts, especially with the capabilities of today’s modern estimating software. Direct entry is absolutely, without a doubt, faster. Period. End of conversation, right? Sure, that is until the computer crashes and you lose your data. Remember to back up every three minutes, otherwise the file you have been working on for two weeks may become corrupt and not repairable. I can’t discuss this further due to the health issues it causes.
Direct entry is not just about speed. I believe in building your assemblies as you count the symbols. This is when you are the most familiar with what the symbol is, and you know the most about it. Entering the counts several hours or even days later allows your brain a chance to forget important details. You might find yourself needing to return to the symbols, spending more time reviewing them again, thus losing precious time.
But at the end of the day, I find there are just as many good reasons for using paper count sheets as there are using the direct entry method. At the very minimum, the paper count sheet is an accessible, easy-to-read document that cannot be corrupted. And when the computer isn’t on or doesn’t work, good old paper beats rock every time. Be careful, though, because paper can get lost, burned, stained or rolled up in a set of drawings never to be seen again. So make copies, and guard them with your life.
Show the computer who’s boss
Not too long ago, we entered an era in estimating from which we will never return—an era where machines began taking the place of our minds, controlling the way we think and how we look at, organize, and takeoff a project. Our entire way of estimating changed.
We began performing our takeoffs using “super-powerful” software, which, in the beginning, wasn’t so powerful. It had limitations, but then again, so did we. Then the machines got better, smarter and faster (and cheaper). The software grew more powerful, smart and fast (and more expensive). It gave us more capability to control (or lose control of) our estimates, allowing us to segregate our projects into as many different breakouts as our minds could imagine. We could literally confuse ourselves into submission and create a quagmire of extension labels only Stephen Hawking could figure out.
And so it began: the dumbing down of the modern estimator. Twenty years later, today’s younger estimators have, and rely heavily on, prebuilt databases that tell them how much things cost and how long they will take to install. The software organizes the data, performs the math and spits out beautiful spreadsheets with color-coded images and delicious-looking pie charts that dazzle us with their simplicity.
Computers and software will continue to get better and faster. But no matter how good it gets, true security and confidence can come only from a thoroughly performed estimate, reviewed by an intelligent, educated, freethinking human being. They still call this person the estimator, not the computer.
Now, some of the best computer users I know are old estimators. They are smart, experienced and know both the old and the new tricks. They also have vast knowledge on electrical construction and, specifically, estimating. We’ve already lost many of the true experts to retirement, and many more will soon follow. So, all you young estimators reading this, pay attention. If you see some old guy cranking out paper spreadsheets, don’t laugh. Sit down, watch and learn. Grab the knowledge while you can before they leave.
Meanwhile, back at the bar …
As the two estimators are leaving the bar, an estimator who has only been at it for five years walks in. The boss calls her over and offers to buy her a beer. The other two estimators sound off in protest, “Why does she get to stay while we have to go back and work?” The boss smiles and says, “Because she’s already done with her takeoff. She uses CAD.”
SHOOK is the president and chief estimator for his estimating company, TakeOff 16 Inc. He has worked in the electrical construction industry for more than 18 years. Reach him at 707.776.0800 or sfs@TakeOff16.com. | <urn:uuid:9add3a85-9867-4d07-bdc7-fc5b03a736bf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ecmag.com/section/miscellaneous/did-you-hear-one-about-spreadsheet?qt-issues_block=1 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950848 | 1,110 | 1.804688 | 2 |
Late last week the financial world ate a cannonball when JP Morgan Chase & Co., the biggest bank in the United States measured by assets, announced a $2-billion loss in what is being called a failed hedging strategy.
For those unfamiliar with the term, “hedging” is simply a means of offsetting a loss. It’s been around the gambling world for as long as I can remember, and in gambling it can mean something as simple as playing more than one slot machine at a time, putting money on both red/black and odd/even numbers at the roulette wheel, or betting on more than one horse to show.
The investment world is much more complicated, but it helps to keep things in perspective from the simple end.
A basic tenet of accounting is that assets equal liabilities plus owners’ equity. Many people who lack a business background get confused when they consider things like stocks and bonds, and a disturbing number of people in my experience don’t know the difference between the two. But the difference is important.
Simply put, a liability is a debt and stock is an equity. If I buy a house for $100,000 and I put $20,000 of my own money into it as a down payment then I have a debt — a liability — of $80,000. The money I put in as a down payment is my equity in the house, the value of which fluctuates with the market price of the house. So if I pay on the mortgage for 10 years and reduce it to $70,000 and if in the same time the value of the house rises to $150,000 then my equity goes up in value to $80,000 — the difference between the mortgage still owed and the market value of the house. This kind of fluctuation is at the heart of both economics and finance.
Suppose the market value of the house falls, as it has for many over the past five years. Is it possible to wind up with negative equity? Absolutely. It’s happening a lot right now. Many people just walk away from these debts, abandoning property they can no longer maintain and depressing values of entire neighborhoods.
Suppose you are the bank that holds such a mortgage. What do you do? A mortgage for an amount greater than the market value of its property isn’t worth anything. If the house were sold tomorrow then you would lose money.
This is where Wall Street got cagey. Bankers, like those at JP Morgan Chase, realized that if they “bundled” a bunch of mortgages then they could throw in a few worthless ones without depressing the overall price of the bundle’s good ones. In this way a worthless mortgage was given value.
But, you ask, what if one of those worthless mortgages defaults? How do you insulate the person buying the bundle from having to pay the loss? That’s simple. You offer him “insurance” against such defaults.
What does this insurance, this “hedge against loss,” consist of? Well, that’s the beautiful part. It consists of “credit default swaps,” which are nothing more than other bundles of debt instruments, such as mortgages and corporate or government bonds, instead of the cash reserves required of, say, insurance companies. If this strikes you as being something of a house of cards then you have arrived at the same conclusion as JP Morgan Chase did late last week.
When JP Morgan Chase said they pursued a “failed hedging strategy” they’re really saying they shouldn’t have been allowed to hedge their investments the way the law permits. This is tantamount to saying the financial deregulation of the past decade was flawed.
Personally I’m not convinced that JP Morgan Chase’s financial loss represents a “failed hedging strategy.” To me, it bears a greater resemblance to a shell game in which there is no pea.
Greg Sagan is an Amarillo business consultant and freelance writer. | <urn:uuid:d05e8e28-4863-4643-a500-f76b6c8c5177> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://amarillo.com/opinion/opinion-columnist/weekly-opinion-columnist/2012-05-14/sagan-firm-hedge-looks-game | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00068-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965997 | 840 | 2.0625 | 2 |
The people's courts are the judicial organs of the state. The Supreme People's Court is established at the state level; higher people's courts are established in provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities; and intermediate and basic people's courts at lower levels. The Supreme People's Court, the highest state judicial organ, is responsible to the NPC and its Standing Committee, and supervises the judicial work of the local people's courts, military courts and other special courts. The current president of the Supreme People's Court is Xiao Yang. The people's courts try all cases publicly, except those involving state secrets, individual privacy or minors. The accused has the right to defense. Besides the right to defend himself/herself, he or she may also be represented by a lawyer or ask close relatives or guardians to defend him/her. | <urn:uuid:7f0f3764-f888-4a43-9287-892e7da8a8d4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/38116.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954255 | 164 | 2.21875 | 2 |
National Museum of Finland
|National Museum of Finland|
|Suomen kansallismuseo (Finnish)
Finlands nationalmuseum (Swedish)
|Architectural style||National Romantic|
|Height||58 m/190 ft (the tower)|
|Design and construction|
|Architect||Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren, and Eliel Saarinen|
The National Museum of Finland (Finnish: Suomen kansallismuseo, Swedish: Finlands nationalmuseum) presents Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present day, through objects and cultural history. The Finnish National Romantic style building is located in central Helsinki and operates in collaboration with the National Board of Antiquities (Finnish: Museovirasto, Swedish: Museiverket), an association related to the government's Ministry of Culture and Education.
The permanent exhibitions of the National Museum are divided into six parts. The Treasure Troves presents the collections of coins, medals, orders and decorations, silver, jewellery and weapons. Prehistory of Finland is the largest permanent archeological exhibition in Finland. The Realm presents of the development of Finnish society and culture from the Middle Ages 12th century to the early 20th century, through the Swedish Kingdom Period to the Russian Empire Era. The "Land and Its People" presents Finnish folk culture in the 18th and 19th centuries, life in the countryside before the industrialisation. New permanent exhibition on 20th century Finland and Finns called "Suomi Finland 1900" was opened 26 April 2012.
VINTTI Workshop - Easy History, is an interactive exhibition, where visitors can study the history of Finland and its culture using their hands and brains. It is based on experimentation and personal experience, and the tasks and assignments also point the way to exploring the permanent exhibitions of the museum.
The museum collections include also the Mesa Verde artifacts from the cliff dwellings of Colorado. These were dedicated to the museum by the Swedish-speaking Finnish explorer Gustaf Nordenskiöld. They comprise the most-extensive collection of Mesa Verde items outside the United States and one of the largest collections of native Americana outside the American continents. These artifacts were on display until 19 May 2013 in the Museum of Cultures, in Tennispalatsi address: Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8, Helsinki.
The museum's entrance hall ceiling has ceiling frescoes about the Kalevala, painted by Akseli Gallén-Kallela, which can be seen without an entrance fee. The frescoes, painted in 1928, are based on the frescoes painted by Gallén-Kallela in the Finnish Pavilion of the Paris World Fair in 1900.
The building of the National Museum was designed by architects Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren, and Eliel Saarinen. The appearance of the building reflects Finland's medieval churches and castles. The architecture belongs to national romanticism and the interior mainly to art nouveau. The museum was built from 1905 to 1910 and opened to the public in 1916. The museum was named the Finnish National Museum after Finland's independence in 1917. After the last thorough renovation, the museum was re-opened in 2000.
Explosion in 2006
On Monday 23 January 2006 there was an explosion accident at the National Museum in the Silver Room, which was probably caused by methane leaking into a broom cupboard and lit by a spark from the electrical mains in the closet. There were two possible sources for the methane; a leak from a gas pipe under the nearby Museokatu street, or gas that developed on its own in the sewer. Later, police investigations found the cause to be a gas pipe leak . Most display cases and some silver objects in the museum's Silver Room were damaged in the explosion, although most of them only mildly. All objects have been repaired during 2006. The Silver Room was re-opened to the public in early 2007.
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to: National Museum of Finland| | <urn:uuid:443f099d-90b2-4774-9f89-471bce8fdc2a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_National_Museum | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.926358 | 838 | 2.5 | 2 |
Statistics tell a grim story about how difficult it is for one generation of farmers to pass the farm to a new generation. From 2002 to 2007, the number of operators aged 75 years and older increased by 20%, but the number of operators under 25 years of age decreased 30%.
South Dakota State University (SDSU) researchers Kuo-Liang "Matt" Chang and Soo Hyun Cho say those figures from the USDA demonstrate why it is important to understand the factors driving management decisions – including the crucial decision to pass the farm operation to a younger generation.
Chang and Cho will study the issue this year with the help of a $20,000 grant from the Harms Fund for Excellence in Management, one of several donor-funded programs in economics and management that are taking shape as SDSU's Department of Economics responds to emerging needs in the state and regional economy.
"The continuous loss of younger population to urban areas has made farmers' managerial decisions and inter-generational transitions extremely difficult. The struggle to maintain daily farm operations with limited labor during the busy seasons considerably challenges the survival of the farm business," Chang says. "We believe farm survival and farm family-to-work management are timely and urgent issues that deserve more attention both from academia and from politicians."
He adds that economists often study decisions to exit farming by using over-simplified economic theories and tend to forget the important human-side of the decision-making process. For example, efficiency theory that suggests the decrease of farm population is an inevitable result of technology advancement and falling farm income. But Chang believes that theory is too simple, failing to consider the deep attachment farmers feel for land. Chang believes that farm numbers would have declined even more than they have from the 1950s to the present if efficiency theory adequately explained the trend.
Similarly, Chang and Cho believe the exit barrier theory – the idea that it costs too much to quit – isn't an adequate explanation for why some farm operations keep operating despite very low profits or even losses.
Instead Chang and Cho want to explore what is called life-cycle theory, which applies to all types of career change. They want to look at how that theory is applied in the larger context of farm families. Chang and Cho will conduct a two-year, multidisciplinary study regarding farmers' managerial decisions-making processes, the family-to-work labor/time arrangement and inter-generation migration patterns. By applying microlevel data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Income and Program Participation, or SIPP, the researchers are able to identify challenges farmers face.
"Contrary to numerous neo-classical economic studies of farm survival that focus mainly on the perspective of production efficiency, this project emphasizes the role of family on farmer's managerial and career decision-making," Cho says. "We are specifically interested in how family wealth, family financial arrangement and family-to-work management affect farmers' labor participation, retirement decision and migration (exit or entry) patterns."
The project builds on a study that Chang and his colleagues did earlier that looked at health care as a factor in farmers' decisions to exit the workforce. The study suggested that farmer's health condition and access to health insurance have noticeably larger marginal impacts on farmers' exit decisions than income and other socio-economic variables commonly considered by economists.
If a second phase of the study is funded in 2012, Chang and Cho want to look beyond financial capital to explore other factors that could be affecting farmers' decisions. They want to pick up on the work of economists elsewhere and explore the roles of cultural capital (knowledge, know-how, norms and experience), social capital (networks, social connection and community) and symbolic capital (identity, tradition, pride and spiritual connection) on such decisions.
"We want to emphasize the importance of emotional support gained from the family and the need for farmers to carry on the cultural and symbolic tradition to their children in the farm families' managerial and career decision-making process," Chang says. | <urn:uuid:c7f98492-23bb-4a5e-9d35-1300e3aa3136> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/issues/farm-management-and-transition-decisions-explored | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959757 | 816 | 2.828125 | 3 |
The following statements are for informational purposes only; should not be taken as medical diagnosis, treatment or advice; and are not a substitute for examination and care provided by licensed physicians.
- What is Narcolepsy?
- What causes narcolepsy?
- Is Narcolepsy Inherited?
- Does Narcolepsy affect learning?
- How common is Narcolepsy?
- Is Narcolepsy limited to certain groups of people?
- At what age do people get Narcolepsy?
- Can Narcolepsy be cured?
- What are the symptoms of Narcolepsy?
- Is cataplexy dangerous?
- Do I have Narcolepsy?
- How is Narcolepsy diagnosed?
- How is narcolepsy treated?
- What is Narcolepsy Network?
Question: What is Narcolepsy?
Answer: Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that impacts 1 in approximately 2,000 people in the United States. Many people are unaware of the condition and go undiagnosed. The disease is a sleep disorder, involving irregular patterns in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep and significant disruptions of the normal sleep/wake cycle. Narcolepsy can affect all areas of a person’s life including relationships with family and friends, education and employment, driving and public outings. While the cause of Narcolepsy is not completely understood, current research points to a combination of genetic and environmental factors that influence the immune system.
Question: What causes Narcolepsy?
Answer: Scientists have confirmed that Narcolepsy with cataplexy is caused by the loss of the two brain chemicals called hypocretins (orexins). These are neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of the sleep/wake cycle as well as other bodily functions (e.g., blood pressure and metabolism). The cause(s) of Narcolepsy without cataplexy are unknown. Further research is needed to determine why hypocretin cells are destroyed and to identify the exact trigger(s) of both forms of Narcolepsy.
Question: Is Narcolepsy inherited?
Answer: There appears to be some genetic predisposition to developing Narcolepsy with cataplexy, the most common form. About one quarter of the general population in the U.S. carries the HLA-DQB1* o602 genetic marker but only one person out of about 500 of these people will develop this form of Narcolepsy.
Question: Does Narcolepsy affect learning?
Answer: Although Narcolepsy does not affect intelligence, learning is sometimes affected by the symptoms. Study, concentration, memory, and attention span may be periodically impaired by sleep. Adjustments in study/work habits may be continually necessary. This can best be accomplished with the cooperation of school and employer personnel.
Question: How common is Narcolepsy?
Answer: It is estimated that there are over 200,000 persons with Narcolepsy in the United States, but only about 25%, or 50,000 of them, have been diagnosed. On average it takes over seven years from onset of symptoms until a diagnosis is established.
Question: Is Narcolepsy limited to certain groups of people?
Answer: Incidence of Narcolepsy can vary by ethnic group. The highest occurrence is found among the Japanese at one in about 600 and the lowest rate is among Israeli Jews at one in about 500,000. Narcolepsy affects both men and women equally.
Question: At what age do people get Narcolepsy?
Answer: Although any person can develop Narcolepsy at any age, the typical onset is in the second to third decade (between 10 – 30 years of age) of life.
Question: Can Narcolepsy be cured?
Answer: Currently no cure for Narcolepsy exists, nor any way to replace the missing Hypocretin. Treatment of Narcolepsy aims to relieve the symptoms. The symptoms of Narcolepsy can vary greatly from one person to another, as can the treatments and their effectiveness.
Question:What are the symptoms of Narcolepsy?
Answer: Narcolepsy has five primary symptoms:
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) – An overwhelming sense of tiredness and fatigue throughout the day
- Cataplexy (C) – Events during which a person has no reflex or voluntary muscle control. For example knees buckle and even give way when experiencing a strong emotion – laughter, joy, surprise, anger or heads drop or jaws go slack from the same kind of stimuli
- Sleep paralysis – A limpness in the body associated with REM sleep resulting in temporary paralysis when the individual is falling asleep, or awakening. Episodes can last from a brief moment to several minutes.
- Hypnogogic hallucinations – Events of vivid audio and visual events that a person with narcolepsy experiences while falling asleep, or while awakening
- Disrupted Nighttime Sleep (DNS) – The inability to maintain sleep for more than a few hours at a time.
Other symptoms reported by people with Narcolepsy can include:
- Automatic Behavior (AB) – The performance of tasks that are often routine, dull or repetitive without conscious effort or memory.
- Memory Lapses – Difficulty in remembering recent events, actions or words
Question: Is cataplexy dangerous?
Answer: Mild cataplexy is not dangerous. One can often find support for weakened head, neck, or arm muscles, so that others may not even be aware of the momentary loss of control. However, severe cataplexy, resulting in immediate and sudden body collapse, may cause injury. Companions should be told in advance what to expect and how to help. They should always check for the person’s safety and comfort, immediately relieving any unnatural bending of limbs or unusual body positions, assuring complete relaxation and then allowing him or her to recover naturally. Cataplexy for some can be instantaneous with no time to prepare for safety, and injury may occur. Potentially life-threatening situations should be avoided unless cataplexy is fully controlled.
Question: Do I have Narcolepsy?
Answer: Because of much misunderstanding and misinformation, many people think that any prolonged Excessive Daytime Sleepiness is Narcolepsy. This is not true. There are a large number of medical, behavioral, and Sleep Disorders that have sleepiness as a symptom. Narcolepsy is a complex medical diagnosis that can only be diagnosed by a physician.
To help you and your doctor determine if you have Narcolepsy or other Sleep Disorder, fill out the Epworth Sleepiness Scale form and take it with you to your Primary Care Physician.
Question: How is Narcolepsy diagnosed?
Answer: Narcolepsy is diagnosed through a sleep study, a set of medical tests including an overnight Polysomnogram (PSG) and a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). Even when cataplexy is clearly present, a sleep study is necessary to rule out sleep apnea and other possible sleep disorders contributing to EDS.
Narcolepsy often takes years to recognize in patients. Many medical conditions result in fatigue, thus physicians might not consider Narcolepsy. While new discoveries are being made about Narcolepsy and other sleep disorders, life with Narcolepsy remains challenging for many people with the condition. Narcolepsy Network hopes that the information, resources, and support provided here on our site and elsewhere through conferences and events will provide people with Narcolepsy both hope and a voice.
Question: How is Narcolepsy treated?
Answer: There are three approaches to treatment:
- Modern medications
- Lifestyle adjustments
- Complimentary or alternative therapy
By combining these approaches and balancing between treatments for Sleepiness and REM Intrusion, optimal control of symptoms can be reached. It is best to be under the care of a physician who is specially trained, Certified in Sleep Medicine, Board Certified in Neurology and experienced in treating Narcolepsy. Check out the Treatment section for more information.
Question: What is Narcolepsy Network?
Answer: We are a national non-profit corporation, which was founded in 1986. Our members include individuals with Narcolepsy, their families and friends, and professionals involved in the study and treatment of Narcolepsy. Our primary focus is to:
- Educate and inform individuals with Narcolepsy about this life-long neurological sleep disorder, available treatments and symptom management so they may be empowered to achieve the highest quality of life possible;
- Provide emotional support and resources to patients, family members, and friends;
- Encourage and assist in the formation of local support groups and other support systems;
- Serve as a resource center for patients, medical and providers, educators, employers, and members of the public;
- Advocate for the interests of all persons with Narcolepsy;
- Promote early diagnosis, optimal treatment and scientific research;
- Increase public awareness of Narcolepsy
Join Narcolepsy Network today and become involved in improving your own life and the quality of life of others like you. Our membership is open to all who share an interest in Narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. | <urn:uuid:a29a466e-4e62-459e-ae8c-5f0d8b827a1b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.narcolepsynetwork.org/about-narcolepsy/faq/?font-size=big | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.932424 | 1,958 | 3.203125 | 3 |
August 09, 2012
The analysis used NASA Landsat-7 imagery to compare forest cover between early 2010 and early 2012. It concludes that Belize's forest cover fell from 62.7 percent to 61.6 percent during the period, a decline of 25,264 hectares.
The annual loss of 12,632 ha is more than a quarter higher than the rate observed between 1980 and 2010, when deforestation averaged around 10,000 ha per year.
A technical report detailing the analysis will be released soon according to CATHALAC. A 2010 study by the group found that most deforestation between 1980 and 2010 occurred outside protected areas, where land is being converted for agriculture and plantations. | <urn:uuid:ab820828-ec4c-451c-94ea-b551f345a95c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0809-belize-deforestation-2010-2012.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948057 | 139 | 2.890625 | 3 |
Working with Financial Advisors
How long has it been since you looked at your investment accounts? If you’re like most people, it’s been too long.
Recent swings in the market make it a good time to sit down with a financial advisor to see how your accounts are performing. Whether you are just starting a career, in mid-career, or approaching retirement, a trusted financial advisor can provide the personalized advice and guidance needed to make the most of your investments. A personal financial advisor can help evaluate your individual situation and make recommendations to better meet your financial goals and retirement needs. In addition, an advisor can suggest options to minimize current and future tax liabilities.
While finding someone with appropriate credentials and certifications is the first step, the process doesn’t stop there. It’s important to find someone you trust—someone who makes you feel comfortable with your money.
Your Financial Advisor Should…
- Take time to understand you and your goals. Someone who is highly qualified in their field is valuable when he or she shows an interest in you and spends time getting to know you, your dreams, and your financial objectives.
- Recommend investment options that fit your needs. There is no “one size fits all” financial plan or investment portfolio. A good advisor will provide a variety of options to meet your financial goals.
- Help you make decisions about allocating your investment funds. An advisor can help you build a diversified portfolio that addresses short-term and long-term needs.
- Provide information on current market conditions and how they will affect you. Listening to the nightly news and tracking stock prices offers information, but a financial advisor can help you understand how what’s happening will impact your investments. He or she can also review your account to see if changes are needed to protect your funds.
- Present information in a timely, professional manner. Because time is money, a good financial advisor will respond quickly when market conditions, lifestyle changes, or other situations require a shift in your portfolio.
- Help you learn while helping your funds grow. The best financial advisor will help you increase your understanding of investment options, market changes, and other factors that impact your financial future so you can make more informed choices.
- Speak your language. Be wary of financial advisors who spend too much time impressing you with their technical jargon. Instead, find someone who uses terminology that makes sense to you and who explains things adequately.
- Make you part of the team. Financial advisors are there to advise, not to control your choices. They should actively include you in making final choices.
Choosing a personal financial advisor is almost as important as choosing the best investment options. You may want to ask friends or family members for recommendations, but only you can decide if that person is best for you. It may take a little time and effort to find the right person, but it will be time well spent.
Sue Lynn Sasser, PhD, is an associate professor of economics at the University of Central Oklahoma. In addition, Dr. Sasser serves as executive director of the Oklahoma Council on Economic Education and director of the UCO Center for Economic Education. She is past president of the Oklahoma JumpStart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. She lives in Edmond, with her dog Lily. | <urn:uuid:3b062a9b-9ff0-4c43-9c20-a03aec64b075> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Web-2012/Working-with-Financial-Advisors/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00053-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948224 | 679 | 1.867188 | 2 |
5.2. The Horizon Problem
Figure 5.10. Past light cones in a universe expanding from a Big Bang singularity, illustrating particle horizons in cosmology. Points at recombination, observed today as parts of the cosmic microwave background on opposite sides of the sky, have non-overlapping past light cones (in conventional cosmology); no causal signal could have influenced them to have the same temperature.
The horizon problem stems from the existence of particle horizons in FRW cosmologies, as discussed in the first lecture. Horizons exist because there is only a finite amount of time since the Big Bang singularity, and thus only a finite distance that photons can travel within the age of the universe. Consider a photon moving along a radial trajectory in a flat universe (the generalization to non-flat universes is straightforward). In a flat universe, we can normalize the scale factor to
without loss of generality. A radial null path obeys
so the comoving (coordinate) distance traveled by such a photon between times t1 and t2 is
To get the physical distance as it would be measured by an observer at any time t, simply multiply by a(t). For simplicity let's imagine we are in a matter-dominated universe, for which
The Hubble parameter is therefore given by
Then the photon travels a comoving distance
The comoving horizon size when a = a* is the distance a photon travels since the Big Bang,
The physical horizon size, as measured on the spatial hypersurface at a*, is therefore simply
Indeed, for any nearly-flat universe containing a mixture of matter and radiation, at any one epoch we will have
where H*-1 is the Hubble distance at that particular epoch. This approximate equality leads to a strong temptation to use the terms "horizon distance" and "Hubble distance" interchangeably; this temptation should be resisted, since inflation can render the former much larger than the latter, as we will soon demonstrate.
The horizon problem is simply the fact that the CMB is isotropic to a high degree of precision, even though widely separated points on the last scattering surface are completely outside each others' horizons. When we look at the CMB we were observing the universe at a scale factor aCMB 1/1200; meanwhile, the comoving distance between a point on the CMB and an observer on Earth is
However, the comoving horizon distance for such a point is
Hence, if we observe two widely-separated parts of the CMB, they will have non-overlapping horizons; distinct patches of the CMB sky were causally disconnected at recombination. Nevertheless, they are observed to be at the same temperature to high precision. The question then is, how did they know ahead of time to coordinate their evolution in the right way, even though they were never in causal contact? We must somehow modify the causal structure of the conventional FRW cosmology. | <urn:uuid:31417e54-f144-4f6b-8857-7aabd4497f49> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ned.ipac.caltech.edu/level5/Sept03/Trodden/Trodden5_2.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.928766 | 609 | 3.53125 | 4 |
Obviously unhappy with Android Market’s lack of in-app purchases, Google announced Thursday that they will launch an in-app billing function for developers to incorporate in their apps. For now, they are giving developers the ability to test the feature along with the application– but uploads cannot be published until next week. Google has released a developer documentation with information on how to get around the products list. The plan for Android in-app purchases was first announced by Google at the Inside Mobile Conference in San Francisco back in January.
“You can now upload your apps to the Developer Console, create a catalog of in-app products, and set prices for them,” Eric Chu with the Android developer ecosystem said in a blog post. “You can then set up accounts to test in-app purchases. During these test transactions, the In-app Billing service interacts with your app exactly as it will for actual users and live transactions.”
Since in-app purchases involve finances, it is important that the process is secure. Apple consumers, for example, have been billed so much for in-app purchases that they weren’t aware of, or were done by their children. Eventually, the Congress had to interfere and asked the Federal Trade Commission to address to the issue. The latter decided that there should be a password requirement prior to the purchases. The Congress is happy about it the outcome. The App Store has been running in-app billing since October 2009, as well as BlackBerry App World since 2010.
“I am pleased that Apple has added new, clearer control settings and restrictions . . . it is important that consumers are protected and mobile devices don’t become a 21st century wallet in the hands of children who may not know any better.”
In-app payments are getting more and more popular these days as devices and operating systems want to interrupt as little as possible to customers’ user experience. RIMM recently signed a deal with 7digital Music Store for iTunes to have them install their services on the BlackBerry PlayBook with in-app purchases via Telefonica– for the US and Canada launch. Even Starbucks has gotten into mobile payments, and has drawn 3 million participating customers so far. Dubbed as Starbucks Card Mobile –for iPhone and Blackberry application –the mobile payment system stretches throughout 7,000 Starbucks Outlets in the US. | <urn:uuid:cbe43d90-a58f-4fea-bedc-21f54ae6475d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://siliconangle.com/blog/2011/03/25/in-app-payments-now-lurks-the-android-as-well/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962855 | 486 | 1.625 | 2 |
Every spring, the Umatilla people of northeastern Oregon join other Columbia River tribes in celebrating the return of the salmon. Growing up on the reservation in the foothills of the Blue Mountains east of Pendleton, Patrick Luke learned to appreciate the bond between fish and people. When he wasn’t helping to tend the family’s horses, he was fishing with his dad for salmon and steelhead on the Columbia and the Umatilla rivers.
After graduating from Weston McEwen High School in Athena, Oregon, he left home at age 17 to join the U.S. Marines, serving in Beirut, Lebanon. Discharge in hand, Luke headed to Alaska where he worked on crabbers, longliners and salmon boats out of Sitka, Dutch Harbor and Kodiak, going as far as the Bering Sea.
Now, Luke is casting his future in a new direction. He wants to help repair the fraying link between fish and people by becoming a fisheries biologist (or “a fish doctor,” according to his 8-year-old son Cody). Fish and the aquatic communities they depend on, Luke believes, are “important to all of us, Native or not.”
Working on the slippery decks of commercial fishing boats did little to prepare Luke for academic pursuits. The transition to university life was difficult, he says, but he had help from friends and mentors in OSU’s Native Americans in Marine and Space Science (NAMSS) program and at the university’s cultural centers, particularly the Native American Longhouse. And then there is his work ethic: “I look at school like a full-time job,” he says.
In addition to his coursework, the senior in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife has walked the streambeds of northeast Oregon. His quarry: invasive New Zealand mudsnails that can degrade ecosystem integrity, consuming algae that fuel the aquatic food web on which salmon and other fish depend.
Last summer, during a National Science Foundation-sponsored Research for Undergraduates program at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, he worked with mentors Tony d’Andrea (College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences), Ted DeWitt (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and Brett Dumbauld (U.S. Department of Agriculture) to study ghost shrimp in Yaquina Bay.
Ghost shrimp are native to Pacific Coast estuaries from Baja to British Columbia and of particular interest to oyster farmers whose operations can be disturbed by the shrimp’s tunnel building activities. The research is aimed at understanding the patterns of ghost shrimp distribution and when and under what conditions they spawn and molt through their five life stages.
Inspired by the memory of his dad’s respect for education, Luke has succeeded in ways that still seem to surprise him. He received a first runner-up award from the Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society in 2006 for his poster on the mudsnail. And he capped off his Yaquina Bay experience by receiving top honors for his poster in a class on coastal ecology and resource management.
For his senior project, Luke is focusing on western American shad, a prolific non-native species in the Northwest. He has been collecting samples for genetic studies of shad strains from several river systems and comparing them to shad populations in the eastern U.S.
Ultimately, Luke’s journey is personal. “I know what a lot of people value. I’m passionate about my research and what I try to do. What I do affects the fish, and the fish affect the people.” | <urn:uuid:1bfc7daf-23e4-410d-abee-bde572ddb67a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://oregonstate.edu/terra/2007/04/fishing-for-life/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965525 | 749 | 2.65625 | 3 |
Store Food Waste in Freezer Until Garbage Day
To omit odors from our garbage can inside the house, if we have anything that may start to smell after a day or so (examples: the styrofoam that meat comes on, banana peels, etc.), I simply put it in a plastic grocery bag and put that in my freezer. I add to that bag all week long if I have items that may start to smell before garbage day. I also scrape our dinner plates into this bag after meals.
Source: I learned this from my sister
By Sandi from IL
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I do that too! To remind me each garbage day I put a clothespin on my garbage bag under my sink and one on the bag in freezer.
Great idea! (if you don't have a compost pile, that is, LOL.)
I didn't know other people did what I do!! I thought I was the only eccentric one doing this ;-)
I eat salmon frequently and put the wrappings in the freezer until garbage day. Sometimes I microwave the wrappings to make it safer too.
Add your voice to the conversation. | <urn:uuid:8b64a850-dc17-4659-ae78-48274ca41a72> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf98554761.tip.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00028-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943394 | 248 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Iran Nuclear Talks to Resume in Baghdad
(BAGHDAD) -- Six world powers, including the U.S., will meet with Iranians officials in Baghdad on Wednesday in another attempt to minimize the danger of Tehran's disputed nuclear program.
The so-called "5+1 powers" -- the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany -- held talks with Iran last month in Istanbul, Turkey. While there was no real progress made, all sides came away from the conference with a more positive attitude than in previous meetings.
Washington won't back off from its demand of tighter controls on Iran's nuclear program to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear arsenal. The Iranian government maintains that its program is purely for peaceful purposes, a claim doubted by virtually all of America's allies.
Iran has been having ongoing talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, and considers it a more reliable entity than the U.S. because the IAEA didn't join the pursuit of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, which were never found.
On Tuesday, the head of the IAEA said a framework deal for inspections will be signed soon, but no further details were given.
According to Iranian state-run media, Tehran would agree to concessions in its nuclear program but only through the U.N. auspices. Among other things, the 5+1 wants Iran to lower its uranium enrichment levels, making it impossible to create atomic bombs.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio | <urn:uuid:b5d8395e-23dd-46e8-b311-595cda8bab7e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.eastidahonews.com/2012/05/iran-nuclear-talks-to-resume-in-baghdad/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950328 | 307 | 1.867188 | 2 |
By virtue of their immaterial nature, computer programmes operate counter to normal commercial logic. Leaving aside development and conception costs, the marginal costs of their production and distribution are virtually nil. And the development of the Internet has meant that this is even more the case. Major software publishing houses are suddenly faced with the competitive challenge of micro-firms emerging at the global level (such as the "start-up" firms in Silicon Valley), and of programmers offering their creations free to consumers. The companies are attempting to preserve their revenues and their monopoly grip on the market (1) by establishing controls over the duplication and standards of digital material.
This was the area dealt with by the Berne conference of December 1996, which attempted to create a framework of legislation covering intellectual property rights (2). This area has also generated intense technological activity geared to inventing procedures for marking and tracking electronic commodities, and mechanisms capable of preventing the reproduction of things which are, in their essence, reproducible. The energy that was previously devoted to creating those commodities is now being put into finding ways of preventing their duplication. This is detrimental to the efficient use of information technology (3) and is threatening the durability of its contents.
Of course, some would argue that this artificial re- establishment of scarcity - which one might see as a deliberate and calculated destruction of resources - is justified by companies’ need for revenue in order to develop new technology, create new products and improve existing products, as well as by the costs of job creation. But such arguments should be set alongside the fabulous profits of the firms in question: in 1997 Microsoft made a profit of $3.5 billion on a turnover of $11.4 billion, and directly employed only 22,300 workers. Furthermore, the extraordinary growth of the communications and information technology sectors have been driven by the Internet and the Web, which owe nothing, or very little, to the market economy (4).
For the software industry, the mechanisms of open competition are ambiguous. We have a situation in which commercial industrial software is distributed in forms that are directly usable by a computer (executable code), but without any of the information (source code and documentation) which would permit the user to modify it, adapt it to other machines and uses, make it more reliable, or correct the ever-present programming errors. Furthermore, users’ licences expressly forbid any such modifications. This deprives client companies and organisations of control over the maintenance of their software, its time-durability and the possibility of adapting it to their individual needs. These are often crucial factors in the business world, particularly at the strategic level, when companies are integrating this software into their products or services.
The world scale of the market for software, the specific properties of immaterial commodities, and especially the legal or technological control of "standards" (particularly as regards the functional interfaces of software and the ways in which information is represented) are leading ineluctably to a concentration of monopoly power. Not only are client companies put into a state of dependency, but they also no longer have alternatives.
Since the suppliers have few competitors, they are even less motivated to satisfy their clients’ specific needs. It is possible for a whole sector of technology to fall under the control of a single firm (or a small number of firms). Users in the fields of education and research are particularly concerned at this single-sourcing of available technology, and the resulting control of the flows of information which are so vital to researchers.
The ecology of ideas and technologies obeys the same laws as that of living beings. Single evolutionary solutions present a number of dangers. To have a small number of producing companies correspondingly diminishes the quantity, and especially the variety, of research and, therefore, also diminishes technological progress. The competitive element of technological evolution, which is essential in order to avoid technological dead ends, is either weakened or disappears. The absence of diversity makes the fabric of technology more vulnerable to attack, with the threat of computer viruses being only one danger among many.
A recurrent theme of liberal thinking is that there is no alternative to the market economy. In the case of software, nothing could be further from the truth. Another path is already being traced. One can understand the big firms being nervous about recent developments, but it is hard to explain the almost total media black-out, since this is an economic phenomenon which is as massive as it is new.
This search for a different way of doing things was undertaken in the early 1980s by Richard Stallman, at that time a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Techology (MIT), and was subsequently embodied in the creation of the Free Software Foundation (5) and a number of associated companies. The initial intention was to create free software ("freeware") which, like ideas, would be available to all, in line with the philosophy of Pasteur, Jefferson et al. In order to avoid people laying economic claim to this free software, Stallman turned the notion of copyright on its head by popularising a new kind of licence, known as the "general public licence", which protects a given piece of software from technical or legal attempts to restrict its utilisation, diffusion and modification (6).
In tandem with the spread of such licences, there has been a sizeable and varied production of free software. The necessary specifications and background information have been made available, so that people can adapt or improve the software as they see fit, and redistribute it, with or without payment, and without any control over this redistribution by third parties. True to the tenets of economic liberalism, this free competition has had an extremely positive effect on the quantity and quality of the software being produced. But the influence of the money economy is much reduced.
The most visible product of this freeware culture is an operating system - the software necessary to the functioning of every computer, providing a basic set of operative functions (file handling, posting, text capture, connection to networks etc.) - known as Linux. This was developed initially in 1991 on the basis of work done by a Finnish student, Linus Torvalds. Since then it has grown, benefiting from cutting-edge contributions from a supportive army of experts worldwide, linked via the Internet. The development of Linux has been self-organising, like a huge enterprise without walls, without shareholders, without wages, without advertising and without revenue. To date the number of Linux installations is estimated at between five and six million, with increasing evidence of applications in industry, too. The system’s market share compares favourably with Apple’s, but its growth rate is higher.
Various studies have shown that this software is in all respects competitive with commercial products. This is also confirmed by the extent of its penetration and infiltration in economic activity. The most significant example is undoubtedly the Internet, which would disappear entirely if this software were eliminated (7).
Technological and economic dependence on supplier companies is eliminated, or at least greatly diminished. The durability of the products, their evolution and adaptability, as well as the help available to users, are better guaranteed by the presence, activity and stability of a large mass of users and programmers than by the unforeseeable strategies of the big software publishing houses. The free availability of all the elements involved in the product’s development makes it possible to buy in any guarantees and complementary services that may be required.
The contradictions of liberal economics
In technological terms, freeware is a credible and tested solution. Furthermore, it encourages new areas of economic activity, and thus creates jobs. It does this by developing a range of services, by encouraging the development of complementary or competitive commercial products, and above all by fertilising technology-based businesses by providing resources that are free, independent, tested and of high quality (8). The development of freeware tends to replace a commercial publishing activity (which was centralised and monopolistic, and the protection of which stifled economic and technological development in the short term, creating relatively few jobs) with a commercially-based servicing sector, which creates more jobs (often decentralised), and which is more competitive. Furthermore, given its greater technological fluidity, it encourages the creation of new companies. In the South, the availability of cost-free and freely available resources opens the way for independence in the furtherance of technological development.
The development of software is similar in nature to the development of mathematical theory (9). As we know, science in general and mathematics in particular sit very uncomfortably with the secrecy and barriers which are the daily bread of commercial industrial development. Good specifications (definitions) and reliable products (explanations, demonstrations) are created only slowly, and this happens through an open social process involving evaluation, comparison and collaboration. It is not at all surprising that Linux, although the younger product, is a better system than Windows NT, the leading software product of the biggest software publishing house on earth. At this point, it would be fair to ask whether the classic industrial environment is the most appropriate for developing the technologies of the immaterial sector.
Consumer goods (films, music, novels) and production goods (software, scientific articles etc.) have very different economic and social roles. It is absurd to subject them to identical legislation and protective mechanisms. Economic liberalism is caught in a contradiction. It justifies weakening the sovereignty of individual states and the elimination of all kinds of barriers, including those designed to protect individuals, by the need for much greater economic fluidity. But, at the same time, it operates - via the abuse of copyrights and patents, non-respect of industrial standards, proprietary control of interfaces, industrial secrecy and the creation of monopolies - to create barriers that are extremely harmful to economic and technological progress and to the creation of useful jobs. | <urn:uuid:17367bbf-75f9-421a-b1d1-034f560b4979> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://mondediplo.com/1998/01/12freesoft | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955493 | 1,986 | 2.46875 | 2 |
Amoeba dangers: The killer you can't see
Numbers show parasites prey on children in summer months
Lakes in Central Florida can be refreshing and relaxing, especially during the summer.
But if you're planning on jumping in or doing water sports, there's a summertime danger you need to understand: amoebas.
They're too small to see, except under a microscope. But when these parasites strike, they kill. According to the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention, there have been 20 deaths in the last five years.
Amoebas like it hot, when we average temperatures in the 90s, and the water is above 80 degrees.
"It is microscopic, you can't see it with the human eye, and it's a parasite," said Dain Weister with the Orange County Health Department.
The chance of an amoeba actually infecting someone is remote, but the chance that you'll die if an amoeba strikes is nearly 100 percent.
In fact, there's only one known survivor in the United States.
Most victims die just days after the parasite gets into their body, usually by shooting up their nose.
"It's very difficult because a lot of these cases we've seen, as you can imagine with wakeboards, with skiers, people who are doing a recreational activity and they take a spill, they take a dive, and they get the water up through the nose," says Weister.
He adds that amoebas are generally found close to shore and scatter when the bottom gets stirred up.
"It can be anywhere in the lake, but typically it is known to be along the bottom of the lake, lake bottoms where the silt and the sand is," said Weister.
Once the parasite gets into your nose, it quickly attacks your brain. The amoeba causes headaches, nausea, blurry vision, confusion, even hallucinations. All of those symptoms are similar to the flu.
"If you have those symptoms, and you know you've been out on a lake, you've gotten that water up your nose, get to a doctor right away," said Weister.
Amoebic infections in Florida spike in July and August when the water is hot.
"Try not to get that water up the nose by wearing nose clips or nose plugs, or even try to keep your head up out of the water," said Weister.
These parasites seem to prey on kids. According to the CDC, the average age of an amoeba victim is just 12 years old.
Doctors say the parasites kill people, on average, in just ten days.
You can get more information on summer safety from Lifeguard: A Local 6 Summer Safety Special.
Copyright 2012 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | <urn:uuid:a4b67ad1-78cd-442b-a814-95f85c2e3b6b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Amoeba-dangers-The-killer-you-can-t-see/-/1637132/15145870/-/view/print/-/txa74t/-/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962248 | 596 | 2.859375 | 3 |
Humanism is Tribalism on Steroids
Many theists have difficulty in understanding how atheist/humanists get their morals if they did not get them by stealing them from Christianity. The answer is really quite simple: Tribalism evolved to become more and more inclusive until it reached all of humanity.
As descendants of a common primate ancestor, bonobos and Homo sapiens demonstrate altruistic behavior. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altruism_in_animalsAltruistic behavior in animals is most commonly observed in immediate family members. Such altruism can easily be explained evolutionarily by virtue of a species’ innate desire to pass on their genes. It also makes sense for animals, including humans, to be kind to their extended family because of the common genetic makeup. In spite of the genetic aspect, primates have been shown to have mirror neurons in the brain that enable empathy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_neuron#Empathy. The ability to empathy was not selective for relatives. Acquiring the ability to empathize with relatives also allowed empathizing with non-relatives.
With the ability to emphasize, we humans can experience the feelings of others. It is this empathy that is manifested when we help out or risk our life for a family member or even a fellow tribe member. In prehistoric eras, humans lived in tribes based on extended families. In order for these family tribes to survive they needed to cooperate. For example, to kill a giant mammoth, the cooperation of several men was required. Empathizing also helped form larger tribes that included non-family members. These tribes formed common beliefs and religions, which caused them to be different from other tribes. Tribes formed confederations and villages. As more people adopted a particular belief, many times through conquest, villages became cities and cities became nations. Culture and religion was the glue that held groups together. This cooperation helped the population growly; thus, empathy had an evolutionary value since it helped perpetuate the species. Unfortunately, religion also caused wars because of the in-group and out-group effect. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-group%E2%80%93out-group_bias
Religions such as Christianity and Islam helped perpetuate the species by spreading the religion throughout the world. For example, after the 1492 eviction of Muslims from Spain, the religious fervor of success helped inspire them to send Columbus to the New World, which spread Christianity. In the United States, Manifest Destiny (the belief that God wanted the U.S. to expand west) helped spread the settlement in the western United States.
Now that the world’s population exceeds 7 billion, religion is no longer needed to perpetuate our species. Now, we need to unite to preserve our home on this small blue dot. Humanism is a worldview that looks beyond in-groups and out-groups of religion in order to pursue what is best for all of humanity. Humanism considers all of humanity to be one big tribe.
My thesis is not that the world is going to unite as one big happy family. My point was that religion stands in the way of world peace. This blog entry was inspired by an Ardent Atheist Podcast (#62) in which a guest asked where atheists get their morals. The podcast did not give an adequate answer, in my view, so I tried to explain where morality comes from. Our morals, in my view, come from society evolving, based on empathy, toward larger and large tribes. Humanism, in my view is superior to religion because it takes into account the interest of all humans, not just those inside a subgroup. | <urn:uuid:5c4e303e-feeb-4d17-820b-3b746deb6558> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.atheistnexus.org/profiles/blog/show?id=2182797%3ABlogPost%3A1933347&xg_source=activity&page=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00027-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960426 | 755 | 2.71875 | 3 |
Judge Joseph L. Tauro of United States District Court in Boston says the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. He says that the Federal government cannot cause the state of Massachusetts discriminate it's own citizens by denying gay couples who have married in that state from receiving the same federal benefits that it grants to other married couples.
U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro ruled in favor of gay couples' rights in two separate challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA, a 1996 law that the Obama administration has argued for repealing. The rulings apply to Massachusetts but could have broader implications if they're upheld on appeal.
The state had argued the law denied benefits such as Medicaid to gay married couples in Massachusetts, where same-sex unions have been legal since 2004.
Tauro agreed and said the act forces Massachusetts to discriminate against its own citizens in order to be eligible for federal funding in federal-state partnerships.
The act "plainly encroaches" upon the right of the state to determine marriage, Tauro said in his ruling on a lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Martha Coakley. In a ruling in a separate case filed by Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Tauro ruled the act violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.
"Congress undertook this classification for the one purpose that lies entirely outside of legislative bounds, to disadvantage a group of which it disapproves. And such a classification the Constitution clearly will not permit," Tauro wrote.
The New York Times reports:
Judge Joseph L. Tauro of United States District Court in Boston sided with the plaintiffs in two separate cases brought by the state attorney general and a gay rights group.
Although legal experts disagreed over how the rulings would fare on appeal, the judge’s decisions were nonetheless sure to further inflame the nationwide debate over same-sex marriage and gay rights.
If the rulings find their way to the Supreme Court and are upheld there, they will put same-sex marriage within the constitutional realm of protection, just as interracial marriage has been for decades. Seeking that protection is at the heart of both the Massachusetts cases and a federal case pending in California over the legality of that state’s ban on same-sex marriage. | <urn:uuid:55104b32-b96f-41f0-afef-90fd9187d394> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/news_reports/doma_ruled_unconstitutional.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965299 | 458 | 2.046875 | 2 |
After 7 months of interning at Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) in California, I have worked to organize and facilitate two dry-farming workshops, helped create a dry-farming program complete with webpages (it’s a work in progress, but check it out so far! www.caff.org/programs/dryfarm/), crafted a series of case studies, wrote a fact sheet to come out next week, and done countless hours of research. This, of course, was work done in between various meetings, interviews, travels, and thesis adventures. The most challenging part of all this work was the communication. I found myself among disparate groups of people with their own knowledge sets, agendas, and opinions. And somehow, I wanted to take the information that was coming to me, synthesize it, and present it to grape growers to effect change.
When I moved out to CA in June to work on this project, I rather naively thought that promoting dry farming in CA vineyards would be somewhat easy. The science that I had read pointed to the benefits of this management strategy on wine and grape quality. Dry farming, therefore, became the obvious choice; growers can improve the quality of their product and reduce on-farm water usage! With concerns over the sustainability of irrigated agriculture in CA, I thought that the majority of people I would meet would jump at this prospect. Fresh off of my first year at BCEP, armed with the Annals of Botany and Irrigation Science, I was ready. But what I encountered was somewhat different.
Grape growers in CA are extremely progressive, environmentally speaking. Throughout the state there are numerous sustainable certification programs, either regional or statewide, that work with vineyards and wineries to minimize their environmental impact and increase the sustainability of the operation. Generally, each program has guidelines for resource and energy conservation, biodiversity protection, and land management practices. Further, CA has a large number of certified Organic and Biodynamic vineyards. All in all, the wine industry is making substantial changes to protect the environment and prepare their operations for the impact of climate change.
But, with all the environmentally friendly strides that the wine industry has taken, on-farm water conservation is still a tricky subject. And for good reason. Water use in the form of irrigation minimizes risk. Irrigation may not always be necessary for wine grapes, and conservation methods may be possible, but having the option to irrigate if necessary ensures a constant yield. Given the uncertainty often resulting from climate dependent agriculture, ensuring a constant yield is no small thing to a grower. Because of the competition for and the seasonal scarcity of water in many parts of CA, some growers are legitimately concerned that if they start working to reduce their yearly irrigation, then regulations restricting irrigation use to those lower values may not be far behind. And that means no more irrigation insurance policy; with water use restrictions in place, growers may loose access to water if and when they need it, and that can be a scary thing, especially in the face of climate change.
So here I was armed with science, but quickly came to realize that what I had read did not adequately represent the reality on the ground. My concern was the environment, with wine and grape quality as a secondary factor. To me it was a convenient bonus that on-farm water conservation would actually produce higher quality wine grapes. However, the growers’ top concerns were their livelihoods, family businesses, and the grapes and wine that they grew and produced, generally environmental concerns came after that. Even with the prospect of high quality grapes, concerns over yield loss, water regulations, and economic viability may prove to great for some growers to dry farm. And I’m not saying that the growers have their priorities wrong and mine were right. All of these concerns need to be addressed. Fortunately, the problem here was not insurmountable, but rather begged a different kind of approach from me. I could not expect the growers to change their priorities, so my question became: how do I bridge the gap between all of my reading and the grape growers’ needs? How do I talk to the growers on their terms?
The answer to this actually presented itself effortlessly. It was already built into the internship. CAFF’s approach to farmer education has been to facilitate farmer-to-farmer workshops. The beauty of this model is that it takes a farmer, one who is successfully implementing a sustainable practice, and it holds his work up as a paradigm from which other farmers can learn and emulate. Instead of an outsider or non-farmer presenting methods in the abstract, these workshops allow farmers to see the sustainable methods working in an economically and environmentally stable form.
I realized that my job and role was, first, to read and understand the science behind dry farming. This allowed me to confidently talk about and recommend these practices to others. And then find growers who were implementing the growing techniques that I had learned about. From there, I simply needed to facilitate the flow of information between growers during workshops and by writing case studies to highlight growers and their practices. Growers know, certainly better than I, why they dry farm, how they make it work economically, how to address water concerns, and what challenges they face. This is knowledge that you only get by actually doing, and much more than I could ever learn from reading. So my job was never to go wander onto a vineyard and tell a grower what he ought to do, but rather find examples of sustainable methods in practice and allow that success to speak for itself.
I organized two workshops at my internship. The interaction among growers was incredible. Hopefully these workshops, and the future ones that I will be facilitating, will encourage growers to adopt some new on-farm practice to conserve water. At the workshops, the knowledge sharing and enthusiasm for dry farming extended well beyond the scheduled workshop time – with any luck, that wasn’t just related to the free wine. | <urn:uuid:91e568bb-1bbc-485e-8435-0094d9dde023> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bard.edu/cep/blog/?p=3498 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976059 | 1,222 | 1.71875 | 2 |
Heads of Laboratories
Circadian (~24 hour) clocks are endogenous mechanisms that time the recurring, daily activities observed in most organisms. Dr. Young's research has shown how interactions among a small group of genes and their proteins produce circadian molecular oscillations at the level of individual cells. These cellular clocks are active in most animal tissues and establish overt circadian rhythms in physiology and behavior. His lab's findings have implications for sleep and mood disorders as well as dysfunctions related to the timing of gene activities underlying visual functions, locomotion, metabolism, immunity, learning and memory.
Studies of the molecular basis for circadian rhythmicity began in the early 1980s in Young's laboratory at Rockefeller, and in the laboratories of Dr. Jeffrey Hall and Dr. Michael Rosbash at Brandeis University. Over the past 30 years the work of these investigators, which focused on the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, has shown that the fly's circadian clocks are formed through the actions of a small group of genes including per (period), tim (timeless), dbt (double-time, casein kinase 1), clk (clock), cyc (cycle), sgg(shaggy), Pdp1 (PAR domain protein 1), vri (vrille), cry (cryptochrome) and ck2 (casein kinase 2). Six of these genes were first characterized in the Young laboratory, and mutations in any of these "clock" genes can lengthen or shorten the period of behavioral, physiological and molecular circadian rhythms, or can abolish the rhythms altogether.
The abundance of per, tim, vri, Pdp1 and clk RNA and their encoded proteins changes rhythmically with a circadian period in wild-type flies. In addition to these RNA and protein rhythms, two of the proteins, TIM and PER, rhythmically shift their sub-cellular location. Young and his colleagues found that these two proteins accumulate, pair up in the cell's cytoplasm and then migrate into the nucleus, where their presence switches off their production by shutting down the per and tim genes. However, these events are timed so that PER and TIM are retained in the cytoplasm for a fixed interval of several hours. This delay promotes RNA and protein rhythms and determines the period of the clock.
The circadian clock adjusts to environmental photo-cycles through the activities of CRY and TIM. The former protein is a novel photoreceptor that binds to TIM in the presence of light and promotes TIM's rapid degradation, pausing the clock until TIM can re-accumulate in the dark. Young's laboratory also discovered that the enzyme casein kinase 1 (DBT) further regulates the pace of this 24-hour molecular clock by restricting the longevity of the PER protein during each circadian cycle, and especially by removing PER at times when TIM is absent. Others have recently shown that faulty interactions between casein kinase 1 and PER are responsible for certain heritable sleep disorders in humans. In fact, most of the genes composing the Drosophila clock, and the cycling intracellular mechanism they direct, are well conserved throughout the animal kingdom.
The Young laboratory has used oligonucleotide microarrays that represent all 14,000 fly genes to study the gene expression programs regulated by the circadian clock. They have found that in the Drosophila head, approximately 400 to 500 genes — about six to seven percent of all genes active in the head — are expressed with a circadian rhythm. Genes composing this large circadian program influence almost every aspect of the fly's biology, and subsets of these genes are switched on and off with phases representing every hour of the day and night. When genes that compose the circadian clock are mutated, this program of temporally sequenced gene expression disappears even if environmental cycles are present, indicating that the temporal program is thoroughly dependent on the molecular oscillator.
Recently members of the Young laboratory have identified genes that affect the homeostatic regulation of sleep in Drosophila. This research has uncovered specific neurons whose activity promotes sleep. They have also begun to study sleep and circadian rhythms at the genetic and molecular levels in humans. The latter work involves collaborative studies of circadian behavioral and physiological rhythms that are coupled to studies in the Young laboratory that assess rhythmic gene and protein activities established in cultured cells derived from patients with certain sleep and depressive disorders.
Dr. Young received his undergraduate degree in biology in 1971 and his Ph.D. in genetics in 1975, both from The University of Texas, Austin. Following postdoctoral work in biochemistry at the Stanford University School of Medicine, he was appointed assistant professor at Rockefeller in 1978 as part of The Rockefeller University Fellows Program. He was named associate professor in 1984 and professor in 1988, and from 1987 to 1996 he was an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. From 1991 to 2001 Dr. Young headed the Rockefeller unit of the National Science Foundation's Science and Technology Center for Biological Timing. Dr. Young was named the university's Vice President for Academic Affairs and Richard and Jeanne Fisher Professor in 2004.
Dr. Young is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. He is a recipient of the 2013 Wiley Prize in Biomedical Science, the 2012 Canada Gairdner International Award, the 2012 Massry Prize, the 2011 Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize for Biology or Biochemistry, and the 2009 Neuroscience Prize of the Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation.
|Return to full listing| | <urn:uuid:a015143f-91ad-4eda-bb66-34ea263df480> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.rockefeller.edu/research/faculty/labheads/MichaelYoung/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945703 | 1,121 | 3.1875 | 3 |
The U.S. could lose its AAA credit rating? Why Treasury bond investors aren't flustered
For all the headlines that Standard & Poor’s generated Monday by warning that it might lower America’s AAA credit rating, the news has failed to panic the target audience: Treasury bond investors.
Yields on Treasury securities slipped on Monday from Friday’s levels, and on Tuesday the market ended mostly unchanged. The 10-year T-note yield (charted below), a benchmark for other long-term interest rates, eased to 3.37% from 3.38% on Monday.
If the threat of a downgrade from the gold-plated AAA rating had come as a real shock to investors, you would have expected bond prices to plunge and yields to spike. There was a small move up in yields early Monday morning but it didn’t last as buyers quickly came into the market.
After rising sharply last fall amid optimism about the economy, Treasury yields have mostly been stuck in a trading range since mid-December.
Why didn’t the S&P announcement cause a conniption in the Treasury market? Here are five possible reasons:
--- Nobody’s surprised. Is there a bond owner on the planet who doesn’t know that the U.S. has been running record budget deficits, which are at the heart of S&P’s concerns? “The action was a surprise, but the underlying fundamentals are not,” said Guy Lebas, fixed-income strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott in Philadelphia.
In general, he said, “The credit quality of sovereign [debt] is deteriorating” as governments have borne the cost of trying to pull their economies up from the vicious 2008-09 recession and financial system meltdown.
--- Nobody’s impressed. The leading credit-rating firms lost a massive amount of credibility amid the financial crisis, because it was their AAA ratings on what turned out to be garbage mortgage-backed bonds that helped precipitate the crisis.
So now, “Why listen to S&P on U.S. debt?” asks Barry Ritholtz, a well-known financial blogger and head of research firm FushionIQ in New York.
Another longtime critic of the ratings firms, Peter Schiff of Euro Pacific Capital, cites a separate credibility issue: He doubts that S&P would actually go through with a downgrade anyway.
“S&P simply does not have the integrity to honestly rate U.S. debt,” Schiff asserts. “It has too cozy a relationship with the U.S. government and Wall Street to threaten the status quo.” . . .
--- The Federal Reserve still is buying Treasuries. That’s a major continuing prop for the market and will be at least until the end of June, when the Fed is scheduled to complete the $600-billion purchase program it launched in November. Wall Street has estimated that the Fed is buying the equivalent of all new Treasury bond issuance.
We’ll hear more on the Fed’s plans for the program when policymakers meet April 27. Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke plans to hold his first-ever post-meeting press conference.
--- The worsening government-debt mess in Europe makes Treasuries look far safer by comparison. The U.S. is at risk of a rating downgrade, but in Europe the increasing risk is that some countries will have to renegotiate the terms of their outstanding bonds to lower their crushing debt burdens. That’s a nicer way of saying they’ll default.
Investors’ faith in the bonds of Europe’s weakest countries has eroded sharply in the last week, as shown by the market interest rates buyers are demanding on the debt.
The annualized yield on two-year Greek bonds (charted at right) soared to 20.72% on Tuesday, up from 16.42% a week earlier. Portuguese two-year-note yields are at 10.14% versus 9.05% a week ago. Irish two-year yields are at 9.69% versus 8.66%.
By contrast, two-year U.S. T-notes pay just 0.67%.
Of course, there are other ways to default on debt, and that’s the concern that some investors have with Treasuries.
Bill Gross, the Pimco funds bond guru in Newport Beach, made waves earliest this month with news that he was actively betting against Treasuries in his megafund, Pimco Total Return. Yields are too low to justify buying longer-term Treasuries, he said.
The U.S. government could effectively default “surreptitiously via accelerating and unexpectedly higher inflation . . . deceptively via a declining dollar -- currently taking place right in front of our noses . . . and stealthily via policy rates and Treasury yields far below historical levels -- paying savers less on their money and hoping they won’t complain,” Gross wrote in his April commentary on Pimco’s website.
For investors who want an excuse to avoid Treasuries, Gross probably carries more weight at this point than Standard & Poor's. But so far, even Gross hasn't been able to talk Treasury bond prices down and yields up.
-- Tom Petruno | <urn:uuid:4064f638-9045-4758-8d57-5be53bfd634f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2011/04/treasury-debt-downgrade-us-sp-credit-rating-yields-default.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00040-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952112 | 1,122 | 1.578125 | 2 |
FIMS courses run the gambit from covering the realities of global communication to the ever-popular Tales of Tinseltown, all offering valuable insights and learning experiences. You voted, FIMS, and here are your favourite courses.
The mitZine isn’t in Kansas anymore. That’s right, the Zine is now in technicolour – or should I say, technocolour? Inside this month’s issue you’ll find a special article by FIMS’ own upper-year instructor of the year Selma Purac, the mitZine awards, political cartoons (a Zine first), as well as all the social, political, and entertainment commentary we all know and love the Zine for. This issue is a feast for the eyes and the brain that you don’t want to miss out on. Pick it up this week in the UCC and NCB or read it after the jump. Continue reading →
The CDC information session will be held tomorrow, March 26th at 12:30 in NCB room 114.
In recent faculty news, FIMS has decided to introduce a new Certificate in Digital Communications (CDC). Akin to a certificate in Writing or Professional Communication, FIMS’s CDC will be made available to Western students at large, including FIMS students, with the exception of those in MTP. Upon completing the certificate, students will graduate with an extra (and free) sheet of paper—and, more importantly, a line on their résumé—that indicates that they are, in fact, sufficiently equipped to communicate in this brave new digital world.
At a very basic level, FIMS’s administration professes that the new certificate is designed to “Boost [students’] professional or academic career[s] by mastering the communication tools of the digital age.” More than this, students who complete the certificate will, in turn, receive “excellent preparation for a career in social media,” as it combines both theoretical and practical media knowledge.
Within this context, the primary goal of the certificate would seem relatively unproblematic; the CDC merely intends to provide students with an opportunity through which to develop employable skills in the “digital age”. When taking into consideration recent discussion surrounding FIMS’s politics, however, the issue becomes slightly more complicated.
CBC Q’s Jian Ghomeshi, a witty entertainer oozing with indie charm, is also a sharp mind overflowing with insight into Canadian art, culture and – yes, even politics. At first, he explained during a Q and A period Friday, March 9th in the Althouse Auditorium, the CBC took a while to warm up to his program.
“There’s still a snobbery that comes with the CBC. They were like, this is going to be a pop culture show, isn’t it?” Ghomeshi joked, “Isn’t that the end of the world?”
In fact, CBC’s two-year-old “art and culture” program Q aims to eradicate the division between “high art” and “pop culture,” the host explained to a smitten audience consisting of FIMS journalism students and members of the London media community. The program is meant to combat the notion that classical visual artists, writers, and musicians require more “serious” discussions about their work than graphic artists and rock bands do.
The last few weeks have been packed full of surprises and tension. From Bieber to demerit points, this year’s USC Elections have been the most eventful in recent memory. It really does feel like we’ve seen it all at this point; the election results were invalidated in an unprecedented move on the part of the University and the USC due to the actions of the world’s most narcissistic hacker.
Spectacle aside, the democratic process at Western has moved forward unfettered and the elections have been re-held starting Wednesday and ending today. It’s easy to feel apathetic and a little burnt out after the craziness that has led up to this point, but the mitZine would like to encourage you to not be discouraged and go have your voice heard by voting once more.
If you haven’t voted yet, the polls are still open. Go to voteusc.ca to have your say on important issues like ammendments to the student health plan, USC Senators-At-Large, the Board of Governors and, of course, the next President of the USC.
UPDATE: Elections postponed to February 29th and March 1st due to Tuesday’s hacking debacle. Details at WesternUSC.ca
Today is the last day to vote in the USC elections. Make sure to participate and have your voice heard! Over the last month, the mitZine team has worked hard to bring you the best resources to make an informed decision. If you’re making your voting today, here’s some helpful articles to help you make your decision: Continue reading →
Shortly before 8 pm yesterday, an anonymous person or group hacked the USC Elections site. Voters were redirected to a page that welcomed them to the “Justin Bieber Hairstyle vote 2012” and informed them that “a vote for Bieber is a vote for world peace.” As of now, the motivations behind the defacement of the site are unknown. Still, the act raises an important question: was it just an example of wanton e-vandalism perpetrated by ne’er-do-wells or something more – something political? In the often superficial and super-sensational world of USC presidential elections, a vote for the Biebs’ luscious locks may not be so different than a vote for any of the candidates. Continue reading →
Disclaimer: the views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of the mitZine or the MITSC.
When voters head to the (virtual) polls this week, they will be making a choice based ultimately on one of three criteria: platform, campaign, or character.
Many students will vote for a platform. They will peruse the candidates’ websites and identify promises that appeal to them. They may even take a more holistic approach and vote for what they deem the best overall vision for the USC.
Others will vote for a campaign. They have watched the videos, attended the debates, and followed social media. They have seen the candidates jockey to differentiate themselves and judged them on their public face.
The remaining students will vote based on the character of a candidate. They have taken the platforms and campaigns with a grain of salt, opting instead to focus on the qualities and experiences that distinguish each potential president.
Unlike some years, however, none of this year’s candidates have stood out in all three categories. None of them are unequivocally deserving of the position, and that makes things difficult for independent voters. To help make sense of your options, I offer here my endorsements for USC president based on the category you believe is most important. I welcome feedback in the comments below. Continue reading →
USC election season can be a confusing time for students. How are you supposed to cut through the slogans, flashy videos, and mobs of campaigners to get at the issues that matter? Fortunately, the mitZine team has undertaken the task of breaking down the candidates’ platforms and laying out the bottom line for FIMS students. Keep an eye out for even more USC election coverage in the February issue of the mitZine, which includes this breakdown. Continue reading →
USC Presidential candidates hope to walk away with the win.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Andrew Forgione is going to get a big head this election season. When the campaign videos for the 2012 USC presidential candidates were released just after midnight on Tuesday morning, it was clear that Forgione’s campaign methods wouldn’t soon be forgotten.
Right off the bat, third-year Science student, Logan Ross, used a segment of Forgione’s famous Ducksauce tribute in her campaign video; but Ross isn’t the only one to take something away from Forgione’s successful run. All the other candidates—fifth-year Social-Sci student Claire McArthur, fourth-year Huron student Adam Fearnall, and fourth-year FIMS student Jon Silver—are all guilty of using the “Forgione Formula.” Continue reading → | <urn:uuid:2d02f496-cfbf-4623-9646-039e9f772586> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://openwidezine.com/tag/western-u/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954053 | 1,797 | 1.734375 | 2 |
Noise is a part of every electronic device and circuit. Electrons do not travel in perfectly controlled paths, and these random electron motions, along with the effects of temperature, result in a certain level of noise. Of course, noise can spring from outside sources, including the radiated electromagnetic forms from power lines that anyone with a car radio has suffered through while driving under or near those power lines. Noise can't be avoided, but it can be characterized. Knowing the level of noise in a device or circuit helps to work around it in a final design, and Agilent Technologies has made great strides recently in improving the quality of the measurements used to characterize noise.
Agilent author David Ballo has detailed these advances in noise-figure measurements in the latest addition to the company's Measurement Solution Series of educational White Papers. Entitled "Making Source-Corrected Noise-Figure Measurements," the four-page White Paper appears in both the September issue of Microwaves & RF as well as on the white-paper section of the magazine's website at www.mwrf.com. It discusses the use of an Agilent PNA-X vector network analyzer with an ECal calibration module. By essentially using the ECal module as an impedance tuner, and applying vector error correction, it is possible to use the analyzer for making source- corrected noise-figure measurements.
Since the impedance match at the source of a device under test (DUT) is critical to the accuracy of noise-figure measurements, this new approach can deliver accuracy that exceeds even dedicated noise-figure measurement receivers. It can't get rid of the noise, but knowing how much noise is there certainly helps in the overall design process. For more information, visit the white paper section of www.mwrf.com.
by Jack Browne, MWRF Technical Director | <urn:uuid:407f3c69-a630-4ac2-8e03-f9b04e304ee4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://mwrf.com/test-and-measurement/whats-all-noise-about | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939573 | 380 | 3.015625 | 3 |
Spiders in Vanuatu
Spiders play a significant role in the lives and beliefs of many cultures in northern Vanuatu.
Spider motifs appear in paintings and tattoos in the Banks Islands in the far north. In southern Malakula island spider web cloth is used as a base for much sacred artwork as well as male ritual head and body coverings. In this area 'spider spirit' men partake in aspects of complex male funerary rituals, emphasising the important role certain spider spirits play in the early stages of life after death.
Spider web cloth
In southern Malakula (and to certain extent Ambrym), spider webs are collected to make cloth which is used for ritual material. This cloth is supple, but tough and hard-wearing. It is also fairly waterproof and resistant to rot.
Making spider web cloth
Webs are collected on a bamboo pole which has been splayed open at one end. People walk through the bush in the morning, pulling down spider webs with the pole, the webs accumulate on the pole until a thick, matted cloth is formed when it is thick enough, the spider web cloth is slipped off the narrow end of the bamboo pole. | <urn:uuid:d84fa558-fbcc-4272-8308-19a1a6d665f0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://australianmuseum.net.au/Spiders-in-Vanuatu | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00068-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944288 | 245 | 2.828125 | 3 |
I have a client that has an existing XP desktop which is using a Verizon Wireless broadband device for an internet connetion (no other broadband available in the area). So he simply connects to it wirelessly and he gets his internet.
Complication starts here. He just got a Windows 7 laptop and needs to share the internet connection of the Verizon device. Only problem is that the laptop is out of range of the verizon device. So, we have a Linksys wireless router that is connected to the XP machine and gives us the range we need to reach the laptop.
My trouble is that I can't get any sort of connection between the two computers. They are on the same workgroup and I have enabled everything in the sharing options on the Windows 7 machine. My goal is to have the Windows 7 laptop connect to the XP machine and share the internet connection and printer and files etc...
Here is a diagram of the situation. I've had one person tell me he doesn't think it's possible. But I bet there is a way.
Any help would be appreciated! | <urn:uuid:61fcfe93-d645-4c9c-8f69-562f09fc2dd7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/65055-internet-connection-sharing-xp-machine.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962884 | 220 | 1.5 | 2 |
Teaching the next generation and keeping them healthy are essential to tomorrow's strong, vibrant societies. Mercy Corps works with communities to shelter and nurture children and youth through innovative education, sports and job training programs.
Through the power of sports, community service and vocational training, we empower young people to make smart life choices and find a productive place in the changing global economy.
Our signature Comfort for Kids program focuses on helping children process trauma after natural disasters and conflict. See our expert's recommendations for how parents and caregivers can help children through times of crisis ▸
All stories about Children & Youth
Comforting Kids Displaced by Hurricane Katrina September 12, 2005
United States: Helping Children Heal September 6, 2005
Indonesia: A Love Affair with Soccer August 26, 2005
Soccer is big in Indonesia.
Sri Lanka: Getting Back to Play July 11, 2005
The morning cool was just burning off as we bundled into the van. The vehicle was already packed full of paint, rope, and various hand tools that by the end of the day would help create a playground for over 60 children who live at the Komari camp for tsunami-displaced families.
Sudan: Making a Difference in Sudanese Refugee Camps June 8, 2005
Mercy Corps is working to improve conditions for nearly 90,000 Sudanese living in three refugee camps across Darfur, a region roughly the size of France where more than 2 million people have fled their homes.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty May 12, 2005
After graduating from secondary school, 18-year-old Maftuna found herself like many of her peers in the 4,500-person Galatoy community near Margilan, Uzbekistan: jobless with few prospects for employment.
Sri Lanka: A Few Words Go a Long Way May 11, 2005
The din of over a hundred kids packed into a makeshift school building was building to a roar. According to Thulasimani, a second-grade teacher at Komari School, it is usually noisy but this was something different. “There is an excitement in the air,” she said.
Guatemala: Mapping Out a Healthier Future May 5, 2005
Rosmina is keeping tabs on the women of Cucanha, Guatemala. She knows who's pregnant, how far along they are and many other details about their lives. Are these things really her business? Yes - exactly.
Guatemala: A Volunteering Spirit May 5, 2005
Three-year-old Maynor sits in his mother's lap, barely conscious. He is pallid, exhausted and falling limp in his mother's arms.
Guatemala: Reaching Out to Mothers in Guatemala May 5, 2005
Guatemala's wild, verdant Polochic Valley feels like a secret. It's a narrow, winding seam in the country's colorful fabric. As the Polochic River rushes toward the Caribbean, past indigenous Q'eqchi and Poqomchi villages, it seems to be the only thing in a hurry to reach its future. | <urn:uuid:eeb5a0b2-ea35-4e3d-bcf6-d0d0debd6ba4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mercycorps.org/children-youth?page=37&gclid=CLr_vJH2yLECFSU3cgodpjEAXA&source=79700 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95262 | 636 | 2.34375 | 2 |
The Valley has long been a home base to some of the best button diatonic accordionists in the world. Many were born in this area, but many also came from Mexico and different parts of Texas to record their music with regional record companies here that specialized in Mexican-American and Mexican music.
Jose Guadalupe Hernandez (also referred to as Don Lupe) was born in Zacatecas, Zacatecas in Mexico on December 12, 1930. He would eventually move with his family to Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas at the age of 10 years old. While in Valle Hermoso, he started playing the accordion and would later meet bajo sexto player Jose Luis Reyes there. The two formed a musical bond and would soon relocate to Reynosa for better opportunities.
Like many musicians of the time period and many future musicians on both sides of the border, Hernandez was a big admirer of Los Alegres de Terán. As a young accordionist, he was influenced by them and was also a fan of Los Donneños and Valley accordion icon Narciso Martinez. Soon, shortly after moving to Reynosa, Hernandez and Reyes came across the border to record for Discos Falcón in McAllen. They recorded the songs "Adios Mi Rosa Maria" and "Reina de Mi Vida" under the name "Hernandez y Reyes".
After that, Hernandez and Reyes would name their group Los Madrugadores Del Valle. In the early 1960's they would go on to accompany "El Piporro" (Lalo Gonzalez) on a United States tour, on two records and on the film Se Alquila Marido. The most famous song they performed with El Piporro was the tune "Chulas Fronteras", which was a very popular hit in those days.
"We were with [Piporro], but we were only with him for about two years cause we had our own band and we wanted to concentrate on our own music," said Don Lupe in Spanish.
Los Madrugadores Del Valle only recorded once for Falcón, they then decided to move to other record labels in the Rio Grande Valley. They recorded for other hugely popular labels like Discos Del Valle, Ramiro Cavazos' Discos RyN, and Discos Bego. Outside the Valley, they would go on to record for Discos Marsol and Joey Records in San Antonio. From the 1960's through the 1980's, they played in numerous dance halls and venues across the Valley.
"We would play in a lot of places [in the Valley], so many different places but it's been such a long time I can't remember them all," laughs Don Lupe.
Hernandez and Reyes also spent a lot of time traveling outside these borderlands to spread their music across the United States. Don Lupe is very proud that he was able to tour across the nation with Reyes and his bandmates.
"We would go to California, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, North Carolina, and many other places," Don Lupe said.
One of Don Lupe's most famous polkas was titled "La Pan Americana", which he recorded for Harlingen's KGBT studios. That composition would end up becoming a well-known piece as KGBT would use that spirited polka during their radio broadcast promos. Another famous piece he composed during this time period was "La Baby Del Valle", which also got a lot of air play and was eventually recorded by Discos RyN. Not only were they on the radio, but they were also on television as Los Madrugadores Del Valle would make a memorable appearance on "The Johnny Canales Show" in the 1980's.
"We played 2 or 3 corridos in his program, basically our music was listened to a lot in the Valley," Don Lupe said.
In the late 1980's, after a long time partnership with Jose Luis Reyes, they recorded their final record together. That record contained their version of "Piel Canela" for Joey Records. Shortly after that, Reyes would pass away.
"We were together for many years until he passed away in 1988," Don Lupe said. "We were together as musicians for around 29 to 30 years."
Don Lupe now resides in South Bend, Indiana with his longtime wife of many years and his close family. He still plays the accordion in a band he has formed with his sons. Don Lupe plays the squeezebox as strong as ever, incredibly youthful for a man who is now 82 years old. It seems that at this point in time, Don Lupe could potentially be the oldest active norteño accordionist still playing in the world. He keeps in touch with his longtime musician friends like accordionist Ramon Ayala, who he regularly talks to on the phone and meets up with when Ayala visits Indiana. When he's not playing with his sons, he gives accordion lessons to his students and introduces younger generations to his style of music. It's been 21 years since he's recorded for a label but it gives Don Lupe a lot of joy that many people are using the internet to bring attention to older musicians such as himself. One of his accordion students, Santa Rosa native Robert Rodriguez, has worked towards uploading many of Don Lupe's most famous tunes on YouTube. Don Lupe feels very gracious that his family, friends, students and fans are helping keep his music alive.
"He is to this day, very, very serious about music and he feels that it is a very important part of our culture and our contribution to society," said Robert Rodriguez. "These very songs that [Don Lupe] gave life to, are now coming back to return that life to him." | <urn:uuid:69c37392-32d7-4f5b-ad6c-0b36b8759742> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://pharrfromheaven.blogspot.com/2012_07_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.987509 | 1,203 | 1.8125 | 2 |
Jamey Jones, Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences
Jamey Jones’ research is broadly focused on understanding how continents are built and modified through time. He is interested in the tectonic processes that govern the growth and stabilization of continental lithosphere as well as the tempo of these processes and spatial and temporal variations in the tectonic history of different regions. His studies are primarily located in the uplifted and eroded cores of ancient mountain belts. These deep crustal exposures not only present unique insights into a region’s tectonic history, but they also afford us the opportunity to study and constrain tectonic processes at crustal levels not accessible in recent and modern orogenic systems. He typically approachs tectonic problems by integrating regional and detailed field mapping, observation, and petrologic and structural analysis with geochronologic, isotopic, geochemical, metamorphic, and thermochronologic data. This type of multidisciplinary approach encourages collaboration with other researchers and institutions and is also well suited for undergraduate and graduate student involvement. Check out the research part of his personal webpage for more information on specific research projects including lists of collaborators, recent presentations, and a complete listing of publications. | <urn:uuid:4998d704-2afc-4044-add4-9b59d6904100> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ualr.edu/research/index.php/jones/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938044 | 248 | 2.03125 | 2 |
WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- Sorry to tell you this, but Fluffy is a killer and on a scale that's hard to imagine.
A new report just out from the Smithsonian and the US Fish and Wildlife Service finds outdoor cats are killing billions of animals a year.
The study in the scientific journal Nature Communications says cats kill more wildlife than cars, pesticides, windows or windmills.
Steve Holmer of the American Bird Conservancy says the numbers shocked him because they are two to four times earlier estimates.
The numbers are staggering. America's outdoor cats kill an estimated 2.4 billion birds, and 12.3 billion small mammals every year and we're not talking rats. We're talking chipmunks, rabbits and squirrels.
Feral cats account for most of the bloodshed. But some of it is also from cats allowed by their owners to roam outside.
The study was peer-reviewed, and looked at 90 earlier surveys including some involving small cameras attached to cats on the prowl.
But Alison Grasheim of the Bethesda advocacy group Alley Cat Allies says euthanizing wild cats is not a solution. She maintains the study is re-wrapped old data, and says habitat destruction is a much greater cause of falling populations of wildlife.
The American Bird Conservancy estimates there are 300 colonies of feral cats in DC alone and warns cats could leave us with a silent spring a spring without the beautiful song of migrating songbirds.
The study says un-owned cats account for almost 90 percent of the wildlife kills. But the Washington Humane Society, and many other groups, say it's better for your cat and for the wildlife to keep it indoors. | <urn:uuid:c9df27d3-0793-4e9b-b5a2-4a40a07c4848> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wusa9.com/(X(1)A(4C27-hC5zAEkAAAAYzA5YjQ2YzktOTk1Zi00MzVhLTgwMmMtMWUyMTdlZDlkNWY0Q9A_ppj6SQLTPxGfD-rRYaxNP5k1))/news/article/240633/381/Cute-Cats-Have-A-Deadly-Side | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937502 | 341 | 2.703125 | 3 |
Valley Forge: George Washington and the Crucible of Victory : In To Try Men's Souls, New York Times bestselling authors Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen cast a new light on the year 1776 and the man who would become the father of our nation, George Washington. Valley Forge picks up the narrative a year after Washington's triumphant surprise attack on Trenton, and much has changed since then. It's the winter of 1777, and Washington's battered, demoralized army retreats from Philadelphia. Arriving at Valley Forge, they discover that their repeated requests for a stockpile of food, winter clothing, and building tools have been ignored by Congress. With no other options available, the men settle down for a season of agony. For weeks the dwindling army freezes under tents in the bitter cold. Food runs out. Disease festers. The men are on the point of collapse, while in Philadelphia the British, joined by Allen van Dorn, the Loyalist brother of the dead patriot, Jonathan van Dorn, live in luxury. In spite of the suffering and deceit, Washington endures all, joined at last by a volunteer from Germany, Baron Friederich von Steuben. With precious few supplies and even less time, von Steuben begins the hard task of recasting the army as a professional fighting force capable of facing the British head-on - something it has never accomplished before - and in the process changing the course of history. Valley Forge is a compelling, meticulously researched tour-de-force novel about endurance, survival, transformation, and rebirth. It chronicles the unique crucible of time and place where Washington and his Continental Army, against all odds, were forged into a fighting force that would win a revolution and found the United States of America. | <urn:uuid:546cbf08-cfbe-4920-b292-1befe93c6084> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ofertondelibros.com/Libreria/Libro/Valley-Forge-George-Washington-and-the-Crucible-of-Victory/_/R-9780312591076A | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.920273 | 358 | 2.09375 | 2 |
Dr. Melissa Kosinski-Collins
This course is one of many Advanced Undergraduate Seminars offered by the Biology Department at MIT. These seminars are tailored for students with an interest in using primary research literature to discuss and learn about current biological research in a highly interactive setting. The instructor for this course, Dr. Kosinski-Collins, is a member of the HHMI Education Group.
Maintenance of the complex three-dimensional structure adopted by a protein in the cell is vital for function. Oftentimes, as a consequence of environmental stress, genetic mutation, and/or infection, the folded structure of a protein gets altered and multiple proteins stick and fall out of solution in a process known as aggregation. In many protein aggregation diseases, incorrectly folded proteins self-associate, forming fiber-like aggregates that cause brain cell death and dementia. In this course, the molecular and biochemical basis of the prion diseases, which include bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), Creutzfedt-Jakob disease and kuru will be examined. Also discussed are other classes of misfolding diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. The proteins involved in all of these disorders and how the proteins' three dimensional structures change during the course of these afflictions is covered as well as why prions from certain species cannot infect animals from other species based on protein sequence and structure. The course will then address possible detection methods and therapies that are under development to treat some of the protein aggregation diseases. | <urn:uuid:4fb7ab09-3030-4b67-86a6-f018bb568663> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/biology/7-343-protein-folding-misfolding-and-human-disease-fall-2004/index.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95136 | 310 | 2.9375 | 3 |
One of the great contributors to climate change: the U.S. military
With temperatures above 100 degrees in the last week throughout Ventura County, local residents may be recalling scenes from former Vice President Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. Whether or not one believes in climate change or global warming, there is no denying that the consumption of fossil fuels has a variety of adverse effects on American society, from pollutants in the air and damage to our health to pain at the pump with volatile gas prices. Though some may still be on the fence, certain longtime global warming skeptics are changing their minds. Richard A. Muller, professor of physics at University of California, Berkley, recently flip-flopped on the matter after exhaustive research led him to concrete evidence on rising temperatures, and he even stated that humans are almost entirely to blame for this environmental crisis.
While we slowly shift away from our gas-guzzling stick shifts and automatics to electric cars, which ideally would be fueled by energy collected by photovoltaic solar panels, wind turbines, etc., it would seem most Americans aren’t looking at the big picture. Though we, as consumers, may be trading our gas-powered vehicles for electric models, the U.S. military with its ships and high-octane jet engines is estimated to consume around 1 million barrels of oil per day and accounts for 5 percent of greenhouse emissions globally, according to Barry Sanders, author of The Green Zone: The Environmental Costs of Militarism.
At a press event last week, State Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, brought together Navy and state officials as well as representatives from alternative energy companies, such as Russell Teall, founder of the biodiesel tech firm Biodico, to discuss her bill, the Energy Security Coordination Act of 2012. The bill, which coincidentally was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown at the time of the event, directs the governor’s director of planning and research to lead coordination and implementation of complementary clean energy policies with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
Though Pavley is known to be an ambassador for the environment with her legislation, such as the controversial bill AB 32, The Global Warming Solutions Act, the Energy Security Coordination Act goes beyond emphasizing the importance of alternative, cleaner fuels for the sake of our environment. The DOD recently declared “climate change and oil dependence as strategic national security threats and U.S. oil dependence as creating significant risks to our active military personnel.” The Navy also announced this summer its goal to cut overall power consumption in half and meet half of those reduced energy needs from renewable resources by the year 2020. While there may be some who believe the move away from the military’s dependence on oil may be a waste of time and money, there is nothing but good that can come out of this, from new jobs to more stable energy sources produced in the U.S. and cleaner air for everyone.
We applaud Pavley for her hard work and dedication to a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. Her Energy Security Coordination Act gives California a greater advantage in getting away from the thing that may have propelled us into the wars in the Middle East in the first place. | <urn:uuid:2d64a6d7-0148-4b74-a85d-9ce4e00cc334> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/one_of_the_great_contributors_to_climate_change_the_u_s_military/10220/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951076 | 666 | 2.15625 | 2 |
New 100mph Electric Motorcycle From Roehr
In brief: Sports motorcycle manufacturer Roehr has introduced two electric motorcycles, one an entry-level sport bike and the other a superbike.
Vehicle in the news
Make/Model: eSupersport and eSuperbike
The maker of the nation's fastest and most powerful American-production sportbike, the 180hp 1250sc, is now getting into the electric motorcycle arena.
The eSupersport is along Roehr's line at 95hp and capable of 210ft-lb of torque right off the line. The eSupersport is an entry-level machine, however, with a more sedate 48hp and 105ft-lb of torque.
Both bikes feature high-energy lithium-ion battery packs at 10kWh and 6kWh respectively. The top speed on both bikes is 100mph.
Pricing is not yet announced, but sales begin this spring.
And so ...
Great to see another motorcycle manufacturer in the U.S. getting into the electric game.
Photo credits: Roehr
This site follows the emergence, application and development of transportation innovation. Reference to manufacturers, makes and models, and other automotive-related businesses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by FutureCars.com.
In order to view the content on this page, you will need the latest version of Adobe’s Flash Player. Click here to download it. | <urn:uuid:7f503fb0-b7cb-4d03-8c65-799975d29b48> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.futurecars.com/news/electric-cars/new-100mph-electric-motorcycle-from-roehr | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.902877 | 302 | 1.554688 | 2 |
The Car Inefficiency Levy
Until we hold manufacturers accountable for the pollution their products cause, we will not begin to address their impact on climate change and ecosystems collapse.
GOVERNMENTS HAVE A choice of methods when it comes to persuading industries to reduce the environmental impact of their products. One way is to set standards, which may be voluntary or legally binding. When we buy a fridge or freezer, for example, EU law requires that we are told how energy efficient it is, and as the lowest levels of performance have now been made illegal, we only have the choice to buy a fridge or freezer which is at least reasonably efficient.
Things get harder in the case of cars, as there are always going to be larger and smaller cars, and faster and slower cars. So EU regulators look at the ‘average car’ sold by each manufacturer, or the industry as a whole. In 2005 the average EU car emitted 162 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g/km), far in excess of the agreed voluntary target for 2008 of 140g/km. So the European Commission recently proposed new laws that would force car manufact-
urers to achieve 130g/km by 2012 – to predictable howls of industry protest.
The problem faced here by the car industry is that people who buy new cars tend to prefer larger, faster models. So while car engines have become more efficient, cars have also become heavier and more powerful. Business is mainly about making money, so most car manufacturers have put sales before voluntary standards. The honourable exception is Fiat, which has already met the 140g/km standard, while Citröen and Renault are on track to meet it in 2008.
So what is the best way to get car manufacturers to move to more efficient models? Is it even reasonable to expect all manufacturers to meet the same standard, when some make smaller cars (such as Fiat and Renault), and others make larger cars (such as Audi, Volvo and BMW)? An alternative approach would be to move towards a market-based mechanism.
For example, the EU could impose a Car Inefficiency Levy on the sale of the least efficient cars based on the deviation from a target efficiency level. This could be a simple fund-raising tax (reducing the EU’s take of national VAT receipts). Or it could be revenue-
neutral, using the money raised from sales of gas-guzzlers to subsidise the most efficient cars and so make them a more attractive purchase. Such a system would do wonders to push manufacturers towards more efficient models.
A more sophisticated approach, suggested by Mike McCracken of the Climate Institute in Washington DC, is that car manufacturers should, every year, have to show sufficient permits to cover the CO2 emissions of all the vehicles they have made that are being driven on US roads. These tradable permits would initially be handed out to manufacturers at no charge, based on historical data; they would carry on from year to year, but would be subject to an annual volume decrement. Flexibility would be achieved by allowing companies to borrow allowances from future years, subject to an interest rate that would impose a real cost to do so.
For the sector as a whole, the system would be revenue-neutral, but among the individual car manufact-
urers there would be winners and losers. The winners would be those that introduced more fuel-efficient models, the losers those that continued to sell large, inefficient cars and SUVs. Ultimately the costs faced by the industry would work through to consumers, with more efficient cars gaining a significant price advantage. Manufacturers would also have an incentive to buy up and retire their old vehicles – gas-
guzzlers in particular – since these would represent a continuing cost to them.
Either of these approaches would have advantages over the relatively crude regulatory approach now being considered, as they would allow manufacturers and consumers to exercise free choice in the marketplace, while creating incentives to reward them for ‘right’ choices, and penalties for ‘wrong’ ones.
The McCracken approach in particular has the best prospect for bringing an end to the huge growth in vehicle emissions across the EU, which grew from 21% to 28 % of the EU total from 1990 to 2004, as the emissions cap in the system would be absolute, rather than relative to car numbers. His system could lead manufacturers to contract with owners, whether individuals or fleet managers, to limit their annual mileage, much as car hire companies do today – again, rewarding the frugal at the expense of the profligate. | <urn:uuid:be642a61-b26b-4123-8313-dda1d71d5daf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://resurgence.org/magazine/article104-the-car-inefficiency-levy.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970254 | 929 | 2.78125 | 3 |
Pfizer, J&J Alzheimer's drug fails one of four big trials
(Reuters) - Pfizer Inc said on Monday that its experimental Alzheimer's disease treatment failed to prove effective in one of four high-stakes late-stage trials in patients with mild to moderate forms of the memory-robbing disease.
The trial involved people who carry a variation of a gene called ApoE4 that makes them far more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Pfizer said it and its partner Johnson & Johnson would continue with three other late-stage trials of their medicine, called bapineuzumab, based upon a review by independent safety monitors.
The drug failed to improve cognitive and life function, the primary goals of the trial, compared with patients taking placebos.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated 5 million Americans are believed to have the disease. An estimated 36 million people worldwide are believed to have dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, Pfizer said.
Morningstar analyst Damien Conover said he was not surprised by the failure of the bapineuzumab trial, given the especially high-risk patients involved.
"When people look at the potential for bapineuzumab, the average expectation out there was about 20 percent that it would be approved," Conover said. "If it were to do well, people were anticipating that it would do well in the ApoE4 non carriers, so the odds of this one being successful were even lower."
Pfizer said in a statement that a serious side effect of treatment appeared to be edema, or swelling in the brain, as detected by magnetic resonance imaging. The same side effect was seen in mid-stage trials of bapineuzumab, prompting researchers to shift patients to smaller doses of the drug in far larger Phase III trials.
The failed North American trial was supervised by J&J, which is also heading another Phase III trial in North America involving patients who do not carry the ApoE4 gene variation. Pfizer is conducting a pair of overseas Phase III trials, also involving both ApoE4 carriers and non-carriers.
Bapineuzumab, an injectable monoclonal antibody, works by attacking a protein called beta-amyloid that is believed by many researchers to be a leading cause of Alzheimer's disease.
Most industry analysts have held out little hope that the Pfizer/J&J drug or a similar one being developed by Eli Lilly and Co called solanezumab would succeed in their primary goals of improving cognitive and life function. That is because patients in all the studies already have symptoms and therefore have brain damage that would be difficult to reverse.
Many are holding out hope, however, that bapineuzumab and solanezumab may provide some secondary benefits, such as delaying loss of memory, especially in patients with mildest symptoms. In that case, the drugs might have potential for blockbuster sales because current medicines do not appreciably slow progression of the disease.
Data from the failed trial and from the companion J&J-led study of ApoE4 noncarriers is scheduled to be presented in September at a meeting of the European Federation of Neurological Societies in Stockholm. Limited data from the two trials is expected to be released by Pfizer before the meeting.
"While we are disappointed in the results of this first study, the Phase 2 (mid-stage) trials suggested that ApoE4 non-carriers may have a better chance of benefiting from bapineuzumab than ApoE4 carriers," J&J said in a statement. The company said results of its companion study in non-carriers due later this summer "will shed more light on this possibility."
Pfizer shares were down 1.5 percent in extended trading to $23.25. U.S. traded shares of Irish drugmaker Elan, which has a longstanding financial interest in the drug, fell nearly 17 percent to $11.25. J&J shares eased 0.4 percent to $67.82.
(Reporting By Ransdell Pierson and Bill Berkrot; Editing by Andre Grenon)
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When I completed my internal medicine residency, my fellow trainees knew I was headed for a rural practice in Vermont. Much to my surprise, they gave me a traditional doctor’s black bag – a beautiful leather bag with pockets inside for instruments, tongue depressors, syringes, prescription pads, and all my tools. It was an extraordinarily meaningful gift that acknowledged a launch into my dream: to make a difference in rural New England.
I still have that bag. I carried it in my car on hundreds of house calls over the 20 years of primary care medicine I practiced in Vermont. I enjoy replaying the memories of so many living rooms and bedrooms of housebound patients and people who faced end-of-life. The ophthalmoscope still works; I recently discarded a pile of expired syringes and drugs that were still buried inside.
Today, providers can no longer go to work with a stethoscope and their well-trained brain and hands. In a hospital or an office, few of us need a black leather bag. But we do need information, and in ways we never experienced in our training. Technology is rapidly changing how we approach the bedside examination.
I could not practice as a hospitalist or a primary care physician without access in real-time to medical databases and formularies. Decision support tools are still in their infancy. However, with every patient I see, I consult medical and pharmaceutical database on my smart phone.
Within a very short period of time, I believe we will be using technology to help us care for patients in ways we have not yet fully considered. There are two dimensions of technology that I believe will dramatically improve care and the connection with our patients.
First, bedside diagnostics. Ultrasound has rapidly become the standard of care for practitioners to insert lines. Now portable ultrasound is available for the bedside physical exam. My former medical partner currently spends most of his time on international medical volunteer missions. He carries a portable ultrasound that is only slightly larger than the average smart phone. The probe looks like a tiny flashlight. In villages in remote Nepal, he is able to ultrasound patients to help diagnose serious illnesses that may require transport to tertiary care institutions. As internet and cell phone accessibility improves throughout the world, there are places where he can ship the images to radiologists in the United States to assist with interpreting and making a diagnosis. I think the average physician in developed countries will soon carry a pocket ultrasound for use throughout the day, whether hospital- or office-based.
Second are the incredible opportunities to use cell phone technology to improve the care of chronic illness. The concept of “crowd sourcing” allows patients and their providers to share information that can dramatically improve chronic illness.
Ninety-one percent of people keep their smart phone within 3 feet of them 24 hours a day. An early experiment in the care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease has yielded dramatic improvements in the disease by tracking people’s activities through their cell phone GPS and accelerometer (passive data), and replies to scheduled texts (active feedback). By tracking activity and cell phone use, early warnings about exacerbations of inflammatory bowel disease have led to interventions that have dramatically improved care without any new drugs and with decreased use of steroids. How many other chronic illnesses could benefit from this kind of tracking? A number of researchers and tech start ups are finding out how.
There are companies utilizing texting to assist patients and their primary care physicians in the daily management of their chronic illnesses. Some of these companies even customize the texting to the demographics of the recipient. In other words, a 30-year-old with diabetes will likely respond to certain words that would not be the same for a 70-year-old. A plastic surgeon has published research showing that texting improves postoperative outcomes.
So the doctor bag, or white coat pockets, of 2013 would likely contain a stethoscope, a portable ultrasound and a smart phone or iPad that would enable continuous data streams between providers and patients. This vital exchange of data would monitor and identify variations that can allow individual interventions to improve care.
I am excited that both patients and providers will find this new world of communication and information a better place to be.
Mark Novotny is Chief Medical Officer, Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA. | <urn:uuid:a641fe79-42d3-46e0-8031-bd2e804940f8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2013/01/2-ways-technology-improve-patient-care.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00056-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95442 | 881 | 2.046875 | 2 |
This past Monday, the Justice Department released a document that outlines the legal basis for the Obama administration’s notorious use of the extrajudicial drone program. Although this memo provides the most detailed reasoning for the administration’s secretive policy to date, the memo is not official documentation and contains serious loopholes.
For example, one of the loopholes concerns what the administration considers to be an imminent threat. On one hand, the memo asserts that no one can be targeted unless he is an operational leader and poses an imminent violent threat to the nation. But if you read further into the document, the definition of “imminent” is infinitely broadened to the point that it loses any real meaning: The United States is not required “to have clear evidence that a specific attack will take place in the immediate future.” So the legal threshold for carrying out a drone attack is very weak because the target does not have to be in the process of planning a specific attack on United States — he must simply be suspected of involvement in general terrorist activities, whatever that means.
Moreover, not only is the power on what constitutes an imminent threat expanded but also limits on this power cannot be enforced in any court: “the Department notes that under the circumstances described in this paper, there exists no appropriate judicial forum to evaluate these constitutional considerations.” There is no way to check the constitutional legality of this issue. How convenient. This self-authorization sets a dangerous precedent for future administrations. The number of people killed by drone strikes is about 4,000 — the official number is not released by the administration — and this includes four Americans.
Of course, there may be a context in which the government can use legal force for an imminent threat, but this should only be done under very narrow circumstances. For example, if a police officer sees someone with a gun on the street, the officer should not seek to obtain a warrant from a court. Obviously, the threat is imminent in that case.
The release of this document is also relevant in light of John Brennan’s nomination to become the head of the CIA since Brennan has been closely involved with the drone program. The vote for his confirmation will take place later this week. Hopefully the Senate Republicans and Democrats will pose constructive questions about this memo to Brennan. Given the recent confirmation hearing with Chuck Hagel, however, this hope is unfounded.
A version of this article appeared in the Feb. 6 print edition. Email the WSN Editorial Board at firstname.lastname@example.org.
- Weekend Roam: Little Germany
- WSN Editorial Board reflects on spring semester events
- Strawberry Festival promises delicious, intergalactic fun
- Clive Davis Institute collaborates with DJ Swivel
- Best places to dine on dumplings
- 'Heroes' is not super enough for Xbox Live film program launch
- NYU SLAM sees victory through 'badidas' campaign
- Victoria Ettore elected student council president
- Hester Street Fair hosts diverse vendors, delicious food | <urn:uuid:a8680609-ddf9-4e2d-bb0e-c6f7f9a057f4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://nyunews.com/2013/02/06/house-49/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930551 | 619 | 1.773438 | 2 |
Encyclopedia of Jazz Musicians
Krantz, Wayne (Meredith)
Wayne Krantz incorporates blues, rock and country influences into an improvisational style which has proven influential the post-fusion world of jazz guitar. In collaborations with guitarist Leni Stern, saxophonists Chris Potter and Dave Binney among many others, he has demonstrated that there is still more to be done with the guitar in the jazz idiom.
Wayne Meredith Krantz was born on July 26, 1956 in Corvallis, Oregon. As a child, Krantz was exposed to several different styles of music including the classical stylings of composer Claude Debussy and the sheer power of rock band Jethro Tull. At an early age, Wayne studied the piano, but it wasn’t until he heard The Beatles that he decided to think seriously about a possible future in music. Another band that further influenced his decision to become a musician was the rock band Sons of Champlin.
Around the age of fourteen, Krantz decided to switch to the guitar and began to perform with local rock and country groups. While in high school, Wayne began to listen to jazz by way of his father’s vast record collection. One guitarist he was particularly amazed with was Barney Kessel, who soon became an influence. Upon graduating from high school, Krantz enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
While attending Berklee, Krantz supplemented his education by performing with local groups such as the D Sharp Group, which included guitarist Bill Frisell. He graduated from Berklee in 1979 and stayed in the Boston area for several years. From 1980 until 1981, Krantz took private lessons with local teacher Charlie Banacos, whose students included guitarist Mike Stern.
In 1985, Krantz moved to New York City and began to perform with pianist Carla Bley. During a tour with Bley, Leni Stern heard Wayne and decided to include him on her 1988 album Secrets. The following year, he performed on Stern’s album Closer to the Light as well as bassist Victor Bailey’s album Bottom’s Up. The latter album also features the talents of alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts.
In 1990, Krantz recorded with bassist Michael Formanek on his album Wide Open Spaces and continued to perform with him on a regular basis until October 1992. 1990 also Wayne releasing his debut album Signals for the Enja label. The album includes the musical talents of Leni Stern, bassists Hiram Bullock and Anthony Jackson and drummer Dennis Chambers.
1991 proved to be a rather prolific year in Krantz’s professional life. In addition to performing with drummer Billy Cobham, Wayne recorded with Formanek on his album Extended Animation as well as Stern’s Ten Songs. The following year, he began to perform with Michael Brecker as well as teach at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland.
In 1993, Krantz formed a trio with bassist Lincoln Goines and drummer Zach Danziger. The group’s incorporation of different styles gave Wayne a suitable platform to showcase his unconventional technique. The group recorded the album Long to Be Loose in February 1993, though it was not released until 1995. The album’s opening number “These Instrumental Pieces Were” is a great example of the album’s efforts.
The solo composition is a prime model of Krantz’s affinity for merging several styles into one song. Wayne delivers the chords by performing with a country style that utilizes pedalpoints and sustained pitches high in the instrument’s register. This style along with brief sections of jazz oriented phrasing allows him to unite different layers that he can switch to at any given point.
With his trio, Krantz began to perform at the 55 Bar in New York City where he maintained a Thursday night residency on and off for over ten years. In 1994, Krantz served as an arranger for drummer Jeff Williams’ album Coalescence for the Steeplechase label. In 1995, he released 2 Drink Minimum, his first live album. Recorded at the 55 Bar, the album features the compositions “Dream Called Love” and “Alliance/Secrets.” The latter song is an excellent example of the ensemble at its best.
The song showcases Krantz’s fusion inspired phrasing with guitar effects and other ornamentations. At times Wayne’s style sounds like guitarist Al Di Meola and at times he sounds like an electrified version of country guitarist Chet Atkins. This blend of different styles along with his warm timbre serves to create a frenzied atmosphere that he perfectly executes. The atmosphere is further enhanced by Goines, who performs with a slightly laid back style that serves as the cohesive element between Krantz and Danziger.
From 1996 until 1997, Krantz toured as a member of the jazz-influenced pop group Steely Dan, an association that helped boost his profile in the pop-music world. 1996 also saw Wayne accepting a position at the University of North Texas, a position he held for a year. The following year, Wayne recorded an album of duets with Stern entitled Separate Cages. In 1998, upon leaving his position at North Texas, he taught at both New York University and Berklee.
The following year, Krantz recorded with Victor Bailey on the bassist’s album Low Blow. In the late 1990s, Wayne formed a new trio with bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Keith Carlock and in 1999 they released the album Greenwich Mean. The album was praised by fans and critics alike with Guitar Player magazine calling it “dynamic; vivid...rife with surprising harmonic moves and tongue-twister melodies.”
In 2002, Krantz contributed to keyboardist/saxophonist David Binney’s album Balance for the Act label. The album also featured Lefebvre, drummer Jim Black, vocalist Tanya Henri, saxophonist Donny McCaslin and guitarist Adam Rogers. Beginning in 2004, Wayne became a member of the faculty at the Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music at the Banff Centre in Banff, Canada. On May 22, 2004, he married vocalist Gabriela Anders, daughter of Argentine clarinetist and saxophonist Jorge Anders.
In 2005, Krantz released his book An Improviser’s Operating System, a book that outlines and explains his approach to improvisation. In 2006, Wayne performed with tenor saxophonist Chris Potter on his album Underground. The album was praised by fans and critics alike and reached the number eleven position on Billboard Magazine’s Top Jazz Albums Chart. His talents on the album can best be heard on the album’s third song “Nudnik.”
The song begins with a brief introduction from Potter before Krantz and electric pianist Craig Taborn enter the arrangement by playing brief motifs that Potter improvises over. The three melodic instruments then begin to play a melodic device in unison before Chris plays a chromatic phrase that Wayne helps to enhance by playing chords over. Krantz perfectly balances the different qualities of the song by switching between a light tone for certain parts and a distorted tone when needed. Along with Taborn, Wayne’s precise performance serves to elevate the song into new and exciting places.
The same year, Krantz performed with Steely Dan co-founder Donald Fagen on his album Morph the Cat. On June 28, 2007, Wayne performed his final recurring Thursday night gig at the 55 Bar. On August 18, 2009, he released the album Krantz Carlock Lefebvre along with Keith Carlock and Tim Lefebvre on the Abstract Logix label.
Krantz lives with his wife and daughter Marley in New York City where he continues to compose and perform.
Select Discography As a leader
As a leader
Long to Be Loose (1995)
2 Drink Minimum (1995)
Greenwich Mean (1999)
Krantz Carlock Lefebvre (2009)
With Victor Bailey
Bottom’s Up (1989)
Low Blow (1999)
With David Binney
With Donald Fagen
Morph the Cat (2006)
With Michael Formanek
Wide Open Spaces (1990)
Extended Animation (1991)
With Chris Potter
With Leni Stern
Closer to the Light (1989)
Ten Songs (1991)
Separate Cages (1997)
Contributor: Eric Wendell | <urn:uuid:9c2827be-aae0-4893-92ec-9f05dbeabdd3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.jazz.com/encyclopedia/krantz-wayne-meredith | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00068-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955833 | 1,820 | 1.851563 | 2 |
We’re excited to announce that our book club will be reading Mark Richard’s memoir, “House of Prayer No. 2,” in June. We were captivated by the book, which is quite unusual. It moves between tenses and voices, times and places, nightmares and dreams with improbable ease. It charts a journey from a difficult and disturbing childhood (Richard, who grew up in Virginia, was a “special child,” which, he writes, “in the South means one between Down’s and dyslexic”) to a successful writing career (he won the PEN/Hemingway award for his first fiction collection in 1989, and the following year published a story in The New Yorker); it also charts the author’s spiritual awakening.
Normally, we’d stick to fiction for summer, but this is the only season in which to read “House of Prayer No. 2.” The book is filled with the heat of a long-lost American South, one with stronger ties to the era of the Civil War than to our own. Here’s a paragraph taken from the opening chapter (which moves—so strangely!—between the second-person imperative and the third-person present):
Move the family to a tobacco county in Southside Virginia. It is the early sixties, and black families still get around on mule and wagon. Corn grows up to the backs of houses even in town. Crosses burn in yards of black families and Catholics. Crew cut the special child’s hair in the barbershop where all the talk is of niggers and nigger-lovers. Give the child the responsibility of another playmate, the neighbor two houses down, Dr. Jim. When Dr. Jim was the child’s age, Lee left his army at Appomattox. When Dr. Jim falls down between the corn rows he is always hoeing, the child must run for help. Sometimes the child just squats beside Dr. Jim sprawled in the corn and listens to Dr. Jim talking to the sun. Sometimes in the orange and grey dust when the world is empty, the child lies in the cold backyard grass and watches the thousand starlings swarm Dr. Jim’s chimneys, and the child feels like he is dying in an empty world.
We get chills every time we read this passage. We hope it grabs you as it did us, and that you’ll join us this month in reading and discussing Richard’s book. The conversation kicks off this week. | <urn:uuid:9d685c23-4ac2-4871-ba0e-401d762f5df3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/bookclub/2011/05/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958027 | 537 | 1.867188 | 2 |
Vermonters Must Work Together to Revitalize Brownfields, Markowitz Says
June 23, 2011
Vermont's government, businesses and local communities must work together to redevelop the state's many brownfields, Vermont Secretary of Natural Resources Deb Markowitz told a Vermont Law School conference on June 23.
Markowitz addressed the "Brown to Green 2011" conference, which was intended to give developers and their professional advisors the tools for identifying, transacting and redeveloping brownfields in Vermont.
Brownfields are vacant, abandoned or substantially underused industrial sites in need of clean up from contamination.
"We're not going to accomplish this by government alone," Markowitz said. "Each of us (in the public and private sectors) needs to take responsibility. Individual contributions can make a great difference if we work together."
The secretary urged developers to first look at redeveloping brownfields, which are often located in urban areas, before turning to open green space beyond city centers.
She said the key is helping developers, real estate agents, bankers, insurers, lawyers and others to become more sophisticated in how to revitalize brownfields and for Vermont to adopt a better economic and legal infrastructure to assist them.
"Early involvement by the ANR is the key to your success," she said. "We want to be pro-active."
Markowitz said the ANR's goal is to redevelop three to five brownfields each year that are complex, high profile and crucial for local communities. Such cases will serve as models of success for further projects, she said.
Panelists included private practitioners, law school professors, government attorneys and program personnel from federal, state and regional brownfields programs. Conference sessions guided participants through the transactions and site preparation process. Emphasis was placed on the state and federal regulatory framework, practical risk management vehicles, environmental investigation, and utilization of financial and technical assistance programs.
The event was sponsored by VLS's Land Use Institute, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and Vermont Bar Association. | <urn:uuid:af12301c-9727-4748-b3fa-7b74f0ece0e0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://vermontlaw.edu/News_and_Events/News/Vermonters_Must_Work_Together_to_Revitalize_Brownfields_Markowitz_Says.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953075 | 415 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Lafayette General Medical Center has put extra control measures in place in response to the recent swine influenza health advisory from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The hospital has also sent out an internal health alert to all employees, with basic facts about the disease, and has given hospital phone operators a basic script to follow for calls about swine flu.
"We are working to educate our employees, so we can better educate the public, on the facts about this infection," says Joan Stokes, Lafayette General Infection Control Practitioner. "People should try not to panic; we are treating this event like a severe seasonal influenza. Fortunately, the hospital has the basic procedures in place to deal with infectious disease spread by respiratory droplets, and are asking all employees to step up hand washing efforts, droplet precautions and surveillance."
As part of normal infection control procedures, influenza cases confirmed through the LGMC laboratory are monitored and reported to the Louisiana Office of Public Health (OPH) on a weekly basis throughout the year. Any trends noted are also immediately reported. At this time, per OPH, the hospital is not testing for the swine influenza strain (A/H1N1), but additional specimen collection protocol is in place.
"All clinical areas have been instructed to collect two nasal swabs when testing for influenza," says Stokes. "One will be used for rapid testing diagnosis, and the other will be refrigerated for subsequent testing if needed. In addition, as of April 24, Emergency Department physicians are screening patients for travel to the infected areas. This also includes those who have been in contact with ill persons from these areas in the 7 days prior to their illness onset."
Other preparations at Lafayette General continue apace. Any patients with influenza-like symptoms are provided a mask to avoid droplet transmission at triage. Stokes reports that microbiology is taking a count of existing rapid influenza test kits, and ordering more, while pharmacy is evaluating the hospital's stock of Tamiflu, an antiviral.
"Having good day-to-day protocols helps us to be ready to deal with this situation," concludes Stokes.
As the largest, full-service, acute-care medical center in the nine parishes of Acadiana, Lafayette General Medical Center's mission is to improve, maintain and restore the health of those in the community. The hospital is committed to quality, as evidenced by recent HealthGrades� Awards: Patient Safety Excellence, 2009, and Spine Surgery Excellence, 2009. For more information, visit http://www.lafayettegeneral.com/. | <urn:uuid:fff6da83-f7f4-4b46-bdce-a2a95ed96172> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lafayettegeneral.com/news/Hospital-Responds-to-Swine-Influenza-Health-Advisory?Sort=date | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948579 | 530 | 2.296875 | 2 |
Conservation Q&A Web Chat Answers Backyard Birding and other Wildlife Questions
Join the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) for an hour-long web chat on Friday, April 20, 2012, at noon to have your backyard birding as well as other wildlife and fishing questions answered. To join the chat on the day of the event visit www.outdooralabama.com/chat
, between noon and 1 p.m. You can also send yourself an email reminder about the chat from the chat page before April 20.
This Conservation Q&A web chat will feature birding specialist and wildlife biologist Carrie Johnson. WFF specialists in the fields of wildlife, fisheries, and conservation enforcement will also be available to answer your other wildlife, hunting, and fishing related questions live.
As many questions as possible will be answered during the hour. However, due to time constraints all questions may not be answered. The chat will be archived on the website so it can be read in its entirety following the event. To read the archived chats visit, www.outdooralabama.com/chat/archive/
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com . | <urn:uuid:089ca151-3162-48b2-8488-283f7d4532ff> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://Lakepoint.ProShop@dcnr.alabama.gov/news/PrintNews.cfm?ID=1032 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00067-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924021 | 295 | 1.757813 | 2 |
This is the fourth and final posting of our silly science” theme week. I've saved this one for last, because when I first read it I was slack-jawed with amazement. Yep, sixty years ago in these United States we had a whole different mindset about gender roles, did we not? I grew up in that era; my mom was a housewife and stuck to her “traditional female” role. It was how we saw the world, and role-reversal is the gimmick of this story, from Mystery in Space #8 (1952). Boys reading it in those days would think this would never happen! When Mrs. Pappy and I got married in 1969 the feminists (we called them “women's libbers”) were making headlines, and from my own spouse I could feel the change a-comin’!
In 1971 feminism was so threatening to some men that a book like this could be published.
This Mystery in Space story, written by John Broome under the pen-name John Osgood, and drawn by Bob Oksner and Bernard Sachs, had a publication history that straddled the feminist movement, before and after. It was reprinted the same year as The Feminists, in 1971 in From Beyond the Unknown #11 (where I first saw it), and in 1980 in the Simon and Schuster compilation, Mysteries in Space, the Best of DC’s Science Fiction Comics.
The last two panels of the story are howlers. You'll see when you read them. Talk about a male fantasy. “Okay, you chicks had your fun, now move on over and the boys are back in charge!” As all of us have noticed in our 2012 society that kind of talk may have worked in 1952, but not now. | <urn:uuid:f0c44fe8-83b0-45c5-b013-ea0dd1a073fd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://pappysgoldenage.blogspot.com/2012/12/number-1276-its-womans-world.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.980435 | 373 | 2.203125 | 2 |
Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School
I wanted to not only capture the grandeur of Gothic architecture, but also to highlight the minute details and beauty in its often overlooked intricacies and craftsmanship. Inveniret Libertatem shows my journey to find beauty in places people often overlook. It highlights the amazing things that are waiting to be discovered in Gothic buildings and encourages people to look to find fascinating things. I hope my work shows my love for architecture and helps the audience appreciate the beauty of long-forgotten architecture.
Influencing artists: Gothic architecture, Shaun Tan, Catherine O’Donnell, Francisco Goya, MC Escher, Kurt Wenner
How do we define beauty in our built environment? What do you personally consider to be beautiful architecture? Develop a series of work that, like Payne, looks at details you consider beautiful that others might overlook.
Research the work of David Stephenson. In his Domes series, the artist has attempted to convey a spiritual quality in his work. Discuss whether, as viewers, you think he has been successful. | <urn:uuid:8c1aedf6-ed33-475d-9f39-ddcc6861424b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/insideartexpress/2013/laura_payne/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956009 | 220 | 1.976563 | 2 |
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If you have a toolbar or software program you can’t identify or remove from your computer system, don’t panic. Hard-to-remove programs can be a little off-putting, but they’re not always viruses or malicious programs that you have to fear. Once you teach yourself how to remove those hard-to-remove programs, you’ll always have options for getting rid of software you don’t want on your computer.
Harmful…or Just Annoying? Continue reading
Making the decision to become a child therapist is an admirable one. For those who choose to work within our nation’s schools, their efforts could be considered a calling. Understanding the impact a therapist can have when the work within the framework of our education system can make it easier to make the decision to enter this challenging, but very rewarding field. Continue reading
If you have been thinking about an occupational therapists position in the pediatric field, you may wonder what it’s all about. You may also have questions about what sort of training you need in order to become a pediatric occupational therapist. This field is one of the most rewarding line of work in the world of medicine. In a nutshell, you will work to develop and execute a program of occupational therapy techniques specifically designed to treat children, including infants and toddlers.
The Job Defined
Children, infants, and toddlers often need the assistance of a pediatric occupational therapist to address problems in several critical developmental areas. These areas include: Continue reading
Journalism is all about exploring and reporting the events. However journalism is a very vast and enormous field and it includes many different aspects and professions. Whatever the field and mode is, journalism in a nutshell is a trend to present the report to the audience in a timely fashion.
Journalism covers both federal and non federal organizations. As the media is expanding so is expanding the demand and importance of the journalists. Journalism in print media is totally different with that in journalism in multimedia but they all work for the audiences.
The journalism is broadly divided into three categories documentary, photojournalism, and editing. Being a journalist is a highly responsible job and also very challenging and demanding. Not everyone can be a journalist. If you want to choose journalism as your career, you need to presentable firstly. No matter which field of journalism you are related to, confidence and presenting ability are the two main requisites to be a successful journalist. You must be confident enough to present the accurate and precise information to the viewers or the readers. Continue reading
Teaching online is the not the same experience as teaching in front of classroom full of students. Teachers must accept a more detached experience in teaching without any face-to-face interaction. There is no live discussion that can take place, and this lack of back-and-forth is not for everyone considering a teaching profession. But for those who enjoy the freedom that comes with virtual instruction with student from all over the country – or beyond – then teaching online can be a marvelous experience. Continue reading
Most people enjoy taking photographs of their latest vacation, their children or anything else that interests them. However, an education in photography is beneficial if you want to take your photography to the next level. Not only will you learn the basics of photography but you’ll find out a wealth of information that can help everyone from the novice to the expert.
The first thing you will want to do is to find out where classes in photography are being held. An excellent resource is your local college. There, you can typically find classes that focus on photography and media. In fact, you can start out with the basics such as where to find the best DSLR cameras and how to use them. Continue reading
From the very birth of the country, essays have served as an important tool for relaying substantive information. That tradition, although now somewhat muted, has continued in the modern education system on examinations and is an important indicator of student comprehension.
In Revolutionary times, political statements against the British crown were often conveyed in an essay written surreptitiously and distributed to an eager public. No one can deny a slew of essays by the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine were extremely influential in turning colonial sentiment against the British and inspiring the revolt that ultimately ended with independence.
In later times, brave abolitionists – in the northern United States mostly – used pen and ink to start the long march toward emancipation for slaves who had been held for generations by wealthy southern landholders. In fact, Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – in which slaves were officially freed by the United States government – stands the test of time as one of the most profound and important essays ever written.
School is a great place for students and teachers. A lot of people think that an education degree means you have no choice but to be a teacher, unless you want to ignore your degree or go back to school for another one. However, there are actually several careers out there that make use of an education degree but don’t require you to teach a class. Some allow you to work in a school environment but don’t even require a teaching degree, though they all require specialized training. The following are a few professions you might consider.
A reading specialist is an individual who helps children with special needs to read. In some cases this entails reading to the student, while in other cases it means that the specialist helps the student to become a better reader. Ultimately, the goal is to aid the student in their reading comprehension, but keeping them moving at the class’s speed is also important.
There is something beautiful about having a child that loves to read. Unfortunately, that isn’t as likely as it once was. Children would rather watch TV, play video games or do anything but read. Usually the reason is that reading has become boring. Children are forced to read stories and books that don’t interest them and the act of reading becomes more of a chore. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are just a few of the tricks for encouraging kids to read.
Set an Example
If you never read, why would your child want to? Make reading look like something enjoyable. Let your children see you curl up with a book, read a magazine while making dinner or visit the library several times a month. Children learn by example and if you make reading look fun, they may want to try it as well.
It’s what you’ve dreamed of your entire life. Your going to open those doors tomorrow and walk into a brand new adventure as first year teacher. It sounds fun, right? Unfortunately, the first year can be rough for new teachers. Not only is it easy to feel overwhelmed, but students like to take advantage of new teachers. Before you to start to feel discouraged, take heart in the fact that there are things you can do to prevent a bad experience. Here are just five encouraging tips for first year teachers.
Staying Healthy Will Make You More Productive
The classroom is one of the most germ filled places you will ever encounter. This is why it’s necessary to eat healthily, exercise, get enough sleep and take medication that prevents colds, such as Zicam. You should also wash your hands regularly and insist that your students do as well. Cleaning down the classroom after the students have gone home with a sanitizer is another great way to prevent the spread of germs. Last, but not least, encourage proper habits in children when it comes to sneezing and coughing. | <urn:uuid:fe79fc7d-a267-49ee-9ea9-96b832129504> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.unmsp.org/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963467 | 1,604 | 1.773438 | 2 |
Genealogical Relations with Libraries
Most libraries have genealogical materials in their collections. The questions are: Should there be a separate genealogical collection? How large should it be? What should it contain? What should a genealogical society's role be in its development, growth, preservation, and the reference service for it?
Answers to these questions and additional ideas are presented in this paper.
Libraries set their own service objectives or collection development policies.
A society’s objective should be to see that there are genealogical materials available in a local library to assist the genealogists of the local community, surrounding communities or service areas. The society should also ensure public access to additional genealogical materials that may be provided by other libraries through interlibrary loan.
Types of Libraries
City, county, and regional public libraries are not the only libraries that may be interested in expanding their genealogical holdings. There are also historical societies and college and university libraries (tax supported, private, denominational and secular) to consider.
Local history, local biography and local genealogy are inseparable. Many public libraries have fine collections in regard to these three subjects. Some county histories, biographies and genealogies may need to be selected and acquired through a correlated effort by the libraries of a county or a region. If permitted, societies could help with this correlation. Members could prepare a union catalog of genealogical holdings for libraries without online catalogs.
No library can collect all these same types of materials that relate to their patrons' ancestors from other communities throughout the world. Therefore, interlibrary loans and referrals are very necessary. Fortunately, the Internet and Web sites for family genealogists can help, as long as the researcher obtains documentation for information thus acquired.
Space: If a society requests a separate section, area, or a room for the genealogical collection in a library, then it may be necessary for them to raise the funds for its construction, furnishings, and maintenance. Under such an agreement the library could also ask the society for funds for staffing such a facility, as well as requesting an endowment. 0f course, very few societies could afford any such requirements.
Security: Special sections, areas, rooms, locked cases, and other security devices are the jurisdiction of the library and should not be suggested or demanded by societies.
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS 1
Reference Service: Assisting genealogists with their research in a library is part reference, part referral, and part tutorial.
Reference: Librarians are trained to interview patrons to determine their needs and then refer them to the appropriate tools. In many cases they help patrons find answers, as well as teaching them how to use the library and the reference materials recommended. In libraries where the librarians are also trained or experienced in genealogical research, librarians may not wish to relinquish all of the interviewing, teaching, and advising to genealogist volunteers.
When the library requests or allows a society to have genealogist volunteers provide all or some of the reference services concerning genealogy, the society's volunteers have an obligation to learn as much as possible of the reference skills that are required of a librarian to serve the genealogy patrons.
Referrals: For recommending additional libraries, archives, agencies and services, volunteers need to know where these places are and what they have and can do for genealogists. For example, know the reference tools that contain addresses, know what the services and holdings are of the nearest Family History Center, and be able to identify other libraries and archives of the area with materials of use to genealogists.
Tutorials: Tutoring for genealogical research generally includes helping patrons to fill out pedigree charts and family group records, and to learn how to use various research tools and equipment. It may also include assisting a patron with the reading of difficult parts of a record and interpreting contents of records.
Library Policy for Volunteers: Society volunteers must adhere to the library policies concerning library volunteers and must know the emergency procedures of the library.
Library Liability Policy: Many libraries have a standard liability policy for volunteers, and genealogical societies should make sure that all of their volunteers are protected by it.
Training: Some libraries offer and require a general volunteer training program. A few libraries may also have a special training program for genealogical volunteers. Nevertheless, the society should have its own program to augment any library training.
Badges: Society volunteers should wear a badge stating that they are volunteers.
All society projects planned and intended for the library should meet with the approval of the librarian in charge of the genealogical collection and its services.
The following are project examples:
- Survey society members and library genealogical patrons concerning their research interests and needs.
- Determine what the prominent national and ethnic groups of the library's community are and offer suggestions to the collection development librarian as to the genealogical reference materials that may assist these groups.
- If permitted, assist the librarian with (free, or for the cost of postage and photoduplication), the library's genealogical correspondence.
- Index the obituaries of the area newspapers.
- Create every–name indexes to city and county histories and federal censuses (and state censuses, if they exist).
- Abstract and create every–name indexes of vital records, probates, and land records.
- Compile tax lists and/or voter records for dates of genealogical value that are not covered by other records such as census schedules.
- Maintain a genealogical page(s) that is part of the library's Web site. Note: the library Web site should be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act2 making the Web site easy to navigate, containing large print and few graphics.
The demands of the library Web site and general genealogical correspondence can be lightened with a society page and participation in the online GenWeb program available at USGenWeb. A society page or Web site should be linked to as many quality area sites as possible.
Fund Raising: The society may wish to conduct fund-raising projects to augment funds contributed from membership dues. 3 These funds could be contributed for the acquisition of genealogical materials. LIBRARY NEGOTIATIONS All negotiations should be made with the library director or appropriate staff persons. Only at an impasse should a society approach the governing board, and not before informing the library director of such a plan. LIBRARY CONTRACTS A formal contract, not just a “handshake” agreement, is advisable if a portion of a society’s contributed funds will be expended for genealogical materials or other support of the library's genealogical collection. For an example of a contract, see footnote 4 . POSSIBILITY OF EVICTION Occasionally, and usually because of the lack of space, some libraries have reduced, or asked societies to accept and remove the library's genealogical collection. A society may, through negotiation with the library director, convince a director to move a collection to a branch library, if it has any.
Retention Justification: One helpful evidence to defend keeping the genealogical collection may be statistics of the genealogical collection’s use, including use by visiting genealogists and how they beneficially impact the economy of the community in which the library is located. Another statistic that may help is to illustrate the number of genealogical volunteers who have aided the library, the hours served, and the longevity of some volunteers’ service. If negotiations with the library director are not successful, inform the director that the society will ask for negotiations with the library's governing board. In some cases, it may be useful to try to obtain the services of an independent arbitrator.
Another option is to ask other libraries if they would accept transfer of the genealogical collection. Possibilities are historical societies, college or university libraries, church libraries, adjacent counties’ libraries, their genealogical societies or historical societies. The final solution may be to create a society library. Be sure to consider the disadvantages, problems, and expenses related to this solution.
NOTES 1. The Federation of Genealogical Societies, Society Strategies Series, Set 1:14. “Strategies for Societies, Volunteers: Finding Them & Keeping Them.” by Karen Clifford, Austin, Texas: FGS, 1998. This paper has many recommendations that should be applied to society volunteers serving in libraries.
2. Minow, Mary. “Does Your Library's Web Page Violate the Americans with Disabilities Act?” California Libraries 9 (April 1999): 8– 9. 3. The following publications offer useful fund raising ideas: the Federation of' Genealogical Societies, Society Strategies Series, Set 1:4, “Strategies for Societies, Projects for Fundraising.” by Sandra Luebking, Austin, Texas: FGS, 1992; and Fundraising for the Small Public Library: A How To–Do–It Manual for Librarians, by James Swan, New York: Neal-Schuman, 1990. 4. The Federation of' Genealogical Societies, Society Strategies Series, Set 3:3, “Moving Your Collection to a Public Library,” by Edward E. Steele. Austin, Texas: FGS, 2000. 5. Ibid. ABOUT THE AUTHOR J. Carlyle Parker, Librarian and University Archivist, Emeritus, California State University, Stanislaus; author of several genealogical reference tools; and founder and director (volunteer), Modesto California Family History Center, 1968–1990, and Turlock California Family History Center, 1990–1997. | <urn:uuid:bf439f8f-e2d8-4a20-a527-2f2e67818f21> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.fgs.org/mwiki/index.php?title=Genealogical_Relations_with_Libraries&oldid=74 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00021-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.917818 | 2,017 | 2.921875 | 3 |
For all the ink and pixels wasted on media technology we’ve missed a once-in-500-years sea change who’s primary units of production are two fold: mobile data traffic and impotent rage.
Some will consider it heretical to discuss religion as media but it is impossible to argue that the bible did not provide the narratives around which pre-20th century life coalesced. A bad harvest invoked Job, suffering neighbors were assisted by Good Samaritan. Grace was spoken before meals. The rural population, mostly everybody, took a weekly bath on Saturday and headed to church the next day, the only time they would see non-family members.
The stories changed from the New Testament to Amos and Andy but the purpose and attraction– collective narratives – was the same. Movies, television, again, just an enhanced version of the same thing.
One can argue that internet-based entertainment is just an extension of this trend but one would be wrong. Church, radio, television were all passive – the audience showed up or tuned in when they were told. The Internet is a tool of self-selection.
The last time consumers were granted such an upward spike in empowerment – the printing press/Reformation – things did not go well for a couple hundred years. Importantly, the initial reaction was the same then: you lied to us.
But whatever, things will go the way they go. For our purposes let’s turn to what this new Internet-led empowerment was used for, best described in a brilliant essay by Freddie Deboer:
The internet has provided tremendous functionality, for facilitating commerce, communication, research, entertainment, and more. Yet for a comparatively small but influential group of its most dedicated users, its most important feature, the killer app, is its power as an all-purpose sorting mechanism, one that separates the worthy from the unworthy—and in doing so, gives some meager semblance of purpose to generations whose lives are largely defined by purposelessness.
This is why an increasingly virtual culture needs an economics of social hierarchy. The western world is now wealthy enough that the necessities of life – food, warmth, shelter etc – are provided in extremis and therefore have little economic value. If practical utility is no longer important what does have value are things that make me feel better/of a higher social strata than you. The Water/Diamonds Conundrum goes away.
Let’s posit that the social hierarchy of the Internet (and particularly social media) is scored not by money but by attention and influence. Twitter followers are not just arbitrary votes of support in this reading – they are currency. So, if love and money are by popular consensus the root cause of all murders, and Twitter followers are the new currency, it is no wonder how vicious the shoutfest gets online.
“That’s stupid”, you say. “I can’t spend Twitter followers so the whole notion is stupid. They have no value”. Fair point – online influence carries no practical utility unless your name is Josh Brown or Joe Wiesenthal. New followers won’t get you fed, but that’s what the government’s for, no? The robots tuk’erjerbs, man. You’re not going to let me starve are you?
Denying value to social media also understates the normal, human, Pavlovian response to interaction and acceptance. For one, the potential to more or less design a perfect, if virtual, version of ourselves completely independent of physical attractiveness is deeply, deeply tempting. RTs from television personalities are both largely pointless and a perfectly-designed machine for dopamine production. Most of us are just built that way.
Crap, this is getting too long. I intended to guess at more aggregate economic effects of the virtualization of human interaction. It dovetails nicely with Izabella Kaminska’s insanely good work on The New Abundance (will wealth move online?). Kids are already not bothering to get their driver’s lisence and Google has stolen 90% of the advertising revenue that used to go to print media. Mobile data traffic is still doubling every year. The Wii is only five or six steps away from a Holodeck. Jesus, what happens then? | <urn:uuid:c34451f8-f7b2-46d6-a274-d381dfd68197> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://interloping.com/2013/01/12/social-hierarchy-economics-twitter-followers-as-the-new-money-supply/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00053-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951442 | 885 | 1.664063 | 2 |
Due stamp issued to collect unpaid postage.
Meter - A device that can print one or more denominations of postage onto a mailpiece or meter tape. It is available for lease only from designated manufacturers.( Go Back to Previous Page )
Payment for delivery service that is affixed or imprinted to a mailpiece, usually in the form of a postage stamp, permit imprint, or meter stamp.
To dream of postage stamps, denotes system and remuneration in business. If you try to use cancelled stamps, you will fall into disrepute. To receive stamps, signifies a rapid rise to distinction. To see torn stamps, denotes that there are obstacles in your way.
the fee charged for sending an item through the mail.
the charge for mailing something
the price established for transporting mail | <urn:uuid:08adc0c8-c993-4189-9479-2b78882572c6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.metaglossary.com/terms/postage/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.910632 | 163 | 2.125 | 2 |
Israel today boasts one of the world’s most dynamic economies and one of the most diverse populations. Yet, it also has the second largest gap between the rich and poor in the OECD: 1.8 million men, women and children live below the poverty line and 39% of Israelis find it difficult to live on their current income.
JDC partners with the Israeli government to create strategies and solutions to combat the country’s biggest internal challenges.
By investing in Israel’s most precious resource—its people—JDC helps the country ensure that it can provide for its most vulnerable, foster greater equality of opportunity, leverage its human capital, and strengthen its future as a nation.
Working with the State and a variety of local partners to ensure the greatest possible impact, JDC in Israel works to:
- Secure Promise for Israel’s Youngest Tens of thousands of Israel’s children and teenagers live on the margins of society, lacking a safe home environment, suffering from neglect, and dropping out of school. One out of three Israeli children is poor; many are born into struggling and disadvantaged families and face overwhelming challenges. JDC’s early childhood and youth-at-risk programs give underprivileged Israeli kids the skills, knowledge, and sense of self to break out of the cycle of poverty and become the country’s leaders of tomorrow.
- Ensure Financial Independence for Every Israeli Israel has one of the highest underemployment rates in the developed world, a grave and unsustainable situation JDC is pioneering groundbreaking initiatives to correct. Every adult—Ethiopian and FSU immigrants, Israelis with disabilities, Israeli Arabs, ultra-orthodox Jews—should feel that they have the ability and responsibility to support their children both emotionally and financially. JDC programs focus on bringing Israelis from every community into the workforce.
- Care for Israel’s Elderly in Need One in three seniors in Israel lives under the poverty line—be they immigrants, Holocaust survivors, or Halutzim. JDC develops innovative services that provide for the needs of these elderly and cares for them in a way that preserves their dignity.
DID YOU KNOW
JDC has helped over 75,000 chronically unemployed Israelis prepare for and find employment. Based on a successful vocational training model that’s enabled thousands of Haredim to support their families, JDC is working with the State of Israel to build a network of one-stop employment centers throughout the country to integrate Israeli Arabs, Bedouins, and Druze into the workforce. | <urn:uuid:2942d41b-4f23-46d4-b94d-6ad814b0049d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.jdc.org/where-we-work/israel/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942407 | 519 | 2.203125 | 2 |
Sharecropping was an agricultural labor system
Sharecropping developed, then, as a system that theoretically benefited both parties. Landowners could have access to the large labor force necessary to grow cotton, but they did not need to pay these laborers money, a major benefit in a postbellum Georgia that was cash poor but land rich. The workers, in turn, were free to negotiate a place to work and had the possibility of clearing enough profit at the end of the year to buy farm equipment or even land.
Though the system developed from immediate postwar contingencies, it defined the agricultural system in rural Georgia for close to 100 years. By 1880, 32 percent of the state's farms were operated by sharecroppers; this figure would increase in the fifty years following. By 1910 sharecroppers operated 37 percent of the state's 291,027 farms. Tenancy rates in general and sharecropping rates in particular were highest in those portions of the state that grew mostly cotton. In 1910, for instance, Burke, Dooly, and Houston counties led the state's cotton production, and each had higher than average rates of tenant-operated farms and sharecropper populations.
The Labor System
Land was not, however, the only thing sharecroppers needed from the owners. The owners of the state's largest plantations would also sell fertilizer, seed, clothing, shoes, and some food from the plantation store. Croppers working smaller operations often bought these necessities from local furnishing merchants. The laborers rarely had cash, however, so in both cases they were extended credit to make purchases. In the fall, after harvesting the crop, landowners gave the workers their shares of the crop, oftentimes forcing the croppers to sell it straight to either the local furnishing agent or merchant, or even to the landowners themselves. With whatever cash the laborers made in this sale, they attempted to pay back the debt accrued during the season from the supplier.
Though much has been made of the system of peonage that kept sharecroppers in perpetual debt, tying workers to the same plantation year after year, there is significant evidence that Georgia croppers moved rather fluidly from place to place and from one form of labor to another. Certainly the reality of life as a sharecropper was a factor in the out-migration of rural Georgians in the 1910s and after. The sociologist Arthur F. Raper found in his study of Macon and Greene counties that of those Georgians fleeing the rural part of the state in the 1920s, the greatest numbers came from the ranks of sharecroppers.
Despite the common perception that sharecropping was a black institution, sharecroppers were drawn from the ranks of all poor Georgians. In 1910, of the state's 27 million farm acres, tenants operated 11 million acres; black Georgians farmed slightly more than half of this tenant-tilled acreage. African Americans were, however, much more likely to farm land owned by someone else rather than to work their own land. Fewer than 16,000 farms were operated by black owners in 1910, while during the same year African Americans managed 106,738 farms as tenants.
The plight of Georgia sharecroppers, in particular, received national attention with the publication of Erskine Caldwell's best-selling novel Tobacco Road in 1932. Caldwell based his fictional family of poor white tenants, the hapless and increasingly desperate Lesters, on actual farm families he had observed in and around his boyhood home of Wrens, just southwest of Augusta, in Jefferson County. Along with photographer Margaret Bourke-White, Caldwell provided an equally effective nonfiction commentary on the impact of the Great Depression on Georgia's poorest farmers in You Have Seen Their Faces, published in 1937.
Other nonfictional Georgia-based studies of sharecropping life and culture include several books by the sociologist Arthur F. Raper, who focused his attention on Greene and Macon counties in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Many years later, author Harry Crews's memoir entitled A Childhood: The Biography of a Place (1978) provided vivid descriptions of his early life as part of a sharecropping family in depression-era Bacon County.
End of Sharecropping
Sharecropping in Georgia ended in the mid-twentieth century, in part because workers left the fields for southern and northern cities. Black Georgians left the state for a variety of reasons, and landowners sought new technologies to make cotton growing possible (and less expensive) with fewer people in the fields. Poor whites, too, moved away from agricultural labor for industrial jobs in the state's growing cities. Tractors, mechanical cotton pickers, and other technological advances also allowed landowners to increase their yields with fewer workers. In 1997 the U.S. census reported just 2,607 tenant farmers in Georgia, with no special classification for sharecropping. Only 119 of these tenants were African American.
Prior to these developments, however, from the 1870s through the 1940s, sharecropping was a labor system that kept poor black and white Georgians working in agriculture. For black Georgians in particular, this labor system was a major obstacle to being fully able to realize and enjoy the social and political rights granted to them at the end of the Civil War.
Douglas A. Blackmon, Slavery by Another Name: The Re-enslavement of Black People in America from the Civil War to World War II (New York: Doubleday, 2008).
Pete Daniel, The Shadow of Slavery: Peonage in the South, 1901-1969 (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1972).
Arthur F. Raper, Preface to Peasantry: A Tale of Two Black Belt Counties (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1936).
Arthur F. Raper and Ira De A. Reid, Sharecroppers All (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1941).
Nate Shaw, All God's Dangers: The Life of Nate Shaw, comp. Theodore Rosengarten (New York: Knopf, 1974).
Gavin Wright, Old South, New South: Revolutions in the Southern Economy since the Civil War (New York: Basic Books, 1986).
James C. Giesen, Mississippi State University
A project of the Georgia Humanities Council, in partnership with the University of Georgia Press, the University System of Georgia/GALILEO, and the Office of the Governor. | <urn:uuid:235f042d-73f3-47b9-9003-ae338d87a3f7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/HistoryArchaeology/CivilWarandReconstruction/Topics-12&id=h-3590 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959113 | 1,338 | 4.28125 | 4 |
Fire stories from the national parks highlight events, incidents, and the like, associated with fire and fuels management, as well as fire education, technology, partnerships, and more. Stories highlight work related to Department of the Interior initiatives as well as local and regional initiatives.
SCA Volunteers Join Forces with Youth Conservation Program, Teton Fire to Make Community Safer
National Fire Plan, Community Assistance*
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Two Student Conservation Association (SCA) volunteers spent the summer as Firewise education interns for Teton Interagency Fire, thanks to a Community Assistance grant. They primarily focused on Firewise education for homeowners in Shadow Mountain and the surrounding, scattered inholdings in Grand Teton National Park and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
SCAs Kyle Cannon and Leo Ferretti conducted risk assessments on 21 structures in the Teton County Wildfire Protection Plan Shadow Mountain polygon, meeting with homeowners when possible, and making recommendations to improve the fire readiness of the properties. They communicated through mail, email, phone calls and face-to-face visits with the homeowners, some of whom are absentees. The SCAs worked closely with Teton County Fire/EMS, inputting the data they collected into specialized software used by the fire department.
After completing risk assessments, the SCAs teamed up with the Teton Interagency Fuels and Engine 3 crews, as well as a Youth Conservation Program (YCP) crew for a fuel removal project in Grand Teton National Park in the area surrounding the homes on Shadow Mountain.
"Kyle and Leo built on the relationship we had with homeowners in the Shadow Mountain area," said Deb Flowers, Grand Teton National Park's prescribed fire technician. "Having them involved with the YCP project work days allowed the SCAs to implement a fuels treatment on park land that reflected the recommendations they had given homeowners."
The Shadow Mountain polygon is one of the priority wildland-urban interface areas in Teton County. Teton Interagency Fire is planning a prescribed fire on the west side of Shadow Mountain to provide a fuel break from future wildfires that could threaten the developed area.
Contact: Traci Weaver, Fire Communication and Education Specialist
Phone: (307) 739-3692 | <urn:uuid:2682a07e-d48d-49f3-b5be-1ff3afb0f094> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nps.gov/fire/wildland-fire/connect/fire-stories/2009-parks/grand-teton-national-park-3.cfm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00053-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.92711 | 458 | 1.953125 | 2 |
From our panel of staff contributors
You are not going to win this one without a lot of effort and unpleasantness. I would explain that I prefer cleaner rooms, but if my child wants to live like this, OK, except for a couple of rules: No food or liquids that could attract pests; all wet shoes and outerwear must be left by the home's entrance; all dirty clothes need to be put in a laundry basket outside the room; and schoolwork needs to be completed thoroughly and neatly and not be lost in the rubble. If toys, art supplies, sports equipment, books and clean clothes are strewn about the bedroom, I would learn to keep the bedroom door shut.
I think you need to take action and have the 8-year-old clean it up. Cleanliness, organization, neatness, a sense of service to others — all the lessons learned in room-tidying-up — count in life. Plus, you need to make sure nothing is growing under that pile of laundry in the corner.
"When a certain type of behavior goes against our values, we can't just pretend it doesn't bother us, at least not for long," says Noel Janis-Norton, author of the upcoming "Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting" (Penguin). "Parents start out determined to say nothing, but inevitably they end up reverting to nagging, scolding and threatening. Guiding children into good habits does not have to be a battle."
And tidying one's own room is a good habit, Janis-Norton says.
"It teaches the skill of organization and trains the habit of organization," she says. "This will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives."
Take a moment to explain why you value a tidy room and then set your child up with some of the necessary skills.
"Being organized doesn't come naturally," she says.
"Have a five-minute cleanup time once or twice a day, always before an activity that the child looks forward to, such as computer time, dinner or a game with mom or dad. This way there is never too big a mess to clean up."
"Take a photo of each part of the room right after it has been tidied. Ask your child to tell you about what she sees in the photo, what belongs where and why. Then her job is to make each part of her room look like the photo."
"Children are always asking us for something. It might be asking for a glass of water, or it might be wanting help to find the lost Barbie shoe. Instead of saying 'yes' right away, say, 'Ask me again after you've put your dirty clothes in the basket (or you've put the books back on the shelf or the cars back in the box, etc.)' and I'll say "yes."'"
"Make sure there's enough storage, and that it's the right kind of storage. We want to make it easy for our children to do the right thing."
"If your child has too many toys, weed out the duplicates and outgrown, worn-out items. Then box up most of what's left and put the boxes out of sight. With fewer toys out, cleanup is much less daunting. You can bring out one of these boxes every few weeks or so as a reward. The toys your child hasn't seen for a while will seem exciting again and will satisfy his natural desire for novelty."
"Be willing to clean up with your child if he is very resistant. But don't call it 'helping,' because he doesn't really need help. But keeping him company will make the task less overwhelming."
Have a solution? Your pal is expecting her first child. What's one bit of must-have advice? Find "The Parent 'Hood" page on Facebook, where you can post your parenting questions and offer tips and solutions for others to try. | <urn:uuid:ed96554c-e37a-4e8d-a360-1029e955c835> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.aberdeennews.com/lifestyle/raisingdakota/sc-fam-0122-parenthood-pigpen-20130122,0,1359847.story | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00027-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968391 | 817 | 2.078125 | 2 |
A Love Story
by Jodi Picoult
The Golds and the Hartes, neighbors for 18 years, have always been inseparable. So have their children -- and it's no surprise that in high school Chris and Emily's friendship blossoms into something more. But the bonds of family, friendship, and passion -- which had seemed so indestructible -- suddenly threaten to unravel in the wake of unexpected tragedy.
When midnight calls from the hospital come in, no one is ready for the truth. Emily is dead at 17 from a gunshot wound to the head. There's a single unspent bullet in the gun that Chris pilfered from his father's cabinet -- a bullet that Chris tells police he intended for himself. But a local detective has doubts about the suicide pact that Chris describes.
It is a multi-layered novel that invites discussion about the mysteries of relationships of all kinds: How well we know ourselves, our children, our best friends. In the end The Pact poses the heart-stopping question: How far would you go for someone you love?
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1. How do you feel the extended family environment created by the Hartes and the Golds affected their children? Did it contribute to Emily's death? Is there such a thing as being too close to another non-blood relative family?
2. How did the marital relationships of the Golds and the Hartes contribute to Gus's and Michael's temptations?
3. Is Melanie justified in her feelings and actions toward the Hartes following Emily's death?
4. "Chris and Emily had grown up with love, with wealth, and with each other. What more could they have needed?" (page 35) In your opinion, what more did they need? Were Chris and Emily content with what they had at any time in their lives?
5. Consider the personalities of the Hartes and the Golds. Do opposites attract? Does it make for the best communication in a marriage?
6. In what ways does jail change Chris? What ways does it benefit him and/or hurt him?
7. Is the punishment meted out to Chris just? In your opinion, is Chris guilty of murder? Do you think Chris's trial will affect Jordan's view of the justice system? Explain.
8. What is the significance of the "blank" piece of paper that Chris finds in the tin can at the end of the book?
9. Does the title just refer to the pact between Emily and Chris?
top of the page | <urn:uuid:ca040b6d-533d-4e86-9efa-1586301d1103> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides3/pact1.asp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958687 | 523 | 1.804688 | 2 |
Vomiting, Chronic in Cats
Vomiting is characterized by the contents of the stomach being ejected. Chronic vomiting, meanwhile, is marked by the long duration or frequent recurrence of said vomiting. Diseases of the stomach and upper intestinal tract are the primary cause for this type of vomiting. Secondary implications are diseases of other organs, which bring about an accumulation of toxic substances in the blood, stimulating the vomiting center in the cat's brain.
Severe complications can occur when a cat is not getting the nutrients it needs, or when food is inhaled into the airways, which can lead to coughing, and even pneumonia.
Chronic vomiting can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how this condition affects dogs please visit this page in the petMD pet health library.
Symptoms of vomiting include heaving, retching, and the expulsion of partially digested food. The contents being expelled by the cat may be in predigested form, tubular in shape, and often covered with a slimy mucus or bile.
A symptom that may be indicative of a more serious condition is blood in the vomit, which can signal an ulcer or cancer.
The biggest problem with determining the cause of vomiting, and devising a treatment plan, is that there are so many possibilities. Some of the possible causes for chronic vomiting include:
There are so many possibilities for this condition that determining a cause for chronic vomiting may take some time. You will need to cooperate with your veterinarian in trying to pinpoint if there is anything related to your cat’s background or habits that might account for it.
Your veterinarian will begin by determining whether your cat is actually vomiting or just regurgitating (i.e., whether it is based in the stomach, or not). You will want to pay close attention to the pattern of your cat's vomiting so you can give a thorough description of the symptoms, as well as how soon after eating the vomiting occurs. Your veterinarian will ask you to describe the appearance of the vomit, and what your cat looks like when it vomits.
If your cat is retching, and heaving from the belly, it is probably vomiting. The food that is in the vomit will be partially digested and somewhat liquid. A yellow fluid called bile will normally be present along with the expelled stomach contents.
If the cat is regurgitating, it will lower its head and the food will be expelled without a lot of effort. The food will be undigested and probably will be tubular in shape, more often solid and covered with slimy mucus than not.
Your cat may try to re-eat the regurgitated food. It is a good idea to keep a sample of the expelled content, so that when you take your cat to see the veterinarian, an examination can be made to determine whether the material is vomit or regurgitation, and what might be present in the contents.
Your veterinarian will need to know about your cat’s activities, habits, and surrounding environment, as well as what medicines your pet may be taking. Factors that are significant and must be followed-up on immediately are instances when the vomit has granule-like granules in it (may appear like coffee grounds). These granules are indicative of blood being present in the vomit. Fresh blood in the vomit will often indicate stomach ulcers or cancer.
If your cat has a fever, a stomachache, jaundice, anemia, or masses in the stomach, your veterinarian will be able to make a more specific diagnosis.
Sometimes, something as simple as coughing will cause a cat to vomit. If this appears to be the case, the cause of the coughing will need to be investigated. Your doctor will look into your cat's mouth to see if a foreign object has become caught in the esophageal opening (back of the mouth), or, if indicated, X-rays may be used to determine if there is an object deeper in the esophagus, or in the stomach.
Treatment is dependent on the underlying cause of the vomiting; some of the veterinarian's possible suggestions include:
Living and Management
Always follow the recommended treatment plan from your veterinarian. Do not experiment with medications or food. Pay close attention to your cat and if it does not improve, return to your veterinarian for a follow-up evaluation.
A type of slime that is made up of certain salts, cells, or leukocytes
The return of food into the oral cavity after it has been swallowed
A condition in which the skin becomes yellow in color as do the mucous membranes; this is due to excess amounts of bilirubin.
Any substance that creates the urge to vomit
The fluid created by the liver that helps food in the stomach to be digested.
A condition of the blood in which normal red blood cell counts or hemoglobin are lacking.
The tube that extends from the mouth to the stomach
Chocolate Poisoning in Cats
Cats, especially kittens, are known for eating things they are not supposed to. This...
Vomiting of Blood in Cats
Search Vomiting of Blood in Cats at Petmd.com. Search Vomiting of Blood in Cats symptoms,... | <urn:uuid:81324d68-c233-4beb-8fd5-7ec853453fed> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/digestive/c_ct_vomiting_chronic?page=show | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00049-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93685 | 1,076 | 3.265625 | 3 |
The Texas Medicaid program should reimburse providers for telemedicine services.
Telemedicine is an emerging issue, with increasing interest generated by the chronic need for improved access to medical care in rural or inner-city areas.
"Telemedicine" has no universally accepted, all-inclusive definition. Generally, however, it refers to any medical service delivered to or from a distant site via telephone, computer, fax machine, or interactive video system. Common telemedicine services include teleradiology and telepathology, the electronic transmission of digitized radiology images or pathologic results from a remote location to a central site for evaluation and diagnosis; and telemedicine consultation, which allows a physician or other practitioner at a central site to participate in evaluations, diagnoses, and case management at a remote location.
Texas moved into the forefront of telemedicine when Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center received a federal demonstration grant in 1989 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's Office of Rural Health Policy. Texas Tech has built the state's largest telemedicine system, HealthNet, by connecting its four campuses in West Texas with rural health care facilities and many prisons in the western part of the state. HealthNet serves an area including 108 West Texas counties, 99 of which are rural; 49 have a population density of less than seven people per square mile. HealthNet provides medical services such as interactive video consultations, teleradiology and data services for rural hospitals, health care consultations for prisons, continuing education for rural hospitals and providers, and training for emergency service personnel. Texas Tech provides about 100 consultations annually to rural hospitals and another 1,500 or more to the prison system.
The initial funding for HealthNet was a federal grant and some general revenue for the infrastructure. Currently, the system is part of and funded through the medical school. The specialists that provide consultations are staff of the medical school, but do not receive any type of reimbursement from Medicaid, Medicare, or private payers. The entire system is funded by state dollars and funding from any other participants in the system such as the rural hospitals.
In addition, the South Texas Area Health Education Center (AHEC) maintains the South Texas Distance Learning and TeleHealth Network Telecommunications System, which links remote training sites in South Texas with the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Texas Tech and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) also provide joint telemedicine services to Texas prisons.
Telemedicine saves time and travel expenses for providers and patients, allows for reductions or substitutions in medical personnel, reduces the number of redundant medical tests, and improves the chances for early diagnosis of disease, when treatment can be more effective and less costly.
In South Dakota, one telemedicine site found that just 57 consultations saved its patients more than 6,000 miles in travel and nearly 120 hours in travel time. The average age of these patients was 79. Louisiana reports that the implementation of telemedicine has allowed the state to prevent small hospital closures. Telemedicine allows small, rural hospitals to deliver care that they might not otherwise be able to provide.
Because of its early start, Texas Tech's HealthNet is one of the few programs that can document the benefits of telemedicine. A 1992 study of Texas Tech's HealthNet network conducted by an independent accounting firm determined that telemedicine consultations between Alpine and Lubbock saved an average $998 per patient for 11 cases studied over one year. HealthNet has allowed distant practitioners to assist with surgical procedures, diagnose skin cancers, and treat newborn babies.
In one example cited by the study, an elderly West Texas patient and his physician in a clinic in Alpine spoke with a cardiologist at Texas Tech in Lubbock via a video network. The patient learned that a drug reaction had caused his congestive heart failure without traveling 150 miles to Odessa, the closest urban hospital. Telemedicine saved hours of critical treatment time and transportation costs, and prevented the delivery of unnecessary services because of a faster local diagnosis. The estimated savings in this one case totaled almost $3,000.
Texas Tech also has found that providing continuing education to rural hospitals and practitioners through HealthNet has allowed it to reduce costs to hospitals and doctors. One report indicates that a hospital that spends $16,000 per year on continuing education could save about $12,000 by participating in HealthNet.
Five states have been approved to receive Medicare reimbursement from the federal Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) for telemedicine consultative services, as part of a national research and demonstration project on telemedicine. Currently, Medicare regulations require a specialist to be in the same physical location as the patient and therefore do not reimburse for consultations via telemedicine.
At this writing, the selected project sites have received only startup grants, due to federal budget constraints. HCFA hopes to begin reimbursing for services sometime in the fall of 1996. The project will last for three years and, depending on its results, HCFA may begin reimbursing for telemedicine nationwide after its completion.
Any managed care organization may use Medicare funds to reimburse its providers for telemedicine services. HCFA requires no waiver for this since it has already negotiated a price for services with the organization.
Any state may choose to use Medicaid funds to reimburse providers for telemedicine services. At present, 12 states do so, while other states are implementing pilot projects. Texas does not reimburse for these services because officials have never developed a reimbursement policy that they believed would be cost neutral.
In 1995, Louisiana began requiring private insurance reimbursement for physicians obtaining telemedicine consultations. The private insurers were pleased with this legislation and Blue Cross/Blue Shield actively lobbied for it.
California is actively considering a formal reimbursement policy for telemedicine. A proposed "Telemedicine Development Act of 1996" would prevent insurers from requiring face-to-face contact between provider and patient and require them to adopt reimbursement policies for telemedicine services. The bill defines telemedicine as the practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, transfer of medical data and education using interactive audio, video and data communications. Telemedicine is believed to save the California Medicaid program $8 million a year.
Other funding sources
Aside from Medicare and Medicaid, several federal agencies are awarding grants for telemedicine. The federal Office of Rural Health Policy administers the Rural Telemedicine Grant Program and Rural Health Outreach Grant Program. U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration also awards grants for telemedicine, as does the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service, which administers the Distance Learning and Medical Link Grant Program.
Quality of care
Some critics have expressed concern that reimbursement for telemedicine would encourage facilities to provide an inadequate quality of care. Even though many believe that telemedicine can help to improve quality of care, especially in underserved areas, there is not enough data or research to prove the impact on quality.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia surveys its telemedicine providers to ensure quality. Some of the survey questions involve major diagnoses, difficulties in establishing a diagnosis among all parties, and activities undertaken to ensure confidentiality of patient records. This helps them feel confident that the providers they reimburse are using telemedicine in the most effective way. The surveys also help to ensure that the system is not fraudulent and the telemedicine consultations are actually performed and needed.
Some authorities have observed that telemedicine consultations tend to taper off over time. They believe that telemedicine increases quality because physicians gain additional experience each time they sit in on a telemedicine consultation, and over time, learn enough to make their own diagnoses.
Improved quality of care from telemedicine is said to come from the group effort that goes into the process with all parties involved present. The quicker diagnosis and elimination of transferring patient records also are great benefits of telemedicine.
A. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission's State Medicaid Office should develop policies to reimburse providers for telemedicine.
Several issues should be addressed, including payments for various services, licensing, and facility charges, if any. The State Medicaid Office should review other states' policies and determine the most effective method for reimbursement. The office should establish billing codes and a fee schedule for services conducted via telemedicine.
An approval process should be established before any provider can receive reimbursement for telemedicine services. The Medicaid Office should establish a state network of providers to ensure that quality providers participate and that state-owned facilities and teaching hospitals are the primary providers.
The State Medicaid Office should link and coordinate planning for all Texas telemedicine initiatives. The office should work with the Texas Infrastructure Fund (TIF) to develop a strategic plan to ensure that small rural hospitals benefit from telemedicine. The Center for Rural Health Initiatives will submit a strategic plan to TIF in the Fall of 1996. The State Medicaid Office should review and make any changes necessary to help develop an adequate reimbursement policy.
B. Texas Tech University, in cooperation with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, should continue to pursue membership in the federal research and demonstration project for telemedicine Medicare reimbursement.
In August 1996, the comptroller sent a letter to the President requesting expansion of the demonstration project to Texas Tech. The comptroller also requested that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget approve the waiver necessary for HCFA to start reimbursing the demonstration projects. At the time of this writing, the comptroller had not received a response.
The fiscal impact of these recommendations cannot be determined. Some savings achieved by telemedicine might be offset by an increase in services that otherwise would not have been provided. Long-term savings, however, should result from more timely and accurate diagnoses and treatments.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, "Health Care Atlas of Texas," Austin, Texas, November 1996, p. 66. (Draft.)
Intergovernmental Health Policy Group and George Washington University, "State Initiatives to Promote Telemedicine," Washington, D.C., August 1995, p. II-37.
Mary Moore, University of Texas at Austin, "Telehealth Cost Justification," February 21, 1996. (http://naftalab.bus.utexas.edu/nafta-7/costjust.html). (Internet document.)
Interview with Patty Lithe, Health Information Systems coordinator, Department of Health, Pierre, South Dakota,
June 21, 1996.
Intergovernmental Health Policy Group and George Washington University, "State Initiatives to Promote Telemedicine," pp. II-23.
J. Ted Hartman and Mary Moore, Using Telecommunications to Improve Rural Health Care: The Texas Mednet Demonstration Project--January 1, 1989 - June 30, 1992, Vol. 2 (Lubbock, Texas, 1992), p. 4.
J. Ted Hartman and Mary Moore, Using Telecommunications to Improve Rural Health Care: The Texas Mednet Demonstration Project--January 1, 1989 - June 30, 1992, Vol. 2, p. 13.
Intergovernmental Health Policy Group and George Washington University, "State Initiatives to Promote Telemedicine," pp. II-39.
Interview with Bill England, Office of Research and Demonstrations, U.S. Health Care Financing Administration, Baltimore, Maryland, June 17, 1996.
Interview with Bill England.
Fax communication from the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration, June 13, 1996.
"Senate Approves Bill Designed to Remove Barriers to Telemedicine," BNA's Health Law Reporter (June 13, 1996).
Interview with Susan Coraff, Georgia Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Atlanta, Georgia, June 20, 1996.
|Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts|| Window on State Government|
Privacy and Security Policy | <urn:uuid:f4fc1924-fd29-484d-b812-abe2dc60921c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cpa.state.tx.us/tpr/tpr4/c2.hhs/c214.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.918167 | 2,486 | 2.734375 | 3 |
|Cemetery notes and/or description:|
San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery was built on land donated by the Romero Ranch Company on Feb. 3, 1989. Construction of the 105 acre first phase began on July 15, 1990. The water-pumping station on the California Aqueduct, the last element of construction, was completed in May 1992. As the sign at the main gate states, the cemetery is maintained as a natural environment with dry, steep, rolling hills, sparse native oaks and almond orchards. Non-irrigated native grasses that take on earth tones for most of the year and blend with the natural surroundings cover the ground surface of the burial areas. It is also inhabited by wild life including snakes.
From the North Bay, drive south on Highway 101 then East on State Route 152 (toward Los Banos). As you drive over Pacheco Pass take State Highway 33 to the left. Drive about three and a half miles on Highway 33 past Santa Nella and then turn left on McCabe Road. Travel four miles. The cemetery will be at the end of the road. | <urn:uuid:5fdeb114-d6b4-449b-9a8d-8e73a7daaa93> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&GSvpid=46619236&CRid=109453&pt=San%20Joaquin%20Valley%20National%20Cemetery | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948667 | 228 | 2.28125 | 2 |
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
As the summer break comes to an end and schools begin to open around the country, parents are no doubt wondering whether their kids' schools will be affected by the H1N1, or "swine flu," virus this year.
Many school administrators say it's doubtful there will be school closures because of the virus. After hundreds of thousands of schools were idled by the threat of swine flu in the spring, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking a new approach with new health guidelines that put more of the burden on parents to keep sick kids at home.
Last spring was a nightmare for school districts in places like Fort Worth, Texas. After just a handful of cases of swine flu cropped up, local health officials told Superintendent Melody Johnson to send 80,000 students home.
"We were told to shut down four days," Johnson says. Then she was told, " 'No, you have to close seven days.' Then it was 10 days."
The system stayed closed for six days before the policy changed.
New guidelines recommend closing schools only in extreme cases.
Tips From the CDC for Schools:
The CDC recommends that schools move students and staff who become sick at school into a separate room until they can be sent home. For severe flu outbreaks, the CDC suggests that school-age children stay home for five days from the time someone in their home becomes sick.
The big push this year is focused on parents.
Belinda Pustka, superintendent of the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District in South Texas, closed her schools because of the swine flu in April. This school year, she's sending this message to parents: Just assume your child will have the flu at some time this year.
She tells parents to make arrangements for caring for sick kids now in case the kids are sent home.
Pustka says it's not always easy to get parents to keep kids home if the illness appears mild.
But health guidelines say students should remain at home for 24 hours after they no longer have signs of a fever — and that means without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Some educators say now that parents' alarm about swine flu has eased somewhat, it may be harder to convince parents to treat the disease seriously. But health officials say the disease still poses the risk of complications to schoolchildren with medical problems or to pregnant teachers.
That creates a challenge for the many public schools that deal with "medically fragile" students who have to be protected.
Dr. Corey Hebert, chief medical officer for New Orleans' Recovery School District, says he is telling schools to protect vulnerable children, "especially the children who are returning from recess or from P.E. They're sweating. They're dirty. They're not washing their hands."
The new guidelines recommend that kids who get sick at school be isolated until parents pick them up. The CDC also suggests that if swine flu or the regular flu virus appears, schools should divide students into smaller groups or increase the space between desks. Those may not be realistic options for the many districts that are already overcrowded.
Depending on how well these plans work out, schools could end up playing a key role, either in helping to spread the flu — or in stemming infection. A number of schools say this year they will play another role: They'll offer the vaccine for swine flu, once it becomes available. | <urn:uuid:6eb23066-0f5d-4be4-97b2-564639dd9a95> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/aug/18/will-swine-flu-sideline-your-school-year/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972514 | 707 | 2.59375 | 3 |
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
A few nights ago I was exhausted. I think Bennett and Will had used up every amount of my grace and patience that day. I couldn't wait until they went to bed and I could just collapse and breathe for the first time all day.
So, I took Bennett upstairs for story time before she went to sleep. I sat in her rocker and she snuggled in my lap. Bennett is very particular about her story time. She knows all of books by name and will tell you which one she wants. No, she will insist. Actually, she will demand that you read the book she has her mind set on for that evening. I forgot to pick out her book before I sat down, but once I sat down with her in my lap, I was not moving. I had no energy left to get up and go through the 5 minute routine of her picking out a book.
So I looked on her nightstand and sitting there was, "The Night Before Christmas." I thought that was perfect so I picked it up and began to read. Then Bennett looked up at her bookshelf and realized that she had been had. That was most certainly not the book she had in mind. She wanted her storytime Bible. The rest of our conversation went like this-
Bennett: No no. Jesus. Me: Bennett, we will read that tomorrow night. Let's read this book. B: Okay, Jesus. M: Oh, sweetie. I can't stand up. Let's just read this pretty book. B: Please, Jesus? M: But look at this one. It's about Santa. B: No, Mommy, no, no no. M: But we love Santa. B: Okay, Jesus. M: We will read about Jesus tomorrow. Tonight we are reading about Santa. B: Okay, Bible. Jesus? M: We are reading about Santa tonight and that is final. B: (sighing) Okay, Santa.
The irony was not lost on me. I got three pages into the book and then got up and got the Bible. We read about Jesus and the manger and the star and Mary. Then Bennett said-
You know how everyone laments the lack of time around Christmas? I know I have every year. Every December the most common phrases are, "I don't have time to enjoy the season," "I am too busy to stop and breathe," "Is it December 23rd already? It was just Thanksgiving."
I think I have felt that way as long as I can remember, but thankfully this year has been different. This was the first year in over a decade that I was not involved in a Christmas production at church. I intentionally didn't sign up for it this year. I didn't want to practice every night for the first 2 weeks in December. I wanted to be at home with my babies. I didn't have 10 parties at attend. I didn't have to run tech for a FCA breakfast, a men's pancake breakfast, the youth program, the children's program, the women's holiday brunch, the adult cantata, the dinner theatre..... I remember 2 years ago realizing that Rob and I were only home for 3 days together the whole month of December.
So this year we scaled back. Partly out of choice and partly because we don't know as many people in Kansas and aren't nearly as involved. And can I say that it has been wonderful? I have loved Christmas this year. I have spent many nights holding my kids, singing Christmas songs on the piano, making cookies, reading my Bible and reflecting on the enormity of what it means, and just being with Rob. We have had so many cups of hot chocolate, driven around and looked at so many lights, hung out with a handful of friends that we dearly love, and I have curled up at night and just stared at my tree. I don't think I have ever done that. And I loved it.
It also gave me time to listen to my favorite Christmas song which is, "Welcome to our World," by Chris Rice. It is so easy to just hum along to that song and not really listen to the lyrics, but when you really ponder them, they can be overwhelming. My favorite lines are-
Bring your peace into our violence Bid our hungry souls be filled Word now breaking Heaven's silence Welcome to our world
Fragile finger sent to heal us Tender brow prepared for thorn Tiny heart whose blood will save us Unto us is born
So wrap our injured flesh around you Breathe our air and walk our sod Rob our sin and make us holy Perfect Son of God
I don't know if it means more now that I have a baby boy. Maybe not. But I have spent a lot of time staring at Will in the light of the Christmas tree and just praying. When I think of Jesus and that He really did in fact come in the form of an infant, I want to cry. His little and tiny baby finger was truly sent to heal us. I look at Will's little forehead and think of the infant Jesus whose tender brow was prepared for thorn and his little heart whose blood saved us all. It's amazing. It is truly amazing. His peace was brought into our world of violence and it still surrounds us today.
I still have trouble comprehending that God took on our injured flesh.I think of the Jewish people waiting for their king. Waiting for a soldier. Waiting for a warrior to take on their oppressors by firestorm or by sword. And they got a tiny infant whose perfect blood saved us all. It is mind blowing. And as I sit and reflect I can't help but crying out, "Welcome to our world." Still. Two thousand years later we need our hungry souls filled.
And I am thankful. I am hopeful. I am grateful. And I am saved.
This was the scene after our PB&J lunch today. Rob commented that it looked like the crime scene of a jelly incident gone horribly wrong. I am submitting this photo for forensic evidence. Please note the weapon, the spattered gobs of jelly, and the sandwich parts gone astray and then submit your own verdict. I rest my case.
Santa was a success this year. I was expecting a melt down, but Rob did fine. So did the kids. Bennett looks slightly unsure about things and Will looks like Charlie Brown, but there were no tears and the requisite picture was checked off the list.
My sweet husband asked me last night if I would like some hot chocolate. I was blown away by his generosity and I readily accepted his offer. I heard some strange sounds going on in the kitchen but was too engrossed in the GLEE finale to see what was going on. When he delivered my drink, this is what I got. I give him 10 style points and a few extra for artistry, but he gets -25 for not knowing to warm the milk first before you add the hot chocolate.
I don't have 2 babies anymore. I have one baby and one big girl and it is killing me. Bennett has changed so much from even a month ago. She loses more and more of that baby quality every day that passes and I am desperately trying to grasp every second, cherish every hug, and revel in every smile.
She can speak in 4-5 word sentences. She says phrases like, "Thank you very much," "Help me, Mommy. I'm stuck," and her favorite, "Come on, guys!" She will snuggle and watch a movie with you now. Even a few weeks ago she would only last 5 minutes before she was running around, but now she buries her head on my chest and watches all of Clifford.
She knows 6 letters and can tell you what words start with that letter. She knows M, P, B, L, and S. I didn't push her on this, but we bought her alphabet letters for the fridge a few months ago and she just took an interest in them on her own. My parents are in town and I went to a meeting at my church today and left them with Bennett. When I came home my Dad told me that he had taught her a new letter. He held up the letter "J" and he said, "Bennett, what letter is this?" She immediately said that it was J and that juice started with J. My mouth fell open and my Dad told me that he had only gone over that with her twice. She just amazes me.
But my absolute favorite thing about Bennett is how much she loves her brother. She can be a terror to other kids (Sorry Sutton and Levi) but she adores Will. She is always bringing him his blanket and his paci. She kisses his head, gives him high fives, and cuddles with him. She has never once hit him or been anything but sweet to him. He will be laying on my bed and she will crawl up on the bed and lay next to him and just sigh. I die a little bit every time.
I am just a few weeks late posting these. I thought I should post them before it's Christmas Eve.
Enjoying a beautiful Tahnksgiving afternoon with my girl My family The day after Thanksgiving we went to the Iron Bowl. I almost had a heart attack, but we won in the end. Visiting with my cousin Erin's son, Elijah Brooks.
I know that I haven't posted in awhile. There are 2 reasons for this-
1. My only computer is in my basement and I can't leave the kids alone upstairs and they don't like playing in the basement. And by the time they go to bed at night, I am too tired to do anything but stare at the wall and contemplate whether or not I should have gone with Benjamin Moore instead of Sherwin Williams
2. Too much has happened lately and I don't know where to begin. Does that ever happen to you? When you haven't blogged in awhile you feel so behind on stories, so behind on pictures, so behind on...life. And so you just put it off.
So to ease my way back into the blogging world I am going to start slowly and just post a few things I have learned over the past 2 weeks. I can't post about bike rides, swimming in the pool, playing in the sand, going on hayrides, going to the Iron Bowl, visiting with our dearest friends in the world, hugging my grandmother who is very sick, flying back with 2 kids under 2..... it is overwhelming. So I will sum it up like this-
- Benadryl does not work on plane rides. I don't care what they tell you. It does not. If anything, it has the reverse affect.
-Auburn fans are surprisingly polite. We had a wonderful time at the game and I was so pleased at how courteous everyone was. That is until I got home and got on facebook. I guess the politeness stops in cyberspace.
-My baby girl can and will sleep in a big girl bed. Sniff Sniff...
-The same baby girl likes to sing jazz to poor unsuspecting travelers on a "Hairpane."
-Second helpings of turkey is never a good thing.
-There is nothing like a long bike ride at night through a beautiful beach town.
-Sand is just as annoying as you remember and stupid nostalgia makes you forget this every year.
-Budgets on vacation are frustrating at the time, but you are so grateful for them when you get home.
-True friends can pick right up no matter the time or distance. A good cup of coffee helps.
-Ornaments on trees must start halfway up the tree for the next 3 years.
-You can't put candles in your windows when you have a co-dependent golden lab who stares out the window every time you leave. After the 9th candle was knocked on the floor, we opted for wreaths instead
**Pics to come soon. Maybe. If I can find time to sneak away to the basement. But if I do that, even the ornaments that are halfway up the tree will find themselves knocked down by my toddler who will find a way to climb on something and get them.**
A family of red heads. Of course. And quite a fun one at that. Oh, and our last name is Webster. Hence the name, "The Red Webs." You may now proceed with your blog surfing.
I desire nothing more than a relationship with Jesus Christ. I am a constant Proverbs 31 work in progress. I have seen Gone With the Wind 50 times, watched every episode of I Love Lucy, and read the Anne of Green Gables series more times than I can count. That says a lot. Far too much, actually.
"For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. If you need wisdom-if you want to know what God wants you to do-ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking." | <urn:uuid:351bcffc-5523-46d8-a7fa-52d5d422913d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://theredwebs.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985824 | 3,030 | 1.609375 | 2 |
Drs. Andrew Fire and Craig Mello won this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of RNA interference. Their discoveries revealed fundamental new paradigm in gene regulation and demonstrated that animal genomes consist of not only the transcriptional programs controlled by transcription factors but also the post-transcriptional programs controlled by RNAs. MiRNAs are ~22-nt small regulatory RNAs that are thought to control gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by targeting cognate target mRNAs for either degradation or translational repression. MiRNAs are individually encoded by their own set of genes and represent an integral component of animal genetic programs. MiRNA genes constitute about 1-5% of the predicted genes in worms, mice, and humans, and many miRNAs are conserved from worm to human. Moreover, each miRNA has the potential to regulate as many as 200 target genes, which implies that miRNA-mediated gene regulation may have a broad impact on gene expression and likely represents a fundamental layer of the genetic programs at the post-transcriptional level. Not surprisingly, miRNAs have been shown to play important roles in regulating various cellular, developmental, and disease processes in worm, fly, mouse, and human and several lines of evidence have implicated miRNAs in the developmental regulatory decisions of stem-cell maintenance and differentiation in flies and mice. However, the roles of miRNAs in human embryonic stem cell maintenance and differentiation are still unknown. The proposed research plan will address the fundamental questions regarding the roles of miRNAs and miRNA-mediated posttranscriptional genetic programs in human embryonic stem cells.
Statement of Benefit to California:
To realize the clinical potential human embryonic stem cells, one has to understand the fundamental molecular mechanisms that govern stem cells self-renewal and differentiation. Human embryonic stem cells have a number of important properties: they can propagate under the right culture conditions and they can differentiate into cell types of all human tissues if properly guided. However, until today the molecular processes that regulate these properties are still quite elusive. The proposed research plan will address the fundamental molecular mechanisms that govern stem cells self-renewal and differentiation from a new angel –– the recently discovered post-transcriptional genetic programs controlled by small regulatory RNAs. Thus, these studies are likely to reveal important missing puzzle pieces that may be required for solving the ultimate question and yield clues to harness the power of human embryonic stem cells.
SYNOPSIS: The investigator proposes three specific aims: 1) to establish the role of the miRNA pathway in hES cell maintenance and differentiation; 2) to delineate the function of individual miRNAs in hES cell maintenance and differentiation and 3) to dissect the genetic programs regulated by hES cell miRNAs. miRNA knockdown, lentiviral vector mediated enforced expression, miRNA cloning and quantitation of the levels of individual miRNAs by PCR are proposed. SIGNIFICANCE AND INNOVATION: miRNA is indeed an important mechanism of gene regulation about which relatively little is known. This is an important problem, and the work has the potential to yield significant insights. The PI will perform a comprehensive analysis of miRNAs and miRNA pathways in hESC self renewal and differentiation. The computational and expression cloning methods for identifying miRNA targets appear to be innovative. STRENGTHS: The proposal is from an enthusiastic, productive young investigator who has made a significant contribution to the miRNA field already while working as a post doc and therefore is familiar with the techniques. This investigator also has strong prior experience in analyzing miRNAs in the context of the hematopoietic system. The proposed experimental and computational approaches are comprehensive and likely to yield important insights if suitably developed. WEAKNESSES: An enormous amount of work is proposed. The approach is broad-based and likely to be pursued by many laboratories. This leads to a diffuse and overly ambitious proposal in a field that will have much competition. While the molecular techniques are established, the biological endpoints are rather gross and ill defined. The relevant technical details are lacking, as is an acknowledgement of the potential pitfalls. Specifically, with respect to the first aim the investigator fails to acknowledge the difficulty in identifying effective shRNAs. RNA knockdown or enforced overexpression of one or more of the components of the miRNA pathway may be lethal to cells, or could markedly decrease proliferation so that recovery of such cells may be compromised. Aim 2 is more likely to yield interpretable data, although at this stage it is purely descriptive. With respect to aim 3, it would be helpful if the investigator had given an example of how the proposed approach had identified a miRNA and target of interest. The subsequent analysis of functions of particular miRNAs in hES cell self renewal and/or differentiation would need to be pursued in greater depth to yield substantial insight. It is unlikely that the work can be performed as described in two years. It may have been more appropriate for the PI to narrow the focus, perhaps on aim 2, and more fully develop how the results would be obtained and interpreted. DISCUSSION: The computational and genomic approaches are well combined here, and reviewers like the use of bioinformatics to find miRNA targets, especially since the PI is a young investigator with strong prior experience in this area. However, Aim 1 is not very incisive and could yield little useful information unless the miRNA manipulation gives rise to a specific phenotype. Aims 2 and 3 are strong, but not terribly innovative. Aim 2 could have been developed more fully, and one reviewer noted that the inventiveness in Aim 3 lies in improving the computer target search algorithms and doing the expression cloning. Reviewers commented that eliminating Aim 1 and focusing on Aims 2 and 3 would make this a much stronger proposal. | <urn:uuid:576bf6f2-1676-42ac-9b77-5215c4f6ca2d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://cirm.ca.gov/node/12387/review | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00058-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945401 | 1,185 | 2.9375 | 3 |
|Google Range Map|
The island fox (Urocyon littoralis) is a small fox that is native to six of the eight Channel Islands of California. There are six subspecies of the fox, each unique to the island it lives on, reflecting its evolutionary history. Other names for the island fox include coast fox, short-tailed fox, island gray fox, Channel Islands fox, Channel Islands gray fox, California Channel Island fox and insular gray fox.
Taxonomy and evolution
The island fox shares the Urocyon genus with the mainland gray fox, the species from which it is descended. Its small size is a result of insular dwarfism, a form of allopatric speciation. Because the island fox is geographically isolated, it has no immunity to parasites and diseases brought in from the mainland and is especially vulnerable to those the domestic dog may carry. In addition, predation by the golden eagle and human activities devastated fox numbers on several of the Channel Islands in the 1990s. Four island fox subspecies were federally protected as an endangered species in 2004, and efforts to rebuild fox populations and restore the ecosystems of the Channel Islands are being undertaken. Radio collars are being attached to foxes in an effort to track and locate the young foxes. To date these efforts have been largely successful.
- Urocyon littoralis littoralis of San Miguel Island,
- Urocyon littoralis santarosae of Santa Rosa Island,
- Urocyon littoralis santacruzae of Santa Cruz Island,
- Urocyon littoralis dickeyi of San Nicolas Island,
- Urocyon littoralis catalinae of Santa Catalina and,
- Urocyon littoralis clementae of San Clemente Island.
The small size of the island fox is an adaptation to the limited resources available in the island environment. The foxes are believed to have "rafted" to the northern islands between 10,400 and 16,000 years ago. Initially, fox populations were located on the three northern islands, which were likely easier to access during the last ice age—when lowered sea levels united four of the northernmost islands into a single mega-island (Santa Rosae) and the distance between the islands and the mainland was reduced—it is likely that Native Americans brought the foxes to the southern islands of the archipelago, perhaps as pets or hunting dogs.
Based on the limited fossil record and genetic distance from its gray fox ancestors, the northern island fox subspecies are probably the older subspecies, while the San Clemente island fox has been only resident on its island for about 3,400–4,300 years, and the San Nicolas island fox established itself as an independent group about 2,200 years ago. The Santa Catalina island fox is potentially the most recently evolved subspecies, having been on its island for about 800–3,800 years. The fox did not persist on Anacapa Island because it has no reliable source of fresh water; Santa Barbara Island is too small to support the food demands of the fox.
The island fox is significantly smaller than the gray fox and perhaps the smallest fox in North America, averaging slightly smaller than the swift and kit foxes. Typically the head-and-body length is 48–50 cm (18–20 in.), shoulder height 12–15 cm (4–6 in.), and the tail is 11–29 cm (4–11 in.) long, which is notably shorter than the 27–44 cm (10–17 in.) tail of the gray fox. This is due to the fact that the island fox generally has two fewer tail vertebrae than the gray fox. The island fox weighs between 1 and 2.8 kg (2.2 and 6.2 lb). The male is always larger than the female. The largest of the subspecies occurs on Santa Catalina Island and the smallest on Santa Cruz Island.
The island fox has gray fur on its head, a ruddy red coloring on its sides, white fur on its belly, throat and the lower half of its face, and a black stripe on the dorsal surface of its tail. In general the coat is darker and duller hued than that of the gray fox. The island fox molts once a year between August and November. Before the first molt pups are woolly and have a generally darker coat than adult foxes.
The island fox typically forms monogamous breeding pairs which are frequently seen together beginning in January and through the breeding season, from late February to early March. The gestation period is 50–63 days. The female island fox gives birth in a den, a typical litter having one to five pups, with an average of two or three. Pups are born in the spring and emerge from the den in early summer; the mother lactates for 7–9 weeks. Sexual maturity is reached at 10 months, and the females usually breed within the first year. Island foxes live for 4–6 years in the wild and for up to 8 years in captivity.
Ecology and behavior
Its preferred habitat is complex layer vegetation with a high density of woody, perennially fruiting shrubs. The fox lives in all of the island biomes including temperate forest, temperate grassland and chaparral, with no island supporting more than 1,000 foxes. The island fox eats fruits, insects, birds, eggs, crabs, lizards, and small mammals, including deer mice. The fox tends to move around by itself, rather than in packs. It is generally nocturnal, albeit with peaks of activity at dawn and dusk. Activity also fluctuates with the season; it is more active during the day in summer than it is in winter.
The island fox is not intimidated by humans, although at first may show aggression. It is quite easy to tame and is generally docile. The island fox communicates using auditory, olfactory and visual signals. A dominant fox uses vocalizations, staring, and ear flattening to cause another fox to submit. Signs of dominance and submission are visual, such as facial expression and body posture. Its main vocalizations are barking and growling. The island fox marks territory with urine and feces.
A decline in island fox populations was identified in the 1990s. On San Miguel Island the decline began in 1994, the adult population falling from 450 to 15 in 1999. Similar population declines were discovered on Santa Cruz Island, where the population decreased from 2,000 adults in 1994 to less than 135 in 2000, and on Santa Rosa Island where foxes may have numbered more than 1,500 in 1994 but were reduced to 14 animals by 2000. Golden eagle predation, discovered when foxes were radio-collared and monitored, proved to be the cause of the high mortality rates.
Golden eagle predation is the primary cause of island fox mortality. The golden eagle was an uncommon visitor to the Channel Islands before the 1990s according to data gathered by Dr. Lyndal Laughrin of the University of California Santa Cruz Island Reserve, and the first golden eagle nest was recorded on Santa Cruz Island in 1999. Biologists propose that the eagle may have been attracted to the islands in the 1960s after the decline of the bald eagle. The golden eagle replaced the bald eagle and began to feed on feral pigs due to the decimation of the local bald eagle population due to DDT exposure in the 1950s—the bald eagle would have deterred the golden eagle from settling on the islands while it subsisted on fish.
The feral pigs on Santa Rosa were exterminated by the National Park Service in the early 1990s which removed one of the golden eagle's food sources. The golden eagle then began to prey on the island fox population. Feral pigs on Santa Cruz Island and introduced deer and elk on Santa Rosa Island were introduced almost seventy years prior to island fox decline, therefore, the golden eagle most likely did not seek these animals as alternative prey. This has occurred most likely as a result of a process known as 'apparent competition'. In this process, a predator, like the golden eagle, feeds on at least two prey, for example, the island fox and feral pigs. One prey item is adapted to high predation pressure and supports the predator population (i.e. pigs), whereas the other prey item (i.e. the island fox) is poorly adapted to predation and declines as a consequence of the predation pressure. It has also been proposed that complete removal of golden eagles may be the only action that could save three subspecies of the island fox from extinction. However, the pigs on Santa Cruz Island were killed by the Nature Conservancy under the idea that they brought the eagles to the foxes.
Introduced diseases or parasites can devastate island fox populations. Because the island fox is isolated, it has no immunity to parasites and diseases brought in from the mainland and are especially vulnerable to those the domestic dog may carry. A canine distemper outbreak in 1998 killed approximately 90% of Santa Catalina Island's fox population. After several years of carefully trapping the foxes and vaccinating them against distemper and rabies, their population has reached 1,542, surpassing the population of about 1,300 seen before the animals were ravaged by the disease that scientists believe was introduced by a pet dog or a raccoon from the mainland that hitched a ride on a boat or a barge.
Diminished food supply and general degradation of the habitat due to introduced mammal species, including feral cats, pigs, sheep, goats, and American bison, the latter having been introduced to Catalina Island in the 1920s by a Hollywood film crew shooting a Western, also has had a negative effect on fox populations.
The foxes threaten a population of the severely endangered loggerhead shrike in residence on San Clemente Island. The island fox population on San Clemente Island has been negatively affected by trapping and removal or euthanasia of foxes by the United States Navy. Since 2000, the Navy has employed different management strategies: trapping and holding foxes during the shrike breeding season, the installation of an electric fence system around shrike habitats, and the use of shock collar systems. With the gradual recovery of the shrike population on San Clemente Island, the Navy no longer controls the foxes. Automobile fatalities have also been high on San Clemente, San Nicolas, and Santa Catalina Islands.
In March 2004, four subspecies of the island fox were classified as a federally protected endangered species: the Santa Cruz island fox, Santa Rosa island fox, San Miguel island fox and the Santa Catalina island fox. The IUCN lists the entire species as critically endangered.
The National Parks Service has initiated captive fox breeding programs on San Miguel, Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands, successfully increasing the numbers of resident foxes. In 2004, there were 38 San Miguel island foxes, all in captivity; 46 foxes in captivity on Santa Rosa Island and 7 in the wild (golden eagle predation prevented the release of captive foxes into the wild); Santa Cruz Island had 25 captive foxes and a stable wild population of around 100 foxes. The Catalina Island Conservancy also runs a captive breeding program on Catalina Island; in 2002, there were 17 foxes in captive breeding programs and at least 161 wild foxes. The Catalina Island Conservancy determined that there were 1,500 Santa Catalina Island foxes in 2012, and the population was stabilized.
A key to the recovery of the island fox is the removal of the golden eagle from the Channel Islands, ecosystem restoration and disease control. To ensure survival of the island fox, golden eagles are being moved from the northern islands to the mainland. Maintaining and increasing the bald eagle population on the islands would help to displace the golden eagle. However, the program is extremely resource-intensive and is at risk for cancellation. Removal of feral pigs from Catalina Island and Santa Cruz Island is underway, removing both the golden eagle's food and competition for the island fox. To eliminate the risk of disease, pets are not permitted in Channel Islands National Park. A vaccination program has been initiated to protect Catalina Island foxes from canine distemper.
Because the Channel Islands are almost entirely owned and controlled by either the Catalina Island Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, or the federal government, the fox has a chance to receive the protection it needs, including constant supervision by interested officials without the ongoing threat of human encroachment on its habitat.
According to the Nature Conservancy summer 2009 magazine, the Santa Cruz Island fox population has rebounded to a population of 700 from being fewer than 100.
While it has been assumed that the foxes existed on these islands long before native people settled on the islands, archaeologists are now challenging this theory. Rene Vellanoweth believes that the foxes were brought to the island with the indigenous people, and had not been there upon their arrival. Vellanoweth also believes that the foxes were moved from island to island with the people, which caused interbreeding amongst the species. He believes the key to restarting the fox population is to do what the indigenous people did: mix their species and move them from island to island, creating a higher genetic diversity and assisting them in recovery.
Recently, a document was released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a draft recovery plan for the San Miguel Island fox, Santa Rosa Island fox, Santa Cruz Island fox, and the Santa Catalina Island fox. The plan was released on 14 September 2012, and is currently in the draft plan stage.
- Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- Roemer, G.W., Fuller, T.K., List, R. & Wayne, R.K. (IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group - Island Fox Working Group) (2008). "Urocyon littoralis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
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- Collins, P.W. (1991). "Interaction between the island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) and Indians on islands off the coast of southern California. I Morphologic and archaeological evidence of human assisted dispersal". Journal of Ethnobiology 11: 51–82.
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- Grambo, Rebecca L (1995). The World of the Fox. Vancouver: Greystone Books. p. 102. ISBN 0-87156-377-0.
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- "Island Fox". Channel Islands National Park. National Park Services. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
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- Coonan, T.J. et al. (2004) Island fox recovery program 2003 Annual Report. National Park Service, Channel Islands National Park
- Roemer, G. W., C. J. Donlan & F. Courchamp (2002). "Golden eagles, feral pigs and insular carnivores: How exotic species turn native predators into prey". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 99 (2): 791–796. doi:10.1073/pnas.012422499. PMC 117384. PMID 11752396.
- Collins, P. W., and B. C. Latta. 2006. Nesting Season Diet of Golden Eagles on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands, Santa Barbara County, California. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Technical Reports — No. 3.
- Courchamp, F., R. Woodroffe & G. Roemer (2003). "Removing protected populations to save endangered species". Science 302 (5650): 1532. doi:10.1126/science.1089492. PMID 14645839.
- Dawn, Karen (2008). Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals (1st ed.). HarperCollins. p. 300.
- Louis Sahagun (2012-01-19). "Catalina Island fox makes astounding comeback". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
- Chang, Alicia (2007-09-21). "Study: Catalina bison aren't purebred". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
- United States Navy. 2000. San Clemente Island Range Complex Environmental Impact Study, San Clemente Loggerhead numbers on the increase
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2004. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the San Miguel Island Fox, Santa Rosa Island Fox, Santa Cruz Island Fox, and Santa Catalina Island Fox
- Kohlmann, S. G. et al. 2003. Island fox recovery efforts on Santa Catalina Island, California, October 2001–October 2002, Annual Report. Ecological Restoration Department, Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, Avalon, California.
- "Catalina fox population stabilizes, still endangered". abc7.com. KABC-TV/DT. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
- Recovery of the Catalina Island Fox. Catalina Island Conservancy
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- "Draft Recovery Plan for Four Subspecies of Island Fox (Urocyon littorialis)". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
Media related to Urocyon littoralis at Wikimedia Commons | <urn:uuid:cecfd3b5-d11e-49b5-9391-ad8a0a48cbd5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Island_fox | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.905993 | 3,954 | 3.515625 | 4 |
We have a thought that you may wish to ponder as you read through this illuminating article from the BBC: Newham is keen to state that London City Airport has bought so much regeneration to the borough, jobs, money etc, it's often used as the excuse as to why the residents around it have to suffer intolerably. It's marketed as a bit of pay off in exchange for all that pollution. But why and how is it that Newham continues to be one of the most socially deprived boroughs in the country with all this wealth that is supposed to be generating from LCY and landing into Newham? Those trickle down economics just aren't trickling down to the right people. The facts are there, plain to see.
As seen on the BBC: Cost of giving Newham Council the 'wow factor'
By Ed Davey
BBC News, London
London's most expensive council-funded festival, offices with the "wow factor" costing £18.7m and an in-house newspaper costing more than £500,000 a year.
As local authorities digest a 26% funding cut, BBC London examines the outlay in one of the UK's most deprived boroughs.
One critic said the offices resembled a "five star hotel or West End nightclub"
With its reflective floor and designer bird's nest light fittings, Newham Council's new back office looks impressive.
Last week's spending review ushered in an age of austerity for local authorities, ordered to make 7.1% savings annually for four years.
But at Newham Council staff are celebrating winning a top award from the British Council for Offices.
Judges called it an "outstanding transformational workplace environment", saying the "innovative, lively and colourful design contributed to a dynamic environment".
Daniel Windor, of interior designers Sheppard Robson, who carried out the work, said: "You have to have the 'wow factor' in that environment. You need to give it a bit of sparkle or it will fall flat."
'Ultimate Champagne socialist'
But the £18.7m cost of the building and its decor is one of several spending projects highlighted by a BBC investigation.
The Local Government Minister Bob Neill criticised the figure saying it showed members of Newham Council were "living the ultimate Champagne socialist lifestyle on the taxpayer".
The BBC was told the lights came from a designer but has been unable to track down the cost
In response a council spokesman said the building was saving taxpayers in the borough £7m a year.
Newham, where all 60 councillors are Labour, is ranked as the UK's sixth most deprived borough.
The Council's own publicity describes it as one of the poorest boroughs in London.
"Poverty intensity in Newham is high," it says.
Central government funding for the authority this year stands at £224m, more than £100m above the median London council.
The grant is based on need and takes into account deprivation levels.
Only two London councils, Hackney and Tower Hamlets, received more per head.
Like many local authorities, the council produces its own newspaper.
This is published fortnightly and last year cost the taxpayer £547,000.
The figure is the highest in London and compares with an average cost of about £140,000.
The council also funds an annual festival, formerly called the Newham Town Show.
But after Newham opted for a directly elected mayor, Sir Robin Wales, it was rebranded the Mayor's Newham Show and spending on the festival increased.
This year's show, attracting 40,000 people, cost £362,000, the most expensive festival predominantly funded by a London council.
Newham, one of the UK's poorest areas, is the Olympic borough
The sum is higher than Westminster's West End Live show, which attracts more than 250,000 people.
Newham, the Olympic borough, has declined to confirm how much the show cost in the last year before it was rebranded.
Along with Croydon, the authority was one of only two London councils to award pay rises to three senior councillors in 2010, during a public sector pay freeze.
Sir Robin's remuneration increased from £78,844 to £81,029.
It has also emerged that departing chief executive Joe Duckworth - once the highest-paid town hall chief in England on £241,000 - may receive a pay-off.
Mr Neill accused Labour councillors of a "spending spree that would make a millionaire blush".
"This is more evidence that if you root out all the waste and wild overspend in local government you can protect frontline services," he said.
A spokeswoman for the Taxpayers' Alliance said some of the spending highlighted at the authority amounted to "needless extravagance".
Of the offices, she added: "This glitzy refit is the sort of thing you might expect of a five star hotel or a West End nightclub, not the back offices of a local authority in one of the poorest boroughs of London.
"Any additional grants Newham receive should be spent on efforts to improve the area, not modernist chic for council officers."
But a Newham Council spokesman called the new office "an efficiency move that is saving taxpayers almost £7 million each year".
The council says 91% of people find its magazine "informative"
He added: "These savings are being realised by reducing the cost of office buildings and introducing better ways of working for staff, such as having all back office operations in one location.
"This move has helped to achieve the lowest council tax in outer London."
He said the festival played a "vital role in bringing the community together and ensuring cohesion" and spending on the Newham magazine resulted in a publication that 91% of people surveyed found "informative".
The spokesman said increasing councillors' salaries brought the mayor into line with a recommendation from an external panel.
"We are continually looking to ensure value for money for our residents and are working hard to make our finances stretch that bit further," he said.
Additional reporting by Sarah Halls. | <urn:uuid:89291777-08dd-4cae-96b2-c67d6a433cae> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://londoncityairportfighttheflights.blogspot.com/2010/11/cost-of-giving-newham-council-wow.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00072-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962287 | 1,271 | 1.78125 | 2 |
|Performance Events tailored for the Cur and Feist breeds are based upon treeing game. The Cur / Feist Program actually offers three different performance events for evaluating these hard working tree dogs. The most popular of the events offered is the licensed Squirrel Hunt. At a typical licensed squirrel hunt, three dogs are randomly drawn into a group (called a cast) to hunt against each other. Dogs are hunted for two hours using a points system where the handler and dog teams are credited for treeing the most wild game and making the fewest mistakes in the process. Dogs are hunted on wild, free ranging game outside of enclosures and no game is taken during these events. In much the same fashion, licensed Nite Hunts, another UKC licensed Cur / Feist event, test a dog’s ability to tree wild raccoons. Four dog casts participate in the licensed Nite Hunts. |
The final event available to Cur / Feist enthusiasts and their dogs are the licensed Treeing Contests. A live raccoon, or if prohibited by law, a substitute is placed up in a tree in a cage of the type that a dog cannot make contact with the animal nor can the animal hurt itself. A dog’s treeing ability is judged based on the number of times he barks at the game while staying inside of a marked, but not fenced, area.
Though UKC recognizes but five breeds of Curs and Feists, all UKC registered breeds (excluding coonhounds) are eligible to participate in licensed Cur / Feist events. Dogs compete for championship points and permanent UKC titles. | <urn:uuid:de773b82-ff0d-4a0c-80f9-dbc52fd182b3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ukcdogs.com/Web.nsf/WebPages/CurFeist/About | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00064-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961802 | 330 | 1.71875 | 2 |
UCKHANNON — With the tragedy in Newtown, Conn. fresh in everyone’s minds, the Upshur County Board of Education heard a report on school safety efforts in Upshur County at Tuesday’s meeting.
Superintendent Scott Lampinen first shared with the board a letter that was sent home to parents on Monday, Dec. 17, three days after the Dec. 14 shooting that killed 26 students and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut.
The letter included some information about safety efforts in the school system, and on the reverse was information on how to help children cope with a tragedy.
“We constantly are looking at our safety procedures,” he said.
An Upshur County Schools safety committee encompasses administration, first responders, law enforcement and the Upshur County Office of Emergency Management and meets a minimum of twice a year.
For obvious reasons, Lampinen said too much information cannot be shared about the safety plans the school system has in place.
For the complete article see the 12-24-2012 issue.
Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 12-24-2012 paper. | <urn:uuid:259ebc41-9259-432b-948c-61ededbce008> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.therecorddelta.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=5511&page=72 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943245 | 230 | 1.617188 | 2 |
James Madison, Jr. was the fourth President of the United States, an American politician, and political philosopher who contributed as a Founding Father during the late 1700s. Madison was born to Colonel James Madison, Sr. and Eleanor Rose Conway on March 16, 1751 in Orange County, Virginia. As a child, Madison spent much of his time on his parents' tobacco plantation and studied mathematics, geography, and modern and ancient languages with instructor Donald Robertson. In 1769 attended the College of New Jersey (now known as Princeton University) where he avidly studied history, government, Latin, science, philosophy, rhetoric, speech, debate, and law. Madison completed his degree in two years and after taking a slight break, Thomas Jefferson became Madison's mentor. Madison established his political career at a state level by practicing law, served in the Continental Congress, helped frame the Virginia Constitution in 1776, and assisted Jefferson in drafting many major papers, including a declaration of religious freedom and many Federalist essays.
While serving in Congress, Madison participated in the drafting and ratification of the Constitution with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay and earned the reference as one of the "Fathers of the Constitution." Madison also participated in framing the Bill of Rights, revenue legislation, and the founding of the Republican or Jeffersonian Party. In 1794, Madison wed Dolley Payne Todd and adopted her son, John Payne Todd. Throughout Madison's career, his wife compensated for Madison's "worn and wizened" appearance and captivated Washington with her charm.
Madison was elected Secretary of State during Jefferson's Presidency and despite the unpopularity of the Embargo Act of 1807 which led to a depression and was later repealed. Madison was elected President in 1808. During Madison's Presidency, Madison initially prohibited trade with Britain and France but Congress later authorized trade with both. Madison also expanded military policies, managed political disunity, formed the Second Bank of The United States, and asked Congress to declare war on Britain June 1, 1812. Despite very few naval and military victories, the U.S. was successful in winning the war which scholars rendered in 2006 the "sixth worst presidential mistake ever."
Madison faced heavy opposition during his presidency, including a divided cabinet, distension from political parties, incompetent generals and political leaders, a largely uncooperative Congress, and a reputation damaging lack of popular support. Madison's last years in office allowed him to repair his image and increase nationalism. In 1797, Madison left office but stayed involved in politics. Madison retired to Montpelier, his personal estate in Orange County, Virginia, in 1817. Mounting financial troubles and failing physical health burdened Madison. Madison spent his last years "straightening out" his legacy by revising his letters, possessions, and documents to ensure his fellow citizens would esteem him highly.
In 1826, Madison succeeded Thomas Jefferson as the second Rector or President of the University of Virginia and held the position for ten years until his death. In 1829 Madison was chosen to represent Virginia at the constitutional convention in Richmond. Madison wrote several memoranda regarding political topics including an essay against appointing chaplains for Congress and branches of the military. In 1836, as the last Founding Father, Madison passed away. He was buried within the Madison Family Cemetery at his family's Montpelier estate. After Madison's death, a letter written by the late Founding Founder read: "The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated." Madison's legacy remains a testament to his contribution to American politics. Here are the 50 Best James Madison Quotes:
1. "The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted."
2. "A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them."
3. "A popular government without proper information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce, or a tragedy, or perhaps both."
4. "A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person."
5. "A sincere and steadfast co-operation in promoting such a reconstruction of our political system as would provide for the permanent liberty and happiness of the United States."
6. "A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense of a free country."
7. "A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people."
8. "All that seems indispensable in stating the account between the dead and the living, is to see that the debts against the latter do not exceed the advances made by the former."
9. "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition."
10. "America was indebted to immigration for her settlement and prosperity. That part of America which had encouraged them most had advanced most rapidly in population, agriculture, and the arts."
11. "Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms."
12. "And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and Government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together."
13. "Any reading not of a vicious species must be a good substitute for the
amusements too apt to fill up the leisure of the laboring classes."
14. "As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights."
15. "As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed."
16. "By rendering the labor of one, the property of the other, they cherish pride, luxury, and vanity on one side; on the other, vice and servility, or hatred and revolt."
17. "Commercial shackles are generally unjust, oppressive, and impolitic."
18. "Despotism can only exist in darkness, and there are too many lights now in the political firmament to permit it to remain anywhere, as it has heretofore done, almost everywhere."
19. "Do not separate text from historical background. If you do, you will have
perverted and subverted the Constitution, which can only end in a distorted, bastardized form of illegitimate government."
20. "Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations."
21. "Every nation whose affairs betray a want of wisdom and stability may calculate on every loss which can be sustained from the more systematic policy of its wiser neighbors."
22. "I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."
23. "I have no doubt but that the misery of the lower classes will be found to abate whenever the Government assumes a freer aspect and the laws favor a subdivision of Property."
24. "I should not regret a fair and full trial of the entire abolition of capital punishment."
25. "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
26. "If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."
27. "If we are to take for the criterion of truth the majority of suffrages, they ought to be gotten from those philosophic and patriotic citizens who cultivate their reason."
28. "In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself."
29. "In no instance have...the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people."
30. "In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority."
31. "It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad."
32. "It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood."
33. "Knowledge will forever govern irgnorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
34. "Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous encroachments on the public liberty."
35. "Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild season, through a pleasant country, in easy stages."
36. "Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power."
37. "No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare."
38. "Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other."
39. "Philosophy is common sense with big words."
40. "Religion flourishes in great purity, without than with the aid of Government."
41. "Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect."
42. "The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty."
43. "The capacity of the female mind for studies of the highest order cannot be doubted, having been sufficiently illustrated by its works of genius, of erudition, and of science."
44. "The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money."
45. "The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent and happy."
46. "The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms."
47. "The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to an uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government."
48. "The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse."
49. "The executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is or is not cause for declaring war."
50. "Whenever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done." | <urn:uuid:1adb2876-a663-4912-abd8-5cc78d190875> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.brainz.org/50-best-james-madison-quotes/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00043-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966418 | 2,250 | 3.515625 | 4 |
FYI Health Tip
Foods like ginger, rhubarb and cinnamon may keep Alzheimer's away.
Can certain foods help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease? With a progressive loss of brain function that slowly destroys memory and thinking capability, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is said to result from the deposit of proteins called amyloid-beta protein peptides that are produced as a result of genetic mutations and eventually form plaques in the brain. Many substances, including various food products, are thought to block the buildup of amyloid-beta peptides and have shown promising results in studies using laboratory animals. Researchers in Canada conducted a study to further confirm previous results of various substances showing the ability to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, but this time, using two different tests using synthetic forms of peptides, as well as brain tissues of mice and humans who had died of Alzheimer’s disease.
Of the substances tested, those that showed marginal blocking ability against amyloid-beta peptides were ginger, blueberries, rhubarb, turmeric, cinnamon and resveratrol. Unlike the findings by previous research, curcumin and garlic extract failed to show any benefits in this study. Further research to find powerful substances with ability to block the accumulation of amyloid-beta peptides would likely lead to development of medications for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The substances also need to be in molecular forms small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier before reaching the brain, which is more realistic in a research setting at this time.
A healthy clean diet is always a good idea for general health and to stave off dementia. You may also consider incorporating some tai chi as part of your exercise routine to help maintain both body and mental health.
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I remember I read somewhere that says turmeric can help slow down Alzheimer's. But I don't know if that is true. Any thoughts? Also, I'm thinking of buying a turmeric supplement from this: http://organicindia.mercola.com/herbal-supplements/turmeric.aspx Has anyone tried that? | <urn:uuid:5a9567ad-6cbe-4e4a-989d-c7e107c5ef9c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.fyiliving.com/diet/ginger-blueberries-rhubarb-may-help-slow-down-alzheimers/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952525 | 453 | 2.671875 | 3 |
SAFE SNOWMOBILING TIPS
Remember, it's you, the safe rider, that makes snowmobiling safe. Many problems can be avoided by using common sense. Minor problems can be overcome by carrying a useful tool kit, spare parts, flashlight, first-aid kit, and a few survival items such as high-energy food, fire-starting equipment and a compass. Always let someone know where you are going.
Take it easy
Today's snowmobile is a mechanical marvel. It provides inspiring performance, reliability and pleasing aesthetics, combined with essential safety components. Safe riders ride within the limits of their machine and their abilities. Remember, speed is not the measure of snowmobiling fun. You should always ride at a speed in which you can safely stop. Slow down and enjoy the scenery and the experience. Ease up on the throttle - especially when near other machines, people, trees, animals and other objects. It's good sense.
Take a friend
Don't snowmobile alone. Not only is snowmobiling more fun with family and friends, it's safe too.
Don't drink and drive
Alcohol and snowmobiling simply do not mix. Forget that myth that alcohol warms up a chilled person. It opens the blood vessels and removes the feeling of being cold, but it does nothing to increase body heat. Instead, it can increase the risk of hypothermia, a dangerous lowering of the body's core temperature.
Section 25.24 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law provides for stiff penalties in relation to driving while intoxicated or impaired by drugs while operating a snowmobile.
Take a safety course
Any snowmobile operator under the age of eighteen must take a Young Snowmobile Safety Course. An adult "Safe Rider" course is now available. For information on the course nearest you, call(518)474-0446. Take a snowmobile safety course, and REMEMBER: WEAR AN APPROVED SAFETY HELMET! | <urn:uuid:9d8260ca-8ae0-46ce-8293-0e1b7bcc2811> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.middleburghridgerunners.net/members_page | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927066 | 407 | 2.25 | 2 |
Centuries of use... Maple syrup has a long history: its use is recorded as far back as the early 1600s. Since then, in many kitchens across Canada and the United States, whether domestic or professional, adventurous chefs of all kinds have created hundreds of great recipes where pure maple syrup is used to flavour and sweeten foods. The sampling of recipes we bring you demonstrate just how versatile pure maple syrup can be. We invite you to try some of these time-tested recipes. After all, pure maple syrup is great on pancakes and waffles, but there's so much more for you to discover! | <urn:uuid:0b10ca82-96cd-4fc8-9daf-8a58eeea731f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bernards.ca/en/publications/recipes/categories-list/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00062-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956857 | 122 | 1.929688 | 2 |
|Career Preparedness Training for Students||Email | Print|
by Office of Communications; Source: , email@example.com
On January 16, 2011, during the bi-weekly assembly period, the Office of Communications made a presentation to the student body about developing interviewing skills. Students were reminded of the importance of body language, professional dress, communication and asking questions. This presentation was especially important because Middle East University's educational philosophy focuses on the holistic development of students. | <urn:uuid:700cd561-379f-40f6-963b-be87a613bc68> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://meu.edu.lb/newstext.php?id=28 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954959 | 100 | 1.953125 | 2 |
I have a concern about 3 things - for the past 7 days - I have had intermittent dizziness, brought on by a ear problem after desending in a commercial jet. The pain in my left ear and just below my ear in my left neck area. I am on Bactrim DS 800 mg, one a day, via my Primary Care doctor. She says I have fluid in my ears. I saw her 5 days ago.My two concerns are: Will the antibiotic help with remove the fluid? Is there anything else I can take OTC to help reduce the fluid? Why does it hurt below my ear? Thank you.
Person's Gender: Female
Person's Age: 58
Bactrim DS 800 mg, advil
HI, Thanks for your question. I am an ear, nose & throat specialist and wants to help you. I will try to address all of your concerns separately and will be happy to answer your follow up questions. Will the antibiotic help with remove the fluid?Yes if the diagnosis of your doctor is fluid in the ear then yes antibiotic will help but there are other drugs which are required to drain the fluid. As you must be knowing that this fluid gets accumulated because of the the Eustachian tube dysfunction (its a tube behind the nose), the drugs like systemic decongestants and local decongestants help. Local decongestants include Xylometazoline nasal spray and systemic decongestant include tab sudafed. Xylometazoline nasal spray is required in the dosage of two puffs thrice daily for seven days and sudafed one tablet twice daily. Steam inhalation with menthol drops twice daily is also very helpful. nasal spray and sudafed can only be used if no high blood pressure issues are there. Pain killers are required to address the pain.Is there anything else I can take OTC to help reduce the fluid?yes all of above are OTC but one should always inform doctor before using them.Why does it hurt below my ear?It hurts below the ear because the infection might have spread to lymph gland below the ear.I wish you good luck that you get well soon. If you have any question, please let me know. RegardsDr Hasan
Dr. Hasan, thank you for the great advice - I appreciate it. What can I do the keep the Eustachian tube clear when I am flying? The pain in my neck under my ear when the jet descends is terrible. I tried chewing gum, yawning, etc. nothing worked. Also, will the Eustachian tubes ever become normal again? This flight was Florida to New York City and I had this trouble. I have flown to Paris from Florida and not have any problems at all.I think for me the dizziness is the worse part.
Thanks for your input. Usually i advise my patients with similar problems to use Xylometazoline spray while taking off and while landing. Moreover i ask them to take a sudafed before the flight. Using chewing gum is required while landing because its in landing basically when the tube fails to equalize the pressure. Yes it can become normal but you should visit ENT and should get tympanometry test to confirm this dysfunction. Moreover nasal steroid sprays and sudafed is required initially and suppose it doesn't respond to the medical management, then procedure called myringotomy and grommet insertion is required. Dizziness in the form of spinning is related to ears and if you have this then inner ear infection can be suspected. Bactrim should help this. OTC Tab meclizine thrice daily really helps with dizziness in my patients. But i strongly advise you to see ENT for further evaluation because this problem should be addressed by ENT rather than PCP. If still any question, please let me know. Please spare sometime to leave positive feedback.I wish that you get well soon.Regards
MBBS, FCPS , EXPERIENCE IN ALL FIELDS OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
You are most welcome. you can always come back on this page to ask more about your problem. Regards
I did accept your answer and gave a $7 tip. Thank you, sir.
Yes i know this but i sent you this message so that you can always feel free to contact me again for your problem. Take care of yourself.
Dear Hasan, I would like to ask a few more questions if you are available. I went to my ENT doctor today and I would to run a few things by you please. Thank you.
HI, Yes sure, i am here for you.
Thank you Sir. Very much. I just got back from my ENT - they checked my ears, all is good, but when he put the flexible scope into my nose, he discovered at the adnoid was enlarged and he was concerned. because of my age (soon 59) and he wants to do adnoidectomy to remove it. Also to send it off to the lab to check for any cancer cells. I do not smoke or drink and anything bad. I was not expecting this turn of events. I asked if there were other options and he told me that this was the only option. I asked if antibiotics would help shrink it and he said would could certainly go that route but it would have no effect.My question is: what is your opinion? I have never had surgeries of any kind and quite frankly I am scared.When I asked and I saw the enlarged adnoid, he said it didn't look like cancer but he still wanted a biopsy.Your thoughts, please..
Also, I forgot to mention, the reason I had ear problems was because this adnoid (about one inch) was pushing on the tube that goes into my ear.
He did prescribe Amoxicillin for a course of ten days just to see if the adnoid would shrink, because I insisted. These events all happened today.
Thanks for your input. First of all i would like to mention that if he is suspecting adenoids then that's good because by saying so he is not suspecting cancer at the top of list. I really agree that its not usual to have adenoids at this age. The point is what to do now. If you were my patient yes i would have gone for its removal with a biopsy. You should not be scared, i agree one gets concerned but there is no other way than to get a biopsy.There are few things which are in your favor. You don't have lymph nodes in neck and if that was cancer, lymph nodes are there most of the time because nasopharynx is one of the site where lymph node metastasis is so high that even patients present with lymph nodes first and mass is discovered later so not having all this is a point in your favor. Cancers i nasopharynx are most commonly in the lateral walls (left or right), your doctor is suspecting adenoids so he must have seen a mass in mid line (where adenoids is usually seen) so that makes cancer less likely but biopsy is mandatory but without being stressed. I hope this helps you. If any question, please let me know, please leave positive feedback if you think that i have helped you. I am here till you want so don't worry. Regards
Do you think the amoxcillin will help shrink the adnoid? I asked him if I decided to wait, he told me he could no longer be my doctor because he wants to make sure with the biopsy. There are also complications from surgery that I am apprehensive of. Please help me.
Thanks for your input. Yes amoxicillin can help. This can be adenoid enlargement due to nasopharyngitis (infection of the nasopharynx) like tonsillitis. So yes in that case it can help and there is no risk in taking a chance with a course of antibiotics. Its not a complicated procedure. However you can ask him to take a biopsy under local anesthesia and if it comes out to be just adenoids (which i pray that it should) you can get it removed a later stage. I hope this helps you. If any question, please let me know, please leave positive feedback if you think that i have helped you. I am here till you want so don't worry. Regards
I did ask my ENT if we could do a biopsy without the surgery and he told me it is a difficult thing to do. Something it being very uncomfortable for me, blood issues and something about a balloon? I don't know.
Thanks for your reply. If he is not comfortable then go for it under general anesthesia. If you don't have any diagnosed problem like bleeding diathesis then bleeding is not a major issue. Balloon, yes it makes uncomfortable but after adenoids removal we don't use balloon or packing. you can ask him to take a biopsy and to remove the rest of tissue with LASER. If he can do this, the risk of bleeding significantly reduces. I hope this helps you. If any question, please let me know, please leave positive feedback if you think that i have helped you. I am here till you want so don't worry. Regards
So, if I may ask 3 more questions (YOU HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL AND SO HELPFUL). So you are saying I can in a nutshell - I can a biopsy without doing the adnoidetomy, to get a sample? And the use of a laser to remove the remainder of the tissue? Is this something he can do in his office? Thank you.
Thanks for your reply. Its my pleasure really to help you. Yes but biopsy will be done in operation theater under general anesthesia. He will take the biopsy and can remove rest of the adenoid with LASER. The biopsy is taken first because LASER burn the tissues so biopsy become inconclusive. So biopsy is taken first to get a conclusive report. This is a suggestion and definitely your doctor needs to agree on this, this depends on his comfort, thoughts and expertise. This is just to minimize the chances of bleeding. I hope this helps you. If any question, please let me know, please leave positive feedback if you think that i have helped you. I am here till you want so don't worry. Regards
Yes! Dr. you have helped me!!! I will keep you posted as I learn more after the course of antibiotics are completed. Thank you, SIr.
It would be a pleasure to assist you. I wish you best of luck.
HI, Just wanted to know that how are you feeling now?Regards
Dr. Hasan, I have been on the Amoxcillin now, my second day of a 10 day course. I feel better. I have a follow-up appt in 13 days. I am in the hopes that the adenoid has shrunk some. Do you think that is possible? (I Think I already asked you this question, I apologize). I know for me, I will be very conservative in my treatment. I believe I will end up not having the surgery.
Thanks for your input. I am happy that you believe that you will not end up with surgery and you know, belief is half cure. Yes its possible that amoxcillin is helping the infection in the adenoid. Adenoid is basically a lymphoid tissue and it can get enlarged due to infection. If infection is being cured, the tissue can regress. However i cannot give you false hope, but hope is there. Regards
Also, it helps that you mentioned that the enlarged adenoid was the primary focus of my local ENT physician and not suspecting cancer at the top of his list. He has been in practice 8 years and he said this was the first time he even saw an adult with adenoids. If it continues, I will seek a second opinion. I will not let this situation get pushed aside. But I am in the hopes that the amoxicillin does reduce it.
I really wish that things go fine for you. Really i have not seen adenoids at your age in my 6 years of ENT practice. Let the amoxicillin course finish and then decide accordingly. I am really hopeful in your case. My prayers are with you also. :)Have a good day.
Thank you SO much Dr. Hasan. I appreciate all your advice, it has helped me so much.
You are most welcome.
Hello, good day, I have just seen that you asked me a question but the question is closed. Probably I was offline, that's why? How can I help you ?Regards.
It was just one thing. I don't want to interrupt your medical practice and schedule. But I was wondering, if my ENT and you also mentioned that you had never seen an enlarged Adenoid in adult, even though another physician has, from the appearance of the adenoid, clear and round, if cancer was in the adenoid, would not show as difficult color, blood, shape?
Thanks for your question. It's ok you can ask me anything you want and at anytime. I can get back to you when possible at the earliest. Yes your concern is right. Adenoid does has a characteristic look and is different from cancerous mass in shape, however color of overlying mucosa is same in both. That is the reason that I agreed with your ENT because an ENT is not likely to miss adenoid. If anything not clear, please feel free to ask more and please donot ever hesitate to ask anything in future. Regards
Because I am not a doctor and am hoping for a good shrinkage after the antibiotic regime. DId you say the color of the overlying mucosa is the same without cancer and with cancer? It is a clear round adenoid, no color inside or out. I also do not have any other characteristics of cancer. I.e., swollen glands, pain, etc. I do not smoke and no longer have any dizziness.Do you see where I am going with this? Especially, when I am not having the surgery. But I don't want to make an error either?
Yes, the color of mucosa is same in both cases however the look is different because in cancer mucosa can be irregular or sometime smooth, in adenoids mucosa has ridges in it. Having no associated symptom is good thing but you have to get a biopsy atleast which is mandatory. I think you have to wait, hoping for the best till you get a biopsy. The chances of having nothing serious are high according to my experience but biopsy is mandatory. On follow up if the mass completely goes away, only then nothing further need to be done but this is quite unlikely with adenoid however significant reduction can still be expected. I wish you good luck for all, please donot stress yourself. i hope this helps you. please ask for any query. please click accept if i have answered your question. regards. Dr Hasan
And my problem sir, is that the only way my physician can do the biopsy is via surgery and I am not planning on doing that. I will hope and pray that it does reduce in size with antibiotics. I appreciate all your help.
Thanks for the accept and feedback but I am getting worried because you are looking stressed today, may I know why? Have you read anything etc? Please write back to me, I would be happy to assist you specifically as per your concerns. You are getting better according to your symptoms do why you are stressed? Please donot be, let me know what happened ?Regards
I just want you to know that I did submit another payment for your help today. I agree with you, I am stressed because I know in the past, I have always been able to get through illnesses, broken bones, etc. with no problems or surgeries. I have put all my hopes in the antibiotic treatment. I was not expecting an answer that the Mucosa is clear in both non-malignacy and also malignacy. I guess I am afraid if on the follow-up visit on the 14th with my ENT, there will be a conflict between my doctor and I if I still refuse the biopsy with the removal of the adenoid.
I appreciate your help - I guess it is hard for me because I am not a medical professional just a regular person being given unexpected health results from my ENT. I will keep you posted. But in the end, I will hope for the medicine to work, a shrinkage of the adenoid and no surgery. There can be additional problems with surgeries, as I have noticed with people in my family. Thank you Dr. Hasan for all your help. You are the best!
Yes i can understand your anxiety. Even i would be anxious. The mucosa over adenoid and tumor can look normal or same but as i said adenoid is a lymphoid tissue and has a characteristic look. So really you can hope for the best. Donot stress yourself till you see your doctor and i advise you to accept his advise. There are usually no additional problems with surgery usually. Ok here is an other suggestion, this is not a standard procedure but i am just mentioning for your help. You can ask your doctor, if he agrees well and good, if he donot he will be justified. You can ask him that whether he can get a PET scan for you. I like CT scan but with a dye which is picked up by cancer cells and can show that a mass is cancer or not. We donot use it for diagnosis, we use it for follow up of cancer patients but just ask him, if he agree. But again its not something which he should agree, i am just mentioning for your help. If he donot then please get it removed. :) have a good day.
I just wanted to let you know that my adenoid situation cleared itself up with antibiotics - no swelling or anything.
I did not opt for the surgery and I am glad - thank you for all your time.
I really appreciate it.
Thanks a lot for your input. I am really feeling very happy for you. I am glad that my suggestion and reassurance was right. Good luck for everything else in your life and please feel free to contact me anytime for anything. Take care of yourself and enjoy this beautiful life. Best regards , XX Hasan.
Thank you SO much, Dr. Hasan - wishing you continued success in all you do - you do make a difference in people's lives. Regards, R
Thanks a lot :)
Hello Dr. Hasan,
I don't have a question for you but wanted to give you an update - everything is perfectly fine with my nose issue. It turned out to be a infection which inflamed the area. You were great to help me back in April and May, 2012.
Much continued success to you Dr. Romaine 445
You are most welcome. I wish you a happy and healthy life. Regards | <urn:uuid:55ef767d-d560-4242-bab3-d55636cf4a55> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.justanswer.com/health/6lgup-concern-things-past-days.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00072-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972361 | 3,960 | 1.648438 | 2 |
Bill Gross is the lead investment manager for PIMCO which is probably the largest Bond Fund company is the US or the world. Every month, he writes an Investment Outlook letter to their investors and this month’s letter was entitled “Damages“.
In the letter, he recaps the countries whose deficit is large as a percentage of their GDP and those who are small. It is probably not surprising that Greece, Japan, Spain have large deficits, however, the US deficit as a percent of GDP is actually larger than any of the countries other than Japan.
The lesser developed countries such as China, Russia, etc. are much lower and those countries such as Germany and Canada who have gotten their fiscal house in order are much lower too.
The final couple of paragraphs deal with the current total US deficit of $16 Trillion, however, if you add the present value of all of the benefits owed due to Social Security, the deficit becomes closer to $76 Trillion. Now payroll taxes will cover much of that, but it is interesting to see that the US may not be much better than the PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain) countries.
Categories: Demographics, Farm Industry Trends, Farm Leadership | <urn:uuid:0df30db1-3aa3-4573-884c-b311c5dad45a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.farmcpatoday.com/2012/10/10/is-the-true-us-deficit-76-trillion-instead-of-16-trillion/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97987 | 255 | 1.835938 | 2 |
An unleaded wilderness
Gov. Schwarzenegger approves a bill banning the use of lead bullets in the California backcountry
By Chuck Graham 10/25/2007
The 2008 hunting season will be the first without lead bullets, and that’s good news for the critically endangered California condor.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed bill AB821 on Oct. 12, banning the use of lead ammunition in California’s rugged backcountry wilds. This was Assemblyman Pedro Nava’s (D-Santa Barbara) third attempt at passing this crucial legislation, which will go a long way in saving North America’s largest flying landbird. Nava’s previous attempts were snuffed out before reaching the Assembly floor.
This time, however, the Assembly and the Senate were on the same page, though it was hard to tell which way Schwarzenegger was leaning. The governor demanded the resignation of Judd Hanna from his California Fish and Game Commission after Hanna incited the ire of the National Rifle Association by supporting a lead bullet ban not specifically linked to Nava’s bill. Hanna is a moderate Republican, hunter and an advocate for saving the condor, and his ouster was perceived as a strong sign Schwarzenegger would not favor Nava’s bill, although, in a recent e-mail, Schwarzenegger said he remained committed to protecting California’s diverse wildlife for future generations.
“We are pleased the legislation was passed,” said Marc Weitzel, project leader for the California Condor Recovery Program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). “This is a significant step forward for the recovery of this bird.”
A remnant of the Pleistocene Age, condors forage for carrion from high above in thermal updrafts, relying on their superior vision to locate food. Condor ranges are broad and they soar an average of 100 to 150 miles per day. During hunting season, condors are more susceptible to ingesting lead fragments found in the gut piles left by hunters. After ingesting meat, condors store their food in their crops for digestive purposes. Lead does not allow the breakdown of food and the raptors eventually starve if they are not treated in time.
Nava’s bill, the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act, would require hunters to use non-lead ammunition for hunting big game and coyotes within the condors’ range. Hunters will likely use copper bullets for larger game and steel pellets for fowl.
The condor has become the “poster child” for getting lead out of the environment, but lead bullets also affect other raptors, including bald and golden eagles and mammals feeding on carrion. Humans need to be cautious, too, said Jessie Grantham, California condor coordinator and team leader for field programs in Southern California for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
“It’s the combination of human health and this critically endangered species,” he said. “People see how lead is killing this animal and the potential effect it can have on humans.”
The goal of the recovery plan is to establish two geographically separate populations: one in California, the other in Arizona. Currently, there are 127 birds in the wild. The condors in the Los Padres National Forest behind Ventura County make up the majority of the population in California. Each region will have 150 condors with 15 breeding pairs and another 150 birds in captive breeding facilities.
Although lead is the leading cause of death for reintroduced condors, it isn’t the only problem plaguing these magnificent raptors. These members of the vulture family are extremely curious and are attracted to shards of “micro trash” reflecting in the sun. They are mistaken for food items, which have been brought back by parents for hungry chicks. Like lead, the accumulation of trash blocks the digestive tract. West Nile virus is also a factor in their survival. Although the birds are inoculated, one condor chick succumbed to the virus in 2005.
“Lead is a toxin and a major factor, but there are a lot of other issues out there for the condor,” Weitzel said. “But ridding lead from the environment is good for all of us.” n | <urn:uuid:29082ff2-34d1-45ce-a8d8-c3027ed901f7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/an_unleaded_wilderness/5339/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942941 | 890 | 2.015625 | 2 |
Archive for the ‘England’ Category
Dispensing with a customary English wedding fruitcake, Prince Edward and his bride selected a seven-tier Devil’s Food cake for their June 19, 1999 wedding. Topped with tennis rackets (in a nod to the fund-raiser where the couple met), the 10-ft. tall confection took baker Linda Fripp and her staff 515 hours to create. Continuing to break with tradition, the Earl and Countess of Wessex cut their cake prior to serving dinner – something that was downright 21st century.
Spirits were very high at the July 23, 1986, wedding of Prince Andrew and Duchess Fergie, who served their guests a 5½-ft. marzipan and rum-soaked cake. The towering treat, which was prepared at the navy supply school HMS Raleigh, featured 15 ingredients, including rum, brandy and port, and was large enough to be cut into 2,000 slices. This lavish six tier royal iced design stood over seven feet tall adorned with trailing fresh flower cascades in white and soft pink. The design was inspired by the society wedding styles and fashion of the late nineteenth century | <urn:uuid:9654f1a5-bcb4-4ea0-9fc8-a536861a566e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://knowingtheroyals.wordpress.com/category/england/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973334 | 245 | 1.796875 | 2 |
A. It’s encouraging to see Rahm Emanuel and John Kerry saying that we shouldn’t up force levels in Afghanistan without a reliable partner. But if we shouldn’t send 40,000 more troops to prop up a crooked government, why keep the 68,000 we have there? A focused counter-terrorism mission would require far less than that.
B. According to Dexter Filkins’ article in the New York Times Magazine, the war in Iraq taught General Stanley McChrystal the following:
No situation, no matter how dire, is ever irredeemable — if you have the time, resources and the correct strategy. In the spring of 2006, Iraq seemed lost. The dead were piling up. The society was disintegrating. One possible conclusion was that it was time for the United States to cut its losses in a country that it never truly understood. But the American military believed it had found a strategy that worked, and it hung in there, and it finally turned the tide.
What’s interesting about this claim is its utter confidence in the potential efficacy of US military power – it is not just necessary to solving Iraq’s problems, but sufficient. If this view is right, Iraqis themselves, and their civil war, were unnecessary to the limited political reconciliation that occurred there.
Filkins, surprisingly, seems to agree, depicting the evolution of the war this way:
For four years, the American military had tried to crush the Iraqi insurgency and got the opposite: the insurgency bloomed, and the country imploded. By refocusing their efforts on protecting Iraqi civilians, American troops were able to cut off the insurgents from their base of support. Then the Americans struck peace deals with tens of thousands of former fighters — the phenomenon known as the Sunni Awakening — while at the same time fashioning a formidable Iraqi army. After a bloody first push, violence in Iraq dropped to its lowest levels since the war began.
Note the use of the word “then” preceding the sentence about peace deals. It carries a heavy load. Filkins wants to say that the hearts and mind theory of counterinsurgency caused the Anbar Awakening. But he offers no real causal story about how they are connected; he just says that one happened and then the other.
Another view, one that leaves Iraqis some agency, is that the growth of the al Qaeda Iraq and the progress of the civil war changed the Sunni insurgents’ strategic calculus, such that they decided to cooperate with Americans to gain locally. And that in turn, limited violence. U.S. forces had a role in this – the covert killing campaign that McChrystal led and Filkins chronicles probably pressured insurgents and weakened AQI, for one. But the deals – the awakening – began well before the troop surge and before David Petraeus took command and tried to implement a new counterinsurgency doctrine. The key American decision was willingness to play ball with insurgent groups. This decision had little to do with winning hearts and minds via population security and increased troop levels. And by empowering forces at odds with the central government, it contradicted the goal of state-building in Iraq, at least in the short-term.
I obviously agree with the latter view. Our dependence on local politics limits what we can accomplish in counterinsurgency. We can certainly affect what happens in Afghanistan, but it is hubris to think we control it.
Filkins also quotes McChrystal on Afghanistan’s effect on Pakistan:
“If we are good here, it will have a good effect on Pakistan,” he told me. “But if we fail here, Pakistan will not be able to solve their problems — it would be like burning leaves on a windy day next door.
It’s sensible to conclude chaos nearby is unhelpful to stability in Pakistan, but it goes way too far to say that Afghanistan’s stability is necessary to Pakistan’s, which has been fairly stable for long periods while Afghanistan was not. What’s more, as Robert Pape argues, it is likely that U.S. forces are a cause of insurgency in both countries. | <urn:uuid:cbd7919b-25cc-42c6-9962-bbf419ec6c3e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cato.org/blog/emanuel-tv-filkins-mcchrystal | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968494 | 859 | 2.046875 | 2 |
Gardening Articles: Landscaping :: Lawns, Ground Cover, & Wildflowers
Lovely Lady's Slippers
by Charlie Nardozzi
If you hike in the woods, especially in eastern North America this month, you're likely to see lady's slipper (Cypripedium) in bloom. If you want to add these plants to your garden, now is the time to order plants for delivery at planting time.
All native species of lady's slipper orchids have long been popular plants for naturalistic gardens and greenhouse collections. But like many natives, their beauty has been their downfall. For years, gardeners have dug wild plants for their gardens, only to have the transplanted specimens fail. Add to this the loss of natural habitats to urbanization, and you can see why lady's slippers are now officially endangered in many areas.
Now available from one nursery, Raising Rarities of Jacksonville, Vermont, are 3- to 5-year-old blooming-size plants of four Cypripedium species. The plants are expensive, but they're more likely to survive than 1-year-old seedlings available from other nurseries.
Raising Rarities offers four of the native lady's slippers as large, blooming plants: showy lady's slipper, C. reginae; large yellow lady's slipper (C. parviflorum pubescens); small yellow lady's slipper (C. parviflorum parviflorum); and the rare Kentucky lady's slipper (C. kentuckiense), which has a creamy-white pouch and mahogany petals. Kentucky lady's slipper is larger, and at $100, much more expensive; bare-root plants of the other kinds cost $35. Despite hardiness zones listed in some references, all kinds are hardy to zone 3.
Raising Rarities ships plants twice a year: in April after the soil has thawed but before growth resumes, and in September and October after a hard freeze but before snow.
Plant the dormant rhizomes with bud tips upright in a spot with open shade, good air circulation, and moist, well-drained soil that has a neutral pH. Amend the planting area with equal quantities of perlite and leaf mold. Use more perlite and leaf mold if you have clay soil. Cover the rhizome with 1/4 inch of loose soil and keep the area moist. Fertilize with an all-purpose, liquid plant food at one-quarter strength once growth begins and then every two weeks until flowering. Cover plants during winter with a 6-inch layer of chopped leaves to prevent soil heaving. | <urn:uuid:a13056a0-7ff5-4204-9014-b88933e06a5f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.garden.org/subchannels/landscaping/ground?q=show&id=338 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00053-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939996 | 563 | 2.671875 | 3 |
The 2012 election season promises to be unpredictable and hotly contested. Two recent electoral reforms in the state—an open "top two” primary and new electoral districts drawn by an independent redistricting commission—have shaken up the status quo and left many political observers uncertain what to expect. Likewise, voters may be asked to consider more ballot measures than usual this fall—many of them bearing important implications for the future of the state.1
To provide context for this important election, the following report summarizes the broad outlines of California’s politics and political geography. It includes information on public opinion aggregated over the past four years of the PPIC Statewide Survey, which has been conducted often enough to permit a level of detail never before possible.
Today, California looks decidedly blue. Both the state’s U.S. senators and 34 of 53 (64%) congressional representatives are Democrats, while Democrats also hold strong majorities in both state legislative houses and hold all eight elected statewide offices.2 President Obama won 61 percent of the statewide vote in 2008. In November 2011, he polled well against Republican candidate Mitt Romney—50 to 40 percent (10% undecided).3
Although California votes solidly Democratic, Californians (including non-voters) hold important elements of conservative belief in most parts of the state. On an ideological scale ranging from strong conservative to strong liberal, public opinion data show the average Californian falling in the middle and leaning slightly conservative. Statewide, Californians are divided between those who say they are willing to pay higher taxes for more government services (48%) and those who would prefer paying fewer taxes and receiving fewer services (43%). And both non-Hispanic white and black Californians are slightly more likely to say that immigrants are a burden on the state (48%) rather than a benefit (44%).4
In fact, growth in Democratic support over time has not been uniform across the state, but has had a strong geographic dimension. It is common to say that a north-south divide—with the north voting Democratic and the south voting Republican—has been replaced with an east-west, or coastal-inland divide (with the coast voting Democratic and inland voting Republican). But this shorthand tells only part of the story.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Bay Area was the most Democratic region in presidential elections, and the central and southern coasts outside of Los Angeles were solidly Republican. Presidential voting is a good measure of the overall partisan complexion of a community because presidential races are high profile and tend to address the central political issues of the day. Over time, every region except inland California has shifted toward the Democrats (Figure 1).
FIGURE 1. THE BAY AREA AND LOS ANGELES HAVE BECOME MORE DEMOCRATIC THAN THE REST OF THE STATE
Today, the north-south divide has faded, but its clearest replacement may not be east versus west. Rather, presidential politics now pits Los Angeles County and the Bay Area against everywhere else.5
The following maps (Figures 2 and 3) provide some perspective by showing the vote for Obama in 2008. Figure 2 is a traditional geographic view, using what we call "places”: mostly individual counties, but sometimes groups of sparsely populated counties or subsets of heavily populated counties.6
FIGURE 2. DEMOCRATIC VOTERS DO NOT APPEAR VERY NUMEROUS IN A LAND-AREA MAP
In Figure 2, the state appears slightly Republican or closely balanced. But population is distributed very unevenly across California, and the more rural, less populated places are more likely to be Republican.
Figure 3 distorts the state’s physical geography by sizing the geographic groupings according to their relative share of the state’s population. This creates a more accurate view of Obama’s support in the state—and emphasizes the role of both the Bay Area and Los Angeles in forming the state's Democratic reputation.7
FIGURE 3. VIEWING THE STATE BY POPULATION REVEALS DEMOCRATIC DOMINANCE
Regional Variation on Social and Fiscal Issues
Even the simple distinction between the Bay Area/Los Angeles and everywhere else begins to break down when we look past partisan registration and voting and examine specific issues. Figure 4 shows how places differ not by election results or partisanship, but by opinions on social and fiscal issues.8 The social dimension combines answers to questions about abortion and gay marriage, while the fiscal dimension uses questions about the size of government and the use of spending cuts to address the state budget deficit.
We created five opinion-based groupings of our geographic places:
- Loyal Liberal: Very liberal on both social and fiscal issues (18% of the state’s population);
- Moderate Liberal: Moderately liberal on both social and fiscal issues (24%);
- Conservative Liberal: Conservative on social issues and moderately liberal on fiscal issues (25%);
- Moderate Conservative: Moderately liberal on social issues and conservative on fiscal issues (17%);
- Committed Conservative: Conservative on both social and fiscal issues (15%).
FIGURE 4. SOCIAL AND FISCAL OPINIONS ARE NOT STRONGLY DEFINED BY GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
In contrast to Figures 2 and 3, the coastal/inland distinction is harder to see here. Only one clear regional difference appears in Figure 4: Loyal Liberal areas are found only in the Bay Area and north coast. The other categories are dispersed throughout the state, and each has at least some coastal and some inland presence. Notably, Los Angeles County contains no Loyal Liberal areas and only one that is Moderate Liberal (coastal Los Angeles). The south coast (western San Bernardino/Riverside, and Orange and San Diego Counties) is comparably mixed and includes all categories except Loyal Liberal.
These results all point to a similar conclusion: California has indeed become more Democratic, but its liberal reputation is deserved only in the Bay Area and environs. In the rest of the state, even in Los Angeles County, California is more conservative and less consistently defined by geography than conventional wisdom would sometimes suggest.
For more maps on social and fiscal issues—including abortion, gay marriage, and reducing the state budget deficit—please visit PPIC’s map room.9
Geography, Ideology, and Independents
If the state as a whole is moderate but Democratic, how do ideology and partisanship compare at the local level? Nationally, Republicans are more conservative and Democrats more liberal and at first glance, California appears similar. But as the following maps show, the extent of this self-identification depends on both party and geography.
For instance, Republicans (including independents who lean Republican) are rarely liberal anywhere (Figure 5). PPIC Statewide Survey data indicate there is no place in the state where more than 14 percent of Republicans identify themselves as liberal (responding either "liberal” or "strongly liberal” to a question about ideology). In most places, the number is 10 percent or lower. The areas with the largest share of liberal Republicans include the Bay Area, parts of Los Angeles County, Monterey/San Benito Counties, and Imperial County.
FIGURE 5. REPUBLICAN VOTERS RARELY CALL THEMSELVES LIBERAL ANYWHERE
Democrats (and independents who lean Democratic) are more ideologically diverse (Figure 6). In every part of the state, conservative Democrats make up at least 9 percent of people who identify with Democrats—and in all but three places, they make up at least 12 percent. Furthermore, the numbers of either "conservative” or "strongly conservative” Democrats are quite high in some areas: 40 percent in the eastern portion of San Bernardino County, 35 percent in Imperial County, and almost 30 percent in eastern Riverside County and much of the San Joaquin Valley.
FIGURE 6. DEMOCRATIC VOTERS ARE QUITE CONSERVATIVE IN SOME PARTS OF THE STATE
What about independents specifically? Their numbers have doubled since 1992—from 10 to 20 percent of registered voters—potentially making them a powerful new force in California politics. Although they are often called "swing voters," in reality most independents lean toward one party or the other and vote reliably that way.10 In general, the balance of these independents tilts at least slightly Democratic in almost every part of the state (Figure 7).11
This leaning pattern tends to match the broader partisan complexion of a region.12 The balance of independents tilts more Democratic in places that also show a larger Democratic advantage. The most Democratic-inclined independents can be found in parts of the Bay Area and the north coast and in coastal and central Los Angeles—places where the proportion of Democratic leaners outnumbers the proportion of Republican leaners by 25 percent or more. In contrast, the conservative southern Central Valley has about as many independents leaning Republican as leaning Democratic.
In sum, independents are more likely to reinforce the state’s political status quo than to disturb it, although they also make the state more Democratic on election day than voter registration numbers might suggest.
FIGURE 7. REGISTERED INDEPENDENTS LEAN DEMOCRATIC IN MOST PARTS OF THE STATE
California may tend to vote for Democratic presidential candidates , but many places around the state espouse views that fall to the right of the Democratic Party’s typical positions. In fact, only the Bay Area is home to extraordinarily large numbers of people who hold opinions associated with the Democratic Party.
This could signal an opportunity for Republicans. Moderate Liberal and Conservative Liberal places contain half the state’s population and seem sympathetic to many conservative positions—yet they tend to support the Democratic Party. Still, altering this status quo could prove difficult. The small number of liberal Republicans in every part of the state implies that the party's electoral coalition is ideologically solid—but that may also make the party resistant to expansion efforts. Only time will tell.
Regardless, California’s 2012 election promises to be exciting and unpredictable. Given the inherent tensions between ideology and partisanship in much of California, the political geography that emerges after the election could look very different from the current landscape.13 | <urn:uuid:3cbc15b3-6cf3-4727-9b52-dd8c231f57e0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ppic.org/main/publication_quick.asp?i=1007 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00058-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.932678 | 2,105 | 2.65625 | 3 |
Generation Next Blog
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I read with interest this week an opinion piece in the Sydney Morning Herald by John Weekes, the headmaster of Knox Grammar.
He was discussing the concept of Positive Education. Essentially, Positive Education embeds the tenets of Positive Psychology into the curriculum, both explicitly and implicitly.*
Weekes says, “Our focus on academic outcomes such as the Higher School Certificate and NAPLAN results threatens to make us factories for one-dimensional students.” He continues, “Our goal should be to produce resilient young people with broad talents and life skills.”
Positive Education activities focus on building relationships, identifying one’s strengths, goal setting, mentoring, teamwork, overcoming challenges, perseverance and how to deal with success and disappointment with the aim of increasing mental resilience and wellbeing.
And it’s not only for the students. According to Weekes, teachers at Knox are also benefitting from the program being run by Dr Suzy Green and Paula Robinson from the Positive Psychology Institute and the program’s efficacy is being studied by the University of Wollongong.
Geelong Grammar in VIC and St Pauls in SA are also leading the way in Positive Education in Australia, with the former hosting Martin Seligman a couple of years ago in order to train the Geelong staff in the philosophies of Positive Education. Many other schools and even childcare centres are following suit in and around Australia. Is yours?
*Full Disclaimer: I presented a workshop at Knox early this year as part of their staff training in Positive Education.
Author: Dan Haesler, he is a teacher, writer and speaker at the Mental Health & Wellbeing of Young People seminar at the Gold Coast. He writes for the Sydney Morning Herald and blogs at http://danhaesler.com/ and tweets at @danhaesler | <urn:uuid:2fea7fb9-750c-4f6b-bb71-5df2d5bb3e47> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.generationnext.com.au/2012/05/positive-education/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00058-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948174 | 415 | 2.734375 | 3 |
Jul 06,2006 00:00
For some people, fishing is a hobby. For Steve Kroll, it’s a passion. While most other anglers seek the plentiful kokanee at Crescent Lake, his goal is trophy lake trout (also known as mackinaw). So far he’s caught six fish over 30 pounds.
Kroll has mackinaw fishing down to a science. Twenty years of fishing the lake has perfected his technique. He can read the lake like a book and is familiar with every cove and even the subtle changes on the bottom.
To begin our first troll, he lined the boat up with a point jutting out into the lake and far enough out where we could look over the first ridge to the north. That put us in water about 120 to 140 feet deep. Then he had me aim the boat toward a clearcut on the mountain ahead until we reached another landmark farther down the lake. Meanwhile he constantly worked the downriggers, adjusting our lures to keep them just a few feet off the bottom where the big lake trout hang out this time of year.
At 8:45, the lines were down and we began fishing. The day before Kroll landed five lake trout in less than two hours and assured me it shouldn’t take long to get the first hit. Five minutes later, one of the rod tips began to dance. Grabbing the rod, the game of give and take began, with me doing most of the giving and the fish doing most of the taking.
As I played the fish, one thought kept surfacing -- I’ve definitely lost more big fish than I’ve landed and hoped this wouldn’t be another one of “those days.” I didn’t care if it took all day to get this fish to the boat; I was determined not to lose it.
The fish eventually tired enough for me to gain some line and came into view about 40 feet down in the crystal clear water. As it came toward the surface, I realized I had hooked the largest lake trout of my life. Kroll usually grabs the fish at the boat but for this one he stood ready with the net. By the time the fish filled the net, 50 minutes had gone by and I haven’t felt that tired since landing my last sturgeon on the Columbia River.
The fish weighed an even 24 pounds and measured 36 ½ inches. Anglers are allowed to keep one fish 30 inches or longer and I decided to keep this one. The meat is as pink as salmon and just as tasty.
“Since this is depth-controlled fishing, downriggers are a must,” Kroll said. “The strike zone is anywhere from three feet to 20 feet off the bottom this time of year.”
He explained that the bigger fish look for zones of cooler water so they don’t burn energy. This occurs at about 90 feet in Crescent Lake. According to Kroll, fish on the bottom are inactive but you’re bringing a food source right to them and since they don’t have to burn any energy, they’re usually hit your lure.
Scent is also important when fishing for lake trout. Kroll puts Pro-Cure on his lures and flashers. He uses 13- and 15-pound weights on the downriggers to keep the lures near the bottom.
“More often than not, these lakers are attracted to wide-wobbling lures,” he said. “When that flasher goes out to one side and stops for a split second, it’s just like dangling a piece of string in front of a cat; they can’t stand it and will strike.”
After finally boating that first fish, the lines were back in the water for only five minutes when the second hit came. We took turns landing the next three fish, which weighed between 8 and 12 pounds and also put up a good fight. These fish were quickly released at the side of the boat.
Kroll said anglers will usually have to catch 50 lake trout before they land one over 20 pounds. In my case, I believe I had to lose 50 big fish over the years before finally landing one.
Kroll can be contacted at 541-410-0616.
Scott Staats is a fulltime outdoor writer who has lived in Central Oregon the last ten years. His articles have appeared in local, regional and national publications. | <urn:uuid:cb228ab5-c429-4059-8661-888f01215762> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bendweekly.com/print/383.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975372 | 941 | 1.703125 | 2 |
Einstein, Picasso, and Stupid Steve arrived at the Pearly Gates. Before letting him into heaven , St. Peter asked Einstein to prove that he was indeed Einstein.. So the scientist took out a pad and a pencil and proved the theory of Relativity. Einstein was allowed through the gates. Next St. Peter asked Picasso tho prove who he was. Picasso took out a brush and a canvas and painted an abstract masterpiece. Picasso was allowed through the gates. St. Peter now addressed Stupid Steve: “Einstein and Picasso proved who they were. Now it’s your turn.” Stupid Steve asked, “Who are Picasso and Einstein?” St. Peter waved him through the gates. | <urn:uuid:dd65c3a5-4a73-44df-b655-11d9d0f0fc2b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lockergnome.com/uncategorized/2008/05/30/joke-of-the-day-53008/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00058-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971239 | 150 | 1.578125 | 2 |
St. Marys City Council voted unanimously to approve the city's 2013 budget during their Monday evening meeting.
Following last week's mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., that left nearly 30 people dead, many of them children, an increased focus has been placed on the issue of gun control. With guns at the forefront of national discussion, an equally important issue-- providing adequate help for those with mental health issues-- has been overshadowed.
Dr. Micah T. Hoffman, a licensed psychiatrist who grew up in Kersey and is currently practicing in Los Angeles, attributed this stigma to decades of a lack of understanding of what mental illness actually is.
JAY TWP. - Months after the state announced Jay Township would be receiving $70,000 in Act 13 natural gas impact fee money, the Board of Supervisors are still at an impasse as to how that money should be spent.
Gun sales and permit applications are up in Elk County and nationwide, sources say, following the shooting incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. last Friday that left 20 children and six adults dead at the school. | <urn:uuid:f781ecd6-e473-45d1-8650-268988ad4c36> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.smdailypress.com/archive/all/2012/12/21?quicktabs_4=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967923 | 229 | 1.84375 | 2 |
Best Poems by
great poets : Some of the greatest famous poems by
your favourite poets . . .
Cacoethes Scribendi by Oliver Wendell Holmes
If all the trees in all the woods were men;
And each and every blade of grass a pen;
If every leaf on every shrub and tree
Turned to a sheet of foolscap; every sea
Were changed to ink, and all earth's living tribes
Had nothing else to do but act as scribes,
And for ten thousand ages, day and night,
The human race should write, and write, and write,
Till all the pens and paper were used up,
And the huge inkstand was an empty cup,
Still would the scribblers clustered round its brink
Call for more pens, more paper, and more ink. | <urn:uuid:9a6f490d-529d-4f25-a629-61da1254c272> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.famous-poems.biz/Best-Poems/Famous-Poem-Cacoethes-Scribendi-by-Oliver-Wendell-Holmes.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00057-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944527 | 174 | 2.671875 | 3 |
Mary Ann Brittain is not only an outstanding science educator with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, she is now a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the most prestigious awards bestowed by the Governor of North Carolina. The award, which recognizes individuals with a proven record of extraordinary service to the state, was presented to Brittain by Tom Earnhardt, host of UNC-TV’s “Exploring North Carolina” television series and President of the Friends of the Museum, at a Board meeting Thursday.
During Brittain’s 43 years of service to North Carolina, she has successfully established many innovative, award-winning programs which have had a tremendous impact on students, teachers and Museum visitors. As Director of Prairie Ridge Ecostation for Wildlife and Learning, the Museum’s 45-acre outdoor learning facility in west Raleigh, Brittain has led the conversion of a former cow pasture into an amazing field station for outdoor education. By recreating the traditional biodiversity once found in this area — planting hundreds of native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers — Brittain and her co-workers have prepared an unmatched urban classroom/laboratory for generations to come. Now, amazing wildlife abounds for visitors and school groups to enjoy in an ideal setting for experiential learning about the natural world.
Previously, as Director of School Programs at the Museum for 23 years, Brittain began the Museum’s volunteer program and created hands-on natural science programming in the Museum and across the state for students and educators. She developed Curiosity Classes, hands-on natural science programs for groups visiting the Museum’s classrooms, and developed the award-winning UTOTES (Using the Outdoors to Teach Experiential Science) program, which has been a catalyst for schools to get students involved with learning about the world they live in by using their school grounds as outdoor teaching laboratories.
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh documents and interprets the natural history of the state of through exhibits, research, collections, publications and educational programming. Find more information online at www.naturalsciences.org . Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm and Sunday, Noon-5pm. General admission is free. The Museum is an agency of the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Dee Freeman, Secretary. | <urn:uuid:22ead10c-4af8-43bf-ae8f-5a98d532148a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://naturalsciences.org/print/1723 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956955 | 484 | 2.453125 | 2 |
We are proposing three effective global to local solutions to our current water security and ecosystem management crisis. We must better understand, manage, and value our freshwater systems.
Identify places where species, ecosystems, and services are highly concentrated and are also under threat, and evaluate the role that freshwater species and ecosystems play in delivering services to people to most effectively design interventions that provide a desired mix of conservation, development and human well being benefits.
Ensure good governance and secure protection of freshwater species and ecosystems, from headwaters to estuaries, by implementing eight flagship projects in key sites and replicating and amplifying results across the globe.
Create incentives for using fresh water efficiently, reducing pollution, and developing natural alternatives to meet water infrastructure needs, and attribute and capture the dollar values of the ecosystem services that are provided by protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems. | <urn:uuid:61964bba-edfb-445f-98d2-c4282f796205> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.conservation.org/learn/freshwater/solutions/pages/fresh_water_solutions.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.932458 | 171 | 2.96875 | 3 |
Grizzly Bears Move Into Polar Bear Habitat in Manitoba, Canada
COMPETITION FROM OTHER BEARS MAY THREATEN A POLAR BEAR POPULATION
Biologists affiliated with the American Museum of Natural History and City College of the City University of New York have found that grizzly bears are roaming into what was traditionally thought of as polar bear habitat—and into the Canadian province of Manitoba, where they are officially listed as extirpated. The preliminary data was recently published in Canadian Field Naturalist and shows that sightings of Ursus arctos horribilis in Canada's Wapusk National Park are recent and appear to be increasing in frequency.
"Grizzly bears are a new guy on the scene, competition and a potential predator for the polar bears that live in this area," says Robert F. Rockwell, a research associate at the Museum and a professor of Biology at CUNY. "The first time we saw a grizzly we were flying over the middle of Wapusk, counting fox dens, when all of the sudden Linda Gormezano, a graduate student working with Rockwell and a co-author of the paper, shouted ÔOver there, over there—a grizzly bear.' And it wasn't a dirty polar bear or a moose—we saw the hump."
That sighting in August 2008 spurred Rockwell and Gormezano to look through records to get a better picture of the bear population in the park. There was no evidence of grizzly bears before 1996, not even in the trapping data from centuries of Hudson Bay Company operation. But between 1996 and 2008 the team found nine confirmed sightings of grizzly bears, and in the summer of 2009 there were three additional observations.
"The opportunistic sightings seem to be increasing," says Gormezano. "This is worrying for the polar bears because grizzly bears would likely hibernate in polar bear maternity denning habitat. They would come out of hibernation at the same time and can kill polar cubs."
Before this study, researchers thought that the barren landscape north of the Hudson Bay was an impassable gap in resources for potentially migrating grizzly bears. But some U. arctos horribilis have managed to move from their historic ranges in the Rockies, the Yukon, and Nunavut, probably because of their flexible, mixed diet of berries and meat. The potential gap was navigable, and now some grizzly bears have reached the abundant caribou, moose, fish, and berries found to the south in Canada's Wapusk National Park.
"Although we don't yet know if they are wandering or staying—the proof will come from an observed den or cubs—these animals will eventually be residents of this national park," says Rockwell. "The Cree elders we talked to feel that now that grizzly bears have found this food source they will be staying."
"A big question is how to deal with these new residents," continues Gormezano. "In Canada, both the polar and grizzly bear are federally listed as species of special concern. In Manitoba, the polar bear is provincially listed as threatened while the prairie population of the grizzly bear is listed as extirpated."
In addition to Rockwell and Gormezano, this paper was authored by Daryll Hedman of Manitoba Conservation in Canada. This research was supported in part by the Hudson Bay Project.
Media Inquiries: Department of Communications, 212-769-5800 | <urn:uuid:05a16e5b-453a-48f3-906d-453096c18e5e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.amnh.org/our-research/science-news/2010/grizzly-bears-move-into-polar-bear-habitat-in-manitoba-canada | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95917 | 728 | 3.578125 | 4 |
By Genevra Pittman
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People prescribed high doses of powerful painkillers are more likely to be injured while driving than those taking very low doses, according to a new study from Canada.
The drugs, known as opioids, include common painkillers like codeine and oxycodone.
High rates of opioid prescribing have become more of a concern in recent years, as deaths from overdoses rise and more drugs end up in the hands of people taking them for non-medical purposes.
Their effect on road safety may be one more reason to think carefully about high-dose opioids, researchers said.
"Even what people may consider to be low or moderate doses of opioids can have substantial impact on your risk of being involved or injured in a motor vehicle accident, and I think patients should be informed about that," said Tara Gomes, who led the study at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto.
Gomes said previous small, controlled studies have suggested people taking opioids may have trouble with alertness and sedation while driving. But she and her team wanted to take a wider look at the public health implications of driving while on painkillers.
They compared 5,300 Canadians who came to the emergency room after a car accident and were taking at least one opioid with a similar number of people who were also on painkillers, but hadn't been in an accident.
The researchers determined how much of an opioid drug someone was taking using a prescription drug database for Ontario residents who got help paying for their medicines.
The team found that overall, there was no difference in the number of traffic injuries among people taking low- or high-dose opioids, according to findings published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine.
However, when the researchers focused just on drivers, they found that people taking moderate-dose opioids were 29 percent more likely to be injured in a crash while behind the wheel and those on high-dose opioids were 42 percent more likely, compared to people on very low doses.
People who had just started taking opioids weren't at especially high risk of injury, Gomes told Reuters Health. The period just after doses are increased may be more critical, she said.
"As you are changing your dose of opioids and increasing your dose of opioids, you may want to see how that impacts your alertness, and if you feel that you are not as sharp as you usually are you may want to avoid driving until you feel accustomed to that dose," she advised.
The researchers cautioned that they didn't know how pain patients were using their opioids - whether they took them correctly or some sold or bought the drugs illegally, for example.
Pain expert Dr. Angela Mailis-Gagnon from Toronto Western Hospital, who wasn't involved in the new study, said the research had a number of limitations - in part due to the findings being from an administrative database without some important clinical details.
For example, she said, the study didn't take into account that some opioids come in both immediate- and slow-release forms. Immediate-release forms hit patients much harder, she said, and may make them more unstable.
In some cases, the research team also didn't account for other, non-opioid medications the people were taking that could affect attention during driving, she added.
Gomes said trouble with driving isn't one of the classic side effects that doctors warn patients about with opioids - but maybe it should go on that list.
"There are millions of people in the U.S. who are taking opioids at these doses, and so this isn't a small issue," Gomes said.
Mailis-Gagnon, however, said she didn't want the new findings to overly worry patients who take low- or moderate-dose opioids as prescribed and really need the drugs.
"There is no question that opioids affect driving," she told Reuters Health - but maybe not at all doses, and for all patients. "It gives the wrong message out there, and that is what concerns me greatly."
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/WHPOHo JAMA Internal Medicine, online January 14, 2013. | <urn:uuid:30e48d64-af15-4cba-a4a1-c95090df52b0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wncy.com/news/articles/2013/jan/15/opioid-painkillers-tied-to-driving-injuries/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.981552 | 851 | 2.40625 | 2 |
Happy Monday, class! Everyone ready for some writing?
First, about those exclamation points. I never intended for you to feel paranoid about using them in your casual writing. The EP police are not coming to kick down your door if you use exclamation points in your message board posts, Facebook updates, IMs, comments on entries, grocery lists, and notes to your spouses. Please, don’t apologize for those! See, I use them, too!
But if your writing is to be read by the general public, judged, evaluated, or published, leave them out (except in dialog, and only if absolutely necessary).
A brief review of the classes to date:
1. WORD CHOICE—it’s vital. Ordinary words stinketh.
2. ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS—beware. Trim, if possible.
3. VERB TENSE—Stay consistent
4. EXCLAMATION POINTS—avoid ‘em.
5. DIALOG—make it sound natural
Here’s this week’s Quick Take:
Don’t use anxious when you mean eager. They don’t mean quite the same thing. Both words refer to anticipation of a future event, but anxious (like its close relative anxiety) indicates a feeling of worry, fear, unease.
On the other hand, eager implies that one is looking forward to the event with excitement or joy.
I’m eager to go to Disney World.
I’m anxious about riding the Tower of Terror.
Onward, then, to part two of the lesson on dialog.
When you were in junior high or high school and learning to write, did your teacher give you a list of words that can be used instead of “said” when writing dialog? It might have included words like
She gave you that list because she wanted you to use interesting words in your writing…but poor Mrs. Murgatroyd was misguided. The best place to use interesting words isn’t necessarily in your dialog tags. There’s nothing wrong with plain old said; use your interesting words in the actual dialog spoken by your character.
I read once somewhere (sorry, I don’t remember where) that studies have shown that most readers gloss over those fancy said substitutes, anyway. Readers are interested in eavesdropping on a fascinating conversation. So instead of writing…
“I’m not sure about that,” Joe argued.
…show your reader that Joe is feeling argumentative by putting the argument in his words.
“Only a clown would vote against the new widget factory,” said Joe.
[I take a break from my regular lesson to proclaim that I take no position whatsoever on widget factories, and that this sample sentence was meant only for entertainment purposes. No debate on the merits of widget factories will be entered into.]
As with all of my classes, this is NOT an absolute rule. There are times when nothing will do but a whispered, or a replied, or an asked. Or even one of the fancier words on Mrs. Murgatroyd’s list. I just suggest that before you use a substitute for said, you should ask yourself if there’s a way to make the character’s words show what you intend to say, rather than your description of his words. (Remember the writer’s motto: show, don’t tell.)
This goes double for any combination of substitute for said + adverb.
Sometimes I read something like this:
“Don’t wake the baby,” Sally whispered quietly. (Is there any other way to whisper? Don’t use the adverb when it’s implicit in the verb.)
“Look out behind you!” shouted Gloria excitedly. (While excitedly isn’t the only way to shout, it would be better to put the excitement in Gloria’s words, or to show her excitement by her actions or thoughts.)
If you find yourself frequently using this sort of construction, work on tightening up your dialog, and moving the “good stuff” from the dialog tags to the dialog itself or the characters’ actions.
Write 50-100 words (no more than that, please) containing dialog. Keep last week’s lesson in mind, and be sure that your dialog sounds natural for your character. If you use any tags other than said, justify them.
NOTE: You don’t have to use dialog tags at all, but that’s next week’s lesson. Feel free to go beyond the parameters of this lesson, if you’d like.
If you do the homework, please either ask a question or make a comment. And if you don't feel like doing the homework, but want to ask a question or leave a comment that's fine, too. That’s what keeps this class so interesting! | <urn:uuid:e50e3455-557e-40e2-aa0c-0e98cc484a16> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=414599 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.905967 | 1,046 | 2.609375 | 3 |
Well, that settles it: CBS' Bob Schieffer must be straight.
Not that I spent time thinking about his sexual orientation before but that's the first thing that popped in my mind when the legendary newsman, in critiquing President Barack Obama's inauguration speech, said, "There were no real memorable lines."
Maybe not for straight people, but there were not a whole lot of gay people who will forget this:
"Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well."
That was the first time the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community was mentioned in inaugural address.
I'd say that passage was pretty memorable.
And while we've all heard this president mention the rights of gays in speeches before -- what was unique about the inauguration, what really moved me and a lot of people engaged in this particular struggle, was this:
"We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths -- that all of us are created equal -- is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall."
Seneca Falls refers to the first women's rights convention held in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848. His mention of Selma was a nod to the civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. | <urn:uuid:760225a7-82c9-4855-b64a-e015805d421d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kcci.com/news/national/LZ-Granderson-Bob-Schieffer-must-be-straight/-/9357144/18236172/-/s22005z/-/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972635 | 307 | 2.484375 | 2 |
Most of us have heard that in order to train a dog, the "owner" needs to be the dominant one, "leader of the pack." Most trainers use negative reinforcement (causing discomfort to the dog to get it to do what you want) and insist that it does not hurt the dog, it just shows who is in charge. This means you yank on the dog, may use shock collars, yell "no!," use choke collars, some pushing or even swatting, and electric fences. Most dogs I know are trained this way and it is a decision that the owner needs to make as to what training method they want to use. There are articles and books all over the place that argue the benefits or disadvantages of both negative reinforcement training and positive reinforcement training. (Positive reinforcement is rewarding for good behavior.) Feel free to look them up and make your own decision. I am not a dog trainer so will not claim to know what is best for the dog. (I will say that I will never use anything other than positive reinforcement clicker training with my dogs as I do know dogs who have become more aggressive using the other methods.) I will give you advice though for what I think is best for a person with mental illness who is a dog owner and/or a possible Psychiatric Service Dog handler.
|Positive Reinforcement Materials|
I do not believe negative reinforcemnt training is appropriate for dog handlers who have mental illness. Many of us with mental illness have trauma in our backgrounds and training a dog with negative reinforcment means using methods that, even if you argue are safe for the dog and they like it, is still technically hurting another living being. Asking us to do this is extremely traumatic, whether or not people say it is "proven" that it really does not hurt the dog. For those who have expereinced trauma, even what other people consider "moderate violence" is a trigger for us. For instance, I can not watch slapstick humor like The Three Stooges. Other people find that funny, but I find it so upsetting that I can't even look at it and it triggers a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder response. This is what can happen to us if we are asked to use negative reinforcment with our dogs. Let me give you an example.
I went to a dog store and Rosie is still learning to be calm when greeting other dogs. When she saw the owners dogs, she immediately started jumping around, bowing to the other dog to say she wanted to play, barking, and pulling on her leash. The well meaning owner, wanting to help me, took the leash from me and told me I had to be forceful to train her. So he yanked on Rosie's leash, yelling no, which yanked Rosie up into the air dangling from her leash with her front feet off the ground. Her ears went back, her tail went between her legs, and she was scared. She stopped barking and playing, and the person was explaining that this was showing Rosie how she was supposed to act. He pulled, yelled at, and yanked on my dog until I got what I needed and left. At one point he even put the leash in my hand with his hand over mine and yanked on her leash to get Rosie to know that I was in charge. He was very nice and helpful and to him, and most trainers and owners, he was doing the right thing. He was NOT trying to be mean or hurt my dog.
However, to see Rosie dangling in the air by her back (fortunately not her neck because we use a halter rather than attach the leash to her collar,) was extremely traumatic for me. I was shaking the whole time, felt sick, and was scared. I could not speak up for myself to even ask him not to handle Rosie. Not only did it make Rosie scared of him, but I was scared of him as well.
When we got into the car I could not drive because I was crying so hard. Not only could I not get the scared look and body language of Rosie out of my mind, but I felt disgusted that he had shown Rosie that I would yank on her and hurt her by putting the leash in my hand and making me pull on it. I was a wreck and my son was scared seeing Rosie handled aggressively.
For me, this was hurting another living being who is trusting me for their care, who clearly was scared and hurt by what was happening to her. I looked into her face and saw fear and was so immobilized with fear myself that I let it happen to her. There is no describing not only how terrible it is to watch pain being inflicted on someone else in order to control them, but to also be part of that process. Every time I think about that event, I see my son afraid and the picture of Rosie's fear and pain over and over in my head.
Due to the trauma background of many people with mental illness, I do not advise negative reinforcement training. Even without trauma, we tend to be more sensitive to feelings and aggression than other people and it is really not safe for us to interact with our dogs in this way.
So what kind of training do I recommend? Positive reinforcement such as clicker training where you capture good behavior and reward for that. To see the difference between negative and positive reinforcement, check out this video by Kikopup. (Don't be misled by the title.) She has great training videos for any issue you have. | <urn:uuid:dc04485f-899e-441b-83b1-9044b60eacc0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bipolarspirit.com/2013/02/how-negative-reinforcement-dog-training.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985648 | 1,140 | 2.28125 | 2 |
Updated 01/08/2013 10:37 PM
Leaders call for weatherization funding
With winter finally here, a lot of New Yorkers are probably paying some pretty pricey heating bills, but as our Elyse Mickalonis explains, two state leaders are trying to cut costs for families.
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NEW YORK STATE -- Winter weather can make paying your heating bill a real headache, especially for those hit hard by recent disasters and the rough economy.
“How do we make sure our families stay warm in the winter and insulate and make their homes more energy efficient during these tough times?” asked Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Richard Hanna are trying to tackle that problem, they’re asking for extra federal funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program and the State Energy Program.
“The North East burns 25 percent of the country's heating oil and New York State has got enough problems with the taxes, school, property, income and others. This is a way the federal government can help,” said Hanna.
WAP pays for insulation and other energy saving improvements to be made to homes. In New York, the program is managed by the Division of Homes and Community Renewal. The money is then divvied out to local affiliates who manage the program in each county.
“Weatherization makes a big difference for a family’s ability to afford things,” said Gillibrand. “If you weatherize your home, you’re likely to save about $400 a year and that’s huge saving and it’s savings that are long lasting.”
Gillibrand wants to see more New Yorkers be able to take advantage of these programs, saying there is a real need in counties across the state.
"Last year many, many families in Broome and Tioga counties participated in the Weatherization Assistance Program, but because this program is consistently under-funded, more than 2,200 families are still on the waiting list,” said Gillibrand.
Gillibrand says New Yorkers spend on average more than $2,400 per household on energy costs, compared to a national average of about $1,800.
Anyone interested in applying for the Weatherization Assistance Program can head to www.nyshcr.org. | <urn:uuid:fec54dec-38e3-4964-99a2-b6c0a589ea73> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ithaca-cortland.ynn.com/content/top_stories/628608/leaders-call-for-weatherization-funding/?ap=1&Flash | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93494 | 511 | 1.773438 | 2 |
Already a lightning rod for arguing that women must "lean in," push hard and do more to advance their own careers, Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg is doubling down on the debate with a high-profile book launch next week and a nationwide campaign to form a network of support groups for working women.
"The blunt truth is that men still run the world," she says in "Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead," her new book that combines personal anecdotes, career advice and what she describes as "sort of a feminist manifesto." She adds: "Social gains are never handed out. They must be
The unusual campaign, which the wealthy Sandberg is financing from her book proceeds, has drawn a mix of cheers and skepticism from other women's advocates. Some are thrilled that such a prominent tech figure, who has held top jobs at Google (GOOG) and Facebook, is actively championing women's advancement. Others wonder if the 43-year-old Sandberg, a onetime chief of staff to former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers, wants to spark a social movement or simply launch the next stage in her career, perhaps even a bid for public office.
Sandberg is clearly "sticking her
"She's in a unique position to sell this message and get it out there," Kray added.
Sandberg, whose Facebook stock holdings are estimated at more than $400 million, is personally funding the nonprofit foundation, LeanIn.org, that has
"Lean in" is Sandberg's advice to women who are often conditioned to do just the opposite. Women are too reluctant to negotiate for higher salaries and other rewards, she says, while being too quick to "lean back" from their careers in anticipation of having children -- passing up promotions or additional responsibilities before they are pregnant or even married. They also need husbands or partners to share equally in housework and child-raising, she adds.
Not surprisingly, given Sandberg's ties with two of tech's hottest companies, the campaign has a Silicon Valley flavor. There's a website with personal testimonials from an array of business, political and entertainment figures, including Oprah Winfrey and U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. There's also a Facebook page and software for online sharing from Palo Alto startup Mightybell, whose CEO, Gina Bianchini, is a cofounder of LeanIn.org.
Sandberg is using her own star power to promote the book and the foundation, kicking off with an interview Sunday night on CBS's "60 Minutes," followed by a three-part series on ABC's "Good Morning America" and serialized excerpts in Cosmopolitan and Time. As a former Google executive who is now chief operating officer at Facebook, Sandberg is both prominent
While acknowledging her advice won't work for everyone, Sandberg urges women to change their approach if they want parity at the top. But she has seen a backlash against her argument that women must do more to "raise their hands" and promote themselves, which she first outlined at a 2010 TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) conference.
Sandberg has been praised for speaking frankly. And studies show that women's progress, as measured by their numbers in higher management, has slowed. But she has also drawn fire from critics who say the affluent, Harvard University-educated executive, who benefited from powerful mentors and other advantages, is putting all the burden on
The debate intensified last winter, after Sandberg said she would expand her views in a book. Accusing her of "blaming the victim," consultant Avivah Wittenberg-Cox wrote in the Harvard Business Review, "How much harder do you want them to lean in? ... Sandberg does not serve other women well by pretending that companies are a meritocracy that just requires individual effort."
Bloggers and pundits joined in. When The New York Times reported on Sandberg's plans for Lean In Circles, hundreds posted comments online.
"This is a bunch of crock. One very fortunate woman has the gall to believe she has the answer for everyone else," wrote one Times reader. "Perhaps Ms. Sandberg can spring for child care and housecleaning while I work on becoming a superwoman."
The passion over Sandberg's comments shows how deeply many women feel about the competing demands of career and family, Kray said. The outcry also prompted others to rise in Sandberg's defense, arguing that critics have oversimplified her advice.
"She recognizes there are things that have to change in the outside world, but women also need strategies to navigate the world as they find it," said Joan Williams, an expert on work and family issues at the University of California's Hastings College of the Law.
Sandberg acknowledges sexism and institutional obstacles in her book, calling for government and business to provide flexible hours, family leave and the ability to work from home. She characterizes the debate over internal and external barriers to women's advancement as a "chicken and egg" question.
"My argument is that getting rid of these internal barriers is critical to gaining power," she writes. "I am encouraging women to address the chicken, but I fully support those who are focusing on the egg."
As for criticism she's using the campaign to advance herself -- she has been mentioned as a future CEO or even U.S. Senate candidate -- Sandberg's friends disagree. Supporters note she's already on the shortlist of women likely to be recruited for CEO jobs, although she has shown no sign of wanting to leave the No. 2 post at Facebook.
Bianchini said she approached Sandberg last year with the idea of forming small groups of women to share career tips and ideas from her book. Sandberg's embrace of that idea "is a testament to her passion for creating solutions," added Bianchini, who said 40 women donated time and ideas to the project.
The foundation also recruited corporate sponsors to endorse the program but did not ask them for financial support. It plans to distribute materials online without charge.
Using the Internet and social media could be a powerful way for women to share tips and support one another, said Kjerstin Thorson, a University of Southern California expert on digital media and social activism. "It's very exciting. But it will be important to check back in several months and see if she's able to sustain public attention."
Contact Brandon Bailey at 408-920-5022. Follow him at Twitter.com/BrandonBailey.
In her words
Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg has given few interviews before her book launch, but she's kicking off a major media campaign with a taped appearance Sunday on CBS's "60 Minutes." Here are some excerpts from that interview:
On taking credit: "Women attribute their success to working hard, luck and help from other people. Men will attribute whatever success they have ... to their own core skills."
On women who don't lean forward: "They say, 'Oh, I'm busy. I want to have a child one day. I couldn't possibly ... take on any more.' Or 'I'm still learning on my current job.' I've never had a man say that stuff to me."
On sharing the load at home: "You cannot have a full career and a full life at home with your children if you are also doing all the housework and child care."
On assigning blame: "I'm not blaming women. ... There's an awful lot we don't control. I'm saying there's an awful lot we can control and we can do for ourselves, to sit at more tables, raise more hands."
And finally: "I'm not saying that everyone has the resources or opportunities I have. I'm not saying that everyone's husband is going to wake up tomorrow ... and start doing his share. I am saying that we need to help women own the power they have, learn how to negotiate for raises, get the pay they deserve."
Source: CBS News
As a companion to Sheryl Sandberg's book, the nonprofit LeanIn.org foundation is promoting a program for women who want to follow up on her suggestions. These are the main elements:
"Community": A website and Facebook page where women and men can share personal stories about careers or related issues.
"Education": A series of free online video tutorials on topics such as leadership and negotiation, largely developed by Stanford University's Clayman Institute for Gender Studies.
"Circles": Guidelines for women to form small peer groups that meet regularly to discuss the tutorials and their own experiences. These include detailed instructions and meeting timetables, although a spokeswoman said circles are free to treat them as suggestions.
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Cancer gene therapy from camels
Nanobodies produced by camels have unique properties, which can be used in future drug development. New research published in the Journal of Controlled Release confirms that nanobodies can help scientists in the fight against cancer.
Members of the camelid family have particular heavy-chain antibodies in their blood known as nanobodies, that may serve as therapeutic proteins. One of the most powerful advantages of nanobodies is that they can be easily attached to other proteins and nanoparticles by simple chemical procedures.
Scientists at the Department of Pharmaceutics and Analytical Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, have designed nanoparticle systems of smaller than 150nm that are decorated with nanobodies expressing high specificity for the cancer marker Mucin-1, which is connected to breast and colon cancer.
Research supports aim for safer nanomedicines
“This is a very effective and a highly promising approach in experimental cancer gene therapy, while minimising adverse-related reactions to cancer nanomedicines. Futhermore the research supports our aim for rational design and engineering of effective and safer nanomedicines for the future. We have taken the first step, but of course more work is needed to support the efficacy of this system for cancer treatment,” says Professor Moein Moghimi.
Professor Moghimi works at the Department of Pharmaceutics and Analytical Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences where he heads the Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, which is supported by the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Two postdocs, Davoud Ahmadvand and Ladan Parhamifar, from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, were also involved in this work.
Size and properties matter
Compared to other protein-based drugs, nanobodies are very small. They are ten times smaller than intact antibodies. They are also less sensitive to temperature and pH changes and can be easily linked to nanoparticles and other proteins. These properties make nanobodies very interesting for targeting of cancer cells.
The recently published article in the Journal of Controlled Relase describes how a Mucin-1 nanobody was linked to specialised nanoparticles made from polymers carrying a killer gene known at truncated-Bid. When expressed, the gene product triggers cells to commit suicide.
However, the expression of the killer gene was under the control of the cancer-specific Mucin-1 promoter as to avoid non-specific cell killing. These procedures are also referred to as “transcriptional targeting”, which can prevent normal tissue toxicities associated with other cancer treatments. Indeed, the formulation proved to be highly effective in killing cancer cells expressing the Mucin-1 marker, while no harm was done to the normal cells or cancer cells that did not express the Mucin-1 marker.
The efficacy of these nanoparticles is now being tested in animal models.
Another exciting development is that the team has now purified a second and a highly effective nanobody against another cancer marker (Her-2) expressed by certain breast tumors.
Professor Moein Moghimi
The Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology (CPNN)
University of Copenhagen
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Deadbeat dads always make for salacious news, but they just might be overshadowing the growing trend of non-resident fathers who are making an effort to stay involved in their children's lives, reports USA Today.
Pennsylvania State University sociologist and demographer Valarie Kong researched changes in father-child contact trends and found that today's fathers are spending more time with their children than they did 30 years ago. Thanks to changing custody laws, more opportunities to communicate (texting, email) and "changing attitudes" about fatherhood, the amount of fathers having no contact with their children has decreased from 37% in 1976 to 29% in 2002, says Kong's Penn State colleague, Paul D'Amato.
The 50% of American children who don't physically live with their father won't necessarily be fatherless. D'Amato's research, based on survey reports from 5,200 mothers with children ages 6-12, found that 38% of non-resident dads were "highly involved" in their children's lives and 8% showed growing contact. The highly involved dads were often those whose children were older at the breakup and were more likely to have been married to the mother.
"I think men are saying 'Enough is enough. I'm not just here to pay out money. I love my children as much as their mom does and I recognize that I am as important in their lives as their mom is,'" said Karen Stewart, author of divorce book, "Clean Break."
Though the report shows positive growth, there is still room for improvement. The moms surveyed reported growing father-child contact, but it wasn't to the level they desired. They reported 32% percent of the dads as being rarely involved and 23% showed a pattern of declining contact.
Despite 56% of African-American households being headed by single mothers, the Philadelphia Inquirer recently reported on research that found that "African American fathers, more than any other group, are more likely to maintain lasting relationships with their children when they don't live with them."
Contact with dad also affects a child's happiness. A new study conducted by the Children's Society of Great Britain found that bonding with dad on "most days" makes children happier than their fatherless counterparts. On a happiness scale, children in the study rated themselves 87 out of 100.
What's been your experience?
Read more: http://www.essence.com/lifestyle/parenting/study_fewer_deadbeat_dads.php#ixzz0uAiX6GjF | <urn:uuid:eecbb3e8-7058-4864-a8e1-fab3b078ed2b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/study-there-are-fewer-deadbeat-dads-2073459.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.984484 | 524 | 1.882813 | 2 |
Crime Magazine is about true crime: organized crime, celebrity crime, serial killers, corruption, sex crimes, capital punishment, prisons, assassinations, justice issues, crime books, crime films and crime studies.
March 8, 2009
The Return of the Irish-American Gangster to the Silver Screen
When The Godfather was released in the early 1970s, it effectively created a myth of the virtually unbeatable Italian crime family for the American public that endured for the remainder of the century. The film also effectively eliminated all other white ethnic organized gangs from the silver screen, as well as from the public's eye. But Hollywood had its history wrong in this case: The Italian Mafia was never as invincible nor did the "families" always have everything their own way when it came to illegal activities. It wasn't until the close of the last century that the film industry began to expose the old-time hoods as being fallible and besieged on all sides from new criminal elements connected with newly arrived immigrant groups. The Cubans, Russians and the Colombian hoods, along with the longer established black and Mexican-American gangs, had begun to nibble away at the turf long controlled by the almighty Italian mob.
As the paradigm of the urban underworld began to shift to reflect the new realities of the global economy, another look at the past by historians and Hollywood is revealing that the Italian gang never had absolute power as it was once commonly believed. The Irish hoodlums were actually engaged in gangland activities years before the arrival of the Italians and the Irish also competed with the Italians up until recently. | <urn:uuid:9cf976af-a33a-4266-ae9f-a51501ded081> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.crimemagazine.com/mickey-machine-gun-back?page=20 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975858 | 324 | 2.015625 | 2 |
Seven Myths About Green Jobs
A study published today reveals the hidden costs of so-called “green investments”, bringing a key policy of Britain’s coalition government into question. The study, from International Policy Network, a global development think tank based in London, shows that subsidising “green jobs” wastes resources and reduces growth without necessarily protecting the environment.
The government has recently laid out plans to pour taxpayers’ money into “green investments”, claiming that the high costs will be offset by long-term benefits to the economy and the environment. The new study finds that this “win-win” attitude is a delusion. Hidden costs include:
Bureaucracy: In practice, “green investments” get spent on red tape. “Green jobs” are taken by bureaucrats, siphoning resources away from the productive sectors of the economy.
Waste: For those advocating “green jobs”, inefficiency is a virtue. A United Nations study on green jobs actually calls for fruit to be picked by hand rather than machine. “Green” subsidies effectively pay companies to make everyday items more expensive and scarce, taxing the public twice over.
Debt: Today’s “green investments” are made by increasing Britain’s colossal national debt, borrowing heavily in the hope of making future generations richer. If the green gamble fails, our children and grandchildren will be left with the bill.
“Green investment” isn’t even a reliable way to improve the environment, the study finds. Steel is one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries, yet the United Nations Environment Programme counts steelworkers as having “green jobs”, because steel is needed to make wind turbines. | <urn:uuid:0866e44b-bc24-422c-8cef-cb2a09e179b0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://policynetwork.net/es/environment/publication/seven-myths-about-green-jobs | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.904404 | 370 | 2.859375 | 3 |
27 February 2012
Posted in Science Park
Would you ever expect to see a robotics demonstration at the NBA All-Star Jam Fest? That's exactly what we saw when we ran into First Robotics Club 233. In this video, Kaitlin Lostroscio from Pink Team FRC 233 gave us a tour of the basketball playing robot they created. Great job Pink Team! | <urn:uuid:7f7cccfc-998e-43c1-a077-7f318a8120f1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://osc.org/~orlando1/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=771:robots-a-basketball&catid=3:science-park&Itemid=11 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936207 | 75 | 1.882813 | 2 |
ISBN: 8183240003 Publisher:Mittal Book Format: Hard Bound Language: English Physical Description: 262pages Year of Publication: 2005
Arunachal Pradesh, literally meaning the Land of the Rising Sun occupies important position in India due to its strategic location. Earlier known as NEFA, this mountainous states endowed with rich fauna and flora and inhabited by different tribal groups caught the attention of Government of India only after Chinese invasion in 1962. Since then development efforts are made on large scale, yet industrially the state is backward. The present book relates the journey of Arunachal from past to the present. Supported by facts and figures drawn from various authoritative accounts (official and individual), this book contains eleven chapters, highlighting all major issues. Definitely, the present endeavour will prove useful and informative to one and all concerned. | <urn:uuid:4ac33e21-de90-4e98-b028-bbb8625426c6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.gmpublications.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=12983 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.926446 | 170 | 2.828125 | 3 |
A new era in supercomputing is heading our way. Technology editor Garry Barker reports.
In the beginning was the Internet — first as a nuclear attack-proof military communications system — then an academic tool linking computers around the world.
Next came the World Wide Web, in the 1990s, with millions of home and office computers exchanging words, pictures, music and videos. The information highway had been built, and everyone was opening a shop.
Now comes the "grid", the third phase in the evolution of the cyberworld that promises to give users access to unprecedented computing power, services and data, no matter where they are located.
Enthusiasts say that ultimately the grid will be like having a supercomputer on your desktop.
Imagine, for example, playing a three-dimensional computer game, not on a flat screen but as a hologram with the battling monsters careering over your coffee table.
Would you like to see the latest
fashions, madam? Let our
life-size virtual Claudia Schiffer
parade them for you in your living
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an amazing gourmet meal? Let
our virtual Kylie Kwong come
into your kitchen and show you
And then there’s the inevitable dark side - pornography, the only really great money machine on the Internet. Many of its most innovative technologies were developed for the demands of the online porn industry. So will "escorts" of unparalleled beauty and skill come with accessories such as computer-drive, wearable pleasure devices?
What’s more certain is that doctors in Australia could perform surgery in Tashkent. A travel agent could give customers a live video tour of a resort in the Seychelles or a palace hotel in Kashmir. The prospects are endless.
Dr Hugh Bradlow, head of the Telstra Research Laboratories in Clayton, says the theory is simple enough. "If we could use all the spare cycles on all the millions of computers around the world we could unleash massive computing power," he says.
Theory is one thing; practice another. Yet, Bradlow says, large technology companies such as IBM are developing grid computing to provide heavy-lift computing for ordinary people.
"The notion here is that a grid of computers can create a flexible computing infrastructure for hosting centres so that users can be assigned as much or as little computing infrastructure as they need," he said. (See http://www- 1.ibm.com/grid/about_grid/wh at_is.shtml)
Bradlow says IBM’s work is "an area clearly of interest to us in the future as an alternative form of infrastructure deployment, but its viability and value are yet to be proven".
Thomas Hawk, who heads IBM’s grid computing unit in New York, says: "Consumers are about to be touched, influenced and benefitted by grid computing in ways they can’t yet imagine. Advances in medicine, improvements in homeland defence, more advanced video games are right around the corner."
The US National Science Foundation is just as keen. Grid computing will "put us into a new realm — a new way of doing science", says Daniel Atkins, chairman of the Foundation committee pressing the US Government to support the technology.
Just as the World Wide Web enabled a single computer to reach information controlled by one or several computers thousands of kilometres away, and do it in seconds, so should the grid give access to the computing power present on the global network.
That means highly sophisticated software, new ways of searching for resources and connecting with them; perhaps a new way of human thinking. "The internet lets computers talk together," says IBM’s Hawk. "Grid computing lets computers work together."
It could give an individual access to all the world’s electronic resources — data, digital libraries of text, sound and images as well as the programs to use them.
Ultimately, at least in theory, the grid means that the entire planet will be a single giant computer, connecting all of us and doing sums that would have had Einstein chewing aspirin by the handful.
But reality is yet some distance beyond the theory. Even the most committed grid enthusiast does not suggest that a person sitting at a home PC will use grid computing directly.
The benefits are more likely to come through better, faster and cheaper services from public and private organisations linked to the grid.
Banks, superannuation funds and stock brokers are obvious potential clients, doing huge sums to predict market movements just as the Bureau of Meteorology uses its supercomputer today to predict the weather.
Medical researchers, already gathering information through the use of synchrotrons such as the one being built at Clayton, could use grid computing to accelerate their development of new drugs to beat disease.
Engineers could model and test new buildings, bridges and machines and develop new materials more quickly and precisely.
Entertainment industries would be huge users of the resource. A company such as Pixar, which took three years and hundreds of powerful computers to produce its animated blockbuster, Finding Nemo, could greatly accelerate its production and enhance the imagination of its artists.
Grid computing on a lessthan- global scale is already operating, mostly in the US which has the money and the resources to make it work. The US Department of Energy has a science grid connecting its many laboratories, and NASA has its own information power grid. Similar work on a slightly smaller scale is underway in Europe and Japan.
Scientists now believe the need for grid computing is beyond argument. The Internet is being overwhelmed by a tidal wave of data, some of it evil and unnecessary rubbish, but much vital to science, engineering and commerce.
In a recent report to the US Congress, Peter Freeman, assistant director for computer science at the National Science Foundation said: "The calculations and the quantities of information that can be stored, transmitted and used are exploding at a stunning, almost disruptive rate."
In 1986, the fastest computer network could carry 56,000 bits of information per second over a dial-up modem; enough to fill about three pages of a book. Today, a supercomputer can handle more than 40 billion bits a second — enough to fill more than 2 million pages — more than 700,000 times faster than network connections could manage 17 years ago.
High-end computers can now process terabytes (trillions of bytes) of data per second and soon it will be petabytes (a thousand trillion bytes).
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image at Federation Square in Melbourne is already planning to install computer storage capable of holding petabytes of data, and we are fast approaching the age of exabytes (a million trillion bytes).
The ability of even very large, single computers to handle such torrents of information is being taxed. For example, a single high-resolution brain scan now generates up to three terabytes of data.
A Swiss atomic energy station due to open in 2012 will need to distribute exabytes of data to thousands of physicists around the globe.
Huge sums of money are being poured into development of the software and infrastructure that will be needed. The US National Science Foundation has told Congress it needs $US1 billion ($A1.47 billion) a year to be spent on an advanced cyber infrastructure program to support grid computing, and more millions will come from universities, laboratories and private industry.
Grid computing is on the way, and the world will never be the same.
- with AP
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Copyright © 2003. The Age Company Ltd
|advertise | contact us| | <urn:uuid:688dde41-70b2-4da6-81a7-b47d63664b55> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/27/1067233095576.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940088 | 1,584 | 2.28125 | 2 |
Date of this Version
Complex systems are typically manifest in multi-variate data. The analysis of such data is therefore an intrinsic effort of systems research.
In this paper, a distinction is made between the logic of many-valued relations and the quantification of the strength of these relations in data. The former is unrelated to data whereas the latter is invoked in two empirical tasks: the identification of structures in data and the construction of models and theories that reproduce or explain these data at least approximately so. A unified calculus is proposed to aid both tasks. It required a third generalization of Shannon's quantity of communication. The paper presents several algebraic identities of the quantity with entropies, transmissions and interactions.
These identities are intended to provide the basis of two separate identification strategies; decomposition and composition. These are exemplified. The paper concludes with pointing out several yet unresolved problems.
Date Posted: 06 October 2010 | <urn:uuid:d0e38524-e63b-4c63-9095-2ef64d94c591> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://repository.upenn.edu/asc_papers/207/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937866 | 187 | 1.523438 | 2 |
Verizon Wireless is taking a stand - in the race to deploy 4G LTE mobile broadband service, they don’t want to come in second to AT&T or Japan’s NTT DoCoMo, the latter of which said it would offer such a network commercially in 2010. According to executive vice president and chief technology officer of Verizon Communications, Dick Lynch, they plan to begin rolling the enhanced network capabilities out by about this time next year, ahead of the original 2010 timetable.
The original plan called for initial rollouts in 2010, with a wide commercial launch in 2011 and true mass availability coming shortly after. But according to an IDC analyst, Verizon’s new, more aggressive deployment schedule was likely inspired by the threat of launching after another company. Verizon wants to be first! Can you blame them? They don’t have the iPhone...
If you’re wondering what LTE is, it’s a fourth-generation wireless data system expected to be the next step up in speed and capacity for carriers using the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) platform, which is dominant in most of the world. Like Sprint Nextel’s already deployed (in one city) WiMax, it should deliver multiple megabits per second of throughput.
After introducing LTE, Verizon plans to offer subscribers small in-home base stations known as femtocells, which will extend the signal indoors - likely including built-in Wi-Fi, which will allow newer personal electronics such as cameras to automatically exchange information over the air. Imagine getting home from a trip and having your pictures automatically upload to the internet once you walk through the door. This may be a reality sooner than you think.
Read More | Yahoo! | <urn:uuid:e4bf04fd-5957-4161-b3c7-a683733b3590> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.gearlive.com/news/tag/lte+broadband | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940763 | 356 | 1.515625 | 2 |
The final part of an 8-part series from Clive Shepherd, looking at Universal Design principles…
I know, by this stage you just want to get your materials up on the server and out there meeting a need. However, some checks really do need doing.
Check that your materials really are fit for purpose, for example:
- They are accurate and up-to-date.
- They are free of spelling and grammatical errors.
- They are free of racist, sexist and other discriminatory content.
- They are free of software bugs and broken links.
- They work without error on the hardware and software for which they have been designed.
Check that your materials conform to the rules of good usability, for example:
- It is always clear what the learner is expected to do next.
- Only the necessary controls are provided and these are easy to use.
- Overviews and summaries are provided for each content block.
- Longer pieces of textual content are separated into sections accompanied by clear and meaningful headings.
- The material is sequenced logically.
- The number of menu levels is kept to an absolute minimum.
- Text is easily readable / visuals clearly visible / sound clearly audible!
Lastly, check that your materials are accessible by those who suffer from common disabilities, for example:
- Web pages are formatted such that the visually impaired can access them using screen readers.
- Colours are used in such a way that they do not disadvantage the colour-blind.
- Text is re-sizeable.
- Audio and video files are accompanied by transcripts.
- Interactions can be accomplished using the keyboard as well as a mouse.
Make sure you’re not the only one who checks your materials, because you may well be blind to many of the problems which others will pick up. And don’t be afraid of feedback, because that’s the way you keep your materials fresh, relevant and useful.
About the Author:
Clive Shepherd is a consultant with an interest in all aspects of technology-assisted learning and communication. He is a regular speaker and contributor to conferences and publications throughout the E-Learning world. | <urn:uuid:69cd6a12-9340-4b2a-a086-d346f57abeb0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://insights.elearningnetwork.org/?p=198 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941355 | 452 | 2.40625 | 2 |
Today’s post comes courtesy of FeedbacQ
Thinking of moving to a new country to start over? Work experience abroad will guarantee career progression, not to mention broadening your horizons, the opportunity to learn new languages, visit exotic lands and live out of your comfort zone. Well, it is not such a bad thing after all. We have compiled a list of countries that expats can live the adventurous life and save on their taxes as a bonus. Each one is diverse and different from the other. Pick one that suits you.
The State of Qatar has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It is the No.2 ranked country in terms of per-capita income, making it a wealthy nation. Qatar recently won the bid to host the 2022 Football World Cup. The country has earmarked massive infrastructure projects, like new motorways, stadiums and other urban development projects. Such an influx of investments are expected to catapult the Qatari economy into the league of regional giants like Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Qatar enjoys a zero income tax regime. The major employers in the country are the oil and natural gas, real estate and education sectors.
2) Cayman Islands
As the 15th richest country in terms of per-capita income, the people of Cayman Islands enjoy a high standard of living. This British Overseas Territory is one of the leading offshore banking centres in the world. All of the worlds leading banks have offices in the Cayman Islands. It has also been referred to as a Mutual Fund Mecca as Cayman Islands are home to thousands of registered hedge fund companies. Banks, insurance companies, hedge funds, securities and corporations are the major employers in the region. Tourism is the other major industry, accounting for 70 percent of GDP. The Cayman Islands impose no direct taxation, which includes personal income tax.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has one of the most open economies in the world. In the “Index of Economic Freedom” study by the Heritage Foundation, Bahrain ranked No.12 overall in the world and No.1 in the Middle Eastern region. Bahrain is a major financial and banking centre in the Middle East. A key ally of the United States, it was the first Middle Eastern state to sign a Free Trade Agreement with the US. Bahrain follows a zero income tax policy for its citizens and expats alike. Major employment sectors include petroleum production, oil refining, aluminium manufacturing, finance and construction.
4) The Bahamas
The Bahamas is one the world’s least taxed countries. The government imposes no personal income tax, corporate income tax, capital gains tax or wealth tax. The Bahamas ranks only behind the United States and Canada in the GDP per capita stakes in the North American region. The 2012 Index of Economic Freedom study ranked The Bahamas in the top 10 overall within the region, scoring well in the fiscal and economic freedom criteria. Offshore banking and tourism are the country’s two biggest providers of employment. The prevailing tax regime makes it an attractive destination for expats looking for a tropical island lifestyle combined with a lean taxation policy.
About the Author | <urn:uuid:2096528c-79d1-494f-ba7c-99742ddd82c1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://globial.com/globialtalksbusiness/can-you-avoid-taxes-by-working-in-another-country/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93402 | 632 | 1.664063 | 2 |
The digital key for your online locker is not like physical key, which is hard to grab and duplicate. Whatever be your password, it can be copied out, no matter how long it is.
If you think your password is strong enough, and use the same everywhere, it is not a good practice. Cyber criminals steal passwords on websites that have very little security, and then they use that same password and user name in more secure environments, such as banking websites.
These are general guidelines, but you should not be casual while creating a password. Some sites provide you the strongness meter while typing, but not all. Desktop software lack in this.
Microsoft has an online password checker tool, that tell you its strength. It can classified as weak, medium, strong or best. The tool is available under Microsoft Safety & Security Center.
Password strength is determined using several signals. These may be
- Complexity of different characters used.
- String length.
- Occurrence in dictionary.
- Any sequences or general set of characters like 1234, QWERTY, asdfgh.
- A calendar date.
- Common words like admin, pass, pass123, etc.
Try a combination of them to have a great key. It may save you when you have no other way then to type the password in front of friends. | <urn:uuid:025ca3a3-34b3-4596-8d62-c325dc1a5231> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.techvigil.com/tips-tricks/339/microsoft-password-strength-checker/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.922236 | 277 | 2.609375 | 3 |