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PM - Tuesday, 3 August , 2004 18:26:05
Reporter: Alison Caldwell
MARK COLVIN: To that issue that Alexandra Kirk was just asking about him – the issue of whether these amendments are just a sock thrown to the left or whether they could have any teeth?
Australia can't sign the free trade agreement 'til the Parliament passes it but the US President George W. Bush will sign his name to it in the White House Rose Garden overnight our time.
Short of rejecting the FTA outright, a number of international law experts the PM program has talked to this afternoon, say that it's already a done deal regardless of any amendments introduced in the Parliament.
They say it will come down to what's in the text of the agreement that counts when a dispute arises.
Professor Peter Drahos is a lecturer in Law at the Australian National University who has studied the trade deal. He says that once the FTA is signed, in any future dispute, the new amendments will essentially be viewed as irrelevant and challenged every step of the way.
Professor Drahos is speaking to Alison Caldwell.
PETER DRAHOS: While I think the proposals are well intentioned, ultimately they don't really achieve the objective of protecting the PBS. What really matters is the text in the actual agreement. That is what a free trade panel deciding our obligations under the act will look at.
That's what will ultimately govern a dispute resolution process, not the implementing legislation the Labor Party dream up.
ALISON CALDWELL: So, what are you saying? When a dispute arises, they are not going to be looking at domestic legislation, the dispute panel will be looking at what the free trade agreement itself says?
PETER DRAHOS: They will look at both. They will look at the implementing legislation and they say, "does this implementing legislation fulfil the obligations that Australia agreed to when they signed the agreement?" and if there is a gap between what we've implemented and what we've agreed to in the text, then it is the text that has priority.
It's like entering into a contract. We've entered into a contract with the United States and that's the contract that will determine whether or not we've fulfilled our obligations.
The multinationals, that are really the architects of this free trade agreement, will look at our implementing legislation and they will ask themselves, "are the Australians complying? Are they doing what they have undertaken to do in the free trade agreement?"
And if they come to the conclusion that we haven't complied, then they will take us to court or the equivalent of a court, namely the dispute resolution process that is in the free trade agreement.
ALISON CALDWELL: Mark Latham said today, look, these amendments don't impact whatsoever on the text of the agreement. We'll still get the benefits of the agreement, but we will protect our PBS and our local content rules.
Do you see that?
PETER DRAHOS: I think that is a lot of wishful thinking. I think that if the Americans do not get what they want out of this agreement, vis-à-vis the PBS, then they will ultimately take the matter to trade dispute resolution.
The whole point of this agreement is to obtain higher prices to deal with the domestic crises in the United States, to deal with the fact that PBS represents world's best practice for Australia producing cheaper medicines. That is the entire point of this.
It would be amazing I think, in my view, if the Americans backed off on the path that they have set out for themselves.
MARK CLVIN: The ANU's Professor Peter Drahos speaking to Alison Caldwell. | <urn:uuid:30265aa6-3656-4f75-a582-cd10f7cc1aac> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2004/s1168122.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957317 | 764 | 1.523438 | 2 |
Amiens cathedral (begun 1220 AD)
Amiens is not far from Reims, in northern France, and when the bishop of Reims began building a big new cathedral, naturally the bishop of Amiens wanted one too. In fact, Bishop Evrard of Amiens was determined to have the biggest cathedral in France, so he built his nave 138 feet high - 13 feet higher than Reims, and almost as high as the dome of the Pantheon in Rome.
The builders began with the front, or facade, of the cathedral. Like Notre Dame of Paris, the facade of Amiens has three big doors on the bottom level, a gallery and a row of statues across the middle, and a huge rose window (43 feet in diameter). But the facade of Amiens cathedral emphasizes vertical lines more than the earlier Notre-Dame of Paris, which has stronger horizontal lines. Amiens' facade is also deeper, so there are more contrasts between light and shadow.
Inside the cathedral, there's the same four-part groin vaulted roof as at Chartres, Rouen, and Reims, supported by the same kind of flying buttresses on the outside. At the crossing, though, you can see a more complicated pattern of ribs - the first example of this more complicated vaulting in France.
Because the nave is very narrow, it seems even higher than it really is. The side aisles are also very high, which adds to the effect.
To find out more about Amiens cathedral, check out this book from Amazon.com or from your library:
Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction, by David Macaulay (1981). Beautiful drawings and clear text explain exactly how medieval craftsmen built a cathedral, from foundation to the stained glass windows. For kids.
BILL OF RIGHTS
WHAT IS BC OR AD? | <urn:uuid:20dbb693-e87c-4e0c-bdec-e3d98e4d6f90> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/medieval/architecture/amiens.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.915416 | 383 | 3.546875 | 4 |
Today, the Washington Post editorializes
against the surveillance program that came to light last week.
As part of its piece, the Post writes:The tools of foreign intelligence are not consistent with a democratic society. Americans interact with their own government through the enforcement of law. And in those limited instances in which Americans become intelligence targets, FISA exists to make sure that the agencies are not targeting people for improper reasons but have sufficient evidence that Americans are actually operating as foreign agents.
The problem is that this law -- and the Post's thinking -- is clearly geared to a pre-terrorism age, before lives could be placed in imminent risk through a threat that recruits domestic agents to carry out its work. Part of the problem is that there isn't necessarily "probable cause" to believe that every
phone number in Osama Bin Laden's cell phone belongs to a terrorist. But it would be stupid, negligent and wrong not to check it out. It's the kind of thinking like that above -- where bright-line, facile distinctions are drawn between matters "domestic" and "foreign" -- that resulted in the famous Clinton "wall" . . . and culminated in 9/11.
But although it seems to assume Administration guilt, at least The Post limits its criticism largely to policy, rather than making sweeping statements that the program was clearly illegal (hello, Russ Feingold!). Here's why the Post is right in doing so:
The Fourth Amendment, according to the Supreme Court (Lewis Powell writing) forbids "domestic security surveillances . . . conducted solely within the discretion of the executive branch." Fine. But as Powell also noted, that holding didn't apply to "the president's surveillance power with respect to the activities of foreign powers, within or without this country." (See United States v. United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan,
407 U.S. 297 (1972)).
In other words, the Administration couldn't conduct wireless surveillance of conversations between Tim McVeigh and Larry Nichols, but conversations between Osama bin Laden and the American Taliban in Califoria are fair game, given that the latter is acting as an agent of a foreign power.
Moreover, in enacting the Foreign Intelligence Service Act or any other law, Congress cannot -- however much it wants to -- diminish the President's Constitution-given powers to act as Commander-in-Chief of the United States. The Administration has argued before, with merit, that the President has inherent power (as Commander in Chief) to conduct wireless surveillance of foreign powers and their agents. Should Congress attempt to limit those powers, it's violating separation of powers principles. It can't limit the President's powers by statute, any more than it could by statute decide, for example, that the Supreme Court won't have original jurisdiction over any controversy between two states (another power bestowed by the Constitution).
All the self-righteous big mouths proclaiming the illegality of the President's activities had better think twice, and speak with a little more caution. It's far from clear that anything wrong has gone on from a legal standpoint -- and certainly not from a policy perspective.
And as for a political matter, if the choice is between protecting Americans acting as Al Qaeda agents and protecting the rest of us from
them, well, that's an easy choice, at least for the sensible majority in this country. | <urn:uuid:51952dc9-dad3-40b9-94e8-894558f4a039> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.carolliebau.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967288 | 684 | 1.976563 | 2 |
Empowering your employees
Posted on July 19, 2012, Thursday
AN organisation that hires employees and leaves them to work and learn things on their own will not be able to benefit much. Employees need to be empowered through proper training and guidance in order for them to fully exercise their skills and talents.
There are many ways that management can empower employees. First and foremost, employees need to have an orientation session where they are provided with information on the organisation’s background, culture, beliefs, mission and vision. Only when new employees fully understand the organisation’s direction and goals would they be able to gear themselves to move in that direction.
Next, present employees with the procedures and policies of the organisation and the history or reasons behind those rules and principles. When employees are well informed on these practices, they will be able to carry out their work according to the policies. This will help them greatly in their decision-making process as they will know what takes precedence.
For example, certain organisations value their reputation more than anything else. Hence, as representatives of these organisations, the employees need to ensure the reputations of these organisations are prioritised.
Provide employees with answers for the most frequently asked questions. Discuss ways to solve problems that are common to the organisation’s business. Employees will be able to use these solutions as a guideline whenever they face similar issues. This will expedite the problem-solving process and eliminate any unnecessary waste in terms of time and effort. Equip employees with the necessary resources. For instance, information on where to find appropriate forms, who to approach for certain types of assistance or information, internal and external contact lists, etc. Enable employees to be able to make full use of the resources at hand to get their work done and achieve success.
Enlighten employees on where to find solutions or assistance when they cannot solve a problem. They will not be able run to the same person whenever they have an issue. Show employees the various options and resources to find more information or enlist help so that they can solve problems without depending too much on others.
Pay close attention to the projects that the employees are handling. Provide relevant and useful feedback throughout the project. Ensure that timely feedback is given so that things would not get out of hand. Employees will greatly benefit from the feedback as they can make adjustments or corrections to ensure the desired results are delivered.
To further empower employees, they need to learn to ‘own’ their work. If employees take ownership of their work, they will give their very best because they fully understand that their work is their responsibility and the qualities and results of the work represents them and affects their reputation.
To instil the feeling of ownership, get them to be involved in the planning process – both long- and short-term. When they are committed in setting deadlines or milestones, they will be more likely to put in more effort to deliver.
Include them in discussions, conferences and meetings when appropriate.
Even when they have not attended some of the meetings or discussions, ensure that they are informed of the outcome so that they are in touch with the latest progress.
Ask employees for their opinions on the projects that they are responsible for. If the employees are merely carrying out orders, the sense of ownership will not be there. If they are given the chance to contribute ideas or opinions, they would be more interested to get involved.
Let the employees take part in presenting projects where they are involved in the preparation. Make sure that their names are included in the project paper or presentation. This will make known to others their part in the project and instil a sense of ownership in the employees involved.
Employees are great assets to any organisation. When organisations empower their employees, there will naturally be organisational success.
Priscilla Hiu is a career guidance consultant of Gracia Management and a certified behavioural consultant of DISC Personality Profiling System, Institution of Motivation Living, USA and Extended DISC Personality Profiling System, Extended DISC Northgate. | <urn:uuid:976b9aa7-3324-4f80-afec-8b42cf68a9b2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07/19/empowering-your-employees/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956775 | 822 | 2.046875 | 2 |
Low milk prices have been a key factor in keeping hay prices, especially alfalfa prices, from pushing even higher in many parts of the country this winter. That could change in the year ahead, according to Scott Brown, dairy economist with University of Missouri Extension.
“There are signs of hope,” Brown told attendees at the recent Heart of America Dairy Expo in Springfield. “We will see some margin recovery in 2013, but don’t look for anything like those record margins of 2008.”
On the upside, trends in international dairy markets could help bolster U.S. milk prices. Globally, milk supplies are tight. “The good news is that the U.S. has become a large net exporter (of dairy products),” Brown said.
Domestically, a 2012 drop in dairy cow numbers, although lower than what many dairy analysts were expecting, was coupled with a slowdown in overall milk production this winter. Those factors have been encouraging for the milk-price outlook.
Brown warned, though, that uncertainty over the weather and its effect on feed prices bears watching. “I can see a corn price with a $4/bu in front of it, but over $8 is possible with another dry year. With current tight corn stocks, any weather change will affect feed prices.”
In turn, that uncertainty will leave many milk producers facing tough choices, he said. “If you pay $7 for corn, do you keep milking or get out? If you look ahead and see a big corn crop coming, do you stay to see if feed costs drop?”
Brown’s bottom line: Look for an all-milk price of around $19.40/cwt in 2013 compared to $18.63 in 2012. | <urn:uuid:2a6ce9b6-deec-44a3-9a2b-1a67ddd8b644> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://hayandforage.com/print/dairyforage-nutrition/prospects-brighten-dairy-sector | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961155 | 374 | 1.835938 | 2 |
And not surprisingly, the mining industry objected.
"Requiring coal-based power plants to meet an emissions standard based on natural gas technology is a policy overtly calculated to destroy a significant portion of America's electricity supply," said Hal Quinn, chief executive of the National Mining Assn. "This proposal is the latest convoy in EPA's regulatory train wreck that is rolling across America, crushing jobs and arresting our economic recovery at every stop. It is not an 'all of the above' energy strategy."
Of course, what Quinn doesn't want to talk about is what types of jobs the EPA rules are "crushing."
To get a better idea of that, you need to read another Times story Tuesday, one headlined "Report: Safety agency failed to enforce laws at deadly mine."
That story tells of the regulatory and safety lapses at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia, where an explosion in 2010 killed 29 coal miners and seriously injured two others.
It's a story of lax regulatory enforcement, of inspectors simply not doing their jobs, and of a mine operator that, as the Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration said in a report on the deadly incident, engaged in "systematic, intentional and aggressive efforts ... to avoid compliance with safety and health standards, and to thwart detection of that non-compliance by federal and state regulators."
How bad were conditions at the mine? Bad enough that "Alpha Natural Resources, the company that acquired Massey Energy Co. after the explosion, reached a settlement late last year with the Department of Justice in which it agreed to pay a record $209 million in compensation and fines and federal prosecutors agreed not to pursue criminal charges against the company," according to The Times' story.
Even so, some former officials at the mine are under criminal indictment.
Last month, prosecutors charged the then-superintendent of the mine with conspiring with others to block federal regulators from enforcing safety requirements -- a charge that suggests other individuals are likely targets of action as well.
Prosecutors allege that the former superintendent altered the mine’s ventilation system while an inspector was taking an air sample and ordered that a monitor be rewired so that mining could continue despite elevated levels of methane.
What industry spokesman Quinn also didn't talk about is that EPA regulations would apply only to new power plants, and that, as The Times story said, "the proposed regulations further bolster a trend that the power industry began years ago, as more utilities replaced aging coal-fired plants with new natural gas plants. Very few new coal plants are now on the drawing boards."
Coal is a relatively cheap power source, but it's only really cheap if you ignore the costs in lost lives mining it and the health effects from burning it, not to mention the environmental costs from digging it up.
As The Times story concludes:
"[W]hat this essentially says is we will never be building dirty old coal plants ever again," said Michael Brune of the Sierra Club, one of the litigants in the lawsuit that led to the development of the new rules. "The dominant power source of the 19th and 20th centuries won’t be built the same again."
This isn't about "crushing" jobs.
This is about progress. And it's time to move on.
-- Paul Whitefield
Photo: President Obama speaks about energy on March 22 at a TransCanada pipe yard near Cushing, Okla. Credit: Larry W. Smith / EPA | <urn:uuid:45c69e90-f96b-49e1-b1c0-7b03c0800a96> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/environmental-policy/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964895 | 707 | 1.90625 | 2 |
Progressive increase in the functional G cell mass with age in atrophic gastritis
Patients with atrophic gastritis but normal antral mucosa and achlorhydria were divided into three groups according to age—under 40, 40 to 70, and over 70 years. Serum gastrin, both basal and following a standard protein meal, was estimated in all patients by radioimmunoassay. There was a significant correlation between the magnitude of the gastrin response and age, the older the patient the greater the response. These results suggest that with increasing duration of gastritis and continued stimulation of a normal antrum in the absence of inhibition by acid, the functional G (gastrin) cell mass increases. However the possibility exists that each cell may secrete more gastrin in response to the same stimulus with age. This may be resolved by counting the number of G cells in the stomachs of subjects with atrophic gastritis and different ages. | <urn:uuid:c9c8e552-b511-4b52-b5d7-fc4da27c9110> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://gut.bmj.com/content/14/7/549 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949915 | 194 | 2.078125 | 2 |
How comfortable we feel in a car certainly depends on more than what we see. How important are the other human senses? Is one more important than the other?
In addition to our visual perception, our haptic, acoustic and olfactory experiences play a key role when we are in our vehicles. There is no clear order of priority; rather, the interplay between the different senses is important. For example, a material that looks like leather also has to feel like leather. A massive control element made of metal should make a different noise than a delicate control element made of plastic when it is being operated.
Our overall impression of a vehicle is also heavily influenced by the order in which particular sensory perceptions are received. A solid sound when closing the door, for example, strongly influences the subsequent psychological processing of the vehicle interior. Visual impressions are also available from an early stage, which leads to a first judgement. However, this is gradually added to and modified by additional stimuli, for example haptic stimuli provided by the various control elements, vibrations and noises when driving etc.
What are the criteria according to which interiors are perceived to be high-quality? Can they be measured?
Quality can be imagined as a hierarchy of different assessment criteria. At the bottom we have functionality and qualitative aspects such as longevity or stability, for example. If these requirements are met, attention turns to ergonomic aspects such as the intuitive operation of the individual systems and instruments. At the top of the hierarchy are aspects of perceived quality such as image or the haptic qualities of the materials.
The various levels of quality are measured in experimental studies that link physical attributes to the subjective enjoyment judgements of customers. For example, it is possible to determine what force/motion pattern when operating a switch or what surface qualities of a flat material (e.g. the dashboard) are judged to be high-quality.
There must be differences in judgement based on personal preferences and experiences? What about age and gender?
Age and gender are characteristics that are often recorded in customer studies, and are certainly significant to some extent. However, in many areas it is apparent that they are not sufficient to explain the differences in the way that people perceive a vehicle. Certain values as well as general lifestyle often play a more important role. Age is often related to a certain stage of life which can lead to certain requirements and corresponding preferences. However, these are more important than the person's actual age. A young family, for example, will usually have different requirements for a vehicle than single people of the same age.
However, many aspects of the assessment of a vehicle are also very strongly shaped by individual preferences and experiences. This is why the issue of personalisation is so important with regard to vehicles.
How important is brand image in this context?
A “brand” constitutes a promise to the customer regarding the quality and attributes of a product. The customer therefore also has very specific expectations of a brand. Brands are important to the customer in order to find their way through a complex world. They help reduce the complexity and uncertainty associated with purchasing decisions. This is why the expectations of a brand also play a key role in how an interior is perceived. The challenge for Mercedes-Benz is to exceed customers’ expectations and pleasantly surprise them. If expectations are not met then customers are disappointed. This is why we at the Customer Research Center aim to analyse the needs of our customers and incorporate them into the development process at an early stage.
What influence does the media have on how an interior is perceived?
The media is an important source of information for our customers. It helps customers compare vehicles and access expert assessments. It therefore helps customers reduce complexity and uncertainty, and make a purchasing decision. Above all, the media is useful for assessing the objective qualities of interiors such as fittings, ergonomics and operation. The media is of less help with subjective assessments. After all, the decision regarding whether they like an interior is the customer's alone. | <urn:uuid:f3c5ab0a-9f69-448a-b16d-f448eda0158b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-1403831-1-1412485-1-0-0-0-0-0-11702-854934-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961705 | 813 | 2.8125 | 3 |
I have owned a variety of dogs since I was five years old, and some seemed to be talking to me. My standard poodle, Lady, was the smartest, but she understood what I told her, but was not very expressively communicative. Buster, my most recent pet, a Shih Tsu, who sadly left me almost two years ago at 17 years of age, seemed to have the most to say, but I didn't understand him.
Gayle Ehlman has described how to interpret your pets growls and body language but Takara Tomy, a Japanese toymaker, has made a device that can translate what a dog "says" into human language and emotions in real time. Go to their website and read "how they developed with an acoustics research laboratory and a veterinarian, the Bowlingual" which works wirelessly (your dog must wear a wireless mic around the neck). Let the device catch noises made by your dog (transmission range: 10m) and it will analyze the "animal language" with a special algorithm before telling you on the LCD screen what was being "said. (Cat lovers should know that Takara Tomy has also released the Meowlingual Cat Translator.)
Since Buster was always with us, whether in the bath room or bedroom, I might insist that he sign a non disclosure agreement before fitting him with the Bowlingual. However, the Bowlingual device is probably more of a novelty than an accurate translator and reviews of the device showed that it didn't work too well....at least with non-Japanese speaking dogs. It does seems to work OK with dogs and British men in Japan. The Bowlingual device is difficult to find in retail stores int he U.S., but there seem to be a lot of units for sale on Ebay. | <urn:uuid:a756eb93-4971-4bd2-912b-57e77138c04a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bizarrebehaviors.com/2009/08/bowlingual-dog-translator.html | 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 | 0.983926 | 369 | 1.820313 | 2 |
A rare copy of the Emancipation Proclamation, the document signed by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War that freed tens of thousands of slaves and laid the foundation for the end of slavery, sold for $2.085 million at auction in New York City on Tuesday.
The sell, which included a “buyer’s premium” or commission of $235,000, is the second-highest price ever paid for a Lincoln-signed proclamation. Another copy of the document, once owned by Robert Kennedy, sold for $3.8 million two years ago. The copy sold on Tuesday was auctioned at the Robert Siegel Auction Galleries and went to David Rubenstein, managing director of The Carlyle Group investment firm. The American seller remained anonymous.
Lincoln issued the proclamation on January 1, 1863, freeing all slaves in states then in rebellion. The proclamation also provided a legal framework for the emancipation of millions of other slaves as the Union armies advanced. Forty-eight copies were subsequently printed, with Lincoln signing all of them in 1864. The copies were sold throughout the country to support Union troops.
“They have appreciated in value because it’s so powerful as a document,” said Seth Kaller, a dealer and expert in American historic documents who worked with the seller in Tuesday’s auction. “If you have an original document like this on exhibit people get a sense of the excitement,” he said in an interview on Wednesday. ‘This document changed the course of history.”
Mr. Kaller said he can locate 26 copies of the proclamation, 18 of which are in museums and libraries. Some of the privately owned copies are on loan to museums, he said. The first document signed by Lincoln is in the National Archives. His website, www.SethKaller.com, lists the location of the 26 copies.
The copy acquired by Mr. Rubinstein is his second, he said. The other is currently on loan to the White House and went there during the presidency of Barack Obama. The document Mr. Rubenstein bought on Tuesday will eventually go on public exhibit, Mr. Kaller said.
“It was really down to a couple of bidders who are major collectors of historical documents,” Scott Trepel, president of the gallery said in an interview on Wednesday. “It’s the only one I’ve sold.”
A total of nine proclamation copies have been sold publicly in the past 40 years, Mr. Kaller said. In 2010, Robert Kennedy’s family auctioned his copy for $3.8 million at Sotheby’s New York. Mr. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968, had purchased it for $9,500 in 1964, when he was U.S. attorney general and enforcing civil rights laws. “Kennedy was a document collector,” Mr. Kaller said. “He bought this as he was working on the unfinished business of the Civil War.” | <urn:uuid:84392c7e-318e-413b-983d-275389cdaeca> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/27/copy-of-emancipation-proclamation-sells-for-nearly-2-1-million/?smid=tw-nytimesarts&seid=auto | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00074-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97297 | 635 | 2.4375 | 2 |
Basic Travel Advice Turkmenistan
The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including evacuation by air ambulance, before travelling to Turkmenistan. You should check any exclusions and ensure that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
Travellers should note that the Irish Government does not provide funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains or for expenses incurred by Irish citizens as a result of a personal emergency while travelling.
Safety and Security
There is a low threat from terrorism in Turkmenistan. However, travellers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which may be directed against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. You should be particularly vigilant in public places. Pay attention to any security announcements by the Turkmen authorities.
Visitors should avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings.
Travellers should avoid travelling in unofficial taxis, particularly at night and alone, or if there is another passenger already in the car. The Embassy would advise travellers to arrange hiring a private car and driver, or an officially licensed taxi, through their hotel or travel agency.
Certain parts of the country have been designated as “restricted” and special permits are required from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to travel there. It is best to check the situation with your local guide before travelling outside the capital. Travellers are advised to avoid the Turkmenistan/Afghanistan border area.
The local equivalent to the 999 helpline is 03.
Keep valuables out of sight and avoid unlit or remote areas. You should avoid obvious displays of wealth, especially in rural areas. Women should avoid going out alone late at night.
The possession and use of drugs is illegal.
International driving licences are valid in Turkmenistan. Take care if driving, as many roads are poor and badly lit. Driving at night is not advisable.
Those intending to travel to, from or within Turkmenistan should avoid flying on airlines listed under the EU operating ban. Further information about the ban is available at the: European Commission website at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/list_en.htm
It is not known if maintenance procedures on aircraft used for internal flights are properly observed.
Typhoid and hepatitis A have occurred in Turkmenistan. In October 2010, the World Health Organisation declared the country malaria-free.
You are advised to drink only bottled water, to seek medical advice before travelling and to ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.
The quality of medical care in Turkmenistan is poor and anything other than basic or emergency treatment, particularly outside the capital, is best avoided.
Local Laws and Customs
For entry requirements for Turkmenistan, please contact the Turkmen Embassy in London:
Embassy of Turkmenistan
Second Floor, South
St. George’s House, 14/17
Wells Street W1T 3 PD
Tel: 00 44 20 72551071
Fax: 00 44 20 73239184
It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport and visa with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport and visa at all times, as local police frequently request proof of identity.
It should also be noted that Turkmenistan does not recognise dual nationality and visitors are expected to have only one passport with them. It is not possible to enter Turkmenistan without the prior approval of the Turkmen authorities.
Homosexuality is illegal under Turkmen law and is still very much frowned upon socially. You should take care over public displays of affection. The issue of relationships between foreign men and local women is also sensitive.
Photographing many of the official buildings is prohibited (including the Presidential Palace) and it is best to check with a local police officer first.
There is no roaming service within Turkmenistan which means that foreign mobile phones do not work there.
Natural Disasters and Climate
Turkmenistan is located in an active seismic zone and earth tremors do occur. An earthquake measuring between 4.2 and 4.6 on the Richter scale occurred near the city of Balkanabad in western Turkmenistan on 6 June 2011. There were no reports of any casualties or injuries.
Additional Country Information
You should bring enough money for the duration of your stay. Only change money through official exchange booths.
The Embassy of Ireland accredited to Turkmenistan is located in Moscow in the Russian Federation. Its contact details are available here.Top | <urn:uuid:7259219c-0d0d-4107-ad99-f16039312338> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.irelandunnewyork.org/home/index.aspx?id=8507 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.934708 | 947 | 2.21875 | 2 |
SEOUL, South Korea — Asia’s reputation as a hotbed of soccer match-fixing and corruption is getting some overdue attention, as nations move to clean up the sport and position the region as a rival to Europe and South America in attracting players, fans and investment.
Last week Chinese courts handed out lengthy prison sentences to senior officials and players for accepting bribes, while South Korea is taking measures to improve the sport after the match-fixing scandal of 2011.
Earlier this week, soccer’s governing body, FIFA, extended the national bans imposed by South Korea’s K-League on 13 players into worldwide sanctions. Former national team player Kim Dong-hyun received a lifetime ban just a month after being arrested in Seoul for an attempted kidnapping at knifepoint.
Kim is the highest-profile of the 46 players in South Korea, past and present, charged with corruption. Authorities are continuing a comprehensive education program to prevent the events of last year being repeated.
“It’s a continuous task and we don’t have to advertise our efforts,” Lee Kap-jin, a former Korea Football Association vice president and head of the KFA’s misconduct committee, told The Associated Press. “We are here to help players and coaches deal with these situations should they arise in the future.”
That need was borne home in April, when K-league player Lee Kyung-hwan committed suicide after being banned for corruption. Lee was the third confirmed person in the country to take his life after the scandal became known.
“We focus on using every opportunity to educate everyone in soccer about match-fixing. We have an ongoing training program to teach players about moral and ethical problems and coaches about providing leadership,” said Lee.
After years of bribery scandals in the Chinese Super League, the Chinese government cracked down in 2010 and arrested a number of senior administrators, referees and players.
Last week, former Chinese Football Association (CFA) leader Nan Yong and his predecessor, Xie Yalong, were sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison after being found guilty of accepting bribes. Former national team players and high-profile referees also received lengthy jail sentences.
Steve Darby, an English coach with extensive experience in Asia, believes that strict deterrents are necessary.
“The Chinese are taking the problem seriously and showing that sanctions such as prison will be used to clean up the game,” Darby said. “It has to be the right way to show leadership. Prison is a deterrent to many of the middle men. … The key is to get the ring leaders.”
The CFA also has also offered incentives to the public to report wrongdoing and has promised to work with international organizations to fight the problem. China, South Korea and Japan also have pledged to work together.
Chinese soccer’s myriad scandals over the years have damaged the reputation of the domestic game and driven supporters and sponsors away.
After 2010′s crackdown, fans and businesses began to return encouraged by significant investment in the Chinese Super League from companies and rich individuals and, now, some genuine stars.
The increasing sums flowing into domestic clubs had enabled some big-name arrivals. In December, Shanghai Shenhua signed Nicolas Anelka, and this week announced an in-principal agreement to sign his former Chelsea teammate, striker Didier Drogba. Guangzhou Evergrande has hired 2006 World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi and made Argentine playmaker Dario Conca one of the world’s highest-paid players.
The scandal in South Korea started a reform of how the K-League, the oldest professional league in Asia, is operated. The 2012 season is the first to involve relegation and by 2014, 16 teams in the top flight will be reduced to 12. Teams have been given much stricter operating guidelines.
While progress seems to have been made in the northern reaches of Asia, recent episodes in southeast Asia show corruption is far from being eradicated.
In May, four people, including a referee and players, were arrested in Singapore for suspected match-fixing. In February, 18 players in Malaysia were suspended for between two and five years on charges of match-fixing.
Darby, who has worked in Malaysia and Singapore, wants the entire region to follow the lead of China and South Korea.
“Fixing is returning in a big way to Southeast Asia, and there are so many rumors about who is involved that is not good for the game even if it is not true,” Darby said. “It is better to take the problem out of the hands of associations. They should support the police with realistic bans for people involved. The problem is too big for associations to solve.” | <urn:uuid:0ca3e50b-0b4a-4073-8245-d5e623f0b5a2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://bangordailynews.com/2012/06/21/sports/asian-soccer-fights-back-against-match-fixing/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973486 | 988 | 1.59375 | 2 |
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The United States has achieved global air superiority. It has a well trained and equipped military force, and the resources to provide and maintain peace and stability throughout the world.
With these requisites met, many wonder how Nellis’ Red Flag exercise can possibly continue to prepare Airmen for future adversaries.
How can an exercise, initially designed to prepare Airmen during the Vietnam era for air-to-air combat, ever hope to continue to have the same impact in today’s fight?
To answer that question, you must first understand how today’s technology has changed the way the military accomplishes missions in the 21st century.
Radars guide munitions within inches of their intended targets, communication with troops on the ground protects civilians and service members from harm, and satellites provide important intelligence necessary to make each operation a success.
The new era of warfare is no longer fought on the frontline alone but also in cyberspace. This invisible, yet pivotal domain is filled with enough information to ensure a mission’s success or its failure. Any area this critical can be exposed as a weakness, and adversaries know it.
Over the years, the 414th Combat Training Squadron has evolved Red Flag to incorporate space and cyberspace domains as a way of giving Air Force cyber warriors and pilots more realistic training for today’s operations. During this “new type” of Red Flag exercise, participants are able to simulate potential adversaries through all three domains of air, space and cyberspace simultaneously and work together with counterparts to accomplish mission objectives.
“The proper integration of all forces – through air, space, and cyberspace – is critical to the success of any conflict,” said Lt. Col. Cameron Dadgar, 414th CTS deputy commander. “Red Flag promotes valuable cross-talk between weapon system operators across the spectrum of capabilities so that our Airmen can properly incorporate each other to deliver devastating effects on our adversaries, regardless of the domain.”
The 414th CTS, seeing the importance of preparing our Airmen for this new domain, decided to escalate the amount of cyber-attacks on its participants for Red Flag 13-3. This new focus on providing a realistic threat to the mission, stresses the need for accountability and security when dealing with information on the Air Force cyber network.
Airmen from the 57th Information Aggressor Squadron have provided this threat by replicating possible tactics and strategies potential adversaries would use to hinder the success of any global mission. By adding a constant need for exercise participants to execute proper cyber and information security, Red Flag has become one of the most aggressive training regiments to date.
“The training provided by the information aggressor squadron for Red Flag, allows for U.S and allied forces to experience and understand an operating environment that would result from a future conflict in which adversaries constantly attack our network for information,” said 1st Lt. Kyle Bingham, 57th IAS tactics specialist. “This allows training during Red Flag to be expanded beyond air-focused, tactical situations to the more realistic and complex conflict situation that is emerging in the present and will be in the future.”
Bingman went on to stress the importance of preparing the U.S. military and its allies to deal with cyber-attacks in training environments before it is seen in any real world scenario.
“Our dependence on networked technologies is not going to go away,” he said. “Understanding them and the threats to them should be everybody’s priority. It is absolutely crucial to train our service members to deal with cyber-attacks in order to allow the U.S. and its allies to react to more effectively. Our network’s security and how we react to threats to it can determine a mission’s success or failure.”
For more than 50 years, the 414th CTS has provided the Air Force’s premier training exercise with 1,900 possible targets, realistic threat systems and an opposing enemy force that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. Now, thanks to this new element there are endless possibilities in the way the Air Force can prepare its Airmen and allied air forces to combat attacks from potential cyber threats as well.
“Red Flag provides the venue – better than anywhere else worldwide, orbiting the earth or virtually – to improve Air Force, joint and coalition partners’ ability to achieve our war fighting excellence,” Dadgar said.
There will always be threats to national security; however, with exercises such as Red Flag, the 414th CTS is innovating the way the Air Force prepares its Airmen and allies to conduct operations in the 21st century. | <urn:uuid:490a29cb-629d-4eba-b604-5b55724ae352> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.aerotechnews.com/nellisafb/2013/03/08/hacking-away-at-tomorrows-threats-red-flag-incorporates-cyber-domain/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00071-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943063 | 984 | 2.078125 | 2 |
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Michael Atiyah's father was Lebanese and his mother was Scottish. His school education was partly in Cairo, at Victoria College, and partly in Manchester at Manchester Grammar School. After leaving school he did his military service, which was compulsory at the time, then entered Trinity College, Cambridge.
After graduating with his BA, Atiyah continued to undertake research at Cambridge obtaining his doctorate. He was then made a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge in 1954. Atiyah spent the year 1955 as a Commonwealth Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Returning to Cambridge, he was a college lecturer from 1957 and a Fellow of Pembroke College from 1958. He remained at Cambridge until 1961 when he moved to a readership at the University of Oxford where he became a Fellow of St Catherine's College.
Atiyah was soon to fill the highly prestigious Savilian Chair of Geometry at Oxford from 1963, holding this chair until 1969 when he was appointed professor of mathematics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. After three years in Princeton, Atiyah returned to England, becoming a Royal Society Research Professor at Oxford. He was also elected a Fellow of St Catherine's College, Oxford.
Oxford was to remain Atiyah's base until 1990 when he became Master of Trinity College, Cambridge and Director of the newly opened Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge.
Atiyah showed how the study of vector bundles on spaces could be regarded as the study of cohomology theory, called K-theory. Grothendieck also contributed substantially to the development of K-theory. In Atiyah's early mathematical work is described as follows:-
Michael Atiyah has contributed to a wide range of topics in mathematics centring around the interaction between geometry and analysis. His first major contribution (in collaboration with F Hirzebruch) was the development of a new and powerful technique in topology (K-theory) which led to the solution of many outstanding difficult problems. Subsequently (in collaboration with I M Singer) he established an important theorem dealing with the number of solutions of elliptic differential equations. This 'index theorem' had antecedents in algebraic geometry and led to important new links between differential geometry, topology and analysis. Combined with considerations of symmetry it led (jointly with Raoul Bott) to a new and refined 'fixed point theorem' with wide applicability.
For these early achievements Atiyah was awarded a Fields Medal at the International Congress at Moscow in 1966. An address concerning Atiyah's contributions was given at the Congress by Henri Cartan, see . The K-theory and the index theorem are studied in Atiyah's book K-theory (1967, reprinted 1989) and his joint work with G B Segal The Index of Elliptic Operators I-V in the Annals of Mathematics, volumes 88 and 93 (1968, 1971). Atiyah also described his work on the index theorem in The index of elliptic operators given as an American Mathematical Society Colloquium Lecture in 1973.
The ideas which led to Atiyah being awarded a Fields Medal were later seen to be relevant to gauge theories of elementary particles. Again we quote :-
The index theorem could be interpreted in terms of quantum theory and has proved a useful tool for theoretical physicists. Beyond these linear problems, gauge theories involved deep and interesting nonlinear differential equations. In particular, the Yang-Mills equations have turned out to be particularly fruitful for mathematicians. Atiyah initiated much of the early work in this field and his student Simon Donaldson went on to make spectacular use of these ideas in 4-dimensional geometry. More recently Atiyah has been influential in stressing the role of topology in quantum field theory and in bringing the work of theoretical physicists, notably E Witten, to the attention of the mathematical community.
The theories of superspace and supergravity and the string theory of fundamental particles, which involves the theory of Riemann surfaces in novel and unexpected ways, were all areas of theoretical physics which developed using the ideas which Atiyah was introducing.
Atiyah has received many honours during his career, in addition to the Fields Medal referred to above, and it is impossible to list more than a few here. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1962 at the age of 32. He received the Royal Medal of the Society in 1968 and its Copley Medal in 1988. He gave the Royal Society's Bakerian Lecture on Global geometry in 1975 and was President of the Royal Society from 1990 to 1995.
Among the prizes that he has received are the Feltrinelli Prize from the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei in 1981, the King Faisal International Prize for Science in 1987, the Benjamin Franklin Medal and the Nehru Medal.
Atiyah was the American Mathematical Society Colloquium Lecturer in 1973. He was President of the London Mathematical Society in 1974-76 receiving its De Morgan Medal in 1980. Atiyah was knighted in 1983 and made a member of the Order of Merit in 1992. In 2004 he and Isadore Singer were awarded the Neils Abel prize of £480 000 for their work on the Atiyah-Singer Index Theorem.
He has been elected a foreign member of many national academies including those of the United States, Sweden, Germany, France, Ireland, India, Australia, China, Russia and the Ukraine. Many universities have awarded him an honorary degree including Bonn, Warwick, Durham, St Andrews, Dublin, Chicago, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Essex, London, Sussex, Ghent, Reading, Helsinki, Leicester, Rutgers, Salamanca, Montreal, Waterloo, Wales, Queen's-Kingston, Keele, Birmingham, Lebanon and the Open University.
Article by: J J O'Connor and E F Robertson
Click on this link to see a list of the Glossary entries for this page
List of References (9 books/articles)|
|Mathematicians born in the same country|
|Honours awarded to Michael Atiyah|
(Click below for those honoured in this way)
|BMC morning speaker||1957, 1962|
|LMS Berwick Prize winner||1961|
|Fellow of the Royal Society||1962|
|Savilian Geometry Professor||1963|
|Speaker at International Congress||1966|
|Royal Society Royal Medal||1968|
|BMC plenary speaker||1973, 2000|
|AMS Colloquium Lecturer||1973|
|LMS President||1974 - 1976|
|Royal Society Bakerian lecturer||1975|
|Honorary Fellow of the Edinburgh Maths Society||1979|
|LMS De Morgan Medal||1980|
|Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh||1985|
|Royal Society Copley Medal||1988|
|President of the Royal Society||1990-1995|
|AMS Gibbs Lecturer||1991|
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JOC/EFR © April 1998 |
School of Mathematics and Statistics|
University of St Andrews, Scotland
The URL of this page is:| | <urn:uuid:dbb56f2f-3584-4135-9c50-87945e2d66d3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/Biographies/Atiyah.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948222 | 1,601 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Ravel - Piano MusicAlthough Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) has often been compared to Claude Debussy, its fair to say that Ravel was more of a classicist than his great contemporary, being more influenced by the concertos of Mozart and Saint-Saëns than by Wagner, whose music he disliked. He was also drawn to jazz and music from Spain and Russia. A fastidious worker, he honed his works to perfection, leading Stravinsky to talk about "Ravel the Swiss Watchmaker". Originally from the Basque town of Ciboure, near Biarritz, he entered the Paris Conservatory in 1889; among his teachers were Gabriel Fauré. He remained at the Conservatory for not less than 16 years.
During his last years there, Ravel tried in vain to win the prestigious Prix de Rome for composition, and was eventually forbidden to try it once more. A minor scandal followed, which eventually lead to the resignation of the director and Ravel leaving the conservatory. During the first World War, Ravel was denied active army service because of his age and frail health, but he nevertheless served his country as an ambulance driver.
In 1920, the French government awarded him with the Legion d´honneur, which he declined.
In 1928 he met with great acclaim during a piano tour of the USA, where he also made friends with George Gershwin.
In 1932 Ravel suffered a car accident from which he never fully recovered. He began to experience aphasia-like symptoms and his output dropped dramatically. Medical experts examining Ravel´s clinical history have speculated that at the time of the accident he was already in the early stages of frontotemporal dementia. It has also been argued that effects of this neurological disease can be traced in works like Boléro and the piano concerto for the left hand.
In 1937, Ravel agreed to undergo experimental surgery on his brain, but the operation was unsuccessful and he died shortly afterwards.
Ravel was a superb orchestrator, who spent much of his time orchestrating piano works by himself and others, notably Debussy and Mussorgsky (Pictures of an Exhibition).
He worked with the famous choreographer Sergei Diaghilev in stage productions of his ballets Ma Mère l´Oye and Daphnis et Chloé.
Ballets: Daphnis et Chloé, Ma Mère l´Oye
Operas: L´Heure espagnole, L´Enfant et les sortilèges
Orchestral: Rhapsody Espagnole, La Valse, Boléro, Two piano concertos
Vocal: Shéhérazade and several songs with piano
Chamber: Tzigane for violin and piano, Violin Sonata, Piano Trio
Piano solo: Gaspard de la Nuit, Jeux d´eau, Miroirs, Sonatine, Valses nobles et sentimentales, Le Tombeau de Couperin, Pavane pour une infante défunte
Piano Sheet music by Maurice Ravel to Download
Total pieces by Ravel: 19
|In the style of Borodin - Waltz||n/a||1913||Piece||8|
|In the style of Emanuel Chabrier - Paraphrase on a melody by Gounod||n/a||1913||Piece||8|
|Jeux d'eau||E Major||1901||Piece||8+|
|Le Tombeau de Couperin||n/a||1917||Piece||8+|
|Minuet on the Name of Haydn||G Major||1909||Piece||7|
|Mother Goose - Five Childrens Pieces||n/a||1910||Piece||7|
|Pavane pour une infante défunte||E Minor||1899||Piece||8+|
|Valses Nobles et Sentimentales||n/a||1911||Piece||8+|
Gaspard de la nuit
Gaspard de la nuit, subtitled "Three Poems after Aloysius Bertrand," takes as its inspiration Bertrand´s collection of medieval tales, which the author claimed were whispered to him in the night by the devil, Gaspard.
Ravel, in his own words, set out to write something that would be “more difficult than [Balakirev’s] Islamey”.
The resulting suite forever changed the technical landscape of keyboard music. Each of the pieces is prefaced by one of Bertrand’s poems.
The first, Ondine, portrays a water nymph singing to seduce a mortal man to visit her kingdom at the bottom of a lake.
Le Gibet suggests “the bell sounding from the walls of a city far away below the horizon, and the carcass of a dead man hanging from a gibbet, reddened by the setting sun." Ravel´s bell is the B-flat octave that sounds continuously throughout the piece.
Finally, Scarbo gives an impression of the fiendish mischief committed by a ghostly night-dwarf, fading in and out of vision while changing forms, and finally disappearing without a trace.
|Le Gibet||E-flat Minor||1908||Piece||8+|
With Miroirs, Ravel firmly established himself as one of the leading figures in the extensive expansion of the piano’s technical and expressive means that took place in the first decade of the 20th century.
Around 1902 the composer had joined an avant-garde group of artists, writers and musicians known as the "Apaches", who used to meet regularly on Saturdays at the home of the painter Paul Sordes.
Each one of the Miroirs is dedicated to a fellow member of the Apaches. The titles of the pieces translate as follows: No. 1, Night-Moths; No. 2, Sad Birds; No. 3, A boat on the Ocean; No. 4, The Comedian’s Aubade; No. 5, The Valley of the Bells.
|Noctuelles no 1||n/a||1905||Piece||8+|
|Oiseaux Tristes no 2||n/a||1905||Piece||8+|
|Une Barque sur l'océan no 3||n/a||1905||Piece||8+|
|Alborada del Gracioso no 4||n/a||1905||Piece||8+|
|La Vallée des Cloches no 5||n/a||1905||Piece||8+|
|Posts in the piano forum about Ravel:| | <urn:uuid:afd94913-f728-4464-86ec-7c542213747e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.pianostreet.com/ravel-sheet-music/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.907858 | 1,447 | 2.34375 | 2 |
Archive for the ‘Women’s Health’ Category
It is very important stage of every married woman to conceive and become a mother. Awareness regarding the syndromes of pregnancy is very important and female must have essential knowledge about this extremely important issue as unawareness may lead to some unavoidable complications. It is not necessary that every pregnant woman come across all signs of pregnancy at one time but one or two of signs can be observed and it can be proved after proper medical test reports. There is a specific time for the implantation of eggs in the uterus .It takes almost ten days for produced egg to be embedded in the womb. Many harmonic changes occur when pregnancy starts and those changes effects the female behavior too. Pregnancy signs may be different in different womens. This is the fact that no woman have same pregnancy or pregnancy signs. Therefore, some of them are being listed here. read more
Child nutrition is very critical as the child needs a balanced diet to grow healthy. Moreover good perfect diet positively influence the mood and health of the child. But mothers always have to tackle with the problem that their children are insisting on eating same food every day all the time or keep playing with food rather eating it. It is issue of almost every house hold with toddlers or pre-school aged kids.
Some of the tips are given below that will help in improving the appetite and nutrition of the children
● The young children often tend to eat food when they are hungry. If the children are not hungry don,t force them to take food. Similarly don’t bribe them or get angry on them to finish food or clean it. It will negatively reinforce their behavior and result in bad behavior or decreasing their appetite.
● Serve several meals a day. Instead of big three meals make them small six or seven meals containing mix juices, fruits and nuts. It will help in increasing the appetite specially the apples.
● Talk with your child about favorite color of food , taste it likes and observe the way he likes it to be presented. The exposure to new tastes and colors in foods increases the appetite and develops interest of your child in the food. It will help him/her develop more interest in food.
● Cut foods specially vegetables into different shapes and serve food with dips and sauces to add taste and fun to them.
● If you ask your child to help you in selection of vegetables, fruits and other healthy fruits it will help you to see what are his/her favorites. If you recruit him to set table or help you rinse it the more exposure to food helps the child to eat food with love.
● Children tend to copy their elders from eating habits to behavior. If you want your child to eat food with all the important nutrients do take proper food healthy food yourself.
● Make combinations of food instead of single food. Like serve cereal with fruit toppings, add chicken and vegetables to spaghetti’s.
● Don’t allow toys or watching of television while eating it can cause indigestion and it will result in no interest in food. So try to avoid it and make sure child is giving it proper attention and eating properly. By this the child will develop the interest in food and it will improve his or her health.
● If dessert is part of every meal it can give wrong indication and catch the attention of child. The child can leave the rest of food and develops a habit for sweet dishes which is not healthy and bad for teeth.It is thus advised that desserts should be introduced only twice a week and in two meals only. More over the dessert choice should be healthy like fruits, freezed yogurt or things that are healthy only.
● Don’t encourage the habits of child to always go for picky foods. This will encourage him to eat non healthy foods. Keep serving the original foods by that i mean healthy foods till one gets familiar with them
To stay fit one need to take proper balanced diet with routine exercise. A world would be full of obese people and health problems if no precautionary measures are taken and if exercise is not adopted as part of daily routine. Women are no different in this regard. Exercise is not only necessary to get yourself saved from obesity or fit into your smart trendy clothes rather it is a healthy active life style that is important for all your body functions to perform at optimum level.
Exercise is necessary to burn the calories fast and increase the metabolism rate of body ultimately resulting in building stamina. So to stay fit and healthy every woman should follow some of the basic steps or health tips
Spending a lot of time at gym one time does not guarantee any women fitness rather a small interval like 20 to 60 minutes in daily routine can be more beneficial so the focus is upon regularity rather than time span to ensure fitness. Even if you work out twice a week just for twenty minutes are good enough to keep you in shape.
Make small goals if you are focusing on your weight loss as part of exercise plan. Set new targets everyday and achieve them. The achievement of minor goals will lead you to bigger success. All you need to have is patience and focus.
Before switching to cardio exercises first try to put some weight on. Once you are done with weight lifting and develop strong muscles you can move to cardio exercises. The reverse order is not that beneficial.
Using the same exercise routines and for longer hours can be boring and tedious and does not often help in achieve the desired results. It is advisable to make a set or group of different type of exercises like warming up and cardio and switch them over shorter interval of time this can be fun and the results can be exciting.
At average a women should work out at the fifty percent of heart rate. If the heart rate is below than that level one has to work out at faster pace but not more than seventy five percent.
Try to socialize and join communities to learn sample work out routines. If you aren’t member of any club you are missing out new techniques and your own fitness program devised for your own self may not be that effective. So in order to stay updated, learn from the best people in field and join gym, yoga or Pilate’s classes. Running in park in routine also helps in keeping one’s body in shape.
But to start for fitness routine one need to have self discipline. If you are starting it make sure you will end it and achieve your targets. It is best to stay friendly with healthy food and life style and avoid junk food, fats and heavy calories. Once you are committed to yourself the result would be fit women with healthy life style.
There is no denying that women are conscious about health and fitness. That is why they often adopt different methods and techniques to improve their physical health, fitness, and lifestyle. Interestingly they find these health fitness tips by reading several types of articles on health and fitness on the Internet. Therefore one has to say that Internet has solved a range of health problems of women these days. Importantly they don’t have to spend any dollars especially when improving their overall physical health and fitness at all. All they need to do is sit in front of their computers at their homes and make a good Google search on top health tips for women. All of a sudden, a bulk list of health tips for women will be opened in front of their eyes and they can easily get whatever they wish concerning their holistic health. Below are top health tips for women: read more
Breast cancer is a life threatening disease and is caused by a number of factors including dietary habits and genes. There are a few preventive measures that can be induced in daily life to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
The chief change to be employed in order to avoid this deadly disease is healthy eating habits. Studies reveal that certain fats have been proven to increase estrogen levels which in turn are responsible for increased risks of breast cancer. Consume foods that are rich in Mono-saturated fats such as olives and canola and try to avoid foods containing high densities of poly-saturated fats. This food group includes margarine and deep fried products and snacks. read more
Changing demographics and workplace environment has greatly affected all the aspects of our lives. High literacy rate, better standard of living, fast paced life and women working side by side in all the fields of life with men are the indicators that highlight our modern 21th century trends. The phenomenon is of utmost importance for women as now they have to play multiple roles at same stage of life. With almost 50% of world’s population there had been great concern about women health over last few decades as most of the time women neglect this highly important issue while sometimes making both ends meet and sometimes in search for a better and high standard of living for themselves and their families. read more | <urn:uuid:cf24f38c-6fc9-4c17-af1b-b3a60d67d26b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.healthsafetytips.com/category/womens-health | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962672 | 1,792 | 2.125 | 2 |
Lavada Dillard was 16 years old when she, along with a group of about 60 other black Main High School students, marched down to Broad Street on April 28, 1963.
They staged a series of non-violent sit-ins at various businesses in protest and members of the group were jailed for five days.
In the 50 years since, Dillard has been an active member of the community, helping keep Rome’s civil rights history alive and working to involve youth in social change.
The Rome City Commission issued a proclamation at its regular meeting recognizing Dillard for her work and also presented her with the key to the city.
“Lavada Dillard is so distinguished and a great woman,” Commissioner Bill Collins said.
“Rome is a significant town and there is something significant it can do and serve the world,” Dillard said.
In receiving the key to the city, Dillard said it reminded her of when Ethel Hyer was given a similar honor.
Hyer served as the president of the Rome chapter of the NAACP in the late 1960s and early 1970s and Dillard recalled that she drove Hyer to the polls as a volunteer after the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
“She was one of the ones to lead the Civil Rights Movement in Rome,” Dillard said. “I thank you for this tonight.”
The night was a part of the City Commission’s recognition of Black History Month.
In other action, the board unanimously approved a Unified Land Development Code amendment, which removes the stipulation that churches and other religious facilities need to have access from an arterial street.
The Rome-Floyd County Planning Commission had recommended approving the change. | <urn:uuid:662257ca-030f-49fb-809f-c96f5d5a4b5e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.romenews-tribune.com/view/full_story/21815279/article-Rome%E2%80%99s-civil-rights-history-remembered?instance=news_page_secondary_local | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972208 | 362 | 2.609375 | 3 |
"Basic Writings of Nietzsche," translated and edited by Walter Kaufmann, is more readable than its variously translated Modern Library predecessor, "The Philosophy of Nietzsche," but it doesn't include "Thus Spake Zarathustra." I can understand why they dropped Hervey Allen's introduction to Poe (concerned, as it is, with the damage inflicted on Poe's posthumous reputation by the envious Rufus W. Griswold), but Brooks Atkinson's unaffected introduction to his Emerson selection is missed: "Although he was a lovable man, he was shy, modest and deficient in animal spirits, and he felt that he was too cold for social intercourse." Ralph Ellison's 50th-anniversary preface to "Invisible Man" is now part of the Modern Library edition. "Moby-Dick" includes the Rockwell Kent woodcuts, but the original, unattributed Modern Library pen and ink sketches were dropped from "Madame Bovary."
All such quibbles pale, of course, in light of the larger issue of how the catalogue is to be selected, developed and modified. One of the enduring pleasures of the Modern Library in its ever-mutable glory days was the appearance of books that briefly gained classic status by sole virtue of their inclusion. I recall with gratitude coming across books I might never have read if they hadn't received the Modern Library imprimatur, among them Arthur Morrison's "Tales of Mean Streets" and George R. Stewart's "Storm" and especially John A. Symonds's "Life of Michelangelo." If the Modern Library is to flourish again, as I hope it will, may it have the courage to look beyond the realm of Famous Authors and resuscitate some of those lost in the breach. By all means, give us Dostoyevsky (and keep the Boardman Robinson watercolors when getting around to "The Idiot"), but bring back Romain Rolland's novel "Jean-Christophe" and Edmund Wilson's invaluable anthology "The Shock of Recognition" (two mammoth works that fully justified the weight of Modern Library Giants), and say yes to another turn by those forgotten decadents Pierre Louys and James Huneker, whose music criticism ought also to be revived, and do please induct Constance Rourke and William Gaddis and Andrew Lytle and Chester Himes and. . . . Ah, the Modern Library has me dreaming again. | <urn:uuid:6be4867e-1fa0-4218-b0b5-134c822cfdad> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/06/books/why-i-carry-a-torch-for-the-modern-library.html?pagewanted=5&src=pm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960048 | 498 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Gallery acquires rare painting
8:40am Sunday 7th October 2012 in News
Falmouth Art Gallery has been successful in its fundraising campaign to raise £55,000 to acquire a rare oil painting by Anne Killigrew (1660-1685).
The final funds were raised through a £9,900 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards the purchase and a celebratory community education project.
Anne Killigrew worked at the Royal Court of King James II as Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen, Mary of Modena. Although she was born in London, Anne’s family history is firmly rooted in Falmouth.
Anne’s grandfather, Sir Robert Killigrew, was the Governor of Pendennis Castle and was succeeded by his eldest son Sir William after his death in 1567. Sir William’s younger brother, Dr Henry Killigrew, was Anne’s father and worked in London, first as chaplain to King Charles I and later as master of the Savoy Hospital.
The painting, entitled “Venus attired by the Three Graces”, dates back to the 1680s. It shows Venus, the goddess of love, being dressed by her attendants, the Three Graces, in a woodland scene with mythological creatures.
Anne Killigrew’s exceptional qualities as an artist and a poet were highly praised in her lifetime.
The gallery raised £55,000 in total with the rest of the funding coming through Falmouth Town Council, grants from The Art Fund, MLA V/A Purchase Grant Fund, the Beecroft Bequest and donations from NADFAS, Constantine Arts Society and members of the public.
Art Gallery director Louise Connell says, “This painting is extremely rare, being one of only three in existence by Anne Killigrew, and was painted shortly before she died of smallpox at the young age of 26.
“We are absolutely delighted that we are able to house this important painting in Falmouth and would like to thank all of the funders and generous members of the public who have supported our fundraising campaign.”
The grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund will support an impressive programme of activities to enable the local community to understand and appreciate the importance of the painting, the artist and the period during which she lived.
The painting will be on display in the Permanent Gallery until November 12, 2012 and will go back on display in January 2013.
Falmouth Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, including bank holidays. Admission is free. | <urn:uuid:32445684-0a56-456b-9352-fcc50365077b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/9962575.Gallery_acquires_rare_painting/?ref=nt | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978606 | 538 | 1.6875 | 2 |
This CD-ROM, Astonishing Diversity of Natural Surfactants is a compilation of seven review articles by Dr. Valery M. Dembitsky that were originally published in the journal Lipids. Over 2,000 separate compounds of interest were grouped into seven broad classes of amphipathic molecules that have...
Published December 31st 2007 by AOCS Publishing
Dietary fat is an important source of nutrients and is proven to be beneficial to human health, however excess intake of certain types of fats has also been associated with the development of many chronic diseases. Written by a group of lipid experts who participated in the 2004 AOCS-JOCS Joint...
Published March 12th 2006 by AOCS Publishing | <urn:uuid:9294f8db-977c-4b12-903a-1b2040d73535> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.psypress.com/books/search/author/howard_knapp/ | 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 | 0.970505 | 147 | 1.820313 | 2 |
Kyle and her husband moved to Brookfield in 1986. She became active in local politics and started blogging in 2004. Her focus is primarily on local issues but often includes state and national topics, too. Kyle looks at things from the taxpayers' perspective in a creative, yet down to earth way, addressing them from a practical point of view.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/04/AR2007090401623_pf.html Importing Poverty
A second reason is that immigration affects government policy. By default, our present policy is to import poor people. This imposes strains on local schools, public services and health care. From 2000 to 2006, 41 percent of the increase in people without health insurance occurred among Hispanics. Paradoxically, many Hispanics are advancing quite rapidly. But assimilation -- which should be our goal -- will be frustrated if we keep adding to the pool of poor. Newcomers will compete with earlier arrivals. In my view, though some economists disagree, competition from low-skilled Hispanics also hurts low-skilled blacks.
http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/p60-233.pdf Census Report: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in U.S.: 2006 Pp 18, Insurance
The Gillespie Plan
If you want health insurance, get some.
He interviews guys on the Sunset Strip who choose not to purchase health insurance.
They don't pull at the heartstrings like a little girl
They say they need to choose between housing and health care
It would probably cost around $100/month--way too much
What else do they spend money on partying? way more than $100 mo
Dr. Glen Whitman, economist at Cal state That guy would be able to afford health insurance if he really wanted to
I am going to go to the free clinics and look good
The reason people don't have health insurance is not because they don't want it, it is because they can't afford it, obabma
Folks on sunset strip aren't like regular americans, most uninusred people are young, without children...they are more likely to look like these guys
nearly half could be covered. about 45% of uninsured would be able to get health insurance right now if they wanted.
Market Watch from Johns Hopkins say that either they could afford to buy it or qualify for existing
11mil qualify for govt programs but don't sign up for SCHIP or medicaid.
the study looked at how much people make, $58,000 but not how much they spent on other things: $1,081on cell phones, alcohol - $427, eating out - $2,269, clothing - $1,575, and cigarettes - $364, personal care products - $481,
If millions could get health care coverage without any [new] help from Washington, why don't the candidates urge them to get covered, pronto? Politicians aren't in the business of telling us what we need to do, they tell us what we want to do. They won't get as many votes telling us we need to change our life, we need to fix our problems.
Politicians like to tell us they will fix all of our problems for us. | <urn:uuid:c8ef25ca-d4ba-48db-85fa-d80c070c70a3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.brookfieldnow.com/blogs/communityblogs/43478817.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958787 | 685 | 1.546875 | 2 |
MORRISTOWN - America has "energy" - and it needs to be put to use creating jobs for Americans, Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan told a crowd in Morristown Saturday.
About 350 people turned out on a chilly, rainy morning to hear Ryan speak outside the barn at the Valley View Campgrounds. In that setting, he spoke of the nation's ample coal and natural gas supply, the need to put people to work and the rising cost of electric bills.
He termed GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney "a man with a plan" and "leader." He also criticized Democratic opponent President Barack Obama's financial policies for "reckless" borrowing, more spending and higher taxation.
PRESSING THE FLESH — Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. poses with supporters after speaking at a campaign rally at the Valley View Campgrounds in Belmont, Saturday, where he talked about economic conditions and the coal industry.
-- Associated Press
"We owe you solutions and a better path forward - that's precisely what we are doing," Ryan said. "We feel it is our moral obligation to give you, our fellow Americans, an alternative to choose from.
"Our plan for economic growth and a stronger middle class starts with this: we have so much energy in this country. Let's use that energy in this country and put people back to work. Let's get people jobs. Let's lower our prices - gas prices have doubled since President Obama was elected. We're losing thousands of coal jobs."
He noted there are about 100 coal-fired power plants across America that are slated to close, and he said thousands of jobs "are on the chopping block."
"Our plan is to make North America energy-independent by the end of the decade," Ryan said. "We can do this. It's right here. We can unleash this technology boom to keep American energy dollars in America. That creates good jobs. That creates coal jobs. That creates gas jobs. That creates "all the above jobs," and that creates all the manufacturing jobs that come with it.
"On day one, when Mitt Romney faces the decision of whether or not to build the Keystone Pipeline, he will say yes, you can build that. We'll get that oil in this county. It won't go to China."
If America unleashes its energy resources, that could create 3 million jobs and reduce energy costs, he continued.
Ryan next noted that in America, "we build things, we grow things."
"That's what makes this country great," he said. "If we want to make sure we can keep good-paying jobs here, we've got to make sure other countries trade fairly with us. We have to hold them to account. We have to open markets so we can make more things in Ohio and sell more things overseas. That gives us good-paying jobs."
Education needs in the country also need to be addressed so that workers have the skills they need for tomorrow's jobs, according to Ryan, who is chairman of the House Committee on the Budget.
"And we need to stop spending money we just don't have," he continued. "This president is spending us into a debt crisis. This president has given us four budgets with trillion-dollar deficits. You see this mounting burden of debt - it's just not hurting our economy today. It's just not giving us the threat of a debt crisis like that which is now plaguing Europe. It's guaranteeing the young people in our audiences - our children and our grandchildren - it is guaranteeing they have a diminished future. We've never done that before.
"Never in the history of this country has one generation knowingly consigned its next generation to a lower living standard. Every generation in this country has fixed its problems, has addressed its challenges and has tackled its nation's problems before they tackled us so that their kids would be better off. That's what we have to do. It's our job, and our moral imperative to save the American dream for our children and our grandchildren."
Most jobs in America come from successful small businesses, Ryan continued.
"It's not the big corporations, it's the small businesses that make this world work," he said. "The president is guaranteeing and promising if he is elected, the tax rate on our successful small businesses goes up to 40 percent in January. ... Other countries have lowered the taxes on all their businesses.
"Canada lowered its tax rate on every one of its businesses to 15 percent. The other countries we compete with have lowered to 25 percent or less. ... When we tax our manufacturers and American job creators at such higher tax rates than our foreign competitors tax theirs they win, we lose. And why? This doesn't even pay for 10 percent of his proposed deficit spending increases."
Obama administration policies are "putting coal out of business and making it harder for businesses to hire people," Ryan added.
"If they worked, we would be entering a golden age along with Greece," Ryan said. "It doesn't work. It's not going to work." | <urn:uuid:ce4a956c-7ee8-4b67-8d61-ffdfeb3a6a4b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.weirtondailytimes.com/page/content.detail/id/589898/Ryan-pushes-energy--jobs.html?nav=5006 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974773 | 1,045 | 1.53125 | 2 |
Chile has created diverse tools and infrastructure bonds to pay for the projects under concession.
Chile has pioneered the development of tools to support the financing of public works projects under concession, among which the following stand out:- Minimum guaranteed income and shared income- Exchange coverage (US$, Euro)- Income distribution mechanism, which allows the concessionaire partnerships to stabilize their revenue expectations in exchange for additional projects for the state. - Present value revenues, which constitutes a guarantee by making the duration variable of the concession more flexible to achieve a given income level. - Special public works collateral, which allows the financing of projects based on the rights awarded by the state.- Infrastructure bond, which facilitates participation by private agents in long-term financing. Currently the majority of concessionaire partnerships are financed with infrastructure bonds. The first issue was for the Talca-Chillan highway in November 1998 for US$ 116.5 million. Since that experience the market has grown in a sustained fashion, with a total of over US$ 3.76 billion issued so far and a potential of around US$ 4.135 billion considering the bond lines that have already been registered. The most recent bond issues have obtained historic placement rates of less than 3.4%.In addition to these bond issues, US$ 884 million in bonds have been issued on the international capital market, around US$ 335 million in securitized bonds on the local market and US$ 1.213 billion in financing through the local banking system, thus raising a total of over US$ 6.19 billion in long-term financing for the concessions system. This is evidence of the development of the infrastructure bond market and the growth in private investment in the sector, thus making it the main source of financing.
The largest community on Chile in Facebook.
Daily information on Chile in real time.
Music, films, tourist destinations, and more.
The best images of Chile.
We answer queries and listen to suggestions. | <urn:uuid:93a8915b-7b23-470f-be0c-71ddd7a33a81> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thisischile.cl/990/2/financing-structures/News.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943969 | 394 | 2.15625 | 2 |
Catholic Social Doctrine: Morality and the Economy
In her social doctrine, the Church insists that this separation of economics and morals is wrong and unwise
For a variety of reasons, all this has changed, and economics has been artificially separated from morals as a result. Beginning with the 19th century, starting with such thinkers as David Ricardo (1772-1823) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) and in earnest in William Stanley Jevons (1835-1882) and Alfred Marshall (1842-1924), the science of economics was progressively divided and separated from morality.
Economics came to be viewed as a stand-alone natural or physical science that was empirically based. It was seen as something akin to physics or chemistry with their natural laws which have no regard for morality. There is no right or wrong in the laws of thermodynamics. Nor did these thinkers believe that there was right or wrong in the laws of economics. The market was governed by rational self-interest, immutable physico-economic laws, and not morals. Political economy became the science of economics. Some have called this process the "scientification" of economics.
In her social doctrine, the Church insists that this separation of economics and morals is wrong and unwise. She insists that the classical and traditional link between morals and economics not be forgotten. "The Church's social doctrine insists on the moral connotations of the economy." (Compendium, No. 330).
While the Church recognizes that economics has "its own principles in its own sphere" which is separate from moral science, she also insists that it is "an error to say that the economic and moral orders are so distinct from and alien to each other that the former depends in no way on the latter." (Compendium, No. 330) (quoting Pius XI, Quadragesimo Anno, 23). "The necessary distinction between morality and the economy does not entail the separation of these two spheres, but, on the contrary, an important reciprocity." (Compendium, No. 331)
As the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church puts it: "Just as in the area of morality one must take the reasons and requirements of economy into account, so too in the area of the economy one must be open to the demands of morality." (Compendium, No. 331) Economics must obtain values elsewhere than from economics. "[T]he purpose of the economy is not found in the economy itself, but rather in its being destined to humanity and society" since "man is the source, the center, and the purpose of all economic and social life." (Compendium, No. 331) (quoting Vatican II, Gaudium et spes, 63)
The Church insists that there is something greater than economics. A "meta-economic order," one which is moral, exists outside of the market. Merchants do not sell and buy morals, but must go elsewhere for them. Christ puts it it memorable words: "Man does not live by bread alone." (Matt. 4:4, Luke 4:4) This seems to be just plain common sense. But it is remarkable how this common sense eludes so many modernly.
"The relation between morality and economics is necessary, indeed intrinsic," continues the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, "economic activity and moral behavior are intimately joined one to the other." (Compendium, No. 331)
The fact that morality and the economy are intertwined does not mean that economic efficiency is not important. "The moral dimension of the economy shows that economy efficiency and the promotion of human development in solidarity are not two separate or alternative aims but one indivisible goal." (Compendium, No. 332). The term "economic efficiency" means a situation where it is impossible to increase general welfare from the available resources. In other words, any effort to make others better off will make others worse-off to the extent that the gains of one are offset by the losses of the other.
In fact, the Church recognizes that there is a moral duty to assuring "economic efficiency," as the "production of goods is a duty to be undertaken in an efficient manner, otherwise resources are wasted." When the Church uses the words "economic efficiency," these clearly are a reference to the market economy or free economy. And yet "economic efficiency" has its limits. Economic efficiency cannot ...
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Disclaimer: The columns, articles, advertisers claims and any other features provided on Catholic Online Business & Economics are provided for personal finance and investment information and are not to be construed as investment advice. Under no circumstances does the information in this content represent a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. The views and opinions expressed in an article or column are the author's own and not necessarily those of Catholic Online and there is no implied endorsement by Catholic Online of any advice or trading strategy. | <urn:uuid:431cbc54-029c-4a76-88c9-74b4d506d487> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.catholic.org/business/story.php?id=44732&page=1 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944517 | 1,313 | 3.03125 | 3 |
A purpureal halo reveals two vast and trunkless legs, and
tresses curling like tendrils of the parasite around a marble column.
Stamped with the hand that mocked them and the heart that fed, these lifeless things wrap thy form in a mantle gray.
Once a Romanʼs chamber, nothing besides remains, boundless and bare, the light of the dying day speeded by sweet pipings.
The Devil, she safely can aver, has neither hoof nor tail, nor sting, but a mind, a state not more unreal than the peace he could not feel or the care he could not banish.
Nought may endure but Mutability.*
Night Gallery presents “The Mocking Hand,” a solo exhibition by Los Angeles artist Sean Townley. Invoking the hysteria of cultural history, Townley excavates alternate narratives embedded on the surface of modern museum-made objects and presents a peculiar account of sculptural mutability. Embracing the anonymous touch of the scanner-cum-conservator these works foreground the unanticipated potential of the technologically advanced historical artifact. From Thomas Jeffersonʼs disembodied boots to the crooked arm of Aphrodite, Townley presents us with a segmented Prometheus whose discrete parts are dispersed through the gallery in “The Mocking Hand.”
"The Mocking Hand" is the inaugural exhibition at Night Gallery's new downtown location. The show will run from January 26 to February 24, 2013.
*Percy Bysshe Shelley, The Complete Poetical Works (abridged) | <urn:uuid:72bc8ee9-0eb2-46d9-8f28-8f006ec73ba6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.artslant.com/la/events/show/255202-the-mocking-hand | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.908994 | 325 | 1.78125 | 2 |
POSTED: Monday, September 3, 2012 - 8:00am
UPDATED: Monday, September 3, 2012 - 2:53pm
NBC NATIONAL NEWS — The flooding is slowly receding across southern Louisiana, but the water dumped by Hurricane Isaac still has some neighborhoods on high alert.
St. Tammany Parish officials are closely monitoring a breach at a lock on Pearl River and considering evacuations of 5,000 homes.
"We don't do this lightly, because we don't want people out of their homes," says St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister, "but safety is first."
As power crews work to restore electricity to the more than 200,000 still in the dark, the rebuilding in the bayou has begun.
Still, for many residents losing everything again is making them think twice about staying.
Diane Alfonsa has decided not rebuild her Plaquemines Parish home.
"Maybe if it was inside the levee system down this way, not so bad. No, I have no plans on returning," she says.
It's that levee system, credited with protecting New Orleans, that now has some residents concerned.
They worry that post-Katrina upgrades may have diverted the flood waters to nearby communities.
"If you're gonna put this flood system up, which is a good thing, it's a good thing, it stopped the city from flooding, it's a good thing, but you're not going to worry about where you're pushing the water," says flood victim Charlene Martin.
The Army Corp of Engineers will study the impacts of Isaac and investigate if the new protection system ended up harming surrounding areas.
"We wouldn't have built a system that would induce flooding in other areas," says Colonel Ed Fleming.
Still, close attention will be paid to how the system performed.
"We will run it through our models and see what lessons we learn," Fleming adds. | <urn:uuid:fe87b10f-993b-45d5-b2f7-82f21a72dc6a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nbc33tv.com/print/node/32518 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976865 | 399 | 1.859375 | 2 |
From: Eliezer S. Yudkowsky (firstname.lastname@example.org)
Date: Tue Apr 29 2003 - 21:13:18 MDT
Mike Williams wrote:
>>If, depending on your choice, one person
>>died or a million people died, you'd choose so that only one person died,
>>right? You wouldn't say: "Well, the death event exists either way."
> This brings up a question that's been nagging at me for a while. Would an
> FAI make this kind of decision? Assume that the FAI is mature and in
> control of earth's resources.
> 1) If it can act to save a million people by sacrificing one person, would
> it do that?
> 2) If so, then if it could save a million people by sacrificing 999,999
> people, would it do that?
It's very hard to see a situation where a mature FAI would be faced with
that decision. And my own impulse is to reply: "Of course it would."
The human injunction that 'the ends do not justify the means' guards
against our fallibility and our warped political emotions. Change that,
and what's left is only the lives.
But perhaps an FAI would say differently. I can also see an irreplaceable
value in an FAI not killing anyone, ever, throughout the whole of human
history. I'm just not sure that value is greater than the value of a
-- Eliezer S. Yudkowsky http://singinst.org/ Research Fellow, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Wed May 22 2013 - 04:00:36 MDT | <urn:uuid:76ccab3d-5671-44da-9d7c-7ddca785d70d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sl4.org/archive/0304/6519.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950249 | 373 | 1.75 | 2 |
School Voucher Recipients More Likely to Enroll in College, New Study Finds
Posted on Thursday August 23, 2012 | National
New research shows significant increase in college enrollment for African American students
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 23, 2012)—A new study released today by researchers at the Brookings Institution and Harvard University shows that African American participants in a private school choice program were 24 percent more likely to enroll in college as a result of receiving a voucher, reinforcing previously-released data showing improved graduation rates, parental satisfaction, and academic achievement among voucher students.
The American Federation for Children—the nation’s voice for school choice—praised the findings, which tracked voucher students in New York City over a nearly 15-year period. The research also shows that African American enrollment rates in selective colleges more than doubled among voucher students, and the rate of enrollment in full-time colleges increased by a remarkable 31 percent.
The study, which represents one of the longest-term measurements of school outcomes among voucher recipients, is also the first study to use a randomized experiment to measure the impact of school vouchers on college enrollment.
“Once again, the evidence clearly shows that putting all educational options on the table pays dividends for the students, both now and in the long-term,” said Kevin P. Chavous, a senior advisor to the Federation. “This research makes clear the life-changing affect receiving a voucher can have on a child, and should be a signal to folks across the country that we need to bring more choice to the communities most in need. It is both a moral and an economic imperative that we do so.”
Data for the newly-released analysis was drawn from an evaluation of a New York City voucher program that operated in the late 1990s and granted scholarships to low-income students to attend the private school of their parents’ choice. The New York School Choice Scholarships Foundation Program served more than 2,600 students, almost all of whom participated in the study.
The results, which were presented today at an event at the Brookings Institution in Washington, are the latest evidence of the success of private school choice programs. The data is consistent with the results of a 2010 study of the D.C. voucher program by the Department of Education’s Institute for Education Sciences that found voucher participants graduate at a rate of 91 percent—more than 30 percentage points higher than students who stayed in the public schools.
Similar studies showing increased achievement and parental satisfaction have been conducted in Milwaukee, Florida, and Louisiana.
The gold standard study was authored by renowned school choice researcher Paul E. Peterson, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Matthew M. Chingos, a fellow at Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution.
Full findings of the study can be downloaded here. | <urn:uuid:b30b3c4c-a2f0-427c-add7-01d47836617f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.federationforchildren.org/articles/724 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00071-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95745 | 581 | 1.796875 | 2 |
A resource for young children that has been used successfully in Greater Manchester, Blackburn and Blackpool is to be made available across the UK.
‘Salman and Friends’, which has been produced by a group of parents and early years professionals, comprises a set of four books and an audio CD, supported by a website with games, songs and stories. A teacher resource pack with lesson plans and class activities is currently under development.
Salmon is being offered on a nationwide basis by Drivesafe (the Greater Manchester safety camera partnership). For further information, or to order, contact Stuart Howarth on 01706 924605. | <urn:uuid:db79466d-dada-4d33-88b4-0f821bd7751c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.larsoa.org.uk/news.php?article_id=651 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969011 | 129 | 1.710938 | 2 |
The other night I was sitting in my room, working in the blue glow of my computer screen, when my ears began focusing on a conversation in my shared living room.
"Hey, everyone should start boycotting the potatoes in D2," I heard a girl's voice say.
A few people laughed, and then asked why they should do such a thing.
"Well, I've been reading the freshman common book for a class I'm taking, and it talks about how you should only eat locally grown food instead of food from the other side of the country. So, I asked the serving lady in D2 where the potatoes came from and she said they were from Idaho. So, now I'm boycotting them."
A craze has been sweeping across campus, sparked by this year's freshman common book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. And honestly, I'm not really sure how I feel about it.
The book, which highlights a year of the Kingsolver-Hopp family as they attempt to eat nothing but locally grown food in an effort to improve their health, decrease the miles that food must travel, and emphasizes that local food will make a more sustainable world.
While I am only a few chapters into the book, here are my observations thus far:
My feelings on locally grown food - Honestly, I like the concept of locally grown food. Being able to put a face to the person that grows your food not only increases consumer's confidence in their food supply, but also promotes job security of the local farmer. Plus, its nice that neighbors can support each other in that sense. However, you can't always find what you want that’s grown within a 100 mile radius. For the "potato-boycotting" girl, potatoes may not be a big deal to give up in the "go local" movement. But I bet that if you suggested that she would have to give up her daily mocha-frappa-coffee-latte (because I don't think coffee beans are a local commodity in Southwest Virginia), you would have to clear the way for a near mental breakdown. It’s a nice idea, buying locally grown food, but it wouldn't be able to support people's demand. Plus, I'm not quite ready to give up sugar.
My feelings on locally grown food sustaining the world - In my humble opinion, I don't think that's going to happen. It is easy for Americans to say "Oh, I could easily do that!" because there are so many food venues to choose from: organic, natural, local, conventional, and many other markets. As I said before, locally grown food would not be able to support the world's growing population: the current population is 6.8 billion people and it's expected to rise to over 9 billion by 2050. These approximate 2.2 billion people entering the world will need a place to live, turning potential farming land in to residential homes. Today, between 1-2 billion people are malnourished due to insufficient food, low incomes, and inadequate food distribution.
Facing the challenge to feed these numbers is intimidating and the way we need to tackle it, is through efficiency. It shouldn't be about what's trendy or popular, but about whats productive.
There is a balance for all these food markets, but at the end of the day, the most important task to accomplish is making sure as many people as possible get fed.
- Morgan Slaven | <urn:uuid:707f7749-e5d9-431d-8628-82f7f6bfcb9c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.alltech.com/blog/posts/animal-vegetable-sustainable | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00040-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975655 | 715 | 2.078125 | 2 |
As any good economist can tell you, one of the biggest emerging markets for U.S. goods can be found halfway around the world — in China.
With a growing economic outreach and hunger for food staples and products alike, some formerly closed markets in China are now opening up to U.S. imports.
On Jan. 25 the U.S. Department of Agriculture began issuing its first permits to export pears to China. For the first time in history, U.S.-grown pears have officially gained access to the Chinese market.
“Everyone is really excited. This is a market we’ve been working to open for over 20 years,” said Diamond Fruit President and CEO David Garcia. “Of course there are some logistics we have to work out. Every country has its own rules to abide by; what they allow and don’t. We’re trying to get a handle on that.”
According to Kevin D. Moffitt, president and chief executive officer of Pear Bureau Northwest, after two decades of negotiations, success finally came after bilateral talks were held last September.
One key point helped tip the scales. Previous Chinese concerns over fire blight transmission from U.S. pears to Chinese varieties was allayed after a recent study found that the disease cannot be carried on fruit.
With that major obstacle tackled, U.S. pear farmers can now look forward to a robust sales future.
“Based on our exports to Hong Kong and Taiwan and the overall market size of China, it could easily rank among the top five export markets for USA Pears within the next two or three seasons,” said Moffitt.
According to Jeff Correa, director of international marketing at PBN, a significant amount of Northwest pears could already be exported to China in the first months of 2013. The first containers are slated to depart Feb. 31.
“Hood River might have some fruit on that shipment, but not Diamond’s, just yet,” said Garcia. “We’re hoping we’ll be on the next shipment.”
Garcia notes that the market specifics are especially good for Diamond growers, who produce about 45 percent of the entire Red Anjou crop in the mid-Columbia. Anjous are the preferred variety in the Chinese market and the Reds are even more highly prized.
Correa also confirms that China could become the top export market for red pear varieties, such as Starkrimson and Red Anjou, as red is seen as a desirable, auspicious color in Chinese culture. “That’s a big opportunity for us,” said Garcia.
According to Garcia, both Diamond and Duckwall-Pooley will have an advantage over other packing houses in the region for making these first early shipments of the 2012 crop.
The current Chinese regulations mandate zero tolerance for fruit arriving with decay. In order to assure that fruit stays fresh over the 3-4 week shipping time the crop in cold storage must be, in essence, carefully re-examined and culled before shipment.
Only Diamond and Duckwall-Pooley store their fruit unboxed and so can easily carry out the preparations required. Other packing houses will have to un-box their stored fruit, requiring increased time and labor.
“We have an advantage. Both houses are pre-size operations. We will be culling pears out of our controlled atmosphere storage that are still in bins. Other packing houses are not as willing to un-box and repack,” said Garcia.
As to what the market may bring for next year’s crop, Garcia expressed great optimism. “The potential is unlimited for us.”
“It will be interesting to see what varieties the Chinese will be most receptive to once we start to ship different types there,” said Parkdale orchardist Randy Kiokawa. “This will really benefit the valley.”
According to PBN, the organization is at the ready with a strong promotional strategy in place to take immediate advantage of the market opening.
PBN’s marketing representatives plan to conduct training seminars with participating Chinese retailers to educate them on how to properly handle and display USA Pears in order to maximize sales and profits.
Key retailers in the major East Coast cities, including Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, will be a focus.
Targeting importers and retailers who have already handled imports of Washington apples and California table grapes, the Pear Bureau will introduce promotional plans for the remainder of the season.
“The Pear Bureau and the Northwest pear industry have worked diligently with our partners at the Northwest Horticultural Council and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to bring this to fruition,” said Moffitt.
“We are appreciative of all involved for their dedication in gaining access for U.S.-grown pears to China.” | <urn:uuid:6ebb5ab6-06f6-4f83-9e34-80c39daad4ff> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2013/feb/01/pears-china/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956115 | 1,022 | 1.726563 | 2 |
To adress questions relative to the safety of the blood supply ,the National Heart,Lung and Blood Institute, together with the Office of Medical Applications of Research of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), convened a Consensus Development Conference on Infectious Disease Testing for Blood Transfusions. The conference , held early in 1995, was cosponsored by the Transfusion Medicine Branch of the NIH Clinical Center and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The panel's findings are summarized below.
The United States has had an organized blood collection system for more than 50 years. During this time, various blood tests have been mandated, recommended by regulatory authorities, or adopted voluntarily to make blood transfusions as safe as possible. In the last 10 years alone, blood collection agencies have implemented five new tests for donated blood.
The continuing contribution that some of these tests make to transfusion safety has been uncertain. This is particularly true of the hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) test, the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test, and the serological test for syphilis (STS). It has been many years since any transmission of syphilis by blood transfusion has occurred. In addition, now that a more specific assay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is available, the continuing need for the nonspecific tests for post-transfusion non-A, non-B (PT-NANB) hepatitis, with their low positive predictive values and frequent false positives, should be reconsidered. False positive values not only contribute to unnecessary deferral of donors and attendant loss of useful blood but also result in emotional, psychological, and financial costs to the donor.
To maintain the safety of blood transfusions, it is also important to establish mechanisms to cope with the entry into the community of new infectious diseases that may be blood-borne and, therefore, a hazard of transfusion. Chagas disease is one example.
Background for the Role of ALT and Anti-HBc Testing
The ALT and anti-HBc tests were introduced in 1986-1987 to identify donors at risk of transmitting PT-NANB hepatitis. Several years later, HCV was identified, a test for antibodies to HCV was developed, and HCV was shown to be responsible for at least 90% of the cases of PT-NANB hepatitis. The more sensitive second-generation test for anti-HCV, combined with improved donor selection, has effectively eliminated 85% to 90% of post-transfusion hepatitis due to HCV, and a newer test will likely further improve this level of protection.
The ALT Test
The ALT test might still be useful in reducing the risk of post-transfusion HCV, and non-A, non-B, non-C agents. However, this utility must be weighed against the costs and unnecessary donor deferrals it produces.
Setting criteria for discarding units of donated blood because of ALT elevations has been difficult. Modest elevations are common in apparently healthy blood donors. They may reflect factors not related to transfusion-transmitted diseases. Furthermore, values of ALT in normal males are higher than those in normal females so that a single cutoff value for ALT results in deferral of a higher proportion of men than women. Finally, different methods are avail able to measure ALT, and the interpretation of the test is affected by the assay and laboratory used.
Prior to the introduction of anti-HCV testing, surrogate markers, including ALT, may have contributed to a reduction in the overall post-transfusion hepatitis rate by 30% to 40%. However, data show that added to anti-HCV testing, retention of the ALT test provides little or no additional value. Furthermore, there are no data to indicate that ALT screening is useful in detecting HCV infection in the "window period" prior to anti-HCV seroconversion or in detecting post-transfusion hepatitis not identified by the anti-HCV test.
Although the direct cost of the test is low, the indirect costs are high: the loss of approximately 200,000 usable units of blood and the temporary or permanent deferral of about 150,000 donors annually; the cost to the health care system of evaluating donors with elevated ALT; and the unwarranted anxiety and stress and risk of insurance denial for healthy deferred donors.
The panel, therefore, recommends that ALT testing of volunteer blood donors be discontinued. Persons previously deferred for only an isolated elevation in ALT may now be re-evaluated for donor eligibility.
The Anti-HBc Test
Although there is no reason to retain the anti-HBc test to prevent post-transfusion HCV, it is recommended that use of the test be continued. Anti-HBc testing is likely to help reduce the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. Also, because of the overlapping epidemiology of HBV and HIV, anti-HBc testing serves as a surrogate marker for HIV, primarily for recently infected donors who are in the window period of HIV infection prior to the detectability of HIV antibodies.
Nonetheless, the present anti-HBc test produces many false positive results. Its positive predictive value for past or present infection with the hepatitis B virus must be improved.
The Syphilis Test
Because the contribution of the serologic test for syphilis in preventing transfusion-transmitted syphilis is not understood, the panel concludes that use of this test should continue.
Syphilis is one of the oldest recognized infectious risks of blood transfusion, and serologic tests for syphilis have been routinely carried out for more than 50 years. In recent years, transfusion-transmitted syphilis has become exceptionally rare. Such factors as improved donor selection processes, the uniform application of testing to all donors, and the use of refrigerated blood for transfusion may possibly contribute to the absence of reported cases, but few data specifically address these issues. In addition, it is not certain that current surveillance would detect a rare case of transfusion-transmitted syphilis. Antibiotics received by many hospitalized, transfused patients may partially treat transfusion-transmitted syphilis, obscuring the diagnosis but not necessarily preventing long-term complications of the infection.
Current blood storage conditions may not provide an adequate margin of safety against transfusion-transmitted syphilis if donor screening were eliminated. Although Treponema pallidum, the organism responsible for syphilis, may lose its viability after several days of refrigerated storage, a few organisms may survive up to 96 hours under such storage conditions, and some units of blood are refrigerated for shorter periods prior to transfusion. In addition, platelet concentrates are stored at room temperature. More information is needed to better assess this issue.
The data also do not support the rationale that the serological test for syphilis has value as a surrogate marker for other transfusion-transmitted diseases, especially HIV.
Management of Potential Threats to Transfusion Safety
Public health surveillance and collaboration between public health and medical specialists are critical in responding to emerging infectious disease threats to the blood supply. An organized multidisciplinary approach to these threats must be formulated. In particular, the blood transfusion community should arrange for periodic communication with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to proactively review emerging infectious disease threats to the United States.
In assessing a potential threat to transfusion safety, numerous issues need to be addressed, including its potential transmissibility through blood products; the length of the asymptomatic but infectious period; its severity, incidence, and prevalence in the donor population; and its potential for secondary spread. Once a potential threat to transfusion safety has been identified, the appropriate responses will balance the magnitude of the problem against the need to maintain an adequate blood supply and the availability of procedures to remove the threat from the donor pool. Intervention strategies may include redesigning donor recruitment and selection practices; implementing reliable assays or, in their absence, instituting surrogate testing; and evaluating outcomes to demonstrate that the interventions favorably influence component safety. Implementation of a response will also require training personnel, obtaining new equipment and supplies, preparing procedures and policies, and supervising blood banks closely to ensure that the changes entailed do not produce errors.
More research is needed on a wide range of issues, including better understanding of viral and bacterial agents that threaten the blood supply; improved tests for infectious agents and methods for eliminating or inactivating them in blood components; implications of transfusion-transmitted diseases in neonates; improved understanding of donor motivation and impact of deferral; and development of artificial blood components. | <urn:uuid:4eef1555-d3b8-4cfe-9eaf-7fe8860fd9dc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cancernetwork.com/display/article/10165/96423 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00058-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927444 | 1,777 | 3.109375 | 3 |
Posted 7:00AM 01/01/13
By Tom Sightings
The race doesn’t always go to the swift, goes the old saying. But that’s the way to bet it, replies the savvy gambler.
So it is with the old saying about the stock market. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. But it still makes sense to look at historical data-because that’s the way to bet it.
Optimism about the economy and the political scene brought strong gains for the stock market in 2012, despite occasional jitters over the so-called fiscal cliff. There are reasons to think the rally will continue through 2013. Europe is getting better. China is stronger. Maybe our own economy will pick up as unemployment goes down, consumers build confidence, and politicians agree to compromise.
But history holds a warning. Research tells us that the stock market tends to follow a presidential cycle. Stock prices go up during a presidential election year like 2012 by an average of about 8 percent. This past election year brought us almost twice that, some 15 percent.
History also tells us that the first year of a new presidential term is often less kind to the stock market. Ned Davis Research ran the numbers long ago and found that stock market returns during the first year of a presidential term (including re-election terms) average only about 5 percent. Gains for the second year are even less, averaging just 4 percent. It’s the third year of a presidential term that produces the biggest gains, averaging 12 percent, and then the fourth year, like 2012, typically tacks on another 8 percent increase. In other words, the last two years of a presidential term produce much stronger gains than the first two years. So unless you think that President Obama will be better than average, 2013 will likely be a lean year.
A study by Marshall Nickles of Pepperdine University reveals a more foreboding future for 2013. Nickles tested data from 1952 through 2000 and found that an investor who bought stocks and held them for the first two years of presidential terms, then sold them, would have made money six times, and lost money seven times. In the end, because the losses were bigger than the gains, the investor would have lost nearly half his money. Compare those results to the investor who bought and held stocks in the second half of presidential terms, then sold on the day the presidents were inaugurated. That investor would have made money every time, for an overall gain of more than 7,000 percent.
Nickles and others caution that while the presidential cycle theory is historically accurate, it does not necessarily predict stock prices. The market is subject to various forces, many of them unforeseeable, and a recognized pattern may not anticipate the next turn in the market.
Still, another report from John Hancock Mutual Funds confirms the observation that the stock market ekes out small gains during a president’s first two years, then goes gangbusters during the president’s second two years. John Hancock puts the chances of a stock-market gain during a presidential election year at 74 percent. But the chances of a gain during the first year of a presidential term fall to 57 percent. And this study calculates an average return of just 4 percent. Now, 57 percent is still better than even odds. But do you want to take a 43 percent risk of losing money in your retirement fund, just to eke out a 4 percent gain?
Of course, there are always exceptions, sometimes big ones. For example, the last time a Democratic president was reelected, in 1996, the market went up a blistering 30 percent the following year.
So another indicator to watch for is the so-called Santa Claus rally. Yale Hirsch of The Stock Trader’s Almanac looked at the last five trading days of the year plus the first two of the new year. Since 1950, those seven days have averaged a 1.5 percent gain in stock prices (an annualized rate of over 50 percent). He also found that this Santa Claus rally often predicts the next year’s market. If the Santa Claus rally arrives on schedule, it’s a good sign. If it doesn’t, then the following year often turns bearish.
Those who ignore history do so at their own peril. To borrow a phrase of another president, Teddy Roosevelt, from over a hundred years ago: As you go into 2013, walk softly, and carry a big cash balance. | <urn:uuid:289ddb7a-46dd-4509-93c0-f9fe88f13818> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://activeseniorshq.com/2013-stock-market-outlook-what-history-predicts/ | 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 | 0.959185 | 923 | 2.09375 | 2 |
When a street artist paints a mural on a wall, who owns the artwork?
By Saturday evening, the answer could be "someone else," at least in the case of "Slave Labour," a work of renowned artist Banksy.
The mural showed up on the wall of a Poundland discount store in North London's Haringey neighborhood during the queen's Jubilee last May. It depicts a young boy sewing British flags and was thought to be a commentary on sweatshop labor, something that hit home in the working class neighborhood.
"It represents the struggle of the community in general," one resident told the BBC.
And it was something positive for locals.
"I felt a twinge of pride that something other than cheap tat was drawing people to our high road.
"It brought much-needed positive attention to Wood Green instead of the usual ugly image often spread in the news and on Twitter," Rachella Sinclair wrote in Tottenham & Wood Green Journal.
But last week, residents noticed some work was being done around the 4-foot-by-5-foot mural, with scaffolding and a tarpaulin put up.
"This morning I had a sneaky look under said tarpaulin to find it had been removed," wrote blogger AntK on Harringay Online. "I spoke to the guy rendering the wall and he said that after repeated attempts to gouge it out, the owner of the Poundland building had decided to take steps to 'preserve' it."
The preservation seems to have taken the piece to Miami, where "Slave Labour" has turned up in the catalog of Fine Art Auctions in Miami. It's expected to go under the gavel on Saturday with a price range of $500,000 to $700,000 as part of a collection of "Modern, Contemporary and Street Art." | <urn:uuid:ad635217-5703-43b1-ae23-53fbf8fd2dd6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wesh.com/news/national-news/Banksy-mural-torn-from-wall-up-for-auction/-/11788232/19043220/-/tltwmz/-/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.981391 | 380 | 1.914063 | 2 |
The Double Incline construction was a daredevil feat for the bulldozer operators. A 25-ton bulldozer was attached to a 2 inch cable and pulled up and down the mountainside by a winch secured to another bulldozer. It was even swung in a pendulum-like motion from the top of the mountain to clear the area. When the park first opened, the incline and chairlift were not operational. Visitors were shuttled by bus up Rich Cove Road, a narrow dirt road with no trees to protect the road from the edge of the cliffs. Two switchback turns in the road were so narrow that the bus had to back up to make the turn. It backed right up to the edge of a cliff some 3,000-feet high.
• The only service road to Ghost Town in the Sky is the steepest state maintained road in North Carolina.
• Ghost Town is on the top of Buck Mountain on the edge of the Smoky Mountains with an elevation of 4,600 feet.
• There are over 40 replica buildings that complete this authentic 1840 western town.
• While Burt Reynolds was starring in Gunsmoke, he made a celebrity appearance at Ghost Town, participating in the gunfights.
• Burt Reynolds and Tony Dow (Wally from Leave it to Beaver) claimed that Robert Bradley was the best fall guy they’d ever worked with. Robert would perform a death fall off the roof of the General Store three times a day.
• When Dan Blocker, who played Hoss Cartwright on Bonanza, came to Ghost Town in 1963, the park saw its highest visitor attendance. Traffic was backed up from Maggie Valley to Clyde, then a two lane road. It is estimated the park saw 16,000 in one day alone.
• The two-seat chair lift that takes you to the top of Buck Mountain moves at a rate of 310 feet per minute and scales a 3,370 feet course.
• The incline railway up to Buck Mountain varies in grade of 30 percent up to 77 percent.
• In the Silver Dollar Saloon was a plaque on the wall of a bartender with a huge mustache. Pictures can be seen from that time showing the plaque on the wall behind the saloon bar. For years, the plaque has been lost, but mysteriously enough, it still appears in behind the scenes photos taken during the filming of the Ghost Town Movie in October 2006. The plaque still has yet to turn up.
• Ghost Town’s Herbert “Cowboy” Coward was also known internationally as the “Toothless man” from Deliverance (a role which Maxim named one of the best movie villains of all time). He lost his front teeth in a gunfight at Ghost Town in 1962. Robert Doyle Teaster was off one day and “Digger” was played by a young man working at the park who wanted his chance to play in a gunfight. He accidentally hit Herbert in the mouth with a 45-caliber gun, knocking his front teeth out in front of the crowd. Herbert continued and finished out the gunfight. The crowd thought it was part of the act.
The gunfight called “Old Zeke” was originally created out of necessity one day by Herbert Coward. He had come to work and forgot his cowboy outfit. So he took the dummy hanging by the marshal’s office and put on its clothes. He then proceeded to play a town drunk picking bugs and fleas off of the clothes (which were actually on them at the time, the dummy had been hanging on the rope for two years). He incorporated that into the show and it became know as the “Old Zeke” gunfight. It was performed for years. | <urn:uuid:bc576a6e-4660-4e61-9cb2-fbcaff0a611f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://smokymountainnews.com/calendar/item/9798-fun-facts-about-ghost-town | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.980381 | 772 | 1.617188 | 2 |
Recognition of Sport-related Injuries and Illness
- Athletic Training (B.S.)
An introduction to the primary mechanisms of athletic injuries, psychological response to injury, and the inflammatory process. Material specific to identifying etiology, signs, and symptoms of common sport-related injuries and illness. Students will be expected to critically interpret athletic training literature relevant to active populations. Prerequisites: BIO 230 and Athletic Training major, or permission of instructor. Fall. | <urn:uuid:0f1df461-e3ae-4d1a-b139-3914665d922c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.keene.edu/catalog/courses/detail/PE341/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00056-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.902791 | 95 | 1.710938 | 2 |
“Heart of Luminous Darkness” JW 2002
Art as a Celebration of the Heart!
“God is a circle of which the center is everywhere and the circumference is nowhere...”
Mandala means sacred circle in Sanskrit. Mandalas are visionary tools for meditation in many cultures including Hindu, Buddhist, and Navajo. Psychologically, circles provide a supportive space for transformation and individuation. They represent healing and wholeness.
Effortlessly manifest your own radiant mandala thru a visionary process
combining meditation, movement, ritual, sacred sound & simple drawing techniques.
Prior drawing experience is not necessary, only OPEN HEARTedness! Limited to 8
Open to your innate creative potential; enliven your senses and embody your natural state of delight.
Release self-limiting patterns and beliefs. Access new levels of intuitive guidance.
In the intimacy of a small group, you will receive and allow your own unique luminous vision to manifest on black paper with white and colored pencils.
All spiritual traditions honored.
Rest in the Heart and celebrate the presence of our communal resonance.
Enjoy heart-centered play and inner peace!
Julia Weaver, MFT, BFA, CMT While swimming off the Kona coast in 1996, Julia had a mystical experience where she spontaneously received mandala images, which took her artwork into deeper dimensions of healing and spiritual practice. Since 1996, she has offered mandala workshops for adults and children in her studio in the San Francisco Bay area and across the US, as well as dolphin swims retreats in Hawaii. Her adult workshops were featured in New Age Journal (Her 30 years of expressive arts, movement and spiritual practice include Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, Navajo, Shamanic and Sufi traditions, along with Body practices; Continuum. Sensory Awareness, 5 Rhythms & Soul Motion. (More bio info on my website...)
Cher Elyse Carden BFA, M.Ed., C.T. is a multitalented spiritual healer, singer, artist and educator who offers assistance to health enthusiasts through a variety of services. Cher is an ordained minister who holds a bachelors in Fine Arts, a Masters in Counseling and has various certifications in live food preparation, essential oil therapy, and colon therapy. Her nurturing spirit provides a safe haven for her clients to discover and explore their abilities to heal and integrate their creative abilities into their daily lives. Please see her website http://www.vibrantspiritquest.com
*Highly recommended reading,
Mandala: Luminous Symbols for Healing, Judith Cornell,
Emptiness Dancing, Adyashanti
Four Fold Way, Angeles Arrien, Ph.D | <urn:uuid:cbb125da-0b3e-4303-bd62-c4fc2cf010c2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mandalaweaver.com/ny%20Mandalas.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924045 | 562 | 1.679688 | 2 |
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The national settlement with five of the nation’s largest banks won’t end the financial distress for thousands of Connecticut homeowners.
But, it is providing relief to far more people than originally estimated thanks to aggressive promotion by the state and housing advocates combined with the banks’ willingness to modify underwater mortgages.
As of Sept. 30, the banks had cut $185 million from the principal nearly 3,000 Connecticut homeowners owed on their mortgages. In addition, some 700 homeowners will save $72 million thanks to modifications of their loan agreements.
In a joint press release May 21, the governor and attorney general had estimated that the settlement would result in $119 million in loan modifications and refinancing relief.
The states, including Connecticut, had sued Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Ally Financial (formerly GMAC) for robo-signing loan documents or foreclosing homes with false documentation and no clear right to act. In an agreement reached in January, the banks agreed to pay $26 billion toward mortgage relief without admitting any wrongdoing.
The size of the settlement only hints at the magnitude of the nation’s housing crisis brought on by the recession. In Connecticut alone, there are some 156,000 homes worth less than their mortgages. Nationally, mortgage debt is $700 billion more than the mortgaged homes’ value.
The settlement with the five banks offers no help to about half of the nation’s homeowners whose mortgages are serviced by Freddie Mae and Fannie Mae. Their federal overseer has been resisting loan modifications.
As for the some 7,500 state families whose homes were foreclosed by one of the five banks in the last four years, they may expect checks of about $1,600 as compensation.
Debt relief from the settlement has undoubtedly cut the number of state homes on which a house’s value is less than its mortgage. But the trend would be encouraging even without the settlement. As of June 30, nearly 169,000 Connecticut homes were underwater, according to Zillow.com — 12,000 more than at the end of September. | <urn:uuid:f85cf75b-3683-4d76-87c5-b0f7965c659c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://registercitizen.com/articles/2012/12/04/opinion/doc50becc75397b6680932131.prt | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969492 | 443 | 1.578125 | 2 |
Baylor University's Brittney Griner was recently suspended for punching another player in the face. This incident, coupled with Elizabeth Lambert's hair-pulling infraction, leads Jeré Longman to wonder what's up with the ladies?
Longman, reporting for the New York Times, speaks with several experts about the "trend" of women behaving badly on the court or in the game. Jay Coakley, a sports sociologist from the University of Colorado, argues that the culture of masculinity promotes such behavior among men (duh) but women have recently begun to measure their success along similar lines, especially when entering into a male-dominated arena like competitive sports.
"An athlete's identity for a man overlaps with and reaffirms his manhood," said Coakley, the author of "Sports in Society."
"Because of that, they're going to be more likely to engage in aggressive and assertive behavior. You don't show who the better woman is by going out and dominating another athlete. At least that's the way it's been. But our culture is very diverse. Some young women are growing up now not as concerned about traditional ideas of what womanhood is all about. In some cases, I guess being able to kick someone's butt makes you the highest-status girl on the block or in the group."
And this so-called "trend" is not just limited to the players:
Anecdotal evidence suggests a coarsening of behavior in women's sports among coaches, players, parents and fans at various levels.
Ten players and an assistant coach were suspended after a W.N.B.A. brawl in 2008. Serena Williams unleashed a threatening verbal fusillade at a line judge at the 2009 United States Open. Last November, fights broke out in the stands and on the field during a high school girls' state championship soccer game in Providence, R.I.
Longman provides several more examples of "coarse" behavior, but we have to wonder: even if he found 50 examples of unsportsmanlike behavior at women's events (both college and pro) would that come close to the number of times men have done similar things while playing sports? I'd be willing to put money on Hell No.
And this is the bigger problem with Longman's piece, and Coakley's analysis. They're assuming that women aren't naturally violent, that we won't fight when provoked, that we've been effectively tamed by society and no longer harbor the same assertive or aggressive urges as our male counterparts. But competition can bring out bad behavior, and appeal to the most base level of the human psyche. In explaining her actions, Griner perfectly sums up what is really going on here:
"A lot of people look at it as the women's sport isn't as competitive as the boys', so when something happens, it's more shocking," Griner said. "But really, it's just as competitive as the men's sports."
While women have been conditioned to suppress this instinct, and according to the stereotype, funnel it into backstabbing and gossiping, physical competition encourages an immediate, physical response. This does not necessarily mean violence, but it certainly can. There is no reason to celebrate Griner's actions, but given our society's obsession with sports, dominance, and aggression, it shouldn't be remotely surprising that women entering into a male-dominated space will begin to measure their success in similar forms. And lash out in similar ways. | <urn:uuid:17beadeb-d188-4f07-bcff-9d3b3435eb5a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://jezebel.com/5498948/women-behaving-badly-unsportsmanlike-behavior-sparks-debate?tag=elizabeth-lambert | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975201 | 723 | 1.90625 | 2 |
Catalytic Clothing: How A Denim Kilt Could Help Save The Planet
Tony Ryan and Helen Storey
Last year we reported on some eco-fashion that went further than simply using sustainable materials and techniques by making the garment itself a tool for reducing pollution. The project was called Catalytic Clothing and involved an air-purifying dress covered in spray-on nano particles that suck pollutants from the air, allowing the wearer to score maximum eco-points (while still wandering around in sweatshop Nikes).
This was back in January 2011 and at the time the garment was more of an experimental sculpture than a wearable dress, but a year is a long time in fashion and now the technology is ready for its public debut. The project is a collaboration between Professor of Fashion and Science at the London School of Fashion Helen Storey and chemist Tony Ryan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the Faculty of Science at Sheffield University.
Catalytic Clothing launch video
In an interview last night about the future of nanotechnology on BBC Radio 4’s The Life Scientific, Ryan spoke about this art-science collaboration, which also yielded dresses that dissolve in water in a project called Wonderland.
The Catalytic Clothing project will catwalk its way to the Edinburgh International Science Festival, March 30 to April 15, and will see Ryan in a catalyzed denim kilt—that will take nitrous oxide and volatile organics out of the air—and Storey will be rocking an air-purifying Vivienne Westwood tartan ball frock.
The technology works because a catalyst takes part in a reaction but isn’t changed by it, so it stays there and can be used many times—absorbing pollutants, changing them, then sending them back out into the atmosphere as something more benign. For instance, it can transform the toxic greenhouse gas nitrous oxide into water soluble nitrate. Explaining how the Catalytic Clothing technology could impact a local environment Ryan said, “If all the people in Sheffield wore catalytically enabled clothes, then they’d be able to take out enough nitrous oxide to keep us [Sheffield: pop. 555,500] below the safe limit throughout the whole of the year.”
Data visualization of international online engagement with the project
Speaking about putting his theory into practice Ryan said, “We hope to set up a pop-up laundry so people can bring their clothes in and have them done and go out and be catalysed and I’m hoping that it’ll get into the market. But it’ll get into the market in such a way that it’s like herd immunity, one or two people doing it won’t have any effect and you won’t benefit from you doing it, but you will benefit from me and everybody else doing it. So it’s a whole community thing.” | <urn:uuid:9ba37522-68ce-4723-8b01-40bc012fab69> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/catalytic-clothing-how-a-denim-kilt-could-help-save-the-planet | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939893 | 595 | 3.03125 | 3 |
Check out this interesting article in the New York Times.
Inventor Mark Stadnyk is suing the U.S. government to try to overturn recent legislation in patent law that he says bows to corporate lobbyists and strangles American innovation:
The present system, one of the nation’s oldest patent principles and called “first to invent,” relies on lab notebooks, e-mails and early prototypes to establish the date of invention. The impending law would overturn that by awarding patents to the inventors who are “first to file” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office . . . .
Opponents say it will give big companies a huge advantage over start-ups and small inventors. Large corporations have deep pockets and armies of lawyers to write up and file patents, they say, and the new law will touch off a paper chase to the patent office instead of a race to innovate. Yet the opponents are in the minority. And there is genuine debate about how much garage inventors and fledgling companies contribute to innovation and economic growth these days.
Proponents of the legislation says it will cut red tape and prevent long legal battles that tend to arise over intellectual property.
---Samantha Maziarz Christmann | <urn:uuid:47f6b8db-bd27-44ca-b648-6d53c44f977e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blogs.buffalonews.com/strictlybusiness/2012/08/check-out-this-interesting-article-in-the-new-york-times-inventor-mark-stadnyk-is-suing-the-us-government-to-try-to-over.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00044-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.929036 | 256 | 1.890625 | 2 |
‘Pacemaker for the brain’ helps treatment of anorexia
Scientists in Canada claim to have treated severe anorexia using an electronic implant that acts like a ‘pacemaker for the brain’.
In research published in The Lancet medical journal, anorexia patients who had not responded to other therapies were treated with a technique called deep brain stimulation (DBS), which involves delivering electric pulses to the brain via electrode implants.
The pilot study was primarily intended to show the technique, which is already used to treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, was safe, but at least half of the six participating patients showed improvements in mood and body mass index (BMI).
Researchers based at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre and University Health Network in Canada used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify a specific area of the brain that has previously been used for DBS in patients with depression.
Electrodes were then implanted into this area and connected to a pulse generator implanted under the skin.
The device was activated ten days later and the researchers measured changes in the patients’ mood and anxiety levels to determine the correct level of stimulation.
The researchers expected the treatment to take several months to take effect, as is also the case for depression patients undergoing DBS.
So before the trial they gave the subjects inpatient treatment that caused them to gain weight, which they then began to lose again at the start of the DBS treatment.
However, two months after the electrodes were implanted, this pattern began to reverse and five of the six patients’ weight stabilised or increased.
After nine months, three patients were maintaining a higher weight than before the treatment started – the longest period of sustained increase in weight that any of them had achieved since the onset of illness.
Around half of the patients also experienced improvements in their mood or reduced obsessive-compulsive behaviour.
Dr Andres Lozano, one of the lead researchers, said the results were particularly encouraging because they seemed to point to treat the anorexia itself rather than acting as a placebo or just increasing the patients’ hunger.
‘The initial weight loss argues against a primary effect of DBS on hunger, appetite, or metabolic rate. It also suggests that there is little in the way of a placebo-related benefit to the surgery.
‘The finding of improvements in mood and anxiety in patients who were still underweight is especially striking, in view of the well known poor response of underweight patients to conventional pharmacotherapies or psychotherapies.’
Anorexia is among the most likely psychiatric disorders to result in death and is among the most common psychiatric disorders in young women aged 15 – 19 years.
Treatment usually focuses on behavioural change but up to 20 per cent of patients derive no benefit from the available treatment and are at risk of dying prematurely from the disease.
The researchers said the DBS treatment appeared to be relatively safe, with just one patient of the six experiencing serious a problem following the treatment, a seizure that took place about two weeks after the initial operation, which was related to a metabolic disorder the patient was suffering as a result of her anorexia. | <urn:uuid:c94399e6-0c14-44d6-b825-4fcd192b11f3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.theengineer.co.uk/medical-and-healthcare/news/pacemaker-for-the-brain-helps-treatment-of-anorexia/1015688.article | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968264 | 654 | 2.671875 | 3 |
By Doug Casey, Casey Research
In an interview with Louis James, the inimitable Doug Casey throws cold water on those celebrating the economic recovery.
[Skype rings: It's Doug Casey, calling from Cafayate, Argentina. He sounds tired, but pleased with himself.]
Doug: Lobo, get out your mower; it's time to cut down some green shoots again, and debunk a bit of the so-called recovery.
Ah. I have to say, Doug, the so-called recovery is looking more than
"so-called" to a lot of smart folks. Even our own Terry Coxon says the
recovery is real, albeit weak.
probably looking at it by the numbers, some of which are reported to be
improving. But let's come back to the numbers later and start with
fundamentals. The first order of business, as usual, is a definition: a
depression is a period of time in which the average standard of living
declines significantly. I believe that's what we're seeing now, whatever
the numbers produced by the politicians may seem to tell us.
I was just shopping for food and noticed that the bargain bread was on
sale at two for $5. My gas costs almost as much per gallon. That's got
to hurt a lot of people, especially on the lower income rungs. I don't
need to ask; a member of my family just got a job that pays $12 per hour-about three times what I made working for the university food service
back when I was in college-and it's not enough to cover his rent and
basic bills. If his wife gets similar work, they'll make ends meet, but
woe unto them if anyone in their family crashes a car or requires
serious medical treatment.
Doug: That's just what
I mean. Actually, the trend towards both partners in a marriage having
to work really started in the early '70s-after Nixon cut all links
between the dollar and gold in August of 1971. Before then, in the "Leave It to Beaver"
era, the average family got by quite well with only the husband
working. If he got sick or lost his job, the wife was a financial backup
system. Now, if something happens to either one, the family is screwed.
think, from a very long-term perspective, historians will one day see
the '60s as the peak of American prosperity-certainly relative to the
rest of the world… but perhaps even in absolute terms, even taking
continued advances in technology into account. Maybe the '59 Cadillac
was the bell ringing at the top of that civilizational market.
friend Frank Trotter, president of EverBank, was just telling me that
the net worth of the median US citizen is only $6,000. That's the
median, meaning that half of the people have less than that. Most people
don't even have enough stashed away to buy the cheapest new car without
going into debt. It used to be that people bought cars out of savings,
with cash. Now they have to finance them over at least five years… or
lease them-which means they never ever have even that trivial asset,
but a liability in the form of a lease.
The bulk of the 49 percent
below this guy don't even have that-with the concentration of wealth
among the top one percent, most of those below average have seriously
negative net worth, at least compared to their earning capacity. In
other words, the US, Europe, and other so-called First-World countries
are in a wealth-liquidation cycle that will be as profound as it will be
By that I mean that people are on average consuming
more than they produce. That can only be done by living out of capital-consuming savings-or accumulating debt. For a time, this may drive
corporate earnings up, and give this dead-man-walking economy the
appearance of returning health, but it's essentially, necessarily, and
absolutely unsustainable. This is an illusion of recovery we're seeing-the result of our Wrong-Way Corrigan politicians continuing to
encourage people to do the exact opposite of what they should do.
Read the rest, here. | <urn:uuid:37255b2e-5600-4f63-b253-59a37cfb6ecb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.whatisgold.net/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974547 | 902 | 1.632813 | 2 |
Head in the clouds
Here’s a surprising statistic. Most of us spend 30 percent of our waking life off with the pixies. Not literally cavorting with mischievous pointy-eared creatures but lost in mental worlds we concoct that are just as compelling – if not more so – than the real world we inhabit.
Daydreams are unrelated to what we’re actually doing and include every possible imagining from the mundane to over-the-top – your acceptance speech at the Academy Awards, the leftover chocolate mousse waiting for you in the fridge at home, winning Powerball, telling your annoying boss that you bought the company and she is no longer needed. Although most daydreams may be humdrum, sometimes they do amount to more than aimless mental doodling.
For instance, scientists confirm that daydreaming has some concrete benefits such as reminding us when we’re absorbed in a task not to forget other important goals and helping us solve problems creatively. That’s because we can more readily access – and even use – the ideas in our unconscious mind when we let our thoughts wander. This is assuming, of course, we make an effort to remember them. Indeed, such epiphanies can be world changing. Albert Einstein’s reverie of himself running along a light wave led to his theory of special relativity.
The recent discovery of a neuronal network in the brain dedicated to daydreams is helping scientists understand the phenomenon. They call this web the “default network” because when we’re not focused on what we’re doing, the network fires up. Scientist believe this network is necessary to creating our sense of self. This suggests daydreaming is tied up with our identity and how we integrate the external world into our inner being.
But daydreams have a bad side too. Fortunately it’s not common but some folk are so hooked on their fantasies starring a much-enhanced version of themselves that real-life concerns and commitments fall by the wayside. Also, like anyone with an addiction, compulsive daydreamers may be filled with self-loathing coming down after experiencing a high.
More recently, US psychologists at Harvard University announced that a wandering mind may even make you depressed. Researchers asked more than 2000 participants to report their current activity and state of mind. The results show that the more people claimed to be in la la land, they less happy they felt.
This makes sense when you consider that we space out more when we’re stressed, bored, tired or find ourselves in a tumultuous environment. It is depressing if you imagine how wonderful life could be and then compare that with how tedious and difficult it sometimes is.
You can access the full story in the New York Times. | <urn:uuid:c0852676-8206-4bb1-ac66-8d6438c742e5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blogs.terrapinn.com/happiness/2011/04/01/head-clouds/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930061 | 573 | 2.203125 | 2 |
“User Fees” For Emergency Services Addressed In Sweeney’s Bill [POLL]
Twenty-six states currently allow “user fees” for public safety and New Jersey is one of them.
Yesterday, we reported that the ranking Republican on the State Senate Budget Committee says, in a direct response to our series he’s readying a bill to, at the very least, limit the authority of municipalities to impose fees for emergency services.
Now the top lawmaker in the State Senate is pushing legislation of his own.
“Fee is just another three-letter word for tax,” says Senate President Steve Sweeney. “What are we going to be doing next, paying for street lights to be on like they do in Massachusetts? Are we going to implement fees for every single thing that comes down the road?”
Under Sweeney’s proposed legislation, services shifted from a property tax base to a “user fee” base would continue to be counted as part of the current two percent property tax cap for municipalities.
- RELATED: NJ Sen. Bucco Acts To Limit Fees
- RELATED: NJ Insurance Carriers Oppose Controversial “Emergency Response Fees”
- RELATED: Should You Be Forced To Pay A “User Fee”?
He explains, “We’re not saying you can’t do a fee, but it’s going to count against the two percent cap.”
That means towns that implement the fees would have to cut elsewhere to stay beneath the limit.
The 2 percent cap is no joke says Sweeney, “I guess we didn’t make that clear enough. Local governments have found a way to implement fees… Municipal governments must do more to control property taxes. Paying lip service to their residents needs for cost containment, then turning around and hitting them with a separate bill, is still just taking more money out of the same pocket.”
Today, Lawrence and Medford are scheduled to hold votes asking taxpayers to approve raising taxes above the cap. Sweeney says he will fast-track his bill through the legislature and has already been talking to Assembly members who might want to sponsor the measure in that house.
“Residents already pay fees for emergency services, they’re called property taxes,” says State Senator Tony Bucco. “If the highest property taxes in America aren’t enough to support basic public safety and emergency services, then there is something severely wrong with our spending priorities as a state.”
Bucco is working with legislative staff to study the laws of other states and propose a statute limiting the amounts that could be charged and/or under what circumstances. He hopes to submit a proposal to the Senate at its next full meeting. Bucco says, “What we’re trying to do is cap the fees or eliminate the fees altogether.”
“It adds insult to injury to ask someone whose house caught fire or who was the victim of a crime to cough up more money in addition to the taxes they pay,” insists Bucco continued. “Charging people for a basic service in their hour of need is just more proof that the size and cost of government have gotten out of control.”
“These are services that are paid through property taxes or sales taxes and municipalities shouldn’t go looking elsewhere to fund essential services that government delivers” says Michael Barry, spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute. “There are some insurers that will pay these fees and there are some that will not. The existence of these types of taxes can place upward pressure on insurance rates in the long run.”
“Local officials, first and foremost, have an obligation if not a moral responsibility to provide public quality of life services. And they’re looking at ways they can do that, and at the same time be sensitive to property taxes,” explains New Jersey State League of Municipalities executive director Bill Dressel explains, “Local officials are trying make sure that in these dire economic times that the residents are not going to be over-taxed for these services.” | <urn:uuid:1fe7d210-c926-47f7-a9ee-027875de7114> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://nj1015.com/nj-sen-prezs-bill-addresses-user-fees-audio/ | 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 | 0.960675 | 865 | 1.507813 | 2 |
Wayne -- Wayne County
The first settlers to this part of Nebraska arrived in the spring of 1869 from Lee County, IL, and were joined by a second group in 1870. The prairie village of Wayne, however, didn't see its beginnings until 1881, when the Chicago, St.Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad extended a line through the county, linking Norfolk and Sioux City.
Originally named "Brookdale" by railroad officials, the settlers persuaded them to rename it "Wayne" for General Anthony Wayne of Revolutionary War fame, for whom the county had been named.
The first house was built in 1881. Nearly all the Main Street buildings were shacks covered with tar paper. The tracks into town had been laid on frozen ground that fall. The trains had to move so slowly over the uneven rails that some people walked the 20 miles to Emerson to save the $8 fare. (They felt they could make equally as good time as the train!) When spring arrived and the road bed leveled out, trains proved to be the inducement for which many had moved to the new town.
The first county seat was LaPorte (1870-82). When the railroad missed that settlement, voters petitioned to have the seat of government moved. A bitter contest ensued. In the election held in 1882, Wayne won by a substantial margin. Many homes and businesses were hauled or sledded overland to Wayne and the town of LaPorte was abandoned.
By February 1884 the influx of families provided Wayne with a population of 200, enabling it to be incorporated as a village. County fairs began in 1885. By 1889 the population had grown to 1,130. Early industries included a brickyard, flour mill, and incubator factory, all long since gone out of existence.
After a major fire destroyed six buildings on Main Street in 1894, a fire department was organized. Telephone service started in 1897, and a power plant was built in 1898, giving only evening service at first.
The city hall (now the fire station) and a library were built in 1912. Main Street was paved in 1920, the first of many brick streets for which the town is noted. During the Depression, federal funds financed the building of a post office and an auditorium.
The center of community activities in early days was the opera house, built in 1889. Show troupes from back east, local plays, band concerts, and campaign speeches, provided cultural enrichment and entertainment. Today the revived Wayne Community Theater presents a musical and play each year. The college's Black and Gold Series brings in national and international entertainment.
Wayne County's first newspaper started in 1875 at LaPorte and moved to Wayne when the county seat did. For a time, three newspapers were published. Today, a semi-weekly "Wayne-Herald" can trace its beginnings back to those early publications.
The desire to provide opportunities for higher learning prompted efforts to found a college. A Lutheran academy was established in 1887, but closed in 1889. Interest continued, so with the help of a number of local citizens, Professor J.M.Pile opened the Nebraska Normal College in 1891. This marked the beginning of what is now Wayne State College. From one small building and seven students, the college has grown to a 127-acre campus, a faculty of 151, support staff of 100, and 2,876 students.
By 1940 Wayne's population was 2,719. During the war the municipal airport and hanger were completed as part of the defense effort. Industry began its emerging role in the late 1960s with an industrial park. Companies now manufacture and ship refrigerated trailers, modular homes, bank components, athletic training equipment, waterbed mattress pads and pillows, and farm equipment, all over the United States.
Wayne now has 5,280 residents. A hospital built in 1935 was replaced in 1974 and has the services of five doctors. There are 15 churches, an AM/FM radio station, an 18-hole golf course, and a swimming pool.
Since its very beginning, Wayne's citizens have worked to develop a good balance between agriculture, education, and industry, providing a stable environment for all three.
By Loreta Tompkins, Wayne County Historical Society, 420 Douglas, Wayne, NE 68787. Chuck Hackenmiller of "The Wayne Herald" for current pictures.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: History of Wayne County , 1938, by Dorothy Huse Nyberg; Wayne County Nebraska History, 1981, sponsored by the Wayne County Historical Society. | <urn:uuid:ccacfc29-5e4b-4890-ac43-65f8690a9b98> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/wayne/wayne/ | 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 | 0.973288 | 941 | 2.59375 | 3 |
It sounds like such a simple concept: the physician picks up the chart, writes the diet order and it is transmitted via a multitude of ways to the Food Service Department. With Electronic Health Records, this process takes on a host of very different considerations. Many times, Diet Orders are included in an “Order Set” (such as a “Cardiac Rehab” set which is “known” to be a “Low Fat, 4 gram Sodium Diet”), a protocol (defined by the research design underway) or as part of Computerized Physician/Provider Order Entry (CPOE)—where a provider enters all of the orders appropriate for the patient.
Many RDs who help create these orders (as part of the EHR Implementation Team) are challenged with the best way to name them. Work is underway now at ADA to create the appropriate design for naming and using diet orders. Why do we need this? Several reasons—for outcomes reporting, for consistency in order delivering and tray delivery, for best practices, communication (physicians wants one diet, but inadvertently orders another) and more.
You may ask—why not just have a “free text” field where providers can enter anything they want?! One of the concepts of HITECH Meaningful Use and Standards Rules are to “Discourage Free Text.” If you have ever seen the results of what can happen with free text—this makes sense. For example—if a provider is ordering 1500 KCAL 2 GM Sodium, everyone seems to have his or her own style—
- 1500 Kcal 2 Gram Sodium
- 1500 calorie 2 Gm Sodium
- 1500 KCAL 2000 mg NA
- 1500 kilocalorie 2 G NA
- 1500 Kcal 2000 mg Sodium
- 1500 Kc 2 g sodum (misspelled)
….I think you get my point. A software program (or computer) does not know these all mean the same, so a list such as this appears as a conglomeration of a list of different orders. On the other hand, if a provider has a list to choose from and “select” via a radio button or a drop-down menu, all of the above orders would appear the same. Such the reason for ONC/CMS discouraging free text or “text box” except where indicated. | <urn:uuid:c7ec1c68-050f-4d83-8ca9-8fb62f189fb2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.eatright.org/Media/Blog.aspx?id=4294968422&blogid=6442451184 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927943 | 481 | 2.046875 | 2 |
China Raises 800-Year-Old Sunken Ship
BEIJING – After 800 years at the bottom of the sea, a merchant ship loaded with porcelain and other rare antiques was raised to the surface Friday in a specially built basket, a state news agency reported.
The Nanhai No. 1, which means "South China Sea No. 1," sank off the south China coast with some 60,000 to 80,000 items on board, Xinhua News Agency reported, citing Wu Jiancheng, head of the excavation project.
Archaeologists built a steel basket around the 100-foot vessel, and it took about two hours for a crane to lift the ship and surrounding silt to the surface, Xinhua said. The basket was as large as a basketball court and as tall as a three-story building.
Green-glazed porcelain plates and shadowy blue porcelain items were among rare antiques found during the initial exploration of the ship. Archaeologists have also recovered containers made of gold and silver as well as about 6,000 copper coins.
The ship dates from the early Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). It was discovered in 1987 off the coast near the city of Yangjiang, in Guangdong province, in more than 65 feet of water.
The Nanhai No. 1 was placed on a waiting barge. It will be deposited in a huge glass pool at a museum where the water temperature, pressure and other environmental conditions are the same as where it has lain on the sea bed.
Feng Shaowen, head of the Yangjiang city cultural bureau, said visitors will be able watch the excavation of the ship through windows on the pool.
The recovery of the Nanhai No. 1 was originally scheduled for Saturday, but organizers decided to raise it a day early because of favorable weather. | <urn:uuid:7f16f5f7-21c5-4bdb-8e7a-3239fa33eb65> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1191688/china_raises_800yearold_sunken_ship/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969088 | 383 | 2.640625 | 3 |
The law (Assembly Bill 2464), authored by state Assemblyman Mike Gatto, a Los Angeles Democrat, requires major-league sports stadiums in California to clearly post the numbers that fans can use to call or send text messages to report violence to stadium security personnel. The law came in response to outbursts of fan violence around the state, including the brutal beating in March 2011 of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow at Dodgers Stadium, and the shooting of two fans and the beating of another fan in August 2011 at a San Francisco 49ers-Oakland Raiders preseason game at Candlestick Park.
The Improving Personal Safety at Stadiums Act was signed into law in September by Gov. Jerry Brown.
“It has become apparent that we need to act to keep the action at professional games on the field and out of the stands,” Gatto said earlier this year.
“Many parents have told me that they are afraid to take their kids to a ballgame,” he added. “This law will allow fans to report incidents to stadium security before they escalate out of control.”
Gatto pointed out that in several high-profile beatings at major-league sports venues in California, fans dialed 911. In those cases, contacting stadium security makes more sense, according to Gatto, as stadium security officers already are at the venues while police officers could be coming from outside the venues.
Longtime Oakland Raiders fan Kathy Samoun, founder of a Bay Area-based group called Fans Against Violence, said most pro sports venues in California already had violence-reporting systems in place – especially texting mechanisms – but a few did not. Samoun said those that did not were the venues for the San Jose Earthquakes (soccer), the Los Angeles Angels (baseball) and the Los Angeles Galaxy (soccer).
“One of the goals with our organization is to encourage fans to take responsibility in their own safety along with the teams and the leagues,” Samoun said. “Currently, these security text codes are the number one tool fans have for being proactive. … Many fans are not aware they have this tool available to them.”
California venues covered by the law are those with teams from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, the National Football League and Major League Soccer.
Samoun said Gatto’s law represents a “small step” toward ending fan violence at sports venues. A previous version of the measure would have created a list of fans who’d be banned from pro sports stadiums in California if they’re convicted of committing a serious or violent felony crime at a major-league sports venue. The previous version also would have established a state fund to compensate victims of violence at pro sports stadiums. | <urn:uuid:970fed7f-12e8-46fc-8c47-dc59163128ea> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.examiner.com/article/new-california-law-represents-small-step-fighting-fan-violence | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965998 | 575 | 1.828125 | 2 |
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Sidebar: Got Milk?
With more than 5,800 samples of milk to pick from, finding formula for a new baby shouldn’t be that difficult. But it can be tricky when the baby’s a gorilla, giant panda, or lion.
The Zoo’s Department of Nutrition Science houses the largest animal milk repository in the world, and its 14 staff members use data from those milk samples to concoct complicated nursing formulas for practically every mammal at the Zoo. That work starts months in advance of any newborn’s arrival.
A red panda gulps down a meal. (Mehgan Murphy/NZP)
When it comes to trying out a new formula, “no two animals are the same,” says department head Mike Maslanka. If an animal’s mother can’t provide milk, the staff take on that job, working with hand-rearing teams for each species.
“Ideally, we want an infant to nurse from the mother. But when that’s not possible, we have to decide right away if it needs milk or water or something else like Pedialyte,” he explains. The team breathes easier as an animal grows. For example, Maslanka notes, the Zoo’s seven lion cubs “are golden now because they’re on solids,” but the nutrition staff was ready if they needed added care.
“We can develop the best formula in the world and what we’re doing involves everyone: the vets, curators, keepers, and nutritionists,” Maslanka adds.
From the most unusual cases like the little porcupine who wouldn’t eat until banana was added to his milk to preparing for the possibility of a new giant panda cub, the staff here are always on call. After all, they have a lot of mouths to feed.
If you have a comment about Smithsonian Zoogoer magazine, please email it to us.Smithsonian Zoogoer 40(4) 2011. Copyright 2011 Friends of the National Zoo. All rights reserved. | <urn:uuid:822478f8-1b52-4e53-a326-8d907cd46d15> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/2011/4/Milk.cfm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.911527 | 460 | 2.578125 | 3 |
News tagged with stroke patients
Related topics: stroke , patients , brain , ischemic stroke , blood clots
Costs to treat stroke are projected to more than double and the number of people having strokes may increase 20 percent by 2030, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Cardiology May 22, 2013 | not rated yet | 0
Age has little to do with how patients should be treated after suffering a stroke, according to new research from the University of Georgia.
Cardiology May 17, 2013 | not rated yet | 0 |
People with strokes caused by blood clots fared better in hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Quality of Care and Outcomes ...
Cardiology May 16, 2013 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0
The world's first Brain Training Device has given a ray of new hope to the recovery of survivors after stroke. Developed by researchers of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this novel device can detect brainwave and control ...
Neuroscience May 16, 2013 | not rated yet | 0
More than a third of stroke patients don't get to the hospital by ambulance, even though that's the fastest way to get there, according to new research in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart ...
Cardiology Apr 30, 2013 | not rated yet | 0
(Medical Xpress)—A new model of brain lateralization for movement could dramatically improve the future of rehabilitation for stroke patients, according to Penn State researcher Robert Sainburg, who proposed ...
Neuroscience Apr 16, 2013 | 5 / 5 (2) | 0 |
Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have developed a new stroke rehabilitation device which greatly improves recovery in stroke patients.
Neuroscience Apr 11, 2013 | 5 / 5 (3) | 0
In a study designed to differentiate why some stroke patients recover from aphasia and others do not, investigators have found that a compensatory reorganization of language function to right hemispheric brain regions bodes ...
Neuroscience Apr 04, 2013 | not rated yet | 0
A new study will help determine if an antibiotic is a partial antidote for the poisonous effect blood has on the brain following a hemorrhagic stroke, researchers say.
Cardiology Apr 01, 2013 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0 |
Two molecules may provide, for the first time, an indication of which stroke patients will suffer a further, long-term neurological deficit, allowing doctors to tailor treatment more effectively.
Cardiology Mar 27, 2013 | not rated yet | 0
Stroke patients are three times more likely to receive clot-busting medication if treated at a certified stroke center, according to a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Cardiology Mar 26, 2013 | not rated yet | 0
(HealthDay)—Pre-existing antiplatelet use does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of ischemic hemorrhage (ICH), according to an observational study published in the February issue of Academic Em ...
Cardiology Mar 25, 2013 | not rated yet | 0
(Medical Xpress)—The results of a major, multicenter clinical trial to determine the best treatment for younger patients who have strokes that are potentially due to a hole in the upper chambers of the heart has provided ...
Cardiology Mar 21, 2013 | not rated yet | 0 |
In an examination of long-term mortality after stroke, adults 50 years of age and younger who experienced a stroke had a significantly higher risk of death in the following 20 years compared with the general population, according ...
Cardiology Mar 19, 2013 | not rated yet | 0
(Medical Xpress)—When someone has a stroke, time equals brain. The longer a stroke is left untreated, the more brain tissue is lost. Since the only proven treatment—a clot-busting drug—works in less than half of patients, ...
Cardiology Mar 14, 2013 | not rated yet | 0 | <urn:uuid:ab114731-4162-4ac8-bce8-d14d617219e4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://medicalxpress.com/tags/stroke+patients/sort/date/all/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00021-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.929723 | 840 | 1.703125 | 2 |
The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) has launched a website that features articles, a toy store locator, play news and resources, a calendar of events, and a toy buying guide for parents. YourneighborhoodToyStore.org features the most up-to-date information on all kinds of toys and where to find the merchandise in the market. Local toy stores and experts in the toy industry can post articles on a wide range of topics, and the how-to section features craft tutorials, game ideas, and other projects. Parents have access to a store locator to find neighborhood toy stores by city, state, or zip code. ASTRA will post consumer news on the website that includes lists such as the annual Best Toys for Kids winners. Visitors can sign up for the weekly e-newsletter for more up-to-date information. Upcoming events at toy stores are posted in the Event Calendar section of the website and the toy buying guide provides parents with tips on how to find age-appropriate toys. The website also includes a section for toys for children with disabilities. | <urn:uuid:d8af6aa3-fb89-4fc0-b806-b7155cf12e4a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://toybook.com/astra-launches-yourneighborhoodtoystore-org/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938078 | 224 | 1.523438 | 2 |
E-5 is version 1.3 according to the Olympus Japan site.
dibilio57: Great detail in this shot. Interesting focal length, will you share some details?
Thanks for looking and commenting.Focal length is 350mm + 1.4TC on 2X crop camera body. The image was shot at the minimum focus distance of about10 feet and only cropped from landscape to portrait which is why there is so much detail.Gary
Thank you for the nice comments.
To start with I used a free program called The Photographer's Ephemeris to give me the exact time and location of the rising moon. The program provides all the information you need in order to choose a location where the moon will be rising over water (in this case) It could just as easily be used to determine the position of the moon rising over a mountain etc depending on your location and the type of shot you are trying to create.
This photograph was taken in two exposures and blended. The moon was shot at 1/25sec, f11 and the water was an almost full 5 second exposure. The only time you do this type of shot in one exposure is immediately after the moon clears the horizon, before it becomes too bright and the contrast is too great for a single exposure.
If you watch the moon rise timetables you can pick a time when the moon is rising just after sunset which will provide the warmer color of the moon and the reflections on the water.
Thanks you for taking the time to comment - always appreciated.
Thanks for commenting and voting - much appreciated.
Thanks for looking and commenting.
The kingbird nest was very close to the harrier nest and the harrier was returning from quite a distance away with its catch so it would not have been the kingbirds young. I had a blind set up near the harrier nest and observed the activity for about 3 weeks, so became quite familiar with the comings and goings. The kingbird would go after the harrier almost every time she returned to the nest, regardless of what prey she was returning with (usually mice).
The shot was taken at 123mm on the Olympus 50-200mm lens. The E-3 has a 2X crop factor and the submission form for challenges specifies 35mm equivalent focal length which is 246mm.
Differing camera crop factors can make this a little confusing.
Thanks for looking and commenting!
Thanks for looking and commenting! They are a very pretty little owl with very expressive eyes.
Thanks for looking and commenting! They are difficult little birds to locate, so when you do find them you don't want to have to leave without a good photo.
The sun had just set so there was still some colour hitting the moon and reflecting on to the water.
Thanks for the comment and for hosting the challenge, the subject seemed to fit this particular shot - was a lot of fun photographing these little guys.
At f 2.8 the OM 350 is still very sharp, however the depth of field is razor thin, even more so with the 1.4TC attached. Stopping down to f4 or 5.6 will render more of the birds in sharp focus and still isolate them from the background. | <urn:uuid:401480e7-1317-4903-9222-161c656f1230> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.dpreview.com/members/986766392/comments | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965642 | 661 | 1.773438 | 2 |
A chalazion is a small bump that appears on your eyelid because of a blocked oil gland. It can develop on the lower or upper eyelid, and it often disappears without treatment in about one month.
However, you should see a doctor if you think you might have a chalazion, especially if it is large enough to block your vision. In rare cases, chalazia are caused by skin cancer.
A chalazion is similar to a stye (an enflamed oil gland on the eyelid), but is usually smaller and less painful.
The bump that characterizes a chalazion is caused by a blockage in the Meibomian gland on the eyelid. Meibomian glands produce oil in both the upper and lower eyelids.
Certain people are more likely than others to get a chalazion. Common risk factors include:
A History of Chalazia
If you have had a chalazion in the past, you are at a slightly higher risk of getting another one.
If you often touch your eyelids with unclean hands, you may increase your risk of getting a chalazion because dirt can block your oil glands.
The most common symptoms of a chalazion are:
- a tender spot on your eyelid
- a hard lump on your eyelid that you have never seen before
- increased tearing of the eyes
- blurred or blocked vision
- sensitivity to light
Chalazia vs. Styes
Chalazia are sometimes confused with styes. You can tell the two types of eyelid lumps apart because chalazia do not usually hurt, while styes often do. In addition, chalazia are usually found away from the edge of the eyelid, while styes are most often found right on the eyelid edge. Even if you believe you have a chalazion, you should still see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
In most cases, a doctor can diagnose this condition by taking a close look at the lump on your eyelid. Your doctor will also ask about your symptoms to determine if the lump is a chalazion, a stye, or something else entirely.
The treatment for chalazia varies among patients.
Your doctor may give you either steroid eye drops or antibiotics to treat the chalazion. However, in many cases, it will go away on its own.
You should apply a warm compress to your eyelid several times a day for about 10 minutes at a time. This can reduce the swelling by softening the oils in the blocked gland, which should help the lump to drain on its own.
You may also be told to massage the lump gently a few times per day to try to drain it. Before you do this, make sure your hands and any compresses you use are clean.
If the chalazion does not go away within about one month, you should return to your doctor to discuss your options. When a chalazion does not heal after treatment, it may need to be surgically removed. This is especially true if it keeps growing, blocks your vision, or leads to an astigmatism (an abnormal curving of the cornea). Surgery is usually a last resort and it is rarely required because most chalazia clear up with a combination of medication and home remedies.
Most chalazia heal by themselves, either with no treatment or simple home care. In very rare cases, the suspected chalazion is caused by skin cancer, so your doctor may take a biopsy if the lump continues to grow or does not go away with treatment. This is why you should see a doctor to be diagnosed before assuming the lump is a chalazion.
It is not always possible to avoid getting a chalazion, especially if you are prone to this type of eye problem. However, you can reduce your chances of getting one by keeping dirt off your eyelids, which means keeping your face and hands clean. If you get chalazia often, you can use baby shampoo on your eyelids to keep the area clean without irritating your eyes.
You can also put a warm compress on your eyelids for a few minutes each night before bed. This makes your oil glands less likely to become blocked, which may reduce your chances of getting a chalazion. | <urn:uuid:d910d690-8e5e-4bd0-b0f1-75b935f3bb5f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.healthline.com/health/chalazion | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00044-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959702 | 914 | 3.15625 | 3 |
For years, there has been one constant challenge for United States and coalition military operations in Afghanistan: insufficient rotary wing aircraft. Rotary assets ferry supplies, carry soldiers, and provide air support all over the country. Put bluntly, helicopters are the coin-of-the-realm: the more you have, the more you can do. And we do not have enough.
There has been numerous attempts to rectify the dearth of rotary assets, including some rather shady ones. However, helicopters still remain one of the most needed military resources in Afghanistan.
In response to the deadly flooding in Pakistan, the Pakistani military reassigned some helicopters from combat operations to disaster relief. For its part, the US military provided six helicopters to the relief efforts, however it kept the bulk of its rotary wing assets in Afghanistan:
“It’s a question of risk mitigation,” the official said. “Helicopter lift is critical to the mission” in Afghanistan, where road transport is difficult and dangerous, he said. “It’s not like we have a great surplus of helicopters in theater that are not engaging.”
It would also be absurd to say that we can’t afford to divert resources from the war to emergency flood relief, when much of the story told on behalf of the war is 1) all about “winning hearts and minds” and 2) all about Pakistan; and when the press is reporting that Islamist militants in Pakistan are cleaning our clocks in the battle for flood relief.
However, it looks like the Marines are coming to the rescue. Today it was announced that USS Peleliu is waiting in international waters off the coast of Karachi with 19 Marine helicopters available for disaster relief missions. These aircraft will allow the six US helicopters mentioned above to return to combat operations.
This week’s row over the allocation of helicopters highlights a greater and largely undiscussed issue. In a world of finite resources, when the needs of hard power and soft power conflict over an asset, which takes priority?
The answer is not as straightforward as you think. Department Of Defense Instruction 6000.16 states:
“It is DoD policy that: a. MSOs [editor: Medical Stability Operations] are a core U.S. military mission that the DoD Military Health System (MHS) shall be prepared to conduct throughout all phases of conflict and across the range of military operations, including in combat and non-combat environments. MSOs shall be given priority comparable to combat operations and be explicitly addressed and integrated across all MHS activities including doctrine, organization, training, education, exercises, materiel, leadership, personnel, facilities, and planning in accordance with Reference (b).” [Emphasis: Mine] (Department Of Defense 6000.16, 1)
Thus, under 6000.16, in at least one part of the US military, soft power should be given the same access to resources as hard power operations. The reality is that the allocation of resources must be a compromise between soft and hard power roles, balancing the benefits of having a resource in one role with the costs of lacking a resource in another. That is the very essence of strategy.
Editor’s note: I published the wrong version of this post for a few minutes. All fixed now. Apologies from my end.
- Midrats this Sunday, May 17 2013 – Episode 167: Intellectual Integrity, PME, and NWC
- Remembering our Fallen Coast Guard Shipmates and their Families
- On Midrats 10 Mar 13, Episode 166: “Expeditionary Fleet Balance”
- Guest Post by LTJG Matthew Hipple: From Epipolae to Cyber War
- For Strength and Courage: Neptunus Lex | <urn:uuid:5b347ad8-88aa-4a16-9fb5-f536ea8f9f77> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blog.usni.org/2010/08/11/hard-power-soft-power-and-helicopters-2/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942788 | 778 | 2 | 2 |
Up at the very top of the public part of Mountain View Cemetery is this knocker. I think it has a mixture of rock types in it, but I haven’t lain down on it with my magnifier to tease them out. For now let’s call it greenstone, which is how the area is mapped. The stone is a bit dirty, unlike every other knocker in the yard. The groundskeepers ought to give it a good scrubbing with a water jet.
Across the road from here the other week, I passed a pile of rock and soil from a grave excavation and fingered a few of the stones—looked like a gray basalt. Greenstone is a mildly metamorphosed basalt; it often has wiggly veins of carbonate. See three examples starting here. It is somewhere between about 160 and 70 million years old, that is, Jurassic to Cretaceous.
The view of the bay and the city from up here is fantastic. The view of the hills has potential. The cemetery is slowly getting rid of the eucalyptus along the east side, and more and more of the lush hills and neighborhoods is visible every year. | <urn:uuid:02b080a2-ba9b-4e54-9031-0e3652ec9862> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://oaklandgeology.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/the-top-knocker-of-mountain-view-cemetery/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=c49b096ccc | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967509 | 245 | 1.890625 | 2 |
BY NATASHA BARSOTTI — For those of us who are intrigued about what makes people gay, US News & World Report says a new study suggests that homosexuals get the trait from their opposite-sex parents.
That is to say, a lesbian will usually acquire the trait from her father, while a gay man will get the trait from his mother, the report notes.
It's not a strictly genetic link, according to scientists from the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis. Instead, they say, it's epigenetic.
The study's lead author, evolutionary biologist William Rice, says homosexuality is linked to epi-marks, "extra layers of information that control how certain genes are expressed" and are usually, but not always, "erased" between generations. According to Rice, these epi-marks are not erased in homosexuals and are passed from father to daughter or mother to son.
If solely a genetic trait, homosexuality would eventually disappear because homosexuals "wouldn't be expected to reproduce." Epi-marks give an evolutionary advantage to parents of homosexuals, Rice continues, protecting "fathers of homosexuals from underexposure to testosterone and mothers of homosexuals from overexposure to testosterone while they are in gestation."
When the epi-marks carry over to opposite-sex children, it can lead to the masculinization of females and the feminization of males, he says, but he adds that only strong epi-marks will result in homosexual offspring.
Most mainstream biologists have "shied away" from studying why people are gay because of the social stigma, Rice told US News. "It's been swept under the rug; people are still stuck on this idea that it's unnatural. Well there are many examples of homosexuality in nature; it's very common," he oberves, noting that homosexual behaviour has been observed in black swans, penguins, sheep and other animals.
Rice says the model needs to be verified and has to be tested on parent-offspring pairs.
"We predict where the epi-marks occur; we just need other studies to look at it empirically. This can be tested and proven within six months. It's easy to test. If it's a bad idea, we can throw it away in short order," he says.
Landing image: Department of Ecology Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara | <urn:uuid:62696c8a-3241-408f-a451-9ce39b3a7f0f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.xtra.ca/blog/national/post/2012/12/12/Scientists-produce-another-study-on-why-people-are-gay.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00047-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950753 | 493 | 2.984375 | 3 |
27 October 2005
Maoist, through both force of arms and force of ideas, they have emerged as a formidable political organization, which will not be easily displaced. This background report seeks to fill in many of the gaps in order to provide policy makers in Nepal and international community with information and insights needed to approach a peace process.
Geographical coverage: Neoal
Source/Methodolgy: This background report is based on close study of their writing and actions and a wide range of interviews. The International Crisis Group is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization, with over 110 staff members on five continents, working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict.
Sector: Peace Support and Transition | <urn:uuid:24ca3ade-f82a-48e0-ab9d-c5537e9157ca> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://un.org.np/node/10401 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944183 | 153 | 1.960938 | 2 |
What's in a Name?
Everything, according to an amazing book about America.
A longer version of this essay appears as the introduction to the NYRB Classics reissue of Names on the Land.
On frozen winter nights in Minneapolis, I used to lie in the dark and listen to the high-school hockey scores. They were read out on the radio—hockey is always news in Minnesota—but I didn't much care who won. I was 10 or 11 years old, a little bit lonely and a little bit bored, and for some reason I found comfort and distraction listening to the names of towns and cities around the state. Hibbing, Cloquet, Eveleth: the pinch and chap of the Iron Range, with traces of the Finns and French who settled there. Crookston, Warroad, Thief River Falls: the dark romance of the forested northwest. Moorhead, Brainerd, Saint Cloud: the dull thud of the flat and unlovely middle and its Norwegian bachelor farmers. Pipestone, Owatonna, Blue Earth: the dreamy vowels of the riverine south. Did I want to go to these places? No more than I wanted to go to Narnia or Middle-Earth. But I found in their names a kind of secular liturgy, beautiful and full of promise. Only later, reading George Rippey Stewart's Names on the Land, did I discover that I wasn't alone. "Some are born great and some with a gift for laughter," Stewart wrote, trying to account for the origins of his own passion. "Others are born with a love of names."
Even those lucky in laughter or destined for greatness will recognize Names on the Land as a masterpiece of American writing and American history. First published in 1945 and about to be reissued in the NYRB Classics series, it is an epic account of how just about everything in America—creeks and valleys, rivers and mountains, streets and schools, towns and cities, counties and states, the country and continent itself—came to be named. Like other broad-minded and big-hearted works of American culture from the first half of the 20th century—H.L. Mencken's American Language, John Dos Passos' U.S.A.trilogy of novels, the Federal Writers' Project American Guide series, Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music—Names on the Land reflects a glorious union of two primal forces in the American mind. On one hand, Americanism: the inclination toward the large-scale and industrial, toward manifest destiny and the farthest shore, toward what a French critic a century ago called the American "worship of size, mass, quantity and numbers." On the other, Americana: the craving for the local and the lo-fi, for the inward heart of things, for the handcrafted and the homemade.
Stewart was born the same year as Lewis Mumford, 1895, and he shared Mumford's restless curiosity and the ease with which he wrote across different disciplines and genres. A scholar, novelist, travel writer, journalist, biographer, popular sociologist and ecologist, he may be best known for three other books: Ordeal by Hunger (1936), an account of the doomed Donner Party; Storm (1941), a novel about a horrific Pacific Ocean storm and its effects on man and environment, which is also the source of the lasting tradition of giving female names to major storms; and Earth Abides (1949), a post-apocalyptic science-fiction novel in which nearly the entire human race is destroyed by a virus. It is said to be the inspiration for Stephen King's The Stand.
But Stewart's grandest achievement is Names on the Land, a disguised wartime plea for the triumph of cardinal American virtues: buoyancy and tolerance, curiosity and confidence, love of the land and faith in the future. It is organized chronologically, from the land's earliest settlement by what we clumsily call Native Americans to the coming of European explorers, the creation of the United States, the closing of the frontier and finally World War II, the time of the book's composition.
This is no dry encyclopedia: Stewart writes with great narrative force. Take his account of the beginning of the Revolutionary War, when British soldiers fired on British colonialist militiamen—Americans!—at Lexington:
Then the firing came, and men lay dead upon the grass. The line wavered and broke, and perhaps some British officer thought: "Well, that's over!" Yet all day that news and that name spread outward from the village where women sat with their dead. Reuben Brown took the alarm west to Concord. It went east to meet the men of Salem and Marblehead, marching already. "They fired—our men are dead—Lexington! A new name in the land!" … Still farther it went, the name of that little village. What riders carried it, no one knows. By the waters of Clinch and Holston men listened. It took the Wilderness Road through Cumberland Gap. There at last in that western land, a thousand miles from the village green, it came in June to a camp of hunters. They heard the name and said, "Let us call this place Lexington." And so they did. … That was only the first of many. For now there was a new name in the land, and children learned it with their first words. At last the people had a symbol—not a stupid king across the ocean, but a name red with their own blood.
Matt Weiland is the deputy editor of the Paris Review and the editor, with Sean Wilsey, of State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America. Originally from Minneapolis, he lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with his wife and son. | <urn:uuid:f4b8ce8c-67c1-4e58-af29-2700f6cac193> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2008/06/whats_in_a_name.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 | 0.959394 | 1,197 | 2.421875 | 2 |
The O'Jays were one of Philadelphia soul's most popular and long-lived outfits, rivaled only by the Spinners as soul's greatest vocal group of the '70s. In their prime, the O'Jays' recordings epitomized the Philly soul sound: smooth, rich harmonies backed by elaborate arrangements, lush strings, and a touch of contemporary funk. They worked extensively with the legendary production/songwriting team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, becoming the flagship artist of the duo's Philadelphia International label. The O'Jays were equally at home singing sweet love ballads or uptempo dance tunes, the latter of which were often mouthpieces for Gamble & Huff's social concerns. Although the O'Jays couldn't sustain their widespread popularity in the post-disco age, they have continued to record steadily all the way up to the present day, modifying their production to keep up with the times.
The O'Jays were formed in 1958 in Canton, OH, where all five original members -- Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bill Isles, and Bobby Massey -- attended McKinley High School. Inspired to start a singing group after seeing a performance by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, they first called themselves the Triumphs, then switched to the Mascots in 1960. The Mascots made their recording debut in 1961 with the single "Miracles," issued on the Cincinnati-based King label. It earned them a fan in the influential Cleveland DJ Eddie O'Jay, who gave them some airplay and career advice; in turn, the group renamed itself the O'Jays in 1963, after having recorded for Apollo Records with producer Don Davis. Under their new name, the O'Jays signed with Imperial and hooked up with producer H.B. Barnum, who would helm their first charting single, 1963's "Lonely Drifter," plus several more singles that followed. Isles left the group in 1965 and was not replaced, leaving them a quartet; late in the year, they released their first-ever album, Comin' Through. In 1967, the O'Jays left Imperial for Bell, where they landed their first Top Ten single on the R&B charts, "I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (Than I Was Today)." Discouraged by the difficulty of following that success, the group members considered throwing in the towel until they met Gamble & Huff -- then working as a production team for the Neptune label -- in 1968. Gamble & Huff took an interest in the group, and they recorded several successful R&B singles together; however, Neptune folded in 1971, leaving the O'Jays in limbo, and Massey decided to exit the group.
Fortunately, Gamble & Huff formed their own label, Philadelphia International, and made the O'Jays -- now a trio -- one of their first signings. The O'Jays' label debut, Back Stabbers, released in 1972, became a classic landmark of Philly soul, and finally made them stars; the paranoid title track hit the pop Top Five, and the utopian "Love Train" went all the way to number one (both singles topped the R&B charts). It was the beginning of a remarkable run that produced nearly 30 chart singles over the course of the '70s, plus a series of best-selling albums and a bevy of number one hits on the R&B charts. The O'Jays followed up their breakthrough with another classic LP, Ship Ahoy, in 1973; it featured the number one R&B hit "For the Love of Money," a funky protest number that still ranks as one of their signature songs, as well as the ten-minute title track, an ambitious suite recounting the ocean journeys of African slaves. Released in 1975, Survival was another hit, spinning off the hits "Let Me Make Love to You" and the R&B number one "Give the People What They Want." Family Reunion found the O'Jays making concessions to the emerging disco sound, which got them their third Top Five pop hit in "I Love Music, Pt. 1." Unfortunately, William Powell was diagnosed with cancer that year, and although he continued to record with the group for a time (appearing on 1976's Message in Our Music), he was forced to retire from live performing, and passed away on May 26, 1977.
Powell's replacement was Sammy Strain, a 12-year veteran of Little Anthony & the Imperials. The O'Jays regrouped on the albums Travelin' at the Speed of Thought (1977) and So Full of Love (1978), the latter of which produced their final Top Five pop hit, "Use ta Be My Girl." Released in 1979, Identify Yourself began to show signs of wear and tear in the group's successful formula, and often consciously attempted to follow disco trends. Although it sold respectably, it marked the beginning of a decline in the O'Jays' commercial fortunes. Undaunted by the increasingly diminished returns of their early-'80s LPs, the group kept plugging away, and never completely disappeared from the R&B charts. They finally left Philadelphia International and signed with EMI for 1987's Let Me Touch You, which melded their classic sound with up-to-date urban-R&B production. Powered by the Gamble & Huff-penned R&B number one "Lovin' You," as well as the increased visibility of Eddie Levert's sons Gerald and Sean (two-thirds of the hit urban group LeVert), the album gave their career a much-needed shot in the arm.
Released in 1989, Serious supplied another big R&B hit in "Have You Had Your Love Today?"; with Nathaniel Best replacing Sammy Strain, 1991's Emotionally Yours and 1993's Heartbreaker also placed very well on the R&B charts. The O'Jays' comeback didn't really extend to the pop side, and didn't attract the sort of critical praise earned by their '70s classics; as the new jack swing craze subsided, so did the O'Jays' recording activity, though they remained consistent draws on the live circuit. In 1997, now with Eric Grant joining Levert and Williams, they returned with Love You to Tears. A recording layoff followed, during which the O'Jays signed with MCA; they debuted for the label with For the Love..., which was released in 2001. Imagination followed in 2004 on Sanctuary Records, while a new holiday album, Christmas with the O'Jays, appeared in 2010 from Saguaro Road Records.
Biography entry by Steve Huey
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Cardiac Engineering: The Cardiac Engineering lab develops and test medications, devices, and surgical techniques to reduce perioperative cardiovascular risk.
Art Wallace, M.D., Ph.D.’s research at UCSF has included numerous projects in animals and patients including both device development for surgical therapy of heart failure and the off pump CABG, as well as drug testing. He is best known for his work testing drugs for the prevention of perioperative cardiac morbidity and mortality. He was one of the developers of perioperative beta blockade and has assisted more than 150 hospitals set up perioperative beta blocker programs. His present work includes development of a medications to reduce perioperative cardiac risk, development of the ECOM cardiac output monitor, testing and development of surgical therapies for heart failure, implementation of perioperative beta blockade, developing therapies to prevent perioperative and ICU related PTSD, and developing computer systems to improve systems based medicine. He lectures extensively on cardiac risk reduction and has produced an on-line course on cardiac risk reduction. | <urn:uuid:7c35be29-34a1-487d-a3e8-aa6cd9c79c05> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://anesthesia.ucsf.edu/extranet/research/profile_wallacea.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942451 | 214 | 2.3125 | 2 |
Friday, September 19, 2008
A. Dionne Stallworth Interview
TransGriot Note: When I started the Transsistahs-Transbrothas Yahoo discussion list on January 1, 2004, all I was trying to do was provide a place for transpeople of African descent to have thoughtful discussions on the various issues that affected us.
Little did I know that I'd not only meet some wonderful people, but learn about some of my history makers as well in the process. One of the joys of founding this list has been getting to know and call history maker A. Dionne Stallworth my friend.
This was a recent interview conducted on September 14, 2008 by Genaro Urso with Dionne at www.stoppingthehate.com.
Dionne Stallworth has been a longtime advocate and activist concerning issues of mental health, homelessness, people of color, and equality for all LGBTIQ people.
Among her many accomplishments, Dionne was one of the original founding members of GenderPAC, a former officer and board member of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association, founded and ran the first organization in Philadelphia dealing with the issues of transgender youth of color, and one of the founding members and original co-chair of the Philadelphia–based Transgender Health Action Coalition.
Dionne is currently the Resident Activities Coordinator for In Community, a housing program run by the internationally known and respected non-profit organization, Project H. O. M. E. Part of her responsibilities include aiding in the development of educational and entertaining activities for program residents, including direct oversight of an interactive film series program called “Community Night at the Movies” – which recently celebrated its 1st anniversary. She is a public grant reviewer for the National Institute of Mental Health and is working on the development of a pilot transgender-specific shelter project.
What do you think the most perplexing issue facing transgendered people is?
I think the biggest issue we face is how we see ourselves and how we define ourselves. Unlike most other movements, we have never defined ourselves and as such, we become defined by others who are not us. It separates us from would be allies and each other. Without that definition, we can't even begin to have a conversation about what we need, what we want, or what we want the future to look like for ourselves.
Over the last year there has been a deep seeded division between the trans community and the GLB community. Do you think it is better served to redefine the trans role with the HRC or should Trans people seek their own organization to lobby Washington?
Someone so much wiser than me said: "Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it." That being said, historically, LGB organizations have failed miserably to recognize the fact more often than not - issues of gender-variant people are more theirs, than the other way around. At the peak of the dot com boom, I chose the online name of "A. Dionne Stallworth" as a political statement and as an active form of protest against that type of bigotry and lack of vision. LGB people for a long time have been called "children of the rainbow;" Gender-variant people are "children of the prism."
We are crystal by which all of them have become visible. As for the 2nd part of the question, about forming our organizations, our organizations need to meet and agree on a definition of who we are without clinging to other people's definition of who we are. Until that happens, we are like Jews who were lost in the wilderness for 40 years. Another wise person said: "The only way to have freedom of the press is to own the press." We will only come to our destiny if we define who we are and not before.
What is the biggest misconception you feel faces transgendered women?
I think some of us think because of our experience we experience everything a genetic or biological woman does. This is not possible. It is a fact. We will never know what is to experience menses or giving birth. Most of us will never know what it means to grow up female in a patriarchal society. This has left its scar upon us and why so many of us have a hard time during transition. Male privilege is hard to shake, especially for white men. This does not negate our femaleness, but it makes our experience different and we should recognize it. We should embrace it.
Another big problem is feminism. Not so many years ago, women were saying that we are not defined by our vaginas and our ovaries. In the last 15 years, I'd say that is how women are redefining themselves - which make that harder for us as women of a trans or intersexed experience as women of ...etc.
Many of the stereotypes facing Trans people from what they see on TV and the movies how do those stereotypes play out in corporate America?
I think western women are beginning to embrace the power of the imagery of sexuality and sensuality. The problem is how does that power translate itself into economic and social power. As I said previously, the mark of male privilege is upon us. As intersexed or transwoman, we are versed in corporate warfare on an instinctual level because these are the social cues that were imposed on us. I still find it surprising that women who are in business have no knowledge of Sun Tzu (The Art of War) or The Prince and still have no idea what is being perpetrated upon them.
As for the stereotypes of us, we see.... my agreement for self-definition is never more applicable.
What do you feel the biggest advancement has been in the GLBT community over the last 40 years?
The same thing that caused LGBs to make gender-variant people the flavor of the millennium and killing us at the same time - HIV/AIDS. As the 1st three waves of the disease hit them and destroyed most of our part in their history, they discovered that we were the means to keep their attempts at dealing with the epidemic funded. This epidemic is forcing down a lot of the old barriers to working together, but racism is still a big part of who we are as a country and as a culture. When we can get past it, maybe there might be hope for all of us as a species.
Even within the trans community there is some separation between non op, pre op and post op . Do you think the ties that bind you are more important to the physical difference?
I think the explanation of how women see themselves exacerbates this divide. That being said, we exist in a gender binary and despite the people who transcend gender as a political statement or the scientific truth that we are all a combination of both genders - this is the way our world sees gender and sex.
Where do you see the GLBTIQ community in the next 10 years?
Unfortunately, I think we will probably be about where we are right now. There is nothing in current events to suggest to me otherwise. Wish I could be more optimistic, but that's how I see it.
What areas do you think would best serve in bringing unity to the GLBT community?
I think the answer to this is relatively simple;however, the actualization is a
lot more complicated. I think the 1st thing that needs to happen is the
acknowledgment on the part of LGBTIQ leadership that gender-variant people are equal partners in our collective history and our impending future.
I also think that the spectres of classism and racism will have to be fought on all levels. Presently, I don't think the status quo has the courage and vision to make these adjustments. So, we will continue to fight each other and watch as our political foes threaten our very existence while the bigots and hate mongers continue killing us in even larger numbers. While this not true of all the leadership, it is far too prevalent - which is my answer and outlook is rather grim. | <urn:uuid:61025767-d5dc-4a39-9163-c38efb35c3c4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2008/09/dionne-stallworth-interview.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974266 | 1,638 | 1.875 | 2 |
Listening to the past and talking to the future
ESA astronaut Tim Peake recently spent 12 days underwater with three other aquanauts to look at the best ways for astronauts to explore an asteroid. Behind the scenes, a large support team was learning through experience.
No effort was spared to make the experience as realistic as possible. This Neemo mission simulated a mission to an asteroid 15 million km from Earth, almost 39 times further than the Moon.
At this distance, it would take a message from Earth around 50 seconds to reach the crew.
If an astronaut replied to a message from ground control immediately, people on Earth would still have to wait a minimum of 1 minute and 40 seconds before hearing the reply. Any urgent questions or interruptions are impossible.
Neemo was the first complex operation where the astronauts and mission control had to work with a time delay, so they had to learn how it affects communications.
ESA’s Hervé Stevenin has years of experience as crew communicator for the International Space Station and was invited to be a capcom for Neemo: “On the Station, when we talk to astronauts the reply is instantaneous.
“With Neemo, we had to completely rethink communications – we were listening to the past and talking to the future at the same time.”
Underwater chatting through time
The mission controllers quickly found ways to work with the communication delay. First of all, stopwatches reminded them when to expect a reply from the underwater astronauts.
Then it became obvious that some voice messages should be announced. Hervé explains, “We introduced important messages by announcing the addressee and subject.
“For example, ‘Aquarius, MCC [Mission Control Centre], on Space to Ground One, incoming message in 10 seconds for Tim and geophysical array deployment.’”
The pause gave the aquanauts time to stop what they were doing and pay attention. This avoided repeating messages, which could delay work for three minutes or more.
Finally, a new communication system was tested. Many non-urgent messages were sent through a text chat programme that allowed multiple chats at the same time, similar to chat programmes on the Internet. Astronauts could read messages and reply in their own time.
Text chat: best for an asteroid mission
Hervé adds: “We found that text chat is the most appropriate communication system for an asteroid mission, accompanied by voice messages to keep a human touch.
“If a voice message is complex, texting the same message as well is very helpful.”
This Neemo mission was one of the most complex underwater simulations ever conducted. More than 80 engineers, divers and others worked 14-hour days to support the aquanauts from NASA’s mobile mission control, boats anchored above the Aquarius base, and even from submersibles.
In addition to communication duties, Hervé supported Neemo as a scuba diver: “Being a Neemo working diver helped capcoms to understand the constraints and challenges of the environment in which the aquanauts were working.” | <urn:uuid:179b2143-b874-4857-bb32-7712bc86a528> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Listening_to_the_past_and_talking_to_the_future | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959325 | 644 | 2.96875 | 3 |
The end of your post is really the important bit:
information regarding what best suits the needs of database administrators.
So let's start there.
What are your needs as a DBA? You generally have two realms of operation: system level maintenance, and database level maintenance (whereby all actions are merely maintaining the system for better performance ... look, don't get pedantic, go with me here). So you have two realms to consider.
ksh - The Korn Shell is one of the older Unix operational shells, used to control the server. The goal of ksh is to manage a server, and allow one to do all the things that the traditional Bourne shell (not the Bourne Again SHell that most people are familiar with, this is older vintage) allowed, with a few differences (this shell had better support for things like arithmetic and arrays, making it easier to program in some regards). It is the default shell on AIX.
perl - Perl is a high-level general purpose programming language. It is designed to be run on top of a shell, and was designed primarily with reporting in mind. It combined features of shell scripting and C, as well as regex technologies to attempt to make it better than all of the previous. A lot of admins around the planet like perl because it makes system management easier, because of the combination of shell capabilities and report generation speed up (it being a programming language). Perl scripts can be run as simply as shell scripts, and there is even a convention in the Unix world of having the first line indicate what will run the script (the familiar hashbang line). So running perl scripts is as easy as running a shell script.
The difference, then, is do you need a full-fledged programming language, or do you need a basic shell script? The answer then becomes use the one that gives what you need, as both are highly useful to you. If you want stats, that's impossible to give, we each have our own style. Just agree on something internally and call it that (if you're going to set a standard, make it perl as that has more features, and you never want to get your hand caught because you set an unrealistic standard. Perl is also more extensible in the future). Better to restrict yourself to two or three languages in this case.
Back at the beginning I mentioned that you have two options: system level and database level.
If your purpose is primarily system level, then we've answered all the questions here (use the one that suits your needs). If you also need to program into the database then you really need to just standardize on perl or get really used to command line syntaxes, because Perl has modules for every conceivable database on the planet somewhere, and if one doesn't exist, it can be written (example: DBI -> DBD:DB2 -> DB2 client).
As an aside, I do Microsoft SQL Server and C#, so I live in the Windows world, and I use PowerShell over DOS Batch files. PowerShell is in many ways similar to perl, and gives me a lot more flexibility than DOS batch programming (but there are plenty of admins in the world still using old DOS scripts to manage their systems). While the DOS Batch system allows for arrays, loops, variables and all the rest, it's much easier to program in a programming language instead of a shell script, so I'm able to be much more productive.
At the end of the day, the real question is what features do you need in your scripting environment, and we can't help you with that. But I will always opt for more clarity, maintainability and extensibility, over "this is what shipped in the box". | <urn:uuid:cb1d38d0-f94c-4e18-ad1f-6c3d896c89a8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://dba.stackexchange.com/questions/31366/perl-vs-ksh-for-unix-database-administration | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952427 | 763 | 2.234375 | 2 |
Veggies in disguise
Here are a few words rarely heard in the annals of culinary lore: "If you're not going to finish those Brussels sprouts, can I have them?"
Let's face it: Even though we know vegetables are good for us, most obligate carnivores like me consider veggies just a little bit, well, boring. Give me a nice juicy steak and I'm happy; and I'll gladly consume just about anything on pasta. But the vegetable course too often seems like an afterthought, a dish to be borne out of duty but not with any real pleasure.
I'm always trying to improve my ways, though, and one approach I've found helpful is to play "disguise the veggie," inventing creative ways to present the same old, same old as something new and interesting.
Today, in place of the usual detailed recipe, let's talk about procedures I used to make two often-shunned vegetables into something that might just make you want to come back for a second helping.
Next time you have a few broccoli "trees" in the fridge, don't throw away the "trunks" after preparing the florets in the traditional way. (Hint: A dollop of cheese sauce or hollandaise can make those boring old florets more appealing, if you don't mind the calories.) Anyway, another night, take out the reserved broccoli stems. Cut off the tough, woody end, peel them lightly if you prefer for esthetic reasons, although it's not really necessary. Then cut the stems into long, thin strips, using a chef's knife or, for efficiency, your food processor's shredding disk.
You can use these strips very much like short strands of spaghetti. Steam them briefly, until just crisp-tender, or sautee them in olive oil with a little garlic, then sauce with your choice of toppings. Marinara or Italian meat sauce would be nice; I went the quick and easy route by simply tossing the shreds with a splash of heavy cream (a couple of tablespoons) and a shake of ground cumin, salt and pepper, stirring over high heat until the cream thickened a little.
<B>BRUSSELS SPROUT "SLAW"</B>
Ranging in size from marble to golf ball, these dark-green spheres resemble baby cabbages, and they typically suffer the same mistreatment as cabbage often does at the hands of careless cooks, who tend to overcook them into nasty, mushy, stinky orbs. Undercooking doesn't do much more for them, yielding hard, chewy bites. (If you can master the timing issue, though, the perfectly cooked whole sprout can be much improved by tossing in a bath of browned butter, salt and pepper and chopped pecans.)
Here's a technique that solves the problem entirely by deconstructing the hard balls into a light, quick-cooking "slaw." To serve two, take about 8 to 10 ounces (250-300g) Brussels sprouts (maybe six to 12 of them, depending on size). Rinse them, cut off and discard the stem end, then, starting at the top, cut them crosswise into very thin slices. Put the result in a bowl, stir to break up the slices into individual strands. These can be cooked up very quickly - a quick blanching in boiling salted water or a fast sauté - either way, less than a minute's cooking time is all you need.
You can serve the result as a standard green vegetable, topped with a pat of butter; but once you've come this far, I suggest saucing them with something a little more interesting to turn that once-boring veggie course into something more like a reward. I fashioned a quick bechamel sauce - a quick <i>roux</i> of 1 tablespoon butter, 2 tablespoons flour, whisk over medium-high heat until the <i>roux</i> turns reddish-brown, then add 1 cup hot milk and whisk over medium heat until thickened - then flavored it with 1/2 teaspoon (3g) ground coriander seed, 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger and 2 tablespoons (30g) fresh-squeezed orange juice. Simmer for a few moments to let the flavors blend, then stir the just-blanched "slaw" into the sauce.
<B>WINE MATCH:</B> Assuming these preps are served as a side dish to a main course, you'll choose wine to match the meat or protein centerpiece, not the veggie. If you like to experiment, though, try a "match-likes-with-likes" approach with a herbaceous-style white, perhaps a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or Sancerre or a White Bordeaux. For a different kind of match, look for a white with floral character - a Spanish Albariño, Portuguese Vinho Verde or French or New World Viognier. | <urn:uuid:b2535afb-58ed-43bb-a888-8307e8cb1240> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/village/viewtopic.php?p=5754 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00067-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940627 | 1,049 | 1.5 | 2 |
TURNS OUT, SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS TWEAKING THE COLOR OF A BUTTON CHANGES USER BEHAVIOR OR ENDEARS PEOPLE TO YOUR PRODUCT. BUFFER'S LEO WIDRICH EXPLAINS THE IMPORTANCE OF COLOR IN WEBSITE AND BRAND DESIGN.
Why is Facebook blue? According to The New Yorker, the reason is simple. It’s because Mark Zuckerberg is red-green color blind; blue is the color Mark can see the best.
Not highly scientific, right? That may not be the case for Facebook, but there are some amazing examples of how colors actually affect our purchasing decisions. After all, sight is the strongest developed sense in most human beings. It’s only natural that 90% of an assessment for trying out a product is made by color alone.
So how do colors really affect us, and what is the science of colors in marketing, really? As we strive to make improvements to our product at Buffer, studying this phenomenon is key. Let’s dig into some of the latest, most interesting research on it.
First: Can you recognize the online brands just based on color?
Before we dive into the research, here are some awesome experiments that show you how powerful color alone really is. Based on just the colors of the buttons, can you guess which company belongs to each of them?
Example 1 (easy):
These awesome examples from YouTube designer Marc Hemeon, I think, show the real power of color more than any study could.
How many were you able to guess? (All the answers are at the bottom of this post!)
Which colors trigger which feeling for us?
Being completely conscious about what color triggers us to think in which way isn’t always obvious. The Logo Company has come up with an amazing breakdown that shows which colors are best for which companies and why. Here are 4 great examples:
When we feel compelled to buy something, color can play a major role. Analytics company KISSmetrics created an amazing infographic on the science of how colors affect our purchases.
Green stands out to me as the most relaxing color we can use to make buying easier. We didn’t intentionally choose this as the main color for Buffer--although it seems to have worked very well so far.
At second look, I also realized how frequently black is used for luxury products. Here is the full infographic:
How to improve your marketing with better use of colors:
This all might be fairly entertaining, but what are some actual decisions we can apply today to our website or app? The answer comes yet again from some great research done by the good folks over at KISSmetrics.
If you are building an app that mainly targets women, KISSmetrics suggests that women love blue, purple, and green, and dislike orange, brown, and gray.
In case your app is strictly targeting men, the rules of the game are slightly different. Men love blue, green, and black, but can do without brown, orange, and purple.
They started out by trying to guess the outcome of a simple choice between two colors (green and red) and trying to guess what would happen.
“Green connotes ideas like 'natural' and 'environment,' and given its wide use in traffic lights, suggests the idea of 'go' or forward movement. The color red, on the other hand, is often thought to communicate excitement, passion, blood, and warning. It is also used as the color for stopping at traffic lights. Red is also known to be eye-catching.”
So, clearly an A/B test between green and red would result in green, the more friendly color. At least that was their guess. Here is what their experiment looked like:
So how did that experiment turn out? The answer was surprising: The red button outperformed the green button by 21%.
What’s most important to consider is that nothing else was changed at all: 21% more people clicked on the red button than on the green button. Everything else on the pages was the same, so it was only the button color that made this difference.
This definitely made me wonder: If we were to read all the research before this experiment and ask every researcher which version they would guess would perform better, I’m sure green would be the answer in nearly all cases. Not so much.
At my company, we’ve also conducted dozens of experiments to improve our conversion rates using changes of colors. While the results weren’t as clear, we still saw a huge change. One hypothesis is that for a social media sharing tool, there is less of a barrier to signup, which makes the differences less significant.
Despite all the studies, generalizations are extremely hard to make. Whatever change you make, treat it first as a hypothesis, and see if the actual experiment supports your ideas. Personally, I’m always very prone to go with opinion based on research I’ve come across. Yet, data always beats opinion, no matter what.
Quick last fact: Why are hyperlinks blue?
This is something that always interested me and is actually a fun story. In short, it's offers the highest contrast between the colors used on early websites.
Here is the full explanation:
“Tim Berners-Lee, the main inventor of the web, is believed to be the man who first made hyperlinks blue. Mosaic, a very early web browser, displayed webpages with a (ugly) gray background and black text. The darkest color available at the time that was not the same as the black text was that blue color. Therefore, to make links stand apart from plain text, but still be readable, the color blue was selected.”
I think it's fascinating that tweaking something as small as the color can completely change an outcome. What have been your findings in terms of colors and marketing? Tell me about it in the comments.
Solution to the riddle: Example 1: Facebook, Example 2: Google, Example 3: Flickr, Example 4: LinkedIn
COMMENTARY: According to Harris Interative, here are the brands held in highest esteem in 2012 by the 19,000 random people who participated in the poll (along with our attempts to figure out how they got there):
- Amazon: It could be the fact that Amazon remains the first and biggest online retailer with a reputation for security and an endless inventory. It could be the brand’s truly innovative recommendation system. Or it could be Amazon’s plan to create its own “virtual” currency – because no dishonest individual would ever make his own money, right?
- Apple: Of course the public respects a brand that has long dominated the world of innovative technology and customer service. But Apple hasn’t released any “wow” products for a while, and the company’s new semi-desperate PR approach tells us that they probably won’t rank so high next year.
- The Walt Disney Company: We could be wrong, but we’d like to think people trust Disney because Pixar still somehow manages to make great movies. We also feel like everyone took a cue from the horrible promo campaign and skipped John Carter.
- Google: The “Don’t be evil” company’s “premature” earnings statement was a big PR fail, but it has maintained a reputation as a great place to work. And we don’t care how many cute videos Microsoft releases–we’re still not going to use Bing.
- Johnson & Johnson: We find this one surprising in light of all the product recall business. But the PR team did as well as it could with damage control, and any brand known as “the baby company” has already earned some trust from the public. Keep your eye on J&J next year, though.
- Coca-Cola: While some say that the public loves Coke because it “sells happiness”, we will attribute this position to its bold decision to admit that Americans should probably consume a little less of its product unless they want to end up like this unfortunate lady. It can’t be because our fellow Americans trust Taylor Swift more than Beyoncé–Bey would never write a breakup song that is so obviously about John Mayer.
- Whole Foods: It’s expensive–and its CEO is very good at placing his foot in his mouth. But Whole Foods does sell top-quality products, and it’s well-known for its CSR and purpose marketing successes. The whole “in-store drinking” experiment was pretty cool too.
- Sony: “Green” isn’t everything–quality products like the ever-popular Playstation guarantee a good reputation for Sony, which seems to have emerged from a 2011 hacking scandal with an even stronger public image. It also gets great marks for customer service.
- Procter & Gamble: The other “baby company” has always earned high marks for leadership within its industry. We don’t quite understand why, but we’re going to say “Moms. Moms. Moms.”
- Costco: It’s simple: people love cheap stuff. People also love underdogs, a tag that could apply to any company competing with Walmart. Costco also doesn’t have too many problems with things like fake PR stunts, terrible labor practices, large-scale employee protests or testy relationships with major media outlets.
Here they are, along with our past and present theories on why they suck:
- JC Penney: The brand clearly doesn’t listen to its customers (strike one). It consistently disappoints its investors (strike two). And while the Ellen Degeneres controversy was bad news, we think we can blame consistently poor management for strike three.
- Dish Network: Sure, they invent cool things sometimes, but customers and employees still hate them! They’re two for two!
- T-Mobile: The AT&T merger was the only thing that could have saved this “challenger brand.”
- Facebook: We don’t even know where to start…
- Citigroup: We’re going to say the decision to fire 11,000 people right before Christmas had something to do with this one (but it’s probably just the investors again).
- Research In Motion, Ltd.: Do you know anyone who still owns a Blackberry? Neither do we.
- American Airlines: Poor public relations? Poor employee relations? Celebrity snafus? They’ve got it all, baby!
- Nokia: A phone company that fell behind on the smartphone trend? We don’t know if the world’s best PR can save them now.
- Sears: Well, we don’t think it’s the obnoxious Black Friday sales or the “poor” employee reviews…but it might have something to do with a gradual 60% stock drop and the graceless resignation of a CEO who couldn’t quite point the ship in the right direction.
- Hewlett-Packard: The “end of the PC” doesn’t bode well for one of its top two producers. Also: The company is notorious for awful management, and “accounting improprieties“–and employees who mention “misplaced priorities” don’t rate the experience very highly. All good things!
Column Five and Marketo developed the following infographic which analyzes the importance of colors to your business and what it says about your business: | <urn:uuid:98f43559-9b94-4b75-92d2-b9f6930c9158> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://tommytoy.typepad.com/tommy-toy-pbt-consultin/consumers/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956251 | 2,435 | 1.945313 | 2 |
Furniture rarely bares any resemblance to the raw material it came from. The Second Skin chair seeks to change that. Design studio Lotte Van Laatum first gathered second hand furniture for the oak required to construct the chair, and then modeled the chair as though it were still a tree.
The Second Skin chair has notches and nooks, just like the tree it once came from. The construction is eco-friendly, and the design is an unusual statement on the materials around us.
Re-Naturalized Eco Furnishings
6,740 clicks in 182 w
More Stats +/- | <urn:uuid:b4e555e8-50d8-478c-b7e4-166fbb6d2a29> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/second-skin-chair | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939105 | 121 | 1.703125 | 2 |
Top: John S. Allen's Home Page
Up: Table of Contents
Next: Appendix A
1. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is the regional planning agency for the Boston metropolitan area, with 101 member communities. The other project, which is ongoing, is an employer-based incentive program for bicycle commuting.
2. Cross, K. A Study of Bicycle/Motor-Vehicle Accidents: Identification of Problem Types and Countermeasure Approaches. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Transportation, September, 1977. Contract No. DOT-HS-00982 (Available from NTIS); Williams, J. "'Crossing' Your Accident Statistics" in Bicycle Forum, Volume 8 (Winter, 1981-1982), pp. 22-23.
3. Environmental Protection Agency, Bicycling and Air Quality Information Document (Office of Transportation and Land Use Policy, September, 1979), p. 18.
4. Cross, p. 1.
5. The similarity of the sample to all reported accidents in the study area was examined on the variables of month and city/town of accident. A high City/Town; correlation was found (Pearson's Chi-Square, p < .05, 34 df "p G 02, 34 df, Month).
6. This sample size allows generalization of the distribution of accident classes to the study area as a whole at a confidence level of approximately 90 percent. Any other breakdown of the data, such as into accident types or age groups, will differ in the extent to which they can be generalized.
7. U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Computer and Manual Accident Typing For Bicyclist Accidents: Administrator's Guide (DOT-HS-806344), January, 1983, p. 6.
8. Readers are encouraged to contact Wendy Plotkin at MAPC (617-451-2770) to request a detailed written description of the methodology. This will include a discussion of the problems involved in obtaining a record of bicycle-motor vehicle accidents, selecting a sample, retrieving the data (both from centralized state and local police files), using the data and classifying the accidents. This may be useful for other groups considering undertaking a similar study. The Manual Accident Typing Administrator's Guide contains a good discussion of potential problems as well (see Note 7).
9. In calculating the percentages for the frequencies, only the cases in which information was available on the variable being studied were included.
10. Significance tests for all comparisons in Sections II and III are being computed and will be available in February, 1984.
11. Buckley, C.. A.. Bicycle Traffic Volumes in Metropolitan Boston (Central Boston, MA. Transportation Planning Staff," December, 1982), pp. 11-12.
12. Traffic control information on the operators' reports proved to be unreliable when checked against the reviewer's knowledge of the intersection. This was generally true where the operator reported "No Controls." For this reason, all intersections where this choice was checked off on operators' reports were verified with the local police department. The figures above are based on the verified information. | <urn:uuid:bcdb1213-f32f-4844-a101-09f2c9557027> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bikexprt.com/research/ctps/notes.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.907532 | 657 | 1.726563 | 2 |
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Infographic illustrating how we voice recognition by computers has improved over the years.
An article exploring the barriers to automatic translation by computers
A good article about how robots and computers are working towards understanding emotions.
Detailed compendium on research at IBM aimed at improving current computer technology and inventing new technologies, including quantum informations and nanotechnology.
Explains the use of car computers, from HowStuffWorks.com.
A brief description of how DNA Computers Will work. This site is part of Marshall Brain's HowStuffWorks.com.
A great demonstration of artificial intelligence - can you beat the computer?
An article looking at female computers and the role they played in the development of science.
A look at the mathematical calculations women did during world war II that earnt them the names of female computers.
These pages takes a fascinating look inside the world of computers and the internet. There is good use of colour and the site makes good use of flash to explain computers, microprocessors, the ...
Showing 11 - 20 of 158 | <urn:uuid:9e4e0aae-2fae-4111-94ed-875d204ba7cb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.physics.org/explore-results-all.asp?currentpage=2&age=0&knowledge=0&q=quantum%20computers | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00053-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.900514 | 311 | 3.171875 | 3 |
What causes an allergy?
In most cases involving allergies, the body's immune system overreacts to allergens (foreign objects in the body), and produces excessive reactive symptoms. When a foreign object enters the body of an allergic person, the immune system produces IgE antibodies for that specific allergen. The next time that the allergen enters the body, IgE antibodies attempt to find the allergen ... and can trigger the release of several chemicals, including histamine. The chemicals create symptoms of allergies including inflammation, coughing, sneezing, asthma, and other allergic reactions.
Common allergens include:
The environment may play a role determining which allergens people react to. Family medical history also plays a role in predicting allergic reaction. For example, if a parent has been diagnosed with allergies, then children are more likely to experience the same allergies, especially if both parents have allergic reactions. And, if you have allergies for one type of allergen, then you are more likely to have allergic reactions to other types of allergens. However, while family history is important to understanding if you may have allergies similar to your family, it is important to remember that not everyone develops allergies even when exposed to the same allergen.
Allergic reactions differ according to the type of allergen (e.g. plants versus chemicals), and physical location affected (e.g. skin or a runny nose). In most cases, allergic reactions are not dangerous, although they can be uncomfortable. Severe allergic reactions to an insect sting or medication that can result in life-threatening conditions are known as anaphylaxis; this condition requires immediate emergency medical attention to prevent death. To better understand common symptoms of allergies and compare these with more serious allergic reactions, read our symptoms of allergies section now for more information. | <urn:uuid:1c4ecd2c-9f91-409f-9346-bd343423cf09> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ehealthforum.com/healthcenter/allergies/allergy_causes_and__risk_factors-e460.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.934113 | 371 | 4.0625 | 4 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2012
WEKIVA WILD AND SCENIC RIVER MANAGEMENT PLAN UNVEILED ON THURSDAY
~Florida's Wekiva River System second in the state to get national designation ~
The National Parks Service has recognized the 41.6 miles of the Wekiva River System to include wild, scenic and recreational uses.
SANFORD – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will participate in the dedication ceremony for the Wekiva Wild and Scenic River comprehensive management plan during an event scheduled for Thursday in Sanford.
The National Parks Service designated the Wekiva River System a National Wild and Scenic River in 2000, making it only the second Florida river to get the national designation. It joined the Loxahatchee River, which was designated in 1985. The Wekiva River System is northwest of Orlando and is within Orange, Seminole and Lake counties.
Thursday, a comprehensive management plan dedication ceremony includes invited speaker DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr., along with local, state and federal officials.
The ceremony will take place:
Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park, Katie's Landing
May 17, 2012
10 a.m. to noon
262 Wekiva Parkway Drive | <urn:uuid:dbcf991f-54ea-49f2-86fb-d010f7374ee9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/FLDEP-401b51 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.911973 | 271 | 1.859375 | 2 |
Hospitals are complex environments and operate, in many ways, like mini-cities within a city. AKRF understands the myriad issues confronted by hospitals as they seek to enhance their operations or expand their services in neighborhoods that are often already built-out.
Construction of new facilities, and the retrofitting of older buildings with 21st century medical or building systems technology and patient care protocols each present their own sets of challenges. We have assisted hospitals with assignments as seemingly small as air quality permitting for a new laboratory and as grand as environmental assessment of a new master plan for a 200-acre hospital campus.
Our project experience includes:
- New York University Medical Center, New York, NY
- Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, NY
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Cornell University Weill Medical College, New York, NY
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- New York Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains, NY
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY | <urn:uuid:87654063-4527-4238-8d49-64943c5fa79e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.akrf.com/experience/hospitals | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950116 | 210 | 1.78125 | 2 |
News: News Archives
Minority Scientists Network: New Voices in Science
“Opening up to different cultures can be scary at first because we tend to gravitate to members of our own ethnicity,” doctoral candidate Chanel Fortier notes in a candid essay posted to the Minority Scientists Network, a new AAAS web site. Studying in diverse student groups, solid time-management skills, and good preparation has kept Fortier--an African-American student at a predominantly white university--on the road toward success as a chemist.
At the heart of the Minority Scientists Network are individual voices, sharing personal experiences. These snapshots offer a glimpse into the private pathways chosen by successful minority scientists, and the strategies that effectively help keep them on course. Student essays, in particular, reveal the obstacles that may confront underrepresented scientists, and their tactics for overcoming barriers.
Ruth Hopkins, an American Indian of South Dakota’s Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, was inspired by a high-school science teacher. But, at age 17, her academic pursuits were derailed by poverty, gangs, and pregnancy. “I know what it’s like to live in a slum and spend my last dime on diapers for the baby,” Hopkins explains on MiSciNet, a joint effort of the AAAS Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR) and Science’s Next Wave , the career-development site. Today, Hopkins is a senior biology major/chemistry minor at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. When asked how she manages to juggle school with raising three children, including a son with autism, Hopkins points to her multi-tasking and organizational skills. But, what’s the single most important key to her success? “You have to want it REALLY bad!” she says.
Hopkins, Fortier, and other emerging voices on MiSciNet offer crucial lessons in recruiting and retaining underrepresented minority scientists. Hopkins, for example, says she wound up at the University of North Dakota primarily because “it came looking for me,” and “there were several American Indian staff, faculty, and advisors that could serve as role models for me.” Fortier looked for career stepping stones in the form of clubs and organizations that help African-American students advance in the sciences.
A “Heros and Sheros” feature, for example, offers insights to the success strategies of scientists like Raymond Johnson and Juan E. Gilbert: Johnson is a professor and former mathematics chair at the University of Maryland-College Park, whose academic career started in a two-room, all-black schoolhouse in Alice, Texas. Gilbert, a professor of computer science at Auburn University, recounts a crucial, early exchange with mentor David C. Haddad. After waking Gilbert during class, Haddad promised to hire the young student if he would earn a Ph.D. in computer science. “I was expecting a scolding,” Gilbert recalls, “but this meeting changed my life forever.”
-- Ginger Pinholster
See related article, “Online Efforts to Diversity Ranks of Top Scientists.” | <urn:uuid:3644615f-d38c-4508-b19a-f7fc777b4337> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2002/voices.shtml | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946005 | 660 | 2.5625 | 3 |
Anyone thinking a medieval town with a 2,000-year-old history might be slightly on the quiet side is greatly mistaken: Regensburg is anything but dull. World heritage comes to life in the individual historical buildings and squares but, above all, in the town that they form. What's more, this is a town for fun-lovers with the highest concentration of bars in Germany.
The people of Regensburg only found true appreciation for their town's old quarter at a relatively late stage. As recently as the 1960s there were plans to tear down the historical buildings and replace them with new ones. Nowadays, everyone is delighted that this didn't happen and, since the 1970s, locals have been carefully restoring and preserving their heritage in the old quarter. Few other towns in central Europe can offer legacies of more than 2,000 years of history whichever way you look. Regensburg has 1,500 listed buildings; 984 of them make up the UNESCO World Heritage 'Old Town with Stadtamhof' ensemble. The old stone bridge over the Danube, the cathedral and Krauterermarkt square with the Collegiate Church of St. John, the Cathedral Treasury Museum, the castle-like patrician town house 'Heuport' and the historic Adler Pharmacy count among Regensburg's most significant architectural monuments, but represent just a few of the vast number of outstanding sights. Further up the river, next to the old Amberger Stadel warehouse, is Fischmarkt square with its Roland fountain. Beyond that is a museum dedicated to the astronomer Johannes Kepler. Other fascinating places to visit are St. Ulrich's Church and Diocesan Museum, the former Cathedral deanery, the squares Dachauplatz, Neupfarrplatz, Alter Kornmarkt, Kohlenmarkt, Zieroldsplatz, Rathausplatz and Haidplatz, Porta Praetoria and the patrician towers – including the 28m Golden Tower, the highest medieval residential tower north of the Alps.
Regensburg's cultural scene is just as diverse as the treasures of its old quarter, combining traditional and modern elements with influences from around the globe. It includes countless theatre and dance shows, concerts, festivals, exhibitions and other cultural attractions.There is sure to be something for everyone, whether you prefer sophisticated or traditional entertainment, classical or eminently German. The choice of venues is endless too, ranging from hip and modern locations to historical settings or even outdoors on the town's squares. Any number of restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs tucked in among the narrow lanes and alleyways are a great place to spend the evening. Regensburg is also one of only a handful of towns that offers a modern shopping experience in amongst its architectural heritage. A multitude of shops of all sizes sell a wide range of goods. The beautiful pedestrian area in the old quarter is perfect, whether you are looking for international specialities or regional handcrafted products. Excellent shopping opportunities are also available outside the town centre: nearly every district has at least one large shopping mall. The famous sweet mustard is on sale everywhere, but the best place to buy it is the Händlmaier shop in Untere Bachgasse, central Regensburg. There is absolutely no doubt – at least for fans of this time-honoured family brand – that Luise Händlmaier's mustard is the best to be had in the world. No less doubtful is the fact that Regensburg is one of the best places to visit in the world, if not the best, but you should come and decide that for yourself. | <urn:uuid:324c7906-44d2-43cc-a877-12a6343cba99> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.germany.travel/en/towns-cities-culture/towns-cities/regensburg.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00074-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946898 | 749 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Have you gone to see "Django Unchained" yet?
Activist Dick Gregory called the current box office smash "brilliant," while filmmaker Spike Lee said it was "offensive to my ancestors." All the while, the force behind Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino, is taking bundles of money to the bank from throngs of Blacks who have attended showings. The movie is pure fantasy and takes privileges with history, but Blacks like it a lot.
Django Unchained is a 2012 American western film written and directed by Tarantino. The film stars Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson and was the fifth highest grossing Christmas release in history. At a New York City premiere, Black society and its media were "overwhelmed" with the film and its cast.
Black historians see similarities of abolitionist John Brown and his Gang of 21 in Tarantino's tale. Django Unchained is set in 1858 as several male slaves are being transported across Texas by the Speck brothers. In their group is Django (Jamie Foxx), who has been sold away from his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington). The Speck brothers encounter Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a German immigrant dentist and, unbeknownst to them, bounty hunter. Schultz takes Django and kills one of the Speck brothers, leaving the other to be killed by now-free slaves. Schultz reveals that he sought out Django to aid him in identifying the Brittle brothers, a trio of ruthless killers working for a plantation owner. Schultz confesses that his bounty hunting is opportunistic, but emphasizes to Django that he despises slavery. The two come to an agreement: in exchange for helping locate the Brittle brothers, Schultz will free Django from slavery and give him $75 and a horse. After hunting down and killing the Brittles, Schultz takes Django on as his bounty hunting associate.
In many ways Django is three hours of caricature. After their bounty hunting success during the winter months, Schultz and Django confirm that Broomhilda's current owner is brutal plantation owner Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). At Candie's plantation, Candyland, some male slaves are trained to fight to the death (called "Mandingo fighting"). Schultz and Django devise a plan to reach Broomhilda by posing as potential purchasers of a Mandingo fighter. Schultz introduces Django as a free man and "expert" on Mandingo fighting. Candie and Schultz come to an agreement to purchase a Mandingo fighter for $12,000. Schultz also offers to purchase Broomhilda, claiming that she would help alleviate his nostalgia for his mother tongue because she speaks German. Django raises the suspicions of Candie's house slave, Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson), who correctly deduces that Django and Broomhilda know each other, and that the Mandingo sale is a ruse. He informs Candie. Throughout, Django Unchained is a brutal tale of retribution based on the theme that punishment doled out is morally right and fully deserved. Django is an audacious Black hero who shoots White slavers with impunity and lives to tell about it. The film's violence is used as a kind of spiritual redemption which Black audiences are meeting with glee.
But, is this the "spiritual redemption" the descendants of slaves need right through here? With the "debt due" and legacy of slavery continuing in our daily lives, how can self-respecting descendants of African slaves be party to such a charade that mocks us and our ancestors?
Today's Blacks deal in movie "make believe" and are loath to accept the reality of slavery and its legacy. Blacks accept as "fact" that they have high unemployment rates, and that Whites rightfully have 20 times our wealth. To be about eliminating America's gross inequities, Blacks have to be about organizing constructive collective actions. Stop accepting that "slavery was a long time ago and there is no one alive to collect or pay reparations."
The legacy of slavery is without end across America. Those who profited from slavery don't just owe reparations for the past, but for the inequities of the present as well.
William Reed is publisher of "Who's Who in Black Corporate America" and available for projects via the BaileyGroup.org | <urn:uuid:89343165-6530-4bee-a670-27a12a960b84> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://washingtoninformer.com/index.php/business/item/12956-have-you-seen-django-unchained-yet/business/business/business/business | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959212 | 902 | 1.757813 | 2 |
|A different view of New York City...|
April 23, 2009. A special mission brought 23 students from
Overbrook Academy, a language academy and boarding school in
Warwick, Rhode Island, to the headquarters of the United Nations
in New York City.
From March 1 – 7, the
girls participated in several conferences as members of an NGO
(non-governmental organization) called C-Fam. C-FAM stands for Catholic Family and
Human Rights Institute. Its special mission is to be the
eyes and ears of the Catholic Church at the UN
and to keep Catholics worldwide informed about what happens there.
were accompanied by their civics teacher, who is a Regnum
Christi member. She had prepared them for 2 weeks in
advance with a special training course. They were also accompanied
by one of the coworkers who is giving a year
at Overbrook Academy.
Each day began with Mass, followed by a
meeting to go over the day’s objectives. The girls then
spent 7 to 8 hours at the United Nations. At
the end of the day, they attended a meeting with
the directive team of C-Fam.
Their mission was threefold:
• To get
to know the delegates from the various countries, and to
talk to them about the dignity of life, the rights
of the unborn, and the true dignity of woman.
participate in the various talks given by the UN Commission
on the Status of Woman, and to support the delegation
from the Holy See.
• To give witness of true charity
by their words and actions, so as to share Christ’s
love with all of the delegates and participants at the
A battle for values
The following topics were discussed in
the UN talks:
|Testing the view from behind the Mexican delegate's desk.|
• Sicknesses in the world, and how condom
use and abortion should be more widely promoted.
• Children’s right
to decide their own gender.
• The legalization of prostitution.
couples’ right to marriage and adoption.
The Overbrook Academy students were
able to share their point of view on these topics,
defending the teachings of the Catholic Church with clarity, firmness,
and charity. On occasions, their contributions met up with aggressive
responses from some of the speakers or were simply ignored.
girls got to know many delegates from various countries and
spoke with them about supporting the right to life and
promoting the true dignity of woman. They were especially well
received by the delegates from African countries who seemed to
value the students’ ideas on family values.
defend their faith
|"We have never felt so proud about being able to defend our faith.”|
This experience made a big impact on the
girls, who experienced firsthand what it means to give public
witness to their faith in front of an audience that
is often indifferent and even hostile.
Some commented that they
had never felt so rejected just for being Catholic and
pro-life, but at the same time, they said they had
“never felt so proud about being able to defend our
Other girls said that they felt “deeply sorry for
those speakers and delegates who have not had the chance
to know the truth, or who just don’t know Christ
and what he has done for them.” They said, “We
can’t be angry at them for how they reacted to
us. What we can do is pray and share Christ’s
love with them.”
The girls also left with a deeper sense
of responsibility for the needs of the world, and for
the urgency of sharing Christ with those who make decisions
on a global level. But on a level closer to
home, they also realized how important it is to be
authentically charitable with those closest to them.
“We saw how
much good we can do by living charity amongst ourselves,
speaking well about other girls when we are one-on-one, supporting
and encouraging when there are difficult situations, and above all,
praying for each other. The more we lived charity amongst
ourselves, the easier it was to live that same charity
with the different people we met during the day,” one
A contagious witness
An important part of their mission at the
|The Overbrook Academy students with their civics teacher and chaperones outside the UN building.|
UN was to support other Catholics who often find themselves
almost alone on the battlefield. There is strength in numbers,
the girls realized.
“We saw that every time we said something
in a talk, suddenly the other Catholics who were there
started to raise their hand to speak, to defend the
Church too,” one student said.
The girls also shared a
special moment with the pastor of the church where they
went to daily Mass during their week in New York.
The pastor told them how glad he was to see
them doing their morning prayers together and living the Mass
so fervently. He told them several times that they are
Christ’s hope for the Church, and that God was counting
on them to build the Church in a way that
they could not even imagine. He also encouraged them to
bring their faith and love for the Eucharist back to
their own countries when they returned home, since this was
the best contribution they could make to the Church.
trip, the students expressed their gratitude to the Overbrook Academy
teachers and staff for having given them the opportunity to
participate in the mission. | <urn:uuid:d2e273a0-53c6-45fc-8ba2-39170704574e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.regnumchristi.org/english/articulos/articulo.phtml?se=364&ca=119&te=782&id=26038&csearch=119 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967998 | 1,197 | 1.898438 | 2 |
Learn to Speak Spanish Online – How This Effective Way of Studying Spanish Brings Significant Impact
So you want to learn Spanish but you don’t have extra time to enroll yourself at a school or university because of your busy schedule? There are ways for you to learn Spanish without hassle and do it at your own pace and time. Learning a foreign language requires hearing, reading and speaking. That is why online lessons for foreign languages have become a popular tutorial process nowadays. Learn to speak Spanish online is a very convenient way of studying the language.
Many people wanted to learn Spanish for travel purposes or migration to a Spanish-speaking country. Whether for leisure reasons or for a job requirement, a lot of people are seeking programs or courses that offer Spanish language lessons. It isn’t hard to find one since it is the in demand language that people wanted to master. A lot of people who want to learn to speak Spanish online turn to online tutorials that take comprehensive approach to foreign language lessons. Many online tutorials that offer courses from beginners to advanced studies were most likely the same courses being offered in schools or universities. There are a lot of Spanish tutorial companies online that can assist individuals who want to learn speaking, writing and reading in Spanish. Students have to learn how to listen and translate every word that is being taught online so they will be able to follow the right grammar and vocabulary. All of the Spanish language online tutorials aim to give you enough knowledge about Spanish language after each course.
Online tutorials do not only teach you words, phrases and other lessons to be fluent with Spanish. This is an additional learning that will be very much helpful to you especially if you are studying the language because of a vacation to a Spanish country. You will have more idea with how Spanish culture affects their language. There are some factors about Spanish culture that will definitely affect the way you speak the language.
Online tutorial is the best way to learn Spanish fast. You don’t have to hire a private tutor just to teach you with the right pronunciation because almost all the online tutorials have attached recorded voice, teaching you the proper accent of words. Reading materials in Spanish is fine and well, but this not much important than hearing and practice speaking because this will not get you far if you are going to communicate with native speakers. If you want to learn to speak Spanish online effectively, you need to have proper training of hearing and speaking over and over until it becomes natural. There are lots of benefits when you learn to speak Spanish online. I have mentioned some above, but the most important thing is that these online tutorials will cost you less but the knowledge you’ll gain is worth more than university learning. | <urn:uuid:25648f9c-20ad-438f-af76-26dbffd92290> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.learningspanishquickly.com/learn-to-speak-spanish-online | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965853 | 542 | 2.203125 | 2 |
Evaluation of large-intestinal parameters associated with dietary treatments designed to reduce the occurrence of swine dysentery
Durmic, Z., Pethick, D.W., Mullan, B.P., Accioly, J.M., Schulze, H. and Hampson, D.J. (2002) Evaluation of large-intestinal parameters associated with dietary treatments designed to reduce the occurrence of swine dysentery. British Journal of Nutrition, 88 (2). pp. 159-169.
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Diets containing soluble NSP (sNSP) and resistant (RS) increase hindgut fermentation in pigs, which in turn increases the incidence of swine dysentery (SD) after infection with the intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. In the present study pigs were fed diets based on either wheat or sorghum, fed either raw or treated by extrusion, and/or with the addition of dietary enzymes to reduce RS and/or sNSP content. The aim was to determine the effects of these treatments on pig performance, large intestinal fermentation and expression of SD. Weaned pigs (n 132) were fed experimental diets for 4 weeks, when half the pigs in each treatment group were euthanased and samples collected to assess the influence of the diet on hindgut fermentation. The remaining pigs then were infected with B. hyodysenteriae, and monitored for development of SD. In general, compared with pigs fed raw wheat, fermentation in all parts of the large intestine was reduced either by feeding raw sorghum-based diets, or by feeding diets that were extruded. The addition of enzymes that degrade RS or sNSP reduced fermentation only in the distal parts of the large intestine. The incidence of SD was lower in pigs fed sorghum-based diets, and some of the extruded diets, but none of the dietary treatments offered full protection against SD. Multiple regression analysis of the results from all three experiments showed that colonisation by spirochaetes was highly related to dietary sNSP concentrations, whilst development of SD was similarly influenced by RS content of the diet.
|Publication Type:||Journal Article|
|Murdoch Affiliation:||School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences|
|Publisher:||Cambridge University Press|
|Copyright:||© The Authors 2002|
|Item Control Page| | <urn:uuid:2d832253-3c5c-47fb-80ab-e92915d19940> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/11984/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.922015 | 519 | 1.953125 | 2 |
Astronomy Students Observe the Skies from Arecibo
Drs. Rose Finn, Michele McColgan and six Siena College physics students recently traveled to Arecibo, Puerto Rico, home to the largest single-dish radio telescope in the world, to put to practice what they learned in Dr. Finn’s Observational Astronomy class. The group spent three nights at the observatory where the students engaged in controlling the mammoth telescope to collect radio photons emitted by the hydrogen gas in nearby galaxies, some 700 million light years away.
Upon return to Siena, the students analyzed the data as part of a survey led by Cornell astronomers called ALFALFA (Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA survey), that relies upon astronomers and students from liberal arts colleges such as Siena to help obtain and analyze the data. Siena has been a member of the ALFALFA Undergraduate team for six years, and many former and current Siena students have traveled to the observatory with Dr. Finn for an undergraduate-focused workshop. This was the first time that Siena students went to the observatory for the sole purpose of observing, and the first time an entire class was able to participate.
According to Dr. Finn, “The trip gave the students an opportunity to work at a world-class facility and to be part of a large research collaboration; it is hard to comprehend the scale of the telescope from a picture, and the trip helped the students understand the enormous collaborative effort that drives such research facilities.” Junior physics major Thaddeus Savery commented that, “Our tour guide gave us an in depth description of how the telescope worked, while we were on it. I was terrified for a while since we were up so high, but it was an experience I will never forget. Both the experience and the information we learned while on the telescope was definitely the most interesting part of this trip.”
The trip was made possible through the generous support of the National Science Foundation and the Siena College School of Science. | <urn:uuid:b09ef50f-b83b-4b4e-bf96-c807109db214> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.siena.edu/pages/7203.asp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967481 | 426 | 2.515625 | 3 |
Abercrombie rejects ethanol fuel report
Sugar-based ethanol is unprofitable in the long run, a study says
A NEW federal study questioning the long-term profitability of sugar-based ethanol "has nothing to do with us" in Hawaii, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie says.
The study, released this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, says conversion of sugar cane, sugar beets, raw sugar and refined sugar to ethanol could be profitable in the short term because of recent high ethanol prices.
But spot market prices, currently about $4 a gallon, are expected to drop as more ethanol is produced from other sources, chiefly corn, making sugar-based ethanol less profitable, the study states.
The report focuses on the viability of sugar-based ethanol on a national scale. Supporters of ethanol in Hawaii say such studies ignore the state's unique island market and agricultural advantages.
"We've got the agricultural capacity," Abercrombie said. "That's the point of producing ethanol in sufficient quantities -- to replace a vast amount of the presently imported oil that is turned into gasoline."
He said concerns over the economic viability of ethanol from sugar are from people who have reservations about converting a food source like raw or refined sugar into a fuel additive.
"We're not going to go and make sugar and then produce ethanol," he said. "We're going to be using cane in much different ways, including molasses.
"The sugar lands can produce enough."
At least one ethanol producer, Oahu Ethanol Corp., has said it plans to import molasses to convert to ethanol until it can start growing sweet sorghum as a feedstock. Sweet sorghum is used to produce a syrup traditionally used in the southeastern United States, where it is often grown.
Supporters say ethanol will serve the dual purpose of lessening Hawaii's dependence on imported fossil fuels and reinvigorating the islands' agriculture sector.
"Instead of having hundreds of millions of dollars leaving the islands constantly, we'll be investing that money right in the islands and investing it in a renewable resource," Abercrombie said. "The whole question of ethanol revolves around its renewability, as opposed to fossil fuels."
Critics say ethanol and other biofuels are expensive to create, require a lot of energy to make, are not as efficient as traditional energy sources and will do little to displace oil consumption. | <urn:uuid:9f7f5927-1502-48f8-afc0-c6f99a7c8e73> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/07/14/news/story08.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949811 | 503 | 2.0625 | 2 |
Don Mueller • Green Gate Olive Grove • Owner / Jackson County
[Photo: Ray Stanyard]
During his eight years in natural gas consulting in sometimes dreary England and Ireland, Don Mueller would vacation in sunny Italy, where he was enchanted by the country’s olive groves. When he retired to Florida in 1992 — for the sun, of course — he decided to grow olives. “A modest endeavor,” he calls it.
Mueller says he was told it couldn’t be done here. But he started in 1999 and had his first real harvest in 2004. He has 320 trees on five acres, another 200 not yet producing and an award for his olive oil from a food festival where the competition came from Italy, Turkey, Tunisia, Peru, California and Spain. He produces as much as two tons of olives in an “on” year. He sells his olives in bulk, cured or pressed into olive oil. People accustomed to being limited to the grocery stores’ standard manzanilla variety drive to his grove to buy hard-to-come by ascolanas. He also grows missions, arbequinas and other varieties. The ascolanas prove so popular that he limits customers to five pounds.
“I’m totally in love with growing olives.” | <urn:uuid:b68cedbe-c840-4a50-81f4-fe1b18c24b2c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.floridatrend.com/article/2845/seeing-green?page=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00067-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974686 | 278 | 1.570313 | 2 |
Linda Casciaro stayed calm during the several hours her husband, Frank, spent in surgery after he'd had a major heart attack several months ago. She was devastated but knew she had to remain strong and upbeat not only for her husband but for her daughter and the rest of the family as well. It was only in the days and weeks after her husband came home from the hospital that she found herself frequently dissolving into tears.
"That's when I started to feel overwhelmed and anxious," she says. "It seemed like his life was totally in my hands."
A new European Heart Journal report suggests that Casciaro's experience is by no means unique. In an investigation of more than 200,000 people, American and Danish researchers found the spouses of those who experience a sudden heart attack – what doctors call an acute myocardial infarction, or AMI – have an increased risk of depression, anxiety and suicide afterward, even if their partner survives. And they tend to suffer more psychologically than the partners of people who have other serious medical conditions.
More than three times the number of people whose significant other died from a sudden cardiac attack were using antidepressants in the year afterward, compared to the year before, the study found. Additionally, nearly 50 times as many of the spouses were taking a benzodiazepine, a class of drug used to treat anxiety. Men were more susceptible to depression and suicide than women, and partners experienced the same level of mental anguish, whether or not they were married.
"Those whose spouse survived an AMI had a 17 percent higher use of antidepressants after the event, whereas spouses of patients surviving some other non-AMI related condition had an unchanged use of antidepressants compared to before," says Dr. Emil Fosbøl, the study's lead author.
Caregivers' Feelings Often Overlooked
Dr. Neica Goldberg, a national spokeswoman for the American Heart Association notes that her experience treating patients mirrors what the study has found. "For a long time, we've known that there are issues with the psychological health of both the patient who suffers a heart attack and their spouse," she says. "I've noticed it and patients report it."
Goldberg says it's common for doctors to overlook how a caregiver is holding up because the caregiver is focused on prolonging the life of the patient. "We don't always take the time to focus on quality of life or what the family is going through," she points out.
Caregivers are often reluctant to talk about their own feelings because it's their partner who is sick and in need of immediate attention. Personal problems tend to come up in the context of their spouse's illness. For example, Goldberg says, a partner will take her aside to ask whether the patient can climb stairs, walk up hills or return to sexual activity. "That gives me the opportunity to ask about how they're doing and whether or not they need anything," she says.
Goldberg also makes sure that close family members are present when she speaks to patients about their condition to ensure everyone has an opportunity to ask questions and talk about all the issues, including their own. | <urn:uuid:7a8f8010-232d-49af-8714-7320f7cd6978> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://abcnews.go.com/Health/HeartDisease/heart-attacks-lead-depression-anxiety-partner/story?id=17051994 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985025 | 643 | 1.984375 | 2 |
Continuous morphine infusion as standard postoperative analgesic therapy in young infants is associated with unwanted adverse effects such as respiratory depression.
To determine whether intravenous paracetamol (acetaminophen) would significantly (>30%) reduce morphine requirements in neonates and infants after major surgery.
Design, Setting, and Patients
Single-center, randomized, double-blind study conducted in a level 3 pediatric intensive care unit in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Patients were 71 neonates or infants younger than 1 year undergoing major thoracic (noncardiac) or abdominal surgery between March 2008 and July 2010, with follow-up of 48 hours.
All patients received a loading dose of morphine 30 minutes before the end of surgery, followed by continuous morphine or intermittent intravenous paracetamol up to 48 hours postsurgery. Infants in both study groups received morphine (boluses and/or continuous infusion) as rescue medication on the guidance of the validated pain assessment instruments.
Main Outcome Measures
Primary outcome was cumulative morphine dose (study and rescue dose). Secondary outcomes were pain scores and morphine-related adverse effects.
The cumulative median morphine dose in the first 48 hours postoperatively was 121 (interquartile range, 99-264) μg/kg in the paracetamol group (n = 33) and 357 (interquartile range, 220-605) μg/kg in the morphine group (n = 38), P < .001, with a between-group difference that was 66% (95% CI, 34%-109%) lower in the paracetamol group. Pain scores and adverse effects were not significantly different between groups.
Conclusion and Relevance
Among infants undergoing major surgery, postoperative use of intermittent intravenous paracetamol compared with continuous morphine resulted in a lower cumulative morphine dose over 48 hours.
trialregister.nl Identifier: NTR1438 | <urn:uuid:480234ed-665e-4aa5-827e-98410397aec5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1556127 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.916281 | 389 | 1.960938 | 2 |
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Read to Me Take 2
Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, OHGo to Website
Maria Jadwisiak, Assistant Marketing Manager, email@example.com
According to a 2010 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, kids only spend 25 minutes a day reading. “Time spent with every medium other than movies and print increased over the past five years: 47 minutes a day increase for music/audio, 38 minutes for TV content, 27 minutes for computers, and 24 minutes for video games.” The most challenging audience to reach within that segment is teens. Since music and dance are a huge influence among that age group, we decided to get 13-to 18-years-olds involved by taking our popular “Read to Me” jingle to a new level. We saw the natural connection to encourage teens to become reading role models for younger children, and we hope that they will also see themselves as readers.
The Library’s Marketing Department developed an exciting partnership with WTOL-Channel 11, our local CBS affiliate and Owens Community College. The project, dubbed “Read to Me Take 2,” gave local teens a chance to try out to be in the next Library television commercial. Channel 11 ran commercials on air and on their Web site, WTOL.com, to encourage teens to come to the Owens Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 19 to audition. Several Call to Action commercials were filmed to promote the contest. Former Toledo resident and Disney Star Alyson Stoner agreed to be in one of the spots where she tells local youth, “I started in Toledo, come on – you can too!” WTOL and the Library worked with Alyson (on-line) in Hollywood to film her segment of the commercial. During the audition, contestants were required to sing the Library’s Read to Me jingle in front of a panel of three judges. Some teens even chose to dance or bring their guitars. Viewers were then able to see the auditions on WTOL.com and select their favorite performers. The next Read to Me commercials, featuring the winning participants, will air in mid-April. The partnership has received a lot of attention by mirroring the TV shows American Idol and Glee. Social Media was used throughout the contest: buzz chatter on Twitter before and during auditions, postings on the Library’s Facebook page and Library Web site.
Our media partner, WTOL-Channel 11 reported a total of 410,706 page views/impressions to the contestant portion of their Web site with 102,917 votes cast for the contest! Local high schools even posted messages to VOTE for members of their student body on the marquee signs outside their buildings. We are now in the process of partnering with a local musician and choreographers to produce a Hip Hop, 50s style and Acoustic-Pop versions of the folksy children’s song. Teens will practice, record and perform for commercials to be produced in late April, 2011. | <urn:uuid:fe2d8ae9-1b38-4de0-a437-db03b445d7ef> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.urbanlibraries.org/read-to-me-take-2-innovation-511.php?page_id=103 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00071-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954296 | 636 | 1.507813 | 2 |
84 Stigmella ruficapitella
(Haworth, 1828)Wingspan 4.5-6 mm.
The commonest of a complex of similar species which have oak (Quercus) as the foodplant.
The larvae feed in June and July and between September and November, forming a long gallery, initially with narrow black frass, later becoming more dispersed. The egg is laid on the upperside of the leaf.
The adult moths are similar to several other species in the group, having uniform dark brownish wings with a bronzy sheen. They are on the wing from May to June and in July and August. | <urn:uuid:0d3dd2cc-50c8-415f-9757-b0889fc923fc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=84&map=true | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00049-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978042 | 138 | 2.421875 | 2 |
Richter, Burton (1931-) is an American physicist. He won the 1976 Nobel Prize in physics for his discovery of a new kind of elementary nuclear particle, which was given the name psi particle.
Burton shared the prize with American physicist Samuel Chao Chung Ting, who, working independently at the same time and using a different method, discovered the same particle. Ting called it the J particle. Today the particle is known as the J/psi particle. It is about three times heavier than the proton and has a lifetime about 10,000 times longer than would have been expected for a particle of its size. The discovery of the J/psi particle contributed to scientific knowledge of the structure of the universe.
Richter was born on March 22, 1931, in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. He received a B.S. degree in 1952 and a Ph.D. degree in physics in 1956 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
In 1956, after receiving his Ph.D. degree, Richter joined the faculty at Stanford University as a research associate. He was promoted to assistant professor in 1960, associate professor in 1963, and full professor in 1967.
In the mid-1960's, Richter established a group at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) to design a high-energy machine that would force a beam of electrons to collide with a beam of positrons in a doughnut-shaped vacuum chamber, enabling scientists to study the structure of the two particles. Experiments with this machine, called the Stanford Positron-Electron Asymmetric Ring (SPEAR), began in 1973. Richter and his research team discovered the psi particle in 1974 using SPEAR. He became director of SLAC in 1984, and retired in 1999. | <urn:uuid:c9e4f87d-673a-4907-ac4c-f743e29ac636> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://science.howstuffworks.com/dictionary/famous-scientists/physicists/burton-richter-info.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96438 | 367 | 3.203125 | 3 |
—It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that the Maghrabi went away and lay that night in his quarters; and early next morning he came to the tailor's house and rapped at the door. Now Alaeddin (for stress of his delight in the new dress he had donned and for the past day's enjoyment in the Hammam and in eating and drinking and gazing at the folk; expecting furthermore his uncle to come at dawn and carry him off on pleasuring to the gardens) had not slept a wink that night, nor closed his eyelids, and would hardly believe it when day broke. But hearing the knock at the door he went out at once in hot haste, like a spark of fire, and opened and saw his uncle, the Magician, who embraced him and kissed him. Then, taking his hand, the Moorman said to him as they fared forth together, “O son of my brother, this day will I show thee a sight thou never sawest in all thy life,” and he began to make the lad laugh and cheer him with pleasant talk. So doing they left the city-gate, and the Maroccan took to promenading with Alaeddin amongst the gardens and to pointing out for his pleasure the mighty fine pleasances and the marvellous high-builded ‡82 pavilions. And whenever they stood to stare at a garth or a mansion or a palace the Maghrabi would say to his companion, “Doth this please thee, O son of my brother?” Alaeddin was nigh to fly with delight at seeing sights he had never seen in all his born days; and they ceased not ‡83 to stroll about and solace themselves until they waxed aweary, when they entered a mighty grand garden which was nearhand, a place that the heart delighted and the sight belighted; for that its swift-running rills flowed amidst the flowers and the waters jetted from the jaws of lions moulded in yellow brass like unto gold. So they took seat over against a lakelet and rested a little while, and Alaeddin enjoyed himself with joy exceeding and fell to jesting with his uncle and making merry with him as though the Magician were really his father's brother. Presently the Maghrabi arose and loosing his girdle drew forth from thereunder a bag full of victual, dried fruits and so forth, saying to Alaeddin, “O my nephew, haply thou art become anhungered; so come forward and eat what thou needest.” Accordingly the lad fell upon the food and the Moorman ate with him and they were gladdened and cheered by rest and good cheer. Then Quoth the Magician, “Arise, O son of my brother, an thou be reposed and let us stroll onwards a little and reach the end of our walk.” Thereupon Alaeddin arose and the Maroccan paced with him from garden to garden until they left all behind them and reached the base of a high and naked hill; when the lad who, during all his days, had never issued from the city-gate and never in his life had walked such a walk as this, said to the Maghrabi, “O uncle mine, whither are we wending? We have left the gardens behind us one and all and have reached the barren hill-country; ‡84 and, if the way be still long, I have no strength left for walking: indeed I am ready to fall with fatigue. There are no gardens before us, so let us hark back and return to town.” Said the Magician, “No, O my son; this is the right road, nor are the gardens ended for we are going to look at one which hath ne'er its like amongst those of the Kings and all thou hast beheld are naught in comparison therewith. Then gird thy courage to walk; thou art now a man, Alhamdolillah—praise be to Allah!” Then the Maghrabi fell to soothing Alaeddin with soft words and telling him wondrous tales, lies as well as truth, until they reached the site intended by the African Magician who had travelled from the Sunset-land to the regions of China for the sake thereof. And when they made the place, the Moorman said to Alaeddin, “O son of my brother, sit thee down and take thy rest, for this is the spot we are now seeking and, Inshallah, soon will I divert thee by displaying marvel-matters whose like not one in the world ever saw; nor hath any solaced himself with gazing upon that which thou art about to behold.”
—It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that the Maghrabi wizard said to Alaeddin, “No one of created beings hath enjoyed the sights thou art about to see. But when thou art rested, arise and seek some wood-chips and fuel sticks ‡85 which be small and dry, wherewith we may kindle a fire: then will I show thee, O son of my brother, matters beyond the range of matter.” ‡86 Now, when the lad heard these words, he longed to look upon what his uncle was about to do and, forgetting his fatigue, he rose forthright and fell to gathering small wood-chips and dry sticks, and continued until the Moorman cried to him, “Enough, O son of my brother!” Presently the Magician brought out from his breast-pocket a casket which he opened, and drew from it all he needed of incense; then he fumigated and conjured and adjured, muttering words none might understand. And the ground straightway clave asunder after thick gloom and quake of earth and bellowings of thunder. Hereat Alaeddin was startled and so affrighted that he tried to fly; but, when the African Magician saw his design, he waxed wroth with exceeding wrath, for that without the lad his work would profit him naught, the hidden hoard which he sought to open being not to be opened save by means of Alaeddin. So noting this attempt to run away, the Magician arose and raising his hand smote Alaeddin on the head a buffet so sore that well nigh his back-teeth were knocked out, and he fell swooning to the ground. But after a time he revived by the magic of the Magician, and cried, weeping the while, “O my uncle, what have I done that deserveth from thee such a blow as this?” Hereat the Maghrabi fell to soothing him, and said, “O my son, 'tis my intent to make thee a man; therefore, do thou not gainsay me, for that I am thine uncle and like unto thy father. Obey me, therefore, in all I bid thee, and shortly thou shalt forget all this travail and toil whenas thou shalt look upon the marvel-matters I am about to show thee.” And soon after the ground had cloven asunder before the Maroccan it displayed a marble slab wherein was fixed a copper ring. The Maghrabi, striking a geomantic table ‡87 turned to Alaeddin, and said to him, “An thou do all I shall bid thee, indeed thou shalt become wealthier than any of the kings, and for this reason, O my son, I struck thee, because here lieth a hoard which is stored in thy name; and yet thou designedst to leave it and to levant. But now collect thy thoughts, and behold how I opened earth by my spells and adjurations.”
—It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that the Maghrabi, the Magician, said to Alaeddin, “O my son, now collect thy thoughts! under yon stone wherein the ring is set lieth the treasure wherewith I acquainted thee: so set thy hand upon the ring and raise the slab, for that none other amongst the folk, thyself excepted, hath power to open it, nor may any of mortal birth, save thyself, set foot within this Enchanted Treasury which hath been kept for thee. But 'tis needful that thou learn of me all wherewith I would charge thee; nor gainsay e'en a single syllable of my words. All this, O my child, is for thy good; the hoard being of immense value, whose like the kings of the world never accumulated, and do thou remember that 'tis for thee and me.” So poor Alaeddin forgot his fatigue and buffet and tear-shedding, and he was dumbed and dazed at the Maghrabi's words and rejoiced that he was fated to become rich in such measure that not even the Sultans would be richer than himself. Accordingly, he cried, “O my uncle, bid me do all thou pleasest, for I will be obedient unto thy bidding.” The Maghrabi replied, “O my nephew, thou art to me as my own child and even dearer, for being my brother's son and for my having none other kith and kin except thyself; and thou, O my child, art my heir and successor.” So saying, he went up to Alaeddin and kissed him and said, “For whom do I intend these my labours? Indeed, each and every are for thy sake, O my son, to the end that I may leave thee a rich man and one of the very greatest. So gainsay me not in all I shall say to thee, and now go up to yonder ring and uplift it as I bade thee.” Alaeddin answered, “O uncle mine, this ring is over heavy for me: I cannot raise it single-handed, so do thou also come forward and lend me strength and aidance towards uplifting it, for indeed I am young in years.” The Moorman replied, “O son of my brother, we shall find it impossible to do aught if I assist thee, and all our efforts would be in vain. But do thou set thy hand upon the ring and pull it up, and thou shalt raise the slab forth-right, and in very sooth I told thee that none can touch it save thyself. But whilst haling at it cease not to pronounce thy name and the names of thy father and mother, so ‘twill rise at once to thee nor shalt thou feel its weight.” Thereupon the lad mustered up strength and girt the loins of resolution and did as the Maroccan had bidden him, and hove up the slab with all ease when he pronounced his name and the names of his parents, even as the Magician had bidden him. And as soon as the stone was raised he threw it aside.
—It hath reached me, O King of the Age, that after Alaeddin had raised the slab from over the entrance to the Hoard there appeared before him a Sardáb, a souterrain, whereunto led a case of some twelve stairs and the Maghrabi said, “O Alaeddin, collect thy thoughts and do whatso I bid thee to the minutest detail nor fail in aught thereof. Go down with all care into yonder vault until thou reach the bottom and there shalt thou find a space divided into four halls, ‡88 and in each of these thou shalt see four golden jars ‡89 and others of virgin or and silver. Beware, however, lest thou take aught therefrom or touch them, nor allow thy gown or its skirts even to brush the jars or the walls. Leave them and fare forwards until thou reach the fourth hall without lingering for a single moment on the way; and, if thou do aught contrary thereto thou wilt be at once transformed and become a black stone. When reaching the fourth hall thou wilt find therein a door which do thou open, and pronouncing the names thou spakest over the slab, enter there through into a garden adorned everywhere with fruit-bearing trees. This thou must traverse by a path thou wilt see in front of thee measuring some fifty cubits long, beyond which thou wilt come upon an open saloon ‡90 and therein a ladder of some thirty rungs. And thou shalt also see hanging from its ceiling”blog comments powered by Disqus | <urn:uuid:03d91c84-d8fb-4b2f-a9fb-b410aaece229> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wordyenglish.com/arabian_nights/aladdin/aladdin1_1.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973221 | 2,626 | 1.648438 | 2 |
|Homepage > The Work of the Assembly > Committees > Statutory > Justice > Justice Bill|
The Justice Bill
A Bill to make provision for an offender levy; to amend the law relating to measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses and live links; to make provision for policing and community safety partnerships; to make provision regulating certain sporting events; to amend the law relating to the treatment of offenders; to make provision for penalty notices and conditional cautions; to amend the law on legal aid; to amend the law on bail; to make other amendments relating to the administration of civil and criminal justice; and for connected purposes.
Minutes of Evidence
21 October 2010 Departmental briefing on contents of the Bill
Written Evidence received by the Committee | <urn:uuid:669859e5-e8b7-4ada-9163-2a0f0deb0b7e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://archive.niassembly.gov.uk/justice/2007mandate/justice_bill.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.902484 | 149 | 1.632813 | 2 |
Career Search Mistakes:
Are you sabotaging your job search?
By Greg Faherty, CPRW
Is your job hunt taking longer than you'd anticipated? Are you getting fewer interviews or job offers than you'd like, or maybe none at all? Are you sending resumes but getting zero responses?
If the answer to any or all of the above questions is "yes," you might be sabotaging your own job search.
Many job hunters unknowingly make mistakes while searching for employment, but unlike other areas of lifejobs, school, homethere's no one around to provide feedback about what they're doing right or wrong. According to a survey of local recruiters, human resource representatives, and managers, here is a list of the top job search killers.
1. No contact information on your resume. Many people today are afraid of identity theft, so they omit contact information from the resume. I see this all the time as a resume evaluator and writer. However, no matter how good your resume is, it won't work if someone can't get in touch with you.
2. You flunked the interview. There are many reasons for this. You weren't prepared. You were nervous. You showed up late. You didn't convey your information effectively. The good news is, all these problems can be avoided by using an interview coach and by practicing your interview technique.
3. Negativity. Whether it's on your resume or during your interviews, if you're saying negative things about previous employers, you're ruining your chances of being hired. Remember the old saying: "If you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all."
4. Job hopping and empty space. If you've had a lot of short-term jobs in a row, or you have multiple gaps in your employment, you're going to make a potential employer wonder why you can't hold a job. One solution is to not include all your short-term jobs on the resume. You can also use your cover letter to explain gaps.
5. Laziness. This can crop up throughout the job search process. A poorly prepared resume, turning in an incomplete application, not being prepared during the interviewthese are all signs of laziness. Prospective employers are going to ask themselves, "If this person can't be bothered to put forth a good effort in finding a job, what makes me think they'll be a hard worker if I hire them?"
6. Lack of goals. One of the key questions you'll be asked during an interview is what your short and long-term goals are. ("Where do you see yourself in three and five years?") Have strong answers ready for these questions. Employers want people with ambition and well-defined career plans."
7. You're unwilling to change. In today's employment climate a person needs to be adaptable, whether that means taking on new responsibilities or forging a new career path. Employers need people who can work outside of their job descriptions. Be prepared to show you can be that kind of person.
Factors for Success
- Have a professional look over your resume and cover letter, and fix them if necessary.
- Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice interviewing, the more at ease you'll be during the real thing.
- Stay positive. Not only will you feel better, you'll make a better impression, too.
Links to Helpful Resume Articles
Why Isn't My Phone Ringing?
The Modern ResumeDo You Have One?
The "WOW" FactorWhat Does It Really Mean?
How to Pick the Right Resume Company
LinkedInThe Advantage is Yours
Job Hunting in the Digital Age
A Roadmap to Succes
Top 10 Worst Resume Mistakes
Think Young to Get Work
Practical Career Advice
Making a Good Impression
Improve Your Odds of Getting an Interview
Format for Success
Effort vs. Value
Changing with the Times
Career Search Mistakes
Applying Yourself Correctly: Maximizing Your Resume Responses
Interview Success: Answering the Tough Questions
Resume Doís and Doníts, Pt. I
Resume Doís and Doníts, Pt. II
Thank You Letters and Reference Pages
Electronic & Scannable Resumes
The Curriculum Vitae
Other Resume Formats
Networking for Jobs
How to Use Your New Resume
What About Keywords
Interview Tips: Putting Yourself in the Best Light | <urn:uuid:3f0dcda1-99fb-4c8b-bded-b021a1e3bd21> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.a-perfect-resume.com/job-search-mistakes-to-avoid.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00056-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93997 | 934 | 1.578125 | 2 |
Sovereign Hill will play a central part in a new State Government push to attract more Chinese visitors to Victoria.
In Shanghai last week to launch Sovereign Hill’s China Business Strategy, Tourism Minister Louse Asher said the museum had been at the forefront of the Chinese market for decades.
“Sovereign Hill has long been a popular travel destination amongst Chinese visitors, and its profile is set to grow following the release of this business strategy,” she said.
The strategy was developed over five years, based on research conducted by the University of Ballarat.
Ms Asher described Sovereign Hill as an “industry leader” in developing the Chinese inbound market.
Sovereign Hill director of marketing Garry Burns said the outdoor museum attracted 70,000 Chinese visitors annually.
He said Sovereign Hill had made big inroads into China since 1990 and was now marketing itself to “second-tier” cities Chengdu and Chongqing, which have populations of 15 million and 28 million respectively.
“China is our most important international market,” Mr Burns said.
“We have four staff based in China (and) we see a great future in the Chinese market.”
Mr Burns said changes had already been made to further suit Chinese visitors, including placing Mandarin-speaking staff at Sovereign Hill’s various attractions, rather than having all Chinese visitors limited to guided tours.
Sovereign Hill is one of the Victoria companies participating in the Coalition Government’s Super Trade Mission to China.
The government plans to increase Chinese visitor expenditure at 11 per cent a year to 2020 - equivalent to more than $2 billion visitor expenditure, $18.2 billion in Gross State Product over 10 years and 41,700 jobs in Victoria. | <urn:uuid:925ca63a-48c9-4177-844d-59869fa4378e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/353422/sovereign-hill-part-of-tourism-push-into-china/?cs=61 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946212 | 366 | 1.859375 | 2 |
#60 = Volume 20, Part 2 = July 1993
David N. Samuelson
Modes of Extrapolation: The Formulas of Hard Science Fiction
as science fiction has had a coherent existence, writers and critics have
debated its relevance to science. From Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, through Hugo
Gernsback and John W. Campbell, Jr., to Gregory Benford and J.G. Ballard, SF's
"hardness" has been both help and hindrance to popular and critical
appreciation. In the last half-century, the label "hard SF" has been applied to
tales in which scientific theories and technological applications get a
significant share of attention. Both friends and foes of hard SF acknowledge
that it bears some relationship to science, pure or applied, though they do not
agree on the worth of that core. Neither camp claims scientific "hardness" as a
guarantee of literary quality, and some detractors of hard SF derive the label
from "hard to read," because it is badly written. Some essays from the 1983
Eaton Conference on SF and fantasy, collected in Hard Science Fiction,
approach the controversy from a post-structuralist position, denying any claims
of science to have a unique corner on truth. SF writers argued for scientific
content and accuracy; literature professors discounted them, seeing "hardness"
as mere rhetoric.
Rhetorical features of science do help characterize hard SF, since it uses
scientific findings and theories as measures of reality. Accurate but
unobtrusive science may not define the subgenre, but neither does a rhetoric of
hardness without scientific substance. In the best examples, the two interact
positively, demanding reader sensitivity to both as indicators of quality.
Writing and reading hard SF require a mind set that thrives on "hypotheticals,"
fantastic assumptions with theoretical justification in science, a seemingly
paradoxical yoking of fantasies to the oxen of science and technology.
agreement fails on what constitutes hard SF, confusion reigns about who writes
it. Some Eaton contributors emphasized Stanislaw Lem, C.S. Lewis, William Morris
and the 17th century geologist, Thomas Burnet, none of whom qualify in my view.
Hard SF has never existed in large quantities. Without some technical education,
it is difficult to write, and most scientists do not write fiction. In SF's
formative years, Verne, Wells, Gernsback and E.E. "Doc" Smith at least had
technical training. During the "Golden Age," SF magazines published scientific
puzzle stories and tales invoking the vast universe. Few writers, however, wrote
hard SF before the '50s. The major body of evidence is less than 50 years old,
and more people seem to be writing it now than ever before.
who write hard SF regularly include Poul Anderson, Greg Bear, Gregory Benford,
Arthur C. Clarke, Hal Clement, Robert L. Forward, Larry Niven, Paul Preuss,
Charles Sheffield, and Vernor Vinge. More occasional visitors include Brian W.
Aldiss, Isaac Asimov, Ben Bova, David Brin, John Brunner, Michael Crichton,
Gordon R. Dickson, Harry Harrison, Robert A. Heinlein, Frank Herbert, Fred
Hoyle, Frederik Pohl, Jerry Pournelle, Carl Sagan, and George Zebrowski. Besides
the classic and basically unclassifiable Olaf Stapledon, the essays following
propose Stephen Baxter and John Cramer; other plausible newcomers include Roger
McBride Allen, Michael Kube-McDowell, Michael McCollum, Allen Steele, and John
Whomever we include or exclude, hard SF is a largely Anglo-American and
masculine production. Stories of nuts-and-bolts technological SF from the Soviet
Union, reported by historians, are largely untranslated; similar American
stories seldom escape the pages of Analog, known to its detractors as
"the magazine with rivets." From Michelangelo to Le Corbusier, Continental
Europeans have embraced large architectural designs, but unearthly engineering
projects seem to excite mainly Americans, flushed perhaps with the successes and
failures of our national design of continually changing social engineering. C.J.
Cherryh may be the only woman to find writing hard SF congenial, but backgrounds
in science inform the fiction of Vonda McIntyre, Pamela Sargent, and Joan
Slonczewski. Doris Lessing, author of a half-dozen intellectual "space
fantasies," respects hard SF, though she lacks the technical education to write
Hard SF could not have spread without a growing receptive audience. Required
science classes in high school and college, news media reporting, and simply
living with technology have made readers progressively more conversant with
issues involving science. The broadening of SF itself correspondingly increased
the number of readers comprising a potential audience for the hard stuff.
Although of varying hardness, novels by Asimov, Clarke, Crichton, Heinlein,
Herbert, and Sagan even became best-sellers, a measure of popularity undreamed
in the Golden Age.
has influence beyond its numbers, moreover, flavoring other writers' work,
adding elements to the stew, as well as setting limits to speculation. A
prolific fictional inventor, Samuel R. Delany recognizes the need to rationalize
changes, even if only by implication. The work of Philip K. Dick reverberates
with technological change, dissolving the borders between humans and machines,
illusion and reality. Ursula K. Le Guin, rarely an exponent of hard SF, felt
obliged to rationalize "mindspeech" and to recognize light as a speed limit.
Not just a variety of SF, hard SF is also a direction or tendency.
Defenders of hard SF often pose two contradictory arguments: that it is at the
core of the entire genre, and that it is always in danger of being abandoned.
The latter is certainly on shaky historical grounds and the sense that SF must
always be returned to a hard core may well be Golden Age nostalgia. The
innocence of early SF is lost, to be sure, but the belief that the past was
better is particularly inappropriate for this branch of SF. Compared with its
predecessors, the hard SF of the past decade or so makes this as close to a
Golden Age as we have ever had.
humanistic training makes me uncomfortable with the idea of historical
"improvement" in the arts, except in an artist's apprenticeship. The discomfort
increases when I seem to be granting real existence over time to a group of
works united by a rhetorical abstraction, and taking a deterministic predictive
stance. It seems to me, however, that both external historical forces and its
own inner dynamic produce an ideal of hard SF continually in the making. Perhaps
never realized in the past or present, this "ideal type" is always hoped for in
the future. In the history of hard SF, this may be the future.
recognizing the existence of hard SF, however, let alone its generating power,
scholars and critics largely fail to deal with either the science or the
rhetoric. Relatively ignorant of science, most of us are uncomfortable with it.
Those who study SF prefer to deal with Delany and Dick, Le Guin and Lem, whose
fictions are more congenial to literary concerns with subtle and plurisignifying
characterization, structure, and style. It is perhaps no coincidence that
literary critics, as specialists under fire both from outside and inside their
own discipline, also favor SF which at least implies the decline of Western
civilization. While I share many of their interests, I see attempts to restrict
SF to these unrepresentative examples as reductionist and short-sighted.
the flowers that smell sweetest inevitably severs them from their roots,
ignoring not only the soil but also the fertilizers that enabled them to grow
and blossom. Hard SF does not lack semiotic interest, but its codes and
conventions differ from those most of us as critics are trained to understand
and appreciate. Style tends to be more direct and limited in signification,
characterization more deterministic, standards of judgment for behavior more
Star Trek universe is a simple test case known and loved by millions. Its
narrative structures may be less subtle than those of the scientific problems
and the physical universe within its stories. Examples show rational thought and
technological civilization persisting into a future, and puzzles being solved in
an hour or two of screen time. Both premises, which suffuse much of hard SF, may
be unbelievably naive and ethnocentric, but they are not universal. Aldiss,
Benford, Bear, and Pohl show literary sophistication in their fiction, even as
they raise our eyes from the decline of the West to humanity's fragile hold on
survival, its glimmers of intelligence and self-understanding.
Considering how uncongenial most literary people find science, the Eaton
Conference was a reasonable start. Continuing debate in print, however, has
largely bypassed hard SF. As the accompanying bibliography makes clear, titles
seldom mention it by name. Under "hard SF," Hal Hall's 1987 reference
bibliography lists only Bainbridge and Dalziell, Bridgstock, and Benford's
"real world" essay. Norman Spinrad, mentioning hard SF by name, sees it as
potentially solving the genre's identity crisis. By taking science seriously,
not just as a source of images, James Gunn's scholarly efforts have even earned
some critics' enmity, as Pierce points out in this symposium.
Other SF writers—Anderson, Asimov, Clarke, Clement, Lem, Pournelle and Niven,
Preuss—have written about writing hard SF. John Barnes recently explained his
use of forecasting, and Paul Park discussed science in his novels. Benford has
written on various elements of hard SF, including narrative voice, aliens, and
the transcendent "vision" of science, while fending off "regressive"
tendencies in fantasy and utopia. Other secondary materials—including John J.
Pierce's 3-volume thematic history of SF—discuss examples and exponents of hard
SF, largely assuming its value. Recent books about Asimov, Clarke, Clement,
Verne and Wells also highlight the science in their fiction.
matter of hard SF is inseparable from the role in SF of science. Samuelson's
1962 thesis and Westfahl's dissertation trace interest in the subject back to
the 1920s and 1930s, while scholars in the last two decades have produced books
on the presence in SF of physics, linguistics, robots, and computers, as well as
the "cyberpunk" fad. There were even two "coffee-table" books on the subject.
Close Encounters? Science and Science Fiction has a good short sketch of
the science in SF, while The Science in Science Fiction at least takes a
stab at being a reference volume.
the best models available for analyzing hard SF, however, virtually ignore it as
a subgenre. Bainbridge, Berger, Hirsch and Stableford explore the sociology of
SF and Ray Lynn Anderson examines the rhetoric of science in Asimov, Clarke and
Hoyle. Delany's theoretical work stresses codes and conventions involved in
reading anything as SF, basically relegating science to a storehouse of images.
Joanna Russ also argues SF's rhetorical need for scientific constraints. Albert
W. Wendland grapples with SF's gradations from conceptual to perceptual
world-building, while Gary K. Wolfe uses SF's icons to illuminate hard SF's
central issue: encounter with the unknown. Countering Wolfe on the space
station, Westfahl shows it typically standing for resistance rather than
accommodation to the alien.
Wendland and Samuelson in their dissertations, Carl D. Malmgren argues that SF
appropriates the world view of science; his typology goes further, moreover,
scrutinizing variations in characters, societies, settings, even science itself,
the last step allowing for him a theoretical place for science fantasy. Versions
of the scientific world-view form points of departure for other critics. Robert
Nadeau and Susan Strehle examine the role of physics in works by 20th century
writers outside SF. Katherine N. Hayles specifically applies field theory and
chaos theory to works by non-SF writers, although her more recent study mentions
by name Dick and Lem, along with Italo Calvino and William Gibson. Novels by
Aldiss, Delany, and Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., that nobody would call hard SF are Frank
Sadler's examples in looking for influences of 20th century science on SF.
a relatively short and mostly oblique list, this special issue adds four essays.
Gary Westfahl begins appropriately by exploring origins: when does the term
"hard science fiction" emerge and what elements build reader perceptions of
who writes it? John J. Pierce defends hard SF for its unique literary
experience. A physicist and a practicing SF writer, Gregory Benford meditates on
the scientific underpinnings of his most popular novel, Timescape. My own
lengthy contribution is an excerpt from work in progress. In the context of
scientific principles from which the distinctive formulaic nature of SF arises,
it anatomizes an essential generic element specially emphasized in hard SF:
definitive study of hard SF has yet to be written; it may not even be possible
until SF is no longer written. The cutting edge is always somewhere between the
known and the unknown, the proven and the unproven, like the "fantastic" in
Tzvetan Todorov's conception, always threatening to resolve into the mundane or
the marvelous. Scientific and technological progress make mere reportage out of
SF "hypotheticals." Short-lived theories make once bright ideas only "alternate
history." Assuming science continues to progress in its approximations of
reality, the nucleus that is hard SF always moves out of grasp. Constantly
decentering the entire field, hard SF shifts the periphery, sparking ideas in SF
that may be less scientifically rigorous but often is more artistically
As long as science and technology bring changes, writers will try to capture and
bottle it in stories. We scholars and critics can only eat and drink what is put
before us, not create it before its time. We can, and I think should, however,
encourage writers to try out new recipes, knowing a few gourmets will put them
to the test.
Back to Home | <urn:uuid:eb5fd4be-3adc-4cdb-8ab8-0636821d259d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.depauw.edu/sfs/backissues/60/samuelson60art.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00072-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.921326 | 3,155 | 2.328125 | 2 |
MEDIA ADVISORY, Sept. 3 /Christian Newswire/ — Stephen Hawking’s new book urges people to believe that unobservable multiverses and alternate histories or existences have explained away the need for a Designer or Creator, but he’s begging the question with science fiction ‘rescuing devices.’
‘The Grand Design,’ Hawking’s long awaited sequel to ‘A Brief History of Time,’ is giving some well-known science fiction fixtures a veneer of scientific credibility: multiverses and alternate histories.
Hawking claims “the cosmos does not have just a single existence, or history, but rather that every possible history of the universe exists simultaneously.” But is this science? Can we verify these alternate histories or any existence other than the one we observe? No. These things are outside the scope of science. They belong in more familiar haunts, the pages of sci-fi novels and comic books.
Hawking urges us to “question the conventional concept of reality” and instead proposes a “model-dependent theory of reality.” One that relies upon another standard sci-fi device: the multiverse, “…the idea that ours is just one of many universes that appeared spontaneously out of nothing, each with different laws of nature.” Of course, alternate universes are just as unobservable, unprovable and unfalsifiable as alternate histories; which is to say, just as unscientific.
Scientists can no longer rationally deny (in Hawkings own words) that “the laws of our particular universe are extraordinarily finely tuned so as to allow for our existence,” but they refuse to invoke God as a possible explanation, so multiverses are begged as a “rescuing device.” Dr. Jason Lisle defines a rescuing device as “a conjecture designed to save a person’s view from apparently contrary evidence (‘The Ultimate Proof of Creation’, p.22-25). Lisle notes “people can always invoke the unknown” when faced with a conclusion they don’t like: in this case, God Himself as Creator and First Cause. Romans 1:18-25 reflects that God is clearly evident in His Creation, despite such excuses and denials.
With increasing frequency, scientists now invent science fictions to explain life, the universe and everything without the need for God and present such imagineerings as fact, despite all evidence to the contrary.
DefendingGenesis.org is a non-profit ministry promoting the historical reliability of God’s Word through teaching, preaching and awareness initiatives like Creation Sunday & CreationLetter.com. We urge churches to celebrate a Creation Sunday this February 13, 2011, not Evolution Sunday. | <urn:uuid:45783923-01f9-46fa-8989-2a27c1b19fbd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://siriusknotts.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/is-stephen-hawkings-new-book-science-or-science-fiction/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.928238 | 582 | 2.328125 | 2 |
As a teenager, Wilmer Espinoza carried two handguns and belonged to a gang of hired killers. For as little as $700, they would stalk and slay people their clients wanted eliminated.
Today, the 30-year-old carries only a worn Bible in his jacket pocket, and he has traded his band of assassins for another group: Christian rappers who preach for peace in some of Latin America's most violent slums.
Espinoza and his rapper friends grew up in a country where thousands of young people die in gun violence each year, and in a city where dozens of bodies regularly fill the morgue in a single weekend. Government officials say Venezuela suffered 48 homicides per 100,000 residents last year, making the country among Latin America's most violent.
Surviving that carnage meant a radical personal change, Espinoza said, starting with the day seven years ago when he destroyed his guns - a pistol, two revolvers and a shotgun - by cutting them into pieces with a grindstone. He did it to leave the past behind completely, at the urging of his mother and a rapper friend.
At first he was afraid to be defenseless, but he has survived while most of the others in his gang have died.
He now uses the stage name "Kaminante," or Walker, because he sees himself as "someone who walks on, who advances, who doesn't look back." He credits divine intervention in his recovery from gunshot wounds that nearly left him paralyzed a decade ago.
"There are people in the barrios who need a message," said Espinoza, a soft-spoken and bespectacled man with close-cropped hair. "We offer them hope."
The rap group to which he belongs, Los Mas Fuertes Records, or The Strongest Ones Records, was founded three years ago and is one of several distinct grass-roots efforts by Caracas hip-hop artists who use music to reach out to troubled teenagers and give them an outlet to express themselves.
Polls show Venezuelans consider violent crime the country's top problem, and the issue has become fodder for political debate. President Hugo Chavez's government has only sporadically released murder statistics in recent years, and his opponents call the crime rate one of his greatest failures.
While two other Caracas rap groups include musicians who express support for Chavez, those in Los Mas Fuertes Records say they're not taking a political stand and that their message is universal. Everyone has the power to change their communities, they tell their audiences.
The rappers spread that message performing at schools, churches and outdoor concerts in some of the city's roughest neighborhoods.
One evening last month, they began their show in the orange glow of a streetlight on a dirt road, among bare brick homes with barred windows and shacks made of corrugated zinc.
"We invite you to come over!" one of the rappers, Joe D'Cristo, shouted into a microphone. "We're going to start a special event for the community right now!"
At first, less than a dozen people stood waiting, along with children seated in rows of plastic chairs. Several men swilled beer outside a bodega down the road, taking little notice. | <urn:uuid:ba681660-5844-4837-8a70-9ab209c08067> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/may/17/rappers-raise-voices-against-violence-in-venezuela/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974132 | 667 | 1.679688 | 2 |
Intel's Nehalem chips, slated to ship later this month, were called "blindingly fast" by an analyst who is using an early machine running the processor.
The i7 chip is designed to be the next step up from the current generation of Core 2 Duo processors. Speculation is rife that the i7 chip will be used in the next generation of iMacs, which now seem set to appear at the Macworld Expo & Conference in January 2009.
Steve Smith, vice president and director of operations for Intel's digital enterprise group, told Macworld's sister title Computerworld US that the first Nehalem chip, officially named Core i7, will be a quad-core processor that's aimed at high-end desktops used by power users and gamers. He noted that on the day Intel officially launches the chip, several PC makers will begin shipping desktops running it.
Intel has been shipping previews of the chips to hardware vendors since September.
Rob Enderle, an analyst at the Enderle Group, said he's been test driving an Intel-built desktop running the quad-core chip with the hyper threading turned on, so it's virtually an 8-core. "It's fast. It's really fast," said Enderle. "We're talking blindingly fast."
The analyst also noted that the chip shows "significant improvement" in power efficiency. "It's very quiet and has low heat output. It's not turning my office into a sauna," he added. "A lot of people are concerned about their energy consumption. For high-performance to be energy efficient is really important."
Enderle also noted that Core i7 seems to be designed to work with Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7 operating system. He said the computer Intel sent him to try out is running Windows Vista but that chip designers had specs on Windows 7 while they were developing the new chip.
"Corporations are more likely to move to Windows 7 than Vista," he added. "This would be good because it was developed with Windows 7 in mind. By the time Windows 7 ships, these chips should be in corporate and at least high-end desktops and workstations."
The Nehalem technology is a 45-nanometre, four-core processor with an integrated memory controller that eliminates the need for a front-side bus. The new architecture is modular, which officials say will make it easier to scale from two to eight cores.
The Core chips also are being designed to have two-way, simultaneous multithreading, use Intel's QuickPath interconnect, and have a three-level cache hierarchy.
Smith said an eight-core Nehalem is slated to ship in the second half of 2009, while two-core and four-core Nehalem chips for laptops should ship at about the same time. | <urn:uuid:d7c1a786-070d-44cd-b0ba-f3d4e7a9f0f9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/news/?RSS&NewsID=23406 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97347 | 581 | 2.015625 | 2 |
The animal death toll keeps climbing: first it was thousands of blackbirds and fish in Arkansas and Louisiana, now 2 million more fish are dead in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Most of the casualties are adult spot and juvenile croakers, believed to be killed by "cold-water stress." The air temperature in the bay area was 4.3 degrees lower than average last month. Maryland environmental officials say croakers are especially susceptible to colder waters, but that they have usually left the bay by now. This fish kill is "very large," but it's not the largest ever: 15 million fish died in 1976. | <urn:uuid:5aba4a71-a16e-47e5-92fe-151bce0b1864> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2011/01/05/2-million-dead-fish-in-maryland.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97436 | 124 | 2.609375 | 3 |
(Melbourne)David's previous articles
Spiritual Desert - some thoughts on a Synod theme
his homily at the opening Mass for the Year of Faith, Pope Benedict was wide
ranging in his remarks about the Council and the fifty years since.
Significantly, this dedicated Year of Faith was inaugurated alongside the
beginning of a world Synod on Evangelisation. In a late 2000 Encyclical Letter,
John Paul II had outlined what this ‘new’ evangelisation is and to whom it
is an intermediate situation, particularly in countries with ancient Christian
roots, and occasionally in younger Churches as well, where entire groups of the
baptised have lost a living sense of faith, or even no longer consider
themselves members of the Church, and live a life far removed from Christ and
his Gospel. In this case what is needed is a new evangelisation or a re-evangelisation.”
– Redemptoris Missio, # 33
Benedict spoke warmly of the legacy of the Council, he too reiterated what he
believes is a pressing need for its teachings to be embraced anew and within the
context of the Church’s programme of the New Evangelisation
the homily, Benedict returned to a theme which has become emblematic of his
pontificate, namely the principal dangers threatening the faith and its
survival, namely aggressive secularism and moral relativism, the effects of
which he called spiritual desertification.
Benedict spoke from the perspective of having actually been at the Council and
participated at it not as a bishop but as a theologian advising Cardinal Frings
of Cologne. He observed,
“Recent decades have seen the advance of a spiritual desertification. In the Council’s time it was already possible from a few tragic pages of history to know what a life without God looked like, but now we see it every day around us. The void has spread.”
did, however, add some balance when he spoke of the positive dimensions of what
a spiritual wilderness might actually be and what it might educe from human
”we can rediscover the value of what is essential for living; thus in today’s world there are innumerable signs, often expressed implicitly or negatively, of the thirst for God, for the ultimate meaning of life.”
last point is far closer to the enduring significance of the biblical motif of
the desert and what it most deeply signifies.
the long way in the desert I have tested you – An important reference point
story of the wandering of the Israelites became embedded in their collective
memory. It became definitive in the formation not only of Israel’s national
character and identity but also of a foundational understanding of the God who
lead them. For the Israelites, the wandering in the wilderness was as important
to their self-definition as the Exodus itself. During its forty year time span
they encountered God in the stark, unambiguous environment of desolation.
desert was not a place for rationalising, pretence or the fabrication of
alternative deities. It was not only a time of confronting their most basic
choices but it was a period of a new creation when God fashioned them into
united people-hood. The third book of Isaiah revived the memory of it all and it
was recalled and celebrated after the great Exile,
you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you these forty
years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was
in your heart, and whether you would keep his commandments, or not.”
– Dt 8: 2
of all their human illusions and false securities, it is God whom the Israelites
encountered in the wilderness. It was there that Moses and those close to him
experienced what Rudolf Otto in his Idea of the Holy described as, the Mysterium
fascinans et tremendum – the mystery which, at the same time, attracts and
instills dread. The wilderness is the place, for those who can enter it in trust
and where God is disclosed in an atmosphere of awe. Israel could not live
without this God in the wilderness and it is clear that God was comfortable
living in the desert with them.
wilderness, another testing?
shifts the desert motif somewhat further from its biblical significance.
‘Spiritual desertification’, according to him, is the state wherein people
think that they can live without God. He was thinking in particular of those to
whom the New Evangelisation should be most urgently and energetically directed,
namely, Catholics who have drifted from the practice of the faith. He is, in
reality and without the gloss, talking about the mass alienation of Catholics
from the community of the Church.
far during the Synod, this theme has been picked up either explicitly or
implicitly by a number of speakers from different geographical and
ecclesiastical regions of the world. It is interesting to note in what
particular ways the idea was translated and applied by these representatives.
From the content of their interventions, we can probably learn much about them
and the way the notion echoes around within their own national psyches and
unspoken subtext of the Synod discussions might well be more disturbing for its
participants than just the mathematics of attrition. What must be alarming for
leaders more interested in facts rather than spin is that people have made a
distinction between God and God’s representatives, between Jesus Christ and
the hierarchical structure of the Church. Many millions have decided that they
can live, not without God and Jesus, but without the organisation in its present
form. Not only have Catholics made distinctions, they have made profound choices
on the basis of those distinctions. So now, what are they saying at the Synod
about the specifics of ‘spiritual desertification’?
is being said and by whom?
The Europeans and North Americans locate the principal reasons for popular disenchantment and ‘spiritual desertification’ in intellectual obstinacy and the other usual suspects, secularism, relativism. Ignorance of Church doctrine and liturgical practice has become a focus of attention mainly on the part of bishops from the northern hemisphere and they are very closely echoing the on-going catechetical promptings of Benedict.
Pope and these European and North American bishops are convinced that the most
serious malaise in the Church is a drought
of doctrine. They are turning the Synod into a self-absorbed European affair
and I think they are letting the rest of the Church down very badly.
they may find difficult to acknowledge is that millions of Catholics have long
become suspicious of and sceptical about the Church’s own hubris and its
culture of programmed indoctrination and moralising judgments!
Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary, perhaps reflecting something of the
pessimism of the eastern Europeans has criticised schools in his country for
offering “an education in syncretism and indifferentism.”
Washington, DC’s Cardinal Donald Wuerl is the Synod Relator or coordinator. He probably still has a personal axe to grind as he smarts over the Sr Elizabeth Johnston theological debacle. In his opening address he warned of an “intellectual and ideological separation of Christ from his Church”, seeing “secularism and relativism” as subjugating the faith.
Wuerl should know better than this because the Catholic Church in the United
States along with many other countries in the West, has tens of thousands of non
ordained members who are theologically literate, informed and highly articulate.
These are fiercely committed stakeholders in the Church and they have a finely
developed sense of what is not congruent and transparent in Church teaching and
governance. They are particularly sensitive to mixed message, outright deception
and a collective Church leadership compromised by those very things it condemns
and rails against namely, secularism and moral relativism.
power to attract and persuade has always been its congruity and integrity in
both public and private life. It has always claimed the moral high ground and
that it stands for principles superior to and qualitatively different from the
world around it. Throughout history, it has always lost that capacity to win
over the outsider when its values have been compromised and its identity
subverted. The disclosures of machinations, subterfuge, dissemblance,
ostentation and displays of authoritarian power have left it as an institution
almost unparalleled even in the last remaining dictatorships on earth.
one of the more pious and utterly delusional interventions, Cardinal Dolan of
New York suggested that “confession is the sacrament of evangelization.”
This is possibly an unwitting admission of catastrophic pastoral failure and a
defeat for imaginative leadership when the popular perception is that the great
collective sin of the Church has yet to be adequately named and repented of.
Evangelisation will be effective if the leadership of the Catholic Church is
first reconciled with God through its own people.
journey with Christ through the poverty of the human spirit
a far less ideological or doctrinal perspectives, the bishops of Asia and Africa
have concentrated on the more human dimensions of Evangelisation.
Perhaps they are thinking of the prophet Elijah who not only preached the
uniqueness and justice of God but also encountered the Nameless One not in the
fire, earthquake, storm or thunder but in the quiet voice in the wilderness They
were certainly thinking about the Word who became flesh and not a book of dogma.
Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila spoke of the enduring attractiveness of the Gospel
that is found most powerfully in the humanity of Jesus,
seeming indifferent and aimless societies of our time are earnestly looking for
God. ... The world takes delight in the simple witness to Jesus – meek and
humble of heart.”
a similar vein, Nigerian bishop of Oyo, Emmanuel Badejo suggested that the only
sure way for the Church to succeed in the work of Evangelisation is for it to go
to the people and meet them in their secular domain world. The missionary Church
must be seen in the mundane and seedy worlds of raw human experience if it is to
be congruent with the habitual practice of Jesus. The medium is committed
Christian humanism and the alienated in particular respond to his kind of
in the world today may not go to Church but they need the Church to come to
them, right where people are found, especially in those places where churches
are emptying. Is the Holy Spirit calling us out of the ‘catacombs of fear and
self consciousness’ to share Jesus more with others? The ‘original places of
social media’ namely the playgrounds, the streets, town squares, marketplaces,
nightclubs, shopping malls, even pubs and slums, thirst to be ‘Church’ in
some form.”
not doctrine that people are looking for these days and it is a huge error of
judgement to think a large dose of catechesis will cure the frailties of God’s
People. Doctrine so easily becomes sterile indoctrination and a body of
collection of dead letters without a living soul and spirit. Prof. Tomas Halik,
a former adviser to JP II on atheism and Communism, reinforces the point,
“Evangelism as monologue is indoctrination...(and)...People are allergic to
indoctrination”. However, searching people will always respond to Christ and a
Christ-like Church. The problem is that they are finding little evidence of
either. The challenge for the Church is to reverse this.
will be of more than academic interest to read and study the final statement of
this Synod on the Church’s evangelical mission and to gauge whether there was
a genuine conversation held in a spirit of candour, transparency and
collegiality or that the conclusions were written before the ink on the Pope’s
opening homily was barely dry.
The Pope’s address on Evangelization, full text here.
And for more on Benedict’s interventions and ‘clarifications’ at the
Synod, see Sandro Magister’s Chiesa.Espresso
Previous references by Benedict to spiritual deserts, see Pontifical Council for
the New Evangelization, here.
For rather directive commentary by Benedict to the Synod on challenges and
strategies for the New Evangelisation, click here.
John Allen’s NCR summary of the
different regional understandings of the key to the New Evangelization, here.
For Bishop Emmanuel Badejo’s reflections on the need of the Church to meet
people in their world, click here.
more reflection and discussion on the sacred
dimension of the secular, see Mark
Johnson’s 16/08/10 Cathnews blog
David Timbs writes from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. | <urn:uuid:e656c488-ca78-457b-a125-a936c3ce5bb8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.v2catholic.com/dtimbs/2012/2012-10-21spiritual-desert.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945454 | 2,748 | 2.046875 | 2 |
If you’re experiencing the signs of depression, get professional help. Not sure what the symptoms are? Debra Lobatz, an Encinitas marriage and family therapist, offers the HALT system of detecting depression.
H (hungry): Are you hungry all the time? Or, maybe you’re never hungry. Changes in appetite can be a symptom of depression.
A (anger): Are you more irritable or short-tempered than usual? Are you sad? The stress of caregiving can push people to their limits.
L (loneliness): Have you closed yourself off from friends and normal social activities? You can become isolated and withdrawn when depressed.
T (tired): Are you constantly fatigued, sleepy and lacking energy? Depression can interfere with sleep and drain your energy.
Mary Lynn Dudley knew that nursing her 93-year-old mother back to health after a stroke would be difficult, but she wasn’t prepared for the toll it would take on her own health.
“I felt overwhelmed. I had no idea how stressful and what an emotional drain it would be,” said the 67-year-old University City resident. “I was always exhausted, I couldn’t eat or sleep, and I lost a lot of weight. And, if I wasn’t depressed, I was headed in that direction.”
Although Dudley may have felt all alone in her despair, she wasn’t.
Studies have shown that family caregivers are at increased risk for high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and depression. In fact, half to two-thirds of family caregivers suffer from significant symptoms of clinical depression, said Kurt Buske, associate director of Southern Caregiver Resource Center, a nonprofit San Diego group that provides free services and counseling to caregivers of aging or chronically ill adults.
“The increased stress that comes with caregiving can result in the immune system not functioning properly, making the caregiver more susceptible to disease, infection and viruses,” he said.
The family caregiver gets so busy attending to their loved one that they don’t take care of their own health.
“Caregivers don’t always realize they’re under more stress than usual and think they’re just doing what they need to do,” said Debra Lobatz, an Encinitas marriage and family therapist. “But caregivers have to take care of themselves. It’s why you put the (airline) oxygen mask on yourself first. If you don’t take care of yourself first, you won’t be available to care for others.”
According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, 29 percent of the U.S. adult population, or 65.7 million people, are caregivers for the elderly or a family member with special needs. Although the average amount of time a person provides care is about 20 hours per week for eight years, the job can go on for much longer, sometimes for decades. | <urn:uuid:51488cc6-c8b2-451e-8656-c86dfe4db9ab> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/dec/27/care-for-the-caregiver/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00064-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954402 | 632 | 2.359375 | 2 |
Alcohol has 7 calories (29 kJ) per gram, second only to fat (9 calories/ 37kJ per gram). One standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol which yields 70 calories from alcohol alone (not to mention sugar also contained in many alcoholic drinks). If you have one standard drink every night of the week, this is equivalent to consuming 5 Tim Tams worth of extra calories per week!
Alcohol can therefore contribute significantly to the amount of calories you are allowed, especially when you are trying to control the amount of calories you are consuming.It's Not Just the Calories
Alcohol also:- Suppresses fat oxidation
- Contains no other nutritional value, and is therefore 'empty calories'
- Can deplete your body of other vitamins and minerals
- May interfere with your hunger hormones and cause you to eat more
- Increase the risk of common cancer
- Inflame the lining of the stomach, intestine and pancreasSo how can you help to minimise the amount that you drink?
The following tips can help to reduce the amount of alcohol that you drink from week-to-week.1. Alternate each glass with some soda or mineral water
2. Use low calorie mixers
3. Don't drink daily
4. Avoid over-eating while you are drinking
5. Enjoy without guilt (if you choose to drink moderately and sensibly)Recommendations:
- No more than two standard drinks per day and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day
- You should have at least one or two alcohol-free days per week
- Don't 'save up' all your daily drinks to have them all in one big night!
Top tips to stay healthy this Christmas
Drink beer and run better? | <urn:uuid:6c262fcb-eeae-4d27-adf6-26f9b4ffe3fe> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/banzai/run/feature/-/12358845/alcohol-and-excess-calories/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.915793 | 359 | 2.59375 | 3 |
April 22, 2010
"JOEL SALATIN & JUDY REBICK ON BUILDING NEW FOOD SYSTEMS"
Virginia farmer Joel Salatin has become one of the most well known names in the world of alternative farming after his notable presence in Michael Pollan's best-selling book The Omnivore's Dilemma and an important role as part of the popular documentary Food Inc.
In February 2010, Joel was interviewed by Lauren Berlekamp of the Erie Wire. Joel spoke to Lauren about his unique and seemingly common-sense approach to farming, but more specifically, they spoke of the nutritional comparisons of his grass-finished beef vs. the more common grain-finished beef; they spoke of the politics and regulations surrounding the livestock sector in the United States and their impacts on smaller-scale producers; and they spoke of how Salatin's model of success, including his new relationship with a large American fast-food chain, is a replicable and financially rewarding model for farmers who seek to produce more responsible food.
Also featured on the episode, a great talk delivered by Toronto's Judy Rebick. Rebick is the Canadian Auto Workers-Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy at Ryerson University and helped launch rabble.ca - an independent multi-media portal for Canadian and global perspectives. In November 2008, Rebick spoke at the annual convention of Canada's National Farmers Union and encouraged farmers there to take advantage of what she referred to as the 'perfect storm', whereby the dominant top-down social and economic models are collapsing - clearing the way, as she believes, for a bottom-up and community-centred approach to begin better serving our needs.
Joel Salatin, farmer/author, Polyface Farm (Swoope, Virginia) - Joel is an American farmer, lecturer, and author whose books include You Can Farm and Salad Bar Beef. Joel raises livestock using holistic methods of animal husbandry, free of potentially harmful chemicals. He believes that Polyface Farm arguably represents America's premier non-industrial food production oasis. The Salatins strive to develop emotionally, economically, environmentally enhancing agricultural enterprises and facilitate their duplication throughout the world.
Judy Rebick, canadian auto workers - sam gindin chair in social justice & democracy, Ryerson University (Toronto, ON) - Between 1990 and 1993 Judy Rebick was the president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women. She later became the co-host of CBC Newsworld's prime time show Face Off and then worked on the show Straght from the Hip. She became a regular contributor to CBC TV's Sunday Report and CBC Radio and in 2001 helped launch rabble.ca - an independent multi-media news and discussion web site.
Musical Selection (name/title/album/label)
Theme/Soundclips - Adham Shaikh, Infusion, Fusion, Sonic Turtle (CDN)
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How sweet is your cup?07/05/2009
At Intelligentsia we believe that sweetness (taste sensation based on sucrose) is the key to coffee; the more inherent sweetness a coffee exhibits, the better. This means that as roasters we have more to play with during the roasting cycle. We can, in part, manipulate sweetness to bring out either more fruit sweet or caramelized sweetness, accompanied by the overarching goal to hit the target flavor descriptors decided during the initial purchase process.
‘How do we perceive sweetness?’ I hear you ask. Well, that is a great question. The SCAA describes sweetness as:
“Sweetness refers to a pleasing fullness of flavor as well as any obvious sweetness and its perception is the result of the presence of certain carbohydrates. The opposite of sweetness in this contest is sour, astringency or “green” flavors”.
Personally, the last sentence in above quotation really helped drive home the idea of sweetness in coffee; I find it to be a coating/ viscous sensation on my tongue. Astringency, which we find a lot of whilst cupping, is a drying sensation that leaves more to be desired.
As Carl Staub (Agtron) touched on, in the “Basic Chemical Reactions” during roasting, there are different types of sugars within coffee:
“In lighter roasts there will be more trigonelline, hence bitterness, but also less sugar caramelization. Caramelized sugar is less sweet in the cup than non caramelized sugar, so when properly roasted these two constituents form an interesting compliment to each other.”
Bitterness is a large, umbrella term and can be applied in a variety of ways to describe a sensation in tasting coffee. Some coffee-drinkers make the mistake of attaching the thought “bitter” to all roasts described as light. A lighter roast, in actuality, might contain more fruit sweetness rather then a more caramel sweetness.
For me when roasting, it’s like balancing act because we want our coffees to be as sweet as possible. This, in combination with knowing what “target” flavors we are trying to bring out in the coffee itself will dictate how we will let the coffee develop during the roast cycle, which I will go further into this later.
There are many variables within and outside of the roasting cycle that we contend with when trying to capture sweetness in the cup. I will be going into as many of these as I can in upcoming posts, as well as a blow for blow account of our roasting process to better explain the ‘balancing act.’
Till next time.
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