text stringlengths 213 24.6k | id stringlengths 47 47 | dump stringclasses 1
value | url stringlengths 14 499 | file_path stringlengths 138 138 | language stringclasses 1
value | language_score float64 0.9 1 | token_count int64 51 4.1k | score float64 1.5 5.06 | int_score int64 2 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Proposed changes in military health care seek savings in wrong places
But the companies that bid on government contracts to provide health care services to veterans should be held to a standard that requires them to look at more than corporate efficiency when deciding how to administrate insurance plans. The men and women who risk their lives in service to their country deserve that, at the least.
The changes of concern to military retirees in Oregon involve Tricare West, the Pentagon's health care plan for the far-flung West region, which includes all or most of 20 states and a portion of west Texas. United Healthcare, which was awarded the contract for the region in March and is scheduled to take over operations in April, plans to eliminate HMO-style coverage for Tricare beneficiaries who do not live near military treatment facilities in Oregon, Iowa and Minnesota, as well as Reno, Nev., and Springfield, Mo., according to recent news reports by The Oregonian's Nick Budnick and others. A final decision on the change has not been made, Department of Defense spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said via email.
The Department of Defense has been moving toward increasing service near military installations and reducing coverage options elsewhere since 2007. Many public and private employers have made similar moves to reduce the number of health care plans and to funnel patients into the ones that can be administered the most efficiently. In some cases, this is a legitimate way to reduce health care costs. But as efficient as the proposed change might be, it also is unfair.
Limiting the HMO-style service, called Tricare Prime, to areas near military health centers disproportionately hurts beneficiaries in Oregon, where the only centers are Coast Guard clinics in Astoria and North Bend. The reduction in coverage options also comes after a decade of heightened military deployment that has increased the demand for veterans services in Oregon and elsewhere.
The coverage changes would increase cost and decrease convenience for those who do not live close to treatment centers. These beneficiaries would be shifted from Tricare Prime to Tricare Standard, which requires a copay of 25 percent and requires more paperwork from patients. The changes won't affect active-duty military or their families, or retirees age 65 or over, but Pentagon officials have not provided other details.
Tuesday, the Oregon congressional delegation sent a letter to Dr. Jonathon Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, seeking further explanation and a discussion of alternatives. "We understand that there is concern about the costs associated with medical care for military members and retirees, but this proposal unfairly penalizes residents of selects states and areas," the letter states.
In fact, the proposed changes flunk the fairness test in ways beyond geography. Among those affected are recent retirees, the ones most likely to have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The changes also come at a time when many former military members, like the nation as a whole, are struggling economically.
The Department of Defense needs to call an audible and find a better way to save money. | <urn:uuid:59ed6110-e3b7-4da8-b6d1-4945a4923baf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/10/proposed_changes_in_military_h.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00044-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966897 | 605 | 1.554688 | 2 |
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg came to his senses and canceled the NYC marathon. But he didn't sound very happy about it. He can take credit for finally doing the right thing even if he had little choice. The visual juxtaposition of runners waiting for the race to start on Staten Island in warming tents with bagels and water, contrasted with nearby homeless Staten Island hurricane victims, would have been indefensible.
In their joint statement Friday, Mayor Bloomberg and New York City Road Runners Director Mary Wittenberg blamed the growing controversy about holding the race as their reason for canceling it. The controversy, they argued, distracted from the recovery. Ms. Wittenberg, in a letter to race participants, took it one step further — blaming exaggerated media coverage for creating antagonism to the event and its participants. She continued to contend that the marathon would not have diverted resources away from the recovery.
As a public relations consultant and a runner who was scheduled to toe the starting line run on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, here's my advice to the mayor and Ms. Wittenberg: Have and show a heart. What they owed the city and runners was a genuine, sincere apology. What they offered was a gun-to-the-head, defensive explanation.
Perhaps it's the fear of litigation, or just hubris, that causes some of our leaders to shy away from public apologies. Nevertheless, a cardinal rule of crisis communications is that your first public statement should show you recognize the depth of the problem, understand who has been harmed or affected, and demonstrate empathy for them. You don't have to feel their pain, like Bill Clinton — but you should acknowledge it.
Instead, Mr. Bloomberg and Ms. Wittenberg sounded like resentful kids. It would have been better if they had explained why they had thought running the race would be good for the city. When the original decision to go forward with the marathon was announced, Ms. Wittenberg appeared on NBC's "Today Show" and said the marathon symbolized the human spirit's ability to persevere. Instead of pointing fingers, Mr. Bloomberg and Ms. Wittenberg, in later canceling the event, could have repeated this sentiment and added that the same spirit would endure in 2013 with a repaired and reinvigorated New York.
Another tenet of crisis communications is to listen to those who have been affected by the crisis. Runners, many who had trained for months including the hottest days of the summer, were pulling out of the marathon because for them running it wasn't the right thing to do. As one runner remarked to a reporter, "I just couldn't imagine running up Fourth Avenue and having someone hand me water when there's such a desperate need for water."
Many of the runners who arrived in New York before the cancellation had the right priorities. On Sunday morning, they took the ferry to Staten Island and worked as volunteers aiding relief efforts. Others left town early so those made homeless by the storm could stay in their hotel rooms.
The New York Road Runners still have my $250 entry fee and the entry fees of the 47,000 other runners who would have traversed the course. If they want to make the right statement, they could offer to donate it to the American Red Cross or the "Race to Recover" marathon fund.
Harry Bosk, is principal of the Baltimore-based public relations firm The Write Image. His email is email@example.com. He has run eight marathons and 13 half marathons. | <urn:uuid:bb3b7095-3aa5-4d98-9bd0-d4544986d2d5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-11-06/news/bs-ed-marathon-20121106_1_nyc-marathon-mayor-bloomberg-runners | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977551 | 728 | 1.515625 | 2 |
The Municipal Arts Society of New York will posthumously award famed Philadelphia architect Louis Kahn the 25th Brendan Gill Prize in recognition for his "magnificent conception and design of FDR Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island" in New York City's East River.
When Kahn died of a heart attack in New York's Penn Station in 1974 his briefcase contained the designs for Four Freedoms Park. After decades of uncertainty and doubt, FDR Four Freedoms Park was finally dedicated in October 2012. The park is a memorial to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, taking its themes from the four essential freedoms mentioned in Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union speech (Freedom of Speech/Expression, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear).
The Municipal Arts Society Brendan Gill Prize is awarded annually "to the creator of a work of art made during the previous year that captures the energy and spirit of New York City." Former US Ambassador William J. vanden Heuvel (Chairman of the Four Freedoms Park Conservancy whose devoted campaigning led to the park's realization) will accept the award on behalf of Louis Kahn and FDR Four Freedoms Park on February 26. The cash prize will be put toward the park's maintenance.
Lou Kahn born on this day in 1901, so we can't help but think that today's announcement makes an awfully nice birthday gift. | <urn:uuid:063f95b0-2ae0-40f4-ada4-aa3c3b23f1d9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://planphilly.com/eyesonthestreet/2013/02/20/lou-kahn-awarded-brendan-gill-prize-for-fdr-four-freedoms-park | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00071-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946521 | 278 | 2.0625 | 2 |
Project ASSIST Institute - ASSIST stands for Alphabetic, Sound, Symbol, Instruction, Systematically, Taught. They help children that have specific reading disabilities, unlock the written word. PAI will continue to exist as long as these children's needs are not being adequately met.
Heath Resource Library - National clearinghouse for post-secondary education for persons with disabilities. Note: In order to get to the Heath Resource Center you must click on its link.
Dyslexia Teacher -Website focusing on information and resources for teachers of children who may be dyslexic. | <urn:uuid:98271e63-344c-41a4-8dab-77fe69fa4627> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.macalester.edu/academics/psychology/whathap/UBNRP/Dyslexia/links.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946699 | 118 | 2.984375 | 3 |
Download the article: The Consciousness of Higher Animals
Originally published in Goetheanum Weekly, Vol. 7, No. 24
Translated and published in Anthroposophical Movement, Vol. V, #24, 1928 (England)
THE bodily form of the higher animals is best understood by treating the human form as origin and centre, of which the animal is a one-sided or stunted modification. Once this is recognised from a study of Goethe's and Rudolf Steiner's works, the thought lies near at hand to -attempt a similar treatment of the: realm of comparative psychology of man and animals. We should then start from the human soul as the centre and archetype, and represent the peculiarities of the animal soul as a falling-away or aberration from this centre in various directions. As a starting-point for such research we may turn to the book where Rudolf Steiner gives an all-embracing and unprejudiced description of the processes of the inner life of man, that is, the, Philosophy of Spiritual Activity. Strange as it may sound, this book also becomes the foundation-stone for a spiritual-scientific psychology of animals. Let us attempt an outline sketch along these lines.
Consider man to begin with from the aspect of cognition. A chaos of percepts, void of inner connections, would be given to his consciousness if he were not able to introduce order and division by his thinking activity. Rudolf Steiner describes the character of man's thought in deliberate contrast to the customary theory of knowledge. Human thought does not create an arbitrary order and impose it on the things of the world. It is rather an organ which reaches into the invisible inner structure of the world itself, and, by deriving thence the concepts, reconstitutes-from the unrelated and chaotic detail of pure sense-given perceptions-the original totality. The latter in itself is full of inner relationships and connections. Thought only adds to the world of percepts what has already been left out of it. It adds nothing foreign to the percept, but on the contrary, the indispensable complement. It is above all peculiar to man to bring this cleft into the world of Reality. It has nothing to do with the nature of things themselves. In the Philosophy of Spiritual Activity Rudolf Steiner gives frequent hints to show how this specifical1y human dismemberment of Reality is connected with the structure and organisation of man himself (see, for example, page 82 of the 1921 edition). And it lies near at hand to connect this tearing-asunder of the two halves of Reality with the division which has taken place in the human body as between the head-pole and the pole of metabolism and the limbs. The head as center of the nerves-and-senses-system becomes the mediator of perceptions, yet inasmuch as it is the bearer of the senses it also conceals from us the "other half" of Reality. The uprightness of the human figure—the raising of the head above the horizontal posture of the animal—is also a bodily expression of the severance the human Ego makes between itself and the World, a severance it overcomes once more in the process of knowledge. When the human Ego unites concept and percept in Thought, it bridges over the gulf which has been opened wide by the very organisation of man's body.
Please download the link above, to read the entire article | <urn:uuid:aff669d3-d826-48de-b277-a8b49f86132c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.waldorflibrary.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=676:the-consciousness-of-higher-animals&catid=127:articles&Itemid=5 | 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 | 0.945702 | 699 | 2.390625 | 2 |
kisEdit is a program for editing of Web site pages within your Web browser. Changing texts or images is very easy, and doesn't require any technical skills. Your Web pages become modifiable and you can edit texts like you do in MS Word. Uploaded images are automatically resized. Pages can be edited safely because a section in the page has been marked as modifiable. This prevents the accidental destruction of the page structure. Kis-edit is installed on the Web server on which your Web site runs.
Redo Backup and Recovery is an extremely easy point-and-click rescue live CD with a suite of tools for system backup and recovery, partition editing, deleted file recovery, drive management, data protection, and more. The backup tool stores an image of the entire hard drive, so recovery from viruses, malware, or disc failures takes minutes. It boots from a CD or USB drive. It automatically locates local drives, USB drives, and network-shared drives to make backup storage and retrieval as simple as possible for anyone. The menu-driven GUI includes a Web browser for downloading drivers and a terminal with advanced command line tools.
Joker the IRC bot is a PHP class designed for quick and easy IRC bot construction. This base class contains methods that can be executed from your plugins. It has built-in flood protection, timers, and a powerful plugin system that allows you to reload plugin classes on-the-fly, without restarting the PHP console or disconnecting from the network.
OmniComment is a small script to that enables a Webmaster to add comments to any page. The idea is to include a call to the script in the appropriate page, using an SSI statement. The script will write out the appropriate HTML containing a link to the comments already posted for this page and a form to post new comments. In principle this is similar to Gentle Comment, except it's more lightweight: it uses a flat directory and normal files to store the comment (as opposed to a MySQL database), so it is not appropriate if your Web site receives thousand of comments a minute. Another difference is that all configuration happens in a text file, and there is no Web interface to perform administration. OmniComment generates an ATOM feed that follows publication of comments anywhere in the site.
HackIt! is a strategic game where your goal is to control as many Web sites as you can by hacking them. It is played on an infinite map (the whole Web) where hackers struggle for the control of the Internet. The game involves scanning sites to know who they belong to, hacking your friends' favorite pages, or tracking them to kick them out of the net.
Bullet is a 3D game multiphysics library that provides state of the art collision detection and soft body and rigid body dynamics. Bullet is integrated into Cinema 4D, Lightwave, and Blender. A Houdini and Maya Plugin is available. It has a modular extendible C++ design with hot-swap of most components. The back-ends were optimized for pthreads/Win32 Threads multi-threading and PS3 Cell SPU. Other features include discrete and continuous collision detection (CCD), swept collision queries, ray casting with custom collision filtering, generic convex support (using GJK), capsule, cylinder, cone, sphere, box, and non-convex triangle meshes. Rigid body dynamics include constraint solvers, generic constraints, ragdolls, hinges, and ball-sockets. Constraint limits and motors are supported. Soft body support includes cloth, rope, and deformable objects. Import and export into COLLADA 1.4 Physics format is supported. Dynamic deformation of non-convex triangle meshes is supported by refitting the acceleration structures. | <urn:uuid:b39576d9-4833-497c-9054-81b503c5d546> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://freecode.com/tags/windows?page=2&sort=created_at&with=2756&without= | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00073-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.914745 | 771 | 1.734375 | 2 |
Today's New York Times featured a front-page article on the severe drought facing Australia and the ripple effects that water shortage is having around the globe. In a nutshell, Australia's water deficit has hurt its production and export of rice, the global price of rice has risen sharply, and conflict has broken out in states that rely on rice imports for food.
It's not just a bad Kevin Costner movie. In the literature on emerging conflict, competition for water is expected to be a major factor in future warfare. Competition for food (often the byproduct of scarce water) will also drive conflict, particularly in areas of the world where population growth outpaces food-production capability. And global warming will make the competition increasingly fierce.
Infectious diseases will also serve as an engine for conflict. Nations will crumble from within if they cannot control disease epidemics. States and non-state actors will fight over medical treatment facilities, quarantine measures and other friction points. These issues will also create alliances and enmities between states and regions. It's not hard to imagine scenarios where disputes over these basic life necessities lead to civil wars, interstate wars, terrorism, etc.
I've been an environmentalist since my first YMCA camping trips as a kid; I think we ought to care about the environment for its own sake. But if that kind of liberal idealism does nothing for you, then today's Australia story should give you a reason to care. It's just one of many environmental issues with a national security nexus. (Oil and energy policy, anyone?)
By all means, let's save the polar bears. But let's also save ourselves by being smarter and better on environmental issues.
Please email us to report offensive comments.
Posted by: John Faughnan | April 17, 2008 8:06 PM
Posted by: Publius | April 17, 2008 8:42 PM
Posted by: Simply J | April 17, 2008 8:56 PM
Posted by: Walter Olin | April 17, 2008 9:12 PM
Posted by: C.B. | April 18, 2008 8:14 AM
Posted by: Jimmy | April 18, 2008 11:47 AM
Posted by: Publius | April 18, 2008 6:31 PM
Posted by: molly | April 19, 2008 8:17 AM
Posted by: Fnarf | April 19, 2008 10:01 AM
Posted by: Buddy | April 19, 2008 10:35 AM
Posted by: Geoff Dabelko | April 30, 2008 6:27 PM
The comments to this entry are closed. | <urn:uuid:b539f224-95a2-4816-8b32-050d3e169cfe> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://voices.washingtonpost.com/inteldump/2008/04/water_wars.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00051-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95167 | 534 | 2.453125 | 2 |
A tornado hit Calhoun County, AL on April 27, 2011 and in just two weeks, Calhoun County geographic information systems manager Robert Scheitlin put up a Web map showing the damage. It was widely used in the recovery efforts.
In May, Scheitlin received statewide recognition for his work when Auburn University Montgomery honored him with a Digital Government Innovation award. Scheitlin’s work beat three other contenders, including the Piedmont city school system, which was nominated for dispensing MacBooks to each child in grades four through 12.
Tech: ArcGIS API for Flex plus some new $27k costing imagery.
Roanoke County, VA has some tax issues:
County Administrator Clay Goodman said officials know some of the sale prices are incorrect. That happened because the GIS system uses the value listed with recordation tax. That tax is based on either a property's sale price or its assessed value, whichever is higher. The sale price was usually higher until the housing bubble burst and caused a situation in which property might be purchased for lower than the assessed price. So in some cases the GIS system lists a sale price as higher than what was paid.
What's interesting to me is that all the calculation seem to be done in the GIS, not in the assessing software. That led to this headline: "Roanoke County GIS system posts incorrect housing prices." The other interesting point on this? One of the supervisors could not believe the problem was found so quickly. "He questioned how the taxation department could evaluate the system after spending just two days looking into the situation."
Three years ago, MAGIC began a project with the Office of Long Island Sound Programs to provide a better way to distribute more than 6,000 color infrared aerial photographs of the Connecticut shoreline taken from 1974 through 2000. By creating digital indexes that represent the location and extent of what the photos show on the ground and associating them with scanned images of the original photos, the indexes can leverage several ways to allow users access from their homes or offices at their convenience.
And, now they are available!
The digital indexes are available to the public from the MAGIC GIS data page, and users can view individual aerial images through downloadable GIS datasets as well as with Google Earth-friendly KML files and a custom interactive map interface. | <urn:uuid:6a5d2afa-d7bc-456e-8550-ad69a65b630a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.directionsmag.com/channels/education/blogs/tornado-web-map-wins-award-and-other-government-gis-news/262139 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00021-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95313 | 479 | 1.992188 | 2 |
Thinnest Possible Invisibility Cloak
July 6, 2011
There has been tremendous interest in cloaking technology using metamaterials, and Andrea Alù's group in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, has been very active in the field, putting forward two exciting possibilities to obtain drastic scattering reduction from moderately-sized objects.
One is the concept of plasmonic cloaking, which the group has put forward in 2005 and following years together with Nader Engheta at the University of Pennsylvania (see for instance: "Achieving transparency with plasmonic and metamaterial coatings"), both theoretically and experimentally, and is based on the use of a thin metamaterial cover to suppress the scattering from a passive object.
The second one is the concept of mantle cloaking ("Mantle cloak: Invisibility induced by a surface"), which is based on a simple impedance surface to achieve similar effects.
The team's latest findings in ACS Nano ("Atomically Thin Surface Cloak Using Graphene Monolayers") show that even a single layer of atoms, with the exciting conductivity properties of graphene, may achieve similar functionality in planar and cylindrical geometries.
"The graphene cloak idea stems from the mantle cloaking concept, which we have proposed at microwaves using frequency-selective surfaces, i.e., properly patterned conducting surfaces that can tailor their effective surface impedance at will," Alù explains to Nanowerk. "Due to the recent progress in understanding graphene's AC conductivity, we have realized that its unique features of ultra-high mobility and largely tunable Fermi level may naturally provide the required reactive properties in a single atomic layer. The effective surface impedance of graphene can be tuned in real-time, another great advantage of this graphene cloak, which makes dynamically tunable and switchable cloaking operation possible."
Once realized, this concept represents the 'thinnest' possible cloak, operating in the THz spectrum. Alù's student and co-author Pai-Yen Chen put together the graphics below to summarize the status of technology of scattering-cancellation cloaks that the group have recently proposed, and where their latest findings fit in terms of thickness and operating frequency.
Reprinted from Nanowerk.com. Click through to read the rest of the article. | <urn:uuid:61fe6a8f-e897-4f3c-81f5-7666d1231af4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ece.utexas.edu/aboutece/research_detail.cfm?id=67 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.934041 | 493 | 3.125 | 3 |
Anwar is short for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Geologists estimate Anwar
holds 10 Billion barrels of Oil, enough Oil to get the United States by for two years. There is only one problem,
there is currently a ban on drilling at this field in Alaska which is referred to as the North Slope.
Ban History: The ANWR ban dates all the way back to 1973 which was signed into law by president Richard Nixon.
Alaska's Gwich'in Indians, whose hunting ground are protected by the 1973 law, are one of the main reasons the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is off limits for oil companies to drill. In addition to the oil drilling having
a natural effect on the environment, conservationists worry that drilling and potential accidents would jeopardize the animals
that populate the ANWR including caribou and polar bears. It doesn't end there for the ANWAR debate. Canada also
fears that opening up the Anwar would put their land at risk as well as their animals. Environmentalists have been speaking
out for the past 35 years on the subject of protecting ANWAR's wildlife and protecting the beautiful Alaskan land
from oil spills.
ANWAR Facts: There are around 19 million acres in Alaska North
Slope, which again, is referred to by the name of ANWAR. The 1992 election of Bill Clinton to the U.S. presidency and
the Democrats' gains in both the Senate and the House of Representatives seemed to eliminate the possibility that the
ANWR would be repealed. Oil companies and President Bush have recently intensified their debate
about the possible opening of the oil fields in Alaska. There is also a federal ban on drilling oil shale
from the Green River Basin located mainly in Colorado. Did you know that the Green River Oil Shale Deposit is the biggest in the World?
Benefiting from ANWAR: Now that we have heard
the cons about drilling in Alaska's Anwar, what are the benefits? For one, it would bring a huge economic boom to
Alaska. This ANWAR drilling plan would produce a ton of jobs, bring businesses to Alaska. Safe drilling in the
ANWAR would help the United States reduce its dependency on foreign oil as we watch oil prices sky rocket past $140 per barrel.
Yes we would only gain two years worth of oil....but that is a huge step right now as we scramble to find new sources
of energy such as solar power, wind power, hydrogen, and ethanol. We aren't even discussing the offshore part of
Alaska which could contain 30 billion barrels of Oil. We are just speaking about ANWAR here. One last
pro. Alaska has no income tax. Legislators feel this may not last if the ANWAR ban is not lifted.
In conclusion, lifting the Alaska Oil Field Ban would help the United States and Alaska a great deal.....but it
also risks oil spills, hurting traditional Gwich'in Indians of Alaska, and the wildlife they rely on to live the
lives of their choice. While the debate on lifting the ban is just heating up, I do think the decision will be based
on whoever wins this years presidential election.
There is also major oil being drilled in North Dakota, Montana,
and Canada which is located in the Bakken Shale Formation. Be sure to check out Bakken Shale, and these great shale fields: Marcellus Shale - Horn River Shale - Woodford Shale - Fayetteville Shale - Brazil Oil Field - Barnett Shale - Haynesville Shale - Chattanooga Shale - Utica Shale | <urn:uuid:8fe631f6-e7f9-4388-b392-3f7b5631917b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.oilshalegas.com/alaskaoilanwar.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967081 | 741 | 3.03125 | 3 |
Intergenerational Reading Programs in Hershey, PA
Posted: August 17, 2012
By Daniel R. George, Penn State College of Medicine
Working with the Hershey Public Library, Country Meadows Retirement Community, and the Department of Humanities at Penn State College of Medicine, she developed two programs over the last two summers that have increased reading and emergent literacy skills in children while fostering social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and quality of life for residents in the assisted living community, some of whom are living with dementia. In 2011, she worked with Hershey Public Library children’s librarian Rita Smith and the staff of Country Meadows Retirement Community to establish an Intergenerational Reading Club. On Monday through Thursday nights during the summer, elementary age children would meet at the retirement community to read library donated books alongside the residents on a one-on-one basis. This not only provided the children with reading fluency practice during the summer months, it also provided purposeful opportunities for seniors to contribute to the education of a younger generation. The Intergenerational Reading Club began its second summer this June.
In addition to this successful reading program, Grace is creating a second program for residents on the locked dementia unit called “Intergenerational Storytime.” This program pairs preschoolers with seniors living with dementia. Children and elders will meet in an activity space to hear a story together and then work in pairs to draw pictures inspired by the story. Artwork will be displayed in several public exhibitions, including at Penn State College of Medicine.
It is intuitive that programs such as the ones Grace has created are beneficial for all participants young and old, and an emerging evidence base is putting scientific data behind our common sense. Grace’s efforts have helped show how a big idea, a little bit of networking and leadership, and some shared community resources can create powerful relationships and learning opportunities in local communities. To learn more about these efforts, please contact Grace Wegler at email@example.com.
A resident at County Meadows reads with a local student (June 2011) | <urn:uuid:f2fd06a9-4c7d-4376-9ba9-3a753e31b431> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://extension.psu.edu/youth/intergenerational/news/2012/intergenerational-reading-programs-in-hershey-pa | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941648 | 423 | 2.453125 | 2 |
February 4, 2007
The LWOP whopper in New Jersey
This Newark Star-Ledger piece spotlights a reality I discussed here last month: the New Jersey Death Penalty Commission, by coupling its call to abolish the death penalty with an expansion of life without parole (LWOP), is actually calling for a major increase in sentences. As the article explains:
When a state commission recommended last month that New Jersey abolish the death penalty in favor of life imprisonment without parole, some lawmakers called it the latest example of going soft on crime. But a Star-Ledger analysis of trials since August 1982, when capital punishment was reinstated, shows scores of murderers would have been punished more harshly under the life-without-parole bill proposed by the Death Penalty Study Commission.
February 4, 2007 at 08:01 AM | Permalink
TrackBack URL for this entry:
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference The LWOP whopper in New Jersey: | <urn:uuid:b0d3442f-44d8-4af0-9087-f3fa42435470> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_law_and_policy/2007/02/the_mandatory_l.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00049-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.906843 | 197 | 1.507813 | 2 |
In this episode I show you how to make a simple wooden saw vase based off the design from the Norse Woodsmith blog. A saw vise is an essential piece of equipment for saw sharpening. Without one it’s virtually impossible to support the saw correctly while filing the teeth. Unfortunately, buying a new or used vise is easily the most expensive part of getting started in an otherwise cheap endeavor. Building a shop made vise is a workable alternative that lowers the barrier to entry.
- 2 x Cam Action Hold Down
- 2 x 1 inch hinge from the home center
Saw Sharpening Links
A great resource for leaning hand tool techniques. The most recent lesson (semester 2 lesson 1) is all about sharpening and has some great info on saw sharpening at the end.
Vintage Saws’ Saw Filing–A Beginner’s Primer
A veritable treatise on saw filing with the beginner in mind. This is how I learned to sharpen saws.
Hand Saw Sharpening DVD by Tom Law
Lots of good information on saw sharpening. This is obviously a transfer from VHS and the video quality suffers here. Hard to get a good visual feel of the process. | <urn:uuid:206b985c-735a-40dd-9524-1ec57800e8d9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bltww.com/2011/06/26/bltww-02-saw-vise/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930811 | 256 | 2.125 | 2 |
GA’s Math Department is ‘Nspire-ing
Posted October 2, 2012
Not too long before the decision to rebuild GA’s Middle and Upper School occurred, the faculty of the Upper School mathematics department discussed the “next big thing” in teaching – the TI-Nspire CAS CX. A handheld (not a calculator, thank you) that could do everything their old TI-84 could do, and enhanced with capabilities not fathomable before now. With the new technology to be introduced inside the brand new McNeil Upper School, could the math department take on learning SMART programming AND use a new personal calculating system?
Department Chair Ruth Carver, who sits on the board for several local, regional, national and international math organizations was invited, as a recent appointee to the Texas Instruments International Educational Advisory Committee to attend pre-conference training for TI instructors prior to attending the International Conference held in San Antonio in February, 2011. At this conference she received first-hand training on the TI-Nspire that she then brought back to GA. Not only could the Nspire perform symbolic manipulations of algebra and calculus equations, but it also had built-in spreadsheets, dynamic geometry software, stat software, it performed in color, AND, the pièce de résistance, with the addition of the wireless “Navigator System,” the teacher could view each student’s Nspire to see how they were solving a problem. In addition, the system is able to turn over control of the handheld being projected on the SMART board to an individual student, making his or her system the one being projected.
“I am really proud of the teachers who moved out of their comfort zone to invest in this new educational technology,” said Mrs. Carver. “We are now using the ‘next best thing’ and it shows with the classroom work we are doing. The Navigator system allows me to not only send data and interactive investigations to each student’s handheld, it also allows me to review in real time what is happening on each student’s handheld and adjust the lesson accordingly. I can also use a quick poll to assess their understanding of the new material. After students input their answers on their handheld, the system creates a bar graph of the data which enables me to see where I need to provide additional explanations. It provides immediate formative assessment on every student on a daily basis.”
Even though GA faculty had little time to work with the new technology, they gladly opened the doors to their new teaching spaces to colleagues from schools across the area for several conferences during the past year. GA hosted the ATMOPAV (Association of Teachers of Mathematics of Philadelphia and Vicinity) Conference last fall where national speakers on technology were enthused about OUR new surroundings. Teachers from other communities used the new GA classrooms in their workshops and wanted to know when they could bring their colleagues back for a tour.
“All year long, people have been coming over to sit in our classrooms and take in the new technology and space,” said Upper School math teacher and Washington House Head Jason Straub. “They want to learn how we integrate the Nspire into our daily teachings now with the SMART technology, and we are more than happy to help!" | <urn:uuid:cfb209cf-9488-48ea-ba5b-6b8f59c33ce0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.germantownacademy.net/news/detail.aspx?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=2242&ModuleID=49&NEWSPID=1 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962517 | 689 | 1.953125 | 2 |
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
(see below for links to EEOC)
Shown below are some definitions you need to be familiar with if you feel you are being discriminated against because of narcolepsy or any other disability. Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the private sector, and in state and local governments. Below the definitions, I have listed links to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission web site that can provide you with much more information. They are there to protect us from discriminating employers.
Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all employment practices. It is necessary to understand several important ADA definitions to know who is protected by the law and what constitutes illegal discrimination:
Individual with a Disability
An individual with a disability under the ADA is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. Major life activities are activities that an average person can perform with little or no difficulty such as walking, breathing, seeing, hearing, speaking, learning, and working.
Qualified Individual with a Disability
A qualified employee or applicant with a disability is someone who satisfies skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of the position held or desired, and who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of that position.
Reasonable Accommodation(see below)
Reasonable accommodation may include, but is not
limited to, making existing facilities used by employees readily
accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities; job
restructuring; modification of work schedules; providing
additional unpaid leave; reassignment to a vacant position;
acquiring or modifying equipment or devices; adjusting or
modifying examinations, training materials, or policies; and
providing qualified readers or interpreters. Reasonable
accommodation may be necessary to apply for a job, to perform job
functions, or to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment
that are enjoyed by people without disabilities. An employer is
not required to lower production standards to make an
accommodation. An employer generally is not obligated to provide
personal use items such as eyeglasses or hearing aids.
An employer is required to make a reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the employer's business. Undue hardship means an action that requires significant difficulty or expense when considered in relation to factors such as a business' size, financial resources, and the nature and structure of its operation.
Prohibited Inquiries and Examinations
Before making an offer of employment, an employer may not ask job applicants about the existence, nature, or severity of a disability. Applicants may be asked about their ability to perform job functions. A job offer may be conditioned on the results of a medical examination, but only if the examination is required for all entering employees in the same job category. Medical examinations of employees must be job-related and consistent with business necessity.
Drug and Alcohol Use
Employees and applicants currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs are not protected by the ADA, when an employer acts on the basis of such use. Tests for illegal use of drugs are not considered medical examinations and, therefore, are not subject to the ADA's restrictions on medical examinations. Employers may hold individuals who are illegally using drugs and individuals with alcoholism to the same standards of performance as other employees.
Links to the EEOC:
(will open a new page in browser)
Federal Laws Prohibiting Job Discrimination: Questions And Answers
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Titles I and V
ADA - Your Employment Rights as an Individual With a Disability
Filing a Charge
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Home Page
Click here to go back to:
NARCOLEPSY - A SLEEP DISORDER
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release July 26, 2000
EXECUTIVE ORDER 13164
- - - - - - -
REQUIRING FEDERAL AGENCIES TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES
TO FACILITATE THE PROVISION OF REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), as amended, and in order to promote a model Federal workplace that provides reasonable accommodation for (1) individuals with disabilities in the application process for Federal employment; (2) Federal employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a position; and (3) Federal employees with disabilities to enjoy benefits and privileges of employment equal to those enjoyed by employees without disabilities, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Establishment of Effective Written Procedures to Facilitate the Provision of Reasonable Accommodation. (a) Each Federal agency shall establish effective written procedures for processing requests for reasonable accommodation by employees and applicants with disabilities. The written procedures may allow different components of an agency to tailor their procedures as necessary to ensure the expeditious processing of requests.
(b) As set forth in Re-charting the Course: The First Report of the Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities (1998), effective written
procedures for processing requests for reasonable accommodation should include the following:
(1) Explain that an employee or job applicant may initiate a request for reasonable accommodation orally or in writing. If the agency requires an applicant or employee to complete a reasonable accommodation request form for recordkeeping purposes, the form must be provided as an attachment to the agency's written procedures;
(2) Explain how the agency will process a request for reasonable accommodation, and from whom the individual will receive a final decision;
(3) Designate a time period during which reasonable accommodation requests will be granted or denied, absent extenuating circumstances. Time limits for decision making should be as short as reasonably possible;
(4) Explain the responsibility of the employee or applicant to provide appropriate medical information related to the functional impairment at issue and the requested accommodation where the disability and/or need for accommodation is not obvious;
(5) Explain the agency's right to request relevant supplemental medical information if the information submitted does not clearly explain the nature of the disability, or the need for the reasonable accommo-dation, or does not otherwise clarify how the requested accommodation will assist the employee to perform the essential functions of the job or to enjoy the benefits and privileges of the workplace;
(6) Explain the agency's right to have medical information reviewed by a medical expert of the agency's choosing at the agency's expense;
(7) Provide that reassignment will be considered as a reasonable accommodation if the agency determines that no other reasonable accommodation will permit the employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of his or her current position;
(8) Provide that reasonable accommodation denials be in writing and specify the reasons for denial;
(9) Ensure that agencies' systems of recordkeeping track the processing of requests for reasonable accommodation and maintain the confidentiality of medical information received in accordance with applicable law and regulations; and
(10) Encourage the use of informal dispute resolution processes to allow individuals with disabilities to obtain prompt reconsideration of denials of reasonable accommodation. Agencies must also inform individuals with disabilities that they have the right to file complaints in the Equal Employment Opportunity process and other statutory processes, as appropriate, if their requests for reasonable accommodation are denied.
Sec. 2. Submission of Agency Reasonable Accommodation Procedures to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Within 1 year from the date of this order, each agency shall submit its procedures to the EEOC. Each agency shall also submit to the EEOC any modifications to its reasonable accommodation procedures at the time that those modifications are adopted.
Sec. 3. Collective Bargaining Obligations. In adopting their reasonable accommodation procedures, agencies must honor their obligations to notify their collective bargaining repre-sentatives and bargain over such procedures to the extent required by law.
Sec. 4. Implementation. The EEOC shall issue guidance for the implementation of this order within 90 days from the date of this order.
Sec. 5. Construction and Judicial Review. (a) Nothing in this order limits the rights that individuals with disabilities may have under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
(b) This order is intended only to improve the internal management of the executive branch and does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a party against the United States, its agencies, its officers, its employees, or any person.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
THE WHITE HOUSE,
July 26, 2000.
Back to the Top | <urn:uuid:f9730d4a-9838-42bb-839f-a8d4c9ceaa2c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cataplexic.com/american.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935198 | 1,847 | 2.890625 | 3 |
View Full Version : Screen tearing when hosting a server
06-19-2009, 02:03 PM
Intel E7200 C2D 2.53ghz
4GB DDR2 800mhz
Geforce 9600 GSO 384mb
Cable internet: 10mb up, 2.5mb down
I have been playing Altitude for a week or so without any problems whatsoever. However, last night I setup a server to mess around with. I notice that when I am hosting a server, whether I am playing on my server or in another, I get screen tearing. However, as soon as I stop my server, the screen tearing stops. I have the most current drivers from Nvidia and I have verified that v-sync is forced on. Can anyone shed a little light on this?
06-19-2009, 02:59 PM
Seems strange to me.
Does the tearing still occur if you minimize the server launcher window to the taskbar (file -> Minimize to tray).
How about if you launch the server in headless mode? To run in headless mode pass "-noui" as a program argument to server_launcher.exe -- for example by creating a shortcut, right click shortcut, add -noui after Target:
Note: you will need to manually kill the server process (with task manager or similar) if you use -noui mode.
06-19-2009, 03:17 PM
Yes the screen tearing still occurs when the server window is minimized. I have not tried the headless mode. I will tonight and let you know. Thanks Lam.
06-20-2009, 02:59 AM
Just wanted to post an update. I tried it with the -noui option and the screen tearing sill occurs.
06-20-2009, 03:02 AM
Seems really weird to me. Are you running in fullscreen mode? Try toggling fullscreen. Is it always just the Altitude server process that causes tearing -- e.g. you kill the server, tearing stops, start server, tearing resumes?
06-20-2009, 03:18 AM
I just tried it in windowed mode and it still happens. Yes it is directly related to the server launcher. I can start the launcher, start the game, join a server and it will happen. I can then disconnect, alt-tab, close my server, go back into the game and re-join a server and it will be fine. Also the game just seems to run better when I am not hosting a server. It almost seems to be a performance issue with running the game and hosting a server on the same box. I think I have a pretty good PC to host a server and run a game at the same time. Also my GF noticed when she was playing on my server, she said it seems to be a little laggy. We are on the same connection so her ping was 1-2ms. And when she said laggy, the game just seems slower/choppier, but she doesn't experience the screen tearing.
What do you think?
06-20-2009, 03:28 AM
Hmm -- could be honest-to-goodness CPU thrashing. How many bots run on your server? The current implementation of bots is pretty inefficient--running 10+ can bring even a powerful machine to its knees.
06-20-2009, 06:48 PM
My config is setup to have 2 bots with a threshold of 4, with a total of 16 players. Although its only ever been me, my GF, and the two bots playing.
06-20-2009, 07:25 PM
Hmm! Nothing comes to mind as an explanation... have you tried updating your network card drivers? I've run into a few buggy network drivers that screw up system clocks when UDP traffic gets heavy. Should probably also try updating your video drivers.
06-20-2009, 07:38 PM
I updated my video driver the other day to play the new Ghostbusters game. As far as my NIC driver, I will try that. Thanks for your help lam.
vBulletin® v3.8.2, Copyright ©2000-2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. | <urn:uuid:2308bc65-f148-464a-b97b-1d7e9449fc66> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://altitudegame.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-618.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.917663 | 885 | 1.679688 | 2 |
Rick Santorum on Abortion
Republican Jr Senator (PA)
SANTORUM: No, Iím not. I agree that it is an abortifacient, and that itís dangerous to give a dose of hormones equivalent to one third of a whole series of birth control pills to someone without any kind of doctor supervision.
CASEY: Yes, Iím in favor. I think what emergency contraception is contraception.
Q: But you do believe life begins at conception?
CASEY: I do.
Q: If this was fertilized, would you call it abortion?
CASEY: The science is clear on this. It is contraception, and I support it. I think weíve got to make it widely available, and I think thatís one of the ways we reach common ground on the very tough issue of abortion: emergency contraception can reduce the number of abortions and unwanted pregnancies. Thatís what we should emphasize.
SANTORUM: The science is clear. In fact, it is an abortifacient in certain circumstances.
CASEY: Iím in favor. I think what emergency contraception is contraception, not abortion.
SANTORUM: It is an abortifacient in certain circumstances. If the egg has been fertilized and the pill is taken, it does cause an abortion. Itís inconsistent with his previous position and violated his principles. Q: If you believe that life begins at conception, then why do you support exceptions for rape, incest, and life of mother?
SANTORUM: Yeah, I would vote for things like that.
Q: But itís the taking of a life.
SANTORUM: The Hyde Amendment allows rape, incest, life of the mother. That is the common ground we could get, and I would support that.
Q: But by your standards, itís the taking of a life.
SANTORUM: It is, thereís no question itís the taking of a life. But it is an attempt for me to try to see if we can find common ground to actually make progress in limiting the other abortions. So yes, thatís what I would do.
Proponents recommend voting YES because:
This bill deals with how young girls are being secretly taken across State lines for the purpose of abortion, without the consent of their parents or even the knowledge of their parents, in violation of the laws of the State in which they live. 45 states have enacted some sort of parental consent laws or parental notification law. By simply secreting a child across State lines, one can frustrate the State legislature's rules. It is subverting and defeating valid, constitutionally approved rights parents have.
Opponents recommend voting NO because:
Some States have parental consent laws, some don't. In my particular State, it has been voted down because my people feel that if you ask them, "Do they want their kids to come to their parents?", absolutely. But if you ask them, "Should you force them to do so, even in circumstances where there could be trouble that comes from that?", they say no.
This bill emanates from a desire that our children come to us when we have family matters, when our children are in trouble, that they not be fearful, that they not be afraid that they disappoint us, that they be open with us and loving toward us, and we toward them. This is what we want to have happen. The question is: Can Big Brother Federal Government force this on our families? That is where we will differ.
For over thirty years, NARAL Pro-Choice America has been the political arm of the pro-choice movement and a strong advocate of reproductive freedom and choice. NARAL Pro-Choice America's mission is to protect and preserve the right to choose while promoting policies and programs that improve women's health and make abortion less necessary. NARAL Pro-Choice America works to educate Americans and officeholders about reproductive rights and health issues and elect pro-choice candidates at all levels of government. The NARAL ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization's preferred position.
|Other candidates on Abortion:||Rick Santorum on other issues:|
Newly elected in 2008 & seated in 2009:
Newly appointed in 2009;
special election in 2010:
Announced retirement as of 2010:
Up for 6-year term in 2010:
(13 Democrats; 15 Republicans)
Senate Votes (analysis) | <urn:uuid:3d8b064b-166d-4f2c-8cb9-34ce3f63bc85> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Rick_Santorum_Abortion.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924506 | 939 | 1.601563 | 2 |
Fine chocolate is a new world of tasting and appreciation similar in complexity and nuance to the world of fine wine. Understanding this world requires an exploration of the tasting senses, an insight into the growing and sourcing of fine cacao, an understanding of the production process of fine chocolate and an awareness of the consumer market for fine chocolate.
To help you reach these goals, our Slow Chocolate workshops will take you on a unique sensorial journey, providing you with the key profiling tools you need to taste and understand fine cacao and chocolate.
Our workshops are available in set public sessions for both the developing connoisseur and individual professionals. We also offer private workshops for corporates or institutions. These are based around our sensory core modules, with our flexible programme allowing us to include optional modules, custom content or guest speakers to create programmes specifically tailored to your needs.
Slow Chocolate is a flexible format that can work as a basic three hour introduction through to a full two day workshop including optional modules and specially designed content for a full exploration of the chocolate senses. Our format can also be tailored to work as part of a symposium or conference. Other events such as networking sessions, chocolate matching tastings or dinners can also be scheduled around the formal content.
Our sensory modules form the core of our programme and give you the key tools you need to understand fine cacao and chocolate, giving you a true sense and understanding of ‘Chocolate Flavours’.
We break up these modules into ‘bite-size’ experiential activities and games that we run throughout the workshops. These provide an engaging and stimulating structure that helps participants stay interested and focused throughout the sessions.
Our gastronomic senses are our most important tool for truly understanding and appreciating cacao and chocolate. Through a series of entertaining and engaging games, exercises and experiments, we will awaken your senses to the defining characteristics of cacao and chocolate and give you a fundamental understanding of flavour.
Our unique flavour profiling system will help you to distinguish and understand the parameters of cacao and chocolate flavour throughout the production chain. You will be able to structure your chocolate experience with our flavour profile mapping, time based flavour curves and rating system.
Our flexible format allows us to custom design each workshop to the needs of the participants needs. We can include a range of the subjects below, or develop content according to a client’s specific requirements. We can also include a client’s own content within our format, for example elements of a corporate training programme, or local speakers from research institutions.
Fully understanding and appreciating chocolate flavour requires an understanding of the production of its key source ingredient, cacao. Equally, considering the final flavour of chocolate is a vital consideration to cacao producers wishing to sell into the fine chocolate market. We examine the effects of drying and fermentation, genetics, storage and transport on final flavour.
Chocolate making is a combination of technical aspects, quality control, knowledge, creativity and – most importantly – taste. Learn the importance of each production stage and the impacts they have on flavour.
The chocolate market is constantly changing and evolving as consumers become more interested in the source, quality, ethics and production of their food. The fine chocolate sector, whilst appearing small, has a disproportionate influence on the value and direction of the chocolate market. Understand how this marked is developing and changing with new trends.
Chocolate Marketing and Branding
Presentation of chocolate products is key to their success in the market. Learn what consumers are looking for and persuaded by through a comparative analysis of chocolate marketing techniques and brand presentations.
Origin and Varietals
An examination into the importance of genetics and variety in chocolate flavour, including an overview of the latest genetic research and classification of varietals. New research is changing how we think about the traditional model of cacao varieties. In the recent past industrial priorities of production and disease resistance have taken precedence over flavour, origin and terroir. We look at how genetics and variety are becoming crucial for the long term survival of the fine cacao market.
The history of chocolate is often romanticised through myth and storytelling. We separate fact from fiction and recount the evolution of this wild Amazonian fruit into a culturally prized foodstuff by the Aztec and Mayan. We then trace its industrial devaluation through to its present renaissance.
Health and Nutrition
Ancient history provides us with evidence that cacao can be health sustaining and medicinally beneficial. This value has been distorted and degraded through the industrial production of cacao into confectionery. Understand the essential elements that make cacao a nourishing food, and how the inclusion of fine chocolate can be a part of a healthy lifestyle.
The work of cacao farmers reaches consumers through a long and complex chain of exporters, traders and financial brokers. Meanwhile, consumers are demanding greater transparency and integrity in the source of their chocolate ingredients. We look at how the cocoa market works in this changing climate where certifications such as Organic and Fair trade are increasingly important.
Cacao Ecology and Sustainability
Cacao has the potential to positively contribute to sustainable ecological agriculture methods and models. However cocoa is a worldwide commodity with constant pressure for increased production and reduced prices, which creates risks for the long term survival of the cacao industry. We explore the challenging issues facing the industry and identify the choices that need to be made for the economic viability of cocoa and its future.
Custom subjects and modules
We also work with corporate or institutional clients to create custom and reusable modules specific to your needs.
Information and booking
For more information or to book or arrange a workshop, contact us through any of the following:
Phone: +44 (0)870 446 0770 | <urn:uuid:c76fbd24-ea45-48d3-b97f-122c48d7fb6c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.seventypercent.com/workshops/page/120/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.919785 | 1,165 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Advent, Day One
You, LORD, are our father,
our redeemer you are named forever.
Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways,
and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
with the mountains quaking before you,
while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for,
such as they had not heard of from of old.
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
Would that you might meet us doing right,
that we were mindful of you in our ways!
Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;
all of us have become like unclean people,
all our good deeds are like polluted rags;
we have all withered like leaves,
and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
There is none who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to cling to you;
for you have hidden your face from us
and have delivered us up to our guilt.
Yet, O LORD, you are our father;
we are the clay and you the potter:
we are all the work of your hands.
Wonderful Advent posts and links:
Praying for Grace
My Domestic Church
O Night Divine | <urn:uuid:01919aa1-67df-44d2-b42a-ba77792f86ec> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ourjoyfuldays.blogspot.com/2008/11/o-come-o-come-emmanuel.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963349 | 309 | 1.515625 | 2 |
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
George Hernandez looks at job openings at the Foothill Employment and Training Connection on February 3, 2012 in Pasadena, California.
A solid national jobs report this morning — 227,000 new jobs added, unemployment rate steady at 8.3 percent — was followed by a psychologically significant California report, from the state's Employment Development Department. At long last, we're below 11 percent — 10.9 to be exact, for January 2012.
Bear in mind that 10.9 percent is still much higher than the national rate. In Los Angeles, it's even higher, at 11.6 percent (that's the December 2011 number). Still, the overall trend is down. After a rough 2011, we can start to feel better about the economy's momentum.
Importantly, in California we're beginning to see signs of a recovery in the housing sector. Home sales and home buildings appear to be picking up, although it's still unclear whether prices have bottomed. The market continues to be out of whack and could take another four or five years to normalize. But improvements showed up nationally and at the state level, as construction added jobs. The pace is slow, but the direction is positive.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 10: Renzo Salazar, from Real Signs of Ace Post Holding Inc., places a bank owned sign on top of a for sale sign in front of a foreclosed home on November 10, 2011 in Miami, Florida.
The L.A. Times' Michael Hiltzik is appalled at the moralizing going on around "strategic defaults" — a default on a mortgage undertaken from a position of cold, hard financial calculation, rather than from some sentimental notion that a borrower should always, always pay, no matter what cards life deals him:
What often gets overlooked in the debate over walkaways is why it should matter. A default is a default, isn't it? [Old Dominion University's Michael J.] Seiler, for one, disagrees — he argues that defaults for noneconomic reasons have a uniquely corrosive effect on social behavior.
That's based on the notion that borrowers have a moral obligation to pay their debts. Yet a mortgage contract is a legal document, not moral catechism. It doesn't require you to make your payment regardless of your financial state; only that you recognize that if you don't, you might lose your house.
Mortgage lenders customarily try to price the likelihood of delinquency or default into the loan; that's why borrowers with the best credit scores typically pay the lowest interest rates. Nor is the credit score a gauge of moral purity — it's an empirical reflection of the borrower's debt load and bill-paying record.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, attends the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett released his annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter over the weekend. As Marketplace's Heidi N. Moore reported on Monday, this is a much-anticipated and closely studied document. And as one of her sources pointed out, sometimes it's more interesting to focus on what went wrong in Buffett-land than on what went right — because Buffett provides engaging details on both outcomes.
For this letter, you want to zero in on the housing market, which in early 2011 Buffett figured would begin to recover in a "year or so." Wrong! Or to quote the Great Man himself: "dead wrong." Berkshire Hathaway has several housing-related companies in its portfolio, so Buffett would ultimately like to see the long-expected bounce-back. He's optimistic — because you can't fight human nature! Or more accurately, randy human hormones:
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
I was emailed this story from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune last week, about how Norman's Nursery is relocating what amounted to a semi-permanent landscaping forest from the San Gabriel Valley to Ventura Country. Why? The housing crisis has pushed the company's sales down 60 percent. And the effect?
The removal of thousands of boxed trees, shrubs and ornamentals stored along a one-mile stretch of Arrow Highway on the northern border of Irwindale and Baldwin Park has already had an aesthetic impact. The flat land adjoining the Santa Fe Dam was leased from the Army Corps of Engineers by Norman's Nursery for growing plants. The large swath of potted trees, plants and shrubs placed side by side and in rows formed a greenbelt that has existed for more than 20 years, Norman said. At first glance, it appeared as if the trees were permanently planted there.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Well, this is interesting. The Federal Reserve has produced a white paper that tackles the Very Big Problem of the ongoing housing crisis and submitted it to Congress. It's a veritable treasure trove of clear-eyed analysis about why the housing market is still in such rotten shape. But beyond that, it offers a suite of equally clear-eyed ways to fix the problem.
One of these is particularly intriguing: taking foreclosed properties and, instead of trying to sell them to new homeowners — which requires mortgage financing which isn't now widely available to any but the most creditworthy borrowers — turning them into rentals. And who will do the renting? Real estate investors are the secret sauce (just a bit of translation: "REO" means "real estate owned," i.e. foreclosures):
To date, REO holders have avoided selling properties in bulk to third-party investors because the recoveries that REO holders receive on such sales are generally lower than the corresponding recoveries on sales to owner occupants. Investors considering such bulk-sale transactions tend to demand a higher risk premium than owner occupants and thus will purchase only at lower prices. Investors in such transactions also might have more difficulty obtaining debt financing than owner occupants. Although mortgage products are available for individual one- to four-family houses and for multifamily properties (albeit currently at tight terms), no mortgage products currently exist for a portfolio of single-family homes. [My emphasis] In addition, REO holders must absorb the costs of assembling inventory for bulk sale — that is, holding properties off the market until enough properties have been assembled to cover the fixed costs of a rental program. Until the inventory is assembled, the REO holder receives no revenue from the property but incurs direct financing costs; carrying costs such as taxes, utilities, and maintenance expenses; and the continued depreciation of the property.
An REO-to-rental program that relies on sales to third-party investors will be more viable if this cost-pricing differential can be narrowed. REO holders will likely get better pricing on these sales if the program is designed to be attractive to a wide variety of investors. Selling to third-party investors via competitive auction processes may also improve the loss recoveries. | <urn:uuid:8c474560-0183-45f5-a483-aec2ba260103> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.scpr.org/blogs/economy/tagged/housing-crisis/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956899 | 1,423 | 1.640625 | 2 |
A project facilitated by the Research and Development Group of the Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association
An Adobe Acrobat file (.pdf) of the complete and original report is available Here (595 KB)
An Adobe Acrobat file (.pdf) of the 2004 updated report is available Here (936 KB)
Organic Research Review Project – Summary
The production of this report and catalogue has been supported through funding by the Ministry for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund, Dexcel (previously the Dairy Research Corporation), and the Tindall Foundation.
Section 6 – Case-Study of New Zealand Dairy Farms in Transition describes a project funded by the Pacific Development Trust .
We would particularly like to acknowledge and thank the funding organizations; the assistance provided by the Louis Bolk Institute (The Netherlands); all the contributors who put in more time and effort than remunerated for, the financial management assistance and editorial advice given by David Wright, the Executive Secretary of the Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association; the assistance with formatting by Denise Taylor, and editing assistance by Editext, Massey University.
This publication is supported by the Sustainable Management Fund and as such the Ministry for the Environment does not endorse or support the content of this publication in any way.
A report and catalogue prepared with funding from the Ministry for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund (No. 2191), Dexcel and the Tindall Foundation
Frank van Steensel MSc Eco-Agri-Logic
Phillipa Nicholas PhD Dexcel
Hella Bauer-Eden MSc Independent research
Gavin Kenny PhD Earthwise Consulting
Hugh Campbell PhD University of Otago
Margaret Ritchie MSc University of Otago
A. Neil Macgregor PhD Massey University
Marion Koppenol Bio Dynamic Association
Gary Blake MSc Bio Dynamic Association
Peter Bacchus Bio Dynamic Association
Project leader and main editor: Gill Cole BSc, Bio Dynamic Association
Research manager: Frank van Steensel MSc, Bio Dynamic Association
Evaluation manager: Gareth Bodle, Bio Dynamic Association
Other contributors: Brendon Hoare
Artistic design: Chris Elliot
Until the mid-1980s organic agriculture struggled to gain scientific credibility in New Zealand and elsewhere in the world. Internationally, the situation has changed dramatically since then. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) has developed into a highly credible organisation and one that has been instrumental in setting minimum standards for organic practices and products. There are now many research institutes dedicated to organic research, particularly in Western Europe, that are funded by individual governments or the European Union and work collaboratively with traditional research agencies. The biennial IFOAM conferences increasingly highlight the multidisciplinary character of organic research, encompassing areas as diverse as soil ecology, economics and sustainable development. Many New Zealand farmers and orchardists are attracted to organic methods but seek the backing of scientific research. It is becoming evident that organic1 agriculture requires comprehensive research.
This research review report and catalogue were compiled to provide scientists, policy makers, funding agencies and farmers with information on the current state of organic farming systems research and research methodology, focused around organic soil management. The report provides lists of research institutions and websites that specialize in organic systems research, as well as references to relevant books and research articles. Much of the material is drawn from overseas sources. Where relevant, findings from New Zealand research are provided. This serves to highlight some important points in relation to organic systems research:
Given the significant developments in organic research taking place overseas, it is becoming evident that similar capabilities are required in New Zealand. Some overseas research is applicable in New Zealand, but because organic farming systems often reflect the unique character of the producers and their farm environments, local and regional research is essential to increasing the New Zealand knowledge base. However, the adoption of new research methodologies (as in use by the organic research centres discussed) can contribute significantly to closing the knowledge and experience gap. Early organic research was often focused on comparative trials, using conventional experimental plot design and statistical techniques. Unfortunately, such approaches often required the exclusion of multiple variables that actually determine the viability and vitality of organic farming systems. Quantitative science has an important place, but equally important to research on organic farming systems are more qualitative approaches. This stems from an understanding that organic agriculture is both a technology and a process.
The following is a summary of the various sections of the report:
Soil quality, landscape quality, soil biota, nutrient cycling and biodiversity are integral aspects of sustainable development. The report discusses research findings that show how they become functional in organic farming systems. Recognition of the uniqueness and diversity of soils and in soil provides opportunities for greater diversity at the regional or farm scale, since different soils have different suitable uses. A holistic, ecological approach is required for future research on soil-plant-animal systems in New Zealand. This will enable redesign of farming systems from an over-emphasis on production (developmental phase) towards more quality and internal regulation (mature phase). This will result in less mineral losses, less pest and disease pressure and less susceptibility to climate extremes, thus contributing to sustainable land management on farm and regional scale.
There is limited specific international literature on organic dairy pasture systems and little that is of direct relevance to New Zealand’s unique pasture-based style of dairy farming. However, some information is available on pasture composition, use of leys, pasture and grazing management, pest and disease management, weed management, and animal health and management. A number of key research gaps are identified that principally focus on knowledge relating to the process of conversion, management issues and environmental effects and benefits. Established organic dairy farmers have independently addressed many of these gaps, but the knowledge and experience gained is largely undocumented.
There has been a limited amount of organic understorey management research in New Zealand of relevance to orchard systems. Complementary to this New Zealand research is the substantive work conducted at the Louis Bolk Institute in the Netherlands. A key feature is a focus on optimal management of nutrient flows in the orchard soil system, which impacts on tree and fruit health and quality. Very little work has been done in this area, e.g., on net mineralisation under different management conditions, and is required under New Zealand conditions for different production systems and regions. Aside from work on apples, there is little relevant overseas research on which to draw. A greater emphasis on holistic, orchard system research is required.
Biodynamic agriculture is based on organic principles, the uniqueness of each farm and farmer, and the use of the biodynamic preparations. This review gives a brief background to the development of biodynamic agriculture and associated research and the development of complementary research methods. An overview of research on the biodynamic preparations is provided. The use of pictorial imaging methods as quality control and diagnostic tools, other complementary research methods, long-term trials and farmer participatory research are reviewed and recommended for research in New Zealand.
Research on organic sector development, economic performance, grower decision-making and conversion, market analysis, labour, and public health issues is reviewed. Integrated whole-farm analyses, of multiple dimensions, including economic evaluation over a lengthy time span, are needed to evaluate of New Zealand organic agriculture.
This case study is included as a good example of a holistic research method. The setting-up, data collection and analysis for the first year of a holistic study of two paired organic conversion and conventional dairy farms are discussed. Pasture production and animal health, as well as soil parameters, were measured. No data are presented, as lack of funding prevented meaningful continuation of field data collection.
Water is an essential component of every farming system. The earth’s water cycle and the role of forests and bush areas in maintaining the quality and quantity of water supplies for farming and society as a whole are discussed, as well as research in relation to irrigation and water quality management relevant to dairying and orcharding in general.
Lists and descriptions of overseas institutions carrying out organic farming research, as well as New Zealand organic farming organizations, are included.
For the development of sustainable, viable organic farming in New Zealand, we recommend:
To build up the expertise and capacity to implement these recommendations and build a solid framework of scientific knowledge on which the organic farming sector can operate efficiently we recommend:
Some recommended specific research areas include:
| Home Page :
About Demeter : Maintaining
& Animal Health : Harvests : Calendar
: Demeter Food : Regional
Membership : Member Activities : Order Form : Return Home | <urn:uuid:950c67e0-66cd-46fe-918c-cecd2af02185> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.biodynamic.org.nz/researchreport_summary.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927451 | 1,760 | 1.773438 | 2 |
Heather Winfield was eight months into her second pregnancy when she discovered that she had gestational diabetes, putting her and her developing baby at risk for serious health problems.
"You feel incredibly guilty because you feel like you did something wrong," said Winfield, 38, who works in development at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg.
In fact, she and her doctor did many things right to address what's becoming a more common condition.
When an initial test wasn't conclusive, her doctor ordered another that diagnosed the condition. And Winfield took swift action, changing her diet and increasing her exercise to get her blood sugar under control before the birth.
But according to a new study, too often expectant mothers are not screened for diabetes, with potentially dangerous consequences during and after pregnancy.
Though experts say all pregnant women should be screened for diabetes, nearly a third of the more than 900,000 women studied were not, according to the report in Obstetrics and Gynecology. One in five who did develop gestational diabetes did not get a followup screening after giving birth, even though more than half of such women go on to develop Type 2 diabetes.
If not properly managed, gestational diabetes can lead to high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia, premature delivery and babies weighing 9 pounds or more, which makes a caesarean section more likely. Longer-term, the condition, if not treated, can double the risk that the child will become obese and will have an increased chance of developing diabetes.
"It's a significant problem, and I am seeing more of it now," says Dr. Brooke Ritter, an ob-gyn at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, who diagnosed Winfield's diabetes. The American Diabetes Association estimates 4 percent of pregnant women — about 135,000 annually — develop the condition, but Ritter is among those who think the incidence may be as high as 10 percent.
Ritter and other experts attribute the increase to women putting off pregnancy until later in life, as well as the continuing obesity epidemic.
"There are more obese adult women getting pregnant, so you're going to see more gestational diabetes," says Dr. Henry Rodriguez, a professor of pediatrics and clinical director of the USF Diabetes Center in Tampa. Add a family history of Type 2 diabetes to obesity, and the first result often is a prediabetes condition known as insulin resistance, which many people don't even know they have.
"But add pregnancy to the picture and that may be enough to tip that person into diabetes," Rodriguez said.
Diagnosis and treatment
Experts aren't sure exactly why pregnancy can trigger diabetes. But they do know that certain hormones produced during pregnancy interfere with the production of insulin, the hormone needed to carry glucose from the bloodstream to the cells, which convert it into energy.
As the baby grows, the placenta makes more and more of the insulin-interfering hormones. In most women, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin. But when that doesn't happen, blood sugar rises, resulting in gestational diabetes.
The condition, which typically develops in the final trimester, doesn't usually cause the mother noticeable symptoms. It takes an oral glucose or blood screening test to detect.
Ritter considers screening for elevated blood sugar a routine part of prenatal care. "We screen everyone," usually at 24 to 28 weeks gestation if the patient is younger than 25 and has no risk factors, she said. But those who are older, overweight or have a family history of diabetes should be screened earlier, "perhaps at their first prenatal visit if they are at highest risk."
Rodriguez says women who don't get proper prenatal care are most likely to miss out on screening and go undiagnosed.
As Winfield discovered, most gestational diabetes can be well managed, usually without medication.
When Winfield was diagnosed in December, she met right away with diabetes nurse educators. They helped change her eating habits — no more fast food and no more skipping meals — and started her on a specific, planned activity program.
"I learned that chasing after a 2-year-old doesn't count," she says. Those simple steps brought her blood sugar under control and she lost 10 pounds, something her doctor approved and monitored closely. Bonus: She says she had so much more energy, "I could go another nine months if I had to."
But baby Jonah arrived about two weeks early, on Jan. 12, weighing a healthy 7 1/2 pounds.
Irene Maher can be reached at email@example.com. | <urn:uuid:8d21bee4-5345-4a8e-ac94-ad676ca456de> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/pregnant-women-need-early-testing-to-detect-gestational-diabetes/1146381 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967872 | 950 | 2.71875 | 3 |
A new movie, “Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine,” is coming Fall 2012. Saint Augustine, famous for “coming home” to Catholicism, continues to inspire hope in many today who have loved ones away from the faith.
St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the Christian world’s most beloved and well-known saints. However, his amazing conversion and heroic life have not been told on the big screen…until now. According to the movie’s website (www.RestlessHeartFilm.com), “in this stirring and epic new film of the life of St. Augustine of Hippo, follow the great saint as he rises from his reckless days as a youth to his accomplishments as renowned but dissolute orator. Though worldly success and riches come his way…satisfaction and peace elude him. It takes a confrontation with Christian bishop Ambrose and the countless prayers offered by his patient mother, Monica, to break through his intellectual pride.”
Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago offers his reflection about the movie: “Many generations of Catholics have turned to the Confessions of Saint Augustine for encouragement and sustenance in living as disciples of the Lord. Restless Heart invites even more people to discover the power of this spiritual classic. This film brings the words of the Confessions to life by enabling us to more fully understand the relationships and the culture that shaped Augustine, and to better grasp his talents and ambitions, sins and struggles and, ultimately, his sanctity. Restless Heart draws us to appreciate the magnitude and the totality of Augustine’s conversion of mind and heart. It invites us to consider how the Lord, whose merciful love is active in every time and place, is drawing us to give our own minds and hearts more completely to Him.”
To view inspirational modern day “coming home” stories, visit the CatholicsComeHome.org Real People. Real Stories video testimonials page. | <urn:uuid:46d96f40-2c26-4cbd-95c0-3e22948b6286> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.catholicscomehome.org/tag/real-people-real-stories/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00051-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956504 | 407 | 1.5 | 2 |
In the north east of Vietnam around 165 kilometres from Hanoi is the natural wonder Halong Bay. It..Hanoi Information
Located on the right bank of the Red River, Hanoi is both the second largest city and the capital..Hoi An Information
Hoi An is a popular tourist town situated and hour south of Da Nang on the Coast of the South China..Mui Ne Information
Located on the southern coast of Vietnam Mui Ne is a popular coastal resort strip that has..Mekong Delta Information
A large area of South Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a region where numerous tributaries of the..My Son Information
My Son is the site of the ruins of a centre for the Champa Kingdom which thrived here from for over..Nha Trang Information
Nha Trang is a reasonably large coastal town of 300,000 inhabitants in Southern Vietnam and is..Cu Chi Tunnels Information
The Cu Chi tunnels are located about 70 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh city. They are a large network..
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnams largest city. It is located on the banks of the Saigon River, 60 kilometers inland of the South China Seas and 1760 kilomters south of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The namimg of Ho Chi Minh City is slightly confusing as it had been widely known as Saigon for quite a length of time and is still referred to as that by most local vietnamese. After the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War, the North Vietnamese government officially changed the name to Ho Chi Minh City.
The cities origins began as a small fishing village populated by the Khmer people at least ten centuries ago. During the Trjnh Nguyen civil war (1627-1673) Ho Chi Minh City or Prey Nokor as it was then known was flooded with fleeing Vietnamese people who then stayed and developed the cultural foundations of the modern city.
Ho Chi Minh City was subsequently conquered and colonised by the French in 1859. The city still shows the influence of this with many modern western buildings, wide boulevards and bakeries.
Modern Ho Chi Minh City is the most important economic centre in Vietnam and has a vibrant population of over seven million people. It's undergoing dramatic change as the infrastructure to support the cities growing population is created including many new roads, ports, schools and entire new urban centres.
Visitors to Ho Chi Minh City will find the climate warm and tropical with a distinct wet season in May to November and a dry season in December to April. The temperature ranges from lows of 16 degrees in winter to the high 30's in summer.
Tourists to Ho Chi Minh City can easily get around in taxis which are fairly cheap, motorcycles, buses or the popular motorised three seat tricycle called a cyclo. When walking around Ho Chi Minh City travelers will need to keep their wits about them due to the extremely heavy traffic.
Popular attractions for visitors include the reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum where many displays have been constructed to highlight the key moments of the Vietnamese War. The Museum of Vietnamese History has many unique Vietnamese historical antiquities on display while the Ho Chi Minh Museum shows the history of Vietnams modern day leader.
When it gets hot visitors can visit the Dam Sen Water Park with many water slides but the real highlight is swimming in the Saigon River with the locals. The park in front of the Renaissance hotel provides a popular river access area. | <urn:uuid:fb2aa1b7-b8f3-4e07-82ea-44aadec72dee> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.pleasetakemeto.com/vietnam/ho-chi-minh-city/information | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958874 | 732 | 2.1875 | 2 |
Flying on a wing and a chair
Flying is freedom for Dave Jacka. "I’m no different to anyone else up there. In fact, I’m better than most." Photo: Bonnie Savage
Dave and his new wife Linda go flying together sometimes. He escapes to the sky whenever he can; she tags along. Sometimes they fly from Melbourne up to Echuca on the Murray River, three hours away by car, for lunch.
"Who else does that?" Dave Jacka asks. Then he repeats a mantra: "You are only limited by what you think you can do."
Jacka is a quadriplegic in a wheelchair. He is 44 and rode a Honda CB250 motorbike into a tree late one winter's night on a suburban cigarette run when he was 19. He broke his neck, lost the use of all four limbs and his lungs collapsed. He spent three months in intensive care and six in rehabilitation.
Dave Jacka ... "Launch myself off and away I go like a wedge-tailed eagle soaring in the sky." Photo: Bonnie Savage
"Proof that smoking's bad for your health," Jacka says.
He can move nothing below his armpits except for a slight bit of arm movement. He can not put his hand on his head, for example. Seeing him work his mobile phone is like watching an illusionist pull a card trick; it slides and fumbles and somehow comes out true. He has carers in his Melbourne house up to six hours a day, getting him out of bed and back in and cleaning and cooking.
Yet he can fly. In April he aims to be the first person to circumnavigate Australia solo on a mission he has called "On A Wing and a Chair". He's not raising money for charity but raising awareness: he says disabled people can do surprising, amazing things despite copping negativity and discrimination and despite also suffering from higher rates of depression, mental illness and suicide than the able-bodied population.
Jacka began flying only after he had lost the use of most of his body. "When I was a kid I was mad on planes," he says. "I'd collect Qantas models and send letters to them to get information on the planes, and I remember at primary school my bedroom walls were covered in pictures of planes. I always wanted to fly."
After his crash he saw microlight aircraft – "like flying a motorbike" – at an airshow and got one and modified it and got right into it, flying over Uluru and Lake Eyre.
But quadriplegia means you lose control of body temperature, and after a few gruelling flights getting far too cold and taking ages to warm up he decided to fly with a cockpit and a heater.
Flight has a metaphysical appeal for him, of course. He leaves his earthly restrictions behind. "For me it's freedom. Launch myself off and away I go like a wedge-tailed eagle soaring in the sky. I'm no different to anyone else up there. In fact, I'm better than most."
He owns a Jabiru J230 aeroplane with room behind the two seats for his wheelchair. The modifications, which he did himself with an engineer mate before they were approved by the Bundaberg-based manufacturer, mean he can control the plane using shoulder strength and also his mouth – he puts his wrists into clamps on the levers for his rudders and sucks or blows into a tube attached to his headset for throttle. The brakes work by pneumatics through a toggle switch.
Simple. That's how Jacka sees it anyway – no problem. He was an apprentice carpenter before his crash. His father Brian Jacka, a psychologist, says he was always outdoorsy and practical and his dream was to have a ute with a dog on the back and build houses and travel. Things changed radically, "but there was never any thought of blaming life and the universe for what happened".
Jacka retrained himself in mechanical engineering. Now he works for Melbourne Water as manager – wheeling around on project sites a lot of the time "seeing things getting made".
He played wheelchair rugby, or "murderball", for Australia at the 1995 world championships and the 1996 Paralympics. He won a gold medal for Australia for disabled shooting at the 1991 Oceania shooting championships. Since his crash, he also snowskied and kayaked.
His secret both mentally and physically was to break down goals into increments. His first was to be able to put a jumper on by himself. Then feed himself. Get into bed. Drive. Brian Jacka says when his son started driving, he had to work out how to dismantle his wheelchair and get it in the car, a process towards independence that took months, in which he reduced the time it took him down from a hour to about five minutes. "That was inspirational to watch," Brian Jacka says. "It was no mean feat."
Jacka's wife Linda Sands says he constantly needs goals. "He needs to be doing something all the time or working towards something. Flying is Dave's passion. If he hasn't had a fly he gets toey and goes up and comes back happy."
She says his family (Jacka has four sisters) all have a determination about them. Jacka is related to Albert Jacka, the first Australian to get a Victoria Cross in the First World War, for bravery at Gallipoli.
Jacka met Linda online. She's Dr Sands – a former heart research scientist who now has a business installing prayer and meditation rooms in corporate offices. She's able-bodied.
"I'd never been out with a man in a wheelchair before," she says. "It changes the way your life is, that's for sure. But he's hilarious – so funny. A great guy. We hit it off straight away. To me he typifies the Aussie character, he's a real Jacka.
"The way I see him," she says, "is as an independent, whole person who needs a bit of help from carers to be that."
Her role is partner, not carer. The carers turn up at maybe 6am to get him out of bed every day; she might sneak off to the spare room for more kip. They're planning on trying for kids, through IVF. Quadriplegic men generally cannot ejaculate.
I met Jacka a few times. I met Sands once, not long before they got married in November. This was out at Tooradin Airport near Melbourne, where he keeps his plane. After an hour or two out there they had to go back to the city because they were having a rehearsal for their wedding dance. The wedding itself was on a lagoon in Thailand; both of them were making jokes about the sand and the wheelchair. Jacka said he had organised some sort of plank.
He's so upbeat that at first you suspect it's bluff, but this doesn't seem to be the case. Sands says her husband's family would pull him up if he wasn't genuine about his feelings.
When he gives talks at schools he shows a Powerpoint of himself as a kid on a billy-cart, as a handsome young man with a surfboard and then mangled in hospital with the medieval-looking head-tongs and a rope and weight holding his head in place, and tubes everywhere, including one from his neck so he can breathe, his skin yellow, his eyes shut firm.
His one true dark moment, he says, was when he first went into rehabilitation in hospital. He was wheeled into a room by a nurse, who then left. He was facing a pale blue wall. "I thought 'I can't do anything except sit and stare at this wall,' " he says. "It was a huge shock. I balled my eyes out."
Now his goal is to fly around Australia on his own. The trip will have 21 stops for donated accommodation; some legs will be three hours, some will be six hours. He'll go around Tasmania, Cape York, Cape Byron and the westernmost point of Western Australia, Steep Point.
"What I have learnt," he says, "is I have very few limitations." | <urn:uuid:4fac4a9f-8bc6-4fae-a6a9-b221f0c36f77> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/victoria/flying-on-a-wing-and-a-chair-20130104-2c8fr.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.988103 | 1,710 | 1.625 | 2 |
Smartphones: The Pocketable PC
Is Your Phone Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
Illustration: Frank Chimero
This is part of IEEE Spectrum's special report: Top 11 Technologies of the Decade
Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series is named after a pocketable device that contains everything worth knowing. But that seems almost quaint today, when you can carry the full contents of the Web in your pocket, as well as a telephone, a camera, a radio, a television, and a navigation system. Today's smartphones are marvels of engineering, crammed with more features than the average PC. They've become the prime driver of innovation for both software and hardware.
It took half a century to shrink the mainframe from the size of a living room to that of a suitcase. It took another decade to make it smaller than a wallet. The smartphone has swallowed and assimilated functionality from music players, remote controls, gaming consoles, even printed maps and news publications. And now that smartphones are serving as Wi-Fi hot spots, they can replace wireless routers and modems, too. Smartphones are becoming as essential as keys or a wallet, and they'll soon replace those as well.
This has some real consequences. Unlike its predecessors, the smartphone is an inherently personal device: Not only is it always on, it's always somewhere on us. Without realizing it, we've let smartphones usher us into an age of ubiquitous, pervasive computing that technologists, as well as science-fiction authors, have been dreaming about for years [PDF].
"Smartphones help users stay connected to information at any given time, any given location," says Dilip Krishnaswamy, a Qualcomm engineer and associate editor in chief of IEEE Wireless Communications. "The information is just there when you need it."
We've come to rely on such connectivity. There's no need to pack a map or directions when an app can guide you in real time, nor to consult a restaurant guide before leaving the house. In these and a thousand other ways, the smartphone, more than any other technology to have emerged in the past decade, is the one that has most changed our lives.
To be sure, back in 1973, Motorola's Martin Cooper didn't set out to build an always-connected, portable computing device. He was simply trying to shrink the car phone down to the size and weight of a luggable brick. But once the cellphone had earned a permanent place in our pockets, it became an unavoidable platform for innovation, upstaging the PC. If Starbucks wants to make it quicker and easier to pay for a cup of coffee, why not do it through the phone? If The New York Times wants to get away from paper, well, everyone's already carrying around a perfectly readable screen.
Smartphones are more than just bells and whistles—they actually change behavior. With a traditional mobile phone, users spend most of their time making calls and sending text messages. On a smartphone, basic communication takes a back seat to Internet browsing, e-mail, entertainment, and games. This difference is due to three key ingredients, each of which has seen tremendous advances in the last decade: hardware, software, and network infrastructure.
COMPANY TO WATCH:
If you want your phone to replace your wallet and keys, it will need a near-field communications (NFC) chip. Broadcom already supplies companies like Apple with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, and thanks to its August 2010 purchase of UK-based Innovision, the company should soon be able to add NFC for less than US $1 per unit.
South Korea, which has long boasted the world’s fastest data connections, saw average Internet connection speeds slow by 24 percent in 2009. Blame the iPhone: It made its debut on the country’s slow wireless networks and was then widely adopted.
The hardware is the most obvious. Thanks to high-resolution displays with touch screens or QWERTY keyboards and tiny camera lenses on the outside and gigahertz processors, radio antennas, and image sensors on the inside, the phones hardly resemble their modest predecessors.
But at least as important is the software. "The operating system is the foundation for everything else in a smartphone," says Donna Dubinsky, a cofounder of Palm, the company that first succeeded in cramming computer functionality into a pocketable device. Every major smartphone operating system now supports third-party applications that extend the phone's capabilities far beyond what any one manufacturer can do.
And in addition to using the resources of the phone itself, these apps can off-load data storage and processing to the cloud [see "It's Always Sunny in the Cloud"] in the form of server farms around the world, thanks to ever increasing wireless bandwidth—the third key development behind the smartphone. "People naturally want to focus on the device itself," says Dubinsky, "but what's important is the complete system, including hardware, software, and application development environment."
Current smartphones quietly shift between Wi-Fi and 3G so that users are always connected to the best available network. Remember that the iPhone, still less than four years old, didn't even access 3G networks when it launched. By October of last year, you could get a 3G signal at the top of Mount Everest, and now the first 4G networks are emerging.
Today we're seeing only hints of how a smartphone world will be different. With their numerous sensors, they will form nodes in a vast and unprecedented data collection network. Researchers have already used phones' accelerometers to follow basic health indicators (such as a patient's gait), their GPS to monitor crowd and pedestrian traffic patterns, and their microphones to track bird migrations. Several app developers have created the first useful examples of augmented reality—letting you point your phone at a restaurant and see a bunch of customer reviews, for example.
These capabilities come with strings attached, notably the addictive effects of always-on connectivity. BlackBerries are rightly nicknamed "CrackBerries" for the way they feed a workaholic's addiction. Krishnaswamy notes that we're training ourselves to always be ready for the next e-mail or status update, and we're disappointed when one doesn't arrive. And not everyone likes it when people interrupt dinner to surf the Web to fact-check the conversation.
Some experts even worry about a new digital divide between those who can afford smartphones and data plans and those who can afford only basic mobile phones. In fact, many smartphones cost more than low-end computers, once you take away the subsidized prices that wireless carriers offer for them. Yet in rural and impoverished areas, they represent a much better investment because they're self-contained, needing neither additional network infrastructure nor even reliable power.
In any case, many high-end features will inexorably filter down to low-end phones, as they have in the camera market, and what begins as a luxury will quickly become a necessity. In 2007, sales of smartphones surpassed sales of laptops, and some predict that by 2014 more people will browse the Internet by phone than from traditional computers [PDF].
The drive to communicate on ever-wider scales has shaped many of our technological advances, and these in turn have shaped how we communicate. Moving from text messages to Twitter updates, from voice to video chat seems to be part of our evolution. "The interesting thing is how it's changing human behavior itself," says Krishnaswamy. "Smartphones will become a sixth sense for the user, gathering information from wireless sensors in the user's environment and from the network, interpreting the information, and providing valuable feedback to the user."
This article originally appeared in print as "Smartphones."
For all of IEEE Spectrum's Top 11 Technologies of the Decade, visit the special report. | <urn:uuid:adc15623-54f6-4b2d-bdc5-f3e5b8d13cf0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://spectrum.ieee.org/telecom/wireless/smartphones-the-pocketable-pc/1 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952363 | 1,606 | 2.953125 | 3 |
A small independent is seeking a state right of way for a new subsea oil pipeline across Alaska’s Cook Inlet.
Such a pipeline could reduce or eliminate the current risky practice of shipping crude oil by tank vessel from the west side of the turbulent, icy inlet to the Tesoro refinery at Nikiski on the Kenai Peninsula.
Cook Inlet Energy LLC on Nov. 26 applied to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources for a right-of-way lease for the proposed Trans-Foreland Pipeline.
The 29-mile line will start at Cook Inlet Energy’s Kustatan oil production facility, near West Foreland point, and cross beneath the inlet to the tank farm at the Tesoro refinery, which is near East Foreland point.
The pipeline will loop south to avoid deep trenches and strong tidal currents prevalent in the strait between the Forelands.
The $50 million pipeline is slated to commence operations in August 2014, say documents submitted to DNR.
Risky oil shipmentsAnchorage-based Cook Inlet Energy is a subsidiary of Tennessee-based, publicly traded Miller Energy Resources Inc.
Cook Inlet Energy has an assortment of oil and gas assets on the west side of the inlet, including the West McArthur River oil field and the offshore Redoubt unit and Osprey platform. Oil from Osprey is piped ashore to the Kustatan production facility.
Cook Inlet Energy is aiming to rapidly increase its production, and a number of other companies also are producing or exploring on the west side, including Hilcorp and Apache.
Presently, west side crude flows via pipelines to the Hilcorp-operated Drift River terminal, where tankers or barges pick up the oil for delivery across the inlet to the Tesoro refinery.
Water transport of crude oil is inherently hazardous, and the inlet’s big tides and dangerous winter ice floes add an extra measure of risk.
Cook Inlet Energy says the subsea pipeline could eliminate the need to move oil by tanker or barge, and could reduce oil transportation costs.
The company also notes the close proximity of Redoubt volcano to the Drift River terminal. Eruptions in 2009 closed the terminal and idled west inlet oil production for months.
The company further says the Trans-Foreland Pipeline is needed to “bypass the aging infrastructure on the west side of Cook Inlet.”
Large-capacity lineThe new pipeline, 8 inches in diameter, will have a capacity to move 90,000 barrels per day of sales-grade crude, Cook Inlet Energy’s right-of-way application says.
That’s a very large number relative to current oil production from the west side.
Cook Inlet Energy says it believes it will need to attract shipping commitments of about 4,000 barrels per day to make the tariff competitive with the Cook Inlet Pipe Line system. CIPL is the Hilcorp subsidiary that operates the Drift River terminal.
“However, given the increased operational reliability and environmental benefits offered by this (Trans-Foreland) line, the project may be viable at lower throughput levels,” the right-of-way application says.
A project description offers considerable detail on the pipeline route. The pipeline will start at the Kustatan facility and run 2.2 miles, buried in uplands, to the bluff on the west side of the inlet.
At the top of the bluff, the pipe will be installed using horizontal directional drilling for 2,640 feet into Cook Inlet, where it will exit onto the seafloor.
The line then will run about 26 miles across the bottom.
“The pipeline is laid in a horseshoe shape to facilitate construction in the high tidal currents occurring between the East and West Forelands,” a project description says. “The forelands represent the narrowest part of Cook Inlet and have the highest currents and deepest trenches. The route was also selected to minimize tidal stresses and avoid water depths greater than 200 feet, the maximum depth for safe operation by marine divers.”
On the east side, the buried pipeline will run 1.6 miles along Hedberg Drive and the Kenai Spur Highway to its terminus at the Kenai Pipe Line Co. tank farm near the Tesoro refinery. KPL is a subsidiary of San Antonio, Texas-based Tesoro.
Construction scheduleThe pipeline will be equipped with a leak detection system and a cathodic protection system to prevent corrosion. And the design will accommodate internal inspection devices known as pigs, the application says.
A lay barge, tugs and other support vessels will be used to install the pipeline on the Cook Inlet seafloor.
Cook Inlet Energy says 130 construction jobs will be filled for the project. About eight field workers and four office workers will be needed to operate and maintain the pipeline.
Construction is scheduled for April through August 2014. The work schedule will be designed to avoid conflicts with commercial salmon fishing.
Cook Inlet Energy says two contractors are under consideration for the pipeline installation: Price Gregory and CONAM Construction, and NANA Construction.
Most of the pipeline route, including the long stretch under Cook Inlet, is on state land. Thus, Cook Inlet Energy is seeking a DNR lease for the right of way.
The application materials are posted online at dnr.alaska.gov/commis/pco. | <urn:uuid:b7eaf512-024b-46f9-81bb-d394d4e4a861> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.petroleumnews.com/pntruncate/136295526.shtml | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.918231 | 1,127 | 1.84375 | 2 |
Q: A dear older friend who has the beginnings of Alzheimer's disease is apparently being emotionally and physically abused by his very clever new wife. His bruises are well covered. He has lost about 60 pounds this past year, is severely depressed and is hinting at suicide. She is threatening to throw him out of his own house. What can I do? Could you please help with some guidance? Many thanks.
A: You have described a case of elder abuse. It is serious and even more serious for someone with Alzheimer's disease.
Elder abuse is an equal-opportunity nightmare. If it can happen to wealthy New York socialite Brooke Astor, it can happen to anyone. Astor reportedly lived in dirty and dilapidated conditions in her Park Avenue duplex, was neglected, underfed and forced to sleep in a torn nightgown on a filthy couch. Her son and an estate planning attorney were found guilty of looting her estate. She died in 2007 at age 105.
According to the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect at the University of California, Irvine, elder abuse is considered one of the most overlooked public health hazards in the United States. The number of victims is estimated between one and two million.
Emotional abuse can take the form of intimidation, harassment, threats to control the person, limited or no social contact, as well as yelling, name calling and verbal insults. Physical abuse is hitting, kicking, pushing, slapping
Older adults with dementia are thought to be at greater risk than the general population of older people because they typically suffer from some degree of memory impairment, poor judgment, dependency and fear of repercussion. Since it is difficult for them to fend for themselves, they often trust someone they shouldn't.
According to the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, 84 percent of abuse is not reported to authorities. And about two-thirds of the perpetrators are related to the victim; often they are a spouse or child.
Here are a few more statistics: Every 68 seconds, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease; age is the greatest risk factor. After age 85, the odds are 50-50 for having the disease. It is the sixth leading cause of death.
The number of cases is expected to grow exponentially in the next few decades, from about 5.4 million today to 7.7 million in 2030 and 16 million in 2050. What is equally alarming are the overall rates of abuse and neglect by caregivers of dementia victims, which is between 34 and 62 percent, according to international studies published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and the British Medical Journal. Researchers estimate 5 to 23 percent of all caregivers, not just those caring for dementia patients, are physically abusive.
Clearly elder abuse is pervasive, underreported and damaging. With the anticipated growth in the number of Alzheimer's victims, the incidence of abuse may also increase.
So what to do? Begin by contacting the Elder Abuse Hotline at 877-477-3646. The person who takes the call will assess the seriousness of the situation and contact Adult Protective Services, a California-mandated 24-hour service. APS investigates reported at-risk situations of those age 65 or older and dependent adults ages 18 to 64 who are physically or mentally impaired. Once a report is filed, APS social workers meet face-to-face with the potential victim to investigate and assess the situation.
After a case is developed, a plan is formulated with outside agencies such as a senior center, department of mental health, the Alzheimer's Association and others.
The threat of suicide should not be ignored. Help is available by calling the Suicide Prevention hotline at 800-784-2433. And finally contact the Los Angeles Alzheimer's Association at 323-938-3379 for additional support and information.
It is hard for an outsider to evaluate what is going on behind closed doors. One may even have trepidation about interfering. Yet, if we were the victim, would we want someone to act on our behalf? The answer is obvious.
Although there often is reluctance to get involved with other people's business, a time comes when intervention is appropriate. N.D., you have seized that moment, setting an ethical example of caring and acting on the behalf of others.
N.D., thank you for your extremely important question. Hopefully the situation will be evaluated and a resolution will follow. Your friend is lucky to have you as a friend.
Helen Dennis is a specialist in aging, with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Send her your questions and concerns in care of the Daily Breeze, 21250 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503, or email to firstname.lastname@example.org. | <urn:uuid:244a9d55-e92b-4f86-8fe5-948e900af39b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.presstelegram.com/health/ci_22807172/helen-dennis-col | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965638 | 975 | 2.234375 | 2 |
Diversity Initiatives and the Furman Counseling Center have partnered to provide a weekly support group for women of color at Barnard. Facilitated by trained clinicians and professional staff members, the focus of the group is to provide a supportive atmosphere where women of diverse cultural backgrounds can engage in discussion and self expression related to the challenges, celebrations, and complexities related to their life at Barnard. Topics include but are not limited to: academics, racism, stress management, body image and hair, sexuality, and healthy relationships.
During the spring semester the WOC support group will meet weekly starting Feb. 6th through Apr. 24th. The group will NOT meet during Spring Break, Mar. 20th. Sessions are from 5:00pm-6:30 pm and always held in 302 Diana Center. | <urn:uuid:0a1d383a-330f-40df-9f67-6b3ab6441530> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://communitydevelopment@barnard.edu/studentlife/diversity/programs/women-of-color-support-group | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951383 | 163 | 1.5 | 2 |
This article originally appeared on my blog, Temple of the Future. It’s based on a talk I gave at the Center for Inquiry Leadership Conference in June 2011 – you can watch that talk here. You can read my coverage of the conference here.
Part of the Series: Good (Without God)
- Service to humanist must be a priority for Humanists, at least as important as protecting church-state separation.
- Currently, people who attend religious communities outdo secular people, on average, in terms of their commitment to service.
- Service has many individual, communal, and movement-wide benefits which make it even more compelling.
- Sometimes we seem to be a movement which is (Good) without God. Let’s become a movement which is Good (without God)!
In England, it’s reasonable to assume someone is an atheist until proven otherwise. The influence of religion on public life is minimal, even given our established church. So when I came to America I was excited to join the local atheist and skeptical groups – I wanted to join in the fight against religious privilege and promote secular values in this very religious country.
A menorah appeared on Cambridge Common.
Suddenly, the email lists were aflame with denunciations of this outrageous infringement of the separation between church and state. Excited missives shot back and forth, and a campaign of letter writing mounted to eradicate this stain on secular America.
In the midst of the firestorm, I began to wonder about our priorities as a movement. It struck me that each and every day I walked past Cambridge Common on the way to class. And each time I walked through the Common, I passed a number of people who live there.
Not once had any of these atheist groups expressed an iota of concern for these people – these human beings - who sleep on park benches and carry their belongings in plastic bags.
But the little white wooden menorah really made us angry.
A disclaimer: I am not arguing here that the secular concerns of Humanism are unimportant or should be abandoned. On the contrary, I consider the separation between church and state to be of signal importance and vital to defend, and I salute those who do this important work. I have myself promoted the campaign of Damon Fowler on my blog.
At the same time, it strikes me that this response reflects a larger set of priorities within the movement which require critical scrutiny. While we frequently voice our commitment to a set of humanitarian values, often our most high profile movement efforts are related to defending the barrier between church and state: lawsuits against the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance, or against the National Day of Prayer, for instance. I can’t help but wonder, laudable though these efforts are, if the resources we devote to them might do more good – for humanity and our cause - if they were temporarily diverted to humanitarian work which directly improved the lives of our fellows.
Often, if Humanism is to be “Good Without God”, we seem to be more concerned with “Without God” than with being “Good”.
There is good empirical evidence to support this. In American Grace, Putnam and Campbell present a compelling case that religious individuals give more to charities (both secular and religious) than the nonreligious, are more engaged in their local community, and are more likely to be active in politics and volunteering. So the religious are, by and large, “winning at service”.
Significantly, though, the researchers stress that this difference in civic engagement is not about the intensity of a person’s religious belief, but rather due to their involvement with a religious community. If a non-religious individual happens to be engaged with a religious community to a similar degree to a very religious person, they found, they would display the same level of civic commitment. Therefore, they hypothesized, close, morally intense non-religious communities might encourage the nonreligious to get more engaged in civic and service work (this hypothesis is one of the driving forces behind the Humanist Community Project itself).
My conviction is that our movement will be stronger and more morally compelling if we listen to Putnam and Campbell and shift our attention more toward being “good” than being “without god”. Despite the clear moral necessity of such a shift, I see a number of benefits which might accrue were we to do so:
- We would be less susceptible to charges of hypocrisy, since we will be enacting our values instead of simply espousing them.
- We will build a bigger movement, drawing in new members who are alienated by or indifferent to a focus on being not-religious. The Humanist Graduate Community at Harvard has seen a significant increase in attendance by women since refocusing our agenda toward service and humanitarian work.
- We will build a stronger movement, developing our organizational capacity. Since performing service work requires group organization, this will develop useful skills we can use to further our other goals.
- The improved public perception of our movement will enable us to pursue our secular goals with a greater chance of success. It’s harder to dismiss the arguments of those you respect and who you see as a positive force in the world.
- Service can be fun and enlightening, expanding our horizons, taking us to places we might never see and doing things we might never do due to our social class and level of education.
Given the strong moral case for service, and the five benefits just outlined, I feel there is good reason to shift our priorities.
Instead of crafting a movement which is (Good) Without God, let’s endeavor to be Good (Without God).
In Part 2 I outline 10 ideas for how your Humanist group can engage in service work. | <urn:uuid:d48557c8-2d05-4c68-a815-606a850ce28a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://harvardhumanist.org/2011/12/09/good-without-god-part-one-service-is-a-humanist-priority/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00069-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956234 | 1,192 | 1.5625 | 2 |
REDD after Copenhagen: the way forward
Workshops in Africa and Asia in early March are charting a way forward on REDD and the role of other land uses in the fight against climate change.
The workshops in Nairobi, Kenya, 1-3 March 2010, and Hue City, Vietnam, 8-10 March 2010, are bringing together negotiators and key stakeholders from 15 African and 8 Asian nations to tap into expertise of World Agroforestry Centre scientists and peers from around the world.
First on the agenda is to analyze the outcomes of the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen with regard to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD) and reducing emissions from other land uses.
Regional perspectives from Latin America, Africa, and Asia will be presented, and experiences will be shared on pilot projects for achieving cost-effective and verifiable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Information on REDD methodologies and technical issues will be shared, and the opportunities and challenges for funding REDD projects, such as through carbon markets, will be discussed.
In charting a course for the coming year, negotiators and stakeholders will consider some of the issues that will be at play in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be held in Mexico City in December 2010. In particular, they will consider strategies for kick-starting demonstration projects to encourage ‘learning by doing'.
The background paper, REDD After Copenhagen: The Way Forward, (download the English version or the French version) has been prepared in conjunction with the workshops by organizers: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Alternatives to Slash and Burn Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins at the World Agroforestry Centre.
The Kenya and Vietnam workshops are a follow-up to similar workshops held towards the end of 2009 in preparation for the Copenhagen conference. Both have been delivered with the generous support of the Government of Norway.
Effective participation by developing countries is key to a REDD mechanism that supports rural development, respects national sovereignty and stakeholder participation, and contributes to emissions reduction objectives. | <urn:uuid:1621660e-2da6-4583-a447-4114af7010d9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/newsroom/highlights/redd-after-copenhagen-way-forward | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.920177 | 428 | 2.53125 | 3 |
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The National Weather Service confirms a tornado is responsible for causing damage to buildings in Northeast Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon.
The strong storms that barreled through parts of the Delaware Valley left some areas with flash flooding.
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirms an EF zero tornado touched down in the 9900 block of Northeast Avenue in Bustleton, destroying a building that houses four businesses.
According to the NWS, the damaging winds were estimated at 75 miles-per-hour and were about 100 feet wide. The tornado was on the ground for about 300 feet. Send us your photos – click here
The building was quickly evacuated. Two people suffered minor injuries during the tornado.
The damage is expected to be in the thousands of dollars.
Natasha Brown reports…
In parts of Montgomery County, the water levels were high and emergency crews were called to help people who were stranded in their cars.
One driver got stuck along the 3000 block of Bartram Road in Willow Grove; two more had to be pulled from their vehicles along the 3000 block of Blair Mill Road in Horsham.
Several streets in the region were also closed due to localized flooding.
For complete weather coverage, click here.
Reported by Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio 1060; Walt Hunter, CBS 3 | <urn:uuid:f95c755d-826b-408b-8cb4-03e14c277453> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/05/18/strong-storms-barrel-through-region/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976423 | 274 | 1.570313 | 2 |
Million Mom's Marching Miss the Point: Guns Make Us SaferCommentary by H. Sterling Burnett
July 13, 2000
The "Million Mom March" angered and dismayed me. Most Americans, myself included, share the marching moms' goals of reducing childhood gun misuse and criminal gun use. What raised my ire were the means the moms' chose to pursue their goals: Lies and demands for more gun control.
The most often repeated factually-challenged statement uttered at the Million Mom March was that "12 children die each day in America due to gun violence." In 1997, 629 children aged 14 or younger died by gunfire - a rate of 1.7 per day. Still unacceptably high, but a number 6 times lower than that claimed by the marching moms.
The "12 kids a day" statistic includes anyone, 19 and under, who died by gunfire. Most states treat youths 16 or older accused of serious crimes as adults and every state considers anyone 18 or older an adult. The majority of the young adults killed with firearms each day are between the ages of 17 and 19 - with the majority of these deaths being gang or drug related. Tragic, but hardly the picture of child firearm deaths painted by the million moms.
Among the laws the Million Mom Marchers promoted were that all firearm purchasers at gun show's undergo background checks and that all guns be sold and stored with trigger locks. Gun shows are not a serious source for supplying criminals with guns. A 1997 Justice Department study found only 2% of crime guns obtained from gun shows. Criminals usually obtain guns through black market deals and theft.
About 90% of handguns are already sold with trigger or barrel locks. Making these locks mandatory would not stop killers like Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold since gun locks are easily defeated. Nor is it likely that locks will save the kids lives since fewer children under five years of age die from accidental shootings (30 per year) than die from drowning in water buckets (40 deaths per year) or from fires they start with cigarette lighters (150 deaths).
These proposals would not just be ineffective in reducing firearm fatalities, they would endanger us all. Firearms are used five times more often to prevent crimes than to commit crimes. Requiring background checks at gun shows would be inconvenient and expensive meaning fewer law-abiding citizens will purchase guns. Fewer guns in circulation equals fewer guns available for self-defense. And gun locks eliminate an important benefit of guns because for safety reasons they require that a gun be stored unloaded. Researchers John Lott of Yale and John Whitley of the University of Chicago found no reduction in accidental deaths or suicides involving children in states which mandate the "safe storage" of firearms. Rather, they found that safe storage laws make firearms less accessible during break-ins. The result: citizens in states with such laws suffered 3,800 more rapes, 21,000 more burglaries and 49,700 more robberies combined than they would have had absent the laws. Trigger locks make guns inaccessible as well, thus a trigger lock law would likely make people less safe.
If the million mom marchers are really serious about reducing firearm crime and childhood gun deaths, perhaps they should join with the National Rifle Association in demanding that felons caught with firearms are prosecuted, that penalties for gun related crimes are stiffened and that gun safety and violence avoidance are taught in schools. At least these proposals have a proven track record of success in reducing gun crimes and mishaps. | <urn:uuid:4be2dc56-f639-4d16-94cf-8020fbb30129> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ncpa.org/commentaries/million-moms-marching-miss-the-point-guns-make-us-safer | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968009 | 707 | 1.84375 | 2 |
IxEmDi (Extended Mail Delivery) 1.0
xEmDi can run a user defined number of time scheduled tasks based on a kind of check list.
Every task can plan the delivery of one or multiple e-mails of a specified or random size, with a specified or random content and attachments to a list of one ore more recipients. Currently only the delivery via SMTP is supported, but it is possible to use a specific SMTP server on every task to emulate different senders.
In this episode, we'll be looking at setting up a Bluetooth accessory, we'll offer a few power-saving tips and we'll take a quick look at how copy and paste works on the Samsung Galaxy SII 4G. view it
In this episode, we'll be taking a look at some of the pre-installed apps on the Galaxy SII including the Android Market, Gmail, the browser and the camera. view it
In this episode, we'll be taking a look at some of the Android tweaks that Samsung has made with its TouchWiz interface. We'll also take a look at adding widgets and app shortcuts to our homescreens, including Samsung's own specialized apps and widgets. view it
In this episode, we're going to take a look getting the SII setup with our Google and other accounts so we can begin using it right away. view it
The Samsung Galaxy SII 4G, AKA the Samsung Galaxy Epic Touch 4G, is a top-tier smartphone. view it
In this episode, we’re going to offer a few battery saving tips so your phone will last the whole day and beyond plus we’ll take a look at how copy and paste works on the Photon 4G. view it
The Motorola Photon from Ting features App Shortcuts and Widgets from Android and Motorola. view it | <urn:uuid:7c5116cf-19fa-4c40-a5bc-6adb8b1f6445> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.tucows.com/preview/854479/IxEmDi-Extended-Mail-Delivery | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.914018 | 382 | 1.507813 | 2 |
RANKING AMONG PEER INSTITUTIONS
- 1st in Canada among medical-doctoral universities for the last 8 years (Maclean's University Rankings 2012)
- 18th in the world and 1st in Canada for the past 9 years (QS World University Rankings 2012)
- 34th in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2012)
- 1st or tied for 1st amongst Canada's large universities in information technology, city satisfaction, reputation with employers and libraries (Globe and Mail’s Canadian University Report)
THE FINEST STUDENTS
McGill is known worldwide for its sky-high entering grades, and our students have counted an astounding 134 Rhodes Scholars among their ranks – more than any other Canadian university. Each year, they earn armfuls of prestigious awards and prizes for academic and athletic achievement, and in Canada's May 2011 election, five of our students defeated incumbents to become some of the nation's youngest-ever Members of Parliament.
The discovery that atoms are divisible. The first map of the brain's motor cortex. The inventions of Plexiglas, three major sports and the artificial blood cell. For more than 190 years, McGillians and their Eureka moments have been changing the world for the better.
They live in some 180 countries. Their ranks include world leaders, astronauts, Nobel laureates, and a host of trailblazers in the worlds of art, science, business and public service. And in a 2011 survey, employers ranked McGill's degrees as the 15th most-prestigious in the world. Across borders and disciplines, McGill’s 215,000 living alumni are using their education and experiences to make a difference in the world. Learn more about our distinguished graduates.
A REPUTATION FOR RESEARCH
With a strong focus on interdisciplinary work, we rank among the finest research-intensive universities in the world, and carry on a tradition of excellence that includes Sir Ernest Rutherford, Wilder Penfield, Charles Taylor and many others. Today, our researchers are making great strides in a wide range of fields, from green chemistry to nanotechnology, from the science of food to the secrets of genomics and proteomics.
CANADA'S MOST INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
McGill is one of Canada's best-known institutions of higher learning and one of the leading research-intensive universities in the world. With 20% of our students coming to McGill from more than 150 countries, our student body is the most internationally diverse medical-doctoral university in the country. Our top-notch internship programs places students across the globe, and our alumni live in more than 180 countries worldwide.
AN EFFERVESCENT METROPOLIS
Montreal sits at the meeting point of the Old and New Worlds. It's a city of cobblestones and an international hub for aerospace, pharmaceuticals, software engineering and more. It's a safe, vibrant place bursting with culture that consistently ranks among the world's most livable cities. Montreal is our heritage, and home to some 220,000 post-secondary students, as well as a wealth of greenspace, and the hundreds of cafes and restos for which Montreal is famous. Learn more about one of the world’s great meeting places for people, products and ideas.
A COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
We're passionate about sustainability, and we're doing something about it. McGill's Sustainability Projects Fund offers $840,000 each year to student projects that lighten McGill's environmental footprint. Since 2009, we have funded a wide range of initiatives including urban gardening projects, a bicycle collective, green waste management systems and more. If you're as passionate as we are, get involved on our campuses or get your own idea funded.
McGill counts nine Nobel Prize-winners among its faculty and alumni, whose contributions include the technology behind digital cameras, the discovery of how the human body protects its genetic code, the theory of electron transfer, groundbreaking work on visual perception, hormones and particle interaction and the discovery of dendritic cells, with their immune signaling pathways that control and drive the immune response.
A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
At McGill, we know the importance of attracting the best and brightest: from our students to our researchers to our employees. That’s why we do all that we can to ensure that McGill is a place where everyone thrives, and we’re proud to say our efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012, we were the only university to have made the list of Montreal's top 20. Adding to the accolades, in 2011 McGill was the recipient of a Randstad award, recognizing us as one of Canada’s top five most attractive employers. | <urn:uuid:7e126e7d-9656-436c-99a0-c337cb4f2efe> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mcgill.ca/about/points-pride | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00043-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.931627 | 992 | 1.65625 | 2 |
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
McDaniel College has an early intervention team that works to ensure students get the support services they need, including mental health resources.
Tuesday, February 26
By MANDY DOMINELLI, KRYSTAL NANCOO-RUSSELL and YAGANA SHAH, Capital News Service Universities find themselves walking a difficult line as they strive to balance the rights of students with disabilities and campus safety, say experts in the wake of the recent shooting deaths of two students at the University of Maryland. “We don’t assume that because a student might have a mental health condition, they are going to be disruptive to others or dangerous to others. We respond to behavior,” said Jana Varwig, associate vice president for student affairs at Towson University. Universities face the challenge of somewhat limited involvement in student mental health issues. Unlike transcripts or immunization records, colleges and universities are …
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Dozens of local scholarships are available through funds managed by the Community Foundation of Carroll County.
Dozens of local scholarship funds are available for Carroll County high school students through the Community Foundation of Carroll County. Scholarships based on college major, athletics, academics, and character among other things, are available. Deadlines vary depending on the scholarship fund. Some of the more than 70 funds available include: The Gretchen Brandt Character Award was established to honor and pay tribute to Gretchen, a student athlete, who was a member of the Class of 2006 at Century High School. Her life was cut short, but her character remains in the halls of Century. The recipient of this award will be someone with the same values, morals, and dedication to life. Teachers and coaches will nominate deserving, college-…
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The bill would make textbooks tax-exempt for students enrolled in a Maryland institution of higher education.
A bill sponsored by Del. Susan Krebs, R-District 9B, and seven other Republicans in the House of Delegates, would make textbooks a little more affordable for Maryland college students. The legislation would exempt from the sales and use tax a sale of a textbook that is purchased by a full-time or part-time student enrolled at an institution of higher education. "The cost of college textbooks has become outrageous," said Del. Krebs whose district covers Eldersburg and Sykesville. "Eliminating Maryland State Sales Tax would be a small step to help students afford a college education." According to the bill, which had its first hearing on Jan. 25, students would verify their full-time or part-time status by producing a valid student … | <urn:uuid:a06a2920-01a5-4153-a954-03b7477487da> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://eldersburg.patch.com/topics/College | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966113 | 545 | 1.648438 | 2 |
This branch is responsible for air pollution control in the state. The
branch conducts engineering analysis and permitting, performs
monitoring and investigations, and enforces the federal and state air
pollution control laws and regulations.
This section consists of four programs that have responsibility for
detecting, preventing and controlling hazardous working conditions,
hazardous fumigation, inadequate air conditioning and ventilation | <urn:uuid:e7a9ac83-f45b-443d-93d3-a2c91c200d3f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/air/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00025-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.917564 | 80 | 1.726563 | 2 |
The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 1992
Gary S. Becker
Award Ceremony Speech
Presentation Speech by Professor Assar
Lindbeck of the Royal
Swedish Academy of Sciences, December 10, 1992.
Translation of the Swedish text
Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Gary Becker has made it his task to extend the analytical domain of what he calls "an economic approach" to various social issues. Now it is important to bear in mind that what Becker calls "an economic approach" does not mean that individuals are assumed to strive solely for economic gain. Non-pecuniary, and indeed also altruistic, aspects are part of Becker's analysis alongside of pecuniary aspects. Therefore, the analysis should perhaps more appropriately be characterized as a theory of rational choice, i.e. of purposeful behavior, rather than as a traditional "economic approach."
Such a concept of research might perhaps, when looked at superficially, seem trivial. But that is precisely what it is not. Human behavior in the areas where Becker has conducted his studies has hitherto often been assumed to be unexplained, habitual behavior, rather than founded on rational calculations. Moreover, had Becker's approach been trivial, it would hardly have given rise to the amount of criticism and protest it was plagued with when first launched.
An important application of Becker's model of analysis is his studies of education and on-the-job training, i.e. investments in human capital, as they are now called. With the aid of this concept, Becker has developed, and empirically tested, an explicit theory of the wage structure in society and its development over time. Researchers after Becker have used the same method of analysis, to explain among other things, such as diverse phenomena as economic growth, the composition of trade, and investment in the sphere of health.
Another of Becker's important contributions is his analysis of the role of the family, or the household, in society. In traditional theory, the household was supposed to have a choice between income, and by means of this income, consumption of purchased consumer goods on the one hand, and leisure on the other hand. Becker's basic idea is rather to look upon the household as "a small factory" producing services for the members of the household with an input of time and purchased consumer goods, the latter being regarded as intermediate inputs in the production process taking place in the household.
This analysis is an interesting example of how a new angle to an old question can lead to completely new insights. In the context of this alternative approach, a wage rise for example, leads to a shift to less time-consuming production of the services produced within the household. Rising wages on the open market make it more costly to have one member of the family specializing in household production (e.g. child care). Therefore, parts of the earlier social and economic functions of the family are moved to other institutions such as businesses, schools, day care centers for children and various public institutions. This development constitutes a stimulus to work outside the home, a stimulus that also makes parents choose to have fewer children, investing rather in more education for the children they choose to have. Becker uses his theory to explain the historical decline of fertility in the industrialized countries, and the differences in fertility between countries, and between urban and rural areas.
Becker has also applied his theory to the area of "crime and punishment." He assumes that, except for a limited number of psychopaths, individuals who behave criminally react in predictable ways to different stimuli in the form of benefits and costs of criminal activities. This theory seems to provide realistic predictions about what groups of citizens can be expected to commit specific types of crime. The empirical studies conducted in connection with this theory also indicate that an increase in the probability of being convicted has a more discouraging effect on criminality than has the harshness of the punishment.
Yet another application concerns discrimination, with regard to race and sex, on the job and housing markets. Becker shows that such behavior works, purely analytically, as a "tax wedge," i.e. a marginal tax, between social and private economic returns. Discrimination, therefore, tends to harm economically, not only the party subjected to discrimination but also the party carrying out discrimination.
I now turn to you, Professor Becker: You have always chosen important social issues for your research agenda, such as population growth, the role of the family in society, the importance of education and on-the-job training, crime and punishment, and discrimination. You have, thanks to your creative and often provocative research strategy, widened the domain of models of "rational choice." It is a pleasure to convey to you the warmest congratulations from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and to ask you to receive, from the hands of His Majesty the King, the 1992 Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
From Nobel Lectures, Economics 1991-1995, Editor Torsten Persson, World Scientific Publishing Co., Singapore, 1997
Copyright © The Nobel Foundation 1992
MLA style: "The Prize in Economics 1992 - Presentation Speech". Nobelprize.org. 20 May 2013 http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1992/presentation-speech.html | <urn:uuid:2e779f42-56b5-415f-b98a-4d758baaba07> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1992/presentation-speech.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958699 | 1,096 | 2.28125 | 2 |
BlogsDoes Outdoor Training Make You Dumb?
A new study looks at the effects of air pollution on mental ability.
MF Editors Recommend
The London Olympics are behind us, but the question of the effects of air pollution during exercise still lingers—kind of like the smell of car exhaust in your clothes after a rush hour run.
While previous research in rats found that exercising outside in polluted air might protect your lungs, a new report by Belgian researchers showed that outdoor training could block cognitive gains.
In the study, published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, scientists found that students who trained outdoors in a small town improved their mental ability during a 12-week exercise program. Students who exercised outside in a polluted city, however, didn’t see any jump in brain power.
Researchers also found that inflammation—in the lungs and throughout the body—increased with pollution.
Does this mean you should sit on the couch during days with poor air quality? Not at all. The benefits of exercise are clear, and the previous rat study showed that exercise might protect your lungs from air pollution.
Before you head out to exercise along the highway during rush hour, though, here are some tips to keep you breathing well—and thinking clearly—after your run.
- Check air quality levels on your local news or weather station before your outdoor training, especially if you live in heavily urban areas, or have respiratory or heart conditions.
- Exercise inside in an air-conditioned gym on days with poor air quality. Give time for your breathing to return to normal before venturing outside.
- Choose quieter areas away from heavy traffic for your workouts.
- Avoid rush hour for your outdoor training sessions. | <urn:uuid:a5c92e05-6f7a-4566-8eb2-30a8e380c0e6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mensfitness.com/training/does-outdoor-training-make-you-dumb | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00053-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957957 | 349 | 2.921875 | 3 |
Learn how to Box Braid – Quick How to Tutorial
You might have heard about box braids but may not have a clue how to do this in your hair. This trendy look may seem tricky, but if you follow our step by step tutorial your hair will look amazing in no time!
- like normal, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. The more important aspect is conditioner – since box braids are more permanent you’ll want to make sure your hair has a lot of moisture. The good news is that once your braids are in you can wash them, but for now make sure you give your hair a good washing.
- Next take your dry locks and section it into four different parts. Now comes the tricky part. For each section, make sure that your hair is in four even and straight squares. If your hair is in quarters it will be much easier to master this style. After sectioning off your hair, find clips and use them to hold each section.
- Part your hair with a small part in the first section of hair. With a small amount of hair (like a pinch of hair), you’ll be able to succeed at the next step. Make sure all of your parts are about the same size.
- Now it’s time to either braid or plait your hair from the first pinch. After you have your pinch of hair, take the three sections of hair (of the pinch), and cross the left section under the middle section. After this part, put the right section under the middle section, which will result in a braid.
- Continue to braid the entire section from the top to the bottom (or root to tip). Secure your hair with a small rubber band so that it will keep your braid from coming out. Also, if it is at all possible not to use a band this will be better because sometimes bands will cause damage in your hair if you’re not careful.
- Now it’s time to make another part from the first section of your hair. Braid this section too. Be careful and make sure that all of your parts are even and straight. They should look like individual and tiny boxes.
Once that section is complete, move on to the next section. You should have your full head of hair in individual tiny box braids by the time you are done.
Once you are done with every section of hair where your box braids will be, you should have about 100 or more box braids! Each small part will result in box braids and if you want the braids smaller, make your part even smaller as you continue to braid. Keep in mind that this process can take hours to complete, so if you have a friend or a professional who knows how to braid quickly, they may be able to help you complete this look in record speed.
Tips to Remember:
Don’t braid your hair too tightly. You don’t want to lose some of your hair or damage it in any way. So style it tightly but not too tightly.
Another tip is that you can cover your hair with a silk scarf if you want to keep your hairstyle extra tidy as you braid or even after this look is complete!
Enjoy a style that looks nice without rubber bands on the ends, but the bands can be purchased from a beauty store if you prefer to have them in your hair.
Have fun braiding your box braids and tweet us a picture if you decide to try out this style! | <urn:uuid:c55f9158-e36a-4c8a-bfcf-d33dd4da797e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.perfectlocks.com/blog/learn-how-to-box-braid-quick-how-to-tutorial | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95133 | 731 | 1.734375 | 2 |
A vaccine is a biological preparation
that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism
and is often made from weakened or killed forms of the microbe or its toxins. The agent stimulates the body’s immune system to recognize it as foreign, destroy it, and ”remember” it, so that the immune system
can more easily identify and destroy any of these microorganisms that it encounters later. The body’s immune system responds to vaccines as if they contain an actual pathogen
, even though the vaccine itself is not capable of causing disease. Because vaccines are widely used in the United States, many once-common diseases—polio
, diphtheria, whooping cough, mumps
, and certain forms of meningitis
—are now rare or well controlled.
The body’s immune system responds to vaccines as if they contain an actual pathogen, even though the vaccine itself is not capable of causing disease.
Vaccinated people produce antibodies
that neutralize a disease-causing virus or bacterium. They are much less likely to become infected and transmit those germs to others. Even people who have not been vaccinated may be protected by the immunity of the “herd,” because the vaccinated people around them are not getting sick or transmitting the infection. The higher the proportion of vaccinated people in a community, the lower the likelihood that a susceptible person will come into contact with an infectious individual—leading to greater herd immunity.
In the past, thimerosal, a preservative that contains mercury, was used in some vaccines and other products. Use of this product became the subject of controversy, with some arguing that the substance caused autism in children. Extensive, independent research has presented no convincing evidence of harm associated with the low levels of thimerosal present in vaccines. Since 2001, thimerosal has not been routinely used as a preservative in recommended childhood vaccines.
Learn more about these related topics: | <urn:uuid:31aa630b-517c-431a-ad2a-5a2128090846> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://needtoknow.nas.edu/id/prevention/vaccines-medicines/vaccines/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00047-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944992 | 418 | 3.9375 | 4 |
Sasaki Architects has been announced as the winner of the Parkitecture competition to redesign Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa. The winning designs straddle the engineered and the natural while connecting the community to its watershed with a new activity and education center.
Sasaki collaborated with Des Moines-based RDG Planning & Design and Minneapolis-based Applied Ecological Services on the competition entry. That partnership will continue through implementation. Next, the design team and Des Moines Water Works will begin a concept validation process. The vision plan will require private fundraising for implementation in the hopes of avoiding extra costs for water rate payers.
The competition, launched in June 2011, accepted 44 proposals and selected 5 finalists for further review and public comment. According to a Bustler post announcing Sasaki as the winning designer: “The competition sought proposals to integrate the ecological and social function of a park and river into a unified landscape; to inspire the community and to generate discussion about watershed issues/best practices; and offer innovative design solutions to address ecological and recreational challenges specific to Water Works Park.”
The Racoon River cuts across the 1,500-acre park, which also includes 3-mile-long infiltration gallery that provides Des Moines a major source of drinking water.
Sasaki’s winning creates two distinct sections of the park--the wild and the engineered--using the River as a natural boundary. The wild section offers horseback riding, hiking, and exploration in the park’s natural environment. The centerpiece of the engineered landscape is a recreational watercourse that links to interpretive programming about harvesting and cleaning drinking water. The engineered landscape also connects to city streets, literally connecting the role of water into the fabric of the Midwest urban environment. | <urn:uuid:2be100ba-e50f-4245-9e19-b5c256e68536> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.formmag.net/monitor/tag/parkitechture | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93669 | 352 | 1.617188 | 2 |
Louisiana has often been described as Bayou Country because it is filled with bayous along its Mississippi River delta. These are rivers or creeks in low-lying regions that have streams moving at slow velocities. The bayous in Louisiana also overhang with oak and moss and teem with shellfish, crawfish, shrimp, and catfish, which together comprise the cornerstone meats of Louisiana’s celebrated Cajun and Creole dishes. Along the banks of its bayous, many of the state’s residents fish, trap, and farm.
Louisiana is divided into several tourist regions: Greater New Orleans, Cajun Country, Plantation Country, the Crossroads, and Sportsman’s Paradise. Greater New Orleans in the southeast is the region of New Orleans and its metropolitan and suburban stretch. This area is famed for Louisiana’s largest city, the headquarters of Dixieland Jazz, romantic French architecture, sumptuous cuisine, and hedonistic nightlife. Cajun Country in the south is full of bayous and swamps and the region is centered around Lafayette, the heartland of the Cajuns. Cajun dancing, music, and food is the way of life in Cajun Country, but you can also enjoy scenic hikes along trails like the Creole Nature Trail in Lake Charles that bloom with colorful wild flowers. In Plantation Country in the southwest, you can tour the old plantations and also engage in some fishing and hunting. The Crossroads in the central region of Louisiana hosts numerous festivals like the Zwolle Tamale Festival in October. You can join in on the dancing, parades, crafts, and concerts of these festivals and also observe the Native American and Spanish cultures evident in this region. Sportman’s Paradise in the north is the setting of numerous lakes, including the Toledo Bend Lake and the Caddo Lake. Outdoor activities, chief among them sport fishing and hunting, is popular in this region as is gambling at the casinos in Shreveport and Bossier City.
Louisiana’s climate is semi-tropical and humid. During the late summer months of August, the heat can be extreme. And from August until late Fall, the state is soaked in rain and wind during hurricane season. The winter and spring months, however, offer perfect weather.
Much of Louisiana’s appeal comes from its rich cultural history. Louisiana has long been inhabited by various Native American tribes like the Houma, Coushatta, Chitimacha, and Choctaw, among others. The first Europeans to discover the region was Hernando de Soto when sailed up the Mississippi River in 1541. The Spanish brought disease to the Native population, which killed many of them. Although the Spanish explored the area, they did not initially colonize it. In 1682, the French led by explorer La Salle arrived onto the scene, claiming Louisiana on behalf of France. A French settlement was established in nearby Mississippi in 1699, which expanded all the way to New Orleans by 1718. Louisiana remained a French colony for the next 50 years. In 1755, the colony saw an influx of French Canadians from Acadia (present-day Nova Scotia), today known as “Cajuns”. They were forced by the British to relocate after the English defeated France and assumed control of Acadia. In 1763, the French traded Louisiana to the Spanish, which triggered mild immigration from Spanish-speaking migrants from Texas, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. In 1800, the French reacquired Louisiana and then sold it shortly afterwards to the Americans in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. By 1812, Louisiana was admitted as a state. Today, the mixture of Cajuns, French, and the Creoles, which are people of mixed race whether French, Spanish, Black, Native American, gives Louisiana a dynamic set of cultures not found in any other state.
Today, Louisiana is one of the major tourist states in the U.S. Its mixed cultures, rich seafood cuisines, and French-style architecture of port coheres and wrought-iron balconies provides a charming and romantic escape from the duller states of America. Louisiana is also renowned for its Dixieland Jazz and its crazy nightlife, epitomized by the wild partying that goes on during Mardi Gras.
But for the tamer traveler, Louisiana boasts several museums and art galleries that celebrate the state’s history as well as its achievements in the arts, music, and literature. The bulk of the acclaimed museums are in New Orleans such as the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Cabildo, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. You’ll also find other historic and cultural sights in other parts of the state, including the North Louisiana Military Museum in Ruston, the Opelousas Museum of Art in Opelousas, the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge, and the Delta Music Museum in Ferriday, which pays tribute to the musical talents of the state’s northwest.
Louisiana also offers outdoor attractions for the adventurous, hence its nickname “Sportsman’s Paradise”. Its wetlands and backwoods are filled with wildlife resulting in a hunting season that lasts for eight months. In fact, Louisiana has the largest game preserves in the country. It is also a bird-watcher’s paradise; its Wetland Birding Trail encompasses more than 100 birding sites along its Gulf Coast region, which harbors rare and even endangered species in its habitat of hills, prairies, meadows, pines, hardwood forests, swamps, and freshwater marshes. And with about 20 State Parks, you’ll find year-round locations where you can fish, hike, mountain bike, and camp. | <urn:uuid:3a38ad62-f766-48bf-838e-30dcdc4ac398> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://epictrip.com/Louisiana-travel-l18.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959218 | 1,193 | 2.328125 | 2 |
Last reviewed and revised on March 1, 2012
By Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D.
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Most diseases are caused by the death of healthy cells in a particular organ. For example, Alzheimer's disease is caused by the death of brain cells (neurons) that are important in thinking and memory; diabetes is caused by the death of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (an organ that lies beneath the stomach); Parkinson's disease is caused by the death of brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine; and heart attacks cause the death of heart muscle cells. Almost all the organs in our bodies cannot, on their own, replace the cells that die (the liver is an exception). Nor have we discovered medicines that prompt our bodies to replace dead cells.
Stem cells have the capability to replace cells that have died, in different organs. In mice, stem cells have in fact replaced dead cells, and cured the mice of particular diseases (including heart muscle damage). That is why there is such excitement about using stem cells for what is called "cell therapy."
Anthony L. Komaroff, M.D., is professor of medicine and editor-in-chief of Harvard Health Publications at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Komaroff also is senior physician and was formerly director of the Division of General Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Komaroff has served on various advisory committees to the federal government, and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. | <urn:uuid:76200831-b74f-470f-a14a-fb7665c6f7ab> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtPrint/EMIHC267/8303/31904/399141.html?d=dmtICNNews&hide=t&k=basePrint | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956876 | 316 | 3.375 | 3 |
- Try and do your dividing on an overcast day or at least not in during the hottest part of the day.
- Don't leave the exposed root ball sitting about any longer than necessary. Hot sun and breezes will quickly dry the roots.
- Keep them well watered until new growth appears.
- Provide some shade if they appear to be wilting during the afternoon. A floating row cover will protect them from the hot sun.
Perennial plant division is intimidating when you first think about tearing apart your precious plants, but the more you do it, the better you will get at it and the better your perennial plants will grow. | <urn:uuid:331e1f28-4e5a-4abf-825d-b72c42351c59> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://gardening.about.com/od/perennials/ss/DividingSBS_10.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945665 | 132 | 2.390625 | 2 |
The Nevada State Museum is a unique part of the overall Springs Preserve experience. Through expansive historic collections, the museum works to advance the understanding of the history, pre-history and natural history of Nevada, emphasizing Southern Nevada and its relationship with surrounding areas.
Housed in a beautiful, 70,000-square-foot building, the facility features a 13,000-square-foot exhibit gallery that stands as the museum centerpiece, allowing visitors to:
The "Vegas Style" exhibit offers a glimpse of the trendsetting Las Vegas fashions of the 1960s and '70s. Curated by UNLV public history students, the collection includes beaded gowns, fringed Helldorado Day apparel, and showgirl outfits.
The exhibit also features 60 Las Vegas News Bureau photos of Las Vegas celebrities performing in their outfits including Penn & Teller, Shecky Greene and members of The Rat Pack—Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.
This exhibit is on display through May 31, 2013 and is included with the cost of general admission.
The Nevada State Museum is open Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission to the Museum is included with paid general admission to the Springs Preserve, and is free for Preserve members. Children under 18 receive free entry to the museum; however, regular child's admission applies to visit the Preserve.
The Nevada State Museum is just one of our many exhibits and attractions.Video »
Subscribe to receive e-mail messages about events and activities at the Preserve. | <urn:uuid:8dadd0d1-9637-48a5-aad7-d5d9f368ec71> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.springspreserve.org/attractions/nsm.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950971 | 323 | 1.757813 | 2 |
St John's College - Location
3 South Bailey
The City of Durham is at the very heart of the North East of England. It benefits from major road and rail links within the UK, as well as easy air and sea links with the rest of the world.
The A1 motorway, which runs 2 kms from Durham, provides a quick, easy route North and South.
The high-speed rail service from Durham station offers convenience and comfort. There are no fewer than sixteen trains to London each day, arriving in a little over two and a half hours. Direct, cross-country services reach Birmingham in just three hours and Glasgow in a little over 2.5 hours.
Less than thirty minutes away by car are two international airports: Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley. They rank as the fastest growing in the country and provide regular flights to London and the European hub airports of Amsterdam, Paris and Brussels.
Newcastle Airport website
Durham Tees Valley Airport website
Two major ports lie close to Durham - Newcastle has links to the Amsterdam and Scandinavia, while from Hull you can sail to Holland or Belgium
Direct Ferries website
More information about the Durham area can be found on the
City of Durham Tourism Website | <urn:uuid:47ea8351-e0e3-4cc6-a7bc-70085ef7659a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.dur.ac.uk/st-johns.college/functions/location/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.933471 | 252 | 1.765625 | 2 |
When it comes to preventing heart disease, most of us know what to do — lower our cholesterol, lose weight, quit smoking and try to avoid stress. But we also know that if eating right and going to the gym aren’t enough, there are cholesterol-lowering statin drugs that can give us a push in the right direction.
Now scientists at Stanford University report an economic benefit to taking statins: putting more patients on the cholesterol medication may be a cost-effective way to reduce the growing burden of health-care costs associated with treating heart disease, the researchers report.
Currently, national guidelines recommend that among people who have not yet had a heart event, only those at highest risk — defined as more than a 20% chance of having a heart attack, stroke or angina over 10 years — should take a statin. For people under that threshold, the consensus is that the risks of the drug may not outweigh its benefits; while statins are relatively safe, like any drug they do carry side effects, including muscle weakness, which can get severe. (One type of statin was taken off the market due to these concerns.) (More on Time.com: Are You a Type D Personality? Your Heart May Be at Risk)
But because heart disease has remained the No. 1 killer of Americans for several years now, the Stanford scientists wanted to know whether those guidelines should be modified. Are there more people who could still benefit from statins — perhaps people with a 10% or 15% risk of having a heart event over 10 years? Would it be cost-effective to expand the so-called primary prevention group for the drug?
Indeed, the data showed that by folding in more of these lower-risk individuals, more health-care dollars could be saved in terms of hospital care and physician visits, compared with current guidelines. But, the researchers note, the savings only apply if the current side effect profile stays the same and no additional adverse events from the drugs emerge.
Expanding the patient population who takes statins has been a controversial issue in the heart field. The issue gained attention after a large 2008 study suggested that the drugs may reduce heart risk not only by lowering cholesterol but possibly also by dampening inflammation, which is thought to cause unstable plaques in heart vessels to rupture and cause heart attacks. In the 2008 trial, people with low cholesterol levels but high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, dropped their risk of having a heart event by 47% by taking a statin during the nearly two-year study period, compared with subjects taking a placebo.
The new Stanford study suggests, however, that prescribing statins to people with a 10% or 15% 10-year risk of a heart event would be more economical than screening people for CRP, which some have proposed as another way to identify people who are at risk. (People with high CRP who may be at risk for heart disease may also have normal cholesterol levels and, therefore, would be missed by current cholesterol screening guidelines.) It turned out that screening the entire population for CRP, when only some may have high levels, was simply not cost-effective, says co-author of the study Dr. Mark Hlatky. And despite the 2008 trial data, scientists are still not convinced that enough people with high CRP would benefit from the cholesterol-lowering drugs. “In cancer, we have gene tests that say a person’s mutation will help them respond to this drug or that drug,” he says. “In cardiology we don’t have things like that. We don’t have the data to say that people who have a high CRP will respond to statins and people with a low CRP won’t.” (More on Time.com: Chocolate Helps the Heart — But Not If You Eat It Everyday)
The results should be helpful to the panel of experts now debating a revision of the national guidelines for cholesterol screening and treatment. “Our basic conclusion was that it would make sense for the [panel] to just lower the risk threshold rather than recommend widespread testing,” says Hlatky. That would mean lowering current thresholds for statin eligibility by shrinking down the “normal” range of cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass, which could save both lives and health-care dollars.
More on Time.com: | <urn:uuid:bd2d8061-0c69-4c39-9ed7-482d3b982add> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://healthland.time.com/2010/09/27/statins-for-all-it-could-save-money/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00021-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963239 | 905 | 2.34375 | 2 |
Jamaica’s Prime Minister and Chairman of CARICOM, Bruce Golding, has formed a team of Jamaican medical and support staff to aid the cholera crisis in Haiti.
The cholera outbreak has killed 1,721 people and has infected more than 75,000.
The team is made up of medical practitioners and Jamaica Defense Force personnel, who will provide logistical support and security. They will take with them medical supplies to treat patients as well as water treatment applications.
The Jamaican government will be working closely with other CARICOM governments and international agencies to defeat the cholera epidemic.
Not only is there concern for the people of Haiti but to the region as well, as there are fears the disease could spread to neighboring Caribbean nations. | <urn:uuid:5e83277f-4867-47ba-afa1-76c4c17fa309> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/caribbeantalk/tag/cholera/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977573 | 159 | 1.898438 | 2 |
Yes, having an Israeli stamp in your passport can restrict your ability to enter some arab nations including:
- Saudi Arabia
What to do about it? Here are some options...
Don't worry about it -- If you aren't interested in travelling to any of these countries, it doesn't matter if you have an Israeli stamp. This is the simplest option.
Stamp separate paper - Israeli passport control is amenable to stamping a separate piece of paper rather than stamping your passport. However, be aware that this may not be sufficient for hiding your visit to Israel. For example, if you cross a border on land (e.g. Jordan or Egypt), you will have the stamp from the nation on the other side of the border crossing, so not having an Israeli stamp isn't fooling anyone.
Renew passport - Simply get a new passport after visiting Israel. Then you can travel on your new passport to any of the above mentioned nations. This is an especially good option if your passport is getting close to the expiry date and/or you don't have any immediate plans to visit the countries in question.
Second passport - Some nations (at least in Europe) will actually issue a second passport for the purpose of travelling to Israel. The US does not do this, however, it isn't hard to get a second US passport for other valid reasons (such as needing to travel while your passport is away for visa processing). If taking this options, it is advised that you do not travel with both passports. Do not take a passport with an Israeli stamp to one of the listed nations even if you do not present it to officials as it may be found if your possessions are searched.
It is probably best not to visit Israel and one of these arab nations on the same trip as it is harder to conceal the visit (see note above about land border crossings). Other evidence of visiting Israel may also be problematic. I've heard of receipt/stamps from a hostel in Israel as cause for ejection from an arab country.
Source: written from memory though I believe most of the info came from the Lonely Planet guidebook | <urn:uuid:3d7dbed8-077f-4564-af60-741b40d0414e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/1497/are-there-any-repercussions-from-having-an-israeli-stamp-in-my-passport | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942905 | 438 | 1.632813 | 2 |
Thank you for the advice everyone. Although I found the four caterpillars on four different days, I did find them all in the same patch and believe they came from one butterfly or two butterflies that laid eggs at the same time. I found one on Thursday June 15th and he was tiny! I found the others on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the next week. Everyone was the same size as the others when I brought them indoors and they all formed chrysalises within 30 hours so I am guessing this is one group.
I am concerned because two of them are in a small cage and the second one formed his chrysalis an inch away from the first one. It looks like the first one may be ready to emerge soon.
It has been nine days and the chrysalis is getting darker and I can see the outline of his body. I dont know what will happen if he knocks into the other chrysalis when he emerges. I had bought a larger cage but it was too late to move the two caterpillars by then. The third and fourth chrysalises are at least six inches apart. I will have to find something suitable in case anyone falls. I have put a stick in one of the cages. I was wondering if that would work.
I have been keeping the smaller cage in the aquarium when I am at work with the door propped open and a stick inside that one as well. Tonight I found another caterpillar! He is now occupying the aquarium and yes, there is a mesh lid. The only problem is it doesnt lift off but slides. I have been checking four clumps of milkweed all within walking distance. I found this guy in the same clump of milkweed as the other four. He looks a little lighter than the other guys, if I am not mistaken. He is bigger than the first caterpillar I found but smaller than the others were when I found them. I would say that he has at least 3 or 4 more days to go before forming his chrysalis.
Okay, now for some more questions! Is it okay to line his cage with paper towels to make it easier to clean and keep the leaves on them? His cage being so much bigger is going to make it harder for me to keep clean. I still havent found the perfect cage. I had a bug zoo when I was a little child. To me, that was the perfect cage, but I can not find anything like that. It was plastic and the bottom was mesh and came off. Perfect for cleaning and when all the chrysalises were formed, I could just take the bottom off altogether. My little cage has a side door. The hermit crab cage is all plastic but the lid pops in place and I dont know how to get the lid off without breaking the cage. I can open and close the lid, but would have liked to be able to take it off. The aquarium is all glass with a sliding lid.
I like the pictures of the chrysalises hanging from the lids. I am not sure where to find something like that though. I dont have any jars, as was suggested. This really has been a problem! I am going to have to reread how the material was attached to help a monarch if it has fallen when emerging. Do they usually emerge in the morning? I thought I read that. Also, when is the best time to find caterpillars? I have found mine all in the evening, but that is because I was only out in the day once. The other times I went to get the caterpillars fresh leaves at night after work and most times found another caterpillar! I have never found an egg, wouldnt know what one looked like if it bit me! Now that I am reading more, I am thinking the eggs might be too fragile for me to try to deal with, even if I found any. I am having enough problems trying to find adequate containers for the caterpillars.
Some of the milkweed doesnt look too healthy. The patch where I found everyone looks wilted and the pink flowers at the top arent in good shape. The largest patch looks the healthiest. In answer to what other types of insects I have found, I see a lot of beetles, some red insects that I dont know the name of, a couple of spiders, a couple of yellow ladybugs, some really small insects, and tonight, my first tick.
I am wondering why some of the milkweed looks healthier than others. We have had a lot of torrential downpours the last week and a half so I know that it isnt drought. In terms of the rain, there have been several unusually severe thunderstorms in a short period of time. I was surprised to find a caterpillar at all tonight with the type of weather we have had.
Also, I am wondering if the butterflies in Wisconsin lay their eggs earlier than the ones in Pennsylvania or if they lay eggs at the same time? I always thought they just sort of migrated, laying eggs in different states at different times. The more I am reading, the more I am finding out how much I dont know! | <urn:uuid:d004af91-42c5-4408-9ac4-5849173a5ec7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://monarchwatch.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=452 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00072-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.983202 | 1,060 | 1.921875 | 2 |
CHRIST AFTER COMMUNISM
Spiritual Authority and Its Transmission in Moscow Today
by Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Headley
Paperback (August 2010)
Price: $25.95 + S&H (USD)
"The fate of religion in the post-communist societies of eastern Europe remains one of the single most important issues in the comparative sociology of religion. No country is more important to that study than Russia. A gifted scholar of religion in both eastern Asia and Russia, Stephen Headley provides a sensitive portrait of Orthodoxy in Russia during the post-Soviet period. Headley tells the story of Russian Christianity from within — and with an eye for religious devotion as well as church reconstruction. The result is a beautiful, informative, and exquisitely rare book." (Dr. Robert Hefner, Director, Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs, Boston University)
"Anthropologists are more and more these days coming to recognize the need to understand Russian Orthodoxy if they are to develop a rounded understanding of the nature and variability of the Christian tradition. In Christ After Communism, Headley has produced a deeply anthropological portrait of Russian Orthodoxy. He attends in fine detail to general themes such as the transmission of spiritual authority and the creation of historical continuities. More than this, through detailed discussions of the histories and current situations of three Moscow parishes, he gives us a window on how Russian Orthodoxy works as a lived religion. With a strong focus on prayer and other aspects of ritual life, he helps us grasp the rhythms by which cosmology and human action fuse. His arguments about value, modernity, and individualism make the study as a whole a valuable case for comparison with anthropological discussions of other forms of Christianity throughout the world. Those wanting to learn more about Russian Orthodoxy, or already engaged in studying the rapidly growing body of anthropological work that takes it as a focus, will not want to miss this book." (Joel Robbins, Professor and Chair, Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, Author: Becoming Sinners: Christianity and Moral Torment in a Melanesian Society)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fr. Stephen Cavanna Headley, born on August 5, 1943, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, is a social anthropologist and a priest in the Orthodox Church.
He is best known for his books on the anthropology of prayer and the enthnography of central Java in Indonesia. He writes in French and English.
Fr. Headley earned a B.A. degree in Oriental Studies (Chinese and Sanskrit) from Columbia University in 1965, where he studied under Anton Zigmund-Cerbu. He obtained an M.A. degree in Buddhist Studies from Columbia University in 1969 and continued his studies in Paris with a diploma in Sanskrit philology at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (1972) and a doctorate in social anthropology under Geroges Condominas at the Sorbonne in 1979.
He also studied theology at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York, 1966–1969) and at the St Sergius Institute of Orthodox Theology in Paris (1969–1973).
Fr. Headley worked at the French National Center for Scientific Research from 1981 to 2008; between 1998 and 2008, he was working with a research team founded by the anthropologist Louis Dumont. Between 1973 and 2005, Fr. Headley did extensive fieldwork in central Java, and between 2006 and 2010, he taught in Moscow and undertook field work on parish life.
PUBLICATIONS BY ORI | <urn:uuid:49493160-fc05-45b5-9d67-ccfe74c1863f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/store/books/headley_christ_after_communism.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938263 | 742 | 1.65625 | 2 |
by Karen Lopez
At Enterprise Data World I gave a Lightning Talk, Karen’s List of the Most Irritating Normalization Myths. This was a fast-paced, auto-advancing slides presentation with 10 slides covered in five minutes. I covered the types of things I’ve heard in design reviews that either didn’t make sense or repeated some urban data legend. I had only thirty seconds per slide, so it was a lot to cover at an extremely rapid pace. The blogs here at Dataversity.net give me an opportunity to get my rants down in writing, something I may regret later. This sort of risk never stopped me before, though.
What most people know about normalization they learned from word of mouth, much like most of us learned about sex — in the hallways of school, told as dirty little tales from school kid to school kid. You probably remember just what sorts of data quality that information had.
I first learned about normalization in a real database class in university, where we learned the theory, then developed solutions that worked with both normalized and highly-denormalized data structures in order to best understand the costs, benefits and risks associated with design decisions. I was shocked when I went into the “real” world and found out how many myths there are about what it is, how it works and how it is something to be avoided at all costs. Normally (excuse the pun) I would not care about misinformation that my team members spot, but when their misunderstanding of the foundation theory of database design starts to impact my work, I have to call BS. This blog series focuses on the myths and poorly worded complaints against normalization.
Then this week a prominent database technology expert whom I highly respect wrote a newsletter article about overnormalizing database designs. I know for certain he knows a great deal about database design. Most likely due to space constraints, he also perpetuated one of the myths I want to cover in this series. I still highly respect him. I’ve been known to make similar statements. I’d bet we all have. Did I mention I highly respect him?
Writing about normalization is error prone because professionals want to use precise terms. A relation isn’t a table. A set is not a table. However, when I talk with team mates about normalization, it’s sometimes easier and more clear to them to make those sorts of analogies because people can visualize a relation as a table. It’s still wrong, but it is more clear. In this series, I will endeavor to be precise and still make analogies with real world artifacts such as tables and databases. I therefore ask the professional purists to grant me some poetic license to do so.
Most people I’ve asked tell me they learned about normalization in one of these situations:
- In a 1-5 day course normalization was covered right at the start of the course. It sort of made sense, but they didn’t really remember what the normal forms are and would have to go back to their notes to figure out what each normal form is.
- In a book they read about the normal forms. They saw how a table was transformed from 1NF to 2NF, etc. There was a brief explanation why normalization was important.
- In a formal education course, where there were 1 or two modules on normalization. Students were required to show a data structure as it was normalized from 1NF to 5NF. There was an exam section on the normal forms where they did a very similar exercise. They remember doing it, but have never taken a data structure through all the normal forms again.
- In a meeting they heard someone complain about a design that was or was not properly normalized.
- In a bar, where a co-worker griped because the database design was horrible because it was over-normalized and therefore had many tables.
Almost all the people I talk with pretty much equate normalization with something evil, as if data architects and database designers conspire to wedge as much normalization as they can in design just to work against developers and DBAs as much as possible. Few (other than data professionals) understand that the main reason we are concerned about normalization in relational databases is to increase data integrity by reducing redundant data and mitigating update anomalies. Notice how nothing in that statement speaks to query performance. That’s because normalization is about updating data – creating, updating and deleting data. You could, though, think of normalization as a method for increasing the performance of the data, not the code.
The Normal Forms
In this series I’m not going to cover normalization as a tutorial but I will share this description* from Wikipedia that covers the normal forms.
Third normal form (3NF)
E.F. Codd (1971); see +also Carlo Zaniolo’s equivalent but differently-expressed definition (1982)
Every non-prime attribute is non-transitively dependent on every candidate key in the table
Every non-trivial join dependency in the table is implied by the superkeys
I have modified the format of the table for compatibility with a variety of platforms and blog readers.
My first irritation, coming up in the next post, is about the love/hate relationship of normalization. Your assignment is to reach deep down into your heart and identify your true feelings about normalization. I’d love to hear about how you learned about normalization and how you came to your feelings about it. Who says normalization is only math?
Your second assignment is to Tweet @kendra_little that you loved her poo art. Thanks, Kendra.
* Wikipedia contributors, “Database normalization,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Database_normalization&oldid=433633646 (accessed June 14, 2011). | <urn:uuid:473a3867-3e0a-4420-8541-9ca530f3d24b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.dataversity.net/normalization-myths-that-really-make-me-crazy-introduction-to-a-rant/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964604 | 1,240 | 1.554688 | 2 |
By MICHELLE ALEXANDER
Published: February 2, 2013
THOUSANDS of people plead guilty to crimes every year in the United States because they know that the odds of a jury’s believing their word over a police officer’s are slim to none. As a juror, whom are you likely to believe: the alleged criminal in an orange jumpsuit or two well-groomed police officers in uniforms who just swore to God they’re telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but? As one of my colleagues recently put it, “Everyone knows you have to be crazy to accuse the police of lying.”
That may sound harsh, but numerous law enforcement officials have put the matter more bluntly. Peter Keane, a former San Francisco Police commissioner, wrote an article in The San Francisco Chronicle decrying a police culture that treats lying as the norm: “Police officer perjury in court to justify illegal dope searches is commonplace. One of the dirty little not-so-secret secrets of the criminal justice system is undercover narcotics officers intentionally lying under oath. It is a perversion of the American justice system that strikes directly at the rule of law. Yet it is the routine way of doing business in courtrooms everywhere in America.”
The New York City Police Department is not exempt from this critique. In 2011, hundreds of drug cases were dismissed after several police officers were accused of mishandling evidence. That year, Justice Gustin L. Reichbach of the State Supreme Court in Brooklyn condemned a widespread culture of lying and corruption in the department’s drug enforcement units. “I thought I was not naïve,” he said when announcing a guilty verdict involving a police detective who had planted crack cocaine on a pair of suspects. “But even this court was shocked, not only by the seeming pervasive scope of misconduct but even more distressingly by the seeming casualness by which such conduct is employed.”
Remarkably, New York City officers have been found to engage in patterns of deceit in cases involving charges as minor as trespass. In September it was reported that the Bronx district attorney’s office was so alarmed by police lying that it decided to stop prosecuting people who were stopped and arrested for trespassing at public housing projects, unless prosecutors first interviewed the arresting officer to ensure the arrest was actually warranted. Jeannette Rucker, the chief of arraignments for the Bronx district attorney, explained in a letter that it had become apparent that the police were arresting people even when there was convincing evidence that they were innocent. To justify the arrests, Ms. Rucker claimed, police officers provided false written statements, and in depositions, the arresting officers gave false testimony.
Link To full article click HERE | <urn:uuid:6dc8c16b-18b5-4997-bf34-202658fa6794> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://lascrucescarpenter.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/why-police-lie-under-oath/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975149 | 565 | 1.679688 | 2 |
Under the guidance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the practice of nonviolence was an historic cornerstone of the American civil rights movement. Writing in 1966, Dr. King affirmed, "I am convinced that for practical as well as moral reasons, nonviolence offers the only road to freedom for my people."
But last week, spinning on behalf of gun advocates and continuing the far-right's convoluted attempt to equate Second Amendment supporters to modern-day civil rights protesters, Rush Limbaugh suggested that if civil rights activists had brandished guns maybe the movement could have better protected itself from segregationist foes [emphasis added]:
LIMBAUGH: If a lot of African-Americans back in the '60s had guns and the legal right to use them for self-defense, you think they would have needed Selma? I don't know. I'm just asking. If (Rep) John Lewis, who says he was beat upside the head, if John Lewis had had a gun, would he have been beat upside the head on the bridge?
Basically Limbaugh, stretching to make an absurd point about guns in America, suggested it would have been better if Dr. King's non-violent crusade had embraced firearms as a way to advance its cause.
Specifically, the right-wing talker wondered if civil rights icon John Lewis had been carrying a gun on March 7, 1965, would Lewis still have been beaten when he led 600 unarmed activists across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL. (aka "Bloody Sunday.")
Not only is the gun suggestion an insult to the non-violent philosophy that Dr. King preached in the name of social justice, but it also highlights Limbaugh's complete ignorance about the civil rights movement and who was handing out the beatings at the time. As Lewis noted while responding to Limbaugh's comments last week, "Violence begets violence, and we believed the only way to achieve peaceful ends was through peaceful means."
Fact: The people attacking black activists that day in Selma were Alabama state troopers. If, as Limbaugh suggested, Lewis had a gun and was willing to use it against his aggressors, if he had fired in "self-defense" after troopers charged into the crowd of peaceful protesters, that would have meant Lewis spraying bullets into a crowd of white policemen.
One can only imagine what the repercussions would have been in segregated Alabama, in 1965, and what that would have done to the cause of civil rights in the South.
Limbaugh and others are going so far around the bend trying to argue the benefits of guns and how virtually all Americans should be armed, that they're producing historic scenarios that most people (and especially Limbaugh) would have treated as radical and revolutionary. Like civil rights marchers opening fire on policemen in 1965. (Or the idea that gun-toting African-Americans could have eradicated slavery centuries ago.)
Also, note that by telling listeners Lewis "says he was beat upside the head" during the Selma protest (emphasis on his use of "says"), Limbaugh seemed to indicate the point was to open debate or interpretation. However, this famous news photograph showing Lewis knocked to the ground in Selma and being beaten by an Alabama state trooper leaves no doubt as to what happened that day.
From a recent column in the Cleveland Plain Dealer: | <urn:uuid:ccf3f0b3-9553-4979-ae48-f5bcd9c2a280> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/01/22/does-rush-limbaugh-think-civil-rights-activists/192339 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00051-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978399 | 677 | 2.28125 | 2 |
A look into the behavior, ecology and evolution of birds. This course will provide you with theoretical and hands-on experiences in the Lab and in the Field. Half of the semester is spent in the Field learning about bird identification, natural history and ecology. These experiences are emphasized during the later portion of the spring, including early morning field trips.
Focuses on ecological topics that are exemplified in the tropics: species diversity, habitat diversity and conservation. Includes guest lectures, field projects, scientific journaling and an expedition to a tropical site in Peru or Ecuador (Amazonia or the Galapagos Islands) for an exciting immersion into the natural history of the tropics.
An introduction to the evolutionary and ecological processes that promote the diversity of animal behaviors found in nature. Topics include development of behavior, biological rythms, the evolution of foraging behavior, reproductive behavior, mating systems, parental care and more. Students design and conduct their own scientific investigations.
This course is designed to provide basic and integrative knowledge of GIS theory and its applications in biology, ecology and conservation using the existing state-of-the-art software: ArcGIS. The course will cover basic GIS concepts such as mapping, projections, geo-referencing and spatial analysis. Students constantly apply spatial analytical tools to address questions, solve problems and complete independent projects in and outside the classroom.
A discussion-based course investigating the impacts humans have on biodiversity and measures used to mitigate them. Conservation biology is a value-laden, crisis-driven discipline. We explore conservation law, ethics and ecological economics alongside with extinction, rarity and their causes. We look into the establishment, management and restoration of protected areas, and sustainability.
An introduction to the study of the interrelationships among organisms and their physical and biotic environments. Topics include natural selection and adaptation, population growth and regulation, competition, predation, mutualism, productivity, energy flow and nutrient cycling. Emphasizes doing hands-on scientific research and problem solving using the primary ecological literature. Lab.
"Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand" Chinese proverb. | <urn:uuid:6cbba27f-9696-4f4c-9620-309320892042> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://legacy.earlham.edu/~toriwe/teaching/index.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00064-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924571 | 443 | 2.71875 | 3 |
The governance of communities within the IET has changed [14 March 2012]
In 2011, the IET’s Board of Trustees (BoT) reviewed the IET’s governance structure and took a number of decisions, including winding up the Global Operations Board (GOB) and suspending the five Regional Boards (RBs). The BoT recognised that a great deal of valuable work had been done by the GOB and RBs but felt that the remit of these groups may have been too broad which made it challenging for these volunteer groups to focus their efforts to best effect.
The BoT put in place five Communities Committees (CCs) based on the IET’s five regions to replace the previous structure. The terms of reference of the CCs, as the name suggests, are much more focused on helping the IET to achieve its strategic objectives through the work of the communities. They will support the IET’s new community model which for the first time brings together all types of communities (Technical Professional Networks - TPNs, Local Networks - LNs and others).
The new structure emphasises the BoT’s view that the member and volunteer led communities are at the heart of, and must play a central role in the success of, the IET.
The BoT also recognised the value of having a single governance body to secure overall funding for IET communities and to allocate this among the five regions. The BoT therefore created a Communities Resourcing Committee (CRC) to secure and allocate resources, including funding, as well as to support the CCs through clear communications, best practice guidelines and providing a link to the Knowledge Management (KM) and Membership and Professional Development (MPD) Boards.
Please see the recent article in Member News for more information about the changes to the governance structure.
View a presentation on the new communities model [new window]. | <urn:uuid:50529341-5b00-43ef-821b-305366643231> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.theiet.org/volunteers/news/announcements/20120314.cfm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00048-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954527 | 392 | 1.789063 | 2 |
Colombia’s homicide rate hits lowest level in 27 years
Colombia’s homicide rate in 2012 has struck its lowest level in 27 years, according to the National Police on Monday.
“We closed the year with 14,670 homicides in 2012,” said the National Police commander, General Jose Roberto Leon. This absolute number of homicides in Colombia set the 2012 homicide rate at 31 per 100,000 inhabitants.
Compared to 2011, the rate dropped by 0.4 percentage point last year.
Over the last decade Colombia’s number of killings has steadily fallen while regional neighbors like Venezuela continue to suffer from a homicide rate above 40 and Mexico, whose homicide rate rose from 10 to 24 in the same period, copes with a dramatic increase of murders around the country.
According to the police, Colombia sliced its homicide rate by more than half after 1995 when the rate was set at 69.7.
From Colombia Reports | <urn:uuid:08913730-32e5-461d-81db-4d2e23ae665b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://todaycolombia.com/2013/01/08/colombias-homicide-rate-hits-lowest-level-in-27-years/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93 | 195 | 2.09375 | 2 |
Winner of the 2008 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award.
In the first comprehensive study of the relationship between music and language from the standpoint of cognitive neuroscience, Aniruddh D. Patel challenges the widespread belief that music and language are processed independently. Since Plato's time, the relationship between music and language has attracted interest and debate from a wide range of thinkers. Recently, scientific research on this topic has been growing rapidly, as scholars from diverse disciplines, including linguistics, cognitive science, music cognition, and neuroscience are drawn to the music-language interface as one way to explore the extent to which different mental abilities are processed by separate brain mechanisms. Accordingly, the relevant data and theories have been spread across a range of disciplines. This volume provides the first synthesis, arguing that music and language share deep and critical connections, and that comparative research provides a powerful way to study the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying these uniquely human abilities.
""A major synthesis that will be indispensable to neuroscientists, and a thought-provoking and illuminating exploration of the mental and neural foundations of music and language for anyone interested in the human brain." "Oliver Sacks
"This book is an intellectual tour de force, raising many more issues than recent popular works...Aniruddh Patel offers a thorough analysis of music cognition and its relation to language, and outlines an ambitious and innovative research programme that deepens our understanding of cognition in general...A work of exceptional scholarship and clarity." Nature
"This book is a fabulous guide to what can sometimes be an inaccessible body of literature. Although popular books on this subject abound, Patel has provided an up-to-date and authoritative academic treatment...Music, Language, and the Brain is an impressive feat of scholarship and comes highly recommended."Nature Neuroscience | <urn:uuid:04d9da9f-02bb-407d-9b9f-75af4689f3fe> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780195123753/ | 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 | 0.933277 | 357 | 2.578125 | 3 |
Thank you! To the millions of people who give the gift of participation each year; and to the rest of us who admire them for doing so.
It is said that the greatest gift is one which is given anonymously,
giving when you do not know whether you will get direct personal
benefit. This is the gift that you have given by taking part in clinical
It is a brave and selfless act. Your decision to participate may not
only bring you hope but also benefits public health and advances
Our Medical Heroes program honors and educates the medical heroes found in everyday life. Below are resources to provide ongoing education for people considering clinical trials as well as those who have already been involved.
CISCRP was featured in a Wall Street Journal Supplement, Your Guide to Understanding the Need for Clinical Research and Participation with it's feature article, Understanding Clinical Trials: Appreciating Medical Heroes.
||Medical Hero Educational Public Service Announcement
Medical Heroes in Everyday Places
This public service announcement was produced with pro bono support from Ogilvy Healthworld in recognition of the volunteers who gave the gift of participation in clinical trials.
||Medical Hero Newsletter
Medical Heroes will feature
four continuing sections:
- Medical Hero in the Spotlight, which profiles a person involved
in clinical trials;
- Getting Involved: Tips and Advice, which
contains useful information for people considering volunteering;
- Your Next Steps, with information telling volunteers how to remain involved with clinical trials activities after they’ve participated;
- What’s New in Clinical Research, which will provide
timely news and updates about trial results.
|| Activate your membership in the Medical Hero Community.
Member benefits include: free bi-monthly newsletter, invitation to attend a free public education program, online social network, assistance in locating clinical trials, pride in joining the millions of people like you who are heroes in
the discovery of new medical treatments and being recognized and honored during the
"National Medical Heroes Day." | <urn:uuid:ce9139cd-1bb2-496d-828f-41d83403a357> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ciscrp.org/patient/medheroes.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93849 | 409 | 1.679688 | 2 |
India paves way for foreign retailers
New Delhi, India -- India’s government said Thursday that it has OK’d plans to permit foreign retailers to open stores that sell more than one brand, paving the way for retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores and Carrefour SA to expand their presence in the country.
The approved plan calls for overseas companies to put half of their investment in infrastructure such as processing, manufacturing, storage, warehouses and packaging.
The announcement follows the government’s December 2011 decision to reverse a ruling that allowed overseas companies to own 51% of Indian retail stores. Wal-Mart called the latest decision an important first step for India to further liberalize the retail industry.
Foreign companies are currently allowed to invest in supply chains and wholesale stores, which sell to local retailers and businesses. | <urn:uuid:c68aefbe-06e2-403a-b5ad-43b4f6df69ff> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://m.chainstoreage.com/article/india-paves-way-foreign-retailers?device=mobile | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949726 | 167 | 1.648438 | 2 |
If you are a busy person, whos average week is crammed full of appointments, meetings with business associates and a variety of social gatherings etc Or even if you are just someone who gets out a lot. Then I believe that you will benefit greatly from reading through the rest of this chapter.
For in this chapter, I intend to outline a system that will allow you to commit to memory (with relative ease), a full weeks schedule, in just a few short minutes. The system is a straightforward one, which makes good use of the link and the peg systems, which were outlined earlier on in the course of this book.
If you do decide to learn the following system, then you will soon find that you will no longer have any need for an appointments book, an Outlook Calendar or even a filofax.
The system is known as The Mental Diary. And this is how it operates.
The Mental Diary
In order for you to construct a mental diary, you are required to first transform all of the days of the week, into non-abstract (and thus easily visualisable) entities. This is easily done with the aid of the peg system.
For example you could assign each day of the week with its own peg number. Such as:
Days of the week
|Monday ||Tuesday ||Wednesday ||Thursday ||Friday ||Saturday ||Sunday|
In your mental diary, the pegs that you use to represent the numbers 1-7 should only be associated with the days of the week. You may even like to create a new set of seven pegs, in order to represent the days of the week. This is so that you do not confuse any images that you have stored away on separate occasions (using the first seven regular peg numbers), with the images contained in your mental diary. Here then are some alternative peg images that you may like to use, in order to represent the days of the week.
Some alternative peg images
All of the alternative peg images that I am now about to list, will stick firmly to the rules of the phonetic alphabet, which were outlined in chapter eight of this book.
Now with your new peg images chosen, you are now ready to move on to the next stage.
The next stage in constructing your mental diary, involves finding a good way to visualise the time of day. This may be accomplished by using (again) the peg system. For example, if you wanted to remember the time 8.00 am, then you could simply use your peg word for the number 8 (jaw).
If however the time that you wanted to recall was 8.00 pm, then there is obviously an immediate problem. This problem is easily rectified however, by simply using the 24-hour clock. Using this system, 8.00 pm would transpose to 20.00 hours. It could thus be recalled by simply visualising the peg word for the number 20 (noose).
Visualising minutes is done in practically the same way. The only difference being that, when you do attempt to visualise minutes, you would encase your image in flames. The reason for this is to prevent your hour image from interfering with your minutes image.
O.k., so you now have an easily visualisable image for any day of the week, any hour of the day and any minute of the hour. The thing to do now is to try to integrate these images into one system.
This is how you do it.
Imagine if you will, that you have arranged to meet a friend, say at 1.00 pm, at the local swimming pool.
Now the first thing that you would need to do in order to file away this appointment in your mental diary, would be to convert the day of the week, hour of the day and minute of the hour, into their respective images. These are:
|Thursday ||4 ||Row|
|30||Mice||Mice on fire|
Now you are meeting your friend at the local swimming pool. So your image could be one of your friend rowing a boat full of mice, in the local pool. The lights are dim and the mice are ablaze with flames.
The above peg image contains all of the information that you would need to know in order for you to remember the appointment with your friend.
To bring this image back to your conscious memory, all that is required is for you to think of your mental picture for Thursday. Then by the process of linking, you should be able to recollect the entire series of images.
By the way. I would just like to point out that, although this may seem a bit of a long-winded process when written down on paper, it is anything but that in practice. In fact with just a little time spent using this system, you should find that an image will begin to come to mind almost as soon as you hear the day and time that a particular appointment falls upon.
You must admit that this system does beat having to either write all your appointments down, or enter them into a personal organiser. Plus as an added bonus, using this system gives your memory a nice little workout.
Now to help to clarify the details of the above system, I will now give a few more examples of how it may be used in your day-to-day life. If you read through these examples (and concentrate on the images that I have provided), then you should come to realise just how simple this system is to use.
Imagine that you have an appointment with a business associate at 10.00 am, on a Tuesday morning, at the Crescent moon restaurant.
Now using this system, the first thing that you would need to do in order to insert this appointment into your mental diary, would be to transform the day and the time of the appointment into a set of images. These are;
Tuesday 2 = knee and 10 = doze.
The meeting is at 10.00 am, so there is no need to memorise a minutes image. So to file away the above meeting in your mental diary, you could try visualising your business associate, with his knee sticking out from a hole in his trousers, dozing off high in the night sky, on a crescent shaped moon.
The above image is easy to visualise, and if you close your eyes and really try to see every detail of it, then it should stay in your memory.
Next lets say that your spouses birthday is on the coming Sunday and you need to pick up their present from the jewellers on Saturday morning at 11.45. Well the first thing that you would need to do, would be to transform the day and time that you needed to pick up the present a set of images. These are;
Saturday 6 = shoe, 11.00 = dad, 45 rail = rail on fire.
So to remember to collect your spouses birthday present from the jewellers, you might try imagining a large shoe full of sparkling jewellery. Your dad is holding this shoe. Now see your dad sat on a fiery railway track with your spouse. This image should remind you to do that particular little job.
If you wanted to remember to collect your car from the garage on Wednesday at 4.00 pm, then you would first transform this day and time into the below images;
Wednesday 3 = ma, 4.00 pm 1600 hours = dash.
So you could try visualising your ma driving your car on the wrong side of the road. Imagine everyone dashing out of her way to avoid being run over. That image should remind you to pick up the car.
Finally, if you wanted to remember that your books were due back at the library on Monday, then it is a simple thing to link the peg word for Monday (dye) to an image of your library books. For example, you might like to visualise yourself pouring the contents of a bottle of black dye, all over your library books. This image should be strong enough to be easily recalled.
To review any or all of the above appointments and things to do, just focus on each one of your peg words for the seven days of the week. Then with this done, you should find that this mental schedule will simply present itself to you.
With practice you should also find that the speed with which you are able to transform an appointment or schedule into a set of images and then link together those images into your mental diary, will increase quite dramatically.
In fact you should find that pretty soon you will be able to bring to mind a days shedule, in less time than it would take you to flick through a filofax.
Or for a KINDLE download | <urn:uuid:1e74e2bb-e6e9-49d3-b41e-25e26653bedd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://buildyourmemory.com/diary.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957931 | 1,793 | 2.890625 | 3 |
Skip to main content
More Search Options
A member of our team will call you back within one business day.
ADALIMUMAB (a dal AYE mu mab) is used to treat several types of arthritis. It is also used to treat Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and plaque psoriasis.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
hepatitis B or history of hepatitis B infection
immune system problems
infection or history of infections
recently received or scheduled to receive a vaccine
scheduled to have surgery
tuberculosis, a positive skin test for tuberculosis or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tuberculosis
an unusual reaction to adalimumab, other medicines, mannitol, latex, rubber, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
This medicine is for injection under the skin. You will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 4 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
The manufacturer of the medicine offers free information to patients and their health care partners. Call 1—800—448—6472 for more information.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Give the next dose when your next scheduled dose is due. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are not sure how to handle a missed dose.
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
live virus vaccines
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
You will be tested for tuberculosis (TB) before you start this medicine. If your doctor prescribes any medicine for TB, you should start taking the TB medicine before starting this medicine. Make sure to finish the full course of TB medicine.
Call your doctor or health care professional if you get a cold or other infection while receiving this medicine. Do not treat yourself. This medicine may decrease your body's ability to fight infection.
Talk to your doctor about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancers if you take this medicine.
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
changes in vision
fever, chills, or any other sign of infection
numbness or tingling
red, scaly patches or raised bumps on the skin
swelling of the ankles
swollen lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, or groin areas
unexplained weight loss
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
redness, itching, swelling, or bruising at site where injected
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store in the original container and in the refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). Do not freeze. The product may be stored in a cool carrier with an ice pack, if needed. Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. | <urn:uuid:127a8872-c405-4f20-b0de-0bdc8d4901a3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.einstein.edu/einsteinhealthtopic/?healthTopicId=401&healthTopicName=Pulmonology&articleId=2782&articleTypeId=26 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.902849 | 1,015 | 1.96875 | 2 |
If you are looking for a job in Wyoming, you may be asked to provide the names of former employers who are willing to act as a reference. A good reference can make the difference between getting a job offer and getting a rejection letter. If a former employer is giving out false or misleading information about you, your job search might not be successful.
Like most other states, Wyoming provides some legal protections for employers who give references. As long as the employer acts in good faith and doesn’t go beyond what the law allows, the employer can’t be sued for defamation. However, if a former employer acts maliciously or otherwise crosses the legal line, and you lose job opportunities because of it, you may have a legal claim.
References and Defamation Claims
To prove defamation, the plaintiff (the person bringing the lawsuit) must show that someone made false and damaging statements about him or her. In the context of employment, defamation claims nearly always focus on statements the employer makes about the employee once the employment relationship ends. Typically, a former employee claims that the employer made false, negative statements about the employee’s performance to a prospective employer who called for a reference, and the prospective employer decided not to offer the employee a job (or to rescind a job offer) because of the poor reference. (To learn more about defamation claims, see Defamation Lawsuits: Do You Have a Case Against a Former Employer?)
Wyoming Reference Laws
Wyoming employers have some statutory protection against defamation lawsuits based on references. Employers may not be sued for defamation (in legal terms, they are “immune” from liability) if they provide information about a former employee’s job performance to that employee’s current or prospective employer.
An employer who provides this information is presumed, legally, to be acting in good faith. This means that the employee may not sue for defamation unless the employee can prove that the employer provided the information:
- knowing that it was false
- with an intent to mislead, or
- with a malicious purpose.
Getting a Reference
While some employees wish their former employers would keep their mouths shut, some employees face the opposite problem: They want a former employer to provide information, but the employer isn't willing to do so. Some employers are so fearful of defamation claims that they won't give references under any circumstances.
To remedy this situation, some states have enacted service letter laws. These laws require employers to provide former employees with certain basic information, in writing, about their employment. Wyoming doesn’t have a service letter law, however.
If you want a former employer to provide a detailed reference, you might consider signing a release: an agreement giving the employer permission to respond to prospective employers who call for a reference, and giving up your right to sue the employer for anything said as part of that process.
However, you should consider this only if you are absolutely certain that the reference will be positive. It may be a good idea to give up your legal right to sue in exchange for a reference that will help you land a position, but you don’t want to sign away your rights only to find that you have no recourse against a former employer who damaged your reputation and job prospects. For more information, see Getting Good Job References. For information on your legal rights during the hiring process, see Nolo's articles on Getting Hired. | <urn:uuid:72274a12-1452-46dd-853c-02d333d5f11c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/wyoming-reference-laws.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963689 | 699 | 1.65625 | 2 |
Horse Guards (building)
Horse Guards is a large grade I listed building in the Palladian style between Whitehall and Horse Guards Parade in London, England. The first Horse Guards building was built on the site of the former tiltyard of Westminster Palace in 1664. It was demolished in 1749 and was replaced by the current building which was built between 1751 and 1753 by John Vardy to a design by William Kent. Horse Guards Road runs north-south on the western boundary of the parade ground, while Horse Guards Avenue runs east from Whitehall on other side of the building, to Victoria Embankment.
The building served as the offices of the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces until 1904 when the post was abolished and replaced by the Chief of the General Staff. The Chief of the General staff moved to the Old War Office Building in 1906 and Horse Guards subsequently became the headquarters of two major Army commands: the London District and the Household Cavalry. The building is the formal entrance to St James's Palace via St. James's Park (though this is now entirely symbolic). Only the monarch is allowed to drive through its central archway, or those given a pass (formerly made of ivory).
Mounted guards outside Horse Guards off Whitehall in central London
- Tabor, p.18
- Tabor, p.19
- The Old War Office Building
- Tabor, p.30
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Horse Guards|
- Tabor, Paddy, The Household Cavalry Museum, Ajanta Book Publishing, 2010, ISBN 978-1-84820-882-7 | <urn:uuid:b5eda304-351c-4b5c-929b-fbef67984605> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_Guards_(building) | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961215 | 338 | 2.5625 | 3 |
More than 1,500 New Yorkers gathered today in Manhattan to mourn the death of a 32 year-old gay man, who was shot down on Friday just blocks away from the historic Stonewall Inn in an apparent act of anti-gay bias.
New Study Explores Diversity Within Transgender Community
Last month, the Columbia University Press published The Lives of Transgender People, a book outlining the findings of a comprehensive survey on gender, development, and identity among transgender individuals in the United States. Authored by Genny Beemyn and Susan Rankin, the book offers a unique body of data gathered from nearly 3,500 participants, with more than 400 follow-up interviews. The findings of the survey reflect the diversity of identities, experiences, and relationships to gender within U.S. transgender communities.
In the book’s introduction, Beemyn and Rankin recount the history of transgender studies, the ways in which transgender identity has been defined and redefined in the past, the methods used in their particular study, and finally an overview of the chapters in the book. With an aim at transparency, the authors go on to discuss the demographic breakdown of the study, an issue complicated by the limits of language to describe gender experience. Seeking to explore the full scope of transgender lives, the survey asked questions regarding individuals’ initial experiences of gender difference, how they came to embrace a transgender identity, how they feel after doing so, and what issues they have faced and continue to face since making this change.
The Lives of Transgender People is unique in that it looks at gender identity within and beyond the binary, giving a voice to those who identify in ways that are given less, or no, visibility in mainstream media. The experiences of the subjects interviewed and surveyed in this study shed light on areas of transgender life often not widely explored. With a blend of qualitative and quantitative data and analysis, this book serves as an excellent resource for those wishing to know more about transgender experiences, as well as those endeavoring to highlight the challenges these communities continue to face in everyday life. | <urn:uuid:96e46bbd-22d0-432a-bc5c-902e0544a874> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.glaad.org/blog/new-study-explores-diversity-within-transgender-community?page=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00047-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93245 | 418 | 2.09375 | 2 |
Learning from AIDS: Responding to non-communicable diseases
It is the chronic nature of AIDS that is giving governments and health experts a new opportunity -- to use health systems set up for HIV/AIDS care and treatment and strengthen them to address NCDs.
As executive director of UNAIDS from 1994 to 2008, I was privileged to have a front row seat at one of the great global health struggles of modern times. Although our work against AIDS is far from finished, we have stabilized the pandemic and started to imagine a world without AIDS.
Unfortunately, the same is not true of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, which cause nearly two out of three deaths in the world (80 percent of those in developing countries).
Infectious diseases like AIDS continue to have a devastating impact on the health and development of many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa. However, NCDs have slowly emerged, in the words of The Economist, as "the poor world's greatest health problem" and the major causes of premature deaths there.
NCDs are a time bomb. If left unaddressed, they will lead to more death, disability and the implosion of already overburdened health systems in developing countries at huge cost to individuals, families, businesses and society. Like AIDS, NCDs are a problem for rich and poor countries alike, but the poor suffer the most.
The 2011 U.N. High-Level Meeting on NCDs -- only the second time the UN had convened a major meeting on a health issue, following the U.N. AIDS Summit in June 2001 -- was a landmark event in the short history of the fight against NCDs but was not a tipping point. Much more remains to be done.
I believe we have learned much from AIDS that can help leaders design effective and sustainable responses to NCDs:
The AIDS response taught us that efforts to address a pandemic are incremental and take time. We must have patience. And we need to be both opportunistic and strategic to design an NCD response that is commensurate with the scale of the problem.
I am not suggesting that we should transpose mechanically the AIDS experience to the very complex realities of NCDs, but I believe that leaders of the NCD response can be inspired by, and learn from, the AIDS experience. With more people living for longer periods with AIDS, it is the chronic nature of AIDS that is giving governments and health experts a new opportunity -- to use health systems set up for HIV/AIDS care and treatment and strengthen them to address NCDs.
It would be tragic to save a person from a disease like AIDS if that person then dies from one like cancer.
By Peter Piot
Source: The Huffington Post | <urn:uuid:4f56f5ad-6fc5-43e7-8133-95a4a1c82857> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.eatg.org/news/154025/Learning_from_AIDS:_Responding_to_non-communicable_diseases_ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966053 | 581 | 2.671875 | 3 |
Date: November 25 2012
A STUDY of video game players has confirmed what many have long suspected, that gaming can be just as addictive as alcohol or gambling.
An Australian National University PhD student, Olivia Metcalf, has produced some of the first scientific evidence that video gaming is addictive.
Ms Metcalf recruited 38 gamers from video game stores, internet cafes and on campus at the university, all of whom played games for more than five hours a week, averaging between 10 and 15 hours.
Her research found that some people who spent a lot of time playing video games could not stop themselves thinking about gaming, a pattern typical of addiction.
They completed a questionnaire on whether they had withdrawals, cravings and negative consequences from their gaming, which found 20 participants were addicts.
Ms Metcalf then presented the participants with a series of different-coloured words, and asked them to respond to the colours of the words, not their meaning.
She found gaming addicts took significantly longer to name the colour of gaming-related words compared with non-gaming words. Gamers not addicted did not show any difference in response times.
''We found that the attention system of an excessive gamer gives top priority to gaming information,'' she said. ''Even if they don't want to think about gaming, they are unable to stop themselves.''
Ms Metcalf said these thought patterns were likely to make it difficult for an addict to stop gaming, or cut back the hours they spent playing.
The participants played role-playing games, including the hugely popular World of Warcraft, and were split 60 per cent men, 40 per cent women.
This material is subject to copyright and any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.
[ SMH | Text-only index] | <urn:uuid:e25c0d09-9c1a-4741-8b22-34593b8ae201> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/games/video-game-craving-bad-as-alcohol-20121124-2a0cf.html?skin=text-only | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975242 | 364 | 3.171875 | 3 |
"In California, What Price Water?"
"CARLSBAD, Calif. — On a calm day, a steady rain just about masks the sound of Pacific Ocean water being drawn into the intake valve from Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Listen hard, and a faint sucking sound emerges from the concrete openings, like a distant straw pulling liquid from a cup."
"At the moment, the seawater is being diverted from the ocean to cool an aging natural-gas power plant. But in three years, if all goes as planned, the saltwater pulled in at that entryway will emerge as part of the regional water supply after treatment in what the project’s developers call the newest and largest seawater desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere.
Large-scale ocean desalination, a technology that was part of President John F. Kennedy’s vision of the future half a century ago, has stubbornly remained futuristic in North America, even as sizable plants have been installed in water-poor regions like the Middle East and Singapore.
The industry’s hope is that the $1 billion Carlsbad plant, whose builders broke ground at the end of the year, will show that desalination is not an energy-sucking, environmentally damaging, expensive white elephant, as its critics contend, but a reliable, affordable technology, a basic item on the menu of water sources the country will need."Source: NY Times, 03/01/2013 | <urn:uuid:417c75a3-a59b-4654-a6b2-89d06803c013> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sej.org/headlines/california-what-price-water | 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 | 0.92653 | 300 | 2.9375 | 3 |
January 22, 2009 â In response to the new United Nations report “Children in Armed Conflict”, Plan Canada urges the Security Council to do more than simply debate the issue when it meets in New York in a special session on February 12. Urgent action is needed to defuse a ticking time bomb of traumatized and alienated child soldiers, often kidnapped by armed groups and brainwashed to become brutal killers.
“These children face even more hardships when they return home,” said Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO Plan Canada. “Not only do they have to live with the stigma of what they’ve done, but they have to deal with communities and even family members that are often terrified of them.”
The Secretary General’s report (published January 30) highlights conflicts in countries such as Uganda, Sudan, Colombia, Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone and others â all countries where Plan works. Findings include:
child victims of conflict â both girls and boys – endure unimaginable experiences that leave them traumatized and vulnerable to further abuse;
children in refuge camps are at particular risk of abduction, as well as rape and other forms of physical and mental abuse;
not enough is being done to give former child soldiers real hope for the future;
the systematic and deliberate attacks on schoolchildren, teachers and school buildings have escalated in certain countries.
Plan Canada calls on the international community to provide additional funding for projects to help former child soldiers reintegrate into society. More must also be done to protect children from abduction by armed groups. Solutions require real actions. Plan has now moved into three provinces in Northern Uganda to rebuild communities destroyed after 20 years of vicious civil war. In addition to rebuilding basic infrastructure, Plan’s work also focuses on conflict resolution and the reintegration of child soldiers and abducted girls back into society.
“Even a simple thing like training a young person to drive a truck gives them hope that they can once again become a valuable part of their community, ” said McCarney.Â
Rosemary McCarney has traveled to Northern Uganda and to Sudan, including Darfur, and can provide valuable insight into the plight of child soldiers and their communities.
Plan Canada is an international child-centered development agency that operates in 66 countries across the world, with no political or religious affiliations.Please visit the website at www.plancanada.ca/sponsorachild
Copied from SQLJ » Short Film Articles | <urn:uuid:43d2d2cc-105b-45a3-a7da-1f3f1d25fa86> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.yorktonshortfilm.org/tag/plan | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00043-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956768 | 514 | 2.5 | 2 |
Can Turkey be a “source of inspiration for democratizing Arab states,” despite a “gathering air of authoritarianism” around Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) and his ruling Justice and Development party (AKP)?
During Erdogan’s decade in power, Turkey has refuted the conventional wisdom that when it came to “Islam, democracy, and secularism, one could have any two but never all three,” writes Nora Fisher Onar, an assistant professor at Istanbul’s Bahcesehir University.
And that’s not the only reason the ‘sick man of Europe’ has “re-emerged as a regional power,” note David Gardner and Daniel Dombey:
Its economy has grown at near-Chinese speed, spreading wealth and healthcare, schools and roads, while a new breed of “Anatolian tiger” entrepreneurs has risen up against the incumbent handful of business conglomerates. The ruling Justice and Development party (AKP), refined from the debris of two banned Islamist parties into a Muslim version of Christian democracy, has sidelined the secular elites that had ruled as of right the republic created by Ataturk.
On the downside, they observe, Turkey last year “leapfrogged Vladimir Putin’s Russia in the number of cases brought against it at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, its 159 cases outstripping Russia’s 121.” This month’s release of Nedim Sener and Ahmet Sik, journalists detained for investigating the Gulenists, a semi-clandestine Islamist movement, “still leaves 104 journalists in jail, 69 of them from the Kurdish minority and more than Iran (42) and China (27) combined……The old joke about committing journalism has real bite.”
In a note from prison, Dexter Filkins writes, Sik wrote that the case against him had been fabricated by the Gulenists: “The ongoing investigations are not a democratic process; they are an attempt to silence the voices of opposition.”
“The cumulative impact of Sik’s reporting, including the way he detailed how the Gulenists have sought to manipulate the judicial process and put sympathizers in key positions, is devastating,” says analyst Gareth Jenkins.
Civil-military relations in Turkey have undergone a double-sided transformation over recent decades. As a consequence of the army’s intermittent censure, political Islamists had to moderate their demands and practices; simultaneously, the army….increasingly relied on civilian allies to pursue its agenda vis-à-vis the AKP. Eventually, the military relinquished control of crucial institutions (like the National Security Council), and the final showdown over control of the presidency in 2007 was fought not with bullets and tanks, but with web declarations, public rallies, and court cases.
“A similar tipping point regarding civilian control of the state is hardly a foregone conclusion in countries still under transition where national militaries continue to exert a dominant presence in political life,” Onar suggests.
Furthermore, she writes in Sada, the Carnegie Endowment’s Arab reform journal, Arab states have not experienced the “trajectory of Turkey’s economic development—particularly, the export-driven rise of the middle class experienced by religious constituencies across the Anatolian periphery—something that has underpinned the AKP’s moderation, political success, and interregional presence.”
But the AKP’s moderation was the result of clear constitutional red lines and the sobering effect of the military’s Damocles Sword, analysts suggest, but in their absence or dilution, the party’s illiberal instincts are unconstrained.
“Erdogan and the AKP displayed a clear sense of purpose in reducing the political influence of the army,” says Sinan Ulgen, head of the liberal Edam think-tank in Istanbul. But they “failed to show the same dedication to building a stronger democracy. The quality of Turkish democracy today remains problematic due to an intolerance of dissent, the weakening of individual freedoms and lack of constraints on executive power.”
On taking office, Erdogan and the AKP feared and expected resistance from Turkey’s derin devlet, or “deep state,” writes The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins:
The deep state is a presumed clandestine network of military officers and their civilian allies who, for decades, suppressed and sometimes murdered dissidents, Communists, reporters, Islamists, Christian missionaries, and members of minority groups—anyone thought to pose a threat to the secular order, established in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal, or Atatürk. The deep state, historians say, has functioned as a kind of shadow government, disseminating propaganda to whip up public fear or destabilizing civilian governments not to its liking.
Erdogan not only outmaneuvered the deep state’s hardline secularists, Filkins notes, he also presided over Turkey’s transformation into what some observers consider “an indispensable Islamic democracy,” presenting a template for Arab transitional states:
But Erdogan’s rule has another, darker side, which the West seems intent on ignoring: an increasingly harsh campaign to crush domestic opposition. In the past five years, more than seven hundred people have been arrested, including generals, admirals, members of parliament, newspaper editors and other journalists, owners of television networks, directors of charitable organizations, and university officials. Some fifteen per cent of the active admirals and generals in the Turkish armed forces are now on trial for conspiring to overthrow the government.
“There’s no way you agree to disagree in this country,” says Mustafa Akyol, who with reservations remains an AKP supporter. “It’s tantamount to treason if you do.”
The AKP government dismisses concerns over the widespread arrests of journalists, military officers and political figures as a result of the highly contentious Ergenekon affair.
“These people who are accusing our government of autocratic tendencies or authoritarian tendencies are making a mistake,” said foreign minister Ahmet Davutogylu. But the Ergenekon prosecutions had emasculated the deep state and curbed the military’s political power. “There is only one state now,” he said.
But European parliamentarians today voiced concerns over deteriorating media freedom and laws limiting freedom of expression. Turkey needs to include civil society in drafting a new civilian constitution that addresses the need for an independent and impartial judiciary, and equal treatment of ethnic and religious communities and women.
“Before the AKP and Arab Awakening, the received wisdom was that when it came to Islam, democracy, and secularism, one could have any two but never all three,” writes Onar:
Similarly, doubts have long been expressed as to whether political and economic liberalism can thrive simultaneously in a Muslim-majority setting. Taken together, it seems that if the purveyors of Turkey Inc. can show that liberal economics goes hand-in-hand with liberal democracy in a country governed by pious Muslims, the Turkish model-in-progress may achieve fruition and offer a timely example for the region.
But Turkey’s exemplary role will likely remain a subject of dispute until an emerging “intricate power struggle” is resolved.
Hardline secularists and some Western observers claim that Turkey’s authoritarian drift is exposing the AKP’s secret Islamist agenda.
“That is a minority view,” say Gardner and Dombey, “and one contradicted by Erdogan’s public defense of Turkey’s secular system as a shield of state protecting all beliefs – including those of Islamists. At the same time, he partakes fully of a winner-takes-all political culture in which the AKP has resorted to the same methods its enemies used to try to deny it power.”
Turkey’s current political pass “can be seen as a drama within a paradox,” they suggest:
The drama is not the secularists’ specter of creeping theocracy but that the opposition has proved unelectable, trapped in the past and reliant on generals and judges to win back what it keeps losing at the ballot box. The paradox is that Mr Erdogan and the AKP, although now lords of all they survey, behave as though they were still in opposition.
The conflict likely to determine Turkey’s political trajectory, they suggest, will not be between the AKP and secular Kemalists, but between the AKP – a self-described conservative party with an Islamic orientation – and the “shadowy Islamist” Gulenist movement.
In overcoming the deep state, analysts suggest, the AKP may have also facilitated the emergence of an equally sinister parallel power structure.
In Turkey, Filkins writes:
Gulen’s followers own the newspaper Zaman and the TV channel Samanyolu, which editorialize on behalf of the A.K. Party and the Ergenekon prosecutions. (While Erdogan himself is not believed to be a Gulenist, President Gul is said to be one, as are several other senior members of the government.) Gulen is thought to have between two and three million followers in Turkey, including as many as sixty members of parliament—about ten per cent of the total.
The Gulenists insist that the organization is too diffuse to function as a political movement. But many Turks say that the Gulenists have ambitions and that these may or may not include Erdo?an. A former member of parliament who was once a confidant of Erdo?an’s told me that, in 1999, he met Gulen in Pennsylvania. Gulen, he said, told him that he had a twenty-five-year plan to take control of the Turkish state, and that this would be accomplished by a group of followers he referred to as “the Golden Generation.” “There isn’t any question that Gulen wants political power,” the former legislator told me. (A spokesman for Gulen denied that he had ever advocated “regime change.”)
The Gulenists operate a global network (right) of Islamist schools and other “clusters of invisible power” that some observers characterize as a semi-covert strategy or “creeping coup” designed to infiltrate and seize Turkey’s institutions. The movement’s success in penetrating the police, judiciary and security services has reportedly proved too much for Erdogan himself.
“There was good co-operation between the AKP and the Gulenists but at a certain point their demands became too much,” says one party insider. “They wanted to be not just in the police but other places as well, and somebody had to tell them to stop.”
But the country’s most powerful Gulenist could yet take the top job.
“With two five-year terms allowed, Erdogan could stay in power until 2024, which would make him the longest-running leader in Turkish history,” writes Filkins. “One possibility often discussed is that Gul and Erdogan will switch jobs, bringing to mind the Putin-Medvedev maneuver in Russia.” | <urn:uuid:dcb5d4d9-6c2c-4cb1-aaca-e73ef71f4176> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.demdigest.net/blog/2012/03/turkey-inc-from-one-deep-state-to-another/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952748 | 2,363 | 1.773438 | 2 |
Welcome home: Russia's space agency ground personnel help US astronaut Daniel Burbank to get out from a Soyuz capsule shortly after landing in a Soyuz capsule outside the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Friday. A Soyuz space capsule carrying Russians Anton Shkaplerov and Anatoly Ivanishin and NASA's Burbank touched down safely Friday on the sweeping steppes of central Kazakhstan, ending the men's 163-day stay on the International Space Station. (AP/Kirill Kudryavtsev, Pool)
A Soyuz space capsule
carrying two Russians and an American touched down safely Friday on the
sweeping steppes of central Kazakhstan, ending the men's 163-day stay on
the International Space Station.
Shkaplerov, Anatoly Ivanishin and NASA's Daniel Burbank returned to
Earth as the Russian-made module landed on schedule at a remote, dusty
site north of the town of Arkalyk, then rolled on its side.
NASA television broadcast vivid images of the capsule
carried by a parachute swaying slightly as it floated downward in the
clear skies while six all-terrain vehicles approached the landing spot.
Eight search-and-rescue helicopters circled the landing site to ensure a
Shkaplerov, in the capsule's
central seat, was the first to be hauled out and hoisted into a
reclining chair. While medical personnel mopped his brow and checked his
vital signs, the astronaut smiled broadly and chatted with his
Ivanishin, and then a heartily laughing Burbank, went through the same procedure a few minutes later.
Speaking from the touchdown site, NASA spokesman Rob Navias called it "a bullseye landing."
"The spacecraft landed almost exactly where it was forecast to," he told NASA television.
The retirement of the U.S. shuttle fleet has left
Russia's Soyuz spacecraft as the only means to deliver crews to the
The Soyuz capsule's voyage from
the space station started 3 1/2 hours earlier, when it undocked and
began a slow, gentle drift away. About 60 miles (100 kilometers) above
the earth, the Soyuz began atmospheric re-entry, turning its
heat-resistant shield forward to protect the space travelers from the
intense heat generated by friction with the air.
The crew then began sensing gravity for the first time in almost half a year.
A little under 15 minutes ahead of touchdown, with the
Soyuz traveling at around 800 kilometers per hour (490 mph), a series
of parachutes deployed.
As the Soyuz made its
gradual descent, one unidentified ground control staff member remarked
that "Anatoly (Ivanishin) must be real hungry right now" and that he
would be looking forward to "soup and some meat."
In the final minutes before touchdown, the braking parachutes were
jettisoned to make way for the billowing ringed parachute that slows the
module to around 25 kph (15 mph).
cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has now taken over as commander of the space
station and will stay until July together with NASA astronaut Don Pettit
and Holland's Andre Kuipers.
They will now
prepare for the arrival of first commercial cargo shipment to the space
station in early May. The Space Exploration Technologies Corp., better
known as SpaceX, launches its Dragon capsule from Cape Canaveral on
April 30, and the capsule will take a few days to get to the space
It will be the first time a private company has launched space station supplies.
The space station will then return to its standard
six-person crew with the arrival of NASA astronaut Joe Acaba and Russian
colleagues Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, who will blast off from
the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on May 17. (nvn) | <urn:uuid:4caab1d1-aec4-408b-a246-6cffe0128b30> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04/27/soyuz-craft-carrying-three-man-crew-lands-safely.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00076-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.911278 | 821 | 2.234375 | 2 |
2012 Election Results of Village & Local Councils in Mizoram
The ruling Congress is the winner of village Council elections in rural Mizoram while the regional ‘Mizo National Front (MNF)’ is the clear winner in Aizawl city Local Council elections.
TOTAL Village Councils = 493,
INC – 285, MNF – 132, ZNP – 2, HPC – 1 , IND – 20, No clear majority – 53 TOTAL = 493.
(The above figure is exclusing 71 Village councils yet to be declared in Lunglei District)
Aizawl City Local Councils, total = 82.
MNF – 42 ,
Congress – 29,
Drawn – 6,
No Winning Party – 5,
Total – 82 .
Village Council elections were not held in two districts of Lawngtlai and Saiha that are under the jurisdiction of three Autonomous District Councils (ADC) in Mizoram, namely Chakma ADC and Lai ADC in Lawngtlai District and Mara ADC in Saiha district. | <urn:uuid:7c604ad6-725f-41f2-884e-be092e4d125e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://samaw.com/2012-election-results-of-village-local-councils-in-mizoram/8202 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.92885 | 228 | 1.625 | 2 |
The scary thing, or atleast the mindboggling one is trying to extrapolate this and imagine
what we'll be DOING with it.
Okay, so you say 6 OOM in 25 years. I think if you compare similarily-priced computers its
actually more than that. The TRS-80 cost a lot more (inflation-corrected) in 1983 than a 2GB
laptop cost today. I think the real number is more like 7OOM.
So, what does that mean if present trends continue for the NEXT 25 years ?
2GB * 10^7 ram.
It's a -gargantuan- number, it means your laptop by then will have more RAM than the
googlecluster has today. Infact it'll have RAM comparable to the sum total of ALL laptops in
USA today, give or take a OOM. | <urn:uuid:51451313-f813-4844-9713-94f29c105b3c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://lwn.net/Articles/287215/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.934217 | 185 | 1.695313 | 2 |
Add To PHR
A throat culture is a test to check for a bacterial or fungal infection in the throat. A sample swabbed from the throat is put in a special cup (culture) that allows infections to grow. If an infection grows, the culture is positive. The type of infection is found using a microscope, chemical tests, or both. If no infection grows, the culture is negative.
Examples of infections that may be found during a throat culture include:
If bacteria grows in the culture, other tests may be done to check which antibiotic will treat the infection best. This is called susceptibility or sensitivity testing.
Most sore throats are caused by an infection with a virus, such as a cold or flu. Throat cultures are not done for viral infections because it is very hard to grow viruses and it is expensive.
A throat culture may be done to:
You do not need to do anything before you have this test. Tell your doctor if you have recently taken any antibiotics.
You will be asked to tilt your head back and open your mouth as wide as possible. Your doctor will press your tongue down with a flat stick (tongue depressor) and then examine your mouth and throat. A clean swab will be rubbed over the back of your throat, around your tonsils, and over any red areas or sores to collect a sample.
The sample may also be collected using a throat washout. For this test, you will gargle a small amount of salt water and then spit the fluid into a clean cup. This method gives a larger sample than a throat swab and may make the culture more reliable.
If your child needs a throat culture, you may hold your child on your lap while the sample is taken. This can prevent your child from moving around too much.
You may feel like gagging when the swab touches the back of your throat. If your throat is sore, the swabbing may be slightly painful.
Generally there is no chance of problems with collecting a sample for a throat culture. Your doctor can talk to you about any specific risks of the test.
A throat culture is a test to find a bacterial or fungal infection in the throat. Throat culture test results for bacterial infections are ready in 1 to 2 days, depending on which bacteria are being tested for. Test results for a fungus may take about 7 days.
Rapid strep test results are ready in 10 to 15 minutes. This test is only for bacterial infections caused by strep bacteria.
No strep bacteria are detected. A throat culture may be recommended.
Strep bacteria are detected. This means you have strep throat. Antibiotics can be started immediately.
No infection (bacteria or fungi) grows in the culture.
A negative throat culture may mean that the cause of your infection is a virus, rather than bacteria or fungus.
Some viruses that cause throat infections include:
Bacteria grows in the culture. Some bacterial throat infections include:
Fungus grows in the culture. The most common fungal throat infection is thrush, caused by the fungus Candida albicans.
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:
Other Works ConsultedAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Group A streptococcal infections. In LK Pickering et al., eds., Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 28th ed., pp. 616–628. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. Chernecky CC, Berger BJ (2008). Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 5th ed. St. Louis: Saunders.Fischbach FT, Dunning MB III, eds. (2009). Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
Last Revised: June 12, 2012
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2013 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
print close directions | <urn:uuid:c879e70a-9969-4b26-a84b-252eaf09b578> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://denverregion.co.networkofcare.org/aging/library/article.aspx?hwid=hw204006 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.913301 | 926 | 3.609375 | 4 |
Information on how the city is preparing for a disaster.
The City of Albuquerque government is preparing to respond and recover from all hazards
First, the City is working to identify and reduce risks:
- The City's Fire Wise program reduces fuel sources close to Albuquerque homes and buildings – and works to reduce fuel loads in the Bosque.
- Where possible, the City and Bernalillo County advance lower-population routes for dangerous chemicals, and otherwise work to reduce local storage and transit of hazardous materials.
Second, the City is preparing to respond to and recover from all hazards:
- The Mayor and the Office of Emergency Management coordinate planning by Police, Fire, Rescue, Haz-Mat, 311, Environmental Health, and other City agencies.
- The City integrates its planning with local businesses, the federal government, state government, the New Mexico National Guard, the American Red Cross, Albuquerque Public Schools, United States Postal Service, Sandia National Labs, and the Kirtland Air Force Base, to name just a few.
- The City conducts mock-disaster exercises to test the City's integrated response to an emergency.
- The City plans for continuity of government.
- The City's revised and upgraded All-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan is now before the City Council.
- To prepare for an act of terrorism, the City engages in tactical planning. Most of this work is coordinated through the Police, Fire, Rescue, and other federal agencies through the Mid Rio Grande Terrorism Early Warning Group.
What the City Will Do in an Emergency
In a nutshell: The Mayor, the Office of Emergency Management including the Emergency Operations Center, and the incident commander will lead and manage the crisis. The City's 311 call center will answer questions. As needed, the Bomb Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), and other Police Department teams will respond to the crisis, direct traffic, block streets, and go door-to-door. As needed, Emergency Management Technician (EMT) -trained fire officers and rescue officers will combat fire, rescue people, and control hazardous materials. As needed, shelters will be established and evacuation routes announced.
Specifically, the following steps will be taken, as needed, under the leadership of the Mayor, the City Emergency Manager and the Office of Emergency Management:
- Activate the Emergency Operations Center.
- Assess the situation and involve all appropriate agencies: law enforcement, fire, rescue, hazardous materials, public health, communications, energy, etc.
- Support the incident commander.
- Provide information via the City's website, 311 call center, and news media (newswires, radio, TV, Internet).
- If needed, establish shelters and evacuation routes (and what routes not to use) and transportation for every citizen possible.
- If needed, inform public school officials and provide specific instructions regarding APS school children.
- Ensure continuity of government.
- Ensure that all levels of government – federal, state, county, and municipal – work together in a coordinated manner on operations, logistics, planning, and finance.
- Launch strategic disaster recovery efforts.
Emergency Training Exercises
Through the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the Office of Emergency Management continuously prepares for a disaster in Albuquerque by conducting a range of training sessions and exercises.
We have developed a three-year exercise and training program that we updated yearly for the Albuquerque metropolitan area:
- On a yearly basis we train, or conduct refresher training, for all EOC personnel (over 120 personnel) in their duties and responsibilities in the Emergency Operations Center.
- Throughout each year we either participate in our own exercises or support other local, state and federal agencies in their exercises.
- Our staff continuously hones their skills by attending as many as three Federal or State sponsored training sessions per year.
- All of our exercises adhere to the rigid federal training requirements as established by the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
- When we do conduct EOC exercises, we do each exercise three times in order to keep the three 40 member teams in the EOC fully trained. | <urn:uuid:e738460f-8459-46b3-90c4-903f79d56ae6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cabq.gov/police/emergency-management-office/how-the-city-is-preparing | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.912072 | 843 | 2.5625 | 3 |
Got this from the SafetyXchange this morning:
Topic: DRIVING SAFETY
The Top 10 Worst Foods To Eat While Driving
August 10, 2009 John Navroth
Numerous studies suggest that using a cell phone while driving causes distractions that increase the risks of traffic accidents. While information of this nature is certainly valuable, we should also remember the multitude of other distracting things drivers do when they should be keeping their eyes on the road. For instance, did you know that eating while driving is considered even more dangerous than talking on a cell phone?
The Dangers of a Distracted Driver
That’s right. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in concert with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, eating while driving is one of the most distracting things a driver can do.
It’s been estimated that 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes involve some element of driver distraction. “Distraction was most likely to be involved in rear-end collisions in which the lead vehicle was stopped, as well as in single-vehicle crashes”, says the NHTSA.
The NHTSA also indicate that eating is a significant negative factor in a driver’s reaction time. Since it is widely recognized that most crashes can be avoided if the driver had just one additional second to react, taking a bite of your breakfast burrito on your commute to work takes on a whole new meaning.
Top 10 Foods to Avoid While Driving
Even the insurance industry warns against the pitfalls of eating and driving. For instance, insurance.com has released their “Top 10 Foods to Avoid While Driving”. They remind drivers that by cutting back on everyday driving distractions that lead to crashes and tickets, you can save big dollars on your insurance premium. Oddly enough, according to a 2008 Nationwide Mutual study, only 3% of respondents admitted that eating was the most dangerous driving distraction.
Nevertheless, the folks at insurance.com advise avoiding the practice, especially hot, greasy, and gooey foods and drink. In addition they identify the following as being the Top 10 to stay away from:
Chocolate (Qualifies for the “gooey” category)
Soda (Tilting your head back to drink a soda could lose you the aforementioned extra second)
Jelly donuts (Another “gooey” candidate)
Fried chicken (Grease on the fingers= a greasy steering wheel)
Ribs and wings (Wouldn’t you rather enjoy these sitting down at a table?)
Hamburgers (It’s hard to wait to get back to the office with a double-meat, double-cheese sitting in the seat next to you)
Chili dogs (The problem here is obvious)
Tacos (If you’re going to eat tacos while driving, go with the soft; crispy shells are harder to manage)
Soup (Liquid + hot= potential disaster)
And, what’s the most common dangerous food for drivers? It’s actually another beverage . . .
Coffee (There are just so many things that can go wrong with a cup a’ joe, even if you use a cup holder)
Like you, I can think of a few others that should have been on the list, such as ice cream and French fries. But, let’s face it, everything you do other than paying attention to your driving is a distraction, whether it be conversing with a fellow passenger, adjusting your seat or mirrors, or looking for the eject button on your CD player. Like all other safety hazards, the more risks you add, the more likely trouble can be – in this case – literally right around the corner.
The commentary is not mine (for once) LOL
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 3 of 3
08-11-2009, 07:47 AM #1
- Join Date
- Mar 2002
- Loco madidus effercio in rutilus effercio.
Things That Dont Taste Good While DrivingIf you don't do it RIGHT today, when will you have time to do it over? (Hall of Fame basketball player/coach John Wooden)
"I may be slow, but my work is poor." Chief Dave Balding, MVFD
"Its not Rocket Science. Just use a LITTLE imagination." (Me)
Get it up. Get it on. Get it done!
impossible solved cotidie. miracles postulo viginti - quattuor hora animadverto
IACOJ member: Cheers, Play safe y'all.
08-11-2009, 09:49 AM #2
I was thinking the windshield, or the steering wheel, or the dashboard!"Loyalty Above all Else. Except Honor."
08-11-2009, 11:41 AM #3
- Join Date
- Mar 2004
- Memphis Tn,USA-now
Users Browsing this Thread
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
By GeorgeWendtCFI in forum The Off Duty ForumsReplies: 11Last Post: 11-18-2003, 01:07 PM
By TriTownship600 in forum Federal FIRE ACT Grants & FundingReplies: 5Last Post: 07-24-2003, 08:17 PM
By EastKyFF in forum The Off Duty ForumsReplies: 1Last Post: 02-14-2003, 11:41 AM
By CALFFBOU in forum Firefighters ForumReplies: 21Last Post: 01-28-2003, 02:26 AM
By Nate Marshall in forum Fire Explorer & Jr. FirefightingReplies: 29Last Post: 05-15-2001, 10:35 PM | <urn:uuid:37772743-bb0a-489c-824f-f398b56fe576> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.firehouse.com/forums/t109958/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.919977 | 1,222 | 2.03125 | 2 |
Today is Eid Alfitr (19.08) , a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. "Eid" is an Arabic word meaning "holiday, festival or festivity", while "Fitr" means "breaking the fast" (Arabic: عيد الفطر). On this day, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. Later, they visit various family and friends, give gifts and gathering involve cooking and eating.
Celebrating Eid Alfitr22 08 2012
REBLOGGED: I've reblogged the post above from Nadia over at AlzBlog. She gives us a beautiful collection and insight into Islamic architecture, design and calligraphy. I love the flowing and intricate forms of calligraphy and the geometric patterns found in so many decorative arts. These are examples from all over the world and I'll probably never get to see them in person. Thanks Nadia for sharing a wonderful collection with us - they are very beautiful. And have a blessed holiday! | <urn:uuid:1fa7ef07-714a-452e-bf61-fe4c218f2fae> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://thesacredcave.com/2012/08/22/1652/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924031 | 227 | 2.40625 | 2 |
The major goals of this axis are to promote the development of therapeutic approaches to neurological disease through a program of basic and clinical research. Translational research programs, including clinical trials, are being conducted on a range of neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, migraine, brain aneurysms and brain tumours.
The field of neuroscience is rapidly advancing due primarily to the development of new, high resolution brain imaging methods. The McConnell Brain Imaging Centre is a world leader in the development and application of these technologies and is a critical component in many of our clinical research programs. Using state of the art MRI, PET and MEG scanners, innovative imaging approaches are being developed for analysis and treatment of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.
The axis is also enhancing its efforts, and visualization of behavioural and disease related changes in the brain, using the extremely high resolution of confocal microscopy in mice and rats. This cutting-edge technology allows researchers to document changes at individual synapses in animals subjected to learning paradigms or with neurodegenerative disorders.
An important new initiative for the axis has been the initiation of programs in Neuro-Engineering as well as a Regenerative Medicine/Nanotechnology. A team of physicists, chemists, material scientists and neuroscientists are developing innovative artificial substrates for neuronal growth and synapse formation with the goal of restoring function to the damaged nervous system.
The new development of a program of Neuro Palliative Care – the first of its kind in Canada – is also fostering new research and establishing new practices of care for patients dealing with the burden of debilitating and often painful neurodegenerative diseases. Physicians and nurses in the program develop expertise to share with care-givers and colleagues both locally and internationally. | <urn:uuid:212a55f8-25c2-4e37-a74e-2ecc7ef9e2f6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://muhc.ca/research/research-axis/neurosciences | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935253 | 380 | 2.203125 | 2 |
Additional maps not displayed through the interactive maps are available here.
Introduction to Coal River Wind
“I would love to see the wind turbines go up on Coal River Mountain. That would be a ray of hope for me. It would be a ray of hope for a lot of young people in the area. That would mean jobs, that would mean that we could keep some of our clean water, that would mean that hopefully other people would come into the community because it’s not being destroyed. That would be hope…if there’s not a Coal River Mountain, how is there going to be a Coal River Valley??” – Debbie Jarrell, Rock Creek, WV
Welcome to Coal River Mountain, Raleigh County,
“Almost Heaven” West Virginia
Photo Courtesy of Rory McIlmoil
Coal River Mountain sits nestled in the Coal River Valley between the Clear and Marsh Forks of the Little Coal River, and spans an area of approximately 62 square miles. The mountain is blanketed with what is known as a mixed mesophytic hardwood forest, and is home to a rich biodiversity of both flora and fauna, as well as to the residents living in the many valleys around the mountain.
There are thousands who live in the hollows of Coal River Mountain, and who depend on it for sustaining their livelihood, just as generations of their families before them. Their families have been able to survive in these valleys for hundreds of years both because of coal mining and because they always had the mountain to sustain them. Now, the only reason many of them remain is because of their connection to the mountain. That connection, and the rich histories many of the residents carry with them, is now being threatened with permanent obliteration.
Images from Coal River Mountain:
From Top Left: Rock Structure, Blackberries, Spotted Newt, Apple Orchard. Center: Morel Mushroom ("Molly Moocher"). Border photos Courtesy of Rory McIlmoil, center photo courtesy of Matt Noerpel, Coal River Mountain Watch
Because of Mountaintop Removal coal mining on nearby Kayford, Cherry Pond and Bolt Mountains, Coal River Mountain stands as the last major intact mountain in the Coal River Watershed. For only 17 years of coal production, however, Massey Energy coal company wants to change all of that. Their plan is to strip-mine, largely using mountaintop removal methods, over ten square miles of the mountain and dump the resulting mining waste into nine miles of headwater streams below. This mining, if it proceeds, will devastate the last intact mountain ecosystem in the area, and it will endanger the lives and negatively impact the livelihoods of the residents living below the mining – many of whom have already felt the impacts of the mountaintop removal operations on Kayford and Cherry Pond Mountains.
Mountaintop Removal (MTR) exists as a cheap, profit-maximizing, last ditch effort by the coal industry to get what coal is left in these mountains after over 100 years of mining has removed all of the thickest coal seams. Its expansion alone is a sign that coal is running out in southern West Virginia, because more strip-mining suggests that the remaining coal seams are getting thinner. MTR buries and contaminates mountain streams, destroys mile upon mile of Appalachian mountain ridges, causes more frequent and more powerful flooding, sinks and helps to contaminate groundwater wells that many residents rely upon for their drinking water, lowers property values, and damages the psychological well-being of those living near the blasting. As this destructive practice of coal-mining expands, more and more of the Appalachian culture and history will be destroyed.
Residents of the Coal River Valley are showing, however, that MTR is not only destroying their health, their homes and their mountains, it is also destroying any hope of transitioning away from coal and diversifying the local economies. Despite the enormous devastation that has occurred due to MTR, there is a source of hope that blows across the very ridges of Coal River Mountain slated to be flattened by Massey – wind power. Since early in the Spring of 2008, local community members and activists have been pursuing the development of clean, sustainable wind power on Coal River Mountain, and have dubbed their efforts The Coal River Mountain Wind Project.
This campaign offers an alternative model for energy production and economic development in southern West Virginia that could provide the “coalfields” with new, stable, safe jobs and a source of county tax revenues that would last long after the rest of the coal has been mined out.
In the words of Gary Anderson of Colcord, WV:
“The wind farm, right now…right now would be the perfect time, as we’re starting to lay off miners and everything. The biggest thing we have in West Virginia is coal mining, [but] the can still mine the coal underneath, the way my dad mined coal, and the beautiful green mountain would still be there. Why wouldn’t we take that route? Let’s stop it, let’s put up the wind farm, let’s stop mountaintop removal. If you got the wind farm…the wind will blow forever.”
How to Use This Site
You can use this website as a tool to familiarize yourself with the wind campaign, while learning more about the campaign’s importance to the residents of the Coal River Valley, to the state of West Virginia, to the United States, and to the Earth as a whole. The Coal River Mountain Wind Project embodies important themes that impact not only Appalachia, but the entire global community and environment. These themes include Power and Empowerment, Sustainable Development, Environmental Justice, Climate Change and Cultural Preservation.
All of these themes are intertwined, they are all part of the story of justice and survival that the Coal River Mountain Wind Project symbolizes. The struggle to reconcile the issues related to Mountaintop Removal is reflective of similar struggles around the world, so by educating yourself about the wind campaign, you will be able to understand the need for transitioning the United Statesaway from coal and other fossil fuels and developing sustainable energy and economic alternatives elsewhere.
As noted by Appalachian author Erik Reece in his book Lost Mountain:
“What a strip-job demonstrate(s)….is the absence of any ethic or aesthetic. It is a moral failure; it is a failure of the imagination – a failure to understand energy and employment alternatives that would preserve the integrity and beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.”
Watch the videos below to hear the thoughts of Raleigh County residents regarding Mountaintop Removal and the Coal River Mountain Wind Project:
For more information on sources used in this theme, please see the Notes on Sources page. | <urn:uuid:e055efdb-397f-4fa4-a42e-f046530c67b6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://auroralights.org/map_project/theme.php?theme=wind&article=5 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951801 | 1,384 | 3.109375 | 3 |
Law Through Sociology's Looking Glass: Conflict and Competition in Sociological Studies of Law
University of Westminster - School of Law
THE NEW ISA HANDBOOK IN CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL SOCIOLOGY: CONFLICT, COMPETITION, AND COOPERATION, Ann Denis, Devorah Kalekin-Fishman, eds., Sage, 2009
U. of Westminster School of Law Research Paper No. 10-09
Law and its countless legal, academic, professional and institutional manifestations, all being intrinsically social, fall within the scope of sociological inquiry. It is, therefore, not surprising if some sociologists and jurists have tried to bring the benefits of sociological ideas to legal thought and practice. Introducing sociological insights into law, a feasible and useful project in theory, has however been only marginally accomplished in practice. Despite the social make-up of law and the kinship between legal theory and social theory, the former being a branch of the latter, and despite the efforts of socio-legal scholars over the past hundred years to integrate legal and sociological ideas, law and sociology remain apart. This chapter explores the roots of this separation by describing some of the conflicts and competitions which arise out of, and impede, attempts to integrate legal and sociological understandings of law. It starts by juxtaposing sociological and legal epistemes, i.e. by comparing the collection of beliefs, concerns and assumptions which are used to organise worldviews and practices of lawyers and legal scholars, on the one hand, and those of sociologists, on the other.1 It then moves on to present the various research approaches, such as Law and Society and Socio-Legal Studies, which make use of social scientific methods and concepts to study law. Although it is often impossible to distinguish between certain branches of socio-legal research, I shall nonetheless discuss similarities and commonalities between various approaches to the study of law, focusing specifically on the (inter)disciplinary conflicts and competitions between them, as a method for highlighting the discourses which constitute the sociological studies of law. The chapter concludes by reflecting on the potential of law and sociology to learn from one another.
Number of Pages in PDF File: 17
Keywords: Sociology, law, knowledge, interdisciplinearity, doctrine, competition, conflict, methodology, jurisprudence, socio-legalAccepted Paper Series
Date posted: March 23, 2010
© 2013 Social Science Electronic Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This page was processed by apollo7 in 1.204 seconds | <urn:uuid:929744bf-7ed6-4bf5-b4da-0164c8d346f7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1574821 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.919219 | 527 | 1.703125 | 2 |
News From the Field
The Marshmallow Study Revisited
October 11, 2012
For the past four decades, the "marshmallow test" has served as a classic experimental measure of children's self-control: Will a preschooler eat one of the fluffy white confections now or hold out for two later? Now a new study demonstrates that being able to delay gratification is influenced as much by the environment as by innate ability.
University of Rochester
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2012, its budget was $7.0 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 50,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards about $593 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
Get News Updates by Email
Useful NSF Web Sites:
NSF Home Page: http://www.nsf.gov
NSF News: http://www.nsf.gov/news/
For the News Media: http://www.nsf.gov/news/newsroom.jsp
Science and Engineering Statistics: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards Searches: http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/ | <urn:uuid:fe2f86bb-6889-482d-969c-cc5ecf18d983> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=125796&org=NSF&from=news | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.924933 | 301 | 2.015625 | 2 |
It is the oldest town site west of the Rockies! So, let the celebration begin. The best parties take the right people who offer planning with enthusiasm and experience.
Like Astoria residents Mac Burns and Paulette McCoy who teach listeners something new about their 200 year old hometown each week. Their radio program, “Adventures in History,” is heard on KAST AM radio each Saturday.
The Astor party arrived in Astoria just three months ahead of a British scouting party, led by explorer David Thompson. The party planted the US flag smack in the middle of town where a replica Fort Astoria stands today.
These day, the Fort George Brewing Company has set up shop near the fort replica and produces a namesake brew that’s caught on with a nation-wide crowd. Just like the nearby Liberty Theatre: a fully restored city centerpiece where there is always something new to see and do. Like the Fern Hill Glass Studio where anyone can stop in to watch molten glass take form as vases, mugs – even sea creatures.
It’s all rather remarkable when you consider that not so long ago, the entire town was wiped away in a devastating blaze that lasted for days. The Great Astoria Fire of 1922 destroyed 40 city blocks at a time when the country was already on the ropes. But the city fathers rebuilt the town – a sign of resilience, commitment and a true Oregon spirit.
This time they built on land, not wood, and shaped the town into what we see today: a place that draws folks from all over the world – including 19 cruise ships a year. That is no surprise really since Astoria’s front step is the mighty Columbia River and it’s enduring influence.
Outdoor recreation is easy to come by in this corner of the state –like razor clamming. It is so easy anyone can try with a clam gun on a low morning tide across a 12-mile long stretch of beach that you can drive across too.
For more information on Astoria’s Bicentennial, visit http://www.astoria200.org/
About the Author: Grant McOmie
Grant McOmie is a Pacific Northwest broadcast journalist, teacher and author who writes and produces stories and special programs about the people, places, outdoor activities and environmental issues of the Pacific Northwest. A fifth generation Oregon native, Grant’s roots run deepest in the central Oregon region near Prineville and Redmond where his family continues to live.
Is any of the information on this page incorrect? | <urn:uuid:27541185-60eb-4988-af36-0dd01c76c5b1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://traveloregon.com/trip-ideas/grants-getaways/astoria-bicentennial/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.934612 | 521 | 1.898438 | 2 |
Papahanaumokuakea (formerly Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument) Hawaii
Crystalline blue waters and unspoiled white sand beaches and the spectacular coral reefs at the northwestern Hawaii islands are a rare example of the way oceans are supposed to be. Over 7,000 species live around the islands, including the endangered green sea, leatherback, and hawksbill sea turtles; the Caretian Woodpecker, and the Hawaiian Mouse; along with fourteen million nesting seabirds. The area holds great cultural significance to Native Hawaiians and has a connection to early Polynesian culture.
President Theodore Roosevelt named many of the islands an island refuge, and in 2001 President Bill Clinton designated the waters around the islands as a coral reef reserve. In April of 2006, President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush viewed a screening of the documentary film Voyage to Kure with its director, Jean-Michel Cousteau. The film's portrayal of the flora and fauna of the northwestern islands compelled President Bush to move quickly. On June 15, 2006, President Bush signed a proclamation for the Northwestern Hawaiian Marine National Monument, the largest marine protected area in the world. (Read the proclamation here (pdf)).
The national monument covers roughly 140,000 square miles of reefs, atolls, and shallow sea in the Pacific Ocean. It spreads across the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, the Midway National Wildlife Refuge, the Hawaiian National Wildlife Refuge, and the Battle of Midway National Memorial. The Fish and Wildlife Service will manage the land areas of the national monument and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will administer the oceanic areas.
Many similar ecosystems on Earth have been destroyed by overfishing. Within the national monument, all commercial and recreational fishing will be prohibited by 2011 and visitors will need permits for snorkeling or diving. Creatures such as the endangered monk seal, whose populations were devastated by the overfishing of spiny lobsters, will have a chance.
Native Hawaiians maintain strong cultural ties to the land and sea and see themselves as caretakers for the oceanscape. In Native Hawaiian traditions, the islands are a sacred place where life springs from primordial darkness and to where spirits return after death. The large area of the monument also contains historic properties related to the pivotal Battle of Midway, fought during the Second World War. Archeological sites on some of the larger atolls can be expected to provide more information about the use of the area by historic and ancient humans.
Upon hearing about the President’s proclamation, responses have included: | <urn:uuid:f57b5fb9-df47-4557-87a0-fefec7711066> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cr.nps.gov/archeology/sites/antiquities/profileHawaiianIslands.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00073-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.913151 | 529 | 3.375 | 3 |
The West Midlands has the second highest proportion of population aged under 16 and an above average proportion of older people.
In mid-2010, 19.3 per cent of residents were aged under 16. This was the second highest proportion for any English region and compares with18.7 per cent for England. The proportion aged 65 and over was also slightly above average at 17.2 per cent compared with 16.5 per cent for England.
The local authority areas with the highest proportions of children were Birmingham (22.0 per cent) and Sandwell (21.2 per cent). For people aged 65 and over the highest proportions were in Malvern Hills (23.6 per cent) and Herefordshire unitary authority (22.2 per cent).
The West Midlands’ total population was 5.5 million in mid-2010. The region contains one of the largest conurbations in England, as well as some of the country’s most rural and sparsely populated counties. Birmingham local authority district was home to 1.0 million people and had a population density of 3,900 people per sq km. In contrast, two of the five most sparsely populated counties in England are also found in the region – Herefordshire (82 people per sq km) and Shropshire (92 people per sq km).
Between 2001 and 2010 the population of the region increased by 175,000, or 3.3 per cent. This is below the corresponding rate of 5.6 per cent for England. The 2008-based projections indicate that the rate of population growth may remain below the national average. The total population is projected to reach 6.0 million by 2030, of which 22.4 per cent would be aged 65 and over, slightly above the figure for England (21.7 per cent).
Between mid-2008 and mid-2009 international migration resulted in a net increase of 10,000 people in the region which was almost balanced by a net increase of 9,000 people due to inter-regional migration. Natural change (births minus deaths) added 20,000 to the region’s population.
Source: Office for National Statistics
The geography used reflects the changes which took place in April 2009.
Population estimates and projections are for 30 June each year. The mid-2010 population estimates are those published on 30 June 2011 and the 2008-based subnational population projections are those published on 27 May 2010.
Mid-year migration data were published on 25 November 2010.
You may use or re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence, or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: firstname.lastname@example.org
Details of the policy governing the release of new data are available by visiting www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/index.html or from the Media Relations Office email: email@example.com | <urn:uuid:5e813225-748d-4064-ab30-cb78787bb973> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/ons/rel/regional-trends/region-and-country-profiles/population-and-migration/population-and-migration---west-midlands.html?format=contrast | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945295 | 638 | 3.171875 | 3 |
South Sudan is blaming Omar Bashir's Islamic regime in Khartoum for bombing a refugee camp in its country.
Four bombs fell in and around a camp called Yida in Unity State. No casualties were reported.
The United States called the attack abhorrent and outrageous and demanded that Sudan halt aerial bombardments immediately.
The camp is home to more than 20,000 people who have fled the fighting on the border between Sudan and South Sudan.
A team from Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse ministry has been to the camp, distributing food and other supplies.
Graham visited the camp just six days before it was attacked.
The largely Christian South Sudan became independent from the Islamic northern part of the country four months ago.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir said he believes Sudan is getting ready to invade his country.
A U.S. satellite monitoring group said Friday that Sudan's military is upgrading air bases near the border with South Sudan. | <urn:uuid:a8b20f02-465a-40cd-aa87-be2ffa149ef1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/November/Sudan-Bombs-Camp-in-S-Sudan-Invasion-Near-/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.9701 | 196 | 1.804688 | 2 |
When the summer sun heats things up, it's time to find temporary relief. But when you get tired of the pool and the kid's are bored by the sprinkler, it's time to hit the local lake. And after sitting on a fish-infested shore or a rocky beach, it may be time to buy a boat. That's the fun part: purchasing a vessel, hooking it to a trailer, hitching it to your truck. But when you get to the lake, there is one necessary piece of equipment you may be lacking: a boat dock. If you use a yacht everyday, you may be able to afford a public waterfront, but most of us have to haul our pontoons back and forth then wait in line at a communal port when a personal pier would be so much easier. Or, if you live near a lake and use your speedboat everyday, a permanent water dock is an absolute must.
Boat Dock Design: Shapes and Sizes
The first question to ask when investing in a boat dock is "How much will it be used?" This will determine if you need a portable or stationary model. Then ask, "How will it be used?" The dimensions of your vessel will determine the pier's size and shape, and they come in many different forms (T, L, I, or U shapes) to accommodate your portage needs. Here are common models to keep in mind:
Have several jobs to be completed? Use this link toHire a Carpenter
Boat Dock Construction
Now that you have a boat dock design in mind, you have to think about the body of water. Do you cruise on a lake or river? Does it have a rocky or sandy bottom? Is it shallow or deep? Does the tide change often? Is the current strong? All these factors determine the structural makeup of your boat dock construction. Frames can be constructed of concrete, treated wood, or metal. And decks are often available in wood, aluminum, or vinyl. Wooden boat deck construction is most often cedar, given this wood's light weight, ability to float, and ease of installation. Aluminum can be used in more extreme conditions since it won't rust, splinter, rot, crack, warp, or rust. Metal is flexible with the current yet durable against the elements, though the decking may get very hot in the sun. Vinyl is slip-resistant and needs no painting or waterproofing, but it may erode overtime. And concrete, since it's so sturdy, expensive, and time-consuming, is often reserved only for commercial boat dock construction.
Boat Dock Repair and Installation
Boat dock installation is not a viable DIY project. True, there are a number of reasonably boat dock installation kits that can streamline the process or enable knowledgeable DIYers to efficiently install a dock that will last for several years. Yet, for overall quality and for a long-term solution, site-oriented boat dock installation is generally best. And, if boat dock installation is best handled by a professional contractor, boat dock repair is a must for professional expertise and troubleshooting....
Nothing causes more wear and tear than moisture; therefore a pier will ultimately need some assistance. If you hire a professional for your boat dock installation, you may cut down on unnecessary boat dock repair, especially when it comes to specialized construction and proper anchoring. Plus, these experts can give advice about which model works best for you. However, eventually you may suffer a bent frame, a cracked plank, broken floats and bumpers, dry rot, or other damaged caused by ice, age, or simple waterlogging. If so, boat dock repair is a project for specialized contractors with the prerequisite skills for the job in order to ensure your family's safety and a guaranteed long-term fix. | <urn:uuid:3abe9e7f-db40-4844-94bb-a42895a5f5f8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.homeadvisor.com/article.show.Boat-Dock-Basics.14618.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941039 | 774 | 1.882813 | 2 |
Posted by Bob on November 13, 2004
In Reply to: Fido (origin and meaning) posted by Junius on November 13, 2004
: I think a fido is a coin with error: a coin with a minting error
: but also seems to be a Mid-20th century Acronym formed from freaks, irregulars, defects, and oddities, can anybody help with the date in which was first used?
: any other meanings?
Acronym finder supplies a number of other uses, and verifies freaks, etc.:
I haven't found a date of first use yet. | <urn:uuid:937d4747-6686-47a1-bf12-ea443ec73ddc> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/36/messages/672.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94991 | 130 | 1.914063 | 2 |
Chapter 2: Asking and answering research questions (pp. 25–55)
What's it about?
Social psychologists strive to reach general conclusions by developing scientific theories about why people behave the way they do, both to solve large social problems as well as to understand everyday events. These scientific theories must satisfy three requirements: (1) they are about constructs, (2) they describe causal relationships, and (3) they are general in scope.
In order to test their theories, social psychologists must design research that is valid, according to three types of validity. Construct validity, which means the extent to which independent and dependent variables actually measure the intended theoretical construct, is often threatened by the social desirability response bias, when people act in ways that they think are socially desirable. Internal validity ensures that changes in the independent variable actually caused the changes in the dependent variable.
Nonexperimental research designs often lack internal validity because the variables are merely measured (not manipulated); however, experimental research designs using random assignment of participants to groups and manipulations of variables, have high internal validity. External validity, which means that results can be generalized across other setting, populations, and times, is ensured by conducting replications of studies.
When conducting scientific research, it is crucial for researchers to treat participants fairly, either by obtaining their informed consent before the experiment; or, if deception is used, by debriefing participants after the experiment on the purpose of the study, and the reasons for the deception. Although social psychologists cannot provide answers to moral and ethical questions, scientific research can help inform society on the relevant topics of those questions. | <urn:uuid:ef7601ad-d340-495a-847b-d379b1c2db20> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.psychologypress.com/smithandmackie/resources/chapter.asp?ch=02 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00073-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95116 | 330 | 4.0625 | 4 |
Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson proposed a new framework Tuesday to cut the country's debt by $2.4 trillion over the next decade.
Bowles and Simpson were the co-chairmen of President Obama's bipartisan fiscal commission in 2010, and their recommendations came to serve as a yardstick for other debt-reduction proposals.
Since the fiscal commission disbanded, Congress and the White House have enacted about $2.7 trillion worth of savings that will occur over the next decade.
The $2.4 trillion in deficit cuts in the new Bowles-Simpson proposal would be made between 2014 and 2023 and come on top of the $2.7 trillion already passed.
Another $2.4 trillion is needed to stabilize the debt and put it on a path to fall below 70% of GDP, according to estimates by the bipartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
The amount of debt reduction recommended by Bowles and Simpson is a more ambitious goal than President Obama has set.
Obama is aiming for another $1.5 trillion in savings, which would stabilize the debt at 73% of GDP by the end of the decade. And it's a less stringent, more gradual approach than the stated House Republican goal of erasing all annual deficits by 2023.
In any case, they characterize their new recommendation not as the "best" or the "right" framework. They said they see it simply as the "minimum that policymakers must do."
Bowles and Simpson suggest the $2.4 trillion in savings could be achieved through a combination of measures, some of which were in their original fiscal commission 2010 plan:
Taxes: Enacting tax reform that eliminates or minimizes tax expenditures. The revenue raised would be used to reduce deficits and to pay for the cost of lowering tax rates and simplifying the tax code. The new framework calls for tax reform to raise about one-quarter of the $2.4 trillion -- or $600 billion. | <urn:uuid:a127a521-1eb6-42e5-8a5f-1d2ba99a30b8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kitv.com/news/money/New-Bowles-Simpson-deficit-plan-would-cut-2-4-trillion/-/8905154/18980596/-/53ayvu/-/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965136 | 404 | 2.140625 | 2 |
The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater offers an AACSB International accredited Master of Business Administration degree, taught by full-time, high quality faculty using the latest technology. Does this degree sound like the sort of learning experience you are seeking? If so, you’ve come to the right business school for advancing your education.
What is a UW-Whitewater MBA?
Our MBA develops business people who are capable of thinking globally, behaving ethically, and leading innovation. This three-pronged orientation is evident in the content of every MBA core class, in teaching methods, and in assigned activities. You will have opportunities to practice using critical thinking skills as you make strategic decisions in cases and projects. You will learn to negotiate and persuade while you develop your skills in project management. You will assess your own behavior and improve your ability to work in teams. You will be a leader.
How can you specialize?
Students in the UW-Whitewater MBA also declare emphases in more specific topic areas including human resources, finance, international business, management, marketing, project management, supply chain management, IT management, or a customized emphasis.
But why is the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater’s online MBA superior to others? Let’s explore some features, and give you some questions so that you can compare our MBA to other Internet-based MBA programs.
Is an online degree as good as a regular classroom degree?
Absolutely. The faculty who teach the online classes are the same faculty who teach the courses in the classroom. They have doctoral degrees and teach full time at UW-Whitewater. They publish research in their fields, and they undergo careful course reviews each time they teach their online courses. And because the faculty and classes are the same for online as face-to-face courses, your transcript will not indicate whether your degree was in the classroom, online, or a mix of the two methods.
What will my tuition be?
Tuition for our online classes is the same for all students, whether out-of-state, international, or from Wisconsin. Our tuition is an excellent value. Find tuition information for online courses and you can see what your next semester will cost. If you are thinking of mixing traditional classroom courses with online courses, the cost of face-to-face graduate business classes is calculated differently from online classes, depending on your residency.
How do I know that the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater’s MBA is a high quality program?
The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater’s MBA program is accredited by AACSB International. Only 5% of business schools worldwide are accredited by AACSB International. It is the most rigorous accrediting standard globally, and AACSB accredited schools are referred to as the Best Business Schools in the World!
Our online MBA has also been recognized by:
- GetEducated.com as a Best Buy program.
- Top-level European executives at European CEO as the Best Remote Learning MBA Program in North America.
- The New Europe as one of the FAST50 fastest growing companies in 2012 and Best in Distance Learning 2012.
- The Princeton Review's Best 296 Business Schools.
- World Commerce Review as the Best Global Distance Leanring 2012-2013.
- Military Times Best for Vets: Business Schools 2013
How is UW-Whitewater’s Online MBA designed?
If you have an undergraduate business degree, you will begin with a group of advanced graduate courses in functional areas like economics, management, technology, and marketing, ensuring that you have the most current information and practices in those core areas.
If you have an undergraduate degree with a major outside of business, contact our advisors to help you determine which background courses you will need in order to give you the best preparation for successfully completing your MBA degree.
UW-Whitewater’s MBA is unique from other MBA programs in that you declare an emphasis or specialized area for your degree. We offer seven different emphases from which to choose:
- supply chain and operations management
- human resources
- information technology management
- international business
You can learn more about the specific course requirements.
What are admission requirements?
The UW-Whitewater Online MBA and face-to-face MBA have the same entrance requirements. A sum of a weighted undergraduate grade point average and your Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score determines your eligibility for admission to the program. Why not review the details on your eligibility?
Are you an international student?
We’re happy to accommodate your needs and answer your questions through our Center for Global Education. | <urn:uuid:5054de08-0e1b-455c-b215-f58c087fca74> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.uww.edu/cobe/onlinemba | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.923067 | 953 | 1.546875 | 2 |
The SEC Whistleblower Laws Apply to Many Different Industries
The SEC Whistleblower laws apply to a broad range of industries and the whistleblower protection laws have specific applications to companies within certain industries. The finer points of the Whistleblower laws can be broken down into specific industries, industry-specific issues, and specific examples of each violation.
Industries Vulnerable to Corporate Fraud:
Points That Apply to Every Industry:
Fraudulent acts committed in foreign lands may still amount to securities fraud or corporate fraud
St Augustine is the origin of the now famous saying, “when in Rome, do as the Romans.” The notion behind this adage is that it is OK to adapt to foreign local customs when abroad even if those foreign customs violate your home laws and customs. The SEC Whistleblower Act does not recognize this adage. A public company registered with the SEC that commits corporate fraud or securities fraud on foreign soil is still accountable to the SEC for that fraud. In fact the Foreign Corrupt Business Practices Act specifically addresses corporate conduct committed outside the United States. A securities fraud whistleblower or corporate fraud whistleblower then can report acts that occur outside the United States if the corporation responsible is registered with the SEC.
"Market Participants" vs. "Reporting Companies"
When reading through the different industries, a potential SEC whistleblower should keep in mind that there are two general types of companies, often termed “reporting companies” and “market participants”. A “reporting company” is subject to the SEC’s jurisdiction because the company has or should issue securities that are regulated by the SEC. A “market participant” is a company or individual that engages in the business of creating a market for a security. Stockbrokers, investment banks and market makers are examples of “market participants”. The SEC has jurisdiction over “market participants” because of the job the market participants performs. The SEC Whistleblower Act covers both market participants and reporting companies.
Securities Fraud or Corporate Fraud is Not Necessarily Related to Stock Price
We use the term “securities fraud” often throughout this site. A reader could conclude then that securities fraud only occurs when there is a drop in the price of the underlying security or stock. While this is often true, it is the wrong conclusion. Securities fraud and corporate fraud can occur- and a whistleblower can and should report this fraud- regardless of the fraud’s effect on the underlying stock price. | <urn:uuid:671db2ee-10b2-4cfd-bcf8-0da91822bb68> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.secwhistleblowerprogram.org/Whistleblower-Industries/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00046-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93279 | 514 | 1.992188 | 2 |
Fallen electrical power lines ignited a wildfire late Wednesday afternoon on the west side of James City Hill on Route 66 south of Kane.
The Kane Volunteer Fire Department and the Highland Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to the blaze about 4:20 p.m. Wednesday.
Kane Fire Chief Tim Holt said it is believed that gusty high winds toppled a dead tree that took down the power lines. The arcing live wires started the wildfire in the woods, Holt said.
According to Holt, the winds continually whipped the flames in the brush and created heavy smoke.
"You couldn't see at times because it was so smokey," Holt said.
The fire chief estimated that the fire burned about two acres of under-story in the heavily wooded area along the west side of James City Hill on Route 66. No injuries were reported, he said.
The Kane Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene with two engines and the utility truck. About 25 volunteer firefighters also responded, Holt said.
According to Holt, the Highland Township Volunteer Fire Department responded with a tanker and brush truck. He said firefighters ran about 400 feet of one-inch hose from the tanker to the site of the fire. He said the Highland firefighters operated a "deck gun" to dampen the woods ahead of the flames.
Firemen also used portable "Indian cans" and hand tools to quell the fire, Holt said. During fire-fighting efforts, firefighters had to stay clear of fallen electrical lines, Holt said.
See full article by purchasing the March 29 edition of The Kane Republican. | <urn:uuid:d8cdade1-7cdd-4737-949d-75cbe6b2b533> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kanerepublican.com/content/fallen-electrical-lines-ignite-wildfire-near-kane?quicktabs_2=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00058-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958241 | 320 | 1.898438 | 2 |
The Sunday Times Magazine 19 September 1982
The Return of Tolkien is an article by Sue Seddon which was published in The Sunday Times Magazine (pp.82-85, 19 September 1982, London: Times Newspapers Ltd.).
The article includes extracts from an interview with Rayner Unwin together with reproductions of twelve illustrations by J.R.R. Tolkien from Mr. Bliss. The illustrations are from pages 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 31, 33, 38, 39, 49 and 50 of the manuscript.
This magazine was published the day before the publication of Mr. Bliss. | <urn:uuid:85a6ecc2-d1ea-4f11-bb40-2756b39ba171> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://tolkiengateway.net/w/index.php?title=The_Sunday_Times_Magazine_19_September_1982&oldid=99700 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00053-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.927105 | 126 | 1.601563 | 2 |
Title: Geography Department Reports, Minutes of Meetings, and Memos
Date (inclusive): 1924-1984, 1925-1955
Record Series number: 31
Creator: University of California, Los Angeles.
University of California, Los Angeles. Library.
Department of Special Collections. University Archives.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department
of Special Collections, University Archives Reference Desk for paging information.
Classes in Geography were offered when the Los Angeles State Normal School opened its
doors in 1882; thirteen years later in 1895, the Geography Department was formally
established as an academic unit. Prior to 1919, when the Los Angeles State of California
system the Geography Department was primarily concerned with the training of secondary
school teachers. After 1920 more emphasis was placed on training of researchers and
preparing students for graduate studies. Graduate courses leading to the M.A. degree were
added to the department's curriculum in 1934-35, and the Ph.D. program was added in | <urn:uuid:6bb6bfd3-42de-43d0-9d3b-aefe6e92917f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf5f59p0r1/admin/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.914473 | 243 | 1.796875 | 2 |
Despite all the noise about financial reform, the shadow banking system that helped create the financial crisis would remain fundamentally unaltered by the legislation now pending in Congress. Indeed, leveraged entities such as private-equity, venture-capital, and hedge funds get only minor regulatory attention.
These barely regulated, nontransparent bastions of speculation propagated systemic risks beyond any that could be created by the banks themselves. Whether housed at banks, created by banks, or freestanding, they exist to enable speculative risk-taking hidden from either regulatory or market scrutiny while camouflaging layers of debt and enabling the complex-securitization deals that caused the financial collapse.
Yet, neither the House bill passed last December nor the most recent Senate bill submitted by Sen. Chris Dodd does more than impose marginal adjustments on the shadow banking system. Even those measures contain loopholes so inviting that JPMorgan Chase, the largest hedge-fund manager by assets worldwide, scoffs at the notion it will be adversely affected.
Leaving Shadow Banks Intact. Under the most recent Senate bill, hedge funds managing more than $100 million worth of assets would have to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission as investment advisers. But private-equity and venture-capital funds would not. Dodd's bill leaves it up to the SEC to construct a definition for private-equity and venture-capital funds as differentiated from hedge funds. (There's no standardized definition of hedge fund yet.) Cue industry lawyers.
Loophole No. 1: Private-equity funds are financial-pyramid bottom-feeders; they buy distressed companies or assets, load them up with debt, extract near-term profit, and are gone before any collapse occurs. And since private-equity funds can both invest in hedge funds and do anything a hedge fund does (it's all a matter of how they pitch what they do to their investors), hedge funds could just change their name to avoid registration or information sharing. Dodd's bill would charge banks and any non-bank financial company supervised by the Fed holding $50 billion or more in assets to pay into an "orderly liquidation fund." But hedge, private-equity, and venture-capital funds wouldn't have to contribute.
Loophole No. 2: Neither the Senate nor the House bill alters the way in which hedge and private-equity funds do business. They only minimally alter where a fraction of the funds' business can't be done. A collapse of all or part of the banking system due to hedge-fund or private-equity abuses would necessitate use of a resolution fund -- into which shadow bankers have made no payment. They pile on the risk but don't pay for the fallout.
The Volcker Rule Minus Teeth. The latest Senate bill ostensibly adopts the so-called Volcker Rule restrictions prohibiting depository institutions and bank-holding companies from sponsoring or investing in a hedge or private-equity fund (it makes no explicit mention of venture-capital funds). A new Financial Stability Oversight Council would decide how to implement and interpret this regulation. Additionally, the comptroller general is required to conduct a feasibility study regarding a self--regulatory private-equity and venture-capital fund oversight and submit a report to the House Financial Services and Senate Banking committees within a year after enactment. Of course, a year gives lobbyists plenty of time to figure out ways to circumvent any form of regulation.
Loophole No. 3: Under the Senate bill, foreign-based firms that aren't directly or indirectly controlled by a firm organized under U.S. laws are exempted. European banks could thus expand their private-equity and hedge-fund game on our soil, thereby spreading globalized risk.
Loophole No. 4: Though large banks like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs run hedge funds, the language in Dodd's bill doesn't prohibit a bank from managing the portfolio of a client who chooses to invest in hedge funds. Since banks aren't required to delineate or disclose exactly what's proprietary and what's client-oriented (a major deficiency of the Volcker Rule itself), there's nothing to keep them from calling nearly every hedge-fund activity client--oriented, thereby getting around this rule.
Missing the Problem: Hedge Funds. Despite lobbyist claims to the contrary, the hedge-fund industry played a key role in the run-up to the banking crisis. It was an eager buyer and trader of the equity in toxic collateralized-debt obligations (CDOs) and other complex high-risk securities while heavily leveraging the higher-rated pieces of these securities. In other words, the industry provided the seed money to create these securities and a market for them while excessively borrowing money from the banks creating them. By doing so, the industry inflated the perceived value and demand for these securities, as well as systemic risk and leverage.
Indeed, the hedge-fund industry tripled to an estimated $1.8 trillion business between 2002 and 2008, just as the sub-prime loan and complex--securitization market was expanding. Not a coincidence.
Bear Stearns' infamous credit hedge funds were designed to leverage structured credit securities by as much as 35 to 1, enticing "hot money" investors who ultimately ran for the hills when they smelled potential losses, creating chaos in their wake. Current proposals might prohibit banks from outright owning such funds (and only if they aren't "client oriented"), but they don't constrain how the funds operate.
Private-Equity Firms Weren't Innocent Bystanders. Private-equity funds financed both mortgage-lending and real-estate-development companies, both directly and by purchasing equity in commercial CDOs. Now, they are picking up the broken pieces of those endeavors by buying failed banks and lenders on the cheap (as hedge funds go about buying cheap bank stocks in bulk).
Major private-equity firms like Fortress and the Carlyle Group are busy raising capital to buy chunks of more than $1 trillion of distressed commercial real-estate debt that lies underwater on the books of banks, insurance companies, and other lenders. Much of that original debt had been securitized in complex assets with high leverage, just like sub-prime loans were -- and could ignite another crisis when defaults cumulate.
Between 2002 and early 2008, roughly $1.4 trillion worth of sub-prime loans were originated by now-fallen lenders like New Century Financial. If such loans were our only problem, the theoretical solution would have involved the government subsidizing these mortgages for the maximum cost of $1.4 trillion. However, according to Thomson Reuters, nearly $14 trillion worth of complex-securitized products were created, predominantly on top of them, precisely because leveraged funds abetted every step of their production and dispersion. Thus, at the height of federal payouts in July 2009, the government had put up $17.5 trillion to support Wall Street's pyramid Ponzi system, not $1.4 trillion. The destruction in the commercial lending market could spur the next implosion.
As long as leveraged funds bolster these markets (whether inside or outside of banks), the true value of complex securities will be unknowable and subject to extreme cycles of bubble and collapse. This time it was sub-prime; next time it could be commercial real estate, oil, or food.
The Reforms We Need. Current reforms won't deter the reckless financial engineering, investing, and inflation of values upon which leveraged funds thrive. Right now, Wall Street funds are inhaling a host of new distressed security concoctions (a k a toxic assets part II) that scoop up all the junk out there and regift it to the markets. This all operates under the radar screen.
Thus it is imperative that banks with any form of leveraged fund, even if it belongs to a client, must provide detailed information to the SEC, no exceptions. Every hedge fund, private-equity firm, and venture-capital company, no matter what its size, should be required to register with the SEC and be subject to stringent reporting requirements and limits on leverage.
Private-equity firms should have to confer with regulators and make public all steps of their actions when buying and operating failed banks whose deposits are government-insured; otherwise we will maintain this unbalanced situation where banks can't own private-equity funds, but private-equity funds can manage banks.
Hedge funds should have restrictions on the percentage of securitized assets they can buy and the percentage of federally backed banks or financial firms they can own. Hedge funds currently own 6 percent of Citigroup, for example; if they dump their stock, the ripple effect could generate a need for more federal aid.
Without addressing these structural issues, shining a high-beam of transparency, and dramatically restraining the leverage and risk that these funds can take or enable, we are doomed to crash again.
You need to be logged in to comment.
(If there's one thing we know about comment trolls, it's that they're lazy) | <urn:uuid:379a92c5-e6e6-4d36-8aa3-54e4c3a21204> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://prospect.org/article/shadow-banking-0 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94692 | 1,851 | 2.15625 | 2 |
Since 1987, rates of mental disability have increased drastically—as has our culture’s reliance on medication to treat it. Is this increased prescription drug use a result of rising rates of depression, or is the correlation more subtle and more destructive than that? Are people more depressed because of rising rates of over-medication? Is the depression-medication cycle a snake eating its own tail?
Whitaker is the author of four books including Mad in America, about the mistreatment of the mentally ill; and as a reporter for the Boston Globe, he won a George Polk Award for medical writing, a National Association of Science Writers Award for best magazine article, and was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize. In the tradition of Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, and other investigative reporters who get taken seriously, Whitaker is scrupulous, fair, and describes complex phenomena in a way that is easy to understand.
Levine: So mental illness disability rates have doubled since 1987 and increased six-fold since 1955. And at the same time, psychiatric drug use greatly increased in the 1950s and 1960s, then skyrocketed after 1988 when Prozac hit the market, so now antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs alone gross more than $25 billion annually in the U.S. But as you know, correlation isn’t causation. What makes you feel that the increase in psychiatric drug use is a big part of the reason for the increase in mental illness?
Whitaker: The rise in the disability rate due to mental illness is simply the starting point for the book. The disability numbers don’t prove anything, but, given that this astonishing increase has occurred in lockstep with our society’s increased use of psychiatric medications, the numbers do raise an obvious question. Could our drug-based paradigm of care, for some unforeseen reason, be fueling the increase in disability rates? And in order to investigate that question, you need to look at two things. First, do psychiatric medications alter the long-term course of mental disorders for the better, or for the worse? Do they increase the likelihood that a person will be able to function well over the long-term, or do they increase the likelihood that a person will end up on disability? Second, is it possible that a person with a mild disorder may have a bad reaction to an initial drug, and that puts the person onto a path that can lead to long-term disability. For instance, a person with a mild bout of depression may have a manic reaction to an antidepressant, and then is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and put on a cocktail of medications. Does that happen with any frequency? Could that be an iatrogenic [physician-caused illness] pathway that is helping to fuel the increase in the disability rates? | <urn:uuid:879d5bd2-d72e-431c-ba33-9838aac2e784> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.chelseagreen.com/content/the-astonishing-rise-of-mental-illness-in-america/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00024-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949363 | 568 | 2.328125 | 2 |
School Business Partnerships Helping Southeast Michigan Kids
From small shops to auto giants like GM, businesses are getting more involved in education. Could these 'win-win' arrangements keep growing?
(page 1 of 2)
In some cases, it's a mom-and-pop. In others, it's giant corporations. But one thing's sure in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties: Businesses are partnering with local schools, helping expand curricula and augment student's education.
For them, it’s a chance to give back, get publicity and shape the upcoming workforce. For schools, it helps stretch funds and prepare students for requirements beyond the ABCs of education. Will such partnerships continue to expand?
Partnerships in action
One example happened in Oakland County every Sunday last fall. A group of middle schoolers from First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham gathered at Schakolad Chocolate Factory, also in Birmingham, for Sunday school.
Inspired by high-school students from the church who have spent the last three years at a local coffee shop for their religious lessons, these sixth through eighth graders walked across the street to a more comfortable setting to learn about God, faith and community in a pilot program to take learning outside of the classroom.
"An innovative setting encourages attendance," says the Rev. Amy Morgan, associate pastor and director of youth ministries at First Presbyterian in Birmingham. "The location was a draw. Also, if we are talking in public: the idea is that faith or religion is something that can be talked about publicly. Sometimes, youth feel like religion has become a taboo subject. How we act in the world and how we understand the world are inextricably intertwined.
"And so the appropriate place to have conversations about faith are out in the world, sharing a cup of hot chocolate, telling stories about our lives and trying to make meaning of it all."
Douglas Cale, owner of Schakolad in Birmingham, believes business owners should support community institutions.
"After all, it is only together that we create a whole community. You never know where a collaboration might take you. They are our next-door neighbors, and we want to be part of the 'hood. And for us, it was free marketing to the congregation."
Cale partners with schools in other ways, too: donating products to fundraisers and spotlighting the local school district as a nonprofit partner of the month, giving the school exposure and a fundraising opportunity in the store.
Across the country, schools big and small are partnering with neighborhood businesses and big conglomerates – benefiting students, teachers and communities – according to Education World, a San Diego-based website designed to be "a home for educators on the Internet."
According to a recent Education World article, "Any school leader who is not taking advantage of potential business partnerships in and surrounding their community is missing a tremendous opportunity – an opportunity most businesses are eager to pursue."
Schools have long turned to local businesses for special programs, assemblies or guest speakers – but with increased funding cuts for education, they are now finding that local businesses can provide programs to supplement and enrich their curricula, too.
What's more, the collaboration brings a win-win outcome for both entities: Students are exposed to an increasing array of perspectives and insights into the outside world, and businesses gain exposure to a new audience of potential customers and contribute to the education of the next generation of employees.
Local and global focus
Recently, Garden Fresh Gourmet, the Ferndale-based food company known for its award-winning salsa, was invited to Norup International School in Oak Park, part of the Berkley School District, to present to the second grade as part of its community curriculum. Garden Fresh was an example of a community producer.
"What I heard from (my daughter) Sophia is 'they worked hard, they started with an idea, and we got free chips and salsa,'" says Lisa Hawley, a Norup parent and chair of the counseling department in the Oakland University School of Education and Human Services. "You want educational institutions not isolated from their communities – and vice versa."
Norup's principal, Paul Yowchuang, was pleased with the Garden Fresh involvement. | <urn:uuid:080e6f0a-490c-4c13-9415-3ed8ecd2d707> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.metroparent.com/Metro-Parent/February-2013/School-Business-Partnerships-Helping-Southeast-Michigan-Kids/index.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00054-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96272 | 871 | 2.03125 | 2 |
'Cycling fatalities preventable': Ontario coroner 0
Cycling may be a healthy, environmentally friendly, low-cost way of getting around and exercising, but a new review states it's also deadly.
The Ontario chief coroner, Andrew McCallum, released his review of 129 cyclist deaths from 2006 to 2010. He found all the deaths could have been prevented.
As part of the review, McCallum and the review team made 14 recommendations to make cycling safer, and to reduce the number of preventable deaths.
The recommendations state public awareness as being a contributing factor to cycling accidents: "A comprehensive public education program should be developed to promote safer sharing of the road by all users."
The Environment Network in Collingwood has been promoting safe cycling with a "Share the Road" program, designed to make all road users aware there are other types of vehicles on the road.
"There's a lot of confusion about rules of the road," said Environment Network executive director Michele Rich. "Cyclists can stay safe by obeying the rules of the road and riding defensively, as though they were good drivers."
Some common mistakes Rich sees cyclists doing are riding against traffic and cycling on the sidewalks.
"A lot of accidents happen at intersections when a cyclist shoots out of the sidewalk and the driver isn't expecting them to be there," said Rich.
In addition to public awareness, McCallum recommends changing infrastructure to increase safety for all users. He suggests new communities and redevelopment should consider cycling networks - including connected cycling lanes, separated bike lanes, or bike paths - and designating safety zones in residential areas with reduced maximum speeds and increased fines.
Though Collingwood has an intricate bike path system, Rich says more can be done in downtown to increase safety.
"A huge danger is angled parking like we have in downtown," said Rich. "When angled parking was designed our vehicles were much different."
Sue Underhill, organizer of Bike to Work Week, agrees.
"Cycling in the downtown is a bit scary. You're going behind the angled parking," she said. "That's a bit of a barrier for biking to work."
Underhill is collecting feedback from the cyclists who participated in Bike to Work on areas where Collingwood can improve.
"I'm hoping every new road has a bike lane," said Underhill. "That's the way the town itself can promote and encourage safe cycling."
The coroner recommends the Ministry of Transportation make side guards mandatory on all trucks to prevent cyclists from being caught under the wheel. He also suggests a one-metre, three-foot passing rule for all vehicles.
Underhill has had some scary situations with large trucks and tractor-trailers passing her while she bikes in from Creemore.
"Long trucks don't always know when they're cutting back," she said. "They go around you, they're trying to safe, but they cut back in too soon."
The most controversial recommendations made by McCallum is the mandatory use of helmets for all ages. He stated only 35 cyclists of the 129 reviewed were wearing a helmet. Currently cyclists age 18 and younger must wear a helmet, yet only 44% of cyclists under 18 in the review were wearing one.
Rich says helmets should be a choice once a cyclist is of an age to make an educated decision. She and her family choose to wear one.
"You're playing with too much chance to go without a helmet," she says. "There's too much potential for injuries."
Underhill rides both in the country and in-town. She says the argument of ruining your hair is a small price to pay for a potential head injury.
"You can get hit anywhere." | <urn:uuid:6d3b2408-30d3-4217-88fa-3ed9ff1a008d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.theenterprisebulletin.com/2012/06/20/cycling-fatalities-preventable-ontario-coroner | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977561 | 762 | 2.328125 | 2 |
A fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever.
Always known this as the bladder cherry, because it looks like a bladder and is actually used for treating certain urine problems and treating kidney and bladder stones. And “physalis” means “bladder” in greek.
Life within death.
Physalis alkekengi, or the Chinese/Japanese Lantern, blooms during Winter and dries during Spring. Once it is dried, the bright red fruit is seen. The outer cover is a thin mesh that held the flower petals, seen in golden brown colour.
How is this real? | <urn:uuid:77625762-f6dc-4ca6-8510-d5300a90ff39> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://golden-fevers.tumblr.com/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00076-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.922112 | 137 | 2.15625 | 2 |