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Stationery, in some form or fashion, can be found stashed away in a preppy’s desk at any given moment. It’s an essential habit. Penning proper correspondence, whether it be thank you notes, a memo, or a handwritten letter to a long time pal is practically a second language by adolescence. Even thought it seems like we slap our monograms on everything, we don’t. Traditionally, there are only certain items that should be monogrammed—stationery being one of them. Andy Warhol’s (an aforementioned personal style icon) undated stationery gives typography center stage in soothing tones of blue and green. It also communicated quite effectively who he was as an individual before he would ever scrawl his first word.
Image via Letterheady | <urn:uuid:0f1fbf57-818c-4c3f-a5b4-2f9c4a2055f7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.unabashedlyprep.com/site/topic/2012/01/P15/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941856 | 166 | 1.539063 | 2 |
Dollar Bumbles to All-Time Low Vs. Euro
The euro roared to another record high Tuesday, crossing $1.60 in late afternoon trading in Europe after a pair of ECB governors said high inflation may cause the bank to raise interest rates.
The euro rose as high as $1.6018, more than a penny above the $1.5916 it bought in New York late Monday.
The euro has risen 20 cents against the dollar in just five months and 10 cents in just two months.
The 15-nation currency hit its last record of $1.5982 last Thursday.
It dropped back on Friday after a Wall Street rally generated optimism that the worst of the U.S. credit crunch may be over, but rose again on Monday when Bank of America's first-quarter earnings fell short of expectations.
The dollar's slump is a boon for U.S. companies that rely heavily on exports, but it's the bane of travelers as worldwide inflation rises, air fares climb and prices rise in dollar terms for everything from beer in Munich to fine wine in Paris to gondola rides in Venice.
Tuesday's remarks by Yves Mersch in the Financial Times Deutschland and comments made by Christian Noyer to France's RTL radio showed the governing council of the ECB is committed get euro zone inflation back around 2 percent, below the current 3.6 percent it is at now.
It effectively threw water on any hopes of a rate cut by the bank, which has kept its benchmark rate unchanged at 4 percent since June even as the U.S. Federal Reserve, Bank of England and Bank of Canada have consistently lowered their own rates.
On Tuesday, the Bank of Canada slashed its interest rate by half a percentage point to 3 percent.
It also hinted another cut may be coming as it feels the effects of a slumping economy at its largest trading partner.
The dollar has been weighed down by a combination of gloomy U.S. economic data and high European inflation—fueling expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates yet again, while the European Central Bank will leave rates unchanged.
Lower interest rates can weigh on a nation's currency as traders transfer funds to countries where they can earn better returns, while higher rates are used to curb inflation.
The British pound had been hit by a cautious reception for Monday's announcement by the Bank of England of a 50 billion-pound ($100 billion) plan to allow banks to swap mortgage-backed securities for Treasury bills but it reversed its declines on Tuesday, rising to $1.9994 from $1.9798.
The dollar was down against the Japanese currency , dropping to 102.70 yen from 104.17 yen.
The high euro is bound to cause more pain for European manufacturers who export cars, food, wine and other products to the United States because it means prices for their goods are more expensive.
Airbus, a unit of European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company announced a general price increase for its aircraft of an additional $2 million per single-aisle aircraft and $4 million per wide-body long range and A380 family aircraft as of May 1, citing the high euro and the cost for raw materials.
In Germany, automaker BMW has said it will start producing more cars in South Carolina in a bid to take advantage of the cheaper dollar.
Volkswagen has said it is likely to build a new production plant in the United States, too. | <urn:uuid:c3048a28-1d95-4fff-b93d-0d4a6cd3d3de> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cnbc.com/id/24247201 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95814 | 712 | 1.554688 | 2 |
Why These Poems?
Contains a degree of Christian content.
Adrian Rodgers (1931-2005)
"Where softer words and gentle ways are not heeded, louder words and firmer ways are often needed."
Professor Andrew Sims, former President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
These poems, LIGHT-HEARTED, SECULAR-GENERIC, and CHRISTIAN, came as quite a surprise to me, having never done poetry before. It wasn't until about 2002, when I was around the age of 52, that they began.
One day I was feeling particularly upset over the things that I had been witnessing and hearing of within the Christian community. You see, in recent years I had become more committed to my Christian walk, and as a consequence, had been applying myself to serious indepth biblical study, (upon which my Christian poetry is largely built), and as another consequence, had become more aware of what Christians, (which meant me too), should be upholding and practicing, but were not, thus bringing Christianity into disrepute, and representing God badly — many folk ignorantly so, though not necessarily excusably so — for after all, Christians are supposed to be God’s ambassadors, aware of His will and walking in His ways.
As a result of having become more committed to my Christian walk, I
had begun to see more clearly the tragic changes that have also been
occurring within society.
In other words, and in a nutshell, my poetry-cum-website has been driven by an informed and urgent desire to:
1) Awaken Christendom to how far it has strayed from the apostolic teachings-cum-blueprint-cum-path for Christianity; to the woes and perils that have engulfed Christianity as a result; and to the faulty witness that it’s now presenting to the world.
2) Awaken society to how far it has strayed from that which once held it together, and to the harm that has resulted and is continuing.
Added to all the above, was the pain that I had experienced over the years, and
was still experiencing, which I believe was primarily caused by: 1) my
own foolishness, emotional struggles and general health; 2) a greater
appreciation of the wrong that I myself had inflicted
on others throughout my life, and; 3) the insensitivity, indifference, unkindness and
prejudice that I had personally experienced from others, (many of them Christians, sadly), and that I was still experiencing.
In other words, and in a nutshell, my poetry-cum-website has also been driven by an urgent desire to:
1) Spare others from the same mistakes that I have made.
2) To help folk see how they may be hurting others and harming themselves.
3) To awaken folk to any forces that are currently working against their best interests.
4) To encourage a greater respect for life, the environment and its creatures.
Now getting back to where I came in — and with all this going on inside me, I, for some unknown reason, took a
pen, sat down, and tried putting something together in poetical form,
starting with a Christian poem.
Let me reiterate and elaborate on
my comment, “For some unknown reason” --
Prior to this occurrence, I had no interest in poetry whatsoever, and to the best of my knowledge had never done or learnt to do poetry, and even today after having penned in excess of 1000 poems, still have no real interest in poetry, no desire to read poetry. Yes, I have immersed myself in such now, and have formed a deeper appreciation of this art, but it has simply become an accidental vehicle, one that I can only attribute to a divine source (confirmed more so over time) that has taken me down this track knowing that I would be prepared to oblige given the strong feelings I had (and have) about certain things, and my unconcern about being popular.
To continue. My first attempts resulted in a number of poorly constructed
poems, often with ill chosen words and poorly rendered verses
which reflected my lack of poetical and even grammatical skill, and my lack
of Christian growth. As time went by, my skill in the realm of poetry
improved, but not before a number of my earlier attempts had
circulated. The poems represented here, are the ones I would rather be
judged by, as it were. Most of them are new poems, but a few are
earlier ones that I have gone back over and improved as best I could —
ones that I considered savable and worthwhile saving. However, poetry is
simply the vehicle being used here, and therefore is not my primary
Regarding my "first attempts", (particularly the first 40 poems, say, since discarded), I guess there's always a learning period, not that it ended there.
I would like to point out that certain things expressed in these poems are not necessarily my experience, but what I have seen experienced in the lives of others — a good example of that is my poem, "This Man Who’s In Your Life" (secular). This particular poem came about as a result of a conversation that I had had with a friend who felt it was needed given that I had previously penned a poem on the plight of women, entitled, "This Woman Who’s In Your Life" (secular).
The point of writing these poems is to express my own beliefs, viewpoints, concerns, and thoughts, and that should always be borne in mind when reading them. They are a reflection of my ongoing journey. The poem "How Could I Act Otherwise?" (Christian) expresses where I stand personally as a Christian, and the poem "Take My Selfish Heart" (Christian) expresses my desire. I do not consider myself as being better or wiser than anyone else and am very aware that I still have a long way to go and am happy to receive all the help I can get. It’s just simply that a fountain of poetry has been springing forth from within me, as appears here, which I have often had folk, (both Christian and non–Christian), tell me I should publish. It is my hope that this poetical collage will stimulate thought, benefit others, and bring glory to my God, who I believe has used me (an unworthy vessel) to express what’s in these poems, and to whom I give any credit.
I hope that your response to these poems will take into account the fact that God is still working on me, He hasn’t finished yet, so I may not have put things together as well as He might have liked. If so, I ask your forgiveness, and His forgiveness.
I believe that we should consider very carefully, thoughtfully, and thus fairly what another person is saying. Though we may ultimately disagree with what they are saying, and still hold to our own views or beliefs, this should not preclude us from keeping an open mind. Many have found with time that what they thought was right, was actually wrong, or that what they thought was wrong, was actually right. May I suggest to you that it is not differing views or beliefs that cause the problem, nor the expressing of them, but those bad responses or attitudes that many display towards another who expresses, (or practices), different views or beliefs to them.
Some of the poems included are just general poetry. More poems might
be added to this site, and existing poems may be upgraded at any time.
Comments, (or various
diagrams), may also appear at the bottom of some poems, but such
comments will not be particularly in-depth, as
my primary focus is my poetry. For more in-depth comments, one can
visit the likes of my Bits 'n' Bobs page, (secular), or my A
Biblical Potpourri page, (Christian), both a much later creation of mine, and
where some subjects covered by my poetry are elaborated on now.
My website was designed and produced at no cost to me, for which I am very grateful.
If I have overlooked giving someone credit regarding comments on my
site, I am happy to be contacted so that I can rectify the situation.
Please feel free to download and distribute my poems.
NB: Though I am happy for anyone to download and use my poems, (including publishing them in bulletins, magazines, etc), it doesn't necessarily mean that I endorse the way in which they're used, where they're used, or those who're using them, (including those who may promote my site). Please bear in mind that all my poems are copyrighted and therefore must not be altered and must bear my name. If you wish more details, just click the button at the bottom-left corner of the page to read the relevant Creative Commons License.
My usage of any quotes is not an automatic endorsement of those who first spoke or wrote them.
This website is a personal website, and is not affiliated with any group, movement, or organization. However, folk may wish to link to this site, which they're free to do.
I am happy to hear from you, so please feel free to contact me using the feedback form on the Contact page.
Regarding biblical texts that appear on most
poems: Where not indicated otherwise, the Scripture quotations
contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright, 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National
Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All
Other versions used include the RSV, NIV, KJV, NKJV, ESV and NASB.
My Prayer For You
May the God whom all glory is due, fill your heart with His tender love,
And may the Spirit work within you, with empowering from above,
May God also place charity, grace and compassion within your heart,
And not just inner joy too, but peace, contentment; and courage impart.
May the loving God above, with His wisdom and truth encompass you,
And may He guide your every step, thus showing you what to say and do,
May His presence fill your every day, and expressions of His great love,
And may He constantly send angels with protection from up above.
May the God whom those angels praise, restrain any who would do you ill,
And may He also take into account all your desires with His will,
May strength for every trial, (when such strength is required), be granted to you,
And wherever His moulding is needed, may His gentleness show through.
May the gracious God above, give a greater understanding to you,
And may He send you encouragement, and friends that are caring and true,
May all suffering that's encountered be softened, and comfort given,
And any powers of darkness from your home and your life be driven.
To God the Father, this I thus pen, in Jesus' Holy name, Amen.
By Lance Landall
Don't Believe in God? Not interested in Christianity?
Have you considered the following?
Could not believing in God be one of the reasons for the many rapes, murders, assaults, abuses, etc, that our world is so full of today — in other words, no God, no accountability? Let me clarify that a little more. If one doesn’t believe in God, then one most likely doesn’t believe in a day of reckoning. And I guess one might order their life on that basis. What I mean is, why would someone necessarily concern themselves with what they might do, if at the end of their life, there was no punishment for the unrepentant wrongdoer, and no paradise for those who choose to live rightly and lovingly. If one wasn’t caught by the authorities, what they could get away with would only be limited by the degree of their creativeness. After all, if life didn’t exist beyond the grave for us, if there wasn’t a bigger picture, what on earth would be the point or purpose in morality, human rights, etc, one could ask.
Even worse would be happening today if it weren’t for the fact that some are simply motivated to do the correct thing because they don’t want to take a chance on risking prison, punishment of some other kind, or some sort of self inflicted repercussion. The motives of others for refraining from lawlessness, might, for example, simply be upbringing, social pressure, or simply a lack of opportunity. So where would a sincere distaste of evil, a true genuine sense of right and wrong, and a truly unselfish desire to do good come from. It’s certainly not something you can legislate or force, though there are some who might like to try. How does love for our fellowman get into one's heart to start with? Where does one's conscience come from?
Doesn’t having a hope beyond the grave, a belief in a God, and a day of reckoning, help to hold society in check? Otherwise, what’s the alternative? Survival of the fittest, dog eat dog, the law of the jungle? Sounds evolutionary doesn’t it? Incidentally, Darwin didn’t think his evolutionary theory – yes it is only a theory – would take off like it did.
When one looks at the miracle of new birth, the wonder of the animal kingdom, and the beauty and complexity of nature itself, not to mention the human body, its hard not to believe in an incredible, intelligent, powerful, Divine source. Likewise, love, mercy, compassion, kindness, tender human expressions, etc, must emanate from somewhere, and that somewhere could surely only fit with a Someone, that is, an amazing, loving, and caring God. On the other hand, any opposition to a God like that, and His Word, would surely have to come from a negative source, one that would really only fit with a devil, hence why the devil mentioned in the Christian Bible [God’s Word] neatly fits that picture. Only that sort of scenario makes some sense out of it all. A beautiful newly made creation [planet earth], humans given free choice and control of their habitation, rebellion, planet earth and mankind corrupted, death and decay, a perpetrator behind it all [Satan – a malcontent angel], and a concerned savior [the creator God, king of all the worlds] watching and awaiting the eventual climax of the perpetrators plan. A great universal controversy between good and evil. Wouldn’t allowing such a thing, instead of instantly snuffing it out, help humanity to clearly see forever more the result of rejecting what was right and best in the first place, therefore preventing another disaster, and showing how merciful and longsuffering this God is? That He is not a dictator. After all, a God who creates beings with freedom of choice instead of making them robots, (after all, voluntary love is the only love worth having), would hardly in a renewed environment [a renewed earth], change them into robots the second time around. That would be the ultimate contradiction!
Today we seemingly live in a never ending world of change and instability. Surely what we need today is something that never changes, something that gives us reassurance. With all the theories doing the rounds today, a master blueprint to refer back to is surely needed more than ever. The Bible? Could it be that Christians have been forsaking what they once upheld? The Bible not for you? Once again, what’s the alternative? Communism, fascism, mysticism, New Age [actually old age wrapped in new clothing]? Mankind has never been able to find an answer within itself. It just chases its tail. One only has to look at history. Mankind is like a ship in a bottle — clearly only something from outside can save it. Look at where mankind is now. To think that we can cure this mess we’re in is to act like the proverbial ostrich with its head in the sand.
Our seas are polluted beyond redemption, our land masses likewise. The ecological system is in tatters, the very air we breathe contaminated, even food we eat. Calamities are increasing rapidly, (funny how the Bible predicts all that), lawlessness is rampant, and the list goes on. Its like everything is going wrong. It’s clear that it's all going to end somewhere, sometime. Where would you like it to end? Wouldn’t a new and better life beyond this present one be the answer? Hope for the future? Life beyond the grave?
Personally, my hope and trust is in God and His Word. Each day His Word is validated by what we see happening around us, along with the disturbing world events. All predicted and all on track.
Tell me, what are you putting your trust and hope in, or aren’t you? It’s food for thought, isn’t it? | <urn:uuid:3ec3e9ce-1f6f-47a1-8cba-c4215b3d77b9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.poetrywithamission.co.nz/purpose.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966205 | 3,558 | 1.84375 | 2 |
Avi Sharon: Recipient of the 2009 Harold Morton Landon Translation Award, which recognizes an outstanding published translation of poetry from any language into English.
We turn again and again to literary classics, both ancient and modern, because they continue to speak to us in new ways. The Bleak House first presented in monthly installments from 1852 to 1853 is, word for word, the same Bleak House we might read in 2009, but we read it differently. We receive it differently. Our world has changed. Our sensibilities have changed, if not our actual human condition.
If this need for returning, of rereading, is true for great works in our own language, it is even truer for works in translation and truer still for works of poetry, especially if the translator is trying to transport the poetry of the original into poetry in English. That is what Avi Sharon has accomplished in his marvelous new translation of Constantine Cavafy's poetry Selected Poems (2008), published by Penguin Books.
Translating poetry into poetry is a formidable task—some would say impossible. Even W. H. Auden remarked in his introduction to an earlier translation of Cavafy that "when, as in pure lyric, a poet 'sings' rather than 'speaks,' he is rarely, if ever, translatable." Nonetheless, great poetry always seems to beckon from its other country. And translators answer for us and make the journey. And somehow, tagging along, we always seem to reach that other country through some dedicated translator's efforts. How small and provincial our world would be otherwise. Despite the impossibility of the journey, translation stamps our passports.
But what a labor to get us there. Stanley Kunitz, collaborating with the Russian linguist Max Hayward, writes in his preface to their Poems of Anna Akhmatova: "The poet as translator lives with a paradox. His work must not read like a translation; conversely, it is not an exercise of the free imagination. One voice enjoins him: 'Respect the text!' The other simultaneously pleads with him: 'Make it new!' He resembles the citizen in Kafka's aphorism who is fettered to two chains, one attached to the earth, the other to heaven. If he heads for earth, his heavenly chain throttles him; if he heads for heaven, his earthly chain pulls him back. And yet, as Kafka says, 'all the possibilities are his, and he feels it; more, he actually refuses to account for the deadlock by an error in the original fettering.'"
Sharon holds a Ph.D. in Classics from Boston University, and has translated George Seferis and Odysseas Elytis, as well as Plato's Symposium. The ideal translator must have more than a touch of the poet as well as a solid grounding in the complexities of the original, including the particular habits of its author and the work's unique place in its own literary continuum. This is particularly so in the case of Cavafy, whose Greek, as Sharon writes in his fine introduction, "was a unique and austere alloy of legal diction, inscription on tombs, echoes from the Greek (or Palatine) Anthology and the Septuagint, all inflected by an urbane use of the vernacular or demotic Greek. ... In addition ... some of the earlier poems are rhymed and many of them have rather complex structures." Sharon's considerable gifts as a classicist are one asset; his ear for poetry still another. Both talents merge in his new translation to offer a Cavafy that is accessible, in an almost conversational way, without losing its rhythmic current and/or its exquisite historical associations.
Although he lived half his life in the nineteenth century, Cavafy (1863–1933) reads like a contemporary. Indeed, he thought of himself as our contemporary. In his essay on himself, "Sur le poète," he says: "Cavafy, in my opinion, is an ultra-modern poet, a writer destined for future generations," noting that the "historical, psychological and philosophical qualities of his verse" are "all elements that will hold greater appeal for future readers."
Except for three years in Liverpool as a boy, and another three in Constantinople in his early twenties, Cavafy's entire life was in Alexandria, Egypt, his birthplace, where he lived in isolation, working for 37 years as a provisional clerk in the Ministry of Public Works. By 1886, Cavafy was publishing his poetry in literary magazines in Alexandria. His free verse appeared about the same time that Ezra Pound and T. E. Hulme et al. were beginning their famous revolution in poetics and proposing free verse for English. Cavafy's poems seem aware of Western modernist advances—he read and wrote both in English and French—even if Pound & Co. were unaware of him, living and writing in virtual obscurity in Alexandria, the former imperial capital and center of ancient civilization now become a post-British, post-Ottoman provincial backwater. In his 1918 Decline of the West, Oswald Spengler saw Alexandria as emblematic of a "world-city, the centre in which the course of a world-history ends by winding itself up ... the first example [being] Alexandria, which reduced old Greece at one stroke to the provincial level."
Immured in the city he loved, Cavafy began his "ultra-modern" poetry by immersing himself in the past, in Plutarch's Parallel Lives of Greek and Roman figures, in Horace, in the Hellenistic (300–200 B.C.) translations of Jewish scriptures, in Byzantine history, in Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, in Homer, in the Greek Anthology (Anthologia Graeca), in Polybius, in Suetonius's Twelve Caesars, in Anna Comnena's Alexiad, in Philostratus, in Apollonius's Argonautica, in Apollodorus's History of the Gods, in Ovid's Metamorphoses—works that offered living presences to Cavafy. In his poetry, we hear their voices:
Ideal voices, the beloved voices
of those who have died or of those who are
lost to us as if they were dead.
In Cavafy's poetry, those who have long died—major, minor, and invented figures from the classical world and its eastern margins—are alive and familiar, while those recently encountered—the handsome boys of the streets and taverns—are beloved ghosts lost to Cavafy "as if they were dead." It is a poetry of the end of empire, the diminishing echoes of the classical empire created by Alexander and, after his death, by his generals as they marked off for themselves Egypt, the eastern Mediterranean, and eastern realms into Persia—a poetry, you might say, instructive for our times.
In hearing these voices from the past, I am reminded of the crystal radio I had as a child: it consisted of a nugget of quartz and some earphones attached to a little knob at the end of a tiny metal bar, which in turn was connected to a thin, delicate wire called a cat's whisker. One's fingers brushed this whisker against the crystal's rough surface, causing voices, trapped in the stone's lattices, magically to speak. Alexandria is Cavafy's crystal. As he applies the cat's whisker of his lyric intellect, we hear a past that seems so much like the present. The voices are familiar and yet strange. We are struck by the ironies of their lives—the voice of a minor rhetorician ordering the decapitation of Pompey, the Roman triumvir, or the voice of Cratisiclea, the mother of a Spartan king who shows more courage than her son, or the voice of Caesarion, child of Caesar and Cleopatra, abandoned to the mercies of Octavian, his adoptive brother.
Alexandria is Cavafy's beloved city of both the present and the past where, as Spengler says, "all becoming moves towards a having-become," and "we feel a trickling away, the past implies a passing." Nevertheless, in Avi Sharon's marvelous translations, Cavafy's Alexandrian past is alive in the poetry, restored and restoring. | <urn:uuid:8cfe5db5-a575-4f05-87ee-c401da605ba9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/21585 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968316 | 1,743 | 2.359375 | 2 |
Who We Are
The John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics is dedicated to using the very latest in cutting-edge technologies to identify genes involved in human diseases for the diagnosis, intervention and prevention of illness. Our work ranges broadly across many scientific disciplines and involves close collaboration with the global community of scientists and medical professionals, as well as the community at large.
Our scientists are among the first generation of researchers realizing the potential of the Human Genome Project, the working genetic “map” of human DNA that was completed in 2003. They are leaders in the application of clinical, molecular, and mathematical techniques to identify genes leading to human disease. | <urn:uuid:1aa65207-248c-4a4f-acda-864c7e518727> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://hihg.med.miami.edu/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952691 | 133 | 2.21875 | 2 |
Head of European Parliament recommends Turkish Minister to face history
President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz met with the Turkish Minister for the EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis. The official discussed the role of Turkey in Syria, the visa regime and the prospective for Turkish membership in EU. Bagis and Schulz also commented the Armenian Genocide and the new bill adopted by the French senate.
Egemen Bagis refused to answer a question about the investigation launched by Switzerland for his remarks denying the Armenian Genocide. During the press conference in the European Parliament Bagis said: "Switzerland is not member of the EU and I will not spend one second to talk about non EU issue”.
Martin Schulz underlined the clear position of the European Parliament, which in a resolution in 2005 called on "Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide and considers this recognition to be a prerequisite for accession to the European Union.”
"As German I know also the history of my own country and the role the imperial army of Germany played in previous time. Nevertheless, my recommendation to the Turkish authorities is today the same as it was in previous times. You should face your own history and you should allow independent inquiries about your history. (...) | <urn:uuid:4c49b51c-5f89-4e1b-8621-784b969dd0b3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://europenews.dk/en/node/58512 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951709 | 252 | 1.671875 | 2 |
Open science: trends in the development of science learning.
Open Learning: The Journal of Open and Distance Learning, 26(2),
(Click here to request a copy from the OU Author.
This article comments on some trends in the evolution of science teaching at a distance using the UK Open University (UKOU) experience as a benchmark. Even from the first years of the University there was an understanding of the potential role for media in developing methods for teaching science at a distance, in particular the potential for media to help meet the challenges of incorporating practical work in distance learning courses. The paper discusses the different approaches taken to this and concludes by reviewing some current work on the approach to technology enhanced practical work, the use of mobile technology to support informal and situated science education and the potential of Web 2.0 technologies to alter science education.
Actions (login may be required) | <urn:uuid:f5ed8ff0-0d78-4a53-baec-bff92aaf891e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://oro.open.ac.uk/25102/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.904592 | 178 | 2.375 | 2 |
Incident Response Team
Helping you protect your systems, smartphones and tablets
The BlackBerry Security Incident Response Team (SIRT) works to make BlackBerry® one of the most secure mobile platforms available. The BlackBerry SIRT builds collaborative relationships across the industry, monitors the security threat landscape and responds rapidly to emerging incidents to provide customers with the guidance and tools they need to protect their systems and devices.
How safe is your smartphone's app store?
Adrian Stone, Director of Security Response, describes how our collaboration with Trend Micro will help protect customers from malware and privacy concerns associated with third-party apps in the following blog.
BlackBerry SIRT introduces two, new customer notifications to help address privacy and malware concerns
As you may know, BlackBerry releases security notices to inform customers about software vulnerabilities that were identified, which we're either working to address or don't believe the potential risk warrants a security update. These notices typically provide mitigations, workarounds and authoritative guidance to reduce any potential risk for BlackBerry customers.
Given the possible privacy implications and security risks associated with mobile applications, the BlackBerry Security Incident Response Team is establishing two, new types of notices to help protect and inform customers: the privacy notice and the malware security notice.
Privacy notices are for applications that do not appear to have malicious objectives or aim to mislead customers, but rather don't clearly or adequately inform users about how the app is accessing and possibly managing customers' data. These notices provide information about an application's behaviour in order for customers to make an informed decision about whether to continue using the app. In addition, privacy notices will provide information on how to remove the application, if a customer determines that's the best course of action for them.
Unlike privacy notices, malware security notices are released to inform customers about software that is developed with malicious intent, and it provides details about the malware's activities, potential mitigations and guidance on how to remove it from their device.
These new types of notices provide another layer of protection for our customers and offer additional transparency into the steps we're taking to continue to bolster security and privacy in an evolving threat landscape.
Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
All reports of vulnerabilities in BlackBerry products or services are investigated by the BlackBerry SIRT. For currently supported and non-beta products, the BlackBerry SIRT will follow BlackBerry triage and remediation processes and take appropriate action to help protect customers. For confirmed vulnerabilities in publicly released, in-support products, this will normally result in the publication of a security advisory, along with a corresponding software update to address the issue.
When vulnerabilities are reported to BlackBerry, industry standard best practices around coordinated vulnerability disclosure are followed and individuals and/or companies who worked with the company on security advisories are acknowledged. BlackBerry also acknowledges individuals and/or companies who report non-advisory class issues for their work to help protect BlackBerry customers.
Latest security advisories and notices
Reporting a security issue
You may be experiencing a problem that appears to be security-related but isn’t due to malware or a vulnerability in BlackBerry products. If you’re experiencing one of these problems, review the solutions to common problems below. If you find the answer here, you don’t need to submit a security issue. | <urn:uuid:988f51ea-e04f-4b61-95c3-04549b2d03fa> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ca.blackberry.com/business/topics/security/incident-response-team.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.909766 | 660 | 1.945313 | 2 |
The prospects for getting a global agreement on limiting greenhouse gases may be grim, but the world is shifting toward consuming more renewable energy in any case. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, last year investors poured $187 billion into electricity from renewable sources (wind, sun, biomass, etc.), versus $157 billion for fossil fuels, marking the first time ever that clean energy investment has surpassed dirty power.
"The progress of renewables has been nothing short of remarkable," United Nations Environment Program Executive Secretary Achim Steiner said in an interview. "You have record investment in the midst of an economic and financial crisis."
Of course, a good chunk of this investment comes courtesy of aggressive government action. Nearly $66 billion in subsidies poured into the renewable energy sector this year.
Signals indicate the boom is likely to continue.
In Europe, the next decade will see huge renewable energy growth, according to a recent European Environment Agency report:
Offshore wind energy capacity in Europe is projected to increase 17-fold between 2010 and 2020, while newer renewable technologies such as concentrated solar power and wave/tidal power will also increase more than 11-fold according to projections. European countries are also expected to significantly boost solar photovoltaic power, onshore wind and other renewable technologies over the next decade.
So the future looks bright. Let's all cross our fingers and hope that the faltering euro doesn't change the view.
Photo: Blades for Vestas Wind Systems A/S wind turbines are stored at the company's factory in Tianjin, China. (Nelson Ching/Bloomberg) | <urn:uuid:f04f6c97-9e81-47bf-b1e2-04394a312f80> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.shft.com/reading/renewable-energy-investment-surpasses-fossil-fuels | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00021-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.91999 | 323 | 2.96875 | 3 |
If you have been sending your demo out to record labels and nothing seems to be happening - or even if you haven't - the idea of releasing your own album can be appealing. Self releasing an album can work, but don't underestimate the amount of hard graft involved. Whether self releasing is the right choice for you depends on a few factors:
- Cost - Having an album pressed is not cheap, and without the backing of a label, you have to carry that cost yourself. Labels often get better rates with manufacturers because they can order in larger volume or because they have a distribution deal in which their distributor pays for pressing. Further, without any track record behind you, a manufacturer may not extend credit to you, meaning you have to shell out up front, before you make any money on your record.
- Distribution - Self releasing an album and selling it online is fine, but if you want your record in the shops, you are going to need some kind of distribution deal. Some distributors will take on your album and simply funnel it into shops if they happen to order it, but a good distributor takes your music and ACTIVELY sells it to the music stores. Getting one these distributors is pretty hard with your first album, so you may find that your sales avenues are fairly limited as you get started.
- Promotion - An established label, even a small one, will have relationships with press/radio that they can cash in on to generate some press buzz for their releases. Most labels will also hire PR companies, which may be too pricey for you to do on your own (again, this can be a question of volume - if a label runs a lot of business through a particular PR company, they can get a better price).
Last but not least, you have to consider the nuts and bolts of the operation. Do you know how to release a record? Do you have time to dedicate to the project to make it worthwhile? Do you have the commitment to follow through with your ideas? Saying "yes" to all of these questions is crucial if you want to be successful at self releasing a record.
That's the reality check part of the answer - now here's the good news. You CAN self releases your record - and it can be a great thing for your music career. It comes down to setting realistic goals. If this is your first releases and you don't have any press coverage, start small. Sell your albums at your shows, try to get local independent record stores to take it on a consignment basis and try to drum up some press coverage. Don't forget to use your website to sell your album to your fans as well. When you have some sales under your belt and some press to show off, start looking for a distributor who can take your album out to a wider audience. Every success and every bit of progress, no matter how small, is a building block for your next step.
One caveat - if getting signed to a label is a major goal of yours, be aware that when you self release an album, a label may hesitate to release that album in the future. The reason is that if you have already gotten the press and the attention for those songs, they will be unable to re-promote them. If you want to get signed, and you want to self release an album in the meantime, consider either holding back some of your songs or continuing to write and record new ones while you are working your release. This way, a label has something brand new to work with.
The bottom line is that self releasing your album is unlikely to bring you international stardom. If you have the dedication, means and patience to treat it like a step towards something bigger, however, it can pay off for you down the line. | <urn:uuid:847a1ffa-9aaf-4595-adbc-c5bdd21b0660> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://musicians.about.com/od/musiciansfaq/f/selfreleasefaq.htm | 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 | 0.964059 | 766 | 1.5 | 2 |
By Lucy Jordan, Contributing Reporter
BRASÍLIA, BRAZIL – Wary of dependence on the dollar, Brazil and China on Thursday agreed to a R$60 billion currency swap, shoring up their economies and increasing liquidity in the wake of continued instability in Europe and the United States.
“It is a measure that reinforces the economies of both countries,” Brazil’s Minister of Finance Guido Mantega said in a statement. “It is as if we had a reserve of additional resources for times when the international economy is stressed.”
Under the initiative China will be able to access up to R$60 billion from the Brazilian Central Bank for bilateral trade, or to bolster reserves as needed. Brazil will have equal access to 190 billion yuan from China.
The initiative was discussed by BRICS nations at last week’s G-20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico. It is designed to strengthen ties between the group, which has been lobbying for greater influence at the international table, and to enable them to better withstand the global economic crisis.
The five countries also discussed creating a pool of reserves to dip into in times of need. Together, the BRICS countries have the largest volume of reserves in the world, at US$4.5 trillion.
Antony Mueller, a professor of economics at the Federal University of Sergipe, said that BRICS were keen to find a way to reduce their reliance on the dollar. “Emerging economies, and the BRICS in particular, seek for a way to lessen their dependence on the dollar for international trade,” he said in an email Friday. “Both the real and the yuan do not (yet) qualify as international currencies. Therefore, these countries … establish bilateral currency arrangements.”
China, keen to promote the yuan as a global reserve currency, has established a raft of currency swap agreements with countries including Japan and Thailand in recent years. Brazil is the largest economy to date to sign such an agreement.
The deal was made during a meeting between President Dilma Rousseff and Chinese President Wen Jiabao, in Rio for Rio+20. Brazil and China also signed accords designed to boost investment, trade and cultural exchange.
The two countries inked agreements to increase exports of Brazilian aircraft made by Embraer to China, and to establish a factory in China for the construction of aircraft manufacturer’s jets. There will also be increased cooperation in aerospace technologies, with the launch of one joint satellite this year and a second in 2014.
The agreements come in the wake of recent tensions over trade between the two nations, which has hitherto been dominated by Chinese demand for Brazil’s unrefined commodities and Brazilian consumption of cheap Chinese goods. In an effort to bolster domestic manufacturers, Brazil has recently raised taxes on many imports, a move that will disproportionately affect Chinese producers.
Professor Mueller warned that such bilateral trade agreements were suboptimal. “In a wider historical and global perspective bilateral agreement for trade and finance are ‘third-best solutions,’” he said, “The first best being free trade and a global currency with the second-best solution being wide regional free trade areas (such as EU and Euro).”
Accounting for seventeen percent of Brazil’s international trade, or some US$77 billion, China overtook the U.S. in recent years to become Brazil’s biggest trading partner. Mantega said that trade would continue to expand. “China is growing fast and wants to stimulate consumption,” he said. “There’s no limit to how much trade can grow.” | <urn:uuid:c0970e95-3793-45a5-84c8-acb2dcc55afb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-business/brazil-and-china-in-r60b-currency-swap/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960598 | 755 | 2.078125 | 2 |
Avoiding Oscillations Due to Intelligent Route Control Systems
Source: Georgia Tech
Intelligent Route Control (IRC) systems are increasingly deployed in multihomed networks. IRC systems aim to optimize the cost and performance of outgoing traffic, based on measurement-driven dynamic path switching techniques. In this paper, the authors first show that IRC systems can introduce sustained traffic oscillations, causing significant performance degradation instead of improvement. This happens, first, when IRC systems do not take into account the self-load effect, i.e., when they ignore that the performance of a path can change after additional traffic is switched to that path. Second, oscillations can take place when different IRC systems get synchronized due to significant overlap of their measurement time windows. | <urn:uuid:c2c4936c-6f43-422c-a75c-7e6c2dc578de> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.techrepublic.com/whitepapers/avoiding-oscillations-due-to-intelligent-route-control-systems/2897393 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.906037 | 149 | 2.265625 | 2 |
In order to circumvent laws barring businesses from owning property out of state, John D. Rockefeller incorporated his oil business and created a byzantine holding company (or trust) called Standard Oil.
Rockefeller's trust, which came to dominate every aspect of the oil industry from production and refining to shipping and barrel making, earned the enmity of ruined competitors and, swayed by the work of muckraking journalist Ida Tarbell, public opinion and the political tide soon turned against him. Indeed, despite Rockefeller's protests that his business methods, common practice at the time, had led to lower oil prices, by 1911 antitrust suits had dissolved Standard Oil into dozens of smaller companies.
The upshot? Ironically, the value of Rockefeller's holdings actually rose so much on the open market that Rockefeller, already retired, became America's first billionaire. | <urn:uuid:9184bb13-ec43-4e07-b048-2ade1d02b99d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://anecdotage.com/articles/4089/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972638 | 172 | 3.4375 | 3 |
Non-lethal chemical weapons used in Syria, Le Monde reports
Non-lethal chemical contained in four rockets fired in late December, western intelligence sources quoted as saying.
Syrian forces used non-lethal chemical weapons against rebels in the town of Homs in late December, according to intelligence service sources cited by French daily Le Monde on Saturday.
The weapons were used in four rockets fired on December 23, according to unnamed sources in Western intelligence services cited by the newspaper. Le Monde suggested Western powers played down an isolated event in the hope it would not be repeated.
Le Monde quoted French Foreign Ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot as having told it that the matter had been investigated but that the checks did not produce evidence.
A French diplomatic source contacted by Reuters said Lalliot's response to Le Monde remained the official line.
Le Monde said Western powers had previously warned that recourse to chemical weapons could force them into action in a deadly conflict where President Bashar Assad has used troops to crush an uprising now nearly two years old.
"We checked this out, closely, and notably the videos that were circulating. We cannot say that combat gas or any lethal chemical products were deployed," Le Monde quoted Lalliot as having told it of the chemical weapons reports.
The diplomatic source contacted by Reuters said this was and remained the case.
The United Nations says 60,000 have been killed in the 22-month-old conflict. | <urn:uuid:39fa3576-ed3b-419e-8c40-38504d31db40> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/non-lethal-chemical-weapons-used-in-syria-le-monde-reports-1.495090 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.980924 | 294 | 2.140625 | 2 |
“We’re the only place that didn’t have this,” Gov. Rick Snyder said at a morning news event, adding that 24 attempts have been made over the past 40 years to develop a modern public transit system in Detroit.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the federal government is awarding $25 million toward the $140-million M-1 Rail project, which would consist of a 3.3-mile streetcar line along Woodward Avenue, linking the city’s downtown and the cultural, medical and educational center a few miles north.
Leaders long have said that for Detroit to grow, public transportation must improve. Light rail along Woodward, the city’s primary business and commercial corridor, has been discussed for years, but some say it has become a necessity with recent moves of thousands of jobs downtown by Quicken Loans and other employers.
Detroit’s current public transportation offerings include a problem-plagued public bus system and the extremely limited People Mover elevated rail.
Buses often break down, leaving riders waiting an hour or more to be picked up at stops across the city, and Mayor Dave Bing, facing a deep budget deficit, has eliminated some sparsely used routes and cut back on hours of operations along others.
The People Mover originally was designed to handle passengers riding a planned light rail line from downtown Detroit to the city’s northern suburbs, but the line was canceled during the Reagan Administration. The stand-alone People Mover opened in 1987. Under its current configuration, it makes 13 stops during a 2.9-mile loop of downtown. | <urn:uuid:fb7967d8-76a4-4371-bcc2-db73d80c7993> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mdjonline.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Feds+to+start+funding+Detroit+light-rail+system+%20&id=21449837 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965687 | 334 | 2.1875 | 2 |
It is said that a drowning man figuratively “clutches at straws”. Oracle has passed that. They are clutching at any particle of straw floating on the water. Today, in court,
“Mr. Jacobs: Further to ownership and registration and other formalities. Let me try to narrow scope of issues in dispute.
We no longer seek a package-by-package ruling on infringement as it relates to the code. (Relates to question 2 on verdict form.)
On the document part, we urge that to be treated similar to the code packages.
We seek a ruling on documentation copying. If that ruling comes in the context of 37 packages, that would suffice. We don’t need package by package rulings on the documentation. But we do need a ruling on the documentation.
Judge: How would you phrase the question to the jury?
Oracle: To the jury: the question would be of the form. “Did Google infringe by copying the API documentation into its documentation?”
Judge: Compared to what? What’s the work as a whole?
Oracle: We would have it be co-extensive with the determination for the code packages.
Judge: OK, that’s much simpler. But I’m not making any ruling.”
Give me a break, Oracle! Give up! You lost, fair and square. Take it like a man. The API of Java was documented in many books and SUN allowed anyone to use it to write applications and SUN allowed anyone to use it to create a Java virtual machine as long they either obtained a licence for the TCK and called it Java or they didn’t call it Java.
Further, before the jury came in today, this exchange happened:
“Oracle: Offer into evidence 1078. Letter to copyright office with a received stamp on it for java 2 SE5.
Judge: Objection is what?
Google: Hearsay, lack of foundation, and incomplete. Where is this disk? [they have it] And it needs to be authenticated.
Google: These are business records of the law firm.
Oracle: Because of conflict, the records were transferred to Oracle.
Judge: (To Google) Do you really want the jury to think that the case turns on this?
Judge: Then why are you making a big case about this?
Google: We just want someone to testify that the disk has the same contents that was submitted.
[Talking about attorney who recorded these details at Fenwick, then turned it over to Oracle.]
Judge: I think it’s better to bring in Mr. Gonsalves.
Oracle: I would offer 1078 as a self-authenticating document that has on its face indication of authenticity.
Google: They are clearly offering this for the truth of its contents, to show that a disk was submitted.
Judge: Was there a disk, and what was on it? And that’s not something I can take as self-authenticating from the face of the letter.
I’m not going to rule on this – but tentatively I’m going to rule no – you have to bring this in the right way, with a witness. They (Google) have the right to be mean and nasty – which is what I think they’re doing here. I would need some case law to overrule their objection.
Judge: You’re not explaining why you can’t get Mr. Gonsalves here. You’re avoiding that.
I’m not going down this path until you tell me he’s unavailable, as in he refused a subpoena.
Oracle: Offer 1076, the CD rom.
Judge: Same ruling (i.e. no, need a witness)
Judge: Those 4 docs are in limbo. I’m not ruling, but I question the foundation. I’m not ruling it out, but I’m not ruling it in based on a proffer.”
The CD is supposedly containing documentation for Java as part of the registration of the copyright. Rumour is that the CD is blank… Chuckle. What would you do if a blank CD was offered as proof of copyright??? Why doesn’t Oracle want the lawyer who handled the registration to testify?
Again, it seems as though Oracle has a very weak case, certainly not worth $billions nor the handsome fees BSF charges…
see GROKLAW – Day 10 Oracle v. Google Trial ~pj – Updated for the full story… | <urn:uuid:efd69fa4-910d-42c7-8c9f-6a86fbbe6f40> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://mrpogson.com/2012/04/27/oracle-clutches-at-pieces-of-straw/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00062-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956968 | 962 | 1.515625 | 2 |
Scott Horton – a professor at Columbia Law School and writer for Harper’s – says of the Bush administration memos authorizing torture, spying, indefinite detention without charge, the use of the military within the U.S. and the suspension of free speech and press rights:
We may not have realized it at the time, but in the period from late 2001-January 19, 2009, this country was a dictatorship. The constitutional rights we learned about in high school civics were suspended. That was thanks to secret memos crafted deep inside the Justice Department that effectively trashed the Constitution. What we know now is likely the least of it.
Yale law professor Jack Balkin agrees, writing that the memos promoted “reasoning which sought, in secret, to justify a theory of Presidential dictatorship.” Constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley says that the memos are the “very definition of tyranny”. And former White House counsel John Dean says “Reading these memos, you’ve gotta almost conclude we had an unconstitutional dictator.”
Horton is correct that “What we know now is likely the least of it.” Just as with the economic crisis, we cannot change things – or even learn the full truth – unless we have the courage to ask the hard questions and to take appropriate actions to hold even the high and mighty to the rule of law.
“There is an obvious level of collusion here. We now know that Democratic leadership knew about the illegal surveillance program almost from its inception. Even when they were campaigning about fighting for civil liberties, they were aware of an unlawful surveillance program as well as a torture program. And ever since that came out, the Democrats have been silently trying to kill any effort to hold anyone accountable because that list could very well include some of their own members.”
See also this.
Note: Not only did a lot of us “realize it at the time”, but many in Congress and the judiciary knew as well. | <urn:uuid:a6fdfc58-8773-4a1f-810d-9bbd1c1c9d3a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2009/03/law-professor-we-may-not-have-realized-it-at-the-time-but-in-the-period-from-late-2001-january-19-2009-this-country-was-a-dictatorship.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00076-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.97548 | 410 | 2.125 | 2 |
ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, but remains one of the poorest countries at the same time. It might take years before the majority of people benefit from the growth.
Ethiopia's economy has grown at an annual rate of nearly 10 percent for the last seven years. But a third of the population still lives below the poverty line.
Samuel Bwalya is the economic advisor for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Ethiopia. Bwalya says that the country has to be patient while waiting for a trickle-down effect to lift more people from poverty:
"Ethiopia is starting from a very low base in terms of development, so it should actually take much longer for this impact to take root," Bwalya noted. "So I think we are too much in a hurry to see seven-year growth to start asking questions about how many people are out of poverty. Ethiopia is still very poor. But if you look where Ethiopia is coming from, it has made significant progress in reducing poverty."
The late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was often praised for his approach to helping the poor. Poverty has declined by a total of 10 percent in the last seven years. But the country is still one of the largest donor recipients worldwide, receiving over $3 billion annually.
Ethiopia ranked 174th out of 187 countries in the UNDP's 2011 Human Development Report. Life expectancy is estimated at just 57 years, the inflation of 26 percent remains a problem for most people and there are over 12,000 street children in the capital city alone.
Bwalya of the UNDP says ongoing measures by the Ethiopian government will benefit the whole of the Ethiopian population in the long run.
"Ethiopia is spending over 40 percent of its budget on infrastructure development, public works, schools, health and roads," Bwalya added. "That is extremely important in the initial period and these are investments that bring impact, slightly, in the medium- to long-term. We don't see the impact of actually constructing a road today, to take impact on the lives of people the next day. It may take a couple of years to do that."
Despite these investments, there are still challenges to make sure the economic growth helps all Ethiopians. Youth unemployment continues to be a major problem.
Jan Mikkelsen is the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) resident representative in Ethiopia. Mikkelsen believes the country is making progress in the public sector. But he also believes that the private sector should be able to help the economy overcome some challenges such as the large number of young people who don't have jobs.
"We believe that most of the employment in the long haul will be generated in the private sector," Mikkelsen noted. "So this will be more dynamic, new jobs in new areas - IT (information technology), trade manufacturing and so forth. That's where sustainable high value jobs will be."
The IMF also believes the financial sector needs to be developed further to support smaller businesses, especially in rural areas. But the private sector is given little room to operate in Ethiopia's state-run economy, and there is little direct foreign investment.
Wolday Amha is the director of the Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions. He says that loans needed by micro-enterprises are coming from the poor themselves, and voices support for this approach.
"What you see in these countries in the rural areas and urban areas is huge demand for loans," Amha explained. "This country is mobilizing resources from the poor people. If this is hijacked by the private sector, which wants to maximize profit at all costs, that will be a disaster, and it will create economic, political crisis."
The government is implementing its Growth and Transformation Plan, which has ambitious development and economic projects that aim to make Ethiopia into a middle-income country by 2025.
Whether Ethiopia will achieve this goal with its current approach remains difficult to say, says Mikkelsen:
"There are different models around the world and there's not one development model that is the right one," Mikkelsen said.
Ethiopia predicts its economy will expand by more than 10 percent again in 2013. The IMF and the World Bank predict slightly less robust growth of seven percent. | <urn:uuid:9016c666-ba9f-47cc-aaa8-eb0d288cd410> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.voanews.com/content/despite-fast-growth-ethiopia-still-plagued-by-poverty/1560496.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964745 | 890 | 2.453125 | 2 |
Things You Didn't Know About Pakistan
03-09-2010, 01:11 AM
Things You Didn't Know About Pakistan
All the Things You Didn't Know About Pakistan
By Nisa Qazi, AlterNet
Posted on March 8, 2010, Printed on March 8, 2010
Since 2005, the people of Pakistan, no strangers to upheaval, have been suffering near-constant food and water shortages, rampant power-outages and bodily harm as formerly peaceful cities are besieged by extremist violence. All the while, American leadership continues to direct criticism and threats at the troubled nation, allocating most of its monetary aid for Pakistan to its army, and openly endorsing India as blameless in the endless brinkmanship between the two equally culpable South Asian nations.
A decade ago, few Americans could say with certainty where Pakistan was geographically, let alone where it fit within geopolitics and global commerce. Despite the country's well-worn place in the headlines recently, Americans still seem unclear as to how Pakistan came to be among the world's most prolific exporters of nihilistic political Islam, let alone able to think of it as anything but a terrorist training camp. For Bush et al., this was a good thing.
Following 9/11, neoconservatives in the Bush White House worked overtime to at once demonize and obscure the enemy, which, many felt, was Islam itself. Popular perception began to conflate Afghans and Pakistanis as a monolith of geographies and populations. Seven years and two disastrous wars later, candidate Barack Obama made Pakistan a pillar of his platform, vowing to take that nation in hand if it could not heal itself and stamp out terrorism within its borders.
Now that he's president, the only way, apparently, for Obama to deal with a politically tenuous, nuclear-armed Pakistan is drone warfare, the logical extreme of fighting a completely dehumanized and faceless enemy. After all, if Pakistan is populated by woman-haters and terrorists and headed by a not-entirely-cooperative government, it's a lot easier to sidestep the nagging ethical questions about the use of drones.
Short of traveling to Pakistan for a corrective to the one-sided representation available to most news consumers, here's a quick primer on Pakistan, a nation to which the United States is inextricably -- and by its own design -- tied.
The Pakistani bourgeoisie feels terribly misrepresented by Western observers, especially when it comes to women. In contrast to those among the urban working poor and agrarian communities, wealthier Pakistanis in cities tend to be more educated, fairly cosmopolitan, and more likely to take women's rights as a given. As is the case the world over, money buys access not just to goods and services, but to a worldview.
Middle-class women attend university, hold jobs, enjoy mobility and increasing autonomy, and are spared the more demanding strictures of modesty placed on rural women in particular. Clad in the kaleidoscopic and protean shalwar-kameez, women in Pakistan's cities in no way resemble the shrouded figures of Afghan women under Taliban rule, Iranian hijab-wearers or Saudi women in black. And professionally, Pakistani women now appear in virtually every male-dominated sector, including in leadership positions, and are powerful advocates of their own advancement.
There is obviously a certain tokenism in fixating on Pakistan's fortunate and independent women when so much of the female population still labors under repressive patriarchy, but it's also dubious to take the view that women in Pakistan are a uniformly oppressed class of victims, without the agency or desire to effect change. Poverty undermines a feminist agenda as effectively as misogyny, and still women work to change Pakistan every day.
One cultural misconception about Pakistanis is that they frown upon music and performing arts in general. It didn't help matters when in 2006, a Taliban-sympathizing religious leader in the North-West Frontier Province declared music, like narcotics, unlawful, and a slew of CD-store bombings in the area ensued. Such a ban was anathema to Pakistanis, for whom music always has been the inviolable accompaniment to every aspect of life. From regional folk tunes to Qawwali (and its most celebrated practitioner, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan) to Hindi tunes out of Bollywood, from centuries-old classical ghazals to smarmy pop songs to Metallica-inspired metal, music is one of the few things almost all Pakistanis have in common. Perhaps that's why political Islam targets music for its own ends; the reverberations of proscribing it are endless, and help create the impression that the Taliban possess a greater social influence than they actually do.
As for sport, if you concentrated Americans' love for football, baseball, basketball, Nascar and WWE into a single all-encompassing allegiance, you might have some idea of how much Pakistanis love cricket, perhaps the most overt gift (along with a love of milky tea) of British imperialism. The year Pakistan defeated New Zealand to win the Cricket World Cup, 1992, the government declared a nation-wide holiday. Virtually every boy, from the shoeless urchin who begs at traffic stops to the gym-rat behind the wheel of his tricked-out muscle car, has dreams of cricket stardom. Cricket can be played with whatever -- and whomever -- is at hand. Any sort of ball will do, as will any small stretch of flat earth. One of the nation's biggest names in cricket, Imran Khan, went on after retirement to head a political party in a bid for prime minister. His only credentials were his bowling (the cricketing term for pitching).
Ironically, the national sport of Pakistan is actually field hockey. Pakistani players also dominated in squash for decades, producing the greatest-ever competitor in the sport, Jahangir Khan.
It seems only mountaineers in Europe and the United States are aware of Pakistan's dramatically varied geography. Contrary to popular fallacy, Pakistan is not a Sahara-style desert. (Perhaps it's assumed to be by those who also mistakenly think it is located in the Middle East.) The country has some of the most extreme examples of a variety of topographies in the world, from the Indian Ocean coast in the south to six of the 14 highest peaks on earth in the north, and everything in between. People and crops in fertile Punjab and the Indus River Valley live and die by the Monsoon rains in July and August; the Deosai plains in Skardu, a high-altitude plateau, are home to alpine meadows not unlike those in Alaska tourism ads; the Baltoro Glacier in the Karakoram mountain range is visible from space, while cities in arid Balochistan have been known to approach 130 Fahrenheit in the summer.
Such geographical diversity helps account for some of Pakistan's heterogeneity: its four provinces, linguistically and ethnically distinct, its 300 languages and dialects, and its genuine multiplicity despite the predominance of one religion.
General Pervez Musharraf's takeover of the faltering government in 1999 was not the first military coup in Pakistan's history, nor is the military's influence in politics restricted now that civilians are back in charge. Thanks to the country's geographical location, the constant tension and high troop-presence on the "line of control" (LOC) bordering India, and occasionally poor relations with Afghanistan, Pakistan's leadership has always worked closely with the army, particularly regarding foreign policy. The first coup took place in 1958, led by General Ayub Khan, who hung on to power until 1969. His successor was the army's commander-in-chief, Yahya Khan, who resigned following the devastating 1971 war. Six years later, Zia-ul-Haq reprised the army's role in governance. To date, martial law has been imposed and revoked three times in Pakistan, not including Musharraf's 2007 State of Emergency, which signaled the end of his regime.
Religious fundamentalism and the rise of political Islam in Pakistan can be traced back to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, president from 1971 to 1973 and prime minister from 1973 to 1977. In the wake of the 1971 India-Pakistan War, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh, the disillusioned nation was increasingly orienting itself toward the right. Bhutto capitalized on the growing religious conservatism by institutionalizing it: he banned alcohol, declared Fridays weekly holidays, and enabled mullahs to become a legitimate political force.
Bhutto also founded the nation's nuclear program, which, arguably, led to his demise. When, despite Henry Kissinger's warnings to desist, work on the bomb continued, the United States in 1977 backed General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in a bloodless coup. Bhutto was jailed for conspiring to murder a political opponent, and was executed in 1979. For many Pakistanis, Bhutto remains shaheed, or martyred, a victim of Zia's implacable ambition. After some maneuvering, the general installed himself as president in 1978, initiating a 10-year reign of terror.
Carrying on where Bhutto left off, Zia-ul-Haq took an unstable situation and used it to irrevocably change Pakistan. Not particularly religious himself, Zia saw the religious right as the key to preserving his leadership. Among his most egregious contributions (one is hard-pressed to pick just one) to Pakistan's "Islamization" was the Hudood Ordinance, a supposedly Islamic set of laws which essentially equated rape with extramarital sex on the part of the victim, made it virtually impossible to prosecute the crime, and further cemented the prohibition of alcohol. The rape laws weren't repealed until General Pervez Musharraf signed the Women's Protection Bill into law in 2006, which, though imperfect, was more than any other leader had even attempted, including Benazir Bhutto.
During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, Zia-ul-Haq also worked with the CIA and the Saudis to fund, train and arm the Afghan mujahideen against the Soviets. Once the Soviets were defeated, however, the United States quickly cleared out, leaving the mujahideen with a destroyed country, no prospects and a lot of weapons. Their even better-equipped and angrier descendents, the Taliban, need little introduction.
Perhaps Zia-ul-Haq's most lasting legacy is the proliferation of madrassahs, or Quranic schools, which he actively nurtured and which soon became integral to the indoctrination of scores of young radicals. He can also be partially credited with making Pakistan home to the largest number of refugees in the world, consisting primarily of nearly two million Afghans who started fleeing after the Soviet invasion in 1979 (many of whom never returned). Added to this count are the internally displaced Balochis from the southwest of the country, where the army struggles to uproot the Taliban.
Benazir Bhutto came to power following the death of Zia-ul-Haq in an unexplained plane crash in 1988. Touted by the West as a beacon of democracy when she returned in 2007 from luxurious exile in London's Hyde park to heal her ailing country, Benazir Bhutto had already had two runs as prime minister and was crushingly ineffective both times. In fact, Bhutto was neither an able leader nor the democratic icon that she was labeled in the days leading up to her murder.
The daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and an outlandishly wealthy feudal family, Benazir was as acquainted with the troubles of her constituents as Marie Antoinette. Significantly, she didn't initiate a single piece of legislation to ameliorate the conditions of women in Pakistan. Instead, she and her husband, Asif Ali Zardari -- nicknamed "Mr. Ten Per Cent -- "appropriated" billions of rupees from the impoverished country's government, among other crooked financial dealings, for which crime Zardari served seven years.
On the heels of Benazir's assassination in 2007, Zadari promptly dyed his gray mustache black, and despite his checkered past and the fact that he lacked the college degree required to be a minister of parliament, he designated himself her successor until his son comes of age. (The requirement was conveniently repealed to allow Zardari to proceed.) He secured the requisite parliamentary votes to become president in 2007 and has since managed to rehabilitate his image somewhat among Pakistanis, largely by responding in kind when barked at by American leadership. Whether he has any lasting impact on Pakistan -- positive or negative -- remains to be seen.
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a mere 63 years old, formed, in the midst of great bloodshed and the greatest mass migration in history, for India's Muslims. Its founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was a liberal secularist who, among other distinctly British idiosyncrasies, delivered his rousing speeches in English. Jinnah died a mere 13 months after Partition, in 1948, of tuberculosis.
There is little question that it would have pained him to witness the theocratic leanings of the state he labored to create; but he would have felt just as acutely the inadequacy of the reportage disseminated by mainstream American news sources, which have unambiguously allied themselves with their government's militaristic agenda. It's with glib self-satisfaction that the media labels a country of 170 million the "world's most dangerous place." Pakistanis, at least, as they focus on feeding their families and living in peace, beg to differ.
© 2010 Independent Media Institute. All rights reserved.
View this story online at: http://www.alternet.org/story/145940/
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KEITH SRAKOCIC/Associated Press
KEITH SRAKOCIC/Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. – Encircled by fellow volunteers for Barack Obama, Katie Sprung scanned a clipboard full of addresses. “We don’t all three go to the same house, right?” asked Sprung, one of the president’s neighborhood team leaders. No, she was told – just one volunteer per door. As they departed, another staff member said into the telephone: “We’re not targeting independents anymore. We’re focusing on our supporters.”
Across Old Tampa Bay, Terry and Barbara Bear sat in a Mitt Romney field office. Sitting under photos of Ronald Reagan, the St. Petersburg, Fla., couple staffed phones programmed to dial households across the largest of all swing states. “I’m getting a lot of wrong numbers today,” Terry Bear replied before reaching a live Republican voter, whom he asked to vote early. “Well, thank you for your support, ma’am,” he said. “It’s time for a change in this country.”
Sprung and the Bears, and thousands of volunteers like them around the country, help anchor what politicos call the “ground game” or “GOTV” – get out the vote – that turns months of work into actual votes. For all the campaigns’ sophisticated marketing research, hundreds of millions of dollars of advertising and the emphasis on nationally televised debates, the outcome could rest on these volunteer surrogates and their outreach.
“We believe that above all of the other action, that personal contact is what is so important in making people feel a connection, like they are part of something bigger in the country,” said Ron Brown, a retired engineer and Obama neighborhood team leader in Seminole, Fla.
That sentiment, it’s safe to say, goes right to the top. “This will probably be a turnout election, where people working hard, bringing folks into the polls who might otherwise say, ‘Oh it’s just one vote,”’ Romney told an overflow crowd in Wisconsin on Friday. “Let me tell you, one vote times a hundred thousand is a hundred thousand.”
The ground-game effort mixes two equally pivotal disciplines – the science of analyzing data to identify likely or potential supporters and the art of personal contact, all the while trying not to alienate battleground residents who, frankly, sometimes get tired of all the attention.
“Well, the way to not get any more calls is to tell us you’ve voted,” Terry Bear told one man who answered the phone.
Four years ago, Obama’s organization ran circles around John McCain’s. In 2004, it was the Republican infrastructure that won out, helping President George W. Bush to a close but decisive re-election. Those two successes are precisely what the campaigns are trying to replicate, says Brett Doster, a Tallahassee GOP strategist for Romney’s Florida campaign.
Each camp has put a lot of energy into registering new voters and is pushing early voting in states that allow it. The latter approach is, for Republicans, a newer emphasis. In Florida, they’ve largely succeeded in cutting into the early leads that Obama amassed in 2008. Republicans say that’s evidence of momentum that will carry though to Election Day. Democrats counter that the GOP is simply moving reliable votes from the Election Day tally to the early voting totals.
Besides the usual door-knocking and phone calls and other now-expected techniques – the deployment of political and entertainment celebrities and the use of social media, which dwarfs the 2008 campaign – the campaigns use creative, even quirky tactics. They also cultivate nuances from state to state as they tailor messages to turnout efforts.
In Ohio, Obama trumpets the auto bailouts around cities with car plants and suppliers. In Colorado, the Romney team is trying to drive up rural turnout, not usually a focus in that state’s campaigns. In Florida, Romney has dispatched former Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio to talk with small groups of non-Cuban Hispanics in central Florida. Democrats here are trying to make inroads with younger Cubans, whose parents and grandparents are hard-line, anti-Castro Republicans. They also want to peel off older Republicans who might go with Obama because of Medicare and Social Security.
Romney’s top pollster, Neil Newhouse, said this week that independents will make the difference. That squares with the assignment handed to Romney volunteer Sarah Partin. As early voting began, the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg senior was in Tierra Verde, an upper middle class, GOP-leaning enclave of Pinellas County, to knock on the doors of undeclared voters.
“It’s my job to figure out whether we can count on them,” she said. “Mostly, I explain personally what makes me support Romney. We just have to be as nice as possible.”
In most states, the Obama camp refuses to disclose little more than the number of field offices. For the record, Obama has 106 in Florida to Romney’s 49; in most battlegrounds, Obama’s 2008 offices never closed.
Top Obama strategist David Plouffe said in his memoir of the 2008 election that Obama’s path to victory was expanding the electorate using person-to-person outreach that began long before typical “get-out-the-vote” efforts. His paid staffers this year point to the job titles of people like Sprung and Brown as the key distinction from Romney’s organization.
“When I knock on doors, I’m in my own neighborhood,” Sprung said. “I hear their stories, their concerns. I answer questions.” Noting that her son is a diabetic who cannot be denied insurance under Obama’s Affordable Care Act, she added: “I tell them my story, and why I’m with the president.”
However large the operation, it’s an inexact exercise, beyond just the inaccurate numbers on phone lists. Witness Sue Smith, a registered Republican in Pinellas County, Fla., who says she is an undecided but regular voter: “I haven’t heard from either campaign.”
Tampa resident Anthony Arenas said he’s a registered Democrat who fielded multiple calls and visits from the Obama campaign. At an early voting site, he emerged from his car and yelled: “Is this where I vote for Mitt Romney?” | <urn:uuid:e066b1b4-cd98-47ca-b084-0b0c3fe3b04e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20121102/NEWS03/121109914/-1/taxonomy/Obama-Romney-teams-hit-streets-for-every-vote | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949496 | 1,398 | 1.515625 | 2 |
Creed: Who is God to You?
- Friday, August 27, 2004
Who is God to you? In the last “chapter” of Creed, we talked about the names of God and what they mean; each name synonymous with who God is. At times, the Old Testament writers called him LORD, or Adoni. At other times, they called Him El Shaddai, as well as a host of other names.
As Christians we have given to Jesus some of the most beautiful names imaginable, such as “Rose of Sharon,” “the Bright and Morning Star,” and “Fairest of Ten Thousand.” But let’s take a moment to look at who He said He was…and is…and evermore shall be.
Who He Was to Moses
“In the beginning, God.”
These are the first four words of the best selling book of all time, the Bible. “In the beginning… Elohiym, a plural intensive title with a single meaning, which is “the true God.” In the beginning, God was made up of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God has always been who He is and will always be who He is.
This is exciting to know! The Jesus we read about in the New Testament stories and letters is the same who took part in the creating of the world, who walked with Enoch, and who made covenant with Abraham. Jesus is God and was present when Jacob became Israel, when Joseph was sold into slavery and then raised to a high position in Egypt, and it was Jesus who was present when the Hebrew children moved southward into Egypt during a great famine.
It was Jesus whose shoulders slumped and whose heart broke as His children became Egyptian slaves and it was Jesus who was present at the birth of a little baby boy named Moses; an infant who would grow to be the great leader of his people.
For anyone who has never read the story or seen the movie (where have you been?), Moses was born a Hebrew slave and raised as an Egyptian prince. A grown man, he murdered a “fellow” Egyptian, then fled into the desert of Midian. There, he married a daughter of Jethro, Zipporah, with whom he had two sons. He became a shepherd.
One day, while Moses was “pasturing the flock” (Exodus 3:1), he came to Mt. Horeb, known as “the Mountain of God.” There, he encountered “the burning bush,” which—though in flames—did not burn up. One can imagine the look he might have given it. What is that? Not something to be rushed up to, but certainly something to be investigated.
And then a voice came out of the bush.
Now, here’s the amazing part (as if a burning bush is not amazing enough).
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. (Exodus 3: 4-6)
Did you catch it?
LORD, or Jehovah. God, or Elohiym.
Why would these two names for God be used together in a single incident?
“The ancient rabbis taught that YHVH (Jehovah is derived from YHVH, and there is no "J" sound in Hebrew) represented the merciful aspects of God, while Elohiym represented the judgment side of Him,” says author, speaker, and teacher Sandy Bloomfield-Demilli. “When you see them together you are seeing both law and grace at the same time.”
Think about this for just a moment. What is about to occur will change the course of both physical and spiritual history. The Law and the Grace are speaking to Moses, declaring whom He is…for all time.
And here stands Moses, a mere human. A murderer and a refuge. A man separated from his own people. Is he ready to receive it? Not really, no. But God knows that it is time, none-the-less, and on this mountain, with this great God, Moses receives the great commission of his lifetime: Go back to Egypt, face Pharaoh, and bring My people out of slavery.
Of course we know the story. Moses says, “Who am I to do this?” to which is God’s reply, “Surely I will be with you.”
I love that. What God is saying here is, “Without me, nothing. Nada. Zippo. But with me, everything. Bold. Fearless. A great leader. A man who will be honored forever.”
It’s the early version of “I can do all things…”
Moses asks, “Who do I say sent me?” Literally, what he said was this: What is your name?
Then Jehovah answered, “I AM WHO I AM. Tell them I AM sent you.”
So often the story, as we tell it, ends there. But there’s more!
This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. (Exodus 3:15b)
Who Jesus Said He Was (and is…)
Fast-forward a few thousand years. Jesus has come to earth. Though a Heavenly Prince, He is, in human form, a Hebrew “slave” of the Roman Empire. He has achieved adulthood, lived as a carpenter, and entered the ministry. AD 27 was His Year of Inauguration, followed by the Year of Popularity (AD 28). AD 29 began the Year of Opposition, among one of the first notable acts being the feeding of the 5,000 and the walking on water.
In John 6: 34, Jesus issues the first of what we now call the “I AM” statements.
“I am the bread of life.” (6:35)
“I am the light of the world.” (8:12)
“I am the gate for the sheep.” (10:9)
“I am the good shepherd.” (10: 11)
“I am the resurrection and the life.” (11:25)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (14:6)
“I am the true vine.” (15:1)
In the middle of these declarations about Himself, Jesus and the disciples head up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus’ brothers (see Mark 6:3 for one of the several references to Jesus’ earthly family) taunted Him before departure. “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” (John 7: 3, 4)
The disbelieving brothers left for the Feast and Jesus followed, but He moved privately, not publicly, as he’d been doing.
The Jews in Jerusalem anticipated the arrival of the Great Rabbi. Reading the text in John’s seventh chapter, one gets a sense of them waiting outside the gate, peering over the wall, peeking out the windows, and keeping a watch on the streets. Jesus, however, waited until halfway through the Feast before He made an appearance at the temple. Once there, He boggled the minds of those who heard Him. So impressed were the Roman guards, when they went back to the chief priests, they came without the “prisoner!”
“Why didn’t you bring him in?” “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards declared. “You mean he’s deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. (45,46)
The following day Jesus appeared, once again, at the temple. Who should appear but the Pharisees and “teachers of the law” and whom should they have with them but a woman caught in the act…the very act…of adultery.
What must this picture have looked like? People were crowding around the Rabbi. The noise is great and people are shushing one another, hoping the Man of Galilee will give them another point to ponder, another sermon to challenge their thinking, and another pebble of a clue as to who He is.
The woman is thrown at the feet of her Creator. Is she naked? Hair down, face buried in the palms of her hands, is she bruised and bloodied from being dragged through the streets? And where is the man with whom she was caught? Weeping and embarrassed, is she then covered by the outer coat of the One who knows her best…and loves her most?
What a moment this must have been!
Now, take note of this line:
They made her stand before the group…(8: 3c)
Clothed or naked, her sin is completely exposed. She is humiliated and degraded, not only because of the crowd around her, but because she is standing naked before God.
(Think about that for a moment before we go further. When was the last time you stood naked before God? Here I am, Lord. All of me. All of my faults, my weaknesses, my sins, my fears, my transgressions against others…. Here I am.
In what way does Jesus reply? “No, my child…here I AM.” Oh, blessed Savior! Blessed Redeemer! Blessed, blessed Jesus!)
“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” (8:4)
Don’t you love it? These people, who call Jesus “Teacher,” but hardly mean it, are reminding the Giver of the Law about the Law. “Now what do you say?” they ask Him, hoping to trip Him up.
But you can’t trip the Giver of the Law on the very words He has written, can you? What does Jesus do? He bends down and begins writing on the ground with His finger. What did He write? We don’t know. But, let’s suppose what He was inscribing were specific sins. As He is doing so, the Pharisees keep questioning Him until He straightens up and says, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (8:7b)
If what I’m suggesting is true—if He’d written specific sins in the sand—as He stoops back down, the eyes of the sinners are now glaring at their own iniquities.
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. (8:8)
What did He write this time? Let’s suppose He began writing names next to sins. Their names. The self-righteous “teachers of the Law.”
At this, those who heard began to go away…until only Jesus was left with the woman standing there. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (8:9-11)
Well, now. Guess who returned for more! The Pharisees. They just can’t seem to get enough of this. They question, Jesus answers, leading them to ask this all-important question: “Who are you?” (8:25)
Jesus replies, “Just what I have been claiming all along,” which only confused the great teachers even more, leading to this declaration: When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am…” (8:28)
Jesus now begins to teach the people about Abraham, the “father of their nation,” and about His relationship to him. In fact, Jesus speaks as though He actually knows Abraham, which of course, He does. Now the people are becoming incensed. Man, oh, man! One does not—no matter how many miracles one does—go around claiming to have known Abraham and, worse yet, to be positionally over him!
“You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” (Translated: “Yeah, right.”) (8:57)
Here it comes…are you ready? The bottom line. The declaration of all declarations. No burning bush necessary. Jesus, introducing Himself to the world in a mighty big way.
“I tell you the truth…before Abraham was born, I AM!” (9:58)
“This ain’t no lie…I AM GOD!”
Award-winning national speaker, Eva Marie Everson's work includes Intimate Moments with God and Intimate Encounters with God (Cook). She is the author of Shadow of Dreams, Summon the Shadows and Shadow of Light. (Barbour Fiction) She can be contacted for comments or for speaking engagement bookings at http://evamarieeverson.com/.
Other Articles in This Series:
Creed: What is God's name...other than 'God?'
Creed: What Do You Really Believe?
More Than Words
For more information about Sandy Bloomfield-Demelli, go to: http://bloomtolife.com/
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Ah, the plague of the daily mail. Kind of like death and taxes, it’s inevitable. Here’s what’s in your mailbox: stuff to
- act on
Let’s call it DRAFT for short.
This is mail that you can fob off on someone else. If you’re married, you may decide one partner is responsible for paying the bills, so they go in that person’s in box (don’t have an inbox? Get one). Similarly, one of you may be responsible for social engagements and medical appointments.
If you have a business partner but not an office manager, divide up responsibilities. This really helps things not fall through the cracks. Especially things involving money.
Everyone needs an in box.
As above, each partner needs an inbox. When the question of “where did you put that ________?” the answer is always “In your in box.” Not “on your chair.” Not “somewhere on your desk.”
Reading material includes magazines, newspapers, annual reports, tip sheets from the garden center and professional association bulletins. Keep it near where you read. Don’t read? Then stop subscribing to things.
If you don’t know where your “to reads” are, you can’t read them. Pick a spot, like a basket near your bed or a shelf in your living room, to stash it.
Don’t pick too many spots. You want to know where things are and you also need a reality check about how much there is to read. When it’s all in one place, you can clearly see that it’s not humanly possible to read all that stuff.
The rule is that when the basket or shelf is full, you have to get rid of the older publications. Grab a handful from the bottom of the stack and recycle them. Just do it. I know they have fascinating and important information in them, but you don’t have time to read them and keep up with what came in today.
Information is only useful when you can get at it.
An article buried in a months-old magazine is not accessible to you and therefore irrelevant. Just having all that information is not the same as being able to use it. If you can’t use it, it’s just like not having it at all.
This category includes bills, medical forms to file, an insurance or telephone plan to compare with what you have now, information about a product you intend to buy and a list of activities put on by a group you belong to. Put in your in box anything that requires you to take some action, whether it’s filling out a form, making a call or adding activities to your calendar.
Avoid decisions you don’t really need to make.
Do you really need to get a better phone plan, or would it just be a nice idea to know what’s out there? If it’s the second one, when are you going to take the time to compare plans?
Be careful about filing too much. Most people’s file cabinets are neglected paper graveyards. Paper goes in and promptly gets forgotten about and never looked at again.
Things you are keeping that you don’t need to:
- receipts that are not for tax purposes or under-warranty purchases
- ATM slips
- old catalogs
- paid bills*
- manuals and documentation for stuff you no longer own; electric toothbrush, car, medical insurance plan
Keep files you refer to near your desk. Get a tray to store file-ables until you’re ready to file them. Files you need to maintain for legal reasons (tax returns, legal documents) are archives and should be kept in a less accessible spot, like the attic or the top shelf in the closet.
A lot of your mail shouldn’t even come into the house. Your first pass at mail sorting is to weed out the junk mail and recycle or shred it. No brainer recycling: product and service solicitations you’re not interested in, announcements for things you don’t care about, invitations from groups you aren’t joining.
To cut down on unwanted mail, register with the Direct Marketing Association (you can stop junk email here too). Get off catalog lists here.
Whether you shred or not is up to you. Some people don’t want to toss out magazines with their address labels on them. The rule of thumb is to shred anything with personal information such as account numbers, medical and employment info, ATM slips and travel itineraries. Also shred credit card applications.
Shred every day.
It’s boring and tedious and if you let it pile up, you’ll put it off forever (unless you have a six year old; they love to make a racket with the shredder). Also, if you only shred a few things a day, you won’t jam or overheat the thing.
Don’t worry about last week’s mail. It’s getting older by the second and, unless it’s a bill, it doesn’t need your immediate attention. Develop your new mail system with today’s mail and you’ll keep on top of things.
- Get an inbox
- Designate a reading stash spot
- Have a tray for to-be-filed documents
- Sort your mail over the recycling bin
- Shred as you go
- Sign up for electronic bills and statements
- Get off junk mail lists
*I heartily recommend receiving and paying bills online. You can download PDF copies and keep them on your computer. Pay them through the biller’s website or your bank’s website; both services are generally free. Go even further and sign up for automatic monthly payments for your bills. Then you don’t have to deal with the bill at all. | <urn:uuid:3a7e0238-a8dc-4d23-bd23-89da7c284645> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://cluttercoach.net/category/paper/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943381 | 1,262 | 1.515625 | 2 |
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Brockovich.com says 'Fridley is one of the worst Superfund sites in the country.'
First the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency created a special web page for environmental concerns in Fridley, then the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency followed suit with its own Fridley web page—and established a Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) to boot. (The Fridley CAG's first meeting in March 26, 2013.) Now consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, whose 2012 visit to Fridley kicked interest in local effects of industrial pollution into a higher gear, has created a page for Fridley at her new website, Brockovich.com. Jason McCarty posted the link Tuesday at the page for the group he founded on Facebook, Fridley Cancer Cluster: "Erin's new website and Fridley is profiled." Here is what the Fridley page at Brockovich.com says: Erin Brockovich …
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Fridley included in alert area for fine particle pollution through midnight Tuesday.
Watch yourself outside on Tuesday. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says fine particle pollution in the Twin Cities at levels that are unhealthy for people who are especially sensitive. Here's the MPCA's statement about its alert: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air pollution health alert for the Twin Cities metropolitan area and Rochester through midnight on Tuesday, February 26th. Overnight, fine particle pollution in the Twin Cities and Rochester reached levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Fine particle concentrations are expected to remain elevated through Tuesday morning. As wind speeds increase this afternoon, air quality conditions are expected to improve. At Risk Populations…
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency urges at-risk groups to take it easy outside.
Fridley and much of Minnesota is under an air-pollution health alert until noon on Sunday. If you are especially sensitive to air pollution, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) advises you to avoid exerting yourself outside. Even people not in at-risk groups could feel the effects of the elevated levels of fine particles in the air. Here is the statement relased Saturday by the MPCA: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued and air pollution health alert for the southern two-thirds of Minnesota effective at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 1st and expiring at noon on Sunday, December 2nd. Fine particle pollution is elevated at monitoring sites in Detroit Lakes, Brainerd, St. Cloud, Marshall, Rochester, and the Twin …
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Visit with local, state and federal officials on topics such as Fridley's water and Superfund sites.
- On Patch
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Air-pollution health advisory in effect noon–midnight Tuesday; heat advisory through Thursday evening.
This information won't surprise you, but it could save you heat-related health trouble on Tuesday and through Thursday: Fridley and the Twin Cities are under renewed advisories for heat and bad air quality. On Monday the Twin Cities hit a record 99 degrees, and the rest of the week looks like more of the same or very similar. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on Monday extended its air-pollution health advisory to cover Tuesday from noon to midnight. As an earlier advisory did on Monday, that means people at risk for ill effects from air pollution should limit their outdoor activities in the afternoon. Try to make your trips outside in the morning instead. The National Weather Service on Monday evening extended its heat advisory to …
Monday, July 2, 2012
MN Pollution Control Agency expects ozone levels to peak Monday afternoon.
If the recent heat wave isn't enough to deter you from outdoor activity, the quality of the air expected Monday afternoon just might. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued another air pollution health advisory for Monday, July 2, 2012. Officials expect ozone pollution for the Twin Cities metro and southeastern Minnesota to increase. The health advisory runs until midnight Monday. The advisory indicates that ozone levels are expected to be near a level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including those with preexisting respiratory conditions, the elderly, children, and individuals who participate in outdoor activities requiring extended or heavy exertion. The MPCA issued two similar advisories last week. …
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Alert about more serious conditions is set to expire at midnight Wednesday.
The air just got worse. Well, the air-pollution health advisory in effect until midnight Wednesday is now a more serious air-pollution health alert. Here's how the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency explains it. Take care. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has upgraded the air pollution health advisory issued for the Twin Cities to an air pollution health alert effective from 3 p.m. until midnight on Wednesday, June 27. An air pollution health advisory remains in effect for Rochester for the same period. Hourly ozone concentrations are expected to reach a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups in the Twin Cities early this evening. At-risk Populations: Ozone is expected to reach a level that is considered unhealthy …
Panel included experts from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Health.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency created a webpage for all its info on Fridley.
- On MPCA
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Ozone will be at high levels through Wednesday night, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
If you have a sensitive respiratory system or plan to go big during that midweek run, take note that ozone levels in the Fridley area might be working against you through Wednesday night. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued an air pollution health advisory Tuesday afternoon due to expected increases in ozone pollution for the Twin Cities metro and Rochester. The health advisory runs until midnight Wednesday, June 27, 2012. The advisory indicates that ozone levels are expected to be near a level that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including those with preexisting respiratory conditions, the elderly, children, and individuals who participate in outdoor activities requiring extended or heavy exertion. High … | <urn:uuid:d91e7cc1-be6d-4388-ae3e-a5eef13ff1a1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://fridley.patch.com/topics/MPCA | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944508 | 1,311 | 1.960938 | 2 |
When I was on my cancer journey, my doctor told us about “The Penny Jar” method, which can help pawrents measure quality of life as cancer progresses.
Spirit Bo’s folks also knew about this easy way to keep track of good and bad days. His mom Meghan generously provided the following description:
“During the canine cancer journey, “bad” days are likely to arise. Sometimes the bad days are so overwhelming, we may overlook the many good days that our companions are having.
An effective way of assessing your canine pal’s quality of life is called the Penny Jar method.
To use this method, you will need two jars/cups and pennies. One jar is for good days and the other is for bad days.
It is important to establish a rubric, or standards, as to what constitutes a good or bad day. You can write out your rubric or keep a mental note of it, and it should be tailored to your dog’s specific issues.
Of course, each dog is different and will have his/her own set of standards to track.
After establishing the issues that you want to monitor, you will need to decide to what degree or how many of the variables will need to be abnormal to count it as a bad day. For instance, if two of the issues are off that day, you may want to count it as a bad day.
It’s important to remember that it is your dog’s health and days that you are assessing, not your own. A bad day at work should not equate to a bad day for your Tripawd.
Be sure to make the Penny Jar part of your daily routine so you do not miss a day. Sometimes, the good days are smooth rides and we may not think about the Penny Jar until a bad day hits.
Always add pennies daily in order to get an accurate assessment of your dog’s quality of life.
Be Consistent; there are No Wrong Decisions
At first glance, you may think that when the bad day jar has more pennies than the good day, it will be time.
However, some may decide that after multiple, consecutive bad days the time will be right.
When using the Penny Jar method, it is important to be consistent. There are no wrong decisions as long as you are honest with yourself and your Tripawd!”
Many thanks to Meghan for sharing this important tip with our community. If you would like to share tips from your own Tripawd journey, contact us here.
- Bo’s Story, a Tripawds Dog Blog
- So Easy to Love, So Hard to Heal, by Laurie Kaplan
- The Quality of Life Scale for Pet Pawrents
- The Legacy of Beezer and Boomer
- “Pet Loss Articles and Books Resource” by Christine Davis
- Land of Pure Gold Foundation’s Vet Hospice Care page (scroll down about halfway). | <urn:uuid:56f69ccd-65fe-4807-bdf0-dbf7a885b717> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://tripawds.com/2011/10/25/penny-jars-measure-a-dogs-quality-of-life/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950198 | 627 | 1.84375 | 2 |
studies that help us in our daily lives! And today I come to show you the result of a very interesting study, you’ll see.
This is a study done for 12 years in 2600 adults over 60 years, and was to find out the relationship between cardiovascular health status and measures of body fat, body mass index and measurement waist. But even more curious is the result since it was observed that people who died during that time had poorer health and more cardiovascular risk factors without affecting the weight of it.
So the studio has finalized it does not matter if an older person is obese or not, the most important thing is to do some physical activity, and a sedentary lifestyle is far worse than obesity. Walking 30 minutes daily is enough.
Eucalyptus is a tall evergreen tree that can grow to 60 feet or more. Eucalyptus obtain a high quality wood and eucalyptus leaves have medicinal properties.
The medicinal Eucalyptus Eucalyptus is called male whose scientific name is Eucalyptus globulus Labill. There are other varieties of the eucalyptus family do not have the same medicinal properties.
Nowadays, the citizen in the world is worried on the issues of malpractice that affected human’s life. This phenomenon becomes common to do since the healthcares and doctors do not know how to deal with the patient of chronic diseases. It makes them do that irresponsible act of some purposes. This condition is bad for the patient since many disadvantages of physical and emotional suffers. It makes the patient figures out Independent Medical Evaluations for their own solution.
In the line, many providers offer the service of compensation boards, insurance carriers, attorneys, and the courts of medical reporting fields to deal on the issue. One of the famous for past 8 years is IME Companies. Some peoples who live in New York and New Jersey areas have known and use the service to get the simple and quick solution to heal their physical and emotional suffers from the trauma caused by the malpractice. With the full commitment of friendly services, the patient does not have to feel worries manage the charge that burden it because all of it has includes as one package of services.
Here, the expert of the company will makes the patient get the right compensation based on the case’s level. As an Independent Medical Exam, this service is valuable and affordable to take for granted. Grab it all NOW. | <urn:uuid:a1061ec2-b61e-4e68-b1ee-dced73d3c40c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.adeloja.org/category/medical-exam | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963928 | 503 | 2.171875 | 2 |
Next-Generation Secure Computing Base
The Next-Generation Secure Computing Base (NGSCB), formerly known as Palladium, is a software architecture designed by Microsoft which is expected to implement parts of the controversial "Trusted Computing" concept on future versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. NGSCB is part of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing initiative. Microsoft's stated aim for NGSCB is to increase the security and privacy of computer users, but critics assert that the technology will not only fail to solve the majority of contemporary IT security problems, but also result in an increase in vendor lock-in and thus a reduction in competition in the IT marketplace.
NGSCB relies on hardware technology designed by members of the Trusted Computing Group (TCG), which provides a number of security-related features, including fast random number generation, a secure cryptographic co-processor, and the ability to hold cryptographic keys in a manner that should make them impossible to retrieve, even to the machine's owner. It is this latter ability that makes remote attestation of the hardware and software configuration of an NGSCB-enabled computer possible, and to which the opponents of the scheme chiefly object. Several computer manufacturers are selling computers with the Trusted Platform Module chip, notably IBM/Lenovo ThinkPads and the Dell OptiPlex GX620.
Microsoft has not published any materials regarding NGSCB on their MSDN site since March 2004, and none of the principal features described in the existing NGSCB materials have appeared in the two major versions of Windows since 2004 (Windows Vista and Windows 7).
Architecture and technical details
A complete Microsoft-based Trusted Computing-enabled system will consist not only of software components developed by Microsoft but also of hardware components developed by the Trusted Computing Group. The majority of features introduced by NGSCB are heavily reliant on specialized hardware and so will not operate on PCs predating 2004.
In current Trusted Computing specifications, there are two hardware components; the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which will provide secure storage of cryptographic keys and a secure cryptographic co-processor, and a curtained memory feature in the Central Processing Unit (CPU). In NGSCB, there are two software components, the Nexus, a security kernel that is part of the Operating System which provides a secure environment (Nexus mode) for trusted code to run in, and Nexus Computing Agents (NCAs), trusted modules which run in Nexus mode within NGSCB-enabled applications.
Secure storage and attestation
At the time of manufacture, a cryptographic key is generated and stored within the TPM. This key is never transmitted to any other component, and the TPM is designed in such a way that it is extremely difficult to retrieve the stored key by reverse engineering or any other method, even to the owner. Applications can pass data encrypted with this key to be decrypted by the TPM, but the TPM will only do so under certain strict conditions. Specifically, decrypted data will only ever be passed to authenticated, trusted applications, and will only ever be stored in curtained memory, making it inaccessible to other applications and the Operating System. Although the TPM can only store a single cryptographic key securely, secure storage of arbitrary data is by extension possible by encrypting the data such that it may only be decrypted using the securely stored key.
The TPM is also able to produce a cryptographic signature based on its hidden key. This signature may be verified by the user or by any third party, and so can therefore be used to provide remote attestation that the computer is in a secure state.
Curtained memory
NGSCB also relies on a curtained memory feature provided by the CPU. Data within curtained memory can only be accessed by the application to which it belongs, and not by any other application or the Operating System. The attestation features of the TPM(Trusted Platform Module) can be used to confirm to a trusted application that it is genuinely running in curtained memory; it is therefore very difficult for anyone, including the owner, to trick a trusted application into running outside of curtained memory. This in turn makes reverse engineering of a trusted application extremely difficult.
NGSCB-enabled applications are to be split into two distinct parts, the NCA, a trusted module with access to a limited Application Programming Interface (API), and an untrusted portion, which has access to the full Windows API. Any code which deals with NGSCB functions must be located within the NCA.
The reason for this split is that the Windows API has developed over many years and is as a result extremely complex and difficult to audit for security bugs. To maximize security, trusted code is required to use a smaller, carefully audited API. Where security is not paramount, the full API is available.
NGSCB is meant as an implementation of Trusted Computing, its potential uses are therefore similar. Proponents claim that TC will make computers safer, less prone to viruses and malware, and thus more reliable from an end-user perspective. In addition, they also claim that Trusted Computing will allow computers and servers to offer improved computer security over that which is currently available.
Digital Rights Management
By utilizing the attestation, curtained memory and cryptographic features of the TPM, a secure form of Digital Rights Mgmt (DRM) may be developed; critics charge that although it does not provide DRM features itself, DRM is nevertheless the primary motivation for the development of NGSCB.
DRM would be implemented by encrypting DRM-protected files and only making the decryption key available to corporate trusted applications. A wide range of copy-protection and similar features could thereby be implemented, limited only by the imagination. For example, it would be possible to create a file that can only be read on one computer, or within one organization, or a file that can only be opened for reading three times. While any DRM-protected file could be just as easily copied or read as an unprotected file, it would be extremely difficult to decrypt the file at an unauthorized destination, rendering it useless.
Network access
In corporate and educational networking environments, a desirable feature of NGSCB is the ability of each workstation to securely attest that no unauthorized modifications have been made either to its hardware or software. A workstation that is unable to authenticate itself can then be automatically denied access to some or all network services at will.
NGSCB and Trusted Computing can be used to intentionally and arbitrarily lock certain users out from use of certain files, products and services, for example to lock out users of a competing product, potentially leading to severe vendor lock-in. This is analogous to a contemporary problem in which many businesses feel compelled to purchase and use Microsoft Word in order to be compatible with associates who use that software. Today this problem is partially solved by products such as OpenOffice.org which provide limited compatibility with Microsoft Office file formats. Under NGSCB, if Microsoft Word were to encrypt documents it produced, no other application would be able to decrypt them, regardless of its ability to read the underlying file format.
NGSCB and Trusted Computing are ineffectual at solving the majority of contemporary security problems, for example computer viruses and trojans. Despite this fact, Microsoft has in the past claimed that NGSCB was necessary to combat the threat of future virus outbreaks against Microsoft Windows users. Microsoft is no longer making claims that NGSCB will solve these virus problems.
"There's a lot of good stuff in Pd, and a lot I like about it. There's also a lot I don't like, and am scared of. My fear is that Pd will lead us down a road where our computers are no longer our computers, but are instead owned by a variety of factions and companies all looking for a piece of our wallet. To the extent that Pd facilitates that reality, it's bad for society. I don't mind companies selling, renting, or licensing things to me, but the loss of the power, reach, and flexibility of the computer is too great a price to pay."
When originally announced, NGSCB was expected to be part of the then next major version of the Windows Operating System, Windows Vista (then known as Longhorn). However, in May 2004, Microsoft was reported to have shelved the NGSCB project. This was quickly denied by Microsoft who released a press release stating that they were instead "revisiting" their plans. The majority of features of NGSCB are now not expected to be available until well after the release of Windows Vista. However, Vista includes "BitLocker", which can make use of a Trusted Platform Module chip to facilitate secure startup and full-drive encryption. TPMs are already integrated in many systems using Intel's Core 2 Duo processors or AMD's Athlon 64 processors using the AM2 socket.
History of the name
Microsoft originally publicized the NGSCB technology under the code name Palladium, which was the word for a mythical talisman that guaranteed the security of Troy. Its working title was "Next-Generation Secure Computing Base," much as .NET's working title was "Next-Generation Windows Services." In early 2006, Microsoft renamed the NGSCB team at Microsoft to the System Integrity Team.
- "Next-Generation Secure Computing Base". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- "EOF - Give TCPA an Owner Override". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- "Dell Security Software FAQ". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- "MS blames PC architecture for viruses". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- "Microsoft Next-Generation Secure Computing Base - Technical FAQ". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- Crypto-Gram Newsletter August 15, 2002
- "Microsoft Shelves NGSCB Project As NX Moves To Center Stage". Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- "Microsoft: 'Palladium' Is Still Alive and Kicking". Retrieved 2007-05-24.
- System Integrity Team blog — team blog for NGSCB technologies
- Microsoft's NGSCB page
- Security WMI Providers Reference on MSDN, including BitLocker Drive Encryption and Trusted Platform Module (both components of NGSCB)
- TPM Base Services on MSDN
- Microsoft's "Digital Rights Management Operating System" patent
- Development Considerations for Nexus Computing Agents | <urn:uuid:20011961-7367-4251-853b-d6ab57e58e89> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next-Generation_Secure_Computing_Base | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937441 | 2,162 | 2.859375 | 3 |
What exactly is this force of social media and how do we define it in context with Africa? We all witnessed the remarkable reach of social media during the Arab Spring when protestors took to social networks to organize and share the historical changes in the region. And earlier this year with the successful democratic elections in Senegal, we witnessed the grassroots appeal Twitter had in encouraging the population to vote. There is no denying that the level of social mobilization achieved was improbable without the efficiency of Twitter and Facebook. As creativity was spurred, there was the introduction of audio-visual productions which added an artistic element that caught the entire world’s attention. Last week’s AFFNYC discussion on grassroots media movements in Africa provided great insight to the impact social media is having on democracy, creativity, and developments on the continent. So this begs the question, is the future of African developments dependent on social media?
The recent Senegalese elections marked advancement towards democracy in West Africa, when 85-year-old incumbent Abdoulaye Wade conceded his loss to Macky Sall. Yet, what’s most impressive about Wade conceding is not just that he relinquished power, but the fact that his very supporters who were influential to his rise to power were even more instrumental (pun intended) in his decline, except on a different platform. Senegalese rappers who supported Wade’s successful election in 2000 (albeit by much slower social mobilization tactics) changed their song in 2011 after Wade turned his back on them and the country. “Y’en Ai Marre”, which translates to, “I’m fed up,” became the anthem for Senegalese voters. It was in cyber cafés that the rappers and the young men and women would implore their communities through the aid of Twitter trends like #sunu2012 and #kebetu. Everything was organized on a centralized system where voters could mobilize in real time and record their progress during the election. It may not seem like much, but let’s not forget that it was just over a decade ago that the USA had an issue with chads, dimples, and recounts. The transformative power of social media, as seen in Senegal, is that this new platform creates somewhat of an even playing field with politicians and their constituents. The dissatisfaction isn’t new, but it’s that there is now an efficient way to connect the dissatisfied population and create tangible and hard proof that the people hold the power. Check out the official music video for the Y’en A Marre movement.
On the more creative side of social media and Africa, all it takes is a visit to sites like AfricanDigitalArt.com to see that Africa is not lacking of artists in the digital game. This cultural online community features “African Nerds of a Creative Inclination” (if you will) who blend their geeky side with the unique colors, stories, and visual storytelling elements of Africa that not only push the envelope on traditional African art, but blurs the global lines of digital creations, for instance a growing genre called Afrofuturism…yeah, check it out. Jepcumba, the Kenyan born (but world citizen) creator of the website poignantly identifies the origin of the online community by stating, “It wasn’t available, so I created it.” And unlocking this unsung artistry has proven beneficial in providing a platform for these artists, as well as developing the industries to protect the art. Check out this video from the website.
The connective thread of all the presentations, the stories, and the impact social media is having on the continent is that social media is introducing the complexities of Africa that are often generalized and misrepresented on the global stage. It creates a platform for Africans to showcase who they are, what they want, and how they are creating what’s lacking in their communities. It’s Africa by and for Africans. And as poignant as this most memorable quotation from the night puts it, “In a continent with few computers and little electricity, a smartphone is not just a phone –it’s a potential revolution,” at this moment in history, social media is allowing this generation of Africans to share their stories instantly before the world tries to colonize it…again. | <urn:uuid:d18b628f-8b4b-4bfa-a322-cc634f454d04> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.okayafrica.com/stories/mobilizing-africa-grassroots-media-movement/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960502 | 893 | 2.3125 | 2 |
Gel turns clear for cocaine detection
22 January 2010
Chinese researchers have developed an aptamer cross-linked hydrogel that changes from bright red or blue to colourless when exposed to tiny amounts of cocaine. No sophisticated analysis is required, and it is hoped the gel will provide quick visual tests for small molecules such as drugs, explosives or water contaminants.
The gel is made from polymer chains that are weakly held together by aptamers: short peptide chains that are engineered to bind to specific molecules. In this case, the researchers, led by Weihong Tan at Hunan University and Chaoyong Yang at Xiamen University, used an aptamer that binds strongly to cocaine.
When the gel is exposed to small amounts of the drug, the aptamers release their hold on the polymer chains and instead bind to the cocaine. This causes the structure of the gel to collapse.
In order to trigger a visible colour change when the gel collapses, the researchers trapped gold nanoparticles inside the structure. As these escape, the gel turns clear.
To improve the process, the team instead trapped amylase enzymes in the gel structure. They then dyed the gel dark blue with amylose and iodine. As the gel begins to collapse, the enzymes are released and catalytically break down the amylose - turning the gel colourless.
Gel response to different amounts of cocaine
© Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.
According to the researchers, as little as 20 nanograms of cocaine can be visually detected using this method in under ten minutes - which compares favourably with other systems that need complicated instrumentation for analysis.
However, the real potential lies in integrating different aptamers into the gels to enable them to sense different compounds. 'This system could be adapted to a huge range of small-molecule species, as long as suitable aptamers can be prepared for them,' says Colin McCoy at Queen's University, Belfast, UK.
The low cost and simplicity of the method holds great promise for many applications - from airport security to rapid diagnostic systems in disaster areas. Also, Tan's team propose that the gel could be micro-patterned onto small "lab-on-a-chip" devices, which would be useful in forensic analysis or environmental monitoring.
'It should be relatively easy to take forward to a quantitative, rather than qualitative, device - which would be a real breakthrough,' says McCoy. Jason Burdick at the University of Pennsylvania, US, agrees that there is a lot deal of potential. 'This technology could be used for a whole range of detection applications, as long as the researchers ensure that the sensitivity is good enough,' he says.
Interesting? Spread the word using the 'tools' menu on the left.
Z Zhu et al, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2010, DOI: 10.1002/anie.200905570
Also of interest
30 November 2009
New colorimetric gold nanoparticle-based test quickly measures arsenic levels in contaminated groundwater to very low concentrations
16 October 2009
New polymer-based material can change from clear to multi-coloured right through to opaque black at the flick of a switch
05 October 2009
Researchers have developed a paper-based sensor to quickly detect pesticide residues in food and drink samples
Comment on this story at the Chemistry World blog
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External links will open in a new browser window | <urn:uuid:eed1b6eb-3adc-4095-b752-a7a629709170> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2010/January/22011002.asp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.91813 | 712 | 2.59375 | 3 |
Flooding In Nashville, Horses In Kentucky – Today In Country Music History
Dierks Bentley and several other artists cancelled shows because of the flooding in Nashville in 2010, LeAnn Rimes set a Kentucky Derby precedent in 2009 and Shania Twain hit number one for the sixth time in 1998. Do you remember what it was?
Here’s the complete list for Today In Country Music History for 02 May, 2012.
- Dierks Bentley, Alison Krauss and John Hiatt canceled out-of-town concerts when Nashville flooding created transportation problems in 2010.
- LeAnn Rimes became the first major star to sing the national anthem prior to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville in 2009.
- The Dixie Chicks appeared nude on the cover of Entertainment Weekly in 2003, with words such as “boycott,” “traitors” and “free speech” superimposed on their bodies, as they discussed the controversy that came from an anti-Bush comment by Natalie Maines.
- Shania Twain‘s “You’re Still The One” became her sixth Number One country single in 1998.
- Clint Black signed with RCA Records in 1988.
- The Highwayman album by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson was released in 1985.
- Marty Robbins‘s “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife” went to Number One in 1970.
Not near a Radio? Click here to listen to Lonestar 102.3 online. | <urn:uuid:b9a64995-35e1-49a1-bbe2-fe5f5deb8156> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://1023blakefm.com/flooding-in-nashville-horses-in-kentucky-today-in-country-music-history/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00061-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.909241 | 325 | 1.554688 | 2 |
New category for Groundswell Awards - Social Impact
by Charlene Li
We're getting some great entries for the Groundswell Awards so please keep them coming. But we also decided to add a seventh category, which is for "Social Impact", where social technologies improve society.
We wanted to do this for a number of reasons. First, while social technologies are clearly having an impact on the way people communicate and work with each other, as well as how businesses operate, it's also having a profound impact on our civic and social involvement -- just witness the investment political candidates are making in social technologies.
Second, the press and buzz frequently point out the more nefarious sides of social technologies, such as online stalkers on social networking sites, or potential privacy violations of services like Google Street View. While valid concerns, I'd like attention also to focus on the unsung examples where social technologies can do good.
Third, I hope this award category will inspire others to develop technologies that solve pressing societal problems. One of the biggest problems I see happening is technology being developed in a vacuum, rather than developed to solve a specific problem. Nico MacDonald put it well in a recent post about the social impact of the Web:
What we are seeing at present is people with solutions looking for problems: they believe that in some ways computing and the Internet were almost consciously created as appropriate solutions to the lack of democratic and civic engagement. This won't work, and this instrumentalist approach will tend to undermine the perception of the real value of these tools by ordinary people, as they see these projects (such as e-voting and e-democracy) fail.
There are plenty of examples of thinking out there -- and we would love to recognize some of them for innovation and impact. Here are a few sites to fuel your interest:
NetSquared: "Remixing the Web for social change". A portal for social change with technology.
SixDegress.org: Started by Kevin Bacon in January 2007, it's "social networking with a social conscience" The site creates badges that, when placed on your social network profile, solicits donations from your friends for your favorite charities.
Carebadges.com: Similar to sixdegrees.org, Carebadges are like the ubiquitous yellow "Live Strong" bracelets -- you declare your cause on your profile pages and potentially raise money for it along the way.
Widgets of the world unite: A nice post that aggregates several examples of widgets being used for social change.
Causes on Facebook: This is a Facebook application that allows you to champion your favorite causes, recruit members, and raise money.
CoolHunting also has a nice post on social networking for a cause. Examples include FrictionTV (videos on issues where users can engage in a debate); nabuur.com which matches people with skills to virtual jobs; and kiva.org, which allows individuals to participate in microlending.
If you know of other examples, please email us at email@example.com or share in the comments.
And if you'd like to submit an example for the awards, please see the details in the original awards post. | <urn:uuid:38a1dbad-e6fd-4477-9e1d-45f73cb0d88d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://forrester.typepad.com/groundswell/2007/08/new-category-fo.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00068-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94194 | 657 | 1.773438 | 2 |
I was curious to see what types of wikis exist, so I did a google search simply using the work “wiki.” The results were disappointing as I searched through pages of poorly organized work. However, I finally came across the StoryTellingWiki, which is a compilation of stories, fairy tales and myths from around the world. [...]
The Disaster Dynamics project is dedicated to preparing policy makers, academics, students, etc. to make informed and analytical decisions during a disaster. In order to achieve this goal, the project is seeking to create effective learning environments for the unique challenges surrounding natural disasters. At this time, the chief focus is on creating games and [...]
Now that the semester is almost over, you may be ready to take a break from this far too busy world and chill out in a virtual one. Virtual Worlds Review has links and commentary on 18 different virtual spaces where you can don an avatar and be someone else somewhere else for awhile.
The Polar Husky site is an example of simulations being used with e-learning opportunities. It is set up like the Iditarod sites where teachers, students and regular folks can monitor, interact and learn from a dog sled team as it travels the tundra for 3,000 miles. I was expecially drawn to this when the opening [...]
Matthew Baldwin, author of the very funny Defective Yeti blog, has a very good list of suggested board games for the gifting season.
For those of you who enjoyed the Wiki project, here is an application that allows users to create a local wiki on your own computer. The Voodoo pad allows users to link to files on the computer or internet. There is a free demo version at flyingmeat.com This product recently won the O’Reilly Innovator’s award [...]
Design News, a respected trade journal for engineering types has initiated a new feature on their website – a game designed to challenge reader’s knowledge of engineering. Participants can see how they rank among their peers or just test their knowledge with what appears to be a Flash-based game. Users need to register to access [...]
In my first posting I made reference to an essay by Frank Oppenheimer about play and learning (this Blog, Oct 22). Frank raises an issue that I must always remember: it takes discipline to play. The pressure to produce makes it hard to work creatively and playfully. The more I view a program like Flash [...]
“The uDevGame Contest is an effective process for equipping novice and veteran game developers alike with the knowledge they need to create great Mac games. The competitive nature and short development time of the contest forces entrants to develop an appreciation of good game design. uDevGame also helps to teach developers how to pace themselves [...]
This is a good website for people, especially young people, interested in Physics. It contains a number of interactive games and simulations. For example, there is a Periodic Table game where you line up tiles to match the periodic table. There is also a Wafer Maker game in which you grow silicon crystals to make [...]
In mid-November, local students and their teachers were given the opportunity to participate in the first annual Red-Eye Video Shoot Out sponsored by the San Diego County Office of Education’s iVIEawards.org (Innovative Video in Education). While video production is not typically considered a game or simulation, this event was a competition with set rules and [...]
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a self-regulatory body established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). They provide ratings to help you choose games that are appropriate for you and your family. They rate games with symbols that indicate the suggested age group of game users for a particular game, and they [...]
I am totally fascinated with Military simulations. I find the thought of fighting terrorists from my living room to be the only function of support I can offer. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the men and women fighting for our country and often feel somewhat helpless in the fact that I am [...]
In researching one of my Wiki topics, I came across an article by Howard Tomlinson in the September, 2003 edition of the T.H.E. Journal about the increased use of PDAs in the classroom. The PDAs are seen as a less expensive alternative to laptop or desktop PCs for each student. They can be used by [...] | <urn:uuid:4180ef0d-cfd8-44e8-a7bb-79678789674a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://edtec670.edublogs.org/2003/12/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00025-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952669 | 900 | 2.15625 | 2 |
After years of blogging with Adventists on the “Club Adventist” forum about abortion, I have discovered that no matter what argument I use in defense of the unborn’s right to life, those who oppose my views end with the following entrenched position:
“Abortion is wrong, but women should have the right to choose!”
So let me see if we can apply the same policy to other areas of our moral behavior:
- Rape is wrong, but men should have the right to choose!
- Sexual abuse of children is wrong but men should have the right to choose!
- Burglary is wrong, but men should have the right to choose!
- Terrorism is wrong, but men should have the right to choose!
- Slavery is wrong, but men should have the right to choose!
- Homicide is wrong, but men should have the right to choose!
- Genocide is wrong, but men should have the right to choose!
Here is my question: If you agree that all the above described moral actions which cause harm to other human beings are wrong and must we punished, why do we insist that in the case of abortion, women should have the right to kill their own children with impunity?
Why is this a sacred cow for abortionists? Why does society grant abortionists the privilege to profit from the greatest harm imaginable: dismemberment and poisoning of innocent victims without due process, without anesthesia, and without the right to appeal which even the worst criminals are entitled to?
- Why is it wrong to rape, but right to kill without being punished?
- Why is it wrong to sexually abuse little children, but right to execute the unborn without any legal consequence?
- Why is it wrong to steal and burglarize, but right to ask for the death of innocent unborn children with any legal repercussion?
- I hope you get the idea!
And why do we allow our church to leaders to compromise with this great moral evil by permitting our own hospitals to offer elective abortions on demand which represents a direct violation of our own “Guidelines on Abortion” and even what the Lord wrote on tablets of stone with his own finger?
Should not our leaders apologize for this deviation from moral duty? Should not we pray, fast, and seek God’s forgiveness for this great sin?
More:===> If this topic is of interest to you, I suggest you secure a copy of the book I recently published entitled: From Pro-life to Pro-choice: The Dramatic Shift in Seventh-day Adventists’ Attitudes Towards Abortion from the printer. Here is the link: http://lulu.com. You will need to type my name, Nic Samojluk, in the blank “Search” space to access my book’s web page.
If you believe that it was wrong for Adventists to offer elective abortions in our Adventist hospitals, then visit the following web page and sign the petition described below:
Petition Stop & Apologize for Elective Abortions in Adventist Hospitals | <urn:uuid:0558e674-db8e-44cb-a822-6a9ba3926a16> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://adventlife.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/the-god-given-right-to-choose-by-nic-samojluk/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949104 | 642 | 1.703125 | 2 |
OVERLAND - ANGKOR WAT
Experience the magnificent Angkor Wat, a temple complex in Cambodia, built for King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation - first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.
Day 1: 23 February, 2014 BANGKOK to SIEM REAP
Depart the ship in Laem Chabang and transfer to the Bangkok Airport. Fly from Bangkok to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at the Siem Reap International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Le Meridien Hotel. Note: You will require one additional passport photo for your entry visa. Following check-in and some free time to relax at the hotel, you will enjoy dinner with a Khmer dance show.
Day 2: 24 February, 2014 SIEM REAP
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then transfer to Angkor Thom complex. You will visit the Southern Gate of Angkor Thom and the famous Bayon Complex whose giant stone faces have become one of the most recognizable images connected to classic Khmer art and architecture. The curious smiling faces are said to be the representation of King Jayavarman VII, the creator of Bayon Temple. Next you will move on to the Phimean Akas Temples, the Elephants Terrace & Leper King, Preah Khan, Neak Khan, Takeo.
Another highlight is a visit to the famous Ta Prohm Temple, famous for its forest atmosphere with enormous fig trees. This temple looks just as it did when the first European explorer arrived. You may recognize it as it's also the location of many scenes filmed for Angelina Jolie's huge blockbuster movie, Tomb Raider. Your morning of adventure will be followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon you will drive to Bantey Srei, the beautiful 'Women's Citadel' located 32km from Siem Reap town. This is the last major Khmer temple to be re-discovered in Cambodia.
Your day will end with a visit to Angkor Wat. This is the highest and most magnificent temple in Cambodia. This huge temple was built by King Suryavarman as a Hinduist temple. His tomb was on the top tower. Angkor Wat has three floors and many roofs, doors and gates and you will see two long snakes with 7 heads which are considered to be dragons, on both sides of the entrance to the complex.
Enjoy sunset at Angkor Wat and then head back to the hotel for an evening at leisure. Dinner will be on your own.
Day 3: 25 February, 2014 SIEMREAP to SAIGON
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out. You will transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Once you arrive in Vietnam, you will be met and transferred directly to the ship at the Saigon port.
Note: You will require one additional passport photo for your entry visa.
Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. The timings indicated are only approximate, and are given here for general reference purposes only and are subject to change.
Day 1 - February 23rd, 2014
10:20am Check in at Bangkok airport for Siemreap
12:20pm Fly to Siemreap on PG 906 (subject to change)
1:35pm Arrive in Siem Reap. Obtain included Cambodian Visa (one extra passport photo
required) Meet and greet and transfer to the hotel
2:00pm Check in at your hotel. Lunch is on your own
7:00pm Transfer to dinner with Khmer show
Overnight at Le Meridien Hotel or similar hotel
Day 2 - Feburary 24th, 2014
7:00am Buffet Breakfast at the hotel
8:00am Transfer to Angkor Thom complex. Visit the Southern Gate the Bayon complex,
Phimean Akas Temples, the Elephants Terrace & Leper King, Preah Khan, Neak
9:30am Visit Ta Prohm Temple
12:00nn Lunch at a local restaurant with your choice of one soft drink or one local
beer or one bottle of water
1:00pm Drive to Bantey Srei, the 'Women's Citadel'
3:30pm Visit Angkor Wat
5:30pm Enjoy sunset over Angkor Wat (subject to weather conditions)
6:00pm Return to the hotel
6:30pm Evening at your leisure
Dinner on your own.
Overnight at the Le Meridien Hotel or similar hotel
NOTE: Your guide will give you an Angkor Wat Complex Pass at the beginning of the program. Please ensure to keep it with you for the day's entrance to all temples and restroom facilities
Day 3 - February 25th, 2014
7:00am Breakfast at hotel
9:00am Check out and transfer to the airport
9:30am Check in for your flight from Siem Reap to Saigon
11:20am Flight to Saigon on K6 808 (subject to change)
12:40pm Arrive in Vietnam. Obtain included Vietnamese Visa (one extra passport photo
1:00pm Meet and greet and transfer to the ship
1:30pm Approximate arrival at the ship
Expected Weather: 30 - 35 C (80-90 F) With very little shade
What to Bring: Casual clothes (there are no dress code restrictions), comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, camera, insect repellant.
Currency: US dollars are popular and accepted everywhere. USD 1 = approximately 4,000 Cambodian Riels
Electricity: 220 Volts
Luggage: Light luggage would be most suited for this 2 night trip. Please note that the airlines allow a maximum of 1 checked suitcase (20 kg or 44lbs) and one small carry on. Any additional pieces will be paid to the airline at the guests expense.
Documents: Passports are required. Please ensure that you have two additional passport photos for the Cambodian and Vietnamese Visas which are included in the cost of this program and which you will obtain at the airports in Siem Reap and Saigon. Make sure to have them ready to show when you reach each airport.
Accommodation: Le Meridien Hotel in Siem Reap or another similar hotel. If a similar hotel is required due to unforseen circumstances, it will be of equal ratings and standards.
" 2 nights' accommodation at Le Meridien Hotel in Siem Reap or similar
" Two breakfasts
" One lunch and one dinner - one local beer or one mineral water or one soft drink
" Transfers and sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary using air-conditioned
" Bottled water will be provided on the buses.
" Cambodian Visa upon arrival.
" Vietnam Visa on arrival
" International air ticket in coach class from Bangkok to Siem Reap.
" International air ticket in coach class from Siem Reap to Saigon
" English Speaking Guide
" Any meals or drinks not specified above
" Personal expenses, hotel incidentals
" Gratuities to drivers and guides
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
OVERLAND - ANGKOR WAT
Price: $1,999.00 per guest based on double occupancy.
OVERLAND - ANGKOR WAT (Concierge-Level Suites and Above Only)
Price: $1,899.00 per guest based on double occupancy. | <urn:uuid:0f8ad571-38e1-4480-b6c2-cf4d5718c754> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.rssc.com/cruises/VOY140219/activities/ashore/day-1/default/default.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.92098 | 1,780 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Districts Save Resources and Improve Outcomes
Learn how three institutions have successfully reduced costs by publishing online, providing online professional development for teachers, and streamlining administrative processes.
Multiple District Perspectives on Driving Student Success
Discover how several districts across the country have boosted student engagement and improved communication with parents through innovative technology initiatives using Blackboard's K-12 solutions.
IDEAL - NM: K20+ Education System (K12, Higher Education, and State Employee Training)
Hear how the state leverages technology to deliver quality online instruction across the entire state to every student.
Albuquerque Public Schools – Education 360
Find out how Albuquerque Public Schools are wrapping educational resources around students 24/7.
Mooresville Graded School District's Digital Conversion
Check out Mooresville Graded School District where Blackboard is the glue that holds their “digital conversion” together.
Mooresville Graded School District Increases Parental Involvement
See how Mooresville Graded School District has increased parental involvement and insight through their implementation of Blackboard teaching, learning and communication solutions.
Superintendent Perspective on Learn for K-12
Superintendents are realizing the need to close the gap between the way students live and the way they learn. Listen to their perspectives about the digital natives in their schools and districts and how technology affects teaching and learning in K-12.
Blended Learning with Susan Patrick
Susan Patrick, President and CEO of iNACOL, shares information about how Blended Learning through online learning providers such as Blackboard help accelerate student achievement.
Blended Learning Models
Education leaders from Calcasieu Parish Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Blendedschools.net speak out about the evolution of blended learning in their schools.
Online Discussion Boards Enhance Classes at Minnetonka Public Schools
Minnetonka Public Schools are using Blackboard discussion boards to extend classes online after the school day is complete.
Littleton High School Students use Blackboard for Graduation Requirements
Learn how Blackboard is helping high school students in Littleton, Colorado to complete graduation requirements and adhere to diverse learning needs.
Credit Recovery Programs
District leaders from North Kansas City School District, the Florida Virtual School, Albuquerque Public Schools, and Calcasieu Parish Public Schools discuss the need for credit recovery programs and what steps they have taken to develop such opportunities for their students through the Blackboard platform.
Online Professional Development
District leaders continue to struggle to provide quality professional development opportunities to their teachers and administrators without pulling educators away from the students for extended periods of time. Learn how JeffCo Public Schools, Calcasieu Parish Public Schools, and The Shultz Center for Teaching and Learning are using the Blackboard solutions to host and measure professional development opportunities online for their staff.
Polk County Brings Professional Development Online
Bringing Professional Development online as saved Polk County significant amounts of money and has allowed their administrators to offer professional training to over 3,000 teachers throughout the county. Learn more about their school district.
Extending Districts by Establishing Virtual Programs
Hear from North Kansas School District, JeffCo Public Schools, and Fairfax County about their virtual schools.
Listen to students speak about their educational experiences! A number of students from school districts across the country share their personal stories about online learning.
Blackboard Student Panel from Blackboard World 2009
Listen to students who recently attended Blackboard World 2009. These students were part of a panel where they were given the opportunity to speak about their uses of Blackboard throughout their classes.
First Grade Use of Blackboard Learn at Fairfax County Public Schools
Sara, a first grader from Fairfax County Public Schools, explains how she uses Blackboard. Thanks to Fairfax’s Michelle Crabill for the video contribution.
Online Learning with Adam
Online Learning with Brittany
Online Learning with Stefan
Credit Recovery with Dennis and Marcois
East Hill Elementary Library
Take an online tour with Ms. Koch through her library site at East Hill Elementary School. Watch how she uses the site to foster a love of reading in her students, inspire them to be information seekers, and provide a place online to display the work they take so much pride in.
West Genesse High School AP World History
Join Rob Leo at West Genesse High School and learn how he uses Blackboard in his AP World History class to better manage contact with his students as well as offer more learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.
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LED Maintenance Factors
As with any other lamp/luminaire, when designing with LED/SSL light sources the Lighting Designer must consider the use of an appropriate Maintenance Factor so that the planned lighting scheme gives Maintained Illuminance in accordance with normally specified standards.
Maintenance Factor is determined by deciding what time period the scheme will be serviced (usually taken as a group replacement period).
For LED/SSL it is common to publish/specify lifetime as L70, the time at which the light output drops by 30% to be 70% of initial (L100). If this is combined with other depreciation factors such as the Luminaire Maintenance Factor (LMF allows for dirt), then this would result in a MF of ~0.60 in calculations if the L70 time period is used. A MF of 0.60 will lead to an uneconomical amount of initial over-design. It is common to use 0.80 for indoor projects (for T26 and T16), and 0.70 for general outdoor projects (for MH, can be higher for HPS).
If a comparable MF for SSL/LED is to be used then it would be more appropriate to use burning hours at L90 or L80 in combination with LMF. These values should be available from suppliers, and the maintenance period declared in the design documents (as with any other light source).
http://www.iesanz.org/_r796/media/system/attrib/file/1229/LED Light Sources and Luminaires -Design Factors %5BIESANZ Position Statement%5D.pdf
Binless LED Tips
During production, LEDs vary in colour, luminous flux, and forward voltage. Since the differences are significant, LEDs are measured and delivered to the market in subclasses, or bins. Binning makes it possible to select LEDs that conform to stated specifications -- for instance, to select LEDs for traffic signals with the specific colour required to meet the European standard.
TIP: One important goal for lighting fixture manufacturers is to select bins of LEDs in such a way as to minimize differences in colour that might be visible from fixture to fixture or from production run to production run.
TIP: So the benefit of Binless LED modules is that binning has been taken care of. That is, you won't have colour inconsistency issues or voltage differences with the LED modules.
This video helps to explain :
http://www.youtube.com/v/sZQg5Kzotes (courtesy of Philips Lighting)
TIP: Binless LED's have been made possible through advanced phosphor technology which results in a more consistent finished colour.
TIP: The language may change; but the meaning is the same. "Binless" or "Freedom from Binning" are two terms that are used to describe the same process.
LED Life Evaluation Tips
LEDs are known for their long life. Claims such as 50,000 hours are not uncommon. But how do we evaluate the life of an LED compared to the traditional light sources.
TIP: The life of incandescent, fluorescent, and high intensity discharge lamps is expressed as rated life which is when 50% of a large batch of lamps has failed when operated under controlled conditions.
TIP: LEDs are different; they don't fail abruptly like traditional sources. LEDs tend to slowly fade away and therefore can last a long time but produce little light.
TIP: The life of an LED is based on the decline of the light over a period of time. This is also called lumen maintenance.
TIP: We now have new terms like L70 and L50. Lumen maintenance is often specified as L50, L70, L80. The number is the percentage of light output remaining.
TIP: L70 is commonly used to evaluate the life of an LED because the human eye cannot detect a change in light output until it has been reduced by 30%
TIP: B50 is also used to describe the life of an LED. B50 indicates no more than 50% of a sample of LEDs would be expected to have their light output drop below a target lumen maintenance level. B10 would mean no more than 10% drop below the target level.
TIP: The life of an LED is commonly expressed as (B50,L70). This is when 50% of a large group of identical lamps are below 70% of initial lumens.
TIP: Life also is impacted by electrical and thermal conditions determined by the luminaire and system design rather than the properties of the LED.
TIP: At this time there is no approved Australian standard for reporting life time or lumen depreciation data for LED lamp sources. However the LM-80 has been adopted by most manufacturers. LM-80 is the approved (IESNA) method of measuring lumen maintenance of LED light sources.
TIP: Again in the absence of an Australian LED Luminaire Standard, validation of LED luminaire performance is best covered by the process of the Lighting Council SSL Quality Scheme; where test reports in the form similar to that required by LM-79 must be provided to The Lighting Council from independent test laboratories that demonstrate the product performance. Upon approval, The Lighting Council then issues the labels for each of the products listed, which are evidence of their certification.
T5 Energy Saving Tips
T5 Tubes have always been presented as an energy saving option to traditional T8 lamps. However in recent times we have seen the emergence of the T5 Energy Saving tube which offers even greater savings.
TIP: The Energy Saving versions have reduced wattage when compared to the original T5 lamps.
TIP: T5 28watt (HE) = T5 25watt Energy Saving, T5 35 watt(HE) = T5 32watt Energy Saving, T5 49watt(HO) = T5 45watt Energy Saving, T5 54watt (HO) = T5 50watt Energy Saving, T5 80watt(HO) = T5 73watt Energy Saving.
TIP: The T5 Energy Saving lamp has the same lumen output, lumen maintenance and life as the original T5 lamp. Manufactures' data should be used to determine actual values.
TIP: It is not an automatic energy saving result. The ballast plays an important part in the outcome.
TIP: To achieve the 10% Energy Savings the lamp must be operated on a Current Controlled Ballast.
TIP: When operated on a Power Controlled Ballast the energy saving is zero; however the lumen output is increased to 110%.
TIP: The Energy Saving lamp can be used on both fixed output and dimmable ballasts.
TIP: Replacing an original T5 lamp with a T5 Energy Saver lamp will not necessarily deliver an energy saving outcome unless it used on the correct ballast.
TLEDs are LED tubes designed to replace conventional fluorescent T8 lamps. We need to be aware of how they perform if we are to make a true comparison between old and new technology.
TIP: While these are retrofit lamps they will work on magnetic ballast only (not electronic). When operating on magnetic ballast the starter needs to be replaced with a fuse which looks and fits like a starter.
TIP: To gain maximum efficiency it may be wise to remove the ballast and operate the lamp directly on 240 volt supply. In these situations the luminaire must carry a warning of the dangers of replacing the TLED with a conventional T8 tube and the fitting must have a fuse for protection.
TIP: The 10 watt LED replaces an 18watt and 19watt replaces a 36watt tube .
TIP: The efficacy is about the same. TLED is 80 lumens per watt and T8 is closer to 90 lumens per watt.
TIP: When retrofitting you may not get the same amount of light. A 36watt T8 will deliver 3250 lumens. The 19watt LED replacement only 1650 lumens.
TIP: The TLED has it is own inbuilt reflector. The T8 relies on the reflector in the luminaire to direct light onto the working plane. The other consideration is how many lamp lumens reach the working plane. A highly efficient optical system may work best with conventional lamps.
TIP: The life of a TLED IS 40,000 hours. A T8 is 15000 hours. Be aware the TLED life is based on 70% of initial lamp lumens and the T8 is based on 50% mortality. There are special T8 lamps (Extreme) that have a life of 67000 hours and are a fraction of the cost.
TIP: The TLED will operate at a lower ambient temperature (-30C to +45C) than the T8. The maximum output of a T8 is achieved at 25 degrees C with reduction as the ambient temperature changes. This makes the TLED suitable for cold environments including cool rooms.
TIP: Safety is an important consideration. There is a risk of electric shock with some products. TLED has an inbuilt safety protection to prevent this happening.
TIP: TLED is like any other lamp; there are benefits that recommend it for use in many applications. However, we need to apply the same scrutiny that we apply to all lamps.
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is a mandatory document setting the technical provisions for the design and construction of buildings across Australia.
TIP: Section J6 addresses energy efficiency in buildings and specifically, Artificial Light and Power.
The objective is to minimise power consumption of lighting installations through the application of energy smart practices and the employment of efficient products.
TIP: Table J6.2a provides maximum Illumination Power Density (IPD) expressed as watts per square metre for specific applications. While the lighting levels must comply with Australian Standards (AS/NZS1680) the IPD can be acheived through the use of high efficacy light sources, electronic control gear and efficient luminaires.
TIPS: Concessions to the specified values of IPD (watts/m2) in Table J6.a can be obtained by using intelligent lighting control including timers, motion detectors, dimming and daylight sensors.
TIPS: Pierlite has met the challenges of Section J6 of the BCA by providing optimum lighting solutions using state of the art products that ensure compliance with BCA. Further information is available on the Pierlite website: www.pierlite.com
The Green Star environmental rating system for buildings was developed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Green Star is Australia's first comprehensive rating system for evaluating the environmental design and performance of Australian Buildings based on a number of criteria including energy and water efficiency, indoor environment quality and resource conservation.
TIP: Green Star Certified ratings are: 4 Star Best Practice, 5 Star Australian Excellence and 6 Star World Leadership.
TIP: Credits are available for good lighting practice based on the use of energy efficient measures. The practices include use of electronic gear, maintaining illuminance levels within the recommendations of AS/NZS1680, achieving minimum power density and office zoning.
TIP: Although the Green Star certification requires a formal process, design assistance is available through your local Pierlite office
High frequency (HF) electronic control gear for fluorescent lamps
It can be argued that HF electronic control gear is indeed a complex technology when compared to the traditional magnetic variety. With the reality of escalating energy costs and the need to create sustainable energy solutions, it is understandable why the development of HF technology has now taken electronic control gear to a level of sophistication, particularly when it comes to dimming and energy control of fluorescent lamps. Courtesy of Tridonic, an informative reference manual has been prepared detailing wiring and installation guides covering both fixed output and dimmable electronic control gear.
Select this link for more information
LED’S! Do they measure up to the claims?
LED’s have transformed the way we think about lighting, but are they all that they say they are?
If you see a claim that is too good to be true it probably is so here are some quick checks to consider before you spend your well-earned cash:
• Is the product SSL certified? – Independent certification takes all the guess work from your decision.
• Does the product conform to EMC regulations? – get this wrong and you introduce serious interferences for TV’s phone and electronic health services such as pacemakers
• LED’s that perform equally to traditional light sources do exist, but unless they are producing the same lumen output they are more than likely not providing and equivalent performance.
| Lamp Type
| High Pressure Sodium
| Metal Halide
BEFORE YOU DECIDE
• If you see a claim that states “equal to an equivalent HID product” simply ask for the lumen output and if they are not equal challenge the claim.
• Don’t forget to sight the independent certification and the EMC compliance.
EMC – what you should know?
EMC is the control of electromagnetic interference and the compatibility of electrical and electronic equipment. Lighting operating within the frequency spectrum of 9 kHz to 30 MHz has limits placed on electromagnetic emissions as specified in AS/NZS CISPR 15: 2006
There are two types of electromagnetic emissions.
CONDUCTED - where electrical noise is transmitted back through the wiring .When the specified limits are breached this may affect equipment within the installation.
• The Control signal may be activated or cancelled
• Medical equipment could shut down or record incorrect data
• TV and radio interference
RADIATED - where noise is transmitted through air. When specified limits are breached this may have the following impact.
• Effect communication signals allocated to TV, Radio or Traffic control.
• Interfere with medical devices such as a pacemakers or hearing aids.
The RCM is a new acknowledgment of EMC and safety compliance, this will replace the C Tick now used to demonstrate compliance. | <urn:uuid:d5b4acd6-4e03-44c9-9e64-98182a5dd658> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.pierlite.com/au/84029 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.910397 | 2,931 | 2.109375 | 2 |
ST. PAUL, MN (KDAL) - As the absentee ballot period in Minnesota ends on Monday, 270 thousand voters have requested absentee ballots and of those over 235 thousand have been returned by the voter and accepted. Since Minnesota does not have early voting, only eligible voters can cast absentee ballots before election day. Acceptable reasons include being absent from your precinct on election day, illness or disability. Early voting closed in Wisconsin on Friday, but the number of those who voted early are not disclosed by state officials.
Doug Stephan's Good Day 5:00 AM - 8:00 AM
On Air Now. | <urn:uuid:e800b61f-bada-4797-a185-4590c90c175a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wnmtradio.com/news/articles/2012/nov/05/270-thousand-minnesota-voters-request-absentee-ballots/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969673 | 124 | 1.585938 | 2 |
Dansville is a rural community located in beautiful southeastern Michigan, only 22 miles from the state capitol and the campus of Michigan State University.
Its economy is supported primarily by small business, agriculture research and production. The Dansville community is both school and family-centered, offering a high level of support from parents and citizens for the school and its efforts.
The K-12 school system offers the best of small and large school settings, in that each student is known personally by the staff while being exposed to a wide variety of educational opportunities.
Dansville has a strong academic and extracurricular program including AP classes, dual-enrollment opportunities, partnership with the Capital Area Career Center, art education, a secondary Spanish program, physical education, vocal and instrumental music, technology, athletics and a large number of other extracurricular clubs and activities.
A safe learning environment, a strong commitment to every student through the district-wide implementation of RtI (Response to Intervention), innovative grading and assessment practices as well as outstanding staff are all reasons the students at Dansville Schools are learning and thriving every day. | <urn:uuid:9d9710c1-98d3-4fb3-a9bf-8894cfe826d2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.dansville.org/district/district-forms/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972029 | 231 | 1.601563 | 2 |
I am putting my five year old son to bed, when suddenly his hand reaches out and grabs my throat. Immediately, he transforms his action into a caress; it is as though his hand had acted on its own, and his mind only caught up with it a moment later. The threat lingers in the air as I turn out his light and leave the room.
I watch him. I see his little acts of violence. I see them often directed at me – always unprovoked, and always unexpected.
I find graffiti under the table. His destruction is subtle, and hidden. It is very hard to catch him in the act.
The cover of a new book is scratched now. It is a small thing, but when was this done, and why? I don’t ask who did this.
I am lying in bed when he comes in and throws a die at me. The die cracks against the wall over me with a sound that is sharp and menacing.
I squeeze my eyes closed. When I open them, he is still smiling.
Is it a game or a threat? Sometimes it is impossible to tell.
Sometimes he bites. He bites his father while they are playing. Immediately, he covers the damage with a kiss.
He chases his sister around, calling, “I am going to bite you.” Yet they are both laughing and enjoying the chase. Is it a game or a threat? Sometimes it is impossible to tell. I wonder if he even knows himself.
His aggression is like the tongue of a lizard that flashes and instantly retreats back into the warm cave of his mouth. It is always accompanied by a smile or a kiss.
He presents a cup of urine to his teacher innocently, as though it is a cup of olive oil. She is confused by his behavior. It seems to exist without a context.
I know her confusion, because I too am confused by what his actions mean. How is it possible to have such sweetness accompanied by such aggression? How can they co-exist?
And how can all this be happening inside my son, whose radiance has illuminated my life since his birth?
I’d rather say that I am a lousy mother and let him remain untarnished. It would let me preserve him. Keep him whole.
Massive doses of omega threes and dietary modifications do not help. He bites his sister on the leg. When I put him in time-out, he bites himself. At school, he bites a classmate on the cheek. The next day, he bites someone else.
The first time I give him medication, I feel as though I am poisoning him. Every possible side-effect haunts me as I grind his morning dose between two spoons, and add it to his sandwich. When he throws a massive tantrum later that day as the medication wears off, I take him in my arms and rock him.
The doctor recommends an afternoon dose as well as a morning one. Instead I take him to the park, rationalizing that he just needs to run off his excessive energy. I don’t want to believe that something is so wrong that it requires medication to be corrected.
During school hours my son basks in the newfound sunshine of his teacher’s praise. Over vacation I witness his transformation firsthand. I see the way he is able to sustain concentration on mental tasks. He plays board games, and completes one hundred piece puzzles, activities which were previously inaccessible to him. He sits quietly and appears at peace in his body for the first time in years.
As the medicine wears off, he speaks faster and his speech becomes more garbled. He moves faster and fidgets non-stop. He becomes isolated within a twister of non-stop motion. Friends keep their distance; toys scatter and break.
He is barred from after-school activities because he bothers people. Anything that would be a creative outlet becomes another closed door.
This small pill stands between him and life as a social outcast.
I relent and begin to administer an afternoon dose. Medication brings new challenges. He refuses to take it. He complains that it does not help him; he does not need it. I coax and cajole, threaten and bribe, to ensure that the medicine is taken.
Since medication for hyperactivity is a stimulant, it must wear off before he can sleep. Some days he crashes, unable to regulate his mood as the medicine wears off. Then I wrap him tightly in a blanket, and hold him as he thrashes, protecting him from his rage while protecting myself.
There is an exclusivity to our bond that is sometimes crushingly heavy. If I am not available for this task, if I am sick or needed elsewhere, the repercussions are enormous. No one else can calm him as I can. His sister and his father are shut out by their inability to deal with his rage.
As I navigate the minefield before bedtime, I wait for him to grow up, and to grow into an understanding of greater self-regulation. I pray for a happy ending. I tell him over and over again that I love him. I mean it.
All over the media, people decry the myth of ADHD. They question the love of any parent who chooses to medicate their child. Yet I recognize that this small pill, ground up and added to my son’s food with breakfast and lunch, stands between him and life as a social outcast. Just like the blanket I wrap him in as he thrashes in rage, it is another small shelter of love to protect him from harm. | <urn:uuid:1180e878-08d2-4936-b71e-128a53024276> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.aish.com/f/p/Aggression_Life_with_ADHD.html?s=raw | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.98899 | 1,162 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Acair Ltd was established in 1976 to provide Gàidhlig language materials for the ground breaking bi-lingual education project in the Western Isles.
Since then our books have been (and continue to be) well-known in Gaelic Medium schools across Scotland: not many children passed through school without having the pleasure of reading about the famous adventures of SPÀGAN!
Out with education, however, Acair has developed a long list of general interest books in Gaelic and English which could be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Acair’s core business is still the publication of Gaelic books. This varies from producing new and original books, to working with other well-known publishing houses to produce popular children’s books as Gaelic editions.
Acair now has an impressive backlist of both children’s and general interest titles. Many remain as popular as they were when they were first released, and we have recently re-printed a number of them, such as CAILEAG and CHO MÒR ‘S A THA MO GHAOL ORT. Acair has also published some classic 20th century Gaelic writers, including Donald MacAulay and Iain Crichton-Smith.
Our list also includes some bilingual publications for adults, on a variety of topics from original poetry to plays to local historical, as well as English-only books on related Gaelic and Highland topics.
As well as producing books independently, Acair’s publication process is often assisted and encouraged by supporting agencies such as Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Gaelic Books Council.
In 2011, we began a working partnership with Irish-Gaelige publishers Futa Fata. This allowed for an opportunity to share resources and experiences in minority-language publishing. The partnership has thus far been hugely beneficial, the first fruits of which can be seen in CEITIDH CEARC, COCO AN T-IASG CÀIRDEIL and LACHAIDH AGUS AN OIDHCHE IARGALTA.
The company is currently situated on 7 James Street, Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. If you wish to come and see our books first-hand, staff will be glad to welcome you during office hours. These are Monday to Friday from 9.00am – 5.00pm.
Following on from the success of our latest publications, WEAVING SONGS by D.S. Murray and the Futa Fata series of children’s books, Acair is geared up for an exciting year. Upcoming projects include; a collection of original poetry by Flòraidh MacPhail, an anthology of Iain Crichton-Smith’s poetry and the combined semi-autobiographical and song archive book based on the famous Campbell family from Skye.
Over the years we have published the work of many well-known writers and poets, including Sorley MacLean and Derick Thomson. As well as preserving the work of those who have played a big part in the history of Scottish literature, we are always on the lookout for new and upcoming talent. Authors and illustrators, who feel they fit the Acair remit, should feel free to submit their work for consideration.
Acair has always played an important role in the developement and preservation of the Gaelic language and culture. This is something that will continue to be a priority for us and we look forward to the future and to embracing the exciting possibilities and opportunites that are ahead of us! | <urn:uuid:7715e378-3a53-48b1-9b24-639905f77376> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.acairbooks.com/index.php?_a=viewDoc&docId=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965101 | 741 | 1.75 | 2 |
I know I am a little late for this as it is not Saturday, but Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings has suggested we write a Genealogy Clerihew as part of his Saturday Night Genealogy Fun series.
It seems that a “clerihew” is a four line irregular poem or verse which follows an AABB rhyming scheme and it has been named for the birthday of the inventor Edmund Clerihew Bentley who was also known as a writer and poet. (More can be read about this at Jim Smith’s A Genealogy Hunt blog).
Randy asks us to add a post to our blog, or comment on his blog about our attempts at writing a Genealogy Clerihew!!
I have to warn you that I really am not a poet, and while I have had a look at some of the other GeneaBloggers’ own Clerihews (actually really very good), I somehow think my attempt is completely wrong from what it should be like. But hey, I’m giving it a go and at the very least my attempts should cause some laughs!!
And for those of you that know me and know of my great preoccupation with my 6 x great grandfather Cozens Read, this attempt had to be about him!!
Here goes: A Genealogy Clerihew - “Ode To Cozens Read”
For ten long years I searched the Baptism of Cozens Read,
Now it’s the same for his Mum so of him I plead,
Can you give me a sign please to show the parents of Elizabeth Cosens,
And hopefully that will take me back many more years by the dozens!
Christine Read - copyright 2010
Oh dear, not a very good attempt I feel, but I did try to do it quickly!! | <urn:uuid:2565431d-e069-468c-a007-fe067292e355> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://rootsresearcher.wordpress.com/2010/07/11/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-write-a-genealogy-clerihew/?like=1&source=post_flair&_wpnonce=c49b096ccc | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00064-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977599 | 378 | 1.554688 | 2 |
"Certain crops you're going to have to cover, whether it be with milk jugs, sheets, or some kind of protection. It'd be a great time right now to start to raise your garden, where it can be above ground," states Rusty Boucher, Joplin Greenhouse Employee.
Although it's easy to get caught up in the "pretty and pink" aisle, try going green right now.
"Spring time is a great time to plant trees, shrubs," says Boucher.
If you just can't resist the temptation to brighten your yard, add Petunias to that list. This years garden trends are organic plants and fairy gardens. With St. Patrick's Day around the corner, you can add a little luck to your gardening spread.
"For those of you with Irish blood, we do have Shamrocks," says Boucher.
Employees at The Greenhouse tell us planting seeds deep in the soil is key to a successful bloom. | <urn:uuid:07e8e41a-5406-4ddd-a43a-fc0d63c96a85> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://fourstateshomepage.com/fulltext-pets/?nxd_id=374082 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950764 | 202 | 1.882813 | 2 |
Our president Benigno Simon “Pnoy” Aquino is the son of Ninoy who was a political detainee upon the declaration of martial law along with legal moguls like the late Senator Jose Diokno, and Senator Lorenzo Tañada. Ninoy and his family became political exiles until the Marcos regime eventually allowed him and his family to come home, and upon arrival at the tarmac assassinated him.. His mother, was installed president by the EDSA revolution as people put their trust behind her to bring change and development to a free and democratic nation.
Our vice president Jejomar Binay was a human rights lawyer under the Free Legal Assistance Group during the Martial Law years. He, in the early 80‘s, did the legal documentation of the murder of Kalinga peacepact holder Macliing Dulag to support the case, trial and then the court conviction of the commanding officer of the soldiers who raided Dulag’s village and killed him.
Their (Pnoy and Binay) candidacy and election to their positions today is viewed as having been actively supported by the anti-dictatorship circles.
Any victim in those dark days of the dictatorship especially those who fought hard alongside the Filipino masses against the late dictator will not hesitate to say, No to the move to bury Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Unless, like in the auction of an archaeological find or historical relic, he is negotiating the price tag to it.
Stories of the world war II medals, the Nalundasan murder case, the Yamashita treasure and the Golden Buddha are tales like the Indiana Jones movies to this generation but the Jabiddah massacre, the torture, imprisonment, abductions and gory murder of many political prisoners, activists, intellectuals, journalists, labor leaders, etc. in the seventies to the mid eighties, or the thousands of youth, students, workers, women and farmers who were pushed by this oppressive leadership to take to the mountains to defend the limited freedoms to simply live have not forgotten.
The experience under the martial law years shall remain a reminder against dictatorships. Like to the world dictators’ infamy built on a leadership that demonstrated gruesome cruelty in the persecution of peoples like the Jews, the Chinese in the Nanjing massacre, the dropped H bomb in Hiroshima, the Vietnam war genocide and Cambodia’s Pol pot’s killing fields.
We will never know why the devil believes he will win, nor why we believe the angels know they will prevail. But people who lived in the persecution of the two decades of the dictatorship, can at first sight recognize the devil along with the fallen angels among those who decide to legislate in the people’s name one undeserving to be buried among heroes of the Filipino people. May the dead rise and clear their name.
Still, dear president and vice president the thought of transferring, because it is now in place in Ilocos, of the dictator’s remains amongst those in the Libingan is like saying those buried there had lives not worth emulating. They were no peoples’ heroes. # nordis.net | <urn:uuid:afad8b6f-0ff5-4a4d-b154-6e68be420526> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nordis.net/?p=9678 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960081 | 651 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Today Paul Brunton OAM is going to launch Biography of a book: Henry Lawson’s While the billy boils by Paul Eggert. The book explores the publication of While the billy boils in the complicated landscape of the early days of Australian publishing industry. Eggert traces the difficult production of Lawson’s work through the murky waters of editing, copyright and royalties. The new edition of While the billy boils: the original newspaper versions, reproduces Lawson’s work as it originally appeared in print. Lawson’s works are published in chronological order, reflecting his growth and change as a writer. It showcases the unique style in which Lawson originally wrote his works, deftly portraying the speech and humour of his characters through idiosyncratic spelling and syntax.
Diana Wyndham is keeping Norman Haire in the news, with an interview on Late Night Live with Phillip Adams, and a talk at Stanton Library in North Sydney. You can listen to the podcast of the LNL talk, or attend the free talk on Tuesday 26 February.
Norman Haire and the study of sex was also reviewed in the February edition of the Australian Book Review.
Talk at Stanton Library, Tuesday 26 February 2013, 1pm
Republics of Letters: Literary Communities in Australia, edited by Peter Kirkpatrick and Robert Dixon, looks at the role of institutions and intermediaries in the process of literary creation. James Ley reviews the book in The Australian, 19 January 2013.
Ley notes, “How does one measure such intangible factors as influence, the importance of social support networks in creating new work, or the extent to which the solitary act of reading can be said to connect a person to the wider culture?”.
Norman Haire and the study of sex follows the life of this incredibly brave and daring Australian who supported the sexual freedom of all. What seems to be particular poignant today is his championing the reproductive rights of women and the control of women’s bodies by women.
Dr Norman Haire, sexologist, practised at a time when sex and sexuality – woman’s sexuality in particular – were taboo topics. In the early years of the twentieth century (has it changed so much?), it was expected that a woman was to remain chaste before marriage; when she did marry, provide her husband with sexual pleasure while not necessarily receiving that pleasure herself; reject all methods of birth control; and give birth to a multitude of healthy babies. The questions that Haire asked of these expectations were shocking to the conservative, polite society of the time. Why must there be no sex before marriage when women and men mature sexually in their early teens? Why can there not be a trial-marriage period? Why must sexual pleasure of women be less of a priority than that of men? Why shouldn’t there be safe and easy for women to access birth-control products?
GPs are fitting much more into patient consultations than they were a decade ago but the average length of the consultation has stayed the same, research led by the University of Sydney shows.
“‘We are seeing our GPs more often than we were a decade ago, and the GPs are also fitting more into their consultations. For example patients are presenting with more issues, GPs are managing more problems, and doing more tests and procedures — yet the time spent in the average consultation has stayed steady at about 15 minutes.”
Two reports published today General practice activity in Australia 2011-12 and A decade of Australian general practice 2002-03 to 2011-12, provide data on the activities of our GPs and the care of their patients.
The data comes from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) program which continuously collects information about clinical activities in general practice in Australia. Associate Professor Britt is director of the program.
Sydney: the Making of a Public University by Julia Horne and Geoffrey Sherington, has been shortlisted in the NSW Premier’s History Awards in the Community and Regional History Prize.
The book explores the principle of public engagement and how it came into practice and was shaped by succeeding generations. From staff, students and curriculum, to sports, philanthropy, faiths and research, Julia Horne and Geoffrey Sherington probe the meaning of the first hundred and sixty years of Sydney University, one of the first public universities in the world.
Sydney: the Making of a Public University By Julia Horne and Geoffrey Sherington
Six years of research into the recorded history of the Yolngu people comes home today with the launch of a book of historic photographs compiled by the University of Sydney’s first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research fellow, Dr Joe Gumbula.
Mali’Buku-Runanmaram: Images from Milingimbi and surrounds, 1926-1948 (Darlington Press and the University of Sydney Archives, 2012) brings Dr Gumbula’s people treasured images, among the earliest in existence, of Yolngu traditions and mission life. Most of the book’s 380 photographs, housed in the University Archives, have never been viewed by either Yolngu or the wider public.
- Mali’ Buku-Ruŋanmaram Chosen and described by Joseph Neparrŋa Gumbula
Taking Our Place explores the creation, in 1975, of the Aboriginal Teachers Aides program which as Linda Burney says, ‘was a groundbreaking program, [as] it opened up universities for Aboriginal people’. Even though this program was ultimately absorbed into the TAFE system, its success provided the catalyst for the creation of the Aboriginal Education Centre (AEC), renamed the Koori Centre in 1992. Today, with its own research and teaching capability the Koori Centre is crucial in offering support to an increasing number of Indigenous students undertaking mainstream degrees at the university. It also provides a focal point for non-Indigenous students wishing to broaden their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal history and culture.
Taking Our Place: Aboriginal Education and the Story of the Koori Centre at the University of Sydney by John Cleverley and Janet Mooney
One of our favourite little books was listed on the new Prime Minister’s bookshelf, as reported by yesterday’s Australian newspaper. The Tolpuddle Martyrs is a story that has inspired the union movement for over 170 years. But as Doc Evatt shows in his legal analysis of the case, it is also a fascinating example of how the law can be used to punish the powerless, even without an actual miscarriage of justice.
The Tolpuddle Martyrs: injustice within the law by Herbert Vere Evatt with a new introduction by Geoffrey Robertson
At the start of the First World War, Australia was a fledgling nation, still strongly tied to Britain and the Empire. But even in those early days, Australia’s leaders could see that we needed to be able to defend ourselves as well as support others in need. A ‘Pacific fleet’ to protect Australia, New Zealand and other British outposts in the region was of utmost importance to Australia, but less important to Britain facing a war in the Atlantic and at her doorstep.
During the War, these conflicting priorities intensified as Australia struggled to decide whether to conscript soldiers to fight overseas as well as for home defence. Ideas of loyalty to the Mother Country, and the precedence of Britishness over national pride were tested. Following the war, Australia’s leaders lobbied to retain the annexed German outposts in the Pacific, and Prime Minister Hughes believed that the Allies deserved reparation for the costs of the war.
Neville Meaney has explored these issues in-depth in his 2-volume work, A history of Australian defence and foreign policy. Volume 2, Australia and World Crisis 1914-1923 will be launched by Professor Kim Beazley. A new print of Volume 1, The Search for Security in the Pacific has also been released to coincide with the release of Vol 2. | <urn:uuid:76b77443-e5e3-465c-a98a-ed11462029fe> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sup-news.library.usyd.edu.au/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954818 | 1,645 | 1.914063 | 2 |
George Washington's Friend
Sarah "Sally" Fairfax was born in 1730 into one of Virginia's oldest and wealthiest families. Her forefather, Miles Cary of Bristol, England, came to America in the mid-17th century and established himself as a Virginia nobleman. Sally's father, Wilson Cary was a member of the House of Burgesses and he inherited one of Virginia's largest fortunes and the family estate, Ceelys on the James.
The eldest of Wilson Cary's four daughters, Sally was the most sought-after and a grande belle in Virginia society. The Cary and Fairfax families were living remnants of European feudalism and English aristocracy. Although she had many suitors, George William Fairfax eventually won Sally's heart.
Sally Cary married George William Fairfax on December 17, 1748, and the couple moved into the Belvoir Plantation with his father, William Fairfax.
George William's sister, Anne Fairfax, married Lawrence Washington - the beloved older half-brother of George Washington - soon after her brother wed Sally. Wishing to advance his brother's fortunes, Lawrence introduced George to George William Fairfax.
Young George Washington began to visit Belvoir frequently. A friendship grew between the two men, despite the fact that Fairfax was considerably older. Yet a relationship also blossomed between Sally and Washington.
A romantic and emotional young man, Washington craved the company of attractive women, but he was socially handicapped by his shyness and his modest financial resources. By the time he was 25, he had fallen painfully in love several times, and on at least two occasions his proposals of marriage had been rejected.
Sally was well-educated, and as a young man with limited education and a low rung on the social ladder, George Washington was impressed with this attractive and intelligent woman. She was a key inspiration for the future President to elevate himself to a higher social, cultural, and intellectual sphere, which is clear in his letters to her.
When his brother Lawrence died in 1752, George Washington inherited the plantation next door to Belvoir, which would become Mount Vernon. Being a bachelor, the Fairfax family apparently took him under their wings. Surviving letters and diaries show that Sally taught Washington the social graces, and how to dance which became a lifelong passion for him.
The legend of the alleged love affair between George Washington and Sally Fairfax is based on a couple of letters from George Washington to Sally. The first, written while he was serving in the Forbes campaign, on September 12, 1758, is the primary source of this story:
Tis true, I profess myself a Votary to Love… I feel the force of her amiable beauties in the recollection of a thousand tender passages that I wish to obliterate, till I am bid to revive them – but experience alas! Sadly reminds me how Impossible this is.Two years older than Washington, the slim and sophisticated Sally was the daughter-in-law of his former employer and the wife of his good friend. She was also a notorious flirt, and may not have realized how deeply she had affected the impressionable Washington.
Another of Washington's letters to Sally leave no doubt as to the depth of his passion – and frustration – in this impossible love. Even after his engagement to another, he wrote to her pledging his devotion and declaring:
Misconstrue not my meaning; doubt it not, nor expose it. The world has no business to know the object of my love declared in this manner to you, when I want to conceal it.Sally Fairfax is most remembered for being the woman George Washington was in love with at the time of his marriage to Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759. Martha was a short, plump, amiable woman who at the death of her first husband had become the richest widow in Virginia.
No one ever assumed that her marriage to Washington was a love match. George was anxious for money and social prestige, while Martha needed an administrator for her vast estates and a guardian for her two children. It soon became clear that she had made a wise decision in choosing Washington.
A skillful businessman, George steadily expanded Martha's already sizable holdings. An estimated net worth of $530,000 at his death marked them as one of the wealthiest couples in America. Over the years, it appears that George and Martha developed a genuine attachment to one another.
Sally and George William Fairfax were the most frequent visitors to Mount Vernon, where George and Martha offered generous but down-to-earth hospitality. Martha, known as a homebody, took special interest in cooking and often appeared with a ring of kitchen keys tied at her wide waist.
The two couples parted company in 1773 when the Fairfaxes moved to England - George William was a Loyalist (supported the British). They had every intention of returning to America after the war was over, but Fairfax's fortunes had been lost during the American Revolution, preventing them from ever returning. George William Fairfax died in 1787.
There were signs of regret on Sally's part in the end. She wrote to her sister-in-law in 1788:
I know now that the worthy man is to be preferred to the high-born who has not merit to recommend him... When we enquire into the family of these mighty men we find them the very lowest of people.Though they never had children, George Washington proved an overly indulgent stepfather to Martha's offspring from her previous marriage. When her son Jacky died at age 27, leaving behind children of his own, George and Martha formally adopted two of his children.
Washington And His Family
Mezzotint by William Sartain
In 1798, a year before he died, Washington wrote a final letter to Sally Fairfax, who was then a destitute widow of 68 living in London. Washington had concluded eight years as the first U.S. President and was finally able to retire to his beloved Mount Vernon.
In the letter, Washington told Sally that not all the glories of the Revolution, not even the splendors of the Presidency, had "been able to eradicate from my mind those happy moments, the happiest of my life, which I have enjoyed in your company."
Because evidence of an affair between Sally Fairfax and George Washington is slim, there are skeptics who doubt the story. Yet the letters prove that a strong relationship between the two most surely existed. Many of the details of their relationship remain in doubt since Martha burned all their correspondence after Washington's death.
Sally Cary Fairfax lived alone until her death in 1811.
President George Washington: Personal Life
George Washington's Affair with Sally Fairfax - Truth or Fiction? | <urn:uuid:985eed80-4e92-4e9e-966d-0e9354ce3853> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2009/01/sally-cary-fairfax.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.983434 | 1,369 | 3.328125 | 3 |
"Both author and illustrator are Korean American, and their poignant picture book is an intimate look at a biracial child's bewilderment, denial, anger, and, finally, acceptance about being 'half and half'. . . . Language is the heart of the story, which is told in both English and Korean. The beautiful full-page oil paintings draw on several traditions to reveal the problems and the riches of the kid's cross-cultural identity. . . . Many immigrant families will want this for the truth it tells about the important role of language and the bonds across race, culture, and generation." | <urn:uuid:2f99c639-935c-4fe9-acd1-fa35ead395aa> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.leeandlow.com/books/pop/review.mhtml?bid=449&id=2071 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944282 | 123 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Obesity is a chronic disorder that can lead to other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea. Because obesity can affect many organs, it may be difficult to treat. When other medically supervised methods of weight loss have failed, weight-loss surgery can be an effective way to lose weight and maintain that weight loss.
To be considered for weight-loss surgery, you must meet the following qualifications:
The UCSF Bariatric Surgery Center has been performing surgical weight-loss procedures since 1996. There are three weight-loss procedures offered at UCSF and each is considered "restrictive," which means the procedure limits the amount of food you can consume at one time.
During your initial visit to the Bariatric Surgery Center, one of our bariatric surgeons will discuss in detail the different operations, explain the risks and benefits of each, and determine the procedure that's best for you.
When considering weight-loss surgery, it is important to understand that success in maintaining weight loss is dependent on your commitment to making major diet and lifestyle changes. Surgery is a powerful tool meant to assist in weight loss. Your participation at home and through our bariatric program is important in achieving your weight loss goals, and in maintaining weight loss so you can be successful many years after surgery.
Gastric bypass is the current "gold standard" procedure for weight-loss surgery, according to the American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This procedure bypasses most of the stomach and the first part of the samll intestine.
A small stomach pouch is created using a surgical stapler. The remainder of the stomach is not removed, but is stapled shut. The pouch restricts food intake so you're only able to eat small amounts of food at one time. The small intestine is divided and one end is raised and attached to the stomach pouch in a procedure called a gastrojejunostomy. The other end of the small intestine, still connected to the stomach remnant, is reconnected to another portion of the intestinal tract in a procedure called a jejunojejunostomy.
In this procedure, a band is placed around the upper part of your stomach, creating a small pouch that restricts food intake and creates a sense of being full after very small meals. The band can be adjusted to make the pouch outlet smaller or larger by injecting fluid into the band. A small "port" is implanted beneath the skin, and is connected to a catheter for the flow of fluid that adjusts the band.
This operation involves only your stomach. A small sleeve, or narrow pouch, is created using a surgical stapler to separate the stomach. After the sleeve is created, the rest of the stomach — about two-thirds of the stomach — is removed. The sleeve creates a feeling of being full faster and decreases appetite. Only small amounts of food can pass through the sleeve at one time.
Laparoscopic, or minimally invasive, surgery is a technique that involves a small video camera inserted into the abdomen. through several small incisions. The surgeon views images generated by the camera in the abdomen on a video monitor in the operating room.
The American Society for Bariatric Surgery recommends that laparoscopic weight-loss surgery is performed only by surgeons experienced in both laparoscopic and open bariatric procedures. At the UCSF Bariatric Surgery Center, our experts are trained in the advanced techniques required to perform laparoscopic procedures.
Laparoscopic surgery is considered minimally invasive because it replaces the need for one long incision to open the abdomen. Studies show that patients who undergp laparoscopic weight-loss surgery experience less pain after surgery, resulting in easier breathing and lung function.
Other benefits of laparoscopy are fewer wound complications, such as infection or hernia. In addition, patients typically return more quickly to their normal activities after surgery.
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Bariatric Surgery Center
400 Parnassus Ave., Sixth Floor, Room A-655
San Francisco, CA 94143-0338
Phone: (415) 353-2804
Fax: (415) 353-2505 | <urn:uuid:cc6cb144-68e7-4683-9142-ce0cb6ea5f35> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ucsfhealth.org/treatments/bariatric_surgery/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00073-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93881 | 863 | 2.71875 | 3 |
The GrassRoots TV board of directors voted Monday to ban a controversial Holocaust-denial film.As I mentioned last week, the Aspen Times newspaper editorialized that the film be shown.
Steve Campbell, founder of Citizens for 9/11 Truth, asked the station to air "Judea Declares War on Germany: A Critical Look at World War II" on Oct. 1.
But after prescreening the film, which questions conventional wisdom about the Holocaust, GrassRoots TV board members stopped the airing, pending further debate.
The board held an open forum on the matter Oct. 11 to gauge community reaction.
"The GrassRoots Television board has decided not to air the film 'Judea declares War on Germany,'" GrassRoots TV board chairman Alan Feldman said in a statement after the board meeting Monday.
"After careful consideration and community input, the board concluded that this film is obscene, repugnant to the generally accepted notion of what is appropriate in our community. GrassRoots TV will not allow the station to be used as a vehicle to incite hatred against any group. GrassRoots Television will issue a more detailed statement to our community in coming days."
Feldman promised a board policy in the future: "Our community spoke, and we have given it a lot of rational thinking," Feldman said. "We have the ability to refuse to air something if we believe it's obscene."
Campbell called it a "poor decision."
"Unfortunately, it shows basically what I and others have tried to say about this whole issue," Campbell said. "There are those who don't want you to see this information, and they'll do anything they can to stop you from watching it. And that's just what they're doing."
Campbell has shown other controversial films on GrassRoots, as well as on Rifle's public access station, he said.
He called the debate over "Judea Declares War on Germany: A Critical Look at World War II" a matter of "conscious-raising."
"I just think that it's a travesty what's going on," Campbell said.
Campbell said he is not planning any legal action against GrassRoots but added, "By censoring this film, it's only going to make people watch it more."
Campbell said that while he is being censored now, "The truth will come out. It's just like the grass that grows between the cracks in the sidewalk."
He said he might try and air the film in another venue, but he was disappointed that the large audience in Aspen wouldn't see it.
"This is part of the beginning of the loss of our freedoms of expression and speech and the dissemination of information just so certain people can maintain their status quo," Campbell said.
Notice how they cover this story above: giving far more space to the illiterate anti-semite ("conscious-raising"?) than to the people who made the decision. Not to mention the oh-so-politically correct way of referring to one of the purest forms of hate speech as simply "controversial" and as "question(ing the) conventional wisdom about the Holocaust."
The "censored" video is available at Amazon (one reviewer, 4 stars) and can be seen on-line if you care to look for it.
The name of the production company, believe it or not, is Amalek Productions. | <urn:uuid:7a3aa7ad-ae10-440f-9fde-685dae42d068> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://elderofziyon.blogspot.com/2007/10/aspen-station-decides-not-to-air.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966811 | 708 | 1.796875 | 2 |
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. A power-machine for fulling and felting felts and woven fabrics, to improve their texture by making them thicker, closer, and heavier. Such mills operate by means of rollers, stampers, and beaters, of various forms and usually of wood, which beat, roll, and press the fabric in hot suds and fullers' earth, felting it together till the required texture is obtained. An unavoidable result of the process is a reduction in length, in width, and, in the case of hats, of size.
“In the meantime Bradley & Newell sold their fulling-mill to Rice Weed.”
“Quixote (Part I., chap. xx.) where Sancho relates it to beguile the hours of the memorable night when the noise of the fulling-mill so terrified the doughty knight and his squire.”
“Another, with more capital, established a fulling-mill, and so on.”
“The first fulling-mill for making cloth was started at Rowley in”
“In 1801, Moses Hale, whose father had long before started a fulling-mill in Dracut, established a carding-mill on River Meadow Brook, -- the first enterprise of the kind in Middlesex County.”
“Am I by chance obliged, being, as I am, a knight, to know and distinguish noises, and perceive which are of a fulling-mill, or no?”
“ That is most true, replied Sancho, seeing the only sound of the maces of a fulling-mill could trouble and disquiet the heart of so valiant a knight as you are.”
“My blood throbbed, to my feverish apprehension, in pulsations which resembled the deep and regular strokes of a distant fulling-mill, and tingled in my veins like streams of liquid fire.”
“The thrifty Mr. Everitt had a pleasing variety of occupations; he was also a successful farmer, a good fence-builder, and he ran a fulling-mill.”
“Englanders "have a fulling-mill and caused their little ones to be very dilligent in spinning cotton-woole, many of them having been clothiers in England.”
‘fulling-mill’ hasn't been added to any lists yet.
Looking for tweets for fulling-mill. | <urn:uuid:9a733d0d-a4c3-4192-b15c-f3870c0a871b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wordnik.com/words/fulling-mill | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935958 | 529 | 3.421875 | 3 |
The serve speeds you see on courtside digital displays are measured just as the ball leaves the racquet. Fortunately for returners, by the time the ball reaches them, air resistance and the friction of the court surface have diminished its speed by roughly 50 percent. Tennis instructor and analyst John Yandell has found that, on average, a 120-mph serve slows to 82 mph before the bounce, then to 65 mph after the bounce, and finally to 55 mph at the opponent's racket.
How did today's serves get so fast?
The single advancement most responsible for today's blindingly fast serves, says Rod Cross, a physicist at Australia's University of Sydney, is the oversize racquet head. The game was transformed as the hitting surface of racquets grew to the current legal limit of 15.5 x 11.5 in.--established in 1981. "Players hit the ball as hard as they can, and give it enough topspin to make it land in the court," Cross says. "You couldn't do that with a small wooden racket--the ball would have clipped the frame." | <urn:uuid:29647acb-496d-439e-894b-1c946c5ecf03> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/sports/physics/4221210-4 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.971336 | 224 | 3.15625 | 3 |
Somewhat confusing release from the Merrion Street service, noting the opportunity for individuals and groups to make submissions in relation to Ireland’s first Human Rights review under the UN’s Human Rights Council UPR process. They give June as a deadline for feedback, but the actual UPR.ie site suggests that input should be provided by 21st March.
So what is the UPR? The Universal Periodic Review is a process whereby the UNHRC reviews the record of each member state once every four years, with Ireland’s October 2011 review to be one of the last of the first cycle. The process provides an opportunity – both in development of the country report and in the review in Geneva – for Civil Society actors to provide feedback and input.
So, what issues do you think should be brought to the attention of the UPR process? Limitations in union recognition? The recent eviscerating of oversight bodies such as Combat Poverty and the Equality Authority? Defamation and Blasphemy laws? | <urn:uuid:c0bfafc1-ff04-45d2-9414-17cd2fde201a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://funferal.org/blog/2011/02/12/reviewing-irelands-human-rights-record/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942149 | 209 | 2.328125 | 2 |
Discussing patient expectations with laser therapy and its potential role in onychomycosis treatment, this author details how laser therapy enhanced the treatment of fungal nails in a 52-year-old patient.
There have been few innovations over the years for treatment of toenail fungus. However, laser therapy now offers physicians and their patients an excellent treatment option. The key, however, is to use laser as one facet of a comprehensive treatment plan for nail fungus with an emphasis on long-term maintenance and treatment of this chronic nail and skin disease.
Podiatrists need to remain the leaders and pioneers of laser technology. This is under threat by questionable practices of some laser companies and even more so by podiatrists. This technology is not a get rich quick scheme. We need to present it to patients as a treatment for a chronic disease and we as podiatrists should not feel bad about charging cash for services that may not be 100 percent successful. We need to be completely truthful with our patients and explain realistic percentages for clearing of the nail and steps to maintain the clear nail.
Promising cures is not acceptable or truthful. Doing what is best for the patient with a full, truthful explanation establishes clear patient expectations and continues to keep podiatry in the forefront of laser toenail fungus removal. Your patients must understand that they may fail treatment and must accept that as a possible outcome. I would rather lose the patient by giving him or her the facts than end up with an unhappy patient who does not trust me.
Patients spend hundreds of dollars on over-the–counter and prescription cream and liquid products that they obtain from stores and their physicians. However, these remedies, used alone, rarely offer the results that patients desire. Many refuse or cannot take oral medications because of previous or potential side effects. In my opinion, success rates of oral medications continue to decrease because of resistance. However, oral medications, whether traditional or herbal, still play a role in offering your patient a true comprehensive treatment plan.
Comprehensive protocols should include several types of treatment at the same time with an upfront plan for maintenance treatments to treat the chronic disease. I believe that many lasers are effective. These include the 1064 nm Nd-YAG (Cutera), the Nd:YAG 1320 nm (CoolTouch, Alma Lasers), Q switched lasers (Light Age) and lasers that combine lower wavelengths such as 980 nm (V-Raser, ConBio). Some are cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and some are not. However, most are cleared for general podiatry and dermatology, and those that are cleared for fungal nails only offer temporary partial clearing of the nail.
Well, that does not make anyone want to get up and dance. However, it does support my premise that this tool treats a chronic disease and representing it in any other way would be less than genuine. Again, the key is the protocol that needs to develop. Unfortunately, there is little in the way of protocols and studies that show consistency. In addition, company sponsored studies for lasers are not reliable in many cases and do not represent all types of lasers.
I would urge each of you to develop a protocol that works well in your hands. Take a course in laser physics and safety. Work on improving your treatment. Don’t just take the word of some company representative. I would also be a skeptic if you hear that one treatment is all that is needed. Regardless of the laser one employs, there must be treatment for the nail during several phases of nail growth and fungus growth. In my opinion, that is what is currently best for the patient.
A 52-year-old female with a history of intense athletics as a teen and a chronic history of tinea pedis recently presented to my office. She developed fungal nails in her late 20s. She tried many OTC remedies and was opposed to the use of oral antifungal medications. She still had tinea that she treated occasionally with OTC cream.
We did three laser treatments four to six weeks apart for her onychomycosis and aggressively treated the tinea. We also used an antifungal shoe spray and a topical oil-based antifungal liquid. I plan to have her come into the office three times per year for maintenance laser treatments. She still uses the aforementioned OTC products four times per week. The photos were at day one (above left) and seven months (below right) showing excellent clearing.
It is my hope that we as a profession can solidify the role of laser treatment into a unified purpose so we can be the experts with the exciting technology of lasers.
Dr. Katz is in private practice in Tampa, Fla. He is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. | <urn:uuid:8f1077d4-4049-4745-9bbe-da5447451496> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.podiatrytoday.com/print/3542 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964937 | 988 | 1.625 | 2 |
An open cloud provides freedom. By eliminating vendor lock-in, you now have the freedom to choose where you run your applications. And to top it all off, the rapid innovation inherently created by open-source technologies and communities ensuring our technology will evolve quicker.
A little overwhelmed by the power and complexity of our hosting advancements? Don’t worry. Our famed Fanatical Support isn’t going anywhere. You’ll have all of the same access to our support teams, and can expect the same responsiveness and expertise regardless of how our technology evolves.
OpenStack is an open source cloud computing solution for building scalable public and private clouds. It’s a collaborative operating system that provides the smallest start-up or the biggest organisation with an alternative to closed cloud environments, reducing the risks of lock-in associated with proprietary platforms. | <urn:uuid:4be6074a-4c97-4ced-b208-2c2caac7f6cf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.rackspace.co.uk/cloud-hosting/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00047-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.908792 | 171 | 1.5625 | 2 |
The Obama administration’s point man on Iran’s nuclear weapons program, Gary Samore, said recently that Iran is a year away from having nuclear weapons. And, in an attempt to reassure us all -- Israel included -- that this isn’t so bad. Samore claims that “a year is a very long period of time.”
At nearly the same moment, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that the perennial talks between Israel and the Palestinians are set to begin anew; talks which would result in “the emergence of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbors." And, Secretary Clinton assures us, these talks “can be completed within one year.”
This fixation with a one-year timetable is not a coincidence. It’s the Obama administration’s plan to deal with Iran. They think the road to Tehran runs through Jerusalem.
The Obama administration, and the Bush administration before it, failed to derail Iran’s nuclear weapons program. So we’re now watching a train wreck in slow motion. The United States (and Israel) will have to come to grips, within the year, of either bombing Iran or letting Iran get the bomb. Either one will be a disaster.
If we (or Israel) bomb Iran, it will ignite a regional war, as Iran inevitably retaliates. It could do any or all of the following: give Hezbollah and Hamas the green light to launch their large stockpiles missiles on every square mile of Israel; unleash sleeper terrorist cells in Europe and the U.S.; and mine the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of all worldwide oil shipments flow. The price of oil would skyrocket to $400-500 a barrel overnight, and plunge the world into another, even more serious recession. At the same time, the world’s oil producing states would reap windfall profits.
The job of sweeping the Strait free of mines would fall to the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf, thus drawing the U.S. into a third war in the region. And, as Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mullen has said, even a successful bombing raid on Iran’s nuclear sites wouldn’t stop their program, but only set it back a few years.
On the other hand, if we don’t stop Iran’s nuclear program, the entire Middle East will be swept into an arms race – a nuclear arms race. Neighboring Sunni Arab states will not stand idly by and let Shiite Persian Iran dominate the region. They will rush to "nuke up," too. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty won’t be worth the paper it’s printed on - in the Middle East or anywhere else. And, if the single most volatile, dangerous part of the world is awash in nuclear weapons, it is only a matter of time before one gets detonated – accidentally, intentionally or inadvertently.
So, what’s the Obama administration’s plan to deal with these horrors? Officially, they say the military option remains on the table. But almost no one believes they mean it, least of all the nations in the region.
Instead, the administration thinks they can contain Iran, and manage the situation. First, they think if they extend America’s nuclear umbrella over the region, the Sunni states will no longer think it’s necessary to acquire their own nuclear weapons. And in the bizarre world of nuclear theory, the administration thinks Iran will be deterred from ever using its nuclear weapons by the threat that America might use its nuclear weapons in retaliation to an Iranian attack. This raises the question of how credible Obama’s promise to trade Tel Aviv for Texas might be, which is what extending the nuclear umbrella would mean.
The administration also plans, as one administration official told me, to force an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement and thereby "change the trajectory" in the Middle East away from war and towards peace and economic development. According to this plan, an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement would clock in just ahead of a nuclear Iran, and thereby make Iran, even a nuclear Iran, increasingly irrelevant in the region.
This raises the question of how easy it’s going to be to force the Israelis and Palestinians to reach an agreement that both sides would honor. It is an issue that has proved illusive since the creation of the Israeli state in 1948, and bedeviled the region for millennia. Secretary Clinton should know better than to predict an agreement in a year’s time. President Clinton came closest to forging a peace agreement and nearly succeeded, only to have the Palestinians renege in the 11th hour. And even if the administration were able to force an agreement, what guarantees are there that Hamas would honor any deal signed by its Palestinian adversary Fatah?
If containing a nuclear Iran is such a long shot -- as surely the administration must know even if officials won’t admit it publicly -- then why come out now with this one-year timetable and reassurances that a year is a long period of time? Because in the end, Team Obama thinks the greatest threat to peace in the region comes not from Iran, even a nuclear Iran, but from Israel and a pre-emptive attack on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Kathleen Troia "K.T." McFarland is a Fox News National Security Analyst, and host of FoxNews.com’s "DEFCON3." She attended a two semester course in Islam taught by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf at the Center for Religious Inquiry at St Bartholomew’s Church in Manhattan.
Fox Forum is on Twitter. Follow us @fxnopinion.
Kathleen Troia "K.T." McFarland is a Fox News National Security Analyst and host of FoxNews.com's "DefCon 3." She is a Distinguished Adviser to the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies and served in national security posts in the Nixon, Ford and Reagan administrations. She wrote Secretary of Defense Weinberger’s November 1984 "Principles of War Speech" which laid out the Weinberger Doctrine. Be sure to watch "K.T." every Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET on FoxNews.com's "DefCon3"-- already one of the Web's most watched national security programs. | <urn:uuid:0bd507f0-736c-43d8-8260-6360ae923069> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/20/obama-administration-thinks-road-tehran-runs-jerusalem/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939692 | 1,324 | 1.5 | 2 |
The world's oldest undeciphered writing system, which has so far defied attempts to uncover its 5,000-year-old secrets, could be about to be decoded by Oxford University academics.
This international research project is already casting light on a lost bronze age middle eastern society where enslaved workers lived on rations close to the starvation level.
"I think we are finally on the point of making a breakthrough," says Jacob Dahl, fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford and director of the Ancient World Research Cluster.
Dr Dahl's secret weapon is being able to see this writing more clearly than ever before.
In a room high up in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, above the Egyptian mummies and fragments of early civilisations, a big black dome is clicking away and flashing out light.
This device, part sci-fi, part-DIY, is providing the most detailed and high quality images ever taken of these elusive symbols cut into clay tablets. This is Indiana Jones with software.
It's being used to help decode a writing system called proto-Elamite, used between around 3200BC and 2900BC in a region now in the south west of modern Iran.
Read it all here.
A genealogical relationship exist between the Black African, Dravidian, Elamite and Sumerian languages. This is not surprising because African languages were used by Rawlinson, to decipher the cuneiform script.
We must consider the historical link between languages assumed to possess a genealogical relationship, although they are separated by thousands of miles. The anthropological factors involved in determining a genealogical relationship is the scientific study of the cognate origin, and the physical, social and cultural development and behavior of related groups. This has already been done in the earlier chapters in regards to the
Black African, Puntite and Dravidian languages. We have already shown that there is a connection between the basic vocabularies and identical constituent structures and grammatical categories.
The Elamites, Dravidians, Sumerians and Manding are all of Proto-Saharan origin. In the history of mankind they were called the Kushites . Testimony of the great heritage of the Kushites, resulted from their boldness in trade and seafaring expeditions. The authors of ancient Indian literature claimed that the Kushites ruled the world for 7000 years. According to Epiphanies, the age of the Kushites extended from the Flood to the age of Terah, the father of Abraham, the prophet of the Jews and Muslims.
In the ancient inscriptions of Africa and Asia the Kushites were called many names including Kush, and Ethiopian by the Greeks and Romans. In Sumerian inscriptions the Kushites were called Meluha=Kasi < Kush . There is historical evidence that suggest that the name Meluha, was a geographical name for the Africans who lived in the area of Nubia and Northwest Africa.
The people of Nubia are mostly associated with the name Kushite were the C-Group culture group, worshipers of Amon and Neith . The Egyptian term for these people was K-'-sh and K-'-sh-i. The Hebrews called them Kush. In the cuneiform inscriptions the Sudanese were called Kushiya.
The Kushites belonged to the Maa confederation. As a result of this Kushite origin in Asia we find many place names with the term Kush, e.g.,the Kushana of Central Asia, Kashmere and Hindu Kush .
According to the Matsya, an ancient book from India, the world belonged to the Kushites or Saka (as they are sometimes called) for 7000 years. In the Mahabharata, the Sakadvipa is the 'land of the [Kushites] Sakas. The seven mountains of Sakadvipa were named Meru, Malaya, Jaladhara, Raivata, Syama, Durgasaila and Kesara.
The Meru of Indian literature may be none other than the Meroe of the Sudan, or a primeval Meroe that was long ago lost to cataclysm. The four kingdoms of the Saka were Maga (Manga), Masaka, Mansa and Mandaga. The Maga, reminds us of the Magians or the Maka of the Persian inscriptions. The Masakas, in the Mahabharata, are called Kastriyas. The Mandagas or Manda were also probably Mada or the Medes. These Medians may have had a connection with the ancient Mande speakers of Africa, especially the Manding who often accompanied the Dravidians out of Middle Africa into Asia. This would explain the close relationship between Elamite and the Manding languages.
Place names offer testimony to the ancient inhabitants of an area. Because whereas languages and the people who spoke them may disappear from a region place names of important areas will remain constant.
There are similar place names found in the Sudan and Asia. Prof. Bator Vamos Toth, an expert on the ancient Tamana culture has found 21 suffixes, and hundreds of place names that link the Sudan and Asia . For example , Dr. Vamos Toth has noted that there is a Kar-nak in Egypt and Kar-nak in Central Asia. Other common place names affixes include -bura,-dan, -kara, -tal and -ur.
Dr. Vamos Toth has illustrated how the inhabitants of the Carpathian Valley and other cultures around the world share a similar culture.In all the countries sharing place names Dr. Bator found a common toponym: Tamana. He therefore calls this ancestral culture/civilization Tamana. It is interesting to note that the Proto-Saharans formerly lived in these areas.
The word Tamana means 'great place'. These ancient Tamana sites were probably forts established in areas occupied by hostile non Proto-Saharan speaking peoples.
The Kushites when they migrated from Middle Africa to Asia called themselves Kushites. This is most evident in place names and the names of gods. The Kassites, chief rulers of Iran occupied the central part of the Zagros. The Kassite god was called Kashshu, which was also the name of the people. The K-S-H, name element is also found in India. For example Kishkinthai, was the name applied to an ancient Dravidian kingdom in South India. Also it should be remembered that the Kings of Sumer, were often referred to as the " Kings of Kush".
The major Kushite tribe in Central Asia was called Kushana. The Kushan of China were Ta Yueh-ti or "the Great Lunar Race". Along the Salt Swamp, there was a state called Ku-Shih of Tibet. The city of K-san, was situated in the direction of Kushan, which was located in the Western part of the Gansu Province of China.
In this chapter we will explain how the Elamite, Dravidian, Manding and Sumerian languages diverged from a common Paleo-African language.The ancient Proto-Saharans from their literature and culture appear to have descended from a common ancestor. This sociolinguistic reality of a number of related groups 5000 years ago is proven by a comparison of terms from
Dravidian (D.), Elamite (E.) , Manding (M.), and Sumerians (S.), which show shared features retained during a process of divergence from a common ancestor.
There is no area of linguistic structure which can totally resist change, but that area of language least accessible to foreign influence is the basic vocabulary. The basic vocabulary of a language is that sector of the lexicon, which comprise the basic elements of one's culture the division of the body and biological activities such as eating, sleeping and etc.
But the lexical comparisons are not enough to prove a genealogical relationship, because grammar and morphology holds precedence over phonology and syntax. As a result below I will elucidate the interrelationships between Dravidian (Dr.), Elamite, Manding (M.) and Sumerian and the common retention rate within the members of these Proto-Saharan languages.
The Proto-Saharan languages are agglutinative. In these languages subject (S), verb (V), object (O) is the order of the basic constituents.
There are numerous examples of phonetic, morphological, and lexical parallels between Elamite, Dravidian, Manding and Sumerian. For example,there is a system of five basic vowels and three-fold distinction of lip rounded and rounded. | <urn:uuid:7fcabeb5-6e7e-4b36-9cc4-fa2aa8c9ddaa> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://jandyongenesis.blogspot.jp/2012/10/the-proto-elamite-script.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952012 | 1,807 | 3.65625 | 4 |
A new study from the University of Rochester finds that there is no single advanced area of the human brain that gives it language capabilities above and beyond those of any other animal species.
Instead, humans rely on several regions of the brain, each designed to accomplish different primitive tasks, in order to make sense of a sentence. Depending on the type of grammar used in forming a given sentence, the brain will activate a certain set of regions to process it, like a carpenter digging through a toolbox to pick a group of tools to accomplish the various basic components that comprise a complex task.
"We're using and adapting the machinery we already have in our brains," said study coauthor Aaron Newman. "Obviously we're doing something different [from other animals], because we're able to learn language unlike any other species. But it's not because some little black box evolved specially in our brain that does only language, and nothing else."
The team of brain and cognitive scientists comprised of Newman (now at Dalhousie University after beginning the work as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Rochester), Elissa Newport (University of Rochester), Ted Supalla (University of Rochester), Daphne Bavelier (University of Rochester), and Peter Hauser (Rochester Institute of Technology) - published their findings in the latest edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences.
To determine whether different brain regions were used to decipher sentences with different types of grammar, the scientists turned to American Sign Language for a rare quality it has.
Some languages (English, for example) rely on the order of words in a sentence to convey the relationships between the sentence elements. When an English speaker hears the sentence "Sally greets Bob," it's clear from the word order that Sally is the subject doing the greeting and Bob is the object being greeted, not vice versa.
|Contact: Alan Blank|
University of Rochester | <urn:uuid:cbeea77e-5898-4dcc-b929-ec7afd5fadcd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bio-medicine.org/biology-news-1/Sign-language-study-shows-multiple-brain-regions-wired-for-language-13166-1/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.925087 | 390 | 3.765625 | 4 |
We know this book is fiction. But as we come to know the town of Macondo, we begin to see how fiction can impart a larger truth about ourselves. Often as not, fiction can be more revealing of truth than any reportage of bare fact. After all, facts can be distorted.
When you, as a reader, are presented with anecdotes that stretch credibility—the insomnia plague that makes people forget who they are and where they came from; the rain that lasts four years, eleven months and two days; the slaughter that is forgotten in the time it takes José Arcadio Segundo to return home from the train—ask yourself why the narrator has done this. Are his stories meant to be interpreted literally? Doubtful. It's much more likely that he wanted you to look beyond facts for the truth that they are meant to represent.
Could the insomnia plague relate to a loss of collective identity, just as much as it relates to a literal illness? Could the unrelenting rain evoke the kind of inertia and loss of morale that swamps a town and its people after a catastrophe of both economic and human proportions? What other episodes like this do you see—episodes that smack of the incredible but potentially illuminate a truth about human nature?
If you're having trouble swallowing what you see as the narrator's tall tale, ask yourself what other meanings and interpretations might lay behind the distortions. Like many stories of mythical resonance, One Hundred Years of Solitude invites you to delve into its multiple layers to extract your own understanding.
Unpack these other contradicting forces: | <urn:uuid:2aaab0c5-6312-4c30-b8f1-87ae6073ce71> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/Magical-Realism-Opposites-and-Contradictions/2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961596 | 320 | 2.65625 | 3 |
Chapter 6. Evolutionists' Confessions Stating that Mutations Have No Evolutionary Power
Along with natural selection, the second supposed mechanism proposed by the theory of evolution is mutations. Radiation and chemical effects result in breakages and dislocations in the DNA molecule, carrying genetic data, that's located in the cell nucleus. Mutations are accidental and either damage the nucleotides that make up DNA or else dislocate them. They typically give rise to irreparable damage and alterations in the cell.
For that reason, the mutations that evolutionists depend on for biological development are not, as is popularly thought, some magic wand that transports living things to a more advanced and perfect state. Mutations' net effects are harmful. The only changes caused by mutations are similar to those suffered by humans in Hiroshima, Nagasaki or Chernobyl: in other words, birth defects, illness, or death.
For the sake of proving evolution, the results obtained from subjects exposed to radiation in the laboratory go no further than fruit flies with legs protruding from their heads. No instance of a beneficial mutation has ever been observed. All the mutations observed to date have been harmful. During an interview, Richard Dawkins-one of the best-known evolutionists of our time-was asked if any mutations were known to be beneficial. He could not answer the question, but openly showed his discomfort in not being able to give any facts to support evolution.74
Confessions by some other evolutionists stating that mutations constitute a dilemma for evolution are as follows.
Both pictures show the damage in living bodies caused by the negative impact of mutations.
Prof. Richard Goldschmidt is a zoologist at the University of California:
It is true that nobody thus far has produced a new species or genus, etc., by macro-mutation [a combination of many mutations]; it is equally true that nobody has produced even a species by the selection of micro-mutations [one or only a few mutations]. In the best-known organisms, like Drosophila, innumerable mutants are known. If we were able to combine a thousand or more of such mutants in a single individual, this still would have no resemblance whatsoever to any type known as a [new] species in nature.75
Kevin Padian is professor in the Department of Integrative Biology at University of California, Berkeley and curator of paleontology at UC Museum of Paleontology:
How do major evolutionary changes get started? Does anyone still believe that populations sit around for tens of thousands of years, waiting for favorable mutations to occur (and just how does that happen, by the way?), then anxiously guard them until enough accumulate for selection to push the population toward new and useful change? There you have the mathematical arguments of Neo-Darwinism that Waddington and others rightly characterized as "vacuous."76
Pierre-Paul Grassé is a French biologist and former president at the French Academy of Sciences:
No matter how numerous they may be, mutations do not produce any kind of evolution.77
The opportune appearance of mutations permitting animals and plants to meet their needs seems hard to believe. Yet the Darwinian theory is even more demanding: A single plant, a single animal would require thousands and thousands of … appropriate events. Thus, miracles would become the rule: events with an infinitesimal probability could not fail to occur... There is no law against daydreaming, but science must not indulge in it.78
Francisco J. Ayala is university professor of Biological Sciences, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at University of California:
High-energy radiations, such as X-rays, increase the rate of mutation. Mutations induced by radiation are random, in the sense that they arise independently of their effects on the fitness of the individuals which carry the m. Randomly induced mutations are usually deleterious. In a precisely organized and complex system like the genome of an organism, a random change will most frequently decrease, rather than increase, the orderliness or useful information of the system.79
James F. Crow is president of the Wisconsin University Medical Genetics Department and an expert on radiation and mutation:
Almost every mutation is harmful, and it is the individual who pays the price. Any human activity that tends to increase the mutation rate must therefore raise serious health and moral problems for man.80
A random change in the highly integrated system of chemical processes which constitute life is certain to impair-just as a random interchange of connections [wires] in a television set is not likely to improve the picture.81
Frederick Seymour Hulse is professor emeritus at the University of Arizona and a member of the National Academy of Sciences:
Mutations occur at random, not because it would be convenient to have one. Any chance alteration in the composition and properties of a highly complex operating system is not likely to improve its manner of operation, and most mutations are disadvantageous for this reason. There is a delicate balance between an organism and its environment which a mutation can easily upset. One could as well expect that altering the position of the foot brake or the gas pedal at random would improve the operation of an automobile.82
David L. Stern is an evolutionist zoologist at the University of Cambridge:
One of the oldest problems in evolutionary biology remains largely unsolved. Which mutations generate evolutionarily relevant phenotypic variation? What kinds of molecular changes do they entail? 83
Stephen Jay Gould
The late Stephen Jay Gould was a professor of geology and paleoanthropology at Harvard University and the main spokesman for evolution in the second half of the 20th century:
You don't make new species by mutating the species... A mutation is not the cause of evolutionary change.84
Hoimar Von Ditfurth is a German professor of neurology and a well-known evolutionist science writer:
In seeking an answer to the question of whether an infinitely complex biological process, an organic order, can emerge as the result of aimless, purposeless and random mutations, our power of judgment will remain fairly pedestrian. . .Indeed, would we not be going much too far and corrupting those who think otherwise to claim that even if evolution had sufficient time for the emergence of new orders, new mechanisms of the kind we are discussing, and that new organization and order was the product of coincidences? If it is not inappropriate to say so, these strange entities were like a deformed neonate. They were the result of a mutation. The results of mutation have almost always given birth to a catastrophe. 85
At this point, objectors tend to propose a counter-thesis to the idea that the number of mutations will not be sufficiently large from the point of view of providing a sufficient quantity of significant and fit for purpose characteristics by entirely coincidental means. In fact, according to the laws of probability, not even large numbers of mutations can avoid being harmful and even deadly, let alone support development.86
Dr. Mahlon B. Hoagland is faculty member at Harvard Medical School and former president and scientific director of the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research:
The information that resides in organisms that are alive today... is far more refined than the work of all the world's great poets combined. The chance that a random change of a letter or word or phrase would improve the reading is remote; on the other hand, it is very likely that a random hit would be harmful. It is for this reason that many biologists view with dismay the proliferation of nuclear weapons, nuclear power plants, and industrially generated mutagenic (mutation-producing) chemicals.87
You'll recall we learned that almost always, a change in an organism's DNA is detrimental to it; that is, it leads to a reduced capacity to survive. By way of analogy, random additions of sentences to the plays of Shakespeare are not likely to improve them!.. The principle that DNA changes are harmful by virtue of reducing survival chances applies whether a change in DNA is caused by a mutation or by some foreign genes we deliberately add to it.88
The head of a normal fruit fly.
The head of a fruit fly exposed to radiation; the legs protruding from above the eyes.
To the side is a side view photograph of a fruit fly suffering from mutations.
Warren Weaver, an evolutionist scientist, wrote the following in a report prepared by the Committee on Genetic Effects of Atomic Radiation, established in the wake of the Second World War, to investigate the mutations arising as the result of the use of nuclear weapons:
Many will be puzzled about the statement that practically all known mutant genes are harmful. For mutations are necessary parts of the process of evolution. How can a good effect-evolution to higher forms of life-result from mutations practically all of which are harmful?89
Moreover, the mutant genes, in the vast majority of cases, and in all the species so far studied, lead to some kind of harmful effect. In extreme cases the harmful effect is death itself, or loss of the ability to produce offspring, or some other serious abnormality.90
Michael Pitman is chief scientist of Australia and foreign secretary of the Australian Academy of Science:
Morgan, Goldschmidt, Muller, and other geneticists have subjected generations of fruit flies to extreme conditions of heat, cold, light, dark, and treatment by chemicals and radiation. All sorts of mutations, practically all trivial or positively deleterious, have been produced. Man-made evolution? Not really: Few of the geneticists' monsters could have survived outside the bottles they were bred in. In practice, mutants die, are sterile, or tend to revert to the wild type.91
Gordon Rattray Taylor is an evolutionist author and chief science advisor for the BBC:
It is a striking, but not much mentioned fact that, though geneticists have been breeding fruit-flies for sixty years or more in labs all around the world-flies which produce a new generation every eleven days-they have never yet seen the emergence of a new species or even a new enzyme.92
Lynn Margulis is an American biologist and professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts:
New mutations don’t create a new species; they create offspring that are impaired.93
In a statement in New Scientist in 2003 the evolutionary biologist George Turner said:
Not long ago, we thought we knew how species formed. We believed that the process almost always started with complete isolation of populations. It often occurred after a population had gone through a severe "genetic bottleneck", as might happen after a pregnant female was swept off to a remote island and her offspring mated with each other. The beauty of this so-called "founder effect" model was that it could be tested in the lab. In reality, it just didn't hold up. Despite evolutionary biologists' best efforts, nobody has even got close to creating a new species from a founder population. What's more, as far as we know, no new species has formed as a result of humans releasing small numbers of organisms into alien environments.94
The Darwinist French zoologist, Pierre Paul Grassé:
As soon as some disorder, even slight, appears in an organized being, sickness, then death follow. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE PHENOMENON OF LIFE AND ANARCHY.95
Pierre Paul Grassé makes this confession regarding the impossibility of the immaculate perfection in living things emerging by way of mutations:
What is the use of their unceasing mutations, if they do not [produce evolutionary] change? In sum, the mutations of bacteria and viruses are merely hereditary fluctuations around a median position; a swing to the right, a swing to the left, but no final evolutionary effect.96
The opportune appearance of mutations permitting animals and plants to meet their needs seems hard to believe. Yet the Darwinian theory is even more demanding: a single plant, a single animal would require thousands and thousands of lucky, appropriate events. Thus, miracles would become the rule: events with an infinitesimal probability could not fail to occur ... There is no law against day dreaming, but science must not indulge in it.97 | <urn:uuid:b14d476f-ee0b-4bb2-ba7f-6472d828bddb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://evolutiondeceit.com/en/books/8063/Confessions-Of-The-Evolutionists/chapter/4554/Chapter-6-Evolutionists-Confessions-Stating-that-Mutations-Have-No-Evolutionary-Power | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951611 | 2,501 | 2.75 | 3 |
The book of Genesis floats (pardon the pun) some interesting numbers when discussing the Great Flood. For example, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, and at the end of that time, the entire planet was covered in water.
I think we can deduce how much water that would have had to be, estimating that the highest peaks in the Himalayas were covered with water. (8,848 meters above sea level)
My questions are, how fast would the rain have had to come to raise the ocean level that high in 40 days and nights, how much would the mass of the earth have changed for this event, and would that significantly alter the strength of gravity on earth? | <urn:uuid:c67f54c1-e4e4-40bb-b47f-c23c82d4e93e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/35460/the-physics-behind-the-great-flood?answertab=active | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00048-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.986373 | 144 | 2.65625 | 3 |
In 1979, former President Jimmy Carter held a rooftop press conference at the White House to show off 32 new solar panels.
The panels – which were used to heat water for the White House cafeteria – were supposed to represent America’s commitment to renewable energy sources.
Removed during the Reagan administration, sixteen of the panels were sent to Unity College in Maine in 1991 – where they heated water in the student cafeteria for fourteen years until they were retired in 2005.
Last week, one of these panels made its way back to the White House … well, almost.
Bill McKibben, an environmental activist, brought one of the panels with him to Washington D.C. in an effort to get the administration of Barack Obama to “symbolically install” it as evidence of its commitment to the environment.
Needless to say, Obama wasn’t about to do anything that linked him to Jimmy Carter – symbolically or otherwise.
“They refused to take the Carter-era panel that we brought with us,” McKibben said after a meeting with White House officials.
Meanwhile, the White House said it provided McKibben’s group with evidence of Obama’s “unprecedented commitment to renewable energy,” which as far as we can tell consists of sending billions of stimulus dollars overseas to create so-called “green jobs” for other countries.
The propaganda – delivered by “uncomfortable” staffers – clearly did not impress McKibben.
“They need to know we’re not going to let them off the hook when our future is on the line,” he told reporters.
Incidentally, the White House reinstalled newer solar panels in 2003 – although they provide heat for landscape personnel as well as the presidential pool and spa.
Representatives from a California-based company have offered to equip the White House with the latest in solar technology, but like McKibben and his group – they were rebuffed. | <urn:uuid:14daae1b-e476-462b-a08f-c19d2c9d7223> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.fitsnews.com/2010/09/14/obama-nixes-carters-panels/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00051-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972073 | 415 | 2.28125 | 2 |
What was the best part of this assignment?
The best part of this assignment was spending time with Francisco Estrada-Belli, assistant professor of anthropology at Vanderbilt University, and David Stuart, a leading epigrapher of Maya glyphs from the University of Texas, Austin. These men know an incredible amount about the Maya, and they were only too happy to share that information with me. Francisco would tell me stories of the great warrior Siyah Kak (Fire Is Born) and of Holmul, a major Maya center, and its satellite sites of La Sufricaya and Cival, while we sat around a smoky campfire, deep in the jungle. At the museum in Tikal, David would decipher the glyphs on the stelae for me, passionately describing the stories. The bits and pieces I gleaned from these men really made the Maya come alive for me. I was fascinated by the history, and found myself looking at things with an eye for history, not just looking for something that would photograph well.
What was the trickiest part of the assignmet?
I learned and saw so much on this assignment. Too much. There's no way the magazine could use all that I shot for the article. It's hard to become so excited about a place and story while in the field and then have to boil that enthusiasm down to a few select images. It doesn't do the story justice, which makes me sad because I know how much more there is going untold and unseen.
Did you come across anything particularly interesting?
The quirkiest thing about my experiences on this assignment is more of an observation: I've been covering the Maya story for 25 years, and, in all that time, it never ceases to amaze me that the story keeps getting bigger. Each new discovery or answer to a question raises ten new questions, taking archaeologists, anthropologists, or anyone else interested in the subject matter in several different directions. Discovering the story of the Maya has become a never-ending quest. And one that I never grow tired of covering because there's always something new to learn. | <urn:uuid:f79e4526-048e-43f1-8412-bbbb7add2ab8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/print/2007/08/maya-rise-fall/garrett-field-notes | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972952 | 433 | 1.898438 | 2 |
.- Decades after Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” leading clergy including several Catholic bishops have issued a response. They praised the sacrifices of the civil rights movement’s leaders and said work against racism is “unfinished.”
The response, titled “A Letter from Birmingham,” is a product of the 2011 Annual Meeting of Christian Churches Together, held Jan. 11-14 in Birmingham, Alabama. Attendees at the meeting, which examined poverty through the lens of racism, said that to their knowledge no one had ever issued a clergy response to Dr. King’s letter.
King’s 1963 letter was a response to Birmingham clergy who had appealed for unity, restraint and “common sense” while withdrawing their support for the civil rights demonstrations.
The 2011 letter expressed “profound gratitude” to the leaders of the civil rights movement, saying their sacrifices have “moved us closer to God’s justice” and demonstrated “the power of Christian, nonviolent action.”
The churchmen said “some of us have not progressed far enough beyond the initial message from the Birmingham clergy.”
“Though virtually all our institutions have formal statements against racism, too often our follow-through has been far less than our spoken commitments. Too often we have elected to be comfortable rather than prophetic. Too often we have chosen not to see the evidence of a racism that is less overt but still permeates our national life in corrosive ways.”
The letter remembered the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, which killed four girls in 1963. A replaced window in the church now shows a Christ figure rejecting the world’s injustice with one hand and extending forgiveness with the other.
“In the spirit of this loving Jesus, and in the spirit of those who committed their very lives to that love, we renew our struggle to end racism in all forms,” the clergymen said.
Catholic Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, a member of the Christian Churches Together steering committee, represented the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Cultural Diversity at the meeting.
“During the struggles of the civil rights movement, Birmingham was one of the most segregated and violent cities in America. Today, the city of Birmingham is filled with monuments, places of worship, and home to the Civil Rights Institute,” Bishop Vasquez said in a Jan. 20 statement.
He noted individuals’ stories of the injustices of racism and segregation.
“These individuals were filled with prophetic courage, even to the point of sacrificing their own personal safety to bring about equality and justice,” he explained. “Their non-violent efforts to confront racism are deeply rooted in Gospel values that all men and women, regardless of color, are created in the likeness and image of God and, therefore, worthy of respect and dignity.”
Christian Churches Together is made up of five “families” composed of representatives from Catholic Orthodox, historic Protestant, African-American and Evangelical/Pentecostal Churches. Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta, chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, currently serves as one of the five presidents of the organization. | <urn:uuid:e9e4786f-9492-45ef-8159-f63a0cdd2182> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/christian-clergy-issue-new-response-to-mlks-letter-from-a-birmingham-jail/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.9612 | 696 | 2.875 | 3 |
Can Maggots Heal Wounds Faster Than a Doctor? — Health Check
Hold on to your lunch. Maggots have been approved for use in wound care in the US since 2004, but new studies are raising questions about whether or not they actually help the wounds heal or just do quick work while seeming kind of gross.
Wounds that don’t heal easily have to be treated to help make them heal. Doctors usually do this by scraping them with a scalpel or applying enzymes to remove dead tissue. This process of debridement can also be done by maggots. The sterile maggots secrete substances into wounds that liquify the dead tissue and then they ingest the tissue and break it down as they digest it.
Some researchers believe the maggots might offer antibacterial and healing benefits in addition to keeping the wound clean. One French study compared patients during a two-week hospital stay. Participants were blindfolded and either treated with a scalpel or with a bag of maggots placed on the wound.
They reported that patients in the two groups felt no difference in pain or crawling sensations. And, after one week, about two-thirds of the wound area in patients treated surgically was covered with dead tissue, but only about half of the wound area of those treated with maggots was covered in dead tissue.
The dead tissue is what interferes with healing, so the results showed that the maggots seem to assist in the acceleration of cleaning wounds. However, after two weeks, the benefits vanished and there was no difference in wound closure. Meaning that overall, the maggots clear out the wounds faster, but do not help healing any more than a scalpel does.
Based on previous studies, researchers theorize that maggots might be useful in preparing wounds for grafting, but that has not yet been proven. | <urn:uuid:7ab05cea-fecb-461a-a83d-4bef3439e0cb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wibx950.com/maggots-wounds-health-check/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96997 | 383 | 2.96875 | 3 |
Newborn Babies to Get Bar Codes Instead of Handwritten Name Tags
Posted by David Icke
'An NHS hospital has become the first in the country to issue all new born babies with bar codes instead of traditional handwritten tags. Kettering General Hospital’s maternity unit has introduced the system to end mistakes caused by the illegible handwriting of medical staff.
Now all newborns are getting a personal bar code strapped on their ankles which midwives zap with a scanner to read the baby’s details. Medical staff can find the child’s name, date of birth, national insurance number and name of the mother in a matter of seconds. They can also trace blood samples at the press of a button via a regional laboratory that tests for conditions such as sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis.'
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Gareth Icke Live At The Wembley Arena - The First Two Songs
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Remember Who You Are - the great new song written and performed by Gareth Icke
Gareth Icke - The new single from the album A Brand New Battle
Gareth Icke: 'This man has the world in his hands and I for one wouldn't count him out of world domination he is that good' - Kelvin Knight, Manager of The Human League | <urn:uuid:3897ee04-d287-4a35-91a4-5d8d7dde9755> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.davidicke.com/articles/microchipping-mainmenu-38/33208-newborn-babies-to-get-bar-codes-instead-of-handwritten-name-tags | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00069-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.913677 | 309 | 1.648438 | 2 |
US 7188701 B2
Disclosed herein is a method as well as a system for controlling an electric power steering system. The method includes: receiving a torque signal from a torque sensor responsive to a torque applied to a handwheel; obtaining a motor velocity signal, the motor velocity signal indicative of a speed of an electric motor which applies torque to a steerable wheel; and generating a command for the electric motor with a controller coupled to the torque sensor, and the electric motor. The command includes torque control and motor velocity compensation, responsive to at least one of the torque signal, and a motor velocity signal. Also disclosed herein is a storage medium encoded with a computer program code for controlling an electric power steering system, the storage medium includes instructions for causing controller to implement the disclosed method.
1. An electric power steering control system incorporating motor velocity compensation, said system comprising:
an electric motor disposed in a vehicle for applying torque to a steerable wheel;
a torque sensor disposed in said vehicle for detecting a steering wheel torque and generating a torque signal;
a motor velocity sensor generating a speed signal indicative of a speed of said electric motor; and
a controller operably coupled to said torque sensor, said motor velocity sensor, and said electric motor, said controller having a first filter structure and a second filter, said first filter structure filtering said torque signal from said torque sensor to obtain a filtered torque command, said second filter filtering said speed signal from said motor velocity sensor to obtain an output signal, said second filter utilizing a gain value that varies as a function of said filtered torque command, said controller configured to generate a compensated torque command based on said filtered torque signal and said output signal for controlling output torque of said electric motor.
2. The system of
3. The system of
4. The system of
5. The system of
6. The system of
7. The system of
8. The system of
9. The system of
10. A method of controlling an electric power steering system, the method comprising:
receiving a torque signal from a torque sensor indicative of a torque applied to a steering wheel;
receiving a motor velocity signal from a motor velocity sensor indicative of a speed of an electric motor; and
filtering said torque signal from said torque sensor utilizing a first filter structure to obtain a filtered torque command;
filtering said motor velocity signal from said motor velocity sensor utilizing a second filter to obtain an output signal, said second filter utilizing a gain value that varies as a function of said filtered torque command to obtain said output signal; and
generating a compensated torque command utilizing a controller based on said filtered torque signal and said output signal, to control an output torque of said electric motor.
11. The method of
12. The method of
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/297,066, filed Jun. 08, 2001 the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Existing compensation structures for Electric Power Steering (EPS) systems often use torque loop compensation for an electric motor control system without motor velocity compensation. As shown in
Such an EPS system is disclosed and described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,766 to Bolourchi et al. While well suited for its intended purposes, this system may be sensitive to motor velocity disturbances and there is no effective way of rejecting them in present structure because the compensation is in the torque path. The torque compensator 101 depicted in the torque path is used for stability and the high pass gain 104 of the high frequency path is used for torque disturbance rejection. Application of a high frequency path to the torque loop compensation of the EPS system is disclosed and described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,446 to Chandy et al. Application of a torque compensator 101 makes the EPS system sensitive to disturbances that include frequency content near the notch frequency. Lower notch frequencies result in greater sensitivity of the control system to the torque disturbances near the notch frequency.
With the aforementioned considerations, it has been difficult to apply a control architecture such as that depicted in
Disclosed herein is a method as well as a system for controlling an electric power steering system. The method includes: receiving a torque signal from a torque sensor disposed in the vehicle steering system responsive to a torque applied to a steering wheel; obtaining a motor velocity signal, the motor velocity signal indicative of a speed of an electric motor disposed in a vehicle steering system to apply torque to a steerable wheel; and generating a command for said electric motor with a controller coupled to the torque sensor, and the electric motor. The command includes torque control and motor velocity compensation, responsive to at least one of the torque signal, and a motor velocity signal.
Also disclosed herein is a storage medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for controlling an electric power steering system, the storage medium including instructions for causing controller to implement the disclosed method.
Further disclosed is a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave for controlling an electric power steering system, the data signal comprising code configured to cause a controller to implement the disclosed method.
Additionally, a method for controlling torque in an electric power steering system is disclosed. The method including: receiving a torque signal responsive to a torque applied to a steering wheel; obtaining a motor velocity; generating commands with a controller for the electric motor, where the commands include torque control and motor velocity compensation, responsive to the torque signal, and the motor velocity. The performance of the torque control is responsive to a torque compensator, a high pass low pass structure, and motor velocity compensation.
Electric power systems which utilize forward path motor BEMF compensation are more sensitive to motor velocity disturbances. One approach to address and control the ill effects of high frequency disturbances is to eliminate the source of the disturbance. The other approach is to reduce sensitivity of the EPS system to high frequency disturbances by changing the control strategy or architecture. The disclosed embodiments address the latter.
Generally, lower frequency torque compensators e.g., notch filters have to be deeper to provide the same stability margin as a higher frequency torque compensator. It should be appreciated that deeper notch filters (e.g., those exhibiting more gain reduction at the notch frequency) while providing necessary stability degrade the disturbance rejection properties of the system at the notch frequency. Further, it should be recognized that a closed loop system cannot reject disturbances where the gain is very low, as it is at the notch center frequency. Additionally, notch filters that are deeper and are at lower frequencies affect the closed loop response of the system (input impedance) if their gain reduction intrudes on the frequency range of driver inputs (e.g., up to about 3 Hz). The ill effects of the low frequency sensitivity are transmitted to and felt by the driver in the form of disturbances caused by friction in mechanical parts. It should also be evident that the notch frequency cannot be increased indefinitely to address disturbance rejection without consideration maintaining control system stability.
Referring once again to
It's well known in control engineering that negative feedback makes the system more robust to parameter and system variations. In the disclosed embodiments, frequency dependent motor velocity negative feedback is added to the system on top of the existing torque and velocity feedback. This makes the system more robust to parameter variations than a system without frequency dependent motor velocity feedback. Disclosed herein is a motor velocity compensation applicable to the torque compensation of a voltage mode controlled EPS that will allow management of the stability, low frequency disturbance sensitivity, and high frequency disturbance sensitivity trade-offs.
Motor velocity compensation has been employed in existing EPS implementations to facilitate reductions in motor torque ripple and road generated disturbances communicated to the vehicle steering wheel. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,579 to Collier-Hallman et al. discloses and describes such an EPS system. Disclosed in this patent is a motor control system without back electro motive force (BEMF) compensation based on measured or estimated motor velocity.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention, by way of illustration, is described herein and may be applied to a torque control system for an electric motor in a vehicle steering system. While a preferred embodiment is shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein, but also to any control system employing an electric machine where voltage mode control is employed.
Electric power steering assist is provided through the control apparatus generally designated by reference numeral 24 and includes the controller 16 and the electric motor 46. The controller 16 is powered by the vehicle power supply 10 through line 12. The controller 16 receives a vehicle speed signal 14 representative of the vehicle velocity. Steering pinion gear angle is measured through position sensor 32, which may be an optical encoding type sensor, variable resistance type sensor, or any other suitable type of position sensor, and supplies to the controller 16 a position signal 20. Motor velocity may be measured with a tachometer and transmitted to controller 16 as a motor velocity signal 21. Alternatively, motor velocity may be derived from motor position as the time rate of change of position. It will be appreciated that there are numerous well-known methodologies for performing the function of a derivative.
As the steering wheel 26 is turned, torque sensor 28 senses the torque applied to the steering wheel 26 by the vehicle operator. The torque sensor 28 may include a torsion bar (not shown) and a variable resistive-type sensor (also not shown), which outputs a variable torque signal 18 to controller 16 in relation to the amount of twist on the torsion bar. Although this is the preferable torque sensor, any other suitable torque-sensing device used with known signal processing techniques will suffice.
In response to the various inputs, the controller sends a command 22 to the electric motor 46, which supplies torque assist to the steering system through worm 47 and worm gear 48, providing torque assist to the vehicle steering.
In order to perform the prescribed functions and desired processing, as well as the computations therefore (e.g., the execution of motor control algorithm(s), the control processes prescribed herein, and the like), controller 16 may include, but not be limited to, a processor(s), computer(s), memory, storage, register(s), timing, interrupt(s), communication interfaces, and input/output signal interfaces, as well as combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. For example, controller 16 may include input signal filtering to enable accurate sampling and conversion or acquisitions of such signals from communications interfaces. Additional features of controller 16 and certain processes therein are thoroughly discussed at a later point herein.
An exemplary embodiment is presented as a modification to the control process depicted in
It will be appreciated that added stability margin due to the velocity compensation allows the system stability requirements to be met without the traditional torque compensator 101, providing an improvement in torque disturbance rejection and input impedance response characteristics. Returning to
It will also be appreciated that the gains or scaling may take the form of multipliers, schedulers or lookup tables and the like, which are configured to be dynamic and may also be the function of other parameters. For example, as depicted in
The linear structure of motor velocity compensation 99 as depicted in
Therefore, an exemplary procedure for compensation of the system for an arbitrary vehicle employing and EPS with a voltage controlled motor may take the form of the following steps:
Yet another alternate embodiment includes, motor velocity compensation 99 as in the exemplary embodiment (
The disclosed method may be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The method can also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium 13, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, e.g. controller 16, the computer becomes an apparatus capable of executing the method. The present method can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium 13, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or as data signal 15 transmitted whether a modulated carrier wave or not, over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus capable of executing the method. When implemented on a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. | <urn:uuid:c00efa7c-b55d-4268-a14f-3863d2729ae1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.google.de/patents/US7188701 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.915201 | 2,737 | 2.140625 | 2 |
The 23rd Psalm is a perennial favorite.
And yet for all its familiarity, there may be some nuances to the Psalm we have missed, some reflections scholars might share to deepen our sense of the most comforting words ever composed.
Consider one four letter word in verse four: thou. The second-person pronoun "thou" is old English, a relic from the 1611 King James Version. The vast majority of the time we prefer modern translations of the Bible -- but Christians cling to a 400 year old translation of Psalm 23. Why is this? Could it be that elevated language, words with some lineage and dignity, are appropriate to the grandeur, the majesty, the immeasurable grace of God who is indeed our shepherd?
And here is a fascinating item: James Limburg points out that, in the original Hebrew of Psalm 23, there are exactly twenty six words before and after, "Thou art with me."1 Perhaps the poet was boldly declaring that God being with us is at the very center of our lives.
God is with us. We are not alone down here. The whole Gospel is that God is with us. Jesus was called "Emmanuel," which means "God with us." John Wesley's dying words were, "The best of all is, God is with us." God doesn't shelter us from trouble. God doesn't magically manipulate everything to suit us. But the glorious with is unassailable, unchangeable, the only fact that matters.
This marvelous news draws our attention again to the Thou. For the first three verses of the Psalm, God is spoken of in the third person: "The Lord is my shepherd... he leads me... he restores my soul." But with the Thou, the third person shifts to second person: "for Thou art with me, thy rod... thou preparest a table..." Instead of talking about God, the Psalmist begins to talk to God; instead of God in the head, God is a friend in the heart. A conversation happens, a relationship grows. This is faith, the only true comfort.
If we genuinely and in the marrow of our being believe that God is with us, then the only logical consequence would be, "I shall not want."
We've read it, uttered it, delighted in it: but have we thought about it? Or lived it out in reality? I shall not want? Our whole life is about wanting: I want, I shop, I look, and when I have it, I want new stuff. In our consumer culture, I shall want, I shall always want. I shall never stop all my wanting because the mall entices me with ever new, shiny, unnecessary objects, and I am instructed from childhood on to want--and not merely to want, but to have.
I shall not want? "The Lord is my shepherd." If the Lord is the shepherd, then I am a sheep, and the reason sheep need a shepherd is simple: sheep nibble themselves lost.
Sheep are not brilliant creatures, and we cannot be flattered that the Psalm thinks of us as sheep. Leave a sheep without a shepherd, and he nibbles a bit of grass here, wanders over there for some more, sees a patch just past that rock; and before you know it the sheep is lost, or has fallen into a ravine, or been devoured by a wolf.
The Hebrew original is perhaps better translated, "I shall lack nothing," or "I shall lack no good thing." What do I lack? Well, I lack an iPhone or a house at the coast. I lack a fully-funded pension and I lack... We can fill in the blank endlessly.
But it is more to ask "What do I lack?" in the sense of "What really matters that I do not have?" What, at the hour of death, would I dare not lack? The answers aren't iPhones or vacation houses. Jesus spoke with the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-30), who claimed to be good, and had plenty of stuff. What did Jesus say? "One thing you still lack."
We don't lack lots of things: we lack just one. The one thing we lack is intimacy with God. The one and only thing that can cause us to say, "I shall not want," or "I lack no good thing," is God. Nothing else. Just the Lord who is a good shepherd to his sheep.
God is our satisfaction. God is good enough. Or, to be truer, God exceeds whatever we may think we desire.
If "Thou art with me" is the focal point of the Psalm, and if "I shall not want" is the beginning of a new life of being satisfied with God, then the end of our life with God is this: "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Why do we want stuff like iPhones and vacation homes? Is it sheer coveting? I don't think so. We want communication devices because we long to connect. We want a house, or a better house, because no matter how far we travel, no matter how happy or sad our nuclear family might have been, we carry inside a yearning for home. In our mobile society, we may be clueless about where that might be, or if it really exists. But we still want, above all else, to go home.
Perhaps T.S. Eliot was right: "The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."2 Or consider this: if you are lucky, you have fond memories of summertime junkets to the home of your grandparents. For me, it was a house that is factually small, but as a child it was large in love, in special treats, in cousins and fun. It was another home, one without problems or homework or chores, a special place of a more unconditional kind of love.
Does God give us such places in our memory so that we will learn to desire the home for which God destines us when this life is over?
Isaac Watts often recast Psalms into slightly different language. His metric version of the 23rd Psalm is eloquent, elegant, and moving: "The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days; O may Your House be my abode, and all my work be praise. There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come; no more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home."3
Like a child at home. Yes, some children bear the misfortune of a home that is more warfare than peace, more division than love. But the fact that we recoil at the idea of any child anywhere not enjoying peace and love at home is evidence that God has wired into our hearts a keen sense of a proper destiny, which looks like me as a boy at my grandmother's table or on my grandfather's lap.
Various happenings in our life strike us as urgent. They make us anxious, or perhaps we have some fun or face trials. But it is all a preparation for a grand homecoming, when we will "find a settled rest... no more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home." Or as the Psalmist sang, "And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (23:6).
1James Limburg, Psalms (Westminster John Knox Press, 2000).
2T. S. Eliot, "Little Gidding" in Four Quartets, 1943.
3Isaac Watts, "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need," 1719.
Participate in an online discussion group or create your own at our Join the Conversation page. | <urn:uuid:f1366467-7563-402c-a1e1-c9b0a4ce9258> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=278 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958223 | 1,601 | 2.5625 | 3 |
Excess hospitalization and death are well-known impacts of influenza on older people; however, little is known regarding the impact of influenza on functional status. We hypothesized that frail older people are at risk of functional decline as an outcome of influenza.
To measure the effect of acute influenza on the physical and mental status of older patients residing in nursing homes.
Our study was conducted in 6 nursing homes that participated in the Medicare Influenza Vaccine Demonstration and experienced laboratory-confirmed outbreaks of influenza in 1991 and 1992. A case-comparison design was used. One hundred sixteen of 131 residents who developed influenza-like illness and survived at least 4 months served as the case subjects; 127 of 132 residents without influenza-like illness who survived served as the comparison subjects. Measures of functional status 1 to 2 months before outbreak and 1 to 2 months and 3 to 4 months after outbreak were collected from medical records. Matched pairs analyses were conducted to ascertain changes in selected measures of functional status within each of the study groups. Wilcoxon signed rank tests for statistical significance were used.
Among surviving case subjects and comparison subjects, 25% and 15.7%, respectively, experienced decline in at least 1 major function (P=.04). Case subjects experienced significant decline in independence in bathing, dressing, and mobility while comparison subjects experienced decline in mental status.
Within the limitations of this study, influenza is observed to cause decline in major physical functions in more than 9% of survivors. Such disabling outcomes constitute an important new measure of impact of influenza on the frail elderly. | <urn:uuid:e5cc6165-b29b-4677-bcc4-5eefa0c7a6b9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=191637 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00056-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951219 | 315 | 2.375 | 2 |
Kenya: 'Wangari Maathai, Nobel peace prize winner, dies at 71'
Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel peace prize, died on Sunday night of cancer. She was 71.
A towering figure in Kenya, Maathai was renowned as a fearless social activist and an environmental crusader. Her Green Belt Movement, which she founded in 1977, planted tens of millions of trees.
Maathai's death was confirmed in a statement on the movement's website.
"It is with great sadness that the family of Professor Wangari Maathai announces her passing away on 25 September 2011, at the Nairobi hospital, after a prolonged and bravely borne struggle with cancer. Her loved ones were with her at the time."
Maathai was a pioneer from an early age and in many spheres. After winning a scholarship to study in the US, she returned to a newly independent Kenya, becoming the first woman in east and central Africa to obtain a PhD. Maathai was also the first woman professor the University of Nairobi, where she taught veterinary medicine.
Her work with voluntary groups alerted her to the struggles of women in rural Kenya, and it quickly became her life's cause. Noticing how the rapid environmental degradation was affecting women's lives, she encouraged them to plant trees to ensure future supplies of firewood and to protect water sources and crops.
Maathai's agenda quickly widened as she joined the struggle against the repressive and corrupt regime of Daniel arap Moi. Her efforts to stop powerful politicians grabbing land, especially forests, brought her into conflict with the authorities, and she was beaten and arrested numerous times. Her bravery and defiance made her a hero in Kenya.
In awarding Maathai the Nobel peace prize in 2004, the Nobel committee said that her "unique forms of action have contributed to drawing attention to political oppression – nationally and internationally".
Maathai served as an assistant minister in President Mwai Kibaki's government from 2003 to 2005, but her refusal to keep silent on some issues saw her politically sidelined, and she lost her seat after a single term. Her work schedule remained hectic however, and she wrote several books and travelled widely.
Maathai had been in and out of hospital this year, though most Kenyans were unaware of her illness until it was reported in the local media late last week.
"Professor Maathai's departure is untimely and a very great loss to all who knew her – as a mother, relative, co-worker, colleague, role model, and heroine; or who admired her determination to make the world a more peaceful, healthier, and better place," the statement from her organisation said.
Maathai is survived by her three children and a granddaughter. | <urn:uuid:4ba5ee82-e6df-45de-9d2e-dfcd5ddb8489> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wluml.org/zh-hant/node/7964 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00058-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.982809 | 577 | 2.765625 | 3 |
Janneke has a dream, she would like to travel to the Bay of Nouadhibou in northern Mauritania with a skilled photographer and experienced kiter to ride among the stark armada of abandoned ships littering the shores of this place. The setting for riding images would be both unique and dramatic. There is also WIND here, caps warranted. I understand they have strong, consistent westerly winds. The landscape, absence of topsoil, vegetation and rife erosion support this conclusion as well. Western Sahara, more specifically Dahkla the next country to the north is a newly discovered kiting destination. "Kite camps" have popped up and now are well booked in advance in that country. Apparently Internet kiting forums are abuzz in Holland, Germany and France with the wind prospects offered by this section of the African coast.
Mauritania has yet to be opened and for good cause. It is still a conflict zone, heavily impoverished and besieged with other problems. I changed Janneke's name for purposes of this article. She is actively looking for a good action photographer and well experienced kiter to come along. If you're interested drop me a line and I'll pass your interest along. Could be a singular trip! Being a woman and Mauritania being a strict islamic state she plans to wear a burka to try to avoid problems.
Lots of abandoned ships are decomposing at points along the bay.
Photo by crondenas
Are there really a lot of ships? Yes, hundreds. How did they get there? This is one version "There is no mystery in how those ships got there,
for years Mauritanian harbor officers were taking bribes and allowing ships to be discarded in the harbor. Discarding a ship is very expensive so during
the years many companies from all over the world got rid of their unwanted ships cheaply in the Bay of Nouadhibou."http://crazytopics.blogspot.com/2007/02/largest-ship-graveyard.html
Photo by Antonio Gullen
She was taken by some images I posted kiting around the wreck of the Sapona. The imagery that might come out of Mauritania would likely be far more amazing. Still, the Sapona is easily accessible about 60 miles from Miami in the friendly Bahamas. The Bay of Nouadhibou is a different proposition, turbid, streaked with oil slicks, industrial runoff, Al Qa.eda cabals, etc..
Kiting by the Sapona off Bimini, Bahamas
A few other kiters have been here I understand. One even shot an intriguing video, see below. He traveled in over night on a pile of rock in a railway ore car on the QT. Dangerous living.
Thanks to Janneke for telling me about the video. Miguel got there early, in 2007 it looks like.
Miguel did some of his riding at the junction of the ocean with the bay around the abandoned wreck of the "Guadaloupe?" Can't quite make out the spelling on the ship's stern.
Aside from some mining and oil interests fishing and agriculture seem to be some of the main livelihoods. I looked under piracy but didn't find many recent entries. Now with the Berbers back in the day, different story. Checkout Sean Connery's, "The Wind and The Lion."
A satellite view of a harbor area
A surface view of the same area
Logistically, such a trip poses some serious hurdles and risks. This is aside from Visa requirements that may exist. There have been numerous terrorists attacks against foreign nationals, including several murders over the years. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/mauritania#terrorism
There is abundant child slavery for domestic servitude, forced begging and sexual purposes of both genders. In fact up to 20% or 600,000 people have been estimated to be slaves in the country currently. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mr.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_Mauritania
You are looking at an inexpensive air fare of about 1800 euros and then overland travel from Nouakchott about 500 km to the Bay of Nouadhibou. I guess you could travel through from Dakhla in Western Sahara and travel overland south too although that would call for travel through hazardous areas of Mauritania. Considering things temporary wearing of a burka may not be enough. Using Islamic swimming garb along the lines below may be indicated:http://usatoday.com
A surreal landscape of sedimentary rock created under the ocean eons ago and now scarred by desert and ocean winds.
It is interesting to take a look at the area in google earth. You can see numerous oil slicks drifting from tanker bunkering areas and grounded wrecks. Most of the images on here came from the panoramio photos embedded in the sat. images.
An abandoned ship at the knife point of land separating the Atlantic from the Bay. Wonder about riding both sides here? There are some massive wave cut cliffs along other parts of the western shore. Could be some major current here at times though.
Photo by bigcarlitos
So where is this place?http://wikimedia.org/
Local fishermen waiting by the sea.
A look over hulks stranded to the south of Port Etienne with Cansado visible in the distance.
Photo by Julio Dominguez
Checkout the the land relief behind the ship. This is looking more or less NNE I would guess or cross wind to what may be prevailing westerly winds. This means in high relief areas north up the Bay, you will have a lot of unstable wind due to rotor. This could make kiting on the inside in OFFSHORE winds problematical in some areas. A chase boat would be a good idea as well.
Photo by Maxim MD
Not too far north out of the country, things "seem" to be more urbane. The PKRA even had a competition in Dahkla. Now is it in Western Sahara or Morocco? It seems Morocco backed by the French government has control of the coastal area of the country. So, that part might be considered Morocco or at least until things change again. Here's the video showing ocean and wind conditions there:
Good luck Janneke and all success in your adventure. Looking forward to checking out the images if you are able to make this challenging and dangerous undertaking a reality. | <urn:uuid:58f7fa94-dca4-457b-b221-29a1dbbb5b73> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=131&t=2372856 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00057-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948941 | 1,387 | 1.609375 | 2 |
The Internet war
Terrorists tap into cyberspace
By Henry Schuster
Editor's Note: Henry Schuster, a senior producer in CNN's Investigative Unit, has been covering terrorism for more than a decade. Each week in "Tracking Terror," he reports on the people and organizations driving international and domestic terrorism and efforts to combat those. He is the author of the forthcoming book, "Hunting Eric Rudolph."
(CNN) -- By now, you've probably heard how some alleged Iraqi insurgents kidnapped a doll last week and claimed it was a U.S. soldier. Not G.I. Joe, but Special Ops Cody, an action figure put out by Dragon Models USA.
The punch lines were quick to follow: Barbie was negotiating his release. G.I. Joe was the kidnappers' next target.
It's an Internet hoax, yes. At least one Islamist Web site admits it was taken in because, its moderator wrote, it wanted to believe the story.
Hoax or not, it is an important window into the Internet war that's going on between al Qaeda, its supporters and those who are fighting against them.
There are a vast number of Web sites -- a few of them significant -- that carry the postings of al Qaeda and Iraqi insurgents, as well as their sympathizers.
Web sites monitored
Government agencies monitor the increasing output of Web sites. We at CNN spend quite a bit of time doing that as well, as do other journalists -- trying to sort fact from fiction and deciding what is appropriate to report and what video to show, a sensitive task when hostages or killings are shown. (Send your comments and questions to email@example.com.)
There are also numerous private citizens who have made it their business to monitor these sites.
Jeremy Reynalds is one of those people. If you didn't see the story we did about him last year on CNN, here's his background.
His day job is running Joy Junction, a faith-based homeless shelter in Albuquerque, New Mexico. But he spends his spare time -- as do others in the United States and Britain -- combing the Internet for the latest postings by these groups.
Reynalds got into this avocation after the September 11 attacks, saying it was a way he could join the fight against terrorism.
After I mentioned the doll story to him, he and his colleagues began to trace back the links. They discovered it had been posted to a message board that regularly carries postings from al Qaeda and Iraqi insurgents.
The site, which has a disclaimer that it cannot vouch for the information posted there, has contained links to material from people like Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
It was actually another such site that carried the mea culpa about the hoax. Not that it was much of a mea culpa. By the end, the whole thing was being blamed on either the U.S. government or Zionists.
Reynalds found that the doll photo and claim were originally posted to yet another site. He found other photos there, including one titled "Original Picture of Dead American Dog on Road in Iraq" and a portrait of former Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein.
Internet offers anonymity
This site appears to have been registered to someone in Baghdad that, if true, might ultimately lead us to the kidnapped doll. But given how easy it is to hide identities on the Internet, the truth may never be known.
In the course of his cyber-sleuthing, Reynalds has butted heads not just with the creators of some of these Web sites, but also the Internet service providers (ISPs) that host them.
He says he has asked a Houston-based company why it continues to host the first Web site mentioned above, adding that he's gotten no answer.
And he's been taking on Yahoo for several months now about a forum it hosts called Global Islamic Media. This site also carries postings from hostage takers and beheading videos from Iraq.
That's what led us to do the story about him last year. He never got a clear answer from Yahoo and neither did CNN, when we asked.
The forum was taken down and then came back up. That's the pattern for most of these sites.
For a while, after September 11, al Qaeda had its own Web site. CNN traced the site to Malaysia and asked the ISP about it. The site was soon taken down.
But it would reappear elsewhere on the Internet, for a few days at a time, then get taken down. These days, most of the groups will post to these various bulletin boards, especially if they want to show off a hostage or beheading video.
Osama bin Laden's messages get posted to these sites as well, when they don't show up on Al-Jazeera first. The Internet allows bin Laden, al-Zarqawi and others to get their message out. That's one reason they like to use it.
And it should be noted that unlike the case of the kidnapped doll, bin Laden and al-Zarqawi don't have histories of posting hoax messages. Nevertheless, CNN checks each and every one of them to verify the authenticity of the images or voices.
That's what happened with the doll photo. The posting originally claimed it was an American soldier. But when CNN and other news organizations asked the Pentagon, officials there quickly pointed out that no U.S. soldiers were missing.
Because cyberspace is so tricky and allows identities to be masked, groups can post messages that usually are not traced back to them -- even though Reynalds and, no doubt, agencies like the CIA try their hardest to do so.
It has always been thought that one way to find bin Laden would be to follow the tapes that are either delivered to Al-Jazeera or posted on the Web.
Reynalds, by the way, is still at it. He's gone back to that original Web site, where it looks like the hoax originated -- and this time he's found new pictures on the site.
Not dolls this time, but planes. Model planes! An AC-130H Spectre gunship and an F-15E Eagle fighter. The next hoax perhaps?
He'll keep checking. | <urn:uuid:8dee7e9d-bde4-464c-8ed5-c3870385a00a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://edition.cnn.com/2005/US/02/08/schuster.column/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975919 | 1,294 | 1.664063 | 2 |
Fawcett:MCCLUER, Francis Blanton (1887 - 1954)
More information can be found at: Person:MCCLUER, Francis Blanton (1887 - 1954)
FRANCIS BLANTON McCLUER was born on March 8, 1887 to Oscar McCluer and Anna Lee Blanton, at the McCluer farm, 6 miles south of O'Fallon, St. Charles County, Missouri (1900 Census #177). He was baptized on June 1887 at the Dardenne Presbyterian Church (Watson 1977), and lived at his parents’ farm on Woodlawn Avenue in Dardenne Twn.(Census: 1900 #177, 1910 #75), near his grandmother, Lucretia Fawcett, and uncle, Arthur McCluer. Francis attended rural schools and Woodlawn Academy at O'Fallon (-1907).
Francis B McCluer taught in rural schools, between sessions of college. He was a professor/teacher (1907-09) and Superintendent of Schools at St. Charles County. He attended Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri (1909-10). Francis became principal of a public school in St. Charles (1919-20), but was listed with his parent’s household on Woodlawn Avenue in Dardenne Township (1920 census #165). Francis worked at the University of Missouri (1920-21).
On Aug. 23, 1923 Francis Blanton McCluer married Sadie Everett Bedinger (1893-1970) in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama. Her parents are George Bedinger and Josie Blanton of Huntsville. She attended Bellwood Seminary at Anchorage, Kentucky, and worked as a nurse.
The children of Francis and Sadie McCluer are (1) Lucy Ann McCluer (1925-) and Camilla Bedinger McCluer (1931- , m. Hobart Leroy Edwards [1928-1983]). They lived in Elsberry, Lincoln County, Missouri, where he taught high school science (1923-25), before becoming principal (1925). For half of 1922 he sold textbooks for D.C. Heath & Company. In 1925 Francis McCluer was awarded a B.S. in education at the State Teachers College, Kirkville, Missouri. Francis spent the summer of 1927 at the Peabody College for Teachers at Nashville, and summer of 1929 at the University of Missouri.
F.B. McCluer was Superintendent of Schools in Lincoln County, Missouri (1/1/1926-43+). He was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association, National Education Association, and Democratic Party. He was an elder in the Southern Presbyterian Church (Shoemaker 1943:441-442).
Francis B. McCluer died on Sunday, Dec. 5, 1954 in Cottleville, Missouri. They displayed him at the Arthur C. Baue Funeral Home (620 Jefferson, St. Charles) until Tuesday noon. A service was held the same day at 2 p.m. at the St. Charles Presbyterian Church before interment at Dardenne Presbyterian Church (St. Charles Cosmos 12/1954; Johnson 1987:197). His widow, Sadie E.B. McCluer died in 1970.
From A History of the Fawcetts and Related Families in America by William Bloys Fawcett. Used by permission of Dr. Fawcett.
This book was first published in 1996 and some of the information is quite dated. If you find errors or want to add updates, contact me, and I will add notes to the page.
Copyright © 1996, 2007 by William Bloys Fawcett, Jr. All rights reserved. No copies may be made of this document through any electronic, photocopying or other means without permission of the author.
References on this Site
Mentioned in Other Documents:
- BLANTON, Anna Lee (1863 - 1939) (DeathCertificate)
- MCCLUER, Clarence Eugene (1857 - 1949) (DeathCertificate)
- MCCLUER, Francis Blanton (1887 - 1954) (Fawcett)
- MCCLUER, Francis Blanton (1887 - 1954) (DeathCertificate) | <urn:uuid:bfa8e9a0-7982-4e37-986d-f84ebbf80475> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://gausschildren.org/genwiki/index.php?title=Fawcett:MCCLUER,_Francis_Blanton_(1887_-_1954) | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00074-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.918433 | 899 | 1.804688 | 2 |
Tired Teens More Likely to Engage in Risky Behaviors
If you're trying to keep your teens from some of those classic risky adolescent behaviors -- drinking, drugs, smoking -- then you might want to make sure they're getting enough sleep: A study in Preventative Medicine found that students who reported getting fewer than eight hours of sleep at night also had higher rates of risk-taking.
CNN's The Chart wrote about the study, which analyzed data gathered in 2007 from more than 12,000 high schoolers across the United States:
The researchers compared answers about sleep with answers about 11 health risk behaviors including drinking sodas with sugar, time spent exercising per week, TV watching time and non-school related computer use, cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use, being currently sexually active, feeling sad or hopeless, fighting, and whether they had considered suicide during the past year.
Less than eight hours of sleep was associated with 10 out of 11 health risk behaviors.
The only behavior not associated with reduced sleep was watching television. But while this was the biggest survey so far to link so many risky behaviors with teen sleep habits, the findings didn't surprise CNN Health sleep expert Dr. Lisa Shives: “Most people know that if they’re sleep deprived, they can’t make good decisions," she said. "Chronic, partial sleep deprivation affects our ability to think straight, make good decisions, and impacts our behavior.”
Lack of sleep has also been associated with poor school performance, bad moods, obesity, attention deficit disorder, and bullying. Experts have recommended keeping a consistent bedtime, turning off the television at least an hour before bed, and checking for sleep disorders like apnea or snoring.
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- Reducing Racism with a Rubber Hand | <urn:uuid:bd8a2262-c793-4eea-ab86-35c8938ca114> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://parentables.howstuffworks.com/health-wellness/tired-teens-more-likely-take-risks.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958797 | 424 | 2.9375 | 3 |
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Author: Susan Campbell
Date: October 2012
Journal: Nursing Standard
Issue: Volume 27, Number 6
Keywords: Children, education, first aid skills, school curriculum
In the UK, voluntary organisations such as the British Red Cross and St John Ambulance have been advocating the compulsory inclusion of first aid education in the school curricula as a way of improving the outcomes for casualties following accidents or emergencies occurring in non-hospital settings. This article focuses on the rationale for teaching first aid to children, including potential benefits of and barriers to providing such education. Commencing first aid training in primary school children and updating skills regularly throughout life may give individuals the confidence to respond to emergency situations.
Alternatively, rent this article for $2.99 via DeepDyve
Focus your results by wrapping search phrases in quotation marks. For example, search "child health" to return results containing that exact phrase. | <urn:uuid:820c00b7-f5cd-4d7a-b1ad-bcd996326639> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://nursingstandard.rcnpublishing.co.uk/archive/article-supporting-mandatory-first-aid-training-in-primary-schools | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.92503 | 390 | 1.960938 | 2 |
What Is It?
Lactose intolerance is a common cause of abdominal cramping, bloating and diarrhea. This condition occurs when the body does not have enough of the intestinal enzyme lactase. The job of lactase is to break down lactose, the main sugar in milk. Once lactose is broken down into simpler forms of sugar, these simple sugars can be absorbed into the bloodstream. In normal digestion, lactose is digested in the small intestine without the release of gas bubbles. When lactose can't be digested well, it passes into the colon. Bacteria in the colon break down some of the lactose, producing hydrogen gas. The remaining lactose also draws water into the colon. The extra gas and water result in symptoms, such as cramping, diarrhea, bloating and flatulence (gas).
Lactose intolerance usually is genetic (inherited). In many people of African or Asian descent, the body begins making less lactase around age 5. As many as 90% of people from some areas of Eastern Asia, 80% of American Indians, 65% of Africans and African-Americans, and 50% of Hispanics have some degree of lactose intolerance. In contrast, most Caucasians (80%) have a gene that preserves the ability to produce lactase into adulthood. A rare cause of lactose intolerance is called congenital lactase deficiency. Infants with this condition do not produce any lactase. Unable to digest lactose, the infants have diarrhea from birth. This condition was fatal before the development of lactose-free infant formulas.
Difficulty digesting lactose, also can be caused by several gastrointestinal disorders. Viral or bacterial gastroenteritis and other diseases, such as celiac sprue, can destroy the lactase-producing cells that line the small bowel.
A condition called bacterial overgrowth, in which the small bowel contains more bacteria than normal, can also cause symptoms of sensitivity to lactose in the diet. In this case, the bacteria break down lactose in the small bowel, releasing gas in the process. The gas can cause bloating, cramping and flatulence, and bacterial overgrowth can also cause diarrhea. In this case, the problem is not caused by a lack of the enzyme lactase.
Common symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
The severity of symptoms varies, depending on the amount of lactose an individual can tolerate, the amount of lactose ingested, and the size and fat content of the meal. People who also have irritable bowel syndrome tend to have more severe symptoms from lactose intolerance.
It's possible you have lactose intolerance if your symptoms improve dramatically when you avoid lactose. A trial period of a lactose-free diet is usually all that is needed to make the diagnosis of lactose intolerance. In some cases, your doctor will want to do tests to confirm the diagnosis.
One test to confirm the diagnosis is the lactose breath hydrogen test. The test is painless and noninvasive. You cannot eat food for several hours beforehand.
You begin the test by drinking a liquid that contains lactose. Your breath is then sampled for hydrogen over a few hours. Normally, very little hydrogen is detected in your breath. However, if you have lactose intolerance, the bacteria in your colon will break the undigested lactose into hydrogen gas. The gas is absorbed into your bloodstream and then moves through the bloodstream to your lungs and exhaled. You will be diagnosed with lactose tolerance if higher-than-normal hydrogen levels are detected during this test. Bacterial overgrowth can also cause a positive test result, so it may be considered as an alternative explanation if your test is positive.
Another test that can be used to diagnose lactose intolerance is the lactose tolerance test. This test is rarely used today. You begin this test by drinking a lactose solution. This test measures blood sugar levels at selected intervals over a few hours to determine your ability to digest lactose. If the lactose is normally digested, it is broken down into glucose, and this elevates your blood sugar level. You will be diagnosed with lactose intolerance if your blood sugar levels do not change during this test, because this shows that the lactose was not digested in the normal way.
A significant number of people who have symptoms that suggest lactose intolerance will have normal results on diagnostic tests. Similar symptoms (but normal results on the tests) can be caused by fructose, sorbitol or other sugars that are not easily digested in the small intestine. Similar symptoms can also result from irritable bowel syndrome.
People who develop lactose intolerance as a result of gastroenteritis or another insult to digestion can recover completely when the intestinal problem is treated. This may take several weeks to months.
When lactose intolerance is genetic, the condition is permanent. However, people can avoid symptoms by avoiding foods that contain lactose (essentially, dairy products) or by eating them in moderation. In addition, commercially prepared forms of the lactase enzyme are available (for example, Lactaid). These replacement enzymes usually do not relieve the symptoms entirely.
There is no way to prevent lactose intolerance.
There are two main ways to treat lactose intolerance:
Reduce the amount of lactose you eat, by limiting milk and dairy products
Taking commercially available enzyme substitutes
People with lactose intolerance need to read labels of all prepared foods to see if they contain lactose. The highest concentrations are found in ice cream and milk. Cheeses typically have lower amounts of lactose. Some products listed as nondairy, such as powdered coffee creamer and whipped toppings, may contain lactose if they contain ingredients that are derived from milk. When you read food labels, look for words such as whey, curds, milk byproducts, dry milk solids and nonfat dry milk powder. If any of these ingredients are on the label, the product probably contains lactose.
If you completely avoid lactose, your symptoms should go away. If they do not, the diagnosis might not be correct. Many people will be able to tolerate a gradual increase in lactose intake if they are careful to monitor their symptoms. Doctors often recommend ice cream for this. It tends to be tolerated better than other foods that contain lactose because of its high fat content. As you gradually increase your lactose levels, review your diet with your doctor or a nutritionist to be sure that you are eating the proper proportions of fat, protein and other nutrients.
There are several commercially available enzyme formulations (tablets and liquids) that can serve as lactase replacements. You can add these to foods that contain lactose to reduce symptoms significantly. However, these products rarely get rid of symptoms completely, and the results vary among people and with different product formulations. Pretreated dairy products are an extremely effective alternative. You can add enzyme drops to milk and then refrigerate the milk for 24 hours before use or you can purchase dairy products that have been treated to reduce the lactose ("lactose-free" milk). "Acidophilus" milk still has too much lactose to be useful for most people with lactose intolerance.
Many people with lactose intolerance have a difficult time getting enough calcium in their diet. Also they may have low levels of vitamin D. This increases the risk of osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become thin and fragile. Therefore, be sure to consume at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day (1,200 milligrams if you are a postmenopausal woman) and get at least 600 International Units of vitamin D daily. Most people with lactose intolerance are able to tolerate live culture yogurt, one good source of calcium. Vegetables such as broccoli, Chinese cabbage, collard greens and kale are also excellent sources of calcium. If you are not able to get enough calcium in your diet, you may need a daily calcium supplement.
When to Call a Professional
Call your doctor to discuss the possibility that you might have lactose intolerance if you develop symptoms after eating dairy products. Although this condition is not dangerous, it can be distressing. There are effective treatments available, so there is no need to suffer.
The outlook for people with lactose intolerance is excellent. Symptoms can be alleviated if dairy products are limited or avoided, or if they are eaten along with a dose of commercially prepared lactase enzyme.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
Building 31, Room 9A06
31 Center Drive, MSC 2560
Bethesda, MD 20892-2560 | <urn:uuid:785c7ad9-4a56-4bcd-a611-0423ff026b78> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtPrint/WSIHW000/8270/8458/187065.html?d=dmtHealthAZ&hide=t&k=basePrint | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00028-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.932715 | 1,772 | 3.8125 | 4 |
We at Body Vibe Fitness Centre understands the need for people to find a safe enjoyable gyming centre. Our well trained staff will assist all members on the best workout programme for your bodys needs and requirements.
When you exercise your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body. Over time the strength of your heart will increase and it will be able to pump more blood and provide more energy to your body when needed.
Fitness training can also improve the overall appearance of your body. Even if you are targeting specific areas, you will notice improvements in other parts of your body also. For example, if you are focussing on your abdominal muscles you are likely to tone your thighs also with exercises such as leg raises.
Apart from physical benefits, fitness training can also have mental benefits. There are a number of theories behind how physical exercise can improve your brain. Some suggest that the discipline that comes from sticking to a training schedule helps you organise your mind. Others believe that when you exercise you empty your mind of all life’s stresses and worries, which makes it easier to focus. Physical exercise has also been associated with a feeling of happiness and relaxation. This feeling has been related with exercise triggering the release of additional chemicals (some believe endorphins, others believe anandamide).
A fourth benefit of fitness training is that it can help people who suffer from a number of ailments. If you suffer from arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, regular exercise can help you reduce the symptoms. In most cases your doctor can offer you advice on specific exercises that can help you with the ailment you suffer from. | <urn:uuid:4b37fe29-c878-4d73-9ae4-5364ed789cd2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bodyvibefitnesscentre.co.za/wmenu.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00031-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956566 | 333 | 2.109375 | 2 |
I watched a very interesting programme on BBC2 this week- Horizon. It took me back to the days when the BBC could be relied upon for quality, informative and entertaining programming.
The subject matter of the Horizon programme was the cosmos and the observations by cosmologists that our universe seemed to defy the accepted laws of physics.
To paraphrase; heavenly bodies appeared to behave in a fashion that was at odds with how they should have been behaving. All scientific theory, mathematical formulae and accepted wisdom predicted that objects were orbiting at speeds that should have resulted in them being thrown about like the contents of a food mixer spinning without the lid. Also, the universe was expanding at ever increasing speed when in fact the gravitational pull of its constituent components should have now arrested this acceleration.
So, what was holding the universe together?
Well, the scientists had a theory for this, that there must be some kind of force influencing the universe that we can neither see nor detect. This strange phenomenon was termed 'Dark Matter'.
‘Dark Matter’! eureka I thought. For this theory offered an explanation as to how Labour in Scotland have managed to escape the Purcell affair pretty much unscathed. The world of Scottish politics must contain an equivalent force, a force that can lessen the effects of otherwise devastating revelations, gaffes and scandals – I have termed this hitherto unknown force 'Disnae Matter'.
'Disnae Matter' much like its cosmological cousin ‘Dark Matter’ is difficult to detect and cannot be seen, but its influence is there nonetheless, the humble Scottish newspaper often shows evidence of this mysterious force. How else could a scandal like the Stephen Purcell affair have resulted in so little by way of damaging media coverage for the Labour party? Moreover a look back at recent events and we can see some quite compelling circumstantial evidence for the existence of such a force.
The David Marshall resignation in 2008, amidst questions over his £500,000 expense claims, brought little by way of Scottish media scrutiny – why?; 'Disnae Matter'. Jim Murphy's false claim that the Dunfermline Building Society had acquired USA sub-prime mortgages; again 'Disnae Matter'. Jim Devine's revelation that he was instructed on how to fill in his expenses claim by a senior Labour whip; also 'Disnae Matter' and Jim Murphy's recent apology to the local Jewish community for attracting a BNP Westminster candidate to their area ... yes you’ve guessed it; 'Disnae Matter'.
'Disnae Matter' though appears to have beneficial properties for only one party, the Labour party. The SNP seem to be completely unaffected by 'Disnae Matter' which seems to pass straight through media stories dealing with the SNP leaving no trace. If anything, a completely different force seems to be at work that has the opposite effect on SNP stories.
What do to about my revolutionary theory? A paper surely beckoned, spin doctors, politicians and physicists would hail me as a visionary and genius. However the bubble was quickly burst when hidden within the data was evidence suggesting this mysterious force had an unexpected side effect.
It appeared that prolonged exposure to 'Disnae Matter' could compromise the judgement of writers and editors – seriously harming a paper’s circulation and reputation; ridicule often followed.
‘Disnae Matter’ it seems might well help Labour, but it also does to a journalist’s reputation what kryptonite does for Superman’s powers. | <urn:uuid:d650759e-a330-4836-9687-c0634cad7b63> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-opinion/22-the-universe-dark-matter-and-labour | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00047-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.965376 | 721 | 2.03125 | 2 |
What the ‘fiscal cliff’ means to you
By TERRY SAVAGE firstname.lastname@example.org or @TerryTalksMoney November 7, 2012 1:28PM
A television feed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange shows Pres. Barack Obama, left, and his daughter, Malia, the day after he was re-elected, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 in New York. With President Barack Obama elected to another term, U.S. investors dumped stocks Wednesday and turned their focus to a world of problems, including a "fiscal cliff" of tax increases and spending cuts at home and a deepening recession in Europe. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
Updated: May 3, 2013 12:15PM
Q. What’s changed in our economic outlook as a result of the presidential and congressional elections?
A. Nothing. We have just edged a lot closer to the “fiscal cliff,” meaning we are coming closer to the possibility of tax increases and spending cuts that could destroy our fragile economic recovery.
These are changes that will affect everyone from the poorest recipient of government aid, to the middle class, which will find less in their paycheck and more on their tax bills, to the wealthy, who will not only pay more taxes on income and investment earnings, but send more to the government upon their death.
The balance of power has not changed as a result of this election. The closeness of the outcome means neither the Republicans nor the Democrats have a mandate to rule or an incentive to compromise. And, as part of the cliff, the looming debt ceiling crisis threatens to shut down our country’s borrowing power — and with it, the ability to pay the government’s bills. A default on refinancing our bonds as they mature would wreak havoc on the world financial system.
There is no single number to put on the “fiscal cliff.” It is designed to “find” $7 trillion over the next 10 years, through a combination of tax increases and spending cuts. But the true cost could be far greater, as the economy is impacted by this sudden shock.
That’s the cliff. It is a long way down — when it comes to the individual, national and global economic impact. Strictly on a personal level, here’s what you’re likely to see happen if the two sides can’t get together:
♦ Payroll Tax Hike: The payroll tax will be going back to 6.2 percent in January from 4.2 percent, leaving you with less money in your paycheck — and the economy with $120 billion less in consumer spending.
♦ Expiration of Bush tax cuts: Rates move up for all brackets, with a top of 39.6 percent. And capital gains rates jump from 15 to 20 percent.
♦ Dividend tax increase: The rate will rise from the current 15 percent to ordinary wage tax rates, hitting seniors trying to live on their dividend income, as well as mutual fund dividend distributions. No wonder the stock market isn’t celebrating.
♦ Alternative Minimum Tax: This tax, once designed to catch the wealthy with “too many” deductions, will return to 2001 levels, directly hitting the middle class — raising taxes on about 26 million households by an average of $3,700.
♦ Marriage penalty “fix” is eliminated: The standard deduction for married couples will no longer be twice that of singles, resulting in a tax penalty for married couples.
♦ Earned income credit is eliminated: The working poor will be hit hard by the end of this credit, along with the expiration of the 10 percent income tax bracket, which will revert to 15 percent.
♦ Estate tax exemption drops: Exempt amount reverts to $1 million (from the current $5.12 million) and a 55 percent top rate. This impacts the middle class directly if you consider the total value of your home, your retirement accounts, and your life insurance, if you own it personally.
Surely, there will be some sort of compromise worked out in the next few weeks, by the lame-duck Congress and the re-elected president. But they had better be quick about it. Talking about a “big deal” to restructure the tax system won’t save us from the imminent changes that will take place within 60 days. Only swift and broad action through compromise can save us from the fiscal cliff and give us a soft landing. That’s the Savage Truth. | <urn:uuid:36d6a42b-e657-4551-908b-3a1b55696812> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/16224595-505/what-the-fiscal-cliff-means-to-you.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953143 | 945 | 1.570313 | 2 |
A new Australian-first study will use male hormone testosterone, along with a nutritional supplement, in a bid to reduce the number of under-nourished older people ending up in hospital.
The three year, $1 million project will be undertaken by Caulfield Hospital, along with the University of Adelaide and University of Sydney.
Principal investigator Associate Professor Peter Hunter says the study will look at the effects on hospital admissions in under-nourished people.
"We will be recruiting people for this study who are over 65 years old, living independently and at risk of under-nourishment," Peter said.
"We know that as people get older, their appetites tend to decrease and after 60 years their body weight drops, due to loss of muscle mass. Muscle loss and reduced food intake predisposes people to under-nutrition. It is this frailty which leads to hospital admissions, with an increased risk of falls, disability and mortality."
In the community, about 10-15% of people over 65 years are undernourished. This figure is higher in nursing homes.
A high kilojoules nutritional drink, high in sugars, fats and protein, has been specially formulated for the research trial. A low kilojoules drink will be used as a placebo in a second group of participants, along with a placebo testosterone.
Testosterone has been shown to improve muscle strength, cognitive capabilities and improve quality of life measures, such as libido. It is hoped the combined therapy will lead to fewer days in hospital for those requiring a hospital admission, a longer lifespan and improved body composition, as well as better quality of life. A low dose of testosterone will be given to female participants, to avoid any side effects.
Recruiting for this study will begin this month. Caulfield Hospital hopes to recruit 60-70 people, while about 200 participants will take part over the three sites.
If you are interested in participating in the study, call Dr Nicole Austin on 9076 6333. | <urn:uuid:c65b4849-f5c4-46bb-9d1e-e4c5dd820233> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.alfred.org.au/News.aspx?ID=328 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95251 | 413 | 2.015625 | 2 |
Museum's 'Living History' Speakers Series Launches Feb. 25
February 18, 2010 — Five unique aspects of the world of flight will be center stage this spring as the EAA AirVenture Museum hosts a living-history series of aviation speakers beginning Feb. 25. The series, which is free and open to the public, is supported through a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council. The Council supports and creates programs that use history, culture, and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone in Wisconsin.
“EAA’s world-class museum in Oshkosh has been an entry door for aviation participation for more than 25 years,” said Alan Westby, EAA AirVenture Museum director. “As the next phase of the museum’s evolution, the museum will expand its living history offerings, which will strengthen community ties and provide new historical and humanities themes for all to explore. This series is just the start of exciting new programs at one of Wisconsin’s best-known museums.”
Among the speakers and topics are:
Feb. 25: “Divided Skies” - a discussion about the struggles of pioneer African-American pilots, with J. Vincent Lowery, African-American historian at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay;
March 23: “Women in Flight” - focusing on early women pilots and the history of airline flight attendants in the context of their times, with Dr. Peggy Chabrian, President of Women in Aviation, International;
April 22: “The Business of Flight” - an exploration of the commercial air industry of the past, present and future, with Joseph Corn of Stanford University;
May 19: “Artisans and Aircraft” - the often unsung and untold stories about craftsmen who build their own aircraft, hosted by University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh historian Jeffrey Pickron;
June 17: “Winged Defense: The History of American Air Power” - centering on the U.S. military aviation history, including early advocate Billy Mitchell, a Wisconsin native who countered military thinking in the 1920s and 1930s. Hosted by noted aviation author and historian Henry Holden.
The Wisconsin Humanities Council was established in 1972 as an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and is supported by federal, state, and private funds. Through its own programs and through grants to other organizations, the WHC supports public programs that engage the people of Wisconsin in the exploration of human cultures, ideas, and values.
Wisconsin educators and historians have also been invited to this series to review the offering and recommend future programs that expand the museum’s activities and create a more substantial resource for the community.
Presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held in the SkyScape Theater. There will be post-lecture discussions with refreshments. | <urn:uuid:d68d7a8b-b3ef-4203-b8d5-4558e5e927cd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/2010-02-18_museum_speakers.asp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00038-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939427 | 596 | 2.09375 | 2 |
Quantitative evaluation of spasticity
PhD thesis by Jakob Lorentzen
2010, 143 pages, DKR 100,-
ISBN: 978 87 917 71 309
Spasticity is a common manifestation of a lesion of the central motor pathways that in some cases interferes with motor function and affects quality of life. Different perceptions of spasticity among clinicians and researchers have led to confusion. Based on results from basic and clinical research, the aim of the work described in this thesis was to contribute to a clearer understanding of the rationale for distinguishing between different features of spasticity and to answer some of the questions related to its quantification.
The first part of the thesis consists of an introduction to the definitions of spasticity followed by a brief historical review of relevant mechanisms involved in spasticity. This section includes the results that focus on measurements of Post Activation Depression (PAD) and the biomechanical reaction to the identified electrophysiological phenomenon.
The second part focuses on the distinction between increased muscle stiffness caused by increased reflex activity (active stiffness) or by stiffness due to arthrogenic and myogenic changes (passive stiffness).
The third part is based on the results of the efficacy of treatments with Neurodynamics and Random Passive Movements (RPM) in relation to stiffness reduction in the knee joint.
The results contribute to a better understanding of the involvement of a spinal mechanism (PAD) in increased resistance to passive movements due to spasticity. The difficulties in clinical distinction between active and passive stiffness were also highlighted by the results of this study. In order to improve the clinical spasticity measurement methods there is need for further development of objective biomechanical clinically applicable methods. This is necessary for evaluation of the efficacy of anti-spastic treatments.
From Jakob Lorentzens PhD defence December 10, 2010
Content (pdf, 75 kb)
Summary (pdf, 89 kb)
Preface (pdf, 70 kb)
List of studies (pdf, 73 kb) | <urn:uuid:ead6c38b-1b11-4d4e-ab82-a099f05d19ba> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ifi.ku.dk/english/publications/phd_thesis/2010/jl/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00072-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944278 | 418 | 1.601563 | 2 |
|Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary|
13:1-17 The plague of leprosy was an uncleanness, rather than a disease. Christ is said to cleanse lepers, not to cure them. Common as the leprosy was among the Hebrews, during and after their residence in Egypt, we have no reason to believe that it was known among them before. Their distressed state and employment in that land must have rendered them liable to disease. But it was a plague often inflicted immediately by the hand of God. Miriam's leprosy, and Gehazi's, and king Uzziah's, were punishments of particular sins; no marvel there was care taken to distinguish it from a common distemper. The judgment of it was referred to the priests. And it was a figure of the moral pollutions of men's minds by sin, which is the leprosy of the soul, defiling to the conscience, and from which Christ alone can cleanse. The priest could only convict the leper, (by the law is the knowledge of sin,) but Christ can cure the sinner, he can take away sin. It is a work of great importance, but of great difficulty, to judge of our spiritual state. We all have cause to suspect ourselves, being conscious of sores and spots; but whether clean or unclean is the question. As there were certain marks by which to know it was leprosy, so there are marks of such as are in the gall of bitterness. The priest must take time in making his judgment. This teaches all, both ministers and people, not to be hasty in censures, nor to judge anything before the time. If some men's sins go before unto judgment, the sins of others follow after, and so do men's good works. If the person suspected were found to be clean, yet he must wash his clothes, because there had been ground for the suspicion. We have need to be washed in the blood of Christ from our spots, though not leprosy spots; for who can say, I am pure from sin?
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
But when raw flesh appeareth in him,.... Between the white spots, scabs, or swellings, or in the midst of them:
he shall be unclean; be pronounced unclean, and be subject to all the prescriptions of the law concerning lepers.
Leviticus 13:14 Parallel Commentaries
Leviticus 13:14 NIV
Leviticus 13:14 NLT
Leviticus 13:14 ESV
Leviticus 13:14 NASB
Leviticus 13:14 KJV
Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible | <urn:uuid:298e9ae3-ad94-45da-aa4a-d72ed8b1848f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://biblehub.com/leviticus/13-14.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979343 | 559 | 2.765625 | 3 |
By Ashley Holloway Foxx
Published September 27th 2009 in The Fayetteville Observer
"Can you hear me now?"
Remember that commercial for a popular cell phone company? The network traversed the country to ensure that everyone who spoke could be heard. In our democracy, your voice is your vote, and beginning in January, a chorus of teenagers will be given a greater opportunity to find their civic voices in North Carolina.
How? For the first-time ever, 16- and 17-year-olds will be allowed to "pre-register" to vote. They will automatically become full registered voters when they turn 18.
During these uncertain times, the most important way to ensure our country's continued success is through the education of our youth. For years, North Carolina schools have taken the time to educate young people on the importance of civics. However, with most civics education occurring in the 10th grade, the process of voter registration and voting remains abstract and something for the distant future.
Voter pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds changes that. It provides a clear and practical way to draw the youth of our state directly into the voting process.
Studies show that the earlier citizens take part in the democratic process, the more likely they will become voters for life. Under North Carolina's new voter pre-registration and education law, local boards of education and boards of elections are encouraged to creatively work together to empower youth by pre-registering them and educating them on the voting process. In addition, the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles will be required to ask new drivers, ages 16 and 17, if they would like to pre-register to vote. This agency alone can add thousands of teens to the rolls of voters once they reach voting age. The information they provide also must be verified just as it is for all first-time voters.
North Carolina already does many things to encourage youth voting. For example, we are one of the few states that allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections as long as they will be 18 by the date of the general election. Also, college students are allowed to register and vote at their college addresses if they choose to do so. Now, we are only the third state to allow voter pre-registration (the others are Hawaii and Florida). This speaks well of our state's desire to create a more vibrant and inclusive democracy.
In Cumberland County, turnout for municipal primary and general elections is dismal. Low turnout trumpets the voices of a few over the masses. By encouraging 16- and 17-year-old citizens to pre-register, we engage them in the voting process early on. Greater youth involvement will strengthen our democracy for decades to come.
With young adults across the state getting more involved in the political process, we must re-evaluate another part of our system that unfairly hinders their success. The increasing cost of national, state and even local campaigns prohibits many people from running for elected office. We need a publicly funded "voter-owned elections" option for qualified candidates without access to wealth. Most young adults couldn't even consider raising $70,000 to run for mayor or $150,000 for a state legislative race.
We say that we want the young people of this country to be responsible and give back to our community. Are we not being hypocritical by telling those same youths that they cannot run a viable campaign because they are too poor? Voter-owned elections programs help young voters and other underrepresented segments of our society gain greater access to the political system.
Starting in January, at the young age of 16, citizens across the state can embark on a pathway that will empower them for a lifetime. Let us encourage North Carolina's teens to pre-register to vote, become involved in reform efforts and find their voices so that we can hear them loud and clear.Ashley Holloway Foxx is a graduate of Terry Sanford High School and UNC-Chapel Hill. She lives with her husband, Brian, and her daughter, Madison, and works as a field organizer in the Fayetteville area for Democracy North Carolina (democracy-nc.org). | <urn:uuid:4aad6ad0-1529-4352-beee-986512fd5b59> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://archive.fairvote.org/index.php?page=9&articlemode=showspecific&showarticle=3655 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96138 | 854 | 2.609375 | 3 |
Personal safety is something that you may not think about often, but it is something that you should prepare for at all times. Hopefully you will never need it, but if you do, you want to be ready. Keeping personal security items with you can keep you from being injured or even killed if attacked. Having an emergency kit on hand at home and in your car is also a must in weather disasters and emergency situations.
For personal security while walking alone, pepper spray can be carried in your hand, purse and pocket or on a keychain. If you are attacked and spray your assailant in the face, you will have time to run away and get help. This spray will temporarily burn the eyes and irritate the skin of your attacker.
A stun gun uses a battery to supply high voltage to stop an attacker. When you touch the attacker with the prongs of the gun, this sends an electrical shock that will restrain the assailant so you can escape. This electrical shock does not cause permanent damage because the voltage isn’t high enough.
A well stocked survival kit should be kept at your house and in your vehicle at all times. Items typically included in one of these kits include an emergency radio, flashlight, batteries, water, food, whistle, candles, matches, rope, knife and first aid supplies. In the event of a weather situation or fire, your kit will supply all of the necessary survival gear you and your family will need to survive. | <urn:uuid:8e8a5209-09b9-464c-845a-696c6e561919> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://greendetroitfest.com/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953096 | 295 | 2.625 | 3 |
Chadron State College Child Development Center Laboratory is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC administers the largest and most widely recognized national, voluntary, professionally sponsored accreditation system for all types of early childhood schools and centers. NAEYC is the nation's largest organization of early childhood educators.
Early Childhood programs accredited by NAEYC's National Academy of Early Childhood Programs have voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study, invited external professional review to verify compliance with the Criteria for High-Quality Early Childhood Programs, and been found to be in substantial compliance with the Criteria. A copy of Criteria can be obtained from NAEYC at http://www.naeyc.org/accreditation. | <urn:uuid:ea2bff44-6c39-455a-87fd-138268c4a8c8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.csc.edu/appliedsciences/cdc/NatlAccr/index.csc?p=1 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.920657 | 152 | 1.5 | 2 |
|About this Abstract
||Materials Science & Technology 2012
||MS&T'12 Poster Session
||C18: Thermodynamic Study on PbxSr1-xTiO3 Ferroelectric Thin Films
||Liang Hong, Long-Qing Chen
|On-Site Speaker (Planned)
Thermodynamic phase diagrams on temperature-Sr concentration and temperature –mismatch strains were constructed for PbxSr1-xTiO3 ferroelectric thin films. At room temperature, there was a phase transition between tetragonal and cubic around Sr concentration of 50%, and the rhombohedra phase worked as a bridging one. The dielectric constants were maximized at the transition point which is consistent with experimental results. Under small compressive strains (-0.005), the transition point would move to Sr concentration of 63%. When Sr volume was low, i.e. Pb70Sr30TiO3, there had a narrow space that rhombohedra was stable surrounded by tetragonal and aa phases at small tensile strains. This area has some similarities to the MPB of PZT and other relaxors, where several polarization states may coexist and large strains will be realized with the easy rotation of dipoles.
||Definite: A CD-only volume | <urn:uuid:a178712d-fee7-4bfd-a08c-9403e7f16f30> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.programmaster.org/PM/PM.nsf/ApprovedAbstracts/6B101260FBE665E8852579CF0059E304?OpenDocument | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00051-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.902939 | 277 | 1.578125 | 2 |
Collage by Lani with layers and photoshop brush from Jerry Jones, a very generous artist!!!
In “Number Our Days”, anthropologist Barbara Myerhoff decided to study the elders of her own cultural heritage, Jewish elders in a retirement community in California. She discovered that although their funds were very limited and they rarely got to see their children or grandchildren, they could create joy out of next to nothing, by creating ceremony, by paying attention, and by finding meaning and significance. The elders were in possession of a philosophers’ stone, Myerhoff felt. Through this secret of attention, they were able to turn the “base metals” of their existence into the “gold” of a life valued. One of the elders said to her, ‘“I think this attitude you are talking about, paying such attention to life, is what we mean by ‘a heart of wisdom’... In the psalm it says, ‘So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom’”’(p.231).
So here's to getting a heart of wisdom and creating joy out of next to nothing... and finding ordinary magic on a morning walk with the boys.
Bruzzi posing for the camera. Layers in all the images are from Jerry Jones.
We found some magical things in the forest, a little memorial perched on a bolder.
And here's a little pagoda bird house, also in the forest.
Someone had decorated a pine tree with Christmas ornaments and they are worn and weathered now.
The boys find it enchanting too. But really it is a simple, ordinary magic; this enchantment we feel when we pay attention to the world around us! | <urn:uuid:61cd37a1-6b76-44a0-a93a-137bc2e01db9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://lanipuppetmaker.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00029-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.967098 | 370 | 2.640625 | 3 |
A MacDermid LUX installation at OEC Graphics marks the 100th installation of the LUX platemaking process since its commercial launch. Introduced at the FTA INFO*FLEX in 2010, the LUX Platemaking Process enables the production of flat-top dots on flexo printing plates, creating a smaller printed dot and increased print quality and consistency.
OEC Graphics, headquartered in Oshkosh, WI, USA, is a prepress supplier to converters and packaged goods companies. OEC has added the LUX platemaking process to its production workflow in a number of its facilities. “Adding LUX flat-top dots to our product line-up puts us in a unique position to offer our customers unsurpassed performance and technology that can compete in any packaging market,” says Brad Vette, corporate managing director at OEC.
According to the company, MacDermid’s LUX has been the global choice for flat-top dot technology since its inception, with LUX installations on six continents. “Given the tremendous interest we have seen with LUX, we are anticipating that we will install at least another 100 units in 2012,” adds Pat Mullaney, global packaging group director at MacDermid.
In addition to celebrating the 100th installation of LUX, MacDermid is also marking the introduction of two new enhancements to the LUX process: Membrane 200 and a new version of its large format 62" laminator. Membrane 200 allows the simultaneous creation of both flat-top LUX dots and an engineered surface pattern in the plate. This innovation combines the print advantages of the LUX dot shape and the improved ink transfer of a surface pattern in one simple step.
The updated 62" LUX laminator laminates plates up to 62" in width and includes several new features that the company says will make lamination of the LUX membrane easier and more efficient, including digital control of gap settings, a membrane hold-down device and pin cutter, and a transition table to ease plate movement from the laminator to an exposure unit. | <urn:uuid:e6eac369-c7cb-4385-8288-9503417adb2e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.labelandnarrowweb.com/issues/2012-04/view_industry-news/macdermid-celebrates-100th-lux-installation-393578/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.92011 | 440 | 1.554688 | 2 |
The University of Montana School of Law
Environmental Law Moot Court
In 2005, The University of Montana School of Law National Environmental Moot Court Team advanced to the final round in the Seventeenth Annual National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition at Pace University. Team members Joan Hubble (Stanford, Montana), Jessica Moats (Great Falls, Montana), and Gregory Sullivan (Missoula, Montana) met Boston College and UC-Hastings in the final round. Montana was one of three finalists from a field of 68 teams. UC-Hastings won the competition.
Montana advanced in the quarterfinal round by defeating Loyola University Chicago School of Law and the University of Illinois. In the semifinal round Montana defeated Washington University and the University of Memphis.
This was the seventh year Montana competed at Pace. In 2002, the team advanced to the quarterfinal round and won the best-oralist award.
The team is coached by Heidi Fanslow.
The Pace National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition tests the oral and written advocacy skills of law students in appellate court litigation. The legal problem drafted each year involves timely issues of national importance to the practice of environmental law. Recent topics have included illegal dumping of hazardous waste, vicarious criminal liability of corporate officers for their company's environmental crimes and commerce clause limits on water pollution regulation. | <urn:uuid:2833cd23-3272-4bf6-8381-ab15b1172bef> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://umt.edu/law/students/compteams/enviromootcour.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.931879 | 273 | 1.648438 | 2 |
A generic drug is the same as the brand name drug in dosage, safety, strength, how it is administered, quality, performance and intended use. In order to be approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) it undergoes rigorous testing. By law, the generic must contain the same amounts of the same active ingredients as the brand (trade name) product. The benefit is that it is typically offered for a much lower price.
Keywords: define Generic Drug
If you came to the F.E.A.S.T. Eating Disorders Glossary from a page on the F.E.A.S.T site, click the "go back" button in your internet browser to return to that page; if not, we welcome you to visit the FEAST home page for a wealth of information on evidence-based treatment for eating disorders, support for parents and families, the latest eating disorders research, a forum for parents and caregivers, useful books, etc. | <urn:uuid:e1d0a8a3-015b-4503-8bae-3f8755b8f35f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://glossary.feast-ed.org/4-biology-pharmacology/generic-drug | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00021-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.917836 | 199 | 2.265625 | 2 |
Posted on October 22, 2012 by admin | No Comments
During the medieval times both noblemen and peasants had to save themselves from thieves that broke into homes. Grosse Messer sword which was also known as the big knife in Germany was effectively used to keep thieves at bay. It could cut a thief in two with a single blow.
This sword could be handled with one hand or both hands and it has a sharp edge. Since it weighs as much as 4 pounds it becomes ideal for cutting. However, these swords are good additions for medieval sword collections. You could have it in your display cupboard and show it to your friends.
This being a replica of one of the deadliest medieval weapons it comes with a leather sheath which has an inner layer of wood. This protects the sharp edges of the sword and it makes it safer for the user to handle it. Even you could use it as a part of your costume when you go for a party. But never draw it out of its sheath as it is very sharp. | <urn:uuid:e8fe085b-66d1-4b55-9521-faeb93231ff6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cprobes.com/grosse-messer-sword-the-weapon-for-self-defense/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.988333 | 209 | 2.671875 | 3 |
Elvis Allen was born November 1847 in North Carolina, and died date unknown. He married Amelia.
Notes for Elvis Allen: I find Elvis Allen father of both Hickman Allen and Elvis Mortimer Allen in Bartin's Creek Township, Wake County NC in the 1900 Town ship. Elvis was a farmer, he owned his own property. His parents were from NC.
I see that Amelia Allen, wife of Elvis Allen, mother of both Hickman and Elvis Mortimer was born in England. It loos as those the Allen family family remained close as they pretty much lived in the same area as far as I can tell. Also interesting to note that in 1910 Census finds my grandfather Arthur Joseph Council and his new wife Ella May Cook living only a few doors away from the Allen Families.
More About Elvis Allen: Date born 2: November 1847 | <urn:uuid:9ddfa233-c468-4359-b2a2-4625d642a628> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/l/o/n/Theresa-Longley-CA/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0136.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.989157 | 173 | 1.6875 | 2 |
- functioning as singular (British) a ball game in which players run between posts after hitting the ball, scoring a 'rounder'
if they run round all four before the ball is retrieved
- a run round all four bases after one hit in rounders
- a tool or machine for rounding edges or surfaces
Example Sentences Including 'rounders'
"They were getting two first rounders for me," he said of Corey Perry and a draft choice.
Edmonton Sun (2003)
A Smith South Brisbane Rounding up I THINK 20/ 20 will do for cricket what baseball did for rounders.
Courier, Sunday Mail (2005)
German is taught from age 5 and French from 9. Games include netball, rounders , tennis, swimming, gymnastics, dance and athletics.
Times, Sunday Times (2001)
She was looking round at groups of girls playing rounders or `he".
In Real Life
THREE pupils have been kicked out of a school and 80 others suspended after police had to snatch rounders bats off teenagers at a demo.
Sun, News of the World (2001)
Walter Collier offered his services as an escort, only too pleased to find an excuse to avoid playing rounders.
We left around 6.00 p. m., arrived on the beach at 7.30, went swimming, played football and rounders.
Working with Teenagers
What if his replacements---all rounders Dinesh Mongia or Sridharan Sriram--- come up with some sterling performances?
Outlook India (2005)
to comment on this word. | <urn:uuid:19527a62-1a80-4475-917a-c508c7211ae9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/rounders | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944984 | 337 | 2.46875 | 2 |
Palestinian Islamist groups attacked members of the Fatah faction in Lebanon's densely populated Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in late March, the Lebanon Daily Star reports. The al-Qaeda-linked Jund al-Sham organization fired rockets on Fatah positions, resulting in four wounded Fatah fighters.
Lebanon, home to as many as 400,000 Palestinians, is a longstanding base of support for Fatah. Lebanon's twelve Palestinian refugee camps have long been crucial to Fatah's traditional status as the "sole representative of the Palestinian people."
Many Palestinians in Lebanon, since the 1970s, have turned to Fatah for jobs, social services, and protection. Increasingly, however, the Fatah movement has been reduced to one faction among many in these teeming camps.
The challenge to Fatah in Lebanon is not a new phenomenon. In 2002, Arabic newspaper ash-Sharq al-Awsat reported "intense armed presence and reciprocal military alerts between [the] Fatah movement and the Islamic Asbat al-Ansar," also in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp. Asbat al-Ansar was designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. State Department for its ties to al-Qaeda.
Between September and November 2002, the Ain al-Hilweh camp was the scene of no fewer than 19 bombings. Fatah loyalists were subsequently targeted with shootings, grenade attacks, and even car bombs. In one 2003 communiqué to Fatah, Asbat threatened to "turn Ain al-Hilweh and the rest of Lebanon into a pool of blood to wash away your treason and corruption and send you to hell."
Tensions stemmed from the fact that Asbat al-Ansar sought to wrest control of Ain al-Hilweh from Fatah, which had long been the traditional ruling faction of the camp. The fighting continued into 2004 and 2005.
Last year, after the June coup that toppled Fatah and brought Hamas to power in Gaza, Lebanese Palestinians began to show outward signs of losing faith in Fatah. According to news reports, they had already grown restless with Fatah in the spring of 2007, when it was commonly believed that Fatah failed to protect the Palestinians of the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp during a raid by the Lebanese Army to oust the al-Qaeda affiliate group Fatah al-Islam. Fatah failed to exert political influence to restrain the invasion, and then failed to provide funds for reconstruction of destroyed property in the camp that it had promised to camp residents.
Hamas capitalized on Fatah's failures to expand its leadership role in the Lebanese refugee camps. Observers now believe that Hamas is slowly eclipsing Fatah's long-established infrastructure in the camps. Amidst the Israeli incursions into Gaza in early March 2008, hundreds of Palestinian students attended Hamas-sponsored rallies in the Rashidiyeh, Bourj al-Shemali, and al-Bass refugee camps. In place of Fatah placards and flags, increasing numbers of green Hamas banners are flying.
While it is well known that Hamas and Fatah engaged in bitter battles on the streets of Gaza and the West Bank in the last year, the mainstream media has largely overlooked the fact that the Hamas-Fatah conflict has widened to include some pockets of Lebanon. News services have reported tit-for-tat violence in Ain al-Hilweh. Indeed, Fatah has publicly warned Hamas that it would not tolerate an armed Hamas presence in the camps.
The challenge to Fatah by the Palestinian Islamists of Lebanon raises two important points:
First, the January 2006 Hamas electoral victory in the West Bank and Gaza, along with the June 2007 Hamas coup that ousted the Fatah party from the seat of power in the Gaza Strip, were only the most observable indications of Fatah's waning power. The challenges Fatah faces in Lebanon are further indications that Fatah is no longer the "sole representative" of the Palestinians, neither in the Palestinian territories nor the Diaspora.
More broadly, the challenge to Fatah in Lebanon raises questions about Fatah's rightful place as arbiter of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. If Fatah is literally under fire from the Palestinian people who appear to no longer appreciate its leadership, how effective can Fatah be in negotiating with the U.S. and Israel for peace?
Jonathan Schanzer is director of policy for the Jewish Policy Center and editor of inFOCUS Quarterly. He is author of the forthcoming book, Hamas vs. Fatah: The Struggle for Palestine (Palgrave, November 2008).
Comment on this item | <urn:uuid:3e9d9b4b-7ed4-4a3c-9854-4854b47841d0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/119/not-just-gaza | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00074-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957592 | 958 | 1.664063 | 2 |
Bash: The Linux Command Line
If you are like many Linux users you're first view of Linux was the graphical user interface (GUI). If you're adventurous or curious and have tried to do some advanced things with LInux you may have encountered the Linux command line. Like all operating systems there is a low-level interface that opens up all the power of the operating system. In Linux the command line is so powerful that many advanced users use it for so many tasks that it becomes indispensable. Those who use it find it easier, faster and more powerful that the graphical tools.
Graphical tools have the advantage of being more intuitive so new users can become effective very fast. However mouse clicks and hunting and searching for menu options and icons are often very slow for many tasks making the command line faster for lots of operations.
Command line environments are not as intuitive as GUIs. This set of articles is designed to help users get accustomed to Bash. | <urn:uuid:5929d552-d47f-47cf-956a-b9c20975a059> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://kwlug.org/node/762 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961009 | 193 | 2.671875 | 3 |
October 17, 2010: Change in Communist China - Cadbury Secrets and Chocolate Wars - Stieg Larsson, the man behind 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' - An Interview with Judith Jamison
Our guest host this week is Karin Wells.
And the award goes to... China - China has never taken kindly to lectures on the world stage. And when the Nobel Peace Prize committee announced that it was awarding imprisoned human rights activist Liu Xiaobo the award this year, it was sending a message to the Chinese Communist Party leadership. For the world's last Communist superpower, questions are again being raised about universal human rights, and are provoking a response from Communist party leaders. More importantly, there are signs that an internal change may be happening.
Read more here
Listen to Hour One:
Cadbury Secrets and Chocolate Wars - Deborah Cadbury will tell us about the Quaker barons of chocolate - men who believed that debt should be paid, profit should be shared and that wealth destroys men.
Read more here
Listen to Hour Two:
Stieg Larsson, the man behind The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - In his short angry life, Stieg Larsson was an agitator and an irritant to the political establishment in Sweden. Since his death he's become a God. A conversation with Stieg Larsson's best friend
Read more here
Listen to Hour Three:
Elsewhere on the show: A foray into the creative mind of "La Stupenda", the late great singer Joan Sutherland; a conversation with the great American Dancer Judith Jamison about the legacy of the civil rights work of her mentor Alvin Ailey; and some brilliant music meant for Sunday morning.
Song: Entre Lagos e Montanhas
Artist: Journey with Her Pipa
Album: Autumn Cloud
And the Award Goes to... China.
When the Nobel Peace Prize committee announced that it was awarding imprisoned human rights activist Liu Xiaobo the award this year, it was sending a message to the Chinese Communist Party leadership - economic reforms aren't enough, it's time for real and substantive political reforms. China has never taken kindly to lectures on the world stage, but there are small signs that an internal shift may be happening. A group of influential Communist elders wrote an open letter to the party leadership this week, rebuking them for the country's scandalous culture of censorship and calling for more freedom of expression. Now, as the party's Central Committee holds its annual assembly this weekend, the outgoing premier Wen Jiabao is speaking publicly about the need for political reforms. We're going to talk to a China scholar in a moment about whether the universal values we hold so dear in the West - the right to free speech, to free assembly, to an open and impartial trial - can ever truly take hold in China. But before that, a closer look at the imprisoned poet.
That was U.S. author Dom Delillo reading Liu Xiaobo's poem, Longing to Escape, on December 31st, 2009 at a writers' rally calling for his release. Few people were as excited about Mr. Liu's Nobel Peace Prize as his long-time friend Yang Jianli. The two activists share a long history going back to their days as protest leaders in Tiananmen Square. Yang fled to the United States after the bloodshed, but they kept in touch over the years, and last spoke just days before Mr. Liu's arrest in December, 2008. Mr. Liu is currently serving 11 years in prison after he drafted Charter 08, a political manifesto calling for democratic reforms in China.
Mr. Yang was the first person outside China to add his name to the manifesto, a petition with more than 12,000 signatures today. Yang Jianli joined us from Boston.
And the Award Goes to... China, Continued
Mr. Liu's Nobel Peace Prize has raised a heated debate about universal rights. China decried the committee for giving the award to a quote criminal. Western governments and activists see Mr. Liu as a, activist imprisoned for his political beliefs. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights includes 30 protocols including such basic tenants as the right to free speech, to an open and fair trial, the right not to be arbitrarily arrested, detained or exiled. China was among the countries that unanimously passed the declaration at the United Nations in 1948. Critics say that China has an obligation to live up to the declaration, just like every other country. But my next guest says it's not that simple. Paul Evans is the director of the Institute of Asian Research at UBC. He joined us from Ottawa.
Song: Symphony 1997/Earth
Artist: Yo-Yo Ma
Album: Tan Dun - Symphony 1997 Heaven Earth Mankind
Here at the Sunday Edition we do appreciate your thoughts and what you have to say about the stories we bring you. Last week, when I was in my usual role as a Sunday Edition documentary producer I told you the story of the fight that's going on over supertankers on the BC coast and a proposed pipeline. The pipeline would take crude oil from Alberta across northern BC to the port of Kitimat where it would be loaded on to those tankers and shipped to Asia. The documentary was called, A Folk Storm is Brewing and you had comments.
We do like to hear from you here at the Sunday Edition. If you have thoughts, comments, opinions about what you have heard on the show... drop us a line! Please send your e-mails to firstname.lastname@example.org or you can go to our http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/contact.html page, right here on our site.
Song: Chocolate and Roses
Artist: Oliver Miguel
Song: Dardanus Suites
Artist: Jean-Philippe Rameau
Album: RAMEAU: Dardanus / Le Temple de la Gloire
Dame Joan Sutherland the "Stupendous"
From the time she was a child, growing up in Sydney, Australia, she was an unmistakably brilliant singer. But when she set foot on the stage at Le Fenice in Venice in 1960, she was simply stupendous.
Dame Joan Sutherland - the legendary soprano known as "La Stupenda" - died last Sunday at her home in Switzerland. She was 83 years old.
Dame Joan came from a musical family - her mother was a mezzo-soprano and was her daughter's first real teacher. There was no mistaking young Joan's talent, but there was also no obvious path to success as a singer. While she was still studying voice, she took a secretarial course and several mundane office jobs. It wasn't until 1951, after Dame Joan had won a vocal competition, that the family moved to London, where Joan would attend the Royal College of Music. Less than a decade later, Joan Sutherland became what can only be called an opera superstar, when she debuted in "Lucia di Lammermoor" at Covent Garden.
For the next forty years, Dame Joan sold out opera houses, topped charts with her recordings and was a darling of the notoriously ungenerous critics. She sang with Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti and Marilyn Horne, among others. And she worked with the pantheon of the opera world's most accomplished musicians, conductors and directors.
No one directed more of Dame Joan Sutherland's operas than Lotfi Mansouri. He is the former General Director of both the Canadian Opera Company and the San Francisco Opera - and is something of a legend himself. He was at a studio in San Francisco, California.
Song: Il Bacio
Artist: Joan Sutherland
Album: Joan Sutherland: Greatest Hits
Chocolate Wars and Cadbury Secrets
So you are standing in a convenience store...staring at the nearly endless display of chocolate bars...smarties, coffee crisp, kit kat, Hershey's Almond bar, Cadbury Chunky, Lindt dark chocolate, and the list, variety and possibilities go on and on. And while you are letting your taste buds control your purchasing power do you ever think about the story behind the cornucopia of pleasure you are faced with? Odds are you are just want some chocolate.
There was a hint of the drama late in 2009 and early January of this year when Kraft Foods paid out 20 Billion dollars US to scoop up Cadbury, its markets and its secrets. But that was only the latest twist in the story of how Chocolate bars came to rule the world. The whole story is packed solid with God, War, Slavery, Christian Conscience, Court Cases, Industrial Espionage, the never ending quest for technological innovation and a century and a half worth of debate on good business practices. The story is at times awe inspiring and at other times nigh on unbelievable.
And it's the story that award winning BBC Documentary Maker and author, Deborah Cadbury - yes, there is a relation - tells in her absorbing new book, Chocolate Wars: The 150-Year Rivalry between the World's Greatest Chocolate Makers. Deborah Cadbury was in our London Studios.
Song: Verano POrteno
Artist: Ricardo Peres
Song: Fascinating Rhythm
Artist: Oscar Peterson Trio
Album: The Complete Clef/Mercury Studio Recordings
Stieg Larsson the man behind the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
The Millennium Trilogy, the series of novels that begins with The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo is the literary sensation of the decade. Three novels featuring the remarkable computer hacker Lisbeth Slander and the crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist take place in a truly dark version of Sweden. Racism, sexism, violence, corruption and a venal media run all the way through. This unlikely combination has become a world wide bestseller with nearly 50 million copies sold and no sign of letting up. The release of Hollywood films based on the three novels beginning next year are expected to make the superstar author a mega star.
What makes the story even more intriguing is that the author, Stieg Larsson died at the age of 50 in 2004 just as the first of the books was being published, and no one was more surprised by his posthumous success then his friends. Larsson had spent most of his adult life as a anti-racism activist and muck-raking journalist. Very few people suspected that he was also a wanna be thriller writer just waiting for his big break.
Among those most surprised by the direction Larsson's life and reputation has taken since his death is Kurdo Baksi. Mr. Baksi is a Kurdish refugee who moved to Stockholm in his teens. He went on to be a leader in the anti-racism movement and it was in this guise that he first met Stieg Larsson. The two became best friends and collaborators.
When Stieg Larsson died unexpectedly of a heart attack, and then became famous world-wide for his literary skills, Kurdo Baksi went into a bit of tailspin. He needed to find out everything he could about a man he had know intimately for more than a decade. And that proved to be more difficult than he imagined. Kurdo Baksi has written a memoir about Stieg Larsson and it raises some truly interesting questions about the most surprising literary superstar of our time. The memoir, Stieg Larsson: My friend has just been published and this morning, Kurdo Baksi was in a studio in Stockholm.
Featured DiscLater in this in hour, Karin Spoke with Judith Jamison, the artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Before she became director, she was the principal dancer with the company. One of her most famous dances was a piece called "Cry." And of the songs featured in that piece is Right On, Be Free, written by Chuck Griffin and performed "Voices of East Harlem."
Song: Right On, Be Free
Artist: Voices of East Harlem
Album: Sanctified Soul
Judith Jamison Clears the Stage
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre has been one of the most iconic dance companies in North America for more than half a century. Its dancers have been featured on popular television shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With the Stars. Its artistic director was feted last month at the White House.
The company has enjoyed a long and illustrious journey from its humble beginnings as an eight-member dance troupe in 1958. Two years later, Alvin Ailey unveiled his masterpiece Revelations. Drawing on what he called his blood memories growing up in the south, Mr. Ailey melded ballet, jazz and African dance techniques into a vision of contemporary dance that endures to this day.
In the past 50 years, the company has performed to more than 23 million people in 71 countries. Last night, it played to a packed theatre in St. Catherine's, Ontario. And in all that time, there have only been two artistic directors leading the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - Mr. Ailey and Judith Jamison, his handpicked successor who took over after his death in 1989.
Ms. Jamison joined the company in 1965. She was Mr. Ailey's muse for the next 15 years, and became one of the company's most celebrated dancers and choreographers. Now, she too is planning her exit. Judith Jamison joined Karin from her office in New York.
Song: Something About John Coltrane
Artist: Alice Coltrane
Album: Journey in Satchidananda | <urn:uuid:5b442787-c4a9-4493-ae29-b452bf45c5d0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/2010/10/october-17-2010.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00063-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962551 | 2,795 | 1.726563 | 2 |
The Scratch Wiki is a free, collaboratively-written wiki that provides information about the Scratch programming language and its website, history, and phenomena surrounding it. The wiki is supported by the Scratch Team, but is primarily written by Scratchers. The Scratch Wiki is a popular source of information for scripts and tutorials, and it continues to grow as Scratchers use it as their primary source of information.
There are currently 826 articles on the Scratch Wiki.
On December 6, 2008, LukeTek created the Scratch Programming Wiki, a normal wiki created solely by himself; the Scratch Team were not involved at all. He handed the wiki (gave admin privileges) over to JuiceyBox, who later handed the wiki to Lucario621. Lucario621 advertised the wiki in the Miscellaneous forum, and many people helped contribute to it. However, the articles were of projects, users, and the like. The wiki was cleaned up, but by then people had lost interest. A few people stayed behind though, and the wiki steadily grew.
Eventually, the Scratch Team saw the wiki. They liked it and wanted to advertise it on the Scratch Website, but they had some concerns: it had advertisements, it wasn't in a scratch.mit.edu domain, and there was no way to tell if a user on the wiki was the same user on Scratch. To solve these problems, andresmh, JSO and Lucario621 created a new Scratch Wiki, hosted on the Scratch servers. All three problems were solved: there were no advertisements, it was on a scratch.mit.edu domain, and there was a way to ensure that users on the wiki were the same users on Scratch: Account creation was locked; people would request for an account instead.
How to become a contributor
- Main page: Scratch Wiki:Become a contributor
|Warning:||Account requesting is currently down due to the recent transition to another database. Please post a comment on an admins project requesting an account including everything except your password, which will not be needed since you will already be logged in and we will know you are the one requesting the account.|
If people could freely create accounts, it would be possible to impersonate other users by creating an account with their username. To work around this, Scratchers must request for an account.
To request an account, Scratchers go here and request for an account. Their Scratch username and password must be submitted, along with a message on why they should have an account.
If the administrators create the account (can take up to several days, but it is often shorter), then the user will be told on one of their projects by an administrator. The user should then go here to get their Wiki password.
Not all accounts are created — administrators review all account requests, and decide whether to create the account. Having no projects will dramatically decrease the chance of a user getting a Wiki account, as will not giving a reason, or giving an extremely brief reason. One's reason should explain why they think one should get an account, what experience they have and any other information if the user wishes. The reason, the correctness of grammar and spelling in a user's reason, and the amount of experience a user has, all go into deciding whether an account is created.
Scratch Wikis in other languages
- Main article: DACH-Scratch Wiki
The Scratch Team encourages Scratch communities of other languages to build up their own Scratch Wikis. The first, and currently only, of these international "sister-projects" was the DACH-Scratch Wiki in the German language, that started in Februray 2012, and has over 300 articles (as of March 2013) and a very active community from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
It is separately hosted, because the Scratch Team advised the founding Scratchers from Germany to start independently, but it got its layout and some MediaWiki extensions from the original English Scratch Wiki. Though it is not only a translation, many articles in the German wiki have a link to their corresponding English article in the so called "Servicekasten" (Toolbox) at the end of the article. Some English and many German speaking Scratchers are looking forward to connect the Scratch Wikis by Interwiki.
If your native language is not English or you are interested in foreign languages, you are invited to found a wiki or contribute in an already existing Scratch Wiki of your native language. | <urn:uuid:70200295-8876-4d7f-b621-7ab291812f31> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wiki.scratch.mit.edu/wiki/Scratch_Wiki | 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 | 0.956336 | 940 | 2.3125 | 2 |
If you tire easily, become short of breath, or have dizzy spells, you may have congestive heart failure, or CHF. (If you haven't spoken to your doctor about these symptoms, you should do so right away.)
When the strength of the heartbeat is too weak to effectively pump blood, CHF occurs. Your heart tries to make up for this by getting bigger and pumping faster. This over-works the heart—not a healthy situation. Medications are usually helpful for CHF, but if they do not work, there is a new treatment being used in the Heart Institute at Bridgeport Hospital: pacemaker implantation for CHF.
Pacemakers have been used since the 1960s to treat slow heart rhythms. When the heart beat slows, the pacemaker sends out an impulse to pick up the beat to the correct rate. Recently, matchbox sized pacemakers have been developed to treat CHF. Surgically placed below the collarbone, they synchronize the beating of the right and left pumping chambers of the heart to help it to beat more strongly.
"CHF patients who receive the new pacemaker generally see a noticeable improvement in their ability to exert themselves before tiring or becoming short of breath," says Dr. Jeffrey Banker. Dr. Banker performed the first CHF pacemaker procedure at Bridgeport Hospital.
For more information, please call the office of Craig McPherson, MD, director of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Bridgeport Hospital, 203-384-3442. | <urn:uuid:d588f304-4dfc-46c4-b2a8-73807e3c5785> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bridgeporthospital.org/publications/HealthyWise/default.aspx?view=Article&iArticleID=44&cIssueKey=12SCC8&fontsize=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.922016 | 315 | 2.71875 | 3 |
|Keywords||Art of Medicine, History of Medicine, Professionalism|
A doctor sleeps in a sitting position, ensconced in an enclave next to what appears to be a hearth. His head rests against comfortable cushions and he is fully clothed. A demonic figure replete with teeth, claws, and wings occupies the upper right-hand corner of the frame and holds an accordion-style fan behind the doctor’s ear.
In the painting’s foreground, a nude woman faces her body forward towards the viewer but turns her head to look at the doctor. Her right arm extends her hand, which points lazily to the hearth. A garment that covers her genitalia is draped over her outstretched arm. At the base of the image, a winged cherub plays on homemade stilts. He does not appear to interact with the other figures in the print.
The Temptation of the Doctor, sometimes referred to as "The Dream of the Doctor," is a representative depiction of idleness. The languorous doctor who sleeps so comfortably against his soft pillow does so fully dressed, implying his sleep is one of pleasure--a nap--rather than a nighttime slumber. The Web Gallery of Art comments: "According to medieval codes of conduct such behaviour encouraged temptation, which is represented by the Devil, a demon who ’blows’ thoughts, presumably evil, into the sleeper’s ear. Probably the dream itself is represented by the nude Venus, voluptuous and inviting. She is accompanied, no doubt to identify her, by a playful Eros."
Whether or not she is indeed Venus, the nude woman nevertheless helps the viewer decode the reason behind the demon’s harassment of the doctor; she points to the hearth beside which the doctor indulges his laziness in order to make clear his transgression.
Dürer’s portrayals of the doctor(s) in Christ Among the Doctors, Steen’s in "The Lovesick Girl," and The Doctor’s Visit, or Dou’s The Dropsical Woman and The Quack are no more respectable or dignified ones. Contrast with more appreciative or heroic treatments: Goya Attended by Dr. Arrieta, Picasso’s Science and Charity, and even Fildes’s The Doctor (most are annotated in this database).
|Location of Original||Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York|
|Alternate Source||The Complete Engravings, Etchings and Drypoints of Albrecht Dürer, (New York: Dover Publications. 1972)|
|Miscellaneous||Executed circa 1498|
|Annotated by||Bertman, Sandra L.|
|Date of Entry||01/10/06| | <urn:uuid:891209f3-0dcc-4799-a6fb-f63172e0704e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://litmed.med.nyu.edu/Annotation?action=view&annid=10405 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.91894 | 579 | 2.53125 | 3 |
← Street Law Cases Export Options Alphabetize Word-Def Delimiter Tab Comma Custom Def-Word Delimiter New Line Semicolon Custom Data Copy and paste the text below. It is read-only. Select All Marbury v. Madison Established judicial review Tinker v. Des Moines Upheld freedom of symbolic speech for students. Brown v. Board of Education Seperate but equal violates the 14th Ammendment Miranda v. Arizona The defendant must be informed to their rights to due process and to not incriminate themselves. McCulloch v. Maryland Congress has implied powers to create a national bank and the states cannot tax a federal institution. Gibbons v. Ogden The commerce clause gives congress the right to determine how interstate commerce is conducted. Dred Scott v. Sandford Slaves are not citizens, so living in a free state does not make them free. Plessy v. Ferguson Racial segreagation is legal as long as facilities are seperate but equal. Korematsu v. United States The need to protect the country is a greater priority than the individual rights of Japanese Americans. Mapp v. Ohio Evidence obtained during a search which violates the fourth ammendment cannot be used in court. Gideon v. Wainwright The state courts must provide attorneys to criminal defendents who cannot afford a private lawyer. Roe v. Wade State laws cannot prohibit abortion during the first trimester. United States v. Nixon Executive privelage is not limitless. Regents of the U. of California v. Bakkes Race is a permissable criteria for admissions, but strict quotas cannot be used. New Jersey v. T.L.O. Established more lenient standards for reasonable searches and seizures in schools. Hazlewood v. Kuhlmeier School newspapers do not qualify as public forums, so censorship by the school administration does not violate students' right to free speech. Texas v. Johnson Flag burning is symbolic speech and therefore protected by the first ammendment. | <urn:uuid:4ddd2787-0851-44fb-afc1-ecd98412be4f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://quizlet.com/4919265/export/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.928988 | 405 | 1.984375 | 2 |
On March 30th, 2013 we conducted our third skylight rigging field test. The goals of this test were:
A) To determine how much payload our rocket could carry 100 meters and if this agreed with our simulation predictions and
B) Determine the effectiveness of our anchor in the Robot City environment.
Following several field tests (Hummer, Zipline, and static hazard detection), the next stage of this project was to do field testing via flying. After several considerations, we had finally decided to drive out to Virginia Tech to use their RC helicopter for flying our sensor package. However, due to new mounting frame and new cameras, we needed to do several system integration tests to make sure we have accurate data collection.
The first main task the software team had to tackle was to get a good image fusion method. We explored four different methods of image fusion.
1. Image Analysis
1.1 High Dynamic Range (HDR)
While the future goal of our project is to develop a system to allow a robot to traverse a line across the lunar skylight and lower safely to the bottom of the skylight, we are currently designing a system capable of 3D skylight cave wall mapping. Currently, quarry tests are expected to take place February 23rd. We are working to accomplish these objective by:
Since our last blog, we have advanced in many things. This is a first out of a three week blog series where we are going to update you on our advances in Mechanics, Electronics, and Software approaches for the Firefleye project.
Our launcher went through quite a few iterations. Starting from a flywheel launcher:
Image: Flywheel Launcher | <urn:uuid:789a642f-da1e-42dd-b345-152dd05dcf4b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.googlelunarxprize.org/teams/astrobotic/blog?qt-team_feeds=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95689 | 344 | 2.53125 | 3 |
What's my tax rate? Although it often seems like Uncle Sam taxes every last dime you make, your IRS bill is actually figured only on your taxable income amount. And that income amount will fall into a particular tax bracket.
How to adjust your withholding Payroll withholding is something you want to get just right. Why? If you have too little taken out, you'll owe money when you file your return. If too much is withheld, you'll get a refund, and that's not good either. What's wrong with getting a refund? That means you've given Uncle Sam free use of your tax money, which you could have made better use of yourself throughout the year.
Getting the most from tax software If you decide this year to join the millions who do taxes on a computer instead of paper, here are some ways to make the process go more smoothly.
Tax valuation guide for donated goods Our list will give you an idea of what your donated clothing and household goods are worth. It indicates fair market value for some common items as suggested in the Salvation Army's valuation guide. | <urn:uuid:f1181de3-054e-48f4-8b47-e3ea2d4e856b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.csrlink.net/channel/FINANCE/tax | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973592 | 219 | 1.515625 | 2 |