text stringlengths 213 24.6k | id stringlengths 47 47 | dump stringclasses 1 value | url stringlengths 14 499 | file_path stringlengths 138 138 | language stringclasses 1 value | language_score float64 0.9 1 | token_count int64 51 4.1k | score float64 1.5 5.06 | int_score int64 2 5 |
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Ere summers four times seven thou couldst fulfill.
Ah! Clere! if love had booted, care, or cost,
Heaven had not won, nor earth so timely lost.
Note 1. These lines were inscribed, with the epitaph above, on a table in Lambeth Church: Epitaphium Thomæ Clere, qui fato functus est 1545 auctore Henrico Howard, Comite Surrey. In cujus faelicis ingenii specimen, et singularis facundiae argumentum, appensa fait haec Tabula per W. Howard, filium Thomae nuper Ducis Norfolci ensis, filii ejusdem Henrici Comitis. This epitaph occurs, with some trifling variations, in Camdens Remains, Aubreys History of Surrey, v. 247, and in Bloomfields Norfolk. Thomas Clere was the youngest son of Sir Robert Clere, of Ormesby in Norfolk, (the descendant of Clere, of Cleremont in Normandy,) by Alice, daughter of Sir William Boleyn, by Margaret, daughter and coheir of Thomas Boteler, Earl of Ormond. He was consequently first cousin of Queen Anne Boleyn, whom he saw crowned in 1533, and was connected with Ormonds race. Shelton is presumed to have been a daughter of Sir John Shelton, of Shelton in Norfolk, but it does not appear that Clere married her. He died on the 14th of April, 1545, and was buried at Lambeth. These facts explain most of the allusions in the epitaph, and the others are noticed in the Memoir of Surrey. [back] | <urn:uuid:531bf871-9ae4-45dc-b0cb-308817b54503> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bartleby.com/256/38.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930449 | 359 | 2.03125 | 2 |
Hey guys, new to the forum, and fairly new to the trade. Im 24, live in the Boston area, and been welding in the workforce about 2 1/2 years now MIG/TIG. How important is finishing welding school vs. Experience ? & im currently working in a precision sheet metal fab shop tig welding and was thinking about this area of the trade long term... how does sheet metal tig stack up to other welding trades? Advice for a noob? I appreciate any advice thanks!
All my friends want to wear suits and sit behind a computer for the rest of their lives... i dont see myself anywhere but behind my Miller Elite!
Results 1 to 3 of 3
Thread: young welder
01-23-2013, 04:41 AM #1
01-23-2013, 06:11 AM #2
There is a huge shortage of skilled weldors in the aerospace field, and it wil only get worse. But you have to push yourself. If your employer does not have an AWS D17.1 aerospace weldor certifcation program, then buy yourself a Diversion180 and test at home. I have used Durkee Test Labs in the past for mine. Just make sure the facility is Nadcap approved. Or enroll at a community college that offers it and do it there. Keep the paperwork to copy and attach to your resume.
I now own my own shop and carry several qualifications as well as most of my best weldors. I only see my shop getting busier in the coming years.Nothing welded, Nothing gained
3 ea. Miller Dynasty350DX
ThermalArc 400 GTSW
MillerMatic200 with spoolgun
Linde UCC305 (sold 2011)
PlasmaCam CNC cutter
Fadal Toolroom CNC Mill
SiberHegner CNC Mill
2 ea. Bridgeport
LeBlond 15" Lathe
Haberle 18" Cold Saw
Doringer 14" Cold Saw
6 foot x 12 foot Mojave granite
01-26-2013, 09:26 AM #3Junior Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2013
first let me tell you that i'm an old bruins fan.
i'm from nova scota
i know the feeling being in an office. i'm a hands on guy and love that .
go to a trade school and learn from the best ,who know the industry.
think of the cost for a course as an investment in you life?
learn ,and read ,learn and read some more. there is no end to learning.
it takes time,but if you want it ,you can get it. i can't tell you about jobs in the usa,but i can tell you that in western canada there is a huge shorage of skilled welders.people work there from all over the word. if you are skilled,you can make big money.not a prolem ,most of the construction companys are american as well. now that your not far from nova scotia ,there is a ship yard in nova scotia that just received a contract to re- build the navy fleet.($billions)
just for information,the cwb and the aws, welding tickets are transferable to the usa and to canada. also in nova scotia ,we learn high pressure pipe ,following the same code a.s.m.e . this is normal across two countries. go for it.
well there is some info.for you. | <urn:uuid:bff7a5af-ecad-4a91-bf33-1ad705addee4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/showthread.php?30291-young-welder&s=488fb633e6af759bcb29378a32d97ede&p=300712 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.916376 | 743 | 1.507813 | 2 |
|The river walk Pythius did not have this time|
|Northleach's main street|
The Old Prison was turned into a heritage centre in 1975, and still boasts a nationally significant collection of waggons, carts and farming equipment collected by the late Olive Lloyd-Baker, but sadly it is now awaiting a new owner and so stands half empty. The cafe is closed now and only one room devoted to the Cotswold Conservation Board remains open to the public. Friends of the Cotwolds are fighting to raise sufficient funds to buy this fascinating building. Even as I write they wait to hear if their bid has been successful.
Their intention is to turn it into a facility for both locals and visitors alike, which celebrates the very essence of the Cotswolds. They see it as a Cotswold treasure and do not want it to be converted into a hotel, block of flats or a supermarket. Nor do I. It can offer so much more and act as a hub for training people in rural skills, encourage volunteer involvement in the countryside and spread understanding of the Cotswolds Area of Natural Beauty.
This is certainly a campaign worth supporting by us all. | <urn:uuid:68167dc3-9e58-4c19-9e05-83c74fef5010> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://pawsunderthetable.blogspot.com/2012_04_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970927 | 244 | 1.78125 | 2 |
Treasure hunters: Removal of sidewalks yield buried coins
By DAVID GREEN
Most people see dirt, dust and debris. Others see buried treasures.
When Morenci’s sidewalks began disappearing due to the Main Street reconstruction project, men with metal detectors started their slow perusal along storefronts. They ended up with pockets of change to show the success of their search.
Scott Dunbar has used a metal detector on and off for the past 17 years. He has a collection of artifacts at home that grew considerably in the past month.
He headed out Sept. 5 when the first sidewalks were torn up and collected 50 coins in about four hours.
The oldest coin he found that day was an 1864 Seated Liberty quarter that was somehow partially melted. He picked up five Indian head pennies dating back to 1889 and five buffalo nickels as old as 1926.
Scott also dug up 21 wheat pennies, starting at 1912; two buffalo dimes from 1907; and seven Mercury dimes beginning with a 1920 specimen.
Other miscellaneous finds included a pair of 1940s nickels, a pair of quarters from 1936 and 1941 and a half dollar from 1943.
One coin every 4.8 minutes, he notes. Fourteen coins with silver content. Fifty coins with a face value of $3.13, but a much higher value to Scott.
“When they’re dug up like this, they usually aren’t worth much,” he said.
At least not to a coin collector, but they have meaning to the person with the metal detector.
Those 50 coins were from one day of collecting. The two oldest were found near the Village Inn, but the hot spot was in front of Wes’ Carpeting. Almost everything he picked up that day came from a stretch of dirt measuring not more than 12 feet long.
The downtown sidewalk with the steps along West Main—now removed—was installed in 1951, sealing off all those coins Scott found. Only one came from a date later than that.
He headed back out two weeks later when more concrete was lifted and found an 1849 large cent piece and two Indian head pennies from the 1880s. He also came up with an 1876 Seated Liberty dime and a tag for the keys from a Studebaker that was sold in South Bend, Ind.
Ron Apger didn’t have that much success with his metal detector, but he did come up with 1926 and 1942 Mercury dimes and a 1941 quarter in excellent shape.
He also uncovered what Bill Marshall identified as an unexploded 30 cal. armor piercing bullet. Ron shared that find with the excavators, showing them what they were lucky not to have hit.
One of Scott’s favorite finds is an 1852 three-cent piece that he located at an old home site northwest of town.
“I even found a pair of ox shoes out there,” he said.
Whatever he digs up from his searches will get added to his collection, an interesting array of old coins and artifacts that isn’t really worth a lot of money, but that doesn’t matter to Scott. He sees plenty of value in the treasures showing pieces of Morenci’s past.– Oct. 2, 2002
|< Prev||Next >| | <urn:uuid:908ad9c4-49dc-4ac1-b8a0-c87c4680b510> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://statelineobserver.com/morenci/local-stories/815-treasure-hunters-removal-of-sidewalks-yield-buried-coins | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00034-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973458 | 687 | 2.34375 | 2 |
Our Work with Young People
UK Youth was established to enable young people to learn the skills and competencies they need for life. Our work aims to value and accredit all the positive achievements of young people outside the classroom.
We work with a wide range of organisations to reach young people and provide them with varied and accessible opportunities to learn, enabling them to develop their skills and gain confidence. We work across the UK whether in partnership with other charities or leading innovation in the corporate and public sector we remain true to our aim of giving all young people the chance to realise their potential, raise their aspirations and have their achievements recognised.
Corporate Supported Programmes
We are increasingly working with businesses keen to develop youth programmes that highlight their own commitment to young people.Read more
We run a number of programmes which are governed by young people. These youth-led programmes empower participants in a wide variety of ways.
United Futures aims to break down barriers between businesses and the youth sector, making it easier for them to work together to develop new initiatives which support young people in local areas.Read more | <urn:uuid:c2006169-cc1e-44a2-a74c-d95f929563ac> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ukyouth.org/about-us/our-work-with-young-people.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00032-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943211 | 221 | 1.601563 | 2 |
There’s probably nothing in the world of interior design that affects our mood quite like color does. It’s a powerful tool, and amazingly sometimes all it takes is a single coat of paint to transform a whole room. It’s the quickest and least expensive way to make over a space and transform the way it looks and feels.
But, as even seasoned professionals will quickly tell you, finding the right color is tricky – what works in one room may not work in another, what looks good by daylight can look totally different at night in artificial light. Add to that the fact that there are more than 3,000 colors to select from, and arriving at the right color can feel like a daunting task. And if you think white is your safe default choice, think again: White exists in nearly 300 shades!
Even if you are thinking of a white, begin by looking at the existing colors in the room -- on the floor, tiled backsplash, cabinetry, and countertops. A gray-blue granite countertop may inspire a cool white (Snow White OC 66) or a pale blue-gray (Polar Ice 1660) for the walls with white trim, for example; hints of green in a slate floor might suggest a sage for the walls, like Spring Meadow 486. If your kitchen gets a lot of light or if you have a lot of bright white cabinetry consider slightly more saturated color choices. Bear in mind the palettes in adjoining rooms, especially if the kitchen opens on to them – colors should flow comfortably throughout the house.
Once you have a color, or colors, in mind, test them out on sample boards, 2 x 2 feet is a good size. Because its almost impossible to guess from a 2-inch swatch in a paint store how a whole wall of color will look in an actual room, even professionals find that painting a sample (or several) is the best way to narrow down your options and find the color you love. Benjamin Moore sells pint sample cans designed just for this purpose. Move the boards around the room – looking at them in the darkest corners as well as the brightest sunlit spots, live with them for a few days and look at the colors in morning light and at night. You may want to go a shade or two lighter or darker, a little warmer or a little cooler, but its far easier re-painting test boards than an entire room. Don’t expect to find the right color on the first try. Be patient: once you find the one you love, it will have the power to make your kitchen a place where everyone feels at home. | <urn:uuid:9a64369b-8c28-4007-b645-1eaed3630628> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cultivate.com/articles/transform-your-kitchen-color | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00022-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941143 | 540 | 1.539063 | 2 |
ipad development: i pad development iPhone has been the part of changing trend. It is becoming the status symbol and technological development has made it popular in real term. It has become the hottest topic of discussion among the designing professionals.
iphone app design: i phone app design The users of iphone are increasing day by days and so the quench of designer is also increasing to get the best from the potential source. The designers are daily coming up with some creative idea and eager to port it into a trendy iPhone . The ipad development . is available at application stores which offer them a platform to sell the same.
iphone 4 design: i phone 4 design Now it is not that all applications are best and fit for installation. With increase in quantity there has been decrease in quality. Users need to be informed and be more aware in choosing the right application. There are applications in the market that are poorly designed and ultimately miss the chance of getting the real stake. The users are not benefitted from the design and application. And this means no recommendation for the applications. | <urn:uuid:a7a664e1-5571-4462-83bb-af9c9add3a3f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/martinsuji-1540114-iphone-application-design-rare-view/ | 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 | 0.960598 | 218 | 1.890625 | 2 |
Google has purchased Plink, a startup that focuses on mobile visual search, according to the Guardian. The deal marks the first UK startup purchase for Google, the details of which have not been made public.
Plink’s only product thus far is PlinkArt, an Android application that lets you identify any work of art by taking a photo of it. The app has been successful among art aficionados. Its developers — PhD students Mark Cummins and James Philbin — report that the app was downloaded more than 50,000 times in six weeks after its launch. PlinkArt currently has data for tens of thousands of famous paintings.
The developers will be moving to Santa Monica, Calif., to work on Google Goggles, Google’s visual search endeavor on Android phones. Goggles allows Android users to take a picture of anything to learn more about it, and Google has already used it to dabble in art recognition. By acquiring Plink, Google will bolster Goggles’ art recognition capabilities even further.
There’s no word yet on what the acquisition means for the PlinkArt app. The company was considering developing an iPhone version of the app, but it’s very likely that Google nixed any possibility of that with the purchase.
Google has been working on Goggles for about two years now and confirmed recently that it will be bringing it to other platforms eventually, including the iPhone. Google definitely sees a future in visual search, which would allow smartphone users to look up information in a natural way without typing into a search box. It’s also one of a trifecta of innovating mobile search technologies that Google is exploring; the other two are location-based search and searching by voice. | <urn:uuid:2daeafc6-d776-44e1-855a-12b6db6e6f1c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://venturebeat.com/2010/04/12/google-acquires-uk-mobile-visual-search-company-plink-to-bolster-goggles/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00051-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946955 | 356 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Now that New York City Mayor Bloomberg has decided he wants to tell people exactly how much soda or “sugary drinks” they can buy we need to stand up, as the people of Gonzales Texas did in 1835, and say “you want my soda? Then come and take it nanny staters”!
That’s why it’s time to start a postcard campaign. You can find “Come And Take It Nanny Staters!” postcards either here or here. Buy some. Tell the nanny staters exactly how you feel about their meddling (as politely as possible of course). Mail it off to them.
The real epidemic this country faces is most certainly not that we have too many choices but that we have too many bureaucrats doing everything in their power to take our choices away.
Here’s the address for Mayor Bloomberg’s office. Let him know how you feel.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
New York, NY 10007
Once you’ve sent off your postcard make sure you grab some Come And Take It Nanny Staters stickers and plaster your town (with consent of whoever owns the property you’re putting them on obviously).
Take pictures of your postcard or where you put your stickers and submit them to us so we can share them with the world!
We need to make our voices heard now or we best not complain the next time some meddling bureaucrat snatches something out of our hands. | <urn:uuid:9a4a6fb0-3d48-4fb9-9708-63844929e96c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://comeandtakeitnannystaters.tumblr.com/tagged/bloomberg/chrono | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00044-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955035 | 312 | 1.5 | 2 |
Chandler, John F.
The following data is extracted from Muskogee And Northeastern Oklahoma.
John F. Chandler, an automobile dealer of Muskogee, was born near Fayetteville, Washington county, Arkansas, September 26, 1861. His parents were Preston and Bathsheba (Bartlett) Chandler, natives of Arkansas and Kentucky respectively. The grandfather in the paternal line was one of the earliest of the pioneer settlers of Arkansas and in that state Preston Chandler was reared and educated. After attaining adult age he became a farmer, purchasing land a mile from his father's place and continuing the cultivation of his fields throughout his remaining days. He served with the Union army throughout the Civil war, while his brothers were members of the Confederate army. Both Preston Chandler and his wife have passed away.
John F. Chandler pursued his education in the schools of Washington county, Arkansas, and remained with his -parents through the period of early manhood, contributing to the support of the family in large measure for several years. He then went to Fort Smith, Arkansas, and became a steamboat pilot, although he had never seen a boat when he went there. He remained for eight years and in 1893 came to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he entered the employ of the Turner Hardware Company. While thus employed he traveled horseback throughout this section of the country, making collections for the firm and fixing up commercial paper for the company. He afterward became credit manager for the house, with which he remained for ten years. On the expiration of that period he joined his cousin William Y. Chandler, in the establishment of a mercantile enterprise which they conducted under the name of the Chandler Mercantile Company. They carried a general line of goods and continued in the business for seventeen years, building up the largest credit business in Muskogee. In 1919 John F. Chandler sold his interest in the business and in 1920 turned his attention to the automobile trade, organizing the John Chandler Motor Company, of which his son, Robert P., is the manager, giving personal supervision to the business, while the father devotes the greater part of his time to the supervision of his farming interests and the management of outside affairs. He raises high grade cattle and hogs and he also buys and sells cattle, hogs and mules. He is an excellent judge of live stock and his ability in this connection has been a splendid contributing element to his success. He and his cousin, J. E. Chandler, own the Fall City Trading Company, engaged in handling general merchandise and implements, and Mr. Chandler also has important oil interests. He farms one hundred and forty acres of land and has two hundred acres in pasture adjoining. He keeps one hundred head -of cattle and two hundred head of hogs and also has twenty head of mules upon his place.
On the 2d of October, 1894, at Fort Smith, Arkansas, Mr. Chandler was united in marriage to Miss Mamie Thompson, a daughter of Robert and Biddie (Donahue) Thompson, the former a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and the latter of Arkansas. The father came to America in early life, settling at Fort Smith, Arkansas. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted and served with the rank of first lieutenant in an Arkansas regiment, remaining at the front throughout the period of hostilities. He afterward engaged in contracting and building for a few years and finally bought land near Fort Smith, devoting his remaining days. to its cultivation and improvement. His children still own that land and all of the gas that Fort Smith uses is produced upon that farm. The father and mother have both passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler have one child, Robert P., who was born December 8, 1901, and who is now manager of the automobile business owned by himself and father. They handle the Oakland and Peerless cars.
Mr. Chandler has served as school treasurer of Muskogee for a period of four years and the cause of education always finds in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World and politically he is a republican. His wife and son are members of the Catholic church. The family resides' at No. 611 Callahan street, where Mr. Chandler erected a residence three years after his marriage. It was then way out of town but is now near the center of the city. Mr. Chandler is truly a self-made man and one who deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, his labors and energies bringing him substantial results.
Source: Muskogee And Northeastern Oklahoma | <urn:uuid:f089f34b-308b-4ac7-a14c-0472233b019b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.accessgenealogy.com/scripts/data/database.cgi?file=Data&report=SingleArticle&ArticleID=0024578 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985256 | 936 | 1.617188 | 2 |
Article — From the April 2008 issue
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Article — From the April 2008 issue
Under ordinary circumstances, cancer is an individuated phenomenon. Its onset is determined partly by genetics, partly by environment, partly by entropy, partly by the remorseless tick-tock of time, and (almost) never by the transmission of some tumorous essence. It arises from within (usually) rather than being imposed from without. It pinpoints single victims (usually) rather than spreading through populations. Cancer might be triggered by a carcinogenic chemical, but it isn’t itself poisoning. It might be triggered by a virus, but it isn’t fundamentally viral. Cancer differs also from heart disease and cirrhosis and the other lethal forms of physiological breakdown; uncontrolled cell reproduction, not organ dilapidation, is the problem.
Such uncontrolled reproduction begins when a single cell accumulates enough mutations to activate certain growth-promoting genes (scientists call them oncogenes) and to inactivate certain protections (tumor suppressor genes) that are built into the genetic program of every animal and plant. The cell ignores instructions to limit its self-replication, and soon it becomes many cells, all of them similarly demented, all bent on self-replication, all heedless of duty and proportion and the larger weal of the organism. That first cell is (almost always) a cell of the victim’s own body. So cancer is reinvented from scratch on a case-by-case basis, and this individuation, this personalization, may be one of the reasons that it seems so frightening and solitary. But what makes it even more solitary for its victims is the idea, secretly comforting to others, that cancer is never contagious. That idea is axiomatic, at least in the popular consciousness. Cancer is not an infectious disease. And the axiom is (usually) correct. But there are exceptions. Those exceptions point toward a broader reality that scientists have begun to explore: Cancers, like species, evolve. And one way they can evolve is toward the capacity to be transmitted between individuals.
Devil tumor isn’t the only form of cancer ever to achieve such a feat. Other cases have occurred and are still occurring. The most notable is Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (CTVT), also called Sticker’s sarcoma, a sexually transmitted malignancy in dogs. Again, this is not merely an infectious virus that tends to induce cancer. The tumor cells themselves are transmitted during sexual contact. CTVT is widespread (though not common) and has been claiming dogs around the world at least since a Russian veterinarian named M. A. Novinsky first noted it in 1876. The distinctively altered chromosome patterns shared by the cells of CTVT show the cancer’s lineal continuity, its identity across space and through time. Tumor cells in Dog B, Dog C, Dog D, and Dog Z are more closely related to one another than those cells are to the dogs they respectively inhabit. In other words, CTVT can be conceptualized as a single creature, a parasite (and not a species of parasite, but an individual), which has managed to spread itself out among millions of different dogs. Research by molecular geneticists suggests the tumor originated in a wolf, or maybe an East Asian dog, somewhere between 200 and 2,500 years ago, which means that CTVT is probably the oldest continuous lineage of mammal cells presently living on Earth. The dogs may be young, but the tumor is ancient.
Unlike devil tumor—now known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease, or DFTD—CTVT is generally not fatal. It can be cured with veterinary surgery or chemotherapy. In many cases, even without treatment, the dog’s immune system eventually recognizes the CTVT as alien, attacks it, and clears it away, just as our own immune systems eventually rid us of warts.
The case of the Syrian hamster is more complicated. This tumor arose around 1960, when researchers at the National Cancer Institute, in Bethesda, Maryland, performed an experiment in which they harvested a naturally occurring sarcoma from one hamster and injected those cells (as cancer scientists often do) into healthy animals. When the injected hamsters developed malignancies, more cells were harvested. Each such inoculation-and-harvest cycle is called a passage. The experiment involved a dozen such passages, and over time the tumor began to change. It had evolved. The later generations, unlike the first, represented a sort of super tumor, capable of getting from hamster to hamster without benefit of a needle. The researchers caged ten healthy hamsters together with ten cancerous hamsters and found that nine of the healthy animals acquired tumors through social contact. The hamster tumor had leapt between animals—or anyway, it had been smeared, spat, bitten, and dribbled between them. (The tenth hamster got cannibalized before it could sicken.) In a related experiment, the tumor even passed between two hamsters separated by a wire screen. The scientists had in effect created a laboratory precursor of what would eventually afflict Tasmanian devils in the wild: a Frankenstein malignancy, a leaping tumor, which could conceivably kill off not just individuals but an entire species.
David Quammen ‘s previous article for Harper’s Magazine, “Darwin’s Conundrum,” appeared in the December 2006 issue.
More from David Quammen: | <urn:uuid:263471f6-06fb-444a-a0c4-7d55b2b4cd86> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://harpers.org/archive/2008/04/contagious-cancer/2/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00069-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953075 | 1,217 | 2.640625 | 3 |
assassination of Abraham LincolnArticle Free Pass
assassination of Abraham Lincoln, murderous attack on Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., on the evening of April 14, 1865. Shot in the head by Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln died the next morning. The assassination occurred only days after the surrender at Appomattox Court House of Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces led by Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, which had signaled the effective end of the American Civil War. Lincoln’s death plunged much of the country into despair, and the search for Booth and his accomplices was the largest manhunt in American history to that date.
Booth was a member of one of America’s most renowned families of actors. His brother Edwin Booth was widely regarded as the country’s leading actor, a mantle he had inherited from their father, Junius Brutus Booth, and John Wilkes Booth was an acclaimed performer in his own right, celebrated for his charisma, athleticism, and dashing good looks. He grew up in the border state of Maryland but was particularly popular as an actor in Richmond, Va., and considered himself a Southerner. Moreover, he passionately advocated the slave system. Having promised his mother that he would not fight for the Confederacy, Booth remained in the North during the Civil War, and his hatred of abolitionists and Lincoln deepened. In March 1865 he and a group of conspirators in Washington, D.C., plotted to abduct Lincoln, though none of those plans came to fruition.
On the morning of April 14, 1865, Booth—distraught over the collapse of the Confederacy—learned that the president would be attending a performance of the comedy Our American Cousin that evening at Ford’s Theatre. Gathering his fellow conspirators, Booth outlined a plan to assassinate not just President Lincoln but also Vice Pres. Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Seward. Booth tasked Lewis Powell, a tall and powerful former Confederate soldier, with the attack on Seward, to be aided by David Herold. George Atzerodt, a German immigrant who had acted as a boatman for Confederate spies, was to kill Johnson. Booth himself was to assassinate Lincoln. All three attacks were to occur at the same time (about 10:00 pm) that night.
In the event, Atzerodt failed to carry out his assignment and never approached Johnson. Powell invaded Seward’s home and slashed him repeatedly with a knife. Seward survived the attack, but his face was permanently disfigured.
At Ford’s Theatre Booth made his way to the private box in which Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, were watching the play with their guests, Clara Harris and her fiancé, Union officer Maj. Henry Rathbone (there because a number of more prominent people had declined the Lincolns’ invitation). Finding the president’s box essentially unguarded, Booth entered it and barred the outside door from inside. Then, at a moment in the play that he knew would elicit a big laugh, Booth burst in through the box’s inner door. He shot Lincoln in the back of the head once with a .44 calibre derringer, slashed Rathbone in the shoulder with a knife, and leapt from the box to the stage below, breaking his left leg in the fall (though some believe that injury did not occur until later). What Booth said while committing the attack and when he said it are a matter of some dispute. Audience members variously reported that he exclaimed, “Sic semper tyrannis” (“Thus always to tyrants,” the state motto of Virginia) or “The South is avenged!” or both, before disappearing through a door at the side of the stage where his horse was being held for him. On the other hand, in a note written a few days after the assassination, Booth claimed that he had shouted “Sic semper” before he fired (though it seems likely that this was Booth’s attempt at dramatizing history). In any case, Booth rode off into the night and out of Washington, meeting up in Maryland with Herold, who had fled the scene of the Seward attack without Powell.
Lincoln was attended to immediately by several doctors who were in the audience. It was felt that the president should not be moved far, so he was taken across the street to the house of William Petersen, who rented extra rooms to lodgers. In one of those rooms Lincoln was laid diagonally across a bed, for which he was otherwise too tall. Doctors had little hope that the unconscious Lincoln would recover, and throughout the night various cabinet members, officials, and physicians kept vigil in the small room. Mary grieved hysterically. When Lincoln was pronounced dead at 7:22 am on April 15, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton famously pronounced, “Now he belongs to the ages” (or “to the angels”; witnesses disagree).
The next day was Easter Sunday, and throughout America sermons in Christian churches equated Lincoln’s martyrdom with Jesus’ sacrificial death. A period of national mourning ensued. Observers reported that African Americans felt Lincoln’s loss particularly keenly. Historians have noted that Lincoln—whom many even in the North deeply disliked—became much more revered in death than in life as the myth surrounding him grew. After public viewing in both the White House and the Capitol, Lincoln’s body, in an elaborate open coffin, was taken on a 13-day train journey across the country to his home in Springfield, Ill., stopping en route to lie in state in Independence Hall in Philadelphia and to be paraded in a hearse down 5th Avenue in New York City, among other stops. Millions of people lined the train route to pay their respects.
As for the perpetrators, the fleeing Booth had his leg treated in Maryland by Dr. Samuel Mudd, who would later be convicted of conspiracy, though his descendants waged a protracted battle to prove his innocence. While a massive manhunt, fueled by a $100,000 reward, filled the countryside surrounding Washington with troops and other searchers, Booth and Herold, aided by a Confederate sympathizer, hid for days in a thicket of trees near the Zekiah swamp in Maryland. While hiding, Booth kept a diary in which he recorded his incredulity at the almost universal condemnation of his actions. He had expected to heralded as a hero. Having undertaken further efforts to escape, Booth and Herold were tracked down by federal troops on April 26 at a farm in Virginia, near the Rappahannock River. There Herold surrendered before the barn in which he and Booth were hiding was set aflame. Refusing to surrender, Booth was shot, either by a soldier or by himself, and died shortly thereafter. Rumours persisted that it was not Booth but another man thought to be him who was killed, but there is no acceptable evidence to support that notion.
Eight “conspirators” were tried by a military commission for Lincoln’s murder (several of them had participated in the plot to kidnap Lincoln but were less clearly involved in the assassination attempt). Herold, Powell, Atzerodt, and Mary Surratt, who ran a boarding house in Washington frequented by members of the Confederate underground, were found guilty and hanged. Also found guilty, Mudd, Michael O’Laughlen, and Samuel Arnold were sentenced to life in prison, and Edman Spangler received a six-year sentence. Another conspirator, John Surratt, Jr., fled the country but was later captured and stood trial in 1867, though his case was dismissed.
What made you want to look up "assassination of Abraham Lincoln"? Please share what surprised you most... | <urn:uuid:0b95b65d-2238-4a94-b07f-c25098ef7dfb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1762443/assassination-of-Abraham-Lincoln | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00043-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.984577 | 1,653 | 3.28125 | 3 |
TitleUsing multiple-possibility physics problems in introductory physics courses
NameShekoyan, Vazgen (author), Eugenia, Etkina (chair), Kalelkar, Mohan (internal member), Matilsky, Terry (internal member), Rabe, Karin (internal member), Finkelstein, Noah (outside member), Rutgers University, Graduate School - New Brunswick,
SubjectPhysics and Astronomy,
Physics--Study and teaching,
DescriptionI have explored the instructional value of using multiple-possibility problems (MPPs) in introductory physics courses. MPPs are different from problems we most often encounter in textbooks. They are different from regular problems since 1) they have missing information, vaguely defined goals or unstated constrains, 2) they possess multiple solutions with multiple criteria for evaluating the solutions, 3) they present uncertainty about which concepts, rules, and principles are necessary for the solution or how they are organized.
Real-life problems and professional problems are MPPs. Students rarely encounter such problems in introductory physics courses.
Kitchener (1983) proposed a three-level model of cognitive processing to categorize the thinking steps one makes when faced with such problems (cognition, metacognition, epistemic cognition). The critical and distinctive component of MPP solving is epistemic cognition. At that level individuals reflect on the limits of knowing, the certainty of knowing, the underlying assumptions made. It is an important part of thinking in real life.
Firstly, I developed and tested a coding scheme for measuring epistemic cognition. Using the coding scheme I compared the epistemic cognition level of experts and novices by conducting think-aloud problem-solving interviews with them. Although experts had higher epistemic cognition level than novices, I documented some instances where a novice showed an expert-like epistemic cognition. I found that prompting question during interviews were 50% effective for students.
Secondly, I tested the following two hypotheses by conducting two experimental design and one pre-post treatment design investigations in an algebra-based physics course at Rutgers University: Hypothesis 1: Solving MPPs enhances students' epistemic cognition;
Hypothesis 2: Solving MPPs engages students in more meaningful problem solving and thus helps them construct a better conceptual understanding of physics.
I found supporting evidence for both hypotheses. Although not all of my studies produced the results that would unquestionably support the hypotheses strongly, I can say that they show much promise for the use of MPPs in introductory physics courses. I have also created a bank of MPPs freely available for use.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references (p. 178-184)
Noteby Vazgen Shekoyan
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work. | <urn:uuid:e4294de4-6ae4-4007-b63a-885e69d8afe1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://mss3.libraries.rutgers.edu/dlr/showfed.php?pid=rutgers-lib:25628 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.911725 | 585 | 2 | 2 |
“More jars of Vegemite are sold each year than there are men, women and children in the entire country. But most would struggle to name the man who invented it.”
Jamie Callister, the author of The Man who Invented Vegemite, has a point. Many Australians remember the advertising slogan “happy little Vegemite” and the iconic radio jingle that first played in 1954. They can hum along to the Men at Work hit song of 1982, Down Under, with its reference to a Vegemite sandwich. They can pick out the bright yellow lid and labelling of the black, sticky spread from the far end of a supermarket aisle, and are likely to know it’s rich in vitamin B.
But unlike Vegemite itself, Cyril Percy Callister – a humble chemist from country Victoria who created the spread – isn’t a household name. Read the full article here. | <urn:uuid:0994ffd0-386c-43a6-bd49-70b1b56bc923> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://thefoodsage.com.au/2012/09/29/a-toast-to-the-man-who-invented-vegemite/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938234 | 194 | 2.15625 | 2 |
SMITH, PRESTON EARNEST (1912~2003) Preston Earnest Smith, Governor of Texas, was born March 8, 1912, in Williamson County, Texas. One of 13 children, he attended schools in both Williamson and Dawson Counties. Upon his graduation from Lamesa High School in 1930, Smith worked his way through Texas Technological College, now Texas Tech University, where he received a Bachelor of Business Arts degree in 1934. In 1935, he married fellow Texas Tech graduate, Ima Mae Smith, of Crosby County.
From 1934 to 1945, Smith was extremely active in business and real estate investments in Lubbock and around the state. Becoming very well known throughout West Texas, Smith turned to politics. In 1944, he won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. He held that seat for six years and returned to Lubbock to begin his campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Smith ran against former State Senator and Secretary of State, Ben Ramsey, in the Democratic Primary and lost. In 1952, Smith ran unsuccessfully against incumbent State Senator Kilmer B. Corbin, but beat him in 1956. Taking his seat in 1957, Smith served in the Senate until 1963, when he was elected Lieutenant Governor.
Serving with John B. Connally and presiding over the Texas Senate, Smith was able to use his political and business capabilities to help guide the State of Texas. When Connally announced that he would not seek reelection, Smith was the logical choice to be the next Governor of Texas. Elected in 1968, he took office on January 21, 1969.
Smith's two terms as Governor were severely marred by political unrest throughout the United States and scandal in Texas. The Vietnam War and the Watergate Scandal were plaguing President Richard Nixon and the country, while the Sharpstown Stock Fraud Scandal shook Texas to its core.
The scandal single handedly changed the face of Texas politics. Almost all incumbents were voted out of office, including Smith. When the 63rd Legislative Session met in January, 1973, half of the members of House of Representatives were new, including the Speaker, and a larger than normal turnover occurred in the Senate. New leaders for Texas' highest offices were also inaugurated. Smith lost his bid for a third term in office and returned to Lubbock.
During his long political career, Smith accomplished a great deal for Texas and Texans. As a member of the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate and as Lieutenant Governor and Governor, Smith sought to better Texas. Large portions of the legislation he authored, sponsored, or signed into law dealt with improving education. Some of his work includes: the creation of four new state schools, a new University of Texas Medical School in Houston, the Texas Tech Medical School in Lubbock, a University of Texas dental branch and a nurses training school in San Antonio, a new undergraduate nursing school in El Paso, and an expansion of the University of Texas medical branch in Galveston. He also authored, co-authored, or sponsored legislation establishing a permanent building fund for all state colleges, increased, on a regular basis, salaries of teachers, expanded vocational education, and created the Texas Education Code.
After leaving office, Smith returned to Lubbock and picked up with his civic and business dealings and ran unsuccessfully for Governor again in 1978. In 1981, because of his work for Texas education, Smith was appointed to the Texas College and University Coordinating Board, now called the Higher Education Coordinating Board by Governor William P. "Bill" Clements. Smith served as chairman of the board until his term ended in 1985.
Governor Smith passed away October 18, 2003, in Lubbock and was buried at the State Cemetery October 21. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Ima Mae, who passed away in 1998. He is survived by two children, a son, Preston Michael "Mickey," and a daughter, Jan. | <urn:uuid:22add12b-ac3a-4520-92d4-4a20191d338b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form.asp?step=1&pers_id=7163 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.985876 | 802 | 2.46875 | 2 |
A couple of weeks ago we went to the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Insect Collection. We needed some images of different insect orders for a new series of videos we've been working on. Jim LaBonte, the head entomologist in the collection, had told us that we could bring some fresh specimens to play with under their new Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Cool! We'd never actually gotten to use an SEM before so we jumped at the chance.
After digging in the mulch at our local Starbucks for some springtails (**insect collecting tip-if it hasn't rained in a couple of months, you can always find insects and other soil arthropods in and around businesses that regularly water and maintain their plants.) - we brought them to the lab in Salem, OR.
They have a compact SEM and it's literally smaller than a desktop computer. Here's a little breakdown on how these machines work:
A beam of electrons move over the outside of the specimen. The electrons on the surface of the specimen are dislodged by the beam. Detectors on the inside of the SEM monitor how these electrons scatter, and as the beam moves from one end of the specimen to the other, the image is projected onto a computer monitor.
What you get is an incredibly detailed, 3-D view of your specimen. Right down to tiny sensory pits in the surface of the exoskeletal microstructure. Very cool!
Entomologist Josh Vlach put our specimens into the chamber and we all watched anxiously for the image to appear on the screen. What we found was even cooler than using an SEM. We had a springtail AND a mystery animal. Here's a picture of all of us bugdorks talking about what it could be.
It looked vaguely like a collembolan, but had strange fleshy protuberances on its abdomen and while it looked like a two-pronged furcula extended from the abdomen...it just wasn't right. The antennae were thickened at the ends and it was larger than expected. After much discussion, and zooming in and textbook referencing, we all came to the conclusion that we had a dipluran and a springtail!
Springtails are primitive hexapods that live in moss and soil. They are wingless and tiny – the size of a pin head or smaller. These animals have a very special organ on the end of their abdomens called a furcula. It acts as a two-pronged lever to launch them through the air if they encounter a potential predator (hence the name “springtail”). When not in use, the furcula is held against the abdomen with a structure called a tenaculum. There are more than 6,000 species of springtails worldwide.
Diplurans are small wingless entognathus hexapods that are related to insects. (Entognathus means that their mouthparts are located inside the head cavity as opposed to an insect like a grasshopper, where you can plainly see all of the mouthparts below the head.) There are about 800 species of diplura worldwide. Diplurans are predators of springtails, mites and other tiny soil arthropods. In addition, they eat algae, fungi, detritus and mold. They're hardly ever seen because many of them live under the ground. This was the first dipluran that we, The Bug Chicks, had ever seen in real life.
To learn more about the ODA Plant Division, Insect Pest Prevention and Management, click here.
Original post can be found on www.thebugchicks.com.
Kristie Reddick and Jessica Honaker are The Bug Chicks. They each have Masters Degrees in Entomology and love to teach people about insects and spiders. For more from The Bug Chicks, check out their website -- including their new teacher resources -- at http://www.thebugchicks.com! | <urn:uuid:42bdd384-0de8-4ec4-8904-40ee1e057d5e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.sciencefriday.com/blogs/10/19/2011/a-surprising-find.html?series=17&interest=&audience=&author= | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96376 | 827 | 3.265625 | 3 |
Died: January 3, 2008 (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Best Known as: owner and editor of The New Republic
Former publisher of the liberal political and cultural opinion journal, The New Republic. Harrison was owner and editor of The New Republic from 1953 to 1974. Under him the publication was influential and had a strong voice on civil rights issues, but was rarely profitable. At the start of the Vietnam War The New Republic was supportive, but it quickly became an opponent of the war, often criticizing Presidents Johnson and Nixon. In the 1970s the weekly publication reached a circulation of 100,000 with Walter Pincus writing about Watergate and Stanley Karnow writing on foreign affairs. Harrison sold The New Republic to Martin Peretz in 1974. After selling the magazine, he authored two books, “A Timeless Affair: The Life of Anita McCormick Blaine” and “The Enthusiast: A Life of Thornton Wilder.”
More on Gilbert Harrison from Fact Monster:
Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. | <urn:uuid:0d0556a5-fdff-4624-b27a-4f241a2a4d64> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.factmonster.com/biography/gilbert-harrison.html | 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 | 0.937853 | 222 | 2.3125 | 2 |
Dan Davis, a professor in Stony Brook’s Department of Geosciences, will give a Provost’s Lecture, “The Earthquake in Japan: What Happened and Why?” on Wednesday, March 23, at 12:40 pm in the Javits Center, Room 110.
Davis is a geophysicist who specializes in tectonics. His research concentrates on the mechanics of convergent plate boundaries, both the continent-continent collisions that create great mountain belts and subduction boundaries like Japan. His other areas of research include the application of geophysics to studies of the recent geological history of Long Island and to nuclear arms control. Davis is former faculty director of Stony Brook’s Honors College and co-author of Turn Left at Orion, a well-known guide to amateur astronomers.
The devastating tsunami and the frightening nuclear crisis in Japan began with one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded. Japan is located at a very active plate boundary, and its tectonic setting places it at high risk for powerful earthquakes, including the type most likely to produce tsunamis. Davis will explore why and how this devastating earthquake and tsunami occurred and what modern geology and seismology can tell us about the future seismic hazards on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
This talk is co-sponsored by the Japan Center at Stony Brook. | <urn:uuid:dc3c3e6b-38c2-4091-9d71-4f001a9b1e50> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/happenings/oncampus/provosts-lecture-on-japan-earthquake-march-23/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.942592 | 282 | 2.75 | 3 |
Legal Aspects of Treatment
The practice of fertility treatment where sperm, eggs or embryos spend time outside the human body is governed by the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (HART) Act 2004.
The Act starts by listing important principles, including the health and well being of children conceived using fertility treatments, the health safety and dignity of future generations, the health and well being of women having treatment, informed consent, consideration and respect for the needs, values and beliefs of Maori, and consideration and respect for ethical, spiritual and cultural perspectives in society.
In addition, the Act states that offspring conceived through the use of donor sperm or donor eggs should be made aware by their parents of their genetic origins, and be able to secure information about the donor and his or her identity.
For pregnancies arising from sperm or eggs donated after 20 August 2005, Fertility Associates is obliged to give the Registrar-General of Births Deaths and Marriages identifying information about the child, the donor, and the parents/guardians. After the age of 18 a child may ask the clinic or the Registrar-General for the identity of the donor, and this information will normally be given. The child may ask for the identity of other children conceived using the same donor, and the donor may ask for the identity of all persons born as a result of their donation. In these cases, both or all the parties need to agree before the information can be given. There are also provisions for children seeking information from the age of 16, and for parents to seek information about the donor and about other children born from the same donor.
For children conceived from sperm or eggs donated before August 2005, there is voluntary registration for children and donors that offers the same opportunities for information.
The HART Act has substantial penalties (fines and imprisonment) for paying for, or providing financial inducement for, donor sperm or donor eggs and for commercial surrogacy arrangements. Reimbursement of expenses is permitted. Selection of embryos on the basis of gender is prohibited (unless it is to prevent a genetic disorder or disease), as is any procedure or drug that might bring about sex selection.
A major aspect affecting IVF and sperm storage is that sperm, eggs and embryos cannot be stored for more than 10 years unless the person or couple storing the sperm, eggs or embryos gains permission to do so from the Ethics Committee of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ECART).
The Status of Children Act 2004 defines who are a child’s legal parents when donor sperm or donor eggs are used. The donor has no rights or liabilities. The woman bearing the child is the legal mother and her partner at the time of birth is a legal parent with rights of guardianship.
Click here to find the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act (HART Act) 2004 and the Status of Children Amendment Act 1987. | <urn:uuid:89eefca3-bdff-4624-9c23-9e2833dd6737> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/Fertility-treatments/Legal-aspects-of-treatment.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939262 | 579 | 2.609375 | 3 |
Tips on Finding a Good Wheelchair Accessible Hotel
Finding a good wheelchair accessible hotel can be a daunting task. With so many places to choose
from disabled travelers need a quick way to compare hotels and find the one that can accommodate their
special needs. Following the few simple trip planning steps below can make the difference between
a great vacation or a frustrating trip for a disabled person.
1. Narrow your list of hotels
While wheelchair accessibility is the top priority for a disabled traveler, many travel agents and
travel reservation sites forget that a person with a disability has other needs too. In addition
to good wheelchair access disabled travelers are also interested in things such as a swimming pool,
restaurants in the hotel, pet accommodation, and internet access. WhenWeTravel offers a Wheelchair Accessible Hotel Search
as a disability travel resource to help disabled people narrow the list of hotels to the ones with all their special needs.
Travelers can use it to pick a destination and check off all the amenities they require.
WhenWeTravel currently has a list of over 37,000 wheelchair accessible hotels from destinations
all around the world.
A disabled traveler can use the hotel search to get a narrow list of hotels to be used for
calling the hotel directly.
2. Call the hotel directly and ask some questions
By asking a few questions a disabled traveler can quickly determine if the hotel is disability friendly.
Does the hotel provide any special disability services? Make this the FIRST QUESTION asked. Let the
hotel staff explain what they have to offer. Their response will immediately indicate their
experience and desire in assisting disabled travelers.
What floor are the wheelchair accessible rooms on? It is important to be near the first floor in case of
an emergency where the elevators are not in service.
Are the rooms ADA compliant?
Can the beds and other furniture be moved in order to make the room more comfortable and accessible?
Does the hotel provide a wheelchair accessible shuttle to nearby tourist attractions and public
Is disabled or handicap parking available for your car or van?
3. Listen "between the lines"
A disabled traveler should be listening for clues that indicate the hotel has a good understanding
of the difficulties faced by an individual with a disability. If the reservation desk at the hotel
is knowledgeable about ADA requirements such as wheel chair accessible passages, counter heights,
door hardware, bathroom fixtures, and roll in showers there is a good chance they frequently serve
disabled guests. However, be wary of a hotel manger that seems to promise too much.
If the hotel seems too good to be true...it probably is. | <urn:uuid:f8242519-5f2f-48eb-85e7-bb0934978834> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.whenwetravel.com/travel_destination_hotel/wheelchair_accessible_hotels.jsp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00071-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.917531 | 541 | 1.65625 | 2 |
ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT (Chapters 1 through 182)
Term of enlistment; training; penalty for desertion
Section 56. The part of the unorganized militia so drafted or accepted shall immediately be mustered under the orders of the commander-in-chief into the service of the commonwealth for three years, or for such less period as he may direct, and shall be organized into new units, or assigned to organizations of the organized militia then existing. Such new organizations shall be officered, equipped, trained and governed according to the laws for the government of the organized militia. The commander-in-chief may detail officers to train and command such new organizations until their officers shall have qualified. Every member of the unorganized militia who volunteers or is drafted, who does not appear to be mustered in as required by the orders of the commander-in-chief, and does not produce a sworn certificate from a physician in good standing of physical disability so to appear, shall be prima facie a deserter and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. | <urn:uuid:6d9ee7ed-14b0-487e-852b-ca894ae8be2e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleV/Chapter33/Section56/Print | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00056-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954009 | 229 | 1.570313 | 2 |
Burnaby Real Estate Overview
Real estate prices in Burnaby are comparable to those in Vancouver, being among the highest in the country.
According to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, the March 2013 median selling price for a property in Burnaby was $587,500, which is a decline of 0.8 percent from March 2012.
Burnaby is divided into three main areas: Burnaby East, Burnaby North, and Burnaby South. The south end is a popular area for new immigrants and includes the neighbourhood of Metrotown - a major shopping and commercial district. Many family homes can be found in Burnaby East around Edmonds and the Cariboo area. In the north lies the historic Burnaby Heights.
- Burnaby Population (2011)223,200
- 5 Year Population Change10.1%
- Number of Homes in Burnaby86,800
Why Buy a Home in Burnaby?
Burnaby is British Columbia's third largest city after Vancouver and Surrey. Located just east of Vancouver, it is a vibrant city in a beautiful natural setting.
The landscape of Burnaby is one of lakes, hills, rivers, and valleys. Many of its residents enjoy an active lifestyle of hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, and kayaking. Three major ski hills are a short drive away.
Burnaby has an abundance of attractions and amenities, and getting to and from downtown Vancouver is a breeze. It is one of British Columbia's most ethnically diverse cities, with significant Chinese, Korean, Filipino, and South Asian populations.
Explore Burnaby's Rich Cultural Heritage
The first pioneers arrived in Burnaby around 1850. Robert Burnaby, a private secretary to Colonel Richard Moody, surveyed the lake that now forms the city's centre and lent his name to it.
The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1887 brought new people to the growing settlement and turned it into an important transportation corridor between Vancouver and the interior of British Columbia. Logging and agriculture also formed a key part of the local economy.
In 1892, Burnaby was incorporated as a municipality, adopting its name from the lake. As Vancouver expanded, Burnaby expanded with it, and over time it transformed from a rural village into a bustling city of its own.
Getting around in Burnaby
Burnaby is serviced by Vancouver's sophisticated SkyTrain rapid transit system, as well as several TransLink bus routes.
The Lougheed Highway passes through the city, connecting it to Vancouver and Coquitlam. The Trans-Canada Highway runs north up to North Vancouver, and south toward Abbotsford and the U.S. border. A number of major streets run between Burnaby and Vancouver as well.
Biking is a popular form of transportation in Burnaby; several urban trails and bikeways can be found around town. You can also follow in the historic footsteps of Robert Burnaby at the trails in Burnaby Lake Park and Deer Lake Park.
Shopping and Amenities
Shopaholics will love what Burnaby has to offer. Metropolis at Metrotown is British Columbia's largest mall, with more than 450 shops and services. The Heights District is a favourite spot with locals, featuring outdoor shops and boutiques interspersed with restaurants and cafes.
The Bill Copeland Sports Centre is a state-of-the art community sports centre featuring playing fields, tennis courts, an indoor pool, jogging track, and more. Some of Burnaby's other community sports centres include the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex, the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course, and the 8 Rinks centre.
There's no shortage of good schools in the city. Simon Fraser University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology both call Burnaby home.
Entertainment and Attractions in Burnaby
Many attractions can be found in Burnaby or in nearby Vancouver.
Travel back in time at the Burnaby Village Museum to experience life as it was in the 1920s. Or enjoy an evening out at the Grand Villa Casino and Scala Lounge.
Treat your kids to a day at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, home to over 600 animals. The Pacific National Exhibition is another popular family destination, featuring rides, concerts, and games open year-round.
If you're into sports, you'll definitely want to make the short trip to Vancouver to watch the Canucks battle it out on the ice at the Rogers Arena. You can also lend your support to any of Burnaby's numerous local sports teams. | <urn:uuid:4dadbf2d-7bef-4daa-b5a0-7c10be7696ff> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.zoocasa.com/en/burnaby-bc-real-estate | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947789 | 912 | 1.640625 | 2 |
Until now, students shopping for a college couldn't get answers to some of their most important questions, such as "How much do students learn at this school?" That finally might finally be changing. A growing number of colleges are posting results of tests that gauge how much their students learn as undergraduates.
On Tuesday, a dozen online colleges launched www.collegechoicesforadults.org, a Web site that promises to report how their students score on standardized tests of college learning. Earlier this year, about 300 public colleges and universities launched www.collegeportraits.org, a site that also promises to reveal students' performance on standardized pregraduation tests. Some private not-for-profit schools are also reporting their students' performance on standardized tests. And a growing number of states are posting summaries of how various colleges' graduates do on postgraduate licensing exams, such as for nursing.
Of course, rankings including U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges have long given applicants a chance to compare colleges by factors such as their selectivity, their reputations, and their students' performance on standardized tests taken in high school. But college officials, who were typically happy to brag about how well their students had scored on standardized tests in high school, had long fought any attempt to gauge how well they taught students with standardized tests administered just before students received their bachelor's degree. College officials rebelled, for example, against a 2006 Bush administration proposal to require colleges to administer such tests and reveal the results. College administrators and professors argued that answering 108 multiple-choice questions, or writing a few essays in 90 minutes, wasn't a fair way to plumb what students had learned in four years and more than 30 different classes.
Some outside analysts say there were less noble reasons for the opposition as well. "Nobody likes being accountable," says Peter Ewell, vice president at the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems and an expert in college accountability. "They're afraid they won't be able to attract students" if they can't prove their graduates do well, he believes.
Now, however, Ewell says, "we are reaching a tipping point" that could spark more colleges to reveal how their students do on standardized college-level tests.
Michael Offerman, Capella University's vice chairman of external university initiatives and leader of the online schools' accountability effort, says giving applicants an easy way to see how well students in a college program succeed "is the holy grail" for anyone trying to balance the costs of higher education against the benefits. The new online college accountability site isn't solely driven by idealism, though. Many participants are hoping to erase perceptions of low quality that stigmatize online courses by proving that online students are learning and succeeding.
At least 14 online colleges are promising to eventually post results of their students' scores on the Measure of Academic Proficiency and Progress, or MAPP.
Each college also plans to give at least some material on how students in different majors perform. Besides Capella's data, the site will show results from other large for-profit online colleges such as Kaplan and American Intercontinental universities. It will also report results of some private not-for-profit colleges such as Western Governors University and Excelsior College. And it will feature a few public online institutions, such as Rio Salado and Charter Oak State colleges.
The University of Phoenix, the nation's largest online university, isn't participating in the new Web site. Last year, however, the for-profit college started publishing its own accountability report, including results of MAPP tests. | <urn:uuid:4e8e2e7d-afdd-4e41-8d00-afa1f1ca2cbb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2009/08/04/how-much-do-colleges-really-teach-students | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972051 | 733 | 2.421875 | 2 |
The materials found in “Diary of the American Revolution” are taken from Whig and Tory newspapers, published during the American Revolution, private diaries, and other cotemporaneous writings.
They present to the student of this day the same view the readers of the revolutionary period enjoyed, the manners and customs of the people, and the moral and religious, as well as political features of the time.
As far as practicable, the language of the writers has been preserved. For every assertion presented the reader will find an authority which must be his guide in ascertaining its value in an historical point of view; while, at the same time, he must keep in mind the truth that the errors and lampoons of a period belong as much to its history as the facts and flatteries.
To download a copy of “Diary of the American Revolution – Volume Two” by Frank Moore please right mouse click on the link, then select “save as” and download to your computer – Diary-of-the-American-Revolution-Volume-Two | <urn:uuid:b9211ae4-0e3f-4fd9-9929-f54d1d76c2e9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thefederalistpapers.org/ebooks/diary-of-the-american-revolution-volume-two | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96596 | 221 | 2.5 | 2 |
With acne troubling a lot of people today it truly is rather understandable why thousands of individuals are in search of data on how to get rid of pimples quickly. With advancement in contemporary science and technologies, a number of solutions enable you to in clearing your acne. A number of the solutions create outcomes in a couple of days itself, even though other people take a bit longer. Here are some easy approaches to get rid of pimples quick.
1. Spot treatment of pimples making use of over the counter goods containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide generate fantastic outcomes. You might need to experiment having a couple of merchandise to obtain the item that works for you ideal. Some of these spot treatments may possibly be needed to be left overnight. Be sure you don’t overuse any of these merchandise. Overuse may possibly result in itchy skin with flakes coming out. Attempt and follow the usage directions that come with the item. If you would like to go the natural way then tea tree oil is suppose to be as efficient as a benzoyl peroxide based item having a five % concentration.
2. One more gift from modern day technologies to get rid of pimples rapidly will be the zap device. These devices kill the acne causing bacteria utilizing a high frequency existing. A modest electrode is run over your pimples. You are going to not have any discomfort but just a tingle when the electrode is applied to your pimples. Immediately after a couple of hours your acne would turn into significantly smaller and practically unnoticeable. Some of these zit zapper devices might be bought from your nearby drug shops. These are easy to operate devices that function working with a battery.
These two spot treatments really should allow you to get rid of pimples in some days. Having a device like the zit zapper some of you could notice marked improvement overnight itself.
The following are five natural pimple treatments which will enable you to get rid of your stubborn pimple quickly.
Cucumber – Cucumber has special cooling properties, which aid to soothe and calm the skin. It also assists in fighting pimples by lowering inflammation and swelling.
Aloe Vera – Aloe Vera could be termed a miracle plant, due to the fact it doesn’t only cure stubborn pimples but also reduces acne scars. It reduces pimples inflammation and swelling, and speeds ups the skin’s healing method.
Charcoal – Charcoal is pretty efficient within the treatment of stubborn pimples. As 1 of the vital properties or ingredients of face mask, it assists to cure pimples by absorbing excess oil within the skin, which is caused by excess production of sebum, a main factor in pimples breakouts.
Green Tea – Green Tea is wealthy in antioxidants, which is vital in assisting the body to get rid of no cost radicals which are injurious to wellness. It similarly assists in removing impurities from the body which can result or result in acne. It also reduces inflammation and assists the body to fight against infections.
Willow Bark – Willow Bark, a loved ones of salicylic acid, is an additional natural pimple treatment that works. Willow bark alleviates pains and discomforts occasioned or related to pimples. It also fights against skin infections and inflammations.
There it’s, in the event you genuinely wish to get rid of your pimple swiftly and safely, why not put to make use of these natural pimple treatment alternatives. | <urn:uuid:7cfe32ad-2515-4e37-bee8-79b2a8adb3db> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://skincaretipsfor.me/how-to-get-rid-of-pimples-quickly-with-spot-treatments.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938149 | 713 | 1.578125 | 2 |
UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS
25 JUNE 2007
I am pleased to address the Security Council once again at an open-debate. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the President of the Security Council for the month of June 2007, His Excellency Mr. Karel De Gucht, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, for inviting me to participate in today’s debate.
At the outset, I would like to underline that my participation in today’s thematic debate, in my capacity as the President of the 61st session of the General Assembly confirms the need for more cooperation and coordination between the General Assembly on the one hand as the chief deliberative, representative, and policy-making organ of the United Nations; and the Security Council on the other hand as the organ with the primary responsibility for issues related to the maintenance of international peace and security.
It is in this light that I welcome this opportunity to provide the Council with the perspective of the General Assembly regarding the issue at hand. I believe that, addressing the various and complex aspects of the relationship between natural resources and conflict, extends beyond the Charter prerogatives, of one principal organ, and should be addressed through the collaboration of all organs, namely the General Assembly, Security Council and the Economic and Social Council.
I wish to commend the Kingdom of Belgium for the concept paper they have prepared to serve as a basis for our discussions in today’s thematic debate on “Maintenance of international peace and security: natural resources and conflict”.
The linkages between natural resources and growth and development cannot be overstated. Furthermore, the linkages between natural resources and the potential conditions for conflict are increasingly becoming more apparent and well-documented.
One very important aspect in this regard is the ownership of natural resources and their revenues. Questions relating to the distribution of revenues among the various groups in many countries provide fertile environments for initiating or prolonging conflicts. Furthermore, over-dependency on natural resources is not conducive to viable development strategies in many poor countries, thus leading to fragile circumstances that might lead to the eruption of internal conflicts.
While I agree that there must be a distinction between the successive phases of a conflict, we all must agree on the responsibilities of Member States as well as the different organs of the United Nations to deal with these phases.
Sustainable and equitable management of natural resources lies in the heart of today’s debate. I agree with the concept paper in that improving governance of natural resources in the absence of conflict is not the primary responsibility of the Security Council. However, we have to encourage, while respecting the sovereign rights of all Member States, a more efficient and effective use of natural resources. This has to be clearly linked with the development agenda of the international community.
In post-conflict situations, the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council should collectively debate on how best to develop an approach, through the Peacebuilding Commission, that is development oriented, and to foster the factors of stability and prosperity and prevent the relapse of countries into conflict.
We all stand to gain from working together to address the many aspects of this issue. Member States, the United Nations, regional organizations, the private sector and multinational corporations; as well as non-governmental organizations have a role to play in the different phases of dealing with this issue.
The Kimberley Process provides a good example of how everyone can work together to stop the illicit trade in natural resources - in this case, conflict diamonds.
I look forward to the results of the deliberations of today’s thematic debate, which I hope will provide an important input in the collective work of the United Nations with all its organs. | <urn:uuid:6d71df4a-61a8-4ef4-8476-5f35987b380f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.un.org/ga/president/61/statements/statement20070625.shtml | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939931 | 760 | 1.632813 | 2 |
|Ball field survives 4-3 vote|
|Written by Mark Lineberger|
|Wednesday, 09 September 2009 11:51|
When The Town of Camp Verde bought a large park last year, it brought the promise of much needed ball fields for local children after decades of demand.
Then the economy tanked, a new Town Council was voted in and the town found itself having to tighten the purse strings more than ever before.
But plans were already in the works for the 118-acre park that the town bought from the U.S. Forest Service near State Route 260 and McCracken Lane; the town awarded a $49,000 contract to a consulting firm to come up with a comprehensive park design, a process that involved several public meetings to get a sense of what the community wanted from the park.
The brainstorming produced ideas for everything from a rodeo complex to a dog park, but it was the ball fields that ended up at the top of nearly everybody’s priority list. The town’s one field at Butler Park doesn’t come close to meeting current demand when so many of the town’s Little League teams have to travel to other cities just to play ball.
It was that need for ball fields that led the Town Council late last month to go ahead with the plan to pay an estimated $100,000 for design costs for access roads, lighting and a place to play ball. The designs will be on paper only, destined to sit on a shelf until the economy turns around and money is available to actually create something tangible.
There’s no telling when that might be, and the thought of spending money on a plan that can’t be implemented didn’t sit well with some town residents and a few Town Council members.
Mayor Bob Burnside said several people had approached him questioning the wisdom of moving ahead with spending money on a park plan that would be collecting dust for the foreseeable future when there were debates about cutting other services offered by the town.
Some were still interested in seeing the town build a park across the highway near the old airstrip, a location the town had originally considered before the land the town now owns was put up for sale by the Forest Service looking to raise money for its new ranger station.
The idea of continuing to chase that idea was shot down almost immediately by several members of the Town Council.
“I went from kindergarten to putting my kids in college while waiting for ball fields, and we’re still waiting for ball fields,” Councilwoman Norma Garrison said. “We can’t afford to buy any more land for a park across the street unless there’s some money I don’t know about.”
Councilwoman Carol German said she felt the money budgeted for park planning could be held aside in case something else came up that the town needed to pay for, or less money could be used to make actual physical improvements to parks the town already owns like Rezzonico Black Bridge Park on the banks of the Verde River.
“We could put [the money] on hold for some of the parks we have … so it looks more inviting then when you drive by and all you see is desert and an outhouse.”
German also expressed her irritation at hearing the land referred to as a “118-acre” park, when not all of the land is suitable for use.
German was joined by Burnside and Councilwoman Jackie Baker in supporting the idea of not spending the money, but the majority felt that it was time to move forward.
It all came down to being “shovel ready,” Garrison said, a term recently popularized after the federal government started gearing up to pass out stimulus money for infrastructure projects across the nation.
Originally, the idea was to get a lot of the money for developing the park through a grant from the state.
But Arizona soon ran into serious financial problems of its own, and the money dried up.
Having a plan on the shelf and ready to go could give Camp Verde an edge when the economy eventually does turn around and the money starts flowing again, Garrison said.
Not everyone is convinced that having an edge is worth it when the council had to sharpen its budget knives and slice up other services residents have come to expect.
Of course, the debate over park planning could be a moot point if the economy gets worse.
Town Manager Michael Scannell said he had made his budget recommendations for the current fiscal year on the assumption that the economy wouldn’t get any better or worse. If the purse strings are tightened further, Scannell said he will come before the council with a revised forecast as he has in the past.
That was good enough for Councilman Pete Roulette, who said he trusts Scannell with keeping a conservative eye on the taxpayers’ money and that if the land was there and the money was budgeted, it was time to move forward with a definite plan.
“This town always seems to move two feet forward and one foot back,” Roulette said.
“There’s nothing that irritates me more than a government that spends, spends, spends, while the rest of us have to pinch pennies to get by,” Camp Verde resident Cheri Wischmeyer. “We could use the money for something else.”
Resident Bob Wier, who participated in the public park design meetings earlier this year, said that in the end, it was all about the children.
“You can’t put a price tag on kids, as far as I’m concerned,” Wier said. | <urn:uuid:a877af96-d7e9-4ef4-9c14-0a684df0f0a8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.journalaz.com/News/ball-field-survives-4-3-vote/Print.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974113 | 1,184 | 1.570313 | 2 |
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Sister’s decades of dedication honoured
THE founder of the world’s first children's hospice has been rewarded for her decades of dedication, with a lifetime achievement award.
Sister Frances Dominica founded Helen House,which has helped thousands of families with terminally ill children, in Leopold Street, Oxford, in 1982.
She was honoured for her efforts with a Help the Hospices and National Gardens Scheme Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony in Manchester.
She was given her award by former Home Secretary and Help the Hospices chairman Michael Howard, and George Plumptre, chief executive of the National Gardens Scheme.
Sister Frances, 69, said: “It is a great honour to receive this award.
“I think of the thousands of children, young people and their families who have walked through the doors of Helen & Douglas House over the last 30 years and who have taught us so much.
“It has been team work and I am immensely grateful to all the staff, volunteers and supporters who have brought my original dream to reality.
“The greatest reward is when a family says to us, thank you, you have made a difference.”
The hospice was born after Sister Frances met the parents of a girl called Helen Worswick who had a brain tumour and needed 24-hour care. Once Helen had been discharged from hospital Sister Frances began looking after her so her parents could have a break – and the idea was born.
Sister Frances said: “We didn’t really know who would use it or whether anybody would use it at all.
“It started relatively slowly and it was mostly word of mouth from parent to parent that meant we had more and more children referred to us.”
The children’s hospice movement has since spread across the world, with children’s hospices now open in all five continents.
In 2004, Sister Frances opened Douglas House, the first specialist hospice for young adults aged 16 to 35, because she realised more and more young children with life-shortening conditions were living longer.
The award comes just a week after the charity marked its 30th anniversary.
Help the Hospices chief executive David Praill said: “These awards are a celebration of the innovative and inspiring work taking place in hospices across the UK.”
SISTER Frances was born Frances Ritchie in Inverness in 1942.
She lived with her grandfather, a Church of Scotland elder, and her mother in Greenock until she was four. Once her father was demobbed after the Second World War she moved with her family to Petersham in Surrey.
She started training as a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London in 1961. But after meeting an Anglican vicar she realised she wanted to be a nun and joined the Society of All Saints Sisters of the Poor which moved to East Oxford in 1976.
It was after being elected mother superior in 1977 that she began her work which led to the creation of Helen House.
In 2006 Sister Frances was given an OBE and in 2007 she was named Woman of the Year for her work.
Comments are closed on this article. | <urn:uuid:31b8cec6-4204-43a8-a689-cb65003d3691> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10086139.Sister___s_decades_of_dedication_honoured/?ref=rss | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.980822 | 688 | 1.625 | 2 |
I wanted to make something that I could use in my garden at home. I started with a piece of old truck spring steel. Foundry work has not changed much since antiquity; basically you heat the metal until it is red-hot then pound on it with a hammer to shape it.
The ancients used a coal fire and bellows to keep the fire hot. I used an acetylene torch to heat the steel, and then I hammered it into shape on an anvil. I also used a chisel and the torch to cut the steel. I used a metal grinder and brush to finish the steel. I made the wooden handle from a hickory log. I turned a quarter length of the log on the lathe and used a chisel blade to cut it into a small enough diameter to become a handle. I sanded the wood to smooth it out. I narrowed the wooden handle to a point at one end and fit it into the sleeve in the steel. I then made a hole in the top of the steel on the drill press. I used a steel pin to hold the hoe securely into the handle.
Daumas, Maurice ed. A History of Technology and Invention Volume l: The Origins of Technological Civilization. New York: Crown Publishers, Inc. 1969.
Petrie, Flinders Sir W. M. Tools And Weapons. England: Aris & Phillips LTD, 1974.
White, K. D. Agricultural Implements of the Roman World. Cambridge: University Press, 1967. | <urn:uuid:3cec278e-7d9c-4418-857e-23d4e9f3cd37> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.smith.edu/hsc/museum/ancient_inventions/hoe3.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00027-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.915557 | 312 | 2.375 | 2 |
|This article contains Chinese text. |
Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Chinese characters. Mojibake is the happenstance of incorrect unreadable characters (garbage characters shown when Computer software fails to render a text correctly according to its associated A Chinese character, also known as a Han character ( is a Logogram used in writing Chinese (hanzi Japanese (
Rafetus swinhoei, commonly known as the Shanghai soft-shell turtle, Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle (Chinese: 斑鱉; Pinyin:Bān Bīe), or Swinhoe's soft-shell turtle, is a species of soft-shell turtle. Year 1873 ( MDCCCLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Pinyin, more formally Hanyu pinyin, is the most common Standard Mandarin Romanization system in use Robert Swinhoe ( September 1, 1836 - October 28, 1877) was an English naturalist. In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. Turtles are Reptiles of the Order Testudines (all living turtles belong to the Crown group Chelonia) most of It may be the largest fresh water turtle in the world. Freshwater is a word that refers to bodies of water such as Ponds lakes rivers and streams containing low concentrations of dissolved Salts and other Total dissolved It is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List 2006, and is one of the rarest turtles in the world. Organisms with a conservation status of critically endangered have an extremely high risk of becoming extinct The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List) created in 1963 is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global There are only two known to survive in China: an 80-year-old female in Changsha Zoo and a 100-year-old male in Suzhou Zoo. Changsha ( is the Capital city of Hunan, a province of south-central China, located on the lower reaches of Xiang river a branch of the Suzhou ( ancient name 吳) is a City on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Lake Taihu in the province of Jiangsu In Vietnam, a single large individual lives in Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of Hanoi. Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially Hoan Kiem Lake ( Vietnamese: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword", also Hanoi ( Vietnamese: Hà Nội Hán Tự: 河[[wikt 内|内]], estimated population 3398889 (2007, is the Capital of Vietnam In 2007, scientists conducting surveys west of Hanoi discovered the world's only living example of Rafetus swinhoei in the wild.
Rafetus swinhoei have been known to inhabit the Yangtze River and Lake Taihu, situated on the border of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, in eastern China; Gejiu in Yunnan province in southern China; and the Red River in the north of Vietnam. Lake Tai ( literally "Grand Lake") is a large Lake in the Yangtze Delta plain on the border of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang ( Postal map spelling: Kiangsu) is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country Zhejiang ( is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. "Kokiu" redirects here For the Japanese instrument see Kokyu. There are also other rivers named Red River. The Red River, also known as the Hong - Red Song Cai, Song Ca In recent years a single specimen of Rafetus swinhoei was caught by fishermen in Hoa Binh Province on the Song Da tributary of the Red River. In Biology, a specimen is an individual Animal, part of an animal Plant, part of a plant or Microorganism used as a representative to Hòa Bình is a mountainous province of Vietnam, located in the nation's northwestern region There are also other rivers named Red River. The Red River, also known as the Hong - Red Song Cai, Song Ca The last known specimen caught in the wild in China was in 1972 at Gejiu; that turtle was then transferred to the Shanghai Zoo. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Shanghai ( 上[[wikt 海|海]] is the largest city in China in terms of population and one of the largest urban areas in the world with over 20 million A turtle in Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of Hanoi, Vietnam, has been sighted and caught on film in recent years. Hoan Kiem Lake ( Vietnamese: Hồ Hoàn Kiếm, meaning "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword", also Hanoi ( Vietnamese: Hà Nội Hán Tự: 河[[wikt 内|内]], estimated population 3398889 (2007, is the Capital of Vietnam Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially
Some local scientists claim that the specimen in Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam, is a separate species named Rafetus leloii, or Hoan Kiem Turtle. The Hoan Kiem Turtle ( Rafetus leloii) is a species of Turtle from Southeast Asia.
There are only two known living specimens; one each at China's Suzhou and Changsha Zoos. Suzhou ( ancient name 吳) is a City on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Lake Taihu in the province of Jiangsu Changsha ( is the Capital city of Hunan, a province of south-central China, located on the lower reaches of Xiang river a branch of the A third living specimen is at Hoan Kiem Lake; a specimen at the Beijing Zoo died in 2005. The Beijing Zoo ( lies west of Xizhimen and is in the western part of Beijing, China. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. One of these turtles was recently discovered in a north Vietnam lake, according to scientists. This specimen is said to still be in the lake.
Rafetus swinhoei are noted for their deep head with pig-like snout and eyes dorsally placed. In Anatomy, the dorsum is the upper side of animals that typically run fly or swim in a horizontal position and the back side of animals (like humans that walk upright They measure over 100 cm in length and 70 cm in width and weigh approximately of 120-140 kg. Their carapace, or shell can grow larger than 50 cm in length and width. A carapace is a dorsal section of an Exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups Their heads can measure over 20 cm in length and 10 cm in width. Males are generally smaller than females and have longer, larger tails.
Individuals lay from 60 to more than 100 eggs. They nest at night and during the morning.
Includes fish, crabs, snails, water hyacinth, frogs, and leaves. Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two Crabs are decapod Crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" (βραχύ / brachy The word snail is a Common name that can be used for almost all members of the Molluscan class Gastropoda which have coiled shells in the The seven species of water hyacinths comprise the genus Eichhornia. This article is about the block cipher algorithm For the ultrafast laser pulse measurement technique see Frequency-resolved optical gating. In Botany, a leaf is an above-ground Plant organ specialized for Photosynthesis.
Rafetus swinhoei is on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, hunting for subsistence and local consumption, and the use of the carapace and bones in medicine. Skulls are often kept as trophies.
Conservation efforts are concentrated on breeding captive turtles in China and searching for live specimens in the wild. Recently an agreement was made to transfer the female specimen located at the Changsha Zoo to the Suzhou Zoo to breed with the male specimen there. Also efforts are being made to improve conditions for breeding at both the Suzhou Zoo and Western Temple in Suzhou.
The specimen located in Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi is thought to be the legendary Kim Qui, or Golden Turtle God, who has appeared at opportune moments throughout Vietnamese history. Rafetus swinhoei, commonly known as the Shanghai soft-shell turtle, Yangtze giant soft-shell turtle ( Chinese: 斑鱉 Pinyin:Bān The golden turtle first appeared during the reign of King An Duong Vuong (257-207 BC) and assisted the king in the construction of defenses for the ancient capital of Co Loa. An Dương Vương ( Hán Việt: 安[[wikt 陽|陽]] 王; literally "Peaceful Sun King" is the ruling title of Thục Phán ( 蜀[[wikt Events By place Roman Republic The Romans attack Sardinia and try to capture it from the Carthaginians. Events By place Roman Republic The Roman general Gaius Claudius Nero fights an indecisive battle with the Carthaginian Cổ Loa Citadel ( is a Citadel built near Phong Khe, about 20km to the west of today’s Hanoi, during the end of the Hồng Bàng Dynasty When Co Loa was attacked Kim Qui assisted the king in making a magical cross-bow that rained arrows upon the invaders. When the King’s daughter conspired against her father Kim Qui emerged again to inform An Duong Vuong of the betrayal; the king consequentially killed his daughter and drowned himself in the lake.
In the 15th century, a general named Lê Lợi obtained a magical sword that a fisherman had pulled out of the lake. Lê Lợi ( Hán tự: 黎[[wikt 利|利]] 1384 or 1385? &ndash 1433 posthumously known with the Temple name Lê Thái Tổ ( 黎[[wikt Lê Lợi used this sword to lead a rebellion against the Chinese armies that were in occupation of Vietnam. After establishing Vietnam's independence the now King Lê Lợi returned to the lake and Kim Qui caught the sword in his teeth and submerged. Lê Lợi then named the lake 'Lake of Restored Sword', or Hoan Kiem.
In 1999, 2000, and 2005 turtles have reemerged from Hoan Kiem Lake on special occasions, when it was seen by a large audience and caught on film. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It is believed that there is only a single turtle left in the lake. | <urn:uuid:6da18289-2565-41dc-9cf4-90425ca59d77> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://citizendia.org/Rafetus_swinhoei | 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 | 0.93775 | 2,558 | 2.6875 | 3 |
- Franco by Juan Pablo Fusi, translated by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto
Unwin Hyman, 202 pp, £12.95, October 1987, ISBN 0 04 923083 2
Francisco Franco’s uprising in 1936 provoked powerful emotional reactions in Europe and aggravated the continent’s political divisions. Nearly three years later he completed his conquest of Spain on the eve of a war which engulfed the whole of Europe and led to the destruction of his principal international allies. The circumstances of his rebellion, coupled with European events over the following decade, have since made it difficult for writers to look objectively at Franco’s rule. Dogmatic opinions, raucously expressed, were long used as a substitute for rational judgment: perceived as either a brutal fascist or a crusader on a white horse, Franco himself was almost wholly concealed by swags of propaganda. The ‘biographies’ which appeared in his lifetime could generally be divided into three categories: the hagiographic, the vitriolic and the subtly partisan. None of them made much effort to penetrate the man’s personality and almost all were written from a clear political position. Writers in the first category, for example, were fond of spraying their eulogies with ridiculous claims: Franco’s Spain, declared one of them in the Fifties, was ‘an oasis of order, peace, prosperity and tranquillity in a world of fear’.
Juan Pablo Fusi’s Franco fortunately falls into none of the earlier categories. It is in fact neither a biography (as the publishers claim on the cover), nor even a biographical essay (as the author claims in the introduction), but a short, balanced and intelligent account of Franco’s long reign. The author seems to have encountered the traditional difficulty of finding anything original to say about the dictator’s domestic life and relies heavily on the published memoirs of Franco’s doctors, his cousin and his ministers. Presumably he also encountered an even more serious deterrent to potential biographers – the fact that Franco was an extremely boring man: no ideas, no flamboyance, no charm, no love affairs, no brilliant speeches, no idiocies, no imagination, no disasters, no frivolity, not even a few comic misunderstandings. Fusi suggests that he had a certain charm and ‘some sense of humour’ but he gives little evidence for this; if Franco did say anything amusing, it seems to have been unintentional. He was dull, determined, competent, complacent and meticulous, and he displayed these qualities as a soldier, a politician, a sportsman and a Sunday painter. Everything was done with solemn efficiency and without flair, carefully planned and unimaginatively executed. The same meticulousness would go into planning a campaign, painting a hare or counting his dead partridges. He treated gamebirds like a cricketer treats his batting average, even boasting to an American journalist that he had shot 8420 partridges in a single year. It is difficult to like someone who could be so impassive and cold-hearted about such things, and difficult also not to be repelled by his treatment of other people. He was capable of astonishingly ungenerous behaviour, rarely praising subordinates or showing gratitude for decades of loyal service. He was even capable of chatting pleasantly to one of his ministers before sending him home to learn of his dismissal in the newspapers. | <urn:uuid:0ff51270-141f-4ab3-bba1-a601d8f001b1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.lrb.co.uk/v10/n03/david-gilmour/fusis-franco | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975098 | 707 | 2.03125 | 2 |
A group of blindfolded Lebanese sat down to enjoy a dinner in a restaurant last week in an effort to raise awareness and understanding on the life and needs of blind people.
The “blind dinner” allows people a chance to dine like the blind in a bid to help them build better a understanding of what life is like for the visually impaired. This event is organized by a group of Lebanese medical students who have formed the Lebanese Medical Students International committee.
Flyers of the event read “Dare to see how they don’t see? Experience a blind date with a visually disabled person”.
Participants are welcomed at the entrance of the restaurant and blindfolded with black scarves before being guided to their seats.
“We loved hosting this dinner in collaboration with the NGO Youth Association for the Blind. The objective of this dinner is first to know how blind people live their lives on a normal day to day basis as well as giving people an opportunity to know them better. Secondly, we get to spend a couple of hours with them and experience what it would be like to be blind,” said Ghady Abu Daher, one of the organizers.
Daher said that the restaurant printed its menu in Braille for this event in the hope that other restaurants in Lebanon would follow suit and create menus for the blind.
“It’s good to know that people can feel what we feel when they experience this dinner. They should know we can go out and lead normal lives,” says Khouloud, a blind young woman sitting down to a dinner of chicken wings and hamburgers.
Participants both blind and blindfolded appreciated the initiative of the dinner.
“I always like to participate in events that bring people closer, so that we can understand each other more because everyone has his own personality and way of seeing things in life. Every person has a different look on life according to his conditions and circumstances. We are here to live together, not for everyone to live alone,” said a blindfolded Joseph Jaber.
The Lebanese Medical Students International Committee said they aim to organize similar event in the future. | <urn:uuid:7282ecab-cfed-443b-a3e4-29d2fbc01ea7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/28/203798.html | 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 | 0.962371 | 447 | 1.835938 | 2 |
"Renaissance Thinking About the Issues of Our Day"
Thirty years after her death, Ayn Rand's philosophy of selfishness and billionaire empowerment rules the world. And today, the United States and other independent governments around the world are crumbling while Ayn Rand's billionaires are taking over. Sadly, the understanding of how democratic republics work - and why - has been lost this generation. And Ayn Rand's disciples are making sure the next generation never finds it again. Idaho State Senator John Goedde, who chairs that state Senate's Education Committee, introduced a bill this week that would require all students to read Ayn Rand's book "Atlas Shrugged" before they can graduate. Goedde explained that the book made his son a Republican and that it "certainly gives one a sense of personal responsibility." Between stupidity like this, and the re-birth of Ayn Rand through corporate-funded think tanks and Hollywood movies, the Billionaire Class wants to make sure the next generation buys into a toxic ideology that's quite literally destroying the world as we know it. | <urn:uuid:a76586b4-905f-4646-8eae-3e265ef7240c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thomhartmann.com/bigpicture/ayn-rand-classes-forced-children-0 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00060-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956519 | 219 | 1.773438 | 2 |
Laws, Regulations & Annotations
Business Taxes Law Guide – Revision 2013
Sales And Use Tax Regulations
Article 1. Service Enterprises
Regulation 1502.1. Word Processing.
Reference: Sections 6006, 6010, 6011, 6012, 6015, and 6016, Revenue and Taxation Code.
Tax does not apply to charges for furnishing original letters or documents, or carbon copies produced simultaneously with the original, prepared by using a typewriter or word processing equipment. Where the word processing company provides only an original letter or document, or carbon copies produced simultaneously with the original, the true object of the contract is the performance of a service and not the furnishing of tangible personal property. The word processing company is the consumer of tangible personal property used in providing the service.
Tax applies to charges for producing multiple copies of letters, manuscripts, or other documents using word processing equipment. Multiple copies include form letters produced with a slight variation which personalizes essentially the same letter. Tax applies to the entire charge without deduction for charges for setting up the machine, keyboarding, or assembling the material. Charges for providing additional copies are subject to tax regardless of whether the original was prepared using a typewriter or word processing equipment and regardless of whether the copies are produced by computers, word processors, copying machines, or other methods.
Tax does not apply to charges made by a word processing company for keyboarding original names and addresses, setting up and sorting, and for printing the names and addresses onto mailing labels. (See Regulation 1504 for an explanation of how tax applies to mailing services).
Tax does not apply to charges made when a word processor is used to produce copy which is acquired and used exclusively for reproduction purposes since Revenue and Taxation Code section 6010.3 excludes typography from the definition of sale or purchase.
(b) EXAMPLES OF THE APPLICATION OF TAX UNDER SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
(1) PREPARATION OF STANDARD LETTERS AND ENVELOPES FOR MAILING. A word processing operator keyboards and records an address list and standard letter on magnetic media. The letter is then automatically typed to each person on the address list. The prerecorded address list is then used to address envelopes inserted into the machine. The charges made for setting up the machine, keyboarding the material and typing out the letters are taxable. The charges made for addressing the envelopes are nontaxable if separately stated (See Regulation 1504).
(2) MANUSCRIPTS. An author brings a manuscript to a word processing company. The operator keyboards the material and records it on magnetic media. A draft copy of each page of the recorded material is printed out (typed automatically) and given to the author to proof-read. The author makes corrections and changes on the draft and returns it to the operator. The operator makes the necessary changes using a word processor. A final copy is then printed out for the author to submit to a publisher. The charges made for the original keyboarding of the manuscript, printing out the draft copy, editing, and printing out a final copy are nontaxable. Tax does not apply to charges for carbon copies prepared at the same time as the original copy; however charges for photocopies are taxable.
(3) ASSEMBLING FINAL PRODUCT FROM A PARAGRAPH LIBRARY.An attorney brings several paragraphs to a word processing company which uses word processing equipment to keyboard and record the paragraphs on magnetic media to form a "paragraph library." The attorney then notifies the company to select certain stock paragraphs, for example paragraphs 1, 8, 11, 29, 16, 12, 87, 100, 56, and 57 in that order, to create a will for his client. The attorney provides variable information to be inserted into proper position in the paragraphs, such as: make of the will, maker's spouse, maker's children and their date of birth, city and county of residence. The operator instructs the machine (with keyboard commands) to assemble those specified paragraphs with the necessary variable client information and to print out (automatically type) a will. All of the charges made for keyboarding original paragraphs, printing out a draft of all paragraphs for the attorney's use, assembling the paragraphs as requested, and printing out individual wills (and any carbon copies of the original) are nontaxable. Charges for photocopies are taxable.
(4) ADDRESSING MAILING LABELS. A client has a list of 2,000 names that he is going to use monthly for a mailing. Every month the list has to be sorted into zip code sequence, typed on labels to be applied to envelopes which are then mailed. The word processing company keyboards the names and addresses and records them on magnetic media. The machine is instructed (using keyboard commands) to sort the names into correct zip code sequence before the list is finally stored on the magnetic media. Each month the equipment is set up and, with an operator in attendance (giving keyboard commands), the names are printed (automatically typed) onto continuous form labels. The charges made by the word processing company for keyboarding original names and addresses, for setting up and sorting, and for the monthly setting up and printing of names onto labels are all nontaxable charges for addressing.
History: Adopted August 1, 1984, effective June 8, 1985. | <urn:uuid:1cbde028-d8d0-43b7-8445-a2bc402a244d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.boe.ca.gov/lawguides/business/current/btlg/vol1/sutr/1502-1.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00067-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.904069 | 1,106 | 1.835938 | 2 |
|1.||Hispanic Scene Kids|
The kids with their olive skin and dark eyes and hair, that usually wear Hot Topic hair extensions that are too bright for them and look like they were a prize from Haunted Trails. These kids usually dress in all black, even though scene kids are supposed to dress brightly. They quite often hate on white scene kids for their bright colored eyes and workable hair, and light skin tone; and will even rage out saying that hispanics created "scene". They are deemed as posers 90% of the time, listening to more Enrique Iglesias than any actual "scene" band out there.
In simpler words, hispanics end up looking emo and not scene, and are secretly jealous that they don't fit into the elite scene group that is OBVIOUSLY a majority of whites.
"Omg there are so many scene kids in chicago and most of them are hispanic!"
"haha si. We like, started the whole trend in the city! Hispanics are the REAL scene kids! White people usually look like posers."
-white scene girl walks up with pale complexion and bright eyes and hair-
"WTF did you say? Do you see ANY scene king or queen that looks like any of you "hispanic scene kids"? No."
-hispanics cry and leave to bash some more on facebook- | <urn:uuid:6873240b-9bcb-4c72-b0fb-f6291d0dd83d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Hispanic%20Scene%20Kids&defid=6338924 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00069-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966022 | 286 | 1.773438 | 2 |
Marketers and SEO gurus alike strive to design dynamic websites, while keeping their SEO strategy in check and attractive for Google and other search engines. One of our key problems in this process is incorporating ‘fancy fonts’ while avoiding SEO value for ‘hiding text.’**
To avoid this problem, there are a set of new SVG/Flash techniques that render fonts as images. There are currently several systems available for this, but the two major ones are sIFR and CuFon. Both translate the ‘real text’ into Flash or SVG commands, [SVG is a graphic format based on text commands- it’s very fast], which is then executed by the browsers.
** What is hidden text?
[This question may seem obvious for experienced SEO programmers, but let’s take a moment to cover the basics.]
Hidden text is textual content that is readable by search engines, but is invisible to your visitors. It’s commonly been used for ‘Black Hat’ SEO practices, in which developers jam their websites full of keywords that improve a site’s page rank. Google and its compatriots have caught on to this scheme and have developed scam parameters that denote the site as a sham. As Google warns, “Hiding text or links in your content can cause your site to be perceived as untrustworthy since it presents information to search engines differently than to visitors.”
sIFR (Scalable Inman Flash Replacement)
Here’s a diagram that breaks this process down:
- Faster loading times than sIRF
- No plug-ins required
- It works on all major browsers
- Easy to use
- Been noted to claim copyright rules- because fonts are being embedded
- Not every font can be rendered with this method
- Text cannot be selected
- Patrick Devito [Uses CuFon for headings]
- Atoxi [Uses CuFon for body]
- Design Experience Project [Uses CuFon for headings and navigation]
I personally like CuFon because it works without Flash and I have been using It on my websites without any impact. While neither of these methods is completely perfect, they do help developers, designers and those of us concerned with Page Rank find a better balance between engaging design and searchable content.
To learn more about these systems and to start implementing them into your website design, check out the following links: | <urn:uuid:94059b4c-bd3a-41e2-a6f2-bfa1f4353f95> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thesearchagents.com/2010/05/the-future-of-seo-inline-svg-fonts/comment-page-1/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00071-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.909065 | 513 | 2.03125 | 2 |
Guest of Honour: Lord of the
Rings conceptual illustrator, John
In April 2005, we were honoured to have Lord of the Rings
John Howe come for a visit.
His personality was as delightful as his works.
For more, please visit our
Weapons of the Nazgūl
These Kingly blades were not maintained over the
centuries, and though they appear rusty and pitted,
their fine craftsmanship meant that they were still
formidable weapons, even in their dilapidated state.
The fact that these swords were wielded by creatures
born of the dark lord may have imbued them with a
destructive power seen nowhere else. (Two
United Cutlery broadswords, and the 'to-scale' Kropserkel
Morgul-knife). Accreditation to the Weapons
and Warfare book by Chris Smith.
Morgul-knife or Morgul Blade
Flesh biting blade:
A hand forged, annealed and tempered 5160 spring
steel representation of the
fearful blade that inflicts a mortal wound, without
the chance of survival.
Aside from what remains of it on Weathertop, this
blade can't be found anywhere else.
Witch King arm armor /
armour (arm harness assembly) ROTK
WitchKing arm armour assembly (pauldrons with
a haute-piece to protect the neck from a side-ways
attack, rerebrace, spiked spur like couter, and
vambrace that features curved ridges that twist
and flow into the ridges on the gauntlets). This
assembly has a dragon's wing theme and covers the
cuff section of the WitchKing gauntlets that are
worn beneath. This fully articulated armour set
is incredibly intricate, and is as menacing as it
is beautiful ("beautifully elegant and intimidating"
as described in the Weapons and Warfare book.)
COSTUME exploits (left) The Kropserkel
Nazgûl costume on guard at
The Royal Ontario Museum's Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers exhibit
On set for a commercial for The
Gathering of the Fellowship. "You wouldn't have
change for a Shire penny would you? My steed isn't
fond of concrete and my Fell Beast is in the shop."
middle) The Nazgûl
costume prior to it's first horseback appearance in
the LOTR themed Medieval Times show in December 2003.
right) Forced perspective: Be thankful that
you don't wake up to a view like this.
earliest incarnation of the costume in 2001 is pictured below in a photo test at a local park. In addition to park enjoying pedestrians and cyclists, we actually noticed animals and insects
fleeing our photo session zone. We are considering
marketing a bug repellant based on this system later
this year. If any of the images look familiar to
you, it's because they've graced a great many product
promotional materials as
'authentic' pictures of the original costumes used
in production, not so, but we thank those for the
guised compliment in the mistake.
WK Battle Arms with Gauntlets
The WK battle arms (Pauldrons, rerebraces, couters, vambraces, and harness system) are shown here with the WK gauntlet set. WIthout the cloaks to conceal the details, you get an idea of what this armour set looks like on it's own.
The leg armour attaches to a wide belt with garters for the cuisses. This holds the assembly up.
leg harnesses: "The
Levis of Mordor"
King and Nazgûl versions
what a symphony of metal would sound like. Hearing
the approach of this full leg armour is as intimidating
to hear as it is to see.
the gothic style of the gauntlets, this armour is
formed in 16 gauge steel and is an intricate assembly of perfectly fitting laminations and components;
feet (sabatons), shins (greaves), knees and upper
thighs (cuisses). Shown above is the Witch
King version of the legs. There are
notable differences between the Witch King and Nazgūl
versions of the leg armour; The Witch King's armour has a different knee
fan or wing that splays on the outside of each leg,
and a pointed and smooth sabaton (foot).
These details are depicted in the images below.
A comparative image with the Nazgūl
(left) and the Witch King version leg armour
are all the fashionable wraiths wearing
for footwear? How about some sporty looking,
segmented and articulated metal sabatons,
something you won't likely see in the Nike lineup
this year. These are the standard
Nazgūl version of the sabatons, with a carrion or reptilian like representation. Notice how the gothic
theme is translated to the adjoining greave (ankle
and shin armour). We haven't been asked if
we want our shoes shined lately, at least not by
someone who had a recent tetanus shot.
client requested a custom designed pair of wraith
sabatons that feature talon like toes and a twin
pronged spur. For more custom armour in this
style, please check out our
conceptual Nazgūl armour page here.
The Nazgūl version of the leg armour features a
larger, splayed like platform from the knee cop (below).
The Witch King version of the leg armour features
an ornate fan like platform from the knee cop (left).
Cuisse and poleyn assembly permit a very decent
range of motion (right).
gave me some difficulty at this event and it didn't
take much persuading to show him who was truly in charge.
upper leg armour showing all the points of articulation
with a multitude of lames both above and below the
ORIGINAL TALENTS: Director Peter Jackson's vision
realized by the talents of Richard Taylor / Tania
Rodger of New Zealand's WETA workshop crew, and costume
designer Ngila Dickson have collaborated in what has
developed into an incredibly memorable group of villains
for what is already an epic picture of grandiose proportions.
We are so thankful that these people put all the effort
they did into this incredible film. I knew at first
sight that we'd have to pay tribute to these geniuses
and commenced right away at fabricating as accurate
a hero wraith costume we could muster for the collection.
Despite what one would think about a costume based
on dark flowing robes, this bit of wardrobe is much
more than meets the eye in so many ways. Dickson was
given the task of creating something evil literally
of nothing and she's right to be proud of the end
result. The intricate culmination of Dickson's multi-layered
flowing wardrobe and WETA's armourers' realization
of conceptual artist John
Howe's design makes for an incredibly creepy and
REPLICA CONSTRUCTION: After an astonishing amount
of study on every aspect of this costume from photographic
references and visits to the touring exhibits, we
managed to come up with an outfit we're finally quite
pleased with. I hazard a guess at around 500 hours
and counting were invested in this project. Here are
some of the specifications of our version of the costume:
Approximately 30 meters of material were assembled
to pull this off. I'm 6'9" in this outfit as
the hood is completely empty and I am covered by a
one way black textile. Anyone looking into the hood
will be horrified to see that there is nothing in
there but pure, empty evil. The material is artificially
distressed and frayed to look aged and well used.
Naturally, the more it gets used, the better it looks.
Initially, I went through the process of trying to
emulate the horrific screeching sounds by way of hawk
& loon calls from the naturalist society. Later
I was introduced to an animal from New Zealand that
I was convinced the Riders sounds were based on, an
bugle (click to hear the sound courtesy of Clive
& Trich Seddon at Wildlife Sculptures) . I couldn't
help but feel that it would be terrible to be camping
in New Zealand and to hear these sounds in the wild.
After reviewing the behind the scenes content on the
extended DVDs, I was thrilled to hear that the mystery
of the wraith screeches was revealed. Talented Producer/Screenwriter
Fran Walsh provided the raw screeches while she had
a horse throat with Peter's direction. The sound engineers
manipulated her screams with synthesized effects and
she is now immortalized in our nightmares for all
time. In my opinion they couldn't have given a more
horrific sound to these characters. I have since implemented
an electronic sound sampling device that delivers
sound from a shoulder mounted amplifier and speaker
system when triggered by a switch.
Our Wraith was also a character in this Space Channel parody about out of work science fiction/fantasy characters in 2006
battlefield Witch King costume replica (ROTK)
Our all metal armoured Witch-king costume on a recent visit to Mordor.
sharp and spiky look is 'in' this year. Our merciless
Witch-king is sporting the latest in menacing protective
armour. Warning: Not suitable for fighting with women,
results may vary. Shown here in hand forged and hammered
steel, this armour set is as elegantly wicked as they come.
The WK set has a weathered finish, with accentuated
gothic lines and webbed wing motifs that make up it's
multi-layered plate protection.
The crown of the Twilight WitchKing (FOTR)
The crowning component to the Twilight WitchKing outfit is this elegantly twisted crown of a mislead monarch, neither living, nor dead. Seventy-seven hand forged laminations, spires, and spikes adorn this die stamped ring (click on small image below for a closer look). Having seen the original crown on display, we're quite confident in saying that we are likely the first to make an all metal incarnation of this regal prop.
2007 brought an opportunity to fabricate a second Twilight WK crown, and with the aid of dies (positive and negative), the most intricate details were stamped into the steel plates, and some of the lesser known features from the original sculpt were implemented in this ultimate metal incarnation of the piece.
Our journey of making metal RingWraith ARMOR / ARMOUR
Witch-King gauntlets version 3.0 (2003)
The fully articulated metal WitchKing gauntlets
(shown here with a light weathering finish).
Custom fitted armoured plates moving over each other
with precisely slotted pins to control the range
of articulation. It's like having bones on the outside.
by a professional blacksmith with 18 years of armouring
experience, our replica gauntlets have been utilized
by many as source material for their own imitations.
First piece: Early Nazgûl
put; by design, 'kinetic art', and likely the most engaging prop reproduction we've tackled. These fierce gauntlets
with industrial and later German Gothic influence juxtapose elegance and wickedness. A stroke of brilliance on the part of WETA and designers
was to utilize armour that had a basis in historical
design, thereby keeping one foot in reality.
These ferocious armoured gloves were made to get
the job done around Mordor, and NO, that doesn't
mean scooping up Orc dung either.
As better reference came available,
we were able to subtly refine the details that now appear in our latest incarnations of these pieces.
The main differences included a more angled gadling
(knuckle plate) and accents on the finger lames
(plates). Also missing in this
early incarnation is the raised wrist
have fully articulated fingers and wrist plates,
42 in all, with contrasting brass hinged cuffs and
Treated and weathered to reflect centuries of searching
and plundering, this Middle Earth haute-couture
ensemble is steeped in evil deeds.
Witch King Version 1.0 of the gauntlets (2001)
Prior to viewing the original screen used gauntlets in person, we believed that all the gauntlet sets used by the Nazgûl had similar vambraces above the wrist. Here was our first impression of the WitchKing gauntlet which shows a hybrid of the Gothic chevron Nazgûl vambrace and the WitchKing spiked knuckle gadling.
While the multi-lamed blade like fingers act like a rake of spikes when in a fist, the gadling acts like 4 concentrated impact points like a full fisted brass knuckle. The gadling on a back swing would yield unthinkable results in combat.
King Version 2.0 of the gauntlets (2002)
WitchKing, leader of the nine, wore a variant of
the armour that defined his stature. This version
of the gauntlets have sweeping hooked gadlings and
have 4 metacarpal plates before the wrist (instead
of 5). At this point, we were able to identify that the vambraces were 3 articulated plates with a
splayed ridge motif, unlike the chevroned vambrace of another. The WK plates feature more dramatic webbing than the other Nazgûl versions.
Wraith Sword / Scabbard / Frog / Harness
The ornate heavy leather scabbard and harness system conceals the 39.75" blade of the 54 5/8" Witch King sword by United Cutlery. The United Cutlery team has put together some great looking swords and pieces from these films. There are cheap imitations of these swords out there, but they truly can't hold a candle to the official product.
The Kropserkel scabbard/harness features forged iron rings for tying off the belts and forged metal chapes (tips). The leather is dyed and finished with carvings of Noldor font scripture and symbolism, every one unique. Shown above right is the United Cutlery Sword of the RingWraith that we weathered to look more like the dirtier wraith's weapon. The finish on the production piece is nice, and already artificially weathered looking, but we wanted a more rusty blade, true to the film, and even creepier. I could appreciate that if United Cutlery sold them this way, corroded and dingy, most would probably have been returned by consumers. Styled RingWraith and WitchKing versions of the sword demand unique scabbards also. We've put together correctly dyed leather versions with styled metal chapes (tips) and hand forged iron rings for harnessing the belt. The lengths and points of attachment have enabled a well balanced sheath for wearing these huge swords.
Mark fails to conceal himself effectively.
Note to self: Gore-Tex smells like Hobbit.
'Kropserkel Edition' RingWraith figure
co-worker and dear friend presented me with this
gift one day while visiting. It's the Kropserkel
Edition RingWraith figure, extremely limited.
The piece features an X-Files series 'David Duchovny'
head and hand (someone Scott is always described
as resembling). Needless to say, we got a lot
of mileage out of it. | <urn:uuid:ca3b09c8-0ee2-49b1-9a04-649eba0848d3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://kropserkel.com/blackriders.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.926353 | 3,294 | 1.851563 | 2 |
Volume 7, Number 7—June 2001
International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases 2000
Emerging Infectious Diseases: A CDC Perspective
Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has set four goals for the agency to accomplish. Each is directly related to issues being discussed at the 2000 ICEID conference. The first goal is to strengthen the science base for public health action. The second goal is to collaborate with healthcare partners for disease prevention; it is essential that individuals in clinical and academic medicine work closely with colleagues in public health to address these issues. The third goal is to promote healthy living for people at every stage of life. Finally, and very importantly to participants in this conference, the fourth goal for the agency is to work with partners to improve global health.
An article in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in 1999 contains a summary of progress made in infectious disease control in the United States during the 20th century when the number of deaths resulting from infectious diseases decreased dramatically (1). However, the dramatic spike in the number of deaths from 1918 to 1919 resulting from the first of three influenza pandemics, is clearly evident (Figure 1). In addition, the number of deaths caused by infectious diseases increased between 1980 to 1995. Because of the excellent progress made against infectious diseases during much of the 20th century, many people felt that the problem of infectious diseases had been sufficiently addressed. Nearly 40 years ago, Sir MacFarlane Burnett wrote, "One can think of the middle of the twentieth century as the end of one of the most important social revolutions in history, the virtual elimination of the infectious disease as a significant factor in social life" (2). This quotation reveals the complacency that has existed since and goes a long way toward explaining why we have gotten behind both nationally and globally in terms of capacity required to deal with the problems of infectious diseases.
The current problems we face as a result were highlighted in a very important 1992 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, Emerging Infections: Microbial Threats to Health in the United States (3). This seminal work represents the effort of an expert committee cochaired by Dr. Joshua Letderberg and Dr. Robert Shope. This committee defined emerging infections as "new, reemerging, or drug-resistant infections whose incidence in humans has increased within the past two decades or whose incidence threatens to increase in the near future."
The committee also identified six major factors that contribute to disease emergence and reemergence: 1) changes in human demographics and behavior, 2) advances in technology and changes in industry practices, 3) economic development and changes in land-use patterns, 4) dramatic increases in volume and speed of international travel and commerce--movement not only of people but of animals, foodstuffs, and other commodities, 5) microbial adaptation and change (a factor that makes infectious diseases unique and particularly challenging), and 6) breakdown of public health capacity required for infectious diseases at the local, state, national, and global levels. In most cases, more than one of these factors are applicable to the emergence or reemergence of an individual disease or syndrome.
The IOM report contains 15 recommendations, many of which we felt were directed specifically to CDC. We responded to that report by developing a CDC Emerging Infections Plan, issued in 1994 (4), and an updated version, published in 1998 (5), that outlines a strategy for CDC to work with many partners throughout the country and around the world to address these issues. The plan contains four goals. The first emphasizes the need to strengthen infectious disease surveillance and response; this approach is necessary to ensure timely detection and control of diseases and their agents. Second, many research issues raised by these challenges need to be addressed. Third, the public health system is in urgent need of repair so that it can deal with these issues; the CDC strategy emphasizes the training needs associated with human resource development, an important goal of this conference. The final, ultimate goal stresses the need to strengthen prevention and control programs locally, nationally, and globally.
This conference has several dominant themes. The first is antimicrobial resistance. The IOM has maintained a strong interest in emerging infectious disease control by recently issuing a report by an ongoing forum on antimicrobial resistance (6). Foodborne disease and food safety is another prominent theme. A number of presentations include data from a national surveillance network, the National Molecular Subtyping Network for Foodborne Disease Surveillance (PulseNet, Figure 2), which represents the vision for modern infectious disease surveillance (7).
Electronic linkages of individuals at local, state, and national levels who are utilizing modern molecular epidemiologic techniques in public health laboratories are absolutely essential to ensure the rapid identification of emerging foodborne diseases. This approach needs to be expanded beyond foodborne disease and linked with healthcare facilities and clinical laboratories to integrate our infectious disease surveillance systems. PulseNet represents a partnership between CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and many individual state public health laboratories throughout the country.
This conference also emphasizes the global nature and scope of infectious diseases. Another recent IOM report acknowledges this point and concludes, "Distinctions between domestic and international health problems are losing their usefulness and often are misleading" (8). Before 1999, West Nile virus had never been found in the Western Hemisphere, though it was a well-recognized cause of disease in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Recent experience reinforces the need to address not only surveillance of and capacity to respond to vectorborne diseases, but also the importance of research on infectious diseases that exist in other parts of the world.
In the 8 years since the Institute of Medicine Emerging Infections report was published, CDC has collaborated with Dr. David Heymann and his colleagues at the World Health Organization (WHO), along with many other individuals in many countries around the world, to deal with a number of infectious disease outbreaks. Lessons from this experience consistently emphasize the importance of infectious disease surveillance, the ability to rapidly conduct an epidemiologic investigation, and the need for trained staff and modern laboratory facilities to diagnose these diseases accurately and rapidly. Many outbreaks have reminded us of the disruption of travel and commerce that can occur when local outbreaks have global implications.
The West Nile encephalitis outbreak reinforces these lessons: that all of us need to keep an open mind about possible causes of a particular infectious disease outbreak; that clinicians and public health workers need to collaborate closely; and that people involved in human medicine and human public health need to interact on a more regular basis with colleagues in veterinary medicine and veterinary public health. State public health veterinarians have an important role in this regard. The experience with West Nile encephalitis also highlights the necessity of developing public health laboratory capacity and of continuing to invest in training of young people in disciplines such as entomology and wildlife biology, and it also reveals a number of critical communication issues that such outbreaks raise.
We have been very pleased during the past few years to work with the Association of Public Health Laboratories to increase CDC's role in training public health laboratory scientists. We have done this, in part, through an Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory Fellowship Program that initially had a domestic focus, but, with the support of Eli Lilly and Company and the CDC Foundation, now includes an international track to bring scientists from other countries to work with us at CDC or with colleagues in state public health department laboratories to acquire critical public health laboratory skills.
The West Nile virus outbreak also provides a vivid illustration that we need to consider the possibility that a complex infectious disease outbreak may result from bioterrorism. Preparing for this possibility will strengthen the national and global ability to address emerging and reemerging infections. In an address at the National Academy of Sciences in 1999, President Clinton said, "These cutting edge efforts (focused on bioterrorism preparedness) will address not only the threat of weapons of mass destruction but also the equally serious danger of emerging infectious diseases" (9). The future is hard to predict, but we can be pretty certain that we are going to continue to be challenged by the problem of antimicrobial resistance. We will eventually experience another influenza pandemic, and urban yellow fever threatens to reemerge in Latin America. Recent experience suggests that we will continue to need to deal with regional, national, and global outbreaks of foodborne disease. We are going to continue to be surprised by the range of chronic diseases that have infectious causes. Finally, we know that we are going to have to be prepared to confront the unexpected.
The intelligence community has acknowledged that infectious diseases represent a threat to national security (10). Leaders of the Group of Eight Industrialized Nations have made a commitment to substantially reduce the global burden of HIV infection, tuberculosis, and malaria by 2010 (11). This conference provides a timely opportunity for CDC and its many partners to examine lessons learned and review our commitment to rebuild national and global public health systems in order to address these three diseases as well as the numerous challenges posed by other emerging infectious diseases.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Control of infectious diseases. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1999;48:621–8.
- Burnet M. Natural history of infectious disease. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1962.
- Institute of Medicine. Emerging infections: microbial threats to health in the United States. Washington: National Academy Press; 1992.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Addressing emerging infectious disease threats: a prevention strategy for the United States. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service; 1994.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing emerging infectious diseases: a strategy for the 21st century. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 1998.
- IOM (Institute of Medicine). Antimicrobial resistance: issues and options. Workshop report: forum on emerging infections. Washington: National Academy Press; 1998.
- Stephenson J. New approaches for detecting and curtailing foodborne microbial infections. JAMA. 1997;277:1337–40.
- IOM. America's vital interest in global health. Washington: National Academy Press; 1997.
- Clinton WJ. Remarks by the President on keeping America secure for the 21st century. Washington: National Academy of Sciences; January 22, 1999.
- National Intelligence Council. The global infectious disease threat and its implications for the United States. Washington, DC. National Intelligence Estimate 99-17D; January 2000.
- Watts J. Targets now set by G8 countries to reduce "diseases of poverty.". Lancet. 2000;356:408.
Suggested Citation for this article: Hughes JM. Emerging Infectious Diseases: A CDC Perspective. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2001, Jun [date cited]. http://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid0707.017702 | <urn:uuid:09d50719-0072-4975-9a9f-18d7fe6941f6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/7/7/01-7702_article.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00056-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938769 | 2,250 | 2.90625 | 3 |
I'm sorry, but when I think of a "cold front" I have something totally different in mind!
I like the warm (hot to most folks) days...but when someone refers to the temperature dropping down into the 80's...that to me is NOT a cold front!
Read this story from the Houston Chronicle and see what you think!
Cooler weekend on tap for HoustonBy DALE LEZON Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
May 7, 2010, 6:30AM
A brief cool down from recent near 90-degree heat is likely early this weekend as a mild cold front speeds through the region, sparking thunderstorms, high winds and possibly hail north of Houston.
But only a slight chance of rain is expected in the city when the front pushes through to the coast Saturday.
The storms, which may pack high winds and small hail but only light rain, are likely to hit north of Houston along a line from College Station to Conroe, especially late tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
But the front will drop temperatures slightly here as clouds build above the region and winds become northeasterly, forecasters said.
Muggy heat returns late this weekend and early next week, which will be sunny and warm.
Today will be breezy with a high temperature near 91 degrees under partly sunny skies. South/southeast winds will be between 10 mph and 15 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph.
The overnight low will be about 70 degrees. A slight chance of rain is possible.
Saturday, a short break from the heat is likely as the front arrives and winds become east/northeast at 10 mph to 15 mph.
The high temperature dips to 82 degrees under mostly cloudy skies and the overnight low will be about 65.
A slight chance of rain is possible.
Forecasters said muggy heat will begin returning Sunday as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico flows onshore and humidity levels and temperatures gradually climb during the next few days.
The high temperature will be about 85 degrees and the low will be 73. Southeast winds will be between 10 mph and 15 mph with gusts as 20 mph.
Much of next week is forecast to be mostly sunny and hot with highs near 90 degrees and lows in the mid 70s. No rain is forecast.
I think that temperatures in the 80's would be pretty warm for a lot of places in the states, but only in Texas would the weather guys call this a "cold front"...!
Let's get some fresh coffee and sit on the patio, my friends, before this cold front moves in...OK? | <urn:uuid:38c7805d-cbaf-4129-ac54-7261ebb4102e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://hermitjim.blogspot.com/2010/05/theyre-calling-it-cold-front1.html?showComment=1273319815487 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950051 | 535 | 1.554688 | 2 |
In 1813, the British army marched across the frozen St. Lawrence River to capture the young village of Ogdensburg in order to cut off an American threat on a crucial supply line.
On Sunday, 200 years later, children covered their ears as muskets and cannons boomed at Lighthouse Point as part of an annual re-enactment of the historic battle.
Nearly 200 re-enactors from Quebec, Ontario, New England and Northern New York participated in a weekend of events, an Ogdensburg winter tradition that stretches back more than 20 years.
For a long time, a lot of people didnt realize the War of 1812 happened right here, said event coordinator James E. Reagen.
This years events had a special guest: Mary Lou M. Peterson, the great-great-great-granddaughter of war hero Col. Benjamin Forsyth, who commanded the American troops during the Battle of Ogdensburg.
Ms. Peterson came from Colorado to watch the re-enactment.
I have never been to one before; this is a wonderful weekend, she said.
She said she began researching her ancestors exploits several years ago and was surprised by what she found.
Benjamin Forsyth was born in North Carolina, although he spent much of the War of 1812 in Northern New York. He was killed, and was buried in an unmarked grave near Champlain in 1814.
Ms. Peterson said she hopes to someday have Col. Forsyths remains exhumed and moved to his homeland in North Carolina, which was named Forsyth County in his honor in 1849.
Its just been the last few years that I really got into this guy, who I really admire a lot, Ms. Peterson said.
The Ogdensburg re-enactment group Forsyths Rifles also is named for the colonel.
Re-enactor Charles E. Abel, Ogdensburg, was a gunsmith before he retired, and was eager to try out his new muzzle-loading blunderbuss.
Winter is a good season for firing antique and replica weapons, Mr. Abel said, because the lack of humidity makes it easier to keep the powder dry.
Its harder on the guys, because its cold, but its better on the guns, he said.
A small crowd of spectators watched the proceedings Sunday, including three generations of one family. Dennis J. Koerick, son Donald J. and Donalds four children all watched both of the weekends battles.
Despite the family having lived in Ogdensburg for decades, this was the Koericks first time watching the annual event.
It was great; we saw it yesterday too, and we learned a lot, Donald Koerick said Sunday. Well definitely be coming back.
Do you know how old Abraham Lincoln was during this war? asked 9-year-old Donald J. Koerick Jr. He was 3.
Making history real is what the annual re-enactment is all about, Mr. Reagen said.
Its an important event that we try to bring to life for people, so its not just on the pages of the history books, he said. | <urn:uuid:8cea5caf-6596-48f4-ae8a-fd30ae3bfb59> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ogd.com/article/20130226/OGD01/702269814/1200 | 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 | 0.980837 | 659 | 2.578125 | 3 |
Apr 28 2009
On Friday evening my husband said, “My eyes are itching. Something new must have bloomed.”
I was stumped. I don’t know what he’s allergic to and I had no idea what was blooming. I don’t have pollen allergies any more (they mysteriously disappeared when I was in my 30s) so I can’t even cue on my own reactions to figure out the cause.
However, I think I figured it out Sunday morning when I went birding in Schenley Park. There I saw my “first of year” rose-breasted grosbeaks and they were munching oak flowers. Rose-breasted grosbeaks are quite fond of oaks and don’t return until the oak flowers bloom.
They aren’t the only species who do this. Many birds time their journey north to coincide with the blooming of their favorite trees. I learned this from Chuck Tague years ago and was reminded of it by his April 22nd blog on spring migration.
So now I have an answer. My husband is probably allergic to oak pollen.
(photo by Chuck Tague)
p.s. There used to be a link here to Chuck Tague’s 4/22/2009 blog but it broke when he lost the blog history on his website. | <urn:uuid:49fb91c1-195d-47a2-9cab-01950dff2f0b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2009/04/28/oak-flowers/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00025-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979592 | 289 | 1.617188 | 2 |
Read the original story here in The Oregonian.
Racism exists because we allow it to, and many people have lost faith in ending discrimination, says Portland State University professor Robert Muñoz Jr.
"If Americans approached (race relations) like we do gas prices, things would change," Muñoz says. "People get really upset when (companies) change gas prices."
Kindling that passion for change in race relations may not be easy, but PSU administrators Jilma Meneses and Erin Flynn were willing to try. They saw an opportunity to spur discussion when an exhibit, "RACE: Are We So Different?" arrived at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in late September.
Meneses and Flynn invited the community early last week for a discussion and a peek at RACE, on display through Jan. 1. About 130 people attended the talk, including Muñoz, who says people need to leave their comfort zone for change to happen.
"We need to get out of our circles," he says. "We need to get out of our routines. We need to find a place where that's possible."
Discussion about race among groups with a history as oppressors or the oppressed is courageous, says Meneses, PSU chief diversity officer.
"Any time you are talking about race," she says, "it can be very daunting for people."
The American Anthropological Association created RACE, calling it "the first nationally traveling exhibition to tell the stories of race from the biological, cultural, and historical" perspectives. Debuting in the Science Museum of Minnesota in 2007, the exhibit travels the nation teaching that race is a social construct.
The exhibit aims to convey that the concept of race is artificial, said Dante James, who was a community conversation facilitator. Race stems from superficial distinctions such as hair, skin and eye colors, but "bones are bones and muscles are muscles," said James in an interview Tuesday.
"Racial categories and boundaries are not natural but created in response to political boundaries and pressures, and race as the concept we use today was created in the wake of European colonial conquests as justification for domination -- in the U.S. specifically, as justification for African slavery and displacement of American Indians," said James, bureau director of the Portland Office of Equity and Human Rights. "The terms were legally defined, often by the Supreme Court, but not scientifically based."
RACE aims to inspire dialogue, featuring talking circles, based on a Native-American tradition in which each participant can speak until done while others listen without interrupting. Displays offer up questions such as "Does where we come from tell us who we are?"
Slaves' shackles are among the artifacts. Interactive displays show how skin and hair work and why they vary widely. Crafts include creating a bracelet with beads representing genetic traits.
"We're proud to present thought-provoking exhibits that encourage further exploration of ideas," says Amita Joshi, OMSI spokesperson. "We want our visitors to think and talk about important social issues in which science plays a role, and we want to give them the space and the tools to do that."
By fostering a community conversation, the university, city, United Way and Oregon Health & Science University helped localize RACE, says Chris Broderick, PSU associate vice president for communications.
"What it lacked was any kind of discussion of what is happening in Portland with race," Broderick says.
Leaders at the community conversation included PSU President Wim Wiewel and Portland Commissioner Amanda Fritz. Facilitators guided the conversation, breaking the crowd into groups that discussed questions and later shared their conclusions and insights with everyone else.
"What are you doing? What now is being done? What should be done to advance the ideas we're talking about?" James asked the gathering.
People need to unite and create opportunities for everyone to realize their dreams, says Dwayne Johnson, president of IDEAL Portland, a group supporting diversity in innovation and enterprise.
Yet, Johnson, who is African-American, says change doesn't always come in big doses. When he was a child, he recalls, he had a friend who shared his love of computers but whose father was a racist. His friend had to speak up for Johnson, so Johnson could spend time at his house.
"My friend's not Black," his friend said. "Dwayne knows a lot about computers."
The boy's father pondered that and said he didn't "get that" computer thing. But he allowed the boys to spend time together, Johnson says, proving some people probably won't do a complete turn-around, but their views may evolve slightly with the right influence.
"It's possible," he says.
Mindset Consulting LLC consultant K.A. Lalsingh says the discussion had good intentions but "is not enough."
Meneses says she wants people to see more needs to be done and to inspire them to do it.
Ed Washington, community liaison for the PSU Office of Global Diversity and Inclusion, says he believes that will happen.
"Any time you get people together to talk about these things," he says, "its fine because from the conversation will come action."
– Jillian Daley | <urn:uuid:a7964c0f-cdb3-48d8-be5b-4d14969b560c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.pdx.edu/philosophy/news/oregonian-portland-state-university-omsi-exhibit-and-community-confront-issues-race | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00051-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973395 | 1,085 | 3.015625 | 3 |
Boom in requests for Linux drivers
A steady stream of manufacturers are requesting Linux drivers for their hardware, suggesting growing adoption of Linux operating systems among enterprises.
According to Greg Kroah-Hartman, Novell programmer and Linux Driver Project lead, the group of some 400 programmers at the project receive requests to port existing closed-source drivers to open-source drivers for Linux "all the time", and has been "doing a lot of work on this over the past few years".
In an email exchange with ZDNet UK's sister site, ZDNet Asia, he pointed to his blog post of June this year, which said the Linux Driver Project receives, on average, two requests a month from manufacturers to have drivers written.
The initiative works with hardware makers to code Linux drivers for their products for free, on the makers' request.
Such drivers have been written "for a wide range of different hardware devices" and been included into the main kernel tree, he said.
Back in 2007, Kroah-Hartman requested help finding more hardware for which to write device drivers. Some reports online suggested this was because businesses were holding back from opening their drivers up to the community.
Today, this "problem" has been "solved quite thoroughly", he said.
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"All of the major hardware manufacturers told me that there is no problem that needs to be solved in relation to device support on Linux.
"Everything they ship worked just fine with Linux back then, and continues to do so today," he said.
Several hardware makers ZDNet Asia spoke to said they were working on maintaining Linux compatibility.
Jeff Morris, director of client product management large enterprise and public for Asia-Pacific and Japan at Dell, said in an email that the company provides full Linux support for its enterprise servers.
He gave examples of several Dell consumer-oriented desktops, as well as a corporate PC line which is offered without an installed OS so companies can install their own.
"We also worked very closely with our hardware partners and encourage them to create driver support for the Linux distributions we support," he added.
Dennis Mark, head of marketing at HP's personal systems group, also pointed to several examples of the PC-maker's products which support Linux. He said HP would continue looking into ways to provide Linux support.
Kroah-Hartman said Linux has reached mainstream status on the desktop, at least on the enterprise space. "There are very large companies that are well-known users of Linux in this manner: all of the movie companies, Ford, Peugeot, all of the Wall Street companies, almost all banks [and] the stock exchanges," he said.
In spite of this, Linux has gained a bad rap within some consumer circles for being difficult to use or, to some, a new ground that consumers are not interested in venturing into.
Both Red Hat and Novell last year pulled away from the consumer desktop space.
Red Hat last month reiterated its stance that the desktop space does not pose a viable business option.
Credit: Requests for Linux drivers flowing in from ZDNet Asia
Disclaimer: As with everything else at Cool Solutions, this content is definitely not supported by Novell (so don't even think of calling Support if you try something and it blows up).
It was contributed by a community member and is published "as is." It seems to have worked for at least one person, and might work for you. But please be sure to test, test, test before you do anything drastic with it. | <urn:uuid:fca81ae3-eb37-4065-8f53-ca3805bd5d41> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.novell.com/communities/ja/node/8835/steady-stream-manufacturers-are-requesting-linux-drivers-their-hardware | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972189 | 739 | 1.570313 | 2 |
You are here
Loyola is proactive about taking care of your health. This begins the minute you step on campus. Any patient who is scheduled to be admitted to the hospital is first screened for the superbug MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
MRSA is a strain of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staphylococcal infections. Most MRSA infections occur in hospitals and in other health-care settings, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Officials at the CDC estimate that 79,000 people get MRSA infections from health-care facilities each year. Some of the infections can be life-threatening, especially those that occur in patients with surgical incisions or weakened immune systems.
Loyola has screened patients for MRSA since 2007. This has drastically cut down on infections. The patient is screened with a simple test. A nurse uses a swab to collect dead cells in the nose. That swab is sent off for DNA analysis and test results return within two hours. Those patients who are found to be carrying MRSA are quarantined and treated.
“This is, quite simply, the right thing to do. It is an important component of our overall plan to improve patient safety in all aspects of care,” said Paul Whelton, MB, MD, MSc, president and CEO of Loyola University Health System.
Concern about MRSA has been growing nationwide, especially after a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that the infections have become more widespread. The report also stated that infections are not just confined to health-care settings. Several schools in the Chicago area have been closed temporarily when students were found to have the infection. | <urn:uuid:d439b4af-c3e1-4d2f-ae40-a7e5d2a2b438> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://loyolamedicine.org/medical-services/mrsa-clinic | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00061-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961821 | 370 | 2.921875 | 3 |
Israel, Zionism studies require detachment: historian
SDE BOKER, Israel — Israeli and Zionist history is viewed as objectively as possible at Ben-Gurion University’s (BGU) Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism.
There are no rose-coloured glasses to be seen or peered through, says Ofer Shiff, a senior lecturer at the institute.
This level of research study requires an exacting degree of scholarly detachment, said Shiff, who until last year headed BGU’s Israel studies program.
Yet there is no getting around the fact that when the vast majority of the teachers and students of Israel and Zionism are Jewish, there’s a risk that scholarly detachment can only go so far, he said.
“This is a holistic story we are trying to tell,” Shiff told a group of media representatives visiting BGU recently. “There are many converging and diverging narratives, and we must look at them all.
“We see ourselves responsible for how we tell our own story.”
That sentiment was echoed by Natan Aridan, a historian at the research institute who is managing editor of the English-language Israel Studies.
“This is our laboratory,” said Aridan. “This is where our students get to understand the discourse.”
At the very core of the research are the David Ben-Gurion Archives, housed at the institute on BGU’s Sde Boker campus. David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, lived in Sde Boker. His glasses are still perched on the desk at his humble kibbutz home, which is now a museum.
Ben-Gurion kept detailed memoirs as well as virtually all ephemera related to every aspect of the founding and creation of the Jewish state. His papers are a treasure-trove for academics, historians, archivists and scholars.
“As if he knew what we would be looking at some day,” Shiff said.
Shiff and Aridan brought along a replica of a binder of Ben-Gurion’s, which included the yellowing paper where he jotted down not only his thoughts of the day, but also, on the side of his ledger, a list of yishuvim that had been established that day.
Since 2011-12, the BGU institute’s Israel studies program has offered an English-language component that enables international students, for the first time, to earn a master’s degree in Israel studies Hebrew speakers have been able to do since 2005. The overall institute dates back to 1976.
According to the institute’s website, the program covers more than a century of Zionism, integrating historical and contemporary perspectives, and focuses on the emergence of Zionist ideology, and the building of the Yishuv and the State of Israel.
“The content of the program is based on the assumption that the field of Israel studies is inextricably connected to the fields of modern Jewish history and Middle Eastern studies,” the website states.
“The program’s approach is multi-disciplinary, with a historical emphasis.”
Both inside and outside Israel, Israel studies is thriving at several other institutions, especially in the United States, but also in Canada, at Montreal’s Concordia University and the University of Calgary. The University of Toronto has an Andrea and Charles Bronfman Chair in Israeli Studies.
But for Shiff and Aridan, nothing quite compares to studying Israel and Zionism at the place where the “old man,” Ben-Gurion, lived and died – at BGU-Sde Boker, where the Jewish state’s most precious records are kept.
“The archives touch us right here at home. Every day we touch history,” Shiff said.
David Lazarus took part in the media mission as a guest of BGU. | <urn:uuid:e56d5c97-f50d-456c-ac26-c3457f51cf45> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cjnews.com/lifestyle/travel?q=node/98532 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949382 | 828 | 1.8125 | 2 |
Album in a YearOnline Bonus
A photo a day. You’ve likely read about these kinds of challenges. You may even have participated in one. Last November, I tackled a photo-a-day project of my own, with a twist. I set out to take a photo a day during the month . . . and, given that it was November, I challenged myself to make each photo represent something I was thankful for that day. I wanted to go beyond a simple list scribbled on Thanksgiving Day.
Daily Thanks by Amanda Probst. Supplies: Cardstock: Prism Papers; Patterned paper: Making Memories and SEI; Month flashcard: 7gypsies; Velvet ribbon: Making Memories; Brads: Creative Impressions; Transparency leaves: My Mind’s Eye; Fonts: Century Gothic and Impact, Microsoft; Fling LET, www.fonts101.com.
As I was taking these photos, I found myself approaching each day with an extra bounce in my step, eagerly awaiting some blessing to be thankful for. This isn’t to say that my November was all happiness and easy living. It wasn’t. But simply by being on the lookout for something special, I was reminded of how truly blessed I am.
I found that my daily photographs represented things as essential as my family and as seemingly inconsequential as children’s cold medicine. And in the end, I was overjoyed at how simply these photos told the story of my November.
If remembering to take a photo a day is a bit too intimidating, here are some other ways to record daily gratitudes:
* Jot notes directly on your calendar.
* Ask your kids to keep a list.
* Tape a sheet of paper or a calendar page to the mirror in your bathroom to write on.
* Alter a fun little box and make yourself 30 note cards; fill one out each day and drop it in the box.
* Set your phone or computer to remind you to stop and think of something at the same time each day.
* Create a special journal to place by your bedside to reflect on gratitudes at the end of each day.
Scrapbook Layout How-To
To create this scrapbook layout, simply follow these steps:
1. Print and trim thirty 2" x 2" photos and one 4" x 4" photo. (To create the 2" x 2" photos, you can simply punch and cut standard prints, print your own photos to size, or arrange six photos on a 4" x 6" print in photo-editing software and then have them printed as “one photo.”)
2. Select and trim three different pieces of patterned paper. Cut two pieces to 2" x 2" and one to 2" x 4". (Feel free to substitute patterned paper for more photos or vice versa!)
3. Print the title block on cardstock and trim to 10" x 3". (I’ve included a dashed line larger than the intended title block to assist with trimming. Just trim to the inside of the dashed line.)
4. Trim two strips of cardstock to 12" x 0.5" to go beneath the top row of photos. Trim another strip of differently colored cardstock to 10" x 1" to go beneath the title block. (You can easily use patterned paper or ribbon or buttons for these as well.)
5. Arrange everything on the background papers, with the top edge of the photos being roughly 1.5" from the top of the pages.
6. Add ribbon and brads to the cardstock strips between the first and second rows of photos.
7. Staple transparency leaves to a 4" x 2" flashcard with “November” printed on it. Adhere it to the layout as shown, slightly below and to the left of the title block. Round the corners of the layout if desired.
For a little variation on your layout (or to create even more pages in your album!), you can try one of these alternate sketches.
You can download my title block here.
|You might also like...|
|To comment on this article you must be logged in. Not a member?| | <urn:uuid:e195f53a-82a2-4ca4-b2ad-3ebbe7178145> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/articles/Album_in_a_Year_Online_Bonus | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00056-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935273 | 887 | 1.71875 | 2 |
The Johns Hopkins Hospital has been recognized as the number one hospital in the country for 21 consecutive years. This recognition is a direct result of the excellent patient care and groundbreaking discoveries that take place every day. Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) at The Johns Hopkins Hospital play an integral part in realizing the organization’s mission to:
- Be the world’s preeminent health care institution
- Provide the highest quality care and service for all people in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human illness
- Operate cooperatively and interdependently with the faculty of The Johns Hopkins University to support education in the health professions and research development into the causes and treatment of human illness
- Be the leading health care institution in the application of discovery
- Attract and support physicians and other health care professionals of the highest character and greatest skill
- Provide facilities and amenities that promote the highest quality care, afford solace and enhance the surrounding community
Respiratory Care Services (RCS) at The Johns Hopkins Hospital is a division of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine. The RCS division is separated into three specialized areas: Adult critical care, pediatric critical care, and neonatal critical care. The division consists of approximately 120 RCPs that are supported by a technical director, 2 managers, 7 clinical coordinators, an ECMO coordinator and specialist, a quality and safety coordinator, and an equipment specialist that oversees 4 equipment technicians. RCPs provide services to 8 intensive care units, 2 emergency departments, several intermediate care areas, and a pediatric ECMO program. RCPs are also members of cardiopulmonary arrest teams, rapid response teams, trauma teams, and transport teams.
We invite you to browse our webpage and learn more about Respiratory Care Services at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. | <urn:uuid:2c98bf90-27e7-4001-aad1-d2c26e705715> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/respcare | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00052-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.931821 | 373 | 1.75 | 2 |
While open source content management system Drupal now underpins a huge number of websites around the world, it was created, according to its founder Dries Buytaert, “sort of by accident”.
The software which now powers 7.2 million websites – including sites for the White House, Whitehall, Nasa and Greenpeace, was devised in a college dorm room in Antwerp, Belgium in 2000.
”All I wanted to do back then was create a message board so I could share messages with the other people in my dorm,” said Buytaert.
Rather than use an existing message board system Buytaert decided to build one himself using the then relatively new technologies of PHP and MySQL.
”I figured that I would spend a few nights building my own so I could learn these technologies, so that’s effectively what I did, although I ended up working on this for 12 more years,” he said.
That’s because Buytaert didn’t stop at building a message board, but instead started moulding Drupal into a more sophisticated offering.
”I got hooked on the web and I started watching a lot of new trends and adding these to my message board. For example, RSS feeds were just being defined back then and I was one of the first people to implement RSS feeds. Another is I saw public diaries becoming a phenomenon, so I added a feature so that people could maintain a public diary. The phenomenon became blogging,” he told TechRepublic.
”Eventually what happened was that little message board that was an experimental platform to play with MySQL and PHP evolved into an experimental platform to explore different types of emerging web technologies.”
Upon leaving university Buytaert took the decision to make his message board publicly available via the internet, so that he and his friends could stay in touch.
After going public the board attracted an audience interested in the emerging web technologies that Buytaert was building into the site, and who would suggest additions and tweaks to the CMS.
”I said ‘Instead of me implementing all of your suggestions why don’t I make it available as open source and you can use it as your own experimental platform’. I spent 30 seconds thinking about a name and uploaded to my site expecting maybe a dozen people to download and use it.”
But the community of Drupal developers didn’t stop at a dozen, and as the user base grew so did the size of organisations relying on the software: the point Buytaert realised Drupal had transcended its hobbyist origins was when he received a call to say that Nasa had begun using the CMS platform.
”It was a wake-up call, this realisation that there was this serious organisation using Drupal. I felt it was for real now because, these organisations have an important goal and are using my software to fulfil their mission.”
The importance of open source
For Buytaert, Drupal owes much of its success to being open source, which has allowed thousands of developers to produce plug-ins that extend the abilities of the platform.
Drupal has some 15,000 plug-ins, known as modules, that extend its functionality and is sometimes described as a “no-coding” platform, a reference to the fact that the skill in using Drupal lies with knowing which module to choose to deliver a feature, rather than always programming a module yourself.
While Drupal’s community of developers help keep the platform up to date with the latest technologies – a Google Plus module was available within 12 hours of the social network being released – Buytaert says that the breadth of plug-ins can be confusing without guidance.
”It’s very difficult for customers to figure out which of these modules they should use. For instance, if you want to build an image gallery the good news is there’re 12 different image gallery modules, the bad news is how do you pick one.”
To help guide Drupal potential and existing users Buytaert set up Acquia in 2007, a US-based firm that bundles Drupal and its modules into packages that are easy for enterprise to match to their needs.
Buytaert credits Acquia, which also provides support and cloud hosting, with boosting Drupal’s use by enterprise and national government.
”We helped get the White House on Drupal and did some amazing things that helped to get the ball rolling across the world. About two per cent of all the websites in the world run Drupal today. Things have been going extremely well. Acquia has grown from just two people when we started to 180 people today.”
However the wider growth of Drupal, Buytaert said, stems from the ecosystem of companies, which employ more than 100,000 people, building and hosting Drupal sites. These companies “have invested back in Drupal because they’re invested in the technology”, he said.
In some ways Drupal is a victim of its own success, Buytaert said, with demand for Drupal experts to build and support sites using the CMS currently outstripping supply.
”The biggest challenge that we have right now is scaling. The demand for Drupal is so high that we need more Drupal experts in the world,” said Buytaert.
”That’s a challenge, but if you are a Drupal developer you are in a good spot because many of them make a lot of money because of the high demand.”
Other challenges for the Drupal community relate to continuing to update the core Drupal platform. The next release, Drupal 8, has promised to introduce native support for HTML5 and improve the CMS’s ability to output content in multiple formats such as XML and JSON.
Drupal also faces competition from proprietary CMSes, such as OpenText’s web content management software, SDL Tridion and Sitecore, as well as fellow open source CMS WordPress.
The effect of success
Buytaert’s long-term goal for Drupal is nothing less than for it to “be the dominant platform for building websites”, with a more immediate aim of driving up use in Europe with the aid of Acquia.
And Buytaert ambitions for the platform doesn’t mean that he isn’t appreciative of the success that Drupal has had so far.
”You see large organisations like Amnesty or Greenpeace and governments all around the world, from Whitehouse.gov to data.gov.uk, and they are all using Drupal. It’s very rewarding for me to help enable them to fulfill their mission.”
And although it has been a long time since Buytaert was the sole curator of Drupal in his dorm room in Antwerp, he says he still plays an active role in the community.
”In the early days I did everything myself, I wrote all of the code, I maintained the website, wrote the documentation. Today it’s literally thousands of people who are helping. I’m still the project lead and lead technical architect but I’m also the spokesperson behind Drupal, so do a lot of marketing things. There’s a lot I don’t do anymore and I do miss writing code as a software engineer, but it’s just not the best use of my time. My time is best spent enabling others to write more code,” he said.
”As long as I keep learning I think I’ll keep having fun.” | <urn:uuid:9bd64647-942f-4f27-ab00-a3e2b38d30c5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.acquia.com/nl/tags/drupal-community | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00071-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964365 | 1,560 | 2.25 | 2 |
This page-by-page annotation is organized by sections, as delineated by the seven squares (sprockets) which separate each section. The page numbers for this page-by-page annotation are for the original Viking edition (760 pages). Editions by other publishers vary in pagination the newer Penguin editions are 776 pages; the Bantam edition is 886 pages.
Contributors: Please use a 760-page edition (either the original Viking edition with the orange cover or the Penguin USA edition with the blue cover and rocket diagram there are plenty on Ebay for around $10) or search the Google edition for the correct page number. Readers: To calculate the Bantam edition use this formula: Bantam page # x 1.165. Before p.50 it's about a page earlier; as you get later in the book, add a page.
Finally, profound thanks to Prof. Don Larsson for providing the foundation for this page-by-page annotation.
Topiary trees line the drive
Topiary is the horticultural practice of training live perennial plants, by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and subshrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes, perhaps geometric or fanciful; and the term also refers to plants which have been shaped in this way. It can be an art and is a form of living sculpture. The word derives from the Latin word for an ornamental landscape gardener, topiarius, creator of topia or "places", a Greek word that Romans applied also to fictive indoor landscapes executed in fresco. No doubt the use of a Greek word betokens the art's origins in the Hellenistic world that was influenced by Persia, for neither Classical Greece nor Republican Rome developed any sophisticated tradition of artful pleasure grounds.
Cf. Mason & Dixon pg. 722
83.34-37 meddling with another man's mind...Harvard University
During WWII Dr Henry A. Murray, then assistant director of the Harvard Psychological Clinic, joined the OSS in Europe and assisted James Miller in developing psychological profiles of prospective special agents -- so called stress tests. He also analyzed Hitler for the Allies, predicting that if Germany lost the war, Hitler would commit suicide; that Hitler was impotent as far as heterosexual relations were concerned; and that Hitler had possibly participated in a homosexual relationship -- all suggestive of Blicero.
After 1947 and the Cold War it seemed every self-respecting psychologist was doing side jobs for the CIA in "persuasion technologies" including LSD, various other drugs, sleep deprivation, isolation tanks, hypnosis, etc. even, allegedly, unto the death of the "patient". Perhaps best well known was MK Ultraunder the direction of Dr. Sidney Gottlieb.
Murray himself returned to Harvard where he continued his meddling with the minds of others. One of the minds he meddled with from 1958 to 1962 belonged to Theodore Kaczynski. Alston Chase's book Harvard and the Unabomber: The Education of an American Terrorist tells of the psychological experiments which Kaczynski is reported to have undergone at Harvard, under the direction of Murray. Chase connects these experiences in a controversial thesis to Kaczynski's later career as the Unabomber. As is generally well known in Pynchon circles, TRP himself was suspected of being the Unabomber.
And then of course there was the Leary-Alpert led Harvard Psilocybin Project between 1960 and 1962 ...
Watson and Rayner... "Infant Albert"
The Little Albert experiment was a case study showing empirical evidence of classical conditioning in humans. This study was also an example of stimulus generalization. It was conducted in 1920 by John B. Watson along with his assistant Rosalie Rayner. The study was done at Johns Hopkins University. John B. Watson, after observing children in the field, was interested in finding support for his notion that the reaction of children, whenever they heard loud noises, was prompted by fear. Furthermore, he reasoned that this fear was innate or due to an unconditioned response. He felt that following the principles of classical conditioning, he could condition a child to fear another distinctive stimulus which normally would not be feared by a child.
Darmstadt is a city in the Bundesland (federal state) of Hesse in Germany, located in the southern part of the Rhine Main Area.
Kekulé's own famous switch into chemistry from architecture
Friedrich August Kekule von Stradonitz a.k.a. August Kekulé (7 September 1829–13 July 1896) was a German organic chemist. From the 1850s until his death, Kekule was one of the most prominent chemists in Europe, especially in theoretical chemistry. He was the principal founder of the theory of chemical structure.
Larson-Keeler three-variable "lie detector"
A device recording both blood pressure and galvanic skin response was invented in 1921 by Dr. John A. Larson of the University of California and first applied in law enforcement work by the Berkeley Police Department under its nationally renowned police chief August Vollmer. Further work on this device was done by Leonarde Keeler.
85.25 Edwin Treacle
Although derived from a word meaning an antidote to poison, "treacle" is the British term for molasses and is often used to describe something excessively sweet and sticky.
85.37 Poisson Distribution/Equation
See entry on page 54
Northern region of Belgium bordering the North Sea. At least 60 miles from the English coast.
See page 78.
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the then-United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Competing against Douglas and Martin for a contract to build 200 bombers, the Boeing entry outperformed both competitors and more than met the Air Corps' expectations. Although Boeing lost the contract because the prototype crashed, the Air Corps was so impressed with Boeing's design that they ordered 13 more B-17s for further evaluation. From its introduction in 1938, the B-17 Flying Fortress evolved through numerous design advances.
The nacelle is a cover housing (separate from the fuselage) that holds engines, fuel, or equipment on an aircraft. In some cases—the most notable one being the World War II-era P-38 Lightning airplane—an aircraft's cockpit may also be housed in a nacelle. The covering is typically aerodynamically shaped.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a transparent thermoplastic, often used as a light or shatter-resistant alternative to glass. It is sometimes called acrylic glass. Chemically, it is the synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate. The material was developed in 1928 in various laboratories, and was first brought to market in 1933 by Rohm and Haas Company, under the trademark Plexiglas. It has since been sold under many different names including Lucite and Perspex.
Battle of Britain
See page 40.
Dr. Horsley Gantt
A former student and colleague of Pavlov.
88.10 the submontane Venus
That is, the goddess of the Tannhauser legend and opera.
Venus is also the goddess of love, of course.
Harley Street is a street in the City of Westminster in London, England which has been noted since the 19th century for its large number of private specialists in medicine and surgery.
Ariadne, in Greek mythology, was the daughter of King Minos of Crete, and his queen Pasiphaë, daughter of Helios, the Sun-titan. She aided Theseus in overcoming the Minotaur and was the bride of the god Dionysus.
their eyes, which glisten with frost or flakes of mica
Cf. page 38.
Pierre Marie Félix Janet (30 May 1859 - 24 February 1947) was a pioneering French psychologist, philosopher and psychotherapist in the field of dissociation and traumatic memory. He was one of the first people to draw a connection between events in the subject's past life and his or her present day trauma, and coined the words ‘dissociation’ and ‘subconscious’.
88.34 yang-yin rubbish
Note that Pointsman here rejects the concept only to become entranced by it later.
The Philosophical Research Society (P.R.S.) is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1934, by the prolific author and scholar Manly Palmer Hall, which provides learning and development of a philosophy of life which embraces conciliation of religion and science and higher understandings of life itself.
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Cf. page 81.
The F-scale is a 1947 personality test, designed by Theodor W. Adorno and others to measure the authoritarian personality. The "F" stands for "fascist." The F-scale measures responses on several different components of authoritarianism, including conventionalism, authoritarian submission, authoritarian aggression, anti-intraception, superstition and stereotype, power and "toughness," destructiveness and cynicism, projectivity, and sex. The F-scale is meant to identify how racism develops in people. Scores on the F Scale can be used to generate inferences about other extratest characteristics and behaviors.
the three phases
See page 78.
In physics, a moiré pattern is an interference pattern created, for example, when two grids are overlaid at an angle, or when they have slightly different mesh sizes.
91.27 Dr. Bleagh
An expression of disgust. (Try saying it!)
Tiger II is the common name of a German heavy tank of the Second World War. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B, often shortened to Tiger B. The ordnance inventory designation was Sd.Kfz. 182. It is also known under the informal name Königstiger (the German name for the "Bengal tiger"), often translated as King Tiger or Royal Tiger by Allied soldiers.
Zouave was the title given to certain light infantry regiments in the French Army, normally serving in French North Africa between 1831 and 1962. The name was also adopted during the 19th century by units in other armies, especially volunteer regiments raised for service in the American Civil War. The chief distinguishing characteristics of such units were the zouave uniform, which included short open-fronted jackets, baggy trousers and often sashes and oriental headgear.
Beyond the Zero
Un Perm' au Casino Herman Goering
In the Zone
279-295, 295-314, 314-329, 329-336, 336-359, 359-371, 371-383, 383-390, 390-392, 392-397, 397-433, 433-447, 448-456, 457-468, 468-472, 473-482, 482-488, 488-491, 492-505, 505-518, 518-525, 525-532, 532-536, 537-548, 549-557, 557-563, 563-566, 567-577, 577-580, 580-591, 591-610, 610-616 | <urn:uuid:ee215b77-0d6c-4757-b58f-9c8a24c81236> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://gravitys-rainbow.pynchonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Pages_83-92 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00055-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945001 | 2,379 | 2.125 | 2 |
A while back I wrote an article on the human tendency to think we’re above average. In it, I made the obvious point that we can’t all be above average — that doesn’t make sense. This is called the optimism bias. However — even if you can’t know whether you’re [...]
Post Tagged with: "you’re doing it wrong"
This past weekend, I attended a function of the highest prestige: the launch party for The Campaign for UC Santa Barbara, an event that celebrated the new phase of funding to further UCSB’s impact in the academic and research world. I say attended, but I really mean I gate-crashed. I [...]
The Paradox of Choice: Minimizing the Margin of Regret (Why Too Many Choices Are Not Always a Good Thing)
Too many choices — the problem with Baskin-Robbins and why In-N-Out is awesome. Baskin-Robbins is a wonderful little ice cream parlor chain. Also known as “31 Flavors,” it was my ice cream shop of choice as a toddler. Since then, I’ve seen many a Baskin-Robbins close, and it seems that [...]
How often do you argue? All you trim-bearded philosophy majors can go ahead and wipe that superior smirk off your face, please … Yes, you took a class on logic, now stop talking to me. The truth is that we’re arguing constantly — yes, we argue with each other, but [...]
Someone tells you something … And you are given the daunting task of figuring out if they are telling the truth or not. Do you listen to them? Are they right? Are they wrong? Do they believe they are being honest, or are they lying? The ability to detect deception [...] | <urn:uuid:a460aec5-165c-4585-8774-5ccd7ae194fa> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://dailynexus.com/tag/youre-doing-it-wrong-2/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00068-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955956 | 391 | 1.75 | 2 |
On The Backs of Crabs
A writer learns how to make stuffed crabs exactly like her grandmother does in Mexico City
Enlarge Image Credit: Todd ColemanOne of my first memories is of the sound of crabs being crushed by the wheels of our moving car. I was less than five years old. It was late at night. For three days we had been traveling—my parents, my mother's siblings, and my maternal grandmother—from our home in Mexico City east to Comalcalco, in Tabasco, where my grandmother and mother were born. We'd crossed five rivers on rough-hewn ferries, little more than rafts. We'd left good roads behind and were driving on an unpaved one, steps from where waves were crashing.
I was snoozing in the backseat. The noise woke me up. I asked what it was. "They're crabs," said my uncle Gustavo, who was at the wheel. I didn't understand his answer. I knew what crabs were. My grandmother cooked them at her house in Mexico City. The legs and claws were steamed and served cold as an appetizer. The bodies, stuffed, came piping hot as a main course. Both were delicious. But what were crabs doing here?
My uncle and my grandmother explained that this was the time when crabs returned to the sea to lay their eggs, and that we were rolling over a carpet made of marching crabs. Our Goodrich tires were decimating them by the hundreds. The noise went on for what seemed an eternity.
My grandmother's stuffed crabs were one of my favorite dishes. From Tabasco her siblings sent live crabs packed in cardboard boxes, and I watched her unpack them and put them in the metal tamal-maker on the stove. I heard the crabs scratching inside, but I never saw how the stuffing was prepared. I only knew it tasted earthy and pungent, salty and sweet at the same time.
I spent many mornings watching my grandmother work in the laboratory in the back of her home—another sort of cooking. Her business was mixing ingredients, primarily herbs, for the pharmaceutical industry. That was how she earned her living (and not a bad one) after the death of her husband. There were big cans of alcohol, filter paper, oils, extracts. Sacks of herbs and seeds were kept in the courtyards. The smell was complex and, to me, attractive.
I saw her perform culinary miracles, too. She milled chocolate from cacao pods, also sent from Tabasco. She made tamales wrapped in banana leaves, walnut and almond sweets, a pork sausage perfumed with spices. I watched my grandmother cook, but she was not interested in teaching me to do it. She used to say, "My granddaughters were not born to clean floors." Her wish was that I would go to college and have a career.
I only learned how she made the stuffed crabs later, after my daughter Marèa was born, when I was pregnant with my Juan. I was returning to Mexico City from Villahermosa on a plane, with my little girl in my arms. My carry-on bag was stuffed with crabs. When the flight attendant came looking for the origin of the pungent smell, I put on an innocent face.
Arriving home, I parked the crabs in the bathtub and phoned my grandmother. I wanted to cook them exactly the way she did. Their smell permeated the house; some thought it more stench than smell. But I took pleasure in it, just as I enjoyed the peculiar odors from my grandmother's laboratory.
I followed her instructions closely. First, I steamed the crabs, hearing the familiar scratching in the pot. Then I emptied their bodies and claws, extracting every bit of meat. For the filling, I chopped onion and a bit of garlic, and fried them in olive oil. Once the onion changed color, I added green olives, capers, raisins, almonds, salt, fresh herbs, and finally the crabmeat. I stuffed the bodies, sealed them with egg whites and bread crumbs, and fried them just long enough to make them golden and beautiful. And yes: The taste of those crabs, like the sound of them under the wheels of our car, was something unforgettable.
See the recipe for Jaibas Enchipotladas (Pan-Fried Crabs in Chipotle Sauce) » | <urn:uuid:715a6dc1-fc85-4ad5-a46b-1d117315ffc3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.saveur.com/article/Travels/Mexico-Tabasco-Crabs | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00070-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.988107 | 917 | 1.90625 | 2 |
Try this 5S Overview Quiz and test your knowledge after watching our 5S Overview video. There is a reward for scoring 100% on this quiz. If you haven't watched the 5S Overview Video yet click here and watch it first.
Question #1 of 15
Which phase of 5S are you in when you clean machines, windows, floors etc.?
Problem Solving for the Workplace DVD Bundle
The problem solving approach taught in this 2 disc presentation is based on the Why Tree Method, and is designed to teach good problem solving skills to people at all levels within your organization.
Production DVD Bundle
This 3-disc set focuses on 5S, waste elimination and improving your production. It contains our 3 most popular production DVD's at a discounted price!
5S Series DVD Bundle
Our popular 5S Series DVD in both English and Spanish. This 5S Series is a 41 minute long video series produced to ensure the key concepts of 5S are communicated. This video takes the audience through each stage of the 5S process from Sort through Sustain and takes the time to explain how you can improve or implement that stage in your workplace using real life examples.
Send us your feedback and inquiries through our contact form or use the contact information below: | <urn:uuid:a3b6ae00-325d-4922-b285-45b99aa044e8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.xtremelean.us/consulting/default/quizzes/5s-overview-quiz | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.918324 | 257 | 2 | 2 |
Introduction to Antique Tabriz Rugs
Tabriz, the capital of the northwestern province of Azerbaijan, has for centuries enjoyed a great reputation as a center of Persian culture. Under the benign patronage of Shah Abbas the Great (1587-1629), artists and artisans designed illuminated manuscripts, embroidered silks, painted miniatures and fabricated metal work in the Safavid style. In this fertile atmosphere, the Court weavers of Tabriz were inspired to reach their artistic zenith and created exceptional oriental rugs and carpets.
The early eighteenth century saw the end of the Safavid Empire and the decline of the town of Tabriz with its legendary craftsmanship falling into decay. Under the Qajar Dynasty (1786-1925) the workshops of Tabriz were gradually revived; by the 1880s another golden age was underway and Tabriz again began to re-establish its position as the center for the exporting of Persian rugs to the West. Designs of antique Persian Tabriz carpets feature medallions, hunting scenes, flowers, and gardens; along with prayer and pictorial rugs interpreted in a curvilinear manner.
A refined palette reliant on copper tones, terracotta and ivory, with shades of blue and subtle touches of gold, green and salmon are prevalent in antique Persian Tabriz rugs. Some extremely luxurious antique Tabriz rugs and carpets were woven in silk. Haji Jalili, master weaver of the Qajar era is renowned for producing some of the most superlative of oriental rugs. Within the span of nineteenth century decorative arts, it is still generally acknowledged that the finest antique Tabriz carpets and rugs are unsurpassed for both quality and beauty. | <urn:uuid:88b25df4-3723-4f85-8394-a777e7951ff6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.antiquetabrizrugs.com/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.93887 | 354 | 2.21875 | 2 |
The weekend was filled with weddings. So what does one do when in the midst of Paruppu Usili, Silk sarees, loud bursts of Getty melam and a whole load of “I also have a son who is a very eligible bachelor” type social networking? One dreams up possible uses of technology to
1) Spice weddings up.
2) Make then Greener.
ps: When I use the word “spice”, it’s not like “They added an item song to spice the movie up”. It’s more like “They used modern technology as one would use a fluorescent marker, to reinforce and highlight the the relevance of ancient traditions”.
I Indian Weddings are the very much flower liking.
Elderly folks at weddings are usually handed flowers which they go on to bless and then exercise their rotator cuff muscles to hurl aforementioned plant reproductive parts in the hope that the blessed object will make contact with the couple seated on the medai and initiate a benediction transfer process.
1. Only the front row (often occupied by the oldest of the old) has a reasonable chance of ensuring that their blessings reach the couple. The ones behind can do no better than throw flowers on the people immediately in front of them (because of 1) poor throwing arms 2) air friction). This means that there is a very inefficient transfer of benediction to the couple. Random people in the crowd are getting blessed while the couple is being short-changed. In this tough world of work pressures, bad software and T-Nagar shopping megamalls, couples need every flower to make direct contact with their heads.
2. Old people are unnecessarily straining their shoulder muscles and incurring wear and tear, thereby increasing the probability of today’s leech like hospitals swinging into action (or would that be “crawling” into action?) and stealing precious savings from these poor old people in the name of bone scans, MRI scans and physiotherapy
There are thousands of cannons lying around in museums, gathering rust and dust. And on top of that, their minds are wracked with the guilt of all the death and destruction they have caused in the past. So why not give them a new lease of life and chance to dole out something positive?
II Clear and Present Danger
Every wedding has a designated Gift Collector (usually a close cousin) who is in charge of collecting, documenting and accounting for all presents, both cash and kind.
1. Financial irregularities – The gift collector can very easily manipulate the Who gave what record and make a tidy profit in the bargain
2. The gift collector can do nothing about those lazy attendees who recycle the same tea set/cutlery set that they received at their (or their children’s) wedding.
RFID tags can be used to identify and track gifts. So a small loudspeaker system that announces “Mr and Mrs So-and-So have gifted yet another tea set” should discourage people from being lazy gifters in the future.
ps: Moi-Man is a Tamizh term referring to the person who is in charge of keeping gift records.
III Thaamboola Pye 2.0
1. One miniature coconut that, after the fibrous skin is removed, has about a table-tennis ball size worth of actual usable material.
2. One sweet lime with skin that is as difficult to remove as a burkha in Saudi Arabia.
3. One mouth-cancer causing packet of betel nut pieces mixed with industrial chemicals.
4. All the above placed in an environmentally unsound plastic bag with the wedding details printed on it for posterity
1. One 2 GB flash drive. I am sure it will cost slightly less than a miniature coconut in some time. You could even pre-load it with a screensaver that has wedding photos moving around in a landscape filled with green meadows, mountains and clouds (Yes. Same special effects generally used by the video guy at the weddings)
2. Jute or paper bags instead of plastic
3. Small packet with cloves and elaichi instead of betel nuts.
IV Green only I am liking the colour
There are several things one could do to reduce the carbon footprint of our weddings.
1. As already mentioned, Jute and paper bags instead of plastic. Paper cups for filter coffee and water.
2. Recycle wasted food. A huge amount of food gets wasted at every wedding. And the solution for that is – Cows.
All Kalyaana Mandapams must maintain some cows so that weddings can save a lot on fuel and milk costs.
3. An insane amount of jewellery is usually on display. So I think solar panels that can trap all this jigna and generate electricity will help cut energy costs.
4. Wedding halls should provide absolutely no parking space, so that it will force people to use public transport.
V Respect Da Music
My amateur musician heart goes out to all the Nadaswaram and Thavil brothers who are cruelly mistreated and their music blatantly disrespected at every Tambram wedding. They are all too frequently interrupted and asked, willy-nilly, to stop their passionate alapana in Thodi and instead, play an unmusical stream of noise called Getty Melam.
For the uninitiated, Getty melam is a loud, unmusical interlude designed for the express purpose of
1. Getting the audience’ attention to something important going on (like the thaali (noose) being tied etc)
2. Drowning out any inauspicious sounds that may be emanating from the audience.
Frankly, in today’s world, it is an insult to the musician to ask him to play the role of a megaphone. So this is what I propose:
Why interrupt a musician’s flow when the Bose G1000 “Getty Monster” amplifier/speaker can be used to generate 100 dB attention gathering getty melam sounds.
Many thousands of rupees are wasted on capturing a video of the marriage proceedings. Not only do these guys only capture the most boring and insipid moments (It’s hard to get invitees to be spontaneous with the equivalent of a solar flare in ones face), they are also rather immobile, what with miles of wire trailing them and a camera the size of a bazooka.
Honestly, how many times does a wedding video ever get watched? Once? Here is my suggestion. Get 10 of your friends to roam around with their 3 megapixel camera phones and shoot several interesting snippets from the entire wedding. Apart from 2 or 3 angles focussing just on the main event, others can focus on the canteen, where one can catch little kids struggling to stop runny rasam from leaking over the edge of the table and soiling their brand new miniature sherwaanis. Some can be deputed to focus only on the parents of the bride and groom and capture their faces go through a gamut of emotions ranging from frustration, joy, rage and relief throughout the day. And others can point their camera phones occasionally at the kitchen, capturing the caffeine addict maama demanding coffee with extra decoction directly from the chef.
In the end, one will end up with several short, highly watchable, youtube style videos that could even be posted online for non-attendees to watch in the comfort of their home.
VII Saree Matters
It is estimated that about 70% of elapsed time in a Tambram wedding goes in the bride changing 7 sarees during the day. Well, RMKV and Kumaran have already come up with path breaking innovations such as 4-in-1 and Zip-pallu sarees, so why not just come up with a 6-in-1 Kalyaanamegasaree that can morph from a breezy Oonjal saree to orthodox Madisaaru followed by homely Grihapravesham to chilled-out Nalangu, an ubergrand reception and a cheevidunga first night saree?
And since time = money and money = paper and paper = trees and all that, I think RMKV and Kumaran need to make this happen now if we are to have a chance of saving our forests. | <urn:uuid:80822fcf-f06f-4557-aeb8-d5d9143d0e91> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://krishashok.wordpress.com/2008/01/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00030-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.937814 | 1,745 | 1.875 | 2 |
|<< 1 Chronicles 20 >>|
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible
20:1-8 David's wars. - Though the Lord will severely correct the sins of his believing people, he will not leave them in the hands of their enemies. His assistance will overcome all advantages of number and strength of those that defy his Israel. All that trust in Christ, shall be made more than conquerors through him that loveth them. | <urn:uuid:9433741d-a07b-4333-bbad-54a6f5ccbcfe> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://mhc.biblecommenter.com/1_chronicles/20.htm | 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 | 0.97197 | 90 | 1.796875 | 2 |
Block by Block
Block by Block is a network for online pioneers who are creating sustainable models to provide community, neighborhood and local niche news.
With support from The Patterson Foundation, Block by Block is working with publishers and editors of independent local start ups, both for-profit and nonprofit. We want to help them share what they are learning and what they are struggling with, and to provide resources such as community management, training, mentoring and networking.” Source: Block by Block
The Journalism Accelerator is not responsible for the content we post here, as excerpts from the source, or links on those sites. The JA does not endorse these sites or their products outright but we sure are intrigued with what they’re up to. | <urn:uuid:c36c5f8b-e550-4085-a246-f1bcfbdf257e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.journalismaccelerator.com/resources/block-by-block/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00021-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966764 | 150 | 1.515625 | 2 |
Owning a piano has for decades been the dream of a great many people. It is a source of pride, entertainment, education and tremendous personal reward with every new song that someone learns to play. I know because in the 27 years in which I have been tuning and servicing pianos I have met thousands of musically talented people of all stripes - from those who are just beginning, to moderate and intermediate level players to highly advanced, concert-level performers. I know the dedication and focus that it takes to learn and the equally dedicated effort that it takes to teach others to play.
But I have also seen the benefits first hand. Dedicated musicians become business owners, municipal leaders, lawyers, scientists, teachers and physicians. Research has shown that learning to play the piano lends itself to success in other areas of life because one of its many consequences is that it exercises that part of our brain which is responsible for spatial reasoning and abstract conceptualization - vitally important for such things as mathematics. Making music provides the perfect harmony between creativity and logic, and between art and structure. And of all the instruments in use today, the piano is right up there at the top.
I consider myself a piano and guitar player of only modest talent, but technically and as an experienced tuner I would invite you to hold me up the very highest standard. If you are not completely satisfied, there simply will be no charge. | <urn:uuid:3f8a7508-ac2a-40f4-a241-f88e6b5d99cb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.rensberrypiano.com/2010_03_01_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976529 | 284 | 1.90625 | 2 |
Bad reception awaits in-flight phones
In-flight communications are currently limited to costly satellite phones.
HAVE YOUR SAY
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
(CNN) -- From crying babies to low-quality catering, flying is full of irritations, but these may all soon be eclipsed by the introduction of in-flight cell phones.
A new survey has found that the majority of business travelers are opposed to allowing cell phone use on board aircraft, doubtless quaking at the prospect of a red-eye ruined by ring tones and chatter.
Until now, most airlines have outlawed phone use, claiming possible interference with aircraft electronics.
The ban also prevents onboard cell phones disrupting communications on the ground as they sweep through regionalized networks at high speed.
But all this is set to change from December 2006, following revisions by U.S. federal regulators.
Soon, flights will be able to carry an onboard transmitter that will link the aircraft to satellites, allowing passengers to use their mobile phones as normal.
But, according to a study by Carlson Wagonlit Travel, which quizzed 2,100 business travelers and 650 travel managers, most are unlikely to welcome the phones.
"If airlines are listening to their most frequent travelers, they may want to shelve any thought of allowing cell phone use during flight," says CWT's Business Travel Indicator survey.
"Whether they are hesitant to give up their 'alone time' or they simply don't want to put up with noisy flights, 61 percent of business travelers surveyed said they are not in favor of allowing people to talk on cell phones in-flight."
The survey said Europeans are most intolerant of cell phone use with 70 percent responding unfavorably. North Americans appear marginally more open to the idea, with 57 percent in opposition.
Currently, according to the survey, the biggest annoyances for air passengers are queuing for airport security checks -- a top complaint for 25 percent of business travelers -- and flight delays at 24 percent.
The survey did, however, offer a rosy outlook for 2006, with almost 60 percent of travel managers predicting a hike in travel budgets in the coming year with more travel in the cards.
"Business travel is increasing," said Hubert Joly, president and chief executive officer of CWT. "This is a reflection of strong economic growth around the world and the globalization of the economy and corporations."
Despite the queuing gripes of business travelers, another recent survey indicates that road warriors are unwilling to compromise on safety but believe the process can be speeded up.
The study by the American Small Business Travelers Alliance showed that 55 percent of passengers did not feel adequately protected by airport security measures, although this has not stopped an increase in trip frequency.
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Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us. Site Map. | <urn:uuid:f1301db0-ba7b-4a84-a8b1-a51082158899> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/01/30/plane.phone/index.html?section=cnn_tech | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944992 | 606 | 1.929688 | 2 |
Acne is just technical term for a collection of words that describe pimples, zits, eruptions, whiteheads and blackheads. All this terminology just a description to describe clogged hair follicles (pores). For what ever reason, and there may be many, the the oil glands in the skin start making more oil, and the pores become plugged with the excess. If this plug is combined with dirt and dead skin cells, then the pores do not function as they should. Once the pores are plugged, there is a tendency for the bacteria to get trapped. In turn the pores swell, and the result is a pimple.
It is a common skin condition that affects most of us at some point in our lives. If you haven’t had it, you know someone who has. It is ugly and disfiguring. Some people are lucky enough to get away with just a brief episode or the odd eruption. However, some unfortunates are stricken with very severe acne that is red and inflamed with pustules. Even worse is acne that turns cystic, a deep painful and large infection. Acne at what ever stage it is at, is hard to accept, and it has those inflected seeking the best way to get rid of acne.
Even though acne is more known to be a problem amongst teenagers, this condition can strike at any age. One pimple is easy enough to live with, but when you have dozens or more, then it is time to seek the best way to get rid of acne. While preventative measures are the best for controlling the outbreak of acne, there are treatments for the best way to get rid of acne that will greatly diminishes or make acne disappear entirely.
Treatments vary. Some people choose to use over-the-counter medications to get rid of acne. Others must resort to medical help such as a dermatologist. On the other hand, many people like to try approaches that comprise the ordinary, and out of the ordinary methods. Some of the best way to get rid of acne are time and truth tested methods that have been passed down by word of mouth over the generations.
However, the main aim of any best treatment for adult acne should include prevention. Although we cannot guarantee against an outbreak, using preventative measure will ensure the less likelihood of eruptions, infection and scarring. Any preventative measure should involve a good cleaning routine. Keeping your skin clean and moisturized, as well as applying over-the-counter anti-acne preparations can make a real difference. Gently wash you face twice a day with a mild cleanser. Never rub at your face while washing or drying your skin. It is also advisable not to use harsh skin products and avoid picking the skin or squeezing pimples.
If you have the misfortune of an extended or a severe acne outbreak, you may need to see a dermatologist for prescription medications as the best way to get rid of acne. The last thing you need is to live with bad skin that could easily become infected and lead to scarring. So talk to your Dermatologist. Likely he or she will recommend one of the most popular prescriptions available, be it topical or oral. Often they will recommend a combination of treatments for the best way to get rid of acne. In certain cases, if the outbreak is extremely severe, chemical peels, laser therapy, or steroid injections may be recommended. Should you feel that your acne is severe, don’t hesitate for a minute to consult a doctor. Ugly blemishes and scarring can and will cause emotion and psychological implications. Don’t let it get away from you.
Acne can be particularly frustrating. Barring an underlying medical condition, most cases of adult acne can be effectively controlled with any acne therapy. Understanding the role of hormones, the physical process of acne development, and the myths that surround acne better help us to treat acne. What ever choice a person undertakes to deal with acne, be patient with the recovery. Clearing up acne involves a healing process that takes time. While you might not see results overnight, you will see results as long as you keep on a proven treatment for the best way to get rid of acne . | <urn:uuid:707307b7-5f6b-4561-9d3f-c79094354805> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://getridofacneformula.com/best-way-to-get-rid-of-acne | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00027-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947682 | 862 | 2.390625 | 2 |
I have a somehow biased experience: I quit school long before graduating, I've never been good at sitting around, listening and taking notes.
So then, I really had to get to know some programming, and hit the real work world.
The good news is, it's absolutely feasible.
The bad news is, it's god damn hard, requires a good amount of passion, and there's a non negligible possibility that you end up realizing you'll never be good at it.
From what you wrote in your question, I take it you're affraid that after spending time learning at school, you'll be useless for a while at work.
To that, I say go on and start just about right now to do a program, oh, and make it big. Make it use lots of areas in programming. It's gonna be hard, it should be.
Focus on "real world" stuff:
- use enterprise level tools (visual studio 2010 ultimate, rather than
notepad++ for example)
- enterprise level frameworks (WPF/Prism)
- make use of dependency injection/inversion of control (they're in
every project i worked on, really)
- don't focus on optimization: that'll come with experience (i.e:
forget about fancy sorting algorithms, they're built in or available in libraries anyway)
- start by reading every pattern of the GoF. Mark my words, i said
"read". You need to know it's there, you need to partially understand what it's
for. You don't need to understand how it works.
Then whenever you
find yourself faced with an architectural problem (i.e: you write
complex code to handle something you think is simple/you write the
same code over and over again) odds are a pattern can help, go and use it.
That list is .NET oriented, because I am, I just hope you get the point =) | <urn:uuid:156ff642-adc3-457f-9249-ecf58db40220> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://programmers.stackexchange.com/questions/127056/how-good-are-or-have-to-be-programmers-after-study-education/127061 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96037 | 406 | 1.875 | 2 |
By RUTHIE ROBINSON
The Webster Progress-Times
WALTHALL — An early morning fire Thursday gutted and destroyed most of the historic Webster County Courthouse.
The Walthall Volunteer Fire Department and Eupora Volunteer Fire Department responded to an alert and found the courthouse in flames about 2:30 a.m.
When the emergency responders first arrived at the scene, the fire was confined to the southwest corner of the building.
Firefighters immediately attempted to tame the flames from both outside and inside of the 100-year-old structure, which is located at 515 Carroll St. in the county seat of Walthall. Heat transferred to the attic on the second floor of the courthouse, breaching the roof of the building. As a result, the roof of the structure caved in, forcing all firefighters inside to evacuate. No injuries were reported from the collapse.
With Webster County under a winter storm warning, strong gusts of wind fed the flames and stirred burning timbers through the air, causing hazardous conditions for emergency responders.
Because of safety concerns, efforts to cease the fire were halted until Starkville’s Fire Station No. 1 ladder truck arrived.
All Webster County fire departments, as well as some of the surrounding county departments, assisted with putting out the flames and providing tanker trucks. The fire was extinguished by 7 a.m.
The courthouse was erected in 1913, and is one of the most notable courthouses in the state. Jackson architect N.W. Overstreet used a brick and terracotta late empire masterpiece design for the building, which is rare in Mississippi.
Local architect and Walthall Mayor Belinda Stewart said if the brick and walls remain structurally sound, a restoration may be possible.
The Webster County Board of Supervisors called an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon in the boardroom of the Webster County Schools’ Central Office Building in Eupora.
After a thorough investigation, Webster County Sheriff Tim Mitchell released the results during the board meeting, stating that the fire started when a power strip in a first-floor office on the southwest corner shorted out. The investigating fire marshal stated the fire was non-suspicious, according to discussion during the meeting. | <urn:uuid:64084cc2-4f09-46e6-9e57-16664060a040> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://starkvilledailynews.com/print/12772?quicktabs_4=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00035-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955541 | 456 | 1.671875 | 2 |
Home > Activities > El Pozo De Jacinto
Directly at the coast of Isabela is a work of art made by mother nature - and waiting to be explored by you. Actually, it might even be more interesting than the beaches in this area. Only a couple of steps away from Jobos Beach, you can find a natural rock formation, which makes you feel like you are taking a walk on Mars rather than on a tropical island.
Right in the middle of the rock formation there is a big hole into which the sea waves thrash. There is a legend about this hole, which we would like to share with you. One version tells the story of a farmer called Jacinto, who tied his favourite cow to him while leading the rest of his herd. In other versions Jacinto is a young man working for a farmer and looking after his herd. What the stories have in common, however, is that the cow came too close to the hole and fell into it - taking Jacinto with her and killing him.
According to the legend, water will shoot up from the hole if you call "Jacinto, give me the cow". Of course here, too, there are different versions. But the important message is this: You should be very careful, as the rocks are just as dangerous today as they were then - and we want to make sure that an accident like Jacinto's won’t happen again.
Today, the beaches around the rock formation are surfers' territory. But for those of you looking for a cosy beach, there are also various quiet beaches nestled in the bays. One of them is Jobos Beach, the beach from which you can directly access el Pozo de Jacinto.
If you haven't brought surfing gear, but still feel like you would like a little action, you can rent jetskis or experience scuba diving only a couple of kilometers away directly at Aguadilla's Crash Boat Beach | <urn:uuid:60cfe3c8-9240-4ed7-8361-66fd054c4e27> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.paradise-puertorico.com/natural_attractions/el_pozo_de_jacinto/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972819 | 399 | 2 | 2 |
BiometricsBiometric technologies adopted by more Australian banks
The use of face-recognition biometrics technology will soon become main stream in Australian banks, and may even be used in conjunction with other technologies; in a survey, 79 percent of Australians said that they were comfortable with fingerprint technology replacing banking PINs
Australian banks to implement face recognition technology // Source: resimlihaber.com
The use of face-recognition biometrics technology will soon become main stream in Australian banks, and may even be used in conjunction with other technologies according to Dr. Ted Dunstone.
ANZ Bank CEO Philip Chronican said that the bank is exploring ways to introduce biometrics as a replacement for traditional identification methods such as Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) at ATM machines.
ZDNet reports that in a survey commissioned by the bank, 79 percent of Australians said that they were comfortable with fingerprint technology replacing banking PINs.
Face-recognition biometrics are currently being used in other countries such as Europe, South America, and Japan.
Chronican feels that PINs and signatures are easy to duplicate and get a hold of while biometrics provides a more secure verification process for banking. Chronican expects that it will be “probably two to three years before we get commercialization of biometrics in banking.”
The best way to ensure security is to use biometrics with traditional verification methods. “Basically, I would not recommend single factor biometric authentication — so, just a fingerprint or iris scan,” Chronican told ZDNet. “That means, we would need to introduce either biometrics and a card, or biometrics and a PIN.”
NFC-enabled smartphones can be used as an alternative to PINs and cards for this purpose.
“You can use the mobile to validate who you are at an ATM, with fingerprinting to verify that you are the correct holder of the phone,” Dunstone told ZDNet.
ANZ is moving forward biometrics in its banking system, but other Australian banks have been hesitant. The National Bank of Australia introduced a voice biometric system for its telephone banking system in 2009, but has since has done little in the way of biometrics.
“We continue to investigate the application of biometric technology, however, we maintain nothing can substitute knowing your customer and building strong relationships.” an NAB spokesperson told ZDNet.
“Certainly, within two to three years it’s possible for the banks to roll that out in a limited sense,” Dunstone said. “Obviously, there are a lot of integration issues that need to be worked out, and so on, but I would expect to see this type of technology to start appearing in the financial services industry.”
Fingerprint and palm scanners will most likely be the favored choices for banks, according to Dunstone, and new technology has made these methods more accurate than ever before, so the margin of error in reading a hand or fingerprint is lower than before.
These new methods will not be cheap, but they will make banking easier for customers as well as make them feel safer about their money. “When you are rolling out something to a large clientele in an existing network, the integration components are not going to be cheap, but the component technology itself has fallen significantly in price, while the quality has vastly improved,” Dunstone said. | <urn:uuid:a66b6b7d-0f9b-4100-b24e-0220ec01a331> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/dr20121011-biometric-technologies-adopted-by-more-australian-banks | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00075-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953422 | 719 | 1.851563 | 2 |
Only two of the state’s 38 public four-year universities can graduate half of their students within four years — and even then, just barely. At the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board reports, 53 percent of incoming freshmen graduate in four years. Texas A&M University graduates 51 percent.
On the other end of the spectrum, rates are staggeringly low: Texas Southern University and the University of Houston-Downtown only graduate 3 percent of their students in four years, according to the same figures. The University of Texas at El Paso graduates 10 of every 100 students in that time frame.
Higher education and workforce development leaders throughout the state acknowledge and decry these dismal statistics, and many public universities are launching initiatives designed to improve college completion.
“We’re not getting the return on investment that we’re making” in higher education, said Bill Hammond, the president of the Texas Association of Business, which advocates for education reform in Texas. Over the next biennium, that investment will total about $21.8 billion.
But several Texas university officials question the graduation rate metric’s ability to accurately depict efforts to educate their increasingly nontraditional student populations. UT-El Paso President Diana Natalicio said while her university has a lot of work to do to get more students to graduate, those rates should not be used as the primary measurement of any university’s success.
“If we stick to graduation rates, public universities are always going to look less successful than private and elite institutions, because the surest way to assure high graduation rates is to increase selectivity,” she said.
For every 100 Texas high school graduates who pursued higher education at a public Texas institution in 2002, 21 started at a four-year university. Only five of those students had college degrees within four years. By 2010, four years later, eight more students had graduated, for a total of 13 university graduates in eight years. That’s the bleak picture painted by Complete College America, a nonprofit focused on boosting higher-education success around the country.
Bad as that may seem, the state’s completion crisis is far from the nation’s worst; data compiled by the coordinating board ranks Texas’ 49-percent six-year graduation rate 17th in the nation. But if — as Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce predicts — more than 60 percent of the country’s jobs in 2020 will require a higher-education credential, and only about 31 percent of Texas adults have at least an associate’s degree, there’s significant ground to be made up.
"It is an incredibly complex issue, and it’s very easy to generalize about the problem and about the solution," said state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, the chairwoman of the Senate Higher Education Committee. "I think there are some wrongful, low expectations of students who could meet higher expectations. On the other hand, I don’t think all students should be subject to the same expectations."
The growing focus on graduation rates in Texas represents a shift from the access-oriented mind-set that dominated the state’s higher-education approach for the last decade, a push that introduced record numbers of students into the higher-ed pipeline.
Widely viewed as a positive development, the increased access has brought new challenges, including a larger population of nontraditional students who have to work, need additional advising and attend universities part time.
Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes believes the chief concern is a disjuncture between the K-12 system and higher education, with more students showing up unprepared for collegiate work. Having to sit through remedial courses dramatically decreases the likelihood of graduation.
State Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, the chairman of the House Higher Education Committee, said that in addition to the challenges with nontraditional students, there is a retention issue. “There’s not enough advising, not enough help with course navigation, not enough orientation where people feel connected,” he said. “There’s not enough intervention programs, or the online tools aren’t available.”
As officials examine why higher-education graduation rates are floundering, reform advocates suggest that altering the funding formula may provide an incentive for major change. Hammond of the Texas Association of Business and other advocates have called for the Legislature to tie a chunk of state appropriations to metrics like graduation rates rather than the current model, which is solely focused on — and rewards increases in — enrollment. They want to focus on improving graduation rates rather than quibbling over how to measure them, observing that the rates are low no matter who runs the numbers.
“If they want to say a number’s off by 10 percent, so what?" Hammond said. "Let’s stop arguing about a few percentage points and turn our focus on completions."
Although a shift to some form of outcome-based funding is widely seen as an inevitability in Texas higher-education circles, it is also clear that it will not be tied to graduation rates. An uneasiness about graduation rates permeates much of higher education.
“There’s a lot of confusion about what it includes and what it doesn’t include and how it’s measured,” said coordinating board spokesman Dominic Chavez.
For example, many Texans might be surprised to learn that the six-year graduation rate — not the four-year rate — is the industry standard, a nod to the increasing amount of time students are taking to graduate.
|The University of Texas at Austin||53.0%|
|Texas A&M University||50.7%|
|The University of Texas at Dallas||42.0%|
|Texas Tech University||40.4%|
|Texas State University-San Marcos||30.1%|
|Sam Houston State University||29.7%|
|Texas A&M University at Galveston||26.9%|
|Stephen F. Austin State University||25.6%|
|The University of Texas at Tyler||24.8%|
|University of North Texas||24.3%|
|Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi||23.5%|
|West Texas A&M University||23.2%|
|Angelo State University||22.4%|
|Texas A&M International University||21.3%|
|Texas Woman's University||20.7%|
|Tarleton State University||20.6%|
|Texas A&M University-Commerce||20.6%|
|The University of Texas of the Permian Basin||19.5%|
|The University of Texas at Arlington||19.1%|
|The University of Texas-Pan American||18.3%|
|University of Houston||17.0%|
|Texas A&M University-Kingsville||15.5%|
|Midwestern State University||14.3%|
|Prairie View A&M University||11.5%|
|Sul Ross State University||11.2%|
|The University of Texas at San Antonio||10.3%|
|The University of Texas at El Paso||10.0%|
|Texas Southern University||3.0%|
|University of Houston-Downtown||3.0%|
|Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College||Not rated|
|Texas A&M University - Central Texas||Not rated|
|Texas A&M University-San Antonio||Not rated|
|Texas A&M University-Texarkana||Not rated|
|University of Houston-Clear Lake||Not rated|
|University of Houston-Victoria||Not rated|
|University of North Texas at Dallas||Not rated|
|The University of Texas at Brownsville||Not rated|
The only way to compare graduation rates from state to state is to rely on the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which makes Texas’ numbers look even worse. According to the federal system — originally crafted to track college athletes — only five Texas public universities have a six-year graduation rate of at least 50 percent, whereas the coordinating board’s system shows 13 institutions crossing that threshold.
Paredes recently said IPEDS “provides a distorted and uneven view” of graduation rates because it only measures the number of first-time students who enroll full time as freshmen and finish at the same institution where they began. Texas students, especially those at institutions other than UT and A&M, are prone to move around. At UTEP, for example, this approach to measuring graduation rates excludes roughly 70 percent of the students enrolled.
Chavez said the state’s system can track students more closely and account for them as they transfer and move in and out of the system. “The only thing we don’t have visibility on is when the student leaves the state of Texas,” he said. To provide a more comprehensive portrait of the state’s situation, the coordinating board intends to publish graduation rates for part-time students starting this spring.
Zaffirini said improvements may be difficult without sufficient state support for financial aid, which has recently been on the decline. "Like it or not, some legislators are going to have to realize that it’s tied into funding in many ways, not all, but many ways," she said.
Spurred in part by the state’s strained economic situation, higher ed officials are taking a close look at the value of underperforming programs. Last year, the coordinating board began cracking down on majors and minors at universities throughout the state, shuttering hundreds that failed to graduate an average of five students per year over five years.
The thinking, Chavez said, was “if we’re not graduating enough students in it, are we really accomplishing anything?” He said there has been no discussion of expanding that mentality beyond specific degrees to entire underperforming campuses.
Given the state’s budget crunch, universities will have to boost their efforts to improve graduation rates without new state resources. But there is evidence that public universities are working on it. At Texas Southern, a historically black university in Houston, President John Rudley has tightened admissions standards in an effort to bring the school’s graduation rate up. He said the key to understanding why the rates are so low lies in appreciating each institution’s unique origins. “It’s not that we’re one-size-fits-all,” he said. “We don’t all have the same resources. We don’t all have the same history. We don’t all have the same support from the state.”
The pressure to improve extends to all institutions, not just those with the worst graduation rates. UT-Austin, which has the state’s highest four-year graduation rate, announced an initiative to bring its rate up to 70 percent by 2016. That means the nearly 20-percentage-point leap will have to be made by the freshman entering this fall.
A UT-Austin task force recently issued 60 recommendations for academic improvements, including better intervention programs for struggling students and measures to make it difficult to alter one’s degree plan as graduation draws close — and to remain in school once the necessary credits for graduation have been acquired.
And institutions around the state are attempting to heighten their responsiveness to the growing needs of students, especially those who don’t have parents or mentors with degrees, by putting a renewed emphasis on academic advising. Sam Houston State University’s student advising and mentoring center has received national recognition.
Branch, the House Higher Education Committee chairman, sees progress. “Given being a border state with a large minority population, being 17th in the nation is probably better than a lot of people think of us,” he said.
Still, he said, the state’s numbers are unacceptable. “I’ve talked to a lot of presidents who will acknowledge their embarrassment about their graduation rates,” he said.
This is the first installment of a four-part series on the completion crisis at public universities in Texas. Part Two is about how the University of Texas at El Paso aims to redefine success. Part Three discusses Texas Southern University’s attempts to rise from the bottom of the state rankings. And Part Four covers how Sam Houston State University credits its advising center for a rise in graduation rates.
The Texas Association of Business is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune.
Texas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. For a complete list of contributors, click here. | <urn:uuid:8828e069-3d2e-4aab-96c4-526de212dc4d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-education/low-graduation-rates-prompt-concern-texas-success/ | 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 | 0.941621 | 2,696 | 2.140625 | 2 |
By the 1970s, the advent of new technologies for the transmission, storage, and distribution of data, once the prerogative of book publishing, had become a problem for the industry; television screens and databases became symbols of the challenges to editors and publishers (see computer; information storage and retrieval). The increasing use of sophisticated copying machines posed new problems to the need of publishers and authors to protect their property by copyright, and in 1976 the U.S. Congress passed a major revision to the federal copyright law that attempted to define to what extent published material could be reproduced without payment of royalties.
In the late 20th cent., computers and such related innovations as the CD-ROM (see compact disc) and the Internet allowed publishing to expand, making readily updated texts available on line and on disk and fostering multimedia presentations and interactive uses (see hypertext). The easy access to and copying of electronically published material raised additional copyright issues, and in 1998 Congress passed legislation that extended copyright protection to on-line material. In addition, the wide availability of computer-driven desktop-publishing technology to small presses and individuals gave impetus to the production of a wide variety of self-published books. By the beginning of the 21st cent. several large U.S. publishers had set up separate electronic ventures and a number of independent on-line print-on-demand (or publish-on-demand) web companies had been created. The fastest growing of the independents, Lulu.com, was founded in the United States in 2002. Only four years later it had more than 30,000 titles available, was creating about 1,000 new ones every month, and had expanded its operations into several European countries.
Technology also led to the development of the electronic book or "e-book," which combines the storage, search capabilities, and adaptability of a computer with the simulated page format of a traditional book; early versions appeared in the late 1990s. By 2000, thousands of books were being digitized, to be read on line, downloaded, printed out by the reader, or printed on demand by the publisher, thus assuring that their electronic versions need never go out of print. That same year, as reading devices became more compact and sophisticated, several of the largest U.S. publishing houses opened separate on-line publishing ventures while smaller electronic publishing start-ups became more common.
Meanwhile, some books also became available in component parts (chapters, maps, tables, and even paragraphs) that, for a price, could be customized into new entities created by their readers and, like other electronic books, be either downloaded from the Internet or printed on demand by the publisher, bound, and shipped to the customer. Since 2000, e-book readers have been developed that can store hundreds of publications, and they have become extremely popular with segments of the reading public. Software for reading e-books on computers, electronic tablets, and smartphones also has been developed. With e-books and e-book readers widespread, previously unknown writers have found it relatively easy to self-publish on websites that make their books available for download; by 2011, several of the books of such "indie authors" had become electronic best sellers.
Sections in this article:
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. | <urn:uuid:2277a8d1-b86a-45a5-bf19-2146e3806a49> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/entertainment/book-publishing-new-technologies.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00020-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961502 | 682 | 3.078125 | 3 |
Effect of yoga on QOL, cortisol rhythm, and HRV for women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy
Reporter: Lara Bonner Millar, MD
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: June 5, 2011
Presenter: L. Cohen
Presenter's Institution: University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India; this "old" practice has a new following, as complementary medicine utilization has increased in recent years within the general population and among cancer patients.
- Yoga is both a physical and spiritual experience that may help some cancer patients manage stress and place life in perspective. In recent years, studies have been performed to examine the effects of yoga among cancer patients and survivors; however, these studies have had limitations including the heterogeneity of patient population, various outcome measurements used, and non-standardization of yoga teaching
- Among breast cancer patients, radiotherapy (XRT) can decrease quality of life (QOL), disrupt cortisol rhythm and contribute to cardiovascular disease. An ongoing need to find interventions to help reduce these side effects exists.
- Cortisol regulation may be particularly important because higher stress hormone levels have been linked to worse outcomes in patients with advanced breast cancer.
- The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized, controlled, clinical trial examining the efficacy of yoga for improving cortisol slope, heart rate variability (HRV) and QOL among breast cancer survivors.
- 163 patients with stage 0-III disease, and a mean age of 52 years were recruited prior to XRT and randomized to one of three groups: Yoga (YG-n=53) or Stretching (STR-n=56) 3 times a week for 6 weeks during XRT or Waitlist Control (WLC-n=54).
- The control group received no instructions in yoga or stretching.
- The stretching and yoga groups had 18 planned sessions each (3 per week) for six weeks.
- There were roughly equal proportions of stage I, II and III patients enrolled.
- Cortisol, which peaks in the morning and declines throughout the day, was measured five times per day for five consecutive days during the intervention and each follow-up period.
- In terms of generating a "cortisol slope," a steeper slope indicated a greater decrease in cortisol, and therefore a greater physiologic impact of the intervention.
- Self-report measures of fatigue (Brief Fatigue Inventory scale), depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale ), QOL (San Franciso-36), benefit finding (BF), and spirituality (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale) were completed.
- Saliva and 10-minute ECGs were collected at baseline, end of treatment, and 1, 3, and 6 months later.
- The authors examined change from baseline for questionnaires and HRV data and slope analyses for cortisol.
- By the end of XRT, the YG and STR groups had a reduction in fatigue while the WLC had an increase (YG: -0.23, STR: -0.45, WLC: 0.52; p<.05).
- Class attendance was high overall with 80% of stretching and yoga participants attending at least 14/18 classes.
- At 1, 3, and 6 months after XRT, the YG group had a greater increase in SF-36 physical functioning compared to STR and WLC (1 month: 5.8, 2.0, 0.8; 3 months: 6.5, 3.4, -0.2; 6 months: 6.1, 3.4, 1.1; p’s<.05), with differences between STR and WLC at 3 months (p<.02) and similar outcomes for SF-36 general health scores.
- By 3 and 6 months after XRT, there was a significant increase in BF, the ability to derive meaning from illness, for the YG group (3 months: 3.1, -2.5, -2.5; 6 months: 1.1; -3.9; -4.7; p<.05).
- There were no differences for spirituality and depression.
- Cortisol slope was steepest for the YG group compared to STR and WLC (end of XRT: -0.12, -0.08, -0.08; 1 month: -0.12, -0.08, -0.07; p < .01 for all comparisons).
- Women who practiced yoga also had the largest decline in their cortisol levels across the day, indicating that yoga had the ability to improve regulation of stress hormone.
- Within group changes of the standard deviation of all n-n intervals (SDNN) from baseline to the end of XRT revealed significant increases in HRV for YG (p<.05; 64.3ms) but not for STR or WLC (5.8ms, -8.1ms).
- At one, three and six months after radiation therapy, women who practiced yoga during the treatment period reported greater benefits to physical functioning and general health. They were also more likely to perceive positive life changes from their cancer experience than either of the other groups.
- In the yoga group, the participants who attended the highest number of classes had continuous improvement in physical functioning scores. Six months post- yoga, those who attended the most classes continued to have improvement.
- While stretching improved fatigue and physical functioning, yoga buffered changes associated with XRT in terms of fatigue, QOL and benefit finding, and resulted in steeper cortisol slopes, and increased HRV.
- This is the first yoga study to include an active control group, suggesting that the benefits of yoga are due to more than simple stretching, social support or other indirect effects.
- The next step is a phase III study with a goal of recruiting 600 patients to a single blinded study with 3 arms: yoga, stretching, and relaxation controls; doing a single blinded study should diminish the possibility that an effect in favor of yoga is due to the placebo effect, since all participants will know they are going to be assigned to an intervention arm, though they will not know what the other arms are.
- The transition from active therapy back to everyday life can be stressful. Teaching patients a mind-body technique like yoga as a coping skill may make the transition less difficult. However, patients in this study group may be self-selected or interested in yoga or other interventions to help QOL, which may bias them to demonstrate a greater benefit in QOL and fatigue scores.
- Having said this, the change seen in cortisol slope is unlikely to be influenced by a patient's perceptions of the intervention. The examination of cortisol and other biomarkers in important in supportive care research, since such research has been frequently discounted for its use of "soft" endpoints.
- The intervention was given for only 6 weeks. It is unclear if this amount of yoga would have continued effects beyond 6 months, or if patients would need to continue the intervention for a longer period of time to sustain benefit.
- There is a growing body of literature on symptom management for cancer patients. Because patients rarely have one isolated symptom or need, interventions like yoga that can target multiple outcomes may have a great impact on symptom management. To that end, economic outcomes may be important: does yoga intervention decrease long-term health care utilization? Is the cost and availability of yoga an obstacle to its use? Patient risk, patient response, and patient treatment preference should play into the determination of appropriate supportive care interventions as we seek to further personalize medicine and supportive care. | <urn:uuid:24dd3214-9300-4c4f-8b5c-3fe787dfbe0d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.oncolink.org/conferences/article1.cfm?id=2149 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939796 | 1,588 | 2.203125 | 2 |
Freud was, in effect, trying to take the mystery out of myth. Once it was decoded as a history of the unconscious, all was explained. As Anthony Storr put it: "he was only happy when he was reducing things to the lowest common factor; and he did regard the unconscious as primarily the repository of bits of oneself that one couldn't accept." A very different way of looking at the psychology of myth was developed by Freud's one-time friend and colleague Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961). The fundamental difference between the two is immediately apparent in Jung's dictum that modern man is faced with "the necessity of rediscovering the life of the spirit." Jung, who was very interested in archaeology and thought of himself as excavating the mind, took myths to represent the inmost thoughts and feelings of the human race, patterns which are the product of inherited brain patterns. | <urn:uuid:568d2a17-be03-4853-97d6-4e1ffff6f4e2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://quotes.dictionary.com/Freud_was_in_effect_trying_to_take_the | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00066-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.98556 | 184 | 3.09375 | 3 |
The court ruled 5 to 4, wiith Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the majority, that the mandate is unconstitutional under the Constitution's commerce clause, but it can stay as part of Congress's power under a taxing clause. The court said that the government will be allowed to tax people for not having health insurance.
"The Affordable Care Act's requirement that certain individuals pay a financial penalty for not obtaining health insurance may reasonably be characterized as a tax," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the ruling. "Because the Constitution permits such a tax, it is not our role to forbid it, or to pass upon its wisdom or fairness."
In a speech today, Obama said from the White House that he wanted to move on, even as House Republicans vowed to vote symbolically to repeal it, and as his main opponent argued that the best way to ditch the law is to kick Obama out of office.
"The highest court in the land has now spoken," Obama said. "We will continue to implement this law. And we will continue to improve on it where we can."
Obama insisted that the debate over the political benefits from the court's ruling "completely misses the point."
"It should be pretty clear by now that I didn't do this because it was good politics," he said. "I did it because I believed it was good for the country."
The ruling is a clear victory for the Obama administration and a defeat for Republicans, who had anticipated that at least some of the law would be struck down. But it also means the debate will continue.
"It actually settles nothing. By shifting the debate to the tax arena, and with a four-justice dissent, the decision guarantees only that the broader fight over a suitable national health policy will continue," said Richard Saltman, a professor at the Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University. "In effect, the court decided this was too hot to handle. The focus will (has already) shift back to the political arena, where a deeply divided electorate will have to decide which policy path they want the country to pursue."
The court's ruling upholding the main part of Obama's law means that people must buy health insurance or pay a tax up to several thousand dollars a year. Other popular provisions of the law will stay, including:
-- If you are under 26, you can get health insurance from the plan your parents use. -- If you're on Medicare, you can get free mammograms. -- If you have what's called a pre-existing condition, you can get health insurance. -- Insurance companies can't deny you coverage even if you get sick or make a mistake on your health insurance application.
Watch: Obamacare ruling is bad law, says Mitt Romney.
The vote from the high court was five to four. Roberts, who was appointed by George W. Bush, joined the more liberal four justices in upholding the mandate. Justice Anthony Kennedy was thought to be the swing vote, but he sided with the conservative bloc.
"Our precedent demonstrates that Congress had the power to impose the exaction in section 5000 A under the taxing power and that section 5000 a need not be read to do more than impose a tax," Roberts wrote.
Read the court's full decision.
Pundits sailed off statements all morning espousing their views. From supporters:
"By authoring an opinion joined by the more liberal justices, upholding the so called individual mandate, Chief Justice Roberts has helped to strengthen the American Public's faith in the Court as an impartial institution of Justice," said Elizabeth Wydra, the chief counsel to the Constitutional Accountability Center, who supports the law. "The court today has affirmed the federal government's constitutional power to provide national solutions to national problems."
From the opposition: "I am disappointed with today's Supreme Court decision because the court has cleared the way for what looks like a very broad use of the tax power. But we can still be very thankful that the court has defended the contours of the commerce clause," said Carrie Severino of the Judicial Crisis Network.
Reading the dissent from the bench, Kennedy said the Affordable Care Act is invalid in its entirety."
"It is true that if an individual does not purchase insurance, he or she affects the insurance market to a degree," he said. "But the Government's theory would make one's mere existence the basis for federal regulation. There would be no structural limit on the power of Congress. As a result, the Government's theory would change the relation between the citizens and the Federal Government in a fundamental way."
Lyle Denniston, a Supreme Court expert who writes on the influential Scotus Blog, noted that the White House's main argument failed -- but that its Plan B case won out.
"Essentially, a majority of the court has accepted the Administration's backup argument that, as Roberts put it, 'the mandate can be regarded as establishing a condition -- not owning health insurance -- that triggers a tax -- the required payment to IRS,'" he wrote. "Actually, this was the Administration's second backup argument: first argument was Commerce Clause, second was Necessary and Proper Clause, and third was as a tax. The third argument won."
The ruling has immediate effects on the presidential race. Obama has called his health care law "the right thing to do," even as polling has determined that the law is unpopular. Mitt Romney, meanwhile, had vowed to repeal "ObamaCare" as soon as he became president, despite championing remarkably similar legislation as the governor of Massachusetts.
Even Karl Rove, the GOP uber-strategist who founded an outside spending group to defeat Obama in 2012, said the ruling helps Obama.
"If this is actually the decision, it's a boost for the president, but it doesn't make the controversy go away," Rove said on Fox News. "In fact, it probably enhances the controversy."
Reacting two hours after the ruling was handed down, Romney repeated his pledge to repeal the law on the first day of his would-be presidency.
"If we want to get rid of ObamaCare, we're going to have to replace President Obama," he said.
Obama was expected to make a statement within the hour.
While just 36 percent of people in the most recent ABC News/Washington Post poll had a favorable opinion of the health law, a similarly low number of people — 39 percent — had a favorable opinion of the health care system as it stands now. And while the GOP has trumpeted polling that shows Americans unsatisfied with the law as a whole, the White House has boasted of surveys that show that people are warmer to individual parts of the law, like letting young adults stay on their parents' plans until they're 26 and barring insurers from denying coverage to people with so-called pre-existing conditions.
Obama's opponents in Congress signaled they aren't done fighting. The Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell, said that "Congress must act to repeal this misguided law."
"Today's decision does nothing to diminish the fact that Obamacare's mandates, tax hikes, and Medicare cuts should be repealed and replaced with common-sense reforms that lower costs and that the American people actually want," he said. "It is my hope that with new leadership in the White House and Senate, we can enact these step-by-step solutions and prevent further damage from this terrible law."
The conservative Chamber of Commerce also chimed in. Said President Thomas Donohue: "While we respect the Court's decision, today's Supreme Court ruling does not change the reality that the health care law is fundamentally flawed. Left unchanged, it will cost many Americans their employer-based health insurance, undermine job creation, and raise health care costs for all."
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said: "I've been clear from the very beginning that I do not believe a one-size-fits-all health care program works for the entire country and that each governor should have the ability to make decisions about what works best for their state. Today's Supreme Court decision is disappointing and I still believe this is the wrong approach for the people of New Jersey who should be able to make their own judgments about health care. Most importantly, the Supreme Court is confirming what we knew all along about this law – it is a tax on middle class Americans."
In court, the government argued that the health care law was passed partly because in 2009, 50 million people lacked health insurance. Costs of the uninsured were spiraling out of control and were being shifted to those who are insured, doctors and insurance companies. And, people with so-called pre-existing conditions were being denied coverage. The law offered insurance reforms but mandated that almost every American buy health insurance by 2014.
The government said that Congress was well within its authority to pass the individual mandate under the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution. As a secondary argument the government also said Congress had the authority to pass the mandate under its taxing authority.
Opponents — 26 states, an independent business group and two private citizens — said that while Congress has the authority to regulate interstate commerce, it doesn't have the power to require people to buy a product. The opponents argued that the claim of federal power was both "unprecedented and unbounded."
In March, the court devoted more than six hours of arguments to different aspects of the law. | <urn:uuid:2385efee-c3ce-49c3-8abb-677d0129d0b3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://theusconstitution.org/news/supreme-court-health-care-ruling-mandate-can-stay | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00026-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978212 | 1,913 | 1.75 | 2 |
Lower Success Rates
At this point the reality is that MS IVF has a lower success rate than traditional IVF and every failed attempt lowers a clinic's success rate. Right or wrong, patients pick a clinic based upon that rate. These patients don't generally care if the reason it's low is because their procedures are different—they just want a baby. As a result, most clinics don't offer MS IVF at all. Those that do have strict criteria to maximize the chances of success.
Dr. Leondires says he and his colleagues in the field of infertility don't work in a moral or ethical vacuum. He personally stresses when he gets 15 to 25 eggs and only three of them are good, he wonders: Did he overmedicate? Is there something else he missed? Then he looks at the other side, which is that he got three good eggs. There's no guarantee that would have happened with MS IVF.
An MS IVF Success Story
After Christine Leach of New York, New York, conceived her first child via intrauterine insemination (IUI), she underwent four unsuccessful IUI procedures with her regular obstetrician in an effort to conceive a second child. Her doctor then referred her to New Hope Fertility Center where she underwent several unsuccessful IVF treatments. Traditional IVF treatments usually produce an average of 15 eggs—Leach produced only one poor-quality egg. Seeing those results, Dr. Zhang suggested that they try minimal stimulation IVF. His reasoning was that she was producing few eggs anyway; they may be able to improve the quality with fewer drugs.
Dr. Zhang's instincts were correct and Leach gave birth to Ashton on Valentine's Day. She credits the more gentle approach with her ability to conceive. "I felt like I was in a science experiment when I was going through traditional IVF," says Leach. "It was very stressful, and I felt terrible from the injections. The minimal stimulation therapy followed my natural cycle more closely, and I felt more like myself."
Leach's speculation that the reduced emotional and physical stress of MS IVF is intriguing in light of recent research on the effects of stress and stress reduction on infertility and pregnancy rates. It also points out what Dr. Leondires says is the best result of Dr. Zhang's research, which is the movement toward personalization of treatment for infertile patients. For some, this would mean MS IFV; for others, it would still mean traditional IVF or perhaps some other procedure. Ultimately, this ability to personalize treatment would save time and money, control the problem of unnecessary embryos, and result in greater success rates for everyone. | <urn:uuid:877fc456-b807-4446-9dfa-cd5588444e79> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.babyzone.com/getting-pregnant/infertility/ivf/minimal-stmulation-in-vitro-fertilization_67450-page-2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00049-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976627 | 544 | 1.539063 | 2 |
Business Financial Tips - Money Management
A critical part to any businesses success is being able to manage money properly, however not all business owners are financial experts. Therefore, they can sometimes lack the solid financial structure needed to generate consistent revenue and sustain themselves long-term. Here are some basic financial tips to consider if you want to succeed.
Set Financial Goals
Companies that set financial goals tend to stay on track by defining financial strategies. Goals are beneficial because they tell everyone in the company what to strive for, what to focus on and what the expectations are for success. With everyone on the same page and working together for a unified goal, the chances of success increase. According to Inc., it is important to keep financial goals measurable and realistic. An unrealistic goal defeats the purpose. So where do you want to be in 1-year? 5 years? Set a goal and come up with a plan on how to get there.
Create a Budget
Budgeting is important to managing money as it helps keep track of forecasts vs. actual revenue, and helps minimize unnecessary spending. Creating a budget requires a business to itemize all of its expenses and assign each a monetary value. The value that is set is the maximum amount of money that can be spent for the month or year on that product. Once a budget is created, managers and business owners are obligated to stay within the set financial parameters. Spending more money than what is assigned can cause businesses to lose money. Businesses should review their budgets frequently to determine if they are sticking to their financial plan.
Monitor Your Cash Flow
Cash flow is one of the quickest ways to get a pulse on how a business is doing. Cash flow statements allow companies to to review their financial position and determine where the they are making the most money (or losing the most money). A cash flow analysis is an important part of operating a successful business because it enables the management team to understand and address any financial concerns as they come up.
Find a Financial Partner
For any business, having a financial partner you trust, who understands the unique aspects of how your business works, can make a huge difference in your success. Minnesota National Bank has a team of financial experts that have been serving businesses within the Greater Central Minnesota area (including Sauk Centre, Long Prairie and Pelican Rapids) for over 100 years. If you need a financial partner, or just want to explore your options, contact us. We offer a wide range of financial business services and we welcome meeting with you and learning how we can help make your business more successful. | <urn:uuid:7dccbb8d-8cbc-4c9e-8cd3-95126343258f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mn-bank.com/mnb-news/bid/229566/Business-Financial-Tips-Money-Management | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957091 | 517 | 2.078125 | 2 |
Google in hot water after allegedly bypassing Apple’s Safari browser privacy settings
Google is facing an inquest after having allegedly been caught bypassing Apple’s Safari web browser privacy settings on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Google gets the big headline, of course, but Vibrant Media Inc., WPP PLC's Media Innovation Group LLC and Gannett Co.'s PointRoll advertising companies were all named in the report for tracking the web browsing habits of Safari and Safari Mobile users even when users have opted out of such tracking via Safari's cookie settings. According to the Wall Street Journal, Google and the other advertising companies used a special code that tricked Apple’s Safari browser into providing information even though it should have blocked it.
The Google code was spotted by Stanford researcher Jonathan Mayer and independently confirmed by a technical adviser to the Journal, Ashkan Soltani, who found that ads on 22 of the top 100 websites installed the Google tracking code on a test computer, and ads on 23 sites installed it on an iPhone browser. The technique reaches far beyond those websites, however, because once the coding was activated, it could enable Google tracking across the vast majority of websites
Google issued a statement to the WSJ claiming that it had mischaracterized what had happened and claimed Google had used known Safari functionality to provide features that signed-in Google users had enabled.
Google has since disabled the rogue code after being contacted by The Wall Street Journal. WebKit, the open-source browser engine that powers Safari (as well as Google's Chrome browser) already has a fix in place to prevent the work around, and Apple should be rolling that out to iOS users in a future update.
An Apple official said: "We are working to put a stop" to the circumvention of Safari privacy settings.
This bypass seems specific to Safari because, according to one of the advertisers, no other major web browser blocks their tracking by default. (Which should make any Chrome, Firefox, etc. users race to their settings post haste.)
This should also serve as yet another reminder not to believe companies by the words, but by their deeds. "Don't be evil" or "we care about every customer" is easy to say, and as technology enthusiasts we're predisposed to believe and even vigorously defend the companies we love. But they're big, they're out to make money, and as advertising revenue increases, we become their products, not their customers.
Were you surprised by this news? Is Google getting more of the attention than they deserve because they have the biggest name? How do you feel about companies bypassing Apple's tracking protection? | <urn:uuid:0bef4b56-b5b7-441d-b661-f2cd4ef769ae> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.imore.com/google-hot-water-bypassing-apples-safari-browser-privacy-settings | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00021-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95802 | 540 | 1.59375 | 2 |
At Georgia State University, we believe that all students have leadership potential. Our leadership development philosophy is based on a new way of thinking about leadership that emphasizes process over position and encourages everyone to consider how they can make a positive change in the world. This philosophy is guided by the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, a leadership model designed specifically with college students in mind.
Leadership Development provides a variety of programs and services to assist students in developing their leadership potential and considering how they can positively influence their individual communities. Prior leadership experience is not required to participate in our programs. We encourage students to take advantage of all our programs and services. We believe a strong leadership background will not only enhance your college experience, but will also prepare you for life after college.
Learn more about the Social Change Model | <urn:uuid:6b458a97-7719-4d84-9560-cd9d86a63736> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.gsu.edu/leadership/49614.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00069-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95178 | 160 | 1.828125 | 2 |
On August 2, 1858 the British government passed a law establishing the Crown Colony of British Columbia and offered the governorship of the colony to James Douglas, who was also serving as governor of the Crown Colony of Vancouver Island. In the process of creating the new colony the British government cancelled the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) exclusive trade rights with Aboriginal people on the mainland, and also invalidated the HBC’s ten-year lease to govern, colonize and control trade in the Colony of Vancouver Island.
Historians offer differing views on the factors leading to the British government’s decision to establish the Colony of British Columbia. In this critical thinking lesson, students analyze various textual sources to ascertain the most important causes of this historic event.
Students learn to identify the causes of historical events and then learn about the factors that led to the creation of the Colony of British Columbia in 1858. They analyze various primary and secondary sources for evidence of the importance of four main causes, and then rank order or assign a percentage to indicate the relative importance of each cause. Finally, students write a Colonial Despatch to the British government explaining the most important reasons for establishing a colony on the mainland of British Columbia. | <urn:uuid:d8613e16-a87d-4c68-b6f4-a25c5f4fd32e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.govlet.ca/en/cc3.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.932737 | 248 | 4.25 | 4 |
Past Attempts at ReformThe rules of the Electoral College are not set in stone. While Constitutional amendments are rare, they do happen. Twenty-seven proposals have survived the difficult amendment process, and with much less popular approval than the movement for direct election. Over the history of our country, there have been at least 700 proposed amendments to modify or abolish the Electoral College - more than any other subject of Constitutional reform.
Here are a few examples of past reform attempts:
1950: The Lodge-Gossett Amendment, named for its co-sponsors Senator Henry Cabot Lodge (R-MA) and Rep. Ed Gossett (D-TX), was a classic example of a reform plan known as proportional allocation. The plan was introduced in the 81st Congress (1949-1950) as an amendment proposal that would abolish the Electoral College as it was known, replacing it with a proportional electoral vote.
In this case, electors and the college would remain in place, but electoral votes would be allocated to presidential tickets in a manner directly proportional to the popular votes each ticket received in the states. The proposal was amended in the Senate to also require a 40% threshold of electoral votes for a ticket to be elected to the Presidency and Vice Presidency. If no one received such a threshold, the Senate and the House of Representatives, in a joint session, would then choose among the top two presidential candidates and their running mates.
The Lodge-Gossett Amendment passed the Senate with a super majority by a vote of 64-27, but died a bitter death in the House.
1956: Hubert Humphrey's (D-MN) S. J. 152 was a new, unique proposal of reform introduced in the 84th Congress. In this plan, the Electoral College would be abolished as known, but the then 531 electoral votes would still be put to use. Two electoral votes would be awarded to the candidate winning the overall popular vote in each of the then 48 states. The remaining 435 would then be divided nationally in proportion to the nationwide popular vote. The proposal passed the House of Representatives, but later died in the Senate.
1966: Delaware filed a lawsuit against New York, arguing that its "winner-take-all" system for awarding electoral college votes effectively disenfranchised small states in the presidential election process. The Supreme Court, under whose original jurisdiction the case was filed, refused to hear it. However, Delaware's action generated support from several other states and 11 more joined in the lawsuit: Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
[Delaware's Petition Part 1 (PDF 1451 Kb)]
[Delaware's Petition Part 2 (PDF 2397 Kb)]
[New York's Response (PDF 1559 Kb)]
[Delaware's Petition for Rehearing (PDF 142 Kb)]
1969: This proposal came to be after the 1968 Presidential election, in which American Independent candidate George Wallace managed to obtain 46 electoral votes, generating concern over the possibilities of contingent elections and electoral vote-trading for political concessions. In the 91st Congress, Rep. Emanuel Celler (D-NY) introduced the proposal, which would abolish the Electoral College in favor of a direct popular election with a 40% threshold and a runoff if no threshold was achieved. The bill was wildly popular in the House, passing 338-70, yet failed to pass in the Senate due to a filibuster.
1979: After the close election between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford in 1976, Senator Birch Bayh (D-IN) introduced a proposal in the 96th Congress to abolish the Electoral College and replace it with direct election. The measure failed the Senate by a vote of 51-48 in 1979. Because of its failure in that chamber, the House decided not to vote on its version of the proposal.
See floor speech from Kansas Senator, Bob Dole
1992 & 1997: Hearings were conducted to consider reform possibilities, but no proposal left the committee chamber.
2004: Colorado proposes, by ballot measure 36, to amend the way it allocates its electoral votes. Instead of remaining a winner-take-all state, the proposal, if passed, would have changed the state to proportional allocation.
See related stories on the Colorado attempt: NY Times / Boston Globe
2004: Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) introduces a proposal for Electoral College reform. HJR 109 proposes a majority direct election of president, and is currently residing in the House Judiciary Committee.
*Only two proposals involving the Electoral College have ever reached the ratification stage, and both passed (the 12th and 23rd Amendments).
The Case for Reform
Electoral College Table of Contents | <urn:uuid:16afd5cd-5532-47e8-8298-ca898d930d72> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://archive.fairvote.org/index.php?page=979&mode=showallbig&offset=10 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964359 | 973 | 3.546875 | 4 |
What Are Vascular Rings and Slings?
Vascular rings and slings are a birth defect in which abnormal arteries surround the trachea (the breathing tube that carries air to and from the lungs) and the esophagus (the tube that carries food to the stomach).
Vascular rings and slings can press on the trachea and esophagus and cause breathing and feeding problems. Children with this condition may have symptoms in infancy or early childhood and require treatment, but some do not.
Vascular Rings and Slings in Children
Before birth, it’s normal for babies to have some arches of tissue near their trachea and esophagus. As the baby develops, these arches should either turn into normal arteries or disappear. Rarely, these arches turn into vascular rings and slings.
Sometimes the abnormal structures wrap all the way around the trachea and esophagus. Sometimes they wrap part way around. This can still cause pressure and symptoms.
There are several types of rings and slings, named for where and how they formed. These are the most common types:
- Double aortic arch. In this type, the aorta divides, with half going around one side of the trachea and esophagus and half going around the other side.
- Right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum. In this type, the aorta bends toward the right instead of the left as it leaves the heart. A ligament connects the pulmonary artery and one of the arteries that branch off the aorta, trapping the trachea and esophagus inside.
Your doctor can explain the type your child has.
Vascular Rings and Slings at Seattle Children’s
Our heart team has treated many children with vascular rings and slings. We have extensive experience with the surgical treatment these patients may require.
When you come to Children's, a team of people will take care of your child. Along with your child's cardiologist, you are connected with surgeons, neonatologists, pulmonologists (lung doctors), nurses, child life specialists, social workers and others, if their expertise is needed. We work together to meet all of your child's health needs and help your family through this experience.
Since 1907, Children's has been treating children only. Our team members are trained in their fields and also in meeting the unique needs of children. For example, the doctors who give your child anesthesia are board certified in pediatric anesthesiology. This means they have extra years of training in how to take care of kids. Our child life specialists know how to help children understand their illnesses and treatments in ways that make sense for their age. Our expertise in pediatrics truly makes a difference for our patients and families. | <urn:uuid:512fb254-d18b-4620-a1e5-c0435496de06> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.seattlechildrens.org/medical-conditions/heart-blood-conditions/vascular-rings-and-slings/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948478 | 587 | 3.71875 | 4 |
Same-sex marriage proposals: SNP ministers accused of lack of leadership after gay marriage decision is delayed
THE Scottish Government was criticised by equality campaigners last night after it delayed a decision on the introduction of gay marriage. In a statement issued after Cabinet ministers met to discuss the issue, the government said it would take more time to ensure that churches had the freedom to opt out of same-sex
A Cabinet sub-committee has been set up to ensure religious organisations that object to gay weddings on moral grounds will be able to overcome legal challenges from those who believe they should
welcome homosexual relationships.
The government also rejected a call for a referendum on gay marriage.
Scottish Government briefings had led to widespread expectation that yesterday would be when history was made, with ministers formally announcing plans to make Scotland the first part of the UK to legalise same-sex marriage.
The failure of the SNP Cabinet to meet those expectations led to fury from those who have been campaigning for gay marriage.
Equality campaigners were angered by the delay, which arose despite ministers having seven months in which to consider the Scottish Government’s consultation on the issue.
That consultation was launched at the beginning of last September and was closed to responses three months later in December.
Last night, Tom French, policy co-ordinator for the Equality Network, said: “It is time the Scottish Government demonstrated its leadership on this issue and announced a decision.
“Same-sex marriage is supported by the majority of Scots and the majority of MSPs. The government have had seven months to analyse the consultation responses and to deal with the detail. We cannot understand why there is any need for further delay.
“The government created huge expectation, not least amongst the national and international press, and have failed to deliver today.”
Mr French added: “It is unfair to keep dangling the prospect of equality in front of LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] people, only to snatch it further away again.
“The government should now set a date for announcing their decision, and stick to it.”
Same-sex marriage has proved one of the most difficult issues for the government.
Major SNP donor Sir Brian Souter holds a traditional view of marriage, which he believes should be between a man and a woman. It could also cause difficulties for prominent SNP figures, including the ministers Roseanna Cunningham and Michael Matheson, who are Catholics.
The government consultation generated a record 78,000 responses, three times more than its independence consultation.
Earlier this week, the Catholic Church called for a nationwide referendum on the issue, a plea that was rejected by the Cabinet when it met at Bute House
A Scottish Government spokesman said it viewed the matter as “an issue of conscience, not constitution”.
The government also revealed that ministers would be given a free vote on gay marriage, assuming a bill is brought forward to parliament.
Before that is done, Mr
Salmond will hear back from a Cabinet sub-committee comprising Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, education
secretary Michael Russell and the Lord Advocate, Frank
A government spokesman said the sub-committee would examine issues surrounding the protection of freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
Recently, a legal opinion commissioned by the Scotland for Marriage pressure group, which opposes same-sex marriage, warned that ministers and priests could be sued for refusing to allow gay ceremonies in their churches.
The opinion by Aidan O’Neill, QC, also suggested that schoolchildren would be forced to
attend gay history lessons. Mr Russell’s presence in the sub-committee would suggest that schooling is another issue that must be explored before the government announces its position by the end of this month.
After Cabinet met, a government spokesman said: “We can’t go into the detail about the protections, but there are considerations in [Mr Russell’s] portfolio for his portfolio interests, the same reason Kenny MacAskill is on it from a judicial perspective.”
Advisers said ministers would be given a free vote and confirmed no minister had threatened to resign.
The Cabinet sub-committee will report back to the First Minister. It does not necessarily have to present its findings to the full Cabinet.
The last Cabinet meeting of the month will take place in Skye next Tuesday, but gay marriage is not currently on the agenda. A spokeswoman said this might be subject to change.
Last night, Scottish Youth Parliament chair Grant Costello said: “It’s very disappointing the Scottish Government has once again delayed the decision to publish the consultation results and reveal their own plans for equal marriage. It’s time to halt the hold-ups, end the delays and put a stop to the speculation.”
Labour’s social justice spokesman, Drew Smith, said: “This display of weak leadership on such an important issue will have people questioning who
is calling the shots in the SNP Cabinet.”
The Liberal Democrats said the SNP was risking its “equality credibility”.
But the delay was praised by Scotland for Marriage. A spokesman said: “We welcome the fact the Scottish Government is taking more time to reflect upon the gravity of the decision which they are preparing to take.
“We hope they will continue to be informed by legal advice which confirms that redefining marriage will unravel hundreds of years of matrimonial law, creating legal and cultural chaos across Scotland.”
Gordon Wilson, the former leader of the SNP and chairman of the Centre for Public Christianity, Solas, urged the Cabinet to “ditch this absurd proposal”.
The Scottish Government spokesman maintained that its consultation would be published and a “clear decision” would be made by the end of this month.
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Weather for Edinburgh
Saturday 25 May 2013
Temperature: 5 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West | <urn:uuid:4fda4870-da46-4863-a768-b80832a6ac1c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/same-sex-marriage-proposals-snp-ministers-accused-of-lack-of-leadership-after-gay-marriage-decision-is-delayed-1-2416541 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00023-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959611 | 1,262 | 1.703125 | 2 |
Reserve Bank Governor D. Subbarao is of the view that recent policy monetary initiatives have succeeded “to some extent.”
“Has the RBI succeeded in its efforts? To some extent, I would say,” Subbarao remarked during the course of a lecture delivered here.
Gains can be seen on the headline inflation front. But core inflation remains to be high and consumer price inflation is in double digits, he admitted.
In a low-growth, high-inflation scenario, it is worthwhile to imagine what the situation would have been without RBI’s tightening cycle.
Inflation cannot be reined in without sacrificing growth. Some sacrifice is built into monetary tightening but the impact would be only for the short term.
Monetary action cannot be helped since it is low and stable inflation that enables people to make decisions. “Inflation is a regressive tax for the silent poor,” the Governor said.
Powerful and resourceful corporates may protest high interest rates, but there also exists a vast majority of silent poor who suffer worst from high inflation.
Unlike in the former’s case, their voice is not heard in the media. Also, savers want high interest rates while borrowers would not like to contract money at those rates.
Inflation is fuelled as much by domestic supply shocks as it is by imported items(commodities, oil). Demand pressures too create inflation.
Monetary policy has to be the first line of defence in these scenarios. The RBI seeks to restrain demand while the government has to deal with the supply side.
Interestingly, in other emerging market economies, a low-growth phase has been accompanied by low-interest regime.
This does not happen in India. In that respect, India continues to be an outlier in the world. This has to do with high wages and infrastructural and supply bottlenecks.
Depreciation of the rupee has been more intense than currencies in other EMEs.
Risks to the economy arise also from global uncertainty, especially in the Euro zone.
This transmits into the trade channel (exports), the financial channel and the confidence channel, the Governor said.
Inflation cannot be reined in without sacrificing growth; but the impact would be short-term | <urn:uuid:5855799e-9b34-44e9-a6b1-43ca2d00890a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-money-banking/article3786314.ece | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953995 | 475 | 2.109375 | 2 |
A four-year-old girl was left physically beaten and emotionally scarred after a female lion in a Russian zoo pulled her into the cage and used her as a toy.
The child, who is now in a coma, seems to have been attacked while her grandmother was taking her picture next to the lion cage, London's Daily Mail reports.
She has been identified only by her given name, Nastya.
Witnesses say the lioness reached out from its cage and pulled Nastya in through the bars.
"It stretched out a paw and grabbed the girl, playing with her like a toy, tearing her neck and arm," a policeman said. "The girl lost consciousness from the severe pain."
The lioness tore Nastya's windpipe, severed her left arm and wrecked her shoulder, leaving her in a state of shock as well as physical pain.
A zookeeper and a band of visitors, including Nastya's grandfather, ultimately forced the animal away from Nastya by poking it with metal rods and spraying it with a hose, according to one witness.
The girl is now breathing with help from a machine, Dr. Viktor Shishlyannikov said.
One zookeeper said the attack was out of character for the lioness, who has been in the zoo for two years.
"She is so sweet, everybody could stroke her," the keeper said. "She has never been aggressive."
The zoo is investigating how security measures failed to keep Nastya out of the lioness's reach. | <urn:uuid:656cc426-fa1d-4d77-8e6d-54dceeba2daf> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://worldwrapfederation.com/profiles/blogs/a-lion-in-a-russian-zoo-pulls | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00049-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.986069 | 319 | 1.570313 | 2 |
Top 10 Automotive Safety Technologies
These are the top automotive safety systems to consider when buying a car.
No matter how careful and skilled you are behind the wheel, driving can be dangerous and collisions tragic in terms of damage to people and property. Fortunately, car companies have made huge advances towards protecting drivers, passengers and even pedestrians in the past decade through technology and research. Passive safety systems such as air bags and crumple zones mitigate damage after a crash, while more recent active safety technologies prevent accidents before they happen.
Here are the top 10 safety technologies available on modern vehicles – all of which you should keep in mind when shopping for a new car.
1. Seat Belts
The seat belt may seem low-tech by today’s standards, but this federally mandated old-school safety feature has been steadily improved by automakers to provide extra protection for car occupants. Pre-tensioning seat belts, for example, tighten in anticipation of an imminent collision using sophisticated sensors in a vehicle. And Ford recently introduced inflatable seat belts for rear-seat passengers that act as mini air bags to reduce their force and bruising effect on small children during a collision.
2. Air Bags
The automotive airbag – officially known as a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) since it complements seat belts to protect occupants in a crash – is another federally mandated passive safety system. When they first went into widespread use (in late 1980s) airbags were installed only for the driver; they eventually migrated to the front-passenger side of all cars. Airbags also initially got a bad rap because of early injuries to some passengers, particularly children and small-statured women. Front airbags now use a sensor to determine the size and weight of an occupant, as well as their distance from the airbag, to reduce the chance of injury. Modern dual-stage “smart” airbags have been mandated since 2005 and deploy with varying levels of force depending on the severity of a crash.
3. Side/Side-Curtain Air Bags
Airbags proved so effective they quickly spread to other parts of the car in an effort to protect all occupants, and particularly rear passengers, during more than just frontal collisions. Side airbags, as the name implies, inflate in side-impact (or “T-Bone” crashes. These can be as damaging and deadly as frontal collisions. Seat or door-mounted side airbags were the first to appear as torso protection. Larger side-curtain airbags drop from above the side windows to further cushion the blow and reduce head injuries for front and rear-seat passengers. Some cars also have specific airbags to protect the knees.
4. Crumple Zones
If the force of a collision can be reduced before reaching the cabin of a vehicle physical damage to the car’s occupants can be dramatically diminished. That’s the idea behind a car’s “crumple zones.” These special sections of a vehicle’s body, which are usually found in the front-end design but can also be integrated into the side and rear structures, are specifically designed to absorb the impact and energy of an accident.
5. Anti-Lock Braking Systems
Before Anti-locking Braking Systems (ABS), a major cause of vehicle accidents occurred when a car’s wheels “locked up” and lost grip with the road. The loss of traction, particularly on slippery road surfaces or when the driver stabbed the brakes in a panic situation, often preceded an impact with another vehicle or stationary object. ABS automatically regulates brake-fluid pressure at each wheel to prevent a lock-up, therefore allowing the driver to better maintain directional control of a vehicle. Unlike seat belts, ABS is not federally mandated. But it is standard or optional on most new vehicles.
6. Electronic Stability Control
Losing control of a car in a skid, either because of a slick surface, road hazards such as animals, or just poor driving or judgment, is also a common cause of accidents. That’s why Electronic Stability Control (ESC), marketed under various brand names by automakers, has become an almost ubiquitous feature over the past decade. It’s now federally mandated to be included on all new vehicles sold in the U.S. starting with 2012 models. ESC uses an onboard computer to detect skidding and loss of steering control and automatically applies pressure to individual wheels. It can also reduce engine power until traction is regained.
7. Bluetooth Hands-Free
Bluetooth allows a compatible mobile phone and vehicle to connect and communicate so the driver can make and receive calls “hands-free.” This is done using controls on the steering wheel or dashboard and, in many vehicles, via voice recognition. Bluetooth began as a feature on high-end cars but it is now widespread and found even in economy cars. And because many states now have laws that only allow a driver to use a phone hands-free you will likely need Bluetooth in your next car for two reasons: to safely carry on a phone conversation behind the wheel, and to avoid a ticket.
8. Roof Crush Standards
After determining that an inordinate amount of injuries and deaths were the result of vehicle roofs collapsing in rollover accidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tightened standards for roof strength. The new standard will start being phased in for all vehicles sold in the U.S. starting in September 2012. It requires a roof to withstand a crushing force equal to at least three times the vehicle’s curb weight.
9. Rearview/Exterior Cameras
Blind spots when backing up are the source of many expensive fender-benders. It’s also a common and tragic cause of thousands of “back-over” deaths and injuries to young children each year. This problem has been compounded by the popularity of minivans and SUVs that have limited rear visibility. The solution: rearview cameras that let a driver see what’s behind a vehicle when backing up through a display screen in the dash. In some luxury vehicles, additional cameras allow the driver to also view the sides and even a full 360 degrees around the vehicle.
10. Blind Spot and Collision Warning
Blind spots can also cause serious accidents when a driver changes lanes into another vehicle they couldn’t see. Using cameras and sensors, blind spot detection systems alert drivers with visual and audible warnings to vehicles in these no-see-‘em zones. Similar technology is used to identify (and issue a warning) when a driver is approaching a vehicle ahead at an unsafe rate of speed. Some systems will also prepare the car for collision by tightening the seat belts, closing the windows and placing the airbags on standby, while others will even automatically apply the brakes to avoid or mitigate damage from a frontal collision.
ADAS: The Next Evolution of Vehicle safety
Active safety systems that take control of the car to avoid or reduce damage are known collectively as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). And whether its Nissan/Infiniti’s Lane Departure Prevention, Volvo’s Pedestrian Detection or Audi’s Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, they’re becoming more common. These high-tech safety systems, along with the passive safety systems that have been around for years or even decades, will make the road safer for everyone. | <urn:uuid:378d7d41-1c86-4d4c-9a04-25ac7e4518e8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.totalcarscore.com/car-reviews/car-safety/top-10-automotive-safety-technologies | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00062-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.9472 | 1,524 | 2.6875 | 3 |
For the past 20 years, the TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) has measured mathematics and science achievement of participating students at the fourth and eighth grades. It has been conducted on a regular 4-year cycle since 1995.
For U.S. Educators, TIMSS is valuable since it compares the achievement of American students to their peers in other countries. From the National Center for Education Statistics:
TIMSS provides reliable and timely data on the mathematics and science achievement of U.S. 4th- and 8th-grade students compared to that of students in other countries.
TIMSS 2011 truly was a global study; 52 countries and 7 education systems participated in 4th Grade, while 45 countries and 14 education systems were involved at the 8th Grade level.
Last week, TIMSS 2011 was released. Note that all scores are adjusted to a 500 scale average. The results (…drumroll please…):
For 4th Grade Math, the top scoring nations are:
1. Singapore, average score 606
2. Republic of Korea, 605
3. Hong Kong, 602
4. Chinese Taipei, 591
5. Japan, 585
11. United States, 541
The following North American jurisdictions also participated in 4th Grade Math:
North Carolina, 554
For 8th Grade Math, the top scoring nations are:
1. Republic of Korea, average score 613
2. Singapore, 611
3. Chinese Taipei, 609
4. Hong Kong, 586
5. Japan, 570
9. United States, 509
The following North American jurisdictions also participated in 8th Grade Math:
North Carolina, 537
A listing of all participating entities and their TIMSS 2011 math scores for 4th and 8th Grades is reproduced below:
The National Center for Education Statistics is the source of Tables and other information extracted from TIMSS 2011 in this post. | <urn:uuid:05e46c7d-cdcc-42e4-af61-9491769a5104> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://singaporemathsource.com/timss-2011-singapore-leads-international-math-tables/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00067-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.911201 | 409 | 2.921875 | 3 |
24-01-0l KINDS OF SENTENCES
24-01-02 Sentence to Imprisonment, Fine or Work
Any Indian who has been convicted of an offense shall be alternately sentenced to imprisonment or a fine. No Section of this Code shall prohibit the Court from imposing any sentence, deemed more appropriate than imprisonment or a fine, under the circumstances of a particular case. Sentences may include, for example: Commitment to a rehabilitation program, work for the benefit of the Tribe, restitution, etc.
24-01-03 Payment of Fines
Fines shall be paid in cash, or in property of the required value as may be directed by the Court. Upon request of the convicted person, the duly authorized Federal officer shall pay the fine out of funds of the convicted person on deposit at the Agency, or, if the judgement so requires, shall approve the transfer of property to the Tribe in payment of the fine.
24-02-01 FACTORS IN DETERMINING SENTENCE
In determining the character and duration of the sentence to be imposed the Court shall consider:
1. That the sentences fixed in this Code are the maximum sentences;
2. The previous record and conduct of the convicted person;
3. Whether the offense was malicious or willful;
4. Whether the convicted person has made restitution or paid damages; and
5. The financial resources and needs of the convicted person and his dependents and such other factors as the Court may deem appropriate.
24-03-01 SUSPENSION OF SENTENCES
The Court, may, on such terms and conditions as the Court may impose, suspend the sentence and release a convicted person on probation upon the person's pledge of good conduct for the duration of the sentence.
24-04-02 Conditions of Probation
The Court may release on probation a convicted person on such terms and conditions as are just and appropriate, taking into consideration the prior criminal record of the defendant, his background, character, financial condition, family obligations, and any other pertinent circumstances.
24-04-03 Violations of Conditions of Probation
Any person who violates the terms and conditions of his probation may be required to serve the remainder of the original sentence, giving credit for the time served on probation.
Any prisoner confined to jail who shall have served without misconduct one-fourth (1/4) of the sentence imposed shall be eligible for parole.
24-O5-02 Granting Parole
Parole may be granted by the Court upon such terms and conditions, including the requirement of personal reports from the parolee, as the Court may prescribe.
24-O5-03 Violation of Parole
Any paroled person who shall violate any provisions of his parole may be apprehended and confined to serve the remainder of the original sentence, giving credit for the time served on parole.
24-06-01 COMMUTATION OF SENTENCE
If the Court is satisfied that justice will best be served by reducing a sentence, the Court may at any time commute to a lesser period any sentence imposed upon a person, upon proof that during the period of sentence the person served without misconduct and did satisfactory work.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part of this code shall, for any reason be adjudicated by any Court of competent jurisdiction, to be invalid or unconstitutional, such judgement shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which the judgement shall have been rendered. | <urn:uuid:647f123e-47f9-4a82-ada2-c00b9652651a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.narf.org/nill/Codes/sisseton_NTJRC/sisseton_wahpeton_codeoflaw24.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00073-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.928176 | 747 | 1.523438 | 2 |
This is not entirely accurate. Just check out the thread on "the difference between QM and QFT", where we have debated this issue recently.
Applying QM does not equal quantizising. QM cannot be applied onto a system with infinite or non-fixed degrees of freedom because one of the basic requirements of QM is a fixed finite number of particles. This explains the difference in interpretation of "an annihilation operator" in QM and QFT.
What exactly is that ?
Ok, "1) and 2)" mean the two notions i summed up in my previous post (eg HUP and superposition).
String Theory is a little more than that. What i meant with 1) and 2) is the fact that the gravitational interaction doees not know the concepts of superposition and the HUP. But these two notions are the basic ingredients of QFT, otherwise we could have omitted the letter Q in QFT. When you "quantizise" a field, this means that 1) and 2) become valid for these fields. But than again, how would you describe an interaction that does not recognize 1) and 2) in terms of fields that do. It is this manifest contradictio in terminis that determines the very foundation of string theory.
Besides, the most basic property of QFT are the fields of which the fluctuations correspond to elementary particles. In string theory, this basic property are indeed also fields of which the fluctuations produce strings. One of the clues of string theory is how to link quantum fields and strings. The reason that strings are used comes from the theory that governs gravity : General Relativity...Also keep in mind that in QFT, elementary particles are described in a fixed space time, while in string theory the fluctuations of the fields actually express the fluctuations of space time. I would say there is a fundamental difference here | <urn:uuid:8f1066d1-dc4c-4aa3-aa5c-3e71075f6fae> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=849596&postcount=20 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00027-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.934268 | 380 | 2.203125 | 2 |
Excessive speculation in the oil futures market may be costing you 15 percent or more at the gas pump and playing a "significant" role in rising gasoline prices, according to a joint letter from 68 members of Congress that ABC News has obtained.
The joint letter, which cites a recently updated report by the St. Louis Federal Reserve titled "Speculation in the Oil Market," urges immediate action by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to install caps on the biggest traders on Wall Street, preventing them from controlling unusually large positions in the oil futures trading market.
The Reserve's report called "Speculation in the oil market," which was just updated in February 2012, concluded there are two main factors for large price swings at the gas pump.
It says "global demand shocks," such as those caused by turmoil in the Middle East, "account for the largest share of oil price fluctuations."
The report also concludes "speculation played a significant role in the oil price increase between 2004 and 2008 and its subsequent collapse. Our results support the view that the financialization process of commodity markets explains part of the recent increase in oil prices."
The Federal Reserve paper also puts a price on how much extra consumers may have had to pay at the pump during the Federal Reserve's five-year study period, saying, "speculation contributed around 15 percent to oil price increases" during the five year period analyzed.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, has pushed for reform on Wall Street for years. He says the Federal Reserve report is significant.
"If the St. Louis Federal Reserve, a conservative institution, is saying speculation is contributing significantly to the high price of oil and gas at the pump, then I think that is clearly what the case is," he said.
Sanders authored the joint letter and plans to send it Monday afternoon, once his staff has formally gathered the signatures of the 67 other members of Congress who have pledged to sign on.
The letter cites a failure on the part of the CFTC to enact "position limits" on those who trade in the oil futures markets. The Dodd Frank Act required the CFTC develop and enforce those limits by January 2011. More than a year later, they are not in force.
"As the cost for American people to fill their gas tanks continues to skyrocket, the CFTC continues to drag its feet on imposing strict speculation limits to eliminate, prevent, or diminish excessive oil speculation as required by the Dodd-Frank Act," they write. " Although the CFTC has adopted initial position limits, they are not strong enough and not yet in force owing to industry opposition, delays in swaps oversight and data collection. This is simply unacceptable and must change."
The letter and renewed calls for reform from Democratic leaders in Congress comes on the heels of an ABC News report from February 23, in which CFTC Commissioner Bart Chilton spoke out.
Chilton got his hands on a Wall Street research paper written by Goldman Sachs, which revealed how the firm's own research quantified specifically how much it estimated the price of oil would rise with each large speculative trade. | <urn:uuid:30eb9568-fbc1-4e40-b84c-2d0169ce1a1b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://abcnews.go.com/Business/gas-prices-spiked-speculators-senators-claim/story?id=15847114 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974069 | 627 | 2.109375 | 2 |
From American Heart Association
Asthma may increase risk of heart disease in non-smokers
SAN ANTONIO, March 2 – For the first time, researchers say asthma may significantly increase the risk of hospitalization and death from heart disease in non-smokers, according to a study reported today at the American Heart Association’s 41st Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention.
"Prior studies have indicated a higher cardiovascular death rate among people with asthma but none of them looked specifically at non-smokers. With this new study, we know now this is true even among non-smokers," says principal investigator Carlos Iribarren, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., with Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research in Oakland, Calif. The researchers studied non-smokers in order to rule out the strong influence of smoking on both asthma and heart disease.
Researchers found that self-reported asthma, regardless of whether the patient was treated for it or not, was associated with a 33 percent increased risk of developing heart disease. Further, the study shows that individuals who were getting treatment for asthma at the time of their enrollment were 82 percent more likely to develop heart disease.
"This new evidence has important public health implications because asthma affects about 6 percent of the general population, and heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States," says Iribarren. He says the possibility that medications to treat asthma, including inhaled and oral steroids, may increase the risk of heart disease is a topic he plans to research in the future. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease known to cause lung and breathing problems and related death.
"Asthmatic patients and their doctors should be particularly mindful, not only about managing asthma, but also about managing cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose," says Iribarren.
Asthma was still significantly associated with the risk of heart disease even after the researchers made adjustments for the influence of other risk factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, level of education, cholesterol, body mass index, high blood pressure and diabetes. Because inflammation is now believed to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis – the underlying process that leads to narrowing and hardening of the arteries – the researchers hypothesized that asthma and its associated airway and systemic inflammatory state may also contribute to coronary disease risk.
"Studies to fully understand the imbalance of immune regulating factors in asthma and its effect on cardiovascular disease risk are clearly needed," says Iribarren.
The population-based study collected data for up to 20 years among members of the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, a large health maintenance organization (HMO) in the San Francisco Bay Area. The study was done in collaboration with the University of California San Francisco’s department of medicine.
A total of 22,036 patients (64 percent women and 56 percent white) between the ages of 35 and 89, with an average age of 50, were enrolled at the beginning of the study. Data on health conditions including asthma and cardiovascular risk factors were collected. All enrollees reported they had never smoked and were free of known coronary heart disease. Of these, 652 women and 410 men reported they had been diagnosed with asthma. Information on the subjects’ hospitalization and/or death due to heart disease was collected for an average of 13 years, through the end of 1998.
Self-reported asthma meant that a participant answered "yes" to the question, "Has a doctor or a nurse ever told you that you have asthma?" Those who responded in the affirmative were also asked, "Is your asthma currently under treatment?" Patients were defined as "never smoking" if they answered "no" to the question, "Have you ever used any tobacco product (cigarettes, cigars, pipe, chewing tobacco)?"
Co-authors include Mark D. Eisner, M.D.; Alan S. Go, M.D.; Stephen Sidney, M.D., M.P.H.; and Arthur L. Klatsky, M.D.
Darcy Spitz or Carole Bullock
AHA News Media Relations
San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter
Ph. (210) 554-6255
NR01 – 1251 (Epi/Iribarren) | <urn:uuid:f4f6495b-a338-4bcb-87b3-a0b88e30c5f0> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2001/A/200110533.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958932 | 892 | 2.0625 | 2 |
Northern & Central Midwest
Water Under the Mulch
Make sure water is getting under your mulch. If things dry out too much and you need to water, check carefully after watering to make sure the mulch didn't shed water. If necessary, pull back the mulch and spot water shallow-rooted plants like peppers and eggplants.
It's hot, but keep after weeds. If they catch hold, they will sap the water and nutrients from your vegetables. Right after you finish watering or it rains, get out that hoe and slice them off just below soil level. If you keep doing this, even perennial weeds will eventually give up.
Let Lettuce Re-Seed
Lettuce, endive and other summer greens should be finished and left to go to seed. They aren't beautiful, but if left to seed, will plant your fall crop for you, not to mention next spring's crop. Once seeds are set you can also cut off the seed heads and simply lay them on the soil.
Harvest Cherry Tomatoes
Harvest cherry tomatoes regularly. Expect them to crack after a rain, so if rain is coming, it helps to harvest them beforehand. They will continue to ripen on the counter in the kitchen. If they crack you can simply drop them to produce plants for next year.
Dig garlic when three-fifths of the leaves turn brown. Gently lift with a garden fork and leave to dry in an airy spot for two or three days (protect from rain). Then bring in out of the sun and dry for several weeks before moving into a cool basement or braiding and hanging in a dark, dry spot. | <urn:uuid:5703e4d4-04f6-4b6c-9622-6b1202010868> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/reminders/3518 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944215 | 343 | 2.53125 | 3 |
Complete with an appendix of additional resources (organisations, support groups, educational material, and web sites) and a glossary of medical terms, this engaging, down-to-earth guide is an all-in-one resource giving men everything they need to know about a serious though very treatable medical problem.
When she fell pregnant as a teenager in Ireland in 1952, Philomena Lee was sent to the convent of Roscrea, Co. Limerick, to be looked after as a `fallen woman' and at the age of three her baby was whisked away and `sold' to America for adoption. Coerced into signing a document promising `Never to Seek to Know' what the Church did with him, she never saw him again. She would spend... | <urn:uuid:2274abab-647d-4d7f-9675-604345199587> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mothering.com/community/products/category/parenting-books?Manufacturer%5B0%5D=macmillan&Manufacturer%5B1%5D=prometheus-books | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00069-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969915 | 159 | 1.609375 | 2 |
"In theory, stopping spam is easy: just make it uneconomic to send millions of messages by charging for each one sent, or make senders authenticate their identity to stop address spoofing and simplify blocking. In practice, that would involve building a secure, parallel email infrastructure linking electronic authentication with real-world identities: a daunting task. Yet that's just what Germany is about to do."http://www.infoworld.com/d/security/germany-provides-secure-way-deal-spam-510?page=0,0&source=rss_security
Certainly interesting approach and in my opinion something that is kind of overdue since a long time as good old SMTP was never designed for the today’s world and Internet. Also the idea to charge for emails is not new, but together with a new service type, providing emails on the same level as paper mail sounds interesting and it makes - at least for me - more sense to charge for such a service. I had many discussions with customers that wanted exactly such features like proof of identity, proof of delivery, etc. But the main question remaining is, if it makes sense to solve that in isolated solutions (services) or if we don't need a new global standard for such needs. SMTPv2? :-) As long as I need to attach also to the SMTP-World, I will still have a SPAM problem.
Also interesting the second aspect of the article, describing a new German law, that allows ISPs to charge for sent messages (if they wish). However, I'm surprised that it needs a new law to do so.Would you pay for emails and if so, how much?
Perhaps this would help to solve another issue: Bots on end users PCs. Sometimes, I get the impression that some people don't care about their PCs security and would even "accept" (or ignore) a (hidden) bot on their PC. They have a flat Internet rate and don't care about sent emails, other traffic and as long as the bot does not disturb their work. But if they have to pay? | <urn:uuid:29a0a898-e36d-4d07-9d83-97bab49bc2dd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://blogs.technet.com/b/ms_schweiz_security_blog/archive/2011/03/08/germany-provides-a-secure-way-to-deal-with-spam.aspx | 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 | 0.966844 | 434 | 1.921875 | 2 |
[Written for CultureWars.org]
[For those of you pressed for time, Lyn Gardner manages to arrive at pretty much the same conclusions using 1,900 fewer words. And she filed on the night. Consider me a little in awe.]
Toneelgroep Amsterdam’s The Roman Tragedies, directed by Ivo van Hove, designed and lit by Jan Versweyveld, collects Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra and stages them back to back for six hours; more or less solidly.
And what a staging it is.
The main stage of the Barbican’s theatre has been converted into a kind of chic corporate hospitality space. There are nicely minimalist sofas everywhere, large widescreen televisions, potted plants, and bars on either side, along with a small internet café, newspapers and coffee. This is Coriolanus by press conference for the CNN generation, a kind of living manifestation of Baudrillard’s The Iraq War Did Not Take Place (a massively misunderstood title, btw, which is actually derived from Giradoux’s play La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, which unfortunately became The Tiger at the Gates in English, thus depriving us of the chance to understand what Baudrillard was driving at).
One of the things that is interesting when watching Shakespeare in a foreign language is seeing what’s been done with the translation back to English for the surtitles. Here, barring a few odd phrases here and there (it was nice to see “O, happy horse...” and “Serpent of old Nile” survive), Tom Kleijn’s translation is mostly rendered in slightly more colourless lexical choices than Shakespeare made. However, given the staging, this works rather well as it doesn’t feed the production back into English antiquity. Instead we are watching “Europeans” in the 21st century.
After the first twenty minutes of the play – probably the first forty minutes of any other production; quite considerable cuts have been made – there is a “Scene Change”. Not much actual scenery gets moved, however, the audience is invited, should it wish, to go up onto the stage, get a coffee or wine, sit on the numerous sofas and watch the next bit at close quarters or on the big TVs.
After this, the atmosphere in the theatre completely changes. Suddenly it’s a whole lot more relaxed. The auditorium remains slightly lit, and the doors of the Barbican theatre are left open until the closing minutes (if you’ve not been there, rather than having aisles inside the theatre, the Barbican has them running outside the auditorium, with heavy wooden doors giving access to each end of every row. These doors normally automatically close in unison when the lights go down). There’s suddenly an unusual amount of agency. Given that the show runs for six hours pretty much without a break, this atmosphere of relaxation is enormously welcome, as is the sudden dispersal of the audience. All at once there is a lot more elbow and leg room (it’s pretty much exactly the atmosphere that I proposed would be the ideal conditions for viewing The Habit of Art, actually).
But these greatly improved viewing conditions are only part of the story. Thanks to having part of the audience on stage, there’s also now a vastly increased mise-en-scene. And it works brilliantly for Coriolanus. After all, the root of all Gaius Martius’s problems is his point-blank refusal to pander to the wishes of the people, or the people’s tribunes. That said, this relationship isn’t directly invoked here. The EU-fication of the look of the thing put everyone in suits. The people’s tribunes look like young, but professional negotiators. While to an extent this is a play about the power of the outraged masses, here it is mediated (aptly enough). We see the protesting people only on video screens. In fact, rather than a corporate hospitality area, what the staging most feels like is a newsroom – indeed, there are even sections where the Volciscan leader Aufidius is interviewed by a news anchor-woman.
Instead, what having the audience on stage here seems to stage is a professional class milling about both in newsrooms – watching election reports and breaking news or those clustered around television sets in cafés and bars, watching a public crisis unfold. It evokes a world from which “the people” are excluded, and yet are presented as the raison d’etre of the leadership. As such, it feels like a perfect evocation of modern politics. Perhaps this is a particularly British reading, mirroring concerns about the professionalisation of politics, and perhaps a wider concern about power being devolved to Brussels. Either way, as a way of opening up the dilemmas of Coriolanus, it is absolutely spot-on and totally engrossing, at the same time as presenting the most successfully “contemporary” Shakespeare I’ve ever seen, and offering an incredibly successful kind of “immersive” way of viewing.
Five minutes before Coriolanus meets his end, the red LED text scroller offers the message “5 Minutes until the death of Coriolanus”. It then counts down, until he is laid on a low trolley that runs on tracks between two glass partitions. The trolley is slammed home, and a camera takes a last, over-head shot of his prone body, which appears on the vast screen overhanging the stage, with the text scroller showing his name and the dates of his life. Then, without pause, Julius Caesar starts.
If Coriolanus worked well in this mediatised update of classical Rome, then Julius Caesar positively revelled in it. Where Coriolanus adapted the text around the need for on-stage plebeians to a certain extent, this Julius Caesar plays much more thoroughly with the idea of public address and who that public is. The private plotting scenes are carried on pretty much as standard, with suited conspirators meeting in what we imagine as anonymous corporate rooms downstage, while the audience continues to mill around behind them, or is seated in the auditorium before them. It is the funeral oration which is really transformed.
Joe Kelleher in his contribution to the Theatre &... series, Theatre & Politics, uses this section of Julius Caesar for a discussion of how theatre and politics interact – where the choice is to either stage the speech to the audience – thus theoretically achieving none of the impact it actually achieves, since the audience do not then take to the stage and riot – or else staging it by showing the orations being delivered to a largely crowd of costumed extras, thus placing the immediacy of the speech as some remove.
Watching it mostly on television from a sofa by the bar on the stage, it felt like I was seeing perhaps the best version possible. I could look over and see the “real” Mark Anthony hailing a “real” audience (though a mic with that echo/short reverb effect that invariably recalls the Nuremberg Rallies, and of which I shall never tire, no matter how much of a cliché it may be). Or I could watch the close up, being live-fed into the TV in front of me, along with dozens of my fellow audience members. It perfectly evokes the kind of speech that people would watch on television in a shared public space. Like watching 9/11 coverage in bars, or those American election night viewing parties, or Barack Obama’s inaugural speech. The sort of moments that have such evident public impact that people feel compelled to watch them together, as if for reassurance.
Even though it’s plainly a fantasy – when you’re on stage, you can see the lights, the auditorium, the actors, etc. – it’s one which, thanks, I think, to precisely these sorts of resonances, feels remarkably easy to become immersed in.
The “newsroom” type feel also makes a lot of sense of the “battle” scenes. Instead of showing anyone on stage actually doing any fighting, the lights flicker, two percussionists at either side of the stage make a fearsome racket, strobe lights flash in our eyes, while the performers run to and fro with clip boards much like one might expect panicked TV executives to as outside their studios conflict rages. While only on the video screens do we see footage of troop movements, tanks moving through bombed streets and the like. Again, a perfect evocation of modern warfare being something we only see on screen.
I ducked out for slightly more of Julius Caesar than I intended, something the makers of The Roman Tragedies both intend and legislate for. Nevertheless, my take on the whole is slightly incomplete as a result.
For all the immersive properties of the first two plays, there is a certain clinical edge to them. While one does take them in experientially, there is also always a kind of forensic interest winning out. One sees the plays anatomised. It certainly opens them up, and makes fascinating and suggestive parallels, but while you are considering their political import, you aren’t really feeling the emotional journeys of the characters. Perhaps this is also due in part to the less emotive, more matter-of-fact language you’re reading. There is no deliberate manipulation of your emotions. Indeed, the text scrollers announcing the death of a character five minutes before they die is at once amusing, kitsch and distancing. It gets a knowing laugh from the audience, and as such, makes the death itself feel somewhat less tragic and more of an historical inevitability. Which, of course, they are. You become dimly aware at the lengths other productions must have to go to in order to wring some sort of tragedy out of these tragedies.
That is, until Antony and Cleopatra.
Mark Antony has of course been introduced to us in Julius Caesar, and it’s enormously satisfying to the see the two plays run back-to-back, not least because it allows us to see the absolute contrast between his brilliant statesmanship in Rome and the tragic effects of his ruination in Egypt.
What’s especially great about this performance is that Mark Antony, played by Hans Kesting is in a wheelchair throughout. Apparently this wasn’t intentional. Last Friday, Kesting just broke his leg. However, the very fact of his being in a wheelchair really galvanises his portrayal. That it is a constant through both JC and A&C means that we don’t have to view it through the prism of any sort of intended naturalism, but instead, it’s just a very actual constraint continually being negotiated. As a metaphor for Mark Antony’s frustration and political hamperedness in the first and his, well, differently sourced political frustration in the second, it is hard to beat. He tears around the set, angrily unable to do exactly what he wants to do, with a savage energy jabbing at flunkeys with his crutches.
Chris Nietvelt as Cleopatra (female, don’t worry, it’s not *that* radical a production) is also outstanding. The stripped down version of the play’s text and structure does away with a lot of the speechified contextualising and instead gets straight down to business. Antony, lounging around in Egypt, is told of his wife Fulvia’s death. He whizzes back to Rome and promptly marries his co-Triumvir Octavius’s sister Octavia (Octavius, strangely, is played by a woman, however – and while not distracting from the story if the thing is modernised, then sure, why not have female leaders? But it does make it difficult to know which “sister” is being talked about sometimes). Cleopatra sits at home and doesn’t take the news at all well, and then all hell breaks loose when Mark Antony does return to Egypt.
While the preceding four hours or so have continually felt fresh and inventive, this climax to the cycle feels by far the most detailed. Octavia is presented as a sexy, rich-looking opportunist, while Nietvelt’s Cleopatra is infinitely more desirable precisely because of the force of her personality. There are nice directorial touches: Egypt’s flagrant, bisexualised licentiousness; a Roman messenger stealing a kiss from the stricken Cleopatra; and, at the very close, an actual snake, filmed close-up as it is handled by Cleopatra, its image filling the large video screen to deeply unsettling effect.
But it is the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra that really keeps you nailed to your seat (for the last hour, the audience are all returned to their seats and the emptied stage feels newly sombre – you feel that the end is coming). The stripping away of their more flowery language, perversely, allows them to demonstrate the way in which they cannot live without each other more physically. Stripped of ornate words, there’s just this savage passion. At the same time, you can see why everyone in Rome despairs of Antony. It is sheer idiocy. He might well be in love, but that doesn’t make him any the less of an idiot for allowing it to rule his decisions. Antony and Cleopatra’s decisions once at war can clearly be seen as the actions of two people whose belief in their love makes them feel invulnerable to the whole world and to logic. It is a damning indictment. And yet – rarely for this play – you find yourself compelled by their belief. Wanting them to defy the history books and somehow win the day. And yet, being lovers, even their deaths are a slightly farcical joke. Cleopatra gets a servant to tell Antony that she’s dead just to discover his reaction. His reaction is, of course, suicide. And so, when the two lovers are reunited, it is with the bitter irony that Antony has but a few minutes to live. His death, like the others before him, is portrayed with the trolley and the bird’s-eye-view photo. However, Cleopatra’s devastated scream is the first thing that really brings home the pain that death has on others. Her eventual suicide, long minutes later, is utterly devastating. The whole thing felt absolutely electric.
It’s hard to sum up six hours worth of theatre experienced in such conditions and the end of Antony and Cleopatra was such that left me feeling like my heart had been run through a wringer, quite genuinely shaken. This is a quite extraordinary performance, running from brilliant intellectual insight to raw emotion. Some of the most outstanding Shakespeare I’ve ever seen. | <urn:uuid:060f6eb5-5c4c-450d-98bd-4e895c2bb41a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://postcardsgods.blogspot.com/2009/11/roman-tragedies-barbican.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959165 | 3,146 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Lifting the Veil
“A race, like an individual, lifts itself up by lifting others up.”
Booker T. Washington
The problem of social and political equality remained, although the Civil War released four million people of African descent from the bonds of slavery. Above all other American principles, freedom and democracy continued to be the most sought after ideals. The struggle for equality would become a challenge that Booker T. Washington, a former slave, would face head on.
During this program at Booker T. Washington National Monument, students explore and discuss the reality of an uncertain future faced by millions of freed men. While exploring the tobacco field, students compare and contrast sharecropping and convict lease.
Discussing Washington’s determination to secure an education, his commitment to teaching others and his ascension to national leadership, students learn how education improved Washington’s life and how he used it to better the lives of people he touched and influenced. Booker T. Washington’s struggle up from slavery is a role model for children today.
Did You Know?
The "T" in Booker T. Washington's name stands for Taliaferro. Booker found out later in life his mother had given him this as a last name but he did not describe why. He made it his middle name. | <urn:uuid:137082b6-2e9f-4eae-bed8-b23221e0b11a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nps.gov/bowa/forteachers/liftingtheveil.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962564 | 269 | 4.0625 | 4 |
Expert to Discuss Advances in Muscular Dystrophy Research
May 07, 2007
Neurologist Charles Thornton, M.D. will discuss recent advances in myotonic dystrophy research, the most common adult for of muscular dystrophy, as part of a lecture series highlighting biological and biomedical research at the University of Rochester.
Thornton will discuss his work at Friday, May 11, in the Case Methods Room (Room 1-9576) at the MedicalCenter. It’s the latest installment of the “Second Friday Science Social” lecture series geared mainly to faculty, staff and students at the University, though the general public is welcome as well. The lectures are free. More information is available at http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/sss/.
Thornton and his colleagues are responsible for much of the underlying research that has identified the unique genetic cause of the myotonic dystrophy, a degenerative neuromuscular condition that affects some 40,000 Americans. There is currently no effective treatment for the disease, which eventually leads to death by respiratory or cardiac failure.
Due in great part to Thornton’s work scientists now understand that myotonic dystrophy is caused by a genetically defective sequence of messenger RNA that “misbehaves” by fouling up certain regulatory functions in muscle and brain cells. Normal messenger RNA transmits genetic information out of the nucleus and into the main part of the cell where instructions from the molecular blueprint get carried out. In individuals with myotonic dystrophy, the faulty RNA accumulates in the cell’s nucleus and interferes with the development and function of other, normal messenger RNAs. This process is responsible for the progressive muscle weakness and wasting and insulin resistance that are the hallmarks of the disease.
Thornton is co-director of the NeuromuscularDiseaseCenter, a leading center in the research and treatment of the several forms muscular dystrophy and other neurological disorders such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Ataxias, and periodic paralysis. The Center is also home to the National Registry of Mytonic Dystrophy, a database of thousands of individuals with the disease.
Thornton received his M.D. from the University of Iowa in 1981 and joined the University of Rochester Medical Center in 1989. | <urn:uuid:d209c7e0-b3fa-4d0b-b39d-222baeca66af> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/index.cfm?id=1460 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00065-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930676 | 487 | 2.546875 | 3 |
Ross is one of many former IDF soldiers who live abroad and volunteer to continue serving the country, leaving behind their families and jobs
Completing annual reserve duty requires Israelis to put their personal life on hold, leaving behind families, jobs, and everyday activities -once again packing their uniforms and gear and heading to base. But for some former IDF soldiers who live abroad, travelling to base is slightly more complicated. Even though these soldiers are legally exempt from reserve duty, some choose to return to Israel annually and contribute to the State of Israel.
Ross is one of many soldiers who volunteered to move to Israel and enlist in the IDF. After completing his three-year service in the Nahal Infantry Brigade in the early 2000s, Ross returned to the United States, though every year he and several friends come back to Israel to serve in the reserves. Although Ross had never visited Israel before joining the IDF, he saw a chance to protect and contribute to the country. “I always considered it as the homeland, even though I hadn’t been there prior.” Since returning to the U.S., Ross has maintained a strong connection to Israel. “I follow the news and participate in non-profit events that take place here, that support the IDF in many different ways,” he told the IDF Website.
But for Ross, supporting the IDF from afar is not enough. Despite his legal exemption from reserve duty, he feels a personal obligation to serve, “because it’s something that needs to be done, both by people who live here and people who live there,” he explained. “It’s a privilege that shouldn’t be taken lightly.”
For those soldiers who serve in the reserves with Ross, the experience of serving together over the years has created tight bonds. Many voluntarily take time off from their jobs to continue taking part in Israel’s defense. “We’ve known each other for many years, and we’ve done the service together, and we come back together,” he said. “Everybody has their own lives. People are married, have children. You have to find the time to take off, to take the personal time away from work. We pay for our own tickets, and we fly back.”
Despite these challenges, though, Ross sees that he is making a significant, visible contribution to the State of Israel. “I’m definitely proud of what I’m doing,” he told the IDF website. “I’m hopeful that my service in some way changes the lives of people I’ve served with – and those who I serve at the same time. There’s a triple connection there: a personal gain, where I feel good about what I’m doing; then, my actions change actions of those I’m surrounded with; and third, hopefully, there’s some impact in general on Israeli society.”
The IDF salutes soldiers and commanders of the military reserve formation and their families, for their sacrifice and contribution to the security of the State of Israel throughout the years. | <urn:uuid:ea8de011-b69d-46f9-b195-8fc3cc35f57a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.idf.il/1283-16150-en/Dover.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00036-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972923 | 649 | 1.734375 | 2 |
A shoal, sandbar (or just bar in context), sandbank or gravelbar is a somewhat linear landform within or extending into a body of water, typically composed of sand, silt or small pebbles. A spit or sandspit is a type of shoal. Shoals are characteristically long and narrow (linear) and develop where a stream or ocean current promotes deposition of granular material, resulting in localized shallowing (shoaling) of the water. Shoals can appear in the sea, in a lake, or in a river. Alternatively a bar may separate a lake from the sea, as in the case of an ayre. They are typically composed of sand, although could be of any granular matter that the moving water has access to and is capable of shifting around (for example, soil, silt, gravel, cobble, shingle, or even boulders). The grain size of the material comprising a bar is related to the size of the waves or the strength of the currents moving the material, but the availability of material to be worked by waves and currents is also important.
The term bar can apply to landform features spanning a considerable range in size, from a length of a few metres in a small stream to marine depositions stretching for hundreds of kilometres along a coastline, often called barrier islands.
In a nautical sense, a bar is a shoal, similar to a reef: a shallow formation of (usually) sand that is a navigation or grounding hazard, with a depth of water of 6 fathoms (11 metres) or less. It therefore applies to a silt accumulation that shallows the entrance to the course of a river or creek.
When surface waves move towards shallow water, such as a beach, they slow down, their wave height increases and the distance between waves decreases. This behaviour is called shoaling, and the waves are said to shoal. The waves may or may not build to the point where they break, depending on how large they were to begin with, and how steep the slope of the beach is. In particular, waves shoal as they pass over submerged sandbanks or reefs. This can be treacherous for boats and ships. It's good for surfers.
Shoaling can also diffract waves, so the waves change direction. For example, if waves pass over a sloping bank which is shallower at one end than the other, then the shoaling effect will result in the waves slowing more at the shallow end. Thus the wave fronts will refract, changing direction like light passing through a prism. Refraction also occurs as waves move towards a beach if the waves come in at an angle to the beach, or if the beach slopes more gradually at one end than the other.
Sandbars and longshore bars
This bar forms (sometimes seaward of a trough) where the waves are breaking, because the breaking waves set up a shoreward current with a compensating counter-current along the bottom. Also known as a trough bar. Sand carried by the offshore moving bottom current is deposited where the current reaches the wave break. Other longshore bars may lie further offshore, representing the break point of even larger waves, or the break point at low tide.
Harbour and river bars
A harbour or river bar is a sedimentary deposit formed at a harbour entrance or river mouth by the deposition of sediment or the action of waves on the sea floor or adjacent beaches. A bar can form a dangerous obstacle to shipping, preventing access to the river or harbour in unfavourable weather conditions or at some states of the tide. Where beaches are suitably mobile, or the river’s suspended and/or bed loads are large enough, wave action can build up a bar to completely block a river mouth, damming the river, preventing access for boats or shipping, and causing flooding in the lower reaches of the river. This situation will persist until the bar is eroded by the sea, or the dammed river develops sufficient head to break through the bar.
Shoals as geological units
In addition to longshore bars discussed above that are relatively small features of a beach, the term shoal can be applied to larger geological units that form off a coastline as part of the process of coastal erosion. These include spits and baymouth bars that form across the front of embayments and rias. A tombolo is a bar that forms an isthmus between an island or offshore rock and a mainland shore.
The largest of the geological units of this kind is a barrier island, such as occur along the East Coast of the United States, along the Gulf coast, along the southern coast of Belize and many other locations worldwide.
In places of re-entrance along a coastline (such as inlets, coves, rias, and bays), sediments carried by a longshore current will fall out where the current dissipates, forming a spit. An area of water isolated behind a large bar is called a lagoon. Over time, lagoons may silt up, becoming salt marshes.
In some cases, shoals may be precursors to beach expansion and dunes formation, providing a source of windblown sediment to augment such beach or dunes landforms.
Specific geology
|This section does not cite any references or sources. (October 2009)|
The barrier island can be separated into sections for easy study.
Lower shoreface
The shoreface is the part of the barrier where the ocean meets the shore of the island. The barrier island body itself separates the shoreface from the backshore and lagoon/tidal flat area. Characteristics common to the lower shoreface are fine sands with mud and possibly silt. Further out into the ocean the sediment becomes finer. The effect from the waves at this point is weak because of the depth. Bioturbation is common and many fossils can be found here.
Middle shoreface
The middle shore face is located in the upper shoreface. The middle shoreface is strongly influenced by wave action because of its depth. Closer to shore the grain size will be medium size sands with shell pieces common. Since wave action is heavier, bioturbation is not likely.
Upper shoreface
The upper shoreface is constantly effected by wave action. This results in development of herringbone sedimentary structures because of the constant differing flow of waves. Grain size is larger sands.
The foreshore is the area on land between high and low tide. Like the upper shoreface, it is constantly affected by wave action. Cross bedding and lamination are present and coarser sands are present because of the high energy present by the crashing of the waves. The sand is also very well sorted.
The backshore is always above the highest water level point. The berm is also found here which marks the boundary between the foreshore and backshore. Wind is the important factor here, not water. During strong storms high waves and wind can deliver and erode sediment from the backshore.
The dunes are located at the top of the backshore. The dunes are typical of a barrier island. The high sand dunes are only affected by wind because of their height. Similarly, strong storms are the only thing that really affect the size of the dunes. The dunes will display characteristics of typical eolian wind blown dunes. The difference here is that dunes on a barrier island typically contain vegetation roots and marine bioturbation.
Lagoon and tidal flats
The lagoon and tidal flat area is located behind the dune and backshore area. Here the water is still and this allows for fine silts, sands, and mud to settle out. Lagoons can become host to an anaerobic environment. This will allow high amounts of organic rich mud to form. Vegetation is also common.
Human habitation
Since prehistoric times humans have chosen some shoals as a site of habitation. In some early cases the locations provided easy access to exploit marine resources. In modern times these sites are sometimes chosen for the water amenity or view, but many such locations are prone to storm damage.
See also
- W. Bascom, 1980. Waves and Beaches. Anchor Press/Doubleday, Garden City, New York. 366 p
- Mirko Ballarini, Optical Dating of Quartz from Young Deposits, IOS Press, 2006 146 pages, ISBN 158603616
- C.Michael Hogan (2008) Morro Creek, ed. by Andy Burnham
- Dick Morris (2008) Fleeced
- Jefferson Beale Browne (1912) Key West: The Old and the New, published by The Record company
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shoals| | <urn:uuid:ba7eed5b-9889-4a23-b5a2-bc6eafbeb115> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbank | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00069-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935235 | 1,817 | 3.8125 | 4 |
ICU infection rates not a good measure of mortality risk
ICU-acquired infection rates are not an indication of patients' mortality risk, according to researchers the University of Pennsylvania, undermining a central tenet of many pay-for-performance initiatives. Public reporting of quality data is increasingly common in health care. These "report cards" are designed to improve the quality of care by helping patients choose the best hospitals. Yet, they only work if they successfully identify high performers, and may be misleading if they steer patients toward poor performers.
The findings will be reported at the ATS*2010 International Conference in New Orleans.
To examine whether or not publicly-reported infection rates actually identify the best hospitals, Kate Courtright, M.D., resident physician at the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues looked at patients in Pennsylvania hospitals especially at risk for two types of infections: pneumonia and blood stream infections. They calculated hospital death rates accounting for differences in illness severity across 158 hospitals, which included nearly 19,000 admissions involving mechanical ventilation and over 16,000 ICU admissions involving central venous catheterization, and compared them to ICU-acquired infection rates obtained from a public state website. They then used rank correlation and linear regression to determine the relationship between infections and death.
"We found that ICU-acquired infection rates as reported on a state website did not correlate with death rates for at-risk patients." said Dr. Courtright, lead author of the abstract. "In fact, hospitals with lower rates of ICU-acquired infection did not also have lower death rates for at-risk patients." For example, the 43 hospitals that reported no cases of ICU-acquired pneumonia had an average death rate of 35.7 percent for patients receiving mechanical ventilation; hospitals with high infection rates (ranging from 1 to 8 cases per 1000 ventilator days) had an average death rate of 34.6 percent. These numbers were not statistically different.
Despite their limitations, Dr. Courtright noted, ICU-acquired infections rates are likely to continue to be a part of hospital report cards.
However, "both policy-makers and the public should recognize that these rates, at least as reported by hospitals, provide limited information about the quality of the hospital, and may misidentify high and low performers," she said. "More comprehensive report cards that report both complications like ICU-acquired infections and overall survival rates are needed to help patients make correct decisions. In the meantime, more care is needed to make sure that hospital report cards don't do more harm than good. This is especially important because under upcoming health care reform, infection rates are also to be used for hospital reimbursement—hospitals with high infection rates will not be reimbursed as well for their care. Such a strategy, known as 'pay-for-performance', may actually penalize good hospitals with low mortality rates."
Research on the efficacy of 'report cards' in predicting mortality rates must be expanded to other states or in a national study, said Dr. Courtright. Additionally, she said, infection rates as reported by the hospitals may be incorrect as they have an incentive to report low infection rates.
"Report cards only work if they successfully identify the best hospitals," concluded Dr. Courtright. "We were surprised to find that many hospitals with good report cards from an infection standpoint are not that good from a more important standpoint—patient survival. Additionally, many hospitals with high infection rates actually had very good survival rates. Using these report cards to choose a hospital may be misleading and potentially harmful."
Source: American Thoracic Society
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- Researchers discover mushrooms can provide as much vitamin D as supplements | <urn:uuid:a8f58da3-12ff-4ab9-aaa3-66081ef31310> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/05/17/icu.infection.rates.not.a.good.measure.mortality.risk | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00058-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.936087 | 1,139 | 2.40625 | 2 |
Shaky Battery Maker Claims a Breakthrough
DETROIT — Lauded during a visit by President Obama, A123 Systems was supposed to be a centerpiece of his administration’s effort to use $2 billion in government subsidies to jump-start production of sophisticated electric batteries in the United States.
Instead, the company, which makes lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, has stumbled along with the rest of the nascent industry and now threatens to give more ammunition to critics of the president’s heavy spending on new energy technologies.
A123 had to cut workers at its new factory in Livonia, Mich., financed in part with the promise of a $249 million government grant, after its battery for one new electric vehicle faltered and required an expensive recall. Completion of the factory has been delayed. The company is running short of money and has warned that unless it raises more cash from private investors, it might not be able to stay in business.
Yet as much as A123 represents the risks of the government’s battery technology program, it also represents its promise. On Tuesday, A123 Systems will unveil a new battery technology that the company says is a breakthrough in the industry.
The advance uses a new chemistry that could permit the creation of a simpler, lighter, longer-lasting battery pack that does not require a system to cool or heat it.
The success or failure of the new technology may well determine the fate of A123. It will also render an early verdict on Mr. Obama’s broader push to promote electric cars and build a domestic industry to develop and manufacture advanced batteries to run them.
The president’s prediction of a million electric cars on the road by 2015 seems unattainable, given the tepid demand for the first models on the market. So far this year, combined sales of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and Nissan Leaf electric car total less than 10,000 vehicles. The slow sales have already become a campaign issue, and the failure of the solar-panel company Solyndra has also drawn intense criticism of the administration’s clean-energy subsidies.
In response to the Solyndra bankruptcy, which cost taxpayers about half a billion dollars, the Department of Energy has tightened controls on loans related to electric cars and other fuel-saving technology. In the case of Fisker Automotive, which received the defective A123 batteries, the government froze its loans when the company missed production schedules.
Executives of A123 , which is based in Waltham, Mass., say the company has gotten off to a slower start than anticipated because the market for electric cars has failed to grow. The company reported a loss of $125 million in the first quarter of this year, as revenues dropped 40 percent from the year earlier.
“It’s been softer than what we and everyone else expected,” said David Vieau, chief executive of A123.
Yet the major automakers remain committed to electric vehicles so far, and G.M. has given A123 the contract to supply batteries for the Chevrolet Spark, an all-electric minicar due next year.
The government, for its part, recently gave A123 an extra two years to meet production targets at its Michigan factory and earn the full $249 million grant, which is being disbursed in tranches. So far, only about half the money has been given to the company.
In addition to the factory grant, A123 has received about $14 million in Energy Department money for research and development.
The government may have financed the company because “these guys have some new chemistry, some new ideas,” rather than the ability to commercialize the product, said Professor Prashant N. Kumta, a materials science expert at the University of Pittsburgh, who began working on lithium-ion batteries in the 1990s.
He said that A123 had been “a bit of a disappointment” because it had not put much product into the market.
The Energy Department said it would not comment on the viability of individual companies.
But a spokeswoman, Jen Stutsman, said, “The market for electrified vehicles is expected to triple by 2017 — which is why automakers in every part of the world are racing to introduce new models of hybrid and electric vehicles.”
“The investments being made today will help ensure that the jobs that support this rapidly growing industry are created here in the United States,” she said.
Supporters of the energy programs say it is unrealistic to expect every government-backed company to thrive immediately.
“We should be willing to take on some of the risks for the new energy economy, even if some of these start-ups fail,” said Representative Diana DeGette of Colorado, the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee that investigated Solyndra.
But Mitt Romney, the presumed Republican nominee for president and former governor of Massachusetts, has attacked subsidies to energy companies as a waste of taxpayer dollars. “When Mitt Romney is president, government will stop meddling in the marketplace,” a Romney spokeswoman, Andrea Saul, said on the campaign’s Web site.
A123 Systems is a prime example of how a promising venture can bog down in the harsh realities of the automotive marketplace. Founded in 2001, the company has been primarily focused on making lithium-ion battery packs specifically for cars, like the Fisker Karma and a forthcoming all-electric version of the Chevrolet Spark, a minicar made by General Motors.
But the company stumbled when it was forced to recall potentially defective batteries planned for use in the Fisker vehicle. And with the future market for electric cars in question, A123 might not survive solely on batteries for those models.
Instead, A123 is now hoping that the new technology it is unveiling Tuesday, called Nanophosphate EXT, will help it enter new markets. The company says the new electrolyte chemistry eliminates the need for heating and cooling in extreme temperatures. That would avoid the addition of costly and heavy temperature-management equipment and prolong the life of the battery.
The technology could be used to produce batteries for telecommunications equipment, military vehicles and hybrid gas-electric cars that employ start-and-stop engine systems. It also could yield batteries that could be used to replace the millions of ordinary lead-acid batteries in cars currently on the road.
“It’s a hedge against the market for electric vehicles,” Mr. Vieau said.
The company is hoping that the promise of the new technology will help persuade investors to back a $50 million convertible debt offering by the company.
One battery expert said the new technology’s extended life span could have an immediate impact on the luxury-car market.
“The car company can advertise that this lithium-ion battery is going to last the life of the vehicle, with no need for replacement,” said Ahmad A. Pesaran, an engineer at the government’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo.
Potential automotive customers can test samples later this year, with production scheduled to begin in the first half of 2013.
Bill Vlasic reported from Detroit, and Matthew L. Wald from Washington. | <urn:uuid:7a42399c-98e3-4a3f-a417-a168fd268c43> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cnbc.com/id/47780339 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00045-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958173 | 1,493 | 2.03125 | 2 |
Excerpt from Blog Posted on July 9, 2012 by Rob Delwo
This past Friday I drove up to Ft. Collins to check out the entrepreneurial scene in Northern Colorado. I did a quick tour of the Rocky Mountain Innosphere, which is a non-profit formed to accelerate the success of startups in the region. The Innosphere has hired new leadership and will be a meaningful resource to the entrepreneurs in the area. I plan to keep in touch.
The hidden gem of the trip was the tour of the CSU Engines Lab. Lab Co-Director Dr. Morgan DeFoot gave us a fascinating tour of the lab and showed us some of the intellectual property that was developed at the facility. More specifically, it was interesting to see how innovation in clean-tech differed from that in the software world.
Incremental Efficiencies vs. Market Disruption
As someone who invests primarily in software, I’m always looking for the product and team that is going to change the market. Market-changers are few and far between, and most of the time I get pitches focused on building a slightly different, yet better mouse trap: “Foursquare with automatic check-ins”, “Pinterest for pet lovers” or whatever other improvement you can think of. At High Country Venture we try and steer clear of software with incremental technology.
On the other hand, the CSU Engines Lab is all about creating efficiencies to the current infrastructure. A slight change in the efficiency of a disel engine can be worth billions in cost savings and have a significant environmental impact. Unlike software engineers who start from a blank slate these engineers are improving the current system. While this may not work in software, it’s a great model for clean-tech.
Why Does Incremental Innovation Work in Clean-Tech?
The massive distribution of the energy markets makes an incremental changes extremely powerful. The folks at CSU Engine Lab are laser focused on use cases with large existing network, ultimately making a huge impact with one modification.
When it comes to physical infrastructure it is more efficient to improve vs replace. Financially speaking, physical infrastructure has already been recorded under capex and amortized over a set of years. What this means is that there is a specific lifecycle for things like engines, and most companies will elect to repair over replace. This means that retrofitting the existing infrastructure will have more of an immediate impact than attempting to build a new network. We’re talking about the switching cost. This is very different from the software world, where the switching cost from Sugar CRM to Salesforce only takes a few man hours. More…
Our goal is to help start-ups and entrepreneurs find the right technologies to succeed. | <urn:uuid:0da4af40-6192-437c-9129-578004371b6a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.csuventures.org/press_release.php?pr_id=64 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00033-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945391 | 563 | 2.25 | 2 |
Software Language Learning Methods
Much like the internet, software language learning methods are a relatively new format for language learners. Software can give us an even more interactive language lesson than we can get with other methods.
Language learning software can easily be found in any store that sells software and electronics, such as Best Buy, or of course online at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com
or any merchant that sells language learning products. Let's take a look at the strong points and weak points of a software language learning method and a few of the best publishers.
Full Media. Even more so than the internet, software language learning methods can give us text, audio, pictures and even video. While we all may learn in different ways, with all the options software has, we are bound to find the approach that works best for us as individuals.
More audio than audio. One of the best advantages of software is it's ability to replay something - instantly. If you want to listen to a phrase or word over again, it is easy to do. You can listen to it a hundred times over, no problem. It's much more flexible than a cd or mp3. Language learning software goes even further - many have a built in voice comparison feature. You can record your voice (with your computers microphone) and compare it to the native speaker to improve your pronunciation. Truly interactive audio.
You can use it at your own pace. Unlike all-audio language methods, software is usually structured a little more open, so you are freer to use it at a pace you are comfortable with, and in some programs, you are even encouraged to explore different sections and features.
Lots of material. A great advantage over books or audio methods is the shear wealth of information that can be crammed onto a few CDs or a DVD. Supplementary sections like dictionaries and grammars are commonplace in software language learning methods.
Must have computer with you. It's obvious, but it's simply not as convenient as a book or simple audio cd. While technology is improving by leaps and bounds, most companies that make software language learning products have not yet fully taken advantage of the potential.
More expensive. Unlike a book, which can be inexpensive but packed with useful information, the few inexpensive software language learning methods I have seen are not very helpful, little more than vocabulary exercises. The really good ones are considerably more expensive.
Software provides us with one of the best possible language learning methods. As technology improves and pervades our day to day lives, we are bound to see more and better software language learning methods.
I would recommend to a new language learner that if you look closely at this format for your core language method, you must spend some money to get the better quality products. You must also get some supplemental materials to work with away from the computer, but I would recommend that to every language learner for whatever method they choose. Check out the
Language Learning Tips
page for other materials and tips to use with your method.
Language Learning Methods
Auralogs Tell Me More is, in my opinion, the best language learning program. There are products for learners of all levels, including for intermediate and advanced. There is a new Version 10 that is available for French, Italian, Spanish, German and English, plus a few products for Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin) and Dutch. Read my review of Tell Me More for more information.
Transprent Language offers a variety of software language learning methods for a very wide range of languages. Their Premium software is a great alternative to higher priced packages from other companies and still offers quite a lot of content.
Transparent Language also makes the popular Before You Know It flashcard program and other software language learning products that would be a nice complement to other language methods for almost any learner.
This is one of the new major players on the software language learning scene. They only offer software for a few languages (Mandarin, Spanish, French and Italian currently) but it is their approach which is so refreshing. It includes video of a real instructor which personalizes the learning process and duplicates the classroom environment. And not just a few token lessons, but ongoing instruction throughout the learning process. You must
view their demo to see this unique approach in action.
Rosetta Stone is one of the most popular language learning methods. They use a full media immersion approach that gives the user a variety of options to use. The software is fairly expensive but is available in an impressive variety of languages. Try out the free demo to see for yourself how Rosetta Stone works for you.
Back to Language Learning methods Page
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"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence."
- Abigail Adams | <urn:uuid:9a1e9783-2c0d-45f8-9583-ca2933df4604> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.language-learning-advisor.com/software-language-learning-methods.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00037-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944798 | 975 | 2.25 | 2 |
"And indeed, the burden of Cassandra's "gift" is evident in mythology. She predicted the outcome of many disastrous events. In one memorable example, Cassandra announced the dire consequences of the Trojans accepting the infamous Wooden Horse from their Greek opponents. But as Apollo made certain, no one believed Cassandra when she warned her companions about the future. And this, in the end, was to be Cassandra's tragic fate." | <urn:uuid:7b3a2e6a-fb69-4d9d-981b-a74e47a41cd2> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://cassandra2004.blogspot.com/2007/08/garet-garrett-blue-wound.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00041-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953609 | 86 | 2.046875 | 2 |
Symptomatic splenomegaly, a frequent manifestation of myelofibrosis (MF), represents a therapeutic challenge. It is frequently accompanied by constitutional symptoms and by anemia or other cytopenias, which make treatment difficult, as the latter are often worsened by most current therapies. Cytoreductive treatment, usually hydroxyurea, is the first-line therapy, being effective in around 40% of the patients, although the effect is often short lived. The immunomodulatory drugs, such as thalidomide or lenalidomide, rarely show a substantial activity in reducing the splenomegaly. Splenectomy can be considered in patients refractory to drug treatment, but the procedure involves substantial morbidity as well as a certain mortality risk and, therefore, patient selection is important. For patients not eligible for splenectomy, transient relief of the symptoms can be obtained with local radiotherapy that, in turn, can induce severe and long-lasting cytopenias. Allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only treatment with the potential for curing MF but, due to its associated morbidity and mortality, is usually restricted to a minority of patients with poor risk features. A new class of drugs, the JAK2 inhibitors, although also palliative, are promising in the splenomegaly of MF and will probably change the therapeutic algorithm of this disease. | <urn:uuid:ecad862e-ebc3-42a3-834f-fb46f5bc65c1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://pubmedcentralcanada.ca/pmcc/solr/reg?term=jtitle_s%3A(%22Blood+Cancer+J%22)&filterQuery=author_s%3ACervantes%2C%5C+F&sortby=score+desc | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00061-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950714 | 293 | 1.820313 | 2 |
about the exhibition
New Works 99.1
March 11–April 18, 1999about the artist
Born in 1959 in Singapore, Gill was raised in Malaysia and currently lives in Sydney, Australia. She has shown widely in Europe, Asia and Australia, including solo exhibitions at Kiasma, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki, Finland; ArtSpace, Sydney, Australia; Substation Gallery, Singapore; Experimental Art Foundation, Adelaide, Australia; and Rosalyn Oxley9 Gallery in Sydney, Australia, where she is represented. She has participated in a number of group shows and international festivals, including Skin Trilogy at the Malaysian National Art Gallery; TransCulture at the 1995 Venice Biennale, Italy; the 5th Istanbul Biennial, Turkey; and the 1994 Adelaide Biennial, Australia. Gill’s installation at ArtPace will travel to The Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane, Australia. This is Simryn Gill’s first exhibition in the United States.
about the project
Vegetation, Simryn Gill playfully notes, is inspired by her desire “to be a plant in the American landscape.” As a North Indian woman born in Singapore, raised in Malaysia and currently residing in Sydney, Australia, she knows something of what it means to be uprooted, to use a botanical metaphor Gill favors. In her first trip to the United States, she wanted to investigate the complexities that surround our ideas about what it means to be indigenous.
Gill’s quest took her in search of the wide open spaces for which the American West is famous. However, she found she had to travel for six hours through the West Texas landscape to find land not hemmed in by fences. There she briefly enacted her fantasy, bringing home the evidence in the form of a series of black and white photographs.
Becoming a plant was not an easy process. On locating the appropriate sites, Gill gathered native plants and brought them back to her studio. There she transformed them into face-obscuring headdresses. Then Gill returned to the original site where she, and occasionally several other plant-spirited accomplices, posed for photographs wearing the headdresses within the rugged Texas landscape.
Though Gill’s description of her enterprise is humorous, it has serious implications. One of Gill’s intentions was to bring out the philosophical, social and political paradoxes that surround questions of nature, land and identity. Take, for instance, the fences. Fences imply ownership of land, but land outlasts all its “owners.” Who really owns whom? Similarly, while political borders determine national identity and make indigenous humans into foreigners, plants ignore human borders. People may be defined by accidents of geography, but who has ever heard of an American or Mexican plant?
Gill also alludes to Western culture’s mind/body distinction. In the conventional hierarchy of life, she suggests, as human is to plant, so mind is to body. Thus, she and her comrades demonstrate, when humans cover their heads, which they regard as the seat of their rationality and identity, they can imagine they are invisible. Yet there their bodies are, visible for all to see.
In these photographs, Gill and her semi-camouflaged comrades rise above prairie grass, stand in front of barbed wire fences and sit along the banks of the Rio Grande, the region’s most powerful border. The absurdity of their half human- half plant personas is further evidence of the clash between the human artifice of boundaries and the mobility of vegetation.
Vegetation is an extension of Gill’s longtime use of horticulture as a metaphor for the human situation. This subject matter allows her to undermine the familiar dichotomy between nature and culture. As an Asian artist from a region of the world deeply marked by the history of Western colonization, she is well aware of the Western tendency to view the Asian Other as an embodiment of “nature” and thus implicitly inferior to the norm of culture and civilization embodied by the West. By deliberately confusing the languages of nature and culture, she demands that we question such assumptions.
Gill reveals how the vocabulary of horticulture parallels that of politics. For instance, she points out that in the human world, the word naturalization refers to the legal procedure by which a person achieves citizenship. In the plant world, it refers to the condition of a species which has started to populate itself in the wild. The definitions are similar, but one involves exclusionary legal regulations and the other a natural process. The nature vocabulary spills over in other ways as well. We speak of human populations disseminating their seed or uprooting themselves. Meanwhile, the old hierarchy which places culture over nature remains in place when we say that people vegetate or that those who have lost consciousness have become vegetables. This lexicon suggests that nature metaphors are deeply imbedded in human consciousness. Gill reminds us that even the most radical transformations of industry and modernity cannot obliterate them.
In earlier work, Gill has pursued such ideas in works which blur the line between nature and culture. She has inscribed texts on the leaves of plants and carved them into coconuts set adrift in the ocean. She has also added tiny wheels to pods and seeds from Australia and Malaysia, transforming them into miniature vehicles which represent the global spread of food-stuffs and technology. She has made a suit from coconut bark and created paper leaves for living plants from the pages of classic books which deal with human exploration and botanical evolution. In all these works, there is both a sly wit and a thoughtful consideration of the mythologies of human identity.
Vegetation is the latest of these explorations. The plant people sprouting from the West Texas landscape are both alien and peculiarly familiar. They are reminders that none of us can escape the matrix of conflicting identities imposed upon us by geography, politics, history and biology.
Eleanor Heartney is a Contributing Editor of Art in America and author of Critical Condition: American Culture at the Crossroads. | <urn:uuid:2b2aac34-c3de-4287-8666-648463abc376> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://artpace.org/about-the-exhibition/?axid=50&sort=artist | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00059-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953846 | 1,241 | 1.734375 | 2 |
Unions Object to Proposals on Teachers, Principals
The heavy focus on teacher and principal effectiveness in the Obama administration’s blueprint for rewriting the Elementary and Secondary Education has already garnered criticism from the national teachers’ unions.
The administration would require that states accepting Title I aid for disadvantaged students establish definitions of “effective teacher,” “effective principal,” “highly effective teacher,” and “highly effective principal,” all based in significant part on student academic growth. States would also agree to overhaul their teacher- and principal-evaluation systems to align with the definitions.
The ESEA plan also would mesh with the administration’s fiscal 2011 budget request in cutting the nearly $3 billion Title II teacher-quality formula-aid program for states and pouring all new teacher-quality funding into competitive-grant programs ("Obama Proposes Teacher Results in Federal Law," February 24, 2010).
The blueprint outlines plans to increase the amount of reporting on factors affecting teachers at the local level. At least every two years, districts and states would report on a variety of school-level factors, including the distribution of effective teachers and principals; rates of teacher and principal absenteeism; teacher-retention rates; educators’ level of experience; and teacher-survey data on the level of support and working conditions. States also would be required to report on the effectiveness of their teacher-preparation programs.
The two national teachers’ unions have come out in opposition to the proposals.
Administration officials “say they don’t want to micromanage, and then they tell 15,000 school districts how to evaluate and pay teachers,” Dennis Van Roekel, the president of the National Education Association, said in an interview.
In the NEA’s view, the blueprint would still put too much focus on standardized tests—a major complaint about the law’s current version, the No Child Left Behind Act. “There ought to be multiple measures, and that doesn’t mean three or four tests instead of one,” Mr. Van Roekel said.
The leader of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, is concerned about the four required strategies in the blueprint for the 5 percent of schools identified as the lowest-performing in a state. Several of the strategies could cost teachers their jobs. She would like lawmakers to preserve the option for other restructuring models, such as allowing schools to customize interventions for students.
Both union heads expressed concern about the shift to competitive funding. They were backed by Daniel Domenech, the president of the American Association School Administrators, who said that the proposals would disadvantage poor, high-need, and rural communities.
Vol. 29, Issue 27, Page 23
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- Chattahoochee Hills Charter School, Multiple Locations | <urn:uuid:9caa55f6-9bd5-4b06-9200-d43cb3c3aaba> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/03/26/27esea-teach.h29.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.948384 | 655 | 1.617188 | 2 |