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A conference held to get public input into how to remedy the debt-ridden national health insurance program yesterday, rejected the idea of hiking premiums. The 20 participants in the three-day conference agreed unanimously that action should be taken to save the program from bankruptcy, but not through an increase in insurance premiums. The conference was organized by National Taiwan University's Sociology Department at the request of the National Health Insurance Bureau. The participants reached consensus that the health categories covered by the program should not be reduced to deal with the program's financial difficulties. They suggested a change in how premiums are calculated, from a percentage of an insured's salary to a percentage of their total personal income, saying this would be a fairer system. In order to raise funds to finance the program, they suggested levying a health tax on cigarettes and aggressively pursuing claims for damage on behalf of motor vehicle accident victims and against employers negligent in occupational safety. Abuse and waste in the health insurance program should be curbed to decrease the program's costs, according to the conclusions reached by the conference participants. Liu Chien-hsiang (劉見祥), general manager of the National Health Insurance Bureau, said the conclusions will be taken into account when the bureau works out its proposal for improving the financial health of the program. Noting that the bureaus' proposal will have to be approved by the Department of Health and the Executive Yuan before it can take effect and that the Legislative Yuan has passed a resolution forbidding the Executive Yuan from raising national health insurance premiums before the new legislature opens, Liu said his bureau will not cut corners in working out its proposal.	285,617
Using ADHD behavior charts is a way to successfully track good and bad behavior and use rewards and punishment in an organized, structured manner. Parents of children with ADHD can use charts to clearly see and show the child patterns in his behavior. A successful treatment for many ADHD children is to have a behavior modification plan and track good and bad behaviors on a chart. ADHD charts can range from homemade color-coded charts posted on the refrigerator to software-designed charts that compute rewards and punishments based on a child's behavior for the week. There are several online resources that offer free downloadable ADHD behavior charts. Parents who want to use ADHD behavior charts should consider what works best for their child and customize their own chart. How ADHD Behavior Charts Work To start a child's ADHD behavior chart, a parent must first list behaviors they want the child to improve upon, such as disobeying parents, whining, temper tantrums, hitting or yelling, as well as good behaviors that should be rewarded and encouraged, like doing chores, being kind to a sibling or friend, getting homework done, and getting ready for school on time. For each day on the chart, the designated behaviors are listed in columns. Whenever the child does one of the positive or negative behaviors, he gets a point or token in the behavior column. A parent may give different weights to different behaviors, so that the child can earn double credits for especially difficult tasks. At the end of the week, a predetermined reward or punishment is given for the total number of tokens or points. Benefits of Using ADHD Behavior Charts ADHD charts allow both parents and children to clearly see how a child's behavior has improved or worsened over a period of time. Sometimes a chart can help a child want to do better, because seeing improvement in stickers, stars or colors can be incentive in itself. Other benefits of using ADHD behavior charts are: Don't accept an ADHD diagnosis as a certainty, because the symptoms of ADHD could also indicate other conditions. If your child has had an ADHD diagnosis and is struggling in school, he might not be getting the treatment he needs.	227,995
Seal Japanese Paper Balloon These traditional Japanese paper balloons (Kamifusen) have been loved by children since they emerged in the 1920's as a cheaper alternative to rubber balloons,over time different characters and designs were produced yet it is the simple game of playing 'keep it up' that continues to delight children. Made from bright, crisp environmental paper. Each balloon comes flat with a paper belly band. To use, simply blow in the hole which will force the balloon to expand, inflate and form into its circular shape character. The balloons can be flattened and blown up over and over again. Suitable for children over 3yrs Balloon Diameter: 12.5cm	100,788
Kids Demand Healthier School Meals Says New Research LONDON, November 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Kids want healthy food on their school menus and would eat more school meals if someone like Jamie Oliver designed them, reveals a new survey out today. SwapitShop, the youth marketplace, asked over 1,000 youngsters aged 7-16 in October what they really thought of their school meals. Over 90% said they would like healthier meals at school, with 60% saying their schools were not providing them. Other key points were: - 80% want less fat and grease and more choice. - 80% want tastier food - Main complaints - greasy fatty foods, mushy vegetables, limited choice, long queues. Quotes include: 'Stop feeding us chips everyday'. - Kids not parents choose whether they eat school meals. The majority of kids surveyed said their schools were not delivering healthy, tasty food in a pleasant environment. Common complaints included excessively greasy and fatty food, poorly cooked vegetables and low quality food with poor taste. Kids wanted more choice including pasta, Chinese & Indian dishes, salads and fruit. Where healthy options were provided, these were of limited quantity and ran out quickly. Poor canteen facilities were also a common complaint with kids saying that they had to queue for ages. Not getting it right: - 'Use lower-fat cooking methods and ingredients' - 'More vegetables in good condition not sloppy!' - 'No queues..., queuing takes up half of my lunch break so there's no point!' - 'Chicken dishes don't taste remotely like chicken' - 'Semolina looks and tastes like sick' Trying to get it right: - 'More options than chips. In my canteen there is only enough healthy meals for 30 people out of the 700 that have meals' Getting it right: - 'My school food is great... free salad & veg & they put on a healthy set meal... they could advertise more about healthy food though.' Jonathan Attwood, SwapitShop CEO, said, "The SwapitShop survey showed that kids want to eat healthier food and have more choice. Some schools have got it right and are clearly working hard to meet their customers' needs, others are way behind. Adults would not accept it, why should kids!" Swapits - The reward currency for kids and teens. SwapitShop - A fast moving, constantly changing auction marketplace for kids and teens. Get content for your website Enhance your website's or blog's content with PR Newswire's customised real-time news feeds. Contact PR Newswire Send us an email at MarketingUK@prnewswire.co.uk or call us at +44 (0)20 7454 5382 Become a PR Newswire client Request more information about PR Newswire products & services or call us at +44 (0)20 7454 5382	294,761
Kamal Haasan, who was born on 7 November 1954 in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, has been a part of the Indian movie industry for more than 5 decades. His journey in cinema has seen him don a multitude of roles; from child artiste, to romantic lead, to one of the most respected and revered heroes of the film industry today. After making his debut as a child artiste in the film, Kalathoor Kannamma (1960), he has starred in nearly 200 films in all major Indian languages. His breakthrough into lead acting came with his role in Apoorva Raagangal (1975), in which he played a rebellious youth in love with an older woman. He secured a National Film Award for his portrayal of a naive school teacher, who tends to a childlike amnesiac in Moondram Pirai (1982). He was particularly noted for his performance in Mani Ratnam's Nayagan (1987), which was ranked as one of the best films of all time by Time magazine. A prolific writer of fiction and non-fiction in Tamil, his published work stands testament to his constant exploration of structure and form. As a student of Carnatic music, he has studied under musical maestro, Dr. Balamuralikrishna and lent his voice for many songs, one of his biggest hits being ‘Inji Iduppazhagi’ from the film Thevar Magan (1992). A true prodigy, Kamal Haasan wrote his first script at the age of 18 for the movie, Unarchigal (1976), which was then followed by movies that have gone on to become cult classics - Rajapaarvai (1981), Sathya (1988), Apoorva Sahotharargal (1989), Thevar Magan (1992), Mahanadi (1994), Kurudhippunal (1995), Avvai Shanmugi (1996), Hey Ram (2000), Pammal K Sambandam (2002), Panchathanthiram (2002), Anbe Sivam (2003), and Dasavathaaram (2008), in which he appeared in ten distinct roles; these are reverently etched in the hearts of millions for having set the bar for craftsmanship in the fields of screenplay, script, and dialogue. Kamal Haasan has always been passionate about every facet of cinema, donning many hats as a producer, director, screenwriter, playback singer, choreographer, lyricist, and a masterful exponent of Indian traditional dance. The extensive body of work he leaves behind will be cherished by students and lovers of cinema for time immemorial. Born on: 7 November, 1954 Born in: Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, India Height: 5' 5"	299,047
Bleeding hearts the world over are very happy with the news that Apple and Foxconn are working together to make employee working conditions better in their Chinese factories. But there is a group of people who aren’t so pleased about the reductions in working hours: the workers themselves. Foxconn employees interviewed by Reuters are concerned at the reduction in opportunities to work overtime. Working hours will be reduced to 49 hours per week, including overtime, and the workers are pissed. Chen Yamei, a 25-year-old worker at the Apple plant, said to Reuters “We have just been told that we can only work a maximum of 36 hours a month of overtime. I tell you, a lot of us are unhappy with this. We think that 60 hours of overtime a month would be reasonable and that 36 hours would be too little.” Apparently, when you’re not working, Foxconn is a pretty dull place to be. You can hang out and play video games, watch TV or spend time in your cramped dorm. But mostly people are here to work and make as much money as possible. It’s not all bad. Much of the worry stems from the fact that workers don’t believe Foxconn when it promises that less hours doesn’t mean less money. Employees will be paid the same for fewer hours, it says. We’ll have to wait until the new rules take effect to see just what this means. Will the cap in overtime really result in less money after all? One thing is sure. Whilst working conditions need to be improved in China, it might be nice to ask the actual people affected by change for their opinion. Deciding what is best for people in a country with a completely different culture smacks more than a little of paternalism, or even imperialism — something which the U.S exports plenty of.	130,856
Not the Whole Story Challenging the Single Mother Narrative Publication Year: 2014 Not the Whole Story is a compilation of seventeen stories narrated by single mothers in their own way and about their own lives. Each story is unique, but the same issues appear again and again. Abuse, parenting as single mothers, challenges in the labour market, mental health and addictions issues, a scarcity of quality childcare, immigration and status vulnerability, struggles with custody, and poverty—these factors, combined with a lack of support, contribute to their continued struggles. The themes that recur across stories illustrate that the issues the women face are not just about individual struggle; they demonstrate that major issues in Canada’s social system have been neglected in public policy. In order for these issues to be addressed we need to challenge the flawed public policies and the negative discourse that continue to marginalize single mothers—in terms of the opportunities in their own lives and in terms of how they are understood by other Canadians. The first-person narratives of the struggles and issues faced by low-income single mothers provide narrative richness and are augmented by introductory and concluding chapters that draw the narrative themes together and offer overarching discussion and analysis. Published by: Wilfrid Laurier University Press Series: Life Writing Title Page, Copyright This volume contains 16 stories that we hope will cause readers to think about and critically examine the ways in which single mothers have been positioned in our society. The life stories told here are narrated by single mothers themselves—they are their own stories, told their own way, about their own lives. Each of us has multiple life stories; as we talk about our lives and ourselves, the story told depends on our own moods and contexts.... On the Process of Creating This Book and on the Stories That Needed Telling Lone mothers who are poor are all too often stereotyped into categories that only put them down. Women are often blamed for circumstances that could not be helped. Many of the problems that are described here are systemic, and the oppression that women and lone mothers feel is entrenched in patriarchy.... The Individual Stories The lone-mother narrators of this volume originally planned to use their real names. They were proud of the obstacles they had overcome and wished to “own” their own life stories. After extensive discussion in the group, the women somewhat reluctantly agreed to use pseudonyms—and to have the names of people in the stories changed as well. Many of the women agreed to this only to protect their children.... I’m a single mom. I’ve been a single mom for 35 years. I come from a little town on the island of Newfoundland. I grew up in a very small house with my mom, dad, and 16 siblings. I am the fourth oldest child. They were very hard times. We had a tiny house that had tiny bedrooms and was never very warm. My father was away most of the time and we kids had to do what we could. We cut, dried, and stored the wood for the wood... My mom was a stay-at-home mom, and I really, really liked that she was there for me at lunchtime and after school. I thought my family was pretty big—three brothers and myself. My dad was always around. He was very important in my life. I made it clear to my husband that I wanted to have the option to stay home with my children when I became a mother. It didn’t make sense that I would put my kids in daycare while I worked. I believed that my kids should... My name is Mary, and I’m 39 years old. My mother abandoned my dad with three kids. I was the youngest of the three. My dad worked full-time as a construction worker and eventually ran his own business. My brother, sister, and I spent a lot of time in daycares and with babysitters. What I remember of growing up with my dad is waking up early at 5:30 a.m. I would make his coffee while my dad bathed and got ready for... I was born in Toronto, in the west end. I have a fraternal twin sister and another sister who is two and a half years older. My parents divorced when I was five. My mother, who was a single mother, raised us until grade 10, when we were 15. When my twin and I started acting out in school, skipping out and getting in with the wrong crowd, my mother and father decided that it would be best if we moved in with him. We moved to High Park for Grade 11 to live with... I was born and raised in Toronto. My parents are in a different house now, just down the street from where we used to live, which is funny. They are both from Italy. My dad came here first to work. Later, he knew somebody who knew my mom, so he went back to Italy and proposed to her and they both returned to Canada. So there are five of us in the family—me and my four brothers. I have ... My name is Stacey, and I am 49 years old. I am the youngest daughter in a family of six. I was born in Toronto and am second-generation Canadian. My grandparents were from Barbados and Saint Kitts.... I was born in Toronto in the late 1960s, during the month of February. My mother is Algonquin First Nations/Irish, my father is Scottish. I have a sister who is 16 months older. My parents were kind and loving toward my sister and me as best they knew how, resulting in a lot of love and a lot of neglect. My parents had volatile tempers toward each other, they simply could not get along, and both had issues with alcohol. There was a lot of fighting and yelling between them, so... Until I was seven I was under the care of my grandmother and grandfather in a small village in Eastern Europe. Even though my grandmother was 61 and had a serious heart condition, she began taking care of me after my mom divorced my father. I was only one and a half years old and that she took care of me is a very special part of my life. She really saved my life. I know just how important she was because much later in my life, when my mother was angry,... I was born in Central America and I came to Canada on my own in my late teens. Before I was born, my mom had a good job where she worked as a representative for different companies. She worked at promoting the companies, which meant things like going to parties and events to talk about the company. She had two children, my half-sister and half-brother, with her first husband. He owned a company but he didn’t have a good relationship with the employees,... I am single parent, not really by choice, but I had to leave a violent husband. It was the hardest thing for me to do, because I come from another culture. Coming from Africa, we are taught that you are supposed to stay with your husband. It doesn’t matter what happened. Your family is supposed to be this—a mom, a dad, and children. So when I came to Canada, I was really surprised to see how many people had what I called, in those days, broken homes. But then it happened to me, and the biggest difference between the country where... My name is Christina, and I was born in Portugal in 1967. I came to Canada in 1974. I’m an only child. My parents are very traditional Portuguese, bluecollar, uneducated people who work very hard. Within a year of coming to this country they bought their own house. This was the mid-1970s and they had a lot to work through—a language barrier, a social barrier, and leaving all their family behind. I only had one aunt, one uncle, and a couple of cousins here.... I was born in the UK. I am the second oldest of eight children. I came to Canada in the early 1980s as a runaway. The thing that has made my life extremely difficult is that for as long as I can remember my mother was never around for us. My stepfather sexually abused my siblings and me when we were growing up. He made my siblings do a lot of unspeakable things together. The abuse I suffered as a child has really fucked up my head. I am so not happy about it and hope that he is forever burning in hell.... I was born in Africa, and we had a really poor family—really, really poor, with six sisters and my mom and dad. I don’t know what happened with them but they fought, and my dad managed to keep two of us, and my mom ran with the rest.... I was born in Central America, and I lived there with my birth mom until I was five. I later learned from my adoptive parents that I may be half American, so I think maybe my father was American. My brother is two years younger than me, and he also lived with my mom at that time. I don’t remember much about living with our mom, but I remember her long hair. I don’t remember her personality, just that she was a kind lady. When I was five, government soldiers... I was born in Eastern Europe and I was the only child. I had the most amazing grandparents, and from probably six months or so I grew up at my grandmother’s. This was a big blessing, because my mother had some health issues. I was able to get to see farm life and I absolutely got to see nature and to love animals—back home that was the norm. Whoever went to daycare was not considered lucky. People thought I was lucky that I had grandparents and... My name is Jenna, and I am from the Philippines. I have nine brothers and sisters and I am the eldest. My parents are very loving parents. My father is a farmer, and they also do buy and sell. He grows rice, corn, and vegetables. Being the eldest you get all the attention at first, but then you have to be independent and do your best. I have happy memories of my childhood. Our family is very united—we have 100 on my grandmother’s side. When my grandmother died, they said we were 100 grandchildren. We were a happy family; we... Lea Caragata and Judit Alcalde This following section of the book is a departure in style and form from Part I. We felt it important to let the stories of Part I speak for themselves and to not engage in any direct analysis of the very personal narratives of our co-authors, the women who have chosen to tell their stories. Yet their motive, and ours as the volume’s editors, is to bring to light some of the broader structural issues, to tell “the whole story” that explains so much of ... Lucy starts her story by telling us that she is a single mom not by choice but because she had to leave an abusive relationship. This notion of choice is a fundamental idea in capitalist western democracies. Lucy must declaim that she had no choice because the common presumption is that people, single mothers, have made sets of choices, freely undertaken, that have created their present circumstance. If this book seeks to refute just one element... - Social Sciences - Social Sciences > Sociology - Women's Studies, Gender, and Sexuality > Women's Studies - Email a link to this page - Single mothers--Canada--Biography. - Single mothers--Canada--Social conditions. - You have access to this content - Free sample - Open Access - Restricted Access	86,895
ISTE Conference Take-Aways Attending Conferences allow us to connect with ideas, emerging trends and often most importantly people who are energized about bringing those ideas and trends to life. They want to make a difference in the lives of the students they serve and believe that harnessing the power of today’s technology and new media is one key means of ‘unlocking the potential’ inherent there. The ISTE conference (International Society for Technology in Education) is the largest Educational Technology conference in existence. This year ISTE 2011 drew 22,000 people to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Attendees come from all over the world! What is most amazing about this conference is the enthusiasm and collegiality of the attendees. Walk in on day 1 and you can feel the energy. People are happy to learn but even often are excited about meeting people who share their passion for teaching and learning. It is a great gathering for finding out about emerging technologies and the best ways to incorporate them into today’s classrooms. Often they are meeting people face to face for the first time that they have made connections with online via blogs, twitter, online forums and other venues. Attendees walk in with excitement and go home with new connections, new friends, news on emerging trends and the means to bring new ideas to life. The good news is that you don’t have to attend the conference to get some valuable take aways. Much of it is stored online. School Leaders, Teachers and Tech Leaders can view the session recordings, read the blog posts and more. Take advantage of these online resources and take away some ideas to try. Use them as you envision the future of your classrooms. 10 ISTE Take Aways for School Leaders - Main Conference Site – ISTE11 ‘Unlocking Potential’ Conference, Philadelphia See Sessions resources, vendor links and more - ISTE Video on Demand – 19 Selected Sessions - Recorded Sessions – 45 recorded sessions from #iste11 http://bit.ly/aXVcOB - Closing Keynote: Chris Lehmann Keynote - ISTE Unplugged Wiki – See additional sessions here via Elluminate - Blogging ISTE – Visit these blogs to view posts during and after the conference - Photos Galore – ISTE11 Flickr Group - ISTE 11 Conference Online Community/Ning – Join in ongoing discussions here - Follow on Twitter - View on Facebook In Chris Lehmann Closing Keynote he inspired listeners to remember that the real power of technology is in it’s power to give agency to people, to our children, to educators. Technology innovation and tools help, change and can be powerful. However the real power of technology is the way it empowers people to create, to change, to make a difference. Technology can enable us to do more, be better, seek answers, share knowledge, and bring our voices to the world As we seek the best that technology has to offer, we can use it to empower the children and ourselves to make the world better place, and to unlock potential!	111,101
Character Agency and Why It MattersAug 21, 2022 ‘Character agency’ in fiction is used to describe the ability a character has to take action to affect the events of the story. It’s often used in a negative sense. Rejection letters may refer to the ‘lack of agency’ of the main character as the reason a literary agent passes on a submission. It’s become quite a fashionable phrase to explain why a story’s just not working, so any writer aiming to get published will want to consider whether their main character is missing out on their full potential for ‘agency’. Where does character agency go missing? In an era concerned with power and abuse of power, having the capacity to make choices, affect events, and drive outcomes is a hot topic in the literary world. In the #MeToo era, and when women tend to read more than men, the issue of female agency matters. But sometimes, writers face the problem of a female main character who is denied agency. In historical fiction, the female lead is often someone to whom things ‘happen’. Fantasy fiction faces a similar challenge. Due to the epic scale of the genre, characters of all genders often find themselves at the mercy of huge political and magical forces beyond any normal person’s control, and female characters seem to particularly suffer from being drowned under a wave of plot. Even in the ever-popular genres of psychological suspense and crime fiction, things happen to women more than women happen to things. In an era concerned with power and abuse of power, having the capacity to make choices, affect events, and drive outcomes is a hot topic in the literary world. The female lead – often described in the title as a ‘girl’ even when she is an adult – may be hapless or winsome, a victim who is disempowered whether through a sense of self-sacrifice and duty, romantic naivety, drink problems or memory loss. She’s often ‘The Girl Who’... looks out of windows, sits on trains, and narrates the exciting or gruesome events as they unfold without her involvement being very necessary. Character agency in crime and suspense fiction It’s arguable that regardless of gender, the lack of agency in the character who is the eyes of the reader, from whose point of view the story is told, is necessary to the mechanics of a suspense plot. They act as our ‘avatar’. And fair enough! The problem of the lead character’s lack of agency in these genres is counterbalanced by the strong story driver of the whodunnit. That’s why the blending of historical fiction with the whodunnit is such a winning combination. But it’s not just in these genres we see a lack of agency from our main character. Character agency in Up Lit We meet Ove in Fredrick Backman’s A Man Called Ove living a routine existence. He measures out his coffee the same way every day and is reduced to checking the door handle on his garage three times daily, after which he tours the guest parking area. Hardly an adventurous, proactive existence. It’s a hallmark of the genre that a single lonely soul is defeated and it takes a team to get them to be an active participant in their lifetime. The author of Up Lit counteracts the dead weight of this lack of character agency with a catalogue of idiosyncratic habits and irascible and eccentric tendencies. This allows us to see characters happening to things, albeit on a miniature scale. Eccentricity is, after all, the business of holding very different standards to others. Their world is minor and their activity is reserved to the small world of things they can affect. Ove kicking inanimate objects is not, after all, nothing. When it comes to adding character agency, there’s a clue here for writers in every genre. It’s a hallmark of the genre that a single lonely soul is defeated and it takes a team to get them to be an active participant in their lifetime. What character agency is Agency is the power or means or wherewithal to change things in your favour, or in the direction of your want. But not every story allows for it, and many good stories, tragedies and comedies don’t give character agency a leading role. Think not just of female heroines, but men caught in difficult circumstances and rendered powerless: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Being There by Jerzy Kozinski, Less by Andrew Sean Greer. What character agency is not It’s not as simple as your main character ‘wanting something’. But it’s worth taking a moment to consider this. Don’t dodge what your main character wants. Putting that in place from the start of your story will make your writing life so much easier. When I teach our Advanced Writing Course group, we read out the briefest of storylines for our novels-in-progress. It’s arresting how those whose stories have a main character who actively wants something from the opening sentence have a self-propelled plot. It’s as if we storytelling animals hunger after the wants of our hero. Those stories simply roll off the tongue (and on to the page). Character agency begins with want Very often, the underdog is the main character of a story. The story begins with them powerless, apparently without agency. Many novels begin with a main character recognising they don’t have agency. (The current bestselling novel Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus begins with the main character Elizabeth Zott declaring her life is over…) A story is articulated by two things: what the main character wants (first half) and what the main character needs (second half). I’m going to give you an example, using one of the bestselling novels of all time with 12 million copies sold since 2018. This will show how you can add agency to characters who don’t appear to have any. Even if the character’s circumstances preclude it, even if their lack of agency is essential to the story (spoiler alert). I will show you why the story has been such a big hit, too. In Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, our main character Kya is abandoned by her family one by one. The most painful loss is that of her mother, and it happens in the first chapter. A small child of five when the story begins, a poor ‘marsh dweller’, literally barefoot and hungry, and a girl child too, she is undeniably a main character without agency. Every dog has its day when it’s a long story. At the outset, it’s not a question of power, either physical or social, but compulsion. Desire. Want. A story is articulated by two things: what the main character wants (first half) and what the main character needs (second half). The author supplies what they need rather than what they want as a way of resolving the problem of the story. What they want is located in the old world; what they need can be found in the new world or secondary world to which we’re heading. Your main character either travels to a new world or changes their world to be one that meets their deeper needs. Begin with what they want Sometimes what a main character wants is to remedy or restore a loss or lack of something fundamental to human wellbeing. So in Where The Crawdads Sing, our story starts with Kya wanting her mother, then her father’s affection. By one-fifth (literally 20%) of the novel’s passing, the false hope of having a primary caregiver fails. (Writers on our creative writing courses will understand the significance of False Hope.) With no one in her childhood to care for her, nor friends, by her teens she wants a boyfriend, husband or lover. If our hero can’t affect or change things, they need strong, successive, iterative wants. One simple essential thing after another. Think of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs driving what characters want in the most classic form of storytelling, from folk and fairytale onwards through time. These fundamentals tell the reader our character is not greedy, but needy. For drama on a grand scale, you may wish to underline the want – the yearning – by increasing its thrall or pall, making it loom larger and showing it as a longstanding want. You can show your readers how it’s essential to survival and shared by others, through the generations, or something that has been pledged or promised to the main character. ‘Want’ is the first commandment of storytelling - You shall want - You shall not receive - You will have a vision of what you want, you will see it before you, out of your grasp - You will dwell in a world that is lacking what you want - Your world of lack will get the better of you, again and again - You will move to get what you want - You will be in error - You will continue in error… - The devil of your want will be your master - Until you defeat the devil of your want to find what you need Deprivation is the nursery of character agency We are shown how challenging circumstances are mastered step by step with small acts of agency. In Where the Crawdads Sing, having nothing to eat, Kya learns to cook. Then she overcomes bullying at school, a nail through her foot, and her father’s violence, each time drawing strength from her small world, the marsh. Each obstacle is overcome. Successive wants propel a story in which a character has no agency. As I show in the Advanced Writing Course, storytelling requires the magic trick of showing the main character and the reader the image of what they want, then taking it away, as frequently as possible. This makes a story page-turning. Successive wants propel a story in which a character has no agency. But wants can only take us so far (to the middle maybe, but possibly not beyond). Especially when lack of agency bites back… We are shown that Kya does not possess a single thing which might endow her with the means to have friends or lovers; worse, she is ostracised and reviled as ‘the marsh girl’. World-mastery on the small scale However, as the story develops we are shown the antidote to lack of character agency in fiction: world-mastery. Kya is an expert on her world, the authority on a world in miniature. World-mastery, being the keeper of the dolls’ house, knowing the smallest details of their setting, their cell or room (such as in Room by Emma Donoghue) confers agency on a disempowered or powerless ‘victim’. Inspired by the Fritzl tragedy, Room tells the story of Ma, who was abducted as a teenager and kept in a ‘room’ in a shed for 7 years. She’s become the ma of Jack, who’s now five years old and has experienced nothing but the room in which they’re kept. In Where the Crawdads Sing, Kya’s mastery, knowledge, expertise and command of the world such as she has, though valueless to others, gives her the opportunity to affect the lives of others and reach a wider public. If a character cannot rule the big wide world, we are shown in fiction that agency begins in the crucible of the setting. Mastery of the crib. Once skills have been acquired, some mastery or husbandry assumed by the main character, then they will have to face down their want. Often we see what they want turns on them in a surprising way. So it is that the man she wants turns on Kya from the midpoint and her romance with Chase undoes her. She becomes the quarry, hunted by the men of the area with only her mastery of her world, her deep knowledge of the marsh, keeping her free. If a character cannot rule the big wide world, we are shown in fiction that agency begins in the crucible of the setting. Mastery of the crib. Finally, we discover that what she needs is the world she mastered. In the end, her need to be in the world of nature that raised her and met her needs turns out to be more vital than what she wanted (the love and care of another human being). The other way to character agency But there’s another route to agency, setting aside ‘want’. It’s a jaw-droppingly scenic route, which begins with the cliffside view. Kick your story off with the main characters in one hell of a spot. This is the reverse side of ‘want’. You’ve created a situation they want to get out of. It’s a fabulous way to get a story going, as it comes jam-packed with kinetic energy, motion and conflict. Our writing coach Jack Jordan wrote a blog on the use of the dilemma in fiction as a way to create tension. Raymond Carver begins the story ‘Fever’, from his later collection Cathedral, with this opening: Carlyle was in a spot. —Raymond Carver, ‘Fever’ This is Raymond Carver, so we don’t get any hubris there with a stray adjective. A ‘spot’, a problem, a dilemma forces agency upon your protagonists and charges the story with tension. I think a little menace is fine to have in a story. For one thing, it’s good for the circulation. There has to be tension, a sense that something is imminent, that certain things are in relentless motion… When you kick off with a bang, you won’t end with a whimper. When you make things hard for your characters, you give them the gift of action and agency, regardless of whether they want to play or not. Just add agency So not all main characters have agency, and many of the all-time classics feature characters who don’t have agency at the outset; the drama turns on their growth or development to assume agency. What contemporary publishers, literary agents and readers want is for character agency to be present within the novel over a sustained period. We may say that a tragedy is a story in which agency is present in the first half and lost in the second (from Macbeth to Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee). But for most fiction, from literary to adventure fiction and thrillers, we see the main character’s agency prevail during the second half. To recap, what a main character wants can drive the story in the first half. If it’s historical fiction or a fantasy novel, or one in which your main character experiences circumstances which entirely preclude their agency, then you can consider the strategies we offer in the Advanced Writing Course: - Inner agency: a thrusting inner voice with wants and needs vocal in the internal narrative to which we’re privy (use very close third or first for narrative voice/perspective) - Borrowed agency: another character close by with a very driven agenda which sweeps them up (think Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice) - Supplied agency: give them a problem, raise the stakes and throw bigger rocks at them which means their very survival requires them to act, even if they’re passive before - Surrogate agency: the strategies of the disempowered, namely manipulating or affecting others, with words and the arts (even the dark arts!), to act for them Please avoid melodrama, please I beg of you, you’re making me weep here, I am crying tears. Melodrama is unmerited emotion. It cuts two ways, and applies both to your character and your reader. Our feeling for a character has to be earned and deserved. So you must allow us to feel they deserve our sympathy over time. That’s character-driven storytelling in a nutshell. No, you may not have them crying on the first page. We just don’t care. The first principle of caring is knowing someone. Acquaint us, please, with who they are. Our feeling for a character has to be earned and deserved. So you must allow us to feel they deserve our sympathy over time. That’s character-driven storytelling in a nutshell. Next comes feeling they are deserving, by liking them. Sure, have them save the cat by all means. But showing them being reticent, modest, courageous, or hardworking are all good strategies that don’t require testing on animals. Similarly, we will sympathise with what they want once we know and like them. Relax, writers. Let it grow. Bluffer’s guide to storytelling and character agency - Show us what they want (now you see it, now you don’t). Or give them a problem. - Show us why they don’t have agency, or make the problem harder. - Show us what’s missing, what they want, or the problem again and again. - Send (more) adversity their way, and show us how they overcome adversity. - At the midpoint, swap one problem for another problem, or what they want for what they need. If you do one thing today after reading this, check you know and we (your readers) know what your main character wants, or that there’s a problem in play that they have to resolve. Then as you write, consider the matter of your main character developing more agency. Now you’re telling a story. Founder at The Novelry Louise Dean is the author of four novels and has been published by Penguin and Simon & Schuster among others. Louise Dean has won the Betty Trask Prize and Le Prince Maurice Prize, been nominated for the Guardian First Book Prize, and longlisted for the Dublin International Literary Award and the Booker Prize. Her books have been deemed the top books of their year by the Guardian, the Observer and Publishers Weekly. She was also a finalist for the Costa Coffee 2020 Short Story Award.	164,737
Two years ago, the four-year-old was tortured to death in one of the worst cases of child abuse in Michigan history. But his death was not in vain. Legislation named in honor of Dominick will soon land on Governor Rick Snyder’s desk, making the state’s child abuse laws some of the toughest in the country. In April 2010, Dominick was slowly beaten to death over a four-day period by his mother’s boyfriend. No one, including his mother, did anything to help the little blonde-haired boy as he begged for help while Brandon Hayes pummeled, kicked and burned him relentlessly. Hayes is serving two life sentences. Dominick’s mom, Corrine Baker is serving 13 to 30. After Dominick’s death, his paternal grandfather and numerous supporters went to work to protect other children from abuse through Dominick’s Law. Here’s what it does. It stiffens the penalties for first and second degree child abuse. It also makes it a crime to commit abuse in front of another child and it makes it a crime for those who witness child abuse to stand by and do nothing. Dominick’s Law finally passed both houses of the legislature on Thursday. It is expected to be signed by Snyder as early as next week.	89,287
Exhibit Showcases Faculty Artwork Students in the University of Arizona's School of Art have the opportunity to work with a team of experienced and talented faculty, but they don't always have the chance to see what their professors do in their own art studios. Those students, along with other members of the University and Tucson communities, can get a glimpse of UA art educators' work during the Faculty Art Exhibition at the UA Museum of Art. The exhibit, which opened in September and runs through Nov. 8, features the work of nearly 30 faculty artists, including paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture and more. "This is probably one of the best opportunities to see really what instructors do outside of class and how they express themselves," said Jamie Martin, a program coordinator in the School of Art. This is the first time that the biennial exhibit, which is held every other fall, features participants from the disciplines of art history and art education, Martin said. In a "reading room" adjacent to the main exhibit area, visitors can look at publications, such as books and journals, featuring work by faculty in the School of Art's art history and art and visual culture education divisions.Â "We wanted to show all the disciplines in the school," Martin said. Visitors to the reading room will be able to watch a 20-minute video in which School of Art faculty members discuss their teaching methods and view a computer slideshow of photos of exhibit participants and their philosophies on art education.Â For professors who have visual pieces in the show, the Faculty Exhibition allows them to show students a different side of their professional life. "I think a lot of the students forget that a lot â€“ I'd say a good 95 percent â€“ of our faculty are exhibiting artists with work all over the United States," said Alfred Quiroz, whose own work is held by the Tucson Museum of Art, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe, N.M. His exhibition piece is a vibrant oil painting satirically characterizing Franklin D. Roosevelt, part of his "Presidential Series." Some faculty members incorporate visits to the Faculty Exhibition into their coursework. Professor Barbara Penn, who teaches painting and drawing, said her students can review the faculty show by comparing the work of two faculty members for one of their written assignments. "It's interesting because they work with all of us and they enjoy going in there to scrutinize the work that we do," said Penn, whose acrylic painting "... And so proceed ad in-fi-ni-tum" is themed around war â€“ from drug wars, to nations at war, to internal wars. Most pieces in the show are recently completed, which also allows faculty members to check in on their colleagues' current work. "I always think it's fun. It's really great to keep up with new pieces and new directions people are going in," said art professor Moira Geoffrion, who has a sculptural piece in the show. Geoffrion's "She Who Went Before II: Gertrude's Desk" is a memorial to her mother, who lost her battle with cancer in 1982. The sculpture consists of her mother's own desk, covered in plastic casts of objects symbolizing different elements that were important in her life, like leaves and flowers for her love for gardening, and polished stones and metalworking tools for her jewelry-making hobby. Her mother's old mirror and piano stool are also part of the piece. Â Â The Faculty Art Exhibition will be on display at the UA Museum of Art through Nov. 8. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for the general public and free for UA employees, students, children and museum members.	245,830
TOA BAJA, Puerto Rico – TOA BAJA, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico is mistreating squatters in a largely Dominican community, according to an unusual petition filed Wednesday to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights alleging abuses inside U.S. jurisdiction. The American Civil Liberties Union petition calls on the U.S. and Puerto Rican governments to restore water and electricity to Villas del Sol, a settlement of plywood and cement shacks where it charges about 200 families have been abused by police and unfairly targeted because many of them are immigrants. Police in riot gear arrived to evict the squatters Aug. 3, claiming they are illegally occupying a dangerous flood zone. Residents locked arms to keep them out. Since then, police have been stationed outside the community around the clock in an uneasy standoff and the water has been turned off except for a month surrounding Christmas. Some residents now bathe in water from a filthy creek. Others collect rainwater from their roofs. Many store water in open containers that are suspected to be the cause of clouds of mosquitoes and outbreaks of illnesses including dengue fever. "The government is showing xenophobia and discrimination," said Maritza de la Cruz, a 35-year-old community leader from the Dominican Republic who has lived in the community six years. The ACLU filed the petition to the rights body of the Washington-based Organization of American States after making unsuccessful appeals to Puerto Rico's government and local courts. It says the lack of running water is feeding the spread of disease and service should be restored. "The abuse by police combined with the overall anti-Dominican, anti-immigrant sentiment that the community has been exposed to, followed by the lack of water and electricity, have had a devastating impact," said Chandra Bhatnagar, a staff attorney with the ACLU's human rights program in New York. Puerto Rico's secretary of state, Kenneth McClintock, dismissed any suggestion of discrimination and said utilities cannot be considered a right of the residents because they do not own the land. "It is illegal to live there. It is not their property," McClintock said. "I know there are pieces of land you and I would love in Puerto Rico, but we don't have a right to invade those lands. And if we do, we don't have rights to request services that are not even available to people who own the property." Most of the squatters in the Villas del Sol community are single mothers with children who live along dirt roads in Toa Baja, a western suburb of San Juan. The shacks — many of them abandoned more than a decade ago due to flooding from Hurricane Georges — were claimed by Dominican immigrants and poor Puerto Ricans with nowhere else to live. "If we don't have water, we don't have life," said de la Cruz, a housekeeper whose infant daughter contracted swine flu in December. "Everything is more difficult — the toilet, washing clothes, cleaning ourselves." The roughly 200,000 Dominicans on the U.S. island often complain of discrimination in Puerto Rico, a more affluent island of 4 million people where migrants fill low-paying jobs in construction and domestic service. Advocates suggest the government is trying to discourage squatters elsewhere as Puerto Rico struggles through a deep economic downturn and a low-income housing crunch. "What they're trying to do basically is smoke them out because they don't want to encourage other squatter communities to develop," said William Ramirez, executive director of the ACLU in Puerto Rico. The community members recently agreed to vacate the property by May 14. McClintock said the government is working to find safe housing for everyone, but few details are available on where they would go. If residents have nowhere to go when the deadline arrives some fear more clashes. Twice in recent years officials have threatened residents' shacks with bulldozers, according to the petition. "I'm worried they will take me out of here with heavy machines," said Ricardo Polanco, an unemployed roofer with two daughters.	137,386
Facing the reality of Republican hatred of unions and teachers, the National Education Association Representative Authority voted July 4th to endorse Barack Obama for reelection, 5,414 to 2,102. http://www.counterpunch.org/gibson07052011.html In the past, the NEA made its presidential endorsement the year of the election, but this time felt compelled to call for an endorsement a year early. What was in it for the largest teachers union in the nation? It’s not as if Obama has been a strong ally and supporter of teachers and their unions since becoming president. “President Obama voiced support Monday for the mass firings of educators at a failing Rhode Island school” where the school superintendent fired all 93 teachers and other staff in the small Central Fall district, the poorest district in the state. “”If a school continues to fail its students year after year after year, if it doesn’t show signs of improvement, then there’s got to be a sense of accountability,” he said.” (ibid) Instead of looking at the validity of the tests, the methods of teaching, the poverty level of the area, and other factors, Obama just outright supports the superintendent over the teachers. Obama’s unwillingness to get the facts about education and testing is a hallmark for his policies such as Race to the Top. President Obama also supports merit based pay, a system that has been found flawed on many levels. It pits teacher against teacher and limits education funds. Merit based pay ignores the reality of schools and that every year is a new challenge for every teacher and every student. It is a way to bust unions and takes the power away from the teachers and gives it to superintendents and lawmakers. Merit based pay also rewards teachers that can fake test scores and teach to the test. It rewards prevarication. Is this really the type of teaching we want? Race to the Top for “Obama and his Education Secretary Arnie Duncan means more testing, more uniformity, more charter schools and more punishment for creative teachers that try to help students love learning as autonomous human beings.” (link) In total, Obama supports summary firings of teachers, merit based pay, a high stakes testing regime that punishes teachers and takes them away from actual teaching, charter schools where teachers will be less accountability to city and state standards and not have to join a union (in essence union busting), and a competitive funding model that rewards schools for following a national dictum thus crushing local autonomy. These dictums include testing and charter schools and other union busting policies. “IN ADDITION to these backwards priorities, Obama has presided over some of the harshest attacks on public education in decades. As education scholar Diane Ravitch has pointed out, when it comes to education, Obama’s presidency has been like Bush’s third term.” (link) So why did the NEA endorse Obama, and why did they support him so early instead of waiting for next year? Teachers are rightfully fearful of their future under a Republican regime. They might have also learned their caving technique from the example Obama has laid forth in his capitulation to the Republicans on the budget, taxes and other issues. So instead of holding out for something better from Obama, they reacted out of fear of a Republican nation and endorsed him early. The NEA also sees that they have flagging support amongst many Democrats (see Cuomo in New York) and wanted to get on board early to boost their national stature. (link) So, what is in it for Obama? President Obama doesn’t need the money from the teachers. He will already be getting millions from corporations and individuals. Reuters reports that the President might surpass $1 billion this election and already has the record of over $750 million dollars for his 2008 campaign. (link) Obama doesn’t really need the teachers’ money. So what does the NEA endorsement give him? What the endorsement does is give political cover to a president whose policies amount to union busting. Generally, teachers’ unions are liberal and many people rely on endorsements to inform their voting. “Well, if the teachers endorse him, then he’s okay with me.” It also ensures that some union members will work for his campaign, and they can be tireless workers. However, as one teacher/delegate put it, not all were pleased by the early endorsement, “I am a building rep for the NEA. I actually spoke personally with about 2/3 of my unionized teachers when the early endorsement – the first such in NEA history – was proposed. Out of the more than 80 teachers with whom I spoke only one supported the early endorsement. Many did not like giving up what little leverage the union had with the administration.” (link) Teachers deserve better treatment than President Obama, Secretary Duncan, Congress and state governments have been rendering. Until they realize this, they will continue to act like abused children who keep expecting one parent to stand up for them against the abusive alcoholic parent. This doesn’t mean that teachers should stop voting for and supporting Democrats, it means that they need to stop working for Democrats and others that want to take away their power, pay, autonomy and careers. It means not giving an early endorsing to a President who is not an ally. A good class based criticism of the NEA endorsement to be found at Counterpunch.	207,731
Hola! this is my first article in Sofmic Studios Blog (SSB). I'm so excited to share my thoughts through this medium. Okay! What is film language? Film is a unique language as we all communicate with each others as we know. Whereas film has a medium of communicating with any kind of people around the world. It does't matter which language is the film is in, all we need to watch it!. That's it. Three important elements for every film : Audio, Lighting & Story. Where all three plays a major role in a film, if one goes down will save another. But, most important is "Story". If your story does't work, then you really need to work on audio and lighting as good as possible. Because "story is king". “Story is metaphor for life and life is lived in time.” ― Robert McKee, Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting	40,170
Elaborating in a Food Review Writing about food can be fun because you get to share your thoughts and feelings about something you like. You may like something your parent or grandparent makes, or you may have a favorite food from a restaurant. Here is one writer’s food review. My mom’s cheeseburgers are the best. She starts with ground beef from Matt’s Butcher Shop. His ground beef is fresh and has the perfect ratio of meat and fat for flavor. Then my mom grills the meat because she says it is a healthy way to cook. But it is more than that. Grilling keeps the burger really juicy and locks in the flavor. Next, she places a piece of cheese on each burger. She always makes sure the cheese is melted perfectly. Right at the end, she puts each burger on a bun. But instead of ordinary soft buns, she uses bakery hard rolls. I wish I were biting into one right now. In her review, the writer elaborates or includes added detail (in italics) to make each main point clear and effective. Your Turn Write a review of a favorite food or meal. - Think of a favorite food or meal. (It could be something homemade or from a restaurant.) - Decide how you want to describe the food. The writer above tells, step by step, how the food is prepared. You could also describe how it looks and tastes. - List details to include in your review. - Write your review. Look for places where you can elaborate or add special details. - Share your final copy with your classmates. Elaborating in a Food Review by Thoughtful Learning is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Based on a work at k12.thoughtfullearning.com/minilesson/elaborating-food-review.	263,492
- Pituitary tumor-transforming gene expression is a prognostic marker for tumor recurrence in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (2006) - Background The proto-oncogene pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) has been shown to be abundantly overexpressed in a large variety of neoplasms likely promoting neo-vascularization and tumor invasiveness. In this study, we investigated a potential role for PTTG mRNA expression as a marker to evaluate the future clinical outcome of patients diagnosed with primary cancer of the head and neck. Methods Tumor samples derived from primary tumors of 89 patients suffering from a squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed for PTTG mRNA-expression and compared to corresponding unaffected tissue. Expression levels were correlated to standard clinico-pathological parameters based on a five year observation period. Results In almost all 89 tumor samples PTTG was found to be overexpressed (median fold increase: 2.1) when compared to the unaffected tissue specimens derived from the same patient. The nodal stage correlated with PTTG transcript levels with significant differences between pN0 (median expression: 1.32) and pN+ (median expression: 2.12; P = 0.016). In patients who developed a tumor recurrence we detected a significantly higher PTTG expression in primary tumors (median expression: 2.63) when compared to patients who did not develop a tumor recurrence (median expression: 1.29; P = 0.009). Since the median expression of PTTG in patients with tumor stage T1/2N0M0 that received surgery alone without tumor recurrence was 0.94 versus 3.82 in patients suffering from a tumor recurrence (P = 0.006), PTTG expression might provide a feasible mean of predicting tumor recurrence. Conclusion Elevated PTTG transcript levels might be used as a prognostic biomarker for future clinical outcome (i.e. recurrence) in primary squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, especially in early stages of tumor development. - Impact of aging : sporadic, and genetic risk factors on vulnerability to apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease (2003) - The identification of specific genetic (presenilin-1 [PS1] and amyloid precursor protein [APP] mutations) and environmental factors responsible for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has revealed evidence for a shared pathway of neuronal death. Moreover, AD-specific cell defects may be observed in many other nonneuronal cells (e.g., lymphocytes). Thus, lymphocytes may serve as a cellular system in which to study risk factors of sporadic, as well as genetic AD in vivo. The aim of our present study was to clarify whether lymphocytes bearing genetic or sporadic risk factors of AD share an increased susceptibility to cell death. Additionally we examined whether a cell typespecific vulnerability pattern was present and how normal aging, the main risk factor of sporadic AD, contributes to changes in susceptibility to cell death. Here, we report that lymphocytes affected by sporadic or genetic APP and PS1 AD risk factors share an increased vulnerability to cell death and exhibit a similar cell type-specific pattern, given that enhanced vulnerability was most strongly developed in the CD4+ T-cell subtype. In this paradigm, sporadic risk factors revealed the highest impact on cell type-specific sensitivity of CD4+ T cells to apoptosis. In contrast, normal aging results in an increased susceptibility to apoptosis of both, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.	218,495
When Charles Dickens’s first sketch was published "in all the glory of print" in 1833 the young writer recalled that he "walked down to Westminster Hall, and turned into it for half an hour, because my eyes were so dimmed with joy and pride, that they could not bear the street, and were not fit to be seen there". It is the same with Martin: "A writer never forgets the first time he accepted a few coins or a word of praise in exchange for a story". The Angel's Game is a book about books. When Martin begins his career, he writes Grand Guignol in the style of Alexandre Dumas, Bram Stoker and Eugène Sue. Indeed the very title of his bloodcurdling series, The Mysteries of Barcelona is a tribute to Sue's long-forgotten Mysteries of Paris (1842): "A man walking under cover of shadows with blood on his hands and a secret in his eyes". But the key background text is Great Expectations. The son of an illiterate soldier whose mother has long since departed for a more genteel life as a shop assistant, Martin finds his spiritual home with Isaac Sempere, a bookseller. It is Sempere who presents him with his first precious copy of Dickens. Martin sets himself up in a ruined tower house overlooking the city where there is a Miss Havisham-style rotting feast still set out, abandoned by the inhabitants. Then he receives messages about his "great expectations" from a mysterious patron who goes under the initials A. C. Like Magwitch, A. C. turns out to be more curse than promise. If you know your 19th-century melodrama there are pleasures in this novel, but readers with other penchants will be taken, too. There are Dan Brown puzzles and Mean Street realisms, there are quirky contemplative philosophies and — best of all — intriguing aphorisms: "Envy is the religion of the mediocre"; "You end up becoming what you see in the eyes of those you love". As befits a text about texts, one of the best scenes takes place in "the cemetery of forgotten books". From here Martin takes the random collection in many languages that will frame the new book he writes for his patron. But this is also a clue. As aficionados will know, The Angel's Game is a prequel to Zafón's hit of 2001, "The Shadow of the Wind". The cemetery featured there too. Noticia publicada en TimesOnLine	202,508
THE U.S. NAVY'S F-14 TOMCAT IS a swing-wing, twin-engine fighter capable of speeds over Mach 2-twice the speed of sound. In its 30th year of service, the Tomcat is older than many of its pilots and the aircraft carriers it lands on. It was a mainstay of the Afghan air war, stalking the skies 24/7 with updated night-vision technology and launching laser- and satellite-guided "smart bombs." The young men (and a very few women) who crew the Tomcats-a pilot and a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) fit in each-are the most highly motivated, talented, trained, and unabashed patriots Americans could ever hope to have. Fighter pilots today get paid to do what they would gladly do for free, driving a bullet around the wild blue. It's a feat 99 percent of all young men could only dream of, and most would lose their lunch if they tried. One of the pilots, nicknamed K-robb, is a Naval Academy graduate who set foot on the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in the Arabian Sea just eight days after graduating from Tomcat school. The Stennis is a floating steel office building, apartment, airport, and hangar rising 18 stories above the waterline with a flat, 4.5-acre anti-skid steel roof. The Stennis is home to 5,500 souls dedicated to the support of up to 80 fighter planes, and it's a bigger stick than Theodore Roosevelt ever dreamed of when he announced his soft-spoken strategy for international relations. Three weeks after arrival K-robb was sitting in the cockpit of his F-14, the sharp end of Roosevelt's stick, one shaped like a spear point when its wings are swept back. K-robb was ready for his first combat mission as a member of Navy squadron VF-211, called the "Fighting Checkmates." There were plenty of reasons for a raw rookie or even a veteran to be afraid. All had heard the dire media warnings about a faraway, hostile land with legendary Afghan warriors unsubdued by external force since Alexander the Great. Every fighter crew had heard of the sporting games the enemy played with the severed heads of their Russian foes in an earlier war. When K-robb entered the fray the enemy was holed up in an area of the Hindu Kush mountains in eastern Afghanistan, some of the most hostile mountainous terrain in the world. Over such territory one enemy missile, one bullet, one loose nut, or one broken turbine blade out of hundreds spinning at 1,400 rpm in an aging engine built by the lowest bidder, and K-robb and his RIO could experience a "nylon letdown" into their worst nightmare. But such fear gets willed into the subconscious on the catapult aboard the aircraft carrier, which sends the Tomcat into the air with a six-G kick-six times gravity-that drives the stomachs of the pilot and his RIO into their spines. In two seconds the plane accelerates past 150 knots, trailing thunderous twin blowtorches. In K-robb's words, "A cat shot is the greatest roller-coaster ride you ever had-times 20." The route to the target was not a two-hour sight-seeing trip, especially for a new guy. K-robb's fear of "messin' up" exceeded his fear of the enemy. He was part of the operation launched March 1, 2002, to drive Afghanistan-based terrorists out of their last and most formidable mountain stronghold. In the airspace in the vicinity of an eight-mile box of geography more vertical than horizontal, dozens of fighters and bombers orbited in holding patterns waiting for directions from "Bossman." That was the call sign of an airliner-sized command post loaded with electronic gear and controllers called AWACS-Airborne Warning and Control System. Air warfare today is an immensely complex choreography with a web of instantaneous audio and visual communication links between earth, sky, and outer space reaching all the way to the White House. The Tomcats were flying air support for the small, "crazy brave" teams of Special Forces troops, called Forward Air Controllers (FACs), who had infiltrated the snowbound, thin-aired terrain to find the enemy and the caves in which they hid, and to direct air strikes on them. With such information, the Tomcats were able to stay 5,000 to 25,000 feet above their targets and five to 10 miles away, while delivering weapons with more accuracy than a Vietnam-era fighter pilot delivered from 50 feet above the target. The RIO is the human factor responsible for that incredible accuracy. Managing the smart-bomb deliveries, analyzing the imagery, punching in target coordinates for the Tomcat's JDAMs (satellite-guided bombs), or fixing the target in his laser crosshairs for GBU-12s (laser-guided bombs) is no easy task, especially while hurtling through space as a cramped, heavy-breathing passenger maneuvering in three dimensions and fighting the vertigo induced by G-forces that assault inner-ear balance mechanisms. The RIO's window on the world is a square computer screen with multiple shades of green, the product of infrared sensors creating a picture, in daylight or darkness, of what is on the ground. That screen and the instruments surrounding it feed him vast amounts of information that he must interpret and react to as quickly as possible with a delicate touch on his laser control. The difference between being the best and being a close second can mean life or violent death for an American soldier on the ground or for an innocent bystander, the enemy's cover of choice. While "collateral damage" is a non-issue for our foes, the sanctity of one innocent life still drives America's rules of war, even when that puts our own soldiers at greater risk. It is drilled into the head of every airman who pickles off a bomb, and it's a major part of the stress under which he works. One mistake can end a career. Two Air National Guard fighter pilots are currently facing a court martial hearing for accidentally killing four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. If convicted of all charges they could spend up to 64 years in prison. Every veteran Tomcat crew has an anguished tale of a rich target that was passed up because of nagging doubts as to authenticity or possible collateral damage. All of them have heard the FAC on the ground frantically calling, "Abort, abort," just seconds before they were to drop a bomb because of a change in the fluid chaos of the battle. There are few trades that demand so much of a person. In a press conference Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said, "We have some incredibly gifted young men." K-robb's inaugural run went well, but his day was far from over. He had to find another tanker plane over the northern Arabian Sea and fly his refueling probe into a 20-inch-diameter basket-a giant metal badminton birdie-at the end of the tanker's refueling boom angling down from below its tail. With the Tomcat's big twin tail fins poking up into the tanker's slipstream, K-robb had to close in precisely and then match the tanker's airspeed as the Tomcat got heavier and heavier with fuel. Every six- to nine-hour mission in support of Operation Anaconda took at least three refuelings. K-robb's hardest task came when he was exhausted: flying the Tomcat from 150 knots down to zero in two seconds as he came aboard the carrier. Unlike a committee-driven airliner gliding from over the horizon onto two miles of stationery concrete, a flight of Tomcats arrives 800 feet overhead the carrier at 500 knots. In 15-second intervals each plane smartly banks 80 degrees, making a U-turn onto a racetrack-landing pattern, a thrilling sight for the crews working on deck. Turning onto final approach at 150 knots with wings swept wide like a gliding goose, the Tomcat driver aims at a 600-foot-long runway moving forward at 30 knots with a small sideways vector because of the carrier's angled landing deck. It also has a vertical vector, bobbing up and down as much as 20 feet, depending on the seas. The pilot must land on that moving runway so that his tailhook snags one of four arresting cables-ideally the third-spaced 40 feet apart beginning 60 feet from the blunt end of the ship. There are no other options aside from trying again, so the instant his wheels hit the deck the pilot jams his throttles full forward so that he still has flying speed, should his tailhook bounce and miss the cables, a not uncommon occurrence. Success is a jarring deceleration with two tired, sweat-soaked bodies straining against seat belt and shoulder straps-sweet pain indeed. And the Tomcat and crew have earned the right to do it again tomorrow or tomorrow night. With all the turmoil in the Middle and Far East, the end of such tomorrows is not in sight. c -J.D. Wetterling was a fighter pilot in Vietnam	5,146
Development Aid Falls Short, While Other Financial Flows Show Rising Volatility New Worldwatch Institute trend examines international aid flows Washington, D.C.—As the world approaches its 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals outlined in 2000, development aid by the 26 members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development declined in 2012 for the second year. Preliminary data indicate that official development assistance (ODA) totaled $128.4 billion (in 2011 dollars) that year, down 4 percent from 2011’s $133.7 billion. The 2012 figure marks a 6 percent decline from 2010, when global ODA peaked at $136.7 billion, write Worldwatch staff in the latest Vital Signs Online trend. The United States provided the largest amount of ODA, with a total of $29.9 billion in 2012, which was 23.3 percent of the DAC total. Trailing the United States are the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan. When tracking ODA as a percentage of gross national income (GNI), however, a different picture emerges. Since 1970 the United Nations has set 0.7 percent of GNI as the target for ODA: in 2012, only Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark exceeded this target. In comparison, the U.S. figure was only 0.19 percent. Not surprisingly, given the severity of the Eurozone crisis, the 15 European Union members of DAC decreased their assistance by a total of 7.4 percent, with the most severe cuts coming from Spain, Italy, Greece, and Portugal. It should be noted that DAC governments are not the only ones that provide development assistance: according to a 2012 UN report, non-DAC countries donated a total of $7.2 billion in development aid in 2010, with Saudi Arabia providing almost half of the total. Furthermore, assistance from private sources was estimated at $56 billion that same year, but reporting on such flows is much weaker than for government funds. Humanitarian assistance, or short-term aid provided in response to disasters and humanitarian crises, is a numerically small but highly visible portion of ODA. Preliminary data indicate that in 2012 assistance provided by governments for such purposes fell 6.5 percent from the previous year, from $13.8 billion to $12.9 billion. (When including non-governmental sources, humanitarian aid fell by 7.7 percent.) This decline is not totally unexpected, as many of the world’s leading economies are still recovering from the financial crisis. Also, in 2012 the United Nations categorized 76 million people as in need of humanitarian assistance, fewer than the 93 million in 2011. “ODA is far from the only mechanism of international capital flows to or from developing countries and emerging markets,” said Cameron Scherer, report co-author and program associate at Internews. “A multitude of vehicles—private and public, bilateral and multilateral—fill the global finance landscape. And against this broader canvas, ODA involves relatively small amounts of money.” Among public funds, outflows have actually exceeded inflows into developing countries and emerging markets for most of the past decade. According to the International Monetary Fund, net outflows of more than $180 billion in 2006 turned into net inflows of close to $140 billion in 2009, but by 2012 there was once again a net outflow of close to $42 billion. Among private flows, the largest amounts are accounted for by foreign direct investment (FDI). Net FDI rose from under $100 billion per year in the 1980s and early 1990s to a peak of $480 billion in 2008. The financial crisis then caused a dip to $335 billion in 2009, but 2011 saw a recovery to $473 billion. The bulk of FDI flowing to developing countries is going to Asia and Latin America. In East Asia and South Asia, almost 90 percent of FDI goes to China and India; in Latin America and the Caribbean, about half goes to Brazil. Only 10 percent of global FDI is destined for Africa. “In general, FDI is more stable than other forms of private investments, especially where “greenfield” investments in new productive capacity are concerned, FDI is usually undertaken with a longer time horizon in mind, and happens mostly where macroeconomic conditions are stable,” said Michael Renner, trend co-author and Worldwatch Senior Researcher. “In contrast, portfolio investment and cross-border interbank lending are often driven by short-term considerations such as changes in interest rates.” However, the United Nations points to evidence that a growing portion of FDI in recent years is going to investments in financial companies or to intra-company debt. Also, a considerable portion of FDI relates to mergers and acquisitions—and thus represents a transfer of ownership rather than fresh investment. These shifts imply that capital can be moved more easily among countries, and indeed the share of short-term and more volatile financial FDI flows has increased. Further highlights from the report: - The United States tops the list of assistance in absolute amounts, with $3.8 billion in 2012, or 29.4 percent of all humanitarian aid (a number that was $483 million below the figure in 2011). Luxembourg (at 0.16 percent of GNI) and Sweden (at 0.14 percent) top the relative standings. - In 2011, the most recent year for which data are available, Pakistan, Somalia, and the West Bank and Gaza Strip were the three areas to receive the greatest amount of humanitarian assistance, together taking in over a quarter of global assistance. - In 2002, FDI to Africa stood at just $15 billion; in 2012, it totaled $50 billion, having peaked at $59 billion in 2008. China is behind much of this FDI, providing at least $14.7 billion in 2011. \|PRINT/EMAIL\|\|THURSDAY, AUGUST 29 2013\| Notes to Editors: For more information and to obtain a complimentary copy of “Development Aid Falls Short, While Other Financial Flows Show Rising Volatility,” please contact Supriya Kumar at firstname.lastname@example.org About the Worldwatch Institute: Worldwatch is an independent research organization based in Washington, D.C. that works on energy, resource, and environmental issues. The Institute’s State of the World report is published annually in more than a dozen languages. For more information, visit www.worldwatch.org. About Vital Signs Online: Vital Signs Online provides business leaders, policymakers, and engaged citizens with the latest data and analysis they need to understand critical global trends. It is an interactive, subscription-based tool that provides hard data and research-based insights on the sustainability trends that are shaping our future. All of the trends include clear analysis and are placed in historical perspective, allowing you to see where the trend has come from and where it might be headed. New trends cover emerging hot topics—from global carbon emissions to green jobs—while trend updates provide the latest data and analysis for the fastest changing and most important trends today. Every trend includes full datasets and complete referencing. Click here to suscribe today to Vital Signs Online.	294,673
US 4685471 A A method and apparatus for predicting ovulation in a human female subject. The onset of menstruation of the subject is noted. Daily determinations are made of the electrical resistivity of the subject's saliva, beginning not more than five days following beginning of menstruation. The onset of ovulation is determined as a function of a peak resistivity measurement following onset of menstruation, which peak is followed by a nadir and subsequent sharp increase in saliva electrical resistivity measurement. Vaginal resistivity measurements may be made to confirm ovulation. A probe is used for the resistivity measurement. A probe includes a head or body with exposed imbedded electrodes. 1. A method for predicting ovulation in a human female subject, comprising the steps of noting the onset of menstruation of the subject, making daily determinations of the electrical resistivity of the subject's saliva beginning not more than five days following beginning of menstruation, and indicating the onset of ovulation as a function of a peak resistivity measurement following onset of menstruation, which peak is followed by a nadir and subsequent sharp increase in said electrical resistivity measurement. 2. A method for predicting ovulation in a human female subject, comprising the steps of noting the onset of menstruation of the subject, making daily determinations of the electrical resistivity of the subject's saliva beginning not more than five days following beginning of menstruation, and indicating the onset of ovulation as a function of a peak resistivity measurement following onset of menstruation, which peak is followed by a nadir and subsequent sharp increase in electrical resistivity measurement, said peak occurring about six days prior to day of ovulation and said sharp increase occurring about two days prior to onset of ovulation. 3. A method for predicting ovulation in a human female subject comprising the steps of obtaining and storing information with respect to the subject's menstrual cycle and the resistivity of the subject's saliva, and processing such stored information to statistically predict the fertility status of said subject in response to peaks and nadirs of resistivity following onset of menstruation. 4. A method for predicting ovulation in a human female subject comprising the steps of obtaining and storing information with respect to the subject's menstrual cycle and the resistivity of the subject's saliva, and processing such stored information to statistically predict the fertility status of said subject in response to peaks and nadirs of resistivity following onset of menstruation, the peak resistivity following the beginning of the menstrual cycle indicating onset of ovulation within about six days, and a nadir following said peak and in turn followed by a sharp increase in resistivity indicating onset of ovulation in about two days. 5. A method of indicating the onset of ovulation in a human female subject comprising the steps of determining the resistivity of the subject's saliva at daily intervals, observing increases and decreases in said resistiivity, and giving a signal upon a predetermined sequence of an increase and a decrease in said resistivity to indicate the onset of ovulation in the subject. 6. A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said decrease in resistivity is followed by a sharp increase in resistivity, indicating the occurrence of ovulation within the following two days. 7. A method of predicting ovulation and the fertile period in a human female subject having a menstrual cycle, comprising the steps of determining the electrical resistivity of the subject's saliva on the day of the menstrual cycle beginning not more than five days after onset of menstruation, making a daily measurement of the saliva resistivity, determining a first peak of electrical resistivity value following the onset of menstruation, which peak indicates that ovulation will occur in about six days, and determining a sharp rise in resistivity following an observable nadir, said sharp rise in resistivity indicating that ovulation will occur in about two days, thereby accurately indicating the onset of ovulation and the fertile period in a subject. 8. A method of diagnosing the onset of the fertile period or ovulation in a female subject, comprising the steps of monitoring the variation in resistivity of the saliva of the subject and providing an indicator means for qualitatively and quantitatively responding to the resistivity of the saliva of said subject whereby the response of said means is diagnostic of the onset of the fertile period or ovulation in said subject. 9. A method for predicting ovulation and the fertile period in a human female user having a menstrual cycle, comprising the steps of determining the electrical resistance of the user's saliva on the day of the menstrual cycle beginning not more than five days after onset of menstruation, making a daily measurement of the salivary electrical resistance, plotting the electrical resistance measurement value on a daily basis, determining the first peak of the plot of electrical resistance values, which peak indicates that ovulation will occur in about six days, and determining the next peak of the plot following an observable nadir, said next peak indicating that ovulation will occur in about two days, thereby accurately indicating the onset of ovulation in the user. 10. A method as defined in claim 9 wherein said first peak of the plot of electrical resistance values represents an increase of at least about 10 percent. 11. A method of predicting ovulation and the fertile period in a human female user as defined in claim 9, further including the steps of determining the electrical resistivity of the user's vaginal mucus beginning at the time of detection of the first peak of the plot of salivary electrical resistance values, plotting the vaginal electrical resistance measurement value on a daily basis, and determining a nadir followed by a rise in vaginal electrical resistivity indicating ovulation in the user. 12. An instrument for use in predicting ovulation in a human female subject comprising means for making daily measurements of the electrical resistivity of the subject's saliva, and means for indicating the onset of ovulation in response to a peak resistivity measurement following onset of menstruation followed by a nadir resistivity measurement and a subsequent sharp increase in electrical resistivity measurement 13. An instrument for use in predicting ovulation in a human female subject comprising means for determining.the resistivity of the subject's saliva, means for obtaining and storing information with respect to the subject's menstrual cycle and the resistivity of the subject's saliva, and means for processing such stored information to statistically predict the fertility status of said subject in response to peaks and nadirs of resistivity following onset of menstruation. 14. An instrument for indicating the onset of ovulation in a human female subject comprising means for determining the resistivity of the subject's saliva at daily intervals, means for observing increases and decreases in said resistivity, and means for giving a signal upon a predetermined sequence of an increase and a decrease in said resistivity to indicate the onset of ovulation in the subject. 15. An instrument for diagnosing the onset of the fertile period or ovulation in a female subject comprising means for monitoring the variation in resistivity of the saliva of the subject, and means for qualitatively and quantitatively responding to the change in resistivity of the saliva of said subject and producing a signal diagnostic of the onset of the fertile period or ovulation in said subject. 16. A method of predicting ovulation in a human female subject, comprising the steps of making daily determinations of the electrical resistivity of the subjects saliva beginning not more than five days following the onset of menstruation by applying a first sensor for forming analog data signals representing salivary electrical resistivity, converting said alalog data signals to digital data signals, processing said digital data signals over a predetermined time to obtain a digital data signal representing the current daily value of the salivary electrical resistivity, storing said daily salivary electrical resistivity values in memory, applying a first algorithm for pattern recognition to the stored values, and generating a first recognition signal in response to the first occurrence of the current daily value being less than the previous daily value by more than a predetermined significant amount. 17. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 16, further comprising the step of displaying a signal indicating a high probability of conception in response to generation of said first recognition signal. 18. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 16, wherein said step of processing said digital data signals over a predetermined time comprises integration. 19. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 16, further comprising the step of digitally displaying said current value resulting from said processing step. 20. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 17, further comprising the steps of applying a second algorithm for pattern recognition to the stored values, and generating a second recognition signal in response to the occurrence of a predetermined relation between three consecutive daily values. 21. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 20, further comprising the step of displaying a signal indicating very high probability of conception in response to generation of said second recognition signal. 22. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 20, wherein the second of said three consecutive values is less than each of said first and third values by more than a predetermined amount. 23. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 20, further comprising the steps of making daily determinations of the electrical resistivity of the subject's vaginal mucus beginning after the generation of said first recognition signal by applying a second sensor on the subject's cervix for forming analog data signals representing vaginal electrical resistivity, converting said analog data signals to digital data signals, processing said digital data signals over a predetermined time to obtain a digital data signal representing the current daily value of the vaginal electrical resistivity, storing said daily vaginal electrical resistivity values in memory, applying a third algorithm for pattern recognition to the stored values, and generating a third recognition signal in response to the first occurrence of the current daily value being greater than the previous daily value by more than a predetermined significant amount. 24. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 23, further comprising the steps of computing the number of days from the first day of measurement to the day on which said first recognition signal is generated and then calculating the day of ovulation using a regression equation. 25. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 24, further comprising the steps of storing the numbers corresponding to the days on which said first, second, and third recognition signals were generated during a menstrual cycle of a user and storing the number of days in said menstrual cycle, weighting said regressing equation to reflect said stored data, and using said weighted regression equation during the next menstrual cycle to calculate the day of ovulation. 26. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 16, further comprising the steps of making daily determinations of the electrical resistivity of the subject's vaginal mucus beginning after the generation of said first recognition signal by applying a second sensor on the subject's cervix for forming analog data signals representing vaginal electrical resistivity, converting said analog data signals to digital data signals over a predetermined time to obtain a digital data signal representing the current daily value of the vaginal electrical resistivity, storing said daily vaginal electrical resistivity values in memory, applying a third algorithm for pattern recognition to the stored values, and generating a second recognition signal in response to the first occurrence of the current daily value being greater than the previous daily value by more than a predetermined significant amount. 27. The method of predicting ovulation as defined in claim 26, further comprising the step of displaying a signal indicating a low probability of conception one day after the generation of said second recognition signal. This application is a continuation-in-part of earlier filed copending application Ser. No. 649,844, filed Sept. 11, 1984, abandoned. 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method for the prediction and subsequent confirmation of ovulation during the menstrual cycle of the human female. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for the accurate discrimination of the fertile phase from the non-fertile phase of the menstrual cycle of the human female. 2. Description of the Prior Art The need for a simple but reliable method of predicting and confirming ovulation, which is conveniently carried out in the privacy of the home, has been a recognized need for many decades. Because of religious, philosophic, or health considerations, the preferred method of birth control for many is by periodic abstinence, also known as the "rhythm method." This method involves the identification of the fertile period using an available method, or more often simply by a guess based on the length of the menstrual cycle, and then avoiding coitus during this period. Ovulation is assumed to occur midcycle, and the period of abstinence is adjusted accordingly. This technique has proven highly unreliable at best. The unreliability of the rhythm method is largely due to the inability to accurately predict and confirm ovulation. Thus, a clear need exists for a natural family planning method with improved reliability. A more reliable procedure, known as the symptothermal method, involves a subjective evaluation of basal body temperature and cervical mucus to determine the fertile period. This method requires intensive user training in the method and relatively high failure rates were and are still unavoidable. In another procedure, changes in cervical mucus are combined with basal body temperature (BBT) to identify the onset and end of the fertile period. There are several disadvantages with this approach, some of them being the need for immobility before taking the temperature, daily monitoring of the cervix and vagina, and subjective interpretation of vaginal mucus quality and of the BBT trend. The technique is difficult to learn, with one to six months of careful training and supervision being required to acquire proficiency. Another relatively serious problem is the variation of the relation between the basal body temperature and the peak mucus symptom. In one study, in twenty-five of the cases, the temperature rise occurred more than 2 days before or 2 days after the peak symptom. Liskin, L.A., "Population Reports," Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 33-65, Sept. 1981. Furthermore, basal body temperature reflects ovulation in only about 70 of the cycles, since monophasic (non-indicative) basal body temperature curves are frequently seen in ovulatory cycles. Bauman, J. E., "Fertility and Sterility," Vol. 36, pp. 729-733, Dec. 1981. When used for birth control, failure rates of up to 34% have been recorded with this method. Although computerized interpretation of data is now available for the sympto-thermal method as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,831, issued May 1, 1979, to R. W. Lester for "Fertility Indicator" and in published PCT Patent Application Pub. No. WO 83/01735, published May 29, 1983, on an application filed Sept. 30, 1982, by H. Schneider, for "Apparatus and Method for Determining Fertility Status", the disadvantages inherent in the physiological parameters used in the method are still limiting factors. The identification of a preovulatory rise in estrogens followed by a peak in luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration as determined by radioimmunoassay is a good indication of imminent ovulation. Frequently, several samples of blood, drawn at mid-cycle, will be analyzed for luteinizing hormone concentration. These techniques are expensive and require several visits to a hospital or medical laboratory having the appropriate analytical facilities. The process of ovulation can also be monitored and detected using ultrasonography. Daily visits to a center equipped with the sophisticated instrumentation used for the procedure are necessary. Several scans are required by mid-cycle to pinpoint ovulation by observing follicular development and subsequent ovum release. While accurate identification of ovulation is possible with this technique, it is of little value as a self-monitoring method for purposes of enhancing or reducing fertility. Several methods of predicting ovulation based on biochemical changes in various body fluids such as vaginal secretions, saliva, or urine have been proposed. The major drawback of such methods is the significant variation in the component being measured between individuals. In one method, where the lactic acid concentration of vaginal secretions was proposed as an indicator of impending ovulation, the variability of its concentration between individuals was as great as one thousand percent. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,010,738, issued Mar. 8, 1977, to G. Preti, et al., for "Method of Predicting and Detecting Ovulation." As a practical matter, it is generally believed at the present time to be impossible to design a chemical indicator system that is applicable to all women. One example of such a problem is related to the alkaline phosphatase levels of saliva which, although appearing to be predictive of ovulation, show such variations among individuals that any chemical means of monitoring for its changes requires that tests be individually calibrated to each user. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,406,005, issued Oct. 1968 to Foster. Methods based on analysis of urine for steroid hormones or their derivatives are subject to the same problem. The principal object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and practically workable method for predicting and confirming ovulation. A related object is to provide a method for identification of the fertile period, by means of a simple, reliable self-monitoring home test. Another object is to provide a method of the foregoing character which uses a readily testable or measurable body element. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to use a measurable body fluid such as saliva. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention. Still a further object of the invention is to provide easily used, simple apparatus such as probes, digital readouts, and indication lights or signals. In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention is embodied in a method and apparatus for predicting the ovulation and fertile period of a human female. The method involves essentially measuring the electrical resistivity of the user's saliva, and by observing peaks and nadirs of changes in the saliva resistivity, predicting ovulation and fertility periods. The onset of ovulation can be further established by measuring the electrical resistivity of vaginal mucus, which, during the fertile period, shows a nadir on the day immediately preceding ovulation. The apparatus utilized involves a probe for measuring resistivity together with an electronic circuit for indicating resistivity values. The values may be either plotted or fed to a microprocesser which, depending upon the previous history of the user, gives an appropriate signal indicating the onset of ovulation and fertility. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the pattern of salivary electrical resistance produced in accordance with the method of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the pattern of salivary electrical resistance and vaginal electrical resistance produced in accordance with the method of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block circuit flow diagram of apparatus for determining electrical resistance using a probe of the character shown in FIGS. 5-10. FIG. 3A is a detailed circuit diagram showing the lockout circuitry for automatic recharging of a battery. FIG. 4 is a block flow diagram of apparatus using a microprocessor for indicating fertility status in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the head portion of an oral probe used in the method of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 6--6 of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the head portion of a modified form of oral probe. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 8--8 of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the head portion of a vaginal probe used in the method of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line 10--10 of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a plan view of an apparatus embodying the present invention. FIGS. 12-19 are logic flow charts showing the software algorithms for pattern recognition of resistivity values of the present invention. The present invention involves a simple method that has been developed whereby ovulation and the fertile period can be predicted and accurately identified in the human female. This method results in a reliable self-monitored home-test. It can also be used by a physician in the treatment of female infertility since many diagnostic or therapeutic measures depend on the accurate prediction and detection of ovulation. The method further lends itself to this task due to the relative ease of measuring saliva electrolyte compositions through electrical characteristics. Saliva is a complex system containing several electrolytes including salts of sodium and potassium and non-electrolyte components including several proteins, enzyme systems, and immunoglobulins. The inherent limitations of chemical tests caused by inter-subject variability do not affect this system. Although variability in salivary electrical resistance (SER) between subjects does exist, the measurement of an electrical characteristic combined with the wide range afforded by a digital display provides precise measurement over varying SER baselines and amplitudes. Thus, the identical instrument can be used by all subjects without adjustment or individual calibration. This is specifically a result of the fact that the method of this invention refers to changes in trend and not to absolute resistance values. Using the present method, a user is able to predict the onset of her fertile period and the time of ovulation. To this end, the electrical resistance of the subject's saliva is monitored periodically, preferably daily, with an instrument designed for that purpose. Basically, one illustrative instrument, which is shown in the drawings and described in more detail below, consists of a housing containing a control circuit, with a digital display, a probe or sensor adapted to be placed on the user's tongue, and a vaginal probe. Measurements are begun on the fifth day of the menstrual cycle, where the first day of the menstruation is day one. Readings are taken at approximately the same time each day, preferably immediately after awakening and prior to toothbrushing, breakfast, and other morning activities. To take a reading, excess saliva is swallowed, but with the tongue in moist condition, the sensor is placed on the tongue about 2 cm from its tip and held with very light pressure. The salivary electrical resistance (SER) reading or value is observed on the digital display and is recorded. The readings are plotted, with day-of-cycle on one axis and the SER values, which values are dimensionless numbers proportional to resistance, on the other axis, as shown in FIG. 1. When the first peak in SER values is reached, i.e. when a decline in SER occurs after an initial rise, the first predictive stage has been reached, a first recognition signal is generated by the instrument based on reaching State A, shown as Stage A in FIG. 1. Regardless of variations in menstrual cycle length, Stage A occurs approximately six days prior to ovulation (on day 6, where day 0 is the day of ovulation). The occurrence of Stage A may vary by plus or minus one day. Even after accounting for this variation, Stage A occurs prior to the onset of the fertile period, which is assumed to be 72 hours prior to ovulation, and is therefore a good indicator of the imminent fertile phase of the cycle. Thus, if the user wishes to prevent conception, she is made aware of the onset of the fertile period sufficiently in advance so that she may abstain from coitus during this period The next predictive stage, Stage B in the SER values, can be recognized when a sharp increase in readings occurs following a nadir or sharp dip, as shown on FIG. 1. This SER value graphical pattern is recognized and causes generation of a second recognition signal. A distinct V-shaped pattern should appear in the graphed readings at this stage. Stage B occurs usually a day after the nadir and approximately two days before ovulation, but may vary by plus or minus one day. Stage B is a sign of imminent ovulation, and is useful for identifying the peak of the fertile phase and establishing the best time for coitus or insemination when the user desires to conceive Patients under the care of a physician may also be scheduled for other evaluations such as post-coital tests, hormone assays, or ultrasonography at this stage. Though ovulation will usually occur within two days after Stage B those wishing to avoid conception should abstain from coitus for about four days after Stage B. While the changes in SER value during the menstrual cycle indicate the onset of the fertile period and ovulation, they do not confirm that ovulation has occurred. The present invention comprises a method of monitoring the concentration of and interaction between estrogen and progesterone through their effect both on the ionic concentration and the volume of cervical mucus. The abrupt decline in estrogen and the subsequent increase in progesterone at the time of ovulation cause marked changes in both ionic concentration and the volume of cervical mucus. These changes are monitored using an intravaginal probe that measures the electrical resistance (VER) or conductance of the vaginal mucus, and is sensitive not only to changes in the ionic composition of the mucus but also is sensitive to its volume. FIG. 2 illustrates diagrammatically the changes in both SER and VER as related to the menstrual cycle and ovulation. A marked increase in VER, after Stage B in SER, is an indication that ovulation has occurred (Stage C). This third pattern, in VER values rather than SER values, is recognized by the instrument and a third recognition signal generated. Thus, a reliable indication confirming ovulation is given in a rapid and simple to use home-test method. By combining the SER and VER readings, the test becomes even more accurate and reliable than when one reading alone is used. The user is able to predict the onset of the fertile period and the time of ovulation by monitoring changes in both salivary electrical resistance (SER) and vaginal electrical resistance (VER) at mid-cycle to confirm the occurrence of ovulation. Determination of SER is carried out as described above; however, when Stage A in the SER is observed, the VER readings are obtained in addition to the SER. The VER readings are taken at approximately the same time each day. To obtain a VER reading, a special vaginal probe is connected to the control box used for the electrical resistance measurement and inserted into the vagina until it rests at the base of the cervix. The VER reading is simply observed on the digital display and recorded. The VER readings are graphed along with the SER values. The interpretation of the SER values relative to Stages A and B is as described above. Because of the availability of midcycle VER measurements, a more precise confirmation of the occurrence of ovulation can be made During Stage B, the VER reading will be relatively low, reaching a nadir corresponding with the estrogen peak (FIG. 2). After ovulation has occurred, the sharp rise in progesterone together with the low estrogen levels result in a marked elevation in the VER readings. Thus, after taking the VER readings if the user observes a marked increase in VER, that is coincident with the stage of the cycle that follows Stage B, and may be taken as a reliable confirmatory indication of ovulation, as shown in FIG. 2. The fertile period begins about 72 hours before ovulation. The end of the fertile period is assumed to occur 48 hours after the VER increase. The period where probability of conception is high begins about four days after the VER increase and ends about four days after ovulation. In FIG. 2, the predictive indications of SER are combined with the confirmatory value of VER measurements, thus defining the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle. The use of the VER probe may be discontinued at the end of the fertile phase. The task of recording and interpreting the SER and VER readings may be accomplished automatically. The instrument is compact, with a display screen and provision for accepting only either one of the SER and VER measuring sensors. The instrument automatically recognizes which sensor is being used. The instrument has separate calibrations for vaginal and salivary readings. Voltage from either probe is routed from the probe jack to the appropriately calibrated measuring circuit by means of matched portions of multi-input jack and multi-output plug sets. To obtain consistent data, the instrument obtains an integrated reading over a 5 second period, after an initial delay period of 3-5 seconds. The user manually enters the first day of her cycle so that the built-in microprocessor integrates the stage of the cycle, with the appropriate SER and VER data. Daily measurements are taken as described above, but with the readings being recorded in the instrument's memory. At the beginning of the cycle only the SER sensor is used. By using a first algorithm for pattern recognition which is programmed into the instrument's microprocessor, the occurrence of Stage A is detected. Until Stage A is detected, the instrument's display shows that the probability of conception is low. When Stage A is reached, the display reads "Conception Possible". At this time, the instrument also alerts the user to begin VER measurements. When Stage B is detected by a second algorithm for pattern recognition, the display indicates that "Conception Very Likely". It monitors the VER readings until their abrupt increase indicates ovulation. From the beginning of Stage A until the occurrence of ovulation, the number of days to ovulation are displayed. After 72 hours has elapsed from the time of ovulation, the display shows that the probability of conception is low and reads "Conception Unlikely", since the end of the fertile phase has been detected. At this time, the instrument indicates to the user that VER readings may be discontinued for that cycle. When a user first begins to use the instrument, the time of ovulation is predicted, first using the number of days to Stage A from the beginning of the cycle. The actual prediction of the time of ovulation, once Stage A is detected, is based on a regression equation which correlates statistical information gained from initial experiments. The SER and VER data, together with the length of each cycle, is permanently stored in the instrument's memory for up to two years, with provision for transfer onto a hard copy when required. The method embodying the present invention is the basis of an accurate but simple home-test for determination of the fertile phase and ovulation during the menstrual cycle in women. It is clear that although the method may vary in degree of complexity and in the sophistication of instrumentation used, the process involved remains basically unchanged. It should also be clear that while the type of measurement used has been limited to electrical resistance, the basic principle involved in the method is the change in total electrolyte concentration of saliva and cervical/vaginal mucus. An equally viable method may be obtained using electrical conductance or impedance For determining and indicating salivary electrical resistance or vaginal electrical resistance, there are provided appropriate probes and electronic apparatus as shown in FIGS. 3 through 10. Referring to FIG. 3, the salivary electrical resistance measuring and indicating apparatus is embodied in a circuit 10 which includes an alternating voltage square wave generator 20 powered by a battery or power supply 21 connected through a combined on-off and battery test switch 22. The generator 20 is a "run-up run-down" RC oscillator using an operational amplifier integrated circuit. The two halves of the cycle are matched by trimming the timing components. The output of this oscillator is a symmetrical square wave with a swing of an essentially fixed amount less than the supply voltage. This square wave is applied, through a capacitor and a series resistor, to the probe 24. The voltage across the probe is thus a symmetrical square wave equal to the oscillator output divided by a voltage divider consisting of the series resistor and the probe/medium resistance. An excessive voltage protection switch 25, which consists of two diodes, is connected across the probe jack These diodes limit the voltage to the probe to a predetermined maximum level to protect against any possibility of trauma or discomfort to the user. The probe output signal is fed to an amplifier 26. The amplifier is an operational amplifier system utilizing the same integrated circuit package as the oscillator. Substantial negative feedback is used so that its gain is constant. The gain is adjustable for calibration purposes by use of a variable resistor or of a selected fixed resistor. The signal from the probe is capacitively coupled to its input, and the reference voltage of the amplifier system is half the supply voltage. The output of the amplifier is essentially a square wave averaged by a long-time-constant resistance/capacitance circuit or commutator 28. The voltage between the amplifier output and this average is connected, through two field-effect transistor (FET) bilateral switches, to the measuring circuit during one half of the cycle and in the opposite polarity during the other half of the cycle. Thus, the output is rectified, and a dc voltage proportional to the resistivity of the biological fluid is applied to the measuring circuit. The oscillator square wave is used to control the switches through an inverter 29. The measuring circuit 30 is connected to a liquid crystal display 31. The output of the commutator 28, now dc, is applied to this measuring circuit after smoothing by a resistance-capacitance filter circuit 32. This voltage is proportional to the probe/medium resistance, to the oscillator voltage swing, and to the amplifier gain. A run/hold switch 34 is provided external to the integrated circuit to hold and/or store a desired reading on the display. The specific digital reading of the measuring circuit is selected to provide for the best possible resolution of the time-measurement curve for the particular fluid being measured. The signal voltage, adjustable by gain for calibration as mentioned above, varies as the supply voltage changes. A suitable voltage is derived from the battery voltage for the reference voltage to compensate for changes in battery voltage. Since the oscillator output is approximately the battery voltage less a fixed amount, a similar part of the battery voltage, a fraction of the battery voltage less a suitable fixed amount, is used as the reference voltage. This renders the reading essentially independent of the battery voltage, eliminating the need for a regulated voltage, and reducing the supply voltage required. Power is supplied by a pack of nickel cadmium rechargeable battery cells, by disposable batteries or by any suitable battery or other power source. A low battery voltage detector 35 compares a fraction of the battery voltage to a different fraction of the voltage across a Zener diode. This diode is also used to obtain the compensating voltage for the reference, as described above. The low battery voltage recognition circuit (see FIG. 3A) is set to a selected voltage appropriate to the power supply. For instance, for a 9-volt battery it is set at 7 volts. When the battery voltage drops to that level, the low battery voltage recognition circuit activates one or more elements on the liquid crystal display, thus informing the user that the battery needs replacement or recharging. The microprocessor-driven instrument is powered by nickel cadmium batteries. It is contemplated that, once placed in service, the instrument will normally be connected to the charger except during the process of taking readings To prevent the taking of readings with the charger connected, the program checks for voltage at pin 1 of IC22. If the charger is connected, the instrument cannot be turned on. The battery voltage is checked by comparison circuits at IC23 and if the voltage is less than 6.2 V and the charger is connected, a charge cycle is initiated by IC23 through IC20, a flip-flop. A modification of the above circuit involves adding an accurate inverter after the amplifier so that both polarities of the signal may be connected alternately to the "high" terminal of the measuring circuit by two bilateral switches. The "low" terminal of the measuring circuit is then directly connected to the average of the amplifier output and the inverter output, thus requiring much less filtering of the signal average Since only a single operational amplifier is sufficient for the main amplifier, and the other operational amplifier can be used as the inverter, without increasing the complexity of the circuit. The analog to digital (A/D) converter includes a terminal which is maintained internally at a voltage that is a fixed amount (x) less than its supply voltage (y). Amount x is approximately equal to the amount that the square wave output differs from the supply voltage. Thus a fraction of this voltage (y-x) can be used as reference for the A-D (analog to digital) conversion and x can be used as the reference for the low battery voltage indicator. Another embodiment of instrumentation for applying the method of the present invention includes a microprocessor for data processing and for storing the pattern recognition algorithms, is shown in FIG. 4. This embodiment of the method utilizes several elements to process the measurements obtained by a circuit like that shown in FIG. 3 described above. These elements include a power supply 21a, an on-off switch 22a, and a square wave generator and amplifier measuring circuit 36 receiving signals from a probe 24a. The voltage derived from the measuring circuit 36 is fed to an A/D (analog to digital) converter 38, which is used to convert the analog probe signals to digital values for processor input to a microprocessor 40 utilizing a monitor program. The monitor program is the system software. It defines the order of events, the interpretation of data, and the resulting conclusions. The microprocessor 40 is the controller of the system. It executes the monitor program, which is stored in the read only memory (ROM) 41. A programmable clock is used to supply the current time and date. Random access memory (RAM) 42 is a read/write static memory element. It is used to store temporary data values and the microprocessor stack. Data values including in part SER and VER daily values are retained in the electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) 44, which is a non-volatile read/write memory element. A telephone-type 12-key pad 45 or a similar membrane switch is provided for user input, such as time and date, set or reset routines. Two peripheral interface adapters (PIA), in the form of integrated circuits 46, 48, are used to interface between the microprocessor bus and peripheral devices. Both are used for input to the processor. One handles the keypad and the A/D converter; the other handles the real-time clock 49 through the bus driver 50. Processor output is displayed by a two-line, 32-character liquid crystal display (LCD) 51. A buffer circuit is included in the integrated circuit of the display. In order to change parallel data from the processor to serial, properly synchronized data for a communications link, such as to another computer 52 or a peripheral device 54 and vice versa, there is provided an asynchronous communications interface adapter (ACIA) 55. Discrete logic digital gate decoders 56 are provided to decode the microprocessor control and address signals for addressing other system elements. The microprocessor system requires a 5-volt dc voltage supply. In one embodiment, the power supply circuit converts line voltage into the required voltage. The power supply 21a also includes five nickel cadmium batteries so that measurements can be taken with the device disconnected from the line voltage. This also allows for portable operation and standby protection against temporary interruptions of the main current. The software for the device consists primarily of a continuous loop that looks for any input from the keyboard and goes to the appropriate routines; second, the real-time clockcalendar is read to see if the day has changed. The MAIN routine shows a test for RESET. This will be handled by the microprocessor with an appropriate jump to the RESET routine or by a keyboard RESET. RESET will return to the main loop with the microprocessor in a known state. Data will not be destroyed or lost if the device is reset. In the initial logic step in the software, an SER reading is always taken and a delta value for the difference between the present day SER reading and the SER reading of the prior day is obtained, the absolute value of delta (SER) being stored in the EEPROM 44 (FIG. 4), an internal, non-volatile memory means of the instrument. As seen in FIG. 1, the days of the menstrual cycle prior to ovulation are broken down into 5 distinct zones. Zone 1 is separated from Zone 2 by Stage A. A significant drop in delta (SER), for example ten or more, signals a change from Zone 2 to Zone 3. Zone 3 changes to Zone 4 after the nadir of the SER curve occurring approximately 3 days prior to ovulation. Stage B separates Zone 4 from Zone 5, during Zone 5 ovulation occurs. The software logic of the instrument always initially assumes the instrument is used within five days of the start of menstruation. As described above, the stages A and B of the SER data, and the post ovulation rise in VER, stage C (FIG. 2), are determined by three algorithms for "pattern recognition" incorporated into the electronic circuitry of the instrument. The cycle day prior to the first negative slope in the SER graph of FIG. 1, detected after cycle day 5, is found by a first algorithm shown in FIG. 12 for pattern recognition, which generates a first recognition signal indicating the day of the cycle of Stage A to the memory. In determining a positive or negative slope, allowance is made for non-significant variations of noise. Once a negative slope is measured between sequential SER readings, an absolute difference or delta (SER) in sequential SER readings of a predetermined amount greater than any noise value that might be encountered is detected by the electronic measuring circuitry embodying the first algorithm. The predetermined amount used in the present invention is 7. The threshold between non-significant and significant variation is greatly affected by the sensitivity of the measuring circuit, and must therefore be defined accordingly. Since the basic method of this invention is based on changes in trend rather than on absolute values, the sensitivity of the measuring circuit or the threshold for "noise" need not be defined. In the algorithm of FIG. 12, no VER measurement is needed, as the user is still in Zone 1 and Stage A has not been reached. A VER measurement is needed to correlate the day of ovulation, as has been previously discussed, and is pictorially seen in FIG. 2. Delta (SER) measurements on sequential days are determined by simply subtracting the immediately previous day's SER reading from the present day's SER reading. Depending upon whether the delta (SER) value is positive or negative, the user will be on one side or the other of Stage A of the SER curve. If Stage A has not been reached, delta (SER) will be positive, as is the slope of the SER graph while the user is in Zone 1. The slope of the graph and the delta (SER) values are negative for Zone 2, after Stage A has been reached. The microprocessor stores this first algorithm for pattern recognition as well as the day of the cycle upon which Stage A is reached for use in determining ovulation in the present menstrual cycle and for later use in a regression equation used to calculate the day of ovulation. As seen in FIG. 12, if the magnitude of delta (SER) is negative and its magnitude is greater than 7, to account for non-significant variations or noise, then Stage A has been determined to be the previous day of the cycle and the loop continues to the algorithm for recognition of Zone 2 found in FIG. 13. With respect to FIG. 12, should the difference or delta (SER) be greater than zero, the software either implements the days to ovulation sub-routine of FIG. 18 or, if the delta is approximately zero, the present SER value is compared to two consecutive previous readings to find out if a total delta (SER) between the present values and the first of the two previous values greater than 7 has occurred. If a delta greater than 7 in magnitude between the present and first of the three consecutive SER values has occurred, then Stage A is assumed to have occurred 2 days prior to the present measurement and the logic of FIG. 13 relative to Zone 2 is implemented. It should be noted that all of the logic flow charts ultimately lead to the flow chart seen in FIG. 18. If no VER is needed, the SER reading is displayed for recording and the intelligence and the display are then disabled. If a VER reading is needed and point A has been reached, then a regression equation seen FIG. 18 is utilized to calculate the day of the cycle during which ovulation will occur. Depending on whether ovulation has passed, a message will indicate days to ovulation. Whether or not ovulation has passed, a message will be displayed to the user based upon the logic of FIG. 19 indicating the probability of conception. In FIG. 13 Stage A has passed and the user of the instrument is taking measurements at a day of the cycle within Zone 2. From this point on through ovulation, an indication will be given to the user that a VER measurement is needed. A second algorithm for pattern recognition is embodied in the logic of FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 to recognize the nadir in the SER values of FIG. 1. Once the nadir is detected by the second algorithm, a second recognition signal corresponding to the day of the cycle at which State B occurrs is generated and stored to memory. FIG. 13 finds a difference between the present SER reading and the SER reading at Stage A that is of a magnitude greater than 10. The magnitude is selected so as to be large enough to indicate that Zone 3 has been reached. Once Zone 3 has been reached, then the logic flow chart of FIG. 14 is controlling. Again, in Zone 3a VER reading is needed and so indicated. The difference in sequential readings of SER, again referenced to as delta (SER) in FIG. 14, needs to be greater than zero, indicating a positive slope in the SER measurement graph of FIG. 1, and that Zone 4 has been entered after the drop in SER values from Stage A to the nadir. The logic associated with Zone 4 is shown in FIG. 15 again displays to the user the need for a VER measurement to correlate with the SER measurement being taken. The logic of FIG. 15 is searching for Stage B through use of the second algorithm for SER pattern recognition incorporated within the microprocessor of the electronic circuitry shown in block form in FIG. 4. Three consecutive daily values of SER will establish the nadir for which the second algorithm for pattern recognition is searching. Again a change in slope to negative or zero slope is the pattern which is recognized by the algorithm of FIG. 15 to establish the day of Stage B. The second algorithm searches for a significant drop in SER from Stage A, a change in slope, i.e., an increase in SER values after a decrease. From Zone 4 the Zone 5 software subroutine is seen in FIG. 16. The day of the cycle corresponding to Stage B has been found through the logic shown in FIG. 15. The logic shown in FIG. 16 simply determines how many days since Stage B has been reached, and if greater than 1, indicates that day of ovulation has been reached. Such a calculation follows the experimentally found result that Stage B is usually followed in 2 days by ovulation as indicated in FIG. 1. This logic will however, be overriden when VER measurements are available. In any of the previous software sub-routines relating to Zones 2 through 5, where a VER measurement is indicated, the respective logic flow paths are followed and then a VER measurement is taken and the logic flow path shown in FIG. 17 is operative. As seen in FIG. 17, a third algorithm for pattern recognition of Stage C of the VER measurement graph of FIG. 2 first compares sequential VER measurements until the VER measurement is greater than the minimum VER which would occur prior to the day of ovulation. After minimum VER is determined and stored, the algorithm associated with VER pattern recognition then determines Stage C by searching for an increase in consecutive VER values or delta (VER) of greater than 25. When Stage C has been recognized by the third algorithm shown in the flow chart of FIG. 17, then the minimum VER measurement seen at day minus 1 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and the day of ovulation are both stored to memory by a third recognition signal generated by the third algorithm for later print-out in graphical or tabular form as desired. The determination of the day of ovulation by the third algorithm supersedes any finding based on SER values and the days to ovulation flow chart shown in FIG. 18 and causes the instrument memory of the microprocessor to store the day of ovulation found by the third algorithm. The day of ovulation is normally predicted using the regression equation of FIG. 18 once Stage A is detected. The independent and dependent variables used for the equation are days to Stage A and days to ovulation respectively, from the beginning of the cycle. The first equation is initially derived from statistical information gained from prior experiments ments and users. As data accumulates for a given individual user, these equations are weighted to reflect the cycle characteristics of the user. Data used for this purpose will include days to Stage A, days to Stage B, days to ovulation, and the length of the user's menstrual cycle, all of which will be stored in the memory of the microprocessor. Several suitable designs have been developed for transducers to measure the SER and VER, as shown in FIGS. 5 through 10. Each probe consists of one or more active electrodes and one or more ground electrodes. The electrodes are mounted in a non-conductive, biologically inert material such as epoxy or acrylic plastic. They are connected to the measuring circuit by two or more shielded conductors, which may be connected to the instrument with a plug and jack or by hard wiring to the circuit board of the measuring instrument. The geometry of the probe is determined by the configuration of the site of its intended use. A shaft and handle facilitate vaginal use, while the oral probe is a small disk, a modified disk with a handle molded onto it, or a cylinder with rounded ends with or without a shaft or handle. The electrodes, of any appropriate conductive material such as gold, silver, sometimes with an admixture of silver chloride, copper, aluminum, or stainless steel, may be embedded in or applied to the surface of the non-conductor. Sets of two or more stainlesss steel rings are wired alternately to form a series of active and a series of ground electrodes. Two or more silver/silver chloride, gold, or stainless steel disks are connected in two series. Interlocked patterns of conductive material are etched from a metal coating on a non-conductive surface using printed circuit board technology, or they may be applied to a ceramic substrate. A combination of rings and disks may also be used, as well as a combination of electrodes with two pairs of connectors to the measuring circuit, which would serve to localize the readings within the site. Illustrative oral probes are shown in FIGS. 5-8. The preferred oral probe comprises a generally lollipop-shaped probe having a round head 60 integral with a handle 61. The head 60 and handle 61 are formed with a flattened surface 62 in which a plurality of electrodes or contacts 64, 65, 66 are embedded. Appropriate wires or conductors 68 are molded into the probe and connect the respective electrodes to a wire leading to appropriate terminals or jacks adapted to be secured to the processing unit amplifier 26 and voltage limiter 25. The electrodes are molded to be flush with the flattened surface so as to provide a smooth continuous surface in order to prevent injury to the user's tongue or mouth. The probe contacts may comprise gold-plated button electrodes. Any two buttons can be electrically connected to form a common electrode. A modified form of probe head is shown in FIG. 7. In this modification the head is a generally elongated oval or elliptical member connected to a handle (not shown). A plurality of chevron-shaped electrodes 71, 72 are mounted in a flattened surface 74 of the head 70. The respective electrodes 71, 72 are connected by appropriate wires 75, 76 extending to the processing unit. The electrode assembly of the modification shown in FIG. 7 is conveniently formed as a double-sided printed circuit board 80 with the electrodes 71, 72 plated on one side and connecting strips plated on the opposite side and connected to the conductors 75, 76, which exit the probe and are connected to the processing unit by an appropriate plug or jack. An illustrative vaginal probe is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. This probe comprises a rounded cylindrical probe element 90 with alternating pairs of ring electrodes 91, 92 embedded in the surface and an electrode cap 93 defining the tip end of the probe 90. The rings and cap are embedded so as to provide a smooth exterior surface. The rings and cap may be formed of stainless steel or like material. Each set of rings and cap is connected to a wire 94, 95, respectively, also embedded in the probe and extending through the probe handle 96 for connection to the processer. The various ring electrodes may be connected so as to not only give a measure of the electrical resistivity of vaginal mucus, but also to give a quantitative indication of the volume of mucus. The processing unit itself may be of any appropriate design configuration and will generally include, as shown in FIG. 11, a housing 100 suitable for hand use, with a digital readout display 101 and a keyboard 102. Additional control buttons, on-off switches, etc. may be utilized. While a certain illustrative method and apparatus embodying the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described above in considerable detail, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific forms and embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, equivalents, methods and uses falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.	111,013
NYT: OBAMA FAILS TO WALK HIS "NEW FOUNDATION" TALK We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity — a foundation that will move us from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest, where we consume less at home and send more exports abroad. Richard Stevenson interprets his meaning thus: Embedded in that approach is a far-reaching implication: that the rest of the world should no longer count on the United States to snap up imported goods or run up large trade deficits. So far so good. We can agree on that talk and cheer his efforts to increase personal savings. Indeed, though rarely discussed, the increase of the American personal saving from 0.8% to 4.2% in the past 6 month is the brightest of all the economic green shoots out there. The problem, Stevenson points out and I agree, is that his strategy to bring about the needed change is questionable. Governments, as the Japanese have demonstrated, are lousy at picking winners and that is precisely what Obama is trying to do: It is by no means clear that Mr. Obama has the policy tools needed to bring about that kind of change . . . . To drive economic growth in the place of debt-fueled consumption, Mr. Obama is banking on the emergence of alternative fuels, pollution-limiting technology, health care technology and other new industries linked to broader policy goals. Indeed, the administration's failure to become a strong advocate of domestic drilling refinery building and new nuclear power plants demonstrates it's lack of seriousness when it comes to tackling energy policy. For when all said and done, it was high energy prices which caused the 70s stagflation and was the immediate cause of the current economic collapse. All we see, is stimulous money trickling out for unpromising solar and wind projects while venture capital not only hit an eleven year low but it also stalled for"green" technologies: Even clean technology, one of the few areas where VCs were bullish, stalled. In the first quarter, renewable energy, the sector covering most venture companies working on so-called green technology, registered $117 million invested into nine deals, a 73% decline for the $427 million invested in 16 deals in the first period of 2008. The sector had been strong through the fourth quarter when 26 renewable energy companies raised $790 million. Certainly, the efforts to revive the housing market by easy credit is not only as the Economist argues amounts to Building castles of sand, but it is certainly not the way to change the old American debt based consumer culture. Most troubling, as Stevenson points out, are the consequences of the Obama administration's failure to designate China as the currency manipulator that it surely is: And some of the administration’s own policies suggest that there are limits to Mr. Obama’s willingness to bolster investment in new production capacity at home. His unwillingness so far to confront China aggressively over its currency and trade practices, for examples, leaves many American manufacturers at a disadvantage. Indeed, they do. Just note the larger than expected - US industrial production fell in March for the fifth consecutive month, by 1.5 percent, to the lowest level in a decade amid a prolonged recession, government data showed Wednesday. The seasonally adjusted monthly decline matched the 1.5 percent drop in February, revised up from a prior estimate of 1.4 percent, the Federal Reserve said. The March slide was much steeper than the 0.9 percent decline expected by most analysts. Output in March dropped to its lowest level since December 1998 and was nearly 13 percent below its year-earlier level. On a 12-month basis, output was down a hefty 12.8 percent. For the first quarter of the year, industrial output dropped at a punishing annual rate of 20.0 percent, the largest quarterly decline"of the current contraction," the Fed said. To sum up, if the Obama administration is serious about building a New Foundation for the American economy in order to renew it's ability to enlarge the economic pie and not merely using the slogan as an excuse to redistribute an ever decreasing one, it better start walking the walk rather than just talking the talk. For only then will private equity investors become as optimistic about the future of America as they currently are about the future of China. comments powered by Disqus	59,742
School Children and adolescent girls’ club members of Romai Tea Garden perform `Shikari Burhi’ (Old Woman Hunter), based on one of the 13 storybooks released by Assam’s Minister for Tea Tribe Welfare Department on 17 November 2009 at Guwahati By Nipurnh Gupta GUWAHATI, Assam, India, 10 December 2009 – As the peels of laughter from inside the Kalakshetra auditorium grow louder, the swelling queues of children outside the hall, waiting to be seated, start getting restless. They are missing all the fun. The Boga Hati (white elephant) has just flown high into the heavens with Birsa, hanging by his tail. “It is unbelievable,” says young Sabita, who has travelled all the way from the tea gardens of Dibrugarh to watch a familiar folktale transform into an enthralling puppet show. Sabita’s disbelief is not just at the white elephant flying. “After all it’s only a puppet,” she says matter-of-factly. “What is amazing is that this is the story my grandmother told me and probably her grandmother told her. Just like this play Shikari Burhi (Old Woman Hunter), so well performed by the primary school children and Adolescent Girls Clubs of Romai Tea Garden,” she adds. “I had never in my wildest dreams imagined that one day I would be watching these quaint tales of our community with so many children, government officials and also the Minister,” says Sabita. “It is wonderful that thousands of children in our tea gardens will now get a chance to read these stories,” she adds, showing off the colourful set of 13 storybooks she has just received. Storybooks embody culture of tea communities Attractively illustrated and written in simple Assamese, the storybooks embody the flavour and culture of tea communities and have been specially designed, keeping in mind the language needs of first-time school goers in tea garden areas. The path-breaking initiative is an outcome of the collaborative efforts of UNICEF and Anwesha, a publication group in Assam. “The objective is to make reading fun and easy for tea community children who find school lessons difficult to cope with - the reason being, the difference in the language spoken at school and at home,” informs Paresh Malakar, President, Anwesha. These books were developed in a workshop mode, where people from tea communities developed manuscripts based on folk stories. Experts and resource persons helped refine the shortlisted manuscripts, he adds. Illustrations were meticulously developed to capture the essence of the stories as well as the tea garden settings, recalls one of the resource persons, AC Bhagabati, former Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University. “UNICEF must be congratulated for ensuring a very high quality, both in the content and design of the storybooks. As a result, the books appeal to both children and adults alike,” he adds. On 17 November 2009, the thirteen story books were released in Guwahati by Assam’s Minister for Tea Tribe Welfare Department, Prithbi Majhi, in the presence of senior officials from the Government of Assam, NGOs, UNICEF, media persons and most importantly, the proud authors of the books and the very excited children from Guwahati and the tea-intensive districts of Upper Assam. Storybooks to address language barriers for children Hailing the initiative as an important step in the history of tea communities, the Minister stated that the books will be immensely useful in promoting reading habits among children in tea communities. Underscoring the importance of the right to education, UNICEF Assam Chief, Jeroo Master, highlighted that the storybooks will address language barriers for children of marginalised tea communities in Assam and help bring them back to school. The tea communities of Assam, comprising 17 per cent of the state’s population, fare poorly on human development indices, including education. As per the District Information System For Education (DISE 2008-09), 17 per cent of the 440 primary schools under tea garden management, are single-teacher schools. Only 20 per cent of the children obtained higher than 60 per cent in class IV exams of 2007. Some 34 per cent children from 2005-2008 have left school between class I and IV. The high dropout and poor performance of tea garden children in lower primary classes is as a result of the lack of proper educational environment at home, The language barrier faced by tea community children whose home language differs from the Assamese used at school also affects their performance, informs Hara Kanta Das, Headmaster, Romai Tea garden LP School, Dibrugarh. But things are changing. With the support from the Government of Assam and UNICEF, tea garden managements are actively working on improving the quality of teaching-learning in the tea garden schools. Tea garden workers have also started aspiring for better opportunities for their children. “My parents do not have any formal education, but they want me and my three siblings to be educated, “says Kabita, class IV, LP School, Romai Tea Garden, Each of the 440 Lower Primary Schools and Adolescent Girls Clubs in 80 tea gardens will get the set of storybooks as a complement to the Reading Enhancement Programme in the tea gardens of Dibrugarh. Of course, after looking at the colourful books and the riveting play and puppet shows based on them, the demand for the books has far exceeded the 3,000 sets printed by UNICEF and Anwesha. The Tea Tribes Welfare Department, Government of Assam, is supportive of expanding the reach of the books to more children. Hopefully, the interest generated by the storybooks will translate into improved reading abilities, and eventually better learning outcomes, for children of marginalised tea communities of Assam.	134,179
(Guest Post by Matthew Ladner) Back in 2013 Forbes ran a contest between a group of financial services professionals, a group of school children and a cat named Orlando to see who could do the best job investing in stocks. “While the professionals used their decades of investment knowledge and traditional stock-picking methods, the cat selected stocks by throwing his favorite toy mouse on a grid of numbers allocated to different companies.” Orlando’s victory ought to have come to the surprise of approximately no one. Stock picking chickens began defeating money managers decades ago. Recently the Wall Street Journal ran a long article demonstrating that the mutual funds rated five stars by the Morningstar service rarely hold on to that rating for very long. So other than the obvious (buy index funds rather than pay for “expert” advice) what does this have to tell us about a panel of experts donning their lab coats in order to predict which schools will either perform well or flounder? Things get even more complex with regards to schools when compared to stocks. Stocks have a very straightforward metric of value- a price. A well-meaning panel of school experts lacks a comparable metric, with enrollment trend and wait lists being the closest available analogies to prices. Such panels tend to rely on test scores, but past test scores may not only fail to predict future test scores, K-12 test scores often fail to predict future success in life. Alas Newt the Alien apocalypse survivor died in a really unwatchable sequel, but Orlando the Cat might be available to make life and death decisions for New Orleans charter schools. Apparently, just as with finance, panels of “experts” are not to be trusted with this task. Even if such metrics did predict future test score growth, we ought not to feel overly assured as the relationship between K-12 test scores and future success seems somewhere on the weak to tenuous spectrum in the currently available research literature. Now if you don’t like the idea of a cat dropping a toy mouse on a numbered grid to decide which charter schools get approved and which close, we might decide to leave this task primarily to the collective judgments of parents. We’ve been earnestly assured that we can’t do such a thing because it didn’t work out in Cleveland or in X, but given the complete inability of humans to forecast the future, expert panels doesn’t have much of a chance to add value anywhere over the long run. Rather than flattering itself with the notion that their expertise has prepared someone to exercise technocratic authority properly, the reform movement should spend time investigating the conditions under which bottom-up accountability succeeds and the conditions under which top-down accountability fails. Such an investigation could move the discussion beyond stale polemics such as should the government ever close a school and towards an investigation of the sorts of conditions that lead to success. How many options do parents need before they can effectively take the lead in closing schools? I’m guessing the answer to this last question requires more than “zoned district school and young urban charters.” Turns out that the howling wind of purifying creative destruction story is a bit much when your only options are your zoned district inner city school and a handful of young inner city charter schools. Here in Arizona zoned district school, suburban district schools, tons of other charters and private school choice seems to be putting down new charters in a mere four years despite the fact that they have a 15 year charter from the state. A large majority of closed charters aren’t lasting long enough to reach a renewal process. The benefits of such a system as opposed to heavy reliance on a panel of experts or even a cat seem both abundant and apparent.	123,251
By Priya Pryadarshini, Bhanja Bihar, Berhampur Ganjam is the hub of classical and traditional beauty. Be it in the terms of song, dance, drama or theatrical show, Ganjam has a unique position in all these regards. Among all ‘Prahalad Nataka’ stands tall in all respective quarters of the culture. The tale is based on the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, ‘Nursingha’. Prahalad the great devotee of Lord Vishnu goes against the will of his father and worships Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap the father of Prahalad declares himself as the God and rebels against the almighty for which he gets punished. The play is developed from the stories of mythological books like ‘Bhagat Gita’, ‘Vishnu Purana’ and ‘Nursingha Purana’. The act is full of emotions varying from courage to anger. King Ramakrushna Chotray of Jalanta was the first to initiate the production of this act. He called the famous dramatist and musician Gaurahar Parcha of Paralakhamundi who scripted the play for the first time. It was the first enacted in the region of Jalanta. It is primarily an Odiya play. Yet, the neighboring Telugu speaking regions do translate it into their own language and do perform it in their own areas. It is a play which has classical music as its main element. In Ganjam the play is also called as ‘Rajanataka’. It continues for three to seven nights. The play though not edited in the form of episode or serial number has got a special way of presenting style. The presenter first starts the act by reciting the ‘Gurudeva’, ‘Ganesh’ and ‘Sarada Vandana’. After that the summary of the script is presented. Next the characters are called on the stage and the presentation goes on. ‘Prahalad Nataka’ is famous because of its presentation style and subject matter. Mostly the dance format is used for description of each character that also speaks of the emotions like devotion and pride.	115,179
Blackwell, Veronica R. (1998) Formation processes of clathrate hydrates of carbon dioxide and methane. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-01232008-100246 NOTE: Text or symbols not renderable in plain ASCII are indicated by [...]. Abstract is included in .pdf document. This thesis explores the formation kinetics and mechanisms of clathrate hydrates of carbon dioxide and methane, focusing on the nucleation and early growth of hydrates. Homogenous and heterogeneous systems were studied. The catalysis of hydrate nucleation was accomplished by the addition of certain particles to the hydrate forming solution. Copper (II) oxide, calcium carbonate and some [...] and [...] aluminum oxide particles were found to be effective nucleators while a-iron oxide, magnesium hydroxide, silica and some other [...] and [...] aluminum oxide particles were found ineffective. The induction period for hydrate formation was reduced by as much as 85% with copper oxide particles. The important requisites of a nucleation catalyst included a satisfactory match between the crystal structure faces of ice and catalyst particle. The nature of the surface hydroxyl groups on the particle was also important. Particles nucleated hydrate by encouraging hydrogen bonding between the surface hydroxyl groups on the particles and water molecules near the surface, forming a layer of structured water. These structures then built up into clathrate cages when stabilized by guest molecules. Methane hydrate only formed at the interface between gas and water, because only there were there enough methane molecules to stabilize the structures. Carbon dioxide hydrate formed in the bulk solution because the higher solubility of carbon dioxide in water ensures enough carbon dioxide molecules to stabilize cages and allow them to grow into full hydrate structures. \|Item Type:\|\|Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))\| \|Subject Keywords:\|\|clathrate hydrates ; carbon dioxide ; methane\| \|Degree Grantor:\|\|California Institute of Technology\| \|Division:\|\|Engineering and Applied Science\| \|Major Option:\|\|Environmental Science and Engineering\| \|Thesis Availability:\|\|Public (worldwide access)\| \|Defense Date:\|\|5 June 1998\| \|Default Usage Policy:\|\|No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.\| \|Deposited By:\|\|Imported from ETD-db\| \|Deposited On:\|\|15 Feb 2008\| \|Last Modified:\|\|19 Feb 2014 22:21\| - Final Version See Usage Policy. Repository Staff Only: item control page	130,082
A HEART attack in the morning causes more damage than an attack at any other time of the day. Borja Ibanez and colleagues at the Carlos III University of Madrid in Spain collected details from 811 people who suffered a heart attack between 2003 and 2008. The team recorded when symptoms started and blood levels of two protein markers for heart damage. The proteins are enzymes that normally stay inside heart cells, but are released when cells die. Rising enzyme levels in the blood mean a lot of tissue has died. Heart damage was significantly greater following morning attacks (Heart, DOI: 10.1136/hrt.2010.212621). "There's a peak between 6 am and noon," says Ibanez. "People who had heart attacks during this period had 20 per cent more tissue death compared with those who had attacks at any other time." Ibanez reckons protective proteins called salvage kinases may be responsible. Heart cells in rodents and pigs release varying amounts throughout the day with less produced in the morning. "Proteins that protect human heart cells from damage could provide new therapies," he says. If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.	49,677
Volume 10, Number 4—April 2004 Economics of Preventing Hospital Infection \|Option\|\|Incremental cost of prevention\|\|Incremental benefita\|\|Effectb\| bReduction in incidence. 1Care should be taken in interpreting this estimate, as it was derived from data gathered in the mid-1970s for the Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC). 2At rates of 10% the fixed costs of the organization were managing to treat 50,000 patients, but at zero rates of infection they are treating 52,500 patients, representing an improvement in efficiency. See Appendix 1. 3Reductions would be in expenditures on antimicrobials to treat the infection and on the equipment used to deliver therapy. Expenditures on resources used for wound care such as dressings, irrigations, and other consumables would be reduced. Also, workload of the nursing staff may be reduced, so expenditures on agency nurses would be less.	128,820
Australias PV power plant sector looks likely to achieve major cost reductions under the first round of the Australian Renewable Energy Agencys (ARENA) large-scale solar program. With international developers such at Europes juwi, Neoen and FRV and Chinese giants Canadian Solar and Suntech have all made it through the first competitive round of the program, announced today. Large Australian utilities Origin Energy and Infigen Energy have also been successful in the first round, along with independent domestic project developers Genex, Windlab, APA and Ganawarra Solar. All shortlisted projects would deliver an LCOE below AU$0.135/kWh (US$0.0937/kWh), and ARENA CEO Frischknecht has indicated that below AU$0.10/kWh (US$0.069/kWh) could be feasible. That is where we would like to get to, but you cant get to that point without any volume in the market, Frischknecht told pv magazine. Experience will drive the cost down. ARENA is specifically looking towards PV power plant experience in Australia delivering reductions in the area of soft costs. Something like 60% of the cost of a large-scale solar farm is local cost so it is not just the cost of the modules and the inverters, which are imported into Australia, it is the cost of construction, the cost of finance, the supply chain costs, said Frischknecht. There are fairly high contingency margins and it is going to take developers longer to do this job than if they have not done it ten times. Of course, there are many unique factors in Australia around network connection, working with the local labor force, local planning rules and those sorts of issues. Frischknecht explained that the shortlisted projects were assessed by factors including cost, the ability reach financial close quickly, the ability to execute and community engagement. Innovative factors such the integration of storage was not included, although such projects can apply to ARENA for funding under its existing activities outside this first large-scale solar scheme. However, that is not to say that the shortlisted projects are unremarkable. RenewEconomy observes that for some of the projects solar will be combined with wind and other renewable technology. Goldwind Australia has proposed siting a 20 MW solar farm alongside its existing wind array, Infigen also plans to do the same with a 39 MW array at its Capital wind farm, and Windlab has proposed 19.2 MW of solar to add to its existing wind capacity at its Kennedy installation. Genex (50 MW), meanwhile, is looking to combine solar PV and pumped hydro, while Ratch (42 MW) is considering solar PV with a range of other technologies at Collinsville, where a coal-fired power station has been closed down, notes RenewEconomy. The shortlisted projects can apply for debt finance under the Clean Energy Finance Corporation's (CEFC) complimentary PV power plant program. ARENA notes that projects that may not have a PPA or offtake agreement particularly stand to benefit from the CEFCs finance offering. There is a very strong appetite amongst financial investors to provide debt for projects that have some sort of revenue certainty either through an offtake agreement or a CfD with a statement government or something like that, said Frischknecht. Absent an offtake agreement or an equivalent it becomes very difficult to sign a debt finance agreement [outside of the CEFC]. One of the purposes of this round is to mature that market, and I would be surprised that in two years from now if there wasnt a vigorous market even for projects that didnt have revenue certainty and were selling into the spot market, said Frischknecht. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: email@example.com.	244,177
Preventing a Heart Attack: You are more likely to have a heart attack on Monday morning than at any other day or time of the week. Doctors have long acknowledged that about 9am Monday morning is known as the witching hour because levels of cortisol – the stress hormone -peak early in the day (where they’re already naturally higher). When this happens, cholesterol plaque that has built up in the arteries can rupture and block the flow of blood to the heart. Add in the rise in blood pressure and increased heart rate from the stress of returning to work after the weekend, and you have the perfect recipe for a Monday morning heart attack. That’s why it’s important to reduce your stress levels as much as you can. Solutions include deep breathing, reading jokes in order to induce laughter, consider CoQ10. Sunday Evening - 6pm Family dinner where you map out the week ahead, discuss variables and possible curve balls, work out schedules and glitches, decide on Monday morning breakfast Sunday - 7:30pm Set your alarm for the time you should go to bed (i.e. 10pm if waking about 6am). If appropriate, plan for Sunday night sex – it ‘celebrates’ the weekend, gives you something to look forward to, and relaxes you into an earlier sleep. Sunday - 10pm Go to bed (or whatever time it would be to achieve your 8 hours sleep) Editing Monday Expectations (“Fail to plan and plan to fail”). This is where you practice projection analysis – acknowledging those stressors that you preconceive and attempt to work them through beforehand. Know that your psychology becomes your biology, and your biology becomes your psychology. Plan to look forward to something on Monday night – a reward for a hard day’s work (could be your favourite tv show, book, dinner out with spouse, call a friend, etc). Monday - 6am Start your day with lots of light! Intense light all around you – especially on overcast and dark winter mornings – as it increases serotonin release and shuts off melatonin (the sleep hormone). I like the bright light bulb ionizers. Monday - 6:15am Have a Monday morning ‘contrast shower’ which is hydrotherapy that enhances mood and blood/brain flow. 1 min hot, 30 sec cold as you can handle for 5 mins. Yell out loud and self massage/tap/slap your arms, chest, and legs. Monday - 6:30am If time or commuting on bus/train do a cross word puzzle or learn 3 words of a new language with a coffee. This gets the juices flowing. Monday - 6:45am While you’re dressing in your favourite pre-organized outfit, have your favourite song ready to play; this releases dopamine Monday - 7am Breakfast and Supplementation. Have your favourite healthy meal ready to go. Everyone should take a multi, fish oil, extra vitamin D. Have them laid out and organized for the week. Monday - 7:30am Start the week off right with exercise first thing Monday morning. It raises the amount of the brain chemical dopamine. Increased dopamine can help improve your mood. Even going for a short brisk walk, counts as exercise. 1 Cup Yogurt 1 Tbsp Chia 1 Scoop Protein Powder 1 Scoop Greens+ 1 Container Bio-k Probiotics 1/2 Cup Fresh/frozen Mixed Berries 1 Tsp Manuka Honey 1 Tbsp Ground Flax Alternative health expert, Bryce Wylde, explains how he prepares for Mondays.	296,296
Robert Bidinotto and the Objectivist Subculture In a recent conversation with a younger libertarian, I heard something that I found somewhat surprising and somewhat disturbing at the same time. But later, on reflection, I realized that what I had heard should not have surprised me, however much it may still disturb me. My young friend had said, and I paraphrase here, that he was surprised to learn that I thought of Objectivists as libertarians at all. Based on what he had seen of the positions they took on political issues, especially foreign policy, he had concluded that they were just another kind of neocon. I refer to this younger libertarian as "my young friend," but the fact is, he's no kid; he's in his early 40s, which tells you how long the situation with respect to Objectivism that I'm going to describe and deplore has been going on — that a man in his 40s cannot remember a time when leading Objectivists didn't talk in such a way about questions of US foreign policy (and about other questions as well, as we shall see) that they become hard to differentiate from certain kinds of conservatives and hard to see as any sort of libertarian. But before I get further into that depressing theme, there's a new book I'd like to commend to your attention. It's a novel entitled Hunter: A Thriller, and it's the work of the prominent Objectivist writer Robert Bidinotto. Now, a word of caution. What follows is not properly a book review, because what I'm really interested in talking about here is not Bidinotto's thriller in its capacity as a novel, an entertainment, a work of "popular art," but rather what it can tell us in its capacity as a cultural artifact. As Ayn Rand said, "The art of any given period or culture is a faithful mirror of that culture's philosophy." But of course, no culture has a "philosophy," really, at least if by that we mean a thought-out set of principles about the central questions any thoughtful person must be led to ask about the human condition. What a culture has is an implicit philosophy, what Rand liked to call a "sense of life." Rand argued that it was the artist's "sense of life," his "implicit view of life," his "generalized feeling about existence," that "controls and integrates his work, directing the innumerable choices he has to make, from the choice of subject to the subtlest details of style." An artist, Rand argued, "selects those aspects of existence which he regards as metaphysically significant — and by isolating and stressing them, by omitting the insignificant and accidental, he presents his view of existence." Also, as we have seen, the artist, by doing all these selfsame things, holds up a "faithful mirror" to the sense of life that dominates the culture or subculture he best fits into in the society in which he lives. And it is with this in mind that I want to discuss Robert Bidinotto's Hunter. It is, I think, pretty faithful in the way it mirrors the sense of life of the subculture we know as the Objectivist movement. Hunter begins with Annie Woods, a recently divorced Washington, DC–based CIA agent engrossed in the case of a fellow agent, now gone rogue, who has been selling secrets to the Russians, outing US undercover operatives in the process and getting them killed. At a friend's funeral, she meets a rising local journalist, Dylan Hunter, who specializes in writing investigative pieces about crime. Through his new friend Annie and through the widow of the mutual friend at whose funeral they met, Hunter learns about a crime victims' support group and attends one of their meetings. He then interviews the various individuals in the group who have lost loved ones to criminals, often only to see those criminals acquitted on technicalities or released early from prison sentences that had never been properly proportionate to the seriousness of their crimes in the first place. Hunter begins writing a series of Sunday articles about these and similar local cases. And he attracts many readers, some of whom are, shall we say, more serious about what they read than others. Some of them, or so it soon begins to appear, are what you might call "deadly" serious about what they read. For someone — or some group of someones — has begun systematically tracking down each of the leniently treated criminals profiled in Hunter's articles and killing them, leaving a copy of the relevant article pinned to the chest of each bloody corpse. Meanwhile Annie and Hunter have become something of an item, though she is intermittently troubled by her inability to find any information at all on her new boyfriend that goes back any further than two or three years. Who is executing these criminals? And who is Hunter? Bidinotto's tale is very cleverly put together. It kept me reading on the edge of my seat, so to speak, for two full days. But, more to my present point, what does it suggest about the current state of the Objectivist subculture? What sense of life does it project? I'm sorry to report that it projects a sense of life dominated by the emotions of fear and vindictive anger. It projects the sense that the individual is alone and, too often, defenseless in a scary, dangerous world in which other people are out to get him — out to take away from him what is rightfully his, and to assault and torture him just for the fun of it, and to kill him if that turns out to be convenient. Some might wonder at this point just why these murderous people are so, well, murderous — why they are so intent on committing crimes of this kind. But in the world contemporary Objectivists see when they open their eyes and look around, it is vain to ask such questions. In fact, it is worse than vain; for any inquiry into the reasons — good, bad, or idiotic — that someone might have had for doing what he did implies (somehow) that there may be some excuse for what he did. These criminals do what they do because they are "animals" and "dirtbags." It is in their nature. The only thing any decent individual can do is hope that these subhuman creatures are locked up in the darkest available hole and never let out. Or maybe they should just be exterminated like rodents or roaches. It is clear from their views on US foreign policy that most Objectivists today live in the very same frightening world that I have just described. Bidinotto himself made the connection between these two issues, domestic crime and international peace, in a notorious series of attacks on Ron Paul back in 2007 and 2008 on his personal blog and in the New Individualist, the monthly magazine he was editing back then for the Atlas Society. Some people claim that Bidinotto lost his job as editor of the New Individualist as a direct result of these articles, which allegedly offended some wealthy Objectivist Ron Paul supporters. He wrote on his blog in November 2007, for example, that there was "an interesting parallel between [Ron Paul's] view of America's foreign enemies, and the common liberal view of America's domestic criminals." For the same sort of arguments advanced by many libertarians … to "explain" the anti-American actions of foreign terrorists, also have been offered by liberals to "explain" the heinous acts of common criminals. Read any sociology or criminology text, and you'll find endless laundry lists of "causal explanations" for crime: poverty, neglect, poor parenting, lousy schools, poor "socialization," inadequate pre-natal care, hunger, disease, bullying, racism, police brutality, social stigmatizing, untreated psychological disorders, victimless-crime laws … you name it. To Bidinotto, back in November 2007, in what he now describes as "a post of which I'm particularly proud," it seemed clear that these two positions were very closely related. "Just as many libertarians like [Ron] Paul treat the actions of al Qaeda and other terrorists as 'blowback' for the sins of American society against them," he wrote, liberal social-science professionals treat the actions of home-grown criminal thugs as "blowback" for the alleged sins of American society against them. These bloody acts are never the terrorist's or the criminal's "fault" (responsibility), you see; rather, they are all our fault, for "driving him" to do his dastardly deeds. You may remember that during the Cold War, precisely the same sort of "explanations" were offered by liberals and, later, by left-libertarians such as Murray Rothbard to lay the blame for Communist aggression at the West's (especially America's) doorstep. It was our imperialist provocations around the world that were "driving" the Soviet bloc to "respond" by conquering and butchering millions, building weapons of mass destruction, constructing the Berlin Wall, etc. It was our economic and cultural "imperialism" that was driving indigenous peoples everywhere into the arms of the communists. I defy anyone to draw a rational, meaningful distinction between such "explanations" for criminal or terrorist aggression, and "excuses" for it. After all, "causal explanations" for human actions aim at exonerating the actor for committing them, by treating those acts as if they were not under the actor's conscious, volitional control, but as if they were instead deterministically driven "responses" to external provocations or "causes. " Just as I reject the liberal "excuse-making industry" that denies volition and rationalizes the acts of criminals, I am totally fed up with the disgraceful foreign-policy perspectives of those libertarians who portray the United States as the causal agent of every evil on earth — thus rationalizing the atrocities of foreign terrorists and despots. Well, I guess if I were assigned the task of composing a detailed reply to this indictment, I'd probably begin by pointing out that neither Ron Paul nor any other libertarian I've ever encountered, in print or in person, has ever said that the 9/11 terrorists — or anyone else in the Middle East — has ever been victimized by "American society." Some liberals do make this claim about criminals, but no libertarian makes it about people abroad who have grievances against the US government. The US government is not "American society." Further, neither Ron Paul nor any other libertarian I've ever encountered, in print or in person, has ever said that the 9/11 terrorists — or any other terrorists anywhere — were not responsible for their actions, or that "those acts … were not under the actor's conscious, volitional control." Of course they were. Of course the terrorists are responsible for what they chose to do. Does this mean it is useless to inquire into their reasons for choosing as they did? Is it more useful, more helpful, to instead angrily denounce them as "savages" or "animals" and then attempt to blow up anything and everything within a radius of 50 miles or so from the spot where "we" think they may be hiding? Is making war really the best response to a terrorist attack like the one that took place on September 11, 2001? So one would deduce from the public pronouncements of leading Objectivists over the past decade. One receives the definite impression that few if any of these leading Objectivists have ever met a war they didn't like — or, at least believed, with the grim, firm-jawed determination they felt was appropriate to a Randian hero, was somehow "necessary." A war is a campaign of mass destruction and mass murder carried out by governments. In what morally coherent sense could such a thing be deemed "necessary"? Ayn Rand herself was never so simplistic about war as her followers of today are. "Wars," she wrote in 1967, are the second greatest evil that human societies can perpetrate. (The first is dictatorship, the enslavement of their own citizens, which is the cause of wars.) When a nation resorts to war, it has some purpose, rightly or wrongly, something to fight for — and the only justifiable purpose is self-defense. As I hope most libertarians of today do remember, Rand could see no such justification for the US presence in Vietnam. She called the war the US government participated in for nearly two decades in Southeast Asia "a war in which American soldiers are dying for no purpose whatever." There was a sense, though, in which Rand saw the Vietnam War as no worse, no more blameworthy, than any of the other wars the US government had been involved in during the 20th century. "There still are people in this country," she wrote in 1974, who lost loved ones in World War I. There are more people who carry the unhealed wounds of World War II, of Korea, of Vietnam. There are the disabled, the crippled, the mangled of those wars' battlefields. No one has ever told them why they had to fight nor what their sacrifices accomplished; it was certainly not "to make the world safe for democracy" — look at that world now. The American people have borne it all, trusting their leaders, hoping that someone knew the purpose of that ghastly devastation. The United States gained nothing from those wars, except the growing burden of paying reparations to the whole world — the kind of burden that used to be imposed on a defeated nation. There was a dark, pessimistic side to Rand's sense of life, certainly — think of We the Living and of the opening chapters in Atlas Shrugged — but Rand never seemed completely consumed by fear and vengeful anger in the way her contemporary followers do. And this is a tragedy, because Rand and Objectivism were such an important force for good in the early history of the contemporary libertarian movement. There was a time when it seemed that most libertarians were Randians. And even if that's a slight (or more than slight) exaggeration, the Randian influence on the early contemporary movement was undeniably substantial. When the Society for Individual Liberty did a study of Libertarian Party members in the early 1970s, they found that more than a third of them were self-described Objectivists. As recently as 2008, the Liberty Poll, conducted by Liberty magazine, reported that "the thinker who most influenced our respondents' intellectual development was Ayn Rand." And though, as I've said, her outlook on things did have its dark corners, Ayn Rand was basically an exponent of a bold, adventurous, confident sense of life, the sort of sense of life you'd expect to be associated with libertarian ideas. Rand's heroes weren't generals or people in law enforcement; they were engineers, inventors, designers — people focused on what they could do with their lives, not people preoccupied with the supposed menace to all their hopes and dreams posed by a vast army of almost unimaginably vicious antagonists who seek to destroy them for no reason at all. One is reminded of Benjamin R. Tucker's observation that libertarian anarchists of his stripe were just "unterrified Jeffersonian democrats." If Tucker thought the Jeffersonians were terrified because of their determination to cling to the institution of government, what would he think of today's Objectivists? Of course, Robert Bidinotto and his fellow fear mongers will tell you that they're terrified with perfectly good reason — after all, haven't "we" been victimized by terrorist attacks in the last decade? Did not thousands die? But the events of 9/11 did not terrify the Objectivists. They were already terrified for no reason long before that; they merely use the 9/11 attacks as a pretext, in an effort to make their terror look less irrational and absurd than it actually is. Bidinotto told me via email that he doesn't advocate the sort of vigilantism that figures in his novel. He wrote (and I quote this with his permission), The vigilantism in the novel is intended solely as a fictional device to highlight and dramatize the complete absence of justice in the current legal system. I deliberately crafted the [vigilante character] in the novel to hold a clear, specific code of honor regarding his illegal actions. He only kills killers; he does not target public officials with violence, but only with "poetic justice"; he takes no actions that will threaten innocents; and he would rather be arrested than use violence against cops. But in the real world, vigilantism would never be subject to such honorable constraints. Instead, it would degenerate into a violent competition of reprisals and vendettas unlimited by any moral or legal principle. Does Bidinotto not see that this is an excellent description of exactly how his beloved "War on Terror" has worked out in practice — and of how it must work out in practice? The US government claims that its warmaking is "subject to honorable constraints," and that it strives to avoid taking "actions that will threaten innocents," but this is the real world, and in the real world, whatever high-minded platitudes politicians and military people may mouth, war is never anything but "a violent competition of reprisals and vendettas unlimited by any moral or legal principle" — a competition in which innocents are maimed and killed and their property is senselessly destroyed. Can anything be done about this unfortunate development in the evolution of Objectivism as a movement and as a subculture? Perhaps not. In a very perceptive blog post, written just this past April, Bidinotto wrote about what he called the "form [in which] we really encounter and accept our foundational beliefs about ourselves and the world around us." We first encounter and accept these "foundational beliefs," according to Bidinotto, early in life, and in the form of stories — or what I call Narratives. The myths that we learn in childhood, at Mother's knee, in church, in schools, in films and novels, represent primitive, fundamental interpretive stories about our world: how it works, what it means, what is right or wrong, who are the Good Guys and the Bad Guys. These Narratives are pre-philosophical; in fact, they are acquired in their germinal forms while we are still far too young to subject them to critical analysis. They thus actually tend to determine which abstract philosophies, ideologies, economic theories, and political policies we later find appealing. These latter "feel right" to us largely because they mesh with the myths, fairy tales, parables, and stories we already absorbed during childhood. Moreover, the more deep-rooted the myth — either personally and/or culturally — the more desperately we cling to it. We cling to it even when it may sometimes be utterly false, and lead us over a cliff. We cling to it because to challenge or criticize it means to unravel a lifetime of investments in values, choices, relationships, careers, emotions, and money. And who wants to do that? Who indeed? Not, I think, Robert Bidinotto. He confesses, in this blog post, that I've found it to be increasingly pointless to argue philosophy, economics, and politics with most people. Why? Because we are talking past each other. You may prove a point with unassailable facts and irrefutable logic. However, the other person replies, "Yes, but…" Those words usually signal that you've reached the ultimate barrier to further reasoning and communication: You've challenged his Narrative. And in my experience, that is ground he'll rarely, if ever, concede. I think everyone who has read up to this point knows what sort of narrative defines the world for Robert Bidinotto. You can get a taste of it in his new novel, Hunter. It makes for an absorbing read, as I've indicated. But as a guide to real life and the real world, it is sorely skewed. It's too bad, really. From what small dealings I've had with him, I'd say that Robert Bidinotto is a good guy. He's highly intelligent, with a genuine knack for putting words together, and, on top of that, he has the good sense to grasp the truth about the importance of private property and free markets to civilization. It's damned inconvenient for the rest of us in the libertarian movement that he and so many others like him are so damn terrified.	133,419
PERSPECTIVE: Leadership lessons learned Genèvieve Moineau, MD As I come to the end of my tenure as president and CEO of the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, I have had time to reflect on the last 12 years of my career and things I have learned about leadership. Here are my top 10. 1. Look after yourself and those you love. This has always been important, and we realized it even more during the COVID-19 pandemic. Put your own oxygen mask on first and then help others with theirs. Remember that, of the many balls you juggle in life, your loved ones are the crystal ball: if you drop it, you usually can’t put the broken pieces back together. 2. Be kind. The most important aspect of any work is the people. Treat everyone around you with respect and be kind to those for whom you are responsible. Be generous, believe in them, and be the wind beneath their wings. 3. Be curious. Always try to figure out how you might improve what you are doing and how you’re doing it. Ask hard questions and seek feedback. Learn from people who are different from you, have different knowledge, expertise and lived experience. Seek diverse opinions, so that you find more ways for betterment and innovative thinking. 4. Be courageous. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy. Be brave and remember the saying about leaders: if half the people aren’t upset with you, you’re not working hard enough. If you fail at something, get back up, dust yourself off, and try a new angle to get to success. No one ever accomplished anything worthwhile without setbacks, barriers, and failures. 5. Follow your passion. Spend time on the things that really matter to you and be proud of your efforts to make positive change. This will help you maintain your sense of purpose and meaning in your work. 6. Be true to yourself. You are going to have to live with your decisions for the rest of your life. Make sure you take time to consider that when you have big decisions to make. 7. It’s all about trust. Relationships, collaborations, and partnerships are about trust between people. This takes time to build and establish. Take that time. And remember, as long as it takes to build, trust can be lost in an instant. 8. Mentor and be mentored. This may be the most impactful way to advance your own self-improvement and to pay it forward to those who come after you. 9. You can do it all because you don’t have to do it all at once. We usually have more options than we think to shape and advance our professional lives in a way that makes sense for our personal and family realities. 10. Never underestimate opportunities for new adventures. While respecting your priorities, passion, and purpose, you would be amazed at all the ways you can make the world a better place. Don’t box yourself in. Dream big. I look forward to staying connected with many of you as I move to the next chapter of my professional adventure. Geneviève Moineau, BSc, MD, FRCPC, ICD.D, is chief medical workforce advisor to Health Canada; professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the University of Ottawa; and vice-president of the World Federation for Medical Education. Correspondence to: email@example.com This article appeared on LinkedIn in June 2023. We reproduce it here with Dr. Moineau’s permission.	223,512
Hard Work's Overrated, Maybe Detrimental. \| Design & Innovation \| Fast Company This is a no-brainer. Years ago when designing databases or programming I'd take breaks and bounce a raquet ball around the office, out on the deck or just take a walk, eat, and then get back to it. But bouncing a ball, a large motor skill that kicked my brain into a different mode, worked best. I didn't have to get verbal. In fact, getting verbal was hard, like switching from one language to another. Literally, you reach for words after thinking in "computer-ese" for a while. Repetitive motion, by the way, like bouncing a ball, knitting or pressing a single key repeatedly, has been shown to push processing into the higher reasoning centers of the brain. They think it's because your "old" or primal brain (is this the limbic system?) is engaged by the repetitive motion. A very smart knitter, Yarn Harlot spoke last year in Atlanta and pointed out this research, where participants watch a violent video of a car crash, and how their residual trauma afterward is lower if they are doing something repetitive (like knitting) while watching. If they were having a conversation and watched the wreck, their trauma after was deeper and more difficult to shake. Researchers concluded that keeping the smart part of your brain busy, and letting just the primal brain concentrate on the video, created more trauma. It's the primitive side of us, literally that which is hard wired, that cannot process the events as well to protect us. This may also be why children process and perceive so well, but are poor interpreters. They have well developed primitive brains, but haven't been able to develop the more sophisticated regions yet. Hence the long time needed to grow up. Even teens have amazing things going on it their brains, including a newly discovered "die off" of old, less used cells around 16 - 18 years old. Neuroscientists believe it has something to do with the brain's need to make room for growth in other areas where you need more power. When you are working, if you are using your "higher" brain skills, take break. Do something peaceful and repetitive. If you are using "basic" brain skills, like driving or running equipment repeatedly, read, do a puzzle, or chat with someone during breaks. So the dwindling American vacation? Makes us less productive, if our job is to be innovative. And who gets to be less creative at work? Isn't that what we created computers for, to do the boring repetitive work? Isn't that why we shipped all our manufacturing jobs overseas? (blog for another day) By the way, an interesting side note - not long ago The Atlantic published that multitasking makes us stupider. No surprise to me. I've been saying for 18 years that multitasking is a lie - you can't do two things at once well, you just do two things and have to work faster. I have proof. Feel free to make me prove it. And some even say that Google makes us stupid. I used to imagine hamsters on a wheel in my head, especially when I can't sleep. These days, I'm starting to switch to habitrails imagery. And very fast mice. They don’t really talk to me anymore 1 day ago	48,969
What is “Music migrations”? The investigation of music migrations will offer insight into musico-cultural encounters, in spatial terms (European East, West and South), and in temporal terms (17th-18th c., i.e. Baroque and Classicism). The term “musicians” is to be understood broadly and here denotes not only composers, performers, writers on music issues, but also other professions related to music. It is expected to be proved that music migrations have considerably contributed to the dynamics and synergy of the European cultural scene at large, stimulating innovations, changes of styles and patterns of musical and social behaviour, and contributing to the cohesive forces in the common European cultural identity. The basic investigation will supply concrete data on migrating musicians. Upon these facts, a theoretical framework will emerge within which there will be possible to form a network of migrating musicians (individuals or groups), their routes and goals; secular and sacral centres with centripetal attractiveness; the cultural transfer of certain musical forms and styles; individual and social migrational motives (ideological, economical, political etc.). Based on these general issues, concrete illustrations and argumentation will be given through selected case studies. Consequently, these insights will offer deeper understanding of the relations between the musical universalism and individual, regional, and national particularities. The academic and scholarly circles will be supplied with new, hitherto unknown relevant and critically elaborated data and ideas, what would enable their implementation in the more general surveys in musicological and culturological areas. In order to keep the audience at large acquainted with the final research results, various public manifestations will be organized: a series of concerts and an exhibition; project meetings and workshops; on-line accessible data base and interactive maps; open access and printed proceedings, monographs, critical editions of texts, articles in journals; and the publication of music material with introductory studies, mostly ready-to-play and record.	219,989
Summer can be highly photogenic. The beach, the sun, summer sports & games, it’s a time full of fun and action. Luckily, in this day and age, your smartphone is with you all the time, meaning you’re more likely than ever to capture awesome moments as they happen. Get these tips below and upgrade your smartphone photography skills to make this year’s summer picture collection truly spectacular. Avoid Under Exposure One of the challenges of snapping photos on a beach during summer, is that it can get incredibly bright with the sea and sand reflecting the sunlight. Often your smartphone’s camera could get the wrong reading, causing it to under expose your shots, which will result in a too-dark photo. To avoid this disappointing outcome, move around and change angles to where you get the least amount of sunlight reflection. Use the Burst Mode Summer brings with it adventure and high-energy fun. Sometimes you want to shoot an action-filled peak moment, but your phone is too slow to capture just the right timing. You can solve it by shooting “Burst Mode”. “Burst” is a shooting mode which allows several photographs to be captured in quick succession, providing you with dozens of options to choose from, all taken in a short few seconds. You can download the Burst Mode app for $1.99 from the app store or if you’re using an Android device, Burst Mode is often built in. Shoot from Different Angles Shooting photos from multi angles is good not only for avoiding brightness, it’s also important for producing diverse and creative photos. Shoot your summer photos while kneeling down, looking from above, even lying down. Think of the number of great volleyball scenes and situations you can capture by increasing the variety of viewpoints. Zoom in and out Today, your mobile phone camera can do many cool, elementary things that weren’t available just few short years ago. For example, tap to focus or Zoom in and out are built-in features on iPhone 4 and beyond as well as Windows phones and almost any Android device. So don’t forget to adjust your camera settings and optimize your photo right before you hit the shutter release. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range imaging, and it’s a known photography practice recently introduced to smartphone cameras, built in or through the use of apps. When you take a photo of a scenery that has a high contrast of light, or even several ranges of light intensity, you need a camera that can capture the entire range of light. Instead of just taking one photo, HDR uses three photos, taken at different exposures and stitches those three images together highlighting the best parts of each photo to produce a picture that is representative of both dark and bright areas. Try turning HDR on in your camera app, or use an HDR app like TrueHDR, or ProHDR. Get a Super-Protective Cover Between the water, the sand and outdoor sports, summer can get pretty messy. Since you’re taking your smartphone device with you to adventurous locations that may pose threats to technology, don’t forget to dress up your phone properly. With the right case, you won’t mind getting wet, greasy or even plain dirty. You could even take great underwater snorkle shots with cases like Hitcase Pro Waterproof or the more affordable Joy Factory BubbleShield Re-usable Waterproof Sleeves. Photo Collage Art Once you have awesome summer photos, piece them together and create a beautiful, fun collage that you can send to your friends or just keep for your own viewing pleasure. Collage apps give you the power to assemble multiple images from one event or day into a single snapshot that captures the overall vibe. Download Pic Frame or the Pic Stich to perform the artful bringing together directly on your phone, or you can use an online app like Fotor, and create collages at the convenience of your desktop computer.	287,177
Also Known As Flour-Free Ferment or Water Preferment System What is Water Brew? A water brew is a mixture of water, yeast and a buffer which is then fermented for a specific time at a predetermined temperature. A water brew is a flour-free, liquid pre-ferment. It is used frequently in high speed systems to give the yeast a faster start. In water brews, the fermentation step occurs in a liquid medium which is then pumped to be chilled, stored, and then mixed with flour and other ingredients to form the desired dough.1 Water brews became popular when wholesale bakeries started to expand and invest in high-speed and technical production lines. Cutting labor costs has always been a key profitability factor in the baking industry. With the advent and modernization of continuous mix dough systems, the need for a reliable supply of dough became an essential competitive advantage and bakeries soon started to use cream yeast for the production of high-demand products such as pan bread and hamburger buns. How does a water brew work? Since no flour is added in the pre-fermentation stage, all the flour is added at dough mixing. A water brew consists of: - Water (10%) - Yeast (3.5%, usually cream) - Sugar (3.0%). Since no flour is added in the brew or broth, sucrose, glucose, or high fructose corn syrup must be added to supply enough food for the yeast for proper fermentation. - Buffering agents (0.1–0.25%). Calcium salts of calcium carbonate help to control pH drop. - Salt (optional ingredient) The process used to obtain a water brew is: - Scaling of brew ingredients - Blending to incorporate ingredients - Fermentation with an agitation 27°C (80°F) for 60–90 minutes - Chilling through heat exchanger. At a temperature of 4–7°C (39–45°F), this step slows or stops the fermentation rate - Holding in a vessel for 8 hours at 3–5°C (37–41°F) until it is ready for use in dough mixing Since yeast cells greatly benefit from the rich water medium and have instant access to fermentable sugars, water brews are fermented for a shorter time than brews containing flour. After fermentation, the final broth will be more acidic than pre-ferments made with flour. A water brew is a beneficial process in terms of production flexibility because the same ferment or intermediate product can be used for multiple batches of dough, either with many of the multiple types of doughs or different varieties. It can also be used to supply continuous mix dough systems. The advantages and disadvantages of a process being supplied by a water brew are:2 Food safety and quality considerations - Equipment involved in processing and handling liquid or water brews should allow for maintenance, inspection and cleaning activities to be performed easily and properly to reduce downtime. - Stainless steel blending, fermentation and holding tanks, piping, heat exchangers (tubular or plate), pumps, can be all cleaned-in-place (CIP) by using high-pressure spraying/jetting and turbulent flow procedures. The frequency of cleaning tasks depends on the nature of the process and sanitation standards established in the bakery. - The control of pH and TTA (total titratable acidity) during liquid fermentation is vital for the brew to develop the correct flavors and characteristics. Post-ferment target value for pH is 4.4 to 3.8, and for TTA is 10 to 12. - Moore, T.R. “Breads” Encyclopedia of Food Grains, 2nd ed., vol. 3, Elsevier Ltd., 2016, pp. 8–12. - Carson, L. “Water Preferment” Dough Systems. A Guide On Formulating Sponge and Dough, Preferments and Straight Dough Systems, BAKERpedia, LLC, 2017, pp. 16–19. - Cauvain, S.P. “Speciality Fermented Goods.” Technology of Breadmaking, 3rd edition, Springer International Publishing Switzerland, 2015, pp. 253–258.	109,629
Scripture: New Testament (SSNT) Courses SSNT 400 Reading the New Testament (3) This course offers a general introduction to the history, literature and theology of the New Testament with special emphasis on reading strategies appropriate to both pastoral work and further academic study. Particular attention is paid to the Gospels and Pauline Letters. SSNT 401 New Testament Greek (3) The instruction emphasizes reading Comprehension of New Testament Greek, with the aid of a dictionary. It includes the study of grammar with an eye towards its practical application. SSNT 406 Early Christian World (3) This course forms the educational component for the study tour of various locales in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. It is a study of the artistic, cultural, and social foundations of Christianity mentioned in the Pauline writings and the Book of Revelation as well as other early Christian and monastic sites. Students explore how one historical age influences another and the importance that art and archaeology play in theology and religion. SSNT 417 Gospel of Matthew (3) This course offers an extensive investigation of the Gospel of Matthew within its theological, social, and historical context. SSNT 418 Gospel of Mark (3) As a theological, historical and literary analysis of the second gospel, this course places special emphasis on the narrative quality of Mark and its relationship to the early Christian community. SSNT 419 Gospel of Luke (3) A historical-critical examination of the Gospel of Luke, read through a theological optic, provides a thorough study of selected passages, while turning attention to Luke's soteriology. SSNT 420 Synoptic Gospels (3) This study investigates the interrelated histories and theologies of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke within an analysis of the Synoptic problem. SSNT 422 Pauline Letters (3) A theological, historical and literary analysis of the Pauline letters, the topics studied may include the conversion and mission of Paul, the historical situation of the Pauline communities, the literary and rhetorical quality of the letters, and major theological themes. SSNT 424 The Johannine Tradition (3) The Gospels and Letters of John have been very influential in the shaping of Christian theology. A close reading of the texts will provide an examination of the Johannine corpus within its theological, social and historical context. SSNT 468 Topics in New Testament Literature (1-3) SSNT 470 Independent Study (1-3)	30,753
The Hidden Dangers of Smoke and Fire DamageAug 15, 2016 Fire damage is one of the most violent and traumatic events when compared to all types of elemental-based disasters. Some of the damage is obvious just by looking, but there are, however, a few subtle (yet still potentially deadly) effects that fire damage can cause that are harder to recognize. Soot health risks Even after the home has been restored after a fire if it’s not adequately cleaned some soot residue may remain. Soot is composed of tiny little particles of burnt material. The particles are so small they can actually penetrate into your lungs and bloodstream before you even know it. Breathing in soot is no small danger as it can cause reproductive harm and even cancer. Don’t take the risk after a fire. Make sure your home has been properly restored by professionals so this doesn’t happen to you. Hidden structural damage Once the immediate and most visible effects of the fire have been taken care of, don’t forget to focus on something even more important, the structural integrity of the home. Even if the fire just affected a small portion of your home it is essential to get this checked because the heat could have weakened some vital, foundational spots of your home and when too much pressure is put in the wrong place it could cause a total collapse. This is one most people don’t consider. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that is used in many parts of a home. A fire will disturb the asbestos and cause some its fibers to go throughout the air. This is dangerous because when these fibers are inhaled, they aggravate and scar lung tissue. It will cause shortness of breath and a crackling sound when inhaling. It can even lead to lung cancer and mesothelioma. These asbestos fibers aren’t released unless they are disturbed and a fire is the perfect thing to set it off. Mold and mildew Mold and mildew damage is another often overlooked danger. It can take thousands of gallons of water to extinguish a fire in a home or business. A lot of that water will be evaporated because of the heat of the fire, but where does the rest of it go? The answer isn’t too complicated. It just sits there. That is the perfect recipe for mold and mildew growth. Many common types of mold will cause irritation and other small symptoms, but be on the lookout for black mold. Black mold grows in dark, damp places so it can be hard to detect. The symptoms caused by black mold can be mental and neurological problems, skin conditions, vision problems, issues with your immune system, and in severe cases death. There’s a lot more to fire damage than meets the eye. Don’t just sit back and relax because you can’t see the effects anymore. When this type of damage occurs look to Hudson Valley Contracting & DKI located in New Hampton, New York area. We are experienced in fire restoration and know how to not just get your home looking good again, but make sure it is safe too.	25,262
Indian Bureau Sees 'Devastation' in Its Budget Published: September 10, 1995 WASHINGTON, Sept. 9— The Bureau of Indian Affairs says that layoffs it plans because of cuts in its budget expected to be approved by Congress will gut its administrative staff and "wreak devastation" on tribes. The bureau plans to eliminate at least 3,000 full-time and part-time positions, about a fourth of its work force, on the assumption that Congress will go ahead with a 15 percent budget cut approved by the Senate last month. As many as 2,500 employees of tribes who run bureau programs under contract with the agency also could lose their jobs, officials of the bureau said. The bureau provides a wide range of services to tribes, including welfare, law enforcement, education and management of natural resources. It is a major source of employment on reservations. Ninety percent of the employees who would lose their jobs are Indians, the officials said. The layoffs, they said, will be spread through the bureau's field offices, its regional headquarters and two main offices in Washington and Albuquerque, N.M. Eighty percent of the 650 full-time jobs in Washington and Albuquerque are to be eliminated, along with half the jobs in the bureau's area offices. "This is a very sad and tragic time for American Indians and Alaska Natives," said Ada Deer, the Assistant Interior Secretary for Indian Affairs. She said the Senate-approved budget cut would amount to "economic and cultural genocide" and "wreak devastation" on tribes. The Senate last month approved a 1996 budget of $1.47 billion for the bureau, 23 percent less than President Clinton had requested and 15 percent less than this year's budget of $1.73 billion. In contrast, the House version of the bureau's 1996 budget is only 3 percent lower than the one for this year. A conference committee will work out the differences between the two. The bureau's plans for layoffs will bring pressure on Congressional negotiators to soften the cuts. Tribal leaders have announced plans to hold a vigil at the Capitol next week to protest the reductions. Ron Allen, chairman of Washington's Jamestown S'Kallam tribe, said bureau officials were "simply trying to cause the Indian community and the Congress to understand that the Senate proposal has some very serious consequences." The layoffs and other effects of the budget cuts would "seriously cripple our essential governmental services and programs," Mr. Allen said. Although the budget cut that is ultimately enacted may be smaller than the one the Senate approved, the bureau plans to send out layoff notices by Sept. 25. The longer employees stay on the payroll, the more layoffs will be necessary, the bureau's officials said. The Senate Appropriations Committee said it had been led to propose major cuts in the bureau's budget to protect the Indian Health Service and Indian education programs.	20,291
Services on Demand Print version ISSN 0044-5967 BATISTELLA, Mateus and MORAN, Emilio F.. Human dimensions of land use and land cover in the Amazon: a contribution from LBA. Acta Amaz. [online]. 2005, vol.35, n.2, pp. 239-247. ISSN 0044-5967. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0044-59672005000200014. An understanding of changes in Amazonian landscapes depends on documentation about alterations in land cover. This article highlights the efforts of the Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazônia (LBA) related to the topic. In particular, a longitudinal study has analyzed the social and biophysical dimensions of land use/land cover, using a multi-scalar georeferenced approach. The study areas represent a gradient of soil fertility in Amazônia and include distinct landscape mosaics, from the Amazon estuary and the Bragantina region to northeastern Rondônia. Within the project, we emphasize studies in areas of rural settlement due to their social relevance and their impacts on land cover in local and regional scales. To illustrate the potential of such studies, we present comparative results for Machadinho d'Oeste and Vale do Anari, State of Rondônia. The multitemporal analysis included Landsat images and fieldwork. Land owners, loggers, rubber tapers, and other local actors were interviewed about their production systems and land-use history. The calculation of spatial metrics supported our conclusions. The results indicate that settlement design and institutional aspects play a central role in the process of landscape change. The combination of private lots with communal forest reserves, managed by local populations, produces positive outcomes in maintaining larger patches of forest. The methods used contribute to the analysis, integration, and monitoring of land use and land cover in Amazônia, subsidizing policies that incorporate the social and environmental dimensions of regional development. Keywords : Amazônia; Rondônia; land use; land cover; human dimensions; LBA.	102,483
\|Surface plasmon resonance: a useful technique for cell biologists to characterize biomolecular interactions.\| \|Jump to Full Text\| \|PMID: 23533209 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review\| \|Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a powerful technique for monitoring the affinity and selectivity of biomolecular interactions. SPR allows for analysis of association and dissociation rate constants and modeling of biomolecular interaction kinetics, as well as for equilibrium binding analysis and ligand specificity studies. SPR has received much use and improved precision in classifying protein-protein interactions, as well as in studying small-molecule ligand binding to receptors; however, lipid-protein interactions have been underserved in this regard. With the field of lipids perhaps the next frontier in cellular research, SPR is a highly advantageous technique for cell biologists, as newly identified proteins that associate with cellular membranes can be screened rapidly and robustly for lipid specificity and membrane affinity. This technical perspective discusses the conditions needed to achieve success with lipid-protein interactions and highlights the unique lipid-protein interaction mechanisms that have been elucidated using SPR. It is intended to provide the reader a framework for quantitative and confident conclusions from SPR analysis of lipid-protein interactions.\| \|Robert V Stahelin\| Related Documents : \|4561529 - Hydrostatic pressure effects on protein synthesis. 23118339 - Protein engineering methods applied to membrane protein targets. 24123829 - 1,3,5-trihydroxy-13,13-dimethyl-2h-pyran [7,6-b] xanthone directly target heat shock pr... 23613819 - Mild oxidative stress induces redistribution of bace1 in non-apoptotic conditions and p... 2327249 - Regional impairment of protein synthesis following brief cerebral ischemia in the gerbil. 23180049 - Solid state nmr of proteins at high mas frequencies: symmetry-based mixing and simultan... 17686969 - Scaffold proteins confer diverse regulatory properties to protein kinase cascades. 13786499 - Studies on the cx-reactive protein. iii. the effect of irradiation of rabbits on the ac... 1374019 - Growth hormone (gh) regulation of gastric structure and function in the gh-deficient ra... \|Type: Journal Article\| \|Title: Molecular biology of the cell Volume: 24 ISSN: 1939-4586 ISO Abbreviation: Mol. Biol. Cell Publication Date: 2013 Apr\| \|Created Date: 2013-03-27 Completed Date: - Revised Date: -\| Medline Journal Info: \|Nlm Unique ID: 9201390 Medline TA: Mol Biol Cell Country: United States\| \|Languages: eng Pagination: 883-6 Citation Subset: IM\| \|Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, South Bend, IN 46617; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556.\| \|APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex\| Journal ID (nlm-ta): Mol Biol Cell Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Mol. Biol. Cell Journal ID (hwp): molbiolcell Journal ID (pmc): mbc Journal ID (publisher-id): Mol. Bio. Cell Publisher: The American Society for Cell Biology © 2013 Stahelin. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). Two months after publication it is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0). Received Day: 24 Month: 1 Year: 2013 Revision Received Day: 31 Month: 1 Year: 2013 Accepted Day: 01 Month: 2 Year: 2013 Print publication date: Day: 01 Month: 4 Year: 2013 Volume: 24 Issue: 7 First Page: 883 Last Page: 886 PubMed Id: 23533209 Publisher Id: E12-10-0713 \|Surface plasmon resonance: a useful technique for cell biologists to characterize biomolecular interactions\| \|Robert V. Stahelin1\| Role: Monitoring Editor \|Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine–South Bend, South Bend, IN 46617; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 \|University of Wisconsin. \|Correspondence: 1Address correspondence to: Robert V. Stahelin (email@example.com). The lipid bilayer has a highly polarized structure consisting of a central hydrocarbon core and two flanking interfacial regions that are highly dynamic and may contain >1000 different lipids. This dynamic variety of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and sterols in membrane organelles provides spatial and temporal architecture to direct signaling processes through target proteins (Van Meer et al., 2008). Given that nearly half of all proteins are located in or on membranes, it is not surprising that there are a variety of conserved lipid-binding domains in eukaryotes, some of which rank in the top 15 modular domains in the human genome (Cho and Stahelin, 2005). Because high-affinity interactions between these peripheral proteins regulate lipid signaling and trafficking events from cellular membranes, accurately characterizing lipid specificity and membrane affinity of peripheral proteins can clearly establish how the membrane interface signals throughout the cell. A number of well-established biochemical and biophysical experiments have been used to determine the lipid specificity and affinity of proteins. Among these assays, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) has emerged as a robust technique for measuring both protein affinity and specificity for different lipids and has been used successfully in determining the Kd values of peripheral proteins harboring a diverse set of lipid-binding modules (Cho and Stahelin, 2005; Narayan and Lemmon, 2006). Most SPR instruments are based on the attenuated total reflectance configuration developed by Kretschmann and Raether (1968). This configuration relies on the phenomenon of total internal reflection that is observed when light traveling through an optically dense medium (e.g., glass) reaches an interface between this medium and a medium of lower optical density (e.g., air) and is reflected back (Figure 1A). A monochromatic, p-polarized light source is used in most SPR instruments, and the interface between two optically dense media is coated with a thin metal film, typically gold due to its inherent stability. The evanescent wave is a component of the incident light that is able to couple with free oscillating electrons (plasmons) in the metal film at a specific angle of incidence (resonance angle). This specific angle of incidence produces a shadow or SPR because of energy transfer between the evanescent wave and plasmons on the surface. The evanescent wave propagates into the medium opposite the gold interface and decays exponentially to ∼100 Å. The SPR signal is sensitive to the mass concentration on the gold surface, where the measure of mass concentration on the sensor chip surface is expressed in resonance units (RU). The mass change on the surface can be detected in a time-dependent manner by a two-dimensional array of photodiodes or charge-coupled detectors, which allows for real-time biomolecular interaction analysis. SPR is advantageous not only because interactions can be monitored in real time, but also because neither the ligand nor the analyte require labeling, instruments have high sensitivity, and high throughput of samples can be performed. To this end, SPR has been rigorously applied to protein–protein and small molecule–protein interactions. For these types of characterizations there are extensive reviews and technical perspectives (Myszka, 1997; Morton and Myszka, 1998; Rich et al., 2001). However, the field of lipid–protein interactions has been less extensively scrutinized with regard to experimental details and methods. Although SPR has had a number of success stories, it can be difficult to obtain reliable and reproducible binding data using SPR due to nonspecific binding to the sensor chip, mass transport effects, and protein or lipid surface stability. The first step in these experiments is to prepare a reliable membrane surface that can recapitulate membranes that the protein of interest would encounter in cells. For instance, one needs to use concentrations of the potential lipid ligand of interest that are close to physiological conditions but also at a level that the sensitivity of instrument can detect binding. For phosphoinositides (PIs) it is recommended that concentrations in the 1–3 mol% range be used in a phosphatidylcholine (PC) vesicle. In this way phosphatidylcholine can be used as a control to directly compare binding of the protein to PC or PC:PI (97:3) vesicles. The majority of our experiments have been performed on a Biacore X (GE Healthcare), but other Biacore systems and a new variety of SPR instruments (Bio-Rad, ForteBio, Horiba Scientific, Reichert Analytical Instruments, etc.) are available and can be applied. It is recommended, however, that in most cases only two flow cells be applied at a time to an experiment. In most SPR instruments the mobile phase flows sequentially over the flow cells, and migration of some lipid species, such as phosphoinositides (Narayan and Lemmon, 2006) and anionic sphingolipids, has been detected from the control flow cell to the active or “test“ flow cell surface. This can be detrimental when comparing lipid specificity or affinity, as both flow cell surfaces may contain an altered concentration or even type of phosphoinositide. Preparing flow cell 1 as the control and flow cell 2 as the active surface will prevent migration and sample loss of some lipids from flow cell 1 to flow cell 2. In our experience, this is necessary to obtain reproducible data over the course of 1 or 2 d of experimentation with a lipid surface. SPR should receive dedication once a system is working and reproducible. The lifetime of a lipid surface on an L1 chip can last from 12 to 48 h, so I always reiterate dedication, organization, and experimental planning during these times for lab members to collect robust reproducible data over a period of 1–2 d. Subsequently, lipid vesicles can be stripped from the surface and the process repeated, as discussed later. A variety of methods have been used to capture lipids on the sensor surface of SPR instrumentation. The most popular and standardized methods use a supported bilayer (HPA chip) or intact lipid vesicles (L1 chip; Figure 1B). The HPA chip uses hydrophobic interactions between alkanethiol groups on the gold sensor surface, which will capture the hydrophobic tails of lipid molecules injected into the instrument. This forms a lipid monolayer on the alkanethiol referred to as a supported bilayer. The L1 chip captures intact lipid vesicles injected into the instrument using proprietary hydrophobic groups on the gold carboxymethyldextran sensor surface. In our experience both systems work well for coating and lipid-binding experiments, with the L1 chip providing more reproducibility and a longer lifetime of the sensor surface. On the other hand, the HPA chip is better for proteins that may or are known to cause vesicle fusion, as these interactions can change the appearance of the vesicles on the L1 chip surface. To coat the L1 surface, lipid vesicles are prepared at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml in 20 mM 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid, pH 7.4, containing 0.16 M KCl, and are vortexed vigorously and passed through a 100-nm polycarbonate filter using an Avanti MiniExtruder (Avanti Polar Lipids, Alabaster, AL) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Before coating with lipids, the sensor surfaces are washed with 25 μl of 40 μM 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS), followed by 25 μl of β-octylglucoside at a flow rate of 30 μl/min. Residual detergent can then be washed away by increasing the flow rate to 100 μl/min for 10 min or injecting 10 μl of 30% ethanol. The lipid vesicles can then be coated by injecting 80 μl of lipid vesicles at a flow rate of 5 μl/min, always coating the active flow cell first, followed by coating of the control flow cell. This also allows one to adjust the lipid coating of the control flow cell to match that of the active flow cell surface in RU. The coating ability of the lipid vesicles can vary based upon anionic lipid content and usually ranges from 5000 to 9000 RU, with pure zwitterionic vesicles giving the highest saturation value. The lipid layers are then stabilized with three injections of 20 μl of 0.1 M NaOH at 30 μl/min, which is also commonly used as a regeneration solution for removing protein from the lipid layer. The significance of lipid coating can be verified by injecting 0.1 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (BSA), as <100 RU of BSA should bind to a well-coated surface, whereas >1000 RU of BSA will bind to an uncoated or poorly coated lipid surface. We have demonstrated that BSA left on the sensor surface will not influence lipid-binding parameters and under some conditions can reduce nonspecific binding to the L1 chip should the protein of interest nonspecifically associate with the carboxylmethyldextran layer. Unlike SPR experiments with protein–protein or protein–nucleic acids, it is important not to include small amounts of detergents in the SPR buffers, as this can destabilize the lipid surfaces. One drawback to the absence of detergents in SPR buffers is that the instrument needs to be cleaned more frequently (every 2–3 d), as protein will be lost to the inner tube walls of the SPR during experimentation. After 1–2 d of experimentation the lipid surface can be removed with injection of 25 μl of 40 μM CHAPS, followed by 25 μl of β-octylglucoside at a flow rate of 30 μl/min, and the process of recoating can then be started. The L1 chip surface can generally support ∼40–60 lipid coatings before a reduction in the coating efficiency is observed. How the lipid vesicles form on the L1 surface is still under debate, with most studies suggesting that vesicles are retained intact on the L1 chip surface. One study suggested that the vesicles fuse and form a lipid bilayer (Erb et al., 2000), whereas several others, using imaging and dye leakage assessment, found strong evidence that the lipid vesicles are intact on the sensor surface (Stahelin and Cho, 2001; Höning et al., 2005). The type of surface that forms may be specific to the types and origins of the lipids and lipid mixtures used, as well as to the pH and osmolarity of the running buffer. In any case, vesicles anchored to the L1 chip adopt a structure that is relevant for examining lipid–protein interactions. Recently membrane curvature has been shown to play an important role in recruitment of some peripheral proteins to membrane surface (Bigay and Antonny, 2012). In principle, this assay is feasible with SPR, as vesicles can be extruded through different-size polycarbonate filters (e.g., 50–1000 nm) to create vesicles of distinct diameters that can be assessed with dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. In our experience vesicles of different diameters can be coated to similar densities on the L1 chip; however, how different vesicles appear on the surface (i.e., intact vesicles or fused bilayer) has not been well characterized. Thus data collected from SPR to assess curvature dependence should at minimum ensure that vesicles were retained intact on the chip surface by loading vesicles with fluorescent dye that can be detected in the running buffer should vesicles fuse. Finally, if at first your protein doesn't bind to the lipid ligand of interest, don't fret! It is coming to light that many peripheral proteins are coincidence detectors (Moravcevic et al., 2012; Scott et al., 2012) and actually bind to two or more distinct lipids. Thus some proteins require both lipids to be present in vesicles to have significant membrane affinity. This means that lipid screening by SPR or another assay may need to be performed to investigate the probable combination of lipids that could possibly bind. Kinetic analysis of SPR data can be quite cumbersome and requires careful consideration before publishing results. In brief, the rate of adsorption and desorption are dependent on intrinsic kinetics and mass transport of the system. Diffusion through the boundary layer is usually much slower than the intrinsic adsorption kinetics and is, therefore, the rate-determining factor. The best method of detecting a mass transport limitation is to vary the flow rate of the system and calculate rate constants under these varying conditions. If mass transport is not rate limiting, then rate constants will be consistent over a broad range of flow rates. This holds true because diffusion kinetics is dependent on the flow rate, whereas intrinsic kinetics is not. To eliminate potential mass transport effects, the rate of diffusion must be increased and the rate of binding reduced. Thus increasing the flow rate and decreasing the ligand density so as to reduce the number of available binding sites are two ways of minimizing the mass transport limitations of a system. The mass transfer effect and its kinetic interpretation have been studied at length but not for lipid–protein interactions. Some previous work addressed these issues to demonstrate that kinetics was independent of flow rate for some lipid-binding proteins (Stahelin and Cho, 2001; Stahelin et al., 2002). The mass transfer effect is not the only variable that can hinder accurate kinetic interpretation, as other factors to be considered include matrix effects, sample purity, and ligand homogeneity. The validity of using rate constants to calculate equilibrium constants has often been questioned due to neglect of factors in the binding model such as mass transport, steric hindrance, possibility of more-complex binding schemes, or ligand homogeneity. For these reasons it may be advantageous and more accurate to analyze the equilibrium binding constant (Kd) using saturation measurements. In fact, in some cases kinetic analysis has overestimated the Kd of some lipid-binding proteins (Narayan and Lemmon, 2006), whereas other studies have clearly demonstrated consistency between kinetic analysis and saturation measurements (Stahelin and Cho, 2001; Stahelin et al., 2002, 2007). The apparent Kd can be determined by first assuming that a protein molecule binds to one binding site present on a lipid vesicle (may be one lipid molecule or many). The protein is then injected at increasing concentrations to reach a steady-state signal for each respective concentration (Figure 1C), where it is assumed that steady state occurs and the rate of protein association and dissociation are equal. These steady-state RU values are then plotted versus protein concentration (Figure 1D) to calculate the apparent Kd using the equation Req = Rmax/(1 + Kd/C), where Req is the binding signal obtained at saturation for each respective free protein concentration (C) and Rmax is the binding signal at saturation. For newly discovered proteins a secondary method should be used to verify the Kd determined by SPR analysis. In addition, it his highly recommended that appropriate positive and negative controls be used for lipid ligand specificity and membrane affinity. For instance, for a new phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate–binding protein a FYVE or PX domain could be used as a positive control, and a PH or C2 domain with different PI specificity could be used as a negative control. This will help to demonstrate the validity of the lipid specificity but also demonstrate that the PI is behaving appropriately. SPR has greatly affected the ability to characterize lipid specificity and the affinity of a variety of lipid-binding proteins. This technique provides a robust platform with which to come to quantitative and confident conclusions regarding lipid specificity and a Kd for different compositions of lipid vesicles. To this end, equilibrium binding analysis is recommended when determining Kd values. At a minimum, SPR should be able to decipher lipid specificity for a protein when only small protein sample sizes are available When large protein and mutant samples are available, SPR, in conjunction with other biochemical and cellular experiments, can be used to generate schematic models of lipid–protein and other biomolecular interactions. The Stahelin lab is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (AI081077), the National Science Foundation (1122068), and the American Heart Association (GRNT12080254). I thank Jordan L. Scott for helpful discussions. \|BSA\|\|bovine serum albumin\| \|POPS\|\|1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylserine, RU, resonance unit\| \|SPR\|\|surface plasmon resonance\| \|Bigay J,Antonny B. Curvature, lipid packing, and electrostatics of membrane organelles: defining cellular territories in determining specificityDev CellYear: 20122388689523153485\| \|Cho W,Stahelin RV. Membrane-protein interactions in cell signaling and membrane traffickingAnnu Rev Biophys Biomol StructYear: 20053411915115869386\| \|Erb EM,Chen X,Allen S,Roberts CJ,Tendler SJ,Davies MC,Forsen S. Characterization of the surface generated by liposome binding to the modified dextran matrix of a surface plasmon resonance sensor chipAnal BiochemYear: 2000280293510805517\| \|Höning S,Ricotta D,Krauss M,Spate K,Spolaore B,Motley A,Robinson M,Robinson C,Haucke V,Owen DJ. Phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate regulates sorting signal recognition by the clathrin-associated adaptor complex AP2Mol CellYear: 20051851953115916959\| \|Kretschmann E,Raether H. Radiative decay of non-radiative surface plasmons excited by lightZ NaturforschYear: 196823021352136\| \|Moravcevic K,Oxley CL,Lemmon MA. Conditional peripheral membrane proteins: facing up to limited specificityStructureYear: 201220152722193136\| \|Morton TA,Myszka DG. Kinetic analysis of macromolecular interactions using surface plasmon resonance biosensorsMethods EnzymolYear: 19982952682949750223\| \|Myszka DG. Kinetic analysis of macromolecular interactions using surface plasmon resonance biosensorsCurr Opin BiotechnolYear: 1997850579013659\| \|Narayan K,Lemmon MA. Determining selectivity of phosphoino sitide-binding domainsMethodsYear: 20063912213316829131\| \|Rich RL,Day YS,Morton TA,Myszka DG. High-resolution and high throughput protocols for measuring drug/human serum albumin interactions using BIACOREAnal BiochemYear: 200129619720711554715\| \|Scott JL,Musselman CA,Adu-Gyamfi E,Kutateladze TG,Stahelin RV. Emerging methodologies to investigate lipid-protein interactionsIntegr Biol (Camb)Year: 2012424725822327461\| \|Stahelin RV,Cho W. Differential roles of ionic, aliphatic, and aromatic residues in membrane-protein interactions: a surface plasmon resonance study on phospholipases A2BiochemistryYear: 2001404672467811294634\| \|Stahelin RV,Karathanassis D,Murray D,Williams RL,Cho W. Structural and membrane binding analysis of the Phox homology domain of Bem1p: basis of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate specificityJ Biol ChemYear: 2007282257372574717581820\| \|Stahelin RV,Long F,Diraviyam K,Bruzik KS,Murray D,Cho W. Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate induces the membrane penetration of the FYVE domains of Vps27p and HrsJ Biol ChemYear: 2002277263792638812006563\| \|van Meer G,Voelker DR,Feigenson GW. Membrane lipids: where they are and how they behaveNat Rev Mol Cell BiolYear: 2008911212418216768\| Previous Document: Phytochemical and nutrient/antinutrient interactions in cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) frui... Next Document: Magazine or journal--what is the difference? The role of the monitoring editor.	122,447
There shall be Eternal summer in the grateful heart. — Celia Thaxter, in the poem "A Grateful Heart" (1872) In this session we will focus on the sixth Unitarian Universalist Source, "Spiritual teachings of earth centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature," expressed in children's language as "the harmony of nature and the sacred circle of life." Gratitude is a spiritual orientation connected to the experience of joy and the practice of generosity. This session cultivates an "attitude of gratitude" as a practice that leads to spiritual health and well being. Children talk about the importance of gratitude in their lives and explore how gratitude can feel, in our feelings and in our bodies. The central story, "The Rebirth of the Sun," introduces the winter solstice and how the rhythms of nature support our life. In a gratitude circle, participants practice articulating specifically what they are grateful for and appreciate, when they say "thank you." This session will: - Present a lesson about gratitude based in the sixth Unitarian Universalist Source, "the harmony of nature and the sacred circle of life" - Demonstrate our connections to the rhythms of nature through a story about the winter solstice - Cultivate in children an "attitude of gratitude" and provide opportunities to express thanksgiving - Foster an ethic of caring for the Earth by promoting awareness of and gratitude for the gifts we receive from nature - Teach a way to express gratitude so it is personalized, specific, and meaningful. - Learn about the sixth Unitarian Universalist source, "The harmony of nature and the sacred circle of life," through a story about the winter solstice in which children express their gratitude to the sun. - Experience and articulate emotional and physical feelings that accompany a focus on gratitude - Appreciate the gifts we receive from nature's cycles and rhythms, and embrace our responsibility to care for the Earth just as the Earth cares for us - Practice saying thank-you meaningfully to one another, in a gratitude circle. For more information contact email@example.com.	304,319
Inside the Last 17 Days of the Nixon White House December 03, 2014 President Nixon almost changed his mind about resigning. John Osborne, 1957 June 17, 2010 July 31, 1976 Gerald Ford, Nelson Rockefeller, and the 1976 Republican nomination. White House Watch: Nixon Then and Now February 22, 1975 A new book and news accounts from San Clemente depict Richard Nixon as he appeared to one of his White House writers before Watergate destroyed his presidency and as he is in exile and nearly total seclusion six months after his resignation. The book is William Safire's Before the Fall (Doubleday; $12.50). April 13, 1974 Gerald Ford continues to say publicly and in private that he expects to be Vice President and expects Richard Nixon to be President of the United States until January 20, 1977. The Vice President also continues to say that he has no intention of running and no plan to run for the presidency in 1976. But he concluded some weeks ago that it was foolish to go on pretending that there is no possibility that he, the first Vice President who was appointed to the office, may become President by succession before Mr. Nixon’s second term is finished and may be the Republican nominee in 1976. October 27, 1973 Spiro Agnew's resignation was appropriate and unsurprising. Working It Out October 20, 1973 In late September and early October, when the President and his principal associates appeared to have persuaded themselves that he was going to survive the scandals that continued to beset him and Vice President Agnew was saying that he would never resign and that the charges against him were "damned lies," the atmosphere at the Nixon White House was a strange mix of confidence and of a quantity that was close to but not quite despair. Shades of Meaning September 15, 1973 If the members and staff of the Senate Watergate committee were smarter than they have been up to now, they would be preparing to make the President sorry that, at his August 22 press conference in San Clemente, he mentioned Clark MacGregor and thereby drew attention to a deposition that MacGregor gave under oath in a civil suit last July 20. MacGregor was the second and last director of Mr. Nixon's Committee for the Re-election of the President. More Than Ever November 18, 1972 The signs and chants and songs said "Four More Years" and "Nixon Now, More than Ever," and in their idiotic way they provided a depressing indication of the kind of presidency that Richard Nixon is likely to give us in his second term. It predictably won't be very different from his first-term presidency unless more of the same, perhaps marked with a confident sense of rightness that was missing at the start of the Nixon tenure, is thought to constitute a meaningful difference. In the weeks between his renomination and his reelection, Mr. Mission to China March 04, 1972 From the Editors: February marks the thirty-eighth anniversary of President Nixon’s landmark visit to Beijing, and, back in 1972, TNR was one of the few media outlets able to get a first-hand report from the trip. John Osborne’s report, “Mission to China,” provided a snapshot of a country far removed from the modern economic power it is today. “China, feared though it has been and mightier now than it has ever been before, is still a poor country and, in the scales of world power, a weak country,” Osborne wrote.	59,143
Have you experienced something like this? Have you cared for someone who has experiences trauma, meanwhile you suffer trauma? Your loved one may have visible sings of the traumatic event, while your trauma is invisible. People may even want to help your loved one, but you may be completely forgotten. Before I discuss how you may be expressing your invisible trauma, I need you to hear this: You matter. The easiest way to empathize with someone unlike yourself is to become friends and care for them.	14,829
\|C H A P T E R 1\| Introduction to Sun Advanced Lights Out Manager This chapter provides an overview of Sun Advanced Lights Out Manager (ALOM). The following topics are discussed: Subsequent chapters contain detailed instructions for configuring and using ALOM. Sun Advanced Lights Out Manager (ALOM) is a system controller that enables you to remotely manage and administer your server. The ALOM software comes preinstalled on your server. Therefore ALOM works as soon as you install and power on the server. You can then customize ALOM to work with your particular installation. See Configuring ALOM. ALOM enables you to monitor and control your server either over a network or by using a dedicated serial port for connection to a terminal or terminal server. ALOM provides a command-line interface that you can use to remotely administer geographically distributed or physically inaccessible machines, see ALOM Shell Commands. In addition, ALOM enables you to run diagnostics, such as power-on self-test (POST), remotely, that would otherwise require physical proximity to the server's serial port, see Using ALOM to Troubleshoot Server Problems. You can also configure ALOM to send email alerts of hardware failures, hardware warnings, and other events related to the server or to ALOM. The ALOM circuitry runs independently of the server, using the server's standby power. Therefore, ALOM firmware and software continue to function when the server operating system goes offline or when the server is powered off. This section shows some of the components that ALOM can monitor on the server. The ALOM software comes preinstalled on your host server. Therefore, ALOM works as soon as you install and power on the server. You can connect an external ASCII terminal to the serial management port (SERIAL MGT) and start using ALOM right away without configuring the ALOM software. For more information about connecting an external terminal, refer to the installation guide that came with your host server. You can use the ALOM software to monitor the host server in which the ALOM hardware is installed. This means that you can monitor only the host server, but not other servers on the network. Multiple users can monitor the host server, but only one user at a time has write access to the console. The other connections are read-only. Other users may issue commands that enable them to view the system console and ALOM output, but they may not change any settings. There are several ways to connect to ALOM: 1. Connect an ASCII terminal directly to the SERIAL MGT port. See Serial Management Port. 2. Use the telnet or ssh command to connect to ALOM through the Ethernet connection attached to the network management (Ethernet) (NET MGT,) port. See Network Management (Ethernet) Port. 3. Connect a port on a terminal server to the SERIAL MGT port, and then use the telnet command to connect to the terminal server. When you first apply power to the server, ALOM automatically begins monitoring the system and displaying output to the system console using the preconfigured default account. The default account is called admin, and has full (cuar) permissions. Refer to userperm for more information on permissions. To log in to ALOM and to specify a password for admin, perform the following step: If you do not log in before ALOM times out, ALOM reverts to the system console and displays the following message: If desired, after you log in to ALOM, you can customize ALOM to work with your particular installation. Refer to Configuring ALOM. You can now perform some common administrative tasks, such as adding ALOM user accounts. Refer to Common ALOM Tasks. All Sun Fire servers show two operational states that you can view and monitor using ALOM: ok, and failed. Some servers have an additional operational state: faulty. This section explains the differences between the faulty state and the failed state. A faulty state indicates that a device is operating in a degraded state, but the device is still fully operational. Due to this degradation, the device might not be as reliable as a device that does not show a fault. A device in the faulty state is still able to perform its primary function. For example, a power supply shows a faulty state when an internal fan has failed. However, the power supply can still provide regulated power as long as its temperature does not exceed the critical threshold. In this faulty state, the power supply might not be able to function indefinitely, depending on the temperature, load, and efficiency. Therefore, it is not as reliable as a nonfaulted power supply. A failed state indicates that a device is no longer operational as required by the system. A device fails due to some critical fault condition or combination of fault conditions. When a device enters a failed state, it ceases to function and is no longer available as a system resource. Using the example of the power supply, the power supply is considered failed when it ceases to provide regulated power. Before you update the ALOM firmware using the flashupdate command, make sure that: For more information, refer to the installation guide that came with your system.	64,194
Group B Streptococcal Infections in Newborns - Topic Overview What is group B streptococcal infection?Group B streptococcal (group B strep) infection is a serious bacterial infection that is a leading cause of death and disability in newborns.In the 1970s, about half of newborns with group B strep infection died. Today, due to early recognition and aggressive treatment of the infection, far fewer cases end in death.What causes group B streptococcal ... Growth and Development, Newborn - Routine Checkups WebMD describes newborn tests and screening, the birth examination and routine doctor visits your baby needs. Learn about types of newborn tests, like screening blood tests for inherited diseases, and immunizations doctors will give your newborn baby. Cognitive Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months - Topic Overview Cognitive development is the process by which the brain develops the abilities to learn and remember. Cognitive development follows a typical pattern in the first 12 months of life. Between 1 and 2 months of age,infants become interested in new objects and will turn their gaze toward them. They also gaze longer at more complex objects and seem to thrive on novelty,as though trying to learn ... Circumcision - What Happens During a Circumcision Circumcision for a newborn is usually done by a health professional at a clinic, in the hospital, or at an outpatient surgery center. During the procedure:The newborn is placed on a firm surface, often called a papoose board. Velcro straps are wrapped around the newborn's arms and legs to keep him very still during the procedure.The penis is cleaned.The surgical area is numbed with a local ... Colic Diary - Topic Overview A diary for colic shows the baby's daily activities and the amount of time spent in each one. The diary should include:Crying and fussing periods. Who was present when the baby was crying? What comfort measures were used? Was the baby being held when the crying began?Sleeping periods. Was the baby sleeping alone or in the caregiver's arms?Awake times. Was the baby alone and happy or being held? Were bathing, changing, or other activities taking place? Feeding times. How much formula was taken? How long did the baby breast-feed? What position was the baby in during feeding? How was the baby burped? Did the baby spit up or vomit after a feeding? If you are breast-feeding, the health professional will want a record of your diet during this period of time.Stool pattern. What is the amount, color, consistency, and odor of the baby's stools?Number of wet diapers. What is the color, estimated amount (small, moderate, or large), and odor of the baby's urine?Weight. When during the day was the Tongue-Tie - Topic Overview What is tongue-tie? Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a problem that occurs at birth. It happens when the tissue that attaches the tongue to the bottom of the mouth (lingual frenulum) is too short. This can limit the movement of the tongue. See a picture of tongue-tie. What causes tongue-tie? The cause of tongue-tie isn't always known. It can run in families or may occur in babies who have other ... Ways to Comfort a Crying Baby - Topic Overview Comforting techniques often will calm a crying child if the crying isn't caused by pain. These techniques may help comfort a baby with colic, because colic isn't caused by pain. But if the crying doesn't seem normal or your baby seems sick, call your doctor.First, check to be sure your baby isn't hungry. Very young babies usually don't eat much at one sitting and may become hungry 1 to 2 hours after a feeding. Feeding your baby might stop the crying.Offer a pacifier for sucking. Sucking can help babies relieve stress without crying.Try rocking your baby. Gently rock your baby, or use a mechanical swing.Sing quietly to your baby. You may find that singing the same song over and over is soothing. You can also try playing music at a low volume.Turn on something with a rhythmic sound, such as a fan that hums, a vacuum cleaner, a clothes dryer, tape recordings of womb sounds, or a crib sound-and-motion device. A vibrating soothing device, which generates white noise and vibrates the bed, Circumcision - When to Call a Doctor Your son's penis will be examined during routine well - baby visits. However, it is important to call your health professional if problems develop after circumcision.Call your doctor immediately if your circumcised baby: Is younger than 3 months of age and has a fever.Develops signs of infection of the penis or around the circumcision site. Signs may include severe swelling, redness, a red streak Premature Infant: Safe Travel With Your Baby - Topic Overview After your infant is discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU),you may need to take special precautions for car travel. In most cases the safest way for a healthy premature infant to travel is by car seat. 1 But some premature infants cannot sit in a car seat without slouching over,which interferes with their breathing and oxygen supply. Before discharging your infant from the ... Phototherapy for Jaundice in Newborns - Topic Overview Phototherapy is the most common treatment for reducing high bilirubin levels that cause jaundice in a newborn. In the standard form of phototherapy,the baby is placed in an enclosed plastic crib (incubator) and is exposed to a type of fluorescent light that is absorbed by the baby's skin. During this process,the bilirubin in the baby's body is changed into another form that can be more easily ...	90,936
Lea County, New Mexico \|Lea County, New Mexico\| Lea County Courthouse in Lovington Location in the state of New Mexico New Mexico's location in the U.S. \|Founded\|\|March 17, 1917\| \|• Total\|\|4,394 sq mi (11,380 km2)\| \|• Land\|\|4,391 sq mi (11,373 km2)\| \|• Water\|\|3.3 sq mi (9 km2), 0.07%\| \|• Density\|\|15/sq mi (6/km²)\| \|Time zone\|\|Mountain: UTC-7/-6\| Lea County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,727. Its county seat is Lovington. It is both west and north of the Texas state line. Lea County comprises the Hobbs, NM Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,394 square miles (11,380 km2), of which 4,391 square miles (11,370 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (0.07%) is water. Lea County is located in the southeast corner of New Mexico and borders Texas to the south and east. Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau: - 75.0% White - 4.1% Black - 1.2% Native American - 0.5% Asian - 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander - 2.6% Two or more races - 16.5% Other races - 51.1% Hispanic or Latino (of any race) As of the census of 2000, there were 55,511 people, 19,699 households, and 14,715 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 23,405 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 67.13% White, 4.37% Black or African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 23.81% from other races, and 3.27% from two or more races. 39.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 19,699 households out of which 39.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.30% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.20. In the county the population was spread out with 30.10% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 100.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.00 males. The median income for a household in the county was $29,799, and the median income for a family was $34,665. Males had a median income of $32,005 versus $20,922 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,184. About 17.30% of families and 21.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.00% of those under age 18 and 14.90% of those age 65 or over. The following public-use airports are located in the county: - Lea County Regional Airport (HOB) - Hobbs - Lea County-Jal Airport (E26) - Jal - Lea County-Zip Franklin Memorial Airport (E06) - Lovington - Tatum Airport (18T) - Tatum In the 2004 Presidential election, Lea County was the top New Mexico county, as far as percentage, for Republican George W. Bush. He beat John Kerry 79%-20%. In 2008, the Republican candidate John McCain beat Democratic candidate Barack Obama by a wide but slightly smaller margin, 72% to 27%. Lea County had produced several National Rodeo Champions, perhaps starting with Jake McClure starting back in 1930. Later, Troy Fort. More recent Champions are from the Cooper family, Jimmie and Roy. This family is from Monument, southwest of Hobbs. All of these men have been National Champions. Several golfers have made it to the PGA and most famous is Kathy Whitworth, an LPGA Hall of Famer. The men Golfers include Ronnie Black, Sean Murphy and Chris Blocker. Ronnie and Sean were from Lovington, Chris from Hobbs and Kathy from Jal. - "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 29, 2013. - "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011. - "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2015. - "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015. - "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 2, 2015. - "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015. - "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 2, 2015. - "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008. - Public and Private Airports, Lea County, New Mexico - CNN: election results for New Mexico counties - "National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved August 31, 2013. \|\|Roosevelt County\|\|Cochran County, Texas\| \|Chaves County and Eddy County\|\|Andrews County, Texas; Gaines County, Texas; and Yoakum County, Texas\| \|Loving County, Texas\|\|Winkler County, Texas\|	112,582
Biological and chemical weapons have generally been associated with each other in the public mind, and the extensive use of poison gas in World War I (resulting in over a million casualties and over 100,000 deaths) led to the Geneva Protocol of 1925 prohibiting the use of both poison gas and bacteriological methods in warfare. At the 1932 - 1937 Disarmament Conference, unsuccessful attempts were made to work out an agreement that would prohibit the production and stockpiling of biological and chemical weapons. During World War II, new and more toxic nerve gases were developed, and research and development was begun on biological weapons. Neither side used such weapons. President Roosevelt, in a statement warning the Axis powers against the use of chemical weapons, declared: Use of such weapons has been outlawed by the general opinion of civilized mankind. This country has not used them, and I hope we never will be compelled to use them. I state categorically that we shall under no circumstances resort to the use of such weapons unless they are first used by our enemies. In the postwar negotiations on general disarmament, biological and chemical weapons were usually considered together with nuclear and conventional weapons. Both the United States and Soviet Union, in the 1962 sessions of the Eighteen-Nation Disarmament Committee (ENDC), offered plans for general and complete disarmament that included provisions for eliminating chemical and biological weapons. An issue that long hindered progress was whether chemical and biological weapons should continue to be linked. A British draft convention submitted to the ENDC on July 10, 1969, concentrated on the elimination of biological weapons only. A draft convention proposed in the General Assembly by the Soviet Union and its allies on September 19 dealt with both chemical and biological weapons. The Soviet representative argued that they had been treated together in the Geneva Protocol and in the General Assembly resolutions and report, and should continue to be dealt with in the same instrument. A separate biological weapons convention, he warned, might serve to intensify the chemical arms race. The United States supported the British position and stressed the difference between the two kinds of weapons. Unlike biological weapons, chemical weapons had actually been used in modern warfare. Many states maintained chemical weapons in their arsenals to deter the use of this type of weapon against them, and to provide a retaliatory capability if deterrence failed. Many of these nations, the United States pointed out, would be reluctant to give up this capability without reliable assurance that other nations were not developing, producing, and stockpiling chemical While the United States did not consider prohibition of one of these classes of weapons less urgent or important than the other, it held that biological weapons presented less intractable problems, and an agreement on banning them should not be delayed until agreement on a reliable prohibition of chemical weapons could be reached. Shortly after President Nixon took office, he ordered a review of U.S. policy and programs regarding biological and chemical warfare. On November 25, 1969, the President declared that the United States unilaterally renounced first use of lethal or incapacitating chemical agents and weapons and unconditionally renounced all methods of biological warfare. Henceforth the U.S. biological program would be confined to research on strictly defined measures of defense, such as immunization. The Department of Defense was ordered to draw up a plan for the disposal of existing stocks of biological agents and weapons. On February 14, 1970, the White House announced extension of the ban to cover toxins (substances falling between biologicals and chemicals in that they act like chemicals but are ordinarily produced by biological or microbic processes). The U.S. action was widely welcomed internationally, and the example was followed by others. Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom stated that they had no biological weapons and did not intend to produce any. It was generally recognized, however, that unilateral actions could not take the place of a binding international commitment. A number of nations, including the Soviet Union and its allies, continued to favor a comprehensive agreement covering both chemical and biological weapons. Discussion throughout 1970 in the General Assembly and the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament (CCD) -- as the ENDC was named after its enlargement to 26 members in August 1969 -- produced no agreement. A breakthrough came on March 30, 1971, however, when the Soviet Union and its allies changed their position and introduced a revised draft convention limited to biological weapons and toxins. It then became possible for the co-chairmen of the CCD -- the U.S. and Soviet representatives -- to work out an agreed draft, as they had done with the Non- Proliferation and the Seabed Treaties. On August 5, the United States and the Soviet Union submitted separate but identical texts. On December 16, the General Assembly approved a resolution, adopted by a vote of 110 to 0, commending the convention and expressing hope for the widest possible adherence. The French representative abstained, explaining that the convention, though a step forward, might weaken the Geneva Protocol ban on the use of chemical weapons, and he did not consider that adequate international controls were provided. He announced, however, that France would enact domestic legislation prohibiting biological weapons, and this was done in June of the The Peoples Republic of China did not participate in the negotiations on the convention and did not sign it. At the 1972 General Assembly its representative attacked the convention as a "sham," and criticized it for not prohibiting chemical weapons. The convention was opened for signature at Washington, London, and Moscow on April 10, 1972. President Nixon submitted it to the Senate on August 10, calling it "the first international agreement since World War II to provide for the actual elimination of an entire class of weapons from the arsenals of nations." The Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed action on the convention, however, holding it for consideration after resolution of the herbicide and riot-control issues involved in the Geneva Protocol (see section on the Geneva Protocol). In the latter part of 1974 the Ford Administration undertook a new initiative to obtain Senate consent to ratification of both the Geneva Protocol and the Biological Weapons Convention, and ACDA Director Fred Ikle testified with respect to both instruments before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on December 10. Soon thereafter the Committee voted unanimously to send the two measures to the Senate floor, and on December 16 the Senate voted its approval, also unanimously. President Ford signed instruments of ratification for the two measures on January 22, 1975. Under the terms of the convention, the parties undertake not to develop, produce, stockpile, or acquire biological agents or toxins "of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective, and other peaceful purposes," as well as weapons and means of delivery. All such material is to be destroyed within nine months of the conventions entry into force. In January 1976, all heads of Federal departments and agencies certified to the President that as of December 26, 1975, their respective departments and agencies were in full compliance with the convention. The parties are to consult and cooperate in solving any problems that arise. Complaints of a breach of obligations may be lodged with the Security Council, and parties undertake to cooperate with any investigation the Council initiates. If the Security Council finds that a state has been endangered by a violation, the parties are to provide any assistance Nothing in the convention is to be interpreted as lessening the obligations imposed by the Geneva Protocol, and the parties undertake to pursue negotiations for a ban on chemical weapons. In addition, articles provide for exchange of information on peaceful uses, amendment and review, and accession and withdrawal. The convention is of At the second Review Conference in September 1986, the parties agreed to implement data exchange measures to enhance confidence and to promote cooperation in areas of permitted biological activities. In accordance with the Final Declaration of that Review Conference, an ad hoc meeting of scientific and technical experts was held March 31 - April 15, 1987, to develop procedures for implementing annual data exchanges. At the third Review Conference in September 1991 it was agreed to reaffirm and extend confidence building measures agreed at the second Review Conference and to create an Ad Hoc Group of Governmental Experts open to all parties to identify, examine, and evaluate from a scientific and technical standpoint potential verification measures with respect to the prohibitions of the convention. The Ad Hoc Group met four times in 1992 and 1993, completing its work and submitting a consensus report circulated to all States Parties. As provided in the mandate, a majority of States Parties called for a Special Conference to discuss the final report and consider further actions. The Special Conference, held in September 1994, agreed to establish an Ad Hoc Group, open to all States Parties, to consider appropriate measures, and draft proposals to strengthen the Convention in a legally binding instrument. The Ad Hoc Group convened two substantive sessions in 1995, with additional meetings scheduled for 1996. The Ad Hoc Group will prepare a report, to be considered at the Fourth Review Conference of the BWC in the Fall of 1996. CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION AND STOCKPILING OF BACTERIOLOGICAL (BIOLOGICAL) AND TOXIN WEAPONS AND ON Signed at Washington, London, and Moscow April 10,1972 Ratification advised by U.S. Senate December 16, 1974 Ratified by U.S. President January 22, 1975 U.S. ratification deposited at Washington, London, and Moscow March 26, 1975 Proclaimed by U.S. President March 26, 1975 Entered into force March 26, 1975 The States Parties to this Convention, Determined to act with a view to achieving effective progress towards general and complete disarmament, including the prohibition and elimination of all types of weapons of mass destruction, and convinced that the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of chemical and bacteriological (biological) weapons and their elimination, through effective measures, will facilitate the achievement of general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control, Recognizing the important significance of the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva on June 17, 1925, and conscious also of the contribution which the said Protocol has already made, and continues to make, to mitigating the horrors of war, Reaffirming their adherence to the principles and objectives of that Protocol and calling upon all States to comply strictly with them, Recalling that the General Assembly of the United Nations has repeatedly condemned all actions contrary to the principles and objectives of the Geneva Protocol of June 17, 1925, Desiring to contribute to the strengthening of confidence between peoples and the general improvement of the international atmosphere, Desiring also to contribute to the realization of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Convinced of the importance and urgency of eliminating from the arsenals of States, through effective measures, such dangerous weapons of mass destruction as those using chemical or bacteriological (biological) agents, Recognizing that an agreement on the prohibition of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons represents a first possible step towards the achievement of agreement on effective measures also for the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of chemical weapons, and determined to continue negotiations to that end, Determined, for the sake of all mankind, to exclude completely the possibility of bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins being used as Convinced that such use would be repugnant to the conscience of mankind and that no effort should be spared to minimize this risk, Have agreed as follows: Each State Party to this Convention undertakes never in any circumstances to develop, produce, stockpile or otherwise acquire or retain: (1) Microbial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin or method of production, of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes; (2) Weapons, equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict. Each State Party to this Convention undertakes to destroy, or to divert to peaceful purposes, as soon as possible but not later than nine months after the entry into force of the Convention, all agents, toxins, weapons, equipment and means of delivery specified in article I of the Convention, which are in its possession or under its jurisdiction or control. In implementing the provisions of this article all necessary safety precautions shall be observed to protect populations and the environment. Each State Party to this Convention undertakes not to transfer to any recipient whatsoever, directly or indirectly, and not in any way to assist, encourage, or induce any State, group of States or international organizations to manufacture or otherwise acquire any of the agents, toxins, weapons, equipment or means of delivery specified in article I of the Each State Party to this Convention shall, in accordance with its constitutional processes, take any necessary measures to prohibit and prevent the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition, or retention of the agents, toxins, weapons, equipment and means of delivery specified in article I of the Convention, within the territory of such State, under its jurisdiction or under its control anywhere. The States Parties to this Convention undertake to consult one another and to cooperate in solving any problems which may arise in relation to the objective of, or in the application of the provisions of, the Convention. Consultation and cooperation pursuant to this article may also be undertaken through appropriate international procedures within the framework of the United Nations and in accordance with its Charter. (1) Any State Party to this Convention which finds that any other State Party is acting in breach of obligations deriving from the provisions of the Convention may lodge a complaint with the Security Council of the United Nations. Such a complaint should include all possible evidence confirming its validity, as well as a request for its consideration by the Security (2) Each State Party to this Convention undertakes to cooperate in carrying out any investigation which the Security Council may initiate, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, on the basis of the complaint received by the Council. The Security Council shall inform the States Parties to the Convention of the results of the investigation. Each State Party to this Convention undertakes to provide or support assistance, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, to any Party to the Convention which so requests, if the Security Council decides that such Party has been exposed to danger as a result of violation of the Convention. Nothing in this Convention shall be interpreted as in any way limiting or detracting from the obligations assumed by any State under the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva on June 17, Each State Party to this Convention affirms the recognized objective of effective prohibition of chemical weapons and, to this end, undertakes to continue negotiations in good faith with a view to reaching early agreement on effective measures for the prohibition of their development, production and stockpiling and for their destruction, and on appropriate measures concerning equipment and means of delivery specifically designed for the production or use of chemical agents for weapons purposes. (1) The States Parties to this Convention undertake to facilitate, and have the right to participate in, the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the use of bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins for peaceful purposes. Parties to the Convention in a position to do so shall also cooperate in contributing individually or together with other States or international organizations to the further development and application of scientific discoveries in the field of bacteriology (biology) for prevention of disease, or for other peaceful purposes. (2) This Convention shall be implemented in a manner designed to avoid hampering the economic or technological development of States Parties to the Convention or international cooperation in the field of peaceful bacteriological (biological) activities, including the international exchange of bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins and equipment for the processing, use or production of bacteriological (biological) agents and toxins for peaceful purposes in accordance with the provisions of the Any State Party may propose amendments to this Convention. Amendments shall enter into force for each State Party accepting the amendments upon their acceptance by a majority of the States Parties to the Convention and thereafter for each remaining State Party on the date of acceptance by it. Five years after the entry into force of this Convention, or earlier if it is requested by a majority of Parties to the Convention by submitting a proposal to this effect to the Depositary Governments, a conference of States Parties to the Convention shall be held at Geneva, Switzerland, to review the operation of the Convention, with a view to assuring that the purposes of the preamble and the provisions of the Convention, including the provisions concerning negotiations on chemical weapons, are being realized. Such review shall take into account any new scientific and technological developments relevant to the Convention. (1) This Convention shall be of unlimited duration. (2) Each State Party to this Convention shall in exercising its national sovereignty have the right to withdraw from the Convention if it decides that extraordinary events, related to the subject matter of the Convention, have jeopardized the supreme interests of its country. It shall give notice of such withdrawal to all other States Parties to the Convention and to the United Nations Security Council three months in advance. Such notice shall include a statement of the extraordinary events it regards as having jeopardized its supreme interests. (1) This Convention shall be open to all States for signature. Any State which does not sign the Convention before its entry into force in accordance with paragraph (3) of this Article may accede to it at any time. (2) This Convention shall be subject to ratification by signatory States. Instruments of ratification and instruments of accession shall be deposited with the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which are hereby designated the Depositary Governments. (3) This Convention shall enter into force after the deposit of instruments of ratification by twenty-two Governments, including the Governments designated as Depositaries of the Convention. (4) For States whose instruments of ratification or accession are deposited subsequent to the entry into force of this Convention, it shall enter into force on the date of the deposit of their instruments of ratification or (5) The Depositary Governments shall promptly inform all signatory and acceding States of the date of each signature, the date of deposit of each instrument of ratification or of accession and the date of the entry into force of this Convention, and of the receipt of other notices. (6) This Convention shall be registered by the Depositary Governments pursuant to Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations. This Convention, the English, Russian, French, Spanish and Chinese texts of which are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Depositary Governments. Duly certified copies of the Convention shall be transmitted by the Depositary Governments to the Governments of the signatory and acceding states. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, duly authorized, have signed this DONE in triplicate, at the cities of Washington, London and Moscow, this tenth day of April, one thousand nine hundred and seventy-two. PARTIES AND SIGNATORIES OF THE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION Republic of (3) People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Yugoslav Republic of Papua New Guinea St. Kitts and Nevis St. Vincent and the Sao Tome and Principe (1) With reservation (2) Based on general declarations concerning Treaty obligations applicable prior to independence. (3) Effective January 1, 1979, the United States recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole government of China. The authorities on Taiwan state they will continue to abide by the provisions of the Convention, and the United States regards them as bound by its (4) Formerly part of the Soviet Union who signed and ratified the Convention on behalf of Kyrgyzstan. Date of accession is unknown but Confidence Building Measures Data Declaration submitted to the UN in 1993. (5) Applicable to Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. (6) The United Arab Emirates which did not ratify the Convention is listed as one country. (7) Extended to territories under the territorial sovereignty of the United Kingdom. Also extended to New Hebrides; continued application to Vanuatu not	292,819
Chandeliers are ancient. These were decorative fixtures back in the 16th century whose main purpose was to symbolize class and wealth. Only the upper class could afford chandeliers, and these were elaborately done at a huge cost of material and labor. Like every luxury, chandeliers are affordable today and elegant to boot. Single family homes mostly have at least one chandelier. There are wide ranges in size (and cost) to choose from. Even mini chandeliers are available for smaller rooms and nursery rooms, or for apartments with low ceilings. Furthermore, LED candelabra bulbs that mimic the shape and light spectrum of traditional warm light bulbs cut your electricity costs by a tenth! A twelve bulb medium sized chandelier using traditional 25-watt bulbs consumes 300 watts an hour vs a 3 W LED setup consuming 35 watts an hour, so you don't have to worry about letting it glow throughout the evening. A crystal chandelier, as the name suggests, has crystal or crystal like machined pieces making up the design. Swarovski crystals are considered best, but are also expensive. Glass crystals are affordable and are almost as glamorous as Swarovski. The charm of a crystal chandelier is vintage and elegant. There are also very modern designs made with crystals today - combining with chrome, different hues such as black crystals and more. The cutting-edge technology used to make contemporary chandeliers differentiates them from other types of ceiling lighting. Manufacturers use fashionable and bold designs to create a sophisticated look suitable for modern homes. If you want the edginess of Art Deco, ultra-modern design, or something in between classic and modern, this is for you. Aside from glass and crystals, manufacturers also used other types of materials for chandeliers. Common materials used are wood, shells, and stones. This light fixture creates a warm and cozy ambiance. You often find these light fixtures in mountain cabins, country farmhouses, and beachfront cottages. Choosing the Right Size Chandelier based on Room Size Chandeliers are perfect for homes with high ceilings. Smaller chandeliers are ideal for smaller rooms such as your bedroom, dining or nursery. To make sure your chandelier is proportional to your room size, just add the length and breadth of the room and the total should be approximately equal to the chandelier width in inches - for example - an average room of 14 x 10 feet will need a chandelier of 24 inches (14 + 10) wide while a high ceiling entryway room that is 18 x 16 feet can accommodate a 32 inch (18+16) wide chandelier. Similarly, a thumb rule for the height of a chandelier is to multiply ceiling height by 3 and take the result as inches - an 8-foot ceiling can take 24-inch tall chandelier (8 x 3). Most chandeliers come with about 6 feet chain, and you can get longer chains if needed. Just take care to not lower it less than 7 feet from the ground and if you are hanging over a dining table, leave about 30-35 inches from the table top and about 1 foot inside the edges of the table. These are ballparks, and you can go a few inches off the calculation. Dressing up a chandelier Most chandeliers are naked, in the sense that the bulbs are bare. But you can also add a ton of style with chandelier shades - small shades that sit on top of the bulbs. A shade also provides scope for so much designing as you can see in our store - there are many with roses, feathers, sashes and so on. Plus the shades can be replaced pretty easily to completely change the style of the chandelier and the look of the room. These styles are most appropriate for bedrooms and your kids' rooms, but you can also think of ways to add that elegance to your main chandelier. Look at how different these four crystal chandeliers look - only the shades have changed. Do you know you can also cover the chain and wire with chandelier cords? Made of satin or dupioni fabric, this is a sheath in the form of a tube that covers the chain. It is extra long to give a ruffled look and really makes it beautiful, particularly for chandeliers with shades. Leave a comment Comments will be approved before showing up. Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …	71,878
Veritas Academy of Tucson’s dress code is intended to reflect the school’s aims to honor God and disciple students. It is designed to encourage modesty, decency, and propriety and to de-emphasize the use of clothing as a significant means of establishing self-identity or gaining attention or social status (Matt. 6:28- 34; 1 Cor. 9:19-23; 1 Pet. 3:2-4; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; Jam. 2:1-5). The Headmaster or one designated to act in his stead, retains the authority to determine the appropriateness of a given student’s attire or hairstyle, and may remove from the campus or otherwise discipline any student deemed to be inappropriately dressed. The administration also reserves the right to grant a limited variance to these regulations for special purposes, such as related sports programs and physical education classes, special dress days or other instructional exercises, provided that high standards of modesty are always upheld. All elements of the dress code are in force (and may be enforced) during regular school hours. During that time, students anywhere on campus must be dressed in either proper class attire or proper sports attire. Changing into off- campus attire should be done off-campus. While dress code enforcement will be limited to school days, provisions and standards relating to modesty and decency should be respected by the students and are enforceable by the staff anywhere on the campus as well as at off-campus, school-sponsored events. Veritas Academy of Tucson’s dress code is in place as an application of Kingdom values taught in God’s Word. As you prepare to explain the reasons behind the dress code to your children, please read the above passages and talk about them together. If you personally disagree with certain specifics of the dress code, feel free to communicate your suggestions to the school in writing, but we humbly ask that you defer to the present practice and speak respectfully of these matters in your home. We ask this for the sake of the Biblical principles they represent and for the peace and order of the learning environment. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Sam. 16.7b) At VAT, we are concerned about what goes into the student’s mind as well as what is in the heart, for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks (Lk. 6.45) or that the child dresses. There are many positive reasons for a standardized dress code at VAT. A standardized dress code: - Instills in students a sense of loyalty and belonging to the school community. - Allows teachers to use their time teaching instead of judging the appropriateness of students’ dress. - De-emphasizes excess fashion consciousness and socioeconomic differences. - Saves families’ money and time and decreases conflicts over wardrobe choices. - Promotes safety on field trips and on campus where students are easily identifiable. - Presents a neat appearance and helps create a positive impression of our school and our students within the community. - Presents an outward expression of respect to classmates, parents, teachers, and staff. - Promotes a sense of modesty for all students. As believers, seeking to follow God’s plan for our lives, we should desire to reflect Christ in every aspect of our lives – including how we dress. (1 Tim. 2:9-10/Prov. 22:6) Any solid-color long or short-sleeved polo shirt with a collar, turtle neck, or mock turtle-neck may be worn. All shirts are to be tucked in at all times with the exception of Kindergarten and First grade. Polo- style shirts are allowed, but no alternate-color embroidery is allowed. Logos are allowed if they are smaller than a quarter. Chambray cloth, Oxford-cloth, or short sleeved and button-down collars are allowed. Special Veritas Academy of Tucson t-shirts and/or sweatshirts are permitted on designated days. Any solid-color sweater or cardigan worn over a uniform shirt is acceptable. Students may also wear solid- colored jackets and sweatshirts that do not have logos/emblems/embroidery inside the classroom. Pants, shorts, and skirts should be Docker/Chino-style OR corduroy navy/khaki/“light stone,” worn at the waistline, with or without pleats, zipper and snap or button is approved school dress. No jeans or jean material, cargo, cargo pocket or baggies are allowed. Kindergarten and first grade children may wear elastic waist pants. Shorts and skorts must extend below the fingertips when standing. Skirts must be worn no shorter than three inches above the knee. Girls may wear bike-style shorts or leggings under skirts and jumpers. Girls may wear 100% cotton or polished cotton twill navy/khaki Capri or “flood” pants with belt loops and a belt. Stretch or denim pants are not allowed. Belts (any color) are required beginning in the 5th grade if bottoms have belt loops. Shoes must be in good repair and worn with white, navy, or black socks or hosiery. Flat sandals are acceptable on non-P.E. days. No flip-flops, backless or thong-type sandals may be worn. On days when children have Physical Education, athletic shoes must be worn. Caps may not be worn indoors or backwards. Regarding piercings, only girls may be allowed to have a single stud in each ear; no large earrings or double piercings. Any other accessories (scarves, jewelry, hair bows etc.) should be modest, non-distracting, and tidy. There will be designated “casual dress” and “dress-up” days during the school year when other clothes will be permitted or required. These days will be announced in advance. No torn clothing, crop tops, halters, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, or any other inappropriate clothing is allowed. Hair is to be neat, clean, out of eyes, and its natural color. Boys’ hair length is to be no longer than to the top of the collar. Students attending any school event or function must be appropriately dressed in standardized dress or follow the dress code as determined by the Headmaster. The school reserves the right to prohibit specific dress and dress-related items whether they are mentioned in these guidelines or not. In an effort to enforce the academy’s Student Dress Code in an impartial manner, the outlined process will be followed. We hope that this clarifies our student’s expectations and motivates student’s to avoid the hassles that come with dress code non-compliance. - Verbal warning will be given the first two weeks of school. - After the third week of school the student will be given a written warning to be sent home and signed by a parent and returned to school. - Continued violations will require a Headmaster-Parent meeting to address the issues not being complied The faculty and administration reserve the right to enforce this uniform code by all appropriate means and to make judgments in cases of dispute. - Further violations of dress standards could lead to suspension, or expulsion for further rebellion and disobedience.	133,249
Solomon Turpin, of Smiths and Linville Creek Facts and Events Solomon Turpin was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA Land Grant Surveys in Virginia: - Page 28 - Solomon Turpine, 192 acres Dry fork of Smiths Creek. Adjoining Daniel Smith, Jeremiah Harrison, January 31, 1763. [Abstract of Land Grant Surveys, 1761-1791, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, by Peter Cline Kaylor, pg. 11]. - Page 151 - Soloman Turpine, 130 acres, Dry Fork, Smiths Creek. Adjoining Jeremiah Harrison and his own land. May 27, 1769. [Abstract of Land Grant Surveys, 1761-1791, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, by Peter Cline Kaylor, pg. 54]. - Page 151 - Soloman Turpine, 220 acres, Linville Creek. Adjoining Walter Crow. 27 May 1769. [Abstract of Land Grant Surveys, 1761-1791, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, by Peter Cline Kaylor, pg. 54]. Records in Augusta County, VA From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records: (unless otherwise listed) - Page 208.--1st September, 1748. Vendue held at house of Samuel Stewart of goods of Joseph Harrison sold by Jeremiah Harrison. To Timothy Convey, Samuel Harrison, Samuel Monsey, Arthur Johnson, Abraham Smith, Tunis Wood, Samuel Hull, Edward McGinnis, Archibald Buchanan, Aaron Oliver, Ephraim Love, Solomon Turpin, Samuel Wilkey. - Vol. 1 - FEBRUARY 18, 1762. - (162) Solomon Turpin to view a road. - Page 208.--5th January, 1763. John Wright's estate; appraised by John Cravens, Thomas Harrison, John Shalpman: Daniel Young's note; David Smith's ditto; Soloman Turpin's ditto; Peter Watkins' note; John Stewart's ditto; Thomas Bryant's ditto; Skidmore Muncy's note; William Shull's ditto; Charles Differ's ditto; Robert William's ditto. - Page 429.--16th October, 1765. Capt. Daniel Smith's settlement of estate of Robert Harrison allowed and recorded--Paid George Skilerton (Skileron?); paid Edmond Pendleton, Joseph Langdon, Jno. Stewart, Felix Ohlpman, Capt. Francis Thornton, Solomon Turpin, George Lindwad, Christian Groob, Christian Wilson, Henry Flesher, Doctor Caulval, Peter Watkins, John Crow, Jeremiah Ragen, William Grad, Wm. Minter, Jno. Phears. Isaac Johnston. Sale bill of above estate to, viz: Dennis Henry, Wm. Marks, Wm. McMullen, Toms Thomas, Capt. Waran, Arthur Trader, Neil Linch, Jno. Gum, Ezeriah Worden, Zebulon (Binenran) Harrison. To attendance and necessaries found for the deceased during the time he remained sick at my house, where he did from the 10th February to 25th May, 1761, being 3 months and 15 days. - Page 40 - Jeremiah Harrison, 176 acres. Joining his otheer land on Smith Creek. Adjoining Turpines, Smith, Grubb. May 2, 1765. [Abstract of Land Grant Surveys, 1761-1791, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, by Peter Cline Kaylor, pg. 16]. - Page 511.--20th March, 1767. Settlement of Johnston Hill's estate, recorded--Paid James Haith; credit by Aney Hill, John Pheus, Daniel Ponder, Chas. Davis, Hugh McGary, Wm. McMullen, Robt. Hill, Chas. Smith, Peter Watkins, Solomon Turpin, James Lawrence. - Vol. 1 - NOVEMBER 15, 1768. - (470) County levy: To John Bearling, wolf scalp; to Solomon Turpen, wolf scalp. - Page 438.--21st August, 1771. Daniel Harrison's appraisement (by Solomon Tirpin, Robert Craven, John Gratton) recorded. - November 8, 1774: Solomon Turpin (along with Edward Carvin, Moses Higgenbotham, John Henley and Henry Smith) were ordered to view the several ways from Robert Caldwell's near Craigs Creek Mountain / Potts Creek Mountains to Sweet Springs. He, along with the others, were to report to the next court. [Source: Ann Bruxh Miller, Botetourt County Road Orders, 1770-1778, Charlottesville, Virginia, 2007] - Page 100 - Isaac Depoy, 50 acres, Dry Fork [of Smiths Creek]. Adjoining Turpens, Harrison, and his own land. February 2, 1790. [Abstract of Land Grant Surveys, 1761-1791, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, by Peter Cline Kaylor, pg. 130]. - ↑ .	5,930
Requalification, recovery of buildings and cutting-edge technology to design the home of the future: this is what was presented at 51° Edition of the SAIE, international building exhibition in Italy. At the heart of the new SALT SMART HOUSE, in the Services area of Bologna fair (held like the interior of a great intelligent and sustainable house), SMART HOUSE LIVING has been presented. This project consists of 4 souls: an exhibition – Smart House Solution – on which was represented a new culture of sustainable living, which allowed visitors to ‘ touch ‘ practical applications and innovative technological solutions; a playful and participatory path – the Wheel of Sustainability – to bring the public to the culture to “triple zero” (zero consumption, zero emissions, zero waste); the Forums on the themes of designing, building and inhabiting the houses of tomorrow; the BIG Energy Idea — a ‘ emotional room ‘ of innovation told through videos and sounds: a project to push for change through knowledge. In the Digital Smart Building technology how this innovation can revive the construction industry has been the main topic. Many laid optical fiber is still unused. Since last July with the Decree Unlock Italy, “all new buildings must be equipped with a passive multiservice physical infrastructure inside the building, consisting of adequate space and installation of high-speed communications to the fiber optic network termination points”. The legislation makes the provision in new homes be mandatory. SAIE #Idrogeo has been the main new of this edition: it is an informative area and exhibition dedicated to the theme of recovery and securing of the territory from the hydrogeological point of view, that this year 2015 focused on the theme of urban land preservation thanks to the work of engineers and geotechnical in particular. ‘Green‘ has been the guest star in new edition of SAIE, too. Inside the ‘Live’ path, #Landmaking group has organized ‘To build green’, an area where some of Italian excellences in the field of green have been gathered. The construction industry’s interest is directed towards the energy efficiency of existing buildings, as well as through the performance improvement with the aid of new and more modern systems and engineering solutions.	110,081
In refugee camps and areas effected by natural disaster, a common policy exists that most structures or improvements must be temporary, even though they may be used for decades. As a result, infrastructure systems are designed to last only a few months, resulting in substandard living conditions. Today, this condition adversely effects over 170 million people worldwide. The Clean Hub is a portable, self sustaining source for clean water, electricity and sanitation. Designed within an intermodal shipping container, the Clean Hub can be fabricated, shipped and deployed anywhere in the world in a matter of days. In keeping with all policies, it can be deemed portable, but since it is self sustaining, it can function in one place for as long as necessary with minimal maintenance. The Clean Hub uses a photovoltaic array with battery storage, a 4,400 gallon water reservoir, a rainwater catchment system, ceramic and reverse osmosis filtration, and composting toilets. A Catalyst for Stable Societies: As with the Farmer's Market in New Orleans, the home of the first prototype, we continue to see the Clean Hub as a catalyst for creating stable cultures. Its scaled to serve 150 people at a time which coincides with the optimal number of people in a stable society. Also, when in use, the Clean Hub will produce compost allowing it to be coupled with small scale agriculture. This, in turn, creates a micro-economy. After building the first prototype, we received a wealth of feedback from NGOs working worldwide. In response to the immediate and long term needs they expressed, we plan to design and build for applications ranging from a mobile immunization center, a maternity clinic, a mobile theater, and a community center. We also plan to make each project scalable to its specific human and natural ecosystem while still supplying a completely off-grid and self sustaining source for water, power, and sanitation within their specific function. PRESS: PREFAB FRIDAY: Clean Hub By Emily Pilloton Inhabitat July 14, 2007	53,776
The New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) snapped this photo of Jupiter's ring system on February 24, 2007, from a distance of 7.1 million kilometers (4.4 million miles). This processed image shows a narrow ring, about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) wide, with a fainter sheet of material inside it. "This is one of the clearest pictures ever taken of Jupiter's faint ring system," says Dr. Mark Showalter, a planetary astronomer from the SETI Institute in Mountain View, Calif., who planned many of the ring images. "The ring looks different from what we expected — it has usually appeared much wider." Showalter suggests that the ring's largest boulders are corralled into a narrow belt by the influence of Jupiter's two innermost moons, Adrastea and Metis. The ring also appears to darken in the middle, a possible hint that a smaller, undiscovered moon is clearing out a gap. "If there is a smaller moon within those rings, we hope to see it in some of the hundreds of additional images that New Horizons will transmit back to Earth over the next several weeks," says Dr. Andy Cheng, LORRI principal investigator from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. Showalter adds that the faint glow extending in from the ring is likely caused by fine dust that diffuses in toward Jupiter. This is the outer tip of the "halo," a cloud of dust that extends down to Jupiter's cloud tops. The dust will glow much brighter in pictures taken after New Horizons passes to the far side of Jupiter and looks back at the rings, which will then be sunlit from behind. Jupiter's ring system was discovered in 1979, when astronomers spied it in a single image taken by the Voyager 1 spacecraft. Months later, Voyager 2 carried out more extensive imaging of the system. It has since been examined by NASA's Galileo and Cassini spacecraft, as well as by the Hubble Space Telescope and large ground-based observatories. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab	127,428
Scientists have charted massive solar “tsunamis” dozens of time larger than the earth bursting out from the sun. These tendrils of superheated plasma could be key to helping us predict potentially electronics-frying coronal mass ejections — more popularly known as solar storms. New research published in the journal Solar Physics has indicated that these massive solar tsunamis could help crack the mysteries of the sun’s magnetic field and allow scientists to predict solar events much more accurately. These events, known as EIT waves, come after the coronal mass ejections (CMEs). “These EIT waves are quite tricky — they’re very random and they’re relatively rare,” David Long told BBC News. “We need to be in the right place at the right time; this has been a long time coming.” Long and his team have been looking for an EIT event for more than half a decade, at first with a Japanese satellite that started observing the sun in 2006 and then with NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (which is in Earth orbit) in 2010. “These are rare observations of a spectacular event that reveal some really interesting details about our nearest star” Long told Phys.org. “This tells us a lot about the nature of the Sun and what goes on in the atmosphere,” Dr Long explained to the BBC. “These waves are quite important because they’re associated with CMEs that fire plasma out into the heliosphere, toward the Earth.” The trick in this case is that by observing the waves next to the CMEs, it’s much easier to figure out where the next CME will be and if it will come barreling toward the Earth. “Generally we see them when there’s a CME coming straight at us – but when it’s coming straight at us then it’s quite difficult to measure how fast it’s coming at us or how strong it is,” Dr Long said to the BBC. “So by looking at these waves, we should be able to infer how powerful these CMEs are going to be.” The solar superstorm of 1859, the most powerful solar storm on record, was so strong that it set telegraph lines on fire (and in some cases telegraphs continued working even after they were disconnected from power). If a similar storm were to happen today, it has the potential to massively disrupt communications networks. Any way to help predict solar storms could make weathering the storm easier (and, with the potential for billions of dollars in damage, cheaper). “As our dependency on technology increases, understanding how these eruptions occur and travel will greatly assist in protecting against solar activity,” Long said to phys.org.	175,730
Physics Education Research over the past 15 years has developed superior ways of teaching physics at the introductory level. To stay current and competitive with other physics departments the the Ithaca College physics department faculty are interested in adopting and implementing the Studio Physics and SCALE-UP approach to teaching introductory physics at Ithaca College. We propose to call this approach Performance-Based Physics to highlight the College's mission of recognizing the value of combining theory and performance. Rensselaer's Physics Education Group pioneered the "studio" approach to physics instruction. The defining characteristics of studio physics classes are integrated lecture/laboratory form, a reduction in lecture time, a technology-enhanced learning environment, collaborative group work, and a high level of faculty-student interaction. SCALE-UP (Student-Centered Activities for Large Enrollment Undergraduate Programs) developed at North Carolina State University expands the Studio Physics model to classrooms of 100 or more students. To accommodate large enrollment classes our room contains 11 seven-foot-diameter tables with each table seating 9 students working in groups of 3 for a total of 99 students in the room. Each table has an associated 10.5-foot-wide storage cabinet along the walls of the room containing Pasco data collection equipment and whiteboard doors for solving physics problems. We have moved all of our 100-level courses out of lecture halls and into this state-of-art learning environment. Ithaca College is first in offering general education astronomy and science of sound courses in this type of laboratory. We'll be studying the effectiveness of this method of teaching science over the next three years. We anticipate several national publications and presentations resulting from our innovative work. Timeline for Implementation Year-01 (2004-2005 Academic Year) - July-2004 or Sep-2004 hold a SCALE-UP workshop at IC. Robert Beichner at North Carolina State University has agreed to hold a SCALE-UP workshop at IC. He has NSF funds to cover the costs of this workshop - Plan development - Assess impact of new schedule on courses by examining schedules and discussing with other departments - Submit NSF proposal (02-Dec-2004 Deadline) - Site visits (see SUPFIPSE.pdf document for details on SCALE-UP implementation program) Year-02 (2005-2006 Academic Year) - Remodel CNS206 and start teaching PH117 and PH118 in new room using existing teaching methods while incorporating a few hands on activities - Assess our progress Year-03 (2006-2007 Academic Year) - Major remodeling to make one large room from CNS-206 and CNS-208 (and the outer storerooms) - Teach GenEds in room with modest development of hands on activities - More complete adoption and development of hands on activities for PH117 and PH118 - NSF DUE CCLI grant # 0536246 for $150,000 awarded for three years. Year-04 (2007-2008 Academic Year) - Teach PH101 and PH102 in new room using curricular adoptions and developments while continuing development - Teach PH175 : Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe in the SCALE-UP model. Year-05 (2008-2009 Academic Year) and onward - Examine assessment from years 2 through 5 and determine the effectiveness of the curricular change - Plan appropriate adjustments if needed. - 3-year, non-tenure eligible faculty member begins teaching all sections of PH101 and PH102. - Teach PH174: Solar System Astronomy in the SCALE-UP model. - Continue making modifications to courses based on assessment. - Present results at conferences and in publications. Publications (student authors in bold) Saltzman, J., M. F. Price, and M. B. Rogers. 2016. Initial study of neutral post-instruction responses on the Maryland Physics Expectation Survey. Physical Review Physics Education Research 12.1 (2016): 013101. Price, M. and M. Rogers. 2016. Teaching Nature of Science through Scientific Models: The Geocentric vs. Heliocentric Cosmology. Journal of College Science Teaching. 46 (2) pp. 58-62. Rogers, M., M. Price, L. Keller, and A. Crouse. 2015. Implementing Comprehensive Reform of Introductory Physics at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution: A Longitudinal Case Study. Journal of College Science Teaching. V44 (3) pp. 90-98. Kregenow, J., M. Rogers, M. Price. 2011. Is there a "back" of the room when the teacher is in the middle?. Journal of College Science Teaching. V60 (6). Kregenow, J., Rogers, M., and Constas, M., 2010. Multidimensional Education Research: Managing Multiple Data Streams, Astronomy Education Review. 9 (1), doi: 10.3847/AER2009047	197,001
Blog Sponsored by Taylor & Carls, P.A. The political season is upon us, and as the big day in November approaches, many people will increasingly want to display their candidate choices in a more public fashion. In a residential setting, this might take the form of owners desiring to place political signs on their front lawns. The majority of governing documents for homeowners‘ associations, however, prohibit signs of any type from being placed on owners‘ lots except in the case of “For Sale” signs. But what about freedom of speech? Can associations legally restrict owners from exercising such freedom by prohibiting them from displaying political signs in their own yards? The simple answer to this is yes. The freedom of speech which we as Americans possess actually only applies to government action. In other words, it prevents federal, state and local governments from restricting our speech or actions expressing our views. Homeowners’ associations are private entities as opposed to government entities, and thus may impose restrictions which the government may not. Additionally, when a person purchases a home in a community governed by covenants and restrictions, that person has effectively entered into a contract where he has agreed to abide by those rules. What this means is that if you live in an association controlled community, and the governing documents prohibit the placement of signs on individual lots, you have contractually agreed to not place a sign on your lawn, including a political sign. There are some states, such as Texas and Washington, which have laws which specifically prohibit associations from adopting or enforcing restrictions which prevent homeowners from displaying political yard signs during an election period. Florida, however, has no such law relating to political signs, and thus, associations do have the authority to prohibit the placement of political signs in the community. This Blog was prepared by Sara K. Wilson, Esq. of Taylor & Carls, P.A. The information contained herein should not be acted upon without professional legal advice. The opinions expressed herein are as of the date hereof, and this law firm undertakes no obligation to advise of subsequent changes in the law. The firm of Taylor & Carls, P.A., with offices located in the Orlando area, Tampa - St. Petersburg area, and Northeast Florida (Jacksonville/St. Augustine/Palm Coast), was founded in 1981 and has practiced in the area of community association law since that date. The firm can be reached Toll Free at 1-800-395-6235 or locally at 407-660-1040.	253,640
Which router is right for you? We give you ten tips that should help you pick the best one for your needs. Almost every broadband router destined for the home market these days has Wi-Fi capability. In fact, it's been ages since we reviewed a router that didn't include radios for wireless networking. That means you've got a ton of choices when it comes to selecting the right router for your home or small business. It can be confusing, even to seasoned professionals. One way not to choose is to go by the makers' advertised speeds, which seldom have much to do with reality. Some vendors go as far as using the "300" megabits-per-second speed in the names of routers that can't achieve anywhere near that throughput in the real world. Your best bet is to avoid any pitch that tells you about the speed of the router. Instead, you should look at many features that you might need and that might be buried deep down in the feature chart. Fortunately, the market is flooded with Wi-Fi routers, so finding a good one could be simpler than you might think, if you know what you're looking for. I've put together a list of the ten key points you should consider when choosing a Wi-Fi router:Is 802.11n (N) really that much better than 802.11g (G)? Yup. Believe it or not, the 802.11g Wi-Fi router, which uses a technology that has been around for seven years, is still popular, especially in the corporate world. Small businesses buy G routers because they are cheaper and perform adequately. Some 802.11g routers include specialized functions that are essential in business, such as powerful policy-based firewalls and threat-management features. In the home, however, speed is far more important, and there the 802.11n Wi-Fi router is king. Some N routers, such as the TrendNet Gigabit, can deliver upwards of 200 Mbps, and can theoretically reach 300 Mbps. N routers often deliver as much as five times as much throughput as G routers in real-world testing.Are dual-band routers better than single-band routers? N routers come in two flavors—single-band and dual-band. Single-band routers use the 2.4-GHz band, the same frequency used by G routers. Dual-band N routers support 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz bands. Even at 2.4 GHz, N routers are faster than G routers because they make better use of the frequency range in the band, and they're better at bouncing signals off surrounding surfaces such as furniture and walls. Average throughput for single-band N routers is usually five times as fast as G routers. And switching a dual-band N router from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz is like trading a Toyota for a Maserati. Some routers can achieve as much as 100 Mbps more by switching up. The answer is, therefore, an overwhelming yes: Dual-band band routers, though generally more expensive, outperform single-band (2.4-GHz) routers.What about a simultaneous dual-band router? Simultaneous dual- band N transmission is a recent development used by some manufacturers to simplify switching between bands. Routers with this feature, such as the D-Link DIR-825 Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router and the Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station 802.11n, transmit the N signal simultaneously in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. By using both frequencies, the routers achieve longer range and better signal strength, and, as you might expect, they don't require manual switching between bands. Simultaneous dual-band routers are also more efficient in their throughput. Some, such as the D-Link DIR-825, can even manage the bands without any input from users. Simultaneous dual-band can help stabilize the overall throughput on your network. These routers are generally more expensive than regular dual-band routers, but they are worth the extra few bucks if you've got the cash to spend.Do I need two, three, or four antennas, or maybe hidden ones? Because the speed in N routers depends heavily on signal bouncing and multiple transmitters and receiver antennas, the ideal antenna configuration is 4 by 4. This means the router has four antennas, each of which has a transmitter and an antenna. Generally, however, most high-end N routers come with a 3-by-2 or 3-by-3 antenna configuration. While antennas come in all shapes and sizes, most are visible, tubular antennas. Vendors like Apple, Netgear, and Linksys by Cisco have redesigned some antennas so they are hidden from view, as in the Apple Xtreme, the Netgear RangeMax Wireless-N Gigabit Router WNR3500, and the Linksys by Cisco Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router WRT320N routers. During testing, however, I haven't found any noteworthy performance advantages of one antenna design over another. The crucial point to consider is the number of transmitters and receivers built into the router.What is guest access? Guest access is one of the most useful, and most underrated, features of a wireless router. Routers with guest access, such as the Belkin N+ Wireless Router (F5D8235-4), can separate a Wi-Fi network into two. This capability allows friends to use your broadband access without knowing the password for your network. You can achieve a similar configuration with routers that support virtual LANs (VLANs), but the steps in setting up multiple VLANs are more difficult. I highly recommend this feature.What about Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)? Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a standard for securing your laptop with a Wi-Fi router. The technology simplifies the encryption process that users otherwise have to go through to secure a Wi-Fi network. Is the technology simpler to use than the schemes that preceded it? That depends on the laptop and operating system you use. Vista's Windows Connect Now (WCN), for instance, is compliant with WPS. When WPS does work, it's a simple process. Getting the configuration to work on laptops that don't support it (in both software and hardware), however, is quite an ordeal. Should you then look for this feature in a router? No. WPS isn't essential, and, all too often, some part of your setup won't be compatible. Still, many N routers offer it, and, when it does work, it's worthwhile.How many wired ports do I want? The more the merrier. While most Wi-Fi N routers come with a standard five-port block, you'll be surprise how many don't—the Apple AirPort Xtreme and Apple Time Capsule, for example, have only four ports apiece. Adding a NAS device, an Xbox 360, a VoIP phone, and a PC will max out a five-port router (the last port connecting to your DLS or cable modem). If your router has only three free LAN ports, you'll have to buy a switch to accommodate extra network devices.Is a router with a strong firewall important? Luckily, most routers include a firewall, and many use the SPI (stateful packet inspection) firewall, which is considered to be better than the older NAT firewall. A few routers, such as the SMC Barricade N Wireless Broadband Router (SMCWBR14S-N2), provide a range of manual settings on a firewall. Are these routers better? Not really. Typically, manual firewall settings are designed for specific usage needs and not for enhancing the overall capability of a firewall. As long as a Wi-Fi router has a SPI firewall, that's enough for most us. On a side note: most N routers support WPA2-PSK encryption, which is what I recommend.Can home routers meet the needs of small businesses? For the most part, yes. However, sometimes businesses need extra security or technologies that are not available in some home routers. There are a few home routers, such as the SMC Barricade N Wireless Router and the ASUS RT-N11 EZ Wireless N Router, with advanced features, such as 802.1X authentication, routing, and VLANs that make them particularly attractive to small businesses.What's the best way to access your router remotely? Routers like the Netgear WNR3500, which support dynamic DNS—as in the Dyndns.org or TZO.com services—are the best to buy if you want to access your network remotely. With dynamic DNS, you can gain access by using a domain name like myhomenetwork.net instead of using the IP address provided to you by your ISP. Since ISPs rotate IP addresses, the easiest way to find your network on the Web is by activating a dynamic DNS account in your router.Pcmag	53,157
Sens. Ron Wyden, -D-Ore., and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., introduced a nonbinding resolution Wednesday that calls on the Senate to exempt small businesses from legislation that would authorize states to require Internet retailers to collect sales taxes from out-of-state customers. "It is the sense of the Senate that Congress should not enact any legislation that would grant state governments the authority to impose any new burdensome or unfair tax collecting requirements on small Internet businesses and entrepreneurs, which would ultimately hurt the economy of, and consumers in, the United States," the resolution states. The resolution appears to target legislation being crafted by a bipartisan group of senators that would authorize states to require online retailers to collect sales taxes from customers in states where the stores have no brick and mortar building. A 1992 Supreme Court decision found that states cannot require retailers to collect sales taxes to people in states where those retailers lack a physical presence. Since then, states have complained that they are losing billions of dollars in revenues because of the loophole, which originally applied to catalog retailers but has since been extended to online retailers. Sens. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., were expected to introduce their online sales tax bill this week but sources say the timing could slip to next week. The Senate measure is expected to be similar, though not identical, to a bipartisan bill introduced in the House last month. Some firms like eBay say the proposed Senate bill and the House legislation do not provide a big enough exemption for small businesses. They argue that the threshold to qualify for the exemption in both the House and Senate bills is far too low. "Today's Senate resolution recognizes the bipartisan support for shielding small businesses expanding on the Internet from facing new tax barriers to success," eBay Vice President for Government Relations and Deputy General Counsel Tod Cohen said in a statement on the Wyden-Ayotte resolution. "Forcing small businesses to take on the same costs and tax burdens as national retail businesses is unrealistic, unfair and will unbalance the playing field between giant retailers and small business retailers on the Internet." Meanwhile, 126 national and state retail groups and companies wrote the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction on Wednesday to urge the panel to include in its deficit reduction package a provision that would authorize states to require online retailers to collect sales taxes from out-of-state customers. The so-called super committee is charged with developing a package by Thanksgiving with more than $1 trillion in budget savings. "As you seek solutions to address the federal budget, any final product will undoubtedly have an impact on the states, which are likewise facing their own budget crises," according to the letter signed by the American Booksellers Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Retail Industry Leaders Association, National Retail Federation, and others. "Consistent with the goals of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, Congress has an opportunity to help the states resolve their own budget shortfalls by enhancing states' rights over sales tax collection authority and in the process closing a loophole that will level the playing field for all merchants."	5,277
Now showing items 1-1 of 1 Polymerization of olefins with bulky substituents. 1. Homo- and copolymerization of 3-(1-adamantyl)propene (2004)The use of bulky substituents like adamantane has been shown in the past to influence the glass transition temperatures of polymers significantly. In this paper the synthesis and homopolymerization of the monomer 3-(1-adamantyl) ...	115,167
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary - Derived from the corruption of Russian витебляне, which in Russian is used to refer to people from the city of Vitebsk: витебляне (vitebljane) > tibla - By popular lore, possibly from Russian ты бля (ty blja, “you whore”), a vulgar colloquial form of address. tibla (genitive tibla, partitive tibla) - (pejorative, slang, ethnic slur) Russian (A person from Russia). - (pejorative, slang, political slur) Homo Sovieticus (A Soviet person) This noun needs an inflection-table template. - Russian: sovok	262,104
Show"bread` (?), n. Jewish Antiq. Bread of exhibition; loaves to set before God; -- the term used in translating the various phrases used in the Hebrew and Greek to designate the loaves of bread which the priest of the week placed before the Lord on the golden table in the sanctuary. They were made of fine flour unleavened, and were changed every Sabbath. The loaves, twelve in number, represented the twelve tribes of Israel. They were to be eaten by the priests only, and in the Holy Place. [Written also shewbread Mark ii. 26. © Webster 1913.	215,013
"[L]ike every good cellar or attic, the brain needs a regular clear-out." <- synaptic homeostasis #readingToday [L]ike every good cellar or attic, the brain needs a regular clear-out. The evidence from both flies and humans strongly suggests that this type of synaptic downscaling (or synaptic homeostasis) is part of the function of slow wave sleep. The idea that such cleaning sharpens the signal-to-noise ratio of important memories so they pop out from the background of unwanted garbage provides an initial hypothesis about how sleep may act to facilitate subsequent remembering. (Moon+ Reader Pro v2.3.3, The Secret World of Sleep: The Surprising Science of the Mind at Rest (MacSci))	3,661
Are Digital and Social Media Marketing Essential to Business? This is a question that is often asked, and the answer is always the same. If you want to be able to grow and reach your consumer base easier then digital and social media marketing is an essential component of your business. The key component is understanding the different types of digital marketing that can occur, and what is the best mix for your particular business. Are you an online-only business and are looking for traffic to come to your site and convert into sales? Or do you have a physical presence, and social media channels might be more relevant with offering an online channel for communication with your customers? Finding this right balance is critical, and it is best to have a wide mix of both digital and social media marketing, and as you review the results with your local expert, you can tweak your overall strategy as needed. This area covers both inbound and outbound marketing strategies that have simply gone digital. Your key focus here should be preparation and planning on what your overall budget should be with what your target is. There is no one size fits all, and it is always best to consider using a wide array of tools and marketing practices. This is what can be considered the most traditional form of digital marketing, where your primary focus is on Google Adwords, or social media boosting. It is based on selecting the right types of keywords and phrases and ‘bidding’ on them. This is a great way to generate brand awareness and some initial traffic to your site but can get costly over time, as you pay per click and campaign usually. Social media boosting works in a similar fashion, becoming a paid advertisement on major platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The same model of pay per click applies as well. Both of these platforms help digital marketers by helping them grow the right type of traffic, not just sending their message out to the world. When someone signs up for a newsletter or opts in to receive communications from a business, this comes in the form of converting those physical mails in the post, into a digital format. These can be promotional communication offering the latest and best deals available, and there are many tools out there to build up customization, and target market groups. One of the most underrated forms of marketing that needs to have some attention given to it. This is based on correctly setting up your site with the right tagging and consistent tagging. If done properly, your site will be found automatically and for free when people search for it on common search engines such as google.com. This is a great way, after some effort, to reduce your other forms of digital marketing budgets, when your target customers can already find you. Check out our SEO Services: https://www.marketingillumination.com/search-engine-optimization Social Media Marketing This form of marketing is all about building communication and fostering it openly. It is about engaging with your customers directly and providing them with your digital presence. Over half the population globally uses social media for around 2 hours a day. This means that you can have direct access to your clientele base on platforms that they are already on, and it is simply about developing the right type of presence. Social media is where the clients come to you. Facebook / Instagram / Whatsapp Building up your Facebook page is one of the first items you should do on your social media marketing journey. It is where you can establish your business, have your friends connect, and begin slowly promoting yourself with some brand awareness targeted marketing. It is low to no cost, and as people find your business, they will easily head over to your Facebook page and like it, which allows for them to follow your business and catch any posts and updates you have. Instagram expands the Facebook platform to showcase your services, through pictures and short videos. You are looking to generate consistent content and buzz, and this will slowly lead to more followers and likes, which will help get the right targeted people to you. Don't forget their communication tool, WhatsApp for business, which offers you a great and free way to communicate to your customers globally. You can offer products, payment options (in certain countries), and bucket your client communications into different categories. It is a great way to provide customer support and help expand your social media community. Whereas your website generates photos and blogs, Tiktok is your content-rich video arena. This can be utilized as a great way to generate a following, and are great for those businesses that are truly visual. People can easily like and follow your future videos, helping you grow your following. This is a great platform to promote your products or services, especially if you have a complicated product and you want to educate your customer base. YouTube is an excellent platform to post your content with the mindset of empowering your customer based on what their questions might be. How to Increase your social media presence After your friends and family follow your social media, and you do some great initial campaigns, you might not see those huge follower increases. There are many ways to increase followers, but it requires a focused and targeted approach. Working with a specialized social media company It is critical to work with people that will be dedicated to expanding your social media presence. They will build out a content calendar, and connect and follow other social media channels for some cross-pollination of services. It is essential to keep your presence as live as possible, so answering any customer queries, or building up ways to engage the community is essential. In the early stages, social media boosting (advertising) will be essential and should be tied with campaigns and offerings to generate those early day followers. Another great way is to partner with an influencer or an influencer agency and piggyback off their already large following. The right mix of micro to mega influencers is critical so that you can get as wide an audience as possible. They are the modern-day promoters of your company and products and should help provide healthy boosts to your social media numbers every time you utilize them. Discover Our Social Media Services For Business: https://www.marketingillumination.com/social-media-marketing A Few Final Thoughts for Digital and Social Media Marketing Think of digital marketing as getting through the online noise and showing people that you exist, while social media marketing is about building your online community and village after you are able to be found. Social media marketing is something that requires consistent expert attention and content. If done correctly, and you start to grow that online following, your business itself can be a digital influencer, and many of these platforms actually offer an incentive to you for having so many followers, generating an additional and unexpected revenue stream. The key here is about finding the right partner to help you understand the differences between digital and social media marketing, which platforms to be on, what budgets to consider, and what strategy, content and messaging should go out there for the world to see. Otherwise, you run the risk of spending a lot of time money and resources with minimal results.	233,248
I am going bonkers! My daughter goes to a preschool where they predominately speak Spanish. I have visited Spanish immersion elementary schools; and want my daughter to go to an immersion school. Sadly, we are 0/7 and sumbmitted for the waitlist and Round 2. I keep getting conflicting reports about getting her tested to be bilingual. Some say it's a waste of time, others she will get preferntial treatment as immersion schools want more bilingual students to even things up because at the moment they have more non-Spanish speaking students. Does anyone have an answer? I don't want to drag my daughter to SFUSD if I don't have to! Please help me! Tuesday, March 30, 2010 Hot topic: Language assessment for SFUSD This from a reader: Labels: Language immersion Posted by Kate	285,590
\|Sign In \| Register \| Shopping Cart \| Subscribe to RSS Feed\| By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Lectio Divina -The Sacred Art Transforming Words and Images into Heart-Centered Prayer Christine Valters Paintner SkyLight Paths 08/11 Paperback $16.99 Christine Valters Paintner is a writer, teacher, a Benedictine oblate, and the online Abbess of www.abbeyofthearts.com, a virtual monastery dedicated to nurturing contemplative practice and creative expression. She frequently leads retreats and teaches on the wisdom of Benedictine, Celtic, and desert ways of praying. Paintner is the author of Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire: The Christian Primer of Praying with the Elements and The Artist's Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom. In this paperback, her focus is on the encounters with God that can take place with the spiritual practice of lectio divina, which means "divine reading." Paintner states: "[It] is not an analytic or a linear practice, but a practice of the heart that brings integration and meaning to our lives." In her assessment of the spiritual foundations of lectio divina, the author covers the ways other religions handle sacred reading; the importance of heart-centered prayer; the Benedictine values of stability, obedience, and conversion as aids to contemplative prayer; the four movements of lectio divina (settling and shimmering, savoring and stirring, summoning and serving, slowing and stilling); an invitation to expand this practice beyond scriptural texts to a reading of the world; the options of praying with our eyes or through the magnificence of music; nature as a sacred text; and our own lives as providing a rich treasure trove of sacred stories. Paintner offers us many pathways into lectio divina which she believes will arouse our inner monk who yearns to explore the spiritual meanings within everyday life. This practice takes plenty of mindfulness, and as St. Benedict says in his rule: "Always we begin again." It is easy to drift away from our practices of sacred reading and then we must return with whole hearts aglow with hope and perseverance. Paintner makes an excellent guide through the foundational spiritual practice of lectio divina. Books and Audios Recently Reviewed Reviews and database copyright © 1970 – 2012 by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat The Most Spiritual Books of: prayer creativity stories practice contemplation heart Bible nature art Spirituality Christianity Catholic	40,388
Our industry loves to talk about a future that looks like manufacturing—an integrated supply chain, offsite fabrication, robots, and IoT. The advancements that enabled this within the automotive and aviation markets were partly based on technology, but also because of strong OEMs that could benefit from an integrated supply chain. AECO has no “owner.” We certainly have owners of buildings, but most aren't habitual builders, and thus expect the practitioners to know how to deliver a great product. So how do you make a supply chain that benefits all parties within the industry without an process owner? In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), HOK’s Greg Schleusner talks about the need for a consortia-led technology company that would serve the role of industry advocate. Its mission would be to serve the industry, its members, and the users of buildings. It would steal the best ideas from manufacturing (think smart fabrication), banking (think Bitcoin), the Internet, and others, and help modernize our continuously under-performing industry. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Greg Schleusner, AIA Principal, Director of Design Technology Innovation Greg Schleusner is a Principal and Director of Design Technology Innovation at HOK. In this role, he guides the firm in researching and adoption of new technologies ranging from data management to computational design. Schleusner is an advocate of open standards in AECO. He leads technical efforts within buildingSMART International as chair of the Technical Room. He is guiding the development of open source efforts around BSI standards and the development of a larger technical road-map for buildingSMART. Schleusner has an undergraduate degree in Architecture from Iowa State University and a Master's in Technology Management from Columbia.	138,096
"...just a few days after reading your incredibly easy to follow guide, I was confident enough to build grid-inter-tied solar power system as outlined. This not only powers my entire house, but literally makes my electric meter run backwards! This guide easily paid for itself many times over in just a few weeks... " Adam W Venice, CA "...your book answered all my questions about solar energy, wind turbine energy, and more!...I didn't know there were different options including the portable options, my first project and very easy... and off the grid too!... with your help, anyone can save money on their electric bill and help the environment by going green with your solar energy, wind energy, and other ideas. I think my own mother could do this...NOW!" "...just wanted to drop a line to say thanks. After receiving your guide we made our own solar panel grid, and it's giving us more than enough energy to power our household appliances. OUr next step is to build a wind powered system for those cloudy days. We've already noticed how much money we can save! Thanks again for giving us the know how to help make this a better world for our kids and grandkids." "...After reading this valuable information, I now can create my own energy saving solar generator as well as a wind turbine. This book made me realize how easy it is do these tasks. Maybe easy is not the word, because it does take energy on our part to get out there and use these devices to work for us! I would recommend to anyone wanting to save the environment (for our children) to grab hold of this book, and more importantly use it. You won't regret it..." Going green and off grid with a solar power house is easier than it sounds. Simply go with solar power for houses and then you are able to live without electricity from an utility. Deciding to have solar power for house supplies many advantages, and many are choosing this option. In fact, better than 200,000 homes are now off grid within the United States, and this figure is only continuing to get larger. There are numerous benefits to residing in solar power homes. Being connected to the grid is not an environmental gift. Sometimes the grid can black out, leaving you with no power. When you have house solar panels you don’t have to worry about this occurring to you. Of course there is the added benefit of doing your part for the environment through sustainable building and often you can save money in the long run. If you’re interested in solar power and going off-grid with a solar powered home, an important step to take is to figure out how much energy is needed to keep your home running. Find out whether solar power is feasible in your area. After you answer these solar power house questions, you can start checking out solar technology systems that will provide your home with the solar renewable power you want. Many people realize the alternative energy needed is not as much as they use now. If you are going to go with a renewable energies house cutting back on energy use will probably be required. It’s not a big deal, and just means that you should shut off lights when leaving a room, turn off television when no one is watching etc. Green energy resources enthusiasts report that they love being off grid. They know they are using renewable energy sources that is clean and great for the environment. This allows you to have the feeling of freedom that you can embrace. There are many benefits you will love when you have a solar power house. Consumers have the misconception that having a house run on solar power will be unaffordable. Although some installed solar power house systems do end up requiring a lot of money, you may be able to get a solar powered home system in place without spending a fortune. If you enjoy doing things on your own, putting in a residential solar energy system in your home may be economical and exciting. For less than $1000, you can have your solar powered house. This setup won’t run a huge two story home but e.g. for a little cottage, you can get the needed materials for $600 or so. This price requires that you do your own work so be prepared to do some work on your own. There are several components that you will need to purchase. Some of the materials needed are home solar panels, sealed 12 volt batteries, charge controller – 12 volts and, sine wave inverter. Each component can be bought for less than $600, a reasonable price, if you purchase via web. Then you’ll just need the special hardware for mounting, cables for the battery, fuses, and wiring to get started. While you are starting out rather small with solar power for house, there is the option for you to add to the existing system to create a larger solar power house. You can expand the system in the future if you need to. A more comprehensive system will be needed to power larger solar power homes; however, this beginner level system is affordable and can allow you to start out easily and simply. It really is possible to add solar power to your house for a great price. While you’ll have to do all the work, it can be fun to do this project. Start out by purchasing the supplies mentioned to get started. This will give you your start to having a house on solar power . With many countries such as South Africa, Australia, USA, New Zealand, Canada, UK, Germany, etc., offering incentives for solar power these days, you can install your own solar energy system and possibly enjoy an incentive from the government in your area too. The best part is, you’ll be making your own solar energy home for a much smaller amount than you ever expected and on your way to running on clean energy for the needed power in your home. Breaking the $1/watt price barrier has been as mythical to the Solar Power House industry as breaking the 4 minute mile barrier in athletics. Until it was actually done in 1957, it was considered impossible, even fatally dangerous to the athletes attempting it. Here’s how Sir Roger Bannister described his feelings after crossing the finish line in less than 4 minutes. “It was only then that real pain overtook me. I felt like an exploded flashlight with no will to live; I just went on existing in the most passive physical state without being unconscious.” Today however, it’s a different story. Just about every country in the world has athletes that routinely beat 4 minute mile barrier. In US, some top college level athletes achieve this too. In February 2009, First Solar Inc. threw the gauntlet by breaking the $1/Watt price barrier. Now, to anyone of us who has done some basic research on the internet, this is an astounding figure. We are used to seeing typical solar electric system prices around $2-4/Watt. Sample solar power panel prices from basic internet search. Courtesy: http://sunelec.com Solar Power for Houses has gone through a similar phase in its quest to achieve cost parity with traditional sources of energy like natural gas, coal, and even nuclear. There have been similar negative claims made about house solar panels. While up starts and newcomers in this industry have been on cutting edge of solar technology and driven by innovation, there have been attempts by traditional large manufacturers like BP Solar to downplay $1/Watt price barrier. According to them $1/watt is not good for the health of the solar electric power systems I am not joking folks, honestly, their claim is that manufacturing practices involved in getting the solar electric panel price so low results in poor quality and shorter life span of the solar power generator systems. BP Solar’s claim is not entirely baseless of course. They are in this for profits, and it’s normal that they present their strengths to the consumers. They are positioning themselves as the Maytag of solar power house business. Sort of like, the machine lasts so long and you never need to call the repairman, so it’s worth it to pay some extra $ upfront. In fact they claim that over the lifetime of the solar power generation system, their modules cost 20 cents/kilowatt hour, which is the lowest cost in the industry, even if buyers pay more upfront. However, I do believe companies like First Solar are an important part of the solar ecosystem. They push the cutting edge further, and make sure that traditional large players don’t get too comfortable. Over time, I am sure the reliability and longevity issues will be ironed out as with any new technology. In the end who benefits? You, the intrepid Solar Power House owner Sunnyside down please: Sane followers of solar power technologies, such as the readers of this blog, know that it’s as cheap as it is made out to be to convert to a solar power house. Read on about the adventure of this Economist blogger who is forced to go solar cool by his teenage daughter. He finds out that he picked up more than he had bargained for The Palo Verdes Peninsula News first broke this story here. It appears that the Art Jury (yes they actually have one of those) of Palo Verdes Homes Association was repeatedly denying solar permits. Why, you ask? Because the solar panels chosen for this solar residential project happened to be blue in color. The Art Jury prefers black colored solar panels for aesthetic reasons. They are “really concerned about the aesthetics and the impact it will have on surrounding homes”. However, for solar power homes‘ owners, this was problem as black solar panels cost 30% more than the blue ones. Fortunately, after being denied three solar permits, Bartz, owner of a solar system installation company, decided to make a stand. The city of Palo Verdes, CA sided with him, and approved the solar power homes, bypassing the Homes Association’s ruling. Simply enough, The Solar Rights Act prohibits cities and home owners’ associations from preventing solar panel installations unless they are a danger to health or safety of any resident. This was obviously not the case here so Solar power won. This sets a great precedent for those people who want the energy savings, but suffer from “Not in my backyard” syndrome. For readers of this blog, I hope you feel encouraged by reading this. If you or anyone you know has ever been blocked in the solar panel installation by local organizations or authorities, then you know that you probably have a good case against them. The law really is on your side this time. The third generation Toyota Prius, coming this spring to a showroom near you, does have an optional solar panel on its roof. But it doesn’t power anything useful. Not the power train, not the lights, not the air conditioning, heck not even lowly iPod/CD player/radio. You know what it does? Ahem, it powers a ventilation fan that will cool your car parked in the sun on hot sunny days. You can turn it on by key remote prior to entering it, so that the seats don’t burn you and the AC cools the car faster than without this ventilation fan. Hmmmmmm. And for this privilege I am guesstimating that you will be paying anywhere between $3-5,000 at least. And let’s not even talk about the added pollution contributed to the earth with the manufacturing of these useless car roof-top solar panels. (Yes it takes factories and electricity and waste products to manufacture solar panels. They are not dropped on earth by storks singing green lullabies ) Bottom line benefit for wearing your latest credential: None. On the contrary, it’s going to cost you a lot to be green cool I love solar power, be it solar power cars or Solar Power Homes. But it sure is honest to take a good look at the economics now and then. There is no question that the years from 2001-2007 have been boom years for all solar equipment manufacturers globally. The demand rose exponentially, existing players invested in building new plants, and several new players sensing a new growing market entered the playing field. Now that we are in a full blown global recession however, the supply of not only solar panels has far exceeded demand, but also those of raw materials needed to build solar panels. See the drop in price for Polysilicon used in solar panels. Businessweek ran a great article on this story here. Due to overinvestment in capacities ala airline and automobile industries, supply has far far exceeded demand.Several solar manufacturers will become unviable in the coming year or two, and there will be big industry consolidation. The prices of solar panels have shrunk dramatically to $3/Watt. This means that the price of solar power electricity is getting very close to that produced by conventional means, especially in high priced states like California and Hawaii. Wow! This can only mean that the price barrier to Solar Power Homes is rapidly tumbling down. And the Return on Investment equation just got even better in favor of a Solar Power House. If you are interested in knowing more about how to build fully functional and practical Solar Power Homes without sacrificing daily comforts, then please check out this Solar Power Homes guide. It really is the best and most complete book on this subject that I have come across. Sacramento based alternative rock band CAKE has gone one step ahead of Solar Power Homes. The roof of their music studio is covered with a roof-top solar array which makes them completely independent from the city electricity grid. They estimate that the band uses only 10% of the solar power, and the rest is sent back to the grid. This is not the only step they have taken to go green however. The band is heavily involved in the green movement and is known to give away trees to their fans. They also operate a ridesharing website as part of their main website. This is one instance of not only getting to have your CAKE but eat it too Who knew rainy weather could actually be good for Solar Power Homes? I have always thought that solar panels produced more power during summer when sun shines brightest and were so-so during the winters. Imagine then to my surprise when I came across this article at CBS website explaining otherwise. It seems that the solar panels commonly in use by individual households get coated by dust and are relatively dirtier during summers thus reducing their efficiency and capacity to fully utilize the bright summer sun. On the other hand, during winters while the sun may not be shining at its brightest, the solar panels are relatively dust free and cleaner. This in turn allows them to more efficiently convert what little sunlight they do get into electricity. Moral of the story? Cleanliness is next to Godliness Keep your solar panels clean and wash them regularly during summers to keep them at their fittest!	38,086
I have been trying to solve this problem , but so far, I don't know how to use the information I have. In other words , I don't know how to set up this problem! If muzzle velocity of a rifle is 300 feet per second , at what angle of elevation( in radians) should it be aimed for the bullet to hit a target 2500 feet away? any help would be good because I'm a little lost. Thanks in advance	248,759
Key being a tight fit (close) fit around the anvil.. A flat bottomed anvil this is a great way.. Hay Budden, Trenton and a few others used a hollow base... In this case a plate of 1/8" or more under the anvil would be needed.. I've tried the sand method as well with the hay budden with sand and it lasted 5 minutes as the sand just displaced filling the cavity.. I then tried to fill it with sand, pebble mix mounding it up in the center and sliding the anvil on top so the cavity was filled.. This worked for about a week than I noticed each time I hit the anvil there was a faint cloud of dust.. I pulled the anvil off to find the pebbles had started to break down rock crusher style.. Then I tried the plate over the sand and this worked well but found with how aggressive I was with the anvil when working that in short order I had the hole wallowed (worn wood).. and when working at the heel or horn the anvil would move around.. I then came up with an idea based partially with an article in the Blacksmith/wheelwright that showed a bar wrapped around the waist and bolted to a angle iron stand.. I took this and moved it a very large leap forwards (for me at the time) with 1/2" round wrapped around the waist from 2 sides threaded on the ends.. I then bored a hole completely through the center of the stump and burned a 1.25" square bar through the center.. This then had 4 holes drilled though at either side of the stump with enough room for the nuts to be tightened.. This worked well enough but the 1/2" bars started to bend at the ends where they were threaded through the square solid since the holes were 90D and the bars were at a narrower angle.. I then came up with this example and it worked flawlessly for years and years.. the only tightening that ever needed to be done was 15 years after the install, the though bolts needed to be tightened as the stump had shrank some.. I moved up to 5/8" round for all round bars and the 2 main round bars went through the stump.. The straight bars were let into the wood with notches at the same angle as the stump.. I then bent the ends to be the correct angle for the tie rods would pull straight.. The straight rectangular bars were 1"X 2.5 IIRC.. punched hot for the 5/8" bolts.. Anyhow it worked flawless till the stump lived outside for 5 years and if rotted away.. You can see it as removed from the rotten stump..	202,787
A lot of people are sending me this article talking about Joseph Atwill’s upcoming presentation of his claim that Rome invented Jesus: American Biblical scholar Joseph Atwill will be appearing before the British public for the first time in London on the 19th of October to present a controversial new discovery: ancient confessions recently uncovered now prove, according to Atwill, that the New Testament was written by first-century Roman aristocrats and that they fabricated the entire story of Jesus Christ. His presentation will be part of a one-day symposium entitled “Covert Messiah” at Conway Hall in Holborn. This sounds groundbreaking, so I double checked it with some historians I know. The first to get back to me was David Fitzgerald who lamented that work like Atwill’s makes his job so much harder. To quote Fitzgerald, Atwill gets the right conclusion (Jesus was never a real person), but for all the wrong reasons. He linked me to a piece by historian Thomas Verenna who breaks down why Atwill is pretty much the historical equivalent of VenomFangX: This is a serious flaw in Atwill’s work. He makes claims but doesn’t seem to realize how ridiculous they actually are; it is that scholars find his work “outlandish”. It is just plain wrong. I mean it is still crazy talk, but it is more that his whole premise is wrong. For example, like all sensationalist crap-dealers, Mr, Atwill claims to have discovered the secret, super-dooper, hidden code in the text. Amazing! I self-proclaimed “Biblical scholar”, with no formal training in the material, has used his magic decoder ring and stumbled upon a code! How clever of him. He states: Atwill’s most intriguing discovery came to him while he was studying “Wars of the Jews” by Josephus [the only surviving first-person historical account of first-century Judea] alongside the New Testament. “I started to notice a sequence of parallels between the two texts,” he recounts. “Although it’s been recognised by Christian scholars for centuries that the prophesies of Jesus appear to be fulfilled by what Josephus wrote about in the First Jewish-Roman war, I was seeing dozens more. What seems to have eluded many scholars is that the sequence of events and locations of Jesus ministry are more or less the same as the sequence of events and locations of the military campaign of [Emperor] Titus Flavius as described by Josephus. This is clear evidence of a deliberately constructed pattern. The biography of Jesus is actually constructed, tip to stern, on prior stories, but especially on the biography of a Roman Caesar.” First, and let me be clear, are there striking similarities between Josephus and the Gospel of Luke? Yes, there are. Steven Mason, a real scholar, has published an entire volume on the subject called Josephus and the New Testament. Richard Carrier has also written on the subject of the parallels between Josephus and Luke-Acts. Joel Watts, an actual student of Biblical Studies who has done graduate work in the field (unlike Mr. Atwill), has written an academically-published book on someinteresting mimetic elements between Mark and Josephus. The difference between what these scholars have written and what Mr. Atwill have written is threefold: (a) all of them have academic training in Greek, (b) all of them published through an academic press (Carrier is the exception, but he has published academically and is qualified on the subject), (c) None of them make the illogical leap that similarities between Josephus (a Jew) and the Gospels (written by Jewish authors) mean that the Romans did it. In fact it is the same misguided leap that some evangelicals make about God. “We don’t know, ergo ‘God did it’.” Instead, all of these scholars agree that the most rational reason for these similarities is that the Gospel authors had copies of Josephus, or Josephus had copies of the Gospels. This sort of interplay of texts is not new in the ancient world. Second, what is utterly absurd is the notion that the Jews were ‘a constant source of violent insurrection.” No, they weren’t. In fact, with the exception of two wars–one that started in 69 and ended in 73 and another that started in 132 and ended in 136–there were barely any disruptions in Judaea. In fact, the Romans and the Jews got along fine for over 100 years prior to the first revolt and again for almost another 60 years following the destruction of the Temple and the end of the first revolt. Notwithstanding this damning evidence against him, Atwill’s premise is quite narrowed and simplistic, demonstrating a critical lack of understanding of the cultural dynamics of Judea in the first century. “Crap…why didn’t we just use psychological warfare against these guys?” There exist over 30 Jewish sects that we know of from the first century, and have some basic understanding of their belief structures. There are some dozens more we just know by name. On top of that, we have to conclude there are perhaps dozens, if not hundreds, more Jewish sects of which we simply have no record. What is so interesting is how incredibly different each sect is from each other. Despite Atwill’s unlearned claim that the Jewish people were expecting a ‘Warrior messiah’, in truth there is no universal version of a messiah. Even among the same sect, over time, the concept of their messiah would change. In the Dead Sea Scrolls, which Mr. Atwill seems to think he knows so well, the language of the messiah and his purpose changes (in fact at one point, we see two distinct messiahs at once–one a priestly messiah and another a kingly messiah). Some sects did not even expect a messiah at all. Any of the numerous works on messianic expectations published in the last two decades utterly annihilates any claim that Atwill is making about some uniformity in Jewish thought and ritual. Even logically, his analysis is flawed. If this tactic was used against the Jews, why didn’t the Romans use it against an even greater threat: the Gauls?! The Jewish people were never as serious a threat to the Empire as much as the Gauls were–who sacked Rome twice and destroyed Legions. Atwill never seems to consider how basically incompetent his thesis is in this regard. If the Romans had such success against the Jews using this “psychological warfare” (anachronism alert!! Danger! Danger!), why don’t we see this happening against all of their enemies? It is just so beyond absurd. It really is. Here is the thing; it may be that Mr. Atwill is completely clueless about this. Maybe he isn’t just trying to scam everyone and sell a bunch of books to a group of gullible people. Maybe he legitimately hasn’t read anything relevant on this subject or any recent scholarship on it. “What? ‘The Romans Invented Jesus’? What a rip off!” But that is troubling–would you want to read a science book written by a layperson who hasn’t read a single relevant scientific study? Would you pick up a book on engineering written by someone with a background in computer science, and trust that book enough to build a house based upon its designs? I hope not. I sincerely hope that no one would agree to trust either of these books. This is the issue with Mr. Atwill. He may sincerely believe he has discovered the secret code off a cereal box with his 3-D glasses he found inside; that doesn’t make him an expert in the subject, it doesn’t make him knowledgeable enough to give lectures on it. It certainly does not make him credible. Mr. Atwill is just like all the other amateur-Scholar-wannabes who refuse to put in the time and effort to earn a degree in the field, who want to advance their pet theories to sell books and dupe you over. He relies on popular media and the ignorance of the layperson to score points rather than publishing in a credible academic journal or publishing academically. He knows he can’t do that, because he has no clue how academics work, how they think, or what they actually argue on the subject. He might as well claim that Jesus lived on Atlantis, which came from Mars. That theory is about as ridiculous as the notion that Rome invented Jesus. Richard Carrier has also gone to town on Atwill: There are at least eight general problems with his thesis, which do not refute it but establish that it has a very low prior probability, and therefore requires exceptionally good evidence to be at all credible: (1) The Roman aristocracy was nowhere near as clever as Atwill’s theory requires. They certainly were not so masterfully educated in the Jewish scriptures and theology that they could compose hundreds of pages of elegant passages based on it. And it is very unlikely they would ever conceive of a scheme like this, much less think they could succeed at it (even less, actually do so). (2) We know there were over forty Gospels, yet the four chosen for the canon were not selected until well into the 2nd century, and not by anyone in the Roman aristocracy. Likewise which Epistles were selected. (3) The Gospels and the Epistles all contradict each other far too much to have been composed with a systematic aim in mind. Indeed, they contradict each other in ways that often demonstrate they are deliberately arguing with each other. From the ways Matthew changes Mark; to the way the forged 2 Thessalonians actually tries to argue 1 Thessalonians is the forgery; to how the resurrections depicted in Luke and John are deliberate attempts to refute the doctrine of resurrection defended originally by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 and 2 Corinthians 5; to how some Epistles insist on Torah observance while others insist it can be discarded; to how Luke’s nativity contradicts Matthew’s on almost every single particular (and not just in placing the event in completely different periods ten years apart); to how Acts blatantly contradicts Paul’s own account of his conversion and travels; to how John invents a real Lazarus to refute a point Luke tried to make with a fictional Lazarus; and so on. (I discuss some of these, and more, in my forthcoming book On the Historicity of Jesus.) (4) The Gospels and the Epistles differ far too much in style to have come from the same hand, and many show signs of later doctoring that would problematize attempts to confirm any theory like Atwill’s. For example, Mark 16:9-20, John 20 vs. 21, the hash job made of the epistle to the Romans, etc. Even the fact of how the canon was selected creates a problem for Atwill’s research requirements–for instance, the actual first letter to the Corinthians is completely missing, yet Paul refers to its existence in “our” 1 Corinthians. (5) Christianity was probably constructed to “divert Jewish hostility and aggressiveness into a pacifist religion, supportive of–and subservient to–Roman rule,” but not by Romans, but exasperated Jews like Paul, who saw Jewish militarism as unacceptably disastrous in contrast with the obvious advantages of retooling their messianic expectations to produce the peaceful moral reform of society. The precedents were all there already in pre-Christian Jewish ideology and society (in Philo’s philosophy, in Essene and Qumranic efforts to solve the same problems, and so on) so we don’t have to posit super-genius Aryans helping the poor little angry Jews to calm down. (6) Pacifying Jews would not have been possible with a cult that eliminated Jewish law and accepted Gentiles as equals, and in actual fact Christianity was pretty much a failure in Palestine. Its success was achieved mainly in the Diaspora, where the Romans rarely had any major problems with the Jews. The Jewish War was only fought in Palestine, and not even against all the Jews there (many sided with Rome). How would inventing a religion that would have no chance of succeeding in the heart of Palestine but instead was tailor made to succeed outside Palestine, ever help the Romans with anything they considered important? (7) If the Roman elite’s aim was to “pacify” Palestinian Jews by inventing new scriptures, they were certainly smart and informed enough to know that that wouldn’t succeed by using the language the Judean elite despised as foreign (Greek). (8) The Romans knew one thing well: War. Social ideology they were never very good at. That’s why Rome always had such problems keeping its empire together, and why social discontent and other malfunctions continued to escalate until the empire started dissolving. Rome expected to solve every problem militarily instead–and up until the 3rd century Rome did so quite well. The Jewish War was effectively over in just four years (any siege war was expected to take at least three, and Vespasian was actually busy conquering Rome in the fourth year of that War). So why would they think they needed any other solution? With all that counting against Atwill, he has a very high burden to meet. And he just doesn’t. He actually has no evidence at all for his thesis, except “Bible Code”-style readings of coincidences among texts, which he seems only to read in English and not the original Greek, all the while relying on egregious fallacies in probabilistic reasoning. So thanks for the article, but for the time being all the experts seem to think it’s bullshit to the power of bullshit. :(	8,551
Truth in Action Ministries last week aired a radio broadcast marking the anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking with a warning that feminism and evolution are corrupting the culture by creating a society where “women are treated like chattel and men no longer take on their masculine role as defenders,” along with a film likening the iceberg that sank the Titanic to the supposed threat the “radical homosexual agenda” poses to America. Today on Truth that Transforms, the group tied the two subjects together by linking the “disintegration of maleness” to the rise of the “homosexual agenda.” While speaking with Del Tackett, a former Focus on the Family vice president and current host of Truth in Action’s show Cross Examine, host Carmen Pate asked Tackett how the diminishment of men in society “ties into with what we see with the homosexual agenda.” Tackett, like others in the Religious Right, said that homosexuality is the result of a shortage of fathers who follow the “biblical mode” of fatherhood, arguing that fathers who act like either an “abusive tyrant” or just spend time “drinking beer” and “just flipping through the channels” have a higher likelihood of ending up with gay sons, while fathers with “the biblical understanding of headship and leadership” will not: Pate: Tell us your perspective on how this really ties into with what we see with the homosexual agenda, their movement, the sad belief that they have that they were born with this propensity to engage in sexual sin? Tackett: A lot of the studies have shown that homosexual activities and tendencies and desires and so forth often come from a deep pathology within the home and oftentimes that is traced to a lack of a proper role model. That lack of a proper role model can be on both extremes, it can be on one end the tyrant, which is not the biblical mode, not the biblical understanding of headship and leadership, it’s an abusive tyrant mode, or, which is more prevalent, on the other end, is this abdication, it’s the absence, it’s the guy who is just drinking beer on the couch, just flipping through the channels, and he has no leadership role at all. So a young boy deeply desires that kind of male relationship and when it happens at a very sensitive time at a young man’s life and he experiences a sexual encounter, and the whole sexual aspect of human nature is so deep and complex, but people can map in that wrong way.	95,680
Leading has never been easier or more enjoyable! The Older Elementary Leader’s Guide offers complete session guides to provide the support you need, even if your time is limited. · Thirteen step-by-step session guides · Reproducible sheets for additional activities · Three-year comprehensive Bible overview that follows the Christian Year · Flexible session plans · Activity choices for various church settings · Gives ideas and activities for expanded sessions · Offers helps, tips, and suggestions for working with and relating to older elementary children · Offers lesson modification suggestions for both large and small groups of children, maximizing the faith experience regardless of group size · Equips leaders to connect the Bible story to their children’s everyday lives · Also available as a download Themes - Winter Unit 1 Peaceable Kingdom God’s son came into the world as a child to offer me peace. And a little child will lead them. ~Isaiah 11:6, CEB Unit 2 Living in the Kingdom Jesus teaches me how God wants me to live Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. ~Matthew 6:10, CEB Unit 3 Stories of the Kingdom Jesus teaches me what God’s kingdom is like. You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. ~Luke 10:27, CEB	193,275
Port au Prince, Haiti, 4 May 2016 – On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Panos Caribbean released yesterday its latest press dossier, looking at the place and role of women in Haitian media. Titled Femmes et médias en Haïti: Petites avancées, grands défis (Women and media: small progress, big challenges), the dossier examines the role of women in Haitian media over the past 50 years, and presents a well-documented analysis of the issues and their impact on the quality, fairness and relevance of information available to the Haitian people. The dossier demonstrates, with facts and figures, that the media remain a space of power where women are under-represented and where men dominate the hierarchy, the decision-making processes and the content of information. The situation is no different in the political field in Haiti, where gender equity remains a major concern. "The role of women in the media is a reflection of the power relations in society, but it is also a factor that determines those power relations. Promoting equity and diversity in the media contributes to creating a society that is fairer and more democratic", says Yves Renard, Acting Coordinator of Panos Caribbean. This dossier on women participation and representation in the media builds on earlier work done by Panos Caribbean in 2006. Ten years later, we can see that some progress has been made but that much more remains to be done to reach the gender balance in the decision-making spheres in media houses, and the dossier offers several practical and valuable recommendations. "My wish is that this work can be continued and that it will promote the evolution of ideas on the issue of women whose presence in the communication space must be a development factor for effective promotion of freedom of expression in this country," says Jean-Claude Louis, Coordinator of Panos Haiti, who led the 2006 study and coordinated the preparation of this latest dossier. The mission of Panos Caribbean is to promote sustainable development and social justice in the Wider Caribbean region by empowering people, especially the poor and vulnerable, to produce information and share their perspectives on development issues, and by broadcasting them across language and political borders. The Global Panos Network, of which Panos Caribbean is a part, was instrumental in the original decision to commemorate 3 May at World Press Freedom Day, following the historic seminar on "Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press" that was held in Windhoek, Namibia, from 29 April to 3 May 1991. The dossier can be downloaded here. Full press release text can be downloaded here.	253,678
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prospect Silicon Valley (ProspectSV) is looking for innovative energy startups for two exciting new projects that will shape the way we use and operate buildings in the future. Promising submissions will receive visibility among world-class designers who are developing a suite of new technologies to achieve Zero Net Energy (ZNE) for the San Francisco-based retrofits, funded by two $3M grants from the California Energy Commission. Interested applicants may download the Request for Information at prospectsv.org/zne-call-for-innovators. The MarketZero project will convert a Whole Foods Market to ZNE and showcase advanced strategies in energy efficiency. The project will include pre-commercial technologies and will serve as a case study for grocery stores throughout California. The ZNE benefits for the store range from lower operating costs to greater reliability and energy security. The Whole Foods Market that will receive the upgrade is located at 3950 24th street in San Francisco. Project partners include: Whole Foods Market, Arup, SF Environment and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. The InnovateNetZero project will retrofit a historic building in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, which houses ninety-one, low-income residents and is owned and operated by the Chinatown Community Development Center. The project will apply the same cost cutting strategies that high-end commercial buildings use, while at the same time passing those savings to the nonprofit that runs this housing facility. Project partners include Chinatown Community Development Center, RMW Architects, Integral Group, National Renewables and Energy Laboratory and the San Francisco 2030 District. The combined efforts of government, nonprofit and business partners in these projects are all aiming toward the goal of achieving ZNE buildings. These two projects will not only convert these different building types to ZNE, but also showcase what can be done for all grocery stores and mixed-use buildings. Apply now for your chance to have your company's ideas and tech featured in these groundbreaking projects for the future of sustainable and efficient buildings. ProspectSV is a nonprofit urbantech innovation hub focused on solutions for sustainable, smart cities. For more information, visit prospectsv.org. SOURCE Prospect Silicon Valley	154,869
Topic: Idea Factory Monday, August 25, 2014 Enter the wonderfully puzzling world of brainteasers and interactive challenges that are guaranteed to test your brain power! Think outside of the box to complete puzzles and become a member of the Mindbender Society. Can you beat a group challenge? Grab your friends or a stranger to help you... Friday, November 22, 2013 Our collective knowledge is constantly evolving – from new discoveries on distant planets to inventions for the smallest cells in our bodies. Here at the Science Museum of Virginia, we have been busy questioning our world and keeping you up-to-date with the most current science stories... Thursday, October 31, 2013 Pretty big! We're putting a little perspective on a huge number! Check out the complex and interesting inner workings of some mammalian optics! The pressure's on! Literally everywhere. Check out how various levels of air pressure have an effect of everything around you! Topics Covered: Idea Factory, Air Pressure, science, Combustion, Lab, Experiment, Laboratory, Air, Pressure, Atmospheric Pressure, Match, Fire, Balloon, RVA, Data, stem, technology, engineering, Math, Mathematics, Scientific Method, Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, Logic, Force, Motion, energy, Matter, Physical Science, chemistry, physics, Explosion We're positive that you'll have a good time learning about negative charges. Thursday, August 22, 2013 Transportation has been a huge part of humanity. Initially we moved out of Africa and into all corners of the world, then we started to connect locations better by taming animals, building ships, trains, cars, planes, and we’ve even been to the moon! So, it’s no surprise that... Topics Covered: Out of this World, Question Power, Idea Factory, science museum of virginia, question your world, stem, RVA, Transportation, Hyperloop, technology, travel, speed, evolution, space, air pockets, california, elon, energy, holiday travel, musk, pay pal, power, science, spacex, system, trains, vacation Friday, June 21, 2013 Investigate the advantages and disadvantages of using nonrenewable vs renewable energy resources. Design and construct your own ecofriendly creation! Monday, April 8, 2013 Now that it’s spring, we’re all looking to clean up and get rid of some of the unused items in our homes. This April, the Museum will be collecting electronic devices from the community to recycle – but what about everything else? The United States has scheduled to have the... Tuesday, April 2, 2013 Now that it’s spring, we’re all looking to clean up and get rid of some of the unused items in our homes. This April, the Museum will be collecting electronic devices from the community to recycle – but what about everything else? Instead of pitching your old things into the...	134,044
CHRISTOPHER GANZ's large-scale charcoal drawings at The Carnegie in Covington are confluences of alter egos. His self-portrait appears everywhere -- on the severed head of Goliath; on the cashier, customer and product at a discount store checkout lane; and on several business executives in a disturbingly Faustian meeting. In THE PROBE, Ganz draws himself stretched out on a surgical table, surrounded by five figures, each also a self-portrait. One figure pokes and prods at the patient's forehead while the others observe, carefully considering the body before them. Ganz, assistant professor of printmaking and foundations at Indiana University-Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Ind., says he sees himself almost as a still-life object that he can place in various poses and scenarios. "The Probe" is about the need to observe one's self from the outside. It relates to the process of making art, especially that of the self-portrait, in which the artist becomes both subject and viewer. You can see the influence of the old masters in many of Ganz's drawings. In particular, "The Probe" takes some influence from Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp," which depicts young aspiring physicians watching a human dissection, and the 19th-century American artist Thomas Eakins' "The Gross Clinic," a portrait of a doctor performing surgery in an observation theater. There's even an homage to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. The hand of the figure standing at the right points toward the reclining figure's hand, much like Michelangelo's God reaches toward Adam in a life-giving gesture. But Ganz points out that references to other works of art are not always intentional. If one looks at art long enough, the images become ingrained in the subconscious, and that influence can sometimes appear as a surprise even to the artist himself. (Ganz's drawings, which are part of The Carnegie's March Mixed Media exhibition, are on view through April 6.) FOCAL POINT turns a critical lens on a singular work of art. Through Focal Point we slow down, reflect on one work and provide a longer look.	15,601
The Woman Warrior Madness Quotes How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph) "I can't stand this whispering," she said looking right at me, stopping her squeezing. "Senseless gabbing every night. I wish you would stop. Go away and work. Whispering, whispering, making no sense. Madness. I don't feel like hearing your craziness" (5.160). When Kingston tries to tell her list of truths to her mom, Brave Orchid calls her musings crazy and brushes her off. For Brave Orchid, anything that is not productive is crazy.	15,940
This special Seven Sorrows Chaplet rosary consists of seven groups of seven beads recited in remembrance of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, also called the Seven Dolors of Mary. The seven dolors are events in the life of Mary that caused excessive sorrow in her Immaculate Heart, and during which she was especially united to the sufferings of Jesus. These Seven Sorrows are 1) The prophecy of Simeon, 2) The Flight into Egypt, 3) The Loss of the Child Jesus, 4) Meeting Jesus on the Way to the Cross, 5) The Crucifixion, 6) Jesus Pierced by a Spear and Removed from the Cross, and 7) The Burial of Jesus. Each sorrow is depicted on a medal with the sorrowful event on one side, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the other. Seven tear drop, crimson colored beads move from one sorrow to the next, to symbolize the tears of Mary shed for the sins of all her spiritual children. Each bead is a smooth tear shape that catches the light in various shades of crimson. Three Hail Mary's are added at the beginning of the chaplet. The Seven Dolors of Mary devotion was approved by Pope Pius VII in 1815.	196,186
What are the implications of the recent landmark judgment in Lautsi for minority religious symbols in state school classrooms? At first sight, the Court seems to adopt a more open approach towards the presence of religious symbols in the school environment. On closer examination, however, this may not necessarily be the case. This post briefly speculates on the Court’s answers in two post-Lautsi imaginary scenarios: What would happen in a case filed by a state school teacher wearing a headscarf against a Member State that bans it? What might be the Court’s response to a parent’s complaint against a Member State that allows teachers to wear the headscarf in state schools? The decision to allow for the presence of the crucifix in Italian state school classrooms does not really seem the result of a new open stance towards the presence of religious symbols in schools but rather the result of the application of the margin of appreciation. The Court says that, in principle, it would respect states’ decisions regarding the setting of the school curriculum and the organization of school environment – including the place they accord to religion – “provided that those decisions do not lead to a form of indoctrination.” (para. 69) The Court thus makes clear that in cases of indoctrination it will step in. Giving preponderant visibility to the country’s majority religion in the school environment is however perfectly fine with the Court. In its view, this is not in itself sufficient to amount to indoctrination. Plus, the crucifix on the wall – the Court says – is “an essentially passive symbol” whose influence on pupils cannot be compared to that of didactic speech or participation in religious activities (para. 72). Although at this point of the judgment the Court already appears to have made up its mind, it nonetheless goes on and further looks at a series of factors that may possibly counteract the greater visibility the presence of the crucifix gives to Christianity in Italy. Interestingly, one of these factors is the openness of the school environment to other religions. The Court states in paragraph 74: “The Government indicated in this connection that it was not forbidden for pupils to wear Islamic headscarves or other symbols or apparel having a religious connotation; alternative arrangements were possible to help schooling fit in with non-majority religious practices; the beginning and end of Ramadan were ‘often celebrated’ in schools; and optional religious education could be organized in schools for ‘all religious creeds.’” So the first question from a religious minority perspective in fact concerns a pre-Lautsi tentative scenario. Had Italy excluded non-Christian symbols and religions from state schools, would the Court still have ruled the same way? Possibly yes. The inclusion-of-other-religions argument seems to play a rather minor or secondary role in the Court’s overall reasoning. The margin of appreciation and the other two arguments I’ve mentioned above seemed to have already played a decisive role. Now, the first post-Lautsi imaginary scenario: what would happen in a future case brought by, say, a state school teacher wearing a headscarf against a Member State that bans it? The Court is most likely to get away with it by invoking the margin of appreciation. Lautsi makes clear that the Court will in principle keep its hands off states’ regulations on the place of religious symbols in state schools with the obvious disparate consequences this may have across Europe. The lack of consensus on this matter, the Court explains, supports this approach. As a result, the headscarf and other minority symbols may thus be banned from state schools in certain Member States while the crucifix may be allowed. This is actually already illustrated by Dahlab and Lautsi, respectively. In Dahlab v. Switzerland, the Court somehow seemed to defer to the principle of denominational neutrality enshrined in Swiss domestic law prohibiting the wearing of the headscarf by state school teachers. In Lautsi v. Italy, the Court seems to defer to Italian regulations mandating the display of crucifixes in state school classrooms. Another possible post-Lautsi scenario might have as a protagonist a parent filing a complaint against a Member State that allows teachers to wear the headscarf in state schools. Would the Court still rely on the margin of appreciation if such case reached Strasbourg? One thing to be taken into account in answering this question is the assumptions the Court has made in its prior case law regarding other religious symbols in the school environment, more specifically, the Islamic headscarf. In Dahlab, for example, the Court simply assumed that the wearing of a headscarf by a teacher “might have some kind of proselytising effect.” Like in Lautsi, however, there was no evidence that the teacher wearing the headscarf may have had an influence on pupils. In Dahlab, the Court even admitted that “during the period in question there were no objections to the content or quality of the teaching provided by the applicant, who does not appear to have sought to gain any kind of advantage from the outward manifestation of her religious beliefs.” Evidence is lacking in both cases but in one of them – in Dahlab – the Court appears to assume that the wearing of the headscarf may have an influence on young pupils. Thus, the Court passes different judgments on different religious symbols. While the crucifix is seen as “an essentially passive symbol”, the headscarf is seen as a “powerful external symbol.” Lautsi seems to uphold Dahlab in this regard. So, to sum up, the Court’s view of the headscarf as having “some kind of proselytizing effect” might play a role in the second imaginary case unless it decides to overrule Dahlab in this particular respect. If it does so – and I think it should – and then strictly follows Lautsi, it will have to look at whether there is any evidence of influence on pupils. If the standard is “indoctrination” – as the Court seems to make clear in Lautsi – Judge Power appears to be right in that “[the] display of a religious symbol does not compel or coerce an individual to do or to refrain from doing anything. It does not require engagement in any activity …” In future cases, the Court would therefore have to look for evidence of indoctrination. What is more, the Court will do well in further considering that, unlike Lautsi, in cases concerning teachers there is an individual right to freedom of religion clearly at stake.	136,510
Designing Sound for Health and Wellbeing is a three-year project research funded by an ARC Linkage Grant. Book: David Brown, Elizabeth Grierson, George Jelinek, Keely Macarow, Philip Samartzis, Tracey Weiland, Craig Winter, Designing Sound for Health and Wellbeing, Australian Scholarly Publishing, Mebourne, 2012. Invited Speaker: Elizabeth Grierson, Designing Sound for Health and Wellbeing: a transdisciplinary 3-year research project bringing together sound art and emergency medicine. Invited speaker at Faculty of Education Colloquium Series 2012, Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research, the University of Waikato, New Zealand, 17 August 2012. Designing Sound for Health and Wellbeing is a three-year project research funded by an ARC Linkage Grant [Project number LP0882346]. The research investigates the ways in which sound and music compositions can ease the stress and anxiety of patients located in a hospital Emergency Department. The aim of this collaborative research project, comprising teams of composers, art producers and historians, writers, emergency medicine practitioners and health psychology researchers, was to test the function of environmental and electroacoustic music compositions especially produced for patients in the Emergency Department of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. The research and findings of this project provide new knowledge of the impact and use of sound and music in Emergency Medicine and the physical effect of sound and musical compositions on human health in general. ARC Chief Investigators (RMIT University): Professor Elizabeth Grierson, Dr Keely Macarow, Dr Philip Samartzis ARC Principal Investigators (St Vincent’s Hospital): Professor George Jelinek, Dr Tracey Weiland, Dr Craig Winter, ARC Doctorate candidate: David Brown All the researchers were co-writers of the book.	189,271
MANGALORE: To promote green buildings and create awareness about maintaining cleanliness in the port city, nearly 1,000 students walked four kilometres as part of the World Green Building Week (WGBW) celebrations here on Saturday morning. Bearys Institute of Technology and Indian Green Building Council has jointly organized WGBW with the theme "Clean city - Green City Walkathon 2012." BIT chairman Syed Mohammed Beary flagged off the green walkathon at Nehru Maidan. Students with posters related to environment conservation from Nehru Maidan traversed through RTO road, Hampankatta Signal, KS Rao road, PVS circle, MG Road, and concluded the walkathon in Mangala stadium. Syed said it is the duty of every person to keep the city clean with lots of greenery and India should become a global leader in the green building movement. Green building is one which uses less energy, water and natural resources and which creates less waste, he said.	288,808
As I travel around Europe to launch State of the World 2010, I’ve done a lot of schlepping from airport to metro station to bus […] While visiting Spain, Erik is questioned about State of the World 2010 at the US Embassy…. Did I know what a tomato was at age 6? Did you? Well, these kids certainly don’t…. Introducing Worldwatch’s next book: Worldwatch Institute’s Complete Guide to Permaculture and Zombie Defense New Climate Thought on the importance of Transforming Cultures posted at http://en.cop15.dk/thoughts. Take a look, then add your own thought…. Finland is a country incorporating education for sustainable development into its national curriculum. Its example can bring ideas for other countries to similarly incorporate a sustainability framework for education. A tribute to Thomas Berry, who spoke about the state of the human-Earth relationship, Home is a film about our planet, with the fate of its future resting in the hands of humanity. The Story of Stuff has become a powerful tool to teach about the failings of consumerism. Going off the grid is a reality in practice and kids are part of the movement. A Nick News piece documents kids in an ecovillage and in cities across the U.S. who are taking steps to reduce their energy consumption and limit their ecological footprint. Walking to school is not only good for children’s health, it is a social and environmental service, helping to reduce traffic congestion and mitigate greenhouse gas pollution. Children can become representatives of the planet and of their future.	302,777
writing, as in all else, the quest is the thing ... "You are never more alive yourself than when you struggle to create life from words. It is when you learn that writing is confrontation — part risk, part performance and an attempt to prove yourself again and again — that you acquire a more daring identity than you ever "You are all writers. You call yourselves this and therefore you are. It does not matter whether you have ever written a best seller, or won literary acclaim, or even if you have been published. Those are merely the trappings of a writer. They are not the core. "My wish for you is that you understand that and that you appreciate the joy of giving life to characters who, regardless of how many people ever learn of their existence, do exist you created them." — HWG Founder Robert Vaughan performing as Ernest Hemingway at the 1998 Heartland - Hear more of this speech in RealAudio. To listen, get the free player from RealNetworks. - More words of wisdom from our conference Do you have some inspiring words to share? them to the webmaster!	114,603
A modeled student There’s a recent article from Inside Higher Ed (hat tip David Madigan) which focuses on a new “Predictive Analytics Reporting Framework” that tracks students’ online learning and predicts their outcomes, like whether they will finish the classes they’re taking or drop out. Who’s involved? The University of Phoenix among others: A broad range of institutions (see factbox) are participating. Six major for-profits, research universities and community colleges — the sort of group that doesn’t always play nice — are sharing the vault of information and tips on how to put the data to work. I don’t know about you but I’ve read the wikipedia article about for-profit universities and I don’t have a great feeling about their goals. In the “2010 Pell Grant Fraud controversy” section you can find this: Out of the fifteen sampled, all were found to have engaged in deceptive practices, improperly promising unrealistically high pay for graduating students, and four engaged in outright fraud, per a GAO report released at a hearing of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held on August 4, 2010. Anyhoo, back to the article. They track people online and make suggestions for what classes people may want to take: The data set has the potential to give institutions sophisticated information about small subsets of students – such as which academic programs are best suited for a 25-year-old male Latino with strength in mathematics, for example. The tool could even become a sort of Match.com for students and online universities, Ice said. That makes me wonder- what would I have been told to do as a white woman with strength in math, if such a program had existed when I went to college? Maybe I would have been pushed to become something that historical data said I’d be best suited for? Maybe something safe, like actuarial work? What if this had existed when my mother was at MIT in applied math in the early ’60′s? Would they have had a suggestion for her? Aside from snide remarks, let me make two direct complaints about this idea. First, I despise the idea of funneling people into chutes and ladders-type career projections based on their external attributes rather than their internal motives and desires. This kind of model, which as all models is based on historical data, is potentially a way to formally adopt racist and sexist policies. It codifies discrimination. The second complaint: this is really all about money. In the article they mention that the model has already helped them decide whether Pell grants are being issued to students “correctly”: Students can only receive the maximum Pell Grant award when they take 12 credit hours, which “forces people into concurrency,” said Phil Ice, vice president of research and development for the American Public University System and the project’s lead investigator. “So the question becomes, is the current federal financial aid structure actually setting these individuals up for failure?” In other words, it looks like they are going to try to use the results of this model to persuade the government to change the way Pell Grants are distributed. Now, I’m not saying that the Pell Grant program is perfect; maybe it should be changed. But I am saying that this model is all about money and helping these online universities figure out which students will be most profitable. I’m familiar with constructing such models, because I was a quant at a hedge fund once and I know how these guys think. You can bet this model is proprietary, too- you wouldn’t want people to see into how they are being funneled too much, it might get awkward. The article doesn’t she away from such comparisons either. From the article: The project appears to have built support in higher education for the broader use of Wall Street-style slicing and dicing of data. Colleges have resisted those practices in the past, perhaps because some educators have viewed “data snooping” warily. That may be changing, observers said, as the project is showing that big data isn’t just good for hedge funds. Just to be clear, they are saying it’s also good for for-profit institutions, not necessarily the students in them. I’d like to see a law passed that forced such models to be open-sourced at the very very least. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is funding this, who know how to reach those guys to make this request?	32,271
Because sometimes you just find yourself singing your old school song and wondering why after all theses years it has surfaced from the recesses of your mind. And then you start to ponder on the words and the meaning within of the song so earnestly sung for so long. “Heart of our God, most deep adoring love, Thy name we praise, we bless we magnify….” It says in Psalm 100:4 that we enter into God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise in our hearts – “I will enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.” That’s easy when our hearts are full of things to be grateful for – celebrations, success, life just humming along well! But what about the days when you’re wrestling with even getting through the day and can find little to be thankful for, or the day is just plain hard, or what you’re battling feels so insurmountable you have little energy to ponder on the good? My old school song and indeed the second part of Psalm 100:4 gives us our breakthrough point – to magnify God in our lives, our circumstances. To put the name of Jesus above all. To focus on Him first, over everything else. Then the thanksgiving in our heart begins to stir. We come to the realisation that it is God who is the source of our joy, the sustainer of a heart of thanksgiving. Circumstances change – we have good days, we have bad days, but God and His love for us never changes. And that is something to be thankful for. “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” (Psalm 34:3)	160,131
In this episode of Mike Cave's mixing tips he tells Russell Cottier about his methods for getting a better sounding mix. In this video Mike talks about how he tries to not put anything over the mix buss for the early stages of a mix other than a high pass filter at around 20-25KHz. He also monitors the output of the convertors of what's 'printing' and when he does start to tweak the mix buss he tends to start with just a very subtle EQ. Maybe 75% of the way through the mix process Mike inserts compression or limiting. The UAD Ampex 2 Track Machine is his first to fool his ears and sound real and adds a little flavour that appeals to Mike's ears. Sonox INFLATOR is one of the plug in's that Mike monitors through as mixing progresses but doesn't apply to the printed output, it helps him get an idea of how it will sound when mastered. In the short video Mike talks with Russ about other mix buss related ideas. Contact Mike via his website MikeCave.co.uk	253,384
A PERFECT Trojan horse has been discovered for luring entire colonies of troublesome ants and termites to their doom, without harming other insects, animals or people. The breakthrough could herald a new generation of green pesticides customised to kill the target pest and nothing else. The covert agent is a fungus at what is known as the "pre-sporulitic" stage of its life cycle. At this stage it forms a mycelium, a structure from which spores eventually emerge. "It is a fine, cobwebby mass of filamentous cells," says Paul Stamets, who has founded a company called Mycopesticide in Kamilche Point, Washington, to commercialise the biopesticide. Stamets's crucial discovery was that the mycelium of this particular fungal species smells irresistible to foraging ants and termites. This was surprising, because spores of the same fungus are lethal to the insects, and the insects find it repellent at all other stages in its life ... To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content.	210,062
Here at the Syndicate Conference in San Francisco, I caught up with Ross Mayfield, CEO of Socialtext -- a supplier of enterprise-targeted Wiki-based collabaration solutions -- for a podcast interview. Wikis are a prominent technology in the world of RSS and social networking -- the technologies that inspired the very existence of this conference. As such, Mayfield is one of the poster-boys of the popular but still nacsent ofAt the top of my list of questions was whether or not the negative press that the Wikipedia has been getting as of late is drawing the value proposition of Wiki technology itself into question. The interview is available as an MP3 that can be downloaded or, if you’re already subscribed to ZDNet’s IT Matters series of audio podcasts, it will show up on your system or MP3 player automatically. See ZDNet’s podcasts: How to tune in. Since a lot of people may not know what a wiki is, I asked Mayfield to first describe in his own words what is what Socialtext offers. Said Mayfield at 1:15 into the interview: We have about 200 customers using us in a variety of ways. Generally when they use a wiki for collaboration, they use it as a n alternative to group email, decreasing their e-mail volume by about a third. When they use it for collaboration, they accelerate project cycles by about a quarter, and now we're getting a lot of larger enterprises who are replacing their intranets where you have a bunch of static content that only gets updated through let's say a 30-day editorial process that we can collapse down to a single click with a Wiki dynamic group editable website. You just click a button and edit it. It's kind of the way the Web was supposed to be in the first place and works particularly well for communicating with groups. In response to whether the negative press that the Wikipedia has gotten recently is affecting the viability of Wiki's in the enterprise, Mayfield said (at 7:35): Of course, it's going to be a topic of conversation, whenever introducing this to an enterprise. Right. They'll be reflecting upon what's happening in the larger consumer markets, the cultural understanding of what a wiki is based on the this very large and public prototype of the way it could be -- that is Wikipedia. In all practice, it's very different. Right. I can speak to the specifics in Wikipedia but behind the firewall, things are quite different. In the three years that Socialtext has operated and served 200 customers, we've never had a single case where there's been an employee doing something that would be malicious. The important point is that even if they did, it really wouldn't matter because what you have is, you're storing the history of every single edit with the attribution of who is actually making the edit itself. So, it's very easy at anytime for somebody to roll back the changes, right, you can always with a couple clicks. Go back to the previous revision. Also in the interview (which is about 23 minutes long), I talk to Mayfield about the startup nature of his company, how to get a job working for SocialText, who its customers are, how much his solutions cost, and whether wikis are poised to take the place of the super-expensive proprietary enterprise content management systems that are in the market today.	178,897
Serious and responsible, he tries to carry the world on his shoulders and rarely lets others know that he needs help and support. Robert Redford denies or ignores his own emotional needs and feels that others will not accept him if he appears "weak". He is especially uncomfortable with emotional dependency, and tells himself and others (even children) not to be a "baby". Robert Redford needs to accept that no one is self-sufficient all the time, and to be gentler with his "childish" emotional needs and wants. To others, he may appear to be rather hard-nosed and tough, with a businesslike attitude toward their personal concerns and feelings. Actually, no one is a truer friend. His feelings and loyalties run deep, but he often does not let people know how much he cares. Robert Redford also sometimes needs to learn to relax, enjoy himself, and play. Redford works well with the public and has an instinct for what the public wants and will respond to. Having a "nest" is not especially important to Robert, and he may invest more of his emotional energy into his career or public life than in his private life. Providing and caring for others, in a professional capacity is very likely. He is tolerant and forgiving and always ready to overlook mistakes and give others a second chance. Robert Redford expects, and draws out, the best from people and he enjoys making others comfortable and happy. Because of his emotional generosity, his life is rich with friends, and often financial blessings as well. The beauty and harmony of his surroundings have a very powerful effect on Redford's emotions. He is very sensitive and cannot stand to be in an atmosphere where there is discord or dissonance. Gentle, kindhearted, and peace loving, Robert Redford is prepared to sacrifice a great deal in order to avoid a fight and to "make everyone happy". Robert's emotional life seems to be overly intense and his sexuality is very strong. Robert Redford is likely to make many demands of his partner and he has to guard against possessiveness, jealousy and a tendency to force someone to love him. Sensitive and sentimental, Robert Redford is deeply attached to his family, old friends, familiar places and the past. He is romantic and tender in love relationships, and it is of utmost importance to Redford to remember birthdays, anniversaries, family rituals and other personally significant days. Robert Redford seeks caring, emotional support, and security in his love relationships. Robert likes to be needed, as well as to cherish and protect his loved ones, of whom he is somewhat possessive. A warm, loving, and comfortable home is very important to Robert Redford and he invests a lot of his energy into beautifying, decorating, and creating a lovely home. Also, Robert shares his affection with the people in his family very generously and having close family relationships is a major priority for him. Being at home makes Redford happy. Money is liable to be an issue in his life, not because he does not have it, but because Robert Redford cannot or will not hold onto it. Robert Redford has a freehanded, generous, open attitude and would prefer to spend and enjoy and partake in the pleasures of the moment than to save, discipline or budget himself. At Redford's worst, he wants an easy ride and friends will often let Robert freeload because he is such an agreeable, friendly and pleasant sort. Alternatively, Redford could let other people take advantage of his hospitality and tolerance. Redford also avoids confronting difficult issues in relationships simply because it is too much trouble or too petty. Robert Redford just wants to have a good time. He needs a lot of emotional and romantic stimulation, and may not be very interested in having just one mate or love partner. Variety, excitement, spontaneity, and freedom are quite important to Robert, and "settling down" is not that appealing. Robert Redford tends to surround himself with unusual, creative, unconventional people that keep his life lively. Music or dancing or both play an important part in Redford's life. Robert Redford has a rich, colorful, dreamy imagination and a refined sense of beauty. Involvement in the arts, or with artistic, sensitive, or spiritually inclined people is very satisfying to him. In his friendships and romantic relationships, Redford tends to be unselfish, giving, and forgiving. Robert Redford might enjoy joining with others for charitable events or social service. Robert Redford is extremely sensitive to his surroundings and could feel highly elated one minute and quite down the next. Redford tends to avoid the truth about himself and his relationships and could have some strange or peculiar experiences in love relationships. Astrological factors in this Astro Profile section: Moon in Capricorn Moon in 10th house Moon Conjunct Jupiter Moon Trine Neptune Moon Opposition Venus/Pluto Venus in Cancer Venus in 4th house Venus Opposition Jupiter Venus Sextile Uranus Venus Sextile Neptune Venus Conjunct Uranus/Neptune	46,474
Overcoming insurgency through development in Tripura secures CM Sarkar’s re-election, says Aditi Phadnis The counting of ballots for the 60-seat Tripura assembly is due on February 28, and it is widely expected that Chief Minister Manik Sarkar will be re-elected to power. If he is, it will be his fourth term as the chief minister of Tripura. And he will become the longest serving chief minister of northeast India, besting Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang’s 19-year rule. What is best known about Sarkar is that he is one of the poorest candidates in Tripura -- he lives on a salary of Rs 5,000 a month, which is paid to him from own his party, the Communist Party of India - Marxist, and has no house of his own. What he earns as the chief minister, he gives to the party. His predecessor Nripen Chakraborty was no different. In the 1980s, visitors who went to see him had to sit on an upturned steel trunk because there was no sofa in his official residence, and his washing was hung on a line in the adjoining room, presumably to protect it from the rain. Tripura is steeped in poverty, and its chief ministers also like to be poor. There seems to be no particular reason for this fetish for poverty, except that it helps the CPI-M win elections again and again. This time, too, being one with the people has helped. Of all the northeastern states, Tripura is judged to be the least corrupt. Unlike West Bengal under the Left Front -- where one had to be a party member to file an FIR in the local police station, or be accompanied by a member of the party to the station -- in Tripura, the government not just governs, but rules. That is evident everywhere, but most of all, in the remarkable way in which the tiny state has beaten back insurgency. Tripura’s tribal majority demography underwent a sea change as a result of unhindered migration from former East Bengal and subsequently, from Bangladesh. The tribals were pushed to the hills, and the politics and administration in the state was dominated by the Bengali-speaking locals and migrants. Insurgency started as a protest movement against this disempowerment. The first organised-armed tribal movement, Sengkrak (clenched fist), originated in the mid-1960s because non-tribal refugees settled in the tribal reserve forest areas. The Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti in 1971, followed by the Tripura National Volunteers in 1981; the National Liberation Front of Tripura in 1989 and its armed wing, the National Holy Army and All Tripura Tiger Force, in July 1990 came to dominate the political discourse. The last two disputed the merger of the kingdom of Tripura with the Indian Union, demanded sovereignty for Tripura and the deportation of ‘illegal migrants’. High-handedness by the central police forces and the army usually provides the spark for insurgency, which feeds on economic deprivation and becomes an alternative discourse. In Tripura, Sarkar couldn’t dramatically alter the standard of living of the people because the tiny landlocked state attracted no industry, investment or development. But what he did was to plant rubber on a maniacal scale. It takes about five years for a rubber plantation to begin yielding latex. When it does, an acre can get you an income amounting to Rs 1 lakh a year. Even on the smallest landholding, Rs 8,000 to Rs 9,000 a month was enough to sustain a small family. To ensure the commodity could be marketed, he encouraged the formation of self-help groups. There are more than 35,000 SHGs with 10 members each. To be sure, unemployment levels are still high -- but that is because there is no industry. Because the paramilitary forces were kept in leash, Tripura has seen next to no human rights violations by police forces. Trite as it may sound, law and order combined with development, has yielded results in curbing insurgency. When you study Tripura, you realise how easy it can be. With India normalising relations with Bangladesh, Tripura has the most to gain. It has untapped reservoirs of natural gas and, if the East-West corridor can go through Tripura, the state can become the gateway to Southeast Asia. A big bonus would be a transit passage through Bangladesh, which has an 865 km border with Tripura. D N Sahay, a policeman who was the governor of the state once, says the rest of India needs to learn how to control insurgency from Tripura. He also says Communist Tripura can never become Communist West Bengal. The most telling is Sarkar’s own comment, “The electorate of West Bengal punished the Left Front government for its weaknesses and wrongdoings”.	44,070
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in a long-telegraphed move, announced that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the main source of industrially produced trans fat, would be banned from the US food supply starting in June 2018. The FDA said, "PHOs are not generally recognized as safe due to their role in heart disease. Even very small quantities of trans fats can add up to dangerous levels and will not permit the ingredient without an exemption." PHO's allow foods to remain solid at higher temperatures, provide texture to icings and other foods and have distinctive flavors that are desirable in fried foods. They can also help increase the shelf life of baked goods. AdvertisementAfter the FDA released a preliminary version of the PHO ban in 2013, they came under heavy fire from the processed food industry, including the Popcorn Institute, the National Frozen Pizza Institute and the International Chewing Gum Association, which called the plan to be misguided and overly broad. Some commentators said that the ban would boost use of likewise unhealthy substitutes high in saturated fats. Critics even linked the production of one PHO substitute, palm oil, to deforestation. General Mills, ConAgra and other manufacturers sought unsuccessfully to persuade the FDA to impose very low caps on PHOs, rather than a total ban. General Mills and Conagra Foods had cited significant technical challenges in replacing PHOs for certain items for which there are few or no suitable alternatives, such as tailored shortenings used in pastries, cakes and icings. They complained that PHOs were an ingredient that has been safely and commonly used in food for over 50 years. However, both companies accepted this week's FDA announcement. A General Mills spokeswoman said, "We have already removed trans fats from a great many products. While the work remains challenging, we are striving to remove trans fats from all of our products across the board." A ConAgra spokeswoman said, "We pride ourselves on making high-quality, wholesome foods. We began our transition away from partially hydrogenated oils years ago and we will continue to work diligently to comply with FDA's final determination." The Jarosch Bakery that has been supplying goodies for more than 50 years, winning special renown for its butter cream frosting and for butter cookies with an extra tender texture, faces an uncertain future after the ban on PHOs. Kenneth Jarosch said, "It will certainly cost us some money to reformulate. It will have an effect on the taste and texture and that's what we're all about. And that's what distinguishes us from Walmart and Costco and, if that goes down the drain, we're going to be in a world of hurt." Some food makers are holding out hope for FDA exemptions. At Jarosch Bakery, an exemption could permit the use of cupcake sprinkles that contain trans fats. Jarosch said, "What kind of ticks me off about the whole legislation is I think it should be up to the customer to decide. I would have been in favor of us having to post stickers that say 'eating this could be hazardous to your health' and letting the customers decide. Cigarettes are still legal and yet trans fats or shortenings are illegal. Go figure." You May Also Like	102,152
According to figures released by the San Juan County Assessor, the total value of taxable properties in San Juan County is approximately $817 million. This compares to $846 million in 2016, $805 million in 2015, and $980 million in 2014. The value of local properties (and thus the size of the tax base) peaked at more than $1 billion in 2012 before beginning a steady decline. Local taxing entities generally kept property tax rates at the same level, or lower, for the coming tax year. As a result, property taxes will drop this year. In Monticello, the anticipated property tax in the coming year for a home valued at $150,000 is $1,265.12, compared to $1,365.87 in the past year. The $100.75 decrease represents a 7.38 percent drop. It is similar in Blanding, where the anticipated property tax for a similar home is $1,266.81, compared to $1,347.65 in the past year. The $80.84 decrease represents a six percent drop. The value of centrally-assessed properties, including oil, gas, copper, uranium, pipelines and power companies, continues to plummet. Centrally-assessed properties are currently valued at $358 million. They were valued at $598 million in 2014 and $422 million in 2015. Local taxing entities, including the Cities of Monticello and Blanding and the San Juan School District, set property tax rates in June for the fiscal year which begins July 1. The other taxing entities in San Juan County have budget and tax rate hearings in November and early December. The fiscal year for these entities begins each year on January 1. Annual property tax payments are due in December each year.	306,333
The floor is one of the most important sections of any given home. The type of floor you choose will either make or break the general design and atmosphere of your home. To be on the safe side, it is wise to adequately plan, do all the necessary research, talk to relevant professionals and have a vision of how you would like your home to be. It is essential to ensure that you know where to start, and a thing or two about flooring before you start. In this post, we will be discussing a few factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing a floor type for a a home. We hope that you find it informing and a good guide to help you make your home lovely. Factors to consider The first thing that you have to find out is the level of humidity in the area that you live in. For instance, if you are building in a place that has a lot of humidity, you have to make sure that you build a floor that is water proof, so as to prevent water from the ground seeping to the floor surface at night. Talk to a professional so as to learn about the humidity in your area. If your house has a basement, then you might want to have a floor that is sturdy, and definitely water proof. You might want to talk to a professional right from the planning stage so as to make all the necessary floor preparations. Basements need to be completely water tight, hence the need to have a very compact floor. There are different floor configurations available to people, and each one of them has a different price tag on them. Depending on your budget, you have to go for the floor that gives you the most value. For instance, if you are on a tight budget, then you might want to go for concrete, which is more durable but less attractive compared to the other options. Last but not least, you have to consider the amount of time you have to finish the whole project. Different floors, depending on their complexity, will take different periods of time to complete. It is for this reasons that the available time should be considered. Type of floors Here are the top three types of floors that you might have to choose from. - Wooden: Good for places with the least humidity - Concrete: Can be applied anywhere, but not a good choice for cold places. - Tiled: Can also be applied anywhere, but tends to be slippery especially in places with high humidity.	284,037
A protein used to identify blood-forming cells is much more than a mere surface marker. A KAUST study shows that this protein, known as CD34, also plays a key role in binding adhesion molecules in the bone marrow. The discovery that this binding aids in the proper engraftment of blood-forming stem and progenitor cells following their transplantation is a result that opens the door to “improving the migration of these cells for therapeutic endeavors,” says Jasmeen Merzaban, the biochemist who led the team. Stem cell transplants are used to treat patients with a variety of life-threatening blood disorders. These stem cells, when derived from an adult (as opposed to from cord blood), are isolated by giving the donor a drug that causes stem cells in the bone marrow to mobilize and enter the bloodstream. The blood is then run through a device that extracts all the cells expressing CD34. These CD34-positive cells can give rise to all the various types of blood components—but they’re not the only ones with this ability. Some cells that don’t express this surface marker can do the same; however, CD34-negative cells in circulation aren’t as good at finding their way to the bone marrow. Thus, doctors have tended to focus on CD34 selection as an easy and effective means of enriching for high-potential blood stem and progenitor cells despite the longstanding mystery of the normal biological function of CD34. Merzaban and her colleagues revealed one of the functions of this protein by first testing different populations of blood-forming cells for their ability to bind adhesion molecules. They showed that only those cells expressing CD34 could do so, and an unbiased protein screen revealed that CD34 itself was responsible for this binding. Knocking down the protein confirmed CD34’s essential role in cell migration. According to the study’s first author, Dina AbuSamra, a former doctoral student in Merzaban’s lab now at Harvard Medical School, the results have therapeutic implications beyond simply understanding transplantation. As she points out, the CD34 protein that’s found on the surface of leukemic stem cells is different from the one on healthy blood-forming stem cells. There is potential to exploit this difference “to identify leukemic stem cells and, in theory, target them using various approaches,” AbuSamra says. Merzaban also suggests that CD34-negative blood-forming stem cells—a population currently overlooked in transplantation medicine—could be manipulated in ways that boost their binding abilities. Adding these cells to the CD34-positive population might collectively augment overall efficiencies of the procedure, leading to long-term success following transplants. “This is currently a major focus of our lab,” Merzaban says. AbuSamra, D.B., Aleisa, F.A., Al-Amoodi, A.S., Ahmed, H.M., Chin. C.J., Abuelela, A.F., Bergam, P., Sougrat, R. & Merzaban, J.S. Not just a marker: CD34 on human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells dominates vascular selectin binding along with CD44. Blood Advances 1, 2799-2816 (2017).\| article	70,485
Access your Pro+ Content below. Adopting enterprise mobility management The number and types of devices touching the enterprise continue to proliferate, so a mobility assessment is the first step in preparing a comprehensive plan for mobile device management. CHAPTERS AVAILABLE FOR FREE ACCESS Before an organization can formulate a bring your own device policy, it needs to know what workers are using to access corporate networks, applications and data. Mobile device management must account for who owns what and how it will be monitored and secured.Download There isn't yet a single easy solution to managing mobile systems, but there are already a number of tested approaches for handling mobile applications and potentially sensitive data. See how they might apply to your enterprise.Download Not only do workers expect to be able to access enterprise applications and data from any device, anywhere, they also store data and access apps in the cloud. Read about ways that IT can keep up and maintain control over mobility and the cloud.Download	82,751
One in ten people are allergic to cats. Despite this, it is one of the worlds’s most popular and beloved pets. Luckily, there are a variety of hypoallergenic cat breeds to choose from even for those who are allergic. The best cat for allergy sufferers is said to be the sphynx. This cat breed has no fur, so no allergenic saliva can stick to the cat when it licks itself to clean the fur. It is not the fur itself but the saliva of the cat that you are mainly allergic to. What happens in the body when cat allergy develops in childhood is that the body’s immune system overreacts to the egg white substances found in the cat’s saliva, but also in the animal’s urine, sebaceous glands and paw pads. However, it is not possible to say that a particular cat is suitable for all allergic people. The best cat for allergy sufferers can differ. Cat lovers who suffer from pet allergies don’t have to live without a feline companion. If you’re wondering if there are hypoallergenic cats, the answer is yes, in a manner. The same response applies to the question of whether hypoallergenic cats exist. Hypoallergenic cats allow cat owners to retain this type of pet without fear of allergic responses. Although they are not completely hypoallergenic and allergen-free, they are suitable for people who do not have severe allergies. Many people believe that the cause of a person’s allergies is exclusively due to pet dander, whereas cat allergies, which affect around 10% of the population, are caused by a protein found in cat saliva called Fel d 1. There isn’t just one hypoallergenic breed. When seeking for a hypoallergenic choice, there are many different cat breeds to choose from. The following section will go through the numerous hypoallergenic cat breeds. In addition, we’ll share some tips on how to care for any breed while avoiding allergy issues. Why Are These Cat Breeds Considered To Be Hypoallergenic? The gray cat amuses its owner. As previously stated, while these cat breeds are not completely hypoallergenic, they are more so than some of their feline cousins. So, what is it about these ten cat breeds that makes them hypoallergenic? Because they create fewer allergies than other cat breeds, these cats are hypoallergenic. Even if you bring a hypoallergenic cat home with you, you may still encounter allergic problems. Fortunately, there are several ways to treat pet allergy symptoms, both medically and naturally. Find the best cat for allergy sufferers Finding the right allergy-friendly cat for your family can be a bit of an adventure. This is because cat allergies can vary in severity and some cat breeds work for some people but not for others. However, there are many fine, hypoallergenic cats to choose from. Cats usually emit the most allergens when they are kittens. So if you can’t cope with a kitten, you can still cope with an adult cat. To find the best hypoallergenic cat breed for you, it may be a good idea to contact different breeders to meet their cats and see if you react to them. Why you should get a hypoallergenic cat There are many reasons why you should get a hypoallergenic cat. A cat gives a lot of love to its family, especially those who are affectionate and love attention. A home simply becomes a home with a cat in it. A Siberian cat, a Cornish rex or a Devonian rex can fit into your home despite cat allergies. Below, we’ve lined up ten allergy-friendly cat breeds that work for many allergy sufferers. However, not all of these cat breeds are suitable for people with cat allergies, but are merely examples of more hypoallergenic breeds. Remember to always test your luck to find a cat that the allergy sufferer can tolerate. Some pedigree cat associations have test homes that you can visit to see if you can cope with that breed of cat, which is a good step on the way to finding your new pet. Sphynx – Allergy-friendly cats The most famous allergy-friendly cat breed is the Sphynx. This cat has almost no fur at all, which is why it is an allergy-friendly cat. Since the sphynx has no fur for saliva to get stuck in, this cat is perfect for homes where allergy sufferers live. Since the lack of thick fur makes these cats sensitive to both sun and cold, they are perfect as indoor cats. The lack of fur, whiskers and eyelashes may give Sphynx cats a distinctive look, but their skin is warm and soft, which is perfect for extra cuddles on the couch. Sphynx cats are social creatures who want lots of love. This cat breed is curious and loves to give and receive attention from its family members. Therefore, if you get a LaPerm, you should spend a lot of time with your affectionate cat. A LaPerm is curious and playful. 1. Siamese cat – cat that doesn’t shed Siamese is a short-haired cat breed that sheds very little fur around the home. This cat breed is one of the hypoallergenic cat breeds you can choose from as an allergy sufferer. Because the coat is so short, it requires hardly any grooming, which makes it easier for allergy sufferers. One of the characteristics of Siamese cats is their liveliness and the fact that they love to talk to their owners. It is an active cat that will suit any family that wants lots of company. The Siamese is so sociable that it does best with a social feline companion. You’ll see this cat around the home all the time, always close to where you are. 2. Russian blue – allergy-friendly cat If you want an allergy-friendly cat at home that is intelligent and graceful, then you should get a Russian blue. The almond-shaped eyes and grey coat make the Russian Blue a beautiful cat breed. The breed is also hypoallergenic as it produces less of the allergen FEL D1 than many other cats. Russian blue is an independent cat that likes to play and jump around the home. It is an indoor cat that is quite quiet. It is therefore not a social cat, but a Russian blue likes to keep to itself while being loyal to its family members. 3. Cornish rex – hypoallergenic cat If you’re looking for a playful cat, the Cornish rex is the best cat for allergy sufferers. The Cornish rex is a cat that will liven up your home with its curiosity and joy of discovery. Despite being an allergy-friendly cat, the Cornish Rex still has fur on its body. What is special about this particular breed of cat, however, is that the coat consists of only one layer instead of the normal three. The coat of the Cornish Rex is the undercoat, which gives the coat a fine, wavy appearance. These cats do not shed their fur, which is good for allergy sufferers as well as for cleaning. 4. Devon rex – cat for allergy sufferers An allergy-friendly cat similar to the cornish rex is the devon rex. This cat has even less hair than the cornish rex and is therefore perfect for allergy cat lovers. They shed hardly any fur at all, which makes cleaning easier and helps allergy sufferers as no saliva-soaked fur is spread around the home. With a devon rex in your home, you’ll get a lot of love. They are suitable for families who want to give and receive lots of love and cuddles. The Devon rex is an indoor cat that loves warmth, so you will often find it on the floor basking in the warm rays of the sun. 5. Oriental Shorthair – cat hypoallergenic Oriental Shorthair is one of the hypoallergenic cat breeds you can choose from if you have an allergic cat lover in your home. It is a sociable cat that will happily join any family member during the day. It is social, intelligent and happy to talk while exploring the home. Oriental Shorthair is well suited as an indoor cat for any family that wants a devoted cat. Oriental Shorthair is available in a variety of beautiful colours and all varieties are hypoallergenic. Oriental Shorthair has a short, fine coat and it sheds very rarely. Please brush the coat regularly to reduce shedding. 6. Balines – allergy-free cat One of the most hypoallergenic cat breeds is the Balinese. These cats have a wonderfully beautiful coat with light blue eyes. Best of all though, this cat produces less of the allergen FEL D1 compared to other cats, making it hypoallergenic. The coat is silky and has no undercoat. A Balinese is an indoor cat that is very active and curious. If you want a cat that is social, extroverted and talks a lot, a Balines is a perfect choice. A Balines will become a big part of your family and we recommend the cat to anyone who can spend a lot of time at home with it. 7. LaPerm – best cat for allergy sufferers LaPerm is an allergy-friendly cat with a soft, curly coat that gives it a distinctive look. The curly coat seems to stand up on all sides of this wonderful cat breed. It is particularly suitable for people with a more mild cat allergy. The curly coat sheds very little and retains the skin deposits. Therefore, brush your cat regularly and give it adequate grooming to remove the deposits. 8. Siberian cat – cat for allergy sufferers Siberian cats have a long, soft coat, but can still be the best cat for allergy sufferers. This cat breed produces less of the protein allergen that many people react to. If you are allergic but still want a long-haired cat to cuddle with, then a Siberian cat could be the new family member of choice. As you can hear from the name, Siberian cats originate from Russia. The long coat protects against both heat and cold and requires a lot of grooming. Cats are social, seek affection and enjoy talking to their owners. 9. Bengal – hypoallergenic cat A Bengal is easily recognised by its special coat, which looks like a miniature tiger. The Bengal cat is as loyal to your family as a tiger is to its herd. A Bengal cat is ideal for families who want a social cat at home. It is very talkative and likes to talk to its family members. The shimmering coat is beautiful to look at and the cat is more hypoallergenic than many other felines. However, it is more recommended for those who have a mild cat allergy. It is therefore a good idea to try out a Bengal cat. Cat allergies do not imply that cat ownership should be entirely avoided. Even if you have cat allergies, you do not have to live in a cat-free environment. In addition to owning a hypoallergenic cat, you can use medicinal and non-medical methods to ease the symptoms of cat allergies. Having a cat in the house is pure delight, and you don’t want to deprive yourself of that. Follow the advice in this article and you’ll be ready to welcome a friendly feline into your home. Adopting a cat from an animal shelter is also an excellent option if you’re looking for a new pet! And, when your pet arrives home with you, make sure you properly protect them with a pet insurance coverage. Prudent Pet provides pet insurance policies that will fully cover your pet and allow you to obtain medical treatment for your pet whenever it is required. The best cat for allergy sufferers is the one that suits all your needs and does not provoke any allergy. Depending on your allergy, you may need to see different cat breeds to find one you do not react to. This is because everyone reacts differently when they meet different cats, even those that are more allergy-friendly. However, the most hypoallergenic cat is the sphynx, which is suitable for most people. If you’re thinking of getting a hypoallergenic dog instead, read more about hypoallergenic dog breeds in our article. As well as choosing a hypoallergenic cat, it’s also important to choose a cat that suits your personality. Maybe you want a reserved cat or an attention-seeking and playful cat. Choosing the right breed of cat is important for both you and the hypoallergenic cat to thrive. Cat allergies often manifest themselves in symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, runny eyes and rashes. Regardless of which hypoallergenic cat breeds you are interested in, it is important to clean and air out your home frequently to keep it as clean as possible from cat allergens. Brush and bathe your cat often, give it adequate grooming and wash your hands after touching your cat.	124,680
The Self-Donation of God, chapter 11: "Jesus' office as king is the root office and the basis of his work as the redeemer of creation. Through this office, he fights the Father's apocalyptic war against sin, death, the law, and the Devil. As we shall see below, he conducted this war through his offices of priest and prophet. His office as king (and his other offices) was publically validated by an external divine call. As the second Adam and true minister of the Word, Jesus counteracted the Enthusiasm of our first parents by his reliance on the sure Word of Scripture and on his own public call by the Father in the power of the Spirit. What the Augustana says regarding the office of ministry with the Church is also true of the supreme minister of the Word: “they teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he has been regularly called.” Indeed, Jesus did not receive his office (as Luther described that of the Enthusiasts) “in some corner.” Rather, beginning with the revelation of his identity to his parents, Jesus' office is validated throughout his earthly life (at his baptism, his transfiguration, etc.) by God's Word of revelation concerning him."	34,494
Which makes sense: who cares about a little water in the bottom of the basket? Especially when the problem being solved by the sump pump was a flooded basement. Sump pumps for the record: “A sump pump is a pump used to remove water that has accumulated in a water-collecting sump basin. It’s commonly found in the basement on homes. Sump pumps are used where basement flooding happens regularly, to salve dampness were the water table is above the foundation of a home.” When cover is not tightly secured: With a cover that is not air tight, moisture and other contaminates such as soil toxins and radon gas can enter the living area. What is more important More important than all that is the fact that when covers are not screwed in place, children or pets can easily lift out one of the old style covers. They can then fall into the basket, and have a very difficult if not impossible time getting out. Submitted courtesy of: Paladin Inspection Services 11140 Lansing Avenue North Stillwater, Minnesota 55082	93,489
Emerging from the rubble of last week’s London riots is new information on those responsible for the violent rioting and looting that shook up Britain’s most famous city and resulted in five deaths. One such person happens to be a 16-year-old boy who is being charged with the murder of 68-year-old retiree Richard Manning Bowes. Bowes died Thursday after being assaulted last Monday in the west side of London in Ealing. Bowes struggled in the hospital for his life for three days before the attack ultimately claimed his life. He died of head injuries. The 16-year-old suspect is scheduled to appear in a London youth court today. The riots have not only stunned British society, they have forced a divide between political parties to surface about why the riots happened, and what should be done to deal with the future destructive conflicts. The current government of David Cameron of the U.K. Conservative Party, has announced plans to enforce better training regulations for police officers and will work to establish stronger powers to face the ushering in of a new age where violent protests, riots, and street disturbances will inherently become more likely and prevalent. Home Secretary Theresa May has acknowledged this reality and has said, “We will make sure the police have the powers they need – including wider powers to impose curfews.” British Prime Minister David Cameron is standing up to the emerging challenge of street chaos arguing that the government must face head-on the “slow motion moral collapse” in the U.K. Cameron detailed a series of measures he intends to take to fix the ills of the “broken society” that include working to build stronger families and impose tougher discipline across country schools. Cameron called the riots a “wake up call” for the country and argued that moral decline and social ills do not solely permeate from the poorest members of British society. However, Cameron's political opponent Ed Miliband of the British Labour Party argued that, "Day by day the prime minister has revealed himself to be reaching for shallow and superficial answers." The rioting began on Saturday August 6th and was some of the worst the city had seen in years. Thousands have been arrested in relation to the riots. The rioting was sparked by the shooting of a man in the north London suburb of Tottenham that police described as a “gangster.”	69,601
The dangers of combining certain medications with other medications and foods will be illustrated at a free program for seniors on Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the AMVETS on Frederick Street. Sponsored by the SALT council/Triad of Washington County, the program will be presented by Jenni Ertter-Prego from the Food and Drug Administration office in Baltimore. Her talk will include information on prescription and over-the-counter drugs, plus dietary supplements and foods. All are invited to this free program. SALT is Seniors and Law Enforcement Together.	31,464

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