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warc | 201704 | The medical literature was evaluated with respect to the efficacy of NSAIDs for shoulder complaints.
Nineteen randomized clinical trials met the selection criteria and were included in this review.
Each publication was independently scored by two blinded reviewers, according to a standardized set of 17 methodological criteria.
The studies were ranked according to their total methods score (maximum 100 points).
The methodological quality of the majority of the studies was rather disappointing ; only 5 trials received a methods score exceeding 50 points.
Furthermore, methodological criteria were often inadequately described, particularly those regarding the randomization procedure, co-interventions and control of compliance.
The three trials with the highest methods scores demonstrated superior short-term efficacy of NSAIDs in comparison with placebo intervention.
Fourteen trials comparing two types of NSAIDs showed no conclusive evidence in favour of a particular NSAID with respect to efficacy or tolerability.
Future studies should compare the benefit-risk ratios of NSAIDs and analgesics for shoulder complaints in order to establish whether the use of NSAIDs is more favourable than analgesics, despite the higher risk of adverse reactions from NSAIDs.
Mots-clés Pascal : Antiinflammatoire non stéroïde, Chimiothérapie, Efficacité traitement, Douleur, Epaule, Membre supérieur, Article synthèse, Méthodologie, Essai clinique, Randomisation, Homme, Système ostéoarticulaire pathologie Mots-clés Pascal anglais : Non steroidal antiinflammatory agent, Chemotherapy, Treatment efficiency, Pain, Shoulder, Upper limb, Review, Methodology, Clinical trial, Randomization, Human, Diseases of the osteoarticular system Notice produite par : Inist-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et Technique Cote : 95-0260897
Code Inist : 002B02L. Création : 01/03/1996. | 1,948 | 1,025 | 0.001013 |
warc | 201704 | Guest Author - Consuelo Herrera, CAMS, CFE
A source of engagements for forensic accountants is the investigation of illegal acts or fraud situation within organizations.
Illegal acts are violations of laws or governmental regulations. In the private sector, trusted executives and employees in detriment of the victimized organization commit many instances of wrongdoing. Sometimes illegal acts are discovered by accident or during an external audit procedure. Determining whether an act is in fact illegal is beyond the auditor’s professional competence.
As stated by the AU Section 317 (Auditing –United States), the auditor is deemed to be proficient in accounting and auditing, however, the determination as to whether a particular act is illegal would be generally be based on the advice of an informed expert qualified to practice law or may have to await determination by a court of law. The following situations that an auditor encounters could raise a question concerning illegal acts, according to the AU Section 317, Illegal Acts by Clients:
o Unauthorized transactions, improperly recorded transactions, or transactions not recorded in a complete and timely manner in order to maintain accountability for assets
o Investigation by a governmental agency, an enforcement proceeding, or payment of unusual fines or penalties
o Violations of laws or regulations cited in reports of examinations by regulatory agencies that have been made available to the auditor
o Large payments for unspecified services to consultants, affiliates, or employees
o Sales commissions or agents’ fees that appear excessive in relation to those normally paid by the client or to the services actually received
o Unusually large payments in cash, purchases of blank cashiers’ checks in large accounts payable to bearer, transfers to numbered bank accounts, or similar transactions
o Unexplained payments made to governmental officials or employees
o Failure to file tax returns or pay government duties o similar fees that are common to the entity’s industry or the nature of its business.
In the governmental sector, the GAO-03-673G (Government Auditing Standards in its Chapter 6 General, Field Work, and Reporting Standards for Attestation Engagements -Detecting Fraud, Illegal Acts, Violations of Provisions of Contracts or Grant Agreements, and Abuse That Could Have a Material Effect on the Subject Matter), has set forth the procedures that identify risk factors. It also highlights the auditors’ response to those risk factors. Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), direct auditors to ascertain whether abuse has occurred. If so, the next step is to establish the effects of wrongdoing and the economic impact.
For example, in December, 2005, an individual pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the Government with false and fraudulent claims. As president and Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of a government contractor, he, along with others conspired to defraud the U.S. Department of Defense by making false and fraudulent billings. According to prosecutors, the scheme was perpetrated when buyers and customer service representatives obtained multiple quotes from supplies and then to quoted at a much higher price. These supplies were used to make tools The tools would then be purchased at a lower cost allowing this company to realize a fraudulent profit. The government contractor then passed the cost of these fraudulently priced tools onto the Department of Defense as material monetary claims in the manufacturing overhead billings.
In order to cover up this activity when audits were performed, the fraudster and others under his direction created false invoices using a computer scanner to remove actual pricing data and substitute fictitious data to give the appearance of legitimate pricing. This CEO was able to control the audit sample of invoices as well so as to limit the possibility that a fraudulently priced part would be found. After the audits this individual ordered the fraudulently created documents and computer files to be destroyed.
The Government Accountability Office’s FraudNet was created with the purpose of facilitate the reporting of allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement of federal funds.
Investigations arising from fraud may end up in a legal proceeding. If it were the case, having a forensic accountant or a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) as a member of the investigative team highly increases the possibility of a successful outcome of the litigation process. | 4,583 | 2,175 | 0.000465 |
warc | 201704 | Features By Riya Bhattacharjee Thursday July 24, 2008 - 09:57:00 AM
The first statewide report on high school dropout and graduation rates tracking individual students revealed a high dropout rate for African Americans and Latinos compared to other ethnic groups, state educators said.
The data, released by the state schools chief, Jack O’Connell, last week, shows that one in four students dropped out of school last year, more than the State Department of Education had predicted before they began using the new student-tracking system.
The Statewide Student Identifier provides each student with an identification number and allows for more accurate information about how many students are or are not completing school.
Although the dropout rate for students at Berkeley Unified School District (15.6 percent) was lower than the countywide (18.7 percent) and statewide (24.2 percent) rates, the rate for Berkeley Technology Academy (59.3 percent) is more than three times the countywide rate and more than double the statewide rate.
The dropout rate at Berkeley High School was 12.3 percent, lower than both the countywide and statewide rates.
Berkeley Unified officials told the Planet that a number of factors were responsible for B-Tech’s high dropout rate.
“I don’t think you can compare B-Tech to Berkeley High School,” said Berkeley Board of Education president John Selawsky. “It should be compared to other continuation schools. It has a much lower attendance than Berkeley High. You are talking about a group of students who have not succeeded academically and many of them are discouraged. They find other things to do or get into the job market. It is mainly at-risk youth, but of course that is not an excuse.”
Selawsky said although attendance rates had improved at B-Tech over the last few years, the numbers still lagged below Berkeley High’s.
B-Tech Principal Victor Diaz said the poorly designed structure of continuation schools was a major factor behind dropout rates.
“Some kids who are sent to our school never show up,” he said. “Others spend a month, earn some credits and go back to Berkeley High. It really exacerbates the problem.” B-tech has around 160 students, up from 140 last year, Diaz said.
“A bigger issue is how efficacious are continuation schools,” he said. “We are all doing more poorly than the state average. Continuation schools can take students only when they are 16. These kids have one and a half years to make up for four to five years of sporadic education. Continuation schools were designed to be punitive. They were not designed to be graduation machines.”
Diaz said attendance was rising at B-Tech, as was the college enrollment rate—but he acknowledged a lot more work needs to be done.
The state also learned for the first time that there were 4,609 dropouts who completed all their requirements for graduation except one: the exit exam, which became mandatory in 2006.
There were several special education students who didn’t pass the state high school exit exam from B-Tech last year, Diaz said.
“The state needs to make modifications in the test for special education kids,” he said. “There are a number of kids who don’t have the skills to perform in that test-taking setting.”
In the 2006-07 school year, 67.6 percent of public school students in California graduated, the report said, with a four-year dropout rate of 24.2 percent.
“Twenty-four percent of students dropping out is not good news,” O’Connell said in a statement. “The data reveal a disturbingly high dropout rate for Latinos and African Americans. But the dropout rate itself is only part of the story. Now, using the new student-level data, we will have a much clearer picture of why students drop out. This is data-rich information that will be a powerful tool to better target resources, assistance and interventions to keep students in school and on track.”
According to the report, 42 percent of black students (19,440) and 30 percent of Latinos (69,035) quit school last year, followed by Native Americans (31 percent), Pacific Islanders (28 percent), whites (15 percent) and Filipinos (12 percent).
“Statewide the numbers are staggering,” Selawsky said. “And it’s one of the reasons behind the achievement gap.”
Selawsky said the district was hoping 2020 Vision—the new districtwide initiative recently launched by the school district and the City of Berkeley—would provide services to students at B-Tech to make them graduate. “Obviously kids with spotty attendance are not learning,” he said.
To view a school’s dropout rate, visit http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest. | 4,813 | 2,193 | 0.000477 |
warc | 201704 | Beyond
Pesticides serves as a watchdog for federal and state agencies, which
are institutionalizing "acceptable" levels of public exposure to harmful
pesticides known to cause chronic health effects, such as cancer, neurological
and immune system disorders. We encourage concerned citizens to become part of this public process. By adding your voice to the regulations.gov dockets, you put pressure on government officals to increase citizen safeguards and hold pesticide manufacturers accountable.
What's New at EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP)? Beyond Pesticides' webpage brings you the latest information from OPP. Please provide a comment on the dockets listed.
What's New at the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC)? Beyond Pesticides now holds a seat on the PPDC! As a representative member of the
Environmental/Public Interest stakeholder group of the PPDC, Beyond Pesticides is able to provide independent advice to EPA that represents the views of Beyond Pesticides. Through this committee EPA and Beyond Pesticides, on behalf of our members, can foster meaningful communication and understanding a wide range of pesticide issues, many of which are scientifically and technically complex. Click here for more information on the PPDC and its latest meeting!
View Comments to Government Agencies: Beyond Pesticides continuously sends comments on pesticide policies to the EPA and the USDA,, as well as state and local agencies.
For more information on many of the pesticides addressed in Beyond Pesticides' watchdogging activities see the Gateway on Pesticide Hazards and Safe Pest Management. This database tool provides decision makers, practitioners, and activists with easier access to information on pesticide hazards and safe pest management. | 1,783 | 915 | 0.001101 |
warc | 201704 | In
The Art Instinct, Denis Dutton, a professor of philosophy and founder and editor of Arts & Letters Daily, sets out to write an evolutionary account for why humans create and appreciate art. He argues that art-making is an evolutionary adaptation that came about through sexual selection, indicating intelligence and desirability in a potential mate.
One of the best things about this book is how clear and comprehensive its discussion of evolutionary adaptation is, making it appropriate for someone unfamiliar with the literature on the subject, while at the same time being interesting and in-depth enough to remain engaging for a reader better-versed in evolution, evolutionary psychology, and sexual selection. (And how much I agreed with the author: group selection
does seem so attractive, and yet inadequate!) The same goes for the portions of the book more focused on art itself. Dutton follows a clear path from early humans on the savanna, partial to landscapes with greenery, water, and high ground, through the artistic practices of early and contemporary hunter-gatherer societies and more familiar Western society, right through to Marcel Duchamp’s provocative Fountain.
The danger of all evolutionary psychology accounts is that of falling into the just-so story. But Dutton’s explanation for art stays safely away from that territory. As a component of sexual selection that broadly indicates intelligence and general fitness, and would be very useful for assortative mating, the art-making function doesn’t need that kind of story any more than does a peacock’s tail. And Dutton confronts many of his potential critics head-on, whether they are evolutionary biologists who reject adaptation as any explanation for human psychology or art theorists who insist that “art” cannot be considered a cross-cultural category at all. (His response to Lynn M. Hart’s claims about
jyonti painting seems pretty devastating, and his twelve points on categorizing art are thought-provoking.)
And of course, the danger of describing art and aesthetics in terms of evolutionary adaptation is that of denuding art of enjoyment and meaning. This is something I worried about when I picked the book up, but Dutton’s deep love of art and sophisticated appreciation of aesthetics comes through on almost every page. Too many people think love and other emotions lose meaning when explained in terms of our evolved brain chemistry, and of course we don’t have to see it that way. Dutton doesn’t see art that way at all, and he’s just as impressed and elevated by Beethoven, Mahler, Proust and Vermeer as—or probably more than—someone less concerned with explaining the reasons for art-making in the first place. Evolutionary explanations for our feelings about artistic intention, forgery, and Dada don’t take away from our understanding of those problems, but contribute to it. And, another thing I was curious about, an evolutionary explanation doesn’t do anything to preclude the contingency of aesthetics, a point argued successfully.
Dutton’s final chapter, on great art and kitsch, was very interesting but, as he admits, these qualities are not (yet) tightly tied to evolutionary adaptation. That is entirely fitting, though. An ev psych explanation for why people create artworks does not mean there is a formula for making them, or that we can look at
Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and give a direct, logically entailed connection between early human bands roaming Africa and the aesthetic vision of Picasso. But that in turn does not mean that the basic reason behind artistic enterprise wasn’t a product of natural selection—like almost everything else our evolved brains make us do. | 3,793 | 1,829 | 0.000562 |
warc | 201704 | A newly appointed working group charged with developing elk management options in areas where the transmission of brucellosis between elk and livestock is a concern is set to meet in Bozeman Jan. 26-27.
The working group will lead an effort to examine effective elk management options and risk prevention efforts in several southwestern Montana hunting districts. The areas generally include hunting districts that border or are near Yellowstone National Park.
The meeting is set to begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, and continue through Friday, Jan. 27, at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ office in Bozeman at 1400 S. 19th St.
Brucellosis is a contagious bacterial infection in domestic animals, wildlife and humans worldwide. In Montana, brucellosis has been detected in elk, bison and, several years ago, in cattle in areas surrounding Yellowstone National Park. The disease results in miscarriages in some pregnant animals, including domestic cattle, and bison and elk.
Working group members were appointed by FWP Director Joe Maurier in consultation with the FWP Commission. Members include Mark Albrecht, Bozeman; John Anderson, Alder; Ed Bukoskey, Rosebud; Joe Cohenour, East Helena; Rick Douglass, Butte; Rick Gibson, Livingston; Lorents Grosfield, Big Timber; Raymond Marxer, Twin Bridges; Charlie Noland, Huntley; William Raths, Lewistown; and C. Thomas Rice, Dillon.
The meetings are open to the public to observe but because the sessions are dedicated to the group’s efforts they will not include public comment. Public comment opportunities will be offered if the FWP Commission considers recommendations from the working group. For additional information, call 406-444-2612. | 1,713 | 932 | 0.001084 |
warc | 201704 | If anything, last week was supposed to be bullish... the Santa Claus rally. Santa only left coal in traders' stockings this time around, though, sending the S&P 500 1.1% lower for the shortened trading week. Perhaps worse, in the process of doling out the pullback, the S&P 500 fell under a couple of crucial support lines, meaning stocks will start the week out at a disadvantage.
Then again, with a new year representing a clean slate, there's no real certainty as to what sort of mode investors will be in as 2017 gets going.
We'll weigh the pros and cons after taking a look at last week's and this week's major economic announcements. There are some pretty big ones in the queue, with the grand finale being last month's unemployment report on Friday.
Economic Data
There wasn't a whole lot on the economic dance card for last week, but a couple of items are worth a closer look.
One of those items is the Case-Shiller 20-city Index (of home prices). Though the data released was only October's -- and much has happened in the meantime -- we continue to see progress on this front. The Case-Shiller Index jibes with the FHFA Housing Price Index, which also shows ongoing improvement in the housing market.
The only other data nugget from last week worth a closer look is consumer confidence. The Conference Board's key measure of consumer sentiment surged to a multi-year high of 113.7. Though a bit overstated, it's clear that consumers (and therefore investors) are more than optimistic enough to keep bullish pressure on stocks.
Granted, consumer confidence is as much the result of bullishness as it is the cause of it, but to the extent sentiment drives the market, this is a good LONG-term indication.
Everything else is on the grid.
This week is going to be significantly busier.
The big announcement, of course, is going to be Friday's jobs report for December. The pros are looking for 175,000 new payrolls, more or less in line with November's growth. But, with as many people who are newly joining the work force (or re-joining it), those same economists are also looking for the unemployment rate to edge back up a bit, from 4.6% to 4.7%.
Keep an eye on Thursday's Challenger planned job cuts report for a preview of what's apt to come in Friday's official employment report from the Department of Labor.
The other news that could really move the market this week is December's auto sales, due on Wednesday.
November's report was outstanding, but that's not unusual -- November's car sales are usually stronger than trend. A good report for December could go miles in quelling "peak auto" concerns, while a poor December report will renew those concerns... and potentially pose problems for automaker stocks.
Index Analysis
It's too soon to assume the worst. Indeed, even if this week gets started on the same bearish foot it finished last week on, there are still a handful of ways to bring a quick end to any weakness. On the flipside, considering last week was "supposed to be" bullish (and clearly wasn't), perhaps we've started the correction we know we have to face sooner or later.
The daily chart of the S&P 500 isn't a tough one to interpret. The index not only broke under its 20-day moving average line at 2254 for the first time since early November, it broke under what was a minor (but developing) floor at 2249. The VIX is also on the move -- higher -- though it's yet to hurdle a pretty significant ceiling at the 14.0 area.
This could be little more than the market's natural ebb and flow. If it's nothing more than that, then no big deal. And, the fact that the PercentR line has finally pulled back under the 80 level confirms the tailwind is now gone. On the other hand...
The market won't be too far gone to salvage until the S&P 500 breaks below the 50-day moving average line (purple) currently at 2199 AND the PercentR line gets AND STAYS below 20. The VIX will need to be firmly moving higher at that time too. It's not happened yet, but when we zoom out to a weekly chart of the S&P 500 we can see how due -- and perhaps overdue -- for a more serious correction. Take a look.
Four weeks ago we pointed out how the S&P 500, at the time, had just poked above its upper 26-week Bollinger band for the first time in years. It was a big deal simply because it was a clear (and rarely seen) indication that the market had traveled too far, too fast. Specifically, the S&P 500 had rallied from a low of 1811 in February of last year to a high of 2277 last month... a 25.7% rally in just eleven months, which is too much for any bull market that's as old as this one. Now we can see - visually - just how big of a move that was, and how the market has started to struggle with the sheer weight of the big move.
With all of that being said, perhaps the biggest red flag on the weekly chart is the fact that the VIX hasn't surged. Normally a stumble like last week's would prod the VIX considerably higher and set up a peak in fear... a peak that quickly sets up a market bottom. Not this time though. This time, the VIX remains very near an absolute floor, which leaves plenty of room for it to rise from here, which in turn leaves plenty of room for the S&P 500 to move lower. The S&P 500 won't hit a true bottom line until the VIX moves back to the 26 area. The S&P 500 could revisit the 200-day moving average line (green) or even the lower Bollinger band (blue) currently at 2094 before it's all said and done. Just note that both of those lines are moving fast.
Of course, the move to a new calendar year throws wrench into the "read" of any chart. We still have to be prepared for all possibilities this week, even if the path of least resistance is to the downside. | 5,735 | 2,755 | 0.000365 |
warc | 201704 | Khat and stroke.
MedLine Citation:
PMID: 22566731 Owner: NLM Status: PubMed-not-MEDLINE
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Khat chewing, though a tradition followed majorly in African countries, has of late spread widely across the globe due to faster transport systems and advanced preservation techniques. Many complications such as psychosis, arterial hypertension, angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction have been reported in connection to khat abuse. We present a case of a young man who presented with acute onset left-sided weakness. He was a known khat addict for over three decades. A diagnosis of left hemiplegia due to right middle cerebral artery infarction was established. Detailed evaluation revealed no significant underlying cause for stroke. Since the main central nervous system effects of khat are comparable with those of amphetamines and there are established reports of stroke in amphetamine abuse, the former was assumed to be the etiological factor. The patient was discontinued from taking khat and was managed conservatively. The subject showed significant recovery with no further complications or similar episodes during follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case of stroke associated with khat. Since the management is essentially conservative, a vigilant history eliciting of khat abuse in prevalent countries would cut down unnecessary healthcare costs.
Authors:
Sanjay V Kulkarni; Yasir Ahamed A Mughani; Enass Hassan A Onbol; Punith Kempegowda
Publication Detail:
Type: Journal Article
Journal Detail:
Title: Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology Volume: 15 ISSN: 1998-3549 ISO Abbreviation: Ann Indian Acad Neurol Publication Date: 2012 Apr
Date Detail:
Created Date: 2012-05-08 Completed Date: 2012-10-02 Revised Date: 2013-05-29
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID: 101273955 Medline TA: Ann Indian Acad Neurol Country: India
Other Details:
Languages: eng Pagination: 139-40 Citation Subset: -
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, M S Ramaiah Medical Teaching Hospital, MSRIT Post, New BEL Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document:Acute polyradiculoneuropathy following honey bee sting. Next Document:First case of scrub typhus with meningoencephalitis from Kerala: An emerging infectious threat. | 2,468 | 1,394 | 0.000728 |
warc | 201704 | Optimization of the position of the acetabulum in a ganz periacetabular osteotomy by finite element analysis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID: 23097237 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a surgical procedure to correct acetabular orientation in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). It changes the position of the acetabulum to increase femoral head coverage and distribute the contact pressure over the cartilage surface. The success of PAO depends significantly on the surgeon's experience. Using computed tomography data from patients with DDH, we developed a 3D finite element (FE) model to investigate the optimal position of the acetabulum following PAO. A virtual PAO was performed with the acetabulum rotated in increments from the original center edge (CE) angle. Contact area, contact pressure, and Von Mises stress in the femoral and pelvic cartilage were analyzed. Five dysplastic hips from four patients were modeled. Contact area, contact pressure, and Von Mises stress in the cartilage all varied according to the change of CE angle through virtual PAO. An optimal position could be achieved for the acetabulum that maximizes the contact area while minimizing the contact pressure and von Mises stress in the pelvic and femoral cartilage. The optimal position of the acetabulum was patient dependent and did not always correspond to what would be considered a "normal" CE angle. We demonstrated for the first time the interrelation of correction angle, contact area, and contact pressure between the pelvic and femoral cartilage in PAO surgery. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res.
Authors:
Zhenmin Zou; Arturo Chávez-Arreola; Parthasarathi Mandal; Tim N Board; Teresa Alonso-Rasgado
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Publication Detail:
Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2012-10-23
Journal Detail:
Title: Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society Volume: - ISSN: 1554-527X ISO Abbreviation: J. Orthop. Res. Publication Date: 2012 Oct
Date Detail:
Created Date: 2012-10-25 Completed Date: - Revised Date: -
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID: 8404726 Medline TA: J Orthop Res Country: -
Other Details:
Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: -
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society.
Affiliation:
School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
Export Citation:
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Descriptor/Qualifier:
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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warc | 201704 | Is the QT interval an indicator of autonomic state?
MedLine Citation:
PMID: 11232988 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Prolonged QT interval is suggested to indicate an increased risk of sudden cardiac death in certain clinical conditions such as diabetes mellitus. We investigated whether the individual QT interval is an indicator of an autonomic state. An ambulatory 24-hour ECG was recorded in 53 subjects from different clinical backgrounds. Power spectral components of heart rate variability (HRV) and the QT interval were regressively obtained at a heart rate of 60, 70, 80, 90, or 100 beats per minutes (bpm). Log values of the high-frequency component of HRV (HF: 0.15-0.50 Hz, a scale of cardiac parasympathetic tone) failed to show a relationship with the QT interval. In contrast, the QT interval at a heart rate of 90 bpm and 100 bpm showed a significant correlation with the log values of the low-frequency component (LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz) and the log[LF/HF], i.e., a putative scale of sympathetic tone (100 bpm: QT vs logLF: r = 0.414, p < 0.005, QT vs log[LF/HF]: 0.416, p < 0.002). Also, attenuated rate-dependent QT shortening was associated with greater logLF and log[LF / HF] values at a heart rate of 80, 90, or 100 bpm. These results suggest that the QT interval at a moderate heart rate (approximately 90-100 / min) and the degree of rate-dependent QT shortening are related to individual sympathetic tone.
Authors:
Y Murakawa; T Yamashita; K Ajiki; J Suzuki; N Hayami; E Fukui; Y Kasaoka; M Omata; R Nagai
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Publication Detail:
Type: Journal Article
Journal Detail:
Title: Japanese heart journal Volume: 41 ISSN: 0021-4868 ISO Abbreviation: Jpn Heart J Publication Date: 2000 Nov
Date Detail:
Created Date: 2001-03-05 Completed Date: 2001-03-08 Revised Date: 2004-11-17
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID: 0401175 Medline TA: Jpn Heart J Country: Japan
Other Details:
Languages: eng Pagination: 713-21 Citation Subset: IM
Affiliation:
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Autonomic Nervous System / physiopathology*
Coronary Disease / physiopathology
Diabetes Mellitus / physiopathology
Electrocardiography, Ambulatory*
Female
Heart / innervation*
Heart Rate
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Parasympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology
Prognosis
Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document:A safe and effective regimen without heparin therapy after successful primary coronary stenting in p... Next Document:Left atrial systolic function assessed by left atrial ejection force in patients with sick sinus syn... | 3,375 | 1,785 | 0.00057 |
warc | 201704 | Search BizReport News by Topic Marketing Advertising Search Marketing Email Marketing Loyalty Marketing Mobile Marketing Social Marketing Viral Marketing Trends & Ideas Internet Marketing 101 Beyond Marketing Less than half of SMEs actively investing in marketing their website New research from UK-based Browser Media reveals that owners of small- to medium-sized businesses are more familiar with social media marketing than with email marketing and, while websites are seen as critical to the success of a business, few are actively investing in them.
When UK-based Browser Media surveyed 188 small- and medium sized business owners and managers they found that almost all (91%) were "most familiar" with social media marketing.
However, slightly less (89%) were familiar with email marketing and SEO (79%).
At the other end of the scale, business owners and managers were less familiar with inbound marketing (35%), affiliate marketing (48%) and content marketing (52%).
Browser Media's survey, taken during The Business Show held at London's ExCel, also sought to find out whether small- to medium-sized companies believe their website is working hard enough for them and, if not, what they are doing about it.
While more than three-quarters (79%) of companies said their website was "critical or very important" to their business, just 43% were actively investing in marketing it or improving their web presence. Only 28% are happy with their company's ranking on Google.
While most companies (69%) undertake digital marketing in-house, 31% do have some level of agency support. However, it's the companies that outsource digital marketing to some extent or another that are more satisfied with their online presence and visibility.
"As someone once said, "You've got to be in it to win it" but the survey results show that many small business wrongly believe that they are 'in it' by simply creating their website," writes Ali Cort, PR Director at Browser Media, on the company blog.
"Digital marketing goes far beyond this and if they want people and search engines to take note, it's what they do with this website and their broader, online presence that counts."
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warc | 201704 | Managing diabetes in residential and nursing homesBMJ 1998; 316 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.316.7125.89 (Published 10 January 1998) Cite this as: BMJ 1998;316:89 Presents a complex set of problems with no one solution Robert Tattersall, Professor of clinical diabetesa, Simon Page, Consultant physiciana aUniversity Hospital, Nottingham NG7 2UH
The prevalence of diabetes in the elderly is around 10% and it imposes an enormous burden on healthcare systems. In America in 1992 nursing home care for people with diabetes cost $1.83 billion.1 Elderly diabetics have much microvascular and macrovascular disease and are two to three times more likely to need hospital admission than their non-diabetic counterparts.2 One might expect a higher prevalence of diabetes and its complications in residential or nursing homes. Several American studies have found diabetes in 20% of nursing home residents,3 and in one almost 90% of diabetic residents had coronary artery disease, strokes, or peripheral vascular disease—with 6.4 major diagnoses compared with only 2.4 in non-diabetic residents.4 In Alabama (and probably England) nursing home patients generate a disproportionately large number of out of hours calls.5
In a recent issue of the
BMJ Benbow and coworkers surveyed 44 residential and nursing homes in Liverpool comparing 109 diabetic residents with 107 age and … Sign in Log in using your username and password Log in through your institution Free trial
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warc | 201704 | Part II: Channeling Strategic Collaboration: The Grease that Allows the Engine to Run
Over the last two decades, governance — the work performed by boards of directors – has become a more challenging endeavor than ever before. Overwhelmingly, resources are scarcer, requiring organizations to do more with less. Scandals in the corporate, public and nonprofit sectors have resulted in increased pressure and scrutiny on boards of directors from regulators and stakeholders alike. In this environment, boards and staff are seeking ways to perform at a higher level by operating in an agile manner. And yet, most of the prescriptive literature on board governance tends more toward the theoretical than the practical.
This leaves board members relatively unsupported in their quest to effect lasting change for their organizations, sometimes in environments that can actually discourage innovation.
The purpose of this three-part monthly series is to confront this important challenge head-on. Its intent is to provide practical advice for how boards can combine their passion and expertise with governance-focused technology in order to deliver tangible results. Each installment of the series will focus on a key thematic competency that is common among high-performing boards, and explore the meaning and importance of each. The guide will also offer tips and tricks, important considerations, and pitfalls to avoid for boards seeking to enhance their governance practices and drive sustainable organizational change. The series topics are:
Enhancing Board Processes: Where the Rubber Meets the Road Channeling Strategic Collaboration: The Grease that Allows the Engine Run Fostering Circumspect Vision: Navigating Through the Windshield AND Rear-View
While pragmatic in nature, these governing practices are firmly supported by leading academic theory. The themes echo the seminal work “Governance as Leadership” by Richard Chait, William Ryan, and Barbara Taylor, which holds that excellent boards must routinely operate in and fluidly transition among three distinct “modes” of governance, as follows:
Fiduciary Mode – the board is focused on financial and operational oversight – ensuring organizational compliance, and that tangible assets are being used appropriately. Strategic Mode – the board helps create a winning strategy for the organization, monitors progress in executing that strategy, and serves as a strategic partner to management. Generative Thinking Mode – the board fulfills its leadership role by deciding which issues deserve attention, what the issues mean for the organization, and how best to address.
We find this taxonomy to be imminently useful as a framework for how boards should strive to operate. Like any ambitious diet or exercise regimen, however, this can prove to be more of an aspirational ideal than an attainable reality. This is where technology, when implemented with prudence and strategic foresight, can be invaluable; and this field guide aims to assist in simplifying that process.
This series is informed by our experience at BoardEffect of having worked with over 1,200 organizations to leverage board management software in pursuit of enhanced operations and mission achievement. It is our aspiration, however, that this series is vendor and technology agnostic, standing on its own merit as an aid to any organization with a governing body seeking to optimize its board as a strategic asset.
This is the second installment of a three-part series, “Leveraging Technology to Elevate Board Performance.” In this segment, we examine how organizational collaboration fuels the journey toward mission achievement. Before charting a path toward success, a board must pinpoint its “destination.” Clarifying the mission establishes a point on the horizon toward which an organization strives. This is the quintessential first leg of the journey, but
only the first. In the strategic mode of governance, a board functions as compass that helps an organization set its bearings and determine the direction to follow toward its end-destination. Accordingly, the following installment seeks to help answer the question: how can organizations use technology to promote board collaboration and foster strategic leadership in support of an organization’s journey?
Board Workflows in the Strategic Mode:
Explanation: a central focus of the board is to ensure a winning (sustainable) strategy for the organization – driving movement toward mission achievement – and to serve as a strategic partner with senior management in ensuring its execution. Optimal Situation: board members (along with senior management) actively engage in collaborating on the setting of strategy, ensuring resource alignment with strategic priorities, monitoring progress against stated goals, and advising leadership on potential adjustments as the landscape evolves. Practical Reality: even when board members are engaged at a strategic level, they do not always have access to timely and actionable information needed in the planning process. When information is provided, it sometimes is unaccompanied by the necessary context and commentary that enables boards to grasp and codify its broadest implications. Finally, the episodic meeting paradigm can inhibit fluid board collaboration that makes otherwise static information strategically valuable. Useful Tools: operating in the strategic mode is all about a board’s ability to process and applycritical information in a dynamic environment. Board management software can help in this endeavor. For example, various technology solutions aid in building consent agendas (to help a board pull out of the weeds and extend its line of sight during meetings), analyzing the current and ideal composition of a board, enabling board and CEO performance evaluations, and aligning the strategic plan with a range of initiatives from committee work to development activities. Collaborations tools also allow boards to remain connected and productive beyond the boardroom. Implementation Tips and Tricks: to get the most out of board management software, first go back to basics. In an offline mode, the board should explicitly consider the implications of the strategic plan in relation to every board and organizational activity. For instance, first revisit the function of board recruitment, thenlater leverage technology to facilitate the identified and related tasks. As another example, the organization should inventory and anticipate needs in board composition, based on the board’s strategic goals. That will put the board in an advantageous position to successfully leverage software to design, document, automate, and analyze processes for attracting and on-boarding new volunteer leaders. In each of these cases, be sure to leverage online collaboration tools to allow board members to share views and test assumptions on a fluid, real-time basis (which is otherwise can be difficult to foster outside of scheduled board meetings). Pitfalls to Avoid: again, don’t assume the use of board management software will magically create best practices for your organization. Strategic planning is a team sport in continuous play. Accordingly, a strategic plan should not be a static document or “shelf-ware” that gathers dust. Be sure to intentionally build meeting agendas based around your strategic plan throughout the year. This will ensure your plans are constantly at the forefront and part of the discussion as a consistent organizational priority. Final Consideration: Be both intentional and innovative about how you leverage software that supports your board. Simply paving the cart-path (automating old processes) won’t necessarily build a super-highway. Sometimes re-thinking process is necessary to operate strategically.
A high-performing and collaborative board of directors can help an organization maintain sight of its destination and remain on the right route. Mastery of the strategic mode of governance through enhanced collaboration advances the board’s movement toward mission achievement. Board management software makes it easier for board members to work collaboratively and function collectively as the compass for their organization.
To download the full text PDF of the Field Guide, please click here. | 8,427 | 3,704 | 0.000274 |
warc | 201704 | Project Gutenberg. Public domain.
Many writers have classified the crimes that the boy commits. It is scarcely worth the while. He learns to steal or becomes a burglar largely for the love of adventure; he robs because it is exciting and may bring large returns. In his excursions to pilfer property he may kill, and then for the first time the State discovers that there is such a boy and sets in action the machinery to take his life. The city quite probably has given him a casual notice by arresting him a number of times and sending him to a juvenile prison, but it has rarely extended a hand to help him. Any man or woman who has fairly normal faculties, and can reason from cause to effect, knows that the crimes of children are really the crimes of the State and society which by neglect and active participation have made him what he is. When it is remembered that the man is the child grown up, it is equally easy to understand the adult prisoner.
X HOMICIDE
Crimes against persons are not always as easy to classify and understand as crimes against property. These acts are so numerous and come from so many different emotions and motives, that often the cause is obscure and the explanation not easy to find. Still here, as everywhere in Nature, nothing can happen without a cause, and even where limited knowledge does its best and cannot find causes, our recognition of the connection between cause and effect and the all-inclusiveness of law can leave no doubt that complete knowledge would bring complete understanding.
It is always to be borne in mind in considering this class of crimes that the motive power of life is not reason but instinct. If men lived by reason the race would not survive. The primal things that preserve the race, the hunger for food, drink, sex, are instinctive and not only are not awakened or satisfied by reason, but oftentimes in violation of it. Nature, first of all, sees to the preservation of the species, and acts in a broad way that life may not perish. Nature knows nothing about right and wrong in the sense in which man uses these words. All of our moral conceptions are purely of social origin and hence not instinctive in human life, and are forever giving way to the instincts on which Nature depends. The preservation of life has called for the emotions of hate, fear and love, among the other emotions that move men. The animal fears danger and runs away, and thus life is preserved. The weaker animal is almost entirely dependent for life upon his fear. He is sometimes afraid when there is no danger, but without fear he would be destroyed. Sometimes the animal hates and kills and thus preserves himself. The love of offspring is the cause of the care bestowed upon it which preserves its life. The herd instinct in animal species develops packs and clans and tribes and states. Man is the heir to all the past, and the instincts and emotions of the primitive animal are strong in his being. These may have been strengthened or diluted as the ages have come and gone, but the same instincts furnish the motive power for all his acts. Man fears and hates, and runs or kills and saves his life. He loves, and preserves his offspring. | 3,201 | 1,525 | 0.000657 |
warc | 201704 | Language learners need authentic opportunities to practice and improve their skills. Activities both online and face-to-face that require attention to vocabulary and pronunciation as well as a spoken response help students master English.
Listening and Speaking
ESL listening activities must motivate students to listen actively. Active listening requires a person's full involvement. One of the best means to accomplish this is to use activities that students connect with personally or enjoy doing.
Activities that require both listening and speaking with a partner as well as with the class are popular choices for most ESL classrooms.
For Beginners
Since speaking and listening go hand in hand, this activity requires students to do both.
Before class write out a list of about ten sentences, which include nouns, verbs, and adjectives from your current lesson. Keep the sentences relatively short, but make them natural sounding. Have your students sit in rows of fives. If you have a small class, one row of five is fine. Explain to the class that the first person in the row is going to receive a piece of paper with sentences in English written on it. That person is to read the first sentence slowly and quietly to the student behind him. The student listening will not see the sentence written out. He or she must listen, understand what is being said and repeat it to the next person in the row. This continues until the last person in the row hears the sentence. The last student stands up, speaking the sentence aloud for everyone in the row to hear.
Hopefully, his/her version will be close to or the same as the original. Have the last student write his/her understanding of the sentence on the board. The first person in the row writes the correct sentence under it. Together, students can review the differences with the teacher.
Before repeating, have the first person go to the end of the line. This allows all the students to be first as well as last. Repeat with additional sentences until the entire group has had a turn to be first and last.
This activity will work in classes with young children up to adults. Older students may be a little more hesitant to participate, but usually, everyone ends up having fun.
For Intermediate Level
Preparation: Find a brief biography or article on a famous person. This will be read to the class. Either tape a reading of the text or plan to read it aloud to the class. Handout this downloadable timeline table to students. Explain to students that they will be listening to a biography of a famous person. They will fill in the timeline table as they listen. Play or read the timeline three times. Check accuracy of answers as a group. Ask students to take turns giving one fact they learned about this person.
An alternative activity is to have students in small groups create a biography for a famous person. They tell the class about the person as their peers fill in their timeline tables. Discuss what they learn.
Advanced Level
Riddles require good listening skills as well as understanding of language. Challenge advanced learners to figure the answers to several riddles.
Preparation: Give students a text of the riddles to see as they are read.
Riddles below are followed by answers in parenthesis.
What starts with a T, ends with a T and has T in it? (A teapot) What is once in a minute, twice in a moment and never in a thousand years? (The letter M) For some I go fast; for others I'm slow. To most people, I'm an obsession; relying on me is a well-practiced lesson. (Time) A blue house is made of blue bricks. A red house is made of red bricks. A yellow house is made of yellow bricks. What would a green house be made of? (Glass) I am bigger than an elephant but lighter than a feather. What am I? (The wind) What can run but never walks; has a mouth but never talks; has a head but never weeps; has a bed but never sleeps? (A river) All Levels
Preparation: A picture of a room A text to be read describing the room and placement of objects in it
Have student listen to the description of the room. Ask them to make three columns on their paper. The columns are headed - Position, Object and Description. Read the text again, slowly, asking them to list under the columns what they hear. Place students in pairs. Have them describe the room to each other without looking at each other's lists. They can fill in missing information as they discuss the room.
Have students make a box sketch (like what designers do to show where furniture will be placed) of what the room looks like. Once they are done, show them the picture of the room.
References: Some content from author's own experience. New Ways in Teaching Listening, D. Nunan and L. Miller: TESOL, Alexandria, Virginia (2002)
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warc | 201704 | Yeay! Week 3 on Hybrid starts off with a real improvement for me in strength gains and in weight. I’ve gained 1 lb a week steadily since starting eating (a lot more!) for 4 weeks now, so I’m almost at 115. No doubt, I’ve gained some fat too as the pics at the end of this post will show, but it’s a small sacrifice for seeing strength gains. It’s so satisfying to see the numbers go up here in weight carried. I’m glad I take careful notes and always bring my training journal. Most people feel naked without their iPod— me, I can’t get by without my notebook. I repeated the same workout for the upper body hypertrophy hybrid day and here’s how I made out:
Week 1 Week 1 Week 3 Week 3 Notes Exercise Reps Weight Reps Weight Incline DB Press 12, 11, 9 30 15, 12, 8 30, 35, 40 Next time I’m starting with the 40s! Hammer Chest Press 11,9,9 90 10, 9, 7 100, 110, 115 Weighted Dips 4,6,10 5, 5, No weight 8,8,6 5, 10, 10 Chins 8,7,7 8,4,5 Chins were better last week but I did MUCH better with the weighted dips. Compromise! Hammer machine low row 12,12,12 70 8,9,9 90 Partial rep deads in power cage 8,8 135 8,8 135 Seated DB Shoulder Press 12, 8 25,30 12,8 25 Hmm, week one better effort but I’m starting to feel my form slip. Better to stay safe. Side Lat Raises 15,15 15 15,12 15 We really need a 17.5 Standing barbell curl 12,8,8 40 12,8,8 40 Same here, but I try a new move on sets 2 and 3- keeping my back against a wall makes it HARDER Skullcrushers 15,15,7 40,40, 50 8,8,8 50 Big improvement! But was clearly being too conservative in week 1!
So- I’m no mathematician, but using the incline DB press and hammer machine press as an example, and comparing the weight carried on set 3, that represents (I think!) an increase in strength of 33% for the incline DB press and 27% for the hammer machine chest press. Whoa, did I really do that right?
The next day is lower body hypertrophy day…and I’ve never met a leg day I didn’t like. Rather than bore you with another chart, I did want to make the important point that I am seeing strength gains here too! Comparing front squats (love to hate em!) on set 3 on week 1 I was using 85 lbs, this time around (week 3) it’s 90 lbs. That’s a 5% improvement. Not huge, but front squats are one of those things where I’m super strict with form and tempo. Plus, I’m still figuring out the most comfortable spot for bar placement. It’s getting easier though! For barbell lunges, comparing set 3 again, I’m seeing an 8% increase in weight carried (125 lbs and now 135 lbs). For leg extensions, same weight (130) but one more good rep out of each set (8 versus 9) so that is certainly an improvement. I break even with straight leg deadlifts, 115 lbs for 12 reps for 4 sets, but I have to remind myself that the one minute rests really keep my heart rate up and make packing on too much weight a bad idea, at least for me. No matter, there’s nothing that makes you feel like you’ve worked HARD when you’re lifting that bar off the low pins!
Total Body Hybrid HIIT is next up on the agenda. Unfortunately I’m really getting the hang of just how agonizing true HIIT training is. I choose the elliptical machine and use my gymboss interval timer to make sure I complete 10 sprints at 30 seconds with 1 minute recoveries (which by the way, go by WAY too fast!). For those of you who think you know what HIIT is, think again! 20 minutes and I’m TOAST. My squat, chin, bench circuit is improving too! I can squat 85 lbs for 15 reps (10 lbs over last time), bench 65 for 15 (5 lbs over last time), and well…the chins are another story. For sets 1,2, and 3 I get 10, 8, and 5- diminishing returns indeed! I work on hitting the remaining reps for sets 1 and 2 by jumping up and working the negatives, but by set 3 my tank is on E! I finish with 20 minutes on a stairstepper. I think I’m really starting to understand (sort of) why people get “addicted” to cardio- it feels sooooooo good when it’s all over!!!
Day 4 is a upper body 5X5 where I really see some improvement in the bench press. When I started, I was benching 85 lbs for a 5X5 and I’m now able to do 95 lbs for the same workout. So exciting! For back I do one arm DB rows with 50 lbs, and before I started Hybrid I was using the 45 lbs. So, all in all, despite gaining some body fat, I know some of it is muscle, and it was a great week! Please feel free to leave any helpful comments below.
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Sumi Singh is a Personal Trainer in Austin, TX and an online diet coach. Her website is www.shailafitness.com | 4,665 | 2,365 | 0.000439 |
warc | 201704 | In the Cleveland, TN market in February, closings of new homes declined year-over-year, declining after staying relatively stable in January from the year earlier. Closings stood at 4 in February after being 9 a year earlier and remaining unchanged at 7 in January from a year earlier.
A total of 51 new homes were sold during the 12 months that ended in February, down from 56 for the year that ended in January.
New home closings were 4 out of the 148 total closings, down on a percentage basis from 9 of 175 a year earlier. After rising year-over-year in January, closings of new and existing homes sank year-over-year in February.
Pricing and Mortgage Trends
The average new home price was $253,635, up from $152,622 a year earlier. This came after a 18.6% lift in January year-over-year.
The average mortgage size on new homes was $263,264, up from $158,975. Average mortgage size on new homes went from $141,160 in January 2015 to $173,007 in January 2016.
Other Market Trends
As a share of new home closings, single-family home closings have risen from last year while the share belonging to attached units has fallen.
Foreclosures and real estate owned (REO) closings continued to rise in February from a year earlier and remained a drag on the market. Together, foreclosures plus REO closings made up 29.2% of existing home closings, up from 27.7% a year earlier. The percentage of existing home closings involving foreclosures sank to 11.8% in February from 13.9% a year earlier while REO closings as a percentage of existing home closings climbed to 17.4% from 13.9%. | 1,588 | 732 | 0.001375 |
warc | 201704 | Chase has struck a key partnership to expand the market for Chase Pay, the bank's digital payments solution and mobile wallet.
Chase Pay has partnered with LevelUp, the Boston-based tech company that many shoppers might recognize from its square white scanners at registers at quick-service restaurants (QSRs).
Starting today, Chase customers can use the Chase Pay app to order ahead and pay at participating QSRs in Boston to save time when getting their food and drinks. Customers can either pay ahead of time or in person at LevelUp or Chase Pay branded scanners at the counter, and they can receive special offers available through the app.
Chase plans to roll out this service to other U.S. markets in the next few months. Customers can view the full list of participating restaurants within the app.
“LevelUp is thrilled to be working with Chase to help their customers order ahead and pay at thousands of popular restaurants,” said Seth Priebatsch, CEO and founder of LevelUp, in a statement. “With Chase Pay, customers will be able to skip the line at their favorite spots and unlock savings at the same time. By seamlessly blending the value propositions of saving time and saving money, Chase Pay is making mobile payments relevant to customers.”
Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) — also known as fast-casual restaurants — such as Starbucks have been turning to mobile order-ahead apps to extract higher sales, intensify customer loyalty, and heighten foot traffic.
Mobile order-ahead refers to a consumer-facing mobile payment platform that allows customers to order food remotely, pay for the items on their phone, and pick up their order at a specific restaurant location.
Leading QSRs in the U.S. are beginning to adopt these platforms at an accelerated pace and are benefiting from them. Taco Bell sees 30% higher average order values on mobile compared to in-store, and Starbucks' Mobile Order & Pay already represents 10% of total transactions at high-volume stores, directly contributing to increased company sales.
Mobile order-ahead is still in its early days, but will be a $38 billion industry by 2020, accounting for 10.7% of total QSR industry sales. This will be driven by full adoption among the top QSRs in the US, the growth of mobile commerce, QSR adoption through aggregators like Grubhub, loyalty programs, higher average order values, and new buy buttons.
BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has compiled a detailed Mobile Order-Ahead Report that profiles the companies that have proved the mobile order-ahead concept and analyzes the trends contributing to this new industry's growth.
Here are some key takeaways from the report: Mobile order-ahead apps — platforms that enable consumers to remotely purchase menu items for in-store restaurant pickup — are on the rise among quick-service restaurants (QSRs). We expect sales on these platforms to reach $38 billion by 2020, representing a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 57%. Mobile order-ahead will ultimately have an additive effect on the QSR industry. Mobile ordering platforms have been proven to intensify customer loyalty, increase purchase frequency, and lift average ticket sizes through order customization and easier checkout options. This means that mobile ordering is not a simple substitution for in-store purchasing, but a channel that can enhance the lifetime value of QSR customers. This makes mobile order-ahead a critical channel contributing to the growth of the QSR industry. Alternative commerce solutions will help propel mobile ordering. Aggregators like Grubhub will onboard smaller fast-casual restaurants into the mobile ecosystem by offering them an existing app to integrate into, lowering the upfront costs of creating a mobile channel of their own. And in-store self-service kiosks will help popularize remote ordering and accustom users to less traditional forms of payment that don't require a cash register. In full, the report: Forecasts the growth of the mobile order-ahead industry in the US from 2015 to 2020, including its share of total QSR sales. Profiles brands that are leading the migration to mobile ordering. Examines the alternative commerce solutions that could help popularize mobile order-ahead. Explains the risks and drawbacks to launching a mobile commerce platform. Assesses the ways both large and small brands can create a mobile order-ahead platform. Determines which types of fast-casual chains are in the best position to benefit from mobile order-ahead.
To get your copy of this invaluable guide, choose one of these options:
Subscribe to an ALL-ACCESS Membership with BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report AND over 100 other expertly researched deep-dive reports, subscriptions to all of our daily newsletters, and much more. >> START A MEMBERSHIP Purchase the report and download it immediately from our research store. >> BUY THE REPORT
The choice is yours. But however you decide to acquire this report, you’ve given yourself a powerful advantage in your understanding of mobile order-ahead.
Learn more: Credit Card Industry and Market Mobile Payment Technologies Mobile Payments Industry Mobile Payment Market, Trends and Adoption Credit Card Processing Industry List of Credit Card Processing Companies List of Credit Card Processing Networks List of Payment Gateway Providers M-Commerce: Mobile Shopping Trends E-Commerce Payment Technologies and Trends | 5,524 | 2,482 | 0.000407 |
warc | 201704 | MONTREAL – Molson Coors Brewing Co. is pulling out the stops to kickstart sales of Coors Light, its flagship brand that has been losing market share in Canada.
The beer performed a little better in the second quarter but sales volumes still decreased by low single digits.
“The performance is still not satisfactory. It’s still losing its share of beer so there’s more work to be done,” Molson Coors Canada CEO Stewart Glendinning told analysts Wednesday during a conference call to discuss second-quarter results.
In addition to unveiling new advertising, the Montreal and Denver-based brewer is focusing on promotional offers this summer at retail stores to spur sales.
Molson Coors CEO Peter Swinburn said the beer has been partially cannibalized by the introduction of Coors Banquet, which was introduced to Quebec in July.
“If you put both of those brands together, the volume actually is growing sort of low single digits,” he added.
Molson Coors beat expectations as net earnings increased 9.5 per cent to US$290.7 million in the second quarter on higher revenues.
The brewer, which reports in U.S. dollars, earned $292.7 million in underlying profit during the three months ended June 30, up from $271.3 million a year earlier.
That translated into $1.57 per share, 10 cents per share above last year’s results and analyst forecasts.
Revenues grew nearly one per cent to $1.2 billion even though worldwide beer volume fell to 16.6 million hectolitres.
Molson Coors (NYSE:TAP, TSX:TPX.B) said the results were driven by improved performances in the U.S. and Europe, along with lower interest expenses.
“We continued to build a bigger and stronger brand portfolio that is delivering value-added innovation, continued investment in our core brands, and increased our share in above premium (beer),” added Swinburn, who is retiring at the end of the year.
He will be replaced by Mark Hunter, 51, who has headed the European business since January 2013.
In Canada, adjusted pre-tax income decreased 6.5 per cent to $120.9 million, due to the loss of Mexican Modelo brands and a lower Canadian dollars that had a negative $6.3 million impact, partially offset by cost savings.
Sales were $516.5 million, down from $558.2 million last year, while sales volume decrease two per cent.
Molson Coors said it is concerned by a 26 per cent increase in Quebec’s excise tax Aug. 1 on retail beer sales, a second increase since the end of 2012. The change adds five cents to the price of a bottle of beer, but is offset by a seven-cent reduction in tax for beer sold in bars.
“We do expect that to be negative, but we’ll have to see what happens over the rest of the quarter,” Glendinning added.
Molson Coors underlying share of profits from the MillerCoors joint venture in the U.S. increased 10.3 per cent to $190.3 million.
In Europe, adjusted profits were $84.5 million, up from $75.8 million, despite losing some sales due to political unrest in Russia and Ukraine, along with devastating floods in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia in May and Bulgaria in June.
“Our Europe business was disproportionately affected by the flooding in the region in the second quarter and based on what we see today, we expect the aftermath of the floods to impact our volume and profit for at least the balance of the year,” noted Swinburn.
International losses decreased to $3.7 million, from $4 million.
The company’s net debt was $3.15 billion, down $612 million from the prior year.
Mark Swartzberg of Stifel Nicolaus said the results are evidence of an improving margin outlook, especially in the U.S. and in Canada, where new cost reductions are being contemplated.
“We also expect increasing discipline around costs and margins with Mark Hunter becoming CEO. This has been a hallmark of his time as chief of the company’s businesses in Europe,” he wrote in a report.
On the New York Stock Exchange, Molson Coors shares gained $3.86 or 5.74 per cent at $71.07 in Wednesday afternoon trading.
Follow @RossMarowits in Twitter | 4,129 | 2,024 | 0.00051 |
warc | 201704 | GENEVA – The Swiss government is doubling the amount of capital banks must hold against residential mortgage risks as it tries to prevent the country’s property market from overheating.
Switzerland’s governing Federal Council last year started requiring banks to hold an extra 1 per cent capital cushion against real-estate risks. On Thursday, it said it will increase it to 2 per cent by June 30 at the central bank’s request.
A government statement said the capital cushion has helped make banks more resilient but a “sustained strong increase in mortgage loans and the prices of residential properties” has increased imbalances that “constitute a considerable risk for the stable development of the economy.”
The Swiss Bankers Association said it’s disappointed by the decision saying the capital cushion isn’t an effective way of controlling property prices. | 917 | 521 | 0.002042 |
warc | 201704 | The Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD), will be hosting the 2016 Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (PACHE) Investigators Workshop. The workshop will take place June 13–14, 2016, at the National Cancer Institute Shady Grove Campus in Rockville, Maryland. Read more …
In 1999 the then Office of Minority Health Disparities headed by Dr. John Ruffin along with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) initiated several new research initiatives to support funding for the establishment of cancer research partnerships between existing NCI Comprehensive and/or NCI designated Cancer Centers and Minority Serving Institutions. These initiatives arose from the disturbing observations that although minorities including African-Americans suffer a disproportionate burden of cancer deaths in this country, neither the cancer centers alone nor minority serving institutions have been effective in addressing this problem. The initial objective of the NCI program was to strengthen the capabilities of minority serving institutions to engage in effective and productive cancer research collaborations with their neighboring cancer centers, with the ultimate goal of reducing the high cancer incidence and death rates among minorities. The MMC-VICC partnership was initiated by a supplement to the VICC (Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center) Support Grant (CCSG) in 1999. In 2000, Drs. Adunyah and Moses successfully competed for one of two U54 NCI Comprehensive Partnership Grants that were funded in the country. In 2006 the two PIs again successfully competed for another 5 years of funding from August 2006 to July 2011. Meharry Medical College’s component of the recently renewed NCI U54 Cancer Partnership grant is approximately $10 million in total costs over five years. To effectively engage in community outreach program for cancer prevention, the institutions also partnered with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. Read more … | 1,977 | 1,024 | 0.000988 |
warc | 201704 | New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS) The auto industry is upbeat about the festive season round the corner and is looking at increased sales over the next 2-3 months to push its growth figures.
“With festive season ahead to boost sales in the second half of the fiscal, we are eyeing double digit growth in the current fiscal,” Hero MotoCorp CMD and CEO Pawan Munjal told reporters at the SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) annual convention here on Wednesday.
Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt Ltd (HMSI), which has already had record sales in August at 4.5 lakh units, is eyeing a 20 per cent growth in sales over the next two to three months of festive season.
“The sales will get a boost from rural markets and in the scooter category from the urban and semi-urban market,” HMSI Senior Vice President (Sales and Marketing) Y.S. Guleria said.
The auto industry is also looking at expansion plans on the home front and overseas to boost growth in this fiscal.
Hero MotoCorp said it is planning a new plant in Gujarat in the third quarter of this fiscal and another in Bangladesh in the fourth quarter.
“The Bangladesh plant’s capacity is not much but the Gujarat one is big enough. We are also waiting to get possession of land for a plant in Andhra Pradesh. Globally, the country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer is soon starting exports to Nigeria, Argentina and Mexico,” Munjal said.
HMSI is building on its installed capacity in Gujarat and Bengaluru plants. By the end of September, its Gujarat plant will have a capacity of 12 lakh, Guleria said.
“In Bengaluru we are on the lines of having the biggest two-wheeler plant. We have three lines of six lakh capacity and the fourth line is under construction,” Guleria added.
HMSI is looking at taking its total installed capacity from the current 5.8 million to 6.4 million by June next year.
The auto industry felt that though the (Bharat Stage) BS-IV norms are round the corner, it is getting ready for the bigger challenge thrown by the policymakers of adopting BS-VI by April 1, 2020.
The government has decided to implement BS-VI norms directly from BS-IV, altogether skipping BS-V.
“We have accepted the challenge of BS-VI. The task is enormous,” Munjal said.
On the effect of BS-VI on the pricing, he said that there is a cost to the technology.
“We do not know how much investment will go into the technology and how much can be passed on to the customer. It is too early to comment on the effect on prices,” Munjal added.
The auto sector awaits another challenge of implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime targeted at April 1, 2017 by the government.
It is too early to calcuate the effect on the automobile prices and strategise unless the GST Council fixes the rate, Hero MotoCorp said.
“Too early to do calculations until (GST) Council fixes the rate. I have my doubts on the April 1, 2017 deadline for GST, though we have done our homework,” Munjal told reporters.
He said, “Implementation of GST requires huge amount of digitisation for which I have my doubts can be completed in such a short span of time.”
Hero MotoCorp is at the forefront and are at an advanced stage for implementation of GST, but cannot say the same for other companies, he said.
“But GST is going to happen and it is a good thing. Companies, traders, economy, all will benefit from it,” he added.
The sector that has been lying low following the ban on diesel cars in the Delhi-NCR region has suffered losses of Rs 4,000 crore in last eight months, SIAM said.
“The auto industry has lost Rs 4,000 crore in the last eight months. I feel everyone wants to regulate the auto industry,” said SIAM President Vinod K. Dasari.
The ban was lifted by the Supreme Court earlier this month on diesel vehicles above 2,000 cc with one per cent environment cess.
Dasari said, the cess, however, will not deter people from buying the diesel vehicles and is unlikely to have any effect on pollution.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries Anant Geete, who was also present at the conference, said that four ministries — heavy industry, road transport, environment and petroleum and natural gas — were discussing the issue of pollution.
“The auto industry has the government’s backing but the court’s order must be respected,” Geete said.
Another government representative, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant was of the opinion that the auto industry can play a much larger role by leading the private sector towards a greater contribution towards growth of the country.
“We must aim for 9-10 per cent GDP. We need to change the country’s mindset to boost growth. Not only the government’s but the private sector, led by automobile industry needs to change its mindset,” Kant said.
Kant said that the government is putting in a lot of resources to put in place the right infrastructure to boost growth.
“The total constructed roads have increased by 40 per cent while the total roads awarded have seen an increase by 52 per cent,” he added.
–IANS
mm/rn | 5,204 | 2,377 | 0.000438 |
warc | 201704 | Dear Annie: I'm a woman in my early 50s. Eight years ago, I began having messy bathroom-related accidents in my car after eating in restaurants. Doctors confirmed I had an allergy to gluten — which made sense, seeing as I had usually just consumed wheat before having an attack in the car.
Many restaurants and supermarkets are very accommodating. The hardest part is dealing with regular snide comments about my gluten-free diet — people saying I'm just being trendy and I'll get over it.
Please tell your readers to be more discerning. — Frustrated in Framingham
Dear Frustrated: It sounds as if the people making these remarks have some intolerance issues of their own. Gluten-related disorders, such as celiac disease, are very real. Just because some fad dieters have gravitated toward a gluten-free trend doesn't make it OK to dismiss the issue. Dear Annie: I don't know what to do.
I recently retired. My husband is still working. In the past few years, he has started playing a computer game. This is not one of the ones that involve other players; it involves only him. At first, he did it for only an hour or two. Now he starts when he gets home from work and plays until bedtime, usually only stopping for dinner. On weekends, except for mowing the lawn and doing a few other tasks, he plays from morning until bed.
I am worried about the future when he retires. We once talked about all the things we could do when we are both retired, but I can't see that happening anymore. He used to be good company; we used to go places and do things together. I am very sad and not looking forward to a future of this. He refuses to consider counseling, saying that I am the one with a problem. Do you have any suggestions? — Lonely
Dear Lonely: Your husband is playing a losing game with addiction. Seeing as he's defensive and insistent that he doesn't have a problem, you might try shifting the focus to your marriage and the way his behavior is impacting you. Then suggest marriage counseling. An objective third-party might be the game changer he needs.
I would also recommend contacting On-Line Gamers Anonymous. One of the first things it emphasizes is to stop enabling the gamer's problematic behavior. "This means refraining from doing anything that makes their life comfortable while they game, such as bringing them meals at the computer," the group says. Visit olganon.org for more information.
Dear Annie: There was no response to "Knight's" letter from you in our local paper, so I am sending one.
How chivalrous he is — and self-centered. Many men who "pay" expect something in return that a woman might not care to offer. This is not about commitment. It is about power, control, intimidation and manipulation. Treating someone should not be about you; it should be about the other person. If your date chooses to not accept your offer, it doesn't say anything about you; it says something about the comfort level of your date. — Not a Fan
Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. | 3,066 | 1,564 | 0.00065 |
warc | 201704 | (The following information has been sourced from the British Council website).
Students take part in the Erasmus+ programme for many different reasons, for some it is a required part of their degree, for others it's an ideal opportunity to live in another city in Europe for a few exciting months. We have put together some of the main reasons that employers and students tell us are the key benefits of taking part.
Stand out in the job market
The job market nowadays is an international one, so when you graduate, not only will you be competing with UK graduates, but also with highly qualified graduates from other countries. In this multi-cultural, multi-lingual European job market, the ability to communicate in another language is highly desirable; and demonstrating that you have lived, studied and worked in another environment enables you to compete more effectively. Developing self-assurance and independence are the keys to a successful career. As less than five per cent of the student population participates in Erasmus+ - you’ll stand out and employers will notice you.
According to the Higher Education Funding Council for England's report "Attainment in higher education of Erasmus+ and placement students", Erasmus+ students get better degrees and earn higher salaries. Language Skills
There is considerable current interest in the employability of graduates with language skills. Executive recruiters see competence in at least one other language in addition to English as critical for business success in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Staff who can speak more than one language will have significant competitive advantage. Staff with language skills are seen by businesses as being more flexible and adaptable, more likely to appreciate the need for intercultural communication skills and more able to build relationships with counterparts or clients in other countries.
The CBI’s 'Education and skills survey 2010’ revealed that staff who can communicate at least conversationally in another language – particularly where this is coupled with an understanding of overseas business culture – can be a great asset to employers. In this survey of almost 700 businesses, most employers (65%) are looking for conversational ability – rather than fluency – to help break the ice with customers or suppliers. Businesses looking for language skills are still seeking traditional European languages such as French (49%) and German (34%). Spanish is sought after by a third (32%) of employers looking to develop trade links not just with Spain but importantly the emerging markets of South America. Life Skills
The Erasmus+ experience will enhance your personal development, your job opportunities, your confidence, and your enjoyment of life. Erasmus+ students are not tourists - you'll live and participate in the day to day life of the country you choose.
Living and studying in a new country is a challenge – you will find yourself facing new and unexpected situations. Overcoming these obstacles and learning to manage your life within another culture brings maturity, confidence and self-reliance – great life skills.
Academic Recognition
Unlike other programmes or gap years, an Erasmus+ period is an integral part of your course. Students receive formal academic recognition for their study/work period abroad and are sometimes awarded a second qualification in recognition of their Erasmus+ study; On our website you can read more about initiatives, such as the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) and Europass, which have been designed to facilitate the recognition of periods of study abroad.
“Employers are increasingly looking for graduates who have a breadth of experience, particularly if that includes an international dimension. The transferable skills and competencies that students gain through the Erasmus+ programme can bring graduates the added value that employers are looking for. Plus it also happened to be the most fun year I had at university! It helped me develop some of the key skills that employers are looking for, and it provided me with a lot of interesting anecdotes to bring up during applications and interviews in support of my competencies. Ultimately, Erasmus+ helped me win my PhD scholarship and land a job with Deloitte.” A Different Outlook
The Erasmus+ programme offers you the chance to study your subject in different contexts, with different teachers and different class mates. You’ll be surprised by the different approach and the insights that students from other countries can bring. It also gives you the opportunity to study different subjects and options that might not be available to you in the UK. It’s both challenging and highly rewarding.
Financial Support
UK Erasmus+ students receive an Erasmus+ grant which contributes towards the extra costs arising from studying abroad. Erasmus+ grants in the UK are paid through the UK home institution and are paid in addition to the standard grants or loans to which you are currently entitled. This is a supplementary, non-repayable grant which is not means-tested, although students must conform to the eligibility criteria.
You do not pay any tuition fees to the university you are visiting and if you go for a full academic year you only pay Erasmus+ placement UK tuition fees for that year. However, if you study abroad for less than a year, you will have to pay the UK tuition fees, where applicable.
Fun
Not only will you acquire a broader range of skills to offer a future employer, but you’ll have fun doing it. Erasmus+ students say it is the best part of their time at university, with amazing opportunities to travel, make friends from around the world and try out new hobbies and experiences.
Cultural Awareness
Studying, living or working in another European country breaks down barriers between people and enables interaction with different cultures, in a way no classroom can. It allows us to find the common ground that binds us all together and the distinctions that make each of our cultures and us, unique. Undoubtedly it is a great opportunity to explore new countries and cultures, make new friends and learn another language. Mobility also broadens our horizons in many other ways, it triggers independent thought, improves our ability to deal with difference and makes us question the established ways of seeing and doing things.
By taking that brave step into the unknown, we open ourselves up to new opportunities and endless possibilities. So, discover a different culture, make new friends from all over Europe and beyond, learn a foreign language and do something that will look great on your CV. Experience Erasmus+ for yourself. Countries to Visit How to Apply
If you are interested in Erasmus+ theStudent Application Form must be completed and signed by your Programme Director before your application is considered.
The approval form is to be e-mailed to erasmus@cardiffmet.ac.uk or posted to Mrs Rowena Walters, International and Partnerships Office, Western Avenue, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2YB. Once received by the Erasmus Officer you will need to book an appointment to discuss host university choice and to start the process.
Before returning the form it would be helpful to have a country of interest in mind. It is the role of the Erasmus Officer to complete all of the administration for your exchange, including negotiating a placement and emailing the host university. | 7,527 | 3,431 | 0.000295 |
warc | 201704 | Paving: Career and Education Opportunities in Mesa, Arizona Paving: Pavers build our roads. Using both large-scale industrial approaches and small-scale craftsmanship, they build the surfaces on which we walk every day.
Mesa is located in Maricopa County, Arizona. It has a population of over 463,552, which has grown by 16.9% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Mesa, 92, is below the national average. New single-family homes in Mesa are priced at $289,200 on average, which is far greater than the state average. In 2008, five hundred eighty-four new homes were constructed in Mesa, down from 1,039 the previous year.
The three big industries for women in Mesa are health care, educational services, and accommodation and food services. For men, it is construction, administrative and support and waste management services, and accommodation and food services. The average travel time to work is about 26 minutes. More than 21.6% of Mesa residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 6.7%, is lower than the state average.
The unemployment rate in Mesa is 7.9%, which is less than Arizona's average of 9.3%.
The percentage of Mesa residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 39.7%, is less than the national average but more than the state average. The most prominent religious groups are the Catholic Church, the LDS (Mormon) Church and the Southern Baptist Convention.
Mesa is home to the Water Users Camp Ten and the Arizona Girls Ranch as well as Jackrabbit Stadium and McAfee Place Unit Two Mini Park. Shopping malls in the area include Riviera Plaza Shopping Center, Gilbert Plaza Shopping Center and Apache Plaza Shopping Center. Visitors to Mesa can choose from Hampton Inn Phoenix-Mesa, Extended Stay America - Mesa and Kiva Lodge Motel for temporary stays in the area.
Featured Online Colleges CAREERS WITHIN: Paving
Black Top Paver Operators operate equipment used for applying concrete, asphalt, or other materials to road beds, parking lots, or airport runways and taxiways, or equipment used for tamping gravel, dirt, or other materials. Black Top Paver Operators need to determine which tools and techniques should be applied to solve a problem or deal with a situation. They also need to attend to equipment so as to monitor and adjust its activity.
Highway Maintenance Workers maintain highways, municipal and rural roads, airport runways, and rights-of-way. Highway Maintenance Workers need to track and maintain equipment on an ongoing basis. They also need to respond to the actions of other and coordinate activities with them.
Track Layers lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Track Layers need to diagnose and repair equipment and system in the face of problem and faults. They also need to install equipment in line with existing requirements. | 3,035 | 1,502 | 0.000668 |
warc | 201704 | Thermostatic Radiator Valve
If you drive a vehicle that has a radiator then you will have a thermostatic radiator valve. This is the same thing as a radiator thermostat which it is often referred to as. The thermostatic radiator valve is a small device that is located between the radiator and the engine and tells the radiator when the engines temperature reaches certain levels.
The thermostatic radiator valve, or radiator thermostat, has the ability of opening and closing depending on the engine's temperature. It works to either prevent or allow coolant from the radiator to reach the engine when necessary. The engine must stay within a certain temperature range. Once it reaches a certain temperature, which is generally around 200 degrees F, the thermostat will open. This allows the coolant to circulate from the radiator through the engine to keep the engine running properly without overheating. The engine should not overheat or it can cause serious engine damage.
Although the thermostatic radiator valve is an inexpensive car part to replace, its job is very important. It is important to always have a working radiator thermostat on your vehicle or else the radiator will not know when to distribute the correct amount of coolant. A faulty thermostat will usually remain in either the open or closed position. If it is stuck in the open position then the coolant is able to reach the engine freely and the engine will never reach its perfect operating temperature. An engine that has too much coolant circulating through it will take much longer to warm up. However if the thermostat gets stuck in the closed position then the opposite will happen and the coolant will never reach the engine and the engine will overheat rather quickly.
If you begin noticing that your car is taking a long time to warm up or is overheating then you may want to take a look at your thermostatic radiator valve. There is a possibility that there is a problem with this car part and you can do a simple test on your own to determine if it needs to be replaced. Placing the thermostat in a pot of water and allowing it to reach the boiling point should cause the thermostat to move from the closed position to the opened position. Once it reaches the 180-200 degree mark and it fails to open then you know that the thermostat needs to be replaced.
Once this test has been done, you will be able to determine whether or not you need a new thermostat for your radiator. For engines that are overheating with a properly working thermostatic valve then you should check your coolant levels within the radiator or check for a leak in the hose going from the radiator to the engine. Often an overheating engine can be caused by the lack of coolant reaching the engine due to a leak.
Replacing a faulty radiator thermostat can be done with a few dollars and a few tools. Just make sure you pay attention to how your old thermostat came out and you will have a much simpler time putting in the new one. Replacing the thermostat on your own can save you a bit of money but if you are unsure how to do so or do not feel confident performing the repair then you should take your car to a mechanic to ensure you have proper installation of the part. Since the engine requires the coolant to function you should not drive the vehicle with a broken thermostatic radiator valve. To prevent permanent damage from being done to your engine, make sure you replace your thermostatic radiator valve as soon as possible. | 3,503 | 1,463 | 0.000685 |
warc | 201704 | How to Increase Your Conversions From SEO
When it comes to getting free visitors from around the web, SEO is only part of the game. An equally important thing is making sure that those free visitors convert – that they take whatever action you want them to take.
In other words, all your SEO efforts will mean nothing if you’re then failing to convert your visitors at a good enough rate.
The secret to doing so is all about understanding what certain words mean and what type of visitors use them.
When we look at it from a bird’s-eye-view perspective then they’re basically only three types of visitors on Google. There are people who are ready to buy, people who need more information, and people who need convincing.
Following this thought, we can also say that there are three types of keywords that reflect those three personas.
Now, the difficult part for your SEO is that you can’t hope to rank the same kind of page for all three groups of users, and therefore all three groups of keywords.
For example, a page that’s meant to cater to users who are ready to buy a certain product will be very different from a page meant to serve people looking for information.
The former needs to be a standard Order Page, with some social proof elements, safety seals and other badges boosting the perceived security credentials of the seller, plus of course a
buy button.
Whereas the latter should focus on the details of the thing you’re promoting, maybe present some comparisons, reviews, demos, or anything else that delivers more information, and only then links to the next step – the sale.
The final group of users – those who need convincing – have to be treated like cold leads that don’t know what they want yet. A standard sales page or squeeze page with some original content should do a good job here.
Understanding The Keywords
Increasing your conversions from SEO is all about understanding the user intent when they search for a particular keyword.
If you manage to evaluate it correctly and deliver exactly what users need, they will pay attention and take you up on your offers. But if you do this wrong, you will have a very hard time converting random SEO visitors to quality leads.
You can go through all the keywords you’re chasing right now and make sure that your landing pages match the possible user intent.
The old-school way of just using a standard sales page on every page you’ve managed to rank on Google won’t be of much use these days. | 2,552 | 1,230 | 0.000842 |
warc | 201704 | The province said Thursday it will halt planned premium increases to the seniors' pharmacare program.
Premier Stephen McNeil said seniors told him the changes were "too much, too soon."
"One of the things I heard consistently from seniors was that the problem we were trying to solve, they agreed with — but we actually solved it for a group of seniors, but we actually shifted it to another group," McNeil said.
The province said pharmacare premiums for seniors will no longer increase on April 1, and the maximum premium payment will remain at the current rate of $424 a year per person.
Seniors on a guaranteed income supplement will continue to be exempt from paying premiums and the co-payment will remain at 30 per cent per prescription to a maximum of $382 per year, the province said.
Making it right
"Good news today," said Bill VanGorder, chair of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons in Nova Scotia.
"I think they realized they made a mistake. This was just not fair legislation and regulations for seniors and they've got to go back and make it right this time."
VanGorder said his group was very concerned about the proposed changes and he received more phone calls, letters, and emails on this issue than any other in the eight years he's been with CARP.
"It was too big an increase, it didn't cover the right kind of people and it wasn't fair to couples, it wasn't fair to people who were on the [guaranteed income supplement]."
VanGorder said there's still a lot of work ahead to make sure the government gets pharmacare right.
"I do think if they had more thoroughly vetted it with seniors and seniors' organizations like CARP earlier they might have been able to avoid making the mistakes they did," he said.
VanGorder said seniors understand there must be some sort of increase, but it should be fair to everyone.
"We want to help [government]. We understand, this is an insurance program. There hasn't been a change in the cost for eight years so there need to be some adjustments," he said.
Low-income seniors still get a break
The province said one change will proceed with the pharmacare program. It said low-income seniors will have their premiums reduced or eliminated. The province estimates 12,000 people who paid a pharmacare premium in 2015 will not pay in 2016.
McNeil said the problem is rates should have been increased over the years, but successive governments avoided doing that.
McNeil said it was wrong to "have them all ganged up at once."
"If there is to be adjustments in the premium going forward, can we de-couple incomes at the same time as opposed to doing what consistently has been done for quite some time?"
He didn't set a timetable for making further changes.
'They tried to pull a fast one with seniors'
Opposition parties were critical of the McNeil government's previous attempt to push the pharmacare changes through.
"Had they properly done their homework, including consultation beforehand, a lot of this could have been avoided," said Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie.
"It's a real victory for seniors today, who organized and spoke up. The government tried to take advantage of them and learned, to their own peril, that you just can't do that."
Interim NDP Leader Maureen MacDonald also called it "a good day for seniors."
She agreed with Baillie, saying there was a "reckless" lack of consultation by the province.
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that off-loading the cost of pharmacare onto seniors and reducing government's share of paying for that program isn't going to go down well with people. They tried to pull a fast one with seniors. It didn't work." | 3,711 | 1,747 | 0.000582 |
warc | 201704 | Tobacco Control Bill 2014 introduces Tobacco Control to Uganda
By James Zeere:
As a consequence of an on-going advocacy process to regulate tobacco consumption and to ratify the provisions of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC), the Tobacco Control Bill has been presented before parliament of Uganda.
The WHO FCTC sets the minimum global standards for all its signatories to implement in the control, production and distribution of tobacco and its products. Introduced by Hon Chris Baryomunsi as a private members Bill, the Tobacco Control Bill prescribes standards to be adopted by the Government of Uganda to regulate the production, supply and consumption of tobacco products in Uganda.
The key objects of the Bill are built around controlling consumption, demand and supply of tobacco products by the public, protecting the environment from effects of tobacco and promoting the health of persons by reducing tobacco related illness among others. It is not only the duty of every citizen of the republic of Uganda to create a clean and healthy environment under Article 17 (j) of the constitution but it is also the right of every citizen to enjoy a clean and healthy environment under Article 39.
The personal right to consume tobacco products cannot be completely ruled out but the constitution permits the limitation of the enjoyment of any right in public interest under Article 43. It is on this basis that Tobacco Control Bill proposes among others that a person should not be allowed to smoke in an outdoor space within 100 meters of any public place or transport, or any window or air intake mechanism of a public place, or any place for service of food or drink or any designated non-smoking area.
The Bill confronts the tobacco control fight by going after the public demand for consumption of tobacco products. It has always been alleged that most consumers of tobacco products have no idea what they are consuming and barely understand the addictive nature of tobacco products.
To deal with this, the Bill places restrictions on advertisement, promotion, packaging and labeling of tobacco products so as to eliminate any aesthetic appeal the tobacco industry may attach to tobacco products through either advertisement or packaging. Tobacco control advocates insist that the public should be empowered with information about the effects of tobacco consumption which the tobacco industry has conveniently omitted to provide so that when a person consumes a tobacco product they do so knowingly; a form of informed decision making.
By eliminating the demand for tobacco products, it is envisaged that tobacco consumption will drop and without a sustainable market, production will make no business sense for the tobacco industry. It is not in contention however that the tobacco industry is a major player in Uganda’s economy and not only gives the government a significant amount of revenue but also provides jobs for a lot of people in the country.
Should the Tobacco Control Bill achieve its objectives, the tobacco industry could be pushed out of the country and so will all that revenue and employment. This is not something the government will take lightly when assessing the relevance of the Bill.
From a public health perspective however, it is in the interest of the government to control how tobacco is consumed in Uganda because despite all the revenue that may reaped from tobacco production, the cost of treating the diseases burden created by tobacco far outweighs all the revenue that tobacco contributes to the government.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that for every dollar tobacco contributes in revenue three dollars are spent on treating related illnesses. Tobacco farming has however has been documented to have a negative effect on not only farming but also forestry because being highly labour intensive farmers cannot engage in other income generating activities yet a lot of firewood is needed for curing the tobacco respectively.
Kyankanzi district and Arua district which rank among the poorest districts in the country have paid the heaviest prices nationally for concentrating on tobacco farming which has reaped very low yields and thus income for them compared to other farmers who have abandoned tobacco for other food stuffs.
Cumulatively speaking there is no benefit either the government or the public derives from production or consumption of tobacco. The tobacco industry has repeatedly masked this fact behind the smoke screen of revenue and employment opportunities but the bigger picture reveals that more harm than good is being done. From increasing the incidence of non-communicable diseases to deforestation to soil degradation to perpetuating poverty among rural households, the tobacco industry is damaging several lives and households across Uganda.
The Tobacco Control Bill is as such a timely intervention and it is only imperative as it is its duty that the government gets behind the Tobacco Bill to protect the public from the negative effects of tobacco production and consumption.
Zeere James Samuel is a Human Rights Lawyer working with Human Rights Documentation and Advocacy at the Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) Email: james.zeere@gmail.com Twitter: @james_zeere | 5,356 | 2,334 | 0.000431 |
warc | 201704 | My grand father recently passed away at the age of 101. Yes 101!
He would boast he was actually in his 102
nd year. Doing the math you would determine that he
was born in 1906. I don’t just marvel at
the longevity of his life, but the times he experienced and the legacy he left
behind. Then I started to wonder … “What
legacy will I leave?”. I am a father of
three after all. I would hope they would
have children of their own and so on.
One thing that stands out for many in my family is Grandpa’s
house.
Below is an excerpt published by the auction site for his home that best gives history of the house:
Prince - Loyalist's descendants sell 203 -
year-old family homestead September 22, 2005, by Community Press For the first time in 203 years, the
locally famous Redner family homestead, located in the village
of Rednersville, in Prince Edward
County, is available for
sale. The farm lot on which the Redner house
stands was granted to Henry Redner in 1802. Now six generations later, Bernard
Redner, in his 100th year, is offering the home for sale. Family members still proudly display
the Crown Patent for the land which was granted to their patriarch in 1802. The
“Step into the centre foyer and you’ll feel as
if you’ve stepped back six generations in time,” says Gordon’s Senior Marketing
Consultant Manson Slik. “It’s a grand stone home, rich in detail and
What lessons can I learn from Grandpa and leave a legacy for
my children?
Buy early Hold onto your property Borrow less, lend more Buy early:
Buy now. Don’t wait, buy now. Simple strategy but accurate.
What is the market doing today is it holding, increasing or declining?
Am I going to live in this home or rent it out? If you answer “yes” to either of those questions then buy now. Regardless of whether I pay down the mortgage or if I have tenants whose monthly rent pays down the mortgage, the key is the mortgage is being paid and equity realized.
Hold onto your
property:
Start with your home that you reside in. Pay it off as quickly as possible. Leverage that property so that you may buy more and begin paying that off as quickly as possible. I make money when I sell homes. Yet here I am encouraging you to hold onto your house. At some point I would expect you to sell of course and turn that equity to cash, but real estate is a long term investment. Then benefit to holding real estate is far greater than flipping for a quick buck. How do you want to be remembered? “My dad was in it for a quick buck” or “My father created wealth not just for him but for future generations”?
Borrow less and
lend more:
Most of require a mortgage to purchase a home. My grandfather learned the art of eliminating debt and becoming a source as a lender. You can I can too.
“How?” you ask, by increasing our equity and leveraging that equity to buy more. By owning clear title property you can use that as source to purchase property for yourself or use it as a source for others. Have you ever heard of a privately held mortgage? You probably have, well you can be the lender as well. Grandpa held mortgages for many young couples starting out helping them get into their first home, what a tremendous gift to give, the ability for some one else to own real estate.
These topics I’ll endeavor to explore further, so return often and begin creating wealth and leave your legacy.
Your Friend in Real Estate, | 3,522 | 1,792 | 0.000583 |
warc | 201704 | Inspired by a blog post about BAM! Radio Network's push to take on taboo education topics, I'm writing about the inequality that must be leveled--too many voices in the local and national education policy conversation are white, thereby perpetuating the social structures that prevent low-income black and brown youth from achievement.
There--I said it.
On Monday, Michael Petrilli, the vice president of the Fordham Institute, a self-labeled "Education Gadfly" restless in its quest to improve America's schools, published a list of "The Top Twitter Feeds in Education Policy" to much acclaim and criticism.
Virtually no African American or Latino voices made Monday’s list. His selection rationale is based on, what else, but data, data, data: Klout scores, a measurement of one's online influence. And, it seems, the number of tweets and followers may have also played an implicit role. After asking, "Who did I forget?" Petrilli got some push back.
The list was modified Wednesday so that 11% of the voices in the top Twitter feeds list belong to African Americans and Latinos. That's an average representation of 5.6% for each group. The dominant voices in the education policy are white while, nationally, most students and families affected by this conversation are not. In Chicago, about 90% of our students are African American or Latino. About 9% of them are white. Whose voices should dominate the ed policy conversation?
Furthermore, Petrilli’s list automatically alienates the people who arguably--no--who do know the most about education: teachers. Teachers and effective instructional leaders do not have the time or resources to recruit followers and manage social media accounts. People like Arne Duncan, Diane Ravitch, organization such as Teach for America, and even Petrilli's organzation
do. In other words, their influence, their clout on Klout, comes from the fact that they can pay people to say, "Hey! Listen to what I / we have to say." This is certainly an advantage hinting at the concept of white privilege, mentioned by Peggy McIntosh in her piece "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack."
Teacher bloggers, on the other hand, automatically lose credibility because, as someone told me recently, "You don't have an editor." No, but I do possess professional judgment and educational expertise, not because I have a Ph.D. or an MBA but because I teach. And I teach well.
I sent a tweet to Michael Petrilli saying that basing the list on Klout scores is the same as expecting a certain test score for admission. Hmmm. Quantity over quality?
In an April blog post on
Charting My Own Course, Marilyn Rhames, well-recognized but Kloutly insignificant teacher blogger for the list, wrote how minority professionals keep doubting ourselves around more privileged people. We keep asking, "Am I good enough?" I've been there. Marilyn writes how she's worked to overcome this. I have too.
Despite having male gender advantages, I am first and foremost brown--Chicano brown. That's the first thing people see when they meet me. And I am reminded every time I watch
Chicago Tonight or read the Tribune or Sun-Times or listen to Chicago Public Radio or NPR, that brown teachers’ voices remain unheard.
Michael Petrilli did post Wednesday that he expanded the list by adding a few minority voices. Jose Vilson, a New York math teacher, rightfully made the list. Petrilli's criteria did not, however, allow Marilyn Rhames to make the list, despite her national award-winning
EdWeek national blog.
So I keep asking myself, "Why do all these white people care about public education?" Even in Chicago, the leaders of the big-voice organizations are white. While their children go to Chicago public schools, they (I'm almost certain) attend either selective enrollment or higher performing schools. A well-known Chicago education reporter recently revealed her child will attend Whitney Young this fall.
Let's say for a moment that all of the white advocates and activists and bloggers and dominant voices truly believe in the principles of social justice. Let's not even suppose that they work because of political "
berrinches," self-centered philanthropy, or self-imposed guilt for having a better life. So they start organizations like the Academy for Urban School Leadership, Raise Your Hand, or Teach for America. Or they become U.S. Secretary of Education or write a daily education blog like Diane Ravitch.
Because they ground themselves in helping low-income black and brown youth gain access to traditionally white institutions, they run the risk of negating the cultural values, socio-economic issues, and overall reality that will rarely be accepted into white mainstream world.
Don’t get me wrong. Some of our values, such as materialism, complacency,
machismo, should be eradicated. But with few or no black or brown voices dominating the conversation, social justice may become what is fair for black and brown youth--according to whites.
Nationally syndicated columnist Esther Cepeda recently wrote about the "pobrecito" syndrome. "Educators," she says, "come up with misguided policies to go easy on groups of underperforming students, perpetuating the worst kind of disrespect--that of lowered expectations--on whole categories of children who are assumed to be less capable."
So it becomes easier during many of these ed policy conversations to avoid talking about the color of voices at the table or in the retweets. Gender is easy to talk about; race remains taboo. Or we go the other extreme. We focus on the hurtful, violent racist views against low-income black and brown youth.
But as NPR contributor Shankar Vedantam reminds us in
The Hidden Brain, a book that explains how our unconscious minds control us, dismissing the race conversations or focusing on the extreme racists, "distracts us from the far greater challenge--the unconscious biases of the majority, including people in positions of visibility, influence, and authority."
Because I am an independent blogger who teaches and does not create policy (besides the policy in my classroom) and because I do not have the inherent credibility ivy leaguers who enter education automatically do, my voice--and the voice of many other black and brown voices on Twitter and at the ground level of education--doesn't make it into the upper echelons of Petrilli's list. What else is new?
I want to be explicit--I'm not saying all white people are bad or uniformed or unqualified to be in education policy conversations. I've worked and work with many extraordinary, caring, high competent, and culturally sensitive white educators.
What I am saying is the Petrilli's list supports the idea that being white usually equals authoritative voice. However, if education policy decisions are meant to truly transform the lives of low-income black and brown youth, the criteria for being an integral part of the mainstream ed policy conversation have to change.
This does not mean that any and every minority voice provides fair insight into our profession or ed policy. We do have unqualified, overly confident minority experts who, while capable of being loud, do not think or speak or about students first.
Petrilli's list is useful, however, because it allows us to see who has clout because of Klout. And if the top Twitter feeds people on the list--Arne Duncan, Diane Ravitch, Teach for America, EdWeek, Michael Petrilli (who made his own list), and all of them--want to increase their influence beyond the tweets, they need to step back, quiet themselves, and use their position of power to let non-traditional voices be as popular as theirs.
Can you suggest other thoughtful bloggers or Twitter feeds that did not make it on Petrilli's list below, especially non-traditional ones? It would help if you included a sentence that describes who these people / organizations are and why these voices are important in the ed policy conversation. On Twitter, I asked people to react here, not through tweets. Tweets, as we know, are fleeting. Posting comments here allows more people to interact with each other, not just with me.
Updated 10.29.13: Stand for Children was originally included the list of organizations led by white leaders. A Stand for Children employee contacted me to say that Executive Leader Jonah Edelman is African American.
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Filed under: Uncategorized | 8,747 | 4,097 | 0.000246 |
warc | 201704 | Responding to the Chancellor's budget delivered to Parliament today, Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said:
On capping welfare spending
'Applying an arbitrary cap to welfare spending takes no account of changing circumstances of families caught up in poverty facing rising living costs beyond their control, including childcare and rocketing rents. The government is effectively transferring the risk of rising costs to children and families already struggling to make ends meet.'
On personal allowance
'Raising the personal allowance and lifting three million people out of taxation may appear a positive move. For hundreds of thousands of working families that depend on housing benefit to top up their meagre earnings, this will gain them very little. The vast majority of this will be deducted from their benefits -- giving with one hand while taking with the other.'
On childcare support increase
'The government’s announcement on childcare and Universal Credit will make a huge difference to hundreds of thousands of the UK’s poorest families that are struggling to make work pay. Providing the poorest working families with at least 85% of their childcare costs will make sure childcare is affordable to those who need it most and making sure work pays. We await the details of how it will be funded. It must not remove money from the pockets of the poorest.'
Media enquiries
For more information, please call The Children’s Society media team on 020 7841 4422 or email. For out-of-hours enquiries please call 07810 796 508.
Notes to editors 3.5 million children in the UK are living in poverty today Six in 10 children living in poverty are in low-income working families By 2020, an estimated three quarters of a million more children will be living in poverty than today according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The Children’s Society is supporting the first-ever Children’s Commission on Poverty. On 21 February, 10 of the young commissioners met government officials from the Child Poverty Unit to raise their concerns over child poverty in the UK and action they want taken. The commissioners want the government to draw on children’s actual experience – and not just the statistics -- when developing measures to tackle child poverty. The Children’s Commission on Poverty is being supported by The Children’s Society and led by a panel of 16 children and teenagers from across England, ranging in age from 12 to 19. They are leading an 18-month investigation into child poverty in the UK. It provides a crucial platform for children to speak out about what poverty is really like and reveal, through their own eyes, the day-to-day challenges they face and what needs to be done. The Children’s Society wants to create a society where children and young people are valued, respected and happy. We are committed to helping vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, including children in care and young runaways. We give a voice to disabled children, help young refugees to rebuild their lives and provide relief for young carers. Through our campaigns and research, we seek to influence policy and perceptions so that young people have a better chance in life. Someone who acts on their behalf and can help guide them through the extremely complex system. These children deserve to be kept safe so they can recover from the trauma they have suffered and rebuild their lives. | 3,483 | 1,667 | 0.000611 |
warc | 201704 | Kennedy Mavhumashava Assistant Editor AT LEAST five British national newspapers yesterday screamed in front page stories about Cecil, the lion that was killed by an American tourist, Walter Palmer, on July 1 at a game farm in Gwayi Conservancy.
The Telegraph, The Guardian, Metro, The Mirror and The Independent — all British heavyweights — ran with the story, condemning Palmer, a dentist from Minnesota, for taking down Cecil after paying $50,000 for the hunt.
The lion was also a big news item on Sky News, the BBC and CNN. Many American news outlets, including The New York Times gave Cecil much prominence too.
Why such an outpouring of grief in the West over one lion? This is certainly not the first successful lion hunt in Zimbabwe, Africa or the world over, and will not be the last. So why so much interest? The name Cecil perhaps, given its historical significance for white monopoly capital in Southern Africa and the West? Many believe the lion was named after Cecil John Rhodes, the celebrated forerunner of British colonialism in Southern Africa, explaining the saturation coverage on the demise of his namesake.
Those who believe the interest is bigger than a mere lion could be justified as Cecil, who roamed the Hwange National Park, was the focal point of a research project by Oxford University, Cecil the colonialist’s Alma mater. Rhodes learnt at Oriel College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford in Oxford, England, for only one term in 1873.
Theodro Bronkhorst, 52, of Bulawayo, who facilitated the killing appeared before Hwange magistrate Lindiwe Maphosa yesterday facing a charge of failing to prevent an unlawful hunt.
Johnny Rodrigues, a local conservationist, was quoted by the BBC saying Cecil’s killing was tragic. “He never bothered anybody,” Rodrigues said of the king of the jungle. “He was one of the most beautiful animals to look at.”
Other media reckoned Cecil was “Africa’s most famous lion.” A small demonstration was staged at his home proclaiming Palmer as a brute who kills animals for fun. The walls of the dentist’s surgery were taken over by an artist who painted them with an artistic image of Cecil yesterday.
Commenters took to social media platforms to vent anger on Palmer.
“You utter scum,” said one of the many hostile comments directed at the dentist. “You should be in jail, and you should hang your head in shame.”
An online group known as Care2 came up with a petition which attracted as many as 400,000 signatures of people condemning the hunt.
On Tuesday, Betty McCollum, an American lawmaker, urged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Justice to investigate whether the killing violated any endangered-species laws.
Figures on the lion population in Zimbabwe are hard to come by like the beast of stealth itself, far harder than the elephant’s, for example, but Cecil was not our only lion. It was one of tens of thousands of lions in the country. They are a critical species on the food chain and are equally critical to the tourism sector. Safari hunters kill them, mainly for fun, like Palmer did. He and many others like him pay lots of money that sustain jobs in the tourism sub-sector. Other tourists pay only to view lions and take their photographs.
Indeed, the country benefits a lot from its wildlife as operators pay tax and a fraction of hunting fees is ploughed back into game conservation.
If the killing of Cecil, which happened outside the Park’s boundaries, is found to be illegal, let the chips fall where they may. But I find the western outrage over the demise of Cecil, which is only a lion to many of us, suspicious. This was a simple hunt and Zimbabwe wants more of them to generate revenue for our tourism sector.
It is not an overstatement that almost 99,99 percent of Zimbabweans didn’t know about this animal until Monday. Now we have just learnt, thanks to the British media, that we had Africa’s most famous lion all along, an icon!
Zimbabweans are rightly outraged though about this specific hunt, not because of the suspect Anglo-Saxon response to it, but because of information released by prosecutors that the cat was not listed on safari farmer, Honest Trymore Ndlovu’s hunting quota for this year. This renders the killing a poaching incident which must be condemned.
But the Western media’s obsession with Cecil gets us thinking. Why only him? What’s going on?
Yet in the cloud of suspicion and overreaction, it is also true Zimbabwe can make profit out of this incident. The world must know we have tens of thousands of Cecils, only they are not wearing collars, and are not named after colonialists. | 4,769 | 2,379 | 0.000433 |
warc | 201704 | As a senior in high school I knew two things: 1) mathematics and science fascinated me and 2) I loved playing football and wanted to do so in college. When I visited colleges and universities and talked to coaches and players, one place, St. John’s University, stood out. While the others tried to impress me with fancy weight rooms, special dining facilities and players who had “made it” in the NFL, the coach at St. John’s, John Gagliardi, asked me about my plans after I completed my undergraduate work. Was I thinking about getting a PhD in science or mathematics or an MD? The current football players talked a bit about the team, but mostly about their courses and majors. Here it was clear that you would be a student first and an athlete second. Athletics was important, but you would be there to get an education.
At registration in the fall of my freshman year, I met Dr. Mark Hughes, a young faculty member in the chemistry department. He told me that my science and mathematics course selections were appropriate for either science or pre-med, but then spent time urging me to apply for admission to a high powered European history course and a writing-intensive English literature course. I took both of those courses. The professors broadened my horizons and have enriched my life ever since. As my advisor for four years, Mark Hughes continued to guide me not only in science and mathematics, but also in fields such as philosophy, psychology, sociology, and art. The four years at St. John’s were like being a kid in a candy store; there was so much to choose from and so many talented faculty willing and able to help you.
The current football players talked a bit about the
team, but mostly about their courses and majors... Athletics was
important, but you would be there to get an education.
Lest one get the impression that the football coach who attracted me to St. John’s University was not interested in excellence on the football field in addition to excellence in the classroom, I should say that John Gagliardi retired in 2012 as the winningest coach in college football history, coach of four small-college national championship teams, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and winner of every national award for which he was eligible. He was a great teacher of the sport and of values for life.
My career as a faculty member also derives from my experience at St. John’s. In my senior year, Dr. Jack Lange approached me about being a teaching assistant in his mathematics courses. The mentoring Dr. Lange provided about preparing and executing university-level classes was the model that I followed during my teaching career.
The faculty members that inspired me as an undergraduate are now retired, but I know first-hand as a member of St. John University’s board that there are men and women on the faculty today have the same devotion to their students as those of some fifty years ago had.
The liberal arts education provided by St. John’s gave me the skills that I need at every stage of my career. In addition, it enriched my family life, my social life, and my involvement as a citizen in my communities. My wife and I share reading interests in history and spend hours together in art museums. We are constantly sending and receiving books in numerous fields with our five children and now are starting to do so with our grandchildren. A liberal arts education continually renews and enlivens all stages of your life. | 3,519 | 1,636 | 0.000621 |
warc | 201704 | The English language has many words for “many”: “abundance,” “multitude,” “profusion,” “a lot,” and so forth. With such a “myriad” of choices,* it can be useful to maintain the nuances to indicate whether the large quantity is a good thing, a bad thing, or just a lot of things.
We’ve already discussed how “fulsome” really means “offensively excessive” or “insincere,” though its connotation has waffled through the years. That battle appears lost, as usage of “fulsome” to mean just “a whole lot” is outpacing the “correct” usage.
But the language meddlers are not content with that victory. Now a bunch of them seem to have set their sights on “plethora.”
“I felt as though I were stepping back into history at this atmospheric place, which had a
plethora of fine beers on tap,” the story about a beer tour of Germany said. Another story, about the first signs of an economic recovery, said “that area already has a plethora of restaurants and big-box stores.” An obit said someone was survived by “a plethora of nieces and nephews,” and a clambake festival promised “a plethora of activities.”
All of those imply that the “plethora” is a good thing.
Now take these examples:
A”
plethora of insurgent groups” is operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan; a football team is “battered by a plethora of injuries; a city “is facing a plethora of problems that need urgent attention.”
In those cases, the “plethora” is a bad thing—too many.
The
Oxford English Dictionary says that “plethora” was originally used only in a medical sense to mean “overabundance of one or more humours, esp. blood” (British spelling maintained), which is not good, medically speaking. Most dictionaries still say it means “too much”: “the state of being too full; overabundance; excess,” is the nonmedical definition in Webster’s New World College Dictionary (Fourth Edition). (“Plethora,” by the way, is a singular noun, and is pronounced PLEH-thor-ah, not pleh-THOR-ah.) Garner’s Modern American Usage says using “plethora” to mean only “plenty” or “many” is “an unfortunate degeneration of sense.” But Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage, ever the realist (or language destroyer, depending on your point of view), says that “plethora” can connote “an undesirable excess, an undesirably large supply but not an excess, an excess that is not necessarily or not greatly undesirable, and simply an abundant supply. All of these uses are well attested and standard.”
If Nexis is any guide, more people use “plethora” to mean simply “a lot” or “we’re lucky to have so many.”
But with so many words that merely quantify things, isn’t it useful to have a few—not many—that preserve the distinction between simply “a lot” and “too many”? Or is that asking too much?
Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today. Merrill Perlman managed copy desks across the newsroom at The New York Times, where she worked for 25 years. Follow her on Twitter at @meperl. | 3,409 | 1,645 | 0.000697 |
warc | 201704 | The general consensus is that there are no good viruses.
Most researchers, however, take the other side and argue that the use of self-replicating programs are never necessary; the task that needs to be performed can just as easily be done without the replication function.
Vesselin Bontchev has written a paper originally delivered at the 1994 EICAR conference, titled
Are “Good” Computer Viruses Still a Bad Idea?. The paper covers all aspects of the topic. As of this writing, the paper is available at:
Lest you think others have not been thinking about this, here are some of the proposals (from the above-referenced paper) for a good virus that have not worked out:
The “Anti-Virus” Virus.Several people have had the idea to develop an “anti-virus” virus; a virus which would be able to locate other (presumably malicious) computer viruses and remove them. The “File Compressor” Virus.This is one of the oldest ideas for “beneficial” viruses. The idea consists of creating a self-replicating program, which will compress the files it infects, before attaching itself to them. The “Disk Encryptor” Virus.This virus has been published. The idea is to write a boot sector virus, which encrypts the disks it infects with a strong encryption algorithm (IDEA in this particular case) and a user-supplied password to ensure the privacy of the user’s data. The “Maintenance” Virus.The idea consists of a self-contained program, which spawns copies of itself across the different machines in a network (thus acting more like a worm) and performing some maintenance tasks on those machines (like deleting temporary files).
All of the above viruses fail one or more of the standard measures typically used to judge if a virus is “good” or not. These are (again, from the above-referenced paper):
Technical Reasons Lack of Control.Once released, the person who has released a computer virus has no control on how this virus will spread. Recognition Difficulty.In general it is not always possible to distinguish between a virus and a non-virus program. There is no reason to think that distinguishing between “good” and “bad” viruses will be much easier. Many people are relying on generic anti-virus defenses (e.g., activity monitoring and/or integrity checking) which will trigger a response to changes. Resource Wasting.A computer virus eats up disk space, CPU time, and memory resources during its replication. Bug Containment.A computer virus can easily escape a controlled environment. Compatibility Problems.A computer virus that attaches itself to user programs would disable several programs on the market that perform a checksum on themselves at runtime. Ethical and Legal Reasons Unauthorized Data Modification.It is usually considered unethical to modify other people’s data without their authorization. In many countries this is also illegal. Copyright and Ownership Problems.In many cases, modifying a particular program could mean that copyright, ownership, or at least technical support rights for this program are voided. Possible Misuse.An attacker could use a “good” virus as a means of transportation to penetrate a system. Responsibility.Declaring some viruses as “good” and “beneficial” would just provide an excuse to the crowd of irresponsible virus writers to condone their activities and to claim that they are actually doing some kind of “research.” Psychological Reasons Trust Problems.Users like to think that they have full control on what is happening in their machine. Negative Common Meaning.For most people, the word “computer virus” is already loaded with negative meaning. Summary While frequently discussed, the general consensus is that there is no task that requires a virus.
Introduction to Viruses How Serious are Viruses? Why Do People Write Viruses?
Comments from Original Post:
Just David
Said this on 2011-09-24 At 04:12 pm Microsoft, Google, and many other popular computing corporations now employ automatic updaters. How does this functionally differ from a virus?
[Biggest difference is that you know they are doing it and have approved it as all such updaters I’ve seen give you the opportunity to decline or have a setting where you can decline and even if they don’t, it’s know that the function is there. With malware not having you know is one of the prime goals. –DaBoss]
#3 Winst0n Said this on 2011-12-12 At 05:31 pm In reply to #2 “Biggest difference is that you know they are doing it…” – This is not always completely true. Take Windows Update – unless the user specifically configures it otherwise, it will download updates without the user’s permission or even knowledge, and only inform the user of its activities AFTER things have been downloaded! So the analogy is partially correct, IMHO at least.
[Since Windows Update is built into Windows and does not propagate it really can’t be classified as a virus, good or bad. –DaBoss] | 5,124 | 2,444 | 0.000429 |
warc | 201704 | Anita Renfroe is a comedian who takes her comedy concert tour across the U.S. Renfroe lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and three children. You can learn more about Renfroe at her website or watch her YouTube videos. (CNN) -- As a mom, I can tell you what a lot of us think but don't say out loud: Mother's Day only really works as a holiday the first five years you're a mother.
The first year, it's a new milestone of your life. People want to acknowledge the fact that you're a mother. It's sweet.
It's like they're saying, "Hey! Pay no attention to the fact that you're perpetually sleep deprived and will be for the next 18 years. Or that your lactating mammaries no longer belong to you and, in fact, betray you at really inopportune times. Or that beyond here only lie skeletons of your former social life. It's your day! We fete you!"
Then for the next four years or so it's really cute to be brought breakfast-in-bed with homemade crayon-on-construction-paper cards and macaroni necklaces. Oh yes, that works.
That tugs on every heartstring a mom has (disregarding that it will take you five hours to clean up the kitchen it took them exactly five minutes to destroy).
It's pretty much every year after that which will end up in the "disappointing holiday" column. You know why?
Because of Hallmark cards and grocery store bouquets, prepackaged chocolates and Mother's Day brunches at overcrowded eateries (because everyone else had the same idea: "I know! Let's take mom out for lunch and pay someone else to do for her what she has done for years for us for free!").
Those pre-packaged gifts all let mom know that her offspring know what day it is, but lack the single quality all moms love in a present: effort.
That's right, good ol' sacrificial time and effort that add up to the one sentiment we're really looking for -- undying gratitude mixed with just a pinch of sorrow for our stretch marks.
Good Mother's Day gifts are like geometry class where you are required to show your work in order to get credit.
Moms prefer the "effort element" because it's the only thing that remotely begins to balance out the fact that we get blamed for a LOT.
OK -- really -- just about everything: what we ate while our child was gestating, how we did/did not discipline them, whether we did not give enough hugs, read enough bedtime stories, gave too much smothering love, what we did/did not expose them to.
Also, opportunities we did/did not afford them. If we helped too much with the science project, did not feed them enough protein in their formative preadolescent years, rewarded them with M&Ms during potty training which led to their carb addiction as an adult.
Fill in the blank with your own mother issues. So we get 364 days of blame and one day of sorta kinda culturally mandated praise. Somehow it doesn't really balance out.
But I like to think of Mother's Day in terms of a really overused buzzword (isn't "buzzword" an overused buzzword?) these days: "awareness."
It's great for the mothered of the world to be aware of their gratitude for their mother (or mother figure) in their life, but I enjoy it for the awareness it brings to me.
Every Mother's Day I'm reminded of what an exhausting privilege it is to get a front row seat to watch these amazing people grow from helpless infants to become people I truly love to hang out with.
It's a gift to see them growing into all their gifts and talents and to watch with pride (and let's be honest -- concern) as they begin their own family units.
It makes me sharply aware of what motherhood really is : 1. the hardest job you'll ever love, 2. responsibility without control, and 3. a piece of your heart walking around outside your body.
And having a daughter and daughter-in-love (I call her "daughter-in-love because it's more than just a "law" thing) with babies, let me tell you what most every mother would really love this Mother's Day: a kiss, a hug and a nap. | 3,981 | 2,028 | 0.000498 |
warc | 201704 | TIP!Many students find that it is handy to include a water bottle in their school supplies. Staying hydrated is an important but often-overlooked task.
There are a multitude of decisions to make as you prepare for college, and they all must be dealt with. These decisions will affect your career and your future. Review the tips that follow and get the perspective you need.
TIP!Secure college funding sources, such as scholarships, loans and grants, ahead of time. If you find great resources for grants, you might not need many loans.
Make sure that you bring an ample amount of toiletries when you enter college. These are essential as you will use them everyday, and you will quickly run out. When the opportunity is available, bulk purchases are best for saving money and time.
TIP!You should find out what grants and scholarships you can get. Scholarships are not only for the straight-A students, but there are a wide variety of scholarships offered for people in unique situations.
If you realize that college is very expensive and you do not have the money to cover it, strongly consider acquiring a loan. College is something that can pay great dividends in the long run, so it should be okay to acquire a little bit of debt for the future rewards.
TIP!Bring all necessary test materials with you on test day. Forgetting simple things such as calculators, notes or other tools, can reduce your success with the test and heighten your worries.
Bring all of the materials that you need to the test site before the exam. Forgetting items like a calculator or some important notes can make you feel nervous or even put you at a disadvantage during the test. Make sure you have what you need because the teacher may not have supplies for you.
TIP!Participating in clubs and other activities may be beneficial. This will look good on your resume, and employers like to see a candidate with a variety of interests.
Take up many extracurricular activities in college. By participating in a variety of activities, you will have a better resume for future employment applications. You should never spread yourself too thin and maintain a good GPA, that is the most important thing you can do.
TIP!Visit the admissions offices of the colleges you are considering. From here, you’ll learn about different scholarship opportunities available for certain schools.
Prior to settling on a college, be sure to visit the admissions office of each college you are interested in. This will give you the opportunity to search out scholarship opportunities. A lot of school will offer their students scholarships Visiting with admissions officers can help you get all of the college funding that you need.
TIP!When your classes begin, you have to get acquainted with your instructors. For starters, write down their office hours and location.
If you have a test, be sure to eat breakfast that morning. Small meals comprised of fruit or yogurt can make a big difference. If you’re stomach is rumbling while you’re taking a test, you’re going to be distracted. Eating before a test will keep your body and mind energized and focused on the work at hand.
TIP!There is no one to clean up after you and cook healthy meals at college. Some indulgences are okay, but still maintain a nutritious diet, get proper sleep, and take care of yourself and your possessions.
Catch the local transportation to your classes. You are going to find that it is not much longer to sit on the bus on the way to school. You can end up saving yourself a ton of time because you won’t need to hunt around for open parking spaces near the campus. In addition, you’ll save money on gas and parking permits. You can also live green this way.
TIP!Most people have heard about the “freshman 15,” but you can easily stay away from it if you don’t overload on carbs. Do not eat sugary snacks and processed foods.
Create relationships that are positive with your professors. Your teachers can provide a great deal of resources. To help develop a relationship with your professor ask questions and offer your assistance when you can. Building healthy relationships with your professors can offer many opportunities.
TIP!Go for classes that make you think, rather than easy grade classes. Putting yourself to the test can be fulfilling indeed.
High school is much different from college, as you will need to start all over. College is nothing like high school. Even if you were a great athlete or a kid that got great grades, you probably won’t be around people who used to know you anyways. The harder you work, the more successful you’ll be.
TIP!Take time to study every day. There are many distractions when you are in college, but your focus needs to be on learning.
If you’re looking for a job to help you get through school, visit the career office at your college. In addition to helping students find jobs after graduating, campus career centers can also help undergraduates find part time employment on the campus or in the surrounding community.
TIP!A great tip that will help you financially when you’re in college is to always buy your textbooks used. One of the biggest expenses in college is your textbooks, especially if they are new.
Be sure to take a number of different electives. The more concepts and subjects that you cover, the more likely you are to find what sparks your passion. You can experiment in your freshman year and try out classes to see how they fit your interests. It is good time to explore new things.
TIP!Take notes during class. When you write items down, you both see them and recite them in your head, embedding them in your brain.
Make good use of your campus library. These libraries contain everything you need to be successful in your classes. Ask the librarian to show you materials that will enhance your studies of your specific subjects. Many libraries have bulletin boards, where students can post ads for buying and selling textbooks.
TIP!Your high school accomplishments or popularity means nothing at college, College is nothing like high school. Even if you were a great athlete or a kid that got great grades, you probably won’t be around people who used to know you anyways.
With any luck, this article should help you be more confident with those tough decisions. There is no shortage of major decisions in life, and your college-based decisions carry a lot of weight in how you will succeed. Use this article and its tips and move toward graduation! | 6,560 | 2,887 | 0.000352 |
warc | 201704 | A confidential Connecting for Health briefing paper for the prime minister has claimed that much of the NHS's £12.4bn National Programme for IT (NPfIT) is complete - although an integrated national care record system has yet to materialise, and software delivered under the scheme has been criticised by some trusts as not yet fit for purpose.
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The paper, dated 19 February 2007, said, "Much of the programme is complete, with software delivered to time and budget," though, "some deployment is progressing more slowly than we would wish for and is dependent on legacy IT suppliers and NHS preparedness."
The paper was included in a Connecting for Health document presented to a health care technical standards conference in Canada.
It said, "Key challenges and risks to delivery are now not about the technology to support NPfIT but about attitudes and behaviours, which need to be the focus of senior management and ministerial attention as we move forward."
The paper's findings come despite a Public Accounts Committee report in April which found that significant clinical benefits were unlikely to be delivered by the end of the contracts in 2013/2014.
Connecting for Health, which runs the NPfIT, said, "We stand by the data contained within the presentation including the working calculations for the percentage completion data as provided as all this information has been independently verified."
The paper put the progress towards a life-long health record service at about 35%, although a national electronic health record system is still only at the trial stage.
It also said that "procurement processes had saved £4.5bn", but this figure has not been independently audited and represents a projection of savings based on existing installations.
During a debate in the House of Commons last week, MP Richard Bacon praised Accenture for its honesty in admitting its losses of hundreds of millions of dollars.
He said that, in his view, local service providers BT, CSC and Fujitsu had "not done anything to try to account for the losses that must have been made". These losses could run into hundreds of millions of pounds, Bacon believed.
"The government ought to be aware of that now, as it has consequences for the behaviour of local service providers in trying to claw back money because they did not make any on the contracts," he said.
Comment on this story: computer.weekly@rbi.co.uk | 2,593 | 1,339 | 0.000758 |
warc | 201704 | When you take out a loan or apply for a credit card, there is loads of financial jargon to see into. While you are often confused with all the information in the complicated fine print, there is one basic thing that determines the cost of your loan and that you have to pay prime attention to. It is the credit card APR that is required by law to be disclosed to the borrower so that the borrower can calculate how much they will pay on a monthly basis and how much the loan will cost them on the whole.
The basic understanding of interest rates and APR is a must if you intend to apply for a loan and want to keep as much of your money as possible in your wallet. Let's have a look at the basic terminology.
Credit card APR is the fist thing to consider when you apply for a credit card. The lower APR you have, the less you'll pay at the end of a year. APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is percentage of the interest paid on a yearly term. Different companies may disclose their APRs in a different way - some declare their rates as a monthly interest while others put it as a yearly rate. So, when you are offered an irresistible in your opinion APR of 2%, take time to read about it in the fine print. If it is a monthly interest, which is likely, your APR at the end of the year will be as much as 24% which is far above the average currently.
So, best APR ensures best deal with the creditor. Lowest APRs are usually offered with online credit card applications because web resources provide for lower costs associated with processing your application form.
APR is different from interest, so do not mix them up. Interest is the cost of the loan which you have to repay at the end of the loan life. It is the price of your loan on the whole, meaning that you pay it on top of the principle amount - the amount you initially borrowed. If, say you borrowed $5000 at 7% interest rate, then you are to repay $5 350 for it. $350 is the interest on $5000 (5000*7/100). That's it.
Some loans such as mortgage for example have two different rates - interest rate and APR. APR is usually higher because it includes the interest itself and any additional costs like closing costs, mortgage insurance and others.
As to credit cards, you'll usually find APRs on them and not interest because the APR is a better reflection of borrowing cost than the interest alone. Based on a yearly percentage, APR gives you a clearer picture on how much you'll pay.
Owing to the hot competition between major credit companies, APRs may be extremely low. Oftentimes they are combined with no annual fees, 0% intro rates and rewards. Anyway if you are shopping for a really beneficial deal, find a lowest APR card to apply for. | 2,709 | 1,280 | 0.000784 |
warc | 201704 | I’ve been reading up on lead in lipstick lately and what I’ve found isn’t pretty. It turns out that lead is not only poisonous is large amounts, but also in trace amounts. This is because lead interferes with other molecules in our body such as zinc and calcium, so that these molecules can no longer function normally. I’ve also learned that exposure to lead in children can result in developmental problems.
To quote Anne Marie Helmenstine, Biomedical Sciences Ph.D: “There is no minimum safe exposure limit, in part because lead accumulates in the body. There are government regulations regarding ‘acceptable’ limits for products and pollution, because lead is useful and necessary, but the reality is, any lead is too much lead.”
I’ve accepted that a portion of my lipstick will end up swallowed. It may not be much, but it adds up, and it’s gross. I’ve loved wearing my Vapour Siren Lipsticks, but I’ve also looked into more options. This lipstick roundup features cruelty-free brands that are not only lead-free, but also free from potentially toxic chemicals.
For my vegan readers, you’ll find some vegan options below as well! I’ve listed all the ingredients. Some lipsticks do contain Carmine or Beeswax.
Is There Lead In Lipstick?
Yes, this is absolutely not a myth. Almost all lipstick contains some amount of lead! The law tolerates it in tiny amounts, be it in the USA, Canada, or the EU.
Choosing natural makeup brands is the only way to ensure that your lipsticks doesn’t contain lead.
Here’s a graph based on a study by the FDA, showing us the 20 lipsticks that were found to contain the most lead.
As you can see, there are some very mainstream brands in there. This even includes Burt’s Bees, which claims to be a natural brand!
How dangerous is lead?
The reason why trace amounts of lead are permitted by the FDA is because lead is considered safe, as long as it’s in very small amounts.
But on the other hand, research shows that lead can be harmful. One of the metals contained in some lipsticks is Cadmium, which is found in breast cancer tissue and has been found to help cancer cells multiply.
The bottom line is that lead in very small amounts is found to be safe, but the safest option is to minimize the lead you’re absorbing. Lead isn’t even necessary in lipstick, so why not choose a natural lipsticks that’s just as good and non-toxic?
Let’s move on to the lipstick.
ILIA Lipstick in Wild Child ($26)
ILIA
The Brand: The ultimate non-toxic lipstick. Each ILIA product contains over 85% organic ingredients and is formulated to be both high-quality and healthy.
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*, Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Seed Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Beeswax (Cera Alba)*, Triisostearyl Citrate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Manihot Esculenta (Tapioca) Starch *, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Fruit Oil, Sage (Salvia Officinalis) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide (CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491), Red 7 CI15850, Red 28 CI45410, Yellow 5 CI19140.
W3ll People Nudist Colorbalm Stick in No. 3 Cherry ($22)
W3ll People
The Brand: Offering everything from face to lip products, W3ll People focuses on simple products that can sometimes multi-task. Everything is totally free from potentially harsh chemicals and over 80% organic.
The Brand: Vapour Organics Beauty wants to give you glowy skin, the natural way. They use high-quality ingredients and offer everything from dewy foundations to moisturizing lipsticks. These lipsticks contain 70% organic ingredients, and 30% minerals.
The Brand: What makes 100% Pure stand out from the crowd is their use of fruit pigments. They actually extract pigments from berries (or even tomatoes!) and use them to color their makeup. Isn’t that the best thing ever?! If that’s not natural, I don’t know what is. | 4,127 | 2,061 | 0.000503 |
warc | 201704 | The Computer Games Industry is an exciting field, currently outselling the film industry worldwide. Computer Game development is innovative and exciting from a technological and creative perspective, providing career opportunities for imaginative, logical and energetic students.
Graduates will have the satisfaction of seeing their work being enjoyed by a global audience. Students will learn the art and science of computer slots games
programming and design. This programme will equip students with the skills and technological ability to develop both Multimedia and Computer Game systems. They will study Computer Science with special emphasis on topics relevant to Game Design such as computer graphics, artificial intelligence, digital video and audio fundamentals. They will also study topics relevant to development of a game concept to the final "shooting script" (prior to programming).
The first year provides a solid foundation in Computer Science as well as the theory and practice of Software Development, Computer Applications and Representation. Modelling modules will deal with some issues relevant to digital media and games, such as how images can be represented inside the computer and on the screen.
In the second year and first semester of third year, six of the fifteen modules extend the students knowledge of general Software Development while nine modules are directly relevant to Media and Game development.
In semester two of year three, students will have an eight month cooperative education placement, either in Ireland or abroad, where they will get the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have learned, increase their awareness of the computer games workplace and develop their social and business skills.
In the fourth year, students will undertake a significant independent project in the area. Normally this will involve development of one or more software components of a computer game, or developing a complete game using existing software components. In addition, they will continue to deepen their knowledge of general software development and to acquire deeper expertise in specialised aspects of media and game related issues.
The educational principles of this programme focus on three aspects: knowledge, skills, and attitudes and values. The knowledge that students will gain will form the basis for acquiring further knowledge during their careers. The skills will allow them to apply this knowledge effectively in the workplace. The professional values and attitudes imparted will help students to understand those skills, to whom they would be attractive, and how to apply their skills for the benefit of their clients and society at large.
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to:
1. Identify the salient features required in designing software, particularly those peculiar to games.
2. Write, design and develop computers games from initial concept.
3. Develop software from high level descriptions.
4. Produce design documents for complex systems.
5. Adhere to fundamental Computer Science and Software Engineering approaches to design.
6. Demonstrate a competence in and appreciation of several different languages.
7. Integrate different technologies, tools and languages in an appropriate way.
8. Critique and analyse existing systems.
9. Recommend approaches to synthesizing software models of complex systems.
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate
(or an approved equivalent) with at least Grade C3 in two higher level subjects and grade D3 in four ordinary or higher level subjects (including Mathematics; Irish or another language; and English). In addition, applicants are required to hold at least a grade B2 in the Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Mathematics, or approved equivalent.
Mature students (in general 23 years of age on the 1st of January of the year of registration) are most welcome to apply for entry to the B.Sc. in Multimedia and Computer Games Development programme at the University of Limerick
. Each mature student applicant is considered on an individual basis. Academic qualifications, work experience, motivation and overall potential for this programme of study are evaluated usually by means of an interview. Further details are available from the Mature Student Office
. Mature students must apply directly to the Admissions Office
rather than through the Central Applications Office
(CAO).
For the qualified graduate, job opportunities abound in the games industry. There is a worldwide scarcity of games programmers especially in the domains of graphics programming and computer simulation. Employment possibilities in the computer games arena in Ireland and the UK are mainly in the area of games programming and design and games project management. Career options include:
• Games programmer
• Graphics programming
• Visualisation
• Games tester
• Research and development in media and entertainment related technologies.
Because the course ensures that graduates have a solid grounding in software development, their career options will also include:
• Software development
• Software engineer
• Systems analysis and design.
Course Director:
Dr. Chris Exton
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Telephone:
+353-(0)61-213108 | 5,454 | 2,447 | 0.000415 |
warc | 201704 | My Christmas stockings have followed me around the world. No matter what teaching post I have held overseas, Mom always mails mine early so that I am able to adhere to our family's Christmas Day tradition of opening stockings before breakfast. I consider the opening of my Christmas stocking a sacred tradition. Never would I open it before Christmas, and never would I do so in the presence of others. But I've learned that breaking a tradition can sometimes be just as meaningful as keeping one.
My first overseas teaching post was at the YWCA in Kyoto, Japan. Aside from teaching English classes, I assisted the staff with programs. This included all the holiday events crowded into December. The ladies' Christmas luncheon required the most preparation on my part.
I had been invited to be the guest speaker and introduce American Christmas customs to the guests. Most of the women attending were not Christians, nor were they familiar with even the most common Yuletide traditions of my country. With this in mind, I began planning my 20-minute presentation.
A few days before the luncheon, my first overseas Christmas stocking from Mom arrived. It was beautifully made from old quilt pieces sewn together by a local seamstress she had commissioned just for this occasion. The goodies inside threatened to burst the seams, and I anticipated the coming of Christmas morning when I'd finally be able to see what wonderful things Mom had stuffed inside.
It logically followed that my Christmas stocking make an appearance in the YWCA program. Seeing such a traditional American holiday item was bound to impress the Japanese ladies, and having a genuine one to show would make my presentation all the more memorable.
On the day of the luncheon, more than 100 YWCA members filled the small hall. After a light meal, I was introduced to begin the program. One by one, I brought out holiday items to show the women seated around me. When I sensed everyone was at an emotional high, I dramatically pulled out my Christmas stocking.
The reaction was just as I had hoped. Delighted exclamations filled the room. Everyone was taken by the beauty and uniqueness of the Christmas stocking my mother had sent from America. But what fascinated them the most was my explanation of stuffing the stocking and then opening it on Christmas morning.
When my program ended, I thanked the ladies for their invitation, wished them a Merry Christmas, and sat down. A strange silence followed. No one clapped. No one spoke. No one moved. People were obviously waiting for something, but what?
Kawabata-san, the YWCA director, quickly approached the platform. "Connie did a wonderful program for us today," she announced. "I think we all learned many things, but maybe now she will show us what is in the Christmas sock?" Kawabata-san smiled. The ladies brightened. I panicked.
My reluctance signaled one of the Americans in the group to come to my rescue. She proposed I leave the room, allow her to open my stocking for everyone to see, then give her time to repack it again before I returned. Brilliant!
Kawabata-san escorted me out of the room where I stood by the door, awaiting permission to rejoin the group. Inside, I heard comments arise as my stocking's contents were revealed.
"How cute!"
"How delicious!"
"What a good mother!"
When I reentered the room, I was relieved to see my stocking was exactly as I had left it, but I noticed a change in the ladies now facing me. They realized that the overstuffed stocking was not what made this custom so significant. All those knickknacks inside did not warrant much attention. It was the love that went into the preparation of the stocking that made the tradition so meaningful, and it was this understanding which had been passed on to them that day.
My stocking hasn't made another public appearance, but if my students here in China were to ask me to share with them its contents, I'd do so without hesitation. My Christmas traditions are very important to me, but some traditions, I now know, can be just as meaningful when they're broken as when they're kept. | 4,126 | 1,959 | 0.000514 |
warc | 201704 | Call Center Customer Service Training
Home > Call Center Customer Service Training
Call center customer service training can be a real challenge, because once someone is "on the phones", it is difficult to release them for a training session, as it will affect service levels.
It is important therefore, that any training carried out achieves its objectives, and that the business feels the benefits of taking people off the phones and the disruption that may cause.
What should Call Center Customer Service Training include?
To build competence, telephone skills and manners, good practice for customer service call center training can include
attitudinal training, early on in their employment, to help people understand the importance of the customer and what they do for the customer. call handling skills training during the induction or orientation period, so that people can understand how communication over the telephone works, and the vital skills of questioning, listening and summarising for call control. Don't just concentrate on internal processes and systems training, people need help translating those into a great customer care experience. You can use portable telephone coaching equipment like the one below to record calls and play them back to your trainees. More simulations where employees experience a variety of situations and learn best practice for dealing with them. This also enables people to start to understand how they will use your system when they are dealing with customers. A "model office" like this can really benefit people in getting to know your systems and build their confidence before they work with real customers. There's some tips on using roleplays effectively here high impact sessions ( from time to time ) which everyone attends to give a focus to key business or attitudinal issues ( such as customer focus ). This is highly effective when having to implement a new strategy within the business and your agents or advisors need to be engaged in order to deliver your customer experience goals. Read about getting "buy in" to your mission with advice from our Customer Service Training Agony Aunt here a mix of formal classroom training with shorter more flexible training sessions to keep key messages alive. Have you thought about running shorter training sessions in team meetings? They can focus employees on customer service attitudes and manners, keep key messages from the initial training alive, and continue to develop customer service and call handling skills. Having team leaders run training sessions also develops their skills set. Reinforcing call center customer service training
Here are some ideas to help you get the most return from your investment in call center customer service training:-
involving floorwalkers. Floorwalking is the practice of having experienced members of staff on hand to answer questions about products, services, systems or policies. Floorwalkers are key members of your training team. Make sure these people are very customer focussed, and don't just know everything about your products, processes and services - they need to model how to deal with customers effectively. Their attitude will make a big difference to the people around them, and that spreads to your customers. coaching on live calls. This is different to floorwalking, and concentrates on what the employee can do differently that will improve their skills and confidence when dealing with customers. Coaching for skills development is different to a quality review, although the two are linked. If your focus in these conversations are about the quality of the call, what the agent did or didn't do, your focus is retrospective. The experience can be difficult for the agent, and they can become defensive. Good call coaching enables the agent to explore their style, the situation of the call, and focuses on the action they could take to develop their own behaviour, skills and attitudes. helping call center agents to understand the behaviors associated with good customer service by having a customer service competency framework. Make sure it's not generic, but really relevant to the work that you do. have fun; games and competitions on the floor can also work to support key customer service behaviors. Sales teams are very good at getting people to share their successes and often create a game or competition for that. The same principle can work for your customer service language. use your huddle. A morning huddle, the quick five minutes where the team come together to focus on their time ahead. Use this to reinforce customer service behavior - tell people about good customer service behaviour. Spread the joy. rinse and repeat; all good training benefits from being relevant and repeated, so it is important that refresher and review training is carried out. Keep key messages about caring for your customers at the front of people's minds.
Find more customer service training ideas by clicking on the links below | 5,013 | 2,144 | 0.000468 |
warc | 201704 | Archives for: November 2007 admin
My Dad, at 89 years of age, deals with achy joints and uncooperative knees. Long before the injury that left him in a wheelchair, he wanted to stay physically active, so he researched natural remedies. He was impressed by the claims made for glucosamine/chondroitin and tried it. It worked, and he has taken it for years. Until his head injury a year ago, he walked a mile or two once or twice a day.
When I started the Blood Type Diet, I read this in Dr. D'Adamo's column. "Chondroitin sulphate is actually comprised of long linked chains of the sugar acetylated galactosamine. You might remember that galactosamine is also the blood type A antigen. Thus, upon hydrolysis (acid breakdown) in the stomach, chondroitin becomes free A-antigen. This would not be to much of a problem in type A or AB, who recognize A antigen as "self," but could be a major problem in types O and B, who recognize A antigen as "non-self." In essence, taking chondroitin sulphate if you are either O or B is the chemical equivalent of giving yourself a bad blood transfusion." My Dad brushed off this information, because glucosamine/chondroitin had helped his knees so much. My Dad also deals with itchy skin. It is especially bad at night and when he gets over heated. He has tried various topical creams and oral antihistamines, none of which were particularly successful. A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, someone on the Forum quoted the "bad blood transfusion" sound bite, and I began to wonder if the itching might be related to the chondroitin. I bought glucosamine sulfate with MSM and gave it to my Dad. He took it instead of his usual glucosamine/chondroitin on Thursday. Friday at breakfast he said that for the first time in years, he had not itched in the night. He was totally amazed that the results were that fast. I left the glucosamine/MSM with him and brought the glucosamine/chondroitin home to give to my Type A husband. I got an e-mail from Dad last night. No itching since he stopped the chondroitin. Listen to Dr. D. Don't argue with him about avoids. I may take issue with some neutrals. Apples, for instance, really seem to have a good effect on my digestive system. But I don't argue with him about avoids. Other research can tout the praises of oranges, avocado, and cauliflower. I know they are not for me. Ask yourself this question. If giving up a favorite avoid would improve your quality of life, would it be worth it? My Dad knows the answer. No matter what popular opinion says about chondroitin, he likes sleeping peacefully through the night, admin
My Mom has not fully recovered from a fall last September. She decided that rather than go through the stress of preparing Thanksgiving dinner, she would order our dinner from a local cafeteria. I would have been happy to have cooked dinner for the family, but we were at her house, and this is what she wanted to do. I'll admit it was sort of nice to relax and visit all morning.
Tonight I've been catching up on BTD mail, and one comment got me to thinking about how Thanksgiving is for Type Os. Overall, it's a good holiday for us. There aren't a lot of beneficials, but then there aren't a lot of avoids either. It's certainly easier to stay compliant at a Thanksgiving dinner than at a fast food restaurant or a football game. First of all there is a platter of meat, and I can get all I want. Turkey may be neutral, but animal protein energizes Type Os. There are always vegetables at Thanksgiving dinner. Usually we have green beans. Today we had broccoli. There is almost always a veggie tray. Cranberries are another neutral, but if you make them with pineapple juice, they become quite beneficial. On the negative side is the dressing. It's traditional. It's delicious. If I make it and it's wheat free, I eat a serving. If someone else makes it, I enjoy a spoonful in honor of the day. Gravy I skip. I didn't particularly like turkey gravy even before the BTD. If Type Os are going to eat a sugary dessert, traditional Thanksgiving pies are a much better choice than ice cream or cake. Pumpkin pie has beneficials. Pecan pie, fruit pies, and mince meat at least have something of nutritional value. Thanksgiving isn't really about the food or the dinner. It is a day to thank God. To thank Him for the care and protection he showed the original settlers of this country. To thank him for the blessings he has brought into our lives in the past year. A thankful heart is beneficial for all types. admin
My sister e-mailed last week that she had made chicken curry for a luncheon at her daughter's school. I thought, that must be some chicken curry recipe if a group of Middle Schoolers liked it. So I asked for the recipe. My friend Beth was driving up so see the new house and enjoy a morning of girl talk. I decided to try the chicken curry recipe on her.
Beth is one of the many people I know who are happy that the Blood Type Diet works for me, but not the slightest bit interested in it for themselves. She will listen with polite interest if I want to talk, but is ready to change the subject pretty quickly. She does not know her blood type. Here is my sister's recipe as she sent it to me: 1 chicken (or 6 chicken breasts) - Cut up and cook in salted water. Save cooking water) Chop 2 onions and cook in margarine. Sprinkle 3-4 tsp. curry powder over onions. Add: chicken pieces, garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. ginger, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, chicken bouillon (3 cups), 1 can tomato paste, salt and pepper. Simmer all ingredients together. Thicken the juice with cornstarch if necessary. The flavor is best if cooked the day before the meal. Chicken curry can be frozen. Serve the chicken curry over rice. At the table, each person tops his "mountain" with his personal choice of condiments: pineapple chunks, bananas, peanuts, chopped tomatoes chopped bell pepper orange slices raisins chopped cucumber grated carrots coconut (last ingredient for the "snow" on the mountain top) This is mostly a Type O friendly recipe. I cooked my onions in ghee. I used 1 ½ teaspoons of ginger juice. I didn't want to have to add cornstarch for thickening, so I didn't add the full three cups of liquid at first. I added a little at a time as it cooked. I changed the condiment list a little to match what was good for me and what I had on hand in the pantry. Beth loved it and asked for the recipe. She admitted she was a little suspicious about topping meat and rice with pineapple and walnuts, but agreed in the end that the flavors worked well together. I think the fun of adding toppings is probably what makes the Middle Schoolers like the recipe so much. I served the left-overs to my family. I added things to the condiments that are beneficial for Type As. The tomato paste is Type A avoid, but I just haven't found a substitute that they like. Dr. D. once said in a column "Generally 70-80% total compliance works well in most people (out of 10 food choices, 7-9 being neutral or beneficial choices)". Even with the tomato paste, Chicken Curry is within the compliant range. admin
I have a first place ribbon hanging on my refrigerator door tonight. I won first place at our church chili cook off! Well technically HH (my Honorable Husband) won the ribbon, but he couldn't have done it without me.
Last year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the church had a turkey dinner. This year the ladies decided to have a chili cook off. The men were to each fix a pot of chili, and the women were to bring corn bread or cake. Now HH does a lot of things well, but cooking is not one of them. So I agreed to make the chili, and let him get the credit - or the blame. When our children were younger, we used to go camping with three other families. John would make a huge batch of chili and freeze it in milk cartons. The frozen chili kept his ice chest cold during the first part of the trip, and then one night we would heat the chili up over a camp fire and enjoy. I made John's camp chili. I'll give you John's original recipe, then give a few hints for making it BTD friendly. 2 pounds of ground meat 1 regular can of Ranch Style Beans 1 can of Rotel tomatoes and green chilies 1 onion, chopped 1 green pepper, chopped 2 cans ( 6 oz) of tomato sauce salt and pepper For the cook off, I used ground turkey. DD (my Darling Daughter) knew that all the other chili would be made with beef. She wanted something she could eat with a clean conscience. I don't buy tomato sauce any more because of the corn syrup. I substituted tomato paste, and liked the way it made the chili just a tad thicker. The tomatoes and green chilies were avoids for Type As, as was the green pepper. If I had been making the chili at home, I could have left out the green pepper, but chili just isn't chili without a tomato base. Ranch beans are pinto beans, which are avoid for me. If I had been making chili at home, I could have used black beans or some other neutral bean. Everybody liked the chili, and we didn't have any leftovers. DD and I laughed when HH was announced as the winner. He let me have the ribbon when we got home. admin 'What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one. Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism. Orwell feared that the truth would be concealed from us. Huxley feared the truth would be drowned in a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we would become a captive culture. Huxley feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of the feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumblepuppy.'
-Neil Postman,
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Huxley wins in overtime.
admin
I started the Blood Type Diet because of heartburn and GERD. When I found out that peppermint was beneficial, I started buying sugar free mints. I quickly learned to love them, and I keep them in my purse all the time. If I am out running errands on a hot day, a mint and a bottle of water keep me refreshed. A mint after a meal tastes like dessert to me.
I originally started buying mints in bulk at the health food store because they were sweetened with Splenda. But the store discontinued the original brand and replaced it with a brand that lists hydrogenated starch as the first ingredient. The new mints also contain artificial colors. That didn't sound too good. I looked at the grocery store. All of their sugar free mints are sweetened with NutraSweet (Aspartame) That is avoid! The other hard mints at the grocery store are sweetened with corn syrup. That is also avoid! However the soft peppermints at the grocery store are just sugar, peppermint, and cream of tartar. This seemed like the most natural of the choices, and I've been using them for more than a month. However, I'm haunted by all of the reading I did during my Health Nut years about the evils of sugar. I feel just a little guilty every time I pop one of the soft peppermints in my mouth. I wonder if I'm better off with a sugar free mint with artificial ingredients or a natural mint with sugar. Have any of you tried the Spry or Robeir xylitol mints? Do you have a recommendation for a healthy sugar free mint? admin
My Darling Daughter has wanted to lose a little weight and reshape her body. It is easy for teenage girls to become compulsive about their weight, and I think DD might have fallen into that trap had it not been for the BTD. When she starts drifting in an obsessive direction, we go back to the BTD books and look at beneficial foods, portion sizes, and exercise. Because we have kept our eyes on scientific fact rather than feelings, it has kept her from crossing the line into unhealthy practices, and it has kept me from worrying.
We stopped at the grocery store on the way home from school yesterday and agreed on salmon, pumpkin, and raw veggies for dinner. I was pleased to find that wild caught salmon was within my budget, and I selected a fillet. When the butcher punched the code into his computer it came up farm raised. I stopped him, and he corrected the code. Just to be sure, I said, "You are selling me wild caught, right?" He was a talkative butcher, and he launched into a long explanation He says that wild caught fish are not truly wild. Fishermen go out into the ocean and screen off an area so that the salmon cannot escape. They give them additional food and monitor their growth. The salmon are harvested when they reach a certain size, which explains why all of the fish often look identical. Farm raised fish live in man made ponds. Wild caught fish live in man controlled parts of the sea. But neither is truly swimming wild or climbing salmon ladders to get back to inland breeding grounds. If this is true, it makes me reevaluate my thinking about salmon, especially considering the price difference between farm raised and wild caught. My reason for preferring wild caught was my belief that they ate a more natural diet, lived in less crowded conditions, and were exposed to less impurity in their water. But if the studies compare truly wild fish with farm raised, they are not comparing what is really available in my local market. When I fix canned pumpkin for myself I use the 100% pure pumpkin rather than the pumpkin pie mix. I warm it with some butter or ghee and a little cinnamon. Because DD is eating pumpkin with me now, I wanted to add less fat. So I mixed in a generous sprinkle of cinnamon and then, instead of the butter I added 1 ½ teaspoons of ginger juice. The flavor was delightful, and it was beneficial for us both. We just finished eating up the left over pumpkin for lunch. admin
My husband loves casseroles. His idea of a great dinner is a little meat and a few vegetables mixed with rice or noodles and a savory sauce.
My daughter will not eat casseroles. She doesn't like her food all mixed together. She eats more vegetables than starch, and she prefers her vegetables raw. She wants to dip vegetables in peanut butter or salad dressing. She doesn't want them coated in sauce. I like the way casseroles taste, but they don't satisfy my Type O needs. There is too much starch and not enough protein. The sauces my husband likes best are wheat based. The way I have been serving meals is just right for my daughter and me, but lately I can hear my husband sigh when he goes into the kitchen to serve his plate. I know what he's thinking - "Chicken again?" "Fish again?" "Turkey again?" When we eat out he always orders pasta something. Yesterday I went into the Recipe part of the Website - I love the new format, by the way. Someone has done a lot of work to make it much easier to use - I printed out a couple of recipes that I want to try in the next few days. I can't promise my husband casseroles. But I do think I have a responsibility not to let his meals become boring. admin
I wanted to plant bluebonnets in front of the house. They are native, beautiful, drought resistant, and hardy - once they are established. I bought bluebonnet seed and learned that they should be planted between September 1 and December 1.
A large stand of oak trees divides the front of our property. My plan was to plant the bluebonnets on either side of the oaks. The construction workers and torn up the grass in those areas driving their equipment in and out. I just needed to clear out the rocks. I worked hard to get one side of the yard cleared. I planted half of my seeds. Everything was going well, except my knees were achy. I got out one of my favorite books, "Anybody's Sports Medicine" and read this under overuse injuries in knees. "Squats can be the most harmful exercise of all. At the least a squat subjects the back of your kneecap to about seven and a half times your body weight - about 1,000 pounds per square inch." No wonder my knees hurt. I had been squatting and picking up rocks. The book recommends rest and exercises to strengthen the muscles around the kneecap. I started those. I also started bromelain, ginger, and glucosamine (without condroitin because I'm Type O) as recommended in the BTD Encyclopedia. I improved slowly. It took about 10 days, but my knees returned to normal. Yesterday I went out to water the bluebonnets, and they had sprouted! My excitement turned to dismay when I saw that a rain shower had washed some of the seed into an area where the bluebonnets could not survive. I went into high gear, moving the tiny sprouts and building a rock barricade to protect from further erosion. I over did it. My knees are achy again this morning. I'm back to bromelain, glucosamine, andginger. I'm going to have to sit or kneel rather than squat when I do yard work. | 16,844 | 7,382 | 0.000136 |
warc | 201704 | The streptococcus and lactobacillus strains are the strains that make up the 'probiotic' class. When you see a probiotic like S. thermophilus, the S stands for streptococcus (there ar many), similarly L. acidophilus is one of the lactobacillus strains.
Quoted from Wikipedia
Buttermilk is a fermented dairy product produced from cow's milk with a characteristically sour taste. The product is made in one of two ways. Originally, buttermilk was the liquid left over from churning butter from cream. Today, this is called traditional buttermilk. Buttermilk also refers to cultured buttermilk, a product where lactic acid bacteria have been added to milk.[1]...
...The Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) comprise a clade of Gram positive, low-GC, acid tolerant, non-sporulating, non-respiring rod or cocci that are associated by their common metabolic and physiological characteristics. These bacteria, usually found in decomposing plants and lactic products produce lactic acid as the major metabolic endproduct of carbohydrate fermentation. This trait has historically linked LAB with food fermentations as acidification inhibits the growth of spoilage agents. Proteinaceous bacteriocins are produced by several LAB strains and provide an additional hurdle for spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, lactic acid and other metabolic products contribute to the organoleptic and textural profile of a food item. The industrial importance of the LAB is further evidenced by their generally regarded as safe (GRAS) status, due to their ubiquitous appearance in food and their contribution to the healthy microflora of human mucosal surfaces. The genera that comprise the LAB are at its core Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, Lactococcus, and Streptococcus as well as the more peripheral Aerococcus, Carnobacterium, Enterococcus, Oenococcus, Teragenococcus, Vagococcus, and Weisella; these belong to the order Lactobacillales....
...Kefir (alternately keefir, kephir, kewra, talai, mudu kekiya, milkkefir, b˙lgaros) is a fermented milk drink that originated in the Caucasus region. It is prepared by inoculating cow, goat, or sheep's milk with kefir grains... ...Kefir grains are a combination of bacteria and yeasts in a matrix of proteins, lipids, and sugars. This symbiotic matrix forms grains that resemble cauliflower. Today, kefir is becoming increasingly popular due to new research into its health benefits. Many different bacteria and yeasts are found in the kefir grains, which are a complex and highly variable community of micro-organisms.[2] | 2,572 | 1,291 | 0.000778 |
warc | 201704 | Breast cancer survivor offers wisdom at Faulkner satellite center
Call 877-422-3324 today to make an appointment
Make your appointment or second opinion with Dana-Farber today to meet with an onsite specialist.
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Discover the ways to give and how to get involved to support Dana-Farber.
Poet Richard Fox gains insight – and material – through cancer treatment
A family faces cancer in an unfamiliar city – with help
Choosing mastectomy or not: Studying young women's surgical choices
Jeff's targeted therapy has kept his advanced lung cancer at bay.
Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have isolated a new type of energy-burning fat cell in adult humans which they say may have therapeutic potential for treating obesity.
Called "beige fat," the cells are found in scattered pea-sized deposits beneath the skin near the collarbone and along the spine in adult humans. Because this type of fat can burn off calories – rather than store them, as "white fat" cells do – beige fat cells might spawn new therapies for obesity and diabetes, according to researchers led by Bruce Spiegelman, PhD, of Dana-Farber.
Spiegelman is the senior author of a report scheduled for advance online publication on July 12 by the journal Cell. The print issue of Cell will publish on July 20.
The study found that beige fat is genetically distinct from "brown fat," which also burns calories to generate heat. Brown fat is found in small mammals and human infants, where it protects against harm from cold. White fat, on the other hand, stores calories, and excess white fat contributes to obesity.
Existence of this third type of fat (in addition to white and brown) had been proposed in a paper by Spiegelman's lab in 2008, but the Dana-Farber team is the first to isolate them and to determine their unique genetic profile. In the new report, Spiegelman's team, led by first author, Jun Wu, PhD, also found that beige cells are specifically targeted by the hormone irisin, which muscle cells express during exercise.
In 2009, three research groups reported that the deposits found in adult humans contained brown fat, but the new research has identified them as beige fat by their genetic makeup.
"Going forward, it means that what you want to study for potential therapies are the beige fat cells in these 'hotspots' we're all walking around with," said Spiegelman.
Even in small amounts, brown and beige fat can burn large amounts of calories.
"The therapeutic potential of both kinds of brown fat cells is clear," the authors write in the Cell article, "as genetic manipulations in mice that create more brown or beige fat have strong anti-obesity and anti-diabetic actions." Researchers are already seeking ways to exploit human brown fat for human benefits.
Both types of fat contain energy-burning organelles called mitochondria, which contain iron and are the cause of the brown and beige hues. A key difference is that brown fat cells express high levels of UCP1 – a protein required by mitochondria to burn calories and generate heat – while beige cells normally express low levels of it. Beige cells can, however, turn on high levels of UCP1 in response to cold or certain hormones like irisin, enabling beige fat to burn calories nearly as effectively as brown fat.
Spiegelman has published a series of discoveries about the different fat cell types. Brown fat cells, he found, are born from stem cells precursors that also produce muscle cells. Beige fat, however, forms within deposits of white fat cells from beige cell precursors.
Earlier this year, he reported the discovery of irisin, produced by muscular exercise, and which can convert white fat to brown fat. In the new Cell report, Spiegelman says that irisin specifically stimulates white fat to produce beige fate. Dana-Farber has licensed both discoveries to Ember Therapeutics, a biotech company founded by Spiegelman, which plans to develop irisin as a therapy for obesity and diabetes.
In addition to Spiegelman and Wu, authors include researchers from, Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands, Goteborg University in Sweden, and the University of Turku in Finland.
The research was supported, in part, by grants from the National Institute of Health (DK31405 and DK90861) and the American Heart Association.
Spiegelman is a shareholder and consultant to Ember Therapeutics. | 4,688 | 2,242 | 0.000454 |
warc | 201704 | Find College Courses and Degrees
Learn how to give professional help to people with problems.
These are vocationally relevant courses that can be the first step on a professional counselling ladder. While primarily theoretical, students will also get hands on experience in those vocational areas that prospective employers value. Some courses also arrange for students to carry out voluntary work in specialist areas, this can greatly help in enhancing any future CV and in preparing students for post-graduate courses. These fully accredited and recognised courses will give you a good introduction to the personal qualities needed in the process of helping others. Upon graduation from many courses you will be immediatey eligible to gain accredited membership with relevant professional or healthcare bodies.
Counselling courses overview
Syllabuses contain both practical and theoretical elements. Each module covers a different aspect of counselling and will give students an interesting introduction to what is a wide ranging field. Learning is done via traditional textbooks, online study and audio-visual materials as well as structured self-directed activities. A wide variety of teaching methods are used, including lectures, seminars, role play sessions, laboratory work, e-learning, and even outside visits or work placements. Classes are taught in relatively small sizes, which allows students greater contact with their teachers and creates a more interactive learning environment. Assessment is done via essays, practical tasks and case studies.
Curriculums focus on developing your self-knowledge and understanding of how to help people with a range of common human problems. You will learn about the core areas of counselling and how to stop a persons problems from not only affecting their relationships but also their work performance, absenteeism and productivity.
Typical subjects taught on a counselling course
Addiction Counselling
Anxiety Counselling
Assessing Patients
Borderline Personality Disorders
Child Counselling
Child Protection
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Counselling
Counselling Literature
Counselling Theory
Counselling Tools
Debt Counselling
Depression
Domestic Violence
Drug Addiction
Ethical Issues in Counselling
Family Counselling
Health & Social Care
Listening
Mental Stamina
Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
Occupational Therapy
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Rationalising
Research Methods for Counselling
Speech Therapy
Talking Therapies
Understanding
Working in Diversity
You will learn how to
Listen and respond appropriately to people with problems.
Help people with anxiety attacks.
Help people cope with redundancy or work-related stress.
Establish a relationship with clients.
Talk to people in a patient, tolerant and calm manner.
Cope with highly emotional situations.
Work closely with other healthcare professionals.
Communicate effectively with people from different social and cultural backgrounds.
Undertake group counselling sessions.
Support personal change.
Communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner.
Help people cope with relationship breakdown.
Understand other people's points of view.
Help people to express their emotions and feelings.
Use evidence-based psychological therapies.
You will learn about
The basic skills in counselling practice.
The cultural and historical origins of counselling.
The different theoretical approaches to counselling.
How people interact with each other.
Research methods and statistical analysis.
The importance of self development.
Planning treatments for clients.
The vital role that counsellors play in modern society.
Who are counselling training courses suitable for?
If you do not have any current formal qualifications then they are a good place to start, and are ideal for people from various backgrounds and levels of ability. They are suitable for anyone already working in an existing role as well as individuals new to the profession and who are looking for introductory professional counselling training. Apart from opening up employment opportunities they can also underpin further study in specialist areas.
More courses
Anger Management courses
Assertiveness training courses
Counselling degree
Stress Management courses
Training courses
Counsellor cover letter examples
Counsellor cover letter example
Counsellor cover letter 1
Counsellor cover letter 2
Counsellor cover letter 3
Counsellor CV example
Counsellor CV sample | 4,561 | 2,063 | 0.000493 |
warc | 201704 | Family Development - A Caregiver's Guide Positive Parenting Tips that Promote Good Behavior in Middle Childhood Natural and Logical Consequences
Natural and logical consequences are effective in helping children see the connection between their actions and the results of their behavior. Natural consequences include the results of a child’s actions without any adult interference. For example, the natural consequence of refusing to eat is hunger. Playing in rain puddles will result in wet socks and shoes.
Natural consequences are sometimes dangerous or impractical. For example, it would be dangerous for a child to experience the natural consequence of running into the street because the child might be hit by a car.
When natural consequences are unsafe for a child, you can use logical consequences to help the child correct behavior. Logical consequences require adult intervention. A logical consequence for an 8-year-old not studying for a test because he/she was talking on the phone with friends could be losing the privilege of talking to friends on the phone until grades improve.
The following examples also illustrate the use of logical consequences: Not cleaning up toys may result in the toys being taken away for a short period. Not being able to get up for school in the morning may result in an earlier bed time. Lying or other unacceptable behavior may result in a child writing an essay for the parent. Additional tips for positive, age-appropriate discipline: Interact with all children in a warm, accepting, yet firm manner at all times. When you talk with your child, get down on their level, kneel, sit or squat to their level or sit beside them on a bed, chair, etc. When you speak with them, use a gentle touch on their arm, shoulder or back, depending on the child and his/her comfort level with being touched. Since middle childhood brings about a better understanding of reasoning, parents may have to give more detailed explanations for expected behaviors. Make it very clear what the undesirable behavior is. It is not enough to say, “Your room is messy.” Messy should be specified in terms of exactly what is meant: “You’ve left dirty clothes on the floor, dirty plates on your desk, and your bed is not made.” Children in middle childhood need to feel they have done a job well to build healthy self-confidence. Helping out at home gives school-age children a sense of belonging, mastery and confidence. Look for gradual changes in behavior and praise behavior that comes close to the desired goal. Don’t expect your child to accomplish all your expectations at once. Reward desirable behavior frequently through the use of verbal praise, appropriate touch (pat on back) or something like a toy, the child’s favorite food, family time (board game or movie with the family) or money. Remember that your behavior serves as a model for your children’s behavior. | 2,945 | 1,397 | 0.000728 |
warc | 201704 | Back to West End Development main page
Government and People
Budget issues
January 16, 2009
Dear Councilmembers Cheh and Brown:
We are writing
to point out a number of misrepresentations made by Deputy Mayor Neil
Albert in his January 12
First and foremost, we want you to realize that there have been no serious re-design efforts on LCOR’s part over the past six months. In fact, whenever community stakeholders point out a problem with LCOR’s plans, the response has been to manipulate the data and/or images rather than to try to solve the problem. So, for example, we’re still seeing a soccer field where one goal would be somewhere between 9 and 12 feet higher than the other, as well as a driveway on Wisconsin Avenue that will never make it through the PUD process, given the volume of traffic associated with the 200+ car garage it serves. In short, LCOR, with DMPED’s aid and encouragement, is deliberately presenting unrealistic scenarios in an attempt to sell the project to the Council and the community. Neither DMPED nor LCOR seems to have any interest in making this a better project – they just want to seal this deal, secure in the knowledge that, once they have a deal, all of these problems will be someone else’s responsibility.
It’s ironic to hear DM Albert “hope that the members of the community will engage constructively” when his office has ignored every constructive suggestion the community has made throughout this process. The wisdom of some of those suggestions – e.g. to include community/school representatives on the selection panel; to do ed specs for the Janney campus and a concept plan showing how all of the required educational facilities for an elementary school of 550 can be provided onsite before making any decision about whether/how much/what land should be devoted to private use – has already been vindicated. Other suggestions – such as ANC’s request that the RFP require the private partner to come to the table with financing in hand – anticipate (and would have helped avert) problems likely to emerge in the near future if this project moves forward.
Secondly, we want to point out that DM Albert’s claims about the advantages of this project are largely specious. The statement that “preliminary estimates show that DC Public Library will save approximately half of its construction budget under this mixed-use scenario” (or 5 million dollars) flatly contradicts LCOR’s estimate in September of 2008 that the library could save about $800,000 in construction costs as a result of mixed-use. Even that figure was an overestimation because LCOR acknowledged that it hadn’t offset the savings by taking into account increased costs associated with redesign and construction delays. Given that the private/profit-making component of the project may have gotten slightly smaller since September, it seems unlikely that the construction cost savings for the library could have more than sextupled since then.
Even less persuasive, is DMPED’s claim that LCOR’s proposal will provide a means for moving Janney up in DCPS’s modernization queue.In fact, as FOIA’d documents demonstrate, a last-minute political intervention was made to move Janney from its rightful place near the front of DCPS’s facilities modernization line to the tail end. This intervention was apparently designed to accommodate a public-private partnership. As DCPS’s own facilities expert immediately pointed out, relegating Janney to the end of the modernization queue “contradicts the guiding principles” of the Master Facilities Plan.
Janney’s place in DCPS’s facilities queue is not yet fixed. The MFP released last September was a draft and Janney’s position has been controverted both within DCPS and in public testimony before the Council. There is absolutely no reason why Janney cannot be renovated and expanded more quickly without a public-private partnership. The money is available. Post-closures, DCPS desperately needs to expand capacity at high-performing schools that can serves as receivers under NCLB standards. And Janney remains one of DCPS’s most over-crowded campuses with a waiting list of over 150 students.
By contrast, if the PPP moves forward, LCOR’s need for Council approval of the deal, as well as a PUD for the project, necessarily puts Janney’s addition on hold. And without a new addition, the only way to renovate the existing building, would be to send the students off campus.So either the renovations wait for the addition or they wait for swing space to become available. The bottom line is that, at this point, the PPP can only delay Janney’s modernization.
Finally, DMPED still doesn’t seem to understand the facilities issues involved.“No net loss of green space” has never been an appropriate criterion for evaluating this project’s impact on Janney. Given the anticipated expansion in its capacity, as well as the doubling of the amount of its built space, the challenge involved in modernizing Janney will be to enable its outdoor educational facilities to expand in order to keep pace with its indoor facilities.“Green space” per se isn’t what’s at issue.Janney needs programmable outdoor space that can be used to provide the field needed for PE instruction as well as the various age-differentiated hard- and soft-scape play areas mandated by DCPS’s current educational specifications for an elementary school campus of 550 students.
While a mixed-use project at this site may have appeared promising in theory, a year’s worth of attempts to translate that theory into practice have not borne fruit.Three different development teams, each of whom has had the opportunity to present revised or alternative designs, have tackled this project.We’ve seen lots of site plans over the past year, but no one has been able come up with a concrete proposal that has garnered the support of even one local stakeholder group.In fact, at this point, a strong consensus has emerged that our community will be better-served by devoting all of the publicly-owned land at the Wisconsin and Albemarle site to school and library use and entrusting these two construction projects to DCPL and OPEFM rather than involving a private developer. ANC 3E, the Janney SIT, the Friends of the Tenley-Friendship Library, as well as a number of other civic associations and neighboring property-owners have all espoused this position.
And
it’s not just the community that has reached this conclusion. The Library’s Board of Trustees announced at its November 19
Frankly, LCOR and DMPED seem to be the only parties that want this deal – yet six months into negotiations, even they do not seem to have managed to reach agreement on something as basic as a term sheet. As DMPED’s website indicates, no such agreement had been reached as of December 31, 2008.
The bottom line is that, after two years of work on this project, DMPED has no agency buy-in and no community support. That’s because Neil Albert’s office seems inclined to get this deal “by any means necessary” – including sacrificing public facilities needs to subsidize private development. In a tight credit market, even if Albert ultimately offers LCOR a deal so enticing that it signs on the dotted line, there’s no guarantee that LCOR will have the financing to move forward once it clears the political and regulatory hurdles that the project still faces (in part because DMPED failed to seek a timely decision regarding whether the public land in question was actually surplus). By contrast, DCPL has both construction financing and necessary design approvals in hand.
It has become increasingly clear that continued negotiations over a public-private partnership at this site are setting us back rather than moving us forward toward the broadly-shared goals of providing improved public school facilities and reinvigorating the dead space created by the premature closing of our branch library. Already, our library’s reconstruction has been delayed an additional 6 months by these discussions. And that’s after a delay which has already extended four years. Each of the other four neighborhood libraries shuttered at the end of 2004 broke ground last December.There’s a big hole where our library used to be – and while other CM’s are cutting ribbons in 2010, we’ll be lucky if ground has been broken on this project before the next election cycle is over.
It is time for the Council to step in and pull the plug on this project. Apparently the opposition of individual Councilmembers to LCOR’s proposal has not deterred DM Albert from moving forward with it. The Council as a whole needs to step in and reassert its role as a co-equal branch and a custodian of public land. Your colleagues will follow your lead on this matter – as Ward CM, as Committee Chairs, and as early proponents of exploring a mixed-use project at this site, it is up to you to let them know that DMPED’s efforts have failed and that, conversely, DCPL and OPEFM seem ready, willing, and able to rebuild our library and modernize our school.
Sincerely,
Sue Hemberger, Anne Sullivan, Daniel Carozza, and Amy McVey
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Send mail with questions or comments to webmaster@dcwatch.com Web site copyright ©DCWatch (ISSN 1546-4296) | 9,569 | 4,383 | 0.000237 |
warc | 201704 | The first screwcap for sparkling wines has been released – and it claims to solve the problems of taint, loss of sparkle and ease of opening.
The closure, called ‘
Viiva‘, is the result of five years of research and development between Guala Closures Australia, glass manufacturer O-I, and De Bortoli Wines.
At present Viiva is restricted to sparkling wines produced by the tank fermentation or charmat method and is not suitable for wines made by in the traditional method with secondary fermentation in bottle.
It is anticipated to find strongest support in the on-premise market, especially for wines by the glass, and for larger events such as banquets and conventions.
Feedback had identified major issues in these sectors as taint, loss of carbonation and ease of opening; according to the manufacturers the new closure solves all three.
The seal is released by a double twist, the first releasing pressure and the second opening the bottle, which can then be resealed.
The seal underwent temperature, pressure, stress and weight tests, as a result of which a redefined bottle was found to be necessary.
De Bortoli has applied the new seal to its entire
Trevi and Willowglen sparkling ranges.
National sales manager Peter Yeoman said the new closure ‘will encourage responsible consumption of alcohol as it enables consumers to drink one glass of wine, while maintaining carbonation days after opening.’
Tests for adapting the closure to traditional sparkling wines are ongoing.
Written by Ken Gargett | 1,546 | 807 | 0.001271 |
warc | 201704 | Yes, there is a mandate. Individual Americans must have health insurance in 2014 or pay a penalty, with a few exceptions.
The mandate on large employers to provide insurance was put off until 2015, and no amount of screaming “unfair” has changed that.
Beginning Jan. 1, those who do not get insurance through an employer, through Medicare or Medicaid, or Tricare military insurance, must find a policy or pay a fine.
Employers of 50 or more people were also mandated to offer health insurance or pay a $2,000 penalty per employee; after months of protests that systems weren’t ready, the administration gave employers a one-year reprieve. Their employees, though, are still subject to the individual mandate for 2014; many could get subsidies to buy insurance through the state exchange, Connect for Health Colorado.
Exceptions to the individual mandate include anyone who can’t find “affordable” insurance, even through the state health exchanges. The U.S. defines affordable as costing less than 8 percent of your annual income.
If you still choose not to buy, the IRS will assess a penalty in the first year equal to up to $95 or 1 percent of your income, whichever is higher. For a single buyer making $50,000 a year, that would be $400 (since people with less than $10,000 income are not required to file taxes.) The minimum penalty rises in later years to $695. | 1,404 | 746 | 0.001377 |
warc | 201704 | chinookI am not aware of a backward culture in the Church that saysa women's education is inferior to a man's. Most BYU coeds drop outafter getting married because it takes a wage earner to support the family; theywill do it now and their husband will take over after he graduates. My daughter still graduated after getting married. My wife walked across thestage to get her degree at 8 1/2 months pregnant with our third child. It tookher a while to finish, but I supported her in that goal and she made it. (I hadmy degree a few years before I met her.) Education is important inour family to both genders and each child of ours is going to get a collegedegree, as are all their spouses. Brigham Young said (if I have it correct)that if he could only educate part of his children it would be his daughters. Keeping out of debt and not realizing the value of an education aretwo separate things, which should not be confused. One can also get a degreeand not go into huge debt; it just takes longer.
My mother always said that when you educate a man, you educate one person. Whenyou educate a woman, you educate a family. I have a law degree and have hadmany different majors. I never learned anything in college that did not help mebe a better wife and mother. My son has an MBA, my daughter (mother of two) isa teacher and applying to grad school, and my other son is at BYU majoring inneuropsychology. I am as proud of their accomplishments as I am of my own! Itwas a win fr everyone!
I wonder why, given what we know about college education for women and how itimpacts their children in a positive way, we still see this backward culture inthe church that says that women's education is less important thanmen's. We also continue to see young women at BYU dropping out when theyget married, not when they have their first child, but when they get marriedbecause their husbands want to go to dental school, law school, medical school,you name it! What are we teaching our young women about their roles as mothersand how education fits into that? I've heard young women and their parentsdownplay the importance of investing in girl's post-secondary educationbecause they, "are going to be moms; they don't need to go into debtfor schooling." Along with that type of comment has always been adiscussion about the relative unimportance of anything beyond a BA for women whovalue motherhood--as if somehow those of us with college and beyond despise ourchildren and motherhood. I think we need to change this culture, it isdamaging. | 2,538 | 1,243 | 0.000806 |
warc | 201704 | Information is everywhere, and I don’t just mean that there’s a lot of it. I mean that it’s stored everywhere—in the cloud, on hard drives, on any number of other various storage devices. For example, not that long ago, my wife was searching through dozens of CDs looking for a specific photo. After a few hours of loading and unloading CDs from the computer, she eventually found it, but decided at that point to start storing all of the family photos in the cloud. She thought this move would make finding specific photos easier, but now she has to remember if the photos were saved to a photo site, posted on Facebook or Instagram, or if they’re still on the camera. While cloud computing has certainly put everything a click or touch away, remembering which application to click or touch can be just as tedious as remembering on which CD or USB drive your documents are.
Accessibility
One of the biggest benefits of the cloud is accessibility. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can get to all of your data, but that data may still be stored in various locations within the cloud. So rather than worrying about whether you put the files you need on a USB drive or CD, and where they are located, you have to remember if your files are stored in applications such as Google Drive, Dropbox, SharePoint, etc.
Data Centralization
In the construction industry, knowing where your data and documents are plays an important role in the success of any project, and ultimately any business. Having a good document management system with plans and specifications all in one place means your project team has the most recent information. Centralized document repositories such as FTP sites, SharePoint and Dropbox have been around for a number of years, but project team adoption and document control have created roadblocks. Often times, team members may not use a particular application or documents may be stored in various locations in order to control access and editing.
Centralized Documents and Construction Software
Fortunately, the market has listened, and software developers are providing tools to help contractors share and control access to documents—I know, because I’m one of them. Not only do these applications provide universal access to documents in the cloud, they provide users with the ability to control who can see and edit specific documents. With all of your project documents in one location, your teams not only have the most recent information at their fingertips, they’ll spend less time searching through folders and applications, giving them more time to do their jobs and after work, if they’re like my family, posting photos of their dogs and kids on Facebook.
How do you keep your documents centralized? | 2,799 | 1,318 | 0.000774 |
warc | 201704 | December 21, 2015
NEWPORT, Ore. – Fresh Oregon Dungeness crab is back on the menu after fishery managers determined the fishery is ready to open Jan. 4 along the entire Oregon coast.
Fishery managers exercised an abundance of caution in opening the crab season this year due to unusual levels of domoic acid found in crabs along Oregon’s southern coast. The month-long delay in opening the season allowed for additional testing for domoic acid in order to provide confidence that crab harvested from Oregon waters are safe to consume and of excellent quality.
“Along with the state agencies, the Oregon commercial Dungeness crab industry has taken a very proactive and precautionary approach to the opening of this crab season in the interest of public safety,” says Caren Braby, ODFW Marine Resources Program Manager.
Testing of crab in recent weeks show the elevated levels of domoic acid in the southern half of the state have decreased and are all below U.S. Food and Drug Administration alert levels for three sample periods in a row. Based on these results and consultations with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon commercial crab industry and Washington and California Departments of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is opening the ocean commercial Dungeness crab season along the entire Oregon coast just after the New Year, Jan 4.
Commercial crab boat lights will start dotting the horizon Jan. 1 as boats are allowed to set gear three days prior to the fishery opening. The recreational harvest of Dungeness crab in Oregon’s bays and ocean is currently open coastwide.
As the season gets underway, state agencies will continue to monitor marine biotoxins in shellfish to ensure that the concentrations remain below the alert level to ensure the consumer safety.
For more information about Oregon’s shellfish marine biotoxin monitoring, call ODA’s shellfish safety information hotline at (800) 448‐2474 or visit the ODA shellfish closures web page.
### | 2,054 | 1,009 | 0.001016 |
warc | 201704 | Singapore, 10 December 2012 – Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company announces a US$10 million strategy to empower 2 million women in 17 countries in Asia-Pacific by 2017.
“Plan W: Empowering Women through Learning” aims to reach women of all socio-economic profiles through training and skills development. Empowerment means a woman’s right to have choices, opportunities and access to resources – all of which improve her sense of self worth and ability to influence society and the economy.
[1]
Diageo’s commitment to workplace diversity has been recognised around the world and Plan W marks another milestone in our contribution to the community. Investing in women is important for Diageo as two thirds of the global workforce in the hospitality industry is made up of women.
[2]
The company’s goal is to empower these women to play an even greater role in the success of the business.
Plan W aims to empower women through four focus areas:
1. Our Company: Diageo is committed to workplace diversity. We will further strengthen diversity policies and practices.
2. Our Industry: Increase women’s employability by delivering skills training in the hospitality sector.
3. Our Communities: Working with partners, train women in marginalized communities to better their prospects; establish programmes to support social entrepreneurs
4. Our Consumers: Raise awareness among consumers, through campaigns lead by Diageo’s brands.
“Being a partner for good is a big part of our values and history as a company. We are very proud to launch Plan W to support women and the development of communities all around Asia Pacific. As we progress with this major initiative across Asia Pacific, we will look for more strategic partners who are equally committed to supporting this cause to enrich the lives of women and empower them through learning’ said Gilbert Ghostine, President, Diageo Asia Pacific.
Diageo will work closely with partners such as CARE International and others to implement programmes, several of which are already underway. CARE is a leading non government organisation dedicated to fighting poverty and injustice in 87 countries around the world. Other key partners include The British Council, which operates large scale programmes to promote social enterprise development across Asia.
“Recognising that women and girls suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on empowering them to create permanent social change. Empowering women can create a ripple effect that has the potential to impact families, communities, villages and even nations,” said Tim Bishop, CARE’s Private Sector Specialist for Asia-Pacific “It is our hope that Diageo’s support of CARE’s programmes and commitment toward women empowerment in Asia-Pacific will serve as inspiration for other large corporations in the region to become involved.”
Diageo today has several programmes underway throughout Asia Pacific and is planning to deliver additional ones in new markets to reach more women including:
- Sponsoring community projects in Nepal and Sri Lanka; we will deliver more programmes in Myanmar, Cambodia and India
- Arthur Guinness Fund social enterprise programmes in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore; we will upscale our programmes in China, Vietnam and Thailand
- Supporting vocational training courses for hospitality in Vietnam; we will deliver hospitality training in priority markets of China, South Korea and Thailand
- Offering diversity workshops for Diageo leadership teams and employees in Singapore and across the region
[1] United Nations
[2] International Labour Organisation
ABOUT DIAGEO ASIA PACIFIC
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, Baileys, Windsor, Bundaberg, the Singleton of Glen Ord, Ketel One and Shui Jing Fang.
Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com.
NOTES ON DIAGEO’S AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Globally, Diageo won the Opportunity Now Female FTSE100 award in 2011 for being the FTSE Company with the highest representation of women on its board
Diageo North America earned a perfect score in the annual Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index (CEI) survey for the fifth consecutive year. The index rates the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees in the workplace.
Diageo North America was listed as one of Working Mother Magazine’s top 100 companies this year, as a result of our flexible working, telecommuting, paid maternity leave and employee assistance programmes. (Diageo Sustainability & Responsibility Report 2012)
Diageo plc was named ‘Britain’s Most Admired Company’ in a peer review of corporate reputation run by leading UK business magazine, Management Today. In addition to winning the overall award, Diageo is ranked as the top company in the Beverages sector. Diageo won the award for the first time in 2008 and came second in 2011
Diageo has recently published its 2012 Sustainability and Responsibility Report which can be downloaded at http://www.diageo.com/en-ie/CSR/pages/resource.aspx?resourceid=1342
Editorial Contact
Yap Hwee Jen
Communications Manager, Diageo Asia-Pacific hweejen.yap@diageo.com / +65 63725176
One George Street
13th Floor, Unit 01 Singapore 049145 | 5,785 | 2,821 | 0.000364 |
warc | 201704 | Xsens Visualizes Sports Science with Motion Capture
Many people think of motion capture in terms of marker-covered actors performing inside
optical motion capture volumes, surrounded by an array of static cameras, where their performances are recorded to animate characters in movies and games. In contrast, Xsens MVN Biomech human measurement systems are based on wireless inertial sensors instead of cameras. They are lightweight, quick to set up and can be used to record subjects in their usual environments, performing normal movements in a natural manner.
These characteristics make inertial systems especially well suited to researching movement in sports. Either threaded inside a Lycra suit or strapped to the body over normal clothing, the MVN Biomech's sensors can transmit precise information about an athlete's movements wirelessly back to a base unit at distances of up to 150 meters. This application of the system shows how well it plots natural motion and helps visualize specific aspects of the way people move. It has also led to the development of
new hardware and software dedicated to understanding motion. Chris Baten, senior project manager at Dutch scientific institute Roessingh Research and Development, has been using Xsens for some time to study motion in sport. He is also a former president of the 3D Motion Analysis section of the International Society of Biomechanics. He first met the founders of Xsens, which is based in Holland, when they were university students, and has developed various applications for rehabilitation and ergonomics with them. Coordination Pattern
Currently, Chris uses the MVN Biomech system in his work with rowers, from club athletes to World Championship contenders, who need very specific skills to pursue their sport competitively. He said, “To travel a distance in the shortest time, you need to row at as
constant a speed as possible, because every time you accelerate, you meet a wall of water resistance. Only by understanding and monitoring this can a rower learn to put as much of his physical effort as possible into achieving the desired result.” Here, Chris Baten records the motion of previous rowing World Champion Rutger Bruil on open water.
Rowers can move in three ways to generate and control their speed - by stretching the legs, stretching the back and flexing the elbows. “You have to perform these actions in a certain order to get a constant output,” Chris said. “It's all about maintaining the proper
coordination pattern, even when you get fatigued.” To assess how coordination changes with fatigue, Chris and his colleagues use an MVN Biomech Awinda system, strapping the sensors to the rower's body to track the motion of each body part. The tracking data is transmitted wirelessly to a tablet mounted in the front of the boat. A further sensor is attached to the boat itself, while two sensors attached to each oar record the way in which it bends.
“If you can measure the force needed to bend the oar, you have a direct measurement of power output pattern, which is the critical factor for rowers,” said Chris. “Also, the sensor on the boat shows the variation in speed very precisely, so you can relate muscular coordination over time to how smoothly it goes through the water.”
For recording on open water, inertial systems are the only practical option. “If you're in the lab, you can use traditional marker-based optical systems,” he said. “But because the cameras have to be mounted in fixed positions a few meters apart, you could never install such systems on a boat. Besides, the data quality of the Xsens systems is equal to – or in some aspects, even better than – that of modern optical systems.”
Also, since the Awinda system’s sensors can be strapped to the body over normal clothing, rowers can move naturally and forget they're wearing them, which makes the data more realistic and accurate. Chris has tried using full-body suits, but rowers have to make extreme motions with their shoulders, and if they feel restricted they may not move as they normally do.
Touch-enabled Rowing Coach
Chris and his colleagues use the MVN Biomech system's SDK to read the raw sensor data in their own research software, FusionTools, where it can be combined with other sources of information, such as video streams – the systems come with a reference camera as standard – or electromyography data on muscular activity, for further analysis.
The team has now built a touch-enabled GUI called
Rowing Coach Assistant, to immediately display the capture information visually. “Although a coach can do everything in our analysis software, he or she has to be technically skilled to interpret the graphs and numbers in a visually functional way,” said Chris.
“Furthermore, the coach normally has to follow the rower from a car or bicycle on the side of the canal and watch from a long distance away, then stop, analyse the problems, and finally explain it to them later on. Instead, we want to put a tablet in the rowers’ hands that uses the sensor data to reveal to them their own coordination pattern, in real time. They can observe and correct their performance on site during training – and receive the associated motivation as well.”
Running Parameters
Chris Baten's colleague at Roessingh Research and Development,
Dr Jasper Reenalda, is also developing motion analysis software with which he hopes to target a more mainstream market - joggers and club runners trying to avoid sports injuries. “Every runner fatigues in an individual way,” Jasper said. “We want to identify parameters connected with injuries, ultimately aiming to give the runner feedback in real time.”
Initially, Jasper and his colleagues tried recording data on an optical capture system installed in the Roessingh institute’s motion laboratory, but found that it imposed artificial constraints on the athletes. They were forced to make sharp turns as they ran, for example, some ran too fast for the capture system, and some were too tall to conform to the measurement volume.
After adopting an Xsens system, the team could work out of doors and managed to complete the first ever continuous recording of a runner over the course of a full marathon. Sensors on the athlete's body transmitted data to a receiver mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle following close behind, tracking joint angles, peak tibial impact and angular acceleration.
“We found that all the impact parameters increased towards the end of a marathon. Even though the runners were running slower, the impact on their shins increased enormously. We also saw that runners tend to run more asymmetrically as they got fatigued,” Jasper said. “All of these changes, occurring over time, potentially lead to major injuries.”
Life Long Run
Although few casual runners will ever complete a marathon, this team has since shown that the same changes occur over the course of even a 20-minute tempo run, in which a runner runs at speed for a pre-determined period. The team now hopes to develop a commercial product that will use three Xsens sensors to
track key parameters related to injury development and relay them to a runner's smartphone. When impact forces reach a critical threshold, a warning signal will sound, enabling the runner to correct their gait.
“There are a few systems available that use a single inertial sensor, but it's usually only an accelerometer, so other factors must be estimated,” said Jasper. “With the body of knowledge we have gained from our experiments and by using three Xsens sensors, each of which combine accelerometers, magnetometers and gyroscopes, we can measure those parameters accurately.”
Relying on an accelerometer alone cannot compensate for
accumulated drift during capture. Therefore, Xsens has developed an algorithm that overcomes errors by combining the signals from 3D gyroscopes, accelerometers and magnetometers. Gyroscopes measures angular velocity, and if integrated over time provides the change in angle with respect to an initially known angle. Accelerometers determine the direction of the local vertical by sensing acceleration due to gravity. Magnetic sensors maintain horizontal stability by sensing the direction of the earth’s magnetic field like a compass. Data from these complementary sensors eliminate drift by continuous correction of the orientation. Jasper and his colleagues have now established Life Long Running, a separate organization dedicated to funding future research, and SensoRun, a company intended to develop the resulting systems commercially, for casual and competitive runners. Ski Jump
An example of using the MVN Biomech systems' ability to record athletes under extreme conditions was the
University of Ljubljana's work with ski jumpers. Led by Professor Matej Supej, the team captured the joint angles and angular velocities of an athlete throughout an entire jump – during which ground speed can approach 100 kilometers per hour – relaying the data to a Wi-Fi access point in the coaches' tower.
“The goal was to look at the
in-run, flying and the landing in the same measurement, which wasn't practical with camera-based systems,” said Matej. “Currently, I believe that only inertial motion capture systems are capable of such a project within a really large area of measurement.” Here, watch Matej Supej capturing the motion of a ski jumper over the course of a jump. ESPN's Sport Science
Another situation where MVN Biomech's short set-up time is an asset is in the production of ESPN's documentary series
‘Sport Science’, which analyzes celebrity athletes' moves, such as tennis champion Serena Williams' serve and basketball star Zach LaVine's slam dunk. “We are constantly under time constraints,” said Professor Cynthia Bir of the University of Southern California, the show's science adviser. “These are top-level professional athletes and we only have them for three to four hours.”
The show’s team experimented with optical motion capture, but found that the set-up interfered with the studio cameras. Post-processing times were also too lengthy. “The great thing about the Xsens system is that it's so fast,” Cynthia said. “If you have to move a sensor because the result doesn’t look right, you can
recalibrate in a few seconds, which is critical when you are working in production. The athletes put the MVN Biomech on as the first layer, and then put all of their pads and equipment over it. After a while, they don't notice it is there.” Here, watch motion-capture of a high jumper recorded using the system.
“However, for Sport Science the MVN Biomech system’s greateset asset is the quality of the data it captures. It collects at a high enough rate to take measurements of an athlete that we normally wouldn't be able to record. Production teams get excited about taking the information and building models over it for computer graphics, but as a scientist, I get excited about the biomechanical output.” www.xsens.com | 11,292 | 4,962 | 0.000208 |
warc | 201704 | Product liability lawyer Rebecca Newman is an associate with the firm who focuses her efforts primarily in the area of products liability litigation, with a specific focus on pharmaceutical and medical device cases.
Ms. Newman was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. She graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in both Political Science and French language. After working as a legal assistant for two years after college, she went on to attend Brooklyn Law School where she was a Primary Articles Editor on Brooklyn Law School’s
Journal of Law and Policy, and received her Juris Doctor, graduating cum laude.
Following graduation, Ms. Newman began working with the firm where she has continuously and diligently devoted her energy to representing individuals injured as a result of defective products.
Ms. Newman has represented scores of individuals who were diagnosed with an injury known as chondrolysis (severe loss of cartilage), which was alleged to have been caused by shoulder pain pumps these individuals received following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. As a result of her hard work and diligence, over 95% of the firm’s shoulder pain pump cases have been resolved successfully.
Additionally, Ms. Newman represents the firm’s clients who suffer from neurological injuries due to their exposure to excessive levels of zinc found in certain over-the-counter denture cream products.
Ms. Newman also represents individuals who have received defective knee replacement systems, specifically the Zimmer NexGen Knee Replacement System. The lawsuits against the manufacturers of the Zimmer NexGen Knee Replacement systems allege that these prostheses fail more frequently than other artificial knee replacement systems, and that due to the device failures, individuals who receive these defective knees must undergo painful revision surgery to replace the defective prosthesis.
In addition to the above, Ms. Newman has spent several years focusing her efforts on representing those who have suffered tendon ruptures or tendonitis as a result of their ingestion of the prescription drug Levaquin. In this regard, Ms. Newman was actively involved in
In Re Levaquin Litigation, pending before the Honorable Carol E. Higbee in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Atlantic County, where she was instrumental in preparing the first state court Levaquin cases for trial. To this end, she developed evidence to support both generic and specific theories of liability, retained qualified experts and managed the service of expert reports and conducted and defended numerous fact witness depositions. Ms. Newman’s hard work and dedication in developing the case against Johnson & Johnson helped lead to a settlement of over 400 cases that resolved under terms of confidentiality.
Ms. Newman is currently admitted to practice law in the States of New York and New Jersey as well as in the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of New York, Southern District of New York, District of New Jersey, District of Colorado and Eastern District of Wisconsin. She is also admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Ms. Newman is an active member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA) and American Association of Justice (AAJ). | 3,344 | 1,585 | 0.000637 |
warc | 201704 | Motorists tend to underestimate the risk of injury in a low-speed accident and tend to avoid belting up, Germany's automobile association (ADAC) has warned.
Crash tests conducted by the ADAC show that a head-on collision at a speed of 30 kilometres an hour without a seatbelt can cause serious injury to the neck, chest, head and knees.
Even if the driver is belted up and the rear passenger is not, serious injury can be caused when the passenger in the rear seat hits the front seat with great force, the ADAC said.
Belting up, even at low speeds, is an absolute must, the ADAC warned. | 592 | 359 | 0.002809 |
warc | 201704 | posted with permission
It began when our son was a few months old. We were at the shore for a summer vacation and had found some artsy shops not far from the beach. In one store, my wife, Amanda, approached me, grinning, with a little cotton doll.
"Don't you think this would be great for Nathan?"
"Uh . . . it's a doll."
"Yes, I know. The doll's face doesn't have any expression, to allow the child to use his imagination when playing."
At that, my expression left nothing to the imagination. But because my mother was with us, hell-bent on buying as much as possible for her first grandson, I knew that if my wife wanted it, I was fighting a losing battle. The doll was no more than four inches long, expressionless, apparently genderless, and wearing a sewn-on nightcap that matched his, or her, nightgown.
"I think I'll call him Ollie," my wife said. "Why?" "You know, he's a cute little dolly, and it rhymes: Ollie the dolly. Cute, right?" She seemed pleased at the find, someone else was going to foot the bill, and, after all, we were on vacation.
"Yeah. Cute." I tried to look as expressionless as the limp Ollie in my hand. Nathan was not yet a year old. In the next few years there would be plenty of time to undo this affront to his masculinity. It would mean I would just have to buy him his first BB gun sooner than I'd expected, or start giving him baseball cards and sporting equipment at every religious holiday—even holidays I'd never heard of before.
As the weeks went on, I began a propaganda campaign against Ollie. At every opportunity, I told Nathan that Ollie wasn't a dolly, he—he—was an operative: a highly trained, undercover agent of the US military. Ollie was expressionless because he'd been trained to be impervious to all feelings of discomfort. Even in his night-shirt and floppy cap, he was a lethal weapon. Once, when Amanda caught me reeducating Nathan about the dolly—I mean, operative—she said nothing more than, "Aww, is Daddy playing with Ollie the dolly, too?" My attempts to teach my son—who at first did little more than chew on Ollie—about the doll's true nature and mission were failures.
Over time, Nathan took Ollie with him everywhere. My wife taught Nathan to give him hugs. Hugs! I figured hugging was something a boy stopped doing when he went to kindergarten. I'd stopped willingly hugging my own dad before my first day of school, and didn't resume any such overly emotional father-son displays until after I was married. I assumed that being a guy was all about being tough and strong. Women were supposed to be sensitive nurturers who bandaged cuts and kissed boo-boos; men were supposed to say it was "just a scratch" and rub some dirt on it. Right?
I grew up in the rural south, steeped in traditional gender roles: Girls played with dolls and wore girl clothes, boys played with trucks and wore blue jeans. I wasn't exposed to anything different until I went to college, where my freshman-composition professor made the class read essays about such things as "inclusive language," and then respond by writing an opinion piece. When that first semester was over, my roommate and I still left a seat vacant between us at the movies: Real men respect each other's space. Even the chairman of the psychology department, who used his "Introduction to Ethics" class to drive home his views about vegetarianism, nonviolence, and nontraditional gender roles, had to admit to feeling concern at seeing his son playing with a Barbie doll. Despite being an enlightened and educated man, he, too, drew the line at boys playing with dolls.
So I was not a little pleased when Nathan began leaving Ollie on the car's floorboards or under the table. I knew that having a doll was a fad, something he'd later regret—like a spring-break tattoo. But just when I thought I could go back to daydreaming of our son winning college football's Heisman Trophy, Amanda approached me with an idea for a Christmas present for him.
"Honey, I like these catalogs full of natural toys. Do you see anything in here that Nathan might like for Christmas?" She handed me some catalogs that advertised things like play silks, dress-up outfits, wooden kitchen items for "dramatic play," and... dolls. But this time, the dolls were bigger. There were even photos of the dolls being carried around by boys. My daydreams of Nathan going first round in the NFL draft were replaced by disturbing images of him walking across the stage at graduation, sucking his thumb and carrying his dolly.
"I like the wooden toys, but I am not going to get him another doll. I absolutely refuse."
"But why? What's so bad about boys playing with dolls?"
I didn't have an immediate answer. The question pushed me to find a logical response to why I felt so set against the notion. But the more I thought about why children play with dolls at all, the more I had to accuse myself of being irrational and reactionary. It's not unreasonable to think that children began playing with dolls and other toys not only for amusement, but also as a form of training for adulthood. In eras when women, by necessity, did the bulk of the community's childrearing, "taking care of" a doll could be a sort of practice for becoming a mother. By the time a woman assisted in the care of other children in the clan or village, or perhaps her own children, she would have already fed, nurtured, cooed at, and rocked to sleep a doll.
Men, also by necessity, were expected to nurture the clan or village in other ways. A boy's makeshift spear, or bow and arrows, were the beginnings of learning the skills he would need to hunt for food—just as a crude hammer or saw would ease his way toward a vocation of converting raw materials into shelter from the elements. I had to admit that my aversion to my son's playing with a doll might be based on obsolete traditions that no longer served their original purposes.
But even if there was nothing inherently wrong with Nathan having a doll, was there any actual benefit to it? When I asked Amanda this question, I was floored by the level of thoughtfulness and insight revealed by her reply.
"Do you want Nathan to someday grow up and be a good dad?"
"Well, I hadn't really thought about it," I said, "but of course I do!"
"So he'll need to have qualities like compassion, sensitivity, and patience, as well as some practical experience with things like holding a baby, right?"
I couldn't disagree. Having refused to hold babies in the past, I had no choice, when Nathan was born, but to learn quickly. And never in his life had my brother looked as uncomfortable as when he held Nathan for the first time. "Of course," I said.
"Then the earlier we start teaching him these things, the better. What better way to begin than with a doll?"
She was right. In my own experience, I had already begun to learn that, sometimes, being a man and taking care of others meant doing things that looked a little, well, sissy. I thought about my job as an administrator at a preschool for low-income children. While I handled most of the services for the children's parents, I quickly learned that many preschool children love having men in the classroom. Some men must have little-kid magnets under their kneecaps—I would go into a classroom to drop something off for a teacher, and quickly find two or three kids clinging to my legs and asking me to sit by them at lunch. Lunch? I'm just dropping off an envelope of paperwork! Despite my resistance, they would continue to cling to me, pleading, turning up to me their poutiest faces, until I would finally give in.
Then would begin my worst nightmare: I had to sing songs with these children, accompanying the tunes with gestures and motions I considered way too goofy for any self-respecting man. Judging by the fact that all three parents volunteering in the classroom were women, I suspected that these kids' dads felt the same way. But I would clumsily trudge my way through "Rockn'Roll Body Parts," even the air guitar, as the other staff laughed at me. Early on in my job, I had learned that these children needed to see people step out of their comfort zones to relate with kids in the kids' own world. It made these children feel needed and loved, and helped them develop a positive self-image and a more positive view of the world around them.
The traditional masculine response might have been to decline, then retreat to the office to push papers, but I knew that the right thing to do was to join in the songs, then sit in a plastic chair built for a five-year-old and listen to these kids talk about their pets and siblings and homes over a tray of dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and broccoli florets. When someone who didn't have to spend time with these kids would nonetheless enter their world for an hour or two, it made them feel special. I had acted like a sissy for only a short time, but it was the right thing to do. This was a value I would want to see in my son, but without the irrational aversion to doing anything that might be perceived as feminine. Perhaps Nathan's having a doll would allow him to learn such values earlier than I did.
As I read the natural-toy catalogs, I began to see that these companies embodied important values in the ways they made toys. Every so often, there would be a blurb about a company's use of natural materials, or the importance it placed on conservation and environmental activism, or giving back to the community, or simply hiring artisans whose skills were in danger of being lost. These were values that I wanted to teach Nathan about as well—not only through a traditional, fatherly lecture beginning "You know, son, you really ought to think about...," but also through real action and purposeful living. What better way to show him this than being able to pull his toys from a box in the attic when he gets older and tell him about the values of the companies that made those toys?
I also became aware of a paradigm shift that had already taken place in my parenting choices. My dad and I would occasionally talk about what life had been like when he was growing up. He told me that, more than once, he'd heard his father say to his mother, "My job is to go to work and earn money to pay the bills." He shook his head and said to me, "You just can't do it that way anymore." My dad has a tremendous respect for his father, from whom he learned many valuable skills. But Dad made it clear that because my grandfather had accepted his role as breadwinner, the factory sometimes got the best of his time, his energy, and, to a certain extent, his loyalty. That was the value system of his generation: Work hard, give your employer all you have, stay loyal to the brand, and the company will take care of you and your family. However, time has shown that many corporations have been unable to meet such expectations. Nearby communities that once thrived on a solid base of automotive manufacturing now barely subsist on retail and service jobs.
Taking my family and community histories as lessons learned, I decided to become a more involved father. I had never thought that my choices to do such things as change Nathan's diapers and give him his evening bath were such radical departures from the traditional father role. I'd never thought much about the puzzled looks I got at the grocery store when I wore Nathan in a backpack-style baby carrier. But as I thought about the fathering choices I'd made, I saw that I had already chosen a more nurturing approach because I believed it was in the best interests of our child. This led to a sort of epiphany: By allowing Nathan to have a doll, I would not really be doing anything other than trying to teach him the parenting values I had already learned and accepted for myself.
So on Christmas, our son unwrapped a red-haired, blue-eyed doll that we named Petey. I must admit, Petey has been one of the best teaching tools for modeling humane behavior for Nathan. It's not uncommon for our son to "include" Petey in an activity that Nathan finds enjoyable. He hugs Petey, pats him on the head and back, and sometimes lays Petey down for a nap and covers him with a blanket. And once, when Nathan hit his doll, we asked him, "How do you think that makes Petey feel?" He quickly gave Petey a hug and a kiss in apology.
In a culture that often equates masculinity with violence and exploitative behavior, I can think of no better toy for a young boy than a doll to help him model kindness and responsibility for his actions. Perhaps our ancestors were right to think that training for the responsibilities of adulthood begins with childhood toys. If we want the next generation of men to be good fathers, compassionate citizens, and sensitive leaders, perhaps this process begins with something as simple and as countercultural as a childhood doll.
~~~~ | 12,976 | 6,028 | 0.000168 |
warc | 201704 | Portrait of Kira Perov
Photo by: Blake Viola. Image courtesy of James Cohan Gallery, New York
© 2006-2009 | Independent Media Arts Preservation, Inc.
Installation
The term "installation art" can be used to describe works that are site-specific, often created by artists for specific exhibition spaces. Created from nearly any medium, material, or object, these works may be as permanent as concrete or as ephemeral as cotton candy. The preservation needs of installation art are equally broad in scope. This website, however, will focus on a narrow range of installation components-those commonly referred to as "media." This umbrella term includes such things as analog videotape, born-digital moving images, and computer-based interactive devices.
Because of their complex nature, installation works can require a broad range of preservation expertise-expertise that has often been developed by conservators specializing in other areas. Preserving the video component of an installation, for example, involves the same actions required to preserve any other video work. The same applies to the digital components of the work. For this reason, there will be a certain amount of overlap between this section and the other preservation sections of this website. | 1,276 | 700 | 0.001447 |
warc | 201704 | If you just look at the statistics, it would seem that El Cerrito is a city that has everything going for it. It is smack in the middle of the Bay Area with easy access to the Eastshore Freeway. It is traversed by a major thoroughfare, San Pablo Avenue, and boasts two BART stations. It's got a highly educated population living in a sea of attractive single-family homes. What's not to love? But visitors to El Cerrito's downtrodden commercial arteries may perceive that they've missed this little town's heyday by about fifty years. San Pablo Avenue is dotted with old, crumbling businesses, hanging by the fingertips from a precipice of debt. City Hall is contained entirely within a series of moldering trailers. Don't even get started on the dwindling sales tax take. But, city boosters firmly believe, the makings of greatness are still there -- it's just a matter of convincing big-city developers to come in and build a lot of expensive offices and a bunch of upscale shops.
As every financially struggling little town knows, once you've got a deep-pocketed developer by the buttonhole, you've got to hang on for dear life. So when JMS Development proposed to build a housing project on the site of an abandoned lumberyard, the city, perhaps looking southward toward what was then a nearly deserted El Cerrito Plaza, jumped at the chance for new development. But that move has left some in the city wondering whether El Cerrito is eagerly grasping at deals that turn out better for the developers than for the city. It's a good thing, everyone agrees, that El Cerrito is surveying its problems and struggling to redefine itself. But who is doing the defining -- the city, or the developers?
It's easy to see why some residents must have thought anything is better than what sits at the old lumberyard site now. Although the facade of the deserted lumberyard building is quite pretty -- painted in neutral tones with neat brickwork and even a bronze plaque dedicating the structure -- the rest of the large parcel, which stretches from San Pablo Avenue up to El Cerrito's civic pride, the Ohlone Greenway, is a weedy lot filled with tangled metal and shards of wood. The surrounding neighborhood isn't faring much better. Directly across the street is a boarded-up store. Traffic whizzes by on San Pablo Avenue at alarming speeds that somehow don't seem to attract the eyes of ticket-wielding cops. Late on a recent summer afternoon, the only pedestrians on the wide street were a trio of workers casually spraying herbicides on the weeds fronting the payroll cash advance shop on the corner.
The lumberyard was owned by the Freethy family, who operated it until fatigue or sickness (or just plain boredom) led owner Jack Freethy to proclaim, "Just get rid of it." The lumberyard sold its last two-by-four on the last day of June. The fear among El Cerritans was that there the property would sit, quietly but surely deteriorating. Luckily, however, San Mateo developer John Baer had come to town.
Baer brought with him a grand proposal for the parcel: four separate buildings composed mainly of housing. One would front onto San Pablo Avenue, while the rest would be tucked behind, opening up onto the Ohlone Greenway. The San Pablo building would sport a marginal amount of retail space -- around 5,000 square feet -- and the rest would be housing. There was only one problem: As far as the city was concerned, the last thing that El Cerrito needed was more housing. A market study that the city commissioned last February had confirmed what city officials already knew -- as a bedroom community, El Cerrito was doing great. It was the business community that was in trouble. What the city urgently needs, the report concluded, is office and retail space -- and the sales tax these developments would bring to city coffers. And so officials in El Cerrito began putting the pressure on Baer to revise his plans.
The city urged the developer to vastly increase the office portion of the San Pablo building and add additional office space to the building behind the avenue. It also requested that apartment space be reduced and that some of the apartments be designated as affordable (that's around $1,000 a month for a one-bedroom apartment). Baer responded by reducing the number of apartments and increasing the commercial space of the San Pablo building. The project continued to be revised through a series of thirteen public meetings where the size of the project was debated and the impact on local traffic analyzed. Finally, fifteen months after the date Baer first indicated his interest in the site, the final project came before the City Council early this month. By now the idea had changed into a different animal -- it included 40,000 feet of potential office and retail space along San Pablo Avenue, with residential buildings hidden behind. Reflecting the fact that the market for office space has substantially softened, Baer included a number of live-work lofts in the 40,000-square-feet office-space figure; in the likely event that they cannot be successfully marketed as office space within one year's time, Baer and his investors can recoup their losses by converting the lofts to housing. That means that, despite the city's best efforts, El Cerrito could have a new project almost entirely made up of pricey apartments.
Nevertheless, more than two dozen residents lined up to plead with the council to accept the project. "Don't leave us with four acres of empty lots covered with weeds," pleaded resident Tony Ling. Chamber of Commerce President Marge Collins spoke frankly to the standing-room-only crowd. "We are the laughingstock of the I-80 corridor," she said. "No business wants to come in. We haven't had any businesses asking how they can relocate to our business district for a while now."
Perhaps not wanting to see four acres of caterpillar reserve either, the City Council voted 4-1 to green-light the project. It might not exactly fit the vision that El Cerrito has for itself, but, residents figure, it could be worse. Lori Dair is chair of Sustainable El Cerrito, a grassroots group in favor of dense growth around transportation hubs. She believes it's unrealistic to hope that an outside developer would be happy to come in and build to suit, especially when city wishes run so contrary to what is currently profitable in the marketplace. "I think there really isn't enough of a market in El Cerrito," she notes. "We have tons and tons of vacant commercial space. I think it's unrealistic to expect that there can be a sudden market developed there in the midtown, not near either BART station or either of the [other big] commercial developments. This is a market-driven project."
Those are sentiments that Baer will quickly echo. After listening to a few residents argue that he should put more office space and retail in the project -- the soft market be damned -- Baer remained unconvinced. "It's easy to make demands," Baer lectured the crowd, "because the risk is ours, not yours."
Does this project have the potential to revitalize its sodden stretch of San Pablo? Baer says he believes it will do that and more. "Parcel One is 40,000 of commercial space. That's a big building. If we can be successful with that, I can guarantee you that other developers will be trying to find other buildings in El Cerrito."
Perhaps, but if other developers do come, will the city be able to influence the direction of future projects any more than they did this one? "The only ultimate leverage we have is if it is a redevelopment project and we take the property by eminent domain," says Mark Friedman, councilmember and head of the city's redevelopment agency, which is on hiatus -- largely because of a lack of city funds. "In this one, we did have some leverage because they needed some zoning adjustments, but it's a process where you squeeze them as much as you can. If you squeeze them too much, they're going to go and walk away from the project, and if you do that it will make other developers wary."
Nonsense, says Kathleen Perka, who was the sole councilmember to vote against giving the go-ahead for Baer's project. "Our job is not to look out for the developer's well-being," she argues. "It's to look out for the well-being of the community. And as much as I wanted a project there, I had to be mindful of what I thought was in the best interest for El Cerrito and the precedent it was setting." Clearly, El Cerrito needs a marketplace jolt, Perka says, and if developers can't understand that or are unwilling to take that risk, then they should be shown the door. But won't that attitude drive away developers who, at least for now, are the only players with the cash to potentially revitalize El Cerrito? "I don't like to think so," Perka says.
Seven Days - January 21, 3:06 PM
Seven Days - January 20, 2:10 PM
Seven Days - January 19, 2:58 PM
Seven Days - January 19, 10:45 AM
Seven Days - January 19, 10:34 AM | 9,017 | 4,195 | 0.00024 |
warc | 201704 | Washington, Reuters – Following in Australia’s footsteps the US Food and Drug Administration has ruled that gay men can donate blood 12 months after their last sexual contact with another man, overturning a 30-year ban aimed at preventing the transmission of HIV.
The agency on Monday said people with hemophilia and related blood clotting disorders will continue to be banned from donating blood due to potential harm they could suffer from large needles.
Previously they were banned due to an increased risk of transmitting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
The agency said it has worked with other government agencies and considered input from outside advisory bodies, and has ‘carefully examined the most recent available scientific evidence to support the current policy revision’.
The agency said it has also put in place a safety monitoring system for the blood supply which it expects to provide ‘critical information’ to help inform future FDA blood donor policies.
‘Ultimately, the 12-month deferral window is supported by the best available scientific evidence, at this point in time, relevant to the US population,’ Dr Peter Marks, deputy director of the FDA’s biologics division, said in a statement.
Several countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, have 12-month deferrals.
During the change in Australia from an indefinite blood donor deferral policy, essentially a ban, to a 12-month deferral, studies evaluating more than eight million units of donated blood were performed using a national blood surveillance system, the FDA said.
‘These published studies document no change in risk to the blood supply with use of the 12-month deferral,’ the agency said.
‘Similar data are not available for shorter deferral intervals.’
The agency said its policies to date have helped reduce HIV transmission rates from blood transfusions from one in 2500 to one in 1.47 million. | 1,972 | 1,009 | 0.001031 |
warc | 201704 | Market forecasts are made for many different time frames. Peter Lynch focused on the long term, famously saying that he could not tell you the direction of the next 1000 point move in the market, but he could for the next 10,000 points. Our Felix model makes a three-week forecast, although we take a fresh look and adjust positions (if needed) every day. That is long-term thinking for the day trader, and an eternity for the high frequency trading operations.
Each time period is a different battleground. Somehow everything changes at this time of year as you hear the question:
Will there be a Santa Claus Rally?
Even those who would not normally make a tw0-week prediction enjoy playing this game. There are plenty of year-end shenanigans, window dressing, tax selling, and the like.
Felix is bullish, but with low confidence, for the year-end period. I am not convinced, as I will explain in my conclusion. First, let us take our regular look at last week’s events.
Background on “Weighing the Week Ahead”
There are many good sources for a comprehensive weekly review. My mission is different. I single out what will be most important in the coming week. My theme for the week is what we will be watching on TV and reading in the mainstream media. It is a focus on what I think is important for my trading and client portfolios.
Unlike my other articles at “A Dash” I am not trying to develop a focused, logical argument with supporting data on a single theme. I am sharing conclusions. Sometimes these are topics that I have already written about, and others are on my agenda. I am trying to put the news in context.
Readers often disagree with my conclusions. Do not be bashful. Join in and comment about what we should expect in the days ahead. This weekly piece emphasizes my opinions about what is really important and how to put the news in context. I have had great success with my approach, but feel free to disagree. That is what makes a market!
Last Week’s Data
The data from last week was mixed, but encouraging on balance. As has been the case US news was trumped by anything from Europe.
The Good
The economic story was mixed, but there is still no indication of a current recession.
The last . US troops have left Iraq fell to 366K, the best level offsetting last week’s +400K result. The seasonal adjustments can be difficult at this time of year, so everyone watches the four-week moving average, which is also improving. Matt Busigin explains the significance of this improvement with four great charts. Here is the first, which he suggests shows the relationship between stocks and this economic indicator, implying higher stock prices to come. Check out the other three relationships as well. Initial jobless claims , as measured by container data from Los Angeles reported by one of our favorite sources, Scott Grannis. Exports are strong As expected, . The year-over-year core rate is slightly higher than the Fed’s target. inflation as measured by the CPI remained tame The Bad
The negative news reflects diverse fronts.
, although not quite as much as the original “flash” indexes suggested. Chinese manufacturing growth is slowing Tax withholding is lower, even after adjusting for changes in the law. This is a broader measure than the income tax data I cited last week. The Bonddad blog covers this and a mixed bag of other high-frequency data. about the economy, according to the Business Roundtable. They read the same newspapers we do. This is bad news, since the economy would be helped if they would start investing some of that mountain of cash they have built up — over $2 trillion in non-financial companies. See Josh Brown’s colorful exhortation for these leaders. CEO’s are still worried , as measured by container data from Los Angeles and Long Beach. In sharp contrast to the Scott Grannis take above, Steven Hansen (another favorite source) takes a deep look into both import and export data. Trade is weak very slightly, as did the “quit rate.” The number of openings is around 3.3 million which is 1.2 million higher than the recent low, but still behind the 4.4 million from before the recession. More people quit their jobs than are laid off or fired. In summary, we need a lot more job openings. Good discussion and a helpful chart at Calculated Risk. Job openings declined The Ugly
This week’s “ugly” award goes to the MF Global story. It is tough to beat out the Washington contenders in their struggle to finish business before going on vacation, but John Corzine has done it.
The disappearance of $1.2 billion, the questionable transfers of funds, and the unconvincing Congressional testimony of Corzine himself have all helped to keep the story alive. It is especially ugly, since it raises investor concern about the safety of their money. Which accounts are really safe, carrying the proper controls and insurance?
Europe
For now I am going to monitor developments in Europe in a separate section. My general approach, which is based upon my experience in the messy process of policymaking in democracies, is that the eventual solution will include a combination of many programs and participants, some of which we do not yet know. I have been doing a separate series of articles on this theme. So far I have the following:
How Investors Should Think about Europe — an overview with a general conclusion. How to Predict Policy Decisions — Focusing on Europe — comments on the players and motives.
In future installments I will discuss further the behavior of individual decision makers, try to define what constitutes progress and how we can measure it, and finally, venture some ideas about how and when it will all play out.
In the weekly updates I will highlight events that are important in the context of my thesis — a combination of political, institutional and policy changes that will take time. Reaching back through the much-maligned Summit of ten days ago, here are the key developments:
Progress toward EU treaty changes and some bilateral agreements for enforcement of budget discipline. It would have been better to have unanimity, but this progress will provide some comfort for the ECB. The EU will provide more funds to expand the existing EFSF facility. No one thinks that the amount is enough –so far — but the point is to measure progress. ECB changes in bank lending terms — longer times and weaker collateral requirements. This is positive since it helps strengthen the banks, reduces the problem, and buys time. The Fed is not going to join in any bailouts, Bernanke explains to Republicans. I think we all knew that, but some reassurance was required. This is not market-friendly, so a negative on my scorecard. [Please note the distinction between market friendly and good public policy.] IMF head Lagarde warns (along with dozens of others) that there will be a disaster if nothing is done. The market sold off on this story, but we should get used to it. The IMF wants cooperation on all fronts. Ratings agencies are downgrading again. This time it is Belgium, but plenty of other governments are on warning. Once again, we had better get used to this.
This is a race.
The impending test is the rollover of Italian debt. For the moment, our progress indicator is the yield on Italian bonds. There has been some progress, but the cost is still too high. Merkel calls it a marathon and the market thinks it is a sprint. The Most Fun
I really enjoyed Josh Brown’s story on the ten biggest market moments of 2011. Everyone can quibble with the exact nominees, but that is part of the fun. If you missed the post, take a look.
The Silver Bullet
Last week I recognized the leadership of several sources — Barry Ritholtz, The Bonddad Blog, and Prof. James Hamilton. Each provided a careful and thoughtful analysis of some poor data analysis. This is a difficult and thankless task, but it is necessary. The blogosphere is loosely peer-reviewed, but there are no real incentives for active engagement and discussion.
When you embark on such a story, you are like the Lone Ranger. In the spirit of encouraging this type of work I hope to mention a “silver bullet” story each week. I invite readers to send suggestions. I expect that this will only be an occasional topic.
Meanwhile, this week’s Silver Bullet goes to Rex Nutting for his story,
Is the government lying to us about the economy? He takes on some widespread perceptions with allusions to Shadow Stats, Rush Limbaugh, and a closer look at Richard Nixon and the BLS. He makes an interesting case concerning current data. Whether you agree with him or not (and I do), we should all encourage this kind of article. The Indicator Snapshot
It is important to keep the weekly news in perspective. My weekly indicator snapshot includes important summary indicators:
An Economic/Recession Indicator. I am evaluating several candidates. None confirm the ECRI forecast of an inevitable and imminent recession. These are sources that have a similar track record, greater transparency, but less PR. I realize that I am (long) overdue for making the choice for a new indicator. It has been a careful research process, and I expect the explanation to require multiple articles. Meanwhile, if something really bad were taking place, I would make it clear in the weekly updates. From the strongest candidates, I see the recession odds over the next nine months as being less than 25%. The St. Louis Financial Stress Index. The key measures from our “Felix” ETF model.
The SLFSI reports with a one-week lag. This means that the reported values do not include last week’s market action. The SLFSI has moved a lot lower, and is now out of the trigger range of my pre-determined risk alarm. This is an excellent tool for managing risk objectively, and it has suggested the need for more caution. Before implementing this indicator our team did extensive research, discovering a “warning range” that deserves respect. We identified a reading of 1.1 or higher as a place to consider reducing positions.
Our “Felix” model is the basis for our “official” vote in the weekly Ticker Sense Blogger Sentiment Poll. We have a long public record for these positions. We voted “Bullish” this week.
[For more on the penalty box see this article. For more on the system ratings, you can write to etf at newarc dot com for our free report package or to be added to the (free) weekly ETF email list. You can also write personally to me with questions or comments, and I’ll do my best to answer.]
The Week Ahead
There are many interesting economic reports this week.
We’ll get several reports on housing, starting with the NAHB index and ending with new home sales on Thursday. My personal favorite is building permits (a Tuesday release) which has actual status as a leading indicator. No one is expecting much from housing right now, especially at this time of year.
Wednesday brings the Leading Economic Indicators, which many see as an important recession gauge.
Thursday’s initial jobless claims have a special significance, for the reasons described above.
Friday’s report on personal income and spending is of special interest. Consumer spending continues apace, even as debts are reduced.
I am not expecting much impact from industrial production or the revisions in the Michigan sentiment index.
As usual, Mark Gongloff has the comprehensive data/earnings/speechifying calendar which we should all put on the bulletin board.
Trading Time Frame
Our trading accounts have not had any US equity exposure for several weeks. Felix has relegated everything to the penalty box. This suggests that a vote of “abstain” is more accurate, but the general ratings picture is quite positive. I expect new trading positions this week. This program has a three-week time horizon for initial purchases, but we run the model every day and change positions when indicated.
Investor Time Frame
Long-term investors should continue to watch the SLFSI. Even for those of us who see many attractive stocks, it is important to pay attention to risk. Six weeks ago we reduced position sizes because of the elevated SLFSI. The index has now pulled back out of our “trigger range,” but it is still high. For investors desiring this risk management approach we raised cash when the trigger hit the range. We have also been cautious with new accounts. We still do not have an “all clear” signal, but I expect the SLFSI to decline next week.
Our Dynamic Asset Allocation model is also very conservative, featuring bonds and other defensive holdings.
To summarize, we have a very conservative posture in most of our programs, recognizing the uncertainty and volatility. For new accounts we are establishing partial positions, using volatility to buy favored names and selling calls for those in the Enhanced Yield program.
Take what the market is giving you. Conclusion
We can forecast some elements for the next two weeks:
Trading volume will be lower There will be less political activity and speech-making
The reduced volume sometimes exacerbates big moves, so I make no guesses about volatility.
There are indications that the stock market would move higher without the daily pressure from Europe. The best measure of sentiment is the flight to bonds, shown in this chart from Scott Grannis.
Read the entire article for more charts and a full discussion, but here is the key takeaway:
This is a highly unusual circumstance that can only have highly unusual roots. I think those roots are most likely to be found in the Eurozone. Such is the fear that the PIIGS defaults will destroy the Eurozone banking system and ultimately lead to a global depression and a financial market collapse, that investors are willing to pay exorbitant prices for Treasuries in view of their safe-haven status. The risk-free status of Treasuries seems paramount, far more important than possible concerns about inflation.
If there is a message here for investors, it’s that fear has reached extraordinary levels, artificially inflating the prices of Treasuries. And it’s not a stretch to go from that conclusion to the belief that fear is also artificially depressing the prices of equities.
Eventually this picture must change, but it will take more time than the remaining two weeks of 2011.
Note to Readers: I am working on some year-end pieces with broader themes, so I may suspend or abbreviate the WTWA series during the holidays.
This post originally appeared at A Dash of Insight and is posted with permission. | 14,808 | 6,842 | 0.000149 |
warc | 201704 | Compression members, such as columns, are mainly subjected to axial forces. The principal stress in a compression member is therefore the normal stress,
The failure of a
short compression member resulting from the compression axial force looks like,
However, when a compression member becomes longer, the role of the geometry and stiffness (Young's modulus) becomes more and more important. For a
long (slender) column, buckling occurs way before the normal stress reaches the strength of the column material. For example, pushing on the ends of a business card or bookmark can easily reproduce the buckling.
For an
intermediate length compression member, kneeling occurs when some areas yield before buckling, as shown in the figure below.
In summary, the failure of a compression member has to do with the strength and stiffness of the material and the geometry (slenderness ratio) of the member. Whether a compression member is considered short, intermediate, or long depends on these factors. More quantitative discussion on these factors can be found in the next section. | 1,085 | 541 | 0.001864 |
warc | 201704 | Sweet-smelling lavender adds interest to the home landscape. These small shrubs produce an abundance of small purple flowers on long stems that are covered in silver-green leaves. The flower stems are harvested for use in teas, as an herb, or to add the sweet smell to potpourri and other fragrance products. Lavender is resistant to most pests and requires little care other than a yearly pruning. The flowers are only produced on new growth, so trimming keeps the lavender attractive and productive, according to Colorado State University Extension.
Skill level: Easy Other People Are Reading Things you need Pruning shears
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Instructions 1
Inspect lavender in early spring for new growth. Prune as soon the first green leaves begin emerging from the base of the shrub. Alternately, prune the lavender in fall after the first frost.
2
Cut off the top one-third of all the lavender stems. Use a pair of clean, sharp shears and remove each stem in one cut. Jagged cuts are unattractive and more likely to leave open wounds that lead to disease. Shape the plant as you prune, cutting it into an even mound.
3
Trim out sprigs of lavender flowers as desired once the shrub begins blooming. Cut as low on each stem as possible when about half the blooms have opened.
Tips and warnings Bundle the harvested sprigs of lavender flowers together and secure them with a rubber band around the stems. Hang in a well-ventilated area to dry. Trim out lavender flowers in the morning. The oils are more concentrated at this time so the lavender fragrance is more pronounced. Lavender tolerates severe pruning. Cut back overgrown shrubs that haven't been trimmed in several years to half their height to bring them back to their former beauty. Lavender plants split open if they aren't prune yearly. Splitting occurs when the sides of the plant spread, leaving an area in the centre with few if any branches. Don't Miss 20 of the funniest online reviews ever 14 Biggest lies people tell in online dating sites Hilarious things Google thinks you're trying to search for | 2,077 | 1,068 | 0.000941 |
warc | 201704 | Donating old computers to charity is a rewarding way to give back to society. In this modern age of technology, a second-hand computer can be a valuable and affordable addition to the needs of daily life. Many charitable organisations have specific guidelines for donating used computers, so some basic principles should be followed. Damaged, extremely out-dated and non-functional computers are not usually accepted as charitable donations. Preparation, research and adherence to charitable guidelines will make donating old computers a rewarding experience.
Skill level: Moderately Easy Other People Are Reading Things you need Used computer Computer accessories Original computer software and documentation Disk cleaning software
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Instructions 1
Determine if your old computer can be reused. Computers that are more than 5 years old are not typically accepted by charitable organisations. Take the pre-owned computer to a refurbisher, who can wipe the hard drive clean and assess the computer's condition. A refurbisher makes sure that the computer works well and runs legal copies of software. A refurbisher can donate the computer for you since he works with local charities and schools. Find a computer recycler who waives the refurbishing fees for charitable contributions.
2
Contact the charitable organisation before donating a computer. Call the organisation and visit its Web site to make sure that it accepts the type of computer you plan to give away. Research websites, including UsedComputer.com, Computers with Causes or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, for computer donation opportunities. Follow computer delivery instructions. Many recycling and refurbishing organisations have specific locations where equipment can be donated.
3
Include the computer accessories with the donation. According to TechSoup, include the keyboard, mouse, printer, modem, packaged software and any other accessories you use with the computer. Schools and non-profit can put them to good use, and most organisations accept only complete systems. Keep the operating system intact. Since charitable organisations usually cannot afford to purchase and license new operating systems, include the operating system software. Provide all original software media and documentation. Include the original disks, media, certificate of authenticity sticker (usually on the computer) and user manual.
4
Use disk-cleaning software to clear the computer of personal information. Personal information includes your internet browser's cache, cookies, history, e-mail contacts, e-mail messages, search history, recycled documents and nontransferable software. Follow the instructions on the disk-cleaning software to make sure that the data is not retrievable or identifiable.
5
Keep a list of what you donated for your records. Use the computer donation as an eligible tax deduction if you donate to a non-profit organisation. Schools and non-profit refurbishers can provide a tax receipt upon request. According to IRS rules, business donors can deduct the undepreciated value of the computer, and individuals can deduct the current market value of a computer.
Tips and warnings Avoid donating to non-registered agencies that might not legitimately recycle the computer. Failure to remove personal information could result in identity theft. Don't Miss 20 of the funniest online reviews ever 14 Biggest lies people tell in online dating sites Hilarious things Google thinks you're trying to search for | 3,515 | 1,598 | 0.000628 |
warc | 201704 | Fiberglass can be repaired if there's a crack. Fiberglass is a pliable, soft material that hardens and strengthens as it dries. Almost any fiberglass crack or fracture can be repaired. The work might be tedious, as there a quite a few preparation steps in order to make a strong repair. The time you will spend repairing a crack or fracture depends on the size or location of the repair. As long as you take your time and prep the area correctly, your repair will be even stronger than that area of your tank was before the break.
Things You'll Need Epoxy resin Catalyst Fiberglass matting Bucket Stir stick Paintbrush Dye grinder Sandpaper Air compressor Air hose Saftey glasses Rubber gloves Dust mask
Plug your air compressor in and allow it to build up pressure. Plug your air hose into the compressor and attach your dye grinder. When you have sufficient air pressure, grind directly on the crack until the actual crack is no longer there. You will have a "valley" where the crack was.
Soften the edges of the valley by grinding both sides of the edge into a gradual slope going down into the valley. You want the valley to be as smooth as possible for the best results. Take your sandpaper and scuff the area. Make sure the whole area is dull and there are no glossy spots.
Cut a piece of your fiberglass mat just big enough to fill the opening and place it in the valley. Gradually increase the size of each layer that you place in the valley until the mat is slightly thicker than the rest of your tank's surface. This will ensure that you get the area back to its original thickness. Take the mat off of the repair and set it aside for now.
Pour the resin in your bucket. The amount of resin depends on your repair size, so start out with what you think you will need, and make more if necessary. Pour the catalyst in the resin, making sure that your mixture is 19 parts resin and 1 part catalyst. Too much catalyst will cause the mixture to set up quickly, and you may not have enough time to finish your repair. If you don't add enough catalyst, the mixture may take too long to set up and may not harden enough at all.
Stir your mixture for at least 30 seconds. It must be mixed well to properly set up. Make sure the area you are repairing is free from dust and debris, and use your paintbrush to wet the repair area with your resin mixture.
Start with the smallest piece of mat that you cut, and stick it to your wet valley. Saturate the layer of mat with your mixture, using your brush. Lay the next largest piece of mat on the area, and repeat the process of saturating and adding layers until all of your mat pieces are applied.
Let the repair sit until it is hard and cool to the touch. Sand the repair until it's level and smooth. Check the repaired area for weak or thin spots. Make sure the repair is level with the rest of your tank, and not depressed. If you find weak spots or a depressed area, add more layers and repeat the process until you get the desired thickness.
Tips & Warnings Avoid skin contact with the catalyst; it can cause chemical burns. Always wear a dust mask, as the dust particles from fiberglass embed themselves in the lungs and make tiny cuts in lung tissue. How to Fix a Fiberglass Water Tank
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warc | 201704 | Redwood is a type of tree notorious for containing high levels of tannin. This is a naturally occurring acid that protects the living tree, but it can cause dark, unsightly staining, and redwoods tend to drop a lot of it. A car parked underneath redwood trees can end up with dark, unsightly tannin stains. With the right product, however, tannin stains are really easy to remove.
Things You'll Need Oxalic acid-based rust-removal product Paintbrush, paint roller, or sprayer Rubber gloves Protective eyewear Protective clothing Choosing a rust-removal product
Oxalic acid is the active ingredient in a variety of tannin removal products. It is sold as a liquid concentrate, as a premixed gel, or as a powder that can be mixed with water. Select the product that fits the scope of your project and your budget. For a large area, you may want to go with a powder or concrentrate; and if you are just focusing on a small area, a premixed gel or spray bottle application may suit your needs.
Wet down the stained surface. Oxalic acid-based tannin removers are effective so long as the product is wet. If allowed to dry out, the oxalic acid become inert. It can be re-activated by misting with water. Apply the rust remover according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Allow the product to sit on the stained surface. Typically tannin removers take between 15 and 30 minutes to completely neutralize and remove tannin stains. There is no need to scrub; oxalic acid chemically reacts with the tannins and neutralizes them.
Rinse the car down thoroughly with water. You should see the tannin stains wash right away with the water.
Tips & Warnings Oxalic acid is also a great rust stain-removal product, and it can be used to brighten up woodwork that has darkened as a result of tannin staining. Oxalic acid is often sold as a "wood brightener." Oxalic acid is corrosive and can be absorbed into the skin, causing damage to the kidneys. Wear protective clothing, rubber gloves, and protective eye-wear when using oxalic acid-based cleaners. Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images Can Redwood Be Painted?
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warc | 201704 | Students Expand Educational, Career Horizons on Trip to China
The Pizza Hut “palaces,” the “sensory overload,” “scorpions, snake, and other mystery things ‘on a stick’ from street vendors” and every mode of transportation imaginable were only some of the many memories of an unforgettable trip to China for 23 Eastern Kentucky University students and two EKU faculty members.
Dr. Ed Fenton, along with Dr. Jan Colbert, both of EKU’s College of Business and Technology, recently led a group of 23 students to China in the University’s “China Study Abroad” course. Visiting places like Shanghai, Beijing and Suzhou, students had the opportunity to grasp a new understanding of business around the world.
“For every fact that I can state about China, the opposite is also true somewhere in the country as well,” explained MBA student Jennifer Strauel, of Scottsdale, Ariz.
“For example, you can find evidence of collectivism and individualism, spirituality and soullessness, technology and primitiveness, new construction and complete rubble, extreme poverty and ostentatious wealth, and many more things.”
Representing different majors such as marketing, management, accounting and construction management, Dr. Fenton’s group visited major companies that span the globe. From Oct. 7 to Oct. 16, the troop learned from top-ranking executives of companies like PricewaterhouseCoopers, TBWA, Bechtel Corporation, Caterpillar (CAT) and Parker Hannifin. The 10-day trip also included some tourist attractions such as the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, Olympic Park, Bird’s Nest Stadium, Tiananmen Square and more.
“We saw all of the tourist attractions such as the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace and the Jade Buddah Temple,” said Christopher Lee, of Westerville, Ohio. “However, we also got to experience local living, the night life, and we got a glimpse into the business world of China. The whole trip effectively gave us a feel for Chinese lifestyle as a whole.”
Fenton proudly reflected on the program: “We started out with 12 students on the first trip in 2008, and now we’re up to 23. We have almost doubled in three years.”
However, this trip to China was not a vacation. Students prepared during the summer by reading three books, including “China Road,” “Country Driving” and “The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century,” more than 1,000 pages of material. A summary then had to be written for each book. Each student was also required to begin his or her research projects before the trip. Focusing on their areas of study, students had to research their topics along with information about the businesses that they were going to visit. Everyone participating in the trip also had to attend four 2½-hour Saturday meetings, including a Chinese lesson during one of the meetings given by five EKU international students from China.
After the trip, students have to finish their research projects, which are similar to theses. The Masters of Business Administration students are required to create a presentation on their research, covering perceptions of China before and after the trip, impressions of the readings, what was learned from the course and business visits that were the most influential. These presentations will be given on Nov. 17.
“The atmosphere of China is completely different from anything I am used to,” said student Jeff Ricketts, of Richmond. “The trip allowed me to see how global companies alter or change benefits and motivations, techniques and employee relations and more when relocating to different countries.”
Fenton explained that China is one of the fastest growing countries, with drastic growth the past 20 years. “I hope the trip opens students’ eyes to the business world on the international stage, especially in China,” he said. “I hope it builds the students’ confidence and leads them to realize that the world really is small. They have been to the other side of the world, seeing the locations, visiting the businesses, and meeting the people. It is no longer a country so distant. It is within their reach.”
“I hope they feel more comfortable to travel to other places and maybe China again.” Fenton continued. “Some students have told me that they would not mind going to work in China at some point, which is something that they may have never thought before. It opens them up to a variety of options.”
Students like Charles Ramshaw, of Champaign, Ill., met Fenton’s hopes, saying that he is “currently planning a return trip (to China) within the year.”
Alex Blanton, of Liberty, Ky., said: “I had my mind set on just settling in Kentucky because I have some family here and had a long time relationship here. But, after this trip, I realized I had to start to look at my future as an individual instead of as a part of someone's life, and though it was a difficult decision, I had to separate myself from something that could result in me being tied down to one spot and not seeing what the world has to offer.”
As he already begins his work on next year’s trip, Fenton will continue to expand students’ horizons and lead them to the other side of the world, readying them for the business world they are about to enter.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was authored by Stephanie Cole, student writer with EKU Public Relations.
Published on November 09, 2011 | 5,621 | 2,701 | 0.00039 |
warc | 201704 | Five steps to a healthier life; ten ways to be happy in your old age—these days the universal pursuit of happiness seems to have come down to following the enumerated summaries of experts.
I’m done with that. Ever since I left Al-Anon meetings, I feel done with the 12 (or five or ten or eight-fold) steps to liberation.
When my daughter was in the grips of an extreme drug addiction which took her to the very bottom, I consulted many experts and followed many steps in seeking recovery—mine and hers.
In the end, I realized that everybody has their own description of what’s wrong and everybody has their own imagined solution to the problem. But nobody (at least of the many experts I consulted) considered that what was happening might be exactly what was supposed to be happening—that maybe nothing was wrong and nothing needed to be fixed.
It’s true that she was afflicted with a disease that might have killed her. It’s true that some forms of treatment and spiritual practice could and did help us. But there was no easy solution, no guaranteed roadmap to recovery.
Mostly, this challenging situation simply had to be lived through, with as much loving acceptance as possible, until it was done.
As I deepened in acceptance of myself and of my daughter, I also realized that no one knew or loved my daughter as much as I did, and that this love was the best and only life-line that I could offer her. I was able to take what felt true from every expert I consulted and every path I followed, but in the end the only thing that mattered was to listen to the love in my own heart and never to betray the bond of love I shared with my daughter.
Though I set boundaries and refrained from enabling, I never closed my heart (even though that meant tolerating many moments of intense emotional pain, shattering disappointment and stabbing heartbreak). I never broke off contact with my daughter, even though this was advised by many experts.
My daughter knew I loved her unconditionally and that she could count on me whenever she was ready to come off the streets.
She was one of the lucky ones—she came back.
For seven years now, she has lived a clean and sober lifestyle and is a wonderful mother to two young children. However, on the way to sobriety, she was kicked out of numerous drug treatment programs and relapsed more times than I can count.
For awhile, in her attempt to get clean, she followed an Amazonian shamanic path. She got clean in her own way, just as I found my own path by breaking free from the experts’ advice on how best to help her.
I was talking recently to a friend who helps families care for the bodies of their loved ones after death. She broke with all the conventional ideas and expertise about how to treat dead bodies when her own six-year old daughter died suddenly in an air bag accident. The hospital was about to send the girl’s body to the funeral home, but my friend protested.
She let her mother’s heart lead, and demanded to have the girl’s body given to her, so she could care for this child’s body after death, just as she had before her daughter’s birth and for the girl’s six years of life. She had to fight with the hospital, but she won that right—and has gone on to help other families to trust their own hearts in finding how to care for the bodies of departed loved ones rather than submit to the experts of the death industry.
Whatever the challenge—a drug-addicted daughter or son, a dying or dead child, a failed relationship, or your own terminal diagnosis—I urge you to stop and listen to your own heart.
What are you being called to do for yourself or for a loved one? Get professional advice, but then let it go. It doesn’t matter what everyone tells you should be done, or what is the expected and conventional thing to do.
Forget the experts on this disease or on that life crisis.
Just stop. Listen to your heart. You know. No one else does. Listen and then follow the heart’s wisdom. Stay true to that. Only that will bring the satisfaction of having done the right thing.
Trust the unbroken, unconditional, indestructible love that lives within you, as you.
Susan Thesengahas been a spiritual teacher for forty years. In 1972 she and her husband founded Sevenoaks Retreat Center in Madison, Virginia, where they still live and work. She is the author of The Undefended Self,a summary of steps on the spiritual path, and of Love Unbroken: From Addiction to Redemption,co-written with her daughter Pamela about Pam’s ten-year battle with addiction and the unusual path to recovery they both followed.
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warc | 201704 | . .
by Staff Writers
Washington DC (SPX) Feb 23, 2014
Electronics are getting smaller all the time, but there's a limit to how tiny they can get with today's materials. Researchers now say, however, that they have developed a way to shrink capacitors - key components that store energy - even further, which could accelerate the development of more compact, high-performance next-gen devices. The study appears in the journal ACS Nano.
Takayoshi Sasaki and colleagues point out that many recent improvements have already downsized capacitors significantly. But current technology has almost reached its limit in terms of materials and processing, which in turn limits the performance that manufacturers can achieve. In response, researchers have gone to the nanoscale, but "nanocapacitors" are not easy to make.
They require harsh, difficult-to-use methods and even then, they may not work that well. So Sasaki's team developed an easier approach, and they use it to make high-performance "ultrathin" capacitors.
The researchers found that they could use gentle techniques and mild conditions to create a sandwich consisting of layers of two different types of oxide nanosheets to produce an ultrathin capacitor.
In addition, the new capacitor has a capacitance density about 2,000 times higher than that of commercially available products. They say that, in the future, the ultrathin capacitors could be used in printed circuit boards and in memory storage devices, for example.
Related Links
American Chemical Society
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com
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warc | 201704 | Occasional binge drinking may not harm fetus: study
By Michael Kahn
LONDON (Reuters) - Pregnant women who occasionally overindulge in a night of drinking may not be harming their fetuses but more evidence is needed to determine whether this is really the case, British researchers said on Wednesday.
A review of 14 studies also suggested children whose mothers binge drank throughout pregnancy may suffer learning problems later in life, prompting a call for further research to see if any links exist.
"Just because we haven't been able to find much evidence doesn't mean there is no effect," said Ron Gray, a clinical epidemiologist at the University of Oxford, who led the study. "Our view is there needs to be more research."
A number of studies have linked heavy drinking on a regular basis during pregnancy to stunted growth, birth defects and brain development problems.
Less clear is the effect of occasional binge drinking, which amounted to about 5 drinks in one session in the studies Gray and his team reviewed.
The researchers initially identified more than 3,500 scientific papers between 1970 and 2005 looking at pregnancy and alcohol, which they winnowed down to 14 focusing on binge drinking.
LITTLE EVIDENCE
They found little substantive evidence binge drinking once in a while caused problems such as miscarriage, stillbirth, abnormal birth weight, or birth defects such as fetal alcohol syndrome.
But one study suggested binge drinking could damage brain development resulting in reduced verbal IQ, learning problems and poorer academic performance.
"However, this study only counted women as bingers if they binged throughout pregnancy, not just on a single occasion," the researchers wrote.
Animal studies have shown harmful effects from binge drinking, which means pregnant women should still take care no matter how much they consume, Gray said.
At the same time until researchers have more evidence, women who binge drink on occasion should not fret unnecessarily about potential harm they are causing to their fetuses, he added.
"When pregnant women report isolated episodes of binge-drinking in the absence of a consistently high daily alcohol intake, as is often the case, it is important to avoid inducing unnecessary anxiety as, at present, the evidence of risk seems minimal," the researchers wrote.
(Reporting by Michael Kahn) | 2,383 | 1,203 | 0.00084 |
warc | 201704 | Upper Colorado River Delta in Gulf of California31.6 N114.7 W
An estuary is an inlet, or bay at the mouth of a river or stream, where the salt water from the ocean mixes with fresh water. A positive estuary is one in which the seawater component is diluted; therefore, the water is brackish, with salinity less than that of the ocean. In contrast, a negative estuary is an estuary in which the evaporation of seawater is relatively greater than that of the fresh water input.
In the Gulf of California, there are a number of negative estuaries, which possibly were previously positive. However, due to human modification of the land use around the Gulf of California and water diversion for municipal and agricultural use, there are no longer many rivers that freely empty into the Gulf of California.
The upper Colorado River Delta, visible near the image center, is one example of a historically major estuary and wetlands ecosystem, that since the 20th century construction of upriver dams and diversion aqueducts on the Colorado River, is now a small ephemeral remnant estuary. | 1,086 | 569 | 0.001766 |
warc | 201704 | On the occasion of launching its new website, Equinet discussed with Mr. Jozef de Witte, Chair of the Equinet Board and Director of the Belgian Interfederal Centre for Equal
Opportunities, about the establishment, challenges and opportunities of Equinet.
The Belgian Centre, one of the founding members of Equinet, is a federal public service, independent in the fulfillment of its mission, with around 100 employees and an operating budget of almost 9 million Euros. When it was initially founded in 1993, support to victims of racial discrimination was the central task of the Centre. Through consecutive Acts of Parliament, the Centre’s mandate was extended: it also became competent for issues related to migration, human trafficking, poverty and non-racial discrimination, and denial of the Holocaust.
As of July 2012, the Centre has been appointed as the independent mechanism to fulfil the Belgian obligations of Article 33.2 of the UN-Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Equinet: Mr. De Witte, can you tell us a bit about the history of the Belgian Centre and its involvement in Equinet as a founding national equality body (NEB)? Jozef De Witte (JDW): The Centre was founded in 1993 (Law of 15/02/1993), so we will actually celebrate our 20th anniversary in a few months. In 2003 new legislation was introduced that expanded our mandate to cover most other grounds apart from race. It is at that moment that Dirk De Meirleir, who used to work here, became the contact person for Equinet together with some other colleagues we knew, especially from the Dutch NEB (such as Chila Van der Bas, whom I think can be called the “mother” of Equinet). This shows that from the very beginning the Belgian Centre was quite eager to exchange practices among the various existing NEBs from the EU. Equinet: There had not been such an initiative before, it was the first attempt to try and bring more organisations together, right? JDW: Absolutely. In a certain way we had just started to discover each other, to realize that across the border there is also an equality body. That situation was due to the EU Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC) as well, since it required Member States to establish NEBs competent on the race ground. I remember very well that there were quite a few exchanges and we contributed our bit financially to organise some meetings, since back then there was no EU funding through the PROGRESS programme. We knew that it was a good investment since we were eager to work together and this has not changed. Actually, as Equinet members, we should all consider that what we do for Equinet is an investment, and the “return on investment” is definitely there.
So at the beginning it was Dirk who started setting up the structure for Equinet, making it an AISBL (non-profit organisation) under Belgian law, and checked regularly with me to see who could help us and how best to proceed. Of course during this setting-up process the discussion came up about where we would have the Secretariat. We said that we would be happy to welcome the Secretariat here in our building because it would be a real honour and in our own interest to have Equinet so close. It would benefit Equinet as well, not only in terms of being close to the actual work of one of its members, but also logistics-wise (not worrying about meeting rooms, supplies, etc.). As for the outside world, it is good that any visitor to our NEB can also visit Equinet and vice-versa.
Equinet: Apart from the challenge of setting it up, what were the other challenges facing Equinet at the beginning, and how did they change? JDW: Well, at the beginning there was also the challenge of getting funding for Equinet from the European Commission (EC), since this was obviously not a given, and we were happy that we were able to convince the EC of the necessity of having a network of NEBs. We had a very constructive and meaningful dialogue with the EC, showing that the network could be an important partner by contributing to the European agenda for more equality and by answering the need for more training and more exchange of information between NEBs. Equinet could become a single source of information on what and how NEBs are doing, and it would streamline the communication with other institutional or non-governmental actors.
But other challenges remain. In particular, it is about making sure that Equinet remains a network of members, by members, for members. Its main role and priority is to support the members. The reason why this can sometimes be a challenge is that Equinet is actually so respected and doing so well that there is a lot of demand to engage in many international initiatives, but the emphasis must be on encouraging members to engage with each other and to get involved in the work of the working groups, as well as in producing publications and other outputs (the Secretariat itself provides only a supporting role in this). Representing the network is obviously an important responsibility, but you can fill all your time with that and there needs to be a good balance between “internal” and “external” responsibilities.
Equinet: Speaking of getting involved in activities, what do you consider to be the main Equinet activity or initiative that your organisation benefits from? JDW: This is a difficult question. We have new staff members all the time, and I remember very well the training we had on hate speech in Vienna last year because we decided to pay the expenses for 2-3 newer staff members to give them the opportunity to attend the training. They were of course very happy and relished the engagement with colleagues from other NEBs across Europe. So the trainings are very important. The legal seminar is also very important, just like the WGs. For example, there is a strong engagement in the WG Communications on our part because we are eager to engage with other NEBs on how to tackle strategic communication issues.
The point is that it is difficult to say which activity is more important than the other. And this is a good thing. There is diversity in Equinet’s activities because they address the very different mandates of its members. Equinet is not there to organise meetings only for the international officers of NEBs, it seeks to address the concerns and interests of different categories of employees working in NEBs (lawyers, communication managers, management, etc.).
Equinet: Let’s talk now more about the Centre and your work. Could you give us an example of a recent case or difficulty encountered by the Centre that has particularly fascinated and challenged you? JDW: I would have to mention the famous HEMA case: a woman worked for several months as a temporary worker in a supermarket wearing a headscarf with the logo of the company, but due to some criticisms from customers, she was fired. The argument of the employer was that “we are neutral; we know that under Belgian and European law faith-based organisations have an exemption from normal anti-discrimination rules”. So they basically considered being neutral as a kind of faith, so they could refuse a headscarf because it does not respect their belief in “neutrality”. But is neutrality a faith? The same company does not consider headscarves a problem in the Netherlands, but in Belgium it did.
This case touches upon something happening in this society, but I think in others as well: what is the place of religion and belief in society? The interesting thing is that people fully agree there should be a separation between church and state, but they miss the point that public life is not the state. The street is not the state, it is a public space, and what is the place of religion in public space? It is sometimes strange that nobody is protesting against a catholic nun walking in her ancient clothes (if she still does), but when a Muslim woman does that everybody is panicking. There are plenty of churches in this nice city of Brussels, but if anybody wants to build a mosque then they say “no mosque here”. This behaviour is strange.
So because of this case we would like to have a broader discussion in the whole society about what is the place of religion and belief in public life. If people say religion and belief is only a matter of private life and saying that “you should not express your religion and belief in public life”, then they are not talking about freedom anymore. A freedom like this, restricted to your own house (like being gay only at home), is not a freedom.
We also hope to achieve more legal clarity because for an employer it is not clear to what extent they can or they cannot discriminate on the basis of religion, and we need to deal with this in the coming months.
Equinet: Can you tell us more about the level of tolerance for such a discussion in Belgian society? JDW: It is very difficult to discuss because more and more people are saying they don’t want Muslims in this country and that they should go back to their country of origin. There is a close relationship with migration in this line of thinking, and Islam is seen as mostly an effect of migration. But in the HEMA case discussed above, the lady who was fired was Belgian from Belgian origin, and became a Muslim. But some people were actually saying that she should go back to Morocco, except that she has nothing to do with Morocco (she is in fact Flemish with as Flemish a name as you can get). This could be explained by the fact that we are in difficult times economically, and there is a reaction to look for an external enemy, and it’s always easier to pick on the ones who are easier to label as “outsiders”. In this frame of mind “outsiders” can be treated differently, they have a different religion, origin, it’s “easier to spot them”, etc.
Moreover, a recent study showed that one third of temporary labour agencies accepted to discriminate on the ground of race and origin even though they knew this is illegal. The message from some ministries was that “well, we rely on the self-regulation of the sector”. But isn’t this strange? You have a law, but it is not respected, and some authorities say that it is up to the companies to try and maybe correct themselves a little bit. But a law is a law, something needs to be done, you cannot leave this just at “self-regulation”. So it is very hard to have a meaningful debate about this problem.
Equinet: So you are not optimistic about the future? JDW: No, no, I am an optimistic guy (laughing). But I am not sure for example if the proposals for the 2000 directives could be raised and accepted today by the European institutions. Nowadays in a certain way the idea of non-discrimination and human rights is seen as something that the Chinese should deal with, but not the Europeans. People think this is not an issue in Europe and it is worrying. Actually, people working in this area are almost in a defensive mode trying to guarantee that the current directives are implemented and respected. Not to mention the new horizontal Framework Directive Proposal which has been stuck in the Council for 4 years now... Equinet: Speaking of being on the defensive, since you are the Centre’s director, how is it to be leading such an institution at the moment? JDW: I will not hide, people say it must be a hard job, but I reply “no” because I like it. I like it first and foremost because in this role you know what you are working for, what you are fighting for, and it is not about earning money at the end of the month. You know there is an agenda for the whole society and you are playing a small role in that. There are also plenty of others to engage with at the national level like people working in state structures, employers, trade unions, and NGOs working on different topics. You can’t imagine how many people I meet in my job who are truly engaged and passionate about their work. and who are busy finding solutions to tackle discrimination. Ours is a unique position to be in, but to be honest it’s quite good not to be the only actor in this field. This allows me to think about strategic issues on how to improve cooperation with these other stakeholders and how to improve our own work. Equinet: You probably also have a good team to rely on. JDW: The team is crucial because people who come to work here believe in something. I have to say more often “do not work too hard” than “you need to work more”. Funnily enough, I have to push people to go and take holidays. I mean, it’s a fundamental right to have an annual leave and one should respect one’s own rights. This is also important because we are not a campaigning organisation, nor a political cabinet working under a 4-year cycle. We should understand as an NEB that we are not competing for the 100 metres sprint, but for the marathon. We should manage our energy to insure that we are still there tomorrow, not only as good professionals, but as an institution.
So it’s true that sometimes I ask my eager and resourceful colleagues when they will have time to do this or that project on top of their current work. But then they ask why did I become the chair of Equinet’s Executive Board, don’t I have anything to do? I tell them “I knew what to do on Saturday but not on Sundays and now that problem is solved” (laughing).
Equinet: Mr. De Witte, thank you very much for this interview. | 13,622 | 5,942 | 0.000172 |
warc | 201704 | The Cleaning Show 2017 14th of March 2017 London, UK» Read More A survey has been conducted by the French cleaning association into the state of the industry, reports Christian Bouzols, ECJ correspondent.
The Fédération des Entreprises de Propreté - the French contract cleaning association - has published a survey showing the major developments taking place in the French cleaning sector.
The purpose of the study was to identify the main factors that are bringing changes to the industry, such as new regulations, customer expectations, and new pressures on work practices.
The picture that emerges is that the sector is undergoing major changes. The first finding
is that more than 50 per cent of the workforce are employed by fewer that one per cent of the companies. This distribution has been fairly stable for a number of years.
During the 1990s and 2000s, the industry went through a wave of mergers. Although this development towards greater concentration has slowed down, it still continues to mark the cleaning market scene today, with the major companies continuing to see their turnovers grow.
Thus between 2003 and 2011, the turnover of the 10 largest cleaning companies grew from 3 billion to 4.5 billion euros, which equates to a 48 per cent increase over the period.
This change towards greater concentration, which was mainly due to the major groups practising a policy of taking over small and medium enterprises, has led to the belief that SMEs in the cleaning sector were in trouble and that their very existence was in peril.
However what the survey shows is that in 2012, cleaning SMEs not only still existed, but were displaying a certain energy that seemed to be lacking in the big groups. It turns out that this movement of acquisition and concentration is being fed by the continued creation of dynamic companies in the sector.
Even if one excludes sole traders, whose real activities and the duration of these activities are quite unpredictable, the sector gives birth to 2,600 new businesses each year. This dynamism is partly explainable by the fact that barriers to entry are low, in terms of both qualifications
and investment. For a long time now, profit margins in the cleaning industry have been considered low, but they’ve fallen markedly since 2008. This situation is becoming quite worrying for the financial health, and even for the very survival, of many cleaning contractors.
About half of cleaning companies have seen a reduction in the demand for their services and about 30 per cent of them have had to face contract cancellations and the reopening of competition by their corporate clients.
Over a quarter of all companies have had to lower their prices. In order to compensate, they’ve had to increase their productivity and trim their profits even more.
It’s clear the cleaning sector’s vitality depends to a great extent on the health of the national economy. The current crisis has increased the number of company failures and reduced company creation (not counting sole traders).
The lacklustre economic environment also means that there are fewer surfaces to clean, and that therefore the potential market for cleaning companies has been reduced. | 3,254 | 1,584 | 0.000642 |
warc | 201704 | Event ContactsPaid membership required to see this information Event WebsitePaid membership required to see this information
In the past five years, Texas has seen rapid development of the Eagle Ford Shale with over 263 rigs currently in operation and 2,826 drilling permits issued in 2012 alone. Given the Eagle Ford's low-clay, high-carbonate content, broad geographical extent and a varying reservoir types, well and frac designs must be acutely tailored to maximize recovery during completions.
To ensure commercially viable well economics, Eagle Ford operators are innovating, now more than ever, to find the ultimate frac design for
driving down the cost of completions while achieving optimal recovery.
There is no one 'perfect' recipe for all different reservoir types, the best and only way is to understand all the different variables of the well economics, step by step, and learn what other operators are doing to either validate or integrate into current operations.
The mission of the first
Eagle Ford Well & Frac Design Congress 2013 is to bring together active operators in the region to compare case studies and well results, manage the impact each variable has on well economics, and ultimately reduce the cost of completions and production in the Eagle Ford.
In this two-day congress, over 20 E&P operators will provide case studies, highlighting well construction, well design and frac design achievements to stimulate technical discussions and scrutinize how costs can be saved at every step of the well and frac design process in different reservoir types.
Day 1 will look at how operators are designing low cost, high recovery wells focusing on
well spacing, lateral length, frac spacing, cluster spacing and drilling techniques that optimize economics.
Day 2 will examine case studies on how the key factors influencing completions
- proppants, fluids, fracture methods and perforating techniques - can be optimized to improve both recovery and well economics in the Eagle Ford and showcase production techniques being used to maximize recovery.
Contact the event managers listed below for more information about how you can participate at the Eagle Ford Well & Frac Design Congress 2013.
Conference/Event Dates: 08/28/2013 - 08/29/2013 Classification: B2B Primary Industry: Energy Other Industries: Business, Energy Venue: JW Marriott Houston Venue Phone: (713) 961-1500 Venue Type: Indoor - Hotel
Booth Size Booth Cost Available Amenities Call for Information. Electricity: n/a Water: n/a Generator: n/a Marketing Vehicles Allowed: Call Other Booth Sizes Available: n/a
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warc | 201704 | The debate is ongoing as to if the theory of
calorie shifting can improve weight loss efforts. Ask a different expert and you will most likely get a different answer. It is a fairly new concept that has emerged in the diet industry, and it basically encompasses the idea of tricking your body by attempting to trick your metabolism into working overtime.
Metabolism is the rate at which our bodies expend calories and energy, the faster our metabolism rate is, the faster we burn off calories. The idea of calorie shifting is to mix up our diet and make our metabolism work hard because it never knows what to expect. There are a lot of diets on the market today with catch phrases of ‘low fat’, ‘low carb’ and ‘low calorie’. The problem with these diets is that they are not an effective way of losing weight. Why not?
Because its like this – when you start depriving your body of what it needs by diets such as those, it thinks you are starving it and therefore goes into a state of panic and triggers starvation mode. Starvation mode is like a survival mode, it keeps all the calories you take in and slows your metabolism down so that even though you are taking in less calories, you are not going to lose weight, and could even gain weight.
An easy example of this is as follows:
Take a diet of 3000 calories a day, assuming your body burns 2500; it saves the additional 500 as fat. Now, if you start a diet where you are only consuming 1500 a day, your body will not burn any additional calories, and slow down your metabolism to save those calories as fat.
So we know starvation is not the way to go for long-term weight loss, so what is? That is where calorie shifting comes in. If you eat a combination of different calories from fat, carbohydrates and protein for each meal in a day, you will then be consuming different amounts of calories per day. This will trick your metabolism and keep it working overtime trying to accommodate for the calorie shifting. | 2,011 | 988 | 0.001034 |
warc | 201704 | A lot of people nowadays are worried about their figure or about their health being compromised by obesity or by bad eating habits. Most people have created different perceptions about diet since they are most often twisted by hypes or blurred by fad diets. For that matter, let us consider some fallacies about diets:
A Diet Will Not Have You Looking Great Instantly
First and foremost, a good diet makes you follow healthy eating habits. Along with proper activities, a diet will only prove to be effective if followed. If the diet is approved by nutritionists as effective, do not expect the effects to be instant. Your body still needs to adjust to the changes that will transpire.
Not All Popular Diets Work
Not all fads are popular. Just because a diet worked for one person does not mean that it will also have the same effect on you. People are different. There are a lot of variables to consider like the level of activity, age, and even starting weight and figure.
After a Diet, You Shouldn’t Go Back to Eating Anything You Want
A diet is something that you should practice for life once you adapt it into your system. Going back to old bad habits will just make you gain weight faster and you may even end up heavier than when you first got on a diet. Proper discipline and self-control are necessary. Besides, choose the right diet plan where you are not forced to miss out on the goodness of food by eating only the same recommended meals all the time.
Not All Popular Diets are Safe
Do not fall for this but make sure you consult your physician before starting on a diet. Some diets might be in conflict with your current health condition and other diets are just plain ridiculous.
Diet Plans Need Self Discipline and Common Sense
Make sure that the diet plan you choose fits you. Having an active lifestyle will help
burn the excess fat in your body, leading to weight loss. Remember that the human body has its own limits. You need food to function properly but any abrupt changes will cause disturbances in your body processes. Make sure you introduce the change gradually. Keep in mind that not all diets that are popular or those that have a lot of followers are always correct, safe, and effective. | 2,236 | 1,147 | 0.000879 |
warc | 201704 | People adorn their bodies in many ways, through hairstyles and hair colors, clothing and accessories, tattoos, and even body piercing. Decorating yourself with body piercing jewelry is a unique method of self-expression, but it can quickly turn into a health problem if a piercing infection develops.
Body Piercing Step-by-Step
Body piercers use a needle to puncture a hole in an area of the body, so that a piece of body piercing jewelry — small hoops, bars, or other decorative pieces — can be inserted into the puncture site. Piercing the ears is extremely common, but eyebrows, nostrils, the navel, and just about any other area of the body can be pierced.
Here's what you can expect if you plan to have a body piercing done:
The skin, save for a tongue piercing, is cleansed to destroy germs. A needle is inserted into the skin to form a hole. The piece of sterilized body piercing jewelry is inserted into the hole. The skin is cleaned again and the jewelry is fastened or tightened as needed.
The area that is to be pierced isn't typically numbed prior to the piercing, so the procedure can be painful, but it only takes a few seconds.
Avoiding a Piercing Infection
That punctured hole opens the door to a possible infection. You'll need to make sure that you choose a professional body piercer who follows health and safety standards. Check that these safety measures are in place before you agree to be pierced:
The body piercing studio and all work areas are clean; be wary of any studio with dirt and grime on the floors or elsewhere. The body piercer carefully washes her hands with a germ-killing soap before piercing any clients and puts on a clean pair of sterile gloves before working on a new client. All piercing instruments are sterilized before every use. A new, sterile needle is taken out of the package and used for each client, and needles are never re-used. Needles and bloody bandages are properly disposed of in separate waste containers and are not thrown in with other garbage.
Metal allergies are common, so it's also important to ask questions about the types of jewelry that the body piercer uses. You'll want to be sure that nontoxic body piercing jewelry is offered, including those made with the metals titanium, platinum, niobium, or solid gold. Surgical-grade steel posts are also safe to use.
Warning: Don’t Pierce Yourself!
You may be tempted to save yourself money and pierce yourself with just a needle, but the few dollars saved aren't worth the risk.
Professional body piercers must meet strict health codes and follow health and safety regulations for good reason. These regulations are all in place to reduce the risk of infection. These professionals are licensed and taught to perform body piercing properly — education you just don't have. Piercing yourself will increase your risk of developing a serious infection and scarring your skin.
How to Care for a Body Piercing
Before you get pierced, you'll have to head to the doctor for immunizations if yours aren’t current. You'll want to be vaccinated against tetanus and hepatitis B, which can be transmitted through contaminated or dirty needles.
Once you've gotten your body piercing, you should be provided with care instructions to help reduce your risk of infection. These should include advice to:
Always wash your hands carefully before you touch or clean your piercing to avoid introducing bacteria and germs to the vulnerable skin. Gently clean the area once or twice daily with antibacterial soap and thoroughly rinse with plain, clean water. Soak the piercing in a saline solution each day, for up to 10 minutes at a time, then rinse carefully. Carefully dry the pierced skin with a clean, dry paper towel. Use an antibacterial mouthwash solution after you eat to keep a mouth piercing clean. Signs of PiercingTrouble
Health complications that could result include:
An infection may develop at the site of the body piercing and will need prompt treatment. Warning signs of an infection include these symptoms:
Swelling or redness around the piercing Discharge from the punctured skin that is yellow in color or smells bad Fever
An infection requires treatment from a doctor. In some cases, you may require an oral antibiotic; in others, a topical antibiotic ointment may be recommended.
By carefully choosing a professional body piercer and properly caring for your piercing, you can help it heal properly and enjoy sporting your new body piercing jewelry. | 4,514 | 2,098 | 0.000482 |
warc | 201704 | How to Get in Shape for Skiing & Snowboarding
evo Size & Buying Guides
- We have one of the largest selections of skis
and snowboard
equipment on the web, a super knowledgable staff
and expert guides to help you make an informed decision.
DISCLAIMER: We hope that this does not come as a surprise to you, but you should be in good physical condition to participate in these exercises. evo is not a licensed medical care provider and represents that it has no expertise in diagnosing, examining, or treating medical conditions of any kind, or in determining the effect of any specific exercise on a medical condition. Consult with your physician if you are unsure. You should understand that when participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in any of these exercises, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself, and agree to release and discharge evo from any and all claims or causes of action, known or unknown, arising out of evo's negligence.
You just got your fresh new pair of skis mounted with five coats of hot wax and your boots are molded and ready to rock, but are you? Don’t forget, the most important part of being able to charge hard all day and stomp landings with the least risk of injury is your physical condition. Correct form in skiing and snowboarding (or any sport for that matter) is crucial to staying injury free and maximizing the efficiency of your movements on hill. You fatigue throughout the day and your form deteriorates, leaving your legs feeling out of control and sloppy. You’ve probably experienced that close call before quitting for the day, where you couldn’t muster the leg strength to get your sticks or your board pointed in the right direction fast enough. Pre-season training will also decrease the soreness and sluggishness you get on your first day back on the slopes.
When talking about strength and training in the context of skiing and snowboarding, it is important to put emphasis on functional movement and strength. In reality, the best training for skiing is skiing itself. However, exercises that mimic rapid shifts in terrain, and shifts in your body’s center of gravity relative to the slope, will be effective in preparing your cardiovascular and muscle systems ready for the shred to come.
These are only recommended workouts. Always listen to your body and don’t do anything that hurts or over-exerts yourself.
Flexibility
Whether before a workout or before a day of shred, paying time to work on your flexibility is important if you plan to stay mobile and active all winter (or in general). One of the best options for flexibility is yoga (which we highly recommend, haters be damned). Dynamic warm-ups before workouts and stretching after workouts are crucial if you want to recover faster and stay on the hill all winter long without injury.
Bikram Yoga Warm-Up:
10 Deep Breaths: With fingers crossed under your chin, exhale out bringing the elbows together and pushing the head back. Take a deep breath in as your elbows go up, chin comes down, and stomach gets sucked in. And repeat.
Side Bend: Cross your fingers, point, and reach your arms straight up. Bend your arms and upper body far from side to side while pushing your hips out to the other side, all while maintaining a flat plane with your body.
Side Bend Back Bend: With arms still pointed straight up, look behind you and lean back while pushing your hips forward. Come back and bend your body all the way forward, touching your hands to the ground. With knees bent, alternate stretching out your hamstrings.
Back Bend
Deep Stretch: Crouch down and place your hands under the back of each heel so you are standing on them. Bend forward, hug your face to your knees, and slowly work towards straightening your legs out while pulling with your hands.
Post Workout Stretch Routine:
Lunge: Hold for 60 seconds.
Lizard: From a lunge, turn your foot out, drop the back leg, and put your arms out on the floor. Hold for 60 seconds.
Triangle: From Lizard, straighten the front leg, drop the back heel, and bring your head down to your knee with your hands on the floor.
Twist: Lift your upper body up and put your opposite hand outside your foot. Twist and point your other hand straight up into the air. Switch sides.
Head to Knee: Straighten out and bend your head down to your knee again with hands on the floor. Switch sides.
Downward Dog: Bring both legs back and extend your butt into the air, making a triangle with your body.
Deep Stretch: Walk your hands towards your feet, try to get your hands under your feet, and hold.
Aerobic Base
Aerobic endurance allows you to sustain physical performance for sustained periods of time. In boiled down tech-talk, aerobic endurance maximizes your body’s ability to consume and distribute oxygen to your muscles efficiently. While anaerobic exercises don’t improve the power of our bio-mechanics, or the ability for us to put out more work over the shortest period of time, they do allow us to stay on the hill without getting burnt out before lunch.
Some basic examples of aerobic exercises are running, cycling, hiking, swimming, and jump rope. Performing any of these exercises for 30-60 minutes, 3-5 times per week will do a lot for your aerobic base.
Cycling
Jump Rope
Anaerobic Endurance
In “sciency speak” anaerobic endurance is your muscles’ ability to function in the absence of oxygen. In anaerobic metabolism, lactic acid builds up in your muscles. This mechanism causes that “burning“ sensation you get in your thighs mid run. Anaerobic exercises improve your body’s ability to process the build up of lactic acid, allowing you to send it for longer and harder. Many anaerobic workouts involve High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), with periods of intense effort followed by rest periods and then by intense efforts again for a number of repetitions. One example of an anaerobic workout is Fartlek training, which is Norwegian for speed play training.
Try this one for size. On a 2-4 mile run, perform 1-3 (depending on fitness level) of the following 10-minute strength intervals:
1 minute of burpees
30 seconds of easy jog
2 minutes of burpees
1 minute of easy jog
3 minutes of burpees
1.5 minutes easy jog
These workouts are usually pretty intense, but pay dividends on the slopes.
Burpee
Strength and Power
Let’s face it, not all of us are blessed with the Champagne Powder of Steamboat or Cold Smoke of Bridger Bowl. Strength workouts improve your ability to bust crud and keep your skis pointed the direction you want in the thickest and dampest of Pacific Northwest Pow.
Some basic examples of strength and power workouts are:
Squats (weighted or unweighted)
Box jumps
Lateral Side Jumps (these closely mimic a skier movement laterally across a slope)
Medicine ball throws
Planks
Squat
Box Jump
Medicine Ball
Plank
Another workout to use in the gym regularly is (a treadmill helps with pacing) Dynamic Stretching followed by 1-mile warm-up run @ 7:30 pace followed by 1-3 sets of the following intervals:
10 Burpees
15 Bodyweight Squats
400 Meter Run at 9 mph
14 (7 a side) 25 lb. T-Push Up: Lift one are into the air after each push up.
8 Pull Ups
400 Meter Run at 9 mph
10 15 lb. Medicine Ball Throws
20 Lateral Side Jumps (10 a side)
400 Meter Run at 9 mph
While getting at it outdoors is the favored choice for staying fit throughout the summer and into ski season (and just getting stoked on life in general), performing aerobic, anaerobic, and strength and power workouts in the pre-season can do wonders for your performance on hill. | 7,818 | 3,596 | 0.000283 |
warc | 201704 | About Ad Platform Resellers Schedule Demo Sign Up
ExactDrive’s retargeting component extends into the Facebook Exchange; Ads will be served to past visitors or lost prospects on the Facebook Newsfeed and Right-Hand side of Facebook encouraging them to complete the lead submission process.
The Facebook retargeting efforts will leverage our real-time bidding (RTB) capabilities, allowing us to leverage the world’s largest social media platform and prestigious Facebook.com domain at the lowest possible cost.
We can serve ads with personalized messages that encourage users to convert, like a Facebook page and/or share information about your products and services. Visit our dynamic ads page to learn more.
Convert lost website visitors into clients. Dynamic retargeting brings visitors back with offers and deals that match what they were looking for.
Sell your whole inventory from a single dynamic ad. Personalized dynamic ads are created in real-time for each customer. Every potential customer sees the right dynamic ad at the right time.
Every customer is unique, so don't waste impressions with "one size fits all" ads. Our dynamic display retargeting ad technology shows ads that are personalized in real time to match each customer's interests. Download a sample retargeting and dynamic advertising media plan.
A visitor comes to your website. They explore your website and learn about your products but leave before making a purchase. Exact Drive displays your ads on websites they visit later, bringing them back and keeping your brand top of mind. Exact Drive is motivated to provide customized campaigns, world-class tools and unmatched expertise to assist clients every step of the way to meet your goals and beyond. Additional information and articles about retargeting.
By now, the chances are you've heard of some of the amazing benefits that an effective retargeting campaign can offer. When run correctly, retargeting strategies can lead to a significant increase in return on investment, and an incredible brand boost, because it allows you to keep hold of the customers that have already shown interest in your product or brand. Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems that people face when it comes to retargeting, is that the moment they start to see some improvement, they forget that there may be still room for improvement.
When you see a good conversion rate for your website, you'll probably be tempted to let it simply continue as it is - after all, you're getting the results that you want. However, the truth is that many people are using campaigns that - while effective, could actually benefit more from a tune up. If you've been wondering what your retargeting campaign is missing, the most common answer may be proper segmentation.
Most marketing models treat all customers in the exact same way from a creative prospective. In other words, everyone gets the same advertisements and marketing efforts when they arrive on a landing page or visit a website. The difference with retargeting campaigns, is that you are providing a different form of creative to your viewer when they have already had some form of interaction with your website. This can offer a more personalized and relevant experience for the visitor, that increases their chances of converting. However, that doesn't mean that the same retargeting creative should be used for every person who visits your website.
Consumers are different, and when setting up a retargeting campaign, one of the first things you should ask yourself, is who your customer is, and how you can tempt them to buy more from you. Often, this means looking at , to determine which visitors are spending money on what, and how they are visiting your website.
Retargeting should not be another one-size-fits-all program for recapturing interest. Instead, it's crucial to use your data in an analytical and smart way - making the most of first-party behavioral data to provide customers with a completely customized shopping and marketing experience.
By and first party data, you can create numerous ads tailored to the needs of each customer. For example, if you have one customer who spends a lot of time sitting in their cart, unsure about whether to click that purchase button, an ad that offers free shipping could be a small price to pay for a big conversion. On the other hand, if you have evidence of a visitor who spends all of their time browsing the same category of your website, you could use an ad that shows off the latest inventory in this category, or offers information about exclusive discounts.
For visitors who sign up to your newsletter - completing a conversion, but not spending any money, your best bet could be to show a creative that features a current sale, as this person has shown their willingness to be pitched to. On the other hand, if visitors simply approach your home page and leave, you might use simpler advertising techniques to show off the full value of your brand, and what you have to offer.
By using in your retargeting methods, you may allow for more interaction between your retargeting efforts, and conversion, allowing you to attribute more conversions into the appropriate channels. What's more, because first-party cookies typically have a longer lifespan or consistency (30 days on average compared to 7 days for third-party cookies), you'll have the option to track and retarget customers for a longer period.
Sometimes, your retargeting campaign could simply missing a few creative tweaks to help protect your strategy from the pain of banner blindness, and sometimes you could benefit from a session of A/B testing. However, there are instances wherein using first-party data to personalize your retargeting experiences can significantly improve the value of your campaign. By integrating first-party technology and data into your ad model, and using the advantages that behavioral targeting can have to offer, you may find that your campaigns see incremental improvements, as many customers are more likely to be drawn into advertisements that appear tailor-made for their needs.
When it comes to collecting those all-important conversions from your target market, everyone deserves a second chance at wooing a customer. Of course, no-one's going to hand you that break on a platter - you need to be willing to grab hold of it yourself! Retargeting (also known as remarketing), is your opportunity to spin the wheel and get your brand back in the view of your consumers, almost regardless of where they venture when they're done with your website.
for a number of reasons - because they don't have their credit card to hand, because they want to do some comparison shopping, or because they only clicked onto your site to browse in the first place. Retargeting allows you to deliver advertisements tailored directly to your target customers after they have left your landing page or site, providing multiple shots at achieving a conversion.
Following are some of the best tips that you can consider when getting the most leverage out of your retargeting campaign.
One of the most important things to remember about retargeting is that your marketing efforts should always be relevant to specific audiences. This means that you may need to build segments according to the content that certain people are most attracted to, then target your message to each audience according to the wants and needs implied by that attraction.
Don't be afraid to push the boat out when developing audience size and segments - after all, more potential customers is always a good thing!
The next step is optimizing the landing page that your links and advertisements direct your viewers towards. The page your visitor lands on needs to compliment the segment of the conversion funnel that they are currently in, as a wealth of data has shown that retargeting campaign conversion rates are sensitive to the relevancy of the ad to the page they land on. Leading your viewers to a confusing conclusion is never a good idea - for example, you don't want to drive up to McDonalds to find that they're only serving foot-long subs.
The link between your creative outreach (banner advertisements) and landing page should boost your click to conversion rates on not only your retargeting campaigns, but also any other online advertising campaigns you might have running.
As a business, you're undoubtedly eager to get as many new customers and conversions as possible - but that doesn't mean that you should stalk your audience with every step they take and every website they visit. A lot of large e-commerce sites make the mistake of bombarding their users with too many ads, which can leave your audience feeling uncomfortable.
Your overall aim should be to guide users from the "awareness" stage of the funnel regarding your product or service, to "interest", "evaluation", "decision", and then finally "purchase". To ensure that everything runs smoothly, a retargeting campaign should focus on delivering relevant messages to your audience based on the segment that they're currently in. For example, most marketers know that logo-based advertisements can be helpful at the "awareness" phase, whereas showing ads with specific services and product content works best at the "interest" stage.
When your customer reaches the "decision" stage of the funnel, your ads should be offering discounts and promotions; then after the purchase, you should be linking your market to related products to promote opportunities for up-selling.
It's easy to get impatient when your business is on the line, but try to avoid the immediate urge to pull out of your retargeting campaign before you've given it a reasonable chance to succeed. Most retargeting campaigns need at least a few days of testing to make sure that you can gather enough data to judge their performance.
Make sure that you test out new landing pages, creative variations, ad sequencing opportunities, and other parameters to compare and contrast the effectiveness of your retargeting campaign. After all, you should always be searching for the best way to maximize your ROI.
In the age of online advertising, retargeting is an essential tactic in the arsenal of the digital marketer. It boosts the effectiveness of other marketing efforts, developing crucial brand awareness, driving customers further down the conversion funnel, and strengthening brand recall. However - like any strategy - if you want to get the most out of your retargeting effort, you need to do your homework. | 10,603 | 4,493 | 0.000224 |
warc | 201704 | Premium Implants such as the Toric IOL can improve uncorrected vision by reducing astigmatism, and the Crystalens and the Restor IOLs can improve the uncorrected near vision.
Laservison correction is performed at Liva Eye Center using the Allergretto Wave IQ Excimer Laser System. Cataract surgery is performed in our outpatient surgcial center Saddle River Valley Surgical Center.
Corneal Topography
Corneal topography , also known as photokeratoscopy or videokeratography, is a non-invasive medical imaging technique for mapping the surface curvature of the cornea, the outer structure of the eye. Since the cornea is responsible for about 70% of the eye's refractive power, its topography is of critical importance in determining the quality of vision. The procedure is carried out in seconds and is completely painless.
Placido Disk Technology is used to create a three-dimensional map that can assist in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of corneal conditions. It is useful in planning refractive surgery such as LASIK and PRK . Sophiscated sofware analysis of acquired data can indicate if corneal pathology such as Keratoconus is present which would disqualify someone for refractive surgery. It can also evaluate the cornea to aid in the fit of contact lenses. The procedure is carried out in seconds and is completely painless.
Cataract surgery patients can benefit from corneal topography for several reasons. First, it can measure the power and axis of corneal astigmatim to determine the placement of Toric IOLs which can reduce or eliminate the distortiion caused by pre-existing corneal astigmatism. Secondly, it can measure higher order aberrations such as spherical aberration which reduces night vision contrast sensitivity. Customizing the selection of the proper aspheric IOLs to neutralize the spherical aberration of the cornea enhances night vision and reduces glare. Thirdly, it can detect pathological conditions which may reduce the efficacy of cataract surgery. | 2,000 | 962 | 0.001043 |
warc | 201704 | New FAO Meat Price Index
The FAO Meat Price Index has been revised to better reflect the structure of world trade in meat products...
The FAO Meat Price Index - December 2016
The FAO Meat Price Index* averaged 161.5 points in December, 1.8 points (1.1 percent) down from its revised value for November. Quotations for ovine and bovine meat in particular fell, while those for poultry and pig meat were only slightly down. Despite modest growth during the course of the year, the average value of the Index in 2016 was 7 percent below that of 2015, with the largest falls recorded for bovine and poultry meats.
* Unlike for other commodity groups, most prices utilised in the calculation of the FAO Meat Price Index are not available when the FAO Food Price Index is computed and published; therefore, the value of the Meat Price Index for the most recent months is derived from a mixture of projected and observed prices. This can, at times, require significant revisions in the final value of the FAO Meat Price Index.
Meat and Livestock Market Network (MLMN) (E-mail forum on Livestock and Meat) To subscribe to the network, please send an e-mail to listserv@listserv.fao.org leaving the subject blank and then put in the first line of the message the following: subscribe Meat-L | 1,288 | 683 | 0.001472 |
warc | 201704 | Suitable for a wide range of applications (diesel trucks, buses, marine, locomotive and static engine and mining equipment), these coolants are manufactured with a low silicate and amine free formulation, which contains a pre-charge of supplemental coolant additive (SCA) for added protection against wet cylinder liner pitting.
The HDD engine coolants 50 can be used alone, or with an SCA for extended service applications. They contain sufficient inhibitors to enable them to be used as an initial fill fluid without the need for a pre-charge of supplemental coolant additive.
It is recommended to keep the maximum service interval for off-road engines without recharging the inhibitor system with SCAs at 240,000 kms (or 2 years).
In instances where extended service is required, the HDD Coolants 50 require ongoing maintenance with an SCA during their service life. It is recommended that the appropriate SCA for the engine is used when required and the use of HDD Coolants 50 with the Scania SCA or Glycool 350 should be avoided as these are NOT compatible. | 1,067 | 574 | 0.00175 |
warc | 201704 | Pivot Points for Gold and the Dow’s Future
The Dow reached an all-time high of 14,253 on Tuesday and naturally, the financial press drew lots of attention to this fact. Conspicuously absent from the media attention, however, was a complete lack of enthusiasm. The perma-bull cheering section was eerily quiet as widespread apathy was evident. This continues a trend of muted investor psychology which, from a contrarian standpoint, is refreshing given how far the market has come since November.
It was also surprising to see a feature article on the Yahoo.com landing page entitled, “Why the Dow Is Still Rising After Yesterday’s High.” Instead of cheering the Dow’s accomplishment as mainstream media sources are wont to do, the article by John Maxfield urged investors to tread cautiously and to not “get too excited.” My how things have changed since 2007!
Another article appeared on Yahoo’s financial site with the headline: “With Dow Industrials at Record Highs, When Will Gravity Take Hold?” So here we have another example of observers waiting for the inevitable pullback instead of focusing on the all-time high. It’s another clear instance of the seismic shift in investor psychology since the credit crisis. Investors have been psychologically conditioned to mistrust any rally and to expect it to be followed by a sell-off.
Investors are always looking for ways to criticize this bull market. Probably the biggest complaint right now is the lack of volume on the rallies compared to previous years. One reason for this is the lack of participation among small, retail investors. In fact it’s unprecedented that for a bull market of this duration (four years and counting) the retail investor still, to a large extent, hasn’t returned.
While it’s true that volume has been historically lackluster, I can’t help wondering how much of the diminished share turnover is due to corporate cash flows. Corporations have been huge contributors to this bull market in the way of dividends and share buybacks. As one prominent analyst has pointed out, many dividends are funneled back into the market.
Another criticism of the post-2008 recovery bull market, especially in its early stages, was that it was driven primarily by cost-cutting measures on the part of corporations. While there was undoubtedly some truth to that assertion, cutting costs can only take you so far. Sooner or later the benefits of cost cutting will reach their limits and, if you want to keep the positive trend going, you have to start showing increased sales.
Indeed, corporate sales figures are in many ways a more important measure than net earnings. A rising trend in revenues can serve as an excellent “heads up” indication that a company’s undervalued stock is about to turn up. Aside from internal sector momentum and price momentum, I consider sales momentum to be one of the most important things an equities trader should look at when evaluating a stock.
As it turns out, corporate revenues have risen appreciably during the last several quarters. According to Dr. Ed Yardeni (blog.yardeni.com), S&P 500 revenues per share bottomed during Q1-2009 and are up 30.2% through Q4-2012, and 5.9% year over year. Revenues for the S&P 500 Industrial Composite, which excludes Transportation, Financials, and Utilities, is up 42.4% over this same period, and 4.4% y/y. “Both measures are at record highs,” writes Yardeni, “and I am predicting that revenues will increase 5% this year and next year.” The following graph is from Yardeni's blog and illustrates this positive trend.
Meanwhile forward revenues, the time-weighted average of these two forecasts, rose to a new cyclical high. The strong revenue trends is a strong support for this bull market.
Gold
Despite the exodus from gold and into equities, gold’s decline hasn’t been nearly as precipitous as that of the gold/silver mining stocks. Nor has gold suffered to the degree one would expect given the inflows into equities and mutual funds. Take the 1-year chart for the SPDR Gold Trust ETF (GLD) for instance. Although the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) made a new all-time high on Tuesday, GLD is still above its lows from last June. And while GLD hasn’t managed to close above its 10-week moving average since November, its decline has been fairly contained until now.
While the average retail investor may not be lining up to buy gold, clearly the deep-pocketed investors who have been in the “buy and hold” camp these last 10 or more years haven’t been dumping the metal. The question is why not, and if they are still holding what is it that has convinced them that gold is still worth holding? In other words, are there informed investors who know something the average small-time investor doesn’t know?
Consider two potential trouble spots that could serve as a trigger for a gold price reversal further down the road: Asia and Europe. China’s Shanghai Composite Index has been diverging lower against the rally in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) lately, leading some analysts to believe that China will face economic headwinds in 2013 unless it significantly boosts government spending. China’s government has pledged to do just that but the market remains unconvinced.
Moreover, China’s government has announced its intention to deflate the country’s real estate bubble. Among other measures, homeowners selling property will have to pay a capital gains tax of 20 percent of the profit they make on the transaction. (Homeowners will previously taxed 1-2 percent of the total sale price). Other measures include higher interest rates and minimum down payments for those buying a second home in cities with high real estate prices, according to news source
Xinhua. When governments try to control market trends it always carries a major risk of disaster. If economic history is any guide there will almost certainly have negative consequences for China and, potentially, other economies.
The euro zone, meanwhile, is headed for a fourth consecutive quarter of economic contraction, as surveys of purchasing managers indicate business activity shrank at a fast pace in February. According to the
Wall Street Journal, the composite Purchasing Managers' Index for the euro zone fell to 47.9 in February from 48.6 in January. The sub-50 reading means activity across the currency bloc's manufacturing and services sectors declined month-to-month. “That will likely feed calls for a reconsideration of the euro zone’s strategy for tackling its fiscal and banking crises,” writes Alex Brittain and Paul Hannon in WSJ, “which has relied heavily on austerity programs that have had a larger negative impact on growth than policy makers had expected.”
As Europe’s economic prospects were viewed as improving in November through January, the euro rose while gold fell. Since February, however, the euro has been declining while gold has slowed its rate of descent and is clearly trying to bottom on a short-term basis.
To reiterate our ongoing theme of recent weeks, a revival of overseas economic troubles later this year will almost surely benefit gold. The latest European economic setbacks, along with China’s dangerous real estate experiment, could prove to be a precursor for more troubles down the road. Any such increase in global economic woes will be sure to rekindle the yellow metal’s safe haven status among investors seeking protection.
Lessons from the late Ralph Bloch
I was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Ralph Bloch, former chief technical analyst for Raymond James. Ralph was an inspiration to me back when I began studying technical analysis, and I always enjoyed reading his weekly stock market commentaries in the Mansfield Chart service.
Bloch could best be described, in the words of one of his colleagues, as “old school.” He majored in old-fashioned chart reading the Edwards & Magee way and he eschewed many of today’s commonly used technical indicators. In an interview for a well known financial magazine he was asked if he ever used the stochastics indicator. He replied, “Number one, I haven’t a clue what it is, and number two, I’m not even sure I can spell it.” He believed that most technicians today are over-reliant on computer trading systems and have gotten away from the basics of what he called “Technical Analysis 101.”
Bloch made a point of reading Edwards & Magee’s classic work,
Technical Analysis of Stock Trends, along with Jesse Livermore’s pseudonymous Reminiscences of a Stock Operator at least once a year, believing that everything a trader needs to know is contained in these books. He was also a chartist par excellence. He once defined a stock chart thusly: “All a chart is are people’s perceptions of what they think the fundamentals are when they put their money where their mouth is.” He added that when investors put their money where their mouth is, “that’s when technical analysis takes place.” He believed that both disciplines, technical and fundamental, confirm each other.
Ralph also emphasized the limitations of technical analysis, believing that it’s primarily a tool for making short-term forecasts. He was quoted by
Investors Business Daily as saying, “It is a mistake to use it for anything longer” than short-term planning. In an interview with Chris Wilkinson in the book, Technically Speaking, he added: “People who make long-term calls usually go down with the ship.”
He believed his job as a technician was to look at the market every day and judge whether or not it was healthy. To do this he embraced a bottom-up approach by looking at individual stock charts first, followed by the indicators. He defined a strong market as being one where the Dow Industrials are making new highs, the Transports are confirming, and the Advance-Decline Line is also confirming and making new highs.
Bloch was a big believer in tape reading and was one of the last pure practitioners of the art on Wall Street. He challenged anyone to match his record on Wall Street, believing strongly that “Technical Analysis 101” would beat new-fangled computer trading systems and arcane indicators. He believed that analysts who follow myriad technical indicators are purposely avoiding making a decision. As Wilkinson wrote of Bloch in 1996, “His simple and basic approach” made him “immune from ‘analysis paralysis,” a condition of mental immobility resulting from too many indicators generating conflicting signals.”
He was a member of a dying breed on Wall Street whose accuracy in making stock market calls was unsurpassed. He will be greatly missed.
About Clif Droke Clif Droke Archive
01/19/2017 Dow 20,000: A New Beginning…or the Beginning of the End? story 01/12/2017 Biggest Challenge of 2017 Directly Ahead for Gold, Stocks story 01/11/2017 2017: Year of Extremes story 12/13/2016 Why Collapse Isn’t on the Menu story 12/08/2016 The Great Middle Class Revolt Gets Bigger story 11/30/2016 Will Real Estate Tank in 2017? story 11/15/2016 US Economy at Major Long-Term Pivotal Point story 11/10/2016 What Investors Can Expect From the Trump Revolution story 10/26/2016 The Next Big Catalyst for Stocks/Commodities story 10/14/2016 America’s 50-Pound Ball and Chain story | 11,596 | 5,444 | 0.00019 |
warc | 201704 | The tech-heavy
Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) might be the only of the U.S.'s three primary indexes not to reach all-time highs in 2013, but it's by far the best performer among the group, up 18.3% year to date.
We're seeing a number of factors helping out the Nasdaq's largest companies, but historically low lending rates in particular have allowed enterprises to refinance existing debt and/or use that debt to finance business expansion. So long as the Federal Reserve continues its favorable monetary policy, the sky could be the limit for the Nasdaq.
On the other side of the coin are the skeptics licking their chops and waiting to pounce on multiple Nasdaq companies that could be slammed if the Fed scales back its monetary easing, known as QE3, before the year is out. As we've done in previous months, I propose we examine the five most hated Nasdaq stocks (i.e., the stocks with the highest short interest), determine what it is about them that makes them universally disliked by pessimists, and decide whether these short-sellers are justified in their pessimism.
Company
Short Interest as a % of Shares Outstanding
43.63%
40.23%
35.41%
34.83%
33.17%
GT Advanced Technologies Why are investors shorting GT Advanced Technologies? Solar panel equipment provider GT Advanced Technologies, a.k.a. GTAT, climbed the mountain in June to become the most disliked stock within the Nasdaq Composite. The reason short-sellers have dog-piled GTAT has to do with its ties in providing solar equipment to the Chinese solar-panel industry. Chinese solar producers are in cash-conservation mode, which means little research and development is being conducted. That means instead turning to GTAT to supply components for solar panels. With U.S. solar companies crushing Chinese panel-makers in recent months, pessimists are betting on a slowdown in orders for GTAT.
Is this short interest deserved?
There are reasons to be a bit skeptical of GTAT's growth if Chinese solar companies begin to fold under the pressure of debt. However, until we see that happen, GTAT's products should remain in high demand. Chinese solar-panel manufacturers have little regard for margin, so their answer to simply produce as much as possible in many cases works in GTAT's favor. At roughly 11 times next year's earnings, I feel GTAT could surprise short-sellers in a bad way. Outerwall Why are investors shorting Outerwall? Don't let the name fool you -- Outerwall is merely the new name for Coinstar, the company best known for its Redbox DVD rental kiosks. The pessimism building around Outerwall has to do with the declining number of consumers that use DVD rental services, opting instead for the convenience and speed of streaming content. Although Outerwall's revenue held up in its latest quarter, that was only after the addition of new DVD kiosks. In other words, same-kiosk sales are falling.
Is this short interest deserved?
Some investors see Outerwall as the ultimate value play. As for me, it's nothing more than a glorified value trap. Its DVD rental business accounts for nearly 90% of total revenue, and on a per-kiosk basis it's declining. Saturating the market will only further exacerbate costs. Unless Outerwall devotes its efforts to a streaming transition, it will likely be cash-flow negative within five years by my best "guestimate." Without so much as a dividend to tickle value investors' fancy, I'd strongly encourage passing on Outerwall. Uni-Pixel Why are investors shorting Uni-Pixel? Occasionally the "coolness" of a new product gets the better of investors. That seems to be the case with shareholders in Uni-Pixel, who have been on an unforgettable ride over the past 52-weeks from a low of $5 to as high as $41, then back to a current price around $12. The company's flexible electronic film and a partnership opportunity with Eastman Kodakare what set investors off, but the potential for competition from Appleis what put hope-filled investors back in their place. Now, Uni-Pixel has a more pressing worry: a handful of shareholder-based lawsuits directed at the company.
Is this short interest deserved?
I stated in March that short-sellers should take a hard look at Uni-Pixel, and if they had taken a position, they would be up more than 50%. For a company that made just $76,000 in the entirety of fiscal 2012, there were far too many questions about expanding its UniBoss line. There were even greater concerns, given these higher expenses, that it would be able to turn a profit. Until we see demonstrable results from Uni-Pixel and a settlement to its countless lawsuits, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. NII Holdings Why are investors shorting NII Holdings? It's not hard to see why the pessimism in South American wireless service provider NII Holdings has been building if you examine its last four quarterly reports, which reveal EPS misses of 1,100%, 60%, 185%, and 86% -- yuck! Blame it on increased competition and oversaturation in Brazil, as well as the higher costs of deploying a 3G network, but NII Holdings has delivered only increasing losses to shareholders over the past year. Its most recent quarter highlighted a 13.5% decrease in revenue as churn rates increased and average revenue per user decreased.
Is this short interest deserved?
I don't see how this growing pessimism isn't deserved. The company has reversed profits into huge losses, its churn rates are rising, and it's generating less money from its users compared to last year. Expanding its 3G network is a necessary step for its evolution in Brazil, but that's already a crowded wireless market. Until you see definitive improvement in NII's bottom line, I feel you need to steer clear of this stock. Dendreon Why are investors shorting Dendreon? Short-sellers have been piling into biotechnology firm Dendreon because the sale of Provenge, its only treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration, hasn't gone well. Provenge, at $93,000 annually, is priced considerably higher than many of the competing treatments for advanced prostate cancer, which has made physicians reluctant to prescribe the therapy for fear of not being reimbursed. In response, Dendreon cut jobs and reduced expenses in order to make its cash stretch further.
Is this short interest deserved?
Skepticism had, until recently, been well-deserved. However, Dendreon shareholders received exciting news just two weeks ago that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use -- Europe's equivalent to our FDA panel -- recommended the approval of Provenge in Europe. Although the European Medicines Agency isn't required to follow the opinion of its panel, it often does. An approval in the EU, combined with its domestic cost-cutting efforts, could go a long way in getting Dendreon closer to profitability and could once again reignite the takeover chatter than once surrounded the company. I would advise short-sellers to start looking elsewhere.
Which of the Nasdaq's most hated companies do you think has the best chance to burn short-sellers? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Fool contributor Sean Williams has no material interest in any companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen name TMFUltraLong, track every pick he makes under the screen name TrackUltraLong, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle @TMFUltraLong. The Motley Fool owns shares of, and recommends, Apple. It also owns shares of Dendreon. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. | 7,746 | 3,698 | 0.000271 |
warc | 201704 | Full profile →'">
The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.
Recent data suggest disinflation is here, according to Goldman Sachs’ chief economist Jan Hatzius. With disinflation possibly turning into deflation, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke could be forced to unleash QE3 in coming months to combat falling prices and possibly a slowing economy that could be slipping into recession. Rising oil prices and extremely loose monetary, though, also feed the possibility of stagflation, as Philadelphia Fed President Charles Plosser has warned.
Inflation is beginning to slow. PPI and CPI numbers, representing input costs and consumer prices, both came in this week lower for the month of October, indicating easing inflationary pressures both on producers and consumers. In a note titled “Signs of Disinflation,” Goldman’s Hatzius makes the case that disinflation will take hold and bring core prices down below “mandate-consistent” levels for the Fed. This could possibly set the stage for further Fed policy action.
“Inflation has been above our expectations in 2011, but we expect a substantial part of this surprise to reverse and see core inflation clearly below the Fed’s ‘mandate-consistent’ level of 2% or a bit less by the end of 2012,” wrote Hatzius. Core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose at an annualized rate of 1.2% over the past 2 months, registering its lowest increase since December 2010 (when the Fed was engaged in its second round of quantitative easing).
While third quarter GDP growth looked pretty solid in the face of it, with output expanding at an annualized rate of 2.5%, the economy remains depressed, and disinflationary forces are still well in place. Nominal wage inflation remains very low, as companies sit on vast piles of cash but remain reluctant to spend, and there is still a large amount of slack in the U.S. economy, particularly given a stubbornly high rate of unemployment stuck at 9%.
As Bernanke has very well pointed out repeatedly, inflationary pressures in the first half of the year were due to “temporary factors.” Hatzius pinpoints these factors as “short-term commodity price pass-through and upward pressure on motor vehicle prices in the wake of the Japanese earthquake.”
Inflation, as the Fed measures it, is on the downturn, Hatzius argues. Piggybacking on a proprietary business survey indicator of inflation which tracks the PCE, the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation, reasonably well, he writes:
“After a significant acceleration in early 2011, the indicator has declined notably in recent months and is now consistent with a deceleration in core PCE inflation from the recent 2%+ level to somewhere closer to 1.5%. This is also consistent with our forecast that inflation will slow over the next year.
Disinflation, or falling inflation, can turn into deflation, particularly when inflation rates are already very low. Economists, like JPMorgan’s chief economist for private wealth management Anthony Chan, agree that Bernanke is very wary of deflationary scenarios, and will engage in policies to avoid such outcomes. Hatzius agrees, and takes it further, in a recent conversation with
Forbes, the economist said he expects GDP to slow in 2012 and Bernanke to engage in a third round of asset purchases, or QE3, in coming months.
There is, though, one other alternative on the table: stagflation. Monetary conditions are extraordinarily loose, with the Fed pledging zero interest rates at least until mid-2013 and its balance sheet already expanded to a massive $2.8 trillion, it is clear that Bernanke is trying to stimulate some inflation to grow the economy. But if he overshoots, inflation could get out of hand, as the Fed’s Plosser has warned. “Creating an environment of stagflation, reminiscent of the 1970s, will not help businesses, the unemployed, or the consumer. It is an outcome we must carefully guard against,” said Plosser as he defended his decision to vote against Operation Twist at the September 21 FOMC meeting, according to
Bloomberg.
Oil prices remain stubbornly high, with WTI spot prices moving past $100 a barrel and closer to Brent, the international benchmark. Several companies with exposure to commodity prices, particularly food, are vulnerable, as Starbucks, Green Mountain Coffee, and have warned of rising cost pressures. While it appears like a distant possibility, high commodity prices coupled with ultra-loose monetary policy and a cold economy could, in a very bad scenario, lead to stagflation.
{{article.article.page + 1}}/ {{article.article.pages.length}}Continue | 4,755 | 2,342 | 0.000439 |
warc | 201704 | TOKYO – Japanese authorities are set to recommend new fair disclosure rules that aim to prevent company executives leaking insider information, part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to improve corporate governance and encourage foreign investment.
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Marking the first time that Japan will adopt statutory rules on corporate disclosure, the move will likely broaden the scope of current requirements put in place by the Tokyo Stock Exchange and clarify what constitutes material and insider information.
While the extent of corporate leaks in Japan is hard to gauge, the government is keen to shake up a business culture that has often been criticized for prioritizing the interests of executives over shareholders.
The measures are also a response to recent scandals involving Deutsche Bank's
Even so, in a nod to concerns of small firms worried about the burden of compliance, the FSA is expected to take a 'soft' approach and executives that break the rules will not face criminal penalties such as fines - unlike the United States.
That approach has won the backing of investors and companies alike.
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"There's a concern about enforcement. Many small and mid-sized firms wouldn't be able to respond to those rules," said Shota Watanabe, fund manager at Rheos Capital Works which manages assets of around $1.8 billion, adding that overall he supported the rules.
"Rules that are too onerous could turn into a policy that kills young entrepreneurs and leaves only large firms standing."
An FSA panel discussing the rules met for a final time on Friday, and the agency will likely submit legislation to parliament next year after details on what the rules will say are hammered out.
"For people who don't know Japan but are looking to make investments, clearly defined rules will give them more faith in the system," said Yuji Mano, a member of the FSA panel and general manager of investor relations at trading house Mitsui & Co Ltd <8031.T>.
Currently, Tokyo bourse rules for companies cover how they release information such as share offerings, changes in capital or major shareholders as well as earning results or revisions to performance estimates.
Areas that might be covered by the new FSA rules include unpublished information on companies or financial products that could influence share prices if made public.
The plans come amid a slew of other reforms to boost corporate governance under Abe's administration.
In October, Japan's securities industry body introduced guidelines on how analysts should gather information from listed companies in a bid to prevent leaks.
Last year, the Tokyo bourse also introduced a new governance code that while not legally binding, aims to secure equal treatment of shareholders, big and small, by companies.
Regulators are also planning new rules to improve standards in the auditing profession to avert scandals like last year's $1.3 billion overstatement of profits by Toshiba Corp <6502.T>, which was missed by Japan's biggest auditor for years.
(Reporting by Emi Emoto and Thomas Wilson; Editing by Edwina Gibbs) | 3,155 | 1,650 | 0.000612 |
warc | 201704 | firing rates. However, when the researchers adjusted the neurochemical environment around the neurons to be more similar to that of a younger subject, the neuronal firing rates were restored to more youthful levels.
Soldiers encounter all sorts of weather conditions on the battlefield: blistering winds, broiling heat, drenching rain. Through it all, they face one constant problem: What to wear? Soon, their fashion dilemma could get a little easier.
The Silverstone Classic bills itself as "the world’s biggest classic racing festival." With more than 7,000 cars spanning the history of motorsports, we're not about to argue.
The factory bots will reduce labor costs and improve efficiencies, the company’s founder, Terry Gou, told the Xinhua news agency. And they will be unable to take their own lives.
In Russia’s far east, temperatures can fall to 35 degrees below zero. Many islanders herd reindeer. In January, oil crews drilled the world’s longest and deepest extended-reach well, 7.7 miles down into the ground and 7.1 miles out under the ocean.
Nanotechnology promises to enable tiny, intricate circuits powering devices on any surface. But unless they’re harvesting energy from something like a heartbeat, the devices can only be as small as the smallest battery.
eurons were correlated with expression of the genes in the liver, where the plaques are also produced. However, there was no such correlation between the activity of the genes in the brain and plaque deposition there.
The result was a prototype consisting of a simple cast attached to a metal rod with a flat hooked foot. The cast can be fitted in as little as a day and can be recast to accommodate the growth of the wearer. The metal rod and flat hook can be easily
The geostationary positioning coupled with modern communications technologies give the airship capabilities on par with satellites at a fraction of the cost. In position, the airship would survey a 600-mile (965 km) diameter area and millions of mile
The researchers also found that the gold particles could be used as effective tools in cellular nanosurgery.
“The reversal of cardiac dysfunction in this pre-clinical heart failure model in the pig by restoring S100A1 levels in practically the same setting as in a patient is remarkable and will pave the way for a clinical trial.”
"Before we can grasp the magnitude of this discovery, we have to figure out the function of these new bases," said senior study author Yi Zhang, PhD, Kenan Distinguished Professor of biochemistry and biophysics at UNC and an Investigator of the How
The world's largest network of radio telescopes is ready to begin the first phase of operations in northern Chile's Atacama Desert, an observatory announced Thursday.
British researchers are using a million ARM processing cores to simulate the human brain—or 1 percent of it, at least.
Powerful design tools and techniques such as 3-D printing enable manufacturers to be more nimble, says Autodesk's manufacturing boss.
In 15 years, a new car that gets less than 50 miles per gallon could be considered a gas-guzzler--if new fuel economy regulations President Obama plans to announce tomorrow stick.
In work that could improve solar cells and LEDs, researchers have, for the first time, made practical working devices out of three-dimensional photonic crystals.
For the first time, researchers have used brain signals to predict when a driver is about to slam on the brakes.
The National Science Foundation is looking to change that with a $10 million grant for an start-up education program intended to teach the nation’s top scientists and engineers how to become entrepreneurs.
Engineers at the University of Southampton in the UK have designed, printed, and sent skyward the world’s first aircraft manufactured almost entirely via 3-D printing technology.
Too much gadget and not enough battery. A problem any early adopter of a smartphone has faced (and, to some degree, is still facing) and can be a particular hassle when you’re traveling. Lots of gadgets means lots of charging cords or spare batteries
With the Chinese firmly in charge of the world’s supply of rare earth metals, the Japanese have been hard at work trying to devise means to reduce their reliance on rare earths in the manufacture of things like electric car motors.
DARPA is continuing its crusade to change the way we make things, selecting Vanderbilt University to set up the vehicleforge.mil website to enable software-style "open source" development of military systems, beginning with a ground combat vehicle.
The International Space Station will be directed into the ocean after 2020, a Russian Space Agency spokesman said.
Hacker and activist Aaron Swartz faces federal hacking prosecution for allegedly downloading millions of academic documents via MIT’s guest network, using a laptop hidden in a networking closet.
The Elektra One from PC-Aero is making its North American debut here at Airventure. The sleek electric single-seater is a prototype of the airplane designer Calin Gologan hopes will go into production next year.
Researchers in Cleveland have built an artificial lung that is so efficient it can breathe regular air rather than the pure oxygen required by current artificial lungs.
Action is needed now to prevent nightmarish "Planet Of The Apes" science ever turning from fiction to fact, according to a group of eminent experts.
Forty years ago, an automotive upstart called AMG raced a Mercedes-Benz sedan in the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. It was an unusual entry for the company’s first race, and few expected much from it.
The recent, record-setting heat wave appears to have been triggered by a little-noticed patch of storm activity off the western coast of Central America. | 5,872 | 3,012 | 0.000338 |
warc | 201704 | Public health risks associated with the early introduction of unmodified cow milk
to infants in developing countries (sub-Saharan African countries)
Remarkable differences in the macro- and micronutrient profiles comparing cow milk
with human milk identify specific fractions that may influence growth rate in both cows and humans.
You can use the milk for almost anything you use cow milk
for--on cereal, in coffee or to make hot cocoa in baking and cooking, or making sauces.
Of the women who became pregnant, 65% of 117 who consumed soy formula and 59% of 249 women who consumed cow milk
formula had live births.
Using goat milk gives the cheese and other dairy products a smoother, creamier taste than cow milk
, Maureen Peters said.
Our neonatologists made the early decision based on clear evidence of the beneficial effects of breast milk over cow milk
products in preterm infants," said Dr.
SPB formula has no advantage over cow milk
protein-based formula as a supplement for breastfed infants, unless the infant has one of the indications noted above
Food-exercise-induced anaphylaxis in a boy successfully desensitized to cow milk
.
The fact is, goat milk and cow milk
taste just about the same.
Regarding long-term effects, a lone epidemiologic study compares fertility and reproductive end points in young adults who were fed either cow milk
formula or soy formula as infants.
ailments, including cow milk
protein sensitivities.
The report covers the total cow milk
production, fluid milk consumption, segmentation on the basis of dairy products such as butter, cheese, skim milk powder, milk drinks and fermented products, cream, condensed milk and whey powder and volume of net trade for dairy products.
Women who regularly (daily) introduced their babies to cow milk
protein early, before 15 days of life, almost completely eliminated the incidence of allergy to cow milk
protein in their babies," says Prof.
Two glasses of goat or sheep milk supply significantly more of the daily required nutrients to people than cow milk
.
Allergy to extensively hydrolyzed cow milk
proteins in infants: identification and treatment with an amino acid-based formula. | 2,202 | 1,107 | 0.000918 |
warc | 201704 | by Kirby Lindsay Laney, posted 10 August 2016
On the outside, Patrick Place Apartments resembles every other multi-residential structure around our neighborhood. This 71-unit building provides housing for adults who go to work, school and play, just like the others in Fremont.
Patrick Place is also a place where people who might otherwise be living on the streets can find a home. Patrick Place, a Catholic Housing Services property, provides a home, and for those who want it, support, assistance and guidance when they are ready for more than a permanent roof over their heads.
A High-Functioning Population
Patrick Place provides small one-bedroom or studio apartments, for rent to people who apply through local, non-profit, social service agencies. Built in 2013, and opened in January 2014, those who live here have histories of chronic homelessness and/or frequent, long-term stays in homeless shelters. Here they find more than transitional or temporary housing as residents can stay as long as they like, and need. They can stay for life, although some residents have already found permanent work and chosen to move on to their own housing.
Virginia ‘Ginny’ Lord, a Certified Peer Counselor and member of the CReW Program (Counseling, Recovery and Wellness) for Catholic Community Services (CCS,) has worked at Patrick Place and other CCS facilities. She explained, “with any CCS building, it takes a while for the residents to trust and reach out.” According to her, only about 10% of residents at any time ever attend meetings, and get involved.
“We are a ‘harm reduction’ building,” Lord explained. This means that “we don’t care about what people do in their units,” Lord said. Residents can live their lives chemically dependent, as long as they don’t infringe on the rights of others in the building.
Yet, this may not be why these residents chose not to participate. “The residents at Patrick Place are higher functioning than at other Catholic Community Services buildings,” Lord observed. She suggested that the independence, and ability to fend for themselves, developed by these residents in order to survive on the streets, might make Patrick Place residents so high functioning. Patrick Place resident Dennis Bateman thought that sounded right. “That is exactly why,” he said. “We don’t need anyone else. It makes it harder. It does.” Having learned to be tough, independent and self-reliant enough to survive without a place to live, for decades, Bateman acknowledged that it makes it harder to ask for help now.
Setting Goals & Finding Solutions
Still, Lord gave one of the residents for starting The Solutions Group. According to Lord, a substance abuse counselor suggested that the resident attend a recovery group, and that resident asked Lord to help organize one among the neighbors of Patrick Place. “That’s how the idea started,” Lord said.
Lord credits the residents who attended The Solutions Group for growing it beyond basic recovery. Patrick Place residents chose the rules and mission for The Solutions Group. Rather than ban all drug and chemical use, the group set rules about respecting each other, being present (no texting or Facebook surfing,) and no intoxication during meetings.
At the meetings, “I talked to people about what their goals were,” Lord explained, “and they had a hard time identifying any goals.” Lord explained that for its members, the Group has been about “recovering from our own baggage.” As members identified goals, starting small, they were encouraged to meet them, yet, “we don’t judge,” Lord explained.
“Sometimes it takes 50 tries,” Lord said, about completing a goal. Some goals that sound simple aren’t, and ones that may seem grandiose can be easier than expected. “Sometimes life happens a minute at a time; a day at a time,” Lord observed, “we have to recognize that patterns are very hard to break.”
For instance, making a doctors’ appointment isn’t always just about making an appointment, but also about admitting there is a problem, trusting the doctor to be respectful, and/or trusting that treatment will help. Residents at Patrick Place can find themselves caught in pattern behavior, and The Solutions Group can reveal how, “what we’ve been doing isn’t working,” Lord observed.
“The accountability,” Bateman agreed, about what he’s gotten from the Solutions Group. “All I really do is facilitate,” Lord acknowledged. Among themselves, residents have built their support networks, and reputations for results. “They rely on each other for support,” Lord observed, “I think that has been huge.”
Personal Solutions, & Community Activities
This year, The Solutions Group took Bateman beyond his own personal goals and into community activism. Last June, Fremonsters were invited to a community-wide clean-up, begun and ended at Patrick Place. Unlike a similar clean-up held last year, Bateman organized this one, and his Patrick Place neighbors did most of the trash collecting.
Through The Solutions Group, when residents met a personal goal, they would look forward to setting, and accomplishing, another. “Pretty soon we were doing big things,” Bateman said, “We got a lot of support, to start small and simple.” Yet, as he completed one task, Bateman said, “I thought, ‘maybe I could do something else.’”
Bateman acknowledged that he came to Patrick Place as a user, and it led him to make poor choices. When he decided to do different things – meet goals, find work, make art and get engaged with his community – chemical dependency got in the way. According to Bateman, once he had ideas of goals he wanted to accomplish, and found ways to get there, the drugs became an obstacle rather than a recreation.
The community clean-up, “was a goal set in the group,” Bateman explained. He chose to give back to this community, in part because of the way he and other residents have felt included in it. “It’s like ‘Leave It To Beaver’,” he said of living in Upper Fremont, “kids laughing and playing, and people say ‘hi’ to you. This is a nice neighborhood.”
For Bateman, attending meetings of the Fremont Neighborhood Council (FNC) and talking to area business people about donating to the clean-up prize giveaway, has been about his own personal growth, and pushing himself past his limits. “Everything I do is new,” he explained, and he looks forward to seeing how he can move forward, into a future in Fremont, and beyond.
For August, Bateman is working on restoring and re-dedicating an art bench in Upper Fremont, installed by the FNC, and built in honor of Fremont resident activist Helen Tapp. To volunteer to help his effort, and get more information, contact instigator@fremocentrist.com
Fremont’s people make it what it is, and what it will become. The Patrick Place Solutions Group members may be working on their own lives, but it could be the best thing to happen at the Center of the Universe this summer!
Related Articles Homeless Housing Plans Move Forward For CCS by Kirby Lindsay, November 21, 2011 Fremont Public Art Inventory, Part VIII: Tiles & Mosaics by Kirby Lindsay, May 10, 2013 Fremont By Thirds: The FNC Takes The Lead by Kirby Lindsay, March 10, 1999, originally published in The Seattle Press
©2016 Kirby Laney. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited. | 7,802 | 3,477 | 0.000304 |
warc | 201704 | Let's Squish Some SQUASH BUGS! Q. How do you deal with squash bugs? I can't believe the amount of infestation! Do row covers really work? Thanks, ---Rachel in central Ohio --- Haley in Norman, Oklahoma ---Jackie in Dinero, TX A.It would be highly unusual for squash bugs to attack tomatoes and pole beans, so let's do an ID check. Adult squash bugs are around half-an-inch long, brownish-black, flat-backed, elongated and covered with fine hairs. If Jackie's creatures are less elongated and more shield shaped, she may have stinkbugs instead. Those also-miserable pests are known to attack all the crops she mentioned. If that ISthe case, read our Previous Question of the Week on stinkbug control.
Squash bugs are pretty much limited to decimating plants like winter squash, zucchini and pumpkins; sometimes cucumbers and melons. These bugs are nasty bad actors. Once they start feeding aggressively, the leaves droop, blacken, and fall off. The plant itself often dies; and even if it
does survive, rarely produces any more fruit. And in some areas—including Oklahoma, where they seem to be especially nefarious—they are prime suspects in the transmission of Yellow Vine disease, a devastating plant virus.
Understanding their life cycle can be a big help in gaining the upper hand. The pests overwinter in the adult stage under mulch and other debris. So one tactic is to remove all the mulch in your garden about a month after you shut things down, burn or hot-compost it and replace it with a cover crop or a nice fresh mulch of shredded leaves, which should be in abundance at that time of year. Or hold off on the new mulch, place boards on the ground near where infested plants were growing, check them every morning for adults looking for a place to spend the winter and destroy them. (The adults; not the boards.)
And carefully mark where attacked plants were growing. We'll explain why in a minute.
The following season, start squash bug-prone plants a week or two earlier than usual or buy the next biggest size than you usually get at the garden center. If you
DO start your own plants, make sure they stay close to their artificial lights and are well fed. (If you're not going to keep your starts under lights, don't bother starting them; weak, spindly, light-starved plants don't stand a chance against these pests.) The goal here is to set big, healthy, actively-growing plants out into the garden.
And be sure not to plant in the same spots as squash grew the previous year! This is why you marked the location of last year's problems; you don't want to place your plants where overwintering adults may already be lurking.
Remove any protective winter mulch and don't replace it, as mulch harbors the pests. Instead spread an inch of rich, finished compost on top of the soil to keep weeds down. It will also feed the plants perfectly. Reapply monthly or as needed.
And yes Rachel, protect those young plants with spun polyester row covers! Numerous studies have shown this to be the single most effective squash bug tactic. Make sure those covers are tight to the ground and check them frequently. You'll have to remove the covers when the first female flowers open, but that's fine; by now, you're off to a great start. (If you just plain despise these pests, you can always leave the covers on and hand-pollinate the plants.)
As soon as you remove your row covers, place boards loosely on the soil alongside your plants. The adults will hide under these boards at night, much like slugs. Unfortunately, as Oklahoma State University entomology Professor Dr. Scott Fargo explained in an
ORGANIC GARDENING magazine back when I was Editor in '95, this doesn't work as well in really warm climes or at the peak of summer, as the adults hide under the boards to stay warm. But it works great wherever and whenever nights are a little cool.
Go out early in the morning and scrape any squash bugs (and/or slugs) off the bottoms of the boards into a bucket with some soapy water in the bottom. Do
NOT be an environmental criminal and use kerosene or gasoline to drown insect pests; it is NOT necessary and there is no way to dispose of that toxic waste safely and legally.
When nights
are warm, dust diatomaceous earth (a mined natural product) around the base of your plants. Incredibly sharp on a microscopic level, it will dehydrate and desiccate any squash bugs (and slugs) that try and cross over the white powder.
Hand pick and destroy any adults you see, especially early in the season. You'll greatly minimize problems if you prevent egg-laying by those codgers from last year. Tape a mirror to the bottom of an old hoe and use it to examine the undersides of the plants' leaves every morning. Destroy any shiny eggs you see; egg colors range from yellowish-brown and bronze to brick red. Any eggs you
miss will hatch into nymphs, the wingless, immature stage of the squash bug. They start out a pale green, darken as they get older and look a little like smaller, doughy versions of the adults. Hand-pick or vacuum up these evil children. Or spray them with insecticidal soap, a light summer spray horticultural oil or a spinosad product. Call them vile names and insult their ancestors.
And finally, plant things like alyssum, calendula, daises, dill, fennel and mustard greens near your squash and cucumbers. Their small, pollen-and nectar-rich flowers will attract the Tachnid fly, an
especially beneficial beneficial insect that preys on squash bugs.
And finally,
finally, my good community gardening friend Don in Charlotte, NC sent me this article from ATTRA that he found very helpful.
Good luck! | 5,659 | 2,832 | 0.000355 |
warc | 201704 | Tax services in Latvia
Tax services has been one of our core practice areas since the very foundation of the law firm. Our law firm has been recognized by our clients as a first tier tax advisor in Latvia. Since 2008 we have also been providing tax services in Estonia and Lithuania.
We offer tax advice in international and domestic tax planning, tax litigation, market entry strategies and cross-border tax issues. Along with our deep knowledge of taxation we are able to offer a truly comprehensive legal service in other practice areas of the corporate and commercial spheres, such as mergers and acquisitions in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
Before commencing business activities in Latvia, it should be noted that all income derived in Latvia is subject to corporate income tax at 15%. There are thin capitalization and transfer pricing rules applicable, as well as withholding tax on certain categories of outward payments. However, a recent and attractive development is the possibility to reduce taxable income by deemed interest rate on retained earnings. That is, companies are able to reduce their effective tax rate, if their shareholders do not distribute retained earnings. Additionally, the period for carrying loss forward is five years.
Another recent development is Micro-Enterprise Tax. This type of tax may be applied on small companies and sole proprietors, whose turnover does not exceed 100 000 EUR per year and who meet several other criteria regarding number and remuneration of employees. The tax rate is only 9% on turnover and it includes corporate income tax, social contributions, personal income tax and other labor related contributions.
In general, VAT registration is mandatory for companies or persons, whose turnover exceeds 50 000 EUR. Different thresholds are applicable for certain categories of goods or for international or intra-Community transactions. Related companies may establish a VAT group by pooling their obligations and rights, while communicating with the Latvian tax authority.
The full list of fields of our expertise in taxation is as follows:
Tax planning and optimization in Latvia
Tax litigation in Latvia
International cross-borders transactions in Latvia Value added Tax (VAT) in Latvia Social Security in Latvia Corporate income Tax in Latvia Withholding Taxes in Latvia Personal Taxation, including filling of Annual Tax returns for expatriates in Latvia Representation before Tax authorities in Latvia
Appeal of Tax assessments in Latvia
Preparation of declarations in Latvia Arranging residence certificates according to double taxation agreements in Latvia Property tax in Latvia Payroll taxes in Latvia VAT representations and registrations in Latvia Excise tax in Latvia Packaging tax in Latvia Natural resource tax in Latvia State dues in Latvia Land transfer dues in Latvia Tax audits in Latvia Accounting consultancy in Latvia
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OECD Model tax in Latvia | 3,661 | 1,585 | 0.000637 |
warc | 201704 | (SQUIRRELS) Science suggests that ‘being squirrely’ means being altruistic. In keeping with Hamilton’s Rule, when a red squirrel baby is in trouble, other squirrel moms will oftentimes “adopt” the youngster and go out on a limb to help. — Global Animal
Ode Magazine, Jeremy Mercer
Once considered, in those memorable words of Tennyson, “red in tooth and claw,” the supposedly ruthless natural world is proving far more altruistic than ever thought possible. In the most recent example of animal compassion, a study published earlier this month by
Nature Communications shows that orphaned baby squirrels are sometimes adopted by other squirrel moms.
Researchers from the University of Alberta have been monitoring the red squirrel population in the Kulane National Park in northern Canada for more than 20 years, but it was only recently that the doctoral student Jamie Gorrell discovered a curious phenomenon. While making his regular checks on squirrel nests, Gorrell found one nest had an extra pup in it. At first, he assumed he had erred in his earlier count, but then he realized the extra pup was older than the rest of the litter. Furthermore, this pup’s eyes were still shut and its muscles undeveloped, meaning it couldn’t have simply wandered over by itself. So what happened?
It turns out the mother of the mysterious extra pup had been eaten by a predator – perhaps a hawk or an owl – and a neighbouring squirrel noticed the nest had fallen silent. This squirrel went over to investigate, found orphaned pups, and brought one back to her own nest to raise as her own. Going back through their records, the researchers determined there had been similar adoptions over the years and the key was that the two mothers were always related, perhaps sisters or cousins.
“Natural selection is about promoting your own genes, passing on your genetic lineage, so a female adopting a relative helps pass on her own genes, the genes she has in common with that juvenile,” Gorrell says.
This falls in line with the current theory on the evolution of altruism, known as Hamilton’s Rule, which states that an organism will sacrifice to help another organism so long as they share enough genetic material. This rule was made famous by Richard Dawkins, but despite the rather cynical title of his seminal work –
The Selfish Gene – incidents such as these squirrel adoptions are also a reminder of something rather wonderful: whatever its root genetic cause, altruism is hard-wired into animals and compassion is a natural state.
And, of course, these squirrel adoptions shed no light at all on the marvel of interspecies adoptions such as this case of the lioness in Kenya who repeatedly adopts orphaned oryxes or the gaggle of cat-adopting-squirrel stories such as this that populate Internet video sites. With ‘selfish’ genes playing no role in these adoptions, Gorrell can only theorize they are the result of females who become overwhelmed and confused by their hormones. Or, one could choose a more optimistic interpretation: kindness and compassion are such powerful forces that they eclipse all genetic considerations.
Photo Credit: R. W. Taylor Love animals? You may be interested in – | 3,301 | 1,678 | 0.000617 |
warc | 201704 | A NOAA-led study refutes the much-publicized idea that there has been a recent slowdown or “hiatus” in the rate of global warming . The study finds that global warming during the last 15 years has progressed as fast or faster than during the latter half of the 20th century.
Latest News
PostedMay 19, 2015
Physical Climate, Scenarios, Observations, Modeling, Water Resources, International, Carbon Cycle, Arctic, Agriculture & Food, Education, Energy, Human Health, Extreme Events, Adaptation
The latest edition of Our Changing Planet, USGCRP's annual report to Congress, highlights progress in advancing science, informing decisions, conducting assessments, and engaging with diverse audiences. The report also spotlights interagency priority areas, including climate predictions, global change in the Arctic, water extremes, and actionable science.
PostedMay 15, 2015
Oceans, Physical Climate, Observations, International
The last remaining piece of Antarctica’s Larsen B Ice Shelf will likely disintegrate by the end of this decade, according to a new NASA-led study. The ice shelf, which partially collapsed in 2002, has existed for at least 10,000 years.
PostedMay 6, 2015
Oceans, Physical Climate, Observations, Mitigation, Land Use & Land Cover, Coasts, Ecosystems & Biodiversity, Carbon Cycle, Arctic, Agriculture & Food, Energy, Cities & Infrastructure, Indicators, Human Health, Adaptation
A new section of GlobalChange.gov features indicators that visually communicate some of the key aspects and effects of climate change . Users can provide feedback to help shape a broader indicators system that will inform the next National Climate Assessment.
PostedApr 9, 2015
Observations, Human Health, Adaptation
In association with National Public Health Week, the Administration this week unveiled a suite of Federal actions and private-sector commitments to build resilience at the nexus of climate change and public health. A key pillar of these efforts is the development and release of new climate and health-relevant data and tools.
PostedMar 16, 2015
Observations, International, Extreme Events, Adaptation
Bangladeshi officials have announced plans to expand the SERVIR satellite-based flood forecasting system for nationwide use. The system uses Jason-2 satellite data to predict flooding as far as eight days in advance, a significant advancement in disaster preparedness for the flood-prone country. SERVIR is a joint initiative between USAID and NASA.
PostedJan 31, 2015
Physical Climate, Observations, Water Resources, Carbon Cycle, Agriculture & Food, Extreme Events, Adaptation
Although the amount of moisture stored in soil is just a small fraction of Earth’s water, it plays a big role in the Earth system. NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite, launched into orbit this morning, will collect unprecedented measurements of soil moisture around the globe.
PostedJan 16, 2015
Oceans, Physical Climate, Observations, International
2014 ranks as Earth’s warmest since record keeping began in 1880, according to independent analyses by scientists at NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
PostedOct 22, 2014
Physical Climate, Observations, Modeling, Education, Adaptation
The latest edition of Our Changing Planet, USGCRP's annual report to Congress, gives an overview of the Federal global change research enterprise, with plain-language highlights spotlighting recent efforts to advance science and support societal needs.
PostedSep 21, 2014
Scenarios, Observations, Mitigation, International, Carbon Cycle, Energy
According to the new Global Carbon Budget for 2014, carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high in 2013 and are on track to do so again this year. | 3,788 | 1,737 | 0.000585 |
warc | 201704 | Dr. Aung Soe (a) Aung Kyaw Moe Ex United Nations Volunteer (UNV) UNDP
March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD), adopted by the United Nations. On that day, one should promote awareness and highlight the importance of acheiving equality for women and girls, which is a matter of fundamental human rights and fairness. So also progress in so many other areas depends on gender equity, it is said.
Countries with more gender equality have better economic growth. Companies with more women leaders perform better. Peace agreements that include women are more durable. Parliaments with more women enact more legislation on key social issues such as health, education, anti-discrimination and child support. The evidence is clear: equality for women means progress for all. As we are marching forwards for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), following Millennium Development Goals(MDGs), the above mentioned truth should be central to accelerate progress. No doubt, access to primary education for girls and political representation by women had some gains. To be honest, progress remains far too slow and uneven at different parts of the globe. As such, a baby girl born today will still face inequality and discrimintion, no matter where her mother lives. We have a common obligation to ensure her right to live free from the violence that affects one in three women globally; to earn equal pay for equal work; to be free of the discrimination that prevents her from participating in the economy; to have an equal say in the decisions that affect her life; and to decide if and when she will have children, and how many she will have. It sould be a message for every girl-born today, and to every woman and girl on the planet. Realizing human rights and equality is not a dream, it is a duty of governments, the United Nations and every human being. Recently, esteemed GNLM, in its ‘Pebruary 2016 issue described a newes item saying three Myanmar women and one foreigner from a neighbouring country were charged by police in a Myanmar border town for human traficking attempt. Ma Nan Khum, Ma Nan Ban, Ma Aye Aye and a foreigner male were arrested. A subsequent investigation revealed that three women persuaded a teenage girl into marrying the foreigner from the adjacent country for the money she would need to support her family. The young girl, aged 16, was struggling to earn for her siblings because her mother was in prison. The trafickers told her she would get 30,000 foreign curency, equivalant to much more amount of Myanmar kyats, if she agreed to marry that foreigner of un-known background and to proceed for uncertain destination. Let us look around at the women we are with. Think of those we cherish in our families and our communities. And understand that there is a statistical likelihood that many of them have suffered violence in their lifetime. Even more have comforted a sister or friend, sharing their grief and anger following an attack. One young woman was gang-raped to -death. Another committed suicide out of a sense of shame that should have attached to the perpetrators. Young teens were shot at close range for daring to seek an education. These are some of the global scenarios. These atrocities, which rightly sparked global outrage, were part of a much larger problem that pervades virtually every society and every realm of life. Question was raised by New light of Myanmar daily two years ago in its editorial on 8 March 2014: it says across the world, gender inequality previls in almost all societies with women facing unfair treatment for being the weaker sex. Is gender inequality an issue in Myanmar? Editorial continued, the never-heard before cases of child rape and sexual abuses of children by their family members (incest) have come as an awful shock to Myanmar society. Since rape is a crime that often goes unreported because of a sense of shame, it is reasonable to assume that there may be many more cases of child rape happening unreported. Compared to their counterparts from many Asian countries, Myanmar women enjoy a greater degree of equality with men. But, a brief look into the parliament and government ministries will make it clear that Myanmar women just represent a small proportion in leadership and decision-making positions, in the past. Traditionally, women have taken the back seat in Mynmar society until 2000s when the rising living expenses forced many women from their homes to the workplace to become earners themselves. Before this, male sex superiority was deeply entrenched in our society and both men and women took it as a normal thing. The time-honored maxim for housewives “Treat son as the master, treat husband as the Lord” explains well the traditional role of women, editiorial said. It is, however, encouraging to see Myanmar women striving to break this age-old glass ceiling by holding a series of women’s forum and dialogue over the past years. As women and girls constitute the half of the total population, they should and must have a much bigger say in decision-making process of the country, editional concludes. It is prime time to make a speical promise to women in conflict situations, where sexual violence too often becomes a tool of war aimed at humiliating the enemy by destroying their dignity. On International Women’s Day, we should convert our outrage into action, declare that we will prosecute crimes against women – and never allow women to be subjected to punishments for the abuses they have suffered. We renew our pledge to combat this global health menace wherever it may lurk – in homes and businesses, in war zones and placid countries, and in the minds of people who allow violence to continue which, no doubt, create Post Stress psychological Disorders and even insanity! The United Nations stands for the welfare of all victims of sexual violence in conflict at the forefront of its activities, making its respones to sexual violence a priority in all peace-making, peackeeping and peacebuilding activities, it is noted. The United Nations system is advancing UNiTE to End Violence against Women capmaign, which is based on the simple but powerful premise that all women and girls have a fundamental human right to live free of violence. During March 2014 in New York, at the Commission on the Status of Women, the Commission members hold the largest-ever UN assembly on ending violence against women — and kept pressing for progess long after it concludes, even upto present days. Obviously, many governments, including Myanmar, groups and individuals contributed to this campaign. Societies and community members lend their funds to a cause or raised voice to an outcry. To end this injustice and to provide the weaker sex with the safety, security and freedom they deserve, Myanmar people, being planet citizens, would accelerate their co-operation in this global push. | 6,937 | 3,294 | 0.000306 |
warc | 201704 | With 332 million registered users worldwide, at least 2.1 million of whom currently working in the sports industry, there is no doubt that LinkedIn offers significant opportunities for establishing and progressing your career. But how can you stand out from the crowd and build a personal brand on the platform that represents you as a professional and reputable candidate that decision-makers at organisations in the industry should take seriously? Here at GlobalSportsJobs, we have collated our top tips on making an impact on LinkedIn and leaving a lasting impression on industry professionals in the network:
Be bold above the fold:
Like on any web property, the key real estate on your LinkedIn profile is the above-the-fold content i.e. the content that is visible without using the vertical scroll-bar when a visitor lands on your profile. Entice them to scroll by including an eye-catching professional headline (up to the 120 character limit) and a short professional summary (up to the 2,000 character limit) that introduces the compelling story of your past accomplishments, education and experience that is your full profile. Make it easy for the viewer to engage with you by concluding your summary with a clear call-to-action, inviting members relevant to your career vision to connect with you on LinkedIn, read your content or reach out to you directly.
Consistency is key:
Think about who will be viewing your profile? If you’re actively searching for a new job in the sports industry and have put out your feelers, be it through applying for vacancies on GlobalSportsJobs or sowing the seed with industry connections, it is vital to make sure your LinkedIn profile is consistent with CVs you have circulated. Your CV should always showcase your most relevant skills and experience for the particular role you are applying for, and prospective employers will understand that your profile will not be identical to a CV you may have sent them, however, as a minimum the job titles, dates and education journey should be consistent.
Following the leaders:
Be selective in the groups you join and influencers you follow. Don’t forget that the sports industry is vast so try to focus on groups and influencers in the most relevant sectors in the industry to you. The sector taxonomy on GlobalSportsJobs.com platform is a good guide to help you narrow your focus. Joining and participating in relevant groups will not just expand your network, but can improve your profile’s exposure, reach & SEO, with the major search engines recognising group names as keywords when crawling your profile. Joining local groups like “London Marketing Professionals” can further assist with geo-targeted SEO.
Recommendations count:
Don’t be shy to ask for recommendations and endorsements from your former colleagues and bosses. They are powerful tools to increase the strength of your profile and keep you engaged with your network. It is important, however, to make sure the displayed recommendations are the most relevant to your career path within the sports industry. Less is more, particularly if you have recommendations from leaders or influencers within sport. It is worth offering guidance to referees before they post their endorsement, asking them to focus on relevant skills and achievements, once again helping you build consistency within your personal brand.
If you’ve got it, flaunt it:
Finally, once you have completed your profile, include a direct link on your email signature, Facebook, Twitter & Google+ accounts and any websites you maintain to create inbound links. This will openly present your contacts with the opportunity to connect with you on LinkedIn and enable you to indirectly expose yourself to opportunities in the sports industry talent marketplace without spreading your CV too far and wide. Having a well-written and impactful LinkedIn profile demonstrates your motivation to drive your career forward in the industry. | 3,999 | 1,897 | 0.000533 |
warc | 201704 | At 10:07 am EDT, the US Supreme Court released its opinion on the Affordable Care Act. Over 800,000 people viewed the live blog from the SOCTUSblog. The journalists who heard the decision read call it complicated, but briefly, The Affordable Care Act, including
its individual mandate that virtually all Americans buy health insurance, is constitutional. There were not five votes to uphold it on the ground that Congress could use its power to regulate commerce between the states to require everyone to buy health insurance. However, five Justices agreed that the penalty that someone must pay if he refuses to buy insurance is a kind of tax that Congress can impose using its taxing power. That is all that matters. Because the mandate survives, the Court did not need to decide what other parts of the statute were constitutional, except for a provision that required states to comply with new eligibility requirements for Medicaid or risk losing their funding. On that question, the Court held that the provision is constitutional as long as states would only lose new funds if they did not comply with the new requirements, rather than all of their funding.
Read the opinion in the health care cases at http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf
Many predicted or hoped the Affordable Care Act would be ruled unconstitutional. Many are surprised that Chief Justice Roberts sided with the liberal side of the court. The Chief Justice Chief Justice read the decision, which probably means he wrote the decision.
What happens now? No one is sure. With the reported number of Americans without health insurance at nearly 50 million, it will continue to be a hot political issue. Speaker of the House John Boehner said yesterday that if the court does not strike down the entire law, the House would move to repeal what is left of it. | 1,856 | 968 | 0.001036 |
warc | 201704 | This
week I am going to address a letter I received from
Marty in Santa Barbara. Marty has been caring for Starr
a 7-year-old Lhasa Apso dog for all of her life. In the
last six months or so, Starr has developed a cough that
has gotten a bit worse with time. It seems that when
Marty first gets up in the morning, Starr coughs quite a
bit and when she gets home from work, Star again will
have significant coughing episodes.
During
the weekdays, Marty is unaware of any coughing while she’s
at work and on the weekends it seems to follow the
morning pattern. According to Marty, Starr is fed a
high-quality dog food as well as some food from her
table. She seems perfectly healthy in every other way.
Marty does add that she has taken Starr to her
veterinarian who did treat her with antibiotics at one
point without resolution of the problem.
First
of all I want to commend Marty for a good detailed
letter about Starr’s problem, it really helps keep my
wheels turning. I also found the timeline description of
Starr’s cough quite interesting and potentially quite
helpful.
As
we’ve touched on in the past, a cough is a symptom
occurring as a result of some type of insult to the
respiratory tract. It is not a disease nor is it a
representative sign of one particular disease. I know it
sounds like I am beating a dead you-know-what, but a
cough, like any other symptom, needs to be "worked
up" with appropriate diagnostics in order to
discover and hopefully resolve the underlying disease
process.
Starr
needs to have a thorough physical examination, which
should always include auscultation of the chest, which
might provide some audible clues. We can hear abnormal
noises in the chest including harsh air sounds and
crackles that can represent problems with the airways or
the lungs. It is possible to sometimes determine the
presence of fluid in the chest as well. I would also
carefully palpate Starr’s throat area on exam to see
if the cough is easily elicited.
Along
with a good physical examination, we have an excellent
tool available to help in the diagnosis of a cough, the
chest radiograph. These films can demonstrate many types
of problems within the chest that can result in a cough.
Bronchitis, pneumonia, fluid in the chest, heart
disease, indications of heart worm disease, lymph node
disease, tumor masses and the list goes on. Another
possible cause that may indeed be possible in Starr’s
case is a collapsing trachea.
The
trachea or windpipe is the tubular cartilage that
delivers air to the lungs. It does so by breaking into
smaller and smaller branches called bronchioles that
eventually terminate into tiny structures within the
lungs called alveoli. I realize this may be more than
you want to know but sometimes it helps in understanding
certain diseases.
If
the cartilage rings that support the trachea becomes
weakened, it can have a propensity to collapse as a dog
inspires. This collapse makes exhaling difficult and the
dog will often times cough to open the trachea for
expiration. This is manifested more often when these
dogs are excited such as when their caretakers arrive
home from being out or in the morning when they greet
them. It also can occur when the throat and section of
trachea in the neck are palpated.
Obesity
can greatly exacerbate this condition in these patients
as the extra fat around the trachea inside the chest
serves to put extra pressure on the already weakened
trachea. Marty did not mention if Starr was on the
chubby side.
Some
breeds of dogs show a much higher incidence for this
condition. All those breeds in this category are small
dogs and Lhasa Apsos do fall into this group, as do
poodles, Pomeranians, Yorkshire terriers and others.
If
indeed Starr has collapsing trachea, it can be very
difficult to treat depending on the severity of the
condition. There is no true cure in most cases although
surgery can have some limited success if the collapsing
portion of the trachea is outside the chest in the
throat. If Starr is obese or even just overweight,
weight reduction can have a profound good effect on this
condition. We can sometimes use cough medications
designed to suppress coughing that can be helpful. Your
veterinarian can outline a treatment protocol that will
best suit Starr.
On
final point: In many cases with collapsing trachea,
there can be secondary bronchitis and even pneumonia
associated as the propensity for the trachea to collapse
can compromise the patient’s ability to clear their
respiratory tract.
These
patients will need to be treated for these underlying
conditions as well. | 4,721 | 2,250 | 0.000458 |
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